Month: February 2022

Bearcats set for 2022 season on the diamond

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

A new era for Ruston High School baseball begins on Feb. 21 as Zack Smith takes over his first season as head coach for the Bearcats after serving the previous five years as an assistant coach.

Smith takes the reins from Toby White, who stepped down from his coaching role last May after 15 years guiding the Bearcats. Before joining White’s staff Smith was head coach at Forest High School, where he guided the Bulldogs to four state championships in five title game appearances.

Smith takes over a Bearcats team that reached the second round and were seeded fifth in the 2021 Class 5A playoffs while posting a record of 25-10. Ruston fell to Central of Baton Rouge in the final game of a best-of-three playoff series in the second round of the playoffs.

Smith takes over a Bearcats team that reached the second round and were seeded fifth in the 2021 Class 5A playoffs while posting a record of 25-10. Ruston fell to Central of Baton Rouge in the final game of a best-of-three playoff series in the second round of the playoffs.

Smith said the Bearcats won’t be much different at the plate but that there will be some nuances on the mound and behind the plate and on the base paths.

“It’s been going well,” Smith said of preseason workouts. The players are buying into what we do and showing a lot of energy at practice. I like how it’s going so far.

“Offensively we’re going to be similar because I pretty much called the offense last season. Pitching-wise and defense-wise there’s a lot of new stuff we’re trying to put in, and the players seem to be grasping what we’re trying to do. Pitching coach Brian Beck is getting those guys ready, so it’s gone well so far.”

While the Bearcats suffered some losses to graduation, Smith likes the mix of returning veterans and newcomers his team will feature this season.

“We have quite a bit of solid talent coming back, especially among our pitching staff,” Smith said. “Obviously JR Tollett (the 2021 Co-District 2-5A Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore) and then we’ve got some other good young pieces with him like Dyson Fields and Dawson Willis along with Reid Williams and Payton Beck, who’s new this season. We’ve got some pieces and we have some more young talent coming, so I really feel excited about where this program is about to go.”

Smith said he expects Williams and Nick Robinson will be Ruston’s top two southpaw starters this season.

Tollett went 9-2 last season with a 1.05 ERA with 83 strikeouts over 67 innings pitched.

Fields will also play a key role for the Bearcats with his bat and speed on the base paths.

Another key offensive player for Ruston will likely be junior Cade Patterson, who has already committed to Louisiana Tech, as has Williams, an infielder when not on the mound.

“Patterson and Williams are our returning power batters while Dawson Symanski is swinging the bat pretty good, too,” said Smith. “One good thing is our versatility, because our pitchers often play in either the infield or outfield when they’re not on the bump. Fields, Tollett and Willis are solid batters, too.”

Smith said there are some newcomers like Jacorian Crowe, Gabe Gaudet, Kyran McConnell and Wade Crowe who will be fighting for playing time for the Bearcats and provide depth for the team.

The biggest question remaining to be answered is who will take over behind the plate to replace departed starting catcher Josh Miller.

“We’ve got a couple of guys battling for the catching job,” Smith said. “Justin Symanski and RJ Brown are competing for that spot.”

Ruston opens the 2022 season at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at home against Tioga. 

RHS-2022-Baseball-scheduleDownload

Upcoming research symposium to celebrate academic research, service learning 

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Louisiana Tech University’s Undergraduate Research and Service Learning Symposium will be held Feb. 11-12 in University Hall. The event will be open to friends, family and members of the Louisiana Tech and Ruston community. 

This annual showcase celebrates the academic research, scholarly activity, and service-learning experiences of students within each of Louisiana Tech’s five colleges. 

“The annual symposium is the only time during the academic year that all five colleges come together to celebrate the work of our students and faculty in various areas of research and service-learning,” said Dr. Jamie Newman, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies for the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.  

Through presentations and networking opportunities, participants have the opportunity to learn from each other. The top presentations will be selected to represent Louisiana Tech University at the University of Louisiana Academic Summit to be held in April. 

“This event offers students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to address a scholarly question, investigate a phenomenon, solve a global challenge or address a community need,” Newman said. “This symposium exemplifies the experiential learning that Louisiana Tech strives to offer its students.” 

Creek’s Rushing makes LHSCA All-State Team

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While Bryce Rushing is leading the Cedar Creek basketball team in the final few weeks of the regular season, the junior was named to the Louisiana High School Coaches Association all-state team.

Rushing played tight end and linebacker/defensive line for the Cougars in 2021 and earned a spot on the Lincoln Parish Journal All-Parish Team as well as honorable mention all-state honors.

“Bryce is a student of the game and works very hard at his craft,” said Matt Middleton, who coached Rushing during the 2021 football season. “He strives to be the best and spends the time to better himself on and off the field. He does so much more than is required. He will continue to be a great player and have a great career at the next level.”

Rushing caught 30 passes for 283 yards and seven scores on the offensive side of the football and recorded 47 tackles (30 solo, 17 assists) and 10 tackles for loss on the defensive side. He helped lead the Cougars to a 6-4 record and a berth in the Division IV playoffs.

Photo: Darrell James (dgjames.photoshelter.com)

Stagecoaches once ruled north Louisiana travel

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By Wesley Harris

Long before railroads and superhighways crisscrossed America, boats and stagecoaches provided the primary means of commercial transportation. The Smithsonian Institution notes that mail contracts made up the bulk of the profits for most stage companies. The company awarded a contract from the postal service was the one most likely to succeed. Routes used by mail stages became lifelines into new western territories, and were soon traveled by immigrants and fortune seekers. 

