Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Friday, 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
Early voting on expanding alcohol sales in the city of Ruston will end Saturday with the election taking place March 25.
A petition last fall garnered enough signatures to solicit a vote on five propositions.
Early voting through Saturday, March 18 is from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Only voters registered inside the City of Ruston are eligible to vote in this election.
In October of last year, nearly 3,300 signatures were collected to petition the city of Ruston to add a vote on March 25, 2023, for residents to decide on expanding alcohol sales to grocery retailers within the city limits.
For more information about the propositions and the timeline of the election, click HERE.
Description: Responsible for assembly of food items of customers (physicians, employees, visitors, patients, and patient family members) via the serving line. Responsible for sanitation of work area and equipment. Population served: Members of the Dietary department interact with all ages of visitors and patients within the hospital as well as Inpatients with specific dietary needs.
Benefits: Competitive salaries, 401k, benefits
Apply: NorthernLouisianaMedicalCenter.com go to ABOUT US and click on CAREERS
This is a paid Job Posting
To get rates to advertise your businesses job posting, email lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Description: The Case Manager is responsible to assist in the development, planning, coordination and administration of the activities of utilization review, discharge planning and resource utilization. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to daily review of medical records to determine appropriateness and medical necessity of admission, continued hospital stay and use of resources and discharge readiness. Requires physical stamina and emotional stability.
Population served: All patient populations within the facility requiring review of patient care services and discharge planning.
Benefits: Competitive salaries, 401k, benefits
Apply: NorthernLouisianaMedicalCenter.com go to ABOUT US and click on CAREERS
Jean Haire Hays Date of Death: March 11, 2023 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Friday, March 17, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden, Friday, March 17, 2023
Latonia Moore Saturday 04/21/1984 — Tuesday 03/07/2023 Age: 38 Visitation: Friday 03/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 03/18/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 03/18/2023, China Grove Cemetery, 699 Mondy Road, Grambling
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
Lonnie Davis Sunday 10/09/1938 — Sunday 03/12/2023 Visitation: Friday 03/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/18/2023 , 11:00am at Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston Interment: Saturday 03/18/2023, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, 326 Par Rd 454, Ruston
Ruston residents are invited to a “Townhall Meeting” tonight at the Civic Center as Ruston mayor Ronny Walker will answer the public’s questions in regards to the upcoming vote on the five alcohol propositions.
Walker will join City of Ruston Attorney Bill Carter and Planning and Zoning Director Jim Hayes at the Civic Center for the Q&A which begins at 6 p.m.
“I will answer any questions asked,” said Walker. “I feel like if a citizen is going to take time to come to a meeting and have a question, then we should answer it. The citizens deserve that in my opinion. If somebody wants to talk about this, then I want to talk to them.”
There are five alcohol referendums on the March 25 ballot, three that are currently allowed in propositions 1, 2 and 5.
Below are the propositions that registered voters in the City of Ruston will be voting on during the upcoming election.
Proposition No. 1 – CURRENTLY ALLOWED (Passed in 2002)
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than 6% alcohol by volume by package only and not for consumption on the premises in the city.
Proposition No. 2 – CURRENTLY ALLOWED (Passed in 2002)
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than 6% alcohol by volume for consumption on the premises in the city.
Proposition No. 3 – NOT CURRENTLY ALLOWED
Authority to sell beverage alcohol containing one-half of 1% alcohol by volume and above for consumption on the premises in the city.
Proposition No. 4 – NOT CURRENTLY ALLOWED
Authority to sell beverage containing one half of 1% alcohol by volume and above by package only and not for consumption on the premises in the city.
Proposition No. 5 – CURRENTLY ALLOWED (Passed in 2002)
Authority to sell beverages of high and low alcoholic content permitted only on the premises of restaurant establishments which have been issued an “R” permit as defined by law in the city.
Walker said he wants to make sure voters are well educated on what is what when it comes to all five propositions.
“We will have everyone from planning and zone to legal to myself to try to get some clarity to the liquor (propositions),” said Walker. “It has gotten so confusing to so many people. There is a lot of inaccurate information out there. We need people to show up so we can clarify it and have it come from the horses mouth.
