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How a Caregiver Can Provide Better Care for both Loved Ones and Oneself

By
Statepoint
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More than 10,000 people in the United States turn 65 years old every day, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This growth in the aging population has led to an increased number of people who care for loved ones in their homes.

“While many people are happy to take care of aging loved ones, playing this caregiver role can still be physically, mentally and emotionally draining,” says Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam’s Club Consumables and Health and Wellness. “As a result, it can be easy for caregivers to forget about caring for themselves at times.”

To help, Turner-Mitchael and the Sam’s Club Pharmacists are offering time-saving, stress-reducing tips to help caregivers support their loved ones while also maintaining their own well-being.

• Focus on food and fitness. Maintain a healthy, energy-boosting diet that includes organic fruits and vegetables, lean protein and vitamins. Try to stay active, as well. To keep yourself accountable, consider using a wearable device that tracks your daily diet and activity level.

• Log on. To save time and effort, shop online when possible. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get everything you need with the click of a button. Companies like Sam’s Club provide everything from groceries to personal care products online for those who don’t have time to make it into a club.

• Give yourself a break. Convene a family meeting to discuss any challenges that you’re facing and see what others can do to lighten your load. Identify someone who can fill in for you for periods of time, so you can take breaks outside of the home to relax and refresh. Doing so will likely help you return to your role with even more energy.

• Seek support. Find a caregiver support group that can help you make connections with others who understand your perspective. Seek out other existing resources that are designed to support caregivers, as well.

For example, Sam’s Club recently launched a new program for family caregivers, including a dedicated webpage that helps members find the products, expert advice and savings they need to make caregiving easier. Visit SamsClub.com/caregiving or the kiosks in select locations around the country for more information.

“As the number of caregivers rises, so does the importance of offering resources that make their lives easier,” says Turner-Mitchael. “As a club of the community, we are working to do just that, so caregivers can focus on what is most important – the health of their loved ones and themselves.”

• Engage your employer. Around 42 million Americans act as caregivers while also working outside of the home, according to AARP. If you are juggling work and home responsibilities, ask your manager about perks or policies that may help you find balance, such as flexible work schedules, emergency time off or on-site eldercare.

Neglecting your own health does no one any favors, so don’t let caregiving mean the end of self-care. With the right resources and resolve, rest assured that you can provide the best care possible while also maintaining your own health.

Medical Director of Women’s Services Joins Memorial Clinics

By
Megan Whitworth
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Memorial Clinics, a division of CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial, welcomes board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and the Lufkin hospital’s Medical Director of Women’s Services to its growing team of specialists and primary care providers. Well known throughout the community, Kaywin Carter, M.D. has served the women of Angelina County for more than 25 years.

On Jan. 1, Dr. Carter, along with Certified Nurse Midwife Crystal Smith and Nurse Practitioner Lauren Manley, relocated to a recently renovated office in the Medical Arts Pavilion located on the Memorial campus.

Dr. Kaywin Carter joined the staff at Memorial Clinics.

“Dr. Carter has delivered thousands of babies and maintained the health of thousands of women here in Angelina County, and she’s done it all with compassion and dignity,” said Shawn Barnett, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial COO & Lufkin President. “We are thrilled to have her on our team.”

Using her wealth of expertise and knowledge of the local community, Dr. Carter serves as the hospital’s Medical Director of Women’s Services dedicated to broadening the services and programs offered at CHI St. Luke’s Health, which is part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health system based in Englewood, Colorado. The faith-based system operates in 18 states and includes 103 hospitals, as well as long-term care, assisted- and residential living communities; community health services organizations; home health agencies and outpatient facilities and services.

This past summer Dr. Carter reached a major medical milestone demonstrating her commitment to innovative health care. As a pioneer in the robotic surgery field, Dr. Carter performed her 1,000th gynecological procedures using the da Vinci robotic surgical system, a less invasive solution to traditional surgery. She is only one of a handful of surgeons in the state of Texas to attain such a landmark accomplishment.

