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CHILD ABUSE

On Human Nature and Mike Pence’s Dinner Partners

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An Atheist Wrestles with the Evidence

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REL EVANT NEWS & STORIES ON BUSINES S , P O LITIC S , RELIG IO N & P EO P LE Complimentary Copy

Vol. 21 No. 014

April 6 - 13, 2017

LRMC Wound, Hyperbaric Medicine Awarded

The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Longview Regional Medical Center has been recognized with a national award for clinical excellence. Leaders, physicians and clinicians from Longview

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Regional gathered this week to celebrate the Center of Distinction award. The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at LRMC achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfac-

tion higher than 92 percent, and a wound healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 31 median days. Out of 630 Centers eligible for the Center of Distinction award, 334 achieved this honor in 2017. “We are very proud of

this achievement, especially since the center is fairly new and opened in 2015. The team has put in a lot of effort to give our patients a great experience, better chances at healing and in a shorter period of time. The results were out-

standing, and we’re looking forward to exceeding expectations again in 2017,” says Dana Carter, LRMC Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Program Director.

See LRMC on Page 3

Tyler Picked for National ‘What Works Cities’ Plan

Tyler Mayor Martin Heines has announced that Tyler has been selected as one of 10 new cities to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Work Cities (WWC) initiative – one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance the use of data and evidence in the public sector.

See TYLER on Page 7 By East Texas Review Staff Report This year’s Blue Jeans and Ball Gowns will remain a night to be remembered. Amy Canton, out did herself with the production. Congratulations Amy and all celebrity dancers. In its sixth year, the event featured a

dazzling, spectacular dance contest along with GALAXY’s musical entertainment. The 2017 celebrity dancers include: • Tim Womack, 307th District Judge, & Amy Canton, Longview Chamber of Commerce

See CASA on Page 7

Longview to become Park Place

By Kelly Bell, East Texas Review Prof. Sorensen: Off to Brazil

UT Tyler Prof is Fulbright Scholar Dr. William “Bill” Sorensen been named a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Yong Tang Wang, The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean, announced.

See FULBRIGHT on Page 2

PTISD Slates Kindergarten Roundup

Pine Tree ISD will have Kindergarten Roundup April 19 and 20 at Pine Tree Primary located at 1808 Pine Tree Road. The Kinder Roundup schedule is as follows:

See KINDER on Page 2

The Longview Parks and Recreation Department is seeking votes from local residents in an online balloting that could win a grant for expansion and improvements to Teague Park. With April being Earth Month the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is working in cooperation with the Walt Disney Company (includ-

ing Disney Citizenship, Disney ABC Television Group and ESPN) to achieve a third straight year of park improvements across the nation. The city receiving the most nominations will be awarded $20,000 to finance improvements to a local park. Public parks are a traditional means of improving

cities’ quality of life. They provide an essential element of civic health and well-being by providing safe locations for healthy activities and enjoying nature in a city setting. This is why Longview residents have till April 30 to nominate their city for this financial boost to the facilities, upkeep and overall allure of Teague Park.

See PARK on Page 7

ETATT Railroad Commissioner Talks Energy Policy, Vision Sponsors AUSTIN - Texas Railroad Blanket Drive Commissioner Ryan Sitton discussed the importance of developing a vision for the future of energy policy yesterday at a Distinguished Lecture Series hosted by the American Association of Drilling Engineers University of Texas Austin Chapter. “We must think about energy policy in the long term, set a vision and take action

now to achieve the goals that we all want - affordable, reliable, clean energy,” Sitton said.

See PARK on Page 7

The East Texas Anti-Trafficking Team (ETATT) is sponsoring a blanket drive for Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch. Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch is a voluntary, faithbased program serving victims of sex trafficking and women in the sex industry free of charge.

An estimated 1 in 5 traffic crashes in Texas is caused by distracted driving, and the problem is getting worse. As part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching its “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign to remind drivers to stay focused on the road. “People are dying on Texas roadways because drivers are diverting their attention from the road to talk on a phone, send a text, post to social media or engage in some other distracting behavior,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass.

See CRASHES on Page 7

Welcome to April By O. Godswill

Local.......................... 2 State........................... 3 Opinion..................... 4 Business.................... 5 Gospel Spotlight...... 6 Health........................ 8 thank

Distracted Driving Crashes Up in Texas

See BLANKET on Page 7

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

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Compelling DOT poster

In the Gregorian calendar. April is the 4th month of the year and its predecessor, Julian calendar. April was originally the second month of the year in the Roman calendar. It became the 4th month with 29 days when January was designated the 1st month of the year around 450 BCE. April became 30 days long when Julius Caesar reformed the calendar.

See APRIL on Page 7

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Local News

April 6-13, 2017

Elvis Presley and James Dean, poodle skirts and rock ‘n’ roll music. It was a night to remember for special needs children ages kindergarten to high school, who were treated to a “Daddy Daughter Dance” event by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (Service Unit 366) last week at the Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School gym. The children and their parents danced to ‘50s music, and had a good time. Snacks were served, and door prizes given away. And families took lots of photos — it was a lot of fun!

UT Tyler Prof is Fulbright Scholar From Page 1

The Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative created in 1946 that awards grants to American scholars each year to teach or conduct research in the more than 125 participatory nations throughout the world. Serving The University of Texas at Tyler since 2004, Sorensen is an associate professor within the Department of Health and Kinesiology. His research interests include epidemiology and research design in health studies. With the award, Sorensen will travel during the spring 2018 semester to Brazil

to teach epidemiology in a graduate nursing program. He also will conduct research with Brazilian colleagues on the topic of smoking cessation interventions in HIV+ individuals. “The Department of Health and Kinesiology is proud of Dr. Bill Sorensen’s accomplishments,” said Dr. David Criswell, professor and department chair. “He is conducting research on smoking cessation interventions that will inform individuals and healthcare providers as well as improve the lives of people in Texas, the U.S. and worldwide. Dr. Sorensen is well deserving of the honor of being named a Fulbright Scholar.”

Pine Tree School Kinder Roundup From Page 1

April 19 - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. April 20 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Enrollment Requirements: Valid ID • Birth Certificate Social Security • Shot Records Proof of Residency - Current monthly

utility bill - water, gas or electric - NO CABLE OR CELL PHONE BILLS The birth certificate is a REQUIRED document. If you do not have a birth certificate, please visit: Gregg County Courthouse, 101 E. Methvin. The cost is $22, cash only. A birth certificate can be purchased online for $22 at www.texas.gov.

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State

April 6-13, 2017

April Champions Child Abuse

By Kelly Bell, East Texas Review

April is the kickoff for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ (DFPS) drive to advance family violence prevention efforts via its Help for Parents, Hope for Kids campaign, which includes a varied assortment of community events during the month. In Texas and throughout the nation child abuse remains a heartbreaking plague, and figures testify to its tragic extent. Child Protective Services (CPS) carried out a whopping 166,753 investigations statewide in 2016. These cases confirmed that 58,668 children suffered abuse and/or neglect during that period, which saw more than 200 children die from such abuse and neglect. DFPS Commissioner Henry Whitman, Jr. has made clear the ghastly extent of the problem and the lengths his department is going to to cure this tragedy. “We all have a responsibility to protecvt children,” he said. “That includes parents, grandparents, teachers, doctors, police officers, neighbors, CPS and many others in communities all across Texas. Reporting and responding K E Y S T A T I S T I C S to abuse is important, and so is helping parents deal with the many stresses they face.” 7,407,245 Children in Texas This mission motivateed the DFPS Prevention and Early 166,753 Completed CPS investigations Intervention Program to earmark more than $1 million for 58,664 Confirmed victims of child abuse the Help for Parents, Hope for Kids initiative this year. This or neglect funding will pay for television advertisements in all Texas 222 Child deaths related to abuse or neglect media markets in April, and an online/mobile campaign 44,527 Youth served by DFPS to run through August. The website (HelpAndHope.org) prevention programs provides parents an assortment of entertaining videos, ar 6899 families Served by DFPS prevention programs ticles by experts, and additional pointers to assist parents in coping with some of the most difficult aspects of raising 271,180 Users of HelpAndHope.org children. There are tips on how to handle everything from All statistics are from Texas fiscal year 2016 (September 1, 2015 through crying babies to rebellious adolescents. Furthermore, August 31, 2016.) More statistics are available in the DFPS Data Book. the site directs both parents and teens to state and local

services. The campaign’s Facebook page (HelpAndHopeKids) provides fun and valuable suggestions and resources for families. CPS is also collaborating with local governments, community groups, service organizations, activists and other avenues of assistance to illuminate how to recognize, prevent and report instances of child abuse. Those who follow these avenues of education are encouraged to contact the Texas Abuse Hotline at (800) 252-5400 or report online at www.txabusehotline.org. DFPS Prevention Hotlines and Websites • Child Abuse Prevention: HelpAndHope.org • Infant Sleeping Death Prevention: BabyRoomToBreathe.org • Texas Youth Hotline: TexasYouth.org

AG Paxton Honors National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

To commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 2-8), Attorney General Ken Paxton today reminded Texans about the many resources available to victims of violent crime through the Crime Victim Services Division (CVSD) of his office. The CVSD assists victims by administering the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program (CVC), which provides financial assistance for certain crime-related expenses. The program – considered the largest of its kind in the U.S. – was created by the Legislature in 1979. Since then, the program has paid out more than $1.49 billion to crime victims and their families, or in reimbursements to law enforcement for sexual assault forensic exams. “This week, we pay special honor to crime victim survivors, advocates and all those who work diligent-

provide services to crime victims. • Nearly 9,000 sexual assault exam reimbursements were made to law enforcement agencies. The Texas CVC fund receives criminal court costs and fees from convicted offenders to reimburse vic-

ly to empower victims,” Attorney General Paxton said. “While no amount of money can completely erase a crime victim’s pain, my office remains committed to doing all it can to provide peace of mind for Texans who face often enormous emotional, physical and financial obstacles as they attempt to

tims and their families for crime-related expenses of up to $50,000—including loss of income, child care, and funeral and burial costs. No taxpayer dollars are involved. Last year, Attorney General Paxton announced a wide range of new increases in CVC claim limits, includ-

ing some that had not been increased since the 1990s. For more information on the CVC program, including eligibility requirements, visit https://www. texasattorneygeneral.gov/ cvs/crime-victims-compensation.

rebuild their lives.” According to the latest CVC annual report, in fiscal year 2016: • Over 35,000 applications were reviewed and $47.4 million in compensation was awarded to victims of crime. • $27.7 million was awarded in victim services grants to organizations that

State Sales Tax Revenue in March: $2.2B AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that state sales tax revenue totaled $2.24 billion in March, 3 percent more than in March 2016. “Overall net growth in sales tax revenue represents mixed performances by major industry sectors,” Hegar said. “Collections from the manufacturing, wholesale trade and information sectors increased, while receipts from construction, retail trade and restaurants declined from last year’s levels.” Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in March 2017 was up by 2.1 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales tax revenue is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections in fiscal 2016. Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes, motor fuel taxes and oil and natural gas production taxes are also large revenue sources for the state. In March 2017, Texas collected the following revenue from those taxes: •Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $403.6 million, up 2.2 percent from March 2016; • Motor fuel taxes — $266.3 million, down 5.5 percent from March 2016; and

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• Oil and natural gas production taxes — $297 million, up 177 percent from March 2016. The increase is due in part to refunds provided to natural gas severance taxpayers in March 2016, which resulted in artificially low tax collections during that period. For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch. Go to the Comptroller’s website for an audio clip of Hegar’s statement on this month’s sales tax revenue.

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Opinion

April 6-13, 2017

International Trade Helps Texas Agriculture Thrive

Last week we celebrated National Ag Day — a time to highlight the critical role our farmers and ranchers play in our communities. Whether it’s providing food to feed our families or fiber to clothe them, the Texans who work the land are integral to our daily lives. That’s why we need to do all we can to build on the success of policies that have helped them thrive, like trade. There’s no question that international trade agreements help Texas ag producers. By connecting them to more customers around the world, our cattle ranchers and cotton farmers can find more markets, support larger operations, and ultimately, contribute more to the economy. With ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers outside America’s borders, it makes sense that we have a lot to gain by

shipping cattle, cotton, and grain to foreign markets. Before the 1994 agreement, multiple barriers to trade existed, keeping continental trade at a minimum. But now, with full implementation of the agreement in effect, goods flow freely creating the largest free trade area in the world. Since the creation of NAFTA, American agricultural exports have grown rapidly. In fact, U.S. ag exports to Canada and Mexico have almost quadrupled, solidifying our country’s place as the world’s top exporter of agricultural and food products. Texas — the top exporting state in the country — has particularly benefited from the agreement. Our proximity to Mexico

Sen. John Cornyn

has made them our top exporting partner. That’s one of the reasons Select Milk Producers is investing in a new plant in Littlefield — one that will produce 400,000 pounds of powdered milk a day, much of it bound for Mexico. But as two of our top ag export markets, both Mexico and Canada buy a lot of Texas agricultural goods. Texas exports hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods like beef and veal, grain and cotton to Canada and Mexico each year. Simply put, Texas farmers and ranchers have gained more customers as a result of NAFTA. Because of this significant trade, NAFTA serves as a driver of economic growth well beyond our farms and ranches, benefiting Americans throughout the country. Ag exports to Canada and Mexico support jobs in sectors far removed from the field like manufacturing, transportation and financial services. It’s estimated that agricultural exports to our NAFTA partners contributes more than a half a million American jobs. The impact

of North American agricultural trade is estimated to have added more than $100 billion dollars to the overall economy in 2016 alone. Fortunately Texans understand that agriculture — whether tilling the soil or driving cattle — isn’t just about jobs and the economy. It’s about preserving a way of life and a culture that Texans are known for. In the 21st century, keeping that tradition alive means making sure Texas agriculture has access to markets both at home and abroad. Deals like NAFTA ensure it. There’s no question that NAFTA can be improved — there’s ample opportunity to help more people across the country who are negatively impacted by trade. But as conversations continue in Washington to make sure we get the most out of trade deals, I’ll continue to work hand in glove with our farmers and ranchers to guarantee greater access to more markets. That’s good for our ag community, good for Texas and good for the rest of the country, too.

On Human Nature and Mike Pence’s Dinner Partners By Ben Shapiro

This week, the Washington Post published a long form piece about Vice President Mike Pence, which included a little tidbit that said, “In 2002, Mike Pence told the Hill that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side, either.” The left — and some elements of the secular-minded right — lost its ever-loving mind. Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal said this “religious fundamentalism” springs from “terror of women.” Joanna Grossman of Vox called Pence’s rule “probably illegal,” saying it is “deeply damaging to women’s employment opportunities.” Never mind that there’s no evidence whatsoever of employment discrimination by Pence against women. Never mind that Pence’s 30plus year marriage is good evidence that his standards have worked for him and his wife in preserving their marriage. Pence is bad, and his standards are bad. What’s more, they’re theo-

cratic insanity that wouldn’t be out of place in countries ruled by Shariah. What absolute horse pucky. Pence isn’t saying that every dinner with a woman potentially ends in the boudoir. He’s saying that human beings are fallible, that they become particularly fallible away from their spouses in the wee hours, and that they become even more fallible than that around alcohol. But this is one of the great foolish myths propagated by the left and now humored by even some on the right: that risk assessment by individual human beings, examining their own hearts, amounts to discrimination; that those

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who want to guard themselves from situations in which they are more likely to sin are somehow propagating societal myths. It isn’t true. Human beings sin. They sin because they are tempted. And they are tempted because they refuse to perform an honest assessment of their own hearts. Not all personal situations are created equal. A late-night dinner involving

alcohol with a work colleague of the sex to which you could be attracted obviously carries more risk than working in the office with that same person in the middle of the day. Even leftists understand this, which is why there are significant restrictions on campus regarding male professors alone with female students and student-professor dating. As Damon Linker of

The Week states: “What if morality requires social and cultural supports that limit individual freedom and that secular liberals are unwilling to forgo? ... Perhaps Pence’s more morally traditional outlook has something in its favor — namely, realism.” Yet the left denies realism. It says that if Pence is tempted, that merely shows that his marriage is weak.

