James Richard Christian, of Ruston, Louisiana, beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the age of 64, after a sudden illness.

Born May 22, 1957, in Washington, Missouri, James “Dick” was the son of Dr. James Alexander and Charlotte Christian.  He was a 1975 graduate of Ruston High School and earned the honor of Eagle Scout.  He attended Louisiana Tech University and earned his degree in Microbiology, in 1979.  He made countless life-long friends as a member of the Zeta Chi Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.  There he also met his beautiful, intelligent wife, LeMoyne. 

Dick began his career and love of medical sales quickly after graduation.  He first started working in a lab, but quickly learned he needed a career that he could talk face-to-face with people.  Dick loved to be a salesman.  He never met a stranger.

Dick’s later years were filled with numerous travels to the Lake House, fishing, lap swimming, racquetball, and shirts and skins pick-up basketball games.  Fairly recently, he enjoyed selling again for the Lincoln Parish Journal.  He was loved by all.

He was a proud, energetic grandfather who found joy in every sporting event, the best “crazy” driver of the golf cart at the lake, fishing buddy, playing magic tricks and playmate on the basketball court.  He loved his grandbabies.  He will be greatly missed.  Big Dad was larger than life.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 39 years, LeMoyne Martin Christian; sons Joe Peddy (Sherry), Richard Christian, daughters Laurie Robinson (Jeff), Elizabeth Grisso (Paul), Allyson Christian (Morgan); grandchildren, Jacob Robbins, Laney Robbins Owen Robinson, Joshua Robbins, Jack Robbins, Blake Robinson, Annie Grisso, James Burke Grisso, Mary Margaret Grisso and Chase Peddy; mother, Charlotte Christian; siblings Gary Christian (Meredith), Susan Norred (Sonny) and John Christian; sister in law Theresa Christian, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his father, Dr. James Alexander Christian and his daughter Mary Catherine Christian.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Burkhalter Chapel, Ruston, Louisiana.  A service officiated by Rev. Doug De Graffenried will begin at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 in Burkhalter Chapel and immediately following will be a graveside service and burial at the Cook Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ray Angle, Randy Branch, Dr. Jeb Butler, Dr. Andy Calhoun, Steve Porter and Lt. Col. Tom Taylor, USAF, Ret.  Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Jacob, Joshua, Jack, James Burke and Chase.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be made to Tunnel of Towers Foundation or the charity of your choice.

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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.

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Kathleen Jones 
September 12, 1936 – March 15, 2022 

Richard Herman Lunsford
April 10, 1940 – March 14, 2022
Graveside Service: Thursday, Mar 17, 2022, 11:00 AM, Mineral Springs Cemetery, Dubach

Opal Hinkie 
August 22, 1922 – March 10, 2022 
Visitation: Noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Cemetery committal: Thursday, March 17, 2022, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 W. California Ave., Ruston 

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From the LPJ publisher and staff:

Our hearts here at the Lincoln Parish Journal are heavy with the passing of Dick Christian. Dick was not only an ads sales representative for the LPJ, but more importantly, he was a great friend to us.

Dick passed away last week, and we are saddened for his wife, children and grandchildren. Not a conversation went by at LPJ without him mentioning them in an anecdote or telling what they had done together the previous weekend. Dick loved his family. In journalism, we are taught to “show, don’t tell,” and Dick showed us all how much he loved them.

We were grateful for the few months Dick was able to spend on LPJ’s staff, and we are thankful for the friendships and connections he made in our community – both personally and professionally.

Dick was a natural salesman, and we know that many in our area will miss his easy-going spirit, his bright smile and his cheerful demeanor. Thank you to all the businesses in this parish who not only supported LPJ with their ads, but who supported Dick as well. Lincoln Parish is a close-knit community, and this loss is felt by all of us who knew him.

For LeMoyne, his children and grandchildren – we are here for you. We are heartbroken for your loss, but your LPJ community cares for you and is lifting you up during this time. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Burkhalter Chapel, Ruston, Louisiana.  A service officiated by Rev. Doug De Graffenried will begin at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 in Burkhalter Chapel and immediately following will be a graveside service and burial at the Cook Cemetery.

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A Monroe man was arrested early Friday morning after he and a juvenile attempted to enter the fence surrounding Good Day Farm of Franke Drive. 

Ruston Police officers responded to the facility regarding a report of gunshots. A security guard at Good Day Farm, Louisiana’s largest cannabis (marijuana) grower, reported the two young males were attempting to enter the fenced property. 

RPD officers located two males walking near the facility. The individuals were detained while camera footage was reviewed showing the two near the fence with flashlights. A backpack was recovered nearby containing a stolen 9mm pistol. After being advised of his rights, Da’Shon Brewster, 18, of Monroe, admitted the firearm belonged to him and he hid the bag after seeing responding police vehicles. Brewster also admitted firing the pistol into the air prior to officers’ arrival. 

Brewster was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for possession of a stolen firearm and criminal trespass. He remains in custody in lieu of $10,750 bail.

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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Grambling State University continues to deal with guns on campus.

An incident Thursday evening led to another arrest for having a firearm on campus. GSU police have actively tackled the problem since several shootings on campus last fall by aggressively pursuing investigations of gun violations.

Grambling State Police officers were dispatched to Jones Hall, a residence hall on the GSU campus, regarding a disturbance. After interviewing the parties involved in the altercation, it was learned that one of the roommate’s boyfriend tried to break up the fight and, in the process, dropped a firearm. 

The boyfriend was identified as Marvin Campbell, 19, of Oakland, Calif. He was located in another room and interviewed. Campbell admitted having a gun on campus and was arrested for possession of a firearm in a firearm-free school zone. 

Campbell was booked  at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he remains in lieu of $10,000 bail.

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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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Home, sweet, home.

Louisiana Tech fans will have an opportunity to support their Lady Techsters at home at least one more time this year.

Head coach Brooke Stoehr and Co. will host AAC foe Houston Thursday night at 6 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center in the first round of the 2022 Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

“We are so excited to get an opportunity to play another game in front of our fans,” said Stoehr after the brackets were revealed Monday afternoon. “Our team has earned the opportunity to play in postseason and to get a chance to do it at home makes it that much better. We will be playing a talented Houston team, and we need a great crowd here to help make this a home court advantage.”

Tickets will go on sale this morning at 9 a.m. Ticket prices are $15 for Adult 100 level, $10 for Adult 200 level and $8 for youth general admission tickets (4-17). LA Tech students are free with a valid ID. Call 318-257-3631 or log onto latechsports.com/tickets.

Tech earned an automatic bid to the WNIT by winning conference USA’s West Division title, and advancing to the C-USA title game with wins over UAB and Middle Tennessee. Tech is 21-11 on the year.

Houston, a member of the American Athletic Conference, is 16-15 this year which includes a 7-9 mark in AAC play. The Cougars won two games in the AAC Tournament before falling to eventual champion South Florida in the semifinals.

The WNIT field is comprised of 64 teams, including fellow Conference USA members North Texas, Middle Tennessee, and Old Dominion.

The contest will be streamed live on CUSA.tv ($$).

 

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A Louisiana state trooper made DWI arrests on consecutive nights after stopping motorist for traffic violations.

Trooper Jordan Walsworth made DWI arrest on consecutive nights after stopping motorists for traffic violations. At about 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning Walsworth clocked a vehicle on Louisiana Highway 33 at 99 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone. The driver, Ethan A. Nugent, 24, of Ruston displayed signs of alcohol intoxication. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, Nugent was arrested and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test. The test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.203g%, more than twice the legal limit. 

Nugent was booked for second offense DWI, speeding 99 in a 55 zone, and driving under suspension.

At about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Walsworth stopped a Chevrolet Silverado on Tech Drive after a traffic violation. The driver, Justin P. Flynn, 22, of Lecompte, performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested. A breath test revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.221g%, almost three times the legal limit. 

Flynn was booked for first offense DWI and improper lane usage.

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 Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

One of Louisiana Tech’s finest athletic heroes has hung up his coaching whistle.

Mike McConathy, whose basketball playing days at Tech from 1973-77 rank among the elite in the program’s history, retired Monday at Northwestern State as the winningest coach in Louisiana collegiate basketball history.

The announcement came in a press release from the university Monday afternoon. A press conference is scheduled Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the court in Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches. The public is welcome to attend, entering on the east side of the arena.

The decision, said McConathy, was entirely his.

“I’m at peace with it,” he said. “I’m going to miss coaching something fierce. But God’s got a plan and I’m just going to follow a different path. I’ve been incredibly blessed and I’m deeply grateful.”

McConathy, 66, steps away as the winningest college basketball coach in state history, with a combined total of 682 victories in 39 seasons, 16 (1983-99) starting and building a powerhouse program at Bossier Parish Community College in his hometown of Bossier City, and since 1999 at his father’s alma mater, Northwestern State.

Along with three NCAA Tournament appearances, seven Southland Conference championship game berths, two outright Southland regular-season titles and the most significant victory in more than a century of athletics at Northwestern – the 2006 NCAA Tournament upset of 15^th-ranked Iowa – McConathy brought immense value to the university, community and region.

McConathy’s teams have graduated almost 90 percent of their players. He was named a “Pillar of the Game” for education by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Community engagement and service has been a cornerstone of NSU basketball under his leadership. McConathy himself, staff and players were often seen doing landscape maintenance, trash pickup and other projects, along with making school visits and taking part in civic events and projects.

He was a high school All-America player at Airline High School in Bossier City, recruited by power programs including LSU and Oklahoma. He chose Louisiana Tech and became one of the Bulldogs’ all-time greats, averaging 21 points in 98 career games, leading Tech to a 1976 Southland Conference title.

McConathy, known as “Opie” since his boyhood for his red-headed, freckled resemblance to the character played by Ron Howard on “The Andy Griffith Show,” was a three-year All-Southland pick and the league’s 1976 Player of the Year as a junior. He averaged 27.5 points as a senior. Signed by Scotty Robertson, he played his career at Tech under Emmitt Hendricks. His brother, Bill, followed a couple years later.

He is in the Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, for his playing accomplishments, and the Ark-La-Tex Museum of Champions and NSU’s N-Club Hall of Fame for his career achievements including coaching.

He and his wife, Connie, are Tech graduates. Her father, Dr. Leo Hermann, was a longtime geology professor at Tech. Coach McConathy’s son, Michael, owned and operated a home supply business in Ruston in recent years.

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“Throw me something, Mister” is a phrase that has become an important part of springtime Louisiana folklore, especially during Mardi Gras season.

Grambling State University’s “Call Me MiSTER” program is on the receiving end this time, according to U.S. Congresswoman Julia Letlow.

During a recent interview, Letlow told KNOE television in Monroe, Louisiana, that GSU’s “Call Me Mister” program will receive $2 million as part of $15 million in federal funding for the state’s Fifth Congressional District share of the annual federal budget.

“The students in Grambling’s Call Me MiSTER program play such a critical role in the future of our region. We’re incredibly proud to have secured this funding and guided it through the appropriations process in Congress,” Letlow said. “Our team is grateful for the partnership with President Gallot, Dr. Noflin, and the entire Grambling community, and we look forward to bringing home more investment for the university in the future.”

The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program was founded originally at Clemson University in 2000. The program strives to increase the pool of available teachers from a more diverse background, particularly among the lowest-performing elementary schools.

Because less than 2% of the teachers in America are African American males, Grambling State’s Black Male Teacher Initiative joined with Clemson’s program to help develop and recruit more Black men into the teaching profession.

Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. Call Me MiSTER serves students at 19 participating colleges within South Carolina as well as eight national partner institutions, including Grambling State.

“This is wonderful news and I believe it shows the recognition of the underrepresentation of Black male educators and what they mean to our educational system,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “This is such an important program and I’m very appreciative of Congresswoman Letlow and others who have realized the importance and significance of the program and are working to help us continue to keep it growing and moving forward.”

Roy Jones, the executive director of the Eugene T. Moore School of Education’s Call Me Mister program at Clemson, celebrated Grambling State’s news of the largest single amount awarded to a Call Me MiSTER program.

“The $2 million dollar award and endorsement by Louisiana Congresswoman Letlow in support of the Grambling State University program is a significant demonstration of the need to diversify the educator pipeline and the committed leadership at Grambling to fulfill the mission of Call Me MiSTER,” Jones said. “The award is the single largest received by one of our partner institutions since the inception of the program in 2000.”

Dr. George Petersen, founding dean of Clemson’s College of Education, shared in the excitement about GSU’s news.

“Congratulations to Grambling State University for their receipt of a $2 million federal award to enhance and support the national renown Call Me MiSTER program on their campus!” Petersen said. “We are proud to be a partner in the journey to provide highly effective educators for our K-12 students.”

