By Malcolm Butler

Oh what a difference a few months make.

Back in early November, Katie Hall took her team to Castor to scrimmage against the Tigers. It wasn’t pretty.

Forget the final score. Cedar Creek recorded more turnovers that night against the Castor press (43) than they attempted field goals in the game.

Fast forward to Tuesday night.

Although it wasn’t perfect, it sure was pretty when the scoreboard showed zeros as the Lady Cougars defeated Castor 55-49 at The Brickhouse.

It was only the fourth loss of the year for Castor (13-4), a team that has already posted wins over OCS (66-52) and Sterlington (54-49).

“Our objective was to take care of the ball and take advantage of them trapping and pressing us,” said Hall. “This was the first time we have made someone pay for pressing us. I felt like we looked to score out of it instead of just breaking it.”

Mallory Smith scored 23 points and Zoey Venters added 11 points in the win, but it was the effort of freshman Mary Grace Hawkins off the bench that really helped the Lady Cougars (11-8) against the pressure defense of the Tigers.

“Mary Grace does a good job of keeping her head up and she sees the floor,” said Hall. “She is really good at getting to the paint and breaking down the defense. That is one of her strengths. She is so strong. I loved the way she attacked tonight.”

Hawkins finished with eight points and five assists.

Creek trailed 13-12 after the first quarter despite Smith’s seven points, including a three-pointer. The two teams battled back and forth in the second quarter, swapping the lead numerous times. Trailing 23-20 with under three minutes to play in the quarter, the Lady Cougars ended the frame on a 7-2 run, including a steal and a layup at the buzzer by Smith.

The Lady Cougars turned up their defensive pressure in the third quarter, outscoring Castor 14-8 thanks to a trio of three-pointers by Leah Sutherland, Smith and Hawkins. Creek played a man-to-man switching defense, focusing on containing the three-point line.

“We knew they could shoot,” said Hall. “We just had to talk on defense and make sure we got out on them on defense. I really felt like our defense was solid in that aspect, especially in the third quarter. We just had to communicate with all the hand offs and screens they were running.”

Hawkins opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer and Alivia Lee converted on a driving layup as the Lady Cougars built a 46-33 advantage with 6:40 to play. However, Castor used a 9-0 run over the next 90 seconds to close the deficit to 46-42.

Smith and Caroline James then countered with back-to-back buckets and Lee pulled down an offensive rebound and converted on the putback to push the advantage back to 52-42 with 3:58 to play.

However, the Lady Cougars were able to close out the victory.

“We have been talking a lot of about clock management, time and score in practice,” said Hall. “I felt like we haven’t fully grasped that concept yet. We have to get better at being strong with the ball and taking care of the ball. I like where we are and I feel like we are growing and getting better every game.”

Sky McMullin led Castor with 25 points and Ambree Collinsworth added 12 points.

The Lady Cougars will host Quitman on Friday.

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The Ruston Police Department is asking for help in investigating a potential attempted burglary at a local church.

Officers responded to Praise Temple Church on Love Avenue regarding a possible burglary complaint Saturday. It was discovered the suspect did not enter the church but damaged church property in the process. 

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A security camera showed the suspect walking around the church property.

Another Ruston church near Louisiana Delta Community College was burglarized a week earlier.

Anyone with information on this suspect crime is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (318) 255-1111. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.

By Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek struggled defensively for the vast majority of the night as the Cougars fell 72-66 to Castor Tuesday night at The Brickhouse.

Jonathan Warren scored 28 points, including 10 in the third quarter, to lead the Tigers to the road win. Warren’s effort offset a 36-point outing by Jake Doan for the Cougars.

The 72 points are the most surrendered by the Cougars this season.

The Cougars (10-6) trailed 16-15 at the end of the opening period despite a pair of three-pointers by Doan and five points from Jack Bell.

Castor then netted 23 points in the second quarter as the Cougars struggled to stop the Tigers (7-7) as Bell and Doan once against combined for 11 points in the stanza. The Cougars trailed 39-31 at the half after a steal and layup by the Tigers at the buzzer.

Cedar Creek fought hard to get back into the game in the third quarter as Doan converted a conventional three-point play with 3:40 to play to close the deficit to 47-46. Two possessions later, Doan drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 49-49.

However, Castor continued to score from all three levels and closed the quarter on a 12-6 run to lead 61-55 entering the fourth quarter.

The Cougars were never able to make a true run in the final eight minutes as Castor maintained at least a six point lead throughout the frame in picking up the win.

Bell added 15 points for Creek while Connor Johnson chipped in with 10.

The Cougars host Quitman on Friday.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech is riding a five-game winning streak heading into tonight’s showdown at the Thomas Assembly Center with reigning Conference USA champions Middle Tennessee.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game can be heard on 97.7 FM with Kyle Roberts providing a call of the action.

Louisiana Tech celebrated the 50th season of Lady Techster basketball by picking up a 66-62 win over Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon in the TAC. Tech became the fifth NCAA women’s basketball program with 1,200 wins.

Paris Guillory was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week, giving LA Tech a second straight winner after Jianna Morris won the award the previous week. Guillory finished 4-9 from the field and gave Tech a spark off the bench in a 17-3 run to close out the third quarter, including an 8-0 run by herself to give the Lady Techsters the lead for good.

Middle Tennessee (10-4, 0-0) started the season with four straight wins before losing back-to-back games to Princeton (65-60) and Michigan (63-49). They have won eight of their last 10, including their first win over instate rival Tennessee 73-62.

The Blue Raiders are the defending CUSA champions and garnered all nine first-place votes in the preseason poll. Rick Insell is in his 19th season in Murfreesboro and has a .741 winning percentage and 443 wins at Middle Tennessee.

The Blue Raiders have four players averaging double figures, led by preseason CUSA Player of the Year Savannah Wheeler at 16.1 points per game. She is coming off three straight performances of 20 or more points, including a season-high 34 points against Northern Kentucky. Wheeler contributes 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

Middle Tennessee holds a 10-8 record in the series. Last season, Tech fell to Middle 61-59 when Kseniya Malashka hit a turn-around jumper with three seconds remaining. The Lady Techsters last beat the Blue Raiders in the 2021-22 CUSA Tournament, and the last win in Ruston was during the 2019-20 season.

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Funeral Services for Barbara Mims Patton (89) will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. A visitation will be held prior to the service at Kilpatrick Funeral Home from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston.

Barbara was a member of Calvery Baptist Church. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Kermit Patton; son, Robert Earl Patton;2 granddaughters, Summer Baucum and Jenny Esparza.

Left to cherish her memory are her Children; Toya Lunsford of Dubach, Diane Boudrieau of Crestview, FL and Susan Esparza of Ruston, LA., grandchildren Tery Lunsford, April Lunsford, Staci Waters, Daniel Boudrieau, Caleb Patten, Jeremy Patten, 8 great grandchildren, and brother, Kenneth Mims (Betty) of Greenwood,

Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

 

 

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A Celebration of a Life Well Lived for Sally Lou Farmer Leachman, age 87, of Ruston, Louisiana will be held at First Baptist Church at 11:00 am, Thursday, January  11, 2024, in the sanctuary.  Officiating the service will be Dr. Chris Craig under the direction of Kilpatrick’s funeral home.  A private interment will be held with immediate family at Forest Lawn Cemetery

A visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am until the service starts at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church.

Sally was born on December 11, 1936, in Downsville, Louisiana, and passed away in Alpine Nursing Home of Ruston on Monday,  January 8, 2024 at 2:25 pm. She was a long time and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Ruston since marrying her husband Fred Marvin Leachman in 1955.  Sally loved her Lord and her family with all her heart.  She is preceded in death by her parents John Clayton and Floye Maxwell Farmer; her older sister Sybil Farmer Leachman and her two brothers, Herbert Clayton Farmer, Bobby Wayne (Butch) Farmer, and her husband of 54 years, Fred Leachman

Sally met the love of her life, Fred Marvin Leachman through her sister Sybil as she was dating and later wed Billy Edward Leachman, Fred’s brother.  Fred and Sally were married on December 29, 1955 at Downsville Methodist Church by Dr. Douglas McGuire.  The two couples were inseparable living in the same house on Everette Street in Ruston and  later building houses next door to each other in a new subdivision on Brewster Street behind Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Sally graduated from Downsville High School, and attended Northwestern State College before transferring to Louisiana Tech University where she earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees plus 30 additional graduate hours. She taught school in Lincoln Parish for 30 years, most of them at Hillcrest Elementary School, teaching 5th grade.  After her retirement in 1993, she became an active member of the Lincoln Parish Retired Teachers Association, and for a time, was a volunteer at Lincoln General Hospital. 

She was active in her church serving as Sunday School teacher in the children’s department and later serving as director of the young marrieds’ department.  She was active in W.M.U. and, for a time, served as the secretary of the Joy Sunday School class and as the church historian in the church’s library. 

Sally loved teaching children and loved serving in the church, but her greatest joy was her family.  Sally and Fred raised two children and later became the proud grandparents to six grandchildren.  She was dedicated to family and her greatest desire was for them to know and love Jesus.

Sally is survived by two children, her son Frederick Scott (Scotty) Leachman and wife Cheryl Taylor Leachman of Ruston, and Robin Leachman Davidson and husband Joey Davidson of Ruston.  Six grandchildren, Joseph Tyler Davidson and wife Sarah Davidson of Ruston, Clayton Scott Leachman and wife Kelsey Leachman of Rogers, Arkansas, Whitney Taylor Leachman Easley and husband David Easley of Madison, Mississippi, Colton Chase Davidson and wife Alex Davidson of  Heath, Texas, Kelsey Davidson Fleming and husband Patrick Fleming of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Steven Chad Leachman and wife Margret Leachman of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and a host of extended family.

The family would like to thank Tender Touch Caregiving Service for the kindness shown in caring for Sally’s daily needs.  We would especially like to thank Linda Carr for her faithful service and loving care for Sally until she took her last breath.

The family requests that any memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Ruston Building Fund, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to giver’s choice.

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Sally Lou Leachman 
December 11, 1936 – January 8, 2024 
Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Thursday, January 11, 2024, 9:30 am – 11:00 am 
Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Thursday, January 11, 2024, 11:00 am 

Christopher L. Melton    
Monday 01/17/1977 — Saturday 12/30/2023     
Family Gathering: Thursday 01/11/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home    
Visitation: Thursday 01/11/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home    
Celebration of Life: Friday 01/12/2024 1:00pm, Macedonia Baptist Church #2, 489 E Sibley Rd, Choudrant 

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By T. Scott Boatright

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen passed a motion to amend the city’s zoning code to create a Monroe Street Greenway District and Chapter 29 of the city’s Code of Ordinances to pave the way for creation of a new subdivision on the site of the old Ruston Country Club on U.S. Highway 167 South.

Those were two of the primary orders of business during Monday’s monthly City Council meeting at City Hall.

The new Monroe Street Greenway District will run from the south Interstate 20 service road on the north to West Alabama Avenue on the south. 

Howard and Minden streets and portions of West Carolina and West Georgia avenues will be the boundaries to the west, while Jena Street, Lee Avenue, Coushatta Street, and a piece of West Florida Avenue will set the eastern edge.

The parkway plan encourages controlled commercial development along the highway, while at the same time protecting nearby residential neighborhoods.

In OKing the change to Chapter 29 of the Ruston Code of Ordinances, the City Council approved a pair of requests from WIVI Land II Development company  that will result in what is hoped to become 304 single-family residences to be built in five phases on a total of 81.7 acres the company plans to create into a mix of residential and commercial property.

Phase one of the proposed subdivision would create 84 lots on 17 acres of the property.

In other business, Ruston’s Board of Aldermen passed a motion authorizing the city to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) to sell or lease property to DBUL, LLC, who plans to purchase a pair of swaths of lands near the Ruston Sports Complex’s Indoor Facility on which the company wants to build an entertainment center on the north side of that building as well as a related-use facility on its eastern side.

Also approved was a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the Riley Company of Louisiana for engineering services related to the McDonald Avenue Cross Drain Replacement project.

“This will be on McDonald Avenue at the intersection of Lafayette Street just east of Bernard Street,” said Ruston Public Works Director John Freeman. “Those pipes have outlived their lives, so we budgeted to do it this year as part of a capital improvement project and this will be the first step in trying to get that done.”

During the meeting, Ruston’s aldermen also passed a motion authorizing the city to acquire property and to institute expropriation actions necessary for construction and completion of the Ruston Industrial Park/Ruston Business Park Access Road Project.

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen also authorized the city to enter into nine Cooperative Endeavor agreements with entities that have operated within the city for years.

Those agreements and basic terms are as follows:

• $50,000 in funding and building use for the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana

• $70,000 in monthly funding and two appointed board members for the Dixie Center for the Arts

• $30,000 in funding for Ruston Community Theatre

• Use of the city’s old water utility building and utility payments with the exception of natural gas for Louisiana Farm Fresh Corporation (Farmer’s Market)

• Use of the old ArkLaGas building on West Mississippi Avenue for the Health Hut

• Building use, director’s salary and paid utilities for the North Louisiana Military Museum

• Use of Ruston Sports Complex Fields by Ruston Youth Baseball, Inc.

• Use of Ruston Sports Complex Fields by Ruston Girls Softball Association, Inc.

• Use of Ruston Sports Complex Field by Buddy Ball of Ruston

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By Malcolm Butler

Third Judicial District Judge Bruce Hampton swore in the 12 jurors who will comprise the 2024 Lincoln Parish Police Jury during Monday night’s meeting at the Library Events Center.

With a nice crowd in attendance for the inaugural meeting of the 2024 calendar year, Hampton swore in Greg “Big Coach” Williams (District 1), Karen Ludley (District 2), Dan Lord (District 3), TJ Cranford (District 4), Logan Hunt (District 5), Glenn Scriber (District 6), Matt Pullin (District 7), Chris “Moose” Garriga (District 8), Joe Henderson (District 9), Milton Melton (District 10), Diane Richards (District 11) and Annette Straughter (District 12) to kick start the night.

Following the ceremony, DA for the Third Judicial District John Belton presided over the election of new officers for this year.

Hunt nominated Scriber for President which was quickly followed by a immediate motion by Henderson to close nominations, which was seconded. Scriber was then unanimously voted in as this year’s President of the LPPJ.

“It’s an honor to serve as the president of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury,” said Scriber. “To have a unanimous vote was even more humbling. I think we started off very very good and I look forward to working with every single person that is on the jury.”

Lord then nominated Williams for the role of Vice President, which was immediately followed by a motion from Henderson to close nominations. Williams — who begins his first year serving on the police jury — was then elected by a unanimous vote for the police jury.

“It means a lot to me. It means the people in the Ruston and Grambling area respect what I have done over the years, and they want to give me a chance to be a part of this,” said Williams. “I am excited about it.”

Current LPPJ administrator Courtney Hall was then nominated and unanimously voted in for another term in his current role, while Michael Sutton was elected as this year’s treasurer.

Newly-elected police juror Chris Garriga said he is excited about the tandem of Scriber and Williams leading the police jury this year.

“I think it is the way to go right now,” said Garriga. “I think it’s the right people in the right place to keep moving forward.”

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By T. Scott Boatright

Fifty years of Lady Techsters’ basketball history was celebrated in the Thomas Assembly Center (TAC) over the weekend — festivities that were as much about the people who created the experiences than the storied hoops program being honored half a century after its creation.

On Jan. 7, 1975, Louisiana Tech played Southeastern Louisiana in the program’s first game, a 59-55 loss at Memorial Gym. 

Fifty seasons later, the Lady Techsters defeated Sam Houston 66-62 on Saturday to earn their 1,200th win, becoming only the fifth program in NCAA women’s basketball history to reach that milestone.

The Lady Techsters first head coach — Sonja Hogg, who co-directed her Tech teams to two national championships with then assistant/co-head coach Leon Barmore right at her side — was on hand for last weekend’s celebration.

“It’s been an unbelievable weekend — 50 years — that’s a lot of love and memories,” Hogg said Saturday afternoon. “We met (Friday) night and while I didn’t talk long, I talked about the very beginning and how we got this thing rolling. It’s been a great 50 years.”

Talking about the start of Lady Techsters basketball, Hogg became obviously emotional as she remembered the architect who directed the building of the program from scratch — former Louisiana Tech President Dr. F. Jay Taylor.

“This is a really special place — it’s the house Dr. Taylor built for the program he built,” Hogg said, choking back tears. “He deserves the credit. He saw what it could be, and he built it.”

Barmore was also at Friday’s reception and Saturday’s game, relishing in the moments all the while as he rekindled relationships and cheered on one of his former players, current Lady Techsters coach Brooke Stoher, and her team.

“Seeing some of the players I haven’t seen for a long time, like Janice Lawrence, one of the greatest players who ever played here who came down from Ohio — that’s a big part of what makes all of this so special,” Barmore said. “This is a great day and I’m just rooting for Brooke to get the win and that for everyone to have a good time.”

Barmore admitted Dr. Taylor picked a good time to try and build a women’s basketball program.

“We got in on the ground level of women’s basketball and won a couple of championships early on — that’s a big part of the magic,” Barmore said. “The magic is still here. The magic will always be here.”

Carolyn Ashley has been a Lady Techsters fan since the beginning, attending nearly every home game and many road contests over the years along with her husband Charles.

“I’ve been here since 1981 when the TAC opened — we had season tickets to the old gym before that,” Ashley said Saturday afternoon. “I’m amazed at the way some of these players have aged, because I don’t think I really have. 

“There are so many special memories, but that’s what we chose to do — be Tech fans and especially Lady Techsters fans. I’ve had these same seats since the beginning of this building.”

Ashley quickly pointed out that it wasn’t necessarily the Tech women’s basketball program but the people who have participated in it that have built a sense of magic and allure that still runs strong half a century later.”

“I like the game, but that’s not what all of this is about,” Ashley said. “It’s really about the people, and there are a whole lot of them that have come through this program.

“When I first got these seats (located behind the Lady Techsters bench), Coach Barmore came to know and told me that he knew where we were going to be sitting. He said, ‘I want you to disregard a lot of what you’re going to hear.’ And I’ve reminded him many times of some of the things I watched him pull. We’ve traveled with the team over the years. It really is all about the  and the personalities — that’s what makes this Lady Techsters basketball program so special.”

Michelle Jimmerson, a member of Louisiana Tech’s English faculty, has been a loyal Lady Techsters supporter since childhood.

“My parents were involved from the opening jump — from the very start,” Jimmerson said. “They were on the Tip-Off Board in the 1970s. So we were there at Memorial Gym. My parents went to the first two national championship games and they took my sisters and me to the second national championship game in Virginia.

“So I have this really unique perspective of growing up and idolizing the Lady Techsters and then attending Tech and going to classes with some of them. Teresa Weatherspoon was an English minor and we had a lot of classes together. And now as a faculty member at Tech, it’s been like a full-circle thing for me and so much fun.”

Former Lady Techster Katie Cochran Hall, now head girls hoops coach at Ruston’s Cedar Creek School, arrived back in town less than an hour before Tech tipped off Saturday’s game against Sam Houston State.

Cedar Creek’s basketball teams played in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday and then went to Friday’s night’s New Orleans Pelicans game against the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to Ruston on Saturday.

“If I could have been here (Friday night) I would have, but we had everything scheduled for Cedar Creek down in New Orleans and I had to take care of that,” Hall said. “But I was going to get back in time for today’s game.

“All of this brings back memories and the common bond we all share. It’s an honor to be part of all of this. It’s an honor to have played for the Lady Techsters. I still admire a lot of these former players. I’m in awe of all of us to be able to have this sisterhood. It’s very unique and special.”

Former Lady Techsters Tasha Williams also returned for the festivities and echoed the overall sentiment that the weekend was much about the people involved than the storied women’s basketball program itself.

“Just to come back and see everyone —- all these people who were here helping guide and mentor me while I was growing up — is amazing,” Williams said. “Everyone who has been part of this for so long is part of my village, so to see everyone again is amazing. 

“The festivities are cool, but what today is about is getting to see all the people. That’s what today is all about — the relationships we made and still last after all these years.”

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The Lincoln Parish School Board will hold its January meeting at Glen View Elementary today at 12 p.m. Among agenda items will be a vote on officers for the board.

The full agenda is attached.

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A Ruston man was arrested last Friday by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office on numerous traffic charges and possession of marijuana.

Brandious L. Maryland, Jr., 21, was stopped on McDonald Avenue for a traffic violation. A check of the license plate on the Honda sedan should have been on a Jeep. Maryland said he was on the way to sell the vehicle.