The left’s own logic with regard to sexual urges states that such urges are undeniable — so Pence must be perfect and asexual outside of marriage, or marriage itself is restrictive and nasty. To prove that his marriage is solid, therefore, Pence should be able to walk through a strip club without ever feeling a shred of temptation. This is asinine. It’s not how marriage works, and it’s not how human beings work. It’s not how life works, either. The left casts all individual sins at the feet of society, so it thinks that any prospective adultery must be the result of monogamy’s evils or society’s sexism. But no matter how you change social mores, people will sin and those they love will be hurt. Unless, that is, people recognize their own limitations and set fences around themselves. That’s not an act of discrimination or evil. That’s an act of love — for a spouse, for a society and for a culture of decency that requires that we all take a long, hard look in the mirror before determining that we are incapable of sin.

Sanctuary Now! Sanctuary Forever! By Marc Dion

“Segregation now! Segregation forever!” is what the pols used to roar in the old “Hey, Boy! We don’t serve your kind” South. They got votes with it, too. “Sanctuary now! Sanctuary forever!” the so-called sanctuary city mayors roar as ICE comes prowling around the door. They get votes with it, too. Ideology changes in America, but the business of buying votes with crowd-pleasing, bellowed stupidity does not change. If it’s 1952, and you’re mayor of a southern city whose principal business is pandering to one ethnic group, you’d better stand for oppression if you want the white bigots out in the neighborhoods to hand you a vote. If it’s 2017, and you’re the mayor of a city whose principal product is pandering to several ethnic groups, you’d better pander to the brown bigots out in the neighborhoods. There are very few American mayors who can ignore the Hispanic vote these days, and so a lot of them have lined up behind the idea that their city can righteously resist any federal law that will cost them votes. That’s why I believe (horror of horrors!) that the Trump administration (if that’s what is) has every right to cut funding to cities that refuse to assist in the enforcement of federal law. I believe that because, if the federal government hadn’t national-guarded the hell out of places like Little Rock, Arkansas, segregation would probably still be alive in the South. Hell, if you built a wall around Alabama, and left ‘em alone, they’d have slavery back inside of 30 years. Everybody hates the big federal government these days, but there are things it does well. One of them is to step in (sometimes with bayonets fixed) when your local government is stupid, vicious, greedy, venal or corrupt.

A big city American mayor, often Hispanic himself or herself, is damn well aware that he didn’t get elected until the white population of the city fell to below 50 percent. Now, he or she walks the line between blacks and a collection of Hispanics from a number of countries, some of whom are legal and some of whom are so wet they’re standing in a puddle. And he damn well doesn’t need to start handing people named “Delgado” over to immigration, not if he wants to stay in the big office that looks out on the entire city, not if he doesn’t want to go back to running a community outreach center in a neighborhood where more than a third of the residents have a neck tattoo. So he pimps, just like his long-ago white southern mayor ancestors pimped. And he’ll fold up like a toy if you get tough with him, because mayors have polls in place of principles. Sure, the mayor loves his semi-constituents here illegally, and will gratefully accept their illegal votes, but pull the money the city uses to hire teachers and fix potholes, and he’ll get real reasonable real fast. I’m a quiet guy, a pay-my-taxes, recycle, put-money-inthe-parking-meter guy. I think there is such a thing as illegal immigration, and, rather than build a wall out of dollar bills, I think we need to enforce immigration laws IN the country. I think we need to make employers liable if they hire people here illegally. Employers are no different than mayors. They’ll hire $8-an-hour workers here illegally until they get sued by the feds and forced to cough up a $2 million fine. Then, they’ll raise wages to $15 and go find some Americans to do the job. And if you think this column is too “conservative” coming from a guy who is often on the liberal side, just remember, I’m not a politician. I don’t trade principles for politics. To find out more about Marc Munroe Dion, visit www. creators.com.

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March 30-April 6, 2017 By Ling Hwey Jeng, Ph.D. Libraries are changing. While traditional activities such as borrowing books or reading still dominate use of libraries, Pew Research Institute studies show the American public today relies on libraries to teach digital skills, provide working spaces and address the disparity among citizens who have or don’t have broadband internet services at home. Libraries also are breaking physical boundaries as they become more embedded in shopping malls, community centers and student unions on college campuses. Librarians are champions for literacy of young children, adults seeking workforce readiness and seniors who are lifelong learners. They provide freedom of imagination through books and help curious minds cross the distance of the globe and experience different cultures and perspectives without leaving their chairs — using the latest technology. The expansion of information and technological skills make librarians effective contributors to our local communities. Their skills and expertise are highly valued in the business world as well as the public sector. An increasing number of graduates with library and information science degrees are being chosen for unconventional careers. For example, recent Texas Woman’s University graduates have been selected for positions such as a law librarian of a U.S. Circuit

Business

Thriving Communities Depend on

Smart Public Investment in Libraries Court of Appeals, a research analyst in an intelligence agency, a records manager for a municipal government office, a knowledge manager in a financial services firm and a curator of an arts foundation, to name a few. Even within our community libraries, today’s librarians also find themselves more valued than ever. The librarians we educate are fierce freedom protectors. They defend citizens’ rights to access information, and safeguard their privacy in choosing what they read and information they seek. They help people get the best information, when they need it. And they often help citizens present this information using current technology and digital communication channels. In today’s confusing public discourse, librarians know how to separate factual information from fabricated news, and help people determine what is current, relevant, authoritative, and appropriate information for their particular purposes. But that’s not all.

