VOLUME 17 NO. 41, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28, 2001

According to Father Frank Padduch of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty, the tragic death of a Liberty child was due to head injuries suffered in a fall at her home Sunday. 6-year-old Faye Marie Santos, the daughter of Liberty physician Dr. Luviza Santos was pronounced dead at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston yesterday. Funeral arrangements for the little girl are pending at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.

About a dozen protesters bearing signs that read "Fix our roads or lose our votes!" picketed outside the Liberty County Courthouse during yesterday’s Liberty County Commissioners Court meeting. Made of up Precinct #4 residents protesting road conditions in that portion of the county, the demonstrators were led by Wayne Potts and Minnie Deleon, two residents of the area who have announced their intention to file suit against the county for road improvement funding. Precinct #1 Commissioner Todd Fontenot said crews sent by he and the other two commissioners to assist in those road repairs, worked a total of 5 days, were dismissed by Precinct #4 Commissioner Toby Wilburn and have not been asked back.

DPS Trooper Steven Hebert said 16-year-old Charles Whitehead of Dayton was southbound on FM 1409 north of Dayton just after 5 p.m. yesterday when a second vehicle rear-ended his as he attempted a left-turn onto CR# 470. Whitehead was not injured, but the other driver, Clinney Reeves of Liberty, also 16 was taken to Liberty-Dayton Hospital with minor injuries.

Liberty County Judge Lloyd Kirkham said only a few hotel rooms remain available for Liberty County Day in Austin on April 9^th. Those wishing to stay overnight on April 8^th for the event the following day can reserve a room for $70 by calling 336-4665. Bus trip spaces to the event are still available for $25 each by calling the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce at 336-5736 or the Greater Cleveland Chamber at 281-592-8786.

2/28 FUNERALS: Dorothy Etta Rumsey, 76, of Liberty, Services tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

Lloyd W. Walker, 78, of Liberty, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.

VOLUME 17 NO. 40, TUESDAY, FEB. 27, 2001

Lee Murphy, Vice-President of Beaumont-based A & B Builders Limited, said his company is now accepting employment applications for approximately 175 full-time job openings at their new Liberty facility located in the old National Pipe and Tube Building. Applications for both skilled and unskilled positions are available only at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce at 1801 Trinity Street in Liberty. Murphy said those applications should be completed and mailed to the address on the form. Applicants will be contacted within 30 days to set up an interview. Lee Murphy said A&B offers competitive wages and a benefits package to employees.

Last Thursday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 31, co-authored by Senator David Bernsen and Laredo area Senator Judith Zaffrini, that will amend the Texas Education Code to require public schools and colleges to provide students with information about bacterial meningitis. In the case of public schools, information would also be provided to parents about preventative measures and early detection. Senator Bernsen said 5 of the 7 counties in his district, that includes Liberty County, have been affected by the disease in the past several months.

The Liberty Panthers Baseball Team finished their first three games of the season with a 1-2 record at the Splendora Tournament this past weekend. Head Coach Rob Kirkland said the Panthers defeated Trinity 11 to 0, but suffered losses to Tarkington and Houston Christian. The Panthers head into more tournament play this weekend in Cleveland with Liberty’s first home game set for March 17^th against Splendora.

The Liberty County Historical Commission’s 2^nd Annual County Wide Black History Celebration was last Sunday at the Liberty Middle School Auditorium. Recipient of the Special Black Heritage Award was James L. Davis, whose law enforcement career spans more than 40 years, from the Houston Police Department to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Davis is currently bailiff of the 75^th District Court.

2/27 FUNERAL: Floyd Sanders, 52, of Moss Hill, Private cremation services at a later date

VOLUME 17 NO. 39, MONDAY, FEB. 26, 2001

The Liberty High School Boys and Girls Track and Field Teams both had impressive showings at the 50^th annual Trinity Valley Relay, held this weekend. The boys finished 1^st with a total of 131 points. They were led by impressive wins in the 4x1600, 4x400, 4x200 and 4x100 meter relays. The Liberty Girls came in 2^nd, trailing only the Anahuac Panthers. Stephanie Hebert, Brittany Redmond and Leslie Caballero finished 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the shot put for Liberty. Liberty Girls Coach Arleen Stroud said 2^nd place is the best that the Liberty Panthers Track and Field Girls Team has ever done at the Trinity Valley Relay.

