By Kyle Roberts

Bearcat Baseball: Make it five more in a row for the Ruston Bearcat baseball squad, racking up a total win streak of ten straight now to give the Bearcats an overall 11-4 record as District 2-5A play looms on the schedule this coming week.

“We had a good week,” Ruston head baseball coach Zack Smith said. “Our defense and pitching staff did an awesome job. In the week, we only committed four total errors. Overall, our whole team effort was good.”

Ruston opened with an 8-3 win over Byrd on Tuesday with senior J.R. Tollett going 3-4 at the plate. Senior Chase Clendenen picked up the win on the mound.

The Bearcats then headed to South Louisiana to beat Zachary 6-1 on Thursday to open the East Ascension Tournament. The Bearcats took a 3-1 win over Mandeville on Friday, while getting a 7-2 win over host East Ascension and then 13-0 over Archbishop.

Senior RJ Brown batted 7-11 for the weekend at East Ascension while tallying four doubles. Senior Nick Robinson, Clendenen, junior Henry James and sophomore Talan Billberry each picked up a win.

Ruston has a full week ahead hosting Airline tonight at 6 p.m., and then opening district play Thursday, March 16, at home against ASH at 5:30 p.m.

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Lady Bearcat Softball: The Lady Bearcat softball team is still making strides in growth this season despite not getting a win last week with Quitman winning Monday 4-2, ASh winning Tuesday 12-2, and Pineville winning Wednesday 13-2.

Ruston head coach Lauren Garvie talked about her team’s early efforts last week after playing three games in three consecutive days.

“I thought we came out aggressive,” Garvie said. “Right off the bat, first pitch we hit a line drive and I couldn’t have been more proud. We ended up doing the same thing against ASH. It did a lot for us as a team. I thought (junior pitcher) Cala (Wilson) pitched incredibly well for us. Each game has something to fix; we know that, and the next practice we go right back to work in trying to fix things.

“Each game, an opposing coach or fan has commented on the growth of this team, even if the wins/loss column isn’t showing that yet. These girls have grown, and we will continue to do so.”

The Lady Bearcats will take on West Ouachita tonight to continue district play.

A man was arrested last week on a warrant charging him with hitting his child over math homework.

In October 2022, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office learned of an incident in the Marion area where a father allegedly struck his child for struggling with math homework. 

The child’s mother filed a complaint with UPSO alleging the child’s father, Marcus Jearrell Ford, 38, abused the nine-year-old while in his custody in Union Parish. Deputies learned the victim was struggling math homework when Ford became frustrated and picked up a book and struck the child in the face, leaving a scratch. Ford then allegedly struck the child in the chest with a closed fist before sending the child outside. 

UPSO said the incident was witnessed by a sibling who confirmed to deputies the father struck the child multiples times. 

Deputies were unable to immediately locate Ford, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. 

Ford was apprehended Wednesday morning by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and arrested as a fugitive from Union Parish. He was then transferred to Union Parish where he was booked on a felony charge of cruelty to a juvenile.

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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. 

By Malcolm Butler

After guiding the Panthers to the Select School Division IV state title game, Lincoln Prep senior Brayln Mayfield and Coach Antonio Hudson headline the 2022-23 All-District 2-1A team as a total of five Panthers earned honors while five Cedar Creek Cougars also garnered accolades.

Mayfield was named the team’s Most Valuable Player while Hudson earned the Coach of the Year honor after guiding Lincoln Prep to the District 2-1A title with a perfect 8-0 mark in league play.

Hudson led the Panthers to a 24-5 record and the state title game in the Select School Division IV playoffs before eventually falling to Northwood-Lena in the title game.

Mayfield averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game for Lincoln Prep, serving as the leading for the Panthers all season long.

Lincoln Prep also saw senior Brandon Heard earn first team all-district honors while junior Stephen Burks and senior Kobe Mack each earned a spot on the 5-man second team. Senior Joseph Spann III was named honorable mention.

Cedar Creek had five players earn honors as senior Carter Hill earned first team accolades while senior Davis Walsworth earned second team honors. Seniors Jack Echols, Connor Norris, and Brian Osborne all earned honorable mention honors.

The Cougars posted a 13-14 record, finished third in the district and defeated Westminster 53-50 in the first round of the Select School Division IV playoffs before falling to top-seeded Northwood-Lena.

 

1st Team

Junior Tate Hamby, OCS

Senior Brandon Heard, Lincoln Prep

Senior Carter Hill, Cedar Creek

Senior Brayln Mayfield, Lincoln Prep

Junior Peyton Odom, River Oaks

8th grade Parker Robinson, St. Frederick

 

Second Team

Junior Stephen Burks III, Lincoln Prep

Junior Kenny Cooper, St. Frederick

Senior Kobe Mack, Lincoln Prep

Senior Davis Walsworth, Cedar Creek

Senior Sumonto Williams, River Oaks

 

Player of the Year: Brayln Mayfield, Lincoln Prep

Coach of the Year: Antonio Hudson, Lincoln Prep

 

Honorable Mention: Micah Bell (St. Frederick), Brock Bounds (Rivers Oaks), Carter Carter (St. Frederick), Drew Daugan (OCS), Senior Jack Echols (Cedar Creek), Andon Melton (OCS), Karson McKoin (St. Frederick), Senior Connor Norris (Cedar Creek), Senior Brian Osborne (Cedar Creek), Wesley Payne (River Oaks), Foster Phillips (St. Frederick), Senior Joseph Spann III (Lincoln Prep)

By Malcolm Butler

It was a Lincoln Parish whitewash.

Simsboro’s Earnest Chatman and Ikeia Brown were both named District 2B Most Valuable Players while Choudrant boys coach Ryan Smith and Simsboro girls coach Matt Herring were named Coach of the Year.

Just like the two teams did during the season, the Tigers and the Aggies dominated the postseason awards for District 2B.

Chatman earned the MVP award on the boys team after averaging 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while leading the Tigers to the co-District title and the Non-Select School Division V playoffs. He was joined on the 5-member first team by teammate Kaelip Wright, Choudrant’s Parker Batterton and Mike Jones and Forest’s Seth Chisolm.

The boys second team consisted of Simsboro’s Jalen Outley and Trumarion Smith, Choudrant’s Lachlan Thompson and Lawson Stevens and Forest’s Steven Seamans. Choudrant’s Eli Callender was named honorable mention.

Smith was named the boys Coach of the Year after leading the Aggies to the co-district title, a 28-11 record and the quarterfinals of the Non-Select School Division V playoffs where they fell to eventual state champion Zwolle.

On the girls side, Brown (the Lincoln Parish Journal Offensive Player of the Year) led the Tigers to the District 2B title averaging almost 28 points per game. She was joined on the first team by teammate Amani Dean, Choudrant’s Mattie Johnson, Downsville’s Sunnee Miller and Forest’s A’Niya Tibbs.

