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Medical Laboratory Professionals Recognized at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin

By
Leah Listenbee
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0
LUFKIN, TEXAS (May 1, 2017)
They aid in medical diagnoses and treatment decisions by providing timely and accurate test results. Medical Laboratory Professionals are a vital part of the health care delivery team. CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin recently recognized members of its laboratory team during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week including (front, l to r) Rita Mayshaw, Gayle Truscott, Judith Few, Elizabeth Scroggins, Christy Westbrook, Amanda Mullin, Cherelle Liddle, Sylvia Garofolo, James Nelson, Dr. Maria Vasquez, John Nesbitt (back, l to r) Dr. David Todd, Wendy Tylich, Theresa Sant, Lindsey Suggs, Jessica Weaver and Sharon Shaw (not pictured: Stephanie Bell, Elizabeth Cherry, Erica Chesser, Janice Ghant, Shellen Henderson, Kayla Hernandez, Christie Hulsman, Lesia Jones, Patrick Mays, Jeff McSwain, Kessa Nichols, Amye Ordaz, Rebecca Owens, Bridgette Pearson, Brittany Pearson, Perla Williams, Pam Pickard, Jacey Powers, Jasmine Price, Crystal Reynolds, Mandy Stovall, Katrina Wheless, Elizabeth Stanley, Carla Williams, Brandi Dotson, Chris Braue, Leo Maiquez, Jo Teer, Danielle Bradberry, Lauren Epps, Sybil Rogers Lewis, Sara Castillo, Kathlyn Levias, Rebecca Fontenot, Christian Bean).
CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin recently recognized members of its laboratory team during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week including (front, l to r) Rita Mayshaw, Gayle Truscott, Judith Few, Elizabeth Scroggins, Christy Westbrook, Amanda Mullin, Cherelle Liddle, Sylvia Garofolo, James Nelson, Dr. Maria Vasquez, John Nesbitt (back, l to r) Dr. David Todd, Wendy Tylich, Theresa Sant, Lindsey Suggs, Jessica Weaver and Sharon Shaw (not pictured: Stephanie Bell, Elizabeth Cherry, Erica Chesser, Janice Ghant, Shellen Henderson, Kayla Hernandez, Christie Hulsman, Lesia Jones, Patrick Mays, Jeff McSwain, Kessa Nichols, Amye Ordaz, Rebecca Owens, Bridgette Pearson, Brittany Pearson, Perla Williams, Pam Pickard, Jacey Powers, Jasmine Price, Crystal Reynolds, Mandy Stovall, Katrina Wheless, Elizabeth Stanley, Carla Williams, Brandi Dotson, Chris Braue, Leo Maiquez, Jo Teer, Danielle Bradberry, Lauren Epps, Sybil Rogers Lewis, Sara Castillo, Kathlyn Levias, Rebecca Fontenot, Christian Bean)
Laboratory professionals perform tests on body fluids, interpret the results and help provide a complete picture of a patient’s health. Memorial operates a lab within the hospital as well as CHI St. Luke’s Health-Express Lab. Express Lab provides lab testing without physician orders in an outpatient setting. The Express Lab is open Monday – Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Fridays, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information call 936-639-7726.
About CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial
CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial, part of a national nonprofit health system, provides more than a quarter of a million patient services and millions of dollars in local charity care and community support each year. With hospitals in Lufkin, Livingston, San Augustine and Memorial Specialty – the area’s only long-term acute care hospital – Memorial offers comprehensive, quality health care, including a free-standing emergency center and outpatient facilities and services. To learn more, visit http://www.chistlukeshealthmemorial.org/
About Memorial Clinics
Memorial Clinics, a division of the CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial system, employs and partners with 40 primary care providers and specialists in 19 locations across East Texas. Memorial Clinics accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. Visit http://www.memorialclinics.com to learn more about our physicians and connect with the personalized patient portal.
About CHI St. Luke’s Health
CHI St. Luke’s Health, a member of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), is comprised of three markets―CHI St. Luke’s Health is home of the Texas Heart Institute (THI), eight hospitals, eight emergency centers, Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Radiation & CyberKnife Center, and several St. Luke’s Medical Group locations throughout Greater Houston; CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial (three hospitals and a long-term acute care facility in East Texas); and CHI St. Joseph Health (five hospitals and several St. Joseph Medical Group locations across Brazos Valley). In addition, CHI St. Luke’s is a part of a joint venture agreement with Baylor College of Medicine, which encompasses Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center. Together, CHI St. Luke’s Health, THI, and Baylor College of Medicine are transforming healthcare delivery with a mission to usher in a new era of healthcare to create healthier communities. Learn more at CHIStLukesHealth.org
About Catholic Health Initiatives
Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) is one of the nation’s largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 19 states and comprises more than 100 hospitals, including four academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; 30 critical-access facilities; community health services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; and other services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. Learn more at www.catholichealthinitiatives.com

