Ruston residents will be given the chance to vote on allowing the city to join the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) in the upcoming November election.
LEPA Membership will allow Ruston to join a group with 19 other cities to cooperate during any type of disaster or massive outage, along with sharing resources and offering mutual aid, which would be of no cost to the residents of Ruston.
“This would be a good thing for our city,” Ruston mayor Ronny Walker said. “We would go from basically being an island by ourselves to where we are with 19 other cities. It gives us an opportunity to call on them for help if we have a disaster. It also gives up an opportunity to share equipment; for instance, transformers are really hard to find right now. We need a certain size, and if one of the other cities has one, we can swap out until ours comes in.
“We’re much more effective and powerful with 20 cities joining together than we are by ourselves.”
Ruston benefit from Localized Multual Aid with LEPA and other LEPA member cities through the state of Louisiana, which includes distribution resources and dispatching lineworkers.
Other benefits would include cost-effective 4-yard Lineman Apprentice Training Program, free quarterly lineworker safety traning and access to electric industry workshops and conferences.
The current LEPA membership consists of Abbeville, Alexandria, Erath, Gueydan, Houma, Jonesville, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Vinton, Welsh and Winnfield.
The vote will take place on Saturday, November 18.
Ann Thigpen (center) is joined by Northern Louisiana Medical Center CEO Kathy Hall (left) and Director of Marketing and Business Development Tami Davis (right) during their annual Fall Luncheon held at Squire Creek.
by Emma Stone
Ann Thigpen, a longtime Lincoln Parish resident who now lives in Monroe, was honored October 18 at Northern Louisiana Medical Center’s annual Fall Luncheon for achieving over 6,500 hours in community service.
Thigpen began her teaching career in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before finding her way to Louisiana where she taught until retiring in 2003. That’s when her heart for volunteering at NLMC began.
“When I retired from teaching, the first thing I wanted to do was volunteer at the hospital,” said Thigpen. “I filled out an application and started immediately.”
She was assigned to work in North Louisiana Medical Center’s gift shop and was eventually promoted to manager after working there for two years. Now, this is Thigpen’s 20th year volunteering.
“Working with all the gift shop volunteers made reaching these hours a fun and enjoyable experience,” said Thigpen. “It was never about getting the hours, but about making our gift shop the best it could be and being able to meet the needs of our hospital families and shoppers.”
At the Auxiliary Club, those who earn volunteer hours are given pins in 500-hour increments which can be attached to their blue volunteer jackets.
Each year, they meet in October to honor those who are excelling at completing hours while helping the community.
Tami Davis, Director of Marketing and Business Development at NLMC, works closely with Thigpen and raves about her work ethic.
“Ann is an asset and has been the day she walked in,” said Davis. “She handles merchandise, keeps gift records, day-to-day operations and scheduling other volunteers.”
Thigpen is now only about 40 hours away from reaching the 7000-hour milestone.
“She is just an amazing person to have on your team, and we are just so proud she is a part of ours,” said Davis.
For Thigpen, she urges everyone to volunteer.
“I would like to encourage anyone who is retired or has time on their hands to come join us in the Hospital Auxiliary,” said Thigpen. “We are a caring organization who want to give back to the people of Lincoln Parish. You don’t have to have any special skills, just a caring heart and a desire to help others.”
In addition to Thigpen’s milestone, a number of other volunteers were also recognized for their dedication and hard work at NLMC (see the program below for list of honorees).
Noah Durrett (#10) is escorted by teammates on a pick six in the second quarter of Creek’s 44-0 win at Lincoln Prep. (Photo by Tim Smith)
by Malcolm Butler
After an emotional effort against OCS last weekend, Cedar Creek head coach William Parkerson said he was worried about a slow start Thursday night when his Cougars faced off against Lincoln Prep in District 2-1A action.
He was halfway right.
While the Cougars offense sputtered for most of the opening half, the Cedar Creek defense was stellar from start to finish, leading Parkerson and Co. to a 44-0 win over the Panthers.
“I thought we came out a little flat, and I was scared about that after last week,” said Parkerson. “But we challenged them at halftime.”
Challenged received.
Cedar Creek (4-4, 1-1) held Lincoln Prep (2-6, 0-2) to only two first downs and 30 total yards of offense on the night while forcing three turnovers, including a pick six by Noah Durrett late in the second quarter that gave the Cougars a 20-0 halftime lead.
“Defensively, this was our third shutout of the year,” said Parkerson. “We keep playing really good football on that side of the ball, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
And while the Creek defense smothered the Lincoln Prep offense, the Cougars offensive unit started to heat up in the second half.
“We told them at halftime that we are going to run our base plays,” said Parkerson. “We aren’t bailing you out. We are either going to get better at it or not. And we figured some things out in the second half. If that’s who we can be then there is another gear that we can find. That was encouraging to see.”
Quarterback Ladd Thompson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries while Lawson Lillo added 60 yards on nine totes to lead a Creek rushing attack that totaled 294 yards on the ground.
“I thought Ladd read the triple option better than he has all year,” said Parkerson. “If that can become consistent, then the offense can find a second gear.”
James Myers got the scoring started for the Cougars in the first quarter on a 25-yard TD run with 9:56 to play in the opening quarter to cap a five-play, 50-yard drive by Creek.
It appeared the Cougars would score on their second possession of the night, but a fumble inside the red zone stopped the drive. It was one of three turnovers on the night for Creek.
“We cleaned that up in the second half,” said Parkerson. “I thought the offensive line in the third and fourth quarter really started asserting themselves and owned the line of scrimmage. Brice Martin had a pancake (block) on three straight plays which is always encouraging to see. I just love to see an offensive lineman play with a nasty attitude. And our line started doing that in the second half.”
