2025 kicked off with the installation of Herbert Johnson Jr. as the new Second Chief, Mikko Istimaatokla, of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in a traditional inauguration ceremony held on New Year’s Day on the tribe’s reservation. A proud member of the Deer Clan, Johnson’s appointment marked a significant moment in the tribe’s leadership and heritage. Mikko Istimaatokla, or Second Chief, is a revered role within the tribe, responsible for assisting in the tribe’s governance, cultural preservation and the passing down of traditions to future generations.
The tribe also held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion and renovation of its Ischoopa Travel Center, revealing 81 of its newest Class II gaming devices on the east side of the building with a convenience store equipped with a variety of snacks, tobacco and food concessions available on the west side. A 12-bay fuel station with diesel fuel, in partnership with Sunoco LP®, is also available for customers. Expansion of the travel center not only provides economic benefits for the tribe but also provides additional jobs and services for the community.
Local nonprofit Polk County Cares (PCC) hosted its 12th annual crawfish, shrimp boil to benefit Polk County charities. Over $235,348 has been donated to local charities in the four years since PCC was formed.
Two promotions within the ranks of Polk County Publishing Company Inc.’s Publisher Kelli Barnes announced two promotions within the company. Emily Banks Wooten was promoted to managing editor and Madison Bland was promoted to advertising manager.
Don Steven McDougal was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Feb. 15, 2024 kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham of Livingston. Waiving his rights to a jury trial and to appeal, he entered a plea agreement in the 411th Judicial District Court.
Livingston ISD Superintendent Dr. Brent E. Hawkins – the longest serving superintendent in the history of LISD – submitted his resignation and former chief staff officer Janan Moore was appointed to serve as interim. She retired from the district in May of 2022, but has worked part-time with LISD on grants and special services. Hawkins accepted the superintendent’s position at Copperas Cove ISD.
Having heard presentations on behalf of three different firms, the Livingston School Board hired Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services, represented by Joe Dan Lee, to conduct its superintendent search.
Winter Storm Enzo brought rare snowfall to Polk County in late January, blanketing the area like a winter wonderland. All six school districts in Polk County closed for two days. The storm brought rare, record-breaking snow all throughout the south and to parts of the Gulf Coast, resulting in historic snowfall totals from New Orleans to Florida.
Clarke Evans was named Polk Countian of the Year during the 89th annual Awards Gala of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce in February. Large Business of the Year honors went to First National Bank of Livingston, Petalz by Annie was honored as the Small Business of the Year, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was honored as the Non-Profit Organization of the Year and Philip Allison was named Ambassador of the Year.
Livingston ISD welcomed new Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Tucker Carter to the community. Members of the Livingston Royal Brigade Band, cheerleaders, dozens of students and parents turned out en masse with balloons, pompoms and banners to welcome Tucker and his wife Hayley, an elementary school teacher, to the district.
Heaven Four Bear, a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, was crowned Miss Polk County during the 48th annual Miss Polk County Pageant in February. A student at Big Sandy High School, she is the daughter of Crystal and James Stephenson. Fifteen high school juniors and seniors vied for the title of Miss Polk County. Additionally, Cameron Adams was crowned Junior Miss Polk County during the 9th annual Junior Miss Polk County Pageant. A student at Livingston High School, she is the daughter of Tonya Adams and Daniel Adams. Nine high school freshmen and sophomores vied for the title of Junior Miss Polk County.
De’Andre Shermail Wright, 24 of Livingston, entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 50 years for the May 5, 2024 murder of Jasmine Muldoon, 25 of Livingston. Muldoon was reported missing on May 5, 2024, having last been seen in the early morning hours of May 5. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers Division engaged a search team which ultimately found Muldoon’s body in a wooded area off US Hwy. 59 a few miles north of Livingston on May 6, 2024.
A large contingent of Polk Countians traveled to Austin for Alabama-Coushatta Day at the Capitol. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas provided a barbecue lunch on the south lawn of the state capitol, in addition to the tribal dancers, artisans, cultural and history displays.
At the request of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Byron Lyons, the Texas Rangers initiated an investigation into an incident that occurred in early February in which a Polk County jailer was accused of initiating the assault of an inmate inside the Polk County Jail. The investigation resulted in the arrests of three jailers – Ty Paredes, 27 of Shepherd, Christopher Damian, 29 of Livingston, and Agapito Correa, 31 of Conroe. The three jailers were arrested by the Texas Rangers and charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, a felony offense.
Tribe advancements and economic development were reviewed when representatives of Naskila Casino and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas presented a program for the Business Connect Luncheon hosted by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce at The Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center.
Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall appointed Dr. Wendy Elmore as the president of Lamar State College Orange to succeed President Tom Johnson, who announced he would retire at the end of the academic year. Elmore served as LSCO’s chief academic officer since April 2020, where she played a key role in efforts to expand degree and credential offerings, enhance the quality of instructional programs, and open new academic centers in Lumberton and Livingston.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas learned it would receive $500,000 in regional mitigation funds for an emergency system and sewer improvements through the Texas General Land Office’s Regional Mitigation Program. The tribe will improve its emergency warning system infrastructure throughout the reservation and increase the resiliency of its sewer system at five locations within the reservation. The projects include installing communication towers and an emergency warning system and installing generators and completing all associated appurtenances.
A Trinity man who served as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Polk County was booked on multiple charges for incidents allegedly occurring in the workplace. Livingston Police arrested Jason Barron David, 43, on charges of indecent assault and harassment after complaints from employees and witnesses.
Polk County’s recycling efforts continued to gain momentum, with over 260,000 pounds of recyclable material having been collected to date through the efforts of Polk County Recycling & Beautification (PCRB), a nonprofit organization that partnered with Polk County to provide a reliable recycling service for the residents of East Texas, sustained by grants, donations and the sale of recyclable materials. In addition to providing recycling services, its mission is to educate the community about the environment and support beautification efforts. PCRB also became a Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate in March.
Representatives of Polk County, Eastex Telephone, DETCOG, Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce and other well-wishers watched County Judge Sydney Murphy cut the ribbon for a new 440-foot tower off FM 287 that will provide fiber and broadband capability resulting in interoperable connectivity throughout the county. The ribbon cutting marked completion of the fiber optic project that was funded by the America Rescue Plan Act.
Livingston FFA was the only school to have two students place in the top 20 senior individual speakers at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Luisa Perez won grand champion and Edward Turk placed 17th in the competition.
The 79th annual Trinity-Neches FFA and 4-H Livestock Show and Rodeo was held, with approximately 140 students from throughout Polk County showing, representing every school district in the county either through 4-H or FFA.
The Onalaska FFA Ag Mechanics Show Team was awarded the prestigious “Dr. Billy Harrell Award of Excellence” at the 2025 Houston Ag Mechanics Show, resulting in a host of prizes being brought back by the team to be utilized in its ag mechanics program. The award is thought of as the state championship or Super Bowl in the ag mechanics world and a school can be named as its recipient only once in a lifetime. Onalaska FFA was well represented by 20 students exhibiting five projects: two 20-foot gooseneck trailers, one 18-foot gooseneck trailer, one 20-foot bumper pull trailer, and one hay feeder. All projects received blue ribbons, meaning all projects met or exceeded judging criteria, including design and materials used, practicality, degree of difficulty, general appearance and finish, and documentation and presentation.
