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3 Tips to Meet Your Retirement Goals

By
Statepoint
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People are living longer, fuller lives than ever before, which means retirement plans need to stand the test of time. With this in mind, it makes sense to review your financial plan and make necessary tweaks to set yourself up for success.

“Knowing that your retirement plan includes long-term protection from market losses and opportunities for growth can help you feel more confident about facing some of the challenges that may come your way,” says Will Fuller, president of Annuity Solutions and Distribution for Lincoln Financial Group. “What’s more, working with a financial advisor can help you balance your competing financial priorities to help ensure you are on the right track for a successful, comfortable retirement.”

Fuller and the professionals at Lincoln Financial Group are offering the following tips for creating a successful retirement plan.

• Start saving today. If your employer offers a 401k, enroll if you haven’t already. If you’re currently enrolled, consider boosting your contributions or creating an additional retirement account. Only four in 10 savers are saving as much as they think is necessary, according to the 2017 Lincoln Retirement Power Participant Study. One reason for this is that many savers face competing financial priorities, such as saving for college for their children and paying down mortgage debt. A financial advisor can help you manage such competing priorities.

• Plan for the unexpected. Most people age 65 and older will need some form of long-term care, so plan for this potential expense. One way to help guarantee that you will have the resources to pay for such expenses as they arise, while protecting the savings and income you’ve worked to build, is through a long-term care funding solution.

• Add solutions that offer lifetime income. “Retirement strategies that were once successful may no longer stand up to today’s challenges, including fluctuations in the market, inflation and tax reform,” says Ric Martin MS, CFP, of Bluestone Wealth Partners in Columbus, OH, and a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, who works with clients on their retirement income plans. “Depending on retirees’ personal situations and if an annuity works for them, savers can help ensure that their income is available and there when needed in retirement. An annuity can provide a stream of guaranteed lifetime income that they won’t be able to outlive.”

More retirement resources and tips can be found at www.lincolnfinancial.com.

Savers should look for a retirement savings plan that is well-rounded and well-protected against risk. Consult with a qualified advisor who can help you plan a strategy that will leave you feeling more confident about your future.

Roadrunners Earn Sunday Split with Navarro Bergeron’s Arm, Baker’s Bat Lead AC in Nightcap

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College pitcher Sean Bergeron spins a breaking ball toward a Navarro College hitter during Sunday’s game. Bergeron led the Roadrunners to a 7-2 in the nightcap after AC fell 3-0 in 10 innings in the opener. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Angelina College catcher Dillon Nesbit corrals a tricky foul pop during Sunday’s game against Navarro College. The Roadrunners earned a 7-2 win in the nightcap after falling 3-0 in 10 innings in the opener. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

The Angelina College Roadrunner got a pair of outstanding pitching performance in Sunday’s doubleheader against Navarro College, taking advantage of one of them to earn a split in Sunday’s doubleheader at Roadrunner field.

Sean Bergeron went 6 2/3 innings in the nightcap, getting plenty of run support in a 7-2 Roadrunner win. Hayden Baker drove in three runs with a two-run double and a solo homer, and Brett Mugavero, Dylan Murphy and Alec Paz added an RBI each in the win.

Bergeron struck out five and allowed just two earned runs in his time on the mound. Reliever Chandler Reece got the game’s final out with a strikeout.

The nightcap was shorted to seven innings because of a classic pitcher’s duel in the opener. AC’s Lance Lusk and Navarro’s Paul Dickens refused to allow a single run, and a scoreless tie lasted until the top of the 10th inning, when the Bulldogs finally broke through for three runs to take the 3-0 win.

Lusk struck out six and allowed five hits, while Dickens struck out 10 and held AC to three hits. Navarro’s Derek Mueller ripped a two-run double to the wall for the game’s first runs, and the Bulldogs’ Scott Hastings drove in another run in the same frame.

The Roadrunners (22-16, 10-8) open a three-game series at Bossier Parish Community College starting on Thursday. Game time in Bossier City is 2 p.m.

Second baseman Alex Ashby (25) of Angelina College throws over contact from a Navarro College runner during Sunday’s game. The Roadrunners earned a 7-2 win in the nightcap after falling 3-0 in 10 innings in the opener. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

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

Unexpected Food and Wine Pairings for Your Spring Feasts

By
Statepoint
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Spring is here, which means it is time to create sensational seasonal wine and food pairings to elegantly entertain family and friends.

