Update

ONE HURT IN SUNDAY WRECK — One person was flown to a Metroplex hospital after suffering injuries in a single-vehicle wreck near Alvord Sunday night.

BODY IDENTIFIED AS MISSING DECATUR WOMAN — Decatur Police announced Thursday that the human remains found Monday near Decatur High School have been identified.

COURTHOUSE REDEDICATION TODAY — Three years after restoration work began, the Wise County Courthouse will be open today for a rededication ceremony.

WEATHER FORCES CHANGES TO FOOTBALL SCHEDULES — Due to the threat of inclement weather Friday, several Wise County teams have moved up their Week 9 games. Bridgeport (1-5, 0-2) will host Eagle Mountain in a District 3-4A showdown 7 p.m. Thursday at Bull Memorial Stadium. Boyd (4-3, 1-2) travels for a 4-3AI clash against Iowa Park 7 p.m. Thursday at Hawk Stadium. Alvord (6-2, 4-0) looks for its fifth 6-2AI win in a home battle against Tioga 7 p.m. Thursday at Bulldog Stadium. Chico (1-5, 0-2) squares off against Lindsay in an 8-2AII matchup 7 p.m. Thursday at Dragon Stadium. Northwest (2-5, 1-4) will keep its 4-6A contest against rival Byron Nelson scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Northwest ISD Stadium. VCA (3-4, 0-2) has yet to announce any change to its TAPPS 6-Man Division II District 2 battle against Highlands Irving, slated for 7 p.m. Friday at Patriot Stadium. Updates to Week 9’s schedules will be posted online at wcmessenger.com.

BODY FOUND NEAR DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL — The body of an unidentified woman was found near Decatur High School Monday morning. “There was a body found [Tuesday] morning by a farmer walking the fence line,” Decatur Police Department Captain Keith Hilton said. “The body was right at the fence. It was a female, but her age and race are unknown due to massive decomposition. We did not recover any form of ID at the scene. The evidence tells us she may have been a transient, but that’s all of the information we have right now.” The body was sent to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. Investigators believe there appears to be no connection between the woman and Decatur High School, and foul play was not suspected at the scene. Decatur ISD alerted parents via email of law enforcement activity at the school’s property line. “Students and staff remained safe and secure throughout the investigation, and we are grateful to our families for their patience,” the statement read.

$50 MILLION IN DRUGS FOUND IN TRAFFIC STOP — Nearly 19 tons of marijuana and related products were discovered during a Wise County traffic stop Thursday. The seizure is believed to be the largest marijuana drug bust ever by the WCSO, according to Chief Deputy Eric Debus. The drugs were found in a box truck that was southbound on U.S. 81/287 Thursday. The cargo area contained dozens of boxes with prepackaged marijuana and THC products arranged on pallets. The estimated street value of the drugs is more than $50 million. The driver — identified as Artur Valerievich Martirosyan, 24, of Burbank, Calif. — was arrested and brought to the Wise County Jail. Debus said Martirosyan is an illegal immigrant from Armenia, so he is also being held on an immigration charge in addition to the drug charge. The case is being turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

PAINT THE TOWN PINK — Decatur Main Street will host the annual Paint the Town Pink, a breast cancer awareness event, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Decatur Visitor Center. It will include a raffle, pink line ceremony to honor survivors and remember those we’ve lost at 11 a.m. and a hamburger lunch for $5 at 11:30 a.m. All money raised will benefit Mary’s Gift. Decatur High School will also hold its annual “Pink Out” event at tonight’s football game at Eagle Stadium.

BRIDGEPORT PROHIBITS GAMBLING MACHINES — The Bridgeport City Council Monday amended an ordinance to ban amusement redemption machines (gambling machines) from businesses within the city limits. Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford said that the devices are often found in local smoke shops and convenience stores, and have led to an increase in thefts, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and narcotic transactions. Gambling machines, sometimes referred to as “eight-liners” or “sweepstakes,” typically operate and appear as traditional slot machines while awarding merchandise, gift cards and cash prizes.

1 HURT IN DECATUR WRECK — A Bridgeport man suffered major injuries in a high-speed collision in a residential Decatur neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. The wreck happened in the 800 block of College Avenue, just south of the Decatur ISD Administration Building, just before 2 p.m. Initial reports from Decatur Police Department said witnesses reported a pickup northbound on College Avenue traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran the four-way stop sign at Hale Street and continued north, passing the Wise Owls Learning Center. The truck then struck a couple of trees in the front yard of a home, hit a parked car and came to rest against a third tree.

COURTHOUSE CEREMONY PLANS ANNOUNCED — Plans for the rededication of the newly-restored Wise County Courthouse were announced yesterday. The ceremony is at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 on the southwest corner of the courthouse. State and Main streets on the Decatur Square will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums will perform a special bagpipe and drum prelude at 9:45 a.m. The event will also feature the inaugural flag raising by the Wise County Veterans Group, national anthem by the Decatur High School Varsity Chamber Choir and remarks from the Texas Historical Commission, County Judge J.D. Clark and other elected officials. An open house with tours of the building will take place after the ceremony until 2 p.m. Elevator access will not be available during the rededication.