NEWS
Active COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the county
Montague County’s active COVID-19 cases continue to rise, as does the fatality count for the area reported to be at 14.
As of Monday there were 87 residents of the county in active isolation or quarantine with 79 cases confirmed by a positive test and eight probable based on contact or exposure.
The Texas Department of Health Service COVID Dashboard which records figures for all aspects of the pandemic shows 14 virus-related deaths in Montague County, however, Dr. Delbert McCaig, county health authority, said he knows of at least six more deaths which have had death certificates processed by the DSHS. Seven of the COVID deaths are from Nocona with the seventh one reported last Thursday night by the family on social media.
The health officer repeated what has been an ongoing issue since the pandemic started, with delays and discrepancies in the daily report local officials receive conflicting with and the state dashboard.
It takes three to five days for a positive test result to show up on the daily spreadsheets, while death certificates are processed from 10 to 14 days from the date of the death before they are shown in the reports.
Since the pandemic began there have been a total of 502 confirmed virus cases and 63 probable in Montague County. Across the state of Texas as of Monday there had been 1,100,979 confirmed cases, 20,588 fatalities, 165,126 active cases and 917,739 recoveries.
Free drive-up testing is expected to continue through December located at the Nocona General Hospital parking lot.
Visit gogettested.com to register.
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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