2011-05-21

Waste not: Company innovates with water recycling

In the early 1980s, George Mitchell gambled with his decision to find a way to crack natural gas from the Barnett Shale. “A lot of people questioned why do it,” said Jay Ewing, a completion manager with Devon Energy. “Hello! The Barnett Shale has become one of the biggest plays.” Ewing started working for Mitchell Energy in 1983. At the […]

Students’ garden wish will come true

Addyson Ford was one of nine third graders at Paradise Elementary to write a letter to principal Stacie Meadows asking for a butterfly garden. “We, the third graders would like a butterfly garden,” it read. “We’ll take care of it and plant flowers to attract butterflies and water the flowers.” The letter ended with two boxes – one each next […]

Ball fields, track will receive upgrades

Bids for two athletic facility improvement projects were approved by the Decatur School Board as part of the consent agenda Thursday. J&D Dodd Construction was awarded a bid for improvements at the baseball/softball complex and high school track. The cost is not to exceed $687,109. Jay W. Services Co. and Barker Electric were awarded a bid for HVAC work at […]

City drawing interest from chain stores

Plans for a new retail center in Decatur are “the worst kept secret in town,” Decatur Economic Development Corp. directors heard Thursday. And while that development near the Farm Road 51 corridor is slated to include a major grocery chain, it’s not the only development activity in the city. EDC Executive Director Jody Adams said he is getting many leads […]

School lowers salary for future teachers

In an attempt to handle the anticipated cuts in state funding, the Boyd School Board voted Thursday night to lower the starting salaries for all new professional staff. “This will not affect those now employed,” said Superintendent John Emshoff. “All those hired after tonight will be started at the state-based salary scale. This will not affect any current employees.” “I […]

Students awarded $5,000 in scholarships

For 21 years, the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce has honored a Bridgeport High School senior with the title of Student of the Year and a $500 scholarship. This year, Devon Energy partnered with the non-profit to honor three finalists with a total of $5,000 in Bridgeport Area Chamber/Devon Energy Scholarships at Thursday’s chamber luncheon. “We thought it would be a […]

Citizens voice frustrations

Bridgeport citizens continued to express their dissatisfaction of the city administrator position by speaking during the public comment section of Tuesday’s council meeting. “At (the last meeting), the point was lost on what they were trying to do,” Gaylon Rice said. “They don’t want to do away with the city administrator job. That wasn’t the deal. The problem was that […]

Remembering Ryan: Classmates, friends hold vigil for 8th grader

As dusk drifted down on the parking lot outside Chico’s old middle school Thursday, the glow created by more than 150 candles was impressive. But it could never replace the light of so many lives that was missing after 14-year-old Michael Ryan Ruddick lost his long battle with muscular dystrophy Thursday morning. “He left his footprint on everyone’s soul,” eighth-grade […]

Gas still major player in values

Despite a $300 million loss in mineral values, natural gas continues to be Wise County’s saving grace when it comes to taxable property. Though overall property values are off 4.7 percent in preliminary reports, led by an 11 percent drop in minerals (oil, gas and aggregate), natural gas remains strong. Of the county’s total of almost $7 billion in property […]

Second court continues forward in legislature

Senate Bill 1218 proposing a second county court-at-law for Wise County will go before the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars Tuesday, May 24, in Austin. If it passes, Rep. Phil King will present the bill on the House floor to explain amendments that were made since representatives passed it April 26. “Normally, there is no opposition since it’s a […]