NEWS
Rail car emergency class planned
The City of Bowie Office of Emergency Management will host a free rail car incident response for crude, ethanol and other flammable liquids on Sept. 30 at the Bowie Community Center.
This free program is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. Training is provided free by the Center for Rural Development and the University of Findlay’s All Hazards Training Center on behalf of a U.S. Department of Transportation grant award.
Who should attend? Firefighters including neighboring departments, other first responders, community emergency management personnel and other community stakeholders including railroad representatives.
The registration deadline is Sept. 16. Contact Kirk Higgins, emergency management coordinator at emc@cityofbowietx.com or call 940-841-0188. Deadline is Sept. 16.
As more and more rail traffic transports cargo, including hazardous materials, it is important the responder community become educated about the dangers and unique hazards presented with rail cars carrying these commodities. The information presented here will enhance the ability of emergency responders to assess the scene of a rail car incident, understand the resources needed to remediate the emergency situations, including how the railroad will play a critical role.
Hands-on scenarios using a rail car simulator are conducted to emphasize the objectives of the training including identifying the design, construction, components and markings of rail tank cars that carry crude-flammable liquids; recognizing and identifying the chemical being transported and properties to consider in an emergency, assessing the scene to determine potential hazards to people, property and the environment, recognizing mitigation strategies including offensive, defensive and non-intervention strategies for fire and/or spill incident and identifying key resources in the rail/freight industry as well as federal, state and private resources for response assistance.
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on July 13.
Items on the agenda include the following: Approve bond for deputy clerk tax assessor-collector; reappoint Jan Ward to the Helen Farabee Center Board; approve line-item budget adjustment of $6,650 from election judges to election supplies for the purchase of a NeuraScanner; approve election judges, alternates and clerks for 2026-27 election year; consider enrollment with the Texas Association of Counties certified AI course; consider naming a private road Berkley Lane off of Farm-to-Market 1655; replat in precinct four and final plat for Twin Acres subdivision; review sealed bid for base rock and budget workshop for fiscal 2026-27.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on July 14 in regular session.
The city manager’s report from Bert Cunningham opens the meeting.
He will report on the Coffield to Roberts Streets waterline; budget preparation; status of the Texas Water Development Board grant application and a new water line on Session Street from Coffield to Roberts.
In new business, the council will consider a medical access and service advantage program, an ordinance calling the Nov. 3 election and an amendment to the finance department’s cash handling policy.
The city manager will make the presentation of the proposed 2026-27 budget, followed by setting a public hearing and budget workshop.
In old business, there will be the second reading of an ordinance updating the office of emergency management along with an update on an agreement for automatic aid assistance between the City of Bowie Fire Department, Sunset Volunteer Fire Department and Bowie Rural Volunteer Fire Department.
The first six months of 2026 have provided Bowie and Nocona with more than half of their average rainfall for the year, which is welcome as the steamy summer season gets underway.
Lake levels also are strong, but as always rainfall is welcome in this often dry season.
Bowie rainfall
January – 0
February – 3.0
March – 1.79
April – 5.93
May 3.63
June – 7.36
Total – 21.71 inches
Nocona rainfall
January – 0
February – 1.86
March – 2.13
April – 8.94
May – 1.64
June – 7.78
Total – 22.35 inches
Lake levels(7/7/26)
Amon G. Carter –
918.40msl, 88.3% full
Full at 920msl
Lake Nocona – 824.66msl, 82.9% full
Full at 827.50msl
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