This handout from the Texas Center for Community Journalism's second New Media for the News Media workshop shows how the Wise County Messenger leverages the power of the Internet to bring their community newspaper product to readers.

1. LiveBlogging/Twitter
During the 2008 Football Season, one of our most popular In 2009, the Bridgeport Sissies went to regionals for
pages on the website was our Friday Night Results, which Basketball. Again, we sold a Blog-style page to a local
included scores and stories from each game that week. hospital that included stories, photo slideshows and Video,
This year we went a bit further, adding LiveBlogging via plus LiveBlogging via Twitter.
Twitter to the page. The LiveBlogging was even studied www.wcmessenger.com/sissies
by the opposing team the week before the playoffs to
determine Bridgeport’s strategy.
www.wcmessenger.com/football
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 Sample Bridgeport Sissies Tweets

2. Breaking News
On 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
Reader submitted photos.
Reader comments.
Letter to the Editor from the
high school principal.
A special video presentation of student reactions at the
candlelight vigil. Photos of student reactions. Photos of student reactions.

3. Social Networking Sites
Social Networking websites like Facebook and MySpace During the spring of 2008, a series of wildfires devastated
are all the rage these days; they can help spread stories, the city of Paradise. Within the next two hours, we had
photos and videos across the web faster than any search video footage up on our website, but at a price: the number
engine. Our Facebook page drops in RSS Feeds from our of viewers vs. the number of video streams our webserver
daily Update, News Headlines and Sports Headlines, as could dish out had been exceeded, crashing our website.
well as video links to our YouTube channel and tagged We’ve since learned that posting the video to YouTube and
photos from our print edition. We now have over 200 people utilizing their servers and bandwidth was the only way to
following us on Facebook. successfully deliver these videos to our audience, as well
Facebook page: www.my-wise.com as managing to have these videos spread, or “go viral,” to
other parts of the internet.
YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/wcmessenger

4. Print-to-Web: Other Advertising Streams
Holiday Specials Wise Dining Guide
One successful Newspaper-to-Web promotion we had was Similar to the Holiday Specials promotion, the Wise Dining
a series of ads geared to holiday shoppers. In addition to Guide offered print ads AND space on the web; advertisers
their ad running in our paid print edition, it was also carried could either link to their own websites, or, if they didn’t
on to the web and promoted with a series of sidebar ads have a website, we would scan in their menu and host it
throughout our website. The viewer could then click on the ourselves as part of the promotion.
advertiser they were interested in to see what their weekly www.wcmessenger.com/dining
specials were.
www.wcmessenger.com/holiday
Church and Business Directories
Rather 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

5. Update & Breaking News
WISE
Update
FRIDAY,
FEBRUARY 6,
COUNTY 2009
MESSENGER
WWW.WCMESSENGER.COM DECATUR, TEXAS VOL. 35 - NO. 26
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 All of
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 benefit the family of Your
Chelsea Lunt. Also a four-wheeler raffle will be held during the final game of the night,
while the evening will get started with a hamburger dinner at 5 p.m. Games start at Business
Insurance
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.
Needs
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 Office. Doors at the
Bridgeport Stage, 1009 Halsell St., will open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie will start at www.sbcinsurance.net
7. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be picked up at city hall and 940-627-8888 • Decatur
select downtown merchants. For more information, call (940) 683-3480 or visit www.
cityofbridgeport.net/parks&rec. Serving Wise
County for over
100 Years
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 benefit the fire
department.
UMPIRES NEEDED — Umpires are needed for Wise County girls softball games, March If cost is a concern,
we ask that you compare.
through June. All prospects must take a class to get certified. 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 DECATUR • 940-627-5959
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 BRIDGEPORT • 940-683-2211
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 BOYD • 940-433-5310
a.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Cemeter y. Family visitation at 10 a.m. Saturday prior to the
www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com
service. Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling all three services.
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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

