AUSTIN — Summer isn’t giving up without a fight in Texas. With hot temperatures continuing into Labor Day weekend, lakes, rivers and coastal waters offer a welcome place to cool off. As you enjoy them, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters not to leave safety at the ramp.

Texas Game Wardens will be on patrol throughout the holiday weekend as Labor Day typically brings increased boating traffic across the state.

“Before you launch, make sure you have the right safety equipment, boat sober and have a plan for the day,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD Law Enforcement Division director. “A life jacket only works if you wear it, and a few smart decisions before you leave the dock can help everyone get home safely.”

In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents resulting in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket.

Last Labor Day weekend, game wardens responded to seven boating incidents, two boating-related fatalities and made seven boating while intoxicated (BWI) arrests. During the 2026 Fourth of July holiday weekend, Texas Game Wardens responded to 25 boating incidents and filed 62 BWI charges, the highest number for the holiday weekend since 2019.

Don’t become another boating statistic. Before heading out this Labor Day weekend, Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to:

• Wear a life jacket. Have a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for everyone on board. Children younger than 13 must wear one while the vessel is underway.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in boating-related deaths and doesn’t just apply to the operator. While you should never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BWI carries penalties similar to driving while intoxicated), we recommend that everyone boat without the booze.
• Use the engine cut-off switch. If your boat is equipped with one, use it. It’s the law.
• Slow down and pay attention. Maintain a proper lookout and use extra caution in crowded areas.
• Know the rules before you go. Boater education is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, who operates certain vessels on Texas public waters.
• Watch the weather. Check conditions before launching and continue monitoring them throughout the day. Be prepared to get off the water if conditions become unsafe.
• Know your limits. Never exceed your vessel’s capacity.
• Have a float plan. Tell someone where you are going, who is with you and when you plan to return.

Personal watercraft operators and passengers must wear life jackets. Operators must use the engine cut-off switch, may not operate between sunset and sunrise and must follow required distance and safe-operation rules.

For more information about boating laws, required safety equipment and boater education, visit TPWD Boating and Water Safety online.

The Nocona City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 for a lengthy agenda of business.
A public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget. An ordinance adopting those budget will be considered later in the regular agenda.
The general fund budget is offered at $3,323,216, golf fund at $339,271, utility fund at $2,673,323 and both Nocona Economic Development Board type A and B budgets totaling $490,448.70.
A property tax rate of .3487 cents per $100 in property value will be considered, up from the .3287 rate in 2025.
Other financial topics include the setting of new water and sewer rates, amendments tot he 2025-26 budget, dispersing of the hotel/motel tax funds for fiscal 2025-26 and the annual review of the public funds investment policy.
Councilors will reconsider the recently approve registration program for golf carts and utility vehicles, possibly removing the $50 fee, but retaining the registration process.
Three requests from the NEDC Type B board will be considered providing a grant for Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum for the sidewalk project at $12,000; grant to Friends of Indian Oaks for renovation and updating the clubhouse and new out building at $190,000 and participate in the downtown lighting project at $20,000.
Other topics on the agenda will include: Cancelling the uncontested council election on Nov. 3, lease agreement with the Montague County Youth Fair Committee for use of the show bar, hear from Jonathan Fenoglio regarding parking along the 200 block of West Cherry and memorandum of understanding with the Helen Farabee Center for services in the county.
Two items are on tap with the council acting as the building commission: Review hearing on 310 Bowie after owner was given 90 days for clean-up and repair, fire marshal to give report and hear from Chris Smith on 309 Katy Street regarding lot size and a new house he is building.
As a final wrap-up on the budget the council will meet in called session at 8 a.m. on Sept. 9 for a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and adoption of the tax rate for maintenance and operation at .3487 cents per $100 in property value.

The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 with adopting the tax rate and budget some of the main topics.
There also is an executive session scheduled to discuss evaluation of the city manager.
In old business the ordinance adopting the budget for fiscal 2026-27 will face its second reading as will the 2026 tax rate.
Also in old business the council will have second reading on the placement of stop signs on various streets in the Kingdom Ridge Subdivision which is being constructed next to the elementary school.
In new business Rodney Dryden, HUB International will discuss the city’s health insurance program and the new rates that have been put into the budget.
An order calling for a joint election with the county will be considered along with a grant application with the Nortex Regional Planning Commission.
The CM’s report will discuss the Rock and Pillar project, a solid waste grant, buoys at the lake and preparation of the wildfire mitigation plan.