The New Orleans Jazz Museum is excited to host the 10th Annual NOLA River Fest on Saturday, July 23, celebrating the cultural, economic, environmental, and inspirational impacts of the Mississippi River and its inhabitants upon the Crescent City and surrounding Gulf South region. The daylong celebration spans the museum’s indoor and outdoor grounds, accompanied by livestreams for digital viewers. Free and open to the public since its inception, NOLA River Fest is as educational as it is entertaining. In its pursuit to raise public awareness of water management issues and emphasize the importance of preservation activities, NOLA River Fest encourages visitors to invest thought and action into the conservation and continuation of the community they gather to celebrate.
“We are excited to host the 10th annual NOLA River Fest by coming together to celebrate the Mississippi river showcasing local artists and businesses,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The New Orleans Jazz Museum has built a great legacy of providing support and education to local communities as well as promoting New Orleans domestically and internationally. We are proud to further continue this legacy through educational and artistic endeavors.”
The all-day celebration at the New Orleans Jazz Museum will include live music, delicious local food, a full bar, and more. Live music will include performances from Lafitte Brass Band featuring the N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls & Big Queen Mary Kay of the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians, Caesar Brothers, Keiko Komaki, Grayhawk Perkins, Detroit Brooks, and Jason Neville’s Funky Soul Band. Performances get underway in true New Orleans fashion at noon with a second line from Jackson Square to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
On hand for those looking for a taste of the NOLA River Fest will be New Orleans favorites including Clesi’s The French Stall, Fresh Fruit Sensations, Meyer’s Lemonade, Not Cho Average Nachos, Whittecar’s Effect and Beard Papa’s. Aside from entertainment, NOLA River Fest will include educational programs including discussions organized by Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Water Collaborative, and interactive displays by Louisiana 4-H Foundation.
NOLA River Fest is presented by a coalition of institutions that include the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Water Collaborative, and the French Market Corporation. This year’s festival partners include the Water Collaborative, National Wildlife Foundation, New Orleans Master Gardeners, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana 4-H Foundation, Offbeat Magazine, Gamble Communications, and the Ella Project. Other sponsors include Evamore, Maker’s Mark, and Ergon.
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.
_____________________________________________
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).
Dr. Gerald W. Cobb August 1, 1938 – July 18, 2022 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church, Thursday, July 21, 2022, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Service: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, July 21, 2022, 10:00 am
Clyde “Buster” Sullivan May 16, 1942 – July 18, 2022 Visitation: 9:30-11 a.m., Friday, July 22 at First Baptist Church – Jonesboro Funeral service: 11 a.m., Friday, July 22 at First Baptist Church – Jonesboro
Russell Boyd October 8, 1955 – July 18, 2022 Visitation: 10-11 a.m., Friday, July 22 at Alabama Presbyterian Church in Choudrant Funeral service: 11 a.m., Friday, July 22 at Alabama Presbyterian Church in Choudrant Cemetery committal: Friday, July 22 at Sibley Cemetery in Choudrant
James W. Davis III June 26, 1968 – July 12, 2022 Graveside Service: Saturday, July 23, 2022, 10:00 AM, Greenwood Cemetery, 515 Everett St, Ruston
The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce announced the 2022 Legislative Roundtable to provide the local business community with updates from the regular and special legislative sessions of the Louisiana Legislature.
The event will take place Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will hear members of the Lincoln Parish legislative delegation discuss recent legislative sessions and the impact on Ruston-Lincoln Parish businesses.
The roundtable will feature several members of the Lincoln Parish legislative delegation, including Representative Chris Turner, Representative Patrick Jefferson, Senator Jay Morris and Senator Stewart Cathey. Ruston-Lincoln Chamber’s President and CEO William Dearmon will serve as moderator during the event.
“I am excited to provide our Chamber members and our community with this opportunity to hear firsthand from our legislators and gain insight into recent legislative outcomes,” said Dearmon. “We are grateful to each legislator for participating in this meaningful conversation with local business leaders and appreciate their commitment to serving Louisiana.”
For more information about this event, including ticket prices, visit www.rustonlincoln.org.
First West Thrift Store donated more than $3,000 and numerous bags of free baby clothes to Life Choices of North Central Louisiana located in Ruston.
by Malcolm Butler
This past winter, Phillip Thigpen received a phone call from a volunteer at Life Choices of North Central Louisiana in Ruston.
