A Dubach man was arrested late Friday night after he fled officers who were attempting to arrest him on a warrant.
Ruston Police accompanied a Dubach Police officer to a Celebrity Drive business to serve a warrant on Terrian McCollister, 46, of Dubach. Officers saw McCollister walking toward them from another business and told him he was under arrest and to place his hands behind his back. McCollister refused and fled on foot despite multiple loud commands to stop.
A pursuing officer deployed a Taser which missed but a second deployment made contact. McCollister continued to resist officers by yanking his arms away and placing them under his body while refusing commands to stop resisting.
Once McCollister was taken into custody, he was searched, and a bag of suspected marijuana was found in his front right pocket. He was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, and during booking suspected methamphetamine was found in another pants pocket.
McCollister was booked for resisting an officer, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, introduction of contraband into a penal facility, and the Dubach warrant for simple battery. Bail on the charges was set at $44,000 but McCollister is also being held for the Louisiana Department of Corrections–Probation and Parole.
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.
From Staff Reports and Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech’s 15-man early period signing class contains an interesting flair.
Head coach Sonny Cumbie and Co. added the top junior college QB in the country, an all-state linebacker from Ruston High’s state title team, as well as the oldest son of former Bulldog John Simon among plenty of other integral pieces announced by Tech on Wednesday.
“We are really excited to officially sign 15 members to our football program today,” Cumbie said. “We were able to bring in a good mix of high school and junior college signees that are very skilled with a highly competitive character that will positively impact our team. We look forward to their arrival and immersing them into our culture at Louisiana Tech.”
Linebacker Jadon Mayfield, an all-state first team linebacker for the Bearcats and the 2023 Louisiana High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A Defensive MVP, singed with the Bulldogs after a stellar career at Ruston. He totaled 235 tackles, 10.5 sacks and five forced turnovers his final two years as a Bearcat as he helped lead Ruston to the Nonselect School Division I title game with a 31-17 win over Zachary.
“Jadon Mayfield is an all-everything linebacker from the state champion Ruston Bearcats,” said Cumbie. “Jadon has a high football IQ and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. He has the potential to be an impact player on our defense.”
Jay Simon, oldest son of former Bulldog John Simon, is a three-star wide receiver recruit from state champion Calvary Baptist. He accumulated over 2,000 career all-purpose yards during his time at Calvary Baptist while earning all-district, all-metro and academic honor roll distinction. He led the Cavaliers to a 14-0 record and a state championship as a senior.
“Jay Simon is a receiver out of Calvary Baptist and the son of John Simon who is a Louisiana Tech legend,” said Cumbie. “We are looking forward to Jay getting into our offense. He has great ball skills and is a coach’s kid that understands the game. It means a lot to him to be at Louisiana Tech. He is a super-talented receiver that will look to have an impact in our offense.”
Ty Keyes is a dual threat quarterback who was named first team NJCAA All-American this past season after leading the JC ranks with 3,350 passing yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 58.2 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 243 yards and three scores while being named the NJCAA Region 23 Most Valuable Player and MACCC All-North Division Offensive Player of the Year at East Mississippi Community College.
“Ty Keyes is a quarterback from East Mississippi Community College and one of the leading passers in all of junior college throwing the football,” said Cumbie. “He led his team to the national championship game this past season. He is a winner that is very accurate with the football and is able to make throws in the pocket and also on the move. We are excited to add him into our quarterback room.”
The early edition of the 2024 class includes eight offensive players and seven defensive players. Louisiana is the most well represented state with five in-state signees, followed by four players from Mississippi and Texas and one from Alabama and Georgia respectively.
Of the 15 signees nine will be heading to Ruston from the high school ranks while six will arrive by the way of junior college.
Three offensive linemen, two running backs, two wide receivers and a quarterback make up the offensive side of the ball while three defensive lineman, two defensive back and two linebackers represent the defensive signees.
2024 Early Signing Class
Navarion Benson | DB | 6-0 | 165 | Copiah Lincoln CC | Crystal Springs, Miss. Junior College: Three-star recruit … Chose LA Tech over Buffalo, FIU, ULM, Jax State, New Mexico State, Grambling State and Troy… Tallied 78 total tackles including 5.5 for loss and two interceptions during his two-year career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College … Earned second-team NJCAA All-American distinction in 2023 … Registered 41 tackles, including 2.5 for loss in addition to a fumble recovery and four pass breakups in 2023 while earning all-region and first team all-conference honors … Finished his freshman campaign with 37 tackles, including three for loss, a fumble recovery and six pass breakups … Helped lead the Wolves to a 10-2 mark in 2023 and a 5-4 record in 2022.
Coach Cumbie on Navarian Benson… “Navarion Benson is a corner from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He has length and athleticism. Navarion is a very competitive corner that has the ability to shutdown opponents. He shows physicality in the run game.”
Jacob Bradford | DL | 6-2 | 265 | St. Stanislaus HS | Pass Christian, Miss. High School: Three Star recruit who chose Louisiana Tech over offers from Colorado, Army, Jacksonville State and Navy … Lettered all four years at St. Stanislaus where he has tallied over 300 tackles, 67 tackles for loss and 23 sacks during his career… Holds the all-time St. Stanislaus sacks record … Three-time all-state selection … Academic Honor Roll recipient … Registered 101 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks as senior … Led St. Stanislaus to a 9-2 mark and district title as a senior… Tallied 112 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss as a junior … As a sophomore Bradford recorded 85 tackles including 16 for loss… He is the younger brother of former Bulldog Jordan Bradford who played at Tech from 2015-18 and earned All-Conference USA Honorable Mention honors.”
Coach Cumbie on Jacob Bradford… “Jacob Bradford is a big physical interior defensive lineman. He is very athletic and creates problems with his athleticism and ball get off. His older brother played here and it means a lot to him to be a Louisiana Tech Bulldog.”
Cyler Corn | OL | 6-6 | 295 | Groesbeck HS |Groesbeck, Texas High School: Chose Louisiana Tech over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Iowa State … Earned first-team all-district honors as an offensive lineman under head coach Jerry Bomar at Groesbeck High School… He also served as the Goats punter, tallying over 600 yards punting during his prep career. Led the Goats to a 7-4 overall record and a 4-2 record in district play as a senior … Also competes in track and field … Posted junior shotput reps of 45-9 and 45-5, along with discus throws of 133-3 and 124-5.
Coach Cumbie on Cyler Corn… “Cyler Corn is very athletic, powerful and big offensive lineman from Groesbeck, Texas. We evaluated him at one of our camps and Coach Nathan Young and I have loved him ever since.”
Austin Ellis | OL | 6-4 | 290 | Bullard HS | Whitehouse, Texas High School: Three Star recruit … Drew interest Tarleton State, Texas A&M Commerce and UNLV… Was a first-team all-district and first-team All-Rose Country selection at offensive tackle… Also earned KETK Athlete of the Week honors during his prep career … Played a pivotal role in the Panthers turnaround during his time at White house improving the team from 0-10 his sophomore year to 6-4 as a senior … Also participates in powerlifting … Brother Payton plays football at Texas A&M Commerce.
Coach Cumbie on Austin Ellis… “Austin Ellis is from Bullard High School. He is an interior offensive lineman that is very smart. He is a coach’s kid that has been around the game his whole life. He’ll do a great job with identifications with us and projects as a guard or center but has played many positions in high school.”
Jakari Foster | DB | 6-0 | 202 | Hutchinson CC | Piedmont, Ala.
Junior College: Appeared in 11 games in two seasons at Hutchinson Community College where he helped lead the Blue Dragons 21-2 overall record and a NJCAA National Championship appearance in 2022 … Tallied 25 total tackles, a forced fumble and one interception and three pass breakups in 2023 … Tallied four tackles and one pass breakup in 2022 … Spent his freshman year at North Alabama where he did not see game action … Prepped at Piedmont High School, playing both defensive back and wide receiver … Earned first-team all-state honors at defensive back in 2020 and 2019 … Finished with 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine pass breakups and two interceptions in 2020 … Caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Piedmont’s victory over Mobile Christian in the 2019 3A title game.
Coach Cumbie on Jakari Foster… “Jakari Foster is a safety from Hutchinson Community College. We saw him play in person in the NJCAA Semifinals. He is a very physical player that plays sideline-to-sideline. He got his opportunity as the season went on and made an impact.”
Tamarcus Gray Jr. | WR | 6-1 | 180 | Texas HS | Texarkana, Texas UTSA … Earned first-team all-district honors as a senior … Led Texas high to a 11-2 record and a district championship in 2023 … Finished his junior season with 38 catches for 785 yards and seven touchdowns to earn first-team all district honors while helping lead Texas High to an 8-3 mark and playoff spot… Also lettered in track and basketball … Ran 200 meter times of 23.16 and 23.37 in the spring of 2022.
Coach Cumbie on Tamarcus Gray Jr… “Tamarcus Gray is an explosive receiver from Texas High. He can stretch the field vertically and has great ball skills. He is a really good route runner. I anticipate him being here this spring and being able to learn our offense and impact our team in the fall.”
Ty Keyes | QB | 6-2 | 225 | East Mississippi CC | Taylorsville, Miss. Three-star recruit … Chose LA Tech over offers from Arkansas State, Charlotte and East Carolina, ULM, Stephen F. Austin, UT Martin, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Florida A&M and McNeese State … First-Team NJCAA All-American in 2023 … Led the NJCAA with 3,350 passing yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 58.2 percent of his passes in 2023 … Finished second nationally with an average of 257.7 passing yards per game … NJCAA Region 23 Most Valuable Player … MACCC All-North Division Offensive Player of the Year … Also rushed for 243 yards on 71 carries and three touchdowns … Helped East Mississippi CC go 10-3 overall with an undefeated 6-0 mark in conference play with a national runner-up finish … Spent his freshman year at Southern Miss … Threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions while at Southern Miss … In high school he was a three-time state champion quarterback as a freshman, junior, and senior at the Mississippi 2A level while at Taylorsville High School … Was rated as the No. 7 dual threat quarterback in the country coming out of high school and was the Gatorade High School player of the year in the state of Mississippi in 2019 and 2020.
Coach Cumbie on Ty Keyes… “Ty Keyes is a quarterback from East Mississippi Community College and one of the leading passers in all of junior college throwing the football. He led his team to the national championship game this past season. He is a winner that is very accurate with the football and is able to make throws in the pocket and also on the move. We are excited to add him into our quarterback room.”
Adam Lamar | DL | 6-3 | 274 | Hutchinson CC | Macon, Ga. Junior College: Chose LA Tech over offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Incarnate Word, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Lamar and Stephen F. Austin, UAB and ULM … Appeared in 19 games in two seasons at Hutchinson Community College where he helped lead the Blue Dragons 21-2 overall record and a NJCAA National Championship appearance in 2022 … Tallied 17 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss while also registering two pass breakups in 2023 … Recorded 15 tackles, two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2022 while appearing in nine games.
Coach Cumbie on Adam Lamar… “Adam Lamar is a defensive lineman from Hutchinson Community College. He has a quick first step and is an interior defensive lineman. Adam is athletic and has very strong hands. He will be here in the spring for us.”
Jadon Mayfield | LB | 6-0 | 220 | Ruston HS | Ruston, La. High School: Three star recruit … Held offers from 12 schools including Central Michigan, Middle Tennessee and Sam Houston … Accumulated 235 tackles, 10.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions his junior and senior seasons … Led the Bearcats to 14-0 record and a state championship as a senior while tallying 116 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks… Registered 12 tackles, including two for loss and 2.5 sacks in a state championship win over Zachary … As a junior in 2022 he earned first-team all-state and all-district honors while being named District MVP, Lincoln Parish MVP and Defensive MVP of the 5A State Championship game, helping lead Ruston to 13-2 record and 5A State Championship runner-up finish … Tallied 119 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions while also adding six rushing touchdowns in 2022… Garnered first-team all-state and all-district honors in 2021 while recording 100 tackles, three sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Coach Cumbie on Jadon Mayfield… “Jadon Mayfield is an all-everything linebacker from the state champion Ruston Bearcats. Jadon has a high football IQ and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. He has the potential to be an impact player on our defense.”
Andrew Richard | OL | 6-3 | 300 | Central HS | Central, La. High School: Chose LA Tech over Troy, ULL, Southern Miss, Mississippi Valley State, Nicholls and Southeast Missouri State … Three-time second-team all-district selection … Led Central to a 9-4 record and 5A state quarterfinal appearance in 2023 … Graded out at 89% during his high school career in 1,853 snaps of game action … Paved the way for over 1,000 rushing yards during his senior season … Led the Wildcats to a 7-4 mark and No. 6 seed in the 2021 LHSAA playoffs as a sophomore.
Coach Cumbie on Andrew Richard… “Andrew Richard is a powerful center from Central High School in Baton Rouge. He came to camp. He is athletic and very powerful. Andrew has a good first step and can move people off the ball in the run game.”
Fred Robertson | RB | 5-9 | 185 | Warren Easton HS | New Orleans, La. High School: Three-star recruit … Chose Louisiana Tech over Arkansas State, Indiana, ULM, Marshall, Memphis, Southern Miss, Toledo and Troy… Ran for over 800 yards in a limited with seven touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per carry in a shortened senior season… Rushed for 2,178 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior to earn LHSAA 4A All-State Honors propelling Warren Easton to a district 11-4A title and a No. 1 seed in the Division I select playoffs … Ran for a season-high 320 yards three touchdowns against McDonogh 35 in 2023 … Also lettered in track … Ran 100-meter times of 11.19, 11.22 and 11.25 as a junior in the spring of 2023.
Coach Cumbie on Fred Robertson… “Friday night Fred from Warren Easton High School. He is a dynamic playmaker that has elite speed and power to break tackles. We are excited to have Fred coming to us from New Orleans as a difference-maker in our backfield.”
Jay Simon | WR | 5-10 | 170 | Calvary Baptist HS | Shreveport, La. High School: Three-star recruit … Has accumulated over 2,000 career all-purpose yards during his time at Calvary Baptist High School in Shreveport while earning all-district, all-metro and academic honor roll distinction … Led the Cavaliers to a 14-0 record and a state championship as a senior… As a junior in 2022 he caught 24 passes for 371 yards and seven touchdowns helping Calvary Baptist post a 9-3 record … Recorded 33 receptions for 516 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021 … Averaged over 15 yards a catch as a junior and sophomore … Son of former Tech standout, NFL player John Simon.
Coach Cumbie on Jay Simon… “Jay Simon is a receiver out of Calvary Baptist and the son of John Simon who is a Louisiana Tech legend. We are looking forward to Jay getting into our offense. He has great ball skills and is a coach’s kid that understands the game. It means a lot to him to be at Louisiana Tech. He is a super-talented receiver that will look to have an impact in our offense.”
