MORAIRITY PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING DAUGHTER — A Decatur man has pleaded guilty to capital murder of his 11-year-old daughter. Robert Aaron Morairity Jr., 47, entered his plea in 271st District Court in Decatur Monday and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of his daughter, Rachel Morairity. District Attorney James Stainton said the case did not meet the requirements as a death penalty case due to the age of the victim, meaning life in prison without parole was the maximum sentence in the case. The state also agreed not to prosecute Morairity for murder in the case of his wife, Kimberly Kellum. The bodies of the 41-year-old Kellum and Rachel Morairity were found in June of 2023 at their home in the 1300 block of County Road 4371 in Decatur. Read more online here.
STRUCTURE FIRE — Two unoccupied mobile homes were destroyed in a fire Tuesday off of County Road 1180, near the roadside park and Ritzy B’s north of Decatur. The fire was reported at approximately 6:30 a.m., with callers and first responding units from Alvord Volunteer Fire Department and Decatur Fire Department reporting heavy smoke visible from U.S. 81/287. Wise County Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty said one single-wide mobile home, that appeared to be the origin of the fire, had burned to the ground and a second single-wide trailer was fully involved as firefighters reached the scene. He said it did not appear that the second mobile home could be salvaged. No one was injured in the fire, he said. The fire was under control at around 7 a.m. Crews from New Fairview Fire Rescue, Sunset Volunteer Fire Department and Wise County EMS also responded to the scene. Wise County Precinct 4 also assisted in clearing the scene, Doughty said.
BOYD ISD HIRES ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT — The Boyd ISD board of trustees voted 6-0 Monday to approve the hiring of Jody Flowers as the district’s new assistant superintendent and director of curriculum. Flowers is in his fourth year as the Director of Academics at Axtell ISD. The hiring fills the vacancies left by former assistant superintendent Chris Chappotin and Director of Curriculum Heidi Chappotin, who took the same positions at Rio Vista ISD in November. Trustees also unanimously voted to approve the 2025-26 instructional calendar after receiving feedback from a survey sent out by the district. The district plans to release the calendar via its website Tuesday. Among the board’s other business included a budget amendment of $18,950 for the athletic department to order new football uniforms through a new partnership with Adidas. Read more online here.
TURNING UP THE HEAT — Today’s high temperature is expected to be near 90 degrees under sunny skies. Overnight, the forecast includes a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Should storms develop, there is a low chance that some storms may be severe with damaging downburst winds and large hail the primary threat, according to the National Weather Service.
BOYS PLAYOFF SOCCER RESULTS — Bridgeport (13-6) earned its second gold ball trophy by outlasting El Paso Irvin 3-2 in a 4A Division II area battle Monday at Midland’s Astound Stadium. The Bulls will advance to the winner of the Brownwood/Benbrook second-round matchup in the 4AII regional semifinals later this week. Game details have not been released.
RECEPTION FOR NEW SUPERINTENDENT — Decatur ISD will host a special reception for new superintendent Taylor Williams 5:30-6:30 p.m. today at the DISD Administration Building. RSVP to wcmess.com/disdreception32525.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society meets noon Thursday at Grace Baptist Church. Bring a lunch. Donna Weeden will provide a presentation on Machine Gun Kelly.
SOFTBALL — Decatur (10-4, 4-1) seeks its fifth District 7-4A win, as the Lady Eagles host Burkburnett tonight at 6. Bridgeport (2-12, 1-5) welcomes Krum for a non-league matchup at 7 p.m. Boyd (18-3-2, 5-0) hits the road for the first 10-3A Battle of Texas 114 rivalry game against Paradise (12-5-2, 3-2) 5 p.m. at Paradise High School. Alvord (4-7, 0-2) hosts Nocona in a 10-2A affair at 5 p.m. Chico (11-7, 1-1) looks to rise above .500 in district play with a road battle against Muenster at 5 p.m.
BASEBALL — Decatur (6-12-1, 2-0) jumps back into District 7-4A action with a series opener against Lake Worth 6:30 tonight at Lake Worth High School. Bridgeport (0-13, 0-2) continues searching for its first league win, as the Bulls host Springtown at 6:30 p.m. In 10-3A, Paradise (3-5-2, 2-0) welcomes Boyd (17-1, 4-0) in the Battle of Texas 114 series opener at 7:30 p.m. Alvord (10-2) will battle Chico (0-10-1) in a Battle of Texas 1655 doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. at Alvord High School.
PLAYOFF SOCCER — The Decatur Lady Eagles (15-5-2) will face San Angelo Lake View in a 4A Division I area round battle 2 p.m. today at Astound Stadium in Midland. The Decatur Eagles (19-0-2) will then take on El Paso Ysleta in a 4AI second-round clash at 4 p.m.
FUNERALS — Service for Jeremy Lee Pratt, 44, of Rhome is 2 p.m. today at Aurora Baptist Church with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Ted Ferrier, 89, of Chico. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Rose Royals, 83, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Lurae “Looie” Biffar, 79, of Lewisville 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.
GRAVESIDE service for Mary Garrett, 76, of Chico is 2 p.m. Thursday at Chico Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Patsy Jean Kelley, 82, of Haltom City is 2 p.m. Saturday at North Pointe Baptist Church in Hurst with burial at 4:30 p.m. at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Linda Waldeck, 77, of Lewisville is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Estelle Seely, 85, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 1 Cemetery in Decatur. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Letha Tebbetts, 90, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
SERVICE for Monnie “B.T.” Hicks, 71, of Paradise is 10 a.m. April 12 at Community Church in Decatur.
FUNERAL for Ray M. Cobb, 92, is 10 a.m. Wednesday at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
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