Join us Friday, February 7, for our February First Friday Luncheon where Angelina County Judge Keith Wright will provide insights into the State of the County. The luncheon will be held at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center and we encourage you to arrive early.
Secure your spot now: bit.ly/Feb-FFL-25
Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Lufkin Coca Cola Bottling Company, State of the County Presenting Sponsor, Woodland Heights Medical Center, Media Sponsor, The Lufkin Daily News, and our $100 Drawing Sponsor, Servpro of Lufkin & Nacogdoches.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our community and stay informed about the happenings in Angelina County. See you there!
State of The County (Angelina County)
Ashby Files HB 2000 in Memory of Audrii Cunningham
AUSTIN – State Representative Trent Ashby (R – Lufkin) today filed House Bill 2000 in memory of Audrii Cunningham.
“Today, I have filed HB 2000, Audrii’s Law, named in memory of Audrii Cunningham, whose life was tragically ended in February of last year. Audrii’s death rocked our community, and this legislation seeks to prevent future tragedies by closing a legal loophole that allows violent sex offenders to stay off the sex offender registry,” Ashby said.
Before Audrii’s death, her assailant, Don McDougal, was accused of indecency with a child after attempting to molest a young girl in 2007. After striking a plea deal, McDougal was charged with a lesser charge of enticing a child, which does not require the offender to register as a sex offender.
“It is unconscionable that a violent criminal like McDougal was arrested and charged for attempting to molest a child and then was able to walk the streets without registering as a sex offender,” said Ashby. “Criminals with a history like McDougal need to be on a publicly available list so that people can protect themselves and their families from tragedies like what occurred in Polk County.”
During the 88th Legislative Session, the Legislature established child grooming as a criminal offense. However, this newly created offense does not require individuals found guilty of child grooming to register on the Texas Sex Offender Registry.
“House Bill 2000 will add child grooming to the Sex Offender Registry and address the shortcomings in the law that tragically failed Audrii Cunningham and her family,” Ashby said. I look forward to passing this bill into law to ensure that our children are protected from predators that could be hiding in plain sight.”
Trent Ashby is in his seventh term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He currently represents a six-county region that includes Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, and Tyler Counties.
Digital Marketing Workshop (Trinity County)
News from the Weaverville Chamber of Commerce!
We’re thrilled to invite you to an informative Digital Marketing Workshop led by our very own Bradley Everest!
Join us as we dive into the world of Facebook and Instagram and learn how to harness these powerful tools to elevate your business and maximize your marketing efforts!
Date: February 4th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Trinity Alps Restaurant and Lounge
Here’s what’s in store:
– Valuable insights into effective digital marketing strategies
– Tips to save time and boost your online presence
– Networking opportunities with fellow local business owners
Pricing Options:
Silver & Gold WCOC Members: FREE!
Individual & Non-Profit Members: $10
Non-Members – General Public: $20
Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your digital marketing skills! Reserve your spot today! We can’t wait to see you there!
#Trinity #LocalHighlight #TrinityCounty #TrinityCountyChamber #WeavervilleChamber #Weaverville #Workshop #TrinityAlpsLounge #SupportLocalBusiness #Explore #Landscape #NatureLovers #Outdoors #ShastaCascade #NorCal #VisitCalifornia #Aesthetic
Speed Networking (Angelina County)
Join us THIS Friday, January 24 at 8 AM for an exciting round of Speed Networking at our next Power Networking Breakfast, presented by Angelina College SBDC. This Speed Networking event is brought to you by Commercial Bank of Texas.
Attendance is free! While registration is not required, it is strongly encouraged to help us plan accordingly. Register today >>> bit.ly/PNB-0125
Don’t forget to bring your business cards and perfect those elevator pitches. See you there!
Chili, Gumbo, Soup Cook Off (Shelby County)
First Methodist Church is having its annual Chili, Gumbo, Soup Cook-off on Sunday, February 2nd! Everyone is invited to participate! $10 Team Entry Fee for Amateurs.
Date/Time Information:
Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Location:
First Methodist Church, Center
211 Porter St., Center
More info and registration form:
www.CenterFirst.org or call the church office at 936-598-2707
Registration Deadline:
January 28, 2025
Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update
Hey, sports fans,
Take a deep breath. The weather may be trying to freeze us out, but everything else around here is heating up quickly.
