-VOLUME 17 NO.237, FRIDAY, NOV. 30, 2001-

A jury in a U.S. District Courtroom in Beaumont deliberated for less than an hour before finding Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner Toby Wilburn not guilty on both charges of illegal wiretapping yesterday afternoon. Wilburn testified Wednesday that he was an unknowing participant in the plan to place listening devices in some offices of the Liberty County Courthouse in May, claiming it was former constable Craig Houghton and former courthouse maintenance supervisor Neal Williford who were responsible. Throughout the four-day trial, defense attorney "Lum" Hawthorne contended there was no "criminal intent" on his client’s part. After his acquittal, Commissioner Wilburn said he was anxious to get back to work.

A three-judge panel in Austin has ruled on state senate and house re-districting and, with few exceptions, both maps are identical with those approved by the Legislative Redistricting Board in July. Liberty and Chambers Counties remain in Senate District #4, to be joined by Orange County and portions of Jefferson, Harris and Montgomery Counties. Liberty County would be placed in Representative District #18, while Chambers County moves to District #23, with most of Galveston County.

Over 300 educators, superintendents and state officials were at Dayton High School yesterday for the presentation of a $2.2 million grant to the Brazos-Sabine Consortium by the Technological Infrastructure Fund Board. The Dayton and Hull-Daisetta ISDs are a part of the 15-school district consortium that offers expanded computer training to district teachers.

The 2001 Youth Waterfowl Expo is tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the East Unit of the Anahauc National Wildlife Refuge. Children ages 9 to 17 are invited to the free event that will feature a series of demonstrations on such topics as hunting safety, dog training, duck calling, waterfowl identification, clay shooting and wetland conservation. For more information call the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge at 409-267-3337.

11/30 FUNERALS:

Terrence Peter Trahan, 79, of Ames, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Ames.

Mildred L. Smith, 76, of Liberty, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.

**LAKE RELEASE: 5,420 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 11.66 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO.236, THURSDAY, NOV. 29, 2001-

Taking the stand in his own defense yesterday, Precinct #4 Commissioner Toby Wilburn held fast to the defense presented by his attorney, claiming that he purchased equipment used to wiretap offices of the Liberty County Courthouse last May without knowing he was participating in an illegal conspiracy. Commissioner Wilburn testified that the entire scheme was planned and executed by former constable Craig Houghton. Both the defense and prosecution in Wilburn’s trail on federal wiretap charges rested their cases yesterday, with either closing statements or the calling of rebuttal witnesses set for today.

County Auditor Harold Seay presented Liberty County Commissioners with the final budgets for Fiscal Year 2001 at their meeting Tuesday. Final totals showed Precinct #1 at 95.3% of the allotted budget, not counting $25,000 from FEMA for damages from Tropical Storm Allison. Precinct #2 spent 102.7% of allotted funds, but that figure also does not reflect $104,000 from FEMA. Precincts #3 and #4 finished the fiscal year at 90.4% and 99.9% of their respective annual budgets.

Paul Kelley, 38, of W. Woodland Hills is now the second Republican candidate to announce he will run for Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner. So far, Kelley’s only opposition in the Republican Primary is Wayne Potts, but with four democrats also in the running, the total number of candidates hoping to replace incumbent Toby Wilburn now stands at six.

Reggie White, the all-time leading rusher from the Liberty Panthers has signed a roster contract to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 22-year-old son of Mayor John and Sarah White of Ames is expected to play on the Jags special teams Monday Night in the nationally televised game against Green Bay.

11/29 FUNERALS: Fred D. Romine, 79, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

Anita Burrell, 70, of Devers, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Pamela Kay Dugat, 55, of Dayton, Services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Dayton.

Harold R. Menke, 83, of Dayton, Services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

**LAKE RELEASE: 5,420 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 6.44 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO.235, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28, 2001-

Testimony continued yesterday in the federal wiretap trial of Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner Toby Wilburn. The jury heard from prosecution witnesses Craig Houghton and T. Neal Williford, both of whom testified that it was Commissioner Wilburn who involved them in the plan to hide listening devices in some Liberty County Courthouse offices. Williford, the former courthouse maintenance supervisor testified that it was Toby Wilburn, not Craig Houghton as the defense claims, who instigated the conspiracy, claiming to have some type of "official authorization" for the act. Both men were cross-examined by Defense Attorney "Lum" Hawthorne about the guilty pleas entered to lesser charges in the case. Houghton and Williford will not be sentenced on those charges until after testifying against Wilburn. The trial continues today.

