In less than half a year since her arrival in January, Grambling State University Vice President for Advancement, Research, and Economic Development Melanie Jones is already leading the institution on its first 1901 Day of Giving, set to be held today.

Grambling’s State University’s 1901 Day of Giving provides an opportunity for GSU alumni, friends and supporters alike to give back to “Dear Old Grambling” in a number of ways simply by going online to invest in the institution.

Donations may be directed toward areas of impact including Presidential Priorities and Academic Excellence, providing critical support for world-class undergraduate teaching, learning, scholarship, the Dean’s Impact (or Excellence) Fund, or to any of GSU’s six colleges, the Digital Library and Learning Commons, the Department of Graduate Studies as well as the World Famed Tiger Marching Band, University Choir, and Athletics.

“I’m excited about the opportunity because there’s so much energy and excitement here,” Jones said. “It’s the promise about Grambling that has yet to be fulfilled that fuels my fire. It’s been extremely exciting and a bit overwhelming that we’re looking to execute this Giving Day before the close of the fiscal year.”

Jones said she is also excited both personally and professionally that we are getting ready to activate an important fundraising campaign that will hopefully build some excitement and momentum around the university and serve in a dual role as a Giving Day and end-of-year appeal. Armed with a focus to create a culture of philanthropy, Jones said this first GSU Day of Giving won’t be the last.

“I think this becomes part of our repertoire as far as our annual fundraising plan,” Jones said. “This is a philanthropic plan based on annual giving to leadership giving to corporate and foundation giving to the university. This is just one of the pieces that are going to be necessary as part of a comprehensive fundraising program.”

Jones said that over the years, fundraising has more and more become the lifeblood of HBCUs like Grambling State.

“As a public institution, we are blessed to have some state resources allocated to help our institution, but at the end of the day what we’re seeing across the board is that funding level continues to decline, even though we’ve had almost a banner year as far as the state budget, it’s still nowhere near the amount of financial resources that any institution needs not only for everyday operations but to achieve next-level greatness,” Jones said. “Fundraising and philanthropy have become a secondary lifeline for these institutions. It’s not only about basic operations but also about how do they reach the level of growth that we see coming out of these philanthropic endeavors?”

Having previously worked as Vice President for College Advancement at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina; Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina; Director of Development and External Affairs at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina; and program manager at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Jones understands the importance of setting up Grambling State’s first Day of Giving to be a success.  

“Everyone has a shared interest in the philanthropic outcomes of the institution, and that includes the academic success of our students and programs, and the success of our athletic programs as our student-athletes as just that — athletes and students successful both in their sport and in the classroom,” Jones said. “We all have a shared buy-in in helping grow this institution. Giving back is an area that really takes some defining. Financial gifts are important, and I think it’s important for all alums to do that annually.”

Jones has also drawn from her early career as a high school chemistry teacher while planning for Grambling’s first Day of Giving.

“As a former chemistry teacher, I know what we want and need our outcomes to be,” Jones said. “It’s about making sure we have the right pieces on the left side of the equation so that we can get the yield — the results — that we want on the right side of the equation. We need the right input to get the necessary output.”

Individuals can participate in the 1901 Day of Giving online at gram.edu/givingday. 

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Welcome to summertime, which began Tuesday with the summer “solstice,” a Latin word for “if our AC goes out, call 911.”

So if Tuesday seemed like a really long day … it was. The longest. Because of the way the Earth and Sun were situated — with the Earth tilting on one of its poles and other complicated astronomical stuff that you already know so why should I explain — Tuesday was the longest day and shortest night of the year.

If you are married and came home and said, “Honey, it’s been a long day,” you might have been figuratively correct but you were most definitely literally correct. In other words, for once in your marriage, you were right, even if you didn’t mean to be.

Another reason why summer is good.

Song after song has been written and sung about summertime.

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”

“In the good ol’ summertime…”

“The summer wind/came blowin’ in/from across the sea/It lingered there/to touch your hair/and walk with me…”

“We’ve been havin’ fun all summer long…” – Beach Boys, of course.

