News Briefs for May 1

Published Thursday, May 1, 2008

By Staff

PHIL KING APPOINTED - Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick has appointed State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) to the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform. King represents Wise County in the state legislature. The committee will oversee all matters related to property tax relief and reforming the property appraisal system. The committee will review the system that governs limiting the appraised value or increases in the appraised value of property for tax purposes. In another King note, he has joined the Weatherford-based law firm of Eggleston Flowers, LLP as a new partner. The firm will change its name to Eggleston Flowers and King, LLP.

COURTESY CARDS - Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Terri Johnson has mailed more than 500 courtesy pre-warrant notices. The bright yellow/green cards were mailed for outstanding citations in her court. Due to the high number of possible responses, those living in Wise County should come by the office in the sheriff's building. "We want to help each individual the best we can," Johnson said. "The phone lines are going to be very busy. Please be patient as we work to hold all persons accountable equally and fairly."

This week's events...

EARLY VOTING - Early voting is under way in the May 10 city council and school board elections and school bond elections in Decatur, Northwest and Paradise. Most early voting is at city halls or school administration buildings. Early voting ends Tuesday, May 6.

BRIDGEPORT BRICKS - The last day for the Bridgeport senior class to order bricks is Wednesday, April 30. The cost is $20. See Rhonda Read in the high school office or call Kim Holt at (940) 683-5944.

4-H DEADLINE - Any 4-H'er participating in the District or State Horse Competition must validate their horse by April 30. The fee is $10 per horse and you must also show proof of registration. Come by the Extension office by 5 p.m. April 30 to complete the validation forms.

TEST HELP - College Prep Genius is offering a two-day course at the JOY Christian Academy May 30-31. The course will teach students techniques needed to succeed in the taking SAT and PSAT/NMSQT tests. Register by May 1. For more information, go to http://www.joyca.org/SATprepclass.pdf or contact Jo Ann Popkess at (940) 872-1251 or arestingplace@hotmail.com.

GET YOUR CLUBS READY - The ninth annual United Way Golf Tournament is set for 1 p.m. Friday, May 2, at The Golf Club at The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake. To register, call Andrew Rottner at (940) 627-8767.

SPRING CARNIVAL - Carson Elementary School's Spring Carnival is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2. Five dollar wristbands will be available for unlimited games. "Balloon Lady" and face painting will also be featured.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP - Paradise Elementary will have its kindergarten roundup between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 2. For information call (940) 969-5046.

CONCERT - Gospel singer Mark Lanier, a member of the group "Poet Voices," will present a concert at Bethel Baptist Church at Audubon at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2. Refreshments will be served. Bethel Baptist Church is located 13 miles north of Decatur at the intersection of CR 2675 and CR 2673 off the Old Decatur Road. For more information about Lanier, or for more directions to Bethel Baptist Church, call (940) 389-9086 or (940) 393-2728.

CRUISE NIGHTS RETURN - The first of the 2008 Courthouse Cruise Nights is set for Saturday, May 3, in Decatur. Registration begins at 4 p.m. and remains open until 7 p.m. when judging begins. Awards will be presented at 8 p.m. in 20 classes including antiques, classics, sports, trucks, rods, customs and special interest. Downtown merchants and restaurants are open late for visitors and streets will be closed to traffic. The event is sponsored by the Decatur Main Street Program and the Wise County Antique Auto Club. Call (940) 627-2741 for more information.

OFF 380 - Off 380 Players will present "Always Patsy Cline." Evening performances are Friday and Saturday, May 2-3 and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 8, 9 and 10. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Two Sunday matinees on Sunday, May 4 and 11, are at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

TRACTOR SHOW - The Chisholm Trail Antique Farm Equipment Club hosts its 10th annual antique farm equipment show from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Wise County Sheriff's Posse Grounds on FM 51 South in Decatur. An antique tractor pull is set for 10 a.m. followed by kids pedal tractor races at 1 p.m. and a tractor parade at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12.

BARBECUE - The Greenwood/Slidell Fire Association is having a barbecue at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Greenwood Pavillion. Contact Brian Moore at (940) 627-4373 for more information.

CMA TOUR - The Christian Motorcyclist Association will be in Greenwood at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, as part of a tour from Gainesville. More than 100 motorcycles are expected.

HEALTH FAIR - A health fair for people of all ages will be sponsored by the Wise County Health Forum and Wise County United Way from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Decatur Civic Center. Booth space is $25. To reserve a booth, call Amy Hodges at (940) 389-0470 or email ahodges@integracarehh.com. The health fair is part of a nationwide emphasis on the uninsured and underinsured. "This is for those age zero to geriatrics," said Hodges. "We hope to attract a large number of vendors."