What Does Retirement Look Like If You Haven’t Saved?

By Nathaniel Sillin

free internet services to those who otherwise might not be able to afford the basic technology. Federal and state funding for libraries is an essential public tax investment for our local communities. A study by the Bureau of Business Research IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin found that Texas public libraries provide a return on investment of $4.64 for each dollar invested. This data-intensive research determined that, collectively in FY 2015, public libraries provided $2.628 billion in benefits while using only $566 million of public tax investment. Along with arts, humanities and cultural programs, libraries continue to be the soul of our communities. Librarians are smart investors who facilitate technology innovation, safeguard the freedom of information, and contribute directly to the economy and the quality of life in each of the large cities and small towns across Texas. It is the collaborative efforts of librarians working with residents to care for our communities that keep Texas strong. It’s the collective voice of all who stand together to protect the soul of our communities that makes America great. Libraries deserve our continued support. Ling Hwey Jeng is director of the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University and incoming president of the Texas Library Association.

LEGAL NOTICE These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon: Game #

Game Name / Odds

Official Close of Game

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1811

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5/31/17

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1813

Hit The Jackpot Overall Odds are 1 in 3.70

5/31/17

11/27/17

The odds listed here are the overall odds of winning any prize in a game, including break-even prizes. Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem prizes of up to and including $599. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed in person at a lottery claim center or by mail, with a completed Texas Lottery® claim form; however, annuity prizes or prizes over $2,500,000 must be claimed in person at the Commission Headquarters in Austin. Call Customer Service at 800-375-6886 or visit the lottery website at txlottery.org for more information and location of nearest claim center. The Texas Lottery is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, or for tickets lost in the mail. Tickets, transactions, players and winners are subject to, and players and winners agree to abide by, all applicable laws, Commission rules, regulations, policies, directives, instructions, conditions, procedures and final decisions of the Executive Director. A scratch ticket game may continue to be sold even when all the top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Texas Lottery ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2017 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

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T:10.16”

The picture of retirement that many of us have is a post-work period filled with travel and plenty of relaxation. It’s a time when you can finally take up a new hobby, sink into the pile of books and enjoy more time with family and friends. The reality is that many haven’t been able to save enough money to enjoy this idealized retirement. What might their retirement look like? You may be working for longer than you expected. Many people undergo a period of “phased retirement” and either reduce their hours or start a new parttime job after retiring from a full-time schedule. Even those who don’t have a financial need may find that they value the activity and connections work brings to their lives. Without savings, continuing to work might not be a choice, but you can still look for fulfilling opportunities. Continuing within the same profession part-time or taking on related consulting work could be the most financially rewarding route, if it’s an option. Alternatives such as customer service positions with a retailer are popular among some retirees. There are also Internet-based jobs that allow you to work from home. Social Security could be your sole source of income. Retirees who don’t have a pension or savings and stop working may find that Social Security is their only income. Your Social Security benefit depends on when you were born, how much you’ve paid into the program, when you start to take benefits and whether or not you’re eligible for a government pension. Once you start receiving benefits, you’ll lock in your monthly amount, although it will adjust to account for inflation. Therefore, deciding when to start taking Social Security benefits is important, as it can impact your income for the rest of your life. Claiming benefits once you reach your full or normal retirement age, 65 to 67 depending on when you were born, is when

you’ll receive 100 percent of your monthly Social Security benefit. Taking benefits early can lock in a lower rate, while waiting can increase the monthly benefit. In 2017, if you’re eligible for the maximum benefit and start claiming at 62, you’ll receive about $2,153 per month. If you waited until you were 70 this year, you’ll receive about $3,538 per month. You can use the SSA’s Retirement Age Calculator to see how taking Social Security early, or waiting, can affect your benefit. You might have to downsize and make lifestyle changes. Moving to an area that has a significantly lower cost of living could mean the difference between living with financial challenges and having a comfortable retirement. Some people look for less expensive areas close to family members or even an expat community in a different country. If you decide to stay in the same area, a smaller home can lower your property taxes and maintenance costs. You can also take any profits from the sale of a larger home and pay off debts or build an investment portfolio. Housing aside, there are many ways to downsize your lifestyle, such as selling a vehicle, shopping at secondhand stores and cutting back on monthly entertainment expenses. One helpful part of aging is you’ll be eligible for all sorts of new discounts and benefits. Look online for lists of stores or organizations that offer senior discounts. You can use the National Council on Aging BenefitsCheckUp to see which benefits you might be eligible for based on your ZIP code and personal information. Bottom line: Many aging Americans don’t have enough savings to fund their lifestyle through retirement. Deciding when to take Social Security benefits and where to live are two of the most pressing questions on the horizon. No matter what you choose, you may need to supplement your income with part-time work and look for ways to significantly lower your cost of living to enjoy retirement.

