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AUSTIN - The No. 18 Texas Longhorns are set for a massive weekend on the 40 Acres.

Not only do the No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs come to town for a critical Big 12 matchup, but College Gameday will also be on campus, marking the second time they have visited Austin this season (Alabama).

However, it will also be a loaded weekend in the recruiting department for Steve Sarkisian and company, with a star-studded list of prospects set to make the trip for the game.

Among those prospects are six members of the 2023 SI99, including the Longhorns' most recent commitment, Westlake (Austin, TX) defensive end, Colton Vasek and his Chapparal teammate, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse.

You can view the full list of visitors below:

2023 (* Denotes SI99 prospect)

QB - Arch Manning, Isidore Newman (New Orleans, LA) - Texas Commit*

WR - Johntay Cook, DeSoto (TX) - Texas Commit*

WR - Jaden Greathouse, Westlake (Austin, TX) - Notre Dame Commit*

WR - Ja'Kobi Lane, Red Mountain (Mesa, AZ) - USC Commit

WR - DeAndre Moore, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) - Louisville Commit

TE - Duce Robinson, Pinnacle (Phoenix, AZ) - Uncommitted*

TE- Spencer Shannon, Mater Dei (CA)- Texas Commit

OL - Connor Stroh, Wakeland (Frisco, TX) - Texas Commit

OL - Andre Cojoe, Timberview (Mansfield, TX) - Texas Commit

OL/DL - Markis Deal, Naaman Forest (Garland, TX) - Uncommitted

DE - Colton Vasek, Westlake (Austin, TX) - Texas Commit*

DE - Billy Walton, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) - Texas Commit

LB - Anthony Hill, Ryan (Denton, TX) - Uncommitted*

LB - Derion Gullette, Teague (TX) - Texas Commit*

LB - Liona Lefau, Kahuku (HI) - Texas Commit

LB - S'maje Burrell, North Crowley (Fort Worth, TX) - Texas Commit

DB - Javien Toviano, Martin (Arlington, TX) - Uncommitted*

DB - Malik Muhammad, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) - Texas Commit*

DB - Bravion Rogers, La Grange (TX) - Texas A&M Commit

ATH - Jelani McDonald, Connally (Waco, TX) - Uncommitted

2024

QB - Will Hammond, Hutto (TX) - Uncommitted

WR - Freddie Dubose, Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, TX) - Uncommitted

OL - Michael Uini, Copperas Cove (TX) - Uncommitted

EDGE - Colin Simmons, Duncanville (TX) - Uncommitted

EDGE - Dakyus Brinkley, Seven Lakes (Katy, TX) - Uncommitted

DB - Corian Gipson, Lancaster (TX) - Uncommitted

DB - David Kabongo, Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, TX) - Uncommitted

DB - Braylon Conley, Atascocita (Humble, TX) - Uncommitted

ATH - Terry Bussey, Timpson (TX) - Uncommitted

ATH - Aeryn Hampton, Daingerfield (TX) - Texas Commit

This list will be updated as more information becomes available

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The class represents athletes from Illinois, California, and Florida

Patrick Kunzer/NIU

Softball | November 11

DeKALB, Ill. – Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe of the Northern Illinois University softball team has signed five talented individuals to the 2024 roster, the softball program announced Friday.

"We feel we have signed some of the best talent from across the country with this class, getting athletes from Illinois, California, and Florida," said Sutcliffe. "They have an overall genuine spirit about them that instantly connected them as a class,"

Alanah Velazquez hails from Pembroke Pines, Fla. where she will be a 2023 graduate of Pembroke Pines Charter High School. Twice named captain of her high school team, Velazquez earned All-State honors upon completion of the 2022 campaign. In 2021, Velazquez raked in All-Area honors along with being named team MVP. Recently, Velazquez had an incredible opportunity to play for team Puerto Rico in the Triple Crown Sports (TCS) International Challenge. In her free time, Velazquez enjoys volunteering at the human society, cleaning beaches, and coaching youth softball teams. She's the daughter of Carmen and Gilberto Velazquez and plans to major in sports management while minoring in kinesiology at NIU.

