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Persistent Rains Causing Havoc For Area Residents
Click Here for More Pictures and Slideshows from the CENTEX Flood
By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com
The rain seems to have no end. And it is causing lots of problems for area
residents, especially those living along the Brazos River.
At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, local law enforcement, emergency crews and citizens
living along the river were on high alert as the Brazos River Authority
prepared to open a fourth flood gate to release water building in Possum
Kingdom Lake.
BRA monitors the entire Brazos River and its tributaries and seemed to play
a juggling act with dam gates along the river Wednesday.
Rains in a 48-hour period since Monday totaled 2.49 inches as of 7 p.m.
Wednesday. This combined with weather forecasts caused BRA officials to
issue a flood warning that stated, “Severe weather in the upper and central
portions of the Brazos River basin has created flood conditions on the
Brazos River and its tributaries. As a result the Brazos River Authority has
opened flood release gates at both Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury.”
Below Morris Sheppard Dam water roared out of gates two through four at
roughly 27,000 cubic feet per second as gates five through seven floated,
ready to be dropped if needed.
Above the dam, PK Lake office staff were already busy fielding twice the
usual number of phone calls when they were notified by BRA headquarters in
Waco that a fourth gate would drop. According to BRA Chief of Law
Enforcement, Mike Cox they were 30 minutes, or half way, into calling their
notification list that another gate would open when headquarters contacted
them to cancel dropping the fourth gate.
Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer reported several road closures
throughout the county Wednesday, including portions of Farm-to-Market Road
4, South Lakeview and the causeway at Palo Pinto Lake. Other closures
included Marsden Road, Hayes Road, a portion of U.S. Highway 281 South and
State Highway 16 North below the bridge at Possum Kingdom Lake.
Mercer said they anticipated “serious flooding” along the Brazos River area
if the county received additional rainfall.
“We do have the sheriff’s department’s boat ready to be deployed [and] three
game wardens on standby in case we have to do any water rescues,” he said.
As of early Wednesday evening no water rescues were reported.
One official with the local Texas Department of Public Safety said no
weather-related incidents were reported on the roadways Tuesday or early
Wednesday.
“We’ve received many, many more calls requesting road conditions,” he said.
“Many people are being vigilant.”
Erring on the side of caution, residents in Soda Springs were evacuated
Wednesday afternoon. Parker County Sheriff’s Department Mike Morgan added
that Horseshoe Bend, Lazy Bend near Brock and the Rio Brazos Addition near
Tin Top were also being evacuated on Wednesday.
According to the Palo Pinto Appraisal District, there are 65 homes in the
Soda Springs area.
Public Information Officer Judi Pierce said that BRA opened the first gate
on Monday at 1:30 p.m. A second gate was opened at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday,
followed by the third gate at 8:30 a.m. A fourth gate, put on hold, was
dropped for 30 minutes for a quick test, according to BRA staff.
The PK dam is 1,000 feet above mean sea level and, ideally, BRA maintains
water at a level of six inches below the top of the dam. However on
Wednesday, with three gates open, the lake level held steady at roughly
999.46 feet above mean sea level.
According to Cox, the last time three gates were open was December 1997. Cox
added that in 1981, 1990 and 1991, there were four, four-gate operations.
“It’s rare – for June into July – [for us] to have a gate open,” said Cox.
While it is rare to have one gate open during the summer, “opening a third
gate is unusual,” said Pierce.
The 1930s dam is lined by a series of nine gates, each roughly 15 feet high.
Six are currently operational with the remaining gates involved in a 10-year
replacement project, according to Pierce. The gates have a hollow core and
must be unhitched, filled and floated said Pierce. On Wednesday, as three
gates poured water, three were floated.
The three open gates caused rapid floodwaters to swallow Texas Highway 16
below the dam. The road was closed and monitored by the Texas Department of
Transportation as water bulged over the historic brick arched bridge and
continued to form white water rapids down stream.
Brazos waters continued downstream rushing at speeds up to 39,100 to 40,800
cubic feet per second. Where the river intersected the Dark Valley Bridge
(at Farm-to-Market Road 4) and U.S. Highway 180, the brown water with white
caps swelled the width of the bridges.
Further downstream, residents in Soda Springs were evacuated Wednesday
morning. By the close of business, the fourth gate was not opened and the
Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s department reported no further calls for service
along the Brazos.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the fourth gate remained on hold. More rain
expected Wednesday night and Thursday morning could cause the fourth
floodgate to open.
