Mattie Lee Williams Thursday 11/18/1948 — Friday 03/01/2024 Visitation: Thursday 03/07/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Wake: Thursday 03/07/2024 6:00pm to 7:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Friday 03/08/2024 2:00pm, Springhill Baptist Church, 727 Dicks Store Road, Grambling Interment: Friday 03/08/2024 Following Service, Springhill Church Cemetery, Dicks Store Road, Grambling/Simsboro
Victoria Hendricks Thursday 11/27/1967 — Saturday 03/02/2024 Visitation: Friday 03/08/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/09/2024 11:00am, St. Joseph’s Missionary Baptist Church, 206 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe Interment: Saturday 03/09/2024 Following Service, Hasley Cemetery. 1500 Arkansas Road, West Monroe
Change is in the works for a pair of Ruston buildings following the March City Council meeting held Monday night at City Hall.
Ruston’s Board of Aldermen introduced an ordinance that would, if passed after being discussed in next month’s meeting, authorize the city to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to sell the historic Federal Building located at 201 N. Vienna St. while also passing a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract related to replacing the building located at 200 Memorial Drive that housed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3615.
That existing VFW building has been condemned and is set for demolition. VFW Post 3615 meetings are currently being held at the Ruston Historic Fire Station.
In other business, Ruston’s City Council introduced an ordinance that if passed next month will authorize the city to sell its fiber optic network, passed a resolution authorizing the city to enter in a contract to install two separate electric vehicle charging stations and passed an ordinance adopting amendments for the period of Oct.1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023, to the city budget for that fiscal year.
The funding provided by the resolution to replace the old VFW Post across the street from the North Louisiana War Museum with a new foundation and metal building is set for $300,000 with additional funding to be raised by VFW Post 3615 and its Auxiliary.
Cost of the project is set to be around $349,000.
Post Commander Tom Boniol, who is also the Commander of Ruston’s American Legion Post 2, and his wife Cathi Cox-Boniol said fundraising efforts will include the creation of a custom-made grilling trailer as well as a fish fryer that will be raffled off.
“It’s hard to get the Historic Fire Stations on weekends and some other times, so we’ve had to work around things and sometimes use other places like Temple Baptist Church,” Cox–Boniol said.
“Even when we set up for meetings at the Old Historic Fire Station, (the Post leaders) want to do things right, so they have to go and pull out stuff for the MIA/POW table — stuff that already should be set up with a building of their own. Before and after meetings they spend all this time bringing stuff in, setting it up and then hauling it back out. That’s when they should be talking to each other and meeting the needs of our veterans.”
The new VFW building is expected to be completed and ready to move into in late 2023 or early 2024.
Ruston’s Historic Federal Building was bought from the U.S. government in 2016 in hopes of creating a state-of-the art facility to house the North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC), but renovation costs, including a new roof and removal/cleanup of mold and asbestos have caused a change in those plans.
Oliver Road Investments LLC out of Monroe is interested in buying the building with plans on turning it into a restaurant.
“The North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) has been working to ensure the preservation of the historic Ruston Post Office,” said NCLAC president Gary Faulkner.
“We wanted to establish an arts center and home for NCLAC, but we are supportive of this proposed restoration, which aligns with our community’s goal for continued preservation and beautification of downtown Ruston. The newly restored building will serve as an anchor for the city’s emerging arts and entertainment district, marking a win for the city, its citizens, and the members and patrons of NCLAC. We are honored to have played a role in its return to grandeur.”
The two electric vehicle charging stations Ruston’s City Council authorized to be built at a cost of $70,000 will be located at Ruston’s Old Historic Fire Station and the Ruston Sports Complex.
Ruston Public Works Manager Andrew Halbrook said there will be a fee charged to use the stations but that those fees have not yet been determined.
The city decided recently it’s time to get out of its fiber optic business, which services approximately 300 commercial commercials. Mayor Ronny Walker said that more than 10 companies are interested in buying the city’s underground and fiber optic network.
A Ruston man has been sentenced to federal prison for intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana announced last week that Nicholas D. Moore, 31, of Ruston, was sentenced to 132 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Between August 2022 and January 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office performed five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Moore. In January 2023, law enforcement agents subsequently obtained a search warrant for a residence in Ruston where Moore lived.
