After claiming district and region gold medals in the UIL Academics spelling competition, Bridgeport High School junior Levi Redder is ready to make his debut at the state competition. Redder has been on the spelling circuit since intermediate school. In his freshman year, he was the lone BHS qualifier for the region competition. “It’s just interesting to me. It might... READ MORE >
Wise County residents living in the service area of Wise County Emergency Services District No. 1 voted to approve a 1.5 percent increase to the district’s sales and use tax. The increase was approved by a 443-332 margin, or 57 to 43 percent. According to Wise County ESD No. 1 Board President Ken Murray, the sales tax rate residents living... READ MORE >
Voters in two-of-three Wise County school districts with bonds on the ballot voted to approve the referendums in Saturday’s election. BOYD ISD Boyd ISD’s $20 million, single-proposition bond passed by a margin of 405-360 (53 to 47 percent). It includes $11.644 million for infrastructure and plans, $5.356 million for HVAC improvements throughout the district and $3 million for land purchase, the... READ MORE >
One elderly female was injured in a structure fire that broke out in the 300 block of Latham Lane in New Fairview Friday morning. At approximately 8:30 a.m., the fire started in the bedroom of a manufactured home. The female patient, who was disabled, was able to escape from the flames into the living room but unable to exit the... READ MORE >
The Wise County Messenger received seven first-place awards, including the Sweepstakes award, at the annual North and East Texas Press Association (NETPA) Better Newspaper Contest last weekend. The Messenger earned top honors in the news writing, news photo, sports writing, sports coverage, feature photo and column writing categories. In the Sweepstakes competition, the Messenger edged... READ MORE >
The Bridgeport City Council Monday held a workshop before its regularly scheduled meeting to discuss a “Jurassic Journey” event at Endeavor Bridgeport, a drive-through activity that includes approximately 25 full size, animatronic dinosaurs along a 3-mile trail at the Northwest OHV Park. Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Chris Heasley led the workshop. He noted this has been a project he’s... READ MORE >
Three local entities are about to take advantage of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (UTGCD) rainwater harvesting grant program. UTGCD recently announced Slidell ISD, the City of Paradise and the City of New Fairview as finalists for the grant. The funds provided by UTGCD help aid the entities in their respective projects that focus on capturing rainwater for municipal,... READ MORE >
Bridgeport Intermediate fifth grade teacher Beth McLemore’s love for writing started at an early age. She can recall penning books as early as the second grade, making up call numbers and placing them on the shelves of her elementary library. “The librarian did not like that. She was very mad at me, but my teacher didn’t agree with her at... READ MORE >
For nearly three weeks in March, the Smokehouse Creek Fire ravaged the Texas Panhandle and quickly became the largest wildfire in state history. The over 1,000,000 acres burned across several counties claimed homes, farms, ranches, thousands of livestock and human lives. The fire also tested the local volunteer fire departments. While thousands fled the the region for safety, the first... READ MORE >
Texans will soon have the ability to purchase certain items tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies, which begins 12:01 a.m. April 27 and ends at midnight April 29. “Fires, tornadoes and other severe weather conditions can strike at any time, so it is important that families, homes and businesses have... READ MORE >
