Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Monday, April 29
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (112 W. Alabama Ave.)

Tuesday, April 30
10 a.m.: Storytime at Lincoln Parish Library
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
7:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Wednesday, May 1
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
7:15 p.m.: Revive 318 Worship Service (Joe Aillet Stadium; gates open at 6:15 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Thursday, May 2
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
7:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Friday, May 3
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
7:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Saturday, May 4
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
1-4 p.m.: Second annual Lincoln Literarium (Lincoln Parish Library)
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
7:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Sunday, May 5
1 p.m.: LA Tech softball
2:30 p.m.: “Soul Samurai” play (Louisiana Tech School of Theatre, Stone Theatre)

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech survived an extra-innings thriller against Sam Houston on a Sunday afternoon in the Love Shack as the Bulldogs defeated the Bearkats 12-9 in walk-off fashion following an Adarius Myers three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning.

With the win, Tech (33-13, 11-4) completed the three-game sweep over Sam Houston and the Bulldogs now sit alone in first place in the Conference USA standings.

“I am proud of our guys it was a crazy weekend,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “Ethan Bates said he was only available for one inning, and (Sam) Brodersen said he was not available. But the crazy thing is he was heading to the bullpen and told Cooper Fouts I am throwing if we play another inning.

“Bates played every game this week with three saves and a win. Adarius Myers is a Bulldog Man, a forever captain, and what time to hit your first home run this season. I didn’t know the ball was out of the yard, but I knew it would be double and know we had won.”

Both teams started the game by combining for ten runs in the second inning.

Sam Houston scored five runs off a two-run homer to left-center field from Jeffery David, followed by an RBI double from Easton Loyd, and Hunter Autrey drove in two with his RBI single, putting Sam Houston up 5-0.

However, Tech did some damage, as well, by getting on the board after a Jorge Corona (3-for-5, BB, HR) home run to left field. After back-to-back RBI sacrifice flyouts from Kasten Furr and Will Safford in the bottom of the second inning that cut Sam Houston’s lead to two, Bates (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B) earned a two-RBI single that tied up the game.

Later, Furr picked up his second RBI while singling to center field, causing Grant Comeaux to score. Next, Michael Ballard reached on a fielder’s choice error from Sam Houston that caused Bates to cross home plate, extending Tech’s lead to 7-5.

Eventually, in the fifth inning, Sam Houston came back to tie the game in the fifth with back-to-back RBIs from Malachi Lott and Jeffery David. In the sixth inning, the Bearkats took the lead when Jake Tatom picked up an RBI via a sacrifice flyout and put the Bearkats up 8-7. Tech clawed back to tie the game up following a fielding error from Sam Houston, causing Ballard to reach and Bates to score.

Following up in the eighth inning, Sam Houston secured the lead again after Jake Tatom earned an RBI single, which caused Hunter Autrey to score.

However, Tech fought back in the bottom of the ninth inning with the help of a Davis Davis two-out RBI single, causing Myers (4-for-6, 3 RBI, HR) to score home and send the game to extra innings.

In the bottom of the tenth inning, Myers destroyed a ball to left-center, earning him a three-run homer and walk-off game-winner. Myer’s home run was his second game-winning hit of the season, while his first was against Northern Colorado in February.

Bates (2-1) earned his second win this season on the mound.

Louisiana Tech will head back to Monroe on Tuesday night to face ULM. Tech’s game on Tuesday is the last midweek game of the 2024 season, with the rest of the weekend schedule being CUSA play for Tech. The first pitch for Tuesday’s game will be at 6 PM and televised on ESPN+.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

The Grambling State University baseball defeated Texas Southern 7-6 on Sunday afternoon at Wilbert Ellis Field, clinching the weekend and season series over TSU.

The Tigers (18-22, 15-6) fell 17-12 on Friday before winning 16-8 on Saturday.

GSU starting pitcher Charles Jackson was masterful in his start on the mound. The right-hander from Macon, Ga. struck out seven batters in 6.0 innings of work. He also limited TSU to one run on one hit.

HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1

• Grambling State’s Chris Marcellus got the scoring started in the bottom of the second when he ripped a 2-RBI double down the left field line to give GSU a 2-0 lead.
• Julian Murphy extended GSU’s lead in the bottom of the third with a 2-run home run to make it 4-0. Following a double by Trevor Hatton, Jose Vargas brought him around to score with a single, pushing GSU’s lead to 5-0
• Texas Southern worked its way back into the game, eventually tying the game 5-5 in the top of the seventh. 
• In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kyle Walker reached base on a lead off walk. With one away, Cameron Bufford singled to second base, however, a poor throw allowed Walker and Bufford to advance to second and third. Murphy scored Walker on a grounder to shortstop, putting Grambling State back in front 6-5.
• TSU tied the game once again in the top of the eighth, 6-6, on a solo home run by Chase Cromer. 
• In the bottom of the ninth, and the bases loaded, Jose Vargas drew a walk to score the winning run for GSU. 

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletics, Staff Reports

Although Sunday saw Louisiana Tech fall 6-0, the Bulldogs took two out of three in a weekend Conference USA road series at New Mexico State.

Tech (29-18, 12-9) won Friday’s game 11-7 and Saturday’s by a score of 5-4 before falling in Sunday’s finale.

However, after plating 16 runs on 21 hits in the first two games, Tech was blanked and held to just one hit (one-out double by Brooke Diaz in the 7th) in Sunday’s loss.

“I am proud of our weekend, but our performance offensively today cannot happen,” said head coach Josh Taylor. “We were not competitive at the plate today. We pitched and defended well enough to win at this ballpark (on Sunday), but we have to show up offensively ready to play every single day.”

The long ball and offensive woes were the difference-makers in the loss. The Bulldogs had just five baserunners in the contest.

New Mexico State belted three home runs, back-to-back solo shots from Dezianna Patmon and Riley Carley in addition to a three-run round tripper from Jillian Taylor in the fourth to give the Aggies all six runs they would need.

New Mexico State pitcher Emily Dix took a no-hitter into the top of the seventh inning before Brooke Diaz broke it up with a double off the right field fence.

Allie Floyd took the loss for LA Tech to fall to 13-6 on the season while Dix improved to 8-10 with the win.

In Friday’s win, Claire Raley and Kylie Neel homered and Floyd tossed a complete-game in the circle as the Bulldogs scored five in the sixth and three more in the seventh to blow open a close game.

On Saturday, Tech banged out 12 hits, including three by Alexis Gilio and two each by Neel, Raley, Alannah Rogers and Brooke Diaz. Brook Melnychuk (10-7) picked up the win in the circle and Mattison Buster earned her second save of the year in relife.

With the loss, Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State are tied in third place of the CUSA standings.

The Bulldogs host McNeese Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech soccer head coach Steve Voltz has been signed to a contract extension, the school announced Friday.

Voltz has spent the last three seasons at the helm of the Bulldog Soccer program, helping guide the team to back-to-back appearances in the Conference USA Tournament. LA Tech hosted the championship at Robert Mack Caruthers Field this past season, advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2018.

“It is such a privilege and thrill to continue to lead the women’s soccer program at LA Tech,” said Voltz. “I am grateful to the administration for placing their trust in me and our vision for the program. All this would not be possible without an amazing staff and a group of student-athletes, as well as recruits that share our passion for LA Tech soccer.”

Under Voltz’ leadership, LA Tech has produced seven All-CUSA selections, including three this past season in Kyra Taylor, Josie Studer, and Lauren Egbuloniu. The Bulldogs have also garnered back-to-back CUSA Freshman of the Year honorees. Last season, Taylor was the recipient of the award after tying the freshman record for most goals with nine.

Off the field, LA Tech has had seven Academic All-District selections and five CUSA All-Academic selections with Voltz as head coach.

Voltz came to Ruston in 2020 and served as the lead assistant coach during the split 2020-21 campaign before serving as interim head coach during the 2021 season. After wrapping the 2021 season, the interim tag was removed.

LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team added three more players, head coach Brooke Stoehr announced on Friday.

LA Tech added transfers Da’Kariya Jackson (Jacksonville, Ark./Three Rivers College), Melissa Mwanza (Harare, Zimbabwe/Richmond), and incoming freshman Taylor Rietveld (Woodbine, Ga./Camden County High School).

Jackson is a 6’0″ guard from Three Rivers College led the Raiders to a 51-11 record with two trips to the NJCAA Division I Tournament in her two seasons.