Travel by stage was not easy. The journey from Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California, lasted 25 days. Travelers could find themselves packed tightly with up to eight people inside the coach, several more on top, and mailbags stuffed in among the passengers. 

Stage lines built station stops, or contracted with locals to provide horses and other essentials, every ten to fifteen miles along the route. Except for short breaks to change horses at the designated stops, stagecoaches kept traveling day and night. The rough, bone-jarring, and often dangerous travel tried the patience of the most seasoned travelers.

Early 19th century transportation in north Louisiana was best accomplished on water. The Red and Ouachita Rivers and Bayous Dorcheat, D’arbonne, and Macon facilitated north-south transportation for travelers and farmers’ goods. East-west travel was more difficult on crude roads that followed Indian trails.

By 1825 the first stagecoach began operation across north Louisiana, an agonizing trip over a poor excuse for roads. The trip took 30 hours with a fare of $15.00.

As use increased, the road became a bit more passable from the erosive effects of wagon wheels smoothing out the bumps. Deep ruts of the old roadbed remain  visible in a few spots across north Louisiana. In 1857, this route became known as the Wire Road after the telegraph line was strung along side it.

During Reconstruction days after the Civil War, the route from Monroe to Vicksburg ceased operation as the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad made the stage obsolete. The Monroe-Shreveport Stage Line operated from the Ouachita River to Shreveport. It would be nearly twenty years after the war ended before the railroad completely crossed the state.

According to E. R. Hester, who wrote extensively on north central Louisiana history, some coaches possessed names like the “Arcadian,” “Merry Widow,” and the “Southern Belle.” Hester also mentions a stage route from Arkansas through Arcadia to Natchitoches.

Thomas Tolbert came to Louisiana after the Civil War from South Carolina, tried farming for a year, and suffered so much misfortune he decided to go back east. His account of riding the Monroe-Shreveport stage, specifically the leg from Minden to Vienna, is anything but flattering:

“The stage, or as it is more properly called ‘mud wagon,’ upset opposite this place [Vienna] last night at 8:00. Fortunately, no one sustained any injury but myself. The joint above the armpit in my left shoulder was dislocated. I suffered great pain for the time and was unable to proceed with the ‘mud wagon’ any further.”

A mud wagon was a lighter but sturdier stagecoach built for rough roads. Tolbert was being a bit sarcastic since a mud wagon lacked the suspension that larger coaches possessed to make for a more comfortable ride. Traveling in a mud wagon had to feel much like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Tolbert continued: “Our trip for roughness and discomfort has exceeded my worst anticipations. From Minden we had eleven passengers in a very small hack. We were literally wedged in. If I had to choose between a boat and a stage again, I would take boat. Decent people ought not patronize the line from Shreveport to Vicksburg. Mrs. P. and baby stood it pretty well. She held the little fellow in her arms while the stage was upsetting. Seemed more anxious about him than herself. It is a wonder there was no more damage done. We were going in a full trot down a long hill. The driver succeeded in stopping the horses immediately. I think some of the rest were scared as bad as I was hurt. Wiley was lying under the seats. John got fastened someway and the stage had to be prised to let him out. He was frightened out of his wits.”

A fare schedule of the Monroe-Shreveport stage line notes the stops along the route:

Name of Station Number of Miles Cost of Fare
First stand 12 $1.20
Forksville 17.5 $1.75
Mrs. Calhoun’s 23 $2.30
Vienna 35 $3.50
Walnut Creek 47 $4.70
Arcadia 55 $5.50
Bennett’s 60 $6.60
Mount Lebanon 65 $6.50
Minden 85 $8.50
Bellevue 120 $12.00
Fillmore 120 $12.00
Red Chute 130 $13.00
Shreveport 140 $14.00

The Vienna stop provided accommodations for those who wished to spend the night rather than endure the nonstop, round-the-clock journey. A hotel there run by the Colvin and Huey families was a well-known resting place.

Rev. James Buys, a Baptist minister, built a large hotel in Arcadia for stage travelers. It provided nice rooms and huge banquet-like noon and midnight meals for guests. The building no longer exists.

The Mount Lebanon stage stop also remains. Built in 1847 by Reuben Drake, one of the founders of the once-thriving town that boasted its own college, the large home is a well-known local landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was occupied by family members, so travelers slept on the porches.

Mt. Lebanon boasted its own university from before the Civil War until the early 1900s. Students from the east and west likely used the stagecoach to commute to school. Mt. Lebanon faded away like Vienna and other towns bypassed by the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad in 1884.

More recently, U. S. Highway 80—America’s only coast-to-coast road—and Interstate 20 serve the purpose of the Wire Road and its stagecoaches. Neither highway follows the ruts of the Wire Road exactly. At Ruston, U. S. 80 and I-20 are five to six miles south of the old Wire Road. The Interstate passes four miles north of Mt. Lebanon’s Stagecoach Inn.

Former Bearcat Furr makes preseason SLC team

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Former Ruston High School standout Kasten Furr picked up some preseason hardware Wednesday as he was named to the Preseason All-Southland Conference team.

Furr, son of Heather and Chip Furr, earned second team all-conference honors in 2021 after hitting .318 with 11 doubles and 12 RBI. He led the Privateers in runs (48) and stolen bases (10) and hit his first collegiate home run against ULM (Feb. 27, 2021).

The Ruston native was a four-time all-district honoree for the Bearcats and a two-time all-state selection.

