NOT WASHED — Thaine Laaser and Dylan Nation were crowned Reunion washer tournament champions for the fourth time at the 16th annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce Put Yo’ Money Where Yo’ Mouth Is Washer Tournament, adding more golden washer hardware to their dynastic resume in the early hours of Wednesday morning. More than 90 teams entered this year’s tournament. More competition is on deck tonight at the 144th Wise County Old Settlers Reunion with the return of the grass bash volleyball tournament. Proceeds from the 4th annual Grass Bash support the Lady Eagles Volleyball Booster Club. Registration begins at 7 p.m. with the first serve at 8 p.m. See additional coverage of Reunion, including photo galleries from each night, on the Wise County Messenger Facebook page.
BULLS TIE FOR 11TH AT PGA INVITATIONAL — The Bridgeport Bulls golf team carded a 3-round 879 (292-293-294) and finished outside the top 10, tying for 11th with Massachusetts’ St. John High School at the 2025 PGA National High School Invitational Tournament, held Sunday through Tuesday at Pinehurst Resort. Collin Moody led the Bulls’ scorecard with a 1-under par 215 (74-68-73), tying for 24th. Bridgeport’s roster also included Colten Paradise (T-78, 70-75-77—222), Zach Kehoe (T-108, 73-76-77—226), Brady Mann (T-108, 75-79-72—226) and Aiden Green (T-117, 81-74-72—227). Rory Asselta, a freshman from St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, claimed the individual tournament title, shooting a blistering 16-under par 200 (65-66-69). Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, Virginia walked away with the team championship, amassing a team total 851 (275-292-284).
GIFT OF THE BADGE REPLACES DISSOLVED WCSO PROGRAM — The Wise County Sheriff’s Office has begun fundraising efforts for Gift of the Badge, a new charitable program that replaces Santa’s Deputies after the original nonprofit was dissolved earlier this year. The nonprofit was disbanded in January following a change in leadership at the sheriff’s office. After Sheriff Cary Mellema was elected, the board of Santa’s Deputies, which included a few recently terminated staff members and leaders of the previous administration, voted to formally dissolve the organization, the Messenger confirmed last week. WCSO Sgt. Brett Yaro, who helped found both Santa’s Deputies and Gift of the Badge, said the original program officially launched 10 years ago. It achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2021, according to county auditor Ann McCuiston. The program grew to assist several hundred families each Christmas with donated toys, food, clothes and other basic necessities to help people in need get through the holidays, with proceeds from parking cars at Reunion serving as the primary fundraiser. The Santa’s Deputies board met in January and voted to dissolve the program. Former Sheriff Lane Akin said the board didn’t feel that the nonprofit would be able to continue in its existing form after several key members of Santa’s Deputies were terminated. The remaining funds, $14,655.75, were donated to the family of Lex Love, a WCSO deputy who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 2, 2024. Akin provided a photo of a cashier’s check made out to the late deputy’s wife, Alyssa Love, and father-in-law, Danny Byler. He said it was directed to fund a scholarship program in Love’s name. Read more at wcmessenger.com
DIFFIE DEPARTS — Slidell golf coach Shea Diffie resigned after four years at the school district. After adding golf to its athletic offerings in the 2022-23 school year, the Hounds earned back-to-back District 22-A and 1A Region III titles in 2023 and 2024 before moving up to Class 2A. Diffie also coached the Lady Hounds basketball team from 2022 to 2024. The team went 45-20 under Diffie, earning the program’s ninth consecutive league title and advancing to the 1A Region III final in 2023. Diffie stepped down before the start of the 2024-25 season, and was replaced by assistant coach Dallas Taylor, who previously coached at Northwest and Bridgeport. He also served as Slidell ISD’s Elementary Behavior and Safety/Security Coordinator in his final year with the district. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
CITY OFFICE HOURS CHANGING — Beginning July 28, Newark city offices will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays.
PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR ESD NO. 4 — A public hearing for the proposed Wise County Emergency Services District No. 4 (ESD No. 4) will take place 8:30 a.m. July 28 in the courtroom at the Wise County Law Enforcement Center, 200 Rook Ramsey Blvd. in Decatur. After the hearing, Wise County commissioners will consider placing the issue on the November ballot. The proposed ESD No. 4 is an effort coordinated by Alvord, Chico, Crafton and Sand Flat volunteer fire departments.
WATER DISINFECTANT CONVERSION FOR WEST WISE — West Wise SUD will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion began Monday and continues through Aug. 13. During this period, customers may experience taste and odor with flushing of the waterlines. West Wise SUD will monitor the water to be sure water parameters meet safe drinking water standards. The switch is due to decreasing chlorine levels. Call James Ward at 940-683-5507 or visit westwisesud.com.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — Wise County Historical Society hosts its monthly meeting 6 p.m. Thursday (July 24) at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark will be the speaker. Ice cream will be served.
BOYD BASH — The annual Boyd Bash returns 6 to 9 p.m. July 26 at Boyd High School. It will include bounce houses (water and others), face painting, games, music and fireworks. Food trucks will also be available for meal purchases. The city will also put on a Police Motorcycle Rodeo in partnership with Spokes4Hope the same night.
FUNERALS
MEMORIAL SERVICE for MARCY ANNE JENKINS, 54, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE for GEOFFREY ISBELL, 60, of Sunset will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Community Church in Decatur. Visitation will begin at Community Church prior to the service from 9-11 a.m.
FUNERAL for BETTY (DEATHERAGE) WALDREP, 78, of Denton is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, with burial to follow at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
MEMORIAL SERVICE for RON EUGENE SAUNDERS, 73, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Vashti Baptist Church in Bellvue.
FUNERAL for CHARLOTTE MATZINGER, 79, of Cedar Park is 2 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE PENDING for PATRICK CHASTEEN, 55, of Rhome at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE PENDING for KARL BIESER, 39, of Decatur at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur. NO SERVICE at this time for WILLIAM ABEL, 77 of Boyd.
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