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Funeral mass for Mrs. Thuyen Thi Do, age 54 of Ruston, LA will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, March 24, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Kevin officiating. Services will be held under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Thuyen was born December 10, 1968 in Vietnam to Xu Nguyen and Kiem Do and passed away March 16, 2023 in Ruston.
Thuyen is survived by her husband and the owner of Tina’s Nails, Den Tran; two daughters: Quynh Nhu Tran and husband Dang Dinh Nguyen and Hainhi Tran and husband Duc Trong Le; son Hai Dang Tran and wife Thao Nguyen Truong; four grandsons: Nathan Nguyen, Jaden Nguyen, Eden Le and Aiden Le; one granddaughter Selena Tran; and a host of other family and many friends.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services for Curtis Otwell, 96, of Quitman, will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 24, 2023 at Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman, Louisiana. Brother Stuart Toms will officiate. His final resting place will be at Sweetwater Baptist Church Cemetery.
Curtis Otwell passed on to Heaven’s gate on March 21, 2023. He was married to the love of his life, Marguerite Doomas Otwell for 67 years. Curtis worked at the mill in Hodge, Louisiana as a machine tender on #1 paper machine for 39 years. Being a man of many talents, he was also a painter, roofed houses, and worked at the laundry and cleaners in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Curtis attended Sweetwater Baptist Church for 63 years. He loved the Lord first and was an ordained deacon, July 20, 1997.
Curtis was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Doomas Otwell; son, Stephen Michael Otwell; parents, Eula and Ester Franklin Otwell.
Curtis is survived by his children, Phillip Dennis Otwell and wife Barbara, Patricia Lynn Otwell Reed; grandchildren, Syble Otwell Deal, Sallie Otwell Finn, Burt Reed, Kendell Reed, Nathan Reed; great-grandchildren, Cam, Codi, Addison, Allie, Paxton, Jordyn, Raylan; special “grandchildren”, Gabe and Brian McMillan; and many nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Barry Donar, Gary Brown, Todd Cooper, Roger Counsel, Burt Reed, Nathan Reed and Buddy Burnham. Honorary Pallbearers will be Paxton Reed, and Raylan Layfield.
Diane Guidry Lebrun, a loving mother, a courageous woman, loyal friend, and an ever contagious energy of joy, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Monday, March 13, 2023. She was surrounded by the love of family and her beloved pets.
Diane was born a fiery redhead with a glowing spirit, on April 5, 1954, in Lafayette Louisiana. She attended Lafayette High School and graduated in 72. Diane never missed her high school reunions for 50 years. She was a proud Ragin’ Cajun woman, who never missed an opportunity to exchange stories, laughs, and intoxicate anyone in her presence with her genuine smile. With her fun loving personality, she was a force to be reckoned with, and admired by many who had the luxury to meet and know her in their life. She never met a stranger whom she wouldn’t give her all to, or make laugh with her bold sense of humor.
Diane was a highly skilled and cherished Hairdresser in Ruston area for over 49 years. Her clients were not just clients, they were family to her. She was a celebrated, vibrant multitalented woman, recording many records, and serenaded many audiences with her beautiful voice at festivals, weddings, funerals, and just about any event in life that brought people together. Singing was her passion, and her stunning voice, is one that will resonate in the choir of heaven for eternity.
With her great love and adoration for her children, she led with loyalty and love beyond measure. Diane pushed through every moment in life, where a tragedy or challenge would hinder most, she shined brighter from within, and these moments only refined her already glowing spirit to shine brighter. She has proven to be a remarkable example of grace, resilience, and a woman whose faith in God was worn proudly on her heart and through her smile. The way that she lifted others, even when she was met with her own obstacles, was the purest example of selfless kindness and compassion for others.
She was a dynamic woman who made her mark on this world, encouraging us all to live vibrantly, bravely, colorfully, and remember to sing loudly even in the rain. Don’t forget to have fun along the journey, dance till you drop, and love deeply every aspect of your life. That’s so Diane!
She was preceded in death by her mother; Esther Mouton; her father, Alton Guidry; her brothers, Steve and Morgan Guidry; as well as widow, Ty Lebrun. She is survived by her siblings; Mitchell Guidry and Joy Cyrus. She has two children Jacob and Alana Hogg. In addition, she has many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Please join family and friends for Diane’s Celebration of Life at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 25, 2023, in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 209 N. Bonner Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Memorial services for Littie L. Kirkham Yarbrough, 76, of Ruston, will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday March 26, 2023 in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, 209 N. Bonner Street. Ruston, Louisiana. Pastor Thomas Ussery will officiate. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Littie was born on January 3, 1947 to Isaac C. Kirkham and Janie Rebecca Edwards of Clay, Louisiana and passed away peacefully on March 14, 2023 after a brief illness. She was a member of LifePoint Church in Ruston. Littiewas precededin death her daughter, Tina Cryer.
Littie is survived by her two sons, Ben Brittingham and Thomas Larry; Littie is also survived by her brother, Louie Kirkham; grandchildren, Crystal Southerland, Jeff and Christian Brittingham, along with Anna, Emma, and Amelia Larry; 9 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other cherished family and friends.
Horace Norman Williams Wednesday 04/09/1930 — Sunday 03/19/2023 Family Gathering: Friday 03/24/2023 2:00pm to 3:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Visitation: Friday 03/24/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/25/2023 11:00am, Asberry Missionary Baptist Church, 604 Paine Rd., Chatham Interment: Saturday 03/25/2023 Following Service, Asberry Cemetery, Chatham
Sally Guffie July 22, 1946 – March 21, 2023 Services pending
Orville Schroeder June 13, 1938 – March 18, 2023 Visitation: Friday, March 24, 2023, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Graveside Service: Friday, March 24, 2023, 2:30 PM. New Hope Cemetery. 292 New Hope Road, Choudrant
Reverend Henry Island Died: Sunday 03/12/2023 Visitation: Saturday 03/25/2023 11:00am to 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/25/2023 1:00pm, New Rocky Valley Baptist Church, 2155 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Grambling Interment: Saturday 03/25/2023 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Thuyen Do December 10, 1968 – March 16, 2023 Services pending
Katie Hall will be the new Cedar Creek School varsity girls basketball coach. (Courtesy photo)
By Malcolm Butler
A familiar face and a household name in the Lincoln Parish area is the new Cedar Creek School varsity girl’s basketball coach.
Katie (Cochran) Hall will follow in the footsteps of recently retired Gene Vandenlangenberg.
Cedar Creek Head of School Cindy Hampton and Hall met with the team this morning to inform them of the news. Vandenlangenberg announced his decision to retire from coaching two weeks ago, while Hall has spent the past two years serving as the middle school coach for Cedar Creek.
“We are so happy to have Katie Hall as Head Coach for our varsity and junior varsity girls’ basketball teams,” said Hampton. “She has the experience as both a collegiate player and coach and we look forward to seeing this program continue to grow under her leadership.”
Hall said she is eager to get started in her new position.
“I am very passionate about the game of basketball and these kids and this school,” said Hall. “I fell in love with this school and these players. It’s a unique place to be and I feel a part of it. I think this is all about God’s timing. Everywhere I turned it was like this is what God wants me to do.
“(My daughter) Kennedy was on board and wants me to coach the team. That was important to me. I want to make memories with her and all of these girls. I have so many great memories from my high school playing days, even things off the court. I want to help these girls make those types of memories.”
Hall has a basketball background that runs deep.
An all-state performer for the C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets, leading the program to a pair of Louisiana Class 5A state titles in the mid-1990s. She was named the MVP of the 1993 state title game the year Byrd was ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Top 25 poll.
Following her prep career, she signed a national letter of intent to play for legendary Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore and the nationally renowned Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. During her four years with the program, the Lady Techsters posted a 121-15 record and won four Sun Belt Conference titles.
Hall experienced four NCAA Tournaments. She served as the co-Captain her senior year on the 1998 team that made a run to the NCAA National Championship game against Tennessee.
“Cedar Creek has hit a grand slam home run in the hiring of Katie as their girls basketball coach,” said Barmore. “They just hired a winner that knows her basketball and how to coach. Players will love playing for her. It’s a perfect fit.”
Following graduation, Hall was an administrative assistant for one year at both Ole Miss and for two years at LA Tech before being promoted to full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Lady Techsters for four years. She was a member of four straight Western Athletic Conference title teams and four NCAA Tournaments.
Hall has been the owner and instructor of Hall of Hoops since 2007, conducting private lessons, camps and clinics for boys and girls throughout the past 16 years.
She said she wants to continue the winning tradition that has been established at Cedar Creek.
“I love what Gene and Nicole (Barron) have done with this program,” said Hall. “It’s been so successful, and they laid such a great foundation. These girls love the game. They play hard and know what it takes to win. That’s a reflection of what Gene and Nicole have done with this program.”
Vandenlangenberg said he is excited about the hire and the future of the program.
“She has a great relationship with these kids already,” said Vandenlangenberg. “With her coaching the middle school girls already, she already has the respect and love of those kids and is the perfect person for the job. The girls love her. She checks all the boxes for what you would want at Cedar Creek, and I know she will do an awesome job. I am very excited for her and for the girls.”
Sometimes one sentence is all that needs to be said about someone.
“They called him Captain for a reason.”
Those words came from Larry Wright Sr. as he remembered former Grambling basketball great and NBA Hall of Famer Willis Reed, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 80 in a Houston hospital.
Reed, who grew in Bernice, led what was then known as Grambling College to its only men’s basketball national championship in 1961 before moving on to become an NBA legend with the New York Knicks, who he led to two NBA titles.
At Grambling, Reed helped lead the Tigers to an NAIA National Title and three Southwestern Athletic Conference titles, scoring 2,280 career points and averaging 26.6 points per game and 21.3 rebounds per game during his senior year.
He was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1965 and its Most Valuable Player in 1970, as well as a seven-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection during his 10-season, injury-shortened career. Reed was also eventually named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,” the Knicks said in a statement on Twitter. “As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind — the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions.”
Aaron James, who starred at Grambling and then in the NBA for the New Orleans Jazz in the 1970s, first got to know Reed when James came to play under the late Grambling State University Coach Fred Hobdy.
“I’ve known Willis since 1970, but especially after he came back around here we’ve gotten pretty close,” James said. “All of Hobdy’s old stars always came back to talk to us before the season began. I was a freshman and could tell right there he was a good person who cared.”
During his time in college, Reed led Grambling to an NAIA National Title and three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships. Reed scored 2,280 career points, and averaged 26.6 points per game and 21.3 rebounds per game during his senior year at Grambling.
Later, when James started playing in the NBA, Reed was there to serve as a mentor.
“There were a lot of things that an NBA rookie was obviously green about,” James said. “So I called Willis. I’d ask about pointers on offense and defense and things I needed to do, or some things you’re having problems with. He always gave good advice.
“But not just pertaining to basketball. He gave good advice about a lot of life issues, too. A lot of times he wouldn’t tell you what to do. He’d tell you what his feelings about it were, but he left it up to you to do what you need to do. And he still liked to joke and tell lies. That was another big part of Willis.”
James and Wright agreed that the college coach of all three of them, Reed included, was the glue that bonded the three together for life.
“Playing for Fred Hobdy, you always had the bond with the people that came before you and played after you, because he kind of united people,” James said. “During our time in school here all the old players used to come back.
“Coach Hobdy and Willis even had a basketball camp – the Hobdy/Reed Basketball Camp. All the old players would come back and work the camp and then after we’d play against each other. And then we’d sit down and hear a lot of their stories. And Willis didn’t have to try to get our attention. We all knew who he was.”
After retiring as a player, Reed coached the Knicks in 1977-78 before moving on to Creighton University for four seasons.
He later became head coach of the New Jersey Nets in 1988 before taking a job in New Jersey’s front office as general manager and vice president of basketball operations.
Reed remained with the Nets through the 2002-03 season before taking over as the executive VP of the New Orleans Hornets, a spot he held for three years.
He was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. And in 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
In January of 2020, Grambling State named the court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center for Reed, whose close friend Wilbert Ellis called a crowning achievement for the man known as Captain.
“He wanted a good athletic program, that’s why he donated like he did,” Ellis said. “One of his greatest moments was when he walked out there with his name on the floor of that court. That was a great night when they pushed him out there and he saw and felt his appreciation for all he gave to Grambling. That’s the heartbeat I’m talking about.
Like James, Wright called Reed a father-figure who was there for him and many others over the years including after Wright first met Reed as a youth attending a Hobdy/Reed Basketball Camp.
That was close to the same time Wright watching a badly-injury Reed turned in a still legendary performance to lead the Knicks to a Game 7 NBA Championship Game win.
“They don’t call you Captain unless you’re special,” Wright said. “To see a Gramblinite, who had talked to you in one of those Hobdy-Reed Basketball Camps, walk out there against Wilt Chamberlain. That made me believe I could do anything.
“Because when I was young, Willis said I could.
Reed leaves behind wife Gale along with two children.
Both Ruston High and Cedar Creek are among the 14 schools that will participate in the 17th annual Bayou Jamb in August.
Last year’s event was held at Joe Aillet Stadium on the Louisiana Tech campus. However, due to the facility being used for the Bulldogs regular season opener against FIU on Saturday, Aug. 26, event organizers were forced to find a different location.
This year’s event will move east to Don Shows Field inside Rebel Stadium.
“Choosing a venue for a sporting event of this magnitude is one of the most important decisions we make,” said Patti Thurmon, Owner of Bayou jamb, LLC. “Everything from facility access, football schedules, campus events, parking, venue layout, catering, and fan experience impacts the decision. While we maintain the right and look to host the Bayou Jamb on a collegiate campus again in the future, the City of West Monroe and West Monroe High School has all the ideal qualities in terms of facilities, location, environment, and amenities for the Bayou Jamb to be a success.”
