Home Blog Page 533

DETCOG to Hold Open House and Board Meeting in Hemphill

By
Leah Listenbee
-
0
As a part of celebrating “50 Years of Service” the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will be holding an Open House before its Thursday, July 27, 2017 board meeting in Hemphill. It will be held at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12 Noon and the public is invited.
The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will hold their regular monthly meeting following the open house. A luncheon will be served at noon with the business meeting to follow.
Welcoming members and guests to Sabine County will be Sabine County Judge Daryl Melton, Hemphill Mayor Robert Hamilton, Sabine County Commissioners Jimmy McDaniel, Charles Ellison, Fayne Warner and Tommy Clark along with Sabine County Minority Representative Dean Crockett.
DETCOG President, Lufkin City Councilperson Lynn Torres, would like to extend an invitation to the meeting to all interested parties. Anyone needing information may contact the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Office in Jasper at (409) 384-5704 ext. 5254.

Try This Little Known Tip Now To Create A Better Vegetable Garden Next Year

By
Cary Sims
-
0

Wouldn’t it be great if this summer’s brutal summer heat could make a better vegetable garden next spring?

It can, with a seldom used practice called soil solarization.

Soil solarization is a simple, safe, and effective control of plant parasitic nematodes, soil borne plant pathogens (diseases), and some weed pests. It offers an alternative to some organic and non-organic pesticides as well as the lengthy crop rotations now needed to control many damaging soil pests. In addition, this procedure may give good weed control in many situations.

Radiant heat from the sun is the lethal agent involved in soil solarization. A clear polyethylene mulch is used to trap solar heat in the soil. Over a period of several weeks to a few months, soil temperatures become high enough to kill many of the damaging soil pests and weed seed to a depth of nearly 8 inches.

None of these pests will be eradicated from the treated area, but their numbers in the plow layer (top 6 to 8 inches) will be greatly reduced, allowing successful production of a crop.

The soil to be solarized must be worked up to seed-bed condition–that is, cultivated until it’s loose and friable with no large clods or other debris on the soil surface. A garden tiller will eliminate clods or other debris that create air pockets that reduce heating of the soil and keep the tarp from fitting tightly over the soil surface. A clean, flat surface will also prevent the accidental puncturing of the thin plastic mulch by debris.

Make sure moisture levels are adequate for working the soil before laying the plastic tarp. If the soil is dry, water the areas to be solarized before laying the tarp. This is crucial because most soil pests are more sensitive to high temperatures in wet soil than in dry soil. When possible, lay a soaker hose or drip irrigation lines under the tarp to maintain moisture levels during soil solarization. Tarped raised beds may also be watered by flood-irrigating the adjacent furrows.

You can use any cheap plastic painting “drop cloth”. Using two layers of thin plastic sheeting separated by a thin insulating layer of air will increase soil temperatures and the overall effectiveness of a solarization treatment. The edges of the sheets must be buried or otherwise secured to prevent blowing or tearing of the tarp by the wind.

For effective solarization, the edges of tarps laid over raised beds must be buried in the adjoining furrows. Expect some increase in pest and weed problems along the edge of the stripped mulches. Do not cultivate solarized areas, because healthy weed seed will be brought to the soil surface.

Long, hot, sunny days are needed to reach the soil temperatures required to kill soil borne pests and weed seed. The longer the soil is heated, the better and deeper the control of all soil pests and weeds will be. During our hot summers, a solarization period of 4 to 6 weeks should be all that’s needed to control nematodes and soil borne plant pathogens.

For those concerned about beneficial microbes, populations of beneficial, growth-promoting and pathogen-antagonistic bacteria and fungi quickly recolonize solarized soil, adding a biological control component to soil solarization.

If you have plans for a fall garden, this will interfere and give you a late start. But the results of letting our hot summer work for you can be fantastic.

