Volume 62, Number 44
Azle News
Wednesday, April Wednesday, April 16, 16, 2014 2014
THE
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THAZ Auxiliary celebrates 40 years of service Page 1B
Home &
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April 16, 2014
A Special Supplem
ent
Home & Garden Special Section
Azle
ws Springtown EpNe igraph The
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Offi cials, citizens unite in search for missing 84 year old Woman found safe in bushes BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN The sun was going down when the call fi rst sounded. An elderly woman suffering from dementia was reported missing from Azle Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located at 721 Dunaway Lane Thursday, April 10. She was found, hours later, safe and without injury, hiding behind some shrubbery in a courtyard located in the center of Azle Manor. That’s the factual information – the important stuff – and in some places, it might be the end of the story. In Azle, as usual, there’s “more to the story.” Azle Police Chief Randy Reed (left) and Detective Victoria Little run the command post as two TRWD police offi cers (right background) and a volunteer wait for assignments during a search for a missing elderly woman. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman
The search begins Moments after the fi rst responding Azle po-
For example, the city’s IT systems now exceed the outdated tape backup system, so the city is using a backup appliance temporarily. Although it backs everything up, it’s located on site and offers no redundancy. As staff was working to identify a viable solution to the backup situation, they recognized it was but one aspect of a much larger situation, and that it might be time to address the city’s overall IT network. Currently, the city operates fi ve separate networks. City hall and the B.J. Clark Community Center and Annex are on one network; a second network ties the city’s waste water treatment plant (WWTP), utility maintenance, garage and animal shelter together; and separate networks exist at the Azle Memorial Library, Central Fire Station, and water plant. Internet speeds at most city locations are slow by anyone’s standards, and city hall does not offer Wi-Fi service for staff or visitors. In fact, some employees have found it takes less time to drive to city hall to get information they need rather than try to access it via the Internet connection, according to the memo.
PLEASE SEE 84-YEAR-OLD, PAGE 3A.
Relay reboot:
Azle council approves city facility IT network upgrade BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Azle’s city hall – along with most other city facilities – is getting a muchneeded and long-anticipated upgrade to its IT network. The city council approved the measure during its regular monthly meeting held April 1. At an estimated up-front cost of $76,000 plus a nominal increase to monthly access charges, the upgrade is something that would normally be brought up as an annual budget request, according to City Manager Craig Lemin. But recent upgrades to software, computers and security as well as expanding IT capabilities in various departments have made one thing abundantly clear: It’s time for the city to move its IT networking and backup capabilities into the 21st century. According to a memo from city staff to council members on the subject, the last major upgrade to the city’s IT network occurred in the late 1990s – more than 15 years ago. During the course of the recent upgrades, problems were encountered with the city’s backup capability and its already-limited network operations.
lice offi cers arrived, they requested help from the Azle Fire Department. As the minutes ticked by, offi cials began an intense search of nearby areas – especially one area behind the nursing home where a landowner has been clearing trees using heavy equipment. That area offered many opportunities for an elderly person to fall or to hide. After an hour had passed, requests were sent out for additional resources to assist in the search. Tarrant Regional Water District police responded to the scene, as did a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden and the Azle Fire Marshal. At the Azle PD’s request, the Texas Depart-
New location, schedule aim to boost participation in Azle Relay For Life
So staff did its due diligence, researching several solutions. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Jones as well as the city’s IT advisor, VersaTrust, examined the situation and explored various ways to resolve it. Both agreed the most immediate fi x to offsite backup would be to contract with VersaTrust for its “cloud” backup service. That would require a one-time set up cost of $7,582 and a monthly cost of $942. Monthly Internet data with Charter Business would also have to be increased. This option provides back up capability at a fi rst year cost of $18,886 and an annual expense of $11,304. The second option, although much more costly up-front, makes much more sense in terms of effi ciency and safety of city data. It’s the option the council decided to go with in the end. Option Two will provide a wide area network (WAN) connecting city hall, the library, fi re station, water plant, WWTP, utility maintenance, city garage, and the animal shelter. Fiber will be installed between the B.J. Clark Annex and the WWTP of-
BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN “There will be entertainment and acChanges are afoot for the annual tivities going on as well, and we are American Cancer Society Relay For hoping to have a lot of involvement Life of Azle and they’re expected to from people around the community. “Later on in the evening there will help make the event bigger and better be a luminaria slide show, followed by than ever before. A new location and shorter event a silent lap to honor and remember our time will contribute to the made-over loved ones who have fought cancer or passed away from it over the years.” Relay. Teams made up of different groups Slated for 6 p.m.-12 midnight Friday, May 16 in Central Park in in the community, businesses, school Azle, opening ceremonies will begin clubs, families, friends, and churches promptly at 6, followed by the Survi- are encouraged to sign up to participate in the event, Martinez added. vor and Caregiver lap at 6:30. “This is a community driven event The theme for this year’s event is planned by a committee of people “Happily Ever After.” Anyone who is a cancer survivor or from the community,” Martinez said. who has cared for someone with can- “We want to do whatever we can to cer is encouraged to come and walk fi nish the fi ght against cancer. Many this lap. A reception for survivors will have been personally affected by cancer or have cared for a loved one who follow the lap. Event chair for the 2014 Azle Relay has had cancer.” Those interested in entering a team For Life is Kristen Martinez. as well as those looking for sponsor“This is one of the largest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society, ship opportunities can contact Martinez and during the event there will be by email at kristenmartinez83@gmail. teams set up around the track that will com or by phone at 817-789-3540. have raffl e items, food, beverages, Registration can also be accomand games for people to purchase on plished by going to www.relayforlife. PLEASE SEE REDUNDANT, PAGE 4A. a donation-only basis,” Martinez said. org/azletx.
Lunar Eclipse Blood Moon
This series of photos taken April 15 shows the progression of the eclipse during different stages. From the whole moon (left) to the blood moon (right). Photos by Ryan Burger
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Last April, the Azle High School Indoor Drumline placed 17th out of 32 entries at the Winter Guard International World Finals in Dayton, Ohio. AHS’ program was called The Devil Came Back to Georgia and was based on a Charlie Daniels song.
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