The non-profit organization that helps pregnant women was in need of newborn baby clothes.
Thigpen, who is in his eighth year as the Director of First West Thrift Store in West Monroe, came through.
A couple of phone conversations later, and First West Thrift Store donated a number of bags of baby clothes to Life Choices of Ruston.
After all, it’s a big part of what they do.
“Our mission is to see to it that no one misses the grace of God,” said Thigpen. “We do this by supporting ministries in our area who are touching people in their time of need. Our heart is not to duplicate services but rather come along side ministries and support them financially in their ministry.”
And it didn’t stop there.
A few months later, Life Choices of Ruston was in need again. And like clockwork, First West Thrift Store came to their rescue.
This time not only did they provide free clothes, but they used their monthly ministry highlight day to raise funds. On the third Thursday of each month, First West picks a ministry and donates all sales proceeds on that day to that ministry.
First West chose Life Choices of Ruston for their ministry in May. And in early June, Thigpen not only delivered some more bags of free baby clothes, but also a check for $3,211.
Kathleen Richard, the Director of Life Choices of North Central Louisiana, knows the impact that the generosity of First West Thrift Store has on the organization and thus the families that utilize it.
“When a community comes together, it makes a difference,” said Richard. “Life Choices is able to have a positive impact on young, vulnerable families because partners like First West Thrift Store are willing to join into the work with us. We are forever grateful for their partnership.”
First West Thrift Store is in the business of helping ministries, financially supporting 20-plus ministries in northeast Louisiana. In fact over the last four years, they have invested over $1 million in ministries in the area. They have budgeted close to $300,000 for 2022 to assist with places such as homeless shelters, food distribution centers and organizations that help children.
Some of the places include Life Choices of North Louisiana; Life Choices of NE Louisiana, Salvation Army Homeless Shelter, The Renewal Center, Mercy Multiplied, Prison Ministry, Grace Place, Rays of Sonshine, Broaden Horizons, Project Help, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and more.
“We do not do this without the donors, shoppers and volunteers; all the people who support us are the ones who are touching lives,” said Thigpen.
The First West Thrift Store is the largest thrift store in North Louisiana at over 13,000 square feet of retail space.
“We have the largest used furniture selection in North Louisiana,” said Thigpen. “We sell household items, home décor, clothes, electronics, books and much more.”
They even have a specialty section where they display new items.
First West Thrift Store has discount days where they provide discounts, including Senior Discount Day (Mondays for 55 years and old), Military Discount Day (Wednesdays) and College Student Day (Fridays). Individuals in those categories receive a 20 percent discount with an ID (furniture is not included).
Thigpen said First West Thrift Store accepts donations and even offers furniture pickups. The store is located at 1 Stella Mill Street in West Monroe. Individuals can contact them at 318-410-0999.
Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Donation drop off closes each day one hour before the store closes.
Individuals can follow First West Thrift Store at Facebook.com/fwthriftstore
Ruston Police arrested a Waffle House employee after he allegedly attempted to break into the restaurant’s safe.
At about 4:45 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the Waffle House on Cooktown Road regarding an employee actively attempting to break into the safe. Police found Dustin Forney, 40, of Ruston, inside the restaurant in possession of a knife and a saw blade.
Security video showed Forney attempting to break into a safe containing cash with the tools found in his possession.
A records check showed Ruston City Court held three warrants for Forney for failure to appear in court on charges of driving under suspension, no liability insurance, and switched license plate.
Forney was arrested for simple burglary and the three warrants and booked at the detention center. Bail for the warrants was set at $6,000. Bail on the burglary charge 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.
Grambling State University sophomore catcher John Garcia was selected in the 19th round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s a blessing and I am so proud of John and what he has accomplished this year,” Grambling State head baseball coach Davin Pierre said. “This is the icing on the cake to be drafted and to get a chance to live his dream. His success is also a huge accomplishment for our program here at Grambling State. We strive to ensure that our student-athletes know that if they come to Grambling State, they can accomplish a life goal of playing professionally, like John has. I know John will be an exceptional asset to the Houston Astros organization and will represent himself and the GRAMBLING family well!”
