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An Update from Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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With the second decade of the 21st century in the rear view mirror, this New Year provides a unique opportunity for new beginnings. As we turn the page to a new year and a new decade, it’s important to spend time reflecting not only on what we did right over the years, but also what we can do to improve in the future. Regardless of whether or not we make official “resolutions,” it is my hope that we, as a people, will make a renewed effort to forgive more, anger less, and be kinder to one another.

With that, we’ll dive back into our examination of the recently released interim charges. . .

House Interim Charge: Licensing & Administrative Procedures

The House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures is one of the larger committees in the Texas House with jurisdiction over more than a dozen state agencies. As such, this 11-member committee will spend a significant amount of time this interim monitoring the implementation of legislation and the associated rulemaking authority. In particular, the Speaker has asked the Committee to focus on the implementation of House Bill 2847, which updates outdated regulations and repeals certain licensing requirements for overly regulated occupations. The Committee will ensure that certain provisions of the bill, including the length of a license term, a fee for the issuance or renewal of a license, and any continuing education required to renew a license, are properly applied and not overly burdensome.

The Committee has also been charged with studying efforts by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to combat human trafficking at all licensed locations. Data shows that Texas ranks second in the nation for reported human trafficking cases, some of which can be (and have been) operated through TABC-licensed locations. As such, the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee members have been charged with making recommendations to increase TABC’s ability to rescue victims and successfully prosecute more criminals, including recommending harsher penalties for permit holders that have been identified as participating in human trafficking, and to make regulatory and statutory changes needed to combat human trafficking in Texas.

Reminders

The mobile office is back on the road in the month of January and looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: 9-11 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett, or 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton. 9-11 a.m. Jan. 22 at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine.

Drug-Free All Star Meeting at Family Crisis Cente

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Pictured back row: Lauren Basham, Garin Ashby, Caleb Crawford, Hayden McLeroy, Toby True, and Devin Luker. Next row, from left to right: Dhruv Chauhan, Sarah Freeman, Lainey Gates, Brissa Gonzalez, Lindsey Murphy, Shawni Poindexter, Logan Peikert, Alexis Ferguson, and Lizbeth Martinez. Next row, from left to right: Cesar Lopez, Estephanie Escobedo, Melany Escobedo, Laurel Ainsworth, Britt Williams, Lakeyn Powell, Destanie Snyder, Keila Martinez, and Misti Mills. Next row, from left to right: Autumn Greene, Odalis Perez, and Bethany Nerren. Front row, from left to right: Jada Salaiz, Jade Beauchamp, Cady Guevara, Trace Lucas, Alexie Hernandez, Morelya Bucio, and Tia Davis.

The Drug-Free All Stars are a group of high school seniors throughout Angelina County that are hand selected to serve as role models for their community by living a tobacco, drug, and alcohol-free lifestyle. For their monthly meeting in December, the Drug-Free All Stars visited the Family Crisis Center. During their visit to the Family Crisis Center, the All Stars took a tour and learned about how the Family Crisis Center helps our community through prevention, education, and training community members. The students were also able to adopt two families through the Family Crisis Center and purchase items they wished for this Christmas.

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 Stars, contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Viral Video of the Day: 1 Year Old Snowboarder

By
Joshua Blackwell
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DETCOG EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Beth Ann Seale was recognized as DETCOG Employee of the Year and Cynthia Trowbridge was honored as Program Director of the Year at the Annual Christmas Luncheon of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments held December 19 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Jasper.

Ms. Seale is a 29-year employee of DETCOG, working in the Regional 9-1-1 Program.  In announcing the award, Executive Director Lonnie Hunt noted that she is “dependable, loyal, and trustworthy, and always willing to help her teammates in her department and the COG staff in general.”  He also noted that she is fluent in both English and Spanish which has been a huge asset to the organization.  9-1-1 Program Director Van Bush echoed those sentiments and added that “she has kept me straight and on target for the past 20 years.”

Ms. Trowbridge has been employed at DETCOG since 2001.  She was soon promoted to Personnel Officer and served as Director of Administration from 2010 until recently when she elected to transfer to a new position in the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center.  “Her knowledge, plus her work ethic and dedication to the staff and the Board of Directors, make her very deserving of our Program Director of the Year,” Hunt said.

