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1st Show of The Year at Shifters Roadhouse (San Jacinto)

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April 25 @ 10:00 am 2:00 pm

Registration fees will be going towards deployment care packages!
1st-3rd awards for each category
Gates open at 10, registration ends at 1!
$25 day of registration ONLY!
Any questions please DM or text Stefani (713)503-6612 

$25 registration

Angelina College Graphic Arts Students Displaying Works

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Exhibition Showing through June 25 in Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery

Angelina College Graphic Arts students under instructor Reginald Reynolds are presenting their works in a group “salon-style” exhibition showing in the Angelina College Center for the Arts Gallery. The works will be on display through June 25.  

The students involved in the programs currently are taking ARTC1192 (Special Topics), ARTC2388 (Internship), IMED2411 (Portfolio), ARTV1351 (Digital Video), ARTC1401 (Digital Imaging I), GRPH1459 (Vector Drawing). 

This image from Angelina College student Matthew Rivera is one of many scheduled for display in the AC Graphic Arts Student Exhibition scheduled to run through June 25 at the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery on the AC campus. Students from AC instructor Reginal Reynolds’ various Graphic Arts courses will participate in the show, which is free and open to the public. (Contributed image)

AC students scheduled to display their works include the following:

ARTC1192 (Special Topics): Preston Alvarez, Allie Rae Armstrong, Tavonte Lamar Anthony Brown, Emily Marie Miller, Matthew Rivera and Dedric Kentrez Smiley, Jr. 

ARTC2388 (Internship): Miguel Angel Corral, Yolanda Charmine Crain, Amber Renee’ Kennerly, Yajaira Abigail Mendoza, Samara Alicia Reagan and Valerie Cathleen Runnels. 

IMED2411 (Portfolio): Miguel Angel Corral, Yolanda Charmine Crain, Amber Renee Kennerly, Yajaira Abigail Mendoza, Samara Alicia Regan and Valerie Cathleen Runnels.

ARTV1351 (Digital Video): Preston Alvarez, Isaac Flores, Delesha Ondrea Johnson, Emily Marie Miller, Noemi Muniz, Kai Jade Randles, Samara Alicia Reagan, Bethany L. Reeves, Matthew Rivera, Alexia Raquel Roman, Dedric Kentrez Smiley, Jr. and Kelrick Charles Thomas. 

ARTC1401 (Digital Imaging I): Preston Alvarez, Tavonte “Tay” Lamar Anthony Brown, Isaac Flores, Taylor “Steve” House, Jayden Lacy, Emily Miller, Noemi Muniz, Kai Randles, Matthew Rivera, Alexia Roman, Dedric Kentrez Smiley, Jr. and Kelrick Thomas. 

GRPH1459 (Vector Drawing): Preston Alvarez, Allie Armstrong, Tavonte “Tay” Lamar Anthony Brown, Ashley Escalante, Isaac Flores, Taylor “Steve” House, Ashari Jackson, Amber Kennerly, Kai Randles, Bethany Reeves, Alexia Roman and Dedric Smiley, Jr. 

The gallery is free and open to the public. 

For further information on the gallery, contact Reginal Reynolds at rreynolds@angelina.edu

Is Your Marketing Actually Working? 5 Questions Every East Texas Business Owner Should Ask

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There’s a conversation that happens quietly in offices and break rooms across East Texas every month.

It sounds like this: “I think the marketing is working. I’m not really sure.”

That uncertainty isn’t unusual. Most business owners in this region are operators first. They run crews, manage clients, oversee projects, handle payroll, and squeeze marketing into whatever time is left. There’s rarely a moment to step back and evaluate whether the effort is producing results.

But here’s the thing. Marketing that isn’t measured isn’t marketing. It’s hope. And hope is a beautiful quality in a person but a terrible strategy for a business.

Before you spend another dollar — on ads, on social media, on a new website, on anything — sit down and answer five questions honestly.