Chairman James White Joins the Texas Conservative Coalition in Support of the Special Session

By
Misty Boggs
-
0

(Austin, TX) – State Representative James White is honored to join the Texas Conservative
Coalition (TCC) and fellow conservative legislators as a signee of the TCC letter to Governor
Greg Abbott in support of his call for a special session.

In the letter, the signed legislators praise the victories that were made in the 85th Regular Session
such as strengthening our local community safety with the ban on sanctuary cities and protecting
our most vulnerable children with major foster care reform. Additionally, they thanked the
governor for raising awareness of important issues that the Legislature can address after passing
important agency sunset legislation. The TCC letter states that many of the issues that will be
added rest on the fundamental principles of life, liberty, and property that Texans hold dear.

“Throughout the district, citizens are frustrated that after giving the GOP majorities in Congress
and the Texas Legislature, Republican legislators seem more interested in fighting President
Trump and Governor Abbott, instead of passing the conservative agenda that voters chose last
November,” said Rep. White.

“Property tax reform, school finance, spending limitations, protection of the unborn, privacy, and
taxpayer protections are issues that are important to not only House District 19 but to the entire
state. I look forward to returning to Austin on behalf of the people of Tyler, Jasper, Newton,
Hardin, and Polk counties to represent them and fight for the issues that matter to them the
most,” said Rep. White. “I thank the TCC and my colleagues for working to make this special
session count in passing reforms that Texans have wanted for years.”

Please do not hesitate to contact either Saul Mendoza, Chief of Staff, or Shawn Dunn, District
Director, with questions regarding these projects at 512-463-0490 or 409-283-3700.

Texas Legislature Headed Back to Capitol for Special Session

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
-
0

Here we go again! As you have probably heard, the Governor has called the Texas Legislature back to Austin for a 30-day special session beginning July 18, and has laid out an ambitious 20-item agenda for this session. Additionally, many legislators, including myself, have encouraged him to add items to the call such as additional funding for the retired teacher health insurance program. Whatever he chooses to do, it’s his decision, but I’ll be there working diligently on your behalf. In keeping with our theme of recapping highlights from this past regular session, this week’s column will focus on how the Legislature addressed the mental health crisis in Texas.. . .

Addressing Mental Health

Leading up to the 85th Legislative Session, I met with judges and public safety officers from across our district who impressed upon on me the sense of urgency to improve access to mental health resources. Hearing them loud and clear, the Legislature responded and passed a number of bills into law, including new funding, which should greatly improve mental health care, especially at the local level. For this column, I’d like to highlight two specific pieces of legislation that will help to address some of the exact concerns expressed when I’ve met with local officials across our region.

House Bill 13, a priority of the Texas House, establishes a matching grant program to support community mental health programs that provide services and treatment to individuals experiencing mental illness. Senate Bill 292 creates a jail diversion program for those persons who should be admitted to a state hospital instead of a local jail. The bill is aimed at reducing recidivism, arrests, and the wait time for an extremely vulnerable population in our state. Additionally, it should save taxpayer dollars by keeping individuals who need mental health treatment out of our county jails.

In these pieces of legislation, the Legislature appropriated $67.5 million which will be distributed in the form of grants. I’m proud to report that in both bills, a significant portion of the funding must be reserved for smaller, rural, counties who choose to participate. Additionally, each bill requires stakeholders in the community to create locally driven solutions to mental health challenges within their area. As you know, no county in our vast state has the exact same needs as another, and I was pleased that these bills allow decisions to be made at the local level when determining the best way to distribute the resources they’re provided.

Reminders

As we’ve done in previous years, the mobile office will not be on the road during the month of July. Our District Director, Linda Parker, will be stationed in the district office, and can be reached at (936) 634-2762. Our Capitol office will maintain regular business hours and can be contacted at (512) 463-0508. We will resume the mobile office schedule in August.

Please do not hesitate to contact either office if we can be of assistance to you in any way.

