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A Big Assist for Hope

By
Gary Stallard
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Coaches and staff members from Angelina College on Tuesday presented Ashley Berry (third from right) of the East Texas Cancer Alliance of Hope with a check. AC’s athletics and other programs hosted “Coaches against Cancer” events in march, and the check represented the donations generated for the Alliance. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

Angelina College Athletics Presents Check to East Texas Cancer Alliance of Hope

Back in March, Angelina College hosted a “Coaches against Cancer” day that included everything from AC baseball, softball, and basketball games to numerous other activities. The goal: Raising money for cancer awareness.

Cancer survivors Ashley Berry and Daisy Brumley threw out ceremonial first pitches for softball and baseball, and the college hosted several other activities all designed both to honor those affected by the disease and to generate donations from a generous community.

On Tuesday, AC coaches and staff members presented Berry, chairperson of the East Texas Cancer Alliance of Hope, with a check representing those donations.

“It means a lot to have this kind of support,” Berry said. “We’re still a young non-profit organization here in Angelina County, but we’re doing great work. To know that we have community partners backing and supporting us – not just us, but the entire community – and the clients under our care just means so much.”

Berry acknowledged having all those events made it a fun experience with all involved, while also creating even more awareness.

“Our cancer patients are always asking who’s helping us, and knowing that Angelina College is supporting them means those patients in turn are going to come out and support AC.”

AC Athletic Director J.J. Montgomery knew such an event would be meaningful to the Alliance, but seeing all the effort come to fruition through the donation was exciting.

“The biggest thing we try to teach our athletes at AC is giving back to the community,” Montgomery said. “Any way we can help anyone in our community, we’re going to do that.

“I’ve known Ashley for years, and I know her dedication to that organization and how much it means to her. Being able to help really tops it off. Seeing the smile on her face today as she received that check means so much. Having our coaching staff here at AC show they’re so willing to participate shows it’s so much bigger than just the money.”

Montgomery added that the “Coaches against Cancer” event is going to get even bigger over the coming years.

“I think it’s going to continue to grow as we go along,” Montgomery said. “We (the AC staff) have already sat down and discussed some of the things we can do next year to make it even more fun and to get more of the community involved.

“It’s going to be a big deal, and it’s for such a great cause.”

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

McKelvey Named New Lady Roadrunner Head Coach

By
Gary Stallard
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Randy McKelvey address the crowd during Wednesday’s ceremony at Angelina College. AC this week named McKelvey, a long-time assistant to Byron Coleman, the new head coach of the Lady Roadrunner basketball program. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

Long-time Assistant Played Role in Program’s Biggest Moments

In searching for its next head coach to fill the vacant seat former Lady Roadrunner head coach Byron Coleman just left behind, Angelina College didn’t have to look too far down the bench.

The seat right next to Coleman was the perfect fit.

AC this week announced that long-time assistant Randy McKelvey now will take on the role as the Lady ‘Runners’ main man – a role for which McKelvey has been preparing for years.

Randy McKelvey address the crowd during Wednesday’s ceremony at Angelina College. AC this week named McKelvey, a long-time assistant to Byron Coleman, the new head coach of the Lady Roadrunner basketball program. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

“To God be the Glory,” McKelvey said. “This really came out of nowhere. I didn’t expect it (Coleman’s resignation), especially with the run we had this year. But when he told me about his decision, I told him I was ready, and he agreed.

“From that point, I was already getting into ‘go mode’ in recruiting and building on the success we’ve had together the past 10 years.”

Angelina College’s Randy McKelvey (right) celebrates with Byron Coleman following the Lady Roadrunners’ 2019 Region XIV Conference Tournament win in Shreveport. McKelvey this week was named head coach of the Lady ‘Runner program. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

McKelvey and Coleman worked together off-and-on for the past decade going back to when Coleman offered his protégé a position as a volunteer assistant. The tandem combined for some of the Lady Roadrunner basketball program’s biggest moments, including the 2019 conference tournament championship, which led to the program’s first-ever appearance in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. For his efforts, McKelvey was named the 2019 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Assistant Coach of the Year.

McKelvey, a Lufkin native, also was instrumental in recruiting Natasha Mack, who left Angelina College with numerous program records and a status as the only Lady Roadrunner ever drafted into the WNBA.

All that success, according to McKelvey, doesn’t necessarily translate into personal pressure.

“Honestly, there’s no pressure,” McKelvey said. “I want to keep showing up every day doing the best I can do, and I know Coach Coleman will be close to me. He’s such a good friend, and we’ll be connected forever. I know I’ll be able to ping things off of him as far as my ideas and what he’s seeing, things of that nature.”

As for the differences in their approaches to coaching, McKelvey said there may be a few elements he’ll implement himself, but otherwise, he’s going to go with what he’s learned from sitting next to Coleman.

