There were no dams to be seen blocking Buc-ee’s from continuing forward in Ruston and Lincoln Parish after unanimous votes in both the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and the Lincoln Parish School Board on Tuesday night.
Mayor Ronny Walker addressed the LPPJ alongside Stan Beard, the director of real estate for Buc-ee’s, to answer questions regarding the building project as the city looks to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with CSMS Management, LLC, to bring the convenience store giant to Lincoln Parish. After a clarifying question from Mr. Joe Henderson of District 9 regarding taxes, the vote passed unanimously 12-0.
At the school board meeting, superintendent Ricky Durrett put forth the Buc-ee’s package to vote after Beard addressed the board before heading to the police jury meeting.
“We could not have found a better partner than Ruston and this school district,” Beard said to the school board. “We’re excited to be here.”
The school board then voted unanimously 11-0 in favor of continuing the project.
After passing through the appropriate civic bodies Tuesday, the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has extended an official welcome to Buc-ee’s as it will build its first store in Louisiana right here in Ruston.
“This is a great development for Lincoln Parish residents and visitors alike,” Eric McCulloch said, who serves as Chairman of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber Board of Directors. “We look forward to the I-20 travelers that will stop for the Buc-ee’s experience and then discover the unique offerings of Ruston-Lincoln Parish community. We’re excited to see the long-term benefits and positive impact of Buc-ee’s Ruston location.”
President and CEO of Ruston-Lincoln Chamber Will Dearmon echoed McCulloch’s excitement in a statement.
“Ruston’s strategic location along the I-20 corridor makes it the perfect choice for Buc-ee’s expansion into Louisiana, and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber is committed to supporting Buc-ee’s as they invest in this area,” Dearmon said. “I want to recognize the efforts by the City of Ruston, City Council members, and other key community partners who worked to bring this economic opportunity to Ruston. Buc-ee’s is sure to play an active role in the continued success and development of our local business community.”
Buc-ee’s is expected to be a $50 million project that is estimated to bring in 200 new jobs to Ruston among the potential for future economic windfalls such as more restaurants and other businesses. The travel center will be built off of Tarbutton Road on the north side of I-20 across from Ruston Junior High. The timeline is January of 2025.
Former Lincoln Parish Administrator Doug Postel (background) is pictured leaving Tuesday night’s LPPJ meeting after jurors voted 8-4 to not return him to the position. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
The cries of disbelief might still be echoing through the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center following Tuesday night’s Lincoln Parish Police Jury.
An overwhelming turnout of parish residents present at the meeting unanimously showed support for Lincoln Parish Administrator Doug Postel, with 14 of those publicly speaking prior to the vote — all in favor of Postel. The showing also included more than 20 parish employees from various areas who all stood at once in support of Postel preceding the vote.
Despite the one-side showing of support — and despite not a single citizen or juror saying anything negatively about Postel or his performance — the LPPJ voted 8-4 in favor of not re-appointing Postel for another year.
Voting in favor of retaining Postel were jurors T.J. Cranford, Logan Hunt, Matt Pullin and Glenn Scriber.
Those voting against bringing Postel back to the position he was given in the summer of 2020 to replace former Parish Administrator Courtney Hall were newly-reelected LPPJ President Richard Durrett and Vice President Milton Melton along with jurors Theresa Wyatt, Hazel Hunter, Skip Russell, Joe Henderson, Sharyon Mayfield, and Annette Straughter.
Russell initially abstained from the vote, drawing a vocal response from his constituents and other Postel supporters in attendance.
Upon hearing the negative response from the crowd, Russell asked if he could reconsider his vote and then firmly said “No!” as to his vote to renew Postel’s contract.
Postel then packed his belongings and left the meeting as a discussion of appointing Assistant Parish Administrator Kevin Klepzig as Interim Parish Administrator.
Ruston’s Lynne Gnemi led off the public comments portion of that discussion.
“Nobody here has the courage to tell us why you voted no,” Gnemi said. “There has not been one statement from all of you to support a no vote, and I am appalled.”
Ruston’s James Skinner tried to follow Gnemi but was cut off by parish attorney Lewis Jones, who said that portion of the meeting was to be only about discussion of potentially naming Assistant Administrator Kevin Klepzig as Interim Parish Administrator.
After further discussion, jurors voted to appoint Klepzig as Interim Administrator until a permanent Administrator is named. That motion passed with only Cranford and Hunt voting against it.
During additional public comments toward the end of the meeting, Ruston resident Lucius McGehee Jr. kicked things off by asking jurors to reconsider reappointing Postel to his previous position as Parish Administrator.
Ruston’s Randy Braddock then asked for a two-sentence response in public from all jurors who voted no on retaining Postel, starting with Durrett.
“This is a public comment period, not a question and answer period,” Durrett replied.
Braddock then asked Jones that “absent a ballot box, what recourse does the public, the voters, the citizens, the taxpayers, have in light of a decision such as this?”
Jones responded by saying “Nothing other than potentially filing recall petitions if you could get enough signatures. If not, wait for re-elections of these jurors.”
Chris Garriga then spoke for the second time on the night, saying that he felt sorry for the parish workers who had stood up earlier in the meeting to show their support for Postel.
“This is an embarrassment for our parish on what should be a record-setting day (after Jurors earlier in the meeting approved tax breaks to bring a Buc-ee’s to Ruston),” Garriga said. “I feel sorry for our workers who just stood in support of our administrator. You just slapped all of them in the face. And not one of you can do their job. Not one.
“You probably don’t even have keys to some of their offices to open them. It’s completely embarrassing from our public leadership. You can roll your eyes and do all you want, but I promise you, in 11 months some of you will not be sitting in those seats.”
District 4 resident Daniel Taylor told the jurors that many of them don’t listen to what their constituents say.
“The majority of you have proven you didn’t listen to what we say,” Taylor said. “You basically took the voice of everybody away tonight. And I can tell you tonight that we’re going to work to take your seats away from you for doing that.
