NEWS
DPS increases patrols for Spring Break
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will increase its presence on the roads to ensure highways are safe as part of a spring break enforcement campaign. From March 12 through March 20, the Texas Highway Patrol will be out looking for people who are violating traffic laws as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort). The Operation will include St. Patrick’s Day.
“Spring break is a time for fun and relaxation, but we need to make sure people are enjoying their vacations responsibly and following the law,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “DPS will step up enforcement efforts on the roads, and we hope drivers will obey the posted speed limits, along with all the other laws, to make it possible for everyone to have a safe spring break.”
During the 2021 spring break enforcement effort, DPS Troopers issued more than 73,700 citations and warnings for violations. This included 7,236 speeding citations, 919 citations for seat belt or child safety seat violations and 500 Move Over, Slow Down citations and warnings. Troopers also made 512 felony arrests, 417 DWI arrests and 235 fugitive arrests.
To have a safe spring break holiday, DPS offers the following tips:
- Don’t drink and drive. If you plan to have alcohol outside of your home, have a designated driver or take alternate transportation.
- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped. Through March 3 of this year, there have been 1,333 Move Over, Slow Down violations.
- If you can Steer It, Clear It. If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the lanes of traffic. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped.
- When using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Don’t drive fatigued — allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of roadside assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you’re traveling. For road conditions and closures, visit Drive Texas.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
A 36-year-old Bowie man is believed to have taken his own life during a 10-hour stand off with law enforcement early Sunday morning.
Bowie Police, Montague County Sheriff’s staff, a Department of Public Safety Trooper and the Wise County tactical unit worked throughout the night to reach a safe outcome, but it was not to be as Ryan Clay was found deceased in a house located at 610 Pillar. Police Chief Guy Green said Clay’s body has been sent to Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for autopsy.
Captain Kent Stagg said the first call came in at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night from Clay’s mother, Cynthia Bolt, who told police he was “shooting up the house.”
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Picture above – Law officers dealt with a standoff at 610 Pillar throughout the early morning hours of Sunday. After 10 hours of negotiating with Ryan Clay, he was found deceased inside the home from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (News photo by Rosie Cole)
With less than a week left for the March 5, 2024 party primaries there are virtually no contested county races with the state garnering the most candidates.
Filing for the Republican and Democratic Party primaries ends on Dec. 11. Candidate prospects can file with the county party chairman for the local races and with the state party for the national and state races.
Montague County Republican Party Chairman Mark Neese said as of Monday he has received no new candidates since the Nov. 16 sign-up night. There is no county Democratic Party chairperson and those who wish to run on that ticket may file with the state party.
The District 30 State Senate seat is garnering a lot of attention after Drew Springer, R-Muenster, announced he would retire to return to private business taking over his father’s financial management firm in Muenster. District 4 Congressman Pat Fallon, R-Sherman, has said he plans to run for the District 30 seat, but he is not yet listed on the Republican Party filing list or the Secretary of State’s site. Fallon served in the seat for two years before Springer leaving the office to run for Congress.
Other candidates for the senate seat that includes Montague County are Brent Hagenbuch, Denton County Republican Party chair, Dr. Carrie deMoor, a Frisco physician and Cody Clark, Krugerville, a former police officer and business owner.
Trish Coleman Byers, 97th district judge, has filed for her first full term as judge after being appointed mid-summer after the retirement of Judge Jack McGaughey.
Casey Hall, 97th district attorney, said she plans to run and has submitted her paperwork to the state party, but it has not appeared on the party or SOS website filing page as of Monday.
Other county races open in the 2024 primaries are county attorney, sheriff, precincts one and three commissioners, two constables and county tax assessor. All the incumbents have filed.
Precinct One Commissioner Roy Darden has filedand is facing a challenge from Charles King, which is the only contested race so far in the county.
The Archer County race for county attorney has reportedly gained a local connection. Leslie Hash, chairman of the Archer County Republican Party, confirmed Tuesday Assistant District Attorney Judy Price Hamilton Rosenberger filed as a Republican candidate for Archer County attorney.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Sunset Fire and Bowie Rural Fire Departments responded to this semi-tractor trailer fire on Nov. 29 when it caught fire on U.S. 287. The truck cab was destroyed on arrival and they worked to stop the fire from spreading. The driver was not injured. At the same time a second call came in for a semi-truck/Mustang wreck on Spur 511 outside Sunset. Units from both departments responded to the wreck, which also had no injuries. Sunset VFD officials commended the response and assistance from Bowie Rural. (Courtesy photo)
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