Joining the Bearcats and the Cougars are Evangel High School, Ouachita High School, West Monroe High School, Red River High School, D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, Jonesboro Hodge High School, St. Frederick High School, Mangham High School, Jena High School, Ouachita Christian High School, Many High School, and Oak Grove High School.
Seven games in two days will comprise the preseason football jamboree with each team having the opportunity to compete in two 15-minute halves.
Ruston is scheduled to face West Monroe Friday, August 25 while Cedar Creek will face Mangham on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The Bayou Jamb Football Jamboree highlights local high school players and gives each team a chance for an exhibition tune-up before the regular season begins.
BAYOU JAMB FOOTBALL LINEUP
Friday, August 25, 2023
6:00 pm Evangel High School vs. Ouachita High School
8:00 pm Ruston High School vs. West Monroe High School
Saturday, August 26th, 2023
11:00 am Red River High School vs. D’Arbonne Woods Charter School
1:00 pm Jonesboro Hodge High School vs. St. Frederick High School
3:00 pm Mangham High School vs. Cedar Creek High School
5:00 pm Jena High School vs. Ouachita Christian High School
7:00 pm Many High School vs. Oak Grove High School
It is important to note that all games are subject to changes, and some could be moved to accommodate participating schools. A promotional schedule of additional Fan Jamb Week activities will be released at a later date.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 marks the date of the fourth Ruston Art Encounter with unique art activities planned for area residents.
Participants can begin their walk at any of the participating businesses. This one-mile walking art trail features over 100 artists. A juried food art exhibition will be on display at several local businesses, many of which will also have a tempting treat inside.
Visitors will be able to experience 2- and 3-D visual, textile and culinary artistry created by local student and community artists. This art is all about food; the art will reflect food, be made with food, or be food. Interactive demonstrations have been planned throughout the day and include:
12:15-12:45 pm – “Farm-to-Table” at the Ruston Farmer’s Market 1:00-1:30 pm -” I HeART You Coffee” at The Depot 1:30-2:00 pm – “Wear Your Food” at Ruston Artisans 2:00-2:30 pm – “Painting with Coffee” at Fine Line Supply Co 2:30-3:00 pm – “Brew Tour” at Utility Brewing 3:00-3:30 pm – “Play with Your Food” at Board and Bottle (Railway Coffee) 3:30-4:00 pm – “Cook Like a Rock Star” at Heard Freighthouse Food Park
Many local businesses, corporations and non-profit groups are supporting local art talent through their sponsorship and donations. This event is managed by Friends of Ruston Mainstreet and sponsored by Origin Bank, Century Next Bank, Experience Ruston/CVB, Ruston Cultural District, Driggers Outdoor Advertising, Fine Line Supply, anonymous donors and Ruston Artisans.
The Ruston Art Encounter conducts unique, bi-monthly events designed to celebrate the arts and community. The organizers believe that art provides an opportunity to generate conversation and education and they invite residents to join them for this art event.
Citizens of Ruston – Don’t be bamBOOZled! Wal-Mart and SuperOne have pushed an election on us with one intent and one intent only – to increase their profit margins by increasing the distribution of alcohol in Ruston! This effort was led not by local citizens but by the Hatch Group, an out-of-state consulting firm.
The issues on the ballot this Saturday, March 25th, are:
#1 – Allows beer sales by grocery and convenience stores, legal in Ruston for at least 50 years or so;
#2 – Allows beer sales by bars with no restaurant permit required, legal in Ruston for at least 50 years or so;
#3 – Would allow, if passed, the sale of liquor, wine and any other alcoholic beverage by bars with no restaurant permit required, currently illegal in Ruston;
#4 – Would allow, if passed, liquor, wine and any other alcoholic beverage to be sold by liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores and any other outlet that can obtain a license, currently illegal in Ruston;
#5 – Allows the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks by restaurants with a type “R” permit, legal in Ruston since the “Restaurant Referendum” was successfully orchestrated by the Chamber of Commerce in 2002.
Some of you may say #4 is no big deal, only 2 liquor outlets, SuperOne and Wal-Mart, would open in Ruston and 2 liquor stores won’t hurt anyone – IF PASSED, A MINIMUM OF 5 LIQUOR STORES WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN AS SOON AS THEY GET A PERMIT IN THEIR HOT LITTLE HANDS – SuperOne, Wal-Mart, Ruston Groceries, Shoppers Value and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market all meet the criteria needed by a liquor store under ordinances passed by your city council. And you can count on a SIXTH liquor store opening quickly if #4 passes as Brookshires has already purchased a 7 acre tract just north of the Kentucky Avenue/Farmerville Highway intersection.
What about #3? Personally, we think allowing bars to operate solely for the purpose of serving liquor with no restaurant in a college town is a bad idea regardless of location. The Ruston Administration has defined the liquor bar district as a sprawling area that goes from I-20 to California Avenue and from Tech Drive to Bonner Street. This same ordinance also sticks a finger to the east of downtown Ruston, beyond Bonner, along East Mississippi to include the site of the city’s old diesel power plant adjacent to the Ruston Farmer’s Market. The heart of our city, our beautiful award-winning downtown, is in the heart of this district. As downtown property owners and occupants we do not appreciate the fact that the only bars allowed if option #3 passes could be right next door or right across the street from our location. We’re sure many other downtown property owners and occupants feel the same way.
Don’t be bamBOOZled! The Hatch Group and other proponents of this issue love to parse words, but in some cases they cross the line – a mailer we received at our home today states that proposition #3 supports local restaurants – NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH! Proposition #3 has NOTHING to do with restaurants.
Now that you know these facts, you may still say no big deal, grocery stores can sell liquor and we will have bars in downtown Ruston. Ho-hum, the City has taken steps to protect us. Well you should also know that just 3 persons can wipe away all the restrictions in city ordinances that define the specific criteria that bars and liquor stores must meet to obtain a liquor license. What 3 persons you may ask? Any 3 members of the Ruston City Council could vote to allow wide open bars, liquor stores, drive through daiquiri factories and other liquor outlets ANYWHERE in Ruston. My friends, the only REAL CONTROL on where liquor can be sold in Ruston lies in your hands when you enter the voting booth. If you vote yes on everything and let the genie out of the bottle, you will NEVER be able to put the cork back in, and yes, puns are intended!
Some may be inclined to vote NO on all 5 options and we respect and will defend your right to do so, even though that would be disastrous for our local sales tax base. Options #1 and #2 have been on the books for ages. Option #5 drastically changed the complexion of our town, exponentially increased our local dining options and vastly increased our sales tax collections – We think almost everyone would agree those changes were for the better. On the other hand, some may be inclined to vote YES on all 5 options and we will defend their rights to that vote also, even though we think that would be disastrous as well for many reasons.
And speaking of sales taxes, let’s shed some light on another misconception perpetrated by the Hatch(et) Group and others telling you to vote yes on all 5 options. An ad that was recently run in local news outlets states that according to the city administration, passage of #4 alone, the liquor store option, would generate another $1.5 million dollars in sales taxes for the city coffers. This same ad states that retailers Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s/SuperOne estimate passage of #4 will generate $2.2 million dollars in sales taxes. The city receives approximately 4.28% of every dollar spent on retail items in the city of Ruston. Do you have any idea how much liquor would have to be poured down our throats to generate that much in sales tax? APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION DOLLARS according to the City administration! And according to the retailers, a STAGGERING (literally – pun again intended) $51.4 MILLION DOLLARS in LIQUOR SALES!
According to the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau numbers published for the City of Ruston we are home to 22,259 persons. Assuming an average price for a bottle of booze or wine to be $30 dollars, over 1,700,000 bottles would have to be sold to generate $54.1 million. That’s 77 BOTTLES OF LIQUOR to be consumed by every man, woman and child in Ruston every year. We ask you, how many youth sporting events would our sports complex have to host to see these numbers become a reality? Oh well – DOWN THE HATCH!
The only thing we can surmise from this outlandish calculation is that the Hatch Group, SuperOne, Wal-Mart and others assume that our citizens are incapable of doing simple arithmetic. We must also suppose that the reason they are advising you to vote yes on all 5 options is that they think you are easily confused by the English language, the medium by which the options are displayed on the ballot. We on the other hand think you are smart enough to do what’s best for our children, our grandchildren and our future.
Don’t be bamBOOZled! The same ad referenced above advises you to vote yes on all 5 options. This ad contains the statement “WE VOTED IN BARS 20 YEARS AGO AND NONE CAME…”. Well, a very quick Google search of Ruston Restaurants will show you that there are at least 24 bars in Ruston restaurants! We have no shortage of bars. And another thing, no one has even mentioned; drinking parlors of days past such as the Cue Stick, Stow’s, Mothers and perhaps others I may have forgottenno longer exist. It appears the Restaurant Referendum made them non-competitive with full- service establishments. And by our count, only 53 persons actually signed this ad – not exactly an overwhelming statement of support!
For the record we will vote as follows: #1 – YES; #2 – YES; #3 – NO; #4 – NO; #5 – YES. Please consider doing the same.
There is more background information on this matter in letters already written to the editor of the Ruston Daily Leader and the Lincoln Parish Journal and our local radio stations over the past two weeks. We would urge you to find these letters and read them to get the complete context on this matter. Thank you for reading this today and by all means GO VOTE THIS SATURDAY!
