-VOLUME 17 NO. 63, FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2001-
According to information from the office of State Senator David Bernsen, Senator Buster Brown of Lake Jackson has removed the proposed abolishment of junior water rights in Texas from Senate Bill 2. Earlier this week, Senator Brown had conceded to allow some areas of Southeast Texas, including Liberty and Chambers Counties, to keep their junior water rights in the event his bill is passed into law in the legislature. However, late yesterday word reached Liberty County Judge Lloyd Kirkham that Senator Brown has said the issue is settled, at least for this session, and junior water rights protections are no longer in danger of being eliminated anywhere in the state.
DPS Corporal Donnie Smith said Vincent Browning, 32 was riding on horseback on FM 2830 in Raywood yesterday afternoon, when a passing vehicle spooked his mount. As the Liberty man attempted to regain control of the horse, a southbound truck driven by 29-year-old Kevin Joseph Gallion of Beaumont struck and killed the animal. Vincent Browning was transported by air ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont with what were described as serious multiple injuries.
According to information from Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur, officers of the Liberty/Chambers Counties Narcotics Task Force with assistance by Sheriff’s deputies and three county constables arrested a total of 10 persons on felony drug trafficking charges Wednesday. All charges were related to the delivery, distribution or possession of a controlled substance.
Liberty County Commissioners agreed on Tuesday to allow the Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce to continue to hold the popular La Bahia Market on the Courthouse Square as a monthly event. La Bahia, which features mostly homemade items and homegrown produce, as well as a few antiques, will return from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month beginning in April and continuing through October.
This Sunday marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time and everyone is reminded to set clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night in order to be on time the next day. The official start of Daylight Savings Time is 2 a.m. Sunday
**LAKE RELEASE: 35,400 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 26.90 ASL**
-VOLUME 17 NO. 62, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2001-
At a Senate Natural Resources Committee hearing Tuesday, State Senator "Buster" Brown introduced a substitute version of SB 2 that would eliminate junior water rights protection in Texas. The new version would allow water rights currently held on the Sabine, San Jacinto, Lower Neches and Trinity River basins to remain in place, while still eliminating those protections in other areas of Texas. However, Senator David Bernsen, whose 4th Senatorial District includes Liberty County, called Senator Brown’s concession a political ploy to divide the bill’s opponents and said a wider vision is needed for the future use of water resources in Texas, than Brown’s bill provides.
Liberty County Commissioners met Tuesday and approved a resolution supporting Texas House Bill 1275 ending the closed primary election system for Democratic and Republican candidates seeking county offices in Texas. The office of District Attorney and that of District Judge would also be affected by the bill. If the bill passes, candidates for those offices would run without political party affiliation.
The Dayton ISD Board of Trustees has approved the promotion of Dayton High School Principal Greg Hayman to new Assistant Superintendent for the district. Hayman, a nearly twenty year veteran of the Dayton School System and DHS principal for four and a half years, replaces Bill Simmons, whose contract was not renewed. Simmons left in November to accept the position of superintendent at a small district in Central Texas. Superintendent Nancy Fuller said the district will be accepting applications for a new high school principal immediately.
Due to rain out rescheduling, the Liberty Panthers Baseball Team will be playing two days in a row this week. Liberty’s game against Barbers Hill is at 6 p.m. tonight in Mt. Belvieu while the regularly scheduled match up with Huffman is set for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Liberty City Park. Meanwhile, the Dayton Broncos rained out game against Crosby is this Saturday at a place and time still to be determined.
3/29 FUNERAL: James "Junior" Votaw, 73, of Kenefick, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.
-VOLUME 17 NO. 61 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2001-
Brian Mitchell of Hull is reported in good condition at UTMB Hospital in Galveston after suffering burns in a fire at his home early Monday morning. Hardin Volunteer Fire Department Chief Sean Webb said firefighters from Hardin, Hull-Daisetta and Devers were called to the 15 to 16 hundred square foot home just off Mitchell Rd. in Hull shortly after 4:30 a.m. and found the structure fully ablaze. Brian Mitchell had apparently re-entered his burning home to make sure all of his family was out, suffering serious burns to 30 % of his body in the process. The rest of the family was unharmed, but the home was destroyed.
Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday and approved a resolution opposing Senate Bill #2 proposing the abolishment of Junior Water Rights in Texas, removing the protection of rural communities water resources in times of drought that has existed for the past 80 years. As the court approved the resolution, Precinct #1 Commissioner Todd Fontenot was in Austin, testifying before legislators against that bill.
Dayton School Trustees met Monday night and voted to turn over the sale of 25 of the district’s school buses to Assistant Superintendent Jack Carraway. Under the district’s contract with Southwest Student Transportation, buses older than 10 years cannot be used to transport students. However, attempts to sell the buses through sealed bids brought in only a bid of $1,750 for one bus by one area church and a request for the donation of a bus by another. Carraway said he felt he could get more for the old buses and trustees authorized him to do so by a 5 to 1 vote.
