Daphne Lewis 
March 8, 1952 – Feb. 12, 2022 
Visitation: 10:30-12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Owens Memorial Chapel Home, 2300 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Graveside service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville 

Rickie L. Grant 
Dec. 4, 1959 – Feb. 12, 2022 
Visitation: 1-3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18, King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Interment: Friday, Feb. 18 immediately following visitation, St. Clair Cemetery, Chatham 

Robert W. Jenkins
Oct. 29, 1948 – Feb. 15, 2022
Arrangements pending

Anna Wharton
March 12, 1975 – Feb. 15, 2022
Visitation: 9-10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 18 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave.
Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 18 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave.

A Claiborne Parish man was arrested Friday afternoon after a brief high-speed chase in southeast Ruston.

At about 1 p.m. Friday, Deputy J. McHenry of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop a vehicle on Water Tank Road for excessive window tint. When the deputy activated his lights and siren, the black Mustang GT fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle turned west on Louisiana Highway 146 toward Ruston and reached speeds of over 100 mph in a 55 mile per hour zone. The driver crossed into oncoming traffic and ran another vehicle off the roadway. When the driver attempted to turn north onto Clay Street, he lost control and ran over a stop sign and struck a curb, causing his left rear tire to deflate. The driver continued north on Clay Street at speeds over 80 mph with a flat tire. After the vehicle turned west on Eastland Avenue, it slowed down and came to a stop.

The driver, Ron Jenkins, 45, of Homer, was arrested for aggravated flight from an officer and illegal window tint. Jenkins told the deputy he thought his license was suspended and he was smoking marijuana in the car. 

He was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked.

After an impressive regular season that saw Cedar Creek claim 25 wins on the hardwood, the Lady Cougars are the No. 2 seed in the Division IV playoffs and will open their playoff march on Wednesday night.

Creek (25-2), the District 2-1A runner-up to No. 1 seed Ouachita Christian, will host No. 15 seed Hamilton Christian at the Brickhouse. Tip time is 6 p.m.

Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door to the gym Wednesday night.

Hamilton Christian, based in Lake Charles, comes out of District 4-1A and enters the playoffs with a 10-15 record. However, the program has played 15 games against higher classification schools, including six against 4A or 5A teams.

“We got a little film on them,” said Creek head coach Gene VanDenlangenberg. “They have a good little guard. She is really good. She really is. She is a little quick guard who can shoot it outside and mid-range. She likes to get in the gap and drive.

“It’s hard to tell a lot about a team’s athleticism on film. The look like they are fairly athletic. The thing that catches my attention is they have played some (higher classification) teams close. They will have to travel a long way to Ruston. We want to get out to a good start and get our game going early. If we stumble and certain things happen, we could be in for a tough game.

“They like to extend their defense. They will play a little 1-2-2 out of it. They extend the out defensively and make you extend your offense and get you out of sync. We need to move the ball around and find the gaps.”

Cedar Creek has been led by senior point guard Sarah Adams all season as the all-state prospect spearheads the Cougars on both ends of the floor. Allie Furr, Millie Venters, Lizzie McAdams and a host of other Lady Cougars will need to play their A games in order for the team to make a run at the state title.

“I think we are in a good place,” said Vandenlangenberg. “I think we are as healthy as we have been all year. The girls are practicing hard. I think we are confident. We feel good about being the No. 2 seed. This is a team we have never played. We aren’t familiar with Hamilton Christian. That’s the fun part about the playoffs. To my knowledge we have never played. You get to play teams you’ve never seen before.”

The winner of Wednesday night’s game will face the winner of the No. 7 seed Central Catholic and the No. 10 seed Central Private. The game would be played at Cedar Creek as well. The other teams on the Creek side of the bracket include No. 3 St. Johns, No. 6 St. Martin’s Episcopal, No. 11 Hanson Memorial and No. 14 Westminster Christian.

“I do like our draw,” said Vandenlangenberg. “We are on the opposite side of OCS so we wouldn’t see them until the title game. And anything can happen when you make the title game. Southern Lab is sleeper. They are coming back after two years of not having a program. Two years ago, they made it to the semifinals. They have played a tough schedule; played some bigger schools. They seem to be in position to make a run and they are on the other side.

“Highland Baptist is on the other side too. They played OCS in the title game last year. We know we have to play well to advance from our side, but I do like our draw.”

If Cedar Creek wins its first two playoff games, they will earn a trip to New Orleans to play in the final four of Division IV.

“In past years we’ve had more time to prepare for a playoff game, but I like it better like this,” said Vandenlangenberg. “We just have to strap it up and play. We are confident and being at home is such an advantage.”

An alleged victim’s report of a robbery led to two arrests Saturday.

At about 1:45 p.m., Ruston Police officers were dispatched to a South Farmerville Street address regarding a report of a female battering a male. Officers met with the victim who had obvious injuries to his face. Ruston Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene, but the victim refused treatment.

The victim stated an individual known to him had stolen his debit card. Officers searched for the suspects and based on previous reports located them at the Lincoln Motel on East Georgia Avenue Standing outside the office was Christopher Richmond, 43, of Ruston. Richmond had what appeared to be blood on his clothing. Lashonta Graham, 37, of Ruston, was found in one of the motel rooms.

The investigation revealed evidence and witness statements that Richmond had struck the victim numerous times. A backpack was located in the lobby of the motel. Graham stated it was hers. The bag was searched, and a suspect crack pipe and paraphernalia commonly associated with crack cocaine smoking were located.

Richmond and Graham were transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Richmond was booked for simple robbery and second-degree battery while Graham was booked for possession of drug paraphernalia.

By T. Scott Boatright

The Ruston Lady Bearcats received their marching orders as the Louisiana High School Athletics Association released its 2022 girls basketball playoff brackets Monday afternoon.

And was already a given, the Lady ‘Cats will open postseason play on their own court.

Ruston, which stands at 25-6 overall and went undefeated in District 2-5A play, is the No. 5 seed in Class 5A and will open the playoffs at 6 p.m. Thursday by playing host to 28th-seeded Woodlawn of Baton Rouge.

Woodlawn stands at 22-11 on the season.

Tickets to the contest will cost $8 and will be available only at the door to the gymnasium on Thursday night.

RHS coach Meredith Graf didn’t get a chance to start really looking at the Bearcats’ upcoming opponent until Monday night.

“I started collecting some information on Sunday, but you never really know for sure until the brackets are released. I’ve seen some surprises before. We (high school coaches) have a job to do at school, so it’s not like we can start breaking it all down the second the brackets are released,” said Graf, who teaches PE at RHS. “I had class, and then we had practice, then I got home, ate a little and sat down to start watching.  So it all doesn’t happen right away.”

So Graf is still trying to learn about Woodlawn while preparing for a regular school day today.

“I do know from what I’ve heard from other coaches and the little film that I have watched I think they play a lot of different players,” Graf said. “So we know they’re deep.”

Good thing for the Bearcats is they’re deep, too. In a win over Pineville on Feb. 2, 13 of the 14 Lady Bearcats added to their scoring total.

“All season long we’ve done a good job of spreading the ball around,” said Graf. “We don’t have only one, or two, or even three girls taking over for us offensively. We have at least four or five who might step up and lead us in scoring on a given night. 

“And I think that’s part of what makes this team so special. They’re tight. They’re close and love playing together. They know each other and what it takes to try and win.” 

While Graf feels good about her team’s offense, she feels even better about her defense, which held Pineville to nine total points during that 57-9 RHS on Feb. 1. The Lady Bearcats outscored the Lady Rebels 22-0 in the first quarter of that contest.

“Defense is what we’re all about,” Graf said. “It’s the foundation for this team. We feel that if we can hold our opponent under 40 points, we’ve got a pretty good chance. And we’ve been able to do that quite a bit this season.”

In fact, that’s something the Lady Bearcats have done 16 times on the season.

Graf said she and her Bearcats will learn more about Woodlawn before Thursday’s game, but preparation will still largely boil down to basics.

“We are going to respect and prepare for Woodlawn just like we have for everyone this year,”  Graf said. “Our process doesn’t change because it is the playoffs. Woodlawn has some height and they play very hard.

“It is survive and advance mode, we will not look ahead but treat each game with the respect it deserves. I’m just Excited for my kids to get the opportunity to compete.”

The area’s 2022 St. Jude Z107.5 Radiothon brought in $84,289 last Wednesday and Thursday, approximately $8,000 more than last year’s $76,016. 

“What a success this year’s radiothon has been,” said Nancy Darland, radiothon chair with the co-sponsoring Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service group. “It’s very rewarding to know that so many people in our area get involved with this worthwhile cause.” 

The success of the event year after year is due to a true team effort from sponsors, local businesses and multiple community groups, she said. This was the radiothon’s 41st year. 

“Of course, we couldn’t have a radiothon if we didn’t have the dedicated staff of a radio station,” Darland said, “and that certainly describes Z107.5, whose staffers spent countless hours preparing for the event as well as broadcasting it live. They give their heart and soul to this and are to be thoroughly commended.”

At the close of the event at 6 p.m. Thursday, volunteers posed with a presentation check showing the amount raised. They are shown in the photo above (from left): 

Norlyn Hyde, Gina Holstead and Darland – Zeta Rho-ESA members; Matt McKenney, Z107.5 program director; Craig Thompson, St. Jude Hospital representative; Sallie Rose Hollis, Zeta Rho-ESA president; and Tim Hurt, Super 1 manager. 

By T. Scott Boatright

Three Lincoln Parish girls basketball teams will open postseason play on the road later this week. 

Lincoln Preparatory School, seeded 20th among the 24 Class 1A teams involved in postseason play, stands at 4-18 on the season and will play at 13th-seeded East Beauregard on Friday.
East Beauregard went 10-17 in regular-season play.

The game will be played Thursday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door.

“I just got some film on them a day or so ago,” Hearn said about East Beauregard. “They’re very fast and very athletic. They trap a lot. They trapped the whole game I saw with a little diamond press, a little 2-2-1, so they’re extremely scrappy — extremely scrappy.”

Tiyan Heard, one of two seniors on the team, leads the Lady Panthers with 14 points per game, but Hearn said he’s going to need more offensive output from his younger players for Lincoln Prep to get the chance to pull off a road win.

“It’s been a rough season. We had some things going on and then had COVID,” Hearn said. “We’re finally up to full strength and are playing better. We had a close game against Arcadia recently and they’re the No. 5 ranked team. We ended up losing by one. So I know we’re able to defend. We just have to get some scoring from some of our younger girls. We’ll just see. We’ll build on what we’ve seen some success with – playing tough defense and trying to run when we can.”

The Choudrant Lady Aggies are the No. 19 seed while the Simsboro Lady Tigers are seeded 24th in Class B.

Choudrant, which stands at 17-13, will face a familiar foe as the Lady Aggies play at district foe Weston, the 14th seed, at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Tickets will cost $8 each and will be available at the door.

