A second victim has died as a result of a shooting in Ruston on December 30 and police are seeking help in the case.
Tracy Hampton of Arcadia is the latest victim to die from the gunfire that broke out at about midnight on that Saturday morning at Park Ridge Estates, a townhouse complex off West Alabama Avenue.
Responding officers found one victim on the ground outside one of the townhouses and a second one inside an idling vehicle nearby.
Robert Thompson of Jonesboro and Tracy Hampton of Arcadia were both shot in the head, police said. Both men were taken to Northern Louisiana Medical Center and later airlifted to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. Thompson died of his wounds that day.
Hampton was initially placed on life support but has since passed away as well.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office said Thompson was believed connected to the October homicide of Devontre “Dee” Jackson and the wounding of a second person on U.S. Highway 167 south of Quitman.
According to JPSO, at approximately 1:35 a.m. Saturday, October 7, a 911 call was received reporting a shooting between North Hodge and Quitman. By the time first responders arrived on the scene, Jackson, the driver, had died. Kurae Cottonham, of Jonesboro, was arrested on October 19 for second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. Thompson was not arrested in the Dee Jackson case, but the connection has fueled speculation the Ruston shooting is related, possibly as retaliation for the October murder.
Investigation into the Park Ridge shooting is continuing by Ruston Police. The department is asking for assistance in identifying the person or persons involved in these homicides. Police can be called direct at 318-255-4141 or tips submitted through 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.
Ruston Police are searching for a man who smashed a window and climbed into a home where he was confronted by the resident inside.
Police said the incident on New Year’s Day occurred on Eastland Avenue. The man broke out a window and climbed through it to find the resident was home. An image of the man climbing through the window was captured and police were called but he managed to escape. The victim was not harmed.
Ruston Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident, call authorities directly at 318-255-4141 or report it through Crime Stoppers at 318-255-1111. Callers remain anonymous and could be eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for any information leading to the arrest of this suspect. For more information on Crime Stoppers, go to rustonlincolncrimestoppers.com
The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System’s Executive Committee appointed Dr. Connie Walton as interim president of Grambling State University at today’s meeting. Dr. Walton currently serves as the institution’s provost and vice president for academic affairs and has worked at Grambling for more than 30 years. She earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“My life is a testimony to the impact that this university can have on a student’s life. I knew as an undergraduate student at Grambling State University that I wanted to come back and be a part of the faculty,” Dr. Walton said. “This appointment provides an additional way to serve this great institution and help shape the lives of students. When the next president of Grambling State University is identified, I look forward to supporting that person’s strategic goals.”
UL System President and CEO Rick Gallot served as president of Grambling for seven years before the Board named him System president at its October 2023 meeting. He chairs the search committee charged with finding the institution’s next leader.
“I am supremely confident that Grambling will be well cared for under Dr. Walton’s interim leadership,” Gallot said. “She has proven her dedication to the institution and its success through her commitment to advancing cybersecurity and nursing programs, both of which are now soaring, and I know she will bring that same determination to the interim presidency.”
Dr. Walton’s appointment is subject to ratification by the full Board of Supervisors at its February meeting.
Grambling’s City Council passed a motion Thursday night that will result in the dedication of the road off of “Old Grambling Highway” (La. Highway 150) leading to Lincoln Preparatory School and the under-construction Traditions subdivision and the naming of it in honor of the late Dr. Birdex Copeland.
In other business during Thursday’s monthly City Council, Grambling’s City Council approved adoption of an ordinance incurring debt and issuance of a Taxable Excess Revenue Bond, Series 2024, in the amount not to exceed $547,000 by the city of Grambling.
Gordan Ford, CEO/Executive Director at Lincoln Prep, told Grambling’s City Council that the Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) suggested because of the high level of traffic on “Old Grambling Road” that the subdivision and school work together so there would be only one road that will lead to each.
“It was decided the best way to do that would be to create a public road that will come from Highway 150 to the school and then Traditions would branch off of that with their own public roads that would eventually become part of the city infrastructure,” Ford said.
Ford then requested once the city officially accepts and dedicates the naming of the road in honor of Copeland.
“He was the chairman at the time we started the charter school and was a pillar of the community and education for so long, we felt his memory deserves that,” Ford said.
Grambling’s Council unanimously passed dedication of the road along with the stipulation of it being named in honor of Copeland.
The Taxable Excess Revenue Bond issued by the Department of Environmental Equality will be 100% forgivable, said municipal finance attorney Hardy Andrews from the New Orleans-based law firm Foley and Judell.
“Basically it’s a draw-down loan from the DEQ,’ Andrews said. “How that works is, you do the work, submit a pay request to the DEQ for it, they write you a check to pay your vendors, you pay your vendors and then (the DEQ) forgives that portion throughout the project period.
“So, basically it is still a bond, but because there’s 100% forgiveness there’s much less obligation by the city than would be for any other type of revenue bond.”
Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley said the work will begin by rehabbing the “Hills of Grambling” sewage lift station.
“There is also some work that will be done on R.W.E. Jones (Drive) coming through campus with a force main being put down,” Bradley said. “They’ll be rehabbing various lift stations throughout Grambling — 12 to be exact.”
Bradley said work on the project is hoped to begin by mid-January.
The City Council also received reports on two matters from City Attorney Ronald Lattier — putting motions in place to better govern short-term rental locations in Grambling and an update on legal matters regarding the Grambling Economic Development Corporation (GEDC).
Lattier said he has worked with others to come up with two templates for governing short-term rentals he hopes to present to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission during its Jan. 22 in hopes of the City Council being to vote on one in February.
He then discussed the ongoing situation with the GEDC.
“In December of last year we filed for a petition of involuntary dismissal of the GEDC basically on the grounds that they didn’t have any transparency that applied to the purpose for which it was created,” Lattier said. “That included the fact that they are using taxpayer funds that we’ve seen and we have seen no economic development that would benefit the city of Grambling and its citizens.
