The children of Ruston will soon have an extra outlet of fun with new additions coming to the parks and recreation sector of the city.

There are plans to bring splash pads to various parks around town. There will be three of them, and each one will be located at a different park– Mayfield Park, Duncan Park and Cook Park. 

During construction of phase two for the Ruston Sports Complex, there were plans to have things such as a lazy river, small pool and splash pad. These features had to be cut due to rising costs.

Thanks to grants, Ruston will still be able to have a water feature within the city even after the cuts made to phase two of the sports complex. 

Having a strong parks and recreation system is important in helping maintain the quality of life for residents within the area.

“We think that a vibrant downtown is important,” Mayor Ronny Walker said. “We think that a really nice farmer’s market is important. We think that bike trails and walking trails are important. All of those are what most people would refer to as quality of life issues. Well, parks and places for people to go outside and do things are a big component of that.”

The splash pads will be a way for families and friends to be able to spend time together and enjoy the outdoors of Ruston.

“It’s a neat way to have another opportunity for our families and individual kids to be a part of our park system here in Ruston,” Walker said. 

The money for these is coming from grants that were allocated to most cities in Louisiana during COVID-19 to help fund parks and recreation ventures. This is not going to cost the taxpayers any money. 

Applications for the grant money have been submitted and are currently waiting for approval. It is expected to hear on the approval status at the end of this month. The splash pads will not be completed by this summer, but are planned to be ready in the near future so that families can enjoy them in the summers following 2022.

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Dr. Robert Gehl, F. Jay Taylor Endowed Research Chair of Communication, recently published his latest book, Social Engineering: How Crowdmasters, Phreaks, Hackers, and Trolls Created a New Form of Manipulative Communication. 

The book examines manipulative communication from early 20th Century propaganda to today’s online con artistry through the lens of social engineering. 

“This book draws on concepts developed by computer hackers to help us understand the disinformation proliferating across the internet,” Gehl said. “It also sheds new light on the history of public relations and propaganda.” 

Gehl co-authored the book with Sean Lawson, Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Utah. Gehl said that the topics discussed in their book correlate to the actions that are taking place in Russia during its current conflict with Ukraine. 

“We argue that the current disinformation environment is a mix of interpersonal con artistry and societal-scale manipulative communication practices,” Gehl said. “Frankly, we’re seeing this in action right now inthe case of Russia’s disinformation campaign related to the Ukraine invasion.” 

Through their research, Gehl and Lawson show that online misinformation has its roots in earlier techniques: mass social engineering of the early 20th Century and interpersonal hacker social engineering of the 1970s, converging today into what they call “mass-personal social engineering.” 

The authors show how specific manipulative communication practices are a mixture of information gathering, deception, and truth-indifferent statements, all with the instrumental goal of getting people to take actions the social engineer wants them to. 

To learn more about Social Engineering: How Crowdmasters, Phreaks, Hackers, and Trolls Created a New Form of Manipulative Communication, visit the MIT Press website. 

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On Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:50 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a single-vehicle crash which occurred on Louisiana Highway 4 north of Louisiana Highway 128.  This crash claimed the life of 86-year-old Norman Ferrington of Winnsboro.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Ford F-150, driven by Ferrington, was traveling west on Louisiana Highway 4.  For reasons still under investigation, Ferrington’s vehicle exited the roadway and impacted a culvert, before colliding with several small trees.

Ferrington, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash.  Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up.  Not wearing a seat belt remains the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes.

In 2022, Troop F has investigated five fatal crashes resulting in six fatalities.

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Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Monday, Mar. 21
11 a.m.: Groundbreaking for new Dawghouse (102 N. Homer St.)
1 p.m.: Grambling Softball vs. Rust College (Double Header)
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning Meeting (Ruston City Hall)

Tuesday, March 22
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Junior High School Parent Informational Meeting (RJHS Cafeteria)
6 p.m.: We the People event, featuring guest speaker Elbert Lee Guillory, formerly of the Louisiana State Senate (Lincoln Parish Library)

Thursday, Mar. 24
7 p.m.: RCT Presents Father of the Bride (Dixie)

Friday, March 25
6 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs FIU
7 p.m.: RCT Presents Father of the Bride (Dixie)

Saturday, March 26
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: Community Yoga Classes (Lincoln Parish Events Center)
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. UT-Tyler
2 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs FIU
4 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. Southern Arkansas
6-9 p.m.: Louisiana Tech International Scholarship Dinner
7 p.m.: RCT Presents Father of the Bride (Dixie)

Sunday, March 27
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs FIU
2 p.m.: RCT Presents Father of the Bride (Dixie)

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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

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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 

Clifton “Cliff” McMichael 
December 9, 1946 – March 18, 2022 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 North Bonner; 1 p.m., Monday, March 21 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 North Bonner; 2 p.m., Monday, March 21 
Cemetery: Douglas Cemetery, Monday, March 21 

Betty Bond Womack Payne 
June 29, 1929 – March 17, 2022 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 North Bonner, 5-7 p.m., Monday, March 21 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 North Bonner, 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 22 
Cemetery: Jonesboro Cemetery, Tuesday, March 22 

Peggy Jane Odom Monk 
December 16, 1948 – March 17, 2022 
Service: Sharon Baptist Church, 2769 LA-152, Dubach, 10 a.m., Monday, March 21 
Cemetery: Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery, Monday, March 21 

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

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Ruston Police arrested an alleged shoplifter after a brief foot chase on the North Service Road Wednesday.

At about 11 a.m., the Walmart Supercenter reported a shoplifter had left the store walking west. Officer K. Davidson spotted a man matching the description walking between the Toyota dealership and Don Chuy’s restaurant. Davidson activated the patrol car’s emergency lights and pulled in front of the man, but the suspect began running.

Officer Davidson pursued the suspect, advising him numerous times to stop. The man, identified as Maurice Dubose, 58, of Grambling, eventually stopped and was arrested. Two smoking pipes typically used to ingest controlled substances were found in Dubose’s pants pocket. He was taken to Walmart where an employee identified him as the shoplifter.

Dubose was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for theft less than $750, resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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.  

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By T. Scott Boatright

The Choudrant High School softball team pushed across eight runs in the opening inning Thursday afternoon as the Lady Aggies marched to a 15-0 win over Jonesboro-Hodge at the HCS softball field.

CHS picked up seven of its 14 total hits in that first inning, with two walks and a hit batter helping the Lady Aggies scoring effort.

Choudrant added six more runs in the second inning to push their lead to 14-0, and after going four and out with a single in the third inning, Macie May walked with one out in the fourth before Bailey Grace Weaver’s double plated May to give the Lady Aggies the walk-off win.

All of Choudrant’s hits were singles except for Weaver’s double and another double from Elissa Guillotte to lead off the bottom of the first inning. And all but one of the 13 Lady Aggies who played recorded at least one hit.

“To be successful, we hit,” said CHS coach Wayne Antley. “That’s got to be our thing. We’ve got some power, too. I think we’ve hit 11 home runs so far. And we’ve got some pitching. So the way the team is shaping up is pretty good, we just need to get that actual game experience in there.”

Junior Mattie Johnson was the gamewinner for the Choudrant, recording 10 strikeouts and allowing only one hit — a single.

“We’ve got four who can pitch but three that do it regularly — Mattie, Holly Bennett and Addison Worley,” Antley said. “So this time of year we space them out the best that we can. We’ve got four pitchers we can throw and three catchers that are legit. I’ve never been that fortunate in high school before, especially on the Class B level. Class Bs just don’t usually have that.”

Lincoln Parish Schools being out on spring break didn’t slow the Lady Aggies’ efforts.

 “We have four games scheduled during spring break,” Antley said. “You’ve always got to practice or play during spring break. We’d rather play if we can at the midpoint of the season. We want to get at least 30 games in, but the weather we’ve had and are expected to have is going to make it close.”

So now standing at 11-3, the biggest opponent the Lady Aggies might be facing is Mother Nature as Antley scrambled to come up with playing contingencies with rains expected Thursday night into early morning today and more expected on Monday and Tuesday.

“We’re supposed to go to Carroll (today) and Union is supposed to go to Downsville,” Antley said. “So if they both get rained out, and the tarp keeps our field dry enough, Downsville is going to come over here for a doubleheader. We’re supposed to play them next Tuesday, but it’s supposed to rain next Tuesday.

“We’re just trying not to lose so many games right now. If our tarp keeps things dry enough, we may end up playing here tomorrow. We’re supposed to play Monday at (the LA Tech softball field) against Simsboro, but that and Tuesday may be a washout, and that could mean losing three or four games, so we’re trying to do what we can to get at least one, and maybe two in (today).”

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A Grambling woman was arrested Wednesday after returning to a residence after being warned to stay away.

Lincoln Parish deputies responded to a China Grove Road residence regarding Lakestani Nicholas, 21, threatening the victim there. Deputies informed Nicholas if she returned, she would be arrested for trespassing. At about 6 a.m. Wednesday, Nicholas returned to the residence and threatened the victim with a baseball bat. She allegedly knocked on the victim’s door and battered her when the victim came outside. 

When deputies arrived, the victim was restraining Nicholas on the ground.

The baseball bat was recovered from inside Nicholas‘s vehicle. The incident stemmed from a previous relationship between Nicholas and the victim’s boyfriend. 

Nicholas was arrested and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where she was booked for criminal trespassing, aggravated assault and simple battery.

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.  

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By T. Scott Boatright

He was a two-sport standout at Ruston High School before moving on to play baseball during his freshman year at LSU.

But now CJ Willis is a Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajun, who is in Troy, Alabama waiting to begin the Sun Belt Conference later today.

“I think the season’s going pretty good,” Willis said. “We’re playing the long game right now, we’re not really caught up in the short game. Right now all we want to do is win. That’s the only thing on our mind right now. It could always be better, but I’d say it’s going pretty good right now.”

The three-game series for the 9-7 Trojans begins at 6 p.m. today against the 11-5 Trojans.

“This is the first conference series of the year, so it’s very important,” Willis said. “We need to get off to a hot start. I honestly don’t know that much about Troy, except that we need to beat them.”

Willis, now a junior, said he started more at first base last year, but has spent the majority of playing time at second base this year. He’s also an experienced third baseman for the Ragin’ Cajuns and has played in the outfield, too. 

Willis, who has played in 12 games with eight starts, has a .977 fielding percentage and is batting .207 with a .276 slugging percentage with two stolen bases in the same number of attempts.

“It honestly doesn’t matter where I play,” Willis said. “The more positions a player can play, the better. And I see that as one of my roles. I’ll play wherever they need me.”

At 6-3, Willis admitted the one infield position he doesn’t play is shortstop.

“I mess around with that in practice sometimes but that’s not really part of my abilities,” he said. “It’s not who I am or what I do.”

With six hits, three runs batted in and 13 strikeouts this season, Willis, who hits in the back part of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ lineup, readily admits he tends to be “go big or go home” at the plate while still willing to wait on the pitch he wants and not swinging if he doesn’t get it.

Last season he posted a .250 batting average with two home runs and 14 RBIs while tying for second on the team in walks (19) and third in triples (two) while also  fourth overall on the team with eight stolen bases.

“I just try to stay relaxed and calm, take deep breaths and wait for the pitches I want,” Willis said. “I like to swing hard and long, but if I’m asked to bunt, I’ll bunt. If I just need to get a hit, I focus on that. I like to swing hard, but I try not to overpress anything.”

Willis played in 24 games as a true-freshman at LSU and started in 11, recording 11 hits, four of which were doubles, with seven RBIs.

He said the book “15 to 28,” about God’s love, power, and redemption through 28 true stories written by Louisiana-Lafayette head baseball coach Matt Deggs was part of the reason he decided to make a move to play for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“They were the first offer I got out of high school,” Willis said about Louisiana-Lafayette. “I had heard a lot about Coach Deggs. “I know my dad really liked his book and everything he’s heard about him. I just thought it felt like the right fit for me after I left LSU.”

Looking back as a standout baseball and football player for Ruston High, Willis said he does have one favorite memory as a Bearcat.

“Going to the third round (the quarterfinals) as a sophomore,”  Willis said of his best moment at RHS. “That was a fun season. I’ll never forget that season.

“Football was probably my first love just because I was able to play it first as a real game. It wasn’t like T-ball or anything. But as I got older it became baseball.”

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The Louisiana Tech Engineering and Science Association (ESA) and College of Engineering and Science (COES) will welcome high school students from across the region to Engineering and Science Day 2022 on Friday, April 22. 

