COUPLE SENTENCED IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FRAUD CASE — A Fort Worth couple has been sentenced to federal prison time and ordered to pay millions of dollars to their theft victims, which included Wise County residents. Christopher Judge, who along with his wife, Raquelle Judge, were managing members of Judge DFW, both pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy last December in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth. On Tuesday, Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means sentenced Christopher Judge to 78 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release. Raquelle Judge was sentenced to one month in prison. The two were also ordered to pay $2,794,680.73 in restitution. The Department of Justice said the two would take victims’ money but not deliver the home construction work promised. Read more online here.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING — The Paradise Historical Society meets 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Paradise First Methodist Church Fellowship Building.
4-H CLOVER CRAZE — Wise County 4-H invites families with youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to Clover Craze, the 2026–2027 4-H kickoff event, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wise County Fairgrounds Women’s Building. This free, come-and-go event will give families an opportunity to learn about the Wise County 4-H program and new enrollment process, meet local clubs and project groups, and visit with club managers, project leaders, and Extension staff. Youth in kindergarten through second grade participate as Clover Kids at an introductory level, while youth in third through 12th grade can participate in the full 4-H program. Contact Karly Chapa at the Wise County Extension Office, 940-627-3341 or karly.chapa@ag.tamu.edu.
PRAISE FOR AMERICA — Aurora Baptist Church and Turning Point USA will host an America 250 Prayer and Praise event in honor of the U.S. Constitution’s 239th birthday 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Aurora Baptist Church. Tim Barton with Wallbuilders will be guest speaker.
FARM BUREAU COUNTY CONVENTION — Wise County Farm Bureau’s annual business meeting and dinner is 6 p.m. Tuesday in downtown Greenwood. This is an all weather event open to all current Wise County Farm Bureau members. Call 940-627-6474 or 940-683-8100 to RSVP. The offices are closed on Labor Day.
CEMETERY MEETING — The Jim Ned Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting noon Labor Day (Monday) in the cemetery pavilion.
CLAY SHOOT FUNDRAISER — Feeding Wise Kids will have its annual Clay Shoot Fundraiser Saturday at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds north of Decatur. Cost is $500 for a team of four, and $125 for individual shooters. Lunch is included. Proceeds benefit Feeding Wise Kids, a non-profit organization that provides food assistance to children identified by local public schools as being at risk of chronic hunger or food stress. Call Liz Hubbard, 940-389-5388 or James Hubbard, 940-389-5735.
SANDCASTLE COMPETITION — Wise County Park’s annual Sandcastle Competition is Monday. Registration is at 8 a.m., and judging is at 1 p.m. The event will feature prizes throughout the day and a chance to win grand prizes. Email blake@co.wise.tx.us.
WEEK 2 FOOTBALL — Decatur (1-0) opens Eagle Stadium with a battle against Denison 7 tonight. Bridgeport (1-0) will take on Bowie in the Battle of the Maroons matchup 7:30 p.m. at Jackrabbit Stadium. Boyd (1-0) hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to face Jacksboro 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. Paradise (1-0) squares off against Godley 7 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. Alvord (1-0) faces Lindsay 7 p.m. at Knight Stadium. Chico (0-1) hosts Electra 7:30 p.m. at Dragon Stadium. Northwest (0-1) looks for its first win in a home battle against Frisco Wakeland 7 p.m. at Northwest ISD Stadium. VCA (1-1) suits up against Coolidge 7 p.m. at Yellowjacket Athletic Complex.
VOLLEYBALL — Decatur (16-10) closes out its non-district schedule with a battle against Grapevine 5 p.m. today at Grapevine High School. Bridgeport (12-14) squares off against Valley View 4:30 p.m. at Valley View High School. Boyd (12-9) is at Mineral Wells, while Paradise (19-7) hosts Nocona. Both matches are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Alvord (13-10) battles Gainesville 4:30 p.m. at Gainesville High School. Northwest (10-12) welcomes Chisholm Trail at 6:30 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY — Paradise will run at the Ram Invitational today at Mineral Wells High School. Alvord is racing at the Burleson Elk Run at Burleson’s Chisenhall Park. On Saturday, Decatur and Slidell will battle Coach T Marcus Invitational and Denton’s North Lakes Park.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND — Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. The Messenger office will be closed Monday, and no Update will be printed. Any breaking news will be posted at wcmessenger.com.
FUNERALS — Service for Martha Kilmer, 74, of Decatur is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 tonight at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
FUNERAL for Carol Darling, 63, of New Fairview is 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hawkins-Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
GRAVESIDE service for Montie White, 87, of Lake Bridgeport is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
FUNERAL for Judy Kay Byrd, 75, of Springtown is 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Hawkins-Decatur with burial at Blue Bonnet Hills. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
NO SERVICE is scheduled for Lola Faye Warner, 87, of Decatur. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.
MEMORIAL service for Sharon Kay Coleman, 82, of Bridgeport is 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the Bridgeport Country Club. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE service for Mary Sue Green, 82, of Paradise is 10 a.m. Tuesday at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. Hawkins-Bridgeport is handling arrangements.
SERVICES for Wiley Anderson, 88, of Chico; Nikki King; and Bobby Grimes, 91, of Bridgeport are pending at Hawkins-Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for Elmer Hicks, 92, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. today at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is 10 a.m. prior to the service.
FUNERAL for Shavon Louise (Bell) Houk, 44, of Springtown is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hudson and Torres.