And remember: Evil triumphs when good men and women are indifferent to public affairs.
Andy & Mary Elizabeth Halbrook – Concerned Citizens
This advertorial has been paid for by the Louisiana Economic Growth Committee. The views below do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishing staff of the Lincoln Parish Journal.
As Ruston approaches voting this Saturday on the referendum to approve expanded alcohol sales, the bottom-line facts are quite simple:
Propositions 1,2 and 5 on the ballot are already allowed and were decided by Ruston voters 20 years ago.
That decision led to significant local economic growth, with no adverse effects or unintended consequences.
On March 25, residents have another opportunity to drive further economic growth by allowing stores 15,000 square feet or larger, who also sell other products, to sell higher quality wine, beer and spirits. That means Super 1, both Walmart’s, Ruston Groceries, Super Saver, and possibly one more grocery store that is considering coming to Ruston. That’s it.
Without the ability to sell higher quality wine, beer and spirits, Ruston’s ability to attract additional new grocery stores will be significantly limited, which affects overall economic growth in the long-term.
A small handful of suddenly vocal people are now claiming that if Ruston also votes to allow a few bars to potentially open in Ruston’s downtown entertainment district, that will surely tarnish Ruston’s image. But the City Council has already passed the toughest limitations in the state on where and how close bars could be located in downtown Ruston, if any are even proposed, and they would also have to be approved by the Planning and Zoning Office.
And the “bar facts” are clear. We already have several bars downtown that also serve food, proving that the restaurant business model works if the establishment is well run. But the only true bar Ruston had closed decades ago, and even though low-alcohol-content bars have been legal in Ruston since 2002, not one has opened. The notion of Ruston being suddenly overrun with bars ignores the strict limitations in place, and is just a scare tactic being used in the absence of logic and facts.
On the economics side, Ruston is losing out on the benefit of local sales revenues and the taxes generated by those revenues to the tune of $1.5 million a year, and probably more, for no good reason. People are still buying alcoholic beverages, they’re just buying them somewhere else.
It’s 2023, and Ruston has an opportunity to again adopt minor changes that could provide big economic and convenience benefits for the community, and the risks, if any, are small and easily managed.
More than 3,000 Ruston residents chose to call this election, and their voices should not be silenced, and the economic opportunities should not be lost, because a small, last-minute, suddenly vocal minority is trotting out the same vague opposition arguments that were made 20 years ago and have clearly been proven false.
Ruston’s growth during the past two decades has been steady, smart, planned and well-managed. There is no reason, or evidence, to suggest that two minor changes to local laws are going to change the character of the city in a negative way. History here in Ruston, and in many other communities across Louisiana that have adopted similar changes, has proven such claims false.
Please support economic growth, shopping convenience, and keeping local dollars local. Vote to adopt all five Propositions on the ballot and help keep Ruston moving forward.
This advertorial has been paid for by the Louisiana Economic Growth Committee. Go to http://www.LouisianaEGC.org for more information.
Two Grambling State University students were arrested in separate on-campus incidents last weekend.
On Friday morning, a female student told GSU officers she had been dating Michael Bassett, Jr., 26, of Peoria, Illinois, for over a year. She said when she returned to her dorm room after going to the store, Bassett started “tripping” and hitting her. She said she locked herself in the bathroom to escape him but he kicked down the door. The woman said Bassett choked her and punched her in the face.
Bassett told officers he did choke the woman after she attacked him.Officers saw no injuries on Bassett but observed injuries to the woman’s neck, face, back, arms and chest consistent with her statement.
Bassett was arrested and booked for battery of a dating partner by strangulation and criminal damage to property.
About 4:45 p.m. Saturday morning, a student approached a GSU officer and admitted stealing a cell phone from a female student.
Amaini D. Hunt, 19, of Grambling, said he took the student’s phone out of her hand, threw it on the ground and broke it into pieces and threatened to do her harm.
Hunt was arrested for theft, simple criminal damage to property, and public intimidation and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was set at $8,500.
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.
This was a favorite time of year for Rolly Walker, not that he didn’t appreciate the other times because Rolly was if anything a day-to-day guy, not a prima donna or a guy demanding to sing lead. Rolly was blue-collar DeQuincy, Loooosiana, ready to chop wood and carry water soon as the sun came up.
“You always get to choose your attitude,” Rolly would say, then he’d strap in whether it was a cold day in January or his turn to go off on No. 10 in the Fall Church Scramble.
