(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We also would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).

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Name: Michael Sutton

Age: 32

Employer: Lincoln Parish Police Jury

Title: Parish Treasurer

Hometown: Ruston, La.

How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: I have lived in Lincoln Parish since 1990.

Civic-volunteer organizations: Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit (Executive Board Treasurer), United Way Campaign Cabinet, A.E. Phillips Parent-Faculty Council (Treasurer)

Professional Highlights: Leadership Lincoln Graduate 2016, Appointed Parish Treasurer within 6 months of employment with the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, A part of introduction of HB 274 to State Legislature on behalf of Lincoln Parish

Laura Hartt on Michael

I have enjoyed getting to know Michael Sutton over the last two years in my role as a consultant for LPPJ. During the time I have known Michael, my mentor role quietly faded into more of a genuine partnership approach in accomplishing the tasks of the Parish. Michael has the character of a leader: he knows that he rises by lifting and supporting his team. He is always willing to lean in and help where needed. His fresh ideas and perspective have felt like the missing piece that adds so much to the overall organization.

Michael’s conversational manner with the public, and his ability to convey complex financial information to any audience make it feel like he has been in the role for decades instead of a couple of years. In fact, Michael has grown as fast as anyone I’ve ever seen in this role. He came into this position with an eager attitude and a passion for advancing the Parish that have made this an easy success story.  I can’t wait to see what else he is able to accomplish for Lincoln Parish.

Q&A with Michael Sutton

What makes Lincoln Parish special?

The people of Lincoln Parish are what make it special. Overall, the citizens of our Parish are passionate and dedicated to moving our community forward. The people of this community make me happy to call Lincoln Parish “my home”.

How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?  

Being in a government career provides a unique opportunity and an obligation to know and understand the needs of the people. Regardless of my role, I strive to practice active listening and constant learning. I want to use that developing knowledge to cultivate community and leadership collaboration to continue the path of growth Lincoln Parish has already seen.  

Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?

My grandfather, Reagan Sutton, played a pivotal role in shaping me into the man I am today. He served as Secretary/Treasurer & Parish Administrator for 30 years for Lincoln Parish and accomplished so much more as my grandfather. Direct, transparent, and respected are a few adjectives used by others who described him. His professional life exemplified what it meant to be master of your craft. He was dedicated and passionate about the well-being of this Parish and was known for getting the job done. The legacy that he left that has influenced me the most is service to others and building relationships for the common good.

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Retiring Louisiana Tech College of Engineering and Science Dean, Dr. Hisham Hegab, will serve as the keynote speaker for Louisiana Tech University’s summer commencement ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 19, in the Thomas Assembly Center on the Tech campus.

A professor of mechanical, nanosystems, and cyber engineering and a 1989 graduate of Tech, Hegab was named dean in July 2014 after serving as interim dean of the College during the 2013-2014 academic year.

“Hisham consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership as a faculty member, department head, and interim dean, and had the vision and skills needed to continue moving our College of Engineering and Science forward,” Tech President Dr. Les Guice said. “It was encouraging to see that after an extensive and thorough national search that attracted highly accomplished and widely respected academicians, the best person for the job was already here on our campus.”

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As Dean, Hegab oversaw the creation of new degree and certification initiatives and provided the administrative oversight for 14 undergraduate engineering and science programs, seven master’s programs, and four doctoral programs.

Hegab joined Tech’s faculty in 1995 and served as an academic director for the computer science, electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, and nanosystems engineering programs. He also served as associate dean of undergraduate studies in the College of Engineering and Science before becoming interim dean.

During his tenure as dean, Hegab was credited with successfully concluding the College’s campaign for a new Integrated Engineering and Science Education building. The 130,000-square-foot facility doubled the College’s classroom space, provided new faculty office spaces, and houses a rotunda that is used for various College and campus events.

Hegab is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Engineering Education, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and he is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Louisiana.

During his tenure at Tech, he earned the Louisiana Engineering Foundation Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award (2006), Louisiana Tech University Engineering Science Foundation Service Award (2004-05), Louisiana Tech University College of Engineering & Science Outstanding Achievement in Education Award (2004-05), and the Louisiana Tech University College of Engineering and Science Outstanding Achievement in Research Award (1997-98).

Originally from New Orleans, Hegab earned his bachelor’s degree from Tech and both his master’s degree and PhD in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech.

He and wife Beth have four children and live in Ruston.

Family and friends unable to attend commencement can watch the event via Facebook Live.

By Kyle Roberts

Citing the potential for a very hot Friday, Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh elected to move the traditional fall scrimmage with C.E. Byrd to Thursday night at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium.

“It’s going to be pretty hot going on Friday,” Baugh said. “And I guess the fact of the matter is that scrimmages are considered to be regulated like practices are, which means the weather outside determines whether we can practice in full gear or half shell or helmets or that we can’t go outside at all. All that kind of comes into play for scrimmages.

“And so just looking at the weather on Friday, it looked like we were going to be in the danger zone of not being able to go out in full gear. And, obviously it would be really, really late by the time it cooled off enough to where we could go out in full gear.“

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Ruston has spent the summer camp playing in intrasquad practices and scrimmages, culminating in Bearcat Madness last Friday night. Now, this year’s squad has the opportunity to turn the page on last season as it looks to make another run for a state title beginning with the scrimmage against the Yellow Jackets.

