In 2008, the Bridgeport Bulls went to state for Football. We sold a Blog-style page to a local bank that included all the stories we’ve run on the Bulls throughout the season, as well as photo slideshows and Video, plus LiveBlogging via Twitter.

www.wcmessenger.com/bulls

In 2009, the Bridgeport Sissies went to regionals for Basketball. Again, we sold a Blog-style page to a local hospital that included stories, photo slideshows and Video, plus LiveBlogging via Twitter.

www.wcmessenger.com/sissies

During the 2008 Football Season, one of our most popular pages on the website was our Friday Night Results, which included scores and stories from each game that week. This year we went a bit further, adding LiveBlogging via Twitter to the page. The LiveBlogging was even studied by the opposing team the week before the playoffs to determine Bridgeport’s strategy.

www.wcmessenger.com/football

Sample Bridgeport Sissies Tweets

LiveBlogging/Twitter

Breaking NewsOn Wednesday, January 21, 2009, a tragic car wreck took the life of a local high school student. Since the paper had already been published for that day, and instead of waiting for the following Sunday edition, we opted to break the story on the web. In addition to posting it in our daily Update as breaking news, we were also able to get the whole story posted quickly; the page then continued to grow over the next few days, including photos of student reactions, a candelight vigil, reader submitted photos and letters to the editor, and countless comments from the friends and the community. To this day, the page has had more than 9,300 visitors.

www.wcmessenger.com/lunt

Photos of student reactions.

Letter to the Editor from the high school principal.

Photos of student reactions.

Reader submitted photos.

Reader comments.

A special video presentation of student reactions at the candlelight vigil.

Social Networking websites like Facebook and MySpace are all the rage these days; they can help spread stories, photos and videos across the web faster than any search engine. Our Facebook page drops in RSS Feeds from our daily Update, News Headlines and Sports Headlines, as well as video links to our YouTube channel and tagged photos from our print edition. We now have over 200 people following us on Facebook.

Facebook page: www.my-wise.com

Social Networking SitesDuring the spring of 2008, a series of wildfires devastated the city of Paradise. Within the next two hours, we had video footage up on our website, but at a price: the number of viewers vs. the number of video streams our webserver could dish out had been exceeded, crashing our website. We’ve since learned that posting the video to YouTube and utilizing their servers and bandwidth was the only way to successfully deliver these videos to our audience, as well as managing to have these videos spread, or “go viral,” to other parts of the internet.

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/wcmessenger

Print-to-Web: Other Advertising Streams

Holiday SpecialsOne successful Newspaper-to-Web promotion we had was a series of ads geared to holiday shoppers. In addition to their ad running in our paid print edition, it was also carried on to the web and promoted with a series of sidebar ads throughout our website. The viewer could then click on the advertiser they were interested in to see what their weekly specials were.

www.wcmessenger.com/holiday

Wise Dining GuideSimilar to the Holiday Specials promotion, the Wise Dining Guide offered print ads AND space on the web; advertisers could either link to their own websites, or, if they didn’t have a website, we would scan in their menu and host it ourselves as part of the promotion.

www.wcmessenger.com/dining

Church and Business DirectoriesRather than simply adding for-profit businesses on our Related Links page (www.wcmessenger.com/related), we opted to create online directories that would cost advertisers only pennies a day.

Church Directory: www.wcmessenger.com/church

Business Directory: www.wcmessenger.com/businessdirectory

Update & Breaking News

Our daily Update is a great way to get local news out to our community Monday through Friday in both print and web, but what about Saturdays and Sundays? One weekend in February saw our Update evolve from the print product (above) to a long list of breaking news and photos on the web (screenshots at right). Below is a sample “Simple-Click” email alert for breaking news that we send out to more than 1,100 email subscribers.

www.wcmessenger.com/update

WWW.WCMESSENGER.COM DECATUR, TEXAS VOL. 35 - NO. 26UpdateWISE

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IGA Foodliner Prices Good Thru March 17, 2009

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Roma Tomatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68¢/lb.

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DECATUR VS BRIDGEPORT— All Eagle fans are invited to Pack the House tonight at the Decatur High School gym for the Decatur versus Bridgeport district basketball games. There will be a short ceremony between the boys’ and girls’ games where the 2008 DHS girls cross country team will receive its state championship rings. There will also be an auction and donation buckets passed around to help benefi t the family of Chelsea Lunt. Also a four-wheeler raffl e will be held during the fi nal game of the night, while the evening will get started with a hamburger dinner at 5 p.m. Games start at 4 p.m. Visitors need to park in the lot on the south end of the high school. Instead of entering from 730 South, the upper level parking area can be reached off Business 81/287 South, immediately south of Carson Elementary School. Handicapped parking is available and is easily accessible to the gym.

SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS — Chico girls’ softball sign-ups are from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Chico Elementary. Ages 5 to 14 can participate.

MOVIE NIGHT — The Bridgeport Main Street and Parks and Recreation Department presents “Beauty and the Beast” at Saturday’s Bridgeport Box Offi ce. Doors at the Bridgeport Stage, 1009 Halsell St., will open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie will start at 7. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be picked up at city hall and select downtown merchants. For more information, call (940) 683-3480 or visit www.cityofbridgeport.net/parks&rec.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST — The Rhome Volunteer Fire Department will have a $5 all you can eat pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the Rhome Community Center. For information call Kay Spivey at (817) 696-6748. All proceeds benefi t the fi re department.

UMPIRES NEEDED — Umpires are needed for Wise County girls softball games, March through June. All prospects must take a class to get certifi ed. Call Mike Maxson at (940) 577-1297 for more information.

CHICO 4H — The Chico 4H Club meets at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Chico Elementary cafeteria. Bring bingo gifts and be prepared to enter the youth fair.

FUNERALS — Service for Arvil Sisk, 59, of Alvord is 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Alvord with burial in Alvord Cemetery. FUNERAL for Bernhart “Bud” Forbau, 87, of Decatur is 2 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. GRAVESIDE service for Doris Hixson, 91, formerly of Decatur is 11 a.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation at 10 a.m. Saturday prior to the service. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling all three services.

CHECK WITH US FOR PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES • 940-627-5987

By ROBERT MORGAN

A popular student-athlete from Decatur High School was killed early Wednesday while driving to school, leav-ing her family in shock and a campus grieving the loss of another student for the second straight year.

Sophomore Chelsea Lunt was alone in the vehicle driv-ing northbound on U.S. 81/287 just a few hundreds yards from the FM 730 exit when she lost control of her pickup. It fl ipped at least fi ve times on the east side of the road before coming to a rest near the shoulder of the high-way.

By TRAVIS MEASLEY

Not a single sound was heard Wednesday night as more than 100 students, friends and family members gathered for a vigil in the youth room of the Victory Family Church in Decatur to mourn the death of beloved 16-year-old Decatur High School sophomore Chelsea Ann Lunt.

Friends stood up and spoke, often through tears, sharing memories and stories about Chelsea. The love and support that fi lled the room almost forced the painful reality of her passing out the minds of those gathered. She had been taken too soon.

She just brought out the best in all of us.

VOLUME 129 - NO. 8 SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2009 DECATUR, TEXAS 22 PAGES IN TWO SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS 75¢

CHELSEA ANN LUNT 1992-2009

Vanessa VerelaChelsea’s teammate

senior, Decatur High School

Texting is apparent cause of teen’s wreck

Friends recall Lunt’s sense of humor

Messenger photo by Joe Duty

SILENTLY MOURNING — A group of young people bow their heads in prayer at a vigil for Chelsea Lunt Wednesday night at

Victory Family Church in Decatur. More than 100 friends and family members showed up to grieve and show their support for

Chelsea’s family.

CHICO

By BRIAN KNOX

Chico resident Tony Jones, 44, is famil-iar with the Wise County Jail – he helped build it as a trusty inmate. After he was released, Jones was even given a job as a jail maintenance employee.

Today, Jones is once again in jail – as an inmate. He is joined by three family members.

Jones was arrested Tuesday on drug, weapon, theft and parole violation charg-es. His wife, Vonda Jones, and their two sons, Justin, 21, and Kevin Jones, 20, have also been arrested on drug charges.

Wise County Sheriff David Walker said Tony Jones “did a good job” as a trusty inmate, so much so that Walker decided to offer him a job as a jail maintenance worker after his release in 2006.

Walker said he began to get reports that Tony Jones was “slipping back into the narcotics world” and offi cers began a two-month investigation. It was through that investigation that seven people were ar-rested Jan. 15 at Tony Jones’ home at 380 County Road 1643 near Chico. The family was not at home when offi cers executed a

Former jail employee is back behind bars

TONY JONES

Continued on page 9AContinued on page 2A

Continued on page 5A

News Briefs ..... 3A

Opinion ........... 4A

Lifestyle .............6A

Classifi eds .........4B

Wise Business ....11A

Sports .........1B-3B

INDEX

Wise County Messenger

P.O. Box 149

115 South Trinity

Decatur, Texas 76234

www.wcmessenger.com

WEATHER...

