Memorial services for Carolyn Williams will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 26, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA with Bro. Joey Anderson officiating under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Carolyn was born on August 23, 1949 in El Dorado, AR to O. R. and Betty Spell. She went home to be with Jesus on February 22, 2024 in Quitman, LA after suffering a recent stroke.
Even though Carolyn was born in Arkansas, she was raised in Jonesboro, LA. She graduated from Jonesboro- Hodge High School in 1967. Following that, she attended Louisiana Tech University where she earned her two-year degree in Business. Just a couple of years later, on July 2, 1971, she married the love of her life, Jimmy Williams. They were married 30 years before he passed. Together they had three children.
Carolyn taught school for one year before becoming a legal secretary and eventually becoming an abstractor in the oil and gas industry. Carolyn also owned The Legal News Service for several years which required her to travel all of North Louisiana and research records in various parishes. Carolyn was known for her extensive knowledge Continental Can and Willamette land records.
When Carolyn was not working, she could be found spending time with her family. She loved her grandchildren more than life! Carolyn also enjoyed cooking for her family and trying new recipes, as well as reading a good murder mystery. In her earlier years, she also enjoyed sewing and painting ceramics. Carolyn also enjoyed watching movies, mostly from the comfort of her recliner.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents O.R. and Betty Spell; husband, Jimmy Williams; two granddaughters: Jimi Rashel Miles and Chelsea Miles; two brothers-in-law, Gary Williams and Eddie Williams; and one sister-in-law Patricia Persons. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Virginia “Ginny” Laborde and Emily Nicole “Niki” and husband Jeff St. Clair; one son Jimmy Ray “J.R.” Williams, II and wife Tay; five grandchildren: Allie Prudhomme, Grayson St. Clair and wife Tabitha, Easton Williams, Will St. Clair and Hudson St. Clair; two great-grandchildren: Rose and Waylon; one sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Weatherford; two sisters-in-law: Jo Anne Williams and Terrie Williams and one brother-in-law, Jamie Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Carolyn Williams August 23, 1949 – February 22, 2024 Visitation: Monday, February 26, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Memorial Service: Monday, February 26, 2024, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
Meri Catherine Attaway January 16, 1939 – February 20, 2024 Private family arrangements
Colin Campbell November 22, 1968 – February 18, 2024 Memorial Service: Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
Reverend Cornelius Samuel Thursday 10/04/1945 — Monday 02/19/2024 Age: 78 Visitation: Friday 03/01/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/02/2024 11:00am, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive. Ruston Interment: Saturday 03/02/2024 Following Service, Zeller Cemetery, Eros
Leandrew Riley Wednesday 05/28/1947 — Friday 02/16/2024 Age: 76 Visitation: Thursday 02/29/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Friday 03/01/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Friday 03/01/2024 Following Service, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 2412 US-425 , Rayville
Choudrant’s Carson Carrico is pictured celebrating as the final horn sounded Friday night to give the Aggies a 76-71 home playoff win over Reeves. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
He might only be a sophomore, but Choudrant guard Carson Carrico was THE MAN Friday night he led the Aggies to a big win in the opening round of the Division V Nonselect Sch\ol boys basketball playoffs at the CHS gym
Carrico started strong and finished even stronger as 14th-seeded Choudrant rallied back in the fourth quarter to defeat 19th-seeded Reeves despite trailing by five points heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Reeves opened the contest with a 5-0 run in the first minute of the opening stanza before Carrico’s second 3-pointer and eighth point of the game tied things up at 8-8 midway through the quarter.
The teams traded leads of no more than two points until the Raiders went on a 12-0 run to close out the final four minutes of the first half to build a 46-34 advantage at halftime despite the fact that Carrico had already scored 17 points, with 15 coming off of 3-pointers.
“I’m not usually too emotional on halftime speeches but tonight I did get emotional just to challenge the team to keep playing, especially on defense,” Aggies coach Ryan Smith said. “It felt like we weren’t ourselves defensively tonight, especially in the first half. (The Raiders) did a great job of being active with their hands and making contact with the ball in the first half, so the message was two dibbles against the press, and pitch it off — if you go get the ball hard with two hands, I think we can win.
“Because that’s what they were relying on. We were being kind of soft with the ball. So we just kept going inside to (Aggies forward Mike Jones), and he was great. Just seeing how we could get it to him and draw attention with him and (Aggies forward Lawson Stevens) helped give us a lot of open shots. Tucker (Batteron) made a clutch 3-pointer, and Carson was just unbelievable.”
The Aggies slowly but surely pulled back into it in the third quarter, with four straight inside baskets by Jones cutting the Reeves’ lead to 48-45 at the 4:02 mark of the period.
But the Raiders picked their pace back up to close out the stanza, rebuilding a five-point lead at 59-54 heading into the fourth quarter.
A Batterton 3-pointer cut the Reeves’ lead to 59-57 only 25 seconds into the final stanza with a pair of baskets by Jones, tying things up at 61-61 with five minutes remaining.
Carrico was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 4:08 on the clock, but as he lofted his first free-throw shot, which bounced off the front of the rim, he went down clutching his right calf.
But he pulled himself up and hobbled back to the charity stripe and missed his second attempt before swishing his third shot through the net to give the Aggies their first lead since the 6:48 mark of the second quarter.
“The leg was still bothering me on those second two free throws but I kind of put my weight on my left leg on the last one,” Carrico said. “After that the other leg loosened up some down the stretch.”
Carrico’s performance didn’t surprise his head coach.
“As a sophomore, we’ve already seen that he thrives in moments like this,” Smith said about Carrico. “He wants the ball. He wants the moment. He;s not afraid and I’m just super glad he’s an Aggie. That was a huge game for him.
“When he cramped up the ref asked if we wanted to call a timeout and I looked at him and he said no. So he took the oth4re two shots before we gave him a quick breather (during which CHS assistant principal Geoffrey Underwood stretched out the cramp. Then Carson came back to the bench and told me he was ready and to put him back in.”
Reeves moved back on top 63-62 before Carrico launched another 3-pointer with 3:05 remaining.to give the Aggies a 65-63 advantage, but the Raiders tied it back up at 65-65 at the 2:35 mark of the final stanza.
A Jones layup and Stevens free throw pushed Choudrant back on top 68-65 with 2:08 left on the clock before another Raiders 3-pointer tied it up at 68-68 with 1:51 remaining.
But Carrico followed with his seventh trey of the contest to put the Aggies back on top, this time for good.
Choudrant closed things out with a short jumper by Stevens and three free throws by Carrico, with his final two free throws coming after the sophomore put the game away with a steal in the final 12 seconds of the contest.
Carrico finished with a career-best 32 points, including a 7-of-11 performance at the free-throw line.
“His intensity and willingness to fight is awesome,” Smith said about Carrico. I thought Mike and Lawson were great. Give credit to Reeves, because they hit some huge shots — some huge threes. Their coach does an awesome job there. It was a combination in the second half where we started finishing and (the Raiders) got a little cold shooting those big threes.”
Jones added 25 points for the Aggies, who also received 10 points from Batterton and six from Stevens.
“This one ranks up there big-win wise,” Smith said. “That was an unreal game until the end and I’m so proud of our kids and am so glad they got to experience something like this one. This is one they’ll remember the rest of their lives.”
(Freshman Ahmad Hudson poured in 19 points in Ruston’s win. Photo by Kyle Roberts)
By Kyle Roberts
Twenty-fifth seeded Barbe High School had no answer for true freshman Ahmad Hudson for the No. 8 Ruston High Friday night after a 19-points, 14-rebound and six-block performance that led the Bearcats to a 62-34 win in Memorial Gym.
“He’s a special talent,” Ruston High head coach Ryan Bond said about Hudson. “The guys know how important he is– not only on the offensive end, but on the defensive end. I’ve said it before. We can get out there and we can pressure, and we know he’s going to clean up a lot.”
Hudson’s offense jumpstarted the Bearcats as he scored the team’s first six points. In the first quarter alone, Hudson had eights points, five rebounds and four blocked shots, helping keep the Buccaneer offense to a low-scoring five points in the first quarter.
The Bearcats would outscore the Buccaneers 14-8 in the second quarter to take a 31-13 lead into the halftime locker room.
“I’m happy that we won, but it was good, not great,” Bond said. “I think my it was a byproduct of being off for seven days or six days, and I think a part of it is that (Barbe) was a familiar opponent. We knew they’d graduated several kids. They’re a good little scrappy team. And we knew from watching film that they weren’t going to quit. They’re a younger bunch– we knew that we’re not going to stop playing.
“But I’m happy, but we’re going to have to pick it up for Tuesday night– whoever the opponent is down the road, it’s just going to get more and more difficult.”
Barbe would string together a 9-2 run in the third quarter to pull back to within 15 to trail Ruston 37-22, but it would not be nearly enough as Ruston hold on to get the blowout win.
Ruston would also get a 15-point performance from senior Trey Dimmer and a 10-point performance from senior Aidan Anding, who uncharacteristically did not have a made three-pointer all night.
“I wish we could clone Aiden on the defensive end,” Bond said. “We’ve got good defenders, but Aiden’s on another level, defensively. He’s playing at a really high level. He didn’t score a lot of points tonight like he did last Saturday, but he was awesome.”
The Bearcats will play No. 9 H. L. Bourgeois after their 67-64 win over No. 24 Central Lafourche, Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gym.
Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson announced this morning in a press release that Ryan Ivey has been named the University’s new Director of Athletics and Vice President.
Ivey will make his debut on campus at a welcome event for media at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 29th in the Davison Athletics Complex at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Ivey current holds the same role as AD at Stephen F. Austin University, a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
“Ryan brings the experience, leadership acumen, and understanding of intercollegiate athletics that we were looking for,” said Tech President Jim Henderson. “As an athletics director for more than a decade, he is fully aware of the expectations and challenges this role carries. We could not be more excited to welcome him and his family to Ruston to lead our Bulldogs and Lady Techsters into a new era of competitive excellence.”
Ivey has spent the past five and a half years as the Director of Athletics at Stephen F. Austin University (2018-present) in Nacogdoches, Texas. Prior to his time at SFA, Ivey was the Director of Athletics for three years at Austin Peay State University (2015-18) in Clarksville, Tenn.
He earned his first opportunity as an AD at Division II Texas A&M-Commerce (2013-15). Ivey also spent six years at McNeese State (2007-13), starting out as an assistant athletics director before being promoted to associate AD.
“The Louisiana Tech athletics brand is synonymous with excellence,” said Ivey. “When you think about the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and teams that have called this University home, it is really astounding. We have an opportunity to build upon, grow, and establish future success.