And — also of course — the late, great Roger Miller wrote this, a favorite because, well, Roger Miller …

“In the summertime

When all the leaves and trees are green

And the redbird sings ‘I’ll be blue

’Cause you don’t want my love…”

Clever Roger Miller with the colors, green and red and blue. But it’s a sad summer song, and sad is not what summer is about.

It’s complicated now, when school starts and when school stops. Makes no sense.

But in a simpler time, the school system owned our adolescent butts from Labor Day until Memorial Day. Owned us. That was understood. Two days for Thanksgiving. Christmas was a couple weeks, the Glory Days of Wintertime Kiddom. There was an Easter Day or two. Maybe a Presidents Day.

But basically, they had you where they wanted you. In front of a chalkboard. Labor Day until Memorial Day.

Fine.

But we knew that glorious summertime was ours. Memorial Day passed, and we were free to run barefoot for three months. No questions asked.

We worked, sure. Depending on where you grew up, there was grass to cut, tractors to drive.

But there was also baseball to play. Afternoons at the pool. Bikes to ride from daylight to dusk.

Watermelon and sweat and smiles. And you could go to bed Sunday night without thinking of homeroom Monday. Monday was just another “free” day to be a kid, to drink from the water hose (wait a minute ’til it gets cold!), to get sunburned, to hear your momma calling you in for supper.

It’s hot, for sure. Supposed to be more than 100 this weekend. But I can take off enough to stay cool; can’t put on enough in the wintertime to stay warm.

I’ll take summer any day.

It’s been 25 years since I was out walking and met a guy from Up North washing his car. He’d just moved here. He mentioned in passing how hot it was. I nodded and told him it sure was and kept walking.

It was only April. I didn’t have the heart to tell him…

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Common ancestry and a desire to preserve and promote the French language and Acadian culture through collaborations, combined with an opportunity to promote economic growth and business development, brought Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), and delegates from the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada, together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremonial signing took place at Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Nungesser welcomed the Honorable Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie for the Province of Nova Scotia, to Louisiana for this historic collaboration.

Today’s signing was facilitated through a visit in April when a delegation visited to experience Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette where the groundwork for the Memorandum of Understanding took shape.

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome our friends from Nova Scotia back to Louisiana. Given how much our regions have in common through our Acadian heritage, coastal importance, seafood industries, and our connection through the French language, it makes good sense to combine our efforts to increase economic and cultural opportunities for each other,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We look forward to continued conversations with Minister LeBlanc and his team as we work to move forward pursuing promising opportunities.”

“Nova Scotia is proud of our long-standing relationship with Louisiana, and we are so pleased to formalize this relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. “This partnership will strengthen our cultural ties and create unique opportunities to benefit us all.”

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both Louisiana and the Province of Nova Scotia will work to keep each other informed of economic, cultural, and civic issues; provide information and support to prospective businesses and business opportunities; encourage coordination of economic, cultural, and educational missions. Additionally, the two regions will give initial focus to business growth in areas such as education, culture, tourism, manufacturing, seafood processing, energy related technologies, and information technology.

Collaborations will also include opportunities to promote cultural exchanges in both regions, and jointly in appropriate world markets, through business interaction and investment where each region has identified common ground.

The Memorandum of Understanding with the Province of Nova Scotia will remain in effect until 2027.

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OMC SEEKING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER – 

Outpatient Medical Center (Natchitoches Headquarters) is looking for a fulltime CFO to join our leadership team and report to our CEO and Board of Directors.  The CFO is responsible for fulfilling all financial and collections priorities/requirements of the organization and to effectively manage and direct assigned staff.  Must be willing to join a new leadership team and continue improvements initiated over the past two years – necessary to rebuild an organization once seriously threatened financially.

A successful candidate will not only be knowledgeable but also an excellent communicator with the ability to clearly explain fiscal and budgetary matters to executives and policy-makers.  Must be exceptionally organized, assure accuracy of reports and tasks, and meet deadlines in a proactive manner.  A successful candidate will have a record of highly responsible CFO experience in a healthcare setting, managing and accounting for multiple grants and revenue sources.  OMC will also consider progressively responsible candidates who have extensive FQHC experience with audits, budgeting, management reports, accounting, billing, and supervision.

