VOLUME 27, NO. 163 TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2012

Jury Selection Begins: Testimony is set to begin tomorrow morning in the aggravated sexual assault of a child trial of Eric Bernard McGowen in the 75^th District Court of Judge Mark Morefield. Jury selection for that trial took place yesterday, and shortly before 5 p.m., a jury was seated that includes five men and seven women. Two alternates were also selected. McGowen is one of 14 adults charged in the Cleveland gang rape case.

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Missing Money: The Liberty County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the disappearance of approximately $18,000 in county funds from the Liberty County Tax office continues. Very little information is available on that investigation. We have been told that the investigation involved only the Liberty tax office. County Tax Assessor/Collector Ricky Brown said additional security measures are now in place to ensure that is not a repeat of this incident.

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Isaac: Current Hurricane Center predictions have Tropical Storm Isaac making landfall along the Louisiana coast as a Cat 1 or possibly 2 hurricane. However, over the past 24 to 36 hours, that forecast track has continued to slide to the west.  With that in mind, local residents who may require extra help in case of any emergency in this area are urged to register with the county emergency management office or the state of Texas. To register call 334-3219 or the state registration number of 2-1-1.

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Community Builder: The Liberty Masonic Lodge presents a special honor most years – it is the highest honor they make to someone who is not a member of the local lodge. It is called the Community Builder Award. The person selected by a Masonic selection committee is chosen for their lifetime of service. The local lodge has named Liberty County JP #1 Bobby Rader as this year’s Community Builder honoree.

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Obituaries: Robert Lee Hall, Jr., 77 of Liberty. Services today at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty. Elmer Lloyd Abshier, 81 of Devers. Graveside services 11 a.m. tomorrow at Abshier Cemetery in Devers. Floyd John Falk, 90 of Dayton. Services today at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dayton. Debra Thomas Burch, 59 of Dayton. Services 10 a.m. today at Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. Pending: Patti Branch, 47. Services pending Pace Stancil Cleveland.

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*Lake Release: 1,250 CFS – Liberty Bridge: 6.50 ASL*