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Thursday, March 26, 2015
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$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
The race is on
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Area elections swing into high gear as early voting inches closer BY NATALIE GENTRY Andrews' choice to run for mayor With the window to file for a place has left Place 2 unfilled. Darrel Allen, John “JB” Basham, on the ballot well behind us, each local council or board must move for- Carol Houlihan, and Jody W. Works have all filed to fill the seat. ward with the election process. In addition, a proposition to adopt an additional sales and use tax has Unopposed races For Springtown ISD and Sanctuary, been placed on the ballot. If voters approve the measure, it the next step will be to begin the cancellation procedures as each incum- would mean that shoppers – regardless of where they live – would pay the adbent in their races is unopposed. ditional half a penny on purchases they make within Reno, and thus reducing City of Springtown The mayor’s seat is the only con- the property tax burden on property tested race on the Springtown City owners. If the measure is approved by votcouncil with both Tony D. Smith and ers, the sales and use tax rate in Reno Tom W. Clayton filing to run. Denise Taylor and Robert E. Wilson will increase from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent – the maximum allowed are both running unopposed. by law and the same as many surrounding communities – effective City of Reno In Reno, Eric Hunter – Place 4 – is Oct. 1. the only incumbent running unopEarly voting posed. Early voting is slated to begin April Current Mayor Lynda Stokes is facThe high school cafeteria was full of dancing and delights during the Daddy-Daughter Dance Satur27 and run through May 5 in advance ing both David Andrews and Gilbert day, March 21. Line dances, two-steps, and good ol’ boogies were the favorite tunes of the night. of the May 9 general election. Photo by Natalie Gentry Morrow in her bid for re-election.
Garden of Hope taking applications for spring BY NATALIE GENTRY The Garden of Hope community garden is accepting gardener registration for the 2015 growing season. In addition to the 4x8-foot raised beds offered last year, 10x15 garden plots are a new option for gardeners. The decision to add the plots was made after several gardeners found the raised beds too small for all the different plants they want to try. All plots and beds are irrigated. The garden is equipped with a centrally located community tool shed, wide paths with wheel chair access, water fountain, washout tub, and free parking. Information about organic gardening tips and health education is also available to gardeners. Registration kits are available at Hope Lutheran Church, Reno City Hall, Azle Chamber of Commerce, Azle Caring Community, Springtown Chamber of Commerce, Neighbor to Neighbors, and many local builder, feed, and garden supply stores. There is a fee of $25 for the raised beds and $30 for the garden plots. This fee covers the entire growing season and all The Garden of Hope, located at Hope Lutheran Church at 4795 East Highway gardeners must provide their own seeds, plants, drip 199, offers gardeners several options to try their hands at gardening. Applicahoses, and tools. tions are being accepted for the 2015 season. Photo by Natalie Gentry
Pancake Supper
It got bumped two weeks because of winter weather, but the annual Optimist Club Pancake Supper was held March 19 at SHS. Members, including Mike Gilley (left) and Wes Thomas, spent hours preparing the meal for the hundreds that attended. Funds raised go toward college scholarships for high school seniors. The final financial tally was not available at press time. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
In addition, Hope Lutheran church has received donations to provide “gardening scholarships” for residents who may want to try their hand at gardening, but cannot afford the fee. The Garden of Hope Association and its area partners were also able to add a 70-tree orchard to the rear of the garden, and they have five honey bee hives located in a remote area of the garden – away from gardeners. The bees will be a tremendous benefit by pollinating the trees in the orchard and providing local honey. Ten percent of the produce grown by each gardener will go to local food pantries and shelters including the Azle Community Caring Center, Springtown’s Neighbor to Neighbors, and The Refuge, a men’s shelter. Last year, the Garden of Hope was able to donate 1,700 pounds of produce to the charities. This year’s goal is 2,000 pounds – that’s one ton of locally grown food to help feed the hungry. For more information about the garden or to register for a raised bed or garden plot contact Frank Swehosky, president of the garden’s executive board, at gardenofhopetexas@gmail.com.
Briar-Reno VFD purchases ‘new’ firetruck from River Oaks FD BY NATALIE GENTRY The Briar-Reno Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) recently purchased a 1990 Spartan fire engine. The purchase was made via auction from the River Oaks Fire Department for just under $10,000. Despite its age, the vehicle is deemed in good condition with only 1,800 miles and 300 hours on the pump. It was also equipped with scene lights, a generator, and a booster hose. The truck will require additional equipping of vent fans and large-diameter hose, but, overall, Briar-Reno Chief Shannon Smithers is happy with the vehicle. “We’re very lucky we got the truck at such a great price,” Smithers said. “The new trucks we’ve looked at cost around $350,000.” The addition equips the Briar-Reno VFD with five engines and a total of 19 fire apparatus.
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The addition of this new fire engine brings the Briar Reno VFD to a total of five engines. Photo by Natalie Gentry
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