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Drug-Free All Star Chosen as Truth Initiative Ambassador

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Alex Sanchez, Diboll High School Drug-Free All Star, at Truth Initiative Headquarters in Washington D.C.

The Coalition would like to recognize Alex Sanchez, Diboll High School Drug-Free All Star, for being selected as one of twelve national Truth Initiative Ambassadors. According to truth InitiativeÒ, their truth Ambassadors are young people who have previous experience with tobacco control advocacy and are especially passionate about making their communities tobacco-free and mobilizing their peers to achieve this goal. The Truth Ambassador program is designed to last one year so students have the opportunity to create projects that have a sustainable impact on their communities. As an ambassador, Alex traveled to the Truth Initiative headquarters in Washington D.C. to be trained for his role and to start organizing for his community project. Along with his role as an ambassador, Alex is the leader of the tobacco interest group in the Drug-Free All Star program and committed to changing the perception of tobacco in our community. After graduating from Diboll High School, he plans on attending the University of Texas San Antonio to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

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 Drug-Free All Star program contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

To learn more about the truth Ambassador program at Truth Initiative visit: https://truthinitiative.org/youth-leadership

She’s No. 1 AC’s Mack Named Spalding NJCAA Division I Player of the Year

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Natasha Mack on Thursday was named the Spalding NJCAA Division I Player of the Year following her spectacular 2018-2019 campaign. Mack finished as the all-time scoring leader in AC program history and lifted the Lady Roadrunners to national prominence. (Gary Stallard photo)

There are nearly 200 teams and more 5,000 athletes in the National Junior College Athletics Association’s women’s basketball ranks.

As of Thursday, Angelina College’s Natasha Mack officially is No. 1.

The organization on Thursday announced that Mack, a sophomore from Lufkin, has been named the 2019 Spalding NJCAA Division I Player of the Year. This just days after Mack learned she’d been named 1st Team All-American.

Thursday’s announcement marks Mack’s second National Player of the Year award this year, with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association bestowing its own Player of the Year honor earlier this month.

From the NJCAA’s release: “Natasha Mack of Angelina altered not only shots, but opposing game plans on both ends of the court during a dominant sophomore campaign. For her efforts, Mack has been named the 2019 Spalding® NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.”

Mack led her own conference in several categories and was among league leaders in the national statistics. She finished the season as the nation’s leader in blocked shots and was near the top in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.

After establishing a new all-time program record for points in a career with 1,471, Mack led the Lady Roadrunners to a 29-4 record and the Lady Roadrunners’ first-ever appearance in the national tournament after AC took home the conference tournament championship.

Mack is the first Angelina College athlete to earn both 1st Team All-American status and the National Player of the Year award.

Lady Roadrunner head coach Byron Coleman said the award isn’t surprising considering Mack’s spectacular season.

“What can you say? She had a phenomenal year, the type of year that will go down not only in Angelina College history but in NJCAA history as well,” Coleman said. “I’m nothing but ecstatic for her.”

Mack’s accomplishments didn’t just lift the Lady ‘Runners to the best season in program history; her efforts also lifted the program to national prominence, and Coleman is already seeing the results.

“She’s given us momentum,” Coleman said. “We’ve been a good program for a long time here in a tough league, and now she’s elevated us nationally to a different level. We’re getting calls from all over the country from people wanting to know more about our program.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of Natasha. She worked so hard, and she deserves every bit of the recognition she’s receiving.”

Mack is the daughter of Bonnie Lee and Anthony Mack.

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

My five cents… A weekly column from Sen. Robert Nichols

By
Senator Robert Nichols
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With only seven weeks left in session, the Legislature is well on its way to completing its to do list with both chambers passing their versions of the budget. This is the only constitutionally required task for the Legislature to complete.

Here are five things happening at your Capitol this week:

1. Human Trafficking Taskforce

Recently, Senator Jane Nelson passed Senate Bill 72 out of the Senate. This bill will create the State Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council, which will be housed at the Office of the Attorney General. The Council will be made up of the governor, the attorney general and members of six state agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Department of Family Protective Services. To help the approximately 313,0000 victims of human trafficking, both labor and sex trafficking in Texas, the council will be charged with developing a state plan and collaborate human trafficking related expenditures across state agencies. This bill is now in the House.

2. Senate Passes State’s Budget

This week, the Senate unanimously approved a two-year $248 billion budget for our state. This includes a $6.3 billion increase in funding for public schools, which covers an increase in teacher salaries and aid for school districts. $59 million was included to help expand outpatient community mental health capacity, and an additional $272 million to address CPS caseloads and expanding Community Based Care for foster children. There is also additional funding to help reduce wait times at our drivers license offices, maintain border security levels and provide an increase to transportation funding to help with mobility.

Senate Bill 500, the recently passed supplemental budget, included funding to help the Gulf Coast recover and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey, and provided $900 million to help Harvey-impacted school districts. The budget will now be sent back to the House, and a conference committee will be appointed to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state’s budget.

3. Cost of Special Education

In recent years, Texas has received many reprimands from the federal government relating to the way it has handled funding for special education and for capping the percentage of students who could receive special education services. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has found Texas is in violation of a federal statute prohibiting states from reducing their funding for students with disabilities year after year. Texas was warned that a financial penalty for this violation was inevitable.

The Texas Education Agency estimates that for 2012, 2017 and 2018 they could be penalized approximately $111 million, with an additional $111 million penalty estimated for fiscal year 2019. The agency is currently working with the Legislature and the USDE to address these concerns.

4. Open Meetings Act

Senate Bill 1640, by Senator Kirk Watson, has passed the Senate and will restore a provision previously struck down by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals which made it a crime for public officials to meet in a “walking quorum”, or to deliberate privately in small groups without a quorum present. The bill lays out specifics for this prohibition and requires the boards to continue to post for a public meeting, establish a quorum, and then be able to discuss the business of the board publicly. This is the way boards in Texas have operated for years, and should continue to do so to ensure transparency and accountability to the public they serve.

5. Rural Broadband

High speed internet has become a part of our everyday lives and essential for businesses, school districts and those in the medical field to ensure they are providing the best services they can. However, for many rural parts of our state, Texans do not have access to high speed internet coverage, or cell phone coverage for that matter. I have surprised many other members in the Legislature when I share with them that we do not have adequate cell coverage in Senate District 3.

Last week, I passed Senate Bill 14 off the Senate Floor. This bill will help to increase access to broadband internet for rural areas in Texas, through the help of Texas Electric Cooperatives (Co-Ops). These Co-Ops are member-owned non-profits, which have over 300,000 miles of distribution lines throughout rural Texas. By utilizing their existing electricity infrastructure, they would be able to deploy broadband to the members they serve and meet their need for high speed internet.

AC’s Norman Earns All-American Status Sophomore Named to NJCAA Division I Third Team

By
Gary Stallard
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When first-year Angelina College men’s basketball head coach Nick Wade assumed control of the team last summer, he did so knowing he would have but one returning starter to help him kick off his first season.

That one player was the one guy Wade needed.

Kevin Norman, a sophomore from Alexandria, Louisiana, on Monday was named to the NJCAA’s Division I Third Team All-American list.

A 6’4” guard with all-around basketball skills, Norman helped lead the Roadrunners to an 18-14 record, a second-place finish in the Region XIV South Zone and an appearance in the conference tournament quarterfinals. Norman averaged 19.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, and he converted 34.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Norman posted a season-high 40 points against Lone Star College-Tomball in December and hit six three pointers in a March game against Lee College.

Wade said the award is a much-deserved one considering the amount of work Norman put in throughout his two-year as a Roadrunner.

“It was so incredible to watch his growth and maturation this year,” Wade said. “Last year, like all freshman, he went through a learning process. With the new staff this year, you could tell he felt comfortable, that he knew we had his back. He really tried to be the best version of himself every day, and that was important.

“He didn’t earn this award from anything we did as coaches. This was a lot of hard work on his part. This is his teammates lifting him up and looking out for him while taking his lead. When I see him named All-American, it’s emotional for me because of all the work he did.” Wade said he noticed a change in Norman late last year – an off-the-court change leading to a better overall product on the floor.

“The truth is when I saw him taking ownership in the classroom, and when he really pushed hard for his grades, he became a totally different person,” Wade said. “He understood where he’s trying to go, and he began growing more off the court.

“That kid came to work every day. We were 8-12 at one point and on a losing streak, and any kid could have given up and gone into ‘Me’ mode, but that’s not who Kevin is. He’s a selfless player, a team player.”

Another change in the typically reserved Norman came about as the 2018-2019 campaign began. As the only returning starter from the previous year’s squad, Norman learned quickly the leadership skills necessary to help guide his teammates to success.

“It wasn’t really his role to be that person last season, but this year he kind of owned it,” Wade said. “He had to be groomed for it a little, and he’s still learning how to be the best leader he can be. But there was definitely a shift in his coming out of a shell, so to speak.