Trevell Vivians | DL | 6-4 | 315 | Hinds CC | Philadelphia, Miss. Junior College: Chose Louisiana Tech over Georgia State, Alcorn State, Lamar, Samford, Akron, Texas State, Coastal Carolina and UMass … Appeared in nine games in 2023 at Hinds CC … Tallied 21 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks … Also registered a pass breakup … Registered 22 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and two sacks in 2022 … Prepped at Choctaw Central High School.
Coach Cumbie on Trevell Vivians… “Trevell Vivians is a defensive lineman from Hinds Community College. We project him as an interior defensive lineman. He is very powerful and has a low center of gravity. He was a very productive player at Hinds CC and will be here in the spring.”
Cole Watson | LB | 6-1 | 195 | Tatum HS | Marshall, Texas High School: Three-star recruit … Accumulated over 200 tackles and 2,700 yards of total offense during his high school career … Helped lead Tatum to a 6-6 overall record including a 4-1 mark in district play as a senior … Rushed for over 1,000 yards and passed for over 1,000 yards with 30 combined touchdowns as a quarterback in 2023 … Watson was a Dave Campbell Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week nominee in week nine of his senior season after throwing for 148 yards and a touchdown in addition to 174 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 16 tackles and a pick-six … Was named Texas District 11-3A-II Co-MVP as a sophomore and junior … Clocked in at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash while squatting 500 pounds … Also lettered in baseball, basketball, powerlifting and track.
Coach Cumbie on Cole Watson… “Cole Watson is a linebacker out of Tatum High School that is another coach’s kid. His father is the defensive coordinator that has been around his game his whole life. He is a football player that has played numerous positions in high school and comes from a winning program. He has a high competitive character.”
Omiri Wiggins | RB | 5-10 | 205 | Coffeyville CC | Lafayette, La. Junior College: Played at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. in 2023 … Registered 719 rushing yards on 112 carries for five touchdowns as a freshman in 2023 … Average 6.4 yards per rush and 71.9 yards per contest … Prepped at Acadiana High School in Lafayette, La. … Rushed for over 900 yards with 13 touchdowns to earn District 3-5A Offensive MVP honors as a junior.
Coach Cumbie on Omiri Wiggins… “A running back from Coffeyville Community College that is originally from Acadiana. Being able to bring him home is important. He is a playmaker out of the backfield that is very difficult to tackle. He is a very productive running back.”
A Ruston man was arrested Saturday after Lincoln Parish deputy sheriffs responded to a report of domestic abuse on Fletcher Lane. A caller reported she witnessed two people in an argument followed by the victim being “snatched” inside followed by sounds that resembled the victim being beaten.
When deputies arrived, they heard an active disturbance inside the residence, including a man saying something along the lines of “we’ll see how it feels when you’re locked in a cage.”
Deputies knocked and identified themselves, and a short time later James Morales, 35, answered the door. Morales showed indications of narcotics use, according to deputies, and when asked when he last consumed drugs, he said the day before.
A woman in the residence displayed red marks on her neck and facial injuries. However, she stated the confrontation did not get physical. Based on the woman’s injuries and the statement of witnesses, Morales was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for domestic abuse battery.
During booking procedures, Morales was placed on an X-ray scanner that showed a non-anatomical shape in his stomach. Morales stated he swallowed approximately one gram of methamphetamine earlier. He was taken to the North Louisiana Medical Center where he was evaluated by staff and cleared for return to the detention center.
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.
Even though I entered the workforce on a full-time basis back in the late 1980s, I consider myself a progressive thinker that constantly challenges norms and looks for ways to improve.While I hold conservative values, I do aspire to innovative and creative processes.I encourage individuals and organizations to pursue purpose, clarify identity, and find an approach that accentuates their capabilities regardless of what others are doing.
One example of innovative thinking that really grew during Covid was the ability to perform work remotely or from home.The educational systems also found ways to incorporate various aspects of remote learning during this time.The concept of not requiring workers to be in a defined workplace or students to be in a physical classroom has opened numerous benefits to people and organizations.
While not everyone can take advantage of the remote options, many are electing this approach in both work and education.Flexible schedules, increased personal freedom, cost savings, and attracting more workers/students are all positive aspects of remote work and learning experiences.This option will clearly be a strategy for many organizations moving forward.
However, there are some downsides that need to be considered.I have witnessed the effects of excessive remote work (work from home) as I have engaged with various organizations over the last two years.My primary concern with excessive remote work is that we are not equipping young professionals with the skills necessary to function effectively in the future.These young people are not working directly with others to build teams, resolve conflict, engage in difficult discussions, or communicate directly with coworkers without reading from a PowerPoint slide.I am afraid they are going to be ill-equipped to lead in the future!
Similarly, I have seen some poor examples of remote education where the instructor only posts a PowerPoint slide once a week on the student page as an assignment.There is no class dialogue, no interaction with the professor, nor any teaching.These courses cost just as much as classroom experience with professor led instruction, class dialogue, questions, and group interaction.With the ability to use online interactive sessions, I wonder why that is not the practice.Surely there is a reasonable approach. I don’t know that remote based education was supposed to be self-taught as well.
Whether we are talking remote, at home, virtual, or any other descriptive term for work or education that is outside the normal approach, let’s consider how it’s utilized.It can be an enhancement and not a detriment if used properly.If we aren’t careful though, it can become an apathetic approach to work and education that leaves both workers and students unprepared for the future.Ultimately, it will lead to a decline in productivity, effectiveness, and general decline in our economic and educational systems.
I am a strong believer in “better together”, but I also understand the need for flexibility at times.The organizations, institutions, and individuals that gain a grasp of the balance between together and flexible will be the ones best equipped to navigate the challenges in the coming years.
Ruston High head coach Meredith Graf was pleased Wednesday night with her team’s overall effort in a 61-45 win over Booker T. Washington in Shreveport despite being a little short-handed.
“Tonight was one of the best nights we have had in a while,” Graf said. “We were focused, played hard for four quarters, did the little things well, and communicated. I’m really liked our team’s energy tonight despite having three players out with the flu.”
After trailing 12-11 after the first quarter, Ruston would fight back to lead 27-23 at the half. In the third quarter, the Lady Bearcats would outscore the Lady Lions 23-5 to cruise to the win.
Senior Jaliyah McWain led Ruston with 15 points, while junior Kiersynce McNeal finished with 13 points.
Senior Zaccheya Jackson added 12 points for Ruston in the win.
The Lady Bearcats now get a small break for the Christmas holidays before heading to the West Monroe tournament on Thursday, Dec. 28.
“It was a great way to end before heading into our five-day Christmas break,” Graf said. “Hopefully we will come back rested and recovered.”
Ruston City Hall and the Utility Billing Office will be closed for the Christmas holiday Monday, Dec. 26 and Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Garbage pickup for Dec. 25-26 residential city of Ruston routes will be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
City Hall and the Utility Billing Office will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. Garbage pickup for Jan. 1 residential city of Ruston routes will be picked up on Wednesday, Jan. 3. There will be no commercial garbage and trash collection during these closures.
For emergency utility services, call 318-255-1316.
Lincoln Parish Schools’ last day of December classes was yesterday. Classes will resume Monday, Jan. 8.
It may not have been pretty, but Ruston High came out victorious Wednesday night with an 83-75 win over Booker T. Washington in Shreveport.
“Defensively, we have to be better,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said. “We had chances to extend the lead and put the game away, but we had some lapses. I’m proud of the offense, but we have to get back to playing with our regular defensive intensity.”
Freshman Ahmad Hudson put up 21 points in the Bearcat’s victory after scoring eight points in the first quarter.
