A Simsboro man was arrested Thursday after a quantity of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, was found in his vehicle.
Officers of the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team were conducting surveillance at Ken’s Mini Mart when they saw an apparent drug transaction in the parking lot. The officers approached a vehicle driven by Michael Lorenz, 26. Lorez admitted there were “carts” in the vehicle. The officers knew “carts” was a slang term for THC cartridges.
In a search of the vehicle, approximately 572 grams of THC cartridges and THC products were discovered.
Lorenz was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. His bail was set at $50,000.
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.
The following is a Q&A with Geaux Macros founders Jana Beck and Emery Wilkerson.
1) How did GeauxMacros get started?
After months of helping friends and family with tips and guidance on counting macros, we officially launched Geaux Macros in January of 2019. Everyone is eating macros whether they realize it or not. We teach our clients how to ensure a proper balance of each macronutrient to reach their goals, whether that is to lose weight, maintain, or gain muscle mass.
2) What makes this type of lifestyle change so successful for weight loss?
Who wouldn’t want to eat food that you like and lose/maintain weight?! With macros, nothing is off limits. No food group, no specific food. If you want to eat something, it’s entirely possible to enjoy it & still reach your goals. Being able to enjoy food that you actually like allows you to stay on track and step off of the roller coaster that is typical of a diet. Counting macros is not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s simply making sure that you are eating the correct balance of protein, fat and carbs.
3) Why did you and Jana start this? What did you do before GM?
Geaux Macros began with a huge desire to share the world of counting macros with other people! It’s such a great way to eat and a sustainable lifestyle, we wonder why everyone doesn’t do it! While people are looking for a magic pill, we feel like we have the magic answer to weight loss and maintenance!
Over the years, Jana has been involved in coaching fitness classes and personal training. She found that her clients were also looking for nutrition guidance to go along with their fitness goals.
Emery discovered counting macros and had great success. She found herself being asked repeatedly how she lost weight and was often sharing about macros and how it worked. In the fall of 2018, we began discussing ideas and by January 2019, we were taking clients.
We are both certified nutrition coaches and Jana is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Doctor of Chiropractic.
4) How can people join?
Please visit our website http://www.geauxmacros.com for information and to sign up for macro coaching. We would love to have you!
Visit Geaux Macros here to begin your journey to better eating and a more healthy lifestyle.
In Washington, D.C., Helen Taft, wife of President William Taft, and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, plant two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River, near the Jefferson Memorial. The event commemorated a gift, by the Japanese government, of some 3,020 cherry trees to the U.S. government.
The planting of Japanese cherry trees along the Potomac was first proposed by socialite Eliza Scidmore, who raised money for the endeavor. Helen Taft had lived in Japan while her husband was president of the Philippine Commission, and knowing the beauty of cherry blossoms she embraced Scidmore’s idea. After learning of the first lady’s interest, the Japanese consul in New York suggested making a gift of the trees to the U.S. government from the city of Tokyo.
In January 1910, 2,000 Japanese cherry trees arrived in Washington from Japan but had fallen prey to disease during the journey. In response, a private Japanese citizen donated the funds to transport a new batch of trees, and 3,020 specimens were taken from the famous collection on the bank of the Arakawa River in Adachi Ward, a suburb of Tokyo. In March 1912, the trees arrived in Washington, and on March 27 the first two trees were planted along the Potomac River’s Tidal Basin in a formal ceremony. The rest of the trees were then planted along the basin, in East Potomac Park, and on the White House grounds.
The blossoming trees proved immediately popular with visitors to Washington’s Mall area, and in 1934 city commissioners sponsored a three-day celebration of the late March blossoming of the trees, which grew into the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. After World War II, cuttings from Washington’s cherry trees were sent back to Japan to restore the Tokyo collection that was decimated by American bombing attacks during the war.
For today, a step away from sports and a step into Easter for a look at a trio who witnessed that first Easter weekend …
Simon of Cyrene could not have known when he woke up that first Good Friday that his life would, in mid-morning, change forever. After all, he was just passing through. By divine circumstance, his path crossed the path of the beaten and bleeding Savior.
A scared and timid step forward, a shove, and Simon was in an unwanted spotlight, “compelled” by a soldier’s whip and order into a moment that would capture his life in God’s Word for eternity.
But it would also capture his heart.
He was told to help carry the condemned man’s cross.
Few people run toward the cross. Most of us have to be compelled by the soldier of misfortune, suffering, disease, and any of a thousand pains and problems. Even then, we pick it up kicking and screaming.
But what if we could be like Simon. Surely . . . after looking into Jesus’ eyes that day, after seeing up close his shredded back, His crown of thorns, surely . . . Simon knew that, in comparison, the yoke was easy. Jesus always does the hard part.
How could Simon look at that and not be changed forever?
That Friday evening, while Simon and so many others tried to process the events of the day, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in strips of linen “in accordance with Jewish burial customs,” John writes in his gospel record. They did it secretly for fear of the Jewish leaders. But, with Pilate’s permission, they did it.
These two Jews — well, Pilate too — knew there was something about Jesus. Something…
As tombs go, the new one where they placed the body of Jesus after the crucifixion wasn’t used for very long.
