ELECTRICAL FIRE REPORTED AT JAIL — Several inmates were temporarily relocated to other areas of the Wise County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday as Decatur Fire Department investigated a reported electrical fire in the ceiling of the jail. Wise County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Debus said jailers and inmates saw and smelled smoke coming from the vents of the jail near the south side of the building. The fire investigation began around 5:15 p.m. A total of 43 inmates were moved out of an abundance of caution, Debus said. Crews from Decatur Fire Department (DFD) and Wise County EMS assessed the building to locate the source of the smoke, searching through the ceilings for signs of a fire. Jeff Smith, Decatur Fire Department operations chief, reported at around 7 p.m. that the source of the smoke/odor was traced to a malfunctioning air handling unit. After DFD rendered the unit safe, Debus said inmates were returned to their cells. Decatur Police Department assisted inside the jail, while additional Wise County personnel worked the scene, including Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty and county facilities manager Jimmy Counts.
RAIN REPORT — As of 7:30 a.m., most of Wise County had missed the severe storms moving through the area, but we did see some rain. Rainfall totals included 0.31 of an inch in Alvord and 0.09 in Decatur. Another round of storms is expected in the early morning hours of Friday.
LADY EAGLES WIN 7-4A GOLF TITLE — Leading by five strokes after the opening round of the District 7-4A tournament, the Decatur Lady Eagles’ Blue squad hoisted the league title with a strong second-round performance. Decatur carded 413 Monday at Wichita Falls Country Club to finish with a two-round 842, earning the top team prize by beating out runner-up and regional qualifier Eagle Mountain (854) by 13. Burkburnett’s Black team scored 855 for third. Kendall McDonnell led the Lady Eagles by shooting 98 on Day 2, and claimed the individual silver medal with a two-day 191 — 48 strokes behind Springtown’s Dixie Crain. Rayleigh Bentley (108-101 — 209) and Maggie Dunn (111-99 — 210) also turned in top 10 finishes, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. The team also includes Marleigh Lauchner (T-20th, 117-122 — 239) and Kambree Daume (23rd, 130-115 — 245). Decatur’s Blue team will compete at the 4A Region I tournament April 14-15 at Shadow Hills Golf Course in Lubbock. Read more online here.
MARTINEZ REPEATS AS 10-3A GOLF CHAMPION — Paradise’s Zoey Martinez secured her second straight individual league title by carding an 81 in the second round of the 10-3A tournament at Decatur Golf Club. She led the Lady Panthers to the silver team finish with 823 (421-402) — 78 strokes behind league champion Callisburg (745) — punching the team’s ticket to the 3A Region II tournament. Martinez won the district crown by 15 strokes over Callisburg’s Claire Talley (180). Callisburg’s Mia Olivera finished with 181 for third. Paradise added two top 20 finishes. Macie Creese shot 214 (112-102) to finish 15th, while Gazey Yates carded 217 (110-107) and tied for 17th with Callisburg’s Sophie Townley. The Lady Panthers’ Paisley Vaughn rounded out the team’s finishes by placing 27th with 227 (115-112). The 3A Region II tournament is scheduled for April 14-15 at Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard. Read more online here.
LADY DRAGONS CARD WIN AT 13-2A GOLF TOURNAMENT — The Chico Lady Dragons came home with the prize from the District 13-2A tournament Monday at Gainesville Municipal Golf Course. Chico shot a one-round team total 464 to claim the league title, beating runner-up and regional qualifier Alvord (508). Both teams will advance to the 2A Region II tournament April 14-15 at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris. Kyla Buman was the Lady Dragons’ leader on the links, carding 111 to tie for fourth with Slidell’s Mylie Fletcher. Paris Laney finished sixth with 114, while Maci Byers shot 119 and finished tied in a 3-way tie for 10th with Era’s Tristen Boyd and Slidell’s Addie Prince. The Lady Dragons tacked on a pair of additional top 20 finishes. Shaylee Crawford placed 13th with 120, while Kenzlie Stark scored 129, and tied for 16th with Alvord’s Sydnee Janzen. Chico’s Marlyn Ibarra garnered bronze with 109. Jatelynd Gregg tied for 20th with Muenster’s Clara Bindel after shooting 141. Alvord’s top scorer was Ella Wilcox, who shot 117 for an eighth-place finish. Glendy Vasquez was 15th with 128, while Lillie Manning (134) and Cheyanne Lawrence (138) took 18th and 19th, respectively. Read more online here.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE — The voter registration deadline for the May 3 election is 5 p.m. today. To find out if you are registered to vote, visit wcmess.com/registered/. You can also call the local voter registration office at 940-626-4453.
VETERANS SOCIAL MIXER — A Veterans Social Mixer is 10 a.m. Friday at Decatur Medical Lodge in Decatur. Door prizes and refreshments will be available. Veterans and their spouses are invited. Call Bobbie at 940-626-2800. No RSVP necessary.
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY — The Decatur Cares Mobile Food Pantry will be open 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Line up in the church parking lot off Miller Street starting at 7 a.m. There will be produce, protein and other items available for 225 families. Volunteers are also needed to help set up, distribute food and clean up, 7 to 9:30 a.m. See more at the Decatur Cares Facebook page.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR — One Hope Village will hold a Community Organization Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Cornerstone Bible Church, 2496 S. Deer Park Road. Meet non-profit organizations from around Wise County for volunteer opportunities.
NEW FISHING PIER — Runaway Bay will hold a grand opening for its new fishing pier 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. A ribbon cutting will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. by the Greater Runaway Bay Alliance. The new pier is located between the Beach and the A1 Marina, 102 Ratliff Dr. Savannah’s Snowcone truck will be there, and Yellow Dog Tackle Shop from Chico will give away tackle samples. The beach is nearby and will be open. GRBA will also have prizes for the kids. There will be a drawing for a rod and reel combo and a child’s life jacket. The pier will be open for fishing starting the next day, April 6.
EASTER EGG HUNT — The City of New Fairview will host an Easter Egg Event 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the city park, 150 Stewart Street. It will include an egg hunt, a photo with the Easter Bunny, bounce houses, petting zoo and coffee.
CONSERVATIVES MEETING — Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, will speak at the Wise County Conservatives meeting 7 tonight at Rise Church in Decatur.
ALL-WISE BASKETBALL TEAMS ANNOUNCED — Decatur’s Bralyn Peck and Javen Colbert headline the 2024-25 All-Wise Basketball teams, earning their second straight MVP awards. The All-Wise Basketball team are included in the Thursday, April 3 issue of the Wise County Messenger. A free e-edition can be viewed at wcmessenger.com.
FUNERALS — Service for Linda Whiddon, 81, of Decatur is 5-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
GRAVESIDE service for Roger Webster, 76, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Friday at DFW National Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL mass for Rafael Moreno Sr., 86, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Friday at Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins-Decatur.
GRAVESIDE service for Mary Alice Priddy, 80, of Decatur is 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at DFW National Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Virginia Peterson French, 82, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Eunice Rutledge, 93, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, with visitation at 10 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial is 2 p.m. today at Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth.
FUNERAL for Leota “Lee” Hodges, 104, of North Richland Hills is 11 a.m. April 11 at Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, with visitation 10 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial is 2 p.m. April 12 at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Okla. Hudson & Torres is handling arrangements.
SERVICE for Dale King, 78, of Decatur is pending at Hudson & Torres.
FUNERAL for Angela Lee Autrey, 56, is 11 a.m. Friday at Hill Top Family Church with burial at Springtown Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home.
SERVICE for Linda Dianne Wilson is 1-2 p.m. April 21 at Boyd Cemetery.
