Due to the heavy rainfall and flooding in the southern portion of Polk County, Judge Thompson has executed a local Disaster Declaration to activate the county emergency management plan. As you know, Polk County could receive additional rainfall over the weekend. Polk County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation.
On January 31, 2012 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the Burglary of a Residence in the 300 block of Greer Road. The victim of the burglary reported computer equipment, jewelry, and a gun were stolen. Included in the jewelry were a Junior Class Ring and a Senior Class ring from the Livingston School District. If anyone has information concerning the person (s) who committed this burglary or know the location of the stolen property please contact Detective Richard Delaney with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office or call Crime Stoppers 936-327-STOP.
Attorneys for the Justice Department and state of Texas are making their closing arguments in a Washington courtroom over whether electoral maps crafted by the Republican-dominated Texas Legislature violate the Voting Rights Act. The three-judge panel has listened to two weeks of testimony and must decide whether the new maps of the state's legislative and congressional districts violate a section of the federal statute that requires pre-approval from the Justice Department for states with a history of racial discrimination.
Texas is one of nine, mostly southern states that require so-called "pre-clearance". The Justice Department and a coalition of minority groups argue that Texas lawmakers recut several districts to dilute minority voting power. The state denies the claim and maintains the new districts were designed to solidify and improve Republican chances.
When Livingston Fire Chief, Corky Cochran, asked me to videotape the funeral of Chris Ainsworth, I didn't know the story, I had never met Chris, but I agreed to film it. I took my camcorder and tripod and just did my best. During and after the funeral, I knew that I had to do the story on this touching occasion. Here's what I consider three poignant moments during the entire occasion. These are moments that pierced the hearts of everyone in attendance, and I wasn't able to squeeze them into the tribute video. So here they are, as they happened. - Willie Openshaw, Editor
Major Accident Hospitalizes 1, LIVINGSTON, January 28, 2012 -At approximately 10:30 pm on January 27, 2012, a black 2006 Nissan Xterra driven by Crystal Burnham Shackford, 34, of Livingston was west-bound on US-190 West. Shackford was sitting in the right lane at a red light at the FM-350 South 190 intersection when she was...more
Patricia Snook and family receive award for the late Jay V. Snook.
Unsafe Speed... The driver of this older Dodge pickup lost control of his truck on FM-3277 early Thursday afternoon (January 26, 2012). The east-bound truck left the road to the right, over corrected back to the left and left the pavement on the other side of 3277 and slammed head-on into a tree. Troopers Donny Akers, Darwon Evans and Sergeant Nita Bowen (all with the Texas Highway Patrol) were dispatched to the scene to investigate. The driver sustained a black eye, but was otherwise okay. He was cited for unsafe speed.
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No Radio Show After All... After careful consideration I've decided not to host a radio show after all. With much going on in my life at this time and not enough hours in the day, I've decided it would be in my better interest not to host a radio show on KDOL twice a week. Thank you to Jim Wolfe and Jason Mclellan for giving me the opportunity, and good luck to the staff at KDOL. - Willie Openshaw, Editor, PolkCountyToday.com
Unsafe Speed, Wet Road Conditions... At around 11:20 am today (January 25, 2012) this Jeep overturned at the south end of Livingston off Pan American Drive near Thomas Supply. Officers Kevin Blackburn, Brandon Brewer, and an Americare Ambulance were dispatched. When emergency personnel arrived the driver had fled the scene. Scenes like this underscore the need to slow it down on rainy days.
Unsafe Speed...The driver of this tan Mercury Marquis rolled her vehicle at around 6:15 pm on January 23, 2012. The vehicle was south-bound on FM-2969 and traveling too fast. She lost control and rolled it to the east side of the pavement. Fortunately she wasn't injured in the accident. Troopers Kevin Burman and Corporal Sam Lattner were dispatched to investigate. The driver was not intoxicated and was cited for failure to control speed. The vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
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Crime Stoppers Pays CA$H Rewards!
On January 15, 2012 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the theft of two green Honda 4 Trax Rancher 4 wheelers from a deer camp off of Tom Marsh Road. If anyone has any information concerning the thefts of these 4 wheelers please contact Crime Stoppers and 936-327-STOP or Polk County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Delaney at 936-329-9024.
Polk County Man Guilty in Fake Merchant Marine License Case
BEAUMONT, January 20, 2012 - A 65-year-old Livingston, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Marshall Carroll Cupps pleaded guilty to making a false statement today before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.
According to information presented in court, on Sep. 14, 2011, Cupps was aboard the Rachelle Marie, an uninspected towing vessel, pushing a barge near Beaumont, Texas, when the Rachelle Marie was waked by a passing ship. As a result of the waking incident, U.S. Coast Guard officers boarded the Rachel Marie as part of a routine safety inspection. During the inspection, it was discovered that Cupps did not have a valid Merchant Marine Officer License (MML) as required by federal law. Cupps did produce a photocopy of a MML at the time of the incident. Further investigation revealed Cupps' MML had expired in February 1998 and the photocopy was fraudulent. Cupps was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 16, 2011.
"Operating without a license poses a significant threat to safe navigation and the boating public. I hope this case will serve as a deterrent to others who attempt to undermine the system. The Coast Guard remains steadfast in our resolve to protect our waterways and the lives of those who sail upon them. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of the Department of Justice and the Coast Guard investigators for bringing this case to proper resolution," said Rear Adm. Roy A. Nash, Eighth District Coast Guard Commander.
Cupps faces up to 5 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.
Two Alleged Thieves Caught Red Handed, LIVINGSTON, January 16, 2012 -At approximately 12:20 pm on January 16, 2012, a call came in to the Polk County Sheriff's Office to report a possible burglary in progress at a residence off Pridgen road. Before deputies arrived, the vehicle, an older model Chevy S10 drove away from the scene...more
Elderly Couple Hospitalized in Accident, GOODRICH, January 12, 2012 - At approximately 6:45 am on January 12, 2012, a gray 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by Glenda Robbins, 62, of Shepherd was north-bound on US-59 in Goodrich when she was slammed from behind by an 18 wheeler logging truck driven by ...more
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