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A Permanent Seat to the Game

Gary Stallard
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A Permanent Seat to the Game

Roadrunner Baseball Pays Tribute to Former Manager RayburnA Permanent Seat to the Game

What started as a young Angelina College student with a passion for baseball eventually evolved into a full-time role with the Roadrunner baseball team – and a permanent seat in the program’s hearts.

Tyler Rayburn was sitting outside the press box during an AC baseball game one spring day in 2014, keeping a scorebook the way he’d done since he was a child. An AC official noticed his knowledge of the game and his meticulous stat-keeping, and in no time, Tyler had his own reserved seat in the press box as the official statistician.

In fact, Tyler once insisted a man remove himself from Tyler’s reserved seat.

The man? Only the Angelina College president, Dr. Larry Phillips.

Phillips graciously acquiesced, but he’d get the seat the very next season when Roadrunner head coach Jeff Livin brought Tyler into the dugout as a team manager.

For the next two seasons, Tyler was an integral part of the team. During one playoff run, the ‘Runners pulled off a big win in late innings. When the players ran to celebrate, many of them ran straight to Tyler.

Tyler would finish his time at Angelina College, eventually transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications.

Sadly, Tyler passed away unexpectedly in January of 2023, leaving behind his wife Tracy, his loving family – and an empty seat in the press box.

Angelina College baseball coaches Jeff Livin (far right) and Dylan Murphy (far left) pose with members of the Rayburn family during Saturday’s pre-game ceremony. The Roadrunners honored former manager Tyler Rayburn, who passed away in 2023, in a tribute prior to the doubleheader at Poland Field. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

On Saturday, March 23, Livin and the Roadrunner baseball program paid tribute to Tyler, with father Steve Rayburn throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to AC’s doubleheader with TCS Post Grad. Livin presented the family with a framed photo of Tyler – looking out over the field from the dugout, of course – that will take its permanent place in the AC baseball press box, along with a plaque commemorating Tyler’s time as a Roadrunner.

Steve Rayburn throws out the ceremonial first pitch during Saturday’s Angelina College baseball tribute to Rayburn’s son, Tyler, a former team manager who passed away in 2023. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
          
Angelina College baseball coaches Jeff Livin (far right) and Dylan Murphy (far left) pose with members of the Rayburn family during Saturday’s pre-game ceremony. The Roadrunners honored former manager Tyler Rayburn, who passed away in 2023, in a tribute prior to the doubleheader at Poland Field. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

There’s no doubt the guy absolutely earned his permanent place with the program.

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

Closures Expected on US 59 for Diboll Relief Route

Rhonda Oaks
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Closures Expected on US 59 for Diboll Relief Route

LUFKIN – Closures are expected to begin next week on a major construction project in Angelina County.

Much of the work on the Diboll Relief Route has been off the roadway and out of site of the traveling public, but beginning Tuesday, March 26, motorists should prepare for lane closures in Burke, weather permitting.

The daily closures are scheduled for the southbound side of US 59 for crews to begin widening the pavement for the detour section. On Monday, crews have scheduled a shoulder closure in the Burke area for work off the pavement. Also on Monday, East Street and John Means Road will be closed permanently, as determined by construction plans.

Work will continue throughout the project as crews place embankment on the new ramp adjacent to US 59, FM 2108, and the US 59 Direct Connect. Crews will also be working on Morris Road and FM 1818 and Lumberjack Drive turnarounds. Contractors will place asphalt at various locations throughout the project, and they will pour concrete on the Lumberjack Drive southbound bridge. The new Conner Rd is open for traffic.

The Diboll Relief Route is an 8-mile construction project that began in April 2020, and is on schedule to be completed in 2025, weather permitting.

Sacyr Construction USA, LLC, is serving as a contractor for the $140.8 million construction project. The project consists of the construction of a new freeway location on US 59, from FM 2108 to 1.1 mile south of White Oak Creek. Work includes construction of the new freeway, grading, structures, concrete pavement, and freeway signage.

Motorists are urged to reduce speed, obey all traffic control and work zone speed limits. Stay alert for moving equipment, workers and vehicles moving near the lanes of traffic.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 404-7485.

Roadrunner Men Earn Hoops Honors

Gary Stallard
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Roadrunner Men Earn Hoops Honors

Sophomores Led Team to Season Milestones

The Angelina College Roadrunners under third-year head coach J.J. Montgomery helped the coach to a couple of milestones in the 2023-2024 season. For their efforts, several ‘Runners earned some coveted postseason hardware.

AC’s Xavier Owens and Nehikhare Igiehon each earned 2nd Team All-Region and 2nd Team All-Conference honors, while Eddie Evans and Patrick Johnson each picked up Honorable Mention All-Conference nods.

Sophomore Owens, from Houston’s Grace Christian Academy, finished the season having averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 2023-2024. He also converted 37.7 percent of his three-point attempts, a testament to his versatility both on the perimeter as well as in the post. 