“If you want to keep Ruston Ruston, then you need to vote yes on Number 1, 2 and 5. Bottom line if you want everything like it is today. If you want everything like it is today but you also want to go to the grocery story and pick up a bottle of wine or a bottle of Jack Daniels, then you need to vote (yes) to Number 1, 2, 4 and 5.”
The National Weather Service advises that severe weather could be materializing across the south, including northwest Louisiana today and especially tonight through the overnight hours.
Lincoln Parish is located within the slight to marginal risk area based on latest reports. Stay tuned to weather apps for the latest updated reports.
Large hail will initially be possible across the region as early as late morning through the afternoon hours. Later during late afternoon, evening and overnight hours there will be an increased damaging winds and isolated tornado threat as well.
Excessive heavy rainfall of one to two inches with isolated higher amounts could pose a flash flood risk as well, especially across flood prone and poor drainage areas.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Jonesboro man for theft and trespassing on Harrison Road Saturday evening.
A woman reported Dale Franklin Bush, 37, rode onto her property with a four-wheeler and walked up on her porch. Bush had previously been told to stay off the property. Bush was located on and advised of his rights. He admitted going on to the property but said he did not mean to scare the woman.
The Honda 4-wheel ATV Bush had in his possession was reported stolen on Fraser Road.
Earlier in the day, Bush had been issued citations for criminal trespass and damage to property.
He was arrested for felony theft of the ATV and criminal trespass and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A reception is held in the Boulware IDEA Place by Dean Schillinger to recognize a new endowment in the College of Education. The J.J. and Pat Stapleton Endowed Scholarship ensures success in students who are committed to enhancing the field of teaching, especially future teachers who exemplify outstanding literacy instruction. Catherine Miller, 2023-24 scholarship recipient, will use the scholarship to help shape young minds in literacy education and help other young educators become passionate about literacy as she is. Photograph by Emerald McIntyre/Louisiana Tech University
The College of Education is important to the Stapleton family. J.J. and Pat Stapleton always valued education, and now their family has established an endowed scholarship in the College of Education to honor their commitment.
“Due to a severe case of childhood polio, our dad couldn’t read or write very well,” said their son, Jimmie Stapleton. “However, that did not stop him from having a full life. He showed us with his actions what was really important, faith, family, and education.” Though J.J. passed away, Pat continues to live by their motto every day. After living in Baton Rouge, where they started their family, the Stapletons eventually moved to Ruston after retirement to be closer to friends and family.
“We are very grateful to the Stapleton family for their generous donation to support Louisiana students committed to excellence in teaching, especially future teachers who exemplify outstanding literacy instruction,” said Dr. Donald Schillinger, Dean of the College of Education. “Endowed scholarships like the J.J. and Pat Stapleton Endowed Scholarship ensure that support for deserving students will always be available. That is an incredible gift to the future of education and a wonderful example of paying it forward.”
A qualified student must be enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student, sophomore or above, in a teacher education program, preferably focused on literacy. The student may also graduate from a high school in Louisiana or Mississippi, work ten or more hours per week and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Catherine Miller is the 2023-2024 scholarship recipient of the J.J. and Pat Stapleton Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will allow her to help shape young minds in literacy education and help other young educators become passionate about literacy as she is.
“It is our job as educators to help our students reach their highest ability while creating memorable experiences for them. It is also critical that we support the families of these children in our community so we can work together to ensure success, ” said Miller.
“This scholarship is a way for us to honor our mom and dad and ensure that their legacy lives on in the lives of others for years to come,” Jimmie Stapleton said. “As Dad would say, ‘Get your education. That’s something that no one can take away from you.’”
A Ruston man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly damaged to his mother’s residence.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to the Green Leaf Mobile Home Park on U. S. 80 east of Ruston about 11:00 p.m. Thursday night. The complainant said her son had recently had been banned recently from returning to the residence.
