The final third of 2024 kicked off with the introduction of Hinu (pronounced he-new), a K-9 officer that is a two-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd that is the ninth and latest addition to Livingston ISD’s school-based officers. Officer Kendall Benfer, one of LISD’s school-based officers, is Hinu’s handler. Hinu is an expert in sniffing out vapes and narcotics. Livingston ISD Superintendent Dr. Brent E. Hawkins said the district wanted Hinu because they felt it added an additional level of school security.
The Piney Wood Lakes Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists welcomed more than 200 attendees to the first ever East Texas Conservation Expo Sept. 14. With the event’s wide variety of conservation-focused exhibitors and workshops, along with food trucks and vendors, attendees were able to learn more about land and water management, wildlife, Texas native plants, invasive species, pollinators, hunter education and more.
The expo was held in the Polk County Commerce Center and the pavilions at Pedigo Park. The successful inaugural event, which will become an annual event, also attracted attendees from other regional Texas Master Naturalist chapters, who now want to bring similar events to their own communities. The Texas Master Naturalist mission is to “provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas.”
Goodrich First Baptist Church celebrated its 121st anniversary with dinner on the grounds following worship services on Sept. 15. The event was not only a homecoming celebration, but also the kickoff to a revival.
During its September meeting, the Onalaska City Council learned that 955 patrons visited the city’s public library during the month of August, contributing to the achievement of a year-to-date record of 11,668 patron visits.
The Texas Department of Transportation closed the crossovers on US 59 on the north and south ends of the Corrigan Relief Route construction project in Corrigan. As construction progresses on this project, the closures are necessary to improve safety and allow construction to proceed. Drivers will detour to the nearest crossovers outside the project limits, or within Corrigan city limits to make a turnaround. Construction began on the Corrigan Relief Route in late 2023 after Texas Transportation Commissioners approved the $172.8 million construction for Polk County.
The seven-mile project will include overpasses at the United Pacific Railroad, US 287 and Union Springs Road; entrance and exit ramps at US 59 tie-ins and at the US 287 overpass. The project is being built to interstate standards and will enhance safety, improve emergency evacuations, and support freight transport.
A million-dollar class action lawsuit against the City of Livingston, Livingston Municipal Electric System, and Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency was filed in September by RecoveryX Livingston LLC for Assignees of Citizens of Livingston for Fair and Equitable Relief and Residents of the City of Livingston. The lawsuit alleges that the city has a monopoly on electric service within the City of Livingston, that the city’s electric rate creates a private nuisance, and creates unjust enrichment of the City of Livingston.
During its regular meeting Sept. 24, the Polk County Commissioners Court recognized the Polk County Historical Commission which was recently presented with the annual Distinguished Service Award for its historic and preservation efforts.
State Senator Robert Nichols came to Polk County and met with local school superintendents, members of the public and higher education to discuss current issues facing education. Nichols visits with each county he represents before every session. He said he believes school priorities change every two years, and the meetings are a way to stay on top of educational matters.
Close to 200 people attended an event put on by the Texas Department of Transportation to provide input on US 59 improvements, specifically, a proposed project in Livingston designed as a US 59 upgrade, which will bring US 59 to interstate standards in preparation for its future designation as I-69.
US 59 serves as an evacuation route for the Gulf Coast and has been designated as an I-69 corridor. The project involves reconstruction of existing main lanes and frontage roads and interchanges with FM 1988, US 190 and Business US 59 North. In addition to the fact that US 59 does not meet current interstate standards, the US 59 interchanges with US 190, BUS 59 N and FM 1988 are inadequate for current and future traffic volumes, resulting in traffic congestion, reduced mobility and an increase in traffic crashes.
The proposed project is approximately six miles and runs from US 190 to 0.39 miles south of FM 1988 and 1.90 miles south of SL 116 on US 59, and 0.10 miles west of FM 350 North to 0.10 miles east of Briar Way on US 190 with an estimated construction cost of $430 million.
The feasibility study is presently underway, with the next step being schematic design and environmental studies. Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation will commence in Fall 2026 and run through Fall 2029. Construction letting upon approval is expected to occur in Spring 2032.
The Onalaska Independent School District Board of Trustees gave notice of Dr. Kenneth Fraga as finalist for its superintendent position. The board conducted interviews and unanimously selected Fraga as lone finalist. Fraga began in the district April of 2022 as the principal at the junior/senior high school and was named assistant superintendent more recently.
Polk County Publishing Company Inc. rolled out its new website, easttexasnews.com, that features news from PCPC’s four newspapers – Polk County Enterprise, Tyler County Booster, San Jacinto News-Times and Trinity County News-Standard – in addition to features from its quarterly magazine, East Texan.
Approximately 900 people participated in the 10th annual Polk County Designer Purse Bingo at the Polk County Commerce Center Oct. 10. Those attending pulled out all the stops with their tablescapes and attire for this year’s “Prom” theme. The event raised $65,000 to benefit the Polk County Higher Education and Technology Foundation.
Moses Livingston Choate, the founder of Livingston, the county seat of Polk County, was celebrated in October when local citizens gathered to witness the unveiling of a new marker honoring him in the Old City Cemetery. There ceremony was hosted by the Polk County Historical Commission and the City of Livingston.