Experts suggest Cabernet Sauvignon as a selection well suited for the transition to warmer temperatures, as the bold, bright red and black fruit flavors with hints of spice pair easily with both hearty and lighter fare.

“Cabernet Sauvignon is more versatile than most believe. It can be enjoyed with different cheeses, meats, vegetables and even certain types of fish,” says Molly Hill, Winemaker at Sequoia Grove Winery.

For a classic expression, consider Sequoia Grove Winery’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This tempting red wine maximizes the distinct flavor characteristics of its origin, the Rutherford Bench, one of Napa Valley’s most revered growing regions for Cabernet.

At your next spring dinner, try serving the Sequoia Grove 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP: $44.99), a full-bodied wine featuring notes of sweet vanilla and spice, followed by blackberry, strawberry, and berry pie aromas.

For a timeless pairing, try this recipe for Roasted Leg of Lamb. This dish balances well-seasoned lamb with the acid in citrus to create a delicious pairing for this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ingredients:

(Serves 10-12)

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons orange juice

• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 (4 to 5 pound) boneless leg of lamb, butterflied

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Squeeze of lemon

• Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Evening Before:

• In a food storage bag, combine thyme, rosemary, garlic, onion, oil, vinegar, orange juice and mustard. Mix well.

• Add the leg of lamb; seal the bag and turn to coat. Massage the meat through the bag for a few minutes to help the marinade set in. Put the storage bag into a large roasting pan to marinate for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Day Of:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

• Remove the lamb from the marinade and place in shallow roasting pan. Season with the salt, pepper and squeeze of lemon.

• Roast, uncovered, basting with the remaining marinade several times while roasting, using all the marinade

• Roast for 50 to 70 minutes or until an instant read meat thermometer registers 140 degrees F for medium rare, or 150 degrees F for medium. For food safety, cook to a minimum of 140 degrees F.

• Remove from oven, cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

• Carve into slices against the grain. Serve with the sauce that forms in the bottom of the pan and a side of mixed root vegetables. Pair with a glass of Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for a delightful meal experience.

-Statepoint

Ag News – Will Stafford Raising Rabbits for the Angelina County Fair

By
Cary Sims
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There’s less than two weeks left until the Angelina County Fair. Will Stafford is busy raising rabbits in his first year at the Fair.

Will is a 7th grade student that is busy in the National Jr. Honor Society, Jr High Football, the MVP Volunteer group, and is a Lone Star Leader at his school. He is also raising four Californian rabbits that are eight weeks old.

He is the son of Brook and Melisha Stafford. Will has one younger brother, Grant.

The rabbit show this year is sponsored by PID Services, Inc, and will be held on Wednesday, April 18 starting at 10 am. There are two parts of the rabbit competition: a breeding show and a market show.

Breeding livestock competitions are to evaluate livestock based upon their breed traits and, ultimately, their ability to be productive and bear offspring. The market competitions are evaluating livestock, on the hoof, for their expected carcass traits.

Will’s rabbits will be a part of the market competition. There are 72 total competitors registered in the market show. Each entrant will submit a pen of three for evaluation. Will’s job is to select the best three rabbits that he has for a complete pen.

Will says his favorite part of raising rabbits for the Fair is taking care of the rabbits and seeing how fast they grow. His hardest part is making time to work with them. Although, he and his parents agree that it hasn’t been that bad.

Of the 70 plus exhibitors that are getting ready for the market rabbit show, only 30 will make the auction on that is held Saturday, April 21. I asked Will if he made the sale, what he would do with his money. He and his parents replied, “Putting it towards college!”

To see Will’s rabbit project competing with hundreds of other students, come to the Angelina County Fair mid day on Wednesday, April 18 at the George H. Henderson Expo Arena in Lufkin.

To support Will and others who do make the auction, come to the sale on Saturday, April 21 at 4 pm.

