ReNalda T. Harland Osborne Thursday 10/24/1985 — Sunday 05/12/2024 Family Gathering: Friday 05/24/2024 2:00pm Visitation: Friday 05/24/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/25/2024 12:00pm, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston Interment: Saturday 05/25/2024 Following Service, Mt Mariah Cemetery, Chatham
Janie Tatum Lloyd Saturday 12/01/1917 — Saturday 05/04/2024 Visitation: Friday 05/17/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/18/2024 10:00am, Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Mariah Church Road, Chatham Interment: Saturday 05/18/2024 Following Service, Mt Mariah Cemetery, Chatham
Franklin D. Mack Friday 06/28/1935 — Sunday 05/12/2024 Family Gathering: Friday 05/17/2024 2:00pm to 3:00pm Visitation: Friday 05/17/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Wake: Friday 05/17/2024 5:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/18/2024 1:00pm, St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 813 St. Rest Road, Quitman Interment: Friday 05/17/2024 Following Service, Mt. Zion Cemetery, Quitman
Harold Joseph Berry Sr. March 7, 1931 – May 9, 2024 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 17, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 17, 2024, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden, Friday, May 17, 2024
Anyone who has lived in Lincoln Parish over the past few decades knows the named Hilda Taylor Perritt.
Taylor Perritt, who passed away at her home on Tuesday at age 84, served as mayor of Ruston from 1990 through 1998 as well as an educator within the Lincoln Parish School system during her professional career.
Between the impacts she made on hundreds, probably thousands, of high school students and her work as the leader of Ruston — including the creation of the tax incremental district — , Taylor Perritt may be one of the most important people to have lived and worked in our area.
“Without a doubt she is,” said Ruston mayor Ronny Walker. “When you look at how many lives she touched as an educator, but then also look at how many lives she touched as the administrator of this great city … she had a tremendous impact on the people of Lincoln Parish.”
Taylor Perritt taught English and old testament history during her teaching days at Ruston High School, where she had both the respect of her students and her peers.
“She was extremely intelligent,” said former Ruston High teacher Loyce Miller, who taught at the school during some of the same years as Taylor Perritt. “Students knew that she expected a lot from them. They worked hard for her. She kept everything really neat and everything had to be by the letter.”
I personally took senior English from Taylor Perritt in 1988-89. And although I wasn’t exactly the most dedicated student during that time, it was easy to see and appreciate the passion that Hilda Taylor Perritt had for her profession and her students.
More than once I caught the yard stick on the side of my leg in class — something she affectionately called “lovin” — for not paying attention or for talking too much.
Kent Germany, now a history professor at the University of South Carolina, recalls his days as one of Taylor Perritt’s students.
“She cared if kids learned and was relentless about it,” said Germany. “Whether they wanted to or not.”
Scott Walker, another one of her Ruston High students, remembers Taylor Perritt the teacher.
“She was always happy to see us in class,” said Walker. “She truly wanted us all to succeed, in the classroom and in athletics.”
It was that same passion for the community of Ruston that was on full display during her two terms as mayor.
“She had a love for Ruston and a passion for Ruston,” said Walker. “When I hire people that’s what I’m looking for now. I would have hired Hilda easily because of her love for Ruston.”
Among the numerous impacts she had on Ruston, the creation of the Tax Incremental District might have been the most beneficial for our area, according to Walker. Three decades ago Taylor Perritt made a decision that 30 years later is still paying dividends for the city.
Back in the early 1990s, Taylor Perritt opted Ruston into the Tax Incremental District (TID). The City of Ruston and the City of Monroe were the only two in the state to do so at the time and it has generated tens of millions of dollars for Ruston since its inception.
According to Walker, getting that passed through the city council back in the early 1990s wasn’t an easy task.
“She was able to put that together in a time where she was battling the city council,” said Walker. “They were at odds with each other. So for her to get the tax incremental district approved during that time period was incredible. What it has done for our city, all the service roads, the bridge across the interstate to Wal-Mart, the Tarbutton interchange, part of the waste water treatment plant, all the utilities along the service road, all of that has been paid for through the TID.
“The sad part of it is she really never got to use that money because of the friction between she and the council. She got it done, but she wasn’t able to reap the benefits from it. (Former mayor) Dan Hollingsworth did. And of course I am using it a tremendous amount.”
Recently the TID, which was set to expire in 2033, was extended through 2048 through a vote of both the house and the senate.
The tax incremental district runs parallel along I-20 through the City of Ruston, and the state receives 4.5 percent sales tax from any businesses located within that footprint. The state in turn sends back 40 percent of that total (1.78 percent) that Ruston can use for infrastructure-type work, but only within that tax incremental district footprint (roads, bridges, water, sewer, electricity).
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be handled through Kilpatrick’s Funeral Home.
Pictured are members of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury waiting to find out if another LPPJ member could come to Thursday night’s meeting before canceling it due to lack of a quorum. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
What was scheduled to be a monthly Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting became a grievance concourse with no official action being held because of the lack of a quorum Tuesday night at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.
Two smaller meetings — the LCDBG and Public Works committee meetings were held before the official full LPPJ meeting was slated to start because there were three members from each of those five member committees present to provide a quorum for those.
But with still only six LPPJ members in attendance — Glen Scriber, Greg “Big Coach” Williams, Diane Richards, Milton Melton, Karen Ludley and Dan Lord — after trying to get in touch with another jury member or two to provide a majority quorum that would have allowed the official meeting to be held with actions taken, the meeting was finally canceled.
