Volume 63, Number 52
Azle News
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
THE
www.azlenews.net
APD hires 2 officers Page 5A
AHS construction update Page 7A
11 on All-District softball list Page 10A
Eagle Mountain, Shady Grove Park open again Water levels had forced closures BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN It’s not often in North Texas that people get excited about how many days we’ve gone without rain. We’re usually complaining that it’s been too long – especially in the summer months. And, we may get back to that point, but for now, North Texans are rejoicing about sunshine and full lakes. May 2015 was the wettest month on record for the contiguous 48 states since records began being kept in 1895, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). An average of 4.36 inches of rain and/or snow fell across the lower 48 states. Most of it was concentrated in Oklahoma and Texas, where, as one NOAA spokesperson said, the fiveyear drought was washed away in one month. This barricade and all others came down Tuesday, June 9 when Eagle Mountain Lake was reopened to boat traffic after hundreds of PLEASE SEE LAKE, PAGE 3A. thousands of gallons of water was released. Shady Grove Park was also reopened entirely.
Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman
Golf and kids
A Monster of a Festival
Landers still all about helping kids get into the sport BY MARK K. CAMPBELL If a kid doesn't have a golf club and wants to learn the sport, Robert Landers will hook him or her up. Speaking to the Azle Rotary Club June 4, the former Senior PGA Tour player said he currently has 5,000 clubs in his barn – sticks he often refurbishes and remakes into clubs suitable for use. “I'm not shy about asking to get clubs,” he said. Landers, a self-taught golfer, gained national fame for his highly unlikely ascent to the professional golf ranks. He said when he neared the upper reaches of the professional level, commentators on the Golf Channel once noted that he had about as much chance of playing in a single tournament on the Senior Tour “as the Three Stooges do in winning an Academy Award.” Landers played 57 pro tourneys. (And, for what it's worth, the Three
Stooges were nominated for an Oscar in 1934 – but did not win.) A life-long Azle man Landers is all about Azle. He attended school here, beginning in 1949 when all grades walked Rock School halls. He graduated Azle High in 1962. Landers said he has spent years teaching hundreds of young folks – and plenty of adults – the game of golf. If a kid didn't have clubs, Landers made sure they got some, free. He said among the youngsters that have come under his tutelage is current LPGA pro Angela Stanford. Landers volunteers with Azle High School golfers, assisting current coach Bob Gilbreath for whom Landers had high praise. Riley Sparks, Landers' great-grandPLEASE SEE GOLF, PAGE 3A.
AISD honors its best and retirees Members of the faculty, staff and administrators with the Azle Independent School District were honored in an assembly Monday, June 1 at Azle High School. Whether retiring, receiving service pins, being named Teacher of the Year, or just observing, district employees were treated to a breakfast before the awards were handed out. Five years of service Receiving pins for five years’ service: Tara Burke, Misty Cato, Julie Coast, Marisa Cox, Elizabeth Dennison, Sandy Doggett, Rebecca Emig, Maria Enriquez, Johnny Eversole, Ren Eversole, Susan Garner, Robert Gilbreath, Brandy Hammersley, Stephanie Laudenheimer, Mitzi Marquart, Folks attending the first Main Street Arts Festival & Tour saw plenty of singers, artists, and authors Lisa McLeod, Denise Mills, Michael while enjoying a bevy of food from a variety of vendors. Especially eye-catching was Audrey – the Norwood, Jennifer Riley, Christoman-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors – created especially for the event by Alan Brundrett, who pher Rogers, Sandra Sampley, Timohappens to be the Azle mayor. SEE MORE PHOTOS ON 2A! Photo by Mark K. Campbell thy Shaw, Duston Shepherd, Carolyn
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This Week in Azle History
Stewart, Jeffrey Sullivan, Debra Venable, Jena Walker, April Ward, Sonja Whipple, Joneva Williams, and Rosalinda Zavala Ten years of service Ten year service pins were awarded to Susan Adams, Machele Bovea, Rosa Camacho, Kathleen Carpenter, Ann Chambers, Kristen Clark, Shelly Cordova, Lora Cotton, Jamie Denton, Ashley Fields, Tina Gilbert, Steven Griffin, Prisna Hilton, Heather Huffaker, Holly Huling, Sheri Idell, Nicole Jolliff, Jennifer Lahue, Lisa Leal, Velda Mason, Jimmie Maughmer, Donald May, Tia Moen, Shelley Newton, Ron Norman, Maria Pick, Kathleen Rae, Barbara Richardson, Tiffaney Richardson, Brian Roberts, Carlos Ropa, Marlene Ross, Joyce Shelton, Elissa Tittle, Rebecca Trotter, PLEASE SEE SCORES, PAGE 4A.
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5 Years Ago On June 10, 2010 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, 342 Azle High School graduates received their degrees. The valdictorian was Weston Fountain.
20 pages plus supplements
$1 Azle, Texas 76020