Update for Wednesday, August 10, 2022
CITY OF DECATUR PROPOSES TAX RATE, BUDGET — After department heads cut an additional $562,000 from their budgets to keep a 3 percent pay raise, Decatur Finance Director Ana Canada presented a proposed budget of $14.643 million for the general fund, $6.671 million for the utility fund and $2.057 million for debt service to the city council Monday. With the first payment of $1.234 million on the near $34 million bond package coming due and needing to trim expenses, Mayor pro tem Melinda Reeves said they asked the department heads to make the additional cuts. “It was a much more arduous project than in years past because of the first bond payment,” Reeves said. “It required an extra meeting and we discussed it as a group ... We said this will either mean giving up a 3 percent raise or going back into their budgets and cutting an additional 5 percent. They absolutely wanted to take care of it in the budget and they all did. It was just an incredible process.” To cover the first bond payment of the spring 2022 certificates of obligation for a series of capital improvements, including a new water tower, sewer and water improvements, park improvements and building a new police station, and general fund expenses, the city is proposing a total tax rate of 64.5258 cents per $100 valuation. The proposed rate is an increase of slightly more than 6 cents.

Chico man killed in wreck
August 7, 2022
A Chico man died in a single-vehicle wreck near Chico Saturday morning.

Multiple structure fire causes destruction
August 6, 2022
Fire damaged a mobile home and destroyed several motor homes in the 1500 block 0f County Road 4360 near Boyd Friday night.

Fire damages home, campers
BY AMY NEAL
aneal@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Fire damaged a mobile home and destroyed several campers in the 1500 block of County Road 4360 near Boyd Friday night. Firefighters responded to the scene around 11:30 p.m. According to Boyd Fire Chief Jason Paradise, no injuries were reported, but four campers and a vehicle were declared a total loss. Two of the campers were occupied. While the fire […]

Man dies in crash
BY AMY NEAL
aneal@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
A Chico man died in a single-vehicle wreck near Chico Saturday morning. Jay Vislosky, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Ricky Hunter, the wreck occurred around 10:45 a.m. on Texas 101 north of Chico. Vislosky was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer and lost control after abruptly turning right at Business […]
City administrator steps down
BY AMY NEAL
aneal@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
A special city council meeting led to significant changes within the City of Rhome’s administrative staff Thursday. The council approved an amicable separation agreement with City Administrator Cythina Northop, and Rhome Police Chief Eric Debus took over as the Interim City Administrator following a closed session. Northop will continue to serve the city as staff members transition to the change. […]

County calls for increased border security
BY RICHARD GREENE
rgreene@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Standing to address the Wise County Commissioners Monday, Carrie Baran reached down and grabbed the box of Narcan she said she carries with her in case she encounters someone suffering from an opioid overdose. The Boyd resident shared her fears about Fetanyl being brought across the Texas-Mexico border and the impact on young people. “It’s bad, and make no mistake, […]

Back in the pack
BY MICAH MCCARTNEY
mmccartney@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Entering her third year, junior right side hitter Morgan Mitschke was unsure if she would step on the court for Paradise’s first practice. Mitschke underwent surgery for a torn left labrum in February — an injury she battled through during last volleyball and basketball seasons. “It was about two weeks before district began in volleyball,” she said. “While we were […]

Braves recall Elder for doubleheader
BY MICAH MCCARTNEY
mmccartney@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Former Decatur pitcher Bryce Elder made a brief return to the major leagues Saturday. Elder was called up by the Atlanta Braves as the team’s 27th player for a doubleheader against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Taking the mound in the Braves’ 8-5 loss in Game 1, Elder allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts in […]

Eagles show promise in intersquad matchup
BY MICAH MCCARTNEY
mmccartney@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Decatur coach Steve Huff finally got a first glance his Eagles last weekend. Surrounded by family and fans, Decatur held its annual team scrimmage Saturday inside the Eagle Activity Center. “We had a great opportunity to see what our team has done, and what we need to fix,” Huff said. “Even though we’ve been working since March, there were a […]

Rebuilding the fortress
BY MICAH MCCARTNEY
mmccartney@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
After being hired as the athletic director at Chico ISD last month, Jason Sanders is hoping to take the Dragons to a new level in his first season. Sanders began reconstructing the Dragons last week. “It’s definitely been busy,” he said. “Personally, I’ve been playing a lot of catch up because of being hired late in the summer. But once […]

Finding encouragement in a mountain stream
BY BRIAN KNOX
bknox@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Our family decided to take a break from the heat and head to the cooler climate of the mountains of northern New Mexico a few weeks back. On our last day there, we were standing on the banks of a stream when we spotted a mother duck followed by six ducklings all swimming in a line as they rounded a […]
How it got to this point
August 10, 2022
Yes, I’m upset. Yes, I’m frustrated. Yes, I’m horrified that grown people can find satisfaction in the undermining of individuals, their families, and operational staff in the very city they live in. Will there ever be a moment when the reality of crumbling ethics and lack of humane behavior smacks us in the face with the wake-up call long deserved? […]
Let mayor do her job
August 10, 2022
Let us rewind to May 18, 2022 when Mayor Patricia Mitchell was sworn in as the Rhome Mayor. From that day forward, road blocks began in an attempt by the older council members and the administrator to do everything in their power to not let her do her job as mayor and exercise her powers given by state law. We […]
From The Vault
August 5, 2022
101 years ago Friday, Aug. 5, 1921 (Editor’s note: The Messenger Aug. 4, 1922 issue is missing from the archives) Officer Sid Yale shoots as he is attacked by man Sid Yale, city marshal of Alvord and deputy sheriff under Sheriff Malone, shot and killed Jewell Saunders in that town Wednesday night shortly after nine o’clock. Saunders died in a […]

Betty Jean Brickey
1959-2022Betty Jean Brickey, 62, of Bowie, passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. The family has chosen arrangements with cremation and...

