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Governor Abbott Deploys New Texas Tactical Border Force

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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(PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 5/8/2023)

Texas Prepares New Strategies Ahead Of Title 42 Ending On Thursday

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the deployment of the new Texas Tactical Border Force to the Texas-Mexico border to respond to the growing border crisis at Austin Bergstrom International Airport in Austin. With President Joe Biden ending Title 42 this Thursday, the Governor is enhancing Texas’ unprecedented border security efforts with the tactical deployment of hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers to join the thousands already deployed as part of Operation Lone Star and serve on the new border force for targeted responses as the nation braces for an expected spike in illegal immigration.

“With the ending of Title 42 on Thursday, President Biden is laying down the welcome mat to people across the entire world, but Texas is deploying our new Texas Tactical Border Force,” said Governor Abbott. “The Texas National Guard is loading Blackhawk helicopters and C-130s and deploying specially trained soldiers for the Texas Tactical Border Force, who will be deployed to hotspots all along the border to help intercept and repel large groups of migrants trying to enter Texas illegally. The Texas Tactical Border Force will bolster our Operation Lone Star efforts to secure the Texas border amid the chaos caused by President Biden’s elimination of Title 42.”

The Governor was joined at the press conference by Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department Major General Thomas Suelzer, and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.

“I have traveled along the border and seen firsthand the impact President Biden’s border crisis is having on Texas communities,” said Border Czar Banks. “Governor Abbott is doing the job that President Biden and the federal government is refusing to do, and Texas will continue to work relentlessly to defend our border. Today’s deployment of the Texas Tactical Border Force will allow us to shift resources to needed locations effectively and efficiently. I will continue to work with Governor Abbott as we continue to protect Texas against this unprecedented influx of illegal immigration.”

“The Texas National Guard is executing a planned, multi-phased response in preparation for the end of Title 42,” said Major General Suelzer. “We have shifted troops to hotspots, added additional drone teams, and increased miles of barrier along the border. The dedication of these troops to the State of Texas is inspirational.”

“The Texas Department of Public Safety is increasing resources at the border, and we are deploying hundreds of troopers around the state, including enhanced tactical teams and field force operations teams, to hold the line,” said Director McCraw. “There are 29 places you can cross into the U.S. legally, and our job is to ensure we hold that line and keep those the only places these people can cross.”

The deployment of the new Texas Tactical Border Force represents the third phase of the Governor’s increased border security mission as President Biden ends Title 42. Following today’s press conference, two units of hundreds of trained service members departed for the border to El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley. The same operation is planned for tomorrow, with two more elements of hundreds of soldiers deploying to the Rio Grande Valley.

The first completed phase began last month with the shifting of Texas National Guard soldiers and assets, such as drone teams and razor wire barriers, to hotspots along the Texas-Mexico border. On Sunday, a second phase was implemented with the deployment of two quick reaction forces composed of military police units, one in El Paso and one deployed today from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley.

The new Texas Tactical Border Force is in addition to Governor Abbott’s historic Operation Lone Star border security mission, which was first launched in March 2021. Under Operation Lone Star, Texas has deployed thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers to the border and apprehended more than 373,000 illegal immigrants, arrested over 28,000 criminals, and seized more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in America. The Texas Tactical Border Force and Operation Lone Star are part of Governor Abbott’s comprehensive border security strategy that includes providing relief to overrun border communities by busing migrants to sanctuary cities, as well as building our own border wall.

With Title 42 ending this Thursday, the Biden Administration estimates up to 13,000 migrants will illegally cross America’s southern border every single day, which could total more than 4.7 million new illegal immigrants in the next year, or roughly the population of Houston’s Harris County.

