Bojangles officially opened for business to the Ruston and Lincoln Parish community on Tuesday, April 18, at the 2022 Farmerville Hwy location at the intersection with E. Kentucky Ave.

Offering what is known as “Frontier” menu, meaning the location will only offer hand-battered and breaded chicken tenders rather than bone-in options, Bojangles ownership prides the company on its robust and spicy flavor, as well as the never-frozen and daily handmade biscuits.

“The chicken has a very bold flavor, and it’s good,” Quarles said. “And you’ll notice that we’re always rolling fresh biscuit dough.”

For the City of Ruston Economic Develop Director Jade West, having another fast food company is a sign of the community growth and offerings to the residents.

“We are so excited for Bojangles to open in Ruston,” West said. “I have heard lots of chatter among residents over the last few months, and I know our community is looking forward to having another dining option in Ruston.

“We are thankful for Mr. Quarles and his investment to get Bojangles into our community. It is always great to see new restaurants and businesses opening in Ruston.”

Happy Earth Week, and Happy Earth Day (Saturday), and some encouragement.

When you don’t coach Little League anymore and you’re not very good at playing golf/golfing your ball/hitting the dimpled orb, you look for other stuff to do, stuff that’s preferably legal.

If you are in that boat, consider gardening, either vegetables or flowers.

I grew up in the middle of a lot of vegetable gardens in a farming community. I never knew how to do it, the planning and planting part. I just knew how to hoe and pick and shell and eat. Somehow, I had a conscious thought when I was 8 or 9 that I was eating better than most people in the civilized world. Lucky break.

But that is a memory and even if I could grow it, I couldn’t cook it right. It would not taste like momma’s or Mu’s or Mrs. Helen Barfield’s or all those other spectacular women I grew up around. They had both a green thumb and a grease thumb.

So … I turned to flowers.

It’s the time of year when you go to The Flower Store and stand in line behind like-minded flower nuts buying hydrangeas and ornamental grasses and begonias and the happy, workmanlike zinnias and shade-loving impatiens and hostas. You trade “good luck” glances because gardening is a trial-and-error business.

And that’s the secret: just trying. Just get started. A hard-to-believe 25 years ago, I didn’t know a marigold from a Mandeville. I thought a hibiscus was a bone in your arm and Lantana was a town in west Texas.

You literally just jump in there and get your hands dirty. And — word to the wise — dirt is the key. All the good and colorful green stuff starts with the good brown stuff. Bad dirt or poor potting soil is a rally killer.

Lots of help is available from books, online, and from our AgCenter sisters and brothers, who have inspired me to try the Supertunias this year. Every year I try something new (to me), and years ago that was petunias. While they are pretty in Colorado in the summer, the Colorado heat differs greatly from the Louisiana heat. Back then, my pitiful petunias looked like you do when you get through mowing. But Flower People have developed new varieties that have improved tolerance, so we are trying again. If they “do” right, they are exceptionally pretty/purty.

Also, to help you along are your local Master Gardeners clubs. The Master Gardeners among us will tell the beginners that you never learn it all, and in my experience, they are happy to encourage and advise. Except for this one time . . .

It’s been a few years since I saw my retired friend and her husband one evening and tapped her on the shoulder. I had some flora and fauna questions since I knew she was a Higher Up in the local gardening club. So, I asked.

“Oh honey,” she said, and she put her hand on my shoulder like you do when you feel sorry for someone who might not be stupid but is plenty ignorant. She paused a few seconds.

“Sweetheart,” she said, “we don’t really ‘garden.’ We just get together and drink wine.”

By Malcolm Butler

Tuesday afternoon’s Cedar Creek vs. Ouachita Christian second round playoff softball game was par for the course when these two schools meet in, well, any sport.

There is no love lost when the District 2-1A rivals meet on the court, field, track or whatever venue.

And Tuesday on the diamond was no different.

Peyton Muse drove in five runs, Mallory Smith recorded four hits and the Lady Cougars overcame an Allie Furr injury and a Chloe Brashear ejection to defeat OCS 12-7 at the Lady Cougars Softball Complex.

With the victory, Cedar Creek advances to face No. 5 seed Opelousas Catholic — a 9-0 winner over St. Edmund.

From the very first pitch of the game — a solo home run by OCS’s Ava West — to the final out of the game recorded when an OCS base-runner left first base early, Tuesday night’s game was filled with plenty of emotion and controversy.

Following West’s lead-off home run off Creek starter Chloe Brasher, the Lady Cougars responded in the bottom of the first inning. LA Tech signee Allie Furr tripled to deep centerfield and then scored on a two-run home run by Muse over the centerfield wall, her first of the season.

“I think we were prepared,” said Riser. “We talked about their pitchers, and what we needed to look for and keeping our approach. First pitch, they hit one out. I knew (West) could hit, but we were trying to get ahead of her and get her out. It went over. But we responded well. We were on time and really squared some balls up. We hit really well today.”

