NORMAN, Okla. – Louisiana Tech’s Sam Murphy shot in the red for a second consecutive day, firing a 70 (-2) in round two of the NCAA Norman Regional on Tuesday to move up 10 spots on the leaderboard into a tied for eighth at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
“Round two was better,” said Murphy. “I hit the ball really well. Made a couple simple mistakes that are easy to fix. I rolled the ball really well and executed some quality golf shots. The conditions were tough.
“Starting out they were not too bad, but about halfway through the round the wind got up and made the round difficult to play. It completely changed the whole golf course from yesterday. For tomorrow, I hope to give myself as many opportunities as possible.”
Murphy, who is now at -3 for the tournament, got off to a better start than yesterday by making birdie on the 173-yard Par 3 No. 2 after hitting a beautiful iron to within about five feet.
He did run into trouble at No. 4, missing the fairway on his drive and then firing his approach shot over the green into the rough. He would go on to make double bogey.
However, the fifth-year senior responded as he did much of the day. On the longest hole of the course, the 627-yard Par 5 No. 5, he got to within 13 yards after his second shot. He followed that up by knocking in his chip for eagle to back to -1.
“He hit it really well today,” said Tech head coach Matt Terry. “There was an error here and there, but overall he had a great round. He putted the ball really well. The bounce-back eagle after the double and then the two bounce-back birdies after bogeys were great. That shows a lot of maturity in his game and the way he is playing. I look for more of the same tomorrow. He just needs to keep giving himself plenty of chances and see what the day brings.”
Murphy made four consecutive pars to close out the front nine, but started out the back nine with a bang by sinking back-to-back birdies. The first one came on the short 322-yard Par 4 No. 10 when he hit a wedge to within four feet before tapping in. He then connected on his longest putt of the day, a 25-footer for birdie on the difficult 445-yard Par 4 No. 11.
The conditions really started to change from then on as the wind really picked up, changing the golf course. He would bogey 190-yard Par 3 No. 12 after missing the green to the left, but he countered with birdie on the 594-yard Par 5 No. 13 by rolling in a downhill 10-footer.
After another bogey, this one a three-putt on the 260-yard Par 3 No. 15, he bounced back yet again by sneaking in another putt on the 425-yard Par 4 No. 16.
Murphy gave another shot back though on the 485-yard Par 4 No. 17 after hitting it into the fairway bunker. He closed out the round by making par on the 586-yard Par 5 No. 18, putting himself in position to try and qualify for the NCAA Nationals. To do so, he needs to finish as the top overall individual on a team that does not finish in the top five.
It isn’t often that you hear of students enjoying math class. For the students of Courtney Martin, though, it’s a different story.
Martin is an algebra and statistics teacher at Ruston High School and holds an extensive teaching career. She began her career teaching at Ruston High School and transferred to Choudrant High School, Louisiana’s virtual charter school and back to Ruston High School.
When she first began college, Martin had plans to attend pharmacy school.
“It just wasn’t a fit, and I knew it wasn’t a fit from really early on,” Martin said. “I switched my major to education. I use to line my animals up and teach them. I use to trap my sister and teach her. It’s just something that comes really naturally to me.”
Teachers can teach numerous students every day who all live very different lives and present very different personalities and that is something Martin said that it is a gift to get to spend your day that way.
“No two days are the same,” Martin said. “You teach 100 kids a day and they walk in your door with 100 different personalities that day and 100 different experiences.”
Teachers often get to watch their students continue in life after they graduate or leave their classroom.
For Martin, she said that this is one of her favorite parts of her career – getting to see former students randomly in the grocery store, going to their weddings or even getting to attend their baby showers.
“It’s just a special bond,” Martin said.
Martin has a reputation among students for making math something that is enjoyable to learn, despite the subject’s reputation.
“She taught me math, which was my worst subject,” said Rachel Smith, a former student of Martin’s. “She made it surprisingly very enjoyable and I was always excited to go to her class. She made learning very fun, and she always had an upbeat attitude.”
Martin does more than teach her students just math. Whether it be things such as ACT preparation or tests that happen later in college long after students have left Martin’s classroom, she is there for her students as she said she wants the best for them.
“She knew how to be firm and push us, while also being encouraging and kind,” Smith said. “She helped me with the ACT and later in college, the Praxis. She was a very intentional person and she truly wanted the best for all her students and that showed.”
In math, students must learn things such as the quadratic formula and venn diagrams. They have to read word problems and learn how to use math to solve these real life problems.
Martin, though, wants her students to know more than just math. She wants them to know that life happens, but it is going to be okay and you can get through it.
“There is nothing you can’t fix or overcome or get past in some way,” Martin said. “No matter what happens, no matter how bad that test grade is or how bad that fight with your best friend is, it’s all going to be okay. We’re going to wake up tomorrow and everything is going to be okay.”
Conway Twitty was regretfully low-growling to a woman about how she was standing on a bridge that just won’t burn.
Ronnie Milsap was having daydreams about night things in the middle of the afternoon, somebody with not much sense was making Crystal Gayle’s brown eyes blue, and Barbara Mandrell was singing about sleeping single in a double bed, a situation difficult for a boy like me to contemplate, especially if you’ve ever seen Barbara Mandrell in person, which I did several times in the 1980s.
Country musically, it was a simpler time, a time I thought was forgotten until last week’s effort about the mournful passing of the entertaining singer and keyboard wizard Mickey Gilley at 86 prompted grateful mail that I am still answering. I thought the last fan of the Urban Cowboy music era had been stored away in some dusty attic, like the unwanted steel guitar and dobro.