A quorum is the minimum number of members required to conduct business at a meeting. The number of members required to constitute a quorum is determined by the assembly’s governing documents, and with no majority of the LPPJ’s members in attendance, the meeting was called to an end before it even began.
But that did not happen without any consternation.
After the 6 p.m. LCDBG meeting was held with three of its five members — Ludley, Melton, Richards — the Public Works Committee met and started with a presentation from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development discussing the DOTD’s Right Sizing Program, a road transfer program established as the means to “right size” Louisiana’s State Highway System to achieve the national average of 19 percent state ownership
In attendance at that meeting were 25-30 residents who lived off Louisiana Hwy. 181 south of U.S. Highway 80 who were eager to express their concerns over the condition of Highway 818 along the areas they live and frequently drive.
During his presentation, LADOTD Assistant District Administrator/Engineering Matthew French told those people that while nothing could be done at this point, once the DOTD’s Right Sizing Program starts back up, said that it was very much possible that could play in their favor as far as seeing eventual road repairs, adding hopes that the program soon restart was the reason he was at the meeting to make his presentation.
And while those concerned were told it should not be discussed when the public comments section of the meeting started, things soon escalated into a lengthy “gripe session” with the residents describing the condition of the road and the adverse effects they are experiencing because of it.
And even after that, with the Public Works Committee voted on recommending actions involving improvements to Plantation Hills drained, Richards abstained on that vote before voting nay on measures to provide assistance for the City of Grambling and Village of Choudrant, voicing on frustrations that she feels she has not been able to drum up any assistance for her District 11 constituents, saying that has happened because it’s a rural district as opposed to being municipalities like the others.
Finally, the public comments ended, and committee members voted to recommend the passage of several actions, and that large group of Hwy. 818 residents left in masse only to be immediately replaced by another group of residents wishing to voice their concerns.
But as the time drifted from 7 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. and LPPJ and members of the “newer” group of residents vocally expressing their desires to at least be heard even if the meeting couldn’t officially begin and not action could be taken, Parish Administrator Courney Hall and LPPJ legal counsel Amy Miller agreed that the meeting should be canceled.
At one point Hall mentioned possibly going into executive session for discussions despite not having a quorum, Miller advised that even that couldn’t be done without a quorum.
The second group of residents packing the LPPJ meeting room Thursday night wanted to voice their concerns over the road leading to St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church being “taken away” (annexed) in 2021 to make room for expansion of the Ruston Regional Airport.
“You let the (Hwy. 818) group have their say so and you already know what we want because we have talked about it,” de facto group leader Dennis Woods told Hall and the LPPJ members in attendance. “Be respectful on it, because when you’re wrong, you’ve done wrong.”
Hall then said if he came off as being disrespectful, he apologized while admitting he was frustrated about the way events on the night happened.
Scriber, the LPPJ President, then offered Woods the normal three minutes to voice his concerns, but Woods declined, saying the earlier group voicing concerns over Hwy. 818 were allowed more than three minutes to voice their opinions.
“We have no access to our church,” Woods said. “We have to go out into Jackson Parish and circle back around to get to our church, and that’s not right. They took up a section of our road and we can’t get to our church without going down and through Jackson Parish to get there.
“When they took up that road they should have had plans for a closer alternative road in place. We have people who live down there and the ambulances cannot get to them. We do not want to be put on the backburner. They are killing our church. We just want the road to be put back in and we do not want it five years from now. We want it now. I do not mind expanding the airport. But we need our road back.”
With no quorum available to decide on a new meeting date, Hall said the date would be rescheduled for a later date.
Editor’s note: Last week the LPJ looked at the NFL experience of Ruston’s Dub Jones. This story is the second part of the “Keeping up with the Joneses” and looks back on the NFL career of Dub’s son Bert.
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By T. Scott Boatright
Nicknamed “The Ruston Rifle” during his high school playing days, like his father Dub Jones before him, Bert Jones was a second overall pick in the NFL Draft, going to the Baltimore Colts in 1973.
Like his father, Bert moved on from a stellar career at Ruston High School but while Dub only played one season for LSU before being transferred to Tulane.
Bert began his college career as part of LSU Coach Charlie McClendon’s two-quarterback system in 1970 and 1971, helping lead the Tigers to 27-8-1 overall mark in his three years at the school.
The Tigers also posted a 12-3-1 Southeastern Conference record under Jones’ direction, which included claiming the 1970 league title with a 5-0 record.
Jones became LSU’s first consensus All-American quarterback in 1972 when he threw for a school-record 1,446 yards and 14 touchdowns in leading the Tigers to a 9-2-1 mark and a berth in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. Jones was named the National Player of the Year in 1972 by the Sporting News and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting following the season.
He led the SEC in passing as both a junior and senior and he capped his career with the Tigers as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (3,255), attempts (418), completions (220) and touchdowns (28).
As Bert prepared for his NFL Draft Day, the Colts moved up to acquire that No. 2 pick via a trade with the New Orleans Saints, who picked up defensive end Bob Pollard, a 1973 fourth-round pick and Baltimore’s 1974 first round pick in that deal.
But the NFL Draft wasn’t televised until 1980 when the then still fledgling ESPN first broadcast the event, so Jones spent his draft day in his parents’ Ruston home waiting for the news.
“I was sitting at home with Mom and Daddy and somebody, I really don’t remember who, called and said that I had been drafted by the Baltimore Colts. The NFL Draft was not quite the same event that it’s become these days.
“Now I knew the Colts wanted me but (the Houston Oilers had the first pick. Baltimore tried up until the draft to trade up for the overall No. 1. So, the Colts worked out the deal for the Saints’ No. 1 overall pick. The Oilers had already drafted Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey a few years earlier, so they were set at quarterback, so they drafted (defensive end) John Matusak with the No. 1 pick, leaving me for the Cots with the No. 2 pick they had traded for.”
It didn’t take Bert long to turn the Colts around. Baltimore won the AFC East Division title three straight times from 1975-1977 but fell in first-round playoff losses in each of those years.
Jones’ best season was 1976, when he totaled 3,104 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 214 rushing yards and another two scores on the ground.
That year Bert chalked up a passer rating of 102.5. Only two other quarterbacks put up 100+ passer ratings in the entire decade of the 1970s — Roger Staubach in 1971 and Ken Stabler, who also did it in 1976.
Bert won the MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards in 1976 and was also elected to the Pro Bowl.
He made the Pro Bowl again the following year as a reserve.
“In 1974, we went 2-12 in Ted Marchibroda’s first year as Colts head coach,” Jones said. “But in 1975, after a rough 1-4 start, we won nine straight games to close out the regular season. We went from the worst team to the best team in one season, so that was a great run.
“Then we had another couple of great runs before I hurt my shoulder and missed about a year and half over the next couple of seasons. I probably should have just sat out that first season and let it heal.”
After playing a total of only seven games in 1978 and ’79, Jones played two more seasons with the Colts.
The day before the 1982 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams, who had gone 2-12 the previous season, traded the fourth overall pick and their second-round selection (24th overall) to acquire the then 30-year-old Jones.
But Bert played in only four games for the Rams that season before being forced into an early retirement due to a neck injury.
In 10 seasons on the NFL gridiron, Jones totaled 124 touchdowns, 18,190 passing yards, 1,429 rushing yards along with another 14 scores on the ground and a career passer rating of 78.2.
“What meant the most to me were my teammates, the stadiums I played in, the coaches I played for and played against as well as some of the opposing players,” Jones said.
“It was the competitive spirit of the NFL that meant the most to me.”
Student service is a hallmark of the Grambling State University experience and is something the Black & Gold Facilities, Inc. plans to build on with the construction of a Student Services Center.
As the institution seeks to improve its essential student services, it is paramount to develop an infrastructure that enables broad outreach by leveraging the assets at its disposal to achieve an enhanced student life experience. As articulated by user stakeholders, the project mission is laser-focused on positioning students for perpetual success by providing centralized, essential student services and academic services that generate their individual success, iconic identity, pride of space, and enduring loyalty.
To make that happen, Grambling State partnered with Black and Gold Facilities, Inc. to build a Student Services Center that will strategically shape the functional and physical infrastructure. The structure will create a centralized, collaborative, and safe environment for co-working and learning, which will decidedly remove any operational hurdles and inefficiencies for students, faculty, and staff.
“Our new student services building will stand as a tangible representation of our dedication to fostering an environment where every student can excel and achieve their dreams,” said Grambling State President Martin Lemelle, Jr. “It is a notable investment from Black and Gold Facilities, Inc. into the vision of Grambling State University as we focus on forward progress.”
Located on the campus quadrangle in axis with Long Jones Hall, the project seeks to deliver a facility that embodies centralization and intentionality by enabling highly effective interpersonal interaction, engagement, and service delivery all within a common envelope. All resources in a centralized location will contribute to an enhanced experience for students. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m.
“This planned student-centered development represents the beginning mark of a new reality for what’s possible at Grambling State University,” said Brandon A. Logan, Executive Director of Black & Gold Facilities, Inc. “As we prepare for a strategic capital deployment to transform the built environment on campus, I want to assure our students and stakeholders that this architecture will be durable, efficient, and awe-inspiring.”
On Monday, May 13, 2024, shortly after 9:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash on LA 2 just west of US 165. The crash claimed the life of 50-year-old Shuan Washington of Bastrop.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2006 Toyota Highlander, driven by Washington, was traveling west on LA 2 behind a 2003 Volvo S80. At the same time, a 2009 Ford Mustang was traveling east on LA 2. For reasons still under investigation, Washington passed the Volvo when it was not safe to do so. As a result, the Toyota struck the Ford head-on in the eastbound lane of LA 2. After the initial impact, the Toyota rotated counterclockwise and struck the front of the Volvo.
Washington, who was not properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford, who was properly restrained, received moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The Ford’s front seat passenger, who was not properly restrained, also received moderate injuries and was transported for treatment. The driver of the Volvo was properly restrained and uninjured. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Far too often, troopers witness the tragic consequences of preventable crashes. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Always wear your seatbelt, obey posted speed limits, and exercise patience. Rushing can lead to impulsive decisions and reckless driving. While not all crashes are survivable, taking these simple precautions can often mean the difference between life and death.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated 17 fatal crashes, resulting in 18 deaths.
A Ruston man was arrested Friday after he was stopped as part of a theft investigation and refused to identify himself.
Mark A. Dailey, 46, was stopped after Ruston Police received a description of a shoplifter and his vehicle leaving the Neighborhood Walmart on West California Avenue.