Muse was one of those hitters that squared plenty of balls up on Tuesday. The Creek catcher was 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in the first, an RBI single in the second and a two-run double in the third inning.

“She is just a leader, and she is determined,” said Riser about Muse. “All of our seniors are determined. They work in practice. They are just ultra-focused. She had a really good day. She has been squaring balls up, but they haven’t always been hits. They got through and over today.”

UL-Lafayette signee Lillian Soto followed with a double and then after back-to-back HBPs, Smith singled through the left side of the infield to drive home two more runs as the Cougars took a 4-1 lead.

“All week we have been working on our approach,” said Muse. “We have been dialing in on that. She hit the home run, but we knew we had them. We knew we were going to get a jump on them. It’s pass the bat to the next batter. We have kept that up all season. My approach doesn’t change. We were so ready. We were ready for them. For me it’s the same approach every time. Just keep it calm.”

With Creek leading 5-1 in the bottom of the third inning, Smith tripled to score Brashear to make the score 6-1. Furr then followed with a ground ball and was thrown out at first base. On the play she went down after stepping awkwardly following some contact on the play.

She would not return to the game.

“We had a big lead so I felt comfortable that we were going to win the game so it made sense to sit Allie,” said Riser. “I was comfortable with who we put in even with it being an eighth grader. I think because we have so many seniors that were able to pick it up and help (the younger players).

“Allie is so ultra-focused. Even when she was hurt and we were seeing about her over at first base, she asked while she was laying on the ground, ‘Did the run score?’ That’s what she was focused on. She is just determined to win.”

The Lady Cougars continued to plate runs in the bottom of the third inning. Muse’s two-run double was followed by an RBI single by Soto and a two-run home run by Lizzie McAdams as the advantage ballooned to 11-1.

Creek had a chance to end the game in the top of the fifth. With runners on first and second and one out for OCS, a line drive was misplayed by the Lady Cougars second baseman that would have been a game-ending double play. However, two runs would instead score in the frame, extending the game.

Later in the same frame with runners on second and third and one out, a line drive was caught by Brashear at third base, who then tagged the OCS baserunner for what appeared to be the final out. However, after both teams cleared the field to their respective dugouts to get ready for the start of the bottom of the fifth inning, the two umpires convened and the call was overturned.

Brashear was ejected for what Riser said was called a “forceful tag”.

“I know it looked bad, but a big part of it was the girl was off-balance trying to get back to the bag,” said Riser. “It looked like she just knocked her over, but it was a tag on an off-balance runner.

“The (third base) umpire said, ‘I didn’t say out. I ejected her.’ I never saw that call. Why would OCS run off the field if he hadn’t called her out.”

Following the contest, Riser was concerned about Brashear’s eligibility for the next playoff game. However, according to the LHSAA handbook, Brashear should be available.

5.11.6 Player Ejected from a Contest in a Sport for Unsportsmanlike or Flagrant conduct: (First Offense) – states that the player shall receive an official warning and must complete the NFHS Learn Sportsmanship Course within three days of the ejection. If said player completes this, they will be eligible to compete in the following contest.

Despite losing its second senior starter of the game due to the ejection, Muse said the team stayed confident.

“It was sad to see two senior starters out of the game, but we have prepped everyone to the T just in case something like this happens,” said Muse. “Anything can happen in the playoffs. There hasn’t been a situation we haven’t faced this season so we were ready for anything.”

Leading 11-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Creek added a run on a throwing error by OCS. It appeared as if the Lady Cougars had scored a second run which would have ended the game via the 10-run rule, but the runner was called out at home on a play at the plate. Riser requested an overturn of the out call, but following an umpires conference, the out call was upheld.

OCS refused to go down quietly in the top of the seventh inning. McAdams retired the first batter of the frame, but then back-to-back infield errors followed by a three-run home run pulled the Eagles to within 12-6. OCS added another run on a double and an RBI single, but the final out was registered when a Eagles base runner left first base early on a pitch.

Riser said because of the weather forecast for Friday, she believes the playoff game at home against Opelousas Catholic would most likely be Saturday.

An Oklahoma man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly trespassed at a Lincoln Parish fire station.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to the main fire station on U.S. 167 in Vienna about 8:00 p.m. after firefighters reported a man loitering around the station.

Responding deputies were told Shane Eric Simmons, 37, of Oklahoma City, had made multiple passes around the property, looking in doors and windows and into parked vehicles. On March 23, Simmons allegedly performed similar actions and was told to leave the property and not return.

Simmons was arrested since he had returned to the property without authorization. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for remaining on premises after being forbidden.

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.

Hopefully, most people will never know the pain of poverty. But they can learn what it feels like, along with the joy of compassion.

April 28 through 30, Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, is hosting “The Compassion Journey,” an interactive experience designed to educate visitors about the realities of life in extreme poverty.

“Participants will be invited on a self-guided journey where they will be immersed in the daily life of Kevin, a child sponsored by Compassion International,” said Marie Burns, Director of Outreach & Sr. Adult Ministries at Trinity. “Kevin is growing up under the weight of poverty in the nation of Kenya.”

This event, sponsored by Compassion International, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience elements of another culture and to discuss the experience through break-out style discussions.

“The experience includes 1,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring interactive elements that highlight the challenging circumstances Kevin faces,” Burns said. “You also experience life through his eyes as it applies to food, security, education and safety, as well as the help and hope Compassion provides through the sponsorship program.”

Compassion Journey uses individual iPods and headsets to offer visitors a sense of what life is like in extremely poverty-stricken areas around the world.

Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. More than 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25 per day.

Trinity UMC is located at 1000 Woodward Ave., Ruston, La. 71270. For more information, contact Burns at 318-251-0750.

The event is free and was created with families in mind, so children are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to register to attend and find more information about the event at journey.compassion.com.

Hillcrest Elementary School, which goes from kindergarten to second grade, has announced its most recent honor roll list for the third nine weeks of the academic school year.

Principal’s List students are those who made all As on their report cards, and A-B Honor Roll students are those who made no less than a B on their report card. Students are listed by grade and whether they made the Principal’s List or the A and B honor roll.  

KINDERGARTEN 

FIRST GRADE 

SECOND GRADE 

We at the Lincoln Parish Journal are pleased to welcome our newest sister publication, Rapides Parish Journal. This online publication joins 11 others across Louisiana from Rapides Parish north to the state line.

This is a paid sponsored post.

Added to the line-up for the 26th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival 

Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs – THE CANE RIVER WATERWAY COMMISSION STAGE – 3:45 – 5:00 pm.

Mark Newman – ROQUE HOUSE STAGE – 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Gin Mobsters – FLEUR DE LIS STAGE – 4:45 – 5:45 pm.

Josh Hyde & The Lost Parish – FLEUR DE LIS STAGE – 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

This year we kick off the festival with a Friday night show featuring Elton LIVE! The Elton John Experience and The Purple Madness, a Tribute to Prince. Shows will be going on from 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM on 5/12 AND 11 AM – 11 PM on 5/13 on the Natchitoches Riverbank! 

Don’t forget about our headliners, a Double Shot of Country with stars Mark Chestnutt and Tracy Byrd, and a whole lotta line dancing with the legendary Cupid, all on Saturday.

We still have The Steel Magnolias Getaway Giveaway to be announced so get your tickets and be entered into the drawing!

Click the link below for more information and to purchase tickets

https://www.natchjazzfest.com

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

It had the setting, the actors, the tension … everything you’d want in a movie but a soundtrack. 

The Kansas City Southern train rolled east to west, Louisiana Tech’s Jorge Corona stepped up to lead off the bottom of the eighth and, on a 3-2 pitch, his homerun cleared the 350 mark in right center to give the Bulldogs an insurance run and a 3-1 lead it would hold in the ninth for a win over old rival and 24^th-ranked Southern Miss before 1,950 on perfect night for baseball at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. 

It was just a midweek match-up, sure. But it had a marquee feel from start to finish.

Starter Reed Smith, 2-3, gave up one run in five innings, Ryan Harland retired all seven batters he faced (on just 29 pitches), and Landon Tomkins got the final five outs and his third save of the season as Tech won its fourth game in a row.

That’s Tech’s longest win streak of the season, and just in the nick of time: Tech was mired in a troublesome 2-6 skid when the current win streak started in the weekend sweep of Florida International. 

“We looked like a Top 25 team tonight, playing a Top 25 team that leads the Sun Belt,” Tech coach Lane Burroughs said. “Reed gave us a great start, Ryan was phenomenal and Landon earned the right to finish it. Both teams played extremely well … you can feel it on our side. We’re starting to play with more confidence.”

The Bulldogs are 20-18; Southern Miss is 22-13.

Smith, a junior righthander, began the second inning with two walks but then retired the next nine batters he faced and, through four innings, had allowed only one hit, a first-inning single. USM scored its only run off him in the fifth on two hits and a sacrifice fly.

Tech scored the first run of the game in the fourth off the Eagles’ first reliever of the night, Colby Allen, on a single by Brody Drost and an RBI double by Corona, the catcher’s team-leading 11^th double of the season. The Bulldogs led 2-1 after five, answering USM’s run in the top of the inning when Walker Burchfield led off the frame with a homer to left, his fourth of the year and, like Corona, his second homer in consecutive games.

Both teams played errorless defense on a stingy night with The Love Shack wind blowing in.

Tech will take Wednesday off before a weights workout Thursday and a bus trip to Dallas for evening practice and, Friday at 6:30 p.m., the first of three games against Conference USA’s Dallas Baptist.

Tech won’t have to wait long to play Southern Miss again. The two are scheduled to meet up a week from Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. in Hattiesburg.

Funeral Service for Mrs. Kitty Jane Carter will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, April 20, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Ruston, LA with Bro. Clayton Owens and Bro. Craig officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Church.

