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City of Nacogdoches Addresses Erroneous Press Release Regarding HUD Housing Development

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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NACOGDOCHES – The City of Nacogdoches was made aware of a supposed Nacogdoches Housing Authority press release circulating over the weekend that announces a U.S Department of Housing & Development (HUD) housing project in close proximity to Nacogdoches High School. The release stated that site clearing for the project was already underway and promoted a completion date in January of 2028. This report is false, and the City of Nacogdoches is currently investigating to determine the origin of the press release and the individual(s) responsible for creating it. No such project has been proposed for review or approval by the City of Nacogdoches within the Nacogdoches city boundaries or extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The City of Nacogdoches places a high value in public trust, transparency in its information sharing processes and utilization of official city platforms and trusted news media sources to keep citizens informed. 

2025 Weather Wrap Up

By
Cary Sims
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With 2025 now in the rearview mirror, it’s worth taking a moment to look back at the weather that made it a unique year for East Texas.

Studying long-term averages can be misleading. Mark Twain famously warned us about lies and statistics – and while the quote isn’t fit to print here, the point stands. A year can look “average” on paper and still behave anything but average in your landscape or fields.

Total rainfall recorded at the Angelina County Airport (our official weather recording station) came in at 46.4 inches for the year. The 35-year average is 50.34 inches. At first glance, that puts 2025 only slightly below normal. However, like most years, that number hides the hard truth about when the rain actually fell.

The first eight months of the year were at or above normal rainfall. In fact, by the end of June, we were nearly eight inches ahead of average. July ran a little short, August was about normal, and then, starting September 1, the spigot shut off.

September is officially recorded at just 0.07 inches of rainfall. Much of October followed the same pattern, with only a few late-month showers offering limited relief. November was dry, and December was even drier, failing to reach a full inch of rain.

This sharp contrast had very different effects depending on who you were working with.

In home landscapes, irrigation systems that hadn’t been needed all year suddenly had to work overtime. I worked with one homeowner who didn’t turn on her sprinklers until September — and then had quite the water bill just to keep her plants alive.

For forage producers, hay production across Angelina County and much of East Texas was normal to well above normal through the growing season. Many producers harvested excellent first and second cuttings. In some cases, second and third cuttings were never harvested at all. Those hay cuttings were either grazed off or left standing because there was already more hay than needed.

So much hay was produced that some producers began feeding as early as October. While that may sound like a terrible decision, early feeding helped them utilize last year’s carryover hay in which they already had invested time and money. 

For hay producers and cattlemen enrolled in rainfall insurance programs, 2025 was an exceptional year. Strong forage production through summer followed by a sharp fall dry period created favorable conditions for both grazing and insurance payouts.

Temperature-wise, the year was remarkably unremarkable – and that’s a good thing.

Aside from a warm February and an unusually warm Christmas period, daily temperature data from the airport show that most of the year stayed within normal ranges. February did set a few high-temperature records, but the growing season itself was steady and forgiving. Notably, temperatures never reached 100 degrees all year.

For gardeners and agricultural producers alike, 2025 serves as a reminder that averages don’t tell the whole story. Timing matters. Distribution matters. And a year that looks ordinary on paper can behave very differently where it counts – in the pasture, the hayfield, and the landscape.

The Algorithmic Leader vs. The Anointed Leader: Leading with Soul in 2026

By
Lee Allen Miller
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By Lee Allen Miller

If 2025 was the year AI “agents” finally moved from the lab to the payroll, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the Identity Crisis.

In my work as an AI strategist and energy consultant, I sit in boardrooms where the tension is palpable. We have algorithms that can predict market fluctuations in the Texas energy grid with terrifying accuracy. We have media distribution models that can personalize content down to the individual pixel. We have efficiency. We have speed. We have data.

But as we look ahead to the leadership landscape of 2026, I am convinced that the greatest competitive advantage isn’t found in your tech stack. It is found in your spirit.

In my book, Entrepreneurship God’s Way, I write extensively about the difference between driving results and leading people. As we step into a year where “artificial” intelligence becomes the baseline, the market is starving for something “authentic.”

Here is the thought-provoking reality for leaders this year: AI can process, but only a Spirit-led leader can discern.

The Trap of “Synthetic Stewardship”

The temptation for 2026 is to let the tools do the thinking. It’s easy to confuse stewardship with automation. We think, “If I can automate this decision, I am being a good steward of my time.”