Thompson added a pair of scoring runs, the first covering three yards early in the second quarter and giving Cedar Creek a 14-0 advantage. Durrett’s 49-yard interception return for a score with 3:06 to play before halftime completed the first half scoring as the Cougars led 20-0.
Thompson’s second TD of the night came from seven yards out with 3:24 to play in the third quarter and made the score 28-0.
Following a Kade Luker interception, the Cougars marched 40 yards and scored on Wyatt Gremillion’s 3-yard TD run with 11:53 to play in the game to make it 36-0. Gremillion added a 1-yard TD run with 6:10 remaining and Blake Wade’s two-point conversion pushed the Creek lead to 44-0.
“Wyatt Gremillion is growing up in front of our eyes,” said Parkerson. “He had a couple of touchdowns tonight. That guy hits it hard like he is shot out of a cannon every time. I am proud of him. Kade got the last series and I thought he read the option well.”
Durrett led the Creek defense with six tackles while Gray Worthey and Blake Robinson each added five tackles. Alex Simpson had three tackles for loss totaling minus 16 yards. Simpson and Conner Rolen each recorded a fumble recovery — two of the four turnovers forced in the game by Creek.
The Cougars will end the regular season next Thursday when they host St. Frederick’s at 7 p.m. for Senior Night.
“It was a good team win,” said Parkerson. “I thought a lot of kids played well tonight.”
Lincoln Prep’s Trey Spann (5) fights for yardage after hauling in a pass Thursday night during the Panthers’ loss to Cedar Creek. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Lincoln Preparatory School’s defense kept things competitive early on Thursday night on Senior Night at Panthers Field.
But after a big play by Cedar Creek late in the second quarter, the Panthers seemed to toss out the white flag as the Cougars roared to a 44-0 win.
Cedar Creek scored on the game’s opening drive, marching 53 yards on six plays to go up early 6-0 after its two-point conversion attempt failed.
“In football, you have to have heart, and we don’t have it,” Hall said. “”We got to change some things. Everything Cedar Creek did, we knew. We were right there 80% of the time but just didn’t make plays.
“We told one of our guys 20 times to squeeze, but he wouldn’t squeeze. Sometimes you just don’t know what else you can do. Back in the old days they said ‘it ain’t the Xs and the Os, it’s the Jimmys and the Joes.”
Cedar Creek pushed its lead to 14-0 at the 9:42 mark of the second stanza after a 13-play drive.
After being held to a three-and-out possession, the Panthers punted with Cedar Creek taking over at its own 30-yard line. The Cougars then marched as deep as the Lincoln Prep 37-yard line before fumbling the ball away to give the ball back to the Panthers on their own 42 with 3:17 remaining in the first half.
But on the ensuing play, Lincoln Prep quarterback Jordan Brown’s pass was intercepted by Cedar Creek’s Noah Durrett, who returned it 49 yards for a pick six to push the Cougars’ advantage to 20-0 (after a failed two-point conversion run attempt) with 3:06 left in the second quarter.
Lincoln Prep took over the next possession at its own 47 and after a six-yard pass from Brown to D’Tavion Wright followed by a four-yard run by Writer put the ball on the Cedar Cedar 43-yard line.
But then the Panthers fumbled the ball away.
Lincoln Prep’s defense did a solid job of not giving Cedar Creek another scoring opportunity before halftime as the Cougars maintained that 20-0 lead at intermission.
“If our quarterback throws the ball over the defender’s head like we practiced, then the receiver scores,” Hall said of the Cougars’ pick six score. “Then you’re talking about 14-6 or 14-8 going in at the half. That changes everything.
“Even with a little hustle by our fullback on the interception, and I watched him — he saw the interception and does this (motions just standing with hands on his hips watching Durrett race the pick six to paydirt) — he could have made the play. It’s just little things like that that let you know you ain’t ready for the big leagues.”
The Cougars’ stretched their lead to 28-0 at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter before scoring again with 11:53 remaining in the contest to make it 36-0.
On the ensuing drive, the Panthers moved as far as they would from their own goal line in the second half — their own 42-yard line — before punting the ball away.
Cedar Creek’s final score with 6:11 left on the scoreboard made it 44-0 and started a running clock that made quick work of Lincoln Prep’s final possession before time ran out.
“It’s bad,” Hall said. “It’s a reflection of me. I talk to my coaches all the time and ask what they see, and they see the same thing I see. I’ve had a 1-9 team, but they played hard. They played hard. But I’ve never had a team that when they get down by 14 or 20 they give up, and that’s what we did.”
Now the Panthers, who stand at 2-6 overall and 0-2 in District 2-1A, look to close out the regular season next Friday as they hit the road to play at defending state champion Ouachita Christian.
“Now it’s going to be up to our team,” Hall said. “We’ll just see if we want to be competitive. We’re heading into a lion’s cage with nothing but a pencil to fight with. So if you’re going in there to fight, you better stick him in the eye.
“We’ve got to find some kind of way to get something going and at least give an effort, because they’re going to be trying to win and get to that No. 1 seed. I think they’re No. 4 now. We were No. 24, so we’re probably going to fall out of the top 24 and we probably won’t make the playoffs. But we still have to go compete, no matter what.”
Grambling Police arrested a Dubach man Saturday night after he allegedly pointed a firearm at a juvenile at the scene of a disturbance.
Quinjaret J. Graham, 26, was arrested for aggravated assault after GPD officers responded to a Dunn Road residence regarding a fight.
