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Update from Rep. Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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I want to start this column by extending my sincere gratitude to all of the brave men and women who serve as first responders. As we recently reflected on that solemn September morning over 17 years ago, we remember those who lost their lives to save the lives of countless others. God bless their sacrifice, and God bless their memory. I hope you’ll take some time in the days and weeks to come to thank a first responder for their dedication and service.

With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol. . .

House Interim Charge: Pensions

The committee we’ll focus on in this week’s column is the House Pensions Committee. This seven member committee oversees the benefit and financial obligations of all public retirement systems in Texas. The committee also has purview over a number of state agencies, including the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, and the State Pension Review Board.

This interim the House Pensions Committee has been tasked with studying and making recommendations to enhance state oversight with respect to the overall soundness of local and state pension systems. More specifically, the committee will focus on governance structures and investment oversight, which ultimately contribute to healthier, more sustainable plans. Additionally, through in-depth evaluations of long-term liabilities at the state and local level, the committee can determine methods of best-practice that would also contribute to the overall health of pension plans across the state.

Long-term liabilities, such as the retirement benefits that many local government, state, and school district employees have been promised, are top of mind for legislators and statewide elected officials alike. Recently, the State Comptroller of Public Accounts has been promoting a solution to these ever-growing obligations. Though his plan to invest portions of the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” – that is growing at an all time rate due to increases in oil and gas revenues statewide – and use proceeds to help balance the books of the state budget is not a priority for the Pension Committee, you can be sure that such a policy decision would directly impact the work of this committee. I look forward to following any progress on this front, as I am committed to any financially sound decision that would keep our promise to so many hard-working Texans.

Reminders

The mobile office is on the road this month and looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: September 19th at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:00-11:00am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30pm.

Lady Roadrunners Blank North Lake for Fourth Straight Win, Dewbre Nets Another Hat Trick

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Jade Dewbre (24) slide kicks the ball away from a pair of North Lake College players during Tuesday’s match. Dewbre scored a hat trick to lead the Lady Roadrunners to their fourth straight win, a 6-0 blanking of the Blazers at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)
Angelina College’s Savannah Keziah (16) takes possession away from a North Lake College player during Tuesday’s match. The Lady Roadrunners ran their winning streak to four straight with a 6-0 win at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

Angelina College’s Lady Roadrunners made it four straight wins with Tuesday’s 6-0 blanking of North Lake College, and for the second straight week, Lady ‘Runner Jade Dewbre had a hat trick by the end of the first half.

Dewbre entered Tuesday’s match tied for 10th in the nation in goals scored in the NJCAA’s Division I level, but her performance against the Blazers vaulted her into the top five. Dewbre’s 13 goals in 2018 have already established program marks for all-time and single-season scoring.

Not even three minutes into the match, AC’s frontal assault netted the first goal. Olivia Urrutia took a pass from Stephany Lopez and blasted a shot from far outside the box. The ball caromed off the crossbar, but Jerissa Grimes cleaned it up for a 1-0 Lady ‘Runner lead.

Dewbre notched her first goal in the eighth minute of the first half, kicking a ball hard and low from the right side and celebrating as the ball skipped off the wet turf and beneath the Blazer keeper’s efforts for a 2-0 lead.

Dewbre added her second score in the 31st minute and completed her hat trick two minutes later after taking a corner kick from Urrutia and knocking home a header.

Grimes added her second goal in the second half, going across her body in an awkward angle and drilling it to the back of the net to boost AC’s lead to 5-0. Dewbre had a hand in the final goal, drawing the keeper out of the net on a breakaway. The keeper deflected the ball, only to see AC’s Eva Phillips step up to the net and finish off the 6-0 win.

AC keepers Aubrey Pettett and Skylar Roberson each made saves to preserve the shutout, but they had few chances thanks to the back line play of Italli Suarez, Savannah Keziah, Makayla Lewis, Bailey Bowers and Bety Hernandez, who rarely allowed the Blazers anywhere within shooting range.