“So many of the things he taught certainly will be part of what I teach,” McKelvey said. “We’ll definitely work to be a fast-paced team just like we’ve always had, and while there may be a few things I do differently, Byron’s approach has been too successful to ignore.

“The main thing is to make sure our kids come in ready to work hard. We’ve got our motto ready for next year: ‘Work and Win.’”

McKelvey added much of what he learned from his mentor didn’t have anything to do with game strategy.

“The first thing Byron told me way back when I started as a volunteer assistant was that coaching is the easy part,” McKelvey said. “The hard part is managing the student-athletes, which takes up even more of your focus. This was my first coaching job, and from the beginning I saw what he was talking about. I’ve had so many individual conversations with so many kids, and the flexibility Byron gave me to mentor these kids is going to help me take these players where we want to be as a program.”

Mostly, McKelvey said, he wants to continue to focus on the individual player as a whole: From student-athlete to successful member of a community.

“Of course, we want to win, but the main goal will always be to get these kids graduated and walking across the stage and letting them take a piece of the Angelina College legacy into their lives,” McKelvey said. “I tell them all this is just a chapter in their books, and I want to do my part in being a positive role model for them in a way that will carry on long after they leave school.”

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

Distracted Driving is Deadly Driving 

By
Rhonda Oaks
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LUFKIN – You know that feeling of boredom behind the wheel. So bored that you just can’t help but pick up your phone. You look down at it or read a text, right up to the moment your car is airborne at 70 miles per hour. 

During Distracted Driving Awareness Month TxDOT is reminding everyone to stay focused behind the wheel with the Talk. Text. Crash. safety campaign. During April each year, TxDOT reminds drivers to put their phones down. The good news – you are listening. TxDOT statistics showed an 18 percent reduction in the number of fatalities last year. But we don’t think it’s enough. 

In 2023, there were 94,330 traffic crashes involving distracted driving statewide, resulting in 399 fatalities and 2,793 serious injuries. In 2022, there were 95,830 crashes involving distracted driving statewide, resulting in 487 fatalities and 2,822 serious injuries.

In the nine-county Lufkin District, there were 549 crashes involving distracted driving. Those crashes resulted in six deaths and 47 serious injuries.

Looking at a text or watching a video is not important. You remaining safe in a vehicle is very important to your family and friends, and helping you stay safe on the roadways is important to TxDOT.

“Any loss of life is tragic but imagine killing or seriously injuring someone else because you thought you could text and drive at the same time,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “When you’re behind the wheel, you need to focus on only one thing: driving. Looking at your phone, eating or adjusting your music can wait until you’re safely parked.”

It’s important to remember that texting while driving is also a crime. If someone is caught reading, writing, or sending a text while driving in Texas, they can face a fine of up to $200. Many cities have outlawed any use of a handheld device while driving. 

TxDOT urges drivers to put their phones away and remember these tips to stay safe:

  • Give driving your full attention — any distraction is dangerous, whether it’s your phone or anything that takes your eyes or your mind off the road.
  • Put down the phone — turn it off or use your phone’s settings to block texts and calls while driving.
  • Pull over — come to a complete stop before you use your phone, eat, or do anything that interferes with driving. 
  • Make sure you tell your friends, family, and coworkers that you won’t respond to texts or calls while driving.

TxDOT’s Talk. Text. Crash. distracted driving awareness campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safe choices behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.

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

The information presented represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). It was received and processed by the department as of February 6, 2024.

Cheers with the Chamber (Angelina County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Join us Thursday, April 11, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM for Cheers with the Chamber hosted by Court Appointed Special Advocates – CASA of the Pines, Harold’s House East Texas Alliance for Children and Family Crisis Center of East Texas.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and these organizations have joined forces for a special event dedicated to celebrating their efforts, raising awareness, and fostering change.

Come join us at Crown Colony Country Club to expand your network, exchange ideas, foster connections, and enhance your business growth. Remember to bring your business cards.

See you there!

Always Read the Label

By
Cary Sims
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As spring is in full force and we spend more time outside in pastures, gardens, or other green spaces, an observant eye will notice unwanted pests.  As is common, our office gets a number of calls and walk-ins about pest problems in the yard, garden, pasture, and other sites.  The question is two-fold: what is it and what can I do about it.

Once identified there are (typically) a few options on how to control the pest, whether the pest is a weed, insect, disease, or something else.  But with the control options and great products at our disposal, they won’t do what they are meant to if we don’t read and follow the label. 

True, labels are great for putting one to sleep.  Also true, I’m the guy who wants to skip the instructions when assembling furniture. 

Nonetheless, if you have armyworms in your hay meadow, fleas in the yard, duckweed in the pond, downy mildew on your Crepe Myrtles, gummy stem blight on your tomatoes, or smartweed in the pasture, the recommended “solution” won’t do you much good if you don’t follow the label.