“In response to our petition they filed a ‘No Right of Action’ motion saying that essentially, the city of Grambling nor the Grambling City Council didn’t have any right to file this action.”
Lattier said the city then filed a response that he summarized.
“This is not a classic private corporation, it’s a non-profit public, economic corporation — that was the purpose for which it was created,” Lattier said. “Under a revised statute it specifically says that no such corporation shall be organized, do any business or exercise any power until the legislature or governing authority of a local governmental subdivision — which is the city council — shall declare a need for such a corporation.
“Based upon the inaction of the GEDC, it is our contention that there is no longer a need for the GEDC.”
Lattier said that while the GEDC held no meetings last year, the GEDC has spent some of its funding, and said it appears the GEDC improperly purchased a vehicle for GEDC President Edwards Jones, Grambling’s Mayor from 2011-23.
He also said a hearing on the matter has been set for Jan. 11.
In other business, Grambling’s City Council also passed a motion giving Bradley authorization to sign all contracts with the state of Louisiana, facility planning and control — an annual move — and also agreed to hire Kayla Currie as a non-certified probationary police officer and Cosherie Houston was a dispatcher trainee for the Grambling Police Department.
A common complaint heard on college and professional basketball courts these days is that even players talented enough to compete on those levels don’t know enough about the basic fundamentals of the game.
For 17 years now, elementary schools in Lincoln Parish have been striving to teach those fundamentals to their student athletes, and that work will be celebrated Saturday with the tip-off of the 2023 Lincoln Parish Elementary School Jamborees at the Ruston Sports Complex.
All games will consist of two 12-minute halves with running clocks only for jamboree play.
Cypress Springs Elementary School coach Carlton Huey has been part of the parish program since its inception.
“I’ve been at Cypress Springs for 10 years, but we started the program 17 years ago when I was at Glenview Elementary (School),” Huey said. “Kevin Hill at Ruston Elementary and I started it . He’s not there anymore, but it was my second year at Glenview and I went to him and told him I wanted to start a basketball league. I had been outside at recess watching the kids and realized how good some of them were.
“His first response was that I was crazy, but after thinking it over for a night, he called me back and said, ‘Let’s do it.’ And that’s how it all started.”
Huey called coaching players that young as “more than honor.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Huey said of coaching the elementary athletes. “Because in doing so, I know that by the time they get to high school they’ll be ready for a state championship or college or whatever.
“We’re teaching them fundamentals so that when they get to their high coaches, they’ll have it all together and will be ready to go.
Huey said he saw proof of that last year.
“The Ruston High boys team that went to state last year — they were our boys that were out there playing,” Huey said. “And we knew in the fourth- and fifth-grade they were that good. Players like Zheric Hill and Aiden Anding — we coached those guys in elementary school and saw how good they were. Ahmad Hudson is a talented freshman for the Bearcats, but he played for us at Cypress Springs first.”
“I had a parent today with a junior and sixth-grader that sent me a collage of her boys when they were playing for me at Cypress Springs. It doesn’t get much more rewarding than that. We take out teams now to watch ‘our guys’ at Ruston High. And it all started 17 years ago with Ruston Elementary, Glenview, Cypress Springs and what was then Alma J. Brown (in Grambling). Those were the four schools we started all of this with. And now we have every (public) school in Lincoln Parish involved.”
Huey said that now that Lincoln Preparatory School has a gym, it will field a team this year as will Simsboro and Choudrant.
This year’s jamboree will also feature Arcadia’s Crawford Elementary as well as Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary.
Saturday’s girls schedule begins at 10 a.m. with Cypress Springs vs. Simsboro, followed by Joneboro-Hodge vs. RES at 11 a.m., Choudrant vs. Crawford at noon and Lincoln Prep vs. Crawford at 1 p.m.
On the boys’ side, Saturday’s action will tip off with Lincoln Prep playing Crawford at 10 a.m., Dubach facing Simsboro at 11 a.m, Cypress Springs taking on Jonesboro-Hodge at noon and Choudrant vs. RES at 1 p.m.
Admission to the jamboree will be $5 for everyone with children 5-and-under being able to attend for free.
Impaired drivers kept local law enforcement busy on New Year’s Eve and into 2024.
Late on New Year’s Eve, a Ruston police officer stopped a vehicle traveling the wrong way on North Trenton Street. After contacting the driver, Johnny Modest, 71, of Ruston, the officer saw indications of intoxication. Field sobriety tests were administered, and Modest was was arrested. A breath test at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center indicated Modest’s blood alcohol content was .172g%, more than twice Louisiana’s legal limit. Modest was booked for first offense DWI and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
About 2:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a Ruston patrol supervisor saw a vehicle traveling northbound on the southbound side of Tarbutton Road near Interstate 20. The vehicle was stopped and the driver, Jared Melseth, 22, of Ruston, appeared to be impaired. After administering field sobriety test, the officer arrested Melseth. A breath test at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center showed. Melseth’s blood alcohol content to be .168g%. Melseth was booked for first offense DWI and driving left of center. Bail was placed at $1,500.
Elbert E. Kirkendoff, 61, of Ruston was arrested about 9:00 p.m. on the evening of New Year’s Day after he allegedly fled a Grambling Police officer who tried to stop him. Kirkendoff reportedly stopped when he reached a residence on Garr Road north of Grambling. The officer found him to be heavily intoxicated. A state trooper assisting the officer administered field sobriety tests and as a result, arrested Kirkendoff. At the detention center, Kirkendoff became uncooperative and refused to take a breath test. He was booked for first offense DWI, improper lane usage, expired license plate, and open container. 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.
An abstract painting by Ruston artist Hooshang Khorasani is part of the National Liberty Museum’s “Amplified: Art, Music, Power” exhibit that is running from Jan. 6 to April 8.