“It was disgraceful what we witnessed tonight. Everybody in the room tonight that stood up was 100 percent in favor of Mr. Postel. And not one of you who voted against it listened to that. Instead you voted against it. And we will come after your seats. Fortunately, I live in a district with a representative who listens to us and our voices, so I’ll support that. But I’ll work in your districts to take your seats.”
Before the meeting was abruptly adjourned, Hunt asked Durrett and other fellow jurors why they voted against returning Postel to his position.
“I will not comment,” said Durrett, who quickly adjourned the meeting without a motion to do so.
Durrett was once again asked after the meeting by the LPJ why he voted against Postel.
“It’s a personnel matter, and I won’t comment on it,” Durrett said.
Melton was also asked one on one following the meeting why he voted Postel out.
“No comment,” said Melton.
After the meeting Russell admitted he kind of straddled the fence on the Postel situation.
“I did, because originally, I was opposed to the things that were going on in the office and I have some things that concern me,” Russell said. “But even after all of this, I’m willing to sit down and talk about it without getting so emotional. I realize it was a tough deal for a nice, nice gentleman. I realize that.”
Postel spoke to the Lincoln Parish Journal after he left the formal meeting.
“It is obvious that a majority of Lincoln Parish Police jurors do not care anything about the voice, their constituents, or the people of Lincoln Parish,” Postel said. “I was very touched by the outpouring of support on my behalf by both members of the community and by the employees who showed up, as well. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of this parish as their administrator.
“We’ve accomplished great things over the past two-and-a-half years and it is my prayer that our wonderful employees continue the work we started.”
Tuesday night was certainly… something for the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, a publicly elected-entity that has already been cast into quite a negative light for some time now.
With eight “no” votes on renewing Doug Postel’s role as the LPPJ administrator for a one-year contract, a packed room of parish residents at the Library Event Center expressed the raw emotion and tension of what was clearly an unpopular vote result with the attending public.
A quick note: I want to be transparent (a word I’ll be using often here) that I have known Doug Postel for quite some time as a friend, and his son Chandler served faithfully for five years on our broadcast crew for Ruston High football.
Tuesday night’s LPPJ meeting saw numerous community members come to the microphone during the public comment section with the courage to address members of the jury. Every single person spoke in favor of Mr. Postel’s being renewed.
After the public comment time had finished, the jury had the chance to address the room prior to the vote. Four jurors spoke to the specific reasons as to why they were voting in favor of the reappointment of Mr. Postel.
Juror Logan Hunt followed with a very public appeal to the any members of the police jury to speak up and explain their rationale for their upcoming votes.
And in an incredibly impactful and weighty moment for the residents of Lincoln Parish, there was only a deafening silence from remaining members of its police jury.
That silence has plagued this elected body for months now. Be it the fire and ambulance/rescue issues or the back-biting politics, there has been a consistent lack of transparent communication from a majority of jury members in regards to these important matters.
I want to be clear here: jury members have the right to vote how they see fit, and I will not write an opinion piece that calls to rob them of that right.
A pillar of democracy is that elected officials vote in ways that represent their constituents regardless of the temperature or mood of the room in which the vote is happening. That is a serious weight, and every member of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury carries that weight on behalf of the residents. It’s not something that I or any of us should take lightly, and I applaud them for carrying that, regardless of how they vote on matters.
But an equally important pillar — nay, the cornerstone– of democracy is transparency from those same elected officials. And when they had the chance — numerous chances — to speak clearly on the reason and rationale for dismissing Mr. Postel, there was only the silence from the “no” voters in the time allotted.
We have nothing on record from the jury for understanding why Mr. Postel was not renewed. We have tried at the Lincoln Parish Journal to get concrete information on record many times, and we have been stone-walled by the jury leadership. Anything negative that we have is hearsay or secondhand, and we refuse to stoop to rumor for the sake of sensational reporting. If there was a “there” there, tonight was the time to shed the light.
And yet, silence and darkness.
What is on record comes from multiple sources publicly accounting their working relationship with Mr. Postel on behalf of the police jury. Citizens from businessmen to Parish workers. These people went on record and in the light to give their firsthand accounts.
But it was all to no avail: the roll call vote ended with four yes’s and eight no’s. Mr. Postel collected his belongings and walked away. And just like that, it was on to the next agenda item.
As the meeting went on, the frustrated crowd kept appealing to jury members to explain their votes on Mr. Postel. And as you can already guess: nothing.
For the proverbial icing on the cake, the meeting was adjourned without a motion, breaking process that we, the people, of Lincoln Parish depend on for this police jury to function. More silence on a night where clear answers could have been brought to the light.
Reader and resident, you deserve better from elected officials. Better communication and a clear rationale for such powerful votes.
Because without transparency in local government, the public is left angry and confused. I saw that firsthand in action last night.
We focus so much on national and even statewide politics in our general discourse, but at the end of the day, your city council, school board, and police jury will have a powerful impact on your day-to-day life. Far more than Washington or even Baton Rouge.
I promise you know what the Biden administration has done wrong this week or what Republican in the House of Representatives in D.C. did that made you angry. But do you know who represents you on the school board? How about what district your address is in for the sake of a police jury election? When amendments are up for vote, do you understand the consequences? I find myself guilty of this at times when I go to the polls to cast my vote.
For readers here, know this: your voice and vote in local elections is more critical than ever. An informed public is yet another pillar of a working democracy, and we have to be that to prevent another silent night from the police jury or any other elected body or official at the local level.
The death of democracy is done by politicians in the darkness away from public input and scrutiny. When it’s time to cast ballots in the future, remember that when you choose who will represent you and your community’s interests.
Richard Durrett (left) and Milton Melton (right) were re-elected as LPPJ President and Vice President.
By Malcolm Butler
Richard Durrett and Milton Melton were both re-elected as President and Vice President of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury during Tuesday night’s meeting at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.