Wrong. There are apparently more out there like me who wonder what happened to “our” music and have a hard time listening to anything past 1985 billed as “country.” Oh, every now and then a Toby Keith has squeaked in an “I’m Just Talkin’ ’Bout Tonight.” Travis Tritt got “Bible Belt” and “10 Feet Tall And Bulletproof” past the guardians of what passes for today’s country.
And thank goodness the new-schoolers weren’t looking when Lee Ann Womack showed up singing about how she should be ashes by now and also that she was a little past Little Rock but a long way from over you, (something “you” should be ashamed of).
It’s like the Statler Brothers sang when they sensed the sands shifting those hard-to-believe 35ish years ago: “I’ll tell you friend/a mandolin/won’t get you on a TV show/…whoa no…”
But there was a magical time, a bit after the Glory Days of George Jones and Johnny Cash, Mighty Merle and Roger Miller and Tammy Whynot (oops; typo?), Loretta Lynn, Jeannie Seely and Marty Robbins, all the fastball pitchers of my pre-driving days. After them came Gilley and the Gang, Country Music’s last stand.
Gene Watson picked the wildwood flower. Rosanne Cash explained the way we make a broken heart, and Rodney Crowell said she was crazy for leaving, a No. 1 song written by the great Guy Clark.
The Judds had to explain to momma that he was crazy. Don Williams was livin’ on Tulsa time, Keith Whitley was no stranger to the rain, all George Strait’s exes lived in Texas, and Emmylou Harris, the female standard bearer in this bureau, said she’d walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham if she just had two more bottles of wine, and thank you Delbert McClinton for writing that.
Alabama. Wow. Nothing quite like old Alabama and old flames and Dixieland delights. The pre-Elvira Oak Ridge Boys in the Y’all Come Back Saloon. Janie Frickie was down to her last broken heart, and Con Hunley (“You Lay A Whole Lotta Love On Me”), Earl Thomas Conley (“Heavenly Bodies”) and John Conlee (“I Don’t Remember Lovin’ You”) had sound-alike names but sound-different-but-top-shelf hits.
The Bellamy Brothers. The dynamic Ricky Skaggs, who begged his girl not to cheat in their hometown or he’d tell Uncle Pen. Juice Newton, the queen of hearts. Vern Gosdin, who just wanted Joe to set ’em up and play “Walkin’ The Floor.” Not too much to ask, right?
Kenny gambling and Dolly warning me that it was going to be a hard candy Christmas unless I worked 9 to 5, and together they were islands in the stream.
Marshall Tucker. Charlie Daniels. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and “An American Dream.” And Sir Edward Rabbitt, who loved him on a rainy night and some rocky mountain music.
Two heavyweights were 1) Willie and the geographically challenging, ever-moving whiskey river, and 2) Waylon warning mommas not to let their babies grow up to be cowboys.
But if they did, well, that was OK too. Because Hank “Bocephus” Jr. said country folk and cowboy folk can survive … back when they were playing our song.
I’ll go punch up the next five tunes. . .Anybody got a quarter? A solid? Anyone?
Three ceremonies and a special induction honoring a most distinguished alumnus will complete a full day of celebration as Louisiana Tech University holds its spring commencement May 21 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
Here are the times and keynote speakers for each session.
9 a.m.: Education and Liberal Arts, Doug Boulware, Class of ’80.
12:30 p.m.: Business and Applied and Natural Sciences, Scott Poole, Class of ’86.
4 p.m.: Engineering and Science, General Anthony J. Cotton.
During the 4 p.m. ceremony, 1982 College of Engineering and Science graduate Nick Akins, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of American Electric Power, will be inducted into the University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni. He will receive the University’s highest honor, the Tower Medallion, awarded to those alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service and humanitarian activity.
Speaker biographies
Doug Boulware has made a difference for Tech since his undergraduate days as an offensive guard on the Bulldogs’ Southland Conference and Independence Bowl championship team in 1977.
He graduated in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Education and returned to Louisiana Tech to earn a master’s degree in Industrial Psychology in 1993. He has used his knowledge, experience, education, and passion for the care of the elderly to become a successful managing partner of Priority Management Group located in Dallas.
Boulware has more than 30 years of experience overseeing and managing facilities in Louisiana and Texas that care for the elderly. The mission of his company is to provide the highest quality care to the more than 3,000 residents it currently services.
Boulware, the 2018 College of Education Distinguished Alumnus, and his wife Sandra have made a major investment, both to the College and to a future Athletics capital project that will pay educational dividends for decades to come.
Scott Poole is President and Chief Operating Officer for RoyOMartin Sustainable Resources LLC in Alexandria, Poole graduated from Louisiana Tech with a BS in Forestry in 1986 and soon joined the Martin Companies. He later earned his MBA from LSU in Baton Rouge.
With more than 1,200 employees, the Martin Companies own or control over half a million acres of forest land within the State of Louisiana and own and operate the three largest plywood and oriented strand board manufacturing facilities in North America. Poole’s current responsibilities include the management of all timber, manufacturing, and sales operations within the organization.
A current Advisory Board Member for Tech’s School of Forestry, Poole also serves on the board of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He is a past board member of the Louisiana Forestry Association, past Chairman of the Louisiana Forestry Commission and the Louisiana Forest Products Society, and past Chair of the Central Louisiana Manufacturers Council.
Poole is married to the former Heather Spillers of Vidalia, who earned both her BA and MBA degrees from LSU and later earned her EdD in Education Leadership from Tech. She is currently Executive Vice Chancellor of Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Alexandria. The couple call Pineville home and enjoy spending time in Louisiana’s outdoors with their four children.
General Antony J. Cotton is Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and Commander, Air Forces Strategic–Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability, and combat support to U.S. Strategic Command and other geographic combatant commands.