The Lady Aggies are coming off a 64-54 home win over the Lady Wolves but fell by six points at Weston on Feb. 1.

“It’s nice to play someone we’re familiar with, but they’re also familiar with us too,” Lady Aggies coach Geoffrey Underwood said about opening the playoffs against Weston. “So we’ll see what happens. They’ve got some really good scorers, so we’re really going to have to step up our defensive game. They put 54 points on us in that last game, but we were hot on the right now and were able to eek one out.

“But if we don’t play good defense and rebound, we’ll be at home with no more games in the second round.

One thing Aggie fans can count on happening is strong play from senior Kylee Portilloz, who just went over the 1,500 career point barrier for Choudrant.

“She’s really come on lately,” Underwood said. “She’s really doing the little things. She’s always been able to score, but she’s averaging more than 14 rebounds a game and has really taken on a leadership role. She’s a big part of our success in more than just scoring points.”

Underwood also has some younger Aggies who have turned things up as the season has progressed.

“One of our juniors, Mattie Johnson, has really picked it up during the district season,” Underwood said. “She’s played a lot of minutes throughout her career but has really found her offensive stride recently. She’s scoring, she’s rebounding and playing defense. She’s been a big key.”

Simsboro went 8-19 during the regular season and will play at ninth-seeded Anacoco, which stands at 19-13 heading into the playoffs.

Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and tickets will cost $7.

“They’re huge inside and want to wear you out at the goal,” Simsboro coach Adrian Hester said about Anacoco. “They have a 6-4 big girl, who is really good with her feet and dominates inside. They love to play through her.”

The Lady Tigers will counter with 5-2 junior point guard Ikeia Brown, who has poured in 40 or more points multiple times this season, trying to use her speed to get around the bigger Lady Indians.

“It’s going to come down to our guards pressuring up top,” Hester said. “I think we can win the guard battle. If we can do that and run the floor, I think it’s to our advantage.”

Hester said he believes in his team and the way his Lady Tigers have been playing as of late.

“If we come in and do the fundamental things — box out, rebound and run — we’re a very good team when we make all of those things happen,” Hester said. “A total team defensive effort is what it’s going to take. We’re going to have to win it on that end of the floor.”

By Shiloh Taylor

Gracie Reichman, a junior at Louisiana Tech University, has made history in her two-year reign as Miss Tech.

Reichman said she competed in the Miss Louisiana Tech pageant as a freshman in order to gain experience in hopes of winning later on in her collegiate career, but she won the pageant in her first attempt in 2020. Making her one of the first freshman to win ever.

“My first thought was ‘Is this real life?’ That dream coming true at such a young age was so surreal,” Reichman said.

Reichman got involved in all-natural pageants at a young age and had competed in several within the Miss America Organization. She said Miss Louisiana Tech was a title she had dreamed of, but the most rewarding part was the connections she made.

“I’d see my friends in other organizations and I’d have my crown and sash on, but they’d still see me as Gracie,” Reichman said. “Just knowing I was able to be in the community, make a difference, spread awareness of my platform but still be true to myself, still being Gracie underneath the shiny hat and big sash, were memories I hold close to my heart.”

She said she vividly remembered getting a call from her director having no idea what it was about. Every organization was making the decision on keeping or reinstating their current title holders due to COVID-19, and Reichman was given the opportunity to keep the Miss Louisiana Tech title in 2021.

“In a world with so much uncertainty, knowing Louisiana Tech officials and Union Board had so much trust in me to hold this title for a second year, I was overwhelmed with emotions,” Reichman said.

She said almost two years and two months later she still has not been able to grasp that she made history in this role. She was also able compete in the Miss Louisiana Pageant in 2020 and got second runner-up in 2021.

“I just filmed my farewell speech and I’m overwhelmed with emotions, but happy emotions because I feel like I’ve really fulfilled this role to the best of my ability. I’m so excited for the next girl to have to same opportunities if not more,” she said. 

Reichman said the only thing she wish she could have done was hold a Mr. Tech Pageant to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“It’s something I’m really excited for and I’ll pay forward to the next Miss Tech in order to help her to do that,” she said.

The Miss Louisiana Tech Pageant is taking place tonight, Feb. 15, in Howard Auditorium on Louisiana Tech University’s campus. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and it will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale in Tolliver and will be available at the door.

The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana will celebrate Black History Month with a virtual presentation featuring author Ann B. Dobie, author of Black Women Writers of Louisiana: Telling Their Stories, and joined by Dr. Phebe Hayes. The recorded presentation will be available on YouTube and Facebook on Wednesday, Feb. 16. 

The presentation will profile three of the early Black women writers of Louisiana – Alice Ruth Moore Dunbar-Nelson, Sybil Kein, and Pinkie Gordon Lane – who as trailblazers charted a way for other women writers through their stories, poems, dramas, journalism and more. They not only made a name for themselves as writers, teachers and cultural promoters, they changed the literary landscape by introducing readers to their worlds and their cultures. Their lives, as women and as writers, have a fascinating history of their own. 

“Louisiana is rich with Black history and culture, and we honor that diversity with the State Library’s Black History Month program each year,” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said. “The contributions of the Black women writers featured in this year’s program have significantly shaped Louisiana’s literary heritage.” 

Ann B. Dobie is professor emerita of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she directed graduate studies in rhetoric and the university’s writing-across-the-curriculum program. She has also directed a summer institute at the University of Vermont and worked with the Malta Writing Program in Valletta, Malta. She is the author or co-author of fifteen books, compiler and editor of three literary anthologies, and author of numerous articles on literature and composition. She founded the National Writing Project of Acadiana and served as director for 13 years. Her current research interest is Louisiana literature. 

Since retiring from academia in 2013, Dr. Phebe A. Hayes has devoted herself to uncovering the hidden histories of African Americans in Louisiana. In 2018, she founded the nonprofit organization The Iberia African American Historical Society, the mission of which is to research, teach, and commemorate the true and inclusive history of Iberia Parish. As president of the society, she successfully submitted applications for state historic markers to the Louisiana Office of Tourism highlighting significant minority individuals and events in Iberia Parish. Dr. Hayes’s essays have been published in 64 Parishes and Acadiana Profile Magazine, and she has written reviews and/or forewords for many other historians. She is currently preparing manuscripts for publication about the history of African Americans in Iberia Parish.  

“Black women are often under-represented and under-celebrated, yet we are seeing more and more light shed on their accomplishments and stories,” State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton said. “Ann B. Dobie has been a friend of the State Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana Book Festival for many years, and we are glad to have her former colleague Dr. Hayes joining her for this program. We are so grateful to them and to showcase this new book and the women in it: women who were and are ahead of their time.” 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents rescued two men on Toledo Bend in Sabine Parish Saturday after their boat was swamped in bad weather.

Wildlife received a call around 12:45 p.m. that a boat had flooded with two men on board and was not able to return to shore. Agents learned the two men were fishing in a tournament when the weather turned bad, and waves overtook their vessel.

Agent Dustin Nash and Corporal Marcus Delaney  responded to the scene immediately and found the men around 1:30 p.m. about a quarter of a mile from Solan’s Landing on Toledo Bend.  The vessel was flooded and grounded in shallow water.

Agents loaded the men into their enforcement vessel and transported them back to shore where an ambulance was standing by. One of the men was treated for hypothermia at the Desoto Parish Medical Center and released the same day.

Due to the extremely dry conditions statewide and the overwhelming emergency responses recorded by local fire officials, State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, along with Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, have issued a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602. 

Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government. 

This order is effective as of 8 a.m., Feb. 15, and shall remain in effect until rescinded. 

This ban shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law. 

Violation of this State Fire Marshal order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

CLICK to COMPARE: https://www.humanateam.com

If you are enrolled in a Medicare/Medicaid plan rated less than 5 stars, you may switch to a Humana 5-star plan even after the Annual Election Period ends. The 5-star Special Enrollment period runs from December 8, 2021 through November 30, 2022.

A Humana Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan has everything Original Medicare has – and benefits you might not get with Medicare Part A and Part B alone. Your Humana Dual Eligible Special Needs plan works with your Medicaid benefits, so you can get the benefits you need – and even more – like:

• Healthy Foods Card – $75 each month for approved groceries
• $200 over-the-counter allowance every three months*
• Hearing benefit includes annual exam and $0 copay for advanced TruHearing hearing aids
• Unlimited rides to your doctors**
• $3,000 dental coverage annually for select services, plus exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings and more

*, Available only through participating retailers and Humana’s mail-order pharmacy, Humana Pharmacy, always consult with your doctor or medical provider before taking over-the-counter medications.

**, This benefit is not to exceed 100 miles per trip.

CLICK to COMPARE: https://www.humanateam.com

Taylor Ryan Young
March 20, 1992 – Feb. 12, 2022
Visitation: 4:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17 at Cook Baptist Church, 2000 Cooktown Road
Memorial service: 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17 at Cook Baptist Church, 2000 Cooktown Road

Daphne Lewis
March 8, 1952 – Feb. 12, 2022
Visitation: 10:30-12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Owens Memorial Chapel Home, 2300 W. California Ave., Ruston
Graveside service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville

Betty Elmore Wright
March 4, 1940 – Feb. 10, 2022
Funeral service: 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15 at King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Ave., Ruston
Interment: Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Olive Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Choudrant

The Super Bowl has been played seven times in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band has been a big part of that LA Super Bowl history after playing in the first halftime show of what was then called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The name did not become “Super Bowl” until the third game was played in 1969. Grambling State’s marching band has participated in a record six Super Bowl halftime shows, ranging from the first two to its last performance in 1998. 

But it was the first Super Bowl performance — part of football history — that made “The World Famed” a “gamechanger” in ways that went far beyond the football field. 

That first Super Bowl performance came during a time of much racial tension.  Riots broke out in cities like Detroit and Los Angeles. The racism-confronting “In the Heat of the Night” won Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year, and Thurgood Marshall was named the first Black Supreme Court Justice. 

Amid that atmosphere, the GSU band joined the predominantly white University of Arizona band to change the world.

Duke Ellington Fields of Farmerville, was a sophomore baritone player and said he will never forget that trip to California.

“We got on the plane in Shreveport, and it was raining with a lot of thunder and lighting,” Fields said. “And in the middle of that, I’m taking my first flight. The speed of the plane pushes you back into the seat and then you feel the nose lift. I had never gone through anything like that. It was quite an experience.”

After stopping to refuel in Dallas, the plane lifted back off for a two-hour trip to Los Angeles.

“It was a different world. At that time, it was quite different,” Fields said. “Times weren’t like they are now. (Then GSU President Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones) made sure we watched our Ps and Qs. Before we took the trip, we talked about knowing how to act and conduct ourselves. We were very conscious of doing our best and making Grambling proud.”

And that they did, joining the University of Arizona band on the field to depict a map of the United States while playing “America the Beautiful” as well as doing a jazzed-up rendition of Eddie Lee Floyd’s “Knock on Wood.”

Willie Hill was the drum major leading the Grambling band on the field that afternoon and realized they truly were playing the role of “gamechanger” even during the civil rights movement.

“We collaborated with other black bands all the time,” Hill, who in 2019 retired from his job as Director of the Fine Arts Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told ESPN in 2004. “But here’s an all-white band from Arizona. It was a different twist to what we were accustomed to. We had to make sure we were hot stuff.”

Grambling State’s band members were already veterans at big-time performances, so the pressure of the moment was not hard for them to handle.

“We had already played pro games before — we were used to that,” Fields said. “It was just another show for us. Most people think, wow, they played the first Super Bowl. But that really didn’t have any meaning at the time because it had never happened before. That was the first one, so it didn’t have any kind of effect on us. We always did what we had to do, so we did. Do a top rate show, that’s it. We were like conquerors. We win. That’s what we do.”

Freddie Colton of Baltimore was on the field playing the cymbals for Grambling during the show and said the enormity of what the band was participating in was not realized until much later.

“It did not come full circle to us until many, many years later,” the 74-year-old told Washington DC’s WTOP news earlier this week. “The gravity of us: a Black band from Louisiana during the integration-segregation time, flying on a plane, staying in a five-star hotel, eating very, very good food, and performing in front of millions in America.”

The Super Bowl halftime show has become almost bigger than the game itself over the years. Acts like Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Prince, and Lady Gaga have all taken the spotlights over the years.  And all of the hoopla and spectacle began 55 years ago with a trailblazing band from a small town, north Louisiana HBCU.

“This was really something that cemented our legacy within not just the history of the NFL, but American history to have an African American marching band performing many of those tunes that folks were used to hearing on the radio. Most people, certainly not in California, were accustomed to having HBCU bands,” GSU President Rick Gallot, a former member of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band, said in a video released by the NFL earlier this week. “These are actually really good performers who are doing an incredible job on what certainly is now viewed as one of the largest stages in the world. To be able to do it at that particular time, and coming from the Deep South where segregation was still much alive and well, and to inspire generations of individuals to know that if this band can do it, what is it that we can’t do?”

Current GSU band students are proud of the legacy left to them by the World Famed alumni who were on the field at the Los Angeles Coliseum for the first Super Bowl game.

“It feels great to be a part of a long-lasting legacy like the Grambling band because everything that they did back then still positively affects us to this day,” Sheavion Jones said. “It is an honor and a privilege to do the things we do in the band and these types of experiences will carry us for the rest of our lives.”

“I think it is an extreme honor to be a part of this wonderful legacy,” said Rodney Terrell, another current band member. “Most people go through life hoping to be a part of something great. Being a part of this band not only does that but also gives us an opportunity to keep that legacy going. How can we outdo ourselves when we have already done so much amazing work? Yet we still find ways to do it and make those that came before us proud.”

Two GSU drum majors who follow in Hill’s footsteps 40 years later feel much like Jones and Terrell.

“Being able to continue to add more historical events to the World Famed and for Grambling as well [gives us pride],” said Candance Harthorne. “Being the first female drum major in 70 years has made my legacy reach many black girls and inspire them to expand their goals and meet them in every way they can. A legacy cannot be just that without hard work and dedication. In every performance, the World Famed strive for perfection and multiply the excellence of Grambling’s legacy.”

Fellow current GSU head drum major Deante’ Gibson echoed Hawthorne’s sentiments.

“It is a huge privilege to be a part of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band,” Gibson said. “Not only is this the band’s legacy, but it’s also about upholding what the former bandsmen of the Grambling College Band created. Being able to grow from being a freshman and learning a lot of skills and unique talents is a blessing. While holding the status of head drum major, this is a complete honor to see and uphold the program to the standards of the band from the first Super Bowl.” 

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Comm

After four decades as a member of the Louisiana Tech Track and Field program, including the last 34 as the head coach, Gary Stanley announced he will be retiring at the end of June.

A legendary coach who has garnered 21 coach of the year honors and led Louisiana Tech to 19 conference championships, Stanley will finish out the 2022 indoor and outdoor seasons before hanging up the coaching spikes. 

“It’s been an honor and a privilege, and I’m glad I stayed,” said Stanley. “I had a lot of opportunities to leave Tech. I am really glad I stayed. I owe a lot of success to a lot of folks. Nineteen conference championships. Twenty-one coach of the year honors … that’s all great. 

“There are two people who had a lot to do with that. Larry Carmichael was my assistant coach for 21 years. Shawn Jackson was my assistant coach for 17 years. They had a lot to do with what we accomplished here. Those guys were critical.”

Plans are being finalized for honoring Stanley during the Jim Mize Invitational March 19 in Ruston. More details will be publicized in the coming weeks.

Although he has only been associated with Stanley for the past year, Tech Director of Athletics Eric Wood understands the impact he has had on the University and the programs for the past 40 years. 

“Forty years is a long time and you don’t remain at one place for four decades without having a positive impact on a lot of young people’s lives,” said Wood. “Gary Stanley’s name will always be synonymous with Louisiana Tech Track and Field. Jim Mize. Jerry Dyes. Gary Stanley. The Mount Rushmore of LA Tech Track and Field coaching.”

Stanley came to Tech after an impressive cross country career at Southeastern Louisiana where he helped lead the program to its only conference championship in school history. 

