Reverend Frank Shields, husband, father, tickle-papaw, friend, and a devout servant of God, peacefully passed away on March 20, 2024, at the age of 83. Born in Summit, Mississippi, on March 11, 1941, Reverend Shields led a life filled with unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to his family, congregations, and community.

In June of 1963, Rev. Shields married his beloved wife, Linda Sherard, and together they embarked on a journey of love and partnership that spanned over five decades. Linda’s passing on February 7, 2017, left a profound void in Reverend Shields’s heart, but his faith remained steadfast.

Reverend Shields was also preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Pauline Preston of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and several siblings: Sydney Preston, Mary “Mazzie” Preston, and Johnny “Duck” Beard. He is survived by his brother, Delmar Preston and his wife, Robin, along with his sister-in-law Sandra Hynum and her husband, Mike, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and brother-in-law Garvin Sherard and his wife, Wilma Lois, also of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

On January 12, 2019, he found love once again when he married Bonita Worsham Smith of Ruston, Louisiana. Bonita brought not only her love but also her children, Will Smith and wife Cammi, and JD Smith and wife Julie, into their family, enriching their lives with new bonds and cherished memories.

Reverend Shields leaves behind a loving legacy through his four children and their families. Tommy Shields and his wife Wanda, MelindaKaye Lucas and her husband Carl, Katherine Venable and her husband Andrew, Jennifer McMillan, and husband Johnny.  Frank leaves behind many grandchildren, Heather and husband Travis, Jordan and husband Justin, Jesse, Andrea, Ben, JoAnna and husband Eddie, Noah, Andy, Jessica and husband Ryan, Matt and wife Jessica, Emilee, Gabe, Bryan, Ian, Niven, Devin, Luc, and Keagan. He also leaves behind 16 great grandchildren.

Reverend Shields lived a life of devotion where his passion was guiding others to love the Lord and one another. His legacy reminds us to prioritize faith and love in our own lives.

A Celebration of Life and Legacy Service for Reverend Frank Shields will be held on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Visitation will begin at 9 am and services will begin at 10 am.

 

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Joseph Daniel “Dan” Hollingsworth, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on March 18, 2024.  He had spent the day doing the things he loved: preparing to plant this year’s tomatoes, walking his beloved dog Beau, and even making dinner.  He had gone out that morning to buy his wife Faye her favorite flowers and his son-in-law a birthday card.

Dan was born on May 14, 1934, in Meridian, Mississippi.  He graduated from Meridian High School in 1952 where he cultivated an interest in broadcasting at his high school radio station. After graduating from Meridian Junior College in 1954 with a specialty in Broadcast Engineering, Dan went on to work as a transmitter engineer for WTOK-TV in Meridian.  He soon moved over to the radio division as chief engineer-announcer, and his passion for the radio business took flight.  Radio also led him to the love of his life, Beverly Faye Brown, who worked at her father’s drugstore where Dan stopped in regularly before his shifts across the street at WTOK.  With only $50 in his pocket and a dream of someday owning his own business, he married Faye in 1955 and they started a family.

As a young man, Dan worked in every facet of radio, from sales and programming to engineering, writing and producing advertising, announcing and sports broadcasting.  Following promotions to managing and constructing radio stations in Alabama and Mississippi, at age 34 Dan had the opportunity to purchase KRUS AM/FM, and together he and Faye decided to take a chance and move with their 4 children to Ruston, Louisiana in 1968.

As Dan built his businesses, he increasingly embraced opportunities to serve his community.  He was the founding chairman of Ruston/Lincoln Crime Stoppers, a former member of Lincoln General Hospital and Ruston Chamber of Commerce Boards of Directors, and president of the Ruston Civic Symphony. In 1992 he received the Louisiana National Guard’s highest Civilian Honor for service to the National Guard during the Gulf War.

Dan’s radio stations in Ruston reflected his commitment to community service and broadcast excellence, with KXKZ winning Radio Station of the Year in Louisiana mid-sized markets for twelve years.  Dan became a leader in the industry as a former president of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters (LAB), a 9-time Louisiana Associated Press Best Editorial Award winner and a recipient of the LAB’s Lifetime Achievement Award for service to his community.

Coincidentally, he served on the Ruston City Hall/Civic Center Advisory Committee that oversaw the construction of the current City Hall and Civic Center, never imagining that one day he would serve four terms there as the Mayor of Ruston.

Elected in 1998, Dan saw his new role as a way to give back to the city that had given him and his family so much.  His tenure brought the city economic growth and development, new and revitalized partnerships with Louisiana Tech, and extensive improvements in infrastructure, all the while insuring the city’s sound financial footing.  Most important, he truly cared about all of Ruston’s citizens and worked tirelessly to improve their safety and preserve Ruston’s beauty and charm.

Dan was awarded the 2012 Louisiana Tech University Artis Scogin Distinguished Service Award for his work with the university, including partnering with the university to help establish Louisiana Tech’s Enterprise Campus project.  He received the 2013 Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Robert E. Russ award, the community’s most prestigious award for community service, and a Distinguished Service Award from Louisiana Tech’s administration and faculty in 2014.

An active member of Trinity Methodist Church, Dan’s Christian faith made him a rare public servant — honest, humble, and selfless, never seeking recognition or the spotlight.  In his public and private life, it was second nature to extend himself to help others.

At the end of his final term in office, Dan said, “God has blessed me in so many ways. I have always done work that I loved to do…always enjoyed going to work, no matter what the challenges or obstacles. Public service is particularly gratifying and immensely satisfying when you have a role in making things better for others. But none of this would have been possible had it not been for the constant support and encouragement of my wife Faye.”

