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State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $2.4 Billion in June

By
Misty Boggs
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(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said today that state sales tax revenue totaled $2.4 billion in June, 10.3 percent more than in June 2016.
“Growth in sales tax revenue was due to increased collections from most sectors of the economy — though the gains still did not offset May’s weaker-than-expected franchise tax collections,” Hegar said. “Receipts from the wholesale trade, information and oil- and gas-related sectors in particular saw significant gains.”
Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in June 2017 is up 5.5 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 56 percent of all tax collections. Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes, motor fuel taxes and oil and natural gas production taxes also are large revenue sources for the state.
In June 2017, Texas collected the following revenue from those taxes:
  1. motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $414.5 million, down 1.7 percent from June 2016;
  2. motor fuel taxes — $312.4 million, up 5.9 percent from June 2016; and
  3. oil and natural gas production taxes — $269.9 million, up 31.5 percent from June 2016.
For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch.

New Insect Affecting Bermuda Grass Hay Meadows And Pastures

By
Leah Listenbee
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For years, any savvy cattle producer has had to deal with armyworms in their hay meadow. Recently, a new pest has come in to some pastures across the state.
The bermudagrass stem maggot (Atherigona reversura), a new pest of bermudagrass forage in Texas has been reported in multiple counties. The bermudagrass stem maggot is native to south Asia (from Japan westward to Pakistan) and was first reported in the United States in Georgia in 2010. This pest only infests bermudagrass and stargrass (Cynodon spp.).
The fly (yellow with black head) lays its eggs within the stem of the bermudagrass plant. Once the egg hatches the larva, or maggot, (white with black head, 1/8” – 3/16” long) moves to the last plant node and consumes the plant material within the stem. This stem damage results in the death of the top two to three leaves while the rest of the plant remains green.
The resulting damage gives a stand of bermudagrass the appearance of frost damage. The amount of damage seems to be dependent on growing conditions as well as the point during regrowth when the flies lay their eggs. If there are good growing conditions with good soil fertility and moisture the loss seems to have minimal impact on dry matter yield. However, if forage production is limited by poor soil fertility and dry soil conditions more damage can result.
Once attacked, the shoot stops elongating as a result of the insect’s damage. In response, the plant may grow another shoot from a lower node of the damaged shoot. This new shoot can also be attacked by later generations of the bermudagrass stem maggot.
Seeing the fly first is unlikely. Most producers will typically see the resulting damage before finding the pest. Producers are less likely to see damage in a grazing pasture since livestock will keep forage grazed down.
Management recommendations for hay meadow damage are to harvest hay as soon as possible to reduce the yield impact. If damage is found within 1 week of the normal harvest stage, proceed to harvest the crop as soon as weather conditions allow. Once the damage becomes apparent, the crop is unlikely to add a significant amount of yield.
If damage is observed within 1 to 3 weeks after a harvest, it is also likely that the crop will not add a significant amount of yield. The damaged crop should be cut and baled and removed from the field as soon as weather conditions allow. Leaving the damaged crop in the field will only compete with any attempts by the plant to regrow and decrease the opportunity that the next cutting will have to accumulate dry matter.
To be quite honest, I’ve never seen any in Angelina County, but that obviously doesn’t mean they aren’t here.
If you think you have a case of bermudagrass stem maggots, please give me a call at 936.634.6414 x 2. I’d love to come and inspect your pasture.

