Narcotics officers arrested a Ruston man Thursday after receiving an anonymous citizen tip.
James L. Jackson, 55, was arrested for possession of cocaine on a stop on South Trenton Street
The Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team received a tip that Jackson was in possession of narcotics inside a white Toyota Camry he was driving. The tip said Jackson was traveling on South Trenton Street. Officers spotted Jackson behind the wheel of the vehicle and contacted him.
While conversing with Jackson, the officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Jackson admitted there was crack cocaine inside. He was subsequently arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of crack cocaine.
Bail was set at $7,500.
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.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a local woman after responding to a family disturbance Thursday morning.
Deputies went to a Clyde Lane residence where a woman told them she and her relative, Lametria Owens, 23, had argued over some shoes. Deputies knew the sheriff’s office held a warrant for Owens for criminal trespass.
Owens was found hiding in the shower. She was asked to step outside to talk. When she reached the door, Owens refused to go any further and resisted efforts to take her into custody. Owens tensed up her body and arms and kicked her legs, preventing deputies from placing her in handcuffs. Once Owens was restrained, she was escorted to a patrol car where she resisted getting inside.
Owens was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on the criminal trespass warrant and two counts of resisting an officer by force. 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.
Bulldog Community Outreach, Inc., has launched as a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective to support Louisiana Tech student-athletes. The partnership will provide opportunities to support Bulldog and Lady Techsters student-athletes through various NIL initiatives.
The mission of Bulldog Community Outreach is to further the connection between Louisiana Tech student-athletes and the local community by providing opportunities for student-athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image, and likeness while promoting and serving local charities. As part of their NIL activities, student-athletes will be afforded the opportunity to continue make a positive impact in the Ruston community and beyond.
“We are grateful for the time and energy that has been put in by supporters to launch Bulldog Community Outreach, Inc,” said Colton Primm, Senior Associate AD for Championship Resources. “Name, image, and likeness continues to evolve and play a significant role in the current landscape of college athletics. We are excited to partner with the collective to provide our student-athletes with more opportunities to serve our community while benefiting from the use of their name, image, and likeness.”
Louisiana Tech fans and alumni have the opportunity to get in the game and support Bulldog Community Outreach by making monthly pledges and one-time gifts in support of the NIL initiatives of the collective. Bulldog Community Outreach will enter into Name Image Likeness agreements with select Louisiana Tech student-athletes. Under the agreements, student-athletes will agree to promote and serve local charities in the community.
“With the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, it has become evident that additional support is needed to assist with Name, Image & Likeness and provide our athletics programs with the resources necessary to compete and excel in this new era of college athletics,” said Ed Buckley, a representative of Bulldog Community Outreach. “In order for Louisiana Tech to compete in NIL, and fairly compensate LA Tech student-athletes for their publicity rights, it was important to create an entity that allows us to pool and harness the collective resources of the alumni and supporters of Louisiana Tech.”
Through a partnership with Louisiana Tech Sports Properties, Bulldog Community Outreach will be highlighted at Louisiana Tech athletics events through in-game promotions and radio advertisements.
For more information or to support Bulldog Community Outreach, visit BuildTheLegacy.com/NIL or contact Ed Buckley at BulldogCommunityOutreach@gmail.com. Follow @BulldogOutreach on X for the latest news regarding the collective.
In the nooks of everyday life, I recently found myself face to face with the essence of time, frozen in the glass containers of my long-neglected freezer. As I unearthed remnants of the past, from mushroom soup with echoes of 2021 to the nostalgia of Thanksgiving dressing, a subtle realization dawned upon me: Time, much like these forgotten culinary treasures, is not to be hoarded, but savored. It is meant to be embraced, not stored away.
As I confronted these epicurean relics, I stumbled upon a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. Jars of cherry pie filling – once rich and promising, now reduced to a watery imitation – mirrored the way time dilutes our earthly pursuits. How often do we grasp at moments that have long passed, only to find them eroded by the relentless march of days and years?
Yet it wasn’t just frozen memories that unveiled that poignant truth; it was also the disintegrating shoes that I recently and naively dug from underneath my bed. I realized after an outing to church services, my lovely brown boots that I hadn’t worn in at least two years had succumbed to the inevitability of decay. When I got home, their outer surface was literally peeling away.
