HORNER MAKES FIRST COURT APPEARANCE — Tanner Horner made his first appearance in 271st District Court in Decatur Monday for his arraignment on charges of capital murder of a child and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Athena Strand. Wearing civilian clothes and seated at the table next to his defense attorney, Horner did not speak at the hearing or enter a plea himself, so a plea of “not guilty” was entered by the judge on both charges, per the code of criminal procedure. Horner’s attorneys also waived the reading of the arraignment, where the charges in the grand jury indictment are read in the courtroom. Last month, a Wise County grand jury indicted the delivery driver of intentionally causing Strand’s death “by strangling and/or smothering and/or asphyxiating” the child while in the course of committing or attempting to commit kidnapping. Read more online here or in the upcoming Wise County Messenger newspaper.
‘LOST BATTALION MEMORIAL HIGHWAY’ BILL FILED — State Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) has filed a bill to designate the portion of U.S. 380 between Decatur and Jacksboro as the “Lost Battalion Memorial Highway.” With the passage of House Bill 3099, the highway designation would honor the hundreds of Texas soldiers, many of whom were from Wise County, who were imprisoned in Japan for 42 months during World War II. “Today, we take the next step to further honor the brave Texans who were part of the greatest generation,” said Stucky in a Monday press release. “This is a busy stretch of highway and, once passed, this Memorial Highway will be a reminder to travelers of the sacrifice and service of the ‘Lost Battalion.’” The Lost Battalion was comprised of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th division, as well as the men who swam ashore from the Cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) after it sank. Many of the men were from Wise and Jack Counties. Read more online here.
SPILLED LOAD CAUSES TRAFFIC ISSUES — A truck lost 22,000 pounds of marble tile on Texas 114 near the entrance to Shale Creek east of Rhome Monday afternoon, leading to significant delays in the area while the spill was cleaned up. Northwest ISD sent out an alert around 2:45 p.m. saying westbound traffic was expected to see “significant delays” and that authorities expected the cleanup to take up to two hours to complete. The roadway was later cleared and traffic returned to normal.
STORM CHANCES — After another warm day today with a high near 80 degrees, storm chances return later today. Storm chances are 20 percent this afternoon, increasing to 50 percent overnight. A few storms may be capable of producing small hail, according to the National Weather Service.
SOFTBALL RESULTS — Boyd (14-5, 1-0) opened District 10-3A play with a 16-0 shutout against Ponder Monday. Brooklyn Vassar went 4-for-4 with a double, and finished with three RBIs. MeKenzie Wilson allowed two hits in four innings, with 11 strikeouts and one walk.
BASEBALL RESULTS —Troye Baker went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two RBIs to lead Alvord (6-2) to a 14-1 win over Saint Jo in the District 10-2A opener Monday. Rhett Stovall and Camron Seiter combined to allow three hits in seven innings, with nine strikeouts. Bridgeport (7-4) was limited to just three hits, as the Bulls suffered a 6-0 loss to Alvarado. Cole Holley was tagged with the loss, six runs on six hits in five innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.
BENEFIT MEAL — A brisket benefit meal for Lois Neu will be held beginning around 11 a.m. Sunday at the Chico City Park Pavilion. Money raised will go toward medical expenses for a heart transplant.
BOYS POWERLIFTING — The Decatur and Bridgeport powerlifting teams will attempt to punch their tickets to the state meet today. Decatur will host the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s Region 6 Division 2 championships inside Decatur High School gym. The Eagles will have a dozen lifters competing on the platforms — Isaac Herrera (114), Cason Wilbanks (114), Drew Gam (132), Kevin Duran (148), Giovanni Torres (148), Aaron Rushing (165), Jonathan Donahue (181), Aiden Hinshaw (198), Jorge Padron (198), Wyatt Vinzant (242), Erik Alexander (242) and Toben Petree (242). Bridgeport will send five lifters to compete at the regional meet David Godoy (114), Zandon White (132), Rowdy Parker (148), Carson Cortez (308) and Travis Horne (SHW). Lifters advancing will compete at the THSPA Division II state meet March 24 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.
SOCCER — The Bridgeport Bulls (14-3-1, 7-1) will host the Decatur Eagles (7-10, 5-3) in the second District 8-4A Battle of Big Sandy matchup 5:30 p.m. today at Bull Memorial Stadium. In the nightcap, the Sissies (9-8-2, 6-2) welcome the Lady Eagles (11-4, 8-0) at 7:15 p.m.
BASEBALL — The Chico Dragons (2-1) open District 10-2A play with a road battle against Muenster today at 6 p.m.
SOFTBALL — Decatur (12-6-1) welcomes Denison for a non-district bout tonight at 6:30 p.m. Bridgeport (7-5) travel to Graham at 6 p.m. Paradise (16-2) hosts its District 10-3A opener against Valley View at 6 p.m. Alvord (5-15) takes on Muenster in its first 10-2A battle 5 p.m. at home. Chico (2-1) starts its 9-2A schedule at home against Windthorst at 5 p.m.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP — The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet 6 tonight at Wise Christian Counseling in the Prada Shops, 1650 S. FM 51, Ste. 400. Call Pam Hudson, 940-389-0642.
FUNERALS — Service for Anna Marie “Dixie” Geron, 97, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Geron Family Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Francisco Lizalde, 76, of Paradise is 10 a.m. Friday at Hawkins-Decatur. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
SERVICE for Doris Barnard, 91, is 2 p.m. Saturday at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICES for Danielle Oren, 73, of Decatur and Janice McGee Hodges, 79, of Alvord are pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Cathy Lynn Sides, 62, of Chico is 2 p.m. Saturday at Chico Community Center. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
PRIVATE family memorial for Alfred Brown, 79, of Paradise will be at a later date. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
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