On the third day, a day we celebrate as Easter, Jesus rose, by the power of God.
That’s the kind of power that’s available to us. Wonder-working power, is how the old hymn puts it.
Our actions say so much about the human condition when we consider how we fret over things that God wishes we wouldn’t. We have his power available to us, and we so often ignore it.
The tomb, the scriptures say, was close to Golgotha, a Latin word meaning “the skull.” But in the shadow of death there on that hill was eternal life. On Easter, God raised his son.
An empty tomb represents what God accomplished in the fullness of time. The empty tomb represents what God offers through his son: grace and life, protection, provision, and peace.
In the emptiness is a fullness only God can offer, grant, and sustain. Forever.
Joseph and Nicodemus must have been among the first to have heard the news of the empty tomb. More than curiosity must have pulled them to the place where they’d placed the dead man. But they’d found only linens. No body. “We knew,” they must have thought, “that something was different.” They just didn’t know how different.
A whole new way of dying. And a whole new way of living.
Then in the days and weeks after, as news of the Resurrection spread and reached Simon, I imagine his horror of that day turned into an overwhelming feeling of honor. I imagine him on his knees and, through tears, gazing toward Heaven, arms extended, awed, overcome. I imagine his arms around his sons, his grateful whisper in their ears: “I walked with that Man . . ..”
Two men were arrested Thursday afternoon after an altercation in the McCall Dining Hall on the Grambling State University campus.
GSU Police determined a verbal confrontation occurred inside the dining hall followed by a fight on Robinson Street on campus. In viewing surveillance video, police determined that Zion O. Porter, 21, of Ruston damaged a smartphone by stepping on it repeatedly during the fight.
Tyler Caldwell, 23, of Mansfield, Texas said he walked up to the other man in the confrontation and asked him what was the issue. Caldwell said the other man swung and hit him on the chin. Caldwell said he started fighting back to defend himself. A record check showed Caldwell was wanted by the Dallas County, Texas Sheriff’s Department.
Caldwell was arrested for the Dallas County warrant and disturbing the peace by fighting. The nature of the Texas charge was not available. Porter was booked for disturbing the peace by fighting and simple criminal damage to property.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Forward-facing sonar is how 95% of today’s tournaments are won! The young Japanese anglers, as well as the younger American anglers, have already taken this new technology to a level never seen before. Recent professional Elite Series tournaments on Toledo Bend and Lake Fork saw the top 10 anglers advancing to the final round by using forward-facing sonar. In a matter of minutes, anglers were able to locate bass and catch them with precision casting in real time. Today we’re going to ask a few questions about where this new way of fishing is headed and what it means for the professional angler.
I’ve always heard that tournament bass fishing is a young man’s sport, but now that I’ve reached that older angler status, I’m wanting to prove that quote is simply a myth. If you’re wondering if the game has changed, let me go ahead and confirm one thing….it has! The legends of the sport, guys that have set the bar for what we know as the Bassmaster’s, are struggling to make not just top 10’s but top 20 finishes as well. No longer are anglers required to have years of experience to compete against the best anglers in the world. All they need is forward-facing sonar and the patience to chase bass in open water.
What does this mean for the older generation of anglers who have spent years and decades developing their bass fishing skills? Why is their style of fishing no longer good enough to win or, in some cases, even get a check? From this angler’s perspective, it’s a case of young anglers understanding how to use the new technology better than the older generation of touring pros. They have adapted and mastered forward-facing sonar at lightning speed while the older anglers have been a lot slower about jumping on board this new way of fishing. It’s kind of like trying to teach an old dog a new trick; there’s always going to be a little bit of resistance.
Will this force many of the older anglers to consider retiring way before they originally planned? Or will this new way of catching bass be like so many other new techniques that over time tends to fade away? One thing about today’s bass fisheries, they are getting a lot more pressure than they did 20 years ago. Bass are becoming educated more quickly due to this fishing pressure. Therefore, new techniques in the last five years don’t seem to last as long as they used to.
After two Elite Serie events, I looked at the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings and was totally surprised. What got my attention and was shocking for me to see was that legendary anglers who have had major success were sitting in the bottom 50 of the AOY. There were anglers such as Michael Iaconelli, Scott Martin, Greg Hackney, Rick Clunn, and Gerald Swindle to name a few. This is new uncomfortable territory for this caliber of professional anglers. These are guys who have won Bassmaster Classics, Angler of the Year titles and numerous Elite Series championship events.
As this controversy continues over forward-facing sonar, older anglers will be forced to either get better with it or decide if they no longer want to fish for a living. Or maybe they just ride out this new wave of bass fishing and try to hang on until the next technological advancement comes along. But 2024 has been a very frustrating year so far for so many of the older anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series as the young guns have made their mark.
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and make sure to check out Tackle Talk Live podcast, as well as the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show on You Tube.
A pair of Choudrant Aggies and one Simsboro Tiger earned Louisiana Class B all-state honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association today.
Choudrant senior Michael Jones was named second team all-state while Simsboro’s Itavus Brown was named honorable mention on the boys side. Choudrant’s Reese Brown earned honorable all-state accolades on the girls side.