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A records check showed Maryland was wanted for failure to appear in Ruston City Court

While speaking with Maryland, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from the Honda. A small amount of marijuana was recovered under Maryland’s seat. He was arrested for switched license plate, improper turn, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, and warrants for failure to appear in court on driving under suspension and no insurance charges.

Bail was set at $4,000.

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

Courtesy of the City of Ruston

The water will be shut off in this area to make repairs. Because of these problems, the water produced by our water supply system is of questionable microbiological quality. Therefore, as a precaution, the City of Ruston Water System is issuing a boil advisory effective immediately. This boil advisory is to remain in effect until rescinded by the City of Ruston Water System

It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one-minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise. Upon notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that the samples collected from our water supply have been found to be safe, the State Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results.

Upon such notification, the City of Ruston Water System will then rescind the boil advisory and notify its customers that the water has been found to be safe.

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By Kyle Roberts

The Ruston Lady Bearcats (14-7) fell Monday night in a road matchup to Sterlington 68-45 on a night where the ball would just not fall through the hoop in the second half.

“Tonight we did not play our best,” Ruston head coach Meredith Graf said. “We didn’t do some of the things we knew we had to do well to win. Sterlington despite their youth is a very talented team and well coached; give them credit. They shot extremely well and played hard on both ends.”

Ruston had a 30-23 lead at the half before Sterlington used a 25-point third quarter to come storming back.

Graf added that execution will be critical for her team moving forward with district play coming soon.

“Although I wasn’t happy about how the game was officiated, we didn’t execute the way we needed to in order to get the win,” Graf said. “This will serve as a reminder that we must execute on both ends to give ourselves a chance.”

Senior Jaliyah McWain finished with 20 points for the Lady Bearcats, while senior Zaccheya Jackson added 10.

Ruston will be back in action for the final non-district matchup of the season against Northwood High in Lena, La.

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Only a few limited edition Ruston Bearcat posters remain for sale. Anyone wishing to order one of these gold gilded editions should follow the directions below to do so as only 75 of these are being printed.

What a ride it was.

Head coach Jerrod Baugh and the Ruston Bearcats took our community on a memorable journey this year, capturing the 2023 Nonselect School Division I title with a 31-17 win over Zachary in the Caesar’s Superdome.

Baugh and the Bearcats captured the school’s ninth state title, its first since 1990 and they did so in a first-class fashion.

In recognition of the state title run, the Lincoln Parish Journal commissioned local graphic designer Courtney Pugh of Donnie Bell Design to create a commemorative edition and limited poster featuring photos from official GeauxPrep’s state title game photographer Josh McDaniel (FourSix3).

The poster is for sale with 25 percent of all proceeds going directly to the official Ruston Bearcat Football Club.

There are two unique versions of the 18 x 24 inch poster, each printed on 100-pound glossy:

a) a LIMITED edition ($75) with ONLY 75 copies available that features a gold gilded tint and a numbering system to differentiate each poster

b) a COMMEMORATIVE edition ($25) with an unlimited number of sales based on orders.

The posters will be available in late January-early February with additional details provided on pickup/sales dates and locations. However, orders are being taken now.

To order and secure a copy of either poster, email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase. The LPJ will take orders on a first come, first serve basis and will continue to sell while supplies last.

The LPJ will take payment via credit card (an email invoice will be sent which can be processed by the buyer with a credit card) or cash. No checks will be accepted.

Don’t miss your chance to purchase this beautiful keepsake depicting the Bearcats title run in 2023. Email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.

Special thanks to Origin Bank and Forth Insurance for their support of this project.

A Baton Rouge man was arrested on New Year’s Day after Ruston Police responded to a domestic incident.

Officers went to a South Maple Street apartment about 7 p.m. Monday where they found Dwayne Wicker, 19, at the scene. The reported victim was located at another apartment and interviewed.

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The woman said she and Wicker had an argument. While packing up Wicker’s belongings, the argument escalated, and Wicker allegedly began striking her. She attempted to leave the apartment to call police, but Wicker blocked her from reaching the front door. The woman said Wicker damaged the apartment and pointed a black handgun at her.

The woman said she fled to a bedroom and jumped from a second floor balcony to escape.

Officers saw significant scratch marks on the woman’s neck.

A search of the victim’s apartment with her consent located several firearms, including a black handgun.

