A Dubach woman was arrested Monday afternoon after another motorist reported her driving to Ruston Police.

Officers arrested Valerie Woods Foster, 38, for DWI and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after she was spotted at the Sonic Drive-in on West California Avenue.

A concerned motorist had called Ruston Police and given a description of a green and gray pickup being driven recklessly by a female who had pulled into the Sonic restaurant. According to her booking affidavit, Foster had poor balance, slurred speech, and other signs of impairment. She reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested.

During a search of the pickup after the arrest, officers located suspected marijuana.

At the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, Foster refused to provide a breath sample. During a search of her purse during booking, a glass smoking pipe consistent typically used for smoking narcotics was found.

Bail was set at $1,500.

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

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For so many of us, we just can’t wait to get to the next best thing.  That next best thing could be young parents getting their little one out of diapers.  That next best thing could be graduation day for a student, promotion day for someone in the workforce, or retirement day for someone that has put in years of work.  That next best thing could be a championship game for a coach or an athlete, a dream vacation, that perfect home, or meeting that long-term financial goal.  That next best thing could be any number of things, and many of us likely could relate to several of these examples at different times.

There is nothing wrong with dreams, goals, plans, or aspirations.  We are all wired to desire and pursue things to varying extents.  There may be great feelings of accomplishment when these goals are achieved, or those destinations reached.  However, for some, there may be some level of emptiness or disappointment as well.  The joy in the achievement may be short lived, and the need for that next best thing may become a new priority very quickly.  The joy fades quickly and the pursuit begins again.  It can turn into a never-ending cycle of discontentment, discouragement, and anxiety.  

The key is not to give up on dreams, goals, or ambition in various areas of our life.  These can all be healthy mechanisms to provide direction, purpose, meaning, and motivation for many of us.  The key to lasting joy and satisfaction is in the process, not just the achievement.  When we become comfortable with our identity (who we are, what we value, and what we are known for), we can build a lifestyle/process for our life that directs our actions toward our dreams, goals, and purpose.  We can find joy in living this lifestyle/process.  Achieving the various dreams, goals, and ambitions are great, but the sustaining contentment and joy comes from living that lifestyle and exercising that process.  When one finds joy in the process, peace and contentment prevail, and results are just a bonus when they are reached.

I found this true in my high school years.  I had athletic goals both individually and team centered.  However, I loved the off-season training and preparation.  Don’t get me wrong, I still looked forward to those Friday night football games and mid-week baseball games, but I found great joy in the training and preparation leading up to those events.  To this day, I love the early morning training routine that prepares me for a race or a competition.  Similarly, I look forward to the preparation prior to speaking to a group or leading a training session.  I find joy in the complete process of living out the identity that I have chosen to pursue.  I find great joy in walking through challenges and praying for others to be supportive and encouraging.  I am not talented or skilled enough to solve many problems, but my process is to just be present as often as possible.

I am not sure where you are in the pursuit of the next best thing, but I do encourage you to pause and consider the process of getting there.  You just might find lasting joy and contentment in the process of pursuing those items.  The process is where life is lived out, people’s lives are impacted, and lasting joy can be found.  Fall in love with the process, and let the results take care of themselves.

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Lincoln Parish residents (and anyone else) are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Ruston location of the American Mattress Outlet today.

Owner Robby Compton and his staff opened the Ruston location on 208 West Alabama in early January and are thrilled to be a part of our community.

Just remember that “You don’t have to go into debt to get a great night’s sleep.”

Read more about Robby and his new Ruston store HERE.

This is a PAID ADVERTORIAL

 

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By Kyle Roberts

Ruston High School’s softball squad dropped their home opener Wednesday night to North DeSoto by a final score of 14-2.

“Tonight’s game obviously did not have the outcome we wanted for a home opener but I’m not going to say I’m upset with how my girls performed,” Ruston head coach Lauren Garvie said. “I’m proud of (pitcher) Cala (Wilson) for fighting in the circle and I think you take away our first inning tonight and you see a completely different game. I would never take away the fact that North Desoto hit the ball well, but I think that first inning caught us off guard. Once we settled in, you saw a different team on the field.

“I’m proud of the girls for continuing to play the game hard and putting the bat on the ball and continuing to make plays in the field. I know we can only build on our second inning and up.”

North DeSoto scored nine runs in the first inning before adding two more in the third to lead 11-0. Ruston tacked on two runs in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 11-2 before NDHS added three more runs in the top of the sixth.

Wilson threw all six innings for the Lady Bearcats and struck out two batters.

The Lady Bearcats return to action Friday, Feb. 17, and will host Choudrant. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.

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District X of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association will hold its spring District meeting on March 8 at the Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston.

District X of LRTA includes Caldwell, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita and Union parishes. Retired teachers from these parishes are invited to attend.