A 1977 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana and a 1985 graduate of Louisiana Tech, Stanley’s own running career included a district title in the mile and winning the New Orleans Cross Country championship while at East Jefferson High School. After one year at Pensacola Junior College, he lettered three years in Hammond.

Other honors include the 1970 New Orleans cross country city champion, 1972 Southern AAU three-mile champion, 1973 Southern AAU one-mile champion, 1975 U.S. Track and Field Federation all-regional cross country and the 1976 LSU Invitational three-mile champion.

“Coach Stanley has been a tremendous leader for the Louisiana Tech track and field programs for the past 34 years, and I am grateful for his dedication to building a championship culture of excellence,” said Associate Head Coach Nadia Alexander-Pompey. “Coach Stanley has had a positive impact on countless student-athletes during his coaching career, both on the track and in preparing champions for life. 

“He was my head coach when I attended Tech, and we have stayed in contact as I progressed through my coaching career. I am beyond honored that he brought me back to my alma mater to serve in my current role.  He led his program in a first-class manner, never compromised, and humbly shared his faith with everyone who touched his program.”

Stanley remembers vividly arriving in Ruston in 1982.

“I came up here with my pickup truck and a couple of things in the back,” said Stanley. “Living in the (Thomas) Assembly Center at one point as a graduate assistant. I didn’t have anything. I didn’t think I would get the head job. I couldn’t imagine following Jerry Dyes. I cried when he left … hard. I never thought I would be here for 40 years. When you are young you make 5-to-10-year plans. It’s hard to encapsulate 40 years. It’s been an honor and a privilege and I am going to miss it.”

After serving two years as a graduate assistant, he was promoted to full-time assistant coach by Dyes in 1984 and given the reigns of the cross country program. Two years later he led the Bulldogs to the Southland Conference cross country title.

 “I’ve had the opportunity to train and compete under Coach Stanley for six years,” said Tech graduate and track and field alum Conner Killian. “I’ve had every opportunity to leave the sport and university after my fourth and fifth years, but kept coming back without any regrets. A big reason why is because of Coach Stanley. 

“His passion for the sport and his athletes’ success is unmatched. There’s probably times he wanted us to PR more than we wanted it ourselves. There’s no one else I would have wanted as a coach and will miss seeing him on the track. Coach Stanley is so much more than a coach; he’s family.”

After serving two years as a GA and four years as a full-time assistant, Stanley was promoted to head coach in 1988 and slowly built Tech into a state, conference and regional power during many of his years. 

He has coached almost 50 All-Americans in his tenure. Tech’s most dominate stretch under Stanley came in a seven-year stretch where the Lady Techsters Indoor and Outdoor teams claimed 13 out of 14 Western Athletic Conference titles. 

Stanley leaves Tech boasting the longest tenure as a head track and field coach in collegiate history in the state of Louisiana. He also owns the longest tenure of any head coach in any sport in Louisiana Tech history. 

While Valentine’s Day is an international holiday, some individuals in the Lincoln Parish share this holiday and their birthday.  

Ruston resident Robin Robbins said he enjoys his birthday being on Valentine’s Day. 

“It helps to make a typically dull time of the year into an exciting day to show you care for significant others and loved ones in your life,” Robbins said. “This makes the day seem more special as I get to share with others and give back to my wife, which brings me more joy.” 

Debbie Holmes, of Ruston, said her husband even jokingly suggested they get married on Valentine’s Day so they could do all three at once. 

“He tries to get me a birthday card and a Valentine card to separate the occasion,” Holmes said. “He’s not romantic, so he is totally off the Valentines’ Day hook because my mom or my sister always wants to see me on my birthday, so he never has to plan anything. Which is good – did I mention he was not romantic? Even if we aren’t celebrating my birthday, the restaurants are packed with people on Valentine dates so we have never celebrated Valentines Day as a couple in the 30 years we have been married.” 

Holmes said she enjoys the holiday because she, like Robbins, gets to give back to others on her birthday. 

“I view Valentine’s Day as a day to share love with your friends and family,” she said. “I buy valentines for my adult children. I love the day. I am sad when I see people viewing it as a couples’ holiday because it’s never been that for me. To me, it’s about remembering the people you love and spending time with them.

“When my grandfather died about 20 years ago now, my Mamaw said, ‘This will be the first Valentine’s Day in over 50 years that I have not gotten a card from your grandaddy.’ She had told me when they couldn’t afford cards, they would give the same ones to each other year after year. It really broke my heart for her. At the time we were still going to my home church in Downsville, so I thought about all the ladies in the church that had lost their husbands and decided they, along with Mamaw, all needed a valentine card. For the last 20 years — I can’t believe it has been that long — I have sent Valentines cards to women I am close to who have lost their valentine. That is what the day is about for me.” 

As Chris Rathburn enters his eighth year as the head coach of the Ruston High boys and girls golf teams, he does so with some pretty lofty expectations.

The Bearcats and Lady Bearcats will open the 2022 season one week from today in an 18-hole tournament at Trails End Golf Course in Arcadia.

It will be the beginning of what Rathburn believes could be a strong year.

The boys team returns four starters from a year ago, including senior Reeves Pullin, senior Grant Bowling, junior Grant Madden and junior John Whitaker. The remainder of the Bearcats roster includes junior Wes Altic, junior Brody Soto, and freshmen Drew Brennan, Jack Elliot, Trey Denny and S’ven Outley.

