INDEPENDENCE DAY ACTIVITIES – At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Wise County Veterans Group will present an Independence Day program at the Veterans Memorial Park in Decatur. The event includes the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Phil Major, Jason Wren, Debbie Porter, Joan Pierce, Monte Shaw and Staff Sgt. Danny Anderson. At 7 p.m., Victory Family Church in Decatur will put on a fireworks show. The event will also include bounce houses, water slides and snow cones.
OFFICES CLOSED – Due to the Independence Day holiday, all government offices and banks will be closed July 4. Wise County Development Services and all Wise County dumpsites will also be closed for the holiday.
RECYCLING UNCHANGED – Recycling pickup in the city of Decatur will run as normal tomorrow, despite the July 4 holiday.
SUMMER READING - The Decatur Public Library is hosting Mystery Monster Storytime with programs at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. today. The Newark Public Library is having Mystery Day 3:30 to 5 p.m.
DAY CAMP – Michaela Elliott and her ministry group “The Foundry” from Nashville is hosting a mini day camp for Sonflower Campers 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, at Community Church in Decatur. The event will include music, face painting, games and food. RSVP to Andrea Duwe at (940) 395-3356.
CASA TRAINING – Training for volunteers of CASA of Wise and Jack counties begins Saturday, July 7, at their offices, 300 E. Pecan St. in Decatur. For more information, call (940) 627-7535.
WATER CAMP – Texas AgriLife Extension’s Wise County office is planning a youth water camp (WCH2O Camp) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The camp is offered to youth ages 8 to 13. Participants are asked to bring a towel and sunscreen. Lunch and a snack will be provided. WCH2O Camp will make youth aware of current water issues and assist them with developing an appreciation of how water use impacts water quality and quantity. For more information and to sign up, call the Extension office at (940) 627-3341. Space is limited.
MIDWEEK PAPER IS HERE EARLY – Due to the holiday, the midweek Messenger was produced a day early. Newspapers are available on news stands today.
HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH – The Messenger office will be closed Wednesday for the Independence Day Holiday, and there will be no Update. Any breaking news will still be posted at WCMessenger.com.
FUNERALS – Service for Jo Anne Taylor, 81, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. today at Oaklawn Cemetery. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Donald L. Altgilbers, 76, of Boyd is pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
FUNERAL for Susan Kay Huddleston, 70, of Azle is 10 a.m. today at The Church at Azle. Christian-Hawkins is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Edwina Faye (Goins) Wheeler, 93, of Bridgeport is 4 p.m. today at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Melba F. Cate of Newark is 11 a.m. Thursday at Lucas Funeral Home in Fort Worth. Family visitation is 10 a.m. prior to the service.
GRAVESIDE service for William “Bill” Frederick Lipstreu, 88, of Springtown is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Springtown Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at White’s Funeral Home in Springtown.