Becky Solley, District X President, will preside over the meeting, which begins at 2 p.m. Registration starts at 1:45 p.m. LRTA Executive Director Rodney Watson will also discuss the upcoming 2023 Regular Session and legislation that could impact retired teachers. Additional meeting details can be found at lrta.net.

The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to protecting and enhancing benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. For more information about LRTA, visit lrta.net.

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By Kyle Roberts

CHALMETTE, La. — After grinding through an injury-plagued season, the No. 25 seeded Ruston Lady Bearcats will travel to face the No. 8 seeded Chalmette Owls tonight to open the 2023 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Non-Select Division I playoffs.

“Chalmette is a quality opponent, and we are excited about the opportunity to compete on Thursday,” Ruston head coach Meredith Graf said. “We hope to take advantage of their lack of depth and push the tempo throughout the game. It will take all of us to get the job done, but I feel confident we will be right there with them. We have been well prepared by our tough regular season schedule. We hope it pays off. You never know what can happen in the playoffs.”

Ruston finished the regular season with a final record of 14-12 and was runner-up in District 2-5A, while Chalmette finished as District 8-5A champions after sweeping through their district schedule.

Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m., and tickets will be $7 for adults and $5 for students.

The game will be broadcast live on both Facebook and Youtube.

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The 2023 Louisiana Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Northeast Region Leadership Conference was hosted by Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business last week. More than 750 middle and high school students from across the northern part of the state traveled to Ruston for competitive events and workshops.

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History.com

On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.

Because the ancient Egyptians saw their pharaohs as gods, they carefully preserved their bodies after death, burying them in elaborate tombs containing rich treasures to accompany the rulers into the afterlife. In the 19th century, archeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs. Many had long ago been broken into by robbers and stripped of their riches.

When Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891, he became convinced there was at least one undiscovered tomb–that of the little known Tutankhamen, or King Tut, who lived around 1400 B.C. and died when he was still a teenager. Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter searched for five years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year.

In November 1922, the wait paid off, when Carter’s team found steps hidden in the debris near the entrance of another tomb. The steps led to an ancient sealed doorway bearing the name Tutankhamen. When Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb’s interior chambers on November 26, they were thrilled to find it virtually intact, with its treasures untouched after more than 3,000 years. The men began exploring the four rooms of the tomb, and on February 16, 1923, under the watchful eyes of a number of important officials, Carter opened the door to the last chamber.

Inside lay a sarcophagus with three coffins nested inside one another. The last coffin, made of solid gold, contained the mummified body of King Tut. Among the riches found in the tomb–golden shrines, jewelry, statues, a chariot, weapons, clothing–the perfectly preserved mummy was the most valuable, as it was the first one ever to be discovered. Despite rumors that a curse would befall anyone who disturbed the tomb, its treasures were carefully catalogued, removed and included in a famous traveling exhibition called the “Treasures of Tutankhamen.” The exhibition’s permanent home is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

North Texas at Bulldogs

Louisiana Tech is set to play a pair of conference home games this week, starting on tonight against North Texas. The Bulldogs will play four of its last six league games inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.

Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and the game can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM and the LA Tech Athletics app with Malcolm Butler and Jack Thigpen providing a call of the action. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.

With six conference games remaining, LA Tech (13-12, 6-8)  is in a tie with WKU for seventh place (just one and a half games back of fourth).  The Bulldogs dropped both road games this past week, including a heartbreaking 90-85 overtime loss at league-leader Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

The Bulldogs managed to erase a 15-point deficit in the second half and force OT, but got outscored, 14-9, by the Owls in the extra frame.  It was the fourth overtime game of the season for the ‘Dogs, tied for the most in C-USA.

North Texas (21-5, 12-3) is currently second in the confer­ence standings at 12-3, just two games back of first. The Mean Green are riding a six-game winning streak and are coming off one of their most dominant performances of the year, which was a 67-43 victory over Charlotte.

UNT sports one of the top defenses in the country. The Mean Green are allowing just 55.6 points per game, the second best scoring defense in the nation behind only Houston. They also rank first in the conference in field goal percentage defense (40.3) and three-point field goal percentage defense (31.0).

LA Tech leads the all-time series with North Texas, 28-16.  In the first meeting this season, the Bulldogs erased an 18-point deficit to tie things up with 18 seconds to go, but Kai Huntsberry sank a midrange jumper with four seconds later that proved to be the game winner in a 67-65 win.

Over the last five seasons, 12 of the 13 games played between LA Tech and North Texas have been decided by seven points or less (and six of the 13 have been decided by two points or less).

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Lady Techsters at North Texas

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team will play a pair of Conference USA road games this week, beginning with North Texas tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Super Pit in Denton, Texas. The game can be seen on ESPN+. In addition, the live radio broadcast and live stats can be found on the LA Tech Athletics app.

Louisiana Tech (14-10, 7-7) swept a pair of conference home games last week over FIU and FAU in which they never trailed. LA Tech’s bench has continued to produce and reached double figures 22 times this season.

