A 26-year-old Ruston man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly stole a skateboard valued over $1,000.
Police were called to a West California Avenue restaurant about 8:00 p.m. Sunday. The victim said he went in Papa John’s Pizza to order food and left his skateboard outside the store. When he returned a few minutes later, the skateboard valued at about $1,600 was gone.
The victim said he had an Apple air tag inside the skateboard and was tracking its location. Using the location data from the air tag, the victim accompanied police to a Yale Drive residence where several people were standing outside. Demorea V. Evans admitted he had the skateboard in the back of his pickup truck.
Evans retrieved the skateboard and was placed under arrest. Evans said he saw the skateboard at Papa John’s and took it. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for theft of property valued over $1000.
Bail was set at $1,500.
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.
On October 19, the UL System President Jim Henderson met with La Tech faculty, students, and alumni in a town hall forum to discuss the possibility of his becoming the next president of La Tech University.There has already been much written about this session, the selection process being altered, his credentials, and various other related topics.I would like to provide a different perspective on these major issues and hopefully shed new light on this matter.
A Change to the Selection Process:It is understandable that a change from a more inclusive, comprehensive, and public selection process would be difficult for many to accept.The concept of a national search conducted with input from various stakeholders is obviously an approach that many obviously valued and were comfortable following.I completely understand the concern with the change in approach.
However, while that approach may be somewhat the norm in portions of the academia world, it is not the norm in most other organizational structures.I worked for a large fortune 500 publicly traded company for over 30 years.During that 30-year period, the Company changed CEO’s three times.While I was an employee and shareholder, I was never involved in the CEO selection process.No employees were involved in this process.The Board of Directors made the decision – end of story.
Credentials in Question:A degree and/or teaching experience at a highly thought of university is something to be valued and respected.There is no doubt that a solid track record at a prestigious university can bring credibility, perspective, and excellence to future opportunities.
However, while I have worked with executives from prestigious universities in my past, my experiences were varied.Some of these individuals were not only strong in their field of expertise but were also solid leaders.Others couldn’t lead someone across the street.I found the individual made the leader, not the institution.In addition, relevant experiences can be gained from various assignments.Mr. Henderson’s experiences appear solid to me.
Priorities:There is no question that research is a key aspect for a university.The time, investment, and resulting advancements are noteworthy for the university, the state, nation, and possibly beyond.There is also the issue of athletics.While one could question whether athletics draw students to Tech or not, there is no question that athletics play a vital role in university life and alumni involvement.Those were two potential priorities that were posed to Mr. Henderson during the open session.
While Mr. Henderson acknowledged that both research and athletics are vital aspects of the University, he elevated the importance of the students in his responses throughout the period.What a great response!Now, priorities are evidenced by where time and money are invested, but elevating students as a priority sounds like a great place to start.
There were other key topics discussed such as staffing shortages, pay increases, strategic plan focus, and other relevant topics.I am not sure that Mr. Henderson and I would agree on every response, but I can say he displayed poise, competency, and confidence fielding those questions.If Mr. Henderson does in fact become the next president of La Tech, I look forward to hearing more about his strategy for the University.
I recall Mr. Henderson emphasizing his commitment to prepare students. I also support preparing La Tech students to enter a difficult, challenging world.They will need to be prepared to handle uncertainty, disagreements, and adversity with poise, competence, and confidence.Sound familiar?
The Lincoln Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 has issued an emergency order banning all open-air outdoor burning effective immediately. This burn ban coincides with Lincoln Parish Police Jury Ordinance No. 276-06-(1) which authorizes Commissioners of Fire Protection District No. 1 of Lincoln Parish to impose a temporary ban on open-air outdoor burning within said district.
Due to the extremely dry conditions presently existing in Lincoln Parish, rural areas, woodlands, and forests are subject to fire. Anyone found to be violating this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 dollars, together with all costs of court, or a jail sentence not to exceed six months, or both.
This ban will remain in effect until lifted by the Commissioners of Lincoln Parish Fire Protection District No. 1. Anyone having questions concerning this matter should contact this office at the number listed above.
Week #9 of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Heard Construction and Martin Presence is underway.
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 Lincoln Parish Journal 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.
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).
American Journalist Christopher Hitchens once said, “Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where it should, I think, in most cases, remain.” Abraham had published several books, but when he got to his seventh novel, most people thought it should have remained inside his own mind and not in print.
