ACREE SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS IN MURDER CASE — Decatur resident Austin Acree was sentenced to 42 years in prison Wednesday for the 2023 murder of 19-year-old Matthew Brown. Acree, 20, was sentenced by 271st District Judge Brock Smith at a hearing nearly two weeks after Acree was found guilty of murder in the case by a Wise County jury May 30. Brown had gone missing March 5, 2023, and his body was found two weeks later in Deep Creek near Aurora. During the jury phase of the trial, evidence was presented that Acree and his friend Aiden Theberge took Brown to Deep Creek where they both shot him in the head and buried him in a shallow grave. At Wednesday’s hearing, evidence was presented that Acree, Theberge and Justin Carl, who are all charged with murder in the case, had been involved in a drive-by shooting in Big Spring with the same gun in November of 2022. Read more online here.
OHV PARK UPGRADES APPROVED — Off-roaders will soon have new obstacles to conquer and trails to explore at Bridgeport’s Northwest OHV Park after the Bridgeport City Council approved a grant-funded project Monday. The improvements include the construction of an off-road obstacle course, additional trails and signage at the park. A Texas Parks and Wildlife grant will cover 80 percent of the $123,000 project. The city expects to pay around $10,000 to $15,000 in direct costs for the upgrades, while also providing 150 hours of staff work. The obstacle course will feature a one-mile loop in a currently undeveloped area of the park, with smaller training zones along the trail for honing specific off-roading skills, like winch driving. Read more online here.
SLIGHT CHANCE OF STORMS — Today’s forecast includes a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning. Otherwise it will be cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 82 and a low around 69. Parts of Wise County saw a little rain yesterday and overnight. Rainfall totals included 0.41 of an inch in Bridgeport and 0.21 in Decatur.
YOUTH FISHING DERBY — The Decatur Rotary Club’s annual Youth Fishing Derby at Black Creek Lake on the LBJ National Grasslands is 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Registration is at 7:30. The event will also feature food and gift card prizes.
COLLEGE REGISTRATION OPEN — Registration is now open for fall classes at Weatherford College Wise County. Apply to the college now and make an appointment with the advisor to register in time. Visit wc.edu and click on admissions to apply. Complete the FAFSA application as well. Call 940-627-2690 for more information.
CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN LUNCH — The Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas will host its Champions for Children Lunch for Wise and Jack counties 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Decatur Conference Center. Dr. Lavinia Masters will be guest speaker. She is a childhood sexual assault survivor who has made it her life’s mission to advocate for other victims and bring about legislative change. Visit cacnorthtexas.org/lunch2025wj.
POET’S CORNER — The North Texas Poets will be at Decatur Public Library at 5:30 p.m. today. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just love to listen, all are welcome.
ALVORD TOWN HALL — The City of Alvord will host a town hall 6 tonight at city hall. Residents are asked to participate in the development of the city’s comprehensive plan by providing input regarding their ideas, goals and visions for the future of the city. The plan will serve as a blueprint for a community’s future development that ensures responsible growth, outlines desired land use and transportation, stimulates economic development, and facilitates other essential aspects. Call City Administrator Troy Gregg, 940-427-5916, for information.
FUNERALS — Graveside service for Diana Geron, 77, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Geron Family Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Bette Sewell is 1 p.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Thomas “T.C.” Redder of Decatur 10 a.m. June 21 at Decatur Church of Christ. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Rexanne L. Hartley, 72, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for James Fahnestock, 66, of Granbury is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Dale Anderson, 88, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at Eastside Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE for David Simmons, 68, of Paradise is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Thomas “Tom” Wayne Earnest, 87, of Boyd is 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is an hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Linda Duke, 83, of Chico is 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Chico with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 3 in Chico. Visitation is 1 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the church. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
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