BOYD SETS TAX RATE — The Boyd city council adopted a tax rate of 45.6 cents per $100 valuation for the upcoming fiscal year, the same rate as last year. Also, the council enacted water restrictions in reaction to recent low levels in the city wells. Residents are now only allowed to water their lawns once per week. The council installed the water conservation measure for a six-month period.
SHANNON TO STAY - Brett Shannon will remain as Decatur city manager, following his annual evaluation Monday. The City Council asked for a new 5-year contract to be prepared, to be considered at the next meeting. Shannon was placed on a 5-year contract several years ago and has earned extensions each successive year. He became city manager in 1990. The council also gave final approval to the 2010 budget and property tax rate, which includes no tax increase and $1 million in budget cuts. Water and sewer rates are rising Oct. 1.
SLIMP HONORED - The Decatur City Council honored recently retired Patsy Slimp Monday with a proclamation for her 21 years of service as the executive director of the Decatur Public Housing Authority.
COLLEGE BRANCH - County commissioners took no action on a tax levy for the Wise County Weatherford College branch maintenance tax at yesterday's meeting. County judge Bill McElhaney called a special meeting for 9 a.m. next Tuesday at the courthouse at which time they will discuss and consider the tax again. Interim president Kevin Eaton asked the county to enact the full five-cent tax. Voters approved the branch maintenance tax in a November 2008 election.
RAIN ENDING? - Yesterday's rainfall totals from Wise County weather watchers included 0.2 of an inch in Runaway Bay and 0.16 in Decatur. There is a 30 percent chance of rain today.
MEETING - The Wise County Fossil, Rock and Mineral Society meets tonight at 6:30 at the Wesley Center in Decatur.
OFFICES CLOSED - The Decatur Public Housing Authority (Hillwood Homes) office is closed today and Wednesday for training. ALSO, The Wise County Clerk's office is closed today for training and will reopen tomorrow. ALSO, WARM will be closed Friday for an out of town conference.
GOLF TOURNAMENT - A golf tournament benefiting John Cowling of Bridgeport is Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Bridgeport Country Club. For more information on the 3-person scramble call (940) 577-0782.
REGISTER TO VOTE - Monday, Oct. 5, is the last day to register to vote or make changes to your voter card in order to be able to vote in the Nov. 3 election. The county-wide ballot will include the state constitutional amendments and certain ballots will include the Bridgeport school bond, Decatur school bond and the Alpha Ranch Water Control and Improvement District issue. Elections Administrator Lannie Noble said to check your voter card to make sure all the information is correct. For more information, call (940) 626-4453 or (940) 627-3656.
SOFTBALL TOURNEY - A men's and coed softball tournament is Saturday at Kenny Renshaw Park in Decatur. Proceeds will help a 14-and-under girls fastpitch softball team go to the Fall state tournament in Wichita Falls. For more information, call (940) 389-0207.
TRAVELING BOOKS - Be on the lookout for traveling books released in the community. These books have been set free by the Decatur Public Library Teen Advisory Board. The traveling books are labeled with directions to take the book home and enjoy it, write about it at www.bookcrossing.com and leave it somewhere new for someone else to find and enjoy. For more information call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit http://www.decaturpubliclibrary.com
PHS CLASS OF '99 - The Paradise High School Class of 1999 will have its 10-year reunion Sept. 25-26. Contact Landon Smith at (940) 393-5207 or landon_smith@hotmail.com for more information.
FOOTBALL - All four Decatur Middle School football games today have been rescheduled to the Argyle High School football stadium on Highway 377 in Argyle beginning at 4 p.m. 7B and 7A games will be followed by 8B and 8A games.
FUNERALS - Service for Rev. William M. Greer, 77, of Rhome is 10:30 this morning at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at 2 p.m. in D-FW National Cemetery in Dallas.
GRAVESIDE service for William P. Tollerson, 58, of Springtown is 2 p.m. Thursday at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for George Amador Ruibal, 75, of Decatur will be held at a later date in Colorado. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Naida Emit Robinson, 77, of Decatur is 10:30 this morning at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery.
FUNERAL for Hilde Ross, 80, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Alvord Cemetery.
SERVICE is pending for Jayden R. Moore, 19 months, of Rhome at Coker-Hawkins.
SERVICE for Virgil D. Gist, 71, of Decatur is private. Coker-Hawkins is handling arrangements.