Mrs. Kitty Carter was born on July 23, 1950 and passed from this life on April 16, 2023 at the age of 72. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Ruston where she served as church secretary. She loved worshipping and socializing with the members of her Adult 7 Sunday School class. She was a volunteer at Life Choices of North Central Louisiana in Ruston. She also volunteered her time on Wednesday nights in the First Kids 4 year old class. She had a beautiful spirit. She was selfless and always encouraged other even when she was in need herself. She touched countless people with her living testimony. She loved her family dearly. She looked forward to cooking for everyone on holidays and Sunday nights. She especially looked forward to her annual summer vacation with her children and grandchildren.

She is preceded by her husband, Glen Edward Carter; sons, Timothy Earl Carter and Brandon John Carter; grandson, Dakota Lynn Carter; great grandson, Corey James Carter; parents, J.Q. and Dettie Whitlock; brothers, J.Q. Whitlock, Gene Whitlock, and Butch Whitlock; and sister Pat Barnette.

Those left to cherish her memories include her son, Eris Carter and wife Janet of Jonesboro, LA; sister, Johnnie Mae Brister of Monroe, LA; grandchildren, Nicole Cater, Tyler Carter, Olivia Kate Carter, Lucy Carter, Sadie Carter, Penny Carter, Della Carter-Ligon, and Kaci Wyman; great grandchildren, Jett Carter, Beaux Carter, and Eden Carter; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Armer King, Toby Deese, Jody Deese, James Oliver, Caleb Duplissey, and Charles McGuire.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the FBC Ruston Children’s Building Fund, Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Columbia, LA or they charity of your choice.

Charles V Crawford, Sr. 
Friday 11/03/1978 — Wednesday 04/12/2023  
Visitation: Monday 04/24/2023 9:00am to 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Monday 04/24/2023 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Monday 04/24/2023 Following Service, China Grove Cemetery, 699 Mondy Road, Grambling 

Belinda D Williams Scott 
Tuesday 06/20/1961 — Thursday 04/13/2023  
Memorial Service: Saturday 04/22/2023 11:00am, New Hope Baptist Church, 204 W Vaughn Ave., Ruston 

DEVELOPING — An active gas leak has been reported near the corner of W Florida Ave. and N Monroe St. in Ruston on Tuesday afternoon.

Multiple Center Point Energy trucks are in the vicinity assessing the situation, while businesses near the location are exercising caution.

More information will be posted as updates are given.

By T. Scott Boatright

They struck together through middle and high school in the classroom and the baseball field together.

That close bond strengthened even more on Monday as Choudrant seniors Landon Hennen,  Bryce McGuire and Gavin Murphy took the stage together inside the school auditorium in front of their coaches, families and teammates to sign scholarship papers to continue their baseball careers on the collegiate level.

And two of the Aggies will stick together after graduation as McGuire and Murphy both signed with Southern Arkansas Community College in El Dorado while Hennen will play a little farther northwest at National Park Junior College in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

“This is a big day for these young men and their families,” said Choudrant High School Principal Chris Jones. “And looking across this room, it’s a great day for our program. I’ve been here eight years and this is the first time we’ve signed multiple athletes out of a program to scholarships.

“That says a lot about the hard work they’ve put in and you guys have put in.”

Jones spoke of the trio’s connection through the years, on the field and in Choudrant classrooms.

“ They’ve played T-ball, travel ball and for the school since they were little, and today is a great reflection on their parents. I pulled up their school information this morning and none of these three guys have gotten any kind of major referrals since seventh grade. I’m not sure I could even find a tardy for any of them. They’ve been exemplary students as far as their behavior and being great students in the classroom. They’ve set great examples for our younger students and have been really great leaders.”

First-year CHS head coach Joel Antley, who also coached the trio for years as an assistant coach for the Aggies, first lauded their academic abilities.

“Not only are they signing to continue their playing careers, they are also continuing their academic careers, and they are excellent students,” Antley said. “Whatever you’ve needed from these dudes in the classroom, they have achieved it. 

“As of right now, Bryce’s GPA is a 4.24, Gavin’s is a 4.15 and Landon’s is a 4.04. That is remarkable when you consider the time they spend not in the classroom. These guys have worked as hard or harder than anybody we’ve ever had.”

Then Antley talked about what the trio means to the Aggies on the field.

“As leaders, they were our one through three hitters last year during our state championship run and our No. 1 and 2 pitcher and our catcher, so they were the battery for our state championship team,” Antley said. “And now they’re back for their senior years and doing the same thing. They’ve done some things that haven’t been done here in Choudrant – they’ve won two state championships in a row, and right now they’re sitting No. 1 in our division looking to make it another unprecedented three in a row. 

“And I can’t take any of the credit because of the hours they put in – that has to be an ingrained thing in themselves to try to be the best they can be. And they have done it fantastically for five years ever since I met them in the seventh grade.”

Former CHS coach and principal Tony Antley, who retired as baseball coach last summer and as principal in January, was also on hand to speak.