Abraham was the manager of the Lyceum theater in London’s West End. As manager, Abraham held a position of prestige, but his salary as manager did not necessarily reflect his position. To supplement his income, Abraham wrote reviews of plays and books. He also published poetry, stories which were serialized in newspapers, and novels. He had no aspirations to become famous, he wrote whatever he thought would sell well. Most of his published works were in the romance genre. His seventh novel, however, was something altogether different.
Despite many popular reviews, Abraham’s seventh novel was not the runaway success that he had hoped for. He had spent years researching the book and had handwritten over 100 pages of notes on the project, but it sold poorly compared to some of his other published works. When he died on April 20, 1912, he had made little income from his seventh novel, and it was no longer in print. When newspapers in Europe published the news of his passing, the articles listed several of his popular novels but his seventh novel was rarely included among them.
In 1927, Abraham’s seventh novel was used as the basis of a stage play which was better received than the novel had been. Based on the play’s success, Universal Pictures purchased the rights to the book for $40,000. Adjusted for inflation, $40,000 in 1930 would be almost $750,000 in today’s money. Abraham’s widow, Florence Balcombe, made much more money from the seventh novel than her late husband had. Universal Pictures took a giant risk with the film. Production costs totaled nearly $400,000. The film based on Abraham’s seventh novel was released on February 12, 1931. Universal Pictures executives were relieved when, unlike the novel, the film became a hit. Domestically, it earned more than $700,000, almost double its production cost. The film added a new character into worldwide popular culture which is instantly recognizable. The film also spawned new interest in Abraham’s seventh novel. Since the film’s release, Abraham’s book has never been out of print, and it has become one of the most famous works of English Literature. Abraham’s novel has been adapted for film more than 30 times so far, and his characters have appeared in all forms of media. Abraham could never have imagined how popular his creation would become.
We almost knew the title of Abraham’s seventh novel by a completely different name. Just before the novel went to the publishers for printing, Abraham made a last-minute decision and changed the title of the novel from “The Un-Dead.” You and I know Abraham “Bram” Stoker’s seventh, almost-forgotten, novel as “Dracula.”
I must admit that I have to laugh when I note the title of this weekly article. As if any of us can “forecast” the madness that is fantasy football on a week-to-week basis. I often look back at what I predicted would happen the week before and wonder how I could have been wrong about this, that, or the other. And yet, there is beauty in all of that. After all, who wants to live in a world in which every aspect of something is easily predictable? If that’s not the world you wish to live in, well, then fantasy football may be the game for you.
Thankfully, for fantasy managers dealing with injuries at the moment, there are no NFL teams on bye this week. That means more options for your weekly lineup, but also possibly more tough decisions. In recognition of that, here are some trends I’ve been noticing in recent weeks- trends that should be kept in mind as some of those tough decisions have to be made.
First off, if you are allowed to start a third RB as a flex player in lineups that allow for that sort of variability, you are a fortunate soul. Running back injuries have been as common as bird-sized mosquitoes on a summer night in Ruston (or so I recall) thus far this season. DO NOT trade your RB depth to gain a better wide receiver or quarterback or any other position for that matter. With running backs taking a beating each and every week, this trend of injury for the position is going to continue. Maintain whatever depth you may have and look to the waiver wire for RBs who will be cast into starting roles, if even for a short time.
Second, quarterback play is the one thing in fantasy football that is returning to a place of sanity at the moment. Before the season, the top 3 quarterbacks to try to get in a redraft were Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts- usually in that order. Through seven weeks of action now, the top 3 quarterbacks in terms of fantasy points scored are…Mahomes, Allen, and Hurts. Sure, there are a few surprises at the position each year, but along with tight end, it’s the position where the names at the top at end of a season most resemble the names at the beginning. If you don’t think the quarterback currently on your team is close to ideal at this point, see if you can trade for one of the “big three”. They’re the closest entities to certainty that we’ve got in his maddening hobby.
Next, the rookie wide receivers continue to be an amazing story. Jordan Addison was stellar last Monday night in place of the injured Justin Jefferson. Puka Nacua is currently on pace for nearly 1,900 receiving yards this season, and Josh Downs is coming off a 125-receiving yards outing vs. the Browns this past weekend. Unlike rookie running backs, who often get hurt or hit a wall as the season moves into November and December, rookie receivers who excel usually carry that momentum throughout the season. If you’re still starting that grizzled veteran at the WR2 spot who “should” be performing better than they actually are, it might be time to give a talented rookie a shot. For those still starting Terry McLaurin, Tyler Lockett, DeAndre Hopkins, and/or Amari Cooper, yes- this means you.
