Seven seniors. Three wins. And one great weekend of baseball.

Louisiana Tech celebrated senior weekend at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park by sweeping a three-game series against Western Kentucky and moving into sole possession of second place in the Conference USA Standings with one week remaining.

Tech (36-17, 18-9 C-USA) outscored WKU 34-8 in the three games, winning by scores of 16-4, 7-2 and 11-2.

The Bulldog faithful honored a star-studded senior class prior to Saturday’s first pitch as Steele Netterville, Taylor Young, Kyle Crigger, Ryan Jennings, Cade Gibson, Jarret Whorff and Jackson Lancaster all suited up for the final time in Ruston.

“I am really proud of our guys we really needed to sweep this series and we did,” said Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. “A lot of emotions out there. I think our fans need to be commended the way they recognized Taylor and Steele in their last at-bats.

“That is a sign of your program growing. Those two definitely had their moment and Phil gave Steele his when he hit that homer. I don’t think you could have scripted it any better. And for Whorff and Fincher to pitch the way they did and all the older guys got to play this weekend.”

The Bulldogs were never really threatened during the weekend series, outhitting WKU 43-24 over the three days. Tech pounded out 17 hits in each of the first two wins before recording nine on Sunday – with each of the nine starters in the lineup recording one hit.

Tech finished the 2022 home slate with a record of 24-8 at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

“You hate that it is our last game at the Love Shack, but we still have a weekend and the tournament and hopefully beyond that,” said Burroughs. “Extremely proud of our guys today for coming out today and finding a way to sweep.”

LA Tech wraps up regular season play at Charlotte with a three-game series starting Thursday at 5 p.m.

Grambling State University held its 2022 Spring Commencement Exercises in two ceremonies Thursday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center, conferring 416 degrees ranging from doctoral to the undergraduate level. 

Former Louisiana State Rep. Edward “Ted” James, who was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Regional Administrator for Region 6 South Central Region in December of 2021, served as keynote speaker for both ceremonies. 

The Southern University graduate was also presented with an honorary doctorate from GSU. 

During his speeches, James encouraged the new graduates to branch out into the real world while remembering the benefits they enjoyed as students at Grambling State. 

“I want to remind you today that you are the beneficiary of shade from a tree that you did not plant,” James said. “I know that and recognize that, and when I was in the legislature, I would go there every day recognizing I was enjoying the shade of a tree that I did not plant. It is not only important, it is your duty to not only protect that shade you enjoy, but to protect that tree to make sure that generation after generation after generation can come to Grambling State University and enjoy all of the fruits that you have enjoyed.” 

“Let’s forget about all of the awards, let’s forget about all of the honors,” James continued. “We’re going to talk about some real-life things we all have to endure, because those are the things that define your life. Not the celebrations, not everybody clapping and cheering for you today. It’s those moments that you were the only one pushing yourselves. The times you were the only ones saying, ‘I can do this.’ ” 

To protect that shade granted by GSU, James told the graduates, “You’re about to get yours,” telling them that while they might not even realize it, that was how the graduating students felt as they entered the Hobdy Assembly Center. 

“You go and get yours,” James said. “You see something you want, you put your eyes on it, and then you go and get it. So, graduates, you too are about to get yours. I told you that this is not a simple graduation, this is a recognition of the shade that you have enjoyed and your commitment to continue seeing that the tree remains strong. At a historic institution like Grambling, I’m sure there’s some you had to dig deep for, something that motivated you. And for you, that’s the love for ‘Dear Old Grambling.’ And I know each and every one of you sitting here have had those moments.” 

James went on to talk about entering Southern University with a scholarship — one that he didn’t graduate with. But through perseverance and realizing he had to be committed to protecting the shade he enjoyed, he found success, created with his own hard work. 
Later he explained the difference between school and life. 

“In school, you take lesson after lesson to prepare for a test,” James said. “In life, you get tested first, and then there’s a lesson to relearn. And unlike school, some of life’s tests are designed for you to fail. Basketball is like school; you’re measured by how many points you score. But life is about the rebounds. Life is about how you respond when it calls you out. Life is about how you rebound, not about how you’re scoring. And when you exit these doors, life isn’t going to care about the great education you got here. But there are tools you have developed here that can equip you for whatever life throws at you.” 
James then told the graduates they’re not receiving a degree as much as they are receiving an invitation. 

“You’re invited — you’re about to be chosen for a draft,” James said. “Not the NFL Draft or the NBA Draft, it’s a draft that the elders remember. You are about to be drafted into a battle, and unlike most invitations, you do not have the ability to say no. You have the ability to pick the fight, but you do not have the ability to say ‘I am not going to fight.’ Because the world that you are entering needs soldiers — Grambling soldiers. They need people equipped to handle all of the issues in the world. Right now we have so many different issues that are impacting us — impacting you, impacting this institution. So when you walk across this stage and receive your invitation to that battle, spend time thinking about which one you are going to fight.” 

Concluding his speech, James circled back to his protecting the tree while traveling down the road of life metaphor. 

“You have to carry the mantle – you have to protect the tree,” James said. “I would be lying to you if I said that all of this is going to be easy. The road to success is not straight. On the road you will encounter some curves called failure, some setbacks called confusion … but I assure you, you will make it down that road, because you are traveling with a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called Grambling.” 

Samika Benjamin of Houston via Dominica, was GSU’s spring valedictorian after graduating with a 3.98 GPA, picking up her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. 

“This was not an easy journey, but we did it,” Benjamin said while giving her valedictory remarks. “The challenges may have been hard, but we persevered. Looking out at all of you, I am filled with immense pride. As I stand here before you today, looking back on my first semester at Grambling State University, I can honestly say that my education in my three years here made me a better and stronger individual. I may have experienced things differently from many of you because I am an international student. Because of cultural differences, and being homesick, I often felt overwhelmed. Despite that, I have no regrets regarding my decision to attend Grambling State University. 
“It is a campus that embraces diversity and one where everybody is somebody.” 