Rainy conditions yesterday caused some changes in local high school baseball game schedules. The Liberty Panthers vs. Barbers Hill game is rescheduled for tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in Mt. Belvieu while the Dayton Broncos match-up with the Crosby Cougars is tentatively re-set for tonight at 7 p.m. in Crosby, weather permitting. All Nine Radio will broadcast the Dayton game live, beginning shortly before the 7 p.m. start.
3/28 FUNERAL: Lynn Golding Schweinle, 44, of Anahuac, Services at 2 p.m. today at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Anahuac. **
**LAKE RELEASE: 35,400 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 27.54 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 60 TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2001
This Friday March 30th is the deadline to reserve one of a limited number of seats remaining for the trip to Liberty County Day in Austin on Monday April 9th. Three buses will be departing at 5 a.m. the day of the event from Liberty, Cleveland and Dayton. Cost for the trip is $25 per person. For reservations call the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce at 936-336-5736, the Greater Cleveland Chamber at 281-592-8786 or the Dayton Chamber at 936-258-2393. Also, volunteers are still need to serve the big meal at Liberty County Day. If you would like to help, call the Liberty County Judge’s Office at 336-4665.
According to officials at Liberty-Dayton Hospital, 117 men have signed up for the 6th Annual Free Prostate Screening Clinic scheduled for Saturday April 7th at the hospital’s Outpatient Clinic from 8 a.m. to noon. Three local urologists have donated their time to perform the digital rectal exams, while hospital lab technicians will do the prostate specific antigen blood test portion of the screening. Each test takes only a few minutes and participants will be notified by mail of the results within days. To make an appointment for the screening, call 936-336-3073.
The first place winners in this past weekend’s Liberty Jubilee Parade have been announced. 1st Place in the Pets n’ Pals Division went to Randy Williamson as Rowdy the Clown and "Xanadu"; 1st Place in the Decorated Bikes Division was awarded to Haley Johnson; and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show walked away with 1st Place in the Walking Division.
Performances of the Valley Players’ Spring Musical "Once Upon a Mattress" are set for this Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee this coming Sunday. Additional performances will be 7 p.m. Saturday April 7th and 2 p.m. Sunday April 8th. All performances are at the Humphreys-Burson Theater in Liberty. Tickets are $5 each. For reservations, call Jackie Hartel at 336-6699 or leave a message at 336-5887.
Annie Kate Tanner, 90, of Liberty, Services at 2 p.m. today at 1st Baptist Church in Liberty.
Roland Hearnsberger, 78, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral in Dayton.
**LAKE RELEASE: 44,000 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 27.60 ASL**
-VOLUME 17 NO. 59 MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2001-
4 people were killed in a two-vehicle accident near Cleveland Friday Night. According a report in the Houston Chronicle, an unidentified male was traveling south on Highway 105 when he attempted to pass a car and hit head on with a northbound vehicle being driven by Helen Watkins, 55 of Cleveland. Watkins, the unidentified male and his passenger, Scott Murnahan, 18 of Waco, were all pronounced dead at the scene, while Watkins daughter, April Watkins, 42 of Cleveland was pronounced dead early Saturday morning at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Bobby Risch, Bertha Ford was taken by Med-Link Air Ambulance to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont after a two-vehicle accident in Ames yesterday afternoon. Trooper Risch said Ford had apparently driven in to the path of Jason Hamric who was heading south on FM 160. Liberty County EMS transported Hamric to Liberty Dayton Hospital with minor injuries.
We had reported this weekend that Jessica Guillory was released from St. Elizabeth's hospital in Beaumont after being hit by a car last Thursday evening. All Nine News learned that Guillory was in fact transported to UTMB Galveston in critical condition on Thursday evening. An administrator at the Galveston hospital said yesterday afternoon that she was in good condition. We apologize for the error.
The Liberty Panthers opened the district portion of their season Friday Night with a 5 to 0 win over the Kountze Lions. The Panthers were led by pitcher Kody Fiedler who went the distance and had 13 strikeouts in the shut out victory. The Panthers next game is tomorrow night against the Barbers Hill Eagles, that game is in Mt. Belvieu and will start at 6 PM.
3/26 FUNERAL:
Lucille Beatrice Canion, 84 of Dayton. Services will be held today at 2 PM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.
Ignac "Ike" Kolarik, 73 of Dayton. Services will be held at 2:30 PM today at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dayton.
L.J. Oman, 78 of Batson. Services will be held tomorrow at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.
VOLUME 17 NO. 58 FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2001
DPS Trooper Leon Wilson said Richard Zwahr, 35, of Votaw was southbound on North Gates St. in Devers shortly before 5 p.m. yesterday when 3-year-old Jessica Guillory of Devers ran from between two parked cars and into the path of his vehicle. Initial investigation indicated Zwahr was unable to avoid hitting the child, who was transported by Med-Link Air Ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont in critical condition.