According to an officer’s report, Dailey was agitated from the moment he was stopped and refused to identify himself. Even after Dailey was informed he was a suspect in an investigation and refusal to identify himself would lead to arrest, he repeatedly refused to give his name.
Dailey was arrested and later identified. An arrest warrant was found charging him with failure to appear in Ruston City Court on a charge of driving under suspension.
The status of the shoplifting investigation was not available at publication time.
Dailey was booked for the warrant and resisting an officer by failure to identify. Bail was set at $3,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Set in the teachers’ lounge at Ruston High, senior Lady Bearcat Zaccheya Jackson signed Tuesday to go play collegiately with the Southern Arkansas University Tech Rockets with her family, teammates and coaches in attendance.
“They feel like family to me,” Jackson said. “The atmosphere and the coaches were great. The players were very welcoming to me.”
Former Ruston High head coach Meredith Graf lauded Jackson’s career as a Lady Bearcat, highlighting her commitment to coming back after a season-ending knee injury in December of 2022.
“The one thing I never had to worry about with “Z” was that she was going to work really hard,” Graf said. “From the time she was a freshman all the way to her senior year, she’s always been a hard worker. She gave her all everyday — she was an excellent teammate. She’s got a huge heart and cares about people.”
“She went through a major injury. It’s obviously a physical challenge to battle, but it’s really the mental and emotional side that is really difficult. I saw how she responded to that, and it was nothing short of what I thought it would be. She gave 110 percent in physical therapy.
And given the recovery Jackson faced after an injury over a year ago, Tuesday’s signing is that much sweeter for the soon-to-be high school graduate, who also said she is proud to represent Ruston High at the next level.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” Jackson said. “Just being able to have this opportunity even after the injury — it just makes me very proud. I have a lot of people behind me supporting me and supporting the program.”
Jackson finished the season averaging 11.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
With every practice and with every game, their little black hats with the orange oriole on the fronts got a little nastier, a little older, a little more broken in, a little more grown up.
First a film of dusty beige from the opener, the game against the team in the dark blue jerseys. Infield dirt from the game against the Maroon Team. More from the game against the Greens. And the best dirt of all, the dirt that came from playing the feared Red Team, the ’27 Yankees of the 7-and-8-year-olds Coach Pitch B League.
Some hats were wet from Icees and sweat. Some were sticky, too, but not from resin or pine tar: from candy.
They were great hats.
I had never coached people this little. They’d never played anything but T-ball. So there were awkward moments, like at the first practice.
“When you play catcher, you’ll be required to wear an athletic cup.”
Puzzled looks. I was the teacher and had just introduced long division.
“Ask your parents,” I said. A good coach knows how to delegate responsibility.
Second practice: No one wanted to play catcher.
That second practice was probably our most important one of the season. The reason: each guy made up his own nickname.
The Bruiser. The Heat. Rookie. Rocket. Hotball. Fastball. The Smacker. The Blur, later changed to The Flash because, well, ballplayers will just do that sometimes. It’s a “feel” thing. You don’t ask.
Other nicknames were more mysterious. Top Catch. Dragonman. Hammerhead. The Point. Their meanings were known only to God, to administrators at the highest level of the Little League organization, and to the boys who proudly wore the nicknames in white letters pressed on the sleeves of their orange jerseys.
Those jerseys. Some wore them game day or not, along with white baseball pants and cap. Every weekday morning since the season started, I felt I was dropping my son off at a Catholic baseball school.
There were moments. The classic run-it-in from right field instead of throw it. Orioles seeing who could throw his glove the highest — during a game. An outfielder lying down in the inviting right field grass while a batter, no enemy of his, dug in. The evening Hammerhead looked at me after I struck him out on a pitch three feet outside and said politely on his way back to the dugout, his bat on his fragile shoulder, his helmet swallowing his head, “That wasn’t a very good pitch, sir.”
Heart sinkage.
Aside from the occasional whiff, we ended up being pretty good. And we seemed to have fun: We high-fived all the time and showed up looking sharp and practiced hard and played hard, and even though we weren’t supposed to keep score, I could see them over there in the dugout counting on their little fingers. We made some errors but we hit some homers, too, some frozen ropes, some shots. We ran the bases and we slide and we crossed home, and we never met a snack we didn’t like.
Dirty hats. The rhythmic smacking of gum around the diamond. Those swings from the heels, the swings of boys with big dreams.
And now it’s over. Just that quickly. We break for fishing and card-playing and a few public appearances, all the things ballplayers do in the long and lonely off-season.
We’ll gather again in the spring, and they’ll be fine boys, I’m sure, and it will be fun, but it won’t be the exact same group. It won’t be the exact same ’97 Orioles.
They gave me a spring to bronze and fold up and stick in my pocket and remember. And to them my hat, much older and (sad to say) much cleaner than theirs, is forever off.
A Ruston man was arrested Thursday after the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department responded to a Choudrant residence regarding a report of domestic abuse.
Heath Emanuel, 36, was charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment after deputies investigated the complaint.
The victim told deputies her soon to be ex-husband came to the residence, upset with her about their minor child. The woman provided video of the encounter between her and Emanuel. The video showed Emanuel becoming irate with the victim, yelling and cursing, and pushing a door that struck the victim in the shoulder and leg leaving red marks on the right side of her body.