Before a packed house, Durrett was re-elected by a 7-5 vote while Melton was re-elected by an 8-4 vote. They both will serve for the 2023 year.
Glenn Scriber was nominated to run against Durrett for President by police juror Logan Hunt.
However, the roll call vote was done by individual and Durrett received seven of the 12 votes. Those voting for Durrett included Durrett, Melton, Skip Russell, Sharyon Mayfield, Theresa Wyatt, Hazel Hunter and Joe Henderson. Those voting against Durrett were Logan Hunt, TJ Cranford, Scriber, Matt Pullin and Annette Straughter.
Following the vote for President, the re-election for Vice President took place with Durrett nominating Melton and Cranford nominating Scriber. Those voting for Melton were Durrett, Melton, Russell, Mayfield, Wyatt, Hunter, Henderson and Straughter. Those voting against him were Hunt, Cranford, Scriber and Pullin.
Prior to the vote and during the public comments portion of the meeting, Rick Godley and Chris Garriga both addressed the concerns over how the past year saw unrest and lack of communication and transparency under the current leadership during the fire and ambulance/rescue issues surrounding Lincoln Parish.
Godley went as far as to insinuate possible corrupt behavior existed within the police jury in regards to the fire and ambulance/rescue situation, citing the fact that members of the police jury outside of the two officers did not know about the City’s $120,000 offer when it was on the table.
“It’s my understanding that this full jury did not know about the $120,000 offer from the city back in May,” said Godley. “That information was withheld from all of you. That $120,000 offer was refused by someone on this jury. That nullified the offer. A counter offer from the city was put forth and the amount was more at which time (the police jury) rejected the city’s offer and began to search alternatives.”
By the time the full jury knew of an offer, the city had researched the actual cost of the services and had countered with $645,000 — more than five times the original offer. When police juror Logan Hunt asked Durrett during the July meeting about why the jury didn’t know about the initial offer, Durrett told him, “I can’t answer that right now. I’ll be glad after the meeting to discuss it with you.”
According to Hunt, Durrett never offered an explanation.
Godley continued.
“The definition of malfeasance is intentionally doing something either legally or morally wrong which no one has the right to do,” he said. “It always involves dishonesty, illegality or knowingly exceeding authority for improper reasons.
“Once all of you found out about this some of you apologized and wanted to go on record changing your position which is a noble gesture. Those of you who did nothing with this information are now complicit with the one who committed malfeasance lest of all failing in your position as stewards of your constituents of this parish.”
Garriga followed Godley’s comments with his own.
“We had a lot of issues over the last 18 months stemming from the ambulance and fire issue,” said Garriga. “I think it’s time for a middle of the road type of person (as President). I think we need someone who can hear both sides and make a decision based on that. I would ask that the entire jury think about where we sit today and the last 18 months and how many people were in these packed (police jury) meetings.
“I think with the right leadership (the fire and ambulance/rescue) should have been taken care of within 30 days. I would ask that you put your personal vendettas and your personal agendas aside and do what is right for our community. As you can see our community is here once again because they probably don’t like what is going on today or what has been going on. I hope that you can make some good decisions for our community and not for your personal agendas.”
Immediately following the comments by both men, the police jury voted to re-elect Durrett and Melton for another year.
Pictured is Lincoln Parish Schools Superintendent Ricky Durrett (left) and LPSB President Joe Mitcham during Monday night’s school board meeting. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
That seemed to be the position for the Lincoln Parish School Board Tuesday night as it voted to return President Joe Mitcham and Vice Presdient Linda Henderson to their respective positions heading up the LPSB.
The officers vote was held after LPSB members were sworn into office as a group during the meeting held before a packed house at the Lincoln Parish Schools’ Central Office meeting room.
Both Mitcham and Henderson were the sole nominees for each position and were both unanimously reappointed to the offices.
The big news of the meeting was the LPSB officially approving a tax incentive plan to bring a Buc-ee’s travel center to Ruston, but the meeting began with the recognition of parish Students, Teachers and Principals of the Year.
Tristan Smith of Cypress Springs Elementary School, Harper Anderson of A.E. Phillips Middle School and Lauryn Vernon of Simsboro High School were honored as Students of the Year. Mallori Moody of CSE was named the New Elementary Teacher of the Year and Abigail Ambrose of Ruston Junior High was named the New Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Lauren Casey was named the Early Childhood Education Teacher of the Year, Simsboro’s Paige Smith was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, Adam Novak was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year and Jill Sutton of Ruston was tabbed as High School Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer Martin of Choudrant earned Elementary Principal of the Year accolades while Keisha Douglas of RJHS was named Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Ruston High’s basketball squads both took down West Monroe Tuesday night in their respective District 2-5A openers at home with the girls winning the first game 55-35 and the top-ranked boys taking the second game 65-41.
After a close game midway through the second quarter, the Lady Bearcats began to pull away and outscored the Lady Rebels 28-14 in the second half to get the win.
“I’m proud of the effort put forth tonight and the progress that’s been made by this group,” Lady Bearcat head coach Meredith Graf said. “They are working hard and doing the little things right to put themselves in position to have success. We will enjoy this one tonight and turn the page to Ouachita for Friday.”
Junior Jaliyah McWain led Ruston in scoring with 21 points overall, while sophomore Kiersynce McNeal added 11 points.
On the boys side, the Bearcats led 32-23 at halftime and held West Monroe to only 18 points in the second half.
“I’m proud of the players,” Bearcat head coach Ryan Bond said. “West Monroe played hard throughout. Our guys had to earn everything. District is a new season. Teams are going to give us their best shot every night.”
Sophomore Aidan Anding finished with 16 points to lead the Bearcats in scoring, while senior Braylan McNeal totaled 13.
Both teams return to action Friday night at home against Ouachita to continue district play.
A traffic stop by a Lincoln Parish deputy sheriff ended with the arrest of a 28-year-old man on drug and weapon charges.
