The Springtown Epigraph by Admin

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

WWW.SPRINGTOWN-EPIGRAPH.NET Volume 50, Number 44

$1 Springtown, Texas 76082

Porcupines beat Vernon in Olney

Page 10A

Azle’s Roberson interns for Kidd Page 1B

One ISD search winding down Field narrowed on hunt for athletic director/head football coach BY MARK K. CAMPBELL Springtown ISD superintendent Mike Kelley knows it’s not easy holding down the position of athletic director/head football coach (AD/HFC). In fact, he termed the job “incredibly diffi cult...maybe eventhe hardest in some districts.” That’s why he was pleasantly surprised to have so many quality applicants submit resumes for the position. “When this search began, I was a little worried that I might not fi nd someone who met all the criteria I had in mind,” Kelley said. However, those fears were alleviated when exceptional applications began arriving. Now, Kelley said he is ready to present his fi ndings to the school board Monday, Feb. 24. “We are defi nitely entering the last phases of the process,” the superintendent said. “I look forward to visiting with our Board about the position.” It takes a unique person to be a head football coach in Texas and oversee a district’s entire athletic program, Kel-

ley said. “Only a very few people have the combination of skills required to excel in that position,” he noted. Fortunately for Springtown, several people of that quality have shown interest. Kelley said he has logged almost 100 hours interviewing hopefuls by phone or in person. “I am confi dent that there are probably a dozen applicants who could come to Springtown and do very well,” he said. Kelley added, “My original concern about this search has turned out to be completely unwarranted. The quality of applicants has been very, very high.” The AD/HFC position is one of two major openings in the ISD; the other is fi nding a high school principal to replace current SHS leader Chris Pennington. This photo, taken from surveillance cameras at Bealls in Azle, shows a man in a black shirt and Look for the new AD/HFC soon, glasses. He is a suspect in the burglary of a Fort Worth home. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Police Department. Kelley said. “I am certain our students, staff, and community will be very excited about the hire that could come very soon.”

Victim agrees to lesser charge for Muhametaj BY NATALIE GENTRY Avni “Tony” Muhametaj, 56, owner of the now closed Tony’s Pizza and Pasta in Springtown, pleaded guilty to a class A misdemeanor charge of unlawful restraint Feb. 10. Muhametaj was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in April 2012 when the employee reported that he had attacked her one evening while she waited for a ride home after work. According to Parker County Assistant District Attorney, Jeff Swain, Muhametaj acknowledged that the two had sex; however he claimed it was consensual. “This agreement was reached after lengthy discussions with the victim, who was in agree- Avni “Tony” Muhametaj Photo courtesy of the Parker ment with the resolution,” Swain said. County Jail The former restaurant owner was sentenced to one year in jail probated for six months, 24 hours community service, and he may have no contact with the victim.

Many area incumbents running unopposed BY NATALIE GENTRY Area voters will soon have the opportunity to decide who will represent them in a variety of elections to be held this spring. So far, however, most incumbent candidates are running unopposed. Springtown As of Feb. 17 three Springtown City Council incumbents have fi led to retain their seats: Annette Burk, Place 1; Tony D. Smith, Place 3; and Greg Hood, Place 5. There have been no challengers to file yet. Candidates may fi le for places on the ballot through Feb. 28. Early voting begins April 28 and ends May 5. Springtown ISD There are still no opponents running against incumbents Jody R. Lowery and Amy Walker for their places on the district board of trustees. Candidate packets are available during the entire fi ling period and can be picked up at the SISD Administration Offi ce at 301 East 5th Street until

Feb. 28. Early voting period for the district is April 28-May 6. Emergency Services District (ESD) 1 Commissioners Court is currently accepting applications for ESD 1. As of the deadline on Feb. 14, three applications and resumes had been received. Incumbent Rena Peden is seeking reappointment. In addition, the court received applications from Tomara Holloway and Scott Johnson. The Commissioners Court will conduct interviews on Monday, Feb. 24. Decisions for the appointments will be made after all interviews have been completed. Sanctuary The County of Sanctuary will hold an election May 10. In addition to the mayoral race, the positions of Alderman Place 2 and Place 4 are up this year. There have been no updates of candidates filing to run as of Feb. 18.

Theives go on shopping spree after Springtown burglary BY NATALIE GENTRY Fort Worth police are on the lookout for four or fi ve people who may have been involved in a burglary that occurred Jan. 15. The theft took place at a Fort Worth home on the east side of Eagle Mountain Lake. The criminals began using pilfered credit cards, buying merchandise in Springtown shops and other locales. Josephine Costen was asleep in her home early Jan. 15 when an unknown number of people broke into her garage, stole multiple items from her car, and attempted to break down the door into her house.

Her dogs’ barking changed their minds. “I didn’t know what the dogs were barking at so early; I just told them to be quiet,” Costen said. “I felt safe in my house.” The burglars took Costen’s purse, briefcase, and $600 in cash from her car before they left. After that they quickly started their spending spree, beginning in Springtown stores. Including the cash, personal and work items, and gift cards that were taken and the subsequent amount spent on Costen’s credit cards, the burglars stole approximately $4,900.

This amount doesn’t include the time and money she will spend to have her ID’s reissued. But, while the time, money, and items stolen are issues of concern for Costen, that’s not what weighs on her mind the most. “I don’t feel safe in my own home,” Costen said. “I was so sure I was safe and secure. “Everyone says they never thought it could happen to them; I felt the same,” she continued. “It’s very scary to know you are vulnerable.” Costen said she will offer a reward for information that leads to an arrest of those involved.

Waldrop 3rd at state tourney First Porcupine to medal at elite wrestling event BY MARK K. CAMPBELL medal match. ed and pulled away for a 9-3 victory. He faced Sam Ehmke from Frisco The win clinched the bronze and The only person who managed to defeat Porcupine Kolyn Waldrop at Centennial – the same guy who beat Waldrop as the best wrestler Springthe state wrestling tournament went Waldrop in the fi nal seconds to win town had produced thus far. Region 2. The Porcupine’s season ended with on to win the gold medal. Not this time. Waldrop steadily point- a sterling record of 34-4. Waldrop, a senior, powered forward after the loss and reached the bronze round – which he won at the state tourney conducted in Garland for the first time this year. After fi nishing eighth last year as one of the fi rst two SHS athletes to ever reach the state event – along with Cole Clifton – Waldrop returned to the premier wrestling tournament in the state Feb. 14-15 determined to medal. And he did. The Porcupine, competing in the 220-pound class, opened with Ryan Beattie of Wylie. Waldrop won that bout with a 5-2 decision; Beattie would fi nish fi fth – and see Waldrop again. Next the Porcupine defeated Tevin Hardeman of Corpus Christi Moody. Again Waldrop rose to the occasion, winning via pin 33 seconds in. That victory sent Waldrop to the semifi nals. There sat the defending weight class champion, Jace LaCaille from Georgetown. The eventual gold medal winner beat Waldrop 13-4. The loss sent the Porcupine back to a match against Beattie again, on Saturday, Feb. 15. Once more, the SHS senior won, Kolyn Waldrop escapes from Frisco Heritage’s Ryan Beattie during this time 3-0. That victory propelled Waldrop, the Porcupine’s bronze medal match at the state wrestling tournaPhoto by Mark K. Campbell 3-1 at state at the time, to the bronze ment in Garland.