During the execution of the search warrant at a Larson Street residence in Ruston, agents discovered multiple bags of methamphetamine, small bags of cocaine, and marijuana, materials for packaging and selling drugs, and over $8,000 in cash. The seized narcotics were tested at the DEA Laboratory and determined to contain methamphetamine.
The Sheriff’s Office also arrested Moore in December 2022 when a stolen firearm was found in his vehicle on a traffic stop. The disposition of that case was not immediately available.
An international team of scientists is reporting on the antibacterial and angiogenic properties of a nanomaterial discovered at Louisiana Tech University. The material, discovered by Dr. Mark DeCoster’s Neuroscience lab at Tech, is copper high aspect ratio structures (CuHARS).
“In an era where innovation meets collaboration, the discovery of CuHARS antibacterial and angiogenic properties marks a significant stride in medical research,” Dr. Sumeet Dua, Tech’s executive vice president of research said. “This nanomaterial not only promises to transform tissue regeneration and wound healing but also reflects our dedication to pioneering sustainable healthcare solutions.”
The material self-assembles at body temperature and is 100 percent biodegradable. In this new study that was reported in the American Chemistry Society’s journal, ACS Omega, significant new molecular details and potential health benefits of the material are revealed.
The CuHARS were shown to kill bacteria and the same material could promote the growth and migration of cells that make up blood vessels. These two properties together could revolutionize tissue regeneration and wound healing by promoting blood vessel growth and at the same time reducing the risk of infection.
“In addition to building on these new successes, we are also working with the Stone Research Foundation in San Francisco to test the idea that our material, CuHARS, could help with accelerating healing and diminish arthritis in humans,” Decoster said. “We are currently seeking funding and building fundraising strategies to support these innovative ideas.”
The team, led by Decoster, included a former Tech PhD student and Fulbright Scholar from Madrid, Spain who dedicated eight months of her time to this discovery.
“As we explore CuHARS’ potential for improving patient care, we remain focused on securing the support needed to bring these groundbreaking ideas to life,” Dua said. “This achievement is a testament to our University’s role in shaping the future of medical science, offering hope for safer, more effective treatments.”
The new research, entitled: “Copper–Cystine Biohybrid-Embedded Nanofiber Aerogels Show Antibacterial and Angiogenic Properties”, was co-authored by DeCoster at Louisiana Tech, and other collaborators from Spain, Harvard University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and the Terasaki Institute in California.
Louisiana Tech Athletics announced a pair of ticket promotions for the Louisiana Tech-Sam Houston basketball game set to take place on Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m. CT inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Pre-sale tickets are on sale now for $5 which guarantees the best available seat(s). Those can be purchased at LATechSports.com/PackTheTAC or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631. You can also be one of the first 1,000 fans at the TAC, receiving a free ticket courtesy of Origin Bank (the $5 tickets will still be available if the 1,000 free tickets are gone).
The matchup, which will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network, pits the top two teams in Conference USA against one another as the Bulldogs and Bearkats enter the contest tied for first in the league standings.
To accommodate an expected large crowd, doors will open to the TAC starting at 6:30 p.m.
A man wanted on eight arrest warrants was taken into custody by a member of the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team Wednesday.
Steven Ray Jones, 48, of Ruston, was spotted by a LPNET officer traveling on East Georgia Avenue in Ruston about 11 a.m. last Wednesday morning. The officer knew Jones was wanted on warrants from LPNET, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Ruston Police.
Jones was stopped and arrested on the eight warrants, including four on drug charges. The offenses include:
–possession of marijuana
–possession of methamphetamine
–possession of drug paraphernalia
–possession of controlled substances in a drug-free zone
–battery of a dating partner
–simple criminal damage to property
–two warrants for failure to appear in Ruston City Court
Bail was set at $29,500 except for the battery of a dating partner charge which 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.
March is busy blowing in like a lion. As usual, the wind has been showing out since at least mid-February, and if you’re like me, you’ll soon be ready for the exiting-like-a-lamb stage.
But we can learn things from this phenomenon of nature.
As the March gusts sweep through the land, heralding the transition from winter to spring, they bring with them a powerful reminder of life’s unpredictable temperament. The wind, with its invisible force, can be both invigorating and unsettling.
Indeed, our journey through life is often akin to navigating the blustery winds of uncertainty and trials. It’s in these moments that we turn to our spiritual compass, trusting that a higher power will guide us through the storms.
Multiple biblical narratives provide solace with stories that reveal the tumultuous nature of our time here on Earth.