“I think the kids are pretty excited,” Baugh said. “It just gets to be a long period of time from January all the way to August. You do a little bit of seven on seven against other people or whatever, but they’re about tired hitting on each other. And so I think they’re looking forward to not only hitting on somebody else, but it signifies that the start of the season is here, and there’s that excitement.

“I kind of feel that this year’s team is looking forward to it, and this will finally put last year into last year. You just hear all of the things about how good our season was last year. And I think you’ll just continue to hear all of those things. But I think for them, it’ll be a way to finally put to bed last year and turn the page and, you know, start their own deal for this year.”

Baugh enters his ninth overall season as a coach for Ruston and his seventh season as head coach. Each season he’s been on the staff, Ruston has played Byrd in the fall scrimmage with some at home and away.

“I think it’s very beneficial for both teams to play this scrimmage,” Baugh said. “They are always a really physical football team, and they’re very well coached. And since we’re a non-select school and they’re select, we won’t see them at all during the season or postseason.

“I prefer to scrimmage against teams that you won’t see again that year, but sometimes it can’t be helped.”

The freshmen will begin at 5:30 p.m. while the varsity is scheduled to take the field at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. There will be two rounds of a controlled scrimmage before the teams will play two 12-minute halves. The entire format is listed below.

Entry for the scrimmage with be $5. Admission is free to students.

by Malcolm Butler

Adam Wiedemeier put on a record-setting performance at the NCSA Swimming Championships in Indianapolis in late July.

The 18-year-old member of the Bulldog Aquatic Club (BAC) set the Louisiana state record in the 50-meter freestyle on his way to capturing first place at the event.

“It was an absolutely fantastic effort by him to set a state record,” said BAC head coach Rocky Smith. “He will be going off to college this fall. What a special way to end is his Bulldog Aquatic Club career with a new state record.”

Wiedemeier defeated some of the top swimmers from across the country in the event.

In addition to his first-place finish in the 50m freestyle, Wiedemeier finished fourth in the 100m freestyle, 4^th in the 200m freestyle, 7^th in the 100m butterfly, 15^th in the 50m butterfly and 23^rd in the 50m backstroke.

Sadie Huenefeld, a 15-year-old member of the BAC, also competed in the event recording her top finish in the 50m freestyle (48^th).

“Just qualifying for this event puts you in very rare air,” said Smith. “You are an elite swimmer just to make this meet. Both of these athletes were competing at a very high level, and the team is so proud of them.” 

Huenefeld also earned the opportunity to compete in the 100m freestyle (140^th), 100m breast stroke (104^th), and 100m backstroke (125^th).

The top 8 from the preliminaries in each event advanced to the finals and the 9-16 place athletes advanced to the consolation final. 

For more information including contact information about Bulldog Aquatic Club.  Please go to https://www.teamunify.com/team/labac/page/home.

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by Malcolm Butler

When Cedar Creek lines up Friday night against Lakeside in a 6:30 p.m. scrimmage, head coach William Parkerson is looking for a specific things.

“Are we going to line up right,” said Parkerson, entering his first year as the head coach at Creek. “Are we going to play with fundamentals? Are we going to play harder and more physical than them. If we can do those things, then I will leave happy. I don’t care about the score.”

According to Parkerson the first part of the evening will consist of a scripted, controlled scrimmage and then the two teams will be one live quarter of football.

The Cougars currently have 27 healthy bodies entering the middle of the week, although starting quarterback Ladd Thompson is a little banged up.

“He has a little twinge in his leg, so we are monitoring that. But other than that we are pretty healthy,” said Parkerson.

Senior offensive lineman Landon Amidon

“We are trying to work together in unison,” said Amidson. “We want to execute, but even at times when we don’t, we still just want to fire off the ball and do what we can effort-wise.”

Creek will face Mangham in the Bayou Jamb on Saturday, August 26 at 3 p.m. at Rebel Stadium in West Monroe before opening the regular season at home against Glenbrook on Sept. 1.

Starting with the regular season opener, the Cougars games can be heard this year on 99.3 FM in Ruston.

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A traffic stop Friday led to the arrest of a Ruston woman on drug charges.

A Lincoln Parish deputy sheriff stopped a pickup truck about 9 p.m. Friday for failure to use a turn signal. The deputy noticed a passenger in the car was behaving in a manner that indicated she was under the influence of narcotics.

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During the course of the investigation, the deputy searched the vehicle and found a metal container containing a glass smoking pipe and suspected marijuana residue. A prescription bottle containing tramadol bearing the woman’s name was found in her purse. However, the bottle was labeled for another substance.

A records check showed Amy C. Creech, 36, was wanted on four warrants for failure to appear in 3rd District Court.

Creech was booked for possession of tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, and warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of resisting an officer and possession of controlled substances.

Bail was set at $43,500.

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

An alleged shoplifter stopped in a Ruston store was found in possession of a concealed firearm and two magazines of ammunition Sunday evening.

Ruston Police responded to the Walmart Supercenter about 10:30 p.m. Sunday night to investigate a reported shoplifter. A Walmart staffer said a black bag strapped to Deandre D. Brice, Jr., 18, of Monroe, containing a bag of candy were property of Walmart. Brice had allegedly removed the price tag from the black bag and placed a bag of candy in it.

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When an officer asked Brice to open the bag, the suspect said there was a firearm inside. The bag contained the firearm and two loaded magazines of ammunition. Brice said he did not have a concealed carry permit and that the firearm belonged to a female friend.

Brice was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for theft by shoplifting and illegal carrying of a firearm. Bail was set at $11,000.

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. 

