TEMPS EXPECTED TO CLIMB ABOVE FREEZING TODAY — Wise County is expected to see temperatures climb above freezing for the first time since Friday this afternoon. Temperatures have been below freezing in Decatur since 6:30 p.m. Friday, but the forecast calls for temperatures to reach 32 degrees by early afternoon and climb to a high of 39 later today. Temperatures are expected to fall to around 18 with the possibility of freezing fog Wednesday morning.
ROAD CONDITIONS REMAIN POOR — Roads continue to be covered with a layer of ice this morning. While highways cleared and treated by the Texas Department of Transportation are more passable, side streets remain extremely slick, local officials report. Yesterday afternoon’s sunshine caused some melt, but that has only served to make things more slick. “That thermal melt has impacted us in a negative way,” said Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford. “The water on top of this packed ice, sleet and snow has refrozen and it’s making it much more slick.” Decatur City Manager Nate Mara reported public works crews continue sanding and treating roadways and known problem areas. He said they are preparing for anticipated water service turnoffs as thawing begins and residents repair burst pipes.
HOSPITAL REPORTS INCREASE IN WEATHER-RELATED INJURIES —Medical City Decatur’s emergency department is reporting a noticeable increase in weather-related injuries, according to a hospital press release. Emergency department Medical Director Dr. Michael Hong said staff have treated a range of injuries tied to the winter weather, including car accident injuries, wrist and hip fractures, and head injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents on ice. “Most of these injuries happen in a split second and often on ice the patient did not see,” Hong said in the release. “A single patch of ice can change everything.” Hong also advised against pulling sleds behind vehicles. “It may seem fun in the moment, but sledding behind a moving car is extremely dangerous,” he said. Read more online here.
SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED — School districts in Decatur, Bridgeport, Northwest, Boyd, Paradise, Slidell, Chico and Alvord as well as Victory Christian Academy and Wise Christian School will be closed Tuesday due to the ongoing icy conditions.
COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED — All Wise County government offices will remain closed today due to icy conditions. The Texas Department of Public Safety office in Decatur will also remain closed today. A full list of closures can be found here.
CHAMBER LUNCHEON CANCELED — The January Decatur Chamber of Commerce luncheon has been canceled due to weather. Members who have paid for the luncheon will receive credit to use at the February luncheon.
BLOOD DRIVE — Alvord High School will host a Carter BloodCare blood drive 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Band Hall. Sign up at wcmess.com/AHSdonate12826.
FUNERALS — Service for John Waggoner Polhemus, 76, of Decatur is 2 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur. Family visitation is two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
GRAVESIDE service for Howard Freitag, 98, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for James Archer, 81, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Friday at Hawkins-Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation is 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
MASS of Christian burial for Benita Gonzalez, 67, of Bridgeport is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in Bridgeport with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with rosary said at 7.
FUNERAL for Lorenzo Garza Sr., 81, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at The Mexican Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
GRAVESIDE service for Timothy Schmidt, 72, of Chico is 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday before the service at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for John McNamara, 61, of Highland Village is 6 p.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is 5 p.m., one hour before the service.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Jimmy Mitchum, 71, of Bridgeport. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
SERVICES for Nora McBee, 90, of Chico; Juanita Laurel, 79, of San Antonio; and Terry Baker, 75, of Paradise are pending at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Loading Comments