A woman at the residence said a group of women came to the residence trying to fight with the women who were there in the yard. She said while this was occurring, Graham got out of a SUV with a long black firearm in his hand and pointed it at her son.
Information was received that the vehicle Graham was traveling in might be on Kennon Lane in Ruston. Ruston Police were asked to check the location for the vehicle. RPD located Graham and held him until Grambling officers arrived to place him under arrest. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
Bail was set at $4,000.
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.
Northwestern State football coach Brad Laird resigned Thursday and the university announced cancellation of its last four games related to the shooting death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell Jr. (NSU photo)
Journal Sports
NATCHITOCHES — National media coverage followed Thursday afternoon’s surprising announcement by Northwestern State president Dr. Marcus Jones that the university has canceled the rest of its football season due to the recent shooting death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell, with Jones citing concerns for the mental health and well-being of its student-athletes as the primary reason for the decision.
Many of the country’s primary news and sports news platforms carried coverage of the decision, which generated extensive social media traffic and commentary. NSU will not play its final four games in an 11-game schedule. It already cancelled an Oct. 14 game just two days after the shooting.
Caldwell, a junior safety from Cedar Park, Texas, in the Austin metroplex, played in 11 games last year, starting 10, but had not played this season due to a foot injury. He traveled with the team in a student coaching capacity, helping other defensive backs with their technique and schemes, and working with coaching staff members in the press box during games. He was hoping to play in the final month of the season.
His death, in an Oct. 12 early morning shooting where he lived at the Quad Apartment Complex across from campus, remains under investigation by the Natchitoches Police Department. Two men, one a former NSU teammate and the other a 27-year-old who was not an NSU student but was one of Caldwell’s roommates, have been arrested in connection with the case on drugs and weapons charges. No charges relating directly to Caldwell’s death have been public as of late Thursday.
Northwestern cancelled its Oct. 14 game at Nicholls, but resumed its schedule a week ago (Oct. 19) at home in an emotionally-charged game against Southeastern, briefly leading but dropping a 37-20 decision. Players not in uniform and team personnel wore black No. 23 T-shirts with Caldwell’s name, paying tribute to the business administration major who made the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2022 for carrying at least a 3.0 grade point average during the season. This summer, Caldwell helped coach a local youth league team of 9-year-old boys.
Many players, coaches and team personnel traveled to Austin Saturday to attend Caldwell’s funeral, where head coach Brad Laird spoke.
“Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly,” said Jones. “While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches, and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal, and to support Ronnie’s family.”
The school also announced Thursday the resignation of Laird, who was in his sixth season as coach after nine years at his alma mater as an assistant. Laird was a star quarterback for the Demons from 1991-96, and still holds the NSU career passing record. He is in the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements at Ruston High School, where he was the quarterback on the Bearcats’ unbeaten 1990 state championship team which earned a national No. 1 ranking from USA Today.
“Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don’t feel I can give my all to these players or this program,” Laird said. “Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”
“We appreciate Coach Laird’s long-term investment in Northwestern State football. From his undergraduate time as a record-setting quarterback to his year spent overseeing the university’s alumni office to coaching, he has been a vital member of the team,” said Kevin Bostian, NSU’s athletic director. “While we are disappointed not to be able to finish the season, we are confident that better days lie ahead for Northwestern State football.”
Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, Weston Glaser, will step in as interim head coach while the athletic department begins an immediate search for its next head coach. However, the team will not practice and it is unclear if any team activities will be held for the rest of the year. Counseling and other services are being made available to team members and others impacted, officials said.
A national search for a new head coach is already underway, officials said. Jones said there will be a 2024 season for NSU football.
“I want to thank our team, family, friends and the whole Northwestern State community for your understanding of this difficult decision,” Jones said. “We appreciate your support during this challenging time.”
The university’s press release did not immediately address considerations related to the Nov. 3-4 homecoming weekend, which was to culminate with an afternoon football game.
The decision also impacts McNeese State’s homecoming this weekend. NSU was scheduled to play at McNeese Saturday night.
“This is very disappointing for all of us,” said McNeese director of athletics Heath Schroyer, speaking at an afternoon press conference in Lake Charles. “I feel for the Northwestern State players, coaches and administrators for what they are going through. I’m also disappointed for our fans. I am with them in wanting to see the game.”
Schroyer said if the decision had been made earlier this week, he would have searched nationwide to find an opponent for Saturday. There was no indication before Thursday, McNeese officials said.
McNeese will stage most other homecoming activities this weekend, and introduce its homecoming court at halftime of its final home game next month.
A Dubach woman was arrested last Friday night after it was learned she was wanted on several arrest warrants during a stop for a traffic violation.
Acryn D. Jones, 22, was stopped the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office on U.S Highway 67 about 9:30 p.m. Friday. A records check indicated she was wanted on bench warrants for failure to appear in court.
When the LPSO officer asked if there were any narcotics in the vehicle, Jones replied no, but that she did have some drug paraphernalia. A search of the vehicle yielded smoking pipes and a grinder, all containing suspected marijuana residue.
Jones was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of drug paraphernalia and bench warrants for two counts of speeding and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A Ruston man was arrested last Friday afternoon after a woman reported he had beaten her earlier in the day.
The woman told a deputy at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office that she and the father of two of her children, Keondre A. Davis, 24, had been in an argument. She said they had argued for a while and then Davis pushed her to the ground, punched her in the face, choked her, and pulled her hair before letting her up. The woman said Davis then pulled out a gun and said, “I’ll kill you.”
