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Fighting the flu: A look at local efforts combatting ‘widespread’ disease Page 1B

Volume 50, Number 39

$1 Springtown, Texas 76082

Child calls for help after mom passes out behind wheel BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN A four-year-old Springtown girl is credited with intelligence, bravery, and responsibility well beyond her years after she called a relative for help in an extremely dangerous situation. The child’s mother was arrested as a result of the incident. According to information from Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler, deputies arrested Alicia Pruitt, 24, of Springtown, after responding to a call in the 300 block of Young Road, Friday, Jan. 10. Fowler said a 911 caller reported a female was passed out inside a Dodge pickup truck with a small child inside the vehicle. A family member at the scene told deputies the tod- Alicia Pruitt dler called her from Pruitt’s cell phone and gave her directions to her location, saying “momma was sleeping and they were on the side of the road.” The family member immediately drove to the scene. The truck’s engine was running and in gear as Pruitt was leaning over the console of the truck with her foot on the brake pedal, the family member said. The witness repeatedly shook Pruitt in an attempt to wake her up and called the Sheriff’s Offi ce to report the incident. Deputies who responded to scene described Pruitt as being “in a daze.” Paramedics provided treatment for Pruitt, but did not transport her to a

hospital. Pruitt told deputies she was under the infl uence of illegally obtained prescription narcotics and synthetic cannabinoid, known as “K-2.” She did not remember driving to her current location. She could not explain to deputies why she was in the middle of the road and she did not remember passing out. Deputies discovered drug paraphernalia inside the driver’s visor of the truck along with a package containing three grams of suspected K-2. Pruitt was taken into custody and booked into the Parker County jail, charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. She was released Saturday, Jan. 11 after she posted $1,234 bond. Sheriff Fowler said the toddler was placed in the custody of family members. “This small child was incredibly intelligent and brave,” Fowler said. “At only four years of age, she knew to dial for help, taking a responsibility initiative beyond her tender years. “K-2 is detrimental, period. To take narcotics not prescribed to you is dangerous. To mix them is senseless beyond comprehension. There is no telling what could have happened to this child, had she not been able to call for help.” The case was fi led with Sheriff’s investigators and is ongoing.

Players in Progress

David Richter waits patiently at the front of one of the lines in the Brookshire’s in Springtown. Richter arrived at 1 a.m. to ensure his spot in line. The registers officially opened at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15. Photo by Natalie Gentry

Brookshire’s grand reopening attracts big crowds, CEO BY NATALIE GENTRY A grand reopening and ribbon cutting was held at the Brookshire’s in Springtown Wednesday, Jan. 15. Customers packed the updated 50,065-square foot store to take advantage of the special giveaways and promotions. Beginning at 10 a.m. the fi rst 100 customers who purchased $25 or more in store brand items received free milk for a year. David Richter was one of that intrepid 100. “I got here at one o’clock this morning,” Richter said. “I really expected other people to already be here, but I was the first.” Once the registers reopened and the crowds surged forward Darla Miller was the fi rst offi cial customer to make a purchase. “I always shop here,” Miller said. “Brookshire’s is a wonderful place to use coupons and my friend and I are donating our year of free milk to char-

Springtown Brookshire’s store director, Mark Baumann, presented a check for $1,000 to Don Hammett and Margaret Mottram of Neighbor to Neighbor’s Food Pantry. Brookshire’s also donated $1,000 to both the Friends of the Tabernacle and Saving Grace Family Life Center. Photo by Natalie Gentry ity.” work put forth by all the Brookshire’s Store director Mark Baumann host- staff. ed a presentation to recognize the hard PLEASE SEE MILK, PAGE 6A.

House Bill 5: Sweeping educational changes

Players in Progress hit the hardwood at halftime of the Lady Porcupine basketball game against Lake Worth Jan. 10. Youngsters displayed hoops skills in a kinetic performance on the court.

BY NATALIE GENTRY Last June Governor Rick Perry signed into law an educational bill that has and will make widespread changes to the Texas educational system. And that includes Springtown, of course. At 105 pages, House Bill 5 (HB 5) addressed a variety of issues associated with accountability, assessment, and curriculum – three major aspects of public education. “This bill will bring a lot of opportunities to the Springtown Independent School District (SISD),” said Mike Kelley, superintendent. “But it is going to be very challenging too. “With HB 5, the legislature has given local districts a little bit of freedom,” Kelley continued. “The next couple of years will refl ect how school districts handle that freedom.” One major change under HB 5 is the requirement that each student entering ninth grade choose an endorsement plan or a path to graduation. The endorsements include science; technology and mathematics; business and industry; public services; arts and humanities; and multidisciplinary studies. The courses that will comprise each endorsement will be decided by the State Board of Education. “SISD will be able to begin with the multidisciplinary endorsement and maybe one or two others, depending on our staff and what we think we can

do well,” Kelley explained. “We don’t want to try to do too many too quickly and then not do any of them well.” It’s the age old concept of quality over quantity. “We’ll be able to have this conversation with our board and in the next few months and we’ll have community meetings about these issues.” Kelley said. “The easiest way would be to let the state dictate to us but we don’t want that,” he continued. “This fl exibility will allow us to tailor programs to the wants and needs of our district.” HB 5 shifts from 15 end-of-course tests to fi ve and then supplements high school coursework with colleges and career interests. Another part of HB 5 that will help smaller districts is the ability to partner with colleges, universities and businesses to create curriculum that addresses the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. In addition high schools and colleges will build remedial curriculum to assist students who fail an end-ofcourse test, and dual credit courses that will fulfi ll both high school and college credits. Although the stress levels are high right now, clarity about exactly what HB 5 requires will come as parents, students, educators and communities come together to make education a point high on the priority list.

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