VOLUME 27, NO. 161 FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

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Rape Trial: One of the 14 adults charged in the alleged gang rape of a then 11-year-old Cleveland girl is set for trial Monday. Court records indicate jury selection will begin that morning in the trial of 20-year-old Eric Bernard McGowan for aggravated sexual assault of a child – a first degree felony. If convicted, he faces 5 to 99 years in prison. The trial is scheduled for Judge Mark Morefield’s 75^th District Court.

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Changes in School Time: Across the Liberty Independent School District there are changes in school hours for the new school year. At San Jacinto Elementary and Liberty Elementary start time is 8 a.m. with dismissal time for full day students at 3:20. Over at Liberty Middle School and Liberty High School, start time is 8 a.m. while classes dismiss at 3:30 p.m. There are also alternate routes for dropping high school students off; parents will come in on Panther Lane to drop their student.

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Community Party: Heights Baptist Church in Liberty is holding an end of summer community block party tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pastor Tim Gruver said there will be activities for the whole family and he is inviting parents to bring their children by the church on Jefferson Dr. to participate in all the free festivities.

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Unemployment: The unemployment rate for Liberty County showed improvement in July. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the unemployment rate for July was 9.9 %, an improvement in the jobless number from June when it was 10.4%. The jobless rate for all of Texas ticked higher to 7.2% in July while the U.S. unemployment figure also worsened slightly to 8.3 %.

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TVE Plans New Building: Trinity Valley Exposition board chair Brady Hanson said the committee is in the process of adding a new building that will be ready for this years October Fair and Rodeo. The building will be used for exhibitors to feed during inclement weather. Brady Hanson said the 40x80 structure will be right behind the small animal barn.  Some of the events for the 103^rd TVE start in early October. The trail ride is October 5-7, and the Country Weekend is October 12-14. To learn more, go to www.kshn.com and click on upcoming events.

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*Lake Release: 1,250 CFS – Liberty Bridge: 6.30 ASL*