Polk County News - Breakout

Write a comment

From Enterprise Staff

The Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce is currently updating its database with ChamberMaster and QuickBooks. Once the update is complete, chamber members will be able to update, correct or change their information; register for chamber events; add events to the calendar; set up reminders; and see what invoices payments are applied to.

“As we move forward in 2022, I would like to thank you for your support, as we continue to strive to enhance the success of business, tourism and civic interests of Polk County,” President Yvonne L. King said. “I ask you, ‘What can the chamber do for you today?’”

Upcoming ribbon cuttings include Worthy Soft Wash at 10:30 a.m. May 11 at the chamber office and First Community Financial Group at 115 W. Polk at 1:30 p.m. on May 18.

The chamber’s next learning lunch is slated for May 17. The program will be “Tips on Making Your Business Grow” and will be presented by Jessica Andreas of TheraCare Home Health and Christina Wood of Kindred Hospice.

The next Power Hour with the Chamber is slated for 8-9 a.m. June 7 at The Bull Shack. It’s a time to network over coffee so bring your business cards and mingle.

The next quarterly membership meeting is scheduled for June 28 at Cho-Yeh Camp & Conference Center. Polk County Emergency Management Coordinator Courtney Comstock will be the guest speaker.

Write a comment

Write a comment

From Enterprise Staff

The 2nd annual Rodeo Kickoff, Cookoff and Barn Party, an all-day festival to raise funds for the Polk County Youth Rodeo Association, is slated for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 18 at the Barney Wiggins Memorial Fairgrounds Arena. An arena style concert is slated for 5 p.m.

“We raised a little over $5,000 last year. We would love to raise more this year. It would mean a lot to the youth,” Tim Martin, event organizer, said.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 11-17 and free for children 10 and under. There will be a variety of activities for the children, entertainment all day and over 50 vendors. To obtain a vendor slot, contact Patty at 281-216-3099.

The barbecue cookoff will be sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society and there will be a 60% payout based on the number of entries. For entry forms, contact Tim at 936-425-0474.

Sponsorships are also still available. To be a sponsor contact Tim or Sheila Ann at 936-425-0474.

Write a comment

For May 7 elections

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

Voting for the city, school and proposed constitutional amendment elections will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at six locations. Elections are being held for the City of Onalaska, Corrigan-Camden ISD, Goodrich ISD, Onalaska ISD and two proposed constitutional amendments.

The six voting locations are:  

• Escapees Activity Center at 114 Blue Jay in Livingston;

• Goodrich ISD Administration Building at 234 Katie Simpson Ave. in Goodrich;

• Onalaska Sub-Courthouse at 14111 U.S. Hwy. 190 West in Onalaska;

• Sechrest Webster Community Center at 100 W. Front St. in Corrigan;

• Soda Baptist Church at 8135 U.S. Hwy. 190 East in Livingston; and

• Polk County Judicial Center at 101 W. Mill St. in Livingston.

Early voting ended Tuesday for the Saturday elections. A total of 982 ballots were cast — 478 in Livingston, 409 in Onalaska and 95 in Corrigan.

Regarding the two proposed constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot Saturday, voters will vote “for” or “against.” The two proposed constitutional amendments were placed on the ballot after being passed by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature during its recent special sessions.

Proposition Number 1 (SJR 2) SJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of property taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled in order to reflect any statutory reduction in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the person’s homestead from the preceding tax year.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”

Proposition Number 2 (SJR 2) SJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from property taxes for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.”