The City of Ames has received a federal grant for almost $2.5 million as well as loan approval for an additional $942,000 to begin construction on the city’s new sewer and wastewater system. Mayor John White said the long-hoped for project will be a huge undertaking for the city and it will take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to complete. Mayor White said construction on the new system is set to begin around September 24^th.

The fight to prevent a Kingwood-based company from locating a 797-acre chemical waste facility in Western Chambers County continues tomorrow with a hearing before state administrative judges to determine who can and who cannot legally oppose the facility. Among those applying for the legal status to fight the landfill are Baytown City officials and members of other groups from that city. While not a public hearing, Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia said he expects from 5 to 6 hundred people to be on hand in opposition of TSP Industries’ plan to dispose of more than 100 types of chemical and metallic waste there.

Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said a routine traffic stop on Hwy 90 east of the Trinity River Bridge around 1:30 a.m. last Friday resulted in two drug possession arrests. Sheriff’s Captain Brett Audilett reportedly stopped the car for speeding and found 5 grams of crack cocaine inside. Arrested were 26-year-old Ahmad Rashad Lambert of Liberty and Quincy Lamark Jackson, age 21 of Houston. The Sheriff’s Department also confiscated $1800 in cash found in the vehicle. The two men could each face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of crack cocaine possession, a second degree felony.

The first live broadcast of University of Texas Longhorns Football here on All Nine Sports is this Saturday, as the Longhorns open their season against New Mexico State. Kick off is set for 6 p.m. and our live broadcast begins with the pre-game at 5 p.m. We have reported that our many years of broadcasting the Texas Aggies ended recently when Clear Channel Communications agreed to provide the Aggie radio rights for this area exclusively to a Houston-based AM station.

8/27 FUNERAL: Alvie White, Jr., 78, of Center, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Toddsprings Baptist Church in Center, Tx.

-VOLUME 17 NO. 170, THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 2001-

Congressional redistricting has gone the way of state senate and representative redistricting plans and will ultimately be settled in court. Congressman Jim Turner’s District #2 includes Liberty County and Turner said Monday of the 10 plans currently under consideration most keep the district relatively intact. One plan however actually calls for splitting Liberty County in two with the northern part remaining in District 2 and the southern part placed in a district with a large portion of Harris County. Turner called approval of such a plan a big mistake.

According to Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, the effort to reduce the number of J.P. and Constable positions there is a dead issue. Chambers County Commissioners had recently brought the subject before the public, though the idea of reducing those offices by two each to save the county money had been considered for years. Judge Sylvia said one of the areas that would lose those positions holds a majority of minority voters and the federal government would not approve the plan.

The Liberty Panthers final pre-season scrimmage is tonight in Beaumont against the Ozan Panthers, with varsity play set for 7 p.m. Hardin’s final scrimmage is also tonight, starting at 6:30 in Kountze and the Dayton Broncos will have their first scrimmage tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. against the Dickinson Gators at Bronco Stadium. Both Liberty and Hardin open their regular seasons next Friday August 31^st with Liberty in Port Arthur against Lincoln and Hardin in Burkville against the Mustangs. Dayton opens their regular season on Friday September 7^th.

Employees of all South Liberty County School Districts are invited to the Annual Teachers Reception sponsored by the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce this coming Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the TVE Fairgrounds in Liberty. The event is free to all educators to come and enjoy BBQ and numerous door prizes donated by local merchants. For more information or to donate a door prize, call 336-5736.

8/24 FUNERALS Terry Lee Wiggins, 40, of Liberty, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

David C. Salard, 25, of Crosby, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,170 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.31 ASL**

Liberty Police Officer Gary Martin said 60-year-old Thomas Mallet of Liberty was westbound on Hwy 90 around 7 p.m. last night, attempted to turn into the BJ Ford Mercury Dealership and was struck by a vehicle driven by Thomas James, 44, also of Liberty. Neither driver required medical attention, but Liberty Fire and EMS employed extraction equipment to free Mr. Mallet’s wife, Delores, age 60 from that vehicle. Mrs. Mallet was transported to Liberty-Dayton Hospital for treatment, described as being in stable condition. Officer Martin said no citations were issued and the accident is under investigation.

The Dayton ISD will receive a Technological Infrastructure Fund or "TIF" grant for $2.2 million in new computer equipment. DISD Technology Director Linda Van Wagner said the grant is part of the Brazos Sabine Connection, a combined effort by 15 school districts in East Texas to aid educators in incorporating technology into their curriculums. District personnel have already received training in the new technology’s application and the new equipment is expected to be in use in Dayton classrooms by the first week in September.

