Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise in the Lufkin District, and TxDOT wants both motorists and pedestrians to be aware of important safety tips that could save a life.

In 2020, pedestrian fatalities totaled two in the nine-county district, one each in Nacogdoches and Houston counties. So far, in 2021, that number has risen to 10 pedestrian fatalities, with Nacogdoches County at six, Polk County at three and San Jacinto County at one.

In March, state officials warned that pedestrian deaths were rising statewide and account for one in five of all traffic fatalities.

“We are concerned that these numbers are up, especially in Nacogdoches County,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users because they aren’t equipped with protective equipment, such as airbags or seat belts. We want people to be aware and alert to their surroundings whether they are driving, on a bicycle or walking. Pedestrians and motorists should always watch and listen to the roadway. That is even more important during nighttime hours.”

Since 2015, TxDOT has spent $153 million in federal and state funding to upgrade sidewalks, curbs and striping for pedestrian accessibility, safety, and mobility. In addition, during that same time, TxDOT awarded $116 million in grant funding to support more than 120 sponsored projects that provide safe routes to schools, multiuse pathways, sidewalks, and bike paths in rural and small urban areas.

Crash reports from law enforcement indicate the two leading causes for pedestrian fatalities are: 1) pedestrians failing to follow traffic safety laws and being struck when crossing roadways, and 2) motorists failing to yield the right of way, driving distracted or driving too fast. Alcohol also is a factor in pedestrian-related crashes, deaths, and injuries.

TxDOT offers these safety tips to prevent a deadly encounter.

For drivers:

• When turning, yield the right of way to pedestrians.
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
• Be cautious when passing stopped buses or other vehicles.
• Pay attention and put your phone away. Pedestrians may enter your path suddenly.
• Obey the speed limit and drive to conditions.

For pedestrians:

• Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks. Look left, right, then look again.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Don’t assume drivers see you.
• Obey all traffic and crosswalks signals.
• Use the sidewalk. If there isn’t one, walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
• When walking, put away electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
• Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

TxDOT’s pedestrian safety campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel. Always wear a seat belt, drive the speed limit, never text while driving, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.

Lady ‘Runners Rout, No. 14 ‘Runners Squeeze Past Dragons

After nearly two full weeks of road trips, Angelina College’s soccer teams returned home on Tuesday with a pair of wins over Paris Junior College.

The Lady Roadrunners rolled to a 5-0 win over the Lady Dragons, while the No. 14 Roadrunners pulled out a 3-2 thriller over the Dragons at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.

The teams travel to Mount Pleasant on Saturday to face Northeast Texas Community College before returning home on Wednesday, Oct. 6 for a doubleheader against Navarro College (women) and Coastal Bend Community College (men).

Lady Roadrunners 5, Paris College 0

The Lady ‘Runners showed off their overall depth in Wednesday’s 5-0 shutout over the Lady Dragons, with several players coming off the bench to contribute.

AC goalkeeper Alexandra Nunez, filling in for injured starter Emily Quintanilla, smothered every Lady Dragon chance as the Lady Roadrunner defense limited those chances.

Three minutes into the match, AC’s Liliane Clase was credited with a score after the Lady Dragons accidentally kicked into the net for an own goal. In the 30th minute, Yancy Quijano received a cross from Aliyah Bustamante and made it pay off for a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Emilie Dueck scored in the 56th minute on a Clase assist; Adrianna Connor made it a 4-0 lead with her goal in the 85th minute; and Tatyana Guzman wrapped up the win with a goal off a penalty kick in the 87th minute.

The Lady Roadrunners (6-3) will face Northeast Texas Community College Wednesday in Mount Pleasant. The match is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.

No. 14 Roadrunners 3, Paris College 2

After scoring two quick goals in the match’s opening minutes, the Roadrunners appeared on their way to a rout of their own.

The Dragons made sure there would be nothing easy about Wednesday’s win.

Michael Hill’s goal off a rebound in the 87th minute broke a 2-2 tie, allowing AC’s men to escape with the 3-2 win – pushing the Roadrunners’ season record to 8-1.

AC’s Jamie Rinquest banged home a goal barely two minutes into the match for a quick 1-0 lead. Seconds later, Juan Lopez headed a ball into the net after a sweet cross from Elian Aquilar, and it appeared the ‘Runners seemed poised for a blowout win.

The Dragons didn’t cooperate, scoring the next two goals to keep the match even at 2-2 at the half.