Resumes are being accepted by email to hr@outpatientmedical.org.  Confidential inquires may be made to the CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry, at 318-357-2055.

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Humana is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Louisiana Medicaid program. Enrollment in this Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H1951-041 (HMO D-SNP). At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. English: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Espanol (Spanish): ATENCION: Si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711).

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Betty Boyte    
May 11, 1949 – June 13, 2022    
Visitation: 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home   
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 22 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home   
Cemetery committal: Wednesday, June 22 at New Hope Cemetery, 292 New Hope Road, Choudrant 

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by Malcolm Butler

Back in the summer of 1999, my buddies Scott Walker and Mitch Spillers and I decided to take a two-day road trip to Mobile, Alabama, to play some golf at Magnolia Grove. It’s a Robert Trent Jones course.

(To this day, the three of us still argue about whose idea it really was … it was mine by the way!).

72 holes in two days. It was hot. Like playing on the sun hot. Like Mitch’s brand new pro shop belt melting through his shorts hot (trust me when I tell you this was just the first of many meltdowns on this trip).

But we were in our late 20s, and the heat didn’t faze us.

Fast forward more than two decades.

Last week Mitch and Scott and I … along with 12 of our closest friends … headed to Alabama for the 23^rd straight year to play in what we now call the RTJ Shootout.

RTJ, as you have probably surmised, stands for Robert Trent Jones. Most golfers have heard of these courses, and I would bet a large majority have played at least one or two of them. Eleven locations scattered around the state consisting of 26 courses comprise RTJ.

Birmingham. Mobile. Prattville. Opelika. Huntsville. Greenville. Dothan. Point Clear. Hoover. Anniston/Gadsden. And Muscle Shoals.

They are all unique. And they are all challenging.

But what started out as three, below-average golfers playing a few rounds of golf on a whim has turned into a trip that we all look forward to every single year. Seriously. As soon as we get back each year (regardless of whether I played good or bad), I started counting down the months until next year’s excursion.

It’s special. And the trip evolved.

Three golfers quickly grew to eight golfers. Then 12. And for the past 15 years our hackers party has been at 16. Last year saw our biggest field of “competitors” as we boasted 18. This year due to some scheduling conflicts, “only” 15 of us participated in Birmingham.

If you live in Ruston, you probably know someone on this year’s trip. I’ve mentioned Scott and Mitch. Brandon Norris. Shannon Lolley. Matt Walker (Scott’s better-looking twin brother). Joe Peel. Andy Yepson. Ben Haddox. Bob Burns. Chris Weego. Phillip Thigpen. Kyle Kavanaugh. Michael Theodos. Tommy Groves.

It was a Who’s Who of average to bad golfers.

In those early years, none of us had much money so we would pile into a Suburban, leave at 2 a.m. (to save on hotel rooms the first night), drive five to seven hours, unload, check in at the pro shop and tee off. And we loved every single stroke of it.

We still do.

Only now we are a little more kind to our bodies. No more days of playing 36 holes. No more middle of the night departures. We leave in the morning. We take our time. And we mentally prepare for the next four days of golf. So far we are a perfect 23 of 23 in coming back with the same number of golfers that we left with, including all 15 this year.

We played one round Thursday through Sunday. And although we still enjoy the golf, I think we enjoy the time together more and more the older we get.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s fierce competition.

We set handicaps. The Charter Membership Committee (Scott, Mitch and myself) – not-so-fondly known as the CMC by the rest of the group – uses a special “formula” to even the playing field each year. There is constant complaining about the handicaps. It’s an annual ritual.

There is an entry fee. We pay the top three to four places each round (depending on the number of competitors each year; last year we had a record 18 competitors). We pay the top four places over all once 72 holes are completed.

Each one of the four days of golf is a Major. Thursday is the Master’s. Friday is the US Open. Saturday is the British Open. And Sunday is the PGA Championship. Only four of our competitors have earned the Career Grand Slam (Matt, Bob, Chris and Phillip).

We have the Rolly Cup, aptly named after one of the group’s all-time favorite people: the Reverend Rolly Walker. It’s a team competition that has taken many shapes and forms over the years. There is a lot of smack talk as you would imagine.

