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By Malcolm Butler

 

One of the secondary questions that has arisen from some Lincoln Parish residents is how will Buc-ee’s impact Ruston Junior High School.

The marquee travel center will be built directly across the road from the junior high and is expected to open in 2025.

So Tarbutton Road will see a tremendous increase in traffic, most of it coming from out-of-parish travelers on I-20.

One of the first questions is will there be a concern of security for the junior high and its students.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker doesn’t believe so.

“I don’t see issues,” said Walker. “It’s not a truck stop. There was talk about sex trafficking and things like that. That happens at truck stops. I don’t see it as an issue.”

Local law enforcement agrees with Walker’s assessment.

“I don’t see it as a safety concern,” said Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams. “We have a School Resource Officer (SRO) at every school. We have security measures in place at all our schools. I don’t foresee it to being a concern.”

Each year between 550 and 600 Lincoln Parish seventh and eighth graders call Ruston Junior High School home five days a week.

Ruston Junior High School principal Keisha Douglas said she also feels good about the situation and that she hasn’t really heard much for any of the parents or teachers when it comes to safety concerns.

“To be honest, no,” said Douglas when asked if any parents had contacted her since the news broke. “No one has said anything other than Buc-ee’s is coming. I haven’t had (parents or teachers) talk to me about it. Now, when we get closer or when the construction starts maybe I will, but as of now I have not.

“I feel good about it. We will have to get into it first, but we are off of Taburtton. We have our own private drive in the front and our entrance on the side for car line and bus barn. The only other entry is locked during the day so really the only way in is to take Tarbutton to get to our faculty lot and then use the main entrance to the school to get buzzed in (to the school).”

Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett believes the travel center won’t pose a threat and said the school board has time before Buc-ee’s opens to implement any additional security measures if they feel they are needed.

“We’ve got time to put some things in place to make the (school) even more secure,” said Durrett. “I think our (school) entrance is there already. It’s hardened where you have to be buzzed (into the school) and everybody comes through the front.  I do think we will put up some more fencing across the front (of the school), like what you see on the boulevard at Ruston High with some gates that open and close.”

Durrett said Ruston Junior High School has security cameras throughout the school and new cameras will be installed over the next 18 months. He also feels that the fact it’s not a truck stop is a positive.

“If you told me that (a) truck stop was coming over there, that would be a bit of a concern,” said Durrett. “But Buc-ee’s doesn’t allow 18 wheelers. It’s mostly family traffic off the interstate, but it’s coming in to get gas and to shop.

“So, I think it’s almost like a shopping center in that respect. I’ve always thought that Buc-ee’s are clean establishments when we stop there. The inside is clean. The outside is clean. There’s not a lot of loitering around or people just hang out at it.”

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Letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of the Lincoln Parish Journal and its staff. The LPJ reserves the right to decline publishing submitted Letters to the Editor on a letter-by-letter basis. Letters to the Editor can be submitted via email to lpjnewsla@gmail.com.

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By Bill Jones

The last Police Jury meeting was quite a spectacle.  By an 8 to 4 vote, the Jury voted to terminate Doug Postel as Administrator.  More than 100 Parish citizens, including many Parish employees, attended that meeting to show their support for Mr. Postel.  Fourteen speakers gave unqualified comments in support of Mr. Postel based on their personal experience with him; and nobody —absolutely nobody — spoke against Mr. Postel.

Before the vote, one Juror, Logan Hunt, asked the other members of the Police Jury to state any reasons they might have for not renewing Mr. Postel.  Not a single Juror responded to that question — not a single Juror gave any reason or justification for terminating Mr. Poste — dead silence was their response.  The eight jurors voted terminate him.

After the vote, KNOE news asked one Juror — Theresa Wyatt —whether the public deserved to know their reasons for their vote.  Her answer:  “They don’t really  need to know why.”

Seven other Jurors obviously agree with Ms. Wyatt, because none of them  gave any reason for voting to terminate Mr. Postel.

It’s time for a change at the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.

Police Jurors are elected by Lincoln Parish residents to represent them.  When jurors ignore the opinions of the people they represent, they betray the trust we have placed in them.

We have entrusted our Police Jurors with a big job.  Here’s some of what the Police Jury does: maintains hundreds of miles of roads; maintains scores of bridges; picks up solid waste outside city limits; runs a solid waste disposal facility; provides ambulance and rescue services to everyone living outside city limits; furnishes the facility for the Lincoln Parish Detention Center; operates the Lincoln Parish Park; furnishes the Courthouse and related buildings for state and local offices, including the Judges, District Attorney, Clerk of Court, Registrar of Voters and Tax Assessor; furnishes the building for the Parish Health Unit; furnishes the building and support for the Lincoln Parish Library; operates a sewage system for 350 residences in Southeast Lincoln Parish; operates the Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish (“HELP”) which provides assistance to low-income citizens; and appoints members to many Lincoln Parish and state boards and commissions.  And in a national disaster, such as the tornadoes and hurricanes we’ve experienced in recent years, the LPPJ becomes is the lead agency for Parish disaster response

The annual budget for the Police Jury is more than $30 million, and in order to perform all these services, the Police Jury employs more than 150 people.

