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Governor Appoints Lufkin’s Polk To Texas Farm And Ranch Lands Conservation Council

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Andrew Polk

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Andrew Polk to the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029. The Council’s duties are to advise and assist the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program (TFRLCP) with administration of the program and to select applicants to receive grants. The goal of the TFRLCP is conservation of working lands with high values for water, fish and wildlife, and agricultural production.

Andrew Polk of Lufkin is senior vice president and commercial lender at Angelina Savings Bank and partner of Polk Land & Cattle Company. He is a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, where he serves as vice chair of the Natural Resources Committee. Polk received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University and a certificate in Ranch Management from Texas Christian University. This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Capitol Update: Honoring Our Heroes & Moving Forward

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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On Saturday, March 29, we celebrate Vietnam Veteran’s Day and honor the men and women who served overseas during the Vietnam War. We should always remember the selfless sacrifice of our armed service members who answered the call of their country, served honorably, and, too often, returned to a nation that did not honor their service until years after they got home. Let us never forget the service and dedication of the 2.7 million veterans who served in that war and hold the memories of the 58,000 soldiers who did not return close to our hearts.

With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol…

Capitol Update

This past week, I had the opportunity to lay out six of my bills, before the Committee that each of them have been assigned to.  Four of those bills, House Bills 2000, 2103, 2115, and 2563 are among my top priorities for this session. 

I had the honor of laying out House Bill 2000, Audrii’s Law, before the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in memory of Audrii Cunningham. I am very grateful that Audrii’s grandparents, Tabitha and Phillip Munsch along with other family members and friends, could be in Austin for the hearing. 

As Tabitha said, the tragic death of Audrii is the catalyst for change to ensure that her death was not in vain and that we close legal loopholes to protect our children from dangerous sexual predators. I’m pleased to report that HB 2000 was voted unanimously out of the Committee, and I look forward to bringing this bill to the House floor for a vote in the near future. 

HB 2103 and 2115 are both bills that aim to provide more assistance to our rural law enforcement offices and officers. HB 2103 adds jailers employed by sheriffs and the TDCJ to the list of public safety employees entitled to mental health leave.  

HB 2115 adds dispatchers to the list of employees in sheriff’s offices eligible for a salary or raise from the Rural Sheriff’s Office Grant Program. Rural areas have a pressing shortage of emergency dispatchers in sheriff’s offices, which presents numerous operational challenges for our law enforcement personnel in responding to emergencies within their jurisdictions. 

HB 2563 creates the Prescribed Burn Manager Self-Insurance Program, which would be administered by the Texas A&M Forrest Service. This bill provides general liability insurance for Certified Insurance Prescribed Burn Managers conducting prescribed burns across Texas to reduce our wildfire risk through responsible land management.  

The mobile office is on the road again in April and looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: April 2 at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:30-11:30 am; April 9 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; April 16 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 pm.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.

County Fairs: The Youth, and Those Incredible Volunteers

By
Cary Sims
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It has been a great week. At the George H Henderson Expo Center in Lufkin, youth and volunteers have just about wrapped up another wonderful Angelina County Fair.  You will read in other parts of the news about the placings, the livestock, agricultural mechanics, foods, crafts, and other activities that took place. I hope you know about our “Reach for The Stars Show” for kids with special needs. We’ve added shooting sports a couple of years ago, and this year for the first time, a “trailer build-off” competition. Undoubtedly there is the generous support of the buyers at the auction in addition to Round Tabel that awarded $52,500 to 35 graduating Seniors 35 deserving graduating Seniors this year in Angelina County.    

And as the auction gets underway late this afternoon, and the ribbons, buckles, and banners will be on display. I would be remiss not to say a special thank you to all the volunteers who make each year’s show a success.

Volunteers are truly the heroes behind the scenes who make our Angelina County Fair successful.  

The first contests of the Fair started on Monday. Those were public speaking, shotgun, and archery. The public speaking event was led by Jennifer Reynolds and Bo David Williford. Shooting sports competitions such as shotgun and archery were led by volunteers Heather McCall, Christi Grandgeorge, and Ryan Merrel.

The Home Economics Division is such a large effort that Janna Brazil and Joel Redus are needed to lead this event. Additionally, there were over 35 others that stepped forward for all the organization and judging.  Yes, the judges do get to partake in some of the best cakes, pies, cheesecakes, breads, and cookies around, but they also must test and quiz the students about the ingredients, preparation, and nutritional value.  

The Floral Design competition is in its second year and is led by Ashlyn Childress, an Agricultural Science Instructor from Hudson FFA. Carrie Shockley is the Arts and Crafts superintendent and oversees the numerous volunteers and judges that help check in and evaluate the projects. 

Superintendents for the livestock show divisions include Melanie Murray, Westin Reynolds, Delbert Reynolds, Dillon Mason, Stephen Shockley, Mike Whiteman, Anna Lamb, Heith Garcia, and Summer Garcia.  Each of these men and women also have several folks who help with validation, check-in, opening gates, and several other tasks for each show.

There are “open events” where you don’t have to be a 4-H or FFA member in Angelina County to participate. These include the BBQ cook-off, the washer tournament, and the ‘Reach for the Stars’ special needs show. For those competitions, the respective superintendents are, Charlie Gumbles, Melissa Wheeler, and Karen Stafford.  

The Ag-Mech division is led by Kevin Martin and the newest event this year was the Trailer Build-Off which was headed up by Matthew Edwards. 

Anita Carraway oversees the Youth Ambassador program. If you watched any part of the Fair, you saw youth in blue vests helping. This youth volunteer program strives to provide high school aged youth fair participants the opportunity to develop and practice advanced leadership skills and become an advocate for their county fair division. Applications are due in mid-September and those selected are responsible for workshops leading up the Fair, helping during their assigned division, as well as generally helping whenever they may be needed.  

The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce has numerous volunteers that give of their time for the Fair.  The County Fair Board consists of Bo David Williford, Barbara Morton, Pat Penn, Charlie Grumbles, Ashlyn Cole, Anita Carraway, Preston Loggins, Steve Milligan, Codie Jenkins, Justin Risner, Scott Slusher, Melissa Wheeler, Stephen Corley, Chad Murray, and Chris Carraway.  The Board chairman is Todd Kassaw. 

Kody Jenkins is the Executive Director for our Fair and does a phenomenal job year-round to ensure a successful event for exhibitors and families alike. 

Finally, donors to the auction help reward the youth on Saturday evening.  Brookshire Brothers is our presenting sponsor for the Fair. There are numerous, fantastic businesses and families that support the auction, and I also want to personally thank those of you who donated any amount to one of the buyer pools.  

If you want to join the auction virtually, donate to the auction, or check out pictures of this year’s winners, go to www.angelinacountyfair.com.  

Lee Allen Miller Speaks at NRB Convention, Elected Chairman of NRB TV Committee, and Launches The Faith Media Revolution Book

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Lufkin, TX — Lee Allen Miller, a recognized leader in faith-based media and broadcast consulting, recently made a significant impact at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention held last month at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Hotel in Grapevine, Texas.

Lee Allen Miller

As a featured speaker, Miller shared insights on uniting social media, streaming, broadcast, and cable to maximize faith-based outreach. Additionally, he was elected Chairman of the NRB TV Committee, reinforcing his leadership role in shaping the future of Christian broadcasting.

As Chairman of the NRB TV Committee, Miller will help guide discussions on the future of Christian broadcasting, advocating for policies and strategies that ensure the continued strength and relevance of faith-based media.

“This is truly an honor for me. I appreciate the opportunity to give back to an industry that is very important to me,” said Miller. “As chairman, I hope to strengthen the role and importance that faith-based programming plays in our lives and work with my peers to embrace the media revolution that is upon us.”

The NRB Convention, the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators and media professionals, provided the perfect platform for Miller’s insights. His session, “How to Unite Social, Streaming, Broadcast, and Cable to Build a Powerhouse Outreach,” featured industry experts discussing best practices for leveraging multiple platforms effectively.

NRB Workshop featuring from left to right, Phil Cooke with Cooke Pictures, Russ Jones with DoctorTV.com, Nils Smith, Media Consultant and moderator Lee Allen Miller of MSG Resources.

The annual conference also marked the highly anticipated release of Miller’s new book, The Faith Media Revolution: Uniting Social, Streaming, Broadcast, and Cable for Maximum Outreach. This groundbreaking work serves as a definitive guide for ministries and faith-based media leaders navigating digital transformation. It provides actionable strategies to help ministries integrate new and traditional media to expand their reach, engage audiences, and build sustainable outreach models.

“Faith-based media is at a critical crossroads,” said Miller. “With audiences consuming content across multiple platforms, ministries must evolve their approach. My goal with The Faith Media Revolution is to equip faith leaders with the tools to create impactful, unified media strategies that stand the test of time.”

Miller’s new book, The Faith Media Revolution, is now available and serves as a must-read for faith-based media leaders looking to elevate their strategy in today’s digital-first world.

The Faith Media Revolution cover

For more information about The Faith Media Revolution or to schedule an interview with Lee Allen Miller, please contact 936-637-7593 ext 21 or visit MSGResources.com.

About Lee Allen Miller

Lee Allen Miller is a media strategist, broadcast consultant, and President & CEO of MSG Resources and CEO of MSGPR. He is also the Executive Director of the Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance (ATBA), where he advocates for the future of low-power television and faith-based broadcasting. Miller specializes in helping ministries and media organizations integrate digital and traditional media to expand their reach. His expertise spans television, radio, streaming, and social media, and his work continues to shape the future of faith-based media.

Visionary Leadership: Seeing with Eyes of Faith

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Leadership isn’t just about managing today—it’s about seeing tomorrow clearly and inspiring others to pursue it boldly. But in a world full of distractions, uncertainty, and competing goals, how do faith-driven leaders stay focused on the right vision?

In Entrepreneurship God’s Way, I talk about the importance of God-given vision—the kind that doesn’t just benefit your bottom line but aligns with Kingdom purpose. Visionary leadership fueled by faith doesn’t just move projects forward; it moves people, hearts, and even generations.

The Source of True Vision

Vision isn’t something we dream up—it’s something we receive. Proverbs 29:18 says:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

When we align our leadership with God’s Word and purpose, our vision becomes a north star—guiding our decisions, goals, and how we serve others.

Why Vision Matters in Faith-Driven Leadership

  1. Vision Brings Focus – In the chaos of entrepreneurship or management, it’s easy to get sidetracked. But when your vision is clear and anchored in God’s calling, you can cut through the noise.
  2. Vision Sparks Motivation – Teams don’t just follow plans; they follow passion. A leader with faith-fueled vision can inspire others to believe in something bigger than themselves.
  3. Vision Fuels Endurance – The road gets hard. But when your eyes are fixed on the purpose God has placed in your heart, you can keep going, even when the results aren’t immediate.
  4. Vision Keeps You Aligned – With vision comes accountability. It ensures your decisions align with your values, your mission, and most importantly, your faith.

How to Cultivate a God-Given Vision

  • Spend Time in Prayer – Ask God to reveal His vision for your life, business, or team. Vision starts with revelation.
  • Write It Down – Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain.” Clarity brings movement. Put your vision on paper and revisit it often.
  • Communicate It Clearly – Don’t keep the vision to yourself. Share it with your team, your partners, your clients. Let others catch the fire God lit in you.
  • Act in Faith – Vision without action is just a dream. Take bold steps even when the path isn’t clear. God rewards obedience.

Leading with Eternal Perspective

Visionary leadership through faith isn’t about what you can build in five years—it’s about what God can build through you that lasts forever. Don’t settle for short-term wins. Seek out the vision God has for your leadership, and walk it out with courage, humility, and faith.

What vision has God placed on your heart? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to encourage and pray for you!

About Lee Miller

Lee Miller is a faith-driven entrepreneur, leadership mentor, and author of Entrepreneurship God’s Way: Building Faith-Driven Success in Business. His work helps leaders develop bold vision, rooted in biblical truth.

Grab your copy on Amazon: https://msgresources.com/books-resources/
Register for Lee’s upcoming Vision & Leadership Webinar: Coming soon

Follow Lee on social media and subscribe to the blog for weekly insights on building your business God’s way

Goats & Grapes (Sabine County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Join us Saturday, March 29th from 2 – 6 PM for a fun-filled day with baby goats from Broussard Farms!  Enjoy cuddles, local shopping, and a glass of wine while browsing handcrafted soaps and lotions.

Don’t miss out on this adorable afternoon!