Concluding her remarks, Benjamin talked of a mantra she said she lives by taken from Philippians 4:13. 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” she said. “During this next phase of your life, you may be facing a lot of disappointment and discouragement, but I urge you fellow graduates, do not give up. Use this time as a guide to perfect your future instead of as a stumbling block. It is through these trials that we discover our true strength. Remember, what lies behind us and what lies before us doesn’t matter as much as what lies within us.” 

by Malcolm Butler

Josh Taylor’s first day in Ruston may have been his most productive.

When the newly-hired Lady Techster softball head coach arrived in town in mid-July of last summer, the moving van still hadn’t even arrived.

Taylor said there wasn’t much he could do, but he wanted to try to be productive.

So he headed over to the Ruston Sports Complex to watch Lady Techster signee Gracee Hess and her Mariucci Patriot travel ball team play.

He also wanted to check out a name he had heard about from Hess’ father, Ryan, while on a recruiting trip in Colorado during June.

That name … Sierra Sacco.

An all-state performer at John Curtis High School in south Louisiana during her prep career, Sacco had signed to play at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi.

But her dream was to play Division I softball. Yet, despite all of her high school accolades, the speedy centerfielder hadn’t drawn much interest outside of a few offers from a handful of Southland Conference programs.

Sam Houston. Stephen F. Austin. Southeastern.

“I was in full panic mode,” said Sacco, who said she was offered by former LA Tech coach Maria Winn in early 2020 before being told months later the scholarship money wasn’t there any longer.

Sacco had verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin just a few weeks before Taylor saw her in Ruston. Verbal commitments are non-binding. Neither are junior college agreements (i.e. Pearl River).

So following a full day of games on a hot July day in Louisiana, Sacco and her family met Taylor after 9 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field to take a look.

The tour was conducted. The offer was made. The scholarship was accepted. 

“I took it,” said Sacco. “Being from Louisiana, I wanted to play in Louisiana. It was a shorter ride for my parents. The facilities were awesome. It was all very nice.”

But none of those things were what ultimately made the decision for Sacco. It was something a little more philosophical.

“I remember having a conversation with Coach Taylor, and we were on the same wave length,” said Sacco. “We both wanted the same thing … to win.”

“The thing about Sierra that was interesting was what she was most concerned about,” said Taylor. “She wanted to win. I liked that about her. We had similar mindsets on what we wanted to do as far as the program. That seemed to be more of a point of emphasis during our talks than the (scholarship) money or the facilities.

“Her concern was she wanted to play for a winner. It was interesting to hear a kid that was that late in the recruiting process that was more concerned about winning. It really intrigued me. I really liked that about her.”

Sacco signed with Tech in August.

And 10 months, 83 hits, a plethora of awards, and a Conference USA regular season title later, Sierra Sacco is the cornerstone to the future of Lady Techster softball.

And that future is now.

Expectations for the 2022 season were almost non-existent. Tech softball was a rebuilding project following two tough years in Ruston that saw records of 8-16 in 2020 and 22-30 in 2021. 

But no one told Sacco, Taylor or the rest of the Lady Techster players.

They wanted to win now: 39 wins and the program’s second regular season conference title proved it.

And the immediate success didn’t surprise the Tech rookie.

“Coming from my high school the expectation was to win,” said Sacco. “The expectation was to win the state championship. The expectation was to win the district championship. That mindset followed me here. Winning is expected in my mind.”

Sacco’s statistics in year No. 1 in college are more than impressive.

Eighty-three hits are a LA Tech single season record and rank No. 2 in the country entering the national postseason play.

She also ranks among the nation’s leaders in batting average (.441), runs scored (54), stolen bases (28) and on-base percentage (.535).

Conference USA coaches voted Sacco the league’s Freshman of the Year as well as first team all-Conference USA.

Even the nation is taking notice.

Sacco was named one of 10 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year. She will find out if she makes it to the final three later this month.

It’s elite company.

So what makes Sacco great at such an early point in her college career? Just ask her teammates.

“She has really good knowledge about the game,” said senior outfielder Madie Green. “She comes into practice wanting to work hard, and she pushes everyone else to do the same. She is just so fun to watch.”

“There are so many things that make her great,” said senior infielder Lindsay Edwards, who was named the 2019 Conference USA Freshman of the Year. “In a good way, she doesn’t care. She isn’t looking at results. She is just out there to do what she can do. She isn’t trying to prove herself. She is out there to have fun. She goes all out all the time in practice and in games.”

“She is not afraid to be in a leader role as a freshman,” said senior pitcher Audrey Pickett. “She is in centerfield which is one of the most important position on the field. She has embraced the role. I always hear her in practice communicating and talking to the other outfielders. It’s really good see. I forget she is a freshman being on the field with her. You would think she is a fifth-year senior the way she acts on the field.”

Sacco started all 59 games in the outfield for Tech. In addition to her ridiculously good offensive numbers, she has also proven to be one of the top defensive outfielders in the country. Sacco covers a lot of ground. She gets to balls that most outfielders wouldn’t dream of making plays on.

She had nine outfield assists in 2022, including seven where she gunned down runners at home plate.

“Defense. I love defense,” said Sacco. “You can always make the next play. You can always make the next out.”

Does any of this surprise Taylor, who was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year after leading Tech to the regular season title in his first season?

“It has surprised me only in the fact she hasn’t been caught up in the ‘I’m a freshman mindset,’” said Taylor. “She doesn’t give herself that break. She lives in a world of high expectations especially with softball. We had the conversation early in the year as far as what she wanted. Some of her expectations are a little high, but I think she can eventually achieve them. I think that is what makes her great. I don’t know if she will ever be satisfied.”