LPSO records showed that Dekedrick Mardis, 29, had been banned from the residence on March 5 following a disturbance. The woman said it took her an hour to get Mardis outside the residence and that is when he took a rim off the front porch and used it to damage the front door.
Deputies found Mardis outside the residence and placed him under arrest. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for criminal damage to property and remaining after being forbidden (trespass).
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.
An Arcadia man was arrested for his second DWI in two years early Sunday morning.
A Louisiana State Police trooper observed a Honda Accord traveling east on the South Service Road toward Tech Drive. The vehicle was weaving outside of its lane.
After the Honda was stopped on Tech Drive, Rodney J. Baker, 37, was found to be the driver. The trooper saw obvious signs of impairment and Baker immediately stated he would give the trooper $2000 to go away, according to an arrest affidavit. Baker displayed slurred speech, slow reactions, and a strong older of alcoholic beverage on his breath. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
At the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, he submitted to a breath test with a result of 0.136g%. A records check showed Baker had a previous DWI in 2022 and his driver’s license was under suspension.
Baker was booked for second offense DWI, improper lane usage, and driving under suspension.
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.
Identity is summation of our personal values, beliefs, likes, and dislikes.Identity distinguishes us from others.It is both how we view ourselves and how we desire for others to view us.An individual with a healthy identity is comfortable with themselves socially, emotionally, and intellectually.Sure, they may have certain aspects of their life they want to grow and improve in as they progress through life, but they know who they are at the core and know the general direction they are going.
I talk about identity every chance I get to various groups, but particularly focus on this concept when talking to young people in their teen-age years through those first job pursuits.Far too many young people or even older adults have no idea of their identity and just do their best to maneuver through the challenges of life.While not an easy task to just blow through, giving thought to who we are and what we want to be known for is a very healthy endeavor for all of us.It’s after this thoughtful challenge that we can then start to align our actions and choices in life to support that identity.Habits are formed and lifestyles can be developed consistent with the identity that we are pursuing.
That same concept is also true for organizations and teams.Every organization that I have ever lead or team that I have ever coached needed and deserved a clear identity.We were known for something and that needed to be crystal clear to our employees, our stakeholders, our customers, our teammates, and our opponents.Our identity shaped who we were as an organization or team.It provided a foundation for decision making, priority setting, financial investing, employee hiring, and player developing (whichever was the case). Fit became a focus when identity was the foundation.We found great strategic benefits in knowing and pursuing our identity.
Communities also benefit from this same focus.Whether we are talking about the City of Ruston or Lincoln Parish, we need a clear identity of both who we are as a community and what we are pursuing.With La Tech in Ruston and Grambling also in Lincoln Parish, education must be at the forefront of our identity. We have seen promising discussions around economic growth recently with plans for a new hospital, a very high profile service center along the interstate, and the potential for a passenger rail stop to be located in Ruston.These are examples of real economic development that can help define a community and a parish.We don’t have a large, heavy manufacturing presence in the community, so we have to focus on what we do have and can build upon for growth.
In the coming weeks and months, citizens of the city and parish will be called upon at different times to vote on measures that will ultimately impact the identity of Ruston and Lincoln Parish.We will be voting on an alcoholic referendum, a possible school consolidation proposal, other property tax amendments, and other items that will further define the city and ultimately the parish.As you proceed to investigate these options and make your decisions, consider the identity of our community and parish as the foundation for future decision making.Every community wants a strong economy and solid education system.The question is how do the items in question rank on our list of priorities and how are we going to achieve them.The answer to those questions distinguishes one community from another and forms one’s identity.
There are certain aspects of an identity that I would love to see for Ruston and Lincoln Parish, while others I am willing to compromise on for the sake of unity.I would love to see a community united at the heart of our identity!We won’t all agree on everything, but it would be great to unite on seeking what’s best for everyone as a collective group.We build on our strong educational presence and move forward together.
Ruston’s presence was felt on the All-District 2-5A team following a stellar season that closed last week in the first Top 28 appearance in 35 years.
Both senior Braylan McNeal and sophomore Aidan Anding headlined the first team, while junior Lonnie Dimmer finished on second team.