“Da’Kariya is an explosive scorer and will bring experience and energy to our team,” said Stoehr. “She plays with a great deal of passion and with a high motor on both ends of the floor. She has the ability to distribute, score and create momentum for her teammates in games and practice. She elevates the level of play of those around her. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Lady Techsters family.”

Jackson averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a game during her sophomore season, where the Raiders won the Region 16 Championship and advanced to the NJCAA Division I quarterfinals. She scored a season-high 35 points with five assists and four blocks against State Fair Community College in the Region 16 championship game.

The second-team All-American scored in double figures in 20 games this season, with 13 being 15 or more. She had three double doubles and 23 games of 3+ assists.

During her prep career, Jackson played at Jacksonville High School, where she scored 1,000 points and was a three-time All-District and two-time All-State member.

Mwanza is a Lady Techster after spending her freshman season at Richmond. The 6’2″ forward brings added height to the post position.

“Melissa gives us a strong bodied presence in the paint,” Stoehr said. “She has the ability to score with her back to the basket in addition to a solid face up game. Her athleticism and ability to rebound and defend in the post will be an asset to our roster. We are excited to welcome Melissa to Ruston.”

Mwanza played in 15 games for the Spiders and scored 1.2 points and 1.1 boards in 2.6 minutes of action a game. She recorded a season-high four points and four rebounds against Delaware State.

She becomes the ninth international player in Lady Techster’s history and the first from Zimbabwe.

Mwanza prepped at Life Christian Academy, averaging 11 points and six boards a contest.

Rietveld is a 6’1″ versatile forward from Camden County High School in Woodbine, Georgia.

“We are excited to welcome Taylor to the Louisiana Tech family,” said Stoehr. “She brings added length, athleticism, and versatility to the roster. Taylor is a three-level scorer that rebounds at a high level. She plays with a grit and toughness that will fit well with this class.”

During her senior season, Rietveld averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals a game. She is a three-time First Team All-Region member, adding an All-State South First Team and Region Player of the Year this past season.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

The Grambling State University softball team defeated Alcorn State 6-0 and 4-2 in Friday’s doubleheader at the GSU Softball Complex.

GSU fell 1-0 in Saturday’s Senior Day finale.

The Lady Tigers improved to 16-28 overall and 7-16 in the SWAC while Alcorn State fell to 10-34 overall and 5-18 in conference play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1

Dacia Richard (7-7) dominated the Braves on the mound in the first game of the day. She struck out 10 batters in 7.0 innings of work, allowing just one hit in the complete game shutout.

Grambling State nabbed an early lead in the top of the first inning when Tavia Leadon ripped an RBI double to the left field wall, giving the Lady Tigers 1-0 advantage. GSU’s next run in the inning came when Nyah Jones beat out a throw to first base. ASU’s first baseman committed a throwing error that allowed Leadon to score and make it 2-0 GSU.  

Jones followed that up with a 2-RBI single, stretching the lead to 4-0 in the third inning. She was 2-for-3 on the day.

Jayda Williams drove in GSU’s fifth run of the day in the fifth inning on an RBI single. Later in the inning, Williams was thrown out attempting to steal second base, but Deija Russell who was on third base, took advantage of the throw the second and running home to stretch the lead to 6-0.

How It Happened – Game 2

In the second game of the day, Grambling State erased a 2-0 deficit to claim a 4-2 win over Alcorn State.

Trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning, Khahli Malone’s sacrifice fly got the Lady Tigers on the board after score Nyah Jones who was standing on third base. Kamryn Broussard who advanced to third on the play, soon tied the game on a wild pitch to tie the game 2-2
 
Later in the frame, Katelynn Walls singled in a run, giving GSU its first lead of the game 3-2.
 
Deija Russell’s RBI single slapped into left field, made it 4-2.
 
Erin Gibbs (4-8) got the win, surrendering two runs on six hits in 7.0 innings of work. 

