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 eddie.hood@tpwd.texas.gov
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.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 to finalize the budget and conduct a public hearing on a proposed tax rate.
The ordinances adopting both the 2026-27 budget and the 2026 tax rate are on the agenda for action. The public hearing on the tax rate presents a rate of .5750 cents per $100 in property value, which is slightly higher than the 2025 rate that is .5430.
The new rate is projected to generate $2,990,998, compared to $2,703,176 from last year’s rate. This is the first significant change in the rate since 2019, when it was .5445 cents. The next year it went to .5447 cents, where it stayed until 2023, when it went to .5430 cents, through 2025.
A bid will be awarded for the Rock and Pillar Street drainage project. Wall Contractors will be recommended by the city engineer and staff review. The bid came in about $1.3 million, which was lower than the estimated $2 million. It is expected to straighten the channel and get this intersection reopened for traffic after more than a year of closure to collapse of a portion of the pavement on the street.
The council will consider stop signs regulating traffic flow around the Kingdom Ridge Subdivision next to the elementary school.
In the city manager’s report Bert Cunningham will provide information on the hazard mitigation plan, the 2025-26 audit preparation and the bid for the Rock and Pillar project.
Montague County Commissioners will adopt a budget and tax rate when they meet at on Aug. 24 in the courthouse annex.
The budget hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24, followed by a public hearing for the proposed tax rate at 8:45 a.m.
During the regular meeting at 9 a.m., there will be one final budget workshop for any last minute tweaks or changes, followed by adoption of the 2026-27 budget and 2026 tax rate.
The proposed tax rate is .4961 cents per $100 in property value, which is the same rate as 2025. Due to the increase in property values despite the same rate, the total tax levy on all properties will see a 3.64% increase.
A copy of the proposed budget is available on the county website at https://www.co.montague.tx.us/.
Several other financial related items are on the agenda. Accumulated comp time in the sheriff office and jail will be discussed. The commissioners also will consider any year-end expenditures utilizing any or the budget year contingency funds.
Other items on the agenda will include: Acceptance of the District Attorney’s 2023- 2024 and 2025 Chapter 59 asset forfeiture reports and authorize DA Katie Boggeman to sign them; imposition of optional fees from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for 2027; House Bill 3834 cybersecurity and AI training certification for state and local governments compliance reports; interlocal cooperation agreement between the Department of Public Safety and the county court and district court; review the sherif office application for sheriff immigration law enforcement grant program Senate Bill 8; consider distribution of state grant HB 3000; and consider using Real Estate Station LLC Agent Denise Thurman to sell 5.9 acres on the corner of U.S. 81 and State Highway 59.
It should be no surprise, the month of July is recorded as the hottest month on record for the country.
July wrapped up with seven straight days of 100 degrees or higher July 25-31. August also opened hot with the first 100-plus degree day on Aug. 3 and it has topped that marked through Aug. 19. On Tuesday the high was 107 degrees at the water plant, but in town thermometers recorded 108 and 109 degrees.It was expected to top that mark on Wednesday.
There was no rainfall recorded in July or in August. Bowie has only 21.71 inches for the year so far and Nocona has 22.35 inches.
Lake Amon Carter
Aug. 19 –
917.22 msl, 80.2% full
July 19 – 918.10 msl, 86.1%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 919.84 msl, 98.8% full
Lake is full at 920msl
Lake Nocona
Aug. 19 – 823.48 msl, 76.3% full
July 19 – 824.41 msl, 81.05%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 826.878 msl, 95.85%
Lake full at 827.5msl
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