Tyler College Ends Lady Roadrunners’ Season

By
Leah Listenbee
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Angelina College’s softball team and its fans experienced the brutal gamut of emotions in Monday’s third round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament.

After staying alive with a thrilling early win over Galveston – on a Kaylee Parker walk-off home run – the Lady Roadrunners saw their season come to an end with a 5-4 loss to Tyler College in the day’s final game.

Angelina College’s Kaylee Parker blasts a walk-off homer in the seventh inning of Monday’s win over Galveston College. The Lady Roadrunners stayed alive in the Region XIV Conference Tournament with the 6-5 win, only to see their season come to an end later in the day with a 5-4 loss to Tyler College. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

AC trailed the Lady Apaches 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the team rallied to tie the game behind Morgan Conner’s bases-loaded walk and a two-run Tyler error. Jordan Kisselburg drove in the first AC run with an RBI double in the second inning.

Angelina College’s Kaylee Parker celebrates her walk-off homer in the seventh inning of Monday’s Region XIV Conference Tournament win over Galveston College. The Lady Roadrunners stayed alive with the 6-5 win, only to see their season come to an end later in the day with a 5-4 loss to Tyler College. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

The sixth-inning excitement was short-lived: Tyler bounced back to score the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh. Shelby Hotchkiss led off with a walk, moved around to third on another walk and a Rebecca Snow single and scored on Haillie Weber’s sacrifice fly.

Angelina College third baseman Lauren Garza makes a diving grab during Monday’s Region XIV Conference Tournament game with Tyler College. The Lady Roadrunners ended their season with a 5-4 loss to the Lady Apaches after beating Galveston College 6-5 earlier in the day. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

In the bottom of the inning, AC’s Taylor Davis and Parker drove balls deep to the outfield fence – but those shots fell just short, and Tyler advanced to tomorrow’s round.

In the day’s early game, the Lady Roadrunners and Galveston College battled in another elimination game. AC took a 5-1 lead in the third behind a pair of two-run singles from Parker and Shay Vegas, only to see the Whitecaps tie the game with two runs in the fourth – on an Angel Villanueva two-run homer – and two in the fifth. With the score knotted at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Parker drove the first pitch she saw far over the left-field fence for the walk-off win and the team’s 100th homer of the season.

The Lady Roadrunners end their season having established several records, including wins in a season with 45 and home runs in a season with 100. Kali Holcomb set the individual single-season home run record with 18, and Taylor Davis finishes her two years as a Lady Roadrunner having set the all-time career home run mark with 29.

In the day’s other action, San Jacinto College punched its ticket to the NJCAA World Series with a 1-0 win over Blinn College. Blinn and Tyler College will play at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and the winner will face San Jacinto at 12:30. An if-necessary game will take place at 3 p.m. if San Jacinto loses the 12:30 game.

AC’s loss marked the final game for sophomores Kylie Murdock, Halie Pritchett, Lauren Garza, Jordan Kisselburg, Miranda Wiggins, Whitney Howerton, Lynsey Mitchell, Kaylee Parker, Kali Holcomb, Taylor Davis, Taylor LaGrange and Shay Vegas.

