By Hunter Jones

The Dixie Theater is hosting a musical based on the hit movie “Frozen” called “Frozen Jr.” which is also based on the 2018 broadway premiere. This play aims to bring something new for the audience as it touches more on the childhood of the beloved characters Anna and Elsa.

The cast is made up of youth from 8-18 and director Steele Moegle said the cast “bring their high energy and creative ideas to make this story unique and exciting for the audience.”

Johnathan Baines is the publicity overseer for “Frozen Jr.” and said, “Seeing members of the community in these roles always seems to pull the audience members further into the story. It’s a more personal experience to see people you know in the story.”

Auditions were held earlier this months where participants were asked to sing a song, read from a script or recite a monologue. Ninety-three kids and teens attended casting, and Moegle and her casting committee were able to cast 63 of them. 

“I spent a full week going through all the applicants, over and over, considering them for the many roles available,” Mogele said. “I went through several drafts of the cast list before I felt good about the decisions.”

The cast is made up of two groups called “Blue Cast” with Mary Laura Hunt as Anna and Natalie Story as Elsa and “Silver Cast” with Melissa Le as Anna and Rosie Shultz as Elsa.

“Casting a show is like assembling a puzzle, all the pieces need to fit together just right,” Baines said. 

What may surprise someone viewing this musical is how this production is made up entirely of minors. Moegle feels that she’s helped pick a great cast that’ll bring something ingenious to the table. 

“This isn’t your typical school production,” Baines said. “We aim to train our young performers to bring top quality entertainment and professionalism in our productions.”

Moegle and Baines feel that one of the most challenging aspects of this production is bringing Elsa’s magic to life. “I have special magic rehearsals scheduled to deal with just that,” Moegle said.

Another challenge is how the show uses languages inspired by indigenous Saami and Scandinavian culture and Moegle also feels that this will be challenging for her actors/ singers. 

Moegle said that she hopes to attract an audience of all ages and even if they’re unfamiliar with “Frozen,” they’ll still enjoy this theatrical experience.

Moegle and Baines expect a big turnout and with the pandemic slowing down, Moegle hopes the community will come out and support the hard work that went into this production. 

“I have the best crew,” Moegle said. “They are the true magic makers. I would also like to thank our sponsor, Jonesboro State Bank. They, like me, have waited two years to see this production come to life. I appreciate their patience.”

The musical will be available to view June 15-18 with showtimes Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 1 online or by calling their mobile box office number (318) 595-0872.  

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In the summer of 2018, Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations Monroe Field Office (LSP MFO), Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office, Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) began a drug investigation into a drug trafficking organization in and around Tensas Parish.  This collaborative investigation has resulted in the arrest of 40-year-old Andrea Bass and the issuance of arrest warrants for 42-year-old Donald Pollard and 42-year-old Adrien M. Brown.

Last week, Troopers and other law enforcement officers furthered their investigation into Bass.  As a result of law enforcement’s observations and information obtained, Bass was arrested.  As the investigation continued, Troopers obtained a search warrant for a residence in St. Joseph.  The search warrant lead to the discovery of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, crack cocaine, two pistols, and approximately $30,000.

Bass has been booked into the Tensas Parish Jail for possession of a CDS I (controlled dangerous substance) with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a CDS I (controlled dangerous substance) with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a CDS II (controlled dangerous substance) with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a CDS II (controlled dangerous substance) with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, operation of a clandestine lab, transactions involving drug proceeds, cruelty to juveniles, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a CDS (controlled dangerous substance), and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Brown, for the same state charges in which Bass was booked.  Brown has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Pollard was arrested by Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office on April 15, 2022, for a federal indictment warrant.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.  Additional arrests are likely.  No further information is available at this time

If you know where Adrien M. Brown may be located the Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link or call Crime Stoppers 318-388-2274.

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By Madison Remrey

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In recognition, there is going to be a community class held that will teach adults how to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse. 

Stewards of Children is a two hour long video-driven training course that features the stories of survivors of child sexual abuse, parents and professionals.

Ann Thompson, a facilitator of the training course, has taught this class to various groups of people. These groups include nursing students, businesses, doctors, dentists and more. This April will be the first time she hosts a class meant for the community. 

The course is focused on adults and what they specifically can do to help prevent child sexual abuse.

Thompson has taught courses the are centered towards children and what they can do to help keep themselves and others safe, but Stewards of Children is entirely focused on the adult’s role in child sexual abuse.

Thompson said that this is important because ultimately, the responsibility of prevention falls on the adult.

“Children are resilient if they’re provided with the support they need,” Thompson said. 

According to the course material, 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Ninety percent of those children will be abused by someone they know and trust.

The children that are abused are more susceptible to numerous health issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, cancer and more. They are also more likely to engage in criminal activity and experience homelessness. 

“Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children will face with the most serious array of consequences,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that although the statistics may be staggering, she still encourages all adults to go through the training needed to learn how to know the signs and learn prevention tactics. 

“I think with it being kind of taboo and us not talking about it — the facts and statistics can be overwhelming, but the training is not,” Thompson said. 

The training will be held at the Lincoln Parish Library April 26 from 6-8 p.m. and again April 28 from 10 a.m. to noon.