“I have high expectations for both the boys’ and girls’ squads,” said Rathburn. “With four returning starters on the boy’s squad who made it to regionals last year, I have full expectation for them to make it back to regionals as a team, and for them to contend at making it to state as a team.”

The Lady Bearcats return starters in juniors Kaitlyn Middleton, Melissa Hernandez and Landry Nelson. Rounding out the girls roster is junior Callie Stegall, sophomores Amaya Morelos and Lyla Turner and freshmen Abby Seney and Marlee Davis.

“This is the best girls’ team I have coached in my eight years of coaching the team,” said Rathburn. “The girl’s squad were only a few shots away from making it to state as a team last year, and with the two biggest contributors back this year, I expect us not only to make it to state as a team, but to compete for a state title.

“The strength of both groups is the amount of depth on the team. Both girls’ and boys’ teams have more depth, and will have much more competition for starting spots than the previous year. This should make our practices much more competitive, and it will hopefully translate to better scores on the course. We also have a lot of playing experience on both teams, which should help us when the pressure of tournament play rolls around.”

The RHS schedule includes 10 tournaments plus district, regional and state level tournaments.

Player to Watch (boys): Reeves Pullin placed 9^th at the state tournament last year, only five shots out of a playoff for the state title. With his senior year on deck, he will be a favorite to possibly win district, regionals and state at the Division 1 level.

Player to Watch (girls): Two players to watch on the girls’ team are Melissa Hernandez and Kaitlyn Middleton. They should both be vying for the No. 1 and 2 spots on the team and should hopefully lead the team to state title contention. Look for both of them to take a huge step forward this season.

By Sara Howell-Floyd

It is February in Louisiana which can only mean one thing: it’s Mardi Gras season and time to let the good times roll here in Lincoln Parish. 

This year the Krewe of Allegro will be hosting a Mardi Gras Ball taking place on Saturday, Feb. 19. The event will take place at the Ruston Civic Center located at 401 N Trenton St.  

Executive Director of the Dixie Center for the Arts Judy Copeland said, “The Dixie Board is glad to bring back the ball again after sitting out last year due to COVID.” 

The Ball is open to anyone 21 and over. Tickets are currently on sale at their website kreweofallegro.org. Pricing for the tickets is $65 for an individual or $520 for a table that seats eight. The last chance to buy tickets will be today, Feb. 14.

“We have sold a lot of tables, but still have tables available,” Copeland said. “Valentine’s Day is the latest day to purchase tickets. Tickets to the ball would be a great Valentine’s gift.” 

The ball will take place from 6-10 p.m. Guest should look forward to an evening filled with food, entertainment and dancing. 

“There will be a nice meal, then there will be a formal presentation of the King and Queen and their Royal Court. Music and dancing will begin immediately following,” Copeland said.   “Attendees will be able to take advantage of a fun photo booth, enter for some exciting raffles and a unicyclist juggler as extra entertainment on the sideline.”

The Shreveport Regional Wind Ensemble will provide live music at the event for people to enjoy a fun night of dancing. 

“This is a phenomenal band that will keep our guests on the dance floor,” Copeland said. “They play a wide range of music ranging from Bruno Mars to Barbara Streisand. Music for all ages.” 

Proceeds for the event will go toward the Dixie’s Sustaining Building fund. So not only will Lincoln Parish residents have the chance to party the night away, but they will be doing so for a good cause. 

“The building is in need of washing, brick repair and painting.  We are planning on having that work done this summer, so the proceeds from the Ball will go towards those costs,” Copeland said. “This is a great opportunity to dress to the nines while supporting our historical theater.” 

By T. Scott Boatright

A new era for Ruston High School softball is underway as first-year coach Ashton Guin is set to guide a young team with eight new starters into the 2022 season.

The Lady Bearcats went 16-14 overall last season, starting the season with seven straight wins before struggling in the second half, going only 1-9 in District 2-5A.

But that was then and this is now, and Guin knows it will have to be a unified team effort from a young team to start turning things around toward a brighter future.

“Even the sophomores I do have back weren’t really involved in playing action much last year, so it is kind of like starting a new culture from scratch,” Guin said. “We’ve talked about the fact that we’re going to face a lot of challenges being such a young team. Our motto is, ‘We before me.’ The team understands that we’re going to have to face those challenges together if we want to be successful.”

Guin hopes putting her team to the test early will pay off as the regular season begins. 

“We scheduled challenging scrimmages against Calvary (Baptist), Buckeye and Haughton, and those are some teams that can compete,” Guin said. “And they look exactly what our schedule looks like, so I thought it would be good to hit the ground running against teams like. I wanted to see where we stand.

“In the jamboree played Saturday, we played Mangham and Ouachita Christian. We won against Mangham and lost to OCS, but they were only three-inning games. I really (would have liked to have seen what we would have done) in a full game, but I feel good about the way things turned out. It’s hard to gauge off of three innings.”

Kayla Wilson is the lone returning veteran for the Lady Bearcats after splitting time between the circle, third base and shortstop last year. Wilson hit 11 home runs as a freshman and is expected to provide power at the plate for the Lady Bearcats. 

“She’s our starting pitcher and saw the most action last season out of everyone we have on the team this year,” Guin said. “She was the one on the field last year. Nobody else has been yet. She’s probably our strongest pitcher right now. The other starting pitcher is Riley Atwood, who just learned how to pitch this summer. She’s doing a great job and picked things up pretty quick, so I think she and Kayla will split time pitching about half and half.”

Abby Holton will split time between third base and shortstop for Ruston.