Wise Eyes Alert Issued In Recent Thefts
TXU in Mineral Wells reported that between the
hours of 10 p.m. on June 11 and 6 a.m. on June 12, a white flatbed trailer
loaded with a white EZ Hauler mini-crane was stolen. Both the trailer and
the crane have a “Flowers Construction” emblem on the side. These items
were reportedly stolen from the TXU location at 2400 Farm-to-Market Road
1821 in Mineral Wells.
Also, Antenna Products, located at 500 Grant Road in Mineral Wells, recently
reported thefts of aluminum, copper, and brass antennas, sheets of aluminum,
various antenna assembly pieces, and spools of copper stolen.
If you have any information concerning these thefts, you are asked to
contact Det. Sherry Ford at the Mineral Wells Police Department at (940)
328-7770 or by e-mail at fordmwpd@yahoo.com.
Narcotics Unit Seeks Fugitives
Thomas
Norris
By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com
The joint City/County Narcotics Unit is seeking public assistance in
locating two local individuals who are wanted on drug charges.
Shamillia Patrice Thomas, 32, of Mineral Wells, and Jerry Dwayne Norris, 50,
of Palo Pinto County, both have warrants for delivery of a controlled
substance on file with the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone
with information on the whereabouts of the two fugitives is asked to call
PPCSD or Crime Stoppers.
While Thomas and Norris currently remain at large, the CCNU recently
reported that since April, their investigations have led to the arrests of
27 individuals, eight of which were for miscellaneous warrants.
“The action thus far has been good,” praised Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira
Mercer.
In the most recent list of indictments handed down by the Palo Pinto County
grand jury, 61.5 percent of the 39 identified indictments were narcotics
related – either for possession of or the delivery of drugs in varying
amounts.
According to Sgt. Brad Johnson, Mineral Wells Police Department and PPCSD
personnel submitted 18 cases to the grand jury; 12 of which were for felony
drug cases.
In addition to making arrests, the CCNU has seized 38 grams of
methamphetamine since April; its value is approximately $4,000. Mercer said
that while they confiscate a variety of narcotics and some prescription
medication, most of what they seize is methamphetamine.
Over $10,500 and a 1994 Harley Davidson motorcycle are being held pending
seizure procedures, Johnson reported.
Mercer praised the efforts of the patrol divisions in their drug arrests.
“I anticipate more raids throughout the county. They are pending,” Mercer
added.
Mercer said they are still looking for Thomas and Norris as of Tuesday
afternoon. Thomas has three warrants for delivery of a controlled substance
while Norris has two warrants. Officials are asking for anyone with
information on the whereabouts on the fugitives is asked to call the
sheriff’s department at 659-2085 or Crime Stoppers at (940) 659-9904.
Arrests in Strawn
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By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com
STRAWN – Law enforcement descended upon Strawn Monday and Tuesday as they
arrested four individuals on various felony warrants, the results of a
two-month investigation by the City/County Narcotics Unit.
According to officials, Michael Von Garrison, 26, and Billy Joe Garrison,
21, were both arrested on Monday for theft of appropriation greater than
$1,500 and less than $20,000. Theft of appropriation, Palo Pinto County
Sheriff Ira Mercer explained, is possession of stolen property. He said the
warrants stemmed from a burglary of a building offense reported on May 25.
Approximately $2,000 worth of tools were reported stolen from a building in
the 100 block of South Main in Gordon.
Mercer noted that most of the items stolen were recovered.
Tina Marie Winegeart, 31, and Tony Joe Gulrich, 43, were both apprehended on
charges pertaining to narcotics. Winegeart was arrested Tuesday on a felony
warrant for delivery of a controlled substance.
Gulrich was arrested Monday on five warrants – two for delivery of a
controlled substance, one for delivery of dangerous drugs, one for felony
delivery of marijuana and a misdemeanor warrant for criminal mischief. The
misdemeanor warrant, Mercer noted, stemmed from Gulrich’s tampering with a
utility meter.
According to jail information, the Garrison duo were both bonded out on
Wednesday on $25,000 bonds from Palo Pinto County Jail. Gulrich was assessed
a total of $45,000 in bonds and as of Wednesday afternoon, remained in jail.
Winegeart bonded out Wednesday on a $25,000 bond. All four suspects had
Strawn addresses listed as residence.
In addition to the arrests, the CCNU seized an undisclosed amount of
marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription drugs. The narcotics, estimated
at approximately $300, have been sent to a lab in Abilene for evaluation.
Jail Deputy Named to State Board
By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com
PALO PINTO – Although he has served and represented Palo Pinto County for a
number of years through various positions in law enforcement, Deputy Scott
Simonton is expanding his sphere of representation at a statewide level.