Participants in GSU’s Call Me Mister program receive scholarships, preferred housing, individual advising, mentors from practicing or retired professionals, recognition at school activities, professional development opportunities, and more. As graduates, program participants are expected to have an impact by returning to critical need schools and communities to pursue their professional careers.

Dr. George Noflin, Jr., director of GSU’s Call Me MiSTER, said that the news reminded him of the scripture that says when you are faithful with a little, you will also be faithful with much (Matthew 25:21).

“I am very thankful to President Gallot and the entire GRAM Family and Congresswoman Letlow, for the opportunity to serve these students in the Call Me MiSTER Program and the thousands of students that will be affected by them.”

Noflin said that GSU presently has eight students (MiSTERS) in the program and that the goal is to add seven to 10 new MiSTERS annually, adding that the additional funding will allow for GSU’s Call Me MiSTER program to expand to a larger level.

“What this does is expands our efforts from statewide and regionally to a more nationally focused recruiting effort and assists us to be more precise in meeting the needs of each student and more direct in the effort of making them the very best certified teacher (MiSTER) possible,” Noflin said.

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Louisiana Tech heads down I-20 to face off with in-state opponent UL-Monroe Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Warhawk Field.

LA Tech and UL-Monroe will meet for the 125^th time as the Bulldogs lead the all-time series 73-51. The Bulldogs have won nine out of the last 10 meetings.

The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM and through the LA Tech Athletics app while it can be seen on ESPN+.

LA Tech (11-5) is fresh off a series sweep of Houston Baptist and holds onto a four-game winning streak. The Bulldog bats were on fire over the four-game homestand outscoring their opponents 53-6.

In five out of the last seven games the Bulldogs have posted double digit runs and in two of those games have scored 20 plus runs.

Taylor Young earned Conference USA Hitter of the Week honors after going 11-for-17 (.647) with a home run, a triple, three doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs scored and swiped four bases.

Right-hander Greg Martinez (1-0, 5.06 ERA, 10.2 IP, 9 SO, 2 BB) is set to get the start for Tech.

UL-Monroe (4-11) collected its first series win this past weekend at Nicholls taking two of three from the Colonels and winning three out of four games.

Right-handner Henry Shuffler (0-1, 4.15 ERA, 4.1 IP, 4 SO, 8 BB) is set to make the start for ULM.

Tech will open up C-USA play Friday in San Antonio.

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By Wesley Harris    

Granddaddy and Grandma lived in what I viewed as a magical place. The lack of running water, indoor plumbing, and electricity did not faze me at all. The magic started on the front porch where my grandparents spent most of their time. You could sit on the porch and observe the flurry of activity in the yard. Bees and wasps and dragonflies and all sorts of nameless insects buzzed and hummed around a huge assortment of flowers planted every which way. Red chickens and white chickens and yellow chickens and speckled chickens ran loose in never-ending pursuit of the insects.

At my age, the yard supplied a strange and scary but enticing environment. Tall flowers and shrubs and flitting bugs, birds, and chickens produced a confusion of color and movement. For real adventure, I left the porch to explore, but I did so tentatively, a little afraid an insect would sting me amid the wild jungle of buzzing bugs and other curious noisemakers. 

My preferred exploit was through the pasture and over a hill to the garden with my dad. “Wanna go bust a melon?” Dad would say and off to the garden we would go. It was just over a hill from the house, through a little cow pasture. Once you topped the hill, the garden went down to trees hiding a creek. 

My grandparents survived on the garden’s harvest. Grandma filled rows of closet shelves with canned beans, cucumbers, peppers, and corn. With no car and little money, they never ran to the store like we do today. 

Rows of corn stretched tall toward the sky in Granddaddy’s garden. Daddy said some of it was sweet corn for eating and some was called field corn. Nell the horse and the cows and the chickens devoured field corn. 

Watermelons covered much of the garden with their long trailing vines. Dad and I grew watermelons in a little garden at home, but they never turned out as good as Granddaddy’s. Dad said the soil was different and our garden was too shady. Eating a watermelon was easy but messy at Granddaddy’s. We ate in the garden. Dad would thump melon after melon with his finger until he found the right one. He could tell by the sound of the thump which one would be best. I thumped them too, but I could not tell one from another. 

