Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Friday, May 26 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series (Heard Freighthouse Food Park)
Saturday, May 27 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market Noon to 4 p.m.: A Day of Plein Air interactive art experience (downtown Ruston)
Monday, May 29 Memorial Day 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Bulldog Blitz is back as the annual summer tour, sponsored by Origin Bank and LTAC, is headed to locations across Louisiana and Texas during the month of June.
The tour will kick off in the home city of Ruston on June 5 before heading west along I-20 for a stop in Shreveport/Bossier City on June 6. Tickets are on sale now for $30 and include meet-and-greet opportunities with select Bulldog and Lady Techster head coaches, dinner, and a cash bar at participating locations.
This summer’s Bulldog Blitz will feature head coaches Sonny Cumbie (Football), Talvin Hester (Men’s Basketball), Brooke Stoehr (Women’s Basketball), and Lane Burroughs (Baseball) as well as guest appearances by head coaches Matt Terry (Golf), Amanda Stone (Tennis), and Brian Johnson (Track and Field/Cross Country).
LTAC and T-Club members are eligible for $10 off their purchase by using the promo code found in the May edition of The Lead Dog e-newsletter.
Ms. Carrie Jane Jordan Trull, age 84 of Simsboro, LA was born May 13, 1939 in Hamburg, AR to John and Annis Stanley Jordan and passed away May 23, 2023 in Simsboro. For 25 years, she was employed as quality control for Ball-Foster Glass Plant in Simsboro and was a member of the Glass Molder’s Union. Carrie loved to travel and to go fishing. She enjoyed working in her yard and in her garden. Carrie enjoyed cooking, sewing and reading as well. She loved to spend time with her family especially her grandchildren. Carrie liked to play cards and occasionally did some quilting. She was preceded in death by her parents; son Jerry Floyd Trammell; brothers: Billy W. Jordan, Randall L. Jordan, Johnny Jordan, Jerry L. Jordan, Roger Jordan and Allen Jordan; and sisters Candice Farn Jordan, Barbara Ann Jordan Davis and Norma S. Jordan Moore.
Carrie is survived by her sons Tommy Wayne Trammell of Bernice, LA and Richard Arthur Trammell of Simsboro, LA; daughter Toni Gayle Trammell Merritt of Hilly, LA; brothers Carl Lee Jordan of CA and Clark Gail Jordan of Little Rock, AR; sisters Carolyn Sue Jordan Houser of Wichita, KS and Rosemary Jordan Ketchis of AK; grandchildren: Dalton Trammell, Dallas Trammell, Dillon Trammell, Kirsty Trammell, Kristin Watkins, Tiffany Alverez, Heather Trammell, Tyler Trammell and Grace Trammell; many great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and many friends.
Ruth B. Johnson May 30, 1944 – May 16, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, May 27, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, May 27, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Ruth Schillinger January 16, 1931 – May 22, 2023 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 26, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 am
Jewell Thomas Monday 11/08/1943 — Friday 05/19/2023 Viewing: Saturday 05/27/2023 9:00am to 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 05/27/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 05/27/2023, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Betty Tippitt Saturday 07/06/1940 — Sunday 05/21/2023 Viewing: Saturday 05/27/2023 9:00am to 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/27/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Location: (At Funeral Home: 1511 W. California Avenue; Ruston, LA 71270) Interment: Saturday 05/27/2023, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Pictured are volunteers planting on Monday at the Grambling Community Garden located on land at the corner of College of Gum streets. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Volunteers gathered Monday evening at the newly-created Grambling Community Garden, located at the corner of College and Gum streets.
The community garden is the brainchild of Grambling City Council member DeVaria Ponton, who was sworn into her first term of office on Jan. 1. Her campaign platform included an initiative to bring back the city’s community garden program
One of the volunteers helping plant on Monday was Ponton’s fellow City Council member John Williams..
Ponton, a master gardener who grows much of the produce she eats, said she developed her love of growing vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was involved with Grambling’s first community garden back in 2012 and had never forgotten it,” Ponton said. “So when the pandemic hit nobody was comfortable about getting out and going to the store unless they really had to. So it just made sense to start growing my own.
“At first it was only tomatoes and cucumbers. And they grew really well. So much so that I started growing more and more of all kinds of different vegetables that I like. And I found out that with a little work and love, anyone can grow a lot of their own food.”
“We have some cucumbers, some melons, cantaloupes, zucchini, preppers and squash,” Ponton said. “My husband and I worked on Saturday with some Lincoln Prep students where we planted some tomatoes in what we call Phase I of planting. This is Phase II.
“There’s different varieties we have, too. We have I think five different peppers, four kinds of tomatoes, two different varieties of yellow squash and then just plain old zucchini.”
The plants were placed in the garden that consists of 28 rows that are each 70-feet long.
“Mr. Samuel Spearman, a (Grambling) transplant from Mer Rouge in Morehouse and a 1976 graduate of GSU and 2018 retiree from Ardagh Group, is a local gardener that came out before we got started and used his tractor to till the dirt and make rows,” Ponton said.
Earlier this spring students from Lincoln Preparatory School gathered at Grambling City Hall to plant seeds in cardboard tubes from toilet tissue and paper towel rolls as well as biodegradable egg cartons.
Some of the plants put into the garden on Saturday were seedlings planted by Lincoln Prep students and others put in on Monday were more mature plants.
“Those first ones we planted were from the seedlings and what we’re planting today are big-box transplants,” Ponton said. “That allows us to have what’s called succession planting. The seedlings we planted are a little bit younger than the big-box transplants, so that helps extend the harvesting period.”
Ponton said that Monday’s additions brought the total number of plants in the garden to around 125.
“We put down around 50 on Saturday in Phase I and added around 70 today in Phase II,” Ponton said.
Ponton said her goal is to provide food for those in need as well as remembering the roots from which the Grambling community was built.
“Grambling was once a farming community, it was once a big part – a cornerstone – of our community,” Ponton said. “So farming and gardening is part of our history, too, just as Grambling State University is.
“And our school children need to know their history and the roots they came from. It seemed like getting them involved in the Community Garden would be a great teaching tool for them.”
Dalton Davis (24) is greeted by Will Safford (3) following a home run in Tech’s 13-8 win over Charlotte Wednesday in the C-USA Championship. (photo by Kelsey Chanler)
By Teddy Allen (LA Tech Athletic Communications)
Philip Matulia and Walker Burchfield hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the first inning to open the faucet, the first two of 21 runs scored in a 13-8 win for No. 6-seed Louisiana Tech over No. 3-seed Charlotte in the 9 a.m. Wednesday opener of the 2023 Conference USA Baseball Championship at Reckling Park on the campus of Rice University.
The Bulldogs play Thursday’s second game, scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m., against the No. 7 seed Middle Tennessee, a 5-1 upset winner over No. 2 seed UTSA. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Tech (28-29) led 5-3 after two innings and 8-4 after batting in the fifth before the 49ers tied it up in the bottom of the inning.
But the Bulldogs scored four runs on two hits and three Charlotte (29-26) errors in the seventh, added another in the ninth on a Kyle Hasler double and Ethan Bates sacrifice fly, and Landon Tomkins and Ethan Bates combined to shut out the 49ers in the final three innings as the Bulldogs moved to 1-0 in the tournament they won last year in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Besides Matulia, Tech’s senior rightfielder playing in his hometown, and fellow senior Burchfield, Adarius Myers homered in the second, Dalton Davis hit two-run homers in the second and fourth innings, and third baseman Logan McLeod was robbed of a homer in the fifth on a nice play at the wall by 49er rightfielder Cam Fisher. Myers and shortstop Will Safford each had three hits in the game.
The two-homerun day for Davis continued a streak hot by any measurement for the Tech first baseman: in his most recent eight games, Davis is hitting .385 with 15 hits, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, 15 runs scored and five walks.
“It was a hitter’s day right out of the gate,” Tech coach Lane Burroughs said. “Two aces going, but it was crazy with the wind blowing out. That’s why we went so long (two innings) with Landon; we wanted to throw him just one inning but when you’ve got a chance to win the game and buy yourself another day in the tournament, you do it. You go for it this time of year, so we had to push him an extra inning.
“I don’t think he was as sharp as he’s been, and neither was Bates, but they did enough to get it done,” he said. “Then our hitters, the guys just kept going and were able to get on some balls and drive them out of the yard.”
Reed Smith, 4-4, got the win after throwing just three pitches – but they were big ones. With the score tied at 8-8 in the sixth, two on and two out, Smith got 49er cleanup hitter Jake Cunningham to ground out. Then the Bulldogs put up four runs in the top of the seventh, Tompkins pitched the seventh and eighth, and Bates closed.
Smith had come on in relief of Caden Copeland, who gave up one run in 1.2 innings in relief of starter Jonathan Fincher, who went four innings, gave up seven runs, struck out five and didn’t walk anyone.
Simsboro High School’s two valedictorians, William Cole and Lauren Vernon, worked to overcome obstacles to achieve their academic goals and were able to celebrate their success by focus and determination.
Vernon, the daughter of Lawrence and Latisha Vernon, said finding out she was valedictorian was the best feeling ever.
“For as long as I can remember, that has always been a goal of mine,” Vernon said. “It was great to be able to stand in front of my fellow classmates to give helpful advice for the future. It’s also always nice to be recognized for all the hard work that was put into achieving the goal. I will always remember the feeling of walking in with my medal and feeling proud of myself for all I have done.”
Cole said finding out he was named valedictorian felt like an award for four years of overcoming immense obstacles.
“My family was incredibly excited and couldn’t stop telling me how proud of me they were since I was the first Valedictorian in my entire family,” he said.
Cole said he credited a lot of his success to his teachers, particularly Reaghan Norred, his sophomore science teacher, and Felicia Dunbar, his sophomore geometry teacher.
“Both of these wonderful ladies showed me how fulfilling teaching could be,” he said. “No matter what they faced in the classroom, the continued on, business as usual, and persevered.”
Vernon said she was forever grateful for the education she had learned from Simsboro High School.
“There have been so many teachers that have inspired and encouraged me,” she said. “There are a list of people who have just been so impactful in so many ways. Just to name a few I have been continuously encouraged and inspired by Mrs. Lacey Holcomb, Mr. Jordan Blachier, Mrs. Shana Simms, Mrs. Tracey King, Ms. Carly Sproule, and Ms. Kaitlyn Mercer. This is just a small list of people who have been with me through every step of my education journey.”
Vernon said she plans to attend Northwestern State University and major in pre-med so she can study to become a pediatrician.
“I will miss the environment from SHS. I’ve been going there ever since pre-k and the amount of connections I created with other students and the faculty is just so special. It was just like another home to me and I will most being around such amazing people every day,” she said. “I’m looking forward to putting my self out there meeting new people and experiencing new things.”
Cole plans to stay in Ruston and attend Louisiana Tech as he majors in mathematics.
“I always liked Algebra 1 and 2 because I found it incredibly satisfying to work through these complex problems, simplifying them to reach a simple conclusion,” he said. “I can’t wait to start college. It’s such an exacting time for change and growth that really only happens once in your life.”
He added that he hoped future SHS students would be encouraged by his story.
“I would tell future valedictorians that all of their hard work will truly pay off,” he said. “I think that students should make the most of high school. We only go through high school once.”
Vernon said she advised students keep striving toward their goals, no matter what.
“There are going to be people that try to tear you down. There are going to be situations and obstacles that try to get in the way,” Vernon said. “As long as you continue to look ahead and focus on the dreams and goals that you want to achieve, you can do anything.”
Ruston Police arrested a Monroe man Monday morning after he fled the scene where gunshots had been fired.
RPD officers responded to a complaint of gunshots in the 200 block of West Carolina Avenue about 8:30 a.m. Before officers reached the scene, a caller said the suspect was fleeing in a blue Ford Mustang.
An officer spotted the Mustang and attempted to stop it at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Bonner Street. The vehicle did not stop but continued north on Bonner and then turned onto Maryland Ave. and then north on Vienna Street.
The vehicle made a loop through the I-20 service roads where an officer was able to catch up to it as it was turning south on Trenton St. It returned to the West Carolina Avenue area where an officer was able to block it in. The driver was commanded to get out of the car, and he did so but refused to comply with directions and attempted to walk away. After commands to stop, an officer deployed a Taser to take him into custody.
Louis Cross, 35, was arrested for flight from an officer. A search of Cross and the vehicle failed to locate a firearm.
Bail was set at $1,000.
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.
Do you have a high school graduate getting ready to start college? Are they in need of a new mattress? How about some new sheets? Pillows?
Do you like the sound of tax free?
Or maybe it is you that is in the market for all of these things. Well American Mattress Outlet is the place to be for its Memorial Day Sale.
Starting today and running through next Tuesday, owner Robby Compton and the fine folks at American Mattress Outlet in Ruston (and West Monroe) are having a huge Memorial Day Sale with great deals on a huge selection of mattresses.
They have $299 pillow top queens, Split Head king and queen adjustable base deals.
They have 25% off all pillows and sheets, and 20-60 percent off select mattresses.
And the best part is all purchases are 100 percent TAX FREE!
If that doesn’t get you excited, they will also have same-as-cash financing for up to 36 months.
They only do this once a year, so don’t miss out.
American Mattress Outlet in West Monroe and Ruston, where you don’t have to go into debt, to get a great night’s sleep!
American Mattress Outlet in Ruston is located at 208 West Alabama Avenue.
A woman and a man from Ruston were arrested on outstanding warrants after they were stopped for a traffic violation Sunday.
Tranell Irving, 40, was stopped by Ruston Police on West California Avenue just before midnight Sunday night. A records check showed Irving was wanted on three warrants from Ruston City Court and a warrant from Dallas County, Texas for a narcotics violation. Irving was also driving while his license was suspended.
A passenger, Michelle Castro-Harris, 29, of Ruston was found to be wanted on two warrants from Ruston City Court and a felony warrant from Texas for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
A drug dog was brought to the scene and alerted to drugs in the vehicle. A digital scale and other drug paraphernalia were discovered in the glove compartment. Officers found a bag with suspected cocaine residue in Castro-Harris’s purse. Castro-Harris told a female officer at the scene that she had a glass smoking pipe concealed on her body and was allowed to remove the contraband herself.
Castro-Harris was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for failure to appear in Ruston City Court for theft less than $1,000 and simple criminal damage to property under $500, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Irving was booked for possession of drug paraphernalia and the three warrants.
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.
Early Saturday morning, I was out running near the Thomas Assembly Center and noted all the work going on preparing for Spring Commencement.While Commencement is an exciting time for those graduating and their families, my thoughts went to what I would share with them if I were their speaker.While many of us would see these types of ceremonies as a look back at the accomplishments, I prefer to celebrate the accomplishment but look ahead to the new opportunity.
If I were to speak to a high school group entering college, a college group entering the workforce, an athletic team preparing for the season, a group of adults entering mid-life, or to adults leaving the workforce seeking what’s next in life, I would share the following five key lessons that I learned from a 5K race years ago:
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable:I look back on my time in high school and college with fond memories but too many regrets as well.My regrets involve decisions I made to avoid challenging opportunities.Whether I was afraid of failure or just seeking a smoother path, I chose the safer, the more certain, or the less challenging path far too often.I would encourage anyone, at any stage of life, to get comfortable being uncomfortable.It’s only when we are willing to embrace challenging opportunities, unknown outcomes, or face failure, that we will ever reach our potential in life.I learned this lesson later in life and wish I understood the concept much earlier in life.Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Look Forward, not Behind:Don’t let the past negatively impact your future.Too often we let past failures or tough times negatively impact how we approach future challenges.Learn from past mistakes but move forward.You can’t see where you are going looking in the rear-view mirror.The most important play in any game is the next play.Too many allow the last play to impact the next play.The same concept is true in any area of life.Those that can learn from the past but focus on the present will experience more joy, more contentment, and likely more success.Look forward, not behind.
Focus on Others, not Self:There will be times in life that you need to sacrifice your goals to help someone else.By placing an emphasis on others, you will have a perspective of life that will bring joy, contentment, and a level of humility that will attract others.You will discover that true fulfillment comes through serving others and elevating their needs above your own.I have found more fulfillment in serving others than any personal achievement ever received.A life lived thinking of others will be a life well lived.Focus on others, not self.
Talk to Yourself, but don’t Listen:My mind will often talk me out of things that seem too hard, too difficult, or that would require too much effort.If I listen to myself, I will often shut down well before I need to stop.However, If I can talk to myself with encouraging words and positive statements, I will push through challenges more effectively.There is always more gas in the tank – you can do more than your mind thinks you can.Your mind will tell you so many reasons to stop, to give up, or to quit.Don’t listen.Just repeat encouraging words and songs that inspire you to keep going.Success and fulfillment in life won’t always go to the most talented.At some point, talent won’t be enough.Toughness will be required.Talk to yourself, but don’t listen.
Take One More Step: We never know how close we are to resolving the problem, repairing the relationship, making the next sale, or getting the next promotion.We may not be able to see the finish line, envision the last treatment, or picture the final payoff.Life can be hard and full of challenges.The key so often is to just keep taking the next step.There is great power in one more.One more attempt at that challenge in the workplace may be the key.One more repetition during a workout may make all the difference if done over time.One more day of just going in for that treatment may be the one that makes all the difference.Don’t discount the power of one more.Take one more step.
Those are just five short thoughts for you to consider in whatever stage of life you are in today.I wish I knew all five of them years ago.I guess I learn the hard way!If you would like to get a fully developed version of each of these lessons (and the backstory), just let me know.I would love to share at your next “commencement.”
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, at approximately 9:21 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations were requested by the Bastrop Police Department (BPD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting. The shooting occurred at 403 Smith Street, within the city limits of Bastrop.
The initial investigation revealed that at approximately 8:58 a.m., BPD received a call from Morehouse General Hospital in reference to their treatment of a victim with apparent wounds derived from a knife. Shortly after, officers learned that the alleged subject responsible for the victim’s injuries was located at 403 Smith Street. Upon arrival at this location, an officer encountered a male subject with a utility knife. The officer instructed the subject to lay on the ground. However, he failed to comply with the lawful order and charged the officer. This action resulted in the officer discharging his firearm and shooting the subject. The male subject was pronounced dead at the scene.
The scene was processed by Louisiana State Police detectives. They continue to work diligently in conducting a thorough investigation. Any additional information will be released in coordination with the Morehouse Parish District Attorney’s Office.
See below for the initial news release from May 18, 2023.
Bastrop – Earlier this morning, at approximately 9:21 a.m., the Bastrop Police Department requested Troopers to investigate an officer-involved shooting at 403 Smith Street, within the city limits of Bastrop. One subject was shot and has been pronounced deceased. One officer received minor injuries.
Anyone with information and/or pictures and video are urged to share that information with LSP Detectives by calling 318-345-0000.
In addition to the option above, citizens can anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting https://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/suspicious.nsf/WebForm?OpenForm or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
This is an active investigation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
Ronald Hughes was a novice California attorney whose first trial was approaching quickly. He was defending a woman named Leslie Van Houten in a multiple murder trial. Three other defendants had their own attorneys. Ronald needed a good suit for the trial. In May of 1970, Hollywood movie studio MGM decided to auction off movie props, many from the golden age of Hollywood, which they figured they would not need for future films. The props had been kept in climate-controlled storage for decades. Ronald watched as noteworthy items brought high prices and probably questioned whether he would be able to afford anything at all. Finally, the lone item he had been waiting for was on the auction block. It was a man’s suit worn by Spencer Tracy in the 1960 film Inherit the Wind. The auctioneer opened the bids on the suit and the room fell silent. As the auctioneer peered around the room, only one person in the audience seemed interested. Ronald bid $5.00 on the suit and won it. Ronald was uninterested that the suit was worn in a film, he was interested because the suit was cheap and in his size.
On July 15, 1970, the trial for which Ronald bought the $5 suit began. The trial was fraught with disruptions from members of Leslie’s family, many of whom were eventually banned from the courtroom. Due to Ronald’s flamboyant courtroom demeanor, his long hair, long beard, the admission of his squalid living conditions (Ronald lived in a garage with holes in the roof and slept on a mattress on the floor), admission that he wore a $5 suit he purchased at an auction, and his admission to having used hallucinogenic drugs in the past, the press nicknamed him the “Hippie Lawyer.” The trial dragged on for months. Finally, on November 16, 1970, after 23 weeks of presenting evidence, the State of California rested its case against Leslie. It was time for the defense attorneys to present their evidence.
On November 19, the defense attorneys filed motions for the acquittal of the defendants on the grounds that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to convict them. The state had presented more than 250 individual pieces of evidence, 73 photographs of the victims, and eyewitness testimony. The judge rejected the motions for acquittal. To everyone’s surprise, each of the defendant’s attorneys, including Ronald, stood in turn, and said, “the defense rests.” The attorneys rested their case without calling a single witness in their defense. Leslie and other members of her family yelled that they wanted to testify. The prosecution and defense agreed to recess over the week of Thanksgiving to give both sides a chance to prepare closing arguments. The trial was set to resume on Monday, November 30th.
When the trial resumed on that Monday morning, Ronald failed to show up. After waiting an hour, the trial continued without Ronald. He had been late before because he lacked proper transportation and was once arrested for outstanding traffic tickets. When he failed to appear for court the following day, the judge ordered deputies to use all possible means to find Ronald and bring him to court. The trial continued without him. Deputies learned that Ronald had hitchhiked to the Los Padres National Forest for a Thanksgiving week camping trip. Search parties scoured the area but found no trace of Ronald. The defendants, including Ronald’s client Leslie, were eventually convicted of murder. On March 29, the jury returned death penalty verdicts against Leslie and the other defendants. On the same day, two trout fishermen found Ronald’s body in a knee-deep creek. His head was wedged between two large rocks. Conspiracy theorists and even some of Leslie’s family members concluded that the father of the family had Ronald killed although a cause of death was never determined. Investigators speculated that Ronald drowned during a rainstorm which caused flash flooding. However, the possibility that members of Leslie’s family had killed Ronald was not beyond the realm of belief. You see, the family who disrupted the courtroom proceedings was referred to as the Manson family. The father of the family was Charles Manson.
Sources:
1.The Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1970, p.4. 2.The Sacramento Bee, November 17, 1970, p.6. 3.Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 18, 1970, p.7. 4.The Peninsula Times Tribune, November 19, 1970, p.1. 5.Concord Transcript, November 30, 1970, p.2. 6.The Hanford Sentinel, December 2, 1970, p.1. 7.The Los Angeles Times, March 30, 1971, p.3. 8.The Sacramento Bee, April 1, 1971, p.77. 9. Hollywood-memorabilia.com/mgm-auction-1970-costumes-props/
Rodney Heath Jr. and Jamie Sancho represented LA Tech Track & Field at the NCAA East Regional track meet in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday night, with Heath Jr. advancing to Friday’s NCAA quarterfinal round.
“I am extremely proud of Rodney and Sancho,” said Director of Track & Field Brian Johnson. “They came out and represented the program well, and Rodney advanced and ran a personal best. I can’t wait until Friday and see how he competes in the regional final.”
Heath Jr. ran a 10.13 and finished second in his NCAA East Regional first-round heat to automatically qualify for a chance to head to Austin, Texas, for the NCAA Championships. Heath Jr.’s race is scheduled for Friday, May 26, at 5:35 p.m.
The sophomore put together an impressive back half of the race to come from behind and complete his second-place run, which marks the third-fastest time in LA Tech history. Heath Jr. continues to place his name in the Bulldog’s record books and now owns six of the top-ten times, including the four fastest.
Heath Jr. finished with the 13th overall fastest time Wednesday night out of the 48-member field. He is the first LA Tech athlete to reach the NCAA quarterfinal in the 100m since Jeremy Hicks in 2016.
Wednesday night’s first round cut the field in half, and Friday evening’s race is slated to cut the field again from 24 down to 12. The quarterfinal race will consist of three eight-member heats, with the top-three fastest times in each heat and the three remaining fastest times qualifying.
In the men’s 200m first round, Sancho posted a time of 21.03 to finish seventh in the eight-member heat. The Madrid, Spain, product completed his stellar freshman campaign as the No. 41 ranked 200m sprinter in the East Region.
He registered three times during 2023, breaking the 21-second mark, including a personal best of 20.64 at the Maroon and White Invite in Starkville, Miss. His 20.64 was just 0.02 seconds off the tenth-best time in LA Tech program history.
Twenty thousand people get a cancer diagnosis in Louisiana every year; the Promising Practices Public Health Conference aims to reduce that number.
Dr. Earl Nupsius Benjamin-Robinson, director of the office of community outreach and engagement at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center and director of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free-Living, came up with the idea for the conference to be held in North Louisiana.
“Right now, the LCRC has a significant presence in South Louisiana, so our center’s director, Dr. Ramos, wanted to do more in making certain that people in North Louisiana are aware of resources and cancer research,” said Benjamin-Robinson.
The conference will be held on Friday, June 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on-site at Louisiana Tech University or online and hopes to bring people together to learn from each other.
“We’ve created this event to really draw attention and awareness to that, so that people can be made aware of the disparities that exist,” said Benjamin-Robinson.
Those who attend will have the option to share their lived experiences and have a chance to receive resources if diagnosed with cancer.
The conference is the first of the LCRC Community Outreach and Engagement Office and will be held annually with hopes to travel to other large cities in North Louisiana.
“We know that on the inside of Louisiana, obesity and tobacco are both issues that disproportionally affect Louisianians,” said Benjamin-Robinson. “We know those key issues have a direct relationship with cancer.”
Benjamin-Robinson will host the closing talk on “Community, Healthcare & Services, and Research: Bringing it All Together.”
A pre-conference workshop will be on Thursday, June 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“All of this is to ensure a reduced impact of cancer in Louisiana,” said Benjamin-Robinson.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its final team rankings of the 2023 spring season on Wednesday with Louisiana Tech closing out the year ranked No. 73 in the country.
LA Tech adds more to its historic resume by being nationally ranked in the final team rankings for the first time in program history. The Lady Techsters have been ranked in the last six polls, dating back to April 4 when they made their debut at No. 64.
The squad, led by Conference USA Coach of the Year Amanda Stone, registered a 20-6 overall record, the second most victories in school history. They also had their highest finish ever in C-USA while advancing to the semifinals of the C-USA Tournament for the first time ever.
Memorial services for Nelda Kathryn Oxford Foster, 86, of Ruston, will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the chapel at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana with Rev. Dale Oden and Dr. Reggie Bridges officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the chapel. Interment will be at Colvin Memorial Cemetery in Dubach, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Funeral Home.
Our beloved mother and mamaw passed away May 22 at the Russ House in Ruston following a lengthy illness.
Kathryn Foster was born December 25, 1936, to Walter Henry Oxford and Eunice Skinner Oxford in Junction City, Arkansas.
After moving around for a while, the family ended up moving just west of Ruston off Highway 80, during which time Kathryn attended Ruston High School, graduating in May of 1955.