Jones, the District 2B Most Valuable Player and a member of the all-Lincoln Parish Journal 8-man team, led the Aggies to the second round of the Non-Select School Division V playoffs this year. He averaged 25.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Itavus Brown, who also earned all-LPJ honors as well as all-District 2B accolades, earned his honorable mention all-state honors after leading Simsboro to the second round of the Non-Select School Division V playoffs. He averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 steals and 2.5 assists per game.
Reese Brown, the District 2B MVP and a member of the all-LPJ girls team, was named all-state honorable mention on the girls side. She led the Aggies to the District 2B title and a berth in the Non-Select School Division V playoffs after averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game.
Avoyelles Charter junior Jalen Brown and Hicks senior Reese Stephens were selected as the Outstanding Player award winners as selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.
Negreet’s Gary Henry (boys) and Ross Rix of J.S. Clark (girls) grabbed Coach of the Year honors.
BOYS – First team
Jalen Brown Avoyelles Charter 5-8 Jr. 21.0
Preston Sanders Zwolle 6-2 Jr. 23.0
Le’Damien George J.S. Clark 6-3 So. 18.0
Dustin Welch Anacoco 6-4 Sr. 20.4
Johnathan Holmes Negreet 6-4 Sr. 22.3
BOYS – Second team
Kane Broussard Lacassine 6-4 Jr. 20.0
Michael Jones Choudrant 6-1 Sr. 25.4
Armonii Benjamin Avoyelles Charter 6-1 So. 16.3
Hayden Doyle Hicks 6-2 Sr. 15.6
DeMarion McClendon Doyline 5-9 Jr. 15.3
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: JALEN BROWN, AVOYELLES CHARTER
COACH OF THE YEAR: GARY HENRY, NEGREET
Honorable mention: Howard Ethridge, Zwolle; Jacob Vilar, Episcopal of Acadiana; Itavus Brown, Simsboro; Logan Ponder, Quitman; Christopher Newton, Rapides; Dalton Miller, Holden; Kayden Bourque, Midland.
Jorge Corona and Cole McConnell combined for five RBI to lead Louisiana Tech to its fifth straight win as the Bulldogs defeated ULM 8-4 Tuesday night at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
Tech (21-6) used a six-run second inning to build an 8-0 lead and after surrendering four runs in the third, five Bulldog relievers worked 6.1 scoreless innings to seal the win.
“Wins are precious and hard to come by,” said Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. “When you have a chance to get it, you go for it. We were asking for one inning from all of our relievers. We beat a good team.”
Corona and Adarius Myers each recorded RBI singles in the first inning to give the Bulldogs the early 2-0 lead. Tech then erupted for six runs in the second.
McConnell, Corona and Michael Ballard each recorded two-run hits in the frame in extending the advantage to 8-0.
“We came out like we did this past weekend, scoring eight right out of the gates,” said Burroughs. “I thought we were swinging the bat really good. I thought Jorge had a good day hitting in the three-spot in place of Dalton Davis. That is five in a row, played good defense, very proud of our guys.”
After ULM scored four runs off a pair of third inning home runs, it was the Tech hurlers that quieted the Warhawks bats the rest of the way.
Jacob Havern (2.1 IP), Caden Copeland (1.0), Grant Hubka (1.0), Sam Brodersen (1.0) and Ethan Bates (1.0) combined to allow just two hits while striking out six the rest of the way. Havern picked up the win in relief.
McConnell (3-5, 2 RBI), Myers (3-5, 1 RBI), and Corona (2-4, 3 RBI) led the way offensively for the Bulldogs.
Tech travels to Miami to play a three-game Conference USA series against FIU starting Thursday.
Nicole Hammoude’s first inning grand slam led Tech to an 8-0 win over Grambling State. (Photo Darrell James)
Staff Reports
For the second straight game, Louisiana Tech shortstop Nicole Hammoude hit a tape-measure home run — this time a first inning grand slam — to lift the Bulldogs to an 8-0 run-rule victory over Grambling State Tuesday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Hammoude’s bases-loaded, two-out, full-count swing sent the offering by GSU starter Sherrell Matthews deep over the left centerfield wall for a 4-0 lead.
Tech would add another run in the first, one in the second and two in the fourth to record its first run-rule win of the year.
Freshman Mattison Buster and junior Alyssa Martin combined for a one-hit shutout, allowing just a first inning single as the only base runner of the game for the Tigers. Buster worked 2.0 scoreless frames in the start while Martin retired all nine batters she faced in order over the final 3.0 innings of action.
“We took care of business,” said Tech head coach Josh Taylor. “Hammoude with the grand slam in the first inning created some separation which allowed us to do a lot of different things. We got to see Mattison Buster start the game and had a good outing. Alyssa Martin did a really good job of keeping them off-balanced and putting zeros on the board.
“We were efficient with our pitch count and at-bats. We took our walks when we needed them to create the big inning. I was happy with tonight. We took care of business and we have a long road trip in front of us with Liberty this weekend and we are on to that now,”
Tech (23-6) improved to 23-0 all-time against GSU, including 13 shutout victories.
Following Hammoude’s grand slam in the first, Kylie Neel doubled and then scored on Ella Rose Wright’s RBI single to left centerfield.
The Bulldogs added a run in the second on an RBI ground out by Alexis Gilio scoring Alannah Rogers, who had doubled to lead off the frame.
Sophomore Paris Endris plated the finally two runs on a 2-run single to centerfield in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Tech travels to face Liberty in a three-game Conference USA series starting Thursday in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Cornelius Ragan “Dickie” Thompson, Jr. May 5, 1929 – March 20, 2024 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Thursday, March 28, 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Thursday, March 28, 2024, 2:00 pm
Eliud Pabon Sunday 07/05/1959 — Saturday 03/16/2024 Visitation: Saturday 03/30/2024 10:00am to 11:00am, Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, 210 Mount Harmony Church Rd, Ruston Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/30/2024 11:00am, Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, 210 Mount Harmony Church Rd, Ruston
Jackie Hatten August 8, 1943 – March 24, 2024 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 10:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 11:00 am Cemetery: Zoar Cemetery, Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Lois Hudson Foxworth November 17, 1932 – March 22, 2024 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, March 29, 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, March 29, 2024, 1:00 pm Cemetery: Providence Baptist Cemetery in Keithville, LA, Friday, March 29, 2024
David Lynn Thomas, Sr. January 3, 1959 – March 23, 2024 Visitation: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 3:30 PM, St. Rest Cemetery, 13015 LA-146, Dubach
Charles Wessels March 30, 1934 – March 23, 2024 Visitation: Saturday, April 6, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 North Trenton Street, Ruston Funeral Service: Saturday, April 6, 2024, 11:00 AM, Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 North Trenton Street , Ruston Cemetery Committal: Saturday, April 6, 2024, 12:00 PM, Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens , 1270 HWY 544, Ruston
A pair of Choudrant Aggies and one Simsboro Tiger earned Louisiana Class B all-state honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association today.
Choudrant senior Michael Thomas was named second team all-state while Simsboro’s Itavus Brown was named honorable mention on the boys side. Choudrant’s Reese Brown earned honorable all-state accolades on the girls side.
Jones, the District 2B Most Valuable Player and a member of the all-Lincoln Parish Journal 8-man team, led the Aggies to the second round of the Non-Select School Division V playoffs this year. He averaged 25.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Itavus Brown, who also earned all-LPJ honors as well as all-District 2B accolades, earned his honorable mention all-state honors after leading Simsboro to the second round of the Non-Select School Division V playoffs. He averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 steals and 2.5 assists per game.
Reese Brown, the District 2B MVP and a member of the all-LPJ girls team, was named all-state honorable mention on the girls side. She led the Aggies to the District 2B title and a berth in the Non-Select School Division V playoffs after averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game.
Avoyelles Charter junior Jalen Brown and Hicks senior Reese Stephens were selected as the Outstanding Player award winners as selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.
Negreet’s Gary Henry (boys) and Ross Rix of J.S. Clark (girls) grabbed Coach of the Year honors.
BOYS – First team
Jalen Brown Avoyelles Charter 5-8 Jr. 21.0
Preston Sanders Zwolle 6-2 Jr. 23.0
Le’Damien George J.S. Clark 6-3 So. 18.0
Dustin Welch Anacoco 6-4 Sr. 20.4
Johnathan Holmes Negreet 6-4 Sr. 22.3
BOYS – Second team
Kane Broussard Lacassine 6-4 Jr. 20.0
Michael Jones Choudrant 6-1 Sr. 25.4
Armonii Benjamin Avoyelles Charter 6-1 So. 16.3
Hayden Doyle Hicks 6-2 Sr. 15.6
DeMarion McClendon Doyline 5-9 Jr. 15.3
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: JALEN BROWN, AVOYELLES CHARTER
COACH OF THE YEAR: GARY HENRY, NEGREET
Honorable mention: Howard Ethridge, Zwolle; Jacob Vilar, Episcopal of Acadiana; Itavus Brown, Simsboro; Logan Ponder, Quitman; Christopher Newton, Rapides; Dalton Miller, Holden; Kayden Bourque, Midland.
Pictured from left to right are Jack Thigpen, Allen and Marybelle Tuten, Linda and John Richmond and Jim Moore of the Ruston High School Class of 1963 along with Daphne Taylor and Anne McConathy from the RHS Class of 1979. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
There is an age-old saying that goes — a moment lasts for seconds, but memories last forever.
The recent successes Ruston High School has celebrated, in both athletics and academics, has rekindled, or even ignited, a sense of nostalgia for much of the RHS alumni base.
And to that end the RHS Classes of 1963 and 1979 have teamed up to make that nostalgia and sense of history even more impactful in strengthening all the memories that have created those feelings, past and present.
So those two classes have started a push to reorganize and revitalize the current teacher’s lounge at RHS that was the school library when the Class of 1963 were Bearcats and the Resume’ yearbook from when the Class of 1979 was still in school.
The current RHS library was built in the early ‘70s when the new gym was built.
There is quite a bit of memorabilia that has been collected and resides in the room but hasn’t been organized, which is why the RHS Classes 1963 and 1979 have decided it’s time for a positive change in the teacher’s lounge.
