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Volume 51, Number 42
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Here to help Retired husband-wife team volunteer at Springtown Elementary BY NATALIE GENTRY And so their foray into volunteerism Springtown Elementary School began. For the last four years, Les and (SES) has a variety of volunteers on Neva have visited SES two days a campus who help out in many ways – week and spent two and a half hours from clerical work to decorating for working with students. When they aren’t encouraging readevents to tutoring. “We have the most outstanding vol- ing success with the Kindergarten and first grade unteers a campus students at the could ask for,” “Volunteers don't get paid, school, they are said SES parent linot because they're worthless, helping to enrich aison, Dini Torres. their great grandAmong these but because they're priceless.” -Sherry Anderson daughter’s exdedicated indiperiences while viduals are Lesthey keep her ter “Les” and each afternoon. Neva Darling. “Both of her parents work, so we Before moving to Springtown in April 2010, Les, 77, taught for 38 watch her each day,” Neva said. “This years in Virginia, Washington, and afternoon we’re going to bake a pie.” Their dedication work doesn’t go then Louisiana. His wife Neva, 82, worked as an unnoticed. Torres said that everyone at office manager and Sunday School SES appreciates these two people and teacher. They made the move to the the rest of the volunteers. “They are an extremely compasarea in order to be closer to family. “We lived way out in the country in sionate, caring and devoted couple Louisiana when we told our son we Torres said. “They treat all these stuwere going to move closer to town,” dents with respect and kindness, no Les said. “He said ‘If you’re gonna matter what the situation is.” “It’s apparent to everyone they truly move, why don’t you move out here Jesse Castro (front right) and Andrea Hillis (back right), first graders from Paula Whiteman’s class so I can take care of you when you get care about our children’s’ education,” at Springtown Elementary, spend time Jan. 29 reading with SES volunteers Les (front left) and Neva old,’ and we just thought that sounded she continued. “They are all an integral part of our campus.” (back left) Darling. Photo by Natalie Gentry like a good idea.”
S’town man given max sentence for sexual assault
Look to the Skies!
Not eligible for parole until 2023 BY NATALIE GENTRY dant grooming a victim. He manipuA 32-year-old Springtown man who lated her over the course of a year to pleaded guilty in early January to sex- regard increasingly sexual conversaually assaulting an eighth-grade girl tion and physical contact as acceptreceived maximum sentences Jan. 28. able.” Swain said Senn was arrested in NoWilliam Bruce Senn, Jr. was sentenced to 20 years for two charges of vember 2013. During her testimony, the girl – who sexual assault of a child and 10 years each for three counts of possession of is currently living in a shelter for teens – said that she faced rumors and bullychild pornography. ing in school According after the asto Assistant saults. Parker CounShe said ty district atshe was torney, Jeff called names Swain, Senn and was told was the best she could friend of the have stopped girl’s stepfathe assaults ther. if she had “Children wanted. look to adults Even her for protecown mother tion,” 43rd Jublamed her dicial District for the sexJudge, Craig ual assault, Towson told the girl told Senn. “Adults the judge. don’t prey on “I was children. “The harm, William Bruce Senn, Jr. was sentenced scared, and whole her distress, Jan. 28 for the sexual assault of an the time I was pain, all those eighth-grade girl. praying he other things that you caused by your manipulation would stop,” the girl said of the asof a child is something this court can’t saults that occurred just before and nor will overlook. The court heard evi- after her fifteenth birthday. During his closing arguments, dence that you groomed the child for Swain requested that Towson sentence your mere gratification.” The girl, now 16, testified that Senn Senn to the maximum allowable sengrew closer to her over the course of tence for the offenses. “This happened as a long series of a year. In September 2013, Senn and the girl had sex twice, and she told a choices,” Swain said. “He groomed this girl.” teacher in October 2013. At one point during closing argu“Mr. Senn’s wife caught him texting with the victim, discussing having sex ments, the girl left the courtroom with her and confronted him about in tears; but she returned to hear the the inappropriate texts,” Swain said. judge’s decision. According to court records Senn “That should have been a wake-up call for him, but instead, he got another will serve the sentences concurrently phone, kept contacting the victim, and in exchange for his guilty plea. He is expected to be eligible for paeventually had sex with her. “This was a classic case of a defen- role after serving half of his sentence.
Wintertime celestial wonders highlighted Feb. 3: After a remarkable, gigantic Springtown orange moon settled into the west at dawn, this colorful sunset capped the day. Photo by Paula Campbell
Few area incumbents opposed But Springtown, Reno mayors challenged BY NATALIE GENTRY Area voters will soon have the opportunity to decide who will represent them in a variety of elections to be held this spring. So far, however, most incumbent candidates are running unopposed. Springtown Springtown City will hold elections for Mayor and places 2 and 4 on the Council. As of Feb. 4 Tom Clayton filed an application to run for Mayor. Candidate filing for a place on the ballot began Jan. 28 and runs through Feb. 27. Early voting begins April 27 and ends May 5. For more information call 817-220-4834. Applications to run for office may be picked up at City Hall at 102 East Second Street.
(Place 7) have filed to run for their places on the district board of trustees. Candidate packets are available during the entire filing period and can be picked up at the SISD Administration Office at 301 East 5th Street until Feb. 27. Early voting period for the district is April 27-May 5. For more information, contact Darlene Pennington, secretary to superintendent/election coordinator, at 817220-1700. File applications at the SISD Administration Office located at 301 East 5th Street.
Reno The Reno City Council ballot is the only race where a challenger has filed to run for office. While incumbent Eric Hunter (Place 4) is currently unopposed, David Andrews (Place 2) has filed to run for Springtown ISD Mayor against Lynda Stokes. As of Feb. 4 only incumbents Larry As of Feb 2, no one is running for Don Carter (Place 6) and Al Garrett Place 2. This turn of events means there
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will definitely be a new lineup on the Reno City Council after the election. Registered voters may vote in the Reno City Council election at City Hall during the early voting period from April 27 through May 5 and on Election Day, May 9. Those planning to file an application can contact City Secretary Rahma Burns at 817-221-2500 or at rahma. burns@cityofrenotx.com. Reno City Hall is located at 195 West Reno Road in Azle. Sanctuary The City of Sanctuary will hold an election on May 9 when Alderman Places 1, 3, and 5 and are up. The filing period for the 2015 election is Jan. 28-Feb. 27. Anyone seeking to be on the ballot can contact the City Secretary at 817221-6016 for an application. Applications for a place on the ballot may be mailed to City of Sanctuary, P.O. Box 125, Azle.
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