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Lufkin, Texas native serves aboard USS New Orleans

By
Lee Allen Miller
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SAN DIEGO – A 2003 Diboll High School graduate and Lufkin, Texas, native is serving aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18), one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious ships, designed to deliver Marines and their equipment to and from war zones.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Tom Pitts is an engineman aboard the San Diego-based San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. The ship is longer than two football fields at 684 feet, 105 feet wide and weighs more than 24,000 tons. Four diesel engines can push the ship through the water at more than 24 mph.

USS New Orleans is the fourth Navy ship to be named for the city of New Orleans, and is the second vessel in the San Antonio-class of high-tech amphibious assault ships.

As a 30 year-old with numerous responsibilities, Pitts said he is learning about himself as a leader, sailor and a person. He added that it is an exciting time to be in the Navy, and serving aboard a ship has truly made him a better person. “The Navy has given me a purpose and direction in my life,” said Pitts.

He also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the New Orleans’ 427-member crew, protecting and defending America on the world’s oceans. “Where ever the threat in the world comes from, the Navy allows us to travel and protect America’s interest overseas,” Pitts explained.

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard USS New Orleans. Approximately 46 officers and 381 enlisted men and women make up the ship’s company, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the engines. Another 700 or so form the deployable Marine Corps battalion and New Orleans is capable of transporting the battalion and landing them in hostile territory via helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and air-cushioned landing craft.

“New Orleans is truly a fine warship and it is our duty to bring her to life,” said Capt. Doug Verissimo, the ship’s commanding officer. “Our Sailors have been working very hard bringing her from a post-deployment repair period to our upcoming tactical integration with our Marine teammates. I feel an unparalleled sense of pride working alongside our nation’s finest.”

Collectively, the San Antonio-class ships will functionally replace more than 41 ships providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern sea-based platforms. Amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. These ships support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to also support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech amphibious assault ships, Pitts and other New Orleans sailors are proud to part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of accomplishment and a fulfillment in doing something that matters,” said Pitts.

 

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by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

Harmony Hill Easter Production Includes Director, Actors from The Promise

By
Misty Boggs
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Harmony Hill Baptist Church will present the Easter musical, His Life, with performances by cast members of the original production of The Promise in Branson, Mo., on March 27-29, beginning at 7p.m.

Mike Meece will direct the ensemble cast, taking on his role when the production began in 1989. The production includes original cast members Allen Alsby as John, Bill Brooks as Peter, and Randy Brooks filling both the roles of narrator and Jesus. The cast will also include members of Harmony Hill.

Tickets are required to see the production. A limited number of free tickets are available through the church office and must be picked up before the production. Please call 936-632-1350 for more information and availability.

REP. ASHBY HELPS CRAFT, PASS HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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This week, State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) voted in favor of House Bill 1, as it passed out of the House Appropriations Committee after more than six weeks of legislative hearings. Rep. Ashby joined his fellow budget writers in unanimously approving the proposed budget, which comes in more than $2 billion under the state’s constitutional spending cap.

“This is a fiscally conservative budget that Texans can be proud to see come out of this committee, and one that I’m proud to vote for,” Rep. Ashby said. “Not only does the $209.8 billion come in well under the spending cap, but it also adequately funds the programs that mean the most to East Texans, while leaving $8.4 billion of the state’s funds unspent.”

Rep. Ashby noted that the under the leadership of Chairman John Otto (R-Dayton), the Appropriations Committee was able to produce a budget proposal that addresses the needs of Texas, while also providing room for negotiation and compromise as the legislative session continues.

“We were able to make prudent financial decisions, while maintaining fiscal discipline in the appropriation of these funds,” Rep. Ashby said. “During the process there were many worthwhile areas of need, as well as many hard decisions that had to be made. I know this is far from being final, and there is still work to be done including funding our Texas Heritage Trails Program, but I am confident that in the coming weeks the Legislature will be able to pass a budget that lives within our means and reflects the priorities of our great state.”

The proposed budget guarantees funding for the state’s most basic and necessary functions, as well as increasing spending on education, transportation and health and human services. Additionally, the proposal seeks to shore up financial woes in the state’s health program for retired teachers, while also meeting the unique demands of having to secure an international border.

“This budget significantly increases funding for the Department of Public Safety in order to continue the fight for our state’s border safety,” Rep. Ashby said. “The budget seeks to fund 300 additional DPS troopers at the border, as well as increased security efforts on the part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Association and the Department of Criminal Justice.”

Rep. Ashby added that along with a “reasonable and responsible” budget, Texans can also be pleased with the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance, which is estimated to grow to more than $11 billion by the end of the next biennium.

The proposed budget will be debated and voted on by the full 150-member House next week.

TFA to Participate in Woodland Clinics, Honor Leaders

By
Misty Boggs
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Future foresters and agricultural leaders from 4H and FFA programs around East Texas will gather at Attoyac Farm near San Augustine, Texas to compete in the Upper Neches Woodland Clinic on April 1, 2015.

Winners of the forestry contests held locally by Soil and Water Conservation Districts advance to the Woodland Clinic, sponsored by the Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Texas Forestry Association.

“The clinics are designed to provide a real-life scope of the skills needed in maintaining the best woodlands possible in Texas,” said Ron Hufford, executive director of TFA. “This is great preparation for careers in forestry or timber, a major industry in Texas.”

At the competitions, students will compete in a variety of skills such as pine identification, hardwood identification, forage-wildlife relationships, tree measurements and volume determination, compass and pacing, site management concerns, and site productivity. The winners will advance to the State Woodland Clinic held April 22, 2015.

TFA’s Educational Fund provides cash scholarships to the high-scoring junior or senior participant at each of the three district competitions, providing $2,000 for the senior winner and $1,500 for the junior.

“The participants’ passion for forestry and the outdoors could eventually lead to advances in technology and development in sustaining Texas forests,” Hufford continued. “We are proud to be part of making that a possibility.”

TFA’s Texas Forest Landowners’ Council provides a cash scholarship to the high-scoring participant at the state level.

New to this year’s competition, TFA will provide drawings for the adult leaders present at the State Woodland Clinic for Travelling Trunks, tree-trunk shaped coolers filled with contest supplies. “Without these leaders, we would not be able to see such a tremendous impact for forestry with these students,” said Hufford. “We appreciate all they do to help prepare these students for the clinics and for a future in forestry.”

For more information, contact your local 4-H or FFA administrators or your local Soil and Water Conservation representative.

PHOTO:
4H Team Winners hold their plaque and pause for a picture after the standings were announced at the 2014 State Woodland Clinic.

Jon Wolfe New Album Tour to Stop at Banita Creek Hall

By
Misty Boggs
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Country singer Jon Wolfe will be in East Texas promoting the release of his new album, Natural Man, April 11, 2015 at Banita Creek Hall in Nacogdoches, Texas with doors opening at 8p.m. and $5 tickets.

The stop is just one of 22 Wolfe is making around Texas and Oklahoma, on an album tour that began March 20, 2015, and includes stops at Brewster Street Icehouse in Corpus Christi, Floore’s Country Store in Helotes and Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas.

The leadoff single from the new album, Smile On Mine, is steadily climbing the Texas Country charts. Heavy influences on Wolfe’s career, like George Strait, Clint Black, and Dwight Yoakam, are present from the first moment he sings, however, Wolfe puts forth a modern, catchy edge that is quickly building on Texas Country tradition.

The Oklahoma native hung up his Colorado State University green and white, and British Petroleum oil commodities trading, to pick up the cowboy hat and guitar. It is a trade that has worked out well for Wolfe, who has also co-wrote songs for Joe Nichols and Aaron Watson, the latter which hit number one on Texas Country radio.

With his first album, It All Happened In A Honky Tonk, the singer earned six Country chart toppers, including, “What Are You Doing Right Now,” “The Only Time You Call,” “What Are You Doin’ Right Now,” “Let A Country Boy Love You,” “That Girl In Texas,” “I Don’t Dance,” and “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk.”

Along with a passion for creating country music, Wolfe also enjoys the outdoors. He often exercises by running, hiking, and mountain climbing. In his downtime, he retreats to Colorado for fly-fishing.

Fashion Forward

By
Misty Boggs
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Bella Salon of Lufkin, Texas held its second annual fashion show, Capitol Couture, March 19, 2015, to a packed house at Abram’s on First Street.

“I decided to theme this year’s fashion show after The Hunger Games because the main character is strong and she protects her people. She gives them hope,” said Brenda Weaver, owner of Bella Salon. “I hope that through this event we have given you hope.”

Models from around the East Texas area showcased fashion trends for the spring and summer seasons and highlighted collections found at local boutiques for all ages and sizes including Let Them Be Little, The Pink Leopard, Mama Tried, Rubie and Jane, and Poise Boutique. Hair and make-up were styled by Bella technicians.

As an Aveda concept salon, Bella participates in initiatives that protect the Earth, in particular clean water projects. The proceeds raised at the fashion show benefited Gulf Restoration Network, which promotes and protects the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico in order to provide clean water for five states and three nations.

Space Available for Both TCI Sessions

By
Misty Boggs
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Registration continues for both sessions of Phase I of The Teachers’ Conservation Institute (TCI), held June 21-26 and again July 12-17, 2015 at Bugscuffle Inn located between Mt. Enterprise and Rusk, Texas on Highway 84.

“Educators wishing to participate in Phase I are urged to secure their reservations quickly” said Misty Bowie, Texas Forestry Association Education Coordinator. “Space is limited and we don’t want anyone to miss this great opportunity to participate in a program that will impact future generations to protect and conserve Texas forests.”

The weeklong course uses the forest to teach environmental education with activities led by foresters, educators, natural resource conservationists and industry professionals.

During the first phase, A Complete Natural Resource Cycle, educators participate in interdisciplinary workshops that focus on the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the state that comes through the scientific stewardship of its natural resources. Sessions take place indoors, in the forest, and on a variety of field trips. Elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers participate in field trips together. Teachers are divided into grade level groups for afternoon curriculum sessions.

Activities for Phase I include Project Learning Tree, Tree and Leaf Identification, Evening Natural History Programs, Morning Nature Walks with field trips to Forest Nursery, Seed Orchard, Logging Operation, Sawmill, Tree Farm, and the Texas Forestry Museum. There will also be training in Project Learning Tree GreenSchools Investigations and in the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Tree Trails app, which allows educators to plot a tree trail and use corresponding materials to build comprehensive lesson plans while using the outdoors.

At the completion of Phase I, participants receive certification in Project Learning Tree, the award-winning environmental education curricula with over 90 interdisciplinary activities, as well as TEKS Correlations, 45 hours of State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) Continuing Professional Education, 45 hours of Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC) credit, Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) hours, as described in Links I and II, and Gifted/Talented credit through area districts is also available.

Registration for the first session of Phase I per person, including all teaching materials and instruction, food, lodging, and transportation during the workshop is $250. For more information on TCI or to register, please visit texasforestry.org.

PHOTO:
Educators from around the state of Texas pose for a picture with Charlie Gee, far left, of the Texas Logging Council during a tour of a harvesting operation as part of Phase I of the 2014 Teacher’s Conservation Institute.

Capitol Update for March 20, 2015

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Tom Selman & Trent Ashbey Photo: Facebook

The bill filing deadline has come and gone, the first major proposals have passed through the House, and thousands of bills are being lined up for debate in committees and on the House floor. The pace has picked up tremendously, causing many lawmakers and staffers to agree that this is indeed March Madness. Here’s a look at what’s happening at your State Capitol…

First Bill of the Session

Joining me this week in Austin as I presented my first bill before the House Insurance Committee was Constable Tom Selman from Angelina County. Constable Selman testified in favor of the proposal, House Bill 533, which seeks to assist both local and state law enforcement officers by giving them additional tools to use in dealing with uninsured motorists who are in violation of state law, including the option to tow. The law enforcement community in our district has let me know that this bill would enable them to more efficiently and effectively perform their duties, and I am always proud to stand with these brave men and women to ensure they have the tools necessary to keep us safe.

Taking Action on Border Security, Human Trafficking

Two major pieces of legislation made their way out of the House this week. House Bill 10, which passed unanimously, would create a Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit in the Governor’s Office. Additionally, the bill would make it easier to prosecute those who force minors in to prostitution. Later in the week, we passed House Bill 11, which would enact a comprehensive border security plan that includes hiring additional DPS troopers to be stationed along the border, creating a Reserve Officers Corps of former and retired officers, moving checkpoints closer to the border, and establishing a multi-agency intelligence center in Hidalgo County. Additionally, the bill calls for an increase in penalties for human smuggling and requires DPS to study the usefulness of southbound checkpoints within 250 yards of the border to screen for guns and illicit cash headed to Mexico.  I am proud to have co-authored this proposal which passed overwhelmingly (131-12) on a bipartisan vote. As I have stated, Texas will not stand idly by while the federal government does nothing and ignores their responsibility to secure the border and keep our citizens and communities safe.

Mobile Office

District Director Linda Parker is wrapping up our mobile office for the month on Wednesday, March 25th at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. She will continue the mobile office in April.

As always, my staff and I are available during the week at (936) 634-2762 or (512) 463-0508. Please do not hesitate to call if we can ever be of assistance, and remember that our door is always open.

Honey Bee Swarms

By
Lee Allen Miller
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I got my first bee swarm call of the year last week. With spring underway, this is the time for honey bee colonies to divide and multiply.

A swarm of honey bees can range in size from 4 to 5 thousand to 20 to 30 thousand. They hang together here in a cluster, their little legs hanging on to one another.

It is an incredible process that takes place every spring and is often repeated well into the summer.

And while it is an awesome sight, it may be a little scary if you don’t know what is happening.

A swarm of bees consists of roughly half the bees from a colony with their queen, looking for a new home. They leave behind the other half of the colony, who then raise a new queen in their old home.

Before half the hive leaves, they’re careful to make sure that there is plenty of brood to keep the hive functioning properly until another queen is raised.

They leave several queen cells in the hopes that one will emerge, live through the maiden flight, successfully mate in mid-air with drones (male bees), and return home safely to start her egg-laying

For some time before the bees leave the hive, they run the original queen around so she will lose weight and thus be able to fly. When the queen is in “egg laying” mode, she is too large to fly.

On the appointed day, that only the bees know, half the hive of worker bees, along with the queen, fly out from the hive to a nearby site to scout a new home. Often they stop on a branch, but they can choose a number of places such as mailboxes, the side of a building, under a birdbath, on the side of a car, and others.

Usually within 100 to 200 yards of the original hive, the bees alight on an object and form a cluster, which looks like a seething, fuzzy glob of insects. Sometimes bees fly from the cluster to collect water and food, but most workers leaving the cluster are scouts that search out potential new home sites for the swarm. When they return from a good site, they dance on the cluster to communicate the location of their find.

In a bee swarm, they are at their most docile state as a whole. They have no place to call home and therefore, no hive to protect.

A departing swarm looks like a grey-ish cloud that seems to drift along through the air. People not familiar with honey bees are generally frightened by such a sight, but unless a bee becomes tangled in someone’s hair, it isn’t likely to sting. The queen is in the group, but not leading it.

Twice I’ve seen a swarm in flight. Once while mowing a pasture I saw a “small dark cloud” coming across the field. I shut off the tractor quickly and watched them fly off into the neighboring woods.

The second time I was driving on the overpass at Southwood Drive and the loop. At the highest point on the bridge, my truck collided with a mass of insects in the air. Though I didn’t immediately realize what happened, the hundreds of bees on the windshield were the evidence of what I drove thru.

Beekeepers have a love/hate relationship with swarming. They love to catch a swarm as they can add another hive to their apiary. They hate it when one of their own hives swarm as they have lost half the workforce in that particular hive.

If you find a swarm outside your home, remember that they don’t plan on staying there. They have scouts out looking for their new home. Their time together as a swarm will range from a few hours to a couple of days. While they did gorge themselves with honey prior to leaving, they are eager to find a new home.

Additionally, remember that many beekeepers are quite happy to collect a swarm of bees. Our office keeps a list of “swarm chasers” that love to collect them and give them a new home. You can call 936.634.6414 and we will give you some names.

Regional Volunteer Service Spotlighted at DETCOG Board Meeting

By
Lee Allen Miller
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The State Program Director for the Corporation for National and Community Service, Terry Gunnell (center), praised the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors and Foster Grandparents and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for their commitment to volunteerism at the DETCOG Board Meeting in Shepherd. Also shown are DETCOG President, Angelina County Judge, Wes Suiter (left) and DETCOG Second Vice President, Tyler County Commissioner, Martin Nash.

Shepherd, Texas – The State Program Director for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Terry Gunnell, started his speech before the Deep East Texas Council of Government’s (DETCOG) Board by noting that DETCOG has the largest rural Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Foster Grandparents programs in the nation.  He also said that 100% of the Counties in the region had already passed resolutions proclaiming April 7th as National Service Recognition Day.  Speaking to the board and a large contingent of RSVP and Foster Grandparents program volunteers, Gunnell admitted he was focusing his efforts on establishing the Volunteers In Service To America (Vista) program in Texas. VISTA members live and serve in the poorest urban and rural areas. Their focus is to create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

After going into their business session, the DETCOG Board passed a resolution in support of April 7th as the National day of Recognition for National Volunteer Service in all of Deep East Texas.  The resolution said that service to others is a hallmark of the American character and central to how we meet our challenges.  Saying that local leaders are increasingly turning to national service and volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy for meeting their community’s needs, the volunteers gain education, careers skills and leadership abilities in return.  The resolution closes by encouraging residents to recognize the positive impact of national service in our region.

The board also passed two other resolutions.  The first declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Citing statistics on child abuse cases in Texas, it went on to say that the impact of abuse and neglect has long-term personal, economic and social costs and was therefore hurting Texas’ future.

Also Declaring April as Fair Housing Month, the board adopted a resolution saying they desired to further promote and enhance the overall quality of housing conditions and standards for all citizens of Deep East Texas. DETCOG Executive Director Walter Diggles brought the board’s attention to a recently received letter from the Texas General Land Office saying that DETCOG was in compliance with its commitment to affirmatively further fair housing in Texas.

The next DETCOG Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2015.  That meeting will be held in Shelby County.

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