Wicker was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for aggravated assault with a firearm, battery of a dating partner, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and felony criminal damage to property. 

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

A lot of people think that the Bible is “old news.” They’ve concluded that what’s in it is outdated and/or useless.  

But a lot of folks – including me – believe that its words of truth and wisdom are ever new, ever fresh. And that they hold the key to life. 

Indeed, many verses throughout the Bible speak of newness, with the promise of brightness in the days to come. So in this second week of the new year – the second week of 2024 – let’s gather a collection of those thoughts and ruminate on what our Heavenly Father is offering us. 

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Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” As we embark on this new year, let’s pause and reflect on the promise of each morning, when the compassion of the Lord is renewed. In every dawn, there is a chance for a new beginning. 

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Just as each dawn brings the promise of a fresh start, this verse unveils a profound reality: In Christ, the past is eclipsed, and a new creation emerges. Embrace the transformative power of this promise – allowing the old to fade away – and step boldly into the newness found in the loving embrace of our Creator. 

Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah reminds us that God is constantly at work, creating new paths and opportunities even in the most challenging circumstances. His promise – if we accept and obey him – is not just for a fresh start but for a flourishing journey, where streams of grace flow through our lives. 

Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” In the framework of our being, God promises not just a surface-level renewal but a profound transformation from within. Let this verse be a beacon, guiding us to surrender the hardness of the past and to receive a heart tenderized by divine love, a refreshed spirit and an expanded capacity for compassion and grace. 

Romans 6:4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” In the waters of baptism, we share in Christ’s death and resurrection, signifying not only the burial of our old selves but the emergence into a new, revived existence. May this verse inspire us to embrace the transformative power of our spiritual rebirth and the promise of a continually unfolding new life. 

1 Peter 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian faith – a journey marked by gratitude for divine mercy and a vibrant hope anchored in the resurrection. For believers, it promises life beyond the constraints of the present. 

As we continue to sail into 2024, let’s remember, as Jeremiah said, that God’s love and mercy are new every morning – and that means 365 days a year. Just think: 365 days of newness. Each and every time the Earth revolves on its journey around the sun.  

So let’s embrace the newness God has in store for us and trust in his promises. May these verses inspire us to seek his guidance and wisdom and to live each day with purpose and meaning.  

Happy New Year! 

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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com. 

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston man Tuesday after a report of a domestic disturbance on Havins Road.

Deputies responded to the call about 8:30 a.m. where a woman told them Gabriel Mata, 19, punched her in the face. The woman said she fell back on a bed and Mata got on top of her and she had to fight him off. The woman said there were two children present at the time.

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Mata was arrested for domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and booked at the Lincoln Parish 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. 

Louisiana Tech University School of Theatre’s second show of the 2023-24 season, “Down the Road,” written by Lee Blessing and directed by School of Theatre faculty member Andrew Dylan Ray, will run Jan. 30 through Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Stone Theatre in Tech’s Howard Center for the Performing Arts.

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The cast list includes:

John Browning (Zachary)

Ryann McClure (Zachary)

Emily Norris (Lexington, Ky.)

Autumn Parr (Anna, Texas)

Joseph Wyatt Rawls (Oak Grove)

Logan Bret Sapp (Owensboro, Ky.)

Lillian Stalder (Zachary)

Carson Turgeon (Hathaway)

Taylor Zipperlen (Waco, Texas)

The plot revolves around a husband and wife writing team hired to interview and write an account of the crimes of a convicted serial killer. This begins a long journey of introspection, examination, celebrity, communication, and the ethics of choice as the writing team begins to examine if they are simply relaying terrifying events, or if they are helping the readers consume assault, murder, and mutilation as if they are consuming any other product of our society.

Content warnings for this production include explicit language and graphic descriptions of sexual assault.

Louisiana’s public libraries recorded more than 9 million visits in 2022 and patrons checked out items more than 46 million times, marking double-digit growth over the prior year, newly released figures show.

The numbers were reported in the 2022 edition of Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report, which is compiled by the State Library of Louisiana and was recently completed and released. All 67 public library systems in the state provided data for the report.

“Public libraries are so important to the communities they serve. The proof is there in black and white when you look at these stats,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Our libraries are true community hubs with so many different and invaluable services. A vibrant state needs vibrant public libraries, and we have that here in Louisiana.”

