ESCOBAR ARRESTED ON NEW CHILD SEX CHARGE — A local trainer and former coach at Decatur ISD was arrested Thursday afternoon on a new child sex charge involving another alleged victim. Fernando Escobar, 42, of Decatur was arrested for sexual assault of a child following an investigation by the Decatur Police Department. This is Escobar’s second arrest in two weeks on a sexual crime involving a minor. He was previously arrested Aug. 21 for indecency with a child by sexual contact following an investigation by the Wise County Sheriff’s Office. The new charge is a result of an alleged incident that took place when Escobar was employed as an athletic trainer more than 10 years ago, according to a news release from Decatur PD. Decatur Police Chief Delvon Campbell said the victim in their case was a 15-year-old female at the time, and the alleged sexual assault was a “continuing situation” and not a single incident. While he didn’t want to comment on the specific acts, he said the allegations involved sexual activity beyond inappropriate touching. Escobar worked part-time with Decatur ISD from 2009 to 2020 as athletic trainer and from 2013 to 2020 as golf coach. Campbell said the alleged assault did not take place on school property. Campbell said their investigation is separate from that of the WCSO. The alleged victim in Decatur PD’s case came forward after learning of Escobar’s Aug. 21 arrest. “We believe there are other victims potentially out there,” Campbell said. “We don’t believe these two are lone events.” He encouraged anyone who may have been a victim or has information about other possible criminal activity to contact Decatur PD Criminal Investigations Division at 940-393-0309. Support services are available to those affected. Read more online here.
FOOTBALL RESULTS — Northwest (1-1) picked up its first win with a 23-9 road victory over McKinney North Thursday. VCA (2-0) claimed a 65-18 win over Fort Worth Temple Christian.
VOLLEYBALL RESULTS — VCA (13-6-2) improved to 2-0 in TAPPS 2A District 2 play with a road sweep against Fort Worth Mercy Culture Thursday — 25-14, 25-16, 25-13.
FOOD PANTRY IN NEED OF DONATIONS — The Decatur High School Food Pantry is running low and in need of help from the community. The resource provides food and basic hygiene products to students in need. Suggested donations include non-perishable meals, soups and noodles, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, spaghetti sauce/other sauces, peanut butter, creamy soups, oatmeal, jelly, pancake mix, Pam/oil, granola bars, beef sticks, etc. The school is also accepting monetary donations, including gift cards to local grocery stores. To partner with the DHS Food Pantry or for other information on how to donate, contact Sean Stanton at 940-393-7209 or sean.stanton@decaturisd.us. Read more online here.
WEATHER CHANGE — We could see near-triple-digit temperatures today before a big weather change for the weekend. The forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of storms tonight with a low around 62. Smaller rain chances are in forecast for Saturday and Sunday along with highs around 80 and overnight lows in the mid-60s.
FOOTBALL — Decatur (0-1) continues looking for its first win, as the Eagles face Denison 7 tonight at Munson Stadium. Bridgeport (0-1) makes its first road trip of the season to battle Bowie 7:30 p.m. at Jackrabbit Stadium. Boyd (1-0) opens Yellowjacket Stadium with a showdown against Jacksboro at 7:30 p.m. Paradise (1-0) takes on Godley 7 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. Alvord (1-0) welcomes Lindsay to Bulldog Stadium at 7 p.m. Chico (1-0) squares off against Trenton 7 p.m. at Dragon Stadium.
CROSS COUNTRY — Paradise, Chico and Slidell will compete at the Gerald Richey Invitational/Region II Preview meet today at Arlington’s Harold Patterson Park. On Saturday, Decatur, Alvord and VCA race at the Assault of Eagle Summit at Decatur High School. Northwest will run at the Southlake Carroll Invitational at Southlake’s Bob Jones Park.
VOLLEYBALL — Decatur (22-3) will host Grapevine in a home showdown tonight at 5. Bridgeport (8-15) travels to face Valley View at 4:30 p.m. Boyd (16-9) hosts Mineral Wells in its final non-district match 4:30 p.m. at Boyd High School. Paradise (18-8) welcomes Nocona at 6 p.m. Alvord (8-9) looks to climb to .500 with a road matchup against Collinsville at 4:30 p.m. Northwest (15-7, 3-0) faces Chisholm Trail in a non-district bout 6:30 p.m. at. Chisholm Trail High School. On Saturday, Decatur takes on Peaster and Argyle Liberty Christian in an outdoor dual showcase starting at 5:30 p.m. at Liberty Christian’s Warrior Stadium.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — Decatur Cares will have a mobile pantry Saturday at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Registration begins at 7 a.m. in the church’s east parking lot. Volunteers are needed starting at 6:30 a.m. to setup and unload the truck.
VETERANS SOCIAL MIXER — A Veterans Social Mixer is 2 p.m. today at Decatur Medical Lodge. Door prizes and refreshments will be available. Veterans and spouses are invited. Call Bobbie at 940-626-2800. No RSVP necessary.
CLEAN UP DAY — Greater Runaway Bay Alliance will hold a Highway 380 Trash Clean Up 9 a.m. Saturday. Meet in the parking lot of the Norma Coble Civic Center. Volunteers are needed to assist. Community service hours awarded if needed (including students).
HAY SHOW — The Annual Wise County Hay Show is 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Wise County Fairgrounds Women’s Building. This year’s event offers three continuing education units (CEUs) for holders of a private pesticide applicator license. Submit your hay samples to the Extension Office by Friday to participate in the contest. Register by Sept. 18 by calling the Extension Office at 940-627-3341.
CRUISE NIGHTS — The final Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square of 2025 is 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday in Downtown Decatur. Onsite registration is 3 to 6 p.m. Entry fee is $15 per vehicle.
FUNERALS — Service for Nella Irene Jenkins, 68, of Aurora is 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of God in Boyd. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
SERVICE for Barbara York, 86, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Saturday at Decatur Church of Christ. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for H. Juan Mercer, 71, of Bridgeport will be at a later date. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Sherry Pruner, 80, of Boonsville is 10 a.m. Saturday at Balsora Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at Boonsville Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
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