Keiunna Walker became the 11th player in program history, surpassing 1,800 career points, and is only five points away from cracking the all-time top 10. Walker has reached double figures in 22 of 24 games, including 18 straight, and is No. 2 in C-USA at 17.3 PPG.

LA Tech currently leads C-USA in field goal percentage (.451), three-point percentage (.338), and free throw percentage (.787). Defensively, Tech ranks second in scoring defense (60.5 PPG) and defensive FG% (.386). 

After a 3-6 start to conference play, North Texas (9-15, 6-8) picked up three wins in a row to even their conference record but have since dropped their last two matchups before welcoming LA Tech to the Super Pit.

Five of the Mean Green’s conference losses have been by single digits, including the last two against UAB (52-61) and Charlotte (61-69).

On the floor, UNT is led by last season’s C-USA Preseason Player of the Year, Quincy Noble. Noble, a 5-10 senior guard from McKinney, Texas, has been atop the league in scoring this year and ranks No. 3 at 16.8 PPG heading into Thursday’s matchup.

Tonight’s match-up will be the 21st overall meeting between the Techsters and the Mean Green and the second one this season. LA Tech took the first match-up in Ruston 81-66 to make it three in a row over North Texas.

LA Tech leads the overall series 16-4, winning the first 12 meetings from 1989-90 to 2017-18. North Texas took three of the next four before Tech swept the two-game set last season, giving the Techsters four of the previous five.

The Techsters have a 6-1 mark in Denton, with the Mean Green’s lone win in the Super Pit coming in the series’ only overtime game in 2019-20 (74-69).
 

 

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Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

Tigers 68, Prairie View 64

Carte’Are Gordon racked up 18 points, helping lead the Grambling State men’s basketball team defeat Prairie View A&M 68-64 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on Monday night.

Gordon, who showcased his muscle and shot making ability, also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds with one lock. 

Shawndarius Cowart added 12 points with three assists, two rebounds and two steals while Tra’Michael Moton continued to get back comfortable in the lineup, adding 10 points with three boards, three assists and two steals. 

After Grambling State (17-8 overall, 10-3 SWAC) opened up a 14-6 lead, Prairie View A&M (9-16, 5-8) scored the next six points to pull within two midway through the first half. 

With the Tigers leading 24-18, the Panthers used an 8-0 run to snag a 26-24 lead with 6:05 to go in the half. That’s when Gordon came up with a three consecutive buckets for the GSU. His third basket was an emphatic dunk that put the Tigers back in the lead, 30-28.

PVAMU, however, carried a slim 35-34 into the halftime break.

The Panthers opened up a five point lead, 39-34, out of the locker room, but a 3-pointer from Gordon settled the Tigers down.With GSU trailing 44-42, Jourdan Smith decided to put the team on his back, scoring Grambling State’s next nine points and giving the Tigers a 51-46 advantage with 8:07 left.

Prairie View A&M with a 6-0 run of its own to propel itself ahead, 52-51, with 7:21 remaining. Cowart gave GSU the lead back with a basket inside the paint to make it 53-52 with 6:24 to go.

Although PVAMU tied the game at 59, GSU never trailed again in the contest, wearing the Panthers down the rest of the way, preserving the 68-64 win. 

Defensively, Grambling State held Prairie View A&M to just 37.1 percent shooting (23-of-62). On the offensive end, GSU knocked down 53.3 percent of its shots (24-of-45)

Yahuza Rasas led the Panthers with a game-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, a steal, a block and an assist. 

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Prairie View 67, Lady Tigers 60

The Grambling State University women’s basketball team suffered a tough 67-60 loss at home in its against Prairie View A&M on Monday night st the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

Leah Morrow paced GSU (7-17 overall, 6-7 SWAC) with a double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Teammate Amanda Blake registered 12 points, two rebounds and one block.

The early minutes of the first quarter was close for both teams but it didn’t take long for PVAMU (11-13, 8-5) to begin pulling away from GSU. Despite facing a 14-8 deficit with 2:48 remaining in the first period, GSU was able to close their gap to four points, trailing 18-14 at the end of the first period.

GSU fought hard in the second quarter, tying PVAMU three times but could never get into a rhythm allowing the Lady Panthers to gain the lead 28-25 with 2:38 remaining. Prairie View A&M led by five, 30-25 going into the half

Grambling State exited the locker room with renewed energy, trimming the deficit down to one, 36-35 with 5:19 to play in the third quarter. Kennedi Heard  nailed a 3-pointer to give the Lady Panthers a 42-38 cushion with 2:15 to go in the period. GSU never recovered as PVAMU stretched their lead to twelve points ending the quarter on top 50-38.

GSU put up a good effort in the final quarter scoring 22 points total but the Lady Panthers were too much to overcome down the stretch. 

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Funeral services for Mrs. Elsie Jewell Presley McKinnie, age 94 of Rocky Branch, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston with Bro. Stan McGee officiating.

