COUNTY JUDGE CLARK SWORN IN AS NACO PRESIDENT — Wise County Judge J.D. Clark was sworn in as president of the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Philadelphia Monday, elevating his position in the organization that advocates for county governments at the federal level. The path to NACo president for the 39-year-old Chico resident and former English teacher started in 2023, when he was elected as second vice president — the association’s sole elected position. He served as vice president beginning in July 2024 and now begins his year-long term as NACo president. “It’s an honor to have your county colleagues from across the nation to say, ‘we’d like to have you lead this.’” Clark said in a phone call Monday. Clark is tasked with leading an organization that represents 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs, advocating to provide national solutions and resources at the local level on behalf of 40,000 elected officials and 3.6 million county employees across state lines. Read more online here.
LEDGER NAMED STEM PRINCIPAL — Decatur’s Rann Elementary Principal Tanya Ledger has been named the new principal of the STEM Academy at Enis Elementary School. Ledger has served as principal at Rann since 2021. She will succeed the STEM Academy’s former principal, Stephanie Quarles, who has been named assistant superintendent at Paradise ISD. “Tanya Ledger will be a wonderful addition to the team at STEM Elementary, and we’re excited for what she will bring to this campus,” Decatur ISD Superintendent Taylor Williams said in a news release announcing the move. “Her dedication and expertise will undoubtedly continue to elevate the student experience at STEM and tap into the existing talent of its teachers and staff.” Read more online here.
DISTRICT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS DISCUSS FACILITY NEEDS — A crowd of about 30 people — including teachers, administrators and community members — gathered inside Boyd ISD’s Board Room Monday to identify and discuss the district’s current and future facility needs. Trustees are attempting to address student overcrowding issues specifically at Boyd Elementary School. The campus has a current capacity of 510, but the district is already planning for an enrollment of 520 at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year in August. Originally built in 1992 with a 350-student capacity, the campus is expected to exceed 600 in the 2028-29 school year, followed by 700 in 2031-32 and 800 in 2032-33. The discussion included trustees asking community members why they believe the district’s $63 million, single proposition bond failed in the May 2025 general election, the pros and cons of building a new school versus portable classrooms and how to prepare for a potential bond election in November. Read more online here.
NEW TERMS, NEPOTISM RULES PROPOSED —Decatur’s Charter Review Commission Board recommended several updates to the city charter, including changes to how long elected officials can serve on the city council in the future. The Decatur City Council held a workshop with the committee of community members to discuss proposed changes to the document. Among the recommendations is a new term limit of three, three-year terms for a maximum of nine years for council members and the mayor. The change would be staggered and would not affect the terms or potential service of any currently seated elected official. If approved, the update would allow newly elected council members to serve an additional year compared to the current eight-year limit served on two-year terms. The first seats up for election on three-year terms would come in 2027. Another notable change proposed is the addition of anti-nepotism language that would prohibit the city from hiring spouses or blood relatives of the mayor, city manager or council members. Employees who have worked continuously for the city for at least two years would not be affected. Other changes to the charter include language updates to avoid conflicts with state law and other minor adjustments to improve clarity and grammar.
YEATTS RESIGNS AFTER 2-YEAR RUN WITH EAGLES — The Decatur boys basketball program is searching for a new leader following the resignation of former coach Rob Yeatts last week. Decatur athletic director Steve Huff confirmed to the Messenger on Monday that Yeatts resigned last week, saying the former coach is going into the oilfield business. The coaching position is currently posted on the district’s website. Yeatts took over the Eagles in July 2023, replacing former coach Jake Bell after one season. During Yeatts’ two seasons on the bench, the Eagles finished with a combined 54-21 record, including a 17-7 mark in district play, earning two consecutive postseason berths. Decatur finished 29-9 in the 2024-25 season, and ended its season with an 83-71 loss to Lubbock Estacado in the 4A Region I final. Read more online here.
HUB ON HALSELL MOVES FORWARD — The Bridgeport City Council Monday approved an agreement with Dunaway and Associates for bid and construction management services for the Hub on Halsell, the city’s future downtown park/greenspace. The scope of Dunaway’s services include participating in pre-bid meetings, evaluating submitted bids, attending bi-weekly meetings with city staff and the future contractor, and making site visits when the project begins, parks and recreation director Chris Heasley said. The agreement between the city and Dunaway comes at a cost of $108,250. A pre-bid meeting will be held July 24, with bids due by Aug. 7 and the city council potentially awarding a bid on Aug. 18. Once dirt work begins, the project is expected to take between 10 and 14 months.
WATER DISINFECTANT CONVERSION FOR WEST WISE — West Wise SUD will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion began Monday and continues through Aug. 13. During this period, customers may experience taste and odor with flushing of the waterlines. West Wise SUD will monitor the water to be sure water parameters meet safe drinking water standards. The switch is due to decreasing chlorine levels. Call James Ward at 940-683-5507 or visit westwisesud.com.
SLIGHT STORM CHANCE — Today’s forecast includes a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today. Otherwise, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 92 and heat index values as high as 97.
FUNERALS — Service for Bonnie Laverne Justice, 85, of Saginaw is 11 a.m. today at Faith Tabernacle in Saginaw with burial at Dido Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MASS of Christian burial for Mark Edwin Anderson, 65, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Assumption Catholic Church with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins-Decatur with rosary said at 7.
MEMORIAL service for Barbara Ann York, 86, of Decatur will be at a later date. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Dennis Hudson, 76, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Maudie Wallace, 85, of Springtown is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for JoAnn Davis, 89, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Terry Ross, 64, of Boonsville is 10 a.m. Friday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at Boonsville Cemetery. Family visitation is 6–8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for James G. Gilliland, 83, of Montague is 2 p.m. Saturday at Freedom Life Church in Bowie with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE service for Sharon Faye Whittenburg, 82, of Boyd is 10 a.m. Saturday at Garvin Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
SERVICE for Lori Wellborn, 53, of Paradise is 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the home of Amy and Greg Fletcher in Paradise.
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