Governor Abbott has taken unprecedented action to secure the border in the wake of the federal government’s inaction, including:

  • Securing $4 billion in funding for Texas’ border security efforts
  • Launching Operation Lone Star and deploying thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers
  • Hiring Texas’ first-ever Border Czar to oversee border security
  • Taking aggressive action to aid border communities, including busing thousands of migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia
  • Designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations to keep Texans safe amid the growing national fentanyl crisis
  • Arresting and jailing criminals trespassing or committing other state crimes along the southern border
  • Issuing an executive order authorizing the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to return illegal immigrants to the border at ports of entry
  • Allocating resources to acquire 1,700 unused steel panels to build the border wall in Texas
  • Signing a law to make it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into Texas
  • Signing 15 laws cracking down on human trafficking in Texas
  • Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
  • Issuing a disaster declaration for the border crisis
  • Issuing an executive order preventing non-governmental entities from transporting illegal immigrants
  • Signing memoranda of understanding between the State of Texas and the States of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to enhance border security measures in their states that will prevent illegal immigration from Mexico to Texas
  • Activating the Joint Border Security Operations Center (JBSOC) and directing the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Military Department, and Texas Division of Emergency Management to coordinate Texas’ response to secure the border

Read more on additional actions taken by the Governor to secure the border.

(PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 5/8/2023)
(PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 5/8/2023)
(PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 5/8/2023)

 

 

 

39th Annual Texas State Forest Festival (Angelina County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Name: 39th Annual Texas State Forest Festival
Date: September 14, 2023 – September 17, 2023
Website: http://www.TexasStateForestFestival.com
Contact Information:
936-634-6644

Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update

By
Gary Stallard
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The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners wrapped up their regular season and now will embark on what they hope is a deep post-season run beginning with the conference tournament in Shreveport, Louisiana starting on Friday.

AC’s baseball guys finished up last week but nevertheless had six players land on the post-season All-Conference list.

Finally, all our athletics teams will once again offer summer camps, with the sports camps running in conjunction with Camp Roadrunner.

Following is a recap of the week with information on upcoming events:

Lady Roadrunner Softball:

The Lady ‘Runners closed out their regular season on Wednesday with a pair of tough, one-run losses to Louisiana State University-Eunice. AC lost 1-0 in the opener, with Lady Bengal pitcher Chloe Bennett throwing a two-hit gem. The Lady ‘Runners nearly pulled off a big rally in the nightcap, putting the tying and go-ahead runs on board in the bottom of the seventh, only to fall short in a 7-6 loss.

Those games meant nothing for the next part of the season. AC will open the Region XIV Conference Tournament Friday in Bossier City, Louisiana. The Lady ‘Runners (No. 3 South seed) will open the double-elimination tourney against Paris College, the No. 2 seed in the East Zone.

The winner will play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, while the loser will play at 2:30 p.m. All games will be live-streamed on the TSBN Sports Network (https://tsbnsports.com/2023-njcaa-region-14-softball-tournament/).

Just a little reminder: The Lady Roadrunners have advanced to the national tournament twice, winning the national title in 2014 and finishing as national runners-up in 2019. Don’t be surprised if they make the trip to Oxford, Alabama, the site of this year’s national tournament.

Roadrunner Baseball:

The AC baseball season may have ended, but the recognition didn’t stop after the final out.

Six Roadrunners earned places on the Region XIV All-Conference list: Taylor Seay (1st Team All-Conference); Heladio Moreno, Sam Hardcastle, and Peyton Fosher (2nd Team All-Conference); and Dalton Mullins and Garrett Nail (Honorable Mention).

For all their details, visit the Angelina College Athletics website at angelinaathletics.com.

Summer Camps for Athletics:

Any youngster looking for something fun and productive to do this summer (and any parent looking to get the kids out of the house for a few hours) can look to Camp Roadrunner to come to the rescue. Camp Roadrunner and the athletics camps offer kids a full day of fun and instruction in numerous areas, guaranteeing no one is going to feel bored. (And parents, they’re going to come home tired. You win!)

The Athletics youth camps dates are as follows:

Baseball: June 5-7, Poland Field on the AC Campus

Softball: June 12-15, Lady Roadrunner Softball Field on the AC Campus

Basketball: June 12-15 and July 10-13, Shands Gymnasium on the AC Campus

Soccer: June 12-15 and July 24-27, the Angelina College Soccer Complex

Full registration and other information are located at https://www.angelina.edu/camproadrunner/.

