The
Thursday, April 30, 2015
www .spring town-epigr
aph.ne t
Porcupines win Area track meet
Page 8A
What’s a ‘food hub’? Page 2A
5 9, 20m1ent April 2 l Supple ia
A Spec
s zle New
SISD conservation efforts
Page 4A
Volume 52, Number 02
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
The
A
raph
wn Epig
Springto
Rainy April
Child molester’s sentence affirmed Springtown man gets 37 years, no parole BY MARK K. CAMPBELL In April 2014, a Parker County jury gave Jamie Lee Ford, of Springtown, a 37-year prison sentence for molesting a child in two counties. Now, an appellate court has affirmed that punishment. The first trial Ford was accused of sexually assaulting and fondling a young girl from age five to nine in Parker and Tarrant County. When 10 years old, the girl testified of several instances when Ford sexually abused her. A nurse told jurors what the girl said Ford did to her. A neighbor, who was first told of the abuse by the girl, said he believed the youngster. “The victim was a very brave girl,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Swain who tried the case with fellow assistant Kathleen Catania.” Swain said the victim told a friend, then the friend’s parents, and eventually the jury – describing things “no 10-year-old girl should know.”
Jamie Lee Ford
The Second Court of Appeals ruled April 23 that neither witness’ testimony was improper. The court concluded: “There was no error in the trial court’s judgment.” Ford, 30, still has judicial recourse. He can turn to the state’s highest appeals court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. But Assistant District Attorney Eddy Lewallen said it is unlikely the court will handle the appeal because it usually only hears death penalty An appeal cases of those involving “novel legal Ford claimed that the nurse’s and issues.” Many local folks got more than 10 inches of rain in April – more than double the usual total. The month neighbor’s testimony was wrongfully Ford’s 37-year sentence has no paends with the wet weather finally moving out and sunshine returning. Photo by Mark K. Campbell admitted during the trial. role; he will be imprisoned until 2049.
With lake rising, Twin Points boat launch reopens BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Whether you’re more inclined to pray for rain or do a rain dance, chances are recent precipitation has encouraged you to double up on your efforts. Eagle Mountain Lake was 10.5 feet low in February, but between April rains and the resumption of pumping via the pipeline from East Texas lakes, almost half of that deficit has been recovered in the past six weeks. On Tuesday, April 28, Tarrant Regional Water District officials reopened the boat launch at Twin Points and say they are optimistic about keeping it open throughout the summer. The launch, touted as the deepest one on EML, was closed in September 2014 when water levels were so low launching a boat there became impossible. “The rainfall over the last week, combined with our pumping efforts, have made a significant impact on Eagle Mountain's lake level,” TRWD
spokesperson Chad Lorance said. “The lake is high enough now that we can keep the ramp open most, if not all, of the summer. It will depend on how much rainfall we get between now and then, as well as the impact of summer demands and evaporation.” While rains have helped significantly, TRWD has pumped an average 140 million gallons of water a day into EML since March 6, Lorance said. He added that pumping into the lake will continue so long as demand remains low. TRWD’s conservation efforts have resulted in a 30 percent reduction in annual demands, Lorance said. “Our goal is to get Eagle Mountain as close to conservation level as possible by June 1 of each year. It is hard to say if we will get there this year, but we have made significant progress,” Lorance said. “Hopefully, we get Up about five feet since February, the water level at Eagle Mountain Lake has allowed the reopening some more help from Mother Nature of the Twin Points boat launch where vessels can enter the water, first-come, first-serve for $10. over the next few weeks.” Photo courtesy Tarrant Regional Water District
High School Chefs
Local early voting continues until May 5
BY NATALIE GENTRY Early voting for the General Election May 9 began Monday, April 27 and will run through Tuesday, May 5. Local voters who live in Reno and Springtown will decide who will lead the cities for the next four years as both mayoral races are contested. Reno also has a four-way race for city council Place 2. The city of Sanctuary and the Springtown Independent School District have each canceled elections this year since no candidates are opposed. The primary early voting site for Parker County voters is the Courthouse Annex kitchen located at 1112 Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford. Springtown residents can go to the Springtown Municipal Court Annex at 200 North Main Street to cast their votes. The meeting room in the Azle Masonic Lodge at 257 W. Main Street will also act as a voting site for Parker County voters. A full list of Parker County polling Lucky diners at the Springtown Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon enjoyed this exceptional meal prepared by the SHS Culinary Arts class. See some of the chefs on Page 2. Photo by Misty Shaw sites for purposes of early voting can
Follow us on Twitter @SpringtownEpi
be found at http://www.parkercountytx.com/index.aspx?NID=118. Polls will be open April 29 and May 1 and 4 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. On April 30 and May 5, polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Application for ballots by mail can be obtained by calling 817-598-6185. They must be received by the Early Voting Clerks no later than the close of business on April 30. Applications for ballot by mail should be mailed to: Don Markum Early Voting Clerk 1112 Santa Fe Drive Weatherford TX 76086 Election Day voting for the Springtown election will take place in the new Springtown Municipal Court Annex Building at 200 North Main Street in Springtown. Reno residents may vote on Election Day only at Reno City Hall, 195 W. Reno Rd. in Reno. A list of candidates and propositions on the ballot is on Page 3A.
Like The Springtown Epigraph on Facebook