For decades I had heard that the book of Hosea in the Bible was a great love story. Several years ago I even read a fictional romance book based on its plot, “Hosea’s Bride” by Dorothy Clark. 

At least one theologian has called the third chapter of Hosea the greatest chapter in the Bible. And Jim McGuiggan, author of the current selection that my congregation’s book club is reading, “Where the Spirt of the Lord Is …,” says Hosea speaks more tenderly of the love of God for his people than any other prophet.  

But I had never actually studied the book of Hosea itself until last week. I’m embarrassed to say that initially I was rather disappointed regarding my first in-depth involvement with this prophet. I guess I was expecting an elaborate Hollywood-esque presentation with an abundance of romantic ins and outs winding through the 14 chapters. 

I was surprised, however, to find that Hosea’s wife, Gomer, was never mentioned again after Chapter 3. Also, instead of myriad details about their life, the plot concerning the couple was pretty slim. God tells his prophet to marry a prostitute – and Hosea does. As almost anyone might deduce, much pain and suffering follows. 

(Scholars are unclear whether Gomer was already a prostitute when the marriage occurred or if she entered into this lifestyle afterward and, frankly, it doesn’t really matter in regard to our understanding of the situation.) 

It’s also worthy of note that Hosea 3 – perhaps the Bible’s greatest chapter – contains only five verses. Not to be sacrilegious, but I felt a little cheated.  

Yes, I felt a little shortchanged even though Chapter 3 saw Hosea buy Gomer back from the depths of degradation she had sunk into and reclaim her as his own (although that actually could be a worthy Hollywood ending). 

I can’t imagine at this point – now that I have pondered and read commentaries and had class discussions and heard lectures on Hosea – I can’t imagine I was so dense as to feel anything but awe at reading the writings from this prophet of God. 

This story of Hosea and Gomer was the greatest love story of all time. Well, the greatest human love story, that is. When I originally read it, I did somehow recognize that fact, but the overall grandness of their reunion didn’t totally sink in.  

The light began to dawn as I read Chapter 11. Hosea pictures God as a loving husband/father who, as McGuiggan says, “is driven to distraction by the bentness of his wife/son.” Of course, Hosea is speaking about Israel’s abandonment of God, but the picture being painted also applies to mankind’s overall rejection of our creator. 

McGuiggan writes, “The husband who paces up and down the floor, rehearsing the treachery of the wife cannot cease to love her – doesn’t want to cease to love her. The father who laments over his son’s wild and reckless ways knows that the sinful boy is destroying himself, but the loving father can’t turn away.” As Hosea tells us, God asks, “How can I give you up …? How can I abandon you?” 

These feelings are so tender that, if contemplated very deeply at all, can result in tears. 

So, back to Chapter 3. The word used there is “redeem.” With 15 shekels of silver and some barley, Hosea redeemed Gomer from her life of prostitution and ultimate slavery. He bought her back from a living death.  

Jesus also did that – he does that – with every person who will claim Him as their Savior. The only thing is, his currency was his blood. 

He loved us when we were ugly sinners. Ugly with a capital “U.” Like Gomer at her lowest. In truth, we are all Gomers until Jesus rescues us. 

So now I am grateful for the simplicity of Hosea’s story. Although it is unadorned – except for the associated poetry – it couldn’t get any more profound. 

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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com. 

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NATCHITOCHES – Five hundred sixty-six students were named to the Fall 2022 President’s List at Northwestern State University. Students on the list earned a grade point average of 4.0. For questions about the honor lists, contact the University Registrar at (318) 357-6171, toll-free at (800) 807-8849 or registrar@nsula.edu.  

Abbeville — Emily Harrington, Autumn Rougeaux, Karlyn Trahan;                             

Addis — Ashley Thomas;                             

Alexandria — Zoe Barton, Skylar Branton, Emmalee Brinkman, Alexander Brooks, Alexander Brown, Christopher Doney, Isabelle Ducote, Kamille Fuselier, Kamryn Harris, Brody Heard, Ragan Huff, Sydney Nolan, James Pritchett, Torrianna Stewart, Mohammad Suleiman, Lauren Vaughn, Latisha White;                              

Allen, Texas — Jessica Spitzer, Taylor Spitzer;                            

Anacoco — Mallory Cooley, Miranda Dougherty, Jessica Haymon, Matthew Pajinag, Coree Runnels, Magen Runnels, Lilly Shira;                              

Anna, Texas — Alexis Ortega;                             

Apo, AE — Amanda Hernandez;                          

Arcadia — Deniesha Davis;                             

Atlanta — Emily Thomisee;                           

Ball — Terra Ashworth, Antionette Byrd, Cameron Ducote, Emily McGlothlin;                         

Ballito, South Africa — Paige Wise;                               

Baton Rouge — Kenneth Austin, Alayna Bush, Honor Camus, Carrie Chauvin, Catherine                     Golden, Cornelius Mccelos;                            

Baytown, Texas — Travis Plumb;                              

Beaucouzé, France — Bouchard Baptiste;                           

Belle Chasse — Molly Adams;                              

Benton — Leighanne Ballew, Brittany Charchio, Rebekah Edmonds, Victoria Jeter, Kassidy Kirpluk, Morgan McCrory, Jimmy McDonald, Diana Mccabe, Daniel Scott, Ashlynn  Stewart, Avery Tullos, Anna Ward, Justine Winters; 

Beograd, Serbia — Ivona Miljanic;                           

Berwick — Julia Theriot;                            

Bienville — Rafe Martin;                             

Bogata, Texas — Harmony Marsh                              

Bossier City —  Charlisa Carter, Makenzie Chaffin, Catherine Dean, Tandy Finton                Carmen Garcia, Emma Gonzales, Haley Hicks, Michaela Jenkins, Jonathan                      Limones, Taylor Maust, Ethan Maynard, Anna Mcmillon, Eric Moore, Victoria                      Morris, Emily Murphy, Kennede  Oliver, Reva Ott, Abigail Petermann, Dara                          Pressley, Omari Ruddell, Trista Sanders, Bonnie Singletary, Aleksandra Strobel, Tanner Underwood, Abigail Whatley;                                                      

Boutte — Jose Del Rio;                            

Boyce — Victoria Fatula, Kristin Thiels, Kionna Mitchell;                           

Breaux Bridge — Mickayla Love, Monte Singleton, Anastacia Strate;                             

Brookhaven, Mississippi — Dawson Flowers;                            

Broussard — Emilie Barbier, Abbie Boutte;                             

Brownsville, Texas — Dominick Saldivar;                           

Brusly — Ava Claire Burks;                              

Bunkie — Brooke Stevens;                            

Calhoun — Kenzie Gaspard;                            

Campti — Morgan Etheredge;                          

Cankton — Mia Dupuis;                             

Carencro — Mya Smith, Terrell Woodard;                            

Carlsbad, New Mexico — Kathryn Foley                              

Cartagena, Colombia — Santiago Rovira Ortiz;                       

Cartagena De Indias, Colombia — Jesus Calderon Peña;                      

Castor, Nicolas Godfrey;                            

Celina, Texas — Madison Murphy;                             

Chalmette, – Stephanie Gibson, Meghan Quaglino, Nicole Struve;                             

Chandler, Arizona — Nicholas Le Jander;                          

Chiba-City, Japan — Ayu Ishibashi;                          

Clayton — Hannah Curley;                             

Cloutierville — Jayden Joseph;                             

Colfax — Carlye Hayes, Olivia Slayter;                            

Collinston — Amber McLarrin;                           

Concord, Virginia — Gabrielle  Morrison;                           

Cottonport — Tatiana Francisco, Kayirian James, Madison Juneau, Kallie Madrigal;                           

Coushatta — Kaitlyn Antilley, Ethan Cole-Morgan, Meagan Corley, Heidi Murray, Charli                        Williams;                           

Covington — Madison Calamari, Valerie Henderson;      

Crowley — Catherine Castille, Cindy Tillar;                             

Crystal, Minnesota — Maureen Weber;                              

Cut Off — Addison Duet;                               

Cypress, Texas — Mary Gilbert;                            

Delhi — Ellanor Carlson;                            

Denham Springs — Averie Duran;                              

DeRidder — Hallie Kay, Jenna Mullican, Kershaun Napper, Alexas Ortiz-Correa;                       

Jenna Pottmeyer, Lauren Ray, Katherine Reid, Hayley Richard, Dominic Ross                             Maria-Theresa Ross, Rebecca Santos, Hayley Weaver;                             

Destrehan — Kaci Waguespack                         

Deville — Coralie Deloach, Rayvon Floyd, Caitlin Jenkins, Katelyn Morace, Briana Smail;                              

Dhaka, Bangladesh — Zaiba Daud;                               

Diboll, Texas — Christopher Acker;                              

Dodson — Heather Wehunt                             

Donaldsonville — Lerae Thibodeaux;                         

Dry Prong — Shelby Gros, Emily Tisher;                             

Duson — Alexandra Broussard;                          

Elmer — Blake Glorioso, Halston Rachal, Joseph Rachal Tinley Steedman;                           

Enon Valley, Pennsylvania — Jennifer Smiley;                             

Eunice — McKenzie Bearb;                              

Ferriday — Kayla Cage;                               

Florien — Ashley Carter, Andrew Gatti, Taylor Richardson, Bailey Sandel, Presley Stewart, London Vidrine;                                                       

Folsom — Maxwell Martello;                           

Forest Hill — Vanessa Galvan, Solmayra Sierra;                             

Fort Polk – Jenna Caswell, Cayla Churchwell, Jordan DeForge, Hillary Kitchen, Spencer Meyer, Zorida Tricoche;                           

Fort Rucker, Alabama — Linda Bouillon;                           

Fort Worth, Texas — Panasia Peterson, Riley Stern;                              

Fountain, Colorado — Danielle Adams;                              

Frierson — Ashley Furrow, Kayla Joshi, Madysen Payne;                              

Frisco, Texas — Hallie Field, Mckenzie Kozeny, Brad Powell, Adam Trupp;

Galliano — Lia Portillo Cantarero                 

Garland, Texas — Carley Johnson                            

Gibsland — Tyler Sneed                              

Glendale, Arizona — Kimberly Mize                               

Glenmora — Jordin Taylor                             

Gonzales — Alex Lejeune                            

Granbury, Texas — Faith Adams                              

Grand Cane Trenton Bossier, Arnijah Bradley;                            

Greenwell Springs — Keenan Leachman;                           

Greenwood — Hannah Jordan, Joicelynn Richardson, Jacob Sullivan;                           

Harvey — Stephani Carcamo Palacios;                   

Haslet, Texas — Jordan Bray;                               

Haughton — Emily Acevedo, Dana Deyo, Debra Fatheree, Nicholas Knotts, Maci                          Presley, Jonna Spraggins, Shae Vines;                              

Henderson, Texas — James Sugg;                               

Hineston — Melissa Tadlock;                            

Hornbeck — Logan Alford, Karlea  Fields, Peighton Rhodes, Kristen Townsend;                           

Houma — Derek Dupre, Bryce Fonseca, Laura Stanley, Ariel Theriot;                            

Houston, Texas — Obed Garcia Ramirez, Vanessa Zepeda;                             

Huntington, Texas — Taylor Carrell;                            

Independence — Caitlyn Wooters;                            

Iowa — Catherine Armentor;                           

Jamestown — Macey Gill;                               

Jeanerette — LeT’Anna Ledet                              

Jennings — Brea Baca’White, Briannah Stansberry;                         

Katy, Texas — Anna Hebden;                             

Keatchie — Tara Foster;                             

Keithville — Olivia Batts;                              

Keller, Texas — Michael Dattalo, Alexander Makarewich;                         

Kemah, Texas — Reaghan Thompson;                           

Kemp, Texas — Katelynn Messer;                             

Kenner — Jonathan Gennaro;                            

Kentwood — Angela McDaniel;                           

Kilgore, Texas — Madeline Horton, Jacob Stone;                              

Laplace — Jacob St. Pierre;                         

Lacombe — Sarah Schmalz;                      

Lafayette — John Acosta, Michael Joseph, Chloe Louviere, Anna Sternaman, Petra                         Williams, Phoenix Woods, Shannon Fontenot;                           

Laillé, France — Shona Mottier;                            

Lake Charles  —  Celena Avery, Diana Beches, Jarod Becton, Darian Blanchard, Katelyn                       Bonnette, Chloe Hassard, Emily Naquin, Sadie Pierce, Kathryn Vanwinkle;                          

Lake Providence — Meredith Hensley;                            

League City TX — Nicholas Carter;                            

Lecompte — Curry King;                               

Leesville — Brianna Billiot, Skye Buentello, Seth Ducote, Magdalen Dye, Tanya                         Edds, Jasmine Gonzalez, Shannon Goody, Bailey Hagan, Elizabeth Harvey, Kaitlinne                     Hegyi, Jacob Mount, Ethan Nash, Layken Nash, Rafael, Rivera Mendez, Laila                         Salas, Elora Sanchez, Lisa Smith, Amy Sporer, Avari Cain;                               

Longview, Texas — John Coffey;                             

Lota — Coy Steen;                              

Luebeck, Germany — Carolin Bielert;                            

Luling — Hailey McGovern;                           

Madisonville — Anna Duplantis, Barrett Hodgson;                            

Mandeville — Mark Ennis, Mykia Wiggins;                            

Mansfield — Mckinnsey Brouillette, De’Asia Jones;                           

Many — Alexis Bush, Shania Collier, Joel Heard, Kaylee Herr, Lila Laroux                    Alexander Martinez, Sarah Moore, Klein Pearce, Ethan Penfield, Adelaide Soileau, Alaina                        Wright;                       

Maringouin — Kristin Jewell;                      

Marksville — Abigail Dauzat, Jacques Ponthier, Makenzie Scroggs;                            

Marrero — Selena Bailey;                             

Marthaville — Zachary Slaughter;                          

Maurice — Kailyn Frederick, Maddison Hebert;                             

Mc Gregor, Texas — Donna  Dolly                              

Mckinney, Texas — Jayme Haynes                             

Mclouth, Kansas — Olivia Kilgo                              

Melissa, Texas — Bronte Rhoden                            

Merryville — Laci Vanwinkle;                          

Metairie, Sharon Cromwell, Megan Gallagher;                         

Micanopy, Florida — Regina Lhiannon Chyz;                               

Midlothian, Texas — Abria Paul;                               

Milton — Parker Blanchard;                          

Minden — Clotis Ary, Elynn  Boothe, Brittany Cammack, Michael Harden, James                         Heard, Zack Karzoun, Jennifer Nguyen;                             

Miscouche PE, Canada — Ethan Francis;                            

