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Polk County News - Breakout

MannaFest volunteers continue learning, serving

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Boy Scout Troop 97 and Girl Scout Troop 197 held a food drive in March that they donated to MannaFest Food Pantry. (l-r) Troop 97 Scoutmaster David Brown, Evan Couch, Troop 97 Assistant Scoutmaster Adam Leneau, Silas Leneau, Samson Blackstock, Mary Jane Brown, Ally Agate, Troop 197 Scoutmaster Shawnna Agate, MannaFest Director Marilyn Wise and Trinity District Director Misty Brown. Courtesy photoBoy Scout Troop 97 and Girl Scout Troop 197 held a food drive in March that they donated to MannaFest Food Pantry. (l-r) Troop 97 Scoutmaster David Brown, Evan Couch, Troop 97 Assistant Scoutmaster Adam Leneau, Silas Leneau, Samson Blackstock, Mary Jane Brown, Ally Agate, Troop 197 Scoutmaster Shawnna Agate, MannaFest Director Marilyn Wise and Trinity District Director Misty Brown. Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

Representing the local MannaFest Food Pantry in Livingston, Marilyn Wise and Georgann Patterson recently completed eight months of training with the Southeast Texas Food Bank’s Agency Institute.

“Not only did we gain a lot of knowledge in those eight sessions, but we earned a stipend for MannaFest to use to purchase food from the Food Bank, as well as a certificate of completion,” Wise said.

MannaFest received $2,616 in donations during the month of April from local churches and individuals. Also received during April was 5,026 pounds of food from Walmart, 593 pounds from Dollar General, 728 pounds of produce from Southeast Texas Food Bank and 2,290 pounds from individuals and two food drives.

Texan EMS, First National Bank and Pine Ridge Health Care sponsored a food drive outside HEB where 900 pounds of food was collected along with $463. Ricky Taylor delivered it to the pantry in an ambulance, a first for the MannaFest volunteers.

Timber Creek Elementary School students also held a food drive with each homeroom collecting food and then building a “can-struction” with the items they collected and the creations were displayed outside the classrooms.

“GB and I had the honor and pleasure of meeting the student council officers and walking through the school judging the entries, which were then deconstructed and loaded up for delivery to the pantry. About 900 items were collected,” Wise said.

Four hundred and seventy families were served during the month of April and the average number of families served per day was 59. Volunteers spent $8,656.79 on food and $1,539.39 on hygiene products, in addition to $97.51 for supplies and $64.91 for trailer bags.

Over $5,000 of the money spent on food was for items for the summer food boxes. These boxes are for families with school-age children. They are pre-packed boxes given to families in addition to the regular food box to help with food expenses while their children are home from school and not getting free breakfasts and lunches. Each family may receive up to three of the monthly food boxes.

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YELLOW RIBBONS TO HONOR MILITARY

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GardenClubYellowRibbons

Members of the Polk County Garden Club been busy making yellow ribbons to place on the electrical poles downtown in time for Armed Forces Day which is May 20 to honor those currently serving in all branches of the U.S. military and to remember those who gave all. The yellow ribbons will be up through Memorial Day which is May 29. (l-r) Mary Ingram, Susy Richoux, Sharon Pollard, Jeanette Phillips, Andee Shaffer and Paulette Stinson. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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LIONS CLUB FISH FRY THURSDAY

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LionsClubFishFry

The Livingston Lions Club will host its annual fish fry as a take-out only event with pick-up service from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Polk County Commerce Center. The meal will include U.S. farm-raised catfish, new potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, coleslaw and dessert. Proceeds from the event will go toward funding the club’s various initiatives such as providing eyeglasses for those in need and supporting local food banks.Courtesy photo

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Council’s action to result in annual million dollar savings

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City of Livingston logoBy Emily Banks Wooten
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The City of Livingston will see a savings of $1.4-$1.6 million annually following action taken by the Livingston City Council during its regular meeting May 9. Council approved a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Trinity River Authority (TRA) of Texas authorizing the TRA contract revenue refunding bonds, the Livingston Regional Water Supply System Project, and approving and authorizing instruments and procedures relating thereto.

In response to a request for proposals for waste collection and disposal, Council heard from representatives of Piney Woods Sanitation, Pro Star Waste/Waste Connections and Republic Services.