Location:
101 N Oak St. Hemphill, TX 75948

Date and Time:
March 29, 2025
From 2:00PM to 6:00PM

 

My Five Cents: A Weekly Column by Senator Robert Nichols

By
Senator Robert Nichols
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In 1969, our nation made history by putting a man on the moon. A lesser known fact the astronauts who joined us on the floor this week shared is that Texas is the only state with a flag on the moon, and now we have two! 

Here are five things happening around your state:  

1. State budget for the next biennium passes the Senate

This week the Senate unanimously passed its version of the state budget for the next two years. The proposed budget, Senate Bill 1 by Senator Joan Huffman, will spend $153.5 billion in state revenue, and with federal funds included will spend $336 billion. The budget included money to lower school property taxes, and allotted money to raise the homestead exemption to $140,000. Public schools will receive a $500 million increase to school safety funding. I had the opportunity to chair a Finance Committee’s workgroup on 36 state agencies and roughly 56 billion dollars. The House version of the  budget is making its way through the Appropriations Committee. Once the House passes their bill, a conference committee will convene to resolve differences between the chambers. Once a final proposal has been made, it will go before both chambers for approval. 

2. Major water infrastructure bill passes out of committee

Senate Bill 7 by Senator Charles Perry passed out of committee on Monday. SB 7 would provide $1 billion dollars in dedicated funds every year to support water projects in the state. Senator Perry noted that half the states rural water associations fear they could run out of water in the next 20 years. The agriculture industry has seen significant negative effects from the impending water shortage. SB 7 will ensure that after this session the state can take monumental steps to make sure this doesn’t happen. The bill will provide funding to support and encourage “non-traditional water supply development.” Senator Perry stated that the bill will protect existing water supplies by prohibiting projects that move freshwater to alternative locations, ensuring that existing sustainable resources are not depleted. This funding will go before the voters for final approval. I was proud to coauthor SB 7 and I think it will be a historic step in improving our water infrastructure. 

3. Bill passes to provide for safer pedestrian railroad crossings 

Senate Bill 1555 and accompanying Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 passed on the Senate floor this week. I was proud to author SB 1555 which creates a grant program for political subdivisions to construct pedestrian railroad crossings. The accompanying resolution SCR 25 by Senator Carol Alvarado, urges Houston to build a pedestrian crossing in honor of Sergio Ivan Rodriguez. In December, Sergio tragically lost his life at 15 at a railroad crossing near Milby High School. SB 1 includes $350 million for this program and $10 million is included to build the crossing near Milby High School where Sergio was killed.  This new program will protect lives and create safer communities. Our sympathy is with the family and friends of Sergio. 

4. Health and Human Services Commission announces $239 million in grants for mental health care in rural Texas

This week the Governor announced that $239 million in construction grants were awarded to expand access to rural mental health care. The funding will support up to 332 beds for patients in four communities including, $64 million to improve and add on to facilities in Beaumont. The funding allows for facilities to use at least 50% capacity for patients who are admitted through the criminal justice system to determine if the patients are fit to stand trial. This expansion will combat rising mental health concerns in rural areas and will relieve a burden from the criminal justice system by ensuring individuals are treated fairly and appropriately. 

5. East Texas cowboys land in world rankings after the Houston Rodeo

Two cowboys from East Texas are now in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Top Five after their performances Sunday night at the Houston Rodeo. Steer wrestler, Holden Myers had a 5.2 second performance placing second in the PRCA world rankings for his event. Kincade Henry, a tie-down roper, placed second with his 8.1 second time. Henry is now ranked third in the world rankings for his event. Two other East Texans had impressive performances. Lighting Aguilera placed sixth in team roping in the championship round placing him at sixth place worldwide for his event. Logan Cook a saddle-bronc rider now sits at 28th on PRCA world rankings. I am glad to see East Texas so well represented in a cultural staple of Texas! 

Are IT Support Myths Costing Your Business Money?

By
Alec Castleberry
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Image by LightFieldStudios on Envato Elements

When it comes to IT, many businesses are still operating under outdated beliefs. Some think that cybersecurity is only a concern for large corporations, while others believe that an in-house team is enough to handle all their technology needs. Unfortunately, these misconceptions often lead to costly mistakes, security risks, and inefficiencies.

Myth #1: Small Businesses Don’t Need IT Support

Many small businesses assume they are too insignificant to be targeted by cybercriminals. In reality, small companies are often prime targets because they lack robust security measures. Hackers know this and exploit weak systems to steal sensitive data or disrupt operations.

