NEWS
Be safety aware as you take to the water this holiday weekend
As the nation takes to the lakes this Memorial Day weekend to kick off summer, boaters are reminded to brush up on their safety skills and make sure their water crafts are ready for the season.
National Safe Boating Week takes place the week prior to Memorial Day emphasizing safe boating practices such as wearing life jackets.
As the temperatures in Texas climbed to over 90 degrees this past weekend, there is expected to be a lot of lake activity across the state. In Montague County the two major recreational lakes will certainly be busy as both have been replenished with rainfall. Lake Amon G. Carter outside Bowie is topping 100% and Lake Nocona is 85% full.
Preston Kleinman, Montague County state game warden, said things look good at both lakes as the summer season begins. He encourages boaters to make sure they have all their required safety gear on the boat. That includes the following:
- Proper fitting life jacket for everyone on board;
- Type 4 throwable;
- Sound producing device such as a whistle;
- Fire extinguisher;
- Registration card;
- Kill switch lanyard if in your type of boat.
- Read the full story with updates on local lakes in the mid-week Bowie News.
NEWS
Bowie City Council meeting cancelled
The Bowie City Council has cancelled its Jan. 14 meeting due to a lack of a quorum. No date has been announced for the next meeting, but the regular date would be Jan. 28.
NEWS
Snow Day pictures abound
The Bowie News was overwhelmed with more than 400 snow day photos sent in from across the county. Please view them on our Facebook page. We will publish many in the Thursday Bowie News. Thank you to everyone who sent them in.
Top photo – Brandee Mumms and her family put together a snowman.
NEWS
Highway road crews make progress clearing roads today
WICHITA FALLS DISTRICT – TxDOT maintenance crews cleared all Tier 1 and Tier 2 highways
today. Snowplows started running between Midnight and 4 am across the region. Tonight, we
are expecting slick conditions because of refreeze. Bridges and overpasses will be particularly
icy.
Archer City Office: Archer county is reporting wet roads on their Tier 1 roadways including US
281 and SH-79. They are planning to run plows on secondary roads this evening. Slick spots on
bridges and overpasses are expected overnight.
Bowie and Nocona Offices: Bowie and Nocona kept highways US 287, US 82, US 81, and SH59 constantly cleared today. The area’s primary roads are in great shape. The crew plans to
expand to SH-175 in Montague and Nocona overnight.
Gainesville Office: The Gainesville office is responsible for taking care of more than 20 miles of
I-35. Crews worked hard today to keep I-35 in great condition and keep the Interstate traffic
moving. US 82 is also a high priority highway, and the plows were on it all day. The office has
been able to plow some of their higher volume FM roads. Refreeze will also be a big concern in
Cooke County.
Graham Office: Graham’s crew got their primary roads in top shape today. However, the
Area Engineer, Zach Husen, wants to remind everyone that bridges and overpasses will refreeze
tonight. There will be ice on the lane markings as well as the shoulders. Graham has already
been able to start plowing FM’s which they will work on tonight as well.
Henrietta and Clay County Office: Our maintenance office in Henrietta services all of Clay
County. US 287 is their Tier 1 roadway that was very good shape this afternoon. The crew has
already started plowing lesser traveled roads and will continue to plow new highways while
maintaining the best service possible on US 287. The maintenance supervisor, Darin Reed, is
concerned about snow and runoff refreezing tonight. Drivers should be cautious and watch for
black ice.
Vernon, Wilbarger County Office: The Vernon crew kept US 287 in good shape today. They
were able to work on other primary and secondary roads in their area. Refreeze is the main
concern for tonight.
Wichita Falls Office: Crews plowed their major roadways in top shape including I-44, US 287,
and US 82 (Kell Fwy) as well as the area’s secondary highways. This crew will continue to keep
control of these major roadways throughout the night.
(MORE)
Wet roadway conditions with slick spots are expected across the entire district. Refreezing will
happen on plowed highways and unplowed roads. Overpasses and bridges will be the first to
freeze and the last to thaw. Motorists should be on the watch for black ice.
Motorists can obtain travel information, road conditions and see 15 Wichita Falls traffic cameras
and 1 Vernon camera by visiting DriveTexas.org or calling (800) 452-9292. Traffic cameras are
also at TxDOT.Gov.
Remember to follow the Wichita Falls District on our Facebook page,
www.Facebook.com/TxDOTWichitaFalls and on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/TxDOTWF
If you experience any emergency on the road, call 9-1-1 for help.
Drivers are urged to follow these precautions:
Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal dry road and weather
conditions, not winter road conditions. Do not use cruise control.
Turn on your headlights. It is not for you…it’s so other drivers can see you.
Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
Watch carefully for personnel, equipment treating roadways, and stay at least
200 feet back from road crews. Don’t Crowd the Plows.
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses, intersections, and shaded
areas as they tend to freeze first and thaw last.
If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction
that you want to go until you feel you have regained traction, and then
straighten your vehicle.
-
NEWS2 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint