PEDESTRIAN KILLED ON HIGHWAY 287 — A woman was killed after she was struck by a pickup truck after tending to her broken down vehicle on U.S. 81/287 in the Newark area Thursday night. The driver of the pickup truck, who has yet to be identified, fled the scene, striking several other vehicles before they were apprehended, according to emergency radio traffic. The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on the northbound side of the highway near Ramhorn Hill Road. Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger said after the woman pulled over, another vehicle stopped to assist. The woman got out of her car and then was struck by a vehicle traveling north on the highway. Callers informed dispatch that bystanders were performing CPR. The driver of the truck hit two additional vehicles after the initial accident. The woman was taken to Medical City Decatur in critical condition, but died from her injuries. Preuninger said one other patient had minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital. The fatality victim’s identity will not be released until the next of kin has been notified. Northbound traffic on the highway was shut down as first responders worked the scene. It was reopened around 11 p.m. Several law enforcement agencies, including Rhome Police Department, responded to the scene. Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the accident. See wcmessenger.com for updated information once Texas DPS releases findings from its preliminary investigation.
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM — The Wise County Veterans Group will host a Memorial Day program 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Park in Decatur. The group will honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
DANNY DIETZ MEMORIAL CLASSIC RETURNS — The 16th annual Danny Dietz Memorial Classic returns to the NRS Event Center returns Friday–Monday, with team roping, barrel racing, auctions, guest speakers, and more honoring the heroes of Operation Red Wings. Operation Red Wings was a US military operation conducted in Afghanistan in 2005. The team was ambushed, leading to the deaths of three SEALs and 16 other special operations forces personnel in a rescue attempt. This year’s rodeo is dedicated to those service members. It starts with a dinner and auction tonight, followed by team roping and barrel racing events Saturday through Monday.
BULLS GOLF INVITED TO PLAY PGA INVITE AT PINEHURST — The back-to-back 4A state champion Bridgeport High School golf team has been invited to compete in the 2025 PGA High School Golf National Invitational Tournament held at Pinehurst Resort — the host of multiple U.S. Opens and the Ryder Cup — in North Carolina. The team is holding a fundraiser 6 p.m. June 14 at Bridgeport Country Club to celebrate the team’s state championships and to raise money to participate in the national tournament that attracts the best high school golf teams in the country. The dinner event will include contests, silent auction items and a raffle. The dinner is $20 a plate. The team has competed at the tournament before when it was held in Frisco, placing in the Top 10. Visit bgsgolf.com for more information on helping the team get to Pinehurst.
BOYD GRADUATION TIME CHANGE — Boyd’s graduation ceremony has been moved to 6 p.m.
RHOME SET TO RELOCATE CITY STAFF — Rhome is preparing to move its city hall, police department and offices for the public works director and fire chief into a recently purchased modular building that’s been installed on School Road. City staff is expected to begin moving in at the end of next week, once electricity is connected and exterior decks are completed. City Administrator Amanda DeGan said the council voted to purchase the modular facilities as a temporary solution after city staff outgrew the building it was leasing. Additionally, structural issues in the police station contributed to the need for a new location. While temporary, DeGan said the modular buildings could also be re-used in the future. She said the cost of the building itself will be offset by the savings from operating out of a central location. Read more at wcmessenger.com.
PLAYOFF BASEBALL RESULTS — Boyd (32-5) shut out New Diana 9-0 in Game 1 of the teams’ 3A Division II Region II series Thursday. Game 2 will be played at noon today at Dallas Baptist University’s Horner Ballpark. If necessary, Game 3 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday. Alvord (21-9) ended its season with a pair of losses to Tom Bean in the 2AI Region II final series Thursday at North Central Texas College’s Darwin Field, 11-1 and 11-0.
POOLS TO OPEN SOON — The Bridgeport City Pool will open Tuesday and be open 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the summer months. The Fit-N-Wise outdoor pool in Decatur opens Monday with special Memorial Day hours from 8 a.m. to noon; regular summer hours will follow next week.
HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES NEW ACCREDITATION — Medical City Decatur announced this week that it has been accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI. To receive the Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation, Medical City Decatur completed a multi-faceted clinical process, met an array of stringent criteria and has a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly support patient education and improved patient outcomes, according to a press release. “Medical City Decatur has demonstrated its commitment to providing Wise County with excellent heart care,” says Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Medical City Decatur with Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.”
REGISTER FOR COLLEGE — Registration is now open for all students at Weatherford College Wise County for summer and fall sessions. Visit wc.edu or call 940-627-2690 for more information. Be sure to complete the 25-26 FAFSA application, apply to the college and set an appointment with the advisor. The new student checklist can be found under the “Admissions” tab at wc.edu.
BLOOD DRIVE — New Fairview City Hall will host a Carter BloodCare “Battle of the Badges” blood drive 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Hot dogs, snacks and drinks will be available.
FUNERALS
Memorial services for JACK SKIDMORE, 78, of Paradise, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, at RISE Church in Decatur.
Graveside services for JOHN “JOHNNY” NEWTON, 74, of Bridgeport, Texas, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home.
Funeral for CRISTI SISCO STINNETT, 50, of Paradise is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is an hour prior at the funeral home.
Service is pending at Hawkins-Decatur for XINYI WANG SCOTT, of Carrollton.
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