Deacon Milton Sparks Bryant 
Tuesday 08/29/1944 — Thursday 05/04/2023  
Family Gathering: Friday 05/12/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Friday 05/12/2023 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Bethany Baptist Church, 441 Bethany Church Rd., Quitman 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/13/2023 11:00am,  St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 813 St. Rest Road, Quitman 
Interment: Saturday 05/13/2023 Following Service, Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, Quitman 

Gloria Mae Hickman 
Monday 11/25/1946 — Friday 05/05/2023 
Family Gathering: Monday 05/15/2023 12:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Graveside: Monday 05/15/2023 1:00pm, Salem Church Cemetery, Lisbon 

Effie Bessie Evans 
Thursday 11/04/1926 — Saturday 05/06/2023  
Visitation: Thursday 05/11/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Friday 05/12/2023 11:00am, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston 
Interment: Friday 05/12/2023 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 

Johnny Ray Hicks 
Thursday 12/20/1956 — Saturday 05/06/2023  
Family Gathering: Wednesday 05/10/2023 4:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Graveside: Thursday 05/11/2023 11:00am, Mt Hebron Cemetery, Weston 

Athletics scholarships for high school seniors were once a much more attainable goal than they are these days.

And being able to do so close to home was “simply gravy” – a sweet reward for hard-earned efforts.

But these days of living with the NCAA transfer portal and other changes to what used to be the norm have totally changed that equation.

That didn’t stop six Ruston High School athletes determined to overcome the odds make a giant leap forward on Wednesday as they signed paperwork to become preferred walk-ons at Lincoln Parish universities.

Their plan is simple, and a fact of life in the days we live in now. They’re going to work to earn their scholarships the hard way – they plan to earn them.

Six RHS student athletes signed paperwork Wednesday at the RHS Auditorium pledging to give it everything they have to show they’re deserving of competing on the next level – football players Dyson Fields, RJ Brown, Jamious Blackmon, Kyran McConnell and Jordan McWain along with Bearcats pitcher Nick Robinson.

“The transfer portal has changed everything – to the point that talented high school players who back when would have been given to athletes now have to try to walk-on and show their abilities and desire to show they deserve to be a part of it all,” said RHS athletics director and head football coach Jerrod Baugh.

“And if these players here today work hard and take care of business – they’ve earned the chance to get scholarships and show they deserve to play at the next level. It’s just the way things are now, but all these athletes should be proud of making it this far and earning the chance they deserve to compete at the next level and deserve a scholarship to continue their education to become the best they can be.”

Robinson, who said he’s leaning toward majoring in kinesiology, said he’s excited about getting the opportunity to join a Grambling baseball program that has been one of the top Southwestern Athletic Conference teams all season long.

“It’s a hometown school, most of my family went there and I’d just like to keep the tradition going,” Robinson said. “Coach (Davin) Pierre and the Tigers are doing a great job this season and getting a chance to show them I deserve to be a part of the team really means a lot to me.”

Field and Brown earned shots at preferred walk-ons in football, but said they’ve been told they’ve also caught the attention of Louisiana Tech baseball coaches.

For Brown, the opportunity to attend a school like Tech where a majority of his family has matriculated is a dream come true.

“They want me to try to walk on as a punter,” Brown said. “But they said they might think about me for baseball, too. Just playing for Tech, and what it means to my family. I couldn’t ask for anything better and I’m going to give it everything I have to show I deserve this opportunity.”

Fields, a running back who rushed for 1,659 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns in the regular season alone, said all he needs is a chance at either sport.

“It’s close to home and gives me a chance to play in front of people who know me and support me,” Fields, who has plans to major in business,  said of his decision to become a Bulldog. “I grew up watching Tech games. I grew up with RJ and it’s exciting to take this journey with him.

“They’ve mentioned baseball, and that’s something I’d love a chance at, too. The fact I could play either, or even both sports, makes it that much better.”

Blackmon, who said he plans to major in business management.  said he’s just happy to receive the opportunity to become a Bulldog.

“The coaches made it great for me so I’m going in to show them on tape that I have what’s it’s got – I can play for them,” Blackmon said. 

McWain said his decision to go to Grambling made his choice easy.

“It’s my team – my family’s team,” McWain said. “They made me feel like I’ll be getting a chance to play at home. They made me feel welcome.”

McConnell also felt Grambling was the place for him.

“It’s hometown – It’s the G,” McConnell said. “That Black and Gold means something. That G means something. I’m just glad to get the chance to show I belong – that I deserve to be a Tiger.”

A shooting at the Farmerville Highway Waffle House in April has led to four arrests, according to Ruston Police.

Two adults have been arrested in correction with the April shooting. James Berry, 22, was arrested Monday on numerous charges, including attempted second degree murder. Deandre Thomas, 34, was arrested April 26 for aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal carrying of a weapon. Both remain in custody.

Two juveniles are also charged in the incident for aggravated assault, damage to property, and illegal possession of firearms.

All four are from Claiborne Parish.

Police said the shooting occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m. April 16. Officers arrived to find shell casings on the ground and bullet holes in parked vehicles. The suspects had left the scene. No one was injured by the gunfire.

Based on witness statements and surveillance video, investigators were able to identify the suspects. 

Barry was booked on warrants charging him with attempted second degree murder, six counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of a weapon, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, and three counts of aggravated criminal damage to property. His bail was set at $830,000.

The shooting April 16 was one of several altercations involving weapons at the Waffle House in past six months. About 3:00 a.m. Christmas morning, Deantonious Rhone, 30, of Ruston, was shot during an altercation at the late-night restaurant.

Before officers could reach the scene, the parties involved had left. Shortly after calls about the shooting, a rollover crash was reported on E. Georgia Avenue near the U.S. Post Office not far from the restaurant. Rhone was driving the crashed vehicle. He was transported to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. A passenger was uninjured.

Gerkerrio Demon Womack, 28, of Ruston, was arrested for second degree murder several days later.

In October, a man was arrested for assaulting another with a firearm at the Waffle House.

Those incidents and other disturbances occurred during the hours after midnight when few other restaurants in Ruston are open.

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

Ruston Police arrested a man Monday night after responding to a domestic incident on Kennon Lane.

Shortly after 11:00 p.m. Monday RPD officers responded to the disturbance at an apartment at 400 Kennon Lane. Taylor M. Williams, 25, of Ruston said he and his girlfriend of four years got into an argument over suspected drugs. Williams said he started packing his bag to leave when the girlfriend started slapping herself in the face. William said the argument continued until he went to a separate room to sleep. He said the girlfriend came into the room and continued the argument and started hitting him and tried to cut him with a box cutter. Williams said he tried to leave the residence for a second time, but the woman threatened to blackmail him.

Officers saw a small cut on Williams’ right thumb and several small injuries on the top and side of his head.

The woman said an argument occurred earlier in the day over suspected drugs. She said Williams took the drugs in front of her. During the argument, Williams allegedly slapped her and put his hands around her neck and choked her. She also said Williams bit her on the cheek and on the chin. 

Officers saw bruising on the woman’s cheek and neck and two sets of teeth marks on her face.

Williams was arrested for domestic abuse battery and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail had not been set at press time.

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. 

As families, friends, alumni, and supporters arrive at Grambling State University for Spring 2023 commencement exercises on May 12, preparation should be made to adhere to the clear bag policy. Scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., the event will be held in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center and streamed live on Grambling State’s YouTube channel. 

Parking will be limited on campus and the area immediately in front of the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center will be closed to allow for pedestrians to walk. 

Permitted items include clear totes 12” x 6”x 12” in size with a logo no larger than 4.5”x3.4”; clear storage bag (resealable gallon size); small clutch or wallet no larger than 6.5”x4.5” with or without a handle or strap (can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag); backless cushions less than 16” in size; and items required for medical, family, or childcare needs. 

Prohibited items include balloons, air horns, or gifts (should be left in the vehicle); backpacks, fanny packs, purses larger than 6.5” x 4.5”; cameras with lenses longer than 6”; video cameras; pets; umbrellas; weapons; alcoholic beverages; strollers; food and beverages; beach balls; toilet tissue; artificial noisemakers; and seat cushions larger than 16” or with a zipper, pocket, or compartment. 

For more information, visit gram.edu/graduation. 

I recently spent a weekend watching my first youth travel baseball tournament at the Ruston Sports Complex.  It has been years since I spent any significant time watching youth baseball.   While athletic ability is a great help, the fundamentals of the game are developed through repetition in practice.  The game remains a great teacher of success and failure as everyone will experience both extremes as they play the game. 

What I observed that weekend was that some things have changed quite a lot while others remain the same.  Some of the changes are advancement and for the better.  Other changes concern me.  

I saw plenty of highs and lows on the fields that weekend.  I saw players overjoyed with base hits in key situations and others disappointed striking out with runners on base.  I saw great plays in the field and errors on plays that could have been made.  I also saw parents berating umpires, coaches yelling at pitchers for not throwing strikes, and coaches arguing with one another across the diamond.  Like I said, some things haven’t changed.  

While some of those things are disappointing to me as I hold coaching and parenting in youth sports to a high standard, I was not surprised.  What surprised me was the spectacle of the event itself.  The Sports Complex is awesome with artificial turf playing surfaces on all fields.  This surface is an investment that allows for minimal maintenance and quick playing after rain. I played baseball through high school, my son played through college, and I don’t know that either of us ever played on such a nice field.  These fields and the associated investment are an example of advancement that we should all recognize and appreciate.

I noticed multiple days of nice uniforms for the various teams that I saw over the weekend.  I saw big team picture banners hung behind the dugouts.  There were portable sound systems used to announce the players coming to bat with individual walk-up music.  There was the constant traffic of moms taking a cold sports drink to their child/player in the dugout (rather than drinking the water provided in the dugout).  

It looked like the parents and coaches were doing all they could to create a high school or college atmosphere with all the stuff surrounding the game.  That all may be fun, but I wonder what the young people will have to look forward to if they experience all these things in youth travel ball.  I remember just looking forward to playing high school ball one day and getting to wear that Crimson Tide jersey (we had just one uniform).  

The late Tony Robichaux, former coach at ULL, made the comment years ago that he recruited players that would drink out of the water hose and not the ones that momma brought them a Gatorade in the third inning.  I think Tony was referring to a certain level of toughness that would be needed to play at the college level.  I can remember the water hose behind the dugout, but those don’t exist today.  Who would survive drinking that unfiltered water?

Baseball is a great game and can teach so many life lessons if we allow it to teach those lessons.  While we want to create great experiences for our children, we need to help them learn how to succeed with humility, fail with confidence, and compete with compassion.  We need to teach teamwork, toughness, and an approach to keep playing even when we don’t like the call.  If we aren’t careful, we will teach individual focus over team, arguing over focusing on the next play, comfort over toughness, and fear over fundamentals (coach don’t yell at a kid to throw strikes – teach him the mechanics – trust me, he is trying).

