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Paxton Files Lawsuit Against Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers

By
Luis Ruperto
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Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration challenging its “Vaccine Mandate Rule.” This mandate imposes an unprecedented federal vaccine decree on nearly every full-time employee, part-time employee, student, intern, volunteer, and contractor working at a wide range of healthcare facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding.

“At a time when we need healthcare workers more than ever before, amid a harrowing worker shortage, the Biden Administration has prioritized this unlawful vaccine mandate over the healthcare of all Americans,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We need healthcare workers, regardless of their vaccination status, and this decision puts us on track for an impending disaster within the healthcare industry.”

Read the complaint here.

Angelina College Soccer Program Hosting Winter ID Camps Teams Reloading After Record-Setting Season

By
Gary Stallard
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Following its historic 2021 campaign, the Angelina College soccer program is looking to reload for its upcoming seasons.

            AC’s Lady Roadrunners finished the regular season ranked No. 17 in the nation, while the Roadrunner men reached No. 12 in the final national polls. Both teams qualified for the post-season, capping off the best combined season in AC soccer history.

            Head coach Nataki Stewart and his staff already have begun the process of evaluating talent for the 2022 recruiting class. Roadrunner Soccer has announced a pair of winter “ID” camps taking place on the Angelina College campus.

            The women’s evaluation camp will take place from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. The men’s camp will take place from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 12.

Both camps are 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 each session is $40.

In an effort to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, the camps are open to all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.            

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

            For further information, contact AC Soccer assistant coach Paul Murillo at pmurillo@angelina.edu.

Riff Runners Rock Angelina College’s Hudgins Hall ‘Newly Imagined’ Band Makes Debut

By
Gary Stallard
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Band leader Dixon Shanks gave the crowd fair warning: Hudgins Hall was about to start jumping.

            Shanks and his band, the Riff Runners, certainly followed through on his promise.

            The “newly imagined, reorganized and updated” community big band made its Angelina College debut on Tuesday, performing a variety of tunes from various genres. Opening with “Some Skunk Funk” and wailing their way through other classics such as Gershwin’s “Foggy Day,” the Average White Band’s “Pick up the Pieces,” Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” among others, the performance kept the large crowd clapping and stomping throughout the night.

            The band closed the evening with a jazzed-up version of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” with Marshall Hance handling the vocals.

            The Riff Runners consist of musicians from Angelina and surrounding counties. The band states as its mission to offer high-level entertainment “to our community, promoting Angelina College with concerts, high school jazz band contests and encouraging local band students to participate.”

            The band consists of the following members:

            Saxophone Section: Jimmy Simmons (lead alto), Michael Parrish (2nd alto), Scott Floyd (1st tenor), David McArthur (2nd tenor) and John Cavanaugh (baritone).

            Trombones: Steve Cox (lead trombone), Ken Barnes (2nd trombone), Robert Shanks (3rd trombone) and Jimmy Battle (4th trombone).

            Trumpets: Max Mucino (lead trumpet), Steven Brown (2nd trumpet), Dwayne Forsythe (2nd trumpet), Ricky Gay (3rd trumpet) and Wyatt Gay (4th trumpet).

            Rhythm Section: Eric Chinn (keyboards), Gino Morgan (bass), Marshall Hance (guitar), and Mark Saldana (drums).

            Backup vocals: Debi Shanks and Sue Campbell.

            Sound/Lights: Sid Shanks.

            The band’s next performance at AC is scheduled for March 3, 2022.  

            For further information regarding Angelina College events, contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.

Ladyjack Softball Adds Five Signees in 2022 Class

By
Luis Ruperto
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The SFA Softball team will add Arwin Callaway (IF/Catcher), Chloe Yeatts (IF/Catcher), Lily West (Catcher/IF), Corie Bryd (Pitcher) and Kailey Wyckoff (OF) to Nacogdoches for the 2022 season.
 
“We are excited to add our 2022 class!” said Head Coach Nicole Dickson. “They are physical and competitive, and have played at a high level in both high school state championships and travel ball programs.
 
