Wood County Religious Lawsuit Hearing Next Month

QUITMAN — A hearing is set on October 16 in a lawsuit filed by a Hawkins man, contesting the constitutionality of a posting in the Wood County commissioner’s courtroom and the commissioners’ practice of opening sessions with prayer. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that the lawsuit, filed in April by Charles Frederick Scott III, contends “In God We Trust” is posted in violation of the First Amendment.

Commissioners retained the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Institute for representation in the lawsuit. Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Wood County Commissioners court, filed a motion for summary judgment “to end the frivolous lawsuit.” Erin Leu of Liberty Institute said, “The law is entirely clear in this.” She noted there are two issues. She said the posting of the national motto has been established as a “national acknowledgement of our religious heritage.” She said every court of appeals to consider the issue has ruled use or display of the national motto is constitutional. Leu said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled opening with prayer is constitutional. Wood County Judge Bryan Jeanes declined to comment because the matter is in litigation.

DENTON – After months of collaboration and information sharing resulting in preliminary flood maps, officials with Smith County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now asking the public to participate in a 90-day comment period. Homeowners, renters, and business owners in the cities of Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Tyler, Whitehouse, Winona and the unincorporated areas of Smith County are encouraged to view the maps to better understand where flood risks have been identified. Those with comments or who would like to file an appeal have from September 27 to December 25 to do so.