Last year we even introduced a Calcutta into the equation. That has been a unique yet fun addition to the Shootout.

Bottom line there are a lot of ways to win and to lose a little cash during the four days, but it’s all in good competitive fun. It’s a shame we don’t have a way to keep up with the past 23 years of this trip.

Oh wait, we do.

Our yearly media guide. Originally started by me in the early years, quickly taken over by Kyle Roberts (absent from this year’s trip) for a few years, and eventually mastered by Scott Walker Publishing Company, LLC.

It contains a schedule of events, year-by-year results, player bio pages, all-time earnings list, records of top scores based on courses, and so much more. It honestly is more information (mostly factual) than one could imagine.

You would have to see said media guide to truly get an appreciation for it. This year’s copy was 136 pages. Full color. Printed. Spiral bound. As you may imagine, along with the historical information, there is also a lot of making fun of each other within those 136 pages.

And I can’t forget to mention the traveling trophy named Clinchy — a miniature bronze golfer on a wooden base. Our champion each year gets to take Clinchy home and put him on their mantle in their living room (at least until their wife finds a less obnoxious place for it). Every year, the champion’s name is engraved on a small plate located on the base of the trophy.

This is serious stuff.

There are 32 of these small plates on Clinchy so we still have nine more years before we have to figure out what’s next.

Over the past 20-plus years there has been a lot of so-so golf played at the RTJ Shootout. A few clubs thrown. One or two drivers or sand wedges snapped. Maybe a few expletives tossed around.

And so many stories that I don’t have room to tell in this column. Like the Great Monsoon of 2004 that caused chaos in the final pairing on championship Sunday (if you know Brandon Norris, ask him about this story. It’s his favorite). Just so many great memories that are engraved in our minds; or maybe not, thus the need for the 136-page media guide.

As the years pass and more memories are made (to be forgotten), what we WILL always remember is our group of guys who were (lovingly) ruthless to each other while competing for a silly bronze trophy and a little cash, yet still remaining die-hard friends all these years.

The RTJ Shootout has become a yearly golfing pilgrimage for us.

I’m just glad I came up with the idea way back in 1999.

________________________

Year-by-Year Champion

1999, 2000, 2001 – No Champion; just golf

2002 Michael Theodos

2003 Andy Yepson

2004 Scott Walker

2005 Phillip Thigpen

2006 Bob Burns

2007 Mitch Spillers

2008 Scott Walker

2009 Mitch Spillers

2010 Chris Weego

2011 Joe Peel

2012 Brandon Norris

2013 Bob Burns

2014 Matt Walker

2015 Kyle Roberts

2016 Bob Burns

2017 Tommy Groves

2018 Ben Haddox

2019 Malcolm Butler

2020 Bob Burns

2021 Scott Walker

2022 Chris Weego

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An Arcadia man was arrested Saturday after a report he strangled a woman and bruised an infant.

Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s deputies were called to a mobile home park on Fletcher Lane Saturday evening regarding a domestic disturbance in progress.

The caller told responding deputies her boyfriend had locked her out of the house with her one-month-old child inside. Once she was able to get inside the residence, she saw the infant had bruising along the right side of its face and an eye was swollen shut. The boyfriend, Oscar Eduardo Heredia, 25, of Arcadia, was the only other person inside the house with the child at the time.

An ambulance transported the infant for treatment. The victim stated she and Heredia had been arguing throughout the day, and he became physically abusive toward her by choking her. Deputies saw imprints around her neck consistent with strangulation. She also had scratches on her arms. When Heredia was notified law enforcement had been called, he fled the home.

When Heredia was spotted nearby by a deputy, he fled on foot. He was apprehended and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked for child abuse, domestic abuse battery, and resisting an officer.

Heredia’s bail amount was not available 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. 

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Forty-seven bankers from across Louisiana and Mississippi attended the first Louisiana Tech University School of Banking recently in Ruston.

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By Judith Roberts

LeJoyce Adams is about to begin her 15th year of teaching this fall, and for her, teaching has always been a desire because her joy comes from the students.