Grand opening festivities for the Center of Hope at the Boys & Girls Club of Polk County’s facility at 1035 Liberty Ave. were held. The new center was made possible by the support of the Panda Cares Foundation, an initiative that is fueled by Panda Express Chinese Kitchen’s in-store donation program, along with the contributions of Panda associates and business partners. Employees presented a $45,000 check to Brandon Reece, the program director for the Boys & Girls Club of Polk County. A Panda Express spokesperson said that Panda aims to create safe environments where young people can learn, play, receive guidance and support, helping them to become their best selves.
Election officials saw an unprecedented turnout of voters heading for the polls on Oct. 21, the first day of early voting, with 1,040 people casting ballots at the Polk County Judicial Center in Livingston, 711 people casting ballots at the Onalaska Sub-Courthouse in Onalaska, and 262 people casting ballots at the Sechrest Webster Community Center in Corrigan. By mid-morning in Livingston, the line was down the sidewalk and wrapped around the side of the building, with voters being told to prepare for an hour-and-a-half wait.
Joshua Watson, who previously served as the school resource officer for Onalaska ISD, was released from the Onalaska Police Department in October following an incident that occurred at an athletic fundraiser involving the accidental discharge of his firearm.
Brenda Clifton was named the interim president of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce in October after the board discovered that some money was missing. An investigation by the Livingston Police Department commenced, with former President Yvonne King voluntarily leaving her position.
Local pickleball players joined City of Livingston officials and the city’s parks and recreation crew in October for the official grand opening of four new pickleball courts that were constructed at Matthew Street Park. Numerous people play the sport locally, usually at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended the grand opening of RoyOMartin’s new oriented strand board manufacturing facility in Corrigan on Oct. 30. The plant is now the largest, most advanced in North America. Constructed near the company’s original OSB plant, the new expansion is located at 1923 U.S. Highway 287 West in Corrigan. The new facility is said to increase the mill’s size and production capacity to 1,400 MMSF (million square feet), which is an increase of around 43% annually. The addition now makes Corrigan OSB, L.L.C. North America’s largest OSB mill in terms of capacity. The new facility also provides a total of 300 jobs at the mill, which was a focus of Abbott’s speech.
Results of the Nov. 5 General Election in Polk County mirrored those nationwide, with local voters overwhelmingly contributing to the red wave that swept the nation. Twenty-four thousand two hundred seventy people – or 58.76% of the county’s registered voters – cast ballots in the election.
In what shaped up to be the most hotly contested race the City of Livingston has probably ever seen, voters made their choices, returning Incumbent Mayor Judy B. Cochran and Incumbent City Councilman Alan Cook to office and electing Andy Evans to serve as a city councilman. Voters residing in the city limits went to the polls to elect a mayor and two “at large” council members. Cochran was seeking reelection to the post of mayor and was challenged by Joshua Grant. Four people vied for two seats on the Livingston City Council. These four included Cook, as well as Jennifer Andjelic, Corey Dickerson and Evans.
Polk County Recycling & Beautification held its 3rd annual upcycled art contest and show and also hosted its first ever electronics collection event, its first project as a new Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate.
The resignation of Livingston athletic director and head football coach Finis Vanover, effective Dec. 31, was announced in November. Vanover served Livingston ISD for seven years, compiling a 21-51 record and guiding the Lions to the playoffs on three occasions. Although the Lions were winless in his first and last seasons, his 2020 team won Livingston’s first outright district championship since 1963.
During Vanover’s tenure as athletic director, Livingston won championships in football, volleyball, basketball, golf, tennis, baseball, softball and soccer. Teams advanced to area, regionals, or state in baseball, golf, track, powerlifting and cross country. In the 2023-24 season, Lion athletics reached the postseason in 11 of 14 sports.
The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Nation Volunteer Fire Department marked a significant milestone – its 50th anniversary – during a ceremony held Nov. 15 at Fire Station #2 on the Reservation. The event celebrated not just the department’s history, but also the dedication of the volunteers who have served the community over the years. Fire Chief Willo Sylestine welcomed everyone, and Second Chief-Elect Herbert Johnson Jr. gave a brief history, recounting the early days of the department from its humble beginnings to its current status as a critical service provider for both the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation and surrounding areas.
Numerous interested educational paraprofessionals from area school districts converged on the Texas State University System Polk County Center Nov. 18 to learn more about a teacher preparation college program that Lamar State College Orange and Sam Houston State University are offering that prepares for Texas teacher certification. Through this program, cohorts of paraprofessionals employed by the school districts in the Polk County area enroll in LSCO’s Associate of Arts in Teaching program with courses being taught locally at the Polk County Center. When students within the cohort complete the program with LSCO, they will have seamless transfer to SHSU to complete their bachelor’s degree in a teacher certification preparation program.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Kirsty Halliday, a member of the Rotary Club of Livingston, officially became a U.S. citizen on Nov. 20 and was feted by her fellow Rotarians during the service club’s Nov. 21 meeting. Following the club’s rendition of “American the Beautiful,” fellow Rotarian and Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy, an American who was raised in Mexico and moved to the U.S. when she was 16, made a few remarks in Halliday’s honor.
The City of Livingston officially kicked off the holiday season with its annual Lighting Ceremony at City Hall on Nov. 26 in which the city transformed into a winter wonderland of lights. The Central Baptist Church Children’s Choir, under the direction of Tammi Ogletree, provided Christmas music during the event.
Jodie Richey of the Polk County Criminal District Attorney’s Office was the recipient of the Polk County Safety Committee’s “Excellence in Safety Award” for fiscal year 2024 which was presented during the Polk County Commissioners Court’s Dec. 10 meeting.