(This is the second and final guest column by Kenneth Sean “Ken” Carson, better known as The Ken Doll, who co-stars in the Barbie movie along with—duh! — Barbie.)

Yes, yes, for all that’s pink and blonde, go see the movie. Everyone else has.

Everyone but me.

I’m done.

No hard feelings. I’m just tired of being arm candy. Since I was born/created in 1961, the toy makers have put me in more goofy outfits than you’d see on a runway at any New York City/Tokyo/Milan fashion show.

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Sure, I’m plastic. I’m a doll. But I have feelings too.

At heart, I’m a redneck. A lunch pail guy. The common clay. I’m not Fashionista Ken or Travel Ken or Tennis Ken or any of the other silly things Mattel has made me out to be over the past 60 lonely years. And I’m definitely not Dreamcamper Ken; the most primitive I like to get is a Motel 6.

I’m been enough idiotic things for Mattel the past 60 years to last several pretend lifetimes.

I mean, it’s a job. I get it. I do. And I appreciate it. And it’s been fun hanging with Barb, an absolute peach.

And yes, the plastic money’s been good.

But I’m retiring. Tired of living a lie.

Why didn’t they create me like Oppenheimer, the star of that other movie, maybe let me split the atom instead of being created as a gigolo for capitalism? Even if Barbie, my female bestie, is quite fetching, well … there’s more to me than just molded-to-perfection plastic alloys!

Oh, the humanity!

So there you have it. I tried to be Ken. And failed. Tried to go to the galas and keep up the crunches so I wouldn’t look like a Whale Doll at pool parties. Tried the surfing and the hairdos and even got a face scrape (Mattel paid for it).

Years ago I asked to be a farmer and what’d they do? They put me in a checked shirt and an apron. An APRON! And check this sales pitch for Farmer Ken from what Mattel calls Sweet Orchard Farm: “Ken doll has an adorable piglet that kids can help him tend for role-play and storytelling fun.”

What? They gave me a piglet? I’ve been on the farm on castration day more times than I’d like to remember and that’s no fun for ANYbody, especially the pigs.

You want role play? Let me be a real farmer with a hayloft and some corn and a pony. I can be a farmer/rancher. Ditch the piglet. At least give me a tractor.

Oh, and here’s the ultimate indignity for Farmer Ken, according to the box I come in: “Doll cannot stand alone.”

You see what I put up with? What am I supposed to do, sit and milk all day? That’s gonna be a hard pass for me, dog.

And the asking price? A salty $34.95. I wouldn’t pay that for me and I AM me!

Mattel said “Fine. We’ll make you a … (get this, gang) … writer. You know, with a little snapbrim hat and a trench coat and a typewriter.”

Said they’d even “throw in a piglet, like with the Farmer Ken deal.”

What’s with these people and piglets, for heavens sake?

Good grief. Please, just … no. Writers are either rail thin and alcoholic or have a pot belly and smoke a pipe and think they invented the vowels and use big words like pubescent and eschew and ebullient. I learned to write in second grade and moved on. Please just … no.

Think I’d rather be a piglet.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

A Bossier City man was arrested twice within a matter of hours Saturday after causing disturbances in separate locations.

At about 9 a.m., Ruston Police responded to the Maple Mart regarding an unwanted guest. Officers found a man sitting in front of the store that an employee said had been there since the previous night and was disturbing other customers.

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Michael White, 52, was arrested for disturbing the peace by appearing intoxicated in public. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center but was released on his own recognizance on the misdemeanor charge.

Saturday night, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the I-20 eastbound rest area regarding a man walking on the interstate. White was found by deputies who were told he was traveling from Shreveport to Vicksburg. He was offered a ride but refused. White was told to stay out of the roadway and not to cause a disturbance at the rest area. 

At about 9:00 p.m., deputies stationed at the rest area for security patrols saw that White had not left and was throwing trash around the rest area and yelling incoherent statements. White was again arrested. While being transported to the detention center, White made statements that if deputies “did not take him to his momma’s house in Shreveport, everyone but him would be dead.”

White was booked for disturbing the peace and public intimidation. 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. 

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Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $200 in cash and prizes each week? 

Starting in September, the Lincoln Parish Journal will hold the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Martin Presence and Heard Construction.

Last year it was NFL games. This year it’s what the deep south lives for …. college football.

Anyone is eligible to participate and each weekly winner will go home with a $200 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 15 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Martin Presence and Heard Construction will be conducted for 13 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 2).

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Lincoln Parish Journal.  It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $200 each week!

The LPJ wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Martin Presence and Heard Construction for their title and presenting sponsorships.

We also want to thank Super Movers, American Mattress Outlet, the Dugout, the Ensure Agency, National Jewelry, Hart Designs, Tanyard Creek, and Ginn’s Autobody for the Pick’em Partnerships within the contest. If you would like to be a Pick’em Partner, email LPJNewsLA@gmail.com for more details and rates.

By T. Scott Boatright

The Lincoln Preparatory School Panthers continued football workouts Tuesday, taking advantage of slightly cooler weather to push up practice tempo up a little.

And Panthers coach Glen Hall liked what he saw after pushing his Panthers a little harder than previous workouts.

“I do think there’s been a lot of improvement going on since the start of real practices,” Hall said. “The players are young, but they’re listening, and we’re getting a lot of reps put in. We were blessed with a cooler day today and we got a lot of good, hard work in, and that’s the best thing we could have gotten.”

The Panthers did have to call an audible to their practice schedule due to Mother Nature and the Louisiana High School Athletics Association (LHSAA).