Jack Thigpen graduated with the RHS Class of 1963 and is part of the team working to make that happen.
“We don’t really have a plan of what we want or need to do,” Thigpen said. “We just thought it needed to be done. It started back with the Ruston Alumni Association back a number of years ago. They had the idea of collecting memorabilia and that kind of thing.
“Willie Green was the first president of the Ruston Alumni Association and kind of got it started. Then when I got involved with the Ruston Alumni Association getting close to 20 years ago now, this was already sort of kicked off. The thought and plans had been started. So we made a big push to get memorabilia again. We didn’t try to get any money, just memorabilia.”
And memorabilia was collected, but remains somewhat haphazardly scattered throughout the room.
“There were several people that said they would undertake the job of organizing the memorabilia and labeling it and all, but they never got it done,” Thigpen said. “It just went on like that with stuff just piling in, but no organizing getting done. It was just stuck in (the room). It wasn’t labeled, or organized or anything.
“So when my class had its reunion in September, several of us toured the school and we came up here and it was even worse than it is now. Somebody’s done a little work since we came up here in September, but as a committee we decided and recently told ({RHS President) Dan Gressett that was what we’d like to do. And he told us his wife Jamie, who isn’t a Ruston High graduate but is very involved with everything around here, would like to get involved and do it.”
Thigpen envisions a room that shows the history of Ruston High, including facts that those younger than the Class of 1963 might not realize, such as Ruston’s original school colors being maroon and white.
“It changed from maroon to red I think in 1961,” said Allen Tuten, another member of the RHS Class of 1963. “It was between our sophomore and junior year. The cheerleaders used to wrap the goalposts with maroon crepe paper football games but got to a point where they couldn’t find maroon crepe paper, so the color was changed to red so they could continue the tradition of wrapping the goalposts.”
To help tell that tale, two of Thigpen’s letterman’s jackets now reside in the RHS teacher’s lounge.
“That’s my old letter jacket in maroon and that one’s my old letter jacket in red,” Thigpen said, pointing to a pair of jackets hanging near each other on the old library bookcases.
Marybelle Tuten, a 1963 RHS graduate, said upgrading the current purpose for the teacher’s lounge was also part of the desire to upgrade the room.
“What we want to do is update the teacher’s lounge,” she said. “We came up here last fall and realized that yes, it needs some attention. To me, this is just not a good enough representation of all the good stuff that’s going on at Ruston High School right now,
“So we sent an email out to our classmates trying to get donations coming in.”
And as the Class of 1963 was working toward making that happen, the Class of 1979 by chance became involved, paving the way for the team-up to upgrade the room.
“It wasn’t too long ago that (RHS Principal Dan Gressett) called me and said there was another group (the RHS Class of ‘79 and gave me (1079 RHS graduate Daphne Taylor’s) name and number and we ended up getting in contact with each other,” Thigpen said.
“So the Class of ‘63 wants to turn it over to them and let them do the work, we just want to give them his donation from our class.”
And last Thursday, members of the two classes met in the RHS teacher’s lounge where the Class of 1963 presented that donation raised from leftover reunion funds and donations received.
Taylor echoed Marybelle Tuten’s feelings that making a more comfortable lounge for RHS teachers was another key reason for wanting to fix up the room.
“It’s more about organizing it and getting it looking in a nice manor — getting new tables and furniture, and a refrigerator and getting the kitchen in better shape as well,” Taylor said. “We need to reframe pictures and that kind of thing.”
Allen Tuten said that hopes are that if the existing memorabilia gets organized and the room looks better, more memorabilia will come in, something Class of 1961 classmate John Richmond agreed with.
“There’s probably a lot of people like me who have stuff like a letterman’s jacket or a trophy or other memorabilia like that and they really don’t know what to do with it,” John Richmond said.
Thigpen stressed that the combined group doesn’t want the room to only be themed around RHS athletics.
“We don’t want this to be only an athletic memorabilia room,” Thigpen said. “We want to be about Ruston High — academic medals, awards and pictures of things like projects student councils have done during their years here.
“Athletics would naturally be a part of it, but there’s a lot of good people who did a lot of good things as students here and were not athletes. They deserve to be represented here, too. So we want to celebrate all the successes involving RHS.”
Jamie Gressett, who teaches English at RHS, said linking past and present is part of her desire to join in on the efforts.
“I just love the history of this school,” Jamie Gressett said. “I love this room and all the memorabilia here, so I’d love to be involved in helping clean it up and trying to modernize things, adding some of the things the high school has done recently as well as in the past.
“The relationships between the teachers, students and alumni here reminds me of where I grew up in Doyline. It’s about all relationships —- letting people know how it used to be and the way we’re moving forward toward the future.”
Anyone wishing to donate money or memorabilia for the project can contact Taylor at dtaylor@origin.bank.
Pictured from left to right are Allen Tuten, Daphne Taylor and Anne McConathy showing off the old Ruston High School lettermen’s sweater Tuten’s father wore during his days as a Bearcat. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
Photo courtesy of LA Tech University Communications
Louisiana Tech University’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter garnered multiple awards for its engineering prowess and team spirit at the 2024 ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium.