“Our goal will be to build a nationally prominent athletics department with individuals that excel in everything that we do. We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence, respecting those that have come before us, but building and chartering our own path and successes. Now is the time to be part of this amazing University and department.”
He has a long history on the athletics development side, fundraising on both the private giving and corporate sponsorship side. During his tenure at SFA he led the department through a conference transition, raised private support including securing the 4 largest single gifts in the department’s history, increased ticket sales by 189 percent, and completed more than $30 million in facility improvements.
Ivey was a football student-athlete at the University of Memphis. He earned both his bachelor’s (sports management, 2004) and master’s (sports and leisure commerce, 2010) from Memphis.
He is married to the former Kelley Holt from Fayetteville, Tennessee, and has two sons, Jett and Ace.
“My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Louisiana Tech family and the Ruston community,” said Ivey. “It is an honor and privilege to lead this historic and well-respected athletics department. I want to thank Dr. Henderson and the members of the search committee for their trust and faith in my abilities to fill this role. This is such an exciting time for Louisiana Tech University and the athletics department. I cannot wait to get started.”
Today during its regular board meeting, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved two important leadership positions for Louisiana Tech University. Cami Geisman will serve as executive vice president for external affairs and Dr. Donna Thomas as the University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Selected following a national search, Thomas began her career at Louisiana Tech in 2005 as an assistant professor of psychology. She served as department chair for psychology and behavioral sciences for more than nine years before becoming associate vice president for academic affairs in January 2022. She has served as interim provost since August 2023.
“Donna brings a mixture of proven academic leadership, innate authenticity, and deep affinity for Louisiana Tech to this vitally important position,” President Jim Henderson said. “Having observed her in various roles and after working directly with her at Louisiana Tech, I have the utmost confidence in her ability to work with our faculty and academic leaders to advance our institution beyond its already considerable prominence among the nation’s universities.”
Thomas is a two-time graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she earned a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in experimental psychology. She earned her PhD in counseling psychology from Louisiana Tech.
“I am humbled and deeply honored to serve Louisiana Tech as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,” Thomas said. “I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to advance our shared commitment to academic excellence.”
Geisman joined Tech in January. She spent the previous eight years at the University of Louisiana System, most recently as vice president for external affairs and chief of staff. As Tech’s executive vice president for external affairs, she will oversee the University’s marketing and communications efforts, enhance brand recognition and execution, and strengthen relationships with governmental, legislative, and community partners.
“Having worked with Cami the past seven years at the UL System, I know well the immense value she brings to our leadership team at Louisiana Tech and to the City of Ruston,” Henderson said. “Her demonstrated expertise in messaging will enable us to elevate the Tech brand through the stories of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Her credibility throughout the state and in our nation’s capital will allow for a more comprehensive and substantive approach to advocacy as she works with the Louisiana legislature and our congressional delegation to advance the institution.”
Geisman earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from the Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication. She holds a master’s in public administration from ULM.
“Louisiana Tech is a beautiful institution with a rich history and well-established reputation for excellence. This opportunity to ensure an even broader audience understands the great work happening in Ruston is an honor,” Geisman said. “I look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to support our students, faculty and staff.”
In addition to these leadership positions, the University is expected to announce a new athletic director by the end of the month. At that point, the only remaining interim position on the executive team will be vice president of advancement. A national search for that position will begin this spring.
The estimated cost for the covered facility with full electrical power over a turfed field will be $5 million and is planned to be used for more than just a football field, offering other sports and clubs opportunities to either use the facility or have expanded access to the field at the stadium.
“I think what everybody needs to understand is that, while it will have a football field in it, it will have lines for a full-sized soccer field in it, as well,” LPSB superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “In talking with soccer coaches (after the January ice storm), they made the comment that they could have practiced on a field under a covered facility.”
“Another one of the big things for me is when we have band camp going on in the summer, football two-a-days in the heat of the summer,” Durrett said. “Other schools have told us that underneath the covered facility is about 15 degrees cooler. So from a safety standpoint of kids being able to use it and practicing when it’s 100 to 105 degrees outside, that’s one of the biggest advantages to me.”
El Dorado High School provided a guided tour for staff of the Lincoln Parish Journal to get a first-hand look at what a covered practice facility may look like. Durrett had previously identified that El Dorado High School in Arkansas and Marshall High School in Texas were two schools that had comparable covered facilities to what Ruston would be looking to build.
Nestled atop a hill right by the high school campus, the purple Wildcat logo emblazoned at the top, the covered facility is even larger than imagined when seen in person.
Beneath the gabled roof that measures nearly 50 feet at its peak, an entire soccer field (120 x 65 yards) is painted along with the entire football field including goalposts. The sides are purposefully not covered all the way to the ground, allowing for air flow to keep the temperature cooler.
From dirt first being moved, construction took over 18-months to complete for El Dorado High, which included a period where the project had to be restarted due to wind damage from a severe thunderstorm. The facility was officially opened for use in 2022.
“The facility has been a game-changer for our school,” EDHS vice principal John Jameson said. “It makes it where we have extra space, not only for athletics, but for school over all. Our clubs use it. Our band uses it. We use it for P.E. classes. And it gives kids a chance to be outside without all the elements, because with the way it’s constructed, you get good wind flow. In the summer, even on days that we would normally have to shut down practice, we can still go since we’re covered.”
