NEWS

Couple jailed in child injury case

Published

2 years ago

01/30/2025

A local couple sought in connection with an injury to a child case were in custody on Jan. 27 and awaiting arraignment for first degree felony injury to a child.
Bowie Police Chief Guy Green said Jonah Belcher, 23, and Cheyenne Eckert, 23, both of Bowie, turned themselves in on warrants issued out of the department over the weekend. Belcher turned himself in at the Montague County Sheriff’s office Monday, while Eckert, mother of the injured child, turned herself in to Galveston law enforcement.
Green said Eckert apparently left town and went to a family member in south Texas. She was still in jail Tuesday awaiting arraignment before being transported back to Montague County.
The investigation of a possible injured child began the afternoon of Jan. 24 when the police received a call. The sheriff’s office also reportedly received a 911 call for an injured child in the city.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

Montague County sees 56.1% voter turnout in midterms

Published

6 minutes ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Montague County voters joined the rest of the state with a tremendous turnout in Tuesday’s elections.
The elections administration office reported with all 10 precincts counted a turnout of 56.01% or 8,732 casting ballots. There are 15,591 registered voters in the county.
While there were no county contested races, there were two city council and two school board elections.
The Bowie City Council has three places on the ballot. Laura Sproles, incumbent, was not challenged for her place two.
Levi Bailey won the precinct one seat with 925 votes. Valerie Thomerson received 328 votes.
In precinct three, Terry Gunter won with 1,027 votes and Glenda Durham was second with 383

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

NEWS

Nocona teen dies after apolice chase

Published

13 minutes ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

A 15-year-old Nocona boy was killed in a crash following a law enforcement pursuit just after midnight on Nov. 1.
Sgt. Aaron Brandle, public information officer with the Montague County Sheriff’s office, said the crash occurred on Nov. 1 at around 12:21 a.m.
The vehicle in the pursuit crashed in the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
The release states responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where despite continued life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased.

While the authorities have not publicly identified the deceased, several community efforts have been launched to assist the family of AR “Mando” Alcantar, a sophomore at Nocona High School. Students and staff also have taken steps to remember the popular young man.

A Gofundme account also has been sent up under the name Small Town, Big Hearts – Help support the Alcantar Family. It was organized by Kelsey Cabrera.

(Top photo – AR “Mando” Alcantar)

Read the full report in the Thursday Bowie News.

The Bowie News staff apologizes for the error in spelling of the the young man’ s name in the print edition. It stated “Mondo” and that was incorrect. We did not find the error until after press time.