SPORTS
TPWD funds new projects
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has chosen 11 new projects to be supported by the Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP) during its 2026-27 funding cycle. Launched in summer 2021, the Habitat and Angler Access Program is primarily funded by the purchase of freshwater fishing licenses.
As its name suggests, the program restores and enhances freshwater fish habitats and improves and expands bank and shoreline-based angler access on public creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes throughout the state. HAAP enables cooperation between TPWD fisheries biologists and local partners to make fishing better for all Texans.
Texas boasts an abundance of high-quality fishing opportunities within its 6 million acres of public waterways. These waters support recreational opportunities for 2 million licensed anglers who spend an estimated $9 billion annually on fishing-related expenditures, resulting in a statewide economic impact of $14 billion annually. Sportfishing is big business in Texas, supporting an estimated 78,040 jobs.
“The Habitat and Angler Access Program offers us a tremendous opportunity to support much-needed fish habitat enhancement initiatives and shoreline-based access developments, improving conservation of fisheries resources and quality of angling for Texans,” said Michael Homer, Habitat and Angler Access Program Coordinator.
This is the third round of projects supported through the Program, all of which are expected to be completed by August 31, 2027. The next request for project proposals will be announced in spring 2027 for the 2028-2029 funding cycle.
Projects selected to be funded and completed during 2026-2027 are listed below:
- Kirby Reservoir Multiuse Pier Project
- Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir Multiuse Pier Project
- San Antonio Cassin Lake Fish Habitat Improvement Project
- City of Big Spring Comanche Trails Pier Project
- Lake Stamford Anchor Marina Crappie House Replacement
- City of Coleman Memory Lake Habitat and Access Project
- Lake Brownwood Fish Habitat Project
- City of Grapevine Settler’s Park Angler Access Project
- City of Muenster Paddling Access Project
- Lady Bird Lake Habitat and Access Project
- Garner State Park Habitat Improvement Project
Examples of project components supported by the Program include installation or improvement of fishing piers, installation of dock lighting, stabilization of banks and shorelines, and installation of erosion control features.
Other project components include planting of native aquatic vegetation, restoration of riparian and shoreline buffers, deployment of artificial fish attractors, and the construction of launches for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft for the purpose of fishing access. For detailed information about the projects being supported during 2026-27, visit the Habitat and Angler Access Program projects web page or send an email to FishGrants@tpwd.Texas.gov. More information about the Program, including future requests for proposals, can be found under the Fisheries Grants section of the TPWD Grants and Assistance web page.
Bellevue’s girl’s basketball team led at halftime but a quick 9-0 Jacksboro run in the opening moments of the second half would prove the difference in a 28-25 Lady Eagle loss June 15 in a Nocona Summer League game.
Leading 12-9 at the half, Bellevue continued to shut down the inside game of the Tigerettes. Jacksboro switched tactics and began firing from outside. Three 3-pointers in the span of just under two minutes gave Jacksboro an 18-12 lead.
Bellevue kept things close, however, getting on the second half scoreboard with Mattie Broussard’s basket and free throws cutting the deficit to two, 18-16. A Haven Jones 3-pointer put the Lady Eagles up 19-18 midway through the second half.
The Tigerettes had just one 3 -pointer the rest of the way but got inside for a pair of buckets to take a 25-21 lead with 4:50 to go. Both offenses shut down late.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Most school-age athletes start off playing everything. By the time they graduate, they whittle it down to just one or two.
New Bowie girl’s track and overall cross country coach Shawnda Childers is no exception. While at Iowa Park she competed in volleyball, cross country and track before cutting out volleyball and focusing on track and cross country to close out high school.
Childers did not stay with athletics while moving on to Midwestern State University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s Degrees. After graduation, shestarted coaching in Electra. She came to Bowie for one year, then went back to her old stomping grounds in Iowa Park where she spent the next four years.
The return home also put her in contact with now-Bowie Coach Griffin Fields, who was a coach there at the time. From Iowa Park, she spent the next three years at City View.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Girl’s Basketball Coach Grant Gooch isn’t completely unfamiliar with the area.
“We went to Muenster quite a bit when I was a kid,” Gooch, who will be going into his 20th year as a coach, said. “We’d load up the cooler from the meat markets. It’s good to be back.”
Gooch worked with Saint Jo Athletic Director CJ Hantz when the pair were in Throckmorton. Gooch comes to town from Menard where he spent three years at the West Texas school.
Gooch says coaching and education kind of come naturally to him.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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