Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 118, No. 97, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 2000 Page: 1 of 26
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Christmas
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Polk County
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Volume 118 Number 97
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Thursday
Dec. 7,2000
The Dominant News and Advertising Source in Polk County
UPS 437-340 Price: 50 cents
Redistricting ahead
By EMILY BANKS
>j,' News Editor
LIVINGSTON - Thu will
probably be the most bitter rvdts-
tricting session ever in Austin,”
David Guinn nd Mike Morrison
told the Polk County Commission-
ers' Court during a special called
meeting Monday in which a redis-
ricting workshop was held
Polk County has a contract with
Guinn A Morrison, both professors
at Baylor Law School who special-
is in constitutional law. to provide
consulting services as the county
feces this issue.
Redisricting occurs every 10
years when new electoral boundaries
•e drawn based on census figures
aad it will be one of the top issues
lawmakers face when the upcoming
session of the Texas Legislature
convenes Jan 9.
The new electoral boundaries will
-he based on U S. Census 2000 fig-
ures, which also dictate how many
Congressmen each state will have
Although no action was taken,
Monday's workshop gave the court
the opportunity to go over the
ground rules and review dates that
will be important to the redisrict-
ing process
Although the earliest possible
dale in which the new census fig-
ures will be known Is April 1,
Guinn and Morrison indicated that a
study conducted by Texas A&M
University is predicting Polk
County will have a population of
approximately 44,000, up consid-
erably from 1990 when census fig-
ures reflected a population of
30,687 for Polk County.
Guinn said the minority figures
far Polk County have increased.
Census figures for 1990 reflected
20.6 percent of the county’s popu-
lation, or 6,136 people, were mi-
norities. The estimated population
figures in 1998 reflected 22.74 per-
cent of the county's population, or
9,772 people, were minorities
Guinn also said that preliminary
figures indicate Texas will get two
additional congressmen
He said there are two sets of
numbers, the warm body count aid
the statistical count, but that be
does not know at this tune which
set of numbers will used
Throughout the process of count-
ing people during Census 2000,
one of the integral factors was to
get as accurate a count as possible,
as government funding and services
are based on the census figures
However. Guinn said according to
the General Accounting Office in
Washington, D C., the undercount
in the census figures for 1990 cost
the State of Texas $938 million in
general welfare cause appropriations
and the General Accounting Office
has indicated that if the undercount
is not corrected, it could cost the
State of Texas $1.2-1 4 billion this
time
The main issues that will be in-
volved in drawing new boundaries
in Polk Countv are: one person/one
vote, contiguity, compactness,
well-defined boundaries, ra-
cial/ethnic makeup and compliance
with Sections 2 and 5 of the Federal
Voting Rights Act.
RNTtRFRIM PHOTO II GORDON I alARRON
HOUSE FIRE -- Firefighters work to contain a blaze that caused extensive damage to a vacant
residence on U.S. 59 North near the truck weigh station Monday night. Nineteen firefighters
and four trucks from the Livingston VFD responded to the alarm, which sounded at 8:35 p.m ,
and were assisted at the scene by two trucks and six firefighters from the Indian Reservation
VFD and another truck and six firefighters from the Scenic Loop VFD. The fire was extin-
guished within an hour, but crews remained on the scene until after 10 p.m. The owner of the
residence was unknown at press time.
BSISD to review AEIS report
DALLARDSVILLE - The Biwl
Contest planned Of Trustees of the Big Sandy Inde-
pendent School District will hold a
ONALASKA -- December 15 at
5 p.m. is the deadline for entry in
the City of Onalaska's annual
Christmas Decorating Contest.
Entry blanks are available at the
QMbuka City Hall.
There will be two categories -
residential and business exterior
Entries will be judged from 6:30-
8:30 p.m. Dec 18,
For additional information, con-
tact the Onalaska City Hall at
(936)646-5000.
public hearing on the Academic
Excellence Indicator System report
during its regular meeting at 6:30
p.m Monday.
The board will consider action on
Btriicimtion in the Region Yl£k»-,
cation Service Center food purchas-
ing cooperative and will also con-
sider action on participation in (he
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Fund grant PS9.
An audit engagement letter from
Sauls & Pechacek will be consid-
ered for approval
The board will consider action on
the resignation of Deborah Hodges
An informational update on fed-
eral Title programs will be pre-
sented
An executive session is on the
mmfr, M which time the bond
wfli discuse personnel.
