COUNTY LIFE
By DANI BLACKBURN
dani@postoakmedia.net
A local family grieving the loss of their father is trying to save the life of their brother, Clarence James Kittrell, by finding a donor for his failing kidneys.
The 40-year-old currently resides in Paradise with his wife, Lindsey, and six-year-old daughter, Ava, and has family and many friends in the Bowie area.
Kittrell, who goes by “CJ,” attended Bowie Independent School District in elementary and junior high. One of eight siblings, he was a healthy child and teenager, but his life drastically changed when he fell ill at the age of 24. Doctors scrambled to find answers for his failing health.
Near death and weighing less than 100 pounds, his doctor’s physician assistant suggested he be tested for juvenile diabetes. The test results confirmed the diagnosis, just in time to save his life.
“After he graduated he was no longer active in sports. We were told his body was maintaining because he was so active, but after he graduated he was no longer in sports and that is when the diabetes started going out of control,” explained his sister, Wanda Truax, of Bowie. “They never thought to test him for diabetes, but he had it his whole life and we just didn’t know it.”
However, even on his death bed, Kittrell never lost the spark that his family and friends love so dearly.
“He is the life of the family. He is always making jokes and putting everyone in a good mood and he is never in a bad mood. Even on his ‘death bed’, he was trying to make everyone else feel good,” recalled Truax.
Many encouraged Kittrell to draw disability after being so sick, but he took the opposite road.
“I fought it. I told others no and instead I found the hardest job I could working for Patterson Drilling as a hot shot driver working 18 to 20-hour work shifts. My dad told me never give up, and if you are going to do it give it 100 percent every time, so that’s what I do,” explained Kittrell.
Read the full feature on this family in the weekend News.
Pictured above are: CJ Kittrell is shown with his wife Lindsey and daughter Ava. The family waits for a donor kidney for CJ. (Courtesy photo)
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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