“They’ve earned many accolades, are great players and are great young men,” Tony Antley said. “But without a team, none of that would have happened. And they know that. But they’ve also set a high standard for what comes next. 

“The work ethic these guys have probably started when they were 5 years old playing Little League and Dixie baseball, then travel baseball and all the other things. They missed a lot of other things they could have been doing throughout summertime and times after school because of the goal they set for themselves and have achieved.”

Murphy, the catcher out of the trio, said earning a spot on the South Ark baseball team is a dream come true.

“It’s a great program and I really like the coach and all the players,” Murphy said. “The coach knows what he’s doing and how to win ball games.”

But for now Murphy is focused on the task at hand as an Aggie – vying for a third straight state title.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work over the next couple of weeks and not thinking ahead but taking each game one-by-one,” Murphy said. “Everybody wants to beat us, but we really don’t feel a whole lot of pressure. If we go out there and play our game, nobody can beat us.”

McGuire will pitch and play shortstop at South Ark as he’s done at Choudrant.

“After playing since I was 4 years old, it’s pretty exciting knowing I get to continue playing in college and live out my dream,” McGuire said. 

“It’s pretty nice – we’ve all been playing together since we were little, and it’s cool to be able to sign with my two best friends to play college baseball. And getting to continue to play with Gavin will be great. He’s been my catcher since I was 9 years old, so we’ve got a pretty tight connection.”

Hennen, a pitcher and utility player who can play any position needed, signing with McGuire and Murphy was especially meaningful.

“We’ve come a long way together, so it means a lot,” Hennen said. “We’ve played together our whole lives. We’ve always been competitive with each other. So doing it with them feels right.

“Since I was growing up being at the Choudrant games as a kid, I always looked up to the players and wanted to be out there. I never thought I would be the one the little guys are watching and admiring. It just feels really blessed to be there and do this.”

A teenager has been charged with the shooting death of his father, the head softball coach at Calvin High School.

Saturday evening the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shooting through a 911 call. The shooting occurred at on La. Highway 501 north of Calvin.

Deputies and ambulance personnel arrived to find 51-year-old Kevin Chad Camp suffering from a gunshot wound. Camp was declared dead by the Winn Parish Coroner’s Office.

Although his name was not released because he is a minor, sources identified Camp’s 17-year-old son as the suspect arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection to this incident. Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan called it “a family situation.”

Jordan called manslaughter the appropriate charge for the situation. In Louisiana law, a manslaughter charge is most often used for a homicide committed in “sudden passion or heat of blood immediately caused by provocation sufficient to deprive an average person of self-control and cool reflection.”

A continued custody hearing was slated for Monday afternoon, but the results were not available at press time. The son could be charged as an adult or as a juvenile.

Camp was preparing his Calvin softball team for a first-round playoff game against the Castor Lady Tigers on Monday. As a team, the players decided to see the season through in honor of their coach.  

As expected, it was an emotional game for the players, fans, and their families in the small community. Fans of the Lady Cougars brought signs in support of the team. The Castor players prayed with the Cougars after the game. School officials said many of the players on the opposing teams were longtime friends.

The Cougars defeated Castor 13-3 and advanced to take on Stanley this afternoon.

Under Coach Camp, the Lady Cougars won back-to-back Class C state titles in 2021 and 2022 and were state runner-up in 2019. COVID cancelled the 2020 championships.

Camp also served as an agriculture teacher and FFA chapter advisor. Funeral details are not yet available.

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 Emma Stone

The 2023 Shell Eco Marathon Regional Competition was hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Ruston High School among the participants. 

From April 13-16, two teams represented RHS with an electric prototype and a gas urban concept car. 

The prototype battery electric car won 12th in its category and was the first time in the history of Bearcat Motorsports to have a valid run.

Students on this team led by Roy Bennett, RHS senior and proto battery electric car team captain, began by creating the prototype via software.

Then, they used wood and foam mold to lay up carbon fiber for the body and chassis. RHS welding team helped to weld the pieces together. 

The competition’s first couple of days were spent in technical inspection where each team had to meet a checklist to pass the regulations.

“All of our teams went into different technical inspection roles to help explain our car, because our teachers don’t walk them through the entire checklist,” said Bennett.

Regionals were open to universities and high schools including schools from the United States, Canada, Mexico and a few South American countries. 

“We are competing against some of the biggest universities in the country,” said Bennett. “They have had cars for ten years being modified whereas our prototype this year was built.”

The urban concept car featured an internal combustion engine running on gas that placed sixth in its category and won first in technical inspection. 

With both cars being completely student led and operated, the weekend was filled with preparing for the main challenge: drive four laps in under 35 minutes.

Trent Baker, RHS senior and urban concept team captain, spoke about the effort that it took to switch the urban concept car that previously ran electric to gas.

“We put a lot of time and work into building these cores and upgrading them,” said Baker. “Working on this car, we kind of became close and learned each other’s weaknesses and strengths.”

During practice, they found the best strategies of knowing when to accelerate, how to coast and how to take turns to be more efficient. 

