By Malcolm Butler

One aspect of the on-going research into how Lincoln Parish will handle emergency and rescue operations outside of the Ruston city limits starting January 1 has to do with concerns over Pafford EMS’s ability to process 911 information.

Although a contract has not been signed between the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and Pafford EMS, unless an 11th-hour solution presents itself, the trajectory is heading towards that being the solution for emergency situations outside the city limits but within the parish lines.

When the LPPJ voted 6-3 against the City of Ruston’s proposal during its July meeting, all eyes turned towards what was next. Enter Pafford EMS and the Lincoln Parish Fire District. 

During Friday’s LPPJ Ambulance Committee meeting, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff MIke Rainwater provided a report on the 911 communications portion of the ever-evolving game-plan.

And the news didn’t come without some possible obstacles. 

“I found out that (Pafford EMS is) not capable of accepting ANI/ALI information,” said Rainwater during his report. “The only option is using a ring down line.”

So what does that mean?

Currently when a landline or cell phone makes a call to 911, the 911 responder instantly obtains critical traced information through the call, including telephone number of caller and location of call. Even a cell phone call can be traced to within feet of the caller’s location. Public safety professionals refer to this information as ANI/ALI.

So what does this mean for the potential future plans for handling emergency calls outside of the city limits? According to Rainwater, the obstacle presents communication concerns when it comes to possible response time.

When a 911 call is received for a medical emergency, the ANI/ALI information is almost instantly transferred to the City of Ruston emergency and rescue operator, making the dispatch time almost immediate.

However, with Pafford EMS’s current inability to receive the ANI/ALI information, it would have to utilize a ring down line. This process has numerous potential pitfalls, including longer dispatch time which equates to a longer total response times and the potential to lose a call and not have the exact location or call back number regardless of whether the call comes into to 911 or an administrative line.

“About 60 percent of the emergency calls (in our parish) are made to 911,” said Rainwater. “But the otehr 40 percent come into our administrative line. Moving forward (starting January 1) this could cause more potential issues.”

Rainwater explained that any call that comes into the administrative line isn’t tagged with ANI/ALI information. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office can transfer the call to Pafford EMS but they won’t be able to stay on the line once the call is transferred, which is a concern according to Rainwater.

The LPSO and RPD are the only two public safety answering points (PSAP) within our parish. A cell phone call could be answered by either PSAP depending upon which cell tower the cell phone connects to. 

Calls to 911 work differently as the 911 operator is able to transfer the call while staying on the line at the same time.

“It works like a three-way call,” said Rainwater. “Many times in an emergency, the caller is in panic mode. As soon as they tell you their name and the address, they instantly drop the phone or hang up. Any call that comes through the administrative line as opposed to 911, if the caller doesn’t stay on the line then we don’t have the ANI/ALI info to access. Only the caller ID information is available.”

Another twist to the situation has to do with street names. 

“Almost every town within the parish seems to have a 1st street or a Pecan Street or many of the same basic names,” said Rainwater. 

Thus if a caller says ‘This is John Doe, and I’m located at 411 1st Street’ and then the caller hangs up or the call drops, it’s extremely difficult to know exactly which 1st Street the caller is referring to within Lincoln Parish without the ANI/ALI information. The ANI/ALI information is critical to knowing exactly where the caller is located. 

In Rainwater’s discussions with Pafford EMS administrators, Pafford EMS representatives said they have been and continue to be looking into trying to upgrade its system to be able to receive 911 calls, thus receiving the critical ANI/ALI information. Rainwater guesstimates the cost would be somewhere around $500,000. 

“I would suggest that ANI/ALI information be left in the contract because ideally that is the best case scenario,” said Rainwater in his report Friday. “They have expressed that they are seeking to be in a position to get ANI/ALI information. However, with Pafford EMS being a private company and not being an (Public Safety Answering Point) that’s a very difficult process. So I’m not sure what the time-frame would be.”

The next Lincoln Parish Police Jury Ambulance Committee Meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. at the Lincoln Parish Library.

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 The Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band got an early start to the fall marching band season as one of eight bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to compete in the 2022 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands event that was held Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Other competing marching bands included Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Kentucky State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, and Southern University.

“I think the kids did well even if they say I’m never satisfied,” said Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Director of Bands and Chair of the Department of Music. “And I’m not, so I’ll continue to push and get them to keep making progress week after week. I don’t want them to get complacent, so we’ll continue to work hard so that we keep on elevating our performances throughout the season.”

“I think the fact that it was our first performance of the year and our first performance in the National Battle of Bands made it even more special than many performances,” Roebuck said. “This was the first time we’ve gone up against seven additional HBCU bands, so it was very exciting. There was a lot of energy in the stadium and the kids fell in line and did what they were supposed to do.”