Senior Lonnie Dimmer and junior Aidan Anding both added 15 points, while junior Joran Parker finished with 12 on the night. Sophomore Bill Sutton had 11 for the Bearcats.
Even in the win, Bond recognized that the team is still gelling and settling in after the return of the football players.
“More practice time will do that,” Bond said. “We have only had three full practices. We have to lock in mentally for the rest of the basketball season.”
Ruston returns to action Saturday, Dec. 23, against Carroll in the Holiday Hoops Fest being hosted at Wossman.
Cedar Creek saw four of its student athletes earn honorable mention Class 1 all-state accolades as voted on by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and released Wednesday morning.
Lawson Lillo, Blake Robinson, Ladd Thompson and Gray Worthey all represented the Cougars on the prestigious postseason gridiron team.
Ascension Catholic’s Chad Elzy Jr. is the Outstanding Offensive Player on the 1A squad selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.
Dylan Day of Southern Lab was voted the Outstanding Defensive Player on the 1A team after leading his team to its second Division IV select title in three years.
Lee Roussel of Division IV select runner-up Riverside Academy was selected as the Coach of the Year.
Lillo, a senior linebacker and wide receiver, led Creek with 126 total tackles, including 79 solo stops. He added 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception on the defensive side of the football. He caught 14 passes for 148 yards and four scores while rushing for 295 yards and four more TDs.
Robinson, just a sophomore and a defensive end and tight end for the Cougars, totaled 54 tackles, including 40 solo stops. He had 11 tackles for loss and a team-high six sacks while forcing one fumble and recovering two more.
Thompson, a senior QB and safety for Creek, recorded 54 tackles, 38 solo stops, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and 7 pass break ups. He rushed for 381 yards and 5 TDs while passing for 405 yards and 5 more scores.
Worthey was a senior running back and linebacker for Creek. He rushed for a team-high 495 yards and and six scores while catching three passes for 15 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he ranked second on the team with 94 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He had eight tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
LSWA CLASS 1A ALL-STATE — OFFENSE
WR Denim Hunt Southern Lab 5-8 150 So.
WR Tate Hamby Ouachita Christian 6-3 185 Sr.
TE Traville Frederick Jeanerette 6-4 241 Sr.
OL David Howard Southern Lab 6-1 275 Sr.
OL Travis Cedotal Ascension Catholic, 6-3, 285, Sr.
OL Ryder Bentley Ouachita Christian, 6-6, 280, Sr.
OL Edwin Wilson Kentwood 6-3 275 Sr.
OL Amiree Alexander Riverside 6-2 315 Sr.
QB Jonathan Dartez Vermilion Catholic 5-8 165 Jr.
RB Chad Elzy Jr. Ascension Catholic 5-10 180 Jr.
RB Harlem Berry St. Martin’s 6-0 185 Jr.
RB Dedric Lastie Riverside 5-4 160 Jr.
PK Eli Bray Haynesville 6-0 165 So.
ATH Marlon Brown Southern Lab 6-1 180 Sr.
LSWA CLASS 1A ALL-STATE — DEFENSE
DL Jerren Smith, Southern Lab, 5-11, 245, Jr.
DL Ben Devall Ouachita Christian 6-2 255 Sr.
DL Jevonte Williams Jeanerette 6-2 244 So.
DL LaMikal Callahan Kentwood 6-0 205 Jr.
LB Hunter Martin Logansport 5-9 155 So.
LB Alonzo Jackson Haynesville 6-2 205 Sr.
LB Drake Griffin St. Mary’s 6-0 218 Sr.
LB Noah Loveleady Ouachita Christian 6-1 215 Sr.
DB Dylan Day Southern Lab 6-0 170 Sr.
DB Jack Lipari Central Catholic 6-2 175 Sr.
DB Ty Williams Vermilion Catholic 5-10 175 Sr.
DB Zyre Colar Jeanerette 5-9 152 Jr.
P Payne Williams St. Mary’s 5-10 150 Sr.
KR Jamari Ayrow Centerville 6-2 240 Sr.
ATH Mixon Bankston St. Mary’s 5-10 150 Sr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: CHAD ELZY JR., ASCENSION CATHOLIC
The Grambling State University men’s basketball team nearly secured its first road win of the season, but came up just short, dropping a 48-47 heartbreaker to Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night at the Pride Roofing University Center.
GSU (2-9) mounted a furious late rally versus SLU (4-8) but couldn’t finish the job. Kentavious Dozier led three Tigers into double figures with a game-high 19 points, a steal and block. Tra’Michael Moton contributed 13 points with two rebounds, two steals and an assist.
Terrence Lewis added 10 points to go with two rebounds and an assist.
The first half was low scoring affair with both teams struggling to find consistent offense. Grambling trailed 24-16 heading into the half time break.
The Tigers found its rhythm midway through the second half, however. Trailing 37-27, GSU used a 13-2 run to pull within a point. Dozier splashed a 3-pointer from the left corner to make it 37-32 with 9:11 remaining. On GSU’s next trip up the court Lewis knocked down a big three, cutting SLU’s lead to 37-35. After an SLU layup, Dozier drained another triple, trimming the deficit to 39-38 with 7:46 to play.
Southeastern pushed its lead to 44-38 following Brody Rowbury layup, but a technical foul called on Rowbury after the basket sent Moton to the line for a pair of technical free throws. Moton converted both attempts from the charity stripe to make it 44-40 with 3:27 to go.
A driving layup by Lewis cut SLU’s lead down to 44-42. Following a steal by Moton, Dozier sank a layup, tying the game 44-44 at the 2:23 mark.
After the Lions regained a 46-44 lead, Dozier came up big one again with another 3-pointer, giving GSU a slim 47-46 lead, its first since early in the first quarter, with 33 seconds left. SLU’s Roger McFarlane responded with a mid-range jumper to put the Lions in front 48-47 with 20 seconds on the clock.
Grambling State had one more chance to snatch victory, but a last second shot was off the mark and the Tigers fell in defeat.
GSU shot 40 percent from the floor (18-of-45) and 35 percent from 3-point range (7-of-20). Southeastern Louisiana connected on 36.2 percent of its shots (17-of-47) and 29.4 percent from deep (5-of-17).
The Lions out rebounded the Tigers 31-28.
McFarlane paces SLU with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Grambling State’s Keyshawn Johnson was named to the 2023 Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-America on Tuesday afternoon, his second freshman All-American honor this season.
Johnson had a breakout rookie year for the Tigers, picking up a team-leading five sacks to go along with 26 total tackles, 14 solo stops and six tackles for loss.
The Belle Glade, Fla. native was named an FCS Central All-American earlier this off-season.
The Stats Perform FCS All-America team is sponsored by FedEx
In October of 1962, the world was at the brink of destruction. For 13 terrifying days, October 16th to 28th, the Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest we have ever come to total nuclear annihilation. The Soviet Union, under the leadership of Nakita Khrushchev, had moved nuclear missiles to Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. While the whole world was holding its proverbial breath, a record producer asked the husband-and-wife songwriting team Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne to write a Christmas song. They were asked to write a Christmas song during the Cuban Missile Crisis! The fate of the world rested on the abilities of Nakita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy to come to some sort of peaceful agreement which seemed unlikely. Noel and Gloria were just as anxious as the rest of the world and struggled to write about festively wrapped packages under the Christmas tree, joyful sleigh rides through the freshly fallen snow, or about Santa Claus flying around the world with his eight, maybe nine, reindeer. Nuclear war could begin at any moment. They wondered if anyone would be alive to hear the song.
