The close of the 2021 school year means graduating senior students for the last time leaving high school. The Liberty Panthers are losing a good one in Devin Fregia. As I talked to Devin via a phone interview on Saturday night, I realized just how special this kid is and will be. Fregia is headed to Beaumont to play football for Lamar University, and the Cardinals are getting a good one.
For the second time in three years, the Liberty Lady Panthers are the toast of the town after winning their second Class 4A State Softball Championship. Liberty was celebrated with a parade and fire trucks by the courthouse as the players waved to the crowd. Afterward, several guest speakers took their turn congratulating the Lady Panthers on their accomplishments. Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett proclaimed June 14, 2021, as Liberty Lady Panther Softball Day. Lady Panthers Head Coach Karen Slack also spoke to the crowd, as did all three seniors Kaci West, Jaylen Prichard, and Mikaelah Burkland. Afterward, the group that greeted the team was given a chance to mingle with the players and coaches while enjoying some refreshments under the Liberty City Hall Gazebo. The State Championship Plaque and awards were all available for viewing. Liberty won the Class 4A State Title Game on Saturday, June 5, over Corpus Christi Calallen 10-3 at McCombs Field in Austin.
Quite the collection of former Dayton Broncos athletic talent was on hand Saturday at the Dayton ISD Performing Arts Center, where the newest class of inductees to the Dayton Sports Hall of Fame were enshrined. Those chosen were recognized for achievements on the playing field and the character they have shown off the field throughout their lifetime.
It looks like the City of Dayton could soon be on the hunt for a new City Manager ...
Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader looks on as Jagrut “JC” Shah of Beyond the Call of Duty embraces Kami Whitten, the wife of slain Deputy Richard Whitten, at a ceremony in his honor at the Jack Hartel Building on Wednesday morning. Shah’s group pays tribute to fallen law enforcement officers across the country and provides support to the families of fallen officers and their co-workers. The Vindicator
Grid operator requests energy conservation
The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Student Ambassadors program has gotten off to a strong start for the 2021-22 school year. They are looking for an opportunity to assist your business during the Summer months.
Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader looks on as Jagrut “JC” Shah of Beyond the Call of Duty embraces Kami Whitten, the wife of slain Deputy Richard Whitten, at a ceremony in his honor at the Jack Hartel Building on Wednesday morning. Shah’s group pays tribute to fallen law enforcement officers across the country and provides support to the families of fallen officers and their co-workers. The Vindicator
The close of the 2021 school year means graduating senior students for the last time leaving high school. The Liberty Panthers are losing a good one in Devin Fregia. As I talked to Devin via a phone interview on Saturday night, I realized just how special this kid is and will be. Fregia is headed to Beaumont to play football for Lamar University, and the Cardinals are getting a good one.
Quite the collection of former Dayton Broncos athletic talent was on hand Saturday at the Dayton ISD Performing Arts Center, where the newest class of inductees to the Dayton Sports Hall of Fame were enshrined. Those chosen were recognized for achievements on the playing field and the character they have shown off the field throughout their lifetime.
The 2021 Liberty Lady Panthers celebrate the school’s second UIL Class 4A Softball State Championship after defeating Corpus Christi Calallen 10-3 in Austin. This is Head Coach Karen Slack’s second title in four years, with three of this year’s seniors also winning the second championship for Liberty. There will be a parade and celebration Monday, June 14 at 6pm by the Liberty City Hall Gazebo. The Vindicator
Austin- For the second time in four years, the Liberty Lady Panthers are Class 4A State Champs in Texas. The 2021 title game was all Liberty as they breezed past Calallen 10-3 on Saturday afternoon at McCombs Field to bring home the gold.
The close of the 2021 school year means graduating senior students for the last time leaving high school. The Liberty Panthers are losing a good one in Devin Fregia. As I talked to Devin via a phone interview on Saturday night, I realized just how special this kid is and will be. Fregia is headed to Beaumont to play football for Lamar University, and the Cardinals are getting a good one.
Liberty County Sheriff’s lead Investigator Sean Mitchell who is conducting the follow-up murder investigation with the assistance of the Texas Rangers arrested 37 year old Robert Eugene Hoffpauir on Sunday evening charging him with the murder of 60 year old Roman Rodriguez of Rye, Texas.
Quite the collection of former Dayton Broncos athletic talent was on hand Saturday at the Dayton ISD Performing Arts Center, where the newest class of inductees to the Dayton Sports Hall of Fame were enshrined. Those chosen were recognized for achievements on the playing field and the character they have shown off the field throughout their lifetime.
The Cleveland Lady Indians landed five players on the 20-5A All-District Team. The Lady Indians had three players making the second team. They are Ariana Rivera, Caitlyn Meshell, and Smiya Mayfield. Honorable Mentions picks for Cleveland are Katherine Paz and Kristin Driver. Six Lady Indians made the All-Academic List. They are Courtney Nelson, Ariana Rivera, Kristin Driver, Smiya Mayfield, Katherine Paz, and Valeria Brown. Head Coach Alyssa Hollie leads the Lady Indians
Junior Conner Murphree enjoyed an excellent season for the Dayton Broncos and was recently announced to the 20-5A All-District First Team. Winning the District MVP was John Spikerman of Lake Creek. The Offensive Player of the Year was Matt King of Kingwood Park, while the Defensive Player of the Year was Conner Westenburg of Porter. The Newcomer of the Year was sophomore Zane Adams of Porter. Outfielder Preston Byrd of the Broncos was named to the second team. Dayton had a pair of players on the Honorable Mention Team in Austin Murphree and Ronnie Muirhead. Davin Lee was named to the All-Academic Team.
For the second time in three years, the Liberty Lady Panthers are the toast of the town after winning their second Class 4A State Softball Championship. Liberty was celebrated with a parade and fire trucks by the courthouse as the players waved to the crowd. Afterward, several guest speakers took their turn congratulating the Lady Panthers on their accomplishments. Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett proclaimed June 14, 2021, as Liberty Lady Panther Softball Day. Lady Panthers Head Coach Karen Slack also spoke to the crowd, as did all three seniors Kaci West, Jaylen Prichard, and Mikaelah Burkland. Afterward, the group that greeted the team was given a chance to mingle with the players and coaches while enjoying some refreshments under the Liberty City Hall Gazebo. The State Championship Plaque and awards were all available for viewing. Liberty won the Class 4A State Title Game on Saturday, June 5, over Corpus Christi Calallen 10-3 at McCombs Field in Austin.
Fresh off a 2021 Class 4A State Title, the Liberty Lady Panthers were all over the 21-4A All-District Teams. Leading the way was district MVP Kaci West. Jaylen Prichard was named the Offensive Player of the Year while freshman catcher was chosen as the Newcomer of the Year. Liberty Head Coach Karen Slack was named the Coach of the Year. Landing on the first team for the Lady Panthers were Mikaelah Burkland, Maci Beam, and Kylie Bishop. Second team selections are Reese Evans and Bailee Slack while Honorable Mention picks for Liberty were Kamdyn Chandler, Alex Wiley, and Reagan Williamson. Leah Hensarling of Splendora was named the Defensive MVP while Christin Haygood of Huffman was named Pitcher of the Year.
Abbott vows to expand border ‘barrier’
Gov. Greg Abbott vowed last week at a border security summit to build a barrier to slow the flow of migrants through the state’s southern border. Abbott said details would be forthcoming for the wall, which would be part of a new enforcement plan administered by several state agencies, ranging from the governor’s office to the Texas Department of Public Safety. He said he intends to sign legislation appropriating more than $1 billion for enhanced border security. “While securing the border is the federal government’s responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows,” Abbott said. “The state is working collaboratively with communities impacted by the crisis to arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally.” The president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) blasted Abbott’s actions. “Governor Abbott stated that he intends to use Texas state budget dollars not for education, improving our electric grid or for Texas roads and highways,” said Domingo Garcia, LULAC president. “Instead, he says he will continue to build a wall and other barriers along the border with Mexico. This is a huge waste of taxpayer money, and very likely illegal.” LULAC plans to take legal action on grounds that the federal government has authority over immigration and borders, not individual states.
With session over, there’s time to reflect on what happened toward the end of session and the new laws the legislature passed over the past 140 days.
Population gains, losses in state detailed
The U.S. Census Bureau has released is sub-county population estimates from April 2010 to July 2020. That includes population estimates for the 1,200 incorporated places in Texas. Nine additional Texas towns were incorporated in the past decade, while 13 additional cities surpassed a population of 50,000. The Texas Demographic Center reported that of the 71 Texas cities with populations of more than 50,000, only two lost population — continuing the trend of smaller towns and areas in the state losing population to larger cities. More than 55% of the state’s population growth has been in cities with more than 50,000 residents. Small and mid-sized cities surrounding major metropolitan areas, such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston, saw the fastest growth rates, while many of the cities in West Texas and the Panhandle were among the 372 Texas cities that lost population, according to TDC.
The last week of session is coming to a close and the long nights have stretched into the early hours of the following mornings. We’re sprinting to the finish of an unusual session and passing consequential and substantial legislation.
Crystal Marie Deshotel, 54, of Liberty, passed away June 6, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Crystal was born November 16, 1966 in Cut and Shoot, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents Leon Rice and Janet Worley Rice; her birth mother, Evie Olson; brother, John Scarborough, and sister, Vicky Lynn Ballou.
Lee Alfred Davis, 85, of Redlands, California, passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. He was born in Illinois, on December 6, 1935, to parents Alfred Leroy Davis and Hazel Florence Rosenberger.a
Willie Mae Burnett, 97, of Liberty, Texas passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Magnolia Place Healthcare. She was surrounded by her loving family. Willie was born in Sikes, Lousiana on November 13, 1923 to parents Dan Mack Miller and Ester Erskins.
Larry Wayne Forney, 93, of Liberty, Texas passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Magnolia Place Healthcare in Liberty. Larry was born in Mason City, Nebraska on June 30, 1927 to parents Dr. Lester Wayne Forney and Della Schultz Forney.
