WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR WISE — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch that includes Wise County beginning Friday afternoon. NWS Fort Worth’s latest precipitation forecast includes a wintry mix of sleet, snow and possibly freezing rain that could accumulate and impact travel and power outages in North and Central Texas. The storm will bring an extended period of below-freezing temperatures (3.5-4 days) which is expected to arrive in Wise County Friday afternoon, with dangerous lows (15-17 degrees) Jan. 24-26. NWS models as of Tuesday showed the wintry mix of precipitation arriving around noon Friday, but it’s possible it arrives as soon as 8 a.m. Jan. 23.
COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND $137M SCHOOL BOND — At its fourth and final meeting Tuesday, the Decatur Bond Planning Committee reviewed results of a recent community survey on a potential bond election and came up with a unanimous recommendation to the school board: a $137 million bond package that would include a new middle school as well as life cycle replacement projects, technology and safety and security upgrades district-wide. The committee decided to put forth an option that would build a new middle school just east of the current middle school, which was the less expensive option of the two that were included in the community survey. The committee is expected to make its formal recommendation to the school board the first week of February.
PREDICTED WEATHER IMPACTS SPORTS SCHEDULES — With the forecast predicting winter weather for Friday, Wise County teams have adjusted their schedules for the latter part of this week. All boys and girls basketball games scheduled for Friday have been moved to Thursday, while changes have been announced for boys and girls soccer and powerlifting. To view a list of schedule changes, visit this link.
PLANNED POWER OUTAGE — A planned power outage is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. today for Oncor customers in the Paradise, Cottondale and Slidell areas. According to Oncor, the projects have been moved up from spring to try to get ahead of any possible long duration outages.
MAN JAILED FOR THREAT AGAINST STUDENT — Paradise ISD campuses were placed on a partial lockdown last Thursday after the school received a potential threat to one of its students. Law enforcement arrested a suspect in Richardson that same day. Wise County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Debus confirmed that Ivan Hernandez-Vasquez, 42, of Fort Worth was arrested on a charge of terroristic threat. According to a press release from the WCSO, Hernandez-Vasquez was arrested, “following a threat to abduct and harm a juvenile relative who attends Paradise ISD.” The suspect was not at any PISD campus, according to the statement, and there is no ongoing threat to PISD schools or the general public. Read more online here.
BOYS BASKETBALL RESULTS — Bridgeport (12-14) climbed to 2-4 in District 7-4A following a 71-49 win against Castleberry Tuesday. Decatur (8-14, 2-4) dropped its fourth league battle to Lake Worth, 71-58. In 10-3A, Paradise (24-2, 5-0) remains undefeated in district play after a 78-29 win over Whitesboro. Boyd (15-12) suffered a 65-44 loss to Callisburg, dropping the Yellowjackets to 2-3 in the league standings. Slidell (19-6) is 6-0 in 13-2A thanks to a 69-42 victory over Muenster. Alvord (10-13, 1-5) was unable to grab its second league win, falling 65-56 to Tioga. Chico (14-11, 2-4) was defeated in a district matchup by Lindsay, 80-73. VCA (17-6, 5-1) earned its fifth TAPPS 2A District 2 win by routing Harvest Christian Academy, 54-26.
GIRLS BASKETBALL RESULTS — Decatur (25-4, 8-0) secured its eighth straight District 7-4A victory with a 90-20 blowout win over Lake Worth Tuesday. Bridgeport (19-11) improved to 6-2 in league play after routing Castleberry, 94-23. In 10-3A, Paradise (24-4, 7-0) remained unbeaten thanks to a 64-25 win over Whitesboro. Boyd (11-16) dropped to 3-4 in district play with a 44-41 loss to Callisburg. Alvord (0-27, 0-8) remains winless in its 2025-26 campaign following a 50-43 loss to Tioga. Chico (16-12, 3-5) lost its fifth league matchup to Lindsay, 41-26. Slidell (14-12, 3-5) could not get its offense going in a 54-18 loss to Muenster. VCA (7-9) improved to 5-1 in TAPPS 2A District 2 with a win over Harvest Christian Academy, 39-28.
BOYS SOCCER RESULTS — Decatur (7-0-2) captured its seventh win of the season by defeating Lake Dallas at home Tuesday, 3-0. Adrian Sanchez, Calvyn Kemp and Zeke Caldera finished with solo scores.
GIRLS SOCCER RESULTS — Braelyn Meador recorded a hat trick, as Decatur improved to 2-5 following a 6-4 road win against 5A Azle Tuesday.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Wise County Historical Society will meet noon Thursday at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. Bring your lunch.
RADIO CLUB FIELD DAY CANCELED — The West Fork Amateur Radio Club’s Winter Field Day 2026 scheduled for this weekend in Bridgeport has been canceled due to the threat of inclement weather. Club members and ham operators are asked to join in the on-air annual event from their homes due to predictions of icy roads and unsafe travel conditions.
FUNERALS — Service for Paul Milligan, 72, of Denton is 2 p.m. Friday at Rise Church in Decatur. Visitation is noon-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for John Robert Debono, 80, of Aurora. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MASS of Christian burial for Benita Gonzalez, 67, of Bridgeport is Saturday (time is tentative) at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Lorenzo Garza, 81, of Bridgeport is pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for John McNamara, 61, of Highland Village is 6 p.m. Monday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is at 5 p.m. prior to the service.
GRAVESIDE service for Keith Ford, 73, of Runaway Bay is 10 a.m. today at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Joseph T. “Teddy” McKinney, 74, of Decatur is pending.
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