LUFKIN – Work is planned in Lufkin on Sunday that will have motorists detoured throughout the day.
Crews will close the southbound direct connector on SL 287/US 59 South at 7 am Sunday and it will remain closed throughout the day. Work is scheduled to straighten the concrete traffic barrier separating US 59 northbound and southbound traffic. This will also require the closure of the inside lane of US 59 northbound and the inside lane of the northbound frontage road near Whitehouse Drive. Work should be completed on Sunday, weather permitting.
Motorists will be required to take the South First Street exit ramp to access US 59 South or choose alternate routes. This will be an active work zone and drivers are asked to remain alert to traffic pattern changes, reduce speed and prepare for possible delays during peak travel hours. Fines double when workers are present.
For more information about statewide closures, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on this and other Lufkin District projects, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
Sunday Closures Planned On US 59 South In Lufkin
A.A.R.P. Offers Free Tax Preparation at the Public Library
(Nacogdoches, TX) – There will be no tax preparation service at the Nacogdoches Public Library on Monday, March 12th. The free tax preparation service, by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, will resume on Monday, March 19th from 9 am to 12 pm. Please call 559-2970 for more information.
San Jacinto Knocks Lady Roadrunners from Region XIV Tournament
By GARY STALLARD
AC Athletics
JACKSONVILLE – The way the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners defended against San Jacinto College on Wednesday, a mere four made buckets from AC would have lifted the Lady ‘Runners into the tournament’s next round.
With the way San Jacinto defended, however, those four baskets may have well have been 10.
San Jac entered Wednesday’s Region XIV conference tournament matchup having allowed a league-low 53.1 points per game all season long, and the Lady Gator defense held true in a 56-50 win to eliminate the Lady Roadrunners at John Alexander Gymnasium in Jacksonville.
The Lady Roadrunners simply found few uncontested looks no matter where they shot, hitting just nine field goals in each half in the loss. Natasha Mack worked her way to a 15-point, 11-rebound game, and Angelica Darcus and Mia Williams added 12 points each; however, no other Lady ‘Runner managed more than five points.
Just as frustrating was the fact AC’s defense held up well, holding the Lady Gators to a 34 percent shooting effort and 56 points – the Lady Gators’ second-lowest output of the entire season. Eryka Sydney scored 14 and Princess Clemons 13 as the only San Jacinto players to reach double figures.
The game marked the final appearance for AC sophomores Charisma Shepherd, Priscilla Murray, Angelica Darcus, Mercy Blanco and Rexesha Hollis.
The Lady Roadrunners end their season with a record of 19-12.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Roadrunners Fall to Blinn College in Second Round of Conference Tournament AC Season Ends in Hard-Fought Loss
By GARY STALLARD
AC Athletics
JACKSONVILLE – Just two days after knocking off the tournament’s 5th seed, the Angelina College Roadrunners came oh-so-close to taking down the tourney’s No. 4.
Instead, the Blinn College Bucs scored a bucket with 57 seconds remaining in the game, grabbed a steal with nine seconds to play and ended the Roadrunners’ season in a 57-54 AC loss in Thursday’s Region XIV conference tournament men’s quarterfinals in Jacksonville.
With 3:41 to play, AC’s Nylek Cobb tied the game at 54-54 on a layup created from a perfect baseline feed from Jay Head. The two teams would scrape and claw trying to get the go-ahead bucket in the waning moments, but neither scored until Blinn’s Tyrus Grayson found room in the paint for the go-ahead dunk. As they’d done the entire game, the Roadrunners on their ensuing possession burned the clock down looking for an open shot, only to have the possession end in a turnover with nine seconds to go. A free throw gave the Bucs a three-point lead, and Deedy Gauno’s three-point attempt banged off the front of the rim as time expired, leaving the ‘Runners just short of extending their season.
Gilbert Thomas led AC with 12 points and 14 rebounds in his final game as a Roadrunner. Head finished with 10 points, with eight of those coming in a key late-game stretch to keep the Roadrunners in the hunt.
Antione Lister led the Bucs with 14 points.