Lemarco Lee Walker of Ruston was stopped on U.S. Highway 80 near Grambling Monday morning for speeding. When an officer approached the driver, a strong odor of raw marijuana was detected. Walker admitted he and the passengers had been smoking marijuana.
A search of the vehicle revealed a bag under the driver’s seat. A .40 caliber pistol was found between the driver’s seat and the console. Digital scales were recovered inside the console.
A records check on a passenger, D’mario R. Jenkins, 36, of Ruston indicated he was wanted for failure to appear in Ruston City Court. When Jenkins was searched, a bag of marijuana was found in his pocket.
Walker was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a controlled substance felony, and speeding 67 in a 55 mph zone. His bail amount was not immediately available.
Jenkins was booked for possession of marijuana and the bench warrant. 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.
Connor Norris (2) helped lead the Cougars to a 75-52 win over Claiborne Christian Tuesday night. (Photo by Darrell James)
By Malcolm Butler
Jack Echols hit six three-pointers and scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Cougars to 75-52 win over Claiborne Christian Tuesday night at the Brickhouse.
Allie Furr scored 25 points and recorded nine steals to help the Lady Cougars avenge an earlier season loss to Claiborne Christian with a dominating 64-22 win.
Creek will host Ouachita Christian Friday at 6 p.m. at the Brickhouse in District 2-1A action.
_______________________________
Cougars 75, Claiborne Christian 52
Echols started his three-point barrage in the first quarter, connecting on a pair of them to help the Cougars (7-9) build an early 16-9 advantage over Claiborne Christian, a team that Creek defeated 68-67 back in November.
Echols continued his assault from the perimeter in the second quarter, hitting three more and scoring 11 points as the Cougars outscored Claiborne Christian 17-10 to take a 33-19 lead into halftime.
The second half saw Connor Norris and Carter Hill provide much of the Cougars offense, combining for 23 points over the final two quarters of play. Norris scored six in the third quarter while Brian Osborne scored seven to lead Creek to a 22-14 advantage in the frame and a 55-33 lead after three.
Hill netted eight points in the final stanza while Norris scored five as Creek rolled to the easy win.
Hill scored 16 points and Norris added 14 points in the victory.
Creek was 19-of-31 from the free throw line in the win.
________________________________
Lady Cougars 64, Claiborne Christian 22
More than a month ago, Claiborne Christian beat the Lady Cougars 53-49 in Monroe.
Talk about a different ball game Tuesday night at the Brickhouse.
Allie Furr scored 25 points and recorded nine steals and the Lady Cougars (13-4) boat-raced Claiborne Christian 64-22 in a game that saw Creek outscore their opponent 34-6 in the second half.
Furr scored seven points and Olivia Underwood hit a three-pointer in the first quarter as Creek held a slim 14-11 advantage after the opening eight minutes of action.
The second quarter saw the Lady Cougars start to pull away as Furr netted 11 points and Underwood hit her second three-pointer of the ballgame to give Creek a 30-16 halftime lead.
Creek outscored Claiborne Christian 20-3 in the third quarter and 14-3 in the fourth quarter to coast to the win. Furr (7 points) and Lillian Soto (6 points) led the way in the third quarter while Mallory Smith scored seven points in the final period.
Lizzie McAdams added nine points and seven rebounds in the win while Lillian Soto led the team with nine rebounds.
There is still a “t” or two to cross, but if Buc-ee’s comes to Ruston and Tarbutton Road as most hope, the next generation of Lincoln Parish children will be more spoiled than the generation who were on the good end of the transition from outhouses and Sears and Roebuck catalogs to indoor plumbing and toilet paper.
I can hear a kid 10 years from now: “Paris? Rome? Waikiki? Man, that don’t impress me much. My momma used to change my diaper in Buc-ee’s. BUC-EE’S, bro! I grew up there. I grew up in there.”
No way can you adequately convey what a Buc-ee’s is and isn’t. But one trip and you will never forget it.
The more I’ve heard about this newest enterprise, the more I’ve imagined the famous monologue by James Earl Jones in W.P. Kinsella’s brilliantly conceived Field of Dreams in 1989, the scene that shows his character convincing Ray, the owner of the baseball and corn fields and Kevin Costner’s character, not to sell his land, even though the bank plans to foreclose the next morning. In the Ruston re-make, the setting is Tarbutton Road’s northwest corner by I-20, Ray is Ruston and Jones is Jones and Mark is the brother-in-law representing the bank, in this case a Buc-ee’s non-believer.
JAMES EARL JONES: “Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Buc-ee’s in Ruston for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up into the store, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive to get a selfie made with the giant wooden buck-tooth beaver, innocent as children, longing for the past — and maybe for some Buc-ee’s Barbecue Rub or Steak Seasoning, gluten-free if needed.
“‘Of course, we won’t mind if you look around,’ you’ll say. ‘You just need to buy some gas, or maybe a smoker or a onesie pajama bear suit or a dozen shoe charms or icebox magnets.’ They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have, and peace they lack. Peace, and some Buc-ee’s Fruit Sours.”
MARK: “Ray, this is going to hurt the town more than help. We can’t waste this land. It’s obvious that … “
JONES: “And they’ll walk out to the Nut Wall, just gaze as they did when they were children when they cheered their heroes, which were either Planters salted or unsalted, except here they are overwhelmed by Beaver Nugget Sweet Corn Puff and Butter Toffee and Honey Toasted and Pina Colada Pecans and that’s only the tip of the nutberg — and it’ll be as if they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces …”
MARK: “Ray what Ruston needs is another Mexican restaurant. It’s as plain as that cup of Dippin’ Dots you’re holding … “
JONES: “People will come, Ray.”
MARK: “We need money, we have this tremendous asset of location and land, and we’re putting it on a joint that sells tie dye drink glasses and T-shirts that say stuff like ‘I Paused My Game to Be Here’ and ‘I’m Into Fitness. Fit’ness Taco In My Mouth’?”