“The guys are very deserving of being recognized for all-district,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said. “Their hard work led to our remarkable season.”
McNeal led Ruston in scoring over the season after averaging 15.2 points and playing in all 33 games for the Bearcats. Anding was second in scoring with 10.9 points per game and averaging 42.2 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Juniors Zhy Scott and Jay Lillard along with sophomore Joran Parker were named to the district’s honorable mention team.
The Bearcats finished the season with an overall 29-4 record and ended with the No. 2 overall seed in the LHSAA Non-Select Division I playoffs before losing to Ponchatoula in the semifinals.
The Ruston Rotary Club will host a Jambalaya Fundraiser in the Super 1 Parking lot, March 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Funds raised will be used for Rotary Club community related service. Some of these projects include Coats for Kids, dictionaries for third graders, student scholarships and backpacks for needy students.
The Ruston Rotary Coats for Kids program donated 170 coats for elementary students in Lincoln and Jackson parishes in coordination with Ruston Walmart and Jonesboro State Bank. This year the club will give out four $2,000 scholarships for high school students attending college in the fall.
Rotarians pick up food backpacks every Thursday during the school year at Super 1 and drop them off at Hillcrest Elementary for needy students to take home on Friday for meals over the weekend. During the fall, Rotarians give Lincoln Parish third grade students their very own dictionary to keep for in the classroom or at home. Rotarians are also involved in the Med-Camp Fall Halloween Bash held at Camp Alabama in the Douglas community every year the Saturday before Halloween.
This year the Ruston Rotary club formed a Interact Club at Choudrant High School and assisted with Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) for high school students at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center (OWL) in Dubach the last week in June. Approximately 75 high school sophomore and juniors attend from around North Louisiana each year for the week-long event. The Jambalaya Fundraiser will help full these local projects for Ruston and the surrounding area.
Tickets are $10 for per meal, that features jambalaya, corn and green beans. Jambalaya trays can be ordered for delivery to your business or organization between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. Cost is $100 for 10 servings of jambalaya or $200 for 20 servings of jambalaya. Trays may also be picked at the Super 1 parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can order ahead by calling Rusty Wilfong at 318-265-0985 or Jerry Pye at 318-282-5278 or any Ruston Rotary member. You may also buy a plate to go for $10 or a quart container of Jambalaya for $15 the day of the event.
In 1962, the U.S. Army created the Army Material Command, commonly referred to as AMC. This Army entity has been developing and delivering “material readiness solutions to ensure globally dominant land force capabilities.” In layman’s terms, the AMC is the primary provider of materials to the Army. It operates ammunition plants, arsenals, depots, and other facilities on land and afloat. The AMC sells Army equipment and services to allies of the United States. It also negotiates and implements agreements between the United States and foreign nations for the joint production of weapons. The AMC created a motto to simplify their purpose even further: “If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, communicates with it or eats it – AMC provides it.”
In January 1973, after 11 years in operation, the AMC was getting a new and more modern national headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama. To boost morale, the AMC held a contest to name the new headquarters. People came up with all sorts of names for the new headquarters. When the deadline for suggestions was reached, the AMC had received more than 500 entries. The official contest committee to name the new building carefully studied each one. Some of the suggestions were comical. Some were too colorful or risqué to list here. Some were just downright strange.
Finally, on January 14, 1973, Major General Charles T. Horner, the AMC chief of staff announced that the lucky winner was Francis Sikorski. Along with the pride of winning the contest, Francis received a monetary award of $100. After announcing the winner, the major general proudly announced the winning entry. “The name of the new AMC building,” the major general said, “is…the AMC building.” The choice was met with disappointment.