Kathryn gained employment in Ruston at Turner’s Five and Dime store. She soon thereafter in August of 1957 went to work for South Central Bell in the Ruston office as a switchboard operator. In 1987 she received recognition for thirty years of service as an operator. She then moved to the Monroe office as a service technician where she continued to work for “Ma Bell” which during this time became known as AT&T until her retirement in the 1990s. She was also a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
Kathryn was a self-taught artist who was initially timid in letting others view her work. She later sold some of her paintings and became very skilled at painting. She enjoyed sewing and putting puzzles together. A little-known fact is that Kathryn enjoyed square dancing and even earned a Bachelor of Square-Dancing diploma in May of 2000 at 63 years of age. She also had a passion for her rose gardens and grew the most beautiful roses.
Kathryn was an active member of Magi Chapter #85 Order of the Eastern Star where she held many positions over the years. She served as Worthy Matron five times, District Deputy Grand Matron two times, Grand Representative two times, and State Chairman four times. She also volunteered as a North Louisiana Medical Center auxiliary for many years providing thousands of hours of dedicated service.
Kathryn loved Temple Baptist Church and her church family. She was an active member for over sixty years. She loved her Sunday school class and singing in the choir. She greatly enjoyed going on trips with her church family and participating in many events throughout the years. She was a loyal and faithful servant of her Lord, Jesus Christ and you could hear it when she spoke and see it in how she lived.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, David Floyd Oxford, and Henry Wayne Oxford, and her sister, Virginia Gayle Oxford Chreene. She is survived by her children Linda Foster Clark and husband Jerry of Ruston, Louisiana, Angela Foster Houck and husband Tracy of Hico, Louisiana, grandson Caleb Clark and fiancé Amber Barnes of Monroe, Louisiana, granddaughters, April Clark Honaker of Ruston, Lauren Houck Holomon and husband Cohen of Arcadia, Louisiana and Anna Houck of Hico, sisters, Janece Oxford Miller and husband Louie of Ruston, Debra Lynn Oxford Riley and husband David of Hartselle, Alabama, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to extend much gratitude to the staff at Russ Place, the staff of Northern Louisiana Medical Center Emergency Room, and all her caregivers during her last months. Special thanks to Vickie Bradley for the loving care she provided during these last few months.
Ruth Schillinger died at the age of 92, surrounded by loved ones. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and an active community member. She loved her church family and keeping in touch with friends and family members both near and far.
She was born in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania, on January 16, 1931, to the late Pervis and Helen Burcham. She graduated from Bel Air High School in 1947 and worked at a local insurance company until her marriage to Donald Schillinger in 1950 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Ruth was an active Oak Grove Baptist Church member in Bel Air, Maryland. After her husband was discharged from the Navy, they moved to Brandywine, Maryland. In 1962, Ruth moved with her husband to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she began working for General Electric/Apollo Support Department. She took early retirement after 27 years in 1989.
Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church New Smyrna Beach and, after moving to Port Orange, Florida, became an active member of Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church, where she was a Deaconess. In 2016 Ruth moved to Ruston after her husband, Donald, passed away. She was a First Baptist Ruston and Newcomers Club member, where she served as Treasurer.
Ruth is survived by her son Dr. Donald Schillinger, Jr., his wife Ammi; four grandchildren – Megan Ingalsbe (Travis), Tara Stone (Matthew), Taylor Borden (Chase), and Madison Kaufman; and five great-grandchildren – Audrey Stone, Samuel Stone, Ella Stone, Gunner Ingalsbe, and Gauge Ingalsbe.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church Ruston on Friday, May 26 at 11 am with a family visitation from 10 – 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Well of North Louisiana (413 N. Homer St. Ruston).
She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Burcham; father, Pervis Burcham; daughter, Deborah Potter; twin sister, Arlene Schafer; sister, Louise Walls; and brother, Pervis Burcham.
A special thanks to Tammy Cook for her precious love and care, providing such comfort and joy in Ruth’s last days. Also, a huge thank you to Premier Hospice and Amy Vance.
Ruth B. Johnson May 30, 1944 – May 16, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, May 27, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, May 27, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Ruth Schillinger January 16, 1931 – May 22, 2023 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 26, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 am
Jewell Thomas Monday 11/08/1943 — Friday 05/19/2023 Viewing: Saturday 05/27/2023 9:00am to 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 05/27/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 05/27/2023, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Betty Tippitt Saturday 07/06/1940 — Sunday 05/21/2023 Viewing: Saturday 05/27/2023 9:00am to 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/27/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Location: (At Funeral Home: 1511 W. California Avenue; Ruston, LA 71270) Interment: Saturday 05/27/2023, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Lyle J. Howard Thursday 11/23/1939 — Saturday 05/20/2023 Memorial Service: Thursday 05/25/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Mausoleum Entombment: Mt. Olivert Cemetery & Mausoleum
Carrie Jordan Trull May 13, 1939 – May 23, 2023 Services pending
Drake Mills, Chairman, President and CEO of Origin Bancorp, and Lance Hall, President and CEO of Origin Bank, joins Terry Bradshaw and members of the Origin team as they rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. (photo courtesy of NYSE)
Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: OBNK) (“Origin”), the parent company of Origin Bank, announced May 9 that it is transferring the listing of its common stock to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). Origin’s common stock is expected to begin trading on the NYSE on Monday, May 22, 2023, under the new ticker symbol of “OBK”.