M. NEIL PUGSLEYDecatur

THOMAS ‘T.A.’ MOSSDecatur

CHELSEA LUNTRhome

SHIRLEY

FORTENBERRYEdmond, Okla.

See pages 10A and 12A

AREA DEATHS AND FUNERALS

INSIDE ...

See page 12A

SATURDAY

Clouds and sun;

breezy, much colder

44° 28°

SUNDAY

Partly sunny and

milder

56° 43°

Shown is Saturday’s weather.

Temperatures are Saturday’s highs and

Saturday night’s lows.

DECATUR44/28

WEATHERFORD

44/30

MINERAL WELLS

44/33

FORT WORTH

46/32

DALLAS

44/32

PALO PINTO

50/34

FAIRFIELD

44/31

GREENVILLE

43/30

JACKSBORO

42/30

SHERMAN

44/31

DENTON

46/29

KAUFMAN

44/32

GLEN ROSE48/30

CLEBURNE

47/35

STEPHENVILLE49/31

WAXAHACHIE

48/33

WICHITA FALLS

43/31

ARDMORE

40/31

GRAHAM

44/31

MONTAGUE

44/29

WAURIKA

40/26

ATHENS

48/31

MCKINNEY

44/29

HENRIETTA

44/29

BONHAM

42/29

GAINESVILLE

42/32

MERIDIAN

50/31

DURANT

40/30

WACO

52/37

CORSICANA

48/34

HILLSBORO

48/33

COMANCHE

50/31

RHOME

BRIDGEPORT

44/31

44/31

TUESDAY

Mostly cloudy, a

shower possible

39° 31°

MONDAY

Cloudy

54° 36°

Shown is Saturday’s weather.

Temperatures are Saturday’s highs and

Saturday night’s lows.

DECATUR44/28

WEATHERFORD

44/30

MINERAL WELLS

44/33

FORT WORTH

46/32

DALLAS

44/32

PALO PINTO

50/34

FAIRFIELD

44/31

GREENVILLE

43/30

JACKSBORO

42/30

SHERMAN

44/31

DENTON

46/29

KAUFMAN

44/32

GLEN ROSE48/30

CLEBURNE

47/35

STEPHENVILLE49/31

WAXAHACHIE

48/33

WICHITA FALLS

43/31

ARDMORE

40/31

GRAHAM

44/31

MONTAGUE

44/29

WAURIKA

40/26

ATHENS

48/31

MCKINNEY

44/29

HENRIETTA

44/29

BONHAM

42/29

GAINESVILLE

42/32

MERIDIAN

50/31

DURANT

40/30

WACO

52/37

CORSICANA

48/34

HILLSBORO

48/33

COMANCHE

50/31

RHOME

BRIDGEPORT

44/31

44/31

INSIDE ...

GRASS FIRESArea fire departments

were kept busy Thursday

responding to numerous

grass fires, including

one that destroyed an

unoccupied home and two

vehicles.

See story, page 3A

HOUSE FIREA mobile home in Paradise

was destroyed by fire Friday

afternoon.

See story, page 2A

UNITING

EXPERIENCEEditorial graphic artist Keri

Pritchard Willerton got

close, in more ways than

one, to a few million fellow

Americans at Tuesday’s

presidential inauguration.

See story, page 4A

Chelsea’s death in an early-morning car accident Wednesday rocked the entire city of Decatur. Friends and family mem-bers shook their heads in disbelief when told the news.

“I was sitting in English when a friend came up to me and asked if I had heard about Chelsea,” said senior Vanessa Verela, who played varsity volleyball with Chelsea. “I had no idea what he was talking about, and when he said she passed away, my brain refused to be-lieve it. It is still hard (a day later) to truly believe that I won’t see her walk through the door again.”

Students gathered at the site of the crash a few hours after it occurred to place a cross, fl owers and pictures in Chelsea’s memory. Tears streaked down friends’ faces as people exchanged hugs and offered shoulders to lean on. And yet they stayed, bringing pictures and cards, refusing to let the mo-ment fade away.

“We owe it to Chelsea to let everyone know how beautiful of a person she was,” said Carmen Cash, one of Chelsea’s clos-est friends. “She was, no, she is, one of my best friends and my partner in crime. It’s diffi cult to put into words the pain we are all feeling without her around.”