Another trend that appears to be here to stay is the usage of tight ends in the red zone. The fade pass to a wide receiver is much better defended than it was a few years ago and as such, offensive coordinators are dialing up more and more throws to the end zone that involve the tight end. Consider this: Among last week’s TEs to score a touchdown were Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Darren Waller, Dallas Goedert, Gerald Everett, and Mike Gesicki on a game winning pass from Mac Jones. Even Taysom Hill found the end zone for New Orleans, albeit as a runner. The tight end has not been a position of relevance the past few seasons outside of guys like Kelce and Andrews. That is trending in quite a different direction this season- at least as far as red zone usage is concerned.
Finally, games the past two weeks involving the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars have produced an average of 67 points scored and 56 points scored respectively in those games. Looking at which match-ups produce the most point flow is significant in trying to determine whether to start one player vs. another. This week’s opponents vs. the Colts and Jaguars are the Saints and Steelers. That means offensive skill position players who are borderline starters most weeks (think Diontae Johnson, Derek Carr, and Najee Harris) have a real shot at making more noise than usual this time around.
Then again, fantasy football is very much like a box of chocolates as previously noted…
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
Robert Payton April 21, 1941 – October 23, 2023 Funeral Service: Thursday, October 26, 2023, 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Thursday, October 26, 2023, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
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 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.”
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.
After a five-year intermission, The Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Banquet returned Thursday to the Ruston Civic Center.
That banquet, which began in 2008, was not held from 2019-2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A crowd of around 200 people watched the Greater Grambling Chamber present five awards with Grambling’s two schools — Grambling State University and Lincoln Preparatory School — joining in the honors.
“It went very well and we had a good crowd for the first one we’ve held since having to take the break,” said Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce President Reginald Owens. “We found out that even after that break for the pandemic, if we build it, the people will come, so we’re already considering and working on things to make it even bigger and better next year.
GSU’s Call Me MiSTER Program was honored as the R.W.E. Jones Education Award, named after the college’s longest serving president.
The Grambling State College of Education’s Call Me MiSTER (an acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program’s mission is to increase the pool of available male teachers from a broader more diverse background, particularly among the state’s lowest-performing elementary schools.
Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged, and educationally at-risk communities.
The GSU Call Me MiSTER program has held a pair of banquets over the past two years bringing in educators and college students from across the nation to Lincoln Parish and the Grambling State campus.
Also receiving a R.W.E. Jones Education Award from the Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce was Lincoln Preparatory School, which moved to its new campus late last spring after nearly three years of vagabond-like teaching and learning, began attending class in the new $30 million, 100,000-square foot school building, located on a 400-acre site located off of La. Hwy, 150 (Old Grambling Road).
Lincoln Preparatory School Executive Director Gordan Ford also received attention this summer as a finalist for the Louisiana Principal of the Year award.
Earning the Greater Grambling Chamber’s L.D. Land Award was Police Chief Tommy Clark, who has overseen the city’s police department for more than 20 years.
That award is named in honor of Loester “L.D.” Land, who spent 40 years as an educator, civic and church leader in Grambling.
Land, with others in Grambling and black leaders in Ruston, successfully led a court challenge against at-large member districts for Lincoln Parish governmental entities, school boards and police juries. This legal victory led to the reappointment and the creation of single-member districts.
Clark was honored in the summer of 2022 by the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, for which he served as president from 2021-22.
Since becoming Grambling’s Chief of Police in February of 2013, Clark has not only served the city in that capaTrue e’s Trafficking Prevention Commission and Advisory Board.
The Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce’s A.D. Smith Business Award went to Martha Gail Foster-Dawson, who owned Martha’s Boutique in Grambling before moving it to downtown Ruston before it closed in 2022.
Foster-Dawson also worked in GSU’s Data Processing Center before opening the boutique in 1986.
That award’s namesake, Arthur Daniel “A.D.” Smith, Jr., was the principal of Grambling High School, a Grambling businessman, city councilman and a mayor pro tem who was active in many community and church activities.
The Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce’s Thelma Smith Williams Community Service Award went to Anthony Gray, owner of Statewide Health Advisors, a company that shops for insurance to help customers select the most beneficial insurance options meeting their needs.
Williams, that awards’ namesake, was recognized by the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives last year for her decades of work teaching young children through college-aged students as well as serving as one of Grambling’s unofficial historians.
And the Grambling Chamber’s Dr. Rhonda R. Pruitt Special Recognition Award went to the Rev. Early Griffin Sr., pastor at Lewis Temple CME Church in Grambling and a leader in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Pruitt, who that award is named in honor of, is owner/operator of True Care Dental in Grambling.