We’ve entrusted our Jurors with a lot — and eight of them tell us “we don’t really need to know why.”

We “don’t really need to know” their reasons behind how they maintain the roads and bridges that carry our school children?

We “don’t really  need to know” their reasons behind how they provide ambulance and rescue services?

We “don’t really need to know” their reasons behind how they treat the 150 people they employ, who are our family members, friends and neighbors?

We “don’t really need to know” their reasons for how they spend $30 million of our money each year?

I think we actually DO need to know — and we deserve to know — why the Police Jurors make their decisions. 

It’s time for a change at the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.

Bill Jones is a former Louisiana State Senator and a lifelong resident of Ruston.

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By T. Scott Boatright

Keeping its leadership as status quo was the primary order of business evening as the Lincoln Parish Library held its monthly meeting Thursday evening.

Last summer the LPL Board of Control elected Amy Miller as president in June before voting for Jan Cantebury to be vice president in July.

On Thursday, the Board of Control voted for that duo to control the same roles throughout 2023 with both elections coming unanimously with no other nominations made.

Completing a quorum at Thursday’s meeting were Miller, Canterbury, Diana Humphries, Mary Jo Cooper, Richard Durrett, Deborah Gilliam and Bill Jones.

Absent were Board of Control members Sandra Dupree and Eric McCulloch.

During committee reports, Bylaws Committee Chair Jones recommended clearing up some language in the bylaws, with the primary issue striking the word regular from any meetings. 

Jones said the committee also recommended adding concise regulations for public comment during Board of Control meetings as well as recommending a review of written needed qualifications for board members.

Those recommendations were passed unanimously.

Also discussed was an earlier Compensation Committee meeting led by Miller.

“It was extremely productive,” Miller said of that committee meeting which was joined by Cooper. “(Library Director Jeremy Bolom) did a great job to come up with a pay scale he put together off of a model he had found. The way it was set up was that some pay scales needed to be adjusted according to duties each employee might be filling. They’re on their own trajectory. We tried to categorize people into their own classifications.

“We had about four or five different classifications, so to adjust everybody into where they needed to do, we did make a couple of more classifications like some sub-classifications.”

Jones, also the Chair of the LPL Events Center Committee, presented that update and said the ongoing talks continue with the Ruston-Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau concerning the CVB joining in on management of the Events Center.

He said the main thing agreed on before any decision is made is that such an agreement should be made for only one year in order to see how the partnership would work out for both entities.

Before the meeting concluded, Durrett and the others members of the Board of Control commended Bolom for the fact that the library concluded the 2022 fiscal year with a surplus of $565,000.

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A Choudrant man was arrested Wednesday after an investigation by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies met with a woman who said Walter C. Freeman, Jr., 62, had struck her with a broomstick and pushed her down at their residence. When she fell, she suffered a deep cut on her forearm and an injury to her head.

Deputies examined the cut and saw a knot on the woman’s right temple.

Freeman was questioned at his residence. He said he fought with the victim as she attempted to leave the residence with his dog and both sets of car keys. Freeman said when he reached for the keys, the victim accidentally fell down and received her injuries. He said it was not intentional but accidental.

Freeman was arrested for domestic abuse battery and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

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 T. Scott Boatright

Thursday night’s special-called Lincoln Parish School Board meeting likely set a record.

A record for brevity.

In a meeting that had only one item on the agenda that was amended to remove that item, the LPSB met for only 3:12 before the meeting adjourned at the Lincoln Parish Schools Central Office meeting room.

The meeting was called to consider a Lincoln Preparatory School Connections Academy application — but when that discussion started with Lincoln Prep Executive Director Gordan Ford requesting the item be removed from the agenda, it quickly became as non-meeting as the LPSB voted unanimously to do so.

“We had some issues about third-party feedback and we finally got that feedback today, and after conversations between (LPSB Superintendent Ricky Durrett) and his team, and my team this afternoon, we have elected to pull the charter application. We wish to withdraw that application from your consideration tonight,” Ford told LPSB members. 

“We’ve talked with Superintendent Durrett and talked about ways we can work together to serve the kids that we’re concerned about there, and we’ll come back to you if we ever feel we need to do that again. But at this time, we’re going to withdraw the application.”