Engineering and Science Day (E&S Day) is an annual event that provides high school students with the opportunity to interact with college students enrolled in engineering and science fields at Louisiana Tech, learn about University faculty research, take tours of COES facilities, and participate in hands-on activities led by students and faculty. Because of COVID, the 2022 event will be the first in-person E&S Day hosted on Tech’s Ruston campus since 2019, and students and faculty are thrilled to welcome high school students and their chaperones back to campus. 

Following the theme “To STEM and Beyond,” attendees will be able to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, including major and extracurricular options at Louisiana Tech. Student organizations will demonstrate their projects and faculty will present their research while providing attendees with hands-on activities that may help students solidify an interest in STEM majors. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) engineering space suit designer Amy Ross talk about her experiences working with the agency. 

Electrical Engineering junior and COES ambassador Julia Everett says attending Engineering and Science Day with her high school helped her understand what engineering was and helped her decide to pursue a degree in an engineering field. 

“When I attended E&S Day in high school, I was introduced to a career path I had never considered – engineering,” Everett said. “Louisiana Tech showed me the different paths I could take with different engineering majors, and I finally found a major that would suit my career goals. Years later, I am privileged to help put on the event for other high school students and see the same passion for engineering foster in the next generation of students!” 

“Because of the different disciplines and organizations showcasing their specialities, E&S Day shows off the different aspects of engineering and science to the students,” Dr. Krystal Corbett, Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering and Program Chair of the Freshman Living with the Lab, said. “It lets them see how they can get involved and find their niche when they come to college. Seeing the excitement surrounding college from people nearly their age gives them an access point to studying their fields of interest.” 

E&S Day activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. 

The cost of attendance is $15 per student, which includes admission to all E&S Day events, a pizza lunch, and a T-shirt. Chaperones attend free. 

The deadline to register is March 31. If you have any questions, contact the ESA. 

 

 

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Santa Monica, Calif. — By putting the needs of staff and students front and center, Chancellor Marco French, a graduate of Grambling State University, has transformed academic performance at Queensborough Leadership Academy and created a nurturing environment for all to thrive. Yet today, French was the focus of an all-school assembly where he was surprised with a national Milken Educator Award. The recognition comes with a $25,000 cash prize that French can use however he chooses.

Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken was joined by Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley to present French with the prestigious honor before cheering students, appreciative colleagues, state and local dignitaries, and media. In addition to today’s fanfare, French will join a national network of more than 2,800 Milken Educator Award recipients dedicated to strengthening K-12 education.

French is among more than 60 educators across the country who will receive the Award during the 2021-22 season. The last recipient in Caddo Parish was awarded in 2015.

“Chancellor Marco French has achieved significant success by aligning every effort to developing, motivating and retaining effective educators,” said Lowell Milken. “Marco unifies his staff under a common vision for excellence and, in so doing, creates a collaborative, vibrant culture for all to excel.”

French leads the academy’s implementation of the TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement – a signature initiative of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). Master and mentor teachers work with French and other administrators to set goals, guide regular job-embedded professional learning, coach educators in classrooms and leverage the faculty’s talents to drive student growth.

“As a former teacher, content coach, and instructional coordinator, Marco French understands learning and leadership from many angles,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These experiences have clearly informed his work as principal; he is committed to the success of the Queensborough Leadership Academy community, where he continues to motivate students and staff and inspire the next generation of leaders.”

Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” Milken Educator Awards inspire and uplift with the unique stories of educators making a profound difference for students, colleagues and communities. The Awards are not designated for lifetime achievement. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the Award.

French is the third Milken Educator Award recipient this season. 

French earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Grambling State University in 2009 and a master’s in educational leadership from Arkansas State University in 2015.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

The Louisiana Tech Athletics department will host “Thrive with Us,” an NIL informational forum presented by Portico on April 11 in the Jarrell Room (Team Meeting Room) of the Davison Athletics Complex.

Doors to the event, which is free to all businesses, will open at 5:30 p.m. with the forum starting at 6 p.m.  During the event, coaches, administrators, businesses and others will discuss several topics including the process of NIL, LA Tech’s NIL policies, types of NIL deals, engagement with student-athletes and more.

Businesses at the “Thrive with Us” event will receive two complimentary passes to the Hot Corner as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs host Northwestern State on April 12 at 6 p.m. at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. 