Emmanuel was located at another residence and placed under arrest. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. His bail amount was not available.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Ruston High School will be holding a public meet-and-greet tonight in the auditorium for the public to meet Lady Bearcat head coach LaShanda Cooper and Bearcat head coach Marcus Jackson at 5:30 p.m.
“This is a chance for a fans, parents, and even some players to meet our new coaches in Coach Jackson and Coach Cooper,” Ruston High School principal Dan Gressett said. “The public is welcome to attend. We are very excited to have them at Ruston High, and we are looking forward to big things.”
Both coaches have championship pedigree with Jackson winning three total (two with Arcadia and one at Athens) while Cooper won two titles at Northwood-Lena.
Cooper has been the head coach for the Northwood-Lena High School Lady Gators in Lena, La., since the 2020-21 season, where she led her team to the last three Division IV, Select state championship games, winning two of three.
Jackson’s coaching career spans two decades, with 12 Top 28 appearances total coaching Arcadia’s boys and Athen’s boys and girls teams. Prior to his time at Arcadia, Jackson also led Athens High, his alma mater, to the 2010-11 state championship. His most recent state championship came was the 2020-21 LHSAA 1A State Championship when Arcadia defeated White Castle 51-38. The Hornets also won the 2015-16 state championship under Jackson, defeating Southern Lab.
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board announced the selection of chefs from across the state to represent their areas in the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off (LASCO). This year’s competition will be held for the first time in Monroe on Friday, May 31.
“In Louisiana, good food is just part of what connects us to our diverse heritage and seafood is a big part of that in all corners of the state. From recipes passed down through generations to the culinary creations of our state’s chefs, seafood has created a culinary identity for Louisiana unlike any other state,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “This is a chance for us to celebrate the great contribution chefs around Louisiana and our hard-working seafood industry make to the state that truly Feed Your Soul.”
hef’s competing in the 17th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off include:
The 2024 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off is being held in conjunction with the Up Yonder Food & Wine Festival hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe. The evening is a chance to feast on the unique dishes from areas restaurants and regional guest chefs. Attendees can look forward to indulging in a variety of flavors, textures, and culinary delights with the unique flair of each participating restaurant.
The winner of LASCO will represent Louisiana at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans on Saturday, August 3, at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. GASCO is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Expo and features chefs from around the country competing for the title of “King or Queen of American Seafood.”
Tickets are on sale now for $60 each. To purchase your ticket online, head to EventBrite. One ticket provides you admission to the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off and the Up Yonder Food & Wine Festival.
Follow @LaSeafoodBoard on Instagram and Twitter and keep up with all Louisiana Seafood Cook-off events via the official hashtag, #LASCO24.
Choudrant junior Zoey Smith was named District 2-B MVP after leading the Aggies at the plate this past season. Photo by Josh McDaniel
Consistency throughout the 2024 season paid off for Choudrant junior catcher Zoey Smith as she has been named the All-District 2-B Most Valuable Player.
Wayne Antley, her head coach, has been named the District 2-B Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Aggies to a record of 19-6 overall with a perfect 3-0 in district play.
Smith led District 2-B with a .455 batting average in district play, recording seven RBIs, three doubles and a triple along the way.
“She batted well for us throughout the season,” Antley said of Smith. “She’s a consistent and unselfish player. The thing that really stands out to me was her final at bat of the season. She could have gone out swinging but she took a walk. She did it for the team.
Lady Aggies joining Smith on the All-District 2-B softball first team were pitcher Holly Bennett, who turned in a 1.00 ERA while batting.300); infielder Bailey Grace Weaver, who batted an even ,300; infielder/pitcher Addison Worley, who hit at a .285 clip, outfielder Kylie Willis, who turned in a .400 batting average; infielder Emma Boggs, who hit at a .300 percentage; and outfielder Kelsee Guillotte, who also batted around .300..
Antley credited his players for all of his team’s success this season.
“I’m just fortunate to be able to coach so many quality softball players and we are honored to have seven of them on the All-District 2-B team,” Antley said. “For me, any ‘Coach of the Year’ talk isn’t about anything we as coaches do. Nearly all of our players have been playing softball since they were young, and part of their success is the hard work they’ve put in for so long and lessons they’ve learned along the way.”
Simsboro put four players on the All-District 2-B softball team — pitcher Carlei Wheeler, catcher Jacoya Lewis, infielder CiCi Caldwell, and first baseman Kaylea Murphy.
Wheeler batted .400 in district play while posting a 0.389 ERA in three starts.
Caldwell batted around .600 in district play, while Murphy batted .400.
Not only was Lewis a solid batter at the plate, she played a big role as battery teammate with Wheeler, posting a perfect fielding percentage in district play.
A pair of Lady Tigers — infielders Kennady King and Callie Harrison — earned honorable mention All-District accolades.
On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, shortly before 3:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on I-20 west of Start. The crash claimed the life of 64-year-old Kenneth Bradley of Rayville.
The initial investigation revealed that a 1992 Toyota Pickup, driven by Bradley, was traveling west on I-20 in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota traveled off the right side of the road and struck a tree.
Bradley, who was not properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorists to slow down, buckle up, and lessen their distractions. Crash forces do not care who you are or what you drive. The faster you drive, the greater the risk of serious injury or death; not wearing a seat belt dramatically increases that risk.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 19 deaths.
Just like NBA Basketball player Alan Iverson once said…. ”We’re talking about practice?” Yes, today we’re talking about practice and how important it can be for an angler to be successful. With my recent 11th place finish at Sam Rayburn in the ABA Pro League, it was a reminder of just how important practice can be.
