Polk County News

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The helicopter pictured was a vehicle landed at The Hop, a restaurant in Coldspring, to pick up a called-in dinner order. The move prompted the Coldspring City Council to consider banning all private craft from landing within the city limits. (Courtesy Photo)

By Tony Farkas

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COLDSPRING — A rather flamboyant to-go order has spurred the Coldspring City Council to ban private aircraft, specifically helicopters, from landing within the city limits.

Members discussed the possibility of the ordinance at the council’s regular meeting on Monday.

Mayor Pro Tem John Benestante said that on Friday, April 2, while he was working in his vineyard, he noticed a R44 model helicopter circling the area.

He then received a call that a nearby restaurant, The Hop, on Texas 150, had a helicopter landing in a yard. Apparently, the pilot, who was not named, had called in a burger order for himself and a passenger, and told the person taking the order he was flying in to pick it up.

The helicopter was registered to Stuckey’s Contract Services and was flown out of Houston, Benestante said.

A request for comment from Stuckey’s was not answered.

Benestante, who had previously worked with the FAA and had some familiarity with requirements, told the pilot he had to have the property owner’s permission to land; the pilot claimed he had it when the person taking the order said to “be careful.”

Coldspring Mayor Pat Eversole, who owns The Hop as well as the property, said she was unaware of the incident, and said she did not give anyone permission to land near her business.

Benestante said that there was concern about a nearby fence, and especially a nearby propane tank.

During the discussion with the pilot, the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department arrived; Benestante said that after the pilot was questioned, he left — with his order.

The ordinance will be researched further, and come up for further discussion.

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Grand Champion Market Steer

By Alton Porter

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The Houston County Fair & Youth Livestock Show and Home & Garden Fair returned and was held in its entirety in Crockett March 29 through April 3 after most of it had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic last year.

The fair and livestock show was dedicated in the memory of the late Jennifer Hodges Bond and the late Kimberly Smith Langford, both former fair association members who passed recently.

Here are lists of the exhibitors in the various livestock show categories and the results of the competition in each category.

 

Market Steers

Sydnee Craven, Latexo 4-H, Grand Champion; Kyra Noble, Latexo FFA, Reserve Champion; Laney Smith, Kennard 4-H, 3^rd and Jr. Showmanship; Coy Smith, Kennard 4-H, 4^th; Korinne Sparks, Grapeland FFA, 5^th; Olyvia Gilmore, Kennard FFA, 6^th; Cleavie Allen, Latexo 4-H, 7^th; Addison Dowdy, Kennard FFA, 8^th; Kailen Martin, Kennard FFA, 9^th; Morgan Noble, Latexo FFA, 10^th; Codee Biedrzycki, Lovelady FFA, 11^th; Katherine Allen, Latexo 4-H, 12^th; Michael Curry, Kennard FFA, 13^th and Sr. Showmanship; Lyndsey Keys, Latexo FFA, 14^th; Kamryn Sparks, Grapeland FFA, 15^th; Karsyn Sallee, Lovelady 4-H, 16^th; Brody McMillan, Lovelady 4-H, 17^th; Landon Kent, Homestead 4-H, 18^th; Billy McMillan, Lovelady 4-H, 19^th; Ethan LeBlanc, Kennard 4-H, 20^th; Kamillia LeBlanc, Kennard 4-H, 21^st.

Market Steers Breeding

Laney Smith, Kennard 4-H, Grand Champion American Division; Olyvia Gilmore, Kennard FFA, Reserve Champion American Division; Sydnee Craven, Latexo 4-H, Grand Champion Exotic Division; Kyra Noble, Latexo FFA, Reserve Champion Exotic Division.

In-County Heifers

Cleavie Allen, Latexo 4-H, Grand Champion American Division; Michael Curry, Kennard FFA, Reserve Champion American Division and Sr. Showmanship; Kaylin Parrish, Kennard FFA, Grand Champion British/Exotic Division. Other American Division exhibitors were Laney Smith, Kennard 4-H; Addison Dowdy, Kennard FFA, Jr. Showmanship; Katherine Allen, Latexo 4-H; Peyton Mooneyham, Kennard FFA; Haley Phillips, Homestead 4-H; Kortney Vandick, Kennard FFA; Preston Mooneyham, Kennard FFA; Caylee Morris, Latexo 4-H.