WALK FOR HOPE - The Wise Eyes 5K Run/1 Mile Walk for Hope will be Saturday, May 3, in Bridgeport beginning at the pavillion in Harwood Park. It is hosted by the Wise County Sheriff's Office, Crime Prevention Division; Wise County Crime Stoppers and Devon Energy. All proceeds will benefit Wise Hope Shelter. You may pre-register by mail, in person at Wise Hope Center at 303 S. State St in Decatur, or by email to DenneyD@sheriff.co.wise.tx.us. Cost is $15 for preregistered entrants and $20 for race day registration. The 1 Mile Walk will begin at 8 a.m. and the 5K Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. Medals will be presented in several age categories. For more information call (940) 626-4585 or 626-5971.

PLAYDAY - The Pleasant Grove Cowboy Church Playday is Saturday, May 3, at the Salt Creek Indoor Arena near Boyd. Events will include pylon, straight away barrels, spur and quarter horse poles and barrels. Introductions are at 10:30 a.m. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association will present a special exhibition. For information call Roland Hodge at (817) 994-7631 or Terry McCutchen at (817) 243-4034.

BENEFIT TOURNAMENT - A golf tournament will be held Saturday, May 3, at Bridgeport Country Club with proceeds benefiting Shayde, 8, and Emily Smith, 6, of Boyd. The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. and is limited to the first 54 teams. Teams may enter for $120 and prizes will be awarded to the winners. There will also be an auction at 1p.m. which will include airline tickets, golf bags and many more items. You do not have to be entered in the tournament to participate in the auction or raffle. Also $5 raffle tickets will be sold for other items and you do not have to be present to win. Emily and Shayde have been diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Both girls need heart transplants and funds raised at the tournament will go toward the family's living expenses. To register or for more information contact Jamie Mitchell at (940) 626-4431 or Lesa Lyon at (940) 433-2077.

3-DAY DONATIONS - The Wise County Sheriff's Department's Breast Cancer 3-Day walk team holding a benefit yard sale Saturday, May 3, at the Sheriff's Department.

Next week's events...

OFFICE CLOSED - The Wise County Veterans Office will be closed Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8. The office will be open from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, May 9.

AGRICULTURE 101 - The Texas AgriLife Extension Service will host the four-part program Agriculture 101 for small landowners from 6:30-8 p.m. on May 5, 12, 19 and June 3 at the Extension Office at 206 S. State Street in Decatur. Registration is $20 and the class size is limited to the first 20 paid participants. For more information or to sign up, call (940) 627-3341.

BANQUET - The Chico High School Academic Banquet will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Decatur Civic Center. For ticket information call the high school at (940) 644-5783.

BAND BOOSTERS - The Bridgeport Band Boosters meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the BHS band hall. All parents of high school and middle school band students are invited.

CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY - The Decatur Fire Department is conducting a Citizen's Fire Academy May 15-Aug. 7. Deadline to apply is May 7. The free program will be held each Thursday from 6-9 p.m., at Decatur Fire Station No. 1 plus two Saturdays for hands-on activities. Any resident of the city of Decatur or the Decatur fire district can attend. For more information, or for an application, call (940) 627-3199.

BUTTERFIELD STAGE DAYS - Bridgeport's Butterfield Stage Days Festival and Rodeo is May 9-10. The Butterfield Stage Days Parade will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The fourth annual Bridgeport Idol contest is Saturday at 3 p.m.

5K RUN - The Second Annual Decatur 5K run-jog-walk is at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10. The start and finish line is on North State Street at the Wise County Veterans Park. The fee to enter is $15, and you can register by mail, on-line at http://www.active.com or at the front desk of Fit-N-Wise. Trophies will be given to the top three male and female finishers and awards will be given to the top three finishers in five age groups. The run is hosted by the Wise County Veterans Group and Fit-N-Wise. For more information, call Mike Bowers at (940) 391-9057 or e-mail mike.bowers@wiseregional.com.

Upcoming events...

BENEFIT BREAKFAST - A Pancake Benefit Breakfast will be 7-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Chisholm Trail Baptist Church, 300 Chisholm Creek Parkway in Rhome. All proceeds will benefit the family of 3-year-old Kyla Moore, who has Stage 3 cancer. For information call Christine at (817) 992-6742.

PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL - The Rhome Volunteer Fire Department seeks vendors for the Rhome Pioneer Days Festival May 17-18. Contact Kay Spivey at (817) 696-6742 or Judy at (817) 704-8124 for further information. All proceeds go to the fire department.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY - Oak Grove United Methodist Church will celebrate its 130th anniversary from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18. The event will include reenacting life in the late 19th Century. The church is located at 1295 Greenwood Road in Decatur. The church will have an ice cream social from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

JOB FAIR - The North Central Texas Workforce will present the Wise County Job Fair from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the Decatur Civic Center. For information call (940) 627-3919.

