What the New North Street Turning Lane Means for Nacogdoches Drivers

If you drive North Street in Nacogdoches, you've probably noticed something feels different since TxDOT repaved the road earlier this year. According to a report from KTRE, several drivers — including City Council Member Brad Maule, who represents the Northwest Ward — say the newly re-striped turning lane feels uncomfortably tight, with vehicles passing just inches apart.

What Changed

TxDOT's Lufkin District says the North Street project was a routine mill-and-inlay repaving, which required the road to be re-striped afterward. The new striping uses six-inch-wide lines, TxDOT's current standard for pavement markings — two inches wider than what was there before.

According to TxDOT Public Information Officer Tim Monzingo, the actual drivable surface hasn't gotten narrower. The lane is still roughly nine-and-a-half feet wide, the same as before the repaving. But the thicker lines eat into the usable space, which can make the lane feel — and in practice function — tighter than it did previously.

By the numbers: Council Member Brad Maule's estimate of the North Street turn lane leaves roughly 6 inches of margin on each side of a standard car. TxDOT says the drivable surface hasn't changed — only the stripe width has.

Why Drivers Are Concerned

Council Member Maule estimates the lane at about 11 feet wide including the markings. With a standard car measuring roughly nine feet across and six inches of yellow line on either side, there's very little margin for error — especially for the work trucks and larger vehicles common among his ward's residents.

"We're afraid somebody's going to get killed on this," Maule told KTRE, noting that many drivers in the area are plumbers, welders, and tradespeople who depend on larger trucks to carry tools and equipment for work.

What the Data Shows

TxDOT points to crash numbers as evidence the repaving has helped, not hurt. Along the stretch of North Street from the North Loop to Pillar Street, crashes dropped from 65 between January and July 2025 to 46 over the same period in 2026 — a meaningful reduction. TxDOT says it will continue monitoring the road, though it has no current plans to change the striping.

What This Means If You Drive This Stretch

Whether the narrower feel is an optical illusion or a real reduction in margin, the practical advice for drivers is the same: slow down through this section, give extra space when passing or being passed in the turning lane, and be especially cautious if you're driving a larger vehicle. Perceived risk changes driving behavior, and until drivers adjust to the new markings, this stretch deserves extra attention.

If You're Involved in a Wreck on North Street

Road conditions, striping, and construction changes are exactly the kind of details that matter after a crash — and they're often overlooked in the first confusing hours after a wreck.

"Any time a road changes, drivers need time to adjust — and until they do, that stretch carries more risk," said Mike Love, founding attorney of Mike Love & Associates. “If you’re involved in an accident on North Street, try to document the circumstances as best you can with photos or video, but you need to do so with extreme caution, and only when first responders have arrived to shut down traffic to prevent additional accidents. Also, if you are injured, take care of yourself or anyone else injured first. Let the police collect the evidence if you are hurt.”

Mike Love & Associates represents injured drivers throughout Nacogdoches, Angelina, Polk, and Houston counties. If you've been hurt in a car accident, call (936) 632-2000 for a free consultation.

Source: KTRE, "Nacogdoches drivers say North Street turning lane feels dangerously narrow after TxDOT repaving," Mellie Valencia, Aug. 3, 2026

Mike Love & Associates Lights Up Lufkin For America's 250th Birthday

The fireworks finale lights up the night over Lufkin, TX at the 2026 4th of July Celebration.

Lufkin turned out in force this weekend to mark a milestone 250 years in the making. Despite the summer heat, families packed Ellen Trout Park for the city's Fourth of July Celebration, part of the larger "America 250" recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The evening brought together live music from local performers, food trucks, vendors, and the kind of community energy that makes East Texas special — capped off with a fireworks show at dusk. Kids cooled off in the Foam-O-Rama foam pit, families rode the Z&OO Railroad, and the crowd settled in as the sky lit up over the park.

What most of the crowd doesn't realize is what it takes to get that fireworks show in the sky. For the past two decades, Mike Love has helped organize and sponsor Lufkin's Fourth of July fireworks show — and rather than hiring an outside company to build it, Mike and a group of dedicated volunteers construct the entire show themselves, by hand, every single year.

"I want to thank every volunteer who showed up at 5:30 in the morning to help us build this show from scratch," Mike Love said. "This community shows up for itself, and it's an honor to help bring something like this to Lufkin every year."

Sam Johnson, Managing Partner of Mike Love & Associates, LLC, was also on hand for the celebration. When asked how the day was going, he didn't hold back about the Texas summer heat — but quickly added, "No, I'm really impressed with all the people that have come out."

It's that kind of turnout — neighbors, families, and friends showing up for their community — that makes Angelina County a great place to call home. Mike Love & Associates is proud to be part of a community that shows up for each other, whether it's building a fireworks show before sunrise or celebrating a 250th birthday at dusk.

Event details courtesy of the Lufkin Daily News.

SAFETY ALERT: GM Issues "Do Not Drive" Warning for Select 2026 Trucks and SUVs

General Motors has issued a "Do Not Drive" warning for select 2026 Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov — Campaign #26V289.

General Motors has issued one of the more serious recall warnings in recent memory — a formal "Do Not Drive" order covering specific 2026 model-year Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs, as well as certain 2015–2020 vehicles that received replacement transfer cases at GM dealerships.