For Ruston High girls’ soccer coach Jacquelyn Bean, it will give her program chances to keep consistency with practices and drills, regardless of inclement weather.
“When practice is cancelled because of rain or a muddy field, the opportunities to improve for that day are gone,” Bean said. “Soccer in the south is a sport known for having to work around bad winter weather. So many of our preseason practices are canceled because of the rain and poor drainage. Because we share the stadium turf with American football and our pre-season begins as their season is wrapping up, we have to hold after school practice on the grass. We also have to share the grass field with Boys Soccer, we both have to work around the football team for our after school practice time on the turf.
“Using the grass field below the stadium, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature– it rains a lot in the winter in the south; when it does we have no place to practice. Having a designated covered space with turf to practice means more opportunities for quality practice and that means more opportunities for success. We practice at 6:00 am in the summer to avoid the heat from the sun. A covered space for our sport to practice is nothing short of a positive solution for our team.”
Ruston High School band director Walter Moss sees only positives should Ruston High School be able to construct the covered facility.
“I know we can use use it as a tool to better our performances,” Moss said. “The other huge benefit I see is for the entire community. For instances, we could have pep rallies in the venue that could accommodate more people and be out of possibly inclement weather.”
Moss said the covered facility could also solve the logistical problem off multiple sports or clubs needing access to the field at the same times.
“A lot of times, I have to be able to see from up high to see the pictures our marching band is creating on the field,” Moss added. “This would open up the stadium at times and give us access when we have not had access to times we may not have had before.”
Residents of Ruston School District No. 1 will be able to vote on the bond measure for the election to be held Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Today, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System voted unanimously to name Dr. Martin Lemelle as the next president of Grambling State University.
“To this illustrious Board, to our Gram Fam across the globe, to our students, current and future, to our alumni community, my family, friends, and supporters … this is our story. This is the Grambling State University story.” Lemelle said.
The Grambling Presidential Search Committee narrowed the field to three finalists, Dr. Gregory Ford, Dr. Monica Williams, and Lemelle after interviewing six semifinalists on Grambling’s campus earlier this month.
“Dr. Lemelle’s appointment as the 11th president of Grambling State University guarantees a leader well-prepared on day one,” said Rick Gallot who left the Grambling presidency to assume the role of UL System President and CEO at the start of the year. “I am confident that under President Lemelle’s leadership, Grambling State University will continue to thrive with its best days yet to come.”
Lemelle is a 2006 graduate and former student government association president of Grambling. He has most recently served as executive vice president & chief financial officer at Maryland Institute College of Art. Prior, he served as executive vice president & chief operating officer at Grambling from 2016-2021.
Gallot and Board Chair Dr. Jimmy Clarke are authorized to negotiate Lemelle’s start date.
A Louisiana Tech student from Delhi was arrested early Saturday morning after he was allegedly involved in a hit and run accident while intoxicated.
Louisiana Tech Police responded to a hit and run in campus parking lot on West Mississippi Avenue just after midnight Saturday morning. The victim said a white truck had struck her vehicle and then left the scene. However, she obtained a partial license plate number and saw the vehicle turn into a nearby fraternity house parking lot.
Officers went to the fraternity house and located the vehicle as well as a cell phone on the ground nearby. The vehicle was registered on campus to Bradley Slaton Gates, 23. When the phone number on file for Gates was called, the discovered cell phone rang.
Police had numerous conversations with fraternity members to attempt to locate Gates who eventually came outside. Police observed signs of intoxication and administered field sobriety tests. Gates performed poorly on the tests and admitted he had struck a white Jeep in the parking lot and then left and came to the fraternity house. He admitted drinking, but not since the accident.
Damage was found on Gates’s truck as well as a damaged windshield which appeared to have been punched from the inside. Gates had injuries to his knuckles.
Gates was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where a breath test was administered showing a blood alcohol concentration of .187g%. Gage was booked for first offense DWI, hit and run, driving, and reckless operation of a vehicle. Bail was set at $3,500.
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.
AT&T’s network went down for many of its cellphone customers across the United States Thursday morning, leaving customers unable to place calls, text, or access the internet.
Many Lincoln Parish residents took to social media Thursday morning to complain that the lack of cell phone service was disrupting their day.
Several law enforcement agencies contacted by the Lincoln Parish Journal said despite the widespread cell service interruptions, the ability to reach emergency services by dialing 911 remained unaffected.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness informed parish homeland security offices of a nationwide cellular outage, primarily affecting communications with AT&T carriers. The issue, described as a routing problem rather than a hardware issue, led to sporadic but widespread service disruptions, including Louisiana and multiple other states. AT&T is actively working on resolving the situation, though a timeline for restoration has not been provided.
National media sources reported Thursday morning that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security were investigating to determine whether the AT&T outages are the result of a cyberattack, a hack, or a technical malfunction.
AT&T acknowledged that it has a widespread outage but did not provide a reason for the system failure.
“Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning,” AT&T said early Thursday. “Our network teams took immediate action and so far three-quarters of our network has been restored. We are working as quickly as possible to restore service to remaining customers. We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored.”
While some Verizon and T-Mobile customers reported outages, they appeared far less widespread. T-Mobile and Verizon said their networks were unaffected by AT&T’s service outage and customers reporting outages may have been unable to reach customers who use AT&T.