Garcia, an ABCA/Rawlins All-Region Second-Team selection, was chosen with the 583rd picked by the Astros and is the first Grambling State baseball player selected in the MLB Draft since the Arizona Diamondbacks chose Marshawn Taylor in 2018.
The Bronx, N.Y. native, who started 53 of 55 games he played and was a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) First Team honoree, batted .409 on the year.
Garcia led one of the most prolific offensive teams in the SWAC, ranking in the top five in nine different conference batting categories. He ranked second in batting average, slugging percentage (.679) and runs batted in (67). He ranked first on base percentage (.515) and OPS (1.194). His 10 home runs were tied for third most in the SWAC and his 18 doubles landed him in fifth. In addition, he also registered two triples and stole four bases.
As the starting catcher, Garcia also threw out 18 runners on stolen base attempts, which also ranks second in the SWAC.
He also participated in the MBP HBCU All-Star Game on June 3.
A man was treated for facial injuries after he was struck in the mouth during an argument between his girlfriend and her daughter.
Sunday evening a Lincoln Parish deputy responded to the North Louisiana Medical Center regarding an earlier incident at a New Hope Road residence. The man said his girlfriend and her daughter had gotten into an argument over the daughter’s boyfriend. The man said he tried to leave the house while they argued but he and the daughter started fighting over the fact that he was present. He alleged the daughter grabbed a soft drink can and hit him in the face with it.
The deputy saw the man was bleeding continuously from a deep gash on his lip and one of his teeth had been knocked out.
Deputies went to the New Hope residence and spoke with Jessica L. Johnston, 24, of Choudrant. Johnston said she was arguing with her mother and the victim lunged at her. Although he never hit her, she “threw a coke can in the air” and it “accidentally” hit him.
Johnston was arrested and booked for aggravated second degree battery. Bail was set at $5,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
LA Tech and North Texas will play a non-conference home-and-home series.
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech has signed a two-game, home-and-home scheduling agreement with North Texas, both athletic departments announced on Tuesday.
The two sides are set to meet on Sept. 16, 2023 at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston and again on Sept. 9, 2028 at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas.
The programs have met a total of 19 times. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 12-7, having won four straight over the Mean Green. They are scheduled to face off this upcoming season on Oct. 15 for the last time as Conference USA foes.
With the announcement of the home-and-home series, the Bulldogs will now have six home games on the 2023 slate.
Season tickets are still on sale for the 2022 season, which kicks off on Sept. 1 at Missouri followed by the first of five home games on Sept. 10 versus Stephen F. Austin. Fans can visit LATechSports.com/tickets or call the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631 to purchase their tickets.
Because of his refusal to be anything less than a servant, Bill Stokes drew people to him, especially the college students he gave his heart to as director of Louisiana Tech’s Wesley Foundation from 1957 until his retirement in 1988.
When he passed away in the spring of 2020 at age 95, he left behind thousands of handshakes and smiles and friends forever loyal to his heart and memory.
Saturday at the corner of Railroad Avenue and College Street on Tech’s campus, in an unassuming brick building he turned into a second home for so many of us when we were struggling with acne and advanced math and advanced life, a couple hundred of us met, finally, to share memories and to dedicate the Bill Stokes Room at Wesley.
The delay was due to circumstances but the feeling, being in that building with people who knew and loved Bill, was familiar.
This was a man who never met a stranger, but a lot of strangers met him, whether they wanted to or not. And then, forever in his world, they would never be strangers again. Not if Bill had anything to do with it.
And he made it his mission to have everything to do with it. You could not be on campus very long without meeting Bill. He made it his mission to be Jesus’ hands and feet, to reach out to kids trying to find their way, and to give them a home in his heart.
“A Southern gentleman,” said Vicki McGuire, whose father Doug pioneered Wesley Foundation work in 1937 during his college years, became a minister, and was a best friend to Bill when the 32-year-old young preacher from Mississippi showed up in Ruston to follow his calling of working with students. Vicki can’t remember a time she didn’t know Bill.
A lot of us felt that way.
“His outgoing, friendly personality made him irresistible,” she said. “I think that he reached out to everyone describes him as much as anything. When someone reaches out to you, that intentionally, you have to respond. You like people who like you and care about you. That’s how he made you feel.
“I was amazed that he could come up with everyone’s name and hometown,” she said. “He was a master at that.”
He was. Because he cared.