Nine other DETCOG staff members were presented with Employee Service Awards for achieving milestones ranging from five to 40 years.  These include:

  • Dora Wilmore (STAR Program) with 40 years of service.
  • Holly Anderson (Assistant Executive Director and Area Agency on Aging Director) with 35 years of service.
  • Van Bush (9-1-1 Program Director) with 30 years of service.
  • CaTina Boykin (Assistant Controller) with 20 years of service.
  • Scherita McCray (Housing Specialist) with 20 years of service.
  • Larry Alaniz (IT Director) with 10 years of service.
  • Erin Hollis (RSVP Program) with 10 years of service.
  • Pam Irvin (Aging & Disabilities Resource Center) with five years of service.
  • Betty Mitchell (211 Area Information Center) with five years of service.

“We are blessed to have a dedicated staff with a lot of experience,” said Hunt.  “Their commitment to the people of Deep East Texas and our member local governments is really something special.

The December DETCOG meeting also featured a program presented by Eddie Hopkins, Executive Director of the Jasper Economic Development Corporation.  Hopkins entertained the crowd with special holiday music and delivered an inspiring message about the importance of working together to help people and improve the region.  He challenged the audience to be inclusive and look for opportunities to help those most in need.

SIGNAL ACTIVATION SET FOR WEDNESDAY ON US 69 SOUTH

By
Rhonda Oaks
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A new traffic signal will be activated in coming days on US 69 South at FM 326 North in Angelina County between Lufkin and Huntington.

Crews are set to activate the newly constructed traffic signal on Wednesday, weather permitting. Work is expected to begin by mid-morning. The signal will be set in full activation mode and will be enforceable once work is completed.

Lighted message boards are in place to warn motorists of the newly placed signal. Work on Wednesday will also include striping at the intersection of FM 326 North and US 69. There will be intermittent lane closures as this work is completed.

Texas Transportation Commissioners in March approved the $114,856.50 traffic signal after the completion of a traffic study and recommendation for its approval by the Lufkin District. Texas Traffic Control Systems, Inc., Dike, TX, is serving as contractor for the project.

Motorists should reduce speed through this area and prepare for slight delays throughout the work day Wednesday. Stay alert for flashing warning lights and lighted message boards placed on US 69 informing drivers of the activated signal.

Video of the Day: NYE Champagne Saber Trick

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Myths vs. Facts of Landing a Skilled Trade Job

By
Statepoint
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With the demand for skilled trade workers growing nationwide, you may be looking to launch your career, change professional paths, or hone current skills in order to advance in your industry.

As you go about the process, consider these few myths and facts about landing a skilled trade job:

• Myth: It will be hard to find training in my local area.

• Fact: There are numerous free resources available to connect you with local training opportunities. Veterans and their spouses for example, can seek career assistance from organizations such as amvets.org. In the case of the HVACR industry, locating training organizations in your zip code is as simple as visiting natex.org, which provides online services to English and Spanish speakers, as well as certification and recertification.

• Myth: All training programs are pretty much the same.

• Fact: Not all certification programs offer the same quality education, nor are they associated with the same breadth of job opportunities. Those in the HVACR industry, for example, can set themselves apart by getting North American Technician Excellence (NATE) training.

“Not only do contractors prefer working with NATE-certified technicians, consumers look for this certification as well because it ensures that a knowledgeable, well-trained and highly experienced technician will service their home heating or cooling system,” says Anthony Spagnoli, NATE’s director of training and education.

• Myth: Skilled trade careers don’t offer room for growth.

• Fact: Skilled trade careers are in especially high demand today, offering long-term job security, a good living and room for advancement. To learn more about existing growth opportunities, tune into the podcast “Blue is the New White.” Available for download on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, this is also a good resource for those seeking to get their foot in the door.

• Myth: Career support will be hard to come by once I receive my certification.

• Fact: Connecting with a seasoned professional who can act as your mentor is a great way to build relationships, network and learn as you go. This is especially important for those who have traditionally been underrepresented in a given industry. You can find mentors on-the-job, at industry events and through online resources such as Women in HVACR, which among its initiatives, connects young women in the industry with mentors. Visit womeninhvacr.org/mentorship to learn more.

Looking to break into HVACR or another skilled trade industry? Check out available resources which can help you get trained, certified and employed with confidence.

2020 Interior Design Trends on the Horizon

By
Statepoint
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The beginning of the new year is a natural time to think about refreshing the look of your home, and in 2020, “cozy” and “warm” are trending keywords for interior design, according to experts, with luxurious textiles, inviting color palettes, and warm mixed metals found across all design styles.

While a maximalism approach is on the horizon, clean and modern design schemes continue to reign.

“Use a minimalist approach, allowing patterned décor to add pops of color,” advises Eliza Alkire, trend expert and product designer for Progress Lighting. “Accent this with hanging planters and potted greenery to enhance the character of any room with an organic look.”

