PARADISE TRUSTEES NAME ACTING SUPERINTENDENT — The Paradise ISD Board of Trustees on Monday night voted to name current assistant superintendent Robyn Gibson as the district’s acting superintendent following the departure of Will Brewer. Gibson will take over as the district’s leader on May 31, the day after Brewer’s resignation goes into effect. Brewer is leaving Paradise after 2 1/2 years to become the superintendent at Jim Ned CISD. Trustees voted unanimously on both accepting Brewer’s resignation and naming Gibson as acting superintendent. Gibson is in her 29th year of education, with the last 12 spent in Paradise. She has also held administrator positions in Bridgeport and Keller ISDs. Read more online here.
DISTRICT WEIGHS OPTIONS AFTER FAILED BOND ELECTION — The Boyd ISD board of trustees discussed alternatives regarding its current overcrowding issues at Boyd Elementary School following voters’ rejection of the district’s May bond package during Monday’s meeting. Trustees discussed the possibility of adding portable buildings to its youngest-grade level campus, as well as moving two grades to the district-owned Cornerstone Community Action Agency Head Start building — which formerly was Boyd Intermediate School — at 650 Knox Ave. The district is already planning to move its pre-Kindergarten to the head start location for the 2025-26 school year. However, the move will have minimal effect in easing the overcrowding of the elementary campus — a building that opened in 1992 with a 350-student capacity, but currently has an enrollment of about 550, according to principal Jana Clark. One of the future options talked about was potentially moving two more grade levels to the former BIS campus. Trustees discussed adding kindergarten and first grade classes while keeping Pre-K at the location, or moving Pre-K back to the elementary school and transitioning third and fourth graders to the former intermediate school campus. Other options mentioned by Superintendent Tom Woody were purchasing portable classroom buildings or calling for another bond election. Ultimately, no decision was made by the board after the discussion. Read more online here.
CASEY DEPARTS BULLS’ BASEBALL PROGRAM — The Bridgeport baseball program will have a new skipper for the third consecutive season next year. After one season in the dugout, Bridgeport coach Chandler Casey confirmed to the Messenger Monday that he is departing the program to become the pitching coach for the Madison Mallards, a Northwoods League collegiate summer team based in Madison, Wisconsin coached by former Texas Ranger Donnie Scott. Casey — a 26th-round draft pick by the Houston Astros in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft — was hired as the Bulls’ coach in July 2024, becoming the program’s third coach since 2023 after 1-year stints by former coaches Jon Lane (2024) and Chris Tiner (2023). In Casey’s lone season at Bridgeport, the Bulls were unable to record a win, going 0-23. Bridgeport finished seventh in District 7-4A after a 0-12 league run. Bridgeport athletic director Aaron Cupp told the Messenger Monday that the district’s search for the Bulls’ next coach is still ongoing.
SUNNY SKIES AHEAD — After several days of cloudy skies and storms, today’s forecast includes sunny skies with a high around 80 degrees with an overnight low of 59. Rainfall total from yesterday was 0.13 of an inch in Alvord.
PLAYOFF BASEBALL GAMES ANNOUNCED — Boyd (31-5) will face New Diana in the 3A Division II Region II final series this week at Dallas Baptist University. Games 1 and 2 are scheduled for noon Thursday and Friday, respectively. If necessary, a tiebreaker will be played at 5 p.m. Saturday. Alvord (21-7) battles Tom Bean in the 2A Division I Region II final this week at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. The series begins with a doubleheader at 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by a tiebreaker 9 a.m. Saturday, if needed.
BRUSH DUMPING FEES WAIVED — The County Dumpsite in Decatur accepts brush. To facilitate clean up due to damage from the weekend storms, the county will waive brush dumping fees at that site from now until 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE — Medicare Advisor Brian Ege will be at Decatur Public Library 9:30 a.m. Thursday to answer questions about Medicare. Stop by for helpful information and guidance in a relaxed setting.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society meets 6 p.m. Thursday at the Harding-Gregg Cabin, located at 575 County Road 4226 in Decatur. Bring your own lawn chair. Refreshments will be provided. John Misner will give the program.
DON’T GET SCAMMED — The Decatur Public Library will hold a “Lunch and Learn” 12:15 p.m. Thursday. The topic will be on avoiding scams. Learn how to protect yourself from common scams and frauds with helpful tips and expert advice. Bring your lunch.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Paradise Historical Society meets 7 tonight at Paradise Methodist Church fellowship building. Carolyn Markett, a member of the musical group The Heart Strings, will speak on “The History of the Mountain Dulcimer.” Refreshments will be served after the presentation. A business meeting will also be held with topics related to planning for the 19th annual Paradise Main Street Festival Sept. 27.
FUNERALS — Visitation for Harvey Demel, 84, of Decatur is 5-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with a rosary said at 6:30. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in Lubbock at a later date.
FUNERAL for Cristi Sisco Stinnett, 50, of Paradise is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is an hour prior at the funeral home.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for James Glen Holder, 65, of Bridgeport. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Thomas Oscar Peterson, 87, of Aurora is 2 p.m. today at Aurora Baptist Church with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Elizabeth Milner, 85, of Boyd is pending at Hawkins-Boyd.
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