The Angelina College baseball skills evaluation camp set for Wednesday, June 22, will still take place, albeit with some modifications in case of inclement weather.
Prospects may still sign up at Roadrunner Field from 8-8:45 a.m. and from 10-10:45 a.m. However, if the field conditions don’t allow play, the camp will move to Bases Loaded Academy located at 4123 Ted Trout Drive in Lufkin.
For further information, contact head coach Jeff Livin at jlivin@angelina.edu.
A progress/partnering meeting was held in Nacogdoches on Tuesday regarding the Nacogdoches Direct Connector construction project. Those attending included TxDOT engineers, Longview Bridge and Road officials, utility companies, sub-contractor representatives and other stakeholders.
The $86.1 million construction project is progressing well as weather permits and engineers listed several things that have been done in recent days and discussed plans for coming weeks. Recently completed work includes:
Environmental issues currently being addressed include:
This project includes construction of new US 59 main lanes that will directly connect to SL 224 just south of SH 7. The project also includes the construction of overpasses at Spradley Street, existing US 59 and Old Lufkin Road, and the construction of frontage roads for SL 224 between SH 7 and BU 59. The project is designed to meet interstate standards. Limits for the project are from SH 7 west on SL 224 to 1.2 miles south of Spradley Street on US 59. Longview Bridge and Road, Longview, is serving as contractor for the project.
At this time traffic is not disrupted on US 59 or SL 224. Motorists are urged to stay alert for trucks and workers entering and exiting near the work zones, obey all traffic control and reduce speed in the area.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
With social distancing still in place and government guidelines on preventing the spread of covid19. This Fourth of July may look a little different. Most local and state events are on the fence as to whether or not they will happen. So, how can you enjoy and celebrate your independence this holiday while following guidelines but still making it a memorable Fourth?
This year has definitely been challenging when it’s time to celebrate something. But, hey. Want to know a secret? We’ve made it this far, so what’s one more holiday of staying safe and healthy? Especially when I can give you some sparkling ideas to make it a fun and enjoyable celebration
COOKOUT
How original right? But how can one go wrong with a day filled with food and cooking out on the grill? Hamburgers, Hotdogs, ribs (like these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Ribs from A Family Feast), brisket (only if smoked by my uncle Chris), baked beans, potato salad and chips and queso (a necessity). Whatever your little palette has a taste for. Cook and eat it so you can get fat and happy. It’s a holiday so don’t you even think about counting carbs or calories that day.
SPARKLERS & GRAPHIC TEES
Who doesn’t love a good photoshoot moment? Find you and the family a cute graphic tee, grab some sparklers and capture pictures that will last a lifetime. Check out this graphic that I plan snagging to make my annual 4th post cute, fun, and trendy. For more options on graphic tees check out places like Etsy, Jametees or even a local boutique and support a small business.
GAMES
It’s East Texas so bust out the washer boards (a tutorial on how to create your own washer board from instructables.com), and corn hole, bring out some fun family-friendly card games. Start a friendly water balloon fight and let the kids go at it. Invest in a fun yard sprinkler, lather the kids up in sunscreen, and let them rip and run. The possibilities are endless of things to keep you occupied throughout the day. But the key is finding what suits you and your family best.
COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS OH MY
A day at home should definitely include a good cocktail. Beer and wine are great but get festive and make a yummy cocktail for the adults to enjoy. I plan on making a Red, White, and Blue Bomb cocktail and it is so simple. Grab a box of Bomb popsicles from any grocery store, and a bottle of champagne or prosecco (MMMM a glass of prosecco, one of my faves). All you have to do is pour up a glass of bubbly, throw in your popsicle, and enjoy it. Simple, delicious and you can even make a kid version. Substitute the champagne/prosecco for lemon-lime soda.
Fourth of July is a day we celebrate our Independence. A day to be thankful for the country we live in. It doesn’t have to be complicated or hectic, just make it a day that is enjoyable to you. Sit back, relax, snap pictures, wear your cute tee, drink your cocktail(s)/mocktail, and enjoy it.