Libraries are a safe haven for the community. Librarians in Ferguson, Baltimore, Dallas and other cities were “second responders” who welcomed students into their libraries when schools were closed, facilitated the space for meaningful civic dialogues among residents, and worked alongside neighbors to restore the physical and mental health of their own community. At times of crisis, libraries are welcoming oases where citizens can clear their minds and nurture their brains. Librarians are among the strongest advocates for our local communities. They are trusted and resourceful, and they identify community assets to build coalitions with colleges, schools, business and other organizations. For example, librarians reinvest nearly $11 million of federal library funding annually to help Texas communities. Funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services alone helps more than 500 public libraries in Texas improve the quality of technology, keep T:5.73” children reading through summer months and provide

6 Gospel Spotlight

March 30-April 6, 2017

By Rusty Wright

If you’re a committed atheist and your spouse becomes a follower of Jesus, it might just rock your world. That’s what happened to hardnosed Chicago Tribune legal affairs editor Lee Strobel, who marshalled his skills in journalism and law to find out what had happened to his wife. Strobel’s quest became a bestselling book, The Case for Christ, and now a movie. He writes that Leslie’s 1979 announcement stunned him. He felt “like the victim of a bait-and-switch scam. I had married one Leslie – fun…carefree…risk-taking – and now I feared she was going to turn into some sort of sexually repressed prude who would trade our upwardly mobile lifestyle for all-night prayer vigils and volunteer work in grimy soup kitchens.” “Instead,” he continues, “I was pleasantly surprised – even fascinated – by the fundamental changes in her character, her integrity, and her personal confidence.” He aimed to investigate faith from top to bottom to see if it made sense. The film stars Mike Vogel (The Help), Erika Christensen (Frasier, Traffic) and Oscar-winner Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde, Network). (Spoilers ahead.) Rigorous methods; avoiding pitfalls Educated at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Yale Law School, Strobel determined to use the rigorous meth-

An Atheist Wrestles with the Evidence ods a veteran journalist and legal analyst would about a court case: sifting evidence, evaluating reliability, considering alternatives. He studied history, archaeology, and ancient literature and interviewed experts. Strobel wanted to avoid pitfalls he had experienced earlier in his career when an apparently clear-cut

court case he was covering had its guilty verdict reversed. In retrospect, he realized he had been viewing the facts through preconceived biases that blinded him from objective evaluation. He determined to study from a fresh perspective the faith he had thought was a fairy tale.

For nearly two years he asked hard questions about source reliability, about Jesus’ life, death and alleged Resurrection, and more. The book and the film present what he discovered, not as academic treatises – though the book is well written for thinking readers, and extensively documented – but in the context of colorful, touching stories about how he wrestled with his findings. Skeptical, analytical questions The movie skillfully weaves his skeptical, analytical questions into the fabric of love, pain, sorrow and joy that composed his marriage and family life. A

glimpse of what he encountered: Regarding the source material, he found scholarly support for “the essential reliability of the New Testament documents…their accurate transmittal through history…extensive corroboration by ancient historians and others,” and for the assertion that “archaeology underscores their trustworthiness.” Regarding Jesus, he found multiple attestations that Jesus claimed deity. Jesus’ “I and the Father are one” New Testament claim is echoed by contemporary friends…and even enemies, who accused him of blasphemy for an asser-

tion they considered outrageous. Lots of mentally disturbed people believe they are God. Was Jesus one of them? Strobel says Jesus’ discourses display “no sign of dementia, delusions, or paranoia.” Rather they evidence “profound wisdom... uncanny insights…poetic eloquence, and…deep compassion.” Jesus fulfilled many Hebrew prophecies regarding the Jewish Messiah. Strobel cites Peter Stoner, a mathematician who calculated the probability of just eight of these coming true in one person as one chance in 1017. Empty tomb; a little girl’s wish And Strobel found convincing evidence that Jesus was executed, buried, and returned to life. The tomb was empty and many eyewitnesses said they saw him alive again, some at the cost of their lives. He concluded, “The atheism I had embraced for so long buckled under the weight of historical truth. …It would require much more faith for me to maintain my atheism than to trust in Jesus of Nazareth!” He invited Jesus to forgive him and become his personal friend in 1981. The change in his formerly self-absorbed life was so radical that a few months later, his five-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, I want God to do for me what he’s done for Daddy.” The Case for Christ is a compelling film that is sensitive toward those who disagree and aims to get viewers thinking about matters that can make a world of difference in their lives and families. Well worth seeing. Rated PG (USA) “for thematic elements including medical descriptions of crucifixion, and incidental smoking.”

Local/State

April 6-13, 2017

LRMC Wound, Hyperbaric Medicine Awarded From Page 1

The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Some of the leading-edge treatments offered at the Wound Care Center include negative pressure wound therapy, debridement, application of cellular-based tissue or skin substitutes to the wound, offloading or to-

tal contact casts and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. “I couldn’t be prouder of our Wound Care Center being honored for Center of Distinction during our first year. It just shows the hard work the doctors, and more so the staff, does to achieve a few of the things that go into the award: 1) healing wounds quickly and 2 ) patient satisfaction. Year one has been good, but we are striving to get even better,” said Mark Witt, M.D., LRMC Would Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Medical Director. Doctors and staff of the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at LRMC

Railroad Commissioner Talks Energy Policy, Vision Commissioner Sitton in oil worker’s garb

From Page 1

“We currently have a federal administration that understands the importance of energy to our nation’s economy and national security, and the opportunities for the future of energy are limitless as we roll back duplicative regulations and take an all-of-the-above energy strategy.”