6. VOLUME 129 - NO. 8 SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2009 DECATUR, TEXAS 22 PAGES IN TWO SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS 75¢
INSIDE ...
CHELSEA ANN LUNT 1992-2009
She just brought out
HOUSE FIRE
A mobile home in Paradise
was destroyed by fire Friday
afternoon.
See story, page 2A
the best in all of us.
Vanessa Verela
INSIDE ... Chelsea’s teammate
senior, Decatur High School
GRASS FIRES
Area 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
UNITING
EXPERIENCE
Editorial 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
AREA DEATHS
AND FUNERALS
M. NEIL PUGSLEY
Decatur
THOMAS ‘T.A.’ MOSS
Decatur
CHELSEA LUNT
Rhome
SHIRLEY
FORTENBERRY
Edmond, Okla. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
See pages 10A and 12A 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.
WEATHER...
SATURDAY SUNDAY
Friends recall Lunt’s Texting is apparent
Clouds and sun;
breezy, much colder
Partly sunny and
milder sense of humor cause of teen’s wreck
44° 28° 56° 43°
MONDAY TUESDAY
By TRAVIS MEASLEY By ROBERT MORGAN
ARDMORE
Cloudy Mostly cloudy, a Not a single sound was heard Wednesday night as more
WAURIKA
40/31
40/26
A popular student-athlete from Decatur High School
shower possible
than 100 students, friends and family members gathered for was killed early Wednesday while driving to school, leav-
DURANT
54° 36° 39° 31° WICHITA FALLS a vigil in the youth room of the Victory Family Church in
40/30 ing her family in shock and a campus grieving the loss of
44/29
See page 12A
HENRIETTA
44/29
Decatur to mourn the death of beloved 16-year-old Decatur another student for the second straight year.
High School sophomore Chelsea Ann Lunt.
MONTAGUE SHERMAN Sophomore Chelsea Lunt was alone in the vehicle driv-
43/31 GAINESVILLE
ARDMORE Friends stood up43/30 spoke, often through tears, sharing
42/32 and BONHAM
ing northbound on U.S. 81/287 just a few hundreds yards
WAURIKA 40/31
40/26 memories and stories about 42/29 Chelsea. The love and support from the FM 730 exit when she lost control of her pickup.
JACKSBORO that filled the room almost forced the painful reality of her
DURANT It flipped at least five times on the east side of the road
CHITA FALLS 40/30
/29
HENRIETTA
44/31 BRIDGEPORT
passing out the minds of those GREENVILLE
DECATUR gathered. She had been taken before coming to a rest near the shoulder of the high-
44/31 44/28
44/29 GRAHAM too soon. DENTON
46/29
MCKINNEY
44/29
42/30 way.
MONTAGUE
44/31 SHERMAN
43/31 GAINESVILLE RHOME
43/30
42/32
BONHAM
44/31
42/29 Continued on page 2A Continued on page 9A
MINERAL WELLS
JACKSBORO 44/31
FORT WORTH DALLAS
44/31 BRIDGEPORT 44/33
DECATUR 44/32
44/31 44/28 WEATHERFORD GREENVILLE
DENTON
PALO PINTO
GRAHAM 44/30MCKINNEY 42/30
44/31 46/3246/29 44/29 KAUFMAN
44/32
RHOME
44/31
MINERAL WELLS
44/31
STEPHENVILLE
48/30 GLEN ROSE
48/31
CLEBURNE
49/31
WAXAHACHIE
48/33 CHICO
FORT WORTH DALLAS
44/33 44/32
WEATHERFORD
CORSICANA ATHENS
Former jail employee is back behind bars
PALO PINTO 44/30 48/34 47/35
46/32 KAUFMAN
44/32
MERIDIAN
INDEX COMANCHE
50/31 WAXAHACHIE
50/31
HILLSBORO
48/33
CLEBURNE 48/33
STEPHENVILLE 49/31
News Briefs48/30 Classifieds.........4B
..... 3A GLEN ROSE
FAIRFIELD
48/31 Shown is Saturday’s weather.
Opinion ........... 4A Wise Business....11ATemperatures are Saturday’s highs and 50/34
Saturday night’s lows. CORSICANA WACO
ATHENS
Lifestyle .............6A Sports .........1B-3B 48/34 By BRIAN KNOX
47/35
52/37 Jones was arrested Tuesday on drug, Walker said he began to get reports that
COMANCHE MERIDIAN HILLSBORO
weapon, theft and parole violation charg- Tony Jones was “slipping back into the
50/31
50/31 48/33 Chico resident Tony Jones, 44, is famil- es. His wife, Vonda Jones, and their two narcotics world” and officers began a two-
iar with the Wise County Jail – he helped
FAIRFIELD sons, Justin, 21, and Kevin Jones, 20, have month investigation. It was through that
own is Saturday’s weather. 50/34
mperatures are Saturday’s highs and
turday night’s lows.
WACO build it as a trusty inmate. After he was also been arrested on drug charges. investigation that seven people were ar-
52/37
released, Jones was even given a job as a Wise County Sheriff David Walker said rested Jan. 15 at Tony Jones’ home at 380
Wise County Messenger jail maintenance employee. Tony Jones “did a good job” as a trusty County Road 1643 near Chico. The family
P.O. Box 149 Today, Jones is once again in jail – as inmate, so much so that Walker decided was not at home when officers executed a
115 South Trinity an inmate. He is joined by three family to offer him a job as a jail maintenance
Decatur, Texas 76234 members. worker after his release in 2006. Continued on page 5A
www.wcmessenger.com TONY JONES