To make the most of your space this year, consider this design advice from Alkire and the experts at Progress Lighting:

Materials, Shapes and Finishes

While neutral color schemes are tried-and-true, in 2020, you’ll want to turn to an updated palette consisting of warm, earthen undertones. Choose lighting finished in mixed metals to accent the neutral scheme while adding visual interest and depth.

Recent years have seen lighting combine black chrome and gold finishes. Now, warm tones of natural brass, bronze and copper mixed with silver and black will be found across lighting designs, cabinet pulls and plumbing hardware. Move over, stainless steel! Just remember to keep the look uncluttered by not mixing more than two or three metals in one space.

Geometric shapes are dominating design trends. Adding lighting in triangle, diamond, hexagonal or combination of geometric shapes is one of the easiest ways to transform a space and add wow-factor. Make sure to balance statement-making lighting with clean, classic patterns and colors on furnishings and accessories.

Create warmth with tactile elements. Luxurious, richly-textured fabrics like velvet, suede and leather work nicely with clean, contemporary interiors as well as rustic farmhouse spaces. Try vibrantly-colored velvets furnishings, pillows and throws. Wallpaper is making a comeback: use it in small areas like powder room walls, or make a splash with a floral accent wall.

Style Evolution

Overall design trends are evolving. Homes that were previously traditional are now termed “new traditional” as they take on fun, youthful elements that keep the design fresh. Lighting fixtures have mixed metal finishes or are designed in new takes on classic silhouettes, such as large lanterns and chandeliers done in linear shapes.

Mountain style goes beyond a rustic, cabin look to take on a modern form with clean lines, neutral color palettes and uncluttered interiors. With open layouts and tall ceilings, sweeping views command attention. Lighting is oversized, with airy, open designs meant to cast light without obstructing views from the plentiful windows in the space.

For fans of farmhouse style, this look has taken a delightful turn, with fewer rustic details and more modern charm. Subtle hues go beyond a white and gray palette into the realm of soft greens and blush pinks. Lighting is inspired by historical design with industrial details like working pulleys, but is combined with clean lines for a relaxed, casual vibe.

For more tips and inspiration, visit Progress Lighting at progressltg.com/Inspiration.

To stay on-trend in the new year, think cozy, warm and inviting.

Better Business Bureau offers tips for successful New Year’s resolutions

By
Joshua Blackwell
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With the new year arriving, many are looking back at what they accomplished in 2019 and looking forward at how they can improve in 2020. The fresh start of a new yearis the perfect time to make resolutions, and improving health is often at the top of the list.

While set with good intentions, the American Psychological Association (APA) says New Year’s resolutions can create anxiety if left unaccomplished. They recommend starting small and asking for support.

Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of Texas offers these tips to support consumers on their journey to a happier, healthier 2020:

  • Get fit with the right gym. New gym memberships increase at the beginning of January, when consumers decide to invest in a gym and their health. There can be many benefits to working out at a public gym: classes, equipment, accountability and more. However, you want to be sure you’re at the place that’s right for you. Knowing your fitness goals and setting priorities can help you determine where to start looking. Always take a tour of facilities and read the contract closely to determine how much a membership costs each month. You can also check the gym’s business profile on bbb.org.
  • Watch for free trial scams. Some health and fitness goals, like quitting smoking or losing weight, can be a slow process. You may even feel like you aren’t making much progress, so turning to “miracle” products may begin to seem like a good idea. First and foremost, you should always be careful when taking products for your health and should consult with your doctor first. Second, products using big claims and celebrity endorsements may be attempting to lure you into a free trial scam. This is when a company claims it’ll send you a sample of its product for free, you just need to give your credit card information to pay shipping and handling. Later, you find a charge for the full cost of the product. If this is the direction you decide to go when working on your New Year’s resolutions, always read the terms and conditions carefully before placing your order and use your credit card for extra protection.
  • Care for your mental health, too. Caring for your health extends beyond your physical health. Helpguide.org emphasizes the importance of social connection when caring for your mental health. In fact, a report released by Better Business Bureau at the end of September showed social isolation to be a factor in increasing scam risk. Those with fewer people in their lives to discuss potential scam offers with were more likely to become victims of fraud and lose money. Take time this year to connect with old friends and meet new ones too.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider Certification

By
Joshua Blackwell
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CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin Community Education Rooms. $200 Registration Fee. To register or for more information, please call 936-631-6780 or 936-639-7717.

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