The command is comprised of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 11 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. Weapons systems assigned to AFGSC include all U.S. Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and bomber aircraft, UH-1N helicopters, E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft, and the U.S. Air Force NC3 weapons system.
Cotton entered the Air Force through the ROTC program in 1986 after earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from North Carolina State. In 1991, he earned his MS in Administration from Central Michigan. He has completed more than a dozen military courses and seminars since.
Cotton has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, including his service as Deputy Director of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group, as Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, as well as Commander and President of Air University.
Nick Akins received his bachelor’s degree in 1982 and a master’s degree in 1986 in Electrical Engineering from Tech. Now he will receive the Tower Medallion, which recognizes those exceptional individuals who have brought honor not only to themselves but also to the University.
Akins will be permanently recognized in the University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Tech has always recognized that the true measure of its greatness is the performance of its alumni.
In addition to his Tech degrees, Akins has earned additional training through executive management programs at LSU, the University of Idaho, and the Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Akins and the AEP Foundation have long been supporters of the University. The Foundation graciously presented Tech with a check for the Integrated Engineering and Science Building long before it became a reality. The University also received a generous gift from Akins, president of the Foundation, in 2017 to support the then-new Academic Success Center, which includes Tech’s cyber training center, located in the National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City.
Under his leadership, AEP continues to invest in modernization and security of the electric grid, resource diversification, and technology and innovation to enable the transition to a clean energy future while preserving universal access to the grid. Through strategic partnerships and collaboration with customers, Akins has positioned AEP to redefine the future of energy and embrace the transformation sweeping the industry.
While more than 400 degrees were conferred during Grambling State University’s two commencement ceremonies, it was 61 GSU alumni who might have had the biggest time of all as they returned to campus as “Golden Graduates” from the classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972.
Three classes were honored this year because of limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the previous two years.
“I only arrived at GSU in January 2022, with vacancies in some key positions, including staffing in alumni affairs. Once I learned that the University had previously celebrated Golden Graduates, it was important for me to identify a way to reinstate this celebration,” said Melanie E. Jones, Vice President for Advancement, Research, and Economic Development. “The three days spent with the Golden Graduates was nothing short of amazing. Witnessing the authentic love they displayed for their Alma Mater and the joy of classmates reconnecting, gave proof that this celebration was indeed necessary and warranted.”
The Golden Graduates first gathered Wednesday night for a meet and greet and registration at the Eddie Robinson Museum before ending their visit with a campus tour and brunch with university President Rick Gallot late Friday morning. In between, they walked across the stage to receive Golden Graduate certificates during Thursday’s morning commencement exercises before celebrating with “The Golden Soiree,” a mixer held Thursday evening at the Courtyard Marriott.
“We don’t make it back to Grambling all that often, but of course, no one has been back because of the pandemic,” said Gwendolyn Durr Bristo, who traveled with her husband and fellow Golden Graduate William L. Bristo for the event. “We did make it back for Homecoming in 2019 but haven’t been back since.”
Both Bristos said reuniting with old friends and classmates meant much to them.
“I’m just thrilled with everything that happened during our visit,” Gwendolyn Bristo said. “It was really special.”
Freddie Colston traveled from the Washington D.C. suburb of Forest Heights. “It has been an honor to see friends and family members,” Colston said. “I laughed, I cried tears of joy seeing classmates I hadn’t seen since 1971 when I graduated. Everybody is healthy and looking well. It’s been an honor to be here, and I’ll be back at Homecoming.”
The university also received a golden gift from the Golden Graduates in the form of a $13,475 check gathered from donations collected by the three honored classes.
“We have had the chance to have a wonderful three-day fellowship of enjoyment with fellow grads,” said Golden Graduate Jackie Slack before presenting the check to Gallot. “We have been afforded the opportunity to meet and greet with former dormmates, classmates, sorors in our sororities, frat brothers in our fraternities. We danced across the floor at the Courtyard Marriot and went back home or to our rooms and used Ben-Gay. We reflected on our time here at Grambling and shared memories of those deceased and are no longer with us, but they are not forgotten.
“It’s been a memorable experience we are having and we sincerely thank everyone that contributed to putting this three-day weekend together,” Slack continued. “We have a lot to be thankful for, so we give generously to The Grambling State University.”
Slack then announced the amounts raised by each class – $3,175 from the Class of 1970; $6,100 from the Class of 1971 and $4,200 from the Class of 1972.
“I have never seen a more appreciative group of people who were not only excited to reunite with one another but left with a sincere recommitment to support and engage with the University, demonstrated by their challenge of each other to donate at least $100,000 to the University this year,” Vice President Jones said. “With their renewed support, Grambling State University will be all the better.”
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Northwestern State University Office of Business Affairs seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Purchasing Director. Review of applications will begin immediately.
To Apply: Send letter of application, resume and complete contact information for three professionals references to:
Apply@nsula.edu or submit to: Human Resources Northwestern State University ST. Denis Hall Natchitoches, La 71497
The successful candidate will be subject to a background check, as a condition of employment.
Northwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion,
Sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, and veteran or retirement status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies (i.e., Title IX):
Employees/Potential Employees- Veronica M. Biscoe, EEO Officer (318-357-6359) Students- Reatha Cox, Dean of Students (318-357-5286)
For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns, contact the Disability Support and Tutoring Director, Randi Washington at 318-357-4460.
Additionally, Northwestern complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act. Information about NSU’s campus security and crime statistics can be found at http;//universitypolice.nsula.edu/annual-security-report/.