Lack of Sleep Fuels Harmful Inflammatory Response to Marital Stress

By
Misty Boggs
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A lack of sleep doesn’t just leave you cranky and spoiling for a fight. Researchers at The Ohio State University Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research say it also puts you at risk for stress-related inflammation.  This type of inflammation is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and other diseases.
“We know sleep problems are also linked with inflammation and many of the same chronic illnesses. So we were interested to see how sleep related to inflammation among married couples, and whether one partner’s sleep affected the other’s inflammation,” said Stephanie Wilson, lead researcher on the study.
Results of the study were published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.  The research team recruited 43 couples who completed two study visits. Each time, the couples provided blood samples and said how many hours they had slept the previous two nights. Then researchers had the couples try to resolve a topic that sparks conflict in their marriage. Blood samples were taken again following the discussion.
“We found that people who slept less in the past few nights didn’t wake up with higher inflammation, but they had a greater inflammatory response to the conflict. So that tells us less sleep increased vulnerability to a stressor,” Wilson said.
If both partners got less than seven hours of sleep the previous two nights, the couple was more likely to argue or become hostile.  For every hour of sleep lost, the researchers noted that levels of two known inflammatory markers rose 6 percent. Couples who used unhealthy tactics in their disagreement had an even greater inflammatory response—about a 10 percent increase with each hour of less sleep.
“Any increase isn’t good, but a protracted increase that isn’t being addressed is where it can become a problem,” Wilson said. “What’s concerning is both a lack of sleep and marital conflict are common in daily life. About half of our study couples had slept less than the recommended seven hours in recent nights.”
That’s higher than the current national average. The CDC reports 35 percent of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep per night.
“Part of the issue in a marriage is that sleep patterns often track together. If one person is restless, or has chronic problems, that can impact the other’s sleep. If these problems persist over time, you can get this nasty reverberation within the couple,” said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, senior author and director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research.
Researchers were encouraged to see that there was a protective effect if one of the partners was well-rested, or discussed conflict in a healthy way. They tended to neutralize the disagreement that might be stirred by the sleep-deprived partner.
“We would tell people that it’s important to find good ways to process the relationship and resolve conflict — and get some sleep,” Kiecolt-Glaser said.
Newswise

AC Softball’s Vegas Signs with SFA

By
Gary Stallard
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The Angelina College Lady Roadrunner softball team celebrated plenty over the past two seasons, whether it was the 45 wins in 2017 or the 100 home runs the team hit in the

Angelina College’s Shay Vegas, shown here in a 2017 game, recently signed a letter of intent to play with Stephen F. Austin University in the fall of 2017. Vegas earned First-Team All-Conference honors following her freshman season at AC. (AC Press photos/Gary Stallard)

same year.

In nearly every celebration pic, Shay Vegas was doing most of the celebrating.

Such is her passion for the game.

Vegas’ abilities and fire caught the attention of collegiate scouts, leading the Flower Mound product to sign her letter of intent to continue her career with Stephen F. Austin University’s Ladyjacks beginning in the fall of 2017.

“Honestly, one of the biggest reasons I chose SFA is East Texas itself,” Vegas said. “I don’t know what it is about East Texas, but it certainly feels like home to me.

“When I stepped on SFA’s campus, it felt just like walking around Angelina College, with just a bigger setting. The campus is bigger yet not overwhelming, and I love that.”

Vegas said the coaching staff, notably head coach Nicole Dickson, had an impact on the decision as well.

“The coaching staff was very straightforward, and made me feel welcome,” Vegas said. “Coach Dickson has a reputable name when it comes to the game, and I am excited to play for her. Also, officially meeting some of the girls that I played against during my freshman season was awesome.”

Following her freshman season as a Lady Roadrunner in 2016, Vegas was named 1st Team All-Conference in Region XIV. She hit .370 (among the conference’s top 20) with 10 home runs (eighth in conference) and 40 RBI. Vegas also posted a .618 slugging percentage, good enough for second on the team.

In 2017, her average dropped, but it wasn’t because she wasn’t making contact. Vegas sprayed line drives all over the field; she just managed to hit many of them right at the defense. Nevertheless, she finished with a .332 batting average, drove in 44 runs and led the team in triples. A total of 17 of her 64 hits went for extra bases.

“I think what got their attention was my bat and athleticism on the field,” Vegas said. “I think having a good bat and having the ability to be versatile at any position on the field caught their attention. Also, being a junior transfer with experience and maturity played a big factor as well.

“Heading into SFA this fall, I am expecting to move around the whole infield. I am willing to play anywhere on the field to help benefit the Ladyjack softball program win a Southland Conference championship.”

Vegas said her time with the Lady Roadrunners left a lasting impact and high expectations for her next destination.

“The very first meeting we had as a team my freshman year, Coach Mark Mattson immediately made us understand that his program is about family. Needless to say, his and Coach Barbi’s kids are always running around the field during practice. At first, it was a very different atmosphere of practice from what I was used to, but after a while practice never seemed right without them there. When I would have a bad day, the kids would always know how to cheer me up and keep me going throughout the day.