Replacement Heifers

Gaige Womack, Kennard 4-H, Grand Champion; Sydnee Craven, Latexo 4-H, Reserve Champion; Rylan Baker, Lovelady 4-H, 3^rd and Jr. Showmanship; Cameron Bridges, Grapeland FFA, 4^th  and Record Book Winner; Ejay Baker, Lovelady 4-H, 5^th; Melanie Bridges, Grapeland FFA, 6^th and Record Book Winner; Ella Baker, Lovelady 4-H, 7^th; Michael Curry, Kennard FFA, 8^th and Sr. Showmanship; Paisley Glawson, Lovelady 4-H, 9^th; Rowdy Glawson, Lovelady 4-H, 10^th; Tori Woodford, Grapeland FFA, 11^th.

Market Hogs

Karter McCurley, Grapeland FFA, Grand Champion; Colton Patrick, Lovelady 4-H, Reserve Champion; Ethan Blake Patrick, Lovelady FFA, 3^rd; Hunter Allen, Latexo FFA, 4^th; Cord Carney, Lovelady 4-H, 5^th; Kiera DeCluette, Grapeland FFA, 6^th; Skylor Pipkin, Lovelady FFA, 7^th; Brayden Stafford, Grapeland FFA, 8^th; Jason DeCluette, Grapeland FFA, 9^th; Colt Pennington, Latexo 4-H, 10^th; Katy Allen, Latexo FFA, 11^th; Carter Tucker, Homestead 4-H, 12^th; Kenzie McWhinney, Lovelady 4-H, 13^th and Jr. Showmanship; Caleigh Lovett, Grapeland FFA, 14^th; Aubrey Waits, Homestead 4-H, 15^th; Addison Carney, Lovelady 4-H, 16^th; Noah Hoch, Latexo FFA, 17^th and Sr. Showmanship; Kynnedy Sallee, Lovelady FFA, 18^th; Maggie Gibbins, Latexo FFA, 19^th; Collin Lovett, Grapeland FFA, 20^th; Clark Spoerle, Lovelady 4-H, 21^st; Preston Mooneyham, Kennard FFA, 22^nd; Harlie Hoch, Latexo FFA, 23^rd. Other market hog exhibitors were Curt Tucker, Homestead 4-H; Brennyn Stafford, Grapeland FFA; Shyanne Pipkin, Lovelady FFA; Peyton Mooneyham, Kennard FFA; Ayvery Sallee, Lovelady FFA; Kannon McWhinney, Lovelady FFA; Karsyn Sallee, Lovelady 4-H; Wacey Moore Jr., Lovelady FFA.

Breeding Swine

Karter McCurley, Grapeland FFA, Grand Champion; Cord Carney, Lovelady 4-H, Reserve Champion. Other breeding swine competitors were Aubrey Waits, Homestead 4-H; Harlie Hoch, Latexo FFA; Kenzie McWhinney, Lovelady 4-H; Maggie Gibbins, Latexo FFA; Wacey Moore Jr., Lovelady FFA.

Market Lambs

Riley Beaver, Homestead 4-H, Grand Champion and Sr. Showmanship; Trinity Meadows, Homestead 4-H, Reserve Champion; Haley Phillips, Homestead 4-H, 3^rd; Landry Beaver, Homestead 4-H, 4^th and Jr. Showmanship; Ella Post, Grapeland FFA, 5^th; Haley Boehm, Grapeland FFA, 6^th; Walker Webb, Grapeland FFA, 7^th; Paige Mullen, Grapeland FFA, 8^th; William Brooks, Lovelady 4-H, 9^th; Dalli Jones, Grapeland FFA, 10^th; Zachary Jones, Grapeland FFA, 11^th; Dominika Gibas, Crockett FFA, 12^th; Makenna McCombs, Grapeland FFA, 13^th; Makayla McCombs, Grapeland FFA, 14^th.