Chairman James White Prepares for First Called Special Session

By
Misty Boggs
-
0

(Austin, TX) – Governor Greg Abbott officially delivered his proclamation for the First Called
Special Session of the 85th Legislature on July 10th, 2017. State Representative James White
looks forward to working with the governor and members of the Legislature in passing vital
conservative legislation that ensures that state medical agencies remain functional for the health and safety of Texans, reforms our dysfunctional school finance system, and protects Texas
taxpayers.

“I’m very thankful that Governor Abbott considered my appeal and the request of others to call
the Legislature back for a special session to accomplish the work that the Legislature failed to
accomplish, not for the lack of time, but due to petty bickering and legislative obstruction,” said State Rep. White. Beginning July 18th, the Legislature will consider sunset legislation for the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State
Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. White continues, “Medical care and behavioral health are too critical for children, pregnant women, and senior citizens to become mere pawns in political gamesmanship.”

Once the Senate passes the bills necessary to preserve these five state agencies, the governor will add teacher compensation and retention practices, school finance reform, education options for students with special needs, property tax reform, reigning in state and local government,
municipal annexation reform, protection of property rights, privacy, collection of union dues, pro-life legislation, and mail-in ballot reforms.

“Our Texas Constitution gives the Legislature all the tools it needs to do the people’s work.
However, I look forward to working directly with the Governor and his staff on passing this
aggressive conservative agenda,” said State Rep. White. He continues, “Addressing property tax
and school finance reform will be at the top of my priorities and will work to provide much
needed relief to hardworking Texans.”

Please do not hesitate to contact either Saul Mendoza, Chief of Staff, or Shawn Dunn, District
Director, with questions regarding these projects at 512-463-0490 or 409-283-3700.

Health & College Savings Events On Tap At Nacogdoches Public Library

By
Cary Sims
-
0
Nacogdoches, TX – Its a packed week at the Nacogdoches Public Library from July 11 through July 18. Following are some great opportunities to learn about building a healthier lifestyle and getting ready to save for college.
7/11 – Build A Better Meal
The Nacogdoches Public Library invites tweens and teens to take the challenge with the Build a Better Meal “Cook”-Off on Tuesday, July 11th at 5:30 p.m. In three timed rounds (appetizer, main course, and dessert) participants will build the best dish they can with the food items provided. Recipes will be judged on taste, presentation, and creativity, and prizes will be awarded.
7/13 – One Simple Change to a Healthier New You
The Nacogdoches Public Library invites the community to a workshop, “One Simple Change to a Healthier New You” on Thursday, July 13th at 5:30 p.m. Join facilitator Brandi Cartwright to learn how to make one easy change at a time to improve your eating, hydration, sleep, stress, and physical activity. Taking on one change at a time helps build to changing to an overall healthier lifestyle.
7/15 – Build A Better Immune System
The Nacogdoches Public Library invites the community to a workshop, “Build a Better Immune System” on Saturday, July 15th at 2:30 p.m. Join facilitator Vanessa Pratt to learn some easy ways to use essential oils to boost your immune system and help prevent yourself from getting sick. The event is free, but registration is requested. Please call 559-2970 to sign up or for more information. The library is on Facebook (as Nacogdoches Public Library) and Twitter & Instagram (as NacPublicLibrary).
7/18 – Games, Games, Games!
The Nacogdoches Public Library invites kids and families to play Games, Games, Games on Tuesday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m. Come prepared to get your wiggles out!  There will be hopping games, running games, relay games and ball games.  Some will test your skill.  Some will test your stamina.  All are guaranteed to be fun.  No registration is necessary for this free event.
7/18 – College Savings Plans
The Nacogdoches Public Library is hosting a program called “College Savings Plans.” Christina Wittch, Outreach Specialist for Texas Tuition Promise Fund, will explain the various prepaid college-savings funds that are available. Parents, grandparents and other relatives are encouraged to attend. A Spanish-speaking translator will also be available to answer questions. The free program will be held on July 18th at 6:00 p.m.
The events are free, but registration is required, unless noted otherwise. Please call 559-2970 to register or to find out about other library programs. The library is on Facebook (as Nacogdoches Public Library) and Twitter & Instagram (as NacPublicLibrary).

