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 six 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 eight percent lower than the single test by TCEQ.
All test results, both past and present, have never identified unsafe levels of THM in the City.
After several months working with TCEQ, they have denied the request to remove the two elevated test results citing that the re-testing was too far in time after their test to prove that they had inaccurate results. Unfortunately, TCEQ did not initially notify the City of the two elevated results until approximately six weeks after the tests were performed, making it impossible to respond with re-tests in a timely manner.
“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 and we continue to dispute them. Until then, 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,” City Manager Jim Jeffers said. “We will also continue to issue notices and will remain transparent about the process until our dispute is resolved.”
Please contact Bartlett with any questions at his office (936) 559-2522 or his cell (936) 556-0945.
Angelina College’s Isaiah Bailey (22) collides with Panola College’s Tope Arikawe (20) during Friday’s game. (AC Press photo/Kaylee Parker)
Angelina College’s Gary Blackston tries shooting over Panola’s Bryson Lockley (24) during Friday’s game. The Roadrunners’ season ended with an 82-65 loss to the Ponies in the Region XIV conference tournament semifinals in Jacksonville. (AC Press photo/Kaylee Parker)
The trip to Hutchinson, Kansas for the junior college national basketball championships was there for the taking, but the Angelina College Roadrunners simply ran out of gas before they could get on the bus.
Just one night after AC’s thrilling and emotional come-from-behind win over Trinity Valley, the ‘Runners couldn’t muster the same magic, falling to the Panola College Ponies 82-65 in the Region XIV men’s conference semifinals Friday night in Jacksonville.
In an emotionally charged game featuring eight technical fouls and several ejections, the Roadrunners, after taking a lead early in the second half, fell back from the pace as the Ponies reeled off a 20-3 run to take charge of the game.
Robert Lewis led the ‘Runners with 20 points; Corinthian Ramsey scored 13 and Isaiah Bailey 12 in those three sophomores’ final games with AC. Gary Blackston, Quenton Bush, Victor Bell and Kyndall Powell also played their final games as Roadrunners.
Panola’s Devyn Wilson led the Ponies with 20 points. Panola College will play San Jacinto College on Saturday to decide the tournament champion, with both teams having earned berths to the national tourney in Hutchinson.
The Roadrunners finish the season with a record of 22-11.
The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will hold their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Shepherd Community Center located at 10251 Hwy 150, west of Shepherd, Texas. A luncheon will be served at noon, with the board meeting to follow.
Welcoming members and guests to San Jacinto County will be San Jacinto County Judge John Lovett; the Mayor of Shepherd Earl Brown; San Jacinto County Commissioners – Laddie McAnally, Donnie Mars, Thomas Bonds and Mark Nettuno.
DETCOG’s President, Lufkin City Councilperson, Lynn Torres would like to extend an invitation to the meeting to all interested parties. Anyone needing information concerning these meetings may contact the Deep East Texas Council of Governments office in Jasper at (409) 384-5704.
Anyone who has ever cared for or spent time with the elderly knows the frustrations that can arise. Simple things that most of us take for granted can turn into monumental tasks that must be repeated over and over again. What are the best ways to handle these situations?
Kurt Kazanowski, an expert in hospice, homecare and working with the elderly, said that while it can be frustrating, especially when it’s someone very close to you like your own parents, there are things you should and should not say that can make it a bit easier:
For example:
Don’t say: “How can you not remember that!?” Say instead: “See this sticker? Dad, if the car isn’t inspected before the end of the month, we could have problems.” Place a few post-it notes on the dashboard, fridge and bathroom mirror. Add a smiley face to keep the tone light. And if you still think your parents might forget, make the appointment and then call your dad that morning to remind him.
Don’t say: “You could do that if you really tried.” Say instead: “Let me watch and see where you’re having trouble so we can figure out how this can get done together.”Or if you live out of town: “Ask (So-and-so) for help.” Seniors, like everyone else, want to maintain their independence. But if a project is truly beyond their capabilities and they either don’t know anyone who could help (or won’t ask), you might want to try to find someone who can lend a hand.
Don’t say: “I just showed you how to use the remote control yesterday.” Instead say: “The blue button on top turns the TV on and there’s one set of arrows for changing the channel and another for the volume. I’ll show you again.” Better yet — ask your parents’ cable or satellite provider to recommend a senior-friendly remote control with a simple design, or purchase one at a local electronics store. Or if they’re okay following instructions, you could write or print out step-by-step directions in large, legible type and leave it near the remote.
