Update for Wednesday, October 2, 2024

OFFICER KILLED IN SPRINGTOWN WRECK — Decatur Police Reserve Officer Josh Brandes died in a motorcycle accident in Parker County Tuesday afternoon, DPD Chief Delvon Campbell confirmed. Brandes, who was also a firefighter in Irving, served on the Decatur Police Department for the past three years and worked as a school resource officer at several Decatur ISD campuses, most notably at Enis Elementary School's STEM Academy. In February, Brandes was named the City of Decatur's Reserve Officer of the Year. “This is a tragic deal for us, for his family and everyone who knew him,” Campbell said. “He was full of energy and there was never a dull moment with Josh. He helped us a lot as an SRO. He was just a good guy, a good family man and a great member of our community.” Springtown police responded to the crash, which occurred on Farm Road 51 near Lynch Bend Road before 2 p.m. Tuesday. Campbell said Brandes was not on duty at the time of the accident. Read more online here.

HORNER TRIAL DATE PLANNED – After learning last month where Tanner Horner's murder trial will be held, we now know when it might begin. 271st District Judge Brock Smith issued a scheduling order for the case on Monday. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in late January/early February and the trial date is mid-March. While timelines are subject to change, this is the first time a trial date has been set since the case was indicted nearly 20 months ago. Last month, Smith granted Horner's request to move his trial out of Wise County and ordered the case to be tried in Tarrant County. Horner, who faces a possible death penalty in the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, requested the move due to “inflammatory pretrial publicity” that his lawyers at the Regional Public Defenders Office (RPDO) said would prevent a fair trial. Read more online here.

VOLLEYBALL RESULTS – Decatur (18-12, 5-1) saw its 44-game district winning streak come to an end as the Lady Eagles suffered their first league loss since the 2019 season in a 3-2 home loss to Krum on Tuesday, 25-19, March 21 , had to accept -25, 18-25, 25-21, 18-16. Bridgeport (0-30, 0-6) was defeated by Springtown 25-7, 25-11, 25-9. Boyd (25-4, 4-1) drew first blood in the Battle of Texas 114 rivalry against Paradise (16-16, 3-2) as the Lady Jackets defeated the Lady Panthers 25-22, 27-25 , 25 defeated -19. Alvord (20-15) fell to 0-2 in 9-2A after a three-set loss to Graford (25-16, 25-20, 25-22). Chico (23-9, 0-2) fell to Poolville in three sets, 25-12, 25-23, 25-12. Northwest (20-11) fell to 3-6 in 4-6A with a blowout loss to Keller, 25-17, 25-17, 25-8. VCA (16-4-1, 6-1) won TAPPS Division II District 2 against Fort Worth Mercy Culture Prep 25-11, 25-17, 25-10.

DECATUR HOMECOMING PARADE AND RALLY – The Decatur High School homecoming parade will be downtown tonight at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Family Game Night.” Immediately following the parade, a community rally will be held at Eagle Stadium. Some parking lots around Decatur Square may be closed starting this afternoon in preparation for the parade and will reopen after it ends.

UNITED WAY GOLF TOURNAMENT – The Wise County United Way Golf Tournament is Friday at Decatur Golf Course. Contact Terry Everett at [email protected] or 940-389-9060.

WRITER GROUP – The Decatur Public Library is hosting a writers group on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Authors come together to share their work, give constructive feedback, and support each other in their creative development. Through regular meetings and discussions, members hone their craft and gain new perspectives on their writing. Contact Chrissie Adams at 940-393-0290.

FIFTH QUARTER – First Baptist Church Decatur will host Fifth Quarter on Friday immediately following the home game until midnight. All students from 7th to 12th grade are invited. The event includes silent disco, food, fun and prizes.

MOBILE FOOD CABIN – The Decatur Cares Mobile Food Pantry will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Registration will be in the parking lot at South Miller and East Pecan streets. Fruits, vegetables, protein products and other items are available at the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

CEMETERY ASSOCIATION MEETING – The Bethel Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith Baptist Church on U.S. 380 west of Decatur.

AUTUMN FESTIVAL – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur will hold its annual Fall Festival Sunday with a 10:30 a.m. Mass followed by a feast. The event includes food, games, live music, a raffle, bingo, loteria, a cake walk and a children's area.

FUNERALS — Service for Peggy J McCurdy92, of Rhome will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rhome Church of Christ, with burial in Thurmond-Fairview Cemetery. Family visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

BURIAL for Gayla Liptack83, formerly of Bridgeport, will be held at noon Saturday at the First Methodist Church in Bridgeport and will be buried in West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation will take place one hour before the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

TOMB for John Barnes76, of Boyd will be held at DFW National Cemetery on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is in charge of arrangements.

SERVICE for James Alexander91, by Bowie is pending before Hawkins-Boyd.

BURIAL for Frances Munn78, of Bridgeport will be at the Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport today at 2 p.m. with burial in Eastside Cemetery.

TOMB Service for Elvin Fox65, of Bridgeport is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Paradise Cemetery. Hudson & Torres is handling the arrangements.

BURIAL for Keith Bridwell79, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church Bridgeport with burial in Eastside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hudson & Torres.

SERVICE for Jeffrey Parks34, by Rhome will take place at a later date. Hudson & Torres is handling the arrangements.

SERVICE for Jim Bob Fain61, of Springtown is 11 a.m. today at the Cooke County Cowboy Church in Gainesville.

MONUMENT Service for Sharlene “Shawn” Mitchell83, of Decatur is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Boyd.