EXEMPTION APPROVED - Yesterday Wise County commissioners approved a $100,000 exemption and freeze on the Weatherford College branch campus maintenance tax for residents age 65 and older and disabled individuals. The tax cannot exceed 5 cents per $100 valuation, and commissioners will set the tax rate annually, based on the college budget. The county still has not closed on the property where the college is to be built. It is working with an oil company to establish a no-drill policy for the acreage, which is located at the intersection of Farm Road 1655 and U.S. 380 between Decatur and Bridgeport.
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.
SCHOOL BOARD - The Decatur School Board holds a special meeting at 6 tonight at the school administration building. The short agenda includes approving the guaranteed maximum cost for construction of the new elementary school, transportation facility and infrastructure. The project is scheduled to be completed in late July 2010.
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 must be ordered by 10 a.m. Wednesday and can be picked up after 2 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call (940) 627-2167 or (940) 683-8790.
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS - The Wise County Public Works office is closed Friday due to the Independence Day holiday. All county dumpsites will be open Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but closed Saturday. Also, all county offices will be closed Friday.
COLLEGE REGISTRATION - Registration for the second session of summer classes at Weatherford College continues through July 8. Registration for fall courses continues through Aug. 28. Contact the college at (940) 627-2690 or wisecounty@wc.edu for information.
LIKE SCIENCE? - Come see "Mad Science" at work today at 11 a.m. at the Decatur Public Library Summer Reading Program.
FUNERALS - Service for Glinn Morrow, 83, of Chico is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Cumby Cemetery. Visitation 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. FUNERAL for Nelda Davidson, 77, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pleasant View Baptist Church with burial in Thomas Cemetery. Visitation 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. FUNERAL for Robert Weesner, 43, of Boyd is 3 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Thursday in Bridgeport. GRAVESIDE service for Renee Anna Windle, 85, of Aurora is 9:30 a.m. today at D/FW National Cemetery. Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements. FUNERAL for Juanita Spencer, 84, of Boyd is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Christian-Hawkins Chapel with burial in Boyd Cemetery. Visitation 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. FUNERAL for Faye Singleton, 86, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Coker-Hawkins Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. SERVICE is pending for Abner Woods, 45, of Chico at Coker-Hawkins.