Fire destroyed most of the contents of a garage at the home of Ron and Barbara Norwood of Liberty Tuesday night. Mr. Norwood said he discovered the fire in the adjacent brick garage at his home in the Travis Park Subdivision shortly after 9 p.m. and the Liberty Fire Department arrived not long after to quickly extinguish the flames. The home was not damaged but the blaze destroyed lawnmowers and other equipment stored in the garage in addition to damaging the structure itself and a vintage fishing boat. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Liberty ISD Board of Trustees met Tuesday for public hearings on the proposed 2002 Fiscal Year Budget and the district’s proposed tax rate. That tax rate is $1.43 per $100 of appraised value, a decrease of four cents over last year. LISD Business Manager Mike Baldree presented trustees with proposed budget figures that set the district’s expenditures for the next fiscal year at slightly more than $18.5 million, with revenues estimated at roughly $2,000 above that amount. Mr. Baldree said that the district was also expecting approximately $7.3 million in state aid in the coming fiscal year.

-VOLUME 17 NO. 169, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22, 2001-

Dayton Police have charged Marvin Robert Williams, 19, and an unidentified 16-year-old juvenile, both of Dayton with felony criminal mischief and arson in the destruction of city property at the Precinct #4 Landfill Office. Employees arrived at the office on Friday August 10th to find the building destroyed and thousands of dollars in heavy equipment extensively damaged by fire. Police said the two confessed not only to the landfill crimes but also to other similar offenses being investigated by the Liberty County Sheriff's Department. An arrest warrant has also been issued for a third suspect, not yet identified.

Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday and voted to approve the 2001 Fiscal Year County Budget. That vote followed a public hearing on the budget held prior to commissioners regular meeting with around 20 people attending. Commissioners also held a public hearing on the new tax rate with no change in that rate proposed. A vote on the tax rate must, by law, wait for from 3 to 14 days following the hearing.

Dayton Police Investigator Doug O'Quinn said 55-year-old Louis Cox, with a Baytown address was inside Boyett's Auto Service in Dayton just after 4 p.m. yesterday and was physically assaulted by another customer, Kenneth Barton of Dayton. Reports indicate Barton was offended by some racial remarks that Cox had made and hit the man. Louis Cox was taken by air ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston for precautionary reasons. Not arrests have yet been made.

The Dayton City Council met Monday and were informed by City Manager Robert Ewart of a letter from Mont. Belvieu Mayor Lonnie Follis requesting a meeting between the two cities to resolve any boundary issues over the cities' respective extra-territorial jurisdictions. Dayton's planned expansion to within a half-mile of the Chambers County Line prompted the request.

8/22 FUNERALS: 

William Leggett Turner, 83, of Cleveland, Graveside services at 10 a.m. today at the Murray Cemetery in Bear Creek. 

Arthur William Barkis, 75, of Liberty, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Liberty. 

Ed Reynolds, 71,of Huffman, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling White Chapel Funeral in Highlands. **

-VOLUME 17 NO. 168, TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 2001-

Representatives from the City of Dayton and the Dayton Community Development Corporation met with high-ranking officials of the Beaumont District-Office of the Texas Department of Transportation yesterday to discuss the feasibility of various projects to ease the traffic flow in Dayton. TxDot Area Engineer Charlotte Warner said some short-term steps to take in improving the city’s traffic flow included widening the Hwy 90 and FM 1960 intersections at Hwy 321 to allow a better turn radius for big trucks and other large vehicles. The prospect of synchronizing Dayton’s traffic signals to cause traffic to flow more evenly through the city was also discussed. The idea of building a bypass from Highway 146 South to Highway 321 was deemed unnecessary, and is not thought to be a viable option.

Last Tuesday night, the Liberty City Council voted to pass along a 4% increase in garbage rates to local residents. City Manager Kerry Lacy told council he had recently received notification that Waste Management of Houston would be increasing their garbage collection fees to the city by that amount effective in October. Lacy said the increase would mean the garbage service bills of the average residential customer in Liberty would increase by approximately 35 cents per month.

The Dayton City Council will hold the second set of public hearings on the proposed annexation of land southward down Hwy 146 on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Dayton City Hall. About 25 people attended last week’s round of hearings to question the motives behind the city’s proposed annexation of 11 land parcels that, if approved, would bring the Dayton City Limits within a half-mile of the Liberty-Chambers County Line.

Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. The luncheon is at noon in the Liberty Municipal Auditorium with guest speaker, veteran Houston TV news anchor Bob Nicholas who only recently announced his retirement after 22 years from KPRC Channel 2. Kay-Jon’s Cajun Restaurant will cater the event and tickets are just $6 each. Call the Chamber for reservations at 336-5736.

8/21 FUNERAL: Otis Perry Cessna, 77, of Hardin, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. **

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,170 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.24 ASL**

Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Davison said 15-year-old Timothy Watts was preparing to burn grass in a ditch in front of his home on FM 834 in Hardin yesterday afternoon. The teen reportedly poured gasoline on the grass, then lit the fire and was burned by the leaping flames. Timothy Watts was taken by Med-Link air ambulance to the UTMB hospital in Galveston suffering from second and third-degree burns to one arm and one leg, described by EMS personnel as being in stable condition.

Liberty County Commissioners have released a proposed county budget for Fiscal Year 2002 with General Fund Expenditures set at more than $14, 420,000, an increase of almost $1,000,000 over the current budget. Included are salary increases of 15% for commissioners and most other elected county officials and a 12% increase in the county judge’s salary. The new budget would also increase the budget for county volunteer fire departments by $25,000. A public hearing on the county budget is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday August 28^th.

The Liberty City Council met Tuesday night and was presented with the proposed Fiscal Year 2002 City Budget by City Manager Kerry Lacy. The new budget, according to Lacy is based on an expenditure plan of $16.6 million and calls for a tax increase from the current rate of 54.15 cents to 57 cents per $100 dollars of assessed property value. Council took no formal action on the budget, but set a public hearing for Tuesday September 11^th at 7 p.m. for Liberty residents to discuss the issue.

The Trinity Valley Exposition is now less than 2 months away. Entries are now being accepted for the 2001 TVE Baby Parade. Awards will be given in five parade divisions: Walking, Riding, Western Riding, Small Float and Large Float and the cost is $10 per entry. Entry forms are available now at The Clip Joint on North Main in Liberty, at Liberty Elementary School or call Parade Chair Jackie Hartel at 336-6699. The TVE Baby Parade is set for Saturday October 13^th at 10 a.m. in downtown Liberty.

8/16 FUNERALS: 

Harriet Goddard Jones, 77, of Liberty, Services at 9:30 a.m. today at 1^st Baptist Church in Liberty. 

Lola Mae Whittington, 68, of Hankamer, Services Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Hankamer.

Liberty County Commissioners met in a budget workshop yesterday to make final adjustments to the proposed 2002 Fiscal Year County Budget. One change over last year’s budget proposed by commissioners reallocates Road and Bridge Funds to the four precincts, with Precinct #4 getting slightly more money and the other three precincts receiving less. The precinct with the largest decrease in road and bridge funding over the current year budget is Precinct #3, set to receive almost $100,000 less than last year. In addition to the extra funds, Precinct #4 will also lose 20 miles of roads to be maintained if the new redistricting plan is approved by the federal government. A public hearing to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2002 Budget is planned for later in the month.

An investigation is continuing into a stabbing incident reported at the Silver Dollar Saloon on Hwy 321 north of Dayton early Sunday morning. According to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Dept., 25-year-old Samuel James Glossen arrived at a residence on CR# 2344 around 2:30 a.m. suffering from three stab wounds reportedly inflicted by a suspect described only as a man wearing blue jeans and a black hat at the Silver Dollar. Glossen was taken to San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown where he was treated for his injuries then released on Monday.

The Dayton City Council met Monday night and accepted a proposal from Dallas-based United Systems Technology for a new software program to cover most bookkeeping functions for the city. The price tag for software, four different modules, training and other items will be $28,000, substantially lower than the other two companies submitting proposals. In other action, council voted to approve an amendment to the city’s manufactured home ordinance that will allow the granting of permits on a case-by-case basis for residents to live temporarily in a travel trailer while a home is under construction.

Former Liberty Panther Reggie White is expected to see a lot of action in a pre-season match-up this Saturday between the New York Jets and the reigning Super Bowl Champs, the Baltimore Ravens. The game will be telecast on CBS at 7 p.m.. Liberty High School’s all-time leading rusher was also the leading rusher in the Jets’ exhibition loss to Atlanta last Saturday.

