There are many games that have taken the path of action footsteps, like Call of Duty Modern Warfare, but there are few that have the universal excitement like Marvel’s Avengers. The game starts right off into the campaign where you have to reassemble all of the other hero’s and make it almost to the end of the campaign to unlock all six of the current characters you can play with. The current heroes are Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Ant Man, Abomination, Black Panther, Hawkeye, MODOK, Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop, Spiderman, Iron Man and Taskmaster. In the Single player campaign, you usually play as a specific character, but you will be able to choose which character to play as. I love how you get to take on waves of robots and smash your way through with heavy attacks as the Hulk or lead your way through as Captain America with a mix of light attacks and maneuverable dodges. One of my favorite Marvel Characters in the game is Thor and I like one of Thor’s signature moves like throwing his Hammer and being able to call upon the Bifrost, which is totally awesome. 

Marvel’s Avengers is an exciting action-packed game that brings the characters to life in a third-person view. The game takes you on the cinematic story line from singe player and co-operative gameplay with up to 4 players.  What I really enjoy about this game is that it can be played either offline or online option, but you will need internet to update the game itself. If you love action role-playing brawler games, then this game is for you. The character’s powers and abilities are just insanely awesome and once mastered they will be a blast of excitement and fun. I love how you can play as each Marvel hero, but being able to customize each character’s abilities and costumes are just downright astounding.

Many of the Character upgrades and costumes can be upgraded using the skills section or you can just simply buy the DLC pack upgrades.  In the multiplayer gameplay, you will be able to explore and be in different types of combat arenas.  Each player will be able to equip themselves with different load-outs and go off to explore for loot for their specific character.  For the players who like to play together with your friends or with other players, then you can dive right into Warzone missions and I found out while playing you can easily just be accepted from a thing called the War table and you can also choose a certain level you feel comfortable proceeding with. Before playing specific missions, you can adjust how difficult each mission is and keep up with the mission’s chains.

 “While the repetitive loot system can be annoyingly repetitive at times, everyone who loves playing as a third-person super hero with loads of excitement, combat will enjoy Marvel’s Avengers.” I love everything about this game, from being able to play as Marvel’s Avenger’s hero’s, customization of characters, loads of action and adrenaline rush excitement. Overall, I think Marvel’s Avengers is an insanely amazing game and honestly, I cannot wait to see what Crystal Dynamics has in store in the near future of this game.

Each fall students gather on campus to participate in many TAMUT traditions, but there was no Convocation for freshman or senior Torch Light and bonfire due to COVID-19. The pandemic is evolving the way we socialize on campus and in Texarkana. 

Texarkana offers a number of unique experiences that comply with social distance mandates, here are four picks to explore around town.

Texarkana Wall Mural

Grab some friends for a social distanced photoshoot with a hint of Texarkana for your Instagram feed. Located on Broad St. across from the Bi-State Justice Building, these murals are a trendy spot for pictures. The seven murals are within walking distance from several local restaurants and bakeries. 

Outdoor Brunch

The best way to spend a Saturday afternoon is brunch on a patio with good friends. Texarkana has three prime locations, Hopkin’s Icehouse, Redbone Magic Brewing Co. and Verona. Each restaurant has their own specialty and is sure to add some joy to your weekend.

Cafes

Texarkana has two local spots that will make your day. Brewsters on the Boulevard and Urban Tea Town offer unique drinks and seasonal specials. Be sure to say hi to Dr. Leighton when you stop by Urban Tea Town.

Bringle Lake Art

If you are looking to stay close to campus but want to get out, try the spillway art trail.  Accessible from a trail via Bringle Lake East hiking path or a quick drive down Richmond Road, this is an opportunity to see local artists make the community a little brighter.https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1SuEvRh_SuKRf-mkR9BI9EYyW6EWCRqH0&usp=sharing

It is that time of the semester, finals! Stress levels are at an all time high on our campus. This is the hardest point during the semester for most students. At this point in the semester student’s stress levels are at an all time high, however there are many resources on our campus to help student’s out during this time and help them to succeed. Some resources listed at the end of the article are the success center, TRIO, and our school’s library. These are all very important and can help a student with any subject. Student success is one of the most important things to our university, our professors want to see everyone succeed. 

One of our campus’s most popular resources is the success center, which houses our tutors and study table sessions. Trane Dixon has given some insight into her experience with the success center during her time here at TAMUT. “The success center has helped me so much! I have a learning disability, and it is pretty hard to teach and understand a certain subject if I am struggling. The tutoring center helped me in both college algebra and statistics,” Dixon stated. Getting set up with a tutor is a very easy process, the link to the success center is down below. “The process was easy for me to set up. I went to the help desk, they scheduled me with a tutor and I got started the next day,” Dixon stated. Our campus has many different resources to ensure success in courses whether it be tutoring or one on one time with a professor.

