BODY FOUND NEAR NEWARK – A decomposing body was discovered in a wooded lot near an empty and dilapidated home on a road located near Eagle Mountain Lake a couple miles south of Newark late Thursday afternoon. A woman found the remains at 5 p.m. in a lot in the 5400 block of Crest Drive, a street located off Farm Road 1220, about a mile-and-a-half south of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. A neighbor said the remains were wrapped in carpet. Investigators were scouring the area until after midnight. The rotted remains were unidentifiable. They were sent to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners officer to determine details about victim, such as sex and age, and the cause of death. Terry Grisham, spokesperson for Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, said Friday that investigators were still interviewing witnesses and going through missing person reports to help identify the victim. The lot was heavily wooded. Several homes surrounding the lot where the body was found appeared abandoned and overgrown. One neighbor living adjacent to the area where the body was found said she had no idea what could have happened. The property owner did not respond when contacted.

FOOTBALL PRACTICES BEGIN – Fall workouts for six of the seven Wise County football teams begins today (Class 5A Northwest, which conducted spring practice, will begin next week.) A preview of the strengths and weaknesses of local teams heading into practice is featured in the weekend Wise County Messenger on news stands now.

PARADISE HAS TALENT – The Paradise Historical Society is looking for talented amateurs to compete in the first Paradise Has Talent Competition at the Paradise Main Street Festival Sept. 29. The contest is limited to 15 entries, and prizes of $150, $100 and $50 will be presented to the top three acts. Entry forms and guidelines can be found at paradisehistoricalsociety.com. The entry fee is $10 and must be received by Sept. 14. Call Karen Bohmfalk at (940) 969-2131 for information.

EAT PIZZA – Today is Wise County Special Needs Baseball-Miracle League of Wise County night at CiCi’s in Decatur. Drop your receipt in the box at the cash register, and 10 percent of those sales will be given to WCSNB, which is raising funds to build a baseball field that will accommodate all special needs players regardless of disability.

SEASON TICKETS – Decatur football season tickets are available to last year’s owners 8:30 a.m. to noon this week and at the Blue White Scrimmage Saturday with sales beginning at 6 p.m.

BOOK SIGNING – Decatur resident Paula Rutherford will be signing copies of her first published book, “Dusting for God’s Fingerprints,” 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Expressions, behind Marketplace on Farm Road 51 South in Decatur. For information, call (940) 626-9707 or (940) 393-1487.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – Wise Hope Crisis Center’s School Supply Drive continues through Wednesday 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. For information, call Jael Mares at (940) 626-4585.

RODEO QUEEN - The deadline to sign up for Wise County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Queen, Sweetheart and Little Miss contests is at 7 tonight 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.

FUNERALS – Mass of Christian Burial for Mateo Nunez, 82, of Decatur is 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Rosary will be said at 7 tonight at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

MEMORIAL for William Allen “Bill” Wilde, 75, of Decatur is 10 a.m. today at Wise County Veterans Park. Coker-Hawkins is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Elvena Gayler, 100, of Denton is pending at Coker-Hawkins.

FUNERAL for Bill Simpson, 79, of Boyd is 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd.

SERVICE for Doris Gardner, 71, of Bridgeport is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.