The woman told the deputy she was fearful for her life at that moment and felt Davis would shoot her. She was covered in dirt and leaves, giving the appearance she had been on the ground a short time before going to the Sheriff’s Office. The right side of her face was puffy where she said Davis had punched her.
One of the children reportedly told a deputy he saw Davis push his mother to the ground and grab her throat and hair and point a gun at her.
About 2:30 p.m. Friday, deputies located Davis at his residence and questioned him about the incident. He indicated the woman was the aggressor in the situation and that he had videos of the event. Deputies watched the videos on Davis’s phone, but none showed either party engaging in a physical altercation. In one video, however, Davis stated, “I just drug her *** all across the yard.” In a separate video, he said he would “kill her” followed by the statement that “I put my Glock in her face.”
Davis was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for aggravated assault with a firearm and domestic abuse battery with strangulation, both felonies.
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.
The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic had effectively shut down an entire world for what felt like an eternity, reaching all the way into the 2020 Louisiana high school football season, which almost never happened.
And as Ruston prepares to honor 21 seniors tonight, it was those young men who, as freshmen that year, first donned their Bearcat jersey in the midst of all of the chaos and turmoil.
“It’s a very special group,” Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “I think it’s really a testament to their commitment to play football.”
Baugh reflected on the COVID-19 measures that were in place in the summer of 2020 which included multiple shutdowns of practice schedules, assigned seating on buses to avoid potential exposures, and a delayed regular season schedule that did not begin until October, all while playing at Eddie Robinson Stadium on the campus of Grambling State University.
“All through this, they continued to stick it out and decided they wanted to play,” Baugh said. “It’s the smallest senior group that we’ve had since I’ve been here. And I think that’s to be expected. You had less people that were willing to take a chance during that time. And once you sit out for a full year, you’re less likely to come back.
“To me, in that regard, they were willing to do whatever it took; fighting through all of that. This group stuck it out.”
Since 2020’s COVID season, the senior group has been part of a program that has combined for an overall record of 38-8 as of today, beaten West Monroe for the first time in three decades, and played for a state championship last year.
“With all of the bad stuff, I think some good came out of it,” Baugh said. “With respect to those guys, this group is really special to me that they made it this far, much less all of the accomplishments that they’ve had.”
Ruston will be honoring the following senior football players.
Nehemiah Addison Jamerian Banks Kylon Bradley Ahmad Breaux Jacoryian Crowe Will Fendley Ronald Findley Geordan Guidry Nate Johnson Landon Jones Semaj Jones Logan Malone Jadon Mayfield Joe Morrow Demario Nash Avery Overstreet Dutch Russell Jon Robert Scheer Zhy Scott Chamarion Williams Jamar Woods
I know you are busy, and I want to get you back to your life, so this is a short article. Do me a favor, think about these things for just a moment.
Years ago, in seminary, they taught us the adult attention span was 23 minutes. In this digital world the your attention span was by-passed after the first sentence. These are quick. They are in no particular Biblical order.
Jesus threw a Temple tantrum.
Jesus was always borrowing things. He borrowed a boat; borrowed a donkey; borrowed an upper room; borrowed a sepulcher.
Jesus invited himself to supper at Zacchaeus’ house. Jesus invited himself to join the conversation on the Emmaus road. Jesus inserted himself into the political conversation in Jerusalem when he mounted a donkey and rode into the city. Jesus inserted himself into many conversations and situations and His imposition gave each person something they were looking for and a relationship that changed their lives.
Jesus spent too much time with children.
Jesus was a serial procrastinator. On at least two occasions, Jesus was late, and it cost someone his or her life. However, Jesus was always on time. Go figure.
As an infant, Jesus spooked a king. As a child he shocked the theologians
Jesus comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comfortable.
The deadline to enter this week’s pick’em is 5 p.m. today. Don’t miss it.
It’s a FREE chance to win $200 (and maybe more).
Other winners have done it. Why can’t you?
Week #8 of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Heard Construction and Martin Presence is winding down.
One lucky winner will claim $200 … with the potential to make it $400 if they are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).
This week YOU could be our lucky winner. It just takes a few minutes to click on the link above and fill out a form for FREE. It could mean $200 in your pocket if you choose wisely.
Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE and each week’s winner will go home with a $200 cash prize. Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 13 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two other games).
The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Martin Presence and Heard Construction will be conducted over the 13 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 2) and running through the end of November.
There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Lincoln Parish Journal.
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 that week in the LPJ. Individuals are eligible to win multiple times during the season.
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 (or $400 if you can have a perfect week with the correct tiebreaker).
Both of Ruston High’s cross country varsity squads took first place Thursday evening at the 2023 North Louisiana Championships at Lincoln Parish Park with the boys scoring 23 points overall and the girls scoring 33 points and both earning District 2-5A championships.
“I am really happy with the results,” Ruston cross country head coach Dustin Cochran said. “At the end of the year during championship season, we are running for place, first and foremost. We came away with two team championships. We were able to beat all of our district teams when it mattered plus some of the others from around north Louisiana. It was a lot of fun watching everyone compete. We’re really looking forward to going out there next week and really really bringing our best effort.
“We will dial up the intensity and focus this next week and be ready to go as a team.”
The Bearcats had all five scoring finishes in the top nine, with 11 boys in the top 25 overall in the meet.
“I think it speaks volumes about the type of work they’ve been putting in,” Cochran said. “They’re in this together and I am very glad that’s happening above anything else.”
Leading the way were senior Thomas Rogers (15 minutes, 25 seconds) and sophomore Taylor Roller (16:04) finishing first and second, respectively. Senior Landon Byrd took fifth at 16:27, while sophomore Joshua Daulton finished sixth at 16:45.