Wayne Potts of Dayton is now the fifth candidate to announce his intentions to seek the office of Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner and, so far, the first Republican to formally announce his candidacy. All Nine News has learned that Paul Kelly of Kenefick has also filed the necessary paperwork to run for the Precinct #4 Commissioner’s seat as a Republican in March, but so far has not made any formal announcement.

Liberty Panthers receiving 22-3A 1^st Team All-District honors this year are Offensive Linemen Tyler Keslar and Lance Mayo, Tight End Kevin Taylor, Running Back Stanley Bellard and Center John Arnold. Selected for the All-District Defense 1^st Team are Linebacker R. J. Joiner, Defensive Back Marcus Hubert, Defensive Lineman Trey Hamm and Punter Karim Cruz.

Due to bad weather, all of last night’s scheduled Liberty Country Christmas activities will be moved to Dayton for Country Christmas tomorrow. The celebration gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with the lighted parade, followed by the lighting of the Christmas Tree, refreshments, mule-drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa and plenty of live entertainment. The latest weather forecast calls for an end to the rainfall tomorrow afternoon.

11/28 FUNERAL: Martha F. Rusher Hernandez, 57, of Houston, Graveside services at 2 p.m. Saturday at Linney Cemetery in Dayton

**LAKE RELEASE: 3,420 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 6.44 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO.234, TUESDAY, NOV. 27, 2001-

Testimony began yesterday in a federal courtroom in Beaumont in the trial of Precinct #4 Commissioner Toby Wilburn on charges of illegally wiretapping offices in the Liberty County Courthouse. In his opening statements to the jury, Wilburn’s attorney "Lum" Hawthorne said the defense admitted that Commissioner Wilburn had planned and paid for listening devices to be hidden in courthouse offices, but that Wilburn did so believing it was legal. Hawthorne told jurors the defense intended to prove it was former constable Craig Houghton who involved Wilburn in the wiretapping scheme by convincing him that Houghton’s position as a law-enforcement officer gave him wire-tapping powers. Testimony is expected to continue today.

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office reports it was around 12:30 p.m. yesterday when a small tornado touched down in the area of FM 1960 and Sawmill Road in Dayton causing minor damage to the Precinct #4 Liberty County Barn. Road and Bridge Supervisor Lester Ray Wisegerber said the tornado peeled back some of the roof of the county truck barn, slightly damaged a nearby greenhouse and knocked down some power lines on FM 1960 and Hwy 321 before heading skyward once again.

Liberty Police Officer Matt Custer said a vehicle operated by 41-year-old Donald Wallen of Liberty was stopped at the traffic light on North Main at the Hwy 146 Bypass around 12:05 p.m. yesterday. Mr. Wallen’s vehicle was hit from behind by a second vehicle. The driver, Ronald England, 65 and Dorothy England, 60, both of Hull were transported to Liberty-Dayton Hospital for what were described as precautionary reasons.

The latest candidate to announce for the Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner’s Office has held the job before. 55-year-old Bobby Payne served as Commissioner from 1991 to 1998, when he lost a Democratic Primary Run-Off Election to current Commissioner Toby Wilburn. Payne will have at least three opponents for the democratic nomination for Precinct #4 Commissioner in the March Primary. They are Norman Brown, O.J. Stewart and George Tyson.

11/27 FUNERAL: Leslie V. Smith, 68, of Liberty, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

**LAKE RELEASE: 1,420 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 6.12 ASL**

VOLUME 17 NO. 233, MONDAY, NOV. 26, 2001

According to Dayton Police Dept Sergeant John Coleman, 44 year old Kevin Lynnwood Lord of Baytown was found dead in his truck Saturday night in the West Woodlands Hills Subdivision. J.P. for Precinct 4 Glenn Pruitt ruled the death an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and ordered an autopsy through the Jefferson County Medical Examiners Office.

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge will hold their annual Youth Waterfowl Expo Saturday from 9am until 3 pm. There will be over 30 different displays to help to teach children about waterfowl conservation. The event is free and for more information call the Refuge at 409-267-3337.

The Annual Country Christmas Celebration gets underway tomorrow night at 5:30 pm in Liberty. Following the lighted parade free refreshments and activities will be at the Humphrey's Cultural Center. The Country Christmas Parade and Activities will be in Dayton Thursday night. For more information on either night call 336-5736.