Allowing that took a motion to amend the agenda by the LPSB, and after a unanimous vote to do so, the meeting quickly came to an end.

After the meeting Ford offered a little more detail to the meeting’s outcome.

“It really means that we’re going to take another look at how we serve the kids we need to serve,” Ford said. “We were late getting feedback on the application and the way the application is structured right now, so there were things the third-party reviewer pointed out that has made us want to take another look at it.

“The Superintendent and I had a long conversation today. We got some understanding on what each of us are trying to do, and we’re going to try to work on some things together. We’ll make a decision later on if we think we need to come back to a charter school or if we think we need to service the kids we need to serve under the structure we already have in place.”

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Two men were arrested on drug charges on the Grambling State University campus Tuesday evening after they were stopped for having passengers riding on the hood of the car.

A GSU Police officer stopped a 2005 Ford Mustang after seeing two women lying on the hood of the car while it was in motion on the street.

Three men were found inside the car. The officer identified Kobe L. Johnson, 19, of Ferriday, as the driver. During a frisk, a bulge was found in Johnson’s pants pocket. The item was found to be a bag of suspected marijuana. As Johnson was being arrested, the front passenger ran from the car, dropping a backpack as he ran. A Grambling city police officer who had arrived as backup pursued Trevante A. Hall, 27, of Ferriday, and with the assistance of other officers, overcame his resistance and arrested him.

A records check revealed two warrants for Hall for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on traffic charges.

The backpack Hall threw down contained suspected marijuana as well.

The rear seat passenger was questioned and later released.

Johnson was booked for reckless operation of a vehicle and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Hall was booked for possession of marijuana in a school drug-free zone, resisting an officer, and obstruction of justice.

Bail amounts were not available at press time.

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

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Louisiana Tech’s School of Design Gala 2023: Krewe of Bauhaus, an evening of art, food, recognition, and entertainment, will be held from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 24, in the Davison Athletic Center.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half and then outscored WKU, 11-0, in overtime to take an 85-74 victory on Thursday night inside the Thomas Assembly on Karl Malone Court.

It was a near flawless five minutes of extra time for LA Tech (11-8, 4-4 C-USA). The Bulldogs made five of their seven shot attempts, getting scoring from four different players.

“So excited that our guys fought,” said Tech coach Talvin Hester. “When we got down 12, I told our tell that I was going to just play the five guys that wanted to fight and value the defensive end of the floor. We made a couple of adjustments. I gave Isaiah [Crawford] a chance to get his mojo back. He came up big on offense, and did a good job of containing [Jamarion] Sharp down the stretch.”

Breaking the 74-74 tie was Jordan Crawford who got the rebound on his own miss only to make a tough layup in traffic while drawing the foul. It was one of several great plays by the freshman, who ignited for 11 points and six assists off the bench.

Next was Isaiah Crawford who drained back-to-back contested jumpers, one from beyond the arc and the other just inside it, to go up 81-74 and force a timeout by the Hilltoppers.

Then came Darvon Mangum with the hustle play, getting the offensive board and the easy putback. And finally, Cobe Williams, who finished with a game-high 20 points, put the finishing touches on OT with a deep two for the bucket.

And on the defensive end, they held WKU (11-8, 3-5 C-USA) to zero points on seven field goal attempts.

The Hilltoppers started off cold as well, making just three of their first 12 field goals as the Bulldogs built an early 18-11 lead. But the visiting got warmer and warmer, eventually taking a 49-37 advantage after erupting for a 12-0 run early in the second half.

LA Tech needed to cool them off again, and it finally came with 13:15 remaining in the game. The ‘Dogs went on an 18-2 run over a five-minute stretch, getting 14 of those points from Cobe Williams and Isaiah Crawford.

The home team found themselves in a similar situation as last Saturday, up 72-65 with 3:34 to play. The Hilltoppers fired off a 7-0 run to tie it. LA Tech got the go-ahead bucket from a putback by Kenny Hunter with 14 seconds to go, but WKU’s Dayvion McKnight ultimately send it to overtime with two made free throws.

Joining Cobe Williams and Jordan Crawford in double figures were Isaiah Crawford (13), Mangum (10), and Hunter (10). The Bulldogs shot 50.7 percent from the field for the game, sinking 14 three-pointers.

Jamarion Sharp was the lead Hilltopper with 15 points and 11 rebounds. McKnight added 12 as WKU shot 41.3 percent from the field.

The Bulldogs host Middle Tennessee Saturday at 4 p.m.

As I slow down from the day, I tend to watch mindless television shows. I’m addicted to one of those oldie television stations. I can tell you what happens in every Perry Mason episode after only ten seconds of the episode. After Perry Mason one station broadcasts two episodes of Emergency.