Edward Harrison, Sr. 
Friday 03/19/1943 — Thursday 04/18/2024  
Visitation: Monday 04/29/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Service: Tuesday 04/30/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home 
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Omega Celebration of Life: Tuesday, 04/30/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Tuesday 04/30/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 

Jerry W. Patterson 
Monday 06/28/1954 — Monday 04/22/2024  
Family Gathering: Friday 05/03/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Friday 05/03/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/04/2024 11:00am, New Hope Baptist Church, Corner of Vaughn & Jones Street, Ruston 
Interment: Saturday 05/04/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 

Michael W. Perkins 
Saturday 12/11/1954 — Wednesday 04/24/2024  
Family Gathering: Friday 05/03/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Friday 05/03/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/04/2024 1:00pm, Springhill Baptist Church, 727 Dicks Store Road, Grambling 
Interment: Saturday 05/04/2024 Following Service, Springhill Church Cemetery, Dicks Store Road, Grambling/Simsboro 

Evgenia Lemoine 
February 21, 1978 – April 26, 2024 
Services pending 

Margie Vernell Willett 
September 21, 1935 – April 26, 2024 
Visitation: Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 
Graveside Service: Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 11:00 AM, Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens, 1270 HWY 544, Ruston 

A Dubach police officer was killed Saturday afternoon when he was struck by an 18-wheeler while conducting a traffic stop.

Russell Croxton, 51, of Dubach, was a recent addition to the Dubach Police Department. He had served some years ago as Dubach’s chief of police, and more recently, as a police officer with the Louisiana Tech University Police Department.

Louisiana State Police, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Ruston Ambulance Service responded to the scene shortly before 1:00 p.m. Saturday.

According to Louisiana State Police, Croxton had stopped a 2014 Fprd Explorer on U.S. 167 just south of Hamilton Road for a traffic violation when his 2020 Chevrolet patrol truck and the stopped motorist’s vehicle were struck by an 18-wheeler.

LSP said Croxton had exited his vehicle and was standing next to the driver’s side window of the Explorer speaking to the stopped driver. A 2022 Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle, driven by 61-year-old Michael Sutterfield of Russellville, Arkansas, was traveling north on U.S. 167 in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, Sutterfield failed to move from the right lane to yield to the stopped patrol vehicle. As a result, the 18-wheeler struck the rear of the Chevrolet, causing it to rotate to the right.  After striking the Chevrolet, Sutterfield’s vehicle continued north and struck Officer Croxton before striking the Ford Explorer.

Officer Croxton was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. Sutterfield and the driver of the Ford were both properly restrained and uninjured. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation by LSP.

Officer Croxton was a young child when his father, Ruston Police Sergeant Raymond Croxton, was killed in a single-vehicle patrol car crash in May 1978. Sgt. Croxton was believed to have been in pursuit of a violator at the time of the crash. Russell Croxton had told fellow Lincoln Parish law officers that the death of his father served as an impetus in his pursuit of a career as a law enforcement officer.

By Kyle Roberts

Saturday’s election went in favor for both Ruston School District No. 1 and Choudrant, passing the respective bond measures for upgrades at both schools.

The votes for the Choudrant proposal were 292 to 173, while Ruston’s was much closer at 1,161 to 1,001.

“For Choudrant first, I think we certainly appreciate people supporting adding classrooms, which will be huge for the elementary school and for the multi-purpose room for the high school to give more classroom space,” Lincoln Parish School Board superintendent Ricky Durrett said. “It’s a very important vote for tonight, especially with the school growing and the community growing.

“And for Ruston, I want to thank all of the people that worked hard to get the word out and get this passed. The winners tonight are the students of the Ruston school district that will reap the benefits of the security systems and the upgrades in athletics for the school. We really appreciate those that turned out and supported it. I just can’t be more excited for our students.”

Ruston principal Dan Gressett echoed Durrett’s statement about the vote being a win for the students.

“We always want to do what’s best for our kids,” Gressett said. “This benefits the majority of our students, and I’m glad to see it passed. It’s a good night for our kids.”

Gressett added that even with the passing of the proposal, there is not a timeline for any of the projects to begin.

For Choudrant principal Chris Jones, tonight was a testament of the community coming together to support the school.

“Tonight shows the support (the community) has for our students and the school,” Jones said. “Our community gets a lot of value out of the money they invest in the school. We’re very proud of it. We’re going to get a multi-purpose room out of it, which is going to help alleviate some stress in our classrooms. We’re really excited about it.”

Turnout for both measures was low with 12.5 percent turning out for the Choudrant vote and 11.4 percent voting for Ruston.