Only a few days earlier, the sole of another favorite pair of boots began flapping as I padded through the house. My trip to the kitchen soon became a trip to the garbage can. Another pair of shoes, originally bound for Rolling Hills Thrift Store, now seems destined to a similar fate.
Yes, shoes and boots can fall victim to the natural wear and tear of time. A single step too far, and the veneer of reliability can unravel, much like the unpredictability of our own life’s path.
Through this wear and tear of the physical world, a straightforward lesson emerged – a call to make use of the time we have before it slips away. Such tangible reminders of earthly limitations should prompt us to appreciate and make the most of the moments at hand.
Applying this principle can also extend beyond possessions and move into the delicate fabric of relationships. Just as the shoes and frozen treasures remind us of material limitations, our interactions with loved ones also hint at an underlying urgency. Cherish the people who walk beside you on your journey, for they, like all things on this planet, are subject to the passage of time. We don’t know how long we will be together.
If we take our thoughts to another, even higher realm, we can apply similar thoughts to matters of the spirit – where they can find their truest expression. Our spiritual journey is also not exempt from the ceaseless march of seasons. Just as we care for the tangible and the temporal, we are called to draw close to the divine.
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
And II Corinthians 6:2 says, “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Don’t put your faith in the freezer and forget about it. Don’t neglect to cloth yourself with God’s grace instead of stashing it under the bed or in the closet. As we navigate the delicate balance between the fleeting and the enduring, let’s heed the wisdom embedded in frostbitten memories and disintegrating soles. Let’s pay attention to – yes – our s-o-u-l-s.
Let the whisper of time guide us toward a more profound appreciation for the present, a richer engagement with our relationships and a deeper communion with the divine.
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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.
Katie Hall cheers her team on during Monday night’s battle with West Monroe. (Photo by Darrell James)
By Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek head coach Katie Hall wanted her team to be tested in the final regular season week of the season.
The Lady Cougars almost passed that test in the win column.
However, District 2-5A foe West Monroe used a game-ending 14-4 run to pull away late and defeat Creek 50-40 at the Brickhouse Monday night.
“I was proud of them,” said Hall. “We played hard. We competed. We were scrappy. We didn’t back down from anything. It’s exactly what I wanted to see, other than the lapse of not scoring late and missing too many free throws. It was a game we could have had, but we are keeping our heads up. I think they felt good about the way they played, and I do to.”
With the game tied 36-36 on a Caroline James layup with five minutes to play, the Lady Cougars (14-11) went cold and the Rebels (16-9) capitalized to escape with the win.
“I wanted our girls to compete against people that are bigger and stronger than us,” said Hall. “I think tonight made us better. I don’t have a problem playing anybody and I wanted to challenge our girls.”
Olivia Underwood hit the first of her two first quarter three-pointers to start the night for the Lady Cougars, who led for the majority of the first quarter before ending in an 11-11 tie.
Freshman Mary Grace Hawkins hit a pair of free throws to start the second quarter and Leah Sutherland added a layup as the Lady Cougars led 15-11. Zoey Venters layup with 5:07 to play in the second stanza gave Creek a 17-13 lead.
However, the Lady Cougars went cold — something that would plaque them late in the game — as West Monroe used a 9-0 run over the next five minutes to build a 22-17 advantage. However, freshman Alivia Lee nailed a three-pointer from the corner at the buzzer to pull Creek to within 22-20 at the break.
Hawkins had nine points and Lee added seven point as the Lady Cougars two freshman combined for 16 in the game.
“(Mary Grace and Alivia) have been kind of struggling with their confidence lately,” said Hall. “I hope tonight reminded them of how good they can be, and that they can play with anybody. I was proud of both of them.”
West Monroe came out in the second half and pushed its lead to 26-20 before Underwood drained a 10-footer with 3:40 to play in the quarter to give the Lady Cougars their first points of the second half.
Trailing 30-25 entering the fourth quarter, the Lady Cougars saw Lee drain her second three-pointer from the top of the key and then Hawkins tied the game at 32-32 with a three-pointer with 6:20 remaining.
Following James’ layup with five minutes to play, the Rebels scored six straight to take a 42-36 advantage with 1:48 to play. James made the final two buckets of the night for Creek but it wasn’t enough in the loss.
Underwood added nine points and James scored eight.
Cedar Creek will host Lincoln Prep at 6 p.m. tonight.
The Ruston Area Music Teachers Association’s annual Solo Festival was held this past Saturday at the Louisiana Tech School of Music with multiple students qualifying for the Honors Recital.