In the gospels of Matthew and Mark, there’s the poignant account of Jesus’ calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, terrified by the raging tempest, awoke Jesus from His slumber. With a simple command, “Peace, be still,” Jesus subdued the roaring waves and restored tranquility. This story is a timeless metaphor for the storms in our lives – a reminder that divine intervention can bring serenity even in the most turbulent circumstances.
Similarly, the Apostle Paul’s harrowing experience at sea, as described in the book of Acts, serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith. In a ship battered by ferocious wind and waves, Paul clung to hope while his companions lost theirs. In the darkest hour, an angel appeared to Paul, assuring him of their safety and survival.
Paul then encouraged his fellow shipmates, saying, “Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (Acts 27:25). This narrative echoes the assurance that, even in the midst of life’s tumults, a heavenly plan is unfolding that will steer us to safety.
Then there’s the tale of Jonah, swallowed by a great fish after attempting to escape divine instructions. This is poignant reminder of the consequences of resisting God’s guidance. The storm that preceded Jonah’s aquatic adventure highlights the chaos that may ensue when we stray from our spiritual path. Yet, even in the belly of the fish, Jonah found redemption and a second chance – a testament to the ever-present opportunity for renewal and transformation.
Life’s storms are inevitable. They come in various forms, challenging our resilience and testing our faith. However, the promise of divine direction is our anchor in these turbulent winds and waters. It’s a reassurance that, like a skilled captain at the helm, God navigates us through the tumult, ensuring we emerge stronger on the other side. He does not promise us a smooth and easy journey, but he promises to be with us and lead us through the whirlwinds we encounter.
Consider the kite, soaring high in the sky. A kite needs the wind to ascend, just as we need the challenges in life to rise above our circumstances. The string that holds the kite can be likened to the godly connection that keeps us grounded. The gales of adversity may pull at us, but the kite, even with tugging, if it remains attached to the string, will suffer no ills. In fact, it becomes a thing of beauty to behold.
So, as we face the March winds and the storms that life may bring, let us hold onto the assurance that divine guidance is our constant companion. Like a kite dancing in the air, we can find beauty and purpose in the journey, confident that the storms are not the end, but a passage to a brighter, more resilient version of ourselves.
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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.
Ruston High had 13 students place at the North Louisiana High School Rally this weekend with nine students placing first in their respective divisions.
“We are so proud of our rally participants,” Ruston High principal Dan Gressett said. “We understand that there’s a lot of other activities going on and for them to give up a Saturday to compete for Ruston High means a lot. They represented their school well and brought home several awards. We have high standards and our kids were prepared and showed that. Again, we couldn’t be more proud of those students.”
The complete list is below:
ADVANCED MATH-PRE CALCULUS Raymond Granger, First
BUSINESS COMPUTER APPLICATIONS Kimberly Gardner, First
CIVICS Benjamin Wages, First
COMPUTER SCIENCE I Gavin McCown, First
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Caedmon Baines, First
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE Olivia Hamby, First
GEOMETRY Ethan Robinson, First
INTRO. TO BUS. COMPUTER APPLICATION Jacob Wobisch, First
Ruston High (2-7) picked up a 4-3 win over Benton High School on Tuesday before losing four in last week’s non-district matchups in the Trey Altick Tournament at home over the weekend.
“We played some really good pitching,” Ruston High head coach Zack Smith said. “Benton’s got some good arms. I thought we handled ourselves fairly well against them. But we needed some good arms. We got Peyton Beck to come in and close it out. Which was a big win for us.”
The Bearcats, however, would not get a win over the weekend tournament.
“There are no excuses,” Smith said. “We just didn’t play well. We didn’t pitch well. We didn’t play good defense. We didn’t hit well. So there aren’t going to be excuses for us. We’ve got to get better and we got to find some guys in there to produce for us. It might take us another week here in the East Ascension Tournament to figure out those roles. We’re trying to be patient and, hopefully, find some guys and produce for us.”
Below are some highlights from last week.
Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Ruston 4, Benton 3 Ruston would get the lead it needed in the top of the fifth when junior Peyton Martin scored on a passed ball. Junior Talan Billberry would start for Ruston and struck out two batters. Beck came in to pitch the final two innings and struck out five batters.
Thursday, Feb. 29 – Central 9, Ruston 2 Central would get the win after scoring in every inning except for the first. Ruston’s two runs came in the bottom of the second on a pair of walks.