The Lady Roadrunners (6-2, 3-1) next play at Navarro College on Tuesday. Game time is 4 p.m. in Corsicana.

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

How to Foster Your Child’s Creativity Through Play

By
Statepoint
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Playtime is the perfect time to foster your children’s self-expression and creativity. Here are a few fun ideas to try at home.

Build a Fort

Kids get to be builders and architects when they construct the perfect fort from pillows, blankets and other materials found at home. Whether it’s a castle that’s guarding a secret treasure, or an igloo in the North Pole, once built, kids can let their imaginations run wild. A childhood staple, fort-building is a classic way to get creative at home through role play.

Karaoke!

Karaoke is not only a blast, it lets kids take center stage and pretend to be their favorite stars. Consider a karaoke machine built specifically for kids that’s packed with engaging content. For example, the new VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine features games, sound effects and voice effects for creative musical expression. Its Music Magic feature allows kids to turn down the main vocal track so they can be the star, and works with MP3 files, streaming music services and karaoke videos, so there’s no limit to their inspiration. A recording feature with fun voice-changing effects gives kids an opportunity to hear their performance.

Host a music theme night, birthday party or put on a special concert. With a disco light that twists 180 degrees for colorful light effects, and audience sounds such as applause, cheering and laughter, kids can truly feel like they’re on stage.

Want to take the show on the road? Consider something portable, such as Kidi Star Music Magic Microphone, which connects to MP3 players and mobile devices and is packed with games and voice effects. For more information, visit vtechkids.com/kidistar.

Go Exploring

With simple tools such as a camera, binoculars, magnifying glasses and a compass, kids can become daring explorers, making important discoveries in the backyard or a nearby park. With a notepad or digital diary, they can record their observations, create maps, take journal notes and more. At the end of the day, let them present their findings to you.

Creative role play can help boost imagination and self-expression. Be sure playtime at your household includes plenty of opportunities for kids to shine.

Polk County Spirit Ride

By
Ezra McMullen
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Polk County wants bicyclists from everywhere to come enjoy the forested hills and valleys of Polk County. This is Livingston’s annual “SPIRIT RIDE”, a chance to not only enjoy the gorgeous scenery of East Texas, but to also enjoy the riches of a small East Texas community and the home of beautiful Lake Livingston.

When: 8:00 am Saturday, October 6, 2018

Rain or Shine The 6th Annual Spirit Ride will offer experienced and beginning cyclists an opportunity to ride along the shoreline of Lake Livingston and the surrounding rolling hills of Polk County, Texas.

Registration: T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 100 Riders registered. Register in advance at Active.com for a contribution of $35. Or register on-site the day of the ride beginning at 6:30 am for $45.

Start Location: Our ride begins at the Livingston High School parking lot located at 400 FM 350 South Livingston, TX 77351. Livingston is located 75 miles north of Houston on Highway 59. Click here for directions to the event start and packets pickup location. All routes will start promptly at 9 am.

Routes: We offer 4 ride routes for all levels of riders, including a “Metric Century” 67-mile course. The routes will take participants through the rolling hills south and west of Livingston Texas via 4 courses of increasing length, all of which will take riders northward along the eastern shore of Lake Livingston, and then back to the finish at the High School where the rides began.

Support:

There will be Police escorts through major intersections, medical support, SAG vehicles, Ride Marshall support and Rest stops every 9–16 miles, on all routes.

Refreshments will be provided at all Rest Stops to keep you hydrated and energized. This will include fruit and drinks along with plenty of port-a-potties. So whether you need to take a break, need help with a flat or just need a lift, we will be there for you.

Lunch is provided for all participants on their return to the High school parking lot.

Safety Requirements:

Helmets are required, NO HELMET, NO RIDE

No headphones allowed while riding

No Trailers or Tag-a-longs

Any rider under the age of 16 must also be accompanied by an adult (21 or older) at all times.