“We were going to be involved in a four-team scrimmage, and the LHSAA ruled that we couldn’t do that – hold a four-team scrimmage, especially in this heat,” Hall said. “And that was fine. They’re cracking down on the heat and trying to do a lot of safe things for the kids.

“So now we’re going to hold an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday before the heat really first starts cranking back up,” Hall said. “It’s still going to be hot, but not as hot as expected for Friday when it’s supposed to be over 100 degrees again. We’re good with the change. We just want to have the opportunity to line up and play an intrasquad scrimmage this week and get ready for next weeks’ jamboree.”

That jamboree will be played at Glenbrook on Aug. 25 with Ringgold and Montgomery slated to join the Panthers and Apaches.

Hall took advantage of the slightly diminished temperatures to get in a little more work for his players on running and conditioning.

“We did most of our running early today,” Hall said. “Then I let them work on special teams because sometimes with special teams, they don’t realize how much running they’re getting out of it. 

“But that little bit of extra running really helps us a lot. You can see how much it’s helped from last week to this week.”

Hall said the Panthers have three players sharing punting chores as they try to shake out a depth chart but that the punting and kicking chores seem to be rounding into shape.

“The good thing is that we’ve got “D-Bo’ – Damarian Robinson, who did some punting for us last year and I expect he’ll be the guy doing most of our kicking this season.”

Offensively, Jordan Brown and Michael Lewis are getting a majority of snaps at quarterback with Shavell Robinson also getting some time behind center.

Hall said the key to figuring out Lincoln Prep’s starting quarterback will involve the mental part of the game as much as the physical.

“They just have to learn to take some time and stop trying to rush to do things,” Hall said. “If we can get them to slow it down just a little and learn to read the keys that we give them. If they can learn to look and take whatever the defense is giving us, and then run the ball and set up something like a third-and-one where we can move the chains and score the ball, then it’s anybody’s ballgame.

“It’s just the thing of getting them to slow it down, take a deep breath and think about the play. See what’s happening out there in front of them, both before and after the snap. But they are learning and making progress, and that’s all we can ask of them at this point.”

Hall also expressed appreciation for the way sophomore Jaylin Huntley continues working hard as the Panthers’ primary running back with junior D’Tavion Wright leading the way at fullback.

“Huntley was amazing out there today,” Hall said. “I know I ran him a lot, and I tease and ride him, but I also know how good he is, how much he has in him and what he can mean to this team if he buckles down and just keeps working hard.

“But I have to keep pushing him, especially in the sprints at the end, to make sure he’s ready to play a whole game when that time comes. But all the kids are working hard. I just need them to keep doing that and buying into the system. We have more players out than we’ve had around here in the past. But we have to keep working. We have to keep pushing through the heat and keep on doing what it takes to become a better football team.”

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

With a mix of solid returnees and impact newcomers, the Bulldogs’ special teams unit has been working hard throughout fall camp as they move towards the season opener on Aug. 26.

With over 40 newcomers to the Louisiana Tech roster, the competition for playing time has increased significantly, resulting in more special teams depth for the Bulldogs in 2023.

“You get some transfer guys coming in that are coming in here for a reason,” Sharp said. “They are coming in here for a starting job, and it raises the level of effort, which helps us in the kicking game. Everybody will be pushing themselves to the limit, so they will try to figure out how to get on the field, elevating depth in the special teams area.”

The Bulldogs have one of the most dangerous returners in the country in redshirt senior Smoke Harris. He is one of two returning FBS players with 500+ kickoff return yards and 200+ punt return yards in 2022. The St. Francisville native enters the 2023 season among NCAA Active career leaders in punt return average (3rd, 11.2) and punt return yards (4th, 605). Last season Harris handled both kick and punt return duties for Tech and is expected to be involved in both this season.

“Right now, we got Smoke starting on punt return which is a no-brainer, and he is starting on kickoff return also,” Sharp said. “We are figuring out if he will be the main guy on kickoff or off returner. As we go through camp, we have to figure out if we got another guy that could possibly be a return guy.”

Some guys that have the potential to complement Harris in the kick return game include freshman Dedrick Latulas, and redshirt sophomore Matthew McCallister. Redshirt sophomore Solo Lewis is also among the returnees who had kickoff return duties a year ago.

The Bulldogs ranked 45th nationally and third among Conference USA programs in kick return average (21.26) last season while ranking 17th nationally and leading CUSA in punt return average (12.42). Sharp believes that this year’s return units can improve on last year’s performance.

“We did a really good job in the return game last year,” Sharp added. “We did not hit any for a big touchdown, but we had a handful of big returns. This year, we have the ability and personnel to return a couple of touchdowns. Hopefully, we can build on that, but we also have to be better in the kickoff return game.”

Redshirt junior Jacob Barnes and sophomore Buck Buchanan return to handle the kicking duties. Barnes dealt with most field goal-kicking duties in 2022, while Buchanan specialized in long-range field goals and kickoffs.

Barnes has made 110 of his 111 extra-point attempts in his career (99.1%)  while making 42 field goals in 53 career attempts (79.2%). He currently ranks in the Top-10 in numerous LA Tech career categories, including, Extra Points Made 7th (110), Extra Point Attempts 7th (111), Career Scoring 8th (111), and Field Goals Made 8th (42).

Buchanan was impressive as a true freshman in 2022, leading all C-USA freshmen in kickoff yards (4,199) and touchbacks (34). He also ranked third among all FBS freshmen in kickoff yards and fourth among all freshmen in touchbacks.