Two team members were primary drivers with another two as reserve drives. Others included track spotters and timers to see how fuel was used and how fast the car was going. 

The RHS team did not place high enough to go to the world championships in India but hope to upgrade and keep working to improve for next year.

By Wesley Harris

Lincoln Parish is commemorating the 150^th anniversary of its founding in 1873. This is part of the LPJ’s examination of the early days of our parish. 

The grave marker of the man credited with the creation of Lincoln Parish in 1873, and that of his wife, have been damaged through what appears to be forces of nature.

Allen Greene and his wife Mahala and members of their family are buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery on Louisiana Highway 822 just off the White Lightning Road where they ran a large farm, tannery, and shoe factory.

Both respected and despised, Greene was a savvy businessman and a generous, sociable neighbor. After the Civil War, he sided with the victors, developed relationships with newly freed black citizens, and created his own short-lived political dynasty in the heart of the Democrat majority. 

Greene typified the Reconstruction-era “scalawag”—a local citizen who allied himself with the Radical Republicans who controlled national and state government to achieve personal political and financial aspirations. 

The final resting place for the Greenes is marked by the largest monuments in the small community graveyard. Recently, both markers suffered significant damage and the Lincoln Parish Museum and the Lincoln Parish Sesquicentennial Committee want to do something about that.

It appears that the obelisk atop Mahala Greene’s monument fell off, possibly striking Allen’s marker and breaking it into two pieces. The history groups want to see the damage repaired because of the Greene’s integral role in Lincoln Parish’s early history.

The desire is to attain professionals to repair and remount the stones, restoring them to their original appearance as much as possible.

Greene exhibited conflicting traits. He engaged in politics to further his own quest for power and riches, but cared for his community. He employed many workers, including newly freed slaves and established a small train depot that later became Grambling.

With the escalating struggle for control of the state after the war, the fall elections of 1872 were destined to be plagued by controversy and conflict.

Judge Evander Graham, a respected attorney and former Confederate officer, seemed certain to win the state senate race for the district that included Jackson Parish and would later become much of present-day Lincoln Parish. 

Greene waited until Election Day to add his name to the ballot, infuriating many in the local electorate. Greene’s three sons William, Charles, and Jackson accompanied him to the polls in Vernon. Jackson Greene was a commissioner of the election at the polls, keeping a tally sheet. Charles had been appointed a United States commissioner to monitor the election. 

Since the supervisor was slow in tallying the vote, Allen Greene went home to Greensboro, his home west of Vienna, and returned the following day to examine the results. The count showed Graham garnering twice the votes of Greene and another candidate combined. However, Greene claimed victory to the outrage of the local white citizenry. Longtime friends took offense and battle lines were drawn.

Greene obtained affidavits from voters who claimed intimidation and election fraud. It was no longer a matter of how many ballots were in the box but if they got there by fraud or denying people the opportunity to vote. Based on these allegations, Greene claimed the election. The final decision lay with the state’s returning board.

The returning board examined the results of all Louisiana elections and in most cases ruled the Republican candidate the winner. The board approved and certified Allen Greene was the lawfully elected senator from the 19^th District. 

Greene’s first move as senator in collaboration with son Charles, a state representative, was to secure passage of an act creating a new parish from portions of Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson, and Union to be named after President Abraham Lincoln. For the new parish, Governor William Pitt Kellogg appointed a slate of officers submitted by Greene. The hand-chosen officials gave Greene complete control of every aspect of local government.

A few years of political battle ensued over the control of Lincoln Parish but without the massive bloodshed seen in some north Louisiana parishes. When federal troops withdrew from Louisiana and the Republicans lost power, Greene’s hold over the parish was lost. He lived quietly until his death in 1883.

Greene’s influence on north central Louisiana was significant despite the turmoil of the times. His appointment of freed slaves to political offices, the establishment of schools for their children, and creation of jobs through his industries improved life for many. His now broken tombstone reads, “He had a progressive mind and struggled hard to build up his country; but alas, his ideas were far in advance of the community in which he lived.”

Donations to a fund to restore the markers can be sent to “Greene Fund,” Lincoln Parish Museum, 609 N. Vienna, Ruston, LA 71270. The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Four individuals were taken into custody early Saturday morning after they allegedly broke into several vehicles in the Tech Drive area of Ruston.

Officers responded to a Lee Avenue residence about 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning regarding a vehicle break-in in progress. The caller reported four males burglarizing their vehicle. The suspects had left the scene when officers arrived, but four suspects were found behind the Chevron station on Tech Drive.

Once the suspects were in custody, they were taken to the Ruston Police station to be interviewed.

One of the suspects said he and the other three took turns breaking into vehicles while the others would be on the lookout. He stated they had burglarized at least six to seven vehicles in the area. He was shown video under from one of the scenes showing the suspects pulling on vehicle door handles. He admitted he was in the video and the others were looking out for him.