“He’s done a tremendous job in setting up the foundation for our younger guys, showing them this is what it’s going to take to compete at this level and achieve what we want. I’m excited to see our freshman from this year as they follow his lead into next season.

“Kevin’s contributions and this recognition are things I believe will help our program heading into the future.”

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

Angelina College Chorale and Friends in Concert April 16

By
Nancy Reynolds
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The AC Chorale and Friends will present “This is AC!” Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Temple Theater.

The group, directed by Beckie Compton, AC music instructor, will be celebrating Angelina College’s 50th anniversary with an evening of music from 1968 through 2018, featuring the talents of vocal and instrumental ensembles, as well as AC faculty and staff members, alumni and The East Texas Praise Symphony.

From 1968, Patty Donaldson, AC physical education instructor and alto, will sing “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” which was co-written by soul singer Otis Redding and guitarist Steve Cropper. She will be accompanied on the piano by Debra Jenke, AC government instructor.

From 1976, “Turn the Beat Around,” arranged by Alan Billingsley, will feature Colin Wise, former AC Singer and current recruiter for AC.

Doug Conn, AC police chief and baritone, will be featured singing the 1977 song “It Was Almost Like a Song” written by Hal David and Archie Jordan and made famous by country singer Ronnie Milsap.

From 1982, the group will sing “Africa” arranged by Roger Emerson.

From the 1990s, they will perform “The Majesty and Glory of Your

Name” arranged by Tom Fettke and “By the Way of the Cross” arranged by Speck, Goss and Zaloudik, and alto Cheryl Sims, administrative assistant in the Visual and Performing Arts Division, will be featured. Also, “The Old Rugged Cross” arranged by Marty Hamby will be performed by The East Texas Praise Symphony, including a flute solo by Evelyn Walker, AC Human Resources specialist.

From the 2000s, the handbell choir will play an arrangement of “Agnus Dei/Shall We Gather at the River” by Ron Kean. Also, a duet will sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which was arranged by Andy Beck; and a large group of the AC Chorale and Friends will sing “These Great Trees” by Robert J. Coe, adjunct music instructor at Angelina College, who has also taught at Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Houston.

Vocalists, instrumentalists and ensembles will perform other songs as well.

Tickets for the event cost $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens, students and children.

FATALITIES DECLINE IN THE STATE’S HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AREAS

By
Joshua Blackwell
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In spite of a decrease in work zone crashes in Texas last year,  161 people still lost their lives and another 684 were seriously injured, with the vast majority of those killed—84 percent—being motorists and/or their passengers. As National Work Zone Awareness Week gets underway today, the Texas Department of Transportation  highlights its Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign, reminding motorists to stay alert and exercise caution when driving through work zones.

“Work zones present a different environment for drivers to navigate with  concrete barriers, slow-moving heavy equipment and vehicles that may make sudden stops,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “That’s why we’re urging drivers to pay special attention in work zones on Texas roadways—for their protection and the safety of highway work crews.”

In 2018, a total of 25,162 work zone traffic crashes were reported, an average of nearly 70 crashes per day, resulting in deaths that fell by 20 percent between 2017 and 2018 in construction zones in Texas.

At any given time, Texas has as many as 3,000 active work zones across the 80,000 miles of road TxDOT maintains.Since the leading causes of work zone crashes in Texas are speeding and driver inattention, TxDOT asks motorists to avoid distractions and put their phones away, obey road crew flaggers, slow down and follow posted work zone speed limits. Traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present, and fines can cost up to $2,000.

To safeguard roadside crews and first responders, the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law also requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted limit when they see flashing blue or amber lights on a TxDOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, tow truck, or law enforcement stopped on the roadside or shoulder. Not doing so can result in a fine of up to $2,000.

The Texas Mutual Insurance Company is joining TxDOT to promote work zone safety through sharing of campaign materials and providing speakers for safety-related events. Part of Texas Mutual’s mission is to help employers prevent workplace incidents and minimize their consequences, which aligns with TxDOT’s work zone awareness safety efforts.

For media inquiries, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov  or call (936)633-4395.

Angelina College’s Mack Named NJCAA 1st Team All-American Lufkin Product Leaves AC as Career Scoring Leader

By
Gary Stallard
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The NJCAA on Tuesday named Angelina College’s Natasha Mack to the 1st Team All-American list. The Lufkin product in 2018-2019 led the Lady Roadrunners to the program’s first-ever appearance in the national tournament. (Gary Stallard photo)

It turns out the early-season predictions were on the money.