Monroe — Madison Bruce, Alexis Hutto, Gabriel Parker, Takayla Washington, Meghan Woods;                                        

Monterey — Jacob Norris;                             

Montgomery — Zackary Racine;                             

Mooringsport — Megan Robertson;                         

Mora — Gracy Rowell;                             

Morgan City — Kaitlyn Waguespack;                         

Morse — Kierra Linden;                             

Mustang Oklahoma — Bailey Thomas;                             

Nassau, Bahamas — Tarajh Hudson;                            

Natchitoches — Naomi Adams, Sarah Aldredge, Marcella Bradley, Abbie Butler, Melissa Collier, Aziza Coutee, Heather Day, Bess DeFord, Kylie Dornbush, Hannah Ferguson, Blake                         Fowler, Peyton Green, Kali Hall, Corynn Lacaze, Jennifer Loftin, Chloe Longlois, Kelsey McDonald, Montel Mercier, Bradford  Morrison, William Morrison, Tristan Neitte, Anna Poe, Wyatt Quinn, Kira Raymond, Koral Richard, Kristin Smith, Katelyn Stevens, Kasey Strother-Leone, Anna Taylor, Maeli Usleton, Farrah Vance, Derek Walle, Taylor Williams, Cameron Bienvenu;                           

New Iberia — Brianna Broussard, Makynli Delcambre, Kaitlin McLean;                             

New Llano — Jaycee Jones;                              

New Orleans — Kristan Gray;                               

Newellton — Courtlyn Bamburg;                            

Nipawin SK, Canada — Kyle Froehlich;                          

Noble — Selena Rodriguez, Nickolas Tramel;                             

Normangee, Texas — Spencer Yellott;                            

Oakdale — Taylor Charles, Kylie Doyle;                              

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Brian Weir;                               

Opelousas — Alayna Charles, Leah Charles, Brianna Richard, Magdalen Stanford, Spring                        Woodson;                            

Owasso, Oklahoma — Cole Hill                               

Pflugerville, Texas — Olivia Draguicevich                       

Pierre Part — Andrew Landry                            

Pineville — Rashiqa Abdel-Jabbar, Faith Bryant, Adelle Chapman, Emily                         Dawson, Helena  Ducote, Jenna Johnson, Parker Lee, Mikaylah Littleton, Paige Nichols, Vianna                        Patterson, Rileigh Roberts, Aimee Sefcik, Allison Smith, Kirstyn Smith, Erika Thornton;                           

Pitkin — Chelsea Carroll, Grant Goleman;                            

Plain Dealing — Joseph Monceaux;                           

Plaquemine — Amber Kearney;                            

Pleasant Hill — Katie Murray;                             

Point, Texas — Bailie Ragsdale;                           

Pollock — Josie Fowler, Paige Hedrick, Sydney Hedrick, Megan Sloan;                              

Pont L’Abbé D’Arnoult, France — Léonie Gallon;                             

Port Barre — Gabrielle Estis;                              

Prairieville — Mckenzi Davis, Logan Dupuy Evan Kern,  Karli Morrison, Ashlyn Pettiss;                            

Princeton — Natalia Olvera;                             

Provencal — Morgan Grace, Dylan Jennings;                           

Quitman — Kyla Claiborne, Cara Tucker;                             

Ragley — Hallie Guidry;                             

Rayville — Raheim Burns;                              

Richmond Hill, Georgia — Nerishlyan Gotay Ramos;                        

Ringgold — Avery Myers;                              

Robeline — Meagan Ammons, Andrew Austin, Nikolas Broadway, Georgia                       Dowden, Tucker Vascocu;                            

Roseland — Pat Taylor;                       

Rosepine — Lakin Smith;                        

Round Rock, Texas — Hannah Smith;                              

Ruston — Abigail Matejowsky, ShaTaylor  Reed, Emily Willis;                             

Saginaw, Texas — Ashlyn Walker;                             

Saint Francisville — Emma Cockrum, Garrett Sanchez, Brooke Straight, Allie Wheeler;                          

Saint Joseph — Dorothy Sosnowski;                    

Saint Mandrier Sur Mer, France — Lina Vincent;                    

St. Martinville — Kelsten Antoine, Lizzie Blanchard, Taitlyn Mayon;                                                     

Saint Rose – Brooke Jones, Angelina Wood;                      

San Diego, California — Makayla Draper;                      

San Pedro Sula, Honduras — Jelsson  Flores Reyes, Norman  Martinez Reyes;                     

Scott — Kelsey Doucette;                           

Shongaloo — Sydni Richardson;                         

Shreveport —  Sidnequia Abbott, Joshua Abner, Alexis Appleton, Abbygail                      Ashlock, Caleb Beabout, Sawyer, Benson, Allison  Darty, Jillian  Duggan, Michaela Dutton, Gentry Freeman, Cayla Garrett, Sarah Green , Claire Guin, Taylor  Guin, Shailah Hagins Daniel Holden, Olivia  Horrell, Shamya Johnson, Lindsay Laprarie, Madison Little, Schuyler Mason, Meridian  McKay, Lathan  Meyers, Gabriel Puckett, Faith Quarles, Angel Rankins, Zariah Ray, Shelby Sandefur, Nathaniel Sanders, Niya Sims-Houston, Ainsley Soland, Haley Wiggins;                            

Sibley – Melanie Tobin;                        

Simmesport — Katee Feduccia, Jade Marsh, Madison, Bordelon, Hannah Netherland;                                             

Slagle — LaKin Ogilvie;                            

Slidell — Katy Rigol;                              

Starks — Sara Hyatt, Skylar Sanders;                            

Stonewall — Cloe Bolanos, Taylor Christian, Sarah Edelen;                             

Sugar Land, Texas — Justin Dysarz;                             

Sulphur — Julian Peshoff;                            

Sunset — Claudia Chenier;                            

Tallulah — Breana Lee;                                

Tampere, Finland — Mariella Minetti;                            

Thibodaux — Erin Blanchard, Alexus, McDonald, Ava Schorr;                             

Tioga — John Liggin;                             

Tomball, Texas –Isabel Perregrino                         

Trout –Callie Mcdowell;                           

Union City, Pennsylvania — Larah Eastman;                            

Ventress — Grace Gosserand;                          

Vidalia — Kelli Loomis;                             

Ville Platte — Jaylin Clark, Lindsey Meylian;                            

Vivian — Natalee Cook, Gavin Kendrick, Anna Jackson;                            

Wake Village, Texas — Molly Laird;                       

Walker — Josie Dial, Abigail Whitam;                        

Watertown, New York — Elizabeth Avila;                      

West Plains, Missouri — Isaac Haney;                        

Wetumpka, Alabama — Anne Cousins;                       

Whitesboro, Texas — John Klein;                          

Whitney, Texas — Makenzie Seely;                       

Winnfield — Richard Bishop, Haley Collins, Ashlyn Little, John Spikes, Kaitlyn Turner, Natalie Womack, Taylor Womack, Alecia Zimmerman;                          

Winnsboro — Samuel Whitaker;                           

Worcester, Massachusetts — Timothy O’Connor;                          

Youngsville — Jennifer Boutte;                            

Zizur Mayor, Spain — Amaya Irigoyen Ducay;                     

Zwolle — Erin Escott, Melissa Guin, Gracie Leone, Mckenzie Leone, Matthew Lovelady, Kaylyn Sepulvado;   

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Funeral services for Mr. Jeffery Lane Martin, age 53 of Simsboro, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston, LA with Rev. Scott Jennings officiating. Burial will follow in the Unionville Cemetery in Dubach, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.

Jeff was born June 18, 1969 in Ruston to Judy and Jackie Martin, and he passed from this life January 21, 2023 in Ruston following a brief illness. When he wasn’t working as a driver for House of Raeford, he was most likely taking care of business from his command center, at home on the phone. Jeff commanded all: family, friends, co-workers and even strangers. He was a leader of laughter. No matter the location, the situation or the audience, Jeff would lead the discussion and would have everyone laughing. He had advice for anybody, for anytime and for anything.

Jeff was a veterinarian, a doctor and a therapist as well as a weather man and a lawyer. He knew it all. With the memory of an elephant, as Jeff “never forgot anything,” family and friends grew to listen and to laugh while Jeff told them how it was. Anyone who ever had the privilege to meet Jeff met a “one and only” and would never forget him, as his laugh, his smile and his personality were truly gifts. He had a huge heart for pets. Jeff had numerous cats and dogs, all his “babies” that he loved very much. He could even master the meanest of chihuahuas and the wildest of mutts. Jeff was the Dog Whisperer to them all. He was the master of them all. Jeff would run dogs to hunt raccoons, fox and deer.

When he wasn’t in the woods, he was on the water catching the “biggest” fish. The fish were always much bigger in Jeff’s stories than they really were. He had to fight with many fish to get them into the boat because they were so large. Jeff was a superior storyteller. No matter the subject or what really happened, his version was always much larger. His stories may or may not have been true, however, they were definitely entertaining. Jeff worshipped his Lord by watching John Hagee of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX on Sunday mornings.

Jeff is survived by his wife of eight years Helen Martin of Simsboro; siblings: Jacqueline and husband Michael Atkinson of Ruston, Johnny Martin and wife Cristy of Ruston and Jimmy Martin and wife Amanda of Simsboro; sons Chance Martin of Dubach and Bradlee Martin of Missoula, MT; grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Bagwell, Hunter Bennett, Clark Canterbury, Doug Cooper, Cooper Martin, Kyle Martin and Joe Roberson.

Visitation will be 12:00-2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the funeral home. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Graveside Services for Judith Diane Chapman, age 74, of  Carrollton, Texas, will be Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Little Creek Cemetery in Archibald, LA. under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.

Judith Chapman was born on May 23, 1948, to Dan and Monteil Chapman of Archibald, LA and passed from this life on December 04, 2022.    

Judith is survived by two sons, one grandchild, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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Brenda Kay Johnston Harris, age 71 of Ruston, LA was born February 25, 1951 in Choudrant, LA to Frances and Billy Neal Johnston, and she peacefully joined the Lord January 22, 2023 with her loved ones by her side. She was affectionately known as “Mammaw” by her grandchildren. Brenda spent most of her life working in retail until her health would no longer allow her to work. She loved to grow flowers and plants, to crochet and cross-stitch and to work crossword puzzles and word searches.

Her love of history and interest in her ancestors had Brenda spending countless hours at the library where she conducted research on her family’s heritage. She loved to read, and she especially loved to read war history books. Brenda loved to spend time with her granddaughter having tea parties, putting puzzles together, coloring and watching cartoons. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Billy Neal Johnston, Jr., Jerry Johnston, Johnny Johnston and Reagan Johnston; sister Betty Sue Boyte; and brothers-in-law Carl Calhoun and Dennis Boyte.

Brenda is survived by her daughters Amy and husband Chris Brister of Dubberly, LA and Kimberly Harris of Ruston; grandsons Noah Odom and fiancée Cynthia Crowell of Slidell, LA and Jacob Odom of DeRidder, LA; granddaughter Abigail Campbell of Ruston; sister Nancy Calhoun of Dubach, LA; brother Robert Johnston and wife Susie of Choudrant; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 23, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Graveside services for Mrs. Susie Stokes, age 85 of Ruston, LA will be 2:00 PM, Monday, January 23, 2023 at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.

Susie was born November 24, 1937 in Martin, LA to Marie and Ed Snead, and she passed away January 20, 2023 in Ruston. She was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church. Susie was an LPN at Shumpert Hospital for eight years. She loved working in her garden and tending to her plants. Susie also had a love for reading. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and visiting with them whenever she could. Susie had a love for cooking that showed itself in her meals. She was always happy to be able to join her church to travel with them on church trips. Susie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Charles Stokes, Jr. and Rev. Dayton Daughty; sisters Edwina Snead and Jo Ann Thomas; brothers: Lloyd Snead, John Snead and Robert Snead.

Susie is survived by her son Charles B. Stokes, III and wife Carolyn of Ruston; daughter Mary Jane Walker of Minden, LA; grandchildren Brian Walker and wife Misty of Minden and Jason Walker and Laken Weathers of Minden; great-grandchildren: Will Walker, Luke Walker, Anney Walker, Evan Walker, Brady Walker and Rylan Walker; sister Juanita Womack of Martin; and a host of family and friends.

No visitation is planned at this time. To leave an online message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Graveside services for Mrs. Delma Lynn Logan Nichols, age 71 of Choudrant, LA will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at New Hope Cemetery in Choudrant with Rev Dwayne Monk officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Delma was born March 8, 1951 in Lewisville, AR to Sunshine Sutton and Delmar Logan, and she passed January 19, 2023 in Ruston. She was employed as a special education teacher for Hope Public Schools for 23 years. Delma was a sister of Delta Kappa Gamma in 1995, was a president of the local Stamps Arkansas Education Association from 1995-2005, and was on the Council for Exceptional Children from 2006-2008. She met the love of her life Larry, and the two married March 23, 2008 in Stamps, AR. Delma was a faithful member of the Alabama Presbyterian Church where her and Larry cooked meals for the Wednesday night meetings for the Junior Bible Scholar Institute (JBSI). She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother Betty F. Logan; step-father Richard L. Sutton; and half-brother John F. Logan.

Delma is survived by her loving husband Larry Wayne Nichols, Sr.; step-son Larry Wayne Nichols, Jr; and a host of family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

To leave an online message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Richard Brower
February 21, 1948 – January 22, 2023
Services pending

Brenda Harris
February 25, 1951 – January 22, 2023
Services pending

Delma Nichols
March 8, 1951 – January 19, 2023
Graveside Service: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 2:00 PM, New Hope Cemetery, 292 New Hope Road, Choudrant

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UPDATE (Saturday, Jan. 21)

By T. Scott Boatright

Original (Wednesday, Jan. 18)

By T. Scott Boatright

 

Lincoln Parish Police Juror Joe Henderson said last Wednesday night that the LPPJ’s personnel committee, of which Henderson is chair, hopes to meet next week to hold discussions about moving forward with its search for a new parish administrator.

The LPPJ is looking for a new administrator after voting 8-4 during its monthly meeting on Jan. 10 to not renew the contract of former parish administrator Doug Postel, who had held that position since the summer of 2020.

Henderson said Wednesday that the LPPJ has not yet advertised or started a search for a new administrator.

During that meeting the LPPJ also voted to name parish Administrative Assistant Kevin Klepzig as interim parish administration, adding that they would discuss Klepzig’s contract to try and account for his additional duties and roles as interim administrator.

Henderson said that at least the LPPJ’s personnel committee plans to meet as soon as next week to discuss those matters. 

“We’re talking about holding a meeting next week to take care of all of that,” Henderson said. “We’ll publicize the date and time once we have that set.”