Furr and the Privateers open their season Feb. 18 when they take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the Andrew Dawson Classic at Maestri Field in New Orleans.

Valentine’s Day listed near top for engagement dates

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While Valentine’s Day, by design, is attributed as the most romantic day of the year, it actually is not the day when most engagements or even weddings occur. 

According to theknot.com, the most popular day to get engaged was not when Cupid was flying around – but when Santa was. December 25 is the most popular day to pop the question, and that day also is right in the middle of proposal season, which begins around Thanksgiving and ends around Valentine’s Day. This is common because as engagements are a jolly affair, often couples like to share the good news with family and friends who are around and in town for various holidays. 

The most popular days to get engaged, also according to theknot.com, as mentioned, Christmas, followed by Christmas Eve, Jan. 1, Dec. 22 and then Valentine’s Day. 

As far as weddings go, wedding season generally runs from May to October for a variety of reasons, such as ensuring the wedding does not coincide with a national holiday and the weather is often better. In the United States, the most popular day of the week to get married is a Saturday, which allows out-of-town guests to arrive in time for the ceremony. 

However, while Valentine’s Day does not fall in the wedding season, it is also not the least popular date to get married. Most of the dates that made that list are holidays that always fall on a Sunday or Monday, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and President’s Day.  

Also, if the couple is planning to wed near Valentine’s Day, watch out for flowers, especially if using red roses, which are likely to be more expensive around Valentine’s Day. However, if an engagement is planned – go ahead and grab those red roses to echo a classic Valentine’s Day proposal. 

Humana offers open enrollment

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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

Hugh’s Stupid Song

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By Brad Dison

Hugh was born and raised in Abbott, Texas.  During the hot summers, his family picked cotton along with other poor families in Abbott to earn enough money to survive.  Hugh hated picking cotton and looked for another way to earn money.  He had a knack for writing songs which he began at the young age of seven.  At the age of 13, he began playing guitar and singing songs in Abbott.  People were in awe of his exceptional ability.  They were even more impressed when they learned that he was just a kid.  Hugh earned enough to keep him from working in the sweltering cotton fields.   

Hugh wanted to be a songwriter but took other jobs out of necessity.  Some of these inlluded telephone operator, Tree trimmer for the electric company, nightclub bouncer, saddle maker, encyclopedia salesman, and even a stint in the Air Force, from which he was medically discharged.  Finally, he found a job which suited his interests.  With no experience, but with a thorough knowledge of Country and Western music, Hugh secured a job as a disc jockey.  His job as a DJ meant that he had the radio station’s large catalog of music at his fingertips.  Rather than just spinning records, Hugh studied song patterns, writing styles, the singer’s delivery, and other details to determine what made a song a hit.  His job at the radio station also meant that he could use, free of charge, the radio station’s recording equipment.  Hugh’s songwriting improved with each passing day. 

Hugh learned early on that it was easier for him to write songs when he was driving a car.  One day in the late 1950s, Hugh was driving when a “stupid” song came to mind.  Hugh sang different phrases until he found the right combination.  It was a song about lost love in which the lead character lamented that he was “stupid for loving you.”   He titled the song “Stupid.”  Hugh looked around the car’s interior but had no paper or pencil to write down his stupid song.  All the way home, Hugh repeated the song so he would not forget it.  Back at the radio station, Hugh recorded a demo of “Stupid” and a few other songs he had recently written with the intention of selling them to recording artists. 

Hugh understood that to sell his songs, he needed to be where the recording artists were.  Hugh quit his job at the radio station and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.  Within a short time, Hugh learned that many people in the music industry frequented a small bar across the road from The Grand Ole Opry called Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.  One night, Hugh was drinking at Tootsie’s with Charlie Dick.  Hugh convinced the bar’s owner to let him play his “stupid” song on the jukebox.  Charlie liked the song and said he would like to let his wife listen to it.  Hugh agreed.  Charlie said he wanted Hugh to accompany him to his home right then, which was late at night, to play the song for his wife.  Hugh responded something to the effect of “You’re crazy!  We’re both half drunk.”  It took little convincing before Hugh agreed. 

At Charlie’s home, they played the record for Charlie’s wife.  She liked the song and asked if she could record it.  Hugh eagerly agreed.  In September of 1961, she spent four days in the studio trying to get her vocals right for Hugh’s “stupid” song.  Finally happy with the song, Decca records released the song the following month.  It quickly rose up the charts and peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles.  Aided by Hugh’s “stupid” song, Charlie’s wife was named Billboard’s Favorite Female Country Artist of 1961.  Charlie’s wife’s version of Hugh’s “stupid” song was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress and was ranked number 85 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Charlie Dick’s wife, who earned more money in the form of royalties from this song than any other song she recorded, was Patsy Cline.  You and I know Hugh’s “stupid” song well, but under a different title that he later gave it.   Hugh originally titled the song “Stupid” but eventually decided upon a different title.  We know it as “Crazy.”  We also know Hugh as a famous singer in his own right.  Hugh is the middle name of Willie Nelson.

Sources

1.  YouTube.com. “Willie Nelson Gets in the Car When He Wants to Write Music (2014).” Accessed February 5, 2022. https://youtu.be/GIp7KP3G-_4.

2.  YouTube.com. “Willie Nelson On Pitching Crazy to Patsy Cline // Siriusxm // Willie’s Roadhouse.” Accessed February 5, 2022. https://youtu.be/JjpqWBnHxEU.

LA Tech hoops faces Charlotte

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Charlotte at Lady Techsters

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters will finish up a four-game home stretch against Charlotte inside the Thomas Assembly Center Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM and the LA Tech Athletics app. It can be seen streamed on CUSA.tv.

Louisiana Tech (14-8, 6-5) has now won six of their last seven games including four in a row after beating UTEP Monday night in a rescheduled contest to move to 9-1 on the season at home.

The victory Monday night was win No. 500 for the Techsters inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Techsters are now above .500 in C-USA play for the first time this season and currently sit in the No. 3 position in the West Division behind UAB and Southern Miss.

Charlotte (12-7, 8-1), the conference USA preseason No. 1, comes into Ruston as C-USA’s East Division leader with a half-game lead over Middle Tennessee.

Charlotte is riding a three-game win streak of their own including two overtime victories at Marshall (39-37) and Western Kentucky (79-74). Their last loss was to Old Dominion on Jan. 29 (54-45).

Of their eight conference wins, five have been decided by five points or less while winning three overtime games.

Louisiana Tech and Charlotte will meet for the 11th time in women’s basketball dating back to the 2013-14 season with the series tied 5-5.

Tech is 3-2 in games played in Ruston but have dropped the last two contests to the 49ers.

_________________________________________________________________

Bulldogs at Charlotte

Louisiana Tech wraps up its three-game road stretch on Thursday night when they take on Charlotte at 6 p.m. CT inside Halton Arena.

The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 107.5 FM and via the LA Tech Athletics app and it can be seen on Stadium.

LA Tech (17-6, 8-3) snapped its two-game losing skid this past Saturday with a thrilling 86-82 victory over FIU.  It was the Bulldogs first win in Miami since joining C-USA and the first win at Ocean Bank Convocation Center since 2000.

The Bulldogs ended up scoring 56 second-half points to hold on to the win.  It was the most points scored in a single half against a D1 opponent since December of 2018 and the most against a C-USA opponent since January of 2018.

LA Tech sank 12 three-pointers versus FIU, the 10th time this season they have made 10+ threes in a single game.  They currently rank second in C-USA with 9.55 made threes per game (league games only).

Charlotte (13-9, 6-4 C-USA) is sitting in third in the East Division standings, having won its last two games over Marshall and FIU.  They used a lot of offense to secure the two victories, averaging 84.5 points versus the Herd and Panthers.

The 49ers are 9-2 at home this season, having won seven of their last eight games at Halton Arena.  They are very efficient on offense, ranking in the top five in the league in field goal percentage (46.3), three-point field goal percentage (36.7) and free throw percentage (77.2).  Their FT percentage is tops in C-USA and ranks 19th nationally.

Thursday will be the 10th meeting all-time between LA Tech and Charlotte.  The Bulldogs hold an 8-1 advantage in the series, having won two straight games.  They are 2-1 all-time inside Halton Arena with the wins coming in 2015 and 2017.  The lone win for the 49ers came the last time the two teams played in Charlotte back in 2019.

Notice of death — Feb. 9, 2022

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Bettie Lou Merritt 
July 30, 1940 – February 9, 2022 
Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Cemetery: Minden Cemetery

Lester Allen Doss, Sr. 
March 12, 1941 – February 7, 2022 
Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 6470 Hwy. 151, Dubach 
Service: 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 6470 Hwy. 151, Dubach 
Cemetery: Friday, Feb. 11 at Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery, Dubach 

Patsy Ann Taylor Stewart 
March 2, 1938 – February 8, 2022 
Visitation: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe 
Service: 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe  

Carrie Belle Riser “Kitty” Boyd 
June 15, 1926 – February 5, 2022 
Visitation: 9:30-11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 12 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 209 N. Bonner St., Ruston 
Service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 12 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 209 N. Bonner St., Ruston 
Cemetery: Saturday, Feb. 12 at Riser Cemetery in Ruston 

 

Wesley Foundation hosts Black Arts Fest

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To celebrate Black History Month, the Wesley Foundation, located at 201 College Street in Ruston, is hosting a Black Arts Fest from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. 

Camellia Jiles, missionary intern at Wesley, said this event is one of many the Wesley has hosted because of the importance of the subject matter. 

“Christianity is not separate from doing events like this,” Jiles said. “Doing something like this is bringing people closer to God and sharing the love of God in a lot of significant ways. It makes people feel included and loved — that’s the work Christians should do.” 

To celebrate black history, Jiles said the Wesley’s weekly service on Tuesdays has included inviting black preachers to come speak and using homilies from an African American lectionary as part of its communion service. This arts fest is simply another way to celebrate black culture. 

“This isn’t something that we’re tacking on because it’s Black History Month — it’s something we think is needed, for the community and for the body of Christ in general,” Jiles said. “We’ve been talking about how important it is to spread God’s joy and to celebrate. This is something we think is very important for the church to do.” 

The arts fest, Jiles said, is a visual and performing arts celebration of black culture. 

“We thought it would be a life giving and joyful thing to celebrate,” she said. “For the past five years, we’ve had race talks to discuss how to address racism in church. This year we’ve transitioned into a celebration because we felt that’s what our community needed at the time. We needed something centered on joy.” 

Visual and performing artists are still welcome to sign up to show their work or perform by contacting Jiles at 318-820-4719.  

This event is free and open to the public. 

Former Grambling, MLB player passes away

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By T. Scott Boatright

Former Grambling State and MLB outfielder Gerald Williams died Tuesday morning at the age of 55 following a battle with cancer.
Williams’ illness hadn’t been made public and his death was announced on Twitter by Williams’s former New York Yankees teammate Derek Jeter.
“Gerald Williams passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. To my teammate and one of my best friends in the world, rest in peace, my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Liliana, and their whole family,” Jeter’s tweet read.

Williams, a native of LaPlace, right outside of New Orleans, and an East St. John High School graduate, played for Grambling in 1986 and ’87, totaled 102 hits in 287 at bats (.355) in 89 games played for the G-Men, including 20 doubles, six triples and 18 home runs and was also successful in 28 of 32 stolen base attempts at GSU.

Nicknamed “Ice” and was known for his speed and defensive play in the outfield, Williams also pitched for Grambling as a freshman, starting eight games and going 5-2 with 31 strikeouts and a 4.30 ERA.

“I had a good connection with the East St. John coach, so I had a good pipeline of players from there back then and Gerald was one of them,” said Wilbert Ellis, Williams’ college coach at GSU. “He was a hard worker, could hit and had great speed and throwing range. He always wanted to win.”
A 15th-round selection of the New York Yankees in the 1987 MLB Draft, Williams worked his way up through the Minor Leagues before making his MLB debut with the Yankees on Sept. 15, 1992.

After that brief stint Williams was sent back down to the minor leagues for a majority of the 1993 season before being called back up to the Yankees in late 1993. 

Williams played 14 years in the major leagues, spending a total of seven years with the Yankees, but also playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets and Florida Marlins. 

Despite all his moves, Williams knew the decisions weren’t personal but simply part of the game.

“When I was released, I no longer had a team so it gave me freedom,” Williams told the St. Petersburg Times after being released by the Devil Rays in June of 2001. “Most people would look at it a different way, but I felt free. It gave me an opportunity once again to select something that would be best for me, so in an odd sort of way I kind of almost get what I want, huh?”

Williams would soon re-sign with the Yankees for two seasons before moving on to the Marlins and Mets to close out his MLB career.

Over that 14 year pro career Williams, who was nicknamed “Ice” and was known for his speed and defensive play in the outfield, batted .355 with 85 homers while being successful on 106 of 163 stolen base attempts.

“We lost a great one today,” Ellis said. “It’s a sad day.”

Eddie Robinson III, GSU graduate and namesake of his grandfather, legendary Grambling football coach Eddie Robinson, worked for the Yankees for eight years and was a friend of Williams.

“He was already in the Yankees organization when I started working there and when I joined he kind of took me under his wing and helped show me the ropes,” Robinson III said. “And a little later, when Jeter joined the Yankees, Gerald took him under his wings, too.

“The thing I will always remember about Gerald is that smile … that infectious smile. He had a smile that always lit up the room.”

 
 

Police jury changes COVID protocol to reflect new CDC guidelines

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File photo

By William Midkiff

On the evening of Feb. 8, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury had its monthly meeting, during which several reports were given, a few votes were taken, and the Police Jury adopted new COVID-19 protocols for their employees based on the new CDC guidelines.

The CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation were updated on Jan. 27. The Lincoln Parish Police Jury Protocol has been updated to reflect this change, for the first time since July of 2020.

The first of the two main changes is the revocation of the daily screening checklist. Under the new protocol, police jury employees will now self-monitor for symptoms, reporting any to their supervisor. Employees are also highly encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing when possible.

The second of the two main changes is the updated quarantine time for positive test results. Police jury employees will now have to stay home and isolate for five full days if they do not have symptoms, or if their symptoms are mild. Employees will have to stay home and isolate for ten full days if they are severely ill.

For those with mild or no symptoms, isolation can only end when they have been fever-free for 24 hours. For those with severe symptoms, isolation can only end after they have consulted their doctor and been given permission.

This new protocol has only been officially passed for Lincoln Parish Police Jury employees. However, the changes were based on the CDC guidelines, which are recommended for all individuals.

The Department of Homeland Security also gave a report detailing the administration of home test kits to Lincoln Parish. The first allocation of test kits was distributed throughout the parish, but the second allocation was distributed specifically to government employees.

Kip Franklin, director of Lincoln Parish Homeland Security, explained the reasoning behind the change in distribution.

“I decided to distribute those in a different manner and make sure that all of our government employees,” Franklin said. “City, parish, public works — all these people are able to get a kit to have in case. Because if our services go down, we’re in a lot of big trouble.”

Other highlights from the meeting include the Health and Welfare Committee voting to approve $120,000 for the Ruston ambulance service for 2022, as well as the granting of an award to James Ramsaur, director of Lincoln Parish Park.

On behalf of Lincoln Parish Park, Ramsaur received the Louisiana Travel Association 2022 Louey Award for Campground/RV Park of the Year.

“I’ve been believing that we are one of the best parks, not only in Louisiana, but in the country, for a long time, but I’m biased,” Ramsaur said. “So it’s good validation for the park to receive this award that shows that we really do have something special there.”

Simsboro, Choudrant split Tuesday

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By T. Scott Boatright

CHOUDRANT — Simsboro scored the opening 10 points and never looked back Tuesday night as the Tigers topped Choudrant 90-46 in a battle of Class B powerhouses at the CHS Gym.

A jumper by Chilaydrien Newton followed by a 3-point from Shamarian Brantley put the Tigers on top 5-0 only 48 seconds into the contest.

Choudrant hit its first basket at the 5:12 mark of the first quarter as Michael Jones scored in the post, but the Tigers maintained their frantic pace the remainder of the stanza to build a 30-8 advantage heading into the second quarter.

While Simsboro’s game slowed down in the second quarter, it wasn’t by much as the Tigers led 50-19 at halftime.

Tigers coach Josh Brown was happy to see his team start strong or what he knew heading in was a good Choudrant squad.

“They’re a really good team. They’re ranked No. 5 or No. 6 for a reason,” Brown said. “Our guys focused in practice heading in on defense and not giving them looks, but when Choudrant gets hot, they can give you problems. And later on, you saw that when we did let our guard down, they made shots. (Lachlan Thompson) and (Chris Williams) are really good players.

“I was proud of our effort tonight. We had a game plan, the guys locked in and came in and played good defense.”

Both teams began going deep into their benches in the second half, with the Tigers holding a 72-37 at the end of the third quarter.

All 13 Tigers that dressed scored in the contest, led by Newton with 18 points and Nick Maryland with 17.

Jordan Crawford added 11 points for Simsboro while Kaelip Wright chipped in with 10.

“In situations like that when your opposition is so exceptionally skilled, our goal was to do everything possible to keep them in front of us, because when we played there they just dribbled around us and took it to the basket.

But the tradeoff for that is that if you do that, it opens up the 3-point shot, so credit to them for coming out and shooting the ball like they did, especially early on. When you get them on a hot night, it’s hard to get past that.”

Jones led Choudrant with 12 points while Thompson added nine for the Aggies.

Simsboro will next play at Quitman on Friday while Choudrant will play at Weston on Thursday.

Lady Aggies 58, Lady Tigers 47

CHOUDRANT —  The Choudrant Lady Aggies used a late third quarter surge to pull away from Simsboro High School to earn the hard-fought District 1-1B victory at the CHS Gym.

But credit Simsboro’s Ikea Brown for doing everything she could to keep her Lady Tigers in the contest as the junior point guard scored 39 of her team’s 47 total points on the night.

Simsboro led 10-8 at the end of the third quarter and 22-20 at half thanks to Brown’s feisty performance.

But the Lady Aggies got on a run midway through the third stanza, opening up a 38-28 advantage with 3:28 remaining in the period.

Choudrant ended the quarter with a 34-31 lead, it’s biggest at that point in the contest.

Simsboro outscored Choudrant 16-14 in the final period, but that third-quarter surge proved to be the difference in the contest.

“We made a nice little run and hit some shots in the third quarter that kind of stretched it out for us,” said Lady Aggies coach Geoffrey Underwood. “And that’s what ended up winning the game for us in the long run. We were able to hold on to it..”

Underwood admitted he was just glad to see his Lady Aggies overcome Brown’s performance.

She’s fast, she beats everyone down the floor and can get to the basket on anybody,” Underwood said. “She had a great night.”

Mattie Johnson led Choudrant with 21 points while Kylee Portilloz added 17 and Aly Thomas chipped in with 15.

The Lady Tigers will next play at Quitman on Friday while Choudrant will play at Weston on Thursday as District 2-B teams wrap up regular-season play. 

“Our district is tough this year, which will hopefully be good for us in the playoffs,” Underwood said. “If we can pull out a win Thursday night and maybe carry a little momentum into the playoffs, that would be great.”

Deputy sheriff arrests motorist on numerous charges

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A local man was arrested after a Lincoln Parish deputy smelled possible marijuana during a traffic stop.

Sgt. Chad Caskey stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on LA Highway 818 near U.S. 80. When Caskey approached the driver, he smelled what he believed to be raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver, David L. Walker, 33, of Ruston, admitted he had some marijuana on him and produced a small bag. He was placed under arrest and searched, and additional marijuana and digital scales were found on his person. 

A search of the vehicle revealed a large black vacuum-sealed bag containing several baggies of suspected marijuana along with unused zipper plastic baggies commonly used to package controlled substances. 

A records check indicated Walker’s driver’s license was suspended. 

Walker was booked for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, and a traffic violation.

Lewis joins Red River Revel

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SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – Red River Revel, Inc., proudly welcomes Louisiana Tech graduate and former LA Tech Athletics Department employee Logan Lewis as the new Executive Director.

Red River Revel, Inc. is the 501c3 nonprofit organization that brings annual events to Northwest Louisiana, including Red River Revel Arts Festival, CORK: A Red River Revel Wine Event, the Shreveport Farmers’ Market, and Shreveport BREW.

Lewis brings several years of event, marketing, and fundraising experience to this organization, along with a new outlook, fresh insight and youthful vibe.

“The board is excited to work with Logan as our new Executive Director and confident that The Red River Revel Arts Festival, along with our other events, will be well-positioned under his guidance and leadership to thrive for years to come,” said Jana Freeman Forrest, President of the Board of Directors for the Red River Revel. “His love of the arts and music brings new energy to our organization and will make an impactful contribution to our community.” .

Lewis joins the Red River Revel from the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Serving as the bowl’s Director of Marketing and Membership since 2016, Lewis’s primary focus was the development of sponsorship and fundraising as well as oversight of the marketing plan and strategy.

He had key influence in two title sponsor searches for the bowl and has grown the membership by 20 percent. His hobbies include playing in local bands Logan & the Legendaries and Tree Fiddy Trio. He is married to Elizabeth Earl and has one ten –year old son, Asher.

“I’m thrilled to join the Red River Revel and combine my experience of live event planning and entertainment with my first love: the arts.” said Lewis. “It means a great deal to me to live and work for a historic organization that develops a rich cultural experience and tradition for the community.”

Domestic confrontation leads to arrest

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A Ruston man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted the victim in the presence of police officers who had accompanied her to the residence to retrieve some property.

The victim and the man, D’nihan McGee, 20, had previously lived together but the woman had moved out. Ruston Police officers responded to the Beacon Light Road residence to stand by while she retrieved some property from the home. McGee came outside and acted aggressively toward the victim. Once the victim came out with her clothing, McGee reportedly grabbed the items. An officer told him to release the clothes and McGee instead grabbed the victim by the hair and pulled her toward him. Officers restrained McGee who resisted. He was handcuffed but refused to get in the patrol car and had to be forced inside.

McGee was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for battery of a dating partner and resisting an officer by force. The arrest affidavit for the charges indicated McGee had allegedly committed a battery on the same victim about a month ago.

Love Story, Chapter 2

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Married at 17, three babies by 24. But in her early 40’s she found herself divorced against her will, her house empty of a husband and children, nothing left of value but memories.

She moved to a West Monroe trailer park, bought it, kept teaching school, started over, a good soldier.

Her college-aged son called her practically every day. A male voice to hear, a familiar face to recall, a thread back to good times, maybe a hope for more.

Then one day, the son couldn’t find her. Nothing but dial tones.  

There was a reason: she was on the move again.

Seems one day she’d heard a knock on her trailer door. A high school friend she hadn’t seen in, what, 30 years? He, too, wore the outfit of a dude on the move, a man meaning business: blue jeans, windbreaker, Detroit Tigers ballcap. A West Monroe version of Tom Selleck. (Such were the ’80s: dial tones and Magnum P.I.)

They brewed a pot of coffee, started catching up. And apparently, started hanging out far from any landline.

I could not have been happier for our mother. Or for her guy in the ballcap.

That knock on the door led to 30-plus years of marriage and friendship, of travels all over the country and then some. From the press box in Omaha at the College World Series, I called her and Don in Carmel, California to wish them a happy wedding day. Through the years, my sisters and I got postcards from Montana and Maine and Canada, where momma was once ticketed for fishing without a license.

She’d gone international outlaw.

Don’s mother traveled with them often until she passed away. So did an ornery little Chihuahua named TJ, luckiest dog ever born. He passed too, God bless his loved-to-travel heart.

Mom and Don kept going.

It was a bum liver that slowed them, one Don had no part in damaging. Never smoked. Never drank. Ballplayer. A Marine and then a mail carrier for 33 years, he drew a bad card is all. No reason for it really. Nobody’s fault. They made the most of it, and that was a lot.

He adjusted. They adjusted. And most of the past 16 years were normal until they weren’t, until he died in August.

So proud of his grandsons and my nephews at his celebration service in November. They made us laugh, talking about Don and his camcorder at the grandkids’ ballgames, his photography and ham operator hobbies, Captain Drone, the weird flutes he played back in his room (these things were longer than bed slats), his fascination with the New England Patriots, his love of West Monroe’s Rebs and his love for Sweeter, the family’s affectionate name for our mom.

I appreciate the sentiment of Valentine’s Day, but when those Hallmark cards grow up and hit 80-plus, here’s what they want to be:

Part of a couple sitting in matching rocking recliners, splitting a chicken salad sandwich and Fritos, glasses of sweet tea on a shared end table, a ballgame or old movies on the big screen. Companionship forged by time and trust. Deep water.

The short story: the guy loved our mom.

For that and for many other things, a tip of the ballcap to a faithful old Tiger.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

LA Tech announces Tailgating Tents for softball

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

RUSTON, La. – With the start of the softball season just days away and Louisiana Tech’s home opener one week away, Tech Athletics announced tailgating tents are available for purchase on a game-by-game basis for the 2022 season.

Four 10×10 tents are available for rent for each home game with tiered pricing based on day, opponent and number of tents rented. Each tent comes with 10 tickets, one 6-foot table and two high-top tables while renters are permitted to bring in a grill and food prep for the day.

Prices range from $150 to $250 per tent per game and individuals who rent more than one tent for a game will receive price breaks on the additional tents (tickets).

Fans can see pricing options by going to LATechSports.com/tickets and clicking on softball.  Individuals interested in renting tents should call Avrielle Steward at 318-257-5154 or asteward@latech.edu.

Season tickets are on sale and single game tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 9 as the Lady Techsters are slated to play 23 home games at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

A number of price points exist for season tickets. Chairbacks (most popular) are $100 while bleacher seats are $75 and berm seating are $50.

Single game tickets cost $15 chairbacks, $10 bleacher (adult), $8 bleacher (youth 17-and-under), $8 berm (adult) and $5 berm (youth 17-and-under).

Tickets for the Lady Techster Invitational (Feb. 19 and 20 – 6 total games, including 3 each day) cost $25 for an all-tournament pass (adult), $15 for an all-tournament pass (youth 17 and under), $15 per day for a day pass (adult) and $10 for a day pass (youth 17 and under).

First year head coach Josh Taylor and Co. will host a two-day home tournament featuring Tulsa and Sam Houston the second weekend of the season while hosting four 3-game Conference USA series against UAB, Southern Miss, UTSA and FIU.

Tech will host mid-weeks against ULM, Northwestern State, Southeastern and Stephen F. Austin and will also host Nicholls State in a three-game weekend series.