“She can do it all so wherever we have a gap, she’s likely to be there,” Guin said about Holton.  “Right now that gap is between short and third so she’ll be swapping in between those depending on what pitcher is in because Riley and Kayla also play those two positions.

“Abby is a freshman, and is loud and proud. She commands the field and I think she’s going to be one to watch for sure.”

Starting at catcher will be Morgan Foster, a southpaw who Guin said has a cannon of an arm.

“Right now Morgan is one of our more successful hitters and has been leading off for us,” Guin said. “She’s still kind of finding her way on the team. She was playing soccer, so we haven’t gotten to practice with her a lot because that season just recently ended. We just got her back last week.”

Sophomore Shelby Freeman will start for the Lady Bearcats at first base.

“If the ball is even near Shelby, she’s got it,” Guin said. “She’s got a good bat on her and once she gains confidence, I think she’s going to be someone to look at, too.”

Ruston’s second base spot hasn’t been determined yet.

“It’s kind of up in the air right now,” Guin said. “We have two freshmen — Katelyn Stanley and Isabella Tucker — fighting for the spot. They’ve played half and half in the preseason. If I could put them together I’d have the perfect second baseman.”

Murphy DeMoss, a sophomore, will start in center field for the Lady Bearcats.

“She’s our leader in the outfield,” Guin said of DeMoss. “She and Abby are the ones who step up and do the talking on the field and also show leadership in how they play. “

Sophomore JoJo Fernandez will start in left field while also catching some for RHS.

“JoJo swings a strong bat,” Guin said. “She’s one of the greatest kids I’ve ever met and always has a smile on her face. The other day after a scrimmage I told the team that I didn’t think any of them were excited to be out on the field and that I didn’t think I saw a smile, and then everybody looked at JoJo, so I had to say, ‘except for JoJo.’ She’s always got that smile.”

Ruston’s right field spot is still being determined, with sophomore Grace Dotson and Allie Berret.  

“Grace doesn’t have as much experience as everybody, it’s her first year with Ruston softball,” Guin said. “She’s athletic but lacks the softball IQ simply because of inexperience. That will come. “Allie just got back to us after having hip surgery, so right now we’ve been using Grace for defense and Allie to hit as we ease her back into it. She’s another great kid who’s willing to do anything and play anywhere we ask her to.”

Photo: Landon Davis

Ruston Police officers were dispatched to Arlington Street on Feb. 10 in reference of a protection order violation. 

The female who called stated that Edwin Mays, 38, of Ruston, contacted her mother on the phone asking about the female. She provided the RPD officer with a screenshot of a text message in which Mays asked the mother to talk to him about the female. 

The timestamp on the text message was around lunch time. Another officer had taken a similar complaint the previous day in reference to Mays who was driving around the residence on Arlington Street.

The RPD officer contacted Mays at his residence, who admitted to having driven past the female’s residence and contacting her mother. Mays was arrested and charged with two counts of violation of a protection order.

TENNIS

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech made it a home weekend sweep on Sunday afternoon, defeating Texas State by a final score of 5-2 at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.

After claiming a 5-2 win over Oral Roberts on Friday, LA Tech (6-2) extended its winning streak to four (all coming at home) on Sunday to mark its best start to the spring season since 2016. 

The Lady Techsters jumped all over Texas State (2-4) in doubles, cruising to a pair of 6-0 wins on courts one and three thanks to the duos of Leonie Schuknecht/Ana Rodrigues and Olga Bienzobas/Alexia Romero.

LA Tech proceeded to win five straight singles matches to claim the team win.  First to finish was the birthday girl, Ilana Tetruashvili, who tallied a 6-2, 6-3 win over Sofia Fortuno at the No. 4 position.  It was the senior’s first match on court four this spring, producing her sixth straight win.

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SOFTBALL

MONROE, La. – Louisiana Tech opened its season winning four out of five games at the Best of the Bayou at Ouachita Sportsplex this weekend.

Tech defeated Morehead State 2-1, Stephen F. Austin 11-4, Southern 16-5 (in 5 innings) and Mississippi Valley State 10-0 (in 6 innings) while falling to SIU-Edwardsville 8-0 (in 5 innings).

Head coach Josh Taylor’s team batted .310 over the weekend while the Tech pitching staff combined for a 1.40 earned run average. Audrey Pickett (2-0, 0.00 ERA) and Emma Hutchinson (2-1, 2.10 ERA) each recorded a pair of wins in the circle.

Lindsay Edwards (.500, 4 runs, 6 RBI), Caroline Easom (.429, 1 HR, 7 RBI), Amanda Gonzalez (.417, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Brooke Diaz (.313, 2 HR, 7 RBI) led Tech at the plate.

The Lady Techsters will host Northwestern State in their home opener Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

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GOLF

LAREDO, Texas – Louisiana Tech will open its spring season Monday and Tuesday competing in the Border Olympics hosted by Houston at Laredo Country Club.

The Bulldogs are part of a 14-team field, including Baylor, UTSA, Sam Houston State, New Mexico State, Lamar, ULM, Michigan, Illinois State, Houston, Abilene Christian, Rice, Houston Baptist and Bowling Green. Texas also will have student-athletes competing as individuals.

Teams will play 36 holes Monday with an 8 a.m., shotgun start on the 7,204 -yard, par-72 course with the Final Round beginning Tuesday morning.

Tech will be represented this week by Sam Murphy, Mac Murphy, Hunter Battles, Lake Juban, and James Swash while Grant Smith with compete as an individual.