The second team consisted of a trio of Aggies, including Vashanti Sproulls, Kayla Mitchell and Jahkeria Abney, as well as Choudrant’s Heather Murphy and Forest’s Kennedy Clark. Choudrant’s Kadence Nugent, Sadie Jones and Reese Brown as honorable mention selections.

Herring was named the girls Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to the District 2B title, a 15-12 record and an appearance in the Non-Select School Division V playoffs

 

Boys First Team

Earnest Chatman (Simsboro)

Parker Batterton (Choudrant)

Michael Jones (Choudrant)

Kaelip Wright (Simsboro)

Seth Chisolm (Forest)

 

Boys Second Team

Jalen Outley (Simsboro)

Lachlan Thompson (Choudrant)

Lawson Stevens (Choudrant)

Steven Seamans (Forest)

Trumarion Smith (Simsboro)

MVP: Earnest Chatman (Simsboro)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Smith (Choudrant)

Boys Honorable Mention: Luke Hinton (Downsville), Eli Callender (Choudrant), John Robert White (Forest), Charles Vick (Downsville)

 

Girls First Team

Ikeia Brown (Simsboro)

Amani Dean (Simsboro)

Mattie Johnson (Choudrant)

Sunnee Miller (Downsville)

A’Niya Tibbs (Forest)

 

Girls Second Team

Heather Murphy (Choudrant)

Kennedy Clark (Forest)

Vashanti Sproulls (Simsboro)

Kayla Mitchell (Simsboro)

Jahkeria Abney (Simsboro)

MVP: Ikeia Brown (Simsboro)

Coach of the Year: Matt Herring (Simsboro)

Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Irby (Forest), Kadence Nugent (Choudrant), Sadie Jones (Choudrant), Reese Brown (Choudrant), Piper Bennett (Downsville), Latricia Randall (Forest)

Weather permitting, the City of Ruston will close West Louisiana Avenue between South Monroe Street and South Homer Street beginning 7 a.m. today.

The closure will be in place until further notice.

This change will open West Texas Avenue, which has been closed since the fall. With the Louisiana Avenue closure and continued construction on Dan Reneau Drive, traffic traveling through that area of campus should use West Texas Avenue. Please be alert and careful when driving or walking as construction workers and Tech campus community members navigate the road closures both on foot and in their vehicles.
 
Tech and the city appreciate the public’s patience as the campus and the City of Ruston continue to improve.

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This is a paid advertorial.

 

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Join us for the Mardi Gras Futurity and Louisiana Downs Futurity at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, March 25, 2023

Three scholarships will be awarded through a LIVE drawing in the Louisiana Downs winner’s circle on Saturday, March 25th, immediately following the 4th race.

Applicants must register in person beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Registration will close promptly after the third race.

ENTRANTS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

• For more information on the scholarship eligibility or the rules, please see the attached flyer or visit LQHBA.COM

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

LA Tech Baseball

The Louisiana Tech baseball teams plays five home games in the next six days, starting with a two-game midweek series versus Air Force today (6 p.m.) and Wednesday (3 p.m.) at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

The games can be heard on 97.7 FM and the LA Tech Athletics app and seen with a paid subscription to CUSATV.

LA Tech (8-7) looks to get back into the win column after dropping all three games at No. 8 Arkansas. The Bulldogs and Air Force met last June in the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament where the Falcons ended Tech’s season with a 9-7 victory.

It’s the final non-conference tune-up before Conference USA action starts this weekend when the Bulldogs host Charlotte in a 3-game series Friday through Sunday.

Sunday’s game time has been moved up to 11 a.m. due to travel plans for Charlotte.

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LA Tech Softball

The Louisiana Tech Softball team closes out its 10-game homestand by welcoming Northwestern State to Dr. Billy Bundrick Field tonight non-conference showdown at 6 p.m.

Fans can access the game through a paid subscription to CUSATV.

Louisiana Tech is 15-8 on the season and coming off a 1-2 showing in its conference-opening series against North Texas. Tech fell 3-1 in 11 innings on Friday before winning 7-2 on Saturday and dropping the series finale 3-2 on Sunday.

The Lady Demons are 12-9 this season and went 1-2 in their conference-opening weekend series with Lamar (March 10-12).

Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State have met 110 times, with the Lady Techsters leading the all-time series, 59-51.

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LA Tech WBB in WNIT

Louisiana Tech will travel to face the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville Thursday at 7 p.m. inside Bud Walton Arena in the opening round of the 2023 Women’s National Invitational Tournament. The game can be seen on SEC Network+. Live radio and live stats can be found on the LA Tech Athletics app.

Tech earned an at-large bid to the WNIT after winning seven of their final eight regular-season matchups. Tech finished the regular season with a 19-11 record, which included a 12-8 mark in Conference USA play to finish in a tie for fourth with UTEP. However, Tech fell to UTEP in the Conference USA Quarterfinals as the No. 5 seed.

Arkansas completed their season with a 21-12 record, including a 7-9 mark in SEC play, which earned the Razorbacks the No. 8 seed in the SEC tournament. Arkansas picked up an opening-round win over Missouri (85-74) before falling to the national No. 1 and eventual conference champions, South Carolina (93-66). 

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LA Tech Bowling

The Louisiana Tech women’s bowling team qualified for the Intercollegiate Team Championship Sunday afternoon.

LA Tech competed in the USBC sectional qualifiers in Addison, Ill. this weekend and earned a spot in the ITC Championships that will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada in April.  The teams advancing to the ITC were determined through four sectionals held Saturday and Sunday. The top four teams in each division, based on total pinfall for 64 Baker games, earned the chance to compete for the Kerm Helmer Cup awarded to the team champion at the ITC.

After 32 Baker games, Tech totaled 6,230 pins to put them in second on day one of team play. With 12,489 total pins, the Lady Techsters finished third giving them a ride to Las Vegas.

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LA Tech Tennis

The Louisiana Tech tennis team collects its 10th win of the season, including its fourth straight victory on the road, by defeating Tarleton State in a final score of 4-1 on a windy Saturday at the Potishman-Lard Tennis Courts.

LA Tech (10-4) has been away from home for a month and were coming off a long trip to Florida that included three matches. After a brief time back in Ruston, the Lady Techsters were back on the road to take on a Tarleton State (7-4) team who came in undefeated on its home courts.

That undefeated mark ended as LA Tech claimed the doubles point and then picked up three points in singles on courts one, two, and four.

Funeral services for Mrs. Rosie Lee Rice will be Friday, March 17, 2023, 1:00 P.M., at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston, LA.  Visitation will be Friday, March 17, 2023, from 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Interment to be in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, in Jackson Parish.

Rosie was born on May 17, 1932, to Henry James and Beulah Stringfellow in Jackson Parish Louisiana.  She passed from this life on March 07, 2023, in Ruston, LA. Rosie had a big heart for people and took good care of others through her job as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and as a member of New Prosperity Baptist Church in Clay, LA.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Rice; brother, Tony James; brother, David James, and her sister, Lily Jones.

She is survived by her children, Charles Carr, Bobby Carr, and Larry Carr; 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Rosie’s nephews.

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Rosie Lee Rice 
May 17, 1932 – March 7, 2023 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, March 17, 2023, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, March 17, 2023, 1:00 pm 
Cemetery: Ebenezer Cemetery, Friday, March 17, 2023 

James P. Turner  
November 17, 1920 – March 8, 2023  
Visitation: Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 11:00 AM, Wesley Chapel, 4330 Highway 818, Ruston  
Cemetery Committal: Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Wesley Chapel Road, Ruston 

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by Malcolm Butler

The Southern Rail Commission (SRC), along with Amtrak, announced Friday that it will take the lead on pursuing grants that include the application that will support the extension of passenger rail services from Meridian, Mississippi, to Dallas/Fort Worth along the I-20 corridor.

“This is another example of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act paying off for Louisiana,” said Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA). “The partnership between Amtrak, the Southern Rail Commission, Mayors Walker, Ellis, and Arceneaux connects north Louisiana cities with all points East and West,”

The total grant is estimated to be around $160 million. If the grant is obtained the rail service would include a stop in Lincoln Parish which would have a significant impact, according to Mayor Ronny Walker.

“It’s tremendous from an economic development standpoint,” said Walker via phone Saturday. “It’s huge for Louisiana Tech and Grambling State. But more importantly, it’s huge for the Louisiana Center for the Blind.”

Walker said that officials in both Washington DC and with Amtrak were amazed to learn that Ruston is home to one of only three Centers for the Blind that exist nationally.

“That was a big selling point with Amtrak,” said Walker. “They had no idea. Same for the officials in DC. It’s huge because all of the students whether they are 5-years-old or 85-years-old can get on the train and come to Ruston.”

Walker said a specific timeline isn’t known, but the fact that Amtrak is now spear-heading the pursuit of the grant is beneficial for the cities (Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe, Vicksburg) involved in the I-20 proposal.

“It takes the burden off the cities,” said Walker. “Now we don’t have to go to Washington twice a year and try to convince a congressional delegation that we need the funding. Instead, Amtrak is doing it. They are the ones wanting it as well. It’s a game-changer.”

Walker said the stop in Ruston would be located along the current railroad tracks by the Ruston Farmers Market. He said the exact price tag for the Ruston portion isn’t known yet, but he estimates around $10 million for a platform, parking garage and new green space for the area.

“It’s going to take years,” said Walker when asked about the time frame. “We don’t have an idea on how many years, but this move by Amtrak will cut the time frame down significantly.”

Walker did say this is the first time in more than two decades that the SRC has made this type of move.

“As the entity responsible for providing the nation’s long-distance intercity passenger rail service, Amtrak will work with our partners to seek the funds needed to study expansion and improvement options where strong stakeholder support exists and initial analysis show opportunity.” said Amtrak Vice President of Network Development Nicole Bucich. “With the encouragement and support of federal, state and local officials, this application is the first step in determining the feasibility of this concept and the benefits and challenges, including federal funding commitments, of expanding Amtrak service to the I-20 route.”

Walker said that he and his fellow mayors in Monroe, Shreveport and Vicksburg all feel Friday’s news is huge towards this becoming a reality.

“They have the man power and the brain power to get this done,” said Walker. “They know exactly how to write these things to get them done.

Donovan Hart, the suspect wanted in a Lincoln Parish homicide, was arrested Friday and charged with second degree murder. 

Hart, 18, had been identified as a suspect in a shooting on Greene Lane Tuesday that claimed the life of Latonia Moore. Moore, 38, was shot in her apartment.

Matt Henderson of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office said Hart was arrested during a vehicle stop Friday “with assistance from the public.”

Hart was first identified as a suspect Wednesday. The Sheriff’s Office had alerted the public that he was considered armed and dangerous.

Hart was questioned by LPSO detectives after his arrest and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was set at $1 million. 

Henderson said, “Our detectives will continue to investigate this case and more information will be released as it becomes available.”

In a second shooting investigation, two juveniles were taken into custody Thursday afternoon, each charged with two counts of attempted second degree murder in connection with a Tuesday incident at the Peachland Mobile Home Park.

The shooting happened about 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the mobile home park off U.S. 80 just west of the Ruston city limits. One man was shot as he sat in his truck and seriously injured and but is expected to recover. A second victim was not struck by the gunfire, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The male juveniles in custody are both 14 years old, according to Henderson. No motive has been released by investigators.

Henderson said last week the two shootings were being handled as separate incidents even though they occurred near one another. Since the investigation has been underway, no change to that statement has been released. 

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By Malcolm Butler

It’s the end of an era for girls hoops at Cedar Creek School.

Long-time Cedar Creek coach Gene Vandenlangenberg told the school administration and his girls basketball players Thursday that he is retiring from the coaching ranks.

He will remain at the school to continue teaching, he said.

“That’s what happens when you get old,” joked Vandenlangenberg. “But seriously, it’s something you don’t have a script for. Gail and I decided it was just time and that it was best for our family. We have kids (scattered around) and we wanted to have more flexibility with our schedules.

“The hardest part was telling the girls. You coach them and invest in them and they invest in you … and now I’m stepping away. That’s hard. But Cedar Creek is in a good spot and has a good nucleus of girls coming back. They are going to be fine, and I wish them well.”

The two-time Lincoln Parish Journal Girls Basketball Coach of the Year joined Cedar Creek in 1992 following a four-year stint at Weston High School where he coached boys basketball, including coaching current Ruston High boys coach Ryan Bond.

Vandenlanengberg coached boys basketball at Creek from 1992 through 2003 while serving as girls head coach from 1993 through 1996 and then from 2015 through 20023. He led the Lady Cougars to three semifinals appearances and to the state title game in 2022 where Creek fell to Southern Lab.

“During his ​thirty-one-year career at Cedar Creek, Coach Van has established an outstanding, highly-competitive basketball program that has garnered attention and accolades across our region,” said Cedar Creek School principal Cindy Hampton in a statement provided by the school. “The school is grateful to Coach Van for his many years of dedicated service to all areas of Cedar Creek Athletics. An experienced and beloved educator, Coach Van will remain on our faculty and will continue to serve as varsity boys golf coach.”

During his 11 years as the Lady Cougars head coach, Vandenlangenberg amassed a record of 288 wins and only 55 losses.

“I have been blessed for the past eight years to coach a great group of girls,” said Vandenlangenberg. “We have had some special seasons because of them. I really do feel blessed. It’s very humbling. This has been a great time later in my career to spend with a great group of young ladies, from both a talent perspective and as people. It’s been special because of the young ladies I’ve coached.”