But springtime was his wheelhouse. Long and lean and smart and resourceful, he was a good athlete and natural at so many things, a hoops player who appreciated the wonder of March Madness and a track star — track was his favorite — and a golf nut because it put him outside in his Father’s World and with friends and you could play it forever and you could mess with people and do funny stuff, enjoy the pace, be at peace with the way the round and the day dripped away. You could slowly “celebrate the temporary,” another thing he’d say that kept this athlete-turned-coach-turned-preacher in the moment.
Years ago, a member of his Methodist congregation, Mrs. Loretta, she started writing down those sayings. She called them “Walker Wisdom — gems to ponder in your heart and live by daily,” and she drew a big heart in the script and around it wrote many of these “gems” so the sayings expanded into bigger hearts …
Don’t take yourself too seriously … Life is full of choices … Say, “I love you!” … You can’t please everybody …
And she splashed color all over it and his family appreciated that. So much so that at the recent celebration of his extraordinary 84 years, there were stacks of reprints at Trinity Methodist in Ruston, and anyone could get one, and I did, standing way in the back behind all those people there to honor Rolly.
Don’t stir manure … Make every day a master-peace … Are you fun to live with? … Eat dessert first …
I never got to eat with Rolly. Never rode around in the car with him. I think we suggested it a time or two…
He read my stuff for years, and I listened to his sermons, and we saw each other here and there and exchanged many letters and books and he was just a joy. He was a man disinclined to condemn the world for all its injustices, although he understood better than most the dangerous pickle, we were in. Instead, he chose to walk with grace, to make sure grace happened whenever it might be his turn to get in the starting blocks.
Rolly was like a good medicine, a homespun cure. His whole secret, which he never tried to hide, was simplicity. His life was Poe’s purloined letter, left in plain view if we’d only take the time to look.
The jug is always full … Don’t keep score … Shalom.
When Grace and Mercy breathed, they sure did look a lot like my old friend.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu and Twitter @MamaLuvsManning
Ruston Police arrested two men for resisting an officer after complaints of a loud party at The Heights Apartments.
Officers responded to the complex on West Alabama Avenue about 11:30 p.m. Sunday night to find a large crowd at an apartment. As police attempted to disperse the crowd in the parking lot, Keshawn M. Taylor, 22, of Grand Prairie, Texas approached an officer and made derogatory statements. He was told to leave the premises but instead began simulating a sex act on a female. Taylor was directed to stop or he would be arrested for indecent exposure. He stopped, but said he wasn’t scared of the police and the officer wasn’t going to do anything.
As the officer attempted to arrest him, Taylor pulled away but was tasered and went to the ground. He was arrested and taken to a patrol car and the large crowd closed in around them. One in the crowd, Tyler D. Cross, 23, of Lake Providence told the officers he was going to have them fired.
Cross was told he was under arrest for public intimidation and he turned and ran. An officer pursued him and when Cross fell, he was also tasered and arrested.
As the two were being taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, Cross apologized, stating he was scared officers would murder his friend.
Officers decided not to book on felony charges but opted for resisting an officer only. Bail was set at $1,000 each.
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.
Ruston Police arrested a West Monroe woman after she allegedly struck a male friend several times in a local hotel.
Officers responded to the Holiday Inn Express about 11:00 p.m. Sunday. A man told officers he had picked up his girlfriend Evelyn Byers-Payton, 23, at a friend’s house and there was no problem until they got into the elevator at the hotel. At that time, Byers-Payton allegedly began swinging at him for no reason, according to the man. He told officers he struck back to get the woman off him and then stopped.
The hotel clerk said the man and Byers-Payton were walking toward the elevator when she said, “I’m not letting you up the elevator until you give me the money.” The clerk said after they got on the elevator, she received several calls about hearing screams in the elevator. The clerk said when the two came back to the lobby, the man was calm, but Byers-Payton was the aggressive one.
Byers-Payton was arrested booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for battery of a dating partner.
Bail was set at $2,500.
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.
Ruston High School’s 30th Annual Hoss Garrett Relays will shift all events to Saturday, March 25, in light of the possibility of inclement weather in North Louisiana on Friday.
“We wanted to make sure we were staying safe and not getting possibly caught in a lightning loop,” Ruston head coach Trey Smith said. “We explored the option of moving the event to earlier in the week, but we decided to go to Saturday in order to allow for as many people to attend as possible. We’re expecting between 15 and 18 schools to come participate.”
The field events will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday with the track events slated to start at 3 p.m. All events will be held at the Dave Anderson Track at T.L. James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.
The relays are named for longtime Ruston head football and track coach, Hoss Garrett, who led the Bearcats to four straight track and field state championships beginning in 1956.
Black Rifle Coffee Company will hold its official grand opening Saturday from 5:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at its newest Ruston location on 1913 East Kentucky Avenue adjacent to 5.11 by Karl Malone.
