Team Integra fired a 53 to finish at 19-under to take first place in the recent 18th Annual Guy Davis Tournament held at the Crown Colony Country Club in Lufkin. The tournament benefits all Angelina College Athletics programs. Pictured are (L-R) Angelina College baseball
Proceeds Benefit Angelina College Athletics Programs
Another sold-out event for the 18th Annual Guy Davis Golf Tournament held this past week at Crown Colony Country Club in Lufkin, meaning another big day of generating proceeds for all Angelina College Athletics programs.
Featuring 50 teams of five players each, the scramble format offered a pair of shotgun starts (a morning and afternoon start) and five-player teams. AC athletes helped work the entire tournament, from setting up the course to driving carts and keeping score, to shooting team pics.
Team Integra Insurance (Chad Roberts, Justin Morehead, Jeff Havard, Ray Allen and Jarod Russell) finished at 19 under par to take first place honors.
Four teams tied for second place at 17 under par: East Texas Slab Masters (Matt McDaniel, Sid Dromgoole, Wes Welch, Manny Rachal and Logan Haul); Southside Bank (Codie Jenkins, Ernest King, Trevor Rasmussen, Michael Rasmussen and A.J. Goff); Big Juicy (Chase Greening, Ryan Nicholas, Jimmy Citty, Scott Diggs and Colton Wynne); and CBTx (Brian Cyr, Sid Abernathy, Ricky Worrell, Stan Gabriel and Ben Honeywell).
Mike Odell of Team Dedicated Orthopedics chips onto the green during the recent 18th Annual Guy Davis Golf Tournament held at Crown Colony Country Club in Lufkin. Proceeds from the event go toward Angelina College Athletics programs. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)
Following are the remaining Top 10 finishing teams and members, along with their final scores:
Bettye and Murphy George Foundation (Randy George, Cole Alderman, Ryan Maliska, Tim Metzer and Braxton Sherrill), -16; Morris AC (Scott Summers, Bradley Morris, Jack Yeates, Colton Boles and Chad Ogden), -16; RBC (Jack Kennedy, Cragg Todd, Matt Courtney, Josh Zeleskey and Ryan Self), -16; Pullen (Jason Pullen, Neil Hennigan, Kevin Johnson, Kirk Foret and Galen Key); The Chili Dippers (Justin Parson, Denver McMillon, Ryan Bell, Parker Phillips and Phillip Vasquez), -15; and the Road Hands-Texas Materials (Jason Purke, Ryan Pryor, Armando Sotelo, David Johnson and John Collins), -15.
The Roadrunner Foundation hosts the tournament each year, with numerous contributing sponsors from throughout the area making contributions.
Here in the Forest Country, opening a business is a big deal. Whether you’re finally launching that second location, leasing space in a strip center, or planting a new church in a renovated building—you’ve already got a long list of things to think about.
You’ve walked the property. You’ve priced out renovations. You’ve imagined customers walking through the door.
But there’s one thing many local business owners forget—and it could cost them thousands:
They never check the electricity plan before signing the lease.
Not All Buildings Are Equal—Even If They Look the Same
In places like Diboll, Crockett, Alto, and Wells, electricity costs vary wildly, depending on:
The utility setup in that building
Whether it’s zoned commercial or residential
What kind of meter it has
When the power is used most (yes, that matters)
How much your business draws at once
We’ve seen two retail spaces in the same shopping center—one paying over 16¢ per kilowatt-hour, and the other locked into half that rate.
That’s the kind of margin that can affect payroll, profit, or whether your doors stay open.
Plan Ahead—Before the Lights Come On
Most folks wait until after they’ve moved in to figure out the electric bill. But the truth is, you can negotiate your rate ahead of time, and often get a better deal when you do.
Amerigy Energy helps local businesses across the Pineywoods:
Compare commercial electricity rates Estimate usage for new spaces Lock in fixed pricing early Avoid demand penalties and peak-hour surprises
And they do it all at no cost to the business owner.
A Great Tip for Landlords and Builders, Too
If you’re developing property, managing commercial spaces, or helping tenants get set up, Amerigy can help you get rates locked in as a value-add—before your future tenant ever plugs in the coffee machine.
Starting Something New? Let’s Talk
Before you commit to a lease, take a few minutes to talk to someone who knows how energy pricing works in our part of Texas.
Call 877-631-8875 and ask for Lee (he handles commercial and real estate projects) Or email your questions or lease terms to info@amerigyenergy.com Or browse rates yourself at AmerigyEnergy.com/shopnow
Final Thought
Starting or expanding a business takes heart, hustle, and careful planning. Don’t let a high electricity bill be the thing that surprises you down the road.
Smart business owners think ahead—especially when it comes to the lights staying on.
This has been one of those years where rain has been both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, the frequent showers have pushed forage growth in pastures and meadows, allowing many producers to make more hay than they have in recent years. On the other hand, those same rains have made it difficult to find a good harvest window. Wet fields and high humidity have delayed cutting and curing, and as a result, a lot of this year’s hay has been baled a little later than we’d like.
That’s why testing your hay is so important. What looks like a barn full of good hay can vary widely in feeding value, and without a forage test, you’re really just guessing. Several forage testing laboratories offer inexpensive, research-based analysis that can tell you exactly what you have in your hay. With that information, you can stretch your hay supply, match it to the right class of livestock, and avoid costly supplementation mistakes this winter.
Two of the most important numbers to look at in a forage test are crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Crude protein is a measure of the nitrogen content of the forage and reflects its ability to meet livestock protein needs. TDN is an estimate of the energy available from that hay, and it often tells the bigger story when it comes to animal performance.
So, what are the standards to aim for? In bermudagrass hay cut at the right stage, CP values typically run from 10–14%, and TDN from 55–60%. Bahia hay usually comes in lower, around 8–10% CP and 50–55% TDN. Once hay gets overly mature, or if it was rained on during curing, those numbers can fall sharply. I’ve seen late-cut bermudagrass hay test well under 7% CP and far below 50% TDN. That’s basically just cow “filler”—it may keep an animal’s stomach full, but it won’t maintain weight without additional supplementation.
For comparison, a dry cow in mid-gestation may only need hay testing 7–8% CP and 50% TDN. But a lactating cow or a growing calf requires much higher levels—closer to 11% CP and 60% TDN. That’s why knowing your hay’s nutrient content is critical. You can feed the lower-quality hay to cows with lesser requirements, and save your better hay for calves, heifers, or cows after calving.
Getting your hay tested is relatively simple. My favorite forage laboratory with the quickest turn-around is Dairy One. You’ll need to take cores from several bales from a cutting, mix them, and send a representative sample to the lab. You can print off a submission form from their website or drop by our office to pick one up. In as little as a day or two after Dairy One receives your sample, you can have the results emailed immediately to you and that can guide your feeding program all winter long.
The bottom line: don’t assume this year’s hay is “good enough.” With the rain we’ve had, chances are you have both excellent hay and some that is only fair. A forage test takes the guesswork out and ensures your cattle get what they need without overspending on supplements. It’s a small investment of $29 now that can pay big dividends in herd performance later.
AUSTIN — State Representative Trent Ashby (R – Lufkin) issued the following statement regarding the updated Special Session Agenda:
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for his leadership in expanding the call of the Second Called Special Session to include legislation that addresses the growing concerns over high-volume groundwater pumping in East Texas. This action reflects the seriousness of the issue and the need for thoughtful, long-term solutions to protect our region’s water resources.
I am proud to serve as a Joint Author on Chairman Cody Harris’s House Bill 27 and to have filed House Bill 193, which collectively strengthen the role of local groundwater conservation districts, increase transparency in the permitting process, and ensure that the voices of rural Texans are heard. These bills represent an important step toward preserving the integrity of our aquifers and safeguarding water access for the families, farmers, and communities that depend on it.
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass meaningful legislation that protects private property rights while also preserving East Texas’ water for future generations.”
Trent Ashby is in his seventh term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He currently represents a six-county region that includes Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, and Tyler Counties.
LUFKIN, TEXAS This fall, a treasured East Texas icon turns 100, and the entire community is invited to celebrate in grand style. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 6 PM to 9 PM, the City of Lufkin and Visit Lufkin will host a 100th Birthday Celebration for the historic Pines Theater in the heart of downtown.
Originally built in 1925, the Pines Theater has stood as a cultural cornerstone in Lufkin for generations. From the days of vaudeville and black-and-white films to today’s concerts, movie nights, and community events, this iconic venue continues to shine. To honor its legacy and continued impact, this free, outdoor event will feature:
Event Highlights:
Vintage Car Showcase lining First Street
Live Music with tunes that travel through the decades
Front Porch Coffee Garden by Standpipe Coffee House
Beer Garden by Rusty Axe Brewing Company
Patio Libations by South First Bar and Grill
Cigar Lounge Experience presented by Stories, with cigars for purchase and exclusive lounge access
Short Film Loops Inside the Theater, showcasing historic photos and moments from the Pines’ 100-year legacy
Photo ops and a toast to the next 100 years
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, bring friends and family, and dress in vintage-inspired attire to match the evening’s Art Deco flair. The event is free and open to all ages.
Event Details:
What: Pines Theater 100th Birthday Celebration When:Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 6 PM – 9 PM Where:113 S. First Street | Downtown Lufkin, TX Admission:Free and open to the public
For more information, media inquiries, or interview requests, please contact: Visit Lufkin (936) 633-0359
Prefer not to receive event updates? Reply to this email with “Unsubscribe” and we’ll remove you from the list.
4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Day is hosting it’s first Youth Soccer Tournament! We are hoping this gets enough interest from neighboring cities and continues to grow in years to come. We invite you to gather up your teams and come join us for some competitive fun!
The tournament will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Crockett Civic Center field. Address: 1100 Edmiston Dr. Crockett, TX 75835
Age Division: Born 2013/2014
This will be a one-day championship. Winners will be announced during the event.
Call or text for more information. Judy, 936-204-9872 Noralva, 936-204-6654
Don’t Miss Out! Limited Spots! Last day to register: Sept. 8, 2025!!
In recent months, more and more East Texans have asked the same question:
“Should I go solar?”
It’s a fair question—and a smart one. We’ve all seen the ads. Some of us have even had salespeople knock on the door, promising free electricity, lifetime savings, or “never paying an electric bill again.”
Sounds great… but is it really true?
The honest answer? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
What We’re Seeing in the Forest Country
A family in Lufkin recently shared their story. They were convinced to sign up for a solar system that now costs them over $300/month—nearly double what they were paying for regular electricity.
Why? A company from out of town gave them a one-size-fits-all pitch, played on fears about future outages, and never explained the long-term financials.
Now they’re stuck with a system that doesn’t perform like they expected—and no one nearby to service it.
Unfortunately, they’re not alone.
Solar Isn’t Bad—But It’s Not for Everyone
Here in the Texas Forest Country, solar works best when:
Your home or land gets plenty of sunlight
Your monthly energy usage is fairly high (over $200)
You plan to stay in your home long-term
You qualify for solar tax credits
You’re working with a local installer who will still be here next year
That last part matters. At MCF Solar, we don’t outsource our crews. We don’t subcontract service. And we won’t sell you a system that doesn’t make financial sense.
We’re based right here in Lufkin—and we treat our customers like neighbors, not numbers.
When Solar Doesn’t Add Up
Solar might not be right if:
Your roof is mostly shaded
You’re planning to move within a few years
You don’t use much electricity
You’ve been quoted over $3.25/watt without a clear ROI
The company you’re talking to doesn’t live or work in East Texas
In these cases, we’ll be honest with you—just like we would be with our own families.
A Special Case: Off-Grid and Backup Systems
Where solar really shines? Off-grid homes and rural land. If you’re building a cabin, running a homestead, or preparing for outages, MCF Solar can build you a system with:
High-quality battery storage
Ground mounts that handle tough terrain
Quiet, clean, low-maintenance operation
These systems are custom-built, and they’re becoming a real game changer for life out in the country.
Let’s Have a Local Conversation
If you’re curious about solar—or want a second opinion on a quote you’ve been given—call us before you sign anything.
This week featured an absolute whirlwind of activity on our campus, beginning with the return of our faculty and staff (and our annual Convocation on Monday), along with student move-in days (and a welcome dinner from the president) and some intense soccer pre-season matches. We had athletes running around the campus passing out schedules and helping with various setups. We even had the softball team greeting kids on their first day at an elementary school.
The big news of the week came in the form of some national recognition, with two of our teams earning national rankings in pre-season polls.
We also held the 18th Annual Guy Davis Golf Tournament on Sunday, followed by our Meet the Roadrunners banquet on Sunday. We’ll include more info and photos from those events in next week’s newsletter.
Classes begin Monday (Aug. 18), and we have another week filled with plenty of game/match action.
We are AC, and we’re ready to Run ‘Em.
Here’s a quick rundown of the past week’s events, along with what’s coming up next:
Men’s Soccer, Basketball Earn Pre-Season National Rankings
AC’s head men’s soccer coach Martin Melchor said when he first arrived her two years ago that his dream was to “build a dynasty” with the Roadrunner soccer program. In his first two seasons, Melchor’s squads have helped boost his dream, earning national rankings in both seasons, including a final ranking of No. 13 following the 2024 season.
Heading into this new year, the Roadrunners again enter with a number in front of their names. In this week’s pre-season poll, the Roadrunners came in at No. 15 in the nation.
Over on the basketball court, the Roadrunner men’s team behind head coach J.J. Montgomery wrapped up last season with the best performance in program history, advancing to the Elite Eight at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament and eventually finishing as the No. 12 team in the nation (and No. 1 team defensively). All that after a pre-season coaches’ poll had the ‘Runners predicted to finish seventh out of eight teams in their own conference.
There won’t be any such surprises this season. Montgomery’s squad just learned they’re ranked No. 4 in the nation in the 2025-2026 pre-season polls.
The ‘Runners open the regular season at Shands Gymnasium (where the team finished 15-0 in 2024-2025) against Hinds College at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Soccer Teams Show Promise in Scrimmages
Both the Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunner soccer teams got in some game action against four-year schools this past week, and the AC teams showed they won’t be backing down from any opponent, no matter the size.
On Tuesday, the Lady ‘Runners hammered visiting Wiley College by a 7-0 final score, with newcomer Anne Vandaële notching four goals. Paula Suarez, Beatriz Galvão Almeida and Michelle Naderman also found the net for the Lady ‘Runners, while the AC defense backed goalkeepers Sara Andino and Callie LaChance-Herman on the way to a clean sheet
The Roadrunner men also handled Wiley College on Tuesday, pulling away early to finish the match with a 4-1 advantage. Christian Castaneda, Jhosua Jury, Adrien Ebersbach and Ange Seka accounted for the Roadrunners’ scoring.
Finally, on Friday, the ‘Runners took on NAIA powerhouse LSU-Shreveport, eventually falling 4-1 despite leading for much of the match. Diego Ramirez posted the lone goal for AC.
The Lady Roadrunners will host Louisiana Christian University at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex. On Friday, the Lady Roadrunners travel to the University of Texas-Tyler for another 6:30 p.m. match.
The Roadrunner men host Jarvis College this Wednesday (August 20) at 7 p.m.
Both AC soccer teams open the regular season at home against Northeast Texas Community College on Friday, August 29. The ladies will kick off at 5 p.m., with the guys following at 7:30 p.m.
Those matches will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports.
Meet the Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunners Soccer Players
Attached to this email, you’ll find the final Fall 2025 rosters for both the Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunner soccer teams. While both rosters feature key returners from the 2024 season, each team has a long list of new faces, and we’re excited to introduce them to our fans.
Both rosters (with official headshots) are up and running on the AC website: www.angelinaathletics.com.
Coming Soon: Big Events for Angelina College and AC Athletics
AC’s Sixth annual “Dinner at the Diamond” event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 down on the baseball field at Poland Stadium on the AC campus.
Dinner at the Diamond is a major fund-raiser for Angelina College and its students – not to mention just a lot of fun for everyone involved.
We’ll have a registration link and other information for the event to send out in the coming weeks. We just wanted to give you enough time to mark those calendars.
