In early March, Cathi Cox-Boniol, Director of the Region 8 LaSTEM Center and Louisiana Tech graduate, was honored with several awards during the annual International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) conference. 

Cox-Boniol was recognized as the Outstanding Affiliate Representative for Region 2, which includes Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee as well as Ontario and Quebec. This honor was awarded for her work to facilitate growth within the state of Louisiana. 

The Council for STEM Leadership (CSL) within ITEEA also recognized Cox-Boniol as Outstanding State/Province Leader. This award recognizes leadership as well as service to the profession, and only one state was so honored. During the event, Cox-Boniol was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the CSL. 

Finally, Cox-Boniol was invited to membership in Epsilon Pi Tau, the International Honor Society for Professions in Technology, the official honor society for ITEEA. She was challenged during her initiation to install a chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau at Louisiana Tech University. 

The State Library of Louisiana has announced the winners of the 2021-2022 Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards. Louisiana’s young people have read nearly 1.35 million books and cast over 424,000 votes in the 23 years since the program began. 

Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice 
Grades 3-5: 
The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) written by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno 

Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice 
Grades 6-8: 
New Kid (Quill Tree Books, Harper Collins) written and illustrated by Jerry Craft 

Louisiana Teen Readers’ Choice 
Grades 9-12: 
Two Can Keep a Secret (Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House) by Karen M. McManus 

Honor titles include Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team (HarperCollins Children’s Books, HarperCollins), written by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk for the Grades 3-5 list; Maybe He Just Likes You (Aladdin, Simon & Schuster) by Barbara Dee for the Grades 6-8 list; and With the Fire on High (Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins) by Elizabeth Acevedo for the Grades 9-12 list. Winners are selected from diverse booklists carefully chosen by committees of school and public librarians from across the state, and many students cast their ballots on voting machines supplied by the Secretary of State’s Voter Outreach Division. 

“Now in its 23rd year, the Louisiana Readers’ Choice program is a great way to introduce students to some fantastic reads, especially during such a stressful time when we could all use an escape,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The use of actual voting machines and encouraging an interest in the democratic process through our partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office are added bonuses.” 

“The State Library of Louisiana is proud to continue facilitating the selection of high-interest titles with the collective expertise of our public and school librarians statewide,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “We hope to foster a love of reading that contributes to the lifelong development of Louisiana youth as skilled readers.” 

For more information about the program, including previous winners, how to participate, and additional resources such as free bookmarks, posters, and study guides, please visit the Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award website. 

While retirement planning isn’t just about saving.  It isn’t just about tax planning.  Social Security effects almost everyone. 

Statistics show approximately 90% of those currently receiving Social Security did not maximize their benefits.  Current regulations allow for close to 300 options for a married couple to draw these benefits.  What is the right answer for you?  Begin drawing early?  Wait, but to what point to gain the most dollars?  Can you still work and receive Social Security? Some of the answers to these common consumer questions may surprise you.

 If you are a Louisiana state employee or a public educator, you and your spouse both maybe adversely effected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO)?  Both WEP and GPO reduce the Social Security benefits you actually receive each month.  What you don’t know really can hurt you. 

 An informed decision is always a better decision.  Call for your own complementary Social Security retirement benefit analysis and personal consultation to select the best option for you and your family!

Contact Reinette Today!
rfoster@reinettefoster.com
318-481-6539
www.ReinetteFoster.com

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

Lovie C. Brown   
April 5, 1940 – March 17, 2022   
Visitation: 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Avenue   
Funeral: 11 a.m., Thursday, March 24 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 521 Mt. Olive Church Rd., Grambling   
Interment: Thursday, March 24 at Grambling Memorial Garden, Hwy. 80 W., Grambling   

Sullivan Johnson Jr.   
January 3, 1942 – March 15, 2022   
Graveside service: 3 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at Rhymes Cemetery, Hwy. 15, Rayville 

After severe thunderstorms with reports of tornadoes spread damage across parts of North Texas on Monday evening, areas of Louisiana could see “a regional severe weather outbreak” on Tuesday according to multiple weather outlets.

The Ark-La-Miss has the potential to see tornado outbreaks overnight through Tuesday morning with wind, hail and rain beginning late tonight. The likelihood of tornadoes increases after sunrise as the area has the potential for multiple tornadoes through morning and afternoon.

Although some showers will arrive prior to the severe weather, most of the severe storms are likely to arrive in Lincoln Parish and the surrounding areas between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. with the line of strong thunderstorms.

All storms will be capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and flash flooding. Residents are reminded to have a severe weather plan in place for your home, business, or school. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and stay tuned to your local radio and television stations.

Unfortunately for Louisiana Tech fans, the rumors of the past 24 hours are true.

The University of Tulsa and Louisiana Tech both announced within the last 30 minutes that Eric Konkol will be the next head coach for the Golden Hurricane.

“I want to thank Eric for the job he has done serving as our men’s basketball coach over the past seven years,” said Tech Director of Athletics Eric Wood in the release issued by the Tech Athletics Department. “He ran a first-class program that was highly competitive on and off the court.”

Konkol was hired away from Miami in 2015 after the departure of Mike White to Florida. He now leaves Ruston as the third winningest coach in the history of the Bulldog program with an overall mark of 153 wins and 75 losses.

Konkol led Tech to 20 or more wins in six of seven seasons, including 24 victories in each of the past two years. He guided Tech to the 2021 Conference USA West Division title and a Final Four appearance in the NIT.

As a result, he garnered numerous awards including C-USA Coach of the Year, NABC District 11 Coach of the Year, LABC Louisiana Major College Coach of the Year and LSWA Louisiana Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award.

Konkol followed that up with 24 wins this year and an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament championship game.

Tech is scheduled to return the nucleus of its team as only fifth-year seniors Amorie Archibald and Exavian Christon are done with their collegiate eligibility.

“Although we are sorry to see him leave, we wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward. We are excited about the future of Bulldog Basketball and we will work diligently to find the right person to lead our program.”

According to the press release, a national search will be conducted for the next head coach although no definitive timeline was provided.

At about 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Ruston Police responded to the Neighborhood Walmart on West California Avenue regarding a shoplifter. Based on the description of the suspect, Sergeant K. D. Loyd located Iresha Percy, 31, of Ruston, at the corner of Jones Street and West Line Avenue. During a search, a clear glass smoking device commonly used to consume controlled substances was found in Percy’s left pants pocket. 

Several items from Walmart with a value of approximately $42 were recovered. 

Percy was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center booked for theft by shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal trespassing. The trespassing charge stems from Percy being banned from the Walmart in 2020 with notice she would be arrested if she returned.

Another shoplifting call Friday resulted in the arrested of 54-year-old Ruston woman.

RPD officers were dispatched to Super 1 Foods regarding a shoplifting in progress. Betty F. Maryland was pointed out to officers in the store’s parking lot. Once she was taken into custody, a device commonly used to consume controlled substances was discovered. The suspect allegedly stated she used it to smoke crack cocaine earlier in the day.

It was discovered the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department held a warrant for Maryland’s arrest. The nature of that charge was not immediately available.

Maryland was arrested for theft by shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the warrant.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  

Grambling State University Police made two arrests Thursday after responding to a disturbance at a GSU residence hall.

At about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, GSU officers were dispatched to Wheatley Hall regarding a disturbance. The on-duty resident assistant told officers she heard a loud commotion outside her office. She stated she heard female voices threatening to make entry into a room. When she went into the hallway, she observed two females and some males walking away. 

Officers interviewed the man and woman inside the room. The female identified the suspects as Kentrice E. Sullemon, 19, of Dallas, and Lillefaye Trahan, 19, of New Orleans. The victim stated she was visiting the male when the two came to the room trying to fight her. They attempted to force their way into the room and the male asked them multiple times to leave. They reportedly refused and threatened to get someone to fight the man. He stated the two attempted to forcibly push open the door and enter the room.

Officers reviewed video footage of the hallway which showed the two suspects approaching the room and attempting to push open the door multiple times. The two were located at Adams Hall and taken to the GSU Police Department for questioning.

The two were arrested for unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and disturbing the peace and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

A man arrested by Ruston Police early Saturday morning was found to be a convicted felon in possession of drugs and a gun.

At about 4 a.m. Saturday, RPD Officer E. Williams observed a driver commit several traffic violations in the vicinity of S. Farmerville Street and Eastland Avenue. Williams attempted to stop the vehicle, but it continued to a residence on Alpine Street. 

After the vehicle stopped, the driver exited and threw a large cellophane bag away. Williams immediately detected signs of impairment and administered several field sobriety tests. 

After the driver, Jermarian Gray, 29, of Ruston was arrested, Williams retrieved the bag and found it contained suspected marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and MDMA (Ecstasy).

Lying on the driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle was a 9mm pistol. Gray was determined to be a convicted felon and currently on probation for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. 

A breath test administered at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center revealed Gray’s blood alcohol level to be .201g%, over two times the legal limit.

Gray was booked for possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with controlled substances, driving while intoxicated, and several traffic violations. 

He remains in custody at the detention center in lieu of $125,500 bail. He is also being held for Louisiana Probation & Parole officers.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  

Grambling State University President Rick Gallot will journey south later this month to meet and interact with potential GSU students as part of the 2022 Bernetta Ambres Ambassador Tour. 

The event was started by the late Grambling State alumna Bernetta Ambres and will connect GSU with high school students from St. John the Baptist, Jefferson and Orleans parishes. Gallot, GSU Vice President for Advancement, Research and Economic Development Melanie Jones and the GSU admissions team speak to junior and senior classes about the benefits of attending Grambling with students being offered on-site admittance. 

GSU Director of Bands Dr. Nikole Roebuck will also participate. 

Gallot and GSU’s  Bernetta Ambres Ambassador Tour team will depart for New Orleans on March 29 and following a breakfast with the Jefferson Parish Schools System on March 30 will attend an “InspireNOLA” charter schools event to be hosted by Edna Karr High School at from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. with student from McDonough 35 also participating. 

From 12:30-1:30 that afternoon the GSU team will meet with students at Landry Walker College & Career Preparatory School before meeting with students at St. Mary’s Academy from 2-3 p.m. 

Gallot and GSU’s tour team will start the day on March 31 visiting with students at West St. John High School in Edgard from 9-10:30 a.m. before moving to East St. John High School in Reserve for an 11 a.m.-noon visit. 

From 12:45-1:45 p.m. that afternoon the group will appear at Booker T. Washington High School to meet with students there as well as others from Frederick Douglas High School and John F. Kennedy High School. 

GSU’s recruiting team will then move on to St. Augustine High School to meet with students there from 2-3 p.m. before attending a fundraiser/reception at the Roy E. Glapion Zulu Hall in New Orleans from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

On April 1, Gallot and his team are slated to visit the College Academy in New Orleans at a time to be determined. 

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

The LA Tech and LSU midweek match-up originally scheduled for tonight has been moved to Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium.

The match-up was moved over to Wednesday due to the incoming severe weather in Baton Rouge. Tech defeated LSU 11-5 in the first meeting of the year back in February at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

The LA Tech-LSU contest can be heard on KNBB 97.7 FM, and can be streamed on SEC Network +.

By Madison Remrey

Pixar’s latest film, directed by Domee Shi, captures everything it means to be a pre-teen girl – periods, boy crushes, awkward friend groups and overbearing mothers.  

Released on March 11, “Turning Red” is set in 2002 and follows the life of Meilin “Mei” Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who is living her best life as a straight-A, people pleasing, over achieving pre-teen. She spends her days going to school and helping out her mother and father with their family-owned temple in Toronto.  

Things become complicated for Mei when she begins to experience the oh-so-wondrous changes of puberty. Symbolic of beginning her period, Mei wakes up one morning as a red panda. This puts her under a lot of stress as she shifts back and forth seemingly at random.  

Mei soon learns that she turns into a red panda anytime that her emotions get the best of her, and one could see why that might be difficult for a pre-teen to control. Mei is distraught at the thought of living the rest of her life like this until her mother reveals that this transformation is something that happens to all the women in their family and there is a “cure” for it.  

Since the cure for turning into a panda can only happen during a red moon, Mei must wait an entire month before she is able to fix this side of her that she hates.  

The weeks following Mei’s first transformation are filled with questionable decisions—- sneaking out, lying to parents, exploiting her panda’s cuteness for money and more.  

This is what being a soon-to-be-teenager is all about, though. Being young means having much to learn about life and doing such isn’t always done in the most logical (or safe) way.  

Although Mei’s decisions aren’t made with the most clear of thinking, they are what ultimately teach her important lessons that she may not have learned otherwise. She learns how to love herself for every panda fur on her head and every quirky trait in her bones. Mei learns to be unashamedly herself. 

Nothing short of any previous Pixar film, the details in “Turning Red” are astonishing.  

Mei’s friends aren’t just some random characters thrown together, they’re people you would actually expect to find in a 13-year-old friend group. There’s the awkward tomboy, Miriam; the monotone friend, Priya; and the fiery friend, Abby. 

From the clothes and hairstyle of Mei’s family to how the fur of her red panda stands when she’s angry and is flattened when she’s calm, Shi finds subtle ways to express the personality and feelings of each character. 

Overall, “Turning Red” is a painfully relatable, yet cute, coming-of-age story. Shi does an amazing job at capturing what it is like during that awkward transition from child to teenager while exploring topics that are not only ignored in children’s media, but also ignored in all other aspects of life—- i.e. periods.   

Given the opportunity, it would be well worth any person’s time to sit down and watch this film. It truly is a masterpiece of art and, dare I say, is one of Pixar’s best produced films ever. 

By Doug Strickel

Like many of you, I have very mixed emotions as I look back over my life.  I have some great memories, and I am so thankful for those experiences.  I also have a number of regrets that I wish I could go back and handle differently.  Unlike many people, my regrets don’t result from things I did, but rather my regrets are the result of things I didn’t do.  I took the time a few years ago to make a list of these regrets.  These regrets range as far back as my freshmen year in high school.  After reviewing each one of the items, I noticed one common element in this listing.  Every one of these regrets was a result of my avoiding a more challenging, uncomfortable path and choosing an easier road.  

These choices weren’t good versus bad or legal versus illegal.  Rather, these choices were just my choosing a less demanding, less challenging option.  While I was hardworking and very committed to being a goal oriented person, I was also prone to avoid uncomfortable situations if given the alternative.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but avoiding these uncomfortable, challenging situations limited my growth and the opportunity to reach my potential.  

While I wish I could share this message with every young person possible, the message isn’t just for the younger generation.  This issue is applicable for all ages, and one that can be addressed at any stage of life.  While none of us can go back and change those decisions and choices that may now be regrets, we do get a chance to make better choices today.  Furthermore, we can start today on getting comfortable being uncomfortable.  

When we are willing to choose the more challenging assignment, have the more difficult conversation, and embrace the uncertainty of the unclear future, we will grow in the process and move closer to reaching our potential in life.  We will never reach our potential unless we are tested and go through challenging times.  Tough assignments make us better and prepare us for future challenges.  Tough conversations change lives.  Stepping out into the unclear future builds faith, confidence, and oftentimes leads to results never imagined.

Whatever our age, we all need to become comfortable being uncomfortable and to seek out challenges on a regular basis.  I started modeling this concept when I turned 50 a few years ago.  I changed my workout plan to start at 5 a.m. each day.  Getting up at 5 a.m. and putting myself through a challenging 60-90 minute workout was my personal commitment to remind myself to embrace challenges every day.  You see, there is no more benefit from working out at 5 a.m. versus 5 p.m.; however, it is a challenge many mornings for me to get up and do that workout.  It just sets the tone for the day.  

