CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)Clarksvilles annual Independence Day Celebration is Monday, July 3 at Liberty Park. The event is free. Liberty Park will open at 5 p.m. with activities and music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Seating is available throughout the park and in front of the music stage on the Great Lawn of the Wilma Rudolph Event Center.

Headliner, Full Circle, will perform classic rock hits from the 1960s and 1970s. Activities will include sack races, Patriotic Balloon Pop and the Most Patriotic Person contest. Prizes will be awarded. Refreshments will be available from D&B Concessions, Rolling Ridge Mart, Big City Dogs, Kona Ice Music City, and Doxies Pizza. The evening will conclude with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Parking is available inside the park for vehicles with handicap license plates and placards. Marina users must have approved vehicle tags or a temporary pass. Boats with trailers will be allowed to access the boat ramp parking area until 4 p.m. or until the parking area has been filled. No boats will be allowed to exit the parking area from 8 p.m. until the park is empty.

Zinc Plant Road and the Zinc Plant Bridge will be closed to traffic from 9:15 to 10 p.m. for fireworks. Guests should plan for delays on Riverside Drive and Hwy 48-13 before and after the event.

Liberty Park Grill will be open from 11 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 3. Beginning at 4 p.m., guests can pay a fee of $20 to park at the restaurant. Each paying vehicle will receive a $20 voucher for Liberty Park Grill for use only on July 3.

Satellite parking will be in Downtown Clarksville and at the CMCSS Facilities Building (formerly Jostens) at 1312 Highway 48/13. CTS bus service will shuttle guests, free of charge from both locations will begin at 4 p.m. Downtown parking is free after 5 p.m.

Shuttles will continue until 9:15 p.m. At the conclusion of the fireworks, CTS buses displaying their destination lot will return guests to parking areas, with the last bus departing Liberty Park at 11 p.m.

Clarksville Police officers will be stationed at major intersections around Liberty Park and Riverside Drive beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing after the event. Pedestrians walking to the park are encouraged to cross only at these intersections. Liberty Park will close at sunset on Sunday, July 2 to prepare for the Independence Day Celebration and will reopen for general use at sunrise on Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

SAFETY RULES IN LIBERTY PARK: 1. No solicitation. 2. No pets allowed during event. Clearly marked service animals are permitted. 3. No drugs or alcoholic beverages. 4. No fighting or foul language. 5. No personal fireworks. 6. No personal grills. 7. No weapons. 8. No drones.

Related: Nashville July 4th features country star Chris Young and massive fireworks

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Clarksville's Independence Day event July 3 at Liberty Park - Clarksville Now

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that a North Carolina preventing sex offenders from accessing social media and other websites without any attempt to tailor restrictions to potential contact with minors violated the First Amendment. But restrictions on the freedom of speech arent the only unconstitutional deprivations sex offenders face.

In 1994, Minnesota passed what has become arguably the most aggressive and restrictive sex-offender civil-commitment statute in the country. The Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) provides for the indefinite civil commitment of sexually dangerous individuals, over and beyond whatever criminal sentence they may have already completed.

And while there is technically a system in place whereby committed individuals can petition for release or a loosening of their restrictions, in the more than 20 years that the MSOP has existed, only one person has ever been fully discharged (someone in the program for offenses committed as a minor, and he was only discharged after a court challenge). As Craig Bolte, one person committed in the MSOP, has testified, there is a distinct feeling that the only way to get out is to die.

The Supreme Court has held that states have the authority to commit individuals against their will outside the traditional criminal justice context, but only for the purpose of keeping genuinely dangerous people off the streets while undergoing rehabilitative treatment. Punishment and deterrence are legitimate goals exclusively of the criminal justice system, so any deprivation of liberty for either of those two purposes must follow only from that system, with all the procedural protections our Constitution requires.

What sets Minnesotas program apart from other schemes that have been upheld is that it doesnt provide for any sort of periodic assessment to determine who does or doesnt meet the requirements for discharge. By the states own admission, hundreds of civilly committed individuals have never received an assessment of their risk to the public, and hundreds more have received assessments only sporadically.

The MSOP is aware that at least some of the people in its custody satisfy statutory-discharge criteria, yet has taken no steps to determine who they are, let alone begin discharge proceedings. For these reasons, Kevin Karsjens and other similarly committed individuals have brought a federal class action challenging the MSOP as an irrational violation of their right to freedom from bodily restriction. They prevailed in the trial court, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed, stating that the plaintiffs have no liberty interest in freedom from physical restraintnot that their liberty interest must be balanced against the states interest in protecting the public from violence, but that for sex offenders, that liberty interest simply does not exist.

The plaintiffs now seek Supreme Court review. Cato, joined by the Reason Foundation, has filed an amicus brief in support of the committed individuals. The lack of periodic risk assessment and the punitive nature of the states policies represent an unconstitutional attempt to exact effectively criminal penalties on individuals who have not been provided the full procedural protections of criminal law.

The high court should intervene and repair the damage done by the unfettered confinement of sex offenders and restore the appropriate level of constitutional scrutiny to serious deprivations of liberty.

The Supreme Court will decide whether to take upKarsjens v. Piper when it returns from its summer recess.

View post:

Even Sex Offenders Have Constitutional Rights - Cato Institute (blog)

LIBERTY On June 16, 2017, the Waldo County Regional Dispatch Center received a complaint regarding two juveniles who had run away from a school in New Hampshire, and had subsequently stolen a vehicle from a neighboring town. Cpl. Greg Jones and Deputy Wiley McVety were assigned the complaint and told that it was believed that the two male juveniles had made their way to a residence on Mary Ordway Road in Liberty, which was owned by a relative of one of them.

Jones and McVety responded to the residence, located both of juveniles and coordinated their return to authorities in New Hampshire.

Three days later, on June 19, the Waldo County Sheriff's Office was contacted by officers of the Farmington Maine Police Department. Deputy Jonathan Shaw was advised that one of the male juveniles had again run away from New Hampshire, and was now a suspect in numerous motor vehicle thefts, including in the town of Farmington.

That same day, Jones again responded to the residence on Mary Ordway Road in Liberty and when he arrived, the 14-year-old juvenile was present but ran into the woods. Deputies searched into the night and started again on the morning on June 20 to locate the male juvenile without success.

Later that afternoon, around 3 p.m. the Sheriff's Office received a report that a camp on Stevens Pond appeared to have been damaged and entered. Deputy Shaw responded and once at the scene determined that the camp had just been vacated and based on evidence at the scene, believed the male juvenile being sought was responsible for the burglary and criminal mischief at the camp.

Deputies converged on the area of the camp, and Belfast Police Officer Travis Spencer and his K9 Dex were called to assist in tracking the 14-year-old. Shaw, McVety and Spencer tracked the suspect for nearly two hours before finally apprehending him.

During the subsequent investigation it was determined that the juvenile male had broken into at least three separate camps, stealing various items and causing damage to each of the camps. The juvenile was subsequently transported to Mountain View Juvenile Detention Center in Charleston, Maine.

See the rest here:

Waldo County deputies apprehend New Hampshire juvenile runaways in Liberty - PenBayPilot.com

Honor's Foxfire Liberty Hume (AKC Registration Number SB578950) was the Golden Retriever Presidential pet of Betty Ford and Gerald Ford. Liberty was born February 8, 1974 and given to the president as an 8-month-old puppy by his daughter Susan Ford and new White House photographer David Hume Kennerly in the fall of 1974. The breeder of the dark gold pup was Ann (Avis) Friberg of Mount Vernon, Washington.[1]

President Gerald Ford and Liberty in the Oval Office in 1974

Liberty was frequently photographed with Ford in the Oval Office, in the swimming pool at Camp David and on the South Lawn of the White House. She also had a litter of pups in the White House on September 14, 1975, one of which Misty was kept by Ford.[2] At one point Ford was locked in a White House stairwell after returning from walking the dog on the South Lawn early one morning.[3] Photographs of the dog were autographed with a rubber stamp of her paw print.[4] Stories indicated that if Ford wanted to end a conversation in the Oval Office he would signal Liberty and she would go to the guest wagging her tail creating a natural break.[5]

Ford discussed the dog in a speech on October 9, 1974 in a tribute to William Scranton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:[6]

See the article here:

Liberty (dog) - Wikipedia

June 21, 2017 by Adam Harris

The Education Departments civil-rights office has closed a Title IX investigation of Liberty University that had been triggered by a sexual-assault claim. The office cited a lack of jurisdiction.

In a letter addressed to President Jerry L. Falwell Jr., Letisha Morgan, a team leader in the Office for Civil Rights, wrote that the office had learned that the person who filed the original complaint was not a student at Liberty and did not have meaningful and sustained contact with the institution at the time of the alleged sexual assault.

The letter also said the office had received conflicting information about whether the accused individual had been a graduate student at the time of the alleged assault. Even if true, the letter continued, the accuseds status as a graduate student would not obligate the university to respond under Title IX, because the person who filed the complaint was not a student and the alleged assault did not occur in connection with a university education program or activity.

The White House recently confirmed that Mr. Falwell would be a part of a task force that he says will look atpossible changesin higher-education regulations.

More:

Education Dept. Closes Title IX Investigation of Liberty U. - The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) (blog)

Radio Liberty Persian Service: Mixed Reviews Wall Street Journal (subscription) Sohrab Ahmari's June 12 commentary In Iran, Radio Liberty Doesn't Live Up to Its Name asserts that the Persian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty parrots the editorial line of Iranian state media. While we will acknowledge any individual ...

Link:

Radio Liberty Persian Service: Mixed Reviews - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 23: Kia Vaughn

WATCH: Highlights from the first-ever WNBA game, 20 years ago today by Howard Megdal

Geno Auriemma named US Olympic Committee Co-National Coach of the Year by Russell Steinberg

The New York Liberty have activated center Kia Vaughn, the team announced on Wednesday.

Vaughn had been on the temporary suspension list and missed the past six games as she competed for the Czech Republic in the 2017 EuroBasket Women Tournament. In three games overseas, Vaughn averaged 16 points and six rebounds.

Vaughn played the first five games of the season for the Liberty, posting 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. She also led the team in field goal percentage at .609.

To make room for Vaughn, the Liberty have waived Ameryst Alston. Alston played sparingly over two games since joining the team earlier this month.

The Liberty host the Connecticut Sun on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

See more here:

WNBA roster news: New York Liberty activate Kia Vaughn - Summitt Hoops

KHOU 11 Weather Team , KHOU 6:20 PM. CDT June 21, 2017

1 p.m. forecast track (Photo: KHOU 11)

HOUSTON - A tropical storm warning has been issued for Harris, Galveston, Chambers and Liberty counties as Tropical Storm Cindy moves northwest in the Gulf of Mexico.

The warning extends from San Luis Pass to the mouth of the Pearl River in Louisiana, even as the forecast track shifted back east overnight.

Voluntary evacuations are underway on Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County for those with medical conditions that depend on electricity.

The National Hurricane Center's 1 p.m. Wednesday update indicates Cindy is moving northwest at 9 mph with max sustained winds of 50 mph, down from 60 mph earlier in the morning.

The current forecast track would bring the storm onshore near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. NHCwarns that heavy rainfall could produce flooding across portions of the northern Gulf Coast.

Some parts of the Houston area have seen rain as of Wednesday evening. KHOU 11 Chief Meteorologist David Paul says this will not be a wind event for the Houston area. The main concern is the threat of flooding should slow moving thunderstorms move through our area.

The latest models show the heaviest rain hitting north and east of the Houston area around 5 a.m. Thursday. Paul says the models also show a heavy rain band hitting the heart of Houston -- around Montrose, downtown and the Heights -- around 7 a.m. Thursday.

As a precaution, Gov. Greg Abbott activated the Texas Emergency Task Forces on Tuesday night.

RELATED:Voluntary evacuation issued for Bolivar Peninsula

HURRICANE CENTRAL: What you need to know to prepare for a storm

BE READY:KHOU11 Hurricane & Severe Weather Preparedness Guide

LIVE BEACH CAMS: Gulf Coast cameras

The National Weather Service says residents in a Tropical Storm Watch should review evacuation routes and review their disaster supply kit. In a Tropical Storm Warning, the threat is more imminent, and residents should stand by for evacuation orders as well as check in with family and friends.

The Red Cross is on standby with shelters in Galveston, Bolivar, Vidor and Orange if needed.

TheKHOU11 weather team is closely monitoring Cindy and will keep you updated on-air and online until the threat has passed.

WATCH:Dr. Neil Frank, Chief Meteorologist David Paul forecast Tropical Storm Cindy

Many models continue to show a direct or near direct impact on the Houston area by Wednesday evening as a moderate to strong tropical storm. While there are a few model suits that show an impact in extreme east Texas of Louisiana, the vast majority now show a southeast Texas landfall near Galveston.

For that reason a Tropical Storm Watch has been extended west to include the cities of Galveston and Houston. A watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

It is possible that these watches could be expanded westward to include the rest of our viewing area and or upgraded to a warning Tuesday afternoon.

Probably not. However, there are some models that do show the upper-level wind shear weakening as the storm approaches land which would allow for additional strengthening. Due to the very unorganized nature of Cindy and it's eventual proximity to land by the time the wind shear relaxes, it is likely Cindy will not have an opportunity to strengthen much stronger than she is right now.

In fact the latest forecast out of theNHCsays the maximum sustained winds won't exceed 45 mph from now until landfall Wednesday night. However that's a forecast and is subject to change. I can tell you that some models do show a fairly healthy and strong tropical storm nearing the Texas coast.

The image above is courtesy of the University of Wisconsin. In simplest terms the red areas are bad for development chances and green areas are very favorable for development.

What you're looking at are the upper-level winds (shear). Hurricanes require a very relaxed atmosphere with calm winds above. A hurricane needs to be what we call "vertically stacked." That can only happen when the winds are blowing slowly; generally less than 10 knots. However the analysis above is showing 60 knots sheer! Those are screaming winds!

That's the reason why Cindylooks more like a kidney bean than the more typical spinning pinwheel of a well defined hurricane. The winds are blowing the tops of the thunderstorms away from the center of circulation. Until the winds relax, which likely won't happen due to an upper-level low near Texas, this will not become a hurricane. Expect a very ugly, lopsided, water-loaded tropical storm in the central gulf.

Areas of low pressure (tropical storms and hurricanes) always follow the path of least resistance. In this case, the least resistance path is somewhere between southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Many models, including the Euro model show a direct impact on the Houston/Galveston area. Other models show Beaumont while others still show southwest Louisiana.

The CMC model has been by far the most consistent with showing a landfall along the north gulf coast for well over a week. It has bounced back and forth between Houston and central Louisiana and continues to call for a landfall in southwest Louisiana.

The spaghetti models above are a conglomeration of many models showing the potential path of a tropical storm. Notice the consensus is the mouth of the Sabine River.

Just because a "hurricane" is not in the forecast doesn't mean it can't be just as damaging or deadly. Tropical storms are prolific rainmakers and in a flood-prone city like Houston, this system certainly warrants your attention.

If the storm makes landfall east of Houston near Beaumont, our area will be spared the brunt of any bad weather. That's not to say that a few rain bands won't be possible. The main impacts will be well east into Louisiana.

If the storm moves further west and makes landfall on Galveston Island as some models suggest then our forecast becomes more challenging. The main impacts still will be east of the Houston area but the flood threat becomes much more tantamount. Along and east of the center of circulation 5 to 10 inches of rain will be possible with isolated higher amounts. Therefore where the center arrives will determine who gets the worst impacts.

Remember, the further west the storm hits the worse off Houston will be. The further east the better.

Cindy never was and likely will never be a wind event. However gusty winds in excess of 30 to 40 mph will be possible along the coastal counties and areas near the bay. Winds may gust to 50 mph or stronger but it'll be isolated in nature.

This is NOT a wind event for the city of Houston.

Of course the "what to expect" is ever changing with the forecast.

2017 KHOU-TV

Continue reading here:

Tropical storm warning for Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty counties - KHOU

Photo: Historic And Design Review Commission

The slanted Liberty Bar building is on track to become a new restaurant at the Pearl after a plan to rehabilitate it won initial approval from the city on Wednesday.

The slanted Liberty Bar building is on track to become a new restaurant at the Pearl after a plan to rehabilitate it won initial approval from the city on Wednesday.

The HDRC also gave a thumbs-up to a proposal by downtown developer GrayStreet Partners to renovate the Depression-era Light building into creative office space.

The HDRC also gave a thumbs-up to a proposal by downtown developer GrayStreet Partners to renovate the Depression-era Light building into creative office space.

The HDRC is asking for a few changes to the design, such as the removal of a small tower that GrayStreet wanted to add, according to the meetings agenda.

The HDRC is asking for a few changes to the design, such as the removal of a small tower that GrayStreet wanted to add, according to the meetings agenda.

Pearl developer Silver Ventures wants to renovate the 1890s-era Liberty Bar and move it down the street, away from the off-ramp of US 281 and next to restaurants like Down on Grayson and Osteria Il Sogno.

Pearl developer Silver Ventures wants to renovate the 1890s-era Liberty Bar and move it down the street, away from the off-ramp of US 281 and next to restaurants like Down on Grayson and Osteria Il Sogno.

Click ahead to see other projects and plans from GrayStreet Partners High-profile local developer GrayStreet Partners is under contract to buy the historic San Antonio Light building from Hearst.

Click ahead to see other projects and plans from GrayStreet Partners High-profile local developer GrayStreet Partners is under contract to buy the historic San Antonio Light building from Hearst.

Local developer GrayStreet Partners has bought about 3.5 acres of real estate around the Pearls main entrance over the last few years.

Local developer GrayStreet Partners has bought about 3.5 acres of real estate around the Pearls main entrance over the last few years.

A pedestrian stands at the corner of Houston Street and St. Mary's Street across from the Hotel Valencia, one of the buildings in the deal announced Monday.

A pedestrian stands at the corner of Houston Street and St. Mary's Street across from the Hotel Valencia, one of the buildings in the deal announced Monday.

The sun lights the art deco features of the Kress Building along East Houston Street. The building was part of the deal between GrayStreet Partners and Federal Realty.

The sun lights the art deco features of the Kress Building along East Houston Street. The building was part of the deal between GrayStreet Partners and Federal Realty.

A valet runs by the Kress building now owned by San Antonio-based GrayStreet Partners.

A valet runs by the Kress building now owned by San Antonio-based GrayStreet Partners.

A cyclist rides along East Houston Street by the Bohanan's building. The building, that includes the Cato & Cato offices on the left, is now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

A cyclist rides along East Houston Street by the Bohanan's building. The building, that includes the Cato & Cato offices on the left, is now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

A woman walks by the Cato & Cato offices housed in the Frost Bros. Building on the 200 block of East Houston Street.

A woman walks by the Cato & Cato offices housed in the Frost Bros. Building on the 200 block of East Houston Street.

Pedestrians walk along 200 East Houston Street by property now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

Pedestrians walk along 200 East Houston Street by property now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

Pedestrians walk by the Walgreens building at 300 East Houston Street, now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

Pedestrians walk by the Walgreens building at 300 East Houston Street, now owned by GrayStreet Partners.

Historic commission approves rehabs of Liberty Bar, Light building

The slanted Liberty Bar is on track for its fourth lease on life, at least, as an eatery at The Pearl after a plan to rehabilitate and move the boarded-up building down the street won initial approval from the city Wednesday.

Pearl developer Silver Ventures wants to renovate the 1890s-era building and move it from its corner at the off-ramp of U.S. 281 to a new location next to the restaurants Down on Grayson and Osteria Il Sogno.

The firm would also move a small house next to the Liberty Bar and turn both buildings into a restaurant with an outdoor dining space.

The citys Historic and Design Review Commission approved the plan on its consent agenda Wednesday, despite having turned down a similar proposal in 2014 over concerns about removing the building from its historic context.

That proposal called for moving the building several blocks, but Silver Ventures wants to move it 250 feet down the same block this time.

We want the facade to relate to a corner that has a neighborhood life, as it once did, the firms spokeswoman Elizabeth Fauerso said this week. This is a very special building with a special history that relates to the Pearl.

The building, which was constructed by former Pearl Brewery brewmaster Fritz Boehler, was a beer garden for decades. It then served as the location of the Liberty Bar from 1985 to 2008, and local chef Andrew Weissman operated his restaurant Minnies Tavern & Rye House there until Silver Ventures bought the property in 2014.

Silver Ventures will have to return at a later meeting with more detailed plans for final approval.

The HDRC also gave a thumbs-up for a proposal by downtown developer GrayStreet Partners to renovate the Depression-era Light building into creative office space.

The commission is asking for a few changes to the design, such as the removal of a small tower that GrayStreet wanted to add, according to the meetings agenda.

GrayStreet, one of the most active developers downtown, bought the Light building in December from Hearst, the parent company of the San Antonio Express-News, and plans to turn it into 60,000 square feet of creative office space with a rooftop restaurant.

rwebner@express-news.net

@rwebner

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Historic commission approves rehabs of Liberty Bar, Light building - mySanAntonio.com

A PETA Investigation Dogs and Cats Suffer, Die at Liberty Research Inside a cluster of nondescript, windowless buildings in central New York:

A PETA eyewitness investigation reveals that dogs and cats were used in horrific experiments and suffered at the hands of incompetent staff at a contract laboratory.

Subject

Message

I was horrified and heartbroken to learn from PETA that dogs and cats were held in squalid conditions in windowless buildings, where they are used in cruel experiments, at Liberty Research, Inc. (Liberty), which I understand you have done business with. These animals--who are no different from our dogs and cats at home--were deprived of everything that makes life worth living. They were treated like unfeeling laboratory tools, and when they become sick or injured, some were deprived of adequate veterinary care. Some animals were recycled through test after test. In addition to the obvious ethical concerns raised here--imagine the long years of being caged in a cramped cell, never feeling the sunshine on your back or the wind in your face and being subjected to unending painful, sickening tests--this practice also raises scientific concerns, calling into question the value of any experimental results. I am confident that you would not want your company's reputation to become sullied through its association with Liberty, and I ask that you reconsider PETA's evidence as you decide which companies to do business with. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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Dogs and Cats Suffer, Die at Liberty Research - PETA (blog) (press release)

LIBERTY TWP.

Liberty Twp. Trustee Tom Farrell says he is prepared to do battle with the state over a new Millikin Road interchange he and his fellow trustees consider a top priority, even over fixing Liberty Way.

The trustees met Tuesday afternoon with their consultant and Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens to go over their purpose and need statement for the Ohio Department of Transportation. They were told they really dont have the traffic and safety data to support the interchange at Interstate 75.

The purpose and need has to have as its foundation congestion and safety before economic development. It has to, consultant Andy Shahan told the trustees. The data has to show that.

The township needs the interchange to open up its northeastern edge that is ripe for commercial development. But Farrell said it is more than just about economic development, they need to build an entire transportation network in that area, which includes extending Cox Road north to Millikin Road.

He said the county and the township capitulated when the Liberty Way interchange at Ohio 129 was built and now they have a problem interchange that needs fixing. He said they either had to agree to the states plan or lose funding.

It was basically build it their way or not at all. We did the right thing and built it, Farrell said. I want to do the right thing this time and I want to fight about it and I want to make the right business decision. This is silly, were spending this kind of money on Liberty Way as opposed to putting in Millikin to support this area for generations.

Wilkens recently got the county commissioners concurrence to pay a consulting firm almost $1 million to fine tune plans for fixing Liberty Way. Rough estimates on that project are $30 to $40 million.

Trustee Steve Schramm said there is a logical business reason for putting Millikin ahead of the Liberty Way project. If Millikin were done first development will come and bring a revenues to help pay for the Liberty Way project.

How much life span can you buy by getting Millikin Road in, bleeding traffic off (Liberty Way) and letting the income stream from Millikin pick up some of that load from Liberty going forward, Schramm said. The other way around we dont have the income stream to offset Liberty.

Wilkens said the state is a lot more receptive to what locals want than they used to be but it is still going to be a hard sell.

I understand what youre driving at but I dont think youre ever going to get recognition from ODOT and the feds in that, that recognize the problem at Liberty, they are on the property at Liberty, he said. To say that by putting Millikin up Im going to resolve part of this problem, I dont think youll ever convince them.

Trustee President Christine Matacic said she also believes if they can show the state all the traffic that is currently using Liberty Way and Ohio 63 and growth projections in both Butler and Warren counties on that stretch of Interstate 75, they could make a better case for the Millikin Road interchange.

We need those numbers, not just for Liberty Twp. but Mason, Deerfield, Turtlecreek, Monroe, Fairfield Twp. and West Chester Twp., she said. Because theyre all surrounding us and theyre all utilizing these pathways that are being created as well as the business centers that are being created.

Shahan told the trustees his team could use some of their institutional knowledge in strengthening the data and they will be back probably within a month with a new statement to help convince the state Millikin is a must-do project.

Original post:

Liberty Twp. trustees want Millikin Road interchange to be priority - Hamilton Journal News

Shane Boyer of the Midwest As, who slid safely into second base during a recent game against Sabetha, had four hits and drove in three runs in the first of two victories last weekend over the Liberty Monarchs.

JIM ARNOLD Special to the Journal

The Midwest Athletics took over first place in the Mid-Plains Leagues East Division with two close victories over the Liberty Monarchs last weekend.

The As started the series with an 8-6 victory over the former division leaders June 15 at Liberty High School. Midwest broke a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth inning with an RBI-single from Luke Knight and an error to win the game.

Michael Briggs two-run double in the first inning helped the As take a 3-0 lead. The As had a 4-0 lead before the Monarchs tied it with four runs in the bottom of the fourth and tied it again with two in the seventh after the As scored twice in the sixth.

Shane Boyer went four for five with three RBIs and Elijah Dilday went four for five and scored two runs for the As, who cranked out 17 hits off two Liberty pitchers.

In the second game June 16, Briggs hit a two-run homer during a three-run seventh inning that broke a 5-5 tie and lifted the As to an 8-5 victory. Midwest trailed 4-0 after the first and trailed 5-3 before tying the game with two runs in the sixth.

Tyler Perkins went three for five and drove in three runs, while Connor Sorge went two for four with two RBIs for the Athletics. Dalen Blair picked up the win with three scoreless innings in relief of starter Dalton Spurgeon.

The As, 9-3, maintained their new lead in the standings after blowing a seven-run lead and losing to the Rossville Rattlers 12-10 Monday night in Rossville, Kan.

Midwest scored five runs on four hits in the first inning and held a 10-3 lead until Rossville struck for nine runs on seven hits in the seventh. Two of the Rattlers hits were home runs.

Nate Vossman hit a three-run homer in the first for the As, and Dusty Stroup added a two-run shot in the second.

The As will host the Baldwin City Blues for a three-game series Thursday through Saturday at Belton High Schools Al Hamra Stadium. All three games will start at 5 p.m.

Visit link:

Athletics lead division after beating Liberty twice - Lee's Summit Journal

Anker's better known for its battery accessories for mobile phones and tablets, but lately it's been making a serious push into the headphone market with a line of inexpensive Bluetooth headphones. Now it's going a bit more upscale with a set of totally wireless earphones called the Zolo Liberty Plus that it hopes will put a small dent in Apple AirPods' sales.

The earphones aren't due out till October, but Anker's launched a Kickstarter campaign to spur preorders. The Zolo Liberty Plus will retail for $150, but Anker has the earphones on sale at launch for prices below $100 (that converts to 79 or AU$132). Anker says it offers worldwide shipping.

The Zolo Liberty Plus earphones in their included charging battery case.

I got a chance to give a preproduction Liberty Plus a quick spin. The earphones fit my ears snugly and comfortably -- I got a tight seal and thanks to the included silicone earhooks, they stayed in my ears. I thought they sounded quite good for this type of totally wireless earphone, offering decent clarity and relatively plump but well sculpted bass. I'll reserve final judgment on sound quality until I get a final shipping sample, but my initial impression was that they sounded better than Apple's AirPods.

Anker says the Liberty Plus will be Amazon Alexa-enabled and will support other voice assistants, but those features weren't available in the early sample I took for a spin.

The earhook cover helps keep the buds securely in place.

That $150 retail price isn't bad, but the Liberty Plus is certainly a more attractive option at less than $100. While China-based Anker is an established company with lots of products, with any Kickstarter there's some chance the product will never ship, so proceed at your own risk.

The Liberty Plus is the first product to arrive under Anker's new, more upscale Zolo brand. The company says more Zolo headphones are in the works and will be released in the coming months.

Case closed.

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Anker takes on AirPods with Zolo Liberty Plus earphones - CNET

On Friday President Trump and Senator Rubio took to the podium before a passionate crowd in Miami to announce their Better Deal for Cuba policy. The new policy, which reversed much of President Obamas opening with Cuba, restores Americas ability to leverage our political and economic strength to push for human rights in Cuba. Furthermore, it reaffirms the primacy of Americas moral commitment to liberty, both for the people of Cuba and around the world.

The Better Deal for Cuba Policy is a carefully tailored policy that allows America to continue interaction with Cuba on diplomatic and national security issues, as well as limited economic interaction, but prevents American dollars from going towards GAESA, the Cuban militarys holding-company which controls large parts of the tourism, retail, and overall economy.

Rather, American dollars spent on the island will be funneled towards small businesses owned by the Cuban people, and thus directly for their benefit, instead of subsidizing the repressive police state.

The policy that President Trump, Senator Rubio, and Congressman Diaz-Balart hammered out demonstrates a commitment to whats best for the American people, the Cuban people, and the cause of liberty overall. The administration apparently, according to reports, initially considered either a complete termination of diplomatic and economic relations were Cuba to not comply with a variety of human rights demands or simply just leaving the Obama administrations Cuba policy in place.

Instead, this policy achieves a balanced middle-ground that still allows American businesses and interests to interact in appropriate ways with Cuba while not so blatantly casting aside our commitment to human rights in the island as under President Obamas Cuba policy.

One of the major problems with President Obamas Cuba policy was that, by near-completely normalizing diplomatic and economic relations with Castros Communist regime without any human rights concessions, we tarnished Americas half-century struggle for freedom for the Cuban people by essentially giving up the fight.

Not only did the Obama Administrations policy essentially forsake the Cuban peoples struggle for liberty, but it sent a message across the world to oppressed peoples living under tyrannical regimes that America was willing to put aside their aspirations and rights in exchange for a paltry economic gain. Thankfully, if President Trumps liberty-oriented speech in Miami sets the tone for our foreign policy under his administration, such disregard will be no more.

The Cold War may be long over, but the firm commitment America made to human liberty across the world during that struggle should never be closed. Americas relationship with Cuba has been long, complex, and guided for a long time by titanic international geopolitical affairs. It has changed in many ways, but in many ways it still hasnt.

Cuba is no longer a satellite state of the Soviet Union. Neither does Cuba still provide, to our knowledge, heavy financing and training to rebel organizations that work against Americas interests both in Latin America and across the world.

Nonetheless, Cubas regime retains its ideological center through a demonization of America and our way of life. The only way they keep a modicum of public support is by presenting America as a capitalist boogeyman. When such a tale does not ring with citizens of Cuba, the force of arms of their repressive police state that remains as active and brutal as ever fills in the enthusiasm gap. The 10,000 political arrests in Cuba in 2016 are but one of many reminders of that still-current reality.

President Trump has fulfilled one of his key campaign promises that undoubtedly was essentially in helping him win the crucial state of Florida in 2016. While President Trump is still working on major legislative victories, nonetheless in terms of executive branch policy he has demonstrated a consistent commitment to systematically achieving the changes he campaigned on.

Throughout this saga, Senator Rubio has also demonstrated again his unshakable commitment to human freedom not just for Americans but for all peoples. It is reported that Senator Rubios efforts in crafting the Better Deal for Cuba were not just crucial, but the main crux of the effort. America is blessed to have such an articulate and strong advocate for our ideals as we have in Senator Rubio.

The Better Deal for Cuba reaffirms Americas long-standing moral commitment to liberty for the Cuban people and all oppressed peoples across the world. It is a reminder that America remains not just a refuge for freedom-seeking peoples across the world but also their advocate, defender, and champion.

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Trump-Rubio Better Deal For Cuba Reaffirms America's Commitment To Liberty - The Daily Caller

McDONOUGH Eagles Landing Christian Academy football and track and field student-athlete Sean Queen said he felt as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders when he committed to continue his athletic career at Liberty University.

Im glad I am able to relax and not focus so much on what college I have to go to, since I already know, Queen said. I can focus on school and football. Ive been praying about where to go to college since I was in ninth grade. God gave me that answer.

Queen was part of the state championship football team and the state championship track and field team. He also won an individual state title in the long jump this season. The decision to attend Liberty will continue a family tradition, as both of his parents attended the school for their college educations.

Liberty has always been a school thats been close to my heart, Queen said. The campus is amazing and the coaches are godly. The environment there is just amazing. Being able to compete in the classroom is just as important as competing on the field. Both of my parents were ecstatic. That is where they went to college I feel as if this is a family dream come true.

Queen said he feels as though he will play an important role in Libertys offense from the slot receiver position. Liberty recruited him heavily, and that relationship made all the difference.

They pursued me unlike any other college, Queen said. People always say to go to a college that loves you just as much as you love them. I feel like Liberty is that place for me.

Link:

ELCA's Sean Queen continues family tradition, commits to Liberty University - Henry Herald

Blake Mathews , KHOU 5:40 PM. CDT June 20, 2017

HOUSTON -- A tropical storm warning has been issued for Harris, Galveston, Chambers and Liberty counties as Tropical Storm Cindy shifts west in the Gulf.

The warning extends from San Luis Pass to the mouth of the Pearl River in Louisiana.

The latest report from the National Hurricane Center says Cindy's winds are still at 45 mph.

The current track would bring the storm onshore near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.

HURRICANE CENTRAL: What you need to know to prepare for a storm

BE READY:KHOU11 Hurricane & Severe Weather Preparedness Guide

LIVE BEACH CAMS: Gulf Coast cameras

The National Weather Service says residents in a Tropical Storm Watch should review evacuation routes and review their disaster supply kit. In a Tropical Storm Warning, the threat is more imminent, and residents should stand by for evacuation orders as well as check in with family and friends.

The Red Cross is on standby with shelters in Galveston, Bolivar, Vidor and Orange if needed.

TheKHOU11 weather team is closely monitoring Cindy and will keep you updated on-air and online until the threat has passed.

WATCH: Dr. Neil Frank and Chief Meteorologist David Paul on TS Cindy

Many models continue to show a direct or near direct impact on the Houston area by Wednesday evening as a moderate to strong tropical storm. While there are a few model suits that show an impact in extreme east Texas of Louisiana, the vast majority now show a southeast Texas landfall near Galveston.

For that reason a Tropical Storm Watch has been extended west to include the cities of Galveston and Houston. A watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

It is possible that these watches could be expanded westward to include the rest of our viewing area and or upgraded to a warning Tuesday afternoon.

Probably not. However, there are some models that do show the upper-level wind shear weakening as the storm approaches land which would allow for additional strengthening. Due to the very unorganized nature of Cindy and it's eventual proximity to land by the time the wind shear relaxes, it is likely Cindy will not have an opportunity to strengthen much stronger than she is right now.

In fact the latest forecast out of theNHCsays the maximum sustained winds won't exceed 45 mph from now until landfall Wednesday night. However that's a forecast and is subject to change. I can tell you that some models do show a fairly healthy and strong tropical storm nearing the Texas coast.

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The image above is courtesy of the University of Wisconsin. In simplest terms the red areas are bad for development chances and green areas are very favorable for development.

What you're looking at are the upper-level winds (shear). Hurricanes require a very relaxed atmosphere with calm winds above. A hurricane needs to be what we call "vertically stacked." That can only happen when the winds are blowing slowly; generally less than 10 knots. However the analysis above is showing 60 knots sheer! Those are screaming winds!

That's the reason why Cindylooks more like a kidney bean than the more typical spinning pinwheel of a well defined hurricane. The winds are blowing the tops of the thunderstorms away from the center of circulation. Until the winds relax, which likely won't happen due to an upper-level low near Texas, this will not become a hurricane. Expect a very ugly, lopsided, water-loaded tropical storm in the central gulf.

Areas of low pressure (tropical storms and hurricanes) always follow the path of least resistance. In this case, the least resistance path is somewhere between southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Many models, including the Euro model show a direct impact on the Houston/Galveston area. Other models show Beaumont while others still show southwest Louisiana.

EURO:

%INLINE%

European models shows a robust tropical storm making landfall near Galveston very early Thursday morning.

GFS:

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GFShas shifted west to align more with the Euro model. However, it's landfall point remains east of Houston near Beaumont/Port Arthur.

CMC (Canadian):

%INLINE%

The CMC model has been by far the most consistent with showing a landfall along the north gulf coast for well over a week. It has bounced back and forth between Houston and central Louisiana and continues to call for a landfall in southwest Louisiana.

%INLINE%

The spaghetti models above are a conglomeration of many models showing the potential path of a tropical storm. Notice the consensus is the mouth of the Sabine River.

Just because a "hurricane" is not in the forecast doesn't mean it can't be just as damaging or deadly. Tropical storms are prolific rainmakers and in a flood-prone city like Houston, this system certainly warrants your attention.

If the storm makes landfall east of Houston near Beaumont, our area will be spared the brunt of any bad weather. That's not to say that a few rain bands won't be possible. The main impacts will be well east into Louisiana.

If the storm moves further west and makes landfall on Galveston Island as some models suggest then our forecast becomes more challenging. The main impacts still will be east of the Houston area but the flood threat becomes much more tantamount. Along and east of the center of circulation 5 to 10 inches of rain will be possible with isolated higher amounts. Therefore where the center arrives will determine who gets the worst impacts.

Remember, the further west the storm hits the worse off Houston will be. The further east the better.

Cindy never was and likely will never be a wind event. However gusty winds in excess of 30 to 40 mph will be possible along the coastal counties and areas near the bay. Winds may gust to 50 mph or stronger but it'll be isolated in nature.

This is NOT a wind event for the city of Houston.

Of course the "what to expect" is ever changing with the forecast.

2017 KHOU-TV

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Tropical storm warning for Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty counties - KENS 5 TV

VIRGINIA BEACH

A lawsuit filed against Liberty Tax CEO John Hewitt claims he shoved a woman down the stairs and threatened to throw her dog in the lake outside the Virginia Beach home they shared.

Tiffany K. Glenn filed the lawsuit in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, nearly two yearsafter the night of May 26, 2015, when she claims Hewitt grabbed her by the face and neck and shouted: This is my house. Get out!

Glennclaims Hewitt shoved her down the stairs from behind, threatened her dog Gucci and threw her boots into a lake on the property, according to requests for admission filed by her attorney.

Calls and an email sent to Hewitt at his Liberty Tax address seeking comment were not returned. His attorney, Larry Woodward, declined to comment, but said he would be filing a response to the complaint in the next few days.Hewitt founded the Virginia Beach-based tax prep franchise company.

The lawsuit says Glenn was left withnumerous bruises and marks on her face, neck, arm and other places.