Roadrunner sophomores appearing in their final game included Thomas, Nylek Cobb, Angel Bullock, Bryan Mitchell and Jaylen Ballou.
The Roadrunners finish the season with a record of 15-17.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Diavolo Features Breathtaking Dance & Acrobatics
LUFKIN, TX. The Angelina Arts Alliance is proud to present DIAVOLO – L.O.S.T on Sunday, March 18, at the Temple Theater on the Angelina College Campus. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
DIAVOLO is Architecture in Motion® and uses dance to explore the relationship between the human body and its architectural environment. Artistic Director Jacques Heim steers DIAVOLO’s diverse team of dancers, designers, choreographers and engineers to create visceral and awe-inspiring works that reveal how we are affected emotionally, physically and socially by the spaces we inhabit.
Meticulously designed bespoke architectural structures serve as the central inspiration for each work, activated by the stylistically varied and
intensely physical choreography which has become the hallmark of this truly original company throughout its rich 25 year history. Through The DIAVOLO Institute the company also provides educational and outreach opportunities to people of all ages and abilities while touring internationally and at home in Los Angeles, sharing the pioneering art form and the power of dance as a means of social impact.
“The Angelina Arts Alliance strives to bring the best in touring entertain to Lufkin! It’s how we fulfill our mission to enrich, entertain and educate by presenting and promoting the performing arts. Don’t miss this show!” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Temple Theater Box Office on the Angelina College Lufkin campus, Monday through Friday 11 am – 5 pm or call (936) 633-5454, or go online at www.angelinaarts.org . Details and video clips for this performance and the entire new season are on the Arts Alliance website. Follow Angelina Arts Alliance on Facebook for late-breaking news, photos, videos and ticket giveaways.
Angelina College offers FREE RUSH tickets to every AC student (with a valid student ID) for all Performing Arts Series performances this season. Students may obtain their free tickets by arriving at the box office no earlier than one hour before show time. Standby tickets are available on a first come/first served basis and given msubject to availability. All AC Faculty and Staff receive a 15% discount on 2017-2018 Premier Series performances.
The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to present a wide array ofdiverse, quality performing arts, along with educational and family performances which collectively enrich, engage and educate the community
Extraordinary Nurse Recognized At Woodland Heights
Lufkin Texas (March 7, 2018) – Nurses at Woodland Heights Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.
The DAISY Award recipient for the first quarter of 2018 is Brandon Schmidt, RN in the Emergency Department. For the past ten years Brandon has worked as an emergency nurse in the health care profession. He is a true servant leader who will do a task before he will ask someone else to do it. A small reason why Brandon stands out is his ability to be calm while working in a raging emergency department while providing quality patient care.
His emergency medicine patient care and leadership alone would be enough to nominate Brandon for any award, but his action in late summer of 2017 stands out. On August 17, 2017 Hurricane Harvey hit Texas beginning two weeks of destruction affecting most of the coastal region. The flooding of South East Texas area displaced an estimated more than 30,000 and by August 29 13,000 people had been rescued from flooded homes and neighborhoods.
One of the thousands of volunteers that never thought twice about hooking up his two boats to rescue families out of the water was Brandon. He, along with others, spent days attached to law enforcement agencies boating in and out of the flooded areas helping those that were in need. On a day he was scheduled to work, he called the emergency department leadership team to see if someone could cover his shift so that he could stay in the area to help with rescue efforts. When Brandon returned to work, he never once was heard talking about what “he did” or how many “he” saved. It was just normal for him to help those in need. Knowing he will never draw attention to his actions or ask for acknowledgment of an assignment well done is just everyday work for Brandon. This is why the DAISY Award has been awarded to Brandon Schmidt.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. There are nomination forms throughout the hospital and also online at WoodlandHeights.net. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Woodland Heights to receive The DAISY Award, which will be presented on a quarterly basis. Each Honoree receives a certificate, sculpture and gift bag/certificate along with banner recognition in their department.
Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Woodland Heights are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that,” said Debra Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer for Woodland Heights.
