NEWS
Fatality accident leads to citizens’ safety petition to TxDOT
The Wise County Commissioner’s Court approved a resolution Monday calling on the Texas Department of Transportation to identify and complete immediate safety improvements at and near the vicinity of an intersection of U.S. 81/287 and County Road 2395. A citizen’s petition seeking changes also is being circulated.
This was the site of a fatality accident on March 9 that took the life of Jeffrey Taylor, 44, Sunset. The Wise County Messenger reported Taylor was killed when his 2022 FM Sierra pickup struck the utility trailer of a 202 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck driven by Singh Loveprett, Ozone Park, NY. Taylor’s truck hit the tractor-trailer rig at the crossover near CR 2395, just south of the restaurant Punjabi Dhabba.
This recent wreck has further heightened safety concerns expressed by local residents. Quint Burks, pastor of New Vision Ministries, which sits adjacent to the highway crossover, told the Messenger staff this area has always been an issue, but added since the restaurant and truck stop were built north of the crossover it has gotten more dangerous with many near misses. Burks said the truck traffic is causing congestion and with limited visibility at the hill of the highway this is seen as a problem spot by local residents.
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation told the Messenger staff the wreck is under investigation and depending on the outcome TxDOT will perform a traffic and engineering study of the location to determine if additional safety measures are needed.
The county resolution states this area has been “an ongoing hazard, especially related to commercial truck traffic.” The court and community would like to have the area studied and improved to prevent future deaths, injuries and accidents.
That March 9 fatality wreck resulted in a petition and a public outcry for changes at the entrances and exits of the truck stop. It had more than 2,000 signatures earlier this week reported the Messenger.
Taylor’s funeral service was on march 17 at Crossroads Church in Decatur. He was born in Houston to Raymond and Judy Taylor and graduated from Spring Woods High in 1997. He graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown with a degree in business in 2001. Taylor operated his own audio, video and lighting production company, Taylor Pro Audio, which worked with churches, businesses and events across Texas and surrounding states. Taylor also acted as operations manager for Petra Coatings.
The 44-year-old and his wife Sara made their home in the Sunset area, with their children Callum and Evan. His parents Raymond and Judy Taylor reside in Alvord along with other family members.
Responding to complaints about the unsafe operation of golf carts and ATVs in Nocona, the city council approved amendments presented by the police chief at the July 14 meeting.
In recent months, residents and business owners in downtown have made complaints about these drivers speeding, almost running into people and many of them being underage drivers. Police Chief Kent Holcomb offered the council an amendment that can hopefully tackle some of the problems, as well as provide for enforcement.
The City of Nocona allows the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on city streets, but this amendment now requires these vehicle have an annual registration that carries a $50 annual fee. Fees will be prorated for a partial year at $25 for six months or less. Prorated fees will not be given to anyone who has received a citation for violating the ordinance.
An applicant shall provide proof of ownership or lawful possession , of the vehicle, proof of current financial responsibility required by law, copy of the operator’s valid driver’s license and payment of the registration fee. A decal will be provided for the vehicle.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The 2026 certified property values for Montague County were released to the 16 taxing entities for which it sets values and for Montague County the total numbers were up 3.591%.
With the arrival of these numbers, the taxing entities can begin serious work on creating their budgets and proposed tax rates. Last year the Montague County Tax Appraisal District had to create two sets of values pending the November homestead election so they were happy things were back to just one set.
Certified values are based on property sales made as of Jan. 1, 2026. Chief Appraiser Kim Haralson said the values held up well during the protest hearings, and while minerals went down some there were a lot of new properties added.
New taxable property totaled $87,505,775 for 1,208 properties. Haralson said people appear to be setting up manufactured homes on some of the two-acre tract subdivision and other subdivisions are seeing people start to build houses.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The staff of Brazos Electric Cooperative will host a public meeting to share information and receive feedback on a proposed 138kV transmission line project in Montague County.
This meeting will be from 4-6 p.m. on July 27 in the H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay, Nocona.
For those unable to attend, online information will be available until Aug. 10 at brazoselectric-alcorn-cappscorner.com
This come-and-go public meeting will provide information and seek input on the rebuild and upgrade of a 14-mile transmission line. The propoosed 138kV double-circuit transmission line will connect the existing Alcorn Substation on Salmon Road with the existing Capps Corner Substation on Farm-to-Market Road 1956 and FM 677. The proposed right-of-way width for the new transmission line is 70 feet.
Attendees will be able to make comments, ask questions and share concerns with Brazos representatives and technical specialists from Oaklight Environmental Consulting.
Those with questions on the meeting may call 512-817-0733 or email brazoselectric-alcorn-bulcher@oaklight.com.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS4 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News