To register for the course, you can click on the following links — http://wellspringofnela.org/event-items/d2l-stewards-of-children-training-2/ and http://wellspringofnela.org/event-items/d2l-stewards-of-children-training/.

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By Brad Dison

Paul was born in Quincy, Illinois, in 1915.  Five years later, Paul and his family moved to Davenport, Iowa, where Paul’s father became a candy wholesaler.  In 1924, Paul and his family moved to Hialeah, Florida, a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area.  By this time, Paul’s father was a partner in the Tibbets & Smith wholesale candy company.  Paul’s father’s work as a candy wholesaler put Paul in a situation which changed the trajectory of his and countless others’ lives.  

Doug Davis was an aviation enthusiast.  In 1917, when Doug was eighteen-years-old, the United States entered World War I.  Doug quit school and enlisted in the United States Air Service, forerunner of the Air Force.  Doug excelled as a pilot and graduated at the top of his class.  His talents were such that, rather than sending him into combat, the Air Service determined that Doug’s talents would be better utilized as a flight instructor, a job he excelled at for two years.  In 1919, Doug was discharged from the Air Service, but was determined to keep flying.  He purchased a surplus Curtiss JN “Jenny” trainer biplane from the government and formed the Doug Davis Flying Circus.  

Flying Circuses were a popular form of entertainment following World War I.  In flying circuses, daredevil pilots called barnstormers performed dangerous airplane stunts which seemed to defy the laws of physics.  Some of these death-defying stunts included spins, dives, loop-the-loops, barrel rolls, wing walking, stunt parachuting, target shooting, dancing on the plane’s wings during flight, midair plane transfers, and even playing tennis.  

In 1924, Otto Schnering, owner of the Curtiss Candy Company, was looking for an innovative way to advertise his company’s new candy bar called Baby Ruth.  After witnessing the large crowds that gathered for the stunt shows, Otto decided to sponsor a flying circus.  He convinced Doug to merge the Doug Davis Flying Circus with another flying circus and formed the Baby Ruth Flying Circus. 

As part of their flying circus show, Doug would select a spectator seemingly at random from the crowd to join him in a flight to perform a special task.  In reality, the spectators were preselected and were somehow connected with the Curtiss Candy Company.  In 1927, the Baby Ruth Flying Circus was scheduled to perform at the Hialeah Park Race Track, a dog racing and horse racing track near Paul’s home.  As the son of Curtiss Candy Company’s main wholesaler for the area, Paul was chosen to fly with Doug.  Before the show, Doug explained the task that Paul would perform.  Paul was excited but nervous because it was his first flight in an airplane.  Doug and Paul took off from the racetrack and flew a large sweeping turn over the racetrack.  As they flew over the crowd, Paul began throwing Baby Ruth candy bars from the biplane as he had been instructed.  Each candy bar was attached to a small parachute which enabled them to coast safely down to the cheering crowds.  Paul said later, “From that day on, I knew I had to fly.” 

Paul wanted to become a pilot but Paul’s father wanted him to become a doctor.  In 1933, Paul graduated from Western Military Academy.  Paul went to the University of Florida to work on his undergraduate degree.  While there, with the encouragement of his mother, Paul took flying lessons.  To satisfy his father’s wishes, he began his pre-med studies at the University of Cincinnati, but, after a year-and-a-half, Paul decided against becoming a medical doctor.  Instead, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps to become a pilot.    

Paul had a distinguished military career.  In 1938, Paul was commissioned as a second lieutenant and received his pilot rating.  In 1940 and 1941, Paul served as Brigadier General George S. Patton’s personal pilot.  When the United States entered World War II, Paul was the commanding officer of a bombardment squadron of B-17s.  He captained numerous bomber aircraft during his military career, rose through the ranks, and retired in 1966 as a Brigadier General.  Paul is remembered for a single bombing mission he flew in the final year of World War II.  On August 5, 1945, eighteen years after Paul dropped Baby Ruth candy bars from an airplane, Paul Tibbets flew the Enola Gay, a bomber named after his mother, that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.   

Sources: 

1. SeattleTimes.com “Paul Tibbets, Pilot Who Bombed Hiroshima, Dies at 92.” Accessed April 10, 2022.  seattletimes.com/nation-world/paul-tibbets-pilot-who-bombed-hiroshima-dies-at-92/
2. Scott Magelssen, Performing Flight: From the Barnstormers to Space Tourism (University of Michigan Press, 2020), p.38.
3. The Miami Herald, August 6, 1978, p.31.
4. The Miami News, August 6, 1982, p.6.
5. Dayton Daily News, November 28, 1989, p.25.
6. Chicago Tribune, February 2, 2003, p.1-17.

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Louisiana State Treasurer John M. Schroder administers the state’s Unclaimed Property Program that works to connect owners with their lost and forgotten assets. Common examples of unclaimed property include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends, and utility deposit refunds. The Unclaimed Property Program allows the public to easily search for and claim unclaimed property at no cost.