More than 40 years later, officials in Britain had a similar situation in which the public was disappointed in a naming contest. In 2016, Britain’s Natural Environment Research Council held an online poll to name its new £287 million polar scientific research ship. The Natural Environment Research Council suggested dignified names such as Shackleton, Endeavour, and Falcon. Members of the public also made their own suggestions. Someone suggested naming the ship after the late David Bowie. BBC radio host James Hand put forth his suggestion, but he eventually cast his ballot for another suggestion to name the boat in honor of English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author Sir David Attenborough. Eventually, officials selected, not the entry which had the most votes, not the one with the second most votes, but the one which came in fourth place in the poll. Officials named the boat the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
People who had voted in the online poll were upset that National Environmental Research Council disregarded their choice in favor of one that came in fourth place. They asked why they held a poll at all. Science Minister Jo Johnson responded that there were “more suitable” names. The online pollsters rallied behind BBC radio host James Hand’s suggestion because it came in first place with more than 124,000 votes. Finally, to quell the row, the Council agreed to name a miniature yellow submarine onboard the ship as James Hand had suggested. If the council had adopted the name based on the “name our ship” poll, the RRS Sir David Attenborough would have been named Boaty McBoatface.
Sources:
1. The Atchison Daily Globe, January 15, 1973, p.2.
2. Whitehorse Daily Star, March 21, 2016, p.13.
3. “‘Boaty McBoatface’ polar ship named after Attenborough,” BBC News, May 6, 2016, accessed March 10, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36225652
Courtesy of GSU Athletics and University Communications
Grambling State will honor Grambling Legends and former baseball coaches Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones and Wilbert Ellis with multiple events this weekend as the Tigers open Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a three-game home series against Southern University.
Jones, a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, founded the Grambling baseball team, then led the Tigers to the national NAIA baseball tournament in 1961, ’63, ’64 and ’67 — earning runner-up honors in 1963 and ’64. Jones won seven conference titles, coached 11 All-Americans, and was named the 1967 NAIA Coach of the Year, posting a 816-218 career coaching record in the process. But he was much more than a skipper. Known affectionately even today as “Prez,” Jones took over as president at Grambling in 1936 when the school was a segregated teachers college. By the time he retired in 1977, he had added four colleges to elevate the school to university status. Jones also composed the school’s alma mater, and was the driving force behind creating the Tiger Marching Band. He also hired Eddie G. Robinson as football coach in 1941.
After playing for and then serving as an assistant coach under Jones for 17 years, Ellis, who was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame for his accomplishments both on and off the diamond, took over as head baseball coach at GSU in 1977. Ellis led GSU to three SWAC Championships and also guided the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances en route to a 740–462–1 career record. Ellis has worn several hats over the course of his career. While at Grambling State University, Ellis served as head baseball coach along with a stint as athletic director and assistant AD. Ellis is also active during the NCAA Baseball Championships, having served as tournament director for both the Regional and Super Regional tournaments and he also hosts a youth clinic annually in Omaha, Nebraska, during the College Baseball World Series.
Friday’s ceremony schedule is as follows: 5:30 p.m. | Jersey Presentations
Wilbert Ellis Field
6 p.m. | First Pitch | Coach Wilbert Ellis Wilbert Ellis Field
Saturday’s schedule is as follows: 1 p.m. | Pre-Game Tailgate Wilbert Ellis Field Entrance
2:30 p.m. | Jersey/Signage Unveilings Wilbert Ellis Field
3 p.m. | First Pitch Ernest Jones, grandson of RWE “Prez” Jones Wilbert Ellis Field
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
Anna Larr Roberson and the Lady Techsters face Arkansas tonight at 8 p.m. in Fayetteville. (Photo by Kelsey Chanler)
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team will open the 2023 WNIT tonight when they face Arkansas inside Bud Walton Arena at 7 p.m.
The game can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM and via the LA Tech Athletics app. In addition, the live radio broadcast and live stats can be found on the LA Tech Athletics app.
Surprisingly, it will be the first meeting between the two programs in 40 years. Tech defeated Arkansas 75-52 in the 1983-84 season opener and leads the all-time series 3-0.
Louisiana Tech (19-12) has won seven of their last eight regular-season games before falling to UTEP in the Conference USA Tournament Quarterfinals the previous week to give the Techsters a 19-12 mark on the season. Tech is seeking back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2009-10 and 2010-11.