Friday, March 1 – St. Charles Catholic 6, Ruston 5 Despite a furious rally, in the sixth and seventh innings, Ruston would not be able to overcome a five-run top of the fourth from St. Charles Catholic. Ruston scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh and fell by one run. Sophomore Jackson Lee would finished with two hits and two runs batted in.
Saturday, March 2 – Brusly 11, Ruston 2 Ruston would get two runs in the bottom of the third courtesy of junior Jake Simmons homering to right field, scoring senior Jacoryian Crowe.
Saturday, March 2 – Captain Shreve 7, Ruston 3 Captain Shreve would get out to a 6-0 lead after the first three innings and added a seventh run in the top of the seventh. Ruston would score three in the bottom of the seventh, but it would not be enough. Simmons would notch a triple in the inning to score Crowe.
In last week’s matchups, Ruston High’s softball squad (9-6) finished 2-2 over the week, with a separate game being delayed after the ‘Cats took a large lead in the second inning.
“We saw a lot of competition early on, and I’m proud with how my girls have pushed through this hectic schedule,” Ruston High head coach Lauren Garvie said. “We go into district this week, and of course we still have things to tweak– but I’m proud of our bats and what they have achieved.
“(Senior) Cala Wilson and (sophomore) Sage Tolar have both pitched a lot of innings and been strong for us at the plate. We’ve seen growth with a lot of our girls at the plate including senior Murphy DeMoss so I’m proud of what we’ve done so far, but we still have a lot of season left.”
Some of the weeks highlights are below.
Monday, Feb. 26 – Quitman 14, Ruston 0 Quitman would score five runs in both the fourth and seventh innings after scoring three in the first three innings. The Lady Bearcats struggled at the plate. Wilson would strike out three batters on the day.
Thursday, Feb. 29 – Ruston 9, D’Arbonne Woods 0 (PPD – date yet to be determined) Ruston High put nine runs on the scoreboard through the first two innings before Mother Nature forced the game to be postponed. DeMoss would have two of Ruston’s six hits through the first two innings. Senior Shelby Freeman would get two runs batted in with her hit.
Friday, March 1 – Calvary 18, Ruston 1 Calvary Baptist would beat Ruston after four innings. Wilson would homer in the bottom of the third on a solo home run to left field.
Saturday, March 2 – Ruston 6, Simsboro 5 Ruston would get a walk-off win in extra innings when freshman Gracelyn Underwood singled on a hard ground ball to second to score junior Riley Atwood, giving the Lady Bearcats the 6-5 victory. Wilson would get three hits in three at-bats including a solo homer in the bottom of the first.
Saturday, March 2 – Ruston 9, Parkway 6 DeMoss would hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning with a line drive to center field to give Ruston the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freeman would add an insurance run on a hit to the left fielder that scored Underwood.
Ruston will start district play tonight against Alexandria Senior High at home.
Cedar Creek defeated Riverside Academy 8-4 in their final game of the Trey Altick Tournament Saturday after falling to Springfield (3-2) and Catholic Pointe Coupee (7-6) the previous two days.
“I thought we fought hard in all three games played in the tournament and we continue to show improvement each time we touch the field,” said head coach Chad Yates. “The dugout energy was awesome, and each guy was trying to find a way to help his team win baseball games.”
Cedar Creek 8, Riverside 4 (Saturday)
The Cougars (5-4) overcame four errors by plating five runs over their final two at bats to defeat Riverside Academy 8-4.
Blake Wade (2-3, 3 runs), Trent Franklin (1-2, 2 RBI), Brett Bell (2-4, RBI), Jackson Mock (2-2, RBI) led the Cougars at the plate during the win.
After Creek scored two runs in the first, including an RBI single by Bell, Riverside Academy tied the game at 2-2 with two in the top of the third inning. However, Creek answered in the bottom half of the inning on a two-out RBI single by Mock to give the Cougars a 3-2 advantage.
Starting pitcher Max Brister kept Riverside Academy off the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings as he worked 5.1 innings while allowing just three runs — one earned — on five hits and no walks with one strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth, Wade singled and Franklin walked and with two outs, a wild pitch and then a throwing error allowed both runners to score to make it 5-2 Cougars.
