General News

Evans denied bail

October 7, 2012 by Katie Martinez

Jake Evans, who is being held at the Parker County Jail in the deaths of his mother and 15-year-old sister, was denied bail during his first court appearance.

As a 17 year old, Evans will be tried as an adult and because more than one person was killed, he has been charged with capital murder.

A change in legislation in 2005 made life without parole an alternative to the death penalty in Texas for persons convicted of capital murder.

Since the inception of the law, across Texas, inmates convicted of capital murder are around six times more likely to be given life in prison over the death penalty.

Aledo ISD issues statement on Evans shootings

October 4, 2012 by Randy Keck

The Aledo ISD has issued the following statement in the wake of the Evans shootings:

Aledo ISD is deeply saddened to learn of the death of a former employee and a former student.

Jami Evans was a dedicated elementary teacher and assistant principal who worked in Aledo ISD for 15 years serving students at both Coder and Stuard Elementary from 1989 through 2004. Her dedication to her students and her love of learning was an inspiration to all who knew her.

We also mourn the death of Mallory Evans, a former elementary and intermediate school student. Mallory attended Stuard Elementary and McAnally Intermediate School. She was a sweet child that will be missed by her friends and school family.

The suspect in the shootings, Jacob Evans, is a former Aledo High School student who withdrew from school in January 2012 to be homeschooled. He attended Aledo schools from elementary school until his withdrawal in January. He played football in middle school and played on the golf team in high school.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Evans family in this difficult time.

Commissioners Court seeks ESD3 board applicants

September 17, 2012 by Katie Martinez

Parker County’s Commissioners Court is seeking applicants from within the boundaries of Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 3 to fill a vacated seat on the board.

ESD 3 encompasses the Hudson Oaks area, just east of Weatherford. Deadline for resume submission is 5 p.m. Oct. 1, 2012.

Any person interested, who qualifies can submit a resume and brief cover letter explaining why they have interest in serving to Joel Kertok at esdresumes@gmail.com or by mail at One Courthouse Sq., Weatherford, Texas 76086.

All who are at least 18, eligible to vote and live or own land in the area where the vote for the creation of ESD No. 3 was held, are eligible to be a member of the five person governing body.

Commissioners Court will consider relevant factors in determining the individuals to appoint as emergency services.

Board members, including whether the individuals have knowledge
that relates to fire prevention or emergency medical services and that is relevant to the common policies and practices of the board.

An ESD provides firefighting, fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, emergency medical transport services and the necessary facilities for same, within the district in order to protect life and property and to conserve natural and human resources.

The board of an ESD sets the tax rate and budget to fund the district.

Special Crimes busts K-2 ring, seizing $280k

September 5, 2012 by Katie Martinez

Special Crimes investigators in Parker County have rearrested the owner of a Weatherford smoke shop after discovering a warehouse full of cash and synthetic marijuana.

Francisco Don Uduwarage, 40, of Weatherford, was arrested last week at his shop and charged, along with a cashier in the store and a customer, while officers seized around $27,000 worth of K-2.

Upon further investigation officers discovered a warehouse and seized an additional $134,940 in K-2 along with $118,340 in cash.

Uduwarage is currently being held in the Parker County Jail, bond has not yet been set.

For more on this story look for the Sept. 7 issue of The Community News.

Make Fido Famous!

September 5, 2012 by Randy Keck

The Community News will publish its annual Pet Section on Sept. 28, and your pet could be on the cover! Send us a high resolution photograph of your favorite pet along with your email address and phone number to petphoto@community-news.com by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21.

Two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Parker County

August 29, 2012 by Katie Martinez

Officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed today that there are two cases of the West Nile Virus in Parker County.

The cases involve a 75 year-old Poolville male living in the 76487 zip code and a 64 year-old Weatherford female living in the 76086 zip code.

These are the only two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Parker County.

According to DSHS officials, the best defense to avoiding the West Nile Virus is to practice these habits, known as the “Four D’s:

Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.

Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters.

For more information on the West Nile Virus visit the DSHS web site at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westNile/

Weatherford ISD grad killed in Afghanistan

August 9, 2012 by Randy Keck

By Derik Moore
Weatherford ISD Director of Communications

Clayton BeauchampWeatherford ISD has received confirmation that 2009 Weatherford High School graduate Clayton Beauchamp was killed Tuesday in active duty while serving his country in Afghanistan.

According to a statement by the United States Department of Defense, Beauchamp – a 21-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class in the United State Marines – died from the blast of an improvised explosive device (IED) during a dismounted patrol in the Shaban District of Helmand province.

“Weatherford ISD staff members, current and former students are deeply saddened by the loss of Clayton,” Weatherford ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hanks said. “Students are considered family members by many of our staff members, and a tragedy such as this one just tears us all apart.”

Dr. Hanks said Beauchamp also attended Seguin Elementary, Curtis Elementary, Tison Middle School, and the WHS Ninth Grade Center.

“Clayton will be remembered as a hero by all of us here at Weatherford ISD," Dr. Hanks added.

Weatherford High School English teacher Christine Goss also remembered Beauchamp as a former student in her classroom.

“Clayton was a kind and courteous young man with a lightning-fast grin,” Goss said. “He typically was pretty quiet during class discussions, but when that grin flashed, everyone knew he had something interesting and fun to say.”

Rabid deer found in county

August 8, 2012 by Randy Keck

From the Parker County Sheriff's Dept.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler has issued a public awareness statement involving a rabid deer.

Sheriff Fowler said the deer was found in the county Aug. 7, 2012.

Sheriff's Animal Control Officers were notified by the Texas State Health Department that the sick deer, discovered at Sugar Tree Golf Course on Aug. 2, 2012, has tested positive for rabies.

The young deer was found by a citizen on the golf course and displayed clinical symptoms of rabies. The male buck was humanely euthanized and tested by a state laboratory.

Tuesday, officials verified the positive test results.

The deer was described as a spike deer with damage to his right antler.

The deer was "friendly" and would allow residents and guests of the golf course to pet and hand feed him.

Anyone having possible contact with the deer near Sugar Tree Golf Course and housing subdivision from July 14 through Aug. 2, 2012 is urged to contact Nick Ferguson with the Abilene Department of Health at 325-795-5857, or Parker County Sheriff's Animal Control Supervisor Karen Kessler at 817-594-8845.

Update: Missing Woman Found

August 4, 2012 by Randy Keck

From the Parker County Sheriff's Office

Update: Melissa Hill has been found and returned to her family.

Melissa Sue Hill
Parker County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing Parker County pastor’s wife.

Melissa Sue Hill, 47, of Aledo, was last seen around 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, leaving Wal-Mart on Hulen Street in Fort Worth. The Hill’s pastor the Forgiven Church on West Creek Drive in Fort Worth.

Hill is described as 5-feet, 4-inches tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds, with brownish-green eyes, dark brown shoulder length hair.

Hill was last seen driving a white 1997 extended-cab Dodge pickup truck with license plate 68D-YV3, with an orange motorcycle logo bumper sticker on the back windshield bearing the letters “KTM,” located at the center bottom of the window.
She was last seen wearing a bright lime green, V-neck shirt and plaid shorts.

Melissa Hill is the mother of three children, 18, 23 and 25; and the grandmother of two young grandsons.
Hill’s husband, Tim Hill, stated it is highly unusual for Melissa to be gone this long and to leave without notifying her family.

“Nothing like this has happened in our 29 years of marriage,” Tim Hill said. “She has always been such an amazing and stable person. This is so out of left field for her to be missing. We are extremely worried and we’re praying for the safe return of our beautiful wife, mother and grandmother.”

Parker County Final Returns

July 31, 2012 by Randy Keck

Final Returns from Parker County's July 31 Runoff Election: