Daily Archives: October 26, 2012

Liberty County has accepted a settlement agreement with a family that sued the county for allegedly damaging their reputation and good name during the investigation of a reported mass grave on their property.

The Liberty County Commissioners Court agreed on Oct. 23 to pay the couple, Joe Bankston and Gena Charleton, $15,000 each to settle the lawsuit filed on June 5 of this year in the 193rd Judicial District in Dallas.

The couple owned a property in the Hardin area that gained international attention when it was reported that a mass grave of dozens of children had been found at their residence. The couple sued Liberty County along with several other national media outlets. The media groups being sued by Bankson and Charlton KPRC, Belo Corp.

The New York Times, CNN America, Thompson Reuters and ABC News are accused of publishing false statements claiming that bodies had been found on the property or for republishing statements made by other media, thereby making the statements their own. On June 6, 2011, deputies from the sheriffs office, assisted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, searched the Bankson-Charlton home on CR 2048 at CR 2049 after the sheriffs office received a tip that multiple bodies had been buried on the property. Using cadaver dogs, authorities scanned the property, but found nothing.

Hours later, after the story gained global media attention, it was revealed that the uncorroborated tip had, in fact, come from a psychic. No bodies were found on the property.

The lawsuit also claimed that the sheriffs department did not properly secure the home after leaving. Stray dogs entered the home and defecated throughout the residence. By settling the case, the county avoids additional litigation costs since the lawsuit was filed in Dallas.

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Liberty County Settles Lawsuit Over Mass Grave Fiasco

A New York Fire Department boat sprays water as the USS New York passes her near the Statue of Liberty in New York on November 7, 2009. UPI/Danielle Bacon/U.S. Marines

License photo

Published: Oct. 25, 2012 at 12:23 PM

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Statue of Liberty in New York will be wheelchair accessible for the first time when it opens this weekend after a year of renovations, officials said.

Statue of Liberty Superintendent David Luchsinger said the renovations, which include installing new staircases and an elevator designed for wheelchair-bound guests who wish to visit the observation decks, will allow about 26,000 more people to visit the monument per year when it reopens on its 126th birthday Sunday, CNN reported Thursday.

Luchsinger said about 3.5 million people visit the statue each year.

"Folks that have never been able to maneuver on the staircases can now go all the way up to the observation deck and experience that," he said. "She's not only our Statue of Liberty, she's the world's Statue of Liberty."

Larry Hughes, a Vietnam War veteran, was chosen as the first wheelchair user to test out the elevator.

"You see this stuff on TV ... but to actually be here, it takes on a whole brand new dimension," Hughes said.

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Lady Liberty now wheelchair accessible

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Statue of Liberty is set to reopen to the public on Sunday, the U.S. landmark's 126th anniversary.

The statue has been closed since last October for renovation to its interior, although the public has been allowed to visit its Liberty Island grounds in New York Harbor.

The $30 million renovation that began last year included replacing the stairs to the crown and making them less steep. There are now 393 steps, instead of 354.

For the first time, visitors using wheelchairs will be able to visit one of the observation decks at the top of the pedestal. National Parks Service spokeswoman Mindi Rambo said that is as high as it's possible to provide wheelchair access while preserving the historic structure.

The statue, a gift from France, was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886. It was conceived to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and their shared love of liberty.

About 3.5 million people visit the statue every year. Parks Service official said the renovations will allow an additional 26,000 people to visit inside the monument annually.

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With renovations complete, Statue of Liberty to reopen on its 126th anniversary Sunday

NEW YORK (AP) The Statue of Liberty is set to reopen to the public on Sunday, the U.S. landmark's 126th anniversary.

The statue has been closed since last October for renovation to its interior, although the public has been allowed to visit its Liberty Island grounds in New York Harbor.

The $30 million renovation that began last year included replacing the stairs to the crown and making them less steep. There are now 393 steps, instead of 354.

For the first time, visitors using wheelchairs will be able to visit one of the observation decks at the top of the pedestal. National Parks Service spokeswoman Mindi Rambo said that is as high as it's possible to provide wheelchair access while preserving the historic structure.

The statue, a gift from France, was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886. It was conceived to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and their shared love of liberty.

About 3.5 million people visit the statue every year. Parks Service official said the renovations will allow an additional 26,000 people to visit inside the monument annually.

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Statue of Liberty reopens on 126th birthday Sunday

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bill Laimbeer returned to the WNBA on Thursday as the New York Liberty's general manager and coach.

The former Detroit Pistons star led the Detroit Shock to three WNBA titles and was 137-93 as the team's general manager and coach from 2002-09.

''I am very excited to return to the WNBA, and for the opportunity to join the New York Liberty,'' Laimbeer said. ''I missed the competitive fire of players like Cappie Pondexter and Plenette Pierson, two hard-nosed competitors for the Liberty. The commitment of our fans and the city will be invaluable in our quest to bring a WNBA championship to New York. After all, that's really all that counts.''

Laimbeer replaces John Whisenant. In two seasons as general manager and coach, Whisenant had a 34-34 record and led the Liberty to playoff berths.

''We're excited to have Bill Laimbeer join the New York Liberty as our general manager and head coach,'' said Allan Houston, the New York Knicks' assistant GM who oversees the Liberty's basketball operations. ''He has brought his winning pedigree and passion to the WNBA and I believe he will play a large role in bringing a championship to the Liberty. We appreciate Coach Whisenant's dedication to our team and the organization, and wish him well in the future.''

Terms of Laimbeer's deal with the team weren't disclosed.

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Laimbeer joins Liberty as general manager, coach

By Leigh Remizowski, CNN

updated 1:10 PM EDT, Thu October 25, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

New York (CNN) -- The Statue of Liberty is set to reopen Sunday after a year of renovations intended to make the iconic 19th-century gift from France easier to navigate and more accessible to visitors with disabilities.

The interior of the copper colossus has been closed to visitors since October 2011.

On Sunday, the monument's 126th birthday, visitors using wheelchairs will for the first time be able to visit one of the observation decks, located near the feet of Lady Liberty.

"You see this stuff on TV ... but to actually be here, it takes on a whole brand new dimension," said Larry Hughes, a Vietnam War veteran and the first wheelchair user to ride the newly installed elevator to the deck.

As he looked out onto the Manhattan skyline, Hughes told Zoraida Sambolin on CNN's "Early Start" that he felt blessed to be inside the statue instead of looking at it from afar. CNN joined Hughes and other veterans for an exclusive first look at the renovations Wednesday.

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

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Lady Liberty to reopen after a year