After Riverside plated a run in the top of the sixth, Cedar Creek responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Noah Durrett tripled and eventually scored without the benefit of a hit. Franklin then doubled later in the frame to plate two more runs to give Creek an 8-3 advantage.
Bell pitched the final 1.1 innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit.
Catholic Pointe Coupee 7, Cedar Creek 6
Catholic Pointe Coupee scored four runs in the first two innings and added three more in the sixth to pick up the win over the Cougars.
Cedar Creek committed five errors in the game, leading to five unearned runs.
Kade Luker (1-2, 2 runs), Blake Wade (1-3, RBI), Ladd Thompson (1-2, run, 2 RBI), Brett Bell (1-3, run) and Max Brister (1-1, run, RBI) led the Cougars offensively.
Jackson Mock got the start on the mound and worked 1.2 innings, allowing four runs — two earned — on four hits and three walks.
JB Robinson came on in relief and worked 4.0 innings, allowing three unearned runs on just one hit and no walks while striking out two. Hayden Durrett tossed 1.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with two strikeouts.
After falling behind 4-1 after two innings, the Cougars came back to tie the game at 4-4 through five innings before Catholic – PC plated three runs in the top of the sixth.
Springfield 3, Cedar Creek 2
The Cougars led 2-0 after five innings, but Springfield scored one in the sixth and two more in the seventh to record the come-from-behind victory.
Blake Wade (1-3, run, RBI), Ladd Thompson (1-2, RBI), Jackson Mock (1-3) recorded the only three hits of the game for the Cougars. Cedar Creek drew seven walks in the game.
Kade Luker and Max Brister were stellar on the mound, allowing just two hits and zero earned runs in the game. Luker struck out 10 batters in 5.0 innings of action without allowing a hit, while Brister worked the final 2.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on two hits.
The Cougars travel to face Loyola (Shreveport) today with the JV playing at 4 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m.
Louisiana Tech Athletics is strengthening its NIL programming for its student-athletes with the launch of the LA Tech Exchange in a partnership with industry leader INFLCR.
The LA Tech Exchange will serve as a platform for businesses, donors, alumni, and any other interested parties wishing to connect with Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes as it relates to their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
“We are excited to partner with Louisiana Tech to launch a fee-free NIL marketplace,” said INFLCR General Manager Sean Kelly. “The launch of the LA Tech Exchange will unlock new opportunities for their student-athletes, allowing them to monetize their brand and pursue NIL deals at a larger scale.”
Through the LA Tech Exchange, registered businesses can search, filter and initiate conversations with student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and your student-athlete is completed, the business will use the LA Tech Exchange to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete and automate a disclosure to the INFLCR Verified Compliance Ledger.
INFLCR is one of the national leaders in athlete brand building, working with more than 250 collegiate and professional sports organizations.
This new partnership comes just about a month after the launch of Bulldog Community Outreach, Inc., an NIL collective setup to provide support for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes through various NIL initiatives.
Other NIL resources made available to LA Tech student-athletes include an NIL licensed merchandise program and group licensing opportunities through The Brandr Group.
About INFLCR INFLCR, available on Teamworks’ Operating System for Sports, is the leading athlete brand-building and NIL business management app for over 270 elite collegiate and professional sports organizations. The INFLCR athlete app educates student-athletes, coaches, and staff for the NIL era in a safe and compliant environment, all powered by best-in-class content delivery for student-athletes to access and share content to their social media channels. The INFLCR platform also includes the impactful INFLCR Exchange. Schools can direct businesses, collectives, and fans seeking to find, communicate with, pay, and report NIL transactions with student-athletes in this school-customized NIL exchange. The INFLCR Local Exchange maximizes the student-athlete wallet share while streamlining compliance and tax reporting responsibilities. To learn more about the INFLCR Local Exchange, please visit teamworks.com/inflcr.
Louisiana Tech’s Cole McConnell was named the Conference USA Hitter of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday.
McConnell will lead the undefeated Bulldogs (11-0) into a two-game midweek series against Xavier, starting tonight with a 6 p.m. first pitch. The two programs will also play Wednesday at 6 p.m.
McConnell went 8-for-17 at the plate in Tech’s four games this past week while recording eight RBI. He went 3-for-4 against McNeese State in a 13-4 win with two RBI and two doubles. The Texas native picked hit his third home run of the season in a 4-0 victory against Army Friday.
The senior outfielder was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI in the 12-0 win over Creighton and then registered a two-run single in the Bulldogs 8-5 win over Air Force on Sunday.