Vandenlangenberg coached a number of district MVP’s including LA Tech’s Anna Larr Roberson, ULM’s Sarah Adams and current Lady Cougar Allie Furr. His players said they appreciated the impact he had on their lives.

“I’m so thankful to have had Coach Van as a coach for the past four years,” said Furr. “Coach Van did so much for not only me but everyone who got the chance to play for him. He truly wanted the best for ever player and pushed me to be the best and helped me become the player I was.”

“Coach Van was one of the most passionate and motivated coaches I’ve ever played for,” said Adams. “Whether he was sweeping the court or playing pickup with us during practice, it didn’t matter. He was not only dedicated to the game and to winning, but to making sure that all of his players felt appreciated and had fun playing basketball. He helped develop a culture of winning at Cedar Creek, and he will be greatly missed.”

“Coach Van always put 100% into his job whether it be coaching us, playing pickup against the team, or encouraging us in our years after high school sports,” said Roberson. “He is is not only a great coach but also a great leader and mentor to me on and off the court.”

Vandenlangenberg also spent time coaching the middle school at Cedar Creek (2003 to 2008) and served as an assistant football and baseball coach (2008-15) as well.

Hampton said that no definitive timeline has been set for replacing Vandenlangenberg, but that the school hopes to move as quickly yet deliberately as possible.

By Emma Stone

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 2,800 teens in the United States ages 13–19 were killed and about 227,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. 

A mock trial hosted at Choudrant High School last week enlightened students into what a real court case based on distracted driving looks like.

In conjunction with the Louisiana State Police program named “Sudden Impact,” the mock trial featured student actors playing the scene of a trial.

The trial was a follow-up to a mock car crash Choudrant students watched in November of last year. The scene depicted two staged vehicles that had crashed from a head-on collision. 

The panel of jurors was the Choudrant student body with Judge Wendell Manning of the 4^th Judicial District for Ouachita Parish acting as judge.

Testimonies and witnesses were played by state troopers and police officers. 

Attorneys from Lincoln Parish acted out the mock court case to demonstrate the environment with pieces of a courtroom and props provided by “Sudden Impact.”

Jessica Bryan, Choudrant High School’s counselor, said it is important to teach high school students how criminal case proceedings occur and how that affects decision-making.

“The goal of the mock trial was for students to learn about the long-term consequences of their actions,” Bryan said, “and make better and safer decisions for the future.”

After two hours of testimony, the defendant was charged with 10-15 years in prison for negligent homicide.

Valerie Chatellier, a Choudrant High School student, felt that the experience gave her a large impact on consequences.

“Watching this production made me realize how hard one bad decision can be on just the victims, but the people around the victims,” Chatellier said.

A panel was opened to the students after the trial in which students were given the option to ask questions.

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“Rather than being reactive to distracted driving, we wanted to implement a program to be proactive for students,” Bryan said. 

“Sudden Impact” provided the equipment for each mock scenario that involved smoke machines, furniture, speakers and much more. 

Javier Leija, Public Information Officer for Troop F of the Louisiana State Police, coordinated the materials to be used in the mock trial and found the students’ experiences to be eye-opening. 

“The students were very in tune with the mock trial as if they were watching a movie,” Leija said. 

“Sudden Impact” originated in New Orleans and expanded across Northeast Louisiana parishes working to show the “sudden impact” of real-life scenarios for students. 

By Malcolm Butler

The Lady Techsters aren’t done just yet.

Louisiana Tech is one of 64 teams selected to play in the 2023 WNIT announced Sunday night, including one of four from Conference USA.

Tech (19-12) joins Rice, WKU and UTEP out of C-USA among the field of 64 teams that will begin the single elimination tournament with first round games set for Wednesday through Friday.

“I’m very happy for this group to be able to reach postseason back to back years and continue playing together,” said Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. “It’s always special to be able to play in March, and we are grateful for the opportunity to play in the WNIT. This group has battled through adversity all year and continued to show up for each other. We are excited to have an opportunity to compete for a championship and look forward to taking the court with this group again.”

Louisiana Tech has submitted a bid to host WNIT games at the Thomas Assembly Center, but match-ups, dates and sites for the 25th Postseason WNIT won’t be announced by Triple Crown Sports until sometime this morning. Tech fell 64-54 to UTEP in the quarterfinals of  the 2023 Conference USA Tournament on Thursday after winning seven of its final eight regular season games.

The 2023 field features 32 automatic qualifiers, which are teams that are the next-highest finishers in their conference’s regular season that were not tabbed for the NCAA Tournament. The other 32 teams are at-large selections, chosen after consideration of a mix of criteria by WNIT officials.Last year’s Postseason WNIT champion, South Dakota State, was 28-5 this season, going 18-0 in the Summit Conference.

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Last year’s Postseason WNIT champion, South Dakota State, was 28-5 this season, going 18-0 in the Summit Conference. Here’s the field for the 2023 Postseason WNIT, which is produced by Triple Crown Sports: 

AQ’s (32 – * denotes regular season champion/co-champion)
Arkansas (21-12) – Southeastern
*Boston (24-8) — Patriot
Bowling Green (27-6) – Mid-American
*Columbia (23-5) – Ivy
*Fairleigh Dickinson (24-7) — Northeast
*Green Bay (27-5) – Horizon
High Point (17-14) – Big South
*Illinois State (24-8) – Missouri Valley
*Jackson State (21-9) – Southwestern Athletic
Kansas (19-11) – Big 12
Liberty (24-8) — Atlantic Sun
*Little Rock (21-10) – Ohio Valley
Memphis (20-10) – American Athletic
Morgan State (17-11) — Mid-Eastern Athletic
Nebraska (16-14) – Big Ten
Niagara (18-12) – Metro Atlantic Athletic
North Dakota State (18-11) – Summit
*Northern Arizona (21-13) – Big Sky
San Diego (17-13) – West Coast
Seton Hall (18-14) – Big East
*Stephen F. Austin (26-6) — Western Athletic
Syracuse (18-12) – Atlantic Coast
*Texas A&M Corpus Christi (19-11) – Southland
Texas State (23-9) – Sun Belt
*Towson (21-11) — Colonial Athletic
*UAlbany (22-11) – America East
*UC-Irvine (24-6) – Big West
*UMass (26-6) – Atlantic 10
Washington (15-14) – Pac 12
Western Kentucky (19-13) — Conference USA
*Wofford (22-9) – Southern
Wyoming (22-10) – Mountain West