Both The Dayton Broncos and the Barbers Hill Eagles were eliminated from the State Football Playoffs last Friday night. The Dayton Broncos lost to the defending Class 4A state champions, the Bay City Blackcats by a score of 41 to 13. The Barbers Hill Eagles suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Rice Consolidated Raiders. The final score was Rice Consolidated 29 Barbers Hill 7.

11/26 Funerals:

Larry Cecil Commander, Sr. 58 of Dayton. Funeral Services will be tomorrow at 10am at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton

Nelson B. Fancher, 80, of Anahuac. Funeral Services will be today at 10am at the First Baptist Church in Anahuac. 

Bessie Mary Hendricks, 94 of Sam Rayburn. Funeral Services will be today at 1:30pm at the First Baptist Church in Hull.

Kristi Diann Tugman, 41 of Dayton. Funeral Services will be today at 2 pm at the Magnolia Park Cemetery in Dayton.

Lawrence Allen Hall, 47 of Dayton Lakes. Funeral Services were held Saturday

Dick T. Johnson, Sr. 62 of Daisetta. Funeral Services were held Sunday. 

Hazel Olive Moss, 95 of Baytown. Funeral Services were held Friday.

U.S. Congressman Jim Turner spoke at yesterday’s Liberty Rotary Club Luncheon, in his first trip to Liberty since the September 11^th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington D.C. Turner, the ranking Democratic member of the House panel on terrorism, said the surge of reawakening patriotism he has seen was what the country needed to see it through what could be a long, difficult campaign. Congressman Turner said all Americans should be prepared for other terrorist strikes that could come at any time and in any form.

The Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Country Christmas Celebrations are this coming week on Tuesday Nov. 27^th in Liberty and on Thursday Nov. 29^th in Dayton. The event begins each night with the lighted Country Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. and continues throughout the evening with holiday refreshments, live entertainment, mule-drawn wagon-rides, pictures with Santa, and more. It’s all free-of- charge. For more information, call 336-5736.

The Dayton City Council met Monday night and approved a letter of agreement with Dunham Engineering for the upcoming project to rehabilitate and repaint the city’s one million-gallon water storage tank, located at the old City Park on Winfree Street. City Manager Robert Ewart said roughly $6,500 will go toward the project design and another $3,250 for inspection of the project during the actual work stage.

The Dallas Cowboys face the Denver Broncos on Thanksgiving Day with a 3 p.m. kick off. All Nine Sports live broadcast begins at 2:30 tomorrow. Friday morning it’s the UT Longhorns vs. the Texas A&M Aggies. Kick off is at 11 a.m., with the pre-game beginning at 10 a.m. Friday night, the Dayton Broncos move in to the area round of the high school football playoffs against the Bay City Blackcats at Thorne Stadium in Aldine. Meanwhile, the Barbers Hill Eagles face the Raiders of Rice Consolidated at Robertson Stadium on the U. of H. campus. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and can hear both games live on Split Channel Sports starting at 7:20 or on the Internet at kshnfm.com.

11/21 FUNERALS: Mary Helen Gilliland, 79, of Liberty, Services at 4 p.m. today at 1^st Baptist Church in Liberty.

According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Beaumont, the trial of Precinct #4 Liberty County Commissioner Toby Wilburn on wiretapping charges is set to begin on Monday November 26^th in federal court. Commissioner Wilburn is charged with one count of illegally wiretapping offices of the Liberty County Courthouse and one count of conspiracy to do so. If convicted on both counts, Commissioner Wilburn could face up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

After months of contract talks, the acceptance of bids from other companies and an unannounced closed-door session to discuss the issue, Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday and agreed to keep Corrections Corporation of America running the Liberty County Jail. According to Sheriff Greg Arthur, there are matters still under discussion but the county and CCA have agreed to work under the current contract until a new one can be signed. It is expected a new contract with CCA for continued jail management will be signed within the next few weeks. The dollar amount of that new contract was not provided.

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce will sponsor their 1^st Annual Hometown Holiday Celebration on Thursday December 6^th at the Dayton Shopping Center on Bryan Street. Activities are set to get under way at 5:30 p.m. with singing, fireworks, refreshments, the lighting of the big 24-foot Christmas Tree and much more. The public is invited to come and enjoy. For more information, call the Dayton Chamber at 257-2393.

