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Murder suspect jailed – Ex-boyfriend indicted for Tia Hutson’s murder

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Greg Bell, a former boyfriend of Tia Hutson, was arrested this week and charged with her murder, which occurred more than a year ago in Saint Jo.
Bell, 56, was indicted on Nov. 13 in the death of Hutson who was 50 at the time of her death. The 97th District Attorney’s office reported the Texas Rangers arrested Bell for first-degree murder on Nov. 14 and took him to the county jail where he remained on Thursday with $750,000 bond. He also had seven other Class C misdemeanor warrants for various complaints.
The grand jury indictment stated Hutson’s death was caused by “striking on her head with a hard object.”
This was the first murder in Saint Jo since 1986 and it shocked the small town, which is generally a quiet, rural city. A neighbor found Hutson in her home severely beaten and raped on Aug. 5, 2022. Six days later she died from her injuries.
Hutson’s son, Trevor Riley, called Bell’s arrest a “first step,” that relieves a lot of stress for his family. The family moved out of Saint Jo due to fear of any suspect.
“I’m sure the Bell family is feeling some measure of the horror and loss that we felt, my heart goes out to them. For those of us left behind, the Christian thing to do is to let go of our anger and fear and try to forgive. It’s up to the justice department to remember that my mom doesn’t have that opportunity.

Tia Hutson surrounded by her family: Daughter, Kami Taylor, son Trevor Riley and mother, Barbara Hutson. (Courtesy photo)
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BISD superintendent annual evaluation, contract set for agenda

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Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.

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As heat rises, take precautions to be safe

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Six county fire departments earn forest service grants

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Six Montague County volunteer fire department have received grants from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The service recently approved $29.3 million in funding for grants to through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
Nocona Hills Volunteer Fire Department received a $300,000 grant for a water tender vehicle. Montague and Sunset VFDs each received $45,000 for a slip-on unit, and the Nocona rural, Nocona city and Saint Jo VFDs each received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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