7. 2A WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Sunday, January 25, 2009
from
My candle burns CHELSEA ANN LUNT 1992-2009 WISE to
at both ends; WASHINGTON
It will not last A new blog following the
the night; Presidential Inauguration
www.wcmessenger.com/
But ah, my foes, and blogs/washington
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
Phil Major
mourn. May His love and peace give you President & Publisher
strength at this terrible time. Chelsea P.O. Box 149
may you be playing the best volleyball 115 S. Trinity
game of all in heaven!” Decatur, TX 76234
Randy, Bea, Katelyn 940-627-5987
and Hannah McWilliams Fax 940-627-1004
www.wcmessenger.com
“Chelsea was a great friend; one who news@wcmessenger.com
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 Messenger photo by Joe Duty
“I played with Chelsea on a club vol-
Friends of Chelsea Lunt place a cross and a memorial at the site of Wednesday’s crash that claimed the life of the Decatur
leyball team last year. I don’t think I High School sophomore. Pictured from left, Ricky Delgato and Katland Lillis hold up the cross and photo of Lunt while Margie
have ever met a more amazing person. Manetta and Carlos Infante place the memorials. Ashley Townley is consoled by her mother, Carole, after being interviewed
Just walking into the room, she put a Robert Morgan Teresa Mayberry
by television reporters. Sports Editor Receptionist
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
Friends recall Lunt’s sense of humor ... Mark Jordan
Vice President/
General Manager
Continued from 1A in the playoffs,” Verela said. “We were all and contagious personality. She will al- Ken Roselle
“To the family and friends of Chelsea, it bummed, and so was Chelsea, but with- ways hold a special place in my heart, and
has been a very difficult day and all of
Vice President
us are hurting and feeling the pain of Chelsea’s death in an early-morning in minutes she had me bursting at the each day as I pass by the volleyball locker
a lost loved one. Just hold tight to the car accident Wednesday rocked the entire seams with laughter over some silly voice room, I will forever remember those spar- EDITORIAL
fact that we all have been so blessed city of Decatur. Friends and family mem- or face she was making. She just brought kling blue eyes and big bright smile.” Brian Knox
to have had Chelsea on this earth for
16 years.” bers shook their heads in disbelief when out the best in all of us.” Chelsea was a phenomenal athlete, ex- Editor
Belinda Sherman told the news. Chelsea not only had a positive influ- celling in track as well as volleyball. As a Denny Deady
“I was sitting in English when a friend ence on her friends, but also on her coach- freshman last spring, she was one of the Special Projects Manager
“I am unable to put into words how
sorry I am. My heart weeps for you and came up to me and asked if I had heard es and teachers. Decatur High School top athletes on the track and field team Robert Morgan
Joey both - I don’t know if you realize about Chelsea,” said senior Vanessa volleyball coach Claire Rose said she had where she competed in triple jump, 100- Sports Editor
your whole family is mourning with you, Verela, who played meter hurdles and 300 Kristen Tribe
although we are far away. “
Christine, Dave, varsity volleyball hurdles. She finished Assistant Editor
William and the girls with Chelsea. “I had fourth overall in the 100 Mandy Bourgeois
no idea what he was hurdles and was just one Travis Measley
“I met Chelsea a little over a year ago. I
remember meeting her at a basketball talking about, and spot shy of advancing to Mack Thweatt
game vs. Bridgeport in Decatur. When when he said she the regional finals in her Keri Pritchard-Willerton
you’re around her you can’t help but passed away, my first year of high school. Graphic Artist
feeling her vibrant energy. She always
made everyone around her feel good. brain refused to be- “The fact that she Joe Duty
Ever since then she’s lit up my life and lieve it. It is still hard missed going to regionals Photographer
helped me through a lot of rough times. (a day later) to truly by one place as a fresh-
I owe a lot to her.” BUSINESS OFFICE
Chase Martin believe that I won’t man tells me what kind
see her walk through Photos submitted by Laura Craig of hard worker she was,” Kristi Bennett
“I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Business Manager
the door again.” Friends and family members submitted countless photos of Chelsea to the said DHS track coach
Chelsea was such a great teammate of Lesa Major
Baillie’s and the other girls. If I had one Students gathered Messenger Web site, such as the ones above. (Left) Chelsea, second from David Park. “There are
at the site of the left, and three friends pose in Arlington at a sand volleyball tournament at kids that ‘do’ sports, and Teresa Mayberry
word to describe Chelsea it would be
‘spunky.’ I know she is looking down on crash a few hours the baseball park in July. (Right) Also in July, Chelsea and the other mem- there are kids that ‘love’ CLASSIFIEDS
all of us with that beautiful smile she
always had.” after it occurred to bers of the North Texas Junior volleyball team celebrate their second-place sports. And she loved ev- Donna Bean
Derinda, Steve, and Baillie place a cross, flowers finish at an area tournament. ery bit of it.”
ADVERTISING
and pictures in Chelsea’s memory. Tears known Chelsea since her freshman year Students at the high school spent most
“A girl who loved life, Lisa Davis
One who would have made a great wife. streaked down friends’ faces as people and was amazed at the confidence, love of Wednesday in a daze. Principal Jason
exchanged hugs and offered shoulders and support she showed on the court as Cochran said that a strange silence has Advertising Manager