2023 will mark the fifth program appearance in the WNIT for LA Tech, with Tech holding a 1-4 mark in the postseason tournament. This will be the fourth WNIT under Brooke Stoehr and the second in as many seasons. Stoehr led the Techsters to another round of back-to-back WNIT appearances in 2017 and 2018.
Tech’s 19 regular season wins matched last year’s total and are the third time Coach Stoehr has reached the 19-win mark. The 12 conference wins also match the most for LA Tech since joining C-USA.
Arkansas (21-12) earned the No. 8 seed in the SEC Tournament after being picked fifth in the preseason poll. The Razorbacks beat No. 9 seed Missouri, 85-74, in the tournament’s opening round before falling to the No. 1 seed and No. 1 team in the country, South Carolina (93-66).
Arkansas began the season rattling off 13 straight wins, including top-25 road wins over No. 25 Kansas State (69-53) and No. 16 Creighton (83-75).
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Air Force 12, Bulldogs 10
After a stellar effort on the mound by Louisiana Tech pitchers last night, the arms struggled in game two against Air Force, giving up 13 hits and nine freebies as the Bulldogs fell, 12-10, to the Falcons on Wednesday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
LA Tech (9-8) used four pitchers who combined for 17 punch-outs and a complete game shutout in game one. In game two, the Bulldogs used seven pitchers that had a tough time finding the strike zone.
“It is hard to overcome that many freebies between walks and HBPs,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “I am floored at our lack of being able to throw strikes. They are not in pressure situations. It is disheartening and disappointing. Here we are going into conference play and we have guys that cannot throw strikes. We miss our guys that are out. If you are going to be great though, you have to find a way to win these things no matter who is playing. We did not get it done.”
Air Force (6-12) took full advantage, putting up runs in five different innings. Four of those were crooked numbers that came in the third (RBI single by Jake Greiving and a towering 2-run homer to the train tracks by Jay Thomason), fourth (two runs on a hit-by-pitch and wild pitch), sixth (trio of runs via sacrifice fly, double, and single), and eighth (three more, including a two-run double to the gap by Matt Thompson).
A depleted Bulldog lineup was putting up runs themselves, but the Falcons would answer almost every time. LA Tech cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the third when Karson Evans doubled to left center. The freshman was also responsible for their first run of the game with an RBI single through the left side in the first inning.
Air Force countered though with two runs in the top of the fourth.
LA Tech split the deficit in half, 8-5, in the sixth when Jonathan Hogart cleared the left-field wall for a three-run homer.
The Falcons punched back with a run in the seventh and three in the eighth.
Doubled up on the scoreboard again at 12-6 going into the ninth, the Bulldogs put one last rally together. With the bases juiced and nobody out, Adarius Myers doubled down the left field line to score two. Logan McLeod immediately followed with an RBI sacrifice fly on the first pitch he saw.
With the deficit chopped in half again, Will Safford scored Myers on an RBI groundout to first base. Pinch-hitter Baylor Cobb grounded out to the right side as well to end the rally.
Nick Fraginals (0-1), making his second start as a Bulldog, took the loss after throwing 3.2 innings while allowing five runs on six hits. Jason Shuger (1-1) got the win for Air Force, relieving starter Ben Weber to throw 2.0 innings of shutout ball.
LA Tech’s Evans went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs. Hogart and Myers each had a multi-RBI game with three apiece.
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LA Tech Tennis
Louisiana Tech’s Leonie Schuknecht tallied her fourth award of the 2022-23 season on Wednesday as the junior was voted as the Conference USA Women’s Tennis Player of the Week.
Schuknecht claimed two of the three C-USA Athlete of the Month honors during the fall season and has now earned her second Player of the Week award for the spring (the only player in C-USA to be a multiple honoree).
The Germany native played a pivotal role in helping LA Tech collect two road victories this past week over two reigning conference champions in Stetson and Tarleton State. She went undefeated during the week, going 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles at the top position in both.