If you own one of the affected vehicles, the automaker's guidance is clear: park it immediately and do not drive it until the repair is complete.

What's the Problem?

A manufacturing error at GM's supplier, Magna Powertrain de México, resulted in a small number of transfer cases being assembled without an essential internal oil pickup tube. Without this component, the transfer case bearings cannot receive proper lubrication. Over time — or in some cases very quickly — that condition can cause catastrophic internal failure, resulting in the front or rear wheels locking up suddenly and without warning while the vehicle is in motion.

GM notes that some drivers may hear a grinding noise before the failure occurs, but there is no guarantee of any advance warning. The risk of losing vehicle control at highway speeds makes this a serious safety concern.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

This recall applies only to 4WD and AWD models. Two-wheel-drive versions of these vehicles are not included. The affected lineup includes:

• 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

• 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe

• 2026 Chevrolet Suburban

• 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

• 2026 GMC Yukon

• 2026 GMC Yukon XL

• 2026 Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV

• Select 2015–2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL that received a replacement transfer case at a GM dealership during the affected window

In total, approximately 66 vehicles have been identified. While that number is small, GM has confirmed four field complaints related to the issue and has issued its strongest possible consumer warning out of an abundance of caution.

How to Check Your Vehicle

GM uploaded the affected VIN list to the NHTSA database on May 7, 2026. You can check your vehicle right now — before the owner notification letters go out on June 22 — by visiting:

🔗 NHTSA.gov and searching recall campaign number 26V289

You can also check directly through GM's recall lookup tool at gm.com/recall.

What Happens Next If Your VIN Is Flagged?

Do not drive the vehicle to the dealership. GM is providing free towing for affected owners. Once at the dealership, a technician will inspect the transfer case and replace the entire assembly at no charge if the defect is confirmed. Replacement parts are sourced from production runs outside the affected manufacturing window and have been verified to include the oil pickup tube.

Why We're Sharing This

At Mike Love & Associates, we're committed to keeping our East Texas community informed — whether that's news about the law or safety information that could affect you and your family. This recall is a good reminder to check your VIN any time you hear about a vehicle safety action, and not to wait for a letter in the mail.

If you have questions about the recall process, contact GM Customer Service at 1-800-462-8782 or visit your local Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac dealership.

Sources: NHTSA Campaign #26V289 | GM-Trucks.com | Autoblog | Carscoops

Published by Mike Love & Associates, LLC | Lufkin, TX

Why Experienced Local Truck Wreck Law Firms Have the Advantage

Injured in an Angelina County truck wreck? Hire the law firm with the only attorney in East Texas uniquely qualified to fight trucking companies and big insurance companies. Mike Love owned a trucking company and knows every law and regulation that might have contributed to your accident in East Texas. The truck wreck team at Mike Love & Associates in Lufkin, TX, is here to fight for your rights. Call now for your 100% free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We can help!

Toyota Recalls More Than 550,000 Vehicles Over Safety Issue:

What East Texas Drivers Should Know

Toyota recall affects East Texas drivers and dealerships.

What is the Toyota Seatback Recall About?

Toyota has recalled over 550,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to improperly manufactured seatback frames that may fail in a crash.

Which Toyota Vehicles are Affected?

The recall affects popular models like the Toyota Camry, Rav4, and 4Runner.

How East Texas Drivers Can Check If Their Toyota is Recalled

1. Locate Your Vehicle’s VIN, usually found on:

• On the dashboard near the windshield (driver's side)

• On the driver’s door frame

• On your vehicle registration or insurance card

2. Use Toyota’s Recall Lookup Tool, enter your VIN into Toyota’s official recall search:

• Visit Toyota’s Safety Recall Lookup page

• Enter your VIN

• Review any open recalls associated with your vehicle

3. Contact Your Local Toyota Dealer

• If your vehicle is included in the recall, your local dealership can schedule the necessary repair.

• Recall repairs are performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.

What to Do if Your Vehicle Is Included

If your Toyota is affected by the recall:

• Schedule the repair as soon as possible

• Follow any safety guidance provided by Toyota

• Ask the dealership how long the repair will take

Most recall fixes involve inspecting the seat frame and replacing defective components if necessary.

Why Vehicle Recalls Matter

Vehicle recalls exist because even small manufacturing defects can become dangerous in real-world crashes. A component that fails during an accident can mean the difference between minor injuries and life-changing harm.

Manufacturers are responsible for correcting safety defects once they are discovered. However, drivers must still take action to ensure repairs are completed.

Unfortunately, some people only learn about defects after they have already been injured in a crash.

Injured in a Crash Involving a Faulty Vehicle?

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a potentially defective vehicle component, you may have legal options.

The East Texas injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, help individuals and families understand their rights after serious accidents.

Defective vehicle components—such as faulty seatbacks, airbags, or structural parts—can sometimes contribute to crash injuries. Investigating whether a safety defect contributed to an accident is often a critical step in protecting your rights.

Speak With an East Texas Injury Attorney

If you were injured in a crash and believe a vehicle defect may have played a role, the team at Mike Love & Associates is here to help.

Our firm proudly serves clients across Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Angelina County, and throughout East Texas.

Contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.