NEWS
Election day arrives on Tuesday
Voting in the Nov. 7 general election for state issues and local elections has finally arrived.
Early voting was strong and as of 10 a.m. Friday Elections Administrator Ginger Wall reported 1,625 ballots had been cast which is 10.89% of the 14,912 registered voters. The registered voter figure may be up or down a few as the office received some names that were removed and other changes from the Secretary of State.
There are 14 constitutional amendments up for action. The Bowie and Nocona Independent School Districts will ask voters to consider bond issues for new construction, while the City of Bowie will select a mayor and three city councilors.
Voting on election day will be 7 a..m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at 10 locations across Montague County.
Polling locations will be at: Montague County Courthouse Annex Community Room, Montague;
Bowie Senior Citizens Center; Nocona City Hall Council Room; Saint Jo Civic Center; Ringgold Fire Hall; Bowie Public Library; Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum, Nocona; Forestburg Community Center; Sunset City Hall and Valley View Baptist, Spanish Fort.
Voters should remember they can cast a ballot at any polling location in the county, not just their town thanks to countywide voting.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News. Below is the list of polling locations for Tuesday.
- Montague County Annex Community
Room, 11339 State Hwy. 59 - Nocona City Hall council chamber,
102 Clay - Saint Jo Civic Center,
101 E. Boggess - Bowie Senior Citizens Center,
501 Pelham - Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum,
1522 U.S. Hwy. 82E - Bowie Public Library, 301 Walnut
- Forestburg Community Center,
16617 FM 455 - Sunset City Hall, 119 FM 1749
- Ringgold Fire Hall,
17832 U.S. Hwy. 81N - Valley View Baptist Church,
6159 FM 103
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
A Bowie couple accused of causing serious injuries to a 15-month old boy in January 2025 pled guilty in 97th District Court on June 14 and both received state prison terms.
Jonah Belcher and Cheyenne Eckert, both 24, Bowie, were each charged with injury to a child, a first-degree felony. Belcher received 17 years in prison and Eckert, the child’s mother, received 10 years.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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