Arwin Callaway (IF/Catcher)
 
Callaway is from Spring, Texas, where she was a First-Team All-District player at Klein Collins High School, as well as being a UIL 6A Texas State All-Tournament Team/UIL State Finalist. She plans to major in Agriculture here at SFA.
 
Chloe Yeatts (IF/Catcher)
 
Yeatts currently attends Lone Grove High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma as an infielder/catcher. Some of her accolades include: 2019 Lake Country Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 2020 Lake Country Conference Offensive Player of the Year, 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, 2021 First Team Catcher, 2020 State Runner-Up and 2021 State Champion. She intends to major in Education here at SFA. She is a member of National Honor Society and ranked in the top 10% of her class.
 
Lily West (Catcher/IF)
 
West, a Choctaw, Oklahoma native, is an All-State catcher in the state of Oklahoma and a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Pre-Med/Health Sciences.
 
Corie Bryd (Pitcher)
 
Bryd is an attendee of Sweeny High School, as her high school list of honors include: District Utility Player of the Year, Honorable Mention All-State and National Honor Society Vice President. She plans to major in Nursing.
 
Kailey Wyckoff (OF)
 
Wyckoff, an outfielder from Katy, Texas, attends Katy High School. She is a 2019 6A Texas State Champion, 2019 All-State Selection, 2021 District MVP and 2020 Volleyball Regional Finalist. She plans to major in Animal Science at SFA.
 
“These ladies know how to win, compete and lead and will add depth and power offensively to our lineup,” added Head Coach Nicole Dickson. “They understand our core values and want to excel both in the classroom and on the field!”
 

5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

By
Statepoint
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(StatePoint) It’s that time of year: pumpkin spice is here and so are shorter days and cooler nights. Before nightfall comes too early, take advantage of the milder temps to prepare your home for winter. Here are a few easy, DIY tasks to check off your list.

  1. Close Up the Patio. It’s important to protect patio items from winter wear and tear so you can enjoy them as soon as the weather breaks in the spring.

When the weather in your area seems to be changing for good, clean outdoor furniture like tables, chairs and décor and protect them with a heavy-duty cover. If you don’t have interior storage, secure everything tightly so you don’t risk items tipping during a gusty winter storm. Clean the grill, remove and store the tank, and winterize outdoor hoses and faucets. Easy-to-install faucet covers can help prevent water damage and freezing pipes.

Also, don’t forget to plant your bulbs now so you’ll have flowers to welcome you when the warm weather hits.

  1. Secure Loose Shingles and Fix Broken Gutters. Assess your roof and gutters to ensure your home is safe from water damage and leaks this winter. If you suspect or discover a problem, even a small one, don’t wait to fix it. It will be even more difficult to repair after the roof has become snowy and icy.

If it’s not within budget, try a DIY fix with supplies you likely already have in your toolbox. The Original Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape is a classic tool for temporary repairs and is great for holding, seaming and sealing coverings over problematic areas until you can later fix the issue at hand.

  1. Prep A/C Units. Don’t overlook keeping your A/C unit clean. Most modern units are created to withstand extreme elements; however, keeping it free of buildup is key to maintaining it over time.

When it’s not in use over winter, clean the surfaces on and around the unit to keep it free from buildup of dander, leaves, acorns and pine needles. Next, using an air conditioner cover, securely protect your A/C unit from snow and ice, so that it’s still in its best working condition when you uncover it in the spring.

  1. Keep Cold Weather Out. Frigid temperatures draw attention to drafts coming into your home. While turning up the furnace helps, the constant escape of warm air leads to high heating costs.

Seal cracks and gaps around windows and doors wisely. Many seals tend to freeze and crack, never really fixing the problem. However, Duck Brand Heavy-Duty Weatherstrip Seals are made with a durable, flexible material, creating a barrier against cold air throughout the winter. When spring arrives, the strip will work against dust, pollen and insects throughout the warmer months.

  1. Clean Windows. Prepare your home for short gloomy days and long nights by giving windows and blinds a deep clean. When these surfaces are clean, natural light can pour in during the day, helping combat winter blues.

For more tips, visit DuckBrand.com.

A little extra effort this fall can make your home more enjoyable all winter long.