During times like we are in right now students are depending on the school’s resources more than ever. Due to COVID-19 things are a little different and may be done through zoom but these resources are still there. It is important to know how to access these resources during this time, all information is on our school’s website, www.tamut.edu. Aside from the school’s tutoring service there are also websites such as www.khanacademy.com. 

Below are links to resources on our campus:

https://tamut.edu/Library-Services/index.html

https://www.tamut.edu/academics/Student-Support/TRIO/TRiO%20SSS%20Tutoring%20Services.html

The COVID-19 outbreak has not been an easy issue to deal with, especially as a full-time college student. TAMUT made the decision in March 2020 to move all classes to an online format for the remainder of the spring semester. The decision was then made to hold both online and face to face courses during fall 2020. This adjustment was not an easy one for many students, including Murray. “At the time I was a pre-nursing major and it was not easy. At that point is when I began to think about changing my major.” Murray stated. During the time of the pandemic it has opened many students’ eyes and made them realize that things can change in a blink of an eye.

The Eagle Family is what attracts many students to our campus.  “I am from Idabel, OK and everyone back home went to the same five colleges, and I didn’t want to go to one of the five everyone else went to. So I chose TAMUT.” Murray stated. Most students choose TAMUT because they love the atmosphere and all the opportunities presented to them. 

Murray is involved in greek life on campus, she is a member of Omega Delta Chi, a sorority on campus. “This semester has been very different from the past. We can only have one event a month and two meetings. We are used to having a meeting once a week and getting everything done then.” Murray stated.

Many students question whether or not face to face classes are the best choice. Students feel their health is more at risk being around others that come from the higher risk areas. “It should be mandatory to wipe down your desk and sanitize your hands when you enter a classroom or public space.” Murray stated. There are many things on campus that are mandatory to do, but wiping down your desk spaces is only encouraged. 

As far as the future of our campus it is still unknown what will happen. In an ideal world everything will go back to normal once the pandemic is over, but we all know that will not be the case. “Classes next semester should be online only to help decrease the amount of classes that have to be quarantined.”Murray stated. Since the beginning of the academic year at least five classes have had to quarantine for 14 days, some people are having to quarantine multiple times. “Our campus has handled the situation as best as they can with all the sanitizer stations around campus, the signs, masks being required, and limiting the number of people that can be in the elevator.” TAMUT is taking all precautions recommended by the CDC.

If you are a student or faculty/staff at TAMUT and think you may have the coronavirus or have been exposed, go to the COVID-19 tab on our website and get more information on your next steps. Remember to always wash your hands and masks, only go places when you absolutely need to, and most importantly do not leave your house if you have symptoms or are starting to feel sick. Students are encouraged to help stop the spread.

Tiffany Whorton, candidate for City Council Alderman of Linden, TX, is a small-town girl with a big vision. Whorton and her family decided to call Linden their forever home five years ago, leaving the Metroplex behind, and never looked back! She is a no-nonsense conservative with Christian values, seeking to be given a chance to bring a much needed change to Linden City Council. Among several other ladies running, Whorton spoke at a local town hall meeting recently, asking her campaign slogan, “Are you tired yet?” She is referring to the community in how city government is and has been run. Seeing a separation of its citizens, Whorton wants to promote town pride, enforce city ordinances, and improve accountability for Linden. Inside these efforts, also bringing the citizens of Linden closer together as a community. Bringing businesses to Linden and growing the town are at the forefront, Whorton stated, “Give the business a reason to want to grow with Linden.” The more businesses, the more jobs for locals. With locals in mind, TIffany has taken a personal vestment in Linden, preparing a GED prep class, free of charge. Whorton stated, “ I want to reach those to help them believe in themselves, by giving them the tools to further not only their education, but their lives.” Tiffany Whorton is making improvements in Linden, in more ways than one. A loud voice of reason and change, dedicated to have the peoples voices heard. A vote for change, for one and all.

The University Center is unusually quiet this September. The grey tile is missing the echo of young adult voices as organizations attempt to recruit for the semester. The tables normally decorated with bright table cloths, glittering awards and photos from the past are now surrounded with PVC and clear plastic curtains with a single representative behind the table. This is part of the “new normal” caused by COVID-19 that student leaders, like Omega Delta Chi President, Taylor Atkins have to accept.

“I go into the cafeteria now and there’s not tons of people talking and having a good time. It’s sad to see,” Atkins said. “TAMU-T’s main appeal was always the campus involvement you got.”

While the lack of involvement on campus is discomforting to returning students, the University staff noticed too, and asked Atkins and other leaders to join the student panel of the COVID-19 Task Force. This allows the students to meet with staff and faculty to gain different insights to the “Student Life” means in the era of COVID-19.

“I’m hopeful,” Atkins said. “I know all student leaders are working their butts off to try to build something we had last year and the year before that.”

Organizations on campus have turned to using Zoom, Google Forms, GroupMe and Doodle Polls to make up for lost events and meetings. Greek recruitment was held through a series of Zoom meetings in 30 minute intervals.

“It was always awkward, there was always a wall up, but the more that we had them the more comfortable the girls got talking to us,” said Atkins. “I feel like it was really successful because the girls that really wanted it stuck through it.”

For more information about campus life with COVID-19 guidelines click here.

Jack Martin, current Sheriff of Morris County and now running for re-election as sheriff for the fifth time. Jack became the first black Morris County Sheriff, in the county’s history.  Martin began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1984, only two short years after graduating from Paul H. Pewitt High School, and has worked for Morris County ever since.

Jack Martin decided to run for election in 2003 when the current Sheriff Shane Blackburn decided to resign and take over the Narcotics Task Force.  Blackburn encouraged Jack, who was chief deputy at the time, to run for Sheriff. In 2004 Jack ran for Sheriff, won the election on July 1, 2004, and he was appointed inward Sheriff.

 As Sheriff, Martin generally has town meetings at the court house two or three times a month.  These meetings keep the public informed about their community, and help maintain a positive relationship between the citizens and their sheriff. Jack has not been able to establish town meetings for this year’s election due to the Covid-19 Pandemic currently going through the Morris County area. 

Covid-19 may have put a damper on Sheriff Martin’s town meetings, but certainly not on his genuine relationship with every community in Morris County. Not one single area of Jack Martin’s jurisdiction has had any issues with the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Jack, there are no such upheavals because the people of Morris County are small town folks. They are all like family, where everybody knows one another and they all share a common bond.

Martin’s guiding principles as a civil servant are honesty, fairness, and dependability.  Jack thrives to protect our schools, churches, and community’s. Jack executes fairness by being professional, respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. While striving to achieve a balance between enforcement and community needs which reflects both the spirit and the letter of the law. Martin uses dependability by recognizing the changing and diverse needs of the community and responding to meet those needs. Jack implements honesty by living with honor and doing what is noble, virtuous, and let no favor or prejudice bias influence yourself to take a dishonorable action.  He constantly establishes good communication with the local fire departments, EMS and fellow officers.

The early voting will start October 13 – October 30 at the Morris County Clerk’s office at 500 Broad max in Dangerfield Texas. The General election would begin on November 3, 2020, from 7am to 7pm.

Betty Williams was born on army base Elgin Field in Florida, her father fought in World

War II but they moved to east Texas in Athens where her father was from. Betty graduated

from Athens High School and went to Henderson County Junior College until she was

transferred to East Texas State University where she received a Master’s degree in School

Administration. Over the course of her life she became a school teacher in Dallas, Texas and this

lead her to Texarkana where she taught as a school teacher for 15 years. Eventually she joined

the Texarkana City council because former council woman Tina Bill health grew worse.

Williams was voted in on December 16th and was sworn in the next month January 17th.

Council Betty Williams believes that the downtown area of Texarkana, Texas is

becoming more successful over the years. With that being said, she does believe we need more

residential areas and that town down needs even more industry. S he also wants the Wards

such as her Ward, Ward 3 to be clean, have the property mowed and littering stopped. Mrs.

Williams offers residents to come to the City Council and offer ideas to make Texarkana a

better city. Another great aspect about Mrs. Williams is that if she was given a grant of one

million dollars to be used for the city she would fix neighborhood streets and drainage. Many

areas in Texarkana has cracked roads and some areas have light flooding so repairing the roads

and drainage pipes would be very beneficial to the residents of Texarkana.

Williams believes in protecting our students and teachers, she says we

should spread them out in the classrooms and wearing masks. She even goes as far as to say

working online and perhaps not even attending school but instead using long distance learning.

As for the elderly in nursing homes she believes in zero contact, the best option would be

online such as phone calls or zoom sense in her words “they are the most vulnerable.” It’s quite

apparent that she wants to keep Texarkana-ians safe whether old or young when it comes to

Covid-19. She wants Texarkana to grow and any unkempt areas to be repaired and cleaned.

She is an over-all hard worker from teaching our young and the next generation of Americans,

to thinking of the people and our needs.