Roebuck said the early competitive event will also help make the Tiger Marching Band better in the long run. 

“I think that kind of event is good for all bands in general. That’s your opponent across the field, so you’re doing everything you can to make sure you come out on top, every week. This was a great way to start marching band season,” Roebuck said. “Every time the World Famed Tiger Marching Band performs, it’s special. We try to make each performance one people will remember and talk about forever. So, we’re going to go out there and show people what ‘The World Famed’ is all about.” 

GRAMMY-nominated rap group Migos headlined the event with a performance following the final band performance of the show. Migos is a multi-platinum hip-hop group founded in Atlanta as a trio featuring Quavo, Offset and Takeoff. The iconic hip hop trio amassed more than 3.3 billion streams of their hit songs on Spotify, including “Stir Fry,” “Walk It Talk It” and “Bad and Boujee.” 

The event also included a conference for entrepreneurs. National and local bank leaders showed up in Houston’s 5th Ward community to conduct a workshop with established and aspiring business owners. Food distribution to the homeless community also took place on Saturday morning. 

 

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Two men captured on video are wanted for questioning in the shooting death of a man early Sunday morning at Cinnamon Square Apartments.

About 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Ruston Police responded to reports of a shooting on Sage Court in the Cinnamon Square Apartment complex. Cinnamon Square is located off South Farmerville Street across from Green Clinic.

Officers found Tyrell Edwards, 18, had been transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center prior to their arrival by others at the residence. Edwards did not survive.

Investigation into the homicide is continuing. Police are seeking information on two suspects believed responsible for Edwards’s death. Anyone with information regarding the identities of the masked individuals are urged to please contact police immediately.

Tips may be submitted to the Ruston Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division at 318-255-4141 or through CrimeStoppers of Lincoln Parish. CrimeStoppers information can be given in several ways: calling 318-255-1111, texting “TIP515 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637), or submitting a tip online at www.rustonlincolncrimestoppers.com.

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By Amber Barker

Debbie Abrahm has always had a love for teaching.

She remembers playing school with her siblings, and even helping teach her younger brother how to read. So, it’s no surprise that her involvement with education has continued more than a decade after retiring as an educator. She’s hoping it will last another four years, should she be re-elected Nov. 8 to the Lincoln Parish School Board for District 12.

“I’m running because I have a deep concern for all children’s safety and their quality of education,” said Abrahm, who has been on the school board since 2010. “I have always wanted to be a teacher. I don’t know if it was a certain teacher, I just love working with children, seeing them learn and comprehend in a fun of way.”

Abrahm taught for 36 years –at Gibsland Elementary, Hillcrest and Glen View. But she wasn’t quite ready to hang it up after retiring in 2010. That’s when she was elected to serve on the school board.

“I just wanted to stay involved in education and keep up with all the new programs that were going on at that time,” she said. “We have a great system of educators, and we all work well together. I think we work well together on the board, communicate well, and understand each other. And if we don’t understand we talk it out until we come to a decision.”

Abrahm, whose three adult children are products of Lincoln Parish Schools, wants voters to trust in the experience she brings to the table.

“I want voters to know I’ve been involved in education 36 years plus and am well versed with parental and educator concerns. And I believe my experience has been evident in working with the district and helping address a lot of concerns,” Abrahm said.

Doug Perry is hoping his experience and his desire to be an advocate propels him to serve District 12 in the next term. Perry, who retired in June as an agriscience teacher, has 36 years of teaching but wanted to remain involved.

“I’ve always been interested as a parent and as a teacher, so when I retired, I got to thinking of ways to still be involved in the community and school system. I felt the need to keep serving,” said Perry. “I thought maybe I can be a voice for the people of my district. Some people are not good advocates for
themselves when issues come up so I thought I could be that person, an ear to listen.”

And while teaching didn’t start out as Perry’s calling, the experience his high school junior and senior year with an impactful agriscience teacher and a couple of student teachers from Louisiana Tech started the wheels turning.

“I had some conversations with university staff and they kind of encouraged me to head in that direction, but I went all through school in undergrad saying I’m going to do this but really don’t want to teach,” he said.

That was until Perry did student teaching at Dubach High School and Track Kavanaugh – since retired from Lincoln Parish Schools, current instructor at Tech – helped solidify his decision.

“Watching him and his relationship with students, seeing how students worked for him and reacted to him turned a light bulb on that this is something that might be worthwhile,” he said.

Perry’s involvement in Lincoln Parish Schools began after a year and a half at Jackson High School in south Louisiana. His Lincoln Parish tenure includes teaching 22 ½ years at Simsboro, followed by 12 at Choudrant. At both, he was named Teacher of the Year. In addition to his experience in Lincoln Parish as an educator, his daughter attended school there.

“My biggest passion is helping students develop and seeing them mature. Most of my students I got as freshmen, and seeing those students evolve and mature was extremely rewarding,” he said.

“The primary thing about serving on the board is to be an advocate, help be a voice, bring the message of the community to the central office, administration, and school board. I think our school board does a great job, being very proactive with a lot of the issues, and they are taking a lot of good steps to keep students safe.”

Perry plans to visit with as many people in the district as possible, talk with friends and family who live in the district, as well as friends of friends. He also plans to put signs out and do a lot of door knocking to introduce himself in the next few months.

“I don’t have a platform, I’m not running with an agenda, I’m just running to try to stay involved and try to help be a voice for the community.”

 

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Ruston police arrested a local man Sunday on multiple drug, weapon, and traffic charges.

At about 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Officer D. Smith saw a white Buick passing him. The driver attempted to hide his face as he passed the officer. Smith ran a license plate check which showed the registered owner had a suspended license.

The motorist stopped at a convenience store on South Farmerville St. and went inside. The DMV photograph on the record check of the vehicle registration matched the driver. 

When the driver exited the store and re-entered his car, the officer stopped him on McDonald Ave. and detected a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. 

The man said he did not have a driver’s license and identified himself as Gevonte Harris but the vehicle registration and the photograph the officer had seen was listed as Broadtavius Harris, 26, of Ruston.

A record check showed Harris was wanted on a Ruston city warrant for possession of marijuana. A handgun was found underneath the middle armrest. Also found in the vehicle was a small black digital scale and a “blunt roller” and pieces of raw marijuana. 

When asked where his marijuana was, Harris said it was on him and produced a clear bag of raw marijuana from inside his pants.

Harris was arrested on the warrant, illegal caring of a weapon in the presence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, no valid license plate, and no insurance.

Bail was set at $9,000.

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. 

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By Malcolm Butler

Following Tuesday afternoon’s practice at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium, Ruston High School coach Jerrod Baugh talked about the upcoming season opener set for Friday night at 7 p.m. against Warren Easton High School. 

Warren Easton is ranked 2nd in the preseason Louisiana Class 4A polls after finishing as the state runner up to Westgate last year. 

The contest between the two powerhouse programs should be one of the marquee match-ups in the state in the first week of the year. And it will be the first of two games between the two programs, both which will be played in Ruston. 

“I talked to (Coach Jerry Phillips) and it wasn’t until way back in March before we got everything ironed out,” said Baugh. “They were looking for a game. It’s one of those things where I saw it maybe on GeauxPreps where they have games posted or on the LHSAA website which has games posted. 

“I try to find the best competition that we can find. I called both Westgate and Warren Easton. They played in the state championship in Class 4A. It didn’t work out with Westgate. The coach at Warren Easton was interested. We worked it out where they’re going to come here both years, and we are going to help them pay for some of their travel expenses so come up here. I’m glad it worked out that way.”

The good news for the Bearcats who are ranked No. 5 in Class 5A in the preseason polls is that running back Dyson Fields looks to be fully recovered from a scare during Saturday’s jamboree against West Monroe. Fields left the game in the first half and never returned. 

Baugh said he expects his all-state bell cow to be ready to roll Friday.

“He’s been good,” said Baugh. “Good. He got a little treatment. In fact (Tuesday) morning he came in with Coach Hogan and did an early morning workout. Then he worked out during the fourth period lifting weights. Then he was full speed out here; full go today. He’s a tough kid, and he wants to be out there. I thought that was good to see. We did some live stuff today, and he was getting after it.”

Both Ruston and Warren Easton will be in the same boat on Friday, facing the challenge of playing a talented team without a lot of film. Baugh did say the two teams exchanged film from their spring scrimmage, fall scrimmage and fall jamboree.

“It’s tough,” said Baugh. “You’re trying to put a pencil to it and see what they’re doing. But a lot of it early on is game-time adjustments. It’s strange. It’s tough at the beginning of the season. Ultimately you put a plan together for what things they consistently do over whatever the game span is. We normally trade film from the last three games, and that’s what we get our data from. But as always, you have to make game-time adjustments.”

Towards the end of Tuesday’s practice, the Bearcats were working on special teams where Baugh said RJ Brown will handle the kicking duties for Ruston while Will Fendley will handle the punting duties. 

However, the injury bug has bitten another key special teams position according the Baugh.