The Ruston District 1 proposal for capital improvement will include:

Ruston Junior High School ($1,820,000 total)
– Security Upgrades (Fencing & Gates): $1.3 million
– Additional Parking: $320,000
– Body Scan Machines: $200,00

Ruston High School ($14,780,000 total)
– New Roof: $1 million
– Entrance Upgrades for Security: $950,000
– Body Scan Machines: $300,000
– Parking Lot by Gym: $330,000
– Covered Pavilion: $5 million
– Softball Field Upgrades: $3.5 million
– Boys & Girls Basketball Renovations: $1.5 million
– Baseball Upgrades: $2.2 million

Transportation ($900,000 total)
– Activity buses: $900,000

Choudrant School District No. 6 will include:

Choudrant Elementary School
– Additional Classrooms with Boys and Girls Restrooms ($1.5 million)

Choudrant High School
– New Multi-Purpose Room ($500,000)

By Kyle Roberts

The emotion will never go away for the family of Kendra and Remington Butler following their tragic deaths in the 2019 EF-3 tornado that ripped through the city of Ruston.

And while nothing will restore the terrible loss, the pair has been memorialized with a plaque beneath the smokestack on Monroe Street, honoring the two of them along with the workers and volunteers who banded together to form what has become “Ruston Strong” over the last five years.

In a 15-minute ceremony Thursday, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker honored the Butler family in attendance which included Kendra’s son Cam, her mother Cathy, grandmother Ella and sister Monique.

“We realize there are still people who are hurting,” Walker said of the Butler family. “We are aware of that and we want to do something very special.”

Walker announced that the area beneath the smokestack will now be known as the Ruston Strong Plaza to commemorate the lives lost and as a thank you to the volunteers and first responders who assisted during the recovery.

“It’s just the beginning,” Walker said. “We’ll be adding more to it. I encourage people walking on the greenway to stop and have a time of reflection.”

Following the tribute, the Butler’s were able to see the plaque for the first time in an emotional moment for the family members in attendance.

“Five years; it seems so unreal,” Monique, Kesha’s sister, said. “It still seems like it just happened yesterday. The city has really shown us a tremendous amount of love and support throughout the years. Today is important because we’re a close family, and we rally around each other and give the love and support that we need. It’s not easy; it’s a struggle for us everyday losing them. We try to remain positive and keep pushing and praying.

“(The memorial) is very touching and it’s very dear to all of us.”

The plaque in full reads:

“Ruston Strong Memorial: This location is dedicated to the memory of Kendra Butler, and her son Remington, who tragically lost their lives in the tornado on April 25, 2019. Additionally, this plaque honors the resilience and unity of our city and all those affected by the catastrophic disaster.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers and City workers who selflessly dedicated their time and effort to aid in the cleanup and rebuilding of our wonderful city. Your compassion and strength continue to inspire us all.”

The Ruston Fire Department is investigating the cause of an early morning fire at a shop at Louisiana Tech’s physical plant facility on Hull Avenue Tuesday.

Louisiana Tech Police said a physical plant supervisor arrived at work about 6 a.m. and discovered the fire.

Ruston Fire, with a station just over a block away, responded and spent about two hours working the scene.

Officials said the fire damaged supplies, equipment, and at least one vehicle in addition to the structure. what caused the fire in a power plant on the south campus of Louisiana Tech University on the morning of April 22.

Reports by some news outlets that the fire was at the university’s power plant were erroneous.

Tech Police said a review of video after the fire indicated the blaze may have started around 5 a.m. but since flames were not showing, no passers-by noticed it.

An early estimate was given of about $1million in damage.

By Malcolm Butler

After a highly-successful collegiate playing career at Louisiana Tech and being named the Arkansas HIgh School Coach of the Year in 2023, Erica (Smith) Leak was introduced Thursday as the new head coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Leak, who led West Memphis High School to the state finals this past year for the first time since 2003, spent the past four years as the 5A east powerhouse program.

“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Leak and her family to Golden Lions Nation,” said UAPB Director of Athletics Chris Robinson. “She rose to the top of an incredibly strong group of candidates and is uniquely poised to lead our program forward.

“Her dynamic personality and extremely high-level basketball intelligence will enable her to come in and make an immediate impact. Most importantly, she truly cares about the student-athletes experience and will inspire our women to achieve greatness on and off the court.”

Leak played for a pair of Hall of Fame collegiate coaches during her days in Ruston, playing for Leon Barmore and Kurt Budke.