The problem with practice this time of year (spring) is that conditions can change overnight, or worse, by the hour. But nevertheless, we will see how time on the water is important to being successful and how we as anglers must keep an open mind, especially on tournament day.
Let’s start with day one of practice, as conditions were very mild with warm daily temperatures reaching the lower 80’s and a mild northwest wind at 5 to 10 MPH. But one thing that would be a definite factor in this event was the rising water level.
The East Texas region had been inundated with torrential rain the week of this event with as much as 10 inches falling just north of Sam Rayburn. This created a much-needed steady rise all across Sam Rayburn. The lake had been approximately 6.5 feet low prior to this tournament, creating all sorts of obstacles for anglers to navigate around making for some nervous boat rides.
So, I made a decision to go shallow and shrink the lake by limiting my options and fishing fairly close to the tournament site. I wanted to really get into an area, learn it, and figure out what the bass were doing in this particular part of the lake. This proved to be a very productive move on my part as there was plenty of cover with patches of lily pads and hydrilla in several pockets I had chosen to concentrate on.
Now with rising water on any lake, bass have a tendency to move up and head for the shallows. First thing I realized on day 1 of practice was there were a good number of quality bass roaming the shallows as I caught a few fish in the 3-to-4-pound range. Based off a previous event I researched from the week before, I noticed the weights were down and that 12 to 14 pounds would probably be good enough to get a check.
Over a two-day period of practice, I found three areas holding quality fish and decided to rotate through each over the course of my tournament day. But one area was especially promising as I caught three good fish and shook off 10 others late on the final day of practice. So, what does it mean to shake fish off? It’s where an angler fishes a bait with either a bent over hook or fishing the bait hookless, making sure he never hooks the fish.
Years ago, a fellow angler showed me this tip that I now use when practicing for a tournament and I don’t want to hook fish prior to the event. It’s called a screw lock and allows me to fish a soft plastic bait, like a worm or creature bait, without using a hook. The fish still bite the bait and in most cases I can see or feel if they are quality fish or not.
Hooking bass a day or two before an event will cause them not to bite. Anglers call this “sore mouthing” them. But there are times when I’m on a new body of water that I’m not familiar with that I will hook a few fish just to see what size bass are in that area.
During my 2 days of practice, it did not take long for me to figure out that a weightless fluke, a speed worm with an 1/8-ounce weight, and a chatterbait would be my top baits for this event. Wind was a huge factor as well and was an important key to certain areas being more productive than areas with little to no wind.
As tournament day rolled around, I headed for my best area that I felt I could catch my five fish limit rather quickly. This held true as I boated 5 decent keeper fish before 8:00 AM and began to cull up for the rest of the day. The day started out with calm winds, but that all changed by 11:00 AM as winds shifted out of the south at 20 to 25 MPH for the rest of the day making it tough to place the bait where you wanted.
But it was on those windy banks or pockets, with scattered hydrilla patches in 2 feet or less, where fish seemed to be feeding heavily on shad. Therefore, the chatterbait became my main bait for the rest of the day. I was able to cull several fish, but my culls were only in ounces and not in pounds. I finished with around 13 pounds total for this event placing me in 11th overall. Most events are decided by who gets the kicker or bigger bites of a 5- or 6-pound fish. That big bite never came for me in this tournament which is why I finished 11th.
The best part of this event for me was that I moved up in the ABA Pro League Angler of the Year standings from 27th to 7th. Only the top 10 for AOY at the end of the season qualify for the Ray Scott National Championship which will be held at Lake Eufaula, Alabama in April of 2025. So, from my perspective, this was a very important event and now I must continue to do well in order to put myself in position to make another Ray Scott Championship.
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt…. set the hook!
Marie Hood January 14, 1930 – May 10, 2024 Visitation: St. Rest Baptist Church, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Service: St. Rest Baptist Church, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 1:30 pm Cemetery: St. Rest Cemetery, Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Harold Joseph Berry Sr. March 7, 1931 – May 9, 2024 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 17, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Friday, May 17, 2024, 11:00 am Cemetery: Kilpatrick’s Memorial Garden, Friday, May 17, 2024
Ruston Parks and Recreation is excited to kick off an action packed summer for your child! We have exciting youth sports camps and other fun activities regardless of skill level.
And be sure to check out our very first Peach Fest Pickleball Tournament on Friday, May 31!
Don’t delay – sign your kids up today!
Summer Sports Camps:
Summer Volleyball Camp: Bump, set, and spike your way into summer! Join us for our amazing volleyball camp to learn some essential skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship! Ages 7-14. Visit our website for details.
Summer Soccer Camp: Lace up your cleats and hit the field with our Summer Soccer Camp! From dribbling cones to penalty kicks, it’s all about honing in those soccer skills while having a blast! Ages 4-14. Visit our website for details.
Summer Basketball Camp: Shoot hoops and slam dunk your way through summer at our Basketball Camp! Perfect your jump shot, work on defense, and make great memories on the court. Ages 5-13. Visit our website for details.
Summer Youth Softball & Baseball Camp: Swing for the fences and field like a pro at our Softball & Baseball Camp! Whether your child dreams of hitting a home run or making an incredible catch, they’ll love every moment of our summer camp. This camp will even come with a free t-shirt. Visit our website for details.
