Update for Thursday, February 2, 2023
Happy Groundhog Day — For many people staying home for the third or fourth day in a row, it can feel like living on the same day all over again thanks to the ongoing winter storm. Local schools are closed again today and most government offices are either closed or open late. View our current list of closures/cancellations here. But while Punxsutawney Phil may have seen its shadow this morning heralding six more weeks of winter, our winter storm is expected to end this morning when afternoon temperatures finally peak above freezing. The ice storm warning is scheduled to expire at 9:00 a.m. Between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., rain or freezing rain is forecast with a 50 percent probability, after 2:00 a.m. rain showers are possible. Otherwise cloudy with a high near 36 this afternoon. The temperature will drop below freezing again tonight, meaning any remaining water will refreeze.
ROADS STILL AFFECTED BY ICE – The Texas Department of Transportation reports that all major roads in Wise County continue to be affected by ice. So continue to exercise caution if you must travel. The Bridgeport Police Department reports that city streets are wet, but with very little ice in places. They reported some ice accumulation on bridges, but previous treatment has made them passable. The top of the viaduct is icy but the sides are clear. Road conditions should improve as temperatures climb above freezing today.
POWER FAILURE UPDATE – Oncor reported some power outages Wednesday afternoon as the area started getting freezing rain, primarily in Slidell and south of Runaway Bay as ice began to cover trees, but power was restored in those areas Wednesday afternoon and as of 7:30 a.m . Oncor reported no power outages in Wise County.
NEWSPAPER DELIVERY DELAYED — The Thursday edition of the Wise County Messenger newspaper was delayed due to the weather. The newspaper hits the kiosks on Friday. Stories from the newspaper and the e-edition will be online for subscribers today.
YOUTH FAIR DATES TO NOTE – Several important Wise County Youth Fair dates are coming up over the next few days. The Entry Clinic will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Decatur Visitor Center. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Late registrations will open on Monday and the cost will be three times the original amount. The Rabbit Validation and Tattoo Clinic has been moved to Sunday 1-4pm at the Wise County Fairgrounds Quonset Hut. WCYF scholarship applications are due and must be postmarked by February 10th. Go to the Wise County Youth Fair website wcyouthfair.org and click on ‘Scholarship’ for information and an application.
WISE COUNTY CHAMBER LUNCH – The Wise County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon Monday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Weatherford College Wise County. District Judge JD Clark will speak on the state of the district. Tickets are $15 per person. Door fare tickets will also be available. Buy tickets online until noon today only at wisecountychamber.com/event-tickets/
SPORTSMAN’S BANQUET – The Decatur Youth Fair Buyers Association (DYFBA) Athlete’s Banquet will be held at the Decatur Civic Center on Saturday. Proceeds from the banquet will benefit DYFBA, an organization that purchases the Decatur 4-H, Decatur FFA, and Victory Christian Academy Youth Fair projects.
CLAY SHOOT FUNDS CROSSROADS– The Paradise Band Boosters are hosting a clay ball fundraiser Saturday at the Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds in Decatur. The entry fee to attend the event is $120 per person, including 100 clays. Registration begins at 8am and shooting begins at 9am
FUNERALS — service for Larry Phillips, 84, from Chico is Friday at 10:30 am at Rise Church in Decatur with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visits are tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
TOMB service Donna Ruth Williams, 77, of Fort Worth, takes place Friday at 2 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visits are at Hawkins-Decatur from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
FUNERAL Per Arlene Russell Reedy, 91, from Decatur is Saturday at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur with burial in Murray Cemetery near Graham. The family visit takes place one hour before the service in the church. Hawkins-Decatur is doing the arrangements.
SERVICES Per Gregor Smith73, from Decatur and Janet Prutt91, of Slidell, are pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
FUNERAL Per Juana de Fraga, 81, of Bridgeport is Friday at 10am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport with burial in the Mexican Cemetery. Family visits are tonight from 6am to 8am at the Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with rosary prayer at 7am.
MONUMENT service for Lannie Ross foreman, 81, from Runaway Bay is Friday at 2pm in Hawkins-Bridgeport. The family visit takes place one hour before the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL Per Patsy Jo Ann Lightsey, 84, of Paradise is Friday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial in Cottondale Cemetery. The family visit takes place one hour before the service in the church. Hawkins-Bridgeport is making arrangements.
MONUMENT service for John Henry Streng, 74, of Paradise is 2pm Saturday at First Baptist Church in Boyd. Hawkins-Bridgeport is making arrangements.
SERVICE Per Ronald Preston Lane80, of Bridgeport is pending with Hawkins-Bridgeport.
FUNERAL Per Ted Rother, 91, of Rhome is Friday at 11 am at the Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd with burial on February 9 at 3:15 pm at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. The family visit takes place one hour before the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL Per Donald Hyatt, 76, from Aurora is at Waypoint Church in Rhome on Saturday at 11am with burial in Aurora Cemetery. Family visits are at Hawkins-Boyd on Fridays from 6pm to 8pm.
SERVICE Per Andrew Pawlak22, of Rhome, is pending with Hawkins-Boyd.
FUNERAL Per carol andrews, 83, of Paradise is at the Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial in Paradise Cemetery on Friday at 2pm. The visit is one hour before the service.
FUNERAL Per Linda Roberts, 78, from Bridgeport is with Hudson & Torres at 2pm today for burial at Bridgeport’s Westside Cemetery. The visit is one hour before the service.
SERVICE Per Felipe Alonzo69, from Decatur, is pending with Hudson & Torres.
