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Polk County News - Breakout

BSISD bond issue passes by slim margin

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election graphicBy Emily Banks Wooten
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Of the 42,669 registered voters in Polk County, only 4,944, or roughly 12%, voted in Tuesday’s election.

Locally, residents of the Big Sandy Independent School District in Dallardsville were voting on the issuance of $13,000,000 of bonds for the improvement of bus and car routes, the addition of sidewalks, awnings and parking and the addition of extracurricular facilities, specifically baseball and softball fields and a track. The BSISD bond issue election passed with a vote of 171 for and 165 against.

Statewide, voters had the opportunity to vote on 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Statewide results were not known at press time, but the local results are listed below:

Statewide, Texans had the opportunity to vote on 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Statewide results were not known at press time, but the local results are listed below:

Proposition 1 – HJR 126 “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture and wildlife management.”

FOR… 4,435

AGAINST………461

Proposition 2 – SJR 64 “The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”

FOR……2,977

AGAINST……1,797

Proposition 3 – HJR 132 “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.”

FOR……….3,709

AGAINST……1,068

Proposition 4 – HJR 2 from the second special session “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”

FOR…….4,280

AGAINST……578

Proposition 5 – HJR 3 “The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

FOR……2,716

AGAINST…2,032

Proposition 6 – SJR 75 “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”

FOR……3,582

AGAINST………1,190

Proposition 7 – SJR 93 “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization and operation of electric generating facilities.”

FOR…………3,283

AGAINST………….1,463

Proposition 8 – HJR 125 “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

FOR………3,230

AGAINST……1,507

Proposition 9 – HJR 2, regular session “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”

FOR………3,994

AGAINST………872

Proposition 10 – SJR 87 “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”

FOR………2,884

AGAINST…………1,831

Proposition 11 – SJR 32 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.”

FOR………………2,608

AGAINST…………1,907

Proposition 12 – HJR 134 “The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”

FOR………………2,157

AGAINST………2,130

Proposition 13 – HJR 107 “The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”

FOR………………1,814

AGAINST……2,892

Proposition 14 – SJR 74 “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”

FOR………3,506

AGAINST………1,226

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Salvation Army needs bell ringers

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Kathy Boyce and her grandson, Carson Boyce, enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army red kettles last year and are looking forward to doing it again this year. Additional bell ringers are needed. To sign up for a shift to ring the bell, contact Susan Duncan, the volunteer coordinator, at 936-933-0429 or email bellringerlivingston@gmail.com.   Kathy Boyce and her grandson, Carson Boyce, enjoyed ringing the bell for the Salvation Army red kettles last year and are looking forward to doing it again this year. Additional bell ringers are needed. To sign up for a shift to ring the bell, contact Susan Duncan, the volunteer coordinator, at 936-933-0429 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

From Enterprise Staff

The Salvation Army red kettles will be back at the Livingston Walmart this year and the organization is looking for bell ringers to ring for a one or two hour shift this Christmas season.

All of the money collected stays here in Polk County and is administered by local volunteers to help mainly with utility bills and a few other needs that arise. In the 2023 fiscal year there were 557 families served and in 2022 there were 589 families served. The red kettle bell ringing is the only fundraising event for the Polk County Unit.

The bell ringing will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sundays beginning on Nov. 24 through Dec. 23. There will be stations at each of the front entrances. Community and church groups, as well as individuals, are encouraged to sign up to ring. Chairs are provided. To volunteer, contact Susan Duncan, the volunteer coordinator, at 936-933-0429 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up.   

In addition to donating to the kettles, you may also:

Send a check to P.O. Box 2074, Livingston, Texas 77351.

Contribute to the local Salvation Army account at First National Bank of Livingston.

Go to the website at www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ to contribute and designate for Polk County.   

Please consider helping locally for those in need. Many of the people who have put money into the kettles in Livingston say they are doing so because Salvation Army has helped them in the past when others did not. The Salvation Army office staff also helps clients with referrals to other agencies. For questions about the Salvation Army Polk County, contact Peggy Wooten at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Inflation soared in 2022, affecting the ability of nearly 92 million individuals and families to afford basic necessities like rent, mortgage, utilities, gas and food.

