Making a Mess

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark puts his state of the county address in podcast form, addressing major developments that are occurring in Wise County, like U.S. 287 safety improvements, courthouse restoration, future water resources and the next expansion for Wise County EMS. He also pulls back some layers on Judson Clark, and new music he's released.

Terra Durdon of the Center for Emotional Wellness and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink counseling center joins the Wise Up podcast to discuss the nonprofit organization's role in supporting first responders and those fighting cancer in Wise County.To learn more about the Center for Emotional Wellness and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Counseling Center, visit cewwise.org.Podcast hosted by Josh Henry, Austin Jackson and Brendan Marchand

Meet Josh Henry, the newest addition to the Wise Up podcast. Henry studied sports broadcasting at the University of North Texas. Now, the member of Bridgeport Police Department team has agreed to lend his talents to the Wise County Messenger. He will lead interviews with new guests and cover important topics affecting the Wise County community. On Episode 0 of the revamped podcast, Henry shares his story, from his early racing days to the spinal cord injury in 2012, plus his perspective on life since then.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin was once known as Joe Lane. Joseph Lane had a beard and shaggy hair as an undercover agent during the precipice of the meth boom in Texas. His time in narcotics enforcement influenced his career and was the subject of his new book, "The Point. Dawn of the Texas Meth War."

The Wise County Courthouse will be looking a little different soon. We discuss the new-look roof,  changes for early voting in the March primary, the bonds on the May ballot, important sports updates and more on the Season 1 finale of the Wise Up podcast.Want to be featured on the next episode? Leave us a message on the Wise Up Hotline: 940-242-1931

As Valentine's Day approaches, the Wise Up podcast shares our takeaways from a recent story on a couple whose relationship has stood the test of time, while also sharing staff plans to celebrate the romantic, top-10 holiday.The crew also dives into the art of campaign mailers, water developments for Wise County, Newsmax and why we hate Super Bowl parties.0:00 Intro/Valentine's Day 6:20 Political ads/campaign mailers 9:30 PACs10:50 Super Bowl13:50 Scanner tales 18:20 Micah minute 19:50 Water news 23:30 RIP Rufus Choate/Museum news 27:51 Newsmax

The UIL's biennial realignment Feb. 1 has shaken up the Wise County sports scene. The Wise Up crew discusses the new landing spots and more on Episode 11 of the podcast.

Atlanta Braves pitcher and Decatur graduate Bryce Elder joins the Wise Up podcast to share how a bet on himself led to a career in Major League Baseball.The MLB All-Star and former Texas Longhorn shares his approach to Spring Training after the breakout season in 2023 and his message to local students and athletes during visits to area schools this offseason.

The Wise Up crew discusses how the Paradise community has banded together in the face of another tragedy following the plane crash that resulted in the deaths of Dr. Heath Smith and his six-year-old and eight-year-old sons; the new Lost Battalion Memorial Highway; an important sports update and more on Episode 9 of the podcast.

The Wise Up crew talks inclement weather, the loss of a Decatur legend, the forum for the March primary and more on the latest episode of the Wise Up podcast.

The Wise Up podcast crew discusses the 2023 Wise County Person of the Year, the new food truck that's in the works in Alvord and debuts a new sports segment in this week's episode.

Wise County Messenger editors Austin Jackson and Brendan Marchand look back at some of the top stories and moments of 2023 in Wise County.

Wise County artist Kevin Roach joins the Wise Up podcast to discuss the artistry behind turning storm damage and tree stumps into intricate, lifelike carvings of people and animals — with a chainsaw.Roach recently turned the hobby into a full-time job, leaving the oil and gas industry to carve out a new gas-powered career as a chainsaw artist. You can see his work in Wise County and beyond.Sponsor: Wise County State Farm agent Cary Bohn

Paranormal investigator Suzette Munson and local historian Hannah Rainey uncover the history and lore behind Downtown Decatur's local haunts for the Wise County Historical Society's ghost walk tour on the historic town square. The Messenger tagged along for a sneak peak of the ghost walk, and spoke with Munson and Rainey for Wise Up Episode 4.Ghost walk tour proceeds have been dedicated to helping reestablish the Wise County Heritage Museum after it was lost in a fire this year. The tours are from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Tickets and T-shirts are still available: wcmess.com/decaturghosttour

Decatur graduate and current Lubbock-Cooper Liberty basketball coach Parker Hicks joins the Wise Up podcast to discuss how he came into his own as a coach after breaking a few records and launching multiple title runs as a player at Texas Tech and Lubbock Christian University.After averaging 30+ points per game his senior year, Hicks earned a spot as a walk-on on the Texas Tech team that made it to the National Championship game, eventually transferring to Lubbock Christian University, where he was a two-time All American and back-to-back conference player of the year.

Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford and Mayor Randy Singleton dive into their mentor-mentee relationship, cultural shift, leading through loss and their careers in law enforcement in our newest episode of Wise Up.Co-hosts are Brendan Marchand and Austin Jackson of the Wise County Messenger.

Judge J.D. Clark dives into his little-known life as a singer-songwriter and what led to him joining the Chico City Council at the age of 20. Clark, who later became the youngest mayor in Texas, also discusses his rise through local politics, diving into the ongoing courthouse restoration and his recent nomination to lead the National Association of Counties.Hosts are Brendan Marchand and Austin Jackson of the Wise County Messenger.

After a review of the week, Amy Neal and Richard Greene visit with Wise County Emergency Management Coordinator Cody Powell about the county's new emergency command center. 

As pointed out by Austin Jackson, this was our most ambitious episode yet — 3 reporters and 2 guests. After a recap of the week, Amy Neal joins podcast to interview first-year Decatur teacher Rob Watson about entering the classroom after 30 years as a youth pastor. Neal also joins editor Richard Greene to interview PMB Capital's Peter Pincoffs about the Reunion and Bluestem developments on the former Rolling V Ranch near Rhome. Don't forget to subscribe at Apple, Spotify or Stitcher. 

We're back with a new episode of Making A Mess. We do a short review of the week in Wonderful Wise. Rhome changes administration, county commissioners pass resolution on the border and Beto O'Rourke comes to Wise County.  Our main story is over school security and training districts and law enforcement completed this week before the start of school . We visit with Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford about the training. 

We're back. Messenger Editor Richard Greene and Assistant Editor Austin Jackson discuss the start of school in Wise County. They are joined by Alvord ISD Superintendent Randy Brown to talk about the challenges with teacher shortages facing districts and security upgrades by campuses after the tragedy in Uvalde. 

We got a chance for a quick phone interview with Bryce Elder to talk about his MLB debut and win. Had a couple of technical difficulties, but Bryce sounds great in interview. 

Chico ISD made the decision last week to move to a 4-day school week for the 2022-23 school year. Chico ISD Superintendent Randy Brawner and Chico High School Principal Breann Cox join us to talk about the move and what went into the decision. 

After a hiatus, Making A Mess returns to visit with new Decatur football coach and athletic Director Steve Huff.

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark joined us on the latest episode of Making A Mess to discuss the state of the county after a busy 2021 and the prospects of record growth in 2022.Also stay tuned until the end as co-host Kristen Tribe discusses her new career opportunity. 

Therapist Dana Lee talks about mental health during the holiday season and gives tips on how to take care of yourself and others who might be struggling this time of year.  Making A Mess is produced by Branded FM on the Decatur Square. 

Dance teacher Karen Smith talks to Messenger Publisher Kristen Tribe and Editor Richard Greene about the upcoming performance of "The Nutcracker," featuring her students at Wise Ballet and Music Academy. 

Wise County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Brett Yaro  gives us details on this year's Santa's Deputies campaign. Last year, the WCSO helped more than 800 families in the county. 

New Decatur ISD Superintendent Dr. Chad Jones talked with Messenger Editor Richard Greene and Publisher Kristen Tribe about his career in education and his goals for the school district. 

Director Blake Walls with the Wise County Veterans Service Office visited the Branded FM studio this week to talk about how his office assists local veterans. He and his staff take pride in helping veterans get the benefits they deserve. 

Happy Halloween! Paranormal investigators Suzette Munson and Jennifer DeMoss led a Messenger crew on an excursion into the historic Brown Hotel. They stopped by the Branded FM studio this week to discuss the outing and their chilling interactions with ghostly entities.

Realtor Christie Rhine was named Decatur Citizen of the Year at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet Oct. 16. She stopped by the Branded FM studio to talk about her years of community service and how it goes hand-in-hand with her real estate business, Rhine Realty.  