Morning performances were judged privately. Students scoring 98-100 would then go on to perform at the afternoon honors recital.
Overall Winners were selected in each grade division based on their recital performance.
RAMTA teachers represented on the recitals were: Dee Alexander, Pat Burns, Cody Chandler, Denise Cox, Pam Givens, Cindy Hockenjos, Shirley Maynor, Steele Moegle, Jeanne Patterson, Katie Roberts, Jon Sorenson and Kathie Venable.
Honors recital participants are included below, with the winner bolded in each category.
Voice A (3rd – 6th grade) Ester Allen Mia Le Kaejha Stewart
Voice B (7th – 8th grade) Chelsea DeForest Shyla Giddens Raygen Malone Emma Kate Toms
Voice C (9th – 11th grade) Kate Harris Melissa Le Madison Turner
Voice D (12th grade) Kate Barron John Abran Earle Ava James Adrian Lamkin Laina Parkman
Piano (K – 1st grade) Molley Mikel Flowers Lilah Garmon Iris Xiao
Piano (2nd grade) Ashby McCoy Clark Reigelman Patrick Singh
Piano (3rd grade) Ester Allen Jon Claire Goodwin Krystal Jeong Jack McGehee Abigail Powers
Piano (4th grade – tie) Shepard McCoy Collins Reigelman
Piano (5th grade – tie) Lucas Chen Eli Guillot Lilly Pendergrass Jonathan Powers Alice Roberts
Piano (6th grade) Benjamin McCoy John Cole Parker Zoey Wang
Piano (7th grade) Brady Berg Ava Good Millie Marie McGehee Aubrey Smith
Piano (8th – 9th grade – tie) Caed Baines Laney Carter Rory Driskill Isaac McCoy Madison Morris Preston Parker Maggie Rogers
Piano (10th – 12th grade) Elena Baines Kate Barron Maddy Farnell MyliePiper Thomas
Wash your hands, cover your nose when you sneeze and cough into your elbow. These phrases become popular as temperatures drop and the feeling that everyone around is getting sick. Tylenol and over-the-counter medicines can do so much, but college students do have resources available if they need a quick care or doctor within walking distance.
On the edge of Louisiana Tech’s campus, students and members of the Ruston community have the ability to go to TechCare, an urgent care medical office with the intention of getting patients in and out.
“Although I get you out quickly, I do take the time to educate you on what’s going on, how we can make this better for you,” said Samantha Primm, physician assistant at TechCare.
Being an urgent care facility, TechCare can provide many services to their patients. They can evaluate and treat common occurrences such as coughs, sinus congestion, allergies, skin infections, fractures, etc. They also can provide the services of allergy injections, sport physicals and minor wound care while also having lab services of COVID-19, Flu, strep throat, Mono, drug tests and more.
It’s hard to be away from home and go to the doctors without parents. The clinic understands that sometimes it might be a student’s first time going to the doctor’s all by themselves.
“We do care, so we’re willing to help as much as we can…We’re here to serve and get students well enough to get back to class,” said Primm. “Ultimately, that’s why you’re here, to be a student and learn and graduate.”
Maybe graduating may seem easier to some students than going to the doctors without their parents. The workers there know that students might not know what to do or bring the right materials.
“We anticipate questions and the lack of knowledge on certain topics,” Primm said.
Brooke Adkins, the receptionist, and Primm are there to listen and help students throughout the entire process. To help future patients, all TechCare needs students to bring is their student ID and insurance.
“All Tech students have one free visit so they would just need their student IDs,” said Adkins about students who might not have insurance and hesitate coming to TechCare. “We’re here to help walk them through it because it’s part of the care.”
Former Lady Techster Tamicha Jackson is set to be inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 in Dallas.
Jackson was just inducted into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame this past fall.
Jackson was named Kodak All-American and Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2000. The four-time All-SBC selection and three-time SBC All-Tournament team selection led the Lady Techsters to a 123-14 record, as well as four SBC regular season and tournament titles.
The Dallas, Texas native helped LA Tech advance to four NCAA Tournaments (four Sweet 16s, three Elite 8s, two Final Fours, and a 1998 National runner-up finish). Jackson ranks No. 12 in program history in career points (1,822), No. 2 in career steals (361), No. 1 in career three-point field-goals made (187), and No. 8 in career assists (474). She was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock, playing seven years professionally.
