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Polk County News - Breakout

AAUW learns about Center of Hope’s ministries

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The Polk County Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) recently heard a program about the ministries offered by Center of Hope, as well as its recent merging with Empty Stocking Program and Emergency Health Board. (l-r) Mike Fortney, Virginia Key, Chris Potthoff, Genny Watkins and Peggy Wooten. Photo by Emily Banks WootenThe Polk County Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) recently heard a program about the ministries offered by Center of Hope, as well as its recent merging with Empty Stocking Program and Emergency Health Board. (l-r) Mike Fortney, Virginia Key, Chris Potthoff, Genny Watkins and Peggy Wooten. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

By Emily Banks Wooten
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Michael Fortney, Peggy Wooten and Chris Potthoff presented a program explaining the merging of Polk County Emergency Health Board with Center of Hope to the Polk County Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) during the chapter’s regular meeting Monday.

Fortney started by giving an overview of what Center of Hope is doing before segueing into the transition. Fortney said he moved to Polk County about five years ago after 39 years in the Air Force. He said he had been here five or six weeks before Hurricane Harvey happened. He said his philosophy upon moving to a new place is to “find out where God’s already doing work and join them.”

Fortney said Center of Hope began with five partner churches and the ministry was to feed people. He said there are now 15 partner churches and numerous ministries.

“We have seen the numbers absolutely skyrocket. The average number of people we see daily is in the mid-70s,” he said.

Fortney said Center of Hope is considered a platinum-level food bank and through its partnership with the Southeast Texas Food Bank is able to receive food for 18 cents a pound.

He said the Center’s other ministries began evolving after Hurricane Harvey and then the tornado, starting with disaster response.

“FEMA came in and did an assessment and we did not meet the threshold to receive federal funding so volunteers came together and we began doing home repairs for those that did not have insurance,” he said.

“Another ministry that has evolved over the last five years is the cancer support group. Right now there are 70 active clients. What does that look like? There are people that were putting off life-saving treatments because they couldn’t afford parking or something was wrong with their car and they couldn’t make it to Houston,” he said, adding that they help with gasoline, parking, occasional overnight stays.

Fortney said the Center also has a bus ministry with a bus that was donated by Brazos Transit.

“We can help address other needs. Our counselors are trained to plug them (the clients) in to other ministries,” he said.

“Campaign 300 is a separate non-profit but is under the umbrella of Center of Hope. They help families going through financial crises. It could be an automobile emergency, but typically is utilities,” he said.

Fortney then talked about two new ministries. One is Christmas of Hope Empty Stocking Program. He said Center of Hope was approached last fall and asked if they would consider taking over the Empty Stocking Fund. He said that Brad Butler is over it.

“Right around 600 kids were blessed throughout that ministry to the tune of about 5,500 gifts,” he said.

Fortney said that around spring of last year Peggy Wooten reached out and said the Emergency Health Board seemed to fit with what the Center was doing and asked if they would consider taking it on.

“It was unanimous. We said let’s bring the prescription ministry under our wing,” Fortney said.

Wooten expressed her satisfaction.

“I thought it was a very good transition. I think it went very well and it was such a blessing that Center of Hope was willing to take it,” Wooten said.

In closing, Fortney said that if anyone wants to help Center of Hope, they are always needing money and volunteers. Contributions may be mailed to Post Office Box 1973, Livingston, Texas 77351.

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PCRB diverts 102,000 pounds from local landfill

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From Enterprise Staff

The Polk County Recycle Center, operated by Polk County Recycling & Beautification, collected over 102,000 pounds of recyclable materials from November 2021 through December 2022. The amount of PET(#1) plastic collected is equivalent to about 350,000 half-liter water bottles.

Polk County Recycling & Beautification (PCRB) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. PCRB’s goals are to reduce the amount of trash entering the Polk County Landfill by offering recycling to the community, and to beautify Polk County through litter cleanup events. PCRB has one paid staff member to manage the operation. All other members are volunteers. PCRB volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours in 2022.

It is extremely rare for a non-profit organization to run a community recycling center. Most community recycling facilities are run by city and county governments. The progress made by PCRB has become an incredible success story that has been shared throughout the state. This would not have been possible without the help of dedicated volunteers, the support of the Polk County government, and support from the local community. Less than 5% of Polk County households have utilized PCRB’s recycling services, so there is a lot of potential for future growth.

