COUNTY LIFE
Challenges don’t deter King as teaching career blooms
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
After attending college at Texas A&M University earning a bachelor and master degree, Erik King has come home to do his student teaching at Bowie High School.
A 2010 Bowie graduate King is teaching horticulture, advanced plant and soil science and principles of technology working with veteran teacher Ronnie Mund.
There are several things you notice about King when you first meet him. A big smile, a deep strong voice, unbridled enthusiasm for teaching and a passion for nature. All traits that reveal a young man who has found his life’s path.
One other thing you may notice. The 27-year-old is in a wheelchair, and he is quick to tell you people will always see the chair no matter what, but he sees it as a stage and opportunity where he can present himself in the most positive manner possible.
Teacher or not?
The son of Karen and Mickey King, this budding teacher graduated from Texas A&M in December with his master of science in ecosystem science. His bachelor degree was in
King explains he always felt ecology and agriculture go together and he wanted to create a curriculum that fuses them for community college or high school classrooms. His master’s degree focused on education.
His path into teaching was not always so defined. King’s grandmother, Jennie Ensey,
It wasn’t until his junior year working on his bachelor degree the light bulb went off that “Me-Maw” was right.
“No matter how many times I found myself running away from it, I kept circling back where I began. It is something I enjoy. It got me excited to teach someone something new. Animal, plant or science facts I can go on and on about them,” he said.
Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News.
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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