Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

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May 12, 2008

Rio Vista HS student killed at railroad crossing

By Matt Smith

msmith@trcle.com



A 15-year-old Rio Vista girl died Sunday after an Amtrak train struck her 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Rescue workers pronounced Katelan Baker of Rio Vista dead at the scene. The wreck occurred about 1:20 p.m. on Cleburne-Whitney Road in Rio Vista, Rio Vista Police Chief Steve Johnson said. Rio Vista police and fire and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel responded to the scene, Johnson said.

Baker, a freshman at Rio Vista High School, drove around the crossing arm and was struck by the oncoming train, according to witness reports. Baker had recently received her hardship driver’s license, according to reports.

The accident remains under investigation, Johnson said, adding that events of the accident appear consistent with witness statements. The crossing arms were down when the accident occurred, he said.

The arms at the crossing in question apparently come down occasionally when no train is present and remain so for several minutes causing drivers to grow impatient and drive around them, according to reports.

The city has reported the problem to the railroad twice over the last two weeks, Johnson said. He added that there have been no problems with the arms not working when a train is actually present.

“It’s just a tragic, tragic event to see such a young person lose her life,” said Rock McNulty, Rio Vista ISD superintendent. “I’m just sorry for her family and our students.

“I was at the high school this morning, and it’s just very quiet and somber. We’re going to get through this, but it’s going to take some time.”

The district called in counselors from other schools to help students and teachers deal with the tragedy of losing their classmate, McNulty said.

“We’re all grieving today and wanting only what’s best for Katelan’s family,” said Andra Sparks, Rio Vista HS principal. “But this is really hurting us all.”

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Cleburne
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

  • First team offense, defense features host of area standouts

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • Second Team Offense.jpg Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • DSC_0031.JPG Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48

    The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.

    January 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_9414.JPG Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win

    On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.

    January 28, 2012 2 Photos

  • Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney

    Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.

    January 28, 2012

Johnson County
Alvarado
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Burleson
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Godley
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Grandview
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Joshua
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Keene
Rio Vista
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Venus
DSC_0283.tif

Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.

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