Elsie was born April 30, 1928 to Emmett G. and Mary Thornton Presley, and she passed away February 12, 2023 in Ruston, LA. She was an LPN for many years and served in Rayville, LA, Monroe, LA and Mt. Edgecumbe, AK. Elsie resided in Sterlington, LA before moving to live in Rocky Branch for many years. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Rocky Branch. Elsie loved to garden and loved to take care of her family. She always liked looking her best and took both great pride and great joy in dressing up. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 45 years James McKinnie; sisters Irene P. Coltharp and Barbara Mann McKnight; and brothers Barney G. Presley and Alvin M. Presley.

Elsie is survived by her daughter Rosemary and husband Larry Anderson; brother Alden Presley and wife Ferne; grandsons Larry Wayne “Bear” Anderson and Leyna Murphey and James Elliott “Bulldog” Anderson; great-grandchildren Nathan Bradach Anderson and wife Abigail and Olivia Williams; and a host of family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers are Larry Wayne “Bear” Anderson, James Elliott “Bulldog” Anderson, Nathan Bradach Anderson, James Mann, Kerry Beardon and Jack Coltharp.

Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the funeral home. To leave an online message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Ed Walker “Skip” Stinson, III 
July 8, 1957 – February 13, 2023
Service: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, February 16, 2023, 10:00 am 

C. Reagan Sutton
February 25, 1935 – February 13, 2023 
Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, February 16, 2023, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Friday, February 17, 2023, 2:00 pm  

Katherine Caldwell 
Tuesday 12/16/1952 — Friday 02/10/2023    
Visitation: Friday 02/24/2023, 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 02/25/2023, 11:00am, Springhill Baptist Church, 727 Dicks Store Road, Grambling 
Burial: Saturday 02/25/2023, Fellowship Church Cemetery, Highway 507, Simsboro  

Lottie Callaway  
April 12, 1938 – February 11, 2023  
Graveside Service: Thursday, February 16, 2023, 2:00 PM, Salem Cemetery, 11793 HWY 151, Dubach  

Larry Wayne  
Sunday, March 7, 1965 — Friday February 10, 2023    
Viewing: Friday 02/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Celebration of Life: Saturday 02/18/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Burial: Saturday 02/18/2023 at New Fellowship B.C. Cemetery, Hwy 9, Blue Ridge, LA 

Danny Ambrose 
May 23, 1960 – February 11, 2023 
Visitation: Friday, February 17, 2023, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 
Funeral Service: Friday, February 17, 2023, 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 
Cemetery Committal: Friday, February 17, 2023, Beulah Cemetery, Calhoun 

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By Malcolm Butler

After the past six to nine months of emotional fireworks during the monthly Lincoln Parish Police Jury meetings, Tuesday night saw a very methodical, business-like effort at the Police Jury Meeting Room at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.

It took less than 30 minutes to complete the monthly business as newly-appointed administrator Courtney Hall led the agenda.

Prior to the start of the meeting, the room held a moment of silence in remembrance of both Reagan Sutton and Michael Lyons, two men who were held in high regard within Lincoln Parish and their respective communities — both of whom passed away over the last two days.

The public works committee met prior to the main LPPJ meeting and motions were approved for the following actions:

• Authorized the purchase of five new railroad tank cars and referred it to the finance committee for a budget adjustment (Only $38k was budgeted and the total cost for the five new cars will be $136k)
• Authorized advertisement of bids for asphalt materials
• Authorized the administrator to negotiate a contract for engineering and design service for Rabb Road Bridge replacement (2023 Capital Improvement Program)
• Authorized the purchase of 80 acres from Corney Properties LLC in the amount of $220,000 (contingent of right of way access) for a new iron ore pit on the far northern part of Lincoln Parish. This will replace the current one that has run dry.

Among the items of new business in the main meeting included an announcement for new vacancies on both the Library Board (5-year term) and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (two vacancies, 2-year terms).

“We will receive and entertain nominations at next month’s meeting and then the next month following will be the actual process,” said Hall. “On the library board, Diana Humphries is not going to extend her term. She does not wish to so that one comes open. And the CVB actually has two vacancies. I understand that (Tim) Padgett is open to being nominated for another term and Melanie Jones who represents GSU has resigned.”

The LPPJ also voted unanimously to authorize the Police Jury President as a signatory for the agreement with the temporary Ruston animal shelter (located where the current animal shelter is) where the parish pays $100 per animal per head. It’s the same agreement the parish has with Four Paws and Southern Rescue.

“This is not a long term agreement,” said LPPJ President Richard Durrett. “This is only a temporary agreement where we pay $100 per head (per animal) while the finish building the new animal shelter.”

“Ruston is building a new animal shelter so if we do decide to go that way we will eventually have to do a new agreement,” said Hall.

Motions also carried for:

• Adopt LCDBG-CV Program Management Resolution updating authorized individuals to perform certain functions
• Authorize the President to execute conveyance to the City of Ruston pertaining to the interest of the Police Jury in the North Parking Area of the Federal Building Tract located on Vienna Street.
• Adopt ordinance for sale for adjudicated properties (202 Houston Street, Simsboro)
• Adopt resolution authorizing interim parish administrator Courtney Hall as signatory on financial accounts

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Ruston residents will turn out to vote on expanding alcohol sales next month after a petition in the fall garnered enough signatures to solicit a vote.  

In October of last year, nearly 3,300 signatures were collected to petition the city of Ruston to add a vote on March 25, 2023, for residents to decide on expanding alcohol sales to grocery retailers within the city limits. 

“We want to thank the thousands of Ruston voters who agreed an election should be held,” John Hatch of Hatch Consulting Group said in an interview this past fall. “We were allowed 60 days, and Ruston voters answered the call in less than 30.” 

In order for the vote to be added, a total of 2,454 signatures of residents within the city limits of Ruston would need to be gathered. 

Now, the voting time has come. The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at the OMV Office is Feb. 22.  The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is March 4. Early voting is March 11 through March 18 (excluding Sunday, March 12) from 8:30 a.m. -6 p.m. Only voters registered inside the City of Ruston are eligible to vote in this election. 

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By Breanne Pittman

Lincoln Parish residents can experience the sights and sounds of a New Orleans’ Mardi Gras here in the heart of Ruston.

Louisiana Tech’s Union Board is hosting the third annual Mardi Gras Mambo at 6 p.m. today at the Argent Pavilion.

The parade is set to take place on Bulldog Drive and circle around Joe Aillet Stadium.

The first Mardi Gras Mambo was in winter quarter of 2021. Co-committee head Cade Jordan shares that since Mardi Gras Mambo’s debut, the event has only continued to grow.

“For the last two years, Union Board has planned Mardi Gras Mambo, and each year it has progressively gotten larger,” Jordan said. “Last year was the first year we had an actual parade, and this year is the first year that we have a Mardi Gras Court.”

Maggie Borstel serves alongside Jordan as the Mardi Gras Mambo committee head, and they have been working with their committee for the past year preparing to bring a taste of New Orleans to the streets of Ruston.

“We chose to do this event again this year because students have enjoyed getting to learn more about Louisiana culture and take part in Mardi Gras, which most students normally wouldn’t get to experience,” Bortsel said.

After seeing so much success over the past two years, Mardi Gras Mambo is coming back double its size with opportunities for all of the community.

“We have increased the amount of participation by a little more than double from last year, totaling almost 30 different organizations that have signed up to do floats or participate,” Jordan said.

Both Bortsel and Jordan are most excited that this gives a way for Louisiana Tech students to be involved and give back to the Ruston community.

“There is not an annual Mardi Gras parade in the city of Ruston so this is our way of giving back to the community and allowing everyone to experience a portion of the great culture that Louisiana has to offer,” Jordan said.

Committee member Collins Walker said this is one of Union Board’s best events.

“Something exciting about the event is that the entire event is completely free,” Walker said. “There will be plenty of games, prizes, music and good times overall.”

Additional flairs include ordering throws all the way from Lafayette, free t-shirts for Tech students and a featured guest, the world’s fastest caricature artist, Adam Pate. 

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A search warrant executed at a Sage Court residence in Ruston led to one arrest last Friday morning.

Members of the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant in the early morning hours Friday. During the search, several clear plastic Baggies containing marijuana were located in a kitchen drawer. 

James L. Jackson, 54, was taken into custody and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $3,500.

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

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By Malcolm Butler

After back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Regionals including a Conference USA Tournament title last season, Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs knows that all eyes are on his Bulldogs entering the 2023 season which starts this weekend at JC Love Field at Patterson Park with a four-game series against BYU.

The Bulldogs have graduated a Who’s Who of Tech baseball lore over the past two seasons, names like Parker Wells, Taylor Young, Hunter Wells, Steele Netterville, Kyle Crigger and the list could go on and on.

Yet, there are whispers around the kennel that this year’s team could be the best of the three. However, a 56-game regular season slate will be the ultimate test for the 2023 Bulldogs.

“We want to win the league,” said Burroughs. “Then we want to be in that 64. Obviously we want to go further. We can. We have that ability.”

That ability will be tested by a non-conference slate that includes match-ups against BYU (4), Arkansas (3), Ole Miss (2), Northwestern (3), Southern Miss (2), Air Force (2) and UL-Lafayette (2). That’s 18 games that will help make (or break) the Bulldogs RPI.

Conference USA will have a new look with the subtraction of Southern Miss, Old Dominion and Marshall but the addition of perennial college baseball power Dallas Baptist as an affiliate. The Bulldogs host DBU in a three-game series March 31 thru April 2.

Despite the graduation of some of the top all-time offensive players in program history, Burroughs believes this year’s lineup (and depth) could be the best since he stepped foot in Ruston.

