Thursday, August 20, 2015
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Volume 52, Number 18
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Point: Springtown!
BY NATALIE GENTRY died at approximately 5:33 p.m. that Floyd Levi Nunley, 49, of Reno evening at Texas Health Harris Methwas arrested Monday, Aug. 17, and odist Hospital in Azle due to stab charged with murder in the stabbing wounds of the chest and abdomen. death of Shane Allen Veselka, 40, of The medical examiner ruled his Fort Worth. death a homicide. According to the Tarrant County The probable cause affi davit stated Medical Examiner’s Offi ce, Veselka that Nunley, the resident of a home in the 1000 block of Shady Lane – where the incident occurred – admitted to stabbing Veselka with a bayonet after he put Nunley in a headlock. A Reno police offi cer was dispatched to the residence at approximately 4:15 p.m. in response to a stabbing. Upon arrival, the offi cer found Veselka lying on the ground, nonresponsive and bloody, although still breathing. The police offi cer said he placed Nunley in restraints and called to get LifeCare dispatched to the scene. Veselka was transported by ambulance to the hospital. According to the affi davit, Nunley told the offi cer that Veselka came Floyd Levi Nunley
PLEASE SEE BOTH, PAGE 3A.
Manhunt results in felony charges Man flees into Springtown Park BY NATALIE GENTRY A Springtown manhunt involving law enforcement offi cers from multiple agencies searching for an escapee stretched into the evening hours of Thursday, Aug. 13. At approximately 5:25 p.m. that evening, Gerald Wayne Hammons, 18, of Springtown was being transferred from the Springtown Police Department (SPD) holding facility to the Parker County Jail. While the arresting offi cer removed
Council works on 2015-16 budget Vehicles, raises, and street repairs pondered BY NATALIE GENTRY The Springtown City Council has attended two workshops as they shape the upcoming year’s budget. Tax rate “We are conservatively estimating sales tax revenue to be up 10 percent for fi scal year 2015-16 over 2014-15,” said Kim Mathis, the Springtown fi nance manager. This increase will result in approximately $104,000 in additional sales tax revenue. “As property values for the most part have increased in the city, and with the addition of new property added to the tax rolls, the proposed tax rate for the 2015-2016 budget cycle should generate an additional $58,500 in maintenance and operations revenue,” Mathis said. “The proposed rate is lower than last year’s rate, but PLEASE SEE CITY, PAGE 5A.
Hammons from his holding cell and walked him to the patrol unit, Hammons broke free from the offi cer’s grip and ran north, past the animal shelter, and into the Springtown Park. Multiple offi cers from the SPD, Parker County Sheriff’s Offi ce, and Reno Police Department responded and searched the park, Walnut Creek, and surrounding neighborhoods for Hammons. Lady Porcupine Gabby Terry (3) blasts a winner past a pair of leaping Fort Worth Paschal defenders Photo by Mark K. Campbell PLEASE SEE RUNNING, PAGE 4A. at the Springtown gym Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The giver A year after his death, Pastor John Conway still remembered for his dedication BY NATALIE GENTRY One year ago Aug. 19 the city of Springtown rippled with shock when John Conway, pastor of the Hilltop Family Church, suddenly died. Conway was one of “those” people. We all have them – a husband, father, brother that we depend on, advocate, leader, supporter, pillar, and spiritual trustee of the church. The impact of Conway’s death was evident by the massive turnout at his funeral services and the many posts on Conway’s personal Facebook page as well as the Epigraph’s.
breathed Hilltop Family Church, in every respect he put his life's blood into being the pastor God would have him to be.” Kinkeade added, “John loved this country and he constantly was involved in calling it back to its JudoChristian roots. He lovingly sacrifi ced un-measurable time on behalf of the city of Springtown and our school system. He also summed up how deeply Conway’s presence is missed. “While I know that John is celebrating eternal life with Jesus, his time with us was a blessing from the Lord and I will always be grateful to have Giving in the faith Pastor Hal Kinkeade of First Baptist known him as a friend and look forChurch of Springtown summed up the ward to when I'll see him again.” sentiments of so many in the commuGiving in the community nity. “When I think of John I think fi rst Amy Walker, director of the Springof all of a friend and brother and not town Chamber of Commerce, noted just as Christians and ministers but that Conway was an integral part of as someone that I looked forward to the Chamber. “What can I say about John Conseeing and fellowshipping with,” he said. “John was always faithful to his way?” she asked. “He was defi nitely priorities. He simply majored on Jesus one-of-a-kind and will forever be missed in our community. and His Word and prayer.” “He sat on the Board of Directors, Kinkeade noted that faith was a was the committee chairperson for the driving force in Conway’s life “Everything he did was related to Wild West Festival Children’s area, he Him. He loved his family. There was coordinated the rest stop areas for the never a time that I visited with him that All American Bicycle Rallies, he was he did not share his love for Cindy, his a constant promoter of the community Even though he died a year ago, the dynamic personality of Pastor kids, and certainly his grand kids,” he continued. “Obviously he lived and PLEASE SEE CONWAY, PAGE 3A. John Conway still can be felt in town. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
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