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Drug-Free All Stars 2020-2021

By
Joshua Blackwell
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The Coalition is proud to announce the incoming class of Drug-Free All Stars for 2020-2021. The Drug-Free All Stars are a group of high school seniors from Angelina County that are hand selected to serve as role models for their community by living a tobacco, drug, and alcohol-free lifestyle. Drug-Free All Stars are active throughout the school year by volunteering their time in the community and promoting a life free of harmful substances. The All Stars from this year consist of 59 students from the eight Angelina County high schools including: Central, Diboll, Hudson, Huntington, Lufkin, Pineywoods Community Academy, Zavalla, and Lead Academy.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the Drug-Free All Star program, please contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Drug-Free All Stars 2020-2021

Central Drug Free All Stars include Tanner Bearden, Cecilia Hurtado Marroquin, and Madison Shoemaker.

Diboll Drug-Free All Stars include Noah Farr, Alyssa Garza, Natalie Lopez, Julissa Montoya, Halle Rice, Alexus Shurley, Jessica Stephens, Reagan Toole, and Emma Williams.

Lead Academy Drug-Free All Star is Madelynn Zbylot.

Hudson Drug-Free All Stars include Emma Airington, Meghan Cox, Jesse Daniel, Mallory Germany, Warren Green, Stella Huckabee, Jazmine Jamison, Wendy Ramos, Raylei Smith, Jacob Tullos, and Abby Wilson.

Huntington Drug-Free All Stars include Halle Flynt, Erin Hamilton, Kaitlin Jenkins, Abby Kirkland, Emma McGuire, Dylan Murphy, Kaden Reep, Anna Squyres, and Casey Whitley.

Lufkin Drug-Free All Stars include Gracie Bonnin, Blayre Brent, Victoria Concha, Matthew Gorman, Michael Hill, José Jamie, Minhal Khan, Zach Karn, Kaylie Kruk, Abbey Lantis, Caroline McDaniel, Tiffany Merino, Taha Nazeer, Gaby Olalde, Brooke Randolph, and Haylee Shumway.

Pineywoods Community Academy Drug-Free All Stars include Kaitlyn Carrier, Kaden Eastwood, Slade Havard, Zoey Robuck, and Madilyn Simmons.

Zavalla Drug-Free All Stars include Holden Boulware and Callie Grimes.

Online Cessation Classes Starting October 1st

By
Joshua Blackwell
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The Coalition, Inc. is hosting free online tobacco cessation classes for adults that want to quit tobacco. There are many benefits for people who quit tobacco, including reduced risk of tobacco-related diseases and early death. With support and encouragement, you can double your chances of successfully quitting. The Freshstart program can be your start to a new life without tobacco! This 4-session program is free for all participants and all materials are included. Online classes will be October 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. For more information, or to register, visit our Facebook group “Project Quit,” visit Project-Quit.org or call (936) 634-9308.

The Coalition, Inc. focuses on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. The Coalition is one of the oldest substance abuse prevention community coalitions in the United States.

An Update from Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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As leaves change and temperatures drop, we celebrate the coming of a new season. Though this time of year may seem out of the ordinary without bustling community events and familiar fall festivals, the autumn season brings a beautiful change of scenery that invites us to spend more time outdoors. Whether raking leaves in the front yard, taking an evening walk in the crisp autumn air, throwing the football with the kiddos after a long day, or checking the feeders in preparation for deer season, there’s simply no better time to enjoy being outside. As the great American novelist, Nathaniel Hawthorne, once wrote: “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as the autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.”

With that, here’s this week’s Capitol update. . .

Capitol Update

Governor Abbott recently announced that most of Texas will be able to loosen COVID-19 restrictions by allowing many businesses to increase their capacity to 75 percent. This new standard will apply to hospital regions where coronavirus patients make up less than 15 percent of all hospitalizations. While retail stores, restaurants, and office buildings have previously been limited to 50 percent capacity, this increase is certainly a step in the right direction.

Another positive development Governor Abbott recently announced is that Texas will expand visitations to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Residents of long-term care facilities may now designate two essential family caregivers who will be allowed into a resident’s room, and visitors not named as essential caregivers will still be allowed to enter facilities under certain limitations. This is a significant improvement for our loved ones living in long-term care facilities who have been isolated for a prolonged period without the ability to interact with family members.

The U.S. Labor Department recently announced that Texas’ unemployment rate for August dropped to 6.8 percent, which is the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps even more notable, the month of August marks the fourth month in a row that joblessness decreased in our state, signaling a positive trend towards economic recovery. Given the progress we’ve made at slowing the spread, I’m confident that our state will continue to surge towards the level of economic growth and prosperity that makes Texas the greatest state in the nation to do business.

As we transition into a new season, I want to encourage you and your family to get a flu shot as soon as possible. Getting a flu shot is especially important this season to help keep hospitalizations

down during the state’s ongoing battle with COVID-19. Please take time to prioritize the health and safety of all Texans this flu season by getting your flu shot today!

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can help you in any way. Our District office may be reached at (936) 634-2762.

COMMISSION APPROVES NEW PROJECTS FOR DISTRICT

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Texas Transportation Commissioners on Thursday approved more than $450.3 million in new construction projects statewide, with more than $3.8 million approved for new construction in the Lufkin District.

More than $1.4 million was earmarked for various roadway improvements through the nine-county Lufkin District that will consist of profile pavement markings.

Also approved by commissioners was a $1.4 million bridge replacement project in San Augustine County. The new bridge and approaches will be constructed on FM 2558 at Little Owl Creek. No timeline for completion has been set.

Houston County was also approved for a $862,803.10 bridge replacement project that will include removal and construction of the bridges on CR 2245 at Big Elkhart Creek and on CR 3365 at Tantabogue Creek. No timeline for completion has been set.

Pre-construction meetings will be held soon to determine start dates for these projects. As they begin, motorists should remain alert for signage and possible road closures. Obey all traffic control in place and reduce speed near all work zones.

For more information regarding closures and conditions statewide, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on these and other Lufkin District projects, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

Fall Gardening

By
Cary Sims
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This past week was glorious. I loved the cool days and rain. It’s fall.

Fall makes most folks think about football and hunting seasons, but not gardening. Yet fall gardening is one of the best times of the year.

Yes, the fall vegetable garden is just as much a possibility as a spring one, just different. Establishing a fall garden is different as you may work in some heat up-front. Watering is also approached with a different mind-set. Water will be crucial to establishing the summer growing vegetables.

Mulching, a wonderful practice for all gardens, will be much easier with the abundance of leaves on the ground. Just a light layer of mulch will greatly aid in keeping moisture in the soil next to the developing roots and keep weeds at bay.

Pest control for fall gardens should be less. Insect problems that are commonly experienced in the spring will be reduced. Disease issues that arise from cool, moist environments will also be diminished.

The biggest proponents of fall vegetable gardens will always brag on the harvest. Harvested produce in milder weather are reported to taste better. The time spent harvesting, choosing which squash or beans to pick, is obviously more comfortably done.

Yet with fall gardening, you’ll have a hard deadline from many common, warm-season vegetables. That deadline is our first frost.

Most vegetables traditionally grown in the spring and summer must beat the frost. Now the average first frost for this area is mid- November. The key word is average. Sometimes it may be near Christmas, and other times it will be prior to Halloween.

Last year we saw a very early freeze. It was on the first day of November that my thermometer plummeted to 22 F. To be clear, that’s not normal. Our historical average for the first frost is the middle of November. Frosts, incidentally, are where the temperature dips just below 32 F.

To extend frost sensitive crops, you can use a row cover. Purchased locally or online, these thin fabric covers can give a few degrees of protection. And for our first frost, just a few degrees is all we need. Available in a wide variety of widths and lengths, they serve double duty for keeping insects off young tender plants.

Looking ahead, we have approximately 50 days from the end of September to mid-November. With that time frame, it would be wise to ignore traditional spring/summer vegetables. Generally a frost (31-33 degrees F.) will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon.

I’d suggest you consider broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, and turnip. They’ll take colder temperatures (26-31 degrees F.). Their foliage may burn but should be killed.

For true cold, really cold, weather tolerance plant beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.

So while you are out on a deer blind or watching a football game, remember that with proper selection and proper planting time, we can grow vegetables this fall, thru the winter and we’ll be ready for next spring.

EIGHT UP Roadrunner Basketball Sending Eight Players to Next Level

By
Gary Stallard
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After missing out on an opportunity to compete for a national championship back in March, the Angelina College men’s basketball team nevertheless is finding reasons to celebrate.

Eight good reasons, in fact.

With the pandemic ending the Roadrunners’ dream season early, head coach Nick Wade and assistant coach Zac Kircher nevertheless worked to ensure their players would find a home at the next level. Their efforts resulted in a total of eight ‘Runners from the 2019-2020 squad moving up to play basketball for a university.

Gwarren Douglass of Cleveland, Ohio has signed with Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS; Tayvion Johnson of Houston has signed with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Emmanuel Adeoye has signed with Texas A&M University-Commerce; Braxton Foreman of Frederick, MD signed with Tiffin University in Ohio; Cameron Hart of Lufkin has signed with Houston Baptist University; Dralyn Brown of Houston has signed with York College in York, NE; Travis Henson of Oxon Hill, MD has signed with California State University, Bakersfield; and Dwight Simon of Alexandria, LA has signed with Avila University in Kansas City, MO.

Seven of those players were on the AC roster in 2019-2020 and contributed to the team’s 24-9 record overall and 16-3 record in Region XIV play. Adeoye redshirted in 2019-2020 and did not see game action.

Wade and Kircher have said all along their main goal is to get incoming players to buy into the importance of both academics and athletics once they reach the collegiate level.

“We make sure we let the players know you can’t have one without the other,” Wade said. “We really hold them to that. We tell them if they’re not going to take care of business in the classroom, then to be honest, they can’t play for us. To be a champion on and off the court is something we strive to instill, and I couldn’t be any prouder of this batch of guys. They held to their end of the deal, and now they’re able to continue both their academic and athletic careers.”

Wade added that while losing out on a national tournament opportunity and missing a full season because of the pandemic has been painful, seeing his players continue living their dreams is a pretty big morale boost.

“It hurts that we aren’t able to finish the deal with some of them, just because we’re a family here,” Wade said. “It was just as tough on those players as it was on us. That’s what hurts, is bringing guys in hoping to get to spend the full two years with them, but because of the situation we’re in, we didn’t get to do that. But I feel we and they did a good enough job to set them up in a position to take that next big step.

“It’s rewarding and it’s a blessing.”

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

Governor Abbott Urges Texans To Monitor Weather Conditions, Possible Flooding As Tropical Depression Beta Continues To Impact The State

By
Joshua Blackwell
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As Tropical Depression Beta continues to impact the Texas Coast and Southeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott is urging Texans to continue to monitor weather conditions and be mindful of potential flooding, high wind, heavy rain, and storm surge in their area. Tropical Depression Beta, downgraded from a Tropical Storm, will continue to produce significant rainfall from the middle Texas Coast through Southeast Texas. Dangerous flooding is already occurring and remains possible throughout Southeast Texas through Wednesday. The Texas State Operations Center remains activated at Level 2 (Escalated Response Conditions) to support requests for assistance from local officials. 

“Tropical Depression Beta poses serious flood risks to communities along the coast and Southeast Texas, and I urge Texans to remain vigilant as this storm continues to impact our state,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans who live in areas at risk for flooding should not travel if possible, avoid crossing flooded roadways, and continue to heed the guidance of local officials as this storm makes its way through the Lone Star State.”  

Texans are urged to be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. 

In addition, Texans are encouraged to follow these flood preparedness and safety tips during severe weather events:

Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Build an emergency supply kit. For more information on how to build a kit, visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit

Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.

Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

The Little Black Dress Initiative – Take the Challenge

By
Joshua Blackwell
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The Junior League of Lufkin’s vision is to enhance the lives of children and women in the community through our diverse projects and fundraising efforts.  This year the Junior League of Lufkin is proud to announce the 6th annual Little Black Dress Initiative.  The Little Black Dress Initiative is a poverty awareness fundraising campaign by the Junior League of Lufkin in which participants wear one black dress for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on your access to resources, your confidence and your employment opportunities.

Poverty remains an urgent problem within the United States, and we witness it each day right here in our own backyard. With close to 20% of Angelina County residents living below the poverty level, it is critical that the community strives to serve those in need. Many of our neighbors cannot afford basic items required for daily living such as food, clothing and shelter, and others will be overlooked for employment opportunities because of these limited resources.

Following the campaign, Second Chance Cash vouchers will be issued to local organizations who serve those in need to be redeemed at the JLL Second Chance Rummage sale.  The Second Chance Rummage Sale will serve the community directly by providing much-needed items at greatly reduced prices and by donating hundreds of dollars in Second Chance Cash vouchers to local organizations such as the Mantooth House, Family Crisis Center of East Texas, the Mosaic Center, and Buckner Family Services to name a few.

The campaign will run from September 28th thru October 2nd.  For more information about the campaign and how to participate, visit the Junior League of Lufkin Facebook page or the website, juniorleagueoflufkin.org.  

Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration In Response To Tropical Storm Beta

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Governor Greg Abbott today issued a Disaster Declaration for 29 Texas counties in response to Tropical Storm Beta. This storm is expected to make landfall this evening but has already caused storm surge and damaging winds, and has the potential to cause widespread flooding, as it continues to approach the Texas Coast.  

Counties included in this Disaster Declaration include Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Patricio, Shelby, Travis, Victoria, and Wharton. 

“As Tropical Storm Beta approaches the coast, I urge Texans in the path of the storm to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from flooding, storm surge, and other impacts from this severe weather,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas is working closely with local officials on the ground to provide the resources our communities need to respond to Tropical Storm Beta and keep residents safe.”  

View the Governor’s Disaster Declaration.

ANGELINA ARTS ANNOUNCES PINES PRESENTS 2021 SEASON

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Arts Alliance

Angelina Arts is thrilled to announce the Pines Presents Series for the 2021 Season. The “Live from the Heart of Lufkin” series includes several Grammy Award-winning artists with music ranging from bluegrass to folk to a multimedia experience with music by the Beatles.