But biblical stewardship is not just about efficiency; it is about responsibility.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Note that it doesn’t say, “Lean on your predictive analytics.” Data provides a map of the past and a probability of the future. Faith provides the moral compass for the now.

When we abdicate our decision-making entirely to logic or algorithms, we remove the “God factor”- that moment where the numbers say “stop,” but the Spirit says “go.” Think of Gideon. The data said his army was too small. God said it was just right. An AI consultant would have advised Gideon to retreat; a faith-driven leader knows when to stand.

Three Anchors for Leadership in 2026

If you want to lead effectively in this high-tech era, you need to anchor yourself in timeless truths. Here is what I am telling my clients – from energy executives to non-profit boards – about surviving and thriving this year.

1. Humility is the New “Disruption”

In a world of loud personal brands and automated content generation, humility is the ultimate disruptor. As I’ve written before, humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.

  • The AI Approach: Optimizes for self-preservation and metric growth.
  • The Kingdom Approach: Optimizes for service. Jesus washed feet. In 2026, “washing feet” might look like taking the blame when the algorithm gets it right but the ethics feel wrong. It means valuing your people over your processes.

2. Discernment Over Data

We are drowning in information but starving for wisdom. AI gives you knowledge (the “what”). Leadership requires wisdom (the “why”).

  • You need to ask: Just because we can replace this department with a bot, should we?
  • Does this decision honor the dignity of the people God has entrusted to me?
  • Kingdom leadership requires a pause – a “Selah” moment – to invite the Holy Spirit into the boardroom.

3. Resilience Through Purpose

The energy sector taught me that grids fail when they lack redundancy. Leadership fails when it lacks a foundation. The speed of change in 2026 will burn out any leader whose primary motivation is profit. It is simply too exhausting to chase the wind.

  • Resilience comes from knowing your assignment. When you view your business as a ministry – a way to serve your community and glorify God – you gain a “supernatural durability” that market trends cannot shake.
The Challenge: High Tech, High Touch, High Faith

As we navigate 2026, do not run from the technology. Use the AI. Optimize the grid. Streamline the media. I love these tools; they are gifts that can amplify our impact.

But remember this: Algorithms cannot care. They cannot love your employees. They cannot pray for your clients. They cannot sense the moral weight of a decision.

That is your job.

This year, refuse to become an “Algorithmic Leader” – predictable, programmed, and profit-driven. Be an “Anointed Leader” – guided by wisdom, fueled by faith, and ready to do business God’s Way.

Your Next Step:

Take an audit of your last three major business decisions. Did you make them based solely on the data, or did you pause to seek wisdom? This week, schedule a 30-minute “Selah” meeting with no agenda other than to pray over your strategic plan for Q1.

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

By
Carey Kinsolving
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How Do You Entertain an Angel?
 
”Make sure the house is clean and a pot of potatoes is in the oven,” says Alex, 6.

I’m sure Idaho potato farmers will be glad to know that spuds are finally getting the respect they deserve. Alex, you were probably thinking of their white, fluffy texture when you selected potatoes as the cuisine of choice for celestial visitors.

The Bible speaks of instances where people entertained strangers who were really angels in human form (Genesis 18, 19 & Hebrews 13:2).

When an angel comes to visit, get out those dancing shoes, says Anissa, 7: “I would dance and dance until I had no more dances to do. Then I would sing the angel’s favorite song.”

King David danced before the ark when it was brought into Jerusalem. His wife was embarrassed, but David didn’t care because he loved the Lord.

“I would let the angel stay the night with me and let him sleep in my bed,” says Erica, 9. “I would sleep on the floor. I would let him watch whatever show he would like even if I didn’t like it. I would ask him, ‘What is it like in heaven? Is it pretty or fun? What is God like?’”

Once I had the humbling experience of discovering that a couple had given me their beautiful master bedroom while they slept in an unfinished room on the floor. Their act of love ministered more to me than the talk I gave at their church.

If there were an etiquette book on entertaining angels, Adrienne’s advice would be on page one: “If you treat everybody with kindness and hospitality, you will please God even if it is not an angel.”

Advice from Jennifer, 11, would also make page one: “If someone is in need and needs help, we should help them. We need to treat people like angels like the way Jesus did.”

