Polk County News

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By Jody Goez
Contributing Writer

Sting Ray Anthony will present “Jukebox Rocks” with special guests, “Shake Rattle & Roll” at 7 p.m. March 31 at the Pines Theater in Lufkin. For reservations, call Steve Fountain at 832-312-0074 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Do you remember saddle shoes and poodle skirts? How about jukeboxes and cars with fins? Sting Ray Anthony does–although in the 1950s, he wasn’t even a gleam in his father’s eye yet. But for Trinidad-born, Canada-raised Anthony, it was love at first listen. His mother, as it happens, was a bit more modern than his father who favored the standard-bearers of the previous era, such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. She was into rock and roll.

“When I was around eight or nine, my mom turned me onto the rock and roll stuff,” Anthony said. He then proceeded to buy and listen to every Elvis Presley recording he could. Anthony turned his love of music into a passion for playing. He began playing rock and roll music around town and was doing quite well. Then, the movie La Bamba came out. It was a biopic of the late young California musician who was hitting the charts in the early 1960s with songs that touched a generation, Ritchie Valens. The movie starred Lou Diamond Phillips and changed the course of Anthony’s career.

“I was already out there playing and when the movie came out, people started saying, ‘hey, you look like the guy from La Bamba!’” Anthony said.

With his uncanny resemblance to Lou Diamond Phillips, Anthony literally brings Valens’ music and more back to life. There are cover artists. There are tribute artists. There are even look-alike impersonators. But if you want to see the real thing, there is Sting Ray Anthony and his Jukebox Rocks show. For those who long to relive the 50s and 60s music of their own youth, and those who are discovering it for the first time, Anthony presents a legendary line-up of songs of the era.

“I’ve been very fortunate to help keep Ritchie’s memory alive and play all kinds of rock and roll,” Anthony said. He has been able to meet and work with several performers of the era and help introduce them to a new generation of fans.

“I’ve gotten to play on the biggest stages and befriend my heroes. Just last week I met James Burton (famously known for working with Elvis). I’ve met and played with and befriended just about everyone who played with Elvis and in that era, including Chubby Checker, Bill Medley, Peter Noone, Frankie Avalon, and even Valens’ sister, Connie,” Anthony said.

Along with the vocals of all-girl do-wop band, Shake Rattle & Roll, it promises to be a fun-filled night of rock and roll music. Multi-award-winning international 50s and 60s tribute show group Shake Rattle & Roll will make you stop, drop and roll with laughter as they take you back to a time of innocence with their comedy and hula hooping skills. They will bring back old memories and sing your favorite songs of the past with their beautiful harmony and choreographed moves.

Special guest Colin Dexter will also perform his incredible tribute to Roy Orbison.

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Marleigh Robinson

From Enterprise Staff

Marleigh Robinson has been selected to represent the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in the 80th annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville March 27-April 1. Robinson will join 24 other visiting duchesses from Southeast Texas to participate in a number of events such as a breakfast for duchesses, Jean Fling, Kingsmen’s Ball and the Dogwood Parade in the days leading up to the Dogwood Queen Coronation held the evening of April 1.

Robinson is an 18-year-old senior at Woodville High School. She is the daughter of Valerie Celestine Robinson and the late Curley Robinson of the Reservation. Grandparents are the late Nelson and Vivian Celestine of the Reservation and the late Harry and Florence Robinson of Livingston. She is of the Beaver clan.

She competes on the Woodville Eagles girls’ softball team as pitcher and is an active member of the Alabama-Coushatta Inner Voice Youth Council. She attends the First Texas Indian Baptist Church. Her future plans are to continue her education and major in accounting and real estate. In her spare time, she likes to read, play on her phone and hang out with friends and family. Robinson said her tribe and her people are very important to her and that she is happy to be an active member of the community. She said she appreciates this honor and opportunity to represent the tribe at this annual event and will strive to be a good ambassador for her people.

Robinson’s escort for the Tyler County Dogwood Festival is Tavian Battise, a junior at Big Sandy High School. Battise is the son of Kendi Battise of Livingston and the late Daniel Battise of the Reservation.

 

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The Corrigan-Camden ISD board voted Thursday to name Dr. Keith Brooks as its lone finalist for superintendent of schools. He currently serves as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Sheldon ISD.

Brooks has 22 years of experience in education, 13 of which have been in administration. He has served as a principal at every level. Earning his doctorate degree from the University of Houston, Brooks also holds a master’s degree and bachelors of business administration in economics from Stephen F. Austin University.   

“I am very pleased with the selection of Dr. Keith Brooks for superintendent, and I feel like he is going to be a great asset to Corrigan-Camden ISD,” Board President Thomas Roberts said. Dr. Brooks’ background in curriculum and instruction will take our educational department to another level. We are very fortunate to have him be a part of the Bulldog family.”

Regarding the announcement, Brooks said he was humbled and blessed for the opportunity to serve the Corrigan-Camden ISD community. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting and building relationships with our students, their families and the faculty. I’m eager to learn more about the amazing accomplishments from students and staff, and continue building upon the foundation of excellence the community expects.” 

Texas law requires that the board wait 21 days from the day a lone finalist is selected before a candidate can officially be hired by the district. The board is expected to vote on the final selection for superintendent at its regular board meeting April 17.   

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From Enterprise Staff

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public input to help inform future management directions of the agency. TPWD’s mission is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Public input can be made through April 14, by completing a Texas A&M University online survey.

“In fulfilling our mission, TPWD is committed to delivering effective natural resources stewardship and outdoor recreation programs that exemplify the highest standards of quality, service and professionalism,” TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz Ph.D. said. “As the agency looks ahead to the next 10 years and plans our work, public input is critically important to ensuring our programs continue to meet the needs of the state and all Texans.”

Survey responses will help inform an update of the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Land and Water Plan). The 2024 Land and Water Plan is expected to identify specific strategies and science-based actions to be undertaken by TPWD over the next 10 years. It will serve to guide and evaluate the effectiveness of TPWD in delivering its mission.

The Land and Water Plan was originally developed in 2002 and updated in 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2015. In 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature adopted recommendations from the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission that led to changes in the statutory requirements for the Land and Water Plan (Texas Parks & Wildlife Code, § 11.101–106).

An update of the Land and Water Plan that conforms to these new requirements is scheduled to be completed by 2024. Moving forward, the Land and Water Plan will serve to guide and evaluate the effectiveness of TPWD in conserving the natural and cultural resources of Texas, evaluated on 5-year intervals, and will be updated every 10 years in conjunction with the update of the Land and Water Statewide Inventory.

To support the 2024 update of the Land and Water Plan, TPWD is partnering with Texas A&M University-College Station to update the Land and Water Statewide Inventory and administer public input surveys.

Input received through this online survey will provide feedback for the 2024 update and be presented to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for review at their August meeting.

The 2024 Land and Water Plan draft will also be shared publicly for review and feedback at that time. A final version that incorporates additional guidance from the commission and public feedback will be presented to the commission for final approval at the November meeting.