The NTCC Continuing Education Department wrapped up its third pickleball class June 29. Thirteen students completed the course.

Students in the NTCC Work4College Program participated in a financial literacy simulation fair this Thursday in the Student Union Building. The event, hosted by East Texas Professional Credit Union, is an exciting, interactive exercise to help students learn more about managing their personal finances.

New hunting opportunities and scenery are available to hunters this fall through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) drawn hunt permits program. The program, which issues permits for drawn hunts on both public and private lands throughout Texas, is now accepting applications for a shot at almost 10,000 permits in more than 60 high quality hunt categories.

The Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health focuses on the intersection of mental health and the justice system. Together with the Texas Judicial Council, the JCMH developed proposals and served as a resource for the 88th Texas Legislature. As a result of this work, Governor Abbott signed SB 2479 into law. SB 2479 makes changes to: Permit licensed mental health professionals to apply electronically for emergency detention upon indication of a mental health crisis, to assist rural health care systems and others in providing better access to mental health evaluations and avoid unnecessary delays in treatment.

Brandy Berendt of Cookville, TX, graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock during the spring 2023 semester. Berendt graduated with a Associate of Arts in General Studies.

The Northeast Texas Community College Professional Driving Academy continues to grow and supply high-demand CDL drivers to the local area. One new student recently graduated from the program. Pictured ( from left) is: Aron Farley (Instructor), graduate Angel Ramirez, and Jimmy Smith (Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Training).

The fourth annual 2023 Concert on the Lake was held July 1 at Lake Bob Sandlin. 175 boats and watercrafts were counted and nearly 900 attendees came to the event. The concert included performances by Wes Jeans Band, Ricky Lynn Gregg, the Mescalero Cowboys Band with Charity Musgrove and Kerrie Lee and the Tommy Alverson Band.

TRIBUNE PHOTOS / MIRANDA OGLESBY Hundreds gathered in Talco to watch the skies Tuesday for the highly anticipated Talco Independence Day Firework Show. The annual free event included giveaways, food and fireworks.