A fire at Oncor’s main data center in Mesquite over the weekend has affected the automated outage system and the company is using live operators to report outages. Because of the potential for outages during rainy weather, customers may be placed on hold when calling to report outages. Oncor expects the automated system to be back in place by late Tuesday. Customers should call 1-888-313-4747 to report an outage.

Residents of Newark Beach Estates braved a downpour this morning and marched around the Wise County Courthouse with signs, hoping to send a message to county commissioners.

But there was one problem – commissioners did not meet today.

Last Monday residents staged a demonstration and cut the locks off all the gates at the public boat ramps in their neighborhood. They then presented them to interim Precinct 3 commissioner Glenn Hughes. By Monday afternoon, Hughes sent county employees to remove the gates.

Although the residents were happy with Hughes’ decision, they said they want to make sure commissioners put it in writing that the boat ramps are to remain open.

One resident said their soggy march was good practice for next week. They plan to come back and stage another demonstration prior to the 9 a.m. commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Next week’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday due to the President’s Day holiday Monday. Read more about the boat ramp gates in Newark Beach Estates in the Feb. 4 edition of the Wise County Messenger.

LAKE BRIDGEPORT FIRE – Firefighters responded to a house fire at 5:45 a.m. today in the 100 block of Church Street in Lake Bridgeport. When the Lake Bridgeport Fire Department arrived, they found a trailer home fully involved with flames. Carol Huffman and Michael Manning lived in the home. Chico and Bridgeport fire departments assisted. The cause is under investigation.

LIGHTENING STRIKES TWICE — Below, Wise County Fire Marshal Marc Dodd interviews homeowner Carol Huffman while she watches the remains of her home go up in smoke from inside her van. This is the second time in 10 years she has lost a home to fire. She was not at home when the fire was discovered at about 5:45 a.m.

Photos by Joe Duty

FIREFIGHTERS HONORED – The Decatur Fire Department honored firefighter/paramedic Andy Wood as the department’s “Firefighter-of-the-Year” at the annual honors banquet Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center. The fire officer of the year was Captain Chris Caster, the rookie of the year was firefighter Jordan Hodges, the public safety officer/firefighter of the year was police officer Darrell Hicks and the volunteer firefighter of the year was James Carr. Fire Chief Mike Richardson, who along with Deputy Chief Deroy Bennett presented the awards, said the department answered 1,559 calls in 2009 and that volunteers gave 13,974 hours to the department during the year. Decatur has a combination paid/volunteer fire department. Keynote speaker for the event was Navy Captain T.D. Smyers, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth. Smyers is a native of Wise County and a graduate of Boyd High School.

FILING SEASON BEGINS - Today is the first day for candidates to file for a place on the May 8 ballot. Candidates for mayor, city council and school board can file through March 8.

RAINY START TO WEEK – Wise County received significant rainfall overnight, and rain is expected to stick around throughout the day. Rainfall totals as of 7 a.m. include 1.55 inches in Alvord, 1.5 in Slidell, 0.9 in Bridgeport and 0.75 in Decatur.

SCV MEETING - The Sons of Confederate Veterans meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Member Royce Raven will present a program on KIA/MIA remembrance from all wars.

RABBIT CLUB MEETING – The Wise County 4-H Rabbit Club meets at 6 tonight at the Ascension/St. Mark Episcopal Church on U.S. 380 between Decatur and Bridgeport. The program will be on showmanship skills, and guest speaker will be Gary Burcell. For more information call Sherry Haas at (940) 433-2114.

BUYERS ASSOCIATION MEETING – The Decatur Youth Fair Buyers Association meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pizza Hut. Anyone interested in participating is invited to attend.

EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS – The Decatur Public Library will hold two free employment workshops this week. “Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing” is 10 a.m. Tuesday. “Online Job Searching” is 10 a.m. Thursday. Call the library at (940) 627-5512 to sign up.

BLOOD DRIVE – Boyd High School will hold a Red Cross blood drive 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. To donate, an individual must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health on the day of donation. For information, to schedule a donation or inquire about eligibility to donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.bloodisneeded.org.

DONKEY BASKETBALL – Chico High School will present “Donkey Basketball” at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are available at all Chico school campuses and cost $6 in advance and $8 on Thursday. Free donkey rides will be given to children under 12. Dinner, for $6, will be served at 5:30.

HOOPS SCORES – Friday night’s local basketball results are posted at Sports Update, www.wcmessenger.com/sports/update.

FUNERALS – Memorial service for Erma Jane Hanlin, 73, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport.

SERVICE for Vickie Pierce, 51, of Briar is pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.

MALONES SPEAK OUT – In response to last Sunday’s story regarding the raid on the Malone property for alleged organized criminal activities, several of those arrested agreed to present their side of the story. The Messenger will feature this article in Sunday’s paper.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER – The Chico Lady Dragons are hosting a spaghetti supper from 5 p.m. to halftime of the varsity boy’s game at the high school tonight. Cost is $5 for adults, seventh grade and older, and $3 for children. Proceeds will benefit the Young Lady Dragons basketball program.

COOKBOOKS – Taste of Texas Downtown cookbooks are for sale at the Decatur Visitors Center for $20 each. Proceeds benefit the Anise Reed fund of Texas Main Street.

BAKE SALE - A bake sale to benefit a team participating in a three day breast cancer walk is at Community Bank in Bridgeport during its regular hours of operation today.

SPRING SPORTS SIGN UP – Bridgeport Youth Association sign-ups for soccer, baseball, softball, T-ball and pixie are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Bridgeport Public Library. Bring birth certificate if not on file. For information visit www.eteamz.com/bridgeportyouthassoc/.

PARADISE SOFTBALL – Registration forms are available online at www.paradisepyra.com and at all PISD schools for girls’ softball ages 7 to 18. Registration must be post-marked by Feb. 17. For more information, call Kristy Darter at (817) 205-8608 or kdarter@elitemetalfabinc.com.

BANQUET – The 13th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet sponsored by the Cross Timbers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is Friday, Feb. 12, at the Decatur Civic Center. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:30. The event will feature door prizes, live and silent auctions and raffles. Single tickets are $50, and couples’ tickets are $75. A JAKE ticket (kids 17 and under) is free. Tickets can be purchased at the U.S. Forest Service office, 2-K Pawn and Gun, or by calling (940) 393-8908 or e-mailing jbarrow1994@gmail.com.

T-BALL – Alvord T-ball sign ups begin 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the old Alvord Middle School. Call Carrie Outlaw at (940) 389-7967.

REPUBLICAN MEETING – Wise Republican Women and Wise County Republican Party meet jointly at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at the Wise County Courthouse, second floor. The program will be “How to Get Involved” presented by Allen Williamson, Bettye Parker and Pat Peale, Texas Federation of Republican Women District Director.

BASEBALL SIGN-UPS – Decatur Baseball sign-ups are tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harmon Park.

FUNERALS – Service for Martha Nell Selz, 88, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for Ralph Murphy, 79, of Cottondale is 2 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for Bea Kelly of Decatur is 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving.