VOLUME 27, NO. 139 TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2012

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Still Awaiting Trial: On Christmas Day 2009, the body of Naushad Virani was discovered in the Ridgewood Happy Chap Grocery Store in Liberty. The store owner had been shot to death. Two days later, 31 year old Stevie Ray Walder of Liberty was arrested in Tyler County, and in March 2010 he was indicted for capital murder. He has been in the Liberty County Jail on a $2 million bail since. According to sources we believe to be reliable, the delay in getting the man to trial involves security. Our source said they felt courthouse security would be beefed up for the trial, and the concern was a lengthy, complicated capital murder trial might tie up the courthouse from doing most other business for weeks. We were told the Liberty County Jail population would then increase if no other court cases were disposed of for a lengthy period.

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Burnham Classic: The 23^rd Annual Burnham Classic, benefiting Tri-County Services is coming up on August 3-5. Bruce Burnham said this year’s tourney is being held in honor of his father, J.C. Burnham. During the past 22 years, the Burnham family has presented more than $420,000 to Tri-County or its predecessor. The annual event benefits the physically handicapped and mentally challenged of Liberty County through Tri-County Services. While the tournament already has a full field of golfers, organizers are still looking for sponsors. For information call (936) 336-2634.

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Sales Tax Holiday: The very popular annual back to school sales tax holiday is less than four weeks away, August 17-19. Shoppers will pay no state or local sales tax on many school supplies and school backpacks plus most children’s and adults clothing and shoes priced at less than $100. Texas Comptroller Susan Combs predicts shoppers will save over $64 million in state and local sales taxes. For information, go to www.kshn.com and click on the sales tax weekend link.

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Healthy Business: The Liberty County Agrilife Extension Service is holding a free workshop tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. providing information on growing healthy vegetables, and how to start a small business selling this produce in a local farmers market, restaurants or neighborhood grocery stores. For more information call (936) 334-3230.

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*Lake Release: 1,000 CFS – Liberty Bridge: 6.41 ASL*