WELCOMED RAIN — Long-awaited rain showers brought much-needed rain to Decatur and various parts of Wonderful Wise Wednesday afternoon. One Decatur location reported an inch of rain. At Decatur Municipal Airport, 0.55 of an inch fell. It was the first measurable rainfall at the airport since 0.13 fell July 3. No rain was measured at Bridgeport Municipal Airport. Alvord received 0.1 of an inch. The clouds are expected to clear today with highs reaching the upper 90s under sunny skies. Lows tonight will be in the mid 70s under the sturgeon moon. The full moon may hinder viewing of the Perseid meteor shower, which will reach its peak overnight.
GOVERNOR CANDIDATE MAKES VISIT — Democratic nominee for Texas governor Beto O’Rourke of El Paso will make a campaign stop at noon today at the Decatur Conference Center. O’Rourke is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott for the top executive post. O’Rourke won the Democratic nomination in March with 91 percent of the primary vote. Abbott, who won the crowded Republican primary with 66 percent of the vote, has not announced a Wise County appearance.
RHOME COUNCIL — The Rhome City Council meets at 6 tonight. The agenda includes discussion on water rates, East Waste Water Treatment plant construction and an item addressing mayoral responsibilities in the aftermath of the resignation of City Administrator Cynthia Northrop.
TAX RATE CUT — The Decatur water board Wednesday cut its tax rate in half. The new tax rate will be 0.387 compared to the current rate of 0.825. The rate cut was possible because the water supply district had retired bonds issued 20 years ago for water system improvements. The water district has one outstanding bond issue that will be retired in 2027. In July, Decatur residents used 62,310 gallons of treated water, an increase from the 48,399 gallons used in July 2021.
BRIDGEPORT TRAFFIC ALERT — Various lanes will be closed on Farm Road 920 (Cates Street) from Texas 114 to south of Bridgeport for maintenance activities 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays today through Aug. 22. Flaggers will assist in directing traffic. Alternate routes are advised.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — The Bridgeport Mobile Food Pantry is today at First United Methodist Church. Lineup for the event will start at 7 a.m. in the Bridgeport Middle School. Food distribution will begin at 8:30 a.m. For information, call Denise Bailey, 940-257-3578.
DECATUR BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES — The four Decatur ISD elementary schools will hold Meet the Teacher night tonight at the following times: 5-7 p.m. at Carson and 5:30-7 p.m. at Rann, STEM Academy and Young.
TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE — Workman Road in Decatur will be closed for utility work between Main Street and Rose Avenue 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. today and Friday.
BRIDGEPORT MEET THE TEACHER — Bridgeport High School’s Meet the Teacher night is 5:30-7:30 p.m. today.
VOLLEYBALL — Decatur (0-1) and Northwest (0-2) will begin play in the Mansfield Rotary tournament today. Bridgeport (0-1) and Boyd (1-1) are at the Burkburnett tournament. Chico (0-1) and VCA (0-0) will take part in the Chico tournament. Alvord (0-1) is participating at the O’Connell Prep tournament, while Paradise (1-1) battles in the Abilene ISD Bev Ball tournament.
FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE — Chico will be the first Wise County program to take part in a scrimmage. The Dragons will face S&S 5 p.m. today at Nocona High School.
FUNERALS — GRAVESIDE SERVICE for Saundra Keath, 80, formerly of Boyd is 11:30 a.m. Friday at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 10 a.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
FUNERAL for Margaret Ann Wilson, 76, of Boyd is 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins-Boyd.
SERVICES for Elvira Sanchez, 87, of Pasadena, and Marjorie Loyd, 78, of Decatur are pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
GRAVESIDE service for Ellsworth John Miranda, 93, of Runaway Bay is postponed until further notice. Arrangements are being handled by Hudson & Torres.
PRIVATE family memorial for Jay Vislosky, 63, of Chico will be held at a later date at Hudson & Torres.
PRIVATE memorial service for Paul Bradley, 82, of Rhome will be held at a later date at Hudson & Torres.
GRAVESIDE for Andrew Dale Raven, 58, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Saturday at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
MEMORIAL service for Justice Marie Sandlin, 26, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Gospel Life Baptist Church in Decatur.
SERVICE for Paul Matthew Hurtado, 45, of Weatherford is 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Wise County Event Center in Decatur
Come on Decatur, Beto is bad news.