COUNTY LIFE
Sheriff offers safety tips for a fun Halloween
Montague County Sheriff Marshall Thomas offers these safety tips for a safe and happy Halloween.
• Stay in neighborhoods that are familiar to you.
• Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Walk, don’t run, between houses.
• Only cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
• Look both ways before crossing the street and walk on sidewalks, avoiding yards and streets where possible.
• Plan your route ahead of time to stay on the same side of the street. Zig-zagging across a street increases the chance of being hit by a vehicle.
• Keep children in sight at all times and stay together. Have a meeting place in case you get separated.
• Only approach homes that have a porch light on or are obviously accepting trick-or-treaters.
• Wear light or reflective colors (you can also use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags), and carry glow sticks or flashlights so drivers can more easily see you.
• Test your costume and make sure it fits and isn’t too long so as to cause trips and falls.
• If you’re driving, make sure your headlights are on so you can spot kids, drive slowly, and stay alert.
• Drivers should use caution when exiting driveways or traveling through intersections.
• Unless it’s for health reasons, consider face paint over a mask, which could restrict your child’s vision. If you are wearing masks, make sure they fit properly and don’t restrict your eyesight.
• Put the child’s name and a contact number somewhere on their costume.
Thomas explained this year there are concerns of rainbow fentanyl being distributed to children in Halloween candy that has been circulating on social media and in the news.
Although fentanyl has not been seen on a regular basis in our county, parents should always check their children’s candy prior to letting them consume it for “any” dangerous items or substances.
Remember to discard any candy not in its original wrapper or in wrappers torn or damaged.
If you have questions about any candy that your child receives, we would be happy to inspect it and provide advice on whether it is safe to consume.
Notify the sheriff’s office or your law enforcement authorities immediately of any unlawful or suspicious activity.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
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