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Thursday, December 25, 2014
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Porcupines beat Steers in overtime thriller, 63-59
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Volume 51, Number 36
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
Flood project to begin early ‘15
The Big Day is Almost Here!
Final widening plan for Walnut Creek approved BY NATALIE GENTRY How to corral Walnut Creek during rain events. That’s what was discussed by a major engineering firm at the Dec. 18 City Council meeting. Scott Berman, an engineer with Freese and Nichols, Inc., updated the council about the flood mitigation plan for the creek. The first phase of the project includes the widening of the creek channel. The project, which is part of the county’s transportation bond program,
All the letters have been sent to Santa and the big day looms as the Square remains decked out for Christmastime.
Scott Berman, an engineer with Freese and Nichols, Inc., presented the Walnut Creek flood mitigation plan to the council. Photo by Natalie Gentry
is being done in partnership with the City of Springtown and Texas Department of Transportation. According to Berman, the finalized plan for the widening has been approved by the Texas Corps of Engineers and the County Commissioners. As a result, the contract for this phase is scheduled to be awarded by the county on Jan. 12 after vetting of the bidders is complete. Earth will be removed north of Walnut Creek's natural high water mark and the channel under the bridge will be widened to increase flood capacity. Phase two of the project will include raising and lengthening the FM 51 Bridge to accommodate possible water levels of a 100-year storm. A specific date for this phase has yet to be determined. A reconfiguration of the FM 51 and Highway 199 intersection is also planned in order to improve traffic Reno Officer Ted Gerardi records driver and vehicle information at a wreck on Jay Bird Lane Thursday, Dec. 18. A donkey, covered by a tarp, was struck and killed. Photo by Natalie Gentry flow.
Saying Thanks to Krey
Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Donkey hit on Jay Bird Lane Animal killed, car totals in collision BY NATALIE GENTRY No people were hurt in a one vehicle wreck in the 1300 block of Jay Bird Lane Dec. 15. However, the donkey that was struck by the 2006 Kia Sportage died as a result of the collision. According to a Reno police report, a Sportage driven by Springtown’s Kasey Carrington, 29, was headed south on Jay Bird Lane at approximately 7:49 p.m. when the donkey ran into the road in front of the vehicle. Witnesses say there was a second donkey as well, but that animal wasn’t struck.
Azle man shot several times, killed after confrontation Suspect voluntarily surrenders without incident
Outgoing city manager Mark Krey (right) was acknowledged for his service to Springtown by mayor pro tem Tony Smith at the Dec. 18 city council meeting. Photo by Natalie Gentry
BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN An Azle man was shot and killed Sunday evening, Dec. 21, during an altercation between two men. Azle police were dispatched to a disturbance in the 600 block of South Stewart Street at 5:54 p.m. According to Interim Police Chief Darrell West, the initial 911 call reported a verbal altercation between two men. But that disturbance escalated, West said, to a point where one of the men produced a handgun and shot the second subject multiple times. Azle native Bradley “Brad” Clayton
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Bettis, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene. Benny Aulvry Rogers, 47, surrendered to Azle police voluntarily, according to West, and was taken into custody without incident. Rogers’ driver’s license is registered to a Lake Worth address; however, it appears he may have recently purchased property in the 600 block of South Stewart Street. The investigation into exactly what led up to the shooting is ongoing, West said. In addition to Azle PD detectives and officers, Tarrant Regional Water
District Lake Patrol officers, Azle Fire Marshal Kenny Wilson and the Texas Rangers assisted in the investigation at the scene. Bettis grew up in Azle and graduated from Azle High School in 1993. After college, he oversaw operations at First Independent Insurance, an affiliate of First Bank and later, Pinnacle Bank, from 2000 to 2010. Bettis, a former president of the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce, was active in the community as well as in the rodeo community. He is the father of two young children.
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