GT NOMINATIONS - Chico ISD is accepting nominations for students in grades K-12 to be screened for the 2008-2009 Gifted and Talented program. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 23. Students may be nominated by teachers, administators, counselors or parents. Nomination forms are available at each school's office. Achievement and ability testing will be scheduled during the month of June. For information call Dolly Green at (940) 644-5783.

PBR CHALLENGE - Tickets are now on sale for the fifth annual J. W. Hart PBR Challenge bull-riding competition set for Saturday, May 24, at the Sheriff's Posse arena in Decatur. Tickets, at $25 each, are available locally at Wise Wireless in the Prada Shops on FM 51 in Decatur. The store opens at 8 a.m. Tickets are also available online at http://www.wcchallenger.org or by calling 800-514-3849. All seats are reserved. This is the fifth PBR event in Decatur, benefitting United Way of Wise County. Oklahoma native J.W. Hart is a former world champion bull rider who draws some of the biggest names in the PBR to Wise County for the Challenge.

RELAY FOR LIFE - Cancer survivors will be honored at the May 30-31 Wise County Relay for Life at the Decatur track on FM 51 S. Caregivers will also be honored at a reception at the Relay. In addition, the Decatur Church of Christ will honor survivors with a dinner at 6 p.m. at the church May 6. To RSVP for the dinner by April 30, call Earlene Niblett at (940) 627-3557 or tdduck@netcommander.com. Give T-shirt size. Survivor and caregiver registration for the Relay is also through Niblett. Deadline is April 25. To register a team for the May 30-31 Wise County Relay for Life, call Kim Lawson at (940) 626-1384 or Barbara Brooks at (940) 389-5435 or visit http://www.events.cancer.org/rflwisecotx Relay for Life benefits the Wise County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

REUNION - The Decatur High School class of 1988's 20-year reunion is the weekend of Aug. 2. Call Coy Harris at (817) 645-7174 for more information.

In other news...

PUBLIC HEALTH - County Judge Bill McElhaney has prepared a public health questionnaire to determine the need for a county-wide public health department. Results of the survey will help guide planning for food service inspections, contingency planning for wide-spread health problems, septic permitting and childhood inoculation programs. Survey forms are available in the county judge's office and at various other locations across the county, including the Wise County Messenger in Decatur.

BENEFIT ACCOUNT - After a successful bone marrow transplant in November and normal initial recovery, Rene Taylor of Newark is back in Baylor Hospital in Dallas after a turn in her health. She will be in the hospital for four to six weeks, and will then live in an off-site apartment for continuing care. The family has asked for donations to fund her stay in the apartments. Donations may be made at any Wells Fargo using the account number 9892529455.

MEMORIAL FUND - A fund in memory of Jennifer Stephens, the 2007 Chico High School graduate who was killed in an automobile accident April 6, has been set up at Citibank. Donations can be given at any local Citibank and all funds will go toward the Stephens' family.

HOME SCHOOL - Home school enrichment classes are enrolling now for the fall semester. Classes are offered for grades 1-12. Call (940) 531-1918.

BEWARE OF SCAM - The Wise County Sheriff's Office reports several citizens have received calls from someone claiming to be from the Texas Fire Association who was soliciting donations from a private number. Residents should never release any personal information over the phone. Another possible scam involves calls from someone requesting area businesses to support the area school district by purchasing sponsorship on a tote bag. The local school had not requested the company solicit for advertising sponsorship.

GOOD-BYE TO A FRIEND - "Zoe," the Carson Elementary School therapy dog, died recently. Zoe spent six years at the school. In memory of Zoe, a fund at the Decatur Veterinary Clinic has been set up to help pets receive medication/procedures that the owners cannot afford.

AL-ANON - The local Al-Anon chapter meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and at 10 a.m. Fridays at 602 North U.S. 81/287 in Decatur. For more information call (940) 627-3800.

GIVE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter is seeking old cell phones which can be given to victims of domestic violence for use as 911 phones. Drop off phones at Wise Hope Center at 303 S. State St. in Decatur. Call (940) 626-4855 for more information.

ABATE - Motorcyclists interested in participating in a Wise County ABATE (American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) chapter should contact Scott Gates at (940) 389-0200. For more information on ABATE, visit http://www.texasabate.com

HAZARD MITIGATION - Decatur's Hazard Mitigation Action Plan team has posted an emergency preparedness survey on the city's Web site at www.decaturtx.org. Decatur citizens are encouraged to log on to the site and take a short seven question survey to help identify and rank the hazard concerns throughout the city. The survey is one of the first steps in a coordinated effort to help the city identify and prepare for the possibility of a disaster in order to qualify for disaster relief funds. Events qualifying for disaster status include tornadoes, hail, high winds, lightning, winter storms, summer heat, drought, wildland fires and flooding.