One thing that the kicking unit has been focusing on this fall is working on their blocking and getting more lift under kicks to cut down on the number of blocked field goals after opponents blocked six a year ago.

“We are working on getting the ball higher, blocking up front and just getting the whole operation cleaner,” Barnes said. The whole unit needs to improve, and we are making strides to improve when it comes to game one we will be ready to go.”

With the departure of punter Austin McCready and long snapper Griffin Armstrong, competition is open for both positions to be filled.

Redshirt freshman Patrick Rea and graduate transfer Blake Oschendorf are two punters to watch throughout fall camp.

Rea saw action in four games during the 2022 season, tallying 396 total yards with an average of 39.6 yards per punt, highlighted by a season-best 51-yard punt at Charlotte on Nov. 19. Oschendorf arrives in Ruston after spending the 2021-22 seasons at Eastern Michigan. Before his time at Eastern Michigan, he was the starting punter at Minnesota State-Moorhead, where he had 127 total punts for 4,779 yards, averaging 37.63 yards a punt.

Redshirt sophomore Ean Burch and Alabama transfer Gabe Pugh are currently in competition for the starting long snapper position.

The Bulldog specialists will continue to build throughout fall camp as they prepare for their week zero Conference USA showdown with FIU on Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. inside Joe Alliet Stadium when Louisiana Tech opens its 120th season of collegiate football.

“Everyone is excited about the week zero matchup,” kicker Jacob Barnes said. “We have been training all offseason, so I think having the game earlier benefits everyone. Starting fall camp a week earlier helps us a little, but everyone will be excited and ready to go against FIU.”
 

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BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding to advance the development of a commercial-scale direct air carbon capture facility in Southwest Louisiana. Project Cypress is expected to create 2,300 good-paying jobs and remove one million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year from the atmosphere—an amount equivalent to roughly 222,500 gasoline-powered cars.

Project Cypress, a partnership of Batelle and leading clean technology developers Climeworks and Heirloom, is one of two initial selections from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs program, which aims to kickstart a network of large-scale carbon removal sites to address legacy pollution. Project Cypress and the other DAC Hub in the initial selection will receive up to $1.2 billion in combined funding from DOE.

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“Louisiana’s climate action plan has positioned us as a leader in the global energy transition, and this major announcement will create thousands of good-paying jobs while lowering the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Our talented energy workforce and embrace of lower carbon technologies make us the perfect fit for innovative projects like this Direct Air Capture Hub. I would like to thank U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Batelle, Climeworks, and Heirloom for selecting Louisiana for this opportunity. And I would like to thank President Biden, Senator Bill Cassidy, and Representative Troy Carter for their support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that has made this possible.”

DAC is a process that separates CO2 from the air, helping to reduce legacy CO2 in the atmosphere. The separated CO2 can then be safely and permanently stored deep underground or converted into useful carbon-containing products like concrete that prevent its release back into the atmosphere. Widespread deployment of DAC and other innovative technologies that capture emissions are key to combatting the climate crisis.

“Cutting back on our carbon emissions alone won’t reverse the growing impacts of climate change; we also need to remove the CO2 that we’ve already put in the atmosphere—which nearly every climate model makes clear is essential to achieving a net-zero global economy by 2050,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this once-in-a-generation investment made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, DOE is laying the foundation for a direct air capture industry crucial to tackling climate change—transforming local economies and delivering healthier communities along the way.” 

Project Cypress will eventually remove more than 250 times more carbon dioxide than the largest DAC facility currently operating. Project Cypress will implement a robust two-way communication program with local communities and stakeholders to solicit input into the project as it develops its Community Benefits Plan while also generating new employment opportunities and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.

Aishea S. Grant 
Wednesday 12/06/1978 — Friday 08/11/2023  
Celebration of Life: Wednesday 08/16/2023 1:00pm, St. Rest Baptist Church, 209 Walker Road, Chourdant 
Interment: Wednesday 08/16/2023, St. Rest Baptist Church Cemetery, 209 Walker Road, Choudrant  

Charlotte Ann (Williams) King  
August 5, 1947 – August 10, 2023  
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, September 2, 2023, 10:00 am   

Mary Shed  
Friday 02/13/1948 — Wednesday 08/09/2023    
Celebration of Life: Wednesday 08/16/2023 11:00am, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston  
Interment: Wednesday 08/16/2023 Following Service, Fellowship Church Cemetery, Highway 507, Simsboro  

Nancy Wells Woodard  
Sunday 08/08/1943 — Thursday 08/10/2023   
Family Gathering: Thursday 08/17/2023 2:00pm  
Visitation: Thursday 08/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Celebration of Life: Friday 08/18/2023 11:00am, New Rocky Valley Baptist Church, 2155 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Grambling  
Interment: Friday 08/18/2023 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling  

James Cottingham   
Monday 11/02/1942 — Sunday 08/06/2023   
Memorial Service: Thursday 08/17/2023 12:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   

Spurgeon M. Tatum   
Tuesday 12/11/2007 — Monday 08/07/2023 Age: 15   
Family Gathering: Friday 08/18/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Visitation: Friday 08/18/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Wake: Friday 08/18/2023 5:00pm to 7:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/19/2023 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home   
Interment: Saturday 08/19/2023 Following Service, Asberry Cemetery, Chatham   

Girtheen Millage   
Friday 05/08/1953 — Monday 08/07/2023    
Family Gathering: Thursday 08/17/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Visitation: Thursday 08/17/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Wake: Thursday 08/17/2023 6:00pm to 7:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Funeral Service: Friday 08/18/2023 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Interment: Friday 08/18/2023 Following Service, Bonner Cemetery, Ruston 

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(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award.)

