Brendan Marchand


Latest Articles:

Bulls roll past Stephenville in area match, 3-1

The Bridgeport Bulls kept their postseason run alive Thursday, claiming a 3-1 win over Stephenville at Mineral Wells ISD’s Ram Stadium. Despite the physicality and experience the Yellowjackets posed, the Bulls’ (19-3-1) crafty attack proved to be the deciding factor in the area round matchup. “I thought we did what we needed to do to win. There’s certain things that... READ MORE >

Paradise starts search for city administrator

The Paradise City Council Monday approved two items that will allow the city to begin searching for a full-time interim city administrator. Mayor Amanda Black said that bringing on a city administrator has been one of her goals, as it would provide stability and continuity as elected officials come and go. A city administrator would also be effective in the... READ MORE >

Community rallies support for family of beloved cafe owner

If you visited the Whistle Stop Cafe in Decatur Monday or Wednesday, you might have had your order taken by a new employee. From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25 and 27, celebrity waitstaff were pouring coffee, serving meals, bussing tables and cashing out customers. Regular customers, elected officials, civic leaders and former employees could be spotted weaving between... READ MORE >

Paradise joins regional water effort

A group of South Wise cities, along with the county, are gaining momentum in their efforts to form a regional water district. At the Paradise City Council meeting Monday, city officials decided to join the grassroots group that is aiming to find a long-term water source for their respective entities.  Beginning in February, New Fairview, Aurora, Boyd and Rhome approved... READ MORE >

District hires new principal

The Paradise School Board Monday unanimously voted in favor of hiring Brent Haugen as Paradise High School’s next principal. Haugen currently serves as the associate principal of Springtown High School. He will replace current high school principal Mark Mathis who submitted his resignation earlier this year to accept a job as Director of Human Resources in Springtown ISD. “We had... READ MORE >

District adopts new instructional materials

The Bridgeport ISD Board of Trustees Monday approved the adoption of new instructional materials as part of the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Proclamation 2024. The yearly proclamation calls for the annual review of instructional materials, which includes K-12 science this year. The cost of the new materials is $43,548 and will be purchased using the district’s Instructional Materials and... READ MORE >

PISD hires new principal

The Paradise School Board Monday unanimously voted in favor of hiring Brent Haugen as Paradise High School’s next principal. Haugen currently serves as the associate principal of Springtown High School. He will replace current high school principal Mark Mathis who submitted his resignation earlier this year to accept a job as Director of Human Resources in Springtown ISD. “We had... READ MORE >

Brewing success: By the Grace of Coffee preps for expansion

After outgrowing its humble trailer and establishing a shop at 1873 Market, By the Grace of Coffee is already preparing for an expansion less than a year after finding its first home out on N Business 287 in Decatur. The coffee shop is gearing up for a grand opening of a second location at RockSprings RV Park, at 6074 U.S.... READ MORE >

BISD adopts new instructional materials

The Bridgeport ISD Board of Trustees Monday approved the adoption of new instructional materials as part of the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Proclamation 2024. The yearly proclamation calls for the annual review of instructional materials, which includes K-12 science this year. The cost of the new materials is $43,548 and will be purchased using the district’s Instructional Materials and... READ MORE >

Weighing the public good versus private pain

Point, focus, shoot. My brain seems to turn off when I’m tasked with a photo assignment. I find my desired object, hold the shutter and pray a photo turned out OK. I’ll pull up the photos on my computer in the office and check if anything is usable, or maybe squint at the LCD screen on my camera before I... READ MORE >