NEWS
Record turnout for ‘off’ year; Bowie selects new mayor
Montague County voters cast their first ballots on the new voting machines Tuesday approving nine of the 10 proposed Texas Constitutional amendments and selecting new leaders for the Bowie City Council and Bowie School Board.
Across the county the total voter turnout was 21.65 percent with 2,880 ballots cast from the 13,305 registered voters.
Ginger Wall, elections administrator, said the new machines were well-received by voters, with several noting they liked being able to review their ballot selections before hitting approve.
“We had a record turnout for an ‘off’ year,’ and it wasn’t just here, it was across the state. Everything ran very smooth,” explained Wall.
These election figures are all unofficial until votes are canvassed by their respective governing body.
With no major national or state races voter turnout tends to be lower. That is expected to change in 2020 with the party primaries and presidential election.
Voters selected a new Bowie mayor Tuesday as Bill Miller defeated Incumbent Mayor Gaylynn Burris, 396-315. This was the first time in more than 11 years there was a contested mayor’s race.
Within the city’s boundaries there are 6,588 registered voters with 1,508 ballots cast on Tuesday, resulting in a 21.80 percent turnout.
Diana Higgins and Jason Love won their respective council races, as did Wayne Bell who was unopposed. Jeff Jackson won the contest school board seat.
Read the full story in your weekend Bowie News.
A 42-year-old woman from Henrietta was killed in a pedestrian vs. vehicle accident at 3:30 p.m. on June 6 on U.S. Highway 287 near N. Butler Road.
The Department of Public Safety report states Car Dianne Chitwood was driving a 2015 Honda Accord northwest on U.S. 82. She was having mechanical issues and had stopped the vehicle on the left shoulder, partially in the left lane.
Chitwood had exited the vehicle and stood in the left lane to inspect the Honda. A second vehicle, a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Kymberly Michelle Riddle, 61, Laramie, WY was also traveling northwest on U.S. 82 and struck the pedestrian and vehicle one.
The DPS report states Chitwood was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained during the crash. Riddle was uninjured. The crash remains under investigation.
A bubble truck began the 2025 Bowie Public Library’s summer reading program, “Color Our World,” with free programs continuing through July 22.
Summer reading is open to children ages 0-12 and these free programs will be at the Bowie Community Center at 10 a.m. every Tuesday in June and July excluding July 1. Children will be given a reading log to bring with them to each program. Each child also receives a book at the end of the series.
June will be filled with artsy projects. On June 10 there will be bubble painting and baking soda painting and June 17, noodle and pom picture frame art. On June 24 they will make beaded wind chimes.
July 1 will have movie day at the library. This is the only program not to be at the community center.
July 8 enjoy fruit loop sand art, followed by a glow in the dark paint party with Alicia Betts on July 15. The summer reading series concludes with the popular Creature Teacher bringing a variety of animals for all to enjoy on July 11.
Former 97th District Attorney Casey Hall has filed an appeal in her May 13 conviction for misuse of Montague County grant funds.
The appeal was filed with the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth on May 15, the day after her sentencing where the jury found her guilty of misapplication of fiduciary property and theft by a public servant. The trial had been moved on a change of venue.
On May 14 Hall’s sentence was decided by the same jury and it sentenced her to one year in state jail for the misapplication charge and six years probation for theft by a public servant.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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