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Name: Justin Kavalir

Age: 37

Employer: Louisiana Tech University and owner of Kavalir Tax and Legal 

Title: General Counsel for Louisiana Tech /Owner of Kavalir Tax and Legal

Hometown: Kilbourne, LA, (Was at Tech from 2004-2008, spent 5 years in Northwest Arkansas for Law School and private practice, moved back to Ruston in 2013).  

How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: 10 years

Civic-volunteer organizations: Deacon at the Ruston Church Of Christ, Dixie Softball

Professional Highlights:  Graduating in the top 10 of my law school class; Obtaining and maintaining a CPA license, Louisiana Bar License, and Arkansas Bar License; Becoming one of the youngest University General Counsel’s in the country; Successfully helping hundreds of individuals and small businesses navigate tax and legal issues.

Eric McCulloch, Edward Jones financial advisor, on Justin Kavalir: “Justin and I met 6 years ago while working with a mutual client. He brings the best out of everyone around him. He is always willing to take on new challenges, learning, giving and using feedback. He leads not only in his work professionally, but in his personal life as well. He always demonstrates adaptability, self-awareness, empathy and social skills that makes a great young leader.”

Q&A with Justin Kavalir

What makes Lincoln Parish special?

Lincoln Parish is a fantastic place to live as a Christian, to raise a family, and to build a career.  The people I come across in our community are genuinely caring and look out for one another.  Having three girls, I am very sensitive to the community that is helping to raise my kids and there is no place I would rather be than Lincoln Parish.  Also, economically, the opportunities only continue to grow thanks to the collective leadership throughout the Parish.  

How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?  

I truly find joy in helping people navigate issues any way I can and to always treat people with dignity and respect.  My hope is that by making a small impact in a lot of community members’ lives by providing a needed service or solving a problem in a courteous, professional way, that can have a cumulative effect.  

Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?

Without question my wife, Amanda.  She has pushed me and encouraged me when I would have settled, professionally speaking.  She’s also been front-and-center from day one, over ten years ago, running our business.  

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By Kelsey Horath

The number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses is continuing to rise year by year with 329 students active in courses across Lincoln Parish.

Currently, there are 304 students participating at Ruston High School and 25 at Choudrant High School. AP courses allows students the chance to receive college credit through advanced and rigorous course material. To earn the college credit, students must make a “qualifying” score of 3-5 on AP exams.

“There is significant data that proves that even students who earn a score of a ‘2’ on an exam are more likely to be able to do college level work successfully after high school,” Emily Howell, 11th grade AP Language and Composition teacher and ELA coordinator for Lincoln Parish, said.

Qualifying scores on exams also allow schools to be rewarded with a greater score on the strength of diploma index.  Scores in AP courses like Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Biology and Statistics received high qualifying results this past year.

In both ELA courses, Language and Composition and Literature and Composition, students at Ruston High School scored above state and national averages in every discrete skill (see tables below).

Parents and other students notice the benefits of AP courses through the continued growth of numbers, which reflects not only the dedication of students but the diligence of teachers.

“It is always exciting to see students accept the challenge of taking an AP class,” Lincoln Parish School Board superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “The rigor of these classes prepare students for college. It isn’t just about making a 3 or better on the AP test just taking the class and doing the work prepares students for future classes.”

This past July, the ELA Pre-AP and Advanced Placement vertical team from Ruston High School, along with the Lincoln Parish superintendent, were invited to present at the national conference in Seattle, Washington. The group included Howell, Durrett, Kelsey Whitlock, 11th grade AP Language and Composition teacher, Stephanie Treadway, 10th grade Pre-AP English teacher, Ashlee Bell, 12th grade Dual/AP Literature teacher, and Jaimee Hudson, Academic Assistant Principal and Freshman Academy Director at RHS.

“Our presentation ‘Better Together: Building a Vertical Team’ focused on the guiding principles of access and equity, a culture of high expectations and a culture of collaboration,” Howell said.

The College Board’s Pre-AP course framework, designed to give additional opportunities for educators to prepare students for advanced coursework and AP classes, has been adopted by Ruston High School. This course will be implemented starting this school year.

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By T. Scott Boatright

Saying he wanted to uphold a campaign promise last fall, Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley turned Monday night’s August City Council meeting into a Town Hall meeting at the Grambling Community Center/City Hall.

“This is trying to fulfill my promise when I was elected that we would have Town Hall meetings to keep our citizens informed and provide complete transparency as far as to how city governance is going on. This is the first Town Hall meeting since we’ve been in office as a mayor and council.”

Bradley and new Grambling City Council members John Brown, Jerry Lewis, DaVaria Ponton and Delores Wilkerson Smith, along with incumbent alderman Cathy Holmes Jiles, took their oath of office on Jan. 1.

Grambling’s previous City Council did not leave the city with an approved budget for 2023 after discussing it during their last meeting in December, making that a crucial first order of business to kick off the new year with a new mayor and Council.

“The very first thing we did as new mayor and City Council seven months ago was to pass a new budget,” Bradley said. “That was very important because we were left coming into office without a budget for 2023.

“It was very important that we got that done because without a budget we were in violation, so that’s the first thing we did as the new mayor and City Council.”