Friends said what they will miss most is the way Chelsea could light up a room or conversation with a joke, a silly voice or just a smile. Verela said she will never forget times spent with Chelsea in situa-tions as simple as riding a bus back home after volleyball games and the way Chel-sea could turn a heartbreaking loss into something positive.

“I remember riding back from our loss

in the playoffs,” Verela said. “We were all bummed, and so was Chelsea, but with-in minutes she had me bursting at the seams with laughter over some silly voice or face she was making. She just brought out the best in all of us.”

Chelsea not only had a positive infl u-ence on her friends, but also on her coach-es and teachers. Decatur High School volleyball coach Claire Rose said she had

known Chelsea since her freshman year and was amazed at the confi dence, love and support she showed on the court as well as off.

“In the seven years that I have taught school and coached volleyball, I have nev-er experienced such a tragedy as we have this week here at Decatur High School,” Rose said. “Chelsea was such an intricate part of the volleyball program, and her absence has defi nitely made an impact on the team. As I sat there and listened to the team share stories about Chelsea in the locker room Wednesday morning, I felt such love and honesty within the girls and the yearning to see their friend and teammate one last time.

“I have watched her grow and mature into a fi ne young lady,” Rose said. “I saw changes in her that were remarkable and a talent that couldn’t wait to escape. Reminiscing with the team this week, we heard story after story of her funny antics

and contagious personality. She will al-ways hold a special place in my heart, and each day as I pass by the volleyball locker room, I will forever remember those spar-kling blue eyes and big bright smile.”

Chelsea was a phenomenal athlete, ex-celling in track as well as volleyball. As a freshman last spring, she was one of the top athletes on the track and fi eld team where she competed in triple jump, 100-

meter hurdles and 300 hurdles. She fi nished fourth overall in the 100 hurdles and was just one spot shy of advancing to the regional fi nals in her fi rst year of high school.

“The fact that she missed going to regionals by one place as a fresh-man tells me what kind of hard worker she was,” said DHS track coach David Park. “There are kids that ‘do’ sports, and there are kids that ‘love’ sports. And she loved ev-ery bit of it.”

Students at the high school spent most of Wednesday in a daze. Principal Jason Cochran said that a strange silence has since fallen over the school, that students walk the halls without uttering a word, even those that didn’t know Chelsea.

“Everyone has been showing so much respect to Chelsea and what she brought to this school,” Cochran said. “She will be greatly missed by each and every one of us.”

As the crowd fi led out of the vigil Wednesday night, silence kept its grip on the room. Some paused to look at pho-tos or write letters to Chelsea’s parents. Some stopped to hug friends and family, and some just stared, wide-eyed, as if lost in the crowd. But as each person exited, leaving behind the photos, letters and tears, they all did one thing – remember.

!

E-mail Travis at tmeasley@wcmessen-ger.com.

2A WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Sunday, January 25, 2009

Continued from 1A

Friends recall Lunt’s sense of humor ...

CHELSEA ANN LUNT 1992-2009

Messenger photo by Joe Duty

Friends of Chelsea Lunt place a cross and a memorial at the site of Wednesday’s crash that claimed the life of the Decatur High School sophomore. Pictured from left, Ricky Delgato and Katland Lillis hold up the cross and photo of Lunt while Margie Manetta and Carlos Infante place the memorials. Ashley Townley is consoled by her mother, Carole, after being interviewed by television reporters.

Photos submitted by Laura Craig

Friends and family members submitted countless photos of Chelsea to the Messenger Web site, such as the ones above. (Left) Chelsea, second from left, and three friends pose in Arlington at a sand volleyball tournament at the baseball park in July. (Right) Also in July, Chelsea and the other mem-bers of the North Texas Junior volleyball team celebrate their second-place finish at an area tournament.

PARADISE

Five fi re departments re-sponded to a structure fi re Friday afternoon on Stone-gate Drive just south of Par-adise off Texas 114.

Firefi ghters from Paradise, Rhome, Bridgeport, Decatur and Cottondale battled the fi re that had completely con-sumed a double-wide mobile home. Offi cers on scene kept all civilians at a safe dis-tance due to ammunition that was going off inside the house.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, crews were still out monitoring the blaze that destroyed most of the interior of the home and burned three large holes in the roof. The cause of the fi re is unknown.

Fire destroys mobile home

Messenger photo

by Travis Measley

BURNING FAST

— A Cottondale

fi refi ghter

battles fl ames

leaping out

of a mobile

home Friday

afternoon on

Stonegate

Drive south of

Paradise off

Texas 114. Five

departments

– Rhome,

Cottondale,

Bridgeport,

Decatur and

Paradise

– battled the

fl ames for more

than two hours.

