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Elton John tribute to perform final concert of season

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BennieAndTheJets

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.

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PCSO searching for felony suspect

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FelonySuspects

From Enterprise Staff

On Wednesday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division assisted the patrol division in a felony warrant service on Samual Dwayne Brumlow in the Wilson Lake Estates subdivision.

While serving the arrest warrant, detectives obtained evidence that resulted in obtaining a search warrant for the property. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately nine ounces of liquid methamphetamine.

Brumlow, 37, of Livingston, was not located on the property and currently has an active felony warrant for theft, along with several misdemeanor traffic warrants. Detectives are currently seeking an additional felony warrant on Brumlow for possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine).

Two subjects were arrested at the scene. William Eric Lafferty, 53, and Veronica Clarisse Williams, both of Livingston, for possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Those with information to Brumlow’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.

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Several arrested in narcotics sting

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SeveralArrested

From Enterprise Staff

State Trooper Cotye Lowrie, serving with District 2B of Livingston spearheaded a collaborative effort aimed at combatting illegal narcotic activity in the Blanchard/Scenic Loop area of Polk County.

The operation, conducted on Feb. 21-22, saw the concerted efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Highway Patrol, Polk County Narcotics Division, and the Livingston Police Department.

With a focus on targeting the sale and transportation of illegal narcotics, as well as apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants, Lowrie’s initiative resulted in what law enforcement is calling “a highly successful operation that made significant strides in enhancing public safety within the county.”

The operation yielded the apprehension of several individuals involved in illegal narcotics activities, and the execution of warrants for individuals with outstanding charges. The following arrests were made by the aforementioned law enforcement agencies.

Christopher Perkey was arrested with a warrant for theft. Stephen Theis and Montana Lawrence had a warrant issued for possession of methamphetamine. Ginger Beatrice Brown had two felony warrants and is charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) between four and 200grams. Savanna Mitcham had a warrant for felony theft. Jessie Gene Tolar had a parole warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm and charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) between four and 200 grams. Kelley Ziegler, David Owen Barrow Jr. and Pamela Faye Barrow were charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) between four and 200 grams. Haylee Cargle had a felony warrant for possession, a felony revocation warrant, and charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

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HOMECOMING

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AudriiCunningham

A lengthy procession of local and area law enforcement, volunteer fire departments and first responders escorted the body of Audrii Cunningham home from the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office to Pace Funeral Home Monday. The procession even included Audrii’s school bus. Visitation will be open to the public from 5-8 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church located at 106 Colt Rd. in Livingston. Private services will be held Saturday. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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Georgia-Pacific awarded on the Forbes America’s Best Large Employers 2024 List

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GeorgiaPacificIn addition to being named as one of Forbes’ best large employers, Georgia-Pacific’s Polk County facilities were recently awarded the Large Business of the Year by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. Pictured (l to r) are Georgia-Pacific employees Earlina Penson, Cathey Page, Yana Ogletree, Lester Knight, Andrew Boyce, former chamber president; George Standley, and Tatiana Wells.

Earns recognition from the business magazine for seventh time

Corrigan, Texas – Georgia-Pacific has been awarded on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers 2024. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on Feb. 13 and can be viewed on the Forbes website.

America’s Best Large Employers have been identified in an independent survey from a vast sample of over 170,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing more than 5,000 people within the U.S.

The final score is based on two types of evaluations. The first is personal, given by employees themselves, also known as direct evaluations. The other is public, given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

Georgia-Pacific has 11 facilities in Texas, including seven in East Texas—Diboll Lumber, Diboll Particleboard, Corrigan Plywood, Camden Plywood, Camden Lumber, Pineland Lumber, and a regional sales office. Together these facilities employ approximately 1,800 people. In Texas Georgia-Pacific invests $593 million in total combined compensation and benefits, including direct and indirect jobs, and has made $735 million in capital investments and acquisitions within the state since 2013.

“The employees at our East Texas facilities are keenly focused on meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers,” said Yana Ogletree, Georgia-Pacific Texas Public & Government Affairs Manager. “We are thrilled that our hard work and contributions have made an impact at this level, earning Georgia-Pacific an award from Forbes as one of the best employers in the U.S.” 

“Being recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees,” said Megan Sirna, senior vice president of human resources at Georgia-Pacific. “Our employees and culture are the driving force behind our success. We are proud to have such a talented and committed team that makes Georgia-Pacific a great place to work.” 

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