Wise County Messenger

Founded in 1880 in Paradise, the Wise County Messenger is one of the oldest businesses in Wise County and serves as its largest newspaper.

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Adios to Wise County’s 2024-25 sports year

2 days ago | wcmessenger.com | Micah McCartney

It’s hard to believe that the books are now closed on the 2024-25 Wise County athletic year. But man, what a fun ride it was! The 2024-25 sports season was absolutely crazy, mostly due to it being the first year of the UIL’s divisional postseason split for most team sports — creating two separate playoff divisions for volleyball, basketball, softball, […] This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe now. Remember Me
Smith helps UT Tyler to second straight national title

4 days ago | wcmessenger.com | Micah McCartney

Former Decatur standout JT Smith closed out her senior campaign in a big way last week, helping to lead the University of Texas at Tyler Patriots back to the mountaintop of Division II college softball.
Sanger man injured in power line accident

4 days ago | wcmessenger.com | Austin Jackson

A Sanger man was flown to a metroplex hospital in critical condition Monday after a power line accident near Bridgeport and Alvord. Justin Rushing, 25, of Sanger, was working on the electrical line in the 400 block of Farm Road 1655 before the accident occurred, according to the Wise County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). First responders and utility company personnel responded […] This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe now. Remember Me
Decatur’s North Texas Smoke BBQ makes Texas Monthly Top-50 list

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Austin Jackson

Decatur is officially home to some of the best barbecue in Texas. This week, North Texas Smoke BBQ cracked Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints list. The magazine’s Top 50 list, released every four years, is a life-altering achievement for Texas pitmasters. The revered list is often called the Super Bowl of smoked meat, serving as a Michelin Guide of Texas barbecue that crowns true Texas brisket royalty.
Acree found guilty of murder

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Brian Knox

A Wise County jury Friday found 20-year-old Austin Acree of Decatur guilty of murder in the 2023 death of 19-year-old Matthew Brown. Brown had gone missing from his Decatur home March 5, 2023, and his body was found two weeks later in Deep Creek near Aurora. Sentencing for Acree, who could face up to life in prison for the first degree felony offense, is set for June 11 in 271st District Court in Decatur.
Bees buzz-ted after parking violation in Decatur

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Austin Jackson

Downtown Decatur’s parking situation got a little more complicated Thursday after thousands of honey bees swarmed on a parking sign on Main Street. Ricky Wright, a man armed with nothing more than a vacuum, jeans, a short-sleeve shirt and a ball cap — calmly collected the bees. The other half of the apiary operation, Cheryl Wright, was at his side, manning the SUV filled with bee containers and a few jars of their freshly collected honey.
Acree murder trial begins

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Brian Knox

The murder trial of Austin James Acree, who is charged in the 2023 death of 19-year-old Decatur resident Matthew Brown, began this week. Acree, 20, of Decatur is one of three people charged with murder in the case, along with Aiden Theberge and Justin Carl. A jury was selected Tuesday, and prosecutors with the Wise County District Attorney’s Office began laying out their case against Acree on Wednesday morning in the 271st District Court in Decatur.
News Briefs for Thursday, May 29, 2025

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Brian Knox

BRIDGEPORTPOOL OPEN FOR SUMMER — The Bridgeport City Pool is open 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the summer months. SUMMER CAMP — Bridgeport Parks and Recreation will host its Summer Camp for kids who have finished kindergarten through fifth grades June 2 through 27 and July 7 through 25 at the Bridgeport Elementary Gym. Weekly activities includes arts and crafts, games, pool days and field trips. Must have a current youth packet, cityofbridgeport.net/youthpacket2024.
Sinkhole causes closure of Workman Road in Decatur

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Austin Jackson

A sinkhole caused by recent rainfall and a drainage pipe failure has led to the closure of a portion of South Workman Road in Decatur. City officials announced Tuesday that the road is closed to all through traffic between West Business 380 and West Main Street after the sinkhole formed near 400 S. Workman Road. The closure is a safety precaution and will remain in place until the damage can be fully evaluated and necessary repairs are completed.
West Wise? More like West Africa: Wildebeest chase ends without drama

1 week ago | wcmessenger.com | Austin Jackson

It wasn’t a mirage. For a moment Tuesday night, West Wise looked more like West Africa when a full-grown wildebeest made a run for it down Farm Road 2123. Concerned 911 callers reported a large, horned animal hoofing it along the pavement on the road near Paradise and Cottondale. The fugitive — a wildebeest bull — had escaped from a […] This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe now. Remember Me