Sometimes I found jagged holes in the watermelons, right down to the middle, with red juice oozing out. Dad said crows loved to eat melon. After Dad had found the best watermelon, he snapped it off the vine, lifted it off the ground, and dropped it to break it open. No spoons, just use your hands to scoop out the juicy red stuff. The part right in the middle called the heart was the best. If we ate all the middle part and wanted some more, we broke open another one because there were enough watermelons, and the heart is the best. When we finished, we left the remainder on the ground, hoping the lazy crows would eat the leftovers and not ruin another one.

When we moved out in the country ourselves, we started our own garden. Dad labored hard in an outdoor job most of his working days, but he found rest in the garden. As I got older, the garden drew me, and I planted my own preferences in vegetables. In between bouts of city living, I have kept my own garden. The experiences in the gardens of my granddaddy and father as well as my own have taught me some life lessons:

• Life is fragile. A couple of scorching Louisiana summer days will wilt the heartiest of plants. When the coolness of the night brings a little moisture to recharge the plant’s circulatory system, it can recover, at least temporarily. We must all recharge our batteries, whether spiritually, emotionally, or physically. If we do not, our wilted spirits, emotions, and physical abilities will eventually be overcome.

• New situations are hard but survivable. Transplanting is extremely stressful to plants. But with timely nourishment and water and protection from the elements, plants can recover and establish themselves in the new environment.

• Some want something for nothing. Insects, weeds, raccoons, and other pests love to exploit our hard work in the garden. The Chinese called 2021 the Year of the Ox. I called it the Year of the Bug. Consecutive mild winters have boosted the insect population. While I don’t have anything against bugs as a general rule, I despise their attempts to sneak into my house after devouring my garden. Raccoons are even worse for their sheer gluttony. Weeds seem to sprout up overnight in the freshly turned soil of my garden as if I had planted and fertilized them. In life, people will take advantage of us. We must decide how we will manage those situations. 

• Giving provides rewards. To harvest life sustaining food with our own hands is satisfying but providing it to others brings a greater compensation for our heartfelt labors.

• Even failure has its rewards. It is not always about the result but the journey. The most fruitless garden affords a place of solitude, time for meditation, and steady exercise. Digging in the dirt is enough. 

• The heart is the best. The finest part of any fruit or vegetable seems to be deep inside. The surface may be rough and tasteless but inside you find the best. People are the same. Don’t judge by the outside but what’s in the heart.

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Bob Bicknell, brother of former Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell, Jr., has been hired as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints.

Bob Bicknell had been a long-time assistant for the Cincinnati Bengals, working the organization’s wideouts for three seasons. He also has experience in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

At the collegiate level, Bob Bicknell, who played at Boston College, also has worked at Baylor and Temple, among other stops.

Bicknell is not the only new Saints coach that has ties to Lincoln Parish as former Grambling State coach Doug Williams’ son DJ Williams, who played quarterback for the Tigers, enters his third season with the Saints as an offensive assistant.

Saints OC Pete Carmichael Jr. enters his 16^th season with the Saints franchise after serving as LA Tech’s quarterbacks (1995-99).

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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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Richard Herman Lunsford
April 10, 1940 – March 14, 2022
Graveside Service: Thursday, Mar 17, 2022, 11:00 AM, Mineral Springs Cemetery, Dubach

Opal Hinkie 
August 22, 1922 – March 10, 2022 
Visitation: Noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 
Cemetery committal: Thursday, March 17, 2022, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 W. California Ave., Ruston 

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RUSTON, La. — It should come as no surprise the Ruston High football has another powerhouse non-district schedule coming up.

Since Bearcat Head Coach Jerrod Baugh has been at the helm of the program, he has instilled the value in his team of playing high quality opponents to both prepare for a District 2-5A and postseason play.

“I think our pre-district schedule every year should prepare us for our tough district and hopefully both of those will prepare us for a long playoff run,” Baugh said. “I also think it’s important to see different schemes on offense and defense because you never know who or what you will face in playoff competition.”

Ruston will play host to six total home games this season, with four on the road. Four of the five non-district games will be at James Field at Garrett stadium, beginning with Warren Easton, Jesuit, and Cabot, Ark., all coming for the first three weeks.

The one longer road trip for Ruston will be September 23 down at Lafayette Christian.

“I like to make at least one lengthy road trip each year to simulate a possible future playoff scenario so that kids can get accustomed to a charter bus trip,” Baugh said. “I think our kids now just focus on getting prepared rather than who we play because we play so many high quality opponents.”

