POCO FIRE CONTAINED TO FURNACE — No injuries were reported following a commercial fire in Decatur Monday. The incident happened just after 9 p.m. at the Entegris POCO facility located in the 300 block of Old Greenwood Road. According to emergency radio, first responders located the fire at a furnace in one of the buildings at the plant. After working with the facility’s on-site emergency teams to assess conditions and contain the blaze, crews shut off utilities and evacuated the building. “The situation has been confirmed as a single commercial process fire, and it remains fully confined to the large device,” Decatur City Manager Nate Mara said in a press release. Decatur Fire Department was in command of the scene, while Bridgeport Fire Department, Wise County ESD No. 1 (Boyd), Wise County EMS and Decatur Police Department assisted. As of 10:15 p.m. Monday, Mara said in the press release that all utilities to the furnace had been secured, and emergency responders were allowing the unit to cool before further action could be taken, as is standard practice.
SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY — Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, with more widespread storm development expected tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Potential hazards include large hail, damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes. The forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight.
COUNTY SEEKS ACTION TO REIN IN DATA CENTERS — Wise County Commissioners called on the Texas Legislature to take action to rein in the development of data centers, or give county governments the power to do it themselves, in a resolution unanimously approved by the court after a public hearing Monday. The county resolution, available at wcmessenger.com, asks state leaders to hold a special session to consider legislation to manage the impacts of large-scale data centers, addressing concerns officials say are being felt across Texas. The primary concerns surrounding these complexes are the large amounts of water, particularly with open-loop cooling systems, and the electricity needed to operate them. Read more online here.
NEW BHS PRINCIPAL NAMED — The Bridgeport School Board Monday approved Amber Gilbert as the new principal of the high school. Gilbert has worked in Bridgeport ISD for the last three years, most recently serving as the interim high school principal after former principal Kyle Hatcher’s leave of absence and subsequent resignation. Prior to her move to the high school, Gilbert was the assistant principal at Bridgeport Elementary School. According to a press release from the district, Gilbert has also worked as a middle school science teacher and coach.
PANTHERS SEEK TRIP BACK TO SAN ANTONIO — Paradise (35-2) takes on Henrietta in a 3A Division II state semifinal battle 6:30 p.m. tonight at Denton High School. With a win, the Panthers will advance to the 3AII state championship game against either Aransas Pass or Palestine Westwood 1 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
SOFTBALL RESULTS — Decatur (7-4) climbed to 3-0 in the District 7-4A standings following a 4-1 home win over Castleberry Monday. Alivia Creasser allowed one run and struck out 15 in the victory. Bridgeport (1-15, 0-3) was shut out in its league battle against Eagle Mountain, 14-0. Abby Atkinson amassed 16 strikeouts and allowed one hit, as Boyd (17-2, 2-0) claimed its second 10-3A win by defeating Pilot Point, 9-0. VCA (2-1) earned its second win of the season by routing Weatherford Christian, 11-1. Emery Dillard recorded a no-hitter with 22 strikeouts.
BASEBALL RESULTS — Caden Hill struck out 13 and allowed one hit, and finished with a two hits and three RBIs to lead Decatur (7-5-1, 1-0) to a 13-1 District 7-4A opening win over Castleberry Tuesday. Boyd (15-0, 1-0) clinched its first 10-3A victory with a 11-0 shutout win over Callisburg behind a perfect game thrown by Will McIntire. Alvord (7-1) took care of Olney in a 12-1 non-district victory. Brayden Snider belted a leadoff home run in the first inning, while Kameron Barnes racked up four RBIs. Talon Smith finished a home run short of the cycle, swinging for five hits and driving in four runs, as Chico (1-5) held on to defeat Electra in a non-league game, 19-15.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING RESCHEDULED — The Paradise Historical Society meeting originally scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled to next Tuesday, March 17, so the community can show support for the Paradise boys basketball team in their state semifinal game tonight.
DEMOCRATIC MEETING AT NEW LOCATION — The Wise County Democrats will meet 6 p.m. today at its new meeting location: Hampton Inn and Suites, 110 South U.S. 81/287 in Decatur.
STEM INFORMATIONAL MEETING — The STEM Academy at Enis Elementary will hold its second informational meeting 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. In order to apply for the lottery of available spots, you must attend one of the two meetings. For information call 940-393-7475.
COFFEE CHAT ABOUT BOND — DISD Superintendent Taylor Williams will host another Coffee Chat to provide information about the school bond package at Trinity Street Coffee Bar on the Decatur Square 7 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
SOFTBALL — Paradise (16-2-1, 2-0) faces a District 10-3A showdown against Ponder 5 p.m. tonight at Ponder High School. Chico (1-2) takes on Bryson in a non-district battle 5 p.m. at Bryson High School.
FUNERALS — Service for Bobbie Alene Laing, 63, is 2 p.m. Friday at House of Prayer in Newark. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Maria Elena Baltierra, 62, of Decatur is 10-noon Saturday at First Baptist Church in Alvord. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Phil Ryan Sr., 80, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Ronald Solomon, 74, of White Settlement. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Brandi Marris, 54, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Jay Leake, 68, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for William “Bill” Woolaver, 91, of Decatur is 2 p.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Bethel Cemetery.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Michael Johnston, 56, of Alvord. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
VISITATION for David Bradley Garrison, 47, of Drumnadrochit, Scotland (formerly of Bridgeport), is 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres.
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