That television show follows the exploits of a cutting edge idea back in the early 1970’s: paramedics. There is little blood and gore and there is very little anxiety about how situations will turn out. This was the 1970’s after all, good guys and gals were good and bad people were bad. In these shows justice usually triumphs, and the doctors always cure the patients. When someone dies, it is turned into a pedantic lesson about life.

What I have noticed is the functioning of the doctors in the hospitals.

These ER doctors seem to do it all. If the patient needs a little heart cath, the doctors throw on their green scrubs and get after it. Need some brain surgery, well they drill holes right there in the ER and then the patient is transported to surgery. I look at the technology that was cutting edge fifty years ago and give thanks for all the advancements that have been made.

Right now, I’m dealing with medical professionals. They are being professional and eventually this thing I’m dealing with will resolve. What has amazed me is how doctors have divided up the human body in order to specialize. 

There are podiatrists who specialize in the right foot and you need to find another doctor to work on your left foot. You can find an old-fashioned surgeon, or you can find a surgeon who specializes in robotic surgery. I didn’t know robots needed surgery. It all staggers the mind. Maybe I’m feeling nostalgic for the doctors I remember who were called General Practitioners. I believe they are called Family Medicine Doctors today. They take care of the whole human.

I watch Emergency and see the doctors at Rampart General doing everything from blood draws to heart surgery. 

We in the church world are guilty too of compartmentalizing, specializing, and targeting demographics. Sometimes I think the church has been infected by a virus called the Harvard Business Review. Jesus told us the fields are white unto harvest, the Harvard Business Review would say that we need to have a target audience for our messaging.

We are called to give our lives to Jesus. However, we too have become good at specialization. We think we can hold back parts of our being for ourselves and not give them to Jesus.

Are you giving the whole to Jesus?

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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. 

Friday, Jan. 20
10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting for Panda Express

Saturday, Jan. 21
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: A Day with Dr. Sandra Richter (Trinity United Methodist Church)
4 p.m.: La Tech men’s basketball v Middle Tennessee

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Louisiana Tech Athletic Communications

If you build it, they will come.

Louisiana Tech found out that was true during the 2021 Bulldog baseball season when the brand-new JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park was opened.

It also helps if you win … which the Bulldogs did to a tune of 43 victories, a C-USA West Division title and an NCAA Austin regional.

Due to the success and the new diamond dogs, Bulldog baseball tickets have been a hot commodity in Ruston.

Tech Athletics announced today that between existing season ticket holders from 2022 and those individuals who put the deposit down in June following the NCAA Regional, all available chairbacks are sold.

Berm seating behind the first base dugout is also sold out.

Tech may sell a limited number of standing room-only tickets and right field berm on a game-by-game basis.

Another option available to Bulldogs fans will be to look for tickets on Louisiana Tech’s preferred secondary market vendor, Ticketsforless.com.  Season ticket holders are encouraged to sell any unused tickets via this platform.

Louisiana Tech students will be able to claim single game tickets for the Kennel (right field berm) starting Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.

There are some premium seating opportunities still available on a game-by-game basis, including the Home Plate Suite and the Hot Corner.

Packages for the Home Plate Suite will include 10 tickets and starts as low as $400.

Packages for The Hot Corner will include anywhere from 20 to 40 tickets and will start as low as $500 per game (pricing for both Home Plate Suite and The Hot Corner is dependent upon game). 

Anyone interested in purchasing the Home Plate Suite or The Hot Corner should contact Ashley Brooks at (318) 257-5329 or abrooks@latech.edu.

Season ticket holders who selected mobile ticketing should have their tickets on their LA Tech Athletics app mobile account. Season ticket holders who selected printed tickets should receive them in the mail over the next couple of weeks. Individuals who qualify for parking passes will receive those in the mail prior to the Feb. 17 home opener (either via mobile or mail).

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Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

Grambling State University head football coach Hue Jackson announced the hiring of Tony Hull as the Co-Offensive Coordinator, Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach on Thursday morning.

Hull joins the G-Men after serving as the running backs coach under head coach Terry Bowden at Louisiana-Monroe. Upon his arrival at ULM in 2021, he began as the outside receivers coach for the War Hawks.

Prior to joining the staff at ULM, he served for four years as the associate head coach and running backs coach at Kansas (2016-19) and as the co-offensive coordinator and inside receivers coach at Hawai’i in 2020. From New Orleans, Louisiana, Hull coached Pooka Williams Jr., now with the Cincinnati Bengals, to consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2018 and 2019, a feat accomplished only once before in Kansas football history.

Under Hull’s guidance, KU running back Khalil Herbert, drafted in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, exploded for a 291-yard rushing game against West Virginia – the third-best single-game rushing performance in Jayhawk history and third best in the NCAA in 2017.

Hull joined the collegiate coaching ranks after a distinguished coaching career in the Louisiana high school ranks. In nine seasons as the head coach and offensive coordinator of Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, Hull led the stagnant program into a contender. He arrived at Warren Easton in 2007, the school’s first season playing football following Hurricane Katrina, and guided the Eagles to playoffs in seven of his nine seasons. His resume included a state championship game appearance in 2014 and a state semifinals showing in 2015.

Hull developed the Eagles’ players on the field as he mentored 45 players who went on to earn Division I football scholarships. Six of those players earned a nod in ESPN’s Top-300 lists, while one of his athletes was named the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Louisiana Football.

Hull, who taught math and physical education, was an important member of the Eagles’ faculty as he saw his WEHS football players achieve a 100-percent graduation rate. Additionally, he implemented a character development sector that saw his players assisting inner city youth with off-the-field development.

Prior to his time at Warren Easton, Hull spent the 2005 season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at his alma mater, Sarah T. Reed High School in New Orleans. He served in the same capacity at Mandeville (La.) High School in 2006.

Hull was a two-year starter on the offensive line at UL Lafayette, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology in 2004. Following graduation, Hull spent four years working in the engineering field, including three years at NASA.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Tailgating tents and season tickets are on sale now for the 2023 Lady Techster Softball season.

The defending Conference USA Regular Season Champions are slated to play 25 home games as well as host the Conference USA Tournament at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

Four 10×10 tents are available for rent for each home game with tiered pricing based on day, opponent and number of tents rented. Each tent comes with 13 tickets, one 6-foot table and two high-top tables while renters are permitted to bring in a grill and food prep for the day.

Tailgating tents are located just above the berm seating area along the first base dugout in the commons area.

Prices range from $300 to $200 per tent per game and individuals who rent more than one tent for a game will receive price breaks on the additional tents (tickets).

Fans can see pricing options by going to LATechSports.com/tickets and clicking on softball. Individuals interested in renting tents should call Ashley Brooks at (318) 257-5329 or abrooks@latech.edu.

The defending Conference USA champions are slated to host perennial top 25 programs in LSU (Feb. 21) and UL-Lafayette (May 3) as well as four three-game C-USA series. Purchasing season tickets is the only way to guarantee a ticket for the marquee match-ups against LSU and UL-Lafayette as single game tickets won’t go on sale (if available) until just weeks before those two contests.

The 2023 C-USA Tournament will take place May 10-13 at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. Lady Techster season ticket holders will have first right to purchase tickets for the tournament when they go on sale at a later date.

A number of price points exist for season tickets. Chairbacks (most popular) are $125 while bleacher seats are $75 and berm seating are $50.

To purchase season tickets, fans can call 318-257-3631 or go to LATechSports.com/tickets.

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A funeral mass for Saundra Lee Belaire, age 85 of Ruston, LA will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Lake Charles, LA with Father Sam Bond officiating. Burial will be in the Orange Grove Graceland Cemetery in Lake Charles.

Saundra was born January 31, 1937 in Lake Charles to Raima Inez and Morris James Belaire, and she passed peacefully from this life January 14, 2023 at her home in Ruston. She grew up in Lake Charles and attended St. Charles Academy and graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1955. Saundra attended her degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana before commencing what she considered to be her greatest role in life, that of becoming a mother to three children and raising them with devotion and great love. That same love and devotion would carry on to be shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she will forever be endeared to them as their “Mommie.”

Many years after raising her family, Saundra returned to college to complete a degree in education from McNeese State University. After graduation, she moved to Ruston to be near family, most especially her grandchildren. From there, Saundra would pursue a career as an outstanding educator at Cedar Creek Elementary School. During those years, she touched the lives of many children and shared with them her love of history, art and music.

She was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church during the 30 years that she resided in Ruston. Saundra was preceded in death by her parents: Morris James Belaire, Sr., Inez Wilson Belaire and Juanita Taylor Belaire; brother Morris James “Bobby” Belaire, Jr.; sister Renee’ Belaire Terrell; and grandson Thomas Gray Stephens.

Saundra is survived by her son Bryan Cook and wife Suzanne; daughters Julie Cook and husband Steve Rogers and Susan Cook and husband Gray Stephens; grandchildren: Michael Rogers, Erin Rogers Blackburn, Jeffery Cook and wife Hillary, Anna Stephens and husband Steven Godfrey, John Stephens and wife Ashley, Laura Cook and husband Rob Lawrence and Katherine Stephens and husband Jesse Lambert; eleven great-grandchildren; sister Deborah Ann Belaire; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The family wishes to extend a special gratitude to friend and caregiver Willie Mae Howard of Ruston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in your community or to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be 11:00-12:00 PM, Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Lake Charles. To leave an online message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Memorial services for Mr. Billy Tinsley, age 80 of Ruston, LA will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston with Rev. Randy Ray and Rev. Kelli Stephenson officiating.