A girl who always had a good time,
one’s partner in crime. to lean on. And yet they stayed, bringing well as off. since fallen over the school, that students Lori White
She is in a better place now, Michelle Bush
even though we just frown. pictures and cards, refusing to let the mo- “In the seven years that I have taught walk the halls without uttering a word,
ment fade away. school and coached volleyball, I have nev- even those that didn’t know Chelsea. Denise Dennis
A girl you wanted as your friend,
because she would be there “We owe it to Chelsea to let everyone er experienced such a tragedy as we have “Everyone has been showing so much PRODUCTION
until the end.
All the memories you recall, know how beautiful of a person she was,” this week here at Decatur High School,” respect to Chelsea and what she brought Todd A.Griffith
aren’t meant to make you fall. said Carmen Cash, one of Chelsea’s clos- Rose said. “Chelsea was such an intricate to this school,” Cochran said. “She will be Production Manager/Webmaster
When you’re sitting around crying, est friends. “She was, no, she is, one of my part of the volleyball program, and her greatly missed by each and every one of Andrew May
just know she is here flying.
A girl who always had a best friends and my partner in crime. It’s absence has definitely made an impact us.” Videographer
smile on her face, difficult to put into words the pain we are on the team. As I sat there and listened As the crowd filed out of the vigil Pierre Moua
one who always won the race. all feeling without her around.” to the team share stories about Chelsea Wednesday night, silence kept its grip
Volleyball is her game, SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
and Chelsea is her name!” Friends said what they will miss most in the locker room Wednesday morning, I on the room. Some paused to look at pho-
Anne Upton
Ishley Elmore is the way Chelsea could light up a room felt such love and honesty within the girls tos or write letters to Chelsea’s parents.
Manager
or conversation with a joke, a silly voice and the yearning to see their friend and Some stopped to hug friends and family,
or just a smile. Verela said she will never teammate one last time. and some just stared, wide-eyed, as if lost Lowell Burkett
View more reader comments Roger Weber
and submitted photos, photos forget times spent with Chelsea in situa- “I have watched her grow and mature in the crowd. But as each person exited,
Jim Miller
from the candlelight vigil, tions as simple as riding a bus back home into a fine young lady,” Rose said. “I saw leaving behind the photos, letters and
and a special video of friends Wesley Robinson
after volleyball games and the way Chel- changes in her that were remarkable tears, they all did one thing – remember.
remembering Chelsea Ann OFFICE SUPPLY
Lunt at www.wcmessenger. sea could turn a heartbreaking loss into and a talent that couldn’t wait to escape. !
com/lunt. something positive. Reminiscing with the team this week, we E-mail Travis at tmeasley@wcmessen- Leisa Gage
“I remember riding back from our loss heard story after story of her funny antics ger.com. Manager
Tim Terrell
James Bradshaw
Carrie Adkins
Sue Carlson
PARADISE Subscribe Donna Jurosek
Shelly Stokes
Online. Ian Fitzgerald
Fire destroys mobile home SUBSCRIPTIONS
$35 a year In-County
$40 a year Out-of-County
$45 a year Out-of-State
$20 Digital Subscription
Five fire departments re- www.wcmessenger.com/subscribe
sponded to a structure fire BURNING FAST www.wcmessenger.com/ SUBMIT NEWS
Friday afternoon on Stone- — A Cottondale subscribe Submit News, Sports, Letters to
gate Drive just south of Par- firefighter the Editor, Lifestyle, Obituaries and
adise off Texas 114. battles flames Update items online
www.wcmessenger.com/submit
Firefighters from Paradise, leaping out
Rhome, Bridgeport, Decatur of a mobile Karl Green, LLC ADVERTISING
home Friday Repair, Remodel, Some New Contact Lisa Davis, Lori White,
and Cottondale battled the Construction, Mobile Homes, Denise Dennis or Michelle Bush at
afternoon on
fire that had completely con- Houses, Commercial
940-627-5987
Stonegate www.wcmessenger.com/advertising
sumed a double-wide mobile Drive south of Room Additions
home. Officers on scene kept Paradise off Fences USPS Publication No.
688940
all civilians at a safe dis- Texas 114. Five Skirting ISSN 0746-8679
tance due to ammunition departments Decks The Wise County Messenger (ISSN 0746-8679)
that was going off inside the – Rhome, Porches
is published Thursday and Sunday by Wise County
Messenger, Inc., P.O. Box 149, 115 S. Trinity St.,
house. Cottondale, Decatur, Texas 76234-0149. Periodicals class
Painting postage paid at Decatur, Texas. Subscription rates:
As of 5 p.m. Friday, crews Bridgeport, one year in Wise County $35, six months $18; one
Decatur and Tape, Bed & Texture year out of county $40, six months $22; one year
were still out monitoring the out of state $45, six months $23.
Paradise An erroneous reflection upon the character,
blaze that destroyed most of
– battled the
We Do It All standing or reputation of any firm, person or
corporation, which appears in the columns of this
the interior of the home and Give Us a Call paper will be corrected upon due notice given to the
flames for more publication at the Messenger office.
burned three large holes in
the roof. The cause of the
than two hours. 940-626-4806 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Wise County
Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Decatur, Texas 76234-
If it’s not on this list call and ask. 0149. 940-627-5987. http://www.wcmessenger.
Messenger photo com. E-mail: news@wcmessenger.com.
fire is unknown. © 2008 Wise County Messenger
by Travis Measley
FREE ESTIMATES

