Brendan Marchand

The Texas Education Agency released its Financial Integrity Rating System (FIRST) grades for the 2024-25 school year Nov. 13, which evaluates school districts’ financial management practices. School districts are assigned one of four possible grades — A, B, C or F — under the financial accountability ratings, along with a coinciding financial management rating: superior achievement, above standard achievement, meets <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/tea-releases-financial-ratings/">[…]</a>

Alvord's 2025 campaign came to a quick end Thursday in Valley View, where Tioga swept the Lady Bulldogs out of the postseason. Alvord dropped the bi-district match 25-16, 25-23, 25-20. The loss ended its season at 20-19. "At the end of the day, we just couldn't finish sets out," Alvord coach Makala Rogers said. "We had too many silly little <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/alvord-bounced-by-tioga-in-bi-district/">[…]</a>

Bridgeport dropped its first District 3-4AII contest Friday at home after being outscored 28-7 in the second half against Mineral Wells. The Bulls (1-4, 0-1) knotted up 21-21 at halftime with the Rams after several first half mistakes by the visitors, converting turnovers and penalties into points on the board. But after Mineral Wells figured out how to cut down <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/bulls-drop-first-district-contest-to-mineral-wells-49-28/">[…]</a>

  Paradise’s team motto for 2025 is “Be perfect,” and the Panthers looked every bit of that against Gainesville on Friday. Paradise (1-0) recorded 426 yards of total offense while limiting the Leopards to just 27, easily handing the visitors a 71-0 loss in Week 1. It was the first win for the Panthers in the Tommy Koch era. “We <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/paradise-leaves-no-doubt-in-71-0-win-over-gainesville/">[…]</a>

The 144th Wise County Old Settlers Reunion was July 21-26. The Messenger’s coverage of the event was sponsored by Aspen Site Rentals, Tom’s Pool Service, Chenevert’s Home Services and TexasBank. Photos are by Brendan Marchand and Austin Jackson.

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes is feeling optimistic about the Horned Frogs’ run game this season, and a former Decatur playmaker is one of the reasons why. Redshirt freshman Nate Palmer, Decatur’s two-year starter that helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back appearances in the state semifinals in 2022 and 2023, is one of the program’s returning backs giving Dykes excitement <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/tcus-sonny-dykes-excited-about-former-decatur-running-back/">[…]</a>

For as long as Jentry Lamirand’s name has been spoken throughout the halls of Decatur High School and inside of gyms across North and West Texas, the word “winner” has likely followed suit. And rightfully so. Before taking her talents to SMU, the 2022 Decatur graduate cemented her spot among Decatur volleyball royalty. She’s too humble to say it, but <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/lamirand-talks-smus-rise-levb-championship-culture-life-after-volleyball/">[…]</a>

Slidell senior Rachel Gomez is a student of many talents. Now, she has the chance to put them all to the test on the big stage. Gomez is helping represent Slidell at the UIL Academics state meet in Austin, both in Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate and the costume category of the theatrical design competition. She’s already set herself apart as the <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/two-way-player-gomez-takes-theatrical-design-debate-skills-to-state-meet/">[…]</a>

The Bridgeport City Council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing $4 million in certificates of obligation (COs) for needed improvements at the Hub on Halsell, the future downtown park/green space the city has been working on for several years, and other city parks.  The ordinance authorizing the COs is the final step in receiving the funding, which city staff <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/hub-on-halsell-funding-gets-boost/">[…]</a>

PMB Capital Investments is on track to bring nearly 300 additional new homes to the City of Rhome in the Bluestem development off of Farm Road 3433.   The Rhome City Council on Thursday approved the final plats for Phase 2 of Bluestem as well as Eloise Parkway, an extension of the development's main thoroughfare.   Bluestem Phase 2 includes <a href="https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/bluestem-phase-2-plats-approved-in-rhome/">[…]</a>