Mobile home destroyed in fire
A mobile home on Private Road 4440 near Rhome was destroyed in a structure fire Tuesday afternoon.
Bridgeport student dies in crashFree Access
A Bridgeport High School student died in a motor vehicle accident Saturday.
GOAT BLESSED
Several four-legged friends and their owners attended the annual Blessing of the Animals at the Episcopal Church of Resurrection in Decatur Saturday. Priest Tony Hiatt provided a blessing to dogs and even a goat in attendance. The event is held near Oct. 4 each year, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a Christian patron saint of animals. See more […]
Student dies in rollover crash
A Bridgeport High School student died after a rollover wreck on County Road 1308 Saturday night. Jonathan Gonzalez, 17, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the one-vehicle wreck north of Bridgeport, said Texas Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Sgt. Ricky Hunter. Gonzalez was traveling north County Road 1308 in a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu at 8:20 p.m. “Preliminary investigation […]
Paint the Town Pink returns
With October marking breast cancer awareness month, Decatur Main Street is preparing for the annual Paint the Town Pink event set for Friday. The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. at the Decatur Visitors Center with a raffle item presentation. The time-honored pink line ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. With pink paint rollers in hand, breast cancer survivors […]
Back-and-forth battle
In the final match in the first round of District 10-3A Friday, the Boyd Lady Jackets took the court against a familiar opponent in the Paradise Lady Panthers. After claiming the first set, Boyd had to fight off a strong run by Paradise. However, the Lady Panthers were unable to hold on late, as the Lady Jackets claimed the sweep, […]
Elder suffers loss in latest start
Decatur native Bryce Elder took the loss Monday in the Atlanta Braves’ potential division clinching game against the Miami Marlins. In likely his final start in the regular season, Elder surrendered four runs on six hits in five innings, as the Marlins shut out the Braves, 4-0. He finished with five strikeouts and one walk. Through 10 appearances with Atlanta […]
LEGENDS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week Austin Iglesias Paradise, junior Iglesias helped Paradise earn its first win over Pilot Point since 2006, racking up 141 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. He also completed nine of his 15 passing attempts for 196 yards and two scores, with one interception. Iglesias won the Week 6 Offensive Player of the Week […]
Rivals claim top finishes at Reunion Run
A new chapter in Decatur and Bridgeport’s Big Sandy rivalry played out on the Joe Wheeler Park course last weekend. With four runners in the top 20, the Lady Eagles defended their home trail, claiming gold at the Reunion Run Saturday with 60 points. “I thought that we competed really well,” said Decatur coach David Park. “We’re becoming a team, […]
Leading into the 88th Legislature
The 88th Texas Legislature is set to convene on Jan. 10, 2023, and I am already deep into policy discussions on property taxes, education and strengthening the Texas economy. This session brings with it plenty of opportunities to address these and other priority issues facing our great state. This will be my first session representing Wise County and I am […]
‘Swatting’ reported in Wise County
It appears a Wise County resident has become the victim of a “swatting” incident. If you aren’t familiar with the term, “swatting” refers to a prank call to law enforcement in an attempt to cause a large number of armed officers — such as a SWAT team — to respond to a particular place. According to the Wise County Sheriff’s […]
From the Vault
100 years ago Friday, Sept. 29, 1922 Dodge Auto station arrives here The Cooke-Boyd Motor Company of Fort Worth, agents for the Dodge Brothers automobile in Wise County, has this week opened a Dodge sales and service station on East Main street, one block from the square. This station is under the management of Ed Kutschmore, an experienced mechanic and […]
It’s good to be visited
Looking back through the archives of the Messenger to put together the From the Vault section each week is fun to see the happenings and who came through town. Wise County and Decatur appeared to be a common stop for candidates in their bids for state and national offices in the 1920s and on into the 1970s. It seems like […]
Dale Morris
1933-2022Willie Dale Morris, 89, of Alvord, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Bridgeport. Funeral is 10 a.m. Friday,...
Justin Levi Bush
1982-2022Justin Levi Bush went to be with our Lord Sept. 23, 2022. Justin was born Aug. 5, 1982, at Decatur...
Alma Jaunell Quick
1929-2022Alma Jaunell Quick, 93, of Bowie, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Funeral services will...
Daniel (Danny) Edward Admire
1959-2022Daniel (Danny) Edward Admire 63, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Decatur. A memorial service will be...
Brenda Gail Lanier
1948-2022Brenda Gail Lanier, 74, of Abilene, passed away Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Abilene. She was born July 30, 1948,...
Earl Dean Sanders
1948-2022Earl Dean Sanders, 73, of Paradise, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Paradise. A memorial service will be planned...