FRIDAY NIGHT BLUEGRASS CONCERT KICKS OFF BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

By
Leah Listenbee
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas —
The Texas Blueberry Festival kicks off with the Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park, from 6 to 10 p.m. June 9 at Festival Plaza in downtown Nacogdoches. Rex Perry Autoplex is sponsoring the family-friendly event that will feature four musical acts: The Purple Hulls, The Baker Family, The Blake Brothers and The Sabine River Bend Band.
“The Friday night bluegrass concert is a great complement to the Blueberry Festival,” said Roger Van Horn, mayor. “It’s a great way to encourage people to spend the night and make a whole weekend of it. The Blueberry
Festival is a big day for Nacogdoches, and a lot of people put a lot of work into making it happen. With the Friday night concert, visitors get another chance to see what makes this community so special.”
The concert starts at 6 p.m. and features The Purple Hulls, identical twin sisters from Kilgore; The Baker Family, an award-winning band from Birch Tree, Missouri; The Blake Brothers, a high-energy bluegrass group from Shreveport; and The Sabine River Bend Band, a group of long-time Southeast Texas musicians who have been playing together since 2008.
THE ACTS
The Purple Hulls are identical twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark. The Clark sisters were raised on a working family farm in Kilgore and they paid for college with money from the family’s purple hull harvest. After
graduation, they moved to Nashville, where they began touring with various country artists and writing songs for Nashville’s largest publishing company, Sony Tree. The sisters returned home in 2012 to care for their terminally ill father and they stayed in East Texas after he passed away, helping their mother with the farm while continuing their music career. The Purple Hulls are spending the first few months of 2017 touring Europe, and will return to the United States just in time for the Blueberry Bluegrass Concert.
The Purple Hulls are identical twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark from Kilgore, Texas.
From south central Missouri, The Baker Family performs Bluegrass, Gospel and Classic Country at events and competitions throughout the country. They were named the 2016 Bluegrass Artist of the Year by the International Country Gospel Music Association. They won the 2015 and 2014 Oklahoma State Band championships and in 2013 placed first in the Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass contest in Flagstaff, Ariz. The acclaimed family band includes 17-year-old Trustin on fiddle, banjo, and vocals. He has earned several accolades, including the 2016 Arkansas State Champion title, the 2015 Tennessee State Grand Champion Fiddler, the 2015 Grand Lakes Grand Champion, the 2014 Oklahoma Junior State Fiddle Champion, the 2013 Junior National Grand Master Fiddler, the 2013 Texas Freshman State Champion, the 2011-14 Missouri Junior Champion and the 2011-12 Arkansas Junior State Fiddle Champion. Carina, 15, who plays mandolin, sings and jig dances, was a 2014 nominee for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music for America’s female vocalist of the year. Elijah, 13, plays upright bass and sings, and their mother, Carrie, plays guitar and sings.
The acclaimed family band includes 17-year-old Trustin on fiddle, banjo, and vocals, Carina, 15, who plays mandolin, sings and jig dances, Elijah, 13, plays upright bass and sings, and their mother, Carrie, plays guitar and sings.
The Blake Brothers, formed in 2000 by Tim and Bruce Blake, feature Britt Green on mandolin and Nancy Blake on bass. The North Louisiana band performed at the inaugural Blueberry Bluegrass Concert and has performed
extensively across East Texas over the years.
The Blake Brothers, formed in 2000 by Tim and Bruce Blake, feature Britt Green on mandolin and Nancy Blake on bass.
The Sabine River Bend Band was formed by in 2008 by Earl Cochran Jr., who plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. Reuben Maddox plays the mandolin, Trey Cochran plays the banjo and Brad Hight plays the upright and electric bass.
The Sabine River Band, formed by Earl Cochran Jr.
FOOD, PARKING AND MORE
The concert will also feature food vendors, including some local farmer’s market favorites selling homemade items, as well as catfish, barbecue, snowcones, Blueberry lemonade and lots of water. Organizers encourage
attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The event is family-friendly, so no coolers or alcohol will be allowed. Parking will be available downtown. However, some downtown streets will be closed due to the Blueberry Festival, so concert-goers are urged to visit http://www.Facebook.com/bluegrassnac
 http://www.tbf.nacogdoches.org/page.php?id=60 for parking instructions. Parking with free shuttle service to the concert venue will be available at First Baptist Church, 411 North St. Van and RV parking will be at the Nacogdoches City Garage location at 114 W. Cox St.
Friday Night Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park presented by Rex Perry Autoplex.
Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park – Home | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/bluegrassnac>
Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park is a FREE, family-friendly, Texas Blueberry Festival music event in Nacogdoches, Texas on Friday, June 9, 2017.
Organizers are grateful for the enthusiastic partners that make the concert possible, especially Rex Perry Autoplex and the City of Nacogdoches.
The Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Tipton Ford continues Saturday with a full day of activities in downtown Nacogdoches, including a Blueberry pancake breakfast, competitions and more live entertainment. For more information, visit http://tbf.nacogdoches.org/ or call 936-560-5533