“We’ve lost two holders so far,” said Baugh.  “Matt Garrett started out being the holder and then his appendix ruptured and had to have it taken out. He’s going to be out for a few more weeks. We had Peyton Martin holding this past weekend, but he’s been sick. So Will (Fendley) is actually going to be the holder for PAT/field goals for us. 

“We were working on that today, and we will work on it again tomorrow. We are on our third team holder which is very very rare. In 20-something years of coaching I’ve never had that happen. I thought Will did a good job today. They will share the kicking duties on Friday, and hopefully we’ll get Peyton or Matt back at some point.”

Tickets are on sale at the Ruston High School Ticket Office in the main lobby of the school from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The following is a Public Service Announcement from The Division of the Least of These Things to Worry About, Ever, My Brethren.  

A guy created a website and, for a while there, had people believing he’d recruited well-meaning and caring atheists who’d care for the pets of Christians after their rapture.  

In other words, “Send money. Rest easy.” 

I’ll hang on a second while you read that again because me my own self had to ponder it too, the first time I heard it; I had never had the thought either. Ever. And it’s not because I don’t love my pets. I do. But … while I’ve heard bizarre things, this might be at the top of the heap. 

Bizarro Mountain. 

Bizarro Mountain Range, even. 

NPR reported that a guy charged “hundreds of people more than $100 apiece, promising the business would care for their pets after the owners were carried up to Heaven. The self-described animal-loving atheist called his site Eternal Earth-Bound Pets. The New Hampshire Insurance Department thought some monkey business might be going on and decided to investigate”. 

Props to the New Hampshire Insurance Department, which seldom gets props. 

Life’s not fair. 

Anyway, the New Hampshire Insurance Department guy in charge of Pre-Rapture Pets, Etc. guy said it was a hoax. Which it was, same as the After the Rapture Pet Care site inventor admitted. 

I think they said this pre-rapture. Lord, I hope so. 

But I’ll give both guys points for creativity. 

For my pet’s future, I’d bet it on the After the Rapture Pet Care guy. He charged only a $10 registration fee, because those Left Behind were going to “care for the pets they rescue as their own, including being financially responsible for them,” the site claimed. 

Indulge me for a sec, and if you’ve read this far, you already have. The After the Rapture Pet Care guy, or (ATRPCG), also typed this on his site, under the ingenious “Frequently Asked Questions” part, (which I thought was a nice touch): 

Who are these Volunteer Pet Caretakers and how do I know they’ll take good care of my pets? 

Most Volunteer Pet Caretakers fit this description: 

• They are atheists or another non-Christian religion; 
• They love animals enough to register with us even though they do not believe there will be a Rapture (or are agnostic about it); 
• (My words, because this bullet point was the part about how they’d treat your pets as their own — their still-alive-but-non-raptured own.)  

Another of the FAQ’s questions is, “Isn’t the world going to be totally collapsed after the Rapture?” It’s a long answer on the website, but the short answer from this bureau is, “Yes. That’s an affirm. Bet your hat. If you have gift cards, use them ASAP. If you have one from After the Rapture Pet Care, well … ” 

Lord have mercy …  

We conclude with a sobering thought, I think from Mark Twain, and it’s one of my favorite thoughts, at least one of my favorite sobering ones, and should ease the mind of all us pet lovers who are worried about how things might end up for animals we loved, as if God who created them isn’t aware: 

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” 

Amen. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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By T. Scott Boatright

When it comes to quarterbacking on any level, and especially high school, there’s not too much more valuable than experience.

So what do you do when you have a talented yet fairly inexperienced prep quarterback? In the case of Lincoln Preparatory School, you bring in a ton of experience on the playing and coaching level.

And that’s what Panthers head coach Glen Hall has done with the addition of Matthew “Rip” Reed as a part-time quarterbacks coach for Lincoln Prep.

Senior Braylin Mayfield is behind center this season as Lincoln Prep’s starting quarterback after serving primarily as a receiver for the Panthers last season.

Reed, 71, was once a prep standout at Richwood High School in Monroe, where he threw for 600 yards and 12 touchdowns in a game against what was then called McCall High School (Tallulah) before moving on to play for legendary coach Eddie G. Robinson’s Grambling State Tigers, taking over as starting quarterback as a freshman in 1969.

In 1971, Reed was selected as Grambling’s Most Valuable Player and in 1972 was named to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) first team, an All-American and MVP of the Pelican Bowl game in which the G-Men defeated North Carolina Central 56-6 to capture a Black College national championship. 

Reed was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1973 in the 10th round of the 1973 NFL draft  and later also played a bit for the Denver Broncos as a tight end before returning to the quarterback position with the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League (WFL). 

In 1974, he backed up Amiercans QB George Mira, completing 77 of 188 passes (41%) for 1345 yards and 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to help lead Birmingham to the AFL championship.

Reed became starter of the newly-renamed Birmingham Vulcans, and in that league’s short history became the WFL’s 10th leading passer in yards.

Then Reed moved on to a back-up career in the Canadian Football League, playing in 18 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 1976 and 1977 before playing for the Calgary Stampeders in 1977 and 1978

As an Argonaut, Reed backed up CFL standout Chuck Ealy, helping for the first tandem of black quarterbacks leading a professional football team.

“I coached with Coach Reed under Coach Robinson at Grambling and have no doubt his experience can really help Braylin become a good quarterback here at Lincoln Prep,” Hall said. “He’s done a tremendous job coaching quarterbacks at Grambling and at Wossman and we feel fortunate that we are able to bring that kind of coaching talent and ability to Lincoln Prep.”

Robinson was once quoted as saying that Reed — threw the ball like “Pikes Peak,” high as a mountain and as hard as the surface and noted Reed’s  dual-threat ability that could burn defenses with his arm and legs.

“Coach Reed is just the kind of coach Braylin needs right now,” Hall said. “Braylin has a strong arm and can throw it a mile, just like Coach Reed did. Braylin also has the kind of size, strength and speed that can make him dangerous when he has to scramble out of the pocket, just like Coach Reed did.

“We’re working on conditioning with our team and especially the offensive line so that they can hold up better a whole game taking care of their blocking duties. But we’re hoping that  having a mentor like Coach Reed around can really help Braylin in learning to be the quarterback he has the skill set to be. We think this is a good move that can help the whole team.”

Hall has missed practice so far this week after coming down with COVID but hopes to return to the practice field with his team on Thursday.

“The symptoms are already gone — I’m feeling good,” Hall said. “My five-day isolation period ends (today), so hopefully I can get back out there Thursday and be with the team in the season opener on Friday.

Lincoln Prep opens the season on Friday in Tallulah against Madison Parish High School.

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The Farmerville Police Department took three juveniles into custody after investigating a vehicle theft and vehicle burglaries that occurred last week.

On August 23 and 24, Farmerville PD officers investigated reports of a stolen vehicle and later several vehicle burglaries and damage to property complaints. While attempting to locate the stolen vehicle, officers observed the vehicle on Camp Road and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle was abandoned in Union Villa Apartments.

The investigation identified three male juveniles, two age 13 and a 14-year-old as suspects. Officers found videos of the juveniles in the stolen vehicle, and they were taken into custody.

Each juvenile was charged with theft of a motor vehicle (2 counts), felony simple criminal damage to property over $1,000, aggravated flight from an officer, and simple burglary (3 counts).

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

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by Malcolm Butler

The season hasn’t even started and Cedar Creek is already razor thin on its offensive line.

Head coach Matt Middleton said Tuesday that offensive lineman Jordan Vail had a fractured ankle and was having surgery to put a plate in it. Most likely, Vail is done for the season before game number one of the regular season.

Vail suffered the injury on the final play of Saturday’s jamboree contest against Evangel Christian Academy.

And he isn’t the only Creek O-lineman who suffered an injury on Saturday.

Jake Smith, a staple on both the Cougars offensive and defensive lines, also went down with about three minutes remaining in the game. Smith was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and is questionable for Thursday’s opener at Glenbrook.

“Jake has been told he can do what he can do as far as tolerating the pain,” said Middleton. “He is a tough kid. He wants to play Thursday. We are playing it by ear to see where he is at. High ankle sprains a tough one to bounce back from quickly. Don’t want to rule him out yet.”

Middleton said if Smith is unable to play Thursday, Conner Rolen will start at guard. 

“It’s a little scary when we are having to maneuver people around to fill them in and we haven’t even started week one yet,” said Middleton.  “It’s the tough part about Class A football. You have so many kids playing both ways. Honestly we probably have too many doing that right now.”

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday night at Glenbrook.

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Louisiana Tech University Reserve Officer Training Corp cadets are gaining the unique experience of working on Department of Defense cutting edge research and technology.

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As we kick off the 2022 high school football season, the Lincoln Parish Journal wants to recognize our wonderful spirit squads for our area high schools. 

The young ladies that make up these squads are a huge part of the gameday atmosphere each and every Friday night in the fall. 

The LPJ says thank you for your love and loyalty for your school!