While both teams had their chances throughout the second half, it wasn’t until the final three minutes that the Roadrunners were able to break through. Off a corner kick, Hill managed to capture a rebound on a bounce to blast the ball past the Dragon keeper for the game winner.

AC will travel on Wednesday to take on the Northeast Community College Eagles. That match is set for a 4 p.m. kickoff.

 Texas Transportation Commissioners met last week and approved more than $430.1 million in construction projects statewide, with more than $1.7 million approved for the Lufkin District. Also approved was $50.6 million in maintenance projects statewide, with more than $1.8 million approved for the Lufkin District.

More than $1.7 million in highway improvements were approved for various locations districtwide. These improvements were designed for the construction of traffic control devices consisting of the installation of pavement profile markings. These markings provide guidance to drivers and create a rumble effect that enhances safety. Batterson, LLP, Houston TX, will serve as contractor for the project. No timeline for completion has been set.

Maintenance projects approved included traffic control services in various counties throughout the district. Area Wide Protective, Inc., North Canton OH, will serve as contractor for $1.3 million in traffic control services throughout Shelby, Nacogdoches, Sabine, and San Augustine counties. Professional Traffic Control, LLC, Houston, will serve as contractors for $503,250 in traffic control services throughout San Jacinto and Polk counties. 

As these projects begin, motorists are urged to stay alert, obey all traffic control, and reduce speed in and near work zones.

The benefits of family quality time, which include positive impacts on mental health, reduced stress, promoting adaptability and more, are well understood. But the importance of creativity in families is less common knowledge.

According to a recent online study conducted by Ipsos, adults who participate in creative activities are more likely to describe themselves as optimistic, happy, passionate and joyful. But though art and creativity are vital for child development — helping develop fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving abilities and even improving emotional wellness, according to education experts — they’re not always a focus in schools. According to the Ipsos study, seven in 10 parents feel as though standardized test scores are prioritized more than creative thinking in school.

In a world where families juggle work, school and other responsibilities, it’s important to find ways to unwind and to create joyful moments that get children and adults off the couch, away from screens and developing habits of lifelong learning. The Ipsos study found that 75% of parents want their child(ren) to have more opportunities to be creative than they did when they were young, and two-thirds of adults admitted they wish they got to use their creativity more in life.

The good news is families can get creative right at home by seeking out opportunities for cross-generational learning. Grandparents can pass down their hobbies and crafts. Parents can teach children the traditions that make up their heritage. Whether it’s knitting, crocheting, cooking or woodworking, such hobbies are often specific to a family’s culture and are precious to keep in practice.

If this is not an option, no worries. Online services can help your family get creative. For example, Craftsy, the premiere digital destination for creatives, is revolutionizing the way people tap into their potential and engage with lifestyle passions. The site can guide and encourage your family to create meaningful, creative experiences together, allowing you to set up ongoing craft projects to do with your kids, such as decorating cupcakes, sewing a cozy pillow or learning to draw something new. Even families and friends who live apart can spark creativity and learn together from the comfort of their homes. Families and friends will soon be able to share their membership with loved ones to unlock unlimited access to over 1,500 courses, many of which are now also available in Spanish. From beginner to advanced, the site offers content and community for families and individuals of all ages in more than 20 categories. Services like Craftsy offer expert instruction, a passionate virtual community and plenty of opportunities for families to say, “We did it!” from participating in classes such as painting, gardening and cooking.

Lifelong learning is a powerful form of personal development, helping individuals tap into their human nature of wanting to grow and explore, and when families find new hobbies and develop new skills together, they can collectively reap the benefits of creativity.

The best kitchen updates don’t just enhance the beauty of your space. They allow you to simplify your life, make better choices, and improve your relationship with your kitchen. And who knows? They may even make you a better cook! To that end, you may want to consider trading in your gas or electric cooktop for an induction model. If you’ve been keeping up with the Joneses and haven’t considered induction technology, that’s not surprising. While popular in Europe, adoption in the United States has been slower.

“Outdated misconceptions about the cost and reliability of induction cooking have prevented many American households from making the switch,” says Peter Weedfald, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America. “However, induction technology offers quicker heating and boiling than gas or electric counterparts, more precise temperature control, easier cleanup, enhanced safety, and key eco-friendly perks.”

To help demystify induction cooking, Weedfald is offering some insights into how the technology works and how it can benefit your kitchen:

• Magnetic technology: Induction cooking skips the need to heat a burner, increasing the overall heating efficiency. Instead, it automatically detects when magnetic cookware is placed on the cooking zone. An electromagnetic field located below the cooktop transfers current (heat) directly to the cookware. The good news? You probably already own magnetic cookware. Many stainless steel, enamel-coated iron, and cast iron pots and pans are magnetic, and some manufacturers have added steel or iron plates to the bottom of ceramic, copper, aluminum, and other pans. If you put a magnet to the bottom of your cookware and it sticks, it’s magnetic and will work on induction. Concerned that one of your faithful pans won’t work? You can purchase an induction transfer plate, which is a simple steel disk that transfers heat to your non-magnetic cookware.

• Precise cooking: Some induction cooktops offer a wide range of temperature settings from low to high, as well as timers, for super-precise heating and overall faster boiling.

• Eco-friendly design: Induction cooking can help you reduce your carbon footprint at home. With induction, up to 90% of the energy consumed is transferred to food, compared to approximately 74% for traditional electric systems and 40% for gas, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

• Cleaner indoor air: A study conducted for Southern California by the Environmental Health Perspectives found that residential natural gas cooking burners can emit air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Unlike gas stoves, induction cooktops don’t release the airborne pollutants associated with burning natural gas.

• Safety first: Induction cooking carries less risk of burns and fires. Only the area the cookware occupies is transferring heat, not the surrounding area. Plus, the cooking zone stays cool even when turned on and is only activated when magnetic cookware is placed on top of it.

• Sleek design: Induction cooktops have a sleek glass-ceramic surface that not only looks great in any style kitchen but makes cleanup as simple as wiping down the surface.

• Cost: Upgrading to an induction cooktop was once expensive. But like with most innovations, not only has the technology substantially improved over time, the prices have dropped. For example, the 30-inch option from Sharp Appliances is commonly sold at just above $1,000.

To learn more about induction technology and smart home appliances, visit sharpusa.com.

Whether it’s time to replace your cooktop or you simply want to try something new, consider induction technology for an overall improved kitchen experience.

Did you know that single-use plastic is a major driver of climate change and is harmful to human health — even when it’s recycled? According to a new report, leading consumer goods companies are driving the expansion of plastic production. And by doing so, are threatening the global climate and the health and safety of communities around the world.

The Greenpeace USA report, “The Climate Emergency Unpacked: How Consumer Goods Companies are Fueling Big Oil’s Plastic Expansion,” exposes the business links between the world’s largest consumer goods and fossil fuel companies. Without this transparency, the report’s authors say that consumer goods companies are largely able to avoid accountability for environmental or human rights violations committed by the companies that supply plastic for their packaging.

“The same well-known brands driving the plastic pollution crisis are helping fuel the climate crisis,” says Greenpeace USA global plastics project leader, Graham Forbes. “Despite their best efforts to appear climate-friendly, consumer goods companies are working alongside the fossil fuel industry to expand plastic production, which could lock the world into catastrophic emissions levels and a planet warmed beyond saving.”

Indeed, over 99 percent of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and according to industry estimates, plastic production could triple by 2050. This projected growth would increase global emissions from the plastic life cycle by over 50 percent on 2019 levels by 2030, equivalent to nearly 300 coal-fired power plants. This is the same timeframe that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned human caused emissions must fall by nearly 50 percent to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C.

The report also details how single-use plastics hurt people who live on the frontlines of its production. Plastic production has been linked to health issues like cancer and asthma, and these impacts are disproportionately felt by poor communities and communities of color.

Despite the many adverse impacts of single-use plastic packaging, the report finds that consumer goods companies have partnered with fossil fuel companies for decades to advocate recycling, while opposing legislation that would restrict its production

“The world’s largest brands are working with the fossil fuel industry to use recycling as a smokescreen. Recycling will never be the answer to the plastic pollution crisis,” says Forbes.

Greenpeace is calling on consumer goods companies to urgently move toward systems of reuse and package-free products, to phase out single-use plastics and to be more transparent about their plastic and carbon footprints. To learn more and to read the full report, visit greenpeace.org/usa/reports.

“These companies can no longer hide behind their nostalgic, happy brands. We urge them to support an ambitious global plastics treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastic and emphasizes reduction,” says Forbes.

Georgia-Pacific announced today that it is modernizing one of its premier sawmills in Texas. Pineland Lumber Complex, located in Pineland, Texas, will undergo $120 million in additions and improvements in an overall modernization effort that will also increase the mill’s overall production.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this addition to the Pineland Lumber Complex,” said Darryl Melton, Sabine County Judge. “As the largest business in our county, this mill plays a critical role in our economic success. With Georgia-Pacific making this significant investment, we are confident that the mill will continue to be a part of our community for many years to come.”