Regulations and Certifications for Agricultural Production

By
Cary Sims
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As daunting as many perceive entry into an agricultural business to be, there are generally several entry-friendly options for small agricultural producers. Go to any local feed store and you can buy and plant as much seed and as many plants as the feed store has. Then go back next week and buy some more until you run out of land. There will be no paperwork or certifications for you to plow and plant.

You could also go to any livestock auction barn and buy numerous cattle or other livestock to put on your place. No auction barn is going to ask for paperwork which limits you to a certain number.

Honestly, entering this field is relatively painless. But when you are getting ready to sell, we may have to pay attention to some regulations. The regulations that are in place are there for a two main reasons. First, regulations protect the public that is consuming the food we produce. Second, it is protecting other agricultural producers (as well as the environment in general) from the unintentional spread of problems such as viruses, bacteria, molds, weeds, insects, mites, or other pests.

Starting with produce, you can sell as many fruits and vegetables as your heart desires… until you gross more than $25,000 a year. At that point, the Food Safety Modernization Act kicks in and requires you to take training in the Produce Safety Alliance. This certification allows you to go large scale on the production of fruits and vegetables while providing education to growers on food safety practices at the farm.

Let’s continue with ‘organic’ produce. Anyone can grow their food according to organic standards, but you want to sell livestock or any crop under the recognized “organic label” then you must complete the paperwork, send in your fee, and be inspected by a Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) official to determine if you meet the US Department of Agriculture requirements as a Certified Organic Producer that can use that designation when selling agricultural products.

Continuing with plants, you will need to obtain one of the five licenses to grow and/ or sell any live plant. This is done to reduce the spread of insect and disease. It really does make sense then you think about it. If you sell a bushel of tomatoes, we fully expect every one of those tomatoes to go into someone’s kitchen to be cut, perhaps cooked, and then consumed. Any other part of the tomato that is not eaten will be thrown away. If a tomato had a disease or bug, there is simply no chance for it to get outside and start multiplying.

However, every grower of tomato transplants fully expects those plants to be taken home and put outside in a garden. If those young tomato plants harbored any pest, they would be spread to every buyer’s garden.

What about those backyard chickens and the eggs you are selling? So long as you are selling un-graded eggs from a personal flock to the end consumer, you don’t need a license. Now, if you wholesale eggs to someone who then sells them retail, or if you sell to a restaurant, or if you ‘grade’ your eggs in any

manner (think size, color, etc.) then the TDA will require you to complete a couple of forms to obtain a license.

In an effort to answer questions to common concerns regarding these and other production related regulations, the Angelina County Extension office will be holding a seminar on Regulations & Certifications Related to Agricultural Production at 6:30 pm this Tuesday, November 16. The program will cover eggs, produce, honey, organics, pesticides, hemp, seeds, weights and measures, and the Cottage Food Law.

There is no fee for the program. The Angelina County Extension Office is located at 2201 S. Medford Drive in Lufkin, between Café Del Rio and the Farmers Market

Lufkin Mayor Issues Proclamation Supporting TxDOT “End The Streak

By
Luis Ruperto
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City officials, law enforcement and TxDOT officials gathered Wednesday at Lufkin City Hall to hear Mayor Mark Hicks proclaim November as ‘End The Streak’ month in the city of Lufkin.

Mayor Hicks read the proclamation in support of the statewide TxDOT safety campaign that works to educate drivers in hopes of stopping the daily deaths on Texas roadways. The proclamation reads:

“Whereas, the aim of the End The Streak safety campaign is to promote pedestrian and driver safety; and

Whereas, the Texas Transportation Commissioners, the Texas Department of Transportation, the TxDOT Lufkin District and the City of Lufkin fully support the End The Streak campaign; and

Whereas, the last deathless day on Texas roadways was November 7th, 2000; and

Whereas, it is the desire and goal of the City of Lufkin and the Texas Department of Transportation to see the deaths on Texas roadways end; and

Whereas, we believe that together we can make a difference and reach the End The Streak goal through creating positive change in our community – one driver at a time;

Now, Therefore, I, Mark Hicks, Mayor of the City of Lufkin, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2021 as End The Streak Month in the City of Lufkin, and encourage all citizens to observe November as End The Streak month by practicing safe driving and declare together that we will work to End The Streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.”