An avid volunteer and community leader, Dr. Carter is the Secretary for the CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin Medical Staff. She also consults at the Angelina County & Cities Health District and serves as the Medical Director for the Pregnancy Help Center. She has volunteered in the past at The Adoption Center of East Texas, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and the Junior League, and has served on the boards of the Angelina County Youth Soccer program and Lufkin Panther Lady Soccer program. An active member of Carpenter’s Way Baptist Church, she has served numerous times as a physician for their Amazon Outreach Program.

In 2012, she was named the Healthcare Professional of the Year by the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce.

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Dr. Carter attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma and served as Chief Resident. She practiced in Conroe before moving to Lufkin in 1991.

CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Clinics, a division of CHI St. Luke’s Health, employs and partners with nearly 40 providers in 17 locations across East Texas, including Lufkin, Livingston and San Augustine. Memorial Clinics physicians pride themselves on delivering exceptional health care via the latest in technology and patient comfort. Specialties include Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Health, General Surgery, Family Practice, Ear, Nose & Throat and Chiropractic care. Memorial Clinics accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance. Visit memorialclinics.com to learn more about our physicians and connect with the personalized patient portal.

Roadrunners Back in Action Following Break

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Kyndall Powell, shown here in a game played earlier this season, led the Roadrunners with 16 points in Friday’s road win at Navarro. The ‘Runners, now 3-1 in conference play, host Panola College at 7 p.m. on Monday at Shands Gymnasium. (AC Press photo/Marcy Flores)

AC Takes Conference Win at Navarro

Picking up a conference win at a notoriously tough site for visitors would have been a tall enough task. Doing so with a makeshift lineup made Friday’s Angelina College win even more impressive.

The Roadrunners resumed conference play following the semester break with a 65-56 win at Navarro College despite having several players out of the rotation. Those ‘Runners who did play managed to contribute both offensively and defensively, lifting the team to its 11th win overall and third win in conference play. Kyndall Powell led the way with 16 points, including six free throws late in the game; Robert Lewis added 15; Gary Blackston chipped in 13; and Jason Towery hit a couple of early three pointers on his way to an 11-point night for the Roadrunners.

AC’s three conference wins have come against some of the league’s toughest competition: After beating Kilgore to open league play, the Roadrunners topped formerly ranked Trinity Valley on Dec. 7.

AC’s men will host Panola College on Monday at Shands Gymnasium. The Ponies currently are 2-2 in conference play and 10-5 overall after dropping a 97-95 decision Friday against Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

Monday’s game time at Shands Gymnasium is 7 p.m. The game will be live streamed, and viewers can catch the game action by logging onto the Angelina College web site (www.angelina.edu) and clicking on the Athletics link.

My Five Cents

By
Senator Robert Nichols
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Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with family and good food, as I know mine were. The next time you hear from me we will have begun the 85th Legislative Session, which is set to last 140 days during odd-numbered years. During this time, the Texas Legislature must pass a two-year budget as well as to address existing laws and consider new legislation. It has been an honor to serve as your state Senator since 2007, and I look forward to this next year and working together to make a difference for our state.

During session, I will be writing this column weekly to keep you up to date on what is going on at your State Capitol.

Here are five things happening around your state this month:

1. Electoral College at the Capitol

Members of the Texas Electoral College met in the House Chamber of the Texas Capitol on December 19th. The Electoral College, which dates back to the late 1700’s, meets after every presidential election to cast the final vote for president and vice president. Our Founding Fathers created the College as a way to create a middle ground between letting Congress and the voters nationwide elect the president. The collected votes are put into a mahogany box which is then sent to D.C. to be read to both house of Congress. Once the votes are read aloud they official and final.

2. Sunset Hearing

This month the Texas Sunset Commission held a two day hearing, which was their second to last meeting before the 85th Legislative Session. The first day recommendations were voted on for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Texas Board of Nursing, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners and the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. We also heard testimony and discussed the best steps to ensure the Behavioral Health Boards in Texas have the necessary structure and resources to not only serve their licensees but also the public effectively. These boards include the Licensed Professional Counselors, Social Worker Examiners and Marriage and Family Therapists. The Commission also heard testimony and

discussed the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Department of Transportation on the second day.

3. Helping Foster Children

Governor Greg Abbott’s criminal justice division recently announced an $8 million grant issued to the Department of Family and Protective Services to provide specialized care and services for 500 foster children who are considered the most difficult to find permanent homes. Many of these children have been victims of crime and have been placed in psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers. These children will receive individualized medical care and mental health therapies in a less restrictive and more appropriate setting at four different sites in the state. I believe this is a successful step towards ensuring the children in the states foster care system are receiving the care they need and deserve.

4. Texas African American History Memorial

Recently, the first Texas African American History Memorial was unveiled on the grounds of the Texas Capitol. The monument, made from bronze and granite, is 27-feet high, 32-feet wide and depicts Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, when hundreds of Union troops arrived in Texas and announced the freedom of slaves in the United States. It also highlights the African American contributions in state history such as cattle, cotton, oil labor and space exploration. Funding for this monument came from private donations and state funding. To learn more about the memorial you can visit www.taahmf.com.

5. Get Involved in Session

I believe ensuring accessibility and transparency are some of the most important things a Legislature can do. It is a positive way for members to remain accountable to the people they serve. One way we are able to do this is by providing many resources online. You can utilize these important resources during the upcoming legislative session by visiting www.capitol.state.tx.us. Through this site, you will be able to view a live stream of Senate and House committee hearings as well as watching both chambers when they are in session.

Another tool available is being able to look up bills by subject and keyword, review bill analyses and learn about the possible fiscal implications of a bill. You may also sign up to receive e-mail notifications when bills of interest to you are assigned to committee and then advance through the legislative process. By keeping abreast of happenings in your State Capitol, you ensure accountability and integrity for all Texans.

The History and Recent Finding of Screwworms

By
Cary Sims
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Photo from Animal Planet.

Last October, a press release from the Florida Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of screwworms in deer on a wildlife refuge. This local infestation of New World screwworms caused a good bit of alarm for livestock producers as well as wildlife enthusiasts at the very southern end of Florida.

Around these parts, only the very senior ranchers and outdoorsmen may remember the screwworm, also called blowflies, when it was a problem here.

While the adult fly shares many characteristics with the common house fly, the eggs they lay and the damage they do vary tremendously. While most of us correctly identify more common fly larvae (maggots) as found in dead carcasses, the screwworm’s larvae can feed on living tissue and cause tremendous damage, even to the point of death.

Eggs are laid by the flies in lesions or other wounds a host animal may have. Apart from traumatic injuries, scratches from thorns or barbed wire could be enough to provide the opening. Unlike most other fly maggots, these maggots attack and consume healthy living tissue along with decaying tissue.

The scientific name of the screwworm is Cochliomyia hominivorax. Cochliomyia is a genus in the family Calliphoridae, known as blowflies. The second part of the name, hominivorax, literally translates to “man-eating”.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Key deer from a wildlife refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida. Big Pine Key is one island off the coast of mainland Florida that covers 10 square miles. Driving Interstate 1 to Key West, it would have been one of the larger islands the highway would have crossed.

The screwworms that our parents and grandparents remember was officially eliminated in the US in 1966. Its elimination is still a huge entomological success story that includes the use of atomic energy.

Scientists as early as the 1930’s looked for a better solution than treating the pests topically after entry into hosts via skin wounds, as was the common procedure.

Though World War II’s pressing entomological needs intervened, a scientist by the name of Edward F. Kipling never gave up thinking about using genetic means to control screwworms. In 1946, he was named chief of the “Insects Affecting Man and Animals Division” of USDA’s Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. Four years later, a colleague recommended to Knipling a book which discussed use of

radiation to alter the genetic material of insects. Knipling immediately began a correspondence with the author exploring the possible use of radiation to sterilize screwworms.