Billy Mac was born March 26, 1942 in Simsboro, LA to Bertis and Lee Davis Tinsley, and he passed away peacefully January 16, 2023 at his home in Ruston. For almost 81 years, he spent his time serving: his country, his community, and his family. Billy Mac joined the United States National Guard right out of high school and served his country for six years. For over 20 years, after retirement, he volunteered his time to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, providing an escort for hundreds of families on their loved one’s final trip. Billy Mac approached this duty with a seriousness of purpose to ensure a peaceful funeral procession for the families enduring loss. He was fortunate that he did not live to work but that he worked to live. When Billy Mac was not serving his family, friends or community, he lived. His love for Native American history, for driving his ’69 Corvette and for spending time with those he liked the most led to a lifetime of trips all over the southern United States as well as the Route 66. Another loved past time of his was watching westerns with his wife, the love of his life for 56 years, Billie June Thomas Tinsley. Billy Mac was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents Clyde Ann Davis and Lee Tinsley; and maternal grandparents Annie Mae Barnett and Malvin Hood.

Billy Mac is survived by his loving wife; sister Ann Tinsley and husband Ferrell Pesnell of Simsboro; nephew Lee Lewellyan and wife Brandi of Ruston; and niece Kelly Lewellyan Bond (Brent) of Simsboro.

The family would like to express appreciation to Billy Mac’s loving caregivers Kathy Rushing, Angela Braggs, Shantelle Withe, D. Darby, Zan Mason, Kim Smith, Shaun Grant and Bobby Goodgoin who were such a blessing during this difficult time.

To honor Billy Mac’s life of service, the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 PM, Saturday, January 21 at the funeral home. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Billy Tinsley 
March 26, 1942 – January 16, 2023 
Visitation: Saturday, January 21, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 West California Ave. 
Memorial Service: Saturday, January 21, 2023, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Ave. 

Lula Mae Lewis 
Tuesday 09/07/1943 — Saturday 01/14/2023  
Visitation: Friday 01/20/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Celebration of Life: Saturday 01/21/2023 2:00pm at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, 210 Mount Harmony Church Rd., Ruston 

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By Malcolm Butler

With the news last week that Lincoln Parish will be getting the first Buc-ee’s in the state of Louisiana, a lot has been asked about the tax implications involving luring the wildly popular travel center to north Louisiana.

What did Lincoln Parish and the City of Ruston have to “give up” to make the deal for the $50 million development that will be built on the north side of I-20 on Tarbutton Road?

The answer is 5.75 percent for 20 years.

Ruston mayor Ronny Walker said that sales tax exemption exists only for Buc-ee’s and that any additional properties that are built within the 82-acre footprint would not receive the exemption, thus bringing in additional sales tax revenue for the city and parish.

He believes it’s a huge coup for the area, especially when focused on the big picture.

“Rising tides lifts all ships,” said Walker, who believes that the addition of Buc-ee’s will only draw more out-of-parish dollars to the area as well as more businesses.

“It’s a way to get people off I-20 (in Ruston),” said Walker. “Are we giving up something? Not really, because there’s not one thing currently out there on that property. The fact that we were able to get the first one in the state is really big. Just look at all the publicity we have received locally and regionally since the news game out. We had to do some things to even get (Buc-ee’s representatives) here to listen to us.”

So what is the sales tax part of this Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (see full agreement below)?

Lincoln Parish will surrender 5.75% sales tax for the first 20 years of Buc-ee’s existence in Ruston. Where does that total come from?

• 0.25 percent from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department
• 0.75 percent from the Lincoln Parish Police Jury
• 2.75 percent from the City of Ruston
• 2.00 percent from the Economic Development District

Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams said he felt it was a no-brainer for the parish.

“To me we are giving up something we didn’t have,” said Williams, referring to sales tax that otherwise wouldn’t be collected with no businesses in that area. “We weren’t going to get (Buc-ee’s) if we didn’t give it up. It is a chance to bring 200 plus good jobs to our parish.

“The first time we met early on a year ago, they showed us aerial views of other Buc-ee’s locations and how they built up around them quickly. We will gain tax revenue from those additional businesses. It’s more jobs for the community. I believe 95 percent of the revenue is going to be off the interstate. I think it will be a money generator for the parish in the long run. That positive outweighed the negative.”