“And almost every time we finished a game, we would always break out with a ‘bang bang’ cheer and finish it with ‘family all in’. As a team, we played as a family, and we played for each other. Family has always been a big thing to me and I know that I will have lifelong support from my teammates and coaches by my side as I continue my career at SFA.”

Vegas’ parents are Jamie and Alvin Vegas.

DETCOG Board Finalizes Funding for New Office and Operations Center

By
Misty Boggs
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As it celebrates 50 years of service, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District (DETCOG) is moving forward with plans for a new office building and regional emergency operations center to be constructed in North Lufkin.

Meeting today in Nacogdoches, the DETCOG Board of Directors voted to accept an offer of land and financial incentives from the City of Lufkin. With additional funding provided by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration, plus proceeds from the sale of its former building in downtown Lufkin, DETCOG will have approximately $2.6 million available for construction. The new facility, expected to be 15,000 square feet, will be located at 1405 Kurth Drive.

“This new facility will enable us to consolidate our operations in the center of our 12 county region,” said Lonnie Hunt, executive director. The organization has been headquartered in Jasper since 1972. It was originally located in Diboll from 1967 until 1972.

“Jasper has been a great home for us,” Hunt added. “And it will continue to be our home for a number of months until our new building is completed. But we serve a very large region, and being located in the center of our service area will allow us to operate more efficiently and do a better job for all our members.”

The T.L.L. Temple Foundation will provide $1 million for the project. “DETCOG plays an important role in our region,” noted Wynn Rosser, executive director of the foundation. “They bring us together, and they provide meaningful services and programs. The foundation thanks and congratulates Mayor Brown, City Manager Keith Wright, and members of the 4B board and city council, for their work to attract DETCOG to Lufkin.”

“We are pleased to support DETCOG’s board and staff in their vision for a lasting impact on our region. And we’re particularly pleased with the chosen location. The foundation supports the revitalization of North Lufkin and the DETCOG building will be a wonderful addition to the community,” Rosser concluded.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has also committed $1 million to the project. The EDA grant stipulates that the facility include a regional emergency operations and command center, providing multi-agency coordination during disasters and other emergency situations.

The City of Lufkin incentive package includes the 3.5 acre building site, a $300,000 performance incentive grant, and a $200,000 low interest loan. Lufkin Mayor Bob Brown called it a win-win situation. “We are delighted that the City of Lufkin will be the new home of DETCOG,” he said. “This is big for Lufkin, but it also benefits everyone in our region.”

DETCOG is both a regional planning commission of the State of Texas and a federally chartered economic development district. With a staff of 58 and a 2017 budget of $23 million the agency provides a variety of services related to public safety, economic development, affordable housing, aging and disabled persons and at-risk youth. DETCOG administers the Emergency 9-1-1 Network in all 12 counties of the region and also operates the 2-1-1 Texas information and referral service, as well as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Over the last decade, it has also been heavily involved in disaster recovery activities related to Hurricanes Rita and Ike.

The DETCOG region is home to 381,589 residents. At 10,383 square miles the region is larger than the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. The organization is governed by a diverse 58 member board, two-thirds of which are elected officials of member cities and counties. Lufkin City Councilwoman Lynn Torres currently leads the board as president. Current vice presidents are Houston County Attorney Daphne Session, Trinity River Authority Executive Bill Holder and San Augustine County Judge Samye Johnson. Center City Councilwoman Joyce Johnson serves as secretary and Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter is the immediate past president.

“This new facility is a certainly a team effort,” said Torres. “The incentive package accepted today is a good investment for the City of Lufkin. And it wouldn’t be possible without the Temple Foundation’s generous gift. The Temple grant has enabled us to leverage the original EDA funding into something special that will benefit this entire region for the next fifty years and beyond.”

Projects Approved For Lufkin District

By
Rhonda Oaks
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LUFKIN – The Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday approved more than $582 million in new construction projects with nearly $9 million awarded for new projects in the Lufkin District. Also approved was a new designation of US 59 in Nacogdoches and rural transit district funding for the 2018 fiscal year.

Angelina County was approved for a $10 million construction project on US 69 between Huntington and Zavalla. The project is designed to widen the roadway from two to four lanes from the City of Huntington south to FM 844. Pinto Construction Company, Nacogdoches, will serve as contractor.

