NEWS
DA pleads not guilty on theft charges
A pre-trial hearing was set for late October in the theft trial of 97th District Attorney Casey Hall.
An Oct. 31 date was selected at Friday’s arraignment for Hall on the theft of property $2,500 -$30,000 charge. Hall, appearing with her attorney Abe Factor, pled not guilty.
Matthew Shawhan, Texas Attorney General’s office, appeared for the state before Judge Lee Gabriel. It was a brief arraignment of less than 30 minutes.
After hearing the plea, there was a brief recess as the judge consulted with the court coordinator about the possible dates for a pre-trial hearing. The two attorneys also adjourned into the conference room for a brief chat.
The pre-trial hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the district courtroom.
Hall was indicted on July 8 by a Montague County Grand Jury for two theft complaints connected to a pair of 2022 financial transactions involving Attorney General grant funds used in her office to supplement salaries. The DA is accused of requesting the funds for a staff member and then depositing the two checks at $9,166.66 each into her personal account. Hall has denied all the allegations.
The DA, who represents Montague, Clay and Archer Counties, agreed to temporary suspension in the Aug. 9 removal petition hearing and a jury trial in that civil action is pending.
Katie Boggeman, who defeated Hall in the March primary and is unchallenged in the general election, was sworn in to serve as DA during the suspension.
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on July 13.
Items on the agenda include the following: Approve bond for deputy clerk tax assessor-collector; reappoint Jan Ward to the Helen Farabee Center Board; approve line-item budget adjustment of $6,650 from election judges to election supplies for the purchase of a NeuraScanner; approve election judges, alternates and clerks for 2026-27 election year; consider enrollment with the Texas Association of Counties certified AI course; consider naming a private road Berkley Lane off of Farm-to-Market 1655; replat in precinct four and final plat for Twin Acres subdivision; review sealed bid for base rock and budget workshop for fiscal 2026-27.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on July 14 in regular session.
The city manager’s report from Bert Cunningham opens the meeting.
He will report on the Coffield to Roberts Streets waterline; budget preparation; status of the Texas Water Development Board grant application and a new water line on Session Street from Coffield to Roberts.
In new business, the council will consider a medical access and service advantage program, an ordinance calling the Nov. 3 election and an amendment to the finance department’s cash handling policy.
The city manager will make the presentation of the proposed 2026-27 budget, followed by setting a public hearing and budget workshop.
In old business, there will be the second reading of an ordinance updating the office of emergency management along with an update on an agreement for automatic aid assistance between the City of Bowie Fire Department, Sunset Volunteer Fire Department and Bowie Rural Volunteer Fire Department.
The first six months of 2026 have provided Bowie and Nocona with more than half of their average rainfall for the year, which is welcome as the steamy summer season gets underway.
Lake levels also are strong, but as always rainfall is welcome in this often dry season.
Bowie rainfall
January – 0
February – 3.0
March – 1.79
April – 5.93
May 3.63
June – 7.36
Total – 21.71 inches
Nocona rainfall
January – 0
February – 1.86
March – 2.13
April – 8.94
May – 1.64
June – 7.78
Total – 22.35 inches
Lake levels(7/7/26)
Amon G. Carter –
918.40msl, 88.3% full
Full at 920msl
Lake Nocona – 824.66msl, 82.9% full
Full at 827.50msl
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