“Louisiana has one of the most successful unclaimed property programs in the nation thanks to hard-working staff, advances in technology, and an easy-to-navigate website for citizens to search and claim their funds,” says Louisiana State Treasurer John M. Schroder. “Right now, we have more than $900 million waiting to be claimed, and we are constantly getting new money. Our focus is to return funds to the rightful owners; however, it is equally important to understand what can be done to keep money from being turned over to our Unclaimed Property Program in the first place.”

In the spirit of Financial Literacy Month, Treasurer Schroder offers these tips to help prevent your money from becoming Unclaimed Property:

1. Keep your mailing address current for all accounts, services, and subscriptions. If you move, be sure to update everything, including online services and subscriptions.
2. Don’t forget to update your email address if it changes. Think about all the accounts or subscriptions you have where email is their only means of contacting you. 
3. Open your mail, even if it appears to be junk. Companies are required to send a written notice before sending money to you.  
4. Don’t let your savings or investment accounts go dormant – if nothing else, make at least a small deposit or withdrawal every year.
5. If you have a bank account with online access and a password, be sure to log on at least once a year.
6. If you move and change utility services, be sure to provide your new address to the utility company.
7. Did you know that a change of address/forwarding order at the Post Office does not apply to checks? If a company mails you a check to your old address after you have moved, it  may be returned to the sender instead of  being forwarded to your new address. 
8. Cash small dividend checks. If you have stock in a dividend-paying company, an uncashed check is an indication that you are lost. After three years, the underlying security is subject to being sent to us as Unclaimed Property.
9. Is your family aware of your assets? Almost a third of what we pay goes to estates, and the money is usually in our custody because the family was unaware.
10. Is there a record of your life insurance policies? Life insurance death benefits come to us if no claim is made at the time of death.

Louisiana has one of the leading Unclaimed Property programs in the country regarding how much is paid out to citizens versus how much is collected. In FY 21, $101.8 million was collected from businesses, so that $70.2 million paid out represented almost 70% of the amount received. The program was recently named the 2022 Members’ Choice Unclaimed Property State of the Year by the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization. 

Search at www.LACashClaim.org or call toll-free at (888) 925-4127 to see if money is owed to you.

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Mary Manuel 
June 22, 1932 – April 20, 2022 
Arrangements pending 

Connie Dade 
October 10, 1925 – April 17, 2022 
Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Sunday, April 24, 2022, at King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Ave. 
Funeral service: 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2022, at Macedonia Baptist Church #2, 489 E. Sibley Rd., Choudrant 
Burial: Monday, April 25, 2022, at Macedonia #2 Church Cemetery 

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Disturbance calls led Ruston Police to make several arrests on a variety of charges over the past week.

Early Friday morning, officers responded to a disturbance in the 2500 block of West Barnett Springs Avenue. A suspect was located and a records check revealed Jataurius Johnson, 27, of Ruston, was wanted on a warrant held but RPD and one held by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department. Johnson was arrested and a search of his backpack revealed three prescription bottles of bupropion, hydroxyzine, and gabapentin. The bottles did not bear Johnson’s name and he said he had found the drugs.

Officers booked Johnson on the RPD warrant for disturbing the peace, the Lincoln Parish warrant for aggravated battery, and for possession of legend drugs. A probation violation hold was also placed on Johnson.

Early Monday morning RPD officers responded to a disturbance in the 1300 block of South Trenton Street. The caller told responding officers her daughter forced her way into her bedroom damaging the lock and struck her. The daughter, Nickie Nicole Williams, 42, then allegedly broke the house phone and some furniture. The victim said Williams then took her phone and left on foot. Officers located Williams nearby and arrested her. The phone was returned to the victim. Williams was booked for simple battery and simple criminal damage to property.

Monday afternoon RPD answered a disturbance call on Lexington Street. A man told officers he needed to go to jail because he punched his wife. After being placed under arrest, Edward Sturges, 33, said his wife spit on him while they were arguing and he punched her. While the victim was reluctant to answer questions, she did say Sturges had struck her several times with a closed fist.

Sturges was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for domestic abuse 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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Hometown Hero: Leah Beasley

After a nine-year stint as part of the Senior Administration within the Mississippi State Athletics Department, Ruston native Leah Beasley has accepted a job as the Executive Athletics Director over External Engagement at the University of Oklahoma.

Beasley is one of the rising young stars in the college athletics industry and has been one of the most sought-after females in the business, previously turning down offers at numerous other Power Five programs.

“Numerous times over my career, I’ve heard how special the people of Oklahoma Athletics are and how well-respected and visionary Joe Castiglione is,” said Beasley. “During this process, it took no time to realize the depth and truth of that for myself.

“I’m very excited for this incredible opportunity. There’s no doubt that Oklahoma plus Joe C. equals a huge well-renowned brand. Of course, that made this more exciting, but their people and the new opportunities – those were the deciding factors.”

In her new role within the Sooners Athletic Department, Beasley will oversee numerous areas, including Stakeholder Relations/Fan Engagement, Strategic Communications, Sooner Vision, Digital and Creative Strategy, Sooner Sports Properties (Learfield), and Ticket Operations and Sales.

She will also be heavily involved with athletics development and will be part of the leadership team that spearheads the University’s transition into the Southeastern Conference.