The Webster Parish Convention and Visitor’s Commission (CVC) is partnering with Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design to brand Miller Quarters Park, a beautiful 11-acre community nature spot in Minden fit for festivals, families, and fun for all groups.
Tech students enrolled in the Fall quarter Identity Systems Design class are getting a hands-on opportunity to create the visual identity for the park. These future designers are working closely with the Tourism Commission to create a mark that both embraces the important historic significance of the property and illustrates the promising future of Miller Quarters Park to serve as a bridge in the community.
“We are excited to again partner with Louisiana Tech University and let the students set the stage for the look and feel for Miller Quarters Park,” Ty Pendergrass, CVC chair, said. “This is the second phase of our partnership with Louisiana Tech. We are excited to work hand in hand to develop an identity system that will stay true to the history of Miller Quarters, while building a bridge for the future.”
The Webster Parish project includes an identity system for the park that will consist of a primary mark system, signage/wayfinding elements, a web interface, and more.
“The Louisiana Tech School of Design is thrilled to collaborate with the Webster Parish CVC to create a new identity system for Miller Quarters Park,” Tech’s Tom Futrell, Department Chair, Graphic Design, said. “Our team of graphic design students is passionate about connecting the community to the park and making it a special experience for all visitors.”
“The elements we hope to develop at Miller Quarters are a reflection of our community’s culture and lifestyle,” Serena Gray, executive director of Webster Parish CVC, said, “and I believe that the Louisiana Tech design students will help us, through storytelling and unique design, tie together where we’ve been and where we’re going as an attractive destination to locals and visitors alike.”
The mutually beneficial collaboration will provide cost savings and offer hands-on experience for the next generation of graphic designers in the region.
Myles Heard (0) makes a stop during Tech’s 27-24 loss to New Mexico State Tuesday night. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
For the fourth time this season — and the third time in Conference USA play in 2023 — Louisiana Tech lost a one-score ball game, falling 27-24 to New Mexico State Tuesday night at Joe Aillet Stadium.
It was a game that the Bulldogs dominated in the opening two quarters, but led just 16-10 at halftime. It was a game that Tech played well enough to win, but lost.
It was yet another game that came down to the final possession — a possession that ended on an incomplete fourth down and one pass inside Aggies territory with less than a minute to play.
“Well, we’re just going to stick together and keep fighting,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie postgame. “Our guys have done that all season. They’ve done that. They fought. They played really hard. We just came up a play short, you know? I think our team is really close.
“I believe in our players, and I told them that they need to carry themselves tomorrow in class with their head up and their chest out and carry themselves with a lot of pride, a lot of confidence in who they are and what they represent. And I think they have to continue to do that.”
The Bulldogs built a 16-3 lead midway through the second quarter on a pair of Hank Bachmeier 1-yard runs and a 42-yard Jacob Barnes field goal. However, a blocked extra point after the first TD and a missed 47-yard Barnes field goal to close the second quarter left points on the field in the opening 30 minutes.
A late NMSU score in the second quarter closed the gap to 16-10 at the half despite Tech outgaining the Aggies by almost 200 yards in the opening 30 minutes.
“It’s easy to do (hold your head high) when you’re in the front,” said Cumbie. “It’s easy to do it when things are going your way. And I think the biggest thing that you learn from this is you learn how you handle things when things don’t go our way and things haven’t gone our way a lot.
“We’re not going to take our ball and go home. We’re going to continue to fight. We’re going to continue to show up and work and put a plan together. And we expect them to to do it with everything they got, just like they did this week and a half. We just came up short.”
The Aggies scored two TDs to open the third quarter to take a 24-16 lead. The first capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive that took almost nine minutes of the clock to start the quarter. The second came after the Aggies recovered a Bachmeier fumble on the Bulldogs 7-yard line on Tech’s ensuing possession.
“I think in the third quarter they did a good job keeping us on the field,” said Cumbie. “They did a good job of converting on third downs and driving down the field. In the first half, I think we dictated the tempo. I think we were on attack mode. And I think in the second half, starting a third quarter, they did that.”
Tech responded with a 55-yard drive that resulted in a 3-yard TD pass from Bachmeier to John Locke, the tight ends first career score. A two-point conversion to Smoke Harris tied the score at 24-24 entering the fourth quarter.
NMSU took the lead on a 31-yard field goal with just over five minutes to play before the Bulldogs offense mounted a drive. However, on second-down-and-five on the Aggies 25-yard line with under three minutes to play, Bachmeier was sacked again — one of four on the night — and NMSU recovered the fumble.