The organization’s concrete canoe team, captained by Connor Sigler and Jesse Bertucci, swept the coed sprint, the men’s sprint, the men’s slalom, and the women’s slalom races and finished second in the women’s sprint, the final product, and overall categories. Their canoe, Pawsome Blossom, with peaches and magnolia blossoms along both sides of the hull superimposed on a Tech blue background, reflected their ties to Ruston and the Louisiana Tech community along with their creativity, engineering skills, and competitive spirit.
The steel bridge team demonstrated its design and construction skills, snagging first place in bridge aesthetics and landing third place in bridge stiffness. Team captain Kade Klink’s leadership and resilience paid off as the team combined aesthetic appeal with engineering efficiency.
The surveying team, led by captain Lili Lavine, earned first place in survey leveling, underscoring their precision and expertise in the field.
The organization’s spirit and tenacity showed through as they grabbed third place in the tug-o-war and concrete beam competitions, showcasing their teamwork and understanding of construction techniques.
Louisiana Tech Conference Chair Ashtyne Monceaux knows that effort and a solid work ethic were critical to the teams’ in their respective competitions.
“It takes a lot of work for our teams to be as successful as they are,” she said. “The team captains and team members work countless hours on the different aspects their competition requires. Whether competing or spectating, every member shares a deep sense of pride in representing our ASCE student chapter and Louisiana Tech University with excellence.”
Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, assistant professor of civil engineering and construction engineering technology and ASCE faculty advisor, noted that she’s proud that the students won awards by overcoming challenges during the competition.
“I am beyond proud of our students,” Matthews said. “They’ve turned challenges into opportunities and have demonstrated the real-world applications of their classroom learning. I am excited to see how they will build on this success in future competitions.”
College of Engineering and Science Dean Dr. Collin Wick added that the organization’s hard work continually yields results.
“Our ASCE teams impress me with their constant success—built as much on hard work and dedication to Louisiana Tech and their teams as on engineering skills. I’m glad that their effort and Dr. Matthews’s effort were rewarded again this year.”
The ASCE student chapter at Louisiana Tech is already gearing up for its next challenge, fueled by the achievements and experiences from this year’s Gulf Coast Student Symposium. The chapter is hosting the 2024 Student Steel Bridge Competition National Finals on campus this summer.
Jazmyne Jackson led Grambling with 23 points as the Lady Tigers lost a second-round WNIT showdown at ULM Monday night. (Photo by Tony Valentino)
By T. Scott Boatright
MONROE —- The clock struck midnight early for the Cinderella dreams of the Grambling State University’s women’s basketball team
After advancing in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament on Friday with a win at Oral Roberts University, the Lady Tigers postseason dancing came to an end as they fell 102-76 to ULM on Monday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
That loss concluded GSU’s turnaround season under first-year coach Courtney Simmons, who led the Lady Tigers to a 23-10 finish after they went 10-20 last year.
It didn’t take long for the Warhawks to take control as they built a double-digit advantage on a 3-pointer by Brianna Harris that put ULM on top 21-9 with 52 seconds remaining in the opening stanza.
By halftime ULM had stretched that lead to 48-30.
“We did have a good year,” Simmons said during a post-game press conference. “It may not have turned out — ended — the way I wanted it to, but we had a good year. I think we did a lot of positive things for women’s basketball at Grambling and that’s something we should be proud of.
“But to lose in the fashion we did today —- it was heart-wrenching for me. But again, my hat’s off to ULM. (Warhawks coach) Missy Bilderback has done a tremendous job in her first year here, and I wish them much success in the next round. It just wasn’t our night.”
The Warhawks moved on top by as many as 34 points in the third quarter and 35 twice in the final 10 points before breaking the century mark and ending with the 26-point win.
Jazmyne Jackson led Grambling with 23 points, hitting five-of-12 3-pointers, while Kahia Warmsley added 14 and Douthsine Prien chipped in with 11 for the Lady Tigers, who were led on the boards by Amanda Blake with 13 rebounds,.
Jakayla Johnson led ULM with 30 points.
Next up for the Warhawks (23-10) will be a third-round WNIT home contest against Southern Miss on Wednesday night.
On Sunday, March 24, 2024, shortly before 9:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on Glenda Street near S Julia Street. The crash claimed the life of 14-year-old Suh’renity Butler of Rayville.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Nissan Maxima, driven by Butler, was traveling west on Glenda Street. For reasons still under investigation, the Maxima exited the roadway and struck a tree.
Butler, who was properly restrained, was pronounced dead at the scene. Four additional occupants in the Maxima, who were properly restrained, suffered moderate to severe injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Speed is a suspected factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Unlicensed drivers lack the necessary skills, training, and experience to handle the complexities of the road, increasing the likelihood of crashes. By following driving age requirements and promoting responsible driving habits, we can help ensure safety for everyone on the road. For Louisiana Graduated Driver’s License laws, please visit: https://lern.la.gov/wp-content/uploads/GDL-Chart.pdf.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated eight fatal crashes, resulting in eight deaths.
Ruston High School has announced its partnership with GoFan for fans to purchase their tickets online moving forward.