Louisiana Tech shortstop Kasten Furr named to D1 Baseball’s Top 50 shortstops, a list highlighting the top players at the position across the nation.
The Ruston native was listed at No. 26.
The University of New Orleans transfer hit .317 with three home runs and 26 RBI last year for the Privateers, while recording 14, 10, and 8-game hitting streaks. He was named to the third team All-Southland Conference while ranking second in the league with 64 runs scored.
During his four years with UNO, Furr recorded 205 hits, including 27 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs while driving in 74 and scoring 183 runs. He had a career batting average of .296 and stole 20 bases.
Defensively, he was one of the top shortstops in the nation in 2023, committing just one error in 255 chances for a .996 fielding percentage.
LA Tech opens the season with a four-game series against Northern Colorado at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. The first pitch on Opening Day is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
Nell M. Whitney was born on September 26, 1940 in Morton, MS. She moved to Crowville, LA, where she spent her childhood. After graduation from Crowville High School, Nell moved to New Orleans, where she met and married her husband of 51 years, Charles (Chuck) Whitney. After his Navy retirement, they settled in Choudrant, LA where she lived until his passing in May 2014. Nell then moved to Collinsville, MS to be closer to their only child, Sean Whitney, his wife Suzanne and their two daughters, Clare and Cailtin.
Nell passed away February 2, 2024 in Meridian, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles (Chuck) Whitney, her parents, Luther and Helen Mahaffey, and by numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son, Sean (Suzanne) Whitney, and granddaughters, Clare and Caitlin Whitney of Collinsville, MS; her sister, Patsy Spence of Crowville, LA; sister-in-law, Rhoda Mahaffey of Flora, MS and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Butch Mahaffey, Robert Mahaffey, Jack Mahaffey, Jim Pepper, Harvey Pepper, and Hunter Mitchell.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston with service to follow at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Choudrant Memorial Cemetery in Choudrant under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International.
Tony entered into the gates of Heaven February 3, 2024 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Funeral services for Tony Otwell, age 84 of Dubach, LA, will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Mineral Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Tipton and Bro. Danny Howard officiating. Burial will follow in the Mineral Springs Cemetery under the Direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Tony worked for LA Department of Transportation for 30 years before retiring. He enjoyed playing golf and was a regular member of Sandy Hills Golf House where he enjoyed spending time with his close friends. Tony really enjoyed riding horses and he broke many horses in his earlier years. He liked attending rodeos and watching westerns all day every day. Tony loved running his fox hounds and he had five champion fox hounds in his kennel at one time. He also loved gardening and grew watermelons and tomatoes and provided fresh produce to the Pea Ridge community. Tony was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved spending time with his family whenever he could. He thoroughly loved watching his two youngest granddaughters play travel softball and attended many tournaments. Tony was a member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church his whole life and served as Training Union Director. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Hayward Otwell and Howard Otwell and a sister, Joyce Billberry.
Tony is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Sherry Otwell; daughter, Nikki Otwell; son, Chris Otwell (Krystal); grandchildren: Jessica Perkins (Kade) and Kennedi and Kamryn Otwell; brother, Max Otwell; sister, Sue Holloway (Frank) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Servings as pallbearers will be Will Billberry, Philip Billberry, Sid Billberry, Barry Hayes, Jimmie Martin and Dennis Burns. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Billberry, Lloyd Otwell, Ken Telford, Don Robbins and Tommy Moore.
Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Mineral Springs Baptist Church.
Tony Otwell March 29, 1939 – February 3, 2024 Services pending
Shelby Roberson December 6, 1991 – February 2, 2024 Services pending
Mae Nell Whitney September 26, 1940 – February 2, 2024 Visitation: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 11:30 AM, Choudrant Cemetery, Jones St, Choudrant
Eighteen-year-old Austin Johnson of Bossier City was killed in an inadvertent shooting in the drive-thru of the Raising Cane’s restaurant in Ruston about 1:48 a.m. Friday morning.
Ruston Police said officers found the man with a gunshot wound to the chest. Johnson was taken by ambulance to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center and then airlifted to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport where he died due to his injuries.
RPD’s investigation found Johnson was in a vehicle with friends in the drive-thru when he was shot unintentionally in the chest. Police said some occupants of the vehicle were playing with toy guns. Matthew Logan Embry, 19, of Dubach, picked up a real pistol, and thinking it was unloaded, fired a shot that struck Johnson.
Investigators charged Embry with negligent homicide.
Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson announced Friday that Johnson was a Tech student and encouraged students, faculty and staff to seek counseling if need.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, Austin Johnson,” Henderson wrote in an email to the Tech community. “Our hearts, along with our thoughts and prayers, are with Austin’s loved ones as the entire Louisiana Tech family feels the weight of this tragedy.
“Navigating grief is not something to do alone. Counseling Services is available to support students during this difficult time.”
Henderson said walk-in counseling appointments are available in Keeny Hall 337 or by making an appointment by calling 318-257-2488.
“Continue to care for one another today and always,” Henderson said.
Police said Embry is not a Tech student. His bail is set at $300,000.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this or any other crime, they are requested to contact the Ruston Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division at 318-255-4141 or Crimestoppers of Lincoln Parish.
Four Louisiana Tech University undergraduate students have been nominated to participate in a national competition for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation’s scholarship. This
The scholarship program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award in these fields.
“The linking of the Goldwater name with Louisiana Tech is a validation of our STEM programs and the students who come to Tech to participate in them,” said Joe Koskie, Director of the Honors College at Louisiana Tech. “I’m excited for our field of candidates this year and thank the faculty who have expertly prepared them to step out onto this stage.”
The students nominated include Trilby Hill, a sophomore from Bogalusa double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Math; Landon Ossman, a sophomore from West Monroe majoring in Biology; Jake Touchet, a sophomore from Lake Charles double majoring in Computer Science and Math; and Jesse Webb, a junior from Calhoun double majoring in Physics and Music.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with our outstanding undergraduate research students here at Louisiana Tech,” said Kristi Stake, Louisiana Tech Coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. “What these students are accomplishing in STEM research is remarkable, and the University should be proud of their endeavors.”
The four students nominated will submit a lengthy application, which covers their past research experiences, presentation and publication experiences, and their future plans for research as a career as well as a future research proposal describing a research endeavor they would like to undertake.
“The nomination of these four exceptional students for the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship is a witness to the caliber of academic excellence and research innovation at Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Sumeet Dua, Louisiana Tech’s Executive Vice President for Research. “Their dedication to advancing in the realms of natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics mirrors our institution’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking research and academic leadership. This recognition is not just an honor for the students, but it also highlights the supportive and enriching environment our university provides for nurturing future leaders in STEM fields.”
Since the early 2000s, the sphere of social media has consistently grown both digitally and in terms of usage, resulting in an increase in specific side effects for Gen Z.
As social media emerges as a prominent form of communication and connectivity, it brings both positive and negative side effects, which three Louisiana Tech University students feel passionately about. Additionally, the director of counseling at the school shared insight into this topic, as the university’s counseling services have historically and presently aided students grappling with generalized anxiety and major depression stemming from the impacts of social media on mental health.
Given the widespread influence of social media, college-aged students nationwide constitute one of the most significantly affected demographics, with the majority of students engaging across multiple platforms and averaging approximately 1 to 3 hours of daily social media usage.
“If my time is money, and I’ve invested four hours a day in social media, is that a good investment? Is that a good investment of my time? – most often the answer is no,” said Ashley Owen, director of counseling at Louisiana Tech University.
Owen emphasized the importance of this question for personal evaluation of time management.According to Owen, the negative effects of social media tend to increase with usage. However, individuals who maintain a purposeful approach to social media usage often experience more positive effects in their lives.
“Social media becomes negative when it is utilized to compare ourselves to others,” Owen said.
She said she believes that while social media in moderation can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, it is essential for individuals to conduct self-analysis to determine how these platforms should be utilized to maximize positive effects.
Gabe Rivera, a Tech student, recently opted to eliminate his social media accounts, recognizing the harmful effects and lack of productivity it brought to his life.
“I realized that it was becoming an addiction in my life. I just found myself scrolling, doom-scrolling for hours on end,” said Rivera.
However, this is not the experience of every young person, as for many, social media remains their primary mode of communication and connectivity.
“If somebody struggles with being on it constantly and it’s just like messing up their entire life,” Rivera said, “each person has to evaluate themselves and be like, is this good for me, or is it bad?”
Social media is not disappearing anytime soon, and as time progresses, young people are becoming more cognizant of the dangers associated with increased digital usage in their everyday lives, as it distorts the lens through which they view life.