Bobbie Moore Preskitt-Hobbs
1933-2022Funeral services for Bobbie Moore Preskitt- Hobbs, 89, of Bridgeport, was Aug. 9, 2022, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral...

Ray Cornelison, Jr.
1963-2022Services for Ray Cornelison, Jr., will be 2 p.m., Aug. 7, 2022, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in...

Donnie Ray Waldrep
1947-2022Donnie Ray Waldrep, 75, passed away in Weatherford Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. A funeral service will be held at Morrison...

Justice Marie Sandlin
1996-2022Justice Marie Sandlin went to be with our Lord Sunday, July 31, 2022, in Dallas. She was 26 years old....

Anita Marguerite Caraway
1936-2022Anita Marguerite Caraway of Cisco, formerly of Decatur, went to be with our Lord July 30, 2022. Services will be...

Main Street districts collaborate
BY AMY NEAL
aneal@wcmessenger.com | July 29, 2022
Rich history and attractions lie within Wise County and two Main Street districts are partnering together to ensure that visitors experience what makes this area special. A collaboration between Decatur and Bridgeport Main Streets is paving the way for the growing cities to attract residents and tourists to events held in both places. As a symbol of this partnership, Decatur […]

County collects $628K in sales taxes
BY RICHARD GREENE
rgreene@wcmessenger.com | July 8, 2022
Inflation and higher gas prices throughout May did not slow down the Wise County economy. Wise County received its second largest sales tax disbursement from the Texas Comptroller this week. The July payment, which represents sales from May, was $628,602, a 34.42 percent jump from the July 2021 deposit of $467,613. The only disbursement to exceed this month’s was February’s […]

District holds active shooter exercise
BY AUSTIN JACKSON
ajackson@wcmessenger.com | August 10, 2022
Sitting around a table surrounded by Boyd ISD teachers and staff, a group of administrators and first responders worked through an active shooter exercise at Boyd High School Tuesday. The exercise, led by the Wise County Office of Emergency Management, took the group through each step of how Boyd High School would handle an active shooter situation. In this scenario, […]

Theo Alexander Marin
Susan and Miguel Marin of Decatur announce the birth of a son, Theo Alexander, July 27, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 18 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Geovanna Juarez of Georgia and Emma Tocy of Paradise.
Carter Richelle Graybill
Lexe Jones and Brandon Graybill of Decatur announce the birth of a daughter, Carter Richelle Graybill, July 31, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. She has three brothers, Blaine Graybill, 9, Cooper Jones, 7, and Gunner Graybill, 2. Grandparents are Rosie and Robert Lang of Bridgeport, Missy […]
Finn Samuel Jordan
James and Stormi Jordan of Chico announce the birth of a son, Finn Samuel, Aug. 1, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 16 inches long. He has a brother, Ike, 13, and a sister, Evie, 1. Grandparents are Joe and Donna Walker of Chico and Amanda and Sam Philpot of Rhome.
Hudson James Womack
Mia and Austin Womack of Boyd announce the birth of a son, Hudson James, July 20, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Joe and Amy Bounds of Boyd and Andrew and Heather Womack of Azle. Great-granparents are Nelda and John Webster, Lavern Minton of Boyd, Gary […]

Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise… WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 NEWFIELD LANE A man advised his employee stopped showing up for work and racked up $1,000 of alcohol purchases on the company fleet card. Deputy viewed bank statements confirming the complainant’s claims. WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 MINNOW STREET — A woman reported her mother slapped her face during an argument. Deputy determined the mother was […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise… FRIDAY, JULY 22 COUNTY ROAD 1651 Complainant advised during an argument, her husband spit in her face and left on a motorcycle. She admitted to pushing over her husband’s motorcycle during the argument. Complainant advised she does not wish to press charges. Deputies left the scene and made contact with the husband. His story corroborated everything the […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise… MONDAY, JULY 18 CHICO ALLSUPS Store clerks reported two females becoming aggressive once denied purchase of alcohol. One female drank the alcohol and another beverage within the store before paying. Clerks wished to prosecute and have a criminal trespass warning issued to the females. TUESDAY, JULY 12 COUNTY ROAD 4010 — Caller stated a friend notified her […]
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise… THURSDAY, JULY 7 FARM ROAD 718 A man stated he kicked a person out of the RV park, but the man continues to come back to the property. Caller stated the man speeds through the park yelling obscenities and flipping him off. THURSDAY, JULY 7 PROCTOR STREET — The driver in a crash stated she was involved […]