At Large (32)
Auburn (15-14) – Southeastern
Ball State (25-8) – Mid-American
*Belmont (23-11) – Missouri Valley
BYU (16-16) – West Coast
Clemson (17-15) – Atlantic Coast
Colorado State (20-11) – Mountain West
Drexel (21-9) – Colonial Athletic
Florida (16-14) – Southeastern
Fordham (18-12) – Atlantic 10
Harvard (17-11) – Ivy
Kansas State (17-16) – Big 12
Kent State (21-10) – Mid-American
Long Beach State (23-9) – Big West
Louisiana Tech (19-12) – Conference USA
Missouri (17-13) – Southeastern
Missouri State (20-11) – Missouri Valley
New Mexico (20-12) – Mountain West
Northern Iowa (22-9) – Missouri Valley
Oregon (17-14) – Pac 12
Penn (17-11) – Ivy
*Rhode Island (24-6) – Atlantic 10
Rice (22-8) – Conference USA
Richmond (20-10) – Atlantic 10
Saint Joseph’s (20-10) – Atlantic 10
San Diego State (23-10) – Mountain West
San Francisco (19-12) – West Coast
SMU (16-12) – American
Texas Tech (18-14) – Big 12
Tulane (18-13) – American
UTEP (20-11) – Conference USA
Wake Forest (16-16) – Atlantic Coast
Wichita State (18-14) – American Athletic

There are 35 teams that won at least 20 games and 17 teams that either won or tied for first place in their conference’s regular-season slate. Here’s the schedule for the 2023 event:

Bracket released with matchups, Round 1 game times – Monday, March 13.
Round 1 – March 15-17
Round 2 –  March 18-21
Round 3 –  March 22-24
Quarterfinals – March 25-27
Semifinals – March 28-29
Championship – Saturday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m. ET (broadcast by CBS Sports Network)

A Dallas man was arrested last Tuesday morning by Ruston Police after he was stopped for speeding and drugs were found in his car.

A RPD officer stopped Kenneth Timber, 38, about 1:00 a.m. on Interstate 20 for speeding 82 in a 70 mile per hour zone. A records check indicated Timber’s driver’s license was under suspension.

When Timber opened the center console in the car, the officer saw several small loose pills inside. Timber quickly shut it and the officer called for assistance.

When other officers arrived, the vehicle was searched. Nothing was found in the console but two suspected MDMA (ecstasy) tablets were located on the floor between the seats.

Timber was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for speeding, driving under suspension, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (MDMA).

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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. 

Not much is better in this world than an old fashioned slip and slide. 

Here’s the best thing about slip and slides too – you don’t need the super expensive, water jets shooting everywhere, arches and rainbows and unicorns ones. Heck, just get some plastic Visqueen, throw on some Dawn soap and water, and you’ve got yourself a good time. 

As an adult, I have partaken in the slip and slide experience probably more than what is appropriate for an adult – but age is just a number, and I am 100 percent a kid at heart.  

My first “big girl” job after college was at the Ruston Daily Leader, and what made working there so great was that my best friends worked there too. So one weekend, Christina decided to have a slip and slide party at her house, and we had such an amazing. Absolutely not safe, as we were all doing tricks and trying to go as fast as we could (all of us adults by age, mind you), and while we were bruised, a little bloody, and tired, it was just as fun as we remembered as kids.  

My other highly memorable adult slip and slide experience was at my friend Angie’s house. Now Angie has this amazing hill that just BEGS for a slip and slide or sledding. Not that we have much snow here in Ruston, but we do have plenty of opportunities for slip and slides. She had a mini pool set up, too, where, if you weren’t racing down the hill at breakneck speeds, you could cool off under the shade of her front yard tree and enjoy watching everyone else.  

Now, with kids, we set up what I like to call “Redneck Water Park” each May. It officially opens up summer in the Roberts’ household. When they were young, it used to just be putting the sprinklers on in the front yard and watching the kids run through it until they were exhausted. Now, we usually have a water slide (ahem, usually purchased in the painting aisle of our local Walmart or Lowe’s) perfectly positioned underneath our playground slide. We douse the actual slide and the water slide with soap and water, and by the end of the day, my kids are covered in grass, dirt, and lots and lots of bubbles.  

It is, by far, one of my favorite days of the year. 

And now, with spring here and the temperature rising, here I am thinking about water slides, homemade water parks – and, most importantly, the memories created along the way.  

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By Malcolm Butler, Kyle Roberts and Scott Boatright

It was an impressive year of boys high school basketball in Lincoln Parish as all five teams earned postseason playoff berths while Lincoln Prep and Ruston High both made the state tournament in Lake Charles.

Selecting a 10-member all-Lincoln Parish Journal boys team was a difficult task, but we are proud to reveal the young men who earned a spot.

Ruston High guard Braylan McNeal is the Offensive MVP while Lincoln Prep guard Brayln Mayfield is the Defensive MVP on this year’s all-Lincoln Parish Journal squad. Lincoln Prep coach Antonio Hudson is the Coach of the Year after guiding the Panthers to the District 2-1A title and the Select School Division IV state title game.

McNeal averaged 15.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game for the Bearcats while leading Ruston to a record of 29 wins and only four losses. The Bearcats lost 62-55 to eventual Non-Select School Division I champion Ponchatoula in the semifinals.

Mayfield averaged 19.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game and was the ringleader for the Panthers all season on both ends of the floor leading Lincoln Prep to a record of 24 wins and 5 losses and the District 2-1A title. He guided the Panthers all the way to the state title game before falling 73-56 to Northwood-Lena.

In addition to McNeal and Mayfield, the all-LPJ team includes Ruston’s Aidan Anding and Lonnie Dimmer, Lincoln Prep’s Brandon Heard and Kobe Mack, Choudrant’s Parker Batterton and Mike Jones and Simsboro’s Kalep Wright.

 

All-LPJ Boys Team

Aidan Anding (Ruston)

Parker Batterton (Choudrant)

Lonnie Dimmer (Ruston)

Brandon Heard (Lincoln Prep)

Carter Hill (Cedar Creek)

Mike Jones (Choudrant)

Kobe Mack (Lincoln Prep)

Brayln Mayfield (Lincoln Prep)

Braylan McNeal (Ruston)

Kalep Wright (Simsboro)

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Braylan McNeal (Ruston)

Defensive Player of the Year: Brayln Mayfield (Lincoln Prep)

Coach of the Year: Antonio Hudson (Lincoln Prep)

 

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Louisiana Tech University has announced graduates from its Winter 2023 commencement ceremonies held March 4. They are listed below by town, alphabetically.                                                       

Alexandria                                                           

• Jude P. Aguillard – Bachelor of Science                                 
• Taylor Ann David – Bachelor of Science                                  
• Abigail Everett – Bachelor of Science                                   
• Colton Ray Johnson – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
• Erin Lee – Master of Accountancy                                     

Arcadia                                                              

• Ashley Michelle Christian – Bachelor of Arts                         
• Kevin Joseph Moore – Bachelor of Science                                
• Morgan Taylor Scafani – Associate of Science – Nursing      