Our basketball teams each battled conference opponents twice this week, our baseball and softball teams start their seasons in mere days, and our soccer teams are hosting a pair of Prospect Camps soon.
We also had some “Little Lakers” on-hand for basketball to show off both shooting skills and dance prowess.
Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s events, along with what’s coming up next:
Roadrunner Basketball Runs Winning Streak to Seven Straight
Just a week after hitting a big shot to send the game in to overtime – an eventual win over No. 7 Panola College – Angelina College’s Chris Carpenter managed to “one-up” himself.
Carpenter drilled a game-winning three-pointer with just .7 seconds remaining in Wednesday’s game against Blinn College, lifting the Roadrunners to a thrilling 72-69 win at Shands Gymnasium.
The game featured a classic back-and-forth battle: There were four ties in the second half, with the last one coming on a Blinn bucket with 21 second to play in the game.
After a Roadrunner timeout, Carpenter walked the ball up the floor to run down the clock before passing off and moving to his right. After taking a pass from a teammate, Carpenter let fly from beyond the three-point arc. His shot found nothing but net with less than a second remaining, leaving Blinn no time to respond.
Carpenter finished the game with a team-high 15 points to go with six assists. Kanaan Holder and Jordan Mathews added 13 points each, while Christian Jones finished the game with 12 points.
On Saturday, AC rallied from a first-half deficit, finding another gear in the second half to cruise past Kilgore College in a 73-59 Roadrunner win. Holder led AC with 24 points, followed by Daemon Ely, who finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Jones added another 10 points in the win.
The red-hot Roadrunners (15-2, 8-1) now have won seven straight games to remain in a first-place tie in the Region XIV conference standings.
AC’s guys are scheduled to Port Arthur on Wednesday to face Lamar State College-Port Arthur at 7 p.m. The ‘Runners return to Shands Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 25 to host Navarro College at 4 p.m.
Lady Roadrunners Drop Pair of Conference Games
AC’s ladies are putting up battles against some very tough competition.
But with just eight healthy players available, they’re constantly facing a depth disadvantage.
That was the case this past week, as the Lady Roadrunners went head-to-head against two of Region XIV’s best women’s teams, only to have those teams pull away from a gassed AC team late.
On Wednesday, the Lady ‘Runners faced No. 22 Blinn College and stood toe-to-toe with the Lady Bucs, with AC trailing by a single digit at the half before falling 50-37 at Shands Gymnasium. India McMahon led AC with 12 points, followed by Lanaijha Johnson with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Saturday’s game featured the same challenge, this time against Tyler Junior College. AC actually led 21-19 at the half, only to see the Lady Apaches flex their deep bench to down the Lady Roadrunners by a 63-45 final. McMahon finished with 14 points, while Johnson added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Lady ‘Runners (8-8, 1-2) will be at Kilgore College on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff before hosting Paris College on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium.
Baseball, Softball Schedules Available
January in JUCO sports means Opening Days for baseball and softball, and both the Roadrunners and Lady Roadrunners will play their season openers in the coming days.
In fact, the Lady ‘Runners had their official team photo taken this last week, and the guys are scheduled for theirs this coming week. Softball’s roster is available on the AC Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com), and baseball’s should be available in the next few days.
Roadrunner Baseball will start the season on the road in Galveston on Friday, Jan. 24 in a doubleheader scheduled to start at 1 p.m. AC then will host those same Whitecaps on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Poland Stadium in a twin bill set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
Lady Roadrunner Softball will open its 2025 campaign in a home doubleheader against Cisco College scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Lady Roadrunner Field. First game is set for a 4 p.m. start.
Both teams’ schedules, along with the Lady Roadrunner softball roster, are now available for viewing at angelinaathletics.com.
Lady Roadrunner Softball Hosting Prospect Camp in January
Angelina College’s Lady Roadrunner softball program is looking for some new Lady Roadrunners.
The program will host a Prospect Camp on Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Lady Roadrunner Softball Field on the AC campus.
The camp is for high schoolers scheduled to graduate in 2026 or 2027.
For registration information, use the following link:
For any other inquiries, contact Lady Roadrunner head coach Brette Kohring at bkohring@angelina.edu.