He has recorded at least one RB and one run scored I in six of his seven games, and currently has a seven game hitting streak.
McConnell becomes only the 16th Bulldog in program history to earn this weekly award.
Grambling State’s Mason Martinez was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Co-Pitcher of the Week by the conference on Monday afternoon.
Martinez, a senior from Amarillo, Texas, had a sensational outing for the Tigers over the weekend, guiding GSU to a 3-2 win over Florida A&M in the Ralph Garr-Bill Lucas HBCU Classic.
Martinez fanned four batters over the seven innings of work. He allowed just two runs on five hits to earn his second win of the season.
Louisiana Tech’s tennis team won a pair of Conference USA road matches before falling in a non-conference match in California Monday.
Head coach Amy Sargeant’s Bulldogs defeated New Mexico State 4-3 on Friday and then blanked UTEP 4-0 on Saturday. Tech then fell 4-2 to Cal State – Northridge Monday.
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Tech 4, New Mexico State 3 (Friday)
Louisiana Tech picked up four singles wins, including a three-setter in the clinching match, to help defeat New Mexico State, 4-3, on Friday afternoon at the NM State Tennis Center.
LA Tech’s (9-4, 1-0 CUSA) first conference win of the season was secured thanks to Olga Bienzobas continuing her winning streak combined with the bottom of the lineup producing victories.
Louisiana Tech won its third road match in seven days, shutting out UTEP by a final score of 4-0 on Saturday at the El Paso Tennis Club.
While the previous two road victories this week went down to the final match on court, LA Tech (10-4, 2-0 CUSA) made quick work of UTEP (2-9, 0-1 CUSA) to reach double-digit wins while also sweeping the two league matches.
“Today, we stepped up and competed like winners,” said Sargeant. “Playing back-to-back requires mental and physical persistence and that is exactly how we approached the day. Winning a convincing doubles point provided us with confidence going into singles. Every court stepped up playing fearless, competitive tennis.”
Louisiana Tech had its four-match winning streak snapped on Monday, falling 4-2 to CSUN in a hard-fought battle at the Matador Tennis Complex.
LA Tech (10-5) fell behind early as CSUN (5-1), who came into the match undefeated in doubles, snatched the opening point with wins on courts one and two.
Funeral services for Mrs. Judy Barmore, age 78 of Mineral Springs, are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Dubach, LA with Rev. Greg Tipton officiating. Burial will follow in the Mineral Springs Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Judy was born January 6, 1946 in Bernice, LA to Manon and Joyce Lee. She passed away peacefully from this life into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on February 29, 2024. Judy worked as an LPN at Green Clinic for many years. She was not just a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she was the backbone of her family. Judy enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and brother. She also enjoyed reading her Bible, hunting, fishing, and working in her yard or garden. At any given time, you may could catch her and Bud sitting on the front porch drinking coffee and watching the squirrels. Judy was an active member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church. Over the years, she led and sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. Judy is preceded in death by her parents: Manon Dodge Lee and Joyce Horton Lee; sister, Myrtle Watson; brother, Ralph Lee; son, Cliff Barmore.
Judy is survived by her husband of 60 years, William “Bud” Lucius Barmore; daughter, Kayla Martin; grandson, Chance Martin; granddaughter, Keely Barmore; and brother Royce Lee and wife Kay; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relations.
Serving as pallbearers are Ricky Barmore, Wes Barmore, Scott Fordham, Jim McCallum, Phillip Billberry and Jimmy Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be Max Otwell, Blu Billberry, Don Robins, Fred Barmore, Kevin Duke, and Shorty Shaw.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 4, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Dubach, LA.
Louisiana Tech University conferred 358 degrees during the Winter 2024 Commencement ceremony, expanding the Tech Family to 113,816 strong on a picture-perfect and pleasant Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Returning to the latest of many ceremonies he attended over the years but his first as president emeritus was Dr. Les Guice, a ’76 and ’78 graduate of Louisiana Tech and the University’s 14th president who retired at the end of 2023.
In the opening of his commencement address, Guice was quick to point out that while he had originally planned to offer his advice to the graduates on themes like responding to challenges and overcoming adversity, the students in attendance had experienced much of that already through campus-wide hardships like the April 2019 tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, Guice chose to commend the graduates for their successes in the face of those challenges.
