Update for Wednesday, May 24, 2023

DISD VOTES, AGAIN, TO ARM TEACHERS — With the item properly posted on the agenda, the Decatur School Board Tuesday voted 5-1 to implement the Guardian Program, which would allow trained staff to carry guns in school. The vote was nearly the same as last week’s “legally voidable” vote on the program, according to the school district’s attorneys, due to the item not being a properly posted action item. The only difference in the vote was that Scott Koehler — who made the original motion to implement the Guardian Program last week during discussion of an action item to seek a parent survey on the issue — was not in attendance Tuesday. Several board members mentioned their desire to continue working with the Decatur Police Department on security issues, but board member Stan Shults said the police department has terminated its contract with the district to provide school resource officers, which could cost the school millions of dollars over the next 25 years. Decatur City Manager Nate Mara said the city plans on continuing its relationship with the school district on security issues. Read the full story online now here or in the Thursday Wise County Messenger.

CITY PURSUES EV CHARGING STATION GRANT — The City of Decatur is applying for a federal grant that would fund the addition of public electric vehicle charging stations to Decatur City Hall and the Decatur Conference Center. The Decatur City Council unanimously approved the submission of the grant. If Decatur is awarded the grant, the city would be required to fund up to 20 percent of the costs of the project. Read more in the upcoming Thursday Wise County Messenger.

RAIN REPORT — Overnight rainfall totals included 1.25 inches in Cottondale, 1.1 in Bridgeport, 0.65 in Alvord, 0.47 in Decatur and 0.3 in Greenwood. Today’s forecast includes a 30 percent chance of more rain with a high around 79 and a low of 63.

BOYS STATE GOLF — The Slidell Hounds finished fifth with a two-day 722 (368-354) at the 1A state tournament at Plum Creek Golf Course in Kyle. Senior Hudson Franklin led the Hounds on both days of the tournament, finishing 18th overall with a two-day 171 (85-86). Dax Davis shot 178 (92-86) and tied for 28th with Springlake-Earth’s Alex Alvarez. Riddik Davis tied with Chester’s Cutter Lowe and Petersburg’s Alex Columba for 35th with 183 (94-89). Zayne Browning finished with 190 (97-93), and tied for 47th with May’s Mikey Scheriger. Caden Luig tied with Utopia’s Jay Cantu for 55th with 207 (108-99). Boyd’s Cash Myers shot 160 (80-80) to finish tied for 11th at the 3A state tournament at Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin.

DECATUR GRADUATION — Decatur High School will hold graduation 8 tonight at the University of North Texas Coliseum in Denton.

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEETING — The West Fork Amateur Radio Club meets 7 p.m. Thursday at the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department. All who are interested in ham radio, and all current ham radio operators, are invited.

EDUCATOR RETIREMENT CELEBRATION — A retirement celebration will be held at Chico Elementary School 2 p.m. Friday honoring Laina Bowyer, Blake Boyd, Tina Elsom, Donny Vernon and Linda Vernon.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The monthly meeting of the Wise County Historical Society is 1 p.m. Thursday at the Faith Baptist Church, 2882 West U.S. 380, Decatur.

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS — Alvord (25-7) takes on top-ranked Tolar in a 2A Region II semifinal series at Cleburne High School. The series starts at 6:30 tonight. Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday. A tiebreaker is slated for Saturday, if needed. Game info for the potential Game 3 has not been released.

ELDER RETURNS TO MOUND — Bryce Elder will start his 10th game of the season in Atlanta’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. local time. As of Tuesday, Elder’s 2.06 ERA was tied with Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez for fifth-best in the Major Leagues behind Minnesota’s Sonny Gray (1.64), San Francisco’s Alex Cobb (1.94), New York Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (2.01) and Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (2.05).

FUNERALS — Service for Mary Ella Wilson, 92, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Decatur Church of Christ with burial at Sycamore Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

MEMORIAL service for Carrie Lynn Waddill, 54, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Friday at Crossroads Church in Decatur. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Decatur.

MASS of Christian Burial for Isabel Delgado, 70, of Chico is 1:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church with burial at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

MEMORIAL service for Tommy D. Williams, 81, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Friday at Eagle Mountain International Church Chapel. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for George David Dunson, 65, of Chico is 2 p.m. Saturday at Paradise Methodist Church. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins-Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for infant Benjamin David Brown of Paradise is 10 a.m. today at Gateway Church in Grand Prairie with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is 9:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Rusty Garner, 40, of Chico is pending at Hudson & Torres.

FUNERAL mass for John Weiland, 86, of Runaway Bay is 11 a.m. Friday at St John’s Catholic Church. Visitation is 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Zane J. Wallace Matheson, 17, of Baggs, Wyo., is 2 p.m. Thursday at the Valley Community Center in Baggs. A reception dinner will follow. He is the son of Chris Matheson of Bridgeport.

FUNERAL for Jerry Moore, 88, formerly of Decatur is 2:30 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Funeral Home in Fort Worth with burial 11 a.m. Saturday at DFW National Cemetery. Family visitation is 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.