"Alanah has competed nationally for the New Jersey Intensity and brings a mind for the game. She loves the game and will do anything with positive energy that spreads throughout a program. Alanah is the type of catcher and teammate that elevates the game for the pitchers around her through her skill and passion,"

Kayla Estrada, originally from Riverside, Calif., will graduate in the spring of 2023 from Martin Luther King High School. Estrada lettered in softball all four years of high school and was named team captain in her final two. In her junior year, Estrada logged 72 at-bats, posting 32 hits and 10 runs scored while batting .444. Additionally, she homered four times and batted in 23 runners. Like Velazquez, Estrada also participated in the TCS International Challenge, but for team Mexico. When not on the field, Estrada enjoys volunteering for the Dodger Dream Field Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities. She's the daughter of Renessa and Angel Estrada and plans to major in psychology at NIU.

"Kayla is a competitor on the field and will look to instantly earn innings at first base or behind the plate. Her experience with the Firecrackers So Cal - Medina/Schneider will bring a wealth of competitive experience. Kayla's ability to change a game with one swing will be exciting to watch develop,"

Tess Meyer will be a 2023 graduate of Lyons Township High School where she lettered in softball all four years. Originally from La Grange, Ill., Meyer was named team captain her junior and senior season and, upon the conclusion of her junior season, was given Second Team All-State accolades for her impressive play with the Lions. Outside of softball, she enjoys reading and is a member of the Future Healthcare Club and Recycling Club. Meyer is a four-time Honor Roll student and is a member of the National Honors Society. She's the daughter of Victoria and Robert Meyer and plans to major in nursing at NIU.

"Tess has an infectious personality and always plays with a smile. Coming from the Illinois New Lenox Lightning and Tennessee Mojo Blue, we know she will be a smart player. She looks to break into our lineup on the corners, behind the plate, or in the outfield. Tess's versatility will help create depth while also providing some power in our offensive lineup,"

Kaitlyn Ramage is a tri-sport student-athlete at Metamora Township High School where she will graduate in 2023. Hailing from Germantown Hills, Ill., Ramage is a two-time Peoria Journal Star All-Area team member and an Illinois Softball Coaches Association Third Team member. Most recently, she led the Redbirds to a share of a conference championship, a regional championship and sectional championship after her junior year. Ramage totaled 39 RBI, 69 runs, four home runs, and batted .472 through the previous two seasons. A competitor in the classroom as well, she's an Honor Roll and National Honors Society member at Metamora. She's the daughter of Barbara and Christopher Ramage and plans to major in nursing at NIU.

"Katy has competed for many years with Illinois Stone City Fastpitch. She has a sense for the game that we can't wait to bring to the program and develop as she roams the outfield. Katy's determination for success and desire to get better everyday shines through. She also has a burning desire to win and is destined for success,"

Alana Powell attends Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago where she'll graduate from in 2023. She was named captain twice while playing for the Broncos and, in 2022, was named to the All-City Team for her efforts on the diamond. When not competing with Kenwood, Powell plays at the club level for Chicago Cheetah's Fastpitch. She's a National Honors Society and Honor Roll member with aspirations of becoming an athletic trainer. Outside of softball, Powell enjoys playing various instruments in Kenwood's band and orchestra. She's the daughter of Angela and Gerald Powell and plans to study kinesiology at NIU.

"Alana comes to us from the Chicago Cheetah's program where she's primarily anchored the left side of the infield. She will instantly make our infield defense better with her athletic ability and competitive spirit. Her speed will also create havoc on the bases. Alana carries herself with a grit and tenacity that is rare to see,"

All five of the Huskies' signees will make immediate impacts and help NIU in its hunt for championships.

"We look forward to blending them into our current roster and watching them grow individually and collectively. We are excited for our growth of our program and the future of Huskie softball."

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — A ship on the Sacramento River, anchored near H Street, served as one of California’s first prisons in the 1800s.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s website says county jails served as prisons early in the state’s history. One of those prisons was a floating prison, the La Grange.

The ship made its way to California when a company of 63 men left Salem, Massachusetts, in March of 1849 for a mining expedition. It arrived in Sacramento later that year, was purchased, and converted into a prison.

Living conditions inside La Grange

A report to the California Senate in 1953 details what life on prison ships was like. It mentioned the cramped conditions and how people serving time may be bunched together into one space.

Since plumbing didn’t exist on the ships, inmates used bed pans, and guards in the morning reportedly struggled to enter where the inmates were held because of the smell. According to the Sacramento Transcript, the conditions on the La Grange, however, were different when they were shown aboard.