Angelina College’s Natasha Mack, the pre-season pick as the No. 1 prospect in women’s junior college basketball, made those prognosticators look good.

The National Junior College Athletic Association on Tuesday named Mack to the Division I 1st Team All-American list following the 2018-2019 season.

Mack, the reigning NJCAA D1 Player of the Year, joined nine other players from around the country on the list.

Earlier this month, Mack was named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association 1st Team All-American for the second time in as many seasons.

The Lufkin product ended her storied junior college career as AC’s all-time career leader in scoring, finishing with 1,471 points. She led Region XIV in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage and blocked shots. She carried her weight in those same categories at the national level, finishing first in the nation in blocks and second in scoring.

In her two years, Mack earned National Player of the Week honors on four occasions; she also earned the conference’s Most Valuable Player award along with 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-Conference nods.

Mack led the 2018-2019 Lady ‘Runners to a 29-4 record, a conference tournament championship win and the program’s first-ever appearance at the national tournament in Lubbock.

Mack is the daughter of Bonnie Lee and Anthony Mack of Lufkin.

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

Strive Clinical Network Excedes Quality Goals and Produced Significant Savings with Employees Retirement System of Texas

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Strive Clinical Network (Strive), an East Texas network of Primary Care physicians, has produced exceptional first-year results in its care for members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Strive exceeded quality and cost goals while delivering improved patient outcomes and experience. The network is comprised of 100 physicians with 52 locations across East Texas, including Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Livingston, and Athens.

Strive partnered with StratiFi Health, an integrated healthcare services company specializing in powering independent physicians, for the fiscal year ending Sept 1, 2018 to deliver a higher level of care to ERS’ employees in the East Texas market. In this first performance year, Strive saved over $2.5 million for more than 5,000 ERS members and met 85 percent of quality metrics, surpassing the goal of 75 percent. Additionally, Strive exceeded its Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAPHS) patient satisfaction survey score goal of 80 percent.

Several factors drove the dramatic results on quality and savings:

• 93 percent of patients received follow-up test results;

• 95 percent of patients reported getting timely appointments;

• 98 percent reported positive doctor communication; and

• there was an 8 percent reduction in costs versus the market, resulting in $2.5 million in savings.

“We are incredibly proud of the results achieved this year. The excellent work of our providers and the care team at StratiFiHealth are making a positive impact on the East Texas community. We are happy to have ERS as a partner who recognizes and rewards our performance,” said Kyle McMorries, M.D., president of Strive Clinical Network.

Critical to the program’s success is the team-based care management model deployed to help the physicians better manage their patients’ healthin an ever-changing health care system. The care team extends physicians and their practice in ways that support the employees and member dependents in chronic disease support, complex case management, health coaching,

transitions of care, referral management, clinical care gap closures, and even patient scheduling.

“There is a strong sense of community in East Texas. It is not surprising that this network of doctors was able to perform so well in their first-year contract with the State of Texas. We are proud of these results – and we’re energized by them. This is a testament of what is possible when there is direct collaboration between the physicians, who provide the care, and the employer, who pays for care on behalf of the people who receive it,” said Christopher Crow, M.D., CEO of StratiFi Health.

AC’s Lufkin Community Band in Concert April 14

By
Nancy Reynolds
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April 8, 2019 – Angelina College’s Lufkin Community Band, conducted by David E. Smith, will present “The Band and Our Soloists” April 14 at 2:30 p.m. in Temple Theater located in the Angelina Center for the Arts on the Angelina College campus.

The program opens with “Crown Diamonds,” followed by “Immer Kleiner,” featuring a clarinet solo by Jenny Iles. Next up is “Deep Inside the Sacred Temple,” featuring a euphonium duet by Dennis Fleetwood and Ross Kay. “Dre Fidele Solisten,” fetures the trombone trio of Melvin Echman, Kenny Baker and Jimmy Battle. “Goin’ Home,” features an alto solo by Nicole Hunt, adjunct Angelina College voice instructor. “La Virgen de la Macarena,” features a trumpet solo by Steven Brown, and “Shoutin’ Liza Trombone,” will be directed by guest conductor Robert Shanks. The program closes out with “Comic Tat-Too.”

Special solo pieces include “Volare,” “Memories of Cash,” “The Revival March,” and “Zacatecas.”

Performers from Lufkin are Evelyn Walker, flute/piccolo; Cindy Broyles, flute; Jo Tucker, clarinet; Debra White, clarinet; Trevor Curtis, clarinet; Karen Mitchell, bass clarinet; Sara Gray, alto saxophone; Anthony Hackney, alto saxophone; Bethe Girardi, baritone saxophone; Kylie Briggs, cornet/trumpet; John Cavanaugh, cornet/trumpet;

Jimmy Battle, trombone; Melvin Eckman, trombone; LaVan Watts, trombone; Robert Shanks, euphonium; Carl Wallace, tuba; R.L.T. Byers, percussion; and Jennifer Gowins, percussion.

Performers from Nacogdoches are Jasmin Limqueco, flute; Mason Hendrix, oboe; Dwain Forsythe, cornet/trumpet; Corrie Bird, French horn; Dennis Fleetwood, French horn; Elizabeth Parril, French horn; and Carole Deptula, string bass.

Performers from Hudson are Stephanie Carcano, clarinet; George Scogin, tenor saxophone; Ken Bunge, cornet/trumpet; and Kyle Campbell, string bass.

Performers from Diboll are Rose Wilson piccolo/flute; and Breossha Skinner, euphonium.

Performers from Livingston are John Schmidt, tuba; and Stephanie Cates, clarinet.

Other performers include Andrea Leaman of Crockett, cornet/trumpet; Morgan Robertson of Groveton, cornet/trumpet; Kara Glover of Huntington, alto saxophone; and Michael Parrish of New Willard, clarinet.

Tickets to the concert, priced at $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, students, and children may be purchased from the Temple Theater Box Office by calling (936) 633-5454; or will be available at the door on the day of the concert.

Brodie Oliver raising broilers and competing at the Angelina County Fair

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Brodie Oliver is an 11-year-old 5th grader at Bonner Elementary and the son of Clay and Stephanie Oliver. He has 2 brothers and a sister: Bosten, 14, 8th grade at Hudson Middle School. Brynn, 13, 7th grade Hudson Middle School, and Baylor, 8, attends Peavy Primary.

Brodie has been part of 4-H since his 3rd grade year but this is his first year to have a project. His mom Stephanie says, “We were in between houses for the last two years so logistics were not in our favor to have any animal projects.” In previous years, his siblings both made the sale with their broilers. His mom continues, “Competition is high in the family, so he is bound and determined to not only make the sale but perform higher in the order than they did!”

When asked why he chose the broiler project, Brodie says, “My dad chose the project.” Clay states, “I think this project has the best return for our investment.”

Brodies is really honest about what he enjoys and doesn’t enjoy “I like watching them grow. They grow very quickly. I do not enjoy when they die, but I have learned just as much when they do not make it. I have a few good lessons to share but better keep those out of this story.”

He goes on to say, “The hardest part is filling feeder and the water buckets. They are very heavy. We started with 100 chicks. Filling feeders and water buckets for 100 birds is not only a lot of physical work but very time consuming.”

Clay and Stephanie agree, “We want all of our kids to see the hard work it takes to raise and care for an animal. Hopefully, creating a strong work ethic for not only animals but life in general. Just because you worked hard, doesn’t mean you will end up at the top. No matter the outcome, there is always something to learn.”

Stephanie says, “On a more personal note, we love any family bonding opportunity. Our three oldest are working on the same project so they share the workload. There is a lot of communication, frustration, working together, laughter, they are learning and sharing with each other.”

“Our family enjoys the 4-H programs because of the work ethic it creates as well as cultivating the family unit. Everything from the meetings, to projects, to county fair- it’s all family oriented. We enjoy doing things that create a bond between us, creating good, bad, and funny memories.”

What’s good and bad? Stephanie states, “Good is making the sale. Bad was using our attached garage of our house for the chicken pen. Bad idea! Bad memory! And funny was our daughter having to hold her broiler to be judged!”

In addition to raising broilers for the Angelina County Fair, Brodie is very active and loves to work. He plays basketball with Hudson Youth Basketball League. He is part of the volunteer leadership team at his school called Bonner Gives Back. He is active at Harmony Hill Baptist Church, participates in Pineywoods Youth Rodeo in team roping and is an avid skateboarder. Brodie has even been working on starting a new compost business from natural animal waste on the farm.

This year’s broiler show at the Angelina County Fair will be on Tuesday, April 16 starting at 6 pm in the main arena at the George H. Henderson Expo. The entire County Fair is from Monday, April 15 thru Saturday, April 20 concluding with the sale on Saturday evening. The auction will be Saturday evening in the main arena starting at 4 pm.

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