COUNTY LIFE
Gavel comes down for one last time: 97th District Judge retires May 31
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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Six months into his law practice rookie attorney Jack McGaughey went into court for one of his first court-appointed cases, for a mental commitment. He went into the courtroom, asked the deputy where his client was, and was told: “Out in my car trying to kick out the windows.” McGaughey went out to talk to him through the windows but it had no effect whatsoever.
Not the most auspicious case to help launch your career, but on May 31 the Nocona native retires from a nearly 40-plus year career as an attorney, prosecutor and 97th District Judge. McGaughey is enjoying something of a farewell tour with retirement parties in each of the three counties in the 97th, Archer, Clay and Montague. The local party will be 2-4 p.m. on May 19 in the district courtroom in Montague.
The governor will appoint a person to fill out the term until the next election. Four applicants have been confirmed.
Read the full feature in the mid-week Bowie News.
Pictured: Judge Jack McGaughey takes a last look around the 97th District Courtroom where he has presided for the past 10 years as judge, plus more than 35 as county attorney, assistant district attorney and district attorney. (Photo by Barbara Green)
COUNTY LIFE
Forestburg, Nocona film students travel to Austin for state UIL film festival
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Students from two Montague County high schools will be traveling to the University Interscholastic League Young Filmmakers Festival on Feb. 26 and 27 in Austin.
The crew that created “Game of Heists” at Nocona High School, and the creator of “The Last Letter” from Forestburg High School, will be vying for a medal in the finals.
“The Last Letter” is by Lezly Sanchez, a ninth grader at Forestburg. It made it through to the top six in the state in the 1A-3A Combination Conference for digital animation. The film is up against films from Holliday, Wall, Sabine Pass, Lytle and Bushland High Schools. Medals go to the top three films. Dana Klement is coordinator of the new film program at Forestburg.
“Game of Heists” is a production of Nocona High Film coordinated by teacher Rob Norman. It is in the 1A-3A combination conference – narrative competing with films from Atlanta (two films), Mount Vernon, Robert G. Cole, and Sabine Pass High Schools.
Nocona had two other films make it close to the finals. “The Legendary Nut: The Awakening,” was a state quarter finalist and “Are We Rolling?” was a state semi-finalist.
In “Game of Heists” three student operatives are sent on a final mission in order to graduate and finally become real agents. Their teacher’s job and their own futures hinge on their success.
Cast and crew includes: Owen Crossen, AC 1; Isaac Fulumana, screenwriter/director/producer/editor; Keira Griffith, screenwriter/continuity coordinator; Susannah Hill, producer/assistant director/producer/script supervisor; Jessie Howard, screenwriter/director/producer/editor/actor; Kasch Johnson, boom/dolly operator; Joseph Longoria, boom/dolly operator; Josiah Messer, director of photography; Florentina Morales, makeup; Alexa Sosa, AC 2; Jazmin Aguilar, grip/actor; Jasmine Ramirez, craft services; Juan Salgado, grip/camera; Heyvan Ramsay, craft services; Nikki Conklin, makeup; Abby Hill, Amy Q. Fulumana and Rob Norman, actors. The film festival takes place across two days. The 1A-3A and 4A entries will be featured and awarded in ceremonies on Feb. 26 and 5A and 6A on Feb. 27, all at Hogg Auditorium on the University of Texas campus.
On both days session one for digital animation and documentary will be 1 -3:15 p.m. and session two for narrative and traditional animation 3:30-5:30 p.m. Awards will follow.
COUNTY LIFE
Montague County Commissioners meet Feb. 24
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Members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 24 in the courthouse annex.
Items on the agenda are:
Discuss and consider accepted unanticipated revenue of $810 from the Texas Association of Counties HEBP; consider renewing Arrow’s annual termite treatment agreement; consider request from County Extension Agent Justin Hansard to attend a public issues leadership development conference in Arlington, WV and Washington D.C.; discuss TAC software licenses pilot program agreement; approve the tax assessor issuing a refund of $44,757.67 to 2D Partners LP; consider intent of partial road closure of First Street (aka Motley Lane) in Sunset and consider intent of partial road closure of Greenwood Avenue in Sunset, both in precinct one.
COUNTY LIFE
Gallery to open annual photography show
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Davis & Blevins Gallery of Saint Jo presents its popular Through an Artist’s Lens photography show and sale opening with a kick-off party from 1-4 p.m. on March 1.
This is the eighth year for the annual show and it will feature nine artists’ new works. Most of the artists will be in attendance for this photography-centric show and sale.
These nine amazing, talented artists each take a different approach to photography. These award winning artists are visual storytellers – come out and meet them on March 1 so you can hear their stories, as well as meet them and view their works. You don’t want to miss out on all this fun.
The artists will include Mark Collins, Willetta Crowe, Emily McCartney Eiguren, Debra Fox, Craig Nadziejka, Tim Newton, Katie Sickles Rust, Dave Shafer and Kelly Yandell.
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