The 16th Annual Liberty Jubilee Celebration has arrived this weekend from noon today until after the Street Dance with Chris Chitsey tonight and starting again at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Tomorrow’s events include the Jubilee Parade at 10 a.m. and performances by the Kelley Miller Circus at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There’s also arts and crafts, food and public service booths, the Antique Show and Sale, the Book and Bake Sale, live music on two main stages, a children’s area, petting zoo, artisans, antique cars, strolling entertainers and much, much more.
U.S. Congressman Jim Turner announced this week that pressure from he and several congressional colleagues has resulted in $100 million in funding for volunteer firefighters being restored to President Bush’s 2002 budget plan. Turner said that without volunteer firefighters, many residents in his district, that includes Liberty County, would have no fire protection. Turner said he will continue to work for the restoration of the full $300 million in firefighter funding eliminated in the budget.
The last day to file for the May 5th City Council and School Board Elections saw a flurry of last-minute filings in one city. The Cleveland City Council Election, which had no candidates at all on Monday, ended up with two candidates for mayor: Position #1 council member Richard Boyett and Charlene Piper. One-term Mayor Joe Ivey is not running again. With incumbent Nikkie Johnson not seeking another term and Richard Boyett running for mayor, the race for Position #1 on the Cleveland City Council is between Eddie Lowery and Benny Lilley while Durlene Davis and Darlene Lofgren will vie for Position #2.
3/23 FUNERAL: Betty Lou Touchet, 65, of Cleveland, Services tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Concord Baptist Church.
**LAKE RELEASE: 47,500 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.28 AL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 57 THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2001
With the deadline to file to run for local city council and school board positions, neither the Liberty nor Dayton City Council elections have a contested race. Liberty council members J.C. Burnham, Bruce Wright and Dennis Beasley are all running unopposed, as are Dayton Mayor Larry Harris and council members "Frosty" Pruitt and Herb Brown. The Liberty School Board race has two at-large positions on the ballot and two candidates: incumbent June Jackson and former trustee Carl Hight, who has filed for the seat being vacated by Jay Arnold. Arnold is not running for another term. On the Dayton School Board, position #5 incumbent Dale Brown is running unopposed while incumbent Arthur Holt Jr. is not running again, leaving Dr. Luke Chachere and Randy Rensing to vie for position #1.
Tomorrow’s Liberty Jubilee activities include the Liberty Lions Club Annual Fish Fry from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the corner of Main and Sam Houston in Liberty. Plates are $6.50 and a drive-thru will be available. Around 7:45 p.m. there will be a fireworks display over downtown Liberty and everyone is invited to come out and watch. At 8 p.m. tomorrow, the Liberty Jubilee Street Dance gets underway with the music of rising Nashville star Chris Chitsey. Tickets are $6 in advance at the Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and $8 at the gate.
Gary Vandeventer, Vice-President/Manager of Liberty’s Heritage Bank said the merger between Heritage and Prosperity Bancshares is completed. Regulatory approval of the transaction was given on Feb. 15th and the new group has banks as far north as Cleveland and as far south as Mathis, Texas – a Corpus Christi suburb, with several locations in and around Houston.
The Liberty Panthers Baseball Team opens district play tomorrow against the Lions in Kountze. All Nine Sports will broadcast the game live starting at 7 p.m. The Panthers are 8 -5 on the season after a win over Tarkington Tuesday night.
3/22 FUNERALS: Charles E. "Chuck" Morris, 68, of Anahuac, Services at 10 a.m. today at 1st Baptist Church in Anahuac.
Albert Lee Cooper, 71, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.
**LAKE RELEASE: 54,000 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.38 AL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 56 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2001
With just slightly more than 24 hours left before the filing deadline, longtime Dayton Mayor Larry Harris has filed to run for another term in office. Harris, at last report, is running unopposed on the May 5th ballot and potential opponents only have until the close-of-business today to file. Harris said he needed some extra time to make up his mind about running again, and that was the reason for his very late filing.
An intense search by law enforcement officials for a missing 10-year-old student at Colbert Elementary in Dayton ended in relief Monday afternoon when a Dayton Police Officer found the child, unharmed walking on Waco Street in Dayton. Initial reports of possible child abduction proved to be inaccurate, and the little girl told police she had simply walked away from school because she had been upset over receiving a bad grade.
A big part of this weekend’s 16th Annual Liberty Jubilee will be the live entertainment on two main stages throughout the day on Saturday. The Travis St. Stage in the festival area will start things off at 11 a.m. with the popular county music band "Texas Squeeze". At 12:40 p.m. the big band sound of Ronnie Renfro then a performance by the Rhythm Cloggers, a second set from "Texas Squeeze" and at 4:30 p.m. a Jubilee music tradition continues with Pete Mayes and the Texas House Rockers. Meanwhile the Main St. Stage will feature performances by many talented local singers and musicians beginning at noon.
According to TxDot officials, work on FM 834 between Hardin and Hull is scheduled to begin between now and April 1st with completion expected in mid-June. The nearly $600,000 resurfacing project will cover just over three miles of roadway, with the widening of each lane by about 3 feet also planned. Motorists are cautioned to be aware of work crews in the area.