Don’t say: “What does that have to do with what we’re talking about?” Say instead: “I was telling you about the game last night. It’s okay if you want to chat about something else.”If the subject is important to you, try to bring the conversation back on track without pointing a finger at your dad. And to avoid suppressing genuine anger or sadness, gently explain why the conversation was important to you. Another option: Say nothing and just listen.
Don’t say: “You already told me that.” Say instead:“No kidding? And don’t tell me that the next thing you did was . . . .”Yes, you can make a joke out of it — but only if your parents won’t feel hurt. Best-case scenario: Your mom or dad will feel amused and relaxed enough to join in.
Last Tuesday, 44 youth from across Angelina County came to the Extension office and each of them picked up a box full of day old chicks to raise for the broiler competition at the Angelina County Fair on April 18.
Each exhibitor starts off with a box of 25, day-old chicks randomly sorted and delivered to start off this competition.
Avery Boles, a 10-year-old fourth grader from Huntington was there to pick hers up. This is Avery’s second year to show broilers at the show. She and her two older brothers, David and Abram, will all be raising chickens and competing in the Angelina County Fair.
Avery says her favorite part of raising chickens is getting to play with them and watch them grow up. On the other hand, her least favorite part is having to feed and water every day no matter what else you have going on.
Of these 44 FFA and 4-H entries, only 30 will make it to the auction at the conclusion of the Fair on Saturday, April 22.
Avery Boles, a 10-year-old fourth grader from Huntington, checks on her chicks she will show at this year’s Angelina County Fair.
A “broiler” is a chicken bred specifically to grow muscle efficiently and to be eaten. Their genetics are very different from the egg producing breeds we have in the back-yard egg-laying flock. Raising broiler chickens is an excellent youth project for beginners to livestock exhibiting. Chickens are considerably easier to handle, require less space, and are less expensive than other species.
Chickens are excellent for several reasons. Show birds can be raised in a backyard shed or a garage; they do not need a large amount of land. And broilers can often be raised in urban areas where larger animals would be impractical. In fact, it is recommended that broilers be raised in a good shelter to maximize growth and prevent attack by predators. Avery told me that she and her brothers have a set of pens set up in their barn behind the house.
Simple, inexpensive materials can be used to construct an eight by eight-foot broiler pen. The birds must be housed to protect the them from the weather as well as any dog, cat or other creature that has improper intentions.
This is a short-term livestock project lasting only six weeks. The quick time frame of only six weeks is very typical of market conditions. On a commercial scale, it typically takes only 6-7 weeks to raise a broiler to market weight.
The broiler show certainly provides everyone an equal starting point on their way to the competition. All chicks that students receive for a show are provided by a single hatchery. The chicks are the same breed and hatched on the same day. The birds are wing banded and randomly assigned to each student. This removes all bias in the selection of chicks and their assignment to the participants.
A broiler chicken eats less than two pounds of feed for every pound of body weight gain. Therefore, a six pound broiler requires only 12 pounds of feed to complete its six week grow-out cycle.
At the county fair, only the best three broilers are shown in competition. Thus, the remainder of the box of 25 never make it to the showgrounds.
With only three making the final cut to go to the Fair, there will be many more needing to go into the freezer. I know of youth who sell off their smaller chickens as fryers as they near the county fair.
So if you know Avery Boles (or another 4-H or FFA exhibitor that is raising broilers), you could probably support them by purchasing their locally grown birds that just didn’t make the cut at the Fair.
If you signed up for a new Medicare plan during Open Enrollment, it’s important to understand how your prescription drug costs may be affected. Even if you did nothing to alter your coverage, some features of your plan may have changed for 2017.
Unfortunately, almost one-in-five Medicare beneficiaries don’t have a good understanding of their plan, and a good portion have some misconceptions about copays, according to a recent survey by Walgreens.
Here are three easy steps to help you make the most of your benefits and find potential cost-savings for your prescription medications under your Part D coverage.
Think Generic
When possible, consider using a less expensive prescription drug brand or generic. These alternatives typically carry the same formulas at a reduced cost, saving patients substantially over time.
Preferred Pharmacies
Verify whether your plan has preferred pharmacies — which are pharmacies that have an agreement with a Part D plan to charge less than a standard network pharmacy. For example, Walgreens, which is a preferred pharmacy for many of the nation’s top plans, can help lower the cost of your copays, even to $0 in the case of Tier 1 generics on certain plans.