The museum, located in Philadelphia, is dedicated to reminding people that liberty is the defining force that makes everything else that humans do possible. In addition to presenting a collection of art and artifacts, the facility’s purpose is to illustrate that liberty is a fragile concept and that its survival requires citizens to understand, respect and actively engage with one another.
Khorasani’s painting that was chosen for the exhibit is titled “Color Storm Rhapsody,” a 48-by-48-inch acrylic on canvas.
The participating artists’ work reflects on how music exists as a form of expression, as an experience and as the soundtrack of memories. Through the exhibit and activities surrounding it, museum officials hope to spark dialogues about freedoms of expression and assembly, plus the challenges of censorship and related areas.
“Concerning music and its intertwining with my artwork,” Khorasani said, “as long as I can remember, I was always listening to classical music while painting in my studio. I did this while a student at an arts-centered high school, and I do it now as an adult with decades of work behind me.”
Khorasani cited Beethoven as being one of his favorite composers. “Much of my abstract work is related to the power that is expressed in his creations,” he explained. “I feel that my work is related to his work – and sometimes that of other musical masterminds – in the freedom and strength that it brings to my mind in the creation of the artwork and then, in turn, to those who view it.”
He feels that the energy from the music comes through in his brushwork. “It’s somehow transferred and translated to the movement of the colors, the harmony of the images and throughout the entire composition when the work is done. I think it’s telling that we use the word ‘composition’ for both musical pieces and works of art.”
Dr. Elizabeth Grant, chief program officer of the museum, said, “‘Amplified: Art, Music, Power’ invites visitors to explore how music can both connect and divide us, to celebrate vital freedoms of expression and assembly, and consider what it means to be free.”
Twelve artists from throughout the country are being spotlighted in the exhibit.
Good evening! Thank you all so much for coming out tonight and joining Donna and me in our hometown of Amite. As I look out into this crowd, I see family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who have supported and encouraged me since day one.
As y’all probably know, this town is where I first learned the importance of faith, family, and hard work. It’s where my mama, a charity hospital nurse, and my Papa, one of four sheriffs in our family, taught me the value of public service.
I grew up here with the best, most loving and supportive siblings who worked so hard to ensure our success: Alice, Frank, Clay, Andrew, Morgan, and Daniel – I love y’all.
Amite is where one day in the seventh grade I met a sweet, beautiful schoolmate who I knew, even then, would be the love of my life. And she’s with me tonight as she has been just about every day since.
Give me a second to brag on Donna, y’all. I know I’m biased, but she is the best first lady in Louisiana history.
There is no job description for being a first lady, but that did not stop Donna. She identified the areas that she was passionate about, used her creativity, got busy connecting people across the state, even across the nation and globe to work with her and she has done an outstanding job.
Donna is a true champion for children, women and families. From elevating the importance of music, movement and art education, to providing a supportive network for foster children and families, and working tirelessly to help prevent and raise awareness about human trafficking, – she has accomplished so much for our state. And she did all of that while also preserving the history and beauty of the Governor’s Mansion.
The improvements she has made will be there for generations to enjoy.
Donna inspires me every day. She prays with me every day. I could not have asked for a better partner in life or a better mother to our children – Samantha Bel, Sarah Ellen and John Miller. All of whom have been absolute troopers throughout the last 10 years and a great blessing to us.
Donna and I are proud to represent Amite. This is where we raised our children and now look forward to being grandparents. This is where my brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather have served as sheriff. This is the district that first entrusted me to represent them in elected office, and I have worked hard to maintain that trust every day in every decision I made.
And that is why I wanted my final speech as Governor to be here, with you, where it all began. None of our success would’ve been possible without the people of Amite and Tangipahoa Parish.
I’ll never forget the day I was sitting in the Legislature, talking to my good friend Sam Jones, telling him I’d had enough of the governor we had at the time. He was leading us into a crippling budget crisis – the extent of which we had yet to fully understand. Students were fleeing the state because of the largest disinvestment to higher education in the country. One of the nation’s largest percentages of working poor were being deprived of health insurance that was readily available. Business-as-usual politics was holding us back.
So I told Sam, “I’m running for governor.”
Not many people believed I could win. But choosing this path was never about power. It was never about proving a point. It wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t even about me. It was about people. People like you all here tonight.
Diversity was important to me from day one. I am proud to say that we have had the most diverse and the most competent administration in state history with cabinet, boards, commissions and staff that look like the state of Louisiana. Their quality is inextricably linked to diversity.
Now let’s go back to 2016 and talk about the challenges we’ve met and the progress we’ve delivered over eight years. Because my story is your story. And I want you all to be proud of what we’ve accomplished for Louisiana together. All of it on a bipartisan basis.
Spoiler alert: our state is much better off today than it was 8 years ago in numerous critically important and objectively verifiable ways. In fact, not just better, but in many respects the best and strongest Louisiana has ever been.
When I took office, the state had a $2 billion deficit and a grand total of $400 million in the Budget Stabilization Fund. I am leaving with a balanced budget and more than $3 billion in reserve accounts.
The Budget Stabilization Fund, known as the rainy day fund, by itself now has a billion dollars.
There’s also more than $2.2 billion in the Revenue Stabilization Fund, which did not exist until my first year as Governor. We had a $300 million surplus last fiscal year. We have $91.4 million in excess revenue for the current fiscal year. And we currently are looking at 99.8 million in increase in State General Fund for next fiscal year.
Simply put, we are in excellent financial shape.
These savings have been accomplished while also INVESTING in critical priorities and paying record amounts to the pension systems’ unfunded accrued liability, to retire debt, and to pay judgements.
Let’s talk about education for a moment – the reason I ran for governor in the first place.
We have given teachers a total of $5,300 in raises; $2,650 for support workers.
We have significantly increased funding for early childhood education – in fact, the most ever in the state general fund in the current budget.
We are making historic investments in higher education – Including an increase of $465 million in recurring funding for operational expenses.
My administration has worked to pass honest, fiscally sound budgets that adequately fund Louisiana’s most critical priorities. We have operated state government in a cost-effective, efficient and transparent manner in an effort to best serve taxpayers, attract new businesses and investors and ensure a high quality of life for the people of Louisiana.
That is a huge difference from my predecessor’s days of smoke and mirrors budgeting, fund sweeps, one time money for recurring expenditures, and incessant budget cuts to be followed by mid-year cuts. In contrast, we have produced surpluses every single year. I want to pause for a moment to thank Jay Dardenne and his wonderful staff for their excellent work.
And over the last 8 years, the growth of the State General Fund has been less than inflation. Let me say that again – over the last 8 years, the growth of the State General Fund has been less than inflation.
And we’re making progress on other fronts too.
I am very proud to say that our unemployment rate is the lowest ever measured for the month of November at 3.5% – well below the national average. And we keep beating our own records month after month.
I am also proud to tell you that in the third quarter, Louisiana’s real Gross Domestic Product grew faster than 45 other states, at a rate of 6.6%. The national rate was 4.9%. Our real GDP was higher than many other southern states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia and Florida.
Something else I’m really proud of is the replenishment of our unemployment trust fund. You know, there is a law that says if you go below $100 million in the unemployment trust fund, there is a solvency tax on businesses that the state must levy. Because of COVID, we were headed in that direction. But I insisted that wouldn’t happen and we came together to replenish that fund without taxing employers more. That fund’s at $924 million today, and the forecast is for almost $1.1 billion by next August – almost exactly where it was going into COVID.
We are making monumental investments in critical infrastructure. My administration has allocated nearly $5.5 billion to more than 2,000 infrastructure projects around the state, including nearly 7,000 miles of road improvements.
And by the way, while I’m on the topic of transportation, Louisiana has certainly not been shortchanged by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Based on formula funding alone, Louisiana is expected to receive $7.5 billion dollars. Louisiana is 16th in per capita formula funding and 12th in total resilience funding that we’ve received and that’s 9th per capita.
Over $10.1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding has been announced for Louisiana. This includes $1.29 billion for Resilience of Infrastructure, much of which is allocated to protect Louisiana’s coast through grants to CPRA and direct federal spending from USACE.
Speaking of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we committed years ago to closing the digital divide by 2029. Just a few weeks ago I announced that Louisiana is leading the country in putting Bipartisan Infrastructure Law broadband funding to work. We are the first state in America to receive our funding allocation—setting a model for other states. That $1.35 billion will ensure we close the digital divide by 2029 by having affordable high speed internet available at every business and residential address across the state.
Now, let’s talk about the progress we’ve made in economic development.
We have announced more than 261 economic development projects representing $94 Billion in capital investment in Louisiana. Those projects will result in the creation of an estimated 80,000+ direct and indirect new jobs.
We have expanded programs to create small business contract opportunities with the state, support women and minority entrepreneurs, and promote small businesses owned by military veterans and Gold Star spouses.
Hudson Initiative expenditures with disadvantaged businesses increased nearly 300% between 2016 and 2022 – from $32 million to $90.5 million.
In 2016, I signed an executive order to reign in and reform the Industrial Tax Exemption Program that was overly generous. Instead of the 100% exemption, it’s now a max 80% exemption for a 5 year term, with the option of another 5 year term if obligations are met. We tied it to job creation and gave locals a voice since only local property taxes were at issue.
Fears that these ITEP reforms would reduce capital investment in the state were not only unfounded, they were exactly wrong. ITEP projects averaged $10 billion per year pre-reform in manufacturing projects and post-reform they averaged $25 billion.
Giving local governments a say in whether their property taxes are exempted has proven extremely beneficial to both communities and the economic growth of the state. In fact, locals have realized $750 million more in revenue for police and fire protection, education, and local roads and bridges.
Louisiana’s manufacturing jobs – the “gold standard” indicator of economic health, due to their positive ripple effect on the economy at large – ended 2022 at their highest level in seven years.
We have successfully implemented an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that leveraged the only Climate Action Plan in the Gulf South to drive new energy investment, while continuing to support companies meeting current market demand for oil & gas.
Just last week, the EPA gave Louisiana primacy in class VI well permitting – just the third state ever – and this will allow us to reduce CO2 emissions, grow the economy, and create jobs – all in furtherance of our climate action plan.
The result: Louisiana is now a global leader in the energy transition and a major international player in the booming LNG market.
Economist Loren Scott predicted that Louisiana will add 80,000 new jobs in 2024 and 2025, thanks in large part to the huge investments our state is seeing from clean energy projects.
We capitalized on coastal restoration efforts to establish Louisiana as an international water management industry hub anchored by the Water Campus in Baton Rouge. We have completed 72 projects, started 82, and procured $12.5 billion in coastal funding.
We are diversifying our economy. We have supported investments in emerging sectors such as tech, cybersecurity, life sciences and aerospace, and reinvestments in logistics assets like the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal container facility at the Port of New Orleans.
I’m immensely proud that my first act as Governor was to expand Medicaid. Now, more than 500,000 working Louisianans have access to healthcare who otherwise wouldn’t. I have said this many times before and I will say it again here tonight. Medicaid expansion was the easiest big decision I made in this office.
Because of that decision, our uninsured rate is now below the national average, the state has saved money and addressed our fiscal problems, hospitals and other providers are better reimbursed, and not a single rural hospital has closed in the state. That is a far cry from some of our neighbors.
In 2017, we advanced bipartisan criminal justice reform. We reduced our incarceration rate from 760 per 100,000 in 2016 to 564 in 2021 – which is the latest data we have, and we no longer have the nation’s highest incarceration rate. We enacted data driven reforms based on best practices, focused on non-violent and non-sex offenders.
We did all this while also overcoming some of the worst natural disasters in Louisiana history and a global pandemic. To the Louisiana Department of Health and the Office of Public Health, Dr. Courtney Phillips, Steve Russo, and Dr. Joe Kanter: Thank you.
In fact, there have been over 244 emergencies, resulting in around 50 state disaster declarations and 21 federal disaster declarations. I don’t know if that’s a record, but I know it’s certainly way up there.
We have met every single one of those challenges, and we have delivered progress for our people.
I know many of the folks here today were present when I gave my first inaugural address at the capitol in 2016. In that speech, I talked about how my West Point education and Army experience influence the way I govern.
In military terms, victory is won by getting timely and accurate information, formulating a sound strategy and employing the tactics necessary to succeed. I endeavored to employ that formula in every decision I have made. From COVID to hurricanes to the budget and everything in between: I looked at situations from every perspective and collectively, with the best advisors a governor could ask for, made decisions that I felt would best serve the people of Louisiana.
In that first Inaugural, I quoted General MacArthur’s farewell address to West Point when he said that in challenging times leaders must work “to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.”
Little did I know how much those words, so ingrained in me during my formative years, would ring true as I embarked on this mission of leading our great state over these past eight years.
But more than my military experiences, I leaned on my faith. Some people call me the “crisis governor” because of all the challenges we’ve faced over the past 8 years. When I took office on January 11th, 2016, not one of us could have predicted the obstacles we would have to overcome.
But I’m certain that God knew. He knew what was ahead. I put my trust in him, and I will forever be humbled that he, and y’all, saw fit to entrust me to lead and serve Louisiana through those trying days.
My prayer at the beginning of this journey, and each day since, was that of Solomon. Or in my words, “Give me the wisdom to know the right thing to do, and the courage to do it.”
Together, we have righted so many wrongs. We’ve built on the future while maintaining what makes Louisiana great.
The sugar cane still grows. The Red River still flows. Tourists still flock to Mardi Gras. Those Tangipahoa strawberries are still the best in the world. The good times still roll.
We still have our challenges to be sure, but this beautiful melting pot of cultural gumbo that we are blessed to live in has never been better.
We did put people over politics. And without question, by almost every available metric, we leave Louisiana much better than we found it eight years ago and stronger than ever. I leave the governor’s office as optimistic as I have ever been about our future.
That breeze of hope is still blowing, and I have faith that it will continue.
Louisiana, I will forever be your humble servant. But for now… Amite, I’m coming home with a grateful heart.
God bless you all, and God bless the great state of Louisiana.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department arrested a Farmerville man Friday morning after he was stopped for a tail light violation.
At about 1:30 a.m. Friday, a deputy on patrol saw a vehicle on La. Highway 33 in Ruston with improper tail lights. The vehicle was stopped and a record check on the driver, Lazavius Davis, 21, indicated he was wanted by Ruston Police for failure to appear in city court.
Davis was placed under arrest, and during a search a large bag of suspected marijuana was found inside his underwear. Davis was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the warrant for failure to appear in court on a traffic charge and possession of marijuana. Bail was set at $2,000.
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.
I was in Lowes last week. The Christmas decorations were gone. They were replaced by the tub section. In a move of marketing genius or customer surveys, Lowes is selling plastic storage bins. These bins were stacked and prominently displayed. Lowes must know something; the storage bins are all over the store! Lowes calls them totes. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to tote them around. I’m going to load them and pack them away.
That happens to Christmas too. We turn our homes into festive, color-coordinated gathering places for family and friends. We upend our schedules, violate our eating plans, confuse the animals that live with us, and plug too many things into the wall outlets. We do this celebrating the One born in a dark manger stall. Yes, I do it too! Eventually, Christmas is loaded into boxes or totes and packed away.
New Years Day is always packing Christmas away day. All of it is in boxes or the famous Lowes totes. It all fit nicely in the attic of the she-shed. There is an annual ritual when I’m stacking the totes in their place. There is one tote that is marked, “NO.” It is filled with Christmas decorations. These decorations are no longer put out. I have inquired about giving the contents to the children, donating them to Rolling Hills, or filing them in the cylindrical cans that are emptied once a week. The answer is always the same, “No, you can’t get rid of the NO box.” Do you suppose I would be blamed if that box vanished in the middle of the year? The NO box is at least a decade old. I think I have stored that stuff long enough. What about you? Are you storing stuff that you need to let go of? But, I digress.
It all goes back in the box. If you are playing Monopoly and win, or the Game of Life and finish, it all goes back in the box. You could even extend that to yourself. You will end up in some kind of box. Everything you acquire, it all goes back! Live your life not for things, but for people. The love and joy you give and share lives after you. The love and joy you share are the jewels in that crown in eternity. Pour your life into others, not into the things that will go back in boxes.
The Christmas packing process was efficient this year. It all fit in the boxes and totes. All of the totes fit back in their place. The tree fit in the box and the box was closed.
There is one item that is purposely left out. It is a small manger. It is in my office on a bookshelf. The empty manger reminds me of the empty tomb and the risen and reigning Christ. As the year unfolds, I will need that reminder often.
Did you leave something out to remind you of His daily presence in your life?
Ruston police arrested a man last week for trespassing at a local store.
At about 8:30 p.m. on December 23, officers responded to the Raceway convenience store on La. Highway 33 regarding an unwanted person. The manager told officers he had personally banned Gary Martin, 59, of Ruston, from the store on a previous occasion for rude behavior toward female employees. The manager said Martin was asked several times to leave and refused, stating “call the police, they won’t do —-.”
During the investigation. Police viewed video indicating Martin was told several times to leave by the manager.
Martin was spotted across the street at another store and was placed under arrest and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked for entering and remaining on premises after being forbidden (criminal trespass).
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.
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.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Saturday, Jan. 6
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball game (Thomas Assembly Center) 2 p.m.: GSU women’s basketball game (Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center) 4 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball game (Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center)
Louisiana Tech’s men and women’s hoops teams open up CUSA action Saturday when the Lady Techsters host Sam Houston while the Bulldogs travel to face Sam Houston.
Brooke Stoehr and Co., winners of four straight, will host the Bearkats at 2 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center in a weekend honoring the 50 years of Lady Techster hoops. All former players, coaches and support staff are invited back and those who return will be recognized at halftime of the women’s game.
Tech (6-9, 0-0) and Sam Houston (5-7, 0-0) meet for only the third time in women’s basketball with the Lady Techsters leading the series 2-0. Tech won the last meeting 82-59 in 2008-09.
The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 97.7 FM with Kyle Roberts providing a call of the action.
Talvin Hester and the Bulldogs travel to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston as tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Tech (10-5, 0-0) and Sam Houston (7-8, 0-0) have met seven previous times with the Bulldogs leading the series 5-2. However, the Bearkats won 71-68 in 2019-20 in the last meeting.
Sam Houston is one of the four new teams in CUSA this year and as league play starts, Hester said there is a different feel than past years.
“I think its the unknown with all the changes,” said Hester. “Usually you have an idea of systems because you see teams twice. You know the coaches from the last year. You know how the play, but this year is kind of like the unknown. You have new teams and new coaches. We have lost a lot of players from this league to the portal. I think it”s a new day. I think we are all going in somewhat blind to be honest with you.”
The contest can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler providing a call of the action.
First-year head coach Amy Sargeant announced Thursday the 2024 spring schedule for the Louisiana Tech Tennis team.
The Bulldogs have 24 matches on the slate, including nine at the LA Tech Tennis Complex. They officially open the season the weekend of Jan. 13-14 when they take part in the Hurricane Invite with matches versus Wyoming, Omaha, and host Tulsa.
“I am excited to get this season started and for the players to see their fall and preseason training pay off,” said Sargeant. “Our schedule is travel heavy but all with a lot of opportunities to grow and realize our full potential.”
LA Tech will then head south to Baton Rouge to battle LSU on Jan. 20, marking the first match versus the Tigers since 2006. The Bulldogs will have their home opener on Jan. 27, playing a doubleheader against Southern Arkansas and Louisiana Christian. They close out the month of January with a home matchup versus LSU-Alexandria on Jan. 31.
Next up for the ‘Dogs is back-to-back road games at Houston and Rice on Feb. 10 and 11, respectively. They return home to face Tarleton State on Feb. 16, followed by a short trip down I-20 to take on rival ULM on Feb. 17.
After a home match against crosstown foe Grambling State on Feb. 22, the Bulldogs will have a five-game road swing with matchups at Northwestern State, New Mexico State, UTEP, Cal State Northridge, and Cal State Fullerton.
LA Tech will return home with back-to-back matches versus Incarnate Word and Jacksonville State on March 15 and 16, respectively, and then close out the month of March at Sam Houston on the 30th.
The Bulldogs final home date of competition will be a doubleheader against UAB and Grambling State on April 6. The regular season closes out with road matches at Kansas State and Wichita State.
The Conference USA Women’s Tennis Championship will be hosted in Miami, Florida on the campus of FIU, taking place April 18-21.
With classes back in session and 2023 in the rearview mirror, the Louisiana Tech Softball team opened up the new year with its first official practice under blue skies and sunshine on Wednesday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
“It was nice to get out here under beautiful blue skies and great weather with everyone healthy,” Head Coach Josh Taylor said. “I am excited by what I saw. We had a great first day of practice. The girls looked good. We have a few things to work out before now and February 9. We like where we are at, and we feel that we have a very talented group.”
Many of the Bulldogs feel they already have a leg up on their opponents this season. Thanks to the University being on a quarter system, Louisiana Tech is one of just seven Division I schools to start classes on January 3. The quick return to campus allows the Bulldogs to hit the field over a week before many of their counterparts return to campus.
“From a softball standpoint, the quarter system has been a big difference,” junior outfielder Alexis Gilio said. “I like that we return to school early so we do not take a lot of time off team practices. It is nice to get a head start before a lot of these other schools come back. We get more time to work as a team and find a rhythm.”
The Bulldogs enter year three of the Taylor-era looking to build off of the last two seasons, which saw Tech post a 71-44 overall record and win a Conference USA Regular Season Title in 2022.
The Bulldogs return Conference USA Freshman of the Year Allie Floyd (Pitcher) and Second-Team All-Conference USA selection Kylie Neel (Right Field) in addition to everyday starters Brooke Diaz (Catcher), Katelin Cooper (Left Field) and Caroline Easom (Second Base) from last year’s team that recorded a 32-24 record.
Experience will be a big factor in 2024, with 18 letter winners from a year ago and 10 newcomers (four transfers and six freshmen).
Neel, Cooper, and Diaz all returned for an extra year of eligibility in 2024. The NCAA granted Cooper a sixth year after the 2023 season.
Neel looks to build off a 2023 season that saw her post a team-high .351 batting average with 53 hits, 11 doubles, five home runs, and a conference-leading 45 RBI. Cooper drove in 42 RBI, the sixth-most by a Tech player in a single season, while scoring 29 runs and leading the Bulldogs in home runs (9) and triples (3). Unfinished business and the addition of talented newcomers made it an easy decision for Neel and Cooper to return.
“We had a great team last year, and coming into this year, our coaching staff has built a lot coming into it,” Neel said. “The end of last season left a bitter taste in our mouth, and we are looking forward to just finishing our careers strong and taking it further this season. We want to make a regional and go all the way, which is our game plan this year.”
“It was kind of a roller coaster of emotions waiting to see if my extra year of eligibility would be granted,” Cooper said. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to get an extra year, and we have unfinished business on the field. This year, with all the additions we have, it is going to be a game-changer. I thought last year was my last season, so getting this extra year has me excited and ready to go.”
Cooper also excels in the classroom and is pursuing her doctorate in counseling. While completing Ph.D. work and being a Division I athlete is challenging, Cooper is thankful for the opportunity.