The Liberty County Chapter of the American Cancer Society will sponsor the first Liberty County Relay for Life on Friday April 6th and Saturday April 7th at Bronco Stadium in Dayton. The event begins with the "Survivor Lap" at 7 p.m. that Friday honoring cancer survivors. To participate in the survivor lap or for more information, call 258-5539 or 1-800-258-5657.
**LAKE RELEASE: 54,000 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.55 AL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 55 TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 200
Liberty County Sheriff’s Dept. Sgt. Stephen Combs said four young men from North Liberty County were walking down Lena St. near CR.# 375 at around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when a car drove by the group. One of two men inside the car, both described only as white males, opened fire with a handgun of unknown caliber, firing six to eight times, then sped away. Jens Merz, age 17, was wounded in the ankle and elbow. Justin Bushman, 18, was shot in the upper thigh. The two other men in the group escaped injury. Anyone with information on the drive-by shooting is asked to call the Sheriff’s Dept. at 936-336-4500.
DPS Trooper Bobby Risch said 58-year-old Murphy Dugas of Baytown was eastbound on FM 1960 Saturday night, when he pulled his vehicle on the shoulder and stopped. Lisa Kilpatrick, 35, of Liberty was trying to drive around the stopped vehicle when Dugas attempted a u-turn and the two collided. The two drivers along with two passengers in Kilpatrick’s vehicle, Jeff Schaefer, age 76 and Corey Schaefer, age 4, both of Liberty were treated and released from Liberty-Dayton Hospital.
Information from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office indicates that an unnamed 16-year-old Tarkington youth is in critical condition at Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston after what appears to be a suicide attempt at his home Saturday afternoon. Reports indicate the boy shot himself under the chin with a .22 caliber rifle following an argument with a family member and was taken by Lifeflight air ambulance to the Houston hospital. This is the second case of a self-inflicted gunshot wound by a Tarkington youth reported in the past few days. 11-year-old Joe Lasco remains hospitalized after shooting himself on Thursday.
The Dayton Rotary Club will celebrate their 75th Anniversary with a banquet Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Dayton High School. Formed in 1926 through sponsorship of the Liberty Rotary Club, Dayton Rotary has since helped sponsor both the Baytown and Highlands Rotary Clubs. Banquet tickets are $7.50 per person. For more information, call 258-5539 or 258-2687.
3/20 FUNERAL: Mary Deila Rogers, 87, of Daisetta, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.
**LAKE RELEASE: 57,900 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.46 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 54 MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2001According to Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur, Joe Lasco, the 11 year-old Tarkington Prairie boy who was shot at his residence last Thursday, made up the story of being shot by an intruder. The Tarkington Elementary School student told investigators on Friday that he had made up the entire scheme of being shot by an intruder and actually shot himself. Captain George Ellington of the Liberty County Sheriff's Department said the boy told investigators he wanted everyone to believe him about his migraine headaches that he had been suffering recently.
A Liberty man was fatally injured in a vehicle-pedestrian accident Saturday night on Highway 90 in Liberty. According to City of Liberty Police Officer John Hebert, 58 year-old Archie Franklin Fults of Liberty was apparently walking across Highway 90 between Tennessee Street and Navigation Street when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Larry Brooks, 42 of Liberty. Justice of the Peace Precinct #1 Bobby Rader pronounced Fults dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy. Investigators for the City of Liberty said the evidence indicates the accident was not the fault of the driver and no charges are expected to be filed on Larry Brooks of Liberty.
According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Bobby Risch, Kuljit Singh, 30 of Dayton, was traveling west on Highway 90 Saturday night when his vehicle left the roadway. Trooper Risch said Singh had overcorrected back to the right and his vehicle began to roll. Judith Sanchez, 27 of Dayton, was taken by Life Flight Air Ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital after being ejected from the vehicle. Singh and his two daughters, Jui Singh, age 3 and Daniella Singh, age 8, were all transported by Liberty County EMS to Liberty-Dayton Hospital. Sanchez was in stable condition yesterday afternoon according to administrators at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
3/19 FUNERALS:
Maud Odessa Dunlap, 77 of Dayton. Funeral services will be held today at 1 PM at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Michael E. Gradney, 82 of California. Funeral services will be held today at 10 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Raywood.
Barry Keith Hatcher, 44 of Hull. Funeral services will be today at 10 AM at the Allison Funeral Home in Liberty.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.50 ASL
VOLUME 17 NO. 53 FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2001
Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said Joe Lasco, age 11, who is now listed in fair condition after air ambulance transport to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen while alone at his home yesterday morning. The Tarkington Elementary student told investigators than an intruder entered the residence on CR# 2319 and shot him. Sheriff Arthur said the boy described his attacker as a white male, approximately 6 ft. with a mustache and goatee. The shooting remains under investigation at this time.
The Liberty City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to change the name of Commerce Street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in honor of the slain civil rights leader. Councilman Michael Mark, who was on the committee that studied the proposed name change said the majority of the businesses and residents on Commerce were in favor of the name change.