The 2022-23 Cedar Creek Emerald Entertainers

1st Row: Mia Graham (junior lieutenant), Tatum Brasher (senior lieutenant), Abby Martin (captain), Anna Grace Lee (senior lieutenant), Kate Myers (senior lieutenant), Molli McCready (junior lieutenant)

2nd Row:  Reese-Caroline Phillips, Addison Taylor, Kate Barron, Bailey Anne Adams, Katherine Worthey, Anna Grace Johnson, Katelyn Taylor, Gilly Grace Washam

3rd Row: Catherine Grace Calvert, Zoey Venters, Lucy Fisher, Evie Stake, Allie Jones

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The 18th annual Highland Jazz & Blues Festival Presented by Louisiana Healthcare Connections will be held Saturday, Sept. 17 in Shreveport’s Historic Highland neighborhood at Columbia Park.

The free festival will include 10 bands playing from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on two stages. 

This year’s music lineup features musicians from the community and beyond. Local favorite, Grammy nominated vocalist/guitarist Buddy Flett will kick-off the festival on the Pavilion Stage. More performances throughout the day on two stages include the Creswell Elementary Bucket Drum Team, The Blues Trippers, Heavy is the Head, Everett Street Jazz, Big D’s Blues Band, Dirty Redd Band, and Maggie Belle. Attendees will also have an opportunity to parade through the park with the Shreveport Second Line Brass Band. Rounding out the day is the headlining act, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, an American blues, funk and soul artist influenced by Howlin’ Wolf and James Brown from Austin, Texas. 

Pavilion Stage
11:00 am – Buddy Flett
12:15 pm – The Blues Trippers
1:30 pm – Everett Street Jazz
3:00 pm – Maggie Belle 
4:30 pm – Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

BOM Gazebo Stage
11:00 am – Creswell Elementary Bucket Drum Team
11:30 am – Heavy is the Head
1:00 pm – Big D’s Blues Band
2:30 pm – Dirty Redd Band
3:30 pm – Shreveport Second Line Brass Band 

The festival will feature a live art competition called “Clash of the Artists.” Four local artists will compete by painting live in accordance with a theme related to the festival in the Clash of the Artist Tent sponsored by the Red River Revel. These artists will have two hours to paint their showcase interpretation piece of how music brings our community together. Festival goers will have a chance to watch their artwork come to life and a panel of judges will choose the winner. The winning artwork will be announced prior to the headlining act on the Pavilion Stage. The artist will have the opportunity to work with the festival team to create the 2023 official festival poster artwork. Clash of the Artists participants were chosen by community vote on social media. Local artists competing are: Erica Garcia, Amy McDonald, Dominique OGD McLemore and Alex Richardson.

In addition to the music and art, there will be more than 70 food and art vendors onsite and a Children’s Area with multiple activities planned throughout the afternoon. There will also be a designated Pet Area sponsored by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for furry friends. A free shuttle provided by AEP/Swepco will run to Columbia Park from Centenary Gold Dome approximately every 30 minutes. 

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Cedar Creek’s Yearbook class goes way beyond a book of pictures. Students learn how to design, write, photograph, and operate a camera, as well as essential social and team-building skills in a workplace environment. 

Kacey Stringer’s students also learn about inclusivity and kindness. Last year, Stringer started a Kindness club for high schoolers at Cedar Creek and often incorporates those values in her Yearbook curriculum. 

“Mrs. Stringer is so invested in our success and makes sure to support and encourage us in everything we do,” said senior Annie Jones. “She is a talented photographer and an outstanding teacher, and we can’t imagine anyone better suited to present at Jostens’ conference.” 

With 17 years of professional photography experience, Stringer was requested to speak about photography for Jostens’ Yearbook Workshop at Centenary College in Shreveport where 17 schools from around the area attended.

“I was so honored to be asked to present at Jostens,” said Stringer. “I teach photography at Cedar Creek, so speaking to students about how to use a camera was a no brainer. I have had plenty of practice. The workshop was so valuable for my staffers. They took away many new skills.”

Members of the Creek Yearbook staff said that attending the conference was beneficial to them as they head into the new school year. 

“It was extremely beneficial to see different schools’ yearbooks, instead of just the past Cedar Creek ones,” said senior Kate Myers. “I walked away with a ton of new ideas, and I am excited to showcase them in next year’s projects.”

The group won the Friendliest Staff Award at the conference. 

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Ruston’s volleyball team finished off the Neville Tigers in three sets by final scores of 25-8, 25-7, 25-8 on Tuesday night.

Quick stats

Lorelei Freling: 6 aces, 8 digs
Hannah Rollins: 5 aces, 3 kills, 1 block
Jade Smith: 7 kills, 4 blocks 
Hannah Johnson: 4 aces, 3 kills 
Harper Cauley: 5 aces, 3 kills
CeCe Williams: 5 kills 
Maggie Ambrose: 12 assists

Ruston returns to action at home on Thursday, Sept. 1, against Ouachita. Junior varsity plays at 5 p.m., and varsity is set for 6 p.m.