Convinced that the approach could work, Knipling reordered priorities to provide funding for scientists to carry out tests at Kerrville, Texas. They secured the cooperation of a nearby U.S. Army medical unit with suitable x-ray equipment. In just 6 months, it was handily demonstrated that 2,500 to 5,000 roentgens of x-rays would sterilize screwworm pupae without disrupting their adult mating behavior.

Knipling’s theory was simple: Fertile females would mate with sterilized males mass-reared in insectaries and released into infested areas. With offspring resulting only from matings with native, unsterilized males, the screwworm population would gradually become insignificant and perhaps disappear.

But could it really work? First, a field test on Sanibel, another Florida key island that is 20-square-miles, confirmed the theory. Though encouraged, scientists knew that a larger test was needed to verify those early findings. By chance, a routine request from a veterinarian from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, (located in the Caribbean next to modern day Aruba) alerted them to the screwworm’s presence on the 170-square-mile island. The Dutch government was eager to assist in its elimination.

So a thousand sterile flies per square mile were released each week by airplane. And by the end of the nine week period, very few egg cases were to be found and all were sterile!

The speed with which screwworm eradication was achieved on this remote Caribbean island demonstrated the great potential of this control method. Since then, strategic deployment of sterile flies has been used effectively in the US and most recently, northern Africa–to protect vast areas from the horrific screwworm’s predations.

Prior to this control strategy, this obnoxious fly larvae caused immeasurable suffering and losses in livestock, wildlife, and even human populations the world over.

So what is to come of this recent outbreak? We do know how to control it. I haven’t read where it came from… though others at higher levels may very well have their suspicions.

Should it cause alarm for our corner of the world in East Texas? I wouldn’t go running down the road screaming the sky is falling.

On Monday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 pm, the Angelina County Extension Office will be hosting a Livestock Health Seminar at their office next to the Farmers Market in Lufkin. Featured speaker is Dr. Tom Hairgrove, an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. He will be discussing the new Veterinarian Feed Directive and other current livestock health topics.

What to Wear as a Guest to a Wedding

By
Maddie Adams
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Weddings can be so hard to dress for. I have to think weeks in advance, go through all the clothes in my closet, and then usually try to go buy something else.

After lots of studying on Pinterest and magazines I am so much more confident. Here are a few tips on what to wear to different types of weddings:

For a dressy casual you can wear a nice dress with booties.

For casual weddings you can wear a simple dress or a skirt and shirt combo with cute flats or even nice sandals. Hair and makeup does not have to be extravagant. Your purse can be a nicer everyday purse.

For a dressy casual look you can wear a nice dress or a skirt and blouse with a pair of heels or dress booties.

For winter weddings you can add a long sleeve shirt underneath or add a nice cardigan. Add some jewelry, nice makeup, and a cute hairdo. You purse doesn’t have to match your outfit, but it should flow well with the outfit. A basic color such as black or gray is always a good choice.

For a formal wedding your dress should fit well and be a modest length. You could wear a midi skirt with a nice blouse and a necklace to match. Heels or fancy flats are the way to go with shoes. A nice hand bag is a great touch. If you don’t have anything super fancy, that’s OK. There are plenty of ways to dress up an outfit. A fancy up-do for your hair can dress up an outfit instantly. YouTube can become your best friend when looking for how to do hairstyles.

For a Black Tie attire wedding, I like to wear long evening gowns. You can also wear a dressy cocktail dress. Hair and makeup should be well done, again YouTube can be your best friend! If it is in the winter, then a nice shawl or jacket should be worn but can be removed inside.

New Overhead Signs To Be Hung in Lufkin

By
Rhonda Oaks
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As crews continue to replace large guide signs around SL 287 in Lufkin, motorists should expect lane closures beginning next week as the new overhead signs are set in place.

South Ranger Construction, Galena Park, contractor for the $183,683 project, began in October replacing signs along SL 287. A total of 33 roadside and overhead signs are set for replacement. Beginning Monday, weather permitting, workers will replace overhead signs just northwest of FM 2251.

The work will continue throughout the week, working along US 69 North toward Idlewood Subdivision, near the city limits of Lufkin.

Other signs being replaced include Business 69 (Kurth Drive), US 69 (Tyler),  SH 94 (Frank Street), SH 94 (Hudson, Groveton), US 69 (Huntington, Woodville), FM 58 ( Chestnut Street), Abe Martin Stadium (Lufkin High School), Angelina County Airport, South First Street, US 59 (Nacogdoches) and US 59 (Houston).

“As we continue to replace the guide signs, especially these large overhead sign around the Lufkin loop, we expect intermittent lane closures,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer for the Lufkin District. “We urge motorists to move out of the way of the work area into the redirected lane of traffic. Reduce speed, as these workers will be working near and adjacent to moving traffic. Once this project is completed, these updated guide signs will allow motorists to travel more efficiently through and around Lufkin.”

Motorists are urged to obey all barricades and signage. Remember traffic fines double when workers are present.

All work schedules are subject to change in inclement weather. For a complete list of statewide closures, visit DriveTexas.org.

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

Five Steps to Greater Fulfillment in 2017

By
Megan Whitworth
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It’s that time of year again to think about what you want to accomplish in 2017. But wait! Past research tells us that 92 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail. So you might say, why bother? Instead, perhaps you should go about those resolutions in a more effective way.

There are a number of reasons why resolutions fail — overly ambitious targets, peer pressure, no measures and most importantly, no real sustainable changes in behavior. But there are some secrets to resolutions that actually work. The most important one is whether they lead to you becoming more fulfilled in life. We know from our research that nearly everyone wants their lives to be more fulfilling, but 80 percent of people are far from it. So if you think about your plans for the New Year in light of becoming more fulfilled, you are far more likely to be successful in achieving them.

Here are a few tips from those who are most fulfilled:

Think about the things you do that are helping you achieve your dreams.

1. Start with your long-term goals. If you don’t have them, create them. If you have them, it’s time to reassess them. While this may feel scary, it is really the only way to plan your future. In my recent research at the Metrus Institute looking at those who were most fulfilled, we found that these folks had a vision for their life — where they would like to be later in life — what they would like to have accomplished. For Millennials, that might be a career goal or a family or relationship goal. For Xers, it might be an end of career objective (I want to become a VP in my company) or something more personal, such as taking up a new sport or hobby, or building stronger personal relationships. For recently retired Boomers, it might be bucket list items, such as visiting a country you have always wanted to see. Don’t be afraid to put a stake in the ground — you can always adjust it later!

2. What are your fulfillment drivers? Next, think about the things you do that are helping you achieve your dreams. It might be taking courses in school, dating, practicing a sport, hobby or musical instrument, or digging deeper into your religious or spiritual beliefs. Or, it might be performing well at work so that you can get that promotion or become skilled for a future job. These are your drivers of success and fulfillment. Unless you think about the connection of these drivers to your long-term vision and goals, they may all feel alike. In reality, some are always more important to your long-term fulfillment. Gut feel and what feels good at the moment may not be the best for the long haul. I didn’t like some of the courses I had to take to get my degree, but I had a vision of what the degree could provide for me in the future, so I learned to devote enough time to studying instead of playing cards with my friends as my gut would have preferred.

3. Time. Time is one of the biggest challenges to your resolutions. Remember, we all have the same amount of time each day, but some people use it more wisely. Personally, until I mapped my time for a week or so each year, I didn’t realize how much of my time was wasted in tasks that were not really helping me work toward my goals. Map your time—I’ll bet you will be surprised how it is being used. Periodically, I try to rebalance my time because we all get pulled in different directions.

4. Grit. One of the key factors we learned from our interviews on getting to fulfillment is that nearly everyone has key setbacks in their life — health issues, missed promotion, divorce, or loss of a long-term friend. But the most fulfilled people find a way around these setbacks. Building resilience is a key skill, but there are some tricks to making it easier. The most common one is having a great network and some really close friends. If you don’t nurture your network, it won’t be there when you most need it. Many of our most fulfilled interviewees had developed mentors, and it was those mentors who fueled their fires to get up and overcome the setbacks.

5. Take a Risk. Many of the Baby Boomers and Xers we interviewed who had been around the block a few times, said ‘take some risks, and you will be rewarded later.’ Most felt that the risks they took earlier in their careers or in relationships helped them immensely in life. Even when those risks didn’t work out, they learned a great deal that could be applied in the future. Think about what would stretch you in 2017. Asking your company for a stretch job perhaps, or take a next step in your relationship with someone.  Or, many found that taking a job they weren’t totally qualified for (yet) enabled them to learn quickly and stretch their capabilities.

These five steps should take you a long way to greater fulfillment in 2017 and in your life!

William A. Schiemann, Ph.D. is CEO of Metrus Group. He is a thought leader in human resources, employee engagement and fulfillment, and author of “Fulfilled! Critical Choices – Work, Home, Life.” For more information visit, wschiemann.com, follow Dr. Schiemann on Twitter, @wschiemann and connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/wmschiemann.

Construction and Maintenance Updates

By
Megan Whitworth
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TxDOT contractors are in full swing on many projects throughout the nine-county Lufkin District, as weather allows. Motorists are advised to travel through work zones with caution, reduce speed and obey all signage and/or flaggers as work continues on many maintenance and construction projects in the coming week. Delays should always be expected when traveling near work crews or heavy equipment.

For a complete list of closures and work statewide, visit drivetexas.org. All work schedules are subject to change in inclement weather. Work scheduled for the week of Jan. 9-13 includes:

ANGELINA:

US 59 North: Work continues to place new metal guardrail in several locations as well as retrofitting northbound bridge railing at Procella Creek. Motorists should expect delays and intermittent lane closures.

US 69: Contractors are clearing and preparing right of way for a future widening project from the city of Huntington to FM 844. Once the right of way is cleared, contractors will establish vegetation.

BU 69/Kurth Drive: Crews continue to install metal safety end treatments on culverts at driveways and side streets.

Old Homer Alto Road: Crews continue to replace the bridge and approaches at Bodan Creek. The roadway is closed.

NACOGDOCHES:

US 59: Paving of the southbound main lanes at Spradley Street in the median is scheduled for completion as contractors continue to work through the project on sidewalks and driveways along with repairs and replacements to curb and gutter. Center median construction will continue from SL 224 to 1.3 miles south of SL 224.

SH 7 East: Mill and inlay work is scheduled from SL 224 to FM 2112.

FM 95 South: Work is planned to continue construction on the approaches to the newly constructed bridges at Parallel and Dog Creeks.

FM 1638: Crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects and repair and replace metal beam guard fence from FM 698 to FM 2609.

FM 2783: Driveway culverts and cross drainage structures will be safety treated from SH 204 to the end of pavement.

SHELBY:

US 84: Work will continue on concrete paving in the westbound lanes of the Texas/Louisiana Bridge across the Sabine River at the state line between Texas and Louisiana. The first three spans have been set and the remaining spans and bridge rail is being constructed for completed sections. Construction work on the LA 5 intersection is also continuing.

SH 7: Crews are scheduled to continue installing driveway culverts, cross drainage structures and safety treating fixed objects from 4.4 miles east of FM 2913 to US 96.

FM 415: The bridge detour at Bear Bayou is partially constructed and crews are scheduled to continue its construction as relocation of utilities has been completed.

CR 4256: Work continues as the bridge deck has been set at the tributary of Flat Fork Creek.

CR 4670: Crews are scheduled to continue work at McFadden Creek since the completion of the new bridge deck.

CR 4564: Construction of the box culvert will continue at Hilliard Creek.

CR 4455: New bridge construction is scheduled to begin at Spinney Creek and Shoal Creek.

