COLLEGE ENROLLMENT INCREASE – As expected, the new Weatherford College Wise County has drawn increased student enrollment this fall according to preliminary numbers. Classes started last Monday, and as of yesterday, enrollment had increased by 100 students, a 20 percent increase from fall 2011. Of the 100 new students, 44 are enrolled in new programs – 20 in nursing and 24 in cosmetology. High school students enrolled in dual credit classes have increased 10 percent.
BID AWARDED – The Bridgeport City Council Tuesday awarded a $217,200 bid for flocculator drive replacement at the Walter Hales Water Treatment Plant to the lowest bidder, Archer Western Contractors. The company replaced the filter media at the plant in May. The repairs are part of a list of improvements mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality following a compliance performance evaluation last October.
DEALING WITH GRIEF – Alvord ISD will host Kathy Telger, program director of The Warm Place, a grief support center in Fort Worth, at 6 p.m. today in the Alvord Elementary cafeteria. Telger will speak to students, parents, teachers and community members on the specific grief issues of elementary, middle school and high school age children. She will also give insight on support strategies for parents and teachers.
AUGUST WEATHER – For the first time since March, Wise County received above-normal rainfall for the month in August. According to weather watcher Doyle Green of Decatur, we received 4.28 inches of rain in August, nearly two inches above the average of 2.35 inches for the month. For the year, Decatur has received 23.83 inches, which puts us not quite two inches below the normal rainfall amount of 25.62 inches for the first eight months of the year. The highest temperature reached 108 on Aug. 9, and 10 days of 100 degrees were recorded for the month.
RODEO NIGHTS – Wise County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo begins Thursday with slack night. Full performances follow on Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance for $7 from queen, sweetheart and little miss contestants. Parade entry applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Friday. For more information or a parade application go to www.wcsposse.com.
PLAY BALL – Special Needs Baseball fall season starts 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Renshaw Park in Decatur. For late player registration or to be a player’s buddy or other volunteer, call (940) 577-1848. All special needs individuals, ages 3 through adult, can play regardless of disability.
RANN GARAGE SALE – The Rann PTO garage sale is 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in the gym. Anyone interested in donating garage sale items can bring them to Rann 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. For more information email ptorann@yahoo.com or call (317) 626-2235.
HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GROUP – The Eagle Drive Homeschool Support Group will begin meeting for the school year at 1 p.m. Thursday. Meetings will be held the first and third Thursdays of each month at Eagle Drive Baptist Church, 1301 Eagle Dr., in Decatur. The first meeting will include a curriculum sale. For more information, call Karen Stuteville at (817) 891-1763.
GED TEST – The GED Test will be administered by Bridgeport ISD Sept. 17-18. Pre-register before Sept. 14 at 1101 17th Street in Bridgeport. Go to the north end of the building to the main office. Fee is $75.
SLIDELL/GREENWOOD 4-H – The first Slidell/Greenwood 4-H meeting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Slidell High School library. For more information, call Kim Dunlap at (940) 466-9921.
BOOK FAIR – A book fair will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday in the main lobby of Wise Regional Health System in Decatur. Proceeds will benefit the WRHS Auxiliary.
GOLF TOURNEY – Bridgeport Project Graduation is having a golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 6, at Runaway Bay Country Club to benefit the Class of 2013. For team or sponsorship information or to volunteer, call Alice Coffman at (940) 389-7203.
FUNERALS – Service for Stuart Brooks, 24, of Decatur is 10 a.m. today at Immanuel Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Lonestar Cemetery. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICES for James Hughes, 38, and Bobby Lee Boyd, 82, both of Decatur are pending at Coker-Hawkins.
GRAVESIDE service for Geneva Lee Howell, 90, of Bridgeport is 1 p.m. Thursday at Merriman Cemetery in Ranger. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Elizabeth Ann Largent, 80, formerly of Wise County is 10 a.m. today at Decatur Ave. Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