JONES: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. Well, that and consumerism. And free enterprise. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a brisket at a tailgate barbecue, rebuilt, and erased again. But it’s jerky that has marked the time — the Bohemian garlic flavor, mesquite, lemon pepper, Teriyaki … it’s salt water taffy in a resealable bag and a pink imitation leather cosmetic case that reads, ‘Just a Girl Who Loves Beavers,’ and mostly it’s that Buc-ee’s sign taller than Wyly Tower or Mount Driscoll and that Giant Magnetic Beaver, whose Siren Song draws tourists to these clean bathrooms like tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches draw Protestant country folk. It’s consumerism that has marked the time, Ray. The hope of this store, this sort of Giant Jerky Wall joint, this heaven of dessert-in-a-plastic-case-to-go, this wellspring of emotion overload, this ‘game’ — it’s part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.
“Ohhhhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”
A Cartwright man was arrested Monday afternoon after he reportedly gave a false name to avoid arrest on outstanding warrants.
A deputy with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker on Crocker Road about 1:30 p.m. The license plate also did not match the truck’s description. The driver said he had just purchased it and had not been able to get it registered.
During a search, a bag of suspected methamphetamine was found between the passenger seat and the console where the passenger who identified himself as Rick Peacock had been sitting. Peacock admitted ownership of the methamphetamine.
Peacock was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, giving a different name at that time. He admitted giving a false name because of warrants with the West Monroe Police Department. He provided his correct name of Aaron Douglas Heacock, 54.
Heacock was booked for possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer by providing false information, and the failure to appear warrant.
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.
The Tech Police are requesting assistance from the Tech community for any information related to the Dec. 31 damage to the windows of the Engineering and Science Building. Police know that a firearm was used to cause the damage to the windows.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall, with slender build and dark hair. He was last seen driving what is believed to be a 2010-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, blue in color, with a luggage rack and sunroof.
Any persons having information relative to this case should contact the Tech Police at 257.4018, or using the SafeDog app to send an anonymous tip. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 255.1111.
The entire 2023 schedule for Louisiana Tech Football has been finalized as Conference USA released the eight-game league slate on Tuesday.
Along with four non-conference games, LA Tech will play four C-USA contests at home against FIU, WKU, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston as well as four on the road versus UTEP, Middle Tennessee, Liberty, and Jacksonville State.
The 122nd season of LA Tech Football will officially kickoff on Aug. 26 when the Bulldogs play host to FIU inside Joe Aillet Stadium, the first of six home games. The week zero conference showdown will tie for the earliest season opener in program history.
The Bulldogs will then play the next four games against non-conference opponents, starting with a trip to Dallas to face SMU on Sept. 2. That will be followed by back-to-back games in The Joe versus Northwestern State (Sept. 9) and North Texas (Sept. 16).
Non-conference play concludes on Sept. 23 as LA Tech visits Nebraska. The matchup will mark the 25th anniversary of Troy Edwards setting the NCAA single-game receiving yardage record against the Huskers.
LA Tech jumps back into conference for the remainder of the season. They will travel to El Paso, Texas to face UTEP on Sept. 29 for a Friday night showdown.
All three games in the month of October will also be midweeks as part of the new C-USA media rights deal. The Bulldogs will host WKU on Oct. 5, play at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 10, and face New Mexico State in Ruston on Oct. 24.
LA Tech makes its first ever trip to Lynchburg, Virginia for its inaugural contest with Liberty on Nov. 4, followed by the Bulldogs home finale on Nov. 11 versus New Mexico State.
The regular season concludes at Jacksonville State on Nov. 18.
It is important to note that all games are subject to date changes and some dates could be moved in order to accommodate national television. A schedule of televised games, as well as kickoff times and promotional schedules, will be released at a later date.
Louisiana Tech’s School of Design has three exhibitions and three artists talk and reception events scheduled for Winter Quarter.
An exhibition of the work of H. Jennings Sheffield and Chris Ireland, Inherited Moments, opens today and runs through Feb. 14 in the Elizabeth Bethea Gallery in the F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center, 1 Mayfield Drive on campus.
An exhibition from artist Tamrin Ingram, Fell This Land, runs concurrently with the Sheffield-Ireland exhibition.
The Artist Talk & Reception for the Sheffield and Ireland exhibition is from 5-7 p.m. today at the Visual Arts Center.
The Artist Talk & Reception for the Ingram exhibition is from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Visual Arts Center.All events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Through their alternative approaches, Chris Ireland of Ohio and H. Jennings Sheffield of Virginia utilize familial imagery to convey both the intimacy and diverse roles and relationships individuals play within a family unit. These roles can create contrasting moments ranging from the mundane to chaotic.
The work of Ingram, a Louisiana native, uses the power of myth and storytelling to explore the impact of rural pesticide pollution on the environment and those living within it.
For more information, contact Director of SOD Galleries Brooke Cassady 318.257.3910, 318.257.5468, or bcassady@latech.edu.
Broderick Fobbs is departing Ruston High to join the ULM coaching staff.
By T. Scott Boatright
The college football coaching merry-go-round is in full swing.
And making impacts in Lincoln and Ouachita Parishes.
Reports say that the University of Louisiana-Monroe is set to hire Broderick Fobbs, the former Grambling State University head coach who spent last season as volunteer running backs coach at Ruston High School.
It will be a Homecoming of sorts for Fobbs, a Carroll High School graduate whose parents still live in Monroe, his father Lee’s hometown.
Fobbs will fill the void as running backs coach at ULM. Tony Hull was running backs coach at ULM last season but is reportedly set to be named offensive coordinator at Grambling State under second-year head coach Hue Jackson.
As head coach at Grambling State, Fobbs guided the Tigers to a 54-32 overall record, including two Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships, two Celebration Bowl appearances and a Black College Football National Championship. He was also a three-time SWAC Coach of the Year.
Fobbs, who grew up as a part of the Grambling State football program when his father Lee Fobbs was a graduate assistant coach there in the 1970s, was removed as head coach of the G-Men in November of 2021, shortly before GSU’s final game of that season against Southern at the Bayou Classic at the New Orleans Superdome.