The Texas Department of Transportation has named Charlotte Key Warner of Hardin to replace the recently retired Ed Seymour as Resident Engineer in Liberty. Mrs. Warner is a 22-year TxDot employee, former Area Engineer for Hardin County and currently serves as Hardin School Board President.
This year’s Liberty Jubilee Parade is Saturday March 24th at 10 a.m. in downtown Liberty and the theme is "Circus City". Children and adults of all ages are welcome to enter the parade free of charge and entry forms are available at Liberty Elementary School or Liberty City Hall. For more information, call Nick Vaught at 336-3603 or City Hall at 336-3684.
3/16 FUNERALS:
Marcella Bartos Zalesky, 90, of Dayton, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dayton.
Lessie Ligons Hubert, 80, of Dayton, Services at noon tomorrow at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Dayton.
Todd Anthony Kelly, 24, of Dayton, Services at 2 p.m. Monday at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.61 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 52 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2001
According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Leon Wilson, 24-year-old Todd Anthony Kelly of Dayton was killed in a two- vehicle accident on Highway 146 just north of the Chambers-Liberty County line yesterday morning. Trooper Wilson said a dump truck driven by Juan Ibarra, 31 of Baytown was traveling north on 146 and had come to a stop to make a left turn onto a private drive. Kelly, who had apparently fallen asleep, struck Ibarra’s vehicle from behind. J.P. Precinct #4 Glen Pruitt pronounced Todd Anthony Kelly dead at the scene.
Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia said he attributes the increase in population in his county to people wanting to get out of the big city and live the country life. This was in response to the 2000 census figures released Tuesday that show Chambers County with an increase of 29.6 percent over 1990 population totals. The county’s total population is 26,031. The population for the City of Winnie is now 2914, up 30 percent, while the City of Mont Belvieu’s population is now 2238, an amazing 75 percent increase over the year 1990 figures.
According to Head Baseball Coach Robb Kirkland, the Liberty Panthers suffered a 4-1 loss to the Nederland Bulldogs Tuesday. The next game for the Panthers, who are 6 and 5, will be against Splendora in Liberty at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said complaints about contraband at the CCA operated Liberty County Jail Facility, prompted an extensive search of the jail on Tuesday, which turned up some narcotics as well as other contraband including pornographic materials. Canine units from the Beaumont Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and officers from other local departments aided in the search.
3/15 FUNERALS:
Margaret "Tootsie" Campbell, 71 of Liberty. Services will be held today at 2 PM at the North Main Baptist Church in Liberty.
Lucille Burks Vickery, 55 of Moss Hill. Services will be held tomorrow at 10 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Liberty.
Hazel Lillian Franklin Campbell, 77, of Liberty, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.50 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 51, WEDNESDAY, MAR. 14, 2001
According to newly released figures from the 2000 Census, Liberty and Chambers Counties showed the largest population increase of all 12 counties which comprise the Southeast Texas Area. Liberty County’s current population totals 70,154 an increase of 33.1% over the 1990 Census total. Chambers County experienced a population growth of 29.6% over the previous census, with a current total of 26,031. Population in the City of Liberty is now 8,033, up 3.8% while the City of Dayton’s population now totals 5,709, an increase of 10.8%. While Beaumont, Pt. Arthur, Galveston and Orange all show a decrease in their populations, the counties they are in all show a net gain.
Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday and heard from Liberty County Tax Assessor/Collector Mark McClelland and Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Alan D. Conner regarding a resolution in opposition of proposed legislation that would exempt property in transit from being taxed. McClelland told commissioners that if the various pieces of legislation concerned in the Texas House and Senate are passed, the result could be about a 6% loss in annual tax revenue for the county. Commissioners voted unanimously to pass the resolution.
The Dayton Broncos Baseball Team opened district play yesterday in New Caney with 2 - 1 win over the Eagles. Head Coach Tom Deberry’s Broncos next play on Friday at 7 p.m. in Daniel Park against the Conroe-Oak Ridge War Eagles. You can hear the game live on All Nine Sports, starting around 7:25 p.m.
Donations are now being accepted for the Friends of the Liberty Library’s Annual Book and Bake Sale on Friday March 23rd and Saturday March 24th during the Liberty Jubilee. The sale offers slightly used books for a fraction of their original cost as well as baked goods such as cookies, casseroles, bread and cakes. Any used books or magazines can be donated to the sale by dropping them off at the Liberty Municipal Library or call 336-8901.