Soccer Teams Hosting ID Camps in March
Both Angelina College soccer teams will be hosting ID camps in March as the programs continue to identify new talent.
The Roadrunner men will host their ID Camp from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 at the AC Soccer Complex on the AC campus. The camp is for prospective players in 9th through 12th grades. Cost for the camp is $60 if players register by Feb. 21. After Feb. 21, the cost will be $75.
Here’s the link for registration and other information for the men’s ID camp:
The Lady Roadrunners’ ID camp takes place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the AC Soccer Complex on the AC campus. The camp is for prospective players in 9th through 12th grades. Cost for the camp is $30 if players register by Feb. 21. After Feb. 21, the cost will be $50.
Here’s the link for registration and other information for the women’s ID camp:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1143046014399?aff=oddtdtcreator
Live Streaming Reminder:
All AC Athletics regular-season home games will be live streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)
Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics web site, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link.
TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)
Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free, as is the TSBN live streaming. Any other links offering streaming are scams.
Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates (especially for potential weather issues, visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com). Fans can also receive updates on the AC Athletics Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram pages.
Upcoming schedules:
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025:
Lady Roadrunner Basketball at Kilgore College, 5:30 p.m. in Kilgore.
Roadrunner Basketball at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, 7 p.m. in Port Arthur
Friday, Jan. 24:
Roadrunner Baseball at Galveston College, DH starting at 1 p.m. in Galveston.
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025:
Lady Roadrunner Basketball vs. Paris College, 2 p.m., Shands Gymnasium.
Roadrunner Basketball vs. Navarro College, 4 p.m., Shands Gymnasium.
Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025:
Roadrunner Baseball vs. Galveston College, DH starting at 1 p.m., Poland Stadium on the AC campus.
For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
We’ll see you at the games.
Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Phone: (936) 465-4614
Shenandoah (Houston County)
SHENANDOAH!
Friday, January 24, 2025 | 7:30pm
Crockett Civic Center
Get your tickets while you can!
www.pwfaa.org
Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire formed Shenandoah in 1984 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with bassist Ralph Ezell, keyboardist Stan Thorn and guitarist Jim Seales. Shenandoah inked a deal with Columbia Records and began establishing a national fan base with their self-titled debut in 1987. However, it was the band’s sophomore effort, The Road Not Taken, that spawned their first top ten hits, “She Doesn’t Cry Anymore “and “Mama Knows. “The group followed with three consecutive No. 1 hits, “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses.” “The Church on Cumberland Road” spent two weeks at the top of the chart and made country music history as it marked the first time that a country band’s first No. 1 single spent more than one week at the summit. Shenandoah became known for delivering songs that celebrated the importance of faith and family while reveling in the joys of small town life. “Next to You, Next to Me” topped the charts for three weeks and “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart,” a beautiful duet with Alison Krauss, won a Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the year and a GRAMMY® for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Shenandoah also won the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year in 1991.The group currently consists of original members Marty Raybon (lead), Mike McGuire (drums) along with Paul Sanders (bass), Donnie Allen (acoustic guitar/fiddle), Andrew Ishee (keys), Nicky V Hines (guitar).
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream in the Piney Woods: A Look at Civil Rights History in East Texas
As pine trees sway in the winter breeze across East Texas, communities throughout the region prepare to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This Monday marks more than just a federal holiday – it represents a moment for reflection on the journey toward equality and justice that continues to shape our region today.
How MLK Day Came to Be
The path to establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday wasn’t a short one. Following Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, activists and legislators worked tirelessly for 15 years to create a day honoring his legacy. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan finally signed legislation establishing the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the first official observance taking place in 1986.
Dr. King’s Vision and Impact
Dr. King’s message reached far beyond his home in Atlanta, touching lives across the nation – including here in East Texas. His dream of racial equality and justice resonated through the pine forests and small towns of our region, where local civil rights activists drew inspiration from his peaceful approach to creating change.
During the civil rights movement, East Texas communities faced their own struggles with segregation and inequality. Local churches, much like Dr. King’s Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, served as gathering places where people could organize and support each other in the pursuit of equal rights.