On Thursday, Simonton was elected to the Texas Jail Association’s board of
directors by a landslide vote. He currently works in the Palo Pinto County
Sheriff’s Office as the facilities maintenance coordinator.
According to their Web site, the TJA works “to bring together those
concerned with or interested in the professional operation and
administration of jails in the state of Texas; to advance professionalism
through training, technical assistance, publications, peer interactions and
conferences; to provide leadership in the development of professional
standards, management practices, programs, and services and to advance the
interests, needs and concerns of the membership.”
Simonton’s interest in becoming an active part of the association, he
explained, started when he attended his first TJA conference last year.
“I was impressed with the way they ran the conference and the training,” he
said. “I wanted to be more involved in it.”
Simonton explained that he had to submit a letter to TJA asking to be
considered and Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer also submitted a letter
of his full support.
“From the time they told me I could run, I started sending out e-mails to
each member. I made up flyers and cards. As soon as I hit the motel door
Sunday, I was campaigning,” Simonton said.
He noted that some of his business cards he handed out contained
hand-written missives from his children asking people to, “vote for my dad,
please.”
“A lot of people liked that,” he remarked with a smile.
TJA Executive Director Sharese Hurst explained that Simonton was one of five
candidates vying for two positions on the board. The other director voted on
the board was Terrisa Candelaria, of Midland County. Candelaria was
re-elected and has served a number of years, Hurst noted. “We had quite a
few small counties [running for a seat].”
She said the board is comprised of 22 members, 12 of which are elected. The
current president of the association appoints the remaining 10 seats.
The votes were derived from members who attended the conference. His term is for
three years and there isn’t a limit on the number of terms a board member
can serve.
“I support Scott’s efforts because it is an important organization we deal
with because they set the jail standards,” Mercer commented. “It’s going to
advantageous [for Palo Pinto County]. The time spent will certainly be worth
the benefits we receive.”
Hurst said, “We’re very pleased to have him. He’s extremely enthusiastic. He
went out of his way [at the conference] to assist the board members already
elected. …
“Scott is a blessing to the organization and we’re so glad to have him.”
Both Hurst and Mercer agreed that this is the first time a board member was
elected from Palo Pinto County.
“In my opinion, this is an extremely important position for our county due
to the association with the Texas Association of Counties and the Sheriffs
Association,” said Mercer.
As a director, Simonton said his duties would entail planning all training
through the TJA, work with TAC and the sheriff’s association, the Chief
Deputies Association and Texas Commission on Jail Standards for training,
among other things. Hurst noted that the board members also attend board
meetings, work in committees and assist in the conferences.
Stone Marks County's Past, Future
By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com
PALO PINTO - History was immortalized in stone with the recent unveiling of
the sesquicentennial monument, a sandstone tribute to the 150th
anniversary of Palo Pinto County’s founding.
Amidst the yearlong revelry and continual celebratory events, residents and
officials converged on the lawn of the Palo Pinto County courthouse on June
2 to hear the dedication of the monument.
Prior to the unveiling, Palo Pinto County Clerk Bobbie Smith read
resolutions from both the Texas House of Representatives and the State
Senate that were issued in recognition of the celebration.
In his dedication of the monument, Palo Pinto County Judge Mike Smiddy
centered his speech on three things – a land, a river and a people, the
three tenets upon which the county was founded.
“The monument … started as a sandstone cut from the foundation of this land.
This stone was nothing special until today. Now, on its face, this stone
will forever bear the logo of this sesquicentennial celebration – a land, a
river, a people,” Smiddy intoned.
He discussed the representation of the stone as the land of Palo Pinto
County while rocks from the Brazos River rested at the monolith’s base,
representative of the river that flows through the county.
As for the people, Smiddy said, “Palo Pinto County owes its existence to
those who came first. To those who came later, well, they took up the torch
and wrote the history that brought us all these 150 years.
“A people today? It is us. Our duty is to carry the torch for as long as we
can, stand true to those who have come before us while setting our sights
even higher for those who will come after us.”
Once the monument was unveiled, members of the historical commission poured
water – Brazos River water from Oaks Crossing and Crazy Mineral Water from
the Famous Water Company – upon the monument.
In addition to the beard growing contest held at High Noon, a number of
other attractions had visitors flocking around Palo Pinto. Vendors sold
their wares from booths along Oak while the tantalizing scents of hot dogs
and other foods floated in the air. A selection of classic cars were parked
for viewing while the Old Jail Museum sustained a steady flow of foot
traffic.