-VOLUME 17 NO. 164, TUESDAY, AUG. 14, 2001-

Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said deputies called to CR# 2300 in Tarkington just after 9:30 Sunday night discovered 36-year-old Timothy Lloyd Herring shot to death. Michael Rogers, 42, of Tarkington was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder in the Cleveland area man’s death. Investigators believe the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute. Rogers posted a $100,000 bond and was released from the Liberty County Jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Stevens said he does not expect the wiretapping trial of Precinct # 4 County Commissioner Toby Wilburn and former-county courthouse maintenance supervisor Neal Williford to go forward as scheduled on Monday August 20^th. A trial postponement is expected. Wilburn, Williford and former Precinct #4 Constable Craig Houghton were all charged in an alleged conspiracy to hide listening devices in Liberty County Courthouse offices. Mr. Stevens also said sentencing for Craig Houghton who already pled guilty to one count of illegal wiretapping will also have to wait until Wilborn and Williford are tried since he is set to testify against them.

Due to the shortage of the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine, the Texas Department of Health is exempting all students statewide who require the booster shot before returning to school. However, doctors recommend children still on their 1^st shot cycle, pregnant women who have not had a booster in the past 10 years and those traveling to certain areas outside the U.S. and those requiring it for wound treatment should still receive the shot.

After 22 years at KPRC-TV in Houston, Bob Nicholas stunned Sunday night viewers with the announcement that he is retiring from Channel 2 News to enter his family-owned business. One of the most familiar faces in Houston, Nicholas will still be the keynote speaker at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday Aug. 22^nd at noon in the Liberty Municipal Auditorium. Tickets for the luncheon are $6 each. For reservations, call the Chamber Office at 336-5736.

8/14 FUNERALS: Margaret Ann Baker Vail, 58, of Baytown, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Earthman Funeral Home in Baytown.

Jaron Wade Roberts, 18 months, of Raywood, Services at 2 p.m. today at Oakdale Cemetery in Daisetta.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,170 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.36 ASL**

Officials at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston said Andy Willard Semien, 16, of Liberty, died Wednesday night as a result of the injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident at the Liberty City Park on Wednesday afternoon.

DPS Trooper Brent Henry said Carlos Tinajero, 38, of Dayton eastbound on Hwy 90 just before midnight Wednesday was struck by a vehicle attempting to cross the roadway. The other driver, Bertrand Adams, 49, of Houston, died at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston hours later. Mr. Tinajero remains in the hospital’s shock trauma unit, listed in critical condition.

The second fatal accident on Liberty County roads in less than 24 hours occurred, according to DPS Trooper Steven Hebert, when 43-year-old April Townsend, southbound on Hwy 146 south of Rye yesterday morning, apparently crossed over into northbound traffic. The Lufkin woman struck a tractor-trailer driven by Lloyd Patrick Fontenot of Liberty. Mr. Fontenot was not injured, but April Townsend died of her injuries at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston later yesterday morning.

DPS Trooper Leon Wilson said Michael Gray, 30, of Baytown attempted to turn off of Hwy 90 west of Devers yesterday afternoon and turned into the path of a vehicle driven by Christina Carroll, 20 of Daisetta. Gray, ejected from his vehicle, was taken by air ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Ms. Carroll and her passenger, Kevin Glover, age 6, were also taken to the Beaumont Hospital.

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Dept. reports Nathan Lee Winzel, 26, of Cleveland, a county jail inmate on work release, allegedly stole a car from the Hull-Daisetta High School Parking Lot and escaped around 11:30 a.m. yesterday. Winzel has no history of violent offenses, is described as a white male, 5’, 11", weighs 155 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 336-4500.

8/10 FUNERALS: Andy Willard Semien, 16, of Liberty, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Ames. 

William L. Hicks, 71, of Dayton, Services at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

VOLUME 17 NO. 161, THURSDAY, AUG. 09, 2001-

According to Liberty Police Officer Cedric McDuffie, 16-year-old Andy Willard Simeon of Liberty was operating a motorcycle on the entrance road to the Liberty Municipal Park yesterday afternoon and lost control of the bike. The motorcycle hit one of the trees that line the roadway with enough force to break off the bike’s front tire. The injured teenager was transported by Lifeflight air ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, in what was described as critical condition.

It was just after 4 a.m. yesterday when a Liberty father and son, lost for 12 hours in the deep woods of the Trinity River Basin, between the river and the Travis Park Subdivision were found unhurt. Liberty Police Officer Sean Kemp said it was around 11 p.m. Tuesday when Barkley “Chip” Cumbie age 40 and his 8-year-old son Connor were reported long overdue from a hike in the woods. A search party that included Liberty Police, personnel from the Liberty Fire Department and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Posse scoured the dense river bottom forest through the night. Mr. Cumbie and his son were found safe on an embankment were they had remained awaiting help since they realized they were lost around 6:30 Tuesday evening.