Tyler College Ends Lady Roadrunners’ Season

By
Gary Stallard
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0

Angelina College’s softball team and its fans experienced the brutal gamut of emotions in Monday’s third round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament.

After staying alive with a thrilling early win over Galveston – on a Kaylee Parker walk-off home run – the Lady Roadrunners saw their season come to an end with a 5-4 loss to Tyler College in the day’s final game.

Angelina College’s Kaylee Parker celebrates her walk-off homer in the seventh inning of Monday’s Region XIV Conference Tournament win over Galveston College. The Lady Roadrunners stayed alive with the 6-5 win, only to see their season come to an end later in the day with a 5-4 loss to Tyler College. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

AC trailed the Lady Apaches 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the team rallied to tie the game behind Morgan Conner’s bases-loaded walk and a two-run Tyler error. Jordan Kisselburg drove in the first AC run with an RBI double in the second inning.

The sixth-inning excitement was short-lived: Tyler bounced back to score the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh. Shelby Hotchkiss led off with a walk, moved around to third on another walk and a Rebecca Snow single and scored on Haillie Weber’s sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the inning, AC’s Taylor Davis and Parker drove balls deep to the outfield fence – but those shots fell just short, and Tyler advanced to tomorrow’s round.

In the day’s early game, the Lady Roadrunners and Galveston College battled in another elimination game. AC took a 5-1 lead in the third behind a pair of two-run singles from Parker and Shay Vegas, only to see the Whitecaps tie the game with two runs in the fourth – on an Angel Villanueva two-run homer – and two in the fifth. With the score knotted at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Parker drove the first pitch she saw far over the left-field fence for the walk-off win and the team’s 100th homer of the season.

The Lady Roadrunners end their season having established several records, including wins in a season with 45 and home runs in a season with 100. Kali Holcomb set the individual single-season home run record with 18, and Taylor Davis finishes her two years as a Lady Roadrunner having set the all-time career home run mark with 29.

In the day’s other action, San Jacinto College punched its ticket to the NJCAA World Series with a 1-0 win over Blinn College. Blinn and Tyler College will play at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and the winner will face San Jacinto at 12:30. An if-necessary game will take place at 3 p.m. if San Jacinto loses the 12:30 game.

AC’s loss marked the final game for sophomores Kylie Murdock, Halie Pritchett, Lauren Garza, Jordan Kisselburg, Miranda Wiggins, Whitney Howerton, Lynsey Mitchell, Kaylee Parker, Kali Holcomb, Taylor Davis, Taylor LaGrange and Shay Vegas.

‘CLICK IT OR TICKET’ CAMPAIGN SAVES MORE THAN 5,000 LIVES

By
Leah Listenbee
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0

AUSTIN – This month marks the 15th anniversary of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign urging Texans to buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that since its inception 15 years ago, our life-saving campaign has resulted in 5,068 fewer traffic fatalities. However, from 2015 to 2016, deaths among people not wearing seat belts increased 9 percent.

“Wearing a seat belt is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself in a crash, and in Texas it’s the
law,” said Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director James Bass. “People make a lot of excuses for not buckling up, but those excuses will not save your life or prevent you from getting a ticket. The fact is, it only takes a few seconds to buckle up and it could mean the difference between life and death.”