After some offensive miscues in the first half and hot-shooting by No. 2 Denham Springs, the No. 7 Ruston High Lady Bearcats found themselves down 40-20 with five minutes left to go in the third quarter, only to go on a 26-9 run over the next 12 minutes of game time to close the gap to 49-46 with less than a minute left.
It would not be enough, however, as Denham Springs would end Ruston’s season in the quarterfinals 52-46, sending the Jackets to Marsh Madness for the final four of the Non-select Division I playoff bracket.
“What really turned the tide was the way we turned up our defense,” Ruston head coach Meredith Graf said of her team’s second half rally. “We forced a lot of ball pressure turnovers down the stretch. We just couldn’t come up with that last shot near the end to make it within one. I think we had opportunities; I just don’t think overall tonight we shot well from outside.
“The most important thing about this group– their heart was on display tonight. The fact that you’re down 20 on the road to the number two seed in the state and you found a way to come back within three. That’s pretty amazing. And you don’t do that without great leadership and great hearts and people giving tremendous efforts. It’s why we’ve been successful this entire year.”
Ruston would score the first four points of the game but would struggle from there to score and trailed 28-19 at halftime prior to their second half rally.
“The start of the game didn’t go in our favor,” Graf said. “We we’re executing well. Denham Springs, with the way they shoot, it only takes a couple trips down the floors and they can be up ten in no time. They have a great team and they capitalized off of our mistakes.”
The Lady Bearcats were led in scoring by senior Jaliyah McWain with 18 points, while senior Zaccheya Jackson finished the night with 13.
“We had pure fight to the very end,” Graf concluded. “Sometimes the balls don’t bounce your way, but truly, I could not be more thankful. From a coaching standpoint, it is so much easier to walk away and be at peace when you leave it all out there and play so hard you know you gave everything. I think the girls feel the game way.”
Ruston High’s season ends with an overall record of 23-8 with a District 2-5A championship.
For many the month of February is carnival season and all things Mardi Gras but for population on campus it means a little more.
On Louisiana Tech’s campus, several organizations have planned events to take place during this month.
Tech and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) are hosting a donation drive. They have asked for unused socks to be donated to local nursing homes, shelters and schools. Donation boxes have been set up around campus and will be collected Tuesday.
Tech’s Bulldog Cultural Center hosted an event earlier this week to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. The event open to community members as well as the campus.
The celebration of black activist MLK included a soul food lunch catered by Aramark Dining Service, soulful music performed by Tech’s own Sanctified Voices and a powerful message from the CEO and president of the Harbor Institute in Washington, D.C., Rasheed Ali Cromwell.
Cromwell’s speech focused on thefirst draft of Martin Luther King Jr.’sfinal book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” The theme of this MLK holiday is reflecting on the inspiration and insight necessary for individuals to continue being relevant and impactful in an ever changing world.
“I had never been to an event hosted by the Bulldog Cultural Center, the Black Student Union or any organization that focused on the promotion of my own culture,” Amiracl White, a freshman at Tech said. “After today’s event I am excited to see what else Tech hasto offer me and I am considering becoming a part of these organizations because of how welcomed and inspired I felt after seeing people like myself be great.”
Mikayla Williams, a sophomore Tech student said, she really enjoyed the event.
“I appreciate more the fact that something of this nature has been hosted by my school,” Williams said. “I sometimes feel as though I lack knowledge about my roots as a black woman and I am thankful to the Bulldog Cultural Center for having this event and giving me space to interact with some peers.”
The Black Student Union is a Tech organization whose purpose is to enlighten, empower, educate and entertain students with an emphasis on the African-American perspective.
BSU president Jadan Combs said the BSU hosts many events throughout the entire year to encourage the participation of African-American students in civic engagement. For Black History Month, the group organized a roadside cleanup, a paint and sit, Sunday service and a speech geared towards helping students of color use their voice on campus that also involved the NAACP and NPHC.
“Sunday service is an event hosted by BSU where students can come together at church and enjoy each other along with God,” Sequoia Pinkins, a junior Tech student said. “I go because I am not from Ruston and wanted to continue my faith journey surrounded by my peers. I have made many friends at these events because I feel comfortable talking to people that I can assure have some similar interests as I do.”
Cedar Creek posted an 18-12 mark in Katie Hall’s first year at the helm. (Courtesy Photo)
By Malcolm Butler
No. 1 seed Southern Lab showed why its been to the Select School Division IV state title game each of the past two years.
The Kittens defeated No. 9 seed Cedar Creek 56-16 Thursday night at Clifford T. Seymour Gym on the campus of Southern University, ending the Lady Cougars season.
However, even in a lopsided defeat, first year Lady Cougars head coach Katie Hall chose to look at the big picture.
“I loved our energy the entire year,” said Hall. “I feel like we have been emphasizing that all season. We played with fun. We played with joy. We played with love and excitement. I can’t say enough how excited I am about what we are building.”
Southern Lab (26-7) used a tenacious man-to-man, full-court defense to hold the Lady Cougars (18-12) to just 3-of-26 shooting and 39 turnovers in the season finale for Hall’s team.
“They were good,” said Hall. “I thought we may have done a better job of taking care of the ball, but credit Southern Lab. They are just good. They sped us up. They got us out of our comfort zone and we struggled to score.
