Wise County Messenger

10/08/2025

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, DECATUR STYLE: Community members got to know neighbors, local first responders and area advocates during National Night Out Tuesday on the Decatur Square. The festivities (and servings of free hot dogs) will continue until 8 p.m tonight! Check out our photos sponsored by Bramlett Septic

10/07/2025

10/07/2025

UPDATE for Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025: STATE TO SEEK LIFE, NOT DEATH, IN MURDER CASE — The Wise County District Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty for a Boyd man facing a capital murder charge in the death of his cousin. Read more: https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/update-for-tuesday-october-7-2025/

10/06/2025

The Wise County District Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty for a Boyd man facing a capital murder charge in the death of his cousin.

District Attorney James Stainton announced Monday that after extensive discussions with the family of Elias Torres-Moreno, his office will proceed with the case against Jose Diaz-Martinez as a capital felony and will not seek the death penalty.

If found guilty of capital murder, Diaz-Martinez would face an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to state law.

The Wise County District Attorney's Office will not seek the death penalty for a Boyd man facing a capital murder charge in the death of his cousin.

10/06/2025

The sixth Wise County Football Player of the Week poll is live now, sponsored by TexasBank! Cast your votes for Week 6's top offensive and defensive players!

OFFENSE:
🏈 Kamper Barnes, Alvord
🏈 Rhys Ragan, Decatur
🏈 Caris Sela, Northwest
🏈 Luke Brown, Paradise

DEFENSE:
🏈 Colton Braziel, Decatur
🏈 Teagan Lambert, Paradise

🚨Voting ends 12 p.m. Tuesday!

VOTE HERE — https://www.wcmessenger.com/2025-wise-county-football-player-of-the-week/

10/06/2025

Check out our photos of the 36th Newark Cruisin' Days, brought to you by Simpson Motor Company

10/06/2025

UPDATE for Monday, Oct. 6, 2025: FIRE FOUNDATION FORMED — A group of Decatur business and civic leaders have formed the Decatur Fire Department Foundation to support the operations of the fire department. Read more: https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/update-for-monday-october-6-2025/

10/04/2025

The Decatur Eagles (3-2) improved to 2-0 in District 5-4A Division I with a 57-24 road win against Fort Worth Eastern Hills Friday, fueled by sophomore quarterback Rhys Ragan's six passing touchdowns.

The Eagles will have a short week to prepare for Week 7 league battle against Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 at Herman Clark Stadium.

Decatur sophomore quarterback Rhys Ragan fought his way through a quarterback battle during the offseason to become the Eagles’ signal caller in his first varsity season — inheriting the job from former quarterback Jed Ross. “There were a lot of nerves, but definitely a lot of excitement, as w...

10/04/2025

Paradise stayed perfect in District 4-3AI with a 43-9 win against Bowie Friday. The Panthers (5-1, 2-0) used a few key halftime adjustments to outscore the Jackrabbits 20-0 in the second half and roll to the win.

Paradise outscored Bowie 20-0 in the second half Friday to stay undefeated in District 4-3AI. The Panthers (5-1, 2-0) scored two touchdowns with relative ease in the first quarter to take a 15-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game, but started to give up control in the second quarter. Bow...

10/04/2025

Wise County football went 4-0 in Week 6

10/03/2025

Check out a collection of the Wise County high school homecoming festivities (that we've captured so far) in 2025.

Below are photos from local high school homecoming festivities this year. Decatur homecoming Paradise Homecoming Bridgeport Homecoming VCA Homecoming Chico Homecoming Alvord Homecoming This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe now. Username or E-mail Passw...

10/03/2025

UPDATE for Friday, Oct. 3, 2025: REGISTER TO VOTE — The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Monday. The ballot includes 17 state constitutional amendments, 24 charter amendment propositions in Decatur, contested mayor and school board races in Paradise, a bond election in Boyd ISD, a tax rate election in Northwest ISD and a proposition to create Emergency Services District No. 4. Read more: https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/update-for-friday-october-3-2025/