Beasley began her collegiate career as a softball player at Louisiana Tech, earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2005 and her master’s in business administration in 2006.

Beasley then joined the Louisiana Tech Athletics Department in her full-time job as an assistant athletic director, leading the marketing, branding and game management departments at Tech – a year after finishing her bachelor’s degree.

After guiding the Tech marketing department for seven years in which time she won numerous awards for her creative marketing plans and game-day promotions, Beasley accepted a job in Starkville at an Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and later was promoted to Associate AD and Senior Associate AD.

Most recently, Beasley served as Deputy Athletic Director for External Affairs.  She oversaw Mississippi State’s five external pods of Broadcast Operations, Communications, Creative & Digital Strategy, Fan Experience/Outbound Sales and Marketing/Branding. Beasley also served as the primary sport administrator for baseball and the secondary administrator for football.

“I’m incredibly thankful for my nearly nine years at Mississippi State,” said Beasley. “The Starkville and MSU community will forever be dear to me. I’m forever grateful to AD John Cohen along with campus and athletic leadership for the wonderfully wild and fun ride.”

She will start at OU on May 11.

A patient at a local specialty hospital was arrested after allegedly punching a nurse in the face.

Lincoln Parish sheriff’s deputies responded to Serenity Specialty Hospital where a registered nurse said she attempted to administer medication to a female patient who punched her in the face. Deputies observed a red mark and cut on the nurse’s face. A witness confirmed what happened and the patient admitted she hit the nurse because the nurse allegedly touched her sandwich.

The patient was arrested and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for battery of a healthcare professional. 

The deputy’s affidavit noted the patient had been arrested at the hospital before for fighting.

Lincoln Parish Journal will not publish the arrestee’s name since she was a medical patient.

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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Cedar Creek High School’s AJ Thomas verbally committed to play collegiate football for new Bulldog head coach Sonny Cumbie.

Thomas has one year remaining with the Cougars and would be eligible to sign his National Letter of Intent in December. Verbal commitments are not legally binding.

“It was a big decision for me and my family,” said Thomas in a Monday interview with Sean Fox on The Sports Company. “What really finalized my decision was the new staff. I talked to the players. I went to their practice last Thursday. I asked them about how the new staff was. I asked about 10 players and they all said great things. That’s really all I needed to commit.”

The all-everything athlete for the Cougars earned all-state, all-district and all-Lincoln Parish Journal honors on the defense following his junior campaign.

Despite having not coached Thomas yet, new Creek head coach Steven Ensminger said he feels that his alma mater is getting a good one.

“I’ve watched him on film and he’s incredible,” said Ensminger. “He’s going to be great. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more schools paying attention to him. He’s a player.”

Thomas was one of the keys to the Cougars defense that set school records for fewest points allowed per game during the 2021 season. Thomas recorded 53 tackles on the season, including an eye-popping 18 tackles for loss, five sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.

He spearheaded a defense that allowed only nine points or fewer in seven of its nine regular season games and leading the program to the Division IV playoffs.

“My mom was ecstatic,” said Thomas about the decision. “She was happy. That made her Easter weekend. I’ve always grown up watching Louisiana Tech so that was great.”

Thomas also played running back for Cedar Creek during his junior year.

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By Hunter Jones 

Ruston is known for all of its hidden gems and with some of the most interesting people behind them, such as Larry Phagan of North Forty Woodworks. 

When Phagan retired in 2014, he started to sell his crafts at the Farmers Market and the annual Peach Festival, which originally started as a hobby for his family and friends. Now he is a 74-year-old who turned his hobby into a small business: North Forty Woodworks.

Phagan crafts a variety of things from bowls to cutting boards, to duck calls to pens.

“I like the bowls, I do more cutting boards than anything else, but I like the bowls the most”, Phagan said. 

His bowls usually take around three days to make as he finds his wood pieces, glues them together in a ring, sands his pieces, stacks the rings depending on the size of his bowl and glues them again.

With all of his delays waiting on glue to dry, Phagan loves his routine of craftsmanship and said he likes that this is a hobby because he can do it anytime he wants. 

His work has also gained traction at the Peach Festival as he won first place in the three dimensional art category in 2017. Phagan also won best show in all categories with his segmented bowls display in 2018 and won first place again in 2019 in the three dimensional art category. 

He took a break from the Peach Festival in 2020 and 2021 due to covid restricting the festival to Railroad Park to a more outside environment. Phagan was worried about having his crafts outside in the elements before selling them and didn’t feel comfortable setting up within the last two years. 

However, Phagan plans on returning this year ready to sell his crafts ready to reclaim his first place positions.

Phagan is also a part of the Ruston Artisans which is a gallery and venue located in downtown Ruston which supports local artists and is open to the community. 

“If people have an opportunity to come by the Farmers Market and think they need something like this, come by and see North Forty Woodworks,” Phagan said. 

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech fans will get an opportunity to preview the new look Bulldogs during the 2022 LA Tech Spring Game as part of Ever Loyal Be Weekend presented by Origin Bank on Saturday at 11 a.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium. 

All fans, students, and alumni can enjoy free admission to the game for a sneak peek of the 2022 Bulldogs. The Bulldogs host five home games on the 2022 schedule, with the home opener against Stephen F. Austin Saturday, September 9.

