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From Enterprise Staff

Crews from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will clear the right-of-way near and beneath the Trinity River Bridge on Monday. There was an outpouring of condolences and sympathy from friends and family of Audrii Cuningham, the 11-year-old Livingston student who was abducted and murdered in February.

A TxDOT representative said the agency understands the need and desire of the public to express sympathy after a large array of memorials were left at the scene where Audrii’s body was found. However, for the safety of all motorists and pedestrians, TxDOT is required to keep the rights of way near US 59 and beneath the bridge clear. Bridge pilings will also require maintenance after memorials were painted onto the pilings.

“We want to make the public aware so those who left memorials at the site can retrieve them if they would like to,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Rhonda Oaks said. “The bridge, both on the roadway and beneath it, must be maintained for the safety of the public and the integrity of the bridge.”

Those who want to keep their memorials are urged not to park on the shoulder of US 59 when retrieving them. Stay alert for moving traffic near the bridge when exiting the roadway.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 936-404-7485.

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From Enterprise Staff

For more than 200 years, the City of Corrigan has been recognized for its rich and diverse timber industry. From the lush southern yellow pine forests and timber harvesters, to log truck drivers and wood manufacturing facilities, Corrigan’s economy has been, and continues to be, driven by the forest products industry. To validate its economic contribution to not only East Texas, but to the state of Texas, Corrigan has been designated as the Timber Products Capital of Texas.

The City of Corrigan and the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the timber products designation at 5:30 p.m. on March 21 at the Corrigan City Hall located at 101 W. Ben Franklin and the public is invited to be a part of the celebration.

“We are very excited about this new designation,” Corrigan Mayor Johnna Lowe-Gibson said. “This designation recognizes and celebrates those who work within the industry. Seeing wood products manufactured in the Corrigan area on store shelves or on construction sites all over the country instills a sense of pride for our industry employees and citizens.”

It was in the late 1800s following the construction of two railways – the Texas & New Orleans Railroad and the Trinity & Sabine Railway – when Corrigan established a lucrative timber-based economy. With 18 sawmills and counting, Corrigan was quickly put on the map and even recognized then as an industry leader.

Now more than a century later, Corrigan and the surrounding communities are home to numerous logging companies and wood manufacturing companies. One of North America’s largest wood products manufacturer, Georgia-Pacific, operates a lumber mill and two plywood plants in Corrigan and Camden that employ approximately 1,000 people. In 2017 RoyOMartin brought its family owned OSB (oriented strand board) operations to Corrigan, and recently completed a significant expansion, now employing 223 people. While the maker of a variety of lumber, panels EWP and boards, Lincoln Lumber, began operating in the Corrigan area in 2005.  In addition to wood manufacturers, Corrigan is home to numerous logging operations and transportation companies.

After writing a proclamation recognizing Corrigan as the Timber Products Capital of Texas, Gibson applied for the official state designation.

“We are pleased that Corrigan is seen as a vital contributor to the Texas economy,” Gibson said. “With sustainable harvesting practices and the continued growth in local wood products manufacturing, we will continue the legacy of those who put Corrigan on the map more than 200 years ago.”

 

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From Enterprise Staff

A tip of a possible sighting resulted in the apprehension and arrest of a Point Blank man who led multiple local law enforcement agencies on a high speed chase and subsequent manhunt.

The Livingston Police Department on March 8 initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle stolen out of Houston. The driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit by multiple agencies, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Traveling at high speeds, the driver turned onto Loop 116 and drove through a gate and back into a pasture before jumping from the moving vehicle and fleeing on foot into the woods.

Tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were called in to aid in the search. As darkness fell, units remained staged in the area, patrolling through the night for any sight of the fleeing suspect.

The Sheriff’s Office received a tip on March 9 in reference to a possible sighting of the suspect near the Moscow area.

Units from the Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Police Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife traveled to the area and staged, while plain clothes officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office searched the area.

The suspect, identified as Brian Joseph Brown of Point Blank, was located in a wooded area near the Valero and was taken into custody without incident.

Brown had outstanding warrants from Harris County for burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized use of a vehicle and an outstanding warrant from Liberty County for unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Additional charges of evading arrest or detention with vehicle and unauthorized use of a vehicle were filed by the Livingston Police Department. He remains in the Polk County Jail.

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From Enterprise Staff

“Bennie & the Jets,” the premier Elton John tribute act, will be the final performance of the 2023-2024 season of the Livingston Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at the Polk County Commerce Center located at 1017 Hwy. 59 Loop North in Livingston. The doors open at 7 p.m.

Memberships in the Livingston Community Concert Association may be purchased for as little as $50 per person and family rates are also available. Membership will allow one to attend all concerts per season. For additional information go to www.livingstoncommunityconcert.org or contact Sally Frasier at 936-967-0219.

Led by Greg Ransom on piano and vocals, “Bennie & the Jets” has performed around the world for a variety of audiences. In honor of his 2022 farewell tour, this concert offers audiences the opportunity to relive Elton John’s iconic catalog of music, including “Candle in the Wind,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Rocket Man” and so many other beloved Elton John songs.

Ransom began playing the piano when he was 10 years old and fortunately, he had a piano teacher “with a slant toward rock.” He continued piano throughout his high school years, studying theory, harmony, stage band and madrigal singers. While in high school, he and other classmates formed a band “The Awakening,” where they performed with local basement-band MTV winners.

He was only 21 and playing at a downtown piano bar when someone requested that he play an Elton John song. He delighted them with “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” The owner was so impressed he suggested that Ransom don a hat and glasses and form a tribute program.

By 1995 the band was formed with Ransom on piano and vocals, Dan Moraski on guitar and backing vocals, Bob Lilja on drums and backing vocals and Ken Walpurgis on bass. They quickly became a national and international touring group. Lilja was replaced with Steve Lawton and Walpurgis was replaced with Mike Gibbs. Their current line-up remains Ransom, Moraski, Lawton and Gibbs. Bennie & the Jets have performed world-wide in a variety of venues.