Angelina College Instructor Receives State Appointment
LUFKIN, TEXAS, March 5, 2018 – Angelina College English instructor, Howard Cox was recently appointed to the English Language and Literature Field of Study Advisory Committee by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The committee is composed of 24 voting members from a representative sample of institutions of varying sizes, peer groups and regions of the state.
Cox began his teaching career at Angelina College in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Arts degree from Abilene Christian University. He teaches American literature, British literature and composition.
“I am very pleased to represent East Texas and Angelina College as a voting member of the English Language and Literature Field of Study Committee. I look forward to working with the representatives from other public community colleges and universities to accomplish this important task,” Cox said.
The committee is charged with identifying the block of courses that students may transfer to a gneeral academic teaching institution. The English Language and Literaure FOS must be substituted for that institution’s lower-division requirements for that degree program, and the student must receive full academic credit toward the degree.
The FOS project contributes toward “60X30TX” goals of increasing completion by easing student transfer across institutions, and reducing student debt by making it less likely that students will take unnecessary courses.
Peripheral Artery Disease: Are You at Risk?
Do you blame “getting older” for your leg pain or difficulty walking? Do you just accept it and do the best you can? You could actually be suffering from a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD now affects more than 8.5 million American adults, according to the American Heart Association, and if left untreated, can increase your risk of losing a portion of your toes, feet and legs to amputation. The good news is that PAD can be managed when diagnosed early.
PAD is a vascular disease that mainly affects the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet. It is primarily caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, called atherosclerosis. This buildup reduces blood flow through the arteries and can lead to pain and lack of mobility. Those at the highest risk of PAD are over the age of 50, with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. PAD is also caused by eating high-fat foods, lack of exercise, smoking, stress or excess weight. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances are of developing PAD.
One of the classic symptoms of PAD is a dull, cramping pain in the legs, hips, or buttocks during exercise, such as walking. This pain stops at rest, which is why many people mistake the symptoms of PAD as a normal sign of aging. Other symptoms can include: weakness in legs, skin wounds or sores on your legs, feet, or toes that are slow to heal or foot or toe pain that often disturbs your sleep. While these are classic signs and symptoms, up to 40 percent of individuals with PAD have no leg pain, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which is why routine check-ups with your doctor are important.
“The primary goal is to restore and preserve adequate blood flow to the extremities,” said Dr. Jihad Mustapha, director of cardiovascular research at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “When the pain is frequent and the ability to move is affected, this indicates that the disease is progressing. At that point, it may be necessary to treat significantly blocked arteries with a medical procedure, which range from less invasive catheter-based treatments to more invasive surgical options.”
Talk to your doctor to find out if you should be screened for PAD and what you can do to lower your risk. Some key questions to ask your doctor include:
• Does my medical history raise my risk for PAD?
• Which screening tests or exams are right for me?
• What is my blood pressure? Do I need to manage these numbers?
• What are my cholesterol numbers? Do I need to do anything about them?
To learn more about PAD and available treatment options, visit www.bostonscientific.com/PADMonth, a patient resource from Boston Scientific.
Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should be screened for PAD and what you can do to lower your risk.
(Statepoint)
How Digital Technology is Helping Patients Manage Chronic Pain
Digital apps have long existed to help people lose weight or track exercise, and now, developers are providing new high-tech ways for those living with chronic pain to track key measures of their conditions — providing a solution to one of the biggest challenges patients face.
For Elizabeth Newman, a 57-year old Chicago native, chronic pain is a way of life and a challenge she shares with more than 100 million Americans. Newman’s chronic pain started after an accident that resulted in a herniated disk and nerve damage that affects her legs and arm. She also has seven fused vertebrae, a spinal surgery that more than 400,000 Americans have every year. While millions of Americans rely on medications such as opioids to treat their chronic pain, Newman has started using a new mobile app to help tackle some of the complexities of living with chronic pain.
