COUNTY LIFE
Bowie area sculptor presents library with unique artwork
Stan Briney, noted sculptor, artist and author in the Bowie area, donated a sculpture to the Bowie Public Library which was presented last week.
Called “Nevermore, Nevermore,” Briney said his purpose in creating this sculpture was to capture and recreate a moment in time, which was described in Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Raven,” published in 1845. Poe is considered one of the world’s greatest literary geniuses.
This statute is constructed entire of bronze metal. Briney explains the stark visual contract between the jet-black raven and the applied patine finish over the Athena Pallas bust that resembles marble is the result of careful and deliberate use of chemicals and heat. This finish was applied after the piece was cast in bronze.
At this “moment in time,” a young Poe is grieving over the sudden death of his love, Lenore. The pallid marble bust of the Greek goddess Athena Pallas sits just above Poe’s chamber door.
In the poem, the raven perches on his chamber door and begins his relentless tapping which awakens him. The bird then perches on the bust and stares down at Poe. In this mental state brought on by liquor and opium, he imagines the raven has come to comfort him. This assumption is quickly corrected as he writes.
Briney encourages people to read the poem for a complete understanding of Poe and this sculpture. The National Sculpture Society reviewed this creation in 2005 in New York City.
The artist is a member of the Texas and National Sculpture Societies.
The Nocona City Council gave its budget proposal a final once-over before setting a public hearing for it and the proposed tax rate for Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.
Council members also heard from Blake McNew who is against the recently approved fee and registration process for golf carts and related vehicles.
Last month the council approved an ordinance that set forth registration requirements for these vehicles with a $50 registration fee. After several close calls and complaints from downtown business people and citizens on near misses with ATVs and golf carts driving unsafely downtown the council took the step to add the ordinance.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said after some discussion the council asked for it to be back on next month’s agenda with possible consideration for repealing the fee. After some research she added a person can go through the state to obtain a license plate for these vehicles and the local sticker would not be needed.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The staff of Texas Education Agency on Aug. 14 announced the release of 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state.
Almost all of the school districts in the county saw their district ratings increase or remain consistent, along with some of their campuses.
There were 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses rated in 2026. Some 24% of both districts and campuses increased in rating compared to 2025.
Read the full story and see all the county ratings in your Thursday Bowie News.
2026 state accountability ratings
Bowie Independent School District – B, 80 of 100 points
Elementary/intermediate – C, 74
Junior high – B, 84
High school – B, 86
Bellevue ISD – A, 92
Forestburg ISD – B, 82
Gold-Burg ISD – C, 76
Montague ISD – A, 93
Nocona ISD – B, 86
Elementary – B, 80
Middle school – C, 79
High school – A, 94
Prairie Valley ISD – B, 88
Saint Jo ISD – B, 82
Elementary – D, 66
High school – A, 92
Friends of the Bowie Animal Shelter will host the annual Clear the Shelter event from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22.
The shelter is located at 1508 E. Wise. While this is a nationwide effort to recognize the work of animal shelters, their staff and volunteers, this also is a chance to support their efforts by attending the bake sale, silent auction and food vendors.
Adoptable dogs from the Bowie shelter as well as Easy Street Shelter of Saint Jo, Lucky Paws in Nocona and McCares of Montague will be present.
If your family is considering adopting a pet this would be a great time to visit with the animals and meet the volunteers who can tell you a bit about the animals. Prospective volunteers also are welcome, so ask your questions.
Staff from Cross Timbers Vet will be giving reduced price vaccinations.
There will be a prize drawing at noon for a bounce house and a Turtle Box speaker. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win either prize. Drawing at noon.
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