During administrative reports,
Superintendent Darrell Myers will
present the financial report, tax
report, transportation report and
facilities report. He will also ad-
dress the district effectiveness and
compliance visit and mid-winter
cuiference anti the superintendent
evaluation
High School Principal Murry
Polk and Elementary School Prin-
cipal Kenneth Graham will report
on enrollment, as well at acuvtuu
puses
Other items on the agenda include
approval of the November expendi-
tures and minutes of the Nov. 13
meeting.
Santa letter deadline Friday
Santa Claus is making his list
for Christmas Eve deliveries and
has enlisted the help of the Polk
County Enterprise to help gather
requests.
Santa's official mailbox is lo-
cated in front of the Enterprise of-
fice at Tyler md Calhoun streets.
His helpers will be checking the
box at least once a day and will
forward the letters on to Santa.
By special arrangement with Mr.
Claus, we will make copies of each
letter and will publish them in a special "Letters to Santa" section to be
Included in the Dec. 17 issue of the Enterprise.
In order to get the letters ready for publication and get them to Santa
In time for Christmas, letters must be received by Friday, Dec. 8.
Christmas on the Square is Friday
LIVINGSTON - The Christmas
season will officially kick off Fri-
day with Christmas on the Square.
Numerous activities are planned at
the Livingston City Hall the
Courthouse Gazebo and Miss Ef-
fie’s Cottage, including a lighted
parade and a visit from Santa Claus.
The Lighted Christinas Parade
through downtown Livingston will
begin at 6 p.m
Parade entries will line up on
Jackson Street for judging before
the parade proceeds south on Jack-
son. The parade will circle the
courthouse square and then turn
west on Hwy. 190, passing in from
of the Livingston City Hall
The Forest Trail Chorus of
Sweet Adelines will kick off the
entertainment at 6:30 p.m. at the
Livingston City Hall, following
welcome remarks from Mayor Ben
R. Oglctree
The Beech Creek Baptist Church
Children’s Choir will perform at 7
pm. followed by the First Presby-
terian Church Choir at 7:30 p.m.
and Boots and Babes Square Dancers
at 8:30 p.m
Refreshments will be provided.
Simultaneously, the Livingston
Area Community Band will per-
form at 7 p.m in the Courthouse
Gazebo following welcome remarks
from County Judge John
See SANTA pg. 6A
nrmraiM photo iv cordon ubarron
SNOWMAN UNDONE - Georganna Patterson, Elise Nellsch and Denise Nellsch dressed as
three parts of a snowman as they round the track at Lion Stadium during Saturday morning s
Angle Bell Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by the Livingston Parks and Recreation Department.
fj»e trio won top honors for best costume.
Christmas events continue
LIVINGSTON - The Christmas season has officially begun and the
slate of upcoming Christmas activities -- sure to please all tastes and ages
- is already underway.
•A Lighted Christmas Parade through downtown Livingston will
commence at 6 p.m. Friday.
•Christmas on the Square, which will include the lighting of the
Christmas tree and Christmas music by various choirs and entertainers, is
slalcd for 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Livingston City Hall, the Polk
County Courthouse and Miss Effie’s Cottage Refreshments will he
served.
•Children may meet Santa Claus and have their picture taken with
him at Miss Kffle’s Cottage from 7-9 p.m. Friday, from 9 a m. to
noon Saturday and from 14 p.m. Sunday While the children visit
with Santa, parents may tour the historical home that is all decorated for
Christmas. Refreshments will be served.
•The Livingston Area Community Band will perform a( 7 p m
Friday at the Courthouse Gazebo.
•Christmas In the Park is slated for 6-9 p.m Saturday at Pedigo
Park on the U.S. 59 Bypass Those participating may enjoy hayndes
through the park to view the holiday figures and thousands of Christmas
lights Refreshments will be served and entertainment will be provided
•Registration is underway and concludes Friday for the Tour of
Lights Christmas Decorating Contest Entry is free and
participants may register at die Trade Days Office at Pedigo Park on the
U.S. 59 Bypass. Business interiors will be judged during the day Dec 12
and business exteriors and residences will be judged the night of Dec 12.
