Friday, January 13, 2023
By Messenger Staff | on January 13, 2023
RHOME APPROVES NEW LEADERS — The Rhome City Council approved the hiring of Scott Estes as the city’s next fire chief during their meeting Thursday. Estes has been involved in the fire service for 40 years. He has previously served as a Westlake Fire Department lieutenant shift supervisor and a former Wise County Emergency Services District No. 1 fire chief. Estes’ first day on the job is set for Jan. 30. The council also appointed Kasey Shumate, a Roanoke police officer, to Place 5 of the council. The position was left vacant after former Council Member Patrick Meehan resigned during a December meeting.
SCHOOL TO HIRE ADDITIONAL OFFICERS INSTEAD OF ARMING TEACHERS — Boyd ISD will look to enhance school security through law enforcement instead of arming certain teachers and staff. Trustees resumed discussion regarding establishing a guardian program at its meeting Tuesday. After discussion, the board directed interim Superintendent Leslie Vann to pursue bringing on additional School Resource Officers instead of pursuing the program. “I think we should trust the experts,” said Boyd ISD trustee Bill Childress. “I want our teachers focused on the classroom. I wouldn’t want police officers teaching and I don’t think our teachers should be doing what they do.” Read more in the Friday Wise County Messenger .
BOYD MAN ACQUITTED — A Boyd man was found not guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting a female family member, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged incident. A Wise County jury found Michael Joseph Bombonati Jr. not guilty on two counts of prohibited sexual conduct with an ancestor/descendant. The verdict was returned in 271st District Court in Decatur. Read more in the Friday Messenger.
FOUST HIRED AT NORTHWEST — The Northwest ISD school board unanimously approved Mark Foust as the district’s next superintendent Monday. Foust was named as the lone finalist for the position last month. Read more in the Friday Messenger.
WELLNESS CHECK — Decatur Walmart is participating in Walmart Wellness Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The store will offer free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and BMI will be administered. Immunizations will also be available, but there may be a cost associated with those. All activities will be inside near the Walmart pharmacy.
SPANISH-SPEAKER OUTREACH — The Wise County Committee on Aging has created a program to reach Spanish-speaking seniors in Wise County. There is a reception 1-4 p.m. today at 1200 Miller St. in Decatur. Cookies and coffee will be served. Starting on Jan. 20, the group plans to meet every Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
COALITION TO CELEBRATE MLK DAY — The Wise County Community Coalition meets 6 p.m. Monday at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate MLK Day with a public program featuring guest speakers and singing. For information call Mike Bell at 940-799-1077.
SOCCER — The Decatur Eagles continue playing in the Alvarado tournament today. In girls soccer, the Bridgeport Sissies open action at the Castleberry tournament.
GIRLS BASKETBALL — Alvord will face off against Chico in the first District 13-2A Battle of 1655 of the season 6:15 tonight at Alvord High School. Slidell hosts Midway for a 22-A homecoming battle. Decatur welcomes Castleberry in 8-4A action at 6:15 p.m. Bridgeport hosts Lake Worth at 6:15 p.m. In 10-3A, Boyd is at Pilot Point, while Paradise welcomes Valley View. Both games are slated for 6.
BOYS BASKETBALL — Slidell will host its annual homecoming matchup against District 22-A rival Midway tonight at 7:30 p.m. Alvord looks for its fourth 13-2A victory in the Battle of 1655 against Chico at 7:30 p.m. Decatur opens 8-4A at home against Castleberry, while Bridgeport welcomes Lake Worth. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. In 10-3A, Boyd is at Pilot Point, and Paradise is home against Valley View at 7:30 p.m.
MOTHER-SON DANCE — Bridgeport Parks and Recreation will host its annual mother-son dance Jan. 21 at the Bridgeport Community Center. The event features dancing, food, prizes and photos. Dance times are 5-6:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at bridgeport.recdesk.com.
FUNERALS — Mass of Christian burial for Joanne Flusche Duffy, 82, formerly of Decatur is 10 a.m. Jan. 21, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with rosary said at 7.
SERVICE for Deborah Stalkup, 63, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.
GRAVESIDE for Mary Elizabeth Murray, 60, of Denton is 11 a.m. Saturday at Chico Cemetery. Family visitation is 9 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
FUNERAL for Mark Wilson Clark, 72, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins-Bridgeport with burial at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
MEMORIAL service for Betty North, 92, of Boyd is 11 a.m. Saturday at 107 S. Atwood St. in Boyd. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Gordon Vess, 63, of Boyd is 2 p.m. Monday at Hawkins-Boyd with burial at Boyd cemetery. Family visitation is 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Michael Allen Hall, 45, of Decatur is 10 a.m. Monday at Rise Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Visitation is one hour prior to the service. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Markus J.R. Eubanks, 66, of Bridgeport is 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Hudson & Torres.
SERVICE for Carson “Glen” Whitworth, 72, of Rhome is noon Saturday at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur.

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