Rounding out scoring for Ruston was senior Liam Lowe at 16:57.
On the girls side, Lady Bearcat junior Parker Nations finished second at 19:46. Senior Zoie Holstead ran 20:59 for sixth, while sophomore Hallie Hebert ran 21:13 for seventh. Freshman Emmersyn Nations took twelfth at 22:34, while freshman Aydan Murry finished 26th at 23:57.
“I really hope the girls are happy with themselves,” Cochran said. “A few weeks ago we were wondering if we would make the state meet. The response from them hasn’t been perfect, but I’ve really liked how they’ve still found a way to get it done this year and win a district championship even being so short handed. I think overcoming some adversity and still succeeding even when it’s not exactly how you envisioned it goes a long way and helps build a lot of character.
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, October 27 6-8 p.m. Downtown Ruston Wine Walk 7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep v Cedar Creek football (at Lincoln Prep) 7 p.m.: Ruston High School football game 7 p.m.: Halloween Movie Night (Dixie Center for the Arts) 7:30 p.m.: Louisiana Tech School of Theatre Fall Theatre Festival
Saturday, October 28 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: GSU football v. Bethune-Cookman University 7:30 p.m.: Louisiana Tech School of Theatre Fall Theatre Festival
Sunday, Oct. 29 2 p.m.: Halloween children’s festivities at Black Rifle Coffee Company 4-6 p.m.: Trunk or Treat (Hosted by The Springs; located in the parking lot of Cypress Springs Elementary School) 5-6:30 p.m.: Trunk or Treat (Trinity Methodist Church)
Brenda Faye Robinson Sunday 08/22/1954 — Friday 10/20/2023 Family Gathering: Friday 10/27/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Visitation: Friday 10/27/2023 4:00pm to 7:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 10/28/2023 1:00pm, Rocky Valley Baptist Church, 133 Brasswell Lane, Simsboro Interment: Saturday 10/28/2023 Following Service, Rocky Valley Cemetery, Simsboro
Dr. Jim Henderson (left) was named the 15th president in Louisiana Tech history followed a vote of the ULS Board Wednesday night in Baton Rouge.
By Malcolm Butler
It’s official.
University of Louisiana System President Dr. Jim Henderson has been named the 15th president in the history of Louisiana Tech University following a special ULS Board meeting Wednesday night.
Henderson will follow in the footsteps of Dr. Les Guice, who will retire on December 31 following 10 and a half years at the helm of the institution. Henderson will start on January 1.
The board voted unanimously 13-0 to appoint Henderson with three of the ULS Board members not in attendance.
“When Dr. Henderson expressed his interest in this role, the Board explored all available options for this particular circumstance,” said Liz Pierre, Chairman of the ULS Board. “After deliberations and recognizing the talent and characteristics we have witnessed supervising Dr. Henderson the past seven years, it is clear that he is uniquely qualified to serve this lauded institution as it continues toward an even brighter future,”
Henderson voiced his appreciation and excitement about his upcoming role at Louisiana Tech.
“Louisiana Tech is an exceptional institution with global impact,” said Henderson. “My family’s relationship with Tech began more than 80 years ago, in 1941, when my Dad signed to play football for Joe Aillet and continues today as my youngest son just entered his sophomore year. It is an honor to succeed President Guice. I look forward to moving home to North Louisiana to work alongside the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community to lead Tech into its next era of excellence.”
Prior to the board vote, a public session was held which allowed for any questions or comments on the matter. One UL System president spoke on Henderson’s behalf and then board members Steve Davison and Jimmy Clarke each asked a question. There we no questions or comments from the public, not necessarily surprising after Henderson spent 90 minutes in a town hall-type forum on the Tech campus last week.
Davison, a LA Tech alum who is in his third year of his 6-year appointment on the ULS Board, said he felt Henderson will be a strong successor to Guice.
“As an alumnus and resident of the Ruston community, I couldn’t be more excited for Tech’s future,” Davison said. “The university has thrived under Les’ leadership and Jim is poised to build on that foundation which will lead to even more growth and innovation.”
The appointment comes minus a national search, which is the normal process for finding a new president within the UL System. However, with the uniqueness of Henderson’s current position as system president, the board felt said it was the right route to take.
Since Henderson made it public that he was interested in the opening and the board voted to suspend one of its regulations in regards to opening the process up to any candidates, there has been plenty of opponents of the change in policy regarding the process. Henderson answered a number of questions in regards to the topic during the Tech forum last week, explaining the Board’s reasoning and ultimately clarifying it was the Boards position to defend.
Henderson has served for the past seven years as the ULS President after being appointed on Jan. 1, 2017. He served as president at Northwestern Stater University for two years from 2015 through 2017 and was a finalist for the president position at LSU in its last search.
Henderson is a 1994 Northwestern State graduate in journalism and English. He earned his master’s in administration from West Florida and doctorate in management from the University of Maryland-University College.
The Shreveport native has Louisiana Tech ties as his father Clem played football for the Bulldogs under head coach Joe Aillet. He is the first Tech President in more than six decades that doesn’t possess a diploma from the University.
Henderson’s experience in higher education and state government includes serving as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College for nearly six years before becoming president of Northwestern State. He also served as Senior Vice-President for Career and Technical Education for the entire Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
Henderson was Director of Administration and Workforce Development for the Louisiana Department of Labor from 2001 to 2005 and worked in the private sector in hotel management for 10 years before beginning his service in state government.
The University of Louisiana System governs nine state institutions, including Tech, Grambling State University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Louisiana Monroe, and the University of New Orleans.
The governor appoints 15 of the 16-member board which includes two members from each congressional district and three at-large members. A student board member is elected annually by the universities’ SGA presidents. Board members serve six year terms.
His wife Tonia is also a Northwestern State graduate who has been engaged in a successful career as an executive in television advertising and sales. They have three children, Reagan, Nicholas and Alexander.
Grambling State president Rick Gallot was named the new president of the University of Louisiana System.
By T. Scott Boatright
Rick Gallot has spent his life making impacts in his native Grambling or in Baton Rouge, where he served in both the state Senate and House of Representatives.
After serving as president of Grambling State University since 2016, Gallot will begin working again in Baton Rouge as he takes over as president of the University of Louisiana System beginning on Jan. 1.
Gallot will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson, who was unanimously elected Wednesday night by the ULS Board of Supervisors to fill the presidential vacancy at Louisiana Tech University before the Board went back into executive session to unanimously name Gallot as Henderson’s replacement.
That leaves Grambling State in search of a new president in a move that will be announced at a later date.
“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, staff and Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System,” Gallot said in a prepared statement. “The sense of Systemness created by Dr. Henderson is something I look forward to carrying on by leveraging the collective strength of 90,000 students as the driver of higher education in the state of Louisiana.”
Gallot earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Grambling and a juris doctorate from Southern University School of Law. He is currently pursuing a doctorate of organizational leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. He has also completed leadership training from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Gallot earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Grambling State and a juris doctorate from Southern University School of Law and guided GSU through a period of historic growth including setting new enrollment records and a 200 percent improvement in the institution’s fiscal health score.
He is currently pursuing a doctorate of organizational leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He has also completed leadership training from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
“I feel very grateful right now that you have bestowed this incredible honor on (my wife) Christy and I to step into some pretty big shoes,” Gallot told the board moments after being announced as the ULS president-elect. “I want to thank Dr. Henderson as well for being such an incredible support system for me over the last seven years and I just want to let you know that I’m grateful for this opportunity and certainly look forward to serving this Board, the 80,000-plus students across nine institutions in the University of Louisiana System. I’m grateful and just want to say thank you.”
Board Chair Liz Pierre lauded Gallot in that prepared statement announcing his election as ULS president-elect.
“Rick’s long career of servant leadership to our state prepared him well for this role,” Pierre said. “After thoughtful consideration, the Board believes President Gallot is best positioned to lead the University of Louisiana System to new heights in the coming years.”
Named Grambling’s 10th president in 2016, Gallot led the institution through a period of historic growth including setting new enrollment records and a 200 percent improvement in the institution’s fiscal health score.”
Pierre added further remarks regarding at the end of Wednesday’s meeting.
“I know that over the past seven years that you’ve served as president of Grambling State University you demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, to financial stewardship and academic excellence during that time,” Pierre said. “You prioritized strategic growth, fostered innovation and academically engaged stakeholders, resulting in enrollment growth and retention of students there at Grambling.
“In addition to the impressive work you’ve done at Grambling, but your background as a state representative and a senator will give you a profound understanding of the legislative process, policy development and efficient advocacy that will serve our nine universities, their faculties and staff and students very well. For those reasons I believe you are an excellent choice to lead the University of Louisiana System.”
Henderson agreed with Pierre in feeling Gallot was the right choice for his replacement.
“Rick is ideally suited to carry on this work and take it to the next level,” said. “His character, leadership acumen, and political instincts will ensure the UL System continues to advance at an even more rapid pace.”
Governor John Bel Edwards (right) talks to Bert Jones and a table of local businessmen during Wednesday’s luncheon.
By Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of his hope for the future of the state during the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Speaker Series sponsored by Origin Bank at the Davison Athletics Complex on Wednesday.
The outgoing state leader spoke for a half hour to a room of more than 160 professionals, including Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker and Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice.
Both Edwards and Will Dearmon, President and CEO of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber, recognized Guice for his leadership and loyalty to Louisiana Tech and the state of Louisiana. Guice will retire from Louisiana Tech at the end of December after more than a decade as president.
“There has never been a doubt in my mind that (Les) has been motivated by doing the right thing centered on the students here and their success and the success of this institution,” said Edwards. “You are lucky to have a visionary, caring, compassionate leader who walks across campus calling students by name. That doesn’t happen elsewhere. He set a very high bar for whoever comes next.”
During Edwards half hour talk he highlighted the accomplishments during his eight years in office, including his administration’s commitment to higher education as well as the overall financial health of Louisiana.
Edwards recalled that the state’s budget deficit was estimated to reach $2 billion prior to his taking office.
“That was very, very challenging,” said Edwards. “We actually had six months to go in FY16 and we were a billion dollars short to close out that year. We worked really hard, and we were able to stabilize our state and stabilize our revenue and we didn’t have a $2 billion deficit. We closed that year with $122 million surplus. And that surplus has repeated itself in different amounts every year that I’ve been governor.”
Edwards spoke to how his administration utilize those surplus in various avenues, making “very significant investments.”
The Budget Stabilization Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund), Edwards said he will leave office with it containing $974.7 million – the highest it has ever been, according to the Governor. Edwards also spoke of a Revenue Stabilization Fund created when he took office in 2017 that now contains $2.3 billion.
“We now have two savings accounts that contain $3.2 billion,” said Edwards. “We’ve never had a billion dollars ever before so this is more than three times. So I am very proud of that work.”