I commend Adrienne and Jennifer for grasping the real meaning of the Bible’s statement, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2). Entertain in this case means to show hospitality.

I know a Christian couple whose door is always open. Don’t call ahead. Just drop in and see them. Is it any wonder that the Davis family is blessed with many friends? “A man who has friends must himself be friendly,” says Proverbs 18:24.

Although few can be sure if they have ever encountered an angel, we know from the Bible that angels are watching.

Rebecca, 10, is aware of her angelic audience when she says: “I think when you sing and glorify God, the angels like to listen, too. But they love it when you tell people about Jesus.”

Boy, do they love it! The Bible says, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

Angels rejoice when people (sinners) change their thinking about the way they relate to God. Don’t depend on your own efforts to earn something for which you can’t pay. Accept God’s free gift of eternal life by believing in his Son. The Apostle Paul calls this “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

Think about this: Every Christian can serve as a hospitality minister.

Memorize this truth: Hebrews 13:2 previously quoted.

Ask this question: How would your world change if you treated everyone like they were messengers from heaven?

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Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email. 

Film Screening at Zion Hill: Raise Your Head Up, A Documentary and Photo Exhibit by Richard Orton

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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February 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Nacogdoches Historic Sites will host a special film screening of Raise Your Head Up, a documentary by Richard Orton, on Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Zion Hill Baptist Church Historic Site, located at 324 North Lanana Street. The screening will include an introduction by Orton, followed by a Q&A session with the filmmaker.

Raise Your Head Up is the result of decades of research and relationship building. The documentary explores the history and legacy of freedom colonies in East Texas, communities established by formerly enslaved African Americans after Emancipation. The film began with Orton’s first visit in 1988 to the Freedom Colony of County Line in northwest Nacogdoches County, where he began documenting the Upshaw family and learning about the community’s history.

“In the beginning, my only objective was to satisfy my curiosity, enjoy the family, and make photographs that represented who they are,” said Orton. “After many years, that work led to a book, a traveling photo exhibit, and eventually to meeting descendants from other freedom colonies. Learning their histories and forming those relationships ultimately led to the creation of this film.”
In conjunction with the film screening, the photo exhibit, The Upshaws of County Line, will be on display in the Zion Hill gallery beginning February 11. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular operating hours.

The exhibit was originally developed by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and builds upon Orton’s book, The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family, published in 2014.
The film screening and exhibit are presented in partnership with Nacogdoches Historic Sites, the Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative, the African American Heritage Project, Friends of the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, the Summerlee Foundation, and Alex and Suzanne Labry.

The film screening is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Registration is available through Eventbrite.com. Anyone needing assistance with registration may call 936 560 4441.
For more information about the film and exhibit, visit nactx.us/historicsites, email historic sites at nactx.us, or call 936-560-4441.

The City of Nacogdoches Historic Sites

Zion Hill Baptist Church

Related Events

Nacogdoches Beefsteak Dinner 2026

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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January 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Nacogdoches, TX — Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into an unforgettable night of food, fun, and community spirit at the 2026 Nacogdoches Beefsteak Dinner! This lively and rowdy tradition returns on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Mast Hall in downtown Nacogdoches.

The Nacogdoches Beefsteak Dinner is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of camaraderie and history, all in support of a great cause. Proceeds from this boisterous event will go directly toward the continued care and preservation of Zion Hill Baptist Church, a treasured piece of our town’s heritage. Your participation helps keep this historic landmark thriving for future generations.

Expect hearty portions of delicious beef, BBQ, beer, and plenty of opportunities to laugh, cheer, and make memories with friends old and new. The event will also feature the renowned “Dirtiest Apron Contest” and an exciting Hot Sauce Contest. Leave the fancy stuff at home—this is a night to let loose and enjoy!

Tickets for the Nacogdoches Beefsteak Dinner are $50 (tables of eight are $400) and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com, or in person with cash or check at the Nacogdoches Visitors Center (200 E. Main St.), the C.L. Simon Recreation Center (1112 North St.), or at Zion Hill (324 N. Lanana St.).
For more information, please visit natx.us/historicsites, email historicsites@nactx.us, or call 936-560-4441. The Nacogdoches Beefsteak Dinner is presented by Nacogdoches Historic Sites and the Nacogdoches County Historical Foundation.