To register, visit www.LATechSports.com/ThriveWithUs.  For more information, contact Associate A.D./External Relations Reggie McIntyre by phone at (318) 257-5332 or by email at mcintyre@latech.edu or Assistant A.D./Compliance Services Kyle Buffolino by phone at (318) 257-4827 or by email at kylebuff@latech.edu.

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If you want to get me really riled up on a subject, this is it.  Poachers, trespassers, whatever you want to call them; I call them wildlife thieves and there are few things in this world that I dislike more than a thief.  This is especially true when it comes to my favorite game species, the wild turkey.

Why do I feel so strongly about it?  It’s simple; I care about having a sustainable hunting population of turkeys in this area.   LDWF, NWTF, our fathers and grandfathers all teamed up in the 80s and 90s to restore turkeys in North Louisiana.  I’ve seen the population thriving in the early years and have noticed an alarming decline over the years.  The places I used to easily fill my tags in Lincoln Parish have been pretty much void of turkeys for over 10 years and on the off chance there is a turkey on our property, I elect not to hunt it because I’d just feel bad killing the only one back there.

I’ve resorted to hunting them on a hunting club and properties owned by good friends and family members where I have permission.  Even on these properties, I treat them with the same respect as I would my own land.  Sure, I’d love for my kids or my father to kill one, but I still want to “leave some for seed” in hopes of having more for the next year.  In my quest to do so, I have come across some atrocious acts and people who have no care for the wild turkey and no regard for the law. 

Here are just a few of the scenarios I encountered over the last two seasons.

Scenario #1:  I had hunted a couple of birds the first week of season on my hunting club.  I had a general pattern of where they roosted and where they ended up after fly down, however I could never get them within gun range.  This is a hunting club with a lot of members and there is quite a bit of hunting pressure, but I had this large block all to myself…or so I thought.  There were no trucks or hunters on the road I parked on, but there was one across the highway which I assumed was hunting on that side of the road.  On the 3^rd weekend of season, those gobblers had disappeared.  I was scratching my head and studying aerial maps and decided maybe the guy hunting at the highway might have gotten them.  I drove to his spot and walked directly to where the turkeys had previously congregated mid-morning, and I find an active corn feeder with corn on the ground, and a pile of turkey feathers under it indicating someone had killed 1 or more at this site.

Killing turkeys with the aid of bait is highly illegal in the state of Louisiana.  I was running pretty hot when I found this.  What low life person goes to these means to kill a turkey?  I almost called them a “hunter”, but that person is far from a hunter.

Scenario #2:  I took my dad out to hunt this loud-mouthed bird that I had been chasing all year on the same hunting club.  There isn’t another hunter from our club on the entire property.  We are moving in to set up on him before daylight and hear another bird 75 yards from us and set up between them.  Closest bird flies down and heads away from us.  We are contemplating what to do, and BOOM someone shoots him about 200 yards away on our property.  This hunter had come in from the adjoining hunting club.

We still had the original bird to hunt so we didn’t take off after the poacher, but if killing the first bird wasn’t enough, these same poachers came in after the second bird as well.  These greedy guys were never caught but they know that we know, and I’d sure hope they don’t try that again.  Also, you owe me a bird so we can be even (you know my #).

Scenario #3:  I’m taking a guest on his first turkey hunt of the year on a property in Lincoln Parish, I had sole permission to hunt.  I park my truck at the entrance where I knew a big gobbler was frequenting.  We were greeted with silence, so we head to another spot.  As we get to the blacktop road, a poacher and his daughter came out in the road (CLEARLY trespassing from where that bird was supposed to be).  He then had the audacity to question why I was there and proceeded to tell me that I messed up his hunt.  This guy obviously isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.   Seeing as I didn’t own the land, I played it cool and informed the landowner.  These guys had come from a neighboring property about half a mile down the road, and from my previous observations, I had my suspicions they had been hunting this property.

Scenario #4:  Same Lincoln Parish Property, and this one takes the cake.  I was hunting one evening and had called up a couple of jakes and let them go.  As it got dark, I headed back to my truck and hear a shot that sounds like it is on the property.  I promptly drive over and there is a truck parked on the pipeline, so I call the landowner and wait this guy out.  The landowner informs me that a sheriff’s deputy is on the way.  I also called my game warden buddy who just happened to be hunting close by and heard the gun shot.