“I decided to go into teaching because of my passion for shaping the minds and lives of children,” Adams, who teaches second grade inclusion at Hillcrest Elementary, said. “Kids are all unique in their own way and are naturally inquisitive. I am driven to pour knowledge and life lessons into them. I continue to teach because it is so exciting.  I get the wonderful opportunity to embrace new kids every year. It is so fulfilling.”

Adams is a double Lincoln Parish graduate with an elementary education certification from Grambling State and a special education certification from Louisiana Tech. Not only is she an educator by day, but she’s an author as well and has finished her second children’s book and is awaiting copyright. She plans to collaborate with fellow Hillcrest teacher and illustrator Anna Alexander and have the book completed by Thanksgiving.

“My favorite part about working at Hillcrest is the staff,” Adams said. “I am so blessed to work with the most incredible people every day.”

Adams said while on hard days, her coworkers — as well as coffee, prayer, and chocolate — keep her going, the good days are extra good.

“The best part of my job is when I see the ‘light’ in a student’s eyes after learning something new,” Adams said. “There is nothing like it.”

As summer wanes on and parents of new kindergarteners prepare to send their kids to school, Adams advises parents to develop beneficial relationships with the teachers.

“My advice to parents of kindergarteners would be to establish a relationship with your child’s teacher,” she said. “Do not be afraid to ask questions. Also, encourage your child every day. Make sure they get plenty of rest and lots of love.”

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Three people were arrested by Grambling State University police Saturday when they were found to be on campus illegally. 

A GSU officer was patrolling the campus Saturday evening when individuals who have been banned from campus residential areas were spotted. Officers and a housing official found Joe Cleveland, 18, of Monroe, and Kenedi Hall, 19, of Sherwood, Ark., on the third floor of Douglas Hall. 

Cleveland stated he returned to the room because he and his wife Hall did not have anywhere to go. The third individual, a juvenile, was reportedly visiting with them. Housing officials advised all three were trespassing and did not have authorization to be in the dormitory. 

When an officer attempted to handcuff Hall, she resisted and jerked away. While the arrestees were being transported to GSUPD for further questioning, the juvenile advised she had cigars and marijuana in her pocket. After further investigation, Hall and Cleveland were transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and the juvenile was transported to the Green Oaks Detention Center. 

Cleveland was booked for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, an authorized entry of an interpretive dwelling, criminal trespass, and contributing to the delinquency of a child. Hall was booked for criminal trespass or authorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, contributing to the delinquency of a child, and resisting an officer. Bail was set at $23,000 for each individual.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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Temple Baptist Church’s WEEkday St. Jude Trike-a-Thon raised $12,439 this year, up $7,864 from the 2021 event and more than twice the $6,000 goal. 

It’s the second year in a row that the trike-a-thon has brought in double the money – or more – than the preceding year.  

“I am so thankful for the generosity of the Temple WEEkday children’s families and friends involved in helping raise money to help those children at St. Jude that are fighting childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases,” WEEkday director Gina Holstead said.

The WEEkday program is a part of the preschool ministry of Temple Baptist. Two groups were involved at separate times – PreK 3 and also PreK 4 and K Connect classes.  

Seventy children participated in the fifth annual trike-a-thon. Co-sponsoring the event was the Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service group.  

Nancy Darland, philanthropic chair for Zeta Rho-ESA, said, “The substantial increase in our total this year shows how much our community values the services that St. Jude provides and also how much they care for the precious children that St. Jude treats.” 

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By Aaron Mainiero

Louisiana Tech student Slade Aycock’s love of music began as a junior in high school, when he first picked up a bass guitar at a local pawn shop. Though he had learned how to play guitar and drums in the past, he had a gut feeling that bass guitar was the instrument for him. Shortly after learning to play bass, he joined a metalcore band from the Alexandria area called From the Gallows. From there, Aycock would get his chops from playing north and south Louisiana over the next couple of years with the band. These high school formative years have shaped Aycock’s road to Tech and other bands.

After high school, Aycock moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech, selling his drum set to pay for his first quarter of classes. He continues to play with From the Gallows. Currently, he is enrolled in the music industry studies program at Tech, a program he highly recommends for anyone interested in pursuing music.

“I love it; it’s a great program,” Aycock said. “I just wish it was here during my first year. I totally recommend it for anyone who’s interested in learning about today’s modern musicianship expectations.”

While playing with From the Gallows, Aycock performed alongside a band called Perpetual Deception. At the show, Aycock met Ryan Asbury and Dylan Holt, who were the two members of Perpetual Deception at the time. Over the next few months, Aycock would play alongside Perpetual Deception while still playing with From the Gallows. 

“When I first saw them, it was only Dylan and Ryan,” he said. “Even with just the two of them, they had this amazing sound. Dylan’s drums had so much energy live, it was impossible not to feed off of it and let it fuel yourself, and Ryan rocked some killer leads.”

Eventually, Nicholas Ducote would join the band as lead vocalist. In May of 2020, Aycock left From the Gallows and joined Perpetual Deception as its official bassist, followed shortly by Hailey Bolton as rhythm guitarist. These five make up Perpetual Deception as it is today.

Perpetual Deception performs live shows all over Louisiana, and Aycock said he hopes to bring the band to Ruston to play sometime in the future.

Of all the aspects of being in a band, Aycock’s favorite part is performing live.

“I’ve always loved the live aspect, the energy of playing a good set to an audience that is truly and intensely engaged,” he said. “I love to tear it the hell up and see the audience reciprocate the band’s energy.”

Aycock cites his influences as Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Peter Steele of Type O Negative, Cliff Burton of Metallica and Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, not for just their musicianship, but their onstage personas as well.

“Truly great artists, when they’re playing live, are able to elevate their act to a certain degree to inhabit this deity-like persona where they rise above being just a performer, and they really wrap the audience in the experience of the music,” Aycock said.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech head coach Steve Voltz announced on Friday the 2022 soccer schedule, a slate consisting of 18 matches.

LA Tech will play eight games during the non-conference followed by 10 Conference USA matches, marking the program’s 10th season in the league.  There will be an even split of home and away games with nine apiece.

“Our 2022 schedule will not only challenge us every week, it will provide our program with the opportunity to compete against some of the best programs in our region,” said Voltz.  “The non-conference portion will most certainly help prepare us for a very tough conference slate.”

To help prepare for the season, the team will play two road exhibitions versus ULM and East Texas Baptist before the season officially kicks off on Aug. 18 against Murray State at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.

It will be the first of four straight matches at “The Mack” as LA Tech will also host Northwestern State (Aug. 21), Abilene Christian (Aug. 26) and UL-Lafayette (Aug. 28).

The remaining non-conference schedule will take place on the road as the team ventures into the SEC to play at Ole Miss on Sept. 1 and at Mississippi State on Sept. 4.  Those are followed by road contests at Sam Houston on Sept. 6 and at Little Rock on Sept. 9 in home-and-home return games.

C-USA action gets underway on Sept. 15 at home against WKU, followed up by long trips to face UTEP and Charlotte.

The squad will then host three straight league games, facing Rice, FIU and UTSA in Ruston.  Next up is another two-game road swing at Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic.

LA Tech will return home on Oct. 23 to face UAB in the home finale.  The regular season then concludes on Oct. 29 at North Texas.

The C-USA Tournament will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Season tickets for the 2022 LA Tech soccer season will go on sale soon.

 

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Booking a cabin or campsite in a Louisiana State Park is now easier than ever with the new Go Outdoors Louisiana full service reservation system. The new system features a central reservation system, ability to purchase day use passes, a call center, and golf course management system.

The new online system – www.GoOutdoorsLouisiana.com – offers a streamlined reservation process requiring fewer clicks to book a cabin or campsite. In addition, 360-degree street-view maps with floating-campsite markers allow customers to visualize a campsite before booking.

“We needed a way to make it easier for families to get out and enjoy the beauty of our state parks, and this system provides a way for them to do just that. As we get into these summer months, and families are looking for those quick weekend getaways, it now easily accessible at their fingertips. They can enjoy the outdoors and make lasting memories without having to leave Louisiana,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Other new online enhancements include the ability to purchase annual passes, gift cards, and merchandise online. In addition, there is a dedicated call center staffed with representatives knowledgeable about the Louisiana State Park system, available to assist customers five days a week from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To reserve a cabin or campsite at a Louisiana State Park, go to www.GoOutdoorsLouisiana.com or call the reservation center at 1-833-609-0686. For more information about Louisiana’s State Parks and Historic sites, go to www.LaStateParks.com.