“I’m bad about caring what other people like, or how many likes do they have,” said Tech student Avery Dipboye.
Social media not only distorts one’s self-perception but also influences dopamine levels, potentially leading to confusion in personal lives as users strive to distinguish the emotional impact of significant life events from the gratification of receiving likes on social media, Owen said.
“We’re so accustomed to having that release of dopamine and so it could be that we get to a point where our wedding days are not, those big, those big days and laughs are just not the same because we’re so accustomed to that instant gratification,” said Owen.
Social media parameters and awareness are crucial to maintaining mental health, as the absence of personal boundaries can lead to declines in anxiety and depression, Owen added.
“It’s not the root cause,” she said. “It definitely can exacerbate the symptoms that they are experiencing.”
It is clear that social media is capable of many great things, but simultaneously it is capable of diminishing the value of human relationships and decrease the quality of valuable people skills.
“I just feel a lot more present with people I’m actually close to because I’m not looking at people that I haven’t talked to in years,” Rivera said. “And wondering what they’re doing, but I’m just being intentional with the people that I do know that I see every day and work with.”
The negative side effects of social media do not come with a multi-step plan to fix the situation and are not going anywhere, but the user is faced with a choice of how they will navigate their usage and value of social media.
“We do this here at Louisiana Tech in our first-year experience course; we discuss the dangers of internet usage, privacy concerns, and social media,” Owen said. “Continuing to integrate these topics into foundational courses during the freshman year is crucial.”
This picture of Simsboro’s Jalen Outley making a dunk against Downsville Charter while teammate Itavus Brown follows in fired-up, mimicking fashion has caught much attention on social media in recent days. (Photo by Andy Cross)
By T. Scott Boatright
It’s all in the talent and the timing, even if a little luck helps, too.
That can be said about sports on any level.
But the same can also be said about sports photography.
And local photographer Andy Cross slammed a home run recently with a picture of a dunk he took last week as the Simsboro Tigers played host to Downsville Charter inside the SHS Gym.
That photograph shows Tiger Jalen Outley scoring on a dunk against the Demons on Tuesday as teammate Itavius Brown celebrates a few feet behind with almost identical body language as if he was making an invisible slam dunk of his own.
And that picture has gone somewhat viral, at least in Lincoln Parish, after Cross posted it on Facebook.
“I think that picture got extra traction because of a fluky thing,” Cross said. “Facebook doesn’t like you to upload a lot of photos at once, so I had to go and create an album. I uploaded that album in chunks (433 pictures worth). And then I made that picture the thumbnail for my album. But once I did that, that was the only photo in the album that people could get to. So that one picture got a whole extra day’s traction before I fixed the album.
“Now don’t get me wrong, I knew it was a cool shot, that’s why I made it the original thumbnail.”
Cross knew the second he snapped the photo he could have captured greatness, but admitted he had to wait until he got home and look at it on a computer screen to know for sure.
“Now that I’m getting older and my eyes are starting to go, it’s hard to know from the small screen on the camera what you’ve really got and how good the focus is,” Cross said. “But when I saw it on the bigger screen I knew I had timed it right and captured something pretty cool with Itavius behind Jalen looking like he was dunking, too.”
That’s where Lady Luck came into play. Cross admitted that part with Brown trailing the play wasn’t something he realized he had until seeing it on a computer screen.
“That was a two-pass, full-court play,” Cross said. “When I see those plays begin, I immediately turn toward the backboard where the play is heading. So I knew I had Jalen making the dunk, but it all happened so fast that I didn’t realize Brown was even in the shot, let alone making those actions mimicking Outley. It was a split-second kind of thing and I just got lucky with the timing.”
Cross said he takes around 400 or more pictures when he’s shooting games, meaning he’s shot at least tens and tens of thousands of game shots over the years.
“You take all of those just trying to find a special one,” Cross said. “You’re lucky if you get one of those ‘really special shots’ a game. Now that’ll also give you a lot of good, usable pics, but you end up with some unusable ones, too.”
Cross, who has photographed for Portrait Plus, has taken yearbook headshots for most schools in Lincoln Parish for years.
“I know a lot of the kids who play high school athletics because I’ve taken their pictures since they were in grade school,” Cross said. “This year’s seniors — I’ve taken their pictures since they were at LPEC (Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Education Center). The only school we don’t take the yearbook headshots for is Choudrant High School.”