Noel was no stranger to war. Noel was born Léon Schlienger in France in 1922. At some point during or immediately following World War II, Léon Schlienger reversed the letters of his first name, then dropped the first four letters of his last name and rearranged them to become Noel Regney. In the early summer of 1940, when France fell to Hitler’s invading force, Noel was drafted into the German army. He spoke German as fluently as French, which the Germans saw as an asset. Noel was no fan of Nazis. He joined the French Resistance and became a double agent. He once led a group of German soldiers into an ambush. During the shooting affray, Noel was shot in the arm either by a French Resistance fighter or a German soldier. He continued to work as a double agent for a short time but eventually deserted the German army altogether. On May 7, 1945, the German Third Reich surrendered unconditionally, but the war continued with Japan. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb above the Japanese city of Hiroshima. When Japan refused to surrender, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb above Nagasaki three days later. Finally, the Japanese surrendered, and World War II came to an end. Noel learned of the destructive power of the atomic bombs in newspapers. In 1952, Noel moved to Manhattan where he fell in love with Gloria, a pianist and composer.
Noel and Gloria’s task was a daunting one. The record producer thought a holiday song would ease people’s anxiety. Noel had not wanted to write a Christmas song because of the over commercialization of the holiday, but he agreed with the producer. During a somber walk back to his home in Manhattan, Noel noted a sense of despair in the air. No one smiled. He kept walking until he saw two mothers with their babies in strollers. Noel remembered that “The little angels were looking at each other and smiling. All of a sudden, my mood was extraordinary.”
Normally, Noel composed the music and Gloria wrote the lyrics, but Noel was inspired by the two little angels. His pace quickened. As soon as Noel arrived at his home, he began writing. Gloria read the lyrics and, as if by divine intervention, a melody began playing in her head. They had their song on paper, but they were unable to sing it. Gloria said, “Noel wrote a beautiful song, and I wrote the music. We couldn’t sing it, though; it broke us up. We cried. Our little song broke us up. You must realize there was a threat of nuclear war at that time.”
In the song, Noel wrote that the child, Jesus, would bring goodness and light. The star with a tail as big as a kite was not meant as a reference to the Christmas star but a nuclear bomb enroute to its target. The tail referred to the exhaust from the rocket. The most obvious connection to the Cuban Missile Crisis was their plea for peace, “Pray for peace, people everywhere.” Thankfully, Soviet Premier Nakitia Khrushchev and U.S. President John F. Kennedy came to an agreement and averted nuclear war. When we hear Noel and Gloria’s song today, the Cuban Missile Crisis does not immediately come to mind. Now you know that the threat of total nuclear annihilation led to the holiday classic “Do You Hear What I hear?” We should all strive for peace on Earth and goodwill to all. Merry Christmas!
As we begin to wind down another season of fantasy football, I want to take a trip back in time. It’s mid-August. The sun is still beating down in ruthless fashion and the smell of football is in the air (does football actually have a smell?). You are preparing for your fantasy draft and contemplating what to do if you are granted first pick. Do I take Christian McCaffrey (hope you did) or Justin Jefferson (hope you didn’t)? Can I pass on running back the first two rounds and still find some guys later on who can steady my team at that position? When do I look to add a QB? Or a TE? If you’ve played fantasy football for any length of time, you know all the questions we ask in August.
Now, let me make my point. The following statements are things that could be said now that would have sounded absurd in August. As in, TOTALLY absurd. And yet, it is the very nature of fantasy football that we don’t know as much in August as we like to think that we do. Heck, I don’t even know as much from week to week as I wish I did. If you’ve read this column all of fall, you already know that and then some.
So, here are some December truths that would have seemed next to impossible in August…
1.Joe Flacco is a key component of the playoff push for fantasy teams.
Joe Flacco wasn’t just off the fantasy radar in August. He was on a beach somewhere enjoying his retirement. Last week, he won me a fantasy playoff game. Not because of what he did individually. But, because his play has elevated Amari Cooper and David Njoku back into fantasy relevancy or in Njoku’s case, stardom. I have Cooper and Njoku on my most important team and now I’m in the second round of the playoffs. All because Joe Flacco left the sand and returned to the gridiron.
2. Kyren Williams is the best running back in fantasy football not named McCaffrey.
Only Christian McCaffrey averages more fantasy points per game from the running back position than does Williams. The fact that he probably went undrafted in August in 98% of fantasy leagues (if not more) reflects how little his name was being tossed around at that time. As for next August, don’t be surprised if he’s a top ten pick. As in, top ten overall. Again, we think we know, but we really do not.
3. A healthy Bijan Robinson will only get 8 touches in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Managers with Robinson on their team, particularly those who spent a high draft pick on him, would never have believed it would come to this. Tyler Allgeier averages more than a yard per carry less than Robinson and yet out-touched him in Week 15, 14-8. Fantasy enthusiasts have thrown up their hands with coaches for years. Mike Shanahan, for example, used to exasperate fantasy managers with his usage of running backs. But, Arthur Smith takes the cake in this regard. Throw in the lack of fantasy relevance for Kyle Pitts and you’ve got a bizarre reality in Atlanta.
4. Travis Kelce will take a backseat at the TE position to Sam LaPorta
Sure, the season isn’t over yet and Kelce could still be a factor in the remaining two weeks of the fantasy playoffs, but for the most part, he’s been pretty pedestrian this season outside of a couple of games. LaPorta, on the other hand, has emerged as the top tight end in all of fantasy football despite being a late-round flier at the position back in August. It’s not that nobody knew of LaPorta back then, It’s just that no one could have foreseen how good he would be at a position that usually takes a couple years to learn at the NFL level.
5. Brock Purdy will be second in passing yards in the NFL despite also being last in pass attempts per game among weekly starters.
This stat doesn’t even make sense. How can a guy who attempts passes less than any other starter in the league be second in passing yards. Further, how can a guy who hardly ever runs the ball at QB AND throws it fewer times than anyone else be third in overall fantasy points at the QB position? It’s all pretty mind boggling. Was Purdy drafted in your fantasy draft in August? I don’t think he was in any of mine. Again, so much about 2023 that we just didn’t know…
6. A Vikings receiver topped the scoring in Week One of the fantasy playoffs.
This, of course, would have made perfect sense in August…if that receiver was Justin Jefferson. Instead, the best receiver to have as the fantasy playoff began last weekend was…Jordan Addison. Yep, we all saw that coming back in August.
The bottom line in all of this is that fantasy football is interesting because it’s ultimately so difficult to predict. Every year, there are statements just like these that could be made and there’s no way you could have ever seen them coming. Next week, in our final edition of the season, we’ll expand on all of this with our season awards along with the biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2023 year. Happy Holidays everyone and be sure to send Arthur Smith a lump of coal this year!
Funeral services for Tressie Rives Hensley, 89, of Dubach, LA will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 22, 2023, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Dubach, LA with Rev. John C. Hensley, III officiating the service. Interment will follow in Fellowship Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.
A visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Tressie was born on April 17, 1934, in Lincoln Parish and died on December 19, 2023, in Bernice, LA. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. Tressie honored Christ by her life and chosen profession as a teacher in Christian Schools. She is preceded in death by her parents, Winston E. Rives and Tressie Rives and her husband Dr. John Coleman Hensley II.
She is survived by her children: John Coleman Hensley III of Lafayette, LA; Michael Winston Hensley of Dubach, LA; Connie Hensley of Breaux Bridge, LA; Truette Henry (Hank) Hensley of Alexandria, LA; and April Lee Hensley of Dubach, LA; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gay Doss and Julie Ross; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cedar Creek saw four of its student athletes earn honorable mention Class 1 all-state accolades as voted on by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and released this morning.