At the jail complex, individuals like Tricia Hopkins and Myrta Berner
demonstrated their quilting skills and knitting capabilities.
“They just asked me to knit,” remarked Berner, whose fingers deftly worked
the yarn around five needles – the makings of a sock. “I knit for fun.”
A shaded table featured homemade jams and jellies while an antique hay
bailer was displayed with demonstrations offered.
In addition to the residents who mingled through the booths and attractions,
some individuals made their appearances in less-traditional garments, more
reminiscent of times gone by, including Smiddy. In addition to local
residents, members of the Palo Pinto County Historical Commission and county
officials, Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, and Secretary of State Roger
Williams were also in attendance.
County extends condolences to officers' families
By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com
PALO PINTO – At Tuesday’s meeting Palo Pinto County Commissioners passed and
approved a solemn resolution offering “sympathy to the families, fellow
officers and friends of the fallen heroes and to the Sheriff’s Department of
Henderson County, Texas, on behalf of the people of Palo Pinto County.
On May 17, a gunman using a high-powered rifle shot and killed Henderson
County sheriff’s deputies Paul Habelt and Tony Ogburn while they responded
to a domestic disturbance call in the East Texas community of Payne Springs.
A third deputy was wounded. The shootings reportedly happened just hours
after the deputies participated in a memorial to honor peace officers slain
in the line of duty.
“The untimely deaths of [the two deputies] has caused us to remember again
that those who serve in law enforcement place themselves in harms way
protecting the peace and security for all law abiding citizens,” stated the
resolution.
Through the resolution, county judge Mike Smiddy and commissioners encourage
citizens to pray for the families of the fallen officers and to express
support, “to all who faithfully serve in law enforcement at every
opportunity.”
Palo Pinto County 150 Year Celebration
Gearing up for the big Palo Pinto County sesquicentennial festivities this
weekend, Smiddy informed county commissioners that the 150-year monument is
expected to be installed at 2 p.m. today, in time for Saturday’s big
celebration and dedication.
Events for the 150th Old Settlers Day and Marker Dedication begin at 10 a.m.
Saturday on the Palo Pinto County courthouse lawn.
Concluding the meeting on a light note, Smiddy read a proclamation for a
special meeting of the “Brothers of Golconda (Palo Pinto) Frontier Society”
on Saturday at high noon in the courtroom.
The “brothers” are those males who refrained from shaving facial hair
between April 15 and June 2, resulting from the “banning” (or
discouragement) of facial hair shaving for Palo Pinto County men.
“A carefully selected and distinguished panel of experts,” according to the
proclamation, will be ready to formally judge the beard-growing contest.
Smiddy stated in the proclamation: “I further call upon all those who seek
to photograph the meeting of the brothers of the society to gather at the
county courtroom early and quietly, armed with cameras, because it is feared
that some Brothers attending will seek an early exit for a clandestine
rendezvous with a razor and the ‘full flower’ of their efforts will be
lost.”
Putting a Face to a Mystery Man
Almost two months ago, a
hunter stumbled upon the partial remains of a human skeleton northeast
of Palo Pinto. The latest aspect of the investigation in discovering
the identity resulted in an artist’s rendering of a possible likeness.
According to the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office, the bones were
sent to an artist with the Texas Rangers in Austin who had the
skeletal remains for two or three weeks. She produced two sketches of
what the person could’ve looked like, one with a hat and moustache and
the other clean-shaven.
Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer explained they weren’t able to do
a clay rendering of the face as the artist didn’t have the bottom jaw
for a complete facial reconstruction.
When the body was initially discovered on Dec. 26, officials were able
to recover the skull, two femurs and a couple of leg and arm bones
from the site. Mercer said the skeleton was found lying on top of the
ground in a “typical scatter pattern.”
Later use of a cadaver dog revealed parts of a pair of tennis shoes, a
single tooth and the elastic band for a pair of underwear.
In addition to the clothing items and various bones, officials found
two dimes minted in 1998 and a snap ring with a key ring containing a
skeleton key, a military-style can opener and a pair of fingernail
clippers. A small metal ring was also discovered at the site.
Officials reported that none of their leads so far have panned out in
discovering whose remains they are.
According to a Wise Eyes bulletin issued by the PPCSO, the subject is
believed to be a Hispanic male, between 45 to 65 yea
The Wise Eyes also stated that he had a “poorly healed broken right
cheekbone and indications of a crooked nose.”
