News Briefs for May 4

Published Sunday, May 4, 2008

By Staff

APRIL RAINFALL - It was another wet month as Decatur received 4.98 inches of rain, according to Doyle Green. It marks the wettest April since the 7.15 inches the city received in 1997. For the year, Decatur has received 15.34 inches of rain.

This weekend's events...

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" at the Bridgeport Stage. Evening performances are Saturday, May 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 1 p.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.

PLANT SALE - Decatur FFA will have a plant sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 3 in the Tractor Supply parking lot. Hanging baskets, color bulbs and spring bedding plants will be available.

This week's events...

EARLY VOTING - Early voting continues until Tuesday, May 6, 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.

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.

PLANNING - Re-writing the city's zoning ordinance will be the subject of a joint meeting Monday, May 5, between the Decatur City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The city is considering hiring an outside consultant to help with the re-write.

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.

FOSSIL ROCK AND MINERAL SOCIETY - The regular monthly meeting of the Wise County Fossil Rock and Mineral Society will be held Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wesley Center Building, 200 E. Main St. in Decatur. For further information contact Steve Hilliard at (940) 627-6851.

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.

BAKE SALE - First Financial Bank Decatur will host a bake sale May 8 and 9 benefiting Mary's Gift of the Wise Regional Medical Center. The lobby is open May 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PINK - Tough Enough to Wear Pink merchandise is now on sale at the Aflac office in Bridgeport, 1102 Stevens, with all proceeds benefitting the Mary's Gift mammogram program in Wise County. Call 683-1775 or 683-4408. Merchandise will also be sold at the May 9 performance of the Butterfield Stage Days Dodge PRCA Rodeo.

BUTTERFIELD STAGE DAYS - Bridgeport's Butterfield Stage Days Festival and Rodeo is May 9-10. The Butterfield Stage Days PRCA Dodge Rodeo Parade will be held in downtown Bridgeport on at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The theme for this year's Rodeo Parade is "150 Years of History." Entry forms for the parade must be returned to the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce Office by Friday, May 9, or faxed to Susan Miller at (940) 627-8542. The rodeo is at 7:30 p.m. May 9 and 10. Tickets are $12, and children 5 and under are admitted free. Dances will be held following the rodeo both nights.

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.

STAMP OUT HUNGER - Bridgeport letter carriers will be picking up nonperishable food placed at residential and small business mail boxes from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 10 as part of the nation-wide "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive. Food will be donated to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

Next week's events...

BLOOD DRIVE - Wise Electric is sponsoring a "Rock and Roll" blood drive from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Wise Electric Community Room. Donors will receive a special rocker-style T-shirt. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givelife.org to make an appointment.

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.

Upcoming events...

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.

TEAM ROPING - CASA of Wise and Jack Counties will host a team-roping event Saturday, June 7, at the Gibtowne Arena. Cost is $25 per run. For more information call Jennifer at (940) 5567-5894.

SUMMER BLOWOUT - CASA of Wise and Jack Counties will host the Summer Blowout Saturday, June 28, at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds. The event will feature carnival games and a dunking booth.

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 http://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.