Lawson Lillo, Blake Robinson, Ladd Thompson and Gray Worthey all represented the Cougars on the prestigious postseason gridiron team.
Ascension Catholic’s Chad Elzy Jr. is the Outstanding Offensive Player on the 1A squad selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.
Dylan Day of Southern Lab was voted the Outstanding Defensive Player on the 1A team after leading his team to its second Division IV select title in three years.
Lee Roussel of Division IV select runner-up Riverside Academy was selected as the Coach of the Year.
Lillo, a senior linebacker and wide receiver, led Creek with 126 total tackles, including 79 solo stops. He added 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception on the defensive side of the football. He caught 14 passes for 148 yards and four scores while rushing for 295 yards and four more TDs.
Robinson, just a sophomore and a defensive end and tight end for the Cougars, totaled 54 tackles, including 40 solo stops. He had 11 tackles for loss and a team-high six sacks while forcing one fumble and recovering two more.
Thompson, a senior QB and safety for Creek, recorded 54 tackles, 38 solo stops, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and 7 pass break ups. He rushed for 381 yards and 5 TDs while passing for 405 yards and 5 more scores.
Worthey was a senior running back and linebacker for Creek. He rushed for a team-high 495 yards and and six scores while catching three passes for 15 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he ranked second on the team with 94 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He had eight tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
LSWA CLASS 1A ALL-STATE — OFFENSE
WR Denim Hunt Southern Lab 5-8 150 So.
WR Tate Hamby Ouachita Christian 6-3 185 Sr.
TE Traville Frederick Jeanerette 6-4 241 Sr.
OL David Howard Southern Lab 6-1 275 Sr.
OL Travis Cedotal Ascension Catholic, 6-3, 285, Sr.
OL Ryder Bentley Ouachita Christian, 6-6, 280, Sr.
OL Edwin Wilson Kentwood 6-3 275 Sr.
OL Amiree Alexander Riverside 6-2 315 Sr.
QB Jonathan Dartez Vermilion Catholic 5-8 165 Jr.
RB Chad Elzy Jr. Ascension Catholic 5-10 180 Jr.
RB Harlem Berry St. Martin’s 6-0 185 Jr.
RB Dedric Lastie Riverside 5-4 160 Jr.
PK Eli Bray Haynesville 6-0 165 So.
ATH Marlon Brown Southern Lab 6-1 180 Sr.
LSWA CLASS 1A ALL-STATE — DEFENSE
DL Jerren Smith, Southern Lab, 5-11, 245, Jr.
DL Ben Devall Ouachita Christian 6-2 255 Sr.
DL Jevonte Williams Jeanerette 6-2 244 So.
DL LaMikal Callahan Kentwood 6-0 205 Jr.
LB Hunter Martin Logansport 5-9 155 So.
LB Alonzo Jackson Haynesville 6-2 205 Sr.
LB Drake Griffin St. Mary’s 6-0 218 Sr.
LB Noah Loveleady Ouachita Christian 6-1 215 Sr.
DB Dylan Day Southern Lab 6-0 170 Sr.
DB Jack Lipari Central Catholic 6-2 175 Sr.
DB Ty Williams Vermilion Catholic 5-10 175 Sr.
DB Zyre Colar Jeanerette 5-9 152 Jr.
P Payne Williams St. Mary’s 5-10 150 Sr.
KR Jamari Ayrow Centerville 6-2 240 Sr.
ATH Mixon Bankston St. Mary’s 5-10 150 Sr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: CHAD ELZY JR., ASCENSION CATHOLIC
Louisiana Tech University has reached a milestone in its mission to promote excellence with the establishment of the Honors College, a new collective of programs unified under the Honors banner. The Honors College is housed in University Hall, one of the most history-rich buildings on campus, and a celebratory reception attended by University leaders, honors students, and alumni was held in the building on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photograph by Emerald McIntyre/Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University has reached a milestone in its mission to promote excellence with the establishment of the Honors College, a new collective of programs unified under the Honors banner. The Honors College is housed in University Hall, one of the most history-rich structures on campus, and a celebratory reception attended by University leaders, honors students, donors, and alumni was held in the building on December 14.
Previously, the Honors Program existed independently as an assortment of special courses available to honors students, and now, in a new phase, it is just one of the five areas brought together to make up the Honors College:
The University Honors Program – A 21-hour curriculum of honors courses, threaded with an e-portfolio that students develop over their entire University Honors Program education. Select students are admitted to the program upon review of an application submitted during students’ senior year of high school.
Undergraduate Research and Service Learning – High-impact practices that promote deep learning through student engagement, such as the funding of the University’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. This area helps to connect students with faculty inside of the University and connect the University to the broader community.
Nationally Competitive Awards – Resources to pursue some of the most prestigious, merit-based scholarships and fellowships awarded to college students in the nation. In 2023, Louisiana Tech had one Truman Scholarship finalist and two Goldwater Scholars.
Study Abroad – For students who want to increase their global perspective, study abroad combines classroom instruction with cross-cultural experiences.
Phi Kappa Phi – One of the oldest and highly respected honor societies in the United States, Phi Kappa Phi includes students from all academic backgrounds. The Louisiana Tech Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi is open to the top 7% of juniors and top 10% of seniors, as well as faculty and staff.
Director of Honors Joe Koskie understands the importance of cohesive and motivated efforts when it comes to Tech’s honors endeavors.
“The Honors College raises the game of the entire University,” Koskie said. “It can become a repository of resources that can drive innovation on the campus and create interesting opportunities educationally and culturally. It’s something that can set us apart in the state and in the region.”
Despite its newness, the College already has a vision for growth, including collaborating with individual programs on campus to broaden the selection of honors courses and ensure honors students of every major have enriched experiences within their curriculum.
The pooling of resources provided by the Honors College is one of the reasons Assistant Director of Honors Joel Stake is excited for the students within its programs.
“This collective of programs will help our students see the rest of the world and help the rest of the world see our students,” Stake said. “We have great engineering students, for example. The Honors College can provide context around that engineering, taking it beyond the act of building great bridges and doing great things. Those students will understand why they’re doing good work and how it impacts their communities.”
Students do not have to be enrolled in the University Honors Program to take advantage of the resources provided by the other areas of the Honors College, such as the study abroad program’s partnership with the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) that will create internship opportunities for students outside of the country.
The Honors College umbrella is designed with the success of Louisiana Tech’s students in mind.
“This is a step forward for the University in the realm of academic distinction,” said University President Les Guice. “The Honors College is not just a collection of programs; it’s a testament to our commitment to cultivating well-rounded, inquisitive minds. This initiative underscores our belief in the transformative power of education and our dedication to nurturing a community of scholars, thinkers, and global citizens.”
Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Byron Feduccia assists a young girl with checking out during Tuesday night’s Shop with a Cop event at Wal-Mart. (photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
No, that wasn’t the bust of a large group of shoplifters or some other sort of massive call for police presence at the Ruston Walmart.
Instead it was a showing of the gift of love from parish law enforcement providers and the Walmart corporation to help area children-in-need celebrate Christmas.
For the first time since the COVID pandemic, the “Shop with a Cop” event returned to the Ruston Walmart Supercenter, providing more than 60 area children with a bigger and brighter Christmas.
More than 30 law enforcement officers helped a pre-event confirmed 61 children (70 were invited, so more could have shown up) spend up to $100 each to fill a Walmart buggy with whatever their hearts desired.