3/14 FUNERALS: Harold Duke Parker, 71, of Hardin, Services today at 12:30 p.m. at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. ** Myrtle Haynes Keenon, 70, of Kenefick, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.45 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 50, TUESDAY, MAR. 13, 2001
On Friday, a jury in Judge J. C. Zbranek’s 75th District Court found James Lloyd Henson, 29, of Cleveland guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death last year of Charlotte Lynn Allday. District Attorney Mike Little said Henson called Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputies to a residence on Gladstell Rd. near Cleveland on January 15th, 2000 and discovered the man’s 29-year-old ex-wife dead of a single gunshot wound to the back. Henson told investigators a .38 caliber handgun he had been holding had gone off accidentally, killing the Cleveland woman. Expert testimony at Henson’s trial contradicted that claim and James Henson was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Dayton Police Officer Gary McCown said Annie Scott, 16, was westbound on Hwy 90 around 10 a.m. yesterday and attempted to turn left onto South Cleveland St. The Dayton teen apparently did not see the westbound vehicle driven by Abdon Manguia, 49, of Houston, and the two collided. Neither driver was injured but eastbound traffic was shutdown for nearly 30 minutes while the accident scene was cleared. Officer McCown said Ms. Scott was cited for attempting an unsafe turn and Mr. Manguia was cited for failing to produce proof of insurance after the accident.
The Liberty Masonic Lodge has named the recipients of this year’s E. T. Branch Awards for excellence in Liberty educators. Liberty Masonic Worshipful Master Donnie Smith said the awards go to special ed. teacher Margo Taylor, San Jacinto Elementary teacher Debra Pickett, LES teacher Laura Bennett, LMS teacher William Dickson and LHS teacher Penny Morgan.
The Liberty Rotary Club’s 2nd Annual “Thunder on the Trinity” is this weekend at the TVE Fairgrounds with approximately 5,000 bikers and visitors expected for three days of games, music, entertainment and more. Cost is $30 per person for the entire weekend. For more information, call event organizer Skeet Raggio at 336-9612 or e-mail ragg-pub@imsday.com .
3/13 FUNERAL: Albert Wayne Walton, 60, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. **J. D. Whitmire, 64, of Liberty, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Cornerstone Church in Liberty. **
VOLUME 17 NO. 49, MONDAY, MAR. 12, 2001
According to City of Dayton Police Officer Pete Douzat, 39 year old Melissa Fregia Taylor of Dayton was traveling south on highway 321 Saturday night when she apparently slipped off the roadway and overcorrected back into north bound traffic. Her vehicle struck head on with a vehicle driven by Charles Cain, 45 of Highlands. Both Cain and Taylor were transported by Life Flight Air Ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston where an administrator said yesterday afternoon that Taylor was in critical condition and Cain was in good condition.
According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Bobby Risch, Danny Mott, 49 of Sour Lake, was traveling north on highway 146 in Hardin Saturday Night when he started having car problems and pulled over to the side of the road. It was then that a vehicle driven by Sammy Fowler, 35 of Liberty, apparently did not see the vehicle and struck him from behind. Fowler and his passenger Kathy Langford, 36 of Liberty, were transported by Life Flight Air Ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where an administrator said Fowler was treated and released and Langford is in good condition. Mott and his passenger, Kathy Collier, 47 of Kountze were transported to Liberty Dayton Hospital.
A search for a 30 year old paralyzed man lost in the woods near his home ended happily on Friday. According to Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur, Johnny Lee Young of the New Salem Area had left his home on a 4-wheeler Thursday morning at 10 AM and after a couple of hours when he didn’t return his family began looking for him. Sheriff Arthur who led the search on horseback was aided by The Department of Public Safety, the Liberty Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, Game Wardens , the Texas Forest Service and volunteers. The search ended Friday afternoon when Young had crawled close to Highway 321 and attracted volunteers. Young was said to be in good condition.
3/11 FUNERALS: Fannie Marie Ainsworth, 88 of Hankamer. Serivices will be held today at 2 PM at the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Hankamer. **Lois LaVerne Wakefield, 83 of Dallas. Serivices will be held today at 10 AM at the Lakeside Baptist Church in Garland.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.35 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 48, FRIDAY, MAR. 09, 2001The Liberty Independent School District Board of Trustees met in a special meeting Wednesday night to discuss facility improvements and how they were going to pay for those renovations. Mark Mcliney of Southwest Securities, said that if the voters passed a $12 million bond for renovations it would increase the tax to $1.63 cents per $100 of property value. That is an increase of $.16 from the current rate. Also, Bill Richardson and Britten Barr, of BLGY, an accounting firm from Austin, said a study done by a Texas A&M class a year ago indicated that most of the facilities in the school district are in need of repair and San Jacinto Elementary School may be in such bad condition that a new school may have to be erected.
Tomorrow is the final scheduled day for the tremendously successful La Bahia Market Days. According to Laura Pickett, organizer of the event, she has issued a formal statement to the Liberty County Commissioners to try and extend La Bahia to be a once a month attraction on the Liberty County Courthouse Square. The Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors La Bahia Market Day and it is a place where individuals could bring home made items to sell. The event will take place tomorrow from 9 AM until 2 PM at the Courthouse
Dozier Partlow, Cooking Chairman for Liberty County Day in Austin on April the 9th is in need of volunteers to help cook the food that will be served on the capitol grounds. Anyone interested in helping should call Lisa at Liberty County Judge Lloyd Kirkham’s office at 336-4558.
