STATE TO SEEK LIFE, NOT DEATH, IN MURDER CASE — The Wise County District Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty for a Boyd man facing a capital murder charge in the death of his cousin. District Attorney James Stainton announced Monday that after extensive discussions with the family of Elias Torres-Moreno, his office will proceed with the case against Jose Diaz-Martinez as a capital felony and will not seek the death penalty. If found guilty of capital murder, Diaz-Martinez would face an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. The 34-year-old Diaz-Martinez was indicted last November for capital murder of Torres, who was his cousin. In a statement sent to the Wise County Messenger Monday, Stainton said he considered many factors when making a decision on seeking the death penalty or proceeding as a capital offense. “The death penalty has been a topic of discussion, and there are many factors that must be considered in making this decision,” Stainton said. “The wishes of the family involved, the likelihood of getting a death sentence based on the severity of the facts, the extensive time delay before trial, as well as the years spent on appeal are all taken into consideration before making this decision.” Read more online here.
DENTON DEALERSHIP SOLD — The James Wood General Motors dealership in Denton has been sold to a group that also owns Audi and Acura dealerships in Dallas. The name has been changed from the James Wood AutoPark to the Tom Clark AutoPark, “We have certainly enjoyed being a part of the Denton business community for the past 34 years,” said Raymond Wood, president of the dealership. “The rapid growth of Wise County, the original home of the James Wood dealerships, made it important that we concentrate on our dealership in Decatur.” The sale of the Denton dealership was finalized on Monday.
MUNICIPAL COURT CLOSURE — The Decatur Municipal Court will close early at 5 p.m. today. Court staff will join the Decatur Police Department for its annual National Night Out Event 6-8 p.m. downtown.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — Bridgeport Mobile Pantry at First Methodist Church is 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Vehicles can line up in the middle school parking lot before 7:15 or after 7:40 a.m. There will be vegetables, fruit, protein and other food for 275 families. Volunteers are needed at the church starting at 7. Call 940-683-2780.
MEMORIAL RUN — The 2025 Pam Worlow Memorial run (5K and 1 Mile) is 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18 in Downtown Bridgeport. The run benefits the Bridgeport Education Foundation. Register to participate, sponsor or donate at inknstitch.com/pam. Registration deadline to guarantee an event T-shirt is Wednesday.
BILINGUAL STORY TIME — Decatur Public Library will have a bilingual story time Wednesday for two exclusive times. Wonders and Wiggles at 10 a.m. is for children ages 3-5. Books and Giggles at 10:45 a.m. is for children ages 0-5.
VOLLEYBALL — Decatur (31-5, 6-2) looks to end a 2-game skid with a District 7-4A road battle against Castleberry tonight at 6. Bridgeport (9-23, 1-7) takes on Lake Worth in a league match 6 p.m. at home. In 10-3A, Boyd (24-9, 6-0) tries to stay unbeaten in district play, as the Lady Jackets host Ponder at 6 p.m. Alvord (16-16, 2-2) hosts Chico (11-18, 1-3) in the first 9-2A Battle of Texas 1655 rivalry match 6 p.m. at Alvord High School. VCA (22-6-2, 10-0) will attempt to claim its 11th TAPPS 2A District 2 victory in a home battle against Nazarene Christian University at 6 p.m.
RHOME PD NIGHT OUT — Rhome Police Department will host its National Night Out event 6 to 8 tonight at Rhome Family Park. It will feature free food, bounce houses, face painting, vendors, emergency vehicles, animal adoptions and more.
NIGHT OUT IN BOYD — Boyd Police Department will hold a National Night Out event 6 to 9 tonight at Snodgrass Park.
FUNERALS — Graveside service for Jerry Claude Selph, 85, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 10:30 a.m. before the service at the cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Gary Sherman Peterson, 84, of Runaway Bay is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins-Decatur.
GRAVESIDE service for Bobby Underhill, 85, of Paradise is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Wilson Prairie Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE service for Kathryn Cross, 67, of Chico is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Ronald “Ronny” Williams, 74, of Perrin is 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Fellowship Church in Paradise. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hudson & Torres.
GRAVESIDE service for Barbara Bohannan, 71, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Monday at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Lou Anne McCarroll, 72, of Slidell is 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at First United Methodist Church of Denton.
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