Another project was also approved for $3 million designed to place profile edgeline and centerline pavement markings at 46 locations in the nine counties of the Lufkin District. Total Highway Maintenance, Cedar Hill, will serve as contractor for the project that is designed to enhance safety by reducing the chances of running off the road and head-on collisions.

A new designation for a portion of US 59 in Nacogdoches County was approved that will identify a future construction project. The new designation will be a new location from approximately 1 mile south of the intersection of SH 7 southward to Spradley Street, for about 1.8 miles. The current section of US 59 from the intersection of SL 224 to Spradley Street, a distance of about 1 mile, was approved to be designated as BU 59.

“The new designation of US 59 will be for a section of roadway that will be built in the future,” said Rhonda Oaks, Lufkin District public information officer. “Commissioners approved changing the current designation on a portion of US 59 to BU 59, allowing for the future roadway, which will be the flyover, to carry the designation of US 59 once that project begins.”

The commission also approved $14.1 million for the 2018 fiscal year for rural and urban transportation systems, which will be distributed to urban and rural areas in the state that utilize public transportation. Included in the funding was $1.5 million for the Brazos Transit District, which operates in the Lufkin District.

For more information on TxDOT projects, visit txdot.gov/Lufkin District. For project locations and closures across the state, visit drivetexas.org.

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

Rep. Trent Ashby’s Update

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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The July 4th holiday is upon us, and while it’s easy to get wrapped up in the fanfare that surrounds our Independence Day, I hope you’ll take time to think about what this national holiday is truly about – freedom. More importantly, I hope you’ll thank all of those who have defended or are currently defending our freedom across the globe. It is because of their sacrifice and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way that we are able to enjoy fireworks and hot dogs as we celebrate our Independence Day. In that regard, I’d like to use this column to highlight some of the measures we passed this session to put America first by promoting and protecting some of the principals that this country was founded upon. . .
Buy American
The Texas House passed a bill that would require large state projects – such as buildings, roads and bridges – to purchase iron and steel made in America. While this provision is already in effect at the Department of Transportation, the bill would expand the requirement to all state agencies. I am a proud joint-author of this bill, as this legislation will encourage reinvestment in the U.S. and revive manufactured steel jobs not only in my district, but across the state and country.
American Values
As Texans and as Americans, we must stand with nations that support our principles and stand against those who threaten our way of life. Senate Bill 252 updates state contract law to prohibit governmental entities from contracting with companies engaged in active business operations in countries that are harboring terrorist organizations. This legislation also prohibits a state agency, local entities, or even the legislature from contracting with a business for goods or services, including public works projects, if that business is engaged with a country that the U.S. State Department has designated as one which harbors foreign terrorist organizations.
American Laws for American Courts
Another piece of pro-American legislation is House Bill 45, which ensures that American laws take precedent in American courts. The bill would provide that a ruling or a decision of a state court, arbitrator, or administrative law judge may not be based on foreign law, if the application of that law would violate a right guaranteed by the Texas or US Constitution. The bill further prohibits a court from granting a motion to dismiss the case by refusing to take jurisdiction, if the foreign laws that would be applied to the dispute violate state or federal statute.
Protecting Israel’s Interests
The State of Israel is perhaps one of America’s longest standing allies and has recently been subject to a number of targeted trade boycotts and sanctions. As such, the Legislature took action this session to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect our mutual interests. House Bill 89 protects the financial interests of Israel by ensuring that state investment funds and contracts with the private sector are shielded from the economic damage and instability caused by companies that engage in discriminatory boycotts against our ally. I am pleased to inform you that I was a co-author of this legislation, as I believe this measure helps protect this critical relationship.
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 our 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.

Nichols Meets With Local Superintendents

By
Ezra McMullen
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Austin – This week, Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) met with school superintendents from around Senate District 3 to discuss items which will be addressed during the Special Legislative Session, beginning on July 18, 2017. In addition, they also discussed what occurred during the 85th Regular Legislative Session.
“As we head into the upcoming special session, many of the items which will be addressed are education related. I wanted to make sure I took the opportunity to discuss these important issues with the Superintendents from our local school districts,” said Senator Nichols.
Some of the items discussed included administrative flexibility, teacher pay increases, property tax reform, school vouchers, and school finance reform.
“I do not believe the Legislature can successfully make good decisions, unless we are listening closely to those we represent,” said Nichols. “Education is and always will be one of the most important issues we face as a state.”
Superintendents from Angelina, San Augustine, Smith, Nacogdoches, Houston, Cherokee, Jasper, Henderson, Anderson, Trinity, Liberty, Tyler, Hardin, Shelby, Orange and Montgomery County were in attendance.
Senate District 3 represents 101 school districts throughout 19 counties, and encompasses the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County.

