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Both Angelina College Soccer Teams Host Playoff Quarterfinals This Week

By
Gary Stallard
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By Gary Stallard, Sports Information Director, Angelina College Athletics

(Photos Emma Brachet Chanal, Arieyonna Jenkins and Maryane Pala)

Hey, sports fans,

We’ve got playoff soccer heading our way at Angelina College.

Both the Roadrunners and Lady Roadrunners have qualified for the Region XIV Conference Tournament, and both teams will host quarterfinal matches this week at AC. The ’Runner men clinched another South Zone championship, while the ladies wrapped up second place in the South Zone with a thrilling road win Friday in Louisiana.

The Roadrunner men’s basketball team gave a sneak peek at its upcoming season with a dominant performance in this past week’s home scrimmage, and the squad has another pre-season game at home this week with the regular season tipping off in just a few days.

Finally, the Roadrunner baseball team is scheduled to host its only home game of the fall season on Saturday, Oct. 31.

We are AC, and we’re ready to Run ’Em.

Here’s a quick rundown of recent events, along with what’s coming up next:

Roadrunner soccer clinches South Zone championship

The Roadrunners on Friday battled a tough LSU-Eunice team to a 2-2 draw in Eunice, getting a pair of goals from Leeyon Phelan to keep the teams even after the final whistle.

The result left the ’Runners as Region XIV South Zone champions (again) and guaranteed AC a playoff home match.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Roadrunners (6-3-2) will host Jacksonville College (3-14) in Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal action at Angelina College. The match is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Lady Roadrunners soccer beats LSU-Eunice, earns postseason berth

“They are fighters, and they just keep fighting,” Lady Roadrunner head coach Sergio Gardea said after his injury-ravaged team pulled out a thrilling 1-0 win over LSU-Eunice in the regular-season finale Friday in Eunice, La.

Beatriz Almeida scored the match’s lone goal on a penalty kick with just six minutes remaining in regulation, lifting the Lady ’Runners into the postseason. Keeper Samuela Valeri saved all four Lady Bengals shots on goal to provide the AC defense with the clean sheet.

By virtue of the win, AC’s ladies (5-6-2) locked down second place in the Region XIV South Zone and will host the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal against No. 13 Navarro College (14-4-1) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the Angelina College campus. [[Editor: verify — submitted copy reads “Tuesday, Oct. 2,” but the schedule at the bottom of the same release lists this match for Tuesday, Oct. 27. Confirm with Gary Stallard, (936) 465-4614, before publishing.]]

Roadrunner basketball flexes muscle in home scrimmage

Ranked No. 14 in the NJCAA’s pre-season polls, the Angelina College Roadrunners showed off both their depth and talent in this past week’s dominant 92-39 scrimmage win over Strength ’N Motion at Shands Gymnasium.

Every ’Runner in uniform added to the scoresheet, with Kevin Alabi leading the way with 15 points in 15 minutes of action. Alabi also added six rebounds and three steals in the game.

AC’s Jordan Russell added 13 points, and Amari Edwards nailed a pair of three pointers on his way to an 11-point night. Edwards finished with four steals for the night.

In all, the Roadrunners picked up 59 points from the bench.

AC will host another scrimmage on Wednesday, Oct. 28, taking on Houston Legacy in a game scheduled for a 6 p.m. start at Shands Gymnasium. The ’Runners then will open the regular season at home against Dallas College-Eastfield at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Basketball schedules available for viewing

Basketball season is here, with both the Roadrunners and Lady Roadrunners geared up to tip off their regular seasons in the next few weeks.

Here are the links to both teams’ schedules:

Lady Roadrunners’ basketball 2026-2027 schedule: angelinaathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2026-27/schedule

Roadrunner men’s basketball 2026-2027 schedule: angelinaathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2026-27/schedule

AC baseball, softball fall schedules

AC’s baseball and softball teams are nearing the ends of their respective fall seasons, but both groups still have some upcoming action on the slate.

Here are the fall schedules for both the Roadrunner baseball and Lady Roadrunner softball teams. NOTE: These are exhibition games, so there won’t be any live streaming available, nor will there be stats or final scores posted.

Roadrunner baseball fall 2026 schedule: angelinaathletics.com/sports/bsb/2026-27/schedule

Lady Roadrunner softball fall 2026 schedule: angelinaathletics.com/sports/sball/2026-27/schedule

Potential schedule changes

As always in East Texas, the potential exists for schedule changes because of inclement weather. We try to put out the word as soon as we get it, but the quickest way to confirm game days and times is to visit the AC Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com) to view the most updated schedules. We’ll also send out word on social media (AC Athletics Facebook and Instagram, etc.), but the on-line schedule will always serve up the most recent updates.

Live streaming reminder

All AC Athletics regular-season home games are live streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)

Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics web site, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link.

TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)

Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free, as is the TSBN live streaming. Any other links offering streaming are scams.

Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates (especially for potential weather issues) visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com). Fans can also receive updates on the AC Athletics Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Upcoming schedules

Tuesday, Oct. 27:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer vs. Navarro College (NJCAA Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal), 6 p.m. at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.
Lady Roadrunner Softball at Northwestern State University, 5 p.m. in Natchitoches, La.

Wednesday, Oct. 28:
Roadrunner Basketball vs. Legacy Houston (scrimmage), 6 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium.

Thursday, Oct. 29:
Roadrunner Soccer vs. Jacksonville College (NJCAA Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal), 7 p.m. at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.

Friday, Oct. 30:
Lady Roadrunner at Delgado College (season opener) at Baton Rouge Classic, 12 p.m. in Baton Rouge. [[Editor: verify — sport not named in the submitted copy for the Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 Baton Rouge Classic games. Gary Stallard, (936) 465-4614.]]

Saturday, Oct. 31:
Lady Roadrunner at Baton Rouge Community College (Baton Rouge Classic), 5 p.m. in Baton Rouge.
Roadrunner Baseball vs. Houston Thunder (fall exhibition game), 12 p.m. at Poland Stadium on the AC campus.

For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.

We’ll see you at the games.

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Lufkin Chamber’s Nov. 6 Luncheon Takes Up The Deep East Texas Workforce

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0
image credit: Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce

The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce has its November First Friday Luncheon set for Friday, Nov. 6 at noon at Crown Colony Country Club, and the program is a look at who’s working in Deep East Texas and who isn’t.

Dr. Ty Cauthen of Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas — American Job Center Network is giving what the chamber calls a strategic update on the region’s workforce and economic infrastructure: the openings, the gaps, and the programs meant to close them. For a business owner who has spent the last year trying to fill a position, that’s the hour to sit through.

Lufkin Coca Cola Bottling Company is presenting the luncheon. Servpro of Lufkin & Nacogdoches is putting up $100 for a drawing among the people in the room. The chamber asks that you register ahead so it has a head count.

Ad deadline for the 2027 community guide

The chamber’s Community Guide and Preferred Business Directory comes out once a year and stays in circulation the whole year, which is the pitch. Advertising is open to chamber investors only, and the deadline to reserve a spot or update an existing listing in the 2027 edition is Nov. 6 — the same day as the luncheon. The contact is admin@LufkinTexas.org.

Chamber investors who want the flyer and contract can get both from the chamber office.

The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce is at 1615 S. Chestnut Street in Lufkin. The phone is 936-634-6644 and the website is LufkinTexas.org.

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Diva Night (Polk County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0

November 5 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Grab your girlfriends, Diva Night is calling!

Join us for Sip, Shop & Sparkle, a fun evening of shopping, cocktails & mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and chances to win Diva Cash!

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Doors open at 4 PM

Polk County Commerce Center
Premier Sponsor: Loz Pilates

First 200 ladies receive a goodie bag & souvenir!

Don’t miss the Louis Vuitton purse raffle and 50/50 Cash Shopping Spree raffle!

What to wear? Come casual or go glam—add a little pink and sparkle!

Tickets: $20 presale | $25 at the door

Pick up your tickets at the Chamber office or purchase online!
https://business.polkchamber.com/…/details/diva-night-9703

Tag your shopping squad and make it a girls’ night out!

Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce

(936) 327-4929

View Organizer Website

Polk County Commerce Center

Related Events

Angelina College students put their AI questions to a five-member panel

By
Gary Stallard
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0

Artificial intelligence has worked its way into school assignments, hiring decisions and electric bills, and it has brought a lot of questions with it. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, a student group at Angelina College sat five people down and asked them out loud.

The AC Psychology Club hosted the panel. Guest panelists were Dr. Michael Simon, AC president; State Rep. Wesley Virdell of District 53; Zane Adams, CEO of ZJ Industries; Michael McCracken, Angelina County GOP chairman; and Dr. Andrea Barrett, AC assistant vice president of academic affairs. Tommy Cole, an AC student and the club’s president, moderated, and the audience asked questions too.

Data centers came up. Virdell pointed to the concerns about rising energy costs being passed down to consumers, and to the need for more stringent regulation. McCracken said there hasn’t been enough clarification about public concerns over water consumption and the increased demand for electricity. He said data center developers and local governments need agreements in place so communities are compensated if resource use runs past the original projections.

Another question got at the “human element” — the fear that artificial intelligence replaces people talking to people. Simon answered it with a conversation he’d had with a local employer, who assured him the human element will always be a necessary component, and that AI’s contribution is more efficiency in certain areas. Simon also talked about what community colleges are being asked to do now: prepare every student to use AI as a tool, in coursework and in a career.

Adams, an AC alumnus, looked at the jobs side of it. Data centers need construction workers, technicians and engineers to design and maintain them. And the technology isn’t always right, he said, so people stay in the loop to implement and supervise what it produces.

AC psychology instructor Benetha Jackson sponsors the Psychology Club. For more information about the club, contact her at bjackson@angelina.edu.

 

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Lufkin plans three new welcome signs where the tree cookies stood

By
Bobbie Langston
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0

Lufkin is bringing back its welcome signs.

The city is moving ahead with three new gateway signs at the same highway sites where its old tree-cookie signs once stood — U.S. Highway 59 South, U.S. Highway 69 North and U.S. Highway 69 South. A fourth sign on U.S. Highway 59 North will come later as its own project, after highway work in that corridor is finished.

The old signs welcomed drivers for about 12 years. They were built with a foam composite that broke down over time, and by the end they were past repairing, so the city took them down. Residents noticed, and some of them said so.

“Gateway signage helps introduce our community to the people traveling into Lufkin,” said Tara Hendrix, Director of Visit Lufkin. “This project has involved careful consideration of design, cost, lasting performance, funding, and maintenance. Our goal is to create a welcoming, enduring representation of Lufkin while being responsible stewards of public resources.”

Built to outlast the last set

The new signs trade foam for steel framing, an aluminum composite face, a concrete foundation and external spotlights. Each one carries the City of Lufkin name and a pine branch.

Getting to that design took two years. The first concepts went to City Council at its June 2024 budget retreat. More came in 2025, and some of the earlier ideas were set aside after council members raised questions about what they would cost to build and what they would cost to keep up.

Where the money comes from

None of it comes out of property taxes. The signs are paid for with Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue — money collected from people who stay overnight in Lufkin hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts.

Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 is strict about where that money can go. It can’t pay for street repairs or public safety or anything else on the general city ledger. It has to go toward drawing visitors and helping local hospitality, which is how welcome signs qualify.

The city calls the signs one piece of a wider effort that also includes downtown Lufkin’s Texas Cultural District designation. More on the project’s design, funding and history is coming through the city’s own channels as the work moves along.

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Angelina College Marks 25 Years of The Angelina Center for The Arts

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TFCL Story Agent
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By Gary Stallard
AC Office of Communications

For 25 years, the Angelina Center for the Arts on the Angelina College campus has served as both a prime location for showcasing existing talent while also serving as class settings for developing skills for future artists in every medium. Renowned musical artists have taken the stage inside Temple Theater, and noted visual artists have decorated the walls with their works.

On Tuesday, AC hosted a reception to celebrate a quarter century of excellence in the arts. Guests were treated to a tour of the entire facility, along with several live performances.

Following an introduction from AC president Dr. Michael Simon, the guests moved inside Temple Theater, where students under the direction of theater instructor Daniel Anderson ran through a rehearsal for their upcoming “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” performance, scheduled to open Nov. 5-7 in the same location.

Next on the tour was an experience with “lights, camera and action” — a visit to the lab where graphic arts instructor Reg Reynolds and his digital imaging students staged an example of the work they do in videography, photography and other areas. Graphic arts students will host an exhibition running Nov. 17 through Dec. 10 in the AC gallery.

Visual arts instructor Le’Anne Alexander then invited the guests inside her studio, where visitors could view ongoing works, including drawings and paintings, from her visual arts students. Alexander also briefed the group on her process for procuring established artists to host their exhibitions in the ACA gallery; she reminded everyone of the upcoming Visual Arts Student Gallery, set to open Oct. 27 and run through Nov. 11.

Music instructor and conductor Paul Berler then led the AC Symphonic and Civic bands in a brief concert preview for the upcoming “Voice of a Nation” performance, scheduled for Nov. 26 inside Temple Theater.

Another pair of musical performances followed, with vocalist Sarah Jackson, AC voice instructor and an alumnus, performing an operatic aria with Visual and Performing Arts chair Beckie Compton accompanying on piano.

Finally, Compton and Berler, on saxophone, closed out the evening with a duet of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

For a full schedule of upcoming visual and performing arts events, visit angelina.edu/events/category/visual-performing-arts.

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Ribbon Cuttings and A Plinko Breakfast Fill the Lufkin Chamber’s Next Two Weeks

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0
Businessman cutting red ribbon with pair of scissors

The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce has a full two weeks coming up, and it starts Friday morning with a Plinko board.

The chamber’s Power Networking Breakfast, presented by Amerigy Energy, meets Friday, Oct. 23, with a twist it’s calling Power Plinko. Drop a chip, see where it lands, and let whatever it lands on start the conversation — a business win, an ask, a referral nobody saw coming. The chamber asks people to register ahead so it knows who’s coming.

Ribbon cuttings and a Red Carpet Salute

Three chamber celebrations are on the calendar, all at 10 a.m.:

  • Messer Pro Wash & Exterior Service, ribbon cutting, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1615 S. Chestnut, Lufkin.
  • Austin Bank, Red Carpet Salute, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2000 S. John Redditt, Lufkin.
  • Angelina College Veterans Resource Center, ribbon cutting, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 3500 S. First St., Lufkin.

Businesses that want to schedule a ribbon cutting, Red Carpet Salute or kick-off with the chamber can contact Mackenzie Herring at mherring@lufkintexas.org.

What else is on the calendar

The chamber’s running list through early November:

  • Oct. 23 — Lufkin Clinic of Chiropractic Trunk or Treat
  • Oct. 23 — Angelina College: The Riff Runners Fall Concert
  • Oct. 26 — Nonprofit Financial Management
  • Oct. 27 — Angelina College: Visual Arts Student Exhibition Reception
  • Oct. 29 — Senior Expo
  • Oct. 29 — Angelina College: “Autumn Reflections” Instrumental Concert
  • Oct. 29 — Woodland Heights Medical Center Trunk or Treat
  • Oct. 30 — SFA Teacher Career Fair
  • Oct. 30 — Chick-O-Treat
  • Oct. 31 — 5th Annual Trick or Trot 5K & Fun Run
  • Nov. 5 — Bingo Fever with the Boys & Girls Club of Lufkin

The chamber’s email lists these by date and name only. Times and locations are on the calendar at LufkinTexas.org, or call the chamber at 936-634-6644.

The Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce is at 1615 S. Chestnut Street, Lufkin, TX 75901.

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East Texas Schools Land $1.1 Million To Train Nurses, Welders and Machinists

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0

Five school systems across Texas Forest Country are splitting about $1.13 million in state money to buy equipment for career training programs, part of a round of grants Gov. Greg Abbott announced Oct. 12.

The awards come from the Jobs and Education for Texans program — JET for short — which the Texas Workforce Commission runs. The state awarded 84 JET grants totaling more than $20 million to public junior, state and technical colleges, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The money buys equipment, which is the part of a career and technical education program that has to be paid for before a single student enrolls: the lab gear, the welding booths, the machine tools. TWC says the equipment bought in this round will train more than 7,400 students in the first year alone.

What the local schools got

Angelina College drew the largest award in the area, $305,116 to train 100 students as registered nurses. The state’s list uses the district’s formal name, Angelina Jr College District.

Garrison ISD in Nacogdoches County got $342,190 to train 64 students as welders, working with Panola College.

Livingston ISD in Polk County got $255,955 to train 120 students as welders, in partnership with Lamar Institute of Technology.

Leggett ISD, also in Polk County, got $166,277 to train 40 students as food service managers, with Lamar State College Orange.

Chester ISD in Tyler County got $59,123 to train 111 students as machinists, also with Lamar State College Orange. It’s the smallest grant on the local list and the one that reaches the most students.

Together the five awards come to $1,128,661 and cover about 435 students in the first year.

Nurses, welders and machinists

The occupations on that list aren’t a coincidence. JET money only goes to programs that train for what the state calls high-demand jobs, and in this part of East Texas that keeps coming back to health care and the trades. Three of the five local grants pay for welding or machining. The two biggest pay for nursing and welding.

“Students deserve a clear and affordable path to high-paying careers,” Abbott said. “Through more than $20 million in career training grants, Texas students will have the opportunity to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to high-wage jobs.”

“A skilled workforce is essential to the success of Texas businesses and the strength of our economy,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said.

The Legislature funds the program, and the grants are meant to cover start-up costs.

The next round

TWC plans to post the request for applications for 2027 JET grants later this fall. Public junior, state and technical colleges, school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and probation departments can all apply. The application packet goes up on the TWC Procurement Portal once it’s posted. Questions about this year’s announcement go to the Governor’s Press Office at (512) 463-1826.

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Angelina College Criminal Justice Students and Cadets Stage a Mock Trial

By
Gary Stallard
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0
image credit: angelina.edu

By Gary Stallard
AC Office of Communications

Angelina College students from various programs recently teamed up for a “mock trial” held on the AC campus, with the goal to give those students practical application in a real-world setting.

Monica Newberg (Instructor, Criminal Justice) and Ivan Kaminsky (Instructor, Law Enforcement Academy) recruited students to help set up and conduct the entire proceeding.

The trial included students from Newberg’s Criminal Justice-1306 (Court Systems and Practices) course, along with Kaminsky’s AC Law Enforcement Academy cadets.

Newberg said her students used the learning objectives taught in the course to apply their knowledge of courtroom workgroups and their roles and responsibilities.

“I worked with the CJ students to decide upon a criminal offense that would allow for a victim to face their accuser so that we could incorporate the participation with our cadets,” Newberg said. “The CJ students decided on an assault charge, and we worked on their knowledge of following the case through arrest, arraignment, indictment and pre-trial, where they even filed motions ahead of the court date.

“I was truly impressed with their creativity and dedication.”

With Kaminsky acting as “judge,” his cadets were able to employ their knowledge from learning objectives they met within the chapters completed in the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC).

“We had the cadets be a part of the prosecution, defense, courtroom bailiff, and jurors,” Newberg said. “This was a nice way to allow learners in both groups to apply what they learned in class as practice in a real-world (mock) setting.”

Newberg added the cadets even served as part of the jury-selection process, where CJ students playing the roles of prosecutor and defense asked questions of the cadets in a true “voir dire” setting. Both the prosecution and defense used permitted strikes while selecting the pool of jurors.

Who took part

Criminal Justice students participating, along with their assigned roles, included the following: Myleah Davis (State Prosecutor), Jeffrey Diaz (Defense Attorney), Oscar Barboza (Patrol Officer), Zachery Dye (Detective), Elizabeth Ochoa (Criminal Forensic Investigator), and Mallory Garza (Crime Scene Technician).

AC Law Enforcement Academy (Class 123, Basic Peace Officer Course) cadets participating, along with their assigned roles, included the following: Cadet Chaney Spears (Stephanie DiVinci, Victim), Cadet Jace Clendennen (Jeffery Matisse, Defendant), Cadet Wyatt Wills (Bailiff) and jurors cadets Michelle Acosta, Brian Berry, Lance Goodman, Jimmy Peek, Charles Rambin and Matthew Thomas.

“This was definitely a unique learning experience for both the CJ students and the cadets,” Newberg said. “Now that we have this one in the books, we have a foundation set for the next which will be in Spring 2027.”

For information on AC’s Criminal Justice programs, contact Monica Newberg at mnewberg@angelina.edu.

For information on AC’s Law Enforcement Academy, contact Ivan Kaminsky at ikaminsky@angelina.edu.

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Gospel Festival Fills The Historic Zion Hill Church Nov. 15

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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0
image credit: nacnewsnow.com

The Zion Hill Baptist Church building on North Lanana Street held a congregation for more than 70 years. On Sunday, Nov. 15, it will hold singing again.

The African American Heritage Project and Nacogdoches Historic Sites are inviting the community to a Gospel Festival at 3 p.m. that afternoon at the Zion Hill Baptist Church Historic Site, 324 North Lanana Street.

“This event will be a wonderful afternoon of songs and praise and thanks for all our many blessings,” said Paul Jackson, president of the African American Heritage Project. “We welcome the community to join us in celebration and joyful anticipation of the upcoming holiday season. Thanks in advance for your support. We appreciate you and look forward to blessing and uplifting you in praise and worship.”

Evangelist Alva Taylor, a voice known across East Texas, will emcee. The Men of Praise Quartet will perform. Participating choirs include Iron Wheel Baptist Church, Austin Heights Baptist Church and the Zion Hill First Baptist congregation, which worshiped in the historic Zion Hill church for more than 70 years. Commercial Bank of Texas is sponsoring the festival.

Admission is free and there is no preregistration. Donations collected at the festival will go toward the African American Heritage Project’s work restoring the Clay House.

“Events like this bring the church’s history to life,” said Veronica Amoe, Historic Sites manager. “Together with the African American Heritage Project, we hope to preserve the history of Zion Hill and the surrounding neighborhood and share it with future generations.”

Parking information is posted on the Historic Sites website. For more information, visit www.nactx.us/historicsites or follow the African American Heritage Project and Nacogdoches Historic Sites on Facebook.

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