Satisfied is not an option for Sacco.

“I set high expectations for myself,” said Sacco. “I am not going to let myself fall below them. I always feel like ‘I have to get better.’ And I’m going to get better.”

Bad news for Tech opponents for the next three years.

Photo: Darrell James

UPDATE:

In less than 24 hours all four were in custody.

The Red River Sheriff’s Office supplied details of their capture.

Shortly after midnight on May 15, 2022 all suspects were apprehended in Houston, Texas by the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) Midwest Crime Suppression Team.

In a joint effort by the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, the LA State Police Troop G Investigations Unit, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, the LA Fusion Center and the Houston Police Department‘s Crime Suppression Team, the unoccupied getaway car driven by Victoria Tune was located in the parking lot of a Houston motel where it was kept under surveillance by HPD for several hours.

Eventually all four suspects, being driven by one of the suspect’s relatives, returned to the vehicle where they were surrounded and taken into custody by HPD’s Crime Suppression Team. All suspects will be extradited back to Louisiana where they will face additional charges reference the escape.

ORIGINAL:

Louisiana State Police is asking for the public’s help in locating three juveniles, 17-year-old Tyjuan Lafitte, 17-year-old Na’varaya Lane, 15-year-old Jeremiah Durham, who escaped from the Ware Youth Center in Coushatta, LA.   Lafitte is incarcerated for attempted first degree murder. Lane is incarcerated for attempted second degree murder.  Durham is incarnated for armed robbery.  All three are considered dangerous. In addition, we are asking for assistance in locating 21-year-old Victoria Tune. 

On May 14, 2022, just before 3 a.m., Lafitte, Durham, and Lane escaped from Ware Youth Center, with the help of Tune, an employee at Ware Youth Center.  They are believed to be in a white Pontiac G6, which is displaying Louisiana license plate VWY296 and has a missing rear bumper. 

All four have ties to the Shreveport, Bossier, and DeSoto Parish areas.  Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Durham, Lafitte, Lane, or Tune is asked to contact Louisiana State Police Troop G at 318-741-7411, 911, or their local law enforcement agency.  Durham, Lafitte, and Lane are all wanted for simple escape, and Tune is wanted for three counts of accessory to simple escape 

The investigation remains active and ongoing.  No further information is available, at this time. 

Nick Akins, a 1982 and 1986 graduate of Louisiana Tech’ College of Engineering and Science (COES) and today Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of American Electric Power (AEP), is the University’s newest Tower Medallion recipient. 

As the recipient of the Tower Medallion, Akins will be inducted by the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association into Tech’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni during the University’s 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies for the COES at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in the Thomas Assembly Center on the Tech campus.

The Tower Medallion Award signifies membership in the Hall and is awarded to Tech alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.

“Nick has been a great friend and supporter of Louisiana Tech,” Tech President Dr. Les Guice said. “His leadership in AEP, one of the nation’s most important energy companies, has been highly impactful. He has established a legacy of innovation in safety, reliability and sustainability for the industry.”

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.

“Nick has for so long been a positive difference-maker for his University,” Tech Vice President for University Advancement Brooks Hull said. “His impact reaches campus-wide, far beyond the College of Engineering and Science. The investments he’s made in Tech’s present and future and how he’s represented both himself and his school in the past makes us happy and proud to pay tribute to him in this way. Nick deserves the highest honor the University can grant him.”

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.

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

Monday, May 16
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting (Ruston City Hall)
7 p.m.: Percussion Ensemble (Howard Auditorium, Tech)
10:30 p.m.: President’s Midnight Breakfast at Tech (Tonk)

Tuesday, May 17
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Ruston Nutrition (910 S. Vienna St. Ste. 4)
6 p.m.: Magic Photo Cube Craft at Lincoln Parish Library (Pre-registration required)

Wednesday, May 18
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Ruston Groceries (2019 Farmerville Hwy.)

Thursday, May 19
6 p.m.: Voices and Votes: Huey Long (Lincoln Parish Library) 
7 p.m.: NCLAC Indie Film Series (Railroad Park)

Friday, May 20
Last day of spring quarter at Louisiana Tech

Saturday, May 21
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 
9 a.m.: College of Education and College of Liberal Arts Louisiana Tech graduation
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: May Days: Music in Railroad Park
Noon: Summer Reading Kickoff Party (Lincoln Parish Library)
12:30 p.m.: College of Applied and Natural Science and College of Business Louisiana Tech graduation
4 p.m.: College of Engineering and Science Louisiana Tech graduation

On Thursday May 12, 2022, at approximately 4:45 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a one-vehicle crash which occurred on U.S. Highway 425 south of Louisiana Highway 3051.  This crash claimed the life of 20-year-old Ethan J. Nelson of Bastrop, who was not restrained. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that Nelson was driving north on United States Highway 425, in a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Truck.  For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet left the roadway, struck a driveway, and overturned ejecting Nelson. 

Nelson, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Morehouse Parish Coroner.  Nelson’s passengers sustained minor injuries.  Impairment is suspected to be a factor.  A toxicology sample was submitted for analysis.  This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Police would like to remind all motorists that if you feel differently, you drive differently. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs have many effects on the body that negatively affect driving skills. In addition, buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself in a motor vehicle crash.  Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences.  Louisiana Law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.

In 2022, Troop F has investigated 10 fatal crashes, which have resulted in 12 fatalities.

Supplemental Information:
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/.

Full disclosure statement:  http;//university.planning.nsula.edu/notice-of-non-discrimination/

*Inquiries regarding employment application status should be made to the Human Resources Department
Telephone: 318-357-5965

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or related field from an accredited college or university required.