Gardens Have Progressed Slowly with Cool Nighttime Temperatures

By
Cary Sims
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Senior well-dressed agronomist picking up zucchini on an organic garden during a sunny weather. Concept of growing organic products and active retirement

It’s always fun hearing about the progress and the eventual harvest from different gardeners around our area.  I’ve seen squash, potatoes, beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and a host of other vegetables in local gardens.  It’s not only fun and rewarding to begin to pull the fruits and vegetables from the garden, but nutritious as well.

Whether or not your garden is currently yielding produce, take time every day to really study your garden.  This will help you establish a feeling for what is normal plant appearance and can help you identify problems as they arise.  In some cases where you think you may have an issue developing, you might want a magnifying glass or a small hand lens to assist you with this.

Identification of problems before they over-run your garden is extremely important.  We can treat insect, mite, and fungal problems, but we cannot treat them in the same manner. Not all pesticides are created equal and there is no product that cures everything.  In fact, some problems cannot be “cured” and if left alone too long, you may have to abandon the crop.

Remember that insecticides treat insects, miticides kill mites, fungicides treat fungal diseases, and herbicides treat weeds.  Without knowing what is afflicting your plant, you will not be able to choose the most economical, safest, or most effective treatment.  In many cases, some type of environmental modification maybe is all that is needed to improve your garden.

Let’s talk about sanitation. Good sanitation begins at planting.  I’m sure you used fresh seed from a reputable source since some diseases carry over on seed.  Use a disease-free potting mix if you are starting your own transplants.  Sterilize trays or pots that you start seeding in with a bleach solution before filling them with soil.  Some diseases can be transmitted on infected tools, so rinse tools with bleach or other disinfectants prior to use after working with problematic plants.

As the growing season progresses, water in the morning, if possible, and water the roots to avoid wetting the foliage.  Fungal diseases need moisture to survive and will thrive on leaves kept wet for a long time.

If leaves or fruit on a mature plant show signs of disease, strip them off and dispose of them.  As leaves or fruit fall from the plant, remove them from the ground.  Diseased plant material that is allowed to stay near a host plant can re-infect other plants.

As one crop finishes up, clean it up.  Remove the spent plant material – you can compost healthy material, but be sure to dispose of any material that was diseased or had insects during the growing season.  Plant material that is left over in the garden can provide a place for insects and diseases to reside until the next growing season.

And if you just cannot get ahead of a problem, cut your losses and pull the plants to try with another vegetable. I was looking at squash earlier this week in one of Lufkin’s biggest gardens. Squash had been planted there for the past couple of years and the disease pressure that had built up was greatly affecting this year’s crop. There was no solution but to pull them out and replant with something other than a cucurbit crop. Crop rotation is a staple of an integrated pest management program. Rotating species (such as nightshades, cucurbits, legumes, and others) will reduce the occurrence of crop-specific pests.

For a thorough understanding, do a quick internet search for ‘AgriLife home garden Integrated Pest Management methods on reducing pest problems in your home vegetable garden without the use of any kind of pesticides.

Angelina College Baseball Holding Evaluation Showcases Sessions for Prospective Players Taking Place in May, June

By
Gary Stallard
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The Angelina College Roadrunner baseball program has established itself as a pipeline for players seeking to advance to the next level, including those at the university levels and the major leagues. With numerous former Roadrunners having earned their way to the next level – including Major League Baseball’s ranks – AC Baseball has long been a proven source of locating and developing young talent who launched their careers from the diamonds at Angelina College.

In an effort to locate even more future Roadrunners, the AC baseball team will hold a pair of evaluation showcases for prospective players ages 16 and older. The first session will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, while the second session takes place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14. Both sessions will be at Poland Field on the Angelina College campus.

The fee for each camp is $40.00, and there is no requirement for pre-registration. Athletes may simply walk up and pay (via cash or check) at the gate starting at 8:15 on the morning of the camp.