Summer Cheer Camp: Ready to cheer on the sidelines with spirit and style? Join our Cheer Camp and learn cheers, chants, and dance routines that will have the crowd roaring! Ages 5-12. Visit our website for details.
Summer Football Camp: Get in the game and tackle summer head-on with our Football Camp! From passing drills to defensive strategies, it’s the ultimate summer camp experience. Ages 5-12. Visit our website for details.
Karate Camp: Channel your inner warrior and master the art of self-defense at our Karate Camp! Learn discipline, focus, and confidence while earning your stripes in this ancient martial art. Ages 5-12. Visit our website for details.
RPAR on the Run: Ready, set, go! RPAR on the Run is back for the second year in a row! Lace up your running shoes and join us every Tuesday and Thursday evening to work on endurance, speed, and to have some fun! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, you don’t want to miss out on this program hosted by our very own Landry Burback! Visit our website for details.
How to Register: Registering for our youth sports camps and activities is easy! Simply visit our website by clicking HERE for more information on age restrictions, prices, and registration details.
Don’t Miss Out! Spaces are filling up fast, so don’t wait until the last minute to secure your spot. Sign up today and get ready for an unforgettable summer of sports, teamwork, and fun with Ruston Parks and Recreation! We can’t wait to see you!
Louisiana Senator Cleo Fields addresses Grambling State University graduates during Spring 2024 Commencement Exercises in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. (Photo by Carlton Hamlin.)
Courtesy of GSU Communications
Louisiana State Sen. Cleo Fields told 427 new Grambling State University (GSU) graduates to remember they are all somebody who can change the world for the better as he served as the keynote speaker for Spring 2024 Commencement Exercises inside the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
It was the first graduation ceremony serving as new GSU President for Dr. Martin Lemelle, who officially took over the helm of the university on April 1.
“As you embark on your journey from our campus, remember that true success is not merely about reaching your goal, but about sustaining excellence through committment and continuous improvement,” Dr. Lemelle said. “As graduates of Grambling State University, you carry with you the legacy of resilience, determination, and innovation.
“Armed with knowledge and skills acquired during your time here, I have full confidence that each of you will go forth and make a lasting impact in your respective fields, transforming challenges into opportunities and turning aspirations into achievements.”
Dr. Lemelle then told the new graduates that their journey from good to great was now underway.
“Embrace the challenges ahead, stay true to your values, and strive for excellence in all of your endeavors,” Dr. Lemelle said. “The world is waiting for the greatness that lies within each and every one of you.”
Fields based much of his speech on Grambling State’s motto — ‘Where Everybody is Somebody.’
“They tell you when you’re a freshman that you don’t know and you know you don’t know,” Fields said. “When you’re a sophomore you don’t know but you think you know. When you’re a junior you know but really don’t know you know. But when you’re a graduating senior from Grambling State University, you know, and you know you know.
“Grambling State University, a place where everybody is somebody. That is your motto. When you were greeted as freshmen, that was your motto, and today as you leave, that will be your motto as well.”
Fields then told the crowd the Merriam-Webster definition of somebody when the word is used as a noun — a person of position or importance.
Believing and knowing you’re someone — somebody — of importance is the key, Fields told the graduates.
“You’ve got to believe you’re somebody,” Fields said. “You’ve got to apply for that job believing you’re somebody. And then when you go to work every day, you have to believe that you’re somebody. I just stopped by today, graduates, to tell you that you’re somebody. And there’s nothing you cannot do if you put your mind to it.
“There’s a person who can cure cancer sitting here in this graduating class right here and right now. There’s a person who can solve national or international problems in the world sitting in this class right here, right now. So I say to you now, new graduates, it is your turn to question and examine, to dispute and to dare, to watch and to learn, to redirect, rearrange and to transform and to influence and inform to change. It is your turn to change because you are somebody.”
Grambling recognized its three Spring 2024 valedictions during the ceremony — Ariel Box, a Denver graduate who picked up her degree in criminal justice with a concentration in paralegal studies; Jordan A. Braithwaite, a St. Louis native who earned her history with a concentration in law degree; and Joan Tran, computer science graduate from Lafayette, Louisiana.
Being honored with Presidential Leadership Awards were 2023-24 Student Government Association President Alexa Johnson, a pre-med biology with a concentration in child development and early literacy graduate from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and 2023-24 Miss Grambling Madison Johnson, a Mass Communication graduate from Garland, Texas.
Also honored were Grambling’s “Golden Graduates,” graduates from GSU’s Class of 1974 who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their commencement program.
Stephen Gordon, Dr. Shaurav Alam, and Tulie Chakma
Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications
Louisiana Tech students know that when it comes to engineering, science, and technology, the best lessons are learned through perseverance, innovative trials, and—most importantly—applying a little elbow grease.
They brilliantly showcased these qualities at the 2024 No-Dig Show in Providence, Rhode Island, where doctoral engineering students Tulie Chakma and Stephen Gordon clinched first and third in the research poster competition. Construction engineering technology senior Gabriel Lipe and doctoral engineering student Anna “Katya” Opel earned prestigious Michael E. Argent Memorial Scholarships.
Chakma dominated the competition, earning first place with her research on cured-in-place pipe, a trenchless rehabilitation method for damaged pipelines that uses a novel frontal polymerization technique. This innovative method dramatically speeds up resin activation in the pipe liner through a chemical reaction that significantly slashes curing times and energy use.