KSHN has recently converted to DSL for our internet services and our e-mail address has changed. From now on your email to Shine All Nine should be addressed to kshn@kshnfm.com. There has not been any change in our web address, which is still www.kshnfm.com.
3/8 FUNERALS: Clinton Berry, 83 of Liberty. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 10 AM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. **Jerry Ray Preece, 56 of Liberty. Graveside services will be held Monday at 10 AM at the National Cemetery in Houston.
**LAKE RELEASE: 62,700 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.35 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 46, WEDNESDAY, MAR. 07, 2001State Representative Zeb Zbranek has filed an amendment to Senate Bill 7, the much-discussed deregulation of energy companies in the state of Texas. The amendment states that electric cooperatives, like the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency, which serves most of the City of Liberty, can take more time to issue a letter to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas to serve dually covered areas. That paper was originally supposed to be filed by February of 2000, however, the City of Liberty being in between city managers, did not file the paper in time. If the amendment does not pass the legislature, the SRMPA could lose it’s right to serve any of the dually covered area which includes portions of the city with the major part being the South Liberty Oilfield.
Chris Chitsey of Austin will perform this year at the annual Liberty Jubilee Street Dance, Friday, March 23rd. The dance will be held from 8 PM until midnight on Travis Street in Liberty between the courthouse and city hall. Tickets can be purchased at the Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, which is also a sponsor for the event.
Tommy McMullin has filed to run for his 25th term on the Devers Independent School District Board of Trustees. Mr. McMullin, who served on his first school board in 1953, was recognized by the state of Texas last year for being the longest current member of any School Board in the state. Incumbents Mike Hubley and Mark Givens, as of Friday, have not filed to run again. However, Dale Jackson has filed to run for a seat.
According to State Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander, The City of Liberty has received 9.35% more in tax dollars in February 2001 then in the same month a year ago. The City of Dayton received 20.71% more during February 2001 then February of last year. All of the Cities in Liberty County received 16.03% more in tax dollars in February 2001 then they did in February 2000.
3/7 FUNERAL: George Earl Benbow, 70 of Anahuac. Memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 PM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Anahuac.
**LAKE RELEASE: 64,900 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 28.08 ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 45, TUESDAY, MAR. 06, 2001According to Assistant County Attorney Michael Pichinson, Brian and Edith Beebee, of Cleveland, had their parental rights to their 5 adopted children terminated Friday in Judge Chap Cain’s 253rd District Court. On March 17th of last year another adopted child of the Beebee’s, Joseph Beebee, age 8, died at the Cleveland Regional Medical Center of what an autopsy showed to be serious abuse. The loss of parental rights means that the serious abuse occurred while under the care of the Beebee’s not that they caused the abuse. Both Brian and Edith Beebee are currently awaiting a trial for 4 counts of injury to a child that are pending for each parent.
According to City of Liberty Police Officer Hugo Flores, Robert Hoffman, 54 of Dayton was traveling West on Highway 90 and apparently did not see a vehicle driven by William Whidbee, 51 of Wallisville that was traveling East and Attempting to turn North onto the 146 bypass in Liberty. Robert Hoffman was taken by Life Flight Air Ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston with what was described as serious injuries.
Registration has begun for the 6th annual free prostate clinic at Liberty Dayton Hospital, to be held on April 7th from 8 AM until noon. According to Hospital Administrator Sean Stricker, the tests will only take a few minutes and men over the age of 50 should receive a prostate exam every year. African American males or those with a history of prostate cancer in their family should have the test done annually beginning at the age of 40. Those wishing to be tested should call the hospital outpatient clinic at 336-3073 to sign up in advance.
According to City of Liberty Police Officer Gary Martin, 50 year old John Jones of Liberty had apparently blacked out while driving South on Main Street in Liberty yesterday afternoon. Jones’ vehicle came to a stop after hitting a sign in front of Liberty Paging and Cellular. City of Liberty EMS transported Jones to Liberty Dayton Hospital with unknown injuries.
3/6 FUNERAL: Ruby J. Oates, 86 of Dayton. Services will be tomorrow at 2 PM at the Sterling Funeral Home Chapel in Dayton.
**LAKE RELEASE: 64,900 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 27. ASL**
VOLUME 17 NO. 44, MONDAY, MAR. 05, 2001According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Ken DeFoor, the Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Public Safety will station officers at the entrances of both the Mason Lake and the Dayton Lake Estates subdivisions. Although the water from the Trinity River continues to rise, Chief DeFoor said with the help of the Liberty County Composite of the Civil Air Patrol, those are the areas with the most potential of danger. At the time of this report, the Lake Livingston Dam is releasing 64,900 CFS and the Trinity River at the highway 90 bridge is at 27.44 feet above sea level.
According to Assistant District Attorney Michael Mark, Michael David Weims, 22 of Liberty, plead guilty Friday to the charge of unlawful restraint. Weims, who was already on probation for a 1996 kidnapping charge, according to Assistant District attorney Mark, was sentenced to 4 years in jail for both the unlawful restraint charge and the violation of probation. Weims was arrested in Liberty on February 19th after holding his wife, Rhonda LeCapp of Liberty against her will by knifepoint.