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William Thomas Simmons 
July 5, 1947 – June 15, 2022 

Graveside services for William Thomas “Tommy” Simmons, age 74 of Choudrant, LA, will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Fellowship Cemetery in Dubach, LA. Services will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. 

William was born July 5, 1947 to Maye Belle and Larry Simmons in Gurdon, AR, and he passed away June 15, 2022 in Ruston, LA. He was a naturally gifted artist and loved to paint and to draw landscapes, animals, and people. William retired from Ruston Housing Authority as a modernization supervisor. He liked to hunt and to fish, and he loved his grandchildren, which consisted of any kid willing to be a grandchild. If you needed something, William would give you his last dollar. William was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Melinda Arnold. 

William is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Simmons of Choudrant, LA; two sons: Brad Simmons and wife, Deana, of Arkansas and Baretta Simmons of Choudrant, LA; daughter, Angela Simmons of Benton, AR; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Loretta and husband, Eddie Lockwood, of Monroe, LA; and a host of friends. 

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THIS IS A PAID ADVERTORIAL

The Healthy Foods Card benefit provides an allowance to purchase approved healthy foods and may help you eat healthier.

If you are eligible, Humana plans may be able to help you pay for healthy food to put on the table with the Healthy Foods Card benefit.

It’s included with the Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H1951-041 (HMO D-SNP).

Healthier grocery purchases … Here’s how it works.

• Each month, the Healthy Foods Card is automatically loaded with $75 (unspent money does not roll over to the next month)
• Shop at participating stores for approved grocery items
• Swipe the Healthy Foods Card at the checkout to pay for purchases

Individuals interested in learning more or signing up can call Cindy Chelette at 318-372-4648 (TTY: 711) Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or email cchelette@humana.com.

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Humana is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Louisiana Medicaid program. Enrollment in this Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H1951-041 (HMO D-SNP). At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. English: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Espanol (Spanish): ATENCION: Si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711).

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Arden “Lance” Dutcher 
August 8, 1960 – June 14, 2022 

Betty Boyte   
May 11, 1949 – June 13, 2022   
Visitation: 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home  
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 22 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home  
Cemetery committal: Wednesday, June 22 at New Hope Cemetery, 292 New Hope Road, Choudrant 

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Louisiana Tech senior Gracie Reichman was crowned Miss Louisiana this weekend and will represent the state in the upcoming Miss America contest.

Reichman, who earned her place to compete in Miss Louisiana by taking home the Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival crown, was second runner-up to Miss Louisiana last year.

She was chosen as the preliminary talent winner after dancing to “Blue Suede Shoes.”

“This year was even more special because my big sister, Kassi Carey, choreographed this routine,” Reichman wrote on her Facebook page. “It was only through the support of my family, my wonderful directors and many hours spent at Lambright Aerobics room that I was able to perform.”

Reichman, who resides in Colfax, is a kinesiology major at Tech. 

First runner-up in the contest was Makenzie Scroggs, second runner-up was Jourdan Waddell, third runner-up was Anna Claire Lemoine, and fourth runner-up was McKenzie Connelly.

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by Malcolm Butler

When Patrick Sexton and Sharon St. Andre found themselves spending inordinate amounts of time with clients who were having trouble dealing with behavioral issues with new puppies, the two decided it was time to put a plan in place.

Enter, Puppy Preschool.

About five years ago Patrick – owner of Sexton Animal Health Center on East Kentucky in Ruston – and St. Andre developed a program – named Puppy Preschool by Patrick’s wife – that allows owners to bring their newest furry friends to a place where they can learn how to become better “citizens.”

“We started having a conversation,” said Sharon. “What if we had a program where we could help the human understand how to work with their puppy and the puppy would have a place to go to get basic training and socializing.”

“Whatever routines and behavior that you want that dog to have as an adult, you will establish that in the first 7 to 14 weeks,” said Patrick. “You need to realize that those first few months you have them you need to be focused on intentionally curbing the bad behavior and reinforcing the positive ones and teaching them what you want them to know.”