Simon “Sam” Marrix was born in 1859 in Alsace, France.  In 1880, he emigrated to New York.  Because of the country of his origin, his friends in America called him “Frenchie.”  Four years after moving to America, he married an immigrant from Dornum, Germany called Miene Schoenberg.  To lessen confusion over the pronunciation of her name, she adopted the spelling “Minnie.”  In Germany, Minnie’s parents worked on the fair circuit.  Her father was a ventriloquist, and her mother was a yodeling harpist.  In America, Minnie’s younger brother, Adolf Schönberg, began performing in shows under a stage name that was easier to pronounce, Al Shean.  With Minnie’s help, her brother entered the vaudeville circuit and eventually became half of the popular musical comedy team called Gallagher and Shean.

In 1885, Frenchie and Minnie had their first child, Manfred, who died at the young age of seven.  Between 1887 and 1901, they had five more sons, Leonard, Adolph, Julius, Milton, and Herbert, respectively.  Rather than having aspirations for her sons to become doctors, lawyers, or engineers, Minnie wanted her sons to join the family business and become stage performers.  Minnie worked untiringly to develop her sons’ talents.  By 1907, Julius and Milton joined Mabel O’Donnell in a singing trio named “The Three Nightingales.”  In 1908, Adolph joined the Nightingales.  By 1910, with the addition of Minnie and the boys’ aunt Hannah, they renamed the group “the Six Mascots.”

The members of “The Six Mascots” most likely would have faded into obscurity had it not been for a team of runaway mules.  During one lackluster musical performance in Marshall, Texas, the crowd grew bored.  Suddenly, a great commotion occurred outside the theater.  Audience members in the back of the theater could hear all sorts of sounds of destruction including breaking glass.  Many members of the bored audience rushed out of the theater to see what was happening.  A runaway team of mules was running wild through the streets of the town.  The Six Mascots continued performing their musical act to a much smaller audience.  Finally, after the mules were caught, the crowd returned to their seats to see the remainder of the performance.  They had paid for it after all.  Julius, Milton, and Adolph, irritated that “the audience had deserted Mozart for mules,” began insulting the crowd with wise cracks.  The result was unexpected.  Rather than resenting the remarks, the crowd began to laugh.  The crowd’s laughter grew exponentially with each new insult.  They tried the same wise cracks at their next performance and got a similar reaction.  The brothers took the hint and revamped their whole show.

Over the next few years, the five brothers, in varying combinations, fine-tuned their characters.  Their success continued into Hollywood films beginning in 1929 with Animal Crackers.   For the next decade, they worked on at least one film per year, all of which were successful.  They continued to work together as well as in solo projects for the rest of their lives.  Had it not been for a team of runaway mules, we may never had heard of Leonard, Adolph, Julius, Milton, and Herbert, who purportedly received their nicknames from a friend during a poker game.  Leonard became Chico, Adolph became Harpo, Julius became Groucho, Milton became Gummo, and Herbert became Zeppo.  You and I know them as the Marx Brothers.

2.     The Peninsula Times Tribune, August 20, 1977, p.5.

Visitors to Poverty Point World Heritage Site are invited to take part in a ranger-led hike on Saturday, May 13, showcasing the mounds, earthworks, and nature found in the park. Participants will meet in the museum at 10 a.m. for an introductory video; the hike can take up to three hours to complete, depending on the pace of the group. This program is weather permitting; please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Insect repellant and sunscreen are also recommended.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience and learn about the earthworks and those individuals who raised them from the ground between the years of 1700 and 1100 BCE. The $4 admission fee provides access to the museum, film theatre, hiking trail, driving trail, tram tour, and any interpretive events taking place at the site. Children (3 and under) and senior citizens (62 and over) are admitted free of charge.

Poverty Point is located at 6859 LA Highway 577 in Pioneer. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For additional information, call 888-926-5492 toll free or 318-926-5492 locally or follow the Poverty Point World Heritage Site Facebook page.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

The Louisiana Tech Softball team fell to Middle Tennessee, 5-4 on Wednesday morning at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. With the loss, the Lady Techsters were eliminated from the Conference USA Tournament. LA Tech finished its season with a 32-24 record, including a 13-12 mark in Conference USA play.

“Our girls fought,” said Josh Taylor. “I thought the top of the order did a good job, and Allie (Floyd) settled in and did a good job of keeping us in the game after two tough innings to start. It is kind of a microcosm of the season, not getting in the runner from third with less than two outs twice.

“I thought we pitched well enough to win and got the big hit from Cooper. Sacco did a great job at the top of the order. We have to be better and that is what we have been talking all year. If you talk about that game in a nutshell that is where we are at. We have won 32 games, and I am proud of what we got done this year. I thought we left a lot of games on the field and we are going to have to improve as next season starts now.”

Despite being at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field, the Lady Techsters were the visitors in the contest, as Middle Tennessee was the higher-seeded team.

Middle Tennessee used a three-run first inning to race out to an early lead that it would not surrender. The Blue Raiders plated the three first-inning runs on a pair of doubles, a single, an error and a wild pitch. Middle Tennessee would add a run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly and another in the fifth on an infield single.

Offensively, Tech had runners in scoring position numerous times throughout the game, leaving 10 stranded. Sierra Sacco led the way going 2-2 with a pair of walks, an RBI, and a run scored. Katelin Cooper went 2-4 and had three RBI courtesy of a bases-clearing triple off the centerfield wall in the top of the fifth inning.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

Grambling State University starting pitcher Erin Gibbs tossed a complete game shutout, lifting the Tigers to a 4-0 win over Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division No. 1 seed, Alabama State, on Wednesday afternoon at the Gulfport Sportsplex in the 2023 SWAC Softball Tournament. 