“We were able to come down in the fourth quarter and give ourselves a chance,” said Cumbie. “We had the ball and then the hit and the fumble, those things got on us quick. You’d like for us to be able to get down there, keep the ball and score at the end to win the football game.”
Tech had one final chance following a three-and-out by NMSU. The Bulldogs moved past midfield, but following a completion to Harris that came up a yard short of the first down, the fourth down pass was incomplete sealing the Bulldogs fate.
“But credit our defense with two and a half minutes to go in the game, they get another stop and then we have another opportunity with the short punt,” said Cumbie. “We just don’t make the plays at the end.”
Two Grambling residents were arrested Thursday after they were allegedly created a disturbance including setting a fire.
Grambling City Police responded to a Richmond Drive residence Thursday evening to investigate a possible arson. The victim told police his ex-girlfriend, Tanaja A. Harris, 31, came to his home wanting her phone back. The victim said Harris was accompanied by L. C. Lewis, Jr., 65.
The victim told Harris and Lewis that did he did not have the phone and they needed to leave. Harris allegedly reached into the rear of the car and retrieved a gasoline can.
The victim said Harris threw gasoline at him and his vehicle. He said Harris struck a match, igniting herself as well as his front yard. Lewis then allegedly tried to fight the victim who said he feared for his life. The victim said he kicked the gas can away which resulted in burning the side of Harris’s vehicle. Harris and Lewis then left the scene.
At about 6 p.m. Thursday, GPD officers went to a Adams Avenue residence to locate Harris and Lewis. Lewis said Harris had left but in a search of the home, police found her hiding under a bed in the master bedroom.
Lewis told police the gas can that was used was his. The arresting officer’s report indicated Harris had been previously charged with aggravated arson in 2013.
Lewis was charged with disturbing the peace, obstruction of justice, and accessory after the fact to simple arson. Harris was booked for simple arson, disturbing the peace, and an outstanding GPD warrant for simple criminal damage to property over $1,500.
Harris’s bail was set at $65,000 and Lewis’s at $55,000.
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.
Ruston Police are seeking suspects in a residential burglary that occurred over the weekend in the Robinette Drive/Maple Street area.
The Police Department released images of two men who may have been involved in the burglary. The nighttime images appeared to show white males wearing hoodies.
RPD is seeking assistance in identifying the two men. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141 or Crime Stoppers at 318-255-1111.
Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information provided leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
Just once I’d like to see the tables turned in a sports interview.
I’d like to hear a sportswriter sort of look down and, not defeated but definitely dejected, mumble into the microphone after a poorly written game story, “I just didn’t have my good verbs today. No movement with my action verbs at all. I was missing early in the story with my helping verbs so I couldn’t really set up what’s been my bread-and-butter action verbs like ‘pitched’ and ‘hit.’ It is what it is, I guess…”
Just once…
Part of sports is that familiar give-and-take between players/managers and writers/broadcasters before and after games, familiar and routine as batting practice or pregame warmups.
Monday night after a Game 7 rout by Texas in the American League Championship Series, baseball’s and Houston’s much beloved Dusty Baker, manager of the defending World Series champs but losers in Monday night’s series-deciding game, deftly dodged questions about some of his in-game decisions, decisions that landed somewhere between strange and bizarre, especially for a future Hall-of-Famer who played 19 seasons and has since managed teams to more than 2,000 wins.
Dusty said something about fans having been “spoiled around here, as far as winning,” how the Astros have “nothing to be ashamed of,” how they were beaten “by a better team tonight.” And on like that. Which is fine. No excuses, but no real explanations either.
Just to keep things even, writers should have to do the same now and then. Instead of hanging around the batting cage—let’s say we’re talking baseball here—maybe now and then the manager comes to the press box and says to the writer, “Your game story this morning, it seemed flat. Sally’s story in The Tribune, it was like reading music. Felt like I was at the game. What’s your evaluation of what happened?”
Writer: “Look, Sally’s a good writer and she was the better typist last night,” the writer says, studying his shoes. “I had some opportunities in my lead and didn’t take advantage of those. As the story went on, I had decent command of my nouns, even the Proper Nouns, but my verbs were all over the place. I let that one adjective get away from me in — I think it was the third graph — and after that it seemed I couldn’t find my rhythm or my butt with both hands.
“It’s like I told the staff after the paper came out, I’ve got to do my job, sure, but we’ve got to have good layout too, maybe a few graphics … it takes a team. This isn’t a one-man show. But the bottom line is I’ve got to do better. I can’t just throw my laptop out there and expect to win.”
Coach: “Any thoughts on how home press box proved to be no advantage at all this series?”
Writer: “That’s writing. That’s just writing. My splitting an infinitive and giving a clause away when I hung that preposition late didn’t help, but I think the fight was there: we just didn’t execute at the level we’re capable of.”
Coach: “Your pronoun use has been a strong suit all year. Do you think you landed those today?”
Writer: “My subjective pronouns were as good as they’ve been all year. But somewhere around the eighth sentence, my objective pronouns were flat as a crewcut and the one time I used a possessive case and then a nominative clause, well, those weren’t worth donating to the homeless. Anything else guys?”
Coach: “Thanks, Writer. Good luck tomorrow.”
Writer: “Thanks guys. I appreciate y’all. Just wasn’t our day. But we don’t have anything to be ashamed of. Outside of getting the final score wrong … Sorry about that. Wish I had that one back.”
Karl Malone Toyota GM James Necaise (left) presents the check to Jacqueline Sampson, our week 8 winner of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pickem presented by Heard Construction and Martin Presence.
He is our Week 7 winner of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Heard Construction and Martin Presence, and he walked away $200 richer.
That could be you this week. Each week 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.
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).
Ruston Police arrested a woman Thursday night after she was allegedly involved in a vehicle crash with injuries while driving impaired.
Officers responded to the two-vehicle accident at Martin Luther King Drive and South Farmerville Street about 6 p.m. Thursday. The driver who had allegedly caused the accident, Evelyn S. Hall, 32, had left the scene without providing her name or information.
Police received information that Hall was at the North Louisiana Medical Center emergency room seeking treatment for a child injured during the crash. The officers arrived to find Hall attempting to leave the hospital. She told officers she had already dropped off the child and a male passenger who were in her vehicle during the crash.
A strong odor of alcoholic beverage was detected on Hall’s breath. She performed poorly on a field sobriety test and was arrested.
Hall refused a breath test at the detention center. A records check showed her driver’s license was suspended for a previous DWI arrest in 2022. She was booked for a second offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Bail was set at $2,500.
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.
First, I would like to preface this article by saying please don’t judge me for how this article is written. I’m only trying to show the verbal nature of a particular co-angler I fished with a couple of years ago and that I do not condone the language she used.
In a recent American Bass Anglers (ABA) regular season two-day championship on Lake Sam Rayburn. What made this event unique was the fact that it was the final event in which ABA allowed co-anglers. Let’s define what the term co-angler means. This is an angler who fishes out of the back of the boat and is not allowed to fish off the front deck because it is strictly for the boater/pro. The co-angler is only fishing against other co-angers while the boater/pro is fishing against other boater/pros.
Over the years, I’ve had some co-anglers who were great anglers and I’ve had a few who had no clue what they were doing. Some get in the boat looking to learn while others are there to get your fishing locations so they can come back later and fish everything you showed them. This is a major no-no in the tournament fishing world and there are even rules in place to discourage co-anglers from such behavior. No co-angler is supposed to share the information they learned while fishing with the boater/pro. But there are no rules in place for language.
In one particular event, I had a co-angler, who we shall call “Karen,” who threw me for a loop and tested my patience. Not because she talked too much, but rather how she talked. Over the years, I’ve only had a female co-angler maybe twice. But for this event, Karen would be my co-angler and would be one I’ll never forget.
On the Friday evening before an event, the ABA tournament director sends out who your partner will be the day of the tournament via a text message, along with their contact information so you can call them and make arrangements on where to meet on tournament morning. My very first conversation with Karen was one to remember. As I made the call to introduce myself, her response was, “Mr. Steve, how the F*** are you?” Well rather than continue to go over every conversation we had for our two days together, I’ll cut to the chase. Turns out, she was not able to complete a sentence without an “F” bomb or two thrown in to make her point clearer.
Understand, I grew up in locker rooms and understand foul language. For some, it’s just how they were raised and that’s the only language they know. Hoping Karen would take a hint, I tried to steer the conversation by asking her what church she went to? Even though I already knew the answer, I was hoping it would bring light that I’m a Christian and attend church on a regular basis. Now I’m not a saint and have my own issues from time to time with a damn or hell occasionally, but she took foul language to a whole other level. It was by mid-morning on tournament day that I said to myself, “I wish she would shut up!”