According to City of Liberty Police Officer Gary Martin, Keith Farr, 48 of Liberty, was attempting to turn across Highway 90 on to Tennessee street Saturday night at around 5 PM, when his vehicle was struck by west bound Rhonda Jones, 25 of Dayton. Jones and two of her children, Torrie and Cameron were transported by City of Liberty EMS to Liberty-Dayton Hospital with minor injuries. Lifeflight Air Ambulance flew another of Jones’ daughters, Macie to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she was later treated and released. Officer Martin said Farr was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Leon Wilson, both Carl Primrose, 24 of Moss Hill and Fred Wallace Sims, 42 also of Moss Hill, were arrested after apparently fleeing from an accident scene on FM 160 and County Road 2830 Friday Night. Trooper Wilson said Donna Brown and her 13-year-old son Eric of Daisetta were transported by Liberty County EMS to Liberty-Dayton Hospital with minor injuries following the accident. Trooper Wilson, The Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, the Hull Daisetta Volunteer Fire Department and Constable Jimmy Belt aided in the search for the 2 men. Sims, the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident has been charged with failure to stop and render aid.

2/26 FUNERALS:

James H. "Ninnie" Holder, 53 of Daisetta. Services will be this morning at 10 AM at the Sterling Funeral Home Chapel in Dayton.

Caleb Jack Stanphill, 21 of Splendora. Services will be Wednesday at 11 AM at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Damon Lynn Tilton, 20 of Anahuac. Services will be tomorrow at 10 AM at the Sterling funeral home in Anahuac.

VOLUME 17 NO. 38, FRIDAY, FEB. 23, 2001

Liberty police said it is not known exactly why a Liberty man attempted to run from officers yesterday afternoon, but 46-year-old Mark Barton was arrested and charged with evading arrest. According to Officer Cedric McDuffie, police answered a report of a suspicious person in a vacant building on Sam Houston St. in Liberty around 4:30 p.m. and found Barton standing near the building. Seeing the officers driving up, Barton reportedly turned and ran south towards Commerce St. with police giving chase. The man was apprehended about 100 yards later.

Chambers County health officials met Wednesday to attempt to map out the best way to spend funds from the half-cent sales tax increase passed by county voters in November. County Judge Jimmy Sylvia said some disagreement has arisen between members of the county’s Guiding Group of Emergency Personnel over whether the money should go toward purchase of more medically equipped emergency vehicles or additional paramedical personnel. Judge Sylvia said Chambers County’s first check from the tax increase should by available in July.

Dayton School Trustees met Tuesday night and officially ordered the May 5^th school board election. Position #1 currently held by Dale Brown and Position #2 held by Arthur Holt Jr. are on the ballot and, so far, only Mr. Holt has filed to run again. Candidates for the Dayton School Board may file at the school business office now through March 21^st. In other action, trustees approved a bid of just under $49,000 from Arnold Builders to construct a concrete parking lot north of the Stephen F. Austin Elementary campus with work expected to begin this summer.

The 2^nd Annual Liberty Jubilee Golf Tournament will be on Saturday March 17^th at the Magnolia Ridge Country Club. Cost to enter is $300 per four- man team with the field limited to 25 teams. Prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place teams and the deadline to enter is March 13^th. For more information on the Jubilee Golf Tournament, call David Allison at 936-334-7310.

2/23 FUNERALS: Carey Davis Driskell, 29, of Orange, Services at 2 p.m. today at the Jubilee Covenant Fellowship Church in Kenefick

VOLUME 17 NO. 37, THURSDAY, FEB. 22, 2001

Candidate filing for the May 5^th city council and school board elections began this week and continues through March 21^st. At close of business yesterday only incumbents Dennis Beasley and Bruce Wright have filed for three at-large positions on the Liberty City Council and the third incumbent J.C. Burnhan has said he intends to file for another term. With two at large council positions and the office of mayor up for election in Dayton only incumbent councilman Heywood "Frosty" Pruitt has filed for re-election. Dayton Mayor Larry Harris and incumbent councilman Herb Brown have not yet filed to run again.