The Junior Auxiliary of Ruston gathered the names of local children in need from all of the schools in Lincoln Parish to come up with the list of youth invited to participate.
Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams was one of those law enforcement officers who made multiple trips throughout the store shopping with children.
“I’ve done this a couple of times over the years and it’s always fulfilling to brighten somebody’s day and especially a kid’s day,” Williams said. “The (Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s) Department is always looking for ways to give back. And as you can see by how many deputies are here, there’s a pretty good buy-in for the department.”
But it wasn’t only LPSO personnel that made up the small army of law enforcement elves gathered at Walmart Tuesday night.
Officers from the Ruston Police Department, Choudrant Police Department, Dubach Police Department, Grambling State University Police Department and the Louisiana Tech University Police Department all participated.
“There’s multiple agencies here,” Williams said. “We work together a lot in obvious times, but this kind of thing is the best reason we could have to work together, trying to create a good Christmas for children from our parish in need of this kind of thing. It’s certainly worth the time.”
LPSO Deputy Iris Winston, head of the LPSO’s Community Services Division, said the turnout shows how worthwhile the “Shop with a Cop” program is.
“Maybe it’s because it’s the first one we’ve done since COVID that the turnout is so good, but we’re very pleased with it,” Winston said.
Leia Frazier, Community Involvement Coordinator and Vision Center Manager for the Ruston Walmart Supercenter, said the success was based on a partnership with the LPSO, which spearheaded the law enforcement part of the event, and the Walmart Corporation.
“We’ve been doing this for about 13 years,” Leia Frazier said. “We didn’t do it during COVID and there were some years where we just didn’t have the funds to do it. But here at Walmart, we have community grant money that we divvy out, so this is something that we support and help with. We set aside so much in community grant money to give to this kind of program.
“We also partnered together (with the LPSO) for a pulled-pork sandwich plate sale in October (that helped raise funds), and we also received a lot of donations that day. So that played a big role in our being able to do this to this extent this year. So, the money came in from a lot of different ways. But it’s all for a good cause, doing this for the kids and trying to give back to the community.”
RPD Public Information Officer Chad Hamlin said it’s a win-win situation for both the participating law enforcement officials and the children the “Shop With A Cop” program benefits.
“This is probably the best part of the job right here,” Hamlin said. “It really is. It’s the best thing we do. I like to tell people that these are our future police officers, firefighters and future citizens period.
“So, if they have a good rapport with us and realize that we just don’t always take people to jail and do only what they see as the bad things we have to do, it starts that positive relationship early on. I remember being allowed to kind of play in a police car as a kid and not being afraid of the police. When they see us in this perspective, it changes that perception we have sometimes as officers.”
LPSO Major Landon Hunt was another officer volunteering time to do what he called simply the right thing to do.
“Just the opportunity for us to spend this time and show them how much we care about them, it’s wonderful,” Hunt said. “For us just to be able to show that we love them, that makes it all worthwhile and that’s why we’re here.”
LPSO Deputy Edward Faile spends much of his time on duty serving as a Student Resource Officer (SRO) at Cypress Springs Elementary School, but he admitted there was something special about his job being able to participate in the “Shop With A Cop” program.
“I love the kiddos,” Faile said. “And to be able to help kids who just aren’t that fortunate and don’t have a lot — it does give you a special feeling being able to help them.”
The Dixie Center is starting 2024 in grand fashion!
Can you believe it’s almost 2024? The Dixie Center in Downtown Ruston is gearing up for a stellar finish to the season as the new year kicks off! The grand old Dixie Theater will be 96 years old and plans are already being made for the 100-year celebration! But first, we are going to focus on the phenomenal January show coming up. Tickets for all dixie shows may be purchased at WWW.DIXIECENTER.ORG
Saturday, January 20, 7pm- Black Angels over Tuskegee
Something for the history and military buffs out there! This masterful Off-Broadway Play written by Louisiana Native Layon Gray is vibrant, energetic, and emotionally captivating. Black Angels Over Tuskegee tells the fictionalized story of six men embarking on a journey to become the first Black aviators in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, a tumultuous era of racial segregation. Inspired by true events, this award-winning drama explores the struggle of the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen who, in spite of overwhelming odds, overcame Jim Crow injustices with intelligence, patriotism, and brotherhood. Written by Louisiana Native Layon Gray.
Friday, January 26, 7:30pm- Twitty & Lynn- A Salute to Conway and Loretta
Back by popular demand, one of the highest-attended shows from 2023! There’s never been a more dynamic country music duo than Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn! Now, the torch has been passed to the next generation…Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty. It’s a must-see show with Tayla and Tre delivering their iconic grandparents’ super hits! Along with stories behind the songs, Tayla will bring on the laughs and sometimes the tears with her stories about traveling on the road with her Memaw, and how Loretta was inspired to pencil those words from her heart onto a yellow legal pad and spin them into country gold. Tre Twitty is Conway’s grandson and with his smooth style and delivery, you’ll feel that his Poppy is right back on that stage!
The Dixie Center Staff and Board of Directors wish to extend to all of you a safe, warm, and joyous holiday season surrounded by friends and family. We would also like to remind you that during this most generous time of year, the Dixie Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and that your end-of-year donations are needed and appreciated. Giving back to The Dixie Center helps this historic venue continue to benefit the economy and quality of life in North Louisiana. Your donation can help us in creating a solid foundation to ensure a positive, and healthy downtown Ruston and ensure that the Dixie Center for the Arts remains the heart and home for the arts in North Central Louisiana. You can take full benefit of tax deductions by making your donation at https://dixiecenter.org/support-dixie-center or by mailing or dropping off your check to 212 N. Vienna, Ruston, La 71270. Thank you for your consideration.
Louisiana Tech Football head coach Sonny Cumbie announced the hiring of Jeff Burris as passing game coordinator and safeties coach on Tuesday.
“Our team and staff are excited to welcome Jeff and Lisa back to Ruston and Louisiana Tech,” Cumbie said. “As our passing game coordinator on defense Jeff will have a great impact on our program. Inside our walls on a daily basis and how he will pour into our players will be a true difference-maker.”
Burris, a first-round selection in the 1994 NFL Draft and All-American safety at Notre Dame, returns to Ruston after a three-year stint at Louisiana-Lafayette. Burris spent three seasons at Louisiana Tech (2018-20), where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 23-13 mark and three consecutive bowl appearances, highlighted by a 10-3 season in 2019.
“My first time at Tech was a great experience and when Coach Cumbie allotted me this opportunity I could not pass it up,” Burris said. “I am excited to continue the Bulldog Country Legacy that has been established by so many great people.”
He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Bulldog coaching staff with over nine years of coaching experience at the collegiate level and three years in the NFL.
Louisiana-Lafayette registered another bowl appearance in 2023 as Burris’ cornerbacks played a significant role in the Ragin Cajuns’ 13 interceptions, ranking 21st nationally.
In 2022, Burris’ cornerbacks registered five interceptions and broke up 22 passes while the defense finished in the top half of the Sun Belt and propelled ULL to its fifth-consecutive bowl game, a school record.
Burris coached two standout cornerbacks in Eric Garror and Mekhi Garner in his first season with the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Garror, who picked up Second Team All-Sun Belt honors in 2021, finished the season with a team-high two interceptions and seven pass breakups, while Garner led the team with eight pass breakups and was credited with 31 tackles to earn Third Team All-Conference recognition.