The Simsboro native has also shot the pictures and created the senior banners teams across north Louisiana have hanging in stadiums and inside their schools.
His passion for Tigers basketball began as a fan and then as a player before he shifted gears into photography.
“I was a shorter kid, especially early on,” Cross said. “My freshman and sophomore year wasn’t the only time they weren’t making cuts on (the Simsboro) basketball team. So after they started making cuts, that moved me off the courts and into the stands where I found my passion for taking photographs of games for the yearbook.”
Cross had passion for that recent picture of Outley and Brown as soon as he got a good view of it.
“On my original post I said that everybody needs an Itavius Brown, who will follow you and try to dunk for you,” Cross said. “It was a right place, right time kind of deal, but I’m proud I was able to take that photograph. I knew right away when I could see it real good that it was one I’ll remember for a long time.”
The Bernice Police Department was dispatched to a possible shooting Jan. 30 on Maple Street. Union Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies also responded. Upon arrival, officers and deputies made contact with the occupants of the residence and determined that nobody had been shot but several subjects had been involved in a physical altercation.
Bernice Police requested UPSO investigators pursue the case. The investigation revealed Trudy Kristin Bennett, 45, of Bernice, committed a battery on Esteban Zuniga-Turrubiartes, 67, also of Bernice. Witnesses said Zuniga then produced a handgun and fired it four or five times. Witnesses said that a short time later, Justin Knox, 41, of Bernice, Bennett’s estranged husband, arrived at the residence and dragged her away.
Deputies were told Bennett had been staying at Zuniga’s residence and she had been drinking heavily and consuming narcotics for an entire week. Zuniga told deputies he saw a broken window in his home and saw Knox outside. When Esteban tried to call the police, Bennett began battering Zuniga. Knox said Esteban attempted to choke Bennett and that is when he (Knox) tried to remove Bennett from the residence.
Deputies learned Knox has a bond restriction from a previous arrest barring him from going within 100 yards of Bennett. When asked about the incident, Bennett said everything was “a blur” and was unable to provide deputies with many details.
While processing the scene, deputies located a bag with a crystal-like substance, believed to be methamphetamine and several syringes. These items were located in the bedroom used by Esteban and Bennett.
All three subjects were transported to the Union Parish Detention Center and booked without incident. Esteban Zuniga-Turrubiartes was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of weapons, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $27,500.
Trudy Kristin Bennett was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simple battery. Bail was at $3,500.
Justin Knox was charged with violation of protective order, criminal trespass, simple criminal damage to property, and domestic abuse battery. His bail amount was not available at publication time.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a West Monroe man on a traffic stop Wednesday after it was learned he was wanted in a 2021 case.
Patrol deputies stopped Ryan Michael Whittington, 42, after seeing a traffic infraction just after midnight Wednesday morning. Deputies discovered Whittington had an active warrant for his arrest, stemming from a complaint received by UPSO in 2021.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Whittington agreed to complete a home improvement project for a Downsville resident. The victim used a mobile payment service to send Whittington two payments totaling more than $900. Whittington allegedly failed to perform the work he and the victim agreed upon. The victim contacted Whittington to inquire why the work had not been performed and Whittington told the victim he tried to get the funds transferred to a card at his materials supplier but was unable to do so.
UPSO investigators contacted the supplier and were informed they did indeed put the money onto a card for Whittington to purchase materials. When Whittington was confronted about this, he informed the victim he would pay the money back in a few days. Whittington was given 45 days to repay the money and he failed to do so. A warrant was obtained from Third District Court for his arrest.
When Whittington was arrested Wednesday on the warrant, a large amount of suspected methamphetamine was located in his vehicle along with a glass pipe and two sets of scales.
Whittington was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and home improvement fraud.
Bail was set at $7,500.00.
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.
Cedar Creek’s powerlifting team competed at D’Arbonne Woods Charter this weekend in its final tune-up prior to the regional meet.
Head coach Jacob Angevine said he was pleased with his athletes performance.
“This was a final tune up before Regionals for some of our guys and girls,” said Angevine. “Some of our kids left DWC with some still left in the tank. Hopefully we carry the momentum all the way down to Lafayette next month.”
Two of the Lady Cougars earned a spot on the podium as Catherine Williams and Gia Fernandez recorded top three finishes. Fernandez won the 198-pound class with a total of 770 while Williams finished second in the 148-pound division with a total of 695.