The Lady Techsters went to DeLand, Florida and defeated Atlantic Sun champion Stetson, 5-2. Schuknecht teamed up with Najah Dawson to win, 6-2, and help claim the doubles point. She then defeated Nadejda Maslova 6-3, 6-4 in singles.
LA Tech handed WAC champion Tarleton State its first home loss of the season with a 4-1 victory. Schuknecht and Dawson breezed to a 6-0 win in doubles to grab the doubles point. She then provided the clinching point in singles with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory versus Emma Persson who came in having won eight straight.
Schuknecht improved to 11-1 in singles and 9-4 in doubles, having played every match from the No. 1 position in both this spring.
LA Tech is back at home this weekend to face Northwestern State (Friday, March 17) and Incarnate Word (Saturday, March 18).
Description: Responsible for the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative, or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician. Provides proper assessment and monitoring of respiratory care treatments. Collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery to achieve desired patient outcomes. Population: provides cardiac diagnostic and respiratory therapy services for the in-patient and out-patient population 24 hours per day. The patient population served by Respiratory Care Department consists of newborn, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients requiring cardiac, respiratory care, services, treatment of testing to maintain optimum physiological maintenance of the cardiac and respiratory systems.
Benefits: Competitive salaries, 401k, benefits
Apply: NorthernLouisianaMedicalCenter.com go to ABOUT US and click on CAREERS
This is a paid Job Posting
To get rates to advertise your businesses job posting, email lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Willie Leon Green March 3, 1937 – March 12, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, March 16, 2023, 10:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, March 16, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Forest Lawn Cemetery ~ Ruston, Thursday, March 16, 2023
Jean Haire Hays Date of Death: March 11, 2023 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Friday, March 17, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden, Friday, March 17, 2023
Latonia Moore Saturday 04/21/1984 — Tuesday 03/07/2023 Age: 38 Visitation: Friday 03/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 03/18/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 03/18/2023, China Grove Cemetery, 699 Mondy Road, Grambling
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
Lonnie Davis Sunday 10/09/1938 — Sunday 03/12/2023 Visitation: Friday 03/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/18/2023 , 11:00am at Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston Interment: Saturday 03/18/2023, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, 326 Par Rd 454, Ruston
It may just be a little later on the 2025 calendar than the original timeline provided when the news first broke in January.
According to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, due to the time-frames for Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) studies involving traffic flow the opening of the travel center may be later than originally projected.
“The DOTD requires a traffic study that will take 180 days,” said Walker. “At the same time there has to be an interchange and modification report that will take 12 months. Some of that can somewhat run concurrently, but not a lot of it. They really need the traffic study to decide the modifications, but there is some cross over. As Buc-ee’s (officials) said to me, ‘Mayor sit back and relax for six months because we can’t do anything until then.'”
Walker did say that both City of Ruston officials and Buc-ee’s officials are still talking through things on a regular basis.
“We are still talking every week about things that we can take care of,” Walker said. “I personally feel it will be pushed back a couple of quarters if I had to guess”
That pushes the opening of the world-renowned travel center which will be located on the north side of I-20 along Tarbutton Road to the middle of 2025.
So when will residents start to see dirt move?
“That is a Buc-ee’s decision,” said Walker in reference to the actual site. “As far as the service road, it is when we get approval from the state legislation.”
That approval won’t come until July 1.
“Nine months to a year,” said Walker. “There is just a lot of planning.We have to sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) and all of that. Even if we get money which we expect to get, it won’t be available to us until October, November or December.”
Walker said the plan is to do a straight appropriation out of the budget instead of a capital outlay. He isn’t 100 percent sure what the dollar figure will be yet due to the timeline.
“The timeline is what is catching us,” said Walker. “They asked us to ask for whatever we could spend in that fiscal year. If we don’t know until we get the traffic study, we don’t know for sure. It will be somewhere between $8 and $12 million.”
The project will occur in two phases, according to Walker.
Phase 1 is where Buc-ee’s is located and will consist of the property that Buc-ee’s will call home and the connection onto I-20 going west. Phase 2 will consist of the frontage road that will connect the Tarbutton exit to Grambling on the north side of I-20. The frontage road will be for two-way traffic going east and west.
