Good morning, Wichita Falls.

The Wichita Falls Exotic Animal Expo will be held at Sike Senter Mall on July 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.—the event will feature vendors, petting zoos and a range of exotic animals such as ball pythons, birds and plants; admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children ages six to twelve and free for children five and under.

The Wichita Falls Lions Club is collecting donations to help Kerr County recover from recent flood devastation.

District governor Ryan Donaldson said the club’s local camp makes the effort personal—locals can drop off cleaning supplies at designated locations.

A New Mexico woman, Deana Rene Thetford, was booked on July 8 in Wichita County Jail on murder and tampering with evidence charges—she is held without bond after Texas officials worked with New Mexico authorities and noted her recent move to Seymour.

Deana Rene Thetford from Cloudcroft, New Mexico, was arrested in Wichita County on Tuesday, July 8 for murder and tampering with evidence—state and local agencies helped in her arrest after she moved to Seymour.

The Baylor County Museum in Seymour displays artifacts donated by local residents that tell the story of early settlers, veterans, and community history.

The museum is free and open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. — visitors from near and far are drawn to its exhibits.

At a WFISD board session today, trustees decided that homeschoolers cannot participate in public school activities.

They are now developing a plan to enforce the new state cell phone ban—gathering input from secondary principals—while allowing exemptions for students with medical needs.

Phase three of the Quail Creek Drainage Improvement Project is underway between Kemp, Maplewood, and Midwestern Parkway — the work is set to remove 86 properties from the floodplain to ease flooding for local neighborhoods.

On July 1, councilors approved a $73,750 contract with Biggs & Matthews as part of the project's overall cost of $7–$8 million from the Stormwater Utility Fund.

Residents in Wichita Falls are warned that the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office reported a scam using fake court summons that ask for money via calls and emails plus law enforcement said they will never call or demand payment.

Mosquitoes in east-central Wichita Falls tested positive for West Nile Virus on Wednesday when the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the findings—no human cases have been reported so far.

The Wichita Falls Public Health District said it would continue testing and spraying for mosquitoes as weather conditions allow and urged residents to drain standing water and use EPA-approved insect repellent.

The former G.H. Kirby Middle School in north Wichita Falls is now for sale for $1,225,000 on 17 acres with more than 120,000 square feet of building space and an appraised value of $14,758,017.

The school closed in May 2024 and was listed by Wichita Falls ISD with Bishop Realtor Group—prompted by vandalism concerns at the vacant campus.

Summer Camp 2025: Improv Olympics

9 AM to Noon — Wichita Theater Performing Art Centre — $275 ($250 Early Bird) — Dive into a week of laughter and creativity with fast-paced improv challenges.

Texas Ranch Roundup

9 AM – 12 PM — Kay Yeager Coliseum — Various costs apply — Celebrate 44 years of ranching tradition with activities for the whole family.

2025 Texas Ranch Roundup

7-8:30 p.m. — Kay Yeager Coliseum — Tickets required — Celebrate 44 years of tradition with cattle competitions and a roundup atmosphere.

William Lee Martin: The Funny Life Tour

7:30 p.m. — Wichita Theater Performing Art Centre — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughter with Texas native comedian William Lee Martin as he shares relatable stories about life and parenting.