What started out as a beta test with a couple of English Bulldogs has turned into a very effective training program for local puppies and their humans.

“Most people don’t know how to do it or they just don’t have time,” said Patrick. “Teaching puppies how to act is important between 7 to 14 weeks of age. That’s when you have the most opportunity to imprint how you want them to act, good or bad. And it desensitizes them; gets them out of the house so they aren’t so anxious when they leave their home environment.”

As impactful as the program is for puppies, it’s just as important for their owners.

“We gained our sanity,” said Melanie Morgan, whose border collie Fancy was a star student of the program. “Fancy learned how to use her brain. As a border collie and she was so smart. She learned how to figure stuff out, and we learned how to work with her.

“Ms Sharon always worked with us so we could learn with her. That made everything make more sense and made it so much more worth it. She didn’t go learn and that was it. We learned too so we could keep doing everything at home. And keep helping Fancy be the best dog she could be.”

According to Sharon the program takes about four to six weeks depending on the consistency of the owner bringing the pupil to Puppy Preschool.

“For a puppy that is 7 to 14 weeks old, if the human does their homework because I send notes home; if they do their homework – and believe me we know if they do or not – it takes four weeks generally,” said Sharon. “It’s also important that they bring the puppy consistently during those four (to six) weeks.”

Sharon said although seven to 14 weeks is the perfect age to begin the program, they will take puppies up to the age of six months. Any dog much older than that falls into a different category.

“In the beginning I did take older dogs, but they are very time consuming,” said Sharon. “And as I got more puppy preschoolers I just didn’t have the time to spend with them. With the older dogs it’s not training, it’s rehabilitation.”

Requirements to enroll in Puppy Preschool include a beginning consult ($40) with the owner and the puppy, and that the dog is up to date on vaccinations and is on flea medication.

“Our goal is to create a happy and balance dog that fits your family,” said Sharon. “That is why I like to have a consult with the humans because I need to know what the family dynamic is like.”

“I’ve seen her be so patient with so many pups and truly listen to owner’s concerns and teach them how to reinforce the skills she teaches,” said Sara Liner, who worked with Sharon at Sexton’s for three years. “The best foundation for any family is a good family dog, and Sharon has helped so many families have a loyal, well behaved companion to enjoy.”

Sharon said there is a limit on the number of preschoolers they are able to train on a daily basis.

“We try to keep preschoolers limited to a max of 15,” she said. “That’s about as much physical time as we can give to the training. The puppies shut down after 15 minutes. We go back and reintroduce training to them in the afternoons.

“We don’t have enough hours in the day if it gets over 15 preschoolers (if they are in training they are preschoolers). In a perfect world they are done in four weeks if they come every day. If they don’t come every day, it stretches out.”

Sharon said the puppies are trained on very basic obedience and good manners, including areas such as sit and stay, stay put at a door or gate, put their head through a leash, go in a kennel when asked, wait to eat, and other rules that humans set for their puppies. The preschoolers receive a certificate (or diploma) once they have received a mastery grade in all the areas.

For more information on Puppy Preschool, owners can call 318-251-8283. The cost of Puppy Preschool is $15 per day.

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Ruston and Grambling residents celebrated Juneteenth throughout last week with a music festival, a charity walk, a parade and much more.

For the Miss Juneteenth pageant, Kesynce Brewster-Daniel was crowned as this year’s winner, Gabrielle Simmons was named Junior Miss Juneteenth and Briley Kent was named Little Miss Juneteenth.

In the poetry contest, the selection of winners was broken down into three categories:

Category 1: Aneida Jackson, first place; Ace Young, second place; Kenya Hamilton, third place;
Category 2: Kaejha Stewart, first place; Mario Lewis, second place; Jason Richardson, third place;
Category 3: Brielle Smart, first place; Kierra Fields, second place; Kelby Gates, third place.

The bakeoff winners were: Rita Sims, first place; Artaeus Burks, second place; and Tamika Ferguson, third place.

Juneteenth is made up of the words “June” and “nineteenth” and is celebrated because on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to inform slaves that slavery had been abolished. Juneteenth also serves as an opportunity to celebrate African American culture and heritage.

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