Overnight Accommodations and things to do and see: For more information on activities in the Livingston area, including hotels and restaurants, visit the Livingston Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

Thank you,
Polk County Crime Stoppers
spiritride@yahoo.com

Polk County Spirit Ride

10/6/2018

Livingston High School

Livingston, Texas

Landscaping in the Fall

By
Cary Sims
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We’ve had some days where high temperatures did not reach 90. When I first wrote this, we had a day that didn’t reach 80 and I got almost giddy. I can’t wait for fall to get here.

And as we’ll talk about for the home landscaper, I want to emphasize the point that fall is a great time to get big items planted.

As weather should be getting slightly cooler, gardeners will be enticed back outdoors. Let me argue that fall is a perfect time to add a new tree or a grouping of shrubs to the landscape. Perhaps you have an area in the landscape that needs ‘remodeling’ or rejuvenating. The fall should be the best season to plant, even better than spring.

It’s true that most folks prefer January through March for planting. We greatly anticipate the warming weather after our winter. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the larger nurseries and their ad campaigns will do their best to sell flowers in the fall.

But the fall months of September through December have distinct advantages over any other time of the year. Fall planting follows the heat of summer, before a cool winter season, and trees and shrubs planted in the fall use this to good advantage.

Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter for us. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth.

For winter settling-in and root development, fall is the ideal time to plant potted trees and shrubs. These plants have ample time to recover from transplanting and proliferate roots before spring growth begins.

‘Plan before you plant’ is always a good rule of thumb. Whether you are planting a single plant or an entire landscape, plan first, then plant. Good planning is a worthwhile investment of time that will pay off in greater enjoyment of attractive and useful home grounds, and in increasing the value of your home. It’s much easier to move plants on paper then to dig them after planting in the wrong place. A plan saves many planting mistakes.

Every plant in the landscape should serve a purpose. Ask yourself if you want a plant for screening, for privacy, or for shade. Remember to consider how large will it be five years from now? Plants, like people, grow up. Remember, that a small one-gallon-size plant will look entirely different after a few years of growth in your landscape.

All plants have growing requirements. Think about the plant’s needs before you invest. Is it adapted to your area’s soil? Will it grow in sun or shade? Does it need a wet or dry location? Is it cold hardy? Most nurseries have this type of information on tags beside the plant.

Do not fertilize your tree or shrub after planting. Wait until early in the spring to do this, and even then, go lightly. Heavy applications of fertilizer may burn and injure the root system, and could possibly kill the plant.

Watering has been and remains paramount in transplanting. At the time of transplanting, soak the root ball and surrounding soil. A thorough watering every 7 to 10 days dramatically increases the success ratio. More frequent watering may encourage root rot. Remember more trees and shrubs fail from over watering then from under watering.

After planting and before you put up the tools, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of newly planted trees and shrubs. This helps to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture.

On Monday, September 17 at 6:30 pm, the Angelina County Extension office will be hosting a landscape design seminar. The featured speaker is Laura Miller, County Extension Agent for Horticulture from Tarrant County. Laura will be covering a variety of native and well adapted plants for use in your landscape.

Program is free to the public and will conclude around 8 pm.

Chairman White Urges SBOE to Maintain the Heroism of the Alamo Defenders in School Curricula

By
Rep. James White
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Due to legislative guidance, the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Social Studies Advisory Group have met to evaluate and provide recommendations to our Texas educational curriculum. The Advisory Group has provided a recommendation that has taken the liberty to attempt a cultural cleansing, instead of streamlining the curricula. The current Texas History curriculum stresses: “explain the issues surrounding significant events of the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of Gonzales, William B. Travis’s letter “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World,” the siege of the Alamo and all the heroic defenders who gave their lives there, the Constitutional Convention of 1836, Fannin’s surrender at Goliad, and the Battle of San Jacinto.

However, the Advisory Group recommends: “explain the issues surrounding significant events of the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of Gonzales, the siege of the Alamo, the Constitutional Convention of 1836, Fannin’s surrender at Goliad, and the Battle of San Jacinto and Treaties of Velasco.” “After reviewing the Advisory Groups’ rationale in excluding the word “heroic” as a value charged word and the reference to all ‘defenders’ as too vague it seems that this is more like cultural cleansing. In the context of the term heroic being value charged, I do not even know how eliminating this word “streamlines” the curriculum. Moreover, suggesting that the reference to all defenders as vague suggests that this Advisory Group has some scholarly information
suggesting that at least one defender was not heroic. My constituents and I await the release of that peer-reviewed research,” stated State Representative James White in a letter addressed to all
members of the SBOE. He added, “for several years, I taught Texas History in a public school classroom. If I had failed to convey academically the heroism of these Texian patriots, it would amount to instructional malpractice. This pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution rallied our Texian Army and ultimately led to the victory over the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto. The defenders  of the Alamo gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to Texas and its people. It would be an insult to their sacrifice, legacy, and descendants to rob them of this heroic honor.” Rep. White has received numerous calls from concerned constituents not only on this issue but other curricula recommendations from this Advisory Group that suggest eliminating reference that highlight the Christian influences on our political culture. Although supportive of the SBOE and the Advisory Group’s work to streamline our Social Studies curricula, Rep. White urges the board to consider whether these are streamlining efforts or far reaching attempts at cultural cleansing. “There is nothing value-charged about heroism in the defense of liberty whether it occurred at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Belleau Woods, Iwo Jima, Pork Chop Hill, Fallujah, and yes — the Alamo,” stated Rep. White.

Please do not hesitate to contact either Saul Mendoza, Chief of Staff with questions regarding this release at 512-463-0490.

How Ready is Your Child for the New School Year?

By
Statepoint
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Backpack and supplies — check! So, what’s left to do before going back to school? How about finding out how well your child has learned foundational skills that they need to succeed in the next grade?

Ninety percent of K-8 parents believe their child performs at or above grade-level in reading and math, according to Learning Heroes’ research. However, the National Assessment of Educational Progress finds that only a little more than a third of students are achieving at that level. What’s more, the “summer slide” puts students at risk of losing up to two months of reading skills and two and a half months of math skills over a single summer.

To get a better feel for how prepared your child is for the next grade and how to support their learning at home, check out these tips from Learning Heroes’ “Super 5 Back-to-School Power Moves.”

1. Get a gut check: Use the Readiness Check to see how prepared your child is for their new grade. Designed by leading experts in reading and math, the Readiness Check instantly provides important information about your child’s grade-level progress with reading and math skills after your child answers just three to five questions in each of the two subject areas. The free tool, which is available in both English and Spanish, also connects you to information, videos and activities to help build grade-level skills at home. To access this tool and other resources, visit bealearninghero.org. Other ways to assess how ready your child is for the new grade include paying attention to how easy or hard it is for them to do grade-level tasks and looking at their annual state test results from last year. If you haven’t received the results yet, ask your child’s teacher.

2. Partner up: At your first teacher meeting, bring your child’s state test results and ask what they mean for this year. Find out what’s expected of your child and how you can provide support at home. Help the teacher get to know your child by sharing their interests and strengths as well. You can also share what you learned from the Readiness Check.

3. Make learning fun: You are the expert on your child and can make learning exciting. Read together, choosing topics that interest your child. Find math in everyday life and turn it into a game. These small learning moments add up to a lot.

4. Celebrate effort: Help your child see that hard work is what leads to success. Focus on effort and what your child is learning. This will help your child feel less nervous about new tasks or subjects.

5. Support life skills: Strengths such as communication, problem-solving, and confidence will help your child in school and life. Talk openly with your child about how they feel and handle situations, especially tough ones.

“Learning happens everywhere — at home, in the community and in the classroom,” says Bibb Hubbard, founder and president of Learning Heroes. “The Super 5 Back-to-School Power Moves can help you use the summer and beginning of the school year to get a more complete picture of where your child is on track, and where more attention and focus may be needed.”

-Statepoint

Second Prescription Drug Dropbox Installed in Angelina County

By
Ezra McMullen
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Sharon Kruk, Executive Director for The Coalition, and Diboll Police Chief Steve Baker stand with the newly installed prescription drug drop box in the Diboll Police Department lobby.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 46 people die every day as a result of a drug overdose involving prescription opioids. To help combat this problem, The Coalition, Inc. recently partnered with the Diboll Police Department to install a Prescription Drug Drobox in the Diboll Police Department lobby. Sharon Kruk, Executive Director of The Coalition commented, “Angelina County is not immune to the opioid epidemic and The Coalition is committed to protecting our citizens from the harms of prescription drug misuse and abuse.”

With funds from the Texas Targeted Opioid Response grant, The Coalition, Inc. purchased the drop box and worked with the Diboll Police Department to permanently install the box in their lobby. Diboll Police Chief Steve Baker commented, “Diboll P.D. is proud to partner with The Coalition to provide this resource to residents in Diboll and the surrounding area. By safely disposing leftover or expired medications, local citizens can play their part in keeping prescription drugs off the streets and out of the hands of those who will misuse them.”

The Diboll Police Department drop box is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in the Diboll Police Department lobby. Accepted drugs/medications include: prescription medications, patches, ointments, cough syrups, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, medication samples and pet medications. Items that are not accepted in the drop box are needles, lancets, syringes, aerosol cans, inhalers, thermometers, alcohol/peroxide, medication from businesses or clinics, and personal care products.

With this resource project, The Coalition hopes to reduce the amount of prescription drugs in Angelina County. 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 prescription drugs or opioids, contact Sharon Kruk at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

How a Pressure Cooker Can Save You Time and Energy in the Kitchen

By
Statepoint
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Pressure-cooking may sound intimidating, but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s actually a simple process that can save you time, energy and money.

Not only does a pressure cooker use up to 70 percent less energy than a stove, it combines high pressure and high heat to dramatically reduce cooking times, saving you as much as two-thirds the time it takes to cook with a conventional stove. Another benefit? More vitamins and minerals are retained by pressure cooking vegetables as opposed to boiling and steaming.

Using a pressure cooker is different than cooking on a stovetop or in the oven, so the first few times, follow a recipe to get the feel for liquid ratios and cooking times. Recipes for all occasions, as well as tips and pressure-cooking advice can be found on Crock-Pot.com.

Don’t let inexperience prevent you from trying a pressure cooker. Once you have a few strategies down, it can become a useful tool to prepare convenient, quick meals for your family.

-Statepoint

US 59 South Work To Continue

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Work on US 59 South between Lufkin and Diboll will continue next week and the speed limit will again be lowered from Whitehouse Drive in Lufkin to the city of Diboll.

Crews are scheduled to remobilize and begin working nights by mid-week. The speed limit will be lowered to 50 miles-per-hour beginning Monday. The work schedule will alternate between night and day hours until completion and will include north and southbound lanes. Motorists should expect lane closures and possible delays as the project progresses.

The $8.3 million project includes resurfacing US 59 South from FM 3482/Whitehouse Drive to 1.1 mile north of FM 1818 near Diboll. It includes planing the existing pavement, applying a hot mix level up course and a final permeable friction course that will repel water and reduce surface noise.

Moore Brothers Construction, Lufkin, is contractor for the project that began June 26 and is scheduled to be completed by early summer, 2019, weather permitting.

Motorists should reduce speed to the posted speed limit and obey all traffic control devices. The lower speed limit is enforceable once signs are set. It is illegal to drive around a TxDOT barricade, cones or barrels. Stay alert to moving equipment and workers near the lanes of traffic as this project progresses.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

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