The camps will focus on skill evaluation only; there will be no game. Staff will grade on running, arm strength, fielding, hitting, and power. Pitchers will throw brief bullpens in order to grade pitches and velocity.

For further information, contact the AC baseball staff at (936) 633-5367, or e-mail head coach Jeff Livin at jlivin@angelina.edu.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Leadership Lufkin Alumni’s Dueling Pianos (Angelina County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Name: Leadership Lufkin Alumni’s Dueling Pianos
Date: June 2, 2023
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM CDT
Location:
Pitser Garrison Convention Center
Date/Time Information:
Friday, June 2, 2023
8 PM – 11 PM
Contact Information:
936-634-6644
Send an Email
Fees/Admission:
Tickets – $50
Table of 8 – $500

Davy Crockett Festival (Houston County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Davy Crockett Festival at Davy Crockett Memorial Park!

Vendor applications are open for the Davy Crockett Festival!
Saturday, May 13, 2023 – 10 am to 4 pm!

Local East Texas Musicians entertaining all day long at Davy Crockett Memorial Park!

Food trucks!  All kinds of vendors to shop till ya drop!

4th Annual Davy Crockett Festival Cupcake Battle (Houston County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0

Calling all Bakers! Kids and Adults!!

Sunday, May 14th @ the Davy Crockett Festival

4th Annual Cupcake Battle!

Each Contestant must turn in six (6) cupcakes to the Crockett Civic Center by 1:00 pm on Sunday, May 14, 2023.  Judging will begin promptly at 1:30 pm with awards immediately following. No entry fee.

Cupcakes will be judged on:

– taste
– texture
– decoration/presentation

Three Age Categories!  Three Cash Prizes!

*6-12 yrs of age – $50 cash prize.
*13-17 yrs of age – $50 cash prize.
*Adult (18 years and over) – $100 cash prize.
Be sure to include your email address and phone number to keep updated!
If you have any questions please call us at 936-544-2359 or email lisa@crockettareachamber.org.
*Please comment if your recipe will contain alcohol of any kind.

El Camino Real de los Tejas Sale on the Trail Houston County!

By
Lee Allen Miller
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The Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce is holding Sale on the Trail, Houston County in celebration of the El Camino Real de los Tejas!

What is it?

Land owners and businesses from Natchitoches, La to Crockett, TX will hold yard sales, flea markets, festivals, trade shows, sidewalk sales, etc. along this famous trail, providing a wonderful weekend of touring and shopping. Those interested in participating in the “Sale on the Trail” are encouraged to take advantage of a great chance to share your treasures with others.

How can we take part?

Two ways to take part!
Friday and Saturday – May 5th and 6th
We are encouraging Businesses to hold Sidewalk Sales during the day and individuals to register and participate.  Send your Advertisements to lisa@crockettareachamber.org.

If you are setting up at a “hub” with multiple vendors, please fill out an individual form for yourself. Every vendor should have their own registration form. This helps the chamber office advertise the variety of vendors and goods available for the event.

Registration is free to participate unless you want to be a part of the Sale on the Trail on Camp Street.

Sale on the Trail – Camp Street – Saturday, May 6th ONLY

Private businesses, retail, private sales, flea markets, garage sales – No Fee
Sale on the Trail on Camp Street – Saturday, May 6th

Chamber Members: No Fee
Non-Chamber Members: No Fee
Non-Profits – No Fee
Student Entrepreneurs – No Fee

Food Trucks welcome!   Retail and Resale Welcome!  Antiques and secondhand items Welcome!  Handmade crafts Welcome!   Farmer’s Market items Welcome!

You receive a 10 x 10 booth space (tables and chairs NOT included – no electricity)
Food Trucks  – limited spaces available – no electricity – bring your generators

There are just a few rules:

Individuals –
• Please don’t allow visitors to block the highway. Off street parking is always the best and safest.
• For the safety of travelers & so shoppers can see an upcoming stop, please fly balloons, banners & post signs
in a visible location near the road.
• Please make an effort to stay open until at least 3 pm on Saturday.