Forget about that “live your best life concept” that we hear so much about today.  Get comfortable being uncomfortable, and live a life focused on others.  Embrace a challenge every day and go to bed at night feeling a sense of real fulfillment.  Embrace a challenge every day for a month and see your life have real meaning and purpose!

Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a single-vehicle crash which occurred on U.S. Hwy 65 north of LA Hwy 134.  This crash claimed the life of 68-year-old Deborah Webb. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Webb, was traveling north on U.S. Hwy 65.  For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet exited the roadway and impacted a guy-wire. After the initial impact, the vehicle collided with a tree before becoming totally submerged in Lake Providence. 

Webb, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the East Carroll Parish Coroner. 

A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.  This crash remains under investigation. 

Although the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, Troopers would like to remind the public of the following: inattentive and distracted driving is dangerous and is a leading cause of crashes in our state.  It is important for motorists to pay attention to what is going on outside of the vehicle they are driving and to get plenty of rest in order to remain alert. 

Willie Lee Loflin 
August 20, 1935 – March 17, 2022 
Visitation: Saturday, Mar 19, 2022, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Funeral Service: Saturday, Mar 19, 2022, 2:00 PM at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Cemetery Committal: Saturday, Mar 19, 2022 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Calhoun 

Helen Rose Crow Reeves  
May 11, 1928 – March 18, 2022  
Visitation: Grace United Methodist Church, 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 22  
Service: Grace United Methodist Church, 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 22  

Betty Bond Womack Payne  
June 29, 1929 – March 17, 2022  
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 North Bonner, 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 22  
Cemetery: Jonesboro Cemetery, Tuesday, March 22  

Lovie C. Brown  
April 5, 1940 – March 17, 2022  
Visitation: 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Avenue  
Funeral: 11 a.m., Thursday, March 24 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 521 Mt. Olive Church Rd., Grambling  
Interment: Thursday, March 24 at Grambling Memorial Garden, Hwy. 80 W., Grambling  

Sullivan Johnson Jr.  
January 3, 1942 – March 15, 2022  
Graveside service: 3 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at Rhymes Cemetery, Hwy. 15, Rayville 

By William Midkiff

Louisiana Tech’s Kappa Delta sorority kicked off the morning of Saturday, March 19, with its annual Shamrock Run, a philanthropic event in which participants can compete in races, check out local vendors, and support two different charities helping to raise children in a healthy environment.

The event took place at the Lincoln Parish Park and included a 1-mile Fun Run and a 5K run, as well as a lane of vendor tables, at which local businesses could promote and sell their products. All proceeds from runner registration will be given to Kappa Delta’s two partner charities.

Louisiana Tech’s Kappa Delta President Avery Jeffcoat said she believes the event was a great success for both the participants and the charities.

“I think the guests loved it, and we were able to raise over $40,000 for the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and Prevent Child Abuse America, which are our two philanthropies that are super near and dear to our hearts,” Jeffcoat said.

Runners Harrison Dougherty and James Clack participated in the 5K race, both with positive experiences to share.

“It was a lot of fun,” Clack said. “I wasn’t really prepared for all the hills, but once you got into the rhythm of it, it was alright.”

Dougherty added that the runners’ positivity was a plus.

“You couldn’t ask for better weather to run in,” Dougherty said. “Great environment, great atmosphere as well. The atmosphere is awesome, tons of people.”

The two races at the Shamrock Run had over 400 registered runners in total, traversing all throughout the park on their runs. After the completion of the 5K, awards were announced, three of which were won by women in the McLean family.

Surprisingly, none of these McLeans practiced distance running in preparation for this event, but their performances speak for themselves. This family didn’t attend Shamrock for the competition though, keeping a light-hearted spirit about the event.

“We wanted to come and support KD, and we love the work that they’re doing with this charity,” Ashley McLean said.

This also isn’t their first venture to the annual Kappa Delta event.

“Last year’s was so fun, I loved last year’s,” Macy McLean said. “One of the best, most fun 5Ks I’ve ever been to.”

Louisiana Tech’s Kappa Delta Vice President McKinley Sherman is the one who oversaw the entire event, but she had her dedicated Shamrock team to back her up.

“It’s such a team effort,” Sherman said. “We plan the race, we make sure that vendors have everything they need, all the forms are filled out correctly, and everything goes smoothly.”

Jeffcoat said she believes that the team’s efforts were a great success this year.

“We’re so thankful for McKinley and her team, because they spent countless hours just sitting down, planning out every detail to make this event happen today,” Jeffcoat said. “I really think that it paid off so well.”

Another important aspect of the event is the opportunity for local businesses to show up and show their support, as well as put their own brands out there. One such business is Haley Marie’s Vanity, owned by Bossier-based bridal makeup artist Haley Gould.

Gould was promoting her own makeup line in the vendor lane at Shamrock, and was excited to be able to participate for the second year in a row.

“I did it last year, and it was so much fun and so successful, so I was like, ‘Of course, I’d love to be a part of it this year,’” Gould said. “So yeah, it was a really awesome event and a good turnout.”

Although her business is relatively mobile, her trips to Ruston are always a highlight for her.

“I love the town of Ruston, and everyone’s always been super welcoming to me when I come in,” Gould said.

The Shamrock Run was a definite success, and Sherman said she is glad that the focus of the event always stays on the community, not the sorority.

“I think Shamrock shows a lot about how Ruston is different from a lot of other places,” Sherman said. “The people are willing to come and willing to donate, and willing to be there and run and show support. It doesn’t happen in a lot of bigger places. You can just see that there’s a different type of community in Ruston — people want to help.”

Lincoln Parish resident Sam Burns sank a 30-foot putt on the second playoff hole to defeat longtime friend Davis Riley and repeat as the champion of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook at Palm Harbor, Florida.

Burns, a Shreveport native and member at Squire Creek Country Club, sank the long putt on the 16^th green, pumping his fists as he secured his third PGA victory of the year.

“All through today, just trying to make sure that I never got too high or too low and just tried to stay even-keeled,” he said. “And to see that go in, I mean, that’s just what I felt.”

Burns entered Sunday trailing Riley by two strokes. Burns closed with a two-under-par 69 and watched from afar as Riley had a 15-foot putt on the 18^th green that would have won it. Riley’s putt missed right and two playoff holes later, Burns held the trophy.

With the win, Burns moves into the Top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in his young career, passing Dustin Johnson who falls out for the first time in seven years.

Both golfers finished the 72 holes at 17-under-par forcing the playoff.

“Man, it’s crazy,” Burns said. “Davis played well today, especially the way he finished. I tried to stay steady. I didn’t make a lot of mistakes. A lot of time on Sunday if you plot your way around, make a bunch of pars, throw in a few birdies, a lot of times it works well. So happy.”

A DWI suspect who refused to take a breath test had to provide a blood sample after a judge issued a search warrant.

Shortly after midnight Thursday, a Lincoln Parish sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle on Cooktown Road for traffic violations. When the deputy observed the driver appeared to be impaired, he requested a state trooper assist.

Trooper Jordan Walsworth responded and conducted several field sobriety tests that had to be terminated because the driver, Evan A. Fertitta, 22, of Shreveport nearly fell several times. Fertitta reportedly said he could not perform the tests. He was arrested and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

Walsworth explained the rights form for chemical tests for intoxication to Fertitta who refused to sign it. When directed to take a breath test, Fertitta refused. A search warrant was obtained from a district court judge to draw blood from Fertitta for testing. 

Fertitta was taken to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center where a blood sample was secured. Results of tests of the sample are pending.

Fertitta was returned to the detention center and booked for driving while intoxicated, improper lane usage, and driving left of center.

