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Lady Porcupines earn road overtime victory
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‘Widespread’ flu season Page 1B
Volume 51, Number 38
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Drive-by shooter nabbed after high speed pursuit By Natalie Gentry A 19-year-old Springtown man was arrested Dec. 19, following a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash on Prather Road. Shawn Patrick Hurst II – accused of a drive-by shooting the same evening – was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest or detention. According to the warrant affidavit, Springtown police Sgt. Shawn Owens, was patrolling North Avenue A at approximately 10:19 p.m. on Dec. 18 when he heard a gunshot. Unable to determine the exact location of the noise, Owens contin-
ued in the general direction when he witnessed a pickup headed away from the gunshot abruptly stop and then take off again. “[The truck] sped off fast enough to squawk the rear tires,” Owens said in the report. Owens pulled the vehicle over and the driver, Kenneth Turnbull, told him he was in pursuit of Hurst following the shooting. During the traffic stop, Springtown dispatch informed Owens of a 911 call about a shooting in the 400 block of East Third Street. Turnbull told Owens that while he and Tanya Payne were outside the residence on East Third Street, Hurst
drove in front of the house and shot at them through the front passenger side window. Payne later reportedly told police that Hurst had threatened her in front of her 7-year-old daughter about four weeks prior to the shooting. She reported that Hurst said he was going to kill her. She reportedly told police that she and Hurst had had a disagreement over money. According to the affidavit, as Sgt. Owens was heading toward Hurst’s home he saw Hurst speeding southbound on Prather Road and initiated pursuit.
Hurst failed to yield when Owens attempted to stop him and reportedly ran a stop sign before hitting a tree on the left shoulder of the road. According to the report, Owens held Hurst at gunpoint in the vehicle following the crash, and questioned him about the gun. Hurst reportedly denied having a gun. However, once an uninjured Hurst was placed in a police vehicle, a loaded magazine, loose ammunition, and a Smith and Wesson handgun were discovered in the vehicle. Shawn Patrick Hurst was arrestHurst remained in the Parker ed Dec. 19 after a vehicle pursuit County jail as of Jan. 7 according to with Springtown police. jail records. Photo courtesy of the Parker County Jail
Tanker truck burns By Natalie Gentry Units from the Springtown, La Junta, Central, Poolville, and Peaster Volunteer Fire Departments were called to the 3300 block of West Highway 199 in Springtown Jan. 5 at approximately 1:55 p.m. to fight a fire at Lazy 6 Tanker Repair and Inspection.
An Enbridge tanker truck used for picking up condensate caught fire while workers were repairing a pump on the tank. Although one man received a slight burn injury he did not seek medical attention. The combination of heat and chemicals caused the pressure release valve on the top of the tanker to
shoot almost 30 feet into the air as well as created a cloud of black smoke visible as far away as Azle. According to Assistant Chief Mike Ellis the situation would have been much worse if the tanker hadn’t been empty. “Had the tanker been full we’d have evacuated everyone from the area,” Ellis said.
Icy Aliens Among Us?
Firefighters from Parker County ESD 1 battled a tanker truck fire Jan. 5 on West Highway 199 in Springtown. The vehicle’s pump was being worked on when it caught fire. Photo by Natalie Gentry
The year in review: Part 2 Some shocking events highlighted the second half of 2014
The New Year began with a coating of ice on everything but the roads – thanks to temperatures hovering between 30 and 33 degrees. A wintry mix is possible Friday. Photo by Paula Campbell
by mark k. campbell The July water bills were delayed with some not arriving for weeks for As usual, pros and cons were part reasons never discovered. of last year. Reno set into motion plans to disband its volunteer fire department July On Sarra Lane south of town, the and join the Briar VFD. Springtown’s “mounted shooter” body of a slain toddler was discovered. Locals made a shrine of the Marcus Wadley is a major part of a bridge, tying stuffed animals and reality show that began filming in January. ribbons to the railing. Repairs began on the local inCarl Davis, 13, was visiting a friend near Briar when he was ac- famous lover’s hideaway, Hickey cidently shot in the abdomen after a Hollow (Smith Road). Weather and rifle was being removed from a gun thefts forced the upgrading of the cabinet to kill a snake. Davis recov- roadway to miss its projected Labor Day completion date. ered. Israel Andrade, who had been deported four times, was arrested for August The new SplashPad in Springtown molesting a Springtown child. Park was so popular that the projectHerschel Crump, 73, received the FAA’s highest honor, “Master Pilot.” ed closing date of Labor Day weekSpringtown PD tested a bicycle end was pushed back to Sept. 28. A three-month-old child was repatrol with Officer Frank Carroll. Rupert Harrell, a Vietnam vet, moved from a local couple after sushelped Parker County become the picious injuries were discovered on fourth “Purple Heart County” in the boy, including broken legs. SPD worked with Child Protective SerTexas.
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vices. The Texas Education Agency said the Springtown ISD “met standards” as a district. The high school and intermediate school earned “distinction designations.” Springtown was startled at the sudden passing of Johnnie Conway. The pastor at Hilltop Family Church and an ambassador for the community, Conway died from a heart-related issue. SISD saw 42 new teachers assume positions. The SISD budget of $33,400,671 was approved. New football coach Brad Hulett won his first game leading the Porcupines as SHS dashed visiting Decatur 49-21. September A 15-year-old SHS freshman died, activating the SISD “crisis team.” A Springtown woman was arrested for animal cruelty when heat killed a PLEASE SEE SURPRISING PAGE 2A.
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