decatur - Wise County Messenger

VOLUME 130 - NO. 68 SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009 DECATUR, TEXAS 24 PAGES IN TWO SECTIONS PLUS INSERTS 75¢U.S. Army Sgt. and WiseCounty sheriff’s deputyPhillip Fevang is backhome after a second tourin Iraq.This is the last weekendto enjoy a cool dip in theBridgeport Swimming pool.See page 3AFort WorthJacksboroBoydLubbockBridgeportDecaturSee pages 15A, 16ASun8/2394/70Abundant sunshine. Highs in themid 90s and lows in the low 70s.News Briefs ..... 3AOpinion ........... 4ALifestyle .......... 6ASee story, page 2AA 4-year-old child wasinjured in a drive byshooting near DecaturThursday.feature this week. Thegraphic above will appearwhen related information- such as photos, video orstories - is found on ourWeb site. We’ve shortenedthe address using our newWeb site URL shorteningservice.See story, page 2ASports ...............1BClassifi eds .........2AWise Business ...8BWise County MessengerP.O. Box 149115 South TrinityDecatur, Texas 76234www.wcmessenger.comBY BRANDON EVANSA tank truck loaded with7,600 gallons of dieselfuel capsized and transformedinto thick sheets offlames and smoke in AlvordWednesday.The truck was northboundon U.S. 81/287 near the intersectionof Farm Road1655 when the wreck occurredshortly before noon.“I got a melted truck anda driver who walked away,”said trooper Ed MayfieldContinued on page 5ABY BRIAN KNOXvoting for the new policy,one against, one abstentionDecatur High School seniorswho don’t pass all of In May, the board changedand one absence.the required statethe existing policyassessment teststhat required studentsto pass thewill still get to walkat graduation withexit-level TAKS testtheir classmates,in order to walk withaccording to a newtheir classmates atpolicy approved bythe graduation ceremony.Just a cou-the school boardThursday.ple of weeks beforeThe policy doesgraduation, a seniorrequire studentsmade a tearful pleato complete certain LUTTRULL to board membersother requirementsto change the policy.to demonstrate that they She said she had workedhave put forth the necessary hard to pass the test buteffort to try to pass the TexasAssessment of Knowledge question and would not gethad missed passing by oneand Skills (TAKS) test. Studentsmust also “satisfacto-hearing from the student andto walk at graduation. Afterrily complete all coursework several of her supporters, therequirements.”board called a special meetingto review the policy.The board’s action camenear the end of a more than At that special meeting,five-hour meeting Thursday the board decided to changewith four board members Continued on page 8AMessenger photo by Joe DutyHOT MESS — There were few remains left of a tank truck carrying diesel fuel that capsized and burst into flames near theintersection of U.S. 81/287 and Farm Road 1655 in Alvord on Wednesday.Messenegr photo by Joe DutyREMEMBERING CHELSEA — Decatur High School seniors Holly Harrison and Fleming Smurthwaite present Kelly Monroe Norris with herdaughter’s framed volleyball jersey that was retired during the pregame ceremony of the Chelsea Lunt Memorial Game Tuesday. The DecaturLady Eagles swept the Graham Lady Steers in three games. For more information on the game won for Chelsea, see page 1B.BY KRISTEN TRIBEPeggy Shepherd of Bridgeport elbowedher husband, B.J., when she thought hesaid enough at the Thursday eveningpublic hearing on the county tax rate.He acknowledged the jab, to the delightof the small crowd, and kept talking.The Shepherds were among 14 peopleMessenger photo by Joe DutyBRAND NEW — Paradise Superintendent Monty Chapmanstands in the entryway of the new performing artscenter. Paradise has completed several constructionprojects in time for the start of school.in attendance, many of whom made passionate pleas to the commissioners to reconsider the proposed two-cent propertytax increase.Kathryn Kiem of Runaway Bay, a former employee of the county treasurer’soffice, said she wanted commissionersto consider the consequences of a tax increase.Continued on page 9ABY MANDY BOURGEOISThe scents of fresh paintand new carpet will mixwith the familiar smells ofpeanut butter and glue asstudents and parents enter new school buildingscompleted just in time forthe start of the 2009-2010school year.Four Wise County districts have been busy overthe summer working to finish two new campuses andvarious building additionsContinued on page 12ACarrier RoutePresortBULK RATEU.S. POSTAGEPAIDDecatur, TXPermit No. 88THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009WISE COUNTY MESSENGERHERE’S WHAT YOUMAY HAVE MISSEDIN LAST SUNDAY’SNORTHWESTIN NEWS...■ Wreck causes fierymess■ If at first you don’tsucceed ...■ Citizens offer theirtwo centsIN SPORTS...■ Decatur wins one forChelsea■ Chico nets first win■ Aubrey too quick forSissiesINSIDE ...ALVORDWreck causes fiery messSOLDIERSHERIFFALSO INSIDE ...DRIVE BYSHOOTINGDECATURIN NEWS BRIEFS ...BYE-BYESUMMERWHAT’S THAT?We’re introducing a newAREA DEATHSAND FUNERALSLORENE ABBOTTLENORA DAVISPHIL HAYNESANNA MCBRIDELORI POTTSJAMES WITHEYWEATHER...INDEXDECATURIf at first youdon’t succeed ...New policy gives seniors anotherpath to walking at graduationWISE COUNTYCitizens offer their two centsProposed tax rate increase draws public commentsWISE COUNTYNew facilities at four schools set to openSUBSCRIBE TODAY!www.wcmessenger.com/subscribeMessenger photo by Joe DutyLACE’EM UP — Northwest freshmen football players, from left, Shaler Sheppard, Vander Lewis, Gabriel Walker and Jabri Young get ready to kickoff seasonwith media picture day last Thursday. The Texans are ready for some football and they will get things started by hosting Mansfield Timberview at 7:30 p.m.Friday night.ALVORD • AURORA • BOYD • BRIDGEPORT • CHICO • DECATUR • GREENWOOD • NEWARK • NEW FAIRVIEW • PARADISE • RHOME • RUNAWAY BAY •SLIDELL