The Paradise community was struck with another tragic event over the weekend. Dr. Heath Smith and his two sons age 6 and 8 were killed Sunday afternoon in a plane crash. It’s the third time in one-and-a-half years that a child in Paradise has died. I didn’t know Smith personally, but I don’t think you have to to understand […]
Uncategorized
COLUMN: Republican forum leaves more questions than answers
Wise County Conservatives held a candidate debate last Thursday for our local politicians running for Wise County Sheriff, House District 64 and Congressional District 26 on the March Republican Primary ballot. Advertised as a debate, it was closer to a candidate forum, with generic questions resulting in boilerplate answers. I think sheriff candidates Craig Johnson, Cary Mellema, Wesley Hughes and […]
Willy Wonka & the Santa sales pitch
Editor’s note: The content of this column was inspired by the creative writing of local third grade students. Read more of their “pure imagination” in the 2023 Holiday Greetings special section included in this edition of the Messenger. Following the recent release of a movie highlighting the early years of Willy Wonka, an informant known as […]