COUNTY LIFE
Subdivision lots sales booming in Montague
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
If just half of the planned subdivisions in Montague County see homes completed on all their lots more than 200 new families could be added to the county tax rolls.
During the last year the commissioner’s court has seen a flurry of land development as half a dozen subdivisions have been finalized or are in the process of submitting final plats. Another half a dozen are reportedly in the planning stages, while smaller developments that do not require following those subdivision rules due to size or location are in the planning stages.
Rural land sales in Texas continue to soar as buyers rush to purchase property for subdivisions, investments, farming or country retreats, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. During 2020 there was a stampede of rural Texas land purchases, and it is unclear if it was spurred on by concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic or other economic issues. The rush continued throughout 2021 and early 2022.
Dr. Charles Gilliland, research economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M reported as 2021 came to an end the purchase of rural land in the state by city-dwelling Texans soared to a record high 846,347 total acres sold and $3,346,457,780 in dollar volume. Land sales across the state jumped up 29.05% above the previous year.
Read the full story on the development of new subdivisions in Montague County 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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