In retirement Dan never stopped learning and growing, engaging his family and friends on politics, history, gardening, cooking, music, and many other areas of interest.  His Wednesday morning coffee group was a highlight of each week. He had recently begun grafting fruit trees and at age 89, was planning to resume playing the piano for residents at the local nursing homes.  Those who knew Dan well mourn a kind and loyal friend and a faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather.   

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Daniel “Dan” Hollingsworth, Sr. and Marguerite Hollingsworth; his brother Richard Hollingsworth; his sister Virginia Harrison; and his granddaughter Caroline Adelle Semerad.

Dan is survived by his wife of 68 years, Beverly Faye; five children, Beverly Theresa Hollingsworth Vieillescazes (Pierre), Lauren Adelle Hollingsworth, Margaret Christine Hollingsworth Rabun (Mike), Joseph Daniel Hollingsworth, III (Audrey), and Emily Anne Hollingsworth Nientimp (David); four grandchildren, Emma Louise Vieillescazes, Rachel Hollingsworth, Madeline Nientimp and Daniel Nientimp; one great-granddaughter, Anna Adelle Navarria; his brother Jimmy Jackson Hollingsworth (Lourdes), sister-in-law Faye Wilkinson Hollingsworth and many nieces and nephews.  

A memorial service and celebration of Dan’s life will be held at Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston on Tuesday, March 26, at 11 a.m.  Visitation will be held at Trinity Methodist Church from 9 a.m. until the time of service under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Samaritan’s Purse or the charity of one’s choice.

 

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Shirley Ann Thrift Pesnell 
July 2, 1944 – March 22, 2024 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, March 25, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 2:00 pm 
Cemetery: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 

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 

Joseph Daniel “Dan” Hollingsworth, Jr. 
May 14, 1934 – March 18, 2024 
Visitation: Trinity Methodist Church, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 9:00 am – 11:00 am 
Service: Trinity Methodist Church, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 11:00 am 

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 

Billy Gene Joiner 
December 1, 1932 – March 21, 2024 
Services incomplete at this time 

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By T. Scott Boatright

INDIANAPOLIS —- Sometimes Goliath wins.

That was the ending of a historic season for the Grambling State Tigers Friday night as they fell to Purdue, the top seed in the Mid-East region of the Division I NCAA National Championship Tournament.

The G-Men stayed within striking range as long as they could — but stopping 7-4, 300-pound Purdue center Zach Edey proved impossible as the Boilermakers advanced to the second round of the NCAA tourney with a win over the G-Men.

But don;t be mistaken. Grambling came to play, keeping things tight early on before an eventual 78-50 loss to Purdue in NCAA Championship tourney action.

The Boilermakers opened the game with a 12-0 run and never looked back.

Purdue center Zach Edney — all 7-4 and 300  pounds of him — proved to be too much of a challenge despite a spirited battle by the Tigers.

Edey dominated the paint to the tune of 30 points and 21 rebounds along with three blocks and a pair of steals.

GSU knew entering the game the G-Men would have to throw everything, including the “kitchen sink;” at Purdue’s big man.

And this time, Goliath still won.

That overshadowed a remarkable performance from GSU’s Tra’Vion Moton, who poured in 23 points while pulling down four rebounds.

Kemtravious Dozier was a force trying to ignite the G-Men as he powered his way to the basket to score 16 points, but there was not catching up to Edey’s monstrous performance,

.Grambling stayed within striking distance in the first half, training 36-27 at intermission.

But the Boilermaker’s giant went into “beast mode in the second half” to play the beast shutting down= the Tigers’ dreams of a Cinderella tourney run.

Moton led the Tigers with 21 points while Dozier added 16.

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by Wesley Harris

Many local residents thought something had crashed on their front lawns late Thursday afternoon after a loud boom rattled windows and nerves.

Local social media went wild with speculation on the cause of the noise. Some assumed it was thunder due to the overcast sky. Others blamed fireworks or a blown electrical transformer. But when reports came in from people many miles apart, it was obvious it was something much bigger.

Speculation of a massive an explosion on a military base like Camp Minden or Barksdale Air Force Base were warmer guesses. But the cause of the attention-grabbing noise originated beyond north Louisiana. The boom was a sonic boom.

At about 3:55 p.m. local time, a SpaceX Falcon 9 was launched into sunny skies from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The Falcon 9 carried a SpaceX Dragon capsule loaded with more than 6,000 pounds of cargo headed to the International Space Station. When the booster rocket separated from the capsule and returned to earth, it created sonic booms heard throughout Lincoln Parish, north Louisiana, and many parts of the southern U. S.

It was the sixth time the booster had been used to launch a spacecraft. It landed back at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station about eight minutes after liftoff, heralding its return to Earth with sonic booms.

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Ruston Police have arrested four men in connection recent vehicle burglaries, including two caught Friday morning after a call from security at a gated community.

Da’Marvion J. Wimberly, 22, and Ofari K. Berry, 25, were arrested on two counts of simple burglary of a vehicle Friday morning.

Ruston Police responded to the Tanyard Creek Student Housing Community off West Barnett Springs Avenue early Friday morning to investigate vehicle burglaries in progress.

A security officer at Tanyard Creek told officers he was monitoring a video system when he saw two men dressed in black burglarizing cars. The two suspects were last seen running toward West Barnett Springs Avenue.

RPD patrol officers located Berry and Wimberly on foot. Their shoes were covered in mude. Berry’s car was located in Tanyard Creek. A firearm was found on the front seat.

Berry is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Wimberly was also booked on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a previous case.