Doris Elaine Rogers May 16, 2022 Graveside Service: Friday, May 20, 2022, 10:00 AM, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
Emmerson Wafer July 2, 1929 – April 26, 2022 Viewing: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Friendship CME Church, 1526 Friendship Rd., Libson Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Friendship CME Church, 1526 Friendship Rd., Libson Burial: Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Friendship CME Cemetery, 1526 Friendship Rd., Libson
Helen Jeannette Thompson March 10, 1934 – May 15, 2022 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, May 19, 2022, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, May 19, 2022, 11:00 am Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, May 19, 2022
Two men were arrested for numerous drug-related charges Friday by the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team
Diaquir Lavor Rabb, 23, of Ruston, and Drake Darling-Jacobs, 21, of Oakland, Ca., were taken into custody when LPNET executed a search warrant Friday morning at an apartment on Penny Lane just off the Louisiana Tech campus.
As officers approached the apartment, Rabb, carrying a black backpack, attempted to flee out the back door. When he saw officers, he reentered the residence, emerging shortly without the backpack.
During a search of the apartment, a large quantity of marijuana was discovered in the toilet. The backpack was found in the bathroom near the toilet. Digital scales and drug packaging materials were also recovered.
During a search of Darling-Jacobs’ room, officers found packages of marijuana edibles, raw marijuana, digital scales, and drug packaging materials.
The apartment is next door to Louisiana Tech, a drug free zone.
Rabb was booked for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice (for evidence destruction), and violation of the controlled substances law in a drug free zone. Bail was set at $82,500.
Darling-Jacobs was booked for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of the controlled substances law in a drug free zone. His bail amount was unavailable at press time.
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.
NORMAN, Okla. – Louisiana Tech’s Sam Murphy is tied for 18th after the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Normal Regional after shooting a -1 on Monday at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.
Murphy was able to get up and down for a par on the first hole despite missing the fairway on his opening tee shot of the day. However, he was unable to do so on the next two holes, carding back-to-back bogeys after missing both greens on holes two and three.
“There was good and bad on the course today,” said Murphy. “There is a low score to be had. It is attackable if you hit it in the right spots, but there is trouble that you can easily get into. I just needs to clean a few things up and make a few more putts. I got into a groove after the first few holes, trusted what I have been working on. You just have to trust your game and believe in it.”
The fifth-year senior settled in from there though, securing three straight pars before connecting on his first birdie of the day on hole seven. Playing 435 yards, he crushed his driver down the left side, getting a friendly bounce from the cart path to get near the green. His wedge shot hit the edge and rolled to within five feet, sinking the left-to-right putt to get to +1.
On the second par five of the day at hole eight, Murphy went hybrid on his second shot to get on the green in two. He would two-putt to get back to even par on the day.
“I thought Sam was good today,” said Tech head coach Matt Terry. “I know he was excited on the first tee. He made a nice par to get out of the gates. The next two holes, he may have been too amped up making bogeys. He settled into his round though.”
The birdie streak continued on hole nine as he hit perhaps his best shot of the day, a 9-iron from about 165 yards out into the wind and stuck it to within five feet. He tapped it the putt to get into the red for the first time as he made the turn to the back nine.
A trio of pars followed before Murphy used his driving length to birdie another par five, this one playing 594 yards out. He would go on to sink a 15-foot putt to get to -2.
Murphy ran into trouble though on the daunting 260-yard par three at hole 15 as his 4-iron hooked left into a bunker with the pin on the left side. An extremely difficult lie resulted in a double bogey to put him back Even with three holes to go.
“Other than one mistake off the 15-tee box on the par three, there was a lot of good today,” said Terry. “He just has to go out, keep making good shots and make a few more putts. He will get more confident on the speed of the greens and leaving the ball where he needs to.”
After back-to-back pars, including a sand save on hole 17, Murphy approached the last hole of the round, a 586-yard par five. He blasted his driver 386 yards into the middle of the fairway before knocking it onto the green from 200 yards out with a 7-iron. His eagle putt missed by an inch of going in, tapping in for birdie to finish at -1.
A Texarkana, Ark., man has been arrested twice in less than a week for alleged stalking conduct.
Aidan Shipp, 19, was charged last Wednesday and again Friday in connection with the incident.
On Monday, May 9, Louisiana Tech police officers advised Shipp he was not to have any further contact with a complainant due to numerous unwanted calls and texts, including to the complainant’s brother to pass to the complainant. Shipp advised he understood he was to have no further contact. However, on the morning of May 11, the complainant called and said Shipp was beating on her window and telling her to meet him at the Lady of the Mist statue on Tech’s campus. Shipp told authorities he had knocked on the window and spoken to the complainant. He was charged with stalking, and bail was set at $25,000.
On Friday, May 13, Shipp reported to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office where he was advised of a warrant for his arrest for violation of court-ordered conditions of bail. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
Bail was set at $100,000.
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.
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Chris Olave just arrived in New Orleans. Michael Thomas will be returning soon.
The two former Ohio State stars are central figures in a rebuilt Saints receiving corps designed to improve the NFL’s least productive passing game in 2021 with 187.4 yards per game.
Olave, the Saints’ top draft choice and No. 11 overall, caught 65 passes for 936 yards — 14.4 yards per catch — and 13 touchdowns for the Buckeyes last season. He’s getting his first taste of the NFL as he participates in New Orleans’ rookie minicamp this weekend.
But before he showed up at the team’s training facility, he spent a week and a half in Los Angeles working with Thomas, a former All-Pro who invited his new teammate to stay with him.
“I’ve been training there until I got here,” Olave said after practice Saturday. “He took me in. I just followed his schedule that he does consistently in the offseason. I just stepped into that and worked with him.
“He said, just keep doing what I’m doing. Coming from Ohio State, that’s a competitive environment. Keep that chip on your shoulder and keep your head down and keep working. I look up to him. He’s one of the best receivers to do it and I want to follow in his footsteps.”
The Saints’ passing game has struggled the last two seasons, largely because of an ankle injury that has plagued Thomas, a second-round pick in 2016 who caught an NFL-record 149 passes in 2019, the last season he was fully healthy.
Thomas injured the ankle in the 2020 season opener and it limited him to seven games that season. He didn’t catch a single touchdown pass.
He tried to rehab the injury, but eventually had two surgeries and missed all of last season.
It remains to be seen if Thomas will participate in the voluntary organized team activities that begin in nine days, but the two former Buckeyes are expected to be together again for the team’s mandatory veteran minicamp scheduled for June 14-16.
“Finally being on the same team with him is going to be huge,” Olave said. “I can’t wait to get on the field with him and compete with him as his teammate.”
Olave, who like Thomas is a native of Southern California, said he and Thomas spoke on the phone and exchanged texts even before the draft. Thomas was advising his fellow Buckeye and the communication has only increased since they became teammates two weeks ago.
“Since I got drafted, I feel like we’ve gotten closer,” Olave said.
The Saints added five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry, who’s from the New Orleans area and played at nearby LSU, as a free agent Friday.
“We just got out of practice (Friday) and they said, ‘We got Jarvis’ and that was huge,” Olave said. “He’s going to be a great addition to the roster. I can’t wait to play with him.
“Michael Thomas was always one of my favorite receivers. Jarvis is a legend out here. Having so many guys that are known and have already made their mark in the league is huge for me see how they attack it every day.”
Olave is just two days into his NFL career, but coach Dennis Allen said he has seen “the same things we saw on tape” that led the Saints to make two trades to move up to the No. 11 spot and draft him.
“He’s a guy that is really fast, smooth in transition, good route runner, smart and ultimately he’s the type of character person that we wanted to bring into the building,” Allen said. “I think that’s as important as anything.”
Students in GAME 477, a course that challenges students in both Design and Computer Science to work as teams and create games for multiple devices, will reveal their final projects in a game launch event at Louisiana Tech University’s eSports Center.
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the eSports Center, which is housed on the second floor of Tech’s Student Center.
“The teams begin the course working on simple game prototypes and formats and eventually work into a larger game project for their final,” said Jerry Berg, Associate Professor of Design, Interactive and Game Design. “The game launch event offers participants the opportunity to play student-designed video games while competing for prizes.”
Throughout the course, six teams of School of Design and Computer Science students collaborate to develop video games that differ in story, design style, mechanics, and structure. These students are often enrolled in Louisiana Tech’s Game Design minor, Berg said.
“The skills these students learn throughout the program will enrich their careers no matter what their future plans are,” Berg said. “In addition to video games, game-design skills are also used in architectural firms looking to create three-dimensional walkthroughs of buildings, when the automobile industry develops environments to test new vehicle design concepts, and when the medical industry creates test virtual reality environments to hone medical procedures and new tools and techniques.”
The launch event is free and open to the public. Food will be provided, and individuals who earn the highest score for each featured game will be awarded with prizes.
“We’d also love to see students who are interested in design careers and video game design to come out and talk to the students who are working on the minor,” Berg said. “We’ll also have future events for prospective students, including Game Design workshops hosted in the eSports Center.”
A Dubach man was arrested last week in reference to an alleged stolen vehicle.
A deputy with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an address on McGee Road in reference to a stolen vehicle. The complainant stated Steven Jensen, 47, had been at his house the night before, got drunk and passed out on the ground. The complainant said he tried to wake Jensen but could not.
When the complainant awoke the next morning, his Dodge one-ton pickup was gone, along with his 15-foot trailer that was attached to the truck. He told the deputy he believed it was Jensen.
The deputy went to Jensen’s residence and found the stolen truck and trailer with Jensen sitting in the truck. The deputy asked him to step out of the truck. When the deputy attempted to place Jensen in restraints, Jensen attempted to pull away and actively resisted arrest until he was secured in the patrol unit.
Later, the complainant contacted deputies again and said Jensen had apparently damaged the truck by striking a wood pile when he was backing out.
Jensen was booked and charged with unauthorized use of a movable vehicle, two counts of resisting an officer and criminal damage to property. Bond is set at $5,000.
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.
Louisiana Tech’s Elite Modeling Troupe partnered up with the university’s Pi Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha PSI to create a fashion show recently.
The group showcased a variety of different outfits along with a walking and dancing routine.
The show consisted of four scenes: The Gentlemen’s Club, Crimson and Cream, MyWhy Apparel and Seen with Caution.
The Gentlemen’s Club consisted of men wearing button up shirts with plaid pants and roses. The women wore all black and sparkly red newsboy hats.
Crimson and Cream consisted of couples. One person would wear all cream and the other person would wear all red. EMT chose these colors because they are the official colors of Kappa Alpha PSI.
MyWhy Apparel featured models wearing clothes from the MyWhy Apparel company.
Seen with Caution was the last scene and had models wearing white, red and caution tape.
Sequanna King, president of EMT, said she was excited about the show.
“The theme of the show was Kode Redd,” King said. “It played off of the Kappas… we used their color scheme to come up with some of the outfits so everyone could match. We could combine both what they do and what we do as well.”
Dequante Bill is one of the vendors for this show and provided the models with clothes from his MyWhy Apparel. MyWhy Apparel is a clothing brand that started in November 2021. Its goal is to uplift people, make them feel empowered and put a smile on their faces.
“I wanted to be a vendor for this show to show off my new and upcoming brand MyWhy Apparel,” Bill said. “It’s marketing and advertising. When people see your brand at an event like this the more likely they are to become interested.”
Bill said he has always been into fashion and wanted to make something to represent himself. He wanted to create something that had a purpose behind it. At the time, Bill already had a clothing brand but he did not have a purpose so in November, he rebranded his apparel to MyWhy and it has been doing well since.
Bill is also part of Pi Delta Chapter and helped make this collaboration happen.
“We were pretty nervous at first,” Bill said, “but as we started the show we realized how much fun we were having and calmed down.”
EMT’s goal is to make everyone feel welcome within the community and give everyone an opportunity to really shine.
“Through Elite we want everyone to feel like they can express themselves in their own unique way,” King said, “Without any judgment.”
Scars are on and all around me. Maybe you can say the same.
There’s the one on my forehead near the hairline. When I was 5, it was located right above my eyebrow, but as I grew, it migrated upward. (I’ve since learned that this is common with childhood scars in that area.)
Truthfully, getting that scar taught me a lesson. I got the wound when I disobeyed Mama and ran while I was inside the house – and head butted the sharp corner of a door. Turns out Mama actually knew what she was talking about. To this day, when I see that scar, I’m reminded of my gentle mother’s efforts at guidance, which I gleefully ignored to my own peril.
Then there’s the scar on my knee. Probably, the big tear in my skin should have had stiches, but Mama thought it best to let it heal on its own. In contrast with my eyebrow injury, I did absolutely nothing to bring this about. For absolutely no reason, one of the boys in my fifth-grade class pushed me down on the sidewalk as we were walking to the school lunchroom. I’ve never, ever understood why he did that.
And there’s the virtually imperceptible scar in the palm of my hand from where, as an adult, I had surgery for my trigger thumb. The doctor aligned the cut – and the subsequent scar – with one of the lines that already existed in my hand and, frankly, I can’t find it at all now.
Kind of like the scar with the two tracks on my cheek that came from the cat I was attempting to pet when someone spooked it. As the years have passed since that childhood trauma, those tracks have become almost unnoticeable among other signs of aging on my face.
Then travel down to my big toe, and there’s a reddish spot that’s gradually fading and moving toward the toe’s tip – a leftover from a dropped can of tomato soup. Eventually, the spot will vanish all together.
Of course, all the scars I’ve accumulated aren’t on my body. There’s the dirty-looking little gouge in our kitchen floor that just won’t go away. It came via a broken dish resulting from a temper tantrum that someone once had. (Note: She is not proud of this visible piece of her life’s history.)
Other scars are invisible to the naked eye, but just as real. They’re psychological – and I think we all have those in one way or another.
So from my vantage point, I see a host of scars, some resulting from my own shortcomings and some through no fault of my own, but each one is something I can now deal with. As I said above, maybe you see scars, too. (Actually, I must admit: The ones I cited regarding myself are very small, but they serve to make my point.)
Jesus said we would have trouble in this world – and He knows all about trouble. The scars on his hands and feet verified that. What’s more, He had emotional wounds – being deserted and betrayed by family and friends and much, much more.
Remember one of the first things He did after the resurrection? He showed his disciples his scars. “Look at my hands and feet,” He says in Luke 24:39.
Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions … and by his wounds we are healed.”
With Jesus, no wound is so massive that it can’t be cleansed and restored. The cross is a message of hope.
If you have scars, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t love you. It means He has something far better on the other side of your pain. As is often said, our pain has a purpose. Jesus’ scars tell you that on the other side of hardship, there can be healing.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
It was a celebration of a lifetime for new Grambling State University graduates as they were awarded their degrees Thursday afternoon in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
But there was a solemn and poignant moment before degrees were conferred as deceased GSU students were honored with posthumous degrees.
Those students were Natalie Desselle Reid, who passed away on Dec. 7, 2021 after a long battle with cancer; and Zaria Griffith, who was a current GSU student when she died of injuries suffered in a car accident on Nov. 26 of last year.
A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, actress Natalie Desselle Reid graduated from Peabody Magnet High School and attended Grambling State University for 2 1/2 years. The acting bug bit her after a starring role in Grambling State’s production of “Bubbling Brown Sugar.” After several productions as a thespian, she decided to move to Los Angeles and test the waters. Realizing Hollywood was not aware of her “arrival,” she became a receptionist, a soul food waitress, and lastly a tank mechanic at McDonnell Douglas.
Her break came when Robi Reed cast her in F. Gary Gray’s “Set It Off” which led to a guest-starring role on television’s “Family Matters.” After her initial foray into Hollywood, she found herself looking for opportunities while living in Inglewood, California, and then the call came. The role that established her as a comedic thespian aka “the funny chick” in Robert Townsend’s” B.A.P.S,” starring opposite Halle Berry. The films “How to be a Player,” “Cinderella” and television shows “Built to Last” and “For Your Love” followed.
In the 2000s, she played Janie Egins on the television show “Eve” for three seasons, and had one of her last film roles in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011). Her most cherished production was her family, which included her husband Lenny Reid and their three children Sereno, Summer, and Sasha.
Desselle Reid’s family was present to receive the honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual and Performing Arts that was given in her memory.Larry Lenny Reid first congratulated GSU’s spring 2022 graduates and thanked President Rick Gallot for thinking of his wife and her family before making his remarks on the honorary degree being presented in his wife’s memory.
“I offer thanks on behalf of our families — the Reids and Desselles — for helping to keep her spirit alive and we are honored to be receiving this posthumous degree and allowing us to partake in this momentous event,” Reid said. “Despite having many roles in Hollywood, Grambling helped her play one of her most pivotal roles — it gave her the confidence after only two years chose to leave the university and fulfill her destiny.”
He then read a short quote from one of his wife’s most favorite books, “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, which leads with the opening line, “Go confidently into your dreams.”
A native of Chicago, Griffith graduated from South Shore International College Preparatory High School in 2017 where she was an honor student who excelled at ROTC, tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading. As a natural-born leader, Zaria served as captain of the cheer squad and led her peers on the mat and in the classroom. During her high school career, her interest in the health profession led her to participate in the medical program where she obtained her phlebotomy license upon graduation.
She attended Central State University and continued her love for cheerleading as a member of the university cheer team where she bonded with her Cheer-Phi members. In 2018, she transferred to her first choice school, Grambling State University. She was a proud Tiger participating as a Grambassador and Senior Associate Justice for the Student Government Association.Griffith excelled academically, making the Dean’s List every semester.
Her family was presented with a posthumous Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in her memory.
“She transitioned in November only a few hours short of completing her degree,” Gallot said before asking Griffith’s family to come to the stage. “We offer our sincere sympathies to the Griffith family and loved ones as we continue to pray for you today.”
Cries of “We love you, Zaria” coming from GSU graduates echoed through the Hobdy Assembly Center as Griffith’s family walked onto the stage to a standing ovation.
“I just want to thank Grambling [State] University for helping us get through during this transition,” Griffith’s father Cedric said, pausing to choke back tears as he spoke. “I want to thank President Gallot and his staff for all of the calls and prayers. I’m so proud of Zaria and what she accomplished. And I’m just as proud of the graduates here today, too. I know Zaria would love to be sitting with you today, but sometimes things just don’t turn out right. Y’all have the chance to continue and live your dreams. Thank you.”
The crowd at the Hobdy Assembly responded with a second standing ovation as the Griffith family left the stage.
From June 1-23, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council is hosting its 35th Annual Peach Art Exhibit at the Lincoln Parish Events Center.
Laura Hunt Miller is the brains behind the operation and said she is excited to see all of the new artists and amateurs bring in their work.
“Their unique points of view, choices of mediums, and their own excitement about exhibiting their work, sometimes for the first time, is really wonderful to see,” Miller said.
Though the categories have changed over the years, this is the first year the exhibit will move its winners to the of the show downtown to be a part of the Peach Festival as well. This means the show will be on display simultaneously at the Historic Fire Station and the Library for the Peach Festival weekend but still allow artists to submit and pick-up their artwork at the Library Events Center.
Miller explained how their biggest turnouts have had about 200 pieces, but while coming out of COVID-19 she expects about 100 to 150 submissions for this year and at least 20 entries in each category.
IN 2020, the exhibit was moved downtown due to COVID and had the artworks displayed outside but through the windows of business. This was an innovative way to keep the annual exhibit going and have all artists feel equal instead of side-by-side their competitors.
In 2021, Miller also explained how they moved the exhibit to the fire station and then the Library Events Center as they had fewer submissions than the previous years.
“They were trying to balance putting the art out there for everyone to enjoy, and the ongoing COVID restraints,” Miller said. “As NCLAC was not sure the event would even occur, the categories and awards were scaled back as well. It was still fun to see, but we are glad people will be able to get together again to really enjoy the show and celebrate our local artists in person.”
There are nine categories that range from youth, teen and adult categories. All have cash prizes for placement with youth at $75 for best in show, teen at $150 for best in show and adult at $300 for best in show. The adult categories also range from drawings, paintings, photography and 3-D/ mixed media.
NCLAC asks people to submit their work on May 26 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Library Events Center. There is a $10 entry fee for the young adults and teen categories and a $15 entry fee for all adult categories. NCLAC members get a $5 discount for each category entered.
NCLAC would also like to thank Lincoln Parish Library, the City of Ruston, and their sponsors for making this show possible.
“Our sponsors, Century Next Bank, Ponchatoulas, The Peach 99.3, Fine Line Supply Co., The Children’s Shoppe, Durrett Law & Title LLC, and Garden Baby have provided us with the funds to reward our artists for all their hard work, and allow us to improve the all-around quality of the show,” Miller said.
The show is free to come and view at the Library Events Center, and there will be no charge to view the winning pieces on display at the Historic Fire Station the day of the Peach Festival.
Fran C. Brown May 30, 1935 – May 13, 2022 Service: LifeChurch.LA, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 11:00 am Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Helen Jeannette Thompson March 10, 1934 – May 15, 2022 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, May 19, 2022, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, May 19, 2022, 11:00 am Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, May 19, 2022
Patsy A. McCree December 9, 1939 – May 9, 2022 Funeral service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Tuesday, May 17 at Ebenezer Cemetery in Ruston
A Ruston reserve police officer was arrested Wednesday after an alleged confrontation with a motorist.
Peter Thorson, 50, was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on charges of false imprisonment and malfeasance in office according to a Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department press release. Bail was set at $20,000.
On May 7, the sheriff’s department began investigating after a citizen reported being pulled over by an unmarked vehicle with no emergency lights. The complainant stated he was traveling south on U.S. 167 in Vienna when he noticed the vehicle behind him following very closely. The vehicle followed him into the parking lot of a local business and parked behind him in a manner consistent with law enforcement tactics. A man wearing a “POLICE” ball cap approached the complainant’s vehicle and ordered him to exit. The complainant stated the man returned to his vehicle and put on a gun belt. The driver exited his vehicle and attempted to enter the business, but the doors were locked. He was approached by the man who identified himself as an officer. After an approximate 4-minute interaction, the driver was released, and the officer left the scene.
