DEFENSE TO BEGIN CASE IN HORNER TRIAL — The defense will begin its arguments today into why Tanner Horner should be spared the death penalty for the murder of Athena Strand. Horner’s attorneys are expected to call a number of expert witnesses over the next several days to testify about Horner’s mental health and developmental delays as the jury will ultimately decide between delivering a death sentence or life without parole. The trial is being held in Tarrant County. Horner pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Strand at the beginning of his trial April 7. Follow updates on the trial at wcmess.com/athena.
BOYD APPROVES TEACHER LAPTOPS — Teachers at Boyd ISD will receive new technology in their classrooms for the 2026-27 school year after the district’s board of trustees approve spending more than $96,000 to equip educators with new laptop computers. During Monday’s meeting, the board voted unanimously to purchase 100 Dell Pro 16 PC16255 16-inch AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 250 laptops with 16 gigabyte RAM and 512 gigabyte SSD at a cost of $966.01 per unit, totaling $96,601. Boyd ISD Director of Technology Branson Hutchens told trustees the purchase includes 3-year next-day on-site extended warranties. Read more online here.
EARLY VOTING RESUMES — Following a state holiday Tuesday (San Jacinto Day), early voting in the May 2 election continues 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at seven locations around the county. A full list of voting locations by voting precincts can be found at co.wise.tx.us/315/elections. On Monday, 371 ballots were cast. Decatur City Hall was the busiest location with 208 ballots cast.
RAIN REPORT — Rainfall totals since Tuesday morning included 1.22 inches in Bridgeport, 0.48 in Decatur and 0.44 in Alvord. We’ll see patchy fog this morning with partly sunny skies this afternoon with a high around 75.
BASEBALL RESULTS — A no-hit effort from Jeremy Watson allowed Alvord (17-8, 6-3) to pick up a 15-0 Senior Night shutout win over Nocona Tuesday in four innings at Bowie High School. Colton Patton smacked a 2-run home run and Will McIntire struck out 10, as Boyd (26-2, 9-2) capped off a 10-0 run-rule 10-3A win over Pilot Point in five innings. Dawson Dunavant turned in a 5-RBI night, allowing Bridgeport (11-15-1, 6-5) to climb above .500 in 7-4A following a 21-9 blowout road victory against Burkburnett.
EDUCATOR VYING FOR ‘AMERICA’S FAVORITE TEACHER’ TITLE — A Decatur educator is in the running for America’s Favorite Teacher, a nationwide online voting contest. Decatur ISD gifted and talented coordinator Violet Wilson is seeking a spot in the quarterfinals. She is in the top-two of her group now, beating out more than 70 other nominees so far, with only the one group finalist advancing to the next round. America’s Favorite Teacher is an online competition run by Colossal Management, LLC. The contests include both free and paid voting, which the company says raises money for designated charities. Voting for the group final ends 9 p.m. Thursday. Vote at americasfavteacher.org/2026/violet-wilson.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society’s monthly meeting is noon Thursday at Grace Baptist Church. Laura Simmons will give a presentation about the research of First Christian Church in Chico. Lunch will be provided.
SENIOR PROM — The Decatur High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) will hold its annual prom for Wise County residents 55 years old and older. The “Garden Gala” is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Decatur Conference Center. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted. RSVP at wcmess.com/gardengala26.
TRASH BASH — The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) is seeking volunteers to participate in the 2026 Lake Bridgeport Trash Bash, an annual community event dedicated to removing trash and debris from around the lake, 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Participants are invited to an after-party 10 a.m. to noon at Lakefront Beach, 1650 Farm Road 1658. Register at trwd.com/trashbash. Early packet pick-up is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the TRWD Lake Bridgeport office, 1710 FM 1658 in Bridgeport.
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS — Wise Hope has partnered with North Texas Karate Academy to host a free self-defense class 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 3107 Texas 101 in Bridgeport. To register call 940-626-4855, email bmott@wisehope.org or visit the “Events” tab at wisehope.org.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER EVENT — Bridgeport Parks & Recreation will host the Mother-Daughter Global Getaway Saturday. The event includes food, crafts and fun. Times for the event are 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Register online at bridgeport.recdesk.com. Call 940-683-3480.
BASEBALL — After shifting the start of the series due to weather Tuesday, Paradise (23-3, 10-0) will face Whitesboro in a District 10-3A battle 5:30 p.m. tonight at Whitesboro High School.
FUNERALS — Memorial service for Misty Nicole Drake, 43, of Decatur is 1 p.m. May 9 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
FUNERAL for William Lance Parker, 55, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Monday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Samuel Wilson Merrell, 79, of Springtown is 1 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery.
FUNERAL for Perry Burch Reid, 77, of Aurora is 2 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Boyd with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE for Kathy Durham, 81, of Newark is 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Durham residence. Hawkins-Boyd is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Alejandro Madrigal Morales, 70, of Runaway Bay is pending at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
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