The Liberty ISD Board of Trustees met once again with Britton Barr of the BLGY Architectural Firm Tuesday night over the prospect of building a new Liberty High School. Trustee Dr. David Arnold questioned Barr over whether a new high school was what the district really needed rather than a new middle or elementary school. Another trustee, Dr. Allen Griffen agreed and expressed concern that poor planning might lead the district into additional building in the near future. Mr. Barr will prepare proposals on the cost of those options as well as recommendations on where various grades could be located.

The 19th Annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet and Auction is set for Friday August 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Liberty Elk’s Lodge on FM 563. Proceeds from the event each year assist in projects to preserve and renovate wetlands in North American and local chapter co-chair Josh Hall said more than $15,000 was raised last year. Banquet tickets are $35 each or $60 for a couple and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Josh Hall at 336-3645 or Mark Sjolander at 258-4030.

VOLUME 17 NO. 159, TUESDAY, AUG. 07, 2001-

Liberty County Commissioners met in regular session yesterday morning and approved Redistricting Draft Plan D for submission to the U.S. Justice Department as the county’s new precinct map. Under this plan, Precinct #1 will expand to the west on Hwy 90 to FM 1409, south down 1409 to the Liberty-Chambers County Line and encompass the area east of 1409, all of that is now Precinct #4. Precincts #2 and #3 are not affected by the plan, which brings the populations of all four county precincts to within 6.90% of each other per federal regulation for approval. If that final government approval is given, the new county precinct lines will become effective on Jan. 1^st of next year.

The deadline to participate in the new Liberty County Flood Plain Buyout Program is Monday August 13^th. So far, 30 county property owners have signed up and Emergency Management Coordinator Leroy Hanel said residents who live in flood prone areas are eligible to apply for the program. Those who do apply will need to provide the property’s legal description, appraised value, pertinent insurance information and an owner’s estimate of how much the property is worth. For more information call the Emergency Management Office at 336-4558, Ext. #239.

The Dayton City Council’s budget workshop session Monday night saw a fairly heated exchange with Liberty County EMS Director Mike Koen over a proposed rate increase for his service. Currently, the city pays the emergency medical service $1,000 per month with a set amount discounted to cover rent and utilities at the services live-in facility. Koen told council he felt a proposed 10% increase in next year’s budget should go toward the total amount, not the discounted amount as proposed. Koen also objected to the service paying their utility bill in exchange for that consideration. Council said they would take the information into consideration when the final budget is prepared.

According to Event Organizer Bruce Burnham preliminary estimates are that the 12^th Annual Burnham Classic Golf Tournament this past weekend raised more than $20,000 for the South Liberty State Center for children and adolescents with mental and emotional problems. Top honors went to the team of Liberty Mayor Bruce Halstead and Sean Nelson who won the tournament’s championship flight.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,170 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.45 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO. 159, TUESDAY, AUG. 07, 2001-

According to City of Liberty Police Detective David Allison, there has been a rash of car burglaries in the city in the past 10 days to 2 weeks. 10 to 11 burglaries of vehicles have been reported in that time period it does not seem to matter where the car is parked. Vehicles are being reported burglarized in residential drives, along streets and in a motel parking lot. Police advise city residents to remove all valuables from their vehicles, remember to lock their vehicles at all times and don’t leave any valuables in the beds of pickup trucks.

The City of Cleveland will hold an election Saturday to decide the issue of reallocating a quarter-of-one percent of the city’s sales tax for economic development. Voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the council chambers of Cleveland City Hall. City officials have said that, if passed, the 4B tax will allow for removing funds already set aside for property tax relief and apply those funds towards efforts such as developing small warehouse facilities, distribution and recycling centers.

Local retailers are reporting another successful Sales Tax Holiday over the three-day shopping weekend just passed and the State Comptroller’s Office estimates Texans saved over $45 million buying tax exempt clothing and footwear items. Liberty Wal-mart Manager Wanda Kern said sales there were impressive even on items that were not tax exempt, such as school supplies.

