WCMessenger.com http://www.wcmessenger.com Wise County Messenger Online Edition Wed, 22 May 2013 00:11:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Wednesday, May 22, 2013 http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/issues/wednesday-may-22-2013/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/issues/wednesday-may-22-2013/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 00:11:01 +0000 Pierre Moua http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62618 ...

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How to help with Oklahoma tornado victims http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/how-to-help-with-oklahoma-tornado-victims/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/how-to-help-with-oklahoma-tornado-victims/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 16:44:31 +0000 Brian Knox http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62613 While Oklahoma first responders and National Guard members were searching through the rubble left by Monday’s devastating tornado, Wise County residents were already searching for ways to help. Jody Adams, director of the Decatur Economic Development Corporation and a trained disaster volunteer, said individuals are being asked not to just show up and volunteer to help.
“I’ll bet it’s at least four or five days before you can even get in there,” he said. “The residents aren’t even being allowed back in at this time.”
Adams said his group, SGSO (Serving God by Serving Others) will likely go in for the cleanup operations once all the victims have been recovered. Trained groups of volunteers are usually allowed in only after a disaster area is opened back up. Individuals and those who have not had disaster relief training are discouraged from just showing up to help.
For those with friends or loved ones in that area, officials were encouraging people to text rather than call, as most phone lines are at capacity or still down.
The Red Cross set up a “Safe and Well” program where those with loved ones in the affected areas may search for those who have listed themselves as “safe and well.” For more information on that program, visit www.safeandwell.org.
A reunification site was set up at St. Andrews Church, at the corner of SW 119th and S. May in Oklahoma City, and a triage center is in place at Warren Theater in Moore, the community hard-hit by the tornado.
Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger said those who are interested in making donation can contribute to several organizations that already have “boots on the ground” helping in the recovery effort:

News 9 Headquarters
Text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 in storm relief
Accepting gloves, masks, toiletries, clothes & blankets (and other items) via mail to 7401 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111

Red Cross
Text RED CROSS to 90999 to donate $10
To donate via phone, call 1-800-RED-CROS (1-800-733-2767). Please make sure to donate to “Disaster Relief.”
To donate online, visit www.RedCross.org. Please make sure to donate to “Disaster Relief.”

Salvation Army
Text STORM to 80888 to donate $10
To donate online, visit www.salvationarmyokcac.org

Feed the Children
To donate online, visit www.feedthechildren.org/disaster

Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Help
To donate online, visit www.okdisasterhelp.com

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/tuesday-may-21-2013/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/tuesday-may-21-2013/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 13:14:55 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62608

GARBAGE TRUCK WRECK INJURES 2 - A garbage truck northbound on Farm Road 51 tried to take a turn too fast onto Texas 114 East Monday morning. It wound up spilling refuse, injuring two and shutting down part of the road. The driver locked the brakes, rolled and came to a rest upside down on the ramp. The wreck occurred at 8:40 yesterday morning, and the on-ramp from 51 North to 114 East was closed for several hours as emergency responders cleared the mess. The driver of the truck, which is owned by Midwest Allied Services, suffered serious injuries in the wreck. Joan L. Hatten, 46, of Weatherford, was flown from the scene to JPS Hospital in Fort Worth. The cab was crumpled in all around her after rolling. A passenger in the cab, Monterrea B. Finley, 32, was transported by ground to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur for non-life-threatening injuries. The pair had been running an early morning trash pick-up route in the Briar area.

PARADISE HIRES NEW AD, AGAIN – In a quick turn of events the Paradise Board of Trustees hired the district’s third athletic director in almost as many months. Paradise High School coach Scott Broussard will take the reins of PHS’ athletic program. More than 60 community members packed into the board room at PISD during the regular board meeting in response to the recent resignation of athletic director Brit Hart. Hart had only been Paradise’s AD since the board hired him March 25 following the sudden resignation of former AD Danny Neighbors.

TURF WAR ENDS – Bridgeport ISD’s board of trustees approved the purchase and installation of artificial turf for Bull Memorial Stadium. After lengthy discussion, the board voted 6-1 at last night’s meeting to purchase the turf for more than $750,000. Board member Marti Hines cast the dissenting vote. Two months ago the board voted 4-2 not to purchase the artificial playing surface. Part of the change in voting came from the fact the district is eligible for a zero interest federal loan worth up to $5.9 million that can be used to construct new or improve existing facilities.

MORE STORM CHANCES – The National Weather Service says there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today, and some may be severe. Today’s high is expected to reach 79 and drop to 65 by 5 p.m.

GOLF TOURNAMENT – The fifth annual Bridgeport Education Foundation Golf Tournament is Friday, June 14, at Bridgeport Country Club. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with a shot-gun start at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for hole in one, longest drive in fairway and closest to the pin. Cost is $400 for a four-person team and includes lunch, cart and mulligan. Call Susan Miller at (940) 366-0186 for more information.