Longview Park Place

From Page 1

To cast their ballots Longview’s people should visit NRPA.org/BeInspired, where they can nominate the city once daily all month. Also, those who nominate the city will be automatically entered in a drawing for a tablet designed for outdoor use. City of Longview Parks and Recreation Director Scott Caron has high expectations for the voting and its positive results. “This is an excellent opportunity for the citizens of Longview to be directly involved with promoting our city on the national level and secure $20,000 to improve a park,” he said. He is not alone in this lofty expectation. “Supporting local parks is essential to the health and vitality of communities everywhere,” said NRPA Director of Conservation Lori Robertson. “That is why we are proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company to help fund critical park improvement projects in communities in

need. We encourage everyone to join us in giving back to the places that shape so much of our lives by voting in this year’s “Meet Me at the Park” campaign.” Throughout April viewers of the Disney Channel will see advertisements that will also air on ABC Television Network, ABC-owned and afiliated stations, Freeform, Disney XD, Disney Junior, ABC app and additional digital platforms. The public service announcement covering this event will also be available on the voting site. Radio Disney will also broadcast an on-air radio spot. Earth Month gives all Longview residents the opportunity to show the whole country how much they love their city and its parks. All are encouraged to invite their friends to vote by taking a selfie in Teague Park and using the hashtags #MeetMeAtThePark, #Parkies and #BeInspired. The Longview Parks and Recreation Department provides the city with more than 30 parks, trails and open spaces.

Distracted Driving Crashes Up in Texas

From Page 1

“When drivers take their focus off the road, they put themselves, their passengers and others at risk. It’s just not worth it.” Last year, there were 108,962 distracted driving crashes in Texas – up 3 percent over 2015. Those crashes killed 452 people and seriously injured another 3,068. These crashes are highest among younger drivers ages 16 to 34. In Texas, 38 percent of drivers say they regularly or sometimes use a cell phone while driving. • Text messaging is particularly dangerous as reaction times double when drivers read or send text messages. • A driver texting at 55 mph will lose sight of the road for nearly five seconds, which is comparable to driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.

Pirouetting for CASA, Raising Funds for Abused Children From Page 1

• Alfonso Charles, 124th District Judge, & Melissa Charles, Law Office of Melissa Charles Law • Jim Bartlett, Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry, & Rachel Brabham, Dottie Hunt Studios • Mike Spencer, Upshur County Commissioner, and Miriam Hill, HillTex Insurance Agency • Greg Colquitt, Citizens National Bank and Kayla Bonina, Fitness Coach

Tyler will receive technical assistance from worldclass experts to build capacity to address local issues. “The City of Tyler is always striving for transparency and this partnership with What Works Cities will ensure that we continue to improve how we operate, as well as become the model for what an innovative, modern city government looks like,” said City Manager Ed Broussard. Tyler will advance their ability to make data more

consumable and readily available for citizens, internal analysts and departmental stakeholders by developing the policies and processes to inventory, prioritize, release and maintain data publicly focused on Building Services, Development Services and Planning departments. Tyler’s selection was also announced today by former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at the second annual What Works Cities Summit, taking place March 28-29 in New York City. The event is gathering

• Donna Blalock, Municipal Court Judge, & Steven Collins, Pine Tree ISD • Cole Tomberlain, Tomberlain Insurance Agency, & Bonnie Farrinella, The Dance Studio • Julie Woods, Julie Woods & Associates Real Estate, and Ross Morgan • Leisha Kidd-Brooks, City of Longview Health Department, and Steven Collins, Pine Tree ISD • Drew Woodfin, HydraPine Callibration and

Inspection, & Jackie Woodfin, Upper Room Health and Fitness Emcees: Judge Becky Simpson & County Judge Bill Stoudt Celebrity Judges: Judge Lauren Parish, Michele Wood, Mayor Andy Mack, and Fire Marshal Johnny Zachary In 2016, East Texas CASA served over 349 children in our community by training volunteer advocates to be the voice for abused and neglected

children who have been removed from their homes by the State of Texas. East Texas CASA is committed to providing a voice for every child in our community. CASA executive director Shirley Garner is grateful for all the support here organization received this year. Full story will be in the May edition of infinitieplus magazine.

to gather nectar. April’s birth flower is the daisy and sweet pea; birthstone is the diamond which symbolizes innocence. April holidays and observances include: Global Child Nutrition month; Mathematic Awareness month; Humor Month; Alcohol Awareness month; American Cancer Society month; Celebrate Diversity month; Community service month; National Parkinson Awareness month; National Mental health month;

Stress Awareness month; and Professional Basket Ball begin in United States. Some Important Events in April: 1st – April fool; 4thA flag that contained 1 star for each state and 13 stripes was adopted by congress; 5th – Arbor Day; 6th – USA declared war in Germany in World war 1 in 1917; 9th – Palm Sunday; 14th – Good Friday; 15th – The Titanic sank in 1912; 16th – Easter Sunday; 20th – Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany was born in 1889; 24th – The

United State Library of Congress was established 1800; 30th – George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of USA. Discipleship Digest reflects on the topic: Understanding God’s. As we commemorate the Christian season of Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter (Resurrection), it is considered important to take a cursory look at God’s grace. Christianity is supremely a religion of grace.