As a 2005 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Leak was a 4-time Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Champion, WAC Freshman of the Year, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance all four years. She was selected 19th overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.

“I am grateful to Athletic Director Chris Robinson and Chancellor Laurence Alexander for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Golden Lion program,” said Leak. “I am excited to bring my competitive edge, energy, and winning spirit to this team and strive for success both on and off the court with my players for many years to come.”

Leak received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University in 2005 and her Master of Arts in Athletic Administration from Concordia University in 2023. She is happily married to Antonio and has five children – daughters Nia, Tyra, Laila, Demi, and a son named Jace.

To The Editor:

The undersigned want to express our support for the Lincoln Parish School Board’s proposal to restore the Ruston High softball team’s old home field on Bittersweet Avenue to its former glory.

We are softball players from the RHS 2007 state championship team, and we believe the RHS softball team deserves its own, dedicated facility, on par with what the baseball team has, to provide comparable and equal access to all RHS sports programs.

Today, softball is the only RHS team sport that doesn’t have unlimited access to its facilities for practices and games, and that puts the team at a competitive disadvantage against other 5A schools. This may also raise Title IX legal compliance questions.

Providing RHS Softball with its own field would create a true sense of ownership and pride – this is, after all, the field where RHS softball won a state championship – and allow the team to build a strong and lasting culture and team identity.

The proposed improvements – a new backstop, new scoreboard, turf the field and batting cage, dressing rooms and parking, and maybe even a student section in the stands – would put softball on par with what other RHS teams have, and with our competition. RHS softball wants to leave a proud legacy, and that starts with the team having its own facility where they can walk onto their field whenever they need to.

Please support RHS Softball by leveling the playing fields for everyone and voting yes on the bond proposal on April 27. It’s the right thing to do.

Sincerely, 

Kadie Williams Claborn
Elyse Smith Mills
Jodi Albritton Serpas
Laquisha Woods Tidwell

Louisiana Tech University Police arrest a student last Thursday wanted in Calcasieu Parish for possessing pornography involving juveniles.

Charles Brittain Schrumpf II, 22, of Sulphur, was arrested on warrants charging him with 25 counts of pornography involving juveniles. Schrumpf was removed from an on-campus class and turned over to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children initiated the investigation, according to a CPSO press release.

After investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives in conjunction with an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with Homeland Security

Investigations and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, warrants were obtained for Schrumpf’s arrest.

Schrumpf was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center by LA Tech Police and transferred back to Calcasieu Parish by CPSO deputies.

Schrumpf reportedly posted a $300,000 bond later Thursday.

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 West Monroe man was arrested Tuesday after a three-month investigation into the discovery of a woman’s body in the Ouachita River.

On January 24, the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a body floating in the Ouachita River in a rural area off Poole Road near Jonesville. Deputies recovered a torso missing its extremities. The remains were sent for an autopsy and the findings determined the death was as a homicide.

During the investigation, the remains were positively identified through DNA testing as Sheryl M. Turner, 19, of New Iberia.

Through examination of forensic data, it was determined Turner had engaged in a romantic relationship over text message with someone from West Monroe. From statements given by Turner’s family, she left New Iberia to stay with a person she met online. Turner’s last known location was later determined to be a residence in West Monroe.

On April 19, the West Monroe Police Department took a lead investigating role in the case. Through forensic data and surveillance, Anthony Pierce Holland Jr. was identified as a suspect.

Search warrants were executed at Holland’s home Tuesday, and he was taken into custody without incident.

During the execution of search warrants at Holland’s home, forensic evidence of a crime of violence was collected. During interviews, Holland admitted to killing Turner inside his residence. He reportedly told police he dismembered Turner’s inside his home and placed the remains into a body of water that fed into the Ouachita River.

Holland was booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center for one count of second degree murder. He is being held without bail.

The investigation is continuing, according to West Monroe Police.

In a press release, WMPD said, “[we] would like to thank the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and dedication on this case. WMPD would also like to thank the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this matter.”

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.