“Depending on the design of your plan, coverage, and prescription drugs, you can pay higher copays at one pharmacy in comparison to another if your pharmacy is not in your plan’s preferred network! So, choosing the right pharmacy is definitely important,” said Mariah Moon, the blogger behind “The Simple Parent,” who recently wrote about helping her mother research her options for lowering her drug costs as part of the #PartDAtWalgreens campaign.
90-Day Refills
“My pharmacist told me that many physicians are willing to write 90-day prescriptions for many of the medications that seniors are often prescribed. This not only saves time by requiring fewer trips to the pharmacy, but also may save copay costs,” said Shelley Webb, a registered nurse and founder of “The Intentional Caregiver,” who cared for her father in her home for four years and was recently sponsored by Walgreens to share tips about saving on prescription costs with her readers.
Medicare beneficiaries seeking help navigating prescription drug costs can find free resources at walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/medicarepartd.
If you didn’t review your plan before renewing, it’s not too late to become a savvy consumer and learn more. Doing so can help you save money.
Do you want more than just a traditional mac and cheese? The Jalapeno Mac & Cheese from The Hudson packs a punch.
The dish contains smoked jalapenos, roasted garlic and shallots, parmesan cheese and a crunchy breadcrumb topping! And if that wasn’t enough, you can complete your meal by adding crab, smoked bacon, or short rib!
Jalapeno Mac & Cheese from The Hudson
Jalapeno Mac & Cheese
Cheese Sauce
1.5 cups Boiling Water
.5 cups powdered milk
.25 ounce unflavored gelatin
1.5 pounds of shredded cheddar cheese
Combine everything into a blender and pulse on high until smooth and consistent. Set this aside and allow to cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
In a pot on the stovetop, boil the macaroni noodles until desired firmness is reached (Keep in mind that the noodles will cook a bit more through the rest of the process, so leave them a little firmer than you normally do.). Drain into a colander and reserve. In the original pot add the garlic, shallots, and smoked jalapeños on medium high heat. Simmer until the garlic and shallots become transparent, then add in the cheese sauce. Stir until mixture is smooth and consistent – then incorporate the macaroni noodles. Fold them in with a silicone spatula so the noodles don’t break.
Once this is all complete, transfer into a baking dish. Evenly crumble parmesan bread crumbs onto the top. Place on the top rack (with the oven on high) for a couple of minutes until the top of the dish and the breadcrumbs are a nice golden brown color.
Serve and enjoy!
Read about the Macaroni and Lobster Cream in this month’s Spring 2017 edition of TFCL by clicking here!
Bradlee and Sonilynn Miller carry the flags at the rodeo during Western Weekend at last year’s Dogwood Festival.
For 74 years, the Woodville community has been hosting its three-weekend festivity known as the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.
A festival known for it’s Dogwood blooms and celebration of spring has been happening since the 1940’s starts Saturday, March 18. We chatted with Woodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger about how it all began, what’s new this year and her favorite part of the Festival.
Keep reading to learn more about the Tyler County Dogwood Festival!
TFCL: What started the Dogwood Festival? Mandy: In the spring of 1938, when the dogwoods were in bloom, Tyler County Judge James E. Wheat arranged a meeting near the Polk and Tyler County line of a group of the state’s leading citizens whose aid he hoped to enlist in promoting the completion of U.S. Highway 190. His guests, from other parts of the state, were so impressed with the natural beauty of East Texas that Jim Wheat hit upon the idea of an annual event which would focus attention on the area when “It’s Dogwood Time in Tyler County.” Sometime before Christmas in 1939, Mr. Wheat called a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and other interested individuals to organize a festival association. The first Dogwood Festival was presented April 6, 1940 by some 30 people to an audience of 300 in a small amphitheater on the grounds of the Woodville school.
TFCL: Do y’all have any new features this year? Mandy: The newest events occur during the Festival of the Arts and include the Denim and Dogwoods Gala, the historical driving tour and the Royal Tea. The only new feature that we have specific to this year is that the rodeo will be CPRA sanctioned. For the past several years it has been an open rodeo.
