Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

Polk County News - Breakout

PCRTA COMPLETES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

PCRTAmembers

The Polk County Retired Teachers Association (PCRTA) ended 2023 by participating in two community service projects. Members made 20 greeting card boxes out of Christmas cards in which they placed hard candies and delivered to F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group to be packed in the care packages for the service members. They also purchased socks and underwear to deliver to SAAFE House in Livingston. PCRTA is open to membership for all retired school personnel. The next meeting is Feb. 1 in the conference room of the Livingston Municipal Library at 707 N. Tyler Ave. in Livingston. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 10 a.m. (l-r) Etta Smith, Sharlon Jackson, Mary Hunt, Denise Cribbet, Judy Walker, Rosemary Stacey and Charlotte Hartley. Courtesy photo.

  • Hits: 431

Livingston art wins big at HLSR

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

LivingstonArtWins

The Livingston ISD art department was once again recognized by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Arts competition as a supershow award winner.

Approximately 10% of schools participating are awarded a supershow award each year. Livingston received their award last weekend from the 2023 contest.

Livingston ISD’s art department has won this prestigious award eight of the last nine contest years and now brings the count of supershow awards to 11.

In 2019, the Livingston ISD art program was inducted into the HLSR School Arts Hall of Fame for receiving the award five consecutive years. The district went on to win the award again in 2019 making six straight years. They have won the award two of the three competing years since, with one year of no contest due to the pandemic.

Winning Best in Show from Livingston High School was Alyssa Dean, while Gabriel Quintero and Misti Anaya were gold medalists.

Competition winners were awarded by judges at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and will now move on to the Grand Prix round were an auction of artwork takes place.

  • Hits: 663

LISD make-up day will be April 19

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Livingston ISD LogoFrom Enterprise Staff

To make up for closing school Tuesday due to inclement weather, Livingston ISD will make up that day on April 19.

“Dear Lion Country, we want to thank the district for the way that parents, students and staff handled the recent weather-related challenges that our district faced during the month of January,” Superintendent Dr. Brent E. Hawkins said Friday.

“Our district encompasses over 300 square miles, and that alone presents challenges when our Texas weather reaches extreme changes. Obviously, what may be safe decisions in one area of our district may not affect the rest of the district. It is always imperative that parents make the best decision for their students. Our district will continue to approach weather-related issues with common sense while respecting all state laws and guidelines.

“On Wednesday, our district attendance was 90.6%, and on Thursday, the district attendance was 95.6%. The district is reminded that opening our doors is not only an opportunity for students to transform their lives but also because we serve a high population of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, feeding students is a motivating factor,” Hawkins said.

“The delayed starts incurred this week will not have to be made up. However, Tuesday, Jan. 16 will be required to be made up by students and staff. We will use the designated “Bad Weather Day” of Friday, April 19 as indicated on the LISD 2023-2024 School Calendar.

“The district would also like to thank Polk County Emergency Management and our local law enforcement partners who provided me with road status as I also drove the district roads to assess the status of roads firsthand,” Hawkins said.

“And a special acknowledgment goes to our transportation department. Not only do they travel over 4,000 miles each school day, picking up and delivering a daily average of 2,400 students, but doing so in harsh Texas weather is beyond commendable,” Hawkins said.

 

  • Hits: 399

Origin of Polk County Cares, annual crawfish, shrimp boil given

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Brandon Wigent, president of the Rotary Club of Livingston, presents a check to Toni Cochran-Hughes, who is receiving it on behalf of Polk County Cares, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds to be distributed to qualifying non-profit organizations in Polk County.  Courtesy photoBrandon Wigent, president of the Rotary Club of Livingston, presents a check to Toni Cochran-Hughes, who is receiving it on behalf of Polk County Cares, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds to be distributed to qualifying non-profit organizations in Polk County. Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

Polk County Cares will host its 11th annual crawfish and shrimp boil on Feb. 10 at the Polk County Commerce Center and Toni Cochran-Hughes, one of the founders of the 501(c)3 non-profit, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Livingston about the upcoming event.

“In 2012, my best friend, Lisa Mayhugh, was diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband Scott and I decided to form a team for the local Relay for Life, which was a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. We raised a few thousand dollars that first year. In 2014 I told Scott we should have a crawfish boil fundraiser. Had either of us ever had a crawfish boil before? No, but I told Scott, ‘We’ve been to enough. We will figure it out.’ We continued with our crawfish boil and auction for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, being the top fundraising team in Polk County and one of the top teams in our region for six years.

“In 2018, Scott and I were visiting with Bea and Dan Ellis about F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group and its expenses. Scott and I went home and talked about how we could help. We invited F.A.I.T.H. to join our crawfish boil, splitting the money between the American Cancer Society and F.A.I.T.H.

“In 2019, Scott and I wanted to continue to help in the fight against cancer, but we wanted to help local cancer patients. I spoke with Jeanie Binns and discovered that Center of Hope was in the planning stages of forming an organization to help Polk County cancer patients with travel expenses. Scott and I prayed about it and asked Center of Hope-Cancer Support to join us.

“In 2020, we were lucky enough to be one of the last events before the COVID shutdown. During the shutdown, Scott and I started talking about how we could help more people in our area. We formed Polk County Cares, a 501(c)3 organization that partners with the community to support local charities. Our purpose is to raise funds to be distributed to qualifying non-profit organizations in Polk County. I have a few application packets if anyone is interested.

“In 2021, with COVID still out there, we decided to have our crawfish boil as a drive-thru event and have some raffle items and it was very successful.