Investigation of a vehicle burglary on Arnold Street revealed video showing two males entering the carport but they quickly fled after the carport lights were activated. They were also implicated in an attempted vehicle break-in on Edwards Drive.

Two of the suspects were booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Quincy Goldsmith, 19, and Tyress Kelly, 18, both of Ruston, were charged with two counts of burglary of a vehicle and two counts of attempted burglary of a vehicle.

Bail was set add $30,000 for each man.

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 Lafayette man was arrested Friday after he allegedly exposed himself in public.

Ruston Police received a call Friday night from a woman who said a man was following her. Officers responded to the location and found De’Jerkrick P. Wiggins, 22. Wiggins told officers he and his friend had gotten into a verbal altercation and the friend left. Wiggins said he had urinated on the corner of Bonner Street and Park Avenue and then sat down just as the officer arrived. Wiggins first said he had contacted Ruston Police.

The woman was interviewed nearby and said Wiggins had been following her. She said when she entered her car, Wiggins exposed himself, but it was not to urinate.

Wiggins was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for obscenity. 

Bail was set at $5,000.

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

Spring cleaning is definitely the norm for some, and if you’re one of those folks, then I congratulate you. Really. I do. You’re among the more than 70% of Americans who engage in this seasonal activity.  

But for someone like me – who despises any kind of housecleaning or yard work – it’s just another chore that I perpetually put off. Yes, I fall into the 5% of U.S. population that never spring cleans. 

Yet, I do recognize that spring is a season of new beginnings, growth and transformation. As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, many people are inspired to embark on a deep cleaning of their homes, clearing out clutter and refreshing their living spaces.  

But spring cleaning doesn’t have to be limited to physical areas. It can also be a powerful metaphor for clearing out the clutter in our minds, hearts and souls to make space for spiritual growth. I think all of us – definitely with my finger pointed at myself – could benefit from that. Christians are called in the book of Hebrews to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”  

Just as our houses can slowly enter a state of chaos with accumulated possessions and unnecessary items, our minds and hearts can descend into disorder with negative thoughts, limiting beliefs and emotional baggage. Spring cleaning for the soul involves taking a deliberate and intentional approach to decluttering our internal spaces to create room for the same phenomena we currently see going on in nature.  

One way to start this spring cleaning is to identify areas of our lives where we feel stuck or stagnant. That might involve examining our relationships, our work, our habits and/or our thought patterns. Consider Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

What am I holding onto that no longer serves me? What beliefs or assumptions am I ready to release? What do I need to forgive myself or others for? What habits or behaviors do I want to disengage from or change? 

Once we’ve identified areas needing attention, we can begin to take action. This might involve practicing forgiveness, as Jesus taught. We may need to let go of old grudges or hurts and – yes – declutter our physical spaces to create a more peaceful and organized environment. We might also need to make intentional choices about our habits and behaviors, such as committing to daily meditation or exercise, or setting boundaries around work or social media use. 

For the Christian, one important aspect of spring cleaning for the soul is the practice of self-compassion. As we engage in this process of letting go and releasing what no longer serves us, it’s important to avoid unwarranted self-judgment. As Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  

We might remind ourselves that growth and transformation take time, and that it’s OK to experience setbacks along the way. And if we’re not in Christ Jesus, where there is no condemnation, now is the time to make sure that we do, indeed, move into that priceless relationship. 

Another key aspect of spring cleaning for the soul is cultivating gratitude and appreciation. As we release old patterns, we make room for new experiences and perspectives. Focusing on what we’re grateful for and what brings us joy can create a positive mindset that supports spiritual growth and wellbeing. As Paul said in Philippians, let’s think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” and anything excellent or praiseworthy. 

Ultimately, spring cleaning for the soul is deeply personal. It may involve individualized practices and strategies, depending on unique circumstances and needs. But at its core, the process is about creating space for something new that can flourish – deep within us.  

Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com. 

By T. Scott Boatright

Simsboro High School will enter the Louisiana High School Athletic Association baseball playoffs with a little winning momentum after defeating Arcadia 11-1 in six innings Monday at the SHS Baseball Field.

Tigers head coach Scott Hiers hopes that win is enough to earn his team a home game to open the Division V Nonselect School playoffs, which the LHSAA will release brackets for today.

“Hopefully it was enough,” Hiers said. “We were 16th in the power ratings heading into the game, but I don’t know how many, if any, other schools scheduled late games against bigger schools trying to change up the ratings in their favor. So hopefully we did enough to get us a home game to start the playoffs.”

Against Arcadia, Simsboro started strong and finished strong, with the Tigers showing some patience at the plate as Kendrick Craig was  hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded, plating pinch runner Payton Cross who had entered the game to run for Braylin Gibson, who reachedfirst base on a walk. 

That run walked the Tigers off the field based on the 10-run rule with one out. The Tigers had loaded the bases off of a Chris Stevens single followed by walks by Gibson, Caleb Coldiron and Max Lee.

