| Recent News Headlines |
| Woodruff honored for decades of service |
|
| By Phil Major | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
Tuesday was W.B. Woodruff Jr. Day in Decatur.
The mayor and city council proclaimed it as such in honor of his more than 50 years of service to the community. |
| Read More... |
| Well not welcome |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| Last Christmas, 9-year-old Reilly Ruggiero received the gift of her dreams when she found a horse waiting for her in the morning. |
| Read More... |
| Group will begin work on college |
|
| By Kristen Tribe | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| The Wise County Weatherford College to-do list is long, and Tuesday commissioners formally recognized a committee that is to oversee the initial steps of pre-construction. |
| Read More... |
| Church variance request approved |
|
| By Phil Major | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| Decatur City Council added its approval to a series of recommendations by the Planning and Zoning Commission Monday. |
| Read More... |
| Elementary will become accelerated high school |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| The Northwest school district is looking ahead to several new construction projects, including two new high schools. One of those high schools, an accelerated high school, will open to students next school year. |
| Read More... |
| Driver injured after speeding through fence |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| A Bridgeport man made a remarkable recovery after suffering "incapacitating" injuries in a one-vehicle wreck early Friday night. |
| Read More... |
| Wise Country Fall-Out is Saturday |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| The line-up of performers is complete, and 13 are now scheduled to take the stage for the 15th annual Wise Country Fall-Out talent competition show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the G.C. Rann Little Theater inside the Wise County Heritage Museum, 1602 S. Trinity. The performers will be competing for first, second and third place cash prizes. Tickets to the Fall-Out are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and are available now at the museum or at the door the night of the event. |
| Read More... |
| Hunting season opportunities and changes |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| Hunters in Wise and surrounding counties will need to pay close attention to the antler size of the deer before shooting because Wise and many other North Texas counties have adopted an antler restriction regulation. |
| Read More... |
| Smoked meat sales to benefit needy |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| On Feb. 18, 1996, Grace Baptist Church of Decatur was founded in a small building at 303 South State Street. The church immediately began a benevolence effort called the "Others" fund to assist people with needs. |
| Read More... |
| Freedoms voices |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
The term "veteran" applies to 5,909 people in Wise County.
Their ages range from the 20s to the 90s. Their experiences vary - some fought in the jungles, others the desert, while others spent their time on a destroyer on the sea.
Their wounds are physical, mental and emotional, but each has healed differently. |
| Read More... |
| Faith comes home |
| A man and his mules' remarkable 2,500-mile journey comes to an end in Texas |
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
- Matthew 7:13-14 |
| Read More... |
| Van James resigns as city administrator |
| Angie Tyson also leaving Main Street post |
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
| City of Bridgeport administrator Van James has resigned from his post in order to return to Iraq as a municipal consultant. |
| Read More... |
| Split decision: Voters approve prop for facilities, deny prop for technology |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
Bridgeport ISD superintendent Eddie Bland described Tuesday's bond election results as a "glass half full."
The district presented voters with two bond propositions. One passed. |
| Read More... |
| Split decision: Bond defeated, but issues remain |
|
| By Brian Knox | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
| Following Tuesday's Decatur school bond defeat, district officials and school board members are left with some decisions to make. |
| Read More... |
| P&Z grants church's variance request |
|
| By Phil Major | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
| Decatur Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a variance for the First Baptist Church Monday, that it won't have to install curb and gutter along Farm Road 51. |
| Read More... |
| Wise County Sheriffs Department Crime Report for November 8 |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
Thursday, Oct. 29
100 block of Salad Master Road - A man left his truck at a mechanic shop in April to have the engine replaced. The man ran out of money for the repair and did not visit the shop until last week. When he did, he found it had been stripped of its wheels, gas tank, transmission and stereo. The shop owner could not be located. |
| Read More... |
| School bonds: 1 passes, 2 fail |
|
| By Brian Knox | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
| Three school bond propositions were put before voters Tuesday with one passing (Bridgeport Proposition 1) and two failing (Decatur's lone proposition and Bridgeport's Proposition 2). |
| Read More... |
| H1N1 flu vaccine available in Wise |
|
| By Kristen Tribe | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
| The H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, began spreading rampantly through Wise County, the state and much of the nation in August. Vaccine for this strain of the flu is now available, and Dr. Roger Leaton, Wise County's health officer, recommends it for protection from possible upcoming outbreaks. |
| Read More... |
| TCEQ testing gas industrys effect on air quality |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
In the past decade, gas production has exploded throughout the Barnett Shale. What effect has the booming industry had on the air quality of the area?