“It was hard to sit back in the zone. We like to press and create turnovers with our defense, but we didn’t feel like we could do that. When we did press we had some success. But at the end of the day, they are just really good.”
Southern Lab hit 9-of-18 field goals in the first quarter to jump out to a 21-5 advantage as the Lady Cougars hit just 1-of-11 field goals. The Kittens continued to press and cause chaos with their defense in the second quarter, taking a 35-8 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Lady Cougars were never able to find any type of offensive rhythm in the second half as Southern Lab advanced to the state semifinals.
Despite the loss, Hall said she appreciated the effort and the work of her players this season.
“I am very grateful,” said Hall. “I thought it was a great season. The seniors bought in and made it a fun year. They were committed and competed. Even tonight. They never took a play off even getting beaten as badly as we were. It trickled down to all of the players.”
Mallory Smith led Cedar Creek with five points while Leah Sutherland added four points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Southern Lab was led by Asia Patin with 20 points, nine steals, seven assists and five rebounds.
“I was able to point out to the players that will be returning that this is what it will look like if we want to get to that next level,” said Hall. “It’s going to take all of us working, not just one or two. We need to work hard and let this be our driving force in the off-season.”
Finding their stride at the right time, the No. 8 Ruston High Bearcats (17-9) will play host to the No. 25 Barbe Buccaneers tonight at Memorial Gym on the campus of Louisiana Tech University for the first round the 2024 LHSAA state basketball playoffs.
“The playoffs are a time when you have to respect everyone,” Ruston High head coach Ryan Bond said. “When I watch Barbe, I see a team that plays hard and doesn’t let bad plays affect them. They are solid on the defensive end of the floor. Our guys are excited about (tonight).”
Following district play, Ruston beat both Dunham and Lakeview in the final week of the regular season, allowing them to climb up to eighth in the rankings, meaning that if they can beat Barbe tonight they will host the winner of No. 9 H.L. Bourgeois and No. 24 Central Lafourche.
Barbe comes in with a 15-9 record overall, winning four of its last five games.
“The last two weeks, we’ve kind of cleaned up some things that we were doing wrong there in district,” Ruston head coach Ryan Bond said Monday after the playoff pairings were announced. “We lost a couple of games that we shouldn’t have, but, you know, you learn from that. We’re excited about the playoffs— we’re familiar with Barbe. They came up last year in the quarterfinals, and they’ve got a couple of kids back. They’re well-coached.”
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, shortly after 12:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on US-425 near Pippen’s Road in Beekman. The crash claimed the life of 39-year-old Derrick Mitchell of Chicago.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2020 Freightliner tractor (semi-truck), driven by Mitchell, was traveling north on US-425 in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Freightliner traveled off the right side of the road and struck multiple trees.
Mitchell, who was not properly restrained, was pronounced dead at the scene. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorists to slow down, buckle up, and lessen the distractions in the vehicle. Crash forces do not care who you are or what you drive. The faster you drive, the greater the risk of serious injury or death; not wearing a seat belt dramatically increases that risk.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated five fatal crashes, resulting in five deaths.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Dubach woman Tuesday afternoon after she was stopped for a traffic violation, and it was discovered she was wanted.
Liberty Martin, 27, was stopped for weaving out of her lane on Braswell Lane near La. Highway 563. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana and saw two young children in the vehicle. When asked about the marijuana, Martin said she smoked in the vehicle earlier in the day.
A search of the vehicle revealed two bags of suspected marijuana in a purse of one of the children’s feet, according to an arrest document.
The young child was not properly restrained and the vehicle was uninsured. A records check showed Martin was wanted for failure to appear in Third District Court on a charge of improper supervision of a minor and was also wanted on an unspecified warrant held by the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Martin was arrested and a family member was called to take custody of the children.
Martin was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance in the presence of a minor, improper lane usage, no liability insurance, no child restraint, and the local warrant. 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.
Simsboro’s Itavus Brown fires in one of his five 3-pointers Thursday as Tigers coach Adam Wodach looks on in the background during a 76-51 win over Elizabeth Thursday night. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Simsboro came out clicking on all cylinders as the ninth-seeded Tigers raced away early to earn a 76-51 win over 24th seed Elizabeth in first-round action of the Division Nonselect School boys basketball playoffs Thursday night at the SHS gym.
Jakaleb Modest sent the Tigers roaring out of the gates, putting up the game’s first points with a 3-pointer only 20 seconds into the contest before making a steal and racing downcourt for a layup to put Simsboro up 5-0 at the 7:05 mark of the opening stanza.
An old-school three-point play by Itavus Brown on a layup and free throw pushed the SHS lead to 8-2 with 6:31 left in the first quarter before Modest popped his second trey of the contest to push the Tigers advantage to 11-5 at the 3:18 mark of the period.
Another steal and layup by Modest helped the Tigers double up on the Bulldogs at 16-8 with 2:20 left in the first quarter, which was closed out with Justin Prudhome hitting his second 3-pointer to push Simsboro’s lead to 21-12 at the end of the period.
Simsboro kicked into “turbocharge mode” in the second quarter, with the Tigers forcing turnover after turnover to push their lead to 20 points at 34-14 on a Jalen Outley free throw and starting a running clock with a 35-point lead at 53-18 on another Modest 3-pointer with 2:14 left in the first half.
Elizabeth scored the final seven points of the second quarter to cut Simsboro’s lead to 53-25 at halftime.
