NEWS
DPS urging drivers to exert caution during holiday weekend
The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking Texas drivers to use extra caution when driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
From Sept. 2 – 5, DPS Troopers will join law enforcement from across the state in looking for drivers who disregard traffic laws, including impaired drivers, speeders and safety belt violators.
“Texans are killed on our roadways every day because of reckless drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking, and DPS works around-the-clock to help prevent these tragedies,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “During the Labor Day weekend, Troopers will be on the lookout for impaired and dangerous drivers, and we are urging drivers to do their part by strictly obeying traffic laws and finding alternative transportation if they plan to drink.”
During the 2015 Labor Day holiday enforcement period, DPS Troopers made 488 DWI arrests, and issued 8,515 speeding citations, 1,091 seat belt/child safety seat citations and 1,062 no insurance citations. In addition, Troopers made 278 fugitive arrests and 224 felony arrests.
DPS offers the following tips for safe travel during the Labor Day holiday:
• Don’t drink and drive – designate a driver or take a cab.
• Eliminate distractions, including the usage of mobile devices.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law.
• Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
• Slow down or move over for police, fire and EMS vehicles as well as tow trucks and TxDOT vehicles stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated – it’s the law.
• When you see a fellow motorist on the side of the road, slow down or move over a lane for them too, if it is safe to do so.
• Don’t drive fatigued.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before your trip begins.
Be safe.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District welcomed one new member this week following the Nov. 5 election and accepted the 2023-24 outside audit with no exceptions.
Incumbent Trustee Jacky Betts returned to place one and Angie Christmas took the place two seat. After the board officers were dissolved with the new ones taking the oath, officers were elected. Betts will continue as president, Guy Green as vice president and Kent Dosch as secretary.
Paul Fleming of Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC, presented the audit telling there were no issues and the process went smoothly. He noted the biggest change was the Legislature compressing the district tax rate and additional changes in the tax law. State aid formula grants increased due to the state’s funding formula compensating for lost property tax revenue due to the law change previously mentioned.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Information was the watchword for the second hospital/emergency room community meeting Tuesday night, as the steering committee was announced along with additional financial considerations.
About 50 people attended the meeting. Melody Gillespie, who was named chairperson for the committee, said the goal is to gather information to get it out into the community. This group was formed after the Bowie emergency room was closed by Faith Rural Health System in early October just shy of one year of operating in Bowie.
Kylie Ward, one of the public relations volunteers, said, “This committee is not here to force things on you and there are assumptions already we are proposing a tax. We are not, we don’t have that ability, we are just a research team here to explore all the options.”
Other members of the committee include Tiffany Chandler and Damon Benton handling finance and grant research; Jennifer Tellef, secretary; Valerie Tomerson, grant research; Ann Smith, PR and Margin Latham and Gillespie, legislative research. It was pointed out there are other members of the sub-committees who are helping with research, but they also invite anyone interested to help with the process.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo – Jack County Judge Keith Umphress spoke at this week’s steering committee meeting. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The following indictments were filed with the 97th District Clerk following the November session of the Montague County Grand Jury.
There were a total of 13 indictments with one sealed awaiting the arrest of a suspect.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Read the full list of indictments in your mid-week Bowie News.
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