2016 Dogwood Queen Shelby Tally
TFCL: How as it grown over the years? Mandy: The festival has grown from one event (Coronation and Historical Play) and an audience of 300 to three weekends with countless events and 10,000+ attendees. The festival was expanded to two weekends in 1967 when Western Weekend was added. There were so many trailrides joining the Dogwood parade that the organizers decided to add a weekend to embrace the heritage of the East Texas cowboy and compliment the original weekend as these trailriders come to Tyler County by horseback and wagon traveling through our beautiful forest in bloom. The Arts and Entertainment weekend (now called Festival of the Arts) was added in the year of the festival’s 50th anniversary, 1993. The focus of this weekend is to embrace our heritage and culture through the arts.
TFCL: What should attendees plan for this year for the different weekends? Mandy: Here is a look at the events:
Festival of the Arts: The events of this weekend focus on the heritage, history and cultural arts of our region.
Denim and Dogwoods Gala (a dinner with live music and readings/enactments of pioneer stories)
Historical Driving Tour – Self-paced driving tour of historical churches
Heritage Village Tours and Exhibits – Living museum of pioneer history to include demonstrations and exhibits
Dinner on the Grounds – Live music and old-time Sunday dinner on the grounds
Royal Tea – Little girls have an opportunity to meet the current ladies of the royal court dressed in formal gowns. Attendees get to make a sash, receive a tiara and have their picture made with the princess or lady-in-waiting of their choice.
Western Weekend: Embraces the heritage and culture of the East Texas Cowboy
Trailriders come to Woodville on horseback and by wagon to enjoy the beautiful East Texas forest and participate in the Trailride parade.
Rodeo Performances
Trailride Parade – Spectators gather on the streets to watch a parade of horses, carriages and wagons as they travel through downtown Woodville
Queen’s Weekend: Celebration of spring, all events are in downtown Woodville
Dogwood Dash – 5K fun run
Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors
Motorcycle and Classic Car Exhibit
Parade
Coronation & Historical Play – Presentation of the royal court to include approximately 24 visiting duchesses and their escorts, crowning of the queen, historical play and fireworks finale
Mutton Bustin’
TFCL: What is your favorite part? Mandy: The hometown atmosphere of every single event and activity. That said, if I had to pick just one event or activity, I particularly love the coronation and pageant. Sitting underneath the East Texas stars and basking in a tradition that is 74 years strong that brings so many people together in celebration is absolutely heartwarming and breathtaking.
TFCL: Why did y’all choose the theme: “The Cowboy Way – History According to the Texas Cowboy and Legends?” Mandy: The theme changes from year to year and is based upon the historical play and set design. One of the primary focuses of our festival is celebrating and embracing our Texas heritage and the heritage of the East Texas cowboy.
TFCL: What do the Children of the Court do, along with other royalty? Mandy: The children of the court serve as flower girls and bearers to the queen during the coronation ceremony. They are selected from first graders throughout Tyler County school districts. These young individuals represent the promise of youth and Springtime, the nobility of the forest, and they embody our community pride.
TFCL: What does the Festival represent of Tyler County? Mandy: The festival represents a celebration of our natural resources and the beauty of the region, but also of our history, heritage and the family that is Tyler County – our small town atmosphere.
TFCL: Can you tell me about Mr. East Texas and the honoree? Mandy: The Mr. East Texas Award was established in 1967 and is presented at the discretion of the operating board of directors to the East Texan who best exemplifies the spirit and quality of leadership which advances, shapes and gives direction to the growth and progress of East Texas. This year’s honoree is Edward “Bubba” Miller. Mr. Miller was selected for his devotion to the growth and development of East Texas through the sport of rodeo and evangelistic ministry. He has used his love for rodeo and his faith to enrich the lives of many East Texans particularly our youth. Bubba has also used his passions as catalysts to represent our region across the country. The board feels that Mr. Miller embodies the 2017 festival theme “The Cowboy Way.”
TFCL: What does the public look forward to the most and why? Mandy: The public looks most forward to the parade and downtown activities of Queen’s Weekend. It’s like a huge homecoming for those who have ties to the community, and it’s like being in Maybury for visitors. There is no admission charge and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Dancer
TFCL: What do you want the public to know about the Festival? Mandy: The entire event is family oriented and just great fun!
TFCL: Where is each event located and the cost of them? Mandy: Here is a look at the location of each event and the admission cost.