Why We Remember
Today, remembering Dr. King’s work is more important than ever. His message of peaceful resistance and unity continues to inspire new generations. As one local civil rights activist, James Crawford, often reminds us, “Dr. King showed us that change is possible when we stand together with love and determination.”
In our East Texas communities, MLK Day serves as more than just a day off work or school. It’s an opportunity to:
- Reflect on how far we’ve come while acknowledging the work still ahead
- Teach our children about the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect
- Come together as neighbors to strengthen our community bonds
- Continue Dr. King’s work by addressing current challenges facing our region
Moving Forward Together
As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in East Texas, we’re reminded that his dream wasn’t just about changing laws – it was about changing hearts. In our small towns and communities, we have the opportunity to live out his vision every day through simple acts of kindness, understanding, and respect for one another.
Dr. King once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Here in East Texas, we continue to be shaped by this history while working to create a better future for all our neighbors.
Home Garden Economics
Does home gardening make sense financially? I believe so.
Last Sunday at church, a dear friend was telling me how much she and her husband have been enjoying all manner of fresh greens harvested each week from their small garden. Cheap, abundant, healthy greens harvested a couple times each week.
Visiting later with another buddy, “farmer John”, later in the week, he invited me to come out and get some collard greens. “I’ve got lots to spare! You should come and get it before a hard freeze gets it!” He gives away most of what he grows as he gets all he wants.
Looking online, none other than the Investopedia website said that growing your own produce can save you money. They cited, from the national Journal of Extension, that the average value of produce from a home garden to be worth $677 with costs totaling only $238. To be honest I was pleasantly surprised.
Now, please do not think that you can go buy a large tiller and all kinds of fancy equipment and tend a small garden the size of a bedroom and make the numbers work out. As with all economic endeavors, you have to watch your input costs.
But with a raised bed and some good soil growing produce 12 months of the year, one could see a small, to modest financial return. I think the biggest hinderance is keeping your garden plot going year-round.
Bear in mind your input costs of seeds or transplants, soil and nutrients, all the tools (and perhaps a few you don’t need), structures such as fences or cages, and the water bill that will certainly peak in the summer. They will add up over time.
If you want to drill down and get serious about saving money on your grocery bill and enjoy the outdoors, consider the following. First, grow only what you like and what you need. Even a flat of six transplants of any certain vegetable can out-produce what most households can consume. See if you can buy fewer transplants or swap with friends.
Second, consider the square-foot gardening method. This gardening system looks at each square foot as a production unit. Forget the three-foot-wide rows with lots of bare ground exposed, and interplant smaller, earlier maturing produce between longer maturing types.
Lastly, for the truly frugal, start everything from seed. From a $3 package of seeds, you will have worlds of seed that you can use in successive crops to spread out the harvest, or to use half in the spring garden and the other half in a fall garden.
If you are still a little hesitant, try out growing some herbs that you really like on your back porch in a pot. The idea is to make it enjoyable and worth your time outside, in the kitchen, and in the wallet.
If you wish to learn more about building your soil or building a raised bed, the Angelina County Extension office will be hosting a noon gardening seminar on Tuesday, January 21. The focus is preparing your garden for the coming spring. Held from 12 noon to 1 pm, we will have two of our volunteer Master Gardeners speak. The Master Gardeners will be talking about how to use a raised bed, prepare the soil, and amend your soil for a tremendous growing season. Feel free to bring your lunch. There is no fee to attend.
Be sure to watch the weather and the chance for a hard freeze. We will cancel our noon program if the weather looks too difficult!
District Begins Treating Roads Ahead of Winter Weather
LUFKIN – Crews are scheduled to begin today to pre-treat US 59 through the Lufkin District, and will continue with pre-treatment on major roads, overpasses, and bridges on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday if needed.
Crews will begin working 12-hour shifts on Monday in order to monitor road conditions. The district’s Emergency Operation Center will open on Monday and will remain open throughout the weather event.
A brine treatment discourages precipitation from freezing and sticking to pavement and will be applied to overpasses, major structures, bridges, overpasses, and major roadways throughout the district.
“The Lufkin District is prepared for this weather event, and will work to keep the roadways clear if the predicted weather materializes in this nine-county district,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “Motorists should reduce speed as they approach a TxDOT work crew and give them room to work as we pre-treat the roads in anticipation of winter weather.”
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.