“We’ve been looking into digital ticketing systems for a few years now. We never could find anything that fit all of our needs,” Ruston High principal Dan Gressett said. “We are excited that we have finally done that with GoFan and can offer our fans this moving forward. A lot of schools now are using some form of digital ticketing system and running cashless events.
“We’ll have a few kinks to work out so we decided to go ahead and start using it this spring instead of waiting until football season. It’s going to be a good thing for everyone I believe.”
For more information on Andy Halbrook at Edward Jones, CLICK HERE.
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When many people think about investing, the first thing that comes to mind is the stock market. And that’s not surprising, as the rise and fall of stock prices is constantly in the news. But if you’re going to achieve your financial goals, you may well need to look beyond stocks and include fixed-income investments in your portfolio.
Fixed-income investments offer three important benefits:
Income – When you invest in fixed-income vehicles, such as bonds, Treasury securities and certificates of deposit (CDs), you receive regular income in the form of interest payments. And you continue to receive this income until your investment matures or you sell it, no matter what’s happening in the financial markets. Of course, the income you can receive from fixed-income investments will always depend on the interest rates at which these investments were issued. But if you own a mix of long-term and short-term fixed-income investments, you can gain some protection against fluctuating rates. When market rates are low, you can get greater income from your longer-term bonds, which typically — although not always — pay higher rates. And when market rates rise, you can benefit by reinvesting the proceeds from your shorter-term bonds.
Diversification – If you were only to own stocks, or stock-based mutual funds, your portfolio would be susceptible to higher risks, especially with market downturns. But you may be able to reduce the impact of market volatility by adding fixed-income investments to your holdings. Bond prices often move in a different direction from stocks, so if stock prices are falling, you might find that the value of your bonds is rising. You can also diversify within the fixed-income portion of your portfolio by owning a mix of corporate and Treasury bonds, as well as CDs, just to name a few.
Stability – As mentioned, you will always receive interest payments from your bonds if you hold them until maturity. But if you wanted to sell your bonds before they mature, you could get more, or less, than what you originally paid for them. When market interest rates rise, the price of your current bonds will likely fall, as no one will pay you the full price for them when they get newer ones that pay more — this is what’s known as interest-rate risk. Conversely, when market rates fall, the prices of your current bonds will probably rise. But here’s the key point to remember: Bond prices generally don’t fluctuate as much as stock prices. In other words, bonds are typically less volatile than stocks. Consequently, owning bonds can add diversification to your portfolio. And to maximize the stabilizing effects of bonds, you may want to stick with high-quality bonds rated as “investment grade” by independent bond-rating agencies.
How much of your portfolio should consist of fixed-income investments? There’s no one right answer for everyone. And over time, your interest in these types of investments may well change — for example, as you near retirement, you may want to consider shifting some of your growth-oriented investments into income-producing ones, though you’ll still need some growth potential to keep up with inflation. In any case, the combination of income, diversification and stability provided by bonds and similar securities should be compelling enough for you to find a place for them in your investment mix.
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This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
A Chatham man and a Simsboro woman were arrested Wednesday night by Lincoln Parish deputies after drugs were found on them during a traffic stop.
A gray Dodge Caravan stopped on South Farmerville Street about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday when a deputy on patrol saw it did not have a license plate.
A passenger in the Dodge told deputies her name was Wendy Swain. When asked later, she said her name was Chelsea Swain, 32, of Simsboro. Swain admitted giving a false name because she knew there were warrants for her arrest.
When Swain was asked if she had anything illegal, she said yes and retrieved three syringes and a glass smoking pipe from her crotch. The pipe contained suspected methamphetamine.
Gregory T. Rayner, 27, of Chatham, was also a passenger in the Dodge. Rayner was searched, and four strips of suspected buprenorphine and naloxone were found.
The two were arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Swain was booked for possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer by providing false information, a warrant from Ruston Police for theft less than $1,000, and four warrants from Grambling Police for possession of methamphetamine, possession of alprazolam with intent to distribute, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $14,500.
Rayner was booked for possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. Bail was set at $1,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A Ruston man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly damaged a door in an altercation with his relative.
Tony Ashley, 62, told officers he and his relative had an argument, but nothing happened. However, the relative said Tony had been threatening people all day. The relative locked the door to the Gill Street home because Ashley had gotten physical earlier in the day. Ashley then broke down the door, according to the relative.
The owner of the home told police he wanted to press charges against Ashley.
Ashley was arrested and booked for simple criminal damage to property. Bail was set at $1,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Ruston High (15-10) picked up two wins last week over Evangel and Stanley after falling to West Monroe, Alexandria and Benton.
“Earlier in the week one of the umpires asked what was going on because we didn’t look like the team he had been watching and he was correct,” Ruston High school Lauren Garvie said. “Our consistency and production at the plate just wasn’t quite there. In the back half of the weekend it came back. We hit and we hit hard. I’m excited to see that carry over into this week.”
Tuesday, March 19: West Monroe 8, Ruston 4 Ruston High senior Cala Wilson had three hits on the night for the Lady Bearcats in the loss with three runs batted in. Sophomore Sage Tolar pitched the first four-and-a-third innings before Wilson came in for relief.
