Polk County News

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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“This investigation is very fluid. However, I can say we identified a backpack yesterday at the dam that is consistent with that belonging to the child. We are going through the contents and evaluating,” Lieutenant Craig Cummings, a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said during a press conference held Saturday afternoon in front of the Polk County Judicial Center.

Eleven-year-old Audrii Cunningham of Livingston has been missing since 7 a.m. Thursday and an Amber Alert is in effect.

Joined by Polk County Criminal District Attorney Shelly Sitton and Lieutenant Craig Finegan of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Cummings said that countless investigators and analysts are assisting in multiple locations.

“Sheriff (Byron) Lyons was unable to be here this afternoon but I want to reiterate that he is actively engaged in marshaling the resources that are needed to bring Audrii home. He did ask me to thank all of the volunteers who have been so helpful, all the businesses that have been nothing but exceptional, the dive teams, all the investigators, the Rangers, the FBI, the FBI victim’s specialist who is working with the family, Texas EquuSearch,” Cummings said.

“Yesterday I announced that we had persons of interest. Today, we have one main person of interest that we are looking at and that is Don Steven McDougal, 42 of Livingston. He was arrested yesterday on an unrelated aggravated assault charge,” Cummings said, adding that McDougal remains in the Polk County Jail and that while his vehicle, a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, is also in custody, if anyone saw the vehicle Thursday or Friday to please call the sheriff’s office.

Cummings also announced that Polk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $7,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for Audrii’s disappearance.

“We are hopeful that we can bring Audrii home alive and that’s what we are absolutely working toward right now. Based on the evidence that we’ve got, we know that foul play is a factor as well,” Cummings said. “Investigative efforts are ongoing. We’re looking at this as a criminal investigation as well and have to protect the integrity of that.

“Our investigators have done a great job of doing what they do best, recovering facts that are leading them to conclusions. Everybody is committed. They realize that Audrii is loved by so many folks. It certainly resonates with the law enforcement community. Many of us have kids,” Cummings said.

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Livingston man after an investigation last week. There is also a search for two wanted suspects with felony warrants.

On Wednesday, Polk County Narcotics Detectives conducted an investigation into the use and sale of methamphetamine in the Putnam’s Landing subdivision.

As a result of that investigation, Michael Jesse Linan, 47, was arrested on possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) charges.

In an unrelated case, the PCSO is looking for Ramon Lalumandier and Christine Ferris, both wanted on active felony warrants. The pair reside in the Indian Springs subdivision, but are “known to jump from place to place,” according to law enforcement.

Lalumandier has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, while Ferris has the same charge with intent to deliver.

Those with information in reference to this case that may help with the investigation are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810. An anonymous tip may be submitted at p3tips.com, the P3 App, or by calling Polk County Crime Stoppers at 936-327-STOP, where tipsters may remain anonymous and collect a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

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Three individuals’ lunches were suddenly interrupted at Alma’s Courthouse Whistle Stop Cafe Tuesday when this tire came off of a vehicle driving by and crashed through the front window right over their table. Livingston Police Department responded to the scene, as did Allegiance EMS. The diners were treated at the scene for non-incapacitating injuries. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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From Enterprise Staff

A segment airing on PBS this week will feature efforts to restore the longleaf pine tree to the native landscape in Deep East Texas.

The segment will air on the Texas Parks & Wildlife television show on PBS stations throughout the state. The show airs Saturdays at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as Mondays at 11 p.m. on the Greater Houston PBS station, KUHT-TV.

The show will feature representatives of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Nature Conservancy discussing their partnership to restore nearly 400 acres of longleaf pine forest in the heart of the Big Thicket. Longleaf pine forests need frequent, low-intensity fires to grow and thrive.

The longleaf pine is also important to the culture of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. The show highlights tribal citizens weaving baskets with the pine. The tribe has long been known for its baskets.

More information about the partnership between the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Nature Conservancy can be found at nature.org/texasprescribedfire.