“I think top to bottom, one through nine, we could be better,” said Burroughs. “It sure has the possibility. But you are comparing it to Hunter Wells, all-time hits leader. Parker Bates, All-American. Taylor Young, All-American. Steele Netterville, all-time doubles leader. Are they going to be those guys? I don’t know. But I think if you are just looking at it on paper, it has the ability to be better than both (2021 and 2022).”

The Bulldogs host BYU Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. (DH) and Monday at 6 p.m.

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Newcomers to Watch

Dalton Davis (Infielder, Tyler Junior College)

Burroughs said “He will hit in our three-hole to start off the season. He is really athletic. He is really physical. He can steal bases and drive the ball out of the park. He is a really good defender at first (base).”

Jonathan Hogart (OF, Wabash Valley College)

Burroughs said “He will probably start out the season in right field. He will lead off for us. Another physical, athletic young man at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds as a lead off hitter. Really good defender. Tough. Plays really hard.”

Rawley Hector (P, Texas A&M)

Burroughs said “He will be our Saturday or Sunday guy on the mound. He is a sophomore. Was highly recruited out of the Dallas area. Pitched about 15 innings at A&M last year. Was a Team USA gold medal winning pitcher in high school. His arsenal will be 88 to 91. Really good command. Really good change up. He is an ultra, ultra competitor.”

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Freshmen to Watch

Jacob Havern, Pitcher

Burroughs said “True freshman. He has a chance to be really, really good. Great composure.”

Karson Evans, 1b/Catcher

Burroughs said “His nickname is Bam Bam. That’s all you need to know. He knocks the heck out of the ball.”

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Three Burning Questions for the Bulldogs

How do you replace Kyle Crigger in the closer role?

“That is a good question. Right now we were hoping it would be Landon Tompkins. He has had some struggles recently. It will probably be closer by committee. Ethan Bates, a transfer from Arkansas, will open up at third base but he will also close. It could be Ryan Harland. It could be some of our midweek starters. We will see how it goes. Right now it has to be a closer-by-committee thing and whoever we feel gives us the best opportunity … The scoreboard will tell you everything. If we need three outs and its a one-run game, we need a guy that will pump strikes. Landon is the guy who needs to do it but he has had some preseason struggles. We believe in him, but I think we have enough guys who can get the job done.”

How does the 2023 lineup compare to the past two years?

“I think offensively its deeper than both of those. That’s for sure. We have never had this much offensive depth since I have been here. And secondly … we have discussed this at length … there are going to be four of five really good offensively players sitting on the bench game to game. They have to be able to handle it, and we have to be able to do a good job as coaches keeping them engaged. We know they will get frustrated. Competitors want to play. I think overall its better than last year’s lineup. I think top to bottom, one through nine, could be better. It sure has the possibility. But you are comparing it to Hunter Wells, all-time hits leader. Parker Bates, All-American. Taylor Young, All-American. Steele Netterville, all-time doubles leader. Are they going to be those guys? I don’t know. But I think if you are just looking at it on paper, it has the ability to be better than both (2021 and 2022).”

What does success look like for this team?

“We have goals. Everyone is going to say Omaha. But we just want to be playing in late May and early June. If you are playing then and you are one of the 64 then you have a shot. We want to win the league. I think that’s huge, whether that’s the regular season or tournament or both. I just think that is huge, especially with the league transitioning. Kind of like Southern Miss did for years, Rice did for years; we want to put that stamp that this is our league. That’s No. 1. We want to win the league. Then we want to be in that 64. Obviously we want to go further. We can. We have that ability. We all know, especially in baseball, the best team doesn’t always win it. Last year Tennessee was the best team in the country, and they didn’t go to Omaha. It’s a funny game and it’s a long season and it’s a grind, but goals are winning this league and going into that 64 and seeing what happens from there.”

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Projected Starting Lineup for Friday vs. BYU

1. Jonathan Hogart, RF
2. Cole McConnell, CF
3. Dalton Davis, 1B
4. Phil Matulia, DH
5. Jorge Corona, C
6. Adarius Myers, LF
7. Ethan Bates, 3B
8. Will Safford, 2B
9. Logan McLeod, SS

Projected Weekend Rotation

Jonathan Fincher, Senior, Left-handed

Greg Martinez, Junior, Right-handed

Rawley Hector, Sophomore, Right-handed

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Ruston’s boys basketball finished out district play with a 70-26 win over the West Ouachita Chiefs to end district play as the 2023 playoffs enters the horizon in the next couple of weeks.

“The guys came out focused on what we needed to do,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said. “It was great to see that. It was great to get the bench guys more playing time tonight. They played hard.”

The Bearcats came out of the gate to score 26 points in the first quarter. Zhy Scott finished with 12 points, while Aiden Anding finished with 11. Both Jay Lillard and D’Shawn Heard finished with nine points.