Welcome April with Our Hearts Full of Renewal From Page 1

Its name is derived from the Latin word “Aperit or Aprilis,” which means “to open.” It’s believed to have been named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite (short - Aphros). April arrives with our hearts full of renewal and fresh beginnings; days when sun is shining with some warm showers that are refreshing. It’s the time of planting and spring cleaning, when trees and flowers open-up and grow. Also small animals that were hibernating usually come out and birds fly back northward to settle while bees and butterflies begin

Tyler Picked for ‘What Works Cities’ From Page 1

• While mobile phone use is the most recognizable driving distraction, other high-risk activities that can take your eyes or mind off the road include adjusting a music player, grooming, eating or programming a navigation system. The “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign reminds drivers to: • Put away the phone – or turn it off – before getting behind the wheel. • Pull over to a safe location if you must talk or text. • Use an app that will block texts and calls while driving. • Tell friends, family and colleagues you won’t respond to calls or texts when driving. Always give driving your full attention.

more than 300 participating mayors, city managers, chief data and innovation officers and other frontline practitioners to learn from experts and each other. Tyler and the following cities are the latest to commit publicly to enhancing their use of data and evidence to improve services, inform local decision-making and engage residents: Augusta, GA; Corona, CA; Gilbert, AZ; Indianapolis, IN; Lewisville, TX; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Orlando, FL; and Washington, DC.

ETATT Sponsors Blanket Drive From Page 1

ETATT will be accepting donations of gently used, new or handmade blankets till April 30, 2017. Sizes needed include, crib, youth, twin, full and queen. You can drop off your donated blankets at the Partners in Prevention office, 140 E. Ty-

ler St. on the Fourth floor or at the Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St. For more information contact Sekettia Brantley, Partners in Prevention at 903-237-2729 or Jo Barry, City of Longview Human Resources Dept. at 903-2371269.

Area's Best Business Review

Presented by: Metro News ©2017 All Rights Reserved. 1-800-580-1039 Spending more and buying less? Maybe you should be shopping at WALMART where your dollar goes a lot further! Conveniently located at 4006 Estes Pkwy, in Longview, phone (903) 236-0947; this full line department store offers something that most other stores can’t compete with… the area’s very lowest prices on EVERYTHING! Food to feed your family, toys to entertain your children, school supplies, sporting goods, tools, and auto accessories. Nearly every little thing you can think of! Most “regular” retail department stores feature “full retail” prices. At WAL-MART, this is not the case! Here you get the service you want, the quality you look for, and prices you can afford! Open 24 hours, they can meet all of your needs at any given time day or night. If you are shopping for appliances or furniture WAL-MART offers you the kind of quality you deserve. We, The editors of this 2017 Area’s Best Business Review, offer this suggestion to the people in our area: So, whether or not you need a big grocery shopping trip, get your tire changed or pick-up a prescription, do what smart shoppers do…make WAL-MART your one-stop shopping headquarters for the best products, the largest selection and the ultimate in everyday bargains!

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Health

April 6-13, 2017

Treatment options such as vaginal reconstruction with no messy products enable women to enjoy life again

Chi l d b vag ir th c a inal n bring a nd u trauma, teri ne p rola ps e By Kelly Bell, East Texas Review

he joys that come with a new baby are obvious, intense and enduring, but there is a flip side. The stresses of birthing can lead to incontinence, vaginal muscle and tissue damage, which can go as far as a collapsing uterus. The passage of time can make these effects more noticeable, but there are alternatives to merely putting up with them. The uterus (also known as the womb) is a muscular organ supported by pelvic muscles and ligaments which can be stretched and weakened to the point they no longer hold up the uterus. This leads to uterine prolapse. The uterus migrates into the vagina, or birth canal. In cases of an incomplete prolapse the uterus drifts only partway into the vagina. When there is a complete prolapse the uterus sags so far into the vagina that part of it may extend to the outside of the birth canal. Symptoms are unmistakable although in cases of minor prolapse women may not notice anything. Moderate to severe prolapse shows up as follows: * A woman feels like she’s sitting on a ball * Vaginal bleeding * Increased discharge * Painful sexual intercourse * Seeing the uterus or cervix protruding from the vagina * Pulling sensation or heavy feeling in the pelvis * Constipation * Recurrent bladder infections Risk factors and severity of symptoms increase as women age and estrogen levels decrease. Because the estrogen hormone strengthens the pelvis muscles, damage to pelvic muscles and tissues during pregnancy and childbirth can precipitate prolapse later in life. Women who have had multiple children, and postmenopausal women are at the greatest risk. Activities and conditions that place stress of the pelvic muscles increase the risk of prolapse. The following further increase the likelihood of prolapse: * Obesity * Chronic coughing * Chronic constipation Doctors can detect uterine prolapse through physical exam and by evaluating symptoms. During such exams doctors insert an instrument called a speculum to view the interior of the vagina and examine the vaginal canal and uterus.

A vaginal speculum can be inserted into a woman’s vagina during a regular exam.

Meet Dr. Charles Newlin,M.D.

Diagnostic Clinic of Longview

Dr. Charles Newlin, MD explains that there are both surgical and non-surgical options for this condition. A Longview native, Newlin graduated from Longview Christian School before attending LeTourneau University and earning his undergraduate degree there. He took his medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine, and finished his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. A member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the Texas Medical Association, and the Christian Medical Association, he and his wife are delighted o return to Longview. For treatment options and questions in general, please contact Dr. Charles Newlin with the Diagnostic Clinic of Longview at (903) 757-6042.

With every heart we help, we help another heart keep smiling. That’s why our patients say their heart belongs to Longview Regional Medical Center. Our cardiac care team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We offer: Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Chest Pain Center Heart Risk Assessment P.A.D. Coalition Stroke Center

2901 N Fourth Street • Longview • 903-758-1818 • www.LongviewRegional.com Longivew Regional is recognized as Certified Stroke and Chest Pain Accredited facility

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