8. Wise
Update
tuesDay,
march 10,
County 2009
Messenger
www.wcmessenger.com Decatur, texas Vol. 35 - no. 48
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
ClearView
Tree Service and Stump Removal
coach at Northwest High School. Patterson replaces Leonard McAngus who requested reassignment last month. • Tree Removal
Patterson is currently head football coach and athletic coordinator at Naaman Forest High School in Garland. He • Stump Grinding
was head football coach and boys athletic coordinator at Canyon High School in Canyon from 1996-1999. • Storm Damage Experts
• Chipper Service
JACKIE FUNDRAISER — A donation lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the First United Methodist • Bucket Truck
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 FREE ESTIMATES
and location Thursday with soup, salad, dessert and drink being served. To-go containers will be available. (Senior Citizen Discount)
Fully Insured
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
940-626-4345
Toll Free 1-866-606-3224
anyone to solicit donations on their behalf and the call is a scam.
Most Credit Cards Accepted
DECATUR PD RECOGNIZED — Decatur Police Dept. was honored Monday by the Decatur City Council as the s r r TM
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.
Local Paper.
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.
Local News.
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
Loyal Readers.
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 SUBSCRIBE!
pending for Jack Walker, 77, of Decatur at Coker-Hawkins. www.wcmessenger.com/subscribe
Wise
Youth Fair
Be a part of
County these special
sections...
Call Lori,
Michelle, Denise
or Lisa at
Support the Youth of Wise County! 940-627-5987
Youth Fair Preview Youth Fair Results
Adv. Deadline: Mar. 10 Adv. Deadline: Mar. 31
Publication: Mar. 19 Publication: Apr. 19
check with us for print anD online aDVertising opportunities • 940-627-5987

9. Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired?
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resolve Type 2 Diabetes, high blood
pressure, joint pain, sleep apnea and
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Sat., February 7 at 10 a.m.
or a free informational seminar to learn
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Fit-N-Wise Boardroom
609 Medical940-626-4683 or
Call Center Drive • Decatur
visit MyBariatricSolutions.com
for the date and location
of our next event.

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