Market Goats

Ava Burch, Lovelady 4-H, Grand Champion; Kaylin Parrish, Kennard FFA, Reserve Champion; Trinity Meadows, Crockett FFA, 3^rd and Sr. Showmanship; Riley Beaver, Homestead 4-H, 4^th; Ella Post, Grapeland FFA, 5^th; Landry Beaver, Homestead 4-H, 6^th and Jr. Showmanship; Callie Lee, Latexo FFA, 7^th; Jillian Salmon, Homestead 4-H, 8^th; Madisyn Burleson, Lovelady 4-H, 9^th; Haley Davidson, Lovelady FFA, 10^th; Alexandrea Dawsey, Lovelady FFA, 11^th; Sawyer Beard, Kennard 4-H, 12^th; Austin Lee, Homestead 4-H, 13^th; Haley Hickman, Kennard 4-H, 14^th; Alex Grier, Homestead 4-H, 15^th; Karly Harrelson, Lovelady 4-H, 16^th; Wyatt Harrelson, Lovelady 4-H, 17^th; Gracie Conner, Grapeland FFA, 18^th; Haylee Jones, Grapeland FFA, 19^th; Cooper Dowling, Grapeland FFA, 20^th.

Fryer Rabbits

Hanna Huffstuttler, Homestead 4-H, Grand Champion; Avery Huffstuttler, Homestead 4-H, Reserve Champion; Addison Carney, Lovelady 4-H, 3^rd; Taylor Dise, Latexo FFA, 4^th; Shelby Abshire, Latexo FFA, 5^th; Cord Carney, Lovelady 4-H; 6^th; Payton Larkin, Lovelady FFA, 7^th; Ethan Blake Patrick, Lovelady FFA, 8^th; Tobi Curless, Latexo 4-H, 9^th; Jake Murray, Lovelady 4-H, 10^th; Hunter Goodson, Latexo FFA, 11^th; Brilee Andrus, Latexo 4-H, 12^th; Akaiah Coleman, Lovelady 4-H, 13^th; Ella Post, Grapeland FFA, 14^th; Cole Goolsby, Grapeland FFA, 15^th; Caleb Larkin, Lovelady FFA, 16^th; Chassidy Hicks, Pineywoods 4-H Horse Club, 17^th; Caden Abshire, Latexo FFA, 18^th; Kallie Stephens, Latexo 4-H, 19^th; Patrick Merchant, Lovelady 4-H, 20^th; Kandler Chappell, Lovelady 4-H, 21^st; Shyanne Pipkin, Lovelady FFA, 22^nd; Shawna Merchant, Lovelady 4-H, 23^rd; Gracie McMahon, Lovelady FFA, 24^th; Rebekah Stone, Homestead 4-H, 25^th; Colton Patrick, Lovelady 4-H, 26^th; Taniah Johnson, Lovelady 4-H, 27^th; Brayden Barron, Grapeland FFA, 28^th; Bentli Gambill, Lovelady 4-H, 29^th; Dalli Jones, Grapeland FFA, 30^th.

Breeding Rabbits

Taniah Johnson, Lovelady 4-H, Grand Champion Doe; Kailen Martin, Kennard FFA, Reserve Champion Doe; Lacey Currie, Pineywoods 4-H Horse Club, Grand Champion Buck; Trey White, Crockett FFA, Reserve Champion Buck.

Broilers

Rylee Wilson, Lovelady 4-H, Grand Champion; Levi Wilson, Lovelady 4-H, Reserve Champion; Lane Wilson, Lovelady 4-H, 3^rd; Wacey Moore Jr., Lovelady FFA, 4^th; Emily Henderson, Homestead 4-H, 5^th; Jason DeCluette, Grapeland FFA, 6^th; Brantley Jenkins, Lovelady 4-H, 7^th; Christopher Grier, Homestead 4-H, 8^th; Kiera DeCluette, Grapeland FFA, 9^th; Meredith Tuggle, Crockett FFA, 10^th; Wendy Perez-Maldonado, Grapeland FFA, 11^th; Stacy Perez-Maldonado, Grapeland FFA, 12^th; Sarah Henderson, Homestead 4-H, 13^th; Alexander Perez-Maldonado, Grapeland FFA, 14^th; Citori Antley, Kennard FFA, 15^th.