Ruston follows with a home game against Neville, which keeps the rivalry alive between two teams that have played every season for nearly a century.

District play begins on the road for two straight games at ASH and at Pineville before returning home for West Ouachita. Ruston hits the road for Ouachita on Oct. 28 and then finally at home for West Monroe to close out the regular season on Nov. 4.

The 2021 Bearcats finished tied for first place in District 2-5A after an 8-2 regular season record and made it to the quarterfinals of the postseason playoffs.

The entire schedule below (Home games CAPITALIZED, * – District 2-5A):

9/2 – WARREN EASTON

9/9 – JESUIT

9/16 – CABOT, ARK.

9/23 – @ Lafayette Christian

9/30 – NEVILLE

10/7 – @ Alexandria*

10/14 – @ Pineville*

10/21 – WEST OUACHITA*

10/28 – @ Ouachita*

11/4 – WEST MONROE*

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By T. Scott Boatright

LAKE CHARLES — It was a typical Simsboro High School boys basketball game in so many ways at Barton Coliseum on the McNeese State University campus.

A slightly sluggish start. Taking control in the second quarter. Getting to empty the bench late. Winning back-to-back Class B state titles for the second time since 2018.

Top-seeded Simsboro did it again Friday night, defeating third-seeded Zwolle 67-44 to capture a second straight title and fourth in five years.

“I’m just proud of the team — this is what they’ve worked so hard for,” Brown said. “Everything we’re done the past year was trying to get to this point. The team was locked in defensively. We had a good game plan and I’m just really proud of the guys. They came out and won it. Convincingly.”

The victory was also Simsboro’s third championship game win over Zwolle since 2018 and was also the Tigers’ third over Zwolle this season after defeating the Hawks 58-43 on Nov. 16 in Simsboro.

In this championship showdown, the Tigers trailed the Hawks in the early going before tying things up 8-8.

By the end of the opening stanza Simsboro led 12-10.

Then, as happened so many times over the course of a season that saw Simsboro go 32-2, the Tigers roared to life in the second quarter, outscoring the Hawks 12-4 in the second quarter to build a 24-14 halftime lead.

That was part of a 44-13 SHS run in the second and third stanzas that allowed Brown to empty his bench for much of the final eight minutes with 12 different Tigers seeing action in the championship win.

“It’s been that way this year,” Brown said. “We’re a second-half team. We go in and make our adjustments, and I think the speed, the pace we play at starts to wear teams down. When we start scoring in transition off of turnovers, we’re tough to handle.”

Senior Nick Maryland celebrated his fourth Class B title with Player of the Game accolades after totaling 17 points (including four 3-pointers), seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots.

“Nick was all over the floor tonight,” Brown said. “Defensively he was just incredible. He was guarding Zwolle’s best player and had several steals and forced several walks. He really got us going on the defensive end.

“He’s been here in this situation. He’s got a lot of experience. And that showed. He played great tonight.”

Junior Chilaydrien “C-Bo” Newton led the Tigers with 21 points while adding three boards, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots while senior Shamarian Brantley chipped in with 13 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Senior Lee Abney also played a key role in the post with six rebounds and three blocked shots along with four points.

“Lee had a great game,” Brown said. “Zwolle has a 6-5 post player that scored over 30 points in several games, and Lee handled him great. He played him just like we asked him to — didn’t let him get steals, kept him off the offensive glass. Lee was incredible tonight. He may not have scored the most points, but his impact on the game was equal to some of the other guys who scored more points.”

Brown said that shortly after winning a second straight Class B title, his Tigers were already thinking about next season and working toward doing it again.

“These guys have already talked about it,” Brown said. “We’re going to go what Simsboro does. We’re going to get in the weight room and keep working toward getting better and trying to make it three straight.”

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Ruston Police responded to a complaint last week that led to a felony charge for a Grambling female. 

A little after noon on March 10, an RPD officer interviewed a woman in relation to a complaint that had occurred at Cash-2-U.  

The officer was advised that Jasmine Jackson, 22, had just damaged a vehicle in the Y2Kutz parking lot by keying three sides of the vehicle. There was a video of Jackson damaging the car. 

When the officer arrived, Jackson stated that she damaged the vehicle because the vehicle’s owner had offended her. The officer saw the video of Jackson damaging the car. Jackson was transported to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for simple criminal damage to property. Bond was set at $10,000.