“Coming out, we just knew that we had to execute,” Modest said. “We just had to wear them out and not let them come back in the game.”
Brown led the Tigers on the night with 24 points, including five 3-points, while Modest totaled 17 points with three treys of his own.
“If we can play like we did in the first half, nobody can really mess with us,” Brown said. “We just have to keep the intensity up and finish the game like we started.”
Simsboro’s fast start even surprised head coach Adam Wodach to some degree.
“You prepare and work hard, but you never really know how you’re going to come out,” Wodach said. “But holy smokes, we were playing fast tonight. That was a lot of fun. I think we were incredibly unselfish.
“I’ll look at the stats tomorrow (after reviewing video), but I would love to know how many assists we had. It had to be double-digit assists as a team. I’ll bet five of our first-half 3-pointers were off of assists.
Unselfish basketball, we’re hitting layups and playing fast — that’s exactly what it’s about.”
And Thursday night was all about fun for the Tigers and their home crowd/
“They made my job easy tonight,” Wodach said. “They just went out there and played. I think we called (only) four plays tonight.”
Elizabeth managed to outscore the Tigers 26-23 in the second half, but with a running clock Simsboro spent the final two quarters moving the basketball and not forcing anything, instead looking for open shots and milking the final 16 minutes off the clock in a hurry.
“We scored 53 points in the first 15 minutes,” Wodach said. “We only scored 25 in the second half, but we were milking the clock.”
Ahmad Smith added 11 points for the Tigers while Justin Prudhome added 10, including a pair of 3-pointers, while Outley chipped in with nine points.
Next up for the Tigers (23-13) will be a second-round contest on Tuesday against the winner of tonight’s game between eighth-seeded Singer and 25th seed Monterey.
Modest realizes that things might not be as easy in that one, especially if Singer wins tonight’s home game.
“We just have to come out and play like we did today and play all four quarters, match energy with the other team and try to play better than they do.” Modest said. “It’ll be tough if we have to go against another team’s home crowd. We just have to do like this — like we did tonight.”
Courtesy of Grambling State University Communications
The University of Louisiana System (ULS) Board of Supervisors approved the contract of new Grambling State University head football coach Mickey Joseph.
Joseph was hired to be lead the GSU football program in January. During the course of his contract, he will earn $325,000 annually.
His contract also includes incentives for winning an HBCU National Championship, the Celebration Bowl, SWAC Coach of the Year, the SWAC Championship and the Bayou Classic.
“We are beyond excited that the ULS Board of Supervisors approved Coach Joseph’s contract,” said Vice President and Director for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Travyvean Scott. “Coach Joseph has been diligently working and building our football program back to where it needs to be. We are very eager to support him as he seeks to #RestoreOrder with our football program.”
“I’m excited to continue crafting this extraordinary program and working with our amazing student-athletes,” said Joseph “Our goal is to restore order, reignite excitement in the Grambling State fan base and produce a winning product.”
Julie Riser has been coaching Cedar Creek softball for a long time.
And according to the veteran Lady Cougars boss, this year’s team is as young as she can remember in quite some time.
Cedar Creek opens the 2024 season today when they travel to face Logansport before playing at North DeSoto on Saturday.
Riser said the theme for this year is developing a very young roster.
“We are young. I think that we have some experience with the younger ones,” said Riser. “My expectations for them is to play up to their capabilities. Play hard. We work hard. We practice hard. I have had them since middle school so they understand how our program works and my process. So I think it will be easier for them because of that.
“I am looking forward to it. I think they have a lot to learn. I think we will see a big improvement from today’s (first game) to the end of the season just because they are young.”
Graduated are the likes of Allie Furr (LA Tech), Lillian Soto (UL-Lafayette), Lizzie McAdams, Chloe Brashear, and Peyton Muse — all veterans who helped lead the program to the state quarterfinals a year ago.
To illustrate the youthfulness on the Lady Cougars 17-person roster is the fact that that more than two-thirds of it is comprised of seventh, eighth and ninth graders.
“(We brought up a lot of seventh and eighth graders) just because of numbers,” said Riser. “I have three seniors, one junior and one sophomore. And then four freshmen, and the rest are seventh and eighth graders. They are good. They are excited to play. They have a lot to learn, but I think they are willing to take on the challenge.”
Riser believes that the Lady Cougars pitching staff will need to be solid, especially early in the season as the bats warm up. Senior Olivia Salter, junior Mallory Smith, sophomore Ainsley DeMent and freshman Anna Claire Fitzgerald will comprise this year’s group in the circle.
Brashear and McAdams saw the bulk of the innings last season, leaving very little experience in varsity games for this year’s group.
“I have one (pitcher) in each class in the high school classes,” said Riser. “They didn’t pitch a lot of varsity innings last year, but they have pitched a lot of JV innings so in that respect they are experienced. I feel like we will use all of them at some point.
“Olivia will be the one we will look to log the most innings. Her and Ainsley, but we will use all four of them. We will see.”
Offensively, Riser said the 2024 Lady Cougars will have to work hard to do the little things needed to generate offense.
“We are going to have to manufacture runs,” said Riser. “We will have to use some small ball. We need to be aggressive on the bases and be disciplined enough to make sure we are swinging at our pitch and hitting it hard. We need to put it in play.”
I said it loudly and with all the patience I could muster without using unforgivable four-letter words. A commentary on the American educational system was playing out right in front of me.