On the boys side, six Cougars earned top three finishes with Lawson Lillo receiving he Most Outstanding Lifter on the lighter platform, while also tying a composite state bench record.
Wyatt Gremillion, Noah Durrett, Lillo, Brett Johnson, Blake Robinson, and Conner Rolen all earned podium spots.
“I was super excited for Noah and Wyatt breaking through that 1000 pound mark,” said Angevine.
Lillo won the 165-pound weight class with a total of 1445 pounds while Johnson won the 198-pound class with a total of 1315 pounds. Gremillion place third in the 148-pound class with a total of 1015 pounds while Durrett finished third in the 165-pound class with a total of 1005 pounds.
Robinson finished third in the 242-pound division with a total of 1170 pounds while Rolen placed third in the 275-pound class with a total of 1320 pounds.
Patricia Rosales earned the tournament MVP after rolling a 1,311 during the six-game traditional portion to lead all bowlers at the Columbia 300 Saints Invite at Bowlero Lakeside. No. 4 Louisiana Tech dropped the opening match of bracket play and finished third.
Abbie Leiendecker earned her second All-Tournament honor with a fifth-place finish after rolling a 1,255. Kylee Trexler finished with 1,180 to finish 11th.
The Bulldogs opened the day with the highest set by the field in the final qualifying spot. Tech took down Kentucky Wesleyan 999-914. Rosales moved from third to first with a 234. Danielle Jedlicki rolled 212, and Leiendecker had 199 to give the middle of the lineup a 645.
Tech secured the top seed and bowled against No. 21 McKendree in the opening round. The first game would be low scoring, with four Bulldogs opens giving the Bearcats the lead, 166-149. Bouncing back with a 201 and 207, Tech took a 2-1 advantage and looked to be on their way to moving onto the championship match. McKendree found their mark and took momentum with a 246-208 win. They would take games five and six for the 4-2 win.
The loss dropped Tech to the third-fourth-place match. No. 10 Maryville forced a game seven, but LA Tech would get a 4.5-2.5 victory. The Bulldogs took the opening game, 235-196, before the teams would tie with 202. Tech took a 3.5-1.5 lead into game six after rolling a 203 and 233, but Maryville strung strikes together to roll a 248 and force game seven. Tech would secure third with a 238-211 win.
Louisiana Tech will take next week off before returning to the lanes on Feb. 16-18 for the Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by No. 6 Arkansas State at Hijinx in Jonesboro, Ark.
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.
Monday, Feb. 5 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creative Exchange)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 10 a.m.: Storytime at Lincoln Parish Library 2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Global Process Automation (Tech Pointe 1, South Homer Street) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
Wednesday, Feb. 7 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
Tra’Michael Moton dazzled fans on Saturday afternoon, scoring a game-high 19 points as the Grambling State University men’s basketball team defeated Jackson State 70-62 in the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic at Prudential Arena.
Moton, a senior from Shreveport, La., shot 50.0 percent from the field (7-of-14). He was 2-for-3 from three-point range and 3-for-4 on free throws. He added four rebounds and pair of assists to his tally in route to the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic MVP award.
The victory improved GSU to 9-12 overall and 6-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). JSU fell to 8-13, 4-4 SWAC.
Jalen Johnson was equally as effective on the offensive end of the floor for GSU, contributing 15 points with four rebounds and two assists.
Jackson State was in front for much of the first half, marching out to a 24-16 lead with 6:11 remaining until halftime. It was around that point that the Tigers began to find their rhythm.
Trailing 26-19, Johnson scored a layup to make it 26-21. He knocked down a pair of free throws a couple of possessions later, trimming the deficit to three, 26-23, with 2:55 to go in the half. Following a JSU bucket, Antwan Burnett drilled a three-point to make it 28-26.
Following a Jackson State free throw, Terrence Lewis nailed his second triple of the game to tie the game 29-29 heading into halftime.
Both teams traded baskets in the early moments of the second half. With JSU ahead 40-39 at the 13:22 mark, a pair of free throws by Jourdan Smith put GSU ahead 41-40. Grambling State scored the next five points to push its advantage to 46-40 with 10:31 to go.
GSU never trailed again, wearing JSU down the rest of the way.
Jackson State was led by Ken Evans who scored 15 points with five rebounds, five assists and a steal.