As his father was before him, Fobbs was a Grambling running back under the legendary Eddie G. Robinson from 1992-96. Fobbs’ father also spent time as head coach at his prep alma mater — Carroll High School in Monroe, where the younger Fobbs spent his high school years and graduated from before moving on to play for the G-Men.
After kicking off his coaching career on the high school level, Fobbs first worked as a college coach as a graduate assistant for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette with then-head coach Jerry Baldwin, current pastor of New Living Word Ministries in Ruston.
Fobbs coached at Northwestern State from 2002-07 and went to Lake Charles to coach at McNeese State University. He spent a season at Southern Mississippi as wide receivers coach before returning to McNeese to coach tight ends for the Cowboys.
At Ruston last season Fobbs coached running back Dyson Fields, who earned Class 5A honorable mention despite struggling with injuries throughout the season, as well as up-and-coming Bearcats sophomore running back Jordan Hayes, who filled in admirably for the Bearcats during Fields’ absence, including rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns during Ruston’s 48-7 Homecoming win over West Ouachita.
Hull, a former standout at Louisiana-Lafayette, worked for NASA before entering the coaching ranks. He was associate head coach and running backs coach at Kansas from 2016-19 and as the co-offensive coordinator and inside receivers coach at Hawai’i in 2020.
At Kansas, Hull coached Pooka Williams Jr., who many Ruston High football fans will remember rushing for 303 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-21 Class 5A quarterfinals win over the Bearcats at L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium.
Under Hull’s guidance at Kansas Williams recorded consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2018 and 2019, a feat that had only been accomplished once before in Kansas football history by James Sims in 2012 and 2013.
At Kansas, Williams earned second-team All-America and first-team Freshman All-America honors in 2018, compiling a total of 1,125 yards, eighth best in KU single-season history, and ranking sixth in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with 150.9 all-purpose yards per game. The Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Williams led the Big 12 in kick returns and his 1,660 all-purpose yards rank third on the Wildcats’ single-season list.
Williams went on to become the first Kansas offensive player to earn first-team honors since KU joined the Big 12, and only the second Jayhawk ever to earn first-team recognition in back-to-back seasons.
At Kansas, Hull also coached running back Khalil Herbert, who currently plays for the Chicago Bears after being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Bears.
Hull also served as head coach at Warren Easton High School in 2007, which was that school’s first season playing football following Hurricane Katrina.
At Warren Easton Hull guided the Eagles to playoffs in seven of his nine seasons, including a state championship game appearance in 2014 and a state semifinals berth in 2015.
Last season former Louisiana Tech and NFL running back John Simon served as offensive coordinator for Grambling after initially signing on Jackson’s initial GSU staff as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.
But on Feb. 28 of last year, four days after being announced as offensive coordinator at GSU, former Baylor head coach Art Briles resigned from Jackson’s staff following a firestorm of controversy because of Briles’ history, which including being fired from Baylor after a legal review board determined that Briles and his staff failed to properly handle Title IX issues on his team.
That left Grambling without an offensive coordinator with spring football workouts drawing near, leading Jackson to tab Simon to take over additional duties as GSU’s offensive coordinator.
Craig Moss is passionate about the youth of our community.
Moss, the owner and operator of The Zone of Ruston and Bandit Axe, has been working with area youngsters in a number of areas for years.
The Louisiana Tech graduate has served as a junior high and high school track and field and cross country coach in the area while also working closely with the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
And in his “spare time” he runs his own business.
Moss opened The Zone of Ruston in 2011 and then added Bandit Axe as part of the facility and business in the spring of 2021.
Located at 5131 Hwy 167 just north of the Ruston city limits (close to Vienna), The Zone of Ruston is a 15,000 square foot facility that allows natural light while providing a UV inhibitor and provides the space, equipment and resources for people of all ages to train in a variety of areas.
The facility includes four batting cages as well as pitching lanes and a complete infield.
Bottom line it’s the perfect place for area youngsters (and even college students and adults) to find instruction in an athletic realm.
“It’s all about the young athletes,” said Moss. “We train young people in a variety of areas, including speed and agility. We have seen phenomenal results over the years. We are results oriented. Our goal is to build confidence in our young athletes. We train them to understand their bodies as well as how diet and hydration play such a key role.
“We are good at what we do. I believe in giving people a great product for a great price.”
Not only does Moss provide much of the instruction, but a number of local college athletes (both baseball and softball) also teach lessons at The Zone of Ruston.
“We have brought our daughter to Craig for agility training for a few months now,” said Justin Kavalir. “Craig has a wealth of sports knowledge and expertise and the results have been immediate. Beyond that and more important to me, Craig is a steadfast Christian, incredibly encouraging, and always upbeat for a workout. I highly recommend him and the Zone.”
In the spring of 2021, Craig added Bandit Axe to The Zone of Ruston. Bandit Axe is the only axe house affiliated with the World Axe Throwing League (WATL).
Bandit Axe offers 12 throwing lanes in a family-friendly environment perfect for dates, birthday parties, group outings, team bondings, and all kinds of celebrations. Each booked event includes a personal coach that will teach participants how to throw axes, ninja stars, saw blades, tomahawks, knives, machetes and more.
“It’s a great place to have a lot of fun,” said Moss. “We cater to families. We cater to children. We cater to groups … church groups, business groups. You name it. We have done several team building events that have gone incredibly well. It’s fun activities for everyone.”
For more information on The Zone of Ruston and/or Bandit Axe or to book events or lessons, call 318-254-1111.
Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital
1401 Ezell Street
Ruston, LA 71270
318-251-3126
Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital is a multi-faceted health facility in our community that specializes in the treatment of a wide-range of health issues.
Certified by the Joint Commission, a national accredited agency, Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital provides a continuation of hospital level care for medically complex patients that may or may not tolerate intensive physical therapy.
