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ALTON PORTER | HCC Ten CHS graduating seniors were recognized at the school’s second academic signing day ceremony Wednesday, May 26. The college-bound students, from left to right, are: Jayron Daquon Wooten, Aaliyah Trishell Price, Sha’Driauna Hackett, Alexis Cheyanne Goolsby, Adrianna Gayle Juares, Jacob Walker, Carina Villegas Quintero, Rodrigo Hidalgo, Jennefer Cruz and Shatavia Rodgers. (Alton Porter/HCC Photo)

 

By Alton Porter

CROCKETT – Crockett High School administrators continued a new tradition they started in March, recognizing 10 graduating seniors who have been accepted for enrollment at universities colleges and a vocational school.

Crockett Independent School District Superintendent John Emerich and CHS Principal Deborah Revels recognized the college-bound students at the second installment of the school’s recently established scholastic signing day ceremony held in the Andrew J. Hopkins Activity Center dome on the school’s campus Wednesday, May 26.

The students, who have been accepted into universities, colleges and the vocational school, will graduate along with the rest of the members of their CHS Class of 2021 at a commencement ceremony tomorrow. 

The students and their university, college and vocational school choices, are: Sha’Driauna Hackett, Sam Houston State University; Jennefer Cruz, Angelina College; Aaliyah Trishel Price, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; Adrianna Gayle Juares, Tyler Junior College; Alexis Cheyanne Goolsby, Angelina College; Carina Villegas Quintero, Sam Houston State University; Shatavia Rodgers, Tyler Junior College; Jacob Walker, Tyler Junior College; Rodrigo Hidalgo, Tulsa Welding School; and Jayron Daquon Wooten, Tulsa Welding School.

“I started this and got this going this year and Mrs. Revels thought this was a great idea,” said Emerich. 

“So many times, we have a signing day for someone who’s going to play sports at college, and we do this type of an event. But we don’t do really anything for all those other kids that are going to college, and in my mind, that is just as big a deal as ‘I’m going to college to play football or basketball or whatever it is.’”

Emerich added, “So, we came up with this idea to do this (scholastic) signing day. We’re going to treat it just like you’re signing that letter of intent to go play athletics there. But you’re signing that letter to go and get your college degree.

Emerich continued, “I told the other group (that was recognized on March 10) this: any of you that want to go get a degree and come back and teach, I will guarantee you a job. If you haven’t thought about exactly what you want to do yet, consider teaching. And you’re always welcome to Crockett if you’re a Crockett student. If you get that degree, that’s a standing offer that I’m making to all of you.”

Emerich recalled “When I went to community college, I had no idea what I wanted to do when everyone said, ‘it’s okay; you’ll figure it out by the time you get done with your first two years.’ I got done with my first two years, and I still had no clue what I wanted to do in life.”

“Anyway, whatever you go to do, we wish you success, and we hope that you’ll be successful, and don’t forget about Crockett. Crockett’s a good place to be, especially when you come back, and you want to be here. Congratulations to all of you,” Emerlich told the students.

Revels said, “This is an exciting time for us, and I want all of our kids really to go to college or vocational school. So, we want to make sure we’re preparing them.” Photos of all the students are showcased on the CHS’ web page, Revels said.

Revels told the Courier, “We want to toot our little horn because we are very proud of them.

They’re excellent students. I can see them really being successful in their colleges. They’ve worked really hard and they’re ready. I think they’re prepared.”

About CHS, Revels said, “I want Crockett to know that this is the school to be at. We offer the college courses. We offer certifications. This is where you need to bring your kids. Things are happening here.”

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After a long-awaited opening, the popular restaurant franchise Chick-fil-A began serving customers Thursday.

 

Customers not chicken of the wait in line

After a long-awaited opening, the popular restaurant franchise Chick-fil-A began serving customers Thursday.

The response from Polk County was strong, as the drive-thru line flowed out onto Highway 190 and back to Discount Tire.

“We are super excited about it and have been looking forward for a long time to be here in Livingston,” restaurant operator Justin Belcher said. “Just to see some of the familiar faces and be here and bringing the brand of Chick-fil-A to Livingston is what we have been looking forward to. It has been exciting.”

The Livingston Police Department had officers stationed at the restaurant and on Highway 190 to keep the flow of traffic moving. They would also have a presence in the area Friday.

“Chick-fil-A is always looking for an opportunity to serve markets and cities and towns as much as possible,” Belcher said. “I'm not involved in that decision, I'm just very thankful that we landed here. They knew it would be a great opportunity to bring the brand to Livingston.” 

A Houston native, Justin Belcher grew up vacationing in Livingston and has fond memories of visiting Lake Livingston with his family. As the local operator of Chick-fil-A Livingston, Belcher is looking forward to building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact on his community.

Belcher is responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business, including employing approximately 120 full- and part-time team members, cultivating relationships with local organizations and neighboring businesses, and serving guests.      

