WCMessenger.com: Update for Thursday, July 2, 2009

WCMessenger.com Update

Update for Thursday, July 2, 2009

BREAKING NEWS - MAJOR ACCIDENT - One person was seriously injured just before 3 p.m. in a one-vehicle accident on Texas 114 in Boyd. Clarence Snodgrass, 38, lost control of his Dodge pick up and struck a utility pole. He was extricated from the vehicle and flown to John Peter Smith Hospital. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

STRUCTURE FIRE - Bridgeport, Paradise, Lake Bridgeport and Decatur Fire Departments responded to a structure fire in Bridgeport at Wise County Tax Services on Texas 114 at Texas 101 around 5:15 this morning. Initial reports suggest the fire started on the backside of the building, possibly outside, working in and toward the roof. As of 7 a.m., firefighters were still working to extinguish the last of the flames and recover any undamaged records from the building.

Photo by Joe Duty

NO REFUSAL - County Attorney James Stainton, along with law enforcement agencies across Wise County and volunteers from both Wise Regional Health System and Doctors' Hospital, are instituting the first "no refusal" weekend over the July 4 holiday to crack down on drunk driving. On July 3-5, anyone arrested for driving while intoxicated who refuses to provide a specimen of breath or blood will have a warrant requested for a blood specimen to determine blood alcohol content. Blood samples will then be taken at the jail.

READ - Shelly Tucker will be guest storyteller at the Chico Public Library Summer Reading Program at 10:30 a.m. today.

BLOOD DRIVE - The Decatur Rotary Club will sponsor a blood drive 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at the Decatur Public Library. No appointment is necessary.

LEGAL CLINIC - Legal Aid of Northwest Texas is providing a free legal aid clinic at the Decatur Public Library 5-7 p.m. today for civil cases only and is first come first serve.

ABWN - The Area Business Women's Network meets at noon Thursday, July 9, at the Decatur Civic Center. Reservations are due by noon today. E-mail LauraShaffer@marykay.com.

4TH FEST - Runaway Bay's 4th Fest is Saturday. Events include booths, crafts, food, children's activities, entertainment and a golf cart parade. Fireworks over Lake Bridgeport will begin about 9:30 p.m.

FIRECRACKER SCRAMBLE - The Runaway Bay Ladies Golf Association will host its annual Firecracker Scramble Saturday to benefit the Runaway Bay volunteer fire department. There will be a putting contest Friday. For more information, call Ann Jowitt at (940) 575-4084 or Vicki Ricks at (940) 575-2748.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS - WARM will be closed on Friday, along with all county offices in observance of Independence Day.

HAVE A SAFE WEEKEND - There will be no Update Friday due to the Independence Day holiday. Check www.wcmessenger.com over the weekend for any breaking news. Sunday's paper will also be available on newsstands Friday.

FUNERALS - Graveside service for Ralph Chilton, 86, of Decatur is 10 a.m. today at Thomas Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for Robert Weesner, 43, of Boyd is 3 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

GRAVESIDE service for Michael Sparkman, 40, of Crafton is 10 a.m. Saturday at West Bridgeport Cememtery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home.

GRAVESIDE service for Gene Derting, 85, of Aurora is 11 a.m. Monday at Crawford Cemetery in Crawford. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.

GRAVESIDE service for Abner Woods, 45, of Chico is 10 a.m. Friday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

SERVICE is pending for John Vest, 66, of Decatur at Coker-Hawkins.

FUNERAL for Lanny Terrell, 56, of Chico is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial in Crafton Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.