Fire destroys unoccupied structures near Crafton
A grass fire consumed two unoccupied structures along County Road 1785 near Crafton, but a directly adjacent mobile home was spared after the response from several Wise County fire departments Friday afternoon.
Calling foul on fan abuse
Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) chapter president Sabrina Easley brought in 40 new officials last year to officiate volleyball games in her district of 200 schools in the Fort Worth area. Six of those new hires quit soon after starting. The amount of abuse from parents, coaches and players during matches wasn’t worth it. “They walked off and said, […]
Man dies in fire
A RV fire led to one man’s death near Boyd Monday. Firefighters responded to a call in the 200 block of Brighton Oaks Drive around 5:30 p.m. Initial dispatch reports indicated that a man was inside of the RV. Arriving on scene, responders found the structure fully involved. They were able to keep the flames from spreading to a nearby […]
Beto stumps for Wise votes
Texas Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke addressed a variety of topics facing the state, and particularly rural counties, during a town hall campaign event in front of more than 200 supporters Thursday in Decatur. The Democratic candidate for governor touched on topics such as education, health care, gun regulations, immigration, the economy and the environment as he made his speech — […]
Commissioners limit options on road money
Wise County commissioners limited the options for splitting the approximately $4.4 million for road and bridge projects among the four precincts to two Monday. The commissioners plan to decide Monday when presented the proposed budget a final option. One of the two options to a formula based on half road miles and an even split of half the money. Under […]
Growth on the gridiron
In his first season as athletic director and football coach, Boyd’s Ian Ritchey had to learn lessons quickly. After a disappointing season in 2021, the coach hopes to lead the Yellowjackets back to contention in his second year. “It’s always exciting when football starts back up,” Ritchey said. “The way things operate now with our summer workouts, it’s almost like […]
Hitting the trails
After making their first appearance at the 2021 4A state meet, the Bridgeport Sissies have a quartet of runners looking to punch their ticket back to Round Rock this year. Senior Star Fraga and sophomores Citlali Juarez, Kami Rivera and Yaritza Ruvalcaba are preparing to lead the Sissies in the new season. “We’re looking pretty good with four of our […]
Slow start
The Decatur Lady Eagles started their season the same as last year’s title season Tuesday with a loss. Decatur — the top-ranked 4A team in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 2022 preseason poll — could not keep up with 3A No. 2 Gunter. The Lady Eagles were swept in their home opener, 26-24, 25-18, 25-16. “I knew Gunter was going […]
Townsend proves versatility
Taking the court for her first varsity match, Bridgeport junior Ava Townsend proved to be one of the Sissies’ most versatile players. She led Bridgeport with 10 digs and six kills in the season-opening loss to Azle Tuesday. “Ava stepped up in the positions we needed her to,” said Bridgeport coach Erin Johnson. “She is a natural leader, and is […]
From The Vault
100 years ago Friday, Aug. 11, 1922 New Keystone to be started soon It is reported that a contract for a new Keystone well has been made with Messrs. Hunter and Scott, and that work of erecting a 112-foot derrick will be started the first of next week. The new location will be about 300 feet north of the old […]
Police participate in active shooter drills
I got shot by a police officer this week and I probably had it coming. I was never in danger as the Bridgeport Police Department trained on how to respond to an active shooter Monday. This week, Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford extended an invitation for the Messenger to cover the training exercises led by the North Tarrant SWAT team […]
Finding encouragement in a mountain stream
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
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? […]
Kenneth Wade “Duke” Dalton, Jr.,
1970-2022Memorial services for Kenneth Wade “Duke” Dalton, Jr., 51, was Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of...
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....
Chico sees huge spike in sales taxes
Chico Mayor Colleen Self could have sworn Christmas had arrived early this week. Upon opening the monthly sales tax report from the Texas Comptroller, Self saw her city’s collections had jumped an astounding 834.33 percent with an August payment of $250,090. That is an increase of $223,324 from last year’s payment of $26,766 off the city’s 1.5-cent sales tax. “It […]
Time for a tasty party
After a long, hot summer, we’re all ready for a party and a few tasty treats. The Wise County Chamber of Commerce is putting together the perfect fete to fill both appetites with the return of Taste of Wise. The 11th annual event will be 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Decatur Conference Center. It will feature Wise […]
District holds active shooter exercise
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, […]
Noah Franklin Mercante
Bryan and Jennifer Mercante of Springtown announce the birth of a son, Noah Franklin, Aug. 4, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. He has a brother, Trevor Mercante, 4, and one sister, Emily Mercante, 2.
Colson Jarad Gilmore
Margarita Ibarra and Chris Gilmore of Chico announce the birth of a son, Colson Jarad Gilmore, Aug. 8, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. He has two sisters, Hennessy, 8, and Randy, 4.
Brody Dean Wilson
Colton and Misty Wilson of Sanger announce the birth of a son, Brody Dean, Aug. 8, 2022, at Wise Health System in Decatur. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. He has two sisters, Taelyn, 9, and Adie Mae, 5.
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.
Wise County Crime Report
Only in Wise... SATURDAY, AUG. 6 CEDAR DRIVE A woman reported her husband hit her with a newspaper. Deputy discovered the argument was over breakfast, and how they discipline their children. The investigation determined the man threw the newspaper with a free hand on a table out of frustration from the wife’s yelling at the table and the newspaper bounced […]
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 […]
