In the past few weeks, two local teens were killed within days of each other.

Eighteen-year-old Haleei Newton, who had earned her high school diploma just days before, was shot and killed. And an unidentified 14-year-old youth was shot and killed a few days prior to Newton’s homicide.

It’s an absolute tragedy.

However, getting any type of accurate information about the homicides from the Ruston Police Department has been challenging.

The Lincoln Parish Journal and other news media learned of the two homicides long after they occurred. And we learned of the killings through social media and the rumor mill rather than announcements by RPD. And much of the information circulating was incorrect.

Then it took several days to get official details.

Unfortunately, this is the norm.

It has been the experience of Lincoln Parish Journal over the past three-plus years that trying to get information on these types of crimes (and others) has been met with unreturned calls or very little cooperation if any.

This must change. The citizens of Ruston and Lincoln Parish deserve better.

It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to provide the basic details of crimes, especially violent crimes, to allow the citizens to be aware. And many times, these same citizens may have information that can help with an investigation.

Most law enforcement agencies are proactive with press releases and/or press conferences where they provide the information. They have Public Information Officers (PIOs) who are trained in providing information and messaging. The PIOs take the initiative in informing the public about serious incidents, crime prevention tips, and the work of their agency.

It’s called transparency. It’s also called controlling the message.

An informed citizenry is more likely to be motivated to improve its community, including helping authorities deal with the scourge of crime. Law enforcement must be proactive in informing the public and marshaling all community resources to partner against crime.

When you don’t take the offensive on these types of crimes then rumors and misinformation become rampant on the internet. It is one of the main reasons a law enforcement agency should be proactive in these situations.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Tech Police have been great to work with during the past three years. They are very proactive when it comes to providing information on crimes and what the public can do to help.

They return calls. They answer questions where they can. They are transparent.

We are fortunate to have some great men and women working in our local law enforcement and other emergency responder professions, including the Ruston Police Department. And we commend them for their hard work in protecting the residents of Lincoln Parish.

However, the philosophical approach of the Ruston Police Department and its lack of partnership and communication with local media outlets and the public in general is troubling.

Many communities have strong crime prevention programs that focus on informing the public and enlisting their help in fighting crime. That was once a strong emphasis in our community. We’d like to see it return. Social media is a vital tool in communicating with today’s citizens. Fortunately, RPD recently returned to Facebook after a decade-long hiatus. But the public wants more.

The Lincoln Parish Journal is asking Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers and those in charge to change their approach and become more of a partner with local media and the public instead of staying silent.

The families of two local teens and others deserve it.

This is the opinion of the Lincoln Parish Journal.

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Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

More than 100 graduating Louisiana Tech engineers joined the prestigious Order of the Engineer at a special induction ceremony last month.

The ceremony, held at the Integrated Engineering and Science Building, honored these students for their academic accomplishments, exemplary dedication to the engineering profession, and commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards.

Each inductee took the Oath of the Engineer, pledging to uphold the engineering profession’s principles and adhere to the highest ethical standards throughout their careers. During the ceremony, initiates received Engineer’s Rings, stainless steel rings placed on the fifth finger of the working hand as a visible symbol and reminder of their dedication. The ceremony was attended by faculty, staff, family members and distinguished guests, who gathered to celebrate the newly inducted members.