It specializes in the treatment of:
Respiratory Failure
Ventilator Dependence
Wound Management
Post ICU
Post Trauma
Post Surgery Care/Complications
Debility
Acute Infections
Exacerbation of Chronic Illness
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It’s long-term acute care facility provides:
In-house pharmacy
On-site Diagnostic Services
Medically Complex Care
ICU Rooms
Ventilator Weaning
Complex Respiratory Care
Advanced Wound Care
On-Site Dialysis
Daily Physician Intervention
Telemetry Monitoring
IV Antibiotic Therapy
Nutrition and Dietary Management
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy, Vital Stim
Case Management/Discharge Planning
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Within their Rehabilitation Unit, they provide comprehensive and individualized inpatient rehabilitation for:
Muscular Distrophy and other Neurological Conditions
Cardiac and Respiratory Illness
Joint Replacement
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Orthopedic Conditions
Their treatment team will evaluate and customize a plan to maximize recovery, including medical management, bowel/bladder management, nutrition/swallowing, mobility, self-care/ADLS cognition/communication and vital stim.
The Lady Techsters host North Texas tonight at 6 p.m. inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
The contest can be heard on 97.7 FM with Kyle Roberts providing a call of the action.
Louisiana Tech (9-6, 2-3 C-USA) has alternated wins and losses in their last eight contests after dropping the season series to UTEP in El Paso last week, 72-66.
Keiunna Walker, Salma Bates, and Amaya Brannon each reached double figures in both games last week. Walker posted a season-high 26 against Rice followed by 24 at UTEP and now sits at No. 16 on the all-time scoring list with 1,646 points.
Brannon has hit double-figure scoring in four straight, while Bates has scored in double-figures in three of her last four.
Tech is looking to win No. 599 all-time in Ruston.
North Texas (4-10, 1-3 C-USA) comes into Ruston having picked up three of their four wins in the non-conference slate but has recorded just a 1-7 record on the road this season. After dropping their first two C-USA contests, North Texas beat WKU in Denton (84-76) before falling to Middle Tennessee in their last outing. UNT was selected fifth in the C-USA Preseason Poll.
On the floor, UNT is led by last season’s C-USA Preseason Player of the Year, Quincy Noble. Noble, a 5-10 senior guard from McKinney, Texas, is leading C-USA in scoring at 18.2 ppg on .458 shooting, including .364 from three and .846 from the free throw line.
Wednesday’s matchup will be the 20th overall meeting between the Techsters and the Mean Green. Tech leads the overall series 15-4 and holds a 7-2 advantage in Ruston.
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Bulldogs at North Texas
The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team returns to the Lone Star State to face North Texas tonight at 7 p.m. at The Super Pit. It marks the fourth trip to the state of Texas for the Bulldogs this season, and the contest can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler and Jack Thigpen providing the call of the action.
LA Tech (10-6, 3-2) hung on for a 60-58 victory over UTEP this past Saturday in Ruston. The Bulldogs had the lead for almost 35 minutes, building as much as a 10-point lead on three different occasions, but needed one final defensive stop at the end to split the season series with the Miners.
The win came despite the Bulldogs putting up their second fewest points of the season. Defensively, they forced 18 turnovers while generating 12 steals and eight blocks (both tying season highs). Nine different players recorded at least one steal (first time that has happened since Nov. 15, 2021 versus Jarvis Christian) while Kenny Hunter tallied a career-high four blocks.
The Bulldogs are growing accustomed to playing close games. The last three have been decided by one possession or in overtime (first time that has happened since 2020). Eight of LA Tech’s 16 games so far this season have been decided by six points or less with LA Tech going 4-4 in those contests.
North Texas (13-3, 4-1) is riding a three-game winning streak and have won eight of its last nine games. The Mean Green are currently second in the conference standings with a 4-1 mark, their only loss coming against league leader Florida Atlantic.
The Mean Green are coming off a 56-51 road victory against Middle Tennessee, a game in which they overcame a 19-point deficit to win. They held the Blue Raiders to just 16 points over the final 26 minutes of the contest.
Per usual, North Texas features one of the best defenses in the country. The Mean Green rank third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 52.9 points per game. Only twice this season has an opponent scored over 60 points against them. In four of the last five seasons, UNT has ranked in the top 20 in the country in scoring defense.
LA Tech leads the all-time series with North Texas, 28-15. The 43 meetings is the most of any C-USA opponent for the Bulldogs who snapped their four-game losing stream to the Mean Green in the C-USA Tournament semifinals last season, winning 42-36 to advance to the championship. It was the lowest combined scoring game in C-USA Tournament history.
If history repeats itself, LA Tech and North Texas are destined for a close game Wednesday. Over the last five seasons, 11 of the 12 games between the two have been decided by seven points or less (and five of the 12 have been decided by two points or less). Each team has won six games during this span.
John Price (left) is this week’s winner of the NFL Pickem with a 9-1 record. He is with 511 sales rep Garrett Corken.
It took 18 weeks but we finally had our first repeat winner of the Karl Malone Toyota NFL Pickem Contest presented by 511 and Black Rifle Coffee Company.
John Price, who also won Week 12, posted a 9-1 record and took home the $150 of cash and prizes.
We want to thank everyone who participated in the NFL Pickem Contest this year. We had a ton of participation and we hope everyone enjoyed it.
The Lincoln Parish Journal also wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota and 511 and Black Rifle Coffee for partnering with us as the naming rights sponsors for the contest!
Trinity United Methodist Church of Ruston is finding new ways to reach the community in regard to how the congregation serves and how members spread the word of God. One way this church reaches the community is through different lecture series each year. This year’s offering, which the church is opening to the public, is the Laskey Lecture Series with Dr. Sandra Richter.
Created by Virginia Laskey, the lecture series brings in dynamic speakers with a variety of topics including politics, spirituality, arts, the environment, and much more.