Edwards spoke to the fact his administration was able to fund these accounts while all the time investing in priorities, such as teacher pay raises, fundraising early childhood education and higher education. Edwards told the crowd that the three to four years prior to his taking office, the state of Louisiana had cut higher education more than any other state in the nation.
“I am excited about so much of what we have done,” said Edwards. “I understand that there is always more to be done. But at the end of the day we have been able to work together in Louisiana to a degree that to be quite honest we don’t see as often as we would want to see. I do hope that that continues.
“We really have addressed our most pressing problems over the last eight years, and yet we do still have challenges. I am very optimistic about the future of our state because we are poised to continue to do wonderful things.”
Edwards spoke to the fact that during his administration he was able to make strides within the state despite facing a record number of natural disasters (24 federal disaster declarations as well the Covid pandemic).
“It’s a testament to the resiliency, the goodness and the decency of the people of Louisiana,” said Edwards. “And its why I’m always inspired by our people. And when I say the great state of Louisiana, I mean it.”
With Jeff Landry set to take the reins of the Governor’s office in 2024, Edwards said he remains hopeful that the state will continue to move forward although he acknowledges there will be changes.
“I do hope that the leadership in the governor’s office and legislators and so forth will not be tempted to make the same mistakes that were made in 2008 and 2009 that caused the problems that we solved,” said Edwards. “That could easily happen if we don’t remember the result of that. I think it’s important for all of us to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Louisiana Tech celebrated the newest addition to its Enterprise Campus yesterday with a ribbon cutting for Tech Pointe II, located at the corner of Dan Reneau Drive and Homer Street.
Tech Pointe II will house three companies — Radiance Technologies, Crossmark Management Group, and LA New Product Development Team.
Tech President Les Guice, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, and Argent Financial CEO Kyle McDonald gave opening remarks before the ribbon cutting and public touring of the facility.
Guice thanked Edwards for his continued support of Louisiana Tech, from his very first weeks as the state’s governor.
“We’re very fortunate over these past eight years,” Guice said. “(Edwards) visited our campus in his first two weeks in office. And I think that says a lot about his commitment to our community. And he also came here on April 25, 2019, to support us in the recovery of the E-3 tornado that tore through our campus and our community. And he supported us in rebuilding our facilities and restoring our grounds.
“Without his leadership and his commitment to higher education, we wouldn’t have many of the facilities that we have today. And I should note this integrated engineering and science building across the street was the only new building he authorized in his first year as governor. What a difference that has made for us and this whole community.”
Edwards said Tech Pointe II was largely possibly due to Guice’s visionary leadership and that when he first toured Tech’s campus, Guice showed him land where he wanted the integrated engineering and science building to go and the hope for Tech Pointe II.
“I’m happy to be here because what this represents is that we are strategically investing in our most critical priorities,” Edwards said. “And there is nothing more important, no one more important than higher education. Success begets success, and every time a tenant comes here and they are successful by working with Tech students, they’re creating their talent pipeline. Then you’re just going to see more and more companies come here. They are going to invest, and it is a virtuous cycle. That’s what the leadership here in Lincoln Parish and Ruston and at Louisiana Tech University understand. And I’m very much appreciative of that.”
Edwards said these critical strategic investments need to continue in the state.
“Either you’re moving forward or you’re moving backwards, because everything we do is relative to what’s happening around us in our sister states with whom we are competing,” he said. “And I believe we all understand that now. And I feel very fortunate to be here, just as I was here a couple of weeks into my first term. I’m here with just a few weeks to go in my second term before I go home. So these are perfect bookends for me. This trip to Louisiana today is an affirmation of what we sought to accomplish and the fact that in large part we have done it here in Louisiana and there is a reason why the I-20 corridor is gaining attention all over the country.
“If we will just stay on the course, there will be much more investment here, many more opportunities, much more prosperity and growth when it comes from investment in our people, the most precious natural resource God is entrusted to us are these students walking between these classrooms. And this is what we need to continue. This has always been (Guice’s) vision and we’re better off for it.”
A Ruston man was arrested early Saturday morning after he allegedly discarded a bag of ecstasy while standing outside the vehicle in which he was a passenger.
Carlos T. Albritton, 41, was first observed as a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation. Albritton was seen holding an open beer can with an open bottle of whiskey beside him.
When he was directed to step out of the car, he apparently discarded a bag of a substance that tested positive for MDMA (ecstasy) while the officer was checking the identities of the other occupants.
Albritton was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of MDMA, open container, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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.
Ladd Thompson (7) and Lawson Lillo (1) will lead the Cougars into tonight’s District 2-1A match-up at Lincoln Prep. (Photo by Darrell James)
By Malcolm Butler
With the regular season winding down and only two games remaining before postseason, high school coaches across the state are keeping an eye on the power ratings.
Cedar Creek head coach William Parkerson knows where his Cougars sit heading into tonight’s road game at Lincoln Prep, but he isn’t talking to his team about it.
“I haven’t said anything to them about it,” said Parkerson. “Heck, if we go 2-0 or if everybody else goes 2-0 … it could change a lot or hardly any. It’s not something we can stress about. We just have to roll with the punches.
“I know right now we are sitting at No. 21. We can probably get as high as No. 18 or fall as low as maybe No. 22 … it just all depends. We can only control what we do on the field.”
After dropping its first three games of the season, including a pair of one score losses to Glenbrook and Vadalia, the Cougars reeled off three straight lopsided wins against Delhi, Tensas, and Lafayette Renaissance. Creek then lost 35-0 against No. 2 ranked Ouachita Christian last week at home.
Creek does sit at No. 21 in this week’s power ratings which are used to create the postseason brackets. The top 24 teams in Select School Division IV make the playoffs with the top eight teams getting a first round bye.
