2 HURT IN RHOME WRECK — Two individuals were rushed to local hospitals following a serious two-vehicle collision near Rhome Wednesday afternoon. According to Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger, the accident unfolded around 4 p.m. at the critical intersection of U.S. 81/287 North and County Road 4838. Preuninger confirmed that one of the victims is in critical condition and has been airlifted to a trauma center in Fort Worth for urgent medical care. In a separate evaluation, a child involved in the incident has been transported via ground ambulance to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth for further treatment. The identities of those injured in the accident remain undisclosed pending notification of their families. No additional details regarding the circumstances of the crash are currently available.
RAIN REPORT — A robust line of storms swept through the region overnight, leaving behind notable rainfall accumulations across various towns. Rainfall totals registered include 0.75 of an inch in Bridgeport, 0.58 of an inch in Decatur, 0.41 of an inch in Alvord, and 0.30 of an inch in Greenwood. Residents can expect a cooler day with a high temperature hovering around 74 degrees under a bright and sunny sky, while the overnight low is predicted to drop to a comfortable 53 degrees. As the week comes to an end, rain chances are anticipated to return Friday night and persist through the weekend, prompting residents to keep an eye on the forecast.
EARLY VOTING SETS RECORD — The enthusiasm for early voting has led to a significant milestone, with 1,817 ballots cast on Wednesday alone, pushing the total number of early voters to a record-breaking 26,465. This impressive figure surpasses the previous record of 25,287 set in 2020. Early voting continues today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at four designated early voting locations: the Women’s Building at the Wise County Fairgrounds located at 3101 S. Farm Road 51 in Decatur; the Boyd Community Center at 420 E. Morton Ave.; the Bridgeport Community Center at 1102 Lawdwin Ave.; and Alvord City Hall at 215 W. Elm. Residents are encouraged to participate in this crucial democratic process.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN — It’s Halloween, a thrilling time of year filled with costumes and trick-or-treating delights. Residents are urged to be particularly vigilant for costumed pedestrians, especially as darkness falls this evening. Various local towns have organized festive events to celebrate the occasion. The Bridgeport Main Street’s “Suit Up and Say Boo” trick-or-treat event will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halsell Street. Alvord Mayor Caleb Caviness will be distributing candy at city hall from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Additionally, the Owls Activity Center at 1200 N. Miller St. in Decatur is hosting a “Join Us If You Dare” Halloween Party starting at 11 a.m., which includes a costume party, delicious spooky treats, refreshments, and various games. Families can also enjoy Rhome Fire Department’s Trunk or Treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rhome Family Park, while the Cottondale Volunteer Fire Department will host its own Halloween Trunk or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 6717 Farm Road 2123.
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT — Starting on Monday, County Road 3451 is set to close for approximately four months as part of a crucial bridge replacement project. Detour signage will be prominently posted north and south of the bridge to guide traffic around the area. The closure will allow for significant renovations since the bridge’s current weight limit stands at 24,000 pounds, and the replacement is expected to enhance safety and alleviate flooding concerns for the local community. Wise County Pct. 4 Commissioner Colby Shawn has confirmed that the adjoining road west of Paradise will still be accessible to local traffic; however, through traffic will be strictly prohibited during this period.
MEDICARE CLASS — Bridgeport Public Library is hosting an informative Medicare 101 session at 10 a.m. on Friday. This class will provide valuable insights into understanding Medicare, covering critical topics such as eligibility requirements and navigating the various options available to beneficiaries.
BLOOD DRIVE — In a bid to help save lives, NRS in Decatur will be hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members are encouraged to contribute by donating blood, and can find more information by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
HONORING VETERANS — Chico ISD has planned a special luncheon to honor veterans on November 11 at Pablos (Julio’s) Mexican Restaurant, located at 115 S. Weatherford St. in Chico, from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any veteran attending the luncheon will have their meal covered by Chico ISD, while other guests will be required to purchase their meals. Notably, veterans from outside the Chico community are also welcome to participate in this heartfelt event. A token of appreciation will be presented to all veterans who attend, emphasizing the community’s gratitude. For more information, interested parties can contact Bonnie Redwine at 940-644-5550 ext. 3103 or Tia Raley at 940-644-5550 ext. 3109.
FUNERALS — Service for Beverly Jean Johnson, 85, of Boyd is scheduled for today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur.
FUNERAL for Jerry T. Miller, 82, of Decatur will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday at Hawkins-Decatur, followed by burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is set to occur from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the service at the funeral home.
FUNERAL for Nancy Hoyl, 80, of Decatur will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Hawkins-Decatur, with burial to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Mark Thomas, 71, of Decatur. Arrangements are being managed by Hawkins-Decatur.
MEMORIAL service for Teresa Lynn Applewhite, 67, of Boyd is set for 2 p.m. on Friday at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd is overseeing the arrangements.
**Interview with Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger on Recent Rhome Collision**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Chief Preuninger. We appreciate you taking the time to discuss the serious accident that occurred near Rhome. Can you tell us what happened on Wednesday afternoon?
**Chief Preuninger**: Thank you for having me. On Wednesday at around 4 p.m., we responded to a significant two-vehicle collision at the intersection of U.S. 81/287 North and County Road 4838. The crash involved multiple individuals, and it was a critical scene when our emergency teams arrived.
**Editor**: What can you tell us about the victims involved in this accident?
**Chief Preuninger**: Unfortunately, one of the victims is in critical condition and was airlifted to a trauma center in Fort Worth. We’re currently unable to disclose the identities of those injured as we must notify their families first. Another individual, a child, has been transported by ground ambulance to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth for further treatment.
**Editor**: This must have been a challenging situation for your team. How do you approach such severe accidents when they occur?
**Chief Preuninger**: It’s always difficult, and our focus in such situations is to provide immediate medical care and ensure the safety of all individuals involved. We work closely with local fire departments and law enforcement to manage the scene effectively and transport the injured to the appropriate medical facilities as quickly as possible.
**Editor**: Are there any updates on the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash?
**Chief Preuninger**: At this point, the investigation is ongoing, and we’re waiting on law enforcement to provide any updates. It’s important to be thorough in these investigations to understand what led to the collision.
**Editor**: Thank you, Chief Preuninger, for your insights and for the important work your team does in our community. Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers?
**Chief Preuninger**: Yes, I urge everyone to stay vigilant when driving, particularly at critical intersections like the one where this collision occurred. Always be aware of your surroundings and drive safely.
**Editor**: Thank you for your time, Chief. We hope the victims recover swiftly and that we can learn more about the accident to prevent future incidents.