His memory and genuine concern must have been something God gifted him with to increase Bill’s impact on so many of us. We weren’t just students. We were Bill’s students, Bill’s kids, each of us one of his projects. Because of him, lots of lives were changed in what is now the Bill Stokes Room. I witnessed it more than once.
What Bill did as much as anything was bring people together. Sometimes, that was romantically. (A couple dozen people at Wesley Saturday were introduced to each other by Bill, then married by him.) But mostly, he got students from all sorts of backgrounds together and, somehow, he got us to believe we needed each other, that we were better and fuller, more ourselves in the moment, together.
He was a friend and a friend maker, a deeply missed man of truth and goodness, a man who leaves behind not only a room, but also a heart that always had room for us.
I experienced it during my last few years working in industry and continue to hear about it as I consult with various organizations.The “it” is the frustration with those that have been entering the workforce over the last few years.Organizations are dealing with staffing shortages, attendance issues, high turnover, poor morale, and low engagement.Managers are using quite a few words to describe the younger generations that are having such an impact on these issues.I hear words such as entitled, impatient, unreliable, lazy, and unprepared to just name a few.Rather than continue to bash this group of young people, let’s take a look at a deeper level.
The younger group of Millennials and the Gen Z people that we are talking about grew up in a much different world than many of us more tenured folks did.Let’s evaluate some of the comments above based on the culture and society they experienced.
Impatient:Well, they are a group of people that had access to instant gratification at the tip of their finger.If they wanted to watch a movie or a tv show, they didn’t have to wait for it to be shown, but rather just went to some streaming service and pulled it up.If they wanted food, they could just push a few buttons, and food would show up at the doorstep.They don’t even have to wait for an order at Sonic, because they can order ahead on an app.They are accustomed to instant gratification.They have had to wait for very little.It’s not their fault.Progress is great, but it sometimes comes with unintended consequences.
Unreliable:Hey, with the expansion of virtual learning, many of these young people are no longer attending in-person classes.The virtual classes are oftentimes just assignments posted on a website.There is no interaction with the teacher, no discussion, and no requirement to be on time.They sign on at their leisure.They don’t interact with others and discuss the subject matter.They work in isolation when they want to at their convenience.Again, it’s not their fault.The expansion of learning opportunities for people is a great achievement, but it also comes with unintended consequences for many.
Lazy: I recall going to a summer football workout at 7AM, working 8 hours on a summer job, and playing baseball at night – talk about a full summer and developing a work ethic.Today, the requirements of athletics all but eliminate a summer job option for a young person.In addition, the jobs that were so readily available for young people have been greatly reduced through enhancements and efficiency gains over the years (lawn mowing, car washing, gas station attendant, etc. – some of my old jobs).Don’t blame our young people.We are responsible for everything noted above.Those aren’t necessarily bad things, but they do come with unintended consequences.
Entitled, Unprepared, etc.:These young people are smart and ambitious, like every generation before them.However, they were likely exposed to more of the “everyone gets a trophy” concept and how “special” they are to ensure they didn’t get their feelings hurt at times.Many were likely afforded better options growing up from parents that were able to do more for them as well.In any case, let’s don’t blame them.We led many of those efforts and are now seeing some of the unintended consequences.
So, what do we do in light of those facts?Rather than complain about it and blame these young people, let’s embrace it.As I have stated previously, these generations are bright, ambitious young people with all kinds of skills and talents.Sure, they are lacking in some areas, but they have so much potential!What they need are organizations to understand where they are coming from and for the leaders within these organizations to adapt their approach to meet the needs of these young people.
I have seen some misguided attempts at this adaptation of leadership.These young people aren’t asking for free food, smoothie bars at work, yoga classes at lunch, or casual dress days every day in the workplace.Sure, they will take all these things, but that’s not what they are after.They want meaning and purpose to their work.They want to know what they are doing matters.They need to see and understand the bigger picture and how they are contributing to the overall purpose of the organization.While they may get impatient if they aren’t being promoted every six months, what they are really wanting is an effective development plan that they can see in action.They want regular interaction with their leader on development and growth.
Sure, they need to learn accountability, commitment, and teamwork.Many of them missed these items growing up for all the reasons previously mentioned.So, we must invest in them and develop them in these areas also.Many of these young people aren’t accustomed to communicating in person, asking questions verbally to understand, working through a problem within a team environment, or grinding through a difficult task.We must help them.Leaders will need to adapt and invest to experience the results that we all want.Culture has always been important, but it matters more now than ever.
Leaders need to embrace this challenge, make a difference, and create a workplace culture that attracts team members to drive results.Let’s create a culture of purpose, development, teamwork, and mutual care that transcends generations.That’s a sustainable plan!
Conceptualize, develop, and initiate process improvements and cost reductions
Use Lean principles to reduce cycle times and reduce waste
Manage problem solving teams from inception to corrective actions. Will often involve leading a team through the process.
Self-initiate improvement and / or corrective actions for safety, quality, cost and productivity concerns using formal six sigma problem solving tools
Develop documentation for operators and maintenance on proper equipment operation and care
Effectively communicate changes to all levels of the organization and at all stages of implementation
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
BS degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent engineering technology degree
Excellent interpersonal skills
Strong computer skills (Microsoft Excel and Word)
Self-starter able to work independently
If qualified and interested, please apply online at www.emerson.com
Benefits
We offer medical insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more. We also provide you flexible time-off plans, including parental leave, vacation, and holiday leave.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Emerson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Use technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, as applies to such supervision
Utilize computer skills to facilitate processes and software used
Pursue objectives with organizational skills to meet goals
Work with personnel at all levels of the organization
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
Two (2) year Associates Degree, plus one year of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Excellent communication skills; both oral and written
Great computer skills (Excel and Word
Benefits
We offer medical insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more. We also provide flexible time-off plans, including parental leave, vacation, and holiday leave.
Shift is 4:30 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Overtime requirements are based on customer needs to meet business objectives.
If qualified and interested, please apply online at www.emerson.com
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.
_____________________________________________
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).
Gerald Wayne Cobb, Ed.D., lifetime educator and Ruston native, died July 18, 2022, of complications of heart and kidney disease. He was 83 years old.
Gerald was born on August 1, 1938, in Calhoun, Louisiana, the only child of Bill and Willie Cobb. The family moved to Ruston the same year he started elementary school at Eastland. He excelled in sports and “Skinny”, as he was known to his friends, was a favorite teammate on the sandlots.
He began his freshman year in 1952 at Ruston High, starting a lifetime relationship with the Bearcats. He was class president freshman and sophomore years, played football for Hoss Garrett, and starred as a catcher in baseball. His greatest accomplishment was meeting the love of his life, Shirley Speights, and they were married eight months after graduation.
Gerald loved athletics and wanted to make a career out of coaching and teaching. He enrolled at Louisiana Tech in 1956 where he played baseball and graduated with a degree in physical education in 1960.
After college Gerald was hired to be the basketball coach and to start a baseball program at Simsboro High School. Although he didn’t play basketball in high school, Gerald quickly learned on the job and created an entertaining, fast-paced, pressure game that was rare in those days. He earned respect from opposing coaches and dedication from the Tigers he coached during his 11-year career.
In 1971 Gerald was named principal of Simsboro High, a position he held until 1975 when he left to earn a Doctor of Education from Northeast Louisiana in 1977. He returned to Simsboro until 1978 when he was named principal at Ruston High. He was principal at Ruston from 1978-80, moved to Baton Rouge as director of secondary education, followed by executive assistant to the superintendent of the Louisiana Department of Education from 1980-84, and returned to Ruston High in 1985.
Gerald was selected to be superintendent of Lincoln Parish Schools in 1988, a position he held for 15 years. During his tenure Lincoln Parish ranked first in the state in ACT scores, first in percentage of students not needing college remediation classes, and first in National Merit Finalists at Ruston High among non-magnet schools.
Gerald was president of the State Superintendents Association, was an executive committee member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, and served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He was given the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ruston High, Education Alumnus of the Year at Louisiana Tech, and was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Gerald’s greatest love was for his family. He spent countless hours throwing batting practice to his four sons, picking them up from practice, sitting in bleachers and concert chairs, and teaching them the value of fairness and hard work. His marriage to Shirley remains a wonderful example for anyone fortunate enough to have known them.
Gerald was predeceased by his parents and a son, Jerry. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley; Sons, Patrick and his wife Carla of Billings, Montana, Ken and his wife Cindy of Asheville, North Carolina, David and his wife Donna of Kensington, Maryland; grandchildren Joel, Lauren, Garrett, Alex, Graham, and Eileen; and seven great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana, at 10 am on Thursday, July 21, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall until 1 pm. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Barmore, Barry Canterbury, Tommy Canterbury, Bruce Cowan, Hoye Grafton, Tommy Gregory, Jap Gullatt, Billy Henderson, John Kyte, Jerry Lott, Jerome Vascocu, and James White.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Gerald and Shirley Cobb Professorship in Education, Louisiana Tech University Foundation, PO Box 1190, Ruston, LA 71273, LaTechalumni.org.
Ruston’s Cade Gibson joined three other LA Tech teammates in making history Monday during the second day of the 2022 MLB Draft (Courtesy photo).
by Malcolm Butler
Cade Gibson knew Monday was the second day of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.
But the former Ruston Bearcat and Louisiana Tech Bulldog put it in the back of his mind as he went about his business, throwing a morning bullpen session.
“I had zero clue (anything was going to happen today),” said Gibson. “I came to my fiancée’s house for lunch. She went back to work. I told her I was going to turn on the TV just to watch because I wanted to be there when my teammates got selected.”
That’s when things started to heat up for the southpaw.
After watching teammates Ryan Jennings (4th round, Toronto Blue Jays), Kyle Crigger (7th round, Miami Marlins) and Taylor Young (8th round, Los Angeles Dodgers) get selected Monday, it was Gibson’s turn to hear his name called.
And by the middle of the afternoon, Gibson joined Crigger as a member of the Marlins, being selected in the 10th round with the 292nd overall pick.
It marks the first time in Tech baseball history that four players were chosen in the top 10 rounds of the same draft. In fact, the Bulldogs had never had more than two players selected in the top 10 rounds in the same year.
Quite a testament to Lane Burroughs and Co. something Gibson was quick to point out.
“Today was awesome,” said Gibson, who will fly to the Marlins spring training site in Jupiter, Florida, later this week. “It was just awesome. I am so proud of those three that I don’t know what to say.
“It’s always been a dream of all of ours. We’ve talked about it. We all four knew we that we could (do it), but I tell you (Coach Burroughs) and the coaching staff has put us in a tremendous spot to be successful. We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Monday moved so fast for Gibson that he had to make a quick call to his parents to make sure they didn’t miss the moment.
“My parents got (to my fiancee Lindsay Corie’s house) not too long before the Marlins called me,” said Gibson. “I had called my parents after getting a couple of calls. I told them ‘Look I am not getting my hopes up because I have no idea what is about to happen, but if you may want to come over here. I don’t want you not to be here if something happens.’
“They came over here and about an hour later it happened. It was a dream come true to have the people that are closest to me be here with me to see it.”
Meanwhile, earlier in the day in New Braunfels, Texas, Jennings had his moment in the sun.
“Just keep playing. That is the goal,” said Jennings Monday afternoon. “The (Blue Jays) regional scout called me (Monday) morning and was talking money. I sent them over to my advisor. It was at the beginning of the (4th) round. I didn’t expect it to be drafted that early. Initially they were low on their offer, but they came up pretty quick.
“It all happened really quick. In fact, it kind of happened, and was over. I was like ‘That’s it?’
Jennings said he is scheduled later this week to fly out to Dunedin, Florida, the site of the Blue Jays spring training facility where he will be accessed by the organization’s player development personnel. He said he may start off-season activities or he could be sent to one of the affiliates for the remainder of the minor league season.
Regardless, he said he owes a lot to Louisiana Tech.
“It’s been everything. The community, the coaches and my teammates,” said Jennings. “I’ve made lifelong friends there. I am so thankful the coaches gave me the opportunity. It’s a special place to go and play.
“Louisiana Tech is a school where everyone is so loyal and loves the program. The last few years has been a dream for me because I have gotten to play with my best friends. It’s been the best experience I could have asked for.”
Burroughs said he couldn’t be prouder of all four of the newest Bulldog major leaguers.
“The most amazing thing is that none of these four have ever been drafted,” said Burroughs. “You think about the fact all four of them have gone through numerous injuries and some of them multiple surgeries, it’s amazing. I will go ahead and add in they didn’t have a field or clubhouse or locker room for two years, and all they did was kept showing up and working hard and pushing and low and behold four guys that have never been drafted all go in the top 10 rounds. That’s pretty salty.