_______________________________

AE Phillips Laboratory School

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Simsboro Middle School and Elementary School

Congratulations to the 2023-24 National Junior Society members who were inducted on Tuesday night:

1st Year Inductees

6th Grade: Breleigh Alexander, Ceanna Buis, Lazorreya Davis, Journee Kelly, Piper Nash, Chase Odom, Alan Rodrigues, Wyatt Rodrigues, Pricilla Solorzano, Levi Theodos, Porter Thomas, Joseph Varela

7th Grade: Makenzie Branch, Quincy Crane, Kailee Hamilton, Sa’Riyah Jones, Talashia Mangham

8th Grade: Callie Harrison

2nd Year Inductees:

7th Grade: Levi Alford, Magdalena Bautista, Brianna Boyd, Makayla Branch, Ciara Caldwell, Sydney Canterbury, Neilie Cash, Christopher Coleman, Landon Durrett, Logan Esquivel, Hunter Farris, Byrlee Gipson, Jhyace Gipson, Kassidy Heard, Jaelah Jackson, Dakota Powell, Denise Ramirez, Bentley Salter

8th Grade: Katelynn Barrett, Tamia Graham, Duntavis Holland, Chloe Johnson, Rae Miller, Landry Roberts, Rose Senn, Angela Smith, Alyssa Turner, Brianna William

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.

A 2023 Louisiana Tech graduate remains in intensive care in a Shreveport hospital after a heroic rescue by a stranger and subsequent medical aid from a law enforcement officer after he was pulled from Lake D’arbonne Sunday.

The family, through its attorney, is urging the Farmerville Police Department to make an arrest of the person who allegedly pushed Gilbert into the lake during an outing.

Sunday evening Gilbert and some friends went to Rhett’s Tail and Shells on Lake D’arbonne in Farmerville. Ruston personal injury attorney Claudia Payne, representing Gilbert’s mother Yolanda George, said a member of the group pushed Gilbert into the water. When Gilbert did not surface, bystanders not affiliated with the group went into the water to rescue him.

According to a report by a sergeant with the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, members of the group said Gilbert fell in face first and they thought he was playing a prank. Later, authorities were told a female in the group pushed Gilbert in during some “horse play.”

Apparently no one in the group knew Gilbert could not swim and no one went in after him.

“What was initially told to officers of Farmerville Police Department was that Chris fell on his own into Lake D’arbonne,” Payne wrote about the incident. “However, later on that night an individual within the ‘friend’ group, a white female, who we believe to be around the same age as Chris, admitted to pushing him into the water.”

Payne noted, “To add insult to injury, after pushing him, no one from the ‘friend group’ attempted to go in after him. Instead, two brave bystanders, who have no relationship to Chris, heard commotion and retrieved his body from the lake.”

UPSO Sgt. Ashley Rhodes wrote in her report that bystander Dawson Foust dove into the lake and found Gilbert in approximately 15 feet of water. Sgt. Rhodes was joined by another bystander, Keith Pridgen, in administering CPR until EMS arrived.

Gilbert graduated from Louisiana Tech University in May 2023 with his Masters of Science in biology.

Payne said, “While my office has been retained to represent the family civilly, nothing else is needed for any law enforcement agency within this jurisdiction to make an arrest. Our office would like the community’s support in requesting that the Farmerville Police Department, and or the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office make an arrest of the known individual who pushed Chris into the lake.”

The officer investigating the matter for the Farmerville Police Department could not be reached for comment.

I learned touch typing in the ninth grade. I still type reasonably fast.

I received a learner’s permit in the tenth grade and I still drive a car reasonably fast.

I don’t think about either while I am doing them. If you have been behind me in a car, perhaps you have speculated about that.

Typing is habitual. I do it every day. Right now I am working on two sermons and two of these articles. I hope I don’t get things crossed up.

Driving is habitual. I do that every day as well. I have noticed that my driving skills are not as sharp as they once were. Part of that I blame on age. I don’t see as well at night as I once did. My reflexes while still cat like, are like a slow fat Tom cat who has been eating inside food for years.

I type alone. No one stands over my shoulder and watches me type. I do face a weekly deadline for my articles to be published. I can take as long as I wish to type an article provided that they arrive before the aforementioned deadline. When I make a mistake typing, I hit the backspace or delete button and the mistake is erased. Actually the page I am typing on now, doesn’t really exist. It is the reproduction of a page and letters appearing on a computer monitor. Is it real? Is it something else?

