MOTOCROSS RACER INJURED – Professional motocross racer Tommy Hahn, 26, of Decatur was flown to a Metroplex hospital after wrecking yesterday morning at a private training facility southwest of Bridgeport. Although initial calls to 911 reported a possible broken back and injured neck, witnesses on scene expect Hahn to make a full recovery. “He had all his feeling everywhere,” said Curtis Cunningham, who was at the track watching his son practice. “That’s a good sign in this sport.” Hahn was preparing for the Red Bull Unadilla Nationals this weekend.

LOWER SALES TAXES EXPLAINED – State adjustments, not lower sales, led to smaller sales tax rebates for Decatur and some other area cities. Decatur City Manager Brett Shannon told the Economic Development Corp. Thursday that adjustments of almost $100,000 made Decatur’s August sales tax rebate out of line with recent sales trends. He wasn’t sure what businesses might have received refunds and hoped it was a one-time adjustment. Similar adjustments were noted for Bridgeport and Bowie.

SMALL TAX SAVINGS – The city of Decatur’s water district proposed lowering its property tax rate by a quarter-cent Thursday to 12.75 cents. The water district rate when combined with the city’s property tax rate makes up the entire tax bill for city property owners. The city council is looking at leaving its 66.3-cent rate the same, giving taxpayers a small savings.

AISD TO GRANT RAISES -Alvord teachers and employees will get a slight raise for the 2012-13 school year according to a budget reviewed by trustees Thursday afternoon. The district is looking to give $80,000 worth the raises to employees. Teachers will see a raise of 2 percent. Other personnel and administrators will get increases of at least $400. The pay increases fit into a proposed budget of $6.285 million that trustees will look to pass at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 after a public hearing. The district is proposing to keep the total tax rate at $1.36 with $1.17 for maintenance and operations and 19.4 cents for debt service.

TAX RATE INCREASE – Newark residents can expect a slight bump in the property tax rate next fiscal year. Last night the city council approved a proposed tax rate of $0.5716 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $0.5270. The increase is due to a lowered valuation of property by Wise County Tax Appraiser’s Office. Citywide, property values dropped by approximately $3 million in the most recent appraisal. Due to the lowered property rates, many people’s taxes will show no increase despite the higher rate.

DONATION REINSTATED – The Paradise City Council Thursday voted 3-2 to reinstate a $5,000 donation to the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department, in addition to reimbursing the department $7,500 for insurance. Prior to the decision, Fire Chief John Neal addressed the council regarding remarks made at a budget workshop last month, where council had decided to pull the donation.

BUYING A BUS – The Decatur School Board last night approved the purchase of a 77-passenger school bus at a cost of $91,000. In other business, the board took another look at the proposed budget for the upcoming year. The budget and tax rate will be adopted at a meeting Aug. 29.

BASEBALL REGISTRATION – Registration to play special needs baseball for the fall season, which begins Sept. 15 at Renshaw Park in Decatur, will be on Saturdays, Aug. 18 and 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bridgeport and Decatur Public Libraries, Bowie Wal-Mart, and Boyd Marketplace. (Bowie and Boyd locations will cancel if it is raining). You can also sign up to be a players’ buddy and volunteer in other ways. The registration form is also on the website at www.wcspecialneeds.com. Print it, complete it and mail it in.

SOCCER – BYA will hold soccer signups on 1-4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 19 and 26 at the Bridgeport Public Library.

BLOOD DRIVE - Carter BloodCare will hold a blood drive 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today at Best Value Pharmacy in Rhome, 450 S. Main St. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, call Megan Church at (866) 673-2567.

PET VACCINATIONS – Wise County Animal Services presents a Low Cost Vaccination Day 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Wise County Animal Control Building, 119 Private Road 4195 in Decatur. Vaccinations will be provided for dogs and cats. For more information, call (940) 566-5551.

MEXICAN RODEO BENEFIT – A Mexican rodeo, bull-riding and dance event benefiting Saul Arevalo, 28, of New Fairview is 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Lienzo El Coahuila, 1238 County Road 4280 in Flatwood. Entrance is $20. Arevalo was paralyzed in a fiery wreck in May.

FALL OUT AUDITIONS – Auditions for the Nov. 10 Wise Country Fallout are 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wise County Heritage Museum. They are open to those who sing, dance, play an instrument or have a special talent. If a CD is used, it must not be vocal, music only. To preregister, call the museum at (940) 627-5586 or Kim Saling at (940) 389-7338.

SELECT SOFTBALL - Tryouts for 12U and 14U select softball teams are Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Decatur High School softball fields. Registration for the 12U team is 7:45 a.m., and tryouts start at 8. Registration for the 14U team is 10:45 a.m., and tryouts start at 11. For information, call Johnny Murrillo at (940) 577-4233.

FUNERALS – Service for Martha Belle Renshaw, 88, of Tyler, formerly of Decatur, is 10 a.m. Saturday at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. A graveside service is 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.

SERVICE for Orville Maggard, 90, of Azle is pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.

FUNERAL for Ann Gardner, 63, of Chico is 1 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Paradise with burial at Cottondale Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Penny Sue McCarty, 51, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel.

SERVICE for Billy J. Webb, 67, of Lake Bridgeport is pending at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.