Austin Jackson


Latest Articles:

Commissioners press for safety improvements on U.S. 81/287 after March 9 fatality

Wise County Commissioners Monday passed a resolution urging the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to address an “ongoing hazard” on U.S. 81/287 after the death of a Sunset man March 9. The resolution approved unanimously Monday called for the crossover and intersection in the vicinity of U.S. 81/287 and County Road 2395 to be studied and improved immediately in order... READ MORE >

Wise Up: Lane Akin on his new book “The Point: Dawn of the Texas Meth War”

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin was once known as Joe Lane. Joseph Lane had a beard and shaggy hair as an undercover agent during the precipice of the meth boom in Texas. The undercover DPS agent made quite a few busts, and his time face-to-face with the meth boom influenced his career. It was the subject of his debut book,... READ MORE >

Decatur resident ready to celebrate century mark

  Winnie Inez Lee, one of the Wise County Messenger’s most avid and dedicated readers, is set to celebrate centenarian status Friday. The Decatur resident, better known as Nana or Nanny, will turn 100 years old March 15. As of this publication — which the soon-to-be birthday girl is likely reading cover to cover — Lee is 99 years and... READ MORE >

Bridgeport Medical Lodge shooting suspect faces murder charge

The suspect in the shooting that resulted in the death of a 39-year-old man near Bridgeport Medical Lodge is now facing a murder charge. Nathaniel Jovanni Dominguez, 23, of Springtown was arrested and booked into the Wise County Jail Tuesday with the new charge in the Feb. 18 shooting that resulted in the death of fellow Bridgeport Medical Lodge employee... READ MORE >

Decatur EDC makes Texas Economic Excellence Recognition list

The Decatur Economic Development Corporation’s (DEDC) efforts to bolster Decatur’s business landscape placed it among a select group of Texas economic development organizations. In February, the DEDC made the list of 72 organizations across the state who earned the Texas Economic Development Council’s Economic Excellence Recognition. “Decatur EDC is proud to receive this award in recognition of our organization’s effectiveness... READ MORE >

Council approves EDC pacts with two businesses

The Decatur Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) is entering into performance agreements with two manufacturing companies to bring new jobs and property improvements to Decatur. The Decatur City Council approved $315,000 in economic incentive agreements with Onyx Specialty Processing, LLC, and Classic Steel, LLC, at Monday’s meeting. Onyx Specialty Processing is a subsidiary of Goff Aerospace, which has already made a... READ MORE >

Price tag for new Decatur police station approved

Decatur Police Department’s long-awaited move from a repurposed former dormitory to a purpose-built police station will come in 2025. The Decatur City Council approved a $27,410,982 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the new police station Monday night. The new, 30,500-square foot building is expected to be completed by July 2025, with the city breaking ground on the project next month.... READ MORE >

Water tower demolition begins

The City of Decatur began work to demolish the old, decommissioned water tower on Thompson Street Wednesday, beginning the removal of a piece of the city’s infrastructure that has served Decatur for around 60 years. Crews with Hunter Demolition began staging for the project this week. They started pre-demolition cuts to prepare for the full-scale dismantling of the structure Wednesday.... READ MORE >

Showmanship winner reflects on long journey back from health complications

Decatur junior Olivia O’Brian kept her composure as the judge awarded her for her outstanding showmanship in the Wise County Youth Fair arena last week. The veteran youth fair exhibitor acted like she had been there before, containing a quick smile as she collected her senior showmanship ribbon and returned her hog to its stall.  Once away from the crowd,... READ MORE >

Hopper, Stucky set for runoff in HD 64 race

Wise County voters pushed Decatur resident Andy Hopper to a lead in the three-candidate race for House District 64 in the March 5 Republican primary. However, the long and bitter battle between Hopper and incumbent Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) has yet to be decided. Hopper and Stucky are headed to a May runoff, while Runaway Bay resident Elaine Hays bowed... READ MORE >