“Attending the No-Dig Show has been a great experience,” Chakma said. “Exploring fellow researchers’ work in the trenchless field and connecting with industry professionals has been truly amazing.”
Gordon secured his third No-Dig award in as many years, taking third place with his work on vitrified fly ash pipe, which transforms recycled industrial waste into a durable, eco-friendly material akin to traditional ceramic pipes.
“The No-Dig Show is a fantastic conference for students and offers an indispensable opportunity to network with industry leaders and experts,” he added.
Dr. Shaurav Alam, associate professor of civil engineering and associate director of research for the Trenchless Technology Center, guided Chakma and Gordon’s research efforts.
“I am immensely proud of their innovative work,” Alam noted. “It will revolutionize the field of trenchless technology.”
Lipe and Opel received the Michael E. Argent Memorial Scholarships for their exceptional contributions and potential in trenchless technology. Lipe is president of the student chapter of the North American Society for Trenchless Technology/Associated General Contractors and member of Louisiana Tech’s estimating team, which notched its own win at regionals. Opel, specializing in the vulnerability and resilience of civil infrastructures, recently enhanced her expertise during a study abroad research project in Australia.
Each year, the university’s Trenchless Technology Center encourages students to participate in the No-Dig Show, offering them valuable networking opportunities.
Along with the awardees, many of Louisiana Tech’s TTC staff and students also engaged with trenchless technology professionals volunteering at the conference. Dr. John Matthews, Dr. John Kraft, Dr. Shaik Hussain, Quade Wells, Sylvia Shultz, and students Skylar Belt, Zaria Jones, Cameron LeBlanc, Reed Edwards, and Connor Sigler all helped promote the University while there.
“Their engagement underscores our dedication to advancing this vital field,” said Matthews, director of the Trenchless Technology Center and professor of civil engineering, construction engineering technology, and engineering and technology management.
A dedicated student and passionate leader, Choudrant High School’s Senior Student of the Year Tanya Mina Cirilo, has invested her time in school to serving her community and growing toward her future career.
From sports and club leadership to community service and church volunteering, Cirilo has taken advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. Among her notable school involvements, she has served in the Beta Club, Interact Club, American Sign Language Club and as Treasurer of the FBLA Club. Cirilo has also participated in the Poetry Out Loud organization, where she showcased her talents by reciting poems at regional and state competitions.
In addition to her strong engagement in school organizations, Cirilo also excels as a student athlete. She has been a member of the Choudrant cross country team since 5th grade and the track and field team since 7th grade. Notably, her athletic endeavors were recognized early on when she qualified for the Louisiana State Track Meet as a freshman in 20021.
Beyond her school commitments, Cirilo is deeply involved in her community. She serves as a bible school instructor at Iglesia Bautista Belen (Bethlehem Baptist Church) and showcases her musical talents by playing and singing in the church band. Cirilo’s dedication to community service is evident through her volunteer work at Rolling Hills Ministry and at the Special Olympics.
Mrs. Amanda Lee, an English teacher of 18 years at Choudrant High School, has observed unwavering effort Cirilo consistently demonstrates in her academic pursuits. She also noted that Cirilo received several scholarships to further her education including a recent award from the Ruston Rotary Club.
“It’s such an honor to know and teach somebody like her,” Lee said. “She has such a good attitude always and is so willing to help. Tanya is one of the greatest representations of our school and I don’t know of any teacher who didn’t enjoy having her in their class.”
After a remarkable high school journey, Cirilo shows no signs of slowing down. She aspires to become an immigration lawyer, driven by her desire to help others like her parents who moved here from Mexico. She plans to attend Louisiana Tech University for Pre-Law to lay the groundwork for her career path.
Cirilo has taken the time to explore her passions and build a good foundation for herself academically and through her involvement over the years. She places great value on growing as a person and striving to become the best version of herself she can be.
“I’m passionate about personal growth,” Cirilo said. “Because it allows one to be a better version of themselves and have more control of themselves. Such as controlling their emotions and having the skills to go through any situation in life.”
On Sunday, May 12, 2024, shortly after 7:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on LA 542 west of LA 813. The crash claimed the life of 38-year-old Renalda Harland of Chatham.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2022 Honda Accord, driven by Harland, was traveling east on LA 542. For reasons still under investigation, the Honda struck a tree that had fallen across both lanes of LA 542.
Harland, who was properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two juvenile passengers, who were both properly restrained, received moderate injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Follow all traffic laws and always ensure that every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated 15 fatal crashes, resulting in 16 deaths.
Police arrested a Grambling man Wednesday following the investigation of a domestic incident.
Officers of the Grambling Police Department responded to a Young Street apartment where a woman said she and her boyfriend Stephen Earl Evans, 54, got into a verbal altercation that turned physical. The woman said Evans was upset because she walked to the laundromat to wash her clothes.
When she returned, Evans allegedly broke a liquor bottle by striking her face with it. Officers saw a bruise on the right side of her face and a swollen jaw.
The woman said she immediately called 911 because she was in fear of Evans. The woman said Evans had been drinking all day and appeared to be intoxicated.
Officer found a broken bottle on the staircase outside the victim’s apartment.
The woman said her two children were present when Evans hit her with the bottle.
Evans told officers he had been drinking but that he never put his hands on the woman. He was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for aggravated battery and battery of a dating partner with child endangerment.
The bail amount for Evans was not immediately available.
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.