Ready to Prepare for Fall Vegetable Gardening

By
Cary Sims
-
0
Right now my spring planted garden is winding down. The heat of summer is here and the soil is drying up.
And this is the perfect time to prepare for your fall garden.
We all know that vegetable gardening can be rewarding, relaxing and good exercise. But I think all too many folks overlooked the fact that there are indeed two times to have a vegetable garden each year: spring and fall.
Yes, the fall vegetable garden is just as much a possibility as a spring one, just different. It will be different in a number of ways.
Establishing a fall garden is different as you have to work in the heat up-front. This will be to your advantage as warm soils help germinate vegetable plants much sooner than cooler spring soil temperatures.
Watering is also approached with a different mind-set. Water will be crucial to establishing the summer growing vegetables. Germinated seeds in July and August will need uniform moisture and plenty of it. Mulching, a practice not often done for spring gardens will really help here. Just a light layer of mulch will greatly aid in keeping moisture in the soil next to the developing roots.
Pest control for fall gardens will be less. Insect problems that are commonly experienced in the spring will be reduced. Disease issues that arise from cool, moist environments will also be diminished.
The biggest proponents of fall vegetable gardens will always brag on the harvest. Harvested produce at this time of year in milder weather are reported to taste better. The time spent harvesting, choosing which tomato or what size cucumber to pick, is obviously more comfortably done.
Of great importance is your planning. Most vegetables traditionally grown in the spring/summer have a hard deadline. They must beat the frost. Now the average first frost for this area is mid- November. The key word is average. Sometimes it may be near Christmas, and other times it will be prior to Halloween.
So, when choosing what to plant, keep in mind how long it takes each vegetable to reach harvest stage. Southern peas (purple hulls, zipper creams, etc.) normally take about 60 days. Counting backwards from a mid-October harvest puts the planting at mid-August. Pumpkins need about 90 days and radish is just over a month.
The bottom line is that here in east Texas our spring and fall gardening seasons are short, sandwiched between frosts and blistering hot summer conditions that cause many crops to stop production. Variety selection and proper planting time are critical to success.
To help you with your fall gardening plans, the Angelina County Extension office is holding a Fall Gardening Seminar on Monday, July 17 at 6:30 pm. Cost is $10 per adult.
The guest speaker is Dr. Joe Masabni, Vegetable Extension Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He works at the Texas A&M Experiment Station in Overton, Texas.
For more information call 936.634.6414.

Alene’s Florist Wins Beautification Award

By
Leah Listenbee
-
0
LUFKIN, TX – Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C) honored Alene’s Florist with a Beautification Award. An award presentation took place on July 5, 2017 at their cheerfully painted facility located at 1206 S Chestnut St, Lufkin, TX 75901.
The Beautification Award is an environmental award program that recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in protecting or enhancing our local environment. Alene’s Florist was recognized for their achievement in investing into our local economy with this award from Angelina Beautiful/Clean and Keep Lufkin Beautiful. This is in recognition of achievement in helping to beautify the Angelina County area by landscaping, building improvement and other means which enhances the beauty of our Deep East Texas community.
Per Jennifer La Corte, AB/C Executive Director, “When a local business reinvests by improving existing structures, it helps to bring a higher-level quality of life to the entire community. Alene’s Florist is a great example of how we can bolster our community’s economy by shopping local and how that benefits so many other people within the area.”
Angelina Beautiful/Clean has a mission to educate and empower East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment and serves Angelina County to help make it a cleaner, greener place to live, work and play.
For more information on how to nominate a business, about this award or any other Angelina Beautiful/Clean program, please contact Jennifer La Corte at 936-63CLEAN (936-632-5326) or visit www.angelinabeautifulclean.org.