After 10 minutes I see his head crest the hill 200 yards away.  I see him ducking down and appeared to throw something out.  He slowly walks up to me, and I start making small talk, as I know I need to hold this guy until the authorities arrive.  Talking is one of my strong points and after about 10 minutes we were best friends.  Heck, I was pretty sure I was going to be the Best Man in his wedding at that point.

Shortly after, the LPSO and LDWF rolls up and I head down the pipeline.  I go to where I saw him throw something and find a small dead hen.  I walk back up and let the authorities know and he curses at me denying it, and they separate us, which was probably a good thing because I was well above my boiling point, but I still played it cool.   He finally admitted to it and I’m not sure what ever happened to him, but I hope he lost hunting privileges for a long time and paid a hefty fine.

Who in the world shoots a hen?!  First, it’s not legal and never has been here.  A hen can have 12-14 poults per year, and this idiot just took out any chance that this hen and her potential babies may have of thriving in our great parish.  But to answer my own question, someone lower than pond scum does this. 

I guess I’ve been naïve but there actually are people like this among us.  I’m not much for name calling, but these guys are bottom of the barrel.  They don’t care about a sustainable turkey population, and I have no respect for them.  They just want to kill; whether it be for social media bragging or just because they want to impress Cousin Eddie with the number of animals they can kill.  None of those above are hunters… they don’t deserve the respectable “title.” 

Our turkey population is struggling and that is for a multitude of reasons that will be covered later, but I know illegally shooting them is not helping.  For those actual hunters who do it respectfully and legally, I wish you the best and good luck!

_______________________________________

Dusty McGehee is a native of Downsville and a 2006 graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a bachelors in wildlife conservation. He is currently employed by WestRock and serves as an environmental engineer at the Hodge Mill. Dusty is an avid hunter and crappie fisherman, fishing crappie tournaments with his son when he is not in the woods. He and his wife Rachel have three young outdoorsmen/women: Anders (9), Ridge (7) and Mae (5). If you have a story idea or question about the great outdoors, you can reach Dusty at dusty.mcgehee@westrock.com.

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Women’s Basketball

There are no second chances in the postseason.

Unfortunately, for Louisiana Tech on Thursday night it was too many second chances that led to a 63-52 loss to Houston in the first round of the WNIT.

Houston pulled down 13 offensive rebounds and outscored Tech 18-0 on second chance points in ending the Lady Techsters memorable season.

Tech, which claimed the C-USA West Division crown and advanced to the title game of the C-USA Tournament, ends the season 21-12.

Keiunna Walker scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds while Anna Larr Roberson added 11 points and Salma Bates chipped in with 10 points.

Houston capitalized on 11 first half turnovers to score 14 points off turnovers and take a 35-28 lead into the halftime locker room.

Tech closed the gap to 49-43 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Lady Techsters would get no closer.

Baseball

Louisiana Tech hits the road to San Antonio to open conference play with UTSA in a three-game series.

The two teams will play single contests Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) at Roadrunner Field. All three games can be heard on 97.7 FM and on the LA Tech Athletics app while fans can watch with a paid subscription to CUSA.tv.

The Bulldogs (12-5) are coming off a weekend sweep of Houston Baptist and midweek win at UL-Monroe. After scuffling in its first road trip dropping games to Nicholls and Southeastern, LA Tech has strung together five straight wins going into conference play.

LA Tech shortstop Taylor Young earned Conference USA Hitter of the Week honors after last week’s incredible performance at the plate. Young went 11-for-17 with a home run, a triple, three doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases. Young leads the team in batting average and leads the conference in triples (8) and doubles (3).

The Roadrunners (11-5) are off to solid start to 2022 facing a difficult non-conference schedule. UTSA defeated No. 2 Stanford at home 6-5 in 10 innings back February 28.

Junior outfielder Shane Sirdashney leads the squad with a .413 batting average with a home run, six doubles and 13 RBI.

LA Tech and UTSA will meet for the 30^th time on Friday night. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 15-14 with the last game coming in the 2021 Conference USA Tournament. The two clubs faced off five times last season all in Ruston with LA Tech taking four of the contests. LA Tech won the last series played at UTSA in 2018.