“Pursuing my doctorate and playing softball is all about time management, and I am so incredibly lucky to have this opportunity to get my undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate while playing softball. It is just amazing.”
Floyd, along with junior Brook Melnychuk, headlined a dominant LA Tech pitching staff that posted 12 shutouts and seven complete games while registering a 2.38 team ERA, the lowest by a Tech staff since 1999.
Last season, the LA Tech pitchers emphasized focusing on the task at hand and doing their job no matter how many batters they faced. In 2024, they plan to carry that same mentality into the circle with them.
“Working pitch-by-pitch and just doing our jobs has been important to our pitching staff,” Brook Melnychuk said. In softball, you are accustomed to seeing one pitcher pitch most games; with us, sometimes we do our job for one inning, which is good because that’s three of your 21 outs. Doing your job doesn’t mean pitching all seven innings. It could mean getting one critical out or two outs and helping the pitcher before or behind you.”
Floyd also emphasized the importance of the mentality that pitching coach Chelsea Cohen and the Bulldogs attack opposing batters with.
“Mentality-wise, Coach Chelsea (Cohen) teaches us to go out there and be a dog,” Floyd said. “If you believe in yourself and the team and have the confidence, you will succeed. It is nice because we have such a good staff that we can work off of each other. We do not have a set Friday, Saturday, or Sunday starter. It is more of who the best fit is for each day and who will attack the best. Coach Chelsea teaches the mentality side and also does a great job of utilizing the staff and how to incorporate everyone and mix each person in.”
The Bulldogs brought in five talented transfers with the signing of Alexis Gilio (BYU), Nicole Hammoude (Cal), Claire Raley (Utah State), and Aubree Seaney (Oregon State) in the offseason.
The program, coaching staff, current players, state-of-the-art facilities, and the city of Ruston were all points of interest for the move to Ruston.
“One of the biggest draws to Louisiana Tech was the coaching staff’s mentality, how the team is coached, and how practice is structured,” Raley said. “The people, my teammates, and facilities here are great, and Ruston is a safe community, which was also a big draw for me.”
Raley is projected to bat at the top of the LA Tech lineup in 2023. The third-baseman batted .328 with a team-best 44 hits in 134 at-bats at Utah State last season while tormenting opponents on the base paths with 18 stolen bases. Raley will look to combine her hitting and speed in the leadoff spot in 2024.
“Batting leadoff this season will be a little new for me, but I have been working a lot at it and talking with our coaches,” Raley said. I hope to find multiple ways to get on base and utilize my speed.”
One common observation among the Bulldogs is the chemistry this year’s squad has developed since arriving on campus in September. Chemistry and being well-rounded in every aspect of the game may just be the recipe for success in 2024.
“Our team chemistry is excellent this year, so I can’t wait to see how we will do in competition and in the circle as well,” Floyd said. We will also be very good defensively and well-rounded offensively.
“I am most excited to be playing as a team and see how well we work together,” Gilio added. “We all have really good team chemistry and work well together. Many of us have many different strengths, so seeing all of that come together will be really cool.”
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
Rodney K. Colvin February 24, 1949 – January 1, 2024 Visitation: Sunday, January 7, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Sunday, January 7, 2024, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Sunday, January 7, 2024, 3:00 PM, Greenwood Cemetery, 515 Everett St, Ruston
Going viral might be a frightening term for some around Lincoln Parish right now.
Along with the Covid bug, flu bug and RSV bugs, some parish residents have been bitten by the love bug, too.
And there’s no better holiday gift than that.
Ruston’s John Roy Hennigan received such a gift recently, learning that his stepgrandson — John Witt Benton — had been named after him.
The video of Hennigan meeting his grandson/namesake put together by the baby’s mother — Chloe Benton — had drawn 12.3 million hits on TikTok as of Monday afternoon, thanks in large part to it also airing on Good Morning America.
Benton said the importance of family ties made the decision about her son’s name an obvious choice.
“When my daughter was born last year, we named her (Hattie Anne) after my grandmother and my husband’s grandmother,” Benton said. “I’m a sentimental and traditional person, and I like names that have meaning even if they might seem normal to other people, so my husband Joel and I wanted our son to have a name of someone in our lives that held a respectful place because they were special. So that’s how it came to be.”
When Hennigan, who goes by his middle name of Roy, first met his namesake, he had no idea of the significance of the occasion until he started noticing a few changes from the people in the room surrounding him.
“All of a sudden there were two cameras out —- but Chloe and her husband Joel were making videos, but I was just focused on this miracle of a baby in front of me. I was just happy being in the moment,” Hennigan said.
But Hennigan still didn’t realize the significance of the occasion without a little prodding.
“My daughter told me to look at the hat (that the baby was wearing),” Hennigan said. “Chloe had worked so hard at putting John Witt’s room together, but when I saw it I didn’t realize that she had to hide signs with his name on them in the room when I saw it. She said she had taken them down to sanitize them as her excuse (to keep them hidden from Hennigan) and I had no idea. I’m sure she put them back up after I was gone.”
But when Chloe pointed out the name on the baby hat her son was wearing when he first met his grandfather, Hennigan knew then that his life had been changed forever.
“I should have realized, but I was holding and looking at this sweet little baby,” Hennigan said. “Then Chloe said, ‘Look at the hat! Look at the hat.’ I looked at it … and I didn’t want to assume stuff … so it took a moment to realize that they had named him after me. I was already emotional and in the moment, but then they threw that on top of me.”
Becoming Benton’s stepfather when she was 11 was the first big step in building the relationship between Hennigan and his stepdaughter, but Hennigan said he made sure not to rush things as they built their relationship.
“I was guarded with Chloe when her mom and I got married after Chloe had lived in a single-mom situation for so long,” Hennigan said. “And slowly but surely that bond grew. So for her to honor me in this way — I really don’t know if I have the words to express my feelings, other than just saying I’m very proud.”
Benton said it was Hennigan’s patience that helped their relationship grow and strengthen over the years.
