Polk County News

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From Enterprise Staff

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) opens its annual Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization drawing application process Sept 1. The random drawing authorizes anglers to harvest one alligator gar over 48 inches from a section of the Trinity River.

From Sept. 1-30, anglers holding a valid license-year or year-from-purchase fishing license can use the My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile app or online to enter, either as an individual or as part of a small group. Winners will be notified by Oct. 15, and authorizations will be valid from the date issued through Aug. 31, 2024.

Anglers can use any legal means or method to take qualifying alligator gar day or night from a section of the Trinity River from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including Lake Livingston and the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard. This includes the following counties: Anderson, Chambers, Dallas, Ellis, Freestone, Henderson, Houston, Kaufman, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Navarro, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker.

“Fishing for alligator gar on the Trinity River is world renowned and truly a bucket list item for any angler,” Tim Birdsong, Acting TPWD Director of Inland Fisheries, said. “With this drawing system, we are able to offer 150 anglers the opportunity to harvest the fish of a lifetime while also fulfilling our resource management goal of conserving this unique resource for current and future generations of anglers.”

In addition, all alligator gar harvested, including those using a harvest authorization, from public freshwater and saltwater waterbodies (other than Falcon International Reservoir) must be reported on the My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile app or online within 24 hours of harvest.

“Gathering data on alligator gar harvest through the My Texas Hunt Harvest app and online enhances our understanding of their distribution, sizes and numbers, and helps us maintain the best possible fishing opportunities into the future,” Birdsong said.

Other Trinity River alligator gar regulations that remain in effect include a 48-inch maximum length limit for alligator gar from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including Lake Livingston and the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard (see above for list of affected counties). Additionally, a ban on the take or possession of an alligator gar by means of lawful archery equipment or crossbow is in effect on the same section of the Trinity River between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise (unless using a harvest authorization through the drawing system).

A one-fish-per-day bag limit remains in effect for alligator gar statewide except for Falcon International Reservoir, where a daily bag limit of five fish and possession limit of 10 fish remains in effect.

The My Texas Hunt Harvest app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information about alligator gar fishing regulations, visit The Outdoor Annual online.

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A single-vehicle accident that occurred early Monday afternoon on U.S. Hwy. 59 South just north of Boot Barn blocked southbound traffic for several hours until the roadway was cleared. According to Livingston Police Chief Matt Parrish, a flat-bed 18-wheeler hauling lumber was traveling southbound when its tires left the pavement, the driver overcorrected, lost control and the vehicle turned over, losing its load of lumber. The driver was transported by private automobile to the local hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. Not only did responders have to send for a heavy-duty wrecker, but there was also diesel leakage from the truck’s tanks that necessitated calling a hazmat crew from Nacogdoches. Parrish said one lane was opened for southbound traffic at approximately 4 p.m. but that crews with the Texas Department of Transportation were clearing debris into the night. Courtesy photo

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A Livingston man was jailed after assistance from the public and video evidence revealed a crime from Monday morning.

On Tuesday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a video taken from a Polk County residential security camera on Monday at approximately 2:09 a.m.

The video showed a female subject attempting to get away from a male subject. The female attempted to seek help by knocking on a door of a residence, where no one was home.

While knocking, the male subject grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off the porch and onto the ground.

Tips from the community and information arrived expeditiously and assisted in the sheriff’s department quickly identifying the male subject as James Donald Allard, Jr., 30, of Livingston.

A warrant was obtained for Allard and deputies served it at his residence. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Polk County Jail on the charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

Allard was issued an emergency protective order and given a $2,500 bond.

Sheriff Byron Lyons said he appreciates the public’s assistance in cases like this and encourages citizens to continue providing tips and information. Continued support and cooperation plays a pivotal role in bringing cases to a successful closure.

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Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, recently visited the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to express support for the tribe and applaud the success of Naskila Casino. While on the reservation, Stevens presented Tribal Council Chairman Ricky Sylestine with the 2023 Chairman’s Leadership Award for Rebuilding Communities Through Indian Self-Reliance. Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), recently visited the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to express support for the tribe and applaud the success of Naskila Casino.

Stevens visited with members of the tribal council and the tribal gaming agency. During his visit he learned more about Naskila Casino, the electronic bingo facility that the tribe has operated on its reservation since 2016. He also presented Tribal Council Chairman Ricky Sylestine with the 2023 Chairman’s Leadership Award for Rebuilding Communities Through Indian Self-Reliance.

IGA works with the federal, state and tribal governments to develop sound policies and practices and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues. IGA works to maintain and protect tribal sovereignty.

“We had a good visit with Chairman Stevens and we appreciate his support of our tribe,” Sylestine said. “Other tribes have always been supportive of our right to operate Naskila Casino and we appreciate this important national organization recognizing our work as well. We are proud to be among the community of tribes that offer gaming as a way to provide for our citizens and help the surrounding economy.”

Nationally, tribal government gaming growth continues, due in great part to the outstanding work by tribal casino industry workers. Tribal gaming has grown from a $16 billion dollar industry in 2003 to $43 billion in gaming revenue and $5.4 billion in ancillary revenue, bringing the total revenue for 2022 to $48.4 billion.

Naskila Casino is a major economic engine in Deep East Texas. Its annual economic impact is $212 million, according to a study conducted by the Texas Forest Country Partnership. Naskila is responsible for 825 jobs, about 400 of which are at the facility. It is the second-largest employer in Polk County.

The United States Supreme Court affirmed the Tribe’s right to offer electronic bingo in a 2022 decision, effectively ending the State of Texas’ years-long effort to close Naskila Casino.

“I am pleased to extend my thanks for Chairman Stevens’ support for the sovereign rights of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the economic prosperity the tribe adds to the East Texas economy,” Dennis J. Nelson, chairman of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Tribal Gaming Agency Board of Regulators.

Tribal Gaming Agency Executive Director Oscar Schuyler added, “We welcome the support of the many Indian Nations represented by IGA in supporting the long struggle of the tribe in providing good jobs and economic prosperity to East Texas.”