SHOOTING SUSPECT CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER — The suspected gunman arrested in the death of a Boyd resident Sept. 8 is now facing a capital murder charge. Jose Diaz-Martinez, 33, of Boyd was charged for capital murder by terror threat/other felony this week in connection to the death of 33-year-old Elias Torres, according to jail records. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said law enforcement responded to a home on Private Road 3459 west of Paradise just before 4 a.m. for the reported shooting. “(Diaz-Martinez) was estranged from his wife, and he went in and shot her boyfriend,” Akin told the Messenger last week. The Wise County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) initial investigation indicated that three shots were fired. Torres, who was described as a business owner and father, was pronounced dead Sept. 8 after he was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Diaz-Martinez was eventually apprehended by Texas Highway Patrol in the Texas Panhandle around 8:15 a.m. after a BOLO (Be On The Lookout) alert was issued to law enforcement agencies. Diaz-Martinez was transported from the Donley County Jail to the Wise County Jail Sept. 12 and initially booked on the charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of abandoning a child. Two children — ages 2 and 6 — were initially thought to be missing and possibly abducted by Diaz-Martinez, which prompted an Amber Alert on the morning of Sept. 8, but the children were located safe a couple of hours later at a nearby home, Akin said. The Texas Rangers have assisted the WCSO in the investigation. Akin said multiple weapons have been recovered, including what investigators believe is the murder weapon. Diaz-Martinez remained in the Wise County Jail as of Wednesday morning. His posted bond remains at $400,000.
CITY OF ALVORD MOVES TO 4-DAY WEEK — The City of Alvord announced Tuesday that it will be transitioning to a four-day work week beginning Oct. 7. With the change, City Hall hours have been extended to 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. “We’re excited to let you know we’ll be open through lunch and you’ll get to enjoy city hall being open an extra hour in the morning and in the evening,” the city announcement said.
ALL-AMERICAN, TCU HALL OF FAMER DEAD AT 61 — James Maness, a Decatur High School alumni who went on to become a two-time All-American in track and an All-American in football during his time at Texas Christian University died Saturday. He was 61. The TCU Hall of Famer had been battling Alzheimer’s disease. After his decorated college career, Maness was drafted by the Chicago Bears and was on the 1985 Super Bowl team. Maness retired from football and his business career in Azle. A private family gathering will be held in lieu of services. The family requested that those wishing to honor Maness consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
TASTE BRIDGEPORT — Taste Bridgeport returns 5 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in downtown Bridgeport. The event features local food and tastings from North Texas wineries, brewers and distilleries with a live concert by Texas, Whiskey and You. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at bridgeportchamber.org.
WILDFIRE MITIGATION CONFERENCE IS SATURDAY — The Wise County Office of Emergency Management and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Fire Convention Sept. 28 to connect landowners with resources and information on prescribed burning and other land management tools. One of the goals of the convention is to form a local Prescribed Burn Association to make the wildfire mitigation more accessible to landowners. The convention is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Decatur Conference Center. To register for the event, go to wcmess.com/fireconvention2024 or call 940-627-5870.
MAIN STREET FESTIVAL — The Paradise Main Street Festival is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28. It will feature live entertainment, a car show, quilt show, vendors, food trucks, a tractor show, raffles and a silent auction. The event is hosted by the Paradise Historical Society. Visit paradisehistoricalsociety.org.
LYNDON BE FREE — The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas are waiving fees at day-use recreation sites on September 28 for National Public Lands Day, which includes the LBJ National Grasslands. “National Public Lands Day is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to give back to the public lands that give us so much. The national forests and grasslands offer recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and natural resources, and through our collective efforts with partners and volunteers, we ensure these treasured landscapes are protected and maintained for future generations to enjoy.,” Forest Supervisor Kimpton Cooper said. Camping fees remain in effect, but day-use fees are waived on Saturday, September 28, at these recreation areas and trails: Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands: Coffee Mill Lake, Black Creek Lake, and East Lake Crockett. Angelina National Forest – Boykin Springs, Caney Creek, and Townsend. Sabine National Forest – Haley’s Ferry, East Hamilton, Indian Mounds, Lakeview, Willow Oak, and Red Hill Lake. Davy Crockett National Forest – Ratcliff Lake. Sam Houston National Forest: Cagle Boat Ramp, Scotts Ridge Boat Ramp. For more information, contact the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson Grasslands at 940-627-5475, or visit the website at www.fs.usda.gov/texas.
NIGHT OUT — Addy’s Hope, a Decatur-based nonprofit adoption agency, will host its annual Night Out event featuring Lawson Harris 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Covered Bridge Venue in Springtown. The dinner and dance is a fundraiser for the organization and will also include silent and live auctions. Visit addyshope.org.
VOLLEYBALL RESULTS — Decatur (17-11) moved to 4-0 in District 7-4A with a road sweep against Lake Worth Tuesday, 25-16, 25-12, 25-16. Bridgeport (0-28, 0-4) remains winless after being swept by Krum 25-10, 25-11, 25-6. Boyd (23-4) and Paradise (15-15) are both 2-1 in 10-3A after earning sweeps against Whitesboro (25-17, 25-17, 25-17) and Pilot Point (25-10, 25-13, 25-11), respectively. Alvord (20-13) was swept by Garner (scores not reported). Chico (21-7) knocked off Newcastle in four sets, 25-17, 25-16, 21-25, 27-25. Northwest (19-10, 2-5) earned its second 4-6A victory by sweeping Euless Trinity, 25-16, 25-19, 25-12. VCA (14-4-1) improved to 4-1 in TAPPS Division II District 2 with a 4-set win over Harvest Christian Academy, 26-28, 25-20, 25-22, 25-14.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE for JACQUELINE “JACKIE” SMITH, 70, of Decatur is 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Hawkins Funeral Home Decatur is handling arrangements.
SERVICE is pending for GAYLA LIPTACK, 83, formerly of Bridgeport at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE for JOHN BARNES, 76, of Boyd is 2:15 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 8 at DFW National Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
SERVICE PENDING for BILLY CURRY, 62, of Newark.
NO SERVICES for ELVIN FOX, 65, of Bridgeport will be held at this time. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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