Surveillance footage of the incident was obtained and reviewed by detectives. With the assistance of the Ruston Police Department, Thorson was identified and confirmed to be a reserve police officer with the City of Ruston.
The incident location is just outside the Ruston city limits.
Thorson was questioned by detectives on Wednesday morning and subsequently arrested. A statement from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department noted the actions taken by Thorson during the encounter “do not reflect the values and spirit of the men and women of the Ruston Police Department or the sheriff’s department.”
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.
SULPHUR — It was a microcosm of the Choudrant High School baseball season at the Class B Championship game Friday afternoon at McMurry Park.
And as they’ve done more a few times this season, the Aggies overcame an early deficit to take a lead before eventually surging ahead late to earn a second straight title with a 12-6 win over Converse.
It wasn’t a surprise for Aggies head coach Tony Antley, who goes into retirement as a six-time state champion after guiding Choudrant to titles in 1996, 2002, 2005, 2017, 2021 and 2022.
Choudrant found itself down 2-0 after the first inning but moved on top for good with four runs in the bottom of the second.
The Aggies pushed their advantage to 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-run homer blasted by catcher Gavin Murphy, who was named the championship game’s Most Valuable Player.
“You don’t ever want to be behind, but I can tell you this — they’re not afraid to be behind,” Antley said. “They never panic or feel like they’re out of the game. When they’re behind they only see another opportunity to show how good they are. These guys just don’t have any quit in them.”
Choudrant pitcher Landon Hennen and Converse hurler Judd Boudreaux both dominated the fourth inning, throwing for a combined 15 pitchers in the fast-paced stanza.
But then Converse tied things up in the top of the fifth before the Aggies pulled away for good with six runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Antley said he really didn’t consider pulling Hennen off the mound.
“He got ahead in the count 0-2 a couple of different times in the fifth,” Antley said of Hennen. “But we knew they’d hit the baseball and hit it hard. (Converse’s) leadoff guy and the Boudreaux kid are really good hitters, and every time we got back to them we knew we might be in trouble.
“But I didn’t want to swap Landon early. The only thing I had thought about is that if it got late in the game I might bring in (Eli) Callendar. But at that point it was Landon’s to win or lose, so I let him go for it.”’
Antley admitted the enormity of retiring on top as a two-time state champion has really hit him yet.
“I don’t think so,” Antley said. “It’s exciting and I’m blessed to have been where I’ve been and have such great players around me and other coaches around me that make me look better than I am. My wife told me this morning, ‘You realize, you’re like this every year right after the season ends.’ I guess she could tell it was hitting me some and told me it was a little different this time.’ It’s almost like a letdown because you’ve been going 100 percent the whole season and then all of a sudden, ‘Boom, there’s nothing.’ But at this point I know it’s what’s best for me and my family.”
Antley said he will continue serving as principal at Choudrant until his drop date of Feb. 3 of next year.
“That will be before baseball season, so they can move on and it seems like the best way to do it. I’ll just see what God leads me to do. I hunt, I fish, I play a little golf and I garden. I’ll spend a lot of time doing those little ‘Honey Dos’ that I’ve never really been able to do for my wife.
“But I never thought I’d be coaching at Choudrant High School for 32 years when I started, I’ve never coached anywhere else, but that’s where God took me. We’ll have to see where he takes me now.”
Antley said he had opportunities to move up to bigger programs, but the right opportunity never came in his mind.
“So many coaches want to move up to a big-time program,” Antley said. “I had some opportunities but never felt like that was the way God was leading me.”
Antley’s wife retired from teaching after 21 years and now works for an insurance company, and has always been the rock standing by her husband’s side.
“We’ve been married for 29 years,” Antley said. “We had met at Tech and were together several years before we got married. She’s been the foundation of all of this. She’s the calming force — the one that gives me sound advice when I come up and am stirred up and don’t know which way to go. She always leads me in the right direction.”
Antley said it’s the bond he created with all the players he’s coached that will be the biggest thing he takes with him into retirement.’
“At the championship game the other day Josh Franklin, my first catcher ever, came down and talked to me,” Antley said. “There’s a lot of those guys that have been foundations through this process. It’s them. It’s all of those guys who as young children sat up in the stands dreaming of playing Choudrant baseball. Those kids are a part of it, too.”
Antley said he believes it’s likely his first cousin and assistant Joel Antley that is next in line to take over the Choudrant baseball program.
“He’s been my assistant through three state championships now and deserves it.” Antley said. “There are days I don’t even get down there because of other duties and he runs practice. He takes care of the field.
There’s so many things in my job as principal that at times have taken me away from baseball itself at times, and he’s stepped right in and has never missed a beat. He’s seen it all and knows how the program needs to run. I think he’s got some ideas he wants to put into play, too, and hopefully he can expand on what we’ve already done and make it even better.”
A Farmerville man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly committed a burglary at Courtesy Chevrolet on the South Service Road East in Ruston.
About 5 a.m. Thursday morning, Ruston Police officers responded to a burglary in progress call at the automobile dealership with a report the suspect was sitting in a GMC Sierra. The man was attempting to exit the GMC as officers arrived and was taken into custody.
A search of the man, who refused to identify himself, revealed several remote controls to various vehicles on the dealership lot. The man admitted throwing a rock through a window but denied breaking into any vehicles.
An abandoned vehicle was found next door at the Spirit Mart. The car owner was contacted, and it was determined that Stanard Hendricks had taken the car without permission. The unidentified man was identified as Hendricks, 25, of Cedar Street in Farmerville.
Hendricks was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked for resisting an officer by failing to identify himself, simple burglary of a business, simple burglary of a vehicle, two counts of simple criminal damage to property, and unauthorized use of a movable.
Bail was set at $62,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