That is the question the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is currently trying to answer. |
| Read More... |
| Students receive real world lessons on use of technology |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
Thursday was one of the few days Decatur High School students were encouraged to use their phones.
"Does anyone have an iPhone?" asked Carrie Oberle, math teacher at DHS.
A student raised his hand, and Oberle went to his desk to marvel at the device. |
| Read More... |
| Switching station, line upgrades nearly complete |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
| An Oncor switching station under construction near the James Wood Hyundai dealership is ahead of schedule and nearing completion. |
| Read More... |
| Schultz promoted to chief in United States Navy |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
| Cody Schultz of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 was promoted to chief aircraft electrician on board the USS Ronald Reagan on Sept. 16. |
| Read More... |
| Student makes death threat |
|
| By Brian Knox | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| A Bridgeport High School student has been charged with terroristic threat after making a death threat against several students, police say. |
| Read More... |
| Group gives amputee new look on life |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
On Christmas Eve in 2007, Tammy Myers lost her leg.
What started out as a blood clot took a direction for the worst. Myers suffered an allergic reaction to heparin, an anticoagulant, and doctors had to amputate her left leg. |
| Read More... |
| Fire started in heating unit |
|
| By Phil Major | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| A heating unit appears to be the cause of a fire that heavily damaged the Boyd Kwik Stop Tuesday evening. |
| Read More... |
| Bonds, amendments on Tuesday ballot |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday - your last chance to vote in this year's general election. |
| Read More... |
| Family shares love of racing |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
Dillon Green's daily to-do list is spelled out in simple terms and simple phrases.
1. Train hard
2. Eat right
3. Work out
4. Ride hard |
| Read More... |
| Sheriffs Department Crime Report for November 1 |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
Saturday, Oct. 24
100 block of CR 4693 - A man was issued a criminal trespass warning after he entered his neighbor's yard and turned off the flood lights. He told the deputy that the lights "were too bright for his party." |
| Read More... |
| Man indicted in shooting |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| A Sunset man arrested in September after he shot his girlfriend in the face was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon recently by a Wise County grand jury. |
| Read More... |
| Polling Locations |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| The first number indicates the commissioner precinct. The second is the voting precinct you are in. |
| Read More... |
| Fair aimed at volunteers |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| Often, people who want to volunteer are unsure of what organization best fits their time and talents, said Megan Brock, volunteer coordinator with IntegraCare Hospice. |
| Read More... |
| Fire damages store |
|
| By Phil Major | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| Fire heavily damaged the Boyd Kwik Stop about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. |
| Read More... |
| The volunteer |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill
Every call is different. And every call might hold a life in the balance.
Volunteer firefighters understand better than most the meaning behind Churchill's quote. The impact they make in the lives of people in their community cannot be quantified.
Most remain humble about why they serve. Rick King, a volunteer with the Decatur Fire Department, is no different. |
| Read More... |
| Rocky start |
| Fire hall weeks behind schedule |
| By Phil Major | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| The new Decatur fire station is officially 86 days behind schedule, related primarily to excavation of the rocky hilltop for the foundation. |
| Read More... |
| Scams on rise during recession |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| As the economic recession and high unemployment numbers continue, the number of financial scams are on the rise. |
| Read More... |
| Early voting ends Friday |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| Your time is running short if you plan to vote early in the Nov. 3 general election. |
| Read More... |
| School considers adding new courses |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| The Northwest School Board heard about proposed new high school courses for the 2010-2011 school year, as well as proposed course deletions at Monday's meeting. |
| Read More... |
| County looks at ways to use energy efficiency grant |
|
| By Kristen Tribe | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| County employees ended commissioner's court Monday with a celebratory cheer - the meeting lasted only one hour. |
| Read More... |
| Horse evaluation team places 16th at nationals |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| Decatur High School's FFA horse evaluation team finished 16th among 47 other states competing in last week's 82nd national FFA competition in Indianapolis. During the two day competition, the team judged four conformation classes and four performance classes, gave reasons on four of those classes and did a team activity. Only 15 points separated them from the No. 10 spot. |
| Read More... |
| Brigham to play in orchestra |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| The West Texas A&M University symphony orchestra presents its live cinema presentation of the 1929 classic The Iron Mask at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Mary Moody Northern Recital Hall on campus. |
| Read More... |
| FCCLA plans Halloween fundraiser |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| The 2009-10 Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Chapter at Alvord High School is busy this week, planning its annual trick-or-treat for charity fundraiser. |
| Read More... |
| McKinney promoted to National Guard colonel |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| David McKinney, son of retired Colonel Dick McKinney and wife, Jo McKinney of Decatur, celebrated his promotion to colonel with the Air National Guard on Oct. 1. |
| Read More... |
| Help stock WARMs shelves |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| Win a trophy you can be proud to display in your business and at the same time, do something good for those in need in the county. |
| Read More... |
| Tractor beaming |
| Restoration team wins school's third national championship |
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Decatur FFA has once again won the national title in the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition. The team of Philip Grundy, Will Gregg, Brandon Myers, Colton White and Ishley Elmore was announced as the winner at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Friday. |
| Read More... |
| Early voting continues |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Hundreds of people cast votes during the first week of early voting for the Nov. 3 general election. The ballot includes 11 Texas constitutional amendments and bond packages in the Bridgeport and Decatur school districts. |
| Read More... |
| Looking for a scare, or just tasty treats? |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| We've reached the peak time for Halloween and fall festival events. Here's a list of upcoming seasonal events: |
| Read More... |
| Book reveals history and legacy of square |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
A century ago the Decatur Square bustled with activity.
