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Thursday, May 22, 2014

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Springtown Class of 2014 Section C

Annual Olympus SISD Showcase

Page 3A

Volume 51, Number 5

Summer sports camp begins Page 7A

$1 Springtown, Texas 76082

Splishin’ and Splashin’ SplashPad opening set for Saturday, May 24 BY NATALIE GENTRY The Saturday many Springtown area kids have been waiting for is fast approaching – the day they can fi nally enjoy a wet and wild time in Springtown’s new SplashPad. The shiny new facility opens at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 24. Future facility hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Made to last The six-inch-thick concrete SplashPad is covered in a rubberized “Tough Coat” in shades of watery blue with bursts of red throughout. Fixed to the slab are 34 ground spray nozzles and 12 water elements including water cannons, palm tree and mushroom shaped fountains, a rainbow misting arch, and the tower-

ing Springtown water bucket. All of the stainless steel elements are powder coated in vibrant colors and include heavy rubber toe guard to prevent stubbed digits. Caps are installed over the ground sprays so they can be fi tted with new elements as the park expands. All told, the SplashPad provides 46 ways for kids to drench themselves in two circular bays. The design of the pad divides the water elements into sections geared toward different age groups. The smaller circle is confi gured for toddlers and children wanting a gentler SplashPad experience. The larger bay is for older kids looking for varied and exciting water play. The SplashPad is located by the WalPLEASE SEE SPLASHPAD, PAGE 2A.

An overhead view of the SplashPad highlights the different areas of fun awaiting Springtown youth (and adults) beginning Saturday, May 24. Photo by Natalie Gentry

Hwy. 199 motorcycle mishap claims man Johnson indicted now on federal hate crime charges

BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN One man was killed around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, May 21, in an accident involving a motorcycle in the 1600 block of Northwest Parkway (also called SH 199) in front of Allsup’s Convenience Store. According to Trooper Sgt. Lonny Haschel of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the man’s identity was unknown as of press time the same afternoon. Haschel said a man driving a southbound 1996 Honda Accord had stopped at the stop sign on Ashwood Street. The man intended to cross the westbound lanes of SH 199 into the crossover before heading east into Azle.

The man told DPS troopers at the scene he saw three motorcycles westbound on SH 199 and waited for them all to pass before he pulled out to cross the westbound lanes. But there were four motorcycles. The fourth bike, a 2001 Harley Davidson, collided with the driver’s door of the Honda. Its rider was thrown from the bike and the victim landed on the pavement in the crossover. The unidentifi ed man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The three other riders, as well as the driver of the Honda, were visibly shaken on the roadside. The accident remained under investigation at press time.

BY NATALIE GENTRY Brice Johnson, 19, of Springtown was accused of severely beating a gay man last September and has now been indicted on federal hate crime charges. A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Johnson on May 14 for charges of kidnapping and “willfully causing bodily injury to a person because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation of that person,” according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office. The indictment was returned in federal court in Fort Worth. Prosecutors said the case began on Sept. 2, 2013, when Aaron Keahey, a gay man, met Johnson via the cell phone social application MeetMe.com. Although Johnson’s profi le page said he was not gay, Johnson told Keahey “he was interested in engaging in sexual activity” and they arranged to meet. According to the press release, when Keahey arrived at Johnson’s house, Johnson “severely beat him” and put Brice Johnson him in the trunk of his own car. When other individuals warned Johnson to take Keahey to a hospital or they would call police, Johnson drove Keahey to an emergency medical services station in Springtown.

Keahey was hospitalized for the following 10 days at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth for multiple skull and facial fractures. Johnson eventually told federal authorities he was playing a prank on Keahey because of his sexual orientation and that it was a “joke that went too far and wrong. “The investigation revealed that on the night of the incident, Johnson saved [Keahey’s] cell phone number using a gay slur as a contact name,” the press release reads. “Johnson later stated that he was playing a prank on [Keahey] because of [Keahey’s] sexual orientation, again using a gay slur when referring to [Keahey.] According to the affi davit, Keahey said that he had no physical contact with Johnson prior to the attack. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Springtown Police Department, and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cara Foos Pierce and Trial Attorney Saeed Mody of the Civil Rights Division. An indictment merely establishes probable cause and Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A fi refi ghter sweeps up debris from the scene of a fatal motorcycle accident on SH 199 near Allsup’s Convenience Store Wednesday morning, May 21. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman

Wheels on the bus SISD bus drivers create art to express pride in their jobs BY NATALIE GENTRY Every school day, bus drivers for the Springtown Independent School District (SISD) are entrusted with safely transporting students to and from the schools. Regardless of the weather, lighting, or traffi c conditions, SISD drivers are required to transports students, so their performance on the road is critically important.

With the district spanning approximately 100 square miles, SISD buses have traveled over 350,000 miles dur- This patriotic bus painting highlights all employees in the SISD transportation department who are ing the 2013-14 year alone. military veterans. Photo by Natalie Gentry Expressions of pride Drivers have begun expressing their devotion to the district through a series of colorfully expressive buses drawn on tables in the staff room. “Every driver has their own bus,”

said Shirley Knight, one of the drivers. “It started back in October, I just doodled a bus on the table, and it just took off. “Then someone saw Wendy’s [Anderson] talent and said ‘I want her to

draw mine’ and it grew.” Knight con“It’s just wonderful,” Knight said. tinued. “We should honor these people and The table now also includes an their service.” American fl ag and an eagle that has It was a common sentiment in the the names of employees in the department who are veterans of the military. PLEASE SEE SISD, PAGE 4A.