Mast Hall

31 E. Main St.
Nacogdoches, TX 75961 United States + Google Map

Related Events

Nacogdoches History Talk: The Life of Father Margil, Presented by Father George Elliott

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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January 20 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

The City of Nacogdoches Historic Sites will host a history talk examining the life and legacy of Antonio Margil de Jesús and his connection to early Nacogdoches. The talk will be presented by Father George Elliott, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Nacogdoches. The program will take place on Tuesday, January 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church, located at 324 North Lanana Street. 

Father Margil was a Spanish Catholic missionary in Nacogdoches, and this program will explore his life and the impact of his work on the city’s early history. While many in Nacogdoches are familiar with the name Margil, this talk will offer a closer look at who he was, why he came to the area, and how his presence fits into the broader historical story of the community. 

The year 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of Antonio Margil’s death in 1726, making this program a timely opportunity to reflect on his place in Nacogdoches history and the Spanish colonial period in East Texas. 

One of the most recognizable locations associated with Margil, known as The Eyes of Father Margil, is located nearby along the Lanana Creek Trail, just a short distance from Zion Hill. The proximity of this site provides a meaningful geographic connection between the talk’s location and the early history being discussed. 

This program is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit nactx.us/historicsites or call 936-560-4441. 

The City of Nacogdoches Historic Sites

Zion Hill Baptist Church

Related Events

East Region Texas A&M AgriLife Conference and Expo set for Jan. 16 in Tyler

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Farmer Jimmy Crawford sprays an onion field on Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024, in La Pryor, Texas. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Event offers Texas Department of Agriculture and Structural Pest Control Service continuing education units

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the East Region Texas A&M AgriLife Conference and Expo on Jan. 16 in Tyler. 

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cross Brand Cowboy Church, 11915 Farm-to-Market Road 2015. Texas Department of Agriculture and Structural Pest Control Service continuing education units will be available. 

Online registration is available at https://tx.ag/ERAgConference for $10 until Jan. 15 at noon. On-site registration is available for $20. 

On the agenda

Topics and speakers include: 

  • Termite identification and control — Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension senior program specialist, School Integrated Pest Management, Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Dallas.
  • Pest identification and control using integrated pest management strategies — Jacob Wightman, AgriLife Extension agricultural and environmental safety program specialist, Agricultural and Environmental Safety Unit, Bryan-College Station.
  • Pesticide laws and regulations update — Wightman. 
  • Pesticide safety — Mark Matocha, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension environmental unit pesticide safety education specialist, Agricultural and Environmental Safety Unit, Bryan-College Station.
  • Spray drift management — Matocha. 
  • Water x weeds: An approach to integrated weed management — Greg Grant, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture agent, Smith County.
  • Weed identification and control in an East Texas forage system — Vanessa Corriher Olson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension forage specialist, professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Overton.
  • Turfgrass diseases — Grant. 
Available CEUs

Five Texas Department of Agriculture CEUs will be offered, including two general and one each of laws and regulations, integrated pest management, and drift minimization.

Six Structural Pest Control Services CEUs will be offered – two general and one each of termite, pest, weed control, and lawn and ornamental. 

Winter Gardening Myths That Refuse to Die

By
Cary Sims
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young smiling woman chooses Christmas tree to buy. Happy woman buying New Year tree for Christmas.

Warm spells in the winter months are not uncommon around these parts. Looking ahead to my family coming to our house on the day after Christmas, the forecast says it will reach 80 degrees! 

Warm winter weather in East Texas has a way of stirring up trouble. A few afternoons in the 70s and suddenly folks are fertilizing lawns, pruning shrubs, and wondering why things look worse by February. 

The truth is, most winter gardening mistakes don’t happen during hard freezes — they happen during warm spells when we treat winter like spring. Let’s clear up a few myths that refuse to go away.

Myth #1: “It’s warm, so I should fertilize.” This one costs homeowners and landowners real money. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension consistently advises against winter fertilization of lawns, trees, and shrubs. Warm days do not mean plants are ready to grow. Roots are still operating in cool soils, and pushing nitrogen now stimulates tender growth that’s highly vulnerable to the next cold snap. The result is burned foliage and wasted fertilizer. Soil testing is fine this time of year — applying nutrients is not.

