COURTHOUSE REDEDICATION TODAY — Three years after restoration work began, the Wise County Courthouse will be open today as the historical landmark is rededicated with a ceremony and public open house tours. State Street and Main Street on the Decatur Square will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. Grace Baptist Church will provide shuttle service, and additional free parking can be found throughout Decatur’s downtown district. Following a bagpipe prelude, the program will start at 10 a.m. on the southwest corner of the courthouse with the inaugural flag raising by the Wise County Veterans Group, the National Anthem performed by the Decatur High School Varsity Chamber Choir, and remarks from the Texas Historical Commission, local legislators and Wise County Judge J.D. Clark. After the ceremony, the courthouse will be open for tours until 2 p.m. Elevator service will not be available. ADA access to the Courthouse will be available via the southeast ramp entrance. Guests may view the atrium and use public restrooms from the accessible level, but the central staircase will be the only access to upper floors. Organizers say additional open house opportunities will be held later this fall and during the holiday season, with full elevator access available.
STATE BOARD SUSPENDS LICENSE OF DECATUR VET — The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) has suspended the license of Dr. Joshua Harvey, founder of Outlaw Equine Hospital and Rehab Center in Decatur, after an investigation found he violated numerous board rules dating back to 2023. Harvey’s license will be suspended for five years, retroactively from July 1, with an enforced suspension until Feb. 15, 2026 and probated suspension for the remainder of the term. Harvey has been on temporary suspension since July 1, when the TBVME alleged 28 separate violations of board rules and statutes, and included details of criminal allegations against the veterinarian. During enforced suspension, he cannot practice veterinary medicine and cannot supervise licensed or unlicensed veterinarians. Harvey’s probated suspension includes weekly reports to the TBVME during the first 60 days, “immediate” supervision for 60 days, practice restricted to Outlaw Equine for six months, “direct” supervision for one year, quarterly reports to the board for two years and additional continuing education annually. Harvey was also hit with a $150,000 administrative penalty. Read more in today’s Wise County Messenger or online here.
HOUNDS TAKE BRONZE, ADVANCE TO STATE — The Slidell Hounds placed third in the 2A Region II boys 5K race Tuesday at Arlington’s Harold Patterson Sports Complex with 94 points — behind regional champion Collinsville (82) and runner-up Windthorst (91) — to secure a state team berth. Freshman Cash Luig led the team with a fifth-place finish in 17:06.60. Sophomore Carter Pierce added a top 25 run, clocking 18:20.20 for 24th. The team’s additional runners were sophomore Joshua Beard (26th, 18:24.64), freshman Marshall Hooker (38th, 18:52.05), junior Mayson Taylor (39th, 18:53.30), sophomore Giovannie Peralta (104th, 20:57.67), and freshman Tre Salinas (126th, 21:37.28). The Hounds will compete at the 2A state championships 11:25 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Read more online here.
KELLY GRABS STATE BERTH — Alvord sophomore Hudson Kelly — who led the 172-runner field in the first mile — battled down the stretch to place ninth (17:26.24) in the 2A Region II boys 5K race Tuesday at Arlington’s Harold Patterson Sports Complex, clinching his first individual berth to the 2A state meet. Kelly is slated to run in the 2A boys 5K 11:25 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park. Read more online here.
GHOST WALK TOUR — The Wise County Historical Society will hold a Historic Ghost Walk Tour of Downtown Decatur 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, with tours leaving every 15 minutes from the Wise History Museum, 119 State St. Purchase tickets at the museum or at wcmess.com/ghostwalk102525.
BOO BASH — Boo Bash is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday on the Decatur Square. Area businesses will hand out candy with all kinds of community fun.
BOYD TRUNK OR TREAT — The City of Boyd’s Trunk of Treat event is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the high school parking lot. The event will include candy, costume awards, snacks, games, DJ, hot dogs and drinks.
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES — Early voting in the Nov. 4 election continues 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the four early voting locations: the Women’s Building at the Wise County Fairgrounds, 3101 S. Farm Road 51, Decatur; Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton Ave.; Bridgeport Community Center, 1102 Lawdwin Ave.; and Alvord City Hall, 215 W. Elm. Yesterday, another 313 votes were cast. Also, for voters who qualify to vote with ballot by mail and wish to do so, the deadline for the Wise County Elections Office to receive the application is Friday.
PLANNING FOR THE UNEXPECTED — Decatur Public Library’s Fab Friday session this week will feature Lisa Ash who will give a presentation on how to prepare for life events that could leave you incapacitated. The session is 9:30 a.m. Friday at the library. Learn how to ensure your rights and wishes are honored, even in situations not covered by a will or trust.
FIRST RESPONDERS HALLOWEEN — The Boos and Rescue Crews trick-or-treat with local first responders is 6 to 8:30 tonight at the Wise County Fairgrounds in Decatur. It will feature costumes, candy, games and emergency vehicles on display.
THEATER PERFORMANCE — The Decatur High School Theatre will perform “Grease: School Edition” today through Sunday in the DHS auditorium. Thursday and Friday performances are at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2. The house opens 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Email Rebecca.phillips@decaturisd.us.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL — Due to the threat of inclement weather Friday, several Wise County teams have moved up their Week 9 games. Bridgeport (1-5, 0-2) will host Eagle Mountain in a District 3-4A showdown 7 tonight at Bull Memorial Stadium. Boyd (4-3, 1-2) travels for a 4-3AI clash against Iowa Park 7 tonight at Hawk Stadium. Alvord (6-2, 4-0) looks for its fifth 6-2AI win in a home battle against Tioga 7 tonight at Bulldog Stadium. Chico (1-5, 0-2) squares off against Lindsay in an 8-2AII matchup 7 tonight at Dragon Stadium. VCA (3-4, 0-2) will face Highlands Irving in a TAPPS 6-Man Division II District 2 battle 7 p.m. at Patriot Stadium.
FUNERALS — Graveside service for Tammie Lipham King, 63, of Decatur is 10 a.m. today at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Bobby C. Jones, 84, of Jacksboro is 10 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for James “Jim” Nielson, 65, of Chico is 2 p.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE service for Marcos Dominguez Coronado, 69, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mexican Cemetery in Bridgeport. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hudson & Torres.
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