The modifications include a new sawmill which will replace the existing stud mill that was built in the 1960s. Construction is expected to begin early next year and is scheduled to be completed in late 2022. Currently the mill has the capacity to produce 380 million board feet of dimensional lumber each year, but when the new mill is operational and running at full capacity the production will increase to 450 million board feet—which is equivalent to the amount of lumber needed to build 30,000 houses per year.

In order to meet increased capacity, Pineland Lumber Complex will also expand its log yard storage and incorporate a new debarking and log processing line. Additionally, a continuous dry kiln will help ensure production capacity while a new high-speed planer will replace the current vintage equipment that was installed in the 1960s.

“This is significant to our region’s economy, especially when you consider the direct and indirect jobs that it maintains and creates,” said Texas State Representative Chris Paddie. “This new investment will enhance the existing jobs within the facility and further stimulate the economy by providing additional indirect jobs. Georgia-Pacific’s expansion is an excellent opportunity for Sabine County to grow its economy.”

When the new sawmill is operational, it’s anticipated that the mill will increase the number of trucks delivering wood from 250 to 300 loads each day. “Logging has provided a good income for many families through the years and is one of our strongest industries in East Texas,” said Judge Melton. “By expanding the Pineland Lumber Complex, Georgia-Pacific is helping to ensure the longevity of this important industry.”

Georgia-Pacific operates 12 lumber mills throughout the country. According to Georgia-Pacific Lumber President Fritz Mason, Pineland was selected for the expansion for many reasons, including the area’s

workforce and natural resources. “This mill has a long history in Sabine County, which dates back to 1910,” said Mason. “With the mill favorably located in the middle of the Southern Pine Forest of deep East Texas coupled with an experienced workforce that dates back to several generations, Pineland Lumber is well positioned to prosper for years to come.”

According to Mason, the same can be said for Georgia-Pacific’s lumber operations. “Lumber has a longstanding tradition within our company, we were founded as a lumber company over 90 years ago, — and we are recognized as one of the leading lumber producers in the country. The Pineland Lumber Complex capital improvement project is just one of many investments Georgia-Pacific is making at its lumber mills throughout the country. We are committed to this industry and providing our customers with quality products that they have come to know and trust since 1927.”

Cutline

Georgia-Pacific announced today that it is modernizing one of its premier sawmills in Texas. Pineland Lumber Complex, located in Pineland, Texas, will undergo $120 million in additions and improvements in an overall modernization effort that will also increase the mills’ overall production.

Events Highlight Opportunities and Services at AC

For more than 50 years, Angelina College has served the East Texas community through its services and outreach.

Beginning Oct. 6, the college will host its first-ever “Rowdy Week” as a fun way to invite the entire community to see even more of what AC has to offer – and how the college continues to change and shape lives.

Running Oct. 6-9, “Rowdy Week” will highlight the numerous programs and services available to the entire area.

From Wednesday through Friday, the college will host a Prospective Students Preview where students will participate in an Academic and Career Fair, a Support Services Fair and a Self-Inventory and Career assessment. More than 10 companies will be on-hand presenting opportunities to learn more about available positions and the application processes.

Two scheduled events are open to the entire community:

“Noche Blingue” is set to take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7 in AC’s auxiliary gymnasium. The first 200 guests will receive a free t-shirt and pizza; the event will include an Academic and Career Fair, with opportunities to learn more about AC’s support services. There will be games and other events specifically geared for children.

“Rowdy Saturday” will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the AC campus. That event will feature campus tours, an Academic and Career Fair, food trucks and a Kid Zone complete with a tie-dye station. The Lady Roadrunner softball team has a game scheduled at 11 a.m., and later that evening, AC will host “Angelina’s Got Talent” at 6:30 p.m. in the Angelina Center for the Arts.

Local companies participating in the Career and Academic Fair include Onshore Outsourcing, Darling Ingredients, Brookshire Brothers, Tri-County Community Action Agency and Pilgrim’s Pride Nacogdoches.

Community partners involved with helping launch the event include Texas Mutual Insurance, Pilgrim’s Pride Nacogdoches, Darling Ingredients and Real Graphics. For further information, contact Krista Brown (kbrown@angelina.edu) or Lauren Stacy (lstacy@angelina.edu).