The Springtown Epigraph

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Thursday, January 22, 2015

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Wrestlers battle a slew of foes as district looms

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Gentlemen, start your engines... Page 1B

Volume 51, Number 40

$1 Springtown, Texas 76082

Wreck after chase deadly

Fire On Eagles Way

Local man crashes in Wise County BY NATALIE GENTRY Jerry Easterwood, 35, of Springtown died in a one-car accident after running his vehicle off Farm Road 718 near Newark in Wise County at approximately 8:49 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. According to Trooper Jackson Bridgeman of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), he was southbound on FM 718 when he was passed by a 1994 Pontiac Firebird – driven by Easterwood – speeding in the northbound lane. Bridgeman said he turned on his emergency lights and turned around to pursue Easterwood. During the chase Bridgeman said he clocked Easterwood at almost 140 miles per hour before losing sight of Easterwood and canceling the pursuit. “He was so far ahead of me I never saw him come off the road,” Bridgeman said. At approximately the same time Bridgeman, Wise County Sheriff's deputies and medics, Newark firefighters and Boyd police were dispatched to a possible vehicle accident. A resident called 911 reporting a loud bang that sounded like a car crash. First responders arrived on the scene to find the Firebird in a field on its roof. According to DPS spokesman Lonny Haschel, the car had skidded off the road, crashed through a gate, and rolled several times through a vacant field before coming to a rest on its top. Easterwood was inside the vehicle but was already dead when help arrived. Haschel said Easterwood was not wearing a seatbelt. The investigation remains open awaiting autopsy results.

Miss and Mr. SHS

Firefighters went defensive battling the substantial nighttime fire on Eagles Way. Photos by Natalie Gentry

Nocturnal blaze consumes home Cause: Accidental BY NATALIE GENTRY Firefighters from area departments were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 300 block of Eagles Way in Springtown on the night of Jan. 15. According to Parker County Emergency Services District 1 investigator Eric Vinson, an accidental fire began in the rear of the home and units were dispatched at approximately 10:12 p.m. Personnel from Springtown, La Junta, Central, Poolville, Salt Creek, and Cottondale Volunteer Fire Departments fought the blaze for well over two hours. No injuries were reported; however the home was deemed a complete loss.

PC Special Crimes Unit shuts down organized drug ring by carla noah stutsman Since July, investigators with the Weatherford-Parker County Special Crimes Unit (W-PC SCU or unit) have been working to shut down an organization that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine into parts of Tarrant, Parker, Wise, and Palo Pinto counties, into Oklahoma and possibly even into Louisiana and Arkansas. Information obtained during that investigation led investigators to believe the drugs were being distributed from a location in Sansom Park as well as in Pelican Bay. A W-PC SCU spokesman said an earlier narcotics investigation turned up information that led to the discovery of the organization. Now that seven of the nine individuals targeted by the investigation have been arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime in connection with the case, investigators could use the public’s help to nab the remaining two. In fact, Parker County Crimestoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of either of the two suspects.

Springtown High School seniors Kalie Wells and Spencer Norris were recently voted Miss and Mr. SHS 2015. Photo by Natalie Gentry Arrested

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Two suspects remain at large and the Weatherford-Parker County Special Crimes Unit is asking for the public’s help finding Timothy Ray Cole (left) and Little Earl Wallis. To date, the following individuals have been arrested and charged: • Brian Reece Ludwick, 47, of Sansom Park (he also lists an address in Azle) was arrested by W-PC SCU officers Nov. 18 for a warrant for engaging in organized crime. Ludwick was also the subject of Tarrant County warrants for delivery of a controlled subject and theft $20,000-100,000. He remains in the Parker County jail in lieu of a total of $55,000 bond. • Temkai Lee O’Bryant, 32, lists a

Weatherford address, but investigators believe he actually lives in Pelican Bay. He was arrested Nov. 12 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies for an SCU warrant for engaging in organized crime. O’Bryant was off bond at the time of that arrest for an identical charge as well as a charge of theft $20,000-100,000, both out of Palo Pinto Sheriff’s Office. He also faces Tarrant County charges of PLEASE SEE CLOSED, PAGE 2A.

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