NEWS
Active cases climb in county, state delays continuing
Montague County Health Authority Dr. Delbert McCaig told the commissioner’s court Monday as of 9 a.m. Monday there were three active cases in Montague County out of 31 total cases reported.
On Tuesday that number changed going up to 32 with nine active cases, however, he pointed out several of those will go off of their quarantine within the next couple of days.
McCaig said the state continues to lag about five days behind in documenting confirmed cases and on Tuesday said he knows of eight not on the new state list.
“It’s not going down it’s going up. At the clinic where I am we are seeing about one positive every day which is not shown on this state list I receive twice a day. There are five pending I know of right now through my clinic and I am not sure about other test sites. A person who tests positive must reside in the county to be on this list,” McCaig explained.
The doctor continued the ages of the most recent positive cases have been 21, 24, 25 and 26. Most have come in contact with an exposed person at a wedding, funeral or their job.
“An infectious person may not show symptoms for two days then it spreads quickly. It has shown the average 18-year-old may come into contact with 100-400 people a day while they are infected. Eighty percent of people will get a positive result and may show no symptoms, then 20 people will get sick and four will die. Masks keep you from spreading it. If you care about people wear a mask,” explained McCaig.
When asked about other nearby counties and their cases, McCaig said everyone is going up. When questioned if there are more cases due to more tests, McCaig said no, it’s more people getting sick as the state has a 15-20 percent positive test rate.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
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