STATE RESTS AFTER VIDEO SHOWN OF ATHENA’S ABDUCTION/MURDER — Just after jurors in the death penalty trial of Tanner Horner watched a video of the abduction and murder of Athena Strand, the Wise County District Attorney’s Office rested its case Thursday. Witnesses in the courtroom said the video does not show Horner backing into Athena, and she is not hurt when he lifts her into the van. At one point, Athena is heard asking, “Why are you doing this?” He replies, “Because you’re pretty — you know that?” While Horner covered the camera for the actual assault, the feed captured audio of him continuously torturing the child as she clung to life. Other videos shown to the jury show Horner in the van the day prior covering up a forward-facing camera before he pulls up to another home with young children on the same road as the Strand residence. Another video shows him driving through the same neighborhood as the search for Athena is ongoing the day after her murder but before her body had been found. The defense is expected to begin laying out its case next week. Follow updates in the case at wcmess.com/athena.
1 SERIOUSLY HURT IN COLLISION — A crash involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup at the intersection of North Farm Road 51 and Texas 114 resulted in one person being flown to a Fort Worth hospital with serious injuries Thursday. Emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle accident shortly after 11:30 a.m. According to initial reports, the pickup was struck broadside by the semi-truck at the intersection notorious for accidents near Paradise. The lone occupant of the pickup, a woman, was trapped inside the vehicle and required extrication. She sustained serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac Lifeteam 68 to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, said Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger. The man driving the 18-wheeler was reported to be in stable condition and was taken by Wise County EMS to Medical City Decatur. Wise County ESD No. 3 firefighters also responded to the accident and assisted with the extrication effort.
OVERNIGHT STORMS POSSIBLE — A cold front will arrive late tonight into early Saturday morning bringing a chance of scattered showers and storms. Chance of rain is 70 percent. Behind the front, breezy north winds are expected with gusts up to 25 mph. Temperatures will be cooler this weekend with a high around 63 on Saturday and 71 on Sunday with lows in the 40s both days.
LADY PANTHERS MAKE CUT FOR STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT — The Paradise Lady Panthers took home the bronze team from the 3A Region II tournament Tuesday at Bullard’s Oak Hurst Golf Course after shooting a 2-round 766 (383-383) — 1 stroke behind regional runner-up Gunter (353-359—712). Callisburg claimed the regional title with 712 (353-359). Senior Zoey Martinez — who earned her fourth consecutive state trip — led the Lady Panthers, tying for third after shooting 22-over par (85-83). Making her first trip to regionals, freshman Emery Laverty made some noise on the links, rallying with a second-round 89 to take 10th at 39-over par. Paradise junior Braylea Dunlap climbed into the top 20, finishing 16th, carding 53-over par (96-101). Sophomore Paisley Vaughn tied for 44th, shooting 77-over par (108-113) — 2 strokes ahead of freshman Addilynn Cowling (113-110), who took 47th. Read more online here.
GIRLS REGIONAL GOLF RESULTS — Decatur’s Kendal McDonnell closed her season by tying for 44th at the 4A Region I tournament, shooting 35-over par (89-90). The Slidell Lady Hounds finished 12th in the team standings at the 2A Region II championships with 902 (449-453). Mylee Fletcher shot 62-over par (98-108) to lead Slidell with a tie for 38th. The Lady Hounds’ roster also included Libby Byers (58th, 118-103), Addison Prince (76th, 116-121), Jerry Hardin (78th, 117-123) and Haley McCasland (79th, 120-121).
BASEBALL RESULTS — Chico (1-16) fell to 0-8 in District 10-2A following a 21-0 shutout loss to Muenster Thursday.
CEMETERY MEETING — The Jonestown Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in the fellowship hall.
CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE — Bridgeport will host its next City-Wide Garage Sale Friday and Saturday, with 44 residents signed up to participate. Maps are available at city hall, the library and the city’s Facebook page. Call 940-683-3480.
SOFTBALL — Alvord (13-8-2, 5-4) hosts the District 10-2A Battle of Texas 1655 season finale rivalry game against Chico (1-10, 0-9) tonight at 5 p.m. Decatur (10-9, 6-5) ends its league schedule with a battle against Burkburnett 6 p.m. at home. On Saturday, Boyd (27-2, 11-0) looks to close its 10-3A campaign undefeated with a finale matchup against Paradise (25-4-1, 9-2) 11 a.m. at Paradise High School.
BASEBALL — Decatur (17-6-1, 9-0) eyes its 10th District 7-4A win in a Game 2 home battle against Eagle Mountain tonight at 6:30 p.m. Bridgeport (9-15-1, 4-5) will try to complete the sweep in its series against Lake Worth 6:30 p.m. at Lake Worth High School. In 10-3A, Boyd (23-2, 7-2) ends its league series against Ponder with Game 2 7:30 p.m. at Ponder High School. Paradise (22-3, 9-0) will try to keep its district record unblemished with a home contest against Callisburg at 7:30 p.m. Alvord (16-7, 5-2) is on the road for Game 2 of its 10-2A series against Lindsay at 7 p.m. VCA (2-10, 1-7) takes on Muenster Sacred Heart in a TAPPS 2A District 2 home double-header at 2:30 and 4 p.m. On Saturday, Boyd will face Bowie in a non-district home battle at 2:30 p.m.
MZ BEE — The MZ Bee is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Alvord. Enjoy a day of crafting and fellowship. Call or text Donna at 940-393-8662.
DAR MEETING — The John B Denton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Decatur with social time beginning at 9:30 a.m.
TEXAS TRASH OFF — Wise Republican Women will participate in the 40th Annual State of Texas Trash-Off Saturday. Meet at Weatherford College entrance on Farm Road 1655, just north of U.S. 380 in Bridgeport. Wear good shoes, long pants and hat if necessary. Also bring water. The group will provide trash bags, gloves and grabbers. Call 214-289-9857.
FUNERALS — Memorial service for Julie Felt, 42, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for L.W. Mann, 93, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Sunday at Deep Creek Cemetery with visitation noon Sunday at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Richard Ivy, 92, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Samuel Merrell, 79, of Springtown is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
FUNERAL for Carolyn Thompson, 86, of Weatherford is 1 p.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Chico Cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
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