HORNER PLEADS GUILTY — Tanner Lynn Horner, 34, pled guilty to capital murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand moments after his trial in Fort Worth began Tuesday morning. Horner was charged with kidnapping and killing Strand, a Paradise ISD elementary student, in December 2022. When the 297th District Court livestream went live at 9 a.m., Judge George Gallagher could be overheard talking to the defense team, and Horner, apparently about his decision to plead guilty to capital murder. This would mean the guilt-innocence phase is skipped over, and arguments over whether Horner should receive the death penalty will begin. This all occurred before jurors had entered the courtroom. Jurors are scheduled to be seated at 9:20 a.m.
BODY FOUND IN RHOME — The body of a deceased man was found Monday evening in Rhome at the railroad tracks underneath the Texas 114 overpass. According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the body was discovered by a BNSF train operator around 6 p.m. WCSO Chief Deputy Eric Debus said deputies confirmed the remains were human, but the person remains unidentified. Foul play is not suspected. Read more at wcmessenger.com.
TEEN FLOWN FROM WRECK — A teenager suffered serious injuries after their vehicle collided with a tree on Farm Road 3259 near Paradise Saturday night. The wreck was reported around 7:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Farm Road 3259, between Farm Road 51 and Texas 114. Wise County EMS, along with Decatur Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, found an SUV that had left the roadway and struck a tree at the scene. One teenage patient was seriously injured. They were flown to Texas Health Harris Methodist hospital in Fort Worth by Air Evac Lifeteam 68. It was a busy Saturday for area first responders. Wise County EMS crews responded to a total of eight motor vehicle accidents in a span of seven hours between midnight and 7 a.m. April 4.
MCDONNELL CLAIMS REPEAT REGIONAL BID — Decatur junior Kendal McDonnell will step onto the 4A Region I links once again in hopes of bringing home her first state berth. McDonnell carded a 92 in the second round of the District 7-4A tournament March 30 at Turtle Hill Golf Course in Muenster, earning an individual regional berth after finishing tied for sixth (185) with Eagle Mountain’s Brooke Borchardt. McDonnell’s regional bid is her second in back-to-back seasons, and serves as the first under Decatur coach Richard Andrews. McDonnell will play in the 4A Region I tournament April 13-14 at Lubbock’s Shadow Hills Golf Course. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
DAVIS MAKES REGIONALS FOR FOURTH YEAR — Slidell senior Riddik Davis claimed his fourth consecutive regional berth by shooting 79 for a fifth-place finish at the District 13-2A championships April 1 at Gainesville Municipal Golf Course. Davis will compete at the 2A Region 2 championships April 13-14 at the Old Brick Yard Golf Course in Ferris, and will look to punch his ticket to the state tournament for the third time in his career. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
BULLDOGS GARNER SILVER, GRAB TEAM REGIONAL BERTH — Behind four top 20 finishes, the Alvord Bulldogs quickly climbed the team rankings at the District 13-2A tournament April 1 at Gainesville Municipal Golf Course. The Bulldogs shot a total 335 to finish as the tournament’s runner-up team — 23 strokes behind district champion Lindsay (313). Alvord brought home a pair of top 10 finishes in Senior Jeremy Watson (fourth) and Rhett Richey (eighth). The Bulldogs will tee-off at the 2A Region 2 championships April 13-14 at Ferris’ Old Brickyard Golf Course. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
SOFTBALL RESULTS — Alvord (11-8-2, 3-4) dropped below .500 in District 10-2A play following a 9-3 home loss to Lindsay Monday. Chico (1-9, 0-8) suffered its eighth straight league loss after a pair of defeats in a double-header against Era, 18-3 and 17-2. VCA (7-3) fell to 6-2 in TAPPS 2A District 2 following an 8-6 loss to Weatherford Christian School.
BASEBALL — Decatur (14-6-1, 6-0) looks to keep its District 7-4A record spotless, as the Eagles open their Battle of Big Sandy league series against Bridgeport (8-13-1, 3-3) 6:30 p.m. tonight at Decatur High School. In 10-3A, Paradise (18-3, 6-0) eyes its seventh league win in Game 1 of the team’s series against Pilot Point 7:30 p.m. at Pilot Point High School. Alvord (13-6, 2-2) returns home to open its 10-2A series against Era at 7 p.m. Chico (1-11, 0-4) continues searching for its first district win in a home series opener against Lindsay at 5 p.m. VCA (1-8, 0-5) opens a TAPPS 2A District 2 series against Mercy Culture Prep 7 p.m. in Fort Worth.
SOFTBALL — Bridgeport (2-20, 1-8) seeks its second District 7-4A victory, as the Sissies travel to face Springtown in the teams’ second league clash 7 p.m. tonight. Boyd (24-2, 8-0) squares off against Callisburg in a 10-3A showdown 5 p.m. at home. Paradise (21-4-1, 7-2) takes on Wichita Falls Memorial in a non-district contest 5 p.m. at Memorial High School.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP — If you care for, or care about, someone with Alzheimer’s, the Wise Alzheimer’s Support Group will have a virtual meeting 7 tonight. Learn from others and share your experiences. For information on how to participate in the meeting call Richard, 940-255-0244.
BLOOD DRIVE — Decatur Rotary Club will host a Carter BloodCare blood drive 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Walmart in Decatur. Visit wcmess.com/donate4926 to sign up for a time slot.
DONOR REGISTRY EVENT — Medical City Decatur will host a blood stem cell, bone marrow and organ donation registry event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Through a quick cheek swab process, adults ages 18 to 55 can join the national blood stem cell and bone marrow registry. Participants will also be able to register online for organ donation in partnership with Southwest Transplant Alliance and LifeGift.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER — Bridgeport Education Foundation will host the Rock the Keys Fundraiser 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, with show starting at 8, at Marker Cellars, 1015 Halsell St. A piano artist will take live requests while a drummer keeps the party going all night. From classic rock to country to pop — if you can sing it, they can play it. For tickets email bportbef@gmail.com.
FUNERALS — Funeral for Donna Kaye Currie, 73, of Ranger is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hawkins-Decatur with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
MEMORIAL service for Edward Elsmere, 77, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Alvord. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for GH Smith, 83, of Aurora is 1 p.m. Saturday at Lifepoint Fellowship Church in Haslet. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Mike “Pup” Jones, 74, of Decatur is 1 p.m. Sunday at Oaklawn Cemetery Pavilion. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Paul Foster, 73, of Azle is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Julie Felt, 42, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for John Wayne Hood, 69, of Boyd is 10 a.m. today at Earthman Resthaven in Houston. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for William A. Scarborough, 85, of Newark is 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at Aurora Cemetery. Family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Daniel Braddock, 65, of Newark. Hawkins-Boyd is handling arrangements.
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