The reappointment of Municipal Court Judge Dana Williams for the two-year term of May 2023 through May 2025 was approved.

As an information item, Council reviewed a proposed cost of living adjustment for the employee salary schedule, to be effective Oct. 1.

During his monthly update on projects and events, City Manager Bill S. Wiggins reminded Council that the Livingston Farmers and Artisan Market is held the first and third Saturday of each month at Anniversary Park next to Melbo’s. He reported that signups for sem lessons began May 1 at the Parks Office at Pedigo Park and that over 400 have already registered. He also reported that the Livingston Municipal Court is offering an amnesty program for Class C warrants and unpaid tickets through May 31.

Wiggins apprised Council that since Livingston is a Type A General Law City, newly-elected officers may not assume the duties of the office until at least the fifth day after the election, excluding Sundays. Therefore, a special called city council meeting is set for 5 p.m. May 16 to canvass the election, administer the oaths of office, issue certificates of election and elect a mayor pro-tem for the coming year. (See related story, this page.)

Wiggins apprised Council of the current development projects underway, including: the addition of a new metal building at Century II Printing at 1506 N. Washington; ongoing work at CP Homes Memory Care at 1864 N. Washington; the review of plans for a remodel of CVS at 1500 W. Church; the review of plans for a Denny’s at 103 U.S. Hwy. 59 Loop South; ongoing work on new office lease spaces at 109 W. Abbey; ongoing work on the Highway 190 Apartments at 909 E. Church; permit ready to be issued for King Ranch John Deere Dealership and turf business at 510 U.S. Hwy. 59 Loop South; ongoing work at Livingston Fitness Center at 601 W. Church; ongoing work on the construction of new townhomes at 209, 211, 213 and 215 Jack Moseley Blvd.; ongoing work at On the Run Truckstop at 911 E. Church; a pre-development meeting for a proposed four-plex housing unit at 115 Pan American; work has begun on the courthouse restoration project at the Polk County Courthouse at 101 W. Church; a pre-development meeting for Stella’s Bakery on U.S. Hwy. 190 West; installation of a Tesla Super Charging Station at Best Stop Convenience Store at 1155 E. Church; work in progress on new residences at 106 Getaway, 106 Sunrise, 107 Sunrise, 106 Sunset and 118 Sunshine; permits ready to be issued for new residences at 105 Getaway and 120 Sunshine; ongoing work at The Vault Venue at 415 N. Washington; ongoing work on an office building for Edward Jones Investment Agency at 500 W. Polk; permit ready to be issued for a $3.5 million major remodel at Walmart at 1620 W. Church; and ongoing work on construction of duplex homes at 1300 and 1302 S. Houston.

Other business included approval of the minutes of the April 11 meeting and the accounts over $500.

 

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City to canvass election returns

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City of Livingston logoIn a special called meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Livingston City Council will canvass the May 6 general election, administer the oaths of office, issue certificates of election and elect a mayor pro-tem for the coming year. As Livingston is a Type A General Law City, newly-elected officers may not assume the duties of the office until at least the fifth day after the election, excluding Sundays. This is why these items could not be done at the city’s regular May 9 meeting.

In response to a request for proposals for waste collection and disposal, Council heard from representatives of Piney Woods Sanitation, Pro Star Waste/Waste Connections and Republic Services during the May 9 regular meeting. Council will discuss and consider awarding a contract for waste collection and disposal services.

Council will discuss and consider action on proposed resolutions approving the submission of two grants – one for the rifle-resistant body armor grant to the Office of the Governor (Grant No. 4841301) and the other for the DJ-Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the Office of the Governor (Grant No. 4855901).

A proposed resolution setting a public hearing to receive public comment in response to a petition to close a portion of North East Avenue by Central Baptist Church of Livingston will be discussed and considered for possible action.

Council will also consider action on a proposed resolution setting a public hearing to receive public comment in response to a petition for the annexation of 34.04 acres of land on the M.L. Choate Survey, A-15, and the Bridger Hobbs Survey, A-327, submitted by Eternal Holdings LLC.

An executive session is on the agenda for Council to consult with the city attorney. Any action, however, will be taken upon return to open session.

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