1. Do I know where my customers are actually coming from?

Not where you think they’re coming from. Where they’re actually coming from.

When a new customer calls, do you ask how they found you? When someone walks in, do you know whether it was the Facebook ad, the Google search, the yard sign, or the referral from their neighbor?

Most East Texas businesses have a general sense — “I think most of our business comes from word of mouth” — but general senses don’t help you decide where to invest. Tracking matters. Even something as simple as asking every new customer “how did you hear about us?” and writing it down creates data you can act on.

2. Is my website doing anything?

Pull up your website on your phone right now. Time how long it takes to load. See if your phone number is clickable. See if a stranger could figure out what you do, where you are, and how to contact you within five seconds.

Then check your analytics. If you don’t have Google Analytics installed, that tells you something important — you’ve been operating without a dashboard. You wouldn’t drive your truck without a speedometer. Your website shouldn’t run without measurement either.

If you do have analytics, look at how much traffic you’re getting, where it’s coming from, and what people do when they arrive. Are they visiting your contact page? Are they leaving immediately? The answers will surprise you.

3. Am I being consistent?

Pull up your Facebook page, your Instagram, your website, and your Google Business Profile side by side. Does the logo match everywhere? Are the hours correct? Is the description of what you do consistent? Does the tone feel like the same business?

Consistency builds trust. Inconsistency — even the subtle kind — makes people hesitate. And in a market like East Texas, where relationships drive business, hesitation is expensive.

4. Am I tracking the things that matter?

Likes and followers feel good. But they don’t pay the bills.

The numbers that matter for most local businesses are straightforward: phone calls, form submissions, direction requests, website visits that lead to contact, and — most importantly — which of those actually turned into a paying customer.

If you can’t trace a line from your marketing activity to revenue, you’re flying blind.

5. When was the last time I changed anything based on data?

This is the one that separates businesses that grow from businesses that stay stuck.

Measurement only matters if it leads to adjustment. If you’ve been running the same ad for six months and never checked whether it’s converting, that’s not persistence — it’s autopilot. If your social media strategy is the same as it was two years ago and your results haven’t changed, that’s a signal, not a routine.

The businesses in this region that are growing — really growing — are the ones that look at what’s working, cut what isn’t, and make intentional decisions about where to put the next dollar.

The hard truth

Answering these questions honestly might reveal that your marketing is in better shape than you thought. It might also reveal gaps you didn’t know existed.

Either way, clarity is the starting point. You can’t fix what you can’t see. And you can’t grow what you can’t measure.

Lee Allen Miller is the founder of MSGPR Ltd Co, a full-service creative agency in Lufkin, Texas, and author of Entrepreneurship God’s Way. For more insights on marketing and business growth, visit msgpr.com.

Lady Roadrunner Basketball Hosting Tryout Camp

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Session Scheduled for April 25 at Shands Gymnasium

By GARY STALLARD
AC Athletics

The Angelina College women’s basketball program is building something special, and they’re looking for more Lady Roadrunners to help with the process.

Head coach Addie Lees and assistant coach Mercedes Corona will host an “ID Camp” for prospective players from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Shands Gymnasium.

The camp is for all high school players regardless of grade. 

The session’s focus will gear toward skill and player development, along with fundamental work on offense, defense, shooting and game preparation. 

Players attending are asked to bring their own shoes, athletic apparel and water bottles. 

Cost for pre-registration is $30, and the cost for same-day registration is $32.50. 

This past season – the first at AC for Lees and Corona – the Lady Roadrunners landed two players, Aminah Dixon and Timberlyn Washington, on the Region XIV All-Conference superlatives list. Dixon finished as the fifth-leading scorer in the entire conference. 

For further information, contact Addie Lees (alees@angelina.edu) or Mercedes Corona (mcorona@angelina.edu). 