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A Farmerville man was arrested Thursday afternoon after drugs were found in his car on a traffic stop.

A Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s captain was traveling West on Haddox Road approaching Louisiana Highway 33 when he saw a vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway. It appeared the driver was slumped over in the driver’s seat and the vehicle was blocking the road.

When the captain approach the driver and asked why he was stopped in the roadway, Kerry D. Beaird, 57, said he was looking at his phone. When Beaird began reaching for something between his leg and the center console, he was asked to step out of the vehicle. When he did so, the captain saw a suspected methamphetamine smoking pipe. 

Beaird said he had “weed” in his pocket and some methamphetamine inside an eyeglass case. Both the marijuana and methamphetamine were retrieved and Beaird was arrested. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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 Kyle Roberts

A double-double effort by senior Braylan McNeal helped lead a Ruston High comeback by the boys Friday night against District 2-5A opponent Alexandria Senior High by a final score of 59-51 after trailing by 16 at halftime.

“We started the game flat,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said. “Our guys came out of the locker room and competed. We changed to a 1-2-2 half-court zone defense at halftime. They only scored 9 in the third and 9 in the fourth; We showed great resilience. We still have some things to clean up, but I’m proud of the effort.

McNeal finished with 21 and 14 rebounds, while sophomore Aidan Anding had 14 points. Junior Zhy Scott added 11, as did junior Jamadrion Lillard 11, who added six assists.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Trojans stormed out offensively to take a large lead in the first quarter en route to a 56-37 win.

“We have to tip our hat to ASH,” Ruston head coach Meredith Graf said. “They shot the ball extremely well and never let up. I know our girls played hard but it just wasn’t our night. I’m looking forward to next week being a bye week and getting in some more practice time to prep for the second half of district play.”

Junior Jaliyah McWain led Ruston with 14 points on the night.

Both teams will get Tuesday night off this week before returning to action Friday at home against West Ouachita.

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The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), UNCF (United Negro College Fund), and Partnership for Education Advancement have launched a landmark collaboration to drive tangible, long-term progress for Grambling State University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while also impacting the Black economy.

What has been dubbed the HBCU Transformation Project is a first-of-its-kind collaboration aimed at increasing HBCU health and sustainability, improving student outcomes in retention and graduation rates, expanding enrollment, and increasing capacity building with faculty and staff. Flexible support from the coalition focuses resources the highest priorities at each institution.

The initiative will be executed using a cohort model of select institutions.

Institutions participating in the inaugural HBCU Transformation Project HBCUs are Alabama State, Benedict, Claftin, Clark Atlanta, Delaware State, Dillard, Florida A&M, Hampton, Huston-Tilotson, Johnson C. Smith, Morehouse, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, Spelman, Talladega College, Tuskegee, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Wiley College and Winston-Salem State University.

Grambling State will be a part of the second coalition group.

The overall initiative is structured around six interdependent sub-initiatives that work in service of supporting all HBCUs:

“This HBCU Transformation Project is a first-of-its-kind collaboration that aims to support the Office of Transformation by providing sustainable, strategic operation support and technology-focused solutions,” said Cheresa Simpson, director of Organization Research and Effectiveness for the Thurgood Marshall Fund. “This support will increase HBCU health and sustainability, improve student outcomes in retention and graduation rates, expand enrollment, and increase capacity building with faculty and staff.

“For GSU, some of the support efforts include adopting and implementing solutions that will assist and enhance processes in financial aid solutions, strategic enrollment planning, search engine optimization, value proposition, advancement and career services, online/digital learning and student/parent engagement.”

Simpson said there are a number of responsibilities of a transformation officer which essentially are the responsibilities/goals of the unit:

Leading the institution through the transformation

Role modeling forward progress and the execution mindset

Holding a cadence of transformation office meetings to support initiative owners in the implementation of initiatives and providing problem solving support when issues or delays arise

Overseeing performance tracking ensuring that initiative owners update info about progress with initiative implementation plans, key performance indicators and financial impacts

Challenging pace and performance of implementation

Prioritizing initiatives for grant funding and ensuring good stewardship of grant funds

Ensuring accountability across stakeholders

Managing external communications and updates

Blue Meridian Partners, a pioneering philanthropic model for finding and funding scalable solutions to problems that limit economic and social mobility for America’s young people and families in poverty, committed an initial $60 million to support the HBCU Transformation Project.

While they represent only 3% of all Higher Education institutions, HBCUs produce nearly 20% of all African American college graduates. HBCUs have produced more than a million associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees combined since 1984.

HBCUs produce 40% of all Black engineers, 40% of Black Congress members, 50% of all Black lawyers, 50% of all Black doctors, and 80% of Black judges. These professions are critical for closing the wealth gap between Black and White workers.

While HBCUs overproduce relative to their better-resourced counterparts, they have remained underfunded. Historical underfunding has led to a myriad of financial issues for HBCUs, particularly much smaller endowments relative to their peers.

“Our country has under-invested in HBCUs which have a proven track record for unlocking student potential, driving socioeconomic mobility, and serving as significant community assets,” said James Runcie, president of the Partnership for Education Advancement.

Data recently released by McKinsey & Company shows that investing in HBCUs would profoundly affect the U.S. economy and help fill the social and economic gaps Black Americans experience. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to foster such advancement given their assets, experience, and cultural and historical significance.

“This collaboration offers a powerful opportunity to drive positive socioeconomic impact,” said Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams. “We are proud to partner on this unique, capacity-focused strategy that brings together HBCU institutional relationships and the capacity building experience of TMCF, UNCF, and the Partnership for Education Advancement.”

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax said that UNCF and Thurgood Marshall College Fund have worked together for many years.

“This collaboration is a continuation of our efforts to amplify support for the needs of HBCUs and the students they serve,” Lomax said. “Blue Meridian Partners support is very important and will significantly enhance the HBCU innovation and transformation work that UNCF’s Institute Capacity Building team has been pioneering for nearly two decades. This high-profile campaign will make the case to donors and to the government to elevate the profile of HBCUs and raise the support they deserve.”

Jim Shelton, Blue Meridian Partners chief investment and innovation officer, said that HBCUs have long overperformed as engines of opportunity.

“With this investment, we aim to significantly strengthen these institutions and student success at scale, contribute to closing racial gaps in access to opportunity, and boost economic mobility and wealth-building among Black people and communities now and for generations to come,” Shelton said.

For more information, contact GSU University Transformation Officer Larry Green at greenl@gram.edu.

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by Malcolm Butler

It wasn’t pretty, but it was another win for the Cedar Creek Lady Cougars Friday night.

Allie Furr scored 16 points and the Lady Cougars overcame a ice-cold shooting performance to defeat the winless St. Frederick Lady Warriors 44-15 in Monroe.

Despite the 29-point win, Cedar Creek struggled to find the bottom of the night for the majority of the night, shooting under 25 percent from the field for the game and only 12-of-20 at the free throw line. However, the Cougars size and athleticism was too much for the Lady Warriors in the District 2-1A match-up.

Creek (16-4, 3-0) extended its current win streak to eight games with the victory while St. Frederick fell to 0-12 on the season. The Lady Cougars remain undefeated in district play.

Furr scored 10 of her game-high total in the first quarter as the Lady Cougars jumped out to a 16-7 advantage. Furr, the Louisiana Tech softball signee, then netted six more points in the second quarter while Lizzie McAdams and Elli Dickerson each scored three as the Lady Cougars lead increased to 30-7 at the half.

