Thursday, October 16, 2014
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Volume 51, Number 26
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
FM 51 Under Construction
SISD prepared to combat illnesses Ebola, Enterovirus outbreak concerns addressed through proactive policies
By Natalie Gentry America has watched with barely contained horror as a second case of the lethal Ebola virus was confirmed in Dallas and as Enterovirus D-68 has swept through the Midwest sending hundreds of children to hospitals. However, the Springtown Independent School District (SISD) says that the school system has protocols in place designed to prevent or eliminate the spread of infectious illnesses. “The procedures for closing or Work on the northbound lane of FM 51 got underway Wednesday, Oct. 15 after two days of delays. The delaying school are pretty standard first leg of the project – from Highway 199 to 5th Street – is expected to take seven days. Photo by Natalie Gentry across districts,” SISD Superintendent Mike Kelley said. “Student safety is always our first consideration, regardless of whether we’re evaluating weather conditions or a mass outbreak of some sort of illness.” One of the items the SISD Board of Trustees approved at the Sept. 29 meeting was a document identifying procedures for “closing school for bad weather conditions/emergencies.” Kelley notes that “emergencies”
Woman sentenced in 32-year-old crime Mathis given 10 years’ probation for niece’s death
Decades later, justice was served in the death of a young child. Teena Jolene Mathis, 55, of Springtown was sentenced Monday to 10 years’ probation after pleading guilty to the murder of her 15-month-old niece 32 years ago. According to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, Mathis reached an agreement with prosecutors who contend that she beat the child – Heidi Page – at Mathis’ Fort Worth home July 15, 1982. Heidi was at Mathis’ home in Fort Worth at the time. Mathis reportedly told Heidi’s mother Jolene Price and authorities that Heidi and Mathis’ own children were swing-
ing in the backyard when a phone call took Mathis inside. She said that Heidi had walked behind the swing set and was hit in the head. The girl died two days later. Although the Tarrant County medical examiner ruled Heidi’s death a homicide by blunt-force trauma, no arrest was made in the case at the time. Investigators reopened the case last year and ultimately arrested Mathis on a murder charge. They said bruises on the Heidi’s body were not consistent with Mathis’ explanation of her injury. Mathis was indicted in July 2013 and accused of striking Heidi with or against a hard object. Teena Jolene Mathis
Square Deal fundrasier here Sat. By Natalie Gentry The Square Deal is poised to provide Springtown families with a plethora of activities on Saturday Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Although entry to the event is free, a $5 donation to the Tabernacle fund will provide patrons with a wrist band that allows for additional access to activities. Advance purchase of the wrist bands can be made at City Hall. In addition to the music line-up which includes acts such as Judi Ballew Conger, Steve Hill and Cadillac Johnson, and the Johns Epps Band, patrons can request songs from the DJ until 1 p.m., visit the event booths, or catch a ride on the Crazy Train.
There will be a washers tournament on the south lawn beginning at 10 a.m. and a Yoga class on the north lawn at 2:30 p.m. The Chili Cook-Off begins early – at 6 a.m. – with judging slated for 2 p.m. New cars provided by Durant Auto Group and Charlie Gilchrist Auto Group will be on display in the north and south parking lots. There will be a “I Hung Out and Cruised the Square” reunion at 4 p.m. on the north lawn. Food trucks will be open throughout the event in the west parking lot. A raffle and auction will begin at 8:15 p.m. with a street party kicking off after that until 10 p.m.
Music Schedule 10 a.m. – DJ accepting requests 1 p.m. – Wisper Cox 1:20 – Judi Ballew Conger 1:40 – Taylor Teague 2 – Jacob Sweeney 2:15 – Teague & Sweeney 3:30 – Steve Hill Duo w/ Cadillac Johnson 4:30 – FBC Youth Christian Pop 5 – Brad Kelley 6:15 – Huelyn Duvall 8:45 – John Epps Band
could include variety of reasons, health concerns being but one. “If our nurses and administrators believed our students’ safety could possibly be at risk due to a contagious illness, we will certainly contact the Texas Department of Health and seek guidance as to whether or not to cancel classes.” Kelley said. “Over the last several years, I have seen several districts cancel classes because of a particularly concentrated outbreak of a flu strain…we would do the same if such action were warranted.” Being proactive Maybe the most important step in controlling the spread of illness is vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website indicates that flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February with seasonal flu activity PLEASE SEE SISD, PAGE 2A.
30 years: Sanger man bound for prison for molesting 7 year old A 42-year-old Sanger man pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in Weatherford Oct. 7. James Burt Opitz was accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl on numerous occasions in 2012 and 2013 in northern Parker County near Springtown. The plea bargain took place in the 43rd District Court with Judge Craig Towson presiding. “The allegations against Opitz came out after the victim’s brother found pictures the girl had taken of her own genitals on her Nintendo DS,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Swain, who prosecuted the case. “When her mother took her to a counselor to find out why she had taken the pictures, the victim explained what Opitz had been doing to her. It was a very credible outcry which the Sheriff’s Office investigators followed up on and corroborated.” Opitz will not be eligible for parole until he has completed half his sen-
tence, Swain said. “Of course, just because he’s eligible doesn’t mean that they will or should grant him parole,” Swain added.
James Burt Opitz
Sound of Springtown golden in Glen Rose
The Springtown High School band’s elaborate program was deemed the most impressive of all competitors’ in a Glen Rose festival. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
by natalie Gentry The Sound of Springtown was crowned Grand Champions at the Paluxy Valley Marching Festival Saturday, Oct. 11. After beating 22 2A-5A bands to place first in the preliminary round, the SHS band went on to clinch the title during finals. The Sound of Springtown also won awards for Best Drum Line in 4A and Best Band in 4A. “Not only were our kids winners on the field, but also were complimented as the best-behaved band while eat-
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ing dinner in the cafeteria at Glen Rose High School,” said Chris McLellan, director of bands for Springtown Independent School District. “Needless to say, we are proud of these kids.” The top five bands at the competition were: 1. Springtown – 4A, 2. Clifton – 3A, 3. Elgin – 5A, 4. Joshua – 5A, and 5. Sanger – 4A. Next up for the Sound of Springtown is the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Regional Marching Contest back at Glen Rose HS Saturday Oct. 18.
SHS Drum Majors Michala Rodriguez, Lexie Little, and Krystina Hickey (l-r) accepted the Grand Champion trophy for the Sound of Springtown at the Paluxy Valley Marching Festival Oct. 11. Photo courtesy Sound of Springtown
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