Polk County News

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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The investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into the Dec. 30 helicopter crash that killed a local man and injured three others is ongoing.

Danny King, 54 of Livingston, was pronounced dead at the scene following a helicopter crash that occurred shortly before noon Dec. 30 near Galloway Lane and Hwy. 146 in Livingston. King’s sons, Brady, 26, and Brock, 23, were transported to St. Luke’s Health Memorial Hospital in Livingston with nonincapacitating injuries.

The pilot of the Bell 206B Rotorcraft helicopter, John Randolph “Randy” Martin, 73 of Montgomery, was transported to a hospital out of town with critical injuries.

Texas Department of Public Safety secured the scene and notified the FAA.

Funeral services for King are slated for 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Livingston. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, also at First Baptist Church.

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From Enterprise Staff

A partnership between the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and The Coalition Inc., of Lufkin, a substance abuse prevention organization å to prevent underage drinking, tobacco/e-cigarette use and prescription drug misuse in East Texas, has recently proven successful.

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 69 attempts done in June and August, 9 citations were issued to the following businesses that sold tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors:

• Veterans Mart at 1809 N. Washington Ave. in Livingston;

• HEB Food Store #339 at 1509 W. Church St. in Livingston; 

• 7 Eleven Convenience Store #41 at 1605 W. Church St. in Livingston;

• Dollar General Store #6241 at 1249 W. Church St. in Livingston;

• La Petite Market at 14506 U.S. Hwy. 190 West in Onalaska;

• Old House Liquor at 14140 U.S. Hwy. 190 West in Onalaska;

• Star Korner 2 at 602 Pan American Dr. in Livingston; and

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

“We commend those businesses who did not sell tobacco products to minors in our community. The Coalition and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department thank all of these stores for protecting the youth of Polk County from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine,” a spokesperson for The Coalition Inc. said.

For a complete list of those businesses that were under compliance, please visit The Coalition’s Facebook page @thecoalition936 or contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308 for more information

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons recognized Corporal Roper Ellison and Deputy Darin Brooks for saving a man from his burning home, presenting them with heroism and bravery awards, during a moving ceremony Dec. 22.

On the morning of Dec. 19, dispatch received a call that a residence in the 400 block of Don Reily Drag in Wiggins Village No. 2 was on fire and that the homeowner, who was disabled and in a wheelchair, had made it to the front porch but could not exit the residence which was fully engulfed.

“It was a large fire and they stepped out of the vehicle and ran into the house on fire,” Lyons said.

Both men ran into the fire with Ellison physically picking up the homeowner and carrying him from the fire and Brooks ensuring that both his partner and the homeowner made it to safety.

“I am a very proud sheriff. I’m honored to stand here today and talk about the bravery and courage these men displayed last Sunday. These guys get out of bed, leave their wives and kids, not knowing if they’ll return to their homes at the end of the day,” Lyons said.

“This is what I’m talking about when I say honor. They have the love of community. A lot of my guys are from right here. They know the community. They know the culture,” Lyons said.

“I was listening to this on the radio. They were on point. They were taking care of business. First, the hair on the back of your neck stood up and then the tears flowed. This is selflessness, courage, honor,” Lyons said.

The sheriff cited the General Norman Schwarzkopf quote about courage, “True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that’s what courage is.”

Lyons played the video from the dash cam for those attending the ceremony. He said that just 20 seconds later the entire porch was engulfed.

“A lot of times we’re left out, but law enforcement officers are heroes. They stepped out on faith when they exited that vehicle to save a life they didn’t know. Heroes wear a badge,” Lyons said, adding, “Both had other careers before they came into law enforcement, but they both had the zeal that they wanted to serve their community.

“It tugs on your heartstrings a little bit,” Lyons said.

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From Enterprise Staff

A subject wanted in connection with the shooting of an 11-year-old girl Sunday has turned himself in to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office but has not been charged.

“This investigation is ongoing and the local Texas Ranger is assisting,” Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the 2500 block of FM 1988 around 2 a.m. Sunday that someone had shot into the residence. Deputies arrived at the scene and found that an 11-year-old female who was asleep in bed had been shot.

The sheriff’s office initially sought assistance in locating a person of interest named Avery Norman who was possibly driving either a black Dodge or a black older-model four-door Acura. Norman turned himself in but no charges had been filed as of press time.

Lyons said the child is expected to make a complete recovery.