Update for Thursday, April 25, 2024

DISPATCH SERVICES PARTNERSHIP PROPOSED — Decatur Police Department is in advanced talks to provide dispatching services to Boyd Police Department and an additional city that is currently in the process of discussing the move. Boyd PD would cover the cost of hiring an additional Decatur PD dispatcher and the infrastructure needed to cover the area. For Decatur, it would provide the potential of staffing multiple emergency telecommunicators at the station 24 hours a day. The development is an answer to the strain felt by the Wise County Sheriff’s Office — who in response to growing staffing and cost burdens of providing dispatching services to area police departments who do not provide the service themselves — planned to charge the cities of Rhome, Boyd and Runaway Bay to provide the service. Read more in today’s Wise County Messenger or online here.

SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE — After a mostly cloudy day with a high near 77, we’ll see an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during the early morning hours Friday. Some storms could be severe, according to the National Weather Service.

PLAYOFF SOFTBALL RESULTS — Bridgeport (9-15) suffered a 9-0 4A bi-district Game 1 loss to Burkburnett Wednesday. The series will continue with Game 2 at 6 tonight at Gainesville High School. If necessary, Game 3 is slated for 6 p.m. Friday.

EARLY VOTING — Early voting in the May 4 election continues 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today at eight polling locations around the county. Through three days of early voting, 1,366 ballots have been cast.

WE ARE DECATUR DAY — The Decatur Leadership group has named Saturday as “We Are Decatur Day,” a day dedicated to bringing the community together through volunteer service projects. Visit wcmess.com/wearedecatur to sign up to volunteer or submit a need either you or someone you know has for the group to get accomplished. Examples of projects include light landscaping, cleaning and painting.

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — U-Turn World Ministries will host a Tarrant Area Food Bank mobile food pantry 2:30-5:30 p.m. today at the church, 306 N. Texas 101, in Chico. A mobile food truck will deliver food to the location, and it will be distributed in a drive-thru.

COTTONDALE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION HOMECOMING — The Cottondale Cemetery Association will hold its annual homecoming Sunday. Potluck dinner on the grounds is at 12:30 p.m., and the business meeting will begin at 1:30. Donations will be collected at the association’s business meeting. If you are unable to attend this year, you may mail your donations to: Cottondale Cemetery Association c/o Marsha Foster 456 County Road 3591 Paradise, TX. 76073.

BRIDGEPORT CLEAN UP — The City of Bridgeport will have a clean-up day Saturday for city residents. Dumpsters will be available at 1409 Carpenter St. (new fire station) from 8 a.m. to noon for trash. No tires, paint, batteries or anything with freon will be accepted. Call 940-683-3480.

GREENWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION MEETING — The Greenwood Cemetery Association’s annual meeting is noon Saturday at the Greenwood Fire Hall.

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEETING — The West Fork Amateur Radio club will host an ARRL Ham Radio Testing Session prior to its regular meeting today. Testing will be held at the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with testing starting at 6. Cost for the test is $15 for adults, and $5 for under 18 years of age. Participants will need to bring a photo ID, their existing license (if applicable) and their FCC FRN number. Visit the club’s website, WFARC.org.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society will meet noon today. A picnic will be held by the Woody Cabin at the museum site, or in case of rain, the meeting will be held at Grace Baptist Church. Bring you own lunch. Call Mary Hilliard, 817-995-8351.

LAKE GUIDE — The Messenger’s annual “Passport to Lake Bridgeport” special section highlighting our West Wise recreation spot is included in this week’s Wise County Messenger on newsstands today.

PLAYOFF SOFTBALL — Decatur (10-17-1) will host Gainesville in a winner-take-all 4A bi-district battle tonight at 6:30. Boyd (25-8) opens a 3A bi-district series against Palmer 6 p.m. at Castleberry High School. Paradise (16-13-1) will take on Scurry-Rosser in Game 1 of a 3A bi-district series 5 p.m. at Ranchview High School. Chico (11-12) opens the 2A playoffs with a Game 1 first-round double-header against Muenster starting at 4 p.m. at Bowie High School.

BASEBALL — Chico (7-13, 3-10) closes District 10-2A play with a road trip to face Nocona at 6 p.m.

FUNERALS — Service for Dr. Rex Gerald Sheppard, 74, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Decatur with graveside at Emerald Hills Cemetery at 2 p.m. in Kennedale. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

FUNERAL for Mary Frances Farned, 87, of Bridgeport is 3 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

GRAVESIDE service for Edith Rothrock, 80, of Weatherford is 11 a.m. today at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 9 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.

FUNERAL for Henry J. Wolfe, 88, of Boyd is 2 p.m. Friday at Boyd Church of Christ with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 2 Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins-Boyd.

MEMORIAL service for Patti June Williams-Basting, 57, of Boyd is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins-Boyd. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

SERVICE for Bridget Thompson, 73, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Boyd.

FUNERAL for Ray Rankin, 86, of Midland, formerly of Chico, is 11 a.m. Friday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Lonestar Cemetery in Chico. Visitation is 10 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

SERVICES for Sandra Bland, 81, of North Richland Hills and Garlan Wally Musser, 80, of Paradise are pending at Hudson & Torres.

GRAVESIDE memorial service for Fletta Barrett, 90, of Chico is 12 p.m. Monday at Chico Cemetery. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL mass for Sharon Weiland, 85, of Runaway Bay is 3 p.m. Friday at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Visitation is 2 p.m. Friday at the church. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.