According to NHTSA, since its inception 15 years ago, the Texas “Click It or Ticket” campaign has not only saved thousands of lives but also prevented more than 86,000 serious injuries and saved Texas more than $19.3 billion in related economic costs. When the “Click It or Ticket” campaign launched in 2002, only 76 percent of Texans used their seat belts. Today, nearly 92 percent buckle up, but 8 percent still don’t and the number of people who don’t buckle up doubles to 16 percent at night.

In 2016, 994 people died because they weren’t wearing seat belts – an increase of 9 percent over the 908 unbelted fatalities recorded in 2015.

Wearing a seat belt helps keep occupants from being ejected in a crash and increases the chances of surviving by 45 percent in a car, and up to 60 percent in a truck. In Texas, the law requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up or face fines and court costs up to $200. Children younger than 8 years must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If they aren’t properly restrained, the driver faces fines up to $250 plus court costs.

Along with TxDOT’s annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/psas/seat-belts/clickit.html effort, police departments in Texas and across the nation will step up their enforcement efforts from May 22 to June 4.

To learn more about “Click It or Ticket,” visit  http://texasclickitorticket.com/.

Lady Roadrunners Stay Alive, Eliminate Lamar State-Port Arthur

By
Leah Listenbee
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Jordan Kisselburg and Kali Holcomb got the big hits, and Whitney Howerton and Kylie Murdock teamed up for a stellar job in the circle, but Angelina College shortstop Miranda Wiggins made just as much noise with her glove as the Lady Roadrunners staved off elimination with a 4-3 win over Lamar State College-Port Arthur in Sunday’s Region XIV Conference Tournament action at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin.

Wiggins’ play in the sixth inning helped hold off a Seahawk rally. Lamar-PA entered the frame trailing 4-0 before stringing together three straight hits to key a three-run rally. Wiggins fielded a ground ball for one putout, and with the bases loaded with Seahawks, made a sprinting catch of a line drive in the hole near third base and, never breaking stride, stepped on the bag to end the inning and the threat. It seemed only fitting that Wiggins would turn in another web gem – a sharp grounder up the middle she fielded and threw to first – for the game’s final out.

Angelina College shortstop Miranda Wiggins takes the throw and makes the tag to thwart a steal attempt from Lamar State College-Port Arthur runner Clarissa Moreno (4) during Sunday’s game. The Lady Roadrunners held off the Seahawks 4-3 to stay alive in the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

 

Wiggins’ effort was part of a flawless defensive effort from the Lady Roadrunner infield and outfield. Third baseman Lauren Garza fielded all six of her chances, including an inning-ending catch of a foul pop near the net behind home plate in the fourth.

Angelina College third baseman Lauran Garza battles the nets for a catch during Sunday’s game against Lamar State College-Port Arthur. The Lady Roadrunners held off the Seahawks 4-3 to stay alive in the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

AC’s win eliminated Lamar-PA and sent the Lady Roadrunners into Monday’s third round against Galveston College, which lost 9-1 to Blinn on Sunday.

Kisselburg lined a shot into the game in right center to score Kaylee Parker and Kali Holcomb in the first inning. Those two runs held up until Holcomb padded the lead with a two-run double off the top of the left-field wall in the fourth, scoring Morgan Conner and Wiggins.

Howerton opened the game in the circle, setting down the first seven Seahawks in order before Makenzi Maloy’s single in the third. AC catcher Conner gunned down Maloy at second on a steal attempt, and through the first four innings, Howerton faced just one batter over the minimum.

When the Seahawks threatened in the sixth, Murdock entered and threw one pitch to Lamar-PA’s Clarissa Moreno, who hit the inning-ending liner to Wiggins. Murdock walked one batter in the seventh but retired the other three to earn the save.

Angelina College pitcher Kylie Murdock delivers to Lamar State College-Port Arthur hitter during Sunday’s game. The Lady Roadrunners held off the Seahawks 4-3 to stay alive in the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (AC Press photo/Mo Oliver)

AC will face Galveston’s Whitecaps at 10 a.m. The winner will also play at 5:30 p.m.

In the day’s other action, Tyler College eliminated Kilgore by a 13-3 score, Blinn dropped Galveston College 9-1 and San Jacinto won a 1-0 walkoff thriller over Bossier Parish College.