Ruston returns to action Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. at home to take on the Choudrant Aggies in a cross-parish matchup.

Official seeding for the 2023 LHSAA playoffs will be this weekend.

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 By Crystal Conway

From limo rides to shoe shines to photoshoots and dancing, last weekend 190 area residents of all ages with disabilities had a “night to shine” as kings and queens.

Night to Shine is a prom night event hosted specifically for individuals with special needs. It is an event that is funded by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted by various churches in over 500 locations just in the United States. The event began in Ruston after someone mentioned it to Tara Smith, mom to a daughter with autism. With the send of an email, First Baptist Church became the first to host Night to Shine in Ruston in 2017.

It has been held in Louisiana Tech University’s Student Center every year since, aside from 2021 and 2022.

“The purpose of the event is to celebrate the individuals with special needs,” Smith, the event coordinator, said, “and to share God’s love with them the Friday before Valentine’s Day.”

However, it is not easy to put on an event like this for nearly 200 guests all alone. Smith worked alongside Casey Whipple of MedCamps to find a team of volunteers ready to serve and fulfill this purpose. After emailing multiple people and sharing about the event, more than 400 people decided to volunteer to help with food, hair and makeup, shoeshines, limo rides, or to be a buddy or help with the respite and sensory rooms.

“We could not do this without volunteers,” Smith said. “The volunteers are blessed just as much as the guests are.”

Morgan Shaw, a student at Louisiana Tech, decided to volunteer as a buddy after she heard about the event through Awaken, the college Wednesday night service at First Baptist. She decided to serve because it would be a good opportunity to connect with another through sign language. Through her experience, she not only had the privilege of practicing sign language with her buddy who was deaf, but she also had the privilege of getting to see her buddy light up when surrounded by individuals that she knew and loved. While there were many challenges when communicating, Shaw said that she would not have wanted it any other way.

“Getting to see her come out of her shell and not care about what other people think when on the dance floor allowed me to feel more comfortable and do the same in life,” Shaw said.

Kelly Quarles, mom to Kerrigan, 18, with down syndrome, shared her experience with Night to Shine.

“This is Kerrigan’s second year at Night to Shine, and it is an event she has been looking forward to all year,” Quarles said. “I was hesitant to leave her the first time, but now I have no hesitation knowing who all is taking care of her and how the night is set up.”

The night was set up in a way to make the guests feel safe and loved. As soon as the guests arrived to the event, they walked down a red carpet as they were welcomed by cheerleaders and teams from various schools along with a few others. 

“My absolute favorite part if when they walk down the red carpet,” Smith said. “They smile from ear to ear and look like they have a great time.”

After the red carpet magic, they were then escorted by their buddy to different stations for hair and makeup, shoe shining, dinner, karaoke, limo rides, and finally… dancing. The night ended once every guest was crowned as a king or queen.

“It is an event Kerrigan is going to talk about forever,” Quarles said. “It made her so happy.”

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The National Weather Service (NWS) most recent alert still calls for a chance of severe weather for are area as we move into tonight and into the early morning hours on Thursday.

• Windy and wet as a weak cold front moves through the area
• Threat of severe weather increases late tonight through early Thursday morning
• All severe weather modes are possible
• A slight risk (level 2 of 5) encompasses almost all of the four-state region
• The threat is highly variable given the late day/overnight timing
• Potential is there for storms to rapidly develop under favorable conditions
• Lincoln Parish is in the slight risk category and could include damaging winds, ping pong size hail and isolated, minor flooding

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When Burt Bacharach, 94, died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home last week, it meant one of America’s most awarded and talented musical geniuses, a man who checked every box on the Cool Meter, had taken his final bow.

Hurt me.

In the 1970s, my teen years, you couldn’t swing a cat around any sort of show business venue and not hit Burt Bacharach, the composer, conductor, pianist, well-groomed movie-star-handsome American showman who didn’t show off.

For more than six decades he was in the biz (“the biz” is what Hollywood types call show business, don’t you know), was part of a prolific two-man songwriting team with lyricist Hal David (who passed away in 2012, age 91), and gave you something you’re likely to hum every other day or so.

Another Burt — Reynolds — was the biggest box office movie guy around that time for a few years. Sadly, he passed away at 82 in 2018. Love Burt. Love the other Burt more, though. Bacharach was in the spotlight plenty but mainly he was in the background, on your radio, in the elevator, wherever the hits were played.

Easy listening.

Through the 1970s he was married to Angie Dickinson, for goodness sakes, who had her legs insured for a million dollars, which was $500,000 per leg, and a hat tip to the person who sold her that policy. Can’t be too careful when you star in Police Woman on television and you’re married to Burt Bacharach. He played the piano, she had the two legs, or about eight less than the number of Emmys, Grammys, and Academy Awards her husband won.

Point of clarification: My favorite Bert of the 1970s was Jones, the quarterback of Baltimore’s Colts. NFL MVP in 1976. Ruston and all. I mean, come on. Everybody’s favorite Bert with a “e.”