Being paired up with someone like this makes for a long day on the water. It’s a true test of one’s patience as she continued with her obscene language all day long. To make this day even worse, we had a late weigh-in time of 4:00 rather than 3:00. So, the joy for me was knowing I had an EXTRA hour of “F” bombs! But it all came together when she told me how she was raised. Now off the top of my head, I was thinking she came from an abusive home life with maybe an alcoholic parent or maybe she spent time as a child in a juvenile detention center. No. Turns out that she grew up on a bull riding ranch in Texas. Ha! Now it all came together; she was raised by cowboys!
Rodeo cowboys are a species unto themselves and have their own language limitations. If you ever watched the hit TV series, “Yellowstone,” you’ll understand how cowboys communicate. There’s a reason someone wrote the song “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” Look, I realize it takes all kinds to make up this world, and I’m not one to judge, even though I do.
To wrap up my day with the queen of obscene language, Miss Foul Mouth ended with these comments as she decided that her fishing day was over. As she sat down in the passenger seat on my boat, she made this profound statement, ”Mr. Steve, I’m done and let me tell ya what I need right now. I need an F***ing cigarette, an F***ing beer and a F***”ng toilet, and not necessarily in that order!” I was now beyond the shock value of Karen’s statements but could not wait to get her out of my boat. Rather than make an issue out of what her most recent demands were, while shaking my head, I just decided to say, “Me too!” I pulled the trolling motor up and cranked my engine to head back for the weigh-in. This was something I’d never done before…come in from an event 30 minutes early.
Over the years, I’ve had some long days on the water, but none longer than this one. It just goes to show, you never know who or what kind of person you’re going to get in a Pro/Am tournament. You just hope and pray that Karen is not your partner for the day. Till next time good luck and good fishing! Please make sure to check out our Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Facebook page for all kinds of tips and tricks to help make you a better angler. Go to hutdshow.com to learn more!
Ruston High School wants to remind Bearcat fans that the Friday night’s contest between Ruston and Ouachita for senior night will be available to watch on BearcatNationNetwork.com.
And the best part?
The game will be 100 percent free of charge to watch, regardless of what some social media comments may say.
“Unless you get an official message from the Bearcat Nation Network, you will not be charged,” Ruston High School media director Nick Brown said. “We’re on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Firestick, but the surest way is to go directly to BearcatNationNetwork.com.”
The Bearcat Nation Network has immediately seen tremendous success in its first two years as a video streaming service. Recent analytics showed over 800,000 total views from over 45,000 difference viewers.
In fact, a total of 140,226 hours of Bearcat athletics and signings have been viewed.
Making the BNN even more special? At home games, the network is run entirely by students.
The students are:
Marie Anderson Drew Coleman Joshua Daulton Chad Hamlin Jordan Hamlin Tate Hammond Marijah Heard Cole Holloway Daniel Johnson Avery Madden Desmond Moreland Clayton Roane Ian Villemarette
The network has proven to be such a success that multiple schools have reached out to ask how Ruston does it so well.
“We have a great group of students,” Brown said. “It presents a lot of challenges because some of our students have jobs or are in the band, so we’re constantly rotating on who is going to be there. And they do not get any recognition, but they’re the ones behind the scenes. Every play, ever commercial, every sound you hear.”
Bearcat Nation Network is also planning to broadcast the regular season finale for the 2023 Ruston Lady Bearcat volleyball squad this Thursday.
Ruston and Ouachita kickoff Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
Louisiana Tech third baseman Claire Raley came in at No. 76 on the Dugout Digest Elite 80 Impact Transfer Rankings, the publication announced on Monday.
A native of Clovis, Calif., Raley arrives in Ruston after spending her freshman and sophomore seasons at Utah State, where she ranked in the Aggie Softball record books in career stolen bases (29, 7th) and single-season stolen bases (18, 10th).
As a sophomore in 2023, Raley started all 41 games and posted a team-best .328 batting average with 44 hits, six walks, and 20 RBI in 134 at bats. She also led the team with three triples while adding six doubles and four home runs. During the season, Raley logged a career-high three hits on three occasions. Defensively, she recorded 33 putouts and 77 assists while posting a .948 fielding percentage.
Raley made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in 33 games while making 26 starts. She tallied 13 hits, nine walks, seven RBI, 11 stolen bases and 20 runs scored. Defensively, she recorded 34 putouts and 32 assists with a .971 fielding percentage.
The junior is one of four transfers the Bulldogs added this offseason, joining Alexis Gilio (BYU), Nicole Hammoude (Cal), and Aubree Seaney (Oregon State).
The Elite 80 Impact Transfer Rankings countdown the top 80 players that transferred throughout Division I Softball this summer. The list is evaluated by the player’s impact on their previous program, their statistics and awards, their potential, and the role they might play at their new school. The rankings will be ten players at a time throughout a couple of weeks, starting at 80 and counting down to the top spot.