Monday’s schedule includes AC vs. Galveston at 10 a.m., Tyler vs. Bossier Parish at 12:30 p.m., Blinn vs. San Jacinto at 3 p.m., and the winner of Tyler/Bossier Parish and the AC/Galveston games at 5:30 p.m.

San Jacinto Blanks Lady Roadrunners in Tourney’s Opening Round

By
Leah Listenbee
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0

The old baseball/softball adage regarding good pitching beating good offense held true on Saturday, with San Jacinto College’s Niki Gonzalez tossing a shutout to lead the Coyotes to a 4-0 win over the high-powered Angelina College Lady Roadrunners the opening round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin.

Angelina College left fielder Taylor LaGrange fights the sun for a running catch during Saturday’s game against San Jacinto College. The Coyotes blanked the Lady Roadrunners 4-0 in the opening round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex. (AC Press photo/Kyle Stallard)

Gonzalez, who entered the game with a 1.45 ERA and a 28-4 record, frustrated the AC lineup all game long, striking out 11 while going the distance in the circle. The Lady ‘Runners managed five hits, two of those doubles from Jordan Kisselburg and Lauren Garza, and put runners in scoring position in three different innings. Each time, Gonzalez worked her way out of trouble without allowing a run.

Angelina College pitcher Jordan Kisselburg delivers from the circle during Saturday’s game against San Jacinto College. The Coyotes blanked the Lady Roadrunners 4-0 in the opening round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex. (AC Press photo/Kyle Stallard)

AC pitcher Jordan Kisselburg gave up just six Coyote hits – all singles, and three of those hits – but San Jac found ways to maximize their opportunities. Coyote Missy Hernandez drew a walk in the first inning and came around to score on Riley Bullen’s single. In the fourth inning, Bullen and Taylor Office drew back-to-back walks, and Taylor McHenry drove home a run with a single. Another infield single from Shelbi Doherty loaded the bases, and Katlin Kerl earned an RBI with a walk. McHenry would drive in San Jac’s final run with a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning.

Gonzalez then struck out the side in AC’s halves of the sixth and seventh inning to cap the Coyote win.

San Jacinto’s Riley Bullen (6) slides around Angelina College catcher Morgan Conner to score a run during Saturday’s game. The Coyotes blanked the Lady Roadrunners 4-0 in the opening round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament at Roadrunner Complex. (AC Press photo/Kyle Stallard)

The Lady Roadrunners will have to play their way out of the loser’s bracket starting with Sunday’s matchup with Lamar State College-Port Arthur. That game starts at 12:30 p.m.

In the day’s other first-round games, Blinn beat Kilgore 6-0, Bossier Parish shut out Lamar-PA 8-0 and Galveston upset No. 1-seed Tyler by a 4-2 score.

Sunday’s schedule includes Kilgore vs. Tyler at 10 a.m., AC vs. Lamar-PA at 12:30 p.m., Galveston vs. Blinn at 3 p.m. and San Jacinto vs. Bossier Parish at 5:30 p.m.

Press Release: City of Nacogdoches Water Update

By
Leah Listenbee
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0

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS–

In September 2016, the City of Nacogdoches received results from well and lake water testing done by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). These results showed elevated levels of Trihalomethanes (THM)–a group of compounds that naturally form when organic materials are mixed with chlorine. City Staff believes the TCEQ tests were flawed and have formally contested the results.

The city hired an independent laboratory to retest the two sites which had been identified by TCEQ with elevated THM levels. Repeated testing continued every two weeks for several months at 6 sites across the City to validate and ensure the safety of our drinking water. Elevated levels of THMs, above the maximum allowable, were never identified, with most results falling nearly 80% lower than the single test by TCEQ.

All test results, both past and present, have never identified unsafe levels of THM in the City.

“All tests taken before and immediately after TCEQ’s test have showed very low (normal) levels of THMs,”City Engineer, Steve Bartlett said. “The city believes these tests results were in error. We are obligated to repeatedly provide the public with the same notices initially received.”

In compliance with State and Federal regulations, the City of Nacogdoches included a State provided public notice describing the test results in the December 2016 water bills. Regulations state that such public notifications must be issued in the water bills every three months until the running average of all tests falls below the maximum contaminant level.

