FORMER COACH PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY THEFT — Former Bridgeport Bulls soccer coach JD Bales pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony theft charge following an investigation that found evidence he used a district credit card at a Houston strip club last summer. Court records show Bales, 37, entered a plea of guilty to the third degree felony charge of theft of property $2,500 to $30,000 enhanced and was placed on deferred adjudication. He was given five years probation/community service. Read more online here.
MOST DISTRICTS SEE ENROLLMENT INCREASE — Wise County students have returned to the classroom in the past few days, and the majority of local school districts report increased student enrollment compared to the first day of classes last year. Northwest is projected to surpass 32,000 students this year after being under 30,000 students on the first day last year. Boyd ISD reported an 86-student increase, Bridgeport ISD a 55-student increase, Paradise ISD a 34-student increase and Slidell a nine-student increase. Decatur’s first day enrollment was three students less than last year’s first day. First day enrollments were not available for Alvord and Chico.
FIRE DANGER REMAINS — Hot and dry conditions in our area have created an elevated wildfire threat today. The county’s burn ban is in effect. No outdoor burning is allowed. High temperatures today are expected to climb to around 102. It will be more of the same this weekend as highs are expected to be around 103 and 104 Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
FUND STARTED FOR HOUSE FIRE VICTIM — A GoFundMe account has been opened to raise money for Runaway Bay police officer and Fire Chief James Gates after a fire destroyed his home early Tuesday morning. Go to gofund.me/6752d426 to donate. Also, an account has been opened at Prosperity Bank in Runaway Bay in his name for donations.
FIT-N-WISE 5K — Fit-N-Wise is hosting its Walking for Wise 5K Run Saturday, Sept. 14 at the McCarroll Middle School track, 1201 W. Thompson Street, in Decatur. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:15. The 5K will benefit the Wise Area Relief Mission, Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center, Jenny’s Hope and the Center for Emotional Wellness. Registration is $35. T-shirts are guaranteed if you sign up by Aug. 21. To register, visit bit.ly/walkingforwise.
DAR MEETING — The John B Denton Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will meet 10 a.m. Saturday (social at 9:30) at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Parking in rear of church; look for the DAR banner. Contact Olivia Black, oblac12@gmail.com or 940-393-2069.
INDIGENT HEALTH CARE — Applications for the Wise County Indigent Health Care Program are available at 1101 West Rose Ave. in Decatur or by calling 940-627-4203. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements: residents, household, income and resources. They must also meet the standards set by the State Department of Health Care Services and complete required work registration with Texas Workforce Commission unless exempt.
FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES — Paradise will host Bridgeport for the teams’ first tune-up of the season 7 tonight at Panther Stadium. Boyd will travel to face Rice 6 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. On Saturday, Alvord heads to Seymour at 10 a.m.
FUNERALS — Mass of Christian burial for Jose Manuel Varela, 70, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. today at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL for JE Statham, 93, of Alvord is 1 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine with burial at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MASS of Christian burial for Ivan Hernandez, 17, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. Monday at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins-Decatur.
MEMORIAL for Allison Nivens, 66, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawkins-Decatur.
SERVICE for Raudel Perez, 72, is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL for Marsha Lee Carpenter, 71, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Family visitation is two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Billy Gene Skiles, 86, of Runaway Bay is 3 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at Paradise Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Coy Earl Tackett, 79, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Karolyn Self, 62, of Springtown is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd with burial at Pleasant Grove No. 1 Cemetery.
MEMORIAL visitation for Glenn Lee, 88, of Bridgeport is 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Tony “Toby” Green, 63, of Bridgeport is 3 p.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres. Visitation is 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE for Robert Richard Hetherly, 84, is 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Newark. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel.