“In the college game it isn’t considered much of a developmental game, but that’s one thing we take pride in here at Louisiana Tech. You have to get good players, but we take pride in developing those young men. I think it says a lot about our coaching staff and our ability to develop them.
“It’s definitely been a good day. No doubt about that.”
The third and final day of the MLB Draft is today as rounds 11 through 20 will be conducted. Burroughs said a few more Bulldogs could be selected.
Ryan Jennings, 4th round (128), Toronto Blue Jays
Kyle Crigger, 7th round (202), Miami Marlins
Taylor Young, 8th round (255), Los Angeles Dodgers
Ruston Police responded to a Marie Avenue address regarding an assault with a firearm.
The victim said her dogs had gone to another house on the street. When she attempted to get the dogs back, Nicholas LeBlanc met her. The victim told officers she was able to get the dogs from the yard, but LeBlanc came out of the residence with a handgun, yelling and screaming at her.
The victim said LeBlanc chased her through the yard. She fell and LeBlanc stood over her with the handgun pointed at her. She told officer she begged and pleaded for LeBlanc not to shoot her and offered him money to let her go.
Officers arrested LeBlanc, 22, and took him to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where they booked him for aggravated assault with a firearm.
Bail was set at $10,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Longtime Lincoln Parish educator Gerald Cobb passed away Monday at the age of 83.
By T. Scott Boatright
Gerald Cobb, a longtime leading light among Lincoln Parish educators, passed away Monday from complications of heart and kidney disease at the age of 83.
After graduating from Ruston High School, Cobb went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Louisiana Tech University in 1960.
He coached basketball and baseball and taught at Simsboro High School for years, later serving as principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, Simsboro High School, and Ruston High School.
Cobb, who also worked as a visiting associate professor at Louisiana State University and Louisiana Tech, also served in the Louisiana Department of Education, working as the director of secondary education, the executive director of academic programs, and the executive assistant to the superintendent.
While with the Louisiana Department of Education, Cobb was instrumental in developing the Compensatory Education Program in Louisiana which provided remediation for students not meeting the passing scores on the State’s Basic Skills Testing Program.
Cobb was superintendent of the Lincoln Parish School System from 1988 to 2003. From 2007 to 2008, he was dean at Louisiana Technical College’s Ruston and North Central Campuses.
He served on many state and national education groups including as president of the State Superintendents’ Association, chairman of the Superintendents’ Advisory Council to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and chairman of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Committee on Junior High Promotion Practices, among others.
Cobb was on the board of directors for the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and the Louisiana Education Systemic Reform Initiative. In 2008, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and in 2005, the Ruston High School Distinguished Alumni Award.
Cobb is also known for helping to expand the preschool program, implement the Even Start Program, construct a Parental Involvement Center, initiate the Career Options Program, wire all schools with the Internet, and implement 4×4 block scheduling in high schools.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore first met Cobb while Barmore was growing up in Ruston.
“He played football with my older brother for ‘Hoss’ Garrett at Ruston High School in the mid-1950s,”
Barmore said of when he first got to know Cobb. “Later on when I was coaching at Ruston, his son served as a manager for me. He was one of the best and is now a doctor in Montana.”
Barmore was one of the last visitors Cobb had on Monday morning.
“I went by to see Gerald this morning and I guess I’m glad I did, because he didn’t last much longer after I was there,” Barmore said. “I went early, but he wasn’t able to talk or anything like that.”
Barmore praised Cobb’s leadership and ability as an educator, but also said Cobb could have been an all-time coaching great, too.
“If he would have chosen the route I did, he would have been one of the best,” Barmore said. “He was that great a basketball coach and would be in the Hall of Fame today. He was that good a coach, that good a principal and that good a superintendent.
“He just was a very smart, organized, honest person.”
Barmore also credits Cobb for playing somewhat of a role in the Lady Techsters’ first national basketball championship.
“I sat down with him one time because he had a great offense when he was coaching the Tigers at Simsboro,” Barmore said. “He developed an offense they call the wheel, and when we played our first national championship game in Eugene, Oregon, with the Lady Techsters, I used that offense. It was very effective. I’ve always given him a lot of credit for helping me win that first national championship.