Chick-fil-A Livingston is located at 1821 U.S. Highway 190, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and U.S. Highway 59, and will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday
through Saturday.

To limit contact between team members and guests, Chick-fil-A Livingston will open for drive-thru, carry-out and limited dine-in. Guests can take advantage of contactless ordering and payment through the free Chick-fil-A mobile app<https://www.chick-fil-a.com/appdownload> or through online ordering<https://order.chick-fil-a.com/location>. 

In place of the traditional Chick-fil-A First 100® Grand Opening celebration, the Livingston restaurant will surprise 100 local heroes making an impact in Livingston with free Chick-fil-A for a year. Additionally, in honor of the new restaurant opening, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to Feeding America. The funds will be distributed to partners within the greater Houston area to aid in the fight against hunger.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,600 restaurants in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.

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Zane Lattner and Emma Ivie, both of Polk County, participated in the recent Texas Junior High State Rodeo finals. Zane and Emma are both members of the Region 5 junior high rodeo team. Zane participated in tie down calf roping and the ribbon roping with his partner Steely Rae Franklin.

 

Staff Reports

Zane Lattner and Emma Ivie, both of Polk County, participated in the recent Texas Junior High State Rodeo finals. Zane and Emma are both members of the Region 5 junior high rodeo team. Zane participated in tie down calf roping and the ribbon roping with his partner Steely Rae Franklin. Emma participated in the barrels, poles, goats, breakaway roping and ribbon roping.  

There are 10 regions covering the state of Texas and the top 10 members in each event from each region come to the state finals to represent their regions. Out of 100-plus participants in each event at the finals, the top four performers are taken to the National Junior High Rodeo finals to represent the state. 

This year, the National Finals will be in Des Moines, Iowa. Emma is the 2021 state reserve pole bending champion and Zane is the 2021 state ribbon roping champion. 

Zane is the son of Sammy and Jessica Lattner of Livingston, and Emma is the daughter of Brad and Ashley Ivie of Livingston. Emma will be an eighth grader in the fall at Corrigan-Camden ISD and Zane will be a freshman. They will be in Iowa the week of June 20 to represent Texas versus the other states, as well teams from Mexico and parts of Canada. 

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FILE PHOTO Mosquito on human skin

By PCE Staff

East Texas has received its fair share of spring precipitation throughout the past few weeks. In Texas that usually means the heat and everyone’s favorite insect to hate — the mosquito — are right around the corner.

For many, the mosquitoes are already here, along with millions of their friends.

So why is Commissioner Guylene Robertson parking the truck that sprays for mosquitos down Precinct 1 county roads?

As it turns out, she also isn’t too fond of the insects. Yet, through conversations with commissioners from Polk and surrounding counties, she found that they aren’t spraying either.

Health effects are the main reason, as pesticides can cause both acute and chronic problems. Acute health effects appear shortly after exposure to some pesticides and can include skin and eye irritations, headaches, dizziness and nausea, weakness, difficulty breathing, mental confusion and disorientation.

“The times have changed environmentally, and things that were considered safe in the past are no longer acceptable or recommended,” Robertson said. “At this time, motor-driven mosquito spraying is in that category.”

Precinct 1 was the only in Polk County that has sprayed for mosquitoes over the past few years. However, the City of Livingston continues to do so. Roberston said the decision not to spray was one that was difficult.

“Due to the hazards and concerns environmentally Polk County Precinct 2, 3, and 4 have not sprayed for mosquitoes for several years,” Robertson said. “This summer, Precinct 1 will now be doing the same, while observing all environmental safety aspects.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), several organophosphates, a class of insecticides, are highly toxic and poison insects and other animals, including birds, amphibians and mammals. Until the 21st century, they were among the most widely used insecticides available. Around 36 of them are presently registered for use in the United States, and all can potentially cause acute and subacute toxicity. Organophosphates are used in agriculture, homes, gardens and veterinary practices.

The EPA has a few suggestions in preventing mosquito bites. The first is to eliminate any standing water (even small amounts) to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs. If water cannot be eliminated, as in ornamental water features, use mosquito larvicide products (available at many retailers) or other pest control measures to minimize breeding opportunities. You may be able to add fish that eat larvae to a pond. Adding a fountain or aerator will keep the water and mosquitoes moving.

The agency suggests use of window and door screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home, workplace, or children’s schools. Dress in light-colored clothing, long pants, and long sleeves. EPA-registered insect repellents will also prevent bites. Products that are EPA-registered have been confirmed to be safe and effective when label directions are followed.

There are several different homemade concoctions that can be found on the Internet. We have provided one such mix below.

HOMEMADE MOSQUITO SPRAY RECIPE

• 1 bottle of blue mint mouthwash 
• 3 bottles (per 12 oz) of stale beer (take the cheapest – it works as well)
• 3 cups of Epsom salt

Pour beer and mouthwash into a container (an old saucepan, a bucket), stir and add the salt. Mix up the solution properly until salt is dissolved. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake well before use and spray areas where you spend time outside.