NEWS
City, school election filing begins
Election filing began July 21 for the Nov. 4 city and school board elections.
Candidates wishing to run have until Aug. 18 to submit application for the ballot. Early voting begins on Oct 20.
The three incorporated cities in Montague County will each have mayoral elections, along with council races.
In the City of Bowie, the mayor’s position has been filled by Gaylynn Burris since her election in 2021. In council place one, Brent Shaw, place two, Donna Ashley and place three, Stephanie Post will be on the ballot.
In the City of Nocona, the mayor’s race is up for election. Robert Fenoglio has served as mayor since May 2007 and prior to that was a councilor for 10 years. Council positions are filled by Robert Fuller and Don Davis.
The Saint Jo City Council will have the mayor’s race for a one year unexpired term on the ballot after Mayor Kelly Williamson submitted his resignation on July 7. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the letter cited personal reasons. Williamson was elected mayor last November and had strides in raising the community’s profile and putting information out into the community.
The council will meet on July 27 and officially receive the resignation. Aldermen spots filled by Martha Vite, Terry Stewart and Michael Dennis (unexpired term) will be on the ballot.
Bowie Independent School District will have
places three, Jeff Jackson and four Kent Dosch open for candidates.
Nocona ISD has two places on the ballot: Erica Patton, place three and Greg Fuller, place four.
And in Saint Jo ISD, the places filled by Mike Martin and Rodney Swirczynski will be open on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Forestburg, Gold-Burg and Prairie Valley ISDs do not have elections this year conducting races in alternating years.
NEWS
Election night results (unofficial until votes are canvassed)
Bowie City Council
Precinct 1
Levi Bailey – 925 WINNER
Valerie Thomerson – 328
Precinct 3
Glenda Durham – 383
Terry Gunter – 1027 WINNER
Saint Jo City Council (Two places)
(I) Melissa McPherson – 121
(I) Jack Dunn – 225 WINNER
Patty Hale – 218 WINNER
Forestburg ISD (Four places)
Dustin Craig – 154 WINNER
Pam Harrington – 110
Audiemarie Keown – 145
Russell Lightfoot – 184 WINNER
(I) Sandra Hensley – 152 WINNER
Willie Conway – 277 WINNER
Alexis McArthur – 74
Gold-Burg ISD (Four places)
(I) Chad Long – 213 WINNER
Todd Skinner – 159 WINNER
(I) Brandy L. Hamilton – 160 WINNER
Sarah Lawson – 144
Trina Fullerton – 112
Blake Allen – 152 WINNER
(I) Amy N. Nelson – 121
NEWS
Tornado watch includes Montague County
WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 702
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
550 PM CST MON NOV 2 2026
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 702 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL TEXAS
COMANCHE
IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
COOKE EASTLAND ERATH
HOOD JACK MONTAGUE
PALO PINTO PARKER STEPHENS
WISE YOUNG
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BOWIE, BRECKENRIDGE, BRIAR,
BRIDGEPORT, CISCO, COMANCHE, DE LEON, DECATUR, DUBLIN, EASTLAND, GAINESVILLE, GORMAN, GRAHAM, GRANBURY, JACKSBORO, MINERAL WELLS, NOCONA, OAK TRAIL SHORES, OLNEY, RANGER, STEPHENVILLE, AND WEATHERFORD.
NEWS
Law enforcement pursuit ends in fatal crash
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office staff is providing the following information regarding a fatal incident involving a juvenile following a law enforcement pursuit.
On 11/01/2026 at approximately 12:21 A.M., a vehicle involved in a law enforcement pursuit crashed in the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
Responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where, despite continued life-saving efforts, the juvenile was pronounced deceased.
The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and conducted the crash
investigation.
Staff from the following agencies responded and assisted during this incident:
- Montague County Sheriff’s Office
- Nocona Police Department
- Nocona EMS
- Nocona Rural Fire Department
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Fatal Crash Following Law Enforcement Pursuit
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office is providing the following information regarding a fatal
incident involving a juvenile following a law enforcement pursuit.
On 11/01/2026 at approximately 12:21 A.M., a vehicle involved in a law enforcement pursuit crashed in
the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the
vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
Responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The
juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where, despite continued life-
saving efforts, the juvenile was pronounced deceased.
The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and conducted the crash
investigation.
The following agencies responded and assisted during this incident:
- Montague County Sheriff’s Office
- Nocona Police Department
- Nocona EMS
- Nocona Rural Fire Department
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The staff of Montague County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the difficult circumstances surrounding this
incident and extends its sincere condolences to the juvenile’s family and loved ones.
This incident remains under investigation. No additional details are being released at this time out of
respect for the family and the ongoing investigation.
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