·       Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in State Purchasing preferred

·       Experience with conducting complex RFP’s required

·       Understanding of Louisiana Revised Statutes regarding purchasing and ethics required.

·       Professional certification as a Procurement Buyer or Officer preferred

·       Managerial experience is essential

·       This position also requires the ability to communicate orally and through written reports with/to Subordinates, Supervisors and outside personnel.

·       Experience in operating Procurement Management Finance Software; Ellucian/Banner knowledge preferred

Job Concepts:

·       Daily supervision of all Purchasing Department staff

·       Prepare all necessary documents for bid invitation and opening in accordance with public bid laws

·       Review approval of Sole Source requests

·       Negotiate complex operating service contracts including but not limited to software agreement, property leases and marketing agreements

·       Administer University’s P-Card Program

·       Assist with month-end soft close and year-end hard close

·       Work with Business Affairs offices for invoicing, budgeting and financial related tasks

·       Other duties assigned by supervisor

Fran C. Brown 
May 30, 1935 – May 13, 2022 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, May 16, 2022, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: LifeChurch.LA, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 11:00 am 
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 

Officers were busy Wednesday, May 11 with cases of stalking, resisting an officer, and improper communications.

On May 9, Louisiana Tech police officers advised Aidan Shipp, 19, of Texarkana, Ark., that 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 that 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 bond was set at $25,000.

Right after midnight on May 11, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Officers responded to a Nutmeg Drive residence in reference to a 911 call with unknown trouble. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Lamont Rogers, 34, of Ruston, who was walking along Highway 80 near Nutmeg Drive. The deputy asked if Rogers called 911, and he stated yes. Due to many 911 calls to LPSO recently with a male subject calling on a cell phone reporting trouble on Nutmeg Drive, Rogers was detained. Rogers at first provided his last name as Jones, stating he called 911 because his girlfriend hit him in the face with a pipe. No injuries were observed on his face that would have been consistent with him being hit with a pipe. The deputy contacted Rogers’ girlfriend, who admitted Rogers was the one calling 911 and leaving the area prior to police’s arrival. Bond was set at $12,500.

A little after noon on the same day, LPSO met Talais Cordero, of Ruston, at his residence in reference to an improper telecommunication report by his neighbor. Cordero’s neighbor informed deputies that he had messaged her an inappropriate nude photo of himself earlier in the morning. Cordero, 30, admitted to authorities that he had sent the text earlier that morning. He was charged with improper telephone communication. Bond for Cordero was not set as of Thursday afternoon.

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. 

By T. Scott Boatright

This season has been a wild ride for Louisiana Tech redshirt senior pitcher Cade Gibson.

Gibson has roller-coastered his way to a 4-3 record with a 4.78 ERA this season, but earned the role as the Friday starter for the Bulldogs in Conference-USA contests and will be on the mound when a three-game home series against Western Kentucky begins at 6 p.m. tonight at The Love Shack.

LA Tech enters the game at 33-17 and stands in third place in C-USA standings while the Hilltoppers are 7-17 but have won  three out of their last four games after taking two out of three over Alabama-Birmingham last weekend for their second conference series win this year.

“It’s a matter of taking care of business on Fridays, and to my standards, I haven’t done a good enough job of helping us win on Fridays,” Gibson said of his mindset entering tonight’s game. “But I plan to go out there (today) and win and help us win on Saturday and Sunday, too.”

Gibson took the loss last Friday at home against Florida Atlantic, giving up eight earned runs in 4.2 innings of work and said he’s ready to rebound back onto a winning track.

“Anytime you have an off day you kind of try to get away from the field and just try to think about something else,” Gibson said. “You just try to kind of reset. 

“But I think it’s a matter of your confidence never wavering and just going out there and attacking the same way when I was pitching good. I just have to go out there and attack and trust (Tech pitching coach Cooper Fouts) and the game plan he puts together and trust the guys behind me to get it done.”

Gibson leads Tech pitchers with 78 strikeouts but said that’s not his focus when he’s on the mound.

“Really it all comes down to how your opponents’ swings are on a given day, depending on what pitches you can throw,” Gibson said. “Scouting reports and watching a lot of video really help with that, so when you get to two strikes you know what really might put them away. Really for me it’s just trusting (Tech catcher Jorge Corona) and trusting Coach Fouts to call the right pitches. I really don’t try to strike anybody out. I just focus on executing the pitch and trusting the defense behind me. And if I get a strikeout, even better.”

Gibson has an arsenal of four pitches at his disposal.

“I throw mainly a fastball, curveball or change-up,” Gibson said. “And I have a slider I can throw as well. Probably my curveball is my favorite pitch. It’s been a pretty good one since I was little and I’ve just kind of mastered it over the years as I’ve gotten older and stronger. And I’ve learned more through the technology that we have with calculating the spin rate and everything. I really do like throwing the curveball, though.”

To escape baseball for a bit, Gibson goes to the great outdoors.

“It depends on the season,” Gibson said. “If it’s winter I’m hunting. If it’s spring or summer I’m probably at the lake fishing with my dad, who lives on Lake D’Arbonne. Either that or playing golf. Those are kind of my go-tos there.”

The former Ruston High School Bearcat who went on to play a year for LSU-Shreveport before becoming a Bulldog, said he would love being part of a late season run for the Bulldogs like last year when Tech ended up hosting an NCAA Regional.

“That was electric — a dream scenario,” Gibson said. “I’ve always loved pitching in front of a home crowd, and being in front of one I grew up with — the Lord has blessed me in so many ways just being able to pitch in front of this home crowd the past two years has been incredible. It’s always a blessing to pitch in front of them.”

Whenever he’s on the mound for the Bulldogs, Gibson has a little bit of Bearcat in him, too. 