Burris’ cornerback room helped the Ragin’ Cajuns rank 11th nationally in scoring defense (18.5) and 22nd nationally in total defense (334.6), allowing the team to secure the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Championship.
During his first stint in Ruston, Burris coached defensive backs L’Jarius Sneed and Amik Robertson, who were selected with back-to-back picks in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.
Robertson finished his three-year career as one of the most decorated Bulldog defense backs ever, recording 14 career interceptions (three pick-sixes) and 48 passes defended. As a junior, he earned five separate All-America honors, was named a First Team All-Conference selection, and a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist. He led the team and ranked seventh nationally with five interceptions – two of which he returned for touchdowns. Robertson led the nation with 16 pass breakups and held opposing quarterbacks to a 53.7 passer rating in his primary coverage.
Before moving to safety in 2019, Sneed recorded 59 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions at cornerback as a junior in 2018 under Burris’ tutelage.
Prior to joining the staff at Louisiana Tech, Burris spent the 2017 season on the Northern Iowa football staff coaching the cornerbacks for the Panthers with current Louisiana Tech Defensive Coordinator Jeremiah Johnson.
In 2016, he returned to Notre Dame. He served as a senior defensive analyst for the Fighting Irish, assisting the defensive coordinator with valuable information designed to improve the efficiency and success of Notre Dame’s defense.
Burris joined the Notre Dame coaching staff after a three-year stint as the assistant defensive backs coach with the Miami Dolphins (2013-15).
In 2014, Burris assisted a Dolphins defensive backfield that finished the season ranked sixth in the NFL after allowing an average of just 223.3 passing yards per game. It marked the third straight season the unit had improved its ranking. With the help of Burris’ assistance, Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes recorded a team-leading five interceptions en route to his second Pro Bowl in as many years with the team. Additionally, safety Reshad Jones was one of three players in the NFL to record 70 or more tackles, one sack, and three interceptions in 2014.
In 2013, Burris helped guide a Dolphins secondary that saw marked improvement, going from 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game in 2012 to 16th in 2013. The defense also nearly doubled its interception output, from 10 in 2012 to 18 in 2013. Further, the defense allowed only four touchdown passes to receivers all season. The unit was fifth in the NFL in passer rating against, limiting opponents to a 77.3 rating.
Burris, who coached at UMass in 2012, spent a year coaching cornerbacks for the United Football League’s Sacramento Mountain Lions in 2011. He also held a coaching internship with the Bills in 2008.
He began his coaching career in 2007 at Fishers (Ind.) High School, where he worked with the defensive backfield and assisted in the implementation of the school’s defensive scheme.
Burris played college football at Notre Dame and was a safety for the Irish (1990-93), becoming a consensus All-America pick and senior tri-captain. As a senior, Burris helped lead Notre Dame to an 11-1 record in 1993 as the Irish ranked second in the final national polls that season.
After being selected as a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 1994 NFL Draft, Burris played cornerback for 10 seasons with the Bills (1994-97), Indianapolis Colts (1998-2001) and Cincinnati Bengals (2002-03). Burris earned a spot on the NFL’s all-rookie team in 1994.
Burris is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina and has a wife, Lisa.
A Gretna man was arrested for DWI after he allegedly crashed his vehicle on Interstate 20 in eastern Lincoln Parish.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the single vehicle crash just west of Choudrant about 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Deputies found a Dodge Charger with severe damage in the ditch off the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was still running and. John-Paul Edward Pierce, 23, was still sitting behind the wheel.
Pierce showed signs of impairment but stated he had not been drinking. Based on field sobriety tests, Pierce was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test. The test indicated Pierce’s blood alcohol concentration was .145g%. He was booked for first offense DWI and careless operation of a vehicle. 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.
“What fancies we weave, what dreams we dream over a piece of homely old china!”—Alice Morse Earle
A kitchen cabinet in our home is full of old glassware we rarely use. With a second cabinet full of larger beverage containers—insulated cups, plasticware, fruit jars, and two full sets of nicer drinking glasses—there’s no need.
The seldom-opened cabinet contains all manner of glassware my grandmother collected through 84 years of life. No, it’s not some priceless collection of princely crystal. Rather, it’s a hodgepodge of jars-turned-drinking-glasses and cheap, mass-produced glass from the Great Depression to the 1960s.
My grandmother’s fine china came from an oatmeal box.
Most of Grandmother’s glassware was collected as purchase incentives. Buy a big box of oatmeal and you might find a juice glass buried deep in the oats; the next time, perhaps a coaster or saucer or sherbet bowl. She wasn’t about to buy a set of dishes as she raised three kids alone or later in life when Social Security only went so far.
I remember the tiny oatmeal box juice glass of orange juice Grandmother poured when I had breakfast after an overnight stay. She offered a big glass of milk drawn from her own cow, but I always passed. I believe it was the smell of fermenting buttermilk in the kitchen churn that turned off my interest in milk.
Instead, I wanted orange juice in that big glass. I had to grow up to realize little cost came with those gallons of milk, but orange juice was an expensive luxury.
Depression glass was cheap mass-produced glass made during the Great Depression of the 1930s. A type of pressed glass of humble origin, depression glass came in a variety of appealing patterns, shapes, and colors. Manufactured in large sets between 1920 and 1940, it was inexpensively produced by several companies like Anchor Hocking, the maker of tons of “oatmeal” glass.
For decades, some companies placed a glass item in with the goods to encourage purchases. Quaker Oats bought trainloads of glass to include with its product. Duz Detergent by Proctor & Gamble offered an array of tableware one piece at a time. Each time a box was purchased, a hand dug dig into the soap to retrieve a coffee cup or a soup bowl.
Other enterprises got in on the promotional gimmick. Movie theatres gave glassware or dishes away at the door; grocery store chains provided a single dish weekly to get shoppers in the door. Larger pieces like platters or gravy bowls could be purchased to round out a complete table
setting. I remember my mother getting the weekly free dish at the Piggly Wiggly, but she never bought the more expensive pieces.
These low-cost mass production items have become modern-day collectibles. The attraction lies in the humble beginnings of the glassware. It was given away, meaning much of it was discarded in more prosperous times. Some of the draw is nostalgic charm. Items of an earlier time like butter dishes, lemon squeezers, and juice glasses reflect memories of family, of times when penny-pinching frugality was the norm, of gatherings around the dinner table.
I collect “old stuff” but not glassware or pottery and the like. Never had an interest. But when I open that cabinet, I don’t see a bunch of glass.
Ruston High School’s cheerleading squad took second place at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Louisiana Regional on Monday afternoon in a very competitive field.
“This was one of the toughest regionals we have competed at so to come away with second with everything that’s been going on is a great place to be at,” Ruston High cheer coach Collin McDonald said. “The girls have been doing a great job of balancing cheering for football, volleyball, cross country and basketball while getting ready for competition season.
“We received a bid to nationals at both this regional and the North Texas regional in November. We have a really young group this year so we are trying to get them in as many competitions before nationals in February to let them get used to the atmosphere of competing. We will have a few more showcases around the Ruston area before we head to UCA Nationals in Orlando on Feb. 10th, 2024.”
Ruston’s competition squad includes:
ANNA COLVIN DREW CRAMER MARLEE DAVIS MADELINE DAVIS LILLA FALTING PAIGE GIPSON GABBIE GRANGER ANNIE JAMES ZIAH JONES ELLA LOVE CAMILLE MAIER BERKELEY PARR AVA PUCKETT MIA PUCKETT MOLLY RABB SOPHIA ROBERSON KAILYN SHIPLEY SARAH KATE TAYLOR JILLY TURPIN