“He was such an ‘X and O’ guy. He decided to get out of coaching I’m sure because he wanted to move on up in education, and he did. He even went to Baton Rouge and worked a while for the state. But Gerald Cobb was as good a coach as we’ve ever had around here.”
Cobb was principal at Ruston High when Coach Jack Thigpen led the Bearcats to a Class 4A 1988 boys basketball championship.
“He hired me to come to Ruston High in 1986 and after my second year there, he became superintendent and hired me to become principal at Glen View Elementary School,” Thigpen said. “He was the one who asked me to do that.”
Thigpen said he first got to know Cobb when Thigpen was attending Louisiana Tech and coaching a Dixie Youth Baseball team.
“At that time we had a couple of teams from Ruston and Simsboro had a team, and he was coaching the Simsboro team,” Thigpen said. “That was the first time I actually met him and got to know him — when I was coaching a Ruston Dixie Major team.”
Thigpen also took notice of Cobb’s basketball coaching abilities.
“He was one of the first guys I saw that really pushed the basketball up the floor,” Thigpen said. “His teams pressed and double-teamed you all over the place. He loved to get one of his guys to skip in front of a player coming down the court and if the guy wasn’t paying attention, let them run over his player and draw the charge foul. He did that all the time. Sometimes it was even a guy who didn’t have the ball. A player would turn and look back and the next thing you knew you were over a guy from Simsboro and a foul was being called.”
Thigpen said what made Cobb stand out was his leadership.
“He was a great leader. He was very, very professional,” Thigpen said. “He dressed professionally and was very good at whatever he was doing. He had a plan and knew what he wanted done, and he expected you to follow that plan and do what he wanted done.”
Ruston Police arrested two people Friday morning after responding to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Cassidy Lane off Cooktown Road.
Officers observed a parked car with the engine running in the 1100 block of Cassidy Lane. A man, later identified as Daniel Harvey, 36, of West Monroe, was asleep behind the wheel and a female, later identified as Jaclyn Duncan, 39, of Jonesboro, was asleep in the passenger seat. Officers awoke Harvey and had him step out of the vehicle. Harvey’s appearance indicated probable drug use. Duncan was awakened as well and the two were questioned about their presence at the residence. The investigation led to a search of the car which revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The two were arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bail was set at $7,500 each.
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.
From Row (L to R): Patrick Gillum, Joshua Walker, Mayes Brister, Dayton Green, Granger Brown, Cale Patton, Luke Jeffries, Ezekiel Wilson, Tripp Terry, Andy Slocum, Duncan Wade, Titan Booth Coaches (L to R): Michael Gillum, Lead Terry, Chris Brister, John Brown Jr.
by Malcolm Butler
Another Ruston all-star team will be heading to a Dixie World Series.
This time is the Ruston American 8U team that captured the Louisiana Dixie Youth State Championship this past weekend in Monroe.
The Ruston team — coached by Michael Gillum, Lead Terry, Chris Brister and John Brown Jr. – posted a perfect record against a field of 24 teams. Ruston went 8-0 in the tournament, recording five wins by 10 or more runs.
Ruston American 8U won three close games down the stretch, defeating Lakeshore (7-6) and West Monroe (7-5) to advance to the championship game. There they defeated Girard Park (Metairie) in a tightly contested 1-0 game to win the title.
The team is comprised of Titan Booth, Mayes Brister, Granger Brown, Patrick Gillum, Dayton Green, Luke Jeffries, Cale Patton, Andy Slocum, Tripp Terry, Duncan Wade, Joshua Walker and Ezekiel Wilson.
Ruston American will travel to Dothan, Alabama, to compete in the 12-team World Series against teams from Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the host team from Dothan.
Ruston Police arrested a Simsboro woman Thursday after drugs were found in her vehicle in a closed city park.
At about 11:00 p.m., a patrol officer was checking Duncan Park on Arlington Street and saw the woman sitting in a parked vehicle. The officer stopped to advise Stormy Rain Snipe, 24, that all city of Ruston parks close at dark.
Snipe seemed unusually nervous during the interaction. After further investigation, a prescription pill bottle in someone else’s name was found in Snipe’s purse.
Snipe admitted the pills were not prescribed to her. She was arrested for possession of dextroamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Snipe was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was set at $2,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
