Volume 64, Number Number 77
Azle News
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
THE
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AHS FFA wins award Page 6A
Are you a real Texan? Page 1B
Girls hoops camp crowded Page 11A
Keeping the lakes full
Water district looking 50 years into the future BY MARK K. CAMPBELL “The ick factor.” When Tarrant Regional Water District Assistant General Manager Dan Buhman was discussing four ways the organization is trying to keep local lakes full, one method involved “reuse” – treated shower and toilet water. “There's an ick factor there,” he chuckled. Buhman said TRWD is focused on the future of water in the area – especially since Texas' population is expected to double by 2060. That's why, he noted, that TRWD has a 50-year plan to keep the taps fl owing. The group's job is to “collect, pump, treat, and deliver” water to millions of customers daily, Buhman said. Finding that water takes far-reaching efforts. Using the lakes Right now, TRWD uses several bodies for water sources: Eagle Mountain, Bridgeport, Richland-Chambers, Cedar Creek, Arlington, Benbrook, and Lake Worth. Water is pumped through 72-inch and 84-inch pipelines – for now. Currently under construction is a
At Shady Grove Park, folks cool off in Eagle Mountain Lake during the 100-degree temperatures. Water pumped up from Richland Chambers Lake kept EML from becoming a “mud hole” during the recent drought. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
PLEASE SEE FINDING, PAGE 3A.
High-speed chase ends here; unrestrained 5 year old in vehicle BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN when deputies tried to pull him over. A Springtown man was arrested Driving a silver 2005 Nissan AlJuly 18 south of Azle and charged tima, Brown accelerated to a high rate with evading arrest with a vehicle as of speed, ran another stop sign, and well as endangering a child with im- entered a residential neighborhood off minent danger of bodily injury follow- Redbud Drive in Azle. ing a high-speed pursuit. Then Brown took Commerce Street According to an affi davit fi led byto FM 730 South, turned left on South Parker County Sheriff’s deputies, Stewart Street and eventually right Lance Joshua Brown, 24, ran a stop onto Silver Creek Azle Road – at sign at the intersection of SH 199 and speeds of 80 to 90 mph. Ashwood Drive, but failed to stop When Brown reached a construc-
tion area on Silver Creek Azle Road, he lost control of the Nissan, spinning and striking a dirt embankment before coming to a stop. Ignoring deputies’ orders to stop, Brown fl ed on foot but was detained in the yard of a residence in the 6300 block of Silver Creek Azle Road. When deputies returned to the Nissan, they discovered a 5-year-old boy lying across the rear fl oorboard of the vehicle, which did not contain a child
safety seat. Texas law requires all children under the age of eight be properly secured in an approved child safety seat at all times in a moving vehicle. Brown was booked into the Parker County jail. He posted $15,000 bond for the evading charge (a state jail felony) and $20,000 for the endangering a child charge (a second degree felony) and was released from the Parker County jail July 22. Lance Joshua Brown
Trade goods – or kids – at APD’s new exchange zone In cities both large and small, across Texas and the nation, “exchange zones” are becoming more popular. The idea for exchange zones came about as a way to provide a safe and secure location where people who utilize online services such as Craiglist and others can exchange goods and payments with a buyer or seller they do not know personally. Now, the Azle Police Department has announced the creation of a zone. This new exchange area is comprised of two clearly- marked parking spaces in the west parking lot of the Azle Municipal Building, 613 Southeast Parkway, just outside the Azle Police Department entrance. Two parking spaces at City Hall have been designated as an exThe exchange zone is a joint project change zone where citizens can exchange goods purchased on- of the Azle Police Department, Azle line or even transfer the custody of children for parental visitation Street Department, and Azle Parks and return. Photo by Carla Noah Stustman Department.
Azle Chief of Police Rick Pippins said Azle’s exchange zone is actually designed for two purposes. “It’s designed primarily for those who buy and sell online, and citizens will now have a more secure public place to make their exchanges,” Pippins said. “Additionally, citizens will be able to utilize the exchange zone for child custody transfers commonly associated with parental visitation and return.” While it’s certainly no crime – not even a ticketable offense – to park in either of the two parking spaces that comprise the exchange zone, they are clearly marked for that use, Pippins said, adding that “anyone misusing the space will be asked nicely to move.” There is no fee to use the exchange zone, and citizens can access it at any time.
But Pippins encourages everyone to always remain aware of their surroundings and follow a few simple rules to increase safety: 1. Avoid going alone to make an exchange with a stranger. 2. Let your family and/or friends know the time and place of your intended exchange and any information regarding the other person. 3. Avoid giving strangers your personal information, including your address or Social Security Number. 4. Avoid exchanges at night if possible, even in the exchange zone. 5. Avoid remote or out of the way places for exchanges and be wary of persons who insist on secluded locations. For more information on the exchange zone, call the APD at 817-4443221.
Group hopes to support, record history of AFD BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN dation, to support the Azle FD through If you admire the brotherhood of fundraising as well as preservation of fi refi ghters, there’s a new opportunity the department’s history. “We want to promote the Azle Fire to support the Azle Fire Department. A group of Azle citizens has formed Department by keeping the commuthe Azle Fire Department Foundation nity aware of what’s going on and all (AFDF), a 501(c)(3) non-profi t foun- they do,” said Robbie Porch, president
of the AFDF. “There is a lot of history in the department, and until now, there’s been no one to keep up with it all.” Fundraising will be aimed to help support fi refi ghters in need, especially those with injuries or who suffer from
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This Week in Azle History
illness. Porch said anyone with photos or information about the department’s activities over the years is encouraged to contact the foundation or attend any of its public meetings. Membership in the foundation is
available to both individuals and businesses, at various levels. For more information, visit azlefi refoundation@ gmail.com. Elected offi cers for the foundation PLEASE SEE LOCAL, PAGE 3A.
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15 Years Ago In July 2000, AD Gene Phillips struggled to fi nd a gridiron for Azle’s “home” football games because press box repairs had made Hornet Field a “construction zone.”
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$1 Azle, Texas 76020