Gibbs (9-4) kept the Hornets off the board for seven innings, allowing seven hits, striking out three batters and walking one. Her performance was bolstered by solid backing from her defense. 

Grambling State (32-20-1) registered three hits, but expressed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, compared to just one issued to Alabama State’s batters. 

After a scoreless three inning, the Tigers broke through I’m the top of the fourth, plating all four of their runs in the frame. 

Lauren Ervin notched GSU’s first hit of the game in the fourth, with a lead off single. She moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Tytianna Robinson was then hit by a pitch, giving the Tigers two runners on base with no outs. Following a groundout, Deija Russell drew a walk to load the bases.

Anaiyah Fultz poked an RBI single over shortstop into centerfield, scoring the Tigers’ first run of the contest. Back-to-back bases loaded walks pushed GSU’s lead to 3-0. The Tigers made it 4-0 when India Wells hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Fultz to score. 

Ervin accounted for two of GSU’s hits, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Fultz went 1-for-3 with an RBI. 

Ashley Pye (5-7) was charged with the loss after surrendering four runs on two hits and five walks. 

Grambling State takes on Prairie View A&M, the No. 1 seed from the SWAC Western Division,in the winner’s bracket on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. 

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

The Louisiana Tech women’s tennis team placed four student-athletes on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, announced by the organization on Tuesday.

Tiffani Nash, Ana Rodrigues, Leonie Schuknecht, and Ilana Tetruashvili were each named by the CSC, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.

Nash has a 3.91 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Management. She saw action in 25 matches this spring, registering a 13-6 singles record while playing primarily from the No. 4 position.

Rodrigues has a 3.53 cumulative GPA, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She registered a 10-5 singles and 13-10 doubles mark this spring playing primarily from the No. 5 spot and No. 2 spot, respectively.

Schuknecht has a 3.58 cumulative GPA while majoring in Graphic Design. On the court, she was named First Team All-Conference USA in Singles after going 16-3 during the spring at the No. 1 position. She also won a team-best 16 dual doubles matches.

Tetruashvili has a 3.67 cumulative GPA and is getting her master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The fifth-year senior went 11-2 in singles, playing on courts four, five and six.

All four Lady Techsters were instrumental in guiding LA Tech to a 20-6 record (second most wins in program history) and to four straight weeks in the ITA Team National Rankings, ranked as high as No. 64 in the country.

LA Tech tied for the most Academic All-District selections among Conference USA schools and had the most of any Division I program in the state of Louisiana. Four selections was also the most ever for the LA Tech tennis program.

Academic All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. First-, second and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced June 1.

Funeral services for Mr. Norris Wayne “Bud” Alexander, age 83 of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 10, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.

Bud was born to J. C. and Doris Alexander in Hilly, LA in 1939 and was one of five children. He attended Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University where he received his B.S. degree in 1962 with a triple major in Social Studies, English and Physical Education. Bud received a Master’s degree in Science and Physical Education in 1964 and completed his Plus 30 in 1984. At Louisiana Tech, he was a member of the football team as their kicker. Bud earned the name “Golden Toe” and held a Tech kicking record for many years.

He was interviewed by several pro teams at the end of his college career but decided to teach and raise a family in Ruston. Bud married his high school sweetheart Louise Youngblood in 1959, and they went on to have two children, Gregory Wayne and Jan Elizabeth. He always loved serving in his church. Bud served as the music director at Emmanuel Baptist Church for almost 20 years until he was forced to retire for health reasons. As an ordained deacon, he was currently a member of Temple Baptist Church where he taught an adult Sunday School class and, for a several years, was able to sing in the choir. Bud had a beautiful singing voice and through the years had sung at numerous weddings and funerals as well as at special church presentations.

He worked at Ruston High School from 1962 to 1973 where he taught American History and Old Testament history and coached football and track. Bud was loved by students and faculty alike and was affectionately called “Coach Bud.” Many former students can give testimonies of his ability to make both American and Bible history come alive, and he was known for his ability to motivate students that sometimes couldn’t be reached by other teachers. Bud became Assistant Principal in 1973 and served in that capacity until 1978 when he became principal of Simsboro High School where he served until 1983. From 1983 to 1987, he returned to Ruston High and to his first love which was teaching history.

Bud always had a big garden, and his joy was giving away vegetables and homemade jams to friends, medical staff, Sunday School members, church staff and anyone else who happened to cross his path at picking time. The garden was his happy place, and he spent untold hours tilling and planting and weeding and picking. Bud was also a talented carpenter, a skill he passed on to his son, and he and Greg spent many hours together building room additions, decks and furniture.

His greatest joy, however, was in his children, grandchildren and great-children. Nothing made Bud happier than to spend time with his family. He spent many hours with his boys hunting, fishing, building or just talking. After the love of his life died in November of 2020, he spent his hours studying his Bible, drinking coffee on the front porch, visiting with friends and loving on his remaining family. Bud was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life Louise; son Gregory Wayne; and granddaughter Emmy Claire.

Bud is survived by his daughter Jan and husband Rowdy; daughter-in-law Faith; brothers Earl Alexander and wife Pam and Charlie Alexander and wife Margaret; sisters Dianne Williams and Pam Carrico and husband Larry; grandchildren: Dustin Alexander, Daniel Alexander and wife Jenny, Landen Yates, Lawson Yates and Levi Yates; great-grandchildren: Garner, Grayson and Ella; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dustin Alexander, Daniel Alexander, Landen Yates, Lawson Yates, Levi Yates, Jim Alexander, Cory Williams, Kyle Williams, Matt Alexander, Andy Griffin and Allen Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Belding and the Adult 1 Sunday School class men.