Igiehon, the sophomore forward from Austin, TX, averaged 11 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Roadrunners. His 74 offensive boards were good enough for fourth among Region XIV players.

Evans, a sophomore transfer from New Jersey, averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He nailed 38.5 percent of his attempts from three-point range.

Johnson, a sophomore point guard from Compton, CA, led Region XIV in assists, distributing 156 (4.9 per game) over the course of the season, giving him a total of 260 for his two-year Angelina College career. Johnson added 9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game to his totals this season.

The Roadrunners, who finished the year with a record of 21-11, boosted Montgomery to his first 20-win season and his very first win in the Region XIV Conference Tournament held earlier this month.

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

Lady Roadrunners Earn Postseason Honors

Gary Stallard
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Lady Roadrunners Earn Postseason Honors

Coleman Coach of the Year, Walker MVP

The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners in 2023-2024 put together a memorable season, capping the year by making history.

As a result of the team’s success, there were numerous individual honors awarded after the season.

AC head coach Byron Coleman earned the Region XIV Coach of the Year award, while Amyria Walker finished as the Region XIV Most Valuable Player. Walker, along with teammate Marie Kenembeni, also earned 1st Team All-Region honors. Jade Fry earned All-Conference honors, while Janay Quinn picked up Honorable Mention All-Conference honors.

Coleman, who won his 300th game for AC in 2023, has never missed the postseason in his time as the Lady Roadrunners’ head coach.

Walker, a sophomore from Burleson, TX, finished the season as the Region XIV scoring leader after averaging 19.8 points per game – good enough to place eighth in the nation in NJCAA Division I women’s basketball. She finished the season with 635 points – third best in AC program history – topping the league in that category as well.

Kenembeni, the sophomore from Cameroon (and a reigning All-American after the 2023 season), averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. She was also second in the conference with blocked shots with 27.

Sophomore Fry, a native of Denison, TX, helped solidify the Lady ‘Runners’ post play by averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. 

Quinn, a sophomore point guard from Miami, FL, was fourth in the league in overall assists with 136, leaving her with a 4.3 assists-per-game average. Defensively, Quinn led Region XIV in steals with 75 (2.3 steals per game).

The Lady Roadrunners went 22-10 overall and 13-3 in Region XIV conference play, finishing as regular-season co-champions for the first time in program history. AC went two games deep into the conference tournament before seeing its season come to an end.             The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Blackhawk (Nacogdoches County)

Diana De Leon Bon
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Blackhawk (Nacogdoches County)

Just Announced!
Special Event…

BLACKHAWK!
April 13, 2024, 7:30 pm

VIP TABLE SEATS! GENERAL ADMISSION!
DANCE FLOOR! BAR! FOOD!

On sale to the general public on Monday, March 18th at 10:00 am
WWW.PWFAA.ORG

**ATTENTION SEASON TICKET HOLDERS!**

You have the ability to purchase tickets to this event before they go on sale to the public on Monday, March 18th. Get your VIP Table Seats or General Admission tickets by emailing thea@pwfaa.org or calling 936.544.4276

San Augustine Drug Company 120th Anniversary

Diana De Leon Bon
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San Augustine Drug Company 120th Anniversary

Everyone makes time to attend the celebration on April 13 from 11 o’clock to 2 o’clock for the 120th Anniversary of San Augustine Drug Co. They will have music, food, face painting for the kids, and door prizes for the first 40 people. A fun time to be had by all.

Date/Time Information:
Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 11 am to 2 pm

Location:
104 East Columbia Street

Virtual East Texas Pasture Management Program Set April 5

Diana De Leon Bon
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Virtual East Texas Pasture Management Program Set April 5

Continuing education units available to participants

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a virtual East Texas Pasture Management Program on April 5.

The April 5 virtual East Texas Pasture Management Program will focus on topics related to beef and forage production. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The online program will run from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. via the Zoom meeting platform. Registration cost is $35. Attendees must pre-register at https://tx.ag/VirtualETPastureMgt before 11 a.m. on April 4. 

There will be five Texas Department of Agriculturecontinuing education units available, including one laws and regulations, one integrated pest management and three general units.

Practice sessions will be available the week before the program to allow time for people to become familiar with connecting to the platform.

Pasture Management Program Topics

A morning and afternoon session topics will focus on beef and forage production and will include:

  • Pest control in the pasture — Jonathan Cammack, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
  • Pesticide modes of action — Mark Matocha, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural and environmental unit pesticide safety education specialist, AgriLife Extension Agricultural and Environmental Safety Unit, Bryan-College Station.
  • Beef cattle external parasite control — Jason Banta, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and professor in the Department of Animal Science, Overton.
  • Drift management and drone use in agriculture — Scott Nolte, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension state weed specialist and associate professor in the  Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
  • Weed control in pastures and hay meadows — Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension forage specialist and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Overton.