A reception for all participant* is slated for Dec. 14 Winners
will receive award plaques and yard signs
•The Tour of Lights Bus Tours are slated fix Dec. 15 Tours
will begin at 6:15 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m and 9 p.m. The fee
is a donation of canned food or money for the Polk County Mission
Center. Due to limited seating, tickets must be picked up in advance at
the Trade Days Office at Pedigo Park on the U.S. 59 Bypass
•The First United Methodist Church of Livingston will present “The
Wonder of Christmas" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15-1*
•The First United Methodist Church of Onalasiu will present "A
Musical Celebration of Hls Coming” at 6 p.m. Dec. 15-16
•The City of Onalaska is holding its annual Christmas Decorating
Contest with two categories - residential and business exterior The
registration deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 15 Additional information can he
obtained at the Onalaska City Hall at (936)646-3000. Entries will be
judged from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 18.
Two men
killed in
accidents
LIVINGSTON -- Two men were
killed Pnday in two separate auto-
mobile accidents, one near Onalaska
and the other near Comgan
The first fatal accident occurred at
4 28 p.m on FM 356, 2 4 miles
north of Onalaska. and claimed the
life of 66-year-old Noel Ray Lacey
of Trinity
According to a report filed by
Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Ar-
thur D Brown Jr., Lacey was chiv-
ing a 1985 Dodge Ram van north-
bound in the southbound lane A
2000 Ford Mustang driven by
Donna Pamsh Whitmire, 29, also
of Trinity, wu southbound in the
southbound lane. Lacey's vehicle
skidded from the southbound lane
into the northbound lane and
Whitmire's car skidded from the
southbound lane into the north-
bound lane, where the two vehicles
struck head-on, according to the
trooper The rear of the van spun
counter-clockwise 90 degrees ad
struck a guardrail near Bush Creak
The Mustang spun 180 degrees
back into the southbound lane be-
fore coming to rest facing north
Both drivers were taken by ambu-
lance to Memorial Medical Center
in Livingston. Lacey wu pro-
nounced dead at 9:38 p.m. Whit-
mire wu listed u having sustained
non-incapacitating injuries She
wu died for no liability insurance.
The second fatal accident occurred
at 6:38 p.m. Friday on U.S. 39.
2.1 miles north of Corrigan.
▲ t QA i tnlxmitlninal lamris a
driven by James Duncan Campbell
Jr , 44, of Huhtsville wu (owing a
Fruehauf tank trailer southbound
when for unknown reasons he failed
to negotiate • curve, according to
Trooper Kevin Burman The truck
left the road on the west shoulder
and the driver ovcrcorrocted, cauiing
the trailer to roll multiple times,
Burman said. The trailer came to
rest on the west shoulder.
Campbell, who was not wearing
a seal belt, was ejected from the
truck and landed on the west shoul-
der, according to the trooper
Campbell wu pronounced dead at
the scene by Precinct 1 Juitice of
the Peace Darrell Longino. His
body wu taken to Corrigan Funeral
Home and later transferred to
Huntsville Funeral Home.
A 59-year-old Conroe woman
was injured Sunday in a three-
vehicle accident on U.S. 39, five-
tenths of a mile north of Corrigan.
A 1991 Honda Accord driven by
Martha W. Raabe, 59, of Conroe
was southbound in the lefl lane
when the driver apparently fell
uleep, according to Trooper Larry
Pitts. Her car moved into the right
lane where it struck a 1997 Ford
truck-tractor driven by Curtis Lee
Pollard, 34, of Houston, which wu
southbound in the right lane.
Raabe's car then crossed the median
into the northbound lanes where It
struck a 2001 Dodge pickup truck
driven by Daniel Peter West, 57, of
Houston.
Rube wu taken by ambulance to
Memorial Medical Center in Liv-
ingston with non-incapacitating in-
juries.
No charges were filed in connec-
tion with the accident, which oc-
curred at 10:20 p.m.
A 45-year-old Livingston man
was taken by Life Flight to Her-
mann Hospital in Houston follow-
ing a one-vehicle accident lut
Thursday on FM 2457, 4.1 miles
west of Livingston.
Michael Lynn Cheiry was driving
a 1996 Jeep Cherokee eutbound at
a high rale of speed when the car
left the road on the south shoulder,
according to Burman. The investi-
gation showed the vehicle skidded
back across the road to the north
shoulder, vaulted over a culvert,
struck a utility pole, rolled over
onto its left side and struck a trac-
tor, which wu legally parked in a
private yard. The Jeep came to rest
on iu roof beside the tractor.
No charges have been filed in
connection with the accident, which
occurred nl 9:42 p.m.
11
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 118, No. 97, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 2000, newspaper, December 7, 2000; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth789334/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.