NEWS
County Judge says county can stay at 75 % opening for its restaurants; new cases confirmed
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
New Montague County Judge Kevin Benton jumped into the fray just a few days after taking the oath of office as he fielded phone calls Friday about how Governor Greg Abbott’s Friday executive order impacts the local area.
In that order Abbott closed all bars and similar establishments which receive more than 51 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages. However, these businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including alcoholic beverages.
Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at 50 percent of indoor capacity beginning June 29 instead of the previously allowed 75 percent. Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments with certain exceptions.
Benton issued a letter Monday outlining the limits within Montague County based on case count. He explained counties with a current attestation filed with and approved by the State Department of Health and Human Services regarding the minimal cases of COVID-19, will remain at the 75 percent occupancy rate.
“Montague County falls within that classification. In paragraph five of the order, any outdoor gathering in excess of 100 people, other than those set forth in paragraphs one, two or four (a lengthy set of activities covered by the executive
order) must be authorized by the mayor if within the incorporated city limits or the county judge if the activity is proposed in
the unincorporated area of the county,” stated Benton.
Those stipulations could change if the county’s case totals continue to escalate.
Dr. Delbert McCaig, county health authority, reported as of June 30 there are 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county and four probable for a total of 22.
Within those cases there has been one fatality, a Sunset area resident, and the remainder have reportedly recovered and almost all are out of quarantine.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Be alert, recent uptick in phone scams. Scammers are contacting people and falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers, alleging the individuals they contact face immediate arrest unless they provide payment in some form (i.e. gift cards, cash transfers, etc.).
Key Points:
* The Montague County Sheriff’s Office never solicits payments over the phone to resolve legal issues. Any communication requesting such payment is fraudulent.
* Scam Tactics: Scammers often use convincing language and may even impersonate real Deputies/ Officer’s or use spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
* Protect Yourself: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Deputy or representative of law enforcement demanding payment, do not comply. Instead, hang up immediately and contact the Montague County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the call’s authenticity.
* Vigilance is Key: Stay vigilant and cautious when answering unsolicited phone calls. Never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers. Discuss this warning with family members, especially seniors, who may be more vulnerable to these scams.
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community from fraud and scams. By staying informed and exercising caution, we can collectively combat these deceptive practices and prevent financial loss.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Bowie Police Department
Bowie Police also reported a possible warrant phone scam and posted this message on its Facebook page earlier in the week.
An individual contacted the Bowie Police Department and advised that he had received a phone call from one of our officers. The conversation stated that a warrant was obtained for his arrest and he needed to turn himself into the Montague County Sheriff’s office. This department has not been calling individuals and advising them of warrants. If you receive a call, contact us at 940-872-2251 to confirm if the call is legitimate.
Calling all Montague County clubs, organization and community groups, if you would like to have a brief on your non-profit group included in the 2025 Montague County Visitor’s and Newcomer’s Guide free of charge please submit it to editor@bowienewsonline.com. Deadline is June 6. Please include i.e , regular meeting dates, locations, time, dues, and contact phone or email. Don’t miss an opportunity to be in this award winning publication.
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