Myth #2: “Brown grass is dead grass.” Dormant does not mean dead. Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass lawns are simply resting. Their roots are alive and storing energy for spring. Aggressive raking, scalping, or herbicide applications during dormancy weaken that reserve and delay recovery. Mow only when necessary for appearance and resist the urge to “fix” what isn’t broken.

Myth #3: “Cold weather kills insects and diseases.” If only that were true! East Texas winters are mild enough that many insects and plant diseases survive just fine. Warm spells may indeed improve survival for pests like aphids, scale insects, and fire ants. Yet a really freezing cold spell won’t get rid of the either. AgriLife recommends scouting and targeted control rather than blanket spraying. Dormant oil sprays can be effective when timed correctly, but random insecticide applications rarely solve problems and often waste money.

Myth #4: “Winter is a good time to prune everything.” This is half true, which makes it dangerous. Dormant fruit trees can be pruned now if done properly. Spring-flowering shrubs, however, bloom on old wood. Prune them in winter and you’re cutting off this year’s flowers. Crape myrtles, azaleas, and many ornamentals should be left alone. Prune for structure and to remove dead or diseased limbs, but not because you are bored and looking for something to do outside. 

Myth #5: “There’s nothing to plant in winter.” Winter is actually the best planting season for most trees and shrubs in East Texas. Cool soils encourage root growth without the stress of summer heat. Plants establish better, require less water, and suffer fewer pest issues. AgriLife consistently promotes fall and winter planting for woody plants — just remember to mulch properly and water during dry spells.

The common thread in all these myths is timing. Gardening success isn’t about reacting to warm weather; it’s about understanding plant biology and working with the season. Winter isn’t a pause button, but it’s not a green light either.

East Texas winters reward patience. Leave dormant plants alone, plant what benefits from cool soil, and save the fertilizer and heavy pruning for when spring truly arrives. A little restraint now pays off with healthier plants, better blooms, and fewer problems down the road.

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

By
Carey Kinsolving
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0

What Do You Like Most About Christmas?

”My two favorite things about Christmas are giving people presents and just flat out celebrating Christmas,” says Hailey, 9. “I like giving people presents because when they open the present, you always see their face light up with lots of joy. Celebrating Christmas is fun because I know that I’m celebrating Christ’s birth. Look, his name is even in Christmas.”

If we delight in giving others gifts, imagine the joy God experiences when people open the gift of eternal life. That gift can be received by faith alone in Christ alone on Christmas and every day of the year. It’s all because a baby born in Bethlehem fulfilled his destiny to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

As for the name “Christ” in Christmas, many people think that “Christ” is the last name of Jesus. Actually, it’s a title meaning “anointed one.” The English word comes from the Greek word “Christos.” The Hebrew translation is “Messiah.” Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, or the anointed one, whose coming was foretold by the Hebrew prophets.

“What I like about Christmas is the lights,” says Garrett, 7. “When Jesus was born, there was a light in the sky.”

Everyone is familiar with how the wise men followed the star to Bethlehem, but how many people think of Jesus as the true light who gives light to every person born into the world (John 1:9)? Furthermore, what is the nature of this light?

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life,” (John 8:12). The Apostle John presents Jesus as the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it,” (John 1:4-5).

We have conflict. Jesus is the light of the world and eternal life in human form (John 17:3). Furthermore, Jesus said he would give eternal life to anyone who believes in him (John 3:16). When the light of this truth challenges the darkness of religious tradition or preconceptions about God, something has to give.

“I have to admit that I love the presents, but my favorite part about Christmas is spending time with family,” says Lexie, 11. “During Christmas my family and I like to share Christ’s love with different people.”

This is how the light shines in the darkness. Those who know Jesus as the light of their lives reach out to their friends with words and deeds. Even the most skeptical skeptic has no defense for acts of love, kindness and compassion in the name of Christ.

The Apostle John describes Jesus as being “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This world is full of harsh people driven by ego, greed and pride. Christians who treat people with the same grace they have received from God discover that they have many opportunities to speak about the love of Christ.

Think about this: Christmas lights shouldn’t be the only lights shining in your neighborhood this year. Let the glorious light of the gospel shine. Tell someone about the greatest gift — God’s only son and his free offer of eternal life.

Memorize this truth: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Ask this question: Have you shined the light of the gospel into anyone’s life this year through your deeds and words?

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Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit

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