Leah Sutherland led Creek in the third quarter, scoring six of her eight points as the Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Warriors 12-5 and led 42-12 heading into the final stanza.

The two teams combined for just five points in the fourth quarter as Vandenlangenberg sat the starters for the final eight minutes of action.

In addition to Furr’s 16 and Sutherland’s eight, Dickerson added seven points and Mallory Smith added six points.

The Lady Cougars host River Oaks Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed last week that five additional suspected cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were discovered in deer in Tensas Parish. 

According to LDWF, two bucks and three does were harvested on private land, raising the number of CWD-positive cases reported in Tensas Parish to seven since 2022.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. It is infectious, always fatal, and has no known treatment. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is similar to mad cow disease in cattle. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue, which leads to salivation, neurological symptoms, emaciation, and death of the animal.

Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, officials recommend humans not consume CWD-positive deer. Officials also recommend hunters in areas known to harbor CWD to have their deer tested. 

To date, the only cases of infected deer have been found in Tensas Parish. The first CWD-positive deer in Tensas was reported in January 2022. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has adopted regulations for a CWD control area in northeast Louisiana to include all of Tensas Parish and portions of Madison and Franklin Parishes. Regulations include prohibition of deer feeders and restrictions on moving certain parts of the deer carcass.

More information on CWD is available at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd. 

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By Kyle Roberts

Both Ruston soccer squads put up shut-outs on Senior Day with the boys winning 8-0 over River Oaks first and the girls following with a 1-0 win over Grant.

“It was a great Senior Day,” Ruston head boys’ soccer coach Erich Hankamer said. “A lot of seniors got on the score sheet either with a goal or an assist. It was a big win for us today.”

Jack Elliot scored first in the fifth minute with Austin Guillory following two minutes later off an assist by Koy Tolar. Elliot added another goal off an assist from Carter Tims at the ninth minute mark.

Jaiden Langiulli put Ruston up 4-0 shortly after with his first goal of the day thanks to another Tims’ assist. Langiulli added another goal in the 30th minute with Rodolfo Landaverde giving the assist. Franklin Ulloa scored Ruston’s sixth goal with another assist from Landaverde in the 35th.

Christopher Harps scored in the 43rd minute off Landaverde’s third assist, and Langiulli score Ruston’s final goal of the day with an assist from Ulloa in the 54th.

Trenton Richard recorded his third shut out of the season en route to the 8-0 win.

On the girls side, Ruston knocked off Grant 1-0 in dramatic fashion after Mia Tapia scored the only goal of the day for either team in the last few minutes of the second half from 23 yards out. Ashlynn Cripps was credited with the assist all the way from the back line after sending off a ball with a goal kick.

“It was a great ending to a match where we had more than half the possessions on the day, but Grant had a great goal keeper,” Ruston head coach Jacquelyn Bean said. “We had four different players that had shots on goal; we just couldn’t find the back of the net. We were encouraging them on, to find a goal, to keep it on our end of the field. We had subbed only once in the entire second half and the team needed that push. Sometimes the words you’ve said over and over before during the match just hit differently. The girls responded and stepped up, creating that chance which led to the shot and goal only 60 seconds later.”

Tapia’s goal left now doubt for Bean or her assistants when it went off her foot.

“It was gorgeous,” Bean said. “Top bins from 22-23 yards out; shots like that can’t be stopped. Mia has created the winning shot three times for us this season.”

The girls (6-5-3) and boys (6-6-1) will both return to action Tuesday, Jan. 24, for their final home games of the season.

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), the state’s leading community improvement organization, seeks programs and projects to fund with its Healthy Communities Grant program and is calling for letters of intent to be submitted by Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Proposed programs and projects should reduce litter and waste, educate youth and/or adults, increase recycling, and/or strengthen litter enforcement.

“For too long, litter abatement has been on the backs of a few volunteers around Louisiana. We can only win this battle if all government officials, non-profits, businesses, and the public work together. It is going to take all Louisiana to clean up this state,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

The Healthy Communities Grant is a reimbursement grant supporting projects and programs, with funding allotments up to $8,000 per recipient. Eligible to apply are Louisiana non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental agencies, schools, and universities, KLB Affiliates, and Affiliates in the formation process.

“Thanks to support from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the state legislature, we are able to provide much-needed funds to help local communities implement projects to reduce litter, increase recycling, and improve the appearance of areas throughout Louisiana,” says KLB Executive Director Susan Russell. “Since 2004, KLB has awarded over $3.6 million in grants.”

Recipients of 2022-2023 Health Communities grants included the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, Ascension Parish Government, Beauregard Arc, Big Sky, Friends of City Park, Glass Act Recycling, Keep Jefferson Parish Beautiful, New Orleans Healing Center, Opelousas Downtown Development District, Ouachita Green, Sankofa Community Development Corporation, The TECHE Project, Town of Farmerville, Town of Jean Lafitte, University of New Orleans, Webster Parish Police Jury, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

Examples of funded projects include a recycling center expansion for Ascension Parish Government, a litter abatement campaign and educational outreach for Friends of City Park, a trailer for litter removal for Webster Parish Police Jury, and a storm drain inventory and educational program for University of New Orleans.

Those interested in applying must submit a letter of intent by Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Organizations submitting letters of intent will receive invitations to apply for the Healthy Communities Grant by Friday, March 17, 2023. Invitees will have until Saturday, April 15, 2023, to submit the full application.

For more information about the Keep Louisiana Beautiful grants program and how to apply, please visit our Grant Opportunities webpage. Those interested in applying can direct questions to programs@keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

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By Brandon Ramsey

New Year’s resolutions.  What were yours this year?  Everyone has one, at least for the first two or three weeks of the year, or so it seems.  Were yours any different from last year?  The truth of the matter is that we really have them all year long, but we just have a ritual of trying to follow through with them at the first of the year, and soon they’re forgotten.  New Year’s resolutions are no more than our wants and best intentions coupled with a little new hope motivating us with what seems like a potential fresh start. 

But why is the first day of January any different from the sixteenth day of July?  It isn’t the day!  It is the hope that sets this mindset in motion.  The beginning of something always gives us renewed hope in the possibility of achieving something great.  Think about it.  At the first of a new season every team truly believes that they are going to win the championship, despite last year’s record.  In the delivery room, every parent dreams of a future doctor, lawyer, or renowned artist.  In some cases, every second or third walk down the aisle you can hear the chant that this time will be different.  This hope is warranted and beneficial to the happiness of the one experiencing it, but too many times it is not accompanied by any change in behavior or planning.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when beginning a new year with a new and exciting resolution is a complete lack of planning.  Just reciting to yourself that you are going to lose twenty pounds will not burn off any calories.  You might lose your appetite but sitting on the couch and wishing will not give you the six pack abs you desire.  Don’t you love this one: “I’m going to be a better person/husband/wife this year.”  What does that look like?  I’m the counselor and that’s even too vague for me!  With that lack of direction, you’ll be back to the same old routine by the end of the first week.

The second biggest mistake is we give up too easily.  As soon as our first slip-up rears its ugly head, we throw our hands up and act like it is the end of the world.  We don’t allow ourselves grace; it’s all or nothing, sink or swim.  What’s wrong with a little dog paddle or just treading water sometimes? 

Since today is already the twenty third of January, this article could be too late for some of you.  But listen to a couple of pointers and reevaluate your chances for success.  First thing is to sit down and put some real thought into your resolutions.  What are you trying to accomplish?  How do you plan to get there?  The second thing is to understand that each day is the start of a new year.  No matter if it is January first or July sixteenth.  Treat each day like the beginning of a new year with a renewed Hope and endless Possibility.  I promise many more fulfilled resolutions next year!

