DECATUR SCHOOL BOARD - Trustees approved a $36.8 million expenditure budget and a tax rate of $1.31. The rate is the same as last year. The budget includes a pay increase for teachers of $1,000 per step.
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS - Wise County Little League will have softball and baseball sign-ups from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Harmon Park in Dectaur. For more information, visit http://www.wisecountylittleleague.com
COURT DEDICATION - Oak Grove United Methodist Church will dedicate the Barbara Rhine Memorial Basketball Court Sunday, Aug. 30, immediately following the 11 a.m. Fifth Sunday Gospel Singing worship service. A covered dish luncheon will follow. The church is located at 1295 Greenwood Road north of Decatur. For more information, visit http://www.oakgrovemethodist.com or call (940) 626-4407.
This week's events ...
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM - The Decatur Library's free after school program for students in fifth grade and up is 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning Monday, Aug. 31. Students will participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities. For more information, call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit the Web page at http://www.decaturpubliclibrary.com
BUDGET HEARING - The city of Decatur will hold a public budget and property tax hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at city hall. No tax increase is planned to balance the budget, following about $1 million in cuts by the departments, along with shelving another $1 million in capital projects. Water and sewer rates will be considered for increases during the Sept. 14 and 28 council meetings.
CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY - The Decatur Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is taking applications for its third class to start Monday, Aug. 31. Applications are available at the police department. For information, call Sgt. Delvon Campbell at (940) 627-1500. There is no cost for the 12-week program. Classes are at 6:30 p.m. in the police department training room.
FOSTER OR ADOPT - An orientation for Arrow Child and Family Ministries Foster/Adopt training is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Decatur Public Library. Anyone interested in foster care or adoption should attend. Classes for foster/adoption training begin Tuesday, Sept. 8, and run each Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. during the month of September at the library. To sign up, call Michael Heckmann with Arrow Child and Family Ministries at (817) 665-8880 or call Joy Woodruff at (940) 393-5231 or the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
Next Week's Events ...
PARK SPRINGS HOMECOMING - The 55th Park Springs Homecoming is Sunday, Sept. 6, at the old Methodist Tabernacle. Early bird registration is at 10 a.m., music and food at noon and a formal program at 2 p.m.
ESL CLASSES - Free ESL classes are offered at the Decatur First Baptist Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays during the school year beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9. Registration is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9, and classes are offered for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. For more information, call the church office at (940) 627-3235.
FLIP FLOPS FOR PROM - The DHS class of 2011 is selling flip flops for $16 each to benefit the 2010 junior/senior prom. Advance orders may be placed until Friday, Sept. 11. Forms will be available at the concession stands during seventh, eighth, freshman, JV and Varsity home games. Sizes range from Youth 11 to Adult 12.
CLASS OF 1999 - The Bridgeport High School Class of 1999 will have its 10-year reunion Sept. 11-12. If you have not been contacted, e-mail bridgeport1999@hotmail.com.
Upcoming events ...
JACKIE'S BARREL RACE - The second annual Jackie's Barrel Race Open 5D is Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Salt Creek Arena in Boyd. Books open at 9 a.m. Money raised will benefit Jackie Murphree, who was injured in a car accident two years ago. For information, call Raylee Moss at (940) 577-1213 or Gail Gentry at (940) 626-9630.
CHAMBER AUCTION - The 18th annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce Auction is 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. This year's theme is "Fat Saturday Carnivale." For more information or to purchase tickets call Misty Hudson at (940) 627-3107.
HEALTH FAIR - The Wise Regional Health System Harvest Health Fair is 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in front of the hospital. The free event will include health screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, PSA testing (for men over 50), blood sugar checks, a kids fun area, face painting, cake walk and the Corporate Wellness Challenge where teams compete in an obstacle course.
PARADISE FESTIVAL - The Paradise Main Street Festival is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The Paradise Veteran's Memorial Park will be dedicated during the event, and local veterans will be honored. The festival will include food and craft booths, talent shows and speeches. To participate in the talent show, call (940) 859-3691. To rent a booth, call (940) 748-2422 or (940) 969-3680.
COAL MINERS - The Coal Miners' Heritage Festival is Saturday, Oct. 3, in downtown Bridgeport. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and will include food and craft vendors, a video game contest, baking contest, 5K run/walk and 30-mile bike ride, classic car show, tractor show and live entertainment. Booth space applications are available at http://www.bridgeportchamber.com or by calling (940) 683-2076.
RAFFLE TICKETS - The Decatur Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is selling raffle tickets for a Stoeger Condor 12-gauge over and under shotgun. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at the First Financial and North Texas banks or from any DCPAAA member. Drawing will be Oct. 6. Proceeds go to the Decatur Police Department to help provide training equipment.
In other news ...
BENEFIT ACCOUNT - A benefit account has been set up at First State Bank, Bridgeport for Melissa Bracken and family, who lost everything in a recent house fire. For more information, call Colleen Walker at (940) 393-3947.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - The North Central Texas Council of Governments' Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to help elderly and disabled residents of nursing and assisted living facilities in Bridgeport and Decatur. For more information, call Lisa Walker at (800) 272-3921 or e-mail Pat Borgfeldt at ppborgfeldt@aol.com
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center, 404 Hudson St.
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - The Alzheimer's Association hosts an Alzheimer's support group at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Wise Regional Health System's west campus board room. For more information, call Kelly Walker at (940) 627-5921.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and cell phone batteries in any condition. The organization works with Shelter Alliance, which allows them to receive shelter funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the center office in Decatur, 407 S. Washburn St. For information, call (940) 626-4585.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - A free marriage workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Weatherford College Education Center in Decatur. For more information, visit http://www.theparentingcenter.org To register, call (877) 922-4733.
CPR TRAINING - The Decatur Fire Department offers CPR training to people living in the Decatur city limits or in the Decatur Fire District. Classes are held monthly from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The cost is $5. For more information or to register, call the administration offices at (940) 627-3199 or come by the fire department at 201 S. Church St.
