Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

Polk County News

TxDOT reminds motorists to prepare for back to school

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

080422 txdot school safety

From Enterprise Staff

School zone flashers are being activated this week throughout the nine-county Lufkin District in preparation for a new school year. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to remind the public of the law regarding driving through a school zone and near school buses and offer safety tips for students.

Motorists should stay alert and be prepared to slow down to the posted speed limit when school lights are activated in a school zone. Be prepared to stop during peak travel hours as directed by a school crossing guard or state, city, county or school law enforcement before and after school hours. Parents are encouraged to discuss safety with students who walk or ride a bicycle to school.

“We encourage parents to have a conversation with their students about school zones and bus safety before the school year begins,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Rhonda Oaks said. “Student and motorists’ safety are of top priority in and near a school zone and that safety many times depends on the alertness of a driver.”

Laws and safety tips to remember for driving through school zones include:

• Cell phone use is banned in active school zones. Anyone using a cell phone could face a fine of up to $200.

• Obey school zone speed limits. Traffic fines double in school zones.

• Student delivery and pick-up should only be done in the school’s designated areas, not in or near the street.

• Be alert to students gathering at bus stops.

• Be alert for students who might dart across the street or between vehicles.

Laws and safety tips for traveling near a school bus include:

• A driver traveling in either direction must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped and operating a visual signal.

• The driver may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion, the bus driver signals to proceed, or the visual signals are no longer activated.

• If a road is divided only by a left-turn lane, drivers on both sides of the roadway must stop for school buses while lights are activated. If the travel lanes are separated by an intervening median or physical barrier, only motorists traveling in the same direction as the bus are required to stop.

• Violators could face up to a $1,000 fine.

Safety tips for students who walk or ride a bicycle to school include:

• Always cross at intersections and designated crosswalks. Look left, right and then left again before proceeding.

• Look for oncoming traffic when stepping from a bus.

• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

• Always obey crossing guards.

• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

• If riding a bicycle, only cross at designated crossings and obey all traffic laws.

• Use hand signals when turning.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (936) 633-4395.

  • Hits: 537

Body found

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

080422 body found

From Enterprise Staff

The Livingston Police Department was dispatched to the Garner Motel located at 815 S. Washington Ave. Tuesday in reference to a deceased person that had been found in one of the rooms.

Officers arrived on scene and located a single body in the room that had been there for an undetermined amount of time. Officers were able to positively identify the deceased as Sam Marie Sweaney, 51, of Livingston.

Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Robert Johnson conducted the inquest and ordered an autopsy. The death is under investigation pending autopsy results.

  • Hits: 1653

Wife charged with murder

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Samantha StewartSamantha Stewart

By Emily Banks Wooten
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Samantha Lynn Stewart, 32, of Corrigan, was arrested and charged with murder and booked into the Polk County Jail following an incident that occurred at her home off of FM 352 Tuesday.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Stewart at approximately 9:53 p.m. Tuesday, stating that someone had broken into her residence and killed her husband, Jeffrey Stewart, 32, according to Captain Dave Sottosanti.

Officers with the Corrigan Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene to secure it and investigators with the sheriff’s office began processing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses.

Following the collection of evidence and and completion of interviews, Stewart was arrested and charged with murder. She is being held in the Polk County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sarah Rasberry conducted the inquest and ordered an autopsy to be performed by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.

  • Hits: 2130

One killed in car wreck

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

072822 one killed in crashA man was killed in a three car accident on Hwy 59.

From Enterprise Staff

The investigation into a three-vehicle accident that left one dead Sunday afternoon is ongoing according to Livingston Police Chief Matt Parrish.

A 2008 Chevrolet HHR driven by Timothy P. Flanigan, 57 of Livingston, was traveling southbound in the 800 block of the U.S. Hwy. 59 North Loop which is the northbound side for northbound traffic. According to the accident report filed by Livingston Police Officer Dallas Early, Flanigan then used the exit ramp as an entrance, heading southbound into the northbound lanes of traffic. As he entered into the main lanes of traffic, he collided head-on with a northbound 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Hope C. McDade, 84 of Livingston. A third vehicle, a northbound 2018 Chevrolet K1500 driven by Michael D. Frers, 45 of Livingston, then collided with McDade’s vehicle.

Flanigan was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Darrell G. Longino and was transported to Cochran Funeral Home.

McDade was transported by HCA Houston Healthcare Life Flight to HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood with incapacitating injuries.

According to the accident report, Frers sustained no injuries.

The accident occurred at 1:01 p.m. Sunday.

  • Hits: 3387

Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 5-7

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

tax holiday

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-7.

State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. The dates of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature.

“Most Texans won’t hear the back-to-school bell for another month, but it’s never too early to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on everything from book bags to ballpoint pens,” Hegar said. “With inflation driving prices higher on just about everything, this sales tax holiday provides Texas families some small relief managing the costs associated with kids heading back to the classroom. As the father of three school-aged children myself, I know how these expenses can add up.”

The Comptroller’s office estimates that shoppers will save $112 million in state and local sales tax during this sales tax holiday.

Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

During the annual sales tax holiday, qualifying items can be purchased tax free online or by telephone, mail, custom order or any other means (including in-store purchases) when either:

  • the item is both delivered to, and paid for by, the customer during the exemption period; or,
  • the customer orders and pays for the item, and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period ends.

Texas’ sales tax holiday weekend has been an annual event since 1999.

  • Hits: 648