Fans are encouraged to enter on the west side of Joe Aillet Stadium where apparel, concessions, and bathrooms will be accessible. The east side of the stadium will be closed for the annual Big Event.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. and fans are welcome to tailgate in the parking lots surrounding the stadium.

The LA Tech Sports Network will air the game on 97.7 FM as Malcolm Butler and Teddy Allen will provide call of the action while also interviewing several coaches and sponsors throughout the broadcast. The pregame show will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The game will consist of two 15-minute running clock halves with a 10-minute halftime. The halftime will feature an introduction of new Bulldog Basketball Head Coach Talvin Hester.

The Spring Game will pit the offense against the defense with a customized scoring system to determine the winner. The scoring system can be found in the table below. LA Tech officials expect the game to last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

After the game, fans are invited to join the Bulldogs on the field for a player autograph session and will receive an exclusive 2022 Season Schedule poster.

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Premium Seating Areas

The 13 suite holders within the Chris Richardson Family Suite Level will have access to their suites during the game. Suite holders with questions should contact Colton Primm, Associate AD for Championship Resources, at cprimm@latechalumni.org.

Davison Athletics Complex seat holders or those interested in purchasing seats in this space for the upcoming 2022 campaign can email Associate A.D. of Ticket Sales and Service Ashley Brooks, at abrooks@latech.edu, to sit in this area and check out available seats for the 2022 season. The DAC will be closed during the Spring Game.
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Football Alumni Tailgate

In conjunction with the game, a Football Alumni Tailgate in the north end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium will take place.

All former Louisiana Tech football players are invited to attend and reconnect with teammates and fellow football alumni as the event is part of Ever Loyal Be Weekend on campus. The event is free and exclusive to former Louisiana Tech football student-athletes and their families and is sponsored by the Louisiana Tech T-Club.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served at 10:30 a.m. as Coach Cumbie will address the group prior to kickoff of the spring game at 11 a.m.

For more information on the event, contact Taylor Cross at 318-295-4919 or RSVP at https://bit.ly/FootballAlumniRSVP.

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Dr. Billy Bundrick Statue Unveil

All Bulldog football alums and all LA Tech alums and the general public are encouraged to attend a statue dedication for Dr. Billy Bundrick at 9 a.m. in the commons area between Dr. Billy Bundrick Field and the Origin Bank Soccer and Softball Complex.

Dr. Bundrick served as Louisiana Tech Athletics team orthopedic surgeon who gave more than 40 years of his professional career to his alma mater and whose name is connected with the new softball field. The resume of the football letter winner (1957-59), team captain, and longtime LA Tech team orthopedic doctor (1973-2013) is loaded with accolades from both the University and the athletics realm. 

The statue was funded by the Malone family.

Dr. Bundrick was enshrined into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1986. 

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Baseball and Softball

In addition to the spring football game, both the Bulldog baseball and Lady Techsters softball teams will be hosting a big Conference USA series. 

LA Tech softball will be hosting UAB at 2 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field Saturday afternoon following the spring game. Gates will open at 1 p.m. It’s the second game of the three-game series which begins Friday at 6 p.m. and will wrap up Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Lady Techsters (29-16, 9-6) are coming off a road series win over defending Conference USA champion North Texas and currently sitting in third place in the West Division, just one-half game behind UAB and one game behind North Texas in the loss column.

The Louisiana Tech baseball team will host Middle Tennessee at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park at 2 p.m. with the gates opening at 1 p.m. It’s the middle game of the three-game set which begins Friday at 6 p.m. and culminates Sunday at 1 p.m.

Standing room only tickets are still available for the LA Tech vs. Middle Tennessee series. The baseball parking will be reserved for the baseball attendees only.

The Diamond Dogs (25-11, 11-4) are currently tied for second overall in the conference standings.

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A call regarding an unwanted visitor led to an arrest and charges of violation of a protective order and criminal trespass.

A Ruston Police officer responded to a call from a residence regarding an unwanted guest. Dispatch informed the officer that Alfred B. Gray Sr., 51, of Ruston, was banned from this particular property and the individual at the residence had a permanent protective order against Gray.

The caller told dispatch that Gray had been on the property and went into an adjacent property next door.

RPD located Gray and verified the protective order, which was issued in 2007. Gray had violated the order because he was not supposed to be within 100 yards of the property. Gray admitted he was on the property and was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. 

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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Lauren Dixon enjoys working with children and had a love of art from a young age. After receiving her bachelor’s degree as an art major in fine arts from Louisiana Tech, she then earned her master’s in education there as well.

Dixon said she felt “it was natural to pursue a career as an art teacher,” and became the first educator in her family.

After teaching for four years at Glenview, Dixon began teaching her passion, art, at Dubach Elementary School. She is in her 10^th year at Dubach and said she absolutely loves it. She teaches computer on Mondays. Tasked with teaching P.E., computer and art during 2020-2021, she was happy to be back focusing on PreK-5 art this year.

“I came into a unique opportunity when I began teaching at Dubach in 2012,” Dixon said. “Only students in the gifted and talented art program received art instruction. This allowed me to create a completely new art program designed for Dubach from the ground up.”