Louisiana Treasurer John M. Schroder reports the first deposit of $48.53 million into the state’s Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund. The fund was created to protect unclaimed property from government expenditure and ensure that the money is available for people and businesses to claim it. In addition to protecting the integrity of the unclaimed property program, the trust fund will generate money for the state general fund by way of interest.

“This trust fund raises money without raising taxes,” Schroder said. “It gives people time to get back their rightful claims to property, and it builds a revenue stream for the state.”

In November 2020, citizens overwhelmingly voted in support of the Constitutional Amendment, which created the fund. The passage followed the Legislative approval of bills initiated by Schroder after several years of legal disagreement on whether the unclaimed funds could or should be used to cover state operating expenses.

By law, money must be transferred into the trust fund account at the end of each fiscal year, with $4 million remaining in the Unclaimed Property escrow account to cover current claims. In previous years the excess funds were deposited into the State General Fund.

Louisiana collects unclaimed dollars from old savings accounts, payroll checks, stocks and dividends, rental deposits, insurance proceeds, unspent gift cards, and utility deposits on behalf of residents. The treasurer’s office, designated as custodian of the property, works to connect people with the money they are owed.

“It’s great to know that these funds, which do not belong to the state, are now protected for citizens to claim,” Schroder said. “Plus, the interest earnings on the money in the fund will generate millions of dollars for the state budget. Everyone wins.”

Schroder added that residents should regularly check to see if they have any unclaimed property by going to LaCashClaim.org. One out of six Louisiana residents is due money. Over the past four years, Treasury has returned more than $225 million in unclaimed property, issuing 653,000 checks to citizens across the state. This is a significant increase from the 123,000 checks cut between 2015-2018. 

Treasury is also working to ensure business owners are aware of unclaimed property reporting procedures and regulations. A free online webinar is scheduled for September 1 to walk business representatives through the reporting process. To register for the webinar, go to louisiana.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

 

Midweek action is up next for the Louisiana Tech Volleyball team as they play their home opener against Grambling State.  It is the first of nine home matches this season for the Lady Techsters.

 

MATCH INFORMATION

Date/Time: Wednesday, Aug. 31 | 6 p.m. CT

Location: Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court

Live Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats

Live Stream: CUSA.tv

 

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (1-2)

LA Tech opened the 2022 season by going 1-2 at the Big Orange Bash in Clemson, South Carolina.  The Lady Techsters fell to Austin Peay and Clemson, but sandwiched that with a 3-1 victory over Presbyterian (25-13, 17-25, 26-24, 25-16).

Middle blocker Ashley Taylor was one of seven players voted to the Big Orange Bash All-Tournament Team.  On offense, the newcomer tallied 32 total kills while generating a tournament-best .410 hitting percentage.  On defense, she tied with three other players for the tournament high with nine blocks.

Leading the way offensively was fellow newcomer Chard’e Vanzandt who recorded 36 kills.  Also making her LA Tech debut, Andrea Spasojevic, registered 32 kills including a foot kill that ended up being the No. 4 play on ESPN’s Sportscenter. 

ABOUT GRAMBLING STATE (1-1)

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Paige Phillips, GSU split its two matches at the Saluki Bash in Carbondale, Illinois, falling 3-0 to SIU-Edwardsville before coming from behind to defeat Southern Illinois by a score of 3-1 (15-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18).

The Lady Tigers amassed a .115 hitting percentage in the two matches, anchored by Jayden James who totaled 24 kills to go along with four service aces.  Defensively, Haley Gomez tallied nine combined blocks while Nyah Ellis led the team with 26 digs. 

THE SERIES

LA Tech lost the first ever matchup versus Grambling State in the inaugural season of the program back in 1987.  However, the Lady Techsters have gone unbeaten in the series ever since, winning all 32 matchups.  LA Tech has shut out GSU in the last 12 meetings.

 

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Participation is very simple. Just click on this link below. No entry fee. It’s FREE to play. One entry per contestant.

CLICK HERE: WEEK 1

JOURNAL STAFF

Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $150 in cash and prizes each week? 

Starting in September, the Lincoln Parish Journal will hold the Karl Malone Toyota NFL Pick’em Contest presented by 511 and Black Rifle Coffee.

Anyone is eligible to participate and each weekly winner will go home with a $100 cash prize as well as a $50 gift card to one of our many local advertisers. 

Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected NFL games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

Our contest will be conducted for all 18 weeks of the NFL regular season. There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Lincoln Parish Journal. 

It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and are will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail.

Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $100 plus a $50 gift card each week!

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Today’s forecast can be found here.