Myth #2: In-House IT Teams Can Handle Everything

While an internal IT team is valuable, they often struggle to keep up with rapidly evolving cyber threats, compliance requirements, and system maintenance. Having external IT support ensures businesses stay ahead of potential problems before they become major disruptions.

Myth #3: Cybersecurity Threats Are Overblown

Some business owners believe they won’t be affected by cyber threats simply because they’ve never been targeted before. But ransomware, phishing scams, and data breaches are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, making it critical for businesses of all sizes to implement strong security measures.

Myth #4: IT Services Are Too Expensive

Many companies view IT support as an unnecessary expense. However, the real cost comes when a system failure, data breach, or security lapse results in financial loss. Investing in proactive IT management prevents costly downtime, lost productivity, and emergency repairs.

The Cost of Ignoring IT Needs

When businesses ignore IT best practices, they often end up paying a higher price in the long run. Whether it’s data loss, security breaches, or inefficient systems, these issues can impact both revenue and reputation. Smart businesses are taking a proactive approach to IT, ensuring they stay ahead of risks and operate smoothly. As technology continues to evolve, staying informed and prepared is the best way to protect your business from costly IT mistakes. It’s time to challenge outdated IT beliefs and invest in strategies that promote efficiency, security, and long-term growth.

Roadrunners’ Historic Run Ends in Elite Eight Loss to South Plains

By
Gary Stallard
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HUTCHINSON, KANSAS – From a seventh-place prediction in October’s pre-season polls to the national tournament’s Elite Eight, the Angelina College Roadrunners spent an entire season proving wrong their doubters. 

The magical season came to an end on Wednesday in a 79-70 quarterfinals loss to South Plains College, the nation’s eighth-ranked team. 

The Roadrunners once again shook off a slow start after falling behind 14-4 in the opening moments, only to clamp down defensively to take control of the game for a long stretch. AC put together 11-0 run midway through the first half to carry a 36-33 lead into the half – a lead that would last nearly 25 minutes. 

The ‘Runners maintained that control well into the second half, leading by as many as seven points. 

Then the Roadrunner shots just stopped dropping. 

AC’s guys suffered a nearly four-minute scoring drought while South Plains shooters found their own range, ripping off an 11-0 run of their own with fewer than five minutes remaining to close out the game.

Jordan Mathews led the Roadrunners in scoring with 16 points, while Chris Carpenter added 15 and Kanaan Holder 14. Christian Jones and Kyle Morgan finished with nine points each. 

Angelina College’s Jordan Mathews (21) leans into a defender during Wednesday’s game against South Plains College. The Roadrunners’ historic season came to an end with a 79-70 loss in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament quarterfinals round in Hutchinson, Kansas. (Landyn Rains photo for AC Athletics)
Angelina College’s Chris Carpenter (4) dodges defenders during Wednesday’s game against South Plains College. The Roadrunners’ historic season came to an end with a 79-70 loss in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament quarterfinals round in Hutchinson, Kansas. (Landyn Rains photo for AC Athletics)
Angelina College’s Christian Jones launches a three-pointer during Wednesday’s game against South Plains College. The Roadrunners’ historic season came to an end with a 79-70 loss in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament quarterfinals round in Hutchinson, Kansas. (Landyn Rains photo for AC Athletics)

Caleb Blackwell led South Plains with 18 points. 

The Roadrunners end their historic season – just head coach J.J. Montgomery’s third year at the helm – with a final record of 28-7 and some impressive milestones: They became the first Angelina College men’s basketball team to win a national tournament game, winning two, while advancing to the Elite Eight. The team also finished as the nation’s No. 1 defensive team, along with a No. 12 national ranking. 

‘Runner sophomores playing their final games for Angelina College included Kanaan Holder, Chris Carpenter, Kyle Morgan and Boris Perucica. 

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Spring Festival (Coldspring Country)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Join Us for the 2025 Spring Festival! 

Mark your calendardars! Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD and the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce invite you to our Annual Spring Festival on Saturday, April 19, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School (COHS).

Fun for the whole family!
Food |Vendors |  Games

New This Year!
We’re hosting a FREE Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10:00 AM for ages 0-4, 5-8, and 9+.

Interested in being a vendor? Contact the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce at (936) 653-2184.

Let’s make this festival the best one yet—see you there!

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