Justin Canada, 19, and Noah A. Cagle, 18, were arrested after an investigation tied them to the spate of vehicle break-ins during the weekend of March 15-16. Chief Steve Rogers said about 50 vehicle burglaries were reported on the north side of Ruston after that weekend. Money, electronics, and firearms were among the items stolen from unlocked vehicles, Rogers said.

Police arrested Cagle and Canada Thursday evening at their E. Florida Avenue residence. They were booked for theft of a motor vehicle and seven counts of simple burglary of a vehicle. Bail was set for each man at $170,000.

The bail amount for Berry and Wimberly was not available at publication time.

Police continue to urge residents to lock their vehicles and remove valuables. None of the recent thefts occurred from locked vehicles.

Anyone with information regarding the burglaries or with video camera footage of possible suspects is asked to contact the Ruston Police at 318-255-4141 or Crimestoppers of Lincoln Parish at 318-255-1111.

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A man was killed when he was struck by a train in downtown Ruston early Friday evening.

Ruston Police and Fire units responded to the scene about 5:35 p.m.  A deceased man was found beside the Canadian Pacific – Kansas City Railway about midway between Trenton and Monroe Streets.

A witness who asked not to be identified said the man appeared to be waiting on the tracks for the train.  

The man’s shoes were found on either side of the tracks, likely marking where he was struck near the railway’s local warehouse and office. His body was a few yards away not far off the rails.

The identity of the man had not been provided as of late Friday night.

Traffic was snarled for over an hour with the Trenton, Vienna, Monroe, and Homer Street railroad crossings blocked by the stopped train while police investigated.  U.S. 167 traffic (Trenton & Vienna Streets) was rerouted by police via Alabama Avenue, Tech Drive, and California Avenue. 

After the man was struck, the crew of the westbound train was able to stop just short of the Louisiana Tech campus. Once it stopped, the train of mostly flatcars loaded with shipping containers pulled by two Burlington Northern locomotives stretched all the way to the Farmerville Street overpass.

Police are expected to be able to access video from the locomotive. In any train mishap, the crew typically undergoes alcohol and drug testing per company policy.

An update will follow as more information becomes available.

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Jones said that if passed, HB 414 would remove that exemption and make public libraries and their employees subject to prosecution, and called it a terrible proposition for six reasons:

1. Parish libraries are public entities that answer to a board appointed by the parish governing authority, and library employees carry out the policies of the library board.

2. Specifically, as it relates to the material it offers its patrons, library employees are not individually responsible for what material is contained in its collection, and perhaps the best way to explain this is by reviewing the types of materials your parish library offers its patrons and where each type comes from tangible books and publications:

3. Parish libraries contain hundreds of thousands of individual works, both tangible and digital, that it makes available to its patrons.

4. No parish library has the resources to make individual reviews of each and every item it provides its patrons and to determine whether a particular work is “obscene” as defined by LA RS 14:106. All parish libraries use professional standards for choosing what collections it makes available to its patrons, but it cannot, and does not, read every item—that would be impossible.

5. Every parish library has a published procedure for its patrons to make complaints about individual items, and that is how complaints about a book or other item have been handled historically. These procedures were codified into law in Act 436 of last year’s legislative session.

6. Parish libraries do not sell books. They do not make money from providing reading materials. There is no profit motive at issue. Public libraries provide a service to their parishes based upon the needs of that parish.

Jones said a patron with a complaint about some item would appear at the library and demand that the item be removed from the collection because the patron thinks the work is “obscene,” and that if a library did not agree to remove it, the complainant could threaten the library with criminal prosecution if it did not remove the item from its collection.

He also said the proposed bill was actually a clever way to ban books.

“That is what HB 414 really is. No library would ask its employees to undergo the trauma and expense of a criminal investigation, let alone an actual prosecution; therefore, it is likely that the library will accede to the complainant’s demand and remove the book,” Jones said. “So the book-banners would win, and they would be the ones who decide what materials are available to everyone else, adding that  the potential for abuses in the bill is both apparent and certain to occur.”

Jones said prosecuting a library employee in order to remove a book is a misuse of the criminal statutes and that a complaining patron’s opinion as to what is legally “obscene” is no more authoritative than the library’s opinion that the item is not obscene.

“Yet, if HB 414 becomes law, all it would take to make a library employee undergo the stress and expense of a criminal investigation and potential prosecution is one patron’s opinion that a book is obscene,” Jones said. “Only a court can declare that a work is ‘obscene.’ That process should not occur in the context of a library employee being prosecuted.

“Historically, a person seeking to ban a book would sue the publisher and ask a court to decide whether the work is legally obscene. The proponents of HB 414 want to avoid that process and remove books that they want banned from the parish library by threatening criminal prosecution of library employees. That would be an abuse of the criminal process.”

The Board’s Legislative Committee also recommended opposing HB 640 as currently written.

“HB 640 is similar to last year’s bill, HB 25.1,” Jones said. “This year’s version would change existing law by giving the governing authority (in Lincoln Parish, the Police Jury) the right to terminate any member of the Library Board of Control, with or without cause.”

“This bill was driven by conflicts between one parish’s governing authority and its library board. This bill should have been filed as a local bill limited to that particular parish. It is entirely unreasonable to completely up-end the historical management of parish public libraries across all of Louisiana because one police jury and one public library have a fuss-fight.”

Jones said that if HB640 is amended he could end up supporting it and that should the proposed bill reach the House floor he plans to go to Baton Rouge to propose amendments to the bill that could make that happen.

The Board also voted to accept LPL Director Jeremy Bolom’s suggested change for summer hours of operation for the library — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays, with those changed hours beginning on May 28, the day after Memorial Day, and returning to regular hours of operation on Sept. 3, the day after Labor Day.

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By Daniel Young

Louisiana Tech University hosted over 75 high school students from around Louisiana at the 2024 International Particle Physics Master Class.

The class takes place in more than 60 countries at 225 universities and research centers and provides students with the chance to measure actual particle experiment data. In Louisiana Tech’s 2024 class (the only one in the state), students from Ruston High, Cedar Creek High, West Monroe High, New Iberia High, and Westgate High joined Tech’s physics and education faculty and students to learn about Louisiana Tech Physics.

Dr. Lee Sawyer (director and professor of chemistry and physics), Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent (associate dean for College of Education research, outreach, and innovation), Dianne Madden (associate director of the Science and Technology Education Center), Dr. Markus Wobisch (associate professor of physics), Dr. John Shaw (lecturer of physics), and Susan Wetzel (physics master teacher for the Quarknet consortium) led the students in hands-on activities and a video conference with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

During the call with CERN, the students learned about the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest particle accelerator in the world, and about Louisiana Tech’s affiliation with the center. Throughout the class, the high school students also interacted with Louisiana Tech Physics students, who helped guide them as they worked on radiation and cosmic ray detectors in the physics labs located in the Integrated Engineering and Science Building. Then, they used software to analyze events from the ATLAS experiment (A Toroidal LHC Apparatus) at the LHC to measure the mass of the Z boson – a particle that carries the weak nuclear force.

Sawyer and a handful of Physics students and professors began Louisiana Tech’s Physics Master Class in 2019 for local high schools, and it has grown to its present-day reach.

To learn more about the program, visit https://physicsmasterclasses.org/. To learn how you can register a class to join Louisiana Tech’s 2025 International Particle Physics Master Class, please contact Dr. Lee Sawyer.

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A Ruston man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly threw marijuana out of his vehicle when an officer attempted to stop him.

Edward D. Hudson, 28, was observed by an officer traveling on Eastland Avenue where he crossed the yellow center line into the opposing lane multiple times. When the officer, a member of the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team, attempted to stop Edwards, he continued onto Troy Street, where he opened the driver’s door and threw out suspected marijuana onto the pavement.

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Hudson finally stopped on Bernice Street. The LPNET officer was raw marijuana on Hudson’s lap and on the floorboard. A search of the car recovered marijuana, OxyContin, a digital scale, and a box of sandwich bags commonly used for packaging narcotics.

Hudson was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (OxyContin), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $2,500.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The Lincoln Parish Journal is providing our local schools an opportunity to submit nuggets from what’s going on at their respective schools in order to get more information out on its students, faculty and staff. The information below comes directly from those schools.  Any school wishing to provide content each week can email to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com.

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Choudrant High School

Kari McGuire – AP Human Geography developed urban models by drawing them with chalk outside

Ag. 3 – constructing the shed at the softball field

Ag. 2 – building shelf for girls basketball locker room, constructing Eiffel Towers for prom

Ag. 1 – learning woodworking safety and beginning their plaque work

FFA- practicing for spring contests this friday at LA Tech (small engines, dairy foods, etc.)

FFA placed in the district contests: 2nd in dairy foods; 1st meat ID; 3rd small engines

Fishing Team: Lake Claiborne Tournament 45 teams

• Brayden Pye and Peyton Bennett 3rd place overall with 15.78 pounds
• Seth Smith and Carter Green (Darbonne Woods) 8th place overall (1st place Jr. High) with 11.63 pounds 

CHS FBLA members and advisers attended the Louisiana State Leadership Conference in Lafayette March 18-20; 24 students attended; 10 students qualified for 2nd round competition; final award results will be announced on Wednesday after the awards ceremony; students placing in the top 4 in their events have the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference in Orlando this summer.

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Ruston High School

To start the week, members of FCA took a trip to Rolling Hills to serve. As a positive incentive, the seniors took a field trip on Tuesday to the bowling alley in Shreveport.

The choir participated in the LMEA Choral Festival Assessment Tuesday.

After much anticipation, on Wednesday, the football team received their state championship rings and had the chance to celebrate together one last time.

On Wednesday and Thursday, 8th grade students from schools across the parish were given a tour of Ruston High by some of our seniors.

To raise money for March of Dimes, FBLA put on a March of Dimes walk last Friday, and Student Council sold jean passes this week to contribute to the fundraiser.

This week our FBLA members competed at the state leadership conference in Lafayette.

Some of our students are headed to the state literary rally this weekend to compete in their respective courses.

Today and Saturday, our girls and boys powerlifting teams will compete at the state meet in Lafayette.

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Simsboro High School

FFA Teams competed in the District Career Development events on March 6.  

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The Lincoln Parish Journal is providing our local schools an opportunity to submit nuggets from what’s going on at their respective schools in order to get more information out on its students, faculty and staff. The information below comes directly from those schools.  Any school wishing to provide content each week can email to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com.

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AE Phillips Laboratory School

AEP had a Color Run Thursday as part of a fundraiser we do every other year. It’s still going, but students have raised over $67,000 in pledges as of today.

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Choudrant Elementary

Science 6 and 7 are taking the initiative to be their best in demonstrating mastery of the science curriculum by answering 10,000 questions on IXL in their free time!

7th Grade Social Studies is making ABC books about Westward Expansion

6th Grade Math students have been working to make the Zearn Space Race each week.  This is completing 5 on grade level lessons in Zearn each week to earn fun prizes

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Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center

Registration for Pre-Kindergarten in Lincoln Parish for  the 24-25 school year began online Monday on the LPS website at lincolnschools.org. Students must be 4 by September 30, 2024 to be eligible to enroll. 

LPECC children and families enjoyed egg hunts and parties together throughout the week. 

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Lincoln Prep Elementary

We are excited to announce our Reading Fair Winners! Winners were rewarded with books from our Scholastic Book Fair.

Caleb Worrall (1st place)

Kadence Griffin (2nd place)

David McGlaughlin, Jr. (3rd place)

Markel Gray (Honorable Mention)

Caleah Hicks (Special Recognition – Creativity)

Tamauri Brim (Book Worm Award)

Caples and Robinson hosted a Donuts with the Dentist event today, March 21, 2024. There are tons of pictures on our Facebook page. 

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Ruston Junior High

New to RJHS Parent Night: Ruston Junior High School had an informational Parent Meeting for all upcoming 7th graders on Tuesday, March 19, and another will be hosted Tuesday, April 2, from 5:30-6:30 in the Ruston Junior High Cafeteria.  The same information will be presented at both meetings. 

This meeting is designed to learn more about what RJHS has to offer as well as important information for the upcoming school year.  Topics covered included: core class offerings, electives, school communication, uniforms, sports tryout dates, and much more.

RJHS 8th graders travel to Delta Community College: On Friday, March 15th a few of our 8th graders took a trip to Delta Community College to learn about possible future career opportunities.

The following FBLA students won to advance to nationals:  Khloe Green, Erin Davis, Lakelynn Honaker, Hannah Daulton, Marirose Spillers, Kaitlynn Patrick, Amyrie Jackson, Briley Mack

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Simsboro Elementary

Kids’ Heart Challenge: Students wrapped up their annual Kids’ Heart Challenge on February 23rd and exceeded their goal of $5,000 by raising $5,242.26.

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By Malcolm Butler 

While one Lincoln Parish high school program was receiving their state championship rings, another one was winning a state title.

And while one Lincoln Parish collegiate program was recording a historic win … well another one was doing the same thing.

Wednesday was wild for some of our area teams.

It was a day that would have made the late Buddy Davis’s fingers salivate on his keyboard. Buddy would have loved it.

Head coach Jerrod Baugh, Ruston High principal Dan Gressett and the rest of the RHS coaching staff held a surprise party of sorts Wednesday during the lunchtime hour for the 2023 Non-Select School Division I state champion Bearcat players and support staff.

It was full of rings and bling.

Each Bearcat received their state title ring and a replica miniature trophy like the one that will live in the hallways of Ruston High forever. Baugh even quipped during the start of the ceremony how some players who had caught rumor of the gathering thought it was a meeting for Baugh to announce he was leaving.

It was anything but.

Baugh and these Bearcats are happy and thanks to the generosity of a number of local business and people, they now have the memorabilia to prove it. There was nothing but smiles in the RHS Auditorium.

While Ruston was receiving state title bling, the Cedar Creek’s boys powerlifting team was winning (another) one in Lafayette. Congrats to head coach Jacob Angevine and the Cougars.

It marks the program’s seventh on the boys side, the most of any Class A school in the state.

Nine of the 11 Cougars who participated in the state meet earned a podium (top 3) finish led by Lawson Lillo, Carter Lewis and Landon Amidon each capturing their respective weight classes.

Cedar Creek ran away from the field, avenging last year’s heart-breaking narrow loss in the state championships. Made it even sweeter for these Cougars.

A little bit of a coincidence that the Green (and Gold) won the state title the week following St. Patrick’s Day. I think not. Now they can look forward to their own ring ceremony in the coming months.

Wednesday wasn’t just for the preps in Lincoln Parish.

Grambling State’s men’s basketball team made its own history, defeating Montana State 88-81 in overtime in Dayton in one of the four play-in games of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Not only was it the G’s first ever NCAA Tournament appearance on the men’s side, but it’s now the Tiger first ever NCAA Tournament win.

Although a loss wouldn’t have taken away from the G-Men’s incredible season that culminated with both the SWAC regular season and tournament titles, a win sure helps validate it. And it puts them in the traditional Field of 64 now as they head to face No. 1 seed Purdue on Friday.

It will be a tall task — as in 7-foot-4 Zach Edey of the Boilermakers — to find a way to pull what would be only the third ever 16 vs. 1 upset since the field expanded to at least 64 in 1985, but if UMBC and Fairleigh Dickinson can do it, why can’t these Tigers?

As the clock was winding down in the Tigers hardwood win, the final out was being recorded at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field Wednesday night.

As Caroline Easom tossed the ball to Aubree Seaney to record the final out of Louisiana Tech’s 5-3 win over UL-Lafayette on the softball diamond, you could almost hear a sigh of relief. Yes, that was me.

Tech’s 31-game losing streak to the Ragin’ Cajuns that dated back to 1998 came to an end and it did so in dramatic fashion.

After spotting the Ragin’ Cajuns — who just snapped Oklahoma’s 71-game winning streak a few weeks ago — a 3-0 lead, the Bulldogs rallied for the final five runs.

The smallest player in the park was 5-foot-1 Alannah Rogers of the Bulldogs. They say good things come in small packages, and Rogers proved them right.

Her first collegiate home run — a 3-run shot over the right field wall — stoked the fire as the Bulldogs won arguably the biggest game in head coach Josh Taylor’s three-year career in the red and blue.

Congratulations is in order for all four teams. You made Lincoln Parish proud on a wacky Wednesday.

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By Malcolm Butler

One day after watching their male counterparts capture the state title, the Cedar Creek ladies followed suit on Thursday.

Head coach Jacob Angevine’s Lady Cougars won their third straight Division V state title, easily outdistancing themselves from the rest of the competition in Lafayette.