2024 Inductees

• Ryan Aamodt
• John Able
• Liz Alexander
• Joseph Bollinger
• Margaret Borstel
• Hayden Brass
• Austin Broussard
• Keirsten Bryan
• John Parker Burrell
• Ethan Byrd
• Jacob Cain
• Hayden Cashat
• Ethan Clapp
• Devin Claridge
• Wilbert Collins
• Kylie Colvin
• Sully Copas
• Courtney Cowart
• Elizabeth Crawford
• Jessica Crum
• Abby Daigle
• Kennedi Darr
• Sara DeMattie
• Samuel Dinnat
• Ethan Dowell
• William Drake
• Nicholas Duncan
• Yashodara Ekanayaka
• Megan Emmert
• Matthew English
• Emma-Bernadette Faul
• Ryan Fincher
• Elizabeth Anne Fleniken
• Davis Floyd
• Victoria Fontenot
• Samuel Frazier
• Kolby Gary
• James Rett Gatewood
• Seth Gautreaux
• Ian Golsby
• Madison Gomer
• Andrew Gros
• Grason Hall
• Luke Hausgen
• Ana Hodnett
• Clayton Hopkins
• Allan Howell
• Connor Huggins
• Connor Hunsicker
• Christian Hunter
• Wade Idom
• Logan Johnston
• Travis J. Knippers
• Jake Kopecky
• Christi Kruger
• Benjamin Kubicek
• Catherine Lacey
• Daniela Lara
• Carter Ledbetter
• Davareya Lester
• Nicholas Levet
• Kenton Lewis
• Rebekah Lindblade
• Joseph Mabe
• Riley Mahony
• Mark Romeo G. Mangaoang Jr.
• Brylie Marchand
• Abigail Marcotte
• Nathanael Marino
• Skyler McAffry
• Adam J. McCann
• Alexis McCarthy
• C. Patrick McDonald
• Tanner McIlwain
• Jared Melseth
• Colin Merchant
• Garrett Miculek
• Lindsey Miller
• Brandon Mitchell
• Dalon Moore
• Garrett Nobles
• Tamara Ozol
• William Pankey
• Eric Patrick
• Jace Peloquin
• Brett Pennington
• Blake Perrin
• Ashley Phillips
• Brentley Porter
• Bradley Reed
• Sonny Reed
• Caleb Reichard
• Shelby Rigot
• Daniel Rivera
• Grace Roberts
• Astrid Rodriguez
• Braden Roger
• Alexia J. Romero
• Jinny Schober
• Justin Searcy
• Sarah Sellen
• Audrey Shank
• McKinley Sherman
• Sarah Siharath
• Jacob P. Smart
• Christian Smith
• Dustin Smith
• Grace Smith
• Kevin Smith
• Mary Spencer
• Kristen Steelman
• Matthew Taylor
• Brooklyn Teer
• Tyler Thibodaux
• Cameron Thomas
• Harrel Lewis Thompson
• William Thompson
• Reagan Treadway
• Chaston Trichel
• Andrew Turner
• Meagan Wade
• Colin Chace White
• David Whitlock
• Anita Whitner
• William Wilson
• Nicholas Winkelmann
• Gracie Wooden
• Nathan Wright
• John Wysocki

The Order of the Engineer was initiated in the United States to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, to bridge the gap between training and experience, and to present to the public a visible symbol identifying the engineer. The first ceremony was held on June 4, 1970, at Cleveland State University. Since then, similar ceremonies have been held across the United States with ceremonies conducted by Links (local sections) of the Order.

The Louisiana Tech inductees join a dedicated and prestigious group of engineers from across the nation, which includes a number of Louisiana Tech graduates. Louisiana Tech has been a member in the organization since 2005.

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By Kyle Roberts

Ruston High Lady Bearcat senior Cala Wilson and junior Morgan Foster were both named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association 5A All-State team Tuesday after their efforts in helping lead Ruston back to the postseason in 2024 with Wilson making the team as a utility player, while Foster earned honorable mention.

“I’m super excited for them to get the recognition of all the hard work they’ve put in,” Lady Bearcat head coach Lauren Garvie said. “They are both the type of players to hit in the cage and stay after when nobody is looking. They love this game and work hard at perfecting it, so every award they receive is just recognition and a nod of more people than just me or their parents saying “Hey, great job!” I’m incredibly proud of them.”

Wilson was named to the utility spot on the all-state team after sporting a .574 batting average on the season, which included 54 total hits and 29 extra base hits. Wilson led the team with 14 home runs, as well. On the mound, Wilson pitched 92 innings total and struck out 90 batters.

Foster’s efforts saw her hitting .412 on the year with three home runs and a team-leading 12 stolen bases along with eight extra-base hits.

Ruston High finished No. 18 overall in the power rankings and returned to the postseason after not making the playoffs for two straight seasons.

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By Kyle Roberts

Ruston High junior Jake Simmons and sophomore Jackson Lee were both named to the Louisiana Baseball Coaches’ Association All-Region 2 for their efforts in the 2024 campaign.

“I’m really not surprised at all by these guys getting recognized as two of the best outfielders in the region because they flat out are,” new Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said. “They are going too be a catalyst for our offense next season and both are equally as gifted defensively as they are swinging the bat. I know our team is extremely proud of them and happy for them.

“That is something we are all trying to achieve — happiness in the success of our teammates and celebrating each other when these opportunities present themselves.”

Simmons was named to the team as an outfielder after hitting .300 for the season and 24 hits with 10 extra base hits, including five doubles, three triples and two home runs. Simmons also finished with 18 runs batted in for the season.

Lee was earned the honors as a utility player by finishing the year with a .333 batting average and leading the team with 32 total hits. Like Simmons, Lee finished with 18 RBI, while getting three doubles and four triples of his own.

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Ruston Police arrested a 47-year-old woman Sunday after she allegedly assaulted a family member.

Laura Cano of Ruston allegedly dragged the victim out of bed by her hair, threw her into a brick wall causing the victim’s head to impact the brick. The victim said she was struck repeatedly on the arms and face by Cano’s open palms.