___________________________

Brandon is the Owner/Director of Faith in the Family Counseling. He has been practicing in Ruston for over 16 years. His website is http://www.faithinthefamily.life. Brandon was born and raised in Ruston and is a graduate of Ruston High and Louisiana Tech. He is married to Marcie Ramsey and has three childen. 

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Rosie Shultz (’23) of Ruston, a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA), has been chosen by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Department of Education from nearly 3.6 million high school seniors as one of approximately 5,000 candidates for the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Shultz served as president of both her sophomore and junior classes and is currently executive president of LSMSA’s Student Government Organization. She is a member of LSMSA’s Artist-in-Training program for Vocal Performance, the Associate of General Studies program at both LSMSA and NSU, LSMSA’s theatre department, and the school’s choir. Recently named LSMSA’s Student of the Year, Shultz has been selected multiple times for All State Choir, is heavily involved in Ruston Community Theatre, and serves as chairwoman of the Louisiana High School Democrats.

“We cannot imagine a better representative of the Louisiana School than Rosie,” said Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton. “Her tremendous leadership skills and drive perfectly embody the spirit of excellence we strive for at LSMSA.”

Candidacy for the program is based on outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment or the College Board SAT, nomination by a Chief State School Officer, or nomination by a partner recognition organization. The program, established in 1964, recognizes distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academic success, leadership, service to school and community, demonstration of exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Semifinalists will be named in mid-April, and up to 161 distinguished graduating high school seniors will be named as U.S. Presidential Scholars in May. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.

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

Monday, Jan. 23
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Tuesday, Jan. 24
10 a.m.: Storytime at Lincoln Parish Library 

Wednesday, Jan. 25
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Thursday, Jan, 26
6 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball v UAB
6 p.m.: 103rd annual Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Banquet (Ruston Civic Center)

Friday, Jan. 27
7 p.m.: High school honor band kickoff (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)

Saturday, Jan. 28
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
1 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball v UTSA
4 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball v Jackson State
4 p.m.: Louisiana Tech high school band kickoff (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)
7 p.m.: Creedence Revived – The Premier CCR Tribute Band (Dixie Center for the Arts)

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

LA Tech 7, Stephen F. Austin 0

Louisiana Tech had a strong showing in its home opener on Saturday morning, shutting out Stephen F. Austin by a score of 7-0 at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.

LA Tech (3-1) lost only one set the entire day, clinching the doubles point on courts one and three and then sweeping all six singles courts with only one going to a third set.

“It was a solid win for our home opener,” said Tech head coach Amanda Stone. “It was not our best, prettiest tennis, but I am proud that our team found a way to win on all the courts. It is always great to win at home in front of our fans. This team has a lot of fight and we showed that today.”

Leonie Schuknecht (7-5, 7-6), Olga Bienzobas (6-4, 6-4), Najah Dawson (3-6, 6-4, 6-4), Tiffani Nash (6-4, 6-1), Alexia Romero (7-6, 7-5) and Ilana Tetruashvili (6-3, 6-3) all picked up singles wins.

With the 7-0 victory, LA Tech has now won eight of the last nine meetings versus Stephen F. Austin, and it marked the third career shutout for LA Tech against SFA (first since 2019).

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Bowling Claims Title

The Louisiana Tech women’s bowling head home from the Jackson State-hosted Sonic Boom Invitational with the champion title on Sunday afternoon.

“We did not bowl to our capability this weekend and is a little disappointing after our performance at the last event,” said head coach Matt Nantais. “Shot-making and spare shooting at times were nonexistent. We did end up, figuring it out and came away with the tournament championship but we need to be better than we were this weekend if we want to be in the postseason.”

Lindsay Manning and Allie Leiendecker both earned their way onto the All-Tournament team.

DAY 1
LA Tech began the tournament with five Baker matches on Friday morning. The Lady Techsters led off the day with a 1,021-709 win over Grambling. In match two, Tech was faced up against Alabama State, where they won 949-872. LA Tech then went into a bye match and racked in 1,006 pins to add to their total. The Lady Techsters defeated Jackson State 997-879 in match four followed by their fifth win over UAB 997-923 to give them 4,914 total pins on day one. 

DAY 2
Heading into traditional play on day two, the Lady Techsters started with a 997-930 victory over UAB before defeating Jackson State 973-966. In a bye match, LA Tech collected 1,142 pins before falling 990-959 to Alabama State. The Lady Techsters finished the day with a 9930-766 win over Grambling with give them the No.1 seed with 9,977 total pins in two days. 

DAY 3
Day three started a bit rocky with a hard 4-3 loss to UAB, but the Lady Techsters fought back to defeat Alabama State 4-1. In the championship match against UAB, Tech came in ready to fight. Tech didn’t give up and came out on top 4.5-2.5 to claim the title.  
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Track and Field

The Louisiana Tech men’s and women’s Track & Field team had an all-around dominant performance Sunday at the KMS Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. LA Tech won eight events, posted 18 combined podium finishes, and set 14 personal bests on the day. 

In the field events, Nemoy Cockett got Tech started by winning the men’s weight throw with a launch of 17.76m (58′ 3.25”). Next, Jiana Stewartburgess followed suit by taking first place in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.65m (5′ 5”) on her final attempt. Finally, Mateo Smith earned first place comfortably in the men’s long jump with a jump of 6.97m (22′ 10.5”). 

LA Tech Athlete Field Event Results

High Jump | Women’s
Jiana Stewartburgess (1^st) | 1.65m (5′ 5”)
Johannon Murray (4^th) | 1.6m (5′ 3”)

Triple Jump | Women’s 
Tia Reder (5^th) | 10.98m (36′ 0.25”)

Long Jump | Women’s
DaLoria Boone (3^rd) | 5.51m (18′ 1”)
Pleasant Harris (5^th) | 5.43m (17′ 9.75”)
Tia Reder (6^th) | 5.42m (17′ 9.5”)
Leah Ellis (7^th) | 5.39m (17′ 8.25”)

Long Jump | Men’s 
Mateo Smith (1^st) | 6.97m (22′ 10.5”)

Pole Vault | Women’s
Macy McLean (2^nd) | 3.2m (10′ 6”)

Pole Vault | Men’s 
Hunter Clayton (7^th) | 3.8m (12′ 5.5”)

Weight Throw | Women’s 
Elizabeth Sebera (3^rd) | 15.85m (52′ 0”)
Shania Parkinson (4^th) | 15.74m (51′ 7.75”) PR

Weight Throw | Men’s 
Nemoy Cockett (1^st) | 17.76m (58′ 3.25”)

Shot Put | Women’s
Shania Parkinson (3^rd) | 12.53m (41′ 1.5”)
Natalie Moten (5^th) | 11.93m (39′ 1.75”)
Johannon Murray (6^th) | 10.89m (35′ 8.75”)
Leah Ellis (8^th) | 10.29m (33.9.25”)

Shot Put | Men’s
Nemoy Cockett (4^th) | 13.16m (43′ 2.25”)
Wilson Yates (13^th) | 11.36m (37′ 3.25”)

