Polk County News

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From Enterprise Staff

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) along with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration have selected Texas State Parks as a finalist for the 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

“I’m proud to have the hard work of our Texas State Park staff recognized for building one of the best state park systems in the country,” Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin said. “It is an honor for Texas State Parks to be nationally recognized for our efforts to welcome all Texans and preserve the gems of Texas for all generations.”

Texas State Parks is competing against three other state park systems for the top award: Missouri State Parks, Ohio State Parks and Watercraft; and Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails. The winner will be announced in October at the NRPA conference in Dallas.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Applications are separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation and one class, awarded on odd numbered years, for state park systems.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff and elected officials. Four finalists in each class are chosen to compete for grand honors each year. For more information concerning the Gold Medal Award program, visit https://aapra.org/National-Gold-Medal-Award.

“We are especially thrilled to receive this recognition during our centennial year,” Franklin said. “The fact that we were named a finalist among peer institutions across the country really highlights the progress we have made over the past century to fulfill then-Gov. Pat Neff’s vision of a Texas dotted with state parks ‘to be held in sacred trust by the state for the public good, now and forever.’”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is partnering with TPWD and HEB to celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks. HEB, the presenting sponsor of the celebration, has donated $1 million to help Texas State Parks engage all Texans in discovering and enjoying their state parks throughout the yearlong celebration.

For more information on the centennial celebration, including community events, the history of Texas State Parks and how to make a day visit or overnight reservation, visit the Texas State Parks 100 Years website at TexasStateParks.org/100years.

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From Enterprise Staff

Texas Department of Transportation crews will set barricades this week in various locations throughout the Lufkin District as annual sealcoating operations are expected to begin by July 17, weather permitting.

The sealcoat process extends the life of an asphalt roadway and enhances the safety of the roadway by helping to prevent cracks and potholes.

Roads in Polk County that are scheduled for sealcoat treatment and the work limits for each include: FM 356, from the Trinity County line to the end of state maintenance; FM 3126, from U.S. 190 to FM 2457; and FM 350, from U.S. 190 to the end of state maintenance.

As the sealcoat project begins, motorists are urged to remember this is a moving operation. There will be signs, barricades and traffic control in place. Reduce speed and obey all traffic control. Stay alert for workers near the lane of traffic and moving equipment throughout the work zone. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 936-633-4395.

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From Enterprise Staff

New hunting opportunities and scenery are available to hunters this fall through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) drawn hunt permits program. The program, which issues permits for drawn hunts on both public and private lands throughout Texas, is now accepting applications for a shot at almost 10,000 permits in more than 60 high quality hunt categories.

Among the offerings available through the Texas Public Hunt System are hunts for white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, alligator and dove and guided packages for exotic species and bighorn sheep. There were 278,000 applications last year.

A new e-Postcard category has been added for predator hunts at the Matador Wildlife Management Area. Applicants for e-Postcard hunts and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Antlerless Deer Permits must have a current Annual Public Hunt Permit (APH) to apply. APH permits go on sale annually on August 15. Last year, the sale of 55,400 APH permits generated approximately $2.5 million in revenue for wildlife conservation and public hunting opportunities.

An interactive map shows all drawn hunt opportunities by category or by area. All applications, fee payments and permit issuance are handled electronically. To participate, applicants will need internet access, an email address and a credit or debit card. The customer ID number from the applicant’s hunting or fishing license is the most effective way to access the system.

Application fees range from free to $3 or $10, depending on the hunt category. Adult hunters who are selected may need to pay a Special Permit fee of $80 for regular hunts and $130 for extended hunts. Some categories, such as the Youth-Only hunts, require no application fees or permit fees. Permits are open to resident and non-resident hunters alike.

Application deadlines are the 1st and 15th of each month between August 1 and November 1. August 1 is the deadline for all alligator hunt categories and private lands dove hunts. August 15 is the deadline for archery deer, archery mule deer, pronghorn, private land pronghorn and javelina.

A full list of category deadlines can be found online. Hunters can apply up to 11:59 p.m. CST on the application deadline. Applicants can check their drawing status online at any time.

For more information or to get started in the application process, visit the TPWD drawn hunts webpage. For questions, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 512-389-4505 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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The investigation continues into an illegal cockfighting ring that was discovered in Leggett after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report in reference to the possible location at approximately 1:56 p.m. Sunday.

“Deputies and detectives arrived to find numerous people and vehicles on scene, with several subjects fleeing on foot into the woods. Detectives located and observed the area where the illegal bird fighting was taking place, as well as evidence commonly used when fighting roosters. A search warrant was then obtained for the property,” Captain Dave Sottosanti said.

Upon further investigation, detectives seized 31 roosters. Of the 31 seized, two were found dead, along with another three roosters found buried in the ground that appeared to be from prior fights, Sottosanti said.

Twelve subjects were arrested and 14 vehicles were towed from the property. All subjects were charged with cockfighting and additional charges are possible.

The subjects are: Clem Cavasos, 36 of The Woodlands; Jennifer Loftin Growth, 45 of Mont Belvieu; Marcelo Martinez-Cruz, 45 of Crockett; Elmer Morales Jr., 29 of Shepherd; Shane Allen Nelson, 49 of Livingston; Enli Ponce, 54 of Conroe; Rafael Ramos-Egardeo, 49 of Conroe; Guadalupe G. Castrejon, 42 of Conroe; Noel Santiago Cuevas Jr., 37 of Livingston; Noel Cuevas Sr., 57 of Livingston; Candido Cantu Garcia, 42 of Montgomery; and Clayton Alexander Lowe, 38 of Livingston.