Longtime Dayton State Bank President Jim Woodall has resigned his current position with Paradigm Bank Texas to accept a job as President and CEO of 1^st National Bank of Bowie, Texas, a banking facility more than twice as large as the Dayton bank. Woodall has served a total of nine and a half years in Dayton, much of that time as president of the Dayton State Bank, until its purchase last year by Paradigm Bank Corp. Woodall was only recently promoted to President of Paradigm’s Gulf Coast Division. Woodall’s last day in Dayton will be March 14^th, his first day in Bowie will be March 15^th.

The Liberty ISD Board of Trustees met Tuesday night and approved changing the grading scale at Liberty High School to a level 5 system, allowing students in advanced placement or AP classes to earn more grade points for the same grade given under the previous system. Under the new system, all classes will fall into one of five categories: AP, duel credit, honors, regular or basic with grade points awarded on an ascending scale beginning at 4 for a basic class up to 8 for an AP class.

The District 24-AA Champion Hardin Hornets Boys Basketball Team moves into post season play tomorrow night. Head Coach Dwayne Joubert’s 21-7 Hornets will be in the area round of the playoffs against the Rosebudd-Lott Cougars at Huntsville High School at 8 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for students and can be purchased at the gate tomorrow night.

2/22 FUNERAL: Mary West, 57, of Hardin, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Allison Funeral Service in Liberty.

VOLUME 17 NO. 36, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 2001

Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for robbing the Hull State Bank in Hull February 12th. Police said the lone gunman, possibly with an accomplice outside the bank, is described as white, 5’11" to 6’, approx. 180 lbs. Information from the Beaumont Office of the FBI indicates a mask and gloves possibly worn in the heist were found on Fontenot Loop off FM 770, near Daisetta. One car likely used in the crime was found a short distance away, but investigators continue to search for a second getaway car: a small to mid-sized maroon/burgundy car. Anyone with information can call Liberty County Crime Stoppers at 800-924-7199.

The Dayton City Council Monday night approved a request by City Manager Robert Ewart to replace the office of the Internal Auditor by creating a new position called Finance and Administrative Services Director. The action comes on the heels of the resignation of Internal Auditor Cindy Barham, who held that office for the past two years. The new position will be directly supervised by the city manager and council authorized Ewart to begin seeking someone for the job.

Cleveland ISD Superintendent Terry Myers said Cleveland Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Edward Arledege has resigned after three years to take a position at Nimitz High School in the Aldine ISD. Myers said no replacement has been found, but he hopes to have one in place by April 1st.

The Liberty County Historical Commission’s 2^nd Annual Black History Program is this Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. at the Liberty Middle School Auditorium. City councilman Michael Mark, who chairs the Black History Committee, said the event is going to include music, awards and several special presentations. Guest speakers include Prof. John Britt from Lee College and Paul Matthews from the Buffalo Soldier Museum in Houston.

2/21 FUNERAL:

Dale Trousdale, 51, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at 1^st Baptist Church in Dayton.

Bonnie Dee Singleton Hopson, 89, of Liberty, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Daisetta United Pentecostal Church.

VOLUME 17 NO. 35, TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 2001

Police are searching for the man who is reported to have forcibly abducted a 4^th grade female student from the Liberty Elementary School campus yesterday morning. The suspect, who was not known to the child, reportedly forced her into his vehicle and left the school grounds. LISD Superintendent Dr. Douglas Moore said the man released the little girl a short time later on Commerce St. The child appeared unharmed and Dr. Moore said extra security precautions are now being taken at both Liberty elementary campuses. The man is described as white, around 6 feet tall, weighing approx. 180 lbs. with a mustache and long blond hair worn in a ponytail, with a tattoo on his right arm. He was wearing a blue shirt, black pants, a blue cap and driving a white 2-door Geo Prism with Louisiana plates. Anyone with information is urged to call Liberty Police at 336-5666.