“I brought the competitiveness in me that playing for Ruston High School gave me that much more,” Gibson said. “I probably love winning more than anyone. You’ll never see me quit, no matter if I’m cruising or if I’m playing bad, you’ll never see me quit. It’s just that mentality that my dad and pretty much my whole family taught me to have. I never quit. And I’ll do anything and everything I can to win.”

By Sara Howell-Floyd

Recently at Louisiana Tech, students and residents in the Lincoln Parish community received the chance to embrace their inner child at the Spring Fling, hosted by Louisiana Tech’s Union Board members.

This event included a wide range of activities including carnival food, tie dyeing, food trucks, 4 Paws puppies, inflatables, live music and a waterslide. 

Alejandro Aristizabal and Caroline Clifton were this year’s committee-heads of the event. Both said they feel like this event went well. Also considering the event was held on such a busy weekend, they were happy with the turnout of the event. 

“The event went extremely well,” Aristizabal said. “Many times, we see that UB shirts and other supplies run out, so part of our goal was to have enough for everyone going and we were able to do that.”

This year instead of just passing out shirts, UB decided to make it more customizable and allow each person to tie dye their own shirts. Clifton said that the tie dyeing was one of her favorite parts of the event and she was not the only one. Rebecca Quebedeaux, a Tech student, said that it was her favorite part too. 

“I would say tie dyeing was my favorite part because the shirt design was super cute and there were so many colors that we were able to use to dye the shirts,” Quebedeaux said. “I also loved how we were able to tie up our shirts anyway that we wanted.”

While the tie dyeing was a big hit, so were the inflatables, especially the waterslide. Aristizabal said that even some of the UB members got in on the fun and went down the waterslide to cool off during their breaks. Mason Youberg shared that the inflatables and waterslide were his favorite part. 

“I loved all the inflatable rides that were at Spring Fling,” Youberg said. “I especially liked the waterslide because it made me feel like a kid at a carnival again.”

This year, one of the ways UB tried to change things up was to offer live music. Clifton shared that while they had some small issues with sound check, everything worked out great in the end. Clifton and Aristizabal said they loved getting the chance to go out and find local talent to showcase at this event. 

“We wanted to showcase local talent as much as possible, and I think we accomplished that,” Aristizabal said. “Tech and Ruston have so much to offer in music, and we loved digging to find it.” 

Overall, Clifton and Aristizabal said they felt like this event was a success and it was all thanks to their fellow members and student body. 

“We want to thank everyone who came out to the event,” Aristizabal said. “We hope everyone had a great time and Union Board definitely wants to continue having events like this in the future, so be on the lookout.”

Less than an hour after being named one of 10 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year, Louisiana Tech centerfielder Sierra Sacco showed why.

Sacco reached base all five times (three hits, 2 walks), stole three bases, scored four runs and drove in two more to lead top-seeded Louisiana Tech to a 16-8 win over Marshall in the second day of the 2022 Conference USA Tournament at Lovelace Stadium in Denton.

Former Cedar Creek star Katelin Cooper blasted a two-run home run — one of three homers on the day for Tech — and the Lady Techsters (39-18) scored in four of five innings in the eight-run rule shortened contest.

Cooper’s two run shot came in the bottom of the fourth inning and gave Tech a 9-4 lead. Kylie Neel followed one batter later with a solo home run to push the advantage to 10-4.

After Marshall closed the gap to 11-8 after the top of the fifth, Madie Green hit a mammoth solo home run beyond the trees down the left field line — her team-leading 13th of the season.

Sacco recorded a two-run single in the fifth and then Amanda Gonzalez ended the game with a two-run double to right centerfield.

The 16 runs scored were the most ever in a Conference USA Tournament game.

Audrey Pickett (25-5) picked up her 25th win of the season, despite allowing eight runs — six earned — on eight hits in 5.0 innings of action.

Sacco (3-3, 4 runs, 3 SB, 2 RBI), Gonzalez (2-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Green (3-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), and Neal (2-3, HR, RBI) all recorded multi-hit games.

Tech plays North Texas Friday at noon with the winner advancing to the title game Saturday. The loser of the contest will play at 5 p.m. Friday against the winner of Marshall and WKU (2:30 p.m.).

By Hunter Jones

Many people attend Louisiana Tech sports games, but and many others stay home and watch the game from the comfort of their couch and bag of potato chips.

Full-time employees and student workers collaborate from behind the scenes and work hard to make watching the game as smooth as possible at the same time as viewers pour another bowl of salsa.  

“Here at Tech, our production team is very small but it is very mighty,” said Kiona White, assistant director of video operations and creative services at Tech. “We deal with all sports here at Tech and staying on top of the day-to-day production. The schedule of these teams can be a lot but with each of us having our own creative minds we always seem to supply fans and each other with great content and productions.”

One of the biggest challenges White faces is time management. She explained how it is hard to tend to every sport on campus evenly and with such a small staff, it is difficult to delegate the needed hours to the in season sports. However, White said she is confident in her team; they make it happen.

“We have students who are committed to their school’s brand and love to be hands-on with everything,” White said.

Paris Cole works under White’s team of student workers. Cole also works as the football manager and brand engagement coordinator.

Cole’s job as football manager is to coordinate game and practice film at home and on the road. Under brand engagement, Cole’s job is to run the scoreboards during games, live streams, social media, video producing, photography and other general marketing activities. Brand engagement consists of two full time employees and a staff of student workers.

Carson Smalling is a junior at Tech who is majoring with a bachelor in computer information systems who works as a student assistant/ intern videographer for Tech’s football team separate from White’s and Cole’s department.

He helps film for football practices and games for coaches. The film is then used to help create game plans and to organize practices.

Smalling also operates as a runner which is someone who transports equipment to make sure it is in the right spot at the right time. 

“It is simultaneously the easiest and hardest job there is within this field, personally,” Smalling said. “There is a lot of prep that has to go into getting the camera ready for practice, along with any extra equipment that would be needed for the location, weather and day.”