Starting dates for the 2001-2002 semester in area school districts are spaced widely this year. The Dayton ISD and the Tarkington ISD begin classes on Thursday of this week. Classes resume in the Cleveland and Hull-Daisetta School Districts on Monday August 13^th and Hardin ISD schools begin on Wednesday August 15^th. The students with the most summer vacation remaining are in the Liberty ISD, where the first day of school doesn’t begin until after Labor Day on September 4^th.

8/7 FUNERALS:

G’Nell Parish, 87, of Dayton, Services at 3 p.m. today at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home.

Louise D. Thiac Pinchback, 88, of Anahuac, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at 1^st United Methodist Church in Anahuac.

Jessie B. Windham Fregia, 72, of Louisiana, Graveside Services at 10 a.m. Friday at Guedry Cemetery in Batson.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,170 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.79 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO. 157, FRIDAY, AUG. 03, 2001-

An official at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston said 29-year-old Christie Martin Joseph has been upgraded from critical to serious condition, but remains in the hospital’s intensive care unit. The Baytown woman was transported by air ambulance to the Houston Hospital following a one-vehicle rollover accident on FM 1409 Tuesday afternoon. Two children that were passengers in the vehicle, Emily Joseph and Shelby Cox were also transported by air to the hospital have since been released.

Verizon Wireless has completed digitizing their coverage in the Liberty and Dayton area and local cell phone customers can look forward to longer battery life, clearer signal strength and overall better quality cell phone conversations. Randy Davis of Liberty Paging and Cellular said digital coverage is limited to the Liberty-Dayton area for now, but will soon be expanded to include customers in both the Hardin and Devers areas. These changes will only affect customers who already have digital phones, the service will not change for analog phone users.

Dayton Plant Manager for the Huntsman Corporation Glenn Baurenschmidt said overall petroleum industry cutbacks means at least some reduction in staff at the facility. Huntsman’s Dayton plant currently employs about 100 people and Baurenschmidt said his $12 million budget will be affected, but not on the scale of the Utah-based corporations larger operations. A lot of the Dayton cutbacks can be accomplished with contract employee reductions, but it is possible some full-timers with seniority will be offered early retirement options.

The 3^rd Annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday began at 12:01 this morning and from now until midnight Sunday, all clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are tax exempt. While state officials have future plans to include school supplies and back- packs on the tax-exempt list, for now those items remain taxable. Also taxable are most accessory items and sports specific items such as golf shoes and roller blades. A complete list of those items that are and are not tax exempt is available by calling the State Comptroller’s tax assistance line at 1-800-252-5555.

8/3 FUNERAL: Euphemia I. "Effie" Gallagher, 76, of Oakhurst, Services at 1 p.m. today at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

-VOLUME 17 NO. 156, THURSDAY, AUG. 02, 2001-

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Department reports 35-year-old Jerry Mack Reynolds was arrested Tuesday and charged with cruelty to an animal after numerous animals were found at his Horseshoe Lake Estates home suffering from hunger and neglect. Not only dogs and cats, but also one rabbit and one squirrel were removed from the residence by the SPCA for examination and treatment. Animal cruelty remains a Class A Misdemeanor offense until September 1^st, when recently passed legislation will make the same offense a state jail felony.

According to Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Jeff Stewart, not one but two prominent members of Liberty High School’s coaching staff are leaving. Head Baseball Coach Robb Kirkland has resigned after two seasons to accept a position as Head Baseball Coach for West High School. Kirkland led the Panthers into the playoffs last season and Jeff Stewart said no replacement has yet been named. Already departed is Liberty Head Basketball Coach Ron Whigham who accepted a position at C. E. King High School. Whigham’s replacement is former Liberty Girls Basketball Coach Mason Huffmeister.

The final Liberty County property values released by the Central Appraisal District show an increase of 1.69% over the preliminary totals and a more than 11% increase over last year’s final countywide totals. The Liberty ISD saw the biggest increase over last year with a jump of 27.20% and a total appraised value of district properties over $550 million dollars. Total values countywide are assessed at almost $2.5 billion.

The 12^th Annual Burnham Classic Golf Tournament starts tomorrow and continues through Sunday at Magnolia Ridge Country Club in Liberty. Since its inception, the popular tournament has raised thousands of dollars to benefit the South Liberty County State Center for children and adolescents suffering from mental and emotional problems. For more information, call Bruce Burnham at 336-3551.

8/2 FUNERALS: James Morgan Taylor, 82, of Raywood, Services at 2 p.m. today at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. **

Karina Aguilar, 15, of Liberty, Burial will be held in her family’s homeland of Honduras.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,410 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 5.68 ASL**