BISD BRACES FOR NEXT BUDGET — Bridgeport ISD is likely looking at another deficit budget for next school year. Sheri Albright, Bridgeport ISD’s chief financial officer, updated the board of trustees on the district’s current budget summary and assumptions for fiscal year 2025-2026, which could include another $1 million hit. Albright projected total revenues of $22,000,000 and expenditures that could range from $22,850,000 to $23,743,000. The board of trustees will also consider employee compensation packages for next fiscal year. The cost of a 1 percent salary increase across the board would cost approximately $150,000. The board did not raise salaries last year, but did present employees with a one-time $500 incentive payment in November. The 2025-2026 budget will be adopted by the board in June. The budget assumption presentation came before the expected Texas House vote later today on bills to create a $1 billion private school voucher program and increase the basic student allotment for public schools. According to the Texas Tribune, the House vote today is the voucher bill’s biggest hurdle, and it will mark the first official test of whether Gov. Greg Abbott and his allies have built enough support in the lower chamber since a coalition of House Democrats and rural Republicans sank the previous voucher proposal in 2023. Read more at wcmessenger.com.
BOYD UNDER BOIL WATER NOTICE — The City of Boyd issued a boil water notice Tuesday night for areas west of Farm Road 730 South and south of Texas 114 following a 6-inch water main break at the intersection of Ewing Street and Morton Avenue. The notice directly impacts the Meadow Park and Springhill subdivisions, as well as homes on West Boyd Avenue, West Morton Avenue, South Evans Street, South Ewing Street, South Agnew Street, South Oak Street, Knox Avenue and Cemetery Road, as well as Boyd Intermediate/Middle School and Boyd High School. The City of Boyd will keep the notice in place until officials can get clear labs results from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Once the notice is rescinded, the city will post a cancellation on its social media accounts and website, and send out a message through its alert system. Boyd ISD superintendent Tom Woody said all schools will start at normal times Wednesday, and the district will provide bottled water at all campuses.
BOYS REGIONAL GOLF — The defending 4A champion Bridgeport Bulls — Colten Paradise, Collin Moody, Zach Kehoe, Brady Mann and Aiden Green — will tee-off at the 4A Region I tournament at Shadow Ridge Golf Course in Lubbock. Cason Lanfear will play as an individual medalist. Boyd’s Cash Myers, Bryson Haak, Phoenix Culberson, Blake Rogers and Bryson Gresham, along with Paradise’s Levi Clayton, Cooper Meyers, Collin Euler, Will Moffitt and Cougar Gentry, will compete in the 3A Region II championships at Oak Hurst Golf Course in Bullard. Slidell’s Riddik Davis, Caden Luig, Dax Davis, Colt McCasland and Landon Jarrett are playing in the 2A Region 2 tournament at Old Brickyard Golf Club in Ferris.
BASEBALL RESULTS — Decatur (13-12-1, 9-0) earned its ninth District 7-4A victory in a blowout against Eagle Mountain Tuesday, 11-1. Bridgeport (0-20, 0-9) came up short in a 5-4 league loss to Lake Worth. In 10-3A, Boyd (22-3) improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 run-rule win over Ponder. Paradise (9-7-2, 7-2) grabbed its seventh district win in a 7-4 win against Callisburg. Alvord (16-3, 6-1) muscled its way past Lindsay in a 10-2A showdown, 3-1. Chico (0-17-1, 0-6) remains winless following a 15-0 loss to Muenster.
SOFTBALL RESULTS — Boyd (23-4-2) moved to 10-1 in District 10-3A following a 3-0 shutout win over Ponder Tuesday. Paradise (17-7-2, 7-4) blew out Pilot Point for its seventh league win, 11-1. In 10-2A, Alvord (7-11, 3-6) claimed a 10-1 victory over Era.
DECATUR MAPS OUT AIRPORT EXPANSION — The City of Decatur is charting out the possible expansion of the Decatur Municipal Airport. Decatur’s airport layout plan (ALP), which forecasts large scale hangar development and a runway expansion project to bring the airport up to a B-II designation, is under review by the Federal Aviation Agency after advancing through the Texas Department of Transportation. Woolpert Aviation Program Director Jeff Borowiec presented a progress report on the plan to the city council Monday. Read more online at wcmessenger.com.
COUNTY AUDITS COME BACK CLEAN — Wise County received passing marks after becoming the subject of three audits for the 2024 fiscal year. The county was issued a clean, unmodified audit opinion, according to Rick Kline, senior account manager with Snow Garrett Williams, who presented the accounting firm’s findings at Monday’s county commissioners meeting. The unmodified opinion is the highest level of assurance that can be given in an audit, Kline explained. Total assets for the county to end the 2024 fiscal year totaled $65.8 million. Total liabilities were $10.3 million. The county’s fund balance increased to $37.4 million, with a fund balance of $9.8 million, of which $9.1 million was unrestricted. The county’s reserves were 19.84 percent of total general fund expenditures. Major capital assets listed in the report include the courthouse restoration project and the purchase of equipment and heavy vehicles for various departments. Wise County’s debt increased to $44 million in 2024 from $42 million last year. The county’s total revenues were $77.8 million to end the fiscal year. Total expenditures were $77.4 million. In addition to its general audit, Wise County’s state and federal grant awards were audited in FY 2024 after meeting the treshold for review. Those audits also recieved a clean, unmodified opinion. Read more at wcmessenger.com. The full audit report is also available for review online at wisecountytx.gov.
TRIVIA NIGHT — Test your knowledge and have fun at General Knowledge Trivia at The County Seat 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Gather your friends for a night of challenging questions, great food, and plenty of laughs.
SOUTH WISE REPUBLICANS — Congressman Brandon Gill will speak at the South Wise Republican Club Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Friday at Big Tony’s BBQ between Boyd and Aurora.
CHAMBER LUNCHEON — The Decatur Chamber of Commerce April Luncheon is Tuesday at the Decatur Conference Center. It will feature the chamber’s 2025 Leadership Class and Junior Leadership Class graduation ceremony. RSVP by noon Thursday.
GOOD FRIDAY CROSSWALK — Local churches and community members are invited to join the third annual Good Friday Cross walk Friday. Participants will meet 11 a.m. at Rann Elementary, begin the 1.8 mile walk to Kenny Renshaw Park at 11:15 a.m., then praise, worship, picnic and enjoy fellowship at 11:45 a.m. Drop your picnic lunch, blanket and lawn chairs at Renshaw Park before the walk.
SPRING MORNING MINGLE — The Decatur Chamber of Commerce will hold a Morning Mingle 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Parker Properties, 103 N. State St.
LOCAL AGGIE MATRIARCHS HOLD RAFFLE — The Wise County Aggie Moms is holding a raffle for their Spring Scholarship Fundraiser. $20 tickets for 50/50 raffle, Day at PK (relaxing or guided fishing trip) for six people, or cooler for full of fun beverages. Tickets here: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/wise-co-aggie-moms-clubs-annual-raffle–2025. For more information, contact Susan Coffman, 940-366-0186
FUNERALS — Memorial visitation for Cameron Wade Sampler, 52, of Fort Worth is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Anthony Goldring, 72, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
VISITATION for Tammie Hutson, 66, of Bowie is 1 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Robert Starr, 69, of Rhome is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
FUNERAL for Teresa Kaiser, 66, of Chico is 2 p.m. Saturday at Morris Memorial Methodist Church in Chico. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hudson and Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Samantha Crowder, 49, of Jacksboro will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 21, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Leanor Lee Walker, 81, of Aurora is 10 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Family Funeral Home in Fort Worth with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
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