The pesticide product label gives you important information about how to use the pesticide effectively and safely. Read the label before you buy the product and each time before you use the product.

You may only use the pesticide on sites or crops listed on the label. For instance, the pesticide label will tell you whether or not you may use the pesticide inside your home. If you are treating a vegetable garden, be sure the label says you can use the pesticide on your garden crop.

In the home landscape, there are turf and ornamental pesticides may not be used in food producing vegetable gardens. The label may tell you what plants should not be treated because of the chance of injuring the plant, or under what conditions you may, or may not, apply the pesticide.

The pesticide label also tells you about special precautions you must take when you use the pesticide. These include keeping people, and especially kids, safe. It will also include statements warning about not contaminating foods, feeds and water; not applying pesticides when it is windy; or not allowing the pesticide to drift or runoff.

The pesticide label will contain a signal word that will generally indicate how toxic the product is to humans. There are three signal words: CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER. Signal words will usually be in capital letters. Least toxic products carry the signal word CAUTION. Products with the signal word WARNING on the label are more toxic. The most toxic pesticides have the signal word DANGER on their labels.

The pesticide label lists personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing that you must wear when mixing and applying pesticides. The label will also tell you how long you must wait until you can reenter a treated area, or how long you must wait to harvest food plants after an application. It provides first aid information under a section called “Statement of Practical Treatment” or “First Aid.”

The pesticide label will also tell you how to store the product safely, and how to dispose of the empty container or unused pesticide properly.

Always remember to read and heed the six most important words on the label: “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.”

Please, always READ and follow the label directions exactly.

Five Things You Should Do If Traveling to See the Eclipse

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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A rare total solar eclipse will fill the skies from Texas to Maine on April 8, immersing people along its path into darkness. Millions are expected to travel to see the rare phenomenon and the American Red Cross has steps people should follow if planning a trip to see the eclipse.

  1. Pack an emergency kit in case you get stuck in traffic or can’t find a place to stay. Include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items including toilet paper, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. Make a plan for where you’ll stay overnight if needed.
  2. Check the weather forecast ahead of time and plan accordingly.
  3. Keep your gas tank full so you don’t run out while stuck in traffic.
  4. Let someone know where you are going and the route you plan to take to get there.
  5. Pick an easy-to-remember meeting location if someone gets separated from your group.

The eclipse will begin at sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, cutting through Mexico’s Pacific Coast at about 11:07 a.m. PT (8:07 a.m. ET) and then enter the U.S in Texas. The path goes through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse. The eclipse will then enter Canada and exit North America around Newfoundland, Canada. Full details from NASA are available here.

Some 31 million people living along the eclipse path will witness the rare total solar eclipse, while people in all contiguous U.S. states will be able to see at least a partial eclipse. Compared to the most recent solar eclipse in Aug. 2017, the viewing path for the 2024 total eclipse is wider and passes over more cities and densely populated areas. The upcoming eclipse is also expected to last twice as long, for about 4.5 minutes. The next opportunity to see a total solar eclipse cross over the U.S. after April 8 is more than two decades away on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

RED CROSS GETTING READY With so many people expected to travel to view the total eclipse, there could be major traffic issues and potential fuel shortages. Communication systems may also experience disruptions due to heightened demand. As part of our regular collaboration for large-scale, public events, the Red Cross is coordinating with local emergency management agencies along the viewing path to respond if necessary.

In addition to the five safety steps above, you should download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

EYE SAFETY It is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

According to NASA, when watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses or a safe, handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. No matter how dark the lenses are tinted, regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. More information is available here.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Drug-Free All-Stars Visit Woodland Heights Medical Center

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Front row from left to right: Natalie Courtney, Lufkin HS; Abby Kerr, Lufkin HS; Jolie Garcie, Central HS; and Elizabeth Jacobo, Central HS. Second row from left to right: Cara Phillips, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School; Ciara Harris, Lufkin HS; Cece Rodgers, Pineywoods Community Academy; Ava Alaniz-Guerrero, Pineywoods Community Academy; Annabelle Liddle, Central HS; Giselle Jaime, Central HS; Kristina Guardado, Central HS; Dulce Flores, Diboll HS, Roxanna Flores, Diboll HS, and Chloe Wyatt-Chittum, Diboll HS. Back row from left to right: Stephen Bennett, Woodland Heights; Alexander Tiu, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School; Cailyn Crow, Lufkin HS; Chloe Napier, Huntington HS; Kiara Rodgers, Pineywoods Community Academy; Jacob Jennings, Central HS; Jaxson Frankens, Central HS; and Martin Aguilar III, Central HS.