“Imagine our surprise then when after viewing the upper deck, which was as clean and tidy as scrapers and a copious use of water could make it, we were shown below, into decidedly comfortable apartments for a prison,” the Sacramento Transcript printed.

The Sacramento Transcript went on to say, “The cells and entry all bore evidence of being freshly scrubbed and a good stock of chloride of lime had been scattered over the floor.”

Notable inmates of the floating prison

A report from 1855 details some of the first prisoners who served time aboard the La Grange. One of them was Charles Currier, 22, who worked as a cabinet maker.

Currier was sent to the ship on Jan. 25, 1851, after being convicted of grand larceny in Sacramento County. Days later, Blucher Haskell would head to the ship for the same charge after stealing jewelry.

Haskell escaped from the La Grange weeks later when he and two other people coordinated to have a boat dropped down. He was later arrested.

Two other inmates were Francis Brier and William Watkins, who were both 25. According to the CDCR, they were part of a burglary ring in San Francisco.

A man from England, Robert Percy, 22, also served time on the ship.

“Percy’s victim was a friend who appears to have over-celebrated the country’s Independence Day. Seeing his helplessly inebriated friend unable to walk, Percy pilfered his pockets of cash and a check,” the CDCR said.

He took the check, signed the friend’s name, and used it to gamble. He was arrested and indicted on forgery charges in the summer of ’51.

The end of its use as a prison

The La Grange stopped being used as a prison when it sank during the winter of 1859. A report from the Sacramento Daily Union wrote of the sinking.

“About 6 o’clock yesterday morning the officers were aroused by the cry of the prisoners that the vessel was sinking, the water flowing in freely, and partially flooding the cells between decks,” the Sacramento Daily Union said.

At the time of the sinking, there were 33 inmates on the ship, including two women. The ship was later sold for $205. The new owners, Talbot and Harris, then sold the ship in late December to Tong Chee & Co. for $325.

The La Grange was soon stripped of copper and broken up for lumber.

New dates expand Raw Whisky Tour

On Friday, April 22nd, fans of ZZ Top receive a second offering from Raw, the legendary group’s new album that is slated for release on July 22nd from Shelter Records/BMG. That track is “La Grange” and, like the other 11 selections on the album, it was recorded at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX in 2019.

“La Grange” is one of the hallmarks of ZZ Top’s hit-heavy catalog and was first heard in 1973 as part of their breakthrough Tres Hombres album. As a single it was the most successful release the band had experienced up to that time and would become a signature song for the group for almost five decades. The song is something of an homage to “The Chicken Ranch,” a real-life brothel that was located in the town of La Grange, just 88 miles away from New Braunfels.

“La Grange” anticipated the story, written by Larry L. King, that was the basis for the Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. The film version starred Dolly Parton as Mona Stangley, proprietor of the much-celebrated establishment.

The late Dusty Hill once recalled, “Shortly after the record was released, they shut it down, and I went around and spent a lot of my time in Texas explaining to people that we didn’t have anything to do with that.”

Billy Gibbons noted, “That place was the scene of many a ‘rite of passage,’” adding, “The closing line, ‘But I might be mistaken,’ was inspired by Buddy Holly’s ‘Peggy Sue Got Married.’” It was very much the case of one Texas music icon (ZZ Top) celebrating a forebear (Buddy Holly).

The Raw tracks, including this new version of “La Grange,” were recorded over the course of one day with an eye to keeping the whole process as simple and straightforward as possible, a nod to the band’s early days. Billy F Gibbons served as producer with engineering by Jake Mann and Gary Moon. Raw was mixed by Ryan Hewitt. It will be available on 180-gram vinyl, CD and through digital platforms and will be released “In righteous memory of Dusty Hill.”

The release of the Raw album will be supported by ZZ Top’s forthcoming Raw Whisky Tour. The tour, starting on May 27th in San Diego, CA, will see the band on stage in 100 dates across North America, with more dates added. The tour’s title is a hat tip to both the forthcoming album as well as the recent release of ZZ Top Tres Hombres whisky from Balcones Distilling of Waco, TX, a flavorful 100 proof mash bill of roasted blue corn, malted barley and rye.