The Lady Techsters return 16 letter-winners from last year while welcoming six newcomers to the mix for this season. Tech’s 2022 roster includes a number of local products, including KB Briley (Sterlington), Katelin Cooper (Cedar Creek), Caroline Easom (Airline), Kara Goff (Ruston), Jordyn Manning (Ouachita), and Lauren Menzina (Cedar Creek).

To purchase season tickets, fans can call 318-257-3631 or go to LATechSports.com/tickets.

Postcards tell our history

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By Wesley Harris

A community’s history can be recreated through the postcards issued to commemorate its locations, people and special events. 

As I collected post cards from my hometown, I realized the hundreds of images printed for the past century could tell the community’s history as easily as a book. In fact, I turned my collection into a book: “Greetings from Ruston.” 

Usually postcards were intended for tourists. They revealed what was important to the community—churches, schools, successful businesses, significant community events. More recently, postcards have been used extensively as advertising which will tell historians a century from now much about how we lived.

Collections of postcards can be found on internet genealogy and history sites. Even assemblages of outrageously corny or ugly postcards can be viewed online.

Postcards featuring Lincoln Parish are easy to find on eBay and other online sales sites, priced from a couple of dollars up. Various views of the parish courthouse have been featured on postcards. Other cards bear images of local churches, schools, homes and street scenes. Views of downtown Ruston in the early 1900s are listed on eBay at a starting bid of $30. 

The U.S. Post Office Department began issuing pre-stamped postal cards in 1873. The cards were created to meet the public demand for a convenient way to send notes by mail. The Post Office was the only entity allowed to print postcards until 1898 when Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act, permitting private publishers and printers to produce postcards. Initially, the government prohibited private businesses from calling their cards “postcards,” so they were referred to as “souvenir cards.” Prior to 1908, no other information could be placed on the address side of the postcard, so the photo side often provided a margin for a short message.

The first postcard in the United States was created in 1893 to advertise the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Shortly thereafter the United States Post Office Department allowed printers to publish a 1-cent postcard (the “Penny Postcard”). A correspondent’s writing was allowed only on the front side of these cards.

In 1901 cards appeared with the words “Post Card” printed on the reverse (the side without the picture). Written messages were still restricted to the front side, with the entire back dedicated to the address. This “undivided back” is what gives this postcard era its name.

The “divided back” card, with space for a message on the address side, came into use in the United States in 1907. The back of the card was divided into two sections, the left section being used for the message and the right for the address. From 1907 to about 1915, picture postcards were a wildly popular form of communication. In 1908, more than 677 million postcards were mailed.

The earliest cards in my collection feature Railroad Park and the Chautauqua grounds where the Toma Lodge subdivision now exists. They were produced in 1907. Being divided back cards, writers did not have to scribble their messages across the photograph.

The “white border” era, named for obvious reasons, lasted from about 1916 to 1930. The “linen card” era, from 1931 to the early 1950s, was marked by the use of cards with a textured surface similar to linen cloth. The current post card era of “chrome” cards began about 1939. The images on these cards are usually color photographs on a glossy paper. Modern postcards can also be found made from wood, metal or bearing holograph images.

Today, many Christmas greetings are in the form of postcards, usually with a photograph of the family. Businesses and nonprofits often use postcards to make announcements and spread important information without the expense of stuffed envelopes.

Humana offers special enrollment

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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

Two Tech master’s degrees rank among top online programs

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Two Louisiana Tech University Master of Science programs have been recognized as top programs in the U.S. by Online Master Degrees, a site that ranks graduate degrees open for distance learners.

The Louisiana Tech College of Engineering and Science’s graduate programs in Engineering and Technology Management and Engineering with a concentration in Industrial Engineering have earned the best rankings for any engineering programs in the state on their respective lists.

The Engineering and Technology Management degree earned the No. 5 rank on the “Top Master’s in Engineering Management Online Programs” list and was one of only two programs in Louisiana to rank. A similar program at the University of New Orleans was ranked 31 in the same list.

The MS Engineering, Industrial Engineering concentration was ranked No. 25 on the organization’s “Top Online Engineering Master’s Degree Programs” list. Like the Engineering and Technology Management program, the Engineering master’s degree with a concentration in Industrial Engineering was one of only two programs in the state to earn a position on its list. The program outranked a similar program at Louisiana State University by more than 10 spots.

The Engineering and Technology Management and Engineering, Industrial Engineering concentration programs provide students with innovative distance learning opportunities, including asynchronous lectures, learning materials presented through the University’s learning management system, Moodle, and proctored exams.

Students in the Engineering and Technology Management program graduate with the skills to understand mathematical, statistical, and risk management analysis and have the option to pursue concentrations in engineering management, technology management, construction, or data science. Curricula within the program offer students opportunities to strengthen their abilities in systems design, engineering management, project management, and financial analysis. Because of these skills, alumni of the program often rise to leadership positions in their fields.

The Industrial Engineering concentration in the Master of Engineering program has been consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, since 2018. The program was selected as a “2018 Best Online College for Value,” a top “Online Masters Best Industrial Engineering Degree Program 2019,” and one of the “2020 Best Online Engineering Degrees.” Students in the program learn how to lead projects from start to finish, including planning projects, using economics to make project decisions, and applying quality control in the field as well as how to best use soft skills like communication and flexibility to create the best products and workspaces.

Applications for Summer and Fall admissions are open. Email Dr. Beth Hegab (bhegab@latech.edu) with questions about the programs.