Bradley mentioned several other hires made in early spring — city accountant Toni Jackson, new city attorney Ron Lattire and part-time social media director Brenda Daniel — as key early moves made by the City Council.

The mayor also said that Daniel had also been working on a new city website and hopes are for it to go live as soon as possible, potentially even today.

Bradley said reviewing accounting and the city’s audit report was another important factor for the mayor and Council in their early months in office.

“We got the auditors to audit 2021 and they’re here now auditing 2022,” Bradley said. “We did engage with a new auditor, John Murray, out of Baton Rouge.”

Bradley said getting a handle on Grambling’s litter problem was another important goal he wanted to accomplish.

“So we hired Earl Albritton to go litter patrol and we’ve hired two young men in our Public Works (department) and their concentration is litter control,” Bradley said. “If you’ve seen them over the past two months, they’re really picking up the litter and trying to clean up the place.

“One of the things we realized is that if we’re trying to attract new business to Grambling, that first impression is the one that lasts. So picking up the litter and grass cutting has been a focus.”

Bradley also told those in attendance that the city has recently received funding to repave Central Avenue, a street shared by the city and Grambling State University.

“(GSU) in their first proposal as part of Phase I paved Central all the way up the Catholic Church,” Bradley said. “And Sen. Jay Luneau has helped provide funding that will allow us to finish paving Central Avenue, so that should be happening in the near future.”

Bradley added that repairing potholes on Grambling Streets has been another key focus, as has upgrading water/sewage and sanitation pickup issues.

Councilman Brown also presented an update to fellow Council members on the CivicReady Emergency Notice System he has been working to bring to Grambling, saying he expects it to come online on Sept. 1.

Grambling Councilwoman Ponton presented an update on the ongoing Community Garden she has spearheaded as part of the meeting.

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Ruston Police arrested a Monroe man early Saturday morning after he allegedly had sexual contact with an underage juvenile.

An officer on patrol investigated a vehicle parked at Duncan Park about 3 a.m. Saturday morning. K’earius Jackson, 22, and a 15-year-old female were found in the parked vehicle.

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The smell of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle and a search was conducted. The officer noted the 15-year-old had her pants on backwards and underwear was found on the back seat. The girl said sexual contact had occurred.

Jackson said they were leading up to having sex but had not done so. Jackson was arrested and gave further details at the detention center. He was booked for indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Bail was set at $25,000.

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. 

An alleged shoplifter was arrested on drug charges last Thursday after suspected methamphetamine was found on him by police.

Ruston Police responded to the Walmart Super Center at about 4:45 p.m. and learned from a Walmart asset protection employee that a man had been concealing items on his person. An officer located Monty L. Cobb, 51, of Haynesville and the Walmart staffer asked Cobb to return the concealed items. Cobb said he did not have any. 

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Cobb was taken into custody and searched by the RPD officer who found a baggie of suspected methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe. Items of Walmart merchandise were found in Cobb’s underwear, according to police.

Cobb was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine and theft by shoplifting. Bail was set at $3,500.

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

For more information on Andy Halbrook at Edward Jones, CLICK HERE.

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A new school year will soon begin. And if you have young children, that means it’s one year closer to the day when they head off to college or some other post-secondary education or training. You might be preparing for that day with a 529 education savings plan — but should you be concerned if you need to start taking withdrawals to pay for education expenses when the financial markets are volatile?

Long-term investment vehicles based on the financial markets, like a 529 plan, will always fluctuate in value. If you’ve had a 529 plan for many years, you’ve probably invested money when the market has been up, down and flat. In fact, during down periods, it’s often a good time to invest, because your dollars buy more shares than they could when prices are up. Your hope is that, over the years, your 529 plan will gain enough to overcome the short-term declines in value.

 In any case, you’ll want to keep in mind the key benefit of 529 plans: Earnings and withdrawals are federally tax free when the money is used for qualified education expenses for college and some trade school programs. And your state may give you an income tax deduction or a credit for your 529 plan contributions. In some states, a 529 plan can be used for K-12 schooling as well.

You have another incentive to keep your 529 plan intact despite temporary drops in value. Specifically, if you withdraw money and don’t use it for eligible education expenses, your withdrawal may be subject to a 10% penalty, in addition to state and federal income taxes. That could be a high price to pay for a move that may not be in your best interest. After all, if you were to move your 529 plan money into a minimal-risk asset, such as some type of cash vehicle, you could sacrifice some of the growth potential you might need to meet the high costs of higher education.

Many 529 plans offer investment portfolios that gradually become more risk averse as the beneficiary gets closer to college age. A financial advisor can discuss the investment options with you.

While this investment feature doesn’t guarantee you’ll have complete immunity from financial market volatility, it can help reduce its impact when you need access to the money.

Here’s one more point to keep in mind: Just because you’ve planned to access your 529 plan when your child reaches 18, or whatever age they begin their post-secondary education, you’re not required to take money out at that point. You can keep your 529 plan intact until you feel more comfortable making withdrawals, though you’ll need to consider how this decision will affect your ability to help pay for your child’s education.

The financial markets will always be in some type of flux, but don’t let these movements deter you from sticking with a 529 plan — it’s still one of the best investments you can make in your child’s future.

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This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

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This is a paid advertorial

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By Malcolm Butler

Joseph Amiano, Camdyn Napper and JJ Hoover all recorded strong performances for Team Louisiana at the Southern Zone Championship Swim Meet held in late July in Cary, North Carolina. 