Creek totaled 66 points, defeating Sacred Heart (37) by 29 points. Holden (33), Slaughter Charter (16) and Ascension Catholic (14) rounded out the top five.

“I’m still blown away at how our girls did today,” said Angevine. “Every single last one of them had determination in their eyes as they walked in the building this morning. They knew if they hit their lifts they would walk out as champs.

“I’m going to miss this group of senior girls so much. They have built one of the best programs in the state of Louisiana. People from all over know about the Cedar Creek girls because of them.”

The Lady Cougars won six of the 11 weight classes while finishing on the podium in all but three of the classifications. The Lady Cougars had four second place finishes and one third place finish.

Alli Claire Johnson (530 pounds, 97-weight class), Emma Moore (835 pounds, 123-weight class), Ainsley Riley (895 pounds, 148-weight class), Lauren Enterkin (975 pounds, 165-weight class), Ashlyn Bourn (915 pounds, 181-weight class), and Kate Harris (805 pounds, 198-weight class) all captured the individual state title in their weight classifications.

Moore was named the Most Outstanding Lifter on the light platform while Enterkin was named the Most Outstanding Lifter on the heavy platform.

Elli Dickerson (785 pounds, 148-weight class), Olivia Salter (810 pounds, 165-weight class), Gia Fernandez (805 pounds, 198-weight class), and Avery Bourn (915 pounds, 220-weight class) all finished second in their respective classifications.

Rosemary Sewell (695 pounds, 132-weight class) finished third.

 

Division V

Team scores: 1. Cedar Creek, 66. 2. Sacred Heart, 37. 3. Holden, 33. 4. Slaughter Charter, 16. 5. Ascension Catholic, 14. 6. Gueydan, 11. 7. Castor, 9. 8. Central Private, 7. 9. Vermilion Catholic, 6. T10. Catholic-PC, 4. T10. Claiborne Christian, 4. T10. Sacred Heart-NO, 4. T13. Delhi Charter, 3. T13. Haynesville, 3. T15. First Baptist Christian, 2. T15. St. John, 2. T15. Evans, 2. T19. Delhi, 1. T19. Elton, 1.

Top 3 individuals

97: 1. Alli Claire Johnson, Cedar Creek, 210-100-220-530.

105: 1. Madeline Fuselier, Sacred Heart, 220-120-235-575. 2. Brynlee White, Holden, 190-105-215-510. 3. Karlee Lafleur, Sacred Heart, 200-90-220-510.

114: 1. Adeline Launey, Sacred Heart, 285-155-300-740. 2. Haley Galyean, Holden, 225-130-260-615. 3. Rylee Maglone, Slaughter Charter, 205-110-265-580.

123: 1. Emma Moore, Cedar Creek, 315-185-335-835. 2. Lene Claire Romero, Vermilion Catholic, 310-190-315-815. 3. Emilia Abadie, Ascension Catholic, 225-95-260-580.

132: 1. Raievah Craddock, Holden, 315-155-315-785. 2. Emerson Aucoin, Central Private, 255-160-305-720. 3. Rosemary Sewell, Cedar Creek, 285-120-290-695.

148: 1. Ainsley Riley, Cedar Creek, 350-205-340-895. 2. Elli Dickerson, Cedar Creek, 305-150-330-785. 3. Abbie Quibodeaux, Sacred Heart, 300-160-300-760.

165: 1. Lauren Enterkin, Cedar Creek, 390-235-350-975. 2. Olivia Salter, Cedar Creek, 320-170-320-810. 3. Ava Harrington, Sacred Heart-NO, 310-170-280-760.

181: 1. Ashlyn Bourn, Cedar Creek, 385-205-325-915. 2. Camille Buller, Sacred Heart, 285-120-290-695. 3. Olivia Lewis, Slaughter Charter, 270-145-255-670.

198: 1. Kate Harris, Cedar Creek, 330-150-325-805. 2. Gia Fernandez, Cedar Creek, 350-170-285-805. 3. Addi Adcock, Claiborne Christian, 280-145-265-690.

220: 1. Tayler Guidry, Gueydan, 400-255-330-985. 2. Avery Bourn, Cedar Creek, 405-185-325-915. 3. Megan Riddle, 345-155-350-850.

SHW: 1. Mollie Bailey, Holden, 415-190-370-975. 2. Anaiah Johnson, Castor, 475-190-310-975. 3. Stormy Watson, Castor, 315-175-315-805.

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Ruston Police arrested the driver involved in a single vehicle crash Tuesday on outstanding warrants and several traffic charges Tuesday.

Alicia A. Pitre, 28, of Calhoun, was allegedly the driver in a crash in the 4000 block of U. S. Highway 80 about 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. Pitre told police she was traveling each on U.S. 80 and ran off the roadway.

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Pitre did not have insurance on the vehicle and her driver’s license had been suspected. The license plate displayed on the vehicle was a fake temporary tag.

Police found Pitre was wanted on warrants from the Fourth Judicial District Court for domestic abuse battery, two counts of possession of methamphetamine, and several traffic charges.

In connection with the crash, Pitre was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for careless operation, driving under suspension, no insurance, and switched license plate. She was also booked on the four warrants and transferred to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Tuesday afternoon.

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. 

By Kyle Roberts

Even with time spent in Oregon or in northern Arkansas, there’s no place quite like Ruston for Dave Anderson, longtime cross country and track and field coach for the Firmly Founded.

In fact, his legacy is synonymous with Ruston High success– just look at the signage for the track complex named after him on Ruston’s campus (hint: it’s the Dave Anderson Track).

