WISE COUNTY PEOPLE OF THE YEAR — For their work supporting and educating local school districts through tragedy, the team behind Jenny’s Hope in Grief for Schools are the Wise County Messenger’s 2025 People of the Year. It starts with a call. A student has died. The cloud of pain and disbelief has already settled over an entire school community, as students learn they won’t see their friend again on Monday. On that first day back at school, once the carpool line thins and classroom doors close, Beverly Ross, Jana Bearden and Devon McCain take a deep breath and step into rooms filled with students and staff searching for answers. They begin with a simple, disarming question. “Can you tell me about your friend?” Read more in this week’s Wise County Messenger on newsstands now.
GIRLS BASKETBALL RESULTS — Decatur (19-4, 2-0) clinched the royal bracket title at The Championship Tournament for the second season in a row Wednesday with a 40-25 win over Wall. The Lady Eagles were unbeaten in the showcase, collecting additional wins over Lorena (61-31), Canyon Randall (61-32) and Gunter (69-23). Style Brazile took home MVP honors, while Bralyn Peck and Cece Davis were selected to the all-tournament team. Paradise (18-4, 2-0) also competed at The Championship Tournament, finishing 1-2 with a first-round win over Comanche (43-39) and losses to Wall (55-37) and Seminole (48-41). Bridgeport (14-10, 1-1) went 3-2 at the Weatherford tournament. The Sissies opened the tournament with three straight wins over Everman (53-38), Saginaw (40-32) and Argyle Liberty Christian (49-42) before suffering back-to-back losses against Prosper Richland (54-44) and Weatherford (44-36). Boyd (9-13, 1-1) was winless in three games at the China Spring tournament, losing to Jewett Leon (45-21), Azle (49-14) and Waco University (28-25). Alvord (0-21, 0-2) remains winless following a 0-4 run at the Slidell tournament, losing to Bowie (61-20), Bryson (34-25), Wichita Falls City View (64-6) and Perrin-Whitt (40-26). Slidell (12-7, 1-1) dropped its first battle in the Slidell tournament to Bowie (43-42), but rallied for wins against Perrin-Whitt (45-38), Bryson (51-19) and Petrolia (56-20) to finish 3-1 in the showcase. Chico (13-8, 1-2) was 1-2 at the Windthorst tournament. The Lady Dragons fell to Bellevue (57-34) and Windthorst (45-41) before pulling out a win over Vernon (37-34).
BOYS BASKETBALL RESULTS — VCA (12-4) took home the consolation bracket win at the Caprock tournament Wednesday following a 60-51 win over Abilene Christian School. The Patriots went 3-1 at the tournament, adding wins against Ackerly Sands (69-66/2OT) and Morton (43-34), while dropping their opening contest to Munday (48-36). Paradise (19-2) finished fifth at The Championship Tournament with a 3-1 record. The Panthers defeated Fort Worth Eastern Hills (48-34), Canyon Randall (59-46) and Celina (47-38), and suffered an overtime loss to Seminole (48-46). Will McGregor represented Paradise on the all-tournament team. Decatur (6-9) fell to Wall (63-44) and Grapevine Faith (54-38), and grabbed a win over Mexia (52-36) to finish 1-2 at The Championship Tournament. Bridgeport (10-10) went .500 in four games at the Bridgeport tournament. The Bulls earned victories against Petrolia (80-34) and Granbury (55-51), and lost to Fort Worth Paschal (52-51) and Wichita Falls Memorial (51-37). Julius Johnson was the Bulls’ all-tournament selection. Boyd (12-9) brought home a 1-3 record from the Bridgeport tournament, earning a win over Petrolia (54-52) in its final game. The Yellowjackets suffered three straight losses to Burkburnett (101-41), Granbury (73-55) and Fort Worth Western Hills (45-29). Boyd’s Spencer Harrison earned the team’s lone all-tournament pick. Alvord (9-8) finished 1-2 at the Rio Vista tournament with a win over Clifton (46-38) and losses to Keene (45-27) and Rio Vista (58-51).
DECATUR ISD SCHOOL CALENDAR SURVEY — The Decatur ISD community can weigh in on next year’s school calendar with a survey on two calendar options for the 2026/27 school year. Highlights of Option “A” include the following: First day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 5; Monday holidays, Sept. 7, Jan. 18; Students back from winter break: Jan. 4; Last day of school: May 26; Total instructional days and minutes: 154 days/77,000 minutes. Highlights of Option “B” include the following: First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 6; Monday holidays: Sept. 7, Oct. 12, Jan. 18, Feb. 15; Students back from winter break: Jan. 5; Last day of school: May 26; Total instructional days and minutes: 153 days/76,500 minutes. The survey at decaturisd.us will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
BLOOD DRIVE — Decatur Medical Lodge will host a Carter BloodCare blood drive 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Sign up at wcmess.com/donate1626.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — The Decatur Cares Mobile Pantry is Jan. 10 rather than the normal first Saturday this month. Food will be distributed 7:30-9 a.m. Cars can lineup in the First United Methodist Church east parking area. There will be produce and protein items for 225 families. Volunteers are welcome 7 to 9 a.m.
COUNTY HOLIDAY CLOSINGS — 911 Addressing and Wise County Environmental Services will remain closed today for the New Year’s holiday. County dumpsites will reopen at regular business hours today and Saturday.
BRIDGEPORT TRASH COLLECTION — Due to the New Year holiday, garbage collection in Bridgeport will be delayed by one day this week. Thursday pickup will take place on Friday, and Friday pickup will take place on Saturday.
BOYD TRASH COLLECTION — Trash collection in the City of Boyd will take place on Saturday this week.
BOYS BASKETBALL — After taking a holiday off from action, Slidell (13-6) and Chico (12-7) will face each other in the teams’ District 13-2A opener 2 p.m. today at Chico High School. Alvord welcomes Era for its first league contest at 1:30 p.m. Boyd takes on Pilot Point in both teams’ 10-3A opener 12:30 p.m. at Pilot Point High School. On Saturday, Decatur starts its 7-4A schedule with a road battle against Castleberry at 1:30 p.m. Bridgeport travels to face Eagle Mountain at 2 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL — Boyd jumps back into District 10-3A play with a road battle against Pilot Point 11:45 a.m. today. In 13-2A, Alvord hosts Era at 12:15 p.m., while Chico welcomes Slidell at noon. On Saturday, Decatur returns to league action, hitting the road for a showdown against Castleberry at 12:15 p.m. Bridgeport will take on Eagle Mountain 12:30 p.m. at Eagle Mountain High School.
SOCCER — The Bridgeport Bulls (2-0) will take on Navasota (9 a.m.) and Hidalgo (12:45 p.m.) in the second day of the Alvarado tournament today. The Decatur Lady Eagles (0-1) continue searching for their first win with a battle against Plano in the second day of the Southlake tournament 5 p.m. at Southlake’s Dawson Middle School.
FUNERALS — Service for Charles Allen Works, 37, of Denton is 1 p.m. today at First Baptist Decatur. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Andrew Cooper, 38, of Denton. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Barbara Gregg, 87, of Bridgeport is 1 p.m. today at Willow Point Cemetery in Bridgeport. Prior to the service, a viewing will be held 11 a.m. to noon at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. A memorial service will take place 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
NO SERVICE is planned for Jackie Harris, 77, of Bridgeport. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is planned for Kathleen Dynes, 87, of Bridgeport. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Don Stinnett, 78, of Runaway Bay is pending at Hudson & Torres.
Loading Comments