GROUNDBREAKING MOMENT – A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday morning in Denton County for the expansion project on U.S. 380. The two-lane road is being widened to four lanes. On hand for the ceremony were TxDOT officials, Denton County elected officials and family and friends of Samantha Rogers and Delaney Mancil, the two Alvord teens killed in an accident on that stretch of road nearly two years ago. Samantha’s mom, Eva Czerniak, was instrumental in convincing officials of the need for widening the road.
HEAT WAVE CONTINUES – The temperature topped out at 106 yesterday at the Decatur airport, and more of the same is forecast for today. Wise County remains under a heat advisory until 8 tonight. Highs are expected to be at or above 100 degrees through the weekend into the early part of next week.
JULY WEATHER – Wise County recorded only 0.36 of an inch of rain in July, according to weather watcher Doyle Green of Decatur. That is nearly two inches below the normal July rainfall amount of 2.34. It is also the fourth consecutive month of below-normal rainfall. For the year, the area has received 19.95 inches of rainfall, or 3.32 inches below normal for the first seven months of the year. Temperatures in the month ranged from a high of 107 on July 21 to a low of 65 on July 15. High temperatures reached 100 on eight days in the month.
BENEFIT TEAM ROPING – A benefit team roping for Cheyanne Dollins is Saturday, Aug. 18. Books open at 8 and close and 9. It’s $20 for three head, progressive after one (#12 slide). Buckles will be awarded to the average winner. The roping will be held at the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Decatur. For more information or to pre-enter call JD Parr at (940) 210-3777. Dollins was struck and killed by a train early Sunday morning near Alvord.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – Wise Hope Crisis Center’s School Supply Drive continues through Aug. 8 for children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. The community’s help is needed in collecting school supplies and regulation-size backpacks. Donations may be dropped off at 201 N. Trinity in Decatur, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call Jael Mares at (940) 626-4585.
COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN HOUSE – The City of Chico will host an open house for its new community center, which is housed in the former elementary school at 400 South Hovey Street, at 6 p.m. Saturday. The space has been renovated to meet community needs and is available for rental. The volunteer fire department will serve brisket sandwich plates for $5, and the chamber of commerce will hold a ribbon cutting. For more information, call (940) 644-2435.
RODEO QUEEN - The deadline to sign up for Wise County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Queen, Sweetheart and Little Miss contests is at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at the posse grounds. Contestants must be between the ages of 3 to 18 as of Jan. 1, 2012, and be a resident of Wise County or attend a Wise County primary school. For information contact Carla Tackett at (940) 390-9104 or Margaret Mollenhour at (940) 442-9903.
AMPUTEE MEETING -Amputees in Motion (AIM) meet the first Tuesday of the month in the Fit-N-Wise board room in Decatur. For times, email aimdecatur@yahoo.com or search Amputees In Motion on Facebook. Amputees and their family members are invited.
TAX RATE CORRECTION – County commissioners Wednesday proposed a college branch maintenance tax of 4.6148 cents per $100 property valuation for fiscal year 2013. This is the effective rate. Last year’s rate was 4.6250 cents per $100 valuation, a difference of one-one hundredth of a cent.
BASEBALL REGISTRATION – Registration to play special needs baseball for the fall season, which begins Sept. 15 at Renshaw Park in Decatur, will be at the following locations and times: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Enrollment Fair at Bridgeport High School; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 11-12 at Wal-Mart in Decatur; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 18 and 25 at Wal-Mart in Bowie, Boyd Marketplace (IGA), Bridgeport Public Library and Decatur Public Library. You can also sign-up to be a player’s buddy or sponsor a team. Visit the league’s web site at www.wcspecialneeds.com. For information, e-mail president@wcspecialneeds.com or call Jeri Kay Kao at (940) 577-1848.
FUNERALS – Memorial service for Paige Rochelle Davila, 17, of Paradise is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Olga Mildred Shaver, 89, of Sunset. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Tessie Edna Sydow, 92, of Boyd is 10 a.m. Saturday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 1 Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Mara Ooten, 28, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Saturday at Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Jones Family Funeral Home chapel in Bridgeport.
VISITATION/SERVICE for Royce Green, 66, of Bridgeport is 1 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall in Decatur with burial at Poolville Cemetery.