ZZ Top Raw Whisky Tour 2022 Dates:

May 27 – San Diego @ Humphries Concerts by the Bay May 28 – Pomona, CA @ LA County Fair May 29 – Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre June 1 – Redding, CA @ Redding Civic Auditorium June 2 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery June 4 – Lincoln, CA @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort June 5 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion June 7 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater June 8 – Walla Walla, WA @ Wine Country Amphitheater June 9 – Spokane, WA @ First Interstate Center for the Arts June 12 – Billings, MT @ MetraPark – First Interstate Arena June 14 – Grand Junction, CO @ Las Colonias Park Amphitheater June 15 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden June 17 – Tucson, AZ @ Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater June 18 – Taos, NM @ Kit Carson Park June 19 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts June 21 – Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center June 22 – Grand Island, NE @ Fonner Park – Heartland Events Center June 24 – Park City, KS @ Hartman Arena June 25 – Oklahoma City @ Zoo Amphitheatre June 26 – Little Rock, AR @ First Security Amphitheater June 29 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion July 1 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – Amphitheater July 2 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill July 3 – Woodstock, IL @ McHenry County Fairgrounds July 5 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Foellinger Theatre July 7 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Meijer Gardens July 8 – Traverse City, MI @ Cherry Festival July 9 – Greenville, WI @ Greenville Lion’s Park July 22 – Boston @ Leader Bank Pavilion July 23 – Watertown, NY @ Watertown Fairgrounds Arena July 24 – Grantville, PA @ Hollywood Casino July 26 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion July 27 – Harrington, DE @ Delaware State Fairgrounds July 29 – Cuyahoga, OH @ Blossom Music Center July 30 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center July 31 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake Aug 2 – Portsmouth, VA @ Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion Aug 3 – Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Aug 5 – Greensboro, NC @ White Oak Amphitheatre Aug 6 – Atlanta @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park Aug 7 – Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park Aug 10 – Hyannis, MA @ Cape Cod Melody Tent Aug 12 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion Aug 13 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Aug 14 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Theme Park Resort Aug 16 – Des Moines @ Iowa State Fair Aug 17 – Sedalia, MO @ Missouri State Fairgrounds Aug 18 – St Louis @ Saint Louis Music Park Aug 20 – Mystic Lake, MN @ Mystic Lake Casino Aug 21 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Theater Aug 23 – Dubuque, IA @ Five Flags Center Aug 24 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee Aug 26 – Indianapolis @ TCA Amphitheater at Whiteriver State Park Aug 27 – Beaver Dam, KY @ Beaver Dam Amphitheater Aug 28 – Pikeville, KY @ Appalachian Center Arena

Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com

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Baptist Health's medical complex in La Grange is getting a huge new addition, according to the health care company and Gov. Andy Beshear – a $40 million central pharmacy service center, with an aim to serve patients across the region.

The pharmacy will be part of a 90,000-square-foot facility planned to be built on the Baptist Health La Grange campus, acting as a "hub to streamline Baptist Health’s growing pharmacy services across the system’s nine hospitals located throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana," the release stated.

“Health care is a basic human right, and that includes affordable, life-saving prescriptions that are easily accessible to all Kentuckians who need them,” Beshear said. “Thank you to Baptist Health for this investment in our people, which is also going to create 200 jobs as our economy stays on fire.”

John Black, La Grange's mayor, and David Voegele, the county's judge-executive, said the pharmacy is a positive addition to the region's health care facilities.

“We look forward to the level of professionalism these additional jobs will bring and take pride in the continued confidence in our community expressed by Baptist Health," Voegele said.

Several positions will need to be filled, according to the release, including "pharmacists, pharmacy tech and non-clinical support positions." Those jobs will be created once the facility opens.

The central pharmacy, located by the hospital at 1025 New Moody Lane, will push to meet the needs of patients who cannot get to the pharmacy as well by shipping medicine to people in the system's service area, in Kentucky and in surrounding states, according to the release.

"By shipping medications directly to patients, the Central Pharmacy can accommodate increased volume and provide access to an even broader array of specialty medications through an expanded pharmacy accreditation process."

Beshear's team said the pharmacy is part of the "economic momentum" in Kentucky, especially related to health and wellness. A dozen projects from health care companies have been announced since the beginning of the year, Beshear said, which should create nearly 1,000 new jobs in the state. This week's announcement in La Grange comes about two weeks after Confluent Health opened a new headquarters in Louisville.

Plans at the new La Grange facility call for construction to be complete by the end of 2023, according to the governor's office, with an expected opening in April 2024.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.