Glenns attorney, Kevin Martingayle, said Hewitt was arrested and criminally charged at the time, but his client dropped the charges at the urging of Hewitt and his then attorney. She and Hewitt had been in a relationship for a significant period of time and she believed they might reconcile, Martingayle said. The relationship, though, ended.

Glenn is seeking up to $700,000 in combined compensatory and punitive damages.

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Liberty Tax CEO sued by ex-girlfriend claiming he shoved her down stairs - Virginian-Pilot

New York Post

Statue of Liberty finally free of oil tycoon's mega-yacht New York Post Just days after The Post aired locals' grievances over Russian-American oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler parking his luxury vessel, Le Grand Bleu, in front of Lady Liberty, the boat weighed anchor Monday, photos show. According to tracking data, the yacht ...

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Statue of Liberty finally free of oil tycoon's mega-yacht - New York Post

Loaded with experience and strong leadership, the Liberty boys tennis team set the bar high coming into the spring season.

The Hurricanes lived up to the expectations as they ran through the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference with an unblemished 14-0 record, then went on to claim gold in the District 11 Class 3A team tournament.

In singles districts, Dan Lynn finished runner-up, while Louis Gruber reached the semifinals and Jacob Berg was a quarterfinalist. Lynn and Gruber rode that momentum into the district doubles tournament, where they knocked off teammates Luke Conrad and David Lynn in the championship.

For its outstanding achievements, Liberty is The Morning Call Boys Tennis Team of the Year.

"Being the only Liberty tennis team to ever win a team district title was truly a team effort," Liberty coach Leo Schnalzer said. "Having success in any program is a positive. As far as Liberty's boys program this year, it's added a lot of conversation both at Liberty and the community. That's been fun for everyone because it brings pride to the school and team."

Schnalzer described singles players Lynn, Gruber, and Berg as the backbone of the team with a fine supporting cast from the doubles players. The three singles players contributed heavily to the team's success as they combined for a 66-6 record this season.

The doubles teams of Luke Conrad-David Lynn and Duke Jin-Gavin Snyder provided depth and experience for the Hurricanes. Conrad-Lynn turned some heads in the district doubles tournament when they knocked off the No. 2 seed from Parkland in the semifinals.

Schnalzer knew he had a talented team on his hands before the season started. The majority of Liberty's players have a strong foundation in tennis, having played at various clubs throughout the Lehigh Valley. Schnalzer also credits his assistants Chris Conrad and Dawn Ketterman-Benner for the team's success.

The Hurricanes will lose two senior starters in Dan Lynn and Conrad, but should remain in the hunt for another EPC and district title next year.

"Those seniors will be missed next year for a variety of reasons," Schnalzer said. "Their quality of play, leadership and just fine individuals. I will certainly miss them."

Dante Terenzio is a freelance writer.

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Morning Call all-area boys tennis: Liberty is team of year - Allentown Morning Call

By Vanesa Brashier, vbrashier@hcnonline.com

The Liberty City Council at its June 13 meeting voted to terminate its contract with the City of Hardin for wastewater disposal. Repeated overages flowing into the City of Liberty's wastewater plant prompted the cancelation, according to Liberty City Manager Gary Broz.

"In the certified letter we sent to the City of Hardin, it states that if they fix everything in their system, there is an opportunity to come back," Broz said. "The overages the City of Hardin are sending us every time it rains are causing a strain on our system."

The contract between the two cities allows Hardin to send a daily maximum of 200,000 gallons of wastewater, which is run through an extensive sewer system that stretches from Hardin to Liberty along SH 146. The June statement from Liberty shows that Hardin exceeded the limit four times in the month of May, with the largest increase on May 5 when Hardin sent a total of 500,000 gallons of wastewater down the pipes to Liberty.

Hardin is charged $0.75 per 1,000 gallons for the first 200,000 gallons of wastewater per day. The overages alone cost the City of Hardin an additional $5,426 on the June statement.

"The overages the City of Hardin are sending us every time it rains are causing a strain on our system." - Gary Broz, Liberty city manager

"Every time it rains, we are seeing overages," Broz said. "The City of Liberty is permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to process 2.5 million gallons of wastewater per day."

On May 5, Hardin, with its 900 residents, produced one-fifth of the total capacity of wastewater permitted by Liberty, a city of 9,000 residents.

"We have to protect our sewer plant," Broz said. "That's where we are unfortunately with Hardin."

The termination will not be immediate though. The contract has a five-year termination agreement, so Hardin has time to get its sewer problems sorted.

Broz said the top priority for Hardin should be fixing its manholes, which are flooding the sewer system instead of diverting the water to drains.

In the meantime, Liberty is projecting to spend a total of $22 million over the next few years on repairs and upgrades to its sewer system.

The project will be accomplished in three phases with the first expected to cost $7 million.

The Dayton News tried to contact Hardin Mayor Stephanie Blume for comment, but phone calls to the mayor went unanswered.

In other news from the June 13 meeting, council heard a presentation from Cory Stull of the consulting firm, Freese Nichols.

Stull explained the firm's recommendations for a possible levee project that would protect the city from future floods.

On May 15, 2015, the city's current levee was threatened by flood. Emergency repairs kept the waters from breaching the levee.

According to Stull, the city can apply for two grants of approximately $2.1 million each.

The city would have to match 25 percent of each grant, but there is a possibility of folding the projects into one and reducing the costs by $1 million.

The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency wouldf cover trash racks, culverts and paved concrete slopes on the levee.

The National Resource Conservation Service grant would fund earthwork, riprap on the new levee, extend the outfall pipes of the electric pump station to match the new levee grade extension and elevate the diesel pump outfall structure to match the new levee grade elevation.

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Liberty cancels Hardin sewer pact - Chron.com