COUNTY LIFE
South Korean teen enjoyed Texas experience in Nocona
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The past year has been a cultural whirlwind for Taike Jang, a 16-year-old exchange student from South Korea who spent the last 10 months with three different families in Nocona.
Going from one country to another is a big enough change, but throw in a worldwide pandemic and things jump up to another level. Jang comes from Seocheon, a city on the west side of South Korea with about 50,000 in population. His father works in labor law and his mom is a college student considering a career in social work. He lives in an urban setting where there are not a lot of kids his age.
Jang’s consideration to become a Rotary International Exchange Student began earlier last year when his English teacher approached his parents about the program. Jang says his teacher encouraged his parents that it would be a good experience, but also help improve his English.
“It sounded fun, and I wanted to learn reallife English, that was the motivation,” he explained.
In Rotary Exchange the students pick their three countries, but then it’s random where they go. America was his top choice and Germany was second.
“When they told me I was coming to Texas I had no idea what was going to happen. I looked it up on Google maps, but I had no preconceived ideas. I was surprised when I saw cows and horses, and found out people ride them,” laughs Jang.
Read the full feature in the 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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