COUNTY LIFE
Wellington State Bank readies 120th anniversary celebration
Wellington State Bank’s management and staff proudly celebrate its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of service, growth, and commitment to the communities it calls home.
Established in 1906, Wellington State Bank began with a simple but powerful mission: to serve generations of local families, farmers, ranchers, and businesses with reliable financial support they can count on through every season of life.
From its earliest days the bank has remained rooted in the same values of trust, personal service, and community investment.
“For 120 years, community banks like ours have been the anchor in small and rural communities,” said Richard Sims, president and chief executive officer. “When you’ve been around this long, you don’t just serve customers—you know people. You know their families, their farms, their businesses, and their stories. That’s what makes this work so meaningful, and it’s why we’re proud to stand beside our neighbors every single day.”
The 120-year milestone was recently commemorated during the bank’s annual stockholders meeting, where shareholders and community members gathered to reflect on the institution’s history and continued growth. The celebration honored not only the bank’s longevity but also its enduring role as a trusted partner in the communities it serves.
All 14 Wellington State Bank locations will be hosting exciting anniversary celebrations to share this milestone with their local communities.
Customers and community members can look forward to events filled with great food, fun activities, and opportunities to win prizes.
In Bowie the local branch will celebrate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its location at 1301 State Highway 59. Friends and customers are invited to enjoy some food, snow cones, outdoor games and try your hand at the dunking booth.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Nocona City Council gave its budget proposal a final once-over before setting a public hearing for it and the proposed tax rate for Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.
Council members also heard from Blake McNew who is against the recently approved fee and registration process for golf carts and related vehicles.
Last month the council approved an ordinance that set forth registration requirements for these vehicles with a $50 registration fee. After several close calls and complaints from downtown business people and citizens on near misses with ATVs and golf carts driving unsafely downtown the council took the step to add the ordinance.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said after some discussion the council asked for it to be back on next month’s agenda with possible consideration for repealing the fee. After some research she added a person can go through the state to obtain a license plate for these vehicles and the local sticker would not be needed.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The staff of Texas Education Agency on Aug. 14 announced the release of 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state.
Almost all of the school districts in the county saw their district ratings increase or remain consistent, along with some of their campuses.
There were 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses rated in 2026. Some 24% of both districts and campuses increased in rating compared to 2025.
Read the full story and see all the county ratings in your Thursday Bowie News.
2026 state accountability ratings
Bowie Independent School District – B, 80 of 100 points
Elementary/intermediate – C, 74
Junior high – B, 84
High school – B, 86
Bellevue ISD – A, 92
Forestburg ISD – B, 82
Gold-Burg ISD – C, 76
Montague ISD – A, 93
Nocona ISD – B, 86
Elementary – B, 80
Middle school – C, 79
High school – A, 94
Prairie Valley ISD – B, 88
Saint Jo ISD – B, 82
Elementary – D, 66
High school – A, 92
Friends of the Bowie Animal Shelter will host the annual Clear the Shelter event from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22.
The shelter is located at 1508 E. Wise. While this is a nationwide effort to recognize the work of animal shelters, their staff and volunteers, this also is a chance to support their efforts by attending the bake sale, silent auction and food vendors.
Adoptable dogs from the Bowie shelter as well as Easy Street Shelter of Saint Jo, Lucky Paws in Nocona and McCares of Montague will be present.
If your family is considering adopting a pet this would be a great time to visit with the animals and meet the volunteers who can tell you a bit about the animals. Prospective volunteers also are welcome, so ask your questions.
Staff from Cross Timbers Vet will be giving reduced price vaccinations.
There will be a prize drawing at noon for a bounce house and a Turtle Box speaker. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win either prize. Drawing at noon.
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