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JASON CHLAPEK | PCE A controlled burn took place southwest of the Livingston city limits Thursday. The burn lasted from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

By Jason Chlapek

Clouds of smoke could be seen for miles Thursday afternoon.

And no fire departments were called to the scene.

That’s because it was a controlled burn.

The controlled burn took place southwest of Livingston in the vicinity of Farm-to-Market Roads 350 and 3126.

The project was conducted by Lone Star Forestry LLC out of Huntsville.

“We had zero issues,” Joe Pfluger of Lone Star Forestry said. “We burned 320 acres and did another 360 acres in San Jacinto County on Friday."

The prescribed burn began at 9 a.m. Thursday and was completely put out by 6:30 p.m.

Lone Star Forestry services Grimes, Polk, San Jacinto and Walker counties, to name a few. Pfluger also said that the prescribed burns revolve around one thing.“It’s all about the weather,” he said. “Weather is our boss. We’re looking for the right weather conditions such as wind, wind speed, temperature, humidity, the fuel on the ground, homes, people, airports, funeral homes, anything you could think of that cause issues with smoke. We wouldn’t want to be blowing into the city limits or the homes around us. We get a bunch of blocks set up and we wait for the right conditions to do the burn.”

Lone Star Forestry recently received some grant money from the US Forest Service to help fund controlled burns. Pfluger believes controlled burns are necessary.

“This is something that people should want more of,” he said. “The biggest part of the prescribed burn is to prevent wildfires. Fire is something of nature and has been for thousands of years. It’s by all means a good thing.”

The irony behind prescribed burns is that they can reduce wild fires.

“Prescribed burns reduce the fuel that’s out there,” Pfluger said. “Every year, pine straw and leaves fall and they accumulate. They’re tender blocks waiting to be lit. If we can keep a burn schedule of 2-3 years, we can eliminate the fuel. You’re also protecting the timber investment. It also enhances wildlife habitat and we want to get the woods back to their native state. You want to drive through the woods and see a grassy meadow underneath the trees. If it’s a controlled burn, it’s a good thing.”

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JASON CHLAPEK I PCE A pair of photo exhibits commemorating Polk County’s 175th birthday will be on display at the Polk County Historical Museum until April 10. Polk County celebrated its 175th year on Tuesday.

By Jason Chlapek

Polk County turned a year older on Tuesday.

The county celebrated its 175th year of existence, and the Polk County Historical Museum hosted a celebration Tuesday. The birthday celebration took six weeks to plan, according to museum curator Betsy Deiterman.

“We had to be sure of the date, research the founding of the county and how the division was made, the legislature, then go through the archives and pick interesting pictures,” she said. “This was a come-and-go acknowledgement of the birthday for Polk County. We gave away a limited supply of gift bags. Patrons saw lots of photographs from many decades. The oldest photographs are framed and the oldest was in the 1880s.”

A pair of photo exhibits are on display at the museum until April 10. These displays are in commemoration with the county’s 175th birthday.

“I pulled 75 pictures that people normally don’t get to see,” Deiterman said. “I think we need to acknowledge that Polk County has been here 175 years and it’s a notable number.”

Some of the photos on display are in need of identification, according to Deiterman.

“Many of our pictures don’t have identification or dates,” she said. “We’re asking people that if they recognize anyone in the pictures to please let us know. We have a form for people to fill out if they recognize people or dates.”

A decade and exactly four weeks after Texas became a state – March 2, 1836 – Polk County was formed on March 30, 1846. The county was formed out of neighboring Liberty County.

The county was named after then-President James Polk. The 11th President of the United States was an advocate for Texas statehood.