Volume 64, Number 5
Azle News
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
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www.azlenews.net
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Wreck kills teen mother BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN A 15-year-old girl who was the mother of a 3-month-old infant was killed Sunday evening, July 12 in a three-car accident in the 10100 block of Jacksboro Highway. According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Offi ce, Sarah Elaine Blaze Fortenberry was pronounced deceased at the scene at 7:35 p.m. Cpl. Tracey Knight of the Fort Worth Police Department said patrol offi cers were dispatched to the acci- The 15-year-old mother of a 3-month-old infant was killed in a violent crash on Jacksboro Highway at its intersection with Nine Mile dent in the eastbound lanes of Jacks- Bridge Road Sunday evening, July 12. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman boro Highway at Nine Mile Bridge Fortenberry was ejected from the sult of the accident, Knight said. they were re-directed through a neighlight, Knight said. Road at 7:20 p.m. car. Eastbound traffi c on Jacksboroborhood and back to Nine Mile, where A white pickup pulling a trailer was Fortenberry was a passenger in a No one inside either pickup was se- Highway was rerouted to Tenderfoot they had to fi gure out for themselves black 1989 Honda Accord driven by eastbound on Jacksboro Highway Trail; many motorists assumed they how to continue to their destination. the 18-year-old father of her infant, when the Honda entered the intersec- riously injured. The driver of the Honda and the could take Nine Mile Bridge Road The highway was closed for several tion. who was also in the car. infant received minor injuries but are hours as Fort Worth accident investiback to the Jacksboro Highway to It struck the Honda on the passenThe Honda was traveling southwest gators gathered evidence, photos, and continue east toward Lake Worth. through the crossover toward Nine ger’s side, pushing it into a red Chevy expected to recover. No arrests have been made as a reAs they approached the highway, measurements. Mile Bridge Road when it ran the red Avalanche.
MGP directors take Burleson positions BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN The dynamic team that revived Azle High School’s Marching Green Pride, returning it to state contender status in four short years, has announced its departure from Azle. Band director Shawn Murphy, his wife and assistant director Kim Murphy, and percussion director Richard Kearns, have accepted positions at Burleson Centennial High School. Centennial was built in 2010 as a result of growth in the Burleson ISD, joining longtime Azle rival Burleson High to provide secondary education in that district. Kearns’ wife, Stacie Kearns, a kindergarten teacher at Walnut Creek Elementary, has accepted a similar position within the Burleson ISD, as well. The announcement came late Thursday evening, July 9. Because Azle ISD’s administrative offi ces are closed on Fridays in June and July, ISD offi cials say they arrived at work Monday morning, July 13 to fi nd that word had traveled fast about open positions in
Azle. “Azle is a great place to be, and there is already a lot of interest in these positions,” Tanya Anderson, assistant superintendent of curriculum and human resources, said, adding that “we are certainly going to miss the Murphys and the Kearnses, and we wish them Shawn Murphy the very best. Outgoing band director “Azle has always had a stellar reputation in band, and they (Murphy and Kearns) really continued in that tradition,” Anderson said. “But we feel short of amazing. We are truly gratevery confi dent we’ll fi nd the rightful for all the hard work and dedication people to fi ll those positions in time to from our students and parents in makkick off the (fall football) season.” ing this a world class band program. Anderson said those who have ex“Four years ago we were called to pressed interest early include individ- revive the Azle band program and take uals from within the Azle ISD as well it to the next level. We were glad we as people outside the district. made this decision and hope that you have enjoyed the past four years as The announcement much as we have. Sometimes things In an email to students, parents, sup- happen unexpectedly and we have porters and friends, Shawn Murphy, now been challenged to improve the speaking on behalf of his team, made Burleson Centennial HS Band prothe announcement “with heavy hearts. gram. “Our time in Azle has been nothing “We hope you will give the new di-
“
It was so tough to decide to move on.
rectors the same respect and effort that you have given us. We know there are directors out there that are better than us and can take the Azle MGP even further! We wish nothing but the best for the MGP and we will be watching from a distance hoping for greatness. “We wish to thank the Azle community and ISD administration for their support, and know the best days for the Azle Band are ahead. We will miss you all!” Murphy’s memoirs Shawn Murphy says the group was never looking to leave Azle; Burleson actively recruited them. “It was so tough to decide to move on. We’ve made so many good friends, made so many great memories,” he said. “We all really love Azle – we love the town, the community, the ISD... we have nothing but fond memories and great relationships here.” Recounting some of his fondest memories with the MGP, Murphy recalled his fi rst year as band director
here in 2011. “The band had received a Division II at Region before we got here, so the priority was just to get back to Division I status,” he said. “We qualifi ed to Area, but making Area Finals was a long shot. Then we won the prelims and went on to compete in the state marching contest – it really was a miracle! “I was on the other side, and I found out we’d made it to state, but I couldn’t get to our side in time to tell them myself,” Murphy continued. “So when our name was called, I was watching the band from the stands on the opposite side. “To see their reaction – it was priceless. When we did it again two years later, it was no less special,” he said. “I’ll remember those moments for the rest of my life.” Murphy said he, Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Kearns taught band students things they’d never done before – PLEASE SEE BAND, PAGE 4A.
Just a little weed? Special Crimes Unit discovers marijuana growing south of Azle SCU investigators gained access An Azle area man was arrested July 9 by members of the Weatherford- to the container after Woodruff gave them the keys. Parker County Special Inside, they disCrimes Unit (SCU) in covered 36 marijuana connection with a mariplants. juana growing operation. SCU investigators SCU investigators reported the operation served a search warrant included plants in variat the residence of Travis ous stages of growth Brant Woodruff, 51, in and sizes, and was the 100 block of Woodequipped with artifi cial vale Drive, in the Shanlighting, irrigation, and gri La addition south of climate control. Azle. Woodruff is charged On the west side of with possession of the residence, SCU investigators and Parker Travis Brent Woodruff marijuana 4 ounces to 5 pounds. County Sheriff’s depuHe posted $7,500 ties located a large, padbond and was released locked, metal shipping SCU investigators discovered a marijuana growing operation in a shipping container at the home of container typically used as a portable from the Parker County jail the following day. Travis Brent Woodruff who lives south of Azle. Photo courtesy Parker County Sheriff’s Offi ce storage building.
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25 Years Ago In July 1990, new Police Chief Marvin Ivy took charge of the Azle PD. He replaced Ted Garber who had taken the top job in the Waxahachie PD.
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