“It is important to note although these notices are repeatedly going to all water consumers, our water supply is safe to drink and citizens do not need to filter, boil or treat their water,” Jim Jeffers, City Manager, said. “We will also continue to issue notices and will remain transparent about the process until our dispute is resolved.”

Please contact Steve Bartlett, City Engineer, with any questions (936-559-2522 office, 936-556-0945 cell).

Angelina College presents “The Upshaws of County Line” Exhibition

By
Nancy Reynolds
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LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 26, 2017 –Angelina College’s Fine Arts division will present an exhibition of photographs by Richard Orton May 9 through June 7. An opening reception is planned for May 9, 6-7:30 p.m. and will include a short talk by the artist. the event is free and open to the public.

Orton’s documentary series “The Upshaws of County Line” is of particular interest to our East Texas community. An award winning exhibition and book, this series documents the extraordinary establishment of the post Civil War black communities in East Texas where African American families sought to create their own havens in which to thrive and work. With the abuses of both Reconstruction and the legislation known as Jim Crow laws, these “freedom colonies” were vital to these families.

Richard Orton spent 25 years with the families of County Line, Texas, documenting their lives with his photos and producing a book that includes the writings of the citizens of County Line. The resulting photo essay and book have been an important addition to the historical record of Texas.

For more information about this event or the Fine Arts division at Angelina College, call 936-633-5233.

Legal topics abound for landowners

By
Cary Sims
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Apart from too much or too little rain, herd health or the production of a crop, there are several other issues to which farm and ranch owners need to pay attention.

Agriculture provides freedom, challenges and opportunities like few other business ventures. I get the chance to visit with numerous others around our area who share the joys and struggles. In my role, I get several inquiries from landowners that want to discuss how to take care of their land, make it more productive, and establish a legacy.

Under the current federal administration, the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) debate has been placed on the backburner and given landowners some time to relax, but we shouldn’t believe that we’ve heard the last of it. Even with changes at the EPA, there are some who will pursue this land grab and rural landowners must be aware of the implications.

Who owns the water in the creek that flows you’re your property? What about the water in your pond? You may never have considered it, but legally the state owns the water in rivers and streams. And regarding that old well on your place, have you registered it with the local groundwater conservation district? If not in the system and on the map, then when a neighboring landowner wants to sink a large water well, they’ll be allowed to do so because there will be no known conflict.

Eminent domain is still in the forefront. Eminent domain is the power of the government or someone acting upon power granted by the government to take private property for public use. The power of eminent domain is recognized in both the United States and Texas Constitutions. Again, the consequences of this very legal topic need to be understood.

Negotiating agricultural leases is often overlooked as an important issue, until something goes awry between the two parties. Looking at options and decisions with ag leases are of great importance.

Lastly, there is estate planning. Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person’s life. In the news recently is President Trump’s proposed tax plan. Are you following it? Or can anyone really, truly follow and understand the tax codes?

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be presenting a seminar entitled “Land, Water & Wealth: A Legal Symposium for East Texas Agriculture” later this month on Friday, May 19 at the Angelina County Office. This is an all-day seminar with lunch included.

Addressing these issues are two outstanding attorneys: Dr. Tiffany Lashmet and Jim Bradbury. Bradbury is an attorney and counselor representing clients in real estate and business transactions. His areas of expertise include water, wetland mitigation and banking, water quality, land use,

environmental and impacts to real property from oil and gas production. He serves on the board of the Texas Land Trust Council.

Dr. Lashmet is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist specializing in Agricultural Law with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Tiffany grew up on a family farm and ranch in Eastern New Mexico. Prior to joining Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Tiffany worked for four years at a law firm in Albuquerque practicing civil litigation. She is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and Texas. She writes a very successful Ag Law Blog that can be found at www.agrilife.org/texasaglaw.

This seminar will be an all-day program at the Angelina County Extension office. Valuable information on water law, eminent domain, estate planning, and negotiating agricultural leases are to be covered. Cost is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Call 936.634.6414 ext. 0 by May 12 to reserve a seat or for more information.

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