SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ARRESTED ON CHILD PORN CHARGE — A now-former Decatur ISD maintenance and operations employee was arrested Wednesday for possession or promotion of child pornography. Derek Edwin Uselton, 29, of Runaway Bay remained in the Wise County Jail Thursday morning, according to Wise County Jail records. According to a letter the school district sent to parents Wednesday night, the alleged offense date of May 29, 2023, is prior to when Uselton began working for the district on March 31, 2025. “Uselton worked in maintenance and, as such, had limited contact with students. At this time, we have no information indicating that any district students were involved. Additionally, Uselton was not issued any district-owned digital devices such as a laptop or computer,” the district stated in the letter. DISD said it reported the matter to the Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification, as required by state law. The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement, and anyone who might have information that may be relevant to the case should contact law enforcement.
DEFENSE WITNESSES INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGIST, HORNER’S FAMILY — On the first day of the Tanner Horner defense case, a psychologist talked about how to predict future dangerousness, one of the special issues jurors will have to consider when deciding between the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Horner’s mother and great aunt also testified about Horner’s family life, particularly when he was a child. Horner pleaded guilty April 7 to the murder of Athena Strand. The defense will continue putting on its case today in Tarrant County. Follow updates of the trial at wcmess.com/athena.
BASEBALL RESULTS — Paradise (24-3, 11-0) rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning to capture a 4-3 win over Whitesboro in Game 1 of the teams’ District 10-3A series Wednesday at Callisburg High School. Chico (1-17) fell to 0-9 in 10-2A following a 12-3 Game 1 loss to Era.
POKEMON CLUB — Decatur Public Library will host Pokemon Club noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday. Bring your trading cards, wear your favorite Pokemon apparel and join Pokemon enthusiasts for this fun, family event. The library will provide the trading mat. Contact Shelly at 940-393-0290.
MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE — The Wise County Veterans Museum will host an open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1308 10th St. in Bridgeport.
CEMETERY HOMECOMING — The Cottondale Cemetery Homecoming is Sunday. Dinner on the grounds is at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 1:30. If you are unable to attend, you may mail your donations to: Cottondale Cemetery Association c/o Marsha Foster 456 CR 3591, Paradise, TX 76073.
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY — Decatur Police Department will participate in Drug Take Back Day Saturday. Safely dispose of unused or expired medications by bringing them to the police department at 1601 S. Church St. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS — Decatur (11-9) opens the 4A Division I playoffs with a 1-game bi-district battle against Fort Worth Western Hills 6:30 p.m. tonight at home. Boyd (28-2) starts the 3AII postseason with a winner-take-all first-round bout at home against Duncanville Village Tech at 6 p.m. Paradise (25-5-1) faces Keene in a best-of-3 3AII bi-district series starting with a double-header at 5 and 6:30 p.m. tonight at Castleberry High School.
BASEBALL — Decatur (18-7-1, 10-1) will try for a split in its District 7-4A series against Springtown 6:30 p.m. tonight at Springtown High School. An Eagle win over the Porcupines will give Decatur a share of the league title, and force a tiebreaker game for the district’s top seed in the 4A Division I bracket later this week.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society’s monthly meeting is noon today at Grace Baptist Church. Laura Simmons will give a presentation about the research of First Christian Church in Chico. Lunch will be provided.
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEETING — The West Fork Amateur Radio Club meets 7 tonight at the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department Training Room. The club will also hold an exam session 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Decatur Pizza Hut for anyone wishing to become a licensed amateur radio operator. For more information about the exam call 972-841-6833 or e-mail archer@archercom.net.
SPECIAL SECTIONS IN TODAY’S PAPER — This week’s Wise County Messenger includes our Home, Lawn and Garden special section as well as the 2026 Wise County Medical Health and Wellness Directory. Pick up a copy on newsstands today.
FUNERALS — Service for Lorenella Cooper, 81, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
MEMORIAL service for Misty Nicole Drake, 43, of Decatur is 1 p.m. May 9 at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Lance Parker, 55, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Monday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICES for Terry Reynolds, 89, of Pittsburgh and Roy Steel, 83, of Paradise are pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Perry Burch Reid, 77, of Aurora is 2 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE for Kathy Durham, 81, of Newark is 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Durham residence. Hawkins-Boyd is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Alejandro Madrigal Morales, 70, of Runaway Bay is 11 a.m. May 2 at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport. Viewing is 9-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. May 1 at the funeral home.
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