The first 50 people in Black Rifle Coffee Company once doors open that morning will receive a FREE Yeti tumbler and free batch brew coffee (in tumbler) for a year.
There will be drawings for prizes every hour on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., including a drawing for a Kayo 60 pit bike with a 60 cc motor (MSRP $999). Other prizes provided by Legends, 5.11 by Karl Malone, Fan Base, Lauren Roebuck and Kay Baby’s. Winner have to be present at drawing to claim prizes.
The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., including the raising of the flag, national anthem and ribbon cutting.
Follow Black Rifle Coffee Company in Ruston on Facebook at BRCC Ruston.
The coffee cafe is open Sunday thru Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Since its start in 1984, Louisiana Main Street has collected reinvestment statistics from its network of local organizations. With the close of the most recent reporting period on December 31, 2022, the program achieved an historic milestone seeing more than $1 billion in public and private investments through 2022.
“Historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts are the heart and soul of communities across Louisiana. They give the community its sense of place and character and provide the uniqueness that sets one community apart from another. In addition, historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts are great locations for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
Of the $1 billion invested in Louisiana Main Streets, $520 million was private investments with the remaining $527 million in public investments. Other key statistics during that time include:
Creation of 10,573 net new jobs
2,282 net new businesses
More than $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings
More than 2 million volunteer hours
For the last 30 years, private sector investment has generated an average of 119 direct jobs and 98 indirect jobs each year. These jobs have meant an average of $7 million in income from direct jobs and $2.4 million from indirect jobs each year. Additionally, Louisiana Main Street continues to be cost-effective economic development, costing $1,632 per net new job or $5,802 per net new business.
The Louisiana Main Street program operates under the umbrella of the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since 1984, Louisiana’s Main Street program has helped more than 40 communities with design, planning, staff training, and capacity building. The program also provides revitalization technical assistance in the areas of economic development, streetscape design, promotion, and organization.
Main Street was established on the principle that sustainable transformation of downtowns and commercial districts cannot happen overnight, with one big fix, or through the effort of a single individual. The 36 current Main Street communities across Louisiana are demonstrating the power of the small, the incremental, and the collaborative. Through smart, strategic, and scaled improvements, Louisiana Main Street communities are creating vibrant and resilient local economies that celebrate local flavor and homegrown talent. Both the numbers and the stories are clear—Main Street is a powerful program that contributes to the economic, social, and cultural health of Louisiana, creating benefits shared with residents in the quaintest of small towns to the liveliest of big cities.
The Bulldog Aquatic Club was represented by five members at the Texas Sectionals Championships hosted by Texas A&M in College Station in early March.
This regional competition features some of the fastest athletes from Louisiana, Oklahoma, all of Texas, and California. There were no age groups or age limit for this meet so there were some collegians and even post grad collegians competition.
“I am so proud of these athletes,” said BAC head coach Rocky Smith. “This is meet is an extremely high-level meet with great competition. It is easy to get overwhelmed at a competition of this nature. They did not. They showed guts and fortitude in their races. This is great momentum for these athletes heading into summer competition.”
Adam Wiedemeier recorded two top 10 finishes to highlight the meet, finishing sixth in the 100m freestyle and fourth in the 200m freestyle.
The athletes competing are as follows (note by age group and events are in performing order):
Girl’s Competing
Sadie Huenefeld (15) — 82nd in the 100 Freestyle, 94th in the 200 Freestyle, 75th in the 100 Breaststroke, 93rd in the 100 Backstroke 124th in the 200 Individual Medley, and 60th in the 50 Freestyle.
Boy’s Competing
Adam Robert Campbell (17) — 83rd in the 100 Butterfly, 48th in the 200 Butterfly, 90th in the 100 Backstroke, and 107th in the 200 Individual Medley,
Owen Frick (15) — 129th in the 100 Butterfly.
Colton Reeder (17) — 88th in the 100 Freestyle, 154th in the 100 Butterfly, 58th in the 200 Butterfly, and 176th in the 50 Freestyle.
Adam Wiedemeier (18) — 6th in the 100 Freestyle, 20th in the 500 Freestyle, 4th in the 200 Freestyle, 10th in the 100 Butterfly, 12th at the 200 Butterfly, and 10th in the 50 Freestyle.
Relay results for the boys were 45th in the 200 Medley Relay, 24th in the 400 Freestyle, 49th in the 200 Freestyle, and 39th in the 400 Medley Relay.
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
Notice: Just one winner of the $1,000.00. The Rules can change without notice. The contest can be canceled without notice to participants. Not responsible for any technical failures. All decisions by Management are final. If you have any questions or feedback, please send an email to: LPJNewsLa@gmail.com