Weatherford College Wise County's newly named executive dean Kristin McLaughlin stopped by the Making A Mess studio to talk about the campus and its potential for serving the county. 

Wise County Judge J.D. Clark stops by the Making A Mess studio to talk about the Wise County Court Annex opening and the work to secure a restoration and renovation grant for historic Wise County Courthouse. 

In his first professional season, Decatur native Bryce Elder threw seven hitless innings as part of a combined no-hitter in his third Double A start over the weekend. Elder talks about the historic night and adjusting to professional baseball. 

It's graduation season and to give advice to seniors, we visited with retired Decatur Spanish teacher Terry "Senor" Stewart. He gives us nuggets such as "Life is too short, buy the shoes" in this episode. 

Decatur defense attorney Paul Belew stopped by the Making A Mess studio this week and announced his intention to enter the race for Texas governor. Belew details some of his platform during his visit. 

Therapist Cari Whittenburg and Program Coordinator Terra Durdon from the Tough Enough to Wear Pink cancer counseling center at the Center for Emotional Wellness join the Making the Mess podcast to talk about the facility's effort. April is Tough Enough To Wear Pink Month. 

For the latest episode of Making A Mess, the Chairman of the Board of Cardinal Paint and Powder, Inc., Steve Silverstein, visited with us about relocating the manufacture of high quality coatings to Decatur. He talks about the search for a new facility and how they found Decatur and the future job force plans.Episode brought to you by the Decatur EDC.  

We're back. After a hiatus, Making A Mess returns and we visit with Megan Nichols Therapist at WHS Center for Emotional Wellness. Megan specializes in working with teens. We talk about the complex issues teens have faced in the past year and how it's affected them. Megan also provides advice on how to talk with teens about self harm and other issues. 

In time for Valentine's Day, Mark Rogers stopped by the Messenger Studio to bring delicious samplings of his Marker Cellars wines. He also talks about how he began making wine, the Texas wine industry and the challenges the wineries have faced in the past year.

Lake Worth Police Chief and former Wise County Sheriff's Office Sgt. JT Manoushagian joined us to talk about the anniversary of the loss of K-9 Officer Pepper in the line of duty.

Last week, James Stainton was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott as the new district attorney for the 271st Judicial Court. Stainton joins us to talk about the appointment, office, veterans court and legislation he's watching this session. 

New Decatur Police Chief Delvon Campbell stops by the Messenger Studio to talk about the department, following longtime chief Rex Hoskins and plans for the future. 

With the Texas Legislative session set to start Jan. 12, Texas Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) joined us to talk about what he called "a session different than any in Texas history." We discuss how the session will work, the budget, new Speaker and bills he's filed. 

Child Nutrition Director Shelly Laaser led the effort to serve thousands of meals throughout hundreds of square miles when schools were shut down in the spring. The Decatur native was the choice of Messenger readers for Wise County Person of the Year. Laaser talks about her staff and their efforts to meet the needs in the county. 

After winning the runoff for the Senate District 30 seat, Drew Springer spent a few minutes with the Messenger's Richard Greene and Kristen Tribe talking about the election and the upcoming legislative session. 

Messenger staff writers Kristen Tribe, Richard Greene and Austin Jackson detail the credentials of the 2020 finalists for Wise County Person of the Year — Child Nutrition Director Shelly Laaser, Decatur volleyball coach Catherine Foerster, Wise County Emergency Management Coordinator Cody Powell, Wise Health System Chief Nursing Officer Lee Ann Jennings and Wise County Elections Administrator Sabra Srader. Vote for your pick among the finalists at wcmess.com/person2020. 

With cases of COVID-19 spiking, the Wise County EMS has been busy. Medics have seen a increase of 300 calls between June and November compared to the same time in 2019. In November, 7.8 percent of the calls were related to COVID-19. We visit with Wise County EMS Administrator Randall Preuninger about his department's response and the extra precautions in place. 

With the  effort of collecting items for Wise County Live Thankfully set to get underway next week, we visit with founder of the local organization Dan Mallory about this year's drive. 

With hospitalizations increasing at Wise Health System and across the region, we visit with WHS CEO Jason Wren about the strain of COVID-19 on the hospital and its staff.