Although the Lincoln Parish School Board didn’t surrender sales tax, they did surrender their portion of the property tax for 20 years.

However, LPSB Superintendent Ricky Durrett also believes it’s a win for Lincoln Parish.

“We think it’s a positive,” said Durrett. “We think the 200 good paying jobs that it is going to create, that’s going to just enhance people in our community. I think it just puts more money into our economy which will in turn help more at the grocery store, more restaurants, more doing everything. I think it’s a risk like anything else, but I do think the upside to it is very positive.”

Based on some projections that Durrett was given by Buc-ee’s representatives, he said they expect an additional $1M annually from their portion of the sales tax. Durrett said that money will go toward health insurance (for current and retired employees), salary supplements (13^th and 14^th checks), and some instructor and enrichment positions (within the elementary system).

Walker also made note that the city really is only surrendering .97 percent thanks to Ruston’s participation within the state’s tax incremental district.

“It’s really the only reason we were able to get to the number needed,” said Walker. “Buc-ee’s said they needed us to get to 5.75 percent in order for them to come to Ruston.”

According to Walker, the tax incremental tax district runs parallel along I-20 and the state receives 4.5 percent sales tax for any businesses located within that footprint. The state then in turn sends back 40 percent of that total (1.78 percent) that Ruston can use for work only within that tax incremental district footprint (roads, bridges, water, sewer, electricity).

Thus, instead of surrendering 2.75 percent of sales tax, the city is only surrendering .97 percent due to the state returning the 1.78 percent for the tax incremental district.

“The service roads we have today, the bridge across to Wal-Mart and Tarbutton … none of that would have been possible without the tax incremental district because that is where the money came from to build every one of those,” said Walker. “It’s about $50 million worth of construction.

“The only reason we could do that is because (former mayor) Hilda Taylor Perritt got us into the tax incremental district. Us and Monroe are the only two cities in the state that have that. It was offered and no other cities were smart enough to jump on it. Hilda was smart enough to say it was a no-brainer.”

Walker said he believes that the addition of Buc-ee’s will be the tide that helps raise additional business in Ruston and the surrounding area.

“If we have 25,000 to 50,000 cars get off the interstate each month and stop at Buc-ee’s, they are stopping in Ruston,” said Walker. “Some of them, I’m not saying all of them, but some of them are going to come into town and check it out. They may go to (Louisiana) Tech and check it out. They may go to the Eddie Robinson Museum. They may stop at a hotel or a restaurant.”

Walker also noted that Buc-ee’s will provide $250,000 to the City of Ruston within 30 days of opening the travel center to the general public to be used at the discretion of the City. Walker said $200,000 of it would go towards the Ruston Sports Complex.

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By Malcolm Butler

Approximately 82 acres of land has been purchased on the north side of I-20 on Tarbutton Road across from Ruston Junior High School.

The first Buc-ee’s ever built in the state of Louisiana will occupy approximately 27 acres of that footprint as a travel center between 53,000 and 74,000 square feet will be constructed over the next two years.

For reference, the Buc-ee’s in Terrell, Texas, is 53,000 square feet.

As part of the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the City of Ruston and Buc-ees, an economic development district package called “Project Dam” is included, thus incentivizing the corporation to help recruit additional businesses to that area.

“We have two economic development districts in the city right now,” said Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker. “The first is the shopping center with Hobby Lobby and all of those. They get the full 1 percent up to a certain count. The other is the hotel-restaurant tax which Buc-ee’s will not have because they don’t have seats, so they aren’t considered a restaurant.”

It’s an additional 2 percent sales tax that can be charged within the 82 acre-footprint that will go to Buc-ee’s and is part of the 5.75 percent sales tax exemption for 20 years in the CEA. It’s a major component to making the numbers work for both sides.

“If a hotel goes out there, Buc-ee’s will get the (additional) 2 percent sales tax on it,” said Walker. “If a restaurant goes out there, they will. So, this 2 percent goes directly to Buc-ee’s and is based on any (business) that goes out there.

“What Buc-ee’s did was so helpful for us. They took the economic development district money and gave us back our tax incremental district money. We get that from day No. 1.”

The additional businesses that ultimately are built within the 82-acre footprint will not benefit from the same sales tax breaks that Buc-ee’s will receive for its first two decades.

Walker said an economic development study would be done soon to better project the financial impact.

“We have heard $10M a month in sales,” said Walker. “Then we heard $4M on the inside and $4M on the outside. So, we really don’t know. But it’s going to be huge for us.”

In addition to the 2.75 percent sales tax exemption from the City, Buc-ee’s was also incentivized by locking in utility rates of 4.75 cents per kWh as well as sewer and water rates. The city also surrendered their portion of the property tax for the travel center only.

