TEEN TO BE TRIED AS ADULT — An Aurora teen has been certified as an adult in the murder case of 19-year-old Decatur resident Matthew Ryan Brown. Aiden Kelleher Theberge, 17, has been booked into the Wise County Jail on a charge of murder. Bond has been set at $300,000, according to Wise County Jail records. He was the juvenile suspect arrested along with Austin Acree and Justin Carl in March. Acree and Carl have both been indicted for murder in Brown’s death. Wise County District Attorney James Stainton said the case against Theberge will be brought to an upcoming grand jury for possible indictment. Investigators found Brown’s body alongside Deep Creek in the Boyd/Aurora area March 20 with apparent gunshot wounds, according to the murder arrest affidavit.
HEAT WAVE CONTINUES — Wise County is no longer in an excessive heat warning, but we remain in a heat advisory through 8 tonight as today’s forecast includes a high of around 104 with heat index values as high as 109.
RANGERS TO HONOR YELLOWJACKETS’ STATE TITLE — The Boyd Yellowjackets’ baseball program will be honored for winning the 3A state championship by the Texas Rangers during pregame ceremonies Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Boyd (40-5) claimed its first baseball state title with a 6-4 win over Wall June 10 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The Rangers will host the finale of a four-game series against the Detroit TIgers at 1:05 p.m.
BRIDGEPORT COUNCIL APPROVES PARK PLAN — The Bridgeport City Council unanimously approved the conceptual plan of the downtown park at 1102 Halsell Street Monday. “We’ve been trying to get this park for six years, and I absolutely love the design,” Bridgeport Mayor Randy Singleton said. “It’s going to be fantastic – it’s really going to change downtown.” Key features of the conceptual design include a performance pavilion, artificial turf event lawn, shade structure with porch swings and rocking chairs, stagecoach plaza, bridge entry on Halsell with bridge truss accent, railroad pavement, festoon lighting, seating groves, limestone benches, movable furniture and head-in parking. The park design also includes a dedicated location for a Christmas tree at the bridge entry on the north side of the park. Read more in today’s Wise County Messenger.
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PAY INCREASE — The Bridgeport School Board adopted the 2023-24 district salary and compensation plan at a special meeting Monday. The new plan includes a three percent general pay increase for all staff in Bridgeport ISD based on their 2022-23 salary. The total cost of the general pay increase is $450,000, with the full amount taken from the district’s reserve fund, according to BISD Superintendent Amy Ellis. As of Aug. 31, 2022, the reserve fund balance for the district was at $10.8 million. Read more in today’s Messenger.
STUCKY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO RUN AGAIN — Incumbent House District 64 Representative Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) announced his intention to seek reelection last week, joining former opponent Andy Hopper, who announced his race for HD 64 earlier this month. In his announcement, Stucky touted the accomplishments of “conservative victories” during his tenure including funding for border security, property tax transparency and relief, strong pro-life laws and strengthening election integrity. Read more in today’s Messenger.
YOGA AT THE LIBRARY — Chico Public Library’s six-week Yoga with Melissa series continues at 6:30 p.m. today. Call 940-644-2330.
FIREWORKS OVER DECATUR — Victory Church’s annual Fourth of July fireworks event begins at 7 p.m. Sunday in Decatur. The event will feature live music, bounce houses, water slides, food and snow cones. Admission is free but event organizers encourage participants to bring their own lawn chair and blanket.
DIABETES CARE PRESENTATION — Total Diabetes Care will give a special presentation on the latest technology for diabetes management 5:30 p.m. today at the Decatur Public Library. They will also provide tips to beat the heat while staying healthy with diabetes.
FUNERALS — Service for Cynthia Ann McMillan, 57, of Norman, Okla., is 11 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service.
MEMORIAL service for Leesa Cravens, 76, of Decatur is 1 p.m. Monday at Decatur Bible Church with family visitation 11:30 a.m. at the church. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Donnie Dale Edwards, 62, of Bowie is 10:30 a.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
GRAVESIDE service for Tommy Van Hoose, 73, of Runaway Bay is 10 a.m. Friday at Westside Cemetery in Bridgeport. Visitation is 5-7 tonight at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
SERVICE for Edwin Len Dial, 75, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Saturday at Hilltop Assembly of God Church. Alexander Midway is handling arrangements.
