Polk County News

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From Enterprise Staff

The Coalition Inc. has partnered with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department in an effort to prevent and reduce the harmful use of tobacco products in rural areas like East Texas, where tobacco-related health problems are more prevalent.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department targeted area businesses that sell tobacco. The age limit to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is now 21, per the new guidelines from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Out of the 54 attempts done in December and February, 12 citations were issued to the following businesses that sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors:

• Right Stop at 11256 U.S. Hwy. 190 East in Livingston;

• 146 Travel Center at 5060 Hwy. 146 South in Livingston;

• Super Stop Food Mart at 111 Pan American Dr.;

• Veterans Mart at 1809 N. Washington in Livingston;

• Brookshire Brothers #21 at 1253 W. Church St. in Livingston;

• Livingston Food Mart at 1600 W. Church St. in Livingston;

• Smokers Paradise N Novelties at 2108 U.S. Hwy. 190 West in Livingston;

• Stripes Store 41012 H at 2301 U.S. Hwy. 190 West in Livingston;

• T-Jaks at 158 FM 1276 in Livingston;

• Best Stop #6 at 1155 E. Church St. in Livingston;

• Star Korner 1 at 602 Pan American in Livingston; and

• Z Food Mart at 2400 N. Washington Ave. in Livingston.

For a complete list of those businesses that were under compliance, or for more information, please contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Wayne BennettA Livingston man has turned himself in to law enforcement after a warrant was issued for sexual assault of a child

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested Jason Wayne Bennett, 46, for the second-degree felony. 

Detectives began an investigation after a female child made an outcry of being sexually abused by Bennett, on more than one occasion at his home.

The child was forensically interviewed and taken to St. Luke’s Health – Memorial Hospital, where exams were administered.

After further investigation by detectives, an arrest warrant was obtained May 17, for the arrest of Bennett. The following day, he turned himself in to the Polk County Jail and was later released on a $50,000 bond, with conditions of a protective order and other bond conditions protecting the child from further contact.

Second-degree felonies can extend to as long as 20 years with fines of up to $10,000.

Those with information on this case are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, at 936-327-6810.

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Wednesday, while conducting a 16-man cell search, several corrections officers began to experience what they described as a reaction to some type of substance or substances. All inmates had been removed from the cell before the search began. 

The Correctional Officers were taken to St Luke’s of Livingston emergency room for observation. One inmate was also taken to the emergency room for observation after being interviewed. The correctional officers and inmate were released from the hospital without incident. This matter is being investigated by the jail administration and narcotics division of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in obtaining information on a burglary of a habitation in the Lakeside Village Estates subdivision south of Livingston. Video captured what law enforcement describes as “a skinny male,” who approached the home and kicked the door open on an occupied home on May 5, around 12:47 a.m. The actor took items including a purse, medication, and hearing aids. At the time he was wearing clothing with a unique pattern, a dark sock on one foot and was barefoot on the other. Those with information on this case that may help are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810. You may also submit an anonymous tip at p3tips.com, the P3 app, or call Polk County Crime Stoppers at 936-327-STOP, where tipsters remain anonymous and may collect a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.