But Burt Bacharach was my favorite Burt with a “u,” and to honor his passing, we offer The Top 10 Burt Bacharach Songs, According to Me. He and Hal David teamed up for literally hundreds, so Close to You and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love and What’s New Pussycat? and The Look of Love and That’s What Friends Are For won’t even make the list. It’s a shame.

10. This Guy’s in Love with You: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass were a thing back then and had a monster hit with this. It was a simpler time. Lots of other artists scored hits with this too; more than 1,000 artists have recorded Bacharach songs so …
11. You’ll Never Get to Heaven if You Break My Heart: Dionne Warwick (more on her in a sec) had a hit with this but I prefer The Stylistics’ version. Warwick and The Stylistics were very good but, in all honesty, it’s a bit egotistical of them to think they get to make this call. “If you break up with me, you’re going to the bad place.” Neg. Good song though, especially for a tune about really, really high stakes dating. Maybe it wasn’t a simpler time …
12. Walk on By: “If you see me walking down the street / And I start to cry each time we meet / Walk on by, walk on by …” Bacharach wrote some happy songs; this is not one of them.
13. Say a Little Prayer for You: Warwick had hits with this and with the two songs above this one and with the two below. Warwick and Bacharach and Hal David were practically printing money for a while there in the ’70s.
14. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again: “So for at least, until tomorrow / I’ll never all in love again…”
15. Always Something There to Remind Me: Lot of co-dependency back then, apparently.
16. Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do): Christopher Cross had a hit with this song that batted leadoff in a terrific movie; quote it so much I get on my own nerves.
17. Alfie: This is on the list because Jerry Byrd sang it often in the Shreveport Journal newsroom. Sounded nothing like Dionne Warwick. Precious memories though. Bacharach said these were his favorite lyrics created by his writing partner.
18. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head: Where else would they fall? Somehow this fits into my favorite movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
19. Any Day Now: The original hit was by Chuck Jackson, then Elvis, but I prefer the cut by Ronnie Milsap. One of my favorite songs ever. By one of the best composers ever.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu or on Twitter @MamaLuvsManning

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By Kyle Roberts

There’s no mistaking the enthusiasm new Ruston head coach Lauren Garvie has for the kids and this upcoming season.

Despite taking over a program coming off of an underwhelming 4-29 season in 2022, Garvie is all positive as she faces a rebuilding season after coming to Ruston from Carthage, Texas, where she had already been a part of a winning program as an assistant.

Now, she looks to bring that successful culture to Ruston High School.

“Yes, this is a rebuilding year,” Garvie said. “And we’ve got a lot of freshmen coming in who also know that. I told the team recently that the awesome thing about rebuilding is that you get to decide what legacy you want to leave for Ruston. I’ve already seen the whole team in the weight room getting a little bit louder. They’re already getting a little bit more comfortable on the field, and they’re working on some details that are making them better athletes.”

The Lady Bearcats do return a majority of their roster from last season along with some additions that moved into the Ruston area. Garvie has identified a few players that she is expecting to give an immediate impact.

“(Junior pitcher) Kayla Wilson is going to be phenomenal for us,” Garvie said. “She’s not only good in the circle; she’s also good in the box; she’s going to hit the ball. And (junior Shelby Freeman) receives the ball so well at first base. She doesn’t think first basemen get the glory, but I definitely want to give that to her. She’s really intimidating to other teams in the box.

“And (junior) Murphy DeMoss shocked me this summer. I looked up, not expecting her to be running at me, but she is really fast. Gosh, she’s fast. And we have a lefty catcher in (sophomore) Morgan Foster that can also play outfield for us.”

Ruston opens up hosting North DeSoto tonight and will play its first three opponents of the season at home.

2023 Ruston High Softball Roster

Abby Holton	So.	9	Utility
Allie Barrett	Jr.	23	OF
Allie Richardson	Jr.	10	IF
Cala Wilson	Jr.	2	P/IF
Ella Kate Jones	Fr.	6	Utility
Gabbie Granger	So.	12	IF
Grace Dotson	Jr.	21	OF
Grace Sutton	Jr.	18	C/IF
Isabelle Burns (Belle)	Sr.	8	OF
Jaiden Feeheley	So.	22	IF
Jojo Fernandes	Jr.	19	OF/C
Katelyn Stanley	So.	16	IF
Malena Listle	Fr.	15	IF
Morgan Foster	So.	5	C/OF
Murphy DeMoss	Jr.	3	OF
Rilee Atwood	So.	1	Utility
Sage Tolar	Fr.	17	P/OF
Shelby Freeman	Jr.	25	IF
Isabella Tucker	So.	Manager
Gabriella Sterling	Jr.	Manager
Amorah Boston	So.	Manager
Mia Tapia	So.	Manager

The full schedule is listed below.

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