Update for Wednesday, August 24, 2022

STUCKY TO HAVE WISE COUNTY OFFICE — Wise County commissioners approved an agreement to allow Lyle Dresher, the district liaison for Texas Representative Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger), to use an office in the Veterans Service Office to meet with constituents. Dresher said he will begin spending Mondays in the office at 205 N. State Street after Stucky is sworn into office as the District 64 representative Jan. 6. Read more in the midweek Wise County Messenger.

DECATUR COUNCIL APPROVES CHANGE TO PTO POLICY — After a lengthy discussion, the Decatur City Council approved a change in the personnel policy with how paid time off is accrued. Under the new policy, all time off would be PTO and is earned on a prorated basis according to the employee’s anniversary date. New employees start earning PTO after 90 days. For 40-hour per week employees in years one to five the annual PTO hours are 128 and employees can accrue a maximum of 256 hours. The 12-hour shift worker with one to five years earns 134 and can accrue 268 hours. The 24-hour shift worker in the category earns 154 hours and can accrue 308. Mayor pro tem Melinda Reeves questioned the change and potential loss of sick time and called the policy “not employee friendly.” Human Resource Director Maryann Henline said the accrued sick time would still be available for catastrophic events. She also said all department directors gave input and developed the policy collectively. The item passed unanimously.

RAIN REPORT — Yesterday’s rainfall totals included 0.25 of an inch in Bridgeport, 0.22 in Decatur and 0.2 in Greenwood. We have a slight chance of rain this evening, otherwise partly sunny with a high around 87 degrees with an overnight low of 70.

PARADISE MAN HURT IN CRASH — A Paradise man was hospitalized after a motorcycle wreck near Bridgeport Sunday night. According to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Ricky Hunter, Paradise resident Justin Williams was on a 2003 Suzuki Motorcycle traveling north along Farm Road 2123 before the accident. A southbound Ford Escape started to turn into a private drive but noticed the motorcycle and stopped. “Williams saw the vehicle turning into his path and took evasive action to avoid a collision,” Hunter said. “The motorcycle traveled off the road and struck a mailbox.” Williams was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR JUDGE — A retirement reception for County Court-at-Law No. 2 Judge Stephen Wren is 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Life Center of First Baptist Church in Decatur. Refreshments will be served. To include a story or message for the judge, email jenniferwrenlaw@gmail.com.

U.S. 380 TRAFFIC ALERT — U.S. 380 Business will be reduced to one lane for pavement repairs from Farm Road 51 to U.S. 380 for maintenance activities from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today through Friday. Seek alternate routes. Motorists should expect delays. Flaggers will assist in directing traffic.

VOLLEYBALL RESULTS — Bridgeport improved to 6-11 with a sweep against Waxahachie Life Tuesday 25-19, 25-18, 25-21. Boyd (13-4) outlasted Graham in five sets, 23-25, 19-25, 28-26, 25-23, 15-6. Paradise (12-7) rallied back to defeat Millsap 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23. Alvord fell to 4-10 after being swept by Henrietta 25-10, 25-15, 25-14. Chico (4-6) was defeated by Collinsville. Northwest (9-8) earned a 3-1 win over Mansfield.

BOYD AREA TRAFFIC ALERT — Texas 114 will be reduced to one lane for pavement repairs from County Road 4693 to County Road 4590 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today and Wednesday, weather permitting. Motorists should expect delays. Flaggers will assist in directing traffic.

FUNERALS — Service for Sidney Nelson Sowell, 85, of Chico is 10:30 a.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

FUNERAL for Betty Jo Bush, 92, of Boyd is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at Cottondale Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

MEMORIAL service for Misty Renee` Cabell, 44, of San Leon is 5 p.m. Friday at Cornerstone Community Church in Springtown. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Earl William Dallas, 87, of Paradise is 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hawkins Chapel in Bridgeport.

SERVICE for Randy Beam, 73, of Newark is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.

MEMORIAL service for Javonte Marquis Chaffin, 26, of Rifle, Colo., formerly of Bridgeport is 1 p.m. Friday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

MEMORIAL service for James Edelhoff, 41, of Bridgeport will be held at a later date. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Jesse Rios Brown Sr., 76, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church in Bowie. White Family Funeral Home of Bowie is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Jeffrey Warren Boston, 55, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Biggers Funeral Chapel with a reception to follow at the family’s home in Decatur.