With games against Lincoln Prep and St. Fredericks remaining, the Cougars have an opportunity to move up or down. However, the ability to move high enough to get a first round home game is a long shot as Creek would have to move up five spots to No. 16.
However, Parkerson isn’t worried about that but is focused on his team continuing to get better.
“Whoever draws us in the first round as their opponent and turns on the tape won’t be real happy,” said Parkerson. “I think we have gotten a lot better. My goal this year was to get better each week and be playing our best ball come playoff time. I think through eight weeks I can say we have done that. I know it was a losing effort last week, but it was our best game we have played.”
Lincoln Prep (2-5, 0-1) sits at No. 24 in the Select School Division IV power ratings, which is the very last playoff spot. The Panthers have Creek and OCS remaining on their schedule.
“They mix in I-formation and spread,” said Parkerson talking about Lincoln Prep’s offense. “They have a big offensive line and some kids that can really run. It’s the same as every week. We want to rally to the football and eliminate the big plays.”
The Panthers have been hot and cold defensively, surrendering 36 or more points in four games and 14 or fewer in the other three.
“We have two films on them,” said Parkerson. “One they were in a 4-2-5 and the other they were in a 3-3 stack. We have practiced against both of them this week. It’s the great thing about our offense. People will throw different things at us with our option. We never know what we are going to face. We just have to adjust on the fly.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. tonight at Lincoln Prep.
Junior Cenario Wilson (1) and the Lincoln Preparatory School Panthers will play host to Cedar Creek starting at 7 p.m. today at Panthers Field. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Lincoln Preparatory School football coach Glen Hall knows how to read the hand he’s been dealt for the 2023 season.
But that isn’t going to stop Hall from trying to read the cards and come up with a winning hand no matter what the odds might look like.
Lincoln Prep will play host to cross-parish and District 2-1A foe Cedar Creek starting at 7 p.m. today at Panthers Field, and for now Hall is strictly focused on that contest before facing even more daunting odds next week playing on the road against defending 1A Select School state champion Ouachita Christian School.
“It’s tough overcoming youth and inexperience, and that’s where we’re at,” Hall said. “I thought we could overcome it early, but the more we practice the more I see that those are very high expectations for this very, very young team.
“The main thing I have to do is to teach them how to be winners. And that’s not going to happen quickly. They just don’t know what that is yet. It’s a learning experience and we’re going to keep on teaching them and working on it, but first focus has to be on getting them to grow and learn to become competitive no matter who they’re going up against and not just active participants.”
Cedar Creek stands at 3-4 overall and 0-1 in district play while Lincoln Prep is 2-5 and 0-1. In the latest unofficial power rankings, the Cougars stand in 21st place while the Panthers are 24th.
While realizing his Panthers will be facing a talented Cedar Creek squad, he believes his team still might have a shot with the right focus on execution throughout the contest.
“We have to move the ball with our offense and defensively, we have to hold them to long, time-consuming drives and not let them break off long runs and score in a hurry,” Hall said. “If we can get started offensively, get stops defensively and drive and score, then it should be a good game between us.
“If we can keep it close by halftime, then it will be anyone’s game in the second half.”
Hall knows a low-scoring game would be the better option for his Panthers.
“We’re not ready (offensively) for a high-scoring game,” Hall said. “We make too many mental mistakes on that side of the ball right now. We’re still learning. So we’re not ready for a high-scoring game.”
Lincoln Prep starting quarterback Jordan Brown was injured two weeks ago in the second half of the last game the Panthers played — a home loss to St. Frederick — but Hall said Brown will be the primary Panther behind center against Cedar Creek.
“Jordan’s healthy and he’ll be the quarterback, he’s still the guy,” Hall said. “He’s healed and he’s ready.
“We’ll do some Wildcat (offensive set), too. We might even use a formation or two that nobody has seen yet.”
Hall doesn’t expect the Cougars to look any different than they have on the video he’s reviewed.
“They’re consistent — we know what will be coming,” Hall said. “The question is, will we stop, or even slow it? They’re gonna run the option with some reverses. They’ll run the counter and they’ll run all of it well. They’re not as deep as they used to be. They’re just like us. It’s going to be two teams with about 30 players each. So a lot of players will have to go both ways, and that could make the game interesting.”
And that means a key for Lincoln Prep will be slowing Cedar Creek quarterback Ladd Thompson and fullback Lawson Lillo.
“If we can’t stop the fullback and the quarterback, we’re going to be in trouble,” Hall said. “I think that’s where they’ll attack but they’ve seen the film and know we make a lot of mistakes up in the middle. And I think that’s what they’ll try to exploit.”
Hall is hoping for a solid crowd in the Panthers last home game of regular-season play.
“It’ll be Senior Night so I’m hoping everyone comes out and shows our veteran players the support they deserve after working to lead such a young team this season,” Hall said.
Ruston Police arrested a motorist Friday night after he was stopped for a traffic violation and drugs and outstanding warrants were found.
Jasiah R. Foster, 28, of Ruston, was stopped late Friday night for operating a vehicle with only one operable headlight. During the stop, the officer learned Foster’s driver’s license was suspended and he was wanted on five warrants for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on traffic charges.
Foster was arrested and in a search of the vehicle, suspected marijuana, suspected synthetic marijuana, and a plastic baggy of Xanax tablets were found. Also located in the vehicle was a digital scale typically used to measure and distribute drugs.
Foster was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance (alprazolam-Xanax), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, the five warrants, and misdemeanor probation violation.
Bail was set at $19,000.
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.