Origin expects its common stock to continue to trade on Nasdaq until the close of the market on May 19, 2023.
“We are excited to take this next step in our journey as a public company. Since our founding in 1912, we have been committed to providing meaningful value to our employees, customers, communities and shareholders,” said Drake Mills, chairman, president and CEO of Origin. “As a sophisticated and agile community bank serving communities across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, we look forward to joining many of the world’s leading and most prestigious companies that trade on the NYSE and are excited to leverage the NYSE platform and trading model for the benefit of our shareholders.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Origin to the New York Stock Exchange,” said John Tuttle, Vice Chair, NYSE Group. “As a highly-respected community bank that emphasizes unwavering support and loyalty to its employees, customers, communities and shareholders, Origin is a welcome addition to the NYSE community of the world’s greatest companies.”
About Origin Bancorp, Inc. Origin Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana. Origin’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, Origin Bank, was founded in 1912 in Choudrant, Louisiana. Deeply rooted in Origin’s history is a culture committed to providing personalized, relationship banking to businesses, municipalities, and personal clients to enrich the lives of the people in the communities it serves. Origin provides a broad range of financial services and currently operates 60 banking centers located in Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Houston, North Louisiana and Mississippi. For more information, visit http://www.origin.bank
Choudrant High School looked to a familiar Lincoln Parish face as Brandy Tyler Roberson has been named head coach for the Lady Aggies basketball program.
Roberson, the reigning Ruston Elementary School Teacher of the Year, has an parish-experienced resume including two seasons as the head coach of the Simsboro High School girls basketball team.
Roberson hopes the fact she has well more than 10 coaching and teaching years under her belt will make her the leader the Lady Aggies need.
“I was head coach early on … then I stepped back,” Roberson said. “I’m not about to say I have it all, but I do have a little more wisdom now. I’m better prepared. I’m a different person than I was then and I handle situations different than then.
“And I have my own kids now, and I think that’s changed me – matured me as well. I think that I know what to expect. I know what I’m getting into before I get into it. I think I know how to handle whatever situations come up better.”
Roberson, who graduated from Weston High School and Louisiana Tech, has multiple ties to Choudrant – she was a student teacher there 11-12 years ago and has family attending school there.
“Then I went to Simsboro as head coach for two years and then went to Ruston High and assisted there for two years,” Roberson said.
While still lending a helping hand at RHS, Roberson has taught at Ruston Elementary the last six years.
“I’ve coached boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls cross country,” Roberson said of her time at RES. So all their athletics, pretty much.
Roberson admits that won’t compare to returning to the high school girls hoops coaching bench.
“I took time away to see things from a different lens, I would say,” Roberson said. “I did really enjoy working with little kids and building their foundations. And I think my experience helped.
“But now I’m looking at the bigger picture. And being able to watch these older girls grow and blossom, is a big part of it. And we really get to compete. Not that we didn’t compete in elementary school but this gives me something to work for. And I want it.”
Roberson says that familiarity with the CHS softball program will help.
“I worked with some of the softball team over the summer for a lot of summers,” Roberson said. “I gave a lot of Lady Aggies shooting lessons over the summers. So I never lost touch with the Choudrant community. It’s almost like a welcome home.”
Choudrant Principal Chris Jones said Roberson seemed to be the prime choice to take over for Geoffrey Underwood, who has been promoted to assistant principal at CHS,
“We’re excited,” Jones said. “Brandy is very energetic.She’s worked with some of our kids and she’s been a varsity coach, but she’s also worked with younger kids. I think she’s going to do a great job bridging the gap from middle school up through varsity.
“She’s been around a big program assisting at Ruston High School, and that’s something we want to bring – that kind of mentality to take our girls up to the next level.”
Jones said the applicant list for the position was long and solid.
“But she kind of checked off all the boxes for us,” Jones said. “She’s a competitor. We’ve got a good crop of young girls. And Brandy will be great mixing our younger girls with them.
“It’s a huge hire for us, and she is who we wanted.”
