The Azle News

Page 1

Volume 64, Number 25

Azle News

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

THE

www.azlenews.net

Brookshire’s no longer for sale Page 3A

Drying out... Page 1B

Hornets flood All-District list Page 12A

Christmas on Main Street arrives Saturday Free event runs from noon until early evening and includes city tree lighting BY MARK K. CAMPBELL This year’s Christmas on Main Street will be like no other. The traditional tree lighting and bike giveaway return but so do other unique opportunities to bring cheer to the holiday season, such as: • a blacksmith demonstration • a tacky sweater contest

• impromptu caroling groups • a community singalong at the Christmas tree at 5 p.m. Committee Chair Kim Ware said, “This is a true community event. It’s all about kids and families. All activities at 404 Main are free thanks to many local businesses.” Azle Women’s Business Associa-

tion is sponsoring all activities and Azle Optimist Club, all funds raised will go to disadvantaged youth in the vendors along Main Street. AISD, Bennett said. “We’ll have over It all begins at 65 vendors and ac- Festival map! tivities,” said Vera .........................see page 5A noon when Mayor Alan Brundrett Bennett, Azle Womreads a proclamaen’s Business Assotion in front of Fidelity Natonal Title ciation president. Working in conjunction with the at 224 West Main Street.

Fifteen minutes later, that’s also where the Tacky Sweater Contest will be conducted with the winner earning $50. From then until 6 p.m., an array of vendors selling food and crafts will be lined up all along Main Street – from the museum, site of the later tree lightPLEASE SEE MAIN, PAGE 4A.

‘Be Heard’

After victorious outings against Northwest Eaton and Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt Nov. 24, Azle wrestlers – wearing “Be Heard” t-shirts – assembled outside the gym to release balloons in remembrance of former Hornet Dammion Heard. After a prayer, Azle Coach Chris Allen spoke, mentioning the importance of not taking anyone for granted. Heard died under mysterious circumstances last April in Colorado where he wrestled for Western Colorado and was a rising star. After the brief ceremony at the high school, green balloons were released and floated away on the stout south breeze. Photos by Mark K. Campbell

Double trouble

2 kidnappers, 2 cases, 2 locations on Knob Hill Road

BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Two separate kidnapping cases ended with arrests during the week of Thanksgiving. Ironically, although the two cases don’t appear to be related, the arrests were both made at locations on Knob Hill Road in unincorporated Parker County by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies. Devilish first case Deputies arrested Darrell Kent Burnsed, age 61, of Azle, on Nov. 23 on a Parker County warrant for aggravated kidnapping. Burnsed remained in the Parker County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond Dec. 1 for the first-degree felony charge. He is also held on a motion to adju-

Darrell Kent Burnsed

James Castleman Gipson

dicate guilt on a charge of possession of marijuana, 5-50 pounds. Burnsed was sentenced to seven years’ deferred adjudication for that crime on Oct. 2, 2012. According to information con-

tained in a probable cause affidavit, a 47-year-old Fort Worth man told deputies he had been at Burnsed’s home Oct. 26 in the 2300 block of Knob Hill Road with Burnsed and two other men.

The four men were using methamphetamine in a barn on the property, when, according to the victim, Burnsed became angry and accused the victim of “having the devil in him.” That’s when Burnsed and the two other men attacked the victim outside the barn when he tried to leave. Burnsed allegedly punched and kicked the victim as he lay on the ground. Then the victim was tied up and placed inside a shed on the property. Burnsed allegedly told the victim he planned to execute him after Burnsed retrieved a gun. The victim was located and untied by a friend who knew he was at Burnsed’s home and came to find him. According to the affidavit, Burnsed admitted to beating and tying the vic-

BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Most people call them “lake patrol officers” – those cops on boats who issue citations for things like having too few personal flotation devices on your boat, or for a lack of proper lighting, or even for boating while intoxicated. Police officers with the Tarrant ReEarly in 2015, Eagle Mountain Lake was closed due to lack of water. Then came the massive spring rains which also shut down the lake. Now once again, EML has been closed, starting Nov. 28 after big gional Water District’s (TRWD) Law precipitation over Thanksgiving capped the rainiest November ever. Photo by Mark K. Campbell Enforcement Division (LED) do, in

This Week in Azle History

Kidnapping No. 2 Less is known about the second kidnapping case. James Castleman Gipson, 37, was arrested Nov. 28 when Parker County deputies responded to a suspicious person call in the 2000 block of Knob Hill Road. A routine check revealed Gipson was the subject of an active Tarrant County arrest warrant for aggravated kidnapping, including terrorizing the victim. The charge is also a felony in the first degree. Details about the case were unavailable at press time; however, Gipson was held in the Parker County jail Nov. 30 in lieu of $25,000 bond.

TRWD officers investigating thefts from boats

Lake Closed...Again

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tim up and holding him in the shed.

fact, carry out those duties. They’re also highly-trained and skilled – not only as police officers, but as public safety divers, marine accident investigators, and have received specialty training in environmental law, active shooter response, asset and personnel protection. And right now, officers are investiPLEASE SEE LAKE, PAGE 9A.

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5 Years Ago In December 2010, the 21st annual Parade of Lights on Eagle Mountain Lake – with 27 entrants – raised $1,000 for local charities.

22 pages plus supplements

$1 Azle, Texas 76020


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