Bud Alexander was a man who loved his Lord, who loved his family and who lived with integrity and conviction. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Visitation will be held from 12:30-2:00 PM, Thursday, May 10, 2023 at the church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.

Don’t miss out! Limited tickets are available for the Natchitoches Jazz Fest featuring Mark Chesnutt, Cupid, Tracy Byrd, and more!

Buy now and enter to win a luxurious Steel Magnolias Getaway! Affordable prices, unforgettable experience!

How to enter:

It’s simple! Buy your Natchitoches Jazz R&B Festival tickets, and you’re automatically entered into the giveaway! The more tickets you purchase, the more chances to win, with VIP tickets counting even more!

The Giveaway Prize Package includes:

2-night stay at the iconic Steel Magnolias House B&B where several scenes from the movie were actually filmed!

$100 gift certificate for Merci Beaucoup Restaurant in downtown Natchitoches just a few blocks from the Steel Magnolias House!

$100 gift certificate for Mayeaux’s Steak House within easy walking distance from the Steel Magnolias House!

Dinner for two at Mariner’s Restaurant on Sibley Lake which offers spectacular sunset views over the lake and fine dining!

Scenic cruise on the Cane River Queen, Natchitoches’ own riverboat!

$100 gift certificate to Plantation Treasures Gift Shop!

$100 gift certificate to Magnolia Spa Wellness & Boutique.

The approximate value of the package is over $1,000!

Get your tickets and enter the giveaway today:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/26th-annual-natchitoches…

For more information on the full line-up, head to:

https://www.natchjazzfest.com/lineup-2023

Deacon Milton Sparks Bryant 
Tuesday 08/29/1944 — Thursday 05/04/2023  
Family Gathering: Friday 05/12/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Friday 05/12/2023 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Bethany Baptist Church, 441 Bethany Church Rd., Quitman 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/13/2023 11:00am,  St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 813 St. Rest Road, Quitman 
Interment: Saturday 05/13/2023 Following Service, Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, Quitman 

Bud Alexander 
September 30, 1939 – May 9, 2023 
Visitation: Thursday, May 11, 2023, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road, Ruston 
Funeral Service: Thursday, May 11, 2023, 2:00 PM, Temple Baptist Church, 1515 South Service Road, Ruston, 
Cemetery Committal: Thursday, May 11, 2023, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave., Ruston 

By Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek’s staff directory will have a whole new look next year.

Just a few weeks after the introduction of William Parkerson as the Cougars new head football coach, the school announced Chad Yates today as the new head baseball coach.

Yates replaces Trey Long who served in the role the past two seasons for the Cougars. He joins Parkerson and Katie Hall (girls basketball) as the three newest head coaches at the school. 

“I am excited about it,” said Yates, a Ruston High and Louisiana Tech graduate. “It’s an opportunity that I’m blessed to receive. Cedar Creek is traditionally a strong baseball program year in and year out. This is not only an opportunity to come back to my hometown, but to lead a program of young men. That was a big draw for me. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity.”

Yates spent the past two years as the assistant coach at Benton High School and has more than 10 years of coaching experience as the high school, junior college and minor league levels.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Yates and his family into our Cedar Creek family,” said Head of School Cindy Hampton. “We believe he is the right person to lead our baseball program to success, and we are looking forward to the future.  He has baseball credentials as a player and coach to lead our entire program, from our young kids to our high school team.  It’s additionally important that he is an experienced math teacher and will help our students be successful in the classroom as well as on the baseball field.”

After a stellar high school playing career at Ruston High, Yates spent four years pitching for the Bulldog baseball program.  

Yates also has professional baseball experience, as both a player and a coach. He played in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league organization from 1999 through 2001, where he earned a spot on the 2001 Midwest League All-Star team.

“Chad brings years of experience to our baseball program,” said former Cedar Creek baseball coach Ben Haddox, who served on the hiring committee. “I am so excited to see him further our rich traditions. He has shown the ability to coach and reach kids of all ages which I think will reflect from the elementary pee wee league, into the Junior High, and finally reflect in our varsity team. His coaching style will be a great fit for Cedar Creek School.”

Yates spent two years as an assistant coach at Bossier Parish Community College (2002-2004) while also serving as the pitching coach for the Shreveport Sports, an Independent League team coached by former Major League Baseball manager Terry Bevington.

So what does Yates consider his style of baseball?

“It’s a mix of new school and old school,” said Yates. “I like the old school style of putting pressure on the defense, whether that is bunting, hit and run, just finding ways to get on base and score runs. With my background with pitching, we will put a lot of work into that and being competitive on the mound and giving ourselves a chance to win. Playing the game the right way. Competing. It will be ingrained into our players that we are going out every time to represent our school and ourselves.”

Yates, who owned a baseball and softball developmental academy for four years early in his career, has spent time coaching on the high school level at Calvary Baptist (2008-12), Evangel Christian (2019), Captain Shreve (2020), Bossier High (2021) and Benton (2022-2023).

He was part of back-to-back state title game teams at Calvary Baptist in 2011 (state runner-up) and 2012 (state champions).

Yates said there were several things that drew him to Cedar Creek.

“I think the people associated with the program … I just felt like there is a strong desire to be successful,” said Yates. “Not only at the high school level, but with the developmental programs coming up through the system. We want to see those kids be excited about Cedar Creek baseball. I think the facilities are top notch. It’s a strong academic school. I see a program that can be very successful on and off the field.”

Yates guided Bossier High to the state playoffs in 2021 and Benton to the state playoffs each of the past two years.

“I want to thank Benton Principal Teri Howe, head coach Dane Peavy, and AD Reynolds Moore for the opportunity they provided me the past two years,” said Yates.

By T. Scott Boatright

Paving the way for better bike trails and other improvements at Lincoln Parish Park was a main order of business Tuesday night as the Lincoln Parish Police Jury held its monthly meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.

Jurors unanimously approved a motion to accept the only bid received on the project — $310,319.00 from Rogue Trails, LLC of Rogers, Arkansas, and authorized Parish Administrator Courtney Hall to execute any documents pertaining to the project, which will be paid for through funding from the Love Louisiana Outdoors Program.

“Only one bid was received although many attempts were made to secure others,” Hall said. “But this is such a specialized type of work and (other companies) were obligated to other projects – and that was documented for Baton Rouge (the Love Louisiana Outdoors Program). They did OK it with a noncompetitive exception even with only one bid.”

Jurors also approved authorization of a low bid of $260,745.00 to Lawler Construction of Shreveport and approval for Hall to execute any related documents to replace old water lines at Lincoln Parish Park and also extending water lines to tent camping areas at the park which currently don’t have access to water lines.

Ashton Construction of Farmerville was the other bidder for that project.

When asked what the park has as far as sizes of current water pipes by LPPJ Parks, Recreation and Tourism Chair Glenn Scriber, park director James Ramsaur had a quick and easy answer before telling Scriber that current  water piping at the park comes in many types and sizes.

“We have a mess,” Ramsaur said. “I can say this — since the bids were opened we’ve already had four water leaks at the park.”

Jurors also approved a recommendation from the Personnel and Benefits Committee to appoint Richard Pyles to fill the Lincoln Parish Board of Control seat recently vacated by Diana Humphries after her term ended.

Wesley Harris of Ruston was the other person the LPPJ considered to fill the vacant seat.

Jurors also heard a report from Hall concerning a recent meeting he, Scriber and Juror Theresa Wyatt had with Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker and other Ruston officials concerning a potential animal sheltering agreement at the new Ruston Animal Shelter said to be completed by later summer.

Toward that end the LPPJ authorized the extension of the current animal sheltering agreement the Jury has with the city of Ruston.

“We actually were finally able to get together last Friday morning,” Hall said of the meeting with Ruston officials. “My take is that the city is very open toward a sustainable agreement, but there’s a lot of work to be done before that agreement would be mutually acceptable. 

“There will be a considerable upfront capital cost to cover the additional square footage added to the new facility in anticipation of the Police Jury partnering on that project. Some in kind work is also expected to be done on part by the Police Jury. As far as a per animal cost, the city can’t come up with that number at this point because we’re still kind of walking together and learning as we go along.”

Jurors also adopted millage rates for 2023 with no changes from last year. 

Those 2022 rates were:
• For General Parish Purposes (General Alimony Tax) on all taxable property inside the corporate limits of the City of Ruston, Louisiana —1.68 mills
• For General Parish Purposes (General Alimony Tax) on all taxable property outside the corporate limits of the City of Ruston, Louisiana — 3.37 mills
• For the Construction, Improvement and/or Hard Surfacing of Public Roads and Bridges In Lincoln Parish, Louisiana — 4.41 mills
• For the Maintenance and/or Improvements of Public Roads and Bridges Throughout Lincoln Parish, Louisiana — 4.41 mills
• For the purpose of providing funds for equipment, supplies, maintenance, operation, construction and support of a public library and its branch or branches in the Parish — 4.49 mill

In other business during Thursday’s meeting, the LPPJ also adopted a resolution declaring the intention of the LPPJ to issue taxable sewer revenue bonds not to exceed $995,000 and engaged Foley & Judell, LLP as bond counsel for those matters.

Jurors also introduced an ordinance providing for claim of ownership of adjudicated property next to the Garr Road Fire Station, introduced ordinances for the sale of three parcels of adjudicated properties, authorization re-advertisement of lots of surplus office furniture, and authorized LPPJ President Richard Durrett to sign replating of Lincoln Parish Library property, part of which will go to the QuikTrip currently under construction on part of the current property.

By T. Scott Boatright

SULPHUR — Eventually the age-old proverb always comes true — all good things come to an end at some point.

The same goes for great teams on incredible runs, too.

That was a lesson learned by the top-seeded and two-time defending state champion Choudrant High School baseball team on Friday as the Aggies fell 4-3 in nine innings to fifth-seeded Anacoco in the semifinals of the Nonselect School Division V Championships at McMurray Park.

Mother Nature played a key role in the Aggies’ downfall as they jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage, but after a 1:50 lightning delay, Choudrant never managed to get back on track.

“It’s tough to keep playing tough opponents and just keep winning and winning and never have a slip-up,” said Aggies coach Joel Antley. “That rain delay really hurt us. I felt like we had the momentum. I thought their pitcher wasn’t throwing very good, but when we came back after the delay, he was throwing good.

“I mean, it was like a completely different pitcher after that delay. But it all boils down to after that break, we didn’t score a run.”

Antley admitted the loss was tough for his four seniors —  Landon Hennen, Bryce McGuire, Gavin Murphy and Kaden Bradshaw — as well as all the other Aggies, who saw their season end at 28-5.

“For a lot of them, it’s their first playoff loss ever,” Antley said. “I told them and I’ll tell everybody, I’m not sure you can get a much better career than losing 15 games in three years, and making the state tournament all three times with two championships and the semifinals.

“When you get down there to the state tournament, you’re playing nothing but the top guys — the best opponents. To get beat on time in three years is obviously not what you hope for, but it’s tough to be perfect all the time.”

Choudrant did start the game in almost perfect fashion, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Hennen led off by reaching first on a fielding error and advancing to single on a McGuire single.

Murphy followed that up with a single of his own that loaded the bases before Hennen scored on a sacrifice fly by Bradshaw.

Mike Jones hit a two-out slow dribbler to third that looked at first to have brought in two more runs before umpires waved off the second score after determining the ball had hit Carson Carrico’s foot (Carrico was pinch running and sent him back to third base) and the Indians picked up the final out to hold the Aggies to a two-run opening stanza.

Choudrant’s third run came in the bottom of the second inning as Eli Callender led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt hit by Wade Watson before eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Hennen.

Then Mother Nature jumped into the contest, dampening Choudrant’s momentum with the long delay.

McGuire was strong  in his five innings of work on the mound for the Aggies, striking out three batters and working himself out of a jam in the top of the fifth, only allowing five hits and no runs on 66 pitches before Hennen came on in relief.

But the Aggies failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities they had in the bottom of the fifth, leaving three runs stranded.

Hennen and McGuire switched positions at the top of the sixth, with Hennen moving to the mound and McGuire taking over at shortstop. 

But Hennen struggled early on the mound, giving up three runs on two hits and an error as Anacoco tied things up 3-3.

Bradshaw led off the bottom of the seventh with a standup double, but the Aggies failed to push him across the plate as the game moved to extra innings.

Choudrant had its chances again in the bottom of the eighth as the Aggies loaded the bases but again left three baserunners stranded to push the game into the top of the ninth.

The Aggies left 13 baserunners stranded overall.

The Indians plated the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, but the Aggies still got another chance to tie things up in the bottom half of the inning as Mike Jones singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.

But Choudrant’s dreams of a “threepeat” were then squashed as Jones was picked off trying to steal third base as Colton Smith’s groundout sent the Indians into celebration mode. 

“That was missed signals,” Antley said of Jones’ baserunning miscue. “But I told them, it’s not Mike’s fault. Landon gave up more runs than he gave up all year, but it’s not his fault. Colton went 0-for at the plate, and it ain’t his fault. 

“We win as a team and we lose as a team. Today we finally ended up on the losing end.”

Anacoco will play No. 3 Pitkin in the Division V Nonselect state championship at 11 a.m. Friday.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Game time for the Lady Techsters Conference USA Tournament opener against Middle Tennessee has been moved to 10 a.m. this morning at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field as a result of the weather forecast calling for showers throughout the day.

A total of four games are schedule for today with the new times being 10 a.m. (Tech vs. Middle Tennessee), 12:30 p.m. (WKU vs. FIU), 3 p.m. (North Texas vs. Winner of Tech/MT) and 5:30 p.m. (FAU vs. Winner of WKU/FIU).

Tech enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed, while Middle Tennessee is the No. 6 seed. The winner moves on to face North Texas today while the loser is eliminated from the 8-team event.

All the games Wednesday, Thursday and Friday can be seen on ESPN+.

TICKETS
Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Conference USA Softball Tournament, which takes place May 10-13 at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. Fans wishing to purchase tickets to the tournament can do so by calling the Louisiana Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or by going to LATechSports.com/tickets. Single-day and tournament passes are available.

Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

Four Grambling State University (GSU) students showcased their inner thoughts and feelings through skills they’ve refined as art students in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) held the opening night of its annual Senior Art Exhibition.

“The exhibition will be up through next week,” said Rodrecas Davis, head of GSU’s VAPA Department. “We’re going to post a virtual sign-in sheet and comment book so thoughts and ideas can be shared with the students. And at some point, before we leave here after graduation there will be a virtual version of the exhibition online that can be shared and viewed that way as well. There is some nice work these students have done here and we’re proud of their efforts and to have them as students here at Grambling.”

GSU’s VAPA facility is located in part of the old Grambling Lab High School complex on the southeastern edge of the university’s campus.

One of the four seniors whose work is on display, Shemar White of Ruston, said that he expects to graduate this summer and that he’s been drawing all of his life.

“Growing up I was always into cartoons and superheroes,” White said. “That led to me trying to draw them. I’ve been drawing all my life. It literally started from nothing up to stick figures all the way to the portraits I do now. I try to find the best photos to capture the true artist — most of the people I draw are rappers — and then [I] just put them on wood and go from there.”

Much of White’s artwork are portrait collages he does on wood that he cuts pieces out of, helping give his artwork an almost 3-D-like effect.

“I work with markers and prism colors on wood and then I have a machine that cuts the wood out. I paint, too. I use acrylic paints,” White said. “When I draw, I want to catch the eye with detail, using different shades and blends with different colors to give the right look. Poses and gestures along with colors can give viewers a mood to go with the expression drawn.

“When I’m drawing someone, I gather up the best pictures of them. Different facial reactions, poses, and studying what they like just to add to the work. After deciding on the photos, I start drawing them and begin coloring. Depending on the expression the picture gives that I’m drawing, I may color it with a color to match it. Even in my graphic work, I do the same process. Once it’s done I step back and look at the finished piece and make sure it’s what I want it to be.”

Many of the paintings and drawings by QuarDestion Alexander of Shreveport have an out-of-this-world element and focus on the cosmos and what lies beyond the planet Earth. 

“In my art, I bring you into my universe where you can see my astronomical vision,” Alexander said. “I think of my art as the direct embodiment of spacing out, disconnecting, so that it almost removes you from reality for a few seconds. I associate space with my inner self, meaning space is vast and it can make you feel small and it seems very dangerous at times but on the other hand, it’s peaceful, calming, and beautiful and it gives a sense of being a part of something bigger.

