Polk County News - Breakout

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The first LHS Best Buddies Color Fun Run was held on Saturday in the Livingston High School parking lot. The community was invited to celebrate all things inclusion. Proceeds from the color run, which has plans to become an annual event, are used to fund Best Buddies activities. Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society. The Livingston High School Best Buddies chapter was created in the fall of 2021. Courtesy photo

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From Enterprise Staff

The Dunbar Alumni Association of Livingston will resume its bi-annual reunion activities on April 22 by honoring Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons, a descendant of a Dunbar alumni family that traces back more than 100 years. Lyons’ grandparents, Willie D. and Clarice Lyons, and his mother, Larue Lyons Marshall, are all Dunbar alumni.

Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. April 22 with a parade honoring Lyons. The scholarship/reunion banquet will be held at 6 p.m. in the Dunbar Gym located at 1103 Dunbar Ave. in Livingston.

“We are requesting participation from state, county and city officials, businesses and other organizations in the parade, as well as representation at the banquet. We invite you to join us in the recognition of Byron Lyons Day,” a representative of the Dunbar Alumni Association said.

Lyons is a 1985 graduate of Livingston High School and he began his law enforcement career working in the Polk County Jail. In 1989 he enrolled in the Deep East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore. Following 31 years of law enforcement employment in various capacities, Lyons ran for sheriff in 2020 and was elected. He was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2021, the first African American sheriff of Polk County.

Over the course of his career, he served as a patrol officer with the Livingston Police Department, served as a felony investigator with the Polk County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and served as Chief Deputy to former Sheriff Kenneth Hammack.

The Dunbar Alumni Association is a 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is to uphold and preserve the spirit and tradition of the Dunbar School. The association awards four $1000 scholarships annually to deserving graduates of the Goodrich, Leggett, Onalaska and Livingston school districts.

The donation to attend the banquet is $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10. Table sponsors will be recognized in the printed program. Everyone is encouraged to call family members and friends to help fill the tables. The bulk of the proceeds will pay for scholarships for the next two years.

For security purposes and to expedite time at the door, it is requested that all alumni and guests RSVP with their donation by April 7. Checks or money orders may be made payable to Dunbar Alumni Association and mailed to Dunbar Alumni Association, P. O. Box 1961, Livingston, Texas 77351.

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By Brian Besch
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The Livingston school board gathered for a special meet Monday to approve negotiations and sign a resolution.

The board authorized LISD Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins to negotiate a service contract with Direct Solutions for district facilities, including maintenance, custodial, and grounds. Livingston ISD had a contract with SSC for the past five years.

A resolution was approved concerning vouchers, education savings accounts and taxpayer savings grants. A growing number of states have begun similar programs, and Texas Senators have put forth a proposal to allow students to use taxpayer funds on private school tuition. The legislation would create education savings accounts of up to $8,000 that families can put toward tuition, books and uniforms.

Included in the resolution was that public schools adhere to state-mandated academic and financial accountability standards, accept every student, and that school choice already exists in Texas via public schools, charter schools, transfers, home schools, virtual schools and private schools.

The resolution continued that education savings accounts and similar voucher “schemes” eliminate public accountability of school and tax dollars, and that using tax dollars to pay for tuition at private and religious schools would “grow into a costly entitlement program.”

The resolution reads that a voucher program would reduce the amount of state funds available for all schools, harming many rural Texas communities where most families have few options. It finally called on the Texas Legislature to reject any diversion of public dollars to private entities.

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From Enterprise Staff

City residents who have old bicycles, stoves, refrigerators, furniture, old tires or similar items they need to dispose of will soon have the opportunity to do so. The City of Livingston will sponsor a community cleanup from 8 a.m. until noon on April 22 at Pedigo Park.

Several dumpsters will be in place for City of Livingston residents to dispose of items large and small.

Residential items only will be accepted. No commercial discards will be accepted, nor batteries, chemicals, insecticides, pesticides or household garbage. Old lawnmowers will also be accepted but must be drained of gas and oil. There will be a container available for old tires.

The community cleanup is for city residents only. A driver’s license or other proof of residence within the city limits will be required.

Those with questions may contact the city’s community development department at 936-327-4311.