Because of your contributions, the Salvation Army provided financial assistance to more than 3.1 million people who required mitigation against inflation. Together, people ensured that basic living necessities and expenses were covered for millions who found themselves struggling underneath the weight of financial burden. The willingness of the donors to contribute out of the kindness of their hearts allowed the Salvation Army to fulfill its promise of showing love beyond bills. All gifts stay within the community in which they are given.

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FFA WINS FIRST PLACE

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FFA Ag Advocacy

Livingston FFA traveled down Highway 190 last week to compete in the Leadership Development event held at the Onalaska Invitational. Two groups were able to show their hard work, as the ag advocacy and greenhand chapter conducting teams won first place. Team members of the ag advocacy include Cole Gann, Yuridia Hernandez-Flores, Annabel Rasberry, Luisa Perez Montes and Gabreila Woychesin. Members of the greenhand chapter conducting team are Eddie Turk, Evan Swander, Isabelle Parrish, Maci Parrish, Roper Wood, Rylee Thomas, Jay Patel and Christian Jackson. COURTESY PHOTO

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Rotarians hear about cancer support ministry

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BrandonDawnGloriaJudyRepresentatives of the Center of Hope Cancer Support Ministry recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Livingston. (l-r) Rotary President Brandon Wigent, Dawn Schmidt, Gloria Barber and Rotarian Judy Cochran. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

By Emily Banks Wooten
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The Rotary Club of Livingston recently heard a program about the Center of Hope Cancer Support ministry.

“For several years, my daughter and her husband have held a crawfish/shrimp boil. It initially was to benefit Relay for Life but after that went away, they began contributing to F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group and Center of Hope through Polk County Cares, an organization they began to partner with the community. It is held every February on the second Saturday. This next one will be the 11th,” Rotarian Judy Cochran said, as she introduced her guests, Gloria Barber and Dawn Schmidt. Barber is a director of Center of Hope and Schmidt is a director of the cancer support ministry.

“Many of you were involved with Relay for Life but the teams started dropping off when the American Cancer Society stopped sending money to Polk County. When things started to dissolve, Jeanie Binns had a heart to entertain some kind of ministry for cancer patients,” Barber said.

“In 2018, a cancer support ministry was formed at Center of Hope and then Jeanie got sick so Dawn stepped up. We lost Jeanie about a year ago but her legacy lives on,” Barber said.

The cancer support ministry is a Christian-based ministry dedicated to providing financial assistance to Polk County citizens currently receiving cancer treatment.

Anyone living in Polk County who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer and is currently receiving treatment is eligible to apply for the services. There are no restrictions on family income. Initially, monthly assistance with travel and parking expenses will be offered.

All that is needed to apply for financial assistance is proof of residence in Polk County and documentation from a doctor, oncologist or nurse stating the diagnosis and treatment schedule.

According to Schmidt, the ministry is currently running about 70-75 clients. Of those, some come every three weeks, some every six months and some once a day for five weeks. The ministry has recently capped expenses at $2,000 annually per person.

“The clients are very grateful, appreciative,” Schmidt said. “Cancer treatment affects all the cells in your body. Chemo causes other things complications unrelated to what you’re treating cancer for.”

Tax-deductible donations to the cancer support ministry will allow additional local cancer patients to be served. To make a donation, make your check payable to COH Cancer Support and mail to COH Cancer Support Ministry, P.O. Box 1973, Livingston, TX 77351. Anyone interested in volunteering with the ministry may call 936-327-7634.

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halloween fun

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HallowweenFun

The Onalaska Greater Lions Club held their annual Halloween event, Trails for Treats on Oct. 28. After trick-or-treating in Onalaska, the kids moved to Garland Pavillion for hot dogs and  lemonade. Local churches set up games with prizes for more fun before a drawing for all the toys. Local merchants gave donations and or prizes for toy giveaways. The Onalaska Greater Lions Club is very appreciative of the continued support of all the businesses that gave to make this another successful event. Courtesy photo

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