Existing season ticket holders may renew their seats from October 5-16. New season tickets will be available Oct 19-30. All single tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning November 2. Tickets can be purchased online at AngelinaArts.org, by calling 936-633-5454. Patrons can save 15% by purchasing season tickets to all five shows or 10% when purchasing tickets to three or more shows at one time.

Angelina Arts Executive Director Jennifer Allen states, “We are thrilled to bring a brand new season of high quality performances to the beautiful Pines Theater in downtown Lufkin! The iconic Pines Theater is an important part of the cultural fabric of our community and we are honored to bring performances that appeal to a wide range of individuals to enjoy in the beautiful, historic setting.”

RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE

Sat, Jan 23 | 7 PM

Rhonda Vincent is no stranger to most anyone in the field of music. Why even Elton John and Bernie Taupin enlisted Rhonda and her iconic friend Dolly Parton, to create a “Queen of Bluegrass” version of their song “Please” for their 50th Anniversary Tribute CD in 2018. The Grammys honored Rhonda Vincent & The Rage with the 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album “All The Rage – Volume One” a live project that displays the world class talent of Rhonda and her incredible band. Tickets: $30, $35, $40

RUTHIE FOSTER

Sat, Feb 20 | 7 PM Award-winning singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster has found herself duetting with

Bonnie Raitt, standing on stage with the Allman Brothers at New York’s Beacon Theater, and trading verses with Susan Tedeschi. Her latest album, Joy Comes Back, described as “some folk, some blues, some soul, some rock, some gospel,” illustrates Ruthie’s genre-spanning talent. Ruthie’s been nominated for three Grammys, and has won multiple Blues Music and Austin Music Awards, plus the Grand Prix du Disque from Académie Charles-Cros in France. Tickets: $30, $35, $40

RANKY TANKY*

Sat, Mar 4 | 7 PM

Following their debut album in 2017, Ranky Tanky has been profiled on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and their album soared to the #1 position on the Billboard, I-Tunes, and Amazon Jazz Charts. The term “Gullah” comes from West African language and means “a people blessed by God.” The quintet performs timeless music of Gullah culture born in the southeastern Sea Island region of the US. From playful game songs to ecstatic shouts, from heartbreaking spirituals to delicate lullabies, the musical roots of Charleston, SC, are “rank” and fertile ground from which these contemporary artists are grateful to have grown.

Tickets: $25, $30, $35

DOOLIN’*

Sat, Mar 20 | 7 PM

Doolin’ is France’s premiere Celtic band. Inspired by the purest tradition, the band combines instrumentals, vocals and original compositions in a resolutely modern style. The arrangements, at times taking their inspiration from pop-rock, folk, jazz, funk or even rap (and always in the best taste), emit great energy. From ballads to furiously fast jigs, from their own compositions to traditional tunes, Doolin’ offers a rich palette of sound.

Tickets: $20, $25, $30

BRIT BEAT

Sat, Mar 27 | 7 PM

BritBeat tells the story of the Beatles from their early days at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, their dynamic debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, the attendance busting concert at Shea Stadium, onward to the psychedelic Sgt. Pepper era and finally the later years of Abbey Road and the White Album. The entire concert plays to the backdrop of immersive and captivating moving multimedia that intertwines with the moods and emotions of the Beatles’ iconic music catalog. The show is fun, thought provoking, energized and a captivating journey of the Beatles evolution and impact on pop culture in the turbulent sixties. Tickets: $30, $35, $40

THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS

Sat, Apr 17 | 7 PM

Is it possible to create jazz and classical music in the 21st century that appeals to everyone? Even people who normally wouldn’t go to concerts? If you have The Queen’s Cartoonists it is! With music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation, performances are synchronized to video projections of the original films, as the band leads the audience through a world of virtuosic musicianship, multi-instrumental mayhem, and comedy. Expect the unexpected from repertoire that includes the Golden Age of animation, cult cartoon classics, modern animation, and elements of a musical circus!

Tickets: $20, $25, $30

THE ISAACS

Sat, May 1 | 7 PM

Frequent performers at the Grand Ole Opry, and regulars on the Gaither Homecoming Videos & Concert Series, and RFD’s Country’s Family Reunion programs, The Isaacs are a Nashville based, multi-award-winning family group. Their unique style showcases tight family harmony and blends their multi-genre musical influences of bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, country, and southern gospel. Known for their high-profile collaborations, The Isaacs biggest fans and contemporaries include Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Alabama, Big & Rich, Trisha Yearwood, Merle Haggard, and Paul Simon just to name a few!

Tickets: $30, $35, $40

*Ranky Tanky and Doolin’ are not part of the 2021 Season ticket package.

The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich, entertain and educate by presenting and promoting the arts in East Texas.

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