WATER DISTRICT BILL DEALT BLOW IN HOUSE VOTE — House Bill 3154, a key piece of the legislative effort to form the Wise Regional Water District, failed 41-78 in the Texas House Thursday night — a major blow after a rollercoaster week for the companion bills aiming to secure a longterm water solution for Wise County. The line of questioning before the HB 3154 vote, while sharply critical of the legislation, appeared to be aimed at Rep. Andy Hopper and his tact in the Texas House, delivering a painful death to the bill with a local scope. The WRWD remains alive through Sen. Tan Parker’s Senate Bill 1359, which passed through the upper chamber and was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources late Wednesday. Thursday’s setback came after a breakthrough Zoom call Monday. After connecting over the weekend, developers and the Wise County Mayors Coalition Steering Committee (WCMCSC) agreed to a compromise on board composition — a sticking point that had left SB 1359 in limbo and absent from the Senate calendar last week. Read more online here.
2 ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING — Two men were arrested on charges related to running an illegal gambling establishment after a search warrant was executed Thursday at the Dry Creek Convenience Store in Bridgeport. According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Santosh Dhakal, 38, of Bridgeport and Tarun Bosupally, 29, of Denton were both arrested for possession of gambling device/equipment/paraphernalia. Dhakal was also charged with gambling promotion, all Class A misdemeanors. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and Bridgeport Police Department also assisted on the case.
FOOD TRUCK CHALLENGE IS BACK — The 9th Annual Eighter Food Truck Challenge is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wise County Fairgrounds in Decatur. Parking is $10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and $20 from 4 to 10 p.m. The event features food trucks, a kid zone and live music followed by a concert featuring Jarrod Morris at 7:30 p.m. and Pat Green at 9 p.m. Visit eighterfoodtruckchallenge.com for more information. Read a full preview of the event in this week’s Wise County Messenger on newsstands now.
WEEKEND STORMS POSSIBLE — Severe storms are possible Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms are likely to develop during the afternoon hours on Saturday and become more severe as they move east. Large hail and damaging winds will be possible with any storm that develops. Scattered severe storms will be possible Sunday. Wise County has a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday afternoon and a 30 percent chance on Sunday.
PLAYOFF SOFTBALL — Boyd (29-6-2) was swept out of the 3A Division II Region II finals following a 12-2 Game 2 loss to S&S Thursday.
PLAYOFF BASEBALL — Boyd (30-5) opened its 3A Division II Region II semifinal series with a 10-5 Game 1 win over Grand Saline Thursday. Game 2 will be played 7 tonight at McKinney’s Al Alford Field. If necessary, a tiebreaker is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Paradise (15-9-2) dropped its third-round opener against New Diana Thursday, 7-0. Game 2 is 7:30 tonight, followed by a tiebreaker at 2 p.m. Saturday, if needed. Alvord (19-7) was shut out by Riesel 13-0 in Game 1 of a 2AII Region II semifinal series Thursday. Game 2 is slated for 5:30 tonight, followed by a tiebreaker at 7:30 p.m., if necessary.
REPUBLICAN BRUNCH — Wise Republican Women will host a Pop-Up Brunch 9 a.m. Saturday at Cherry Pie & Co. in Decatur. The event is open to women only, and you do not have to be a member to attend.
SPRING FLING — The Chico Public Library presents Spring Fling 2025 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the square in Chico. Activities will include live music, kid’s corner with bubble truck, raffles, blood drive and more. All proceeds benefit the Chico Public Library. Vendor booths are available. Vendors should contact Michelle, 940-644-2330.
MOVIE IN THE PARK — Bridgeport Parks and Recreation’s Movie in the Park presents “Dog Man” at dusk Saturday in Harwood Park. Concessions will be available for purchase. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. Call 940-683-3480.
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT — One Hope Village will host a pickleball tournament Saturday at Hollis and Sue Jones Park. Visit onehopevillage.com to register.
AURORA CEMETERY MEETING — The Aurora Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting 2 p.m. Sunday at the cemetery pavilion. Email auroracemeteryassoc@gmail.com or call 817-602-9545.
CITY HALL CLOSURE — New Fairview City Hall will be closed today for staff development. The office will reopen Monday.
SONFLOWER CAMP — Sonflower Camp celebrates it’s 26th year of providing a free camp for individuals with special needs from 5 to 85 years old. It will be held at Community Church in Decatur June 2 through 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then swimming at Fit-n-Wise at 1 p.m. Friday, June 6. Register at sonflowercamp.org. Registration ends this Sunday.
FUNERALS — Graveside service for Andrew Clay Johnson, 30, of Decatur is 1 p.m. today at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Travis Scott, 53, is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rock Pointe Church Central Campus in Flower Mound. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Jeannette Christian, 88, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Ethel Patricia Sonnevelt, 96, of Chico is 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Chico with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Thomas Oscar Peterson, 87, of Aurora is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Aurora Baptist Church with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Dana (Nard) Harris, 76, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Saturday at Redeemer Church-Wise County in Bridgeport. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Kathryn June Patterson, 88, of Paradise is 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Hudson & Torres with burial at Eastside Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Reverend Renee Vetter, 73, of Alvord is 11:30 a.m. today at First Baptist Church in Paradise with burial at Sand Hill Cemetery in Decatur. Visitation is 10 a.m. at the church. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Jeff Wayne Clark, 63, of Decatur is 3 p.m. Sunday at Community Church in Decatur.
SERVICE for Susan Jeannette (Cole) Boston, 69, of Springtown is 2 p.m. Saturday at Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home in Springtown.
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