News Briefs for February 4 | WCMessenger.com

GRASSLANDS CONTROLLED BURNS ? U.S. Forest Service fire management specialists will be conducting controlled burns on the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands during the next few weeks. ?These planned burning operations are primarily being conducted to reduce fuels on the ground, control eastern red cedar, reduce the competition from brush species on grasses and wildflowers and stimulate grasses. This improves range conditions and areas for wildlife habitat,? said Fire Management Officer Scott Fry.

THIS WEEKEND?S EVENTS ?

STUDENT PLAY ? ?Ladders of Truth,? an original play by Decatur High School student Jacob Anderson, is showing 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Decatur High School. The play incorporates problems with today?s teens including suicide and eating disorders.

PLAY BALL ? Alvord Sports Association will hold baseball, softball and T-ball sign-ups 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Old Middle School gym. Cost for baseball and softball is $75 per child. Cost for T-ball is $35 per child. Currently, softball and T-ball are in need of a commissioner.

DAD AND DAUGHTER DANCE ? Bridgeport Parks and Recreation presents The Sweetheart Ball-Dad and Daughter Dance, Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Bridgeport Community Center. One dance is 5:30 to 7 p.m. and another is 7:30 to 9. Tickets are $15 per couple and $5 per additional daughter and may be purchased at Bridgeport City Hall. Space is limited, and no tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call (940) 683-3480.

BOYD YOUTH SPORTS ? Sign-ups for Boyd Youth Association sports are 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11; 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the middle school gym. Baseball and softball are $90 (ages 6 to 12) and T-ball (ages 4 to 6) and soccer (ages 3 to 14) $65 with $10 for each additional sibling. No sign-ups will be accepted after Feb. 18. For more information, visit www.eteamz.com/boydyouthassociation1 or email boydyouthassn@yahoo.com.

SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS ? Decatur Girls Softball will hold its spring registration the next two weekends, Feb. 4-5 and Feb. 11-12, at Hibbett Sports in Decatur. Times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Girls ages 5 to 14 may play, with birth certificates needed for proof of age. Email decaturgirlssoftball@yahoo.com for more information.

YOUTH SOCCER ? Youth soccer sign-ups are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 11, at Decatur Public Library. For more information, call Shawn Davie at (940) 210-6629.

BYA SOCCER ? BYA Soccer sign-ups are 1:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 and 12 at the Bridgeport Public Library. Forms can be picked up at Bridgeport Intermediate School and Bridgeport Elementary School. For more information, call Art Velasquez at (940) 399-3368 or Cesar Pinon at (940) 577-2363.

NEXT WEEK?S EVENTS ?

CITY HALL CHANGE-UP ? The water and municipal court offices at Decatur City Hall will be relocated to the council chambers/community room (on the east side of the building) Feb. 10 through March 1 for security-enhancing construction. During this time, the drive-through window will be closed. If you require special assistance, call (940) 627-2741.

DADDY/DAUGHTER DANCE ? The Decatur Junior Woman?s Club?s 6th annual Daddy/Daughter Dance is 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Decatur ISD Multipurpose Building. Registration forms can be picked up at iCopy, North Texas Bank, Legend Bank and JRobs. For more information, contact Milissa Harris at (940) 389-2787 or mkharris@embarqmail.com.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER DINNER ? The Boyd Area Buyers Association will host its Jimmy Ware Scholarship and BABA Fundraiser 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. Dinner will be catered by Red, Hot and Blue, and there will be live and silent auctions, a raffle and entertainment. All proceeds benefit the Jimmy Ware Scholarship Fund and BABA, which supports Boyd FFA, Boyd 4-H and Boyd FCCLA students at the Wise County Youth Fair. For tickets or more information, call Brandi Ferguson at (817) 999-1461 or Lorie Pack at (817) 614-3748.

HOE-DOWN FUNDRAISER ? The Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down from Eureka Springs, Ark., and Branson, Mo., will be in Bridgeport Saturday, Feb. 11. The show is at 7 p.m. at the middle school auditorium. Tickets are $15, and 12-and-under are free. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased from a Bridgeport High School auto student or at the high school office. Tickets will also be sold at the door. The auto class gets 20 percent of ticket sales to update its Snap-on Solus Pro diagnostic scanner.

