Thursday, December 11, 2014
The
Christmas On The Square
www .spring town-epigr
Porcupine wrestlers hit local mats Christmas On The Square Special Section
Thursd
aph.ne t
Sharing my story
Page 8A
Page 1B
Volume 51, Number 34
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
11, 2014 ay, December
WBAP reporter, two others injured in head-on crash on FM 51 By Natalie Gentry Farm Road (FM) 51 was shut down for more than an hour Friday evening, Dec. 5 following a head-on collision that sent two people to John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital in Fort Worth via separate air ambulances. The wreck was reported at 7:46 p.m. near FM 2048 about five miles north of Springtown according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) report. A WBAP-owned Toyota Camry, driven by reporter Alan Scaia of Fort Worth was headed north on FM 51 when it was struck head-on by a Ford pickup driven by Lynis Parris of DeLeon. The pickup was southbound on FM 51 when it crossed the center line and collided with the Camry, according to the report. Scaia was flown to JPS Hospital in critical condition.
WBAP reporter Alan Scaia was flown to JPS Hospital in Fort Worth after a head-on collision on FM 51 Dec. 5. Photo by Joe Duty, courtesy Wise County Messenger According to DPS Trooper Adam Lawson, Parris sustained minor injuries and was driven by ambulance to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur where he was kept overnight. In addition, Parris’ passenger, Clara Quesnot, also of DeLeon, was flown to JPS Hospital where she was listed in stable condition. On Saturday, Dec. 6, medical staff upgraded Scaia’s condition to serious according to his mother Linda Scaia,
who flew in from her home in Ohio. “I want to thank everybody for their kindness and support,” she said. According to a story on the WBAP website, Scaia had recently been promoted to morning drive reporter. He had also been named as corespondent for Westwood One News, a new national operation. “It was very encouraging to get the word of Alan’s improvement,” WBAP News Director Rick Hadley, who vis-
In the aftermath:
ited Scaia Saturday afternoon, said in the story. “He is certainly badly hurt, but having seen the photos from the accident scene, we are relieved this is not much, much worse.” Friends, co-workers and former co-workers visited Scaia on Saturday, as well.
WBAP reporter Alan Scaia was injured in a head-on collision on FM 51 Dec. 5. Photo courtesy WBAP/820 AM
Santa’s Lap
REACT volunteers assist victims of abuse and assault to find help By Natalie Gentry Kim Chilcutt and Karen Ewell of Parker County’s Responding to Every Assault and Crisis Team (REACT), a victim centered organization developed to assist those who have been affected by trauma and violent crime, spoke at the weekly Springtown Optimist Club meeting Dec. 9. REACT works closely with law enforcement officials to provide victims with information regarding their rights, needs, case follow-up, referrals, and support. The organization began in 1999 and currently has 20 members who volunteer their time and talents to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, serious accidents, deaths, and disasters. Volunteers assist in follow-up contact
with the victims and also work on special projects as they arise. To become a volunteer, one must attend an academy and receive 30-40 hours of training relevant to the group’s services. They must also attend continuous monthly training through various presentations from the medical examiner’s office, county attorney, and grief counselors from North Side Baptist Church. This training is intended to provide the volunteer with information used to assist the victim or family members following a traumatic event or crime, as well as to provide comfort and understanding to those affected. They do not provide counseling, but act primarily as an information and referral agency.
REACT volunteers are often requested to provide their services by the law enforcement agency at an incident scene. Once the team arrives on scene, they identify the needs of those involved and use their training and empathy to ensure those needs are met. Other than becoming a volunteer, residents can help by donating supplies such as clothing, blankets, and even teddy bears; making a financial donation; spreading the word about REACT; assisting in training and monthly meetings; or sponsoring refreshments at the monthly meetings. For more information on REACT contact Freedom House at 817-5967543 or the Weatherford Police Department at 817-598-4325.
City to host farewell reception for Krey By Natalie Gentry The City of Springtown will host a reception for outgoing City Administrator Mark Krey from 3:30-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. The event will be held in the Municipal Court Annex building at 200 North Main Street. Krey’s time with the city has been called one of progress and growth. Among the many projects Krey has coordinated are the completion
of the new water treatment plant, the reconstruction and resurfacing of approximately half the existing streets within in the city, the completion of Veteran’s Memorial Park, the creation of the Tabernacle Committee and phase one of the renovations to the key community asset, the construction of the SplashPad, and the completion of the new Parker County Court Annex building. For more information call City Hall at 817-220-4834.
A reception for outgoing Springtown City Administrator Mark Krey will be held Dec. 19 at the Municipal Court Annex on North Main street. Photo by Natalie Gentry
Follow us on Twitter @SpringtownEpi
Payton Dauenhauer, 5, of Springtown, told Santa Claus what he wants for Christmas during the 2014 Springtown Christmas Tour of Homes Dec. 6. Photo by Natalie Gentry
Like The Springtown Epigraph on Facebook