Liberty Police report that Rhonda LeCapp, 35, said she was held hostage at knife-point by her husband, 22-year-old Michael Weims at their home on Cornell St. for most of the weekend before managing to get out and call police. Liberty police and Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputies surrounded the residence yesterday morning and, after forcing an entry, found Weims inside the attic. He surrendered to police around 11:45 a.m.

The public is invited to the 50^th Annual Trinity Valley Relays this weekend at Liberty High School. LHS Track Coach Tony Munson said almost 20 teams from area schools will compete with girls’ events starting at noon on Friday, boys’ events starting Saturday at 9 a.m. and the finals set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

This Thursday is Liberty County Day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with music performers Lonestar. Buses will leave at 5 p.m. to take residents to and from the rodeo. Tickets are $30 each. For information, call 258-5202 or 336-6479.

2/20 FUNERALS:

John V. Gradney, 62, of Raywood, Services today at 11 a.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Ames.

Elgie W. "Red" Ewing, 82, of Hull, Services at 2 p.m. today at Batson Prairie Baptist Church.

Robert L. "Red" Randolph, 66, of Lufkin, Services tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church.

VOLUME 17 NO. 34, FRIDAY, FEB. 16, 2001

Vice President Lee Murphy said A&B Builders Limited of Beaumont has signed a one-year lease to locate a prefabricated metal rack and piping assembly facility in 120,000 sq. ft. of the old National Pipe and Tube Building in Liberty. Murphy said the lease could be extended and an announcement could come as early as next week on when the company will begin accepting applications locally for both skilled and unskilled positions at the facility. Murphy said those positions will include structural fabricators and welders, as well as electricians, insulators, painters and construction workers at competitive wages.

The Liberty County Chapter of the American Red Cross’ 3^rd Annual Sporting Clay Shoot is set for Saturday March 10^th at the shooting range of Dr. Reese Brown on Fm 834 in Hardin. Event Chairman Kelly Burmaster said last year’s event raised more than $4,600 for the local Red Cross and cost to enter the shooting event is $60 per person or $250 for a 5-person team. The public is invited to come and watch the competition and there will also be a silent auction, food and chances to win shotguns and other prizes. Event sponsorships are available beginning at $250. For more information, call 336-2887.

The Liberty Panthers Boys Basketball Team will face Hamshire-Fannett tonight to decide which team advances to post season play. Liberty Head Coach Ron Whigham said the Longhorns 53 to 51 victory over the Panthers Tuesday night left the two teams with identical 5-5 district records creating the need for a tie-breaking game for the 3^rd place playoff spot. The game will be played tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Hardin Jefferson High School.

The Liberty County Courthouse and all municipal offices in the City of Liberty will be closed Monday in observance of the President’s Day holiday. All city offices in Dayton, however, will be open for their regular hours. Area banks and post offices will also be closed, but garbage service in both Liberty and Dayton will run as scheduled on Monday. All offices closed for the holiday will be open for their regular hours on Tuesday.

1/16 FUNERAL: Ethel Mae Lewis, 73, of Anahuac, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Bright Light Baptist Church of Anahuac.

VOLUME 17 NO. 33, THURSDAY, FEB. 15, 2001

A new, if bizarre, piece of information about the robbery of the Hull State Bank in Hull around 10 a.m. Monday is now available. According to FBI agents investigating the crime, when law officers recovered the stolen gray Chevy 4-door used as a getaway vehicle in the robbery, they also recovered the owner’s four- foot python which was sleeping inside, unhurt. The snake, "Baby Girl" which the owner, Russell Rives allows free roam of the vehicle, had been inside when it was stolen from the Liberty Wal-mart parking lot on Sunday. Whether or not the person or persons involved in the bank robbery were aware of the large snake inside their getaway car, is not known.

