CHICO MAYOR, 2 COUNCIL MEMBERS RESIGN — An apparent rift on the Chico City Council led to the abrupt resignation of the city’s mayor and two council members Wednesday. Mayor Todd Blair said he notified the city in a brief email Wednesday that he would not be returning to serve in his capacity as mayor. Blair, the pastor of Christ Fellowship Church in Chico, also announced the decision publicly on social media. “I’m sorry, Chico citizens, but I can no longer remain your mayor,” Blair announced Aug. 20 on the Todd Blair for Mayor Facebook page. Blair took his oath of office May 13 after defeating incumbent Colleen Self in the May 2025 election. Joining the exodus were recently elected council members Rickey Bowling and Joe Evans. The aldermen notified Chico City Hall of their intentions to resign Wednesday. Blair said the issues “came to a head” at Tuesday’s council meeting. He said he didn’t want to go into detail about the conflict, but summarized the issue as a poor working relationship with other members of the council. Read more online here.
1 SERIOUSLY HURT IN WRECK — One person was transported to a Fort Worth hospital after sustaining life threatening injuries in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 81/287 near Ramhorn Hill Road Wednesday night. The wreck was reported around 6:30 p.m. south of Rhome near the intersection of County Road 4843. A Ram 1500 rear-ended a Ford F-150. The collision pushed the F-150 into a collision with a third vehicle, another Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. The accident occurred after traffic backed up on the northbound lanes of the highway from a minor collision reported earlier Wednesday evening. Wise County EMS Medic 3 transported the driver of the Ford, a man in his 60s, to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger said. The other two drivers were not injured. Rhome Fire Department and law enforcement also responded to the scene.
FATAL WRECK VICTIM IDENTIFIED — The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified the victim who died in Wednesday morning’s crash near Boonsville. Graci Hansen, 23, of Wichita Falls was pronounced dead at the scene. The wreck happened just before 7 a.m. on Farm Road 920 near Private Road 3738. Preliminary investigation indicated a 1997 Chevrolet 1500 driven by Hansen was southbound when the vehicle rolled over, and Hansen was ejected. A passenger, a 2-year-old child, was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, according to DPS.
BID AWARDED FOR HUB ON HALSELL — Bridgeport City Council this week awarded a $2,459,351 bid to Mann Made Construction for the Hub on Halsell downtown park project. The city received eight total bids for the project, with Mann Made Construction providing the lowest bid. City staff recommended Mann Made Construction, as well as city engineering firm Dunaway and Associates. Mann Made Construction previously worked on projects in the City of Bridgeport, including the new Champions Park on Hovey Street and renovations to the community center in 2009. The city is financing the project through $4 million in certificates of obligation (COs), which were authorized in May by the city council for the Hub on Halsell and other city-wide park improvements. Last month, Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Chris Heasley said he hoped to have dirt moving on the project by the end of September and a projected completion in the fall of 2026. Read more in today’s Wise County Messenger.
RAIN REPORT — Rainfall totals from Wednesday included 0.73 of an inch in Bridgeport, 0.54 in Decatur and 0.28 in Alvord. Today’s forecast includes a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms this evening. Otherwise it will be sunny with a high around 94.
BLOOD DRIVE — Carter BloodCare will be at the Chico Public Library 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Donors can visit bit.ly/cpldrive82225 to schedule an appointment. Contact Michelle Slonaker, 940-644-2330
CHAMBER LUNCHEON — The Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Decatur Conference Center. RSVP by noon today.
DAV INFORMATION SESSION — The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter and Auxiliary 70 will host a member information session 10 a.m. Saturday at 2801 S. Farm Road 51. Light snacks will be provided.
DECATUR SCHOOL BOARD — The Decatur School Board will hold a public hearing on the 2025/26 budget and tax rate at 5 p.m. today at the DISD Administration Building, 307 S. Cates St. Following the hearing, the board will take action to approve both items.
VOLLEYBALL — Decatur (7-0) and Boyd (7-1) will begin play at the Glen Rose tournament today. Bridgeport (2-6) is at the Haltom tournament. Paradise (5-4) is competing at the Graham tournament. Alvord (5-4) starts Day 1 of the Ponder tournament, while Chico (1-1) participates in its first showcase at the Eastland tournament. Northwest (9-1, 1-0) is hosting the Northwest ISD tournament, and VCA (5-3-2) begins play at the Poolville tournament.
FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES — Decatur will travel to face Wichita Falls Memorial in its final scrimmage 6:30 p.m. tonight at Memorial Stadium. Bridgeport takes on Boyd 7 p.m. at Yellowjacket Stadium, while Paradise welcomes Alvord to Panther Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Chico hosts Archer City at 6 p.m. Northwest steps onto the field for its only tuneup against Flower Mound 6:30 p.m. at Neal E. Wilson Jaguar Stadium. VCA heads to Perrin-Whitt at 6 p.m.
TRIVIA NIGHT — Trivia at The County Seat in Decatur, hosted by Decatur Public Library, is 6:30 tonight. The evening will include friendly competition for a chance to win prizes.
FUNERALS — Memorial service for Lori Michelle Akers, 55, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
SERVICE for Bobby Huey, 79, of Decatur is noon Saturday at First Baptist Church of Alvord. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Carrie Green, 66, of Paradise is 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant View Baptist Church with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Danny Abney, 64, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Friday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Wilma Smith, 94, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres with burial at Eastside Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
MEMORIAL service for Ozie Carter, 71, of Chico will be held at a later date. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for James Thomas Mosley, 64, is 10 a.m. Friday at Azle Land Cemetery and Memorial Park.
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