Heavy traffic expected on US 190 East of Livingston in Polk County beginning this afternoon through tomorrow for the funeral services of Alabama-Coushatta Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III Clem Fain Sylestine. State Park Road 56 will be closed today from 3-4 pm and Saturday, noon to 6 pm. Prepare for possible delays or choose alternate routes.
HEAVY TRAFFIC ANTICIPATED ON US 190 IN POLK COUNTY
Motorists can expect delays and heavy traffic on US 190 in Polk County beginning Friday and into Saturday for the funeral and procession of Alabama-Coushatta Indian Principal Chief Mikko Colabe III Clem Fain Sylestine.
On Friday from 3-4 pm and Saturday from noon to 6 pm, State Park Road 56 will be closed in coordination with the procession and funeral services of Chief Colabe III. State Park Road 56 intersects with US 190 West and travels south through the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation.
Motorists should be alert and expect heavier than normal traffic on US 190 East of Livingston Friday and Saturday. Reduce speed and expect possible delays or choose alternate routes.
For information on roadway conditions and closures statewide, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on this road closure, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
Lady Roadrunners Pull Away Late to Top Indian Hills Whitehead Homers Twice, Husband Once in Win
The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners allowed their fans to sweat a little over the first four innings of Thursday’s game against Indian Hills Community College.
Behind a pair of homers from Nikki Whitehead and an RBI double from Brette Kohring, the Lady ‘Runners rode those four runs all the way up until Indian Hills closed the gap to 4-3 in the fourth inning.
Then AC’s hitters went off, posting three-run innings in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 10-4 win in the second round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament in St. George, Utah.
Jessica Husband’s three-run bomb in the sixth extended the AC lead to 7-3, and Kaylee Ancelot, Emilee Cernosek and Rachel Agnello each drove in a run in the seventh to put the Lady Roadrunners on top by the final 10-4 margin.
In those earlier innings, the Warriors repeatedly appeared poised to regain the lead. After blasting three homers in Wednesday’s win over No. 5 Tyler, Indian Hills showed off its power on a two-run, first-inning homer from Macey Harrington. AC starter Shelby Mixon held fast in the circle, killing a threat in the third and stranding two Warriors to end the frame.
In the fourth, the Warriors loaded the bases with one out. McKenna Fryar came on in relief of Mixon, and after allowing a run-scoring sacrifice fly, induced an infield popup to thwart the Warrior rally.
In the sixth, Indian Hills again mounted a charge, this time with two outs. An error followed by an RBI single and a double plated a run and put Warriors on second and third; again, Fryar bore down and recorded a strikeout for the third out.
Fryar dismissed all drama in the bottom of the seventh, downing the Warriors 1-2-3 to propel the Lady Roadrunners into Friday’s winners’ bracket, where AC will face the No. 1 seed – and the No. 1 team in the nation – Seminole State, 3-0 winners over Wallace College.
Mixon earned her second win in the circle and Fryar her second save in as many days.
AC and Seminole State will play at 1 p.m. EST (12 p.m. MST). A win would set up another game at 6 p.m. EST against the winner of the Chipola/Central Florida game, while a loss would have the Lady ‘Runners playing immediately after the first game at 3:30 p.m. EST (2:30 MST).
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
My five cents… A weekly column from Sen. Robert Nichols
The next time you hear from me, the 86th Legislative Session will have come to an end. On average only about 1 in 5 bills will make it successfully through a legislative session. At the writing of this column, approximately nine percent of the 7,324 bills, filed in the Senate and House, have been passed and sent to the Governor. This number will continue to rise. In 2017, 18 percent passed and in 2015, it was 21 percent.
Here are five things happening at your Capitol this week:
1. Free Speech on College Campuses To ensure a students rights of free speech are protected on the approximately 38 public colleges and universities in Texas, SB 18 was recently passed and would create a uniform policy statewide. Universities must establish all common outdoor areas as traditional public forums and allow anyone, even those not affiliated with the university, to exercise their freedoms there, as long as they are lawful and don’t disrupt the functions of the campus. Universities would be allowed to put restrictions on the time, place and manner of free speech activities to ensure there is not a disturbance on campus. As amendments were added to the bill in the House, the differences must be worked out in the Senate before it can be sent to the governors desk.
2. Battleship Texas The Battleship Texas is a historic landmark and is a representation of our nations history. The oldest surviving battleship in America, the battleship took part in some of the most significant battles in both World Wars. In 1945, she carried soldiers and provided support during landings all throughout World War II, including the landings for the battle of Okinawa, which was the final great amphibious assault. When it was retired, it was given to the State of Texas and now sits as a memorial at the San Jacinto Monument in Houston.
After years of sitting in water the ship has developed severe damage in its hull which has become a challenge for the State of Texas as well as Texas Parks and Wildlife, which manages the ship. SB 1511, which I authored, has passed both chambers. The provisions of the bill allow the state to have flexibility in its operation and preserving its historic value for future generations. I will continue to keep you updated as we move forward in the process.
3. Income Tax Prohibition One of the many reasons Texans are proud to live in their state is that there is no state income tax, as in so many other states. To ensure this continues, the Legislature has passed House Joint Resolution 38, which prohibits the state from imposing an individual income tax on Texans. Unlike other legislation, the approval of the governor is not needed for a resolution such as this. It will be sent to the Secretary of State’s office and will appear on the ballot in November. Voters will then have the final say during the election to approve or reject the constitutional amendment.
4. Firearm Carry in Disaster Zones In the past few years, Texas has been hit by many natural disasters. During those times, concerns have been raised on how Texans can transport their firearms. To address this, the Legislature has passed HB 1177. It allows those who are complying with a mandatory evacuation order to be able to carry their firearms without a license so long as they are not prohibited by state or federal laws from possessing a gun. This would only be allowed for up to 48 hours, however a provision of the bill allows the governor to extend the two-day time period if needed.
5. Tobacco – Age 21 The Senate and House have passed SB 21, which raises the minimum legal age of tobacco distribution, possession, purchase, consumption of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products from 18 years of age to 21. There is an exception to this law for those in the military who are 18 and older. National data has shown approximately 95 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 21, with many starting even younger. Currently, seven states and 380 cities have increased the minimum legal age of tobacco purchase to 21. Supporters of increasing the age believe adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the addictive effect of nicotine and nicotine addiction, and that it can inhibit the development of the brain and its cognitive functions. Those against the increase don’t believe it will stop those under 21 from accessing tobacco.
Twelfth-Seeded Lady Roadrunners Hold off Fifth Seed Salt Lake Ancelot, Agnello Power AC to Win in Opening Round of National Tournament
For their first-round opponent in the NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners drew the No. 5 team in the nation, a team featuring the top pitcher in the country.
But all the competition the Lady ‘Runners faced in their own conference proved the perfect test, and AC’s ladies – seeded 12th in the tournament – on Wednesday pulled off a 7-5 upset over Salt Lake Community College at the Canyons Complex in St. George, Utah.
The Bruins started in the circle the imposing Tarni Stepto, she of the 0.60 ERA for the entire 2019 season. Before the game, AC head coach Mark Mattson mentioned how much Stepto resembled a couple of Region XIV opponents. Clearly, the Lady ‘Runners also saw the similarities. Kaylee Ancelot drove in four runs, ripping a first-inning double to score Tristin Anders and a bases-clearing, three-run double in the second inning. Jessica Husband also doubled home a run in the second.
In the top of the fifth, Rachel Agnello launched a two-run homer to give the Lady ‘Runners a 7-2 lead. Those two insurance runs made all the difference when Stepto crushed a three-run shot of her own in the fifth to cut the AC lead to 7-5.
Salt Lake threated in each of the final two innings, loading the bases in the sixth before AC’s McKenna Fryar ended the inning with a strikeout. The Bruins put two runners aboard in the seventh with one out, but Fryar induced a pair of infield popups – with catcher Makayla Rodger chasing down the final out near the backstop – to seal the win.
Shelby Mixon earned the win in the circle for AC, with Fryar picking up the save.
The Lady Roadrunners on Thursday will face 13th seed Indian Hills, 7-5 winners over No. 4 seed Tyler Junior College. Game time is 3:30 p.m. EST.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
PROJECT BEGINNING IN LUFKIN TO ADD TURNING LANE ON SH 103/SL 287 WEST
A pre-construction meeting was held in the Lufkin Area Office, signaling the beginning of a new construction project within the city of Lufkin.
Barricades will be set next week for work that is scheduled to begin by June 3 on SH 103/SL 287 West from the intersection of SL 36 (Old Mill Road) to the crossover for SP 339 (Raguet Street). The project consists of widening existing pavement for additional turning lanes on SH 103 and modifying the crossover to Raguet Street (next to Cherry’s Grocery).
Longview Bridge and Road, Longview, TX, will serve as contractor for the $1.6 million project that is expected to be completed within 6 months, weather permitting. Motorists can expect traffic control to be in place throughout the project, including reduced speed limit through the work zone, barricades, signs and flaggers.
Work is expected to be completed by September, weather permitting. During the course of the project, SP 339 will be closed to through traffic. This project is designed to improve traffic flow, provide more efficient access and enhance the safety of the roadway. As this project begins, motorists are urged to stay alert, use caution and obey all traffic control.
For information regarding road closures and conditions statewide, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on this and other Lufkin District projects, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
Campfire Bash at the Texas Forestry Museum
The Texas Forestry Museum invites families to its Campfire Bash, on Thursday, June 6th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. At the event, families will play campfire games, complete a trail scavenger hunt, eat walking tacos, paint a rock craft, and more. The event is on the museum’s trail so all attendees should wear closed-toe shoes. Tickets are $5 per person and are limited, so be sure to purchase yours soon. A special thank you goes to our event sponsors, A Furniture Fetish and La Unica. Photos will be taken at the event for promotional materials. For more information call 936-632-9535.
Fiscal Notes: Emergency Management in Texas
In the May edition of Fiscal Notes, released today, the Comptroller’s office examines Texas’ emergency management system, a web of public and private organizations that work together to mount the state’s initial responses to disasters. Since 1953, Texas has seen an average of four federally declared disasters each year.
“From first responders in the field to the State Operations Center in Austin, thousands of people work together to ensure the safety of Texans and their property,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “Led by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, it’s a system that’s been called a model for other states.”
This edition also takes a look at the work of the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas, which was created after Hurricane Harvey to assist with recovery operations and to recommend improvements in communication, coordination and infrastructure to lessen the impact of future hurricane events.
Fiscal Notes is available online and can be received by subscribing via the Comptroller’s website.
Fiscal Notes furthers the Comptroller’s constitutional responsibility to monitor the state’s economy and estimate state government revenues. It has been published since 1975, featuring in-depth analysis concerning state finances and original research by subject-matter experts in the Comptroller’s office.
Riley Latham of Lufkin Wins 2019 Georgia-Pacific College Scholarship
Riley Latham, a senior at Lufkin High School has been selected as a recipient of a Georgia-Pacific Foundation Employees’ Children Scholarship. She is the daughter of Michael and Daryl Latham. Michael is the Director of Inside Sales for Georgia-Pacific.
“It is our privilege and honor to present Riley with one of the GP employee scholarships,” said Pat Aldred, Vice President of Composite Panels. “Education is one of our four focus areas that we invest in each year. We see it as the key that unlocks potential.”
Riley will attend Stephen F. Austin State University in the Fall where she will major in Biology. She hopes to become a physical therapist.
The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Scholarship Program for Employees’ Children awards $2,000 per year for up to four years of full-time college undergraduate study or until baccalaureate degree requirements are completed, whichever occurs first, for a total maximum award of $8,000. This year, Georgia-Pacific awarded $384,000, which will be distributed to 48 students across the country.
Since the scholarship program began in 1988, Georgia-Pacific has awarded nearly 1,600 scholarships totaling more than $12 million. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and is open to children of all active, full-time employees of Georgia-Pacific in the United States. More than 200 applications were received this year.
“Georgia-Pacific is very proud to offer this scholarship program to our employees’ children,” said Curley M. Dossman, Jr., president of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. “The students’ hard work, academic achievements and perseverance are a reflection of their promising futures – we wish them continued success in the next phase of their academic careers.”
Education is a cornerstone of Georgia-Pacific’s community investment. Across the country, the company supports a wide array of community-based educational programs including ones that boost literacy, inspire children to pursue STEAM fields and train educators so they can take their skills to the next level.
East Texas Communities Foundation Awards Over $240,000 in Scholarships
East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) awarded $241,050 in scholarships to high school and college students from East Texas for the 2019-20 school years. Recipients were honored at a reception at The Tyler Civic Theater on Monday, May 20 th. Scholarship amounts range from $450-$5,000 per student originating from 68 different scholarship funds at ETCF.
“East Texas Communities Foundation is honored to help these deserving students continue their education and grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the charitable goals of the many individuals, organizations, and families who have made it possible,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation. “Each year we are impressed with the quality of students applying for these funds. The donors who have invested in these students through the creation of scholarship funds have given a lasting gift to all East Texans.”
For a complete listing of 2019 scholarship recipients, please go to http://etcf.org/scholarships/student-resources/ and click on past recipients.