Reengergizing business
The Wise County Chamber of Commerce received helpful business and interaction tips at their monthly meeting Monday. Author and motivational speaker Brad Engel discussed his experience working alongside Fortune 500 company CEOs and re-energizing everyday business activities. Engel works with many nonprofits and businesses, including Bethel 1808, a Dallas-Fort Worth publishing company. As her publisher, Wise County photographer Kayla Jones […]
Taste Bridgeport readies for return
Bridgeport is preparing for its biggest party of the year — Taste Bridgeport. The annual Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport EDC and Bridgeport Main Street event features local merchants, restaurants and spirits from North Texas wineries, breweries and distilleries is Sept. 24 on Halsell Street. AmeriDream Mortgage is this year’s title sponsor of the party, which will run from 5 […]
Royal gathering
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT — Issaac Reyna and Ashlyn Stanford were named VCA’s homecoming king and queen Friday.
Knox Taylor Grundy
Phil and Brooke Grundy of Alvord announce the birth of a son, Knox Taylor, Sept. 22, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. He has one brother, James Colt, 11, and one sister, Ryan Rose, 5. Grandparents are Dana Wood of Decatur and Cindy Grundy of Decatur. Great- grandparents […]
Alani Ritchey
Brant Ritchey and Pamela Juarez of Bridgeport announce the birth of a daughter, Alani Ritchey, Sept. 22, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are James and Ana Ritchey, Vidal Juarez and Lorinela Rangel.
Vash Remington Green
Terrance and Rachel Green announce the birth of a son, Vash Remington, Sept. 22, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 6 pounds and was 19 inches long. He has one brother, Kolton, 9, and four sisters, Kynlee, 6, Kaelynn, 4, Amara, 6, and Akira, 8. Grandparents are James and Debra Johnson of Arlington and Jason and Rebecca […]
Mirabel Ofelia Flores
Emanuel and Teresa Flores of Decatur announce the birth of a daughter, Mirabel Ofelia, Sept. 24, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. She weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has two brothers, Felix, 3, and Gael, 1. Grandparents are Aurelio and Maria Rangel of Laredo and Reynaldo and Lilia Flores of Decatur.
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise... FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 COUNTY ROAD 3591 Complainant stated he just purchased a house and was still in the process of moving in. Complainant stated that as part of the purchase agreement for the house, the original owners were to leave two goats, five ducks and two Rubbermaid containers for the new owners. Complainant stated the original owners […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise... WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 NORTH FARM ROAD 730 AT BRIAR Complainant reported there is a tear or cut in their pool liner and believe it was done by the neighbor they are having a civil dispute with over payment for a waster dumpster. No one observed the alleged incident. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 ROSS LANE — Caller stated a […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise... SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 OAK LANE A man stated his John Deere Gator side by side and his dog were stolen from his residence. While en route to the address, a passerby located the recently stolen side by side on Texas 114 west of Derting Road. The side by side was processed by CSI and then released to […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise... SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 PETTIT A disturbance occurred between a man and woman over the man falling asleep with a cigar in his hand and setting the bed on fire. Parties were seperated for the evening.. SATURDAY, AUG. 27 EAGLE ONE STOP — Deputy made contact with the complainant in the parking lot. She stated as she arrived […]
Small-town Saturday tradition
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL The Decatur Eagles started the season against the Anna Coyotes. See recap of the game and other Wise County action. WISE NEIGHBOR Tanya Davis, the Wise County Extension agent for Family and Community Health, is retiring. She sat down for a question-and-answer session for our Wise Neighbor section.
Small town, big taste
It’s just 10 minutes after 5 and manager Savannah Donahue directs the newest guest to the last open seats in the quaint quarters of the Greenwood Grocery, as Mike Rhine in the back of the room croons the chorus of Glen Campbell’s “Gentle on My Mind.” As the music reverberates through the room over light conversation, behind a swinging door […]
Wise Neighbor
AgriLife Extension Agent Tanya Davis is officially retiring after 23 years of serving Wise County youth and adults. Messenger reporter Amy Neal visited with Davis as she starts her final week on the job. Q: How did you get started in Extension? A: “I started here in July 1981 and worked as an assistant 4-H agent for four and half […]
District to hold hearing on tax rate, budget
The Decatur School Board will hold a public hearing Monday on the district’s proposed budget and tax rate for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The district has proposed a maintenance and operations tax rate of 85.46 cents per $100 of taxable value, a 5.74- cent reduction from last year. The M&O tax rate funds salaries and other operating expenses. The district […]