Smalling stated how his challenges include the weather and that the elements are always working against him. He has to be ready to counter them at any given moment. 

Another challenge he faces is adjusting to changes coaches make to plans they make before practice. Smalling explains when changes in the plays arrive he adjusts accordingly and then he follows the flow of practice or the game. 

“All around, I enjoy being able to work with the team,” Smalling said. “While it is similar to a normal workspace, it’s more personalized due to the fact you are able to watch the players grow during the time you are out there with them.”

If you consider yourself a good outdoorsman/woman there is a great chance that you have an awesome spouse who has your back.  I know I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have to enjoy the great outdoors without mine. 

Although she doesn’t enjoy hunting, she is a world class fisherwoman and a pretty darn good cook of wild game.  Over the years, I have figured out some key things to look for when determining who you should spend the rest of your life with.  Keep in mind that these tips are not only for those that hunt or fish but shall be used for anyone who may have any type of hobby.

1. When choosing a potential spouse, make sure that you obnoxiously enjoy your hobby in the courting stage of the relationship. Find out how long it takes for them to complain and then make your decision.  If it’s the type of significant other that bothers you each time you go out with “when are you coming home” texts or perhaps rolls their eyes when you head to the deer stand, then that is not the one for you.  I don’t care how good looking they are, I can promise you this is a major red flag, and you should steer away!
2. Finances- Make sure you make it clear that there is no budget for your hobby. Yes, it is important to pay your bills on time, but there are new gadgets that come out and it is more important to make sure you buy them and are on the cutting edge of technology because you will need every advantage there is.  If your partner is the “Even Stevens” type and decides they need to spend that same amount of money at TJ Maxx or wherever, then HARD PASS.
3. Finances part 2- It is imperative to let them know you are saving money by harvesting wild game or bringing home an ice chest full of filets. There is no need to go to the grocery store and buy ground beef when you have a freezer full of venison.  Heck, I know we haven’t purchased any ground meat in probably 20 years.  Forget your lease fees, corn fees, gas, boat mortgage, etc… you are saving money while putting hard earned food on the table!
4. There is no such thing as having too many guns. This one isn’t even debatable.  If your spouse wants to get another gun, encourage him/her, and perhaps tell them to get TWO more.
5. Owning three boats is a necessity. You need one for fishing, another one for duck hunting, and then buy one for your wife and kids for fun days at the lake.  I promise the return on investment here is priceless.
6. Teach your significant other how to use a filet knife or skinning knife. After a LONG and successful day of hunting or fishing, we are just too tuckered out to clean our game sometimes.
7. Always greet your partner with a smile, hug, and a kiss upon arrival. This one can go both ways.  It is important that they know you missed them and that their hard work is valued.  Tell them that you love them and appreciate the sacrifices that they are making.
8. Gift Ideas- This one is pretty simple. If you’re not sure what gun to purchase, just get a gift card.  Anywhere in the range of $500-$1,000 dollars will typically do.
9. Don’t make any plans during hunting or fishing season. We are very busy during these time periods.  Especially don’t choose your wedding date during our “season”, as it is highly likely we will not make it, nor we will be able to celebrate future anniversaries.
10. Print this out and post it on your refrigerator.

Now if you’ve made it this far, know that these are just the top 10 off the top of my head… also know that I have a great sense of humor and hope I made you laugh a little.  If you need anymore relationship advice, feel free to contact me.

_______________________________

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

Grambling State University Computer Information Systems major Allison Hamilton of Monroe says she is inspired by so many things. Whether it’s the four children she has raised or is raising, or the strength and courage she credits to God as her youngest son Cayman endures a lifelong fight against health issues since being born prematurely 13 years ago. 

Hamilton is also inspired by the instructors and advisers she’s had at GSU — particularly naming associate professor Dr. Gary Poe and Tamika Cherry, an instructor — while working for years in non-traditional fashion to earn her undergraduate degree, which she will receive during Grambling’s commencement exercises to be held on Thursday. 

But most of all, Hamilton is an inspiration to the staff and her fellow students at GSU who watched her overcome obstacles again and again while working to earn her degree. 

Hamilton began work on her degree in 1994, but life had more in store for her as she had three children and raised them as a single mother. 

As she pursued it off and on for years, Hamilton was presented with one of her biggest challenges in 2008 when Cayman was born with chronic kidney disease. 

But Hamilton was determined to never give up and returned to taking classes at GSU whenever she could work toward her goal of earning a Grambling State University degree. 

In July of 2021 Hamilton returned to GSU once again to continue working on her degree, and sure enough, life soon placed another obstacle on her path toward graduation when, on July 29, Cayman had both kidneys removed along while also undergoing a parathyroidectomy. 

“That was supposed to be an eight-hour surgery, but it ended up taking 10 and a half hours,” Hamilton said. “I had about a week left in summer school, and Dr. Poe had to give me an ‘I’ (incomplete) as a grade because I couldn’t complete all of the course work with so much going on and having to be in the hospital with Cayman.” 

Hamilton once again returned to classes for GSU’s fall semester, taking classes under Cherry and Poe, but soon found herself facing one more obstacle. 

“I’m fighting through that and getting started back working on my degree and Cayman made the list for a kidney transplant,” Hamilton said. “Then on Sept. 21 we got the call that they had a donor kidney, so we took off for New Orleans. As soon as we got off the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway entering New Orleans, I got a call saying the match was no good. It was mortifying. But they had found out that the kidney had an infection and Cayman would have had to get an infusion every month for the rest of his life if he would have received that kidney.” 

So mother and son returned to north Louisiana and Hamilton resumed classes at GSU only to receive a call on Oct. 23 that another donor kidney had been found. 