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Cano, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, said she did not understand her Miranda rights when officers attempted to question her.

Police had been to Cano’s residence the previous day and allegedly found her very intoxicated.

Cano was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for domestic abuse battery and resisting an officer.

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.

Lots of college baseball coaches are walking around this week not knowing what to do.

Same with softball coaches, whose seasons are over.

If you see one — he or she will look disheveled, pale and lost — just nod and keep moving. Nothing you say will help. 

If they seem in a trance, it’s only because they are.

Six Louisiana schools this spring made an NCAA Baseball Regional: Grambling, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, LSU, Nicholls and Tulane. SIX! That’s nearly a tenth of the 64-team field that’s now down to 16 for this weekend’s Super Regionals.

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But as good as Louisiana college baseball was this spring, it’s now over. And not a one of the coaches of those six teams is feeling comfortable right now.

Not because they lost. I mean, they aren’t happy about losing, but you could make a case that each exceeded or at least matched reasonable expectations.

Those coaches are in the hinterlands because life has been scripted for them since January. 

Meet as a staff. Scout. Practice. Weights. Eat. Bus ride. Catch breath … 

Hotel check in. Hotel check out. Make out a lineup. In-and-out. Sixth inning and then the seventh inning and on like that. Post-game interview. 

Shower. Collapse into bed. Tossing followed by its bastard cousin, Turning. Get out of bed and walk around and worry. Try to go back to sleep.

Another day. And another game. And then … 

… suddenly … 

NOT another game. Not until February. 

There will be plenty to do between now and then. Keeping up with your guys in summer leagues. Maybe it’s the year you get a new set of uniforms, so design and order those. Offseason stuff for the guys returning. Downtime in December. 

Then start it all over again.

But right now is an emptiness. A compass with no needle, a clock with no hands, a calendar with no days. Just boxes to somehow fill in until you get your footing again.

The LSU team gathered in the outfield in Chapel Hill after the heartbreaking loss to North Carolina Monday night in that regional’s final, the last time that particular group will be together in uniform. They flew back to Baton Rouge Tuesday and then … they’re out of games. Still a team, forever, but with no more games. The closest they’ll ever get to this again is a reunion.

Same thing played out in Ruston and New Orleans and Grambling, in Lafayette and in Thibodaux. Each team is its own little organism, its own little life, whether it’s Little League or Geezer League or high school or a team that makes an NCAA Regional. Some are good and some are bad but each has its own little life and there’s a melancholy when it ends unless you win The Last Game, and not many players get to win The Last BIG Game.

So something will always be left undone.

And as those players find their lives outside of the game — some, God help them and love them for it, will be coaches — left behind is their little coach, still in the locker room, some lockers now cleaned out, and he notices those and remembers, and sees the lockers of the guys coming back, and wonders who will fill the ones left blank — and then quietly out of nowhere he imagines the promise in those new lockers and the potential in those old ones, and then he kind of sees it all, starts sensing it, and then it’s time to move again, to grab a pencil and start writing, start planning, shake the cobwebs off and snap out of it because … it’s next season. It’s time to start.

BUT … we’ll give coaches the next two weeks to remain petrified, not as in scared but as in life-turned-to-stone. You have everyone’s permission to stay in a trance for the next two weeks and watch The Price is Right and maybe some of the Super Regionals, and stare at nothing; those closest to you understand.

(OF course, no one else does, or possibly could. See you in a couple weeks.)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

A man arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Ruston Walmart store was also charged Sunday on warrants for failure to appear in court.

D’cambrien T. Ensley, 27, of Grambling, was taken into custody after an asset protection associate of the Neighborhood Walmart said the man shoplifted small items from the store on two consecutive days.

The arresting officer’s report said Ensley admitted to the thefts.

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Two warrants were found for Ensley alleging he failed to appear in Ruston City Court earlier this year on traffic charges.

Ensley was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for theft by shoplifting and the warrants. Bail was set at $4,000.

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

The Ark-La-Tex region is blessed with some of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. Toledo Bend, Lake Fork, Caddo Lake, Lake of the Pines, Caney, Bussy Break are all area lakes that continue to make the Bassmaster Top 100 lakes in the country every year. But there’s one that has emerged as the best of the best…. Lake Sam Rayburn!

Located in the heart of East Texas just east of Lufkin, Sam Rayburn continues to defy logic and mystify marine biologist. By that I mean, no other lake in this region gets more pressure and hosts more tournaments than Rayburn and yet it continues to put out huge stringers of bass week after week. Today I’ll give you some statistics that will illustrate just how good Sam Rayburn is at this time.

One way to judge a lake is to look