When I drive, I’m sharing the road with other folks. For the most part, folks know how to handle a vehicle. Some drive too slowly for me, but I’m learning to take my time and relax. It is part of giving up “running.” I have reached the stage where walking is moving fast enough through life. The other thing about drivers is distracted drivers. Yesterday on I-20 I was passed by a young person doing at least 90 mph. She was texting away as she blew past me. I prayed for her safety and the safety of her passengers. I have noted that guys on the phone tend to drive slower than the posted speed limit. I guess that proves that we are not able multi-taskers. I will note that mistakes while driving are costly and dangerous.

I’m a faster typist than in my High School days. It is a skill that doesn’t seem to diminish with age. I did the math yesterday and discovered that over my career I have typed over five million words.

My fingers want some time off. I have enjoyed most of what I have typed. There are a couple of letters that stand out as exceptions. I hit send and I should have hit delete.

Over the same period, I have driven 935,000 miles. I don’t text and drive so I can’t count words typed while driving. I drive just as fast as I always have. My right foot contains ample amounts of Pb.

Notice I didn’t count the number of speeding greetings I have received from various law enforcement agencies.

I enjoy writing and driving. Writing is great mental exercise. When I drive, I get windshield time.

I have time alone to ponder and consider. I have time to pray and listen to God. Although I’m not as good a driver as I once was, I still enjoy it. I’m looking forward to one of those self-driving cars so I can look at flora and fauna while I “drive.” I can also finally type in a moving car!

We are Easter people. We live on this side of the empty tomb.

Writing and driving are just two things I enjoy doing. Easter promises that the enjoyment of life continues eternally. Someone said that heaven is like an everlasting worship service. NOT! Heaven is living. It is living without fear, sickness, pain, disappointment, guilt and sin. Resurrection life is really living! Easter is our promise that in Christ we will have that kind of life.

I have typed enough words for this article.

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, April 26
Noon: Out to Lunch Concert Series (Heard Freighthouse Food Park)
3 p.m.: GSU softball
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Saturday, April 27
Dogs of Downtown Ruston
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Shedfest Makers Market (2782 Hwy. 33)
11 a.m.: LA Tech spring football game
Noon: GSU softball
2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, April 28
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
1 p.m.: GSU baseball

By Malcolm Butler

The inaugural year of the Chad Yates era at Cedar Creek came to a close Thursday as the Cougars fell 11-3 to No. 1 seed Opelousas Catholic in the Select School Division IV playoffs.

Cedar Creek finished the season 16-19 and earned its first playoff berth on the diamond since 2019.

“We made big strides as far as expectations and the standards that we wanted to set within the program,” said head coach Chad Yates. “I felt like our seniors got on board and set the example and kept getting better each week. To get to this point was nothing that wasn’t anticipated — we had that expectation — but the big picture moving forward our young guys were able to experience the playoffs and what playing good baseball teams is like. And what you have to do to compete each and every day.”

Opelousas Catholic used a six-run fourth inning to blow open a close game and then cruise to the win.

After falling behind 2-0 after the first inning, the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second inning, plating two runs. Trent Franklin singled with one out and then Max Brister was hit by a pitch. Noah Durrett followed with a two-run triple to right field, plating both Franklin and Brister to knot the score at 2-2.

“They scouted us and had their gameplan,” said Yates. “The pitcher made a mistake and elevated a fastball that Noah capitalized on. He blistered the ball. He was able to get to third and tie the game and get some life back. We knew they were going to scratch. Their pitcher had a good breaking ball that kept us off balance. We continued to compete to the end.”

OC reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the fourth when Opelousas Catholic plated six runs on four hits, two hit by pitches, one walk and an error to push its advantage to 9-2.

“We were wanting to start (Kade) Luker but had to scratch him due to discomfort in his lat area,” said Yates. “Not that we couldn’t pivot and make the adjustment. They were a team that had a plan and approach at the plate. It was a big yard;  400 foot to center field. Those guys were hitting it hard. We chose to play back and doing that left the blue pits in play. Hats off to them. They swung bats and pitched well. When I tell you they swung the bats, the blistered it.”

Creek scored its final run of the season in the top of the sixth inning as Ladd Thompson walked and then scored on an RBI double by Luker to left field.

Brister took the loss on the mound, allowing nine runs — seven earned — on six hits and one walk. Thompson tossed 0.2 innings, allowing two runs on two walks. Franklin worked the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.