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Baton Rouge                                                          

•    Madison C. Cefalu – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Grace A. Courtright – Master of Business Administration – Online  
•    Katherine C. Dawson – Doctor of Education – Education Leadership      
•    Ryann Raylette Hamilton – Bachelor of Science                          
•    Allissa Paige Leggio – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Liam Reardon Moppert – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Sydney Kate Richmond – Associate of Science – Nursing                  
•    John F. Taylor – Master of Business Administration                   
•    Zach A. Taylor – Bachelor of Science                                    
•    Charvis Deonte Thornton – Bachelor of Arts                           

 Benton                                                               

•    Eulalia Grace Allen – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Gage Brooks – Bachelor of Arts                                       
•    Jackson R. Fowlkes – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Aaron Michael Haygood – Bachelor of Science                             
•    John Tyler Lewis – Graduate Certificate – Online                
•    Jacob Alexander Saucier – Bachelor of Science                          

 Bernice                                                              

•    Sydney Brown – Bachelor of Arts                                      

 Bossier                                                              

•    Jillian Marie Cochran – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Kourtney A. Frost – Bachelor of Science                                 

 Bossier City                                                          

•    Jessica Marie Baffuto – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Gage Balin Betourne – Bachelor of Arts                               
•    Caroline Grace Colvin – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Jeffrey Scott Ferrell – Master of Arts                              
•    Avery Anne Jeffcoat – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Connor Rafe Jordan – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Shelby K. Leonard – Associate of Science – Nursing                     
•    Jackson Lewis – Bachelor of Science                                     
•    Jonah Alexander Pease – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Kaitlynn De’nee Sweeney – Bachelor of Arts                           
•    Joshua Ryan Thornhill – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies       
•    Jakira Alana Williams – Bachelor of Science – Computer Science        
•    Joshua James Wortley – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies               

 Bourg                                                                 

•    Jaida Dale Verdin – Bachelor of Science                                 

 Calhoun                                                              

•    Josie Michelle Abercrombie – Bachelor of Arts                       
•    Emily Grace Eddy – Associate of Science – Nursing                      
•    Christopher A. George – Bachelor of Science                             

 Chatham                                                              

•    Olivia Michelle James – Associate of Science – Nursing                 

 Choudrant                                                            

•    Kerington Lyn Bass – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Lisa Alexander Garner – Graduate Certificate                        
•    Brandon Neal Hadley – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Hannah Elaine Holbron – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Ellen Maria Taylor – Bachelor of Science                                

 Clayton                                                              

•    Jordyn Leigh Clayton – Associate of Science – Nursing                  

 Collinston                                                           

•    Robert Cole Ringle – Bachelor of Science                                

 Cottonport                                                           

•    Mitchell Shane Hukins – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Noah H. Rebouche – Bachelor of Science – Construction Engineering Technology

 Covington                                                             

•    James Welden Parks – Master of Arts In Teaching                     

 Deville                                                              

•    Andrew John Bryant – Master of Business Administration               

 Downsville                                                           

•    Jacob Benjamin Bridges – Bachelor of Science                            
•    Ashley Anne Pearson – Master of Accountancy                         

 Dry Prong                                                             

•    Marcus Aaron Babers – Master of Education                           

 Dubach                                                               

•    Olivia Grace Cuthbert – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Lindsay Kristina Gouedy – Master of Business Administration          

 Eros                                                                 

•    Emily Ann Whiteman – Bachelor of Science                                

 Farmerville                                                          

•    Avery A. Cobb – Bachelor of Science                                     
•    Garrick Edward Griffin – Master of Business Administration           
•    Vincent Earl Grisby – Bachelor of Arts                               
•    Jessica L. Novak – Associate of Science – Nursing                      

 Franklin                                                             

•    Olivia C. Luke – Bachelor of Science                                    

 Franklinton                                                          

•    Grayson Reid Bell – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Gunnar Sullivan Peterson-Gross – Master of Business Administration 

 Gheens                                                               

•    Broady James Rivet – Bachelor of Science – Computer Science                    

 Gibsland                                                             

•    Jonathan Mark Crouch – Bachelor of Science – Forestry                 
•    Jasmin R. Rhodes – Associate of Science – Nursing                      
•    Laterica Wright – Bachelor of Arts                                   

 Gonzales                                                              

•    Zackary Lavelle Tedeton – Bachelor of Science                          

 Grayson                                                              

•    Leslee L. Bennett – Bachelor of Arts                                 

 Haughton                                                              

•    Joseph Randall Cook – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Cailey Michelle Davis – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Logan M. McGrath – Bachelor of Science                                  
•    Victoria Lauren Phillips – Bachelor of Arts                          
•    Hannah L. Robinson – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
•    Katrina Rocha Sproles – Master of Arts – Counseling And Guidance      
•    Kylee Bryanne Thurston – Bachelor of Arts                            
•    Shelby L. Watson – Bachelor of Science                                  
•    Dylan Alexander Zickefoose – Bachelor of Science                    

 Hessmer                                                              

•    Gabriella Marcella Desselles – Associate of Science – Nursing          

 Homer                                                                

•    Carson Bailee Heard – Associate of Science – Nursing                   
•    Mckenzie Lee Zachary – Bachelor of Arts                              

 Jackson                                                              

•    Garrett A. Ewing – Bachelor of Science                                  

 Jonesboro                                                            

•    Alayna P. Thomas – Associate of Science – Nursing                      

 Jonesville                                                           

•    Rinisha Tajsh Bullitts – Associate of Science – Nursing                

 Keithville                                                           

•    Kylee Jo Moore – Associate of Science – Nursing                        

 Lafayette                                                            

•    Meredith Grace Arnold – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Caitlin Brooke Goforth – Associate of Science – Nursing                
•    Holden Michael Martin – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Kimberley S. Miles – Master of Science                               
•    Spencer Davis Sanders – Bachelor of Science                             

 Lake Charles                                                         

•    Hailey Frasier Fabian – Bachelor of Science – Medical Technology      
•    Charlotte Estelle Wade Henry – Master of Business Administration    

 Lecompte                                                             

•    Mary Katherine Couvillion – Bachelor Of Science                     

 Leesville                                                             

•    Selah Grace Keene – Bachelor of Arts                                 

 Logansport                                                           

•    Brittany Anne Register – Associate of Science – Nursing                

 Metairie                                                             

•    Stuart Wennerstrom Redfearn Jr. – Bachelor of Science – Computer Science

 Minden                                                                

•    William David Butts – Associate of Science – Nursing                   
•    Jordan Alan Cheatham – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Tammy Stanley – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies                       