All AC Teams Have Schedules Up and Running Online
Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunner fans can now find their favorite teams’ schedules on the Angelina College Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com). For now, only the fall schedules for baseball and softball are in place (with the potential to add more events later), but all other teams, including both women’s and men’s basketball, are ready for viewing and planning.
We’ll update any changes as we receive them.
We can’t wait to see you at the games.
Live Streaming Reminder:
All AC Athletics regular-season home games are live streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)
Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics web site, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link.
TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)
Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free, as is the TSBN live streaming. Any other links offering streaming are scams.
Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates (especially for potential weather issues) visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com). Fans can also receive updates on the AC Athletics Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Upcoming schedules:
Tuesday, August 19:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer vs. Louisiana Christian University (scrimmage), 6:30 p.m. at the AC Soccer Stadium/Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex.
Wednesday, August 20:
Roadrunner Soccer vs. Jarvis College (scrimmage), 7 p.m. at the AC Soccer Stadium/Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex.
Friday, August 22:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer at the University of Texas-Tyler (scrimmage), 6:30 p.m. in Tyler.
For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
If Jesus Came With You to School, What Would You Do? (Part 1 of 2)
“I would ask him for all the answers. I would buy him lunch,” says Bobby, age 7.
Yes, it would be nice to not study and have the answers to those pesky tests. Then, there’s the other trial that takes the fun out of school — homework.
“I would tell Jesus about the 1,000 pages we have to read,” says Eric, 9. “I would tell him about my homework Mrs. Wright gave me.”
Eric, do you think Jesus would decrease your reading or homework? Don’t count on it. This might be hard for you to believe, but most teachers have the best interests of their students in mind.
When Jesus walked on the Earth, his homework was heaven’s work. He always listened to his Father’s voice and obeyed perfectly. Because of his obedience in dying on the cross, our disobedience doesn’t have to keep us out of heaven.
Ellyn, 9, has another plan for dealing with school: “I would ask Jesus to get my brother out of school, get on a cloud and fly us home.”
I wonder if the Lord could arrange a cloud-ride home about two minutes before a final exam. What teacher could argue with being whisked away on a cloud?
“If Jesus came to my school, I think I would show him how I can do the monkey bars,” says Lauren, 7. “I would ask him to swing me. I would also ask him what heaven is like.”
Some of us can’t imagine Jesus taking time to swing a child on a playground. It seems so ordinary. We like the stories of Jesus walking on the water, feeding 5,000 people or healing a man born blind. If we always look for Jesus in the miraculous, we’ll miss him in the ordinary details of life.
I remember a front-page story in a south Texas newspaper of a woman who saw the image of Jesus in a tortilla. She made a little shrine in her house, and people lined up to see it.
What could be more ordinary than asking for a drink of water? Jesus asked for a drink, and a revival broke out in a Samaritan town (John 4). A woman drank of the living water and told others the Messiah had come. As the Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well discovered, Jesus offers living water (eternal life) to all who drink (believe in him).
“If Jesus was right here at school, I would jump up and down, and give him a big hug,” says Caroline, 6, “because I want to make Jesus smile, and I would bow down to him in respect.”
Our lives would be radically transformed if we lived to make Jesus smile. Eliminating thoughts, words and actions that make Jesus weep would start us toward this lofty goal.
Think about this: Forget about your rights. If God gave us our rights as people who have sinned against him, we would have no hope of spending eternity with him. Every day, our hearts should be jumping for joy with gratitude and bowing down before God with reverence for his grace and mercy to us.
Memorize this truth: “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Ask this question: When is the last time you made Jesus smile?
Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email.
Angelina College’s Visual and Performing Arts members celebrated the arrivals and returns of scholarship students in a signing ceremony held on Thursday inside Temple Theater.
A total of 16 students signed scholarships in one of the four disciplines offered: Visual Arts, Choir, Music (Band), and Theater.
VPA Chair Beckie Compton welcomed the students and their families.
“We’re super-stoked to have all of you here, and we welcome the new faces joining us for the new year while thanking those of you who are returning,” Compton said. “There’s a lot of excitement around all our programs as we get ready for the new year.”
Following is the list of signees, with hometowns and chosen disciplines listed as well:
