By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – An Oregon jury on Tuesday found the Boy Scouts of America negligent for repeated sexual abuse by an assistant Scoutmaster in the 1980s and awarded the plaintiff $1.4 million.
The jury also decided the Scouts organization - based in Irving, Texas - was liable for punitive damages that will be decided in a separate phase of the trial. That would be in addition to the $1.4 million.
The lawsuit was filed by Kerry Lewis, a former Portland man, who was abused by assistant Scoutmaster Timur Dykes in the early 1980s. The suit claims the Boy Scouts were negligent for failing to take steps to prevent child sex abuse after keeping a secret list of suspected pedophiles for decades.
The Scouts claim the list helped them keep child molesters out of their ranks.
Texas Capitol to get metal detectors, 2 plans approved for Governor's mansion
Over the objection of Gov. Rick Perry, the State Preservation Board has voted to add metal detectors and X-ray machines to entrances at the Texas Capitol. Perry, who serves on the board, opposes placing metal detectors and X-ray machines at the Capitol's four public entrances. But he was overruled Tuesday in a majority vote by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and other board members.
The four Capitol entrances would remain open. Officials say adding the metal detectors, X-ray machines and additional security cameras would cost up to $3 million.
A Texas man was arrested in January after firing several shots into the air on the south steps of the Capitol. No one was injured.
Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Preservation Board also gave preliminary approval to two plans for renovating the fire-damaged Texas Governor's Mansion, including one that would add a small bedroom and bathroom to the private quarters.
Both plans considered Tuesday would add a fire staircase and keep all renovations on the west end of the property without changing the view of the building from the east side entrance. A previous plan to add a much larger addition was withdrawn under heavy criticism from preservationists.
The plans now go to the Texas Historical Commission to pick one before construction can begin.
The mansion was severely damaged by a suspected arson fire in June 2008. No arrests have been made.
Police: Dad left kids in car for strip club visit
A Dallas man faces child endangerment charges after police say he left his 3-year-old and 9-month-old children locked in the car while he visited a strip club.
Thirty-six-year-old Michael Galloway of McKinney was in the Dallas County Jail on Tuesday on bonds totaling $10,000.
Dallas police say a tow truck driver discovered the children late Friday across the street from Pandora's Men's Club. The car was parked illegally. Police say the windows were up and the doors were locked. According to police, Galloway said he was inside for 20 minutes. Witnesses told police he was drinking inside for at least an hour.
A woman who answered the phone at Galloway's residence declined to comment or provide the name of his attorney.