“In 2022, we raised over $80,000 and were thrilled with that number. Polk County Cares donated $30,855 each to Center of Hope-Cancer Support and F.A.I.T.H.

“Last year when we started planning the 10th crawfish boil the Polk County Cares board set our goal at $90,000. I thought to myself that 100,000 sure is a nice round number, but I wouldn’t say it out loud. We fed around 580 people and had an outstanding live auction and sold out of steer and purse raffle tickets. We started a couple of new things last year. We had a bucket raffle where you buy ticket books, and each item had a bucket that you put the tickets in and that was a great success. We also had two poker chip raffles for two guns. We had 100 poker chips numbered one through 99 in a bag. You pay the number that you pull. The night of the fundraiser when we got home, I started counting the money. I called Scott to come into my office and double check my figures. They couldn’t be right. We both counted and added everything probably six times. We had raised $129,644. It still amazes me saying that number. I did some checking and in 2021, the population of Polk County was 51,899, so we had raised $2.50 for each resident of the county.

“We have come a long way in the last 11 years. The first year we boiled 450 pounds of crawfish for about 150 people. This year we will boil over 1,500 pounds of crawfish and 475 pounds of shrimp for around 600 people. Over the last 12 years we have raised over $679,000.

“This year’s fundraiser is Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Polk County Commerce Center beginning with cocktails at 5 p.m. We start serving at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. We will have the live and silent auctions, steer and purse raffles as well as the bucket raffles, the poker chip raffles for guns, and since the Super Bowl is the next day, this year we are selling Super Bowl squares.”

In closing, Cochran-Hughes thanked the sponsors who have already purchased tables and also thanked the Polk County Cares board, without whom she said this event would not be possible.

Tickets are $50 each and reserved tables for eight are available. Sponsorships are still available as well. Raffle tickets for a whole processed steer and a Louis Vuitton purse are also available. For additional information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit polkcountycares.com.

  • Hits: 150

Heavy rainfall, flooding inundates Polk County

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

This is the view of Lake Livingston Dam at 1:19 p.m. Friday. The Trinity River Authority increased the discharge to 84,819 cfs (cubic feet per second) on Thursday but by Friday evening had decreased the discharge to 77,163 cfs.  Photo by Emily Banks WootenThis is the view of Lake Livingston Dam at 1:19 p.m. Friday. The Trinity River Authority increased the discharge to 84,819 cfs (cubic feet per second) on Thursday but by Friday evening had decreased the discharge to 77,163 cfs. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

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

As of Friday afternoon, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that FM 1987 at Piney Creek, just northeast of the City of Corrigan, was passable. However, water was over the bridge at Nine Bridges Road at Piney Creek and it was impassable. Holly Grove Road had water over the road, but not over the bridge.

According to TxDOT, Menard Creek is currently in flood stage and FM 943 at Menard Creek is an area to watch cautiously as it may be impacted by rising water over the next few days.

“Remember to be cautious when driving, especially at night when visibility is limited and avoid flooded areas. Remember turn around, don’t drown,” TxDOT urged.

Polk Countians have been inundated with weather events. Coming right on the heels of an Arctic Cold Front has been heavy rainfall and flooding.

Water from the Trinity River began to encroach on Route 66, a low-lying area along the Trinity River just west of Taylor Lake Estates Subdivision in Livingston on Thursday. The Polk County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reported Friday afternoon that floodwaters remained on Route 66. This area is prone to flooding when the Trinity River is in flood stage. Recreational vehicles and some permanent structures exist in the area.

Polk County issued a voluntary evacuation order at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday for low-lying areas along the Trinity River below the Lake Livingston Dam. Residents who chose to evacuate were encouraged to first seek shelter with relatives or friends. For those in need of shelter, the county opened the Dunbar Gym and it was staffed by the American Red Cross. However, as there were no shelter occupants, the shelter closed Thursday morning. The voluntary evacuation order is expected to remain in place until the level of the Trinity River and flooding impacts improve.

Due to the heavy rainfall, a road washout occurred Tuesday on the west side of Crystal Lakes Subdivision at Choates Creek and Crystal Lakes West located off U.S. Hwy. 190 East and Polk County Road & Bridge crew were onsite.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity informed the OEM that the road was continuing to deteriorate and was not safe for vehicle or foot traffic. Residents on the west side of the subdivision were to shelter in place until further notice. Residents on the east side of the subdivision were able to access their homes via Crystal Lakes East. Roadwork repair began Wednesday and by that afternoon, Crystal Lakes West was passable to local traffic only.

Other roads impacted included Dove Road, Duff Road at Menard Creek, Kitty Wells Road, Clark Springs Street at Latimer, Yarbrough Loop, Upper Leggett Road, Redhorse Road, River Lakes Road, Stryker Road/FM 352, FM 1276 at Double A Lakes, FM 350 North and multiple locations on East FM 942.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast a 70% chance of precipitation Friday with new rainfall amounts between a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in the event of thunderstorms. There was an 80% chance of precipitation Friday night. Flooding was ongoing on the Trinity River and the NWS extended the flood warning for the Trinity River near Goodrich until Monday morning.

According to NWS, the Trinity River near Goodrich was in flood stage and was forecast to rise to a crest of 39.2 feet Friday evening and fall below flood stage Sunday evening. NWS issued a flood warning for Menard Creek near Rye with minor flooding forecast.

The Trinity River Authority increased the discharge at Lake Livingston Dam to 84,819 cfs (cubic feet per second) on Thursday but by Friday evening had decreased the discharge to 77,163 cfs.

  • Hits: 490