In addition to Mayor Hicks, the Lufkin Police Department, Angelina County Judge Don Lymbery, TxDOT officials, engineers and Lufkin District Engineer Kelly Morris were on hand to witness the proclamation.

TxDOT is proud of the City of Lufkin and the community support they have shown in the effort to stop the daily fatalities, to help educate drivers and enforce driving laws to keep the public safe.

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

Kensmil Powers ‘Jacks to Season-Opening Win

By
Luis Ruperto
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Nacogdoches, Texas – The SFA men’s basketball team opened the season with an 82-73 win over LSU-Alexandria behind a game-high 24 points for Gavin Kensmil Tuesday night in the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

SFA jumped out an 11-5 lead at the 12:30 mark in the first half on a Sadairene Hall offensive rebound and putback. Three minutes later, a Kensmil layup gave the ‘Jacks an eight-point lead, 18-10. 

SFA extended the lead out to double digits when Roti Ware nailed a triple with 6:14 left before the break and saw the hit 11 points, 28-17,  a minute later when Nana Antwi-Boasiako hit a three. LSUA closed the half 17-10 run to cut the ‘Jacks margin down to 38-34 at the break.

Coming out of the half, SFA immediately regained control with a 12-point advantage, 48-36, following a Kensmil post move and bucket. SFA kept LSUA at bay over the remainder of the half leading by as many as 12 points, 52-40, before securing the 82-73 win.
 

NOTABLE STATS

Kensmil led all scorings with his 24 points after going 9-of-12 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. The senior big also recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds.

Ware added 18 points and four assists, while Calvin Solomon chipped in 12 points and eight broads. Solomon was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor.

SFA outshot LSUA 51 percent to 45 percent from the floor and held a +11 rebounding advantage, 41-30.
 

UP NEXT

The ‘Jacks stay at home with Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. before hosting South Dakota State as part of a three-game opening week home stand.

Governor Abbott Directs TEA To Investigate Criminal Activity Involving Pornography In Texas Public Schools

By
Luis Ruperto
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Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath directing the agency to investigate any criminal activity in public schools involving the availability of pornographic material that serves no educational purpose. The Governor also directed the agency to report any instance of pornography being provided to minors under the age of 18 for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

This letter comes after the Governor directed TEA, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and the Texas State Board of Education to immediately develop statewide standards to ensure no child is exposed to pornography or other inappropriate content in a Texas public school yesterday. Governor Abbott previously called upon the Texas Association of School Boards to shield children from pornography and other inappropriate content, but the association abdicated their responsibility to address the issue.

“In Texas, it is illegal to provide pornography to anyone under the age of 18 according to
Section 43.24 of the Texas Penal Code,” reads the letter. “The fact that pornographic material that serves no educational purpose has been made available to students in Texas public schools is a clear violation of the law. That is why I am directing the Texas Education Agency to investigate any criminal activity in our public schools involving the availability of pornography. During this investigation, I ask the agency to refer any instance of pornography being provided to minors under the age of 18 for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. We have a responsibility to ensure that no Texas child is exposed to pornography or obscene content while in a Texas public school, and your investigation will help accomplish this mission.”

Read the Governor’s letter.

SFA Music Prep students qualify for All-Region orchestras

By
Luis Ruperto
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Fifteen students in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music were selected for TMEA All-Region High School Orchestra and Middle School Orchestra.

Qualifying for the high school orchestra were Holden Kelly, Luke Scala, Haylee Harman, Sabrina Flores, McKenzie Ellison, Karys Alders, Kira Gallander, Josue Morales, Will Sams, Grace Hao and Mason Baker, who also earned principal bass position and advanced to the state audition.

Qualifying for the middle school orchestra were Jonah Raychev, who was selected concertmaster, and Gracie Lyn Harman and Maggie Scala. These students earned the top three spots in the middle school orchestra violin section.

For more information about Music Prep programs, contact Director Alba Madrid at madrida@sfasu.edu or musicprep@sfasu.edu, or call (936) 468-1291. Parents can also find program information on Facebook and Instagram. The Music Prep House is located at 3028 Raguet St. Office hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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