Dixon added that sharing her love for art increased her joy in her profession.

“Art is my passion and being able to share it with my students makes me happy.  I love when they are proud of what they have created or when I see them work past a mistake by changing the direction of an art piece,” Dixon said. “My students have learned how to take a mistake and turn it into an opportunity.”

Dixon stresses she teaches confidence. She explains to students that if they are proud of what they create, that is what matters. It also lets them know that they are finished.

“I remind them that some of the greatest artists throughout history, such as Vincent Van Gogh, were told their art was no good and now their paintings are considered some of the most famous in the world,” she said.

Dixon added that she is blessed to work with amazing administrators, teachers and community members at Dubach that support her and the art program. Dubach may small, but the strong support of the community has made the art program thrive.

Dixon has served as an assistant coach for the Dubach Cross Country team for eight years. She is a member of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, National Art Education Association, and recently served as northern vice president of Louisiana Art Education Association. These keep her connected with current strategies and new art techniques. 

“I feel it is important for me to continue my art education which in turn makes me a better teacher,” Dixon said.

Dixon said her favorite part of teaching is when students apply their learning, especially when they think outside of the box and try new techniques. She enjoys seeing unique finished pieces.

“The Dubach art studio is a place where we can embrace our differences and make something great and feel good about it,” she said.

Dixon’s advice to students is “Don’t stop until you are proud, Whatever you are working towards, believe in yourself and set your goals high.” She encourages parents to support their student’s ideas and spend quality time building their confidence.  

Dixon said that being an elementary art teacher is her dream job and for those who also want to teach art, they have challenges and rewards in store.

“Accept the challenges as the rewards are greater,” she said. “Share love for art with students, and they will feed off your passion.”

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Tommy Smith, affectionately known as Papa or Mr. Tommy to his family and friends, entered the Church Triumphant on April 19, 2022, in Ruston, LA.  He was 80 years old. 

Born in Grenada, MS on July 12, 1941, Tommy was the only child of T.J. Smith and Marie Durr Smith.  In 1945, the family moved to Ruston where T.J., Sr. founded Motor Parts Service Company, also known as NAPA Auto Parts.  At age 13, Tommy began working at the store for his father.  After his father’s retirement, Tommy owned and operated the NAPA store, along with his own son, until his retirement in 2016.

Tommy was a proud member of the Ruston High School Class of 1959.  He also attended Louisiana Tech University and served for six years in the National Guard as a transport driver.  In 1966, he married the love of his life, the former Pat Oxford.  Tommy and Pat were married for 52 years until her passing in 2018.  They had two children…a daughter, Laura Ann Smith…and a son, Thomas J. “Trey” Smith III.  While Pat taught the children how to say “please” and “thank you,” it was Tommy who instilled in his children the importance of respecting their elders with a “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am.”  Up at five o’clock every morning, Tommy was a hard-working, honest, and well-respected businessman who made sure that his family lacked for nothing.

In his spare time, Tommy enjoyed indulging in his two favorite hobbies:  trapshooting and reloading shotgun shells.  He excelled in the sport of trapshooting and was inducted into the Louisiana Trapshooting Hall of Fame and competed for 25 consecutive years at the Grand American. To this day, he still holds the State record for the most registered targets shot at 288,000.  However, if you asked what his greatest trapshooting accomplishment was, he would tell you that it was introducing his son and grandsons to the sport and watching them excel at it as he did.

Tommy was the past president of the Arcadia Gun Club, a former board member of the Louisiana Trapshooting Association, and, most importantly, a mentor and friend to all in the sport whom he met along the way.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home with Reverend Doug de Graffenried presiding, along with remembrances from Dr. Edwin Davis and other friends.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall.  Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery immediately following the service under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.  

Tommy Smith is preceded in death by his parents, T.J. and Marie Smith, and his beloved wife, Pat Oxford Smith.  He is survived by his daughter, Laura Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Trey and Adrianne Smith; and the three greatest joys of his life, his grandchildren Thomas, Hilton, and Camille Smith.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Thomas and Hilton Smith, along with Billy Rockhold, Vence Smith, Greg Thomas, Mitch Killingsworth, Bo Shaw, Dave Crawford, Bruce Cowan, and Larry Clinton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin Davis, Carl, Davis, Robert LaBorde, and Joe Rainer.

The family would like to acknowledge the MICU staff at St. Francis Medical Center, and the staff at Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital.  We are grateful to each of you for the professionalism, kindness, and compassion that you have shown to our father and to our family.

When the targets fly high, look to the sky and think of me.  “Shooters, ready? Can I see a bird, please?  Pull!!!”

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James Medford ‘Cooter’ Anderson 
December 26, 1934 – April 17, 2022 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Farmerville, Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Farmerville, Thursday, April 21, 2022, 2:00 pm 

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By T. Scott Boatright

Spring football is in the air, and Bayou Jamb officials have called an audible for 2022.

That’s because the Bayou Jamb, which began in 2006 and is now considered one of Louisiana’s largest preseason football events, is shifting west down Interstate 20 this year after previously being held at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

This year’s Bayou Jamb will start on Friday, Aug. 26, with Mangham playing St. Frederick at 5:30 p.m. followed by Oak Grove vs. Ouachita at 7 p.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium on the Louisiana Tech University campus.