AC Men’s Coach Manary Conducting Elite Skills Camp in July

By
Gary Stallard
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Having already conducted a camp geared toward younger players, Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary and his staff are holding a skills development clinic designed to prepare high-school aged hoopsters
for the upper levels of the sport.
Manary will hold the three-day “Angelina Elite Camp” for male and female players in grades 9-12 from July 11-13 at Angelina College.
Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary and his staff will conduct an Elite Skills camp for girls and boys in grades 9-12 from July 11-13 at Angelina College. (AC Press photo/Marcy Flores)
“Our goal is that every player leave understanding what high-level college and NBA/WNBA basketball is all about,” Manary said in a released statement.”
Each group will have its ‘position specific’ time, and then we will combine all of the groups to show them how their individual work fits into the team. Every single player will leave our Elite Camp with the drills
and knowledge that I have taught to over 120 NBA players and over 100 Division I College All-Americans. Each group will be divided into guards, wings and bigs. We will teach members of the groups to master their position individually and then within team concepts.”
The cost of the camp is $75 for all three days; group discounts are available. Campers are responsible for their own lunches.
Skills addressed include ball handling, passing, floaters, weak-hand development, NBA ball screen reads, positional game shooting, one-on-one NBA/WNBA moves, three-on-three spacing and playing off penetration, among others.
Players are encouraged to bring their own basketballs, shoes, a reversible jersey, shorts and whatever else he or she would bring for a gym workout.
Manary, whose basketball background includes working with and developing more than 120 NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, LeBron James and others. Manary also worked with the Dallas Mavericks and spent time as a Division I assistant coach.
Manary recently capped his first season as the Roadrunner head coach, establishing a record for most wins in a first season with 22 while leading Angelina College to the semifinals of the Region XIV tournament. Five of his recent former players have signed letters of intent to play at the next level.
For registration information, contact Angelina College’s Community Services at 936-633-5206 or visit www.angelina.edu.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

CHI St. Luke’s Health, HIET Offer New Technology for Heart and Leg Blockages

By
Leah Listenbee
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Dr. Ilyas Khan, Interventional Cardiologist with the Heart Institute of East Texas, stands in one of CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial’s state-of-the-art cath labs showcasing the new technology used to perform laser atherectomy procedures.

LUFKIN, TX – Lufkin cardiologists are using new technology to help patients with reoccurring blockages in the heart and legs.

Implanting stents to open obstructed blood vessels is an important treatment for patients suffering from Coronary and Peripheral Artery Disease (CAD/PAD). However, restenosis, a return of the blockage, can be very common. Ilyas Khan, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist with the Heart Institute of East Texas, introduced an innovative cardiovascular therapy to resolve this issue when he performed the first laser atherectomy at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial this month.
Laser atherectomy, a vaporizing technology that breaks down stubborn blockages in the blood stream, represents an exciting alternative – one that alters the cycle of re-occlusion and improves clinical outcomes for patients. CHI St. Luke’s Health now offers the only FDA-cleared atherectomy technology for the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR), which has been clinically proven safer and superior in treating peripheral ISR.
“We are constantly seeking new ways to improve the health of our patients by offering new technology that is less invasive, lowers their overall risk, and in most cases, lets them go home from the hospital the very same day as the procedure,” Dr. Khan said. “The new laser atherectomy procedure does all of that, and we are excited to use this technology more often in the future.”
More than 115,000 people in the United States suffer from ISR each year. When arteries become blocked due to disease, implanting stents is a common method to restore blood flow. But, within a year of stenting, ISR, or a return of blockage, occurs to some extent in 40% to 60% of cases.
“By launching our new laser atherectomy program, we advance our commitment to delivering unprecedented cardiovascular care by arming physicians with innovations that improve outcomes for patients and save lives and limbs from the threat of amputation,” said CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Market COO Shawn Barnett.
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