Arcadia plated its lone run in the top of the first inning before Simsboro pushed across two runs of its own in the bottom half of the opening stanza, taking advantage of four walks, a pair of stolen bases and a pair of wild pitches by the Hornets that gave up one run each.

Simsboro added three runs in the bottom of the second inning after Noah Thomas singled and Hayden Rabo followed with his second walk and third stolen base of the young contest before Chris Harrell’s triple plated them both.

Harrell himself scored on an RBI-groundout hit by Hunter Stevens that put the Tigers up 5-2 heading into the top of the third inning.

Craig’s RBI-single in the bottom half of the third pushed Simsboro’s advantage to 6-2 before Harell doubled in the fourth and scored on a Mark Hollaway RBI-groundout that put the Tigers on top 7-2.

Harrell added two more RBIs for the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth with his second triple that plated both Craig, who had reached base after being hit by a pitch, and Rabo, who had reached first base on a single.

Arcadia put two runners on first in the top of the sixth, but Rabo struck out a pair of Hornets to get out of that jam.

Despite earning the win, Hiers felt it was still somewhat of a lackluster effort from his Tigers, making him maybe even more appreciative of still winning in strong fashion.

“It’s good to get the win, but in all honesty I thought we played really lethargic today,” Hiers said. “Hopefully we got that out of our system and will play with more intensity in the playoffs, because we’ll have to do it then.”

Hiers said he did see some bright sports, including Rabo’s 11-strikeout performance on the mound to earn the win while also going 1-for-2 at the plate with three stolen bases, three runs scored and one RBI.

Another bright spot for the Tigers was Harell, who batted 3-for-3 with four RBIs off his double and two triples.

“We need Rabo pitching like that, so that was good to see,” Hiers said. “He was throwing strikes and looked good the whole game. Chris swung the ball really well. He really put the bat on the ball and drove it real well, and that was good to see.

“But I would have really liked to have looked sharper. We left a number of runs on bases that we could have scored but made some bad baserunning mistakes and things like that.”

Now Hiers and his Tigers (18-10 on the season) wait to see how today’s brackets shake out.

“I had some bigger schools call wanting to pick up a game today against us, but we had this game scheduled against Arcadia all the way and I wasn’t going to back out of it,” Hiers said. “We make the schedule at the beginning of the year and are going to stick to it. We weren’t going to try and get out of the game against Arcadia to pick up more points. 

“So where we end up is where we end up and we’ll play a solid baseball game and see what happens.”

On Sunday, April 16, 2023, shortly after 11:30 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a one-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 140 at LA Hwy 591. This crash claimed the life of 39-year-old Joshua Black from Bastrop.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Black, was traveling east on LA Hwy 140, at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, the Silverado exited the roadway, overturned, and struck an embankment.

Black, who was unrestrained, suffered life-threating injuries as a result of the crash. He was transported to Morehouse Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected from Black and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued or distracted, follow all traffic laws, and always ensure every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death. 

In 2023, Troop F has investigated 13 fatal crashes, which have resulted in 14 fatalities.

By April Clark Honaker

LeJoyce Adams teaches second grade special education inclusion at Hillcrest Elementary. She was called to be a teacher while working in the Clerk of Court’s office. 

A woman from out of town came into the office and had a lengthy conversation with Adams. During their conversation, the woman said to Adams, “I don’t know why, but I feel like you need to be a teacher.” 

The connection between the two was strong enough that they exchanged contact information and kept in touch for a while.

At the time, Adams was already feeling drawn to children. She had become the children’s director at her church and had children of her own. She was initially concerned about the financial impact of returning to school but talked with her husband about her dream. 

He met her concerns with reassurance and encouragement. “So I just stepped out on faith,” Adams said. “I just went ahead and jumped into it, and I have no regrets. I followed my heart.”  

Adams had already earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Northwestern State University, so she decided to pursue an add-on certification for elementary education Grades 1-8 from Grambling State University.

She now also holds a certification for special education Grades K-12 from Louisiana Tech University. 

She has taught in the regular education classroom at the elementary, junior high and high school level and has taught a variety of subjects, including science, social studies, English language arts and computer lab. 

But she feels that special education is where she belongs. It’s her niche. “I’m very passionate about what I do. Once I’m all in, I’m all in,” Adams said, “I absolutely love special education.”

She’s always been drawn to children with special needs. “I know they need a lot more love and nurturing and patience,” Adams said. “I think the Lord gave me the extra patience to give them the extra love and attention that they so deserve.”

According to Adams, this particular year has come with more behavioral challenges than usual. She said many of the kids coming of the pandemic have lost the connection with their peers, which has also been challenging. 

Adams said she meets those challenges “with lots of hugs, prayer, and understanding and by developing relationships with the parents.” She believes these efforts also help the children overcome some of their own challenges.

She acknowledged that some of the children she teaches don’t like hugs, but Adams said, “You have to treat each one in a unique way, and they know the way I love them is absolutely genuine.” 

She said, “They have to know they can trust you, and more than anything, they have to know you love them. It’s demanding work, but it’s worth it.”