LA Tech Athlete Running Event Results

60m Prelims | Women’s
DaLoria Boone | 7.78 Q
Chanel Honeywell | 7.96 Q

60m Semis | Women’s
DaLoria Boone | 7.77 Q
Chanel Honeywell | 8.04

60m Finals | Women’s
DaLoria Boone (1^st) 7.73

60m Prelims | Men’s
Rodney Heath Jr. | 6.82 Q
Karo Oghomi | 6.86 Q
Gerard Sapena | 6.88 Q
Marshall Ellis | 6.88 Q
Mateo Smith | 6.90 Q
Devin Walton | 6.96 Q

60m Semis | Men’s
Rodney Heath Jr. | 6.79 Q
Gerard Sapena | 6.84 Q PR
Marshall Ellis | 6.85 Q PR
Karo Oghomi | 6.88 Q PR
Mateo Smith | 6.90 Q PR
Devin Walton | 6.92 Q PR

60m Finals | Men’s
Marshall Ellis (1^st) | 6.78 PR
Gerard Sapena (2^nd) | 6.80 PR
Devin Walton (3^rd) | 6.84 PR
Karo Oghomi (4^th) | 6.86

400m | Women’s
Faith Tarver (3^rd) | 58.14
Nariah Parks (5^th) | 59.13

400m | Men’s
Laeden Tucker (1^st) | 49.77
Micah Pernetter (6^th) | 51.70 PR

60m H Prelims | Women’s
Kayla Watson | 8.70 Q PR
Nike Praetzel | 9.20 Q
Leah Ellis | 9.49 Q

60m H Finals | Women’s
Kayla Watson (1^st) | 8.51 PR
Leah Ellis (4^th) | 9.13 PR
Nike Praetzel (5^th) | 9.15

60m H Prelims | Men’s
Urijah Williams | 8.30 PR

60m H Finals | Men’s
Urijah Williams (3^rd) | 8.41

800m | Women’s
Victoria Datta (1^st) | 2:23.32

800m | Men’s
Logan Bailey (15^th) | 2:07.31

3000m | Women’s
Jacquelin LaBerteaux (8^th) | 11:52.16
Lexa Thompson (11^th) | 12:15.82

3000m | Men’s
Jacob Paulk (17^th) | 10:29.02

Women’s 4×400 Relay
LA Tech (2^nd) | Nariah Parks, Faith Tarver, Ulanda Lewis, Chanel Honeywell | 3:56.86

Men’s 4×400 Relay
LA Tech (3^rd) | Laeden Tucker, Micah Pernetter, Rodney Heath Jr., Marshall Ellis | 3:21.93

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Middle Tennessee 68, Bulldogs 51

Louisiana Tech could not make it two straight games of overcoming double-digit deficits, falling to a hot-shooting Middle Tennessee by a score of 68-51 on Saturday afternoon inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.

LA Tech (11-9, 4-5 C-USA) had one of its worst offensive performances of the season, coughing the ball up 15 times and making just three of its 21 three-point attempts. Meanwhile, MTSU (13-7, 6-3 C-USA) was efficient at all three offensive levels, shooting 52.1 percent from the field while sinking 11 triples (second most this season).

“We did not play together today,” said Tech head coach Talvin Hester. “I thought our problems were on the offensive end of the court. Early in the game, I thought we were playing 1-on-1 basketball. We were not moving the ball, we were not sharing it, which I thought affected our defense.

“We scored 24 points in the first half. We got down and started hanging our heads. In the second half, I thought our defense was better, holding them to 25 points. But, we dug a hole we could not get out of. We only had three assists and had 15 turnovers. That is not a winning recipe.”

Middle Tennessee led 43-24 at the half and Tech got no closer than 13 points in the second half.

Cobe Williams was the only Bulldog in double figures with 22 points. Elias King, who had 17 off the bench, anchored the Blue Raiders.

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Middle Tennessee 68, Lady Techsters 50

Louisiana Tech played championship-level basketball in hostile territory for the majority of the Saturday afternoon’s contest at Middle Tennessee. However, the Blue Raiders bookend the first and last five minutes of the game to pull away and extend the fourth-longest winning streak in the country to 14 games, winning 68-50.

Middle Tennessee (16-2, 9-0 C-USA) got off on a 10-0 start while holding LA Tech (11-8, 4-5 C-USA) and then closed the game on a 16-2 run to turn a close contest — one that Tech led 38-37 entering the fourth quarter — into a lopsided final score.

“I’m proud of the way we competed,” said Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. “We weren’t happy with the way we competed Thursday, and I thought we showed some toughness today. The last five minutes was disappointing after defending so well for the first three quarters.

“They put a lot of pressure on you with the way they shoot the three. I thought their big was as good as she’s been all year. We answered every run they had up to that point. They’re a good team. We will continue to get healthy and build on what we did today.”

Keiunna Walker led Tech with 14 points, her 13th straight game in double figures while passing Pam Gant for 14th place on the all-time scoring list. Amaya Brannon added 10 points in the loss.

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by Malcolm Butler

Between the inability to stop St. Frederick guard Parker Robinson and the struggle to keep the Warriors off the offensive glass, Friday night’s District 2-1A contest wasn’t what head coach Lance Waldron wanted to see from his Cedar Creek Cougars (8-11, 1-2).

Robinson, the son of former LA Tech quarterback Andy Robinson and Lady Techster guard Ashley (Antony) Robinson, scored a game-high 28 points, including making five of the Warriors nine three-pointers, in leading St. Frederick to a 58-39 win.

Robinson scored 11 in the first half and added 17 after halftime, keeping the Cougars from ever making a run.

“(Robinson) didn’t get cold at all,” said Waldron. “He just kept firing them. We struggled defending him obviously. He was really shooting it. He is tough to stop.

“I thought our guys did a better job of stopping the dribble penetration tonight, better than we have, without getting into foul trouble. I was proud of the way our guys fought. It was a hostile environment. It seemed like the opposing fans were right on top of them. We didn’t let that get us out of our gameplan.”

Carter Hill led Creek with 13 points while Davis Walsworth added 11 points.

However, when Robinson wasn’t hitting perimeter shots, the Warriors were getting second and third and sometimes fourth and fifth opportunities on the offensive glass.

“We struggled on the defensive boards,” said Waldron. “It felt like they stayed down there until they scored. They kept getting (offensive rebounds) and we weren’t able to stop them. They did a really good job on the offensive glass against us. I don’t think its a lack of effort. It’s a lack of positioning. We are turning and standing instead of trying to get a body out of there. We will work on that some more in practice.”

Creek trailed just 31-24 at the half but mustered only four points in the third quarter as St. Frederick was able to push its advantage out to 44-28. The Cougars never made a push in the fourth quarter.

At times Friday night, Creek seemed to struggle on the offensive end with the basketball not being shared as much as it has in past games. However, Waldron said part of it was by design.

“We do spend a lot of time on moving the ball around on offense,” said Waldron. “To be honest with you, we have worked a lot this week … we saw some things from St. Frederick where we felt we may not be able to swing the ball as much. So we waned to just attack the rim. So we actually worked on that. I thought we got to the rim. We pride ourselves on reversing the ball. There were a few things tonight where we wanted to isolate and just go to the rim.”

Creek hosts Rivers Oaks Tuesday night at the Brickhouse.

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Susie Stokes
November 24, 1937 – January 20, 2023
Graveside Service: Monday, January 23, 2023, 2:00 PM, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave., Ruston

Delma Nichols
March 8, 1951 – January 19, 2023
Graveside Service: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 2:00 PM, New Hope Cemetery, 292 New Hope Road, Choudrant

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