The Springtown Epigraph

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Volume 51, Number 1

Page 1B

Page 11A

$1 Springtown, Texas 76082

Heat at the Finish Line

Jury hands down no parole, 37-year sentence A jury convicted Jamie Lee Ford, counties,” said Assistant District At29, of Springtown of continuous sex- torney Jeff Swain, who tried the case for the prosecution ual abuse of a young along with Assistant child and sentenced District Attorney him to 37 years in Kathleen Catania. prison in a trial that “Being able to do concluded April 17 this in one case inin district court in stead of several is Weatherford. advantageous for juFord was convicted rors, who get to see of sexually assaultthe entire picture, ing and fondling a and for the victim, young girl from ages who will only have to fi ve to nine in Parker testify once and yet and Tarrant Counties. get justice for every“The continuous Jamie Lee Ford sexual abuse of a Photo courtesy of the Parker County thing that happened young child charge Sheriff’s Offi ce to her,” Swain said. During the now allowed us to prosecute this defendant and hold him 10-year-old victim’s testimony, she accountable for the entirety of his PLEASE SEE 37-YEAR, PAGE 3A. conduct against this little girl in both

Flood mitigation project to cost less Savings of $400,000 seen BY NATALIE GENTRY The revised budget for the Main Street creek widening and fl ood mitigation project is now estimated to be approximately $1.4 million instead of the original figure of $2.2 million. In response to the decrease in the overall budget, the Parker County commissioners have voted to adjust the county’s 50 percent cost-share agreement with the city from $1.1 million to $700,000. The project focuses on fl ooding at the intersection of FM Road 51 and State Highway 199 and includes three phases of improvements. In addition, the project has facilitated partnerships between the City of Springtown, Parker County, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

cisions made that eliminate the need to obtain permits and mitigation costs associated with altering the course of a waterway of the United States.” said Springtown City Manager Mark Krey. Chris Bosco, of Freese and Nichols, said, “Working with the Corps of Engineers, we came up with a project so that we don’t have to mitigate the channel widening. We’re able to accomplish that without disturbing the natural original channel.” Krey noted, “The revised plan has been submitted to the Corps of Engineers and they have signed off on it so we know we are good to go.” Commissioners have added their approval for Freese and Nichols to proceed with a fi nal design and construction of this phase. “We also met with TxDOT to discuss what steps need to be taken for the bridge widening,” Bosco said. Phase One The fi rst phase of the project When the Main Street Bridge gets will cost about $264,000 – almost replaced, there will be additional ex$400,000 less than engineers origi- cavation. nally estimated. “This change in cost is due to dePLEASE SEE SAVINGS, PAGE 2A.

Springtown coach Brad Legan vehemently protests the Porcupines’ 4x400-meter team’s disqualifi cation at the Area track meet. Legan fi led a written protest, but offi cials upheld SHS’ expulsion. So, despite posting the second fastest time at the meet, the Springtown quartet will not advance to regional. Full story on Page 11A. Photo by Mark K. Campbell

Work continues on the Springtown Splashpad BY NATALIE GENTRY Construction on the Springtown Splashpad is steadily progressing toward its Memorial Day weekend grand opening. The park took shape last week as water elements were installed and the majority of the masonry was completed on the restroom and the admissions building. The interior of the restroom was painted as well. The rain earlier this week has caused

a delay in some of the work, but that should not adversely impact the overall schedule. In response to concerns voiced about the cost of the splashpad’s water usage, Springtown City Administrator, Mark Krey explained the choice to direct used water to the wastewater treatment plant instead of processing it on-site. “The reasoning behind using the PLEASE SEE SPLASHPAD, PAGE 2A.

Polls opening for early voting Monday BY NATALIE GENTRY Early voting for the May 10 General Election in Parker County will begin on April 28. Voters in Springtown can go to City Hall located at 102 East 2nd Street to cast their votes in the council meeting room. Another option is the Parker County Courthouse Annex kitchen located at 1112 Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford. The meeting room in the Azle Masonic Lodge at 257 W. Main Street will also act as a voting site for Parker County residents. Voting polls will be open on April

28-30, along with May 2 and 5 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. On May 1 and 6, polls hours change to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Application for ballots by mail can be obtained by calling 817-598-6185. Those ballots must be received by the Early Voting Clerks no later than the close of business on Thursday, May 1. Applications for ballots by mail should be mailed to: Robert Parten Early Voting Clerk 1112 Santa Fe Drive Weatherford, TX 76086

Water elements sprout from the ground as work continues on the Springtown Splashpad. Photo by Natalie Gentry

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