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August is National Immunization Awareness Month: Are You Up-to-Date?

By
Misty Boggs
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0

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the perfect opportunity to make sure everyone is up-to-date with their vaccination schedules, particularly children headed back-to-school.

Different ages and communications are susceptible to different diseases. Knowing what vaccines you have received and which you need is crucial.

While it’s a great idea to keep your own records up-to-date at home, you can always check in with your physician, too.

To learn more about the importance of vaccines, visit cdc.gov/vaccines.

Vaccinations save lives and prevent serious illness. Be sure to stay on top of this crucial aspect of your family’s health.

(SPM Wire)

Community Calendar Of Events This Week

By
Grace Baldwin
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Angelina County

Tax Free Weekend Celebration

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 5 – 7, all day.

Local businesses and chains will be setting up booths for extra savings at the Lufkin Mall during tax free weekend! KICKS 105 will be at the mall from 12 – 2 p.m. on August 6.

For more information, visit the mall’s website.

Located:

4600 S Medford Dr., Lufkin.

Museum of East Texas Art Camp

May 31 – August 19

Come join the Museum of East Texas for Art Camp! Classes are available for students ages 3-14 in a variety of media. Each session of Art Camp meets Monday through Friday for a half day (9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m.). Scholarships are available.

Check out the website for more information.

Located:

Museum of East Texas, 503 North Second Street, Lufkin.

Houston County

Catch the Spirit, Come Fly With Us!

Saturday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Catch the Spirit, Come Fly with Us! is a children’s event sponsored by the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce.

Children are invited to watch the Disney movie, Planes, while playing movie bingo.

There will also be an opportunity for them to play pin the propeller on the plane and win door prizes. Screaming Eagles RC Club will perform a flying exhibition.

For more information, click here.

Nacogdoches County

SFA Summer Movie Series

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

The Student Activities Association at Stephen F. Austin State University hosts a Summer Movie Series on Tuesday nights and Wednesday afternoons. While the community is always welcome to our year round movie program, the summer is designed for families and children! Join us at the Baker Pattillo Student Center 2nd Floor Theater Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. for a show! Cash only Concessions available : $1 items and $2 combo pack (drink, popcorn, and a candy).

Tickets available: day of, 1 hour prior till showtime.

For more information, check out this website.

Located:

Baker Pattillo Student Center, SFA Vista Drive – 2nd floor

Story Time

Every Wednesday, from 10 – 11 a.m.

Introduce a child to the richness of literature through stories, songs, crafts, and activities. Story Time helps instill a lifelong love of reading, and it is informative and engaging for parents as well.

Located:

Judy B. McDonald Public Library, 1112 North St, Nacogdoches

Learn, Grow, Eat, Go!

Friday, August 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a one day workshop exploring how a garden can be good for the mind, body, and soul.

·        LEARN! incorporate science, math, language arts, and health with a school garden
·        GROW! incorporate vegetable tastings
·        EAT! Participate in vegetable recipe demonstrations and
·        GO! increase physical activity in children and their families

The workshop is $50 per person, and will include one copy of the LGEG curriculum, and lunch.

Located:

Nacogdoches County Extension Office, 203 West Main Street, Nacogdoches Texas.

Comedy Movie Night

Friday, August 5, 6:30 – 8 p .m.

Join in for a screening of a new classic comedy film, along with delicious snacks and good company. Check with the library for title and rating information. Ages 13 years and up. No registration necessary.

This event is free!

Located:

Judy B. McDonald Public Library 1112 North St, Nacogdoches

Makerspace: Coffee Bots

Monday, August 8, 5:30 – 6:40 p.m.

The goal of this hour and ten minute long experience is to design and construct a working robot from motors, sensor, Arduinos, and basic household objects. Teams will build and test their robots together in a series of challenges.

Ages 10 years and up are welcome. Please register by August 6!

Located:

Judy B. McDonald Public Library, 1112 North St, Nacogdoches TX

Newton County

Master’s Men Gospel Reunion

Saturday, August 6, 5 – 10 p.m.

The 16th Annual Master’s Men Gospel Reunion is coming to Silsbee, Texas Saturday, August 6.

The Ball Brothers, The Jim Brady Trio, and Sheri Easter will be performing.

Click here to purchase tickets! For more information, call 409-980-7800.

Located:

Silsbee High School Auditorium

1575 Hwy 96 North, Silsbee, Texas

Panola County

John Ritter Tribute Showcase

*Next Week* Friday, August 12, 6 – 8 p.m.

This regional talent contest showcases solo amateur country music artists. This show will be the finalists who were chosen at the July 25 show. They will compete again in front of “celebrity judges” August 12.

Read more about prizes and contestants here.

Located:

Carthage Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams St, Carthage, Texas.

Polk County

Family Search Workshop

Saturday, August 6, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Volunteers with the Church of Latter Day saints (LDS) will be on hand to help individuals research their family history. Individuals are offered free access to family trees, genealogy records, and other resources using familysearch.org.

Located:

Livingston Municipal Library, 707 N. Tyler Ave.

Sabine County

Pendleton Harbor Volunteer Fire Dept. Chicken Spaghetti Sale

Thursday, August 4, from 11 a.m. until supplies run out.

The Pendleton Harbor Volunteer Fire Dept. is hosting a chicken spaghetti meal fundraiser. The meals include chicken spaghetti, green beans, bread, dessert, and water.

You can call Samantha Hill and place an order today at 409-787-4320.

Located:

PHVFD Main Station, 3121 FM, Hemphill, Texas

San Jacinto County

SJC Republican Club

Thursday, August 4, 6:30 p.m.

Join the SJC Republican Club as three newly elected state Party officials introduce themselves, network, and present their action plans for the upcoming year. Ernest Bailes, House District State Representative Elect, District 18; Dwayne Wright, Texas Republican County Chairmen’s Association, Director for the East Region and Terry Holcomb, Texas State Republican Executive Committeeman will be present.

Check out the Republican Party website for more information.

Located:

Coldspring Community Center which is located at 101 W Cedar Avenue, Coldspring, Texas

For complete calendar of upcoming events, click here.

If you have any events you would like the community to know about, you can email them to info@texasforestcountryliving.com.

Commission Approves New Projects For Lufkin District

By
Rhonda Oaks
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The Texas Transportation Commission last week awarded 68 new construction projects statewide totaling more than $359 million, with five located in the Lufkin District that total more than $10.5 million.

Newly approved projects for the Lufkin District are located in Angelina, Houston, Shelby and Polk counties. Project totals and project descriptions include:

ANGELINA COUNTY

A $460,228 construction project on Old Homer Alto Road was approved that will include replacing the bridge and approaches at Boden Creek. CDM Holdings, LLC will serve as contractor for the project.

HOUSTON COUNTY

A $1 million construction project was approved that includes replacing three bridges and approaches. The project includes a $461,059 bridge replacement at CR 1765 at Rich Creek; a $346,469 bridge replacement at CR 1680 at Silver Creek; and a $273,449 bridge replacement at CR 1750 at Rich Creek. Hodges and Son Construction Company will serve as contractor for the project.

SHELBY COUNTY

A $552,047 construction project was approved that includes the bridge and approach replacements at two locations. Bridge replacements and locations include a $281,907 project on CR 4256 at the tributary of Flat Fork Creek; and a $270,141 project on CR 4670 at McFadden Creek. Stateline Construction, LLC will serve as contractor for the project.

POLK COUNTY

Two projects were awarded in Polk County that total more than $8 million and includes a bridge replacement and a highway construction project.

Approval was given for a $7.6 million project that will reconstruct and widen the pavement with the addition of a two-way center turn lane and 10-foot shoulders on FM 356 from 1.1 miles north of US 190 to the intersection of US 190. Smith & Company will serve as contractor for the project.

A bridge and approaches replacement at two locations was also approved that includes Old Highway 35 North at the tributary of Long King Creek that totals $351,199; and a bridge replacement on Oakdale Loop at Kibble Creek that totals $460,983. Longview Bridge and Road will serve as contractor for the project.

Nacogdoches To Host Visual Impairment Training For Staff

By
Grace Baldwin
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The City of Nacogdoches and Stephen F. Austin State University have teamed up to provide a visual impairment training for all Public Works staff on Aug. 3, 2016.

The training will be for City of Nacogdoches staff from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. This training will give city employees a better understanding of how pedestrians who are visually impaired utilize our streets and sidewalks, and ways to provide proper assistance.

Cary Walker, Public Works Manager, was inspired to find out more about this topic and accommodations needed for our citizens when he noticed SFA students walking under blindfold in the downtown area, accompanied by instructors, and using long canes as part of this hands-on course for the SFA Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program.

After contacting SFA, Walker coordinated with DJ Dean, clinical instructor in the Visual Impairment/Orientation and Mobility Program, to plan this upcoming training session. SFA provides O&M training at the undergraduate and the graduate level, with graduates from both programs equally qualified and able to sit for the national certification examination. SFA is proud to offer the only undergraduate Orientation and Mobility program in the nation.

“The students use the canes to identify different textures on the sidewalks and pavement around downtown Nacogdoches. It is important for the City of Nacogdoches to be aware of how individuals with visual impairments use our streets and sidewalks,” Walker said. “This is simply a way for our employees to be better acquainted with the various needs of our citizens when we look forward to new construction projects and when making daily street repairs and improvements.”

“It’s important to be aware of these individuals and of how they are getting around so we can make it as accessible as possible for them to travel. Individuals with visual impairments don’t typically drive, and therefore rely on pedestrian travel or public transportation,” says Dean.

Newly constructed curb ramps at street or driveway crossings are now required to have tactile strips that alert vision impaired pedestrians they are about to enter an area with vehicle traffic. Unfortunately, most of our City of Nacogdoches streets are much older and do not incorporate tactile surfaces making it hard for those with limited or no sight to cross an intersection. Learning the safest way visually impaired individuals move around will allow Public Works employees to implement changes making traveling safer and easier for all pedestrians.

Dean expressed how important it is for Nacogdoches to be accessible, not only for individuals with visual impairments, but for all citizens with disabilities. This concept coincides with the public outreach portion of the SFA Visual Impairment/Orientation and Mobility Preparation (VIP) program’s code of ethics.

According to the code of ethics, “The O&M Specialist will contribute to community education by defining the role of O&M in the community, by describing the nature and delivery of service, and by indicating how the community can be involved in the education and rehabilitation process.”

“We are looking forward to doing the hands-on training to put ourselves in the shoes of individuals with visual impairments,” Walker said. “This will without a doubt, help our staff in being more aware of the needs of our citizens and more proactive in constructing walkable areas for those who utilize our streets and sidewalks most.”

New Construction Projects Beginning In Polk County

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Two construction projects are slated to begin in Polk County that will upgrade roadways and enhance safety.

A construction project in the southbound lanes of US 59 beginning just south of Milton Creek to the BU 59 overpass is scheduled to begin in coming days. Crews will begin working to resurface existing pavement in a 2.5 mile section of southbound lanes only. Smith & Company will serve as contractor for the $1.2 million project. Motorists could experience brief delays during peak traffic hours.

Work is also scheduled to begin on Nine Bridge County Road at Piney Creek Relief Bridge # 2 as crews begin to replace the bridge and approaches. Hodges & Son Construction, contractors for the $353,327 construction project, will set barricades and begin the bridge removal the first week of August.

Motorists could experience detours or delays through these construction projects. Motorists are urged to be alert to all signage, flaggers and heavy equipment in the construction zones. Reduce speed through these and all work areas, and remember traffic fines double when workers are present.

All work schedules are subject to change in inclement weather. For updates and a list of all closures and construction around the state, visit drivetexas.org.

DETCOG Board Receives Report On RSVP Program

By
Grace Baldwin
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Before the start of their business meeting, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board heard an update on the agency’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) from RSVP Program Director Pam Dunn. “RSVP Volunteers are in your communities.  They are real people, with real solutions, meeting real needs like food, shelter, clothing and education,” Dunn told the board. Her presentation went on to highlight the number of volunteers the program has in non-profit organizations in every one of the counties in the DETCOG Region. In the past two years over nine-hundred RSVP volunteers worked over two-hundred fifty thousand hours at city and county governmental offices, food banks, libraries, Head-Start centers, museums, hospitals and senior centers throughout the12-county region.  RSVP places a value of over six-million, three-hundred twenty-six thousand dollars on their service.

In their business session the DETCOG Board heard a report from the chair of the Deep East Texas Regional Review Committee (DETRRC), Tyler County Commissioner Martin Nash.  DETRRC sets regional criteria for projects funded through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Community Development Fund-HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The committee set first priorities of water, sewer, streets, roads, bridges and drainage. Applying cities and counties that did not received funding for projects in the last round of funding will get +20 points as a secondary scoring factor. After grant applications are received and scored by the DETRRC they will go on to the Texas Department of Agriculture for another round of scoring before any are funded.

The board also voted to de-obligate job-creating Forgivable Loan program funds that were committed to four businesses. Difficulties in getting environmental clearances and changing markets have caused them to be unable to finalize their loans. Those funds now go back into a regional pool for future allocation.

During his report DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt asked and received approval to use the accounting and consulting firm of Urlaub & Co. PLLC of Ada, Oklahoma to work with DETCOG’s Section 8 HUD rental assistance program.  He also received approval to solicit proposals for an “Internal Controls Review” of DETCOG operations.  “I would like to have a totally objective and independent review to ensure our policies and procedures are up to date and reflect best practices for efficiency and transparency,” Hunt told the board. He went on to say that he thought every agency should go through a “controls” review every 5 to 10 years.

The board also voted to award the contract for transit planning assistance to HDR Engineering Inc. of Houston.  Public hearings to gather comments on transit needs start next week and will take place in each DETCOG county.

The date of the next DETCOG Board Meeting was changed to Tuesday, August 16, 2016 because of a conflict with other governmental meetings.  It will be held at the community center in Groveton, Texas.

Weather Allows Lufkin District Projects To Progress

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Night work is scheduled in Angelina County for several nights that will have motorists planning an alternate route.

Maintenance crews will close Chestnut Drive at Timberland Drive for several nights, allowing contractors to repair joints in the roadway. Motorists are urged to choose alternate routes or be prepared for detours and possible delays.

In Houston County, several construction projects will have traffic on various roadways confined to single lanes. In addition to ongoing construction work, maintenance crews will continue working to rehabilitate SL 304 at US 287 North in Crockett. Motorists should expect lane closures while workers add cement treatments and a prime and seal coat to the road that will improve the pavement structure.

Motorists are urged to be alert to workers and equipment through work zones. For a full list of closures and construction area, visit drivetexas.org. Clicking on any icon will open an explanation of work, closures and expected completion time. All work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Other work scheduled in the Lufkin District for the week includes:

ANGELINA COUNTY

Bu 59/A&NR Railroad Bridge: Crews will continue forming the flumes on each side of the walls to aid in drainage. Concrete paving in the remaining sections of the northbound lanes is scheduled to begin by the end of the week, weather permitting.

BU 69/Kurth Drive: Work will continue to upgrade bridge railing near the railroad underpass and upgrade metal beam guardrails along Kurth Drive.

US 69: Crews are working to remove and replace driveway pipe and safety end treat cross culverts from SL 287 to just north of Huntington.

US 59: Pavement surface work is expected to begin between SL 287 and Redland.

SH 94: Crews will be applying sealcoat in various locations.

FM 3439 (Spence Street): The final course of hot mix is scheduled and work continues on adjoining driveways.

FM 3373: Crews will work to seal base and level up pavement. FM 324: Sealcoating crews will be applying sealcoat on various sections of the roadway.

FM 819: Crews will be applying sealcoat on Monday, weather permitting.

Various locations: Herbicide treatment and pothole repairs scheduled.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY

US 59: Work continues from SL 224 to 1.3 miles south of the loop and from US 59 to SH 7 West on SL 224. West Spradley Street has been opened to traffic and work on center concrete median will continue in the project area. Sidewalks and driveways are being constructed along with repairs and replacements of curb and gutter. Subcontractors are working on cross drainage structures and widening north and south of Spradley Street.

FM 95: The bridge deck is scheduled to be placed at Dog Creek and work continues on the bridge rail with dirt work and hot mix. The bridge should be open to traffic by mid-August, weather permitting.

FM 1878: Crews will be applying sealcoat in various sections.

POLK COUNTY

US 59: Construction crews will begin setting barricades that will signal the beginning of a project just south of Milton Creek to the BU 59 overpass. Work will begin to resurface the southbound lanes only.

FM 62: Crews will be applying sealcoat to the roadway in various locations.

SAN JACINTO COUNTY

SH 150: Construction crews will work to make bridge repairs.

FM 1725: Contractors are scheduled to clean, straighten and replace delineators and mailboxes at various locations.

FM 1127: Tree trimming crews are scheduled to trim limbs and remove dead trees from the right of ways at various locations.

FM 222: Work is scheduled to clear ditches with drainage issues at various locations.

FM 946: Maintenance crews will work to seal pavement at various locations.

FM 946 North: Maintenance and highway rehabilitation is scheduled along a 2.5 mile area just north of US 190.

Contractors are scheduled to mow right-of-ways in various locations.

SHELBY COUNTY

US 84: Work continues on the Sabine River Bridge at the Texas/Louisiana state line. Concrete paving is being set along with caps, columns and drill shafts for the new westbound bridge. Driveway pipe and subgrade preparation continues for additional cement treatment.

SH 7: Driveway culverts are being installed from 4.4 miles east of FM 2913 to US 96.

FM 2669: Crews will work through the week to play overlay.

FM 415: Contractors will be starting work to replace the bridge at Bear Bayou. Right-of-way preparation is planned as detour structures are set.

Various locations: Crews will work to repair signs, fill potholes, install mailboxes and pick up debris.

TRINITY COUNTY

US 287 (Groveton): Work will continue to treat the subgrade with cement in preparation for placing hot mix.

US 287: Crews will be applying sealcoat from Groveton to the Polk County line.

SH 94: Crews will be applying sealcoat to the roadway near the Neches River on Tuesday and near Groveton on Wednesday, weather permitting.

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY

US 96: Crews will work to safety treat fixed objects from FM 83 to the Jasper County line.

US 96: Traffic is detoured as workers to extend cross drainage structures and work on the roadway from the Shelby County line to FM 3451.

US 96: The bridge deck has been completed at Ayish Bayou and approach work to the bridge is underway. Subgrade treatment is underway.

SH 21: Crews will work to safety treat fixed objects from SH 147 to FM 1.

FM 1175: Crews will work to safety treat fixed objects from the end of pavement to FM 83.

FM 705: Crews will work to safety treat fixed objects from SH 147 to the end of pavement.

HOUSTON COUNTY

US 287/FM 132: Traffic will be confined to a single lane as work continues to safety treat fixed objects from 2.1 miles north of FM 2663 to just south of SL 304. Work to remove and replace driveway culverts on FM 132 will also continue.

SH 7: Traffic is confined to one lane with a pilot car during work hours as crews work to mill and remove road surface in order to begin cement treatment on main lanes.

SH 21/Crockett: A temporary traffic signal provides 24-hour traffic control for one-lane traffic. Culverts are being constructed and extended for construction of a wider roadway from 2.3 miles east of FM 2967 to SH 7. In Austonio, motorists should expect delays as crews continue cement treating the main lanes.

FM 3151: Removing and replacing driveway pipe and installing safety end treatments.

CR 3615 (Sims Road): Work will continue on the off-system bridge replacement. Crews are completing abutments and placing concrete.

Various locations: Maintenance crews will work on road base, sealing and level-up of pavement.

SABINE COUNTY

US 83: Maintenance crews will be repairing base in various locations.

FM 1: Work is continuing from SH 184 to SS 1 to mix existing base and prime coating.

The Public Library Hosts Comedy Movie Night, Math Battles

By
Grace Baldwin
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The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to attend Comedy Movie Night on Friday, August 5th at 6:30 p.m.

The film is rated PG-13. More information is available at the library, on the library’s website or Facebook.

Admission is free, including light snacks and drinks.  Please call 559-2970 to reserve a seat.

It will be back to school time before you know it!

Brush up on important math skills with Math Battles at the Public Library. Families can take part in math-oriented games that help children practice basic math concepts while having fun.

Families will learn new games to play with their children. They can also make their own board game to take home.

The free event is Thursday, August 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Judy B. McDonald Public Library. The event is for ages 7-11 years.

For more information, please call 559-2970 or follow us online at our website or on Facebook and Instagram as friendsofnacpl.

Audubon Texas Seeks Nominations For Texas Women In Conservation Awards

By
Grace Baldwin
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Terry Hershey Award Honors Achievements of Women Conservationists

Audubon’s Texas Women in Conservation program is seeking nominations for the third annual Terry Hershey Awards honoring outstanding contributions to conservation by Texas women. The deadline for nominations is August 19, 2016. The 2017 class of awardees will be honored at the Texas Women in Conservation luncheon in San Antonio at the Pearl Stable on April 13, 2017. The honorees will be evaluated on their contributions to conservation in Texas as pioneers, professionals and philanthropists.

The award is named for conservation icon Terry Hershey, who has devoted substantial passion, time, energy and resources to significant conservation projects in Houston, throughout Texas and nationally for more than 50 years.

The 2016 award winners were Janice Bezanson,executive director of the Texas Conservation Alliance (Salado), Deborah Clark, Birdwell and Clark Ranch co-owner (Henrietta), Ann Hamilton, conservation philanthropist (Houston) and Marty Leonard, Tarrant Regional Water District board member and philanthropist (Fort Worth). View award videos for each of the 2015 and 2016 awardees on our website.

Nominations can be submitted by email or mail to the address below and will be accepted now through August 19, 2016. To learn more, read the story and download the nomination form at this link.

Email (preferred)
exaswic@audubon.org

Mail
Audubon Texas Women in Conservation
2201 Main Street, Suite 600
Dallas, Texas 75201

The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at this website and @audubonsociety.

Buried utility lines need not be a worry with 811

By
Cary Sims
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0

Over the last month I’ve been doing some outside work, typical garden and farm work that meant I had to consider buried utility lines and pipelines.

First, we’ve have a faucet run to a flower bed so that it could be watered. The trench was dug and the water line was laid.

Second, my boys and I have been building fence out in the pasture. We are expanding the pasture and rebuilding an old fence.

By law, both of these activities is considered “excavating”. And to be correct, one must not only look for buried lines, but must call 811 to get them located.

There are over 2.6 million miles of pipeline in the US that transport your community’s water, natural gas, and hazardous liquids or contain telephone and communication lines. Pipelines are the

energy lifelines for almost every activity in everyday life.

We all rely on pipelines. America’s pipeline network stretches from coast to coast. These pipelines are in our communities, along our roadways, and under our fields and woodlands.

Farming, ranching, and logging activities increasingly pose a safety risk to pipelines. Our equipment is getting more powerful and can dig deeper. At the same time, erosion and terrain modifications can reduce the soil covering an underground pipeline.

Texas (and every other state) has passed “One Call” laws to keep pipelines safe. These laws require contractors, farmers, homeowners, and anyone digging to call 811 at least 2-3 days before starting their project. 811 is a free, national 3-digit number you can call from anywhere to have lines located.

But “I’m just doing regular farm work”, you say. Key to understanding when you should call ahead is understanding when you are farming and when you are excavating.

Typically you can give yourself one foot. Anything you do to disturb soil deeper than 12 inches could adversely affect a buried line, and worse, could adversely affect your or your neighbors.

“Normal” farming activities are limited to discing, plowing, planting, cultivating, tilling, and harvesting (as long as these activities occur at depths no greater than 12 inches). Terrain modifications at any depth should be preceded by a call to 811. Pipeline operators will come out and verify the depth of the pipeline both before and after the work to ensure your safety.

After you call 811, representatives will be out in a couple of days. They use yellow paint and flags to show the exact location of pipelines. Once lines are marked, use care when working near the line. Do not use mechanical equipment within approximately 24 inches on each side of the pipeline. If your digging project is on or near the pipeline company right-of- way or easement, a company representative will likely be onsite during your project. Do not remove flags, stakes or paint marks until you have finished digging. If you expose a pipeline, a company representative will request to inspect the pipe before you backfill.

So what is “excavating” and should prompt me to call ahead? Lots of typical work landowners conduct could hit a buried line. Activities include stump removal, fence building, terracing, grading, contouring, deep tillage, trenching, or ditch cleaning.

Any fence builder around here worth his salt knows to bury corner posts about three feet deep.

While that seems an obvious need to call, even a properly driven t-post could disrupt a buried line.

Are you cleaning up your place and removing stumps? It will be Murphy’s Law that any tree stump above a buried line will have its roots wrapped around it. While grinding the stump to the soil level shouldn’t pose a risk, using your 80 horsepower tractor to pull it out certainly would.

If there is EVER a question, call 811 to be safe. The call is free, and the pipeline company will be glad you did.

I know that there is a telephone line across the front of our pasture. I don’t know how deep it is and I have no clue exactly where it is.

811 is my solution to freely work on our family farm in northern Angelina County without causing an incident.

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