The Liberty County Courthouse will close at noon tomorrow in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday and remain closed until Monday Nov. 26^th. All city offices in Liberty and Dayton will be closed Thursday and Friday, as will both the Liberty Municipal Library and the Jones Public Library. Garbage service in both Liberty and Dayton will not run Thursday. Post offices and banks will closed for the holiday only on Thursday.

11/20 FUNERALS:

Jerry Mack Meadows, 61, of Cleveland, Services held yesterday.

Imogene Mooney, 74, of Ace, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Pace-Stancil Fuenral Home in Dayton.

Effie Taylor, 93, of Hull, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. **

Lester Ray Wisegerber, of Dayton, announced Friday he will be seeking the Republican nomination to the office of Liberty County Judge. He has been working as the Precinct #4 Road and Bridge Maintenance Supervisor since June and said he would like to see Commissioners Court be more responsive and open to the People. 2-term incumbent County Judge Lloyd Kirkham announced a few weeks ago he will be seeking the Democratic nomination in the March Primaries.

With big wins last Friday Night, the Dayton Broncos, and Barbers Hill Eagles advance in the state playoffs. The Broncos beat the Houston-Wheatley Wildcats 46 to 14 Friday night at Bronco Stadium. Dayton next plays this Friday against state powerhouse Bay City. The game will be at 7:30 PM at Thorne stadium in Aldine. The Barbers Hill Eagles beat Woodville Friday Night 53 to 14. Barbers Hill next goes to take on The Rice Consolidated Raiders at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston Campus. That game will also be Friday at 7:30. Both games can be heard live on All Nine Radio’s Split Channel Sports this Friday Night.

The Office of District Clerk Melody Gilmore will be in their new building beginning today. The Office will be located at 1811 Trinity Street in Liberty, next door to the Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Gilmore said the new office will be without telephones for the first week so if you need to contact someone, you will have to come to the office. She said child support payments will be processed and mailed everyday.

11/19 FUNERAL:

Jeanette Sewell Garrett, 72 of Dayton. Funeral services will be today at 10 AM at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. Lenora Belle Hays, 85 of Liberty. Funeral Services will be tomorrow at 2 PM at the Heights Baptist Church in Liberty.

Joy Lee Coulter McCartney, 45 of Kenefick. Funeral Services will be tomorrow at 2 PM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

Carlton A. "Carl" Porter, 55 of Hardin. Funeral Services will be tomorrow at 10 AM at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Leonise Smith Revia, 50 of Anahuac. Funeral Services will be today at 10 am at the Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Anahuac.

James A. "Willie" Williams, 80 of Mt. Belvieu. Funeral Services will be today at 2:30 PM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

An investigation has begun into the cause of a suspicious fire that destroyed a house on CR#2006 in Hardin yesterday. Hardin Volunteer Fire Chief Sean Webb said his department arrived to find the roof of the home of Debbie Williamson caved-in and engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Hardin, as well the Hull-Daisetta, Liberty and Ames Fire Departments fought to extinguish the blaze for nearly two hours. No one was injured in the fire, but the home was completely destroyed.

Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday but took no action on hiring a private firm to run the county jail, scheduling another meeting for Monday at 10:15 a.m. to discuss the issue further. Meanwhile, Sheriff Greg Arthur said he is making preparations to take over the jail, since the county’s contract with Corrections Corporation of America expires at midnight November 25^th. CCA is one of three companies being considered and should commissioners award the contract to either of the two other firms who have bid for it, the Sheriff’s Department will be operating the jail during the 60 to 90 day period of transition.

The Annual Country Christmas celebrations, sponsored by the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce are set for Tuesday November 27th in Liberty and Thursday November 29^th in Dayton. The event begins with a lighted parade at 5:30 p.m. in each town and features refreshments, live entertainment, mule-drawn wagon rides and more, all free the public. Entries for the Country Christmas Parades are still being accepted and all entries need to be decorated with lots of lights. For information on Country Christmas, call the Chamber Office at 336-5736.

The Dayton Noon Lions Club Radio Auction is tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to noon on All Nine Radio. Club members will act as announcers and listeners are invited to do some holiday shopping by calling in to bid on a variety of merchandise donated by local stores. All proceeds will benefit the many community projects of the Dayton Noon Lions Club.

11/16 FUNERAL: Edward Lee Simon, Jr., 55, of Houston, Funeral Services tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Oak Hill Baptist Church in Houston.

