HUFF LEAVES DECATUR, TAKES OKLAHOMA JOB — Decatur athletic director/head football coach Steve Huff announced Thursday that he was departing to become the new head football coach and athletic coordinator at Chickasha High School in Oklahoma. Hired after a decade at College Station, Huff led Decatur to back-to-back 4A Division I state semifinal appearances (2022, 2023), and earned four straight playoff berths with the Eagles. He led the blue and white to a 36-18 overall record and 18-2 district record, claiming league titles in his first two campaigns. Huff’s Eagles finished 11-4 in 15 postseason games. According to Decatur ISD superintendent Taylor Williams, the district will post its athletic director/head football coach vacancy within the next few days. Read more online here.
JORDAN, GOODMAN EARN PARADISE’S FIRST STATE TENNIS BERTH — Paradise seniors Max Jordan and Macy Goodman secured the silver medal in mixed doubles at the 3A Region II tournament Monday at Tyler Junior College’s JoAnn Medlock Murphy Tennis Center, and claimed Paradise’s first state berth in the sport. Seeded second and claiming a first-round regional bye after claiming the District 10-3A title April 3 at Krum High School, the Paradise duo won two matches in straight sets April 17 against Atlanta — 7-5, 6-2 — and Troup — 6-1, 6-1. Returning to TJC for the championship match Monday following a rainout, Jordan and Goodman fell to Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill in straight sets — 6-1, 6-3. Jordan and Goodman will battle for a state title at the 3A championship tournament, slated for May 7 and 8 at the Northside ISD Annemarie Tennis Center in San Antonio. Read more online here.
HORNER FAMILY MEMBERS, EXPERT WITNESS TESTIFY — Tanner Horner’s defense continued its case to spare him from the death penalty Thursday. Horner’s aunt and a cousin testified about the troubles of his extended family and Horner’s life as a young child. A scientist also testified that a test showed Horner had lead levels in his body 24 times higher than the levels of a comparison age group. His former school psychologist also testified about the services he received in school related to his autism diagnosis. The trial continues today in Tarrant County. Follow updates at wcmess.com/athena.
EARLY VOTING TOPS 1,000 — Another 322 early votes in the May 2 election were cast on Thursday, bringing the three-day total to 1,063. Early voting continues 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at seven locations around the county. A full list of voting locations by voting precincts can be found at co.wise.tx.us/315/elections.
SOFTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS — Decatur (12-9) collected a 4A Division I bi-district title by run-ruling Fort Worth Western Hills Thursday in four innings, 15-0. Boyd (29-2) advanced to the second round of the 3AII playoffs following a 20-0 shutout win over Duncanville Village Tech. Paradise (27-5-1) swept Keene in its best-of-3 3AII bi-district series with a pair of wins, 15-0 and 11-1.
BASEBALL RESULTS — Decatur (19-7-1, 11-1) scored three runs in the first inning and held on to claim a 3-1 District 7-4A win over Springtown Thursday, earning a share of the league title with the Porcupines. Decatur and Springtown will battle in a tiebreaker for the district’s top seed in the 4A Division I postseason bracket 11 a.m. Saturday at Boyd High School.
SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS — Alvord (14-8-2, 6-4) opens the 2A Division I postseason with a best-of-3 bi-district battle against Seymour 7 p.m. tonight at Graham High School. Game 2 is slated for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, with a potential tiebreaker slated for 30 minutes following Game 2.
ELDER CARE — The Extension Service will sponsor a conference for care givers and the aging population Monday at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Registration opens at 9 a.m.
BASEBALL — Bridgeport (11-15-1, 6-5) looks to close out its District 7-4A campaign with a win over Burkburnett 6:30 p.m. tonight at home. In 10-3A, Boyd (26-2, 9-2) travels to battle Pilot Point at 7:30 p.m. Paradise (24-3, 11-0) will attempt to close out an unbeaten league campaign with a league finale against Whitesboro 6 p.m. at home. Alvord (17-8, 6-3) eyes a sweep in its 10-2A series against Nocona 5 p.m. at Nocona High School. Chico (1-17, 0-9) attempts to avoid a winless district record in the team’s league road finale against Era 7 p.m. On Saturday, Boyd will take on Arlington Heights in a non-district contest at 1 p.m.
SENIOR PROM — The Decatur High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) will hold its annual prom for Wise County residents 55 years old and older. The “Garden Gala” is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Decatur Conference Center. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted. RSVP at wcmess.com/gardengala26.
TRASH BASH — The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) is seeking volunteers to participate in the 2026 Lake Bridgeport Trash Bash, an annual community event dedicated to removing trash and debris from around the lake, 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Participants are invited to an after-party 10 a.m. to noon at Lakefront Beach, 1650 Farm Road 1658. Register at trwd.com/trashbash. Early packet pick-up is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the TRWD Lake Bridgeport office, 1710 FM 1658 in Bridgeport.
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS — Wise Hope has partnered with North Texas Karate Academy to host a free self-defense class 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 3107 Texas 101 in Bridgeport. To register call 940-626-4855, email bmott@wisehope.org or visit the “Events” tab at wisehope.org.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER EVENT — Bridgeport Parks & Recreation will host the Mother-Daughter Global Getaway Saturday. The event includes food, crafts and fun. Times for the event are 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Register online at bridgeport.recdesk.com. Call 940-683-3480.
MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE — The Wise County Veterans Museum will host an open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1308 10th St. in Bridgeport.
CEMETERY HOMECOMING — The Cottondale Cemetery Homecoming is Sunday. Dinner on the grounds is at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 1:30. If you are unable to attend, you may mail your donations to: Cottondale Cemetery Association c/o Marsha Foster 456 CR 3591, Paradise, TX 76073.
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY — Decatur Police Department will participate in Drug Take Back Day Saturday. Safely dispose of unused or expired medications by bringing them to the police department at 1601 S. Church St. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FUNERALS — Funeral for Lorenella Cooper, 81, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-7:30 tonight at the funeral home.
MEMORIAL service for Misty Nicole Drake, 43, of Decatur is 1 p.m. May 9 at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICES for Margie Young, 55, and Johnny Dyer, 83, both of Decatur are pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Lance Parker, 55, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Monday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Roy Arthor Steel, 83, of Paradise is 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Paradise with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Terry Reynolds, 89, of Pittsburgh is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Kathy Durham, 81, of Newark is 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Durham residence. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Alejandro Madrigal Morales, 70, of Runaway Bay is 11 a.m. May 2 at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport with a viewing 9-10:30 a.m. at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. May 1 at the funeral home.
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