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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RUSTON, La. – After storming back for a memorable win over Middle Tennessee in Friday night’s quarterfinal, Louisiana Tech came up short Saturday in the Conference USA title game falling 68-63 to Charlotte at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco.

Tech (21-11) led by 15 points in the second quarter, but the 49ers (22-9) rallied in the third and fourth quarters to claim the C-USA title.

Despite the loss, the Lady Techsters – the C-USA West Division champions – have earned a spot in the 64-team Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) and will find out the opponent, date and location today by 1 p.m.

“I am incredibly proud of this team and the fight they showed all tournament long,” said LA Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. “I’m so very grateful for this group and the ride they’ve taken us on over the last month. They have continued to show up for each other and represent our program and university with integrity.

“This young team gained incredible experience over the last month and during this tournament run. As hard as (the loss) is, I know this group has more basketball left to play and we look forward to getting back on the court with them this week as we prepare for the WNIT.”

The Lady Techsters have a chance to host a first-round WNIT game which would be played Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Follow @LATechWBB on Twitter and go to LATechSports.com for more information when the pairings are announced today (the LPJ will have the information in Tuesday’s edition).

Tech was led in the C-USA Tournament by all-tournament performers Anna Larr Roberson and Keiunna Walker.

Walker finished with 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the championship game while Roberson completed her ninth double-double of the year with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Over the three tournament games, Walker averaged 25.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg while Roberson averaged a double-double with 15.3 ppg and 10.0 rpg.

The WNIT appearance will be Tech’s first since 2018.

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Deborah Joyner spent most of her student years at a small school in Calvin, La., where she saw her teachers as great role models. She loved school and learning was important to her, so she decided to become the first educator in her family. Her career has surpassed 30 years now. It all began in 1990, where Joyner taught at Mansfield Elementary. She then taught at Epps for five years. 

In 1998, Joyner joined Lincoln Parish Schools at Hico and continues her career today at Dubach School. She taught third through fifth grades since joining LPS, with most classes in fourth and fifth grade ELA and social studies. Joyner coached cross country, a natural to transition as she was a past runner, and now teaches PE and runs the library. With her background music, Joyne teaches also cardio drumming and enjoys teaching the rhythmic activities. 

“I do enjoy teaching,” Joyner said. “My passion has always been English-Language Arts. I love reading and writing.”

Knowing that writing can be scary to some, she said she tries to take the mystery out of the expectations. Joyner said she hopes her passion fosters a love in her students for books and writing.

Joyner said she believes students can achieve anything and sets high expectations for them and herself.

“I think these high expectations encourage students to strive for excellence,” she said. “I make mistakes, and I try to show students how these mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures.”

One year she taught “new” math (not her strongest subject) to fifth grade students. Transparent with her students, she learned a new way to teach, studied lessons nightly and learned with the students. Her students earned the highest LEAP scores in the district that year.

“Growing up in a small school setting, and teaching in a similar setting, has allowed me to see how relationships with students and teachers is important,” Joyner said.

This helped her understand her students better. She said she loves when students think of her and reach out to her even though they have moved on from her classroom. 

“(It’s) awesome to see a student truly grasp something that they have struggled with” who just didn’t get it, she said.

She has numerous stories where it suddenly clicked and the students felt proud of themselves – from jump roping to reading. 

Looking back at over 30 years in education, Joyner advises parents to let their children make mistakes and help them learn from them. Teachers are doing their best and we all have the same end goal: Student Success, which looks very different from student to student and teacher to teacher. For future teachers, she simply advises to “be authentically YOU.”

“I teach because I genuinely love learning,” Joyner said. “I hope that has shone through in my career.”

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What Are Herbs?

An herb is any plant with leaves, seeds or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine or perfume.

Typically, herbs are plants with leafy parts that are used to flavor food and drinks. Basil, parsley, thyme and oregano are common examples of herbs. The flavor and aroma of herbs varies greatly. Herbs also are used for many other purposes such as medicines, aromatics and aesthetics. Herbs are a wonderful addition to the garden because they fill multiple roles.

What Is the Difference Between Herbs and Spices?