Festival of the Arts
Denim and Dogwoods Gala – First Baptist Church of Woodville Family Life Center, 205 W. Wheat, Woodville $25 per ticket
Historical Driving Tour – Cherokee Church (Heritage Village), Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church (Warren, TX), Mt. Hope Methodist Church (Chester, TX), donations accepted at each site
Heritage Village Tours and Exhibits – 157 PR 6000, Woodville
Dinner on the Grounds – 157 PR 6000, Woodville
Royal Tea – Village Street Bed and Breakfast, 201 N. Village St., Woodville
Western Weekend
Rodeo – 405 CR 2025, Woodville, TX, Adult presale tickets $8, Ages 12 & Under $6, Tickets $2 more at the gate
Trailride Parade – Downtown Woodville, no admission
Queen’s Weekend
5K Fun Run – 505 N. Charlton, Woodville, Pre-registration $15, Late Registration – $20, No admission for spectators
Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors – 102 N. Charlton, Woodville, No admission
Motorcycle and Classic Car Exhibit – 100 Block of W. Charlton Street, No admission
Parade – Downtown Woodville, No admission
Coronation & Historical Play – $7 & $9 Pre-sale, $8 & $10 at the gate – ticket prices based upon seating section
Western Weekend parade.
TFCL: Is there anything else you would like to add? Mandy: The festival is completely operated and produced by volunteers. The focus of the festival has also included scenic routes of dogwood trees in bloom, but we have no control over mother nature and this is Texas. Many times the Dogwood trees, redbuds and azaleas bloom early and are not in full bloom during the festival. For 74 years local volunteers have been making paper dogwoods, azaleas, wisteria and yellow jasmine to adorn parade floats and the stage for the coronation and play. These flowers cannot be reused from year to year, so each year volunteers throughout the county make thousands upon thousands of flowers that are tied on to harvested yaupon bushes and trees.
As spring approaches, the Lufkin District is in full swing with new and ongoing construction and maintenance projects.
“Our construction project at Livingston State Park in Polk County is coming to a close and the camping areas have been reopened just in time for Spring Break,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer for the Lufkin District. “I know the public is glad to hear that the area is open again for recreation and camping.”
The project included rehabilitating roads, parking lots and campsite parking in Youpon, Red Oak and Piney Shore camping areas. Drewery Construction, contractor for the $2 million construction project is scheduled to place signage and striping in reopened camping loops next week.
As many projects continue, motorists are urged to stay alert as they approach and travel through work zones. All work schedules are subject to change in inclement weather. Project updates and work schedules for the coming week in the Lufkin District include:
ANGELINA COUNTY
US 69 South: Work will continue to prepare the right of way from the city of Huntington to FM 844 for a future construction project. Crews are scheduled to seed the newly cleared area and work should not affect the traveling public, but motorists are urged to stay alert.
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY
US 59 South: Crews continue to construct sidewalks, driveways, and repair and replace curb and gutter throughout the project from SL 224 to 1.3 miles south of SL 224. Hot mix is scheduled to be set in the outside northbound lane at SL 224. Milling main lanes will begin as weather permits.
FM 95: Approach work continues at the newly constructed Parallel and Dog Creek bridges.
FM 1638: Work is scheduled to continue safety treating fixed objects, and repairing and replacing metal beam guard fence from FM 698 to FM 2609.
POLK COUNTY
US 190: Work is planned to continue placing metal beam guard fence and installing culverts throughout the project that will add passing lanes and widen the roadway from Onalaska to FM 2457. Motorists are urged to be alert to workers near the shoulder of the roadway.
Dick Skinner Road: Crews are scheduled to work on bridge approaches at the newly constructed bridge that crosses a tributary of the Neches River.
East Clamon Road: Crews will work to establish vegetation at the newly constructed bridges on Jack Pate Road and Upper Leggett Road.
SAN JACINTO COUNTY
US 59: Crews are scheduled to continue work on the new southbound main lanes and temporary detour that will add frontage roads from 1 mile north of FM 2914 to 1 mile south of FM 2914. Motorists should be aware of trucks entering and exiting the roadway.
US 59: Work will continue as metal beam guard fencing is replaced and upgraded from just south of FM 2914 to the Liberty County line.
HOUSTON COUNTY
SH 21: Barricades will be set to begin this construction project that is scheduled to safety treat fixed objects from just south of SL 304 to 2.5 miles south of FM 1733.
SH 21: Work is planned to remove concrete and undercut the eastbound main lanes near Crockett. Motorists should prepare for delays. In Austonio, crews are scheduled to backfill driveways and structures through the project and prepare for sign placement from FM 1280 to 2.32 miles east of FM 2967.