They both looked at me like I was speaking in tongues.
I repeated myself, “Eight dollars and five cents! You owe the man eight dollars and five cents in change.” I was thinking that this was not brain surgery or rocket science.
I was shopping at a grocery store, which shall remain anonymous. The nice lady at the register was exasperated. She was telling everyone who would listen that she needed a break. It was time for her break. She was late for her break. “Someone needs to come relieve me, so I can take a break.” Meanwhile the nice man in front of me made a purchase. He bought several packages of bottled water. His total came to eleven dollars and ninety-five cents. He did something rarely seen in grocery stores across America. He paid cash.
He gave her a twenty-dollar bill.
She tapped in the amount tendered and the machine gave her the answer for how much change he would receive. But before she gave him the money. She tapped in another set of numbers so that she could go on her break. Her “taking a break” numbers erased the man’s change numbers.
A nice manager walked over and said, “Why don’t you go on your break.”
She said, “I will as soon as I give this man his change.” Then she looked at the register which she had now “erased.” She looked down at the twenty like it was a creature that was going to bite off her arm. She started fumbling for a piece of paper to do mathematical computations. While she was fumbling for the paper and pencil. The manager was pulling out her phone and trying to get her calculator program up and running.
The customer was distracted. He was talking to a guy two checkout lanes over. He couldn’t see the mathematical mayhem brewing at the checkout line.
“Eight dollars and five cents. That is what you owe the man in change.”
“Oh.”
About that time calculator girl finished punching in her numbers and said, “You owe him eight dollars and five cents in change.”
I had done the math in my head two separate ways. I had done the math. I also “counted the change” back to the nice man in my head. My brain is slow. I do not have a high-powered processor up there. But counting change, c’mon man! The year I went to work at Sears they introduced electronic cash registers. They trained us on those marvels, which would do a transaction and “tell” the clerk how much to give in change. Our store manager insisted that all the employees needed to be able to “count back” the change to the customers. He was especially insistent that all his High School part-timers learn the “right way” to make change.
These two didn’t know how to “make change.”
I was struck at that moment by the awesome responsibility that rests upon the shoulders of teachers.
Even those of us who teach scripture know, “Not many of you should become teachers… for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” James 3: 1
Louisiana Tech baseball looks to build on its four-game win streak this weekend hosting Kent State in a three-game series tonight, Saturday and Sunday at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
Head coach Lane Burroughs and Co. will throw first pitch at 6 p.m. today followed by a 2 p.m. start time Saturday and a 1 p.m on Sunday. All three games can be heard on 97.7 FM.
Tech (4-0) allowed only 10 runs against Northern Colorado as the Bulldog’s bullpen totaled 41 strikeouts in the sweep.
Kent State (1-2) comes to Ruston after a 1-2 start against UNC Wilmington last weekend. The Golden Flashes went 42-16 in 2023 and 24-3 at home.
The Golden Flashes have a batting average of .212, with 21 hits and 16 walks after opening weekend. On the mound, Kent. State has a team ERA of 6.12, while they struck out 29 batters while allowing 23 hits.
The Bulldogs and the Golden Flashes have never competed against each other before.
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Softball
The Louisiana Tech Softball team looks to get back in the win column this weekend when it hosts Missouri State for a four-game weekend series beginning tonight at 6 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
The two teams will also play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 11 a.m. All four games can be heard on the LA Tech Athletics app.
Louisiana Tech is 6-1 this season and coming off a 9-3 loss at UL-Lafayette in a game that featured a season-high four errors from the Bulldogs.
Through seven games this season, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 62-19, totaling 66 hits, 17 doubles, and six home runs. Louisiana Tech has homered in five consecutive games, their longest streak since March 19-April 1, 2022, when they homered in seven straight games.
Louisiana Tech has excelled in the circle in 2024. The Bulldogs have recorded a 2.07 team earned run average and .95 WHIP as opponents are hitting .204 against the Bulldogs’ pitching staff this season.
Missouri State (2-6) opened the 2024 campaign at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla., where they posted a 1-4 mark with an extra-innings win over Army (9-6, 8 inn.) and losses to Clemson (12-0, 5 inn.) WKU (1-0), NC State (4-3) and Oregon (8-0). Last weekend the Bears went 1-2 in a three-game series at Southern Miss with a 3-2 win in game one before dropping the final two contests 9-2 and 4-3.
This weekend will be the 14th meeting between the two programs. LA Tech leads the all-time series 8-5. The Bulldogs won the last matchup 8-4 on Feb. 10, 2019 in Gulf Shores, Ala. Mary Terral hit a three-run home run in the win.
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.
Friday, Feb. 23 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Descendants Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Saturday, Feb. 24 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 1 p.m.: LA Tech softball 2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 2 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball 3:30 p.m.: LA Tech softball 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Descendants Jr.” (Dixie Theatre) 7:30 p.m.: One-act play “OMG!” written by Louisiana Tech student Ella Goodwin and directed by Vanna Richardson (Stone Theatre, La Tech campus; admission is a nonperishable food item or donation)
Sunday, Feb. 25 11 a.m.: LA Tech softball 12:30 p.m.: Dedication and opening ceremony for Dr. Willie Byrd Ford Blessing Pantry (New Rocky Valley Baptist Church, 2155 W. Martin Luther King Ave., Grambling) 1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Descendants Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