The garments discovered with the skeletal remains were “Wrangler jeans
with ‘T Howard’ written in the inside of the right front pocket and a
size-10 red Riddell shoe.”
According to officials, the bones have been sent to another
anthropologist in San Marcos for a second opinion in determining how
long he’s been deceased. They anticipate it taking a few weeks to get
further information back.
Floodwaters claim victim
Body of Fort Worth man missing since Friday found Monday morning at PK Lake
By: Lacie Morrison of the Mineral Wells Index
April 3, 2007
POSSUM KINGDOM – The Brazos River Authority discovered Rumaldo Fuentes’ body
at 10:20 a.m. Monday after officials spent the weekend searching Possum
Kingdom Lake and nearby Jowell Creek. According to Palo Pinto County
Sheriff’s Department officials, Fuentes last spoke with someone Friday at
approximately 8:30 p.m. He reportedly drove his 1995 Chevrolet single-cab
pickup through a low-water crossing on West Hell’s Gate Drive, which was
marked by a rain gauge. The road is located in Sportsman’s World, a planned
community located on the southeast side of the lake. Fuentes was reportedly
living in the area, though officials believe him to be from Fort Worth.
Capt. Craig Goen said officials were alerted at approximately 8:59 a.m.
Saturday when a woman who was checking on a friend’s house in the area
discovered the truck upside down in Jowell Creek. Goen said the truck was
located two-tenths of a mile down the creek from the low-water crossing. He
explained they were able to determine the distance through global
positioning satellite. Jowell Creek, he noted, emptied into the lake about
one-tenth of a mile further downstream from where the truck was discovered.
According to one official, the truck appeared to have rolled numerous times
in the creek, which has a rock-type bottom. The pickup was described as
“demolished.”
The search for Fuentes began Saturday and involved several people as they
combed the banks of Jowell Creek looking for him. Members of the Possum
Kingdom East Volunteer Fire Department walked up and down the creek and
cadaver dogs were called in from Stephenville Saturday as well. “They were
there from 2 p.m. till dark,” Goen remarked. “They were a lot of help. They
confirmed Fuentes was not in areas that were flooded.” Fuentes, who was
reportedly born in 1956, was discovered in the vicinity of Hell’s Gate, “a
long way from the mouth of the creek,” Goen noted. BRA’s Public
Information Officer Judi Pierce told the Index they were working with the
PPCSO Sunday and Monday under the assumption that Fuentes would’ve been
carried into that area.
She said, “We had a couple different patrol boats doing regular patrols and
extra patrolling [for Fuentes].” Goen explained, “The accident itself is [PPCSO]
jurisdiction. Once the body got into the lake, they [BRA] assisted in the
recovery.” Fuentes’ body was recovered from the lake at 11 a.m. Pierce said
a justice of the peace met the lake rangers at the Bluff Creek Marina.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Todd Baker pronounced him dead at 11:20 a.m.
Monday, though there isn’t a way to tell the time of death, Goen noted.
Officials said that the body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office
in Dallas and his family has been notified. Goen noted that based on
witnesses’ statements, there was possibly alcohol involved and Fuentes was
reportedly warned not to cross the road. One official at the sheriff’s
department commented that this was the first incident like this he
remembered in his 25 years of working in the Palo Pinto County area. Palo
Pinto County Chief Deputy Mike Sudderth observed, “Driving off into water
across roadways is always dangerous because the force can be greater than
you’d expect.”
Flash Floods hit Palo
Pinto County
May 29
On Friday, March 30th a substantial amount of rain fell throughout the area. The heavy rains caused many roads to become flooded and people all over the county were stranded as a result. Deputies from the sheriff's office stepped in to help in many rescue efforts and to provide assistance to the citizens of the county. Deputies were also dispatched to Mineral Wells to assist Police and Fire in their efforts. Area Game Wardens came in to assist, providing a flat bottomed boat and an air boat. The air boat was deployed in the northern portion of the county to check on a stranded vehicle that was in high waters. The sheriff's office was pleased with the efforts from all local fire and police personnel. Click on the link below to view a video provided by channel 5 news, this video was taken in Mineral Wells and shows the excessive water on the roadways.
http://www.nbc5i.com/video/11457461/index.html
The city built on water found itself partly under
it as a second day of heavy rains Friday hit Mineral Wells and the North
Texas region.
Friday
Friday’s events began with a tornado warning issued for southwestern Palo
Pinto County in the Strawn area about 12:15 p.m. after a tornado was spotted
east of Ranger. Trees were reportedly uprooted in eastern Eastland County.