With 2 weeks down in the filing for local city and school board elections, mostly only incumbents have filed to this point. In the Liberty City Council race only incumbents J.C. Burnham, Bruce Wright and Dennis Beasley have filed for the May election. In the Dayton City Council race Haywood "Frosty" Pruitt and Herb Brown have both filed to run again for their seats and in the race for the mayor of Dayton, no one has filed. The last day to file for the city and school board races is Wednesday March 21st.
All Nine News received word last week that Liberty County veteran Justice of the Peace Precinct #2 Ronnie Davis is said to be making excellent progress in his recovery from triple bypass surgery. Judge Davis is up and walking and has been allowed to move to his own private room. A stress test on Friday February 23rd prompted Doctors to do more tests, which led to the triple bypass surgery on Monday February 26th.
3/5 FUNERAL: Linda Faye Terrell, 51 of Liberty. Services will be held tomorrow at 11 AM at the Mt. Rose Baptist Church in Liberty.
VOLUME 17 NO. 43, FRIDAY, MAR. 02, 2001With the Trinity River continuing to rise, Liberty County officials issued a recommendation that residents of low-lying subdivisions near the river voluntarily evacuate before flooding waters cut off access roads to those communities. At the time of this report, Spencer Carr of the Trinity River Authority said no more significant increases in the Lake Livingston Discharge Rate are planned, however enough heavy rainfall over the next two days could change that plan. With the current rate at 45,100 CFS, the estimated crest for the Trinity River in Liberty at this time is 27.60 feet above sea level either today or tomorrow.
The arrest of a man suspected of being a convicted sex offender at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Dayton ISD Police Officer Robert Croft said Cameron Rae Macon, 38, of Alaska was found sleeping in a recycling bin behind the school Wednesday and a check of his identity turned up the alias "Scott Cameron Meechum" a convicted sex offender being sought for parole violation. A fingerprint check later revealed that Macon is not that man, who is actually under arrest in Colorado. Cameron Macon has been charged with trespassing.
A memorial fund has been established in remembrance of 6-year-old Faymaree Santos of Liberty, who died Tuesday of head injuries suffered in an accidental fall in her home. Donations are to fund a pediatric patient room in honor of the daughter of Dr. Luvisa and Romeo Santos at Liberty-Dayton Hospital and the planting of a tree in her honor at San Jacinto Elementary School where she was a student. Donations can be made at 1st Liberty National Bank and at Liberty-Dayton Hospital.
The Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Luncheon is set for Wednesday at noon at the Liberty City Hall Auditorium. The guest speaker will be nationally recognized author and lecturer Frank Jordan. Tickets are $6 each. Call the Chamber Office at 336-5736 for reservations.
3/2 FUNERAL:
Faymaree Rose Santos, age 6, of Liberty, Services at 4:30 p.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty.
Allen Wesley Evans, 69, of Mt. Belvieu, Graveside services at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Palms Memorial Park.
VOLUME 17 NO. 42, THURSDAY, MAR. 01, 2001
Of 23 applicants for the job of Purchasing Agent for the City of Liberty, City Manager Kerry Lacy said he chose Melody Fisher, who has worked the past 11 years in purchasing at Administaff in Kingwood, with prior experience at GTE and Exxon. The new position will be responsible for all city purchases and Ms. Fisher is expected to begin the job sometime later this month.Dayton ISD Superintendent Nancy Fuller is urging a calm approach to the problem of bat colonies recently discovered in the Liberty, Cleveland and Barbers Hill School Districts. While many parents are worried over diseases possibly carried by the animals, Mrs. Fuller said students should be taught about the dangers of physically handling bats that are found in daylight since the animals are only out at that time if they are old or sick.
Liberty County Commissioners Tuesday approved a budget amendment of just over $2,400 for the Precinct #2 Constable’s Office new Weight and License Division. The funds were allocated for enforcing a county ordinance passed earlier this year limiting the weight and use of commercial vehicles. All vehicles over 58,420 lbs. must now register prior to operating on county roads. For more information, call 936-536-1115.
The Liberty Panthers Baseball Team downed the East Chambers Buccaneers 4 –1 Tuesday night, led by a superb pitching performance by Evan Hill, who went 7 innings, striking out 10, allowing only 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 earned run. Head Coach Rob Kirkland said the Panthers are now 2 and 2 on the season with play scheduled to begin this afternoon in the Cleveland Tournament against the Tarkington Longhorns.
Organizers of this year’s Liberty Jubilee "Brisket, Ribs and Gumbo Cook-Off" say anyone wishing to enter should get their applications in quickly as spacing are filling quickly. Prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Best of Show entries and entry fees are $25 per category or $60 to enter all three categories. For more information call the Liberty City Hall at 336-3684.
3/1 FUNERAL: Walter Jones, 71, of Liberty, Services at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wells Mortuary in Liberty.