RHINESTONE ROUNDUP ? The 6th annual Rhinestone Roundup presented by the Wise Republican Women is Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Decatur Civic Center. Guest speakers will be Rep. Michael Burgess, Rep. William ?Mac? Thornberry and Maj. Gen. Leo J. Baxter. General reception and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7. Call (940) 627-6096 to reserve tickets. For more information, visit www.wiserepublican.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS ?

OFFICES CLOSED ? The Wise County Indigent Health Care and EMS offices will be closed for regional training Feb. 15 and 16.

RELAY MEETING ? The American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life team captain meeting No. 1 is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Baymont Inn and Suites in Decatur.

WINTER CARNIVAL ? Decatur?s Young Elementary PTO will hold its 2nd annual Winter Carnival and Silent Auction 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Multipurpose Building. Money raised will pay for student-related activities. Business sponsorships are being sought. For more information, call Cynthia Wilson at (817) 681-3215, Loree Talley at (817) 705-2681, Sherry Grantham at (817) 832-6449 or Rachel Rivera at (940) 399-9352.

UMPIRES NEEDED ? Anyone interested in umpiring girls youth softball for the spring season should call Mike Maxson at (940) 577-1297. An umpire clinic is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 19.

BOYD CHILI COOKOFF ? The Boyd Chili Cookoff, benefiting Boyd Fire Rescue, is Friday and Saturday, March 2-3. Entertainment includes Charlie Robinson Friday and Brandon Rhyder Saturday. Tickets are $15 and include cookoff and concert admission. Vendors and chili entries should contact the department via its Facebook pages ?Boyd Fire Rescue? or ?Boyd Chili Cookoff.?

RODEO EVENT ? Decatur High School Rodeo team is hosting a three-day North Texas High School event March 2, 3 and 4 at the Wise County Sheriff?s Posse Grounds. The team is seeking vendors. Booths are outdoor with limited electricity. Cost is $50 for all three days, or donate an item for the silent auction and get a free vendor spot. Reserve early at decaturrodeoteam@gmail.com.

LEARN TO SQUARE DANCE ? The Decatur 8ers Square Dance Club will offer free beginning square dance lessons starting March 10 at the National Guard Armory, 2400 N. Trinity Street, in Decatur. The lessons will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. five Saturdays in a row and will be taught by caller Robert Walker. No partner is required, and lessons are open to everyone age 12 and up. No registration is required but students must attend the first lesson. Wear comfortable shoes. For more information, call Linda or John Whitesitt at (972) 240-4497 or visit www.decatur8ers.com.

CHICKEN COOP TOUR ? The Wise Chicks Chicken Coop Tour is looking for backyard poultry enthusiasts to open up their backyards and show off their coops for the second annual event Saturday, April 14. If you are interested in showing your coop, volunteering or being a sponsor for the tour, email the tour coordinator at beth@mainstreethomeandgardens.com.

HEALTH FAIR ? The 5th annual Wise County Health Fair is Saturday, April 21, at the Decatur Civic Center. Registration forms and more information can be found at uwwise.ed@embarqmail.com. The event is sponsored by the United Way of Wise County and the Wise County Health Forum.

ONGOING EVENTS

HEART GALLERY - The Heart Gallery of North Texas is on display at the Decatur Public Library. Heart Galleries are a project of Court Appointed Special Advocates and feature a group of foster children who are awaiting adoption.

CLASSES OFFERED ? Citizenship and ESL classes are held 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at First Baptist Church, Decatur. An informational text is available for purchase. There is no charge for the classes. Call (940) 390-1231 for information.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ? Small, nonfarm businesses in 131 counties, including Wise, are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenue caused by drought, excessive heat, high winds and wildfires. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA?s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from the SBA?s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA?s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Deadline to apply for loans is Sept. 4.

Source: http://www.wcmessenger.com/2012/news/news-briefs-for-february-4/

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