Rotation in the storm continued as it moved into and across Palo Pinto
County. However that warning eventually was cancelled.
Residents in the area of Oaks Crossing between Farm-to-Market Road 2256
and U.S. Highway 281 South reported seeing several funnels, none of which
were officially confirmed. That area was hit by large amounts of hail that
one witness said the left the ground in a white blanket of ice.
Palo Pinto County Fire Marshall Barry Gill said as of mid-afternoon Friday
there were no confirmed reports of structural damage in the county from
tornadic activity or high winds.
High winds and heavy rains moved into Mineral Wells shortly before 1
p.m. Pea- to golf ball-sized hail was reported throughout the city as rain
fell in heavier amounts than Thursday’s 2.5 recorded inches.
Soon, reports of street and property flooding came pouring into the city’s
emergency dispatch system as city personnel scrambled to respond to requests
concerning stranded vehicles and help leaving flooded homes.
Flooding was rampant across the city. Rainwater escaped the north-south
canal downtown, and water was across roadways in area north, south, east and
west. City emergency vehicles were used to close South Oak Avenue at S.E.
15th Street, where water rising halfway up passeng
er
vehicles was seen – not stopping most motorists from attempting to ease on
through. Barricades were put in place at intersections throughout the city.
Southside Church of Christ opened the doors to its fellowship hall to assist
people flooded from their homes. However, there reportedly were no displaced
residents who sought assistance at the church. Pastor Bill Eudy reportedly
drove the church bus to the neighborhood known as The Circle located in the
1200 block of S.E. 2nd Avenue where city’s two canals converge and which
again experienced flooding. However, residents there reportedly declined to
leave their homes on Friday.
There was a report of residents on S.E. 24th Street with 3 to 4 feet of
water on their street. Lightning reportedly split a tree and damaged a car
in the 600 block of N.W. 4th Street. About 2:30 p.m. Friday, City Fire
Marshal Joel Thompson said city personnel responded to eight flooded homes
involving 20 people who were displaced because of high water. He said there
were multiple other properties flooded but where no one was home at the
time.
Thompson said the American Red Cross was called into to offer assistance to
those in need of temporary shelter. He said Southside Church of Christ would
remain open Friday to help flood victims. “We can probably house 100 to 150
people in that location,” Thompson said.
Residents on Park Drive north of the Brazos Shopping Center – an area
that was the discussion of potential flooding last year before City Council
– experienced flooding Friday when water breached a berm constructed to
protect the neighborhood from hillside runoff. Residents said floodwaters
swept down the street. Gary Barlow arrived at his home on Park Drive to
find water found its way inside his home, sweeping in with it mud and
debris.
“This is the first time this has happened since 1982,” he said. Barlow said
he believed the early stages of construction of 10 new homes on N.E. 10th
Street created additional waters that the berm and control pipe could not
handle. “We’ve always been able to control it,” Barlow said. He said his
rain gauge recor
ded
7 inches of rain between Thursday and Friday’s first round of showers.
Problems weren’t confined to the city. Amy Fabian said she was
frustrated because the house she lives in with her extended family on
Gunsmoke Road off Shattles Road and FM 1821 north of Mineral Wells was
beginning to flood. She was home with a disabled grandmother and twin
3-week-old boys born pre-maturely. Fabian said she tried calling the
sheriff’s department but could not get an answer. She said she called the
City of Mineral Wells Fire Department asking for sandbags to block the water
from entering the home, but was turned down because city crews and resources
were tied up responding to in-city calls. Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire
Department Assistant Chief Jerry VanNatta did respond to the house, Fabian
said, and spoke with her. She said her father had arrived at the home a few
minutes later. “He’ll decide whether we should evacuate,” she said.
City Manager Lance Howerton said while the first round of heavy rains
caused some problems, he said the city was fortunate it was not worse.
“As far as any serious flooding, it appears to be fairly well isolated to
the area of S.E. 2nd Avenue,” Howerton said, adding he was aware of nine
home on The Circle with flooding problems. But he said because some
residents were not home, there could actually be others. “I’m not sure to
what extent the flooding may be,” he said. There was a calm between the
storms. The first wave of storms Friday dumped 2.53 inches of rain at
Mineral Wells Municipal Airport. The second wave of heavy rain arrived in
the city about 5 p.m. Flooding problems in the same, previously flooded
areas arose anew.