“It took a few years, but he never tried to force a relationship — over that period of time he just kind of let things happen,” Benton said. “He stepped up and filled the role and never asked for anything in return, which gives me even more respect for him, because he did it because it was his natural instinct — it was just who he is.”
Benton, who has found success with her TikTok posts, said the now viral video was simply all and only about the moment.
“I’m sentimental and want my children to be able to look back on these memories,” she said. “And I knew there would be emotion behind Roy’s reaction. So I wanted to have that — for me, for him and for the kids. I want this to be a memory to last forever.”
The city of Ruston will be offering a shuttling service for patron of businesses located on Park Ave. and Monroe Street during the 90-day construction slated that will limit parking for located on the corner of the two roads.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, the city will be hosting a golf cart shuttle service from the parking lot located near The Depot Coffee shop by First Baptist church, weather permitting.
Businesses will remain open during the construction process, which is slated to last for the next three months. These will include Roma Italian Bistro, Danni Jones Physical Therapy, Chartreuse Pear, and Jan’s Optical among others.
Do you have an event that you want to publicize in Lincoln Parish? How about a new business opening? How about a sale?
Well the Lincoln Parish Journal has recently tailored an affordable advertising package that is perfect for you!
Our Events Package allows you to flood our readers with pertinent information and reminders about your subject matter. It’s a one-week package that includes (1) week of clickable email ride along (1) advertorial run twice during that week and (2) designated Facebook posts on the Lincoln Parish Journal Facebook page.
The advertorial is a story complete with all the details and information about your upcoming event, sale or opening. All three inventory items can contain direct links to your website or Facebook page.
It’s the perfect way to get the word out about your event or business during a five-day publishing period.
The Lincoln Parish Park Fest, Holiday’s in Cedartown, Lincoln Parish Light Up the Pines, Dixie Center for the Arts, and the Crewe of Pomona have already seen great success utilizing the events package.
Interested individuals can contact us at LPJNewsLA@gmail.com for rates and more information. Don’t wait to schedule your Events Package as there are a limited number of email ride alongs available on a weekly basis.
The Lincoln Parish Journal received more than 4.1 million views in 2023 and has a Facebook following of over 6,700 and an email subscriber list of almost 5,000.
Two people exchanged gunfire in Ruston as part of an argument on Christmas Eve.
Eric Antone Cheffin, 43, and Katrina R. Mattox, 46, both of Ruston, apparently shot at one another, with Mattox allegedly wounding Cheffin, who returned fire but missed Mattox.
Mattox was arrested on Christmas Eve during the preliminary investigation of the Beacon Light Road incident. Mattox reportedly fired first at Cheffin and was booked for attempted second degree murder. Her bail was set at $300,000.
Cheffin, Mattox’s boyfriend, allegedly returned fire, but his three shots missed Mattox, according to Ruston Police.
Investigators obtained warrants on Cheffin, and he was arrested Thursday. He was booked for attempted second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and simple criminal damage to property. He is also being held for the La. Department of Corrections-Probation & Parole. His bail was set at $105,000.
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.
It’s a new year filled with new opportunities, new challenges, and a new beginning.For many of us, we will contemplate a fresh start in some aspect of our life.We will consider committing to a new year’s resolution.For most of us, we will start off strong striving for that goal.By the middle of January, many will start making compromises and by the end of the month, most will completely forget about the resolution altogether.We are no better off, and for many, we have another failure that reminds us just how inadequate we are to make positive change in our life.
Why do so many of us fail with resolutions?For one, although we have great intentions, our focus is on the “prize” not the process.When we focus solely on outcomes, we don’t consider the actions required to achieve those outcomes.I often refer to this concept as “destination disease”.We love the idea of losing 15 pounds, completing a 10K race, reading the Bible in a year, writing a book, quitting some bad habit, saving money, cutting out sweets, or any number of other goals.The accomplishment sounds great; however, we don’t fully consider the process required to achieve those goals.
Not only do we not have a sound perspective of the process required, we also don’t have a good plan to achieve the goal.We have our “eyes on the prize”, play our motivational music in our heads, and jump in with everything we have.At the first sign of discomfort, we start to question the value of continuing.With no plan, we don’t know how to measure progress and quickly rationalize that it’s no longer worth it.
We haven’t told anyone, so there is no real accountability.We just quietly retreat to our old lifestyle with another failure in our memory bank.We may lose motivation for change and find ourselves just seeking a level of comfort to avoid any more challenges that may lead to failure.
Don’t lose your passion for life change, personal development, or the hope of a more fulfilling life.So, whether you are contemplating a new year’s resolution or have given up on those resolutions based on past failures, let me give you an idea for a different approach.This approach focuses on who you are becoming rather than what you are achieving.This approach is process oriented not destination focused.
Consider who you want to become in 2024.What identity would you like to clarify, expand, or develop.For example, do you want to become a runner?If so, you need to purchase running shoes, select a running plan, set a goal to run a race in the next 90 days, identify a route to run, let some close friends know who you are becoming, and get started.You are seeking the identity of a runner.You have a goal of running a race in 90 days, but that’s just a goal. That goal is not your purpose or your identity.You enter races because you are a runner.
The same concept holds true if you want to become a writer, a Bible reader, a health-conscious person, a good steward of finances, etc.Think identity change and not goal.Use a goal to support your identity, but the goal can not be the sole focus.
Set yourself up for success by making it easy to get started.The easier it is to get started, the more likely you are to take the next step toward who you want to become.
Build some accountability into your process by telling others what you are doing.You want these people to ask you about it.If you are really changing your identity, you will want to talk about it.
When you fall in love with the process of who you are becoming, you don’t want to compromise, miss a day, take a break, or consider quitting.Your identity will define who you are not your achievements.
The world may tell you that achievements define success.I would challenge that with something different.Who you become determines significance.Success can be great, but it only lasts in the moment.Significance just might last forever!