According to Lee Murphy, Vice-President of A&B Builders of Beaumont, his company – a subsidiary of a much larger firm- has leased approximately 160,000 square feet of space in South Liberty County for a prefabricated metal rack and piping assembly plant. The plant is expected to employee about 200 workers, and while supervisory personnel will be transferred from other areas, Murphy said he expects the majority of the facility’s skilled and unskilled positions to be filled with local personal. More information is expected to be available soon.

The Liberty City Council met Tuesday night and officially ordered the May 5^th city council election. At-large positions up for election at that time are those currently held by council members Dennis Beasley, J.C. Burnham and Bruce Wright. The filing period to run for those positions begins on Feb. 20^th.

The Hardin Hornets Boys Basketball Team captured sole possession of the 24-AA District Championship Tuesday night, handing Deweyville an 88 to 51 defeat. Athletic Director Jack Parker said this is Hardin’s first district title in any sport in the past 13 years. The Hornets have a bye to the 2^nd round of the playoffs. Their first opponent will be the winner of the Rosebudd-Lott vs. Corrigan-Camden playoff game.

FUNERALS: Dale Wayne Whitsell, 33, of Dayton, Services at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. ** Mamie Rayburn, 90, of Moss Hill, Services at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

VOLUME 17 NO. 32, WEDESDAY, FEB. 14, 2001

Liberty County Commissioners met in workshop session yesterday with members of the Liberty and Ames City Councils, District 20 Representative Zeb Zbranek and, via telephone, State Senator David Bernsen to discuss dividing the Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District in two. As reported, the recent sale of water rights by the navigation district prompted Liberty County officials to explore dividing the district into separate entities, each providing sole representation for each county. Both Bernsen and Zbranek agreed a major problem in splitting the district is that all county water rights might be lost in the process and that holding on to local water rights meant working in the legislature to preserve junior water rights provisions.

Sgt. Stephen Combs of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department said two golf carts, containing golf clubs and other items with a total estimated value of $14,000 were stolen from the Magnolia Ridge Country Club’s storage bays last Thursday night or early Friday morning. The carts were stored in separate storage bays secured with combination locks and the person or persons responsible would have to break into both bays to steal the carts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriff’s Dept. at 336-4500 or Crime Stoppers at 336-2236.

According to Chambers County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dearl Hardy, sheriff’s deputies, along with officers of the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Chambers-Liberty Counties Narcotics Task Force raided an Anahuac residence on the morning of Feb. 7^th and found both a lab and materials for manufacturing meth-amphetamines. Arrested on drug possession and/or manufacturing charges is Brian Kenneth Jones, 22 and Amanda Elizabeth Lee, also 22, both of Anahuac.

The public is invited to a reception for departing Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Underwood tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chamber Office on Trinity St. in Liberty. Gary Underwood begins his new duties with AOL-Time Warner in the Golden Triangle on Monday.

FUNERAL: Floyd Wayne Scott, 73, of Smithville, Services at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Liberty.

VOLUME 17 NO. 31, TUESDAY, FEB. 13, 2001

According to Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur, it was shortly after 10 a.m. yesterday when a lone male suspect, wearing a ski mask and carrying an automatic pistol, entered the Hull State Bank in Hull. The gunman vaulted the counter, taking an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank’s loan payment dept., then fled in an early model gray Chevy 4-door. That vehicle was found abandoned a short time later in the parking lot of the Hull-Daisetta Elementary School off FM 834. Investigators have determined the vehicle was stolen from the Liberty Wal-Mart parking lot on Sunday. At this time, law enforcement officials believe a second suspect followed the gunman from the bank in a small red car, which both suspects used to make their escape from the school parking lot. Witness reports vary but investigators now describe the gunman as being a white male, between 6 ‘ and 6’2" in height, athletically built, weighing approximately 180 lbs. Anyone with information is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department at 936-336-4500.

Information from Sempra Energy indicates mixed progress in the California-based company’s plans to build an estimated $200 million electrical plant west of Dayton. While the major hurdle of receiving an air quality permit from the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission has been cleared, the proposed date to begin construction on the Cedar Bluff Power Project could be delayed due to the current high demand for gas-fired turbines. Originally scheduled to begin this spring, construction could be delayed until next year.