My candle burns at both ends;It will not last the night;But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends –It gives a lovely light!

“First Fig”Edna St. Vincent Millay

Reader comments from WCMessenger.com...

“This is a tragic loss and our family

is in prayer. According to the book of

Matthew - God comforts those who

mourn. May His love and peace give you

strength at this terrible time. Chelsea

may you be playing the best volleyball

game of all in heaven!”

Randy, Bea, Katelyn

and Hannah McWilliams

“Chelsea was a great friend; one who

you always knew when she was around.

She would always see me from across

the way and come running up with this

cute, little suspicious look on her face,

as if to say, ‘How come you didn’t come

give me a hug just now?!’”

Colin McInerney

“I played with Chelsea on a club vol-

leyball team last year. I don’t think I

have ever met a more amazing person.

Just walking into the room, she put a

smile on your face. We started getting

pretty close, and it hurts me to know

that we didn’t hang out often. I miss her

so much. Chelsea’s family is always in

my prayers. I love you Chels.”

Baillie Nickel

“To the family and friends of Chelsea, it

has been a very diffi cult day and all of

us are hurting and feeling the pain of

a lost loved one. Just hold tight to the

fact that we all have been so blessed

to have had Chelsea on this earth for

16 years.”

Belinda Sherman

“I am unable to put into words how

sorry I am. My heart weeps for you and

Joey both - I don’t know if you realize

your whole family is mourning with you,

although we are far away. “

Christine, Dave,

William and the girls

“I met Chelsea a little over a year ago. I

remember meeting her at a basketball

game vs. Bridgeport in Decatur. When

you’re around her you can’t help but

feeling her vibrant energy. She always

made everyone around her feel good.

Ever since then she’s lit up my life and

helped me through a lot of rough times.

I owe a lot to her.”

Chase Martin

“I am so sorry for your family’s loss.

Chelsea was such a great teammate of

Baillie’s and the other girls. If I had one

word to describe Chelsea it would be

‘spunky.’ I know she is looking down on

all of us with that beautiful smile she

always had.”

Derinda, Steve, and Baillie

“A girl who loved life,

One who would have made a great wife.

A girl who always had a good time,

one’s partner in crime.

She is in a better place now,

even though we just frown.

A girl you wanted as your friend,

because she would be there

until the end.

All the memories you recall,

aren’t meant to make you fall.

When you’re sitting around crying,

just know she is here fl ying.

A girl who always had a

smile on her face,

one who always won the race.

Volleyball is her game,

and Chelsea is her name!”

Ishley Elmore

View more reader comments and submitted photos, photos from the candlelight vigil, and a special video of friends remembering Chelsea Ann Lunt at www.wcmessenger.com/lunt.

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Robert Morgan

Sports Editor

USPS Publication No. 688940

ISSN 0746-8679

The Wise County Messenger (ISSN 0746-8679) is published Thursday and Sunday by Wise County Messenger, Inc., P.O. Box 149, 115 S. Trinity St., Decatur, Texas 76234-0149. Periodicals class postage paid at Decatur, Texas. Subscription rates: one year in Wise County $35, six months $18; one year out of county $40, six months $22; one year out of state $45, six months $23.

An erroneous refl ection upon the character, standing or reputation of any fi rm, person or corporation, which appears in the columns of this paper will be corrected upon due notice given to the publication at the Messenger offi ce.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Wise County Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Decatur, Texas 76234-0149. 940-627-5987. http://www.wcmessenger.com. E-mail: news@wcmessenger.com.© 2008 Wise County Messenger

Mark Jordan

Vice President/

General Manager

Ken Roselle

Vice President

EDITORIAL

Brian Knox

Editor

Denny Deady

Special Projects Manager

Robert Morgan

Sports Editor

Kristen Tribe

Assistant Editor

Mandy Bourgeois

Travis Measley

Mack Thweatt

Keri Pritchard-Willerton

Graphic Artist

Joe Duty

Photographer

BUSINESS OFFICE

Kristi Bennett

Business Manager

Lesa Major

Teresa Mayberry

CLASSIFIEDS

Donna Bean

ADVERTISING

Lisa Davis

Advertising Manager

Lori White

Michelle Bush

Denise Dennis

PRODUCTION

Todd A.Griffi th

Production Manager/Webmaster

Andrew May

Videographer

Pierre Moua

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Anne Upton

Manager

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OFFICE SUPPLY

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Manager

Tim Terrell

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Receptionist

Phil Major

President & PublisherP.O. Box 149

115 S. Trinity

Decatur, TX 76234

940-627-5987

Fax 940-627-1004

www.wcmessenger.com

news@wcmessenger.com

fromfromWISE toWISE toWASHINGTONWASHINGTON

A new blog following the A new blog following the Presidential InaugurationPresidential Inauguration

www.wcmessenger.com/www.wcmessenger.com/blogs/washingtonblogs/washington

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We Do It AllGive Us a Call940-626-4806If it’s not on this list call and ask.

