ESD NO. 4 VOTE TO BE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT — Voters will have their say Nov. 4 on the establishment of Wise County Emergency Services District No. 4 — a proposed taxing district that volunteer fire departments hope will provide more reliable emergency response for the northwest quadrant of the county. ESD No. 4 would include the Alvord, Chico, Crafton and Sand Flat volunteer fire departments. The ballot item will appear in the general election for voters who reside within the proposed district’s boundaries. Wise County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to advance the issue following a petition process and public hearing. If approved, ESD No. 4 would have the authority to levy a property tax of up to 10 cents per $100 of property valuation. It could also collect a portion of local sales tax — between 0.125 percent and 2 percent — if voters approve it in a separate election. If established, ESD No. 4 would join three existing ESDs in Wise County: ESD No. 1 in Boyd, ESD No. 2 in Boonsville, and ESD No. 3, which serves Paradise, Cottondale, Salt Creek, and areas near Bridgeport and Decatur. Read more online here.
DECATUR ADVANCES $65 MILLION PIECE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN — The Decatur City Council Monday gave staff the green light to proceed with a $65 million debt issuance that includes the construction of Decatur Fire Department’s second station and launching the city’s major water and wastewater infrastructure overhaul. The council authorized Decatur City Manager Nate Mara to proceed with the process to issue $65 million in certificates of obligation. In total, engineers with Kimley Horn have mapped out a $242 million plan to meet Decatur’s future water and wastewater demand, divided through a series of debt issuances over the next four years. Monday’s vote represented the first piece of this major infrastructure project, with the water and wastewater proceeds helping secure the initial engineering and design of future improvements to essentially double the city’s current water and wastewater treatment capacity. The funding source for the water and wastewater improvements would come from water/wastewater revenue and impact fees. The new fire station and rehabilitation of existing city facilities would be paid through the debt service portion of the city’s property tax revenue. Read more online here.
ELLEDGE NAMED RANN PRINCIPAL — Annalysa Elledge has been named the new principal at Rann Elementary School, effective immediately, Decatur ISD announced Monday. She has served as assistant principal at the campus for the past four years. Elledge will take over the position most recently held by Tanya Ledger, who earlier this month was named principal of DISD’s STEM Academy at Enis Elementary School. Ledger had served as principal at Rann since 2021. Read more online here.
WATER RESTRICTIONS — Paradise and Rhome water customers are prohibited from outdoor watering at this time after Walnut Creek Special Utility District last week announced Stage 3 water restrictions are in effect. Customers are asked to use water for essential needs only.
EAGLES RANKED IN DCTF 4AI STANDINGS — The Decatur Eagles enter the 2025 season ranked 14th in the 4A Division I standings, according to the 2025 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine. Decatur sits behind Celina, Canyon West Plains, Kilgore, Stephenville, La Vernia, San Antonio Davenport, Frisco Panther Creek, Austin LBJ, Sulphur Springs, Alvarado, Tyler Chapel Hill, Bay City and Corpus Christi Calallen. The magazine predicts the Eagles will pick up their third league title in coach Steve Huff’s fourth year, as Decatur sits atop the District 5-4AI preseason standings. Decatur running back Jake Milligan has been tapped as the district’s preseason offensive MVP. Read more online here.
TIME TRAVELING TEEN TIME — Decatur Public Library will host a special Teen Time Thursday featuring a screening of Back to the Future to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the movie and a real Delorean. The Delorean will be available for photos beginning at 2 p.m. The movie screening will take place 3 to 5 p.m. Teen Time is for ages 13 to 17, but families of all ages are invited to take photos prior to the movie screening. Call 940-393-0290.
BENEFIT RUN — The Naumann Strong 1 mile and 5K run is Aug. 16 in downtown Decatur. Proceeds will benefit Dusty Naumann and his fight against renal cell cancer. Cost is $30 per entry. Register by Friday to ensure your race T-shirt for the event. Visit wcmess.com/naumannrun25 to sign up.
POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORY WANTED — As it nears the opening of its new police station, the Decatur Police Department is seeking old photos or memorabilia of the department, its personnel, patrol cars or events from past years to include in a special display honoring the department’s history and service to the community. Scanned images may be sent to records@decaturpd.net, or bring them by the station where copies can be made, and the originals will be returned. The police department grand opening is 9 a.m. Saturday at 1601 S. Church St.
FUNERALS — Service for Robbie Jean Lynch, 92, of Denton is 10:30 a.m. today at Alvord First Baptist Church with burial at New Harp Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Charles “Charlie” Barnett, 85, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Thursday at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at Eastside Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for infant Reed Sepeda of Paradise is 11 a.m. Saturday at Cottondale Cemetery Chapel. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
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