That will be followed by four games on Aug. 27 — Jonesboro-Hodge vs. Franklin Parish at 1 p.m.; Ouachita Christian vs. Jena at 3 p.m.; Cedar Creek vs. Evangel Christian at 5 p.m.; and Ruston vs. West Monroe at 7 p.m.

Bayou Jamb president and organizer Patti Thurmon said the idea of the change definitely did not come out of the blue.

“It’s something that had been talked about before — the idea of not always having it at ULM,” Thurmon said. “But the big thing is that when we started looking for match-ups this year, it ended up that Sterlington and Neville decided they were going to play each other in a jamboree at Neville, so the next two teams that came up were Cedar Creek and Evangel Christian. Those are both teams located closer to Louisiana Tech and Ruston, so we just started looking at that idea and building a Ruston-geared line-up and it all fell into place.”

And Thurmon feels the change will be a good one for the event itself.

“I hope we are welcomed with open arms and I feel we will be,” Thurmon said. “The intent is for the Bayou Jamb to grow. We want to give numerous kids the opportunity to play at a Division I school because the fact of the matter is, most of them won’t as they graduate high school. That’s been the mission since Day One and this gives other schools and other kids the chance to have that kind of experience.

“We know the Ruston community always rallies around events and knows how to execute and support those types of things. I think it’ll have a big impact on Ruston. We hope for it to be the festival atmosphere like we’ve had at ULM before. Nothing that big has changed other than the location and the continued mission to help it grow.”

Thurmon said nothing more has been determined for the future other than the 2022 Bayou Jamb being played at Joe Aillet Stadium.

“Bayou Jamb wasn’t started by ULM, it was hosted at the university,” Thurmon said. “It was developed by a committee that had these ideas and as we continued to grow and experience having other schools participating, we wanted to look and see how this might work.

“I don’t know if we have it two years in Ruston and move it back to Monroe. I don’t know if we start alternating year by year at each college. That’s something we’re still trying to figure out. But moving this year’s event to Ruston and hosting it there seems like the best way to that.”

Thurmon admitted that things moved so fast with the decision that she has not yet talked to city of Ruston officials or organizations like the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce or Experience Ruston, formerly known as the Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“That’s something that’s going to happen very soon,” Thurmon said. “Contacting the CVB is actually on my to-do list for this week. Hopefully they’ll put me in contact with some of the local businesses and that kind of thing.”

Thurmon said her intent was not for the “horse to come before the cart,” or a false start so to speak in football terminology, as far as announcing and developing the Louisiana Tech Bayou Jamb.

“I was going to get in touch with the CVB and the Mayor’s Office along with some of the local businesses — all of that,” Thurmon said. “But as coaches started announcing and releasing schedules, it all just sort of came out.

“Ruston’s always been a big part of Bayou Jamb and with two schools coming from there playing in the Bayou Jamb, I know people are ecstatic about this. It just happened so fast in the public with all of the coaches talking, it was an announcement we had to go ahead and make.

“In fact, it’s my intent to go talk with (new head Cedar Creek football coach Steven Ensminger) and Louisiana Tech (today), and part of my to-do list is to also reach out to the CVB and the Mayor’s Office. We’re excited about all of it.”

Ruston Bearcats head coach Jerrod Baugh said he is also excited about the news.

“I think it’s a great change,” Baugh said. “This team has always enjoyed going to ULM and playing in that kind of college atmosphere. And it’ll be a big deal for our home crowd and I think that could help it grow some, which is the purpose behind the change anyway. We’re excited about it at Ruston.”

Creek head coach Steven Ensminger echoed Baugh’s excitement on behalf of the Cougars.

“There’s so many things about this Bayou Jamb to get excited about,” said Ensminger. “It’s in Ruston! Which is huge for this community. It’s in an incredible stadium that I know our kids will be excited to play in. I played at Tech, my dad coached at Tech and his name is on the Spirit of ’88 the (Tech players) rub when they come out in the field. So many things about that school and this city that make this year’s Bayou Jamb something that will be special for not only the teams playing in it but the fans as well.”

 

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by Malcolm Butler (Special to the LPJ)

Ben Haddox made a career out of winning ball games on the diamond as the Cedar Creek High School head baseball coach.

Now, he is making a career out of selling diamonds – and more – as the newest owner of National Jewelry in Ruston.

Ben was a multi-sport for the Cougars from 1997 through 2000 leading the baseball program to a state title his senior year. Following his graduation from Louisiana Tech, he returned to the Creek in 2005 and spent the next 16 years as a staple on the school’s campus.

“It was home,” said Ben. “I obviously went to high school there, but I also went to pre-K, elementary (school), junior high … you name it. I knew I wanted to coach. I knew I wanted to be around that family atmosphere.

“I don’t like to be out of my comfort zone much. I tell people that one time I got crazy and moved all the way to Calhoun. So that was my way of being at home and being with family. I loved Cedar Creek. I bled green and gold. It just made a lot of sense.”