Just promise me one thing. You won’t worry about the two Cs this holiday. Calories and carbs are not to be counted… I repeat, not to be counted.
Happy Independence Day, Y’all!
Oh man, it is hot! Summer has officially started and though it may be a jump for joy for many, it is a groan of complaint for others. The weather forecast shows temperatures to be in the mid-80s and peaking around the low 90s over the next several days which I guess isn’t too bad in the grand scheme of things but considering we are only in June, I do not doubt that triple-digit heat isn’t too far off in the distance.
Typically, we do our best to escape the unforgiving heat. We go to the lake, stay inside with the air conditioner on full blast or chug down an ice-cold drink, whatever your remedy of choice we also aren’t the only ones looking for some relief during the summer months.
Snakes are often synonymous with summer but truthfully, they don’t like the summer heat just as much as we do. If they stay out in the heat too long, they will overheat and die. They are a cold-blooded species which means that their body temperature isn’t self-regulated like ours is and so a snake’s survival depends on the environment around it.
So, when we spot them out in the yard or a field it’s due to a few reasons, one, you may just be catching them on the move from one shady spot to another. Two, their body’s need to stay moisturized so they may lay out in your front yard and take advantage of your cool topsoil, and finally, the summer months also mean mating season for them, so they are out and about competing for a mate while also trying to stay cool.
Besides your front yard snakes also like to hang out in garages, sheds, leaves, and tall grass. They will also try to slip inside your home if given the opportunity. It’s because of this that you need to be extra careful when cleaning out the garage as you may come in contact with an unpleasant surprise that’s sure to make you jump back.
Here in East Texas, we see a lot of the Copperhead, Rattlesnake, Coral snake among many others. These snakes range in color and do an excellent job of blending in with its surroundings which makes our job all that more difficult when keeping an eye out for them to avoid them.
The Copperhead snake, for example, is generally tan or brown with a pattern covering the length of its body, because of their color they can blend in with leaves and foliage and they are commonly found in wooded areas.
When we spot one, we experience one of two reactions, we either want to run away or we want to make sure it’s dead. However strong the impulse to kill a snake may be, they play an important role in the ecosystem. They help keep the rodent population in check as well as the snake population in check as well.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife department advises to leave them alone if we can. They don’t prey on humans but will strike if they feel threatened or cornered. They also advise to stay still when encountering a snake and wait for the snake to retreat first. If we must move, then we need to do so slowly with no sudden movements.
In the event of a bite the first thing to do is to call 9-1-1, then keep the bitten arm or leg below heart level and then clean the wound with soap and water. Swelling may occur so it is a good idea to remove any tight-fitting clothes or jewelry. Any anti-venom treatment is most effective within the first few hours upon receiving a bite.
Snakes aren’t always a pretty sight, especially up close or an unexpected encounter but it’s important to understand their role in the wild and our role as well when visiting the great
outdoors. So next time, instead of wanting to kill a snake, snap a picture of it and learn more about it. You may find out it kills pesky rodents around the house with little to no harm to you if left unprovoked.
It is about this time of year that I get several questions regarding diseases in vegetable gardens. The tomatoes are rotting. The bean leaves are wilting. Something looks stunted. The lower leaves are dying. The upper leaves are dying!
As we move away from our cool moist spring and into the heat of summer, the plants get older and all kinds of diseases tend to show up.
For years I have always been able to rely upon an old publication in our library printed in the early ‘80s called the “Plant Disease Handbook.” The book has been thumbed through for years and years. Sections such as St Augustine turfgrass and the tomato section are especially worn with use.
So, let’s take a look at the common diseases that affect tomatoes. There are no less than four pages in the book that outline diseases common to tomatoes in Texas. They include fungus, bacteria, and viral diseases in addition to nematodes and physiological disorders.
Control for all disease (and insect) pests is first accomplished by your actions of rotating crops, eliminating weeds next to your garden, cleaning up old garden plant debris, and, lastly, treating with a conventional or organic pesticide.
By far, there are more fungal issues than any other problems listed. Because the handbook is made for the entire state of Texas, it will often say a problem is caused by humid weather. Clearly, the author wasn’t’ from East Texas!
Some of the fungal problems specific to tomatoes include Late blight, Early blight, Gray leaf spot, Leaf-mold, Buckeye rot, Nailhead spot, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Gray mold, and Botryosporium Mold, to name a few. Molds are best prevented by crop rotation, eliminating crop residues from previous years, planting resistant varieties, and applying fungicides.
Have you ever seen a tomato variety given on a seed label with some letters following it? Often you will see hybrid tomato varieties on the seed packet followed by “V”, “F”, or “N”. These letters designate that the variety is resistant to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), or nematodes (N).
Bacterial problems include Bacterial spot and Bacterial canker. Virus problems include Tobacco Mosaic, Spotted Wilt, and Curly Top. Bacterial and viral problems are especially onerous as they are seed borne and can stay active in the soil for years. Control of these disease issues is best accomplished by starting with disease free seeds, rotating crops, and treating for insects.
Nematodes deserve special mention because they…truly are not a disease but will be listed in every ‘disease’ publication. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms. While there are a tremendous number of beneficial nematodes in our soil, the Root Knot nematode gets all the attention as it pierces the roots of many vegetable plants (including tomatoes) and clogs up the root system. Once you find them present in your garden, it is necessary to use a resistant vegetable variety.
Last, lets discuss a couple of physiological issues: blossom end rot and growth cracks.
Blossom end rot is a disorder that can appear on tomatoes at any time in their development, but most commonly appear when fruits are 1/3 to 1/2 grown. The initial symptoms appear as water soaked spots on the blossom end of the fruit. These spots later enlarge and become black. Secondary infection by other decay causing organisms will usually follow.
The cause of this disorder is considered to be a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Extreme fluctuations in soil moisture or excessive nitrogen fertilizer can also result in blossom end rot. The best means of control is to maintain a uniform soil moisture in addition to fertilizing with calcium at planting. ‘Tomato Rot Stop’ sprays at your local garden center can help alleviate the condition if caught and applied early enough.
Growth cracks can result from extremely rapid fruit growth brought on by periods of abundant rain and high temperatures especially following a period of dry weather. Cracks of varying depths will radiate from the stem end of the fruit, blemishing the fruit, and providing an entrance for decay causing organisms. Except by diligence of the gardener to keep the soil moist, no control measures are known.
If you’d like to see more information on these diseases and learn about many more issues that affect our gardens and landscapes, I’m happy to report that you can see the disease handbook online. In your search engine type in ‘Texas Extension plant disease handbook’. Following the links, you will be able to look at turfgrass problems, tree problems, vegetable problems, fruit diseases, and many more.
While many folks are spending more time at home, it’s easier than ever to become consumed with the events of the day. Whether we’re diligently refreshing our newsfeed on Facebook or finding ourselves glued to the television to get our fix of a seemingly never-ending news cycle, it can feel impossible at times to find some peace of mind. And while it’s important to stay informed and connect with others in challenging times, it’s also important to prioritize time away from all the noise to find some peace and quiet. Whether you take a daily walk outside without your phone, spend extra time working in the yard or garden, wet a line with an old friend, or simply cook a meal without the television on in the background, finding time to unplug and unwind will help us find the peace of mind that has been so elusive over the last several weeks. I encourage you to make time this week for a break — you’ll be glad you did.
With that, here’s the latest information on our state’s fight against the coronavirus. . .
Coronavirus Update
Governor Abbott recently announced that Texas students will be returning to school for in-person instruction this fall. While there will certainly be higher safety standards in place than in years prior, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner, Mike Morath, indicated that there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely if the parent so chooses. Though additional guidance for school districts is expected to be released in the coming week, the reopening of Texas’ schools will allow both teachers and students to provide and receive quality instruction in a setting that is most conducive for academic success.
While recent reports have shown an uptick in the number of positive COVID-19 cases across the state, it’s important to remember that Texas has an abundance of hospital beds available to treat individuals that have contracted the disease. Though there is certainly no reason to panic, we must maintain our commitment to the common sense practices that have allowed Texas to lead the way in our response to this pandemic — wearing a facemask in public, washing hands regularly, and maintaining social distancing.
As a reminder, the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the Small Business Administration (SBA) is Tuesday, June 30th. Additionally, the SBA has recently resumed accepting PPP applications, and revised the loan forgiveness application process to include the EZ PPP application, which requires fewer calculations and less documentation than the full application. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit www.sba.gov.
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.
It’s hard to imagine a time without the internet, computers, or social media being at our fingertips but that time did exist. I’m sure many of you can recall such a time but the younger generation may not know a life outside of the internet and the modern commodities we have today.
One of those commodities is YouTube, the worldwide video platform that was launched back in 2005. Since then it has taken the world by storm and expanded at an exponential rate but how did such a massive platform come to be?
To understand this, we need to go back to the birth of the internet itself. The internet was first known as The World Wide Web and it went live to the public on August 6th, 1991. Interestingly, the launch of the internet seemed to go under the radar for many since computers and connectivity were not commonplace and people had very little knowledge of how this new technology worked.
As time went on newer and better software was being developed and released, software like Windows 95, an iconic software program for its introduction of Internet Explorer. Though rudimentary by today’s standards it was a revolutionary piece of technology at the time for its ability to access information and increase productivity.
As people began to catch on to what the internet was, so did other companies and developers. The likes of Amazon, Netflix, and Google also wanted a part in the internet craze with their beginnings in the late 90s.
By the year 2000, according to the US Census Bureau, 94 million people had internet access, which is about every 2 out of 5 households. The internet quickly became a place to search for information but also to share it.
In 2005, three former PayPal employees, Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim had an idea for a platform where people could share their home videos and so, on February 14, 2005, YouTube was registered and two months later the site opened on a limited basis attracting around 30,000 visitors per day. It officially launched on December 15, 2005, with more than 2 million views per day. The numbers began to grow and by the summer of 2006 YouTube had more than 100 million playbacks per day.
With so many people watching videos and even more uploading daily, YouTube began to run into internet traffic problems which subsequentially led them to invest their financial resources in new computer equipment and broadband internet connections.
Additionally, they also had to spend more of their resources for potential litigation for copyright infringement since YouTube at the time did not have the uploading restrictions it does today.
Without a way to make a profit from having so many viewers and in order to keep the site going, YouTube then started looking for a buyer.
Then, in November of 2006 Google purchased YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. Operations continued as before though Google managed to negotiate with entertainment companies to allow copyrighted material on their site.
Since then, YouTube has gone on to provide several different services like YouTube TV, ad-free listening, watching movies, and more. At its core, however, YouTube continues to be the video-sharing platform it was back in 2005; but it has also evolved into so much more than just a place where we can share our home videos.
It is accessible to anyone, anywhere at any time which is why it is so appealing to many; content creators and viewers alike. The scope for content is virtually limitless, go ahead, create an account to save your favorite YouTube videos or if you’re feeling a little braver upload your own video. Teach someone how to do something, inspire the uninspired and become the next biggest influencer out there. Besides, what is there to lose? There is nothing worse than living in regret and missing out on the opportunity.
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 July 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. For more information, or to register, visit our Facebook group “Project Quit,” visit angelinacoalition.org/quit-for-good 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.
Drought conditions in the western Plains and early drying across the state have led to an increase in wildfire activity and an early start to the summer wildfire season.
Most of the state is trending three to four weeks ahead of typical early summer drying, and the rainfall outlook over the next six weeks is not anticipated to be enough to reverse this trend.
Wildfire analysts with Texas A&M Forest Service report that Texas could experience a severe summer wildfire season.
“The dryness we are currently seeing across portions of the state is, generally, what we would be experiencing in mid- to late July,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department Head.
“The drought that will carry over from the spring into the summer and the emerging drought that is developing in June have initiated an early start to the summer fire season. Early summer drying in June also introduces the possibility of experiencing a severe late-summer fire season.”
Under these conditions, state officials are tracking an increased number of wildfire ignitions occurring across Texas. Since Tuesday, June 9, Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments have responded to 90 wildfires that burned a total of 21,692 acres. Many of the recent wildfires are attributed to equipment use, welding, debris burning and roadside starts.
“Texas is experiencing an uptick in wildfire activity across most of the state, and it’s easy to think that a wildfire won’t impact you until you see the smoke on the horizon,” said Kari Hines, Texas A&M Forest Service Firewise Coordinator. “Now is the time to prepare your house and property to make them wildfire resilient. Create an evacuation plan for your family that includes pets and livestock. Look for the buildup of dead and dry vegetative material around your house, the driveway, and other important buildings, as this is where embers can gather and start fires.”
Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires everyone to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves, their families and their properties.
Texas A&M Forest Service encourages Texans to take the following steps around their homes today to reduce the risk of wildfire:
1. Clean out gutters of debris.
2. Mow and water lawns.
3. Move firewood a minimum of 30 feet from homes.
4. Remove anything stored under decks or porches.
5. Make sure home addresses are visible from the road.
If a wildfire is spotted, contact local authorities immediately. A quick response can help save lives and property.
Children are spending more time online due to social distancing measures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. And while the internet can be an amazing gateway to knowledge and a tool to connect with family and friends, if parents and caregivers don’t follow certain precautions, it can also pose safety hazards.
Indeed, the United Nations has warned that the increased unstructured time online has put millions of children at greater risk of both cyberbullying and of being exposed to harmful content. Experts note that in the same way financial scammers have been working in overdrive to exploit the current crisis, the internet has also seen a surge of online predators targeting children.
Fortunately, there are effective actions parents can take to help keep kids safe online so that they can continue to reap the educational and social benefits of online use.
• Have a Dialogue: While you may be working remotely or otherwise occupied, if possible, try to spend time in the same room as your kids during the day so you can keep tabs on them. An open dialogue can go a long way toward establishing mutual trust between generations. Parents should have a respectful discussion with children about what kinds of activities they are engaging in online and who they are communicating with. This discussion should include what constitutes inappropriate content. Let kids know they can come to you if they are being sent images or messages that fall into this category.
• Steer Children to Quality Content: From free educational gaming apps to the online educational resources offered by museums and your local library, actively encourage your kids to explore the wealth of positive content designed for students and young people.
• Update Devices: Be sure to keep your family’s devices safeguarded from hackers and malware by installing the latest updates.
• Use New Tools: New tools can help parents effectively keep screen time in check. For example, by using OurPact, a screen time management solution, parents can limit app access automatically for recurring activities like school or bedtime, and can block or grant internet access on a child’s device any time. With the app, parents can even view screenshots of kids’ digital activity on Apple devices (this feature will be available on Android soon.)
“These abilities allow families to create and maintain a well-balanced schedule, while also offering parents a valuable tool for protecting their kids from unsafe content and people,” says Michele Havner, director of marketing for Eturi Corp., makers of OurPact.
To learn more or download, visit OurPact.com.
While the current crisis has created new online hazards that families should be aware of, parents can be proactive about keepings kids safe.
Texas Forest Country Living is a digital online magazine featuring the lifestyle and community of the Texas Forest Country region. The Counties include Angelina County, Nacogdoches County, Sabine County, Tyler County, Newton County, San Jacinto County, San Augustine County, Jasper County, Houston County, Shelby County, Trinity County and Polk County
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