HOUSTON:

SH 21 (Crockett): Motorists continue to be detoured from the main lanes as new road base is added on the subgrade material that will widen the roadway from 2.3 miles east of FM 2967 to SH 7. The project includes reconstructing pavement and adding passing lanes. Daytime lane closures with flaggers in place.

SH 21 (Austonio): Crews are scheduled to lay hot mix for the final surface. This project includes reconstructing pavement and adding passing lanes from FM 1280 to 2.3 miles east of FM 2967. Motorists should expect daily lane closures, one way traffic, flaggers and pilot cars in place throughout the project.

SH 7: Crews are scheduled to continue laying hot mix from just east of FM 232 to the city of Kennard as this project continues to reconstruct pavement and add passing lanes and shoulders. Motorists should expect delays, one-way traffic and pilot car to lead them through the area.

SH 7 West: Spot sealing road base is scheduled from SL 304 to 8 miles west of SL 304.

SH 7 East: Crews will work to level up and mill and texture pavement near Center Municipal Airport.

SL 304: Crews will work to spot seal road base from US 287 North to SH 7 West.

FM 227: Crews will continue to place concrete panels on the relief bridge at Hickory Creek. A pilot car will be in place to lead traffic.

FM 1280: Maintenance is scheduled from Lovelady to Austonio to spot seal pavement.

FM 2022: Maintenance work is scheduled to seal road base edges at various locations from FM 2423 to FM 2663.

FM 3313: Spot sealing pavement is scheduled from FM 2022 to the end of pavement.

FM 2110: Road base work that will include edge sealing and level up is scheduled at various locations.

CR 1680: The roadway is closed as crews replace the bridge and approaches at Silver Creek.

CR 1585: The roadway is closed as crews replace the bridge and approaches at San Pedro Creek.

POLK:

US 190: Crews are scheduled to place embankment through the areas that will be widened with the addition of passing lanes from Onalaska to FM 2457. Crews will also continue to repair and replace culverts with safety end treatments from the San Jacinto County line to FM 4559.

US 190 East: Work is scheduled to safety treat fixed objects, repairing and replacing metal beam guardrail from US 59 to just west of FM 1276.

FM 1988: Crews will continue work to remove and replace the bridge and approaches at Long King Creek.

FM 62: Crews are scheduled to work on the bridge railing and place hot mix asphalt pavement at Draw Creek where the existing multiple box culvert is being lengthened.

FM 356: Work is planned on cross drainage structures that are part of a project to reconstruct and widen pavement with a continuous two-way left turn lane and 10-foot shoulders from 1.1 mile north of US 190 to US 190.

Old Highway 35 North: Construction crews will continue removing and replacing the old bridge and approaches that cross a tributary at Long King Creek.

Livingston State Park: Work continues to upgrade and replace camp loops and parking areas. The Yaupon and Red Oak camp loops and cabins remain closed.

Blue Water Road: Road base work is scheduled at Blue Branch and on Punk Road at Paces Creek. Bridges and approaches at both locations, along with the bridge at Old Bering Road at Barnett Creek will be replaced.

Dick Skinner Road: Crews will continue work to replace the bridge and approaches, which cross a tributary of the Neches River.

Work to replace the bridge and approaches is scheduled to continue on Upper Leggett Road at the tributary of Big Sandy Creek.

Work continues on replacement of both Rock Island Road bridges, while crews continue clearing for the bridge replacement on Carmona Road at Brushy Creek.

FM 2665: Crews are scheduled to patch the roadway at various locations and replace delineation on guardrail.

FM 1988 East: Crews are scheduled to patch the roadway at various locations and replace delineation on guardrail.

SAN AUGUSTINE:

US 96: Construction crews will safety treat fixed objects and replace metal beam guard fence from FM 83 to the Jasper County line.

US 96: Construction crews will continue to work to replace the bridge at Ayish Bayou. The new bridge has been completed and the old bridge is being demolished.

SH 21: Construction crews will continue to safety treat fixed objects and replace metal beam guard fence from SH 147 to FM 1.

