GRASS FIRE - Cottondale, Salt Creek and Boonsville Fire Departments battled a grass fire on County Road 3661 in Cottondale Saturday around 2:30 p.m. The fire destroyed a small wooden shed, but firefighters were able to stop the acre-sized fire before it reached any homes.
JUNE RAIN - For the month, Wise County received 3.82 inches of rain, according to weather watcher Doyle Green in Decatur. That is below the normal rainfall amount for June of 4.34 inches. Overnight rainfall totals included 1.8 inches in Slidell, 0.22 in Decatur and 0.2 in Alvord.
This week's events...
WELL REGISTRATION - Wednesday, July 1, is the deadline for registering existing water wells with the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Exemptions include wells used exclusively for domestic use, watering livestock or poultry or agricultural irrigation. Wells not capable of producing more than 25 gallons per minute, or two or more wells tied into a system not able to produce more than 30 gallons a minute are also exempt. All groundwater wells drilled on or after Jan. 1, 2009, must be registered with the district, regardless of whether the well qualifies for an exemption. For more information, call UTGCD at (817) 523-5200.
BENEFIT - Wise Electric Cooperative is selling briskets to support Mary's Gift, Wise Regional Health Foundation's program offering free mammograms to underserved Wise County women. Briskets were to be ordered by 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, and can be picked up after 2 p.m. Thursday, July 2. For more information, call (940) 627-2167 or (940) 683-8790.
Next week's events ...
MOVIES IN THE PARK - The Chico Parks Board will present free movies at Robinson Park every other Tuesday night beginning Tuesday, July 7. The movie schedule is as follows: July 7, "Kung Fu Panda;" July 21, "Madagascar 2;" Aug. 4, "Hotel for Dogs;" and Aug. 18, "Little Giants." Festivities, including music and concessions, begin at 7:30, and the movie will start at 9. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
COLLEGE REGISTRATION - Registration for the second session of summer classes at Weatherford College continues through Monday, July 8. Registration for fall courses continues through Aug. 28. For information, contact the college at (940) 627-2690 or wisecounty@wc.edu.
ABWN - The Area Business Women's Network meets at noon Thursday, July 9, at the Decatur Civic Center. Reservations are due noon Thursday, July 2. E-mail LauraShaffer@marykay.com if you plan to attend.
BLOOD DRIVE - There will be an American Red Cross Spirit of America blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Wise Electric Co-op Community Room. Visit givelife.org and use sponsor code "wiseelec" to make an appointment.
GOLF TOURNAMENT - The Breast Cancer Benefit Golf Tournament at The Club at Runaway Bay is Saturday, July 11. Tee time is 8:30 a.m., and registration is $75 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch. Team and sponsorship spots are available. For more information, call Ashley Wilson at (940) 210-4631.
BENEFIT - The Heart of Gold Dinner and Auction to benefit Trevor Sanders of Ponder is 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Ponder High School. Sanders has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a double outlet right ventricle and a coarctation of his aorta. He is waiting for a heart transplant, and all proceeds from this event will go toward his medical expenses. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. He is the cousin of April House of Decatur. Online donations are also being accepted at http://www.usfi.com/company/company-heartOfGold20090526.php.
Upcoming events...
FIRE DAMAGE ASSISTANCE- Wise County residents affected by the April 9 fires that swept through the southwest part of the county may be assisted by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The deadline to return applications for property damage is Monday, July 13. For more information, visit SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or call (800) 689-2955.
CHAMBER LUNCH - The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce July luncheon is 11:30 a.m. July 16 at the Bridgeport Lion's Hall. Speaker is John Riggins with the Fort Worth Better Business Bureau. Cost is $10. RSVP to the chamber office no later than Wednesday, July 15.
WATERSHED MEETING - An Eagle Mountain Lake watershed protection planning meeting is 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Decatur Civic Center. The meeting will include a report on pollutant source computer modeling for the watershed as well as a summary and discussion of the stakeholder survey of best management practices conducted at the January meeting. RSVP to David Waidler, watershed coordinator, at (972) 952-9689 or d-waidler@tamu.edu.
CLEAN UP - The City of Bridgeport will have a household hazardous waste collection event Saturday, July 18. Residents will be able to dispose of paint, pesticides, solvents, batteries and electronic waste, such as computers, monitors and televisions.
PARADISE REUNION - The Paradise High School Class of 1989's 20-year reunion is 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Rottman's place in Paradise. For information, e-mail Kris (Anderle) Love at kriselove@yahoo.com or call Monda (Whirley) Court at (972) 971-7575 or e-mail mondajo@yahoo.com.
SOFTBALL TOURNEY - The Andy Mattison Memorial Softball Tournament (The "Mo-Morial") is Saturday, July 18, at Kenny Renshaw Park in Decatur. The cost is $200 a team, but no team will be turned away. There will be a men's division and a coed division, as well as a home run derby and horseshoe and washers tournaments. All proceeds will go to benefit the family of Andy Mattison. For more information, contact Michael Loucks at (940) 389-1508.
ASMI RALLY - An Accident Scene Management Inc. Motorcycle Awareness rally is July 24-26 at the Thunder Hill Rally Grounds, 167 Private Road 1106, in Decatur. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, and admission is $10, plus one small stuffed toy to be donated to local emergency responders. A Dart Run will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, bike games are at 2 p.m. and a band will perform from 8 to midnight. A Sunday service will also be held. For information, call (940) 389-0200 or e-mail snowman41279@yahoo.com.
FOOTBALL PROGRAM - Ads are now being sold for the Decatur High School football program. To place an ad, call Katherine Cox at (940) 389-6734 or e-mail her at kgoyankees63@yahoo.com. Deadline is July 24.
READING CLUB - The Decatur Public Library's Online Teen Summer Reading Club continues through July 28. Students entering grades 5-12 can participate. To enter go to: www.decaturpubliclibrary.com/tsrc.htm. For each book read, your name goes into a drawing for prizes. Awards will also be given for best review, funniest review and most books read.
CHAMBER MIXER - A Multi-Chamber Mixer is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center.
BRIDGEPORT REUNION - The Bridgeport class of 1979 will host its 30-year reunion 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Bridgeport Golf and Country Club. Classes of 1976-1978 are also invited. Cost is $25 at the door. RSVP by e-mailing bridgeportclass79@yahoo.com or call (940) 389-5355.
MARINE REUNION - The Third Marine Division Association is holding its 55th annual reunion the week of Aug. 24-30 in San Antonio. For more information, call Mike Sohn at (210) 654-3310 or e-mail him at jumient2@hotmail.com.
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.
In other news ...
FIGHT MOSQUITOS - Decatur Mayor Joe Lambert is asking residents to take care of their property to limit breeding grounds for mosquitos. Tips include cutting weeds, getting rid of standing water, trimming brush and cleaning out any "junk" that might be stacked in your yard.
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center at 404 Hudson St.
HOUSING AUTHORITY - The Bridgeport Housing Authority is now accepting applications for one-bedroom apartments. Applications can be picked up at the office, 1508 Cobb, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
FOSTER OR ADOPT - CASA is taking applications for the Arrow Child and Family Ministries Foster/Adopt training in September at the Decatur Public Library. The classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. To sign up, call Joy Woodruff at (940) 393-5231 or the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and cell phone batteries in any condition. The organization works with a company, Shelter Alliance, which allows them to receive shelter funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the Wise Hope Crisis Center in Decatur at 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.