For more information, contact Michelle Sensing at 903-847-6011 or michelle.sensing@ag.tamu.edu.

Traffic Switch Planned in Polk County

Rhonda Oaks
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Traffic Switch Planned in Polk County

LUFKIN – Crews will switch traffic on US 190 beginning Monday, March 25, weather permitting, to allow motorists to use the newly constructed bridge sections at Choates Creek and Menard Creek in Polk County.

The bridge sections are part of a $29 million construction project on US 190 that is designed to widen the roadway, and bridges and add safety improvements from the Livingston city limits to 4 miles west of FM 1276. Vulcan Construction, San Antonio TX, is serving as a contractor.

Traffic will remain in this new pattern until the completion of this project when it will be switched to the final configuration, which is expected in the coming months. Motorists are urged to stay alert for the traffic switch, reduce speed through the work zone, and obey all traffic control.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

Angelina College Men Soccer Program Hosting Spring ID Camp

Gary Stallard
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Angelina College Men Soccer Program Hosting Spring ID Camp

Session Provides Instruction, Recruiting Process Info

The Angelina College men’s soccer program, consistently ranked among the nation’s top junior college programs in the nation the past couple of years, is looking to continue its recent successes on the pitch, and the team is looking for some new Roadrunners to help continue the charge.

The Roadrunners will host an “ID Camp” on Saturday, March 23 at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus. The session, scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until noon, includes a campus tour.

The camp is geared toward providing high school students and college transfers the opportunity to train and experience skills evaluation from college coaches while learning more about the recruiting process.

The cost of the session is $50 for online registration, and $75 for in-person registration on the day of the camp.   

 Attendees are asked to bring their own water bottles, soccer balls, shin guards, and soccer cleats.       

The camps’ schedule, registration, and payment information are available online at https://www.angelinasoccercamps.com/.

For further information, contact AC men’s head soccer coach Martin Melchor at mmelchor@angelina.edu.

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

Love Beyond Late Bills

Diana De Leon Bon
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Love Beyond Late Bills

The Salvation Army Loves and Serves Those in Need – All Year Long

Lufkin, Texas (March 14, 2024) – Millions of Americans face daily financial struggles and uphill battles to escape poverty. The Salvation Army in Lufkin works all year round to remove the constant burden of worry and stress to provide hope and a way forward for those in need. 

One surprise expense, like an unexpected car repair or medical bill, can be the difference between affording rent, buying groceries or paying monthly bills. “We have people coming through our doors every day seeking basic financial assistance and asking if we are able to help them pay their overdue bills,” said Captain Jenifer Philips, with The Salvation Army of Lufkin. “Many are coming to us for the first time having never been in such dire financial need before. The last few years have been particularly difficult as layoffs and salary cuts have taken their toll, along with the increase in living expenses all impacting family budgets.”

The bills were piling up for Adrian, a working single parent of three boys, and she didn’t know how she would make it. “My hours had been cut at work and there were days where I’d only work half a shift, meaning that my money was less. But the bills just kept coming,” said Adrian. “With nowhere else to go, I turned to The Salvation Army. They had several programs that could help me pay my bills, stay in my home and not out on the street. They’ve really helped me a lot.”

When funds are available, The Salvation Army helps pay overdue bills, preventing homelessness and stabilizing housing for individuals and families who have fallen behind on their expenses and are at risk of losing their homes. “It’s much more than just paying the bills at The Salvation Army. They really cared about me and my boys beyond just my immediate financial needs,” said Adrian. “Working with my case manager, I took a finance class and that helped me realize what was most important: the things I did need and some things I could maybe do without. They didn’t just stop after helping pay the bills, they were there, and I know they’re still there if I need anything.”

Ongoing case management is an integral component of The Salvation Army’s work with individuals and families in need. Clients work one-on-one with case managers, often connecting with local community partners, to resolve complex issues and plan their way forward. “Our work really does stretch well beyond the moment of crisis,” said Captain Philips. “Yes, we’re there in the moment of crisis and greatest need, but we are also committed to Love Beyond the utility bills, rent or whatever a family is facing, to get them on a pathway to success and self-sufficiency.”

The Salvation Army is issuing a rallying cry for Americans to “Love Beyond.” The organization’s message is simply that when we Love Beyond late bills, Love Beyond shelter and Love Beyond disasters, we can provide hope and help for millions who need it. Love Beyond is also a symbol of the resources and programs that so many people rely on year-round when they turn to The Salvation Army for assistance. 

The best way to ensure services continue for those in need is to visit https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/lufkin/ (or call 1-800-SAl-ARMY) where you can make a donation or sign up for a sustaining gift of $25 per month, which could help a family overcome the risks of poverty and eviction. 

Learn more about Love Beyond by visiting The Salvation Army’s website at www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/video-hub/. For more information about how you can help, please contact Captain Jenifer Phillips at 936-223-6624.

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