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Lincoln Parish’s own Mardi Gras krewe, the Krewe of Pomona, has announced its 2023 court.

Krewe of Pomona 2023 Prince, Jack Barron McClure

Jack is the son of Leslie and Blaine McClure. He is the grandson of Ginny and the late Jack Love and Glenn and the late Carrie McClure. Jack is a senior at West Feliciana High School in St. Francisville where he is a member of the baseball team and serves as a Student Athlete Ambassador. He was also awarded the Tip of the Spear Award for National Guard. An honor roll student, Jack plans to continue his education at Louisiana Tech University next fall to pursue a career in Industrial Engineering. Jack’s hobbies include woodworking and hunting, and he is excited to share in this special experience with his grandmother, Ginny Love.

Krewe of Pomona 2023 Princess, Emma Love Pearce

 Emma Love is the daughter of Ginger and Mikie Pearce. She is the granddaughter of Ginny and the late Jack Love and Kay and the late Conny Pearce. Emma Love is a junior at Cedar Creek School where she is a varsity cheerleader and a Cougar Ambassador. She is also a member of the kindness club, art club, French club, and FCA, where she serves as co-vice president. A talented writer and photographer, Emma Love has been published twice for each skill in her school’s literary publication, the CLAW. She is an honor roll student and National Honor Society Member and plans to become a musical therapist. Emma Love enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and photography. She is thrilled to be a part of the krewe and to make special memories with her grandmother, Ginny.

Krewe of Pomona 2023 Princess, Callie Ann Stegall

Callie is the daughter of Amy and Chris Stegall. She is the granddaughter of Corre Stegall and of Celeste and Bernard Bolton. Callie is a senior at Ruston High School where she serves as a Bearcat Mentor and is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Keywanettes, and Bearcat Spirit Club. Callie has earned varsity letters in both basketball and golf. She is also a talented artist and served as the head designer and painter for a mural at Ruston High. During her junior year, she was chosen to participate in the SAIL program through the Lincoln Parish Chamber of Commerce. Callie also enjoys working with the team at Goldie Boutique. In her free time, Callie practices art, guitar, cooking, and photography. She plans to continue her education in the fall at Louisiana Tech University, where she will major in Marketing and Data Analytics. Callie is excited to be a member of the krewe during the inaugural year.

Krewe of Pomona Queen I, Pam Cathey Jones

Pam is a life-long resident of Lincoln Parish.  She served as the parish Tax Assessor for 12 years where she was a part of the creation of the Lincoln Parish GIS system and online tax roll and served as the President of the Louisiana Assessors Association. Pam retired after more than 30 years of work in the office. Following her retirement, she began a second career in real estate culminating with the opening of her own brokerage Louisiana Orchard Realty, where she was one of the top 10 realtors in sales volume in Northeast Louisiana in 2022. Pam is the president of the Sigma Kappa Housing Corporation Board and volunteers on the Rolling Hills Ministry Board, and she serves as a leader for her Bible Study Fellowship group.  Pam is wife to Mike, mother to Caty Simmons, Michelle Landry, and William Jones, and grandmother to Lily Cate, Shepherd, Sutton, Beau, and Izabela.

Krewe of Pomona King I, Lt. Col. Rowdy Sewell USMC, Ret. 

Originally from Ferriday, Rowdy is a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and former fighter pilot with 23 years of active duty and reserve service.  He served in five major overseas deployments flying over 100 combat missions. Rowdy has worked as a contract test and evaluation pilot for CAV Air, a private supplier of specialized military aircraft. He is currently a certified flight instructor, a Captain for American Airlines on the Airbus A320 fleet based out of DFW, and the owner of Hornet 6 LLC, an aviation consulting and fire management company. Rowdy is also the co-owner of Ruston Animal Clinic, Ruston Pet Resort, and Stinkweed LLC, a property holding company. In his free time, he serves as an advisor to the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order, is a member of the Allied Pilots Association, and is a National STOP COMMITTEE member. A talented musician, Rowdy enjoys being the lead singer in a local band, as well as being an avid sportsman and outdoorsman.  Rowdy is husband to Dr. Marion Sewell, and father to Rosemary, Frances, and Juliette.

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Ruston Police arrested a Bernice man early Sunday morning after a traffic stop for an equipment violation led to the detection of drugs in the car.

Jeremiah N. Knighton, 23, was stopped shortly after midnight Sunday morning. While talking with Knighton, the officer detected an odor believed to be raw marijuana. A search of the vehicle was conducted.

Officers recovered a bottle of promethazine syrup, and over 72 grams of marijuana, $230 in cash and an unidentified pill.

Knighton was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of promethazine with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Bail was set at $35,000.

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

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