NEWS
Game wardens urge safety over holiday
As people flock to area lakes and rivers, Texas Game Wardens are focused on making your holiday experiences safe and enjoyable. Whether you are boating or swimming at a public lake or river, there are some State Laws and information you should be aware of:
Boat operators who are impaired by alcohol are a factor in 21% of boating fatalities. A person can be arrested for Boating While Intoxicated if he or she is impaired by drugs or alcohol or has a blood alcohol content of .08 or above while operating a vessel. In addition, any person on a boat can be arrested for public intoxication if he presents a danger to himself or others.
84% of drowning victims in a recreational boating accident were not wearing a life jacket. A US Coast Guard approved personal flotation device is required for every person on board a boat regardless of length. Children under 13 years of age are required to wear a PFD on boats under 26 ft in length while the boat is underway. Boats 16ft and over are required to have a US Coast Guard approved type IV (throwable device). Current registration and certificate of number are required on all motorboats. Fire extinguishers are required on most motorboats. Lights are required after sunset.
77% of fatalities occurred on boats where the operator did not have boater safety instruction. Boater education is required for anyone born after September 1, 1993 for operating a personal watercraft or motorboat over 15hp or a windblown vessel over 14 ft.
Swimming is a nice way to cool off on the 4th. Remember that lake depths are unpredictable and dangerous, especially for children. A life jacket and close supervision is recommended for all children swimming in our lakes and rivers. Once again, anyone who is intoxicated and considered a danger to himself or others while on a public beach is subject to arrest.
Texas Game Wardens want you to celebrate 4th of July weekend in a safe responsible manner.
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Eddie Hood or your local Game Warden, please call at 817-343-9114, or email Eddie at [email protected]
Texas Game Wardens are proud to serve the citizens of Texas and to fulfill its mission statement, which is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Anyone who has information concerning a crime should contact their local Game Warden or the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-792-GAME.
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]
The Bowie City Council welcomed three newly-elected members Tuesday night and the panel had its annual council orientation of duties presented by the city attorney.
Brandon Walker and Laramie Truax took the oath of office for their respective seats during the meeting. Laura Sproles was sworn in prior to the meeting as she was enroute to the hospital after a fall at home where she injured her hand and wrist. All the candidates had to take the oath by Tuesday night after the votes were canvassed.
City Attorney Courtney Goodman-Morris made the presentation on council duties and obligations, as well legal requirements. Brent Shaw was elected as mayor pro tem.
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)
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