After months of confusion, a three-judge federal panel in Austin has approved and released a congressional redistricting map for Southeast Texas that closely resembles the current map. The latest map keeps Liberty County in District #2 that will also contain Cherokee, Houston, Angelina, San Augustine, Sabine, Newton, Jasper, Orange, Hardin, Tyler, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Grimes Counties with portions of Montgomery and Nacogdoches Counties also included. Democrat Jim Turner would remain the incumbent. Any final appeals go to the U.S. Supreme Court which, traditionally does not hear redistricting appeals until after upcoming elections.

Assistant D.A. Michael Mark said former Dayton High School teacher James Darrell Williams pled no-contest on Nov. 7^th to a charge of Attempted Indecency with a Child. The 31-year-old Williams has been tried twice for a similar charge. The first trial early last year, ended in a hung jury while the second, in May of this year, was declared a mistrial. Williams was sentenced to 5-years probation and 300 hours of community service.

The Liberty City Council Tuesday night authorized City Attorney Bruce Mintz to continue negotiations with Qwest Communications over the matter of a fiber optic cable the company apparently laid in the city’s railroad right-of-way. Council also empowered Mintz to proceed with actual litigation against Qwest if negotiations reach a stalemate.

Both the Liberty Panthers and the Dayton Broncos open post-season play tomorrow night. Liberty’s bi-district playoff game is at Lamar University in Beaumont against Bridge City, while Dayton plays host to Houston-Wheatly in Bronco Stadium. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m. and you can hear them both live on All Nine Split Channel Sports, beginning at 7:20 tomorrow night or on the Internet by logging onto kshnfm.com. Meanwhile, the Hardin Hornets head into the playoffs for the second consecutive year tomorrow night in Lufkin against the Garrison Bulldogs. Advance tickets to all three games can be purchased at each school district’s administration offices.

10/15 FUNERAL: Jefferson Parker, 81, of Cleveland, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. **

According to DPS reports, Carlos David Rendon, 30, of Brownsville was reportedly traveling east in the westbound lane of I-10 near Winnie around 2:30 a.m. Sunday and struck a vehicle driven by Juan Ramirez, also 30, of Pasadena, head-on. Juan Ramirez and a passenger in his vehicle, Mireya Corrales, age 5, were pronounced dead at the accident scene. Another passenger in that vehicle, 31-year-old Sanjanua Ramirez died later that morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. Hospitalized in critical condition are Elosisa Ramirez, age 7 and Lorenca Ramirez, 55, both of Pasadena. Also injured were Rudolfo Ramirez, 31, and Rudolfo Ramirez Jr., 11 and the driver of the first vehicle, Carlos David Rendon.

After nearly six months in legal limbo, a Chamber County Grand Jury has indicted Vernon Coates of Anahauc, but not on the original charged filed against him. On Friday, the second grand jury to hear evidence against Coates threw out the charge of Attempted Capitol Murder of a Peace Officer and instead, indicted the Anahuac man on two counts of Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer. Vernon Coates is alleged to have tried to run down a Sheriff’s Deputy with his vehicle on March 15^th.

Precinct #1 Liberty County Commissioner Todd Fontenot said the office of District Clerk Melody Gilmore is being relocated to an office next to the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce on Trinity St after the discovery of toxic mold on the third floor of the Liberty County Courthouse. The new location is expected to be fully operational by the end of this week, while commissioners consider steps to deal with the mold problem.

The Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon is this Thursday at noon in the Liberty City Hall Auditorium, since the auditorium is not available for Wednesday this month. Guest speaker is Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Danny Diaz who will discuss hunter safety and tickets are $6 each. For reservations, call the Chamber at 336-5736.

10/13 FUNERALS:  

Lawrence E. Victorian, 20, of Raywood, Services at 11 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty.

Jerry Felix Jircik, 85, of Alvin, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. John Catholic Church in Alvin.

According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Beaumont, a federal grand jury has indicted Curtis Allen Stinnett of Jefferson County on one count of bank robbery and one count of carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Stinnett is alleged to have entered the Hull State Bank in Hull on Oct. 9^th with a shotgun demanding money. During a struggle with bank president Henry Gillfillian, the gun reportedly discharged into the roof. Stinnett has already been indicted for aggravated robbery in Liberty County for the same incident and, if convicted of both federal charges would face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

Oscoe Carter of Dayton has announced he will once again be seeking the Office of Precinct #4 Liberty County Constable, this time as a Democrat. Carter ran for the office as a Republican last year, losing to Craig Houghton, who has since resigned prior to pleading guilty to a federal wiretap charge. The special constable election next year will be for the remaining two years of Houghton’s term. Charles Martin, the county’s appointee as interim constable has also filed paperwork to run for the office.

The Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon is set for Thursday Nov. 15^th at noon in the Liberty City Hall Auditorium. Usually held on a Wednesday, this month’s luncheon is on Thursday since the Social Security Administration will be using the auditorium the day before. Guest speaker this month is Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Danny Diaz and lunch is chicken and dressing from the Liberty Bell Tearoom. For reservations, call 336-5736.

The Liberty Panthers final regular season game is against the Longhorns at Hamshire-Fannett tomorrow night, while the Dayton Broncos take on the New Caney Eagles at home in Bronco stadium. Kick off for both games is 7:30 p.m. and All Nine Sports Split Channel Broadcast of both games starts at 7:20. Log on to kshnfm.com to listen to the games on the net or turn the balance control of your stereo radio to the left for the Liberty game or to the right for the Dayton game.

10/09 FUNERAL: Domingo Alvarez Morais, 82, of Florida, Services at Purcell Funeral Home in Florida. **

Devers ISD voters went to the polls yesterday and approved a $2 million bond proposal to fund renovations and repairs to the Devers School Building and gymnasium as well as the construction of a new classroom/media center. Superintendent Bob Parker said the issue passed by a wide margin: 187 to 97.

Monday night the Dayton City Council authorized Mayor Larry Harris to sign an agreement between the city and the Dayton Masonic Lodge for purchase of the lodge building to become the new location of the Dayton City Hall, just across the street from the current one. The agreement sets a price tag of $96,000 for the building and property with the understanding the city will also bring water and sewer services to the new Masonic lodge to be built on FM 1960. City Manager Robert Ewart said the deal isn’t final until lodge members approve the terms and after that, it is expected the city can begin making renovations to the new city hall building within the next six months.

Memorial Hermann Hospital Officials report two recent accident victims from Dayton remain in critical condition there. Dayton High School Senior Cassi Carroll was critically injured in a two vehicle accident on FM 1960 last Thursday night and Kenneth Zwahr, 43, sustained critical injuries when he fell off the back of a go-cart on CR# 644 in Kenefick Sunday afternoon.

The District Champion Liberty Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams had strong showings at last weekend’s Regional Meet in Huntsville. Head Coach Tony Munson said the boys came in 8^th out of the 21 3-A teams and the girls finished 12^th overall out of 24 teams. One Liberty County runner, Kelly McKnight of Tarkington High will advance to the 3A State Meet.

The Annual Great Gobbler Giveaway on All Nine Radio begins tomorrow and listeners have chance to win one of a 100 frozen turkeys. Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton is, for the fourth straight year sponsoring the giveaway. Ten times each day for the next ten days, listeners will be invited to call in, with the correct numbered caller winning a free 10-12 pound frozen turkey from Thrif-tee Food Center in Dayton, limit one per household. Be listening tomorrow morning for Pace-Stancil Funeral Home’s Great Gobbler Giveaway on Shine All Nine.

DPS Corporal Donnie Smith said it was not long after 7 p.m. Sunday when a vehicle driven by Harold Lee Randolph, 63, of Houston accidentally left Hatcherville Rd. and slid into a shallow creek. Unhurt, Mr. Randolph discovered another vehicle upside down in the same creek. Inside that truck was the body of Bernard Heyes, 63, of Highlands and Corporal Smith said that foul play is not suspected, but an autopsy has been ordered.

Liberty County Commissioners met yesterday to officially accept bids from private corrections firms to run the Liberty County Jail after the county’s current contract with Corrections Corporation of America expires on Nov. 25^th. One of the three proposals submitted before the deadline came from CCA, the others from Utah-based MTC and Civigenics of Massachusetts. The dollar amounts of the bids were not available. Commissioners begin interviewing the companies on Friday.

Ballots have been mailed to the more-than-400 members of the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce to elect 8 members to the Chamber Board of Directors. Nominees from Liberty are: Kay Barrow, Sheriff Greg Arthur, Herschel Brannen, Brad Herrington, Richard Vinson, Josh Hall, John Wright and Jim Watson. Nominees from Dayton are: Lloyd Drain, Bill Monk, Chuck Williamson, Eliza Mae Guidry, Terri Beene, Jimmy Hardin, Greg Hayman, Dennis Shelton and Keith Wyndham. The full Chamber membership will elect four from each group, ballots need to be returned no later than December 7^th.

