WINTER STORM ENDS, DANGEROUS COLD CONTINUES – Wise County is still grappling with the aftermath of a three-day winter storm, even as the precipitation itself has ceased. An extreme cold warning remains in effect through 9 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures plummeting to as low as 11 degrees Fahrenheit in Decatur early Sunday and Monday. Today’s high is only expected to reach 26 degrees, before dipping back into the single digits tonight.
Icy Roads and School Closures
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A lingering threat of slick conditions is keeping schools and government offices shuttered across Wise County.
Local law enforcement reports roads remain treacherous, with little improvement anticipated today. On Sunday, Decatur Police Chief Delvon Campbell stated officers assisted over 20 stranded motorists overnight due to icy conditions. “We ask that people stay home, it’s simply not safe to be out on the roads,” Campbell cautioned.
All Wise County school districts are closed today and Tuesday. This includes Decatur ISD, Bridgeport ISD, Northwest ISD, Boyd ISD, Paradise ISD, Slidell ISD, Chico ISD, Alvord ISD, and Victory Christian Academy. Weatherford College Wise County and Wise Christian School are also closed today. All Wise County government offices will be closed today, with the commissioners meeting rescheduled for Wednesday. Decatur city offices are closed today and will reopen at 1 p.m. Tuesday, weather permitting, and the city council meeting has been moved to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Bridgeport city offices are closed today, but the city council meeting is expected to proceed as scheduled. Boyd, Paradise, Alvord, New Fairview, and Rhome have also announced city office closures for today.
House Fire Victim Identified
The individual who died in a house fire on January 14th has been identified as 35-year-old Dustin Sampson, a resident of the home located at 443 County Road 4659 near Newark. The intense blaze, reported just after 4 a.m., destroyed the two-story structure after it collapsed. A woman was injured, several animals perished, and multiple vehicles, including an RV, were destroyed.
Following the discovery of Sampson’s body, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tarrant County Arson Task Force joined the Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office in the investigation. The body has been sent to the Dallas County Medical Examiner for an autopsy, and the investigation remains active as of Friday, January 23rd.
Other Impacts and Closures
Waste Connections has announced a 24-48 hour delay in residential and commercial waste collection services due to the hazardous road conditions.
Tragically, an 8-year-old student at Prairie View Elementary in Rhome died Thursday after a crash at the intersection of Texas 114 and Alliance Boulevard (County Road 4841). Matteo Hernandez, a second grader, was with his grandmother when their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck shortly before 3:45 p.m. Matteo’s grandmother suffered a broken hip and spinal fracture and was transported to John Peter Smith hospital. Matteo’s mother, Maria Rodriguez, a kindergarten teacher at the same school, is now advocating for a traffic signal at the intersection, citing long-standing concerns about visibility and traffic flow. “From around 3 to 6 p.m. it’s impossible to cross,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a four-way intersection, and there’s a huge amount of cars waiting to cross over that block the view.”
Atmos reported gas service outages for some Decatur customers on Saturday morning, but service was restored by Saturday evening. Oncor customers in parts of Runaway Bay experienced a power outage on Saturday, with power restored by 1 a.m. Sunday.
Friday Accidents
Despite the impending winter weather, Wise County EMS responded to three accidents between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday. The most serious was a two-vehicle rollover collision near the Wise-Parker County line on Farm Road 920, resulting in injuries to two people. First responders from Boonsville-Balsora (Wise County ESD No. 2), Parker County Hospital District EMS, and Parker County ESD No. 1 also assisted. Additional accidents occurred on U.S. 81/287 and County Road 4840 near Rhome, and on County Road 4421, but neither resulted in injuries.
Funeral Services
Service for John Waggoner Polhemus, 76, of Decatur, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur, with family visitation two hours prior. Graveside service for Howard Freitag, 98, of Decatur, is 11 a.m. Saturday at Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo, with arrangements handled by Hawkins-Decatur. Funeral for James Archer, 81, of Decatur, is 11 a.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur, with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery, and visitation from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Funeral for Lorenzo Garza Sr., 81, of Bridgeport, is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport, with burial at The Mexican Cemetery, and family visitation 6-8 p.m. tonight. Mass of Christian Burial for Benita Gonzalez, 67, of Bridgeport, is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in Bridgeport, with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery, and family visitation 6-8 p.m. Tuesday with rosary at 7. Graveside service for Timothy Schmidt, 72, of Chico, is 2 p.m. February 28th at Chico Cemetery, with family visitation 1:30-1:30 p.m. before the service at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Memorial service for John McNamara, 61, of Highland Village, is 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, with visitation at 5 p.m. No service is scheduled for Jimmy Mitchum, 71, of Bridgeport, with arrangements by Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home. Services for Nora McBee, 90, of Chico; Juanita Laurel, 79, of San Antonio; and Terry Baker, 75, of Paradise are pending at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
