2015-12-25

Looking back at 2015: Dog’s sacrifice led to unique experience

Having covered news in Wise County for 15 1/2 years now, many stories I work on come with a sense of familiarity. While each story is different, I often speak to people I know or cover situations that happen on a fairly regular basis. I often have a good idea of what to expect going in to certain situations. But […]

Amber Lynn Ligon Green

Amber Lynn Ligon Green, 7, of Decatur, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Fort Worth. Funeral was Dec. 24 at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport with the Rev. Gary Demmitt officiating. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport. Pallbearers were Gregory Brown, Lance Coleman, Josh Adair and Mark Baker. Amber was born Sept. 23, 2008, in Dallas to Kathleen […]

Looking back at 2015: The courage to listen; Emotional reunion tests writer’s skills

The image is hard to forget. And I didn’t even see it. On June 14, 1992, 4-year-old Danny Hernandez huddled on the bank of Elizabeth Creek in Newark, his body battered and bloodied. Fire ants threatened to overtake him. His parents lay nearby, dead in the water. There had been a violent car accident. His 2-year-old sister, Stacy, balanced precariously […]

Looking back at 2015: Officer found unique way to reach youth

“Driving force: deputy uses racing to bond with speedsters,” published Jan. 7 This was the first feature I wrote this year, and in the context of national events straining the relationship between law enforcement and citizens later in 2015, it may be one of my more impactful. Nationally, Gallup reports that public trust in law enforcement is around 52 percent, […]

Looking back at 2015: Inspiring ‘mom’; Sister pushes siblings to their best

Last spring at a track meet in Jacksboro, I went to interview Sequoia Smith after competing in the shot put. Before reaching Smith, he started playing with his nephew, Stryker, and talking to his older sister, Scarlet Sears. Eavesdropping like a good reporter, I heard Scarlet congratulate her kid brother, but then in a motherlike manner she started giving directions […]

Looking back at 2015: On the job training; Tornadoes hit Wise County in my first week

I started working at the Messenger on a Monday in May. Tornadoes hit Wise County on a Tuesday. I got thrown into the middle of storm coverage on a Wednesday. As far as first weeks on the job go, it couldn’t get a lot crazier. Fresh out of college, I found myself in the backseat of a car with Joe […]

15 from ’15: Top sports stories from the year

BULLS WINS 4A HOOPS TITLE 2015 was the year of the Bulls – the Bridgeport Bulls. With the addition of the quartet of Caleb Smith, Devonte Patterson, Ethan Chapman and Keenan Holdman, the Bulls rolled to the school’s first state title. They blasted Houston Sterling in the 4A title game 83-53 to win the 4A state championship. Bridgeport went 35-4 […]

2015 Year in Review

Triumph and tragedy provided Wise County’s big news stories in 2015. Here’s a look at our Top 10. #1: THE RAIN CAME DOWN, AND THE FLOODS CAME UP Prior to 2015, rainfall in Wise County had been below normal for four straight years. Nearly all of the county was mired in severe drought, and Lake Bridgeport was more than 24 […]

15 from ’15: Top sports moments from the year

BULLS WIN TITLE IN DOMINATING FASHION Playing in the program’s first title game, the Bridgeport Bulls thrived in the spotlight. Behind transcendent games from the duo of Caleb Smith and Devonte Patterson, the Bulls turned the 4A title game at the Alamodome into a blowout. Bridgeport beat Houston Sterling 83-53. Smith scored 23 points to go along with eight rebounds […]

Troy Orlo Thornton

Troy Orlo Thornton, 89, of Chico, formerly of Bowie, died Sunday Dec. 13, 2015, at home. Memorial service is 12:15 p.m., following the 11 a.m. church service at the First Presbyterian Church of Bowie Sunday, Dec. 27, with Pastor Joe Gambill officiating. Troy was born May 11, 1926, in Haskins, Ohio, to George and Loretta Thornton. He married Dorothy A. […]