The trio were three of the 39 swimmers that comprised Team Louisiana and that competed against athletes from Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Amiano was the top point scorer for Team Louisiana with 50 points while Napper was the sixth highest scorer and Hoover was eighth highest scorer.

“For our three boys from Bulldog Aquatic Club to be three of the top scorers for Team Louisiana is fantastic,” said Bulldog Aquatic Club coach Rocky Smith, who served as the coach for Team Louisiana. “It shows the quality athlete Bulldog Aquatic Club features of our team.”

Amiano and Napper finished with the most Top 16 finishes for Team Louisiana, each making 5 of 6 Top 16 finals for their races. Hoover finished in the top 16 of two events, despite being just 13-years old and competing in the 13-14 age group.

“Making the top 16 at this ultra competitive meet was impressive with the best 11 t 14-year-old athletes from Texas to West Virginia,” said Smith. “I am so proud of them and how they represented the Bulldog Aquatic Club. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

11-12 Boys

Joseph “G” Amiano (12): 18^th in the 200 Freestyle, 9^th in the 50 Backstroke, 6^th in the 100 Butterfly, 5^th in the 50 Freestyle, 9^th in the 100 Freestyle, and 12^th in the 50 Butterfly.

He was also a part of Team Louisiana Relays that finished 9^th, 12^th, 6^th, 10^th, and 12^th.

13-14 Boys

John “JJ’  Hoover (13): 24^th in the 100 Breaststroke, 17^th in the 400 Individual Medley, 11^th in the 200 Butterfly, 22^nd in the 200 Breaststroke, 29^th in the 200 Individual Medley, and 9^th in the 100 Butterfly. 

He was also a part of Team Louisiana Relays that finished 14^th, 8^th, and 6^th. 

Camdyn Napper (14): 15^th in the 100 Breaststroke, 5^th in the 400 Individual Medley, 14^th in the 200 Butterfly, 14^th in the 200 Breaststroke, 12^th in the 200 Individual Medley, and 19^th in the 100 Butterfly. 

He was also part of Team Louisiana Relays that finished 7^th, 15^th, 15^th, and 6^th. 

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By Malcolm Butler

A pair of recently graduated Louisiana Tech student athletes begin their high school coaching careers this fall in the 318 area code as former softballer Amanda Gonzalez and former hoopster Gabbie Green will serve as assistant coaches and teachers at Cedar Creek School.

According to Cougars head softball coach Julie Riser said Gonzalez will serve as the head coach of the middle school program and assistant with the varsity. She will also be teaching full-time with physical education classes. 

“I am excited to have her knowledge of the game and be able to work with our softball team,” said Riser. “I am always looking for new ideas and I think this is something that she can bring to our program.  Having her on staff will be a great asset to our program and I am looking forward to her coming in and collaborating with our coaching staff.”

Gonzalez, a native of Santa Monica, California, spent the past three seasons lettering for Louisiana Tech, starting 156 games mostly at shortstop. She earned first team all-Conference USA and all-Mideast Region honors in 2022 when she helped guide Tech to the regular season CUSA title.

“I never thought I would ever be a coach,” said Gonzalez. “But when this opportunity came I couldn’t let it go by. I love teaching the game to younger generations and helping them understand the game more.”

Gonzalez helped Tech rank in the top 20 in the country each of the past two seasons in double plays turned while batting .295 with 31 extra base hits, 72 runs and 54 RBI. Prior to coming to Tech, she was named the Schutt Sports/NFCA NJCAA Division 1 National Player of the Year as a freshman at Howard College.

“I’m looking forward to being able to meet the girls and sharing my passion and knowledge for the game,” said Gonzalez. “I really do want them to love the game and have fun. I’m super stoked to be around Julie Riser. I really do believe I’ll be in good hands with her.”

According to Lady Cougars head girls basketball coach Katie Hall, Green will lead the junior high program at Cedar Creek while also serving as an assistant on the varsity. Hall was able to work closely with Green through her Hall of Hoops camps the past few years.

“Gabbie came highly recommended from Brooke Stoehr when I was looking for some help with my Hall of Hoops teams in spring of 2022,” said Hall. “I was very fortunate to have Gabbie join me that spring/summer season, and I was able to witness her connection with the girls almost immediately.

“Her collegiate experience and leadership qualities was exactly what I was looking for. She is definitely a natural leader and coaching comes east to her. I was fortunate enough to have her help again this past spring.”

Green spent the past two years at Louisiana Tech after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh. Green is a two-time CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree for her work in the classroom and saw action 32 games this past year after missing the previous season due to injury.

“As soon as I got the varsity job, it wasn’t long before I started working on her to take over the junior high program here,” said Hall. “She is so great with the girls and already had a relationship with them. Several things had to line up for this to happen, but I was extremely excited when she told me she could step in. And it makes it even more special to me to have a fellow Lady Techster to work along side with. I can’t wait to see what the future is in store for this natural born coach.”

Green, a Bellville, Texas, native, began her collegiate career at South Plains College where she was named an NJCAA first team All-American. She then signed with Pitt where she started 47 games for the Panthers during her two seasons playing in the ACC.

“I am excited about sharing my knowledge and experiences with this young group of girls for their personal development on and off the court,” said Green. “I understand that I can make a huge impact on the girls, and I don’t take that lightly. However, as I’ve already been working with them over the summer, they’ve already made an impact on me. This year I’m looking forward to seeing us grow together, and I’m making it a priority to prepare them as best as I can for the next steps of their journey.”

She scored a season-high 14 points in a win over WKU last season for the Lady Techsters.

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