PASSPORT SERVICES TO RETURN TO WISE — The Wise County District Clerk’s Office was recently approved by the U.S Department of State to offer full passport services, District Clerk Loucrecia Biggerstaff shared with the Messenger this week. Passport services will resume on Jan. 5. The District Clerk’s office will accept applications at their temporary location, 308 W. Main St. in Decatur, until they move back inside their permanent location at the Wise County Courthouse (101 N. Trinity Street in Decatur). Contractors are currently completing punch list items on the courthouse now, and government offices will return once all work is completed. It’s been nearly 19 years since the service was offered in Wise County. Residents were required to travel to Denton, Bowie or locations in Tarrant County for in-person passport services. The county stopped accepting passport applications after legislative changes posed additional staffing challenges for the office. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
PLAYOFF FOOTBALL — Paradise (12-1) will rematch District 4-3A Division I rival Peaster in the 3AI Region I final 7 tonight at Springtown High School’s Porcupine Stadium.
YOUTH FAIR TAG IN — Tag in for the 2026 Wise County Youth Fair is 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday on the north side of the Wise County Fairgrounds. Enter the north gate of the fairground.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA — New Fairview will host Breakfast with Santa 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at City Hall. It will include free breakfast, coffee and hot chocolate, photo opportunity with Santa, gift bags, a present, bike giveaway and hay ride with Santa. Call 817-638-5366.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK — Newark will host Christmas in the Park 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Delora Doughty Park. It will include cookies, hot chocolate, vendors, bounce houses, food trucks and a photo booth. Contact Laura Pixler at 817-228-1890 or Rhonda Bedrick at 817-917-7536.
CHRISTMAS STREET FESTIVAL — The 9th annual Christmas in Paradise event is 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday in Paradise. It will include local vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and the lighting of the Paradise Christmas Tree. Funds raised will help provide gifts and basic necessities to local families. Visit Christmas in Paradise and Beyond on Facebook.
TREE LIGHTING AND CHILI SUPPER — The Greenwood-Slidell Volunteer Fire Department’s Christmas Tree Lighting and Chili Supper is 6 p.m. Sunday. Chili and Santa Claus will be at Slidell Baptist Church followed by the tree lighting at the Slidell Park on County Road 2822.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — The next Decatur Cares Mobile Food Pantry will be part of the Wise Gives event 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Medical City Decatur Hospital. Fresh produce and other food will be available. Also, lunch is provided along with hygiene kits, flu shots and Santa Claus. Visit wisegives.org.
DECATUR CHRISTMAS PARADE — The Decatur Chamber of Commerce Moonlight Madness Parade of Lights is 6 p.m. Saturday in the downtown area.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA — Breakfast with Santa is Saturday at Bridgeport Community Center. It will feature two times: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person (under 2 years old free) and can be purchased at bridgeport.recdesk.com. No tickets will be sold at the door.
HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES — The Decatur Woman’s Club Tour of Homes is 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Purchase tickets at Patti’s Hair Parlor, Swanky Shack, iOffice or from any club member.
LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE — A Medicare 101 presentation will be given 10 a.m. today at the Bridgeport Public Library.
CHRISTMAS GOLF CART PARADE — The Greater Runaway Bay Alliance will host its annual Christmas Lighted Golf Cart Parade at 7 tonight. Parade will start and finish in the parking lot of the Norma Coble Civic Center. Email grbatx@gmail.com.
SANTA AT THE BANK — Santa and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer will be at First National Bank in Bridgeport 4 to 6 p.m. today.
TOY RUN — The 26th Annual Wise County Toy Run is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Registration is 9 a.m. to noon at a new location: Old Settlers Reunion Grounds on Joe Wheeler Park Road in Decatur. Parade leaves at 12:30 p.m. Bring a $10 donation and a new, unwrapped toy or coat or shoes for ages 1 to 17. The event will include live bands, food, vendors, a 50/50 raffle, live and silent auctions, bounces houses, Santa and more. Call Jeff Honeycutt at 817-980-1981 or visit lonestarcharitablefoundation.org.
CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET — First Baptist Church Boyd will hold a Christmas Craft Market 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday featuring arts and crafts booths and concessions. Call Sandy Lambert at 940-393-8583 or email sandy@jlcboydtx.com.
FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPORT — Rehab 113 Support Co., formed in partnership with the Bridgeport Fire Department, will hold an informational meeting 10 a.m. Saturday at Bridgeport Fire Department, 1409 Carpenter St. The volunteer organization provides on-scene support, community engagement and organizes fundraising and event planning. Visit rehab113.org or email bportrehab113@gmail.com.
JINGLE MINGLE — Wise Republican Women will host Jingle Mingle 4 to 6 p.m. today at Marker Cellars in Bridgeport. The event is a casual opportunity to meet the WRW leadership and find out more about the organization. Call 214-289-9857, visit wrwomen.com/events or find the group on Facebook.
RHOME CHRISTMAS EVENT — Rhome will host a Christmas Event 6 to 8 tonight at Rhome Family Park. It will include a bounce house and obstacle course, face painting, a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and more.
FUNERALS — Service for Robert “Treb” McKinnon IV, 13, of Decatur is 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Edwin Douglas Michael, 91, of Fort Worth is 11 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church in Arlington. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Gary Ray Prescott, 75, of Benbrook is 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Decatur. Family visitation is 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Wesley Thrasher, 69, of Boyd is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
GRAVESIDE service for Cathy Sue Lacey, 68, of Chico is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Cemetery in Decatur. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Donna Jean Foley, 69, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hudson & Torres with burial at Chico Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Loading Comments