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.

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioners got their first look at higher expenses that can be anticipated for the new budget year as the appraisal district submitted its 2026-27 budget for consideration and the county also learned how much its health insurance will be go up in the new year.
The court met for its first meeting in June Monday. Kim Haralson, chief appraiser, presented the Montague County Tax Appraisal District budget proposal making her first stop with commissioners. She explained the budget is driven by a focus on cost-containment and reduction in operating expenses where possible.
“The abundance of growth we continue to see in the county is not showing any indication of slowing down. We are continuing to maintain five staff members for appraising as they have for 38 years.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

Bowie Library’s Summer Reading program began on June 8 and will continue through July 28.
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. Call 872-2681 with questions.