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www.wcmessenger.com Decatur,texas Vol.35-no.48UpdateWise

CountyMessenger

tuesDay,march10,

2009

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Wise CountyYouth FairSupport the Youth of Wise County!Youth Fair PreviewAdv. Deadline: Mar. 10Publication: Mar. 19

Youth Fair ResultsAdv. Deadline: Mar. 31Publication: Apr. 19

FIRE DESTROYS HOME — Three fire departments battled a structure fire early Tuesday morning near Bridgeport that destroyed a home and a small truck. The double-wide mobile home at 379 Private Road 3492, about six miles south of Bridgeport, was engulfed in flames when firefighters from Bridgeport first arrived. The homeowners were able to escape without injury but the home was a total loss. Paradise and Lake Bridgeport volunteer fire departments assisted with the blaze. Red Cross was on scene just before 6 a.m. to assist the family. Interim Fire Marshal Chuck Gomez was investigating the cause of the fire when Update went to press.

FOOTBALL COACHING CHANGE — The Northwest ISD last night named Bill Patterson as the new head football coach at Northwest High School. Patterson replaces Leonard McAngus who requested reassignment last month. Patterson is currently head football coach and athletic coordinator at Naaman Forest High School in Garland. He was head football coach and boys athletic coordinator at Canyon High School in Canyon from 1996-1999.

JACKIE FUNDRAISER — A donation lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur to raise money to send Jackie Murphree of Decatur to China for stem cell treatment. The meal will include a baked potato and fixings, salad, dessert and a drink. Another meal will be served at the same time and location Thursday with soup, salad, dessert and drink being served. To-go containers will be available.

DON’T BE SCAMMED — Decatur Deputy Fire Chief Deroy Bennett said someone has been calling local residents asking for donations for the Decatur firefighters. Bennett said the fire department has not approved nor endorsed anyone to solicit donations on their behalf and the call is a scam.

DECATUR PD RECOGNIZED — Decatur Police Dept. was honored Monday by the Decatur City Council as the 11th department in Texas to receive recognition from the Texas Police Chiefs Association for accreditation in the group’s 158-step program of best police practices, implemented in 2005. The council also approved a replat of the Wal-Mart property, creating a separate lot for the Murphy USA gasoline station.

SCV MEETING — The Sons of Confederate Veterans meet at 7 tonight at the Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.

RELAY MEETING — A Relay for Life committee meeting is 5:30 tonight at Justice of the Peace Terri Johnson’s courtroom at the sheriff’s department. A team captains’ meeting is at 6:30.

CHICO BARBECUE — The Chico High School senior class hosts a barbecue dinner, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the elementary school cafeteria during open house. Cost is $5 a plate and all proceeds benefit Project Graduation. The event also includes silent and live auctions.

OFFICE HOURS CHANGE — Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Terri Johnson’s office is now open through the lunch hour (noon to 1 p.m.). “Due to economic hard times we hope these new hours will accommodate those who might otherwise have to take time off in order to take care of court business,” Johnson said. The office will now be closed from 11 a.m.-noon for lunch.

LIFEGUARD CLASS — The Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department is offering an American Red Cross Lifeguard Class March 13-18. Cost is $175, and you must be at least 15 years of age prior to March 18. For more information, call (940) 683-3480.

HEART GALLERY — Assumption Catholic Church is hosting the CASA of Wise County Heart Gallery of North Texas through Friday, March 20. The Heart Gallery is a traveling photo exhibit of children currently available for adoption.

SOCIETY MEETING — The Paradise Historical Society meets at 7 tonight at the Paradise United Methodist Church. Speaker will be John Lea of Austin with information on the Adkins-Murphy families.

FUNERALS — Service for Charles Luther Brock, 76, of Decatur is 2 p.m. today at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. GRAVESIDE service for Evelyn Walker, 80, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Wednesday at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at Jones Family Funeral Home. SERVICE is pending for Jack Walker, 77, of Decatur at Coker-Hawkins.

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