SNOW FORCES CLOSINGS - Snow began falling early this morning and was continuing to fall as Update went to press. The list of closings as of 7:45 a.m. include the following: Alvord ISD, Bridgeport ISD, Chico ISD, Decatur ISD, Paradise ISD, Slidell ISD and TCU. The following are delaying opening until 10 a.m.: Boyd ISD, Bridgeport City and the Wise County Appraisal District. Also, the Rhome City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been postponed until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. The forecast calls for snow to continue throughout the day.
LACK OF TRAINING - Jaime Gonzalez, a former project manager of Site Concrete's, admitted to having no traffic safety training when he was appointed to that position. Gonzalez was project manager on the U.S. 380 project in August 2007 when Jackie Murphree was struck by a vehicle traveling through a construction zone. The testimony highlighted day one of the civil trial of the Murphrees v. Site Concrete, et al. Plaintiff's attorneys presented photos they say provides evidence of insufficient signage or barricades at the intersection of the accident.
WANTED - The Wise County Sheriff's Office is needing the public's help in locating a man wanted on numerous charges, including drugs and theft. Jordan Stephen Gant, 26, a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes, 6-foot 4-inches tall weighing approximately 215 pounds was last known to reside at 280 First St. in Rhome. His tattoos include a swastika on his chest, full sleeve on his left arm and tattoos of a skull, tribal band, dragon and flames on his right arm. Wise County Crime Stoppers will pay $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of Gant. Call 1-800-643-TIPS or (940) 627-8477. All calls are anonymous.
DON'T FORGET -Valentine's bake sale today and tomorrow, 9 a.m., at Patti's Hair Parlor on Washburn St. in Decatur benefiting the Women's Health Center and Mary's Gift, providing free cancer screenings for underserved Wise County women.
FUNDRAISER - Bridgeport Animal Hospital and Schwan's will host a fundraiser for Paws of Paradise animal rescue group from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the hospital. Schwan's will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the organization.
DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT - The Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department is holding a Dodgeball Tournament Saturday, Feb. 20. Registration is $100 per team and includes a T-shirt for each player. The winning team will receive a trophy. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 12. For information, call (940) 683-3480 or visit www.cityofbridgeport.net/parks&rec.
TEAM FORMING - Batbusters Girls Select Softball needs players to fill a team. If interested in playing 12-and-under select, call Tim at (817) 694-7909.
PARADISE SOFTBALL - Registration forms are now 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.
BAKE SALE - The Boyd Animal Hospital's team "Heifers Hoofin' it for the Cure" will have a bake sale Friday to benefit Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS - Chico softball sign-ups for girls ages 5 to 18 will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the Chico High School commmons area. Registration forms can also be picked up at any Chico campus. Deadline is Feb. 19.
FUNERALS - Memorial service for Erma Jane Hanlin, 73, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE service for Vickie Pierce, 51, of Briar is 1 p.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is prior to the service. Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Thomas Parker, 90, of Decatur will be at a later date. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICES for Duane De Forrest, 71, of Decatur and Weldon Calhoun, 86, of Forestburg are pending at Coker-Hawkins.