SH 21: Crews will work to mill and inlay the roadway from SH 21 East from FM 227 to the Neches River. Motorists should prepare for delays in work areas.
SH 7 East: Mill and inlay, level up and texturizing the pavement is scheduled at the Houston County Airport.
FM 227: Work is scheduled to cement treat the roadway near the newly constructed bridge at Hickory Creek.
SH 19: Crews are scheduled to safety treat fixed objects, extend cross structures and install driveway pipe from SH 7 to 1.6 miles north of FM 231. This project will extend into Trinity County.
Mission Tejas State Park: Work will continue on a new entrance and parking lot with crews scheduled to lay hot mix asphalt for the driveway.
FM 2110: Crews are scheduled to do base repair, sealing and level in various locations.
TRINITY COUNTY
US 287: Work crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects through the project from the Houston County line to SH 94, adding new safety ends to driveways, streets and cross structures.
SHELBY COUNTY
US 84: Work is scheduled to continue adding westbound pavement at the Sabine River at the Texas/Louisiana borders. Work on storm sewer drains is scheduled in both Texas and Louisiana near the newly constructed bridges.
SH 7: Workers will continue to install metal beam guard fence, culverts and cross drainage structures from 4.4 miles east of FM 2913 to US 96.
FM 415: Detours are being constructed at Bear Bayou.
CR 4564: The box culvert at the Hilliard Creek Bridge is complete and bridge decks are being constructed at Spinney Creek and Shoat Creek bridges.
CR 4256: Crews will continue to work on bridge approaches at the tributary of Flat Fork Creek. The bridge decking has been completed.
Various locations: Crews will patch potholes, repair signs, mailboxes, and clean culverts.
CR 4020: Abutments are being constructed at Bear Bayou and the tributary of Flat Fork Creek near the access road at Toledo Bend Reservoir.
SAN AUGUSTINE
US 96: Crews are scheduled to place hot mix asphalt on the southbound lanes from the Shelby County line to FM 3451.
SH 21: Barricades are scheduled to be set and embankment is scheduled to be placed for the bridge replacements at Venado Creek and Perkins Creek.
FM 705: Work is scheduled to safety treat fixed objects from SH 147 to the end of pavement.
SABINE
FM 1: Work is scheduled to continue safety treating fixed objects from SH 184 to SS 1. Crews will continue work on box culverts on the south end of the project.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
While students around the state are enjoying spring break, the Legislature is hard at work in Austin. Over the last several weeks, legislators have convened in their respective committee rooms to hear from a number of agencies and interested parties about potential legislation and budget requests. This is the time when session really begins to pick up, as the Texas House will begin to take action as a collective body on the House floor. Please know that I will continue to keep all of the input I have received from the district in mind every time I cast my vote. In that regard, here’s an update on what’s happening in Austin. . .
I’d like to bring everyone up to speed on a couple pieces of legislation I recently filed. The first, HB 2996, establishes a rural resident physician grant program, which would encourage graduate medical education positions in rural and nonmetropolitan areas. Ensuring that our rural areas have access to quality healthcare is a huge priority for me this session and this bill would be a strong first step in achieving that goal.
Another bill I recently filed, HB 3536, would designate a portion of I-45 in Leon County as the Sergeant Wade Daniel Wilson Memorial Highway. Sergeant Wilson, of Centerville, was killed while defending his platoon from enemy fire in Afghanistan. The President awarded Sgt. Wilson the Silver Star (posthumously) for his conspicuous gallantry and, it is my privilege to file legislation that would allow all who use this highway to honor his memory.
As many you may know, Agriculture Commissioner Miller recently announced his feral hog eradication program, which would use a lethal pesticide, warfarin, to control the growing feral hog population. After receiving numerous phone calls and emails from the district, as well as receiving advice from the veterinarian community, all voicing concerns with this program, I have signed on as a joint-author to HB 3451. This bill would require the state to conduct a study before using lethal pesticides for feral hog control. While feral hog eradication is an important issue facing the state, and one which I support, I believe we need to carefully consider the effects of warfarin, or any other lethal pesticides, and the potential impact on the health of deer and livestock, as well as humans who consume the meat. I believe that this bill provides for a measured and balanced approach to this issue.
Reminders
The mobile office is back on the road in March and looks forward to seeing you around the district! Here’s this month’s schedule: March 15th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett or from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton. You can also come see us on March 22nd from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.
Don’t say: “You could do that if you really tried.”