Link for registration and additional information:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-basketball-id-camp-april-25-2026-registration-1986262527689?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu

Photo caption: Angelina College’s Aminah Dixon (2) is shown in action in a game played this past season. The Lady Roadrunners are hosting an “ID Camp” for prospective players from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)

Silverleaf Nightshade Management Webinar Scheduled for May 12

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service event to focus on herbicide strategies for control

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present the webinar “Silverleaf Nightshade Management and What Our Herbicide Trials Reveal,” on May 12 from 6-7:30 p.m.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present the webinar “Silverleaf Nightshade Management and What Our Herbicide Trials Reveal,” on May 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. (Texas A&M AgriLife)

The cost is $35. Advanced register at tx.ag/SilverleafNightshadeManagement.

One general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit is available for pesticide applicator license holders who attend the live event.

The event is part of the 2026 Range Exchange Webinar Series, which covers range and pasture management topics via quarterly webinars.

About the webinar

Event speakers are Stacy Hines, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension rangeland habitat management specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, and Joshua McGinty, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, both in Corpus Christi.  

The webinar will cover the latest research in silverleaf nightshade control, including the best herbicides, when to apply and how long the treatment lasts. 

A 30-minute Q&A session will follow the webinar.

For more information, contact Hines at stacy.hines@ag.tamu.edu.

Capitol Update: Strengthening Justice and Supporting Rural East Texas

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April 21 was San Jacinto Day—more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a defining moment in Texas history that reminds us where we came from and what we stand for. In 1836, the Texian Army’s decisive victory secured independence and set the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today. That same spirit of grit, independence, and looking out for one another still runs deep across our state—and it’s especially evident here in East Texas, where those values aren’t just remembered, they’re lived out every day.

With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol…

Capitol Update

This week, we’re taking a closer look at two House committees that play a major role in keeping our communities safe: Corrections and Criminal Jurisprudence.

The House Committee on Corrections focuses on the systems responsible for incarceration, rehabilitation, and reentry. This interim, members are monitoring key legislation from the 89th Legislature and taking a closer look at how crimes committed inside correctional facilities are investigated and prosecuted, with an emphasis on improving coordination and closing gaps. The committee is also reviewing workforce programs like Texas Correctional Industries to ensure individuals are gaining practical skills that support successful reentry and reduce repeat offenses—something that directly impacts communities across East Texas. 

Last session, the Legislature made significant investments in agencies under this committee’s jurisdiction, including funding for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to support staffing, healthcare, and facility improvements. For many rural areas, including our region, these facilities are not only critical to public safety but also serve as major employers—making these investments important for both community stability and local economies.

The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence is focused on the broader justice system—from law enforcement to prosecution and sentencing. A key priority this interim is examining violent crime clearance rates to better understand where cases are falling short and how coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors can be strengthened. Across the state, where many counties operate with limited resources, ensuring investigators and prosecutors have the tools they need is essential to delivering justice and keeping communities safe.

The committee is also charged with addressing the growing threat of fraud and financial exploitation targeting elderly Texans and reviewing juvenile justice policies to ensure they promote both accountability and rehabilitation. 

Last session, the Legislature directed funding toward public safety priorities, including support for prosecutors, forensic capacity, and juvenile justice programs. These resources are especially important for smaller, rural jurisdictions that rely on state support to maintain strong and effective justice systems.

Together, these committees are focused on making sure those investments deliver results—not just in Austin, but across our communities—by strengthening our justice system, supporting those on the front lines, and keeping Texans safe.

The mobile office is on the road again in April, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: May 6 at the County Courthouse in San Augustine from 9:30-11:30 am, May 13 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; May 20 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30pm.

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 and my Capitol office may be reached at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will be posting regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and sharing information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.

Update on Etoile Natudal Gas Well Blowout

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ETOILE – Emergency management personnel from Nacogdoches County are on-site at a drill site near FM 226 in Nacogdoches County, along with personnel from the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and other local agencies to address the blowout of a natural gas well in Etoile. The fire was initially reported at 11:20 p.m on April 20, and units from Etoile Volunteer Fire Department and several other local VFD’s joined Nacogdoches Fire Department in the initial fire response. 