Softball

The Lady Techsters return to Dr. Billy Bundrick Field as the Lady Techsters host FIU in a three-game Conference USA series starting tonight at 6 p.m.

Tech and FIU will both play Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. The Lady Techsters have played their last 10 games away from home.

Tech (15-12, 0-3) looks to snap a five-game losing skid, including dropping three straight league games at Florida Atlantic last weekend.

All three games can be seen live with a paid subscription to CUSA.tv.

 

 

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Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Friday, March 18
Lincoln Parish schools on spring break
6 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Softball vs. FIU
7 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Concert Association, Colin MacKnight, organ (Howard Auditorium, Tech)

Saturday, March 19
8 a.m.: Jim Mize Invitational (La Track and Field)
8:45 a.m.: Kappa Delta Shamrock Run (Lincoln Parish Park)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: Free community yoga classes (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
10 a.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. Missouri State 
2 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Softball vs. FIU
2 p.m.: A Celtic Concert Experience (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. Southern Arkansas
6-8:30 p.m.: Art on 45 Art Auction and Reception (Fine Line Supply Co.)

Sunday, March 20
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Softball vs. FIU

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It takes less space to grow up these days than it took in the olden days.

Back in the day, teenagers had their stereo in their bedroom. It was usually a monster. There was a turntable, an amplifier, and speakers. The two speakers were the size of a medium end table. The speakers could put out some sound. Then the collection of materials played up space too. If you were of the album era, those albums while thin had a large diameter. The album had the album jacket that slid into the album cover. Some artists would release double albums. There were transition times with the music. Albums would try to give way to eight-track, which never caught on. The eight tracks gave way to cassettes. Some of the stereo systems would handle two or three types of music media. Plus, there were storage requirements for eight tracks and for cassettes.

If a kid was lucky, they had a phone in their room. The phone would be attached by chord to the wall and the receiver was attached by chord to the base. Really lucky kids had phone with long chords so they could walk around their room to change albums while they were on the phone.

There was an alarm clock or clock radio in the room. That was necessary so the kid could get that great sleep between the time the alarm goes off and the parent came into the room and made one get out of bed. We get that same great sleep today by hitting the snooze button.

Some studious kids had a desk in their room with a typewriter on the desk. The term papers looked better typed and if you had a Pica typewriter those pages added up quicker, or so it seemed. There was rarely a television in this ancient bedroom. The television was in the den. It was a 25-inch RCA color, and the family would gather in the room to watch a show. Since there was no remote, channel changing was done manually by the youngest member of the family.

In 2022, kids don’t need as much space as those of us of another era. Their music, alarm, computer, TV, telephone, and speakers are held in their hands. Pull your phone out and look at everything it does. There is a tool that allows us all to do things we never dreamed could be done by one tool. We know that tool.

iPhone

There are times you don’t know what to do or where to go. What can you do when you have lost something in your life, and you are grieving? If you are ill and the doctors seem stymied, what do you do then? If you have a parent or a child who does not listen and they are doing hurtful things, what do you do? If you have done something wrong, hurting yourself or someone else, where do you go for healing and forgiveness? As you look at life, the decision you need to make the direction you need to discover, who will help you with that? There is one way to deal with these kinds of challenges.

Jesus

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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

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Choicie Wiley 
Sept. 18, 1941 – March 14, 2022 
Funeral service: 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2022, at King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Interment: Friday, March 18, 2022, at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Quitman 

James Richard “Dick” Christian 
May 22, 1957 – March 12, 2022 
Visitation: Burkhalter Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church, Friday, March 18, 2022, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm 
Service: Burkhalter Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church 
Friday, March 18, 2022, 12:30 pm 
Cemetery: Cook Cemetery, Friday, March 18, 2022 

Rosa Finister 
May 17, 1958 – March 11, 2022 
Memorial service: 11 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2022, at St. Rest Baptist Church, 831 Saint Rest Road, Quitman 

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Deputies with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to US Hwy. 80 at Gahagan Road in reference to a two-vehicle crash.

When police arrived, they made contact with one of the drivers, Mike Davis, 58, of Lewiston, Idaho. Davis told the officers his vehicle slid and hit the other vehicle in the crash. Davis also informed them that he did not have a driver’s license.

