Polk County News - Breakout

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Members of the Piney Wood Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists provide assistance during the annual tree giveaway Friday hosted by the Polk County AgriLife Extension Office and Texas A&M Forest Service Livingston Office. Held at the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce office for the first time, vehicles were backed up waiting in line to receive the bareroot seedlings. For additional information about the annual tree giveaway, call the extension office at 936-327-6828. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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By Enterprise Staff

Numerous construction and maintenance projects continue throughout the nine-county Lufkin District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

“We are pleased with the progress of these major construction projects in the Lufkin District,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Rhonda Oaks said. “There are many moving parts in each of these projects and as they each move toward completion, we urge drivers to be cautious, reduce speed and obey all traffic control as they drive near these work zones.”

Updates for major construction projects currently underway in Polk County include the U.S. 190 project and the Corrigan Relief Route project.

The $27.5 million construction project on U.S. 190 includes intersection improvements consisting of right and left turn lanes from the Livingston city limits to four miles east near FM 1276.

Vulcan Materials Asphalt and Construction LLC out of Conroe is serving as contractor for the project. Crews continue to work on constructing shoulders and adding material for new crossroad structures. Projected time of completion is set for January 2025, weather permitting.

The $172.8 million construction of the Corrigan Relief Route began in late 2022 and is designed to bring U.S. 59 to interstate standards with the construction of new U.S. 59 northbound and southbound lanes with controlled access that is being constructed on the west side of Corrigan. The seven-mile project will include overpasses at the United Pacific Railroad, U.S. 287 and at Union Springs Road; entrance and exit ramps will be added at U.S. 59 tie-ins and at the U.S. 287 overpass. The project will be built to promote public safety, improve emergency evacuations and support freight transport.

James Construction Group LLC out of Baton Rouge is serving as contractor for the project. Crews are currently clearing and doing earthwork for construction and utilities are being relocated. Projected date of completion is set for March 2026, weather permitting.

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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Livingston Junior High School Student Josylin Clark placed third and Livingston Junior High School Student Edward Turk placed first in a Patriot’s Pen essay contest for junior high school students that was sponsored by the VFW Post 8568. The students read their essays and were presented with medals and a cash scholarship during a scholarship banquet Monday. (l-r) Post Quartermaster Dannelle Reichert, Clark, Turk and Post Commander Phillip Sinnett. Courtesy photo

By Kristina Miller
Contributing Writer

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8568 and Auxiliary hosted the 2022-2023 Scholarship Awards Banquet Monday.

In the fall, the VFW sponsored a Patriot’s Pen essay contest for junior high students. Livingston Junior High student Josylin Clark placed third for the post, White Oak Middle School student, Brady Mears placed second and LJH student Edward Turk placed first. The students read their essays aloud and were presented with medals and a cash scholarship. Post Commander Sinnett told the students “Your words about your pledge to veterans and why veterans are important made several voting members tear up when they read the essays.” 

Jacob Mears from New Caney High School won the high school Voice of Democracy contest, which is also sponsored by VFW and presented a speech on his entry and then received his medal and cash scholarship. 

LJH teacher Hattie Criswell was honored as Teacher of the Year by the post and received a token of appreciation. Post Quartermaster Dannelle Reichert stated that Criswell is also a coworker and that she has a “beautiful soul, knows her curriculum and makes people feel welcomed at LJH.” Post Commander Sinnett said, “Education is a tough career field and you work each day with compassion and grace. Thank you for your hard work in shaping the future generation.”

During the event, the Livingston High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) posted the colors. The Navy Choir followed by singing the National Anthem and “God Bless the U.S.A.” A prayer was led by Post Chaplin, David Peltier and Post Commander Phillip Sinnet greeted guests. A pasta dinner was served and Reichert presented a welcoming address.

Cadet Ensign Jamie Hopson of the NNDCC provided an overview of the LHS program and talked about how the program has grown from 37 cadets to 123 through the years. She discussed various awards and recognition that the program has received, then shared about her personal experience in the program. She spoke of how the cadets learn leadership skills, teamwork, honor, effective communication skills and that the program provides opportunities for students to lead in various positions. Hopson stated that, through the program, she “gained family members and a support system.”

The evening ended with Penny Uselton of the Auxiliary speaking to the guests, stating, “It’s nice to see some young people are being taught at homes and school about the importance of our country, our freedom and our veterans.”

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach has an immediate need for a volunteer receptionist. Tasks will include greeting clients, answering the phone, data entry, social media posting and scheduling appointments.

“We are looking for an individual who has a heart for parents in need of our services. It must be someone dependable, trustworthy and trainable,” Executive Director Misty Nettles said. Applications may be picked up at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach offers prenatal care, education, community referrals, peer counseling and materials assistance to Polk and 18 other surrounding counties and all the services are free. The program operates out of its location at 414 S. Washington in Livingston.

Pregnancy tests, Medicaid referrals and limited ultrasounds are offered. Additionally, referrals for housing, job searches, childcare and food are also offered. The group works closely with Oasis Resale Shop and Habitat for Humanity Resale Shop to provide needed items for the clients.

“We know this is a low socioeconomic area but we want our moms and our dads to have an abundant life,” Nettles said, adding that the program is a non-profit and relies heavily on donations.

G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach is a big proponent of education. A variety of classes are offered including prenatal, childbirth, parenting, breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum and much more. Also offered is a program called “Earn While You Learn,” which allows clients to accumulate points through the classes and then spend the points on baby and maternity items. Series of classes are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Also on staff are a client service coordinator, a social worker and two lactation consultants who are also certified childcare consultants.

“We get a lot of girls that are scared to death and don’t know what to do so they come to us because everything we do is confidential,” Nettles said, adding, “We’ve really been able to see some beautiful transformations.”

The phone number is 936-327-8440 and the Facebook page is G.R.A.C.E. Pregnancy Outreach Inc.