Community and School
Participation
The Sheriff's Office participated
in the Every 15 Minute Program at Mineral Wells High School at the beginning
of March. This program is geared to reinforcing the dangers of drinking and
driving among teens and adults. We feel that this program sends a strong
message to the students and we strongly support this program. For more
information and pictures click on the link to the Mineral Wells Index below.
http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/archivesearch/local_story_061115942.html
The Sheriff's Office provided a support officer for Travis Elementary 6th grade annual trip to Camp Grady Spruce for a week of Outdoor Education at Possum Kingdom Lake. The deputy provides a sense of security for both staff, students, and the families of students involved. The deputy functioned in other support roles as well such as: Teaching Archery, Arts and Crafts, and most importantly educating the pre-teens in alcohol and drug awareness programs. The deputy worked in conjunction with TABC, DPS narcotics, and a local drug dog to provide the students with a foundation to help guide their decisions as they enter their teenage years.
These proactive efforts provided by the PPSO during these community and school events are in hopes of lowering the number of underage drinking and drug related incidents. It is also an opportunity for Law Enforcement Personnel to interact with local youth in a positive way.
KKK Rally
The KKK came and they went - but not before three
onlookers were arrested following a brief scuffle at the group’s tense
demonstration.
A group of about 25 represented the Klan, saying they were Christians and
wanted illegal immigration stopped. They claimed they were not a hate group - just a
group proud of their race, like all races should be.
They were dressed in black and some wore T-shirts expressing disdain for
hate.
Others wore suits. Only one covered his face. Later, when asked about the
Confederate flag bandana covering his mouth and nose, he said, “I have a
family to protect,” and refused to identify himself.
The group was barricaded from the audience with two chain-link fences that
appeared cage-like. They spoke under a canopy of flags: American, KKK,
Confederate and Christian.
What will linger are the racial slurs and profanity coming from the
audience. It seemed Stephenville had a lot of out-of-town visitors for the
event.
A group from Houston who called themselves the Anti Racist Action (ARA)
taunted the KKK with chants and foul language. They seemed to make it their
business to cause trouble and incite the crowd. They appeared unclean and
smelled rank.
Five of them saw a “skinhead” standing near the fence line with his family
and went after him. In fact, Johnathan Schmidt was hard not to notice, as
his bald head was covered with colorful tattoos. His children, a 6-month-old
baby, a 3-year-old and his wife, Kamille, were with him.
The ARA members
were smart, though.
Ben Gray, of the ARA, seemed to provoke Schmidt, a Stephenville resident
formerly of Fontana, Calif., into throwing the first punch. Gray didn’t
strike back. Therefore, he didn’t go to jail, but a pair of his cohorts did,
along with Schmidt after they joined in the brief scrap that was quickly
detained by undercover officers.
Schmidt, Victoria Cloud (ARA) and Christopher Bunch (ARA) were arrested on
the charge of disorderly conduct fighting. Officers identified only by their
purple wristbands were all over the group within seconds of the first swing.
The fight might have lasted 20 seconds because of fast-acting officers.
At press time, Schmidt had been released under a $200 preset bond. The
others remained incarcerated.
In an earlier interview, Schmidt said he was an “independent skinhead,” a
white supremacist. He talked freely and openly about it. He said he was
there for the same reasons everyone else was - just to see what was going on
and added he agreed with the KKK on their views on immigration and didn’t
believe there was anything wrong with being proud of your race.
Schmidt spoke of growing up fatherless and with a mother who “did her own
thing.”
He was incarcerated by the California Youth Authority from the time he was
12-years-old until he was 19 on two counts of armed robbery and one count of
attempted murder, he said.
After the fight, Gray (ARA) was asked why he went out of his way to approach
Schmidt. He said he had a right to talk to anybody.
Stephenville resident Lana Cross said she came to the rally, “To see the
idiots in action. I have no use for them.”
Earlier, the KKK said they chose Stephenville for the rally because they
felt Tarleton State University students had been “railroaded” and their
freedom of speech rights had been violated when they chose to have an
off-campus “MLK” party involving costumes that, in the eyes of some, mocked
black peo
Faye Landham, of Arlington, said she drove to Stephenville to attend the
rally.
“I really thought they’d be in hoods. I’m a Christian and it upsets me that
they pray and fly a Christian flag,” she said. “They are so mean to other
races.”
She then turned and shouted to the KKK members, “You ought to be ashamed to
say you’re from Texas!” She continually shouted throughout the rally and
openly showed her disdain for the group. She sometimes used profanity. It
appeared she hated the KKK members.
At one point during the rally, Davidson said, “The only hate I’ve seen so
far is coming from the other side of the fence.”
The crowd dispersed to Merle Haggard’s melody, “Snowball Headed For Hell.”