“You’ll achieve much in your life, and you’ll look fondly back at your time at Tech as the most transformative time,” Guice said. “I’m highly confident that you’ll make a difference in our world and have life-changing impacts on many others.”
The ceremony was also the first as Louisiana Tech president for Dr. Jim Henderson, who stressed to the Thomas Assembly Center crowd that inviting Guice to deliver the commencement address was an easy decision.
“When I think of the words ‘Ever Loyal Be,’ the first person that comes to mind is a person who has given 45 years of his life to this institution,” Henderson said of Guice during the ceremony. “And when I think of leaders of character, the first person I think of is that same man.”
Also during the ceremony, Justin and Jeanette Hinckley were recognized with the University’s highest honor, the Tower Medallion. The Tower Medallion signifies membership in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and is awarded to Tech alumni who have made a difference with their exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.
The pair graduated from Tech in 1978. Justin, a graduate in Computer Science, was named Tech’s Alumnus of the Year in 2010. Wife Jeanette Jarrell Hinckley, an English education graduate, was the University’s Distinguished Alumna for the College of Education in 2016.
Ruston mayor Ronny Walker said the old federal building in downtown Ruston across from Utility Brewing Company on North Vienna Street is being sold to Oliver Road Investments, LLC.
“There is a company that is going to come in and totally restore the building, hopefully to its original grandeur,” said Walker, who said the City of Ruston bought it from the federal government seven years ago. “That’s the plan. Things could change but that is the plan.”
The structure was built in the early 1900s and served as a post office for the vast majority of its existence. However, it has been unoccupied for a number of years according to Walker.
He said the building was renovated in 1984 and most recently was used by LSU Extension, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, and the City of Ruston.
“All of that ended about seven or eight years ago,” said Walker.
According to Walker once the renovations are complete the building will house a new restaurant.
“I can’t tell you what the name of the restaurant is, but it is something that everyone in Ruston will like,” said Walker.
Walker said the building currently appraises for around $230,000.
“It’s really in bad shape,” said Walker. “But this will take one of the iconic buildings in downtown Ruston and restore it by to its grandeur. It takes an empty building and opens it back up for commerce. This will be an incredible new venture in downtown Ruston. It is going to be a landmark.”
Walker said the sale of the building will be introduced at tonight’s City Council meeting and will be voted on at next month’s City Council meeting.
“They want to start as soon as possible, but I’m sure it will take a year and a half, maybe two years,” said Walker.
The local Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana poured the foundations for two of the 17 homes in the new neighborhood last week which is located at the corner of Jones and Union Avenues.
With all the volunteer help it will take approximately six months to build, weather permitting. The homeowners have been selected through an extensive application process and soon their dream of homeownership will become a reality,
“God has granted us tremendous blessings in order for us to arrive at this point,” said CEO Kathy Gardner. “We are very grateful for all the sponsorships of the Codaro Family, Temple Baptist Church, the Hunt Family, the City of Ruston, Weyerhaeuser, Origin Bank, First Horizon Bank, Cadence Bank, Lamar Construction, Danny Lord Plumbing, Coburns, Pearce Lumber, and Freeman Lumber as well as so many others and the hundreds of donations that allowed us to get to this point.
“This is a very exciting day marking the beginning of building these homes and creating a neighborhood that our city and homeowners will be proud of. I love Habitat’s model of building homes for those in need of safe affordable housing as well as training homeowners in financial planning and home maintenance.
“The families chosen will work alongside the many volunteers in building the home. They are required by Habitat to work for 250 hours in the building process. We are truly looking forward to building these homes with them right beside us. We are doing God’s mission of loving others and supporting those in need and that is the best part.”
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in Southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a motorist on Interstate 20 after he allegedly displayed a pistol to another driver.
Jacob Kennon Harvill, 22, of Plain Dealing, was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm about 11:30 a.m. last Monday morning.
Deputies were dispatched to I-20 regarding a report an eastbound driver in a Dodge pickup, later identified as Harvill, waving a semi-automatic pistol at the driver of a box truck.
Harvill reportedly told deputies the driver of a box truck cut him off around mile marker 69 in Bienville Parish. Harvill said he began to argue with the other driver while inside his vehicle. He admitted he had a firearm.
Deputies recovered a pistol beside the driver’s seat. The driver of the box truck confirmed to deputies that Harvill was the one who brandished the pistol at him.
Harvill was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