“It’s amazing,” Anderson said, reflecting on the honor given to him by Ruston High administration and students. “It’s not one of those things when you start coaching to have something named after you; but it’s born out of love from the student athletes and the community and parents. It’s so much appreciated.”

Anderson made the trip to the 31st Hoss Garrett Relays on Thursday from north Arkansas, getting the chance to watch the signature home event that he rebranded in honor of the Garrett family over three decades ago.

“We’re excited anytime he’s here,” current Ruston High cross country coach Dustin Cochran said of Anderson (Cochran is also the assistant for track and field). “You know, anywhere I’ve been across the country, if I’m wearing a Ruston High shirt, people will come up and ask if that’s Dave Anderson’s Ruston. That, in itself, says a whole lot.

“He’s had athletes from little old Ruston in Louisiana from all walks of like competing at high levels. And he gives up a standard, so it’s very easy to point back and say ‘Look what these kids did, and they lived in the same neighborhood as you.'”

Coaches from other schools attending the relays could not help but flash huge smiles as they approached him and reflected on their memories together. And one of his former outstanding runners, Jay Hilton, will carry on Anderson’s legacy as the newest head coach for cross country and track at Ruston Junior High School effective July 1, 2024.

“I want to do for them exactly what he did for us,” Hilton said. “He had a huge impact on us; he taught us not only how to run but how to be adults, take care of your responsibilities and succeed in life.”

And although Anderson may reside in a different state, there’s will always be one place that will always be able to hang his spikes– right here in Ruston.

“So many great things have happened over the years and continue to happen,” Anderson said. “It’s just good to be home.”

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Written by LA Tech communications student Daniel Young.

Louisiana Tech University doctoral student Mohammad Jabed Perves Bappy’s research may help NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) create habitable environments on the moon and Mars.

Bappy, a member of Dr. David Mills’ research lab and doctoral candidate in Tech’s interdisciplinary micro and nanoscale systems engineering program, has helped develop cost-effective antibacterial nano agents for a filtration system capable of integration with widely used high-grade industrial plastics during his time at Louisiana Tech.

This project, funded by NASA EPSCOR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) Rapid Response Research Program, will cut down on very small, possibly dangerous, disease-carrying microorganisms. This could include pathogens, microbes, or any other biological DNA or matter.

Protecting the integrity of the spacesuit from these pathogens is very important for space travel. Due to the long flight and change in environment, astronauts’ immune systems can become easily compromised, especially in an enclosed space such as a space shuttle, meaning that capturing possibly dangerous material in the vent of the suits and shuttle is critical.

Using his skills in nanotechnology, Bappy has created a filter out of a permeable, easy-to-absorb material. By doing so on an incredibly small scale and using the special material, he has created a ventilation system that causes the harmful material to be easily trapped in the vent due to it being functionally more absorbent. This system properly filters the air, protecting the life of the astronauts.

When asked for his thoughts on Bappy, Mills stated, “I have had few students like Jabed. He is a self-starter, highly motivated, and a gifted and creative student. I wish I had more graduate students like him.”

“I embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation to dynamically respond to evolving circumstances,” Bappy added when asked about his research philosophy.

Along those lines, he hopes to expand this technology into the commercial setting, bringing the clean air of a sterilized spaceship into the standard office space. Through hard work and ingenuity, Bappy is heading toward improving not only humanity’s mission to the stars but also life on Earth, all as a student at Louisiana Tech University.

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By T. Scott Boatright

There was more hoops magic in store for Grambling State University Thursday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the Lady Tigers held on to defeat Oral Roberts 93-91 in first-round action of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament at the Mabee Center.

That win came 24 hours after GSU’s men’s basketball team won a First Four matchup to advance to face Mid-East Region top seed Purdue in a NCAA March Madness Tournament showdown at 6:25 p.m. today in a game that will be televised live on TBS.

Next up for the Lady Tigers is a WNIT second round contest at the University of Louisiana-Monroe at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Lady Tigers found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard early on as Oral Roberts built the largest lead of the contest on a Hanah Cooper layup that gave the Golden Eagles a 12-point advantage at 42-30 with 6:20 remaining in the first half.

Grambling batted back, cutting Oral Roberts’ advantage to two points at 43-41 on a Kahia Warmsley driving layup with 2:06 left before intermission.

But Oral Roberts countered to score the final four points of the first half on a pair of made free throws by Taleyah Jones and a Emily Robinson layup to take a 47-41 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Grambling came out strong to start the third quarter, outscoring Oral Roberts 10-3 in the opening 3:35 of the stanza on baskets by five different players —- Anijah Grant, Amanda Blake, Jazmyne Jackson, Zayla Tinner and Douthsine Prien to move out on top for the first time since the 3:03 mark of the first quarter.

Neither team built more than a two-point advantage the remainder of the quarter as the contest moved into the final stanza knotted up at 67-67.

There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in the final stanza, a Grambling four-point advantage being the largest of the stanza.

A Jackson 3-pointer and a pair of made free throws by Warmsley to put Grambling up 93-89 with three seconds lead.

Ruthie Udoumohl added a basket at the buzzer to cut Grambling’s winning margin to two points

The win marked Grambling’s first national tourney win since the Lady Tigers topped Oe Miss 78-75 in the 2017 WNIT.

Jackson led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 21 points while Jordyn Carter added 17.

Grambling won the battle on the boards 43-37 and also got a double-double from Blake, who totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds while the Lady Tigers also got 12 points from Prien, 11 from Warmsley and eight from Grant.

ORU was led by Jones and Udoumah with 22 points each with Udoumah also chalking up a double-double by adding 13 boards.