The app and website Newman recently discovered is called PainScale, which offers digital tools that modernize how we understand and communicate about pain. The app gives users an opportunity to track key measures such as pain levels, medication use, treatments and activity levels. It also provides general information about treatment options and how to connect with a pain specialist in the area. Patients can share information from the app with their physicians who may decide to use the information to tailor a treatment plan and assess what may not be working with their current approach.
“Using PainScale has motivated me to track my pain more consistently, which gives my doctor a better understanding of what I am experiencing, rather than relying strictly on memory. That helps us connect in how we manage it,” says Newman. “Every day I read articles on the app and bookmark those that I find helpful so that I can stay up-to-date on information about my condition and learn about new approaches.”
The free app, which was developed with support from Boston Scientific, provides a range of tools, including a customized daily newsfeed that is personalized to each user based on his or her pain diagnosis, as well as the opportunity to learn about treatment options, exercises, medications and nutritional tips that may help improve quality of life. It also allows users to connect and share their treatment experiences and gain insights on how others have managed their pain. For more information and to download the app, visit PainScale.com.
Digitizing the traditional one to 10 pain scale that physicians have relied on for decades to characterize patients’ pain is simplifying the way pain is tracked to keep up with the 21st century. If you are suffering from chronic pain, talk to your doctor about new resources and treatment options that may be available.
(Statepoint)
Transitions in March
Any gardener or outdoor enthusiast has noticed the blooms appearing everywhere. It seems that is time for spring to arrive. We are just a few days into the month of March. March is a notable and historical transitional month.
Already there is much blooming. Pear trees in landscapes and ornamental varieties around the loop are in full bloom at this writing. My bearded iris is blooming in the back yard. My Mexican peach tree is in full bloom. Roses have put on new leaves. Even my fig is wanting to send up new shoots.
Our native Elm trees (pronounced with a two syllable “El’-lum” if you are an old-timer around here) are wrapping up their blooms. Elm trees started a couple of weeks ago, in fact. Of course, the native Pecan trees will be among the very last to bloom with its catkins. A pecan’s blooms are a sure sign for many that no more frosts should occur.
Mid-March is the historical average last frost date. With nearly 100 years of history, Thursday, March 15, which occurs during most area schools spring break will mark the average date that we have a 50% chance of frosts being behind us. These historical records reach back as long ago as the late 1800’s in many parts of the state.
Doing a quick internet search, I found a site where you can search weather records kept by the Angelina County Airport starting in 1948. Digging deeper, I found a book, Climatological Data book for United States by Sections, Vol VII. This contained weather records for January, February and March of 1920.
For the curious, the last cold snap in 1920 was from March 5-8 where the lows were recorded at 27 to 28 degrees.
This year, the last harsh cold spell last got us down to the lower teens for a couple of days. We will certainly be learning what truly is cold hardy to this area as everything greens up from winter dormancy.
I’ve had calls about citrus, bananas, palms, and other exotic tropical plants. The question is will they make it? I don’t really know.
So much depends on the plant’s specific variety and microclimate where they were growing. My barber’s house on the banks of the Neches River probably benefitted by having protection from the wind and having that “warm” body of water right next to it. Another site on an exposed, wind-swept hill not too far away may have fared for the worse.
As we watch and wait to see what did make it, many gardeners have asked if it would help to cut plants back. It certainly may.
With an investigative eye, take your hand pruners or loppers and make a few cuts into the branches of those plants you are concerned of having lost. As you take a cut or two, examine to see if you are cutting dry, dead plant tissue that succumbed to the freeze or a healthy limb that simply hasn’t started its spring growth.
Certainly, removing dead tissue won’t be a problem and is to be encouraged in all pruning endeavors. Of course, I wouldn’t advise you to cut anything back any more than you would in a normal year.
Outside my window, I have some Meyer lemon cuttings that didn’t make it. My orange tree at home seems to have frozen back pretty good as well. It was a gift from gentleman who has given several away over the years doesn’t know what variety they truly are.
I wonder what gardener in 1920 already had tomatoes in their garden or was trying a citrus tree in their yard when the lows got to 27. Let’s watch and wait, keep notes, and share with each other the lessons learned about what made it.