MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED NEAR BRIDGEPORT — The Wise County Sheriff’s Office has arrested James Williams, a suspect in the murder investigation of David Smith II. WCSO Chief Deputy Eric Debus said Thursday afternoon that Williams was located south of Bridgeport and apprehended by a WCSO sergeant. “He was observed in an area he was known to frequent and was taken into custody in the 1100 block of County Road 3336 without incident,” Debus told the Messenger. Wise County Jail records Sunday showed Williams was being held on $65,000 bond. The 34-year-old Smith was shot and killed around 2 a.m. April 21 in a rural area between Alvord and Decatur in the 1200 block of County Road 2395, near Forest Service Road 920.
MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN FIREWORKS ACCIDENT — A man was flown to a Metroplex hospital after sustaining a traumatic injury involving fireworks Friday evening. The accident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. in the area of County Road 1540 near Chico. Wise County EMS Administrator Randall Preuninger said an elderly male suffered a hand injury, as well as serious burns. “A firework went off on him,” Preuninger said. The man was transported via medical helicopter to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. Wise County EMS in total had 40 calls for service July 4 and overnight. Those calls included five fireworks related incidents and four motor vehicle accidents.
BRIDGEPORT POLICE RESPOND TO NUMEROUS CALLS — Bridgeport Police Department responded to several emergencies on the July 4th holiday. On Friday night, a woman traveling east in the 2200 block of Cates Street crashed into multiple vehicles before a pair of electric poles brought her vehicle to a stop. Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford said the accident involved a total of three vehicles and two utility poles. No one was seriously hurt. It did take hours for crews to repair the damaged utility poles. The woman was charged with DWI, Stanford said. Later that evening, the police chief said Bridgeport PD responded to a disturbance after a man was struck in the face with the butt of a shotgun. Stanford said the man was transported to Medical City Decatur. The department also worked several fireworks-related calls.
3 VEHICLES LOST IN BLAZE — Firefighters from several Wise County fire departments battled flames into the early morning hours Sunday after several vehicles were destroyed in a blaze. The fire was reported at about 11:48 p.m. Saturday on Private Road 4604, west of Boyd. Wise County Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty said the blaze, located underneath the residence’s carport, consumed three vehicles, as well as other items. “The fire extended into an open front pole barn and burned a UTV, a zero-turn mower, a 4-wheeler, an antique horse-drawn buggy and three dirt bikes,” Doughty said. “It looks like the fire started in the engine compartment of one vehicle and spread throughout the others.” The flames were reportedly extinguished at 12:31 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported. In addition to the Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office, other local agencies responding were Wise County ESD Nos. 1 and 3, as well as Paradise and Decatur Fire Departments and Wise EMS Rescue 1. Parker County ESD No. 1 provided mutual aid.
RAIN REPORT — Rainfall totals from the weekend included 1.76 inches in Alvord, 0.86 in Bridgeport and 0.4 in Decatur. Today’s forecast includes a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Otherwise it will be mostly sunny with a high near 88.
BLOOD DRIVE — The City of Bridgeport will host a Carter BloodCare blood drive 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2159 10th St. Go to wcmess.com/donate7825 to schedule an appointment.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Paradise Historical Society will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Paradise Methodist Church Fellowship Building. Edna Wood will give a presentation on Ben Banks and the founding of Cottondale. A new addition to the museum featuring documents, photos and books about the Paradise community will also be shown. Refreshments will be served. A business meeting will follow the presentation. Topics will include a new play by the historical society and the Paradise Main Street Festival.
DEMOCRATIC MEETING — Wise County Democrats will meet Tuesday at Fairfield Inn in Decatur. Refreshments start at 6 p.m. with the meeting at 6:30. Wise County Clerk Blanca Tuma will be guest speaker.
RAINEY DAY ADVENTURES — Decatur Public Library will host its next Rainey Day Adventure 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. The come and go event will feature hands-on educational exploration and will include crafts and activities for ages 5 to 8. Call Carolyn Davis at 940-393-0290.
FUNERALS — Service for Bill Fennell, 67, of Rhome is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Fellowship Church in Paradise with burial at Sweetwater Cemetery. Family visitation is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
FUNERAL for Sherry Harris, 78, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Decatur with burial at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
MASS of Christian burial for Mark Edwin Anderson, 65, of Decatur is 10 a.m. July 16 at Assumption Catholic Church with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. July 15 at Hawkins-Decatur with rosary said at 7.
SERVICES for Martha J. Davis, 89, of Bridgeport and Maudie Wallace, 85, of Springtown are pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Donald Visser, 77, of Boyd is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
GRAVESIDE service for Michael Bryant, 67, of New Fairview is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Terral Cemetery in Terral, Okla. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for Laurie Lange, 63, of Runaway Bay is 1 p.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres.
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