Three FREE sessions will be taught by Dr. Sandra Richter to speak on the bible’s Old Testament on Saturday, Jan. 21 beginning at 10 am until 4 pm. Dr. Richter is a leading expert on Old Testament knowledge. She will convey a complex understanding of culture, archeology, and language to the listeners in a way they can understand. She will address leadership and hope through examining the life of Debra in the Book of Judges.
Attendees will receive complimentary childcare services.
Other offerings to the community include regular Sunday worship and bible studies throughout the week. The congregation also invests in children and youth as they are the future. They also feed the community, which is a big part of the church’s mission because there is such a big need for feeding programs.
More recently, our outreach committee is exploring new and innovative ways we can fight hunger in the Ruston community and beyond
Harvey Michael Houck was born on April 8, 1962, to Alvia Houck and Viola Domangue Houck in Bernice, LA, and passed from this life on January 7, 2023, in Haynesville, Louisiana.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Olen Alvia Houck and Viola Domangue Houck; two brothers, James Alvia Houck and Johnnie Frank Houck, and two sisters, Charlotte Houck Delony and Christine Ann Houck.
He is survived by three sisters, Brenda Houck Grafton and husband, Donny; Patsy Houck Roden and husband, Carrol; Cindy Houck Hockenjos and husband Spooky; and one brother, Ricky Houck and wife, Ann. He also leaves behind loving nieces and nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Give ‘Em Jesus Ministry, P.O. Box 2774, Ruston, LA 71273, or www.giveemjesus.org.
The family will receive friends in The Harmony Chapel Fellowship Hall on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 9:00 A.M. until service time. Graveside Service will be Thursday, at 10:00 A.M., at Harmony Chapel Cemetery, Hico, LA, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home – Ruston.
Leroy Ray Minnifield, Jr. Sunday 01/12/1941 — Friday 01/06/2023 Celebration of Life: Wednesday 01/11/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Wednesday 01/11/2023 Following Service at St. Rest Cemetery, 209 Walker Road, Choudrant
Jimmy B Green February 26, 1936 – January 8, 2023 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Dubach, Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: First Baptist Church, Dubach, Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Hamilton Cemetery, Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Stan Beard, director of real estate development for Buc-ee’s, is pictured speaking during Monday night’s Ruston City Council meeting. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
The road toward bringing a Buc-ee’s travel center to Ruston came one step closer Monday night as the Ruston City Council agreed to a tax incentive plan that will help make that happen during its January meeting at City Hall.
The company is investing more than $50 million of capital expenditures into the project.
Plans are for the travel center to encompass 53,000 square feet, with 120 gas pumps. It is also expected to create a minimum of 200 full-time jobs with starting pay beginning at $16 per hour with full benefits including health insurance, three weeks of time paid off and company-matching 401-K retirement benefits.
The next steps in the process are similar discussions and voting to be held during monthly meetings held by the Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury.
Ruston’s Board of Aldermen were also sworn in for their new terms by Judge Bruce Hampton with Councilwoman Angela Mayfield being unanimously voted in as Mayor pro tempore after being the only person nominated for the role.
Alderman Melanie Lewis was the lone Council member not in attendance for Monday’s meeting.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said the Buc-ee’s project had been in planning and negotiating stages for three years and called it tremendous for the city and surrounding area.
“We are so grateful that Buc-ee’s has decided to locate its first travel center in the state here in Ruston,” Walker said in a press release handed out during the meeting. “The capital investment is huge and the 200-plus jobs being created are extraordinary for the citizens of Ruston. We are excited to welcome Buc-ee’s to our community and look forward to their success.
“This project has been in the works for several years and would not be possible without our wonderful City Council members.. I would also like to say thank you to the Lincoln Parish School Board, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff for their partnership in the project.”
The tax incentive plan approved by the City Council is part of a draft cooperative endeavor agreement with CSMS Management of Pearland, Texas,
CSMS Management’s owner is Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, founder and CEO of the chain of travel centers with locations in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee and with additional locations currently under development in Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and sooner-than-later Louisiana.
Stan Beard, director of real estate development for Buc-ee’s, spoke during Monday’s Council meeting.
“We are delighted and humbled to say this is the first huge step toward bringing Buc-ee’s to the city of Ruston,” Beard said. “The Mayor and (Ruston Economic Development Director Jade West) went above and beyond what most communities do in order to get us to talk to them. It was a sales pitch that was hard to say no to.”
Beard added that Louisiana played a role in the creation of the Buc-ee’s chain.
“My boss, ‘Beaver’ — his grandparents had a general store in Harrisonburg, Louisiana, and he used to go there in the summers and work there. That is literally where he got the dream to own a general store himself,” Beard said. “And he’s done pretty well with it.”
The travel center is to be located on the eastbound Tarbutton Road exit of Interstate 20 directly across from Ruston Junior High School.
“This is a huge win for Ruston and all of north Louisiana,” West said in the press release. “We are thrilled that Buc-ee’s saw the potential in our city and are so glad they are locating the first Buc-ee’s in Louisiana here in Ruston.
“The economic impact of this development is substantial and something the community will continue to benefit from for years and years to come. I am excited to see the additional development and indirect economic impact that will spur from this project. Our community is well positioned for future growth and success.”
Construction on the project is expected to start later this year with an anticipated opening date of 2025.
In other business, Ruston’s aldermen approved a motion to have Police Chief Steve Rogers, City Clerk and Treasurer Julie Spehr, City Attorney Bill Carter, Public Works Director John Freeman and Fire Chief Chris Womack continue their ongoing positions.
Ruston’s aldermen also approved motions for the city in enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana (to use the current building on Memorial Drive as well as receipt of $50,000 in annual funding), the Dixie Center for the Arts ($70,000 for program funding), North Louisiana Farm Fresh Corporation (for use of the old water utilities facility which now houses Ruston’s Farmers Market), LTP Medical Mobile, Inc. (for use of the Health Hut Building on Mississippi Street) and the North Louisiana Military Museum (for use of the current building on Memorial Drive and what Carter termed as nominal funding).