TxDot Launches “Heads Up, Texas” Campaign to Curb Distracted-Driving Crashes

By
Rhonda Oaks
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AUSTIN – April is National Distracted Driving Month and with nearly 1 in 5 crashes in Texas involving distracted driving – a ratio that has not changed in the past three years – the Texas Department of Transportation reminds drivers that their undivided attention to the road could save a life.
“It’s extremely concerning that drivers still choose to give their attention to things other than the road when they’re behind the wheel,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “As a society, we’re more connected than ever to our devices and easily tempted to multitask, but drivers need to understand all of these various distractions can lead to a tragic outcome.”
In 2017, 19 percent of vehicle crashes on Texas roads involved distracted driving. Those 100,687 crashes resulted in 444 deaths and 2,889 serious injuries. In an effort to curb distracted-driving crashes, TxDOT is launching its new “Heads up, Texas” campaign in partnership with AT&T It Can Wait. The centerpiece of the campaign is a 19-city, distracted-driving virtual reality experience launching in Waco on April 4.
According to AT&T It Can Wait, the majority of Texans ages 15-54 admit to driving distracted because of their smartphone. Additionally, nearly all Texans surveyed consider smartphone distractions to be dangerous while driving, but nearly 9 out of 10, or 89 percent, admit they do it.

“The It Can Wait campaign shares a simple message: Distracted driving is never OK,” said Ryan Luckey, assistant vice president of Corporate Brand Marketing for AT&T. “We’re proud to join TxDOT in sharing that message with Texans through revealing survey data and events that highlight the dangers and the new law.”
Effective Sept. 1, 2017, a texting-while-driving ban was written into law making it illegal to read, write or send a text while driving in Texas. Violators can face a fine up to $200. Though texting while driving is now punishable by law, it’s not the only smartphone activity putting Texas drivers and passengers at risk. Among those Texans surveyed by AT&T It Can Wait, the top 5 smartphone distractions while driving are:

-Texting
-Snapping/viewing photos
-Playing music
-Emailing
-Accessing social media

To learn more about TxDOT’s “Heads up, Texas” campaign, visit txdot.gov/driver/share-road/distracted.html or contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov.

State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $2.4 Billion in March

By
Ezra McMullen
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(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said state sales tax revenue totaled $2.4 billion in March, 7.2 percent more than in March 2017.

“Sales tax revenue rose for almost all major economic sectors, indicating growth in both business and consumer spending,” Hegar said. “Receipts from the oil and gas mining, construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as retail trade and restaurants, were up, while receipts from the information sector were slightly down from a year ago.”

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in March 2018 was up 8.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Sales tax revenue is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections.

Revenue from other major taxes on motor fuels and oil and natural gas production also rose in March 2018, while tax receipts from motor vehicle sales and rentals were down:

motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $384.4 million, down 4.8 percent from March 2017;
motor fuel taxes — $276.6 million, up 3.9 percent from March 2017; and
oil and natural gas production taxes — $410 million, up 38.1 percent from March 2017.
For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch.

Helpful Tips for New Parents: Ensure Every Diaper Change is Easy

By
Statepoint
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0

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, yet stressful times of one’s life. And one of the more daunting aspects of this experience for many new parents is changing diapers.

Even if you’ve changed a diaper before, you’ll now be doing this more times than you’ll care to count! Here are some tips to help ensure every diaper change is an easy experience for both parents and babies.

• Get stocked: Beyond your official changing station and your diaper bag, prepare yourself for quicker clean-ups wherever you are in the house by storing diapers, a portable changing pad and wipes in multiple rooms, as well as maintaining an emergency supply kit in your car. Visit Grandma and Grandpa a lot? If possible, make life a bit easier by keeping a small supply of these essentials at the homes of friends and family you see the most.

• Avoid diaper rash: Many parents wait until there is a problem to kick rash and irritation. However, diaper rash cream can be an effective preventive measure when applied correctly.

To help your baby avoid the discomfort that comes with diaper rash, get in the routine of applying a cream, like Boudreaux’s Butt Paste with every diaper change, directly on baby’s skin and also right on the diaper itself. This helps create an additional barrier between the diaper and baby’s skin.

If your baby has diaper rash, you want a solution that works as soon as possible. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is pediatrician-recommended, kicks rash fast and starts relieving irritated skin on contact. Plus, it contains no harsh ingredients, like parabens, preservatives, dyes, phthalates and talc.

• Be prepared: Have a lot of extra plastic bags from your grocery store trips? Stick some in your diaper bag! They are handy for storing dirty diapers on-the-go or dirty clothes that didn’t survive a dreaded diaper blowout.

• Reduce odor: New diaper pail designs can help reduce odors and the spread of germs. Look for hands-free options with tight-fitting lids. Metal may be a better bet over plastic, as it is less likely to be porous. And of course, be sure to take out the trash often!