My Five Cents

By
Senator Robert Nichols
-
0
This upcoming month we will celebrate two important holidays. The first being the Fourth of July to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The second is National Pecan Pie Day on July 12. Pecan pie also happens to be the State Pie of Texas. So while you shoot off fireworks and eat pie, I hope it is with family and friends as I know mine will be.
Here are five things happening around your state this month:
1. Special Session
A few weeks after the 85th Legislative Session ended, Governor Greg Abbott announced there would be a special session to begin on July 18 and it could last up to 30 days. After legislation to extend the sunset date and continue important state agencies such as the Texas Medical Board and Texas Psychologists Board passes, the Governor will begin to add additional items to the call. These items will include teacher pay, property tax and school finance reform, pro-life issues and caps on local and state spending, among others. I will continue to keep you updated as we continue through the special session.
2. Vetoes
The Governor’s veto period ended on June 19th and he vetoed 50 of the 1,317 bills and resolutions passed by the Texas Legislature. Many of the bills he believed to be too costly or too burdensome on Texans. Some he vetoed because the author of the bill preferred the companion bill instead. With his line-item veto authority the Governor also cut $120 million from the state’s $217 billion budget the Legislature had set for the upcoming next two years. I am very proud of the work the Legislature accomplished this session and look forward to getting back to the district and sharing with you all that we accomplished.
3. Meeting with Superintendents
At the end of June, I had the opportunity to hold a number of meetings with school Superintendents from across Senate District 3 in preparation for the upcoming Special Legislative Session. We discussed many of the items which will brought up during this session that are education related. These included teacher pay, administrative flexibility, school finance reform and school vouchers.
I appreciate them all for coming out and participating as it is important for me to understand how decisions made in Austin, impact our schools. Education has long been one of the most important issues the state has, and it will continue to be. Our goal is to ensure students are able to receive the best education, and be successful in their lives.
4. Penalty for Killing Livestock
Hearing about horse and cattle thieves, you may think of an old western with John Wayne or Audie Murphy. However, these thefts still present a large threat to ranchers in Texas. When a thief is caught they could face up to a third degree felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 per head stolen.
While the killing of these animals causes the same loss to the ranchers, there is not the same penalty for killing animals as there is for theft. House Bill 2817 has been signed into law, which makes the killing of cattle, horses or bison without the owner’s consent, the same penalty as livestock rustling. Livestock are often killed by nighttime hunters who believe they are aiming at another animal, or others who do it maliciously In 2016, special rangers from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association investigated 20 cases involving 27 dead cattle and there may be many more unreported.
5. Federal Lawsuit and Sanctuary Cities
In response to the passing into law of Senate Bill 4, many cities in Texas have filed suit against the State, stating the bill has violated the Texas and U.S. Constitution. This bill, also known as the Sanctuary Cities bill, would ban cities, counties and colleges from implementing policies to refuse to enforce federal immigration laws or they could lose funding. There is also a provision in the bill which allows officers to question the immigration status of those they detain or arrest.
The lawsuit has begun its hearings in front of U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio, ad is expected to be a lengthy battle. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a statement of interest in the court case arguing that the bill is constitutional and the 10th amendment allows states the right to craft their own legislation, as SB 4 is within the state’s rights.

A Texas Legend To Perform In August

By
Ginger Bowie
-
0
LUFKIN, TX. The Angelina Arts Alliance is thrilled to announce a special performance in advance of its 2017- 2018 Performing Arts Series. Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will perform at the Temple Theater on the Angelina College Campus on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums over three decades. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of Americana, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Whether touring as a ‘Duo’ or with his ‘Acoustic Group’ or ‘The Large Band’, Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music. Since his selftitled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award, and was named Texas State Musician. His works, rich and eclectic, are some of the most beloved of any living artist working today.
“We are incredibly proud to present Lyle Lovett and His Large Band,” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance. “Tickets are going to sell quickly, so don’t wait to buy them if you want to see this wonderful performance.”
Ticket will go on sale to the public on Monday, July 10 at 11 a.m. 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.
The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to present a wide array of diverse, quality performing arts, along with educational and family performances which collectively enrich, engage and educate the community.
1...532533534...750Page 533 of 750