J.P. and Ruth Zapata crouched into the bathtub over their children, with two mattresses they hoped would shield them from whatever was coming their way.

The tornado J.P. had just seen a few minutes earlier was now bearing down on them.

“The hail first, and then the wind and the sirens,” Ruth said, noting that they felt bursts of wind coming into the bathroom that threatened to pull away the mattresses.… Read the rest

About 50 people attended a meeting at Annex 1 Tuesday afternoon to map out a game plan for helping displaced residents of Rancho Brazos, a neighborhood that had 61 Habitat for Humanity homes.… Read the rest

A triage staging area was set up in the club room inside the building after the first ambulances began transporting injured residents out of the area for medical treatment.… Read the rest

Emma Roberson Elementary School students (from left) Jacob Rasmussen, Clayton Christy and Adam Bhaloo had a good time autographing school shirts Thursday afternoon at the school. Emma Roberson second-graders and their parents were treated to grilled hot dogs and all the fixins’ on their last full day of the school year. Classes dismissed yesterday for the start of summer vacation.… Read the rest

The grants are through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs.

The SBA funds are not just for business owners. They are also for homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations.… Read the rest

Seeing his son graduate from Granbury High School was Tim Wooten’s last request.

Last October, Wooten was diagnosed with cancer. As his illness progressed, family members learned that he may not survive to the graduation date.

They then contacted school officials.

GHS Principal Jeremy Ross presented Blake Wooten with his diploma during a small ceremony with numerous family members, teachers and school officials Tuesday at The Oaks of Granbury assisted living facility.… Read the rest

Bob Sylvestri plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes during the candlelight vigil Saturday at the patriotic Field of Flags display on Highway 377 in Granbury in preparation for Memorial Day.… Read the rest

The Granbury High School Class of 2013 will graduate about 380 seniors Friday evening (see list inside this issue P.11A-12A). The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. in the Fort Worth Convention Center. Awards and scholarships were announced Thursday evening in the Granbury High School Bagby-McMahan Performing Arts Center. Granbury school district students dismiss early Friday, the last day of school. Elementary and intermediate campuses dismiss at 11:45 a.m.… Read the rest

Cornerstone Christian Academy’s 2013 graduating class was the largest class in the history of the school. Twelve students graduated – 11 full-time students and one home-school student who participated in CCA’s athletic programs. Valedictorian was Bryce Rogers and salutatorian was Sierra Damron. Pictured are (back row left to right) Brooke Like, Sierra Damron, Ivory Good and Taylor Murrell. Front row left to right: Tyrone Washington, Holt Jenkins, Caleb Norman, Matthew Marcel, J.P.… Read the rest

These Lipan High School seniors are candidates for graduation Friday in the Lipan gym at 7 p.m. Back row from left: Kendall Ellis, Ben Ward, Colby Clinton, Blake Williams, James Barnett, Josh Earles and AJ Archer. Front from left: Stephanie Langley, Rhiana Michou, Jennifer Waldrup, Jackie Pittman, Nacona Mills and Cassidy Keen. Giovannie Yanez and Reese Addison are not pictured. … Read the rest