“It was a Saturday,” Hamilton said. “Because of what happened previously we stayed quiet about it and took off for New Orleans. We didn’t tell anyone because what happened the first time was traumatizing. We made it to New Orleans and had to wait on a six-hour test. So that’s more waiting. We got the results back around 10:15 that morning and they made the first incision 30 minutes later at 10:45.” 
Cayman’s post-operation recovery time kept Hamilton in New Orleans until Nov. 2. 

“The whole time I was trying to find spots in the hospital that I could connect online and take my classes,” Hamilton said. “I have to say that the level of understanding Tamika Cherry and Gary Poe had about my son and the situation I was in was remarkable. They were very patient with me. I ended up the fall semester with an A in Ms. Cherry’s class. I did have to take an I in my programming class because I couldn’t complete my assignment.” 

“Then this spring I took database over and internet programming, still having to go back and forth with Cayman to New Orleans. It was a hard semester. But I had Dr. Poe for both classes and he was so understanding.” 

Hamilton said it was the GramFam attitude that helped her persevere through the obstacles she faced. 

“You have to have a village,” Hamilton said. “The way my teachers supported me, and the compassion they showed for me and my family was incredible. Taking care of my son while going to school and finishing my degree wasn’t easy and I couldn’t have done it without the support I received by so many people at GSU.” 

Her own family also pulled together to help make this such a big week for Hamilton. Oldest daughter Kellie, 23, took Cayman to a post-transplant checkup earlier this week while daughter Logan, 18, will be graduating from Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana, only hours after her mother officially graduates from GSU. Hamilton also has a 19-year-old son named Tyler. 

“I did not know at first the struggles she was facing,” Poe said about Hamilton. “All I saw was a student who was continually behind in her work but the work she completed was top drawer work. When I initially asked her why she would only state she had some challenges she was working through. What she did not tell me were the challenges where her son was dying due to kidney disease. Finally, when the boy got critical she opened up and disclosed his condition and its seriousness. She was encouraged to speak with every professor she had and disclose the issue. She was told most Grambling professors were great individuals who would help her which I think she found was true.” 

Poe also shares Hamilton’s excitement over the years of her hard work finally paying off. 

“Throughout my classes, she worked hard and completed her work,” Poe said. “She worked with her group mates and accomplished all she needed to do. Along the way, she blessed all of us with her presence and sweet spirit. She has now received her blessing. Her son received a kidney transplant and is improving daily. She has completed her degree in CIS. She is special. I feel I have received a blessing just by getting to know her.” 

By T. Scott Boatright

In the midst of a Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division locked up tighter than barbed-wire handcuffs, calling this weekend’s three-game series pitting Texas Southern at Grambling State important is an understatement.

Prairie View stands atop the SWAC West at 18-6 while Grambling is 16-8 with Texas Southern and Southern bunched right up behind at 15-9 each. That makes the final six games of the season — all conference contests — almost a must-win situation for the G-Men.

“This weekend is essential,” said GSU coach Davin Pierre. “The way everybody is bunched up together in the standings, with us having the head-to-head against Prairie View and Texas Southern right behind us at 15-9 and Southern right behind them at 15-9, I think it’s essential.

“I think ultimately all four of those teams are in the tournament, but you’re talking about seeding and positioning. And we’re still competing for the Western Division title. This will be one of the biggest weekends we’ve had all year.”

Pierre has his hopes pinned down to the numbers.

“I’ve been telling my staff that I think 21 wins will be able to do it,” Pierre said. “A sweep this weekend would put us in really good contention for that. Last weekend we had to handle a lot of adversity. Prairie View is a really good team, especially when we were playing them there. But I think this team is capable of beating anybody any day. Defending a pitching well will be the key for us. If we can get good pitching coming out of our bullpen and can eliminate fielding mistakes on the defensive side, then I really think we can win all three games this weekend.”

GSU pitcher/DH Shemar Page will take the mound at 6 p.m. tonight in the home opener against Texas Southern, and will be looking to shake off an 8-2 loss at TSU on April 14 in which the graduate transfer from Louisiana Tech gave up six earned runs in five innings of work on the mound.

That was a rare poor performance for a pitcher that has gone 6-4 on the season with a 2.85 ERA and 117 strikeouts, which ranks him in the Top Five of NCAA Division I.

“Shemar was having so much success before that outing at Texas Southern, but you know as a coach eventually he’s going to have one of those kinds of outings where we’re going to have to support him and defend behind him and play some good offense,” Pierre said. “He’s always going to get strikeouts even when having one of those kinds of outings. But (tonight) I expect him to be extremely motivated, focused and committed to having a good outing against TSU. I expect him to play well and give us an opportunity to win. I expect our bullpen guys to come out and throw quality pitches and give us the opportunity to hit behind them and get a chance to win.”

At the plate, the G-Men have been dominant much of the season, batting .312 as a team with four players hitting at least seven home runs and six totaling more than 30 runs batted in.

That kind of hitting performance has the Tigers averaging more than nine runs per game.

“When you go out and recruit guys, you’re watching them and looking for the kind of guy who plays the style you want to play,” Pierre said. “Those guys we have are talented hitters and more importantly, are really locked into the approach we’re looking for. We’ve looked for guys with those skill sets who like making contact with the ball. But more importantly, they’ve bought into the system and what we’re looking for. We want to look long through the zone and hit doubles and home runs. It’s a luxury to have six or seven guys hitting over .300. It makes it easier to fill out a line-up card, I’ll tell you that.”

Cameron Bufford leads GSU with 12 home runs while John Garcia and Trevor Hatten have eight each. Garcia leads the Tigers with 53 runs batted in while Hatton has added 50 along with making good on 20-of-22 attempted stolen bases.