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There are two varieties of home improvement projects. The catalyst for the first variety of projects is the eye. When you have harvest gold or avocado green kitchen appliances, it is time for a little project. The way trends cycle, if you will hang on to those appliances another quarter century, they might be in vogue again. We might call those updates. It sounds less expensive to say, “I’m updating my home.”

The other variety of home improvement occurs when there is a major repair necessary. I am in the middle of that kind of home improvement. The house was constructed seventy-seven years ago. There are things that have “broken.” I am in the middle of a bathroom remodel. Seems the tub was not a cast iron variety. It was one of those “new-fangled” metal tubs of the 1940s. The tub reached the end of its functional life. Corrosion, known as rust, surrounded the drain and the tub began to leak.

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I was vetoed on the contractor, the other member of the committee voted to hire the friend of a friend. The work is “substantially completed.” All I can tell you is, I closed my eyes and listened to this guy talk and I swear I was listening to Larry the Cable guy. He was a nice man. He worked quickly. He did say, “Your house is not square.” Duh, it was built in 1947 and is pier and beam construction, no kidding it is not square.

He told me on Saturday that he would have to call friend number one to finish the drain because a part was missing.

The missing part was a ninety-degree turn. He described it as being PVC that was about six or seven inches long in total. He didn’t know where it was, but it was suddenly gone. He surmised that somehow friend number one had inadvertently picked it up. I shrugged my shoulders.

He finished his part of the job and left. That evening as I was getting the dogs settled, I found the missing piece of PVC. The dogs didn’t differentiate between some of their bones and this missing piece of pipe. There it was in the middle of my bed. The dogs had buried it under a throw pillow. I’m wondering if this isn’t in the same broad category of “my dog ate my homework.”

The Psalmist told us, “Fret not.” I wonder if the Psalmist had dogs that carried off PVC in the middle of a construction project. I know the Psalmist faced much more. Is your faith in Christ, such that you can face every adventure, situation, exchange, conversation, challenge, or detour with the attitude of “fret not?”

Dentist by day. Chef by night.

Our good friend Trey Hanna at Ruston Smiles is at it again!

Trey is providing the Lincoln Parish Journal a cooking column/recipe periodically. This month Trey’s menu includes high-protein queso. You won’t want to miss it.

Just click on the link below for ingredients and direction.

 

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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, March 22
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball

Saturday, March 23
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 4PAWS Easter Egg Hunt (290 Rodeo Rd.)
2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, March 24
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
1 p.m.: GSU baseball
1 p.m.: LA Tech softball

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Both of Louisiana Tech’s diamond teams are home this weekend for three-game Conference USA series. Lane Burroughs and the Bulldogs host Jacksonville State while Josh Taylor and the Bulldogs host WKU.

Baseball

Louisiana Tech will open up Conference USA play at home against Jacksonville State tonight at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. First pitch time of 6 p.m.

The three-game series between the Bulldogs and the Gamecocks will continue Saturday at 2 p.m. and conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.

All three games can be heard on 97.7 FM with Dave Nitz providing the call of the action. All three will also be on ESPN+.

Tech (17-6)  is coming off a 6-4 victory over Nicholls on Wednesday night in Thibodaux. Will Safford hit a late-game two-run home run to carry the Bulldogs to a victory.

The Gamecocks (9-1) are coming off a 7-3 loss against Samford on Tuesday night at home. Jacksonville State will be playing its first ever Conference USA series after joining the league in July.

It will be the first time the two programs will compete against each other on the diamond.

During the 2024 season, a limited number of single-game reserved chairback tickets may be available on a game-by-game basis. Any opportunities for unclaimed single-game tickets will go on sale, if available, no earlier than 24 hours before the scheduled first pitch.

Single-game standing-room only and right-field berm tickets are also available on a game-by-game basis for $15.  To purchase, fans can stop by the LA Tech Baseball Box Office at J.C. Love Field, open two hours before the first pitch, or visit LATechSports.com/Tickets.

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Softball

The Bulldogs resume Conference USA play with a three-game series against Western Kentucky this weekend starting tonight at 6 p.m.

It’s a match-up of two of the three teams currently tied atop the CUSA standings at 5-1 (Liberty is the third).

The series will continue Saturday at 2 p.m. and will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games can be seen on ESPN+ with Malcolm Butler providing the call of the action.

Louisiana Tech (20-5, 5-1) is coming off a thrilling 5-3 win over UL-Lafayette on Wednesday. The Bulldogs’ victory was their first over the Ragin’ Cajuns since April 25, 1998, snapping a 31-game ULL winning streak in the series. Alannah Rogers hit a three-run home run and drove in a career-high four runs in the victory. Lauren Menzina picked up the win with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief pitching.

The Bulldogs enter the matchup having won six in a row at home, their longest home winning streak in a season since they won 12 straight from April 3-May 8 of 2022.

WKU (19-8-1, 5-1) is coming off a 9-0 run-rule win over Morehead State on Wednesday.

Morgan Sharpe leads WKU with a .467 batting average, 42 hits, five doubles, two triples, and 22 RBI this season. TJ Webster is also batting above the .400 mark at .442. Webster has 34 hits, two doubles, one home run, and nine RBI. Taylor Sanders possesses the most dangerous bat in the lineup, with a team-leading 10 home runs and 32 RBI. Her 10 round-trippers rank 13th nationally.

The Bulldogs and the Hilltoppers will be meeting for the 18th, 19th, and 20th times this weekend. LA Tech leads the all-time series 10-7. The Bulldogs took the last meeting 6-3 (13 inn.) on May 6, 2023.

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