PCRB also operates a recycling drop-off in Onalaska. This location opened in October. It is located next to the Citizen’s Collection Station at 416 Onalaska Loop and is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Polk County will provide an upgraded recycling drop-off site in Onalaska if PCRB is able to secure more community support, including more volunteers. This site is currently running at or below the minimum number of volunteers needed, and it may close occasionally due to lack of staffing. Check Facebook.com/PCRBTexas for updates.

PCRB has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, including marketing, fundraising, recycling operations, and litter cleanups. Volunteer shifts at the recycling center are up to three hours and include collecting, sorting, and baling materials. Volunteer shifts in Onalaska involve collecting and sorting materials. Volunteers generally work one shift per week or two shifts per month. For more information about volunteering, visit PCRBTexas.org/volunteer, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call or text 936-337-3315.

PCRB sold approximately 62,000 pounds of recyclable materials in 2022. The sale of those materials only generated about $4,000. Because of this, PCRB relies on grants and donations to help fund the operation and continue to provide these community services.

Please consider making a contribution to PCRB to help keep Polk County beautiful. Checks can be mailed to 10311 TX-146 Livingston, 77351, or they can be dropped off at the recycling center or Onalaska drop-off. Donations can also be made at PCRBTexas.org. Call or text 936-337-3315 for more information.

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Luttrell visits

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MorganLuttrell

Newly elected 8th District Representative Marcus Luttrell was in Livingston Wednesday for a town hall meeting at the VFW Post 8568. Approximately 100 local citizens attended the meeting, including local officials, members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Escapees, Polk County Republican Club members, San Jacinto County Republicans and numerous veterans. Among the subjects discussed were congressional spending, consideration of a long-term capital gains rate increase, border issues and term limits. Luttrell said will be back in a few months to visit with residents again. Luttrell was recently appointed to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “I’m honored to have been selected to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, Committee on Homeland Security and Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. As a Navy veteran and former DOE advisor, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our country and servicemembers face at home and abroad. I’ll continue to do everything in my power to defend our nation from increasing adversarial threats, secure our borders, and support our servicemembers who have put it all on the line for our country,” he said. Luttrell may be followed on his Facebook page or at luttrell.house.gov. Courtesy photo

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Polk CAD reminds businesses to render their taxable property by April 15

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From Enterprise Staff

If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file a rendition with the Polk Central Appraisal District by April 15.

A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable property you owned or controlled on Jan. 1 of this year. Property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property, such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

“The appraisal district may use the information submitted in the rendition to set property values,” Chief Appraiser Chad Hill said.

You can also file a report of decreased value to notify the appraisal district of significant depreciation of your property. “For example, if your property was damaged by a storm, flood or fire last year, you should file a report of decreased value. The appraisal district will look at your property before assigning a value,” Hill said.

For most property types, renditions must be filed after Jan. 1 and no later than April 15. Different deadlines apply in certain appraisal districts. A property owner may apply, in writing, for a mandatory extension to May 15.

Different deadlines apply for regulated properties.

A 10%-50% penalty may be imposed if a rendition is filed late, incomplete or not at all. Property owners who need more time to file their renditions may file a written request with the chief appraiser on or before the rendition deadline to receive an automatic extension.

The chief appraiser may extend the deadline another 15 days for good cause shown in writing by the property owner for each type of property.

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Chamber tickets on sale now

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From Enterprise Staff

Tickets are on sale for the 87th annual Awards Gala of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce slated for Jan. 26 at the Polk County Commerce Center.

The chamber will recognize and present awards for a large business, a small business, community service and an outstanding Polk County citizen.

The large and small business of the year awards will recognize two businesses (one with 21 or more employees and one with 20 or less employees) that have been operational for at least three years in Polk County and have demonstrated professional integrity, financial stability, excellence in customer service, success through innovation and a commitment to the community.

A community service award will be presented to someone who has made a positive investment in the lives and education of local students.

The outstanding Polk County citizen will be someone who has made a significant contribution to Polk County through time, actions, talents, dedication, leadership and striving to make Polk County a better place, someone who has a passion for helping others in the community.

To purchase tickets for the annual awards gala, go to polkchamber.com or visit the chamber office at 1001 U.S. 59 Loop North in Livingston. For additional information, call 936-327-4929 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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