“We have to have phase 1 done in order for them to open,” said Walker. “Phase 2 can be added (after they have opened).”
There are currently 44 of the Beaver-based travel centers scattered throughout the United States, including Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina. The majority (34) reside in the state of Texas.
Thus, Ruston would be home to the first Buc-ee’s in the state of Louisiana.
“(The news of Buc-ee’s coming to Ruston) has created a social media buzz,” said Walker. “From an economic development standpoint, we have gotten so many more calls. There are three pieces of property — some that have been for sale for 30 years and haven’t had a single offer — and now all of a sudden there are two or three offers coming in per week. The only thing we can point back to is that people realize what Buc-ee’s is going to bring in the way of traffic. They are trying to get in on it.”
Pictured from left to right are Lincoln Parish Administrator Courtney Hall, LPPJ President Richard Durrett and Regan Sutton’s children Karen Sutton Sanders, Jennifer Farrar and Joey Sutton. (Courtesy photo by T. Scott Boatright).
By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury honored recently deceased former parish Administrator Regan Sutton while also making an appointment to the Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Center board and issuing a proclamation declaring 2023 the 150th anniversary of Lincoln Parish’s founding as orders of business during Tuesday’s monthly meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.
Parish Administrator Courtney Hall read the resolution expressing condolences over Sutton’s death to three of his family members in attendance – Sutton’s son Joey and daughter Karen Sanders and Jennifer Farrar.
Jurors also approved the appointment of Tim Padgett to the Ruston Lincoln CVB board for a three-year term as Louisiana Tech University’s representative as well as approving Dennis Simonton to the Mt. Olive Waterworks District board for a five-year term.
A big topic of discussion during the meeting was centered around a littering problem that jurors believe continues to worsen around the parish.
Solid Waste and Recycling committee chair TJ Cranford said Love the Boot (a part of Keep Louisiana Beautiful) week, which will be held April 17-23, could be used to spur a community event to help with the cleanup efforts and spur awareness about the ongoing and growing problem.
Jurors were also told the CVB is interested in partnering in such an event.
“We communicate to the community that we have supplies that we can give them and then they can kind of do their own thing,” Cranford said. “We need to make arrangements for drop-off points where we can go pick up bags.
“It’s not going to be a real controlled event but more of a themed gathering. We’re just putting this out there. It will spread by word, and I think that if anybody’s interested and wants to engage in this then we can do what we can to get some of the supplies that are needed for it.
“And it would really help if jurors coordinated things within their own districts. I’ll work with you to make this event successful.
In other business, the Jury moved to:
Authorized advertisement of bids for Love Louisiana Outdoor Grants for bike trails at Lincoln Parish Park and a water/sewer project
Authorized the parish administrator to enter into contract with the Riley Co. of Louisiana, Inc., for a Bike Trails Hub Project and to authorize advertisement of bids for that project contingent on available funding
Increased line item 43340 (tank cars) in the Bridge Replacement Fund in the amount of $98,000
Approved a budget adjustment for purchase of a 6/8-yard dump truck
Authorized the parish administrator to enter into contract with the Riley Co. of Louisiana, Inc., for a Bike Trails Hub Project and to authorize advertisement of bids for that project
Authorized advertisement of bids for a new cab and chassis tractor truck, a new front-loading refuse compactor truck, and the hiring of an additional three-person little crew
Adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of “jake braking” on all Lincoln Parish roadways within the unincorporated areas of the parish
Authorized advertisement for bids on one telehandler, one lowboy trailer and one 6/8-yard dump truck
Authorized the purchase of one John Deere 61110M utility tractor and one Tiger Boom mower attachment
Authorized the declaration of a 2017 Ford Explorer as well as various scap sign materials to be sold as a lot
Amended the Industrial Driveway policy regarding maintenance
Agreed to provide assistance to the Lincoln Parish School Board contingent on the Highway Department work schedule in regards to a fence-line cleanup at Simsboro High School