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In-person visits to the 334 public library locations and 29 bookmobiles across the state dropped steeply during the pandemic when stay-at-home orders were in place. But visits have steadily increased since 2020. In 2022, public libraries saw 9.2 million visits, an increase of 21% compared to the prior year.

While visits fell off during the pandemic, the public’s appetite for items to check out remained insatiable. In fact, that figure has only grown. Patrons borrowed items 46.8 million times in 2022, an increase of 13% compared to 2021. Of the loans in 2022, 35.1 million of them were electronic items, such as e-books.

Use of electronic resources also continued to grow, the report shows. Patrons used computers at public libraries 1.8 million times and logged on to Wi-Fi 4.7 million times in 2022.

Also of note:

• There were 2.4 million library card holders in Louisiana in 2022, almost 54% of the state.
• Librarians answered 2.5 million reference questions in person and online.
• 2.1 million people attended almost 75,000 in-person and live virtual events hosted by public libraries.
• Electronic databases were accessed almost 26 million times by library card holders.
• More than 72,000 items were borrowed for patrons by their home library from another library through the Interlibrary Loan System.

“These figures clearly show the public’s enthusiasm for all the services libraries provide, especially when you consider that Louisiana’s population is about 4.5 million people,” said State Librarian Meg Placke. “We say it all the time: the modern library is more than just a place to check out books. And the best part is these services are offered free of charge.”

“I’ve been putting this report together for a long time, and I’m so gratified to see these numbers show growth,” said Associate State Librarian Michael Golrick. “Patrons have made it clear that they value what their local libraries offer.”

A complete copy of the 2022 Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report and previous year’s editions can be found on the State Library’s website.

By T. Scott Boatright

A 31-point effort by Choudrant’s Michael Jones Monday evening wasn’t quite enough as the Aggies fell 70-66 at Gibsland-Coleman.

Choudrant led 54-50 heading into the final stanza but Gibsland-Coleman turned up its offense, outscoring the Aggies 20-12 over the final eight minutes to secure the win.

The Aggies’ Carson Carrico connected on six 3-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter, to help add 20 points for Choudrant, which also received seven points from Braden Soto.

“Gibsland-Coleman had a big fourth-quarter and that made the difference,” said CHS coach Ryan Smith. “Playing three games in four days is tough, and we’re back at it tonight and then we’ll play Castor at home on Friday.”

St. Frederick 65, Choudrant 44

The Warriors took control in the second quarter on Saturday and never looked back as St. Frederick marched to a home win over the Aggies in its own tournament.

Michael Jones was the lone Aggie scoring in double figures with 18 points while Braden Soto added six and Tucker Batterton chipped in with six on a pair of 3-pointers.

Choudrant 76, Delta Charter 75 (Double OT)

The Aggies opened play in the St. Frederick Tournament with a win on Friday as Choudrant had three players score in double figures to power the win.

Michael Jones led the Aggies with 29 points while Lawson Stevens finished with 15 and Carson Carrico chipped in with 12 for the Aggies.

“We’re still just working hard to try and get better,” Smith said. “We just started slow against St. Frederick on Saturday and couldn’t quite get it going. I was very proud of the way the guys played Delta Charter coming off the long holiday break and there’s a lot of season left.”

Choudrant (15-9) will next play at Summerfield tonight.

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Louisiana Tech’s guard Paris Guillory was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week after helping guide the Lady Techsters to their fifth straight victory and No. 1,200 all-time in program history.

Guillory provided a spark off the bench in a 17-3 run over the final five minutes of the third quarter. She finished 4-5 from the field and 2-3 from deep during the third quarter for all 10 of her points in the game. Her back-to-back three-pointers gave LA Tech the lead for good with just over four minutes to go in the quarter. She followed that up with a euro through the lane to have seven straight points for LA Tech.

For the season, Guillory is averaging 6.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. She has seen action in just five games this season, missing the middle portion of the schedule due to injury, but returned against Sam Houston. She scored double figures in two games with a season-high 16 against Louisiana College.

It is the second straight CUSA Freshman of the Week honor for a Lady Techster. Jianna Morris received the award on Jan. 1, 2024, after her performance against Abilene Christian.

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