“He’s a big part of our offense,” Pierre said of Hatton. “He’s a guy that can do a lot of things. He can hit behind runners, he can hit for power. He has a high average and can steal bases. He’s a unique-type player, what we call a hybrid. He has speed but we don’t use him as a lead-off batter because he swings at a lot of pitches.

“Burrell and Parker at the top of the order gives us two guys who are really good with the bat, and who are patient at the plate. If we get those two guys on, it makes our lineup very dangerous because it’s hard to avoid giving them a chance to blast one.”

But it’s still Page, who is batting .324 with two round-trippers and 24 RBIs, that Pierre said he’s counting on for a big weekend.

“It’s extremely rare,” Pierre said. “Whether he wins it or not, I think Shemar should be up for the Golden Spikes Award. He’s one of the best players in the country, and rarely do you find a guy who’s in the Top Five in the country in strikeouts, with a really good batting average that can impact the game from both sides. He’s a special player to have and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

I gave up Facebook and watching old Perry Mason episodes for Lent. I found out I could live without them. 

Perry Mason is a mind-numbing television show for me. I’ve seen the episodes so often, I know within the first minute, who got blamed and who really did it. When I am stressed, I turn to Perry because he will solve any murder 47 minutes into the episode. If only I could solve problems in 47 minutes. Don’t you wish life worked like that?

I watch the commercials on the “oldies” television station.

Most of the commercials on the oldies stations have to do with drugs. Drug companies have assumed rightly that more mature folks watch the nostalgic television stations. We more mature people will grow even more mature because of the miracles of pharmaceuticals. The drug companies advertise heavily at night. I’m not sure what these new drugs do, but I do know about their side-effects. In truth, the articulation of side effects takes longer than the part of the ad touting the efficacy of the drug.

Ironically, the next most frequent kind of commercial is aimed at people who have taken certain drugs. These are ads by law firms informing folks that if they have been hurt or have experienced ill side effects there might be a legal remedy. The copy for these commercials were written by an agency and not proofed carefully. I have heard the line, “If you have taken this medicine and suffered ill side effect a, b, and c or if you have died…call us today.” Obviously, they meant if your loved one died, but they don’t say it. “If you have died call us.” I have written down that number. I want to call and ask how many dead people have called.

This vehicle called language can amuse us, embarrass us, or get us out of and into trouble. I had a preacher friend who would admonish his congregation to pray for all those “sick in the bulletin.” Now if you have ever had a case of “in the bulletin” you know that the only hope is prayer. There was a music director who would instruct us to “turnover in your hymnal.” Turnover, I can’t even get into a hymnal. Yes, we had hymnals before we had screens.

Our Bible warns us about the power of words and the power of the tongue. Be careful what you say and how you say it, someone is listening or reading. 

Words have the power to heal or hurt. If we are not careful, words can cause all manner of trouble. Word can also be vehicles for God’s love and grace.

Jesus is the Word made flesh. God’s love was clearly spoken in and through Jesus.

That is a Word we all need to experience.

Lincoln Parish Library is ready to dive into reading this summer.

The State Library of Louisiana has announced the statewide 2022 Louisiana Summer Reading Program entitled “Oceans of Possibilities,” a theme celebrating aquatic life and its importance to the world, and LPL is part of that program and is getting into the spirit with a summer reading kickoff party.

From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Lincoln Parish Library will have its kickoff party which will feature Kona Ice — and the first 200 patrons receiving a free snow cone — and DAT does the Trick, which will create a balloon animal for kids.

All of Louisiana’s public libraries participate in this program and are planning virtual and in-person literacy and educational programs around this theme for children, teens, and adults, all summer long.

Studies show youth who read during the summer months return to school in the fall at or above their spring reading levels. To continue to be engaged during the summer months, children may participate in the summer reading program all summer long by reading books, attending in-person library programs, and accessing virtual programs and other digital library resources.

“Students who do not read throughout the summer are at risk of falling behind, and, by the end of sixth grade, children who consistently lose reading skills over the summer will be two years behind their classmates,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “Public libraries are on the frontline of combating this summer slide, helping students retain what they learned in school, and uniting communities over common interests, like the Summer Reading Program. This is why the State Library’s Summer Reading Program is so important.”

Louisiana public libraries continue to offer programming year round for all ages through a hybrid of virtual and in-person programming; and the Summer Reading Program is an extension of this programming. The State Library continues to support Louisiana’s 340 public libraries in their mission to combat the ‘summer slide’ for school-aged children through hosting fun and educational programs and activities as part of the Summer Reading Program and to continue to build and support communities by creating a culture of literacy.

The State Library belongs to the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a national cooperative to encourage reading throughout the summer. Those registered with the State Library’s Talking Books and Braille Library may also participate. For more information on the Summer Reading Program and other State Library programs, visit www.state.lib.la.us.

Students in Louisiana Tech University’s Animal Science and Biology programs traditionally have strong placement rates when they apply to veterinary medicine school, and this year is no exception.

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

Friday, May 13
5-9 p.m.: Ruston Art Crawl
6-10 p.m.: 50/50 for Ruston auction (Ruston Farmers Market)
6 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs. WKU
6 p.m.: Grambling Baseball vs. Texas Southern

Saturday, May 14
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Park Festival
2 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs. WKU
3 p.m.: Grambling Baseball vs. Texas Southern

Sunday, May 15
1 p.m.: Louisiana Tech Baseball vs. WKU
1 p.m.: Grambling Baseball vs. Texas Southern

Sarah Torbor 
August 6, 1935 – May 5, 2022 
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Friday, May 13 at King’s Funeral Home, 1511 W. California Ave., Ruston 
Celebration of life: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 446 Bowden Rd., Ruston 
Interment: Saturday, May 14 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Bowden Road, Ruston 

Barbara Jean Moore
October 14, 1952 – April 27, 2022
Private family arrangement