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Update for Friday February 3, 2023


THAWING OUT BEGINS — For the first time since this past weekend, Wise County should see temperatures well above freezing today as we begin to thaw out from Winter Storm Mara. The thaw started yesterday afternoon as temperatures crept up to just above freezing, but temperatures dipped back below 32 degrees overnight, leading much of that water to refreeze, This morning, some slick spots were still reported around the county, mainly on side roads, so use caution when driving, particularly this morning before we climb above freezing. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 45 degrees and an overnight low of 27. All Wise County schools remain closed today, while some local government offices, including Wise County administrative offices, will reopen at 10 a.m. Wise Health System announced services will have delayed starts this morning. The Fit-N-Wise wellness center will open at 10 a.m., but all Fit-N-Wise Therapy/Sports Med services will be closed. A full list of closures/delays can be found here.

TAX PAYMENT DEADLINE — Today is the last day to pay your property taxes without penalty, according to Wise County Tax Assessor/Collector Monte Shaw. The original deadline was Tuesday (Jan. 31), but the deadline was extended to the first day to county reopened due to the winter storm this week. County offices are reopening at 10 a.m. today. Shaw said his office will also honor a postmark by today if people prefer to mail their payment.

PAPER DELIVERY DELAYED — Delivery of the Feb. 2 edition of the Wise County Messenger, which was previously delayed due to weather conditions, has been delayed again. The paper is expected to be distributed Saturday. We apologize for the delay. In the meantime, you can read the E-Edition now at wcmessenger.com.

SOCCER MATCHES CALLED OFF — Decatur’s District 8-4A opening matches against Collegiate Academy, as well as Bridgeport’s openers versus Springtown, have been postponed due to field conditions. The matches have been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21.

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST — Greenwood Masonic Lodge 779 will host complimentary Community Breakfast 7-9 a.m. Saturday at the Lodge in Greenwood.

DECATUR MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — Decatur Cares Mobile Food Pantry is 8-9 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Decatur parking lot. The pantry will use a drive-thru setup. All participants will remain in their cars at all times. You will be directed by volunteers where to pull your car. Volunteers will load the box of food.

YOUTH FAIR DATES TO REMEMBER — Several important Wise County Youth Fair dates are coming up in the next few days. Entry Clinic is 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Decatur Visitor Center. Entries close at 5 p.m. Saturday. Late entries will open on Monday, and cost will be three times the original amount. Rabbit validation and tattoo clinic has been rescheduled to 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Wise County Fairgrounds Quonset Hut. WCYF scholarship applications are due and must be postmarked by Feb. 10. Go to the Wise County Youth Fair website wcyouthfair.org and click on the “Scholarship” for information and an application.

SPORTSMAN’S BANQUET — The Decatur Youth Fair Buyers Association (DYFBA) Sportsman’s Banquet is Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center. The proceeds from the banquet will benefit the DYFBA, an organization that purchases Decatur 4-H, Decatur FFA and Victory Christian Academy Youth Fair projects.

CLAY SHOOT FUNDRAISER— The Paradise Band Boosters will hold a clay shoot fundraiser Saturday at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds in Decatur. The entry fee to take part in the event is $120 per person which includes 100 clays. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and shooting begins at 9 a.m.

DISD CALENDAR OPTIONS — Decatur ISD has created two calendar options for the 2023-2024 school year based on the community survey results received last fall. The community can vote for their preferred calendar at forms.gle/MNJWAAWCtnt13Gfa8 through today.

BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE — Decatur (17-12, 3-2) will host a pivotal District 8-4A battle against Krum tonight at 7:30 p.m. Bridgeport (5-22, 0-5) resumes league play with a home contest versus Springtown at 5 p.m. Paradise (17-11, 7-2) welcomes Boyd (16-10, 3-6) for the second Battle of 114 at 7:30 p.m. In 13-2A, Alvord (13-12, 5-3) hosts Era at 7:30 p.m. Chico (14-12, 1-7) heads to Tioga at 8 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE — Decatur (22-10, 4-3) jumps back into District 8-4A by squaring off against Krum at home 6:15 p.m. tonight. Bridgeport (20-12, 6-1) host Senior Night against Springtown at 6:30 p.m. In 10-3A, Boyd (8-20, 3-8) travels to Paradise (21-9, 10-1) for the final Battle of 114 rivalry at 6 p.m. Alvord (11-15, 2-7) hosts Era in a 13-2A match, while Chico (11-18, 1-9) travels to Tioga. Both games are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. VCA’s non-district battle against Faustina Academy has been canceled.

BASKETBALL MAKEUP GAMES — Due to Tuesday’s inclement weather and school cancelations, several Wise County teams have announced district basketball rescheduling. Saturday’s games include Decatur at Castleberry (11 a.m. girls/ 12:15 boys), Bridgeport at Lake Worth (1:30 p.m. girls/3 p.m. boys), Paradise at Pilot Point (1:30 p.m. girls/3 p.m. boys), Alvord at Collinsville (1 p.m. girls/2:30 p.m. boys) and Bellevue at Slidell (4:30 p.m. girls/5:45 p.m. boys). VCA will make up its road game at Burton Adventist Academy Feb. 13. Rescheduling for Boyd’s games against S&S has yet to be announced.

FUNERALS — Service for Larry Phillips, 84, of Chico is 10:30 a.m. today at Rise Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.

GRAVESIDE service for Donna Ruth Williams, 77, of Fort Worth is 2 p.m. today at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Hawkins-Decatur.

FUNERAL for Arlene Russell Reedy, 91, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur with burial at Murray Cemetery near Grahams. Family visitation is one hour before the service at the church. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.

PRIVATE graveside for Gregory Neel Smith, 73, of Decatur will be at a later date at Bethel Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Janet Pruett, 91, of Slidell is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.

FUNERAL for Juana De Fraga, 81, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. today at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport with burial at Mexican Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Lannie Ross Foreman, 81, of Runaway Bay is 2 p.m. today at Hawkins-Bridgeport. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

FUNERAL for Patsy Jo Ann Lightsey, 84, of Paradise is 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at Cottondale Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for John Henry Streng, 74, of Paradise is 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Boyd. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Ronald Preston Lane, 80, of Bridgeport is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.

SERVICES for Christa Dawn Terry, 37, and her infant daughter Sereia, formerly of Bridgeport are pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for Ted Rother, 91, of Rhome is 11 a.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd with burial at 3:15 p.m. Thursday at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

FUNERAL for Donald Hyatt, 76, of Aurora is 11 a.m. Saturday at Waypoint Church in Rhome with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins-Boyd.

SERVICES for Andrew Pawlak, 22, of Rhome; Joyce Thompson, 72, of Boyd; and Deborah Lynn Berman, 64, of San Augustine, Fla., are pending at Hawkins-Boyd.

FUNERAL for Carol Andrews, 83, of Paradise is 2 p.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

SERVICE for Felipe Alonzo, 69, of Decatur is pending at Hudson & Torres.

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