The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County, funded by a grant from TxDOT, are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. For their March meeting, the Drug-Free All Stars visited Woodland Heights Medical Center and heard from Stephen Bennett, Director of Emergency Services. Mr. Bennett talked to the students about the impact substances have on the emergency room and the changes that he has seen in regards to the impact harmful substances have on the community. Mr. Bennett also advised the students to make safe choices as they approach graduation. The Coalition, Inc. appreciates Jennifer Stevens, Director of Marketing, and Stephen Bennett for making this meeting possible. Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes, and behaviors, all to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the Drug-Free All-Star program, contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Texas Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Receive $1.3 Million in Grants

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On Tuesday, April 2, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2024 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 74 grants totaling approximately $1.3 million.

Grant funding from the program will help Texas rural volunteer fire department recipients from this allocation purchase equipment such as dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, and training aids.

Tuesday’s funding meeting continued the program’s purpose of assisting eligible volunteer fire departments in Texas.

“We work diligently to utilize all available program funds to assist fire departments in acquiring the necessary equipment and training to allow them to better protect life and property across the state of Texas,” said Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head. “We’re proud to do everything in our power to help our partners in the fire service.”

The grants are applied for and distributed through Texas A&M Forest Service’s FireConnect website, providing Texas A&M Forest Service and rural volunteer fire departments with a streamlined grant portal and process.

The final funding meeting for fiscal year 2024 is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.

The Rural VFD Assistance Program, launched in 2001, provides grants to rural VFDs for firefighting vehicles, fire/rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry hydrants and firefighter training. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $350 million to volunteer fire departments in Texas, including its award of more than $15 million to rural VFDs in October 2023. The Texas Legislature has allocated approximately $22 million to Texas A&M Forest Service for the fiscal year 2024 to award rural VFDs.

Click here for a list of grant recipients: FY24 Funding Meeting.

For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit TexasFD.com.

Lufkin District and State Preparing for Eclipse

By
Rhonda Oaks
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LUFKIN — The Texas Department of Transportation is warning drivers to take extra caution on Monday, April 8, as a total solar eclipse will be visible throughout the state from late morning to early afternoon.

As this intergalactic experience comes front and center, out-of-state visitors and Texans traveling to get a perfect view are expected. This will cause heavier traffic on major roadways. Plan for delays, and longer travel times, and give yourself extra time to get to your destination before and after the eclipse.

TxDOT urges drivers wanting to view the eclipse to park their vehicle in a safe location and avoid stopping in the roadway or on the shoulder. Do not try to view the eclipse while driving. TxDOT has multiple safety rest areas and Travel Information Centers with safe places to park. Those locations and real-time traffic updates can be found at drivetexas.org.

“The Lufkin District is prepared to monitor the roadways and traffic on our major roadways throughout the day,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We are all excited to watch this event, but safety is our number one goal, and we urge the public to also make it their goal to stay safe while driving before, after, and during the eclipse.”

The Lufkin District will also have crews traveling to assist as needed in the Bryan and Waco districts, as they are in the path of totality. Major roadways through the district that could see heavier than normal traffic are US 59, US 69, and US 96, but there could be additional roadways impacted.

TxDOT wants the traveling public to be aware of these safety tips the day of the eclipse:

  • Prepare your vehicle and yourself for extra time on the road. Check tire pressure and have water and snacks in your vehicle in case of heavy traffic delays.
  • Be calm and courteous on the road, slow down and be ready for increased traffic.
  • Dispose of all trash in a proper trash can. Don’t mess with Texas means don’t litter.

Highway message boards are set to warn drivers not to stop on the road or park on the shoulder. For more information, visit the eclipse web page at txdot.gov.

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

America’s Rose Garden 2024 Season Opens

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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SHREVEPORT, LA – The American Rose Center (ARC) will open for the 50th blooming season on Wed., April 3. The new hours of operation are Wed. – Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission to the gardens is $5 per person or $10 per family. Peak rose bloom season is expected between mid-April and mid-May.

The American Rose Society is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of basing its headquarters in Shreveport, La. They will have numerous special events to celebrate with details on www.Rose.org or the ARC Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRoseCenter/).  Spring events will run from mid-April to mid-May during the peak spring bloom. 

“If you haven’t visited the rose garden in some time, then you are in for a new experience,” said Executive Director Claire Bissell. “Our Great Garden Restoration is complete! The five-year, two-million-dollar project has transformed the gardens with circles that tell the story of the history of the rose in America.” 

The first garden event will be viewing the total solar eclipse on Mon., April 8 around lunchtime. The garden will be open especially for eclipse activities (weather permitting).

ARC has added more roses, trees, and other flowering plants throughout the property for visitors to enjoy – that translates into roughly 6,000 rose plants and 5,000 other plants including ornamental trees.

“We invite you to come out and stroll our garden during open garden hours,” added Bissell.  “It’s a great place for a morning walk for you and your friends, including canines. Our renovations will continue this year as we refresh and refurbish garden structures and features.”

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