Officials are asking for assistance
in discovering the source of a pipe bomb discovered March 9 in a culvert on
State Highway 254.
With an estimated diameter of approximately 2 to 2 and-a-half inches, bridge
inspectors from the Texas Department of Transportation discovered the
cylindrical explosive. They reportedly discovered the homemade device in a
culvert east of the Keechi Creek bridge.
After the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Department was informed of the
discovery and arrived on scene, they in turn notified the local Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF subsequently placed a
shape charge over the canister and detonated it. They removed the explosive
device to their lab for analysis.
According to Sheriff’s Department Capt. Craig Goen, the ATF informed them
that it appeared the improvised explosive device wasn’t built recently and
apparently had lain there for some time.
“It appeared to be [made from] oilfield equipment,” he said, possibly a
small separator. He said the pipe bomb, an estimated 10 inches in length,
contained black powder and nails. Blue wiring was attached to one projection
on the device though the wires had been clipped.
The improvised explosive device discovered earlier this month was found in a
rural area, negating the need for any evacuation of residents. Law
enforcement did block off the road while ATF detonated the bomb.
“If anybody sees something they suspect [as suspicious], we certainly need
to know about it before they approach,” Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer
remarked. He said they plan on issuing a Wise Eyes bulletin on the device.
According to Texas statute, a person commits an offense if he intentionally
or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs or sells an
explosive weapon. It is a third-degree felony, which carries a penalty of
two to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
Chase
with gunfire ends in Palo Pinto County wreck
By: Danie M. Huffman/Lone Star News Group
Deputy Lively Observes Accident
Willow Park authorities said an officer stopped a rented Suzuki SUV driven
by a female with a male passenger on Interstate 20 for an illegal turn and
failure to maintain a single lane.
Willow Park Police Chief Claud Arnold said around 2 a.m. Officer Byron
Cowley stopped the SUV and asked the female driver for her identification.
“She couldn’t produce it,” Arnold said. He said Cowley asked her to step out
of the car. “That’s when she floor-boarded the SUV,” he stated.
Arnold said Cowley notified his supervisor, Sgt. William Carmichael, who
joined the chase and fell in behind the fleeing suspects identified as
Derrick Lamont Sanders, 23, and Amber Searcy, 19, both of Fort Worth.
Arnold said Searcy was driving the vehicle and led authorities westbound,
with speeds reaching up to 100 miles per hour and more.
As the chase entered Weatherford, the Texas Department of Public Safety
received a call that Willow Park officers were engaged in a pursuit through
the city. When Willow Park officers reached the 408-mile marker, Sanders
allegedly leaned out the front passenger seat, pointed a gun and fired three
rounds at Carmichael.
“You can see flashes on the on-board patrol unit video camera,” Arnold said.
“At Brock, they took the service road, (presumably) to avoid construction.”
Arnold said the chase continued across the Brazos River to U.S. Highway 281
at the Stephenville/Mineral Wells exit.
“The subjects apparently turned under the bridge to head eastbound when they
lost control and flipped the SUV five times,” Arnold said. “The female
driver was ejected.”
He said Searcy’s speed at the time of the crash has yet to be determined.
She was flown by air ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
She reportedly suffered a gash to her head and a possible broken ankle. She
was said to have undergone surgery and suffered massive trauma to the head
with numerous bruises and scrapes.
Sanders was taken to JPS by LifeCare paramedics. He was treated and later
released with unknown injuries. He was transported to the Parker County
Justice Center where he was charged with attempted capital murder of a peace
officer. Searcy was charged with felony evading arrest.
“Sanders admitted to Officer Cowley that he was under the influence of
heroin, Ecstasy and speed,” Arnold said.
DPS troopers from Parker, Palo Pinto and Erath counties assisted Willow Park
authorities in the chase and head the continuing investigation.
Searcy has one warrant from the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office for a motion
to revoke a parole violation.
Arnold said he and Lt. William Ray arrived on scene to conduct an
investigation and report on the officer’s performance.
He added the chase lasted less than 20 minutes, covering about 25 miles.
Authorities remained on the scene about another two hours investigating the
incident.
“DPS said our officers conducted themselves well and did a splendid job in
handling the incident,” Arnold said. “And I concur.”
As of press time and according to the Parker County Web site, Sanders
remains in custody on three no bonds for felony warrants out of Fort Worth
for assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and for
aggravated robbery. He was also wanted in Fort Worth for a separate charge
of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond for that charge was set
at $100,000.
He was also charged with attempted capital murder for shooting at the
officer and bond was set at $25
