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Thursday, June 5, 2014
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Volume 51, Number 07
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Dog shooting causes international uproar Caged mother with puppies slain then discarded on roadside BY NATALIE GENTRY Parker County Sheriff’s investigators arrested a local woman June 1 in connection to an animal cruelty case. Tammy Green Douglas, 44, of Parker County was arrested early Sunday morning, June 1, after a tip led investigators to her residence.
Wednesday, May 28, when a Springtown ISD bus driver called the Sheriff’s Communications Center after discovering a caged dog and puppies while on the morning route. The driver reported a dog inside a kennel with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The cage had been left partially in the roadway in the 100 block of Raley A gruesome discovery The search for a suspect began early Road just off of Veal Station Road in
Springtown. There were 11 elementary school children on the bus at the time, but it is believed they did not witness the scene. Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said the worst part of the call came when animal control offi cers arrived and discovered the deceased dog had 10 puppies inside the kennel with their mother. “These puppies were left defense-
less and still nursing on their deceased mother,” Fowler said. Sheriff’s Animal Control Supervisor Karen Kessler said the mother dog was a 4-year-old shepherd mix, weighing about 35 pounds. Kessler added the dogs were deliberately placed inside the wire dog kennel, with an egg crate glued to cardboard which was placed in the bottom of the kennel. “There are seven female and three male puppies, approximately 7-9 days old,” Kessler said. “One of the puppies barely has its eyes open. “They were covered in their mother’s blood from where she had been
shot in the top of the head, with the exit wound located on the left side of her neck leaving a large puddle of blood,” She continued. “The mother was obviously malnourished and should have weighed at least 50 pounds. We also found an empty metal pan inside the crate.” Fowler said after the story was aired on local news and distributed on social media numerous tips were received concerning the case. Sheriff’s investigators followed up on several tips, where concerned citizens recognized the deceased dog and PLEASE SEE CAGED, PAGE 2A.
Car-motorcycle collision injures duo Two people were injured in an accident involving a motorcycle at 6:52 p.m. May 30. The wreck occurred when a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo driven by Chynna Jean Smith, 18, of Springtown struck a 2005 Harley Davidson as she attempted to cross the westbound lanes Graduates of the SHS Class of 2014 celebrate their accomplishment with the traditional throwing of of Highway 199 into the McDonald’s the motor boards. Photo by Natalie Gentry parking lot. Smith claimed she never saw the motorcycle as she pulled into the lane, an accident report notes. The driver of the motorcycle, Jaylon
Class of 2014 graduates
Wayne Conner, 27, also of Springtown attempted to take evasive action but was unable to avoid the collision. Conner received a puncture wound to his abdomen. He was taken to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. Connor’s passenger, Caitlin Conner, 23, suffered a severe injury to her left foot and leg and was transported by CareFlite to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Smith was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Azle by family members.
Thousands gather for milestone event BY NATALIE GENTRY Once again, inclement weather that had been predicted for the night of Springtown High School’s graduation never materialized. With a thunderhead slowly dissipating in the distance, thousands of family and friends of SHS graduates gathered at Porcupine Stadium on the evening of May 31. With the stadium packed to standing room-only, the Class of 2014 received their degrees on the pleasant, if a little humid, evening. For the last time SHS Principal Chris Pennington led the proceedings that began with the procession of 181 graduates across the new turf accompanied by traditional rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” played by
the SHS band. Valedictorian Shay Chandler and salutatorian Rebecca ‘Nikki’ Jones led the class. Both gave light-hearted and moving addresses, to their peers, friends, and families. One graduate, Caleb Plumlee, received his appointment to the Air Force Academy, which is equal to a full four-year scholarship, including housing, books, meals, and a monthly stipend. Pennington announced that this class of SHS students earned an astonishing $2,199,650 dollars to continue their educations. He then gave the graduates eight pieces of advice he said he wished he had received as a grad.
1. Don’t litter. Your mother probably won’t work at your choice of college or employment. As a matter of fact, go the second mile, and pick up someone else’s litter. 2. Learn to spell. When the lights go off, you won’t have Spell Check. 3. You have two ears, and one month; use them in proportion. If you chance to meet someone who lived through the Great Depression and WWII as an adult or a teenager, park yourself right there, and listen – it’s an opportunity your children won’t have. 4. Put your iPhones, tablets and computers down from time to time
Paramedics and EMTs tend to Jaylon Connor, 27, of Springtown
PLEASE SEE CLASS, PAGE 3A. after his motorcycle was struck by a car on May 30. Photo by Natalie Gentry
Swarming Defense
Doggone: Dr. Gieb headed for semi-retirement After 42 years in Springtown
It was the Porcupines’ turn to host the weekly Wise County 7-on-7 league games. Springtown defenders Fisher Drewry (left) and Mykeal Cummings thwart a Decatur receiver. SHS beat the Eagles in the “overtime” of an additional play. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
BY NATALIE GENTRY The location was also a plus for From 1,000-pound cows to him because he would be close to Fort 10-pound canines, Dr. James Gieb has Worth yet still be out of town. “I like the small town atmosphere spent the last 42 years tending to their here,” he said. care at Gieb Veterinary Clinic. It was a new adventure for Gieb and He began his practice in Springtown four miles west of town at Deerskin the locals as well. “I was well accepted,” he said “A Kennels in 1972. There, Gieb had a tiny offi ce space few of the old-timers looked at me as and a small waiting room. The only a kid until I took my hat off and didn’t have any more hair than they did.” kennel was a closet. “Fortunately at that time I was mostly seeing large animals so any- Evolution Gieb was able to build his fi rst clinic thing I kept went home,” he said with a smile. “We defi nitely didn’t leave in 1974 and after Highway 199 widened in the late 80’s, Gieb made the them in the closet.” Gieb came to Springtown because it move to the clinic’s current location in was known as a dairy area which ap- 1992. “We went from 300 to 2,800 square pealed to his interest in treating cattle. He had seen notices for a veterinarian here, too. PLEASE SEE DR. GIEB, PAGE 4A.
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