Lincoln Parish residents no doubt take immense pride in home grown athletes and others who made their mark in the parish. The long list of those who have been recognized for their accomplishments through induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame includes Coach Eddie Robinson, Doug Williams, Aaron James, Wills Reed, Coach L.J. “Hoss” Garrett, Coach “Chick” Childress, Fred Dean, Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, Coach Leon Barmore, Coach Kim Mulkey, Tom Hinton, Buck Buchanan, Michael Brooks, Kyle Williams, Ronnie Coleman, Bert Jones, Dub Jones, O.K. “Buddy” Davis, Teddy Allen, Keith Prince and many more.
For years, the only point of recognition for those honorees was in trophy cases at Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum. In 2013, recognition of Louisiana’s greatest athletes took a monumental step forward with construction of the state-funded 27,000 square foot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches’ downtown historic district.
In addition to being open to visitors and for group tours, the museum has hosted events such as the recent 50th anniversary commemoration of singer Jim Croce’s untimely death after performing at NSU, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, meetings, and other functions.
The first-ever Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame “Join the Team” membership drive – which research shows is standard for most hall of fame museums – has been initiated to secure resources which can be used to update and upgrade the museum. State funding underwrites basic operating costs for the museum but there are often inadequate funds to enhance the museum, especially in this age of “bells and whistles” (aka “technology”). Log on to LaSportsHall.com and click the “Join the Team” button or text LSHOFTEAM to 41444 to “Join the Team.” Checks can be mailed to 500 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.
While today’s technology comes at a cost, the “asking price” for Hall of Fame membership can be as little as $10 per month. Member benefits include official Hall of Fame team member gear, the opportunity to win monthly drawings, discounts on merchandise and other amenities. 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductees Alana Beard – Shreveport (Southwood High School), Duke University, and 15-year WNBA standout – along with two-time LSU national champion and 14-year Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Byrd, are Honorary Co-Chairs of the inaugural membership campaign.
And if that isn’t attractive enough, members who sign up by December 31 of this year will be entered in a January 1 drawing for the “Ultimate 2024 Hall of Fame Weekend Experience,” which includes two tickets to all induction weekend events, a photo with your favorite 2024 Hall of Famer (Drew Brees…Seimone Agustus…Daniel Cormier…or another inductee…your choice!) and exclusive access to some events. The value of that package is close to $1,000!
The initial goal is a very conservative and surely attainable 100 members. This museum is our state’s pride and joy, a legacy locker room for its greatest athletes that celebrates excellence from all 64 parishes, from Ida to Grand Isle, from Lake Providence to Lake Charles. Statewide ownership will ensure that just as Louisiana athletes are among the best from coast to coast, the same can always be said about its Sports Hall of Fame Museum.
Greg Burke is Director of Business Development and Public Relations for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. He was formerly Director of Athletics at Northwestern State University for 26 years. Burke’s daughter, Catherine Faucheaux, is a 2016 graduate of Louisiana Tech. Burke can be contacted at gregburke@lasportshall.com
St. John the Baptist Parish – Troopers, first responders, DOTD, and various tow companies have worked tirelessly since yesterday morning to continue the crash investigation and clear the roadway. Overnight, Troopers were notified of an additional victim of the crash who died at a local hospital, increasing the fatality count to eight (8) individuals. The ongoing investigation has determined that at least 168 vehicles were involved in the crash, and 63 individuals received injuries in the incident.
As of this update, all vehicles have been removed from both sides of I-55, and DOTD has begun the clean-up of the roadway. DOTD bridge inspectors are onsite conducting preliminary inspections and have identified multiple areas requiring bridge repairs. A comprehensive structural inspection will take place once the bridge surface is completely clear of debris, diesel, and other chemicals.
A testing consultant could potentially begin bridge deck scans this evening to provide additional data regarding the integrity of the damaged concrete. These tests will determine the extent of the damage and the scope of repairs needed. The reopening of the roadway will be carefully coordinated with LSP and DOTD personnel, pending the results of the inspections.
Troopers are diligently working to confirm that all vehicles involved in the crash are accounted for and identify all persons associated with those vehicles. Drivers and owners of vehicles involved in the crash who are looking for information on where their vehicle was towed are encouraged to contact Troop B by email at TroopB@la.gov. Vehicle owners looking to retrieve personal items or their vehicles from the tow yard can do so by providing proof of vehicle ownership to the tow company where their vehicle is being stored.
