Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

Polk County News - Breakout

LHS Navy Defense Cadets

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

LHSNNDCC

Members of the Livingston High School National Navy Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) recently presented a program to the Livingston Lions Club. The students shared the successes of their battalion, which include advancing to the National Joint Leadership Academic Bowl Round 1 semi-finals, scoring in the top 30% on the National Academic Exam, Navy Area 10 recommended as “Most Improved School,” 8,042 cadet community service hours, attendance at 35 community events, four cadets contracting with a military branch of service and growth of their unit from 75 students last year to 110 students this year. (l-r) Lion Program Chair Brent Stovall, Jamie Hopson, Samantha Rodriguez, Sonja Wiley, Leah Robeson, Xavier Mindiola, Stacy Weatherspoon, Lion President Kim Jernigan, Keyla Islas and SFC Grady Tinker. Courtesy photo

  • Hits: 247

ANNUAL ROTARY PANCAKE SUPPER

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

RayGeorgeRichardBill

The Rotary Club of Livingston hosted its annual Pancake Supper fundraiser Thursday at the First Methodist Church of Livingston, its first dine-in event since the pandemic. Proceeds from the event allow the club to support numerous local programs, including: Center of Hope Empty Stocking Program, Childrenz Haven, Green and White Scholarship, Don’t Meth With Me, Emergency Health Board, Habitat For Humanity, Special Olympics and SAAFE House, just to mention a few. Richard Gilbert and Dr. Bill Watson take tickets as Ray Gearing and George Huson man a booth promoting R.E.A.D. Inc. (Reading Encourages Advanced Development), the local sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Debra Jenke, Robert Casas, Judy Cochran and Alex Sanchez prepare orders for drive-thru pickup. Trina Fowlkes is shown preparing pancakes and sausage plates as Ron Boyce delivers them to various locations.  Photos by Emily Banks Wooten

  • Hits: 310

County tax assessor-collector announces retirement

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Polk County LogoA letter of resignation from Polk County Tax Assessor-Collector Leslie Jones-Burks, effective May 31 due to her retirement, will be received by the Polk County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Court is slated to enter into an executive session for deliberation regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties of a public officer or employee and also for deliberation regarding real property. Upon return to open session, the Court is expected to discuss and consider action regarding the purchase of real property.

Action regarding the Polk County Community Development Block Grant for the Dallardsville-Segno Water Improvement Project will be considered, specifically, a resolution adopting civil rights plans and policies, a resolution authorizing signatories and a presentation on Section 3, as required by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

A request from Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons for agreement and conditions of employment for new cadets of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office enrolled in a basic police academy, to be funded by the sheriff’s personnel budget, will be considered for approval.

The Court is slated to receive nuisance abatement hearing determinations for Cause Nos. A00540 and A00535 and consider orders to abate the nuisances.

An order authorizing the sale of fireworks during the San Jacinto Day period of April 16 through midnight April 21 will be considered for approval.

Action related to the county homestead exemption will be discussed and considered.

Fiscal year 2023 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, will be considered for approval.

In personnel matters, the Court will review and consider personnel action form requests submitted since the last meeting and will review any authorized emergency hirings. The Court will also consider approval of an update to the personnel management system.

Items on the consent agenda include:

Approve minutes of the March 14 meeting;

Approve schedule of bills;

Receive county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to Local Government Code Sec. 114.025;

Approve advanced funding agreement with the State of Texas for bridge replacement or rehabilitation on Old Bering Road at Long King Creek in Precinct 3 at no cost to the county;

Approve advanced funding agreement with the State of Texas for bridge replacement or rehabilitation on Nine Bridge Road at Piney Creek Branch in Precinct 3 at no cost to the county;

Approve interlocal agreement with the City of Onalaska for the county’s provision of election equipment and services for the May 6 general election as recommended by the county clerk;

Approve work-based learning agreement renewal between Workforce Solutions and Polk County Maintenance Department;

Approve work-based learning agreement renewal between Workforce Solutions and Polk County Aging Department;

Approve contract extension between Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Polk County Aging Department for Contract Number 014-16-1000824-10 for Older American Act Program (congregate and home-delivered meals);

Approve Texas A&M Forest Service amendment to interlocal cooperation contract for prescribed burn at the gazebo nature area, extended from March 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024;

Accept sheriff’s use of force policy update;

Approve memorandums of understanding with Onalaska Water and Gas, Providence Water Supply Corporation and Tempe Water Supply Corporation for ARPA-funded projects;

Approve memorandums of understanding for local disaster preparedness (sheltering);

Ratify approval of order accepting Quiet Oak Drive in Four Corners Section 5, Precinct 2, as county roads and add to the master street address guide; and

Receive county treasurer’s monthly report for February 2023.

  • Hits: 542

UNVEILING, DEDICATION CEREMONY

Write a comment

User Rating: 5 / 5

Star ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar Active

JRROTC

The Livingston High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC), formerly called the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, will join the Livingston Police Department Color Guard to post the colors at a ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday at Anniversary Park in Livingston. The Robert Rankin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is hosting the ceremony to unveil and dedicate a first responders bench that the chapter is placing in the park. Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony and show support for all first responders. Representatives from the fire department, police department, sheriff’s department and EMS will unveil the bench. Music will be provided by Pam Sprott and Kim Sharp. (l-r) Samantha Rodriques, Joseph Teano, Jamie Hopson and Sonja Wiley. Courtesy photo

  • Hits: 270

Including bowling, ‘bitez’ and barbecue

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Polk County ChamberBy Emily Banks Wooten
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration is underway for the “Battle of the Businesses” bowling tournament, a new event hosted by the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce. Slated for April 24 at Triple J Lanes located at 6900 Hwy. 190 West, there will be dinner, cash prizes and door prizes.

There will be two flights, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The afternoon flight is from 1-4 p.m. with setup beginning at noon. The evening flight is from 6-9 p.m. with setup beginning at 5 p.m. Teams will be made up of four people and the registration fee for the afternoon flight is $150 and the evening flight is $200.

Also new this year is “The Best of Texas,” a “business bitez expo” slated for May 2 at the Polk County Commerce Center located at 1017 U.S. 59 Loop North. Vendor booths are available starting at $50. Pre-sale tickets for the event are $10 apiece. Tickets at the door are $15 apiece.

The fourth annual State Championship Smoke in the Pines barbecue cookoff is slated for June 23-24 at Pedigo Park in Livingston. Additional activities in conjunction with the event are the auto and bike show, kids barbecue, cornhole tournament and vendor booths.

The event is affiliated with the International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA). The entry fee for IBCA meats is $200 and the entry fee for the ancillaries such as cook’s choice and beans is $25 each. If 75 or more teams participate the payout will be $7,500. There will be payouts for first through sixth IBCA meats, first through third for cook’s choice and first for beans.

The entry fee for the auto and bike show is $30 and for the kids barbecue is $25. Vendor booths are available for $65 and the cornhole team entry is $50.

IBCA judging rules will apply and may be viewed at https://ibcabbq.org/organization-documents/. For additional information about Smoke in the Pines contact John Clifton at 936-328-9864 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For information about any of the above events, contact the chamber office at 936-327-4929 or go to polkchamber.com.

  • Hits: 499