DISD BOARD APPROVES 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK, BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR — Following a lengthy discussion of the board and a number of public comments on the topic, the Decatur School Board Monday eventually approved, by a 4-3 vote, moving to a four-day school week for the 2025-2026 school year. That came after a vote to move to a four-day school week this fall failed by a 4-3 vote. Superintendent Chad Jones began the discussion by saying based on the feedback from parents and staff, it appeared there was interest in moving to the new schedule, but he said it was his recommendation to wait until after a new school board was in place this May and a new superintendent was on board before making a final decision. Over the next hour-and-a-half, the board heard pros and cons of making the change and debated the timeline of implementation. Board member Scott Koehler, who had first brought up the idea of moving to a four-day week, made a motion to begin the four-day model this fall. His motion failed as only Sandra Schneider and Jeremy Duncan voted in favor. Board president Dylan Barnes then made a motion to implement the four-day week for the 25/26 school year, which passed with Melonie Christian, Jonathan Ross and Stan Shults voting in favor. Read more in the upcoming Wise County Messenger.
GROUP HOME SUP APPLICATION DROPPED — The property owner who was seeking to turn a three bedroom house into a sober living facility in Decatur decided to drop her request before the city council faced action on the specific use permit for the building. City staff reiterated requirements to open the home at 1900 U.S. Business 380 Monday, which would include a masonry wall instead of the current fence. Before going further, owner Debbie Lusk approached the microphone and said she was going to use the property for residential use and planned to open a larger addiction recovery facility at a different location, withdrawing her request. The city notified 12 property owners and received 25 responses from residents, both in and out of the required notification boundaries. The 24 against listed traffic, security, safety and the proximity of the facility to the homes of children as reasons for their opposition in written responses to the city.
ADDITIONAL BRIDGEPORT STREET REPAIRS APPROVED — The Bridgeport City Council Monday approved a change order in the amount of $176,693 to be used for three additional streets (Helen, Bass and Country Side Drive) in the city to repaired. In June 2023, the city council previously authorized nine streets to be repaired — which have been completed — but still have approximately $200,000 remaining for street improvements. According to public works director James Elliot, no utility improvements will be needed and he does not expect the street paving to require the movement of any mailboxes.
BOYS BASKETBALL RESULTS — Behind 34 points from Javen Colbert, Decatur (25-11) knocked out Glen Rose in a 71-56 4A Region I quarterfinal win Monday at Weatherford High School, advancing the Eagles to their first regional tournament since 2021. Decatur will play the winner of the West Plains/Canyon quarterfinal game in the 4A Region I semifinals Friday at Lubbock Christian University. Game time has not been released.
SOFTBALL RESULTS — Paradise (6-7-1) claimed its sixth win of the season in a 20-9 blowout against Bowie Monday. Alvord (3-2) suffered a 3-0 loss to Graford. Chico (6-4) routed Era, 19-8.
TUESDAY AT THE YOUTH FAIR — The Wise County Youth Fair continues today at the Wise County Fairgrounds in Decatur. The breeding dairy goat show is at 10 a.m., the meat pen rabbits and breeding rabbits at 1 p.m., the longhorn show at 1 p.m. and the breeding swine show at 4 p.m. 4-H, FCCLA and horticulture projects can be viewed from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
ELEVATED FIRE DANGER CONTINUES — After temperatures hit 94 degrees in Decatur Monday, today’s high is expected to be around 87 before a cold front moves through overnight bringing cooler temperatures. Since we’re still under elevated fire danger today, the county’s burn ban is in effect. No outdoor burning is allowed.
CAST YOUR VOTE YET? — Early voting in the March 5 primary election continues 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today at the four early voting locations: Decatur Conference Center (Chisholm Suites), 2010 U.S. 380; Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton Ave.; Bridgeport Public Library, 2159 10th St.; and Alvord City Hall, 215 W. Elm. Yesterday, another 632 ballots were cast.
TRAFFIC ALERT — The Texas Department of Transportation will begin adjusting lanes of traffic on Texas 114 in Boyd today.
ROAD CLOSURE — County Road 2195 north of Decatur will be closed Wednesday for drainage upgrades. Wise County Precinct 2 crews are aiming to reopen the road by 3 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL — Ranked No. 11 in 1A, Slidell (28-8) will face No. 1 Graford in a regional quarterfinal contest 6 tonight at Bridgeport High School. A win will advance the Hounds to the 1A Region III tournament Friday and Saturday at Mansfield High School. Paradise (25-11) — ranked 16th in 3A — battles No. 18 Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership in a third-round bout 7 p.m. at Lake Dallas High School. The Panthers could advance to their first regional tournament since 1985 with a win.
SOFTBALL — Decatur (1-7-1) will travel to face Eaton tonight at 5. Boyd (9-3) hosts a Wise County clash against Bridgeport (2-6) at 5 p.m. Paradise (5-7-1) travels to take on Bowie at 5 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER — Decatur (10-5, 5-1) will travel to face Castleberry in District 8-4A play 5:30 tonight at W.O. Barnes Stadium in Fort Worth. Bridgeport (13-2-1, 5-1) hosts Lake Worth at 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER — Bridgeport (6-8-1, 3-3) looks to break above .500 in District 8-4A play with a home battle against Lake Worth 7:15 p.m. at Bull Memorial Stadium. Decatur (11-3-1, 6-0) travels to face Castleberry at 7:15 p.m.
RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING — The Wise County Retired School Personnel meets 11:30 a.m. today at Decatur Conference Center. Lunch is $14.
FUNERALS — Memorial service for Beverley Pauline Dollie Dallas, 86, of Paradise is 3 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Joan (Foster) Watkins, 83, of Rhome is pending.
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