NEWS
Fruitland fire burns 230 acres; no inhabited homes destroyed, 10 structures burned
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
It was a brutal afternoon of firefighting last Friday as a fire that began near State Highway 101 and Fruitland Road swept across 230 acres threatening homes and burning many other structures.
Bowie and Sunset firefighters were called out to a fire reported in the 2500 block of Fruitland Road near the intersection of Fruitland and Hwy. 101 shortly before 2:30 p.m. Sheriff Marshall Thomas said it was his understanding the fire may have started where a welder was working on a front entry of a property in this area.
The sheriff and Chief Deputy Jack Lawson responded to the call for assistance and asked for other law enforcement to send officers if they were available. The sheriff’s deputies were attending a training on this afternoon and were out of pocket.
Thomas said Bowie Police and Department of Public Safety provided officers, the constables and game warden also helped.
Shortly before 3 p.m. officers began contacting area residents and encouraging them to evacuate. The specific directive came for all residents on Fruitland between Smyrna and Farm-to-Market Road 3043 (Brushy).
As the fire moved toward Brushy winds from the west and southwest were blowing toward the northeast leading to an evacuation notice to those on Orchard and Cole, which was closed at one point.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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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