BREAKING NEWS - A couple from Alabama was killed in a three-vehicle accident about two miles east of Decatur on U.S. 380 this morning. The driver of one vehicle was injured and taken to Denton Regional Medical Center. Traffic was stopped for more than an hour, but lanes were reopened around 10:30.
PHASE II PLANNING - Charlie Kearns, with Wiginton, Hooker and Jeffry Architects, told commissioners yesterday that they have started phase II of the county's master plan facilities study to the year 2030, which includes plans for a new courthouse. Although there are no floor plans yet, Kearns described this as the "first push of getting something on paper." He said they already met with Judge John Fostel and Judge Melton Cude to determine the space needs for the district and county courtrooms. "This area will set the outside dimensions of the building, and the other floors will stack accordingly," Kearns said. Read more in Thursday's Messenger.
SENIOR CARE FIRE - The Decatur Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation facility last night around 10:15 and found a fire in a laundry room on the back side of the building. Firefighters quickly put out the fire, which did not spread to other rooms. The facility's sprinkler system also activated. Residents did not have to be evacuated. No injuries were reported.
BOND INFO - Bridgeport ISD will hold a public information meeting tonight to discuss the district's November 3 bond election. The meeting is at 7 at 1101 17th Street, the old elementary school.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING - Due to the recent prowler reports in Oakland Heights area, the Bridgeport Police Department will host a meeting with all concerned residents at 7 tonight in the 1700 block of Boston Avenue at the water tower. Police will provide information about the prowler and will gather more information on the suspect from residents. Citizens will be surveyed to determine if there is an interest in creating a crime watch group for the neighborhood. For more information, call the Bridgeport Police Department at (940) 683-3430.
PLANNING MATTERS - The Decatur City Council yesterday moved to update building codes in the city to the 2006 international and electrical codes. The city has been under older codes. The newer codes will become effective once the council holds a second reading at the Oct. 26 meeting and publishes a notice. The council also learned that a replat application by Ernie Roberts that the Planning and Zoning Commission had denied last week has been withdrawn. Other matters approved by the P&Z last week met council approval.
RAIN - Overnight rainfall totals included 0.9 of an inch in Slidell, 0.5 in Runaway Bay, 0.48 in Decatur and 0.35 in Alvord. The forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of more rain throughout the day.
FOOD DRIVE - Vincent Investment Management is collecting non-perishable canned food or cash donations for Wise Area Relief Mission (WARM) and serving free hot dogs today. Donations can also be dropped off anytime during the month of October at the office, 2250 Farm Road 51 South, Suite 900, in Decatur.
OFFICE OPEN - The Texas Neighborhood Services office in Decatur will be open on Thursday.
ALVORD FALL FEST - Alvord's annual Fall Fest is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Vendors should call the Alvord City Hall at (940) 427-5916 to reserve space. Vendor space is free, and set-up will begin at 9 a.m. The event will include a fun jump, kids' games and activities, arts and crafts, hamburger lunch raising money for Project Graduation and music and entertainment. Fall Fest will be followed by the Alvord Volunteer Firefighters' catfish fry and cake auction that evening.
CHAMBER LUNCH - The October Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Bridgeport Community Center. Eddie Bland, Bridgeport superintendent, is guest speaker. Cost is $10, and reservations are due by Wednesday by calling the chamber office at (940) 683-2076.
PUBLIC SERVANTS - City leaders in Bridgeport, including the mayor, city council members and management staff, will be waiting tables from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today through Thursday at Sagebrush Cafe. All tips will go to United Way of Wise County.
TEXAS NIGHT OUT - The sheriff's department is holding a Texas Night Out from 6-9 tonight at the Decatur Civic Center. Fire and police departments and civic organizations from throughout the county will be on hand. There will be face painting, games and refreshments.
SCV MEETING - The Sons of Confederate Veterans meet at 7 tonight at the Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
BAND BOOSTERS - Bridgeport Band Boosters meet at 6 tonight in the Bridgeport High School Band Hall.
FUNERALS - Service for Patricia Ann Quinones, 74, of Alvord is 10 a.m. Friday at Coker-Hawkins Chapel. Graveside service is 2 p.m. Friday at Burleson Memorial Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Coker-Hawkins in Decatur.
FUNERAL for Betty Cox Robinson, 80, of Chico is 2 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial in Chico Cemetery.
FUNERAL for George Wallace, 86, of Chico is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
GRAVESIDE service for Mary B. Owens, 89, of Gainesville is 3 p.m. Wednesday at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Hawkins Bridgeport is assisting with local arrangements.
VISITATION for Janice Marie Parsons, 66, of Bridgeport is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