“Growing up I would sit and watch documentaries about the universe, and it had me stuck to the TV thinking about how vast the universe is and how colorful and complex it is, and personally, I just want to be able to see and touch everything and be surrounded by while also knowing we as humans — at least in this point in time — will never be able to personally see the entire universe ourselves. I just create what comes to my imagination in order to show people what might be. I’d view myself walking or either floating through the void of space, creating these images in my head of what could be and then use the materials I have to bring it to life. In most of my art, I deal with spray paint, regular acrylic paint, and markers, but because my major is in Graphic Design I also use editing software to create flyers, invitations, and more.”

Itzel Hernández León of Mexico uses a theme of emotion and memory in movement in her oil and watercolor paintings. “As my central inspiration, I have been investigating impressionist and expressionist artists for my artistic growth. I got captivated by the human figure,” León said. “Its interaction through emotion and experience and the uniqueness of its beauty. Beyond the human shape, the human body shows energy, and emotions which it becomes even more exciting for its development and in what it can be transformed from the mind and spirit.

“What I wanted my work to be is to depict the human body’s momentum and its energy through emotion (colorful, imperfect, joyful, and mysterious). I knew that using the learning experience, I was unsure on how I wanted to represent the energy of the human body and its evolution. My principal purpose was understanding the insecurities, fears, and emotions of others. I decided to depict my own memory individually creating a narrative of my experiences that most impacted me for my self growth.”

Leon, who has also been part of the Lady Tigers Tennis Team during her time at GSU, said her principal style of painting is expressionism inspired by impressionist paintings.

“I started researching and observing Hellenistic Greek statues and I felt attracted to bring the flow of their clothing fabrics to make my painting mysterious and innocent at the same time,” Leon said. “I got attached to the vibrance colors of Impressionism and Expressionism movements. I made use of personal pictures and anecdotes from myself, some relatives, and friends as inspiration to place my subject in a spacial background.”

Graduating senior Jakyra Langham of Collinston, Louisiana, said her preferred techniques are watercolor, oil painting, charcoal, pencil color, and print-making, using bodies without faces to portray the enigma of life.

“I think these three techniques, even though they all have different textures, they also bring that effect of power and elegance,” Langham said. “I consider the human body as one of the most beautiful poems in the world. One of the topics that I have always felt very intrigued to learn about is depicting the human body as well as the beauty and mystery behind the human body.

“Depicting the power and energy, through curved lines and destroying the shape to reach movement is what I look for to tell a whole mysterious story that probably is going to have an unpredictable destiny. Through the vibrance of the colors and the energy of brush strokes, my style and ideas are influenced by my favorite artist Vincent Van Gogh and the ancient Greeks. I think that the visible brush stroke lets me communicate my own thoughts and the way that I feel.”

GSU President Rick Gallot was on hand for the exhibition’s opening night and said he was stunned by the depth of the students’ talents.

“I’m almost at a loss for words to see the depth of talent of our students, and quite often there are certain groups that tend to get more publicity, but as I’m standing here viewing all of your work, I am blown away,” Gallot said. “Just to see the talent these students have, I am amazed, I am blown away and so incredibly proud of all of them and the fact that God has given them this gift and is allowing him to work through them for everybody to be able to view and enjoy their gifts in all of the ways those gifts are represented.” 

Our good friend Trey Hanna at Ruston Smiles is a dentist by day and a chef by night! Trey is providing the Lincoln Parish Journal a cooking column/recipe each month. This month Trey’s menu includes crawfish queso. You won’t want to miss it.

Just click on the link below for ingredients and direction.

The Ouachita Valley Regional American Chemical Society (ACS) held a mid-April Research Mini-Symposium featuring oral presentations and posters by students from universities around the region.

Louisiana Tech Chemistry faculty and ASC regional officers Dr. Marilyn Cox (Senior Lecturer) and Dr. Elisabeth Fatila (Assistant Professor) organized the event, held on Tech’s campus.

Students made 10-minute presentations to judges and other local chemistry enthusiasts.

Tech student Spencer Stelly won first place for his research on “Investigation of Fluorinated Anions Encapsulated by Cyanostar Using NMR Spectroscopy.”

University of Louisiana-Monroe student Jenna Etheridge (“Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Poly(oxyphenylene)-Coated Mild Steel in 3.5% NaCl”) and Tech’s Jacqueline LaBerteaux (“Discovery of a Novel Centrifugal Thin Layer Chromatography Reversed Phase Through the Use of Silica Particles with a Silane Coupling Agent”) tied for second place.

The judges who helped give local students a platform to present their work were Tech Associate Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate School Dr. Ramu Ramachandran, Outreach Chairman of the Ouachita Valley section of the ACS Dr. Bill McLaughlin, Tech Adjunct Professor of Chemistry Dr. Michael Stephenson, Tech Lecturer of Chemistry Dr. Kristi Ruddick, and ULM Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry Dr. Siva Murru.

An Arcadia woman was arrested Thursday after police stopped her in connection with a theft at Lowe’s.

Lowe’s reported a man and woman came in the store and while the woman kept watch, the husband picked up some knives and placed them in his pocket. They then left the store without paying.

An officer conducted a traffic stop of the suspects on Farmerville Highway near the North Service Road. Shelley Chelette, 40, admitted she was at the store with her husband stealing the knives. A record check showed she was wanted for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on charges of no driver’s license, speeding, driving under suspension, and no insurance. A search of the vehicle revealed two containers of suspected marijuana and a pill case with a tablet of Klonopin (clonazepam).

Chelette was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, and the four failure to appear warrants.

No information was immediately available on the husband.

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.