While officers were gathering information, they smelled alcohol on his breath and saw that Davis was unsteady on his feet. A standard field sobriety test was conducted, and then Davis was placed under arrest and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

Davis’s blood alcohol content was .204g%. He was booked at LPDC for DWI, first offense; no drivers’ license and careless operation. Bond was set at $1,500.

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.  

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This past basketball prep boys season was one of the best ever for Lincoln Parish as a whole, and the best in the 21st Century with a Class B state champion in Simsboro, a Class 1A semifinalist in Lincoln Preparatory School, a Class 5A quarterfinalist in Ruston and a Class B quarterfinalist in Choudrant.

Even better, all five parish schools were in postseason action with Cedar Creek falling in the opening round of the Division IV playoffs.

Those kinds of results took much talent, and while it made for some tough decisions, the Lincoln Parish now celebrates that fact with the announcement of the LPJ’s 2022 All-Lincoln Parish Boys Basketball Team.

Headlining the 2002 First Team are the All-LPJ Co-Most Valuable Players, Ruston High junior Braylan McNeal and Simsboro senior Jordan Crawford. Ruston’s Ryan Bond is the LPJ Coach of the Year.

McNeal is the District 2-5A MVP after averaging 12 points, two steals and two blocked shots on the year for the Bearcats, who marched to the Class 5A quarterfinals before their season ended.

Crawford was named the 2-B Boys Most Valuable Player after averaging 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game for the state champion Tigers.

Joining that pair on the tall-guard heavy All-LPJ First Team is Choudrant senior Chris Williams, who closed out his prep career by breaking the 1,500-point barrier and averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest on the season.

Lincoln Prep senior guard Dmitry Payne is another first-teamer on the All-LPJ squad after 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.6 steals and 0.3 blocks per game.

Simsboro senior Nick Maryland, the Class B Boys Championship Game MVP, rounds out All-LPJ First Team honors after averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.8 blocked shots per game.

The LPJ’s All-Lincoln Parish Boys Basketball Second Team is comprised of players who would earn first-team honors in many Louisiana parishes.

Ruston sophomore forward Jamadrion Lillard, an All-District 2-5A first teamer who averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per contest, heads up the list of All-LPJ second teamers.

He’s joined by another SHS Tiger junior guard Chilaydrien “C-Bo” Newton, who averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on the season.

Choudrant junior and 3-point specialist Lachlan Thompson earned All-LPJ Second Team accolades after 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assist per game.

Lincoln Prep junior Bralyn Mayfield averaged a double-double with 15.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game to earn a spot on the All-LPJ Boys Second Team, which is rounded out by Simsboro senior Lee Abney, who averaged 8.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest.

Bond guided the Bearcats to a 26-5 finish and all the way to the Class 5A quarterfinals for the first time since 2013. The third-seeded Bearcats defeated Dutchtown 57-44 in opening round play and followed that up with a 55-50 win over East Ascension in the regional round before falling to Northshore 59-53 in the quarterfinals.

 

All-Lincoln Parish Journal Boys Basketball First Team

G Braylan McNeal, Jr., Ruston

G Jordan Crawford, Sr., Simsboro

G Chris Williams, Sr., Choudrant

G Dmitry Payne, Sr., Lincoln Prep

G/F Nick Maryland, Sr., Simsboro

 

All-Lincoln Parish Journal Boys Basketball Second Team

F Jamadrion Lillard, So., Ruston

G Chilaydrien “C-Bo” Newton, Jr., Simsboro

G/F Lachlan Thompson, Jr., Choudrant

F Braylyn Mayfield, Jr., Lincoln Prep

F/C Lee Abney, Sr., Simsboro

 

Co-Player of the Year: Braylan McNeal (Ruston) and Jordan Crawford (Simsboro)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Bond (Ruston)

 

All-Lincoln Parish Journal Boys Basketball Honorable Mention

Hayden McClusky, Sr., Cedar Creek; Aiden Anding, Jr., Ruston; Dillon Wilson, Sr., Ruston; Jackson Pilgreen, Sr., Ruston; Shamarian Brantley, Sr., Simsboro; Trey Harris, Sr,, Choudrant; and Ja’kyren Montgomery, Sr., Lincoln Prep; Carter Hill, Sr., Cedar Creek

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