With the 16^th Annual Liberty Jubilee just slightly more than a month away, applications are now being accepted for Arts and Crafts Booths, Food Booths and spaces for the Antique Show and Sale. Each 10 foot by 10 foot space rents for $75 or $95 if electrical hook-up is required. As always, only handmade items can be sold in the Arts and Crafts Booths. Applications forms are available at the Liberty City Hall. For more information call 336-3684. The Liberty Jubilee is set for Friday March 23^rd and Saturday March 24^th in downtown Liberty.

FUNERAL: Tonnie Rodriguez, 55, of Dayton, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Liberty Church of Christ.

VOLUME 17 NO. 30, MONDAY, FEB. 12, 2001

According to the a press release from the Dayton Police Department, Jesse Wayne Politis, 28 and Dale Wayne Whitsell, 33, both of the Dayton Area were killed when they were run over by a train Sunday morning. The press release states that the men were apparently walking towards Dayton after their vehicle had run out of gas. The two men had allegedly fallen asleep on the railroad track and did not wake when the train approached. Union Pacific personnel reported to the Dayton Police department that the engineer noticed the men on the tracks at just after 5 AM but could not stop in time to avoid hitting the men.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Gary Wright, Levi Alexander Hendricks, 16 of Liberty, was driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed on County Road #133, about 1 and ½ miles off of FM 563 Saturday afternoon when he lost control of the vehicle. Jason Sigers, 16 of Liberty, a passenger of Hendricks vehicle was ejected from the car. Hendricks was taken to Liberty Dayton Hospital. Lifeflight Air Ambulance transported his two passengers, Jason Sigers and Michael Ray Best, 15 also of Liberty, to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Officials at the hospital said Best was treated and released and Siegers is in good condition. Hendricks was treated and released from Liberty Dayton Hospital.

At the 25^th Annual Liberty Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet last Thursday Evening Ken Speck of Peoples Building Center in Dayton was named the Dayton Citizen of the Year. Attorney C. Bruce Stratton was named the Liberty Citizen of the Year. The nights featured speaker, Former State Representative Mark Stiles, spoke about several issues important to Texans including, education and protecting your water.

FUNERAL:

Marvin "Marty" Clapp, 29 of Dayton. Services will be held today at 10 AM at the Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton.

Alice L. Livingston, 86 of San Antonio. Services will be held tomorrow at 10 AM at the Allison Funeral Home in Liberty.

Marion James Wilson, 80 of Pasadena. Services will be today at 2 PM at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Pasadena.

Jacklyn Rose Wood, 67 of Saratoga. Services will be today at 2 PM at the Batson Prairie Baptist Church in Batson.

VOLUME 17 NO. 29, FRIDAY, FEB. 09, 2001

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ken Defoor, 28-year-old Marvin Clapp of Dayton Lake Estates was talking on the telephone Wednesday night while loading a single bullet into a .22 revolver. Eyewitnesses said the gun accidentally discharged striking Mr. Clapp in the head. Liberty County EMS technicians stabilized the man, who was transported by Lifeflight air ambulance from the Kenefick Center heli-pad to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Marvin Clapp died of the gunshot wound at the Houston hospital shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday. The investigation into the shooting is continuing and Sheriff’s Dept. Detectives are now awaiting autopsy results.

We have reported the efforts by two residents of Liberty County Precinct #4 to start a class action lawsuit against Liberty County in hopes of improving road conditions in that area. One of those residents, Wayne Potts, said about 300 people had already contacted him in support of the suit. Potts said Huffman attorney Charles Portz, who has been hired to file the lawsuit hopes to obtain a judgement to secure county tax dollars into an escrow account controlled by the court to fund the road improvements.

The American Cancer Society’s 1^st Annual Liberty County "Relay for Life" is set for April 6^th and 7^th at Bronco Stadium in Dayton. Judy Glover, Liberty County American Cancer Society Volunteer said the event begins at 7 p.m. that Friday night with the Cancer Survivor lap and continues with music and activities all night long until 10 a.m. Saturday morning. For more information, call 258-5539 or 1-800-258-5657.

The UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition was held last weekend in Lumberton and several Liberty High School Band students were honored with 1^st Division Ratings, while 10 LHS band members were chosen to compete in the State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Kathryn Benbow, Jamie Broussard, Gerald Cantu, Jon Cherry, Terry Lafleur, Sean Smith, Christina Sturm, Ben Takach, Glen Zamazal and Ebone Zeno will all participate in the state competition in San Marcos on May 28^th.

FUNERAL: Chester H. Smith, 89, of Liberty, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. **

VOLUME 17 NO. 28, THURSDAY, FEB. 08, 2001

State Senator David Bernsen confirmed yesterday that a bill being drafted by Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee proposes eliminating junior water rights protections now provided to rural counties with plentiful water resources. Senator Bernsen, who holds a seat on the committee, said those protections, contained in the Texas Water Code, are vitally important to the economy of Southeast Texas and called Senator Brown’s Senate Bill 2 "misguided, dangerous and short-sighted". It is expected the bill will be introduced to the senate within the next few weeks.

The Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair Winn Skidmore has named a six-member search committee to locate three finalists for the job of Chamber President. Departing President Gary Underwood leaves February 16^th to begin his new job with AOL-Time Warner Communications. A spokesman said the committee has set a goal of having finalists for the full board to pick from by June.

Chambers County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dearl Hardy said Leroy Powell, 37, of Stowell has been charged with aggravated robbery in connection to a home invasion-style attack on a 66-year-old woman around 9 a.m. Sunday night. An anonymous tip to crime stoppers led investigators to Powell, who allegedly forced his way into a residence in the Stowell area, clubbed the homeowner with a piece of wood, then fled with her purse.

Liberty County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ken Defoor said three separate burglaries at the Devers Elementary School since January 26^th have caused property loss and damages estimated at $1500. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Dept. at 336-4500 or Crime Stoppers at 336-2336.

The Hardin Hornets Boys Basketball Team clinched a spot in the District 24-2A Championships with a 92-73 win over Warren in Hardin Tuesday night. Head Coach Duane Joubert said Hardin’s first playoff game is set for Thursday February 22^nd with time, place and opponent yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the Hornets play at home again tomorrow in a second match up against Anahuac, the only team to defeat them in district play.

**LAKE RELEASE: 14,000 CFS * LIBERTY BRIDGE: 15.63 ASL**

-VOLUME 17 NO. 27, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 07, 2001-

Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said an anonymous bomb threat called in to "Not Nic’s" Club on FM 770 around 7 p.m. Monday night resulted in the closing of FM 770 between Hwy 90 and FM 160 for about two and a half hours. Sheriff’s deputies, County Constables Tim Allison and Jimmy Belt and the Hull-Daisetta Volunteer Fire Department personnel evacuated patrons and employees, as well the residents of two nearby homes. An explosives canine unit from the Houston Police Dept swept the site but nothing suspicious was found. The area was pronounced safe around 9:30 p.m.

DPS Trooper Brent Henry said an 18-wheel truck driven by Michael Jackson, 27, of Fruitville became stuck in a ditch on Hwy 321 around 11 p.m. Monday night while attempting a narrow turn. As the truck’s trailer blocked the southbound lanes a southbound vehicle driven by Danny Lee Powell, 36 of Dayton hit the trailer. Powell and his passenger, James Crouche, 22 also of Dayton were taken Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston by Lifeflight air ambulance in stable condition.

The Dayton City Council Monday night voted to 3 to 1 not to pay their annual $500 membership dues to the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. The item was tabled last month, when two council members expressed the feeling they should support the new Dayton Chamber exclusively. Mayor Larry Harris said an offer by outgoing Liberty-Dayton Chamber President Gary Underwood would lower their dues to $180, but no member of council expressed any interest in that offer.

The Liberty High School Cheerleaders will compete in the American Cheer Power Competition at Moody Gardens in Galveston this weekend. Varsity Cheerleader Sponsor Barbara Luna said this marks the first time that LHS has participated in a national cheerleading competition. If you would like to make a donation to help cover expenses, call 336-6483.

FUNERALS: Lonnie M. Morris, 73, of LaPorte, Services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Olive Bethel Baptist Church in Hardin. ** Perry Hill Jr., 72, of Hankamer, Services at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wells Mortuary in Liberty. **

-VOLUME 17 NO. 26, TUESDAY, FEB. 06, 2001-

Dayton Police Officer Frank Longoria said 72-year-old Donald Winzenredd attempted to turn left onto Hwy 90 in Dayton around 2:45 p.m. yesterday. The Dayton man apparently pulled out into oncoming traffic and was hit by a truck operated by Paul Allen, 30, also of Dayton. The Dayton Volunteer Fire Department employed the "Jaws of Life" to free Winzenredd from his wrecked vehicle. Both men were transported to Liberty-Dayton Hospital in what was described as stable condition. Eastbound traffic on Hwy 90 in Dayton was stopped for almost an hour while emergency crews worked to clear the scene.

State Comptroller Carol Keeton Rylander has released the Monthly Sales Tax Report for January of this year. The city of Liberty received $145,540 in sales tax rebates through January 31^st, 2001, an 11.35% increase over the same period last year. In Dayton, sales tax rebates for January totaled $42,506, up 1.35% over January 2000. Sales tax rebates in January for Liberty County overall, showed a 6.29% increase over last year with a total of $325,542 received in cities countywide in January 2001.

The Hardin Hornets Boys Basketball Team moved up to 10 and 1 in district with a 78 to 60 victory over East Chambers Friday night. The Hornets are three district games left, but a win over Warren tonight will clinch them a berth in the playoffs.

The Liberty Fire Department held their annual awards banquet last Saturday night with two department members honored as Firefighters of the Year. Liberty Fire Chief Jamie Galloway presented the award to James Brown Sr. and Linda McClellan for displaying the training and professionalism to go the extra-mile in serving the public. Larry Hajovsky and Donald Wilkerson were honored as Rookies of the Year and Years of Service awards were presented to three-year member Keenan Partain and 10-year member Captain Jennifer Huddleston.

Dayton ISD is currently developing a web page to give district parents greater insight into their children’s education. Technology Coordinator Suzanne Chachere said links are available to each school in the district at dayton.isd.esc4.net. The web page is expected to be fully operational Feb.12^th.

-VOLUME 17 NO. 23, THURSDAY, FEB. 01, 2001-

In the wake of the recent sale of water rights by the Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District, Liberty County Judge Lloyd Kirkham said steps are being taken to split that entity into two separate groups. Judge Kirkham said, while the navigation district’s sale provides benefits to Chambers County Liberty County has no assets beyond those water rights, and does not benefit. Judge Kirkham said the only fair solution is allowing each county sole control of their water rights. A workshop, with State Senator David Bernsen and State Representative Zeb Zbranek has been scheduled for February 13^th to discuss sending the legislature a resolution to split the navigation district.

After more than 4 years as President of the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Gary Underwood has resigned to accept the position of Time-Warner Cable’s Public Affairs Manager at their Beaumont/Pt. Arthur office. Underwood will begin his new job on February 19^th, and said he was excited about the opportunity, but sad to leave the Liberty-Dayton Chamber.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ken Defoor Primila Pratt of Liberty, missing for approximately 3 months, has been found safe. Mrs. Pratt was reported missing on Nov. 29^th, but has contacted a relative to say she is living at a Women’s Shelter outside of this area. Chief Deputy Defoor said he has confirmed that information and agreed to respect the woman’s wish that her exact whereabouts not be reported.

The 3^rd Annual Chambers County Day event at the state capitol in Austin is this Tuesday and according to Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, buses will be departing all parts of the county to take an estimated 1,000 Chambers County residents to meet with their legislators. Bus spaces are still available at a cost of $25 each. For more information, call 267-8295. Liberty County Day in Austin is scheduled for April 9^th.

2/1 FUNERALS:

Rosario Maria Hunsinger, 69, of Liberty, Services at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.

Lucy Jeanette Cormier, 61, of Ames, Services at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Ames.