NEWS
Nocona ISD plans bond public forums
There will be a school bond informational meeting for Nocona Independent School District residents at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 in the high school auditorium.
Superintendent Dr. David Waters said everyone is invited to attend and receive details of the $19 million bond proposal that will go to voters on Nov. 7.
This plan was developed by a facilities committee in conjunction with the board of trustees and includes four projects:
- Adding eight classrooms and a storm shelter to the elementary large enough for everyone on campus. Projected cost $3,315,000.
- Adding eight classrooms and a storm shelter to the current middle school also large enough for all on that campus. Projected cost $3,298,750.
- Remove the 35-year-old portable buildings at NHS and build a new career and technology education and vocational agriculture center with a storm shelter. Projected cost $4,200,000.
- Build a stand-alone 1,200-seat competition gym facing the Cottonwood/Grayson intersection. Projected cost $5.7 million.
There have been extensive last-minute discussions on the building locations going back and forth between connecting them with existing buildings or not; however, it was decided to place the buildings on the east side of the 71-year-old high school on what the board called “up on the hill” facing Grayson Street. The architect emphasized that site would handle drainage more effectively and would be less expensive than connecting them.
After these most recent discussions and board input the final drawings will be prepared.
The schedule of public meetings will be as follows:Sept. 23, 10 a.m., Nocona Hills Church Youth Center, Nocona Hills Homeowners Assn.Sept. 25, 5:30 p.m., NHS Auditorium, public.Oct. 2 , 5:30 p.m., Nocona Elementary cafeteria, public.Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m., NES cafeteria, Spanish.Oct. 20, 7 p.m., Nocona Middle School cafeteria, public.
The Nocona City Council will consider how to fill a vacancy along with numerous requests, budget items and building improvements when it gathers at 5 p.m. on June 9.
Per the local government code a city council member who is absent for four consecutive meetings is considered to be automatically vacant. Rob Norman has been absent and the council will consider appointing someone to fill the remainder of the term until November 2026.
Mayor and council items of interest and public comments will follow.
The agenda includes four funding requests from the Nocona Economic Development Corporation A and B Boards: $2,500 for a signage grant for Nocona Meat Company, $15,000 grant to the Chisholm Trail Rodeo Arena Committee for improvements, maintenance and repairs, $4,678.83 to Indian Oaks Golf Course Advisory Committee for sand and top-dressing greens and $2,500 to the VFW for additional insurance wrap policy to cover burn-out during Cruisin’ Nocona.
The council will consider a grant management firm to handed the application process with the Texas Water Development Board as the city pursues an infrastructure grant. An engineer/architectural firm also will be discussed for that grant.
The city will receive sealed bids for the sale of 19.5 acres adjoining the golf course.
Police Chief Kent Holcomb will report on the public nuisance code violations and the warnings written.
Other topics will include: Changes made to the H.J. Justin Community Room rental agreement; consider the fire department applying for a Texas Forest Service grant and amend the city budget for matching funds; discuss paving the entrances to the cemetery; discuss installing handrails at city hall steps; discuss Small Town Roofing volunteering to put a new roof on the downtown park gazebo; review the 2027 Montague County Tax Appraisal District budgets; hear progress report on city budget work; and discuss paving two to three blocks of Poplar Street and the intersection of Cooke and Willow.
Under the city council acting as the building commission, the first hearings on 300 Bowie is set for owner Charles and Johnnie Williams and 310 Bowie, owned by Stephanie Ray are scheduled. The fire marshal is expected to provide reports on both.
All these items will be considered for action in the regular agenda following the workshop agenda.
Bowie Library’s Summer Reading program opens at 10 a.m. on June 9 at the Bowie Community Center with a bubble truck party.
Come prepared to get soapy and wet as this popular series kicks off the summer. This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story,” with a focus on prehistoric items and dinosaurs.
Summer reading is open to children ages 0-12 and these free programs will be at the Bowie Community Center at 10 a.m. every Tuesday in June and July excluding June 23, July 14 and July 21 when it will be at the library.
Children will be given a reading log to bring with them to each program. Each child also receives a book at the end of the series.
The program will include the following activities: June 16, Bright Star Theater Group; June 23, Read and Go take home craft; July 7, dinosaur exhibit; July 14, Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum program; July 21, Read and Go take home craft and July 28, Creature Teacher.
‘Tween and Teen
There will be a summer reading program for this age group of those 11 to 18. Programs at are 2 p.m. June 11, 18 and 25 all at the library.
Youngsters can do dinosaur scratch art, air-dry clay diffuser disc and take part in an escape room.
Top photo- Summer reading art activity from 2025. (News file photo)
June has opened so it must be time to start making plans for the 60th Jim Bowie Days Celebration June 19-27.
It will be a golden anniversary for the western festival that offers fun for the entire family. From a barbecue cookoff to pet parade, rodeo and pickleball, don’t miss any of the action.
Activities get underway with the 2nd annual Smokedown BBQ Cookoff which welcomed 24 teams during its first outing. The cooking competition will be June 19 and 20 in the Pelham Park area and community center.
Registration will be on the day of the event. Friday night will feature the steak challenge and on Saturday the contest has beans ($20 entry fee), chicken, pork spare ribs and brisket ($200 entry fee).
Read the full schedule of events in your Thursday Bowie News.
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