 Monroe                                                               

•    Ikey’ja Ajahnea Brown – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Sarah Lydia Caldwell – Associate of Science – Nursing                  
•    John C. Graves – Associate of Science – Nursing                        
•    Shelbi Madison Green – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Haylee E. Ingle – Bachelor of Arts                                   
•    Phillip Michael Rieger – Bachelor of Science                            
•    Lauren Elizabeth Thomas – Bachelor of Science                          
•    Sarah N. Tilmon – Bachelor of Science                                   
•    J’carrdreck J. Wilkerson – Bachelor of Science                      
•    Marissa M. Yeagle – Master of Arts                                   

 Montegomery                                                          

•    Jody D. Bachus – Bachelor of Arts                                    

 Natchitoches                                                         

•    Abigail L. Wheat – Bachelor of Science                                  

 New Iberia                                                           

•    Rebecca Elizabeth Corley – Bachelor of Science                      

 New Orleans                                                           

•    Steven Raymond Baldwin – Bachelor of Science – Computer Science       

 Oak Grove                                                            

•    Jackson Elkins Gunter – Associate of Science – Nursing                 

 Pearl River                                                           

•    Kaelin Marie Griggs – Bachelor of Arts                               

 Pineville                                                            

•    Brandon J. Cespiva – Master of Arts                                 

 Plaquemine                                                           

•    Andrew C. Langlinais – Bachelor of Science                              

 Princeton                                                            

•    Loretta Raymond Wiley – Graduate Certificate                        

 Quitman                                                              

•    Katie A. Williams – Bachelor of Science                                 

 Rayville                                                             

•    Britton F. Mulhern – Bachelor of Science                                

 Ringgold                                                              

•    Makeibra T. Watkins – Associate of Science – Nursing                   

 Ruston                                                               

•    Ashique Ur Akond – Master of Science – Engineering                    
•    Casey N. Audirsch – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Raygan G. Barnhill – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
•    Murphy Bavinga – Master of Business Administration                   
•    Leslie Malcom Blades – Bachelor of Science – Architectural Studies    
•    Hayden C. Blount – Bachelor of Arts                                  
•    Desiree Renee Brodeen – Master of Business Administration            
•    Laura Elizabeth Cason – Bachelor of Arts                             
•    Leah Michelle Chapman – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Aaron Christopher Clark – Bachelor of Science – Forestry              
•    Brandon Michael Cone – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Brooke Leslie Daniel – Bachelor of Arts                              
•    Kailyn Michelle Decoux – Bachelor of Science                            
•    Zakaria El-awadi – Master of Science – Computer Science                    
•    Javera Gardner – Master of Accountancy                              
•    Julia Danielle Griffin – Bachelor of Arts                            
•    Meghan Elise Griffin – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Emma Katherine Haddox – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Keriann Paige Hollis – Bachelor of Arts                              
•    Rifat-e-nur Hossain – Master of Science – Engineering                 
•    Nickalaus Wayne Impson – Bachelor of Arts                            
•    Anna Katharine Inman – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies               
•    Madison P. Jones – Bachelor of Science                                  
•    Zachary Taylor Jones – Associate of Science – Nursing                  
•    Elise Cassia Kidd – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Kaitlin Mary Ledoux – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies                 
•    Rama Harika Manyam – Master of Science – Computer Science               
•    Gage J. McClinton – Master of Business Administration                
•    Kathryn Kleinpeter Meyers – Bachelor of Arts                         
•    Md Tanbin Mondal – Master of Science – Engineering                    
•    Isabella June Moreno – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies               
•    Wendi Nicole Morgan – Associate of Science – Nursing                   
•    Robert Harlow Morton – Bachelor of Science – Computer Science         
•    Madeline Kate Nugent – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Emily A. Owens – Bachelor of Science                                    
•    Matthew W. Owens – Associate of Science – Nursing                      
•    Jalia Marie Payne – Bachelor of Arts                                 
•    Yixian Pei – Doctor of Philosophy                                   
•    Kailey Elise Price – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
•    Kavya Ravi – Master of Science – Computer Science                           
•    Santhosh Revooru – Master of Science – Computer Science                    
•    Brennan Marie Roberts – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Anil Varma Rudraraju – Master of Science – Computer Science             
•    Annaliese Claire Russell – Master of Business Administration         
•    Franck Joseph Sandjon – Bachelor of Science – Construction Engineering Technology
•    Gavin Keith Saulters – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Tyler J. Scroggins – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Jesse Luke Shadburn – Bachelor of Arts                               
•    Allyson Delane Silmon – Master of Accountancy                       
•    Sayaka Takeuchi – Bachelor of Science – Medical Technology            
•    James Montana-Guadalu Taylor – Bachelor of Science                  
•    Edward Hilton Teal – Bachelor of Arts                                
•    Eshwar Prasad Thamburi – Master of Science – Computer Science           
•    Anna K. Varilek – Bachelor of Science – Elementary Education Grades 1-5
•    Haiwen Wang – Master of Science – Computer Science                          
•    Noah Michael White – Master of Business Administration               
•    Taylor Leigh Wilkinson – Master of Accountancy                      
•    Ryan Jacob Williams – Bachelor of Science                               

 Shreveport                                                           

•    Madison Lee Albritton – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Brian H. Barber Jr. – Bachelor of Science – Construction Engineering Technology
•    E’yanna Yvette Davis – Bachelor of Arts                              
•    Byron Christopher De Bouse Jr.  – Master of Business Administration 
• Masey Rae Deshoutel – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Andrew Joseph Galiano – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Landon R. Guerrero – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
•    Joseph Connor Hall – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Conner Lee Hurd – Bachelor of Science                                   
•    Jarred A. Jelks – Bachelor of Science                                   
•    Thomas Payne Johnson – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Kyla Symone Jones – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Mason Carter Kemp – Bachelor of Science                                 
•    Tantine K. Kendig – Bachelor of Arts                                 
•    Peyton H. Knowles – Bachelor of Science – Forestry                    
•    Bailey Erynn Lemay – Bachelor of Science                                
•    Joshua D. Lewis – Bachelor of Science                                   
•    Christian Taylor Lutz – Bachelor of Science                             
•    Martin Christopher Milner Jr. – Bachelor of Science                 
•    Justin Taylor Pendleton – Bachelor of Science                          
•    Nathan Elijah Pons – Bachelor of Arts                                
•    Adam Daniel Racherbaumer – Bachelor of Science                      
•    Madison Brooke Rainer – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Stuart Landry Reeks – Bachelor of Science                               
•    Ryleigh Madison Stewart – Bachelor of Science                          
•    Magdalene Lee Sumlin – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Elizabeth Ann Turnage – Master of Arts                              
•    Tia Johnson Young – Master of Education                                 

 Sibley                                                               

•    Jaykob Stewart – Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies                      

 Simsboro                                                              

•    Madison Elizabeth Scheer – Bachelor of Science                      
•    Julieanna Lane Smith – Bachelor of Science                              