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Alan “Scott” Killen 
August 19,1962-August 26, 2022 
Casual Visitation at LifeChurch.LA Ruston, September 2, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. 
Celebration of Life at LifeChurch.LA Ruston, September 2, 2022, 4:00 p.m. 

Susan Cooper 
August 13, 1939 – August 28, 2022 
Visitation: Friday, Sep 2, 2022, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 
Funeral Service: Friday, Sep 2, 2022, 2:00 PM at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 
Cemetery Committal: Friday, Sep 2, 2022 at Fellowship Baptist Cemetery in Dubach  

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By Wesley Harris

General George Patton in Ruston?

As much as I have studied Lincoln Parish history, it was a story that had escaped my research. Many Rustonites, including myself, were unfamiliar with the legendary World War II general’s time in Ruston in 1941 until Rick Godley at the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society uncovered long-hidden photographs documenting the brief stopover.

Major General George Patton, who became one of the most colorful and successful commanders of WWII, spent August and September 1941 in north Louisiana for massive military maneuvers. The “war games” involved over 400,000 soldiers and all of northwest Louisiana.

To the “Greatest Generation,” as Tom Brokaw labeled them, George Patton was a true American hero. Eighty years removed from the fleeting visit, many younger citizens may know nothing of the general unless they’ve seen the 1970 film “Patton” which won eight Oscars including Best Actor to George C. Scott, Best Picture, Best Director, and others.

Patton’s emphasis on hard-charging, aggressive action proved effective in operations across North Africa and Europe. His opponents in the German High Command regarded him highly. The 1970 movie helped popularize his image among later American generations.

But before America entered the war, the military trained for the conflict already underway in Europe and East Asia. And those war games helped Patton perfect his military tactics.

When World War II began in Europe in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt realized the Nazis posed a worldwide threat and worked to increase the size of the U.S. Army and to train more vigorously. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall wanted to develop ways to defeat Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics. Seeking the roughest terrain possible for training, he chose the Louisiana-Texas border area to be the site of large-scale military maneuvers, with Camp Beauregard in Pineville serving as the maneuver’s headquarters.

Maneuvers took place in Louisiana each year from 1940-1944, the largest and most well-known being the GHQ Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941 involving some 472,000 soldiers and support personnel, making it the “densest military concentration in United States history.” 

Military units from across the U.S. traveled to Louisiana to start the war games. Patton passed through Ruston with several thousand troops of his 2nd Armored Division on August 12, 1941. The museum’s photos show Patton visiting with some Ruston children as his troops enjoyed refreshments and swimming at the city pool.

The troops camped that night at Woodland Park, now Elmore Mayfield Park. Patton likely stayed somewhere other than a tent, opting for hotels whenever possible during the Louisiana maneuvers.

Newspaper coverage of Patton’s Ruston stop was brief and subdued. His celebrity had not yet captivated the nation.

Soldiers of the “Red” Army (160,000 troops) and the “Blue” Army (240,000 troops)—which included Patton’s men—maneuvered against each other throughout central and northwest Louisiana and partially through east Texas from mid to late September in wargame scenarios. 

While the main forces “battled” near Mansfield, George Patton slipped his tanks around the Red Army, sneaked away into east Texas, and made an end run to Shreveport, effectively ending the 1941 war games with the assumed capture of the opposition’s headquarters.

Stories abound about Patton during the Louisiana maneuvers, such as the time his troop column became stuck in a traffic jam in a small town. Famous for a fiery temper, Patton yelled and cursed at the men working to get the vehicles moving again when a priest conducting Mass emerged from a nearby church. When the priest told the general the foul language was interrupting the service, Patton respectively saluted him and left the area. Another story claims the wealthy Patton used his own money to buy all the gasoline from service stations south of Many so his opponent would run out of fuel. 

The Louisiana Maneuvers permanently affected how the U.S. Army fights. After encountering numerous problems in coordinating tanks with infantry, the army made changes. Patton and other generals supposedly met in the basement of Alexandria High School and drew up plans to create a new army unit organized around armored vehicles to fight the war in Europe.

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Grambling State President Rick Gallot was recently appointed to Governor John Bel Edwards commission on cyber security. 

Gallot was appointed to the Louisiana Cyber Security Commission and will serve at large. 

The Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission’s mission is to advance the State’s cyber ecosystem and position Louisiana as a national leader and preferred location for cyber business, education and research. 

The 15 member Commission is to identify, prioritize, and mitigate Louisiana’s cyber risk, promote cybersecurity awareness and promoting action including legislative, administrative and regulatory for the security of all Louisiana’s cyber ecosystem and ultimately the enhancement of cybersecurity in Louisiana.

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