Search warrants in DWI investigations, once rare, are often used now when suspects attempt to thwart evidence collection by refusing breath tests. The process has been upheld in the courts and in many jurisdictions, blood tests have become the established procedure for testing for alcohol impairment.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  

Softball

The Lady Techsters snapped their five-game losing streak with a Conference USA series sweep over FIU this weekend, defeating the Golden Panthers 3-2 on Friday, 4-2 on Saturday and 2-0 on Sunday.

Tech (18-12, 3-3 C-USA) used some stellar pitching from senior Audrey Pickett, who picked up two wins and a save, and some timely hitting from junior Amanda Gonzalez.

Gonzalez had game-winning home runs on both Saturday and Sunday and the game-changing triple in Friday’s win.

“I was most proud of our defense,” said Tech head coach Josh Taylor. “We didn’t commit an error over the last 19 innings of this series and that was the difference. Audrey pitched lights out all weekend. She was really, really good.

“And Amanda … what a way to respond. I told her (after this game was over) that she was awful Friday in those first three innings (committing three errors), but she responded. She was solid defensively the rest of the series, and came up with so many big hits.”

The Lady Techsters will travel to El Paso for a three-game series against UTEP this weekend.

________________________________________

Baseball

Louisiana Tech opened up Conference USA action this weekend, taking two out of three on the road against UTSA in San Antonio.

The Bulldogs (14-6, 2-1) used stellar performances from the bull pen to record come-from-behind wins Friday night (6-5) and Saturday (5-4) before dropping a 13-3 decision on Sunday.

“Very fortunate to get out of here with two wins on the series,” said Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. “We did not play well. I don’t remember being run-ruled, so that’s embarrassing. One thing that we have prided ourselves on was playing well on Sunday’s and we have not done that.

 “We aren’t getting much out of the middle of our order. We were in advantage counts all weekend and we go big fly balls pull side in the infield. Just getting big. We haven’t looked very tough when it comes to Sunday. Give those guys credit. They came out and I didn’t think they had much energy either, but we kind of let them in the ballgame.”

The Bulldogs will travel to face LSU Tuesday in Baton Rouge at 6:30 p.m. before hosting FIU in a three-game series at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park this weekend.

___________________________________

Tennis

The Lady Techsters won their program record 14^th straight match, defeating West Alabama 4-3 at the Lady Techster Tennis Complex Saturday afternoon.

Tech (16-2) lost the doubles point before fighting back to prevail in four of the six singles matches against the 14^th ranked Division II West Alabama squad.

Leonie Schuknecht (6-0, 6-4), Ilana Tetruashvili (6-2, 6-4), Tiffani Nash (6-1, 6-2) and Ana Rodrigues (6-3, 6-1) all prevailed in their singles matches.

The Lady Techsters have now won 12 straight home matches. Tech will host Tyler Junior College and Southern Arkansas on Saturday.

_________________________________

Golf

Louisiana Tech competes in its third event in as many weeks as the Bulldogs travel to play in the All-American Intercollegiate hosted by Houston at the Golf Club of Houston.

Tech is among a field of 17 teams consisting of Abilene Christian, Arkansas State, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia State, Lamar, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, New Mexico State, North Texas, Rice, Sam Houston State, Texas State, ULM, UTSA and the host Cougars.

Teams will play 36 holes Monday with an 8 a.m., split-tee start off No. 1 and No. 10 with the final 18 holes to begin at 8 a.m., Tuesday in a split-tee start.

Tech will be represented in Houston by Sam and Mac Murphy, James Swash, Lake Juban and Hunter Battles while Blake Blaser will compete as an individual.

Ruston will host its first citywide Easter egg hunt, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14 at the Ruston Sports Complex.

The event is free but limited to the first 1,000 children registered, and registration is required. Tickets are open for availability at noon today.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said his wife had mentioned that the city needed an Easter hunt, but due to COVID-19, it was pushed back to this year.

“It will be at the sports complex but only 1,000 kids are allowed this first year,” Walker said. “You have to pre-register for a ticket. I promise you, these 1000 tickets will go very quickly. We’re limiting it this first year to have an idea what will happen in years to come.”

Tickets are available by clicking here.

“We think this is going to be an incredible day,” Walker said.