With voter turnout in constitutional amendment elections traditionally low, several Liberty County polling places for today’s election have been consolidated. Voters assigned to boxes 7,12,20, 23 and 27 all vote at the Cleveland Courthouse Annex. Those assigned to boxes 10,22, and 26 cast ballots at the Dayton Fire Station. Boxes 5,19,and 28 all vote at the Liberty County Courthouse and boxes 8,9,16 and 25 vote at Tarkington High School Band Hall. Voting in the Devers ISD Bond Election is at the school Special Ed. Building. Call the Liberty County Clerk’s Office at 336-4670 if you have any questions.

11/06 FUNERAL: Dexter James Tiggs, 36, of Virginia, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Wells Mortuary in Liberty. **

To date, there have been 4 anthrax-attributed deaths and 16 confirmed cases in the U.S., but none reported here in the state of Texas. In Liberty County, local haz-mat authorities have responded to several false alarms from concerned residents. City of Liberty Haz-Mat Coordinator Jamie Galloway said those who do receive mail they feel is suspicious, should not open it, but put it inside a plastic bag and notify the nearest law enforcement agency. Do not bring the material to any public place just in case it should actually contain a dangerous substance. For more information on anthrax, log on to www.fbi.gov.

Deer season in Texas opens tomorrow and according to local wildlife expert Larry Wilburn, this marks the first time in nearly 20 years when hunting statewide begins at the same time, with no zone boundaries. As reported earlier this year, the Texas Outdoor Manual, better known as the "Hunting Guide" contains some incorrect information about bag limits on page 85. The correct limit on the number deer allowed per hunter in each county, is on page 89 of the manual. You can also call the U.S. Game Wardens toll free hotline at 800-792-1112.

Connie Arnold of Liberty has been appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve on the Board of Directors of the Trinity River Authority. Mrs. Arnold replaces Maurice Locke of Liberty who has served on the board for the past 12 years. Mrs. Arnold will become of one of the TRA’s 24 board members. One each appointed from counties in the river basin, plus four from Dallas County and three from Tarrant County.

A reminder that the Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce La Bahia Market returns tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the courthouse square in Liberty. The popular event will continue weekly each Saturday until Christmas with a wide variety of homemade and homegrown items from local vendors. For more information about La Bahia, or to be come a vendor for a fee of just $5, call the Chamber Office at 336-5736.

11/02 FUNERALS: Sherry Lee Tanton, 43, of Houston, Services at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty. ** Vida Esta Light, 91, of Liberty, Graveside services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Liberty Catholic Cemetery.

Liberty School Trustees have tentatively settled on the construction of a new middle school and then a replacement building for San Jacinto Elementary. Superintendent Dr. Douglas Moore said the proposed site for the new middle school is on land west of LHS on Jefferson Dr, while the new elementary school will be where Liberty Middle School is currently located. Dr. Moore said he would like to see trustees finalize plans by the end of this month so the issue could be put before district patrons in an election by February.

Liberty High School’s all-time leading rusher, Reggie White, was signed Tuesday night for the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers. White, who left Oklahoma State University to enter the NFL draft, signed in March as a free agent for the New York Jets. Waived by the Jets, Reggie then signed with the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans, but left a week ago.

The 1^st Baptist Church in Liberty will have a community-wide celebration in honor of Brother Jerry Johnson’s 20^th Anniversary as church pastor. The reception is this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the Activities Building of the church, located on the corner of Main and Cos in Liberty. The reception is to be held in lieu of the evening service and the entire community is invited.

The Liberty Panthers are back at home tomorrow to host the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks, while the Dayton Broncos make a return trip to Cowart Stadium in Houston to face the Forest Brook Jaguars. Kick off for both games is 7:30 p.m. and All Nine Sports Split Channel Broadcast of the games starts at 7:20.

Early and general voting in the Nov. 6^th Devers ISD bond election is at the school’s Special Ed. Building, not the county courthouse. We regret the error on yesterday’s radiogram.

Milton Kay, 90, formerly of Liberty, Services held last Sunday.

Sabra Jo Yust, 37, of Batson, Services at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Batson Prairie Baptist Church.

Theda Lora Allen, 84, of Cleveland, Services at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Lighthouse Church in Moss Hill.

Betty Lou Thomas, 67, of Daisetta, Services at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Community Chapel Church in Hull.