Ben had plenty of success and wore plenty of hats during his time at the Creek. During his 16 years at the school, he served as the head baseball coach for 14 years, the head football coach for eight years, the Athletics Director for 10 years and an assistant principal for his last two years. Obviously, with many of these roles crossing over throughout the years.

On the diamond, Ben led the Cougars to more than 300 wins and a state championship in 2014. He is still the winningest coach in the history of Cedar Creek football (63 wins) and led the program to the only two semifinal appearances in the state playoffs ever.

However, Ben is quick to point to what he really wants to be remembered for during his time at his alma mater.

“I love to be around kids,” said Ben. “The phrase ‘making a difference’ is thrown around so much. But I wanted the kids to come through high school and play sports … not just baseball, but anything … and look back on it as great days; things they could remember fondly. But also knowing those were not their best days. Their best days were in front of them. I hope people will look back on my career (at Cedar Creek) and remember that I always tried to do the right things, and I loved to be around kids.”

His former colleagues will assess to the impact that Ben had on so many young people’s lives during his time at Cedar Creek.

“Ben is as authentic as they come,” said Kyle Kavanaugh, a former Cedar Creek coach and educator. “He genuinely cares about the people in and around his life. He makes you feel important, almost as if the world stops when he talks with you. You matter to him no regardless of who you are. A lot of times that’s all any kid wants, to know someone cares and is thinking about them; someone they can turn to or lean on for support.

“You could be his star football or baseball player or any middle school student on the sidewalk, if you walked by Ben you were gonna be noticed and cared about. He has a way with people and there’s no doubt in my mind that everyone student at Cedar Creek that came across Ben was impacted for the better because of it.”

In January of 2021, Ben swapped out his baseball uniform and cap for more professional attire as he left the coaching ranks and joined the jewelry ranks. He purchased the popular Ruston jewelry store from longtime owners Tommy and Kenny Phillips.

He said the decision was difficult but the best for his wife, LarkIn, and his two sons, Aiden (10) and Holt (8), and his baby girl, Peyton (7).

“It was an opportunity I was not looking for, but it gave my family an opportunity to have something that they hadn’t had … that was a father and a husband at home,” said Ben. “If you take this spring for instance, I have not missed a practice or a game for my kids. I take my daughter to dance and gymnastics. It was way too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“I didn’t realize how hard my wife was working and the sacrifices she was making until I got out. Even though I tried to understand what she was doing and I tried to empathize with her, until I experienced what she was going through and the sacrifices she was making for me and my job, I couldn’t imagine it. Being able to see that has been eye opening.”

And although he isn’t coaching on the field anymore, Ben said he still feels like a coach with his current team at National Jewelry.

“The jobs are different, but at the end of the day I’m still a head coach,” said Ben. “As a head coach, I wanted to be the dumbest person in the room. Meaning I wanted to be surrounded by smart people. I walked into that (at National Jewelry) automatically.

“When there are decisions to be made, I am able to go around our staff and get five or six opinions and formulate a plan based on that feedback. I am trying to find the best possible way to make our people successful. So, in a lot of ways it’s not much different than coaching.”

A gem of a philosophy.

A Ruston man was arrested last week on charges of fleeing from officers on foot and in a vehicle.

Ruston Police officers were dispatched to an East Texas Avenue address regarding a vehicle that was not supposed to be there and found a vehicle, a Cadillac, start to leave the scene slowly to not bring attention to itself. When officers attempted to catch up with the vehicle, the driver began to speed up. 

The officer activated the emergency lights, but the driver, who was later identified as Jordan Houston, 23, did not attempt to pull over or slow down. Houston made a right on East Line Avenue and then continued onto Vernon Street until he came to Dunbar. Houston then made a right on Dunbar and a left onto Kirkland. He then drove the vehicle into the grass, and the RPD officer observed a Houston get out of the driver’s seat and run onto Mills Avenue. 

The officer lost sight of Houston but alerted other units, and very quickly, an RPD lieutenant stated he had detained Houston on Second Avenue. 

Houston was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

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 Katelyn Wiley

Future educators are invited to the Lincoln Parish Schools Educator Job Fair event at the STEM Center located at 525 Tarbutton Road tonight.

“This is a yearly event for us, and it gives our school district administration an opportunity to meet potential teachers and school district employees, as well as, allows us to inform those potential employees about Lincoln Parish Schools,” said Brandon Sutherland, communications coordinator of Lincoln Parish Schools.

For those interested in attending, pre-register online on the Lincoln Parish School Board Office’s website. After selecting a time slot, an assigned team leader will be prepared to discuss available career options.

“Not only do we partner with universities to host their education graduates, but we also have those schools come and promote their education and master’s programs for those who may be interested in furthering their education,” Sutherland said.

If an applicant wants to prepare for the meeting with the team leader, links for vacant job positions are listed on the left side of the Lincoln Parish School’s website page. Although the event may only appeal to primary elementary educators, secondary educators are also encouraged to attend. 

“Attending career fairs/networking events earlier in your college career helps expose you to the same recruiters you may see your junior and senior year fostering a relationship early on”, said Avery Broussard, assistant director of career center operations, technology and employer relations at Tech. 

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