AWARDS CEREMONY – The Northwest ISD Board of Trustees will recognize the achievements of Northwest High School students in regional, state, national and international competitions during a ceremony 7 p.m. Thursday at the Vernon Solomon Performing Arts Center at NHS (2201 Texan Drive, in Justin).

CHECKUP POSTPONED – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service- Wise County has postponed a free child safety seat checkup event originally scheduled for today to a later date due to the threat of inclement weather. Call the Wise County Extension office at (940) 627-3341 for more information.

VACCINATION CLINIC – The Weatherford College Wise County campus will host a vaccination clinic 10 a.m.-1 p.m. today. Hepatitis A/A&B/B, Chickenpox, Meningococcal, MMR, Tdap, and TB vaccinations will be available. Call the Area Health Education Center, located at the college, at (940) 626-3282 for more information.

BAKE SALE – North Texas Bank will hold a bake sale Friday to benefit the Military Warrriors Support Foundation that will be awarding homes to five worthy veterans at the June 8 J.W. Hart PBR Challenge.

PLANT SALE – Decatur High School FFA will sell plants and hanging baskets today through Thursday from 3-5:30 p.m. daily. For more information call Jim Allsup at (940) 393-7286.

FUNERALS – Memorial for Tom Hall, 59, of Runaway Bay is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Runaway Bay Community Church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Wayne L. Renshaw, 85, of Grand Prairie is pending at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

GRAVESIDE service for Jackson Alexander Foley, the infant son of Hailey Marie Meadows and Ethan Andrew Foley of Bridgeport, is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Chico Cemetery. Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

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Garbage truck wreck injures two, shuts down ramp http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/garbage-truck-wreck-injures-two-shuts-down-ramp/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/garbage-truck-wreck-injures-two-shuts-down-ramp/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 15:19:19 +0000 Brandon Evans http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62604 A garbage truck northbound on Farm Road 51 tried to take too a turn too fast onto Texas 114 East Monday morning. It wound up spilling refuse, injuring two and shutting down part of the road. The driver locked the brakes, rolled and came to a rest upside down on the ramp. The wreck occurred at 8:40 this morning, and the on-ramp from 51 North to 114 East is expected to be closed until at least 11:30 a.m. as emergency responders try to clear the mess. Drivers northbound on FM 51 needing to turn east onto Texas 114 should turn right onto County Road 4599 and follow it until it runs into Texas 114. The driver of the truck, which is owned by Midwest Allied Services, suffered serious injuries in the wreck. Joan L. Hatten, 46, of Weatherford, was flown from the scene to JPS Hospital in Fort Worth. The cab was crumpled in all around her after rolling. A passenger in the cab, Monterrea B. Finley, 32, was transported by ground to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur for non-life-threatening injuries. The pair had been running an early morning trash pick-up route in the Briar area.

Messenger photo by Jimmy Alford

Messenger photo by Jimmy Alford

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Monday, May 20, 2013 http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/monday-may-20-2013/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/update/monday-may-20-2013/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 13:16:28 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62595

TAX VALUES SLIPPING – The sluggish economy took its toll on tax values in Wise County this year. Chief Appraiser Mickey Hand issued his preliminary values over the weekend and for most cities and school districts the news was not good. Overall Wise County tax values stood at $7.1 billion, a decrease of three-quarters of 1 percent. While real estate values were up, mineral values dropped 9.25 percent. City of Decatur values stood at almost $580 million, a decrease of 2.14 percent while Decatur ISD values were $2.243 billion, a decrease of 2.9 percent. Mineral values in DISD were down 11.24 percent. There were some bright spots – Slidell ISD saw its values jump 58 percent while Alvord ISD values climbed almost 25 percent, Bridgeport ISD was up 1.8 percent, Paradise ISD up 1.7 percent. Slidell mineral values were up almost 85 percent and Alvord’s up 64 percent. The cities of Aurora, Boyd and Paradise showed small valuation increases. City of Rhome values were down 14.3 percent with a 30 percent drop in mineral values. Final values are due in July.

GILL NAMED PROSECUTOR IN ROSS CASE - Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Robert Gill has been appointed prosecutor to continue the case against suspended Precinct 4 County Commissioner Terry Ross. Gill was appointed by District Judge Roger Towery last week after District Attorney Greg Lowery last month recused himself and his office from the case after being reminded that he represented Ross in a criminal matter 16 years ago. No trial date has been set for Ross, who faces charges of tampering with governmental records, theft by a public servant and abuse of official capacity. Read more in the weekend Wise County Messenger on news stands now.

NWS CLASSIFIES ALVORD TORNADO EF-0 – The National Weather Service in Fort Worth released more information about the tornado spotted near Alvord during last Wednesday’s storms. The tornado has been rated “EF-0″ with estimated peak winds of 80 miles per hour. It was estimated to be 25 yards wide and was on the ground for just 1/10 of a mile. The NWS said the location was 3 miles northeast of Alvord in open land and damaged only trees. An “EF-0″ tornado is classified as a weak tornado with winds 65 to 85 miles per hour.