Herbs are the green fleshy parts of plants. Spices are everything else, like seeds, barks and stems. Many people use cilantro (herb) in dishes like tacos and salsas, but they also may use coriander (spice), which is the seeds of the cilantro plant, to season other dishes. Fennel bulbs and greens (herbs) are used to season many food items, while fennel seed (spice) is a main flavor in Italian sausage. Even though herbs and spices may be from the same plant, they are different parts of the plant.

Herbs, Herbs and More Herbs…

Herbs can be grown throughout the year in Louisiana. Some do better in warmer temperatures and others in cooler temperatures.

Herbs like parsley and cilantro thrive in the cooler months but will bolt or slow down significantly in the heat of the summer. Herbs like basil, mints and oregano will flourish during the hotter parts of the year.

Even some of the warm-season herbs still need protection from our hot, humid summers. Lavender and lemon verbena are examples. They like warm weather but when August comes, they do better with a little shade to protect them from the extreme late summer heat.

Many herbs are from the Mediterranean region. While that area does have warm summers, the weather there still is not as hot and humid as here and it doesn’t match the long Louisiana summers, so you may have to take a few steps to help them endure the heat.

Annual Herbs Best Suited for Spring and Summer

Warm-season herbs are best planted into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. This typically is mid-March through early August.

Of course, if you are starting the herbs from seed, you can get a jump on the growing season by sowing the seeds up to a month prior to the first planting date. You will need to sow the seeds into seed trays or old, but clean, containers and keep them in a greenhouse, warm windowsill (with plenty of light) or a hot box.

Warm-season herbs that generally grow well in Louisiana include basil, mint, lemon verbena, rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender, catnip and bay laurel.

Annual Herbs Best Suited for Fall and Winter

Cool-season herbs are best planted into the garden between the months of September and February. Most cool-season herbs can tolerate normal winter freezes in Louisiana. Later in the cool season, in March or early April, plant larger transplants, and you could still expect acceptable harvests in May or early June.

Cool-season herbs that generally perform well in Louisiana include parsley, cilantro, chamomile, dill, oregano, borage, chives, garlic, celery, chicory, fennel, arugula and chervil.

Perennial Herbs

Some of the perennial herbs that do well here are mints, lemon verbena, lemon balm, rosemary, Mexican tarragon, burnet, sorrel, society garlic, catmint, garlic, chives, oregano, catmint, anise hyssop, mountain mint, bay laurel, pineapple sage and rue.

Although most perennial herbs can be planted throughout the year, perennial herbs generally are best when planted in the fall using transplants available at local nurseries. This allows them to become well established during the less stressful cool season. An exception is that Mexican mint marigold should be planted in May through August.

Thyme, sage, catnip and lavender are perennial herbs that require excellent drainage to survive the summer. They may be more successful when grown in containers and placed in a location that gets some shade in the afternoon during the summer. Even grown under good conditions they tend to be short-lived and often succumb to root and stem rots in the hot, wet conditions of the late summer season.

Several perennial herbs that have difficulty surviving our summers are grown here as cool-season annuals and include French tarragon, feverfew and chamomile.

by Kathryn Fontenot, LSU Ag Center

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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, March 14
Lincoln Parish schools on spring break

Tuesday, March 15
Lincoln Parish schools on spring break
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Rising Kare Counseling, 413 S. Farmerville St.
5:15 p.m.: Domestic abuse survivors support group (Call Erika McFarland at 318-513-9373 for more information.)
6 p.m.: Live Better Workshop: Deposit before Debit (Lincoln Parish Library)
7 p.m.: Cain Budds, guitar recital (La Tech Biomedical Engineering Building Rotunda)

Wednesday, March 16
Lincoln Parish schools on spring break
12 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. New Orleans
1 p.m.: Grambling Softball vs. Jackson State 

Thursday, March 17
Lincoln Parish schools on spring break
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Ruston Regional Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, 1401 Ezell St.
7 p.m.: The Laskey Lecture Series presents: Polarization: The Cause and the Cure featuring Robert Mann (Trinity United Methodist Church)
7 p.m.: NCLAC Independent Film Series “Feels Good Man” (Wyly Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)
7 p.m.: Never Ending Artist, guest musician (La Tech F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center)

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
8:45 a.m.: Kappa Delta Shamrock Run (Lincoln Parish Park)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. Missouri State 
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Women’s Tennis vs. Southern Arkansas
2 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Softball vs. FIU
2 p.m.: A Celtic Concert Experience (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

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

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