Camp Street Vendors:
– Set up by 9 am on Camp Street (booths will be marked but it is first come – first served)
– If you sell retail or resale items you must provide sales tax ID
– Please plan to stay until at least 3 pm

My five cents… A weekly column from Sen. Robert Nichols

By
Senator Robert Nichols
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This week we celebrate Cinco de Mayo! On May 5, 1862, Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French expeditionary forces at Puebla, Mexico.

Here are five things happening around your state:

  1. Ankle monitor bill heads to the governor

This week, a bill that would increase penalties for tampering with, disabling, or removing an ankle monitor overwhelmingly passed the House. The Senate passed the measure unanimously in late March. Senate Bill 1004, authored by Senator Joan Huffman and sponsored by Representative Abel Herrero, would enhance the penalty for knowingly removing or disabling an ankle monitor to a felony. Currently, the penalty is an administrative violation, not a criminal offense. The bill was prompted by the October 2022 shooting at a hospital in the Dallas area which killed a nurse and a social worker. The alleged perpetrator was a parolee with an ankle monitor who had permission to be at the hospital for the birth of his child. He had cut off his monitor previously. Now the bill heads to Governor Abbott’s desk for final approval before it becomes law.

  1. Right to Farm passes the Senate

This week, the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 126, a constitutional amendment that would protect the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management. HJR 126 was authored by Representative DeWayne Burns and sponsored by Senator Charles Perry. As the state grows increasingly more urban, farmers and ranchers within municipal boundaries are subjected to municipal ordinances that can inhibit their operations and production. Cities sometimes use public nuisance ordinances to prohibit agricultural activities. It is important that our state enshrine the right to farm in our state constitution.

  1. Bill allowing flexibility for transfer students passes Senate

The Senate passed Senate Bill 418 by Senator Angela Paxton this week. The bill updates statutes governing students who want to transfer from one district or campus to another. The legislation permits students to transfer to any public school that has capacity available and prohibits public school districts from charging these students tuition. The bill sets out parameters for a school district that receives more applications than seats available and requires districts to publicly post the number of available seats they have. The bill also provides protections for school districts for students who violate code of conduct rules, are placed in disciplinary alternative education programs, or are required or permitted to be expelled. Allowing for flexibility in the public school system for students to attend the campus or district of their choice helps ensure we are meeting the needs of our Texas public school students.

  1. Texas Parks and Wildlife celebrates the centennial

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year and the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine staff devoted an entire issue to the occasion. The special edition magazine has 100 pages honoring 100 years of parks. There are recommendations for the best parks for fishing, hiking, kayaking, or seeing wildlife. It also highlights the six new parks that will open over the next 12 to 15 years. New parks include Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Dan A Hughes Unit of the Devils River State Natural Area, Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area, Powderhorn State Park, Chinati Mountains State Natural Area, and Davis Hill Sate Natural Area.

  1. End of session deadlines, calendar

Now that we are in May, there are some end of session deadlines that are quickly approaching. These deadlines mark the final day that certain bills can be considered by either chamber to realistically have time to pass. They are as follows:

  • Monday, May 8 – Last day for House committee to report House bills and House joint resolutions;
  • Tuesday, May 9 (by 10 p.m.) – Deadline for the House to distribute its last House daily calendar with House bills and House joint resolutions;
  • Wednesday, May 10 (by 9 a.m.) – Deadline for the House to distribute its last House local and consent calendar with consent House bills;
  • Friday, May 12 – Last day for the House to consider consent House bills on the local and consent calendar on 2nd and 3rd reading and all 3rd reading House bills and House joint resolutions;
  • Saturday, May 20 – Last day for House committee to report Senate bills and joint resolutions;
  • Wednesday, May 24 – Last day for House to consider local and consent Senate bills and all 3rd reading Senate bills AND last day for Senate to consider all bills and joint resolutions on 2nd and 3rd reading;
  • Monday, May 29 – Legislature adjourns sine die.
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