FM 1175: Crews will repair and replace metal beam guard fence from the end of pavement to FM 83.

FM 705: Crews are scheduled to continue safety treating fixed objects and repair and replace metal beam guard fencing from SH 147 to the end of pavement.

Various locations: Maintenance crews are scheduled to level up roadways and remove debris.

SAN JACINTO:

US 59: The intersection at FM 2914 is closed while all main lanes of US 59 are open.

US 59: Contractors continue to place concrete pavement on the south end of the project near Wonderland Drive. The project continues to move toward adding southbound frontage roads and reconstruction of the main lanes. Motorists could be detoured.

US 59: Work will continue to resurface existing pavement and repair and replace metal beam guard fence and backfill pavement edges from just south of FM 2914 to the Liberty County line.

US 190: Right-of-way preparation is scheduled to continue through the project as crews safety treat fixed objects and replace metal beam guard fence from the Walker County Line to the Polk County Line.

SH 150: Work is scheduled to address drainage issues in various locations.

FM 946/Various locations: Crews are scheduled to work on pavement edge repair, potholes, ruts and base failures, as well as trim limbs and remove dead trees from the right of way.

FM 223: Crews are scheduled to clean, straight and replace delineators, signs and mailboxes at several locations.

Various locations: Crews will work to repair, clean and straight signs, delineators and mailboxes.

SABINE:

FM 1: The surface and striping have been completed in this project from SH 184 to SS 1 and crews will continue work as a box culvert is extended on the south end of the project.

FM 330: Base repair is scheduled in various locations.

FM 2343: Base repair is scheduled in various locations.

TRINITY COUNTY:

US 287: Crews are scheduled to place concrete sidewalks, ramps and driveway entrances from Harrison Street in Groveton to Vickery Street.

US 287/FM 230: Work is scheduled on parallel drainage structures. Possible lane closures through the project.

SH 19: Construction is scheduled to safety treat fixed objects, repairing and replacing metal beam guard railing from SH 7 to 1.6 miles north of FM 231. Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures throughout the project.

FM 356: Pavement rehabilitation is scheduled in various locations.

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

An Update From Rep. Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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Happy New Year from your State Capitol!  The Christmas tree has been removed from the Texas House floor and folks are now bustling about with great anticipation for the Opening Day ceremonies. So, on the eve of the 85th Legislative Session, here’s the first update of 2017 from your Capitol office. . .

Session Begins

I want to take a moment to remind everyone that the 85th Texas Legislature convenes Tuesday, Jan. 10. Over the next 140 days, the Texas House and Senate will meet to debate and discuss the ways that we, as elected officials, can best serve our constituents back at home. While there will be a number of issues facing the 85th Legislature – public education, teacher retirement, water rights, personal privacy rights and many others – the Legislature’s single obligation, as defined by the Texas Constitution, is to approve a balanced state budget. Throughout the Legislative Session, rest assured that I will continue fighting for District 57 and rural Texas, while working with my colleagues in both chambers to produce a responsible and balanced budget.

Visiting Austin

With that in mind, I hope that you’ll use this biennial opportunity to visit our beautiful State Capitol. Spring break is one time that provides an excellent educational opportunity for you to bring your children to the Capitol to witness the legislative process first-hand. Many people also make a trip to Austin to actively engage in the legislative process by voicing their concerns about a certain issue. My staff and I would love to meet with you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have, or to point you in the right direction if you need assistance.

If you’re planning a trip to Austin, please coordinate with my office to set up a Capitol tour. While you’re here, I hope you’ll also visit some of the other attractions in Austin, such as the Bob Bullock State History Museum, the Texas State Cemetery, or the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library. If my office can be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us or drop by the Capitol office. Our door is always open!

Reminders

The mobile office is back on the road in January and looks forward to seeing you around our district! Here’s this month’s schedule: January 18 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in Crockett at the Houston County Courthouse Annex or from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Groveton at the Trinity County Courthouse. You can also visit us on January 25th 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.

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