NEWSOM INDICTED ON NEW SEX CRIME CHARGE — A former Bridgeport High School athletic trainer has been indicted on a new sex crime charge involving a child. Billy Newsom, 61, of Bridgeport was indicted May 22 by a Wise County grand jury on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a disabled person, a first degree felony offense, and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second degree felony offense. The latest indictment lists a single victim on all five counts, a male under the age of 17. The alleged sexual assaults happened in 2002, according to public court records. The indictment was unsealed following Newsom’s arrest on the new charges June 4. Wise County jail records show Newsom posted $50,000 bond and was released the following day. Last October, Newsom was indicted on five counts of online solicitation of a minor under 14. Read more online here.
ELECTRICAL FIRE BRINGS TRAIN TO SCORCHING STOP — A train traveling down the tracks in Alvord came to an abrupt stop Monday night, as emergency responders worked to put out a small fire. The fire broke out on one of the train’s locomotives at about 10 p.m. near the intersection of Wickham Street and Elm Street. Alvord Fire Department Chief Heather Redder said the blaze was caused by a small electrical fire in the forward engine. The flames were put out with dry chemical fire extinguishers. Firefighters then used water to cool the scene down. No injuries were reported. The response to the blaze caused emergency responders to shut down Old Decatur Road, about a half mile south of Alvord. Along with Alvord Fire Department, crews responding to the scene included Decatur Fire Department, Wise County EMS and the Wise County Sheriff’s Office.
BID APPROVED FOR NEW EMS STATION — Wise County Commissioners Monday approved a $560,200 bid to build a new EMS station in Alvord. FX5 construction, based out of Decatur, was selected by the court to build a two-bay EMS station. It is expected to house a full-time ambulance unit and a reserve unit. The station will also provide living quarters, an office, meeting space and room for future expansion. The construction completion date is October. The City of Alvord donated the land for the station. It will be located at U.S. 81/287 and Farm Road 1655, near the Alvord water tower. Read more online here.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION — Traffic on 13th Street between Edison and Wootton has been reduced to one lane this month due to construction. The project will begin with the southbound lane. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternative routes if possible.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — Bridgeport Mobile Pantry at First Methodist Church is 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Food consisting of produce, protein items and more will be available for 275 families. Park in the Bridgeport Middle School parking lot before 8 a.m. to be registered. Volunteers are needed at the church starting at 7 to unload the truck, unpack food items, bag produce, distribute food and cleanup. Call the church at 940-683-2780 for more information.
FUNDRAISER FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES — Agape and Associates, Decatur Education Foundation and Decatur Rotary Club are holding the “Agape Backpack Blessings” fundraiser with a goal to raise $10,000 for school supplies. Donations may be made at wcmess.com/backpack2025 until Friday.
LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE — Medicare Advisor Wes Carter will be at Decatur Public Library noon today to answer questions and concerns regarding Medicare. Medicare Advisor Bryan Ege will be at DPL 9:30 a.m. June 26.
FUNERALS — Graveside service for Johnny Cain, 86, of Decatur is 1 p.m. today at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Diana Geron, 77, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Geron Family Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Bette Sewell is 1 p.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Sandra Kay Shaw, 83, of Justin. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Thomas “T.C.” Redder of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Rexanne L. Hartley, 72, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for James Fahnestock is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE for Dale Anderson, 88, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Thomas Wayne Earnest, 87, of Boyd is 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is an hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Ellen Bailey, 50, of Azle is pending at Hawkins-Boyd.
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