 Slidell                                                              

•    Imana Ellis – Bachelor of Arts                                       

 St Francisville                                                      

•    Emma C. Daniel – Bachelor of Science                                    

 Sterlington                                                           

•    Angela Davis Bouwel – Associate of Science – Nursing                   
•    Catherine Claire Files – Bachelor of Science                            

 Sunset                                                               

•    Ethan B. Warren – Bachelor of Science – Medical Technology            

 Tallulah                                                             

•    Adriana Danielle Fountain – Bachelor of Science                     
•    Katerri McWright – Master of Business Administration                 
•    Precious Davielle Moore – Associate of Science – Nursing               
•    Dorian C. Young – Bachelor of Science                                   

 Thibodaux                                                             

•    Jason E. Nugent – Master of Science – Engineering And Technology Management

 Ville Platte                                                         

•    Kasey Danielle Roddy – Associate of Science – Nursing                  

 Waggaman                                                             

•    Christopher Michael Hotard – Bachelor of Science                    

 West Monroe                                                          

•    Jack Trevor Anderson – Associate of Science – Nursing                  
•    Priya K. Creech – Bachelor of Arts                                   
•    Blake Michael Everett – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Mary Lynn Holloway – Bachelor of Arts                                
•    Hanna Nicole Johnson – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Hunter Nicholas Jones – Bachelor of Arts                             
•    William Lambert – Master of Accountancy                             
•    Bryan Hunter McCormick – Master of Accountancy                       
•    Brianna Caitlin Neal – Bachelor of Science                              
•    Crystal B. O’melia – Associate of Science – Nursing                    
•    Natalie Grace Rogers – Associate of Science – Nursing                  
•    Mitchel Brian Shurden – Associate of Science – Nursing                 
•    Seth Allen Traweek – Bachelor of Science                                

 Winnfield                                                            

•    Kiarra Grace Bombard – Master of Business Administration             
•    Rasheed Tahir Lyles – Bachelor of Arts                               
•    Samantha Lynn Taylor – Master of Business Administration             

 Wisner                                                               

•    Meg Elizabeth Stephens – Bachelor of Arts                            

Baton Rouge, LA – As Louisiana State Police continues to evolve and find innovative methods to connect with our communities, a new tool is being implemented for citizens to share both positive interactions and concerns.  Located on the LSP.org website, the Compliments/Complaints link allows for a streamlined process for citizens to compliment any Trooper, DPS Officer, or Department of Public Safety employee as well as allow for criticisms, complaints, or recommendations to improve the level of service.  The information submitted on the form will be received directly by LSP Internal Affairs personnel. 

In addition to the new reporting tool, citizens can continue to email LSPPublicAffairs@la.gov or send a private message through the department’s social media platforms.  Community members are always welcome to speak to a supervisor in person or over the phone.  To locate specific contact information, please visit our website and click “Contact Us” at the bottom of the page for telephone numbers, locations, and email addresses for every troop and section of LSP.  

Every day, the men and women of the Department of Public Safety perform vital public safety functions while serving with professionalism, compassion, and dedication.  As we continue to advance and find ways to strengthen our operations, we want to hear from our citizens about their experiences.  Troopers are also available to visit and interact at schools, businesses, and community groups sharing the department’s safety campaigns and public safety mission with our communities. For more information and to schedule an event, please visit www.lsp.org/public to speak with a LSP Public Information Officer.

Other language versions available below:

Spanish

Vietnamese

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By Brandon Ramsey

Have you ever thought about going to counseling for anger issues?  Have you ever insisted that your spouse or friends attend?  I usually get much more response out of the latter. Does it seem out of place to hear me as a counselor say, “There is nothing wrong with anger!”  Not what you expect to hear from someone you come to for anger management?  Unfortunately our society has a skewed view of what anger is and its function.

Anger management is not eliminating anger; it is simply learning how to manage your behavior when you become angry.  Anger is a natural emotion.  In fact it is one of the most beneficial emotions.  Anger is a warning sign.  It tells our mind there is a stimulus that our body, mind, or spirit is not happy or agreeing with.  Without anger we would not know when to set boundaries or take certain actions.  Could you imagine a world where people did not have warning signs when they were losing their cool and would explode at the drop of a hat?  I know, right now you are saying, “What fantasy world do you live in?  Have you watched the news lately?”

I know violence is at an all-time high. Or maybe we just see more of it with all the media out there.  That is one of the reasons I have a hard time watching the news.  I can’t stand to watch the injustice and hatred.  But believe me when I say that it is not the lack of warning signs that is causing the trend of uncontrollable angry actions in our world, country, cities, and homes.  It is the total disregard for these warning signs.

Anger is not the problem.  It is our actions when we are angry.  Sounds like the old “Which came first, the chicken or the egg” quote, right?  But think about it, nobody ever got in trouble or arrested for sitting in a chair and sulking.  Issues arise when our actions exceed the normal spectrum of acceptable behavior.  We step over the line when we harm ourselves or someone else physically or emotionally through violence.  I once heard a great quote that described violence.

“Any attempt to control another person is violence.”  Mahatma Gandhi

Take a second to understand those words.  Any violent and angry act can usually be categorized by that statement.  When we take actions that result from anger, we are focused on making someone stop doing what they are doing. We resort to violence and angry actions because we do not agree with it and we do not have the tools or do not want to exert the energy to stop that action through compromise and communication.  We can attempt to control someone’s actions in so many ways.  Control can come through physical aggression or threats of it, financial restrictions, withholding of love or affirmation in a relationship, and many other ways. 

The most beneficial way to deal with your own or someone else’s anger issues is not to stop being angry, but to find new and better ways to handle your actions while you are angry.  Because you will never stop being angry!

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

Monday, March 13
Spring break for Lincoln Parish Schools
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 

Tuesday, March 14
Spring break for Lincoln Parish Schools
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball v. Air Force
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball v. Northwestern State
7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting

Wednesday, March 15
Spring break for Lincoln Parish Schools
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball v. Air Force

Thursday, March 16
Spring break for Lincoln Parish Schools

Friday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day
Spring break for Lincoln Parish Schools
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Beer Crawl (downtown Ruston)
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball v. Charlotte

Saturday, March 18
7:30 a.m.: KD Shamrock Run (Lincoln Parish Park)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball v. Charlotte

Sunday, March 19
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball v. Charlotte

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The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston woman last Wednesday afternoon after a call she was threatening someone with a knife.

Deputies responded to a residence on La. Highway 146 where the victim said Lametria L. Owens, 22, chased him around the house with the knife and threatened to stab him. Owens had been barred previously from returning to the home.

Owens said she went to the house to check on her grandmother. She admitted she made threats to stab the victim and had the knife in a bag she was carrying.

A search of her bag yielded a pocket knife and a glass smoking pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.

Owens was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for aggravated assault, entry into premises after being forbidden, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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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.