At this time, the situation is under control and the fire at the well is being monitored by local fire personnel. There is currently no danger to local residents from the fire, and air quality in the area is being monitored as well. No injuries have been reported as a result of the blowout or fire. 

Wild Well Control out of Houston will handle the fire suppression efforts in the coming hours as the necessary equipment and supplies arrive on site to shut down the fire. 

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

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What Are Some Ways You Might Be Tempted to Deny Jesus?

“If someone offered me a lifetime supply of chocolate ice cream to say I didn’t believe in Jesus, I might hesitate,” says Jackson, 9. “But then I’d remember that chocolate melts, and Jesus lasts forever.”

In John 18:12-27, we read how Peter, Jesus’ boldest follower, denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Only hours earlier, Peter had promised to die with Jesus. But when things got scary, Peter pretended he didn’t know him. It’s easy to shake our heads at Peter, but we face the same kind of pressure, just in different ways.

“If my friends at school start making fun of church and ask me if I go, I might feel embarrassed,” admits Sophia, 11. “I want them to like me.”

Peer pressure is powerful. Peter wasn’t facing mean kids on a playground. He was standing near a fire, surrounded by soldiers, servants, and people who could arrest him too. He feared for his life. Fear often tempts us to hide our faith.

“I once told my soccer team I was busy on Sunday, but really I just didn’t want to say I was going to church,” says Landon, 10. “I didn’t want them to think I was weird.”

Denying Jesus doesn’t always look like shouting, “I don’t know Him!” Sometimes it’s staying quiet when we should speak. Other times, it’s pretending we’re not different because we follow Jesus. It can be subtle like laughing at a joke we shouldn’t or choosing not to pray before a meal in public.

“Sometimes I act like I’m just like everybody else so they won’t think I’m different,” says Emma, 12.

The world doesn’t always understand Jesus or those who follow Him. Jesus even said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). So it makes sense that we’ll face moments when it feels risky to speak up, live boldly, or admit we’re Christians.

After denying Jesus three times, Peter wept bitterly. He loved Jesus, but fear and weakness overtook him. The good news is this: Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. After the resurrection, Jesus forgave and restored him. Peter went on to become a bold preacher, a leader in the early church, and someone willing to suffer for the name of Jesus. His failure wasn’t the end of his story.

That’s true for us, too. When we deny Jesus, whether out of fear or embarrassment, he invites us back into fellowship with him. He still loves us. We are still in his family as beloved children of God. Jesus still has a plan for us.

God remains faithful even when we deny him and sin against him (2 Timothy 2:13). Like a good parent, God will pursue us when we deny him because he wants to restore us to fellowship with him so he can bless us. God wants the best for all his children even when they deny him.

Following Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll always be brave. Sometimes we’ll mess up, like Peter. But we can always turn back to him, because he’s full of grace and unconditional love. No one can undo a physical or spiritual birth, even by an act of will or denial.

Think About This: Denying Jesus can happen in small ways like when we stay quiet about our faith or act like we don’t know Him. But Jesus is always ready to forgive and give us another chance.

Memorize This Truth: “Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed” (John 18:27).

Ask This Question: What can you do next time you’re tempted to hide your faith or deny Jesus?

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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 twice a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email

2026 San Augustine Rodeo

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September 11 @ 8:00 am September 12 @ 5:00 pm

Join Us For the Rodeo!

The San Augustine Rodeo will be held this year from September 11-12.

Sponsors are needed! Click the link below to become a sponsor.

Questions? Want to make a donation?
Click to call 936-275-3610

2026 Civic Auction (San Augustine County)

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July 25 @ 7:00 pm 8:00 pm

Donate now for the best night of the year. On June 1st, we will be selling tickets and tables.

$25 per ticket