Wednesday, March 20, Alexandria 15, Ruston 0 Alexandria Senior High won after only three innings played after scoring a total of 15 runs.
Friday, March 22, Benton 11, Ruston 8 Wilson would get two home runs on the nights and get three RBIs. Wilson would homer in the first and third innings. Senior Shelby Freeman would add three hits and four RBIs.
Saturday, March 23, Ruston 14, Stanley 1 An 11-run fourth inning would prove enough for Ruston to get a 14-1 win. Senior Murphy DeMoss finished with two hits and four RBIs. Wilson would pitch five innings and strike out three.
Saturday, March 23, Ruston 17, Evangel 1 Ruston would get 11 runs in the top of the third inning to ten-run-rule Evangel. Junior Abby Holton finished with two hits and four RBIs on in the game.
Tuesday, March 19, Neville 13, Ruston 5 Ruston would get out to an early 5-1 lead before Neville tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Jake Simmons would get an RBI for the Bearcats with two hits.
Thursday, March 21, Ruston 8, Pineville 4 Ruston senior Henry James would pitch seven innings while striking out four batters. The Bearcats wuld take a 7-0 lead after two innings. Senior Gabe Gaudent would get two hits on the day.
Saturday, March 23, Pineville 3, Ruston 2 Ruston would fall in extra innings after going into the sixth innings tied 2-2. Gaudet would get one hit and one run.
Saturday, March 23, Pineville 1, Ruston 0 Pineville would get a walk-of win in the bottom of the tenth innings despite junior Talan Billberry pitching 9.2 innings and striking out four batters.
Lincoln Parish residents still have time to register to vote in the April municipal general election.
This April 27 municipal general election will have the Ruston School District No. 1 Proposition and the Choudrant School District 6 Proposition on the ballot.
The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at the OMV Office is Wednesday, March 27.
Please call the Lincoln Parish Registrar of Voters Office at 318-251-5110 if you have any questions regarding eligibility to vote in this election. The Lincoln Parish Registrar of Voters’ office is located at 100 W. Texas Ave., Room 10.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is accepting applications online for the Greener Grounds Grant for large outdoor events, Beautification Grant, and Healthy Communities Grant. All three grant programs were created to support community improvement and engagement, prevent litter, and promote environmental stewardship. Applications for each can be found on the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Grant Opportunities webpage.
“Residents and visitors don’t want to experience a dirty state, so we must continue to prioritize making Louisiana a cleaner, greener place to live,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “I’m grateful to our state legislature for supporting litter abatement, allowing us to implement grant opportunities to benefit our local communities.”
The Greener Grounds Grant, a reimbursement grant for up to $10,000, supports Louisiana’s large outdoor events, such as festivals and fairs, in implementing the best practices for litter prevention, recycling, and waste reduction outlined in the new Greener Grounds Guidebookand Workbook, created in collaboration with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Any group organizing large outdoor events is encouraged to download the guide and workbook found on the Greener Grounds Grant webpage and use them to help prevent litter and manage waste. Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and parishes organizing events with over 1,000 attendees are eligible to apply. Events must be open to all Louisianans and held outdoors in Louisiana between September 2024 and May 2025. Grant recipients are required to complete the Greener Grounds Workbook. Grants may fund trash and recycling receptacles; litter and waste signage; litter prevention education materials; t-shirts, water, and food for volunteers working at waste stations; and litter removal supplies. The application is open now and the deadline to apply is May 15, 2024.
The Healthy Communities Grantprovides funding from $2,500 to $10,000 for local projects and programs bringing about behavioral changes needed to improve the appearance of communities in Louisiana. Grant projects should focus on litter removal, prevention, and education; best practices for waste management reduction; recycling, reusing, and refusing; litter enforcement; and other related efforts. KLB seeks to fund projects with diverse community support and community benefits. Projects should also promote volunteer involvement and collaboration with stakeholders. Louisiana parishes, municipalities, state agencies, governmental entities, political subdivisions, schools, colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, KLB Community Affiliates who are current Circle of Excellence recipients, KLB University Affiliates, and KLB Community and University Affiliates in formation are all eligible to apply. Healthy Communities projects and programs must be completed prior to May 1, 2025. The application is open now and the deadline to apply is May 15, 2024.
The Beautification Grantwill provide reimbursement grants for beautification projects ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. KLB will fund planting projects and welcome signs on public property in highly visible areas such as community entry points, highway corridors and medians, and major roadways and intersections. Plants and trees must be at least 25 percent native to Louisiana and other restrictions apply. In addition to beautifying public spaces, proposed projects should exhibit diverse community support, collaborations between organizations, matching contributions, and benefits to community residents. Louisiana parishes, municipalities, state agencies, governmental entities, KLB Community Affiliates who are current Circle of Excellence recipients, KLB University Affiliates, and KLB Community and University Affiliates in formation are all eligible to apply. Beautification projects must be completed prior to May 22, 2025. The application is open now and the deadline to apply is May 30, 2024.
“Through these three grant programs, KLB intends to empower local communities and organizations to take pride in place and take steps toward protecting and enhancing our Sportsman’s Paradise,” said KLB Executive Director Susan Russell.
These grants are made possible with funding from the state of Louisiana and the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