Saloons, inns, dry goods stores, department stores, cafes, restaurants and professional offices filled the buildings surrounding the courthouse. |
| Read More... |
| Sheriffs Department Crime Report for October 25 |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
Wednesday, Oct. 14
100 block of Deerfield Lane - Animal control responded to a report of two dogs fighting in the streets. The animals' owners were located. |
| Read More... |
| Hill released from hospital following crash |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Two weeks after a twin-engine turboprop plane propelled into a pasture near Aurora, only one of the four occupants remains hospitalized in Fort Worth. |
| Read More... |
| Program gains council support |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| The Bridgeport City Council approved the implementation of a new program that would utilize the help of volunteer groups in enhancing Bridgeport neighborhoods. |
| Read More... |
| Awnings undergo replacement |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Some of the facades on the Decatur Square have undergone and are undergoing facelifts. |
| Read More... |
| Proposed Constitutional Amendments |
|
| By Staff | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Proposed Constitutional Amendments |
| Read More... |
| Bovine crime |
| Stolen cattle taken on wild ride |
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| For unknown reasons, a man stole an 18-wheeler loaded with cattle from a ranch in the Keeter area early Sunday evening. |
| Read More... |
| Volunteers bring heart attack victim back to life |
|
| By Brandon Evans | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
Samuel Gary, 67, of Newark, remembers very little from Monday, Sept. 28.
"All I remember is for some reason I felt bad enough to call my son, and I also called my girlfriend at work," Gary said. "But I don't remember what was said." |
| Read More... |
| Bands advance to area |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| Two area high school marching bands will compete at Saturday's area competition in Birdville after receiving superior ratings at a marching contest hosted in Denton last weekend. |
| Read More... |
| Board prioritizes remaining bond projects |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| Since voters approved a $9 million bond in May 2008, Paradise ISD has completed several large construction projects, including a wing and cafeteria at the junior high, a wing of classrooms at the elementary and a fine arts building, among other projects. |
| Read More... |
| Wise County 4-H Horse Club news |
|
| By Staff | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| New officers were elected during the Sept. 17 Wise County 4-H Horse Club meeting at Salt Creek Arena. |
| Read More... |
| Bailey pleads guilty to murder of mother |
|
| By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| A Northwest High School graduate pleaded guilty in Denton County Monday in the murder of her mother, Susan Bailey. |
| Read More... |
|
| |
|
 |
| NEW BOUNDARIES - The Decatur School Board last night approved new elementary attendance boundaries to take effect with the opening of the district's third elementary next fall. Generally, areas on the west side of the district are zoned into Rann Elementary, areas on the east side of the district are zoned into Carson Elementary and southern areas of the district including much of the downtown area of Decatur are zoned into Young Elementary. See Sunday's Messenger for a detailed map of the new boundaries. |
| Read More... |
|
| |
|
| Chico student athletes Malori Moss, Malanie Gates and Shelby Collins express their emotions at the news that trustees approved a resignation agreement with Pete Hart. |
| Photo by Joe Duty |
| More Photos... |
|
| |
|
| |
| Sutton picks kindness over clock |
| Slidells Staub just misses medal |
|
| More News... |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