STORMS POSSIBLE TONIGHT – It could be another stormy evening in Wise County with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe, the National Weather Service says. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats, but isolated tornadoes are also possible. Temperatures are expected to reach 92 today.

STEM SHOWCASE – The Northwest High School Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will host its third annual showcase 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the NHS east entrance. Students in ninth through 12th grade will display their best work.

VACCINATION CLINIC – The Weatherford College Wise County campus will host a vaccination clinic 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.  Hepatitis A/A&B/B, Chickenpox, Meningococcal, MMR, Tdap, and TB vaccinations will be available. Call the Area Health Education Center, located at the college, at 940-626-3282 for additional information.

 FREE MAMMOGRAMS – Mary’s Gift will offer free mammogram screenings for eligible women Wednesday by appointment only. Call (940) 626-1384 to apply.

HEAD START ENROLLMENT – Decatur Head Start is enrolling 4-year-olds for the 2013-14 school year. For information call (940) 627-6418 or 627-6435 or come by 575 W. Mulberry St. Decatur.

WISE DEMOCRATS – The Wise County Democratic Party will meet at 7 tonight in the Law Enforcement Center Courtroom, 200 Rook Ramsey Dr., in Decatur.

RECORDING HISTORY WORKSHOP – The Bridgeport Historical Society is holding a free workshop titled “Here and There: Recollections of Texas in World War II” 1-3 p.m. today at the Weatherford College Wise County campus. This workshop is one of a series taking place across the state, which is designed to teach people how to conduct and record oral histories pertaining to the World War II effort. Attendees will receive free oral history training handouts and a “how-to” presentation by Texas Historical Commission oral historian William McWhorter. Call Ken Sprecher at (940) 683-5389 if you have any questions.

CHICO SCHOOL BOARD – The Chico School Board meets at 6:30 tonight in the Chico Elementary School Cafetorium. Agenda items include the swearing in of newly-elected board members, reorganization of the board, recognizing student UIL and spring contest results, possible bond items and the purchase of elementary iPad carts.

FUNERALS – Service for Ima Lee Anderson, 81, of Decatur is 2 p.m. today at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.

MEMORIAL service for Tom Hall, 59, of Runaway Bay is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Runaway Bay Community Church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Dr. Red Covington, 75, of Waco, formerly of Alvord, is 1 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Waco. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco is handling arrangements.

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Storms rip northern Wise; Mother, daughter survive brush with tornado http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/storms-rip-northern-wise-mother-daughter-survive-brush-with-tornado/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/storms-rip-northern-wise-mother-daughter-survive-brush-with-tornado/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:28:55 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62583 ...

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Storms pack rain, hail and tornado http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/storms-pack-rain-hail-and-tornado/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/storms-pack-rain-hail-and-tornado/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:26:24 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62577 ...

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District details plans for lake http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/district-details-plans-for-lake/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/district-details-plans-for-lake/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:22:11 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62573 ...

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Special prosecutor named for Ross case http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/special-prosecutor-named-for-ross-case/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/special-prosecutor-named-for-ross-case/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:20:53 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62571 ...

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Council raises fees, reappoints board members http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-raises-fees-reappoints-board-members/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-raises-fees-reappoints-board-members/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:20:23 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62570 ...

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Legislature honors oil and gas pioneer; Mitchell, industry have Wise roots http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/legislature-honors-oil-and-gas-pioneer-mitchell-industry-have-wise-roots/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/legislature-honors-oil-and-gas-pioneer-mitchell-industry-have-wise-roots/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:19:49 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62569 ...

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Haney re-elected board president http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/haney-re-elected-board-president/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/haney-re-elected-board-president/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:19:15 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62568 ...

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Water restrictions may be on the way http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/water-restrictions-may-be-on-the-way/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/water-restrictions-may-be-on-the-way/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:18:38 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62567 ...

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DISD receives grant for ‘Future Ready’ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/disd-receives-grant-for-future-ready/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/disd-receives-grant-for-future-ready/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:18:05 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62566 ...

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NISD to rename ag building http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/nisd-to-rename-ag-building/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/nisd-to-rename-ag-building/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:17:32 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62565 ...

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Main Street program’s future in limbo http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/main-street-programs-future-in-limbo/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/main-street-programs-future-in-limbo/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:17:00 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62564 ...

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Council to consider rates, tractors http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-to-consider-rates-tractors/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-to-consider-rates-tractors/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:16:29 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62563 ...

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County Clerk Records for Saturday, May 18, 2013 http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/county-clerk-records-for-saturday-may-18-2013/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/county-clerk-records-for-saturday-may-18-2013/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:15:58 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62562 ...

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Local student gets National FFA Scholarship http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/local-student-gets-national-ffa-scholarship/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/local-student-gets-national-ffa-scholarship/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:15:27 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62561 ...

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Council to look at school officer agreement http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-to-look-at-school-officer-agreement/ http://www.wcmessenger.com/2013/news/council-to-look-at-school-officer-agreement/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 15:14:54 +0000 admin http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=62560 ...

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