• Keep things sanitary: Wash your hands before and after you change your baby’s diaper. You are about to get your hands dirty again, but for your baby’s health and safety, it’s important not to skip that first step. For easy clean-up, wipe off excess diaper rash cream with a baby wipe before washing hands with water.

• Make it fun: Keep baby distracted with chit chat and songs. You may even want to stock your dedicated changing area with a few rattles or other washable toys.

A few simple habits and tricks can make your diaper-changing routine easy on both you and baby.

-Statepoint

Lady Roadrunner Softball Hosting No. 3 Tyler on Wednesday AC Coming off Split at No. 15 Bossier Parish

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Sydney Brown connects squarely for a home run during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners host No. 3 Tyler College in a Wednesday doubleheader scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Earning a doubleheader split normally isn’t that big of a deal.

But when it happens against the 15th-ranked team in the nation, and at their house, it’s a much bigger story.

Angelina College’s Lady Roadrunners on Monday rebounded from a first-game loss against No. 15 Bossier Parish College by taking the nightcap in an 8-6 win.

Taking at least one game did more than improve AC’s position in the conference standings. It also provided a confidence boost to a freshman-laden team that had put together a nine-game winning streak just weeks ago, only to lose three straight. Monday’s win also showed the team is ready to face head-on the conference leaders. Bossier Parish is tied for first place in the Region XIV East Zone at 8-2 in league play.

Sharing the top spot with the Lady Cavaliers? AC’s opponent on Wednesday, the No. 3 Tyler College Lady Apaches.

The matchup will feature the proverbial “unstoppable force against the immovable object” scenario. The Lady Roadrunners are second in the league in home runs with 42 and among league leaders in slugging percentage at a whopping .565.

Trying to tame the AC bats will be Lady Apache All-Everything pitcher Abbie Dart, who leads the league in wins (19), total strikeouts (120) and ERA (1.00). Dart in 2018 has lost just two games in the circle, with one of those occurring against Bossier Parish College.

AC’s pitching staff can hold its own, with Shelby Mixon (10-5) striking out 49 batters in 88 innings and Leigh Luker leading the team in ERA at 3.63. Mixon is second in the conference in wins behind Dart, while Luker is in fifth place.

Offensively, AC’s Emilee Cernosek and Tyler’s Courtnie Heller lead their respective teams with eight homers each. Cernosek, Sydney Brown and Rachel Agnello lead the Lady Roadrunners in RBI with 25 each.

Tyler averages eight runs per game; the Lady Roadrunners average seven.

Wednesday’s doubleheader at Angelina College is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start. Viewers can catch the live stream by logging onto angelinaathletics.com.

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

Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-Off Scheduled This Week

By
Rhonda Oaks
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0

LUFKIN – The annual Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-Off is scheduled in the Lufkin District April 7 and motorists can expect to see volunteers on the roadside joining forces to rid Texas roadways of litter.

Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-Off is the single largest one day cleanup event statewide. It is the litter campaign’s signature annual event that began in 1985 and has grown to be recognized as the largest litter prevention event that works to improve communities, both nationally and internationally. The event is a grassroots partnership with other programs such as Keep Texas Beautiful, Don’t Mess With Texas and Adopt-A-Highway.

Participants in this year’s events are not only community volunteers, but businesses, students and organizations who have adopted a 2-mile stretch of roadway in their respective communities. Each group will be picking up litter along designated sections of roadway. Participants will be wearing orange safety vests.
As motorists pass by volunteers, they are urged to reduce speed, stay alert and be respectful of participants in this annual effort.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Fun Friday at the Texas Forestry Museum

By
Misty Boggs
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0

Lufkin – The Texas Forestry Museum invites families to enjoy a night of old fashion games and crafts! On Friday April 27th from 6 – 7 pm, the museum will host its Play in the Past event. Families will make buzz saw buttons and cup and ball toys. Guest will compete in a mini donut eating contest, bob for apples, and play games like hopstoch, race the hoop, game of graces, and more! The event is free to the public. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 26th by calling 936-632-9535. We hope to see your family there! A special thank you to our event sponsor, Audiological Services. Photos will be taken at the event for promotional materials.

The Texas Forestry Museum, a private non-profit organization, is located at 1905 Atkinson Dr. in Lufkin. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except major holidays. For more information on the Texas Forestry Museum and its scheduled events, please call 936-632-9535 or visit our website at www.treetexas.com.

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