Update for Thursday, March 28, 2024

INGRAM HELPS TWU REACH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — Bridgeport’s Ashley Ingram recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in Texas Woman’s University’s 68-52 NCAA Division II Final Four win over Ferris State Wednesday. The Pioneers will play in their first National Championship game against Minnesota State 7 p.m. Friday at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri. Minnesota State held on to defeat Cal State San Marcos in its semifinal game Wednesday, 70-68.

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.

COUNTY HOLIDAY CLOSINGS — All Wise County administrative offices will be closed Friday for the Easter holiday. Some offices may close early today, so call ahead for hours. Wise County Public Works will be closed Friday, but dumpsites will be open Friday and closed Saturday.

HOUNDS, LADY HOUNDS FINISH FOURTH — The Slidell Hounds and Lady Hounds combined for 21 total bids at the District 22A championships Tuesday at Bowie High School. The Lady Hounds finished fourth in the team standings with 92 points and claimed 11 area berths. Freshman Allison Weathers ran 13:58.92 to win the district title in the 3,200. She also grabbed bronze in the 1,600 (6:25.88) — about 2 seconds behind teammate Cameron Brown (6:23.26) — and qualified in the 4×200 (2:15.53) with Noemi Sandoval, Neishaly Mercado and Jerry Hardin. Sam Ricketts threw 90-00 for a silver finish in discus. Gonzalez finished third in the 300 hurdles (1:01.08) and 4×100 (1:02.54) with Noemi Sandoval, Aliah Chairez, and Mercado, and earned an area berth in the 400 (1:10.88). Avery Weathers clocked 14:52.84 to garner bronze in the 3,200. Sarah Cox placed third in shot put with a throw of 27-10.50. Slidell’s Elissa Howerton, Keisha Coffman, Jaydyn Bruggink and Zada Jospeh will also advance to area after placing fourth in the 4×400 (6:19.55). The Hounds picked up 10 area bids and finished fourth with 96. Khari Woodson, a 2023 1A state qualifier, claimed five total medals. He won individual district titles in the 100 (11.67), 110 hurdles (17.00) and triple jump (43-07.25), and teamed up with Ezequiel Sandoval, Joseph Ortiz and Fabian Gonzalez to win the 4×100 in 47.26. Woodson also leaped 19-06.50 to grab silver in long jump. Fabian Gonzalez clocked 55.61 to finish second in the 400, and qualified for area in the 200 (25.23). Christian Torres was the Hounds’ lone bronze medalist at the league meet, running 11:42.44 in the 3,200. The Hounds added a pair of area qualifiers, as Austin Zuniga (shot put — 32-05) and Colt McCasland (discus — 92-00) placed fourth. Slidell’s qualifiers will compete at the District 21/22 Area championships, scheduled for Monday, April 8 at Graford High School.

SHELTER OPEN ON SATURDAYS — The Wise County Animal Shelter is now open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday for adoptions and meet-and-greets. Volunteer dog walkers are also needed. The shelter is located at 119 Private Road 4195 in Decatur, near the county dump. Call 940-627-7577.

EASTER EGG HUNT — The Bay Church in Runaway Bay will hold an egg hunt 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. In addition to an Easter egg hunt, it will also include prizes, bounce houses, food and drink.

PLAYOFF SOCCER — Bridgeport (18-3-1) will take on Stephenville in a 4A area match 6:30 p.m. today at Mineral Wells High School.

WISE ATHLETES EARN TABC ALL-REGION AWARDS — Following their final run through the Class 1A playoffs, the Slidell Hounds recently brought home a trio of postseason awards. Slidell’s Manny Peralta, Kaden Spoon and Kayden West earned 1A Region III all-region honors from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Decatur’s Javen Colbert was selected to the 4A Region I all-region team, while Paradise’s Andrew Messenger picked up 3A Region II all-region honors. In girls basketball, Decatur’s Bralyn Peck and Laken Coffman were named to the 4A Region I all-region team, and Paradise’s Gazey Yates was a 3A Region II all-region pick.

WISE COUNTY CHAMBER LUNCHEON — The Wise County Chamber Luncheon is 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at Weatherford College Wise County.

SUNRISE SERVICE — A community Easter Sunrise Service will be held 7 a.m. Sunday at the Methodist Camp overlooking Lake Bridgeport. It will include singing, a message, communion and refreshments. Sponsored by the Decatur and Jacksboro First United Methodist Churches.

SOFTBALL — Decatur (5-14-1, 2-1) will face Bridgeport (4-10, 2-1) in the first Battle of Big Sandy rivalry contest 7 tonight at Bridgeport High School. Boyd (19-6, 5-2) travels to Whitesboro for a 10-3A battle at 7 p.m. Paradise (12-11-1, 4-3) is home against Pilot Point at 5 p.m.

BASEBALL — Decatur (14-6, 3-0) and Bridgeport (2-7, 0-3) will close their District 8-4A Battle of Big Sandy series 7:30 tonight at Bridgeport High School. In 10-3A, Boyd (17-2-1, 5-0) will look to pick up the series sweep against S&S 7:30 p.m. at home. Paradise (12-7, 3-2) will host its series finale against Ponder at 7:30 p.m.

TRACK — Decatur and Northwest will compete at the Dragon Relays today at Southlake Carroll High School. Bridgeport is participating in the Bullfrog Relays at Lake Worth High School. Boyd and Paradise will take Part in the Ponder Relays at Ponder High School. Alvord and Chico will run at the Era Invitational at Era High School.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society will hold its general meeting noon today at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. Bring your own lunch, dessert and drinks will be furnished.

EGG HUNT — Decatur Public Library will hold its annual Easter Egg hunt at Decatur City Hall Friday. Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. Children ages 0-5 are welcome to hunt eggs and do Easter crafts. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance for photos. Call 940-393-0290 or visit Decatur Public Library on Facebook.

VSO OFFICE CLOSING — The Wise County Veterans Service Office will close at noon today and will be closed on Good Friday for the Easter holiday. The office will reopen Monday at 8 a.m.

BOYD MENTAL HEALTH NIGHT — Boyd ISD’s second annual Mental Health Night is 5:30-7 tonight in the Boyd High School Cafetorium, 700 Knox Ave. This is a free community event, with the goal of making sure students and parents know what resources are available for them in and around Wise County regarding mental health. More than 15 counseling agencies will be available. Keynote speaker is Brad Hunstable, founder of Hayden’s Corner, an organization that focuses on teen suicide prevention and mental health.

GOOD FRIDAY CROSSWALK — Local churches and community members are invited to join the third annual Good Friday Cross walk Friday. Participants will meet 11 a.m. at Rann Elementary, begin the 1.8 mile walk to Kenny Renshaw Park at 11:15 a.m., then praise, worship, picnic and enjoy fellowship at 11:45 a.m. Drop your picnic lunch, blanket and lawn chairs at Renshaw Park before the walk. Visit Good Friday Cross Walk on Facebook.

FUNERALS — Memorial visitation for Scotty Lee Reed, 42, of Decatur is 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

MEMORIAL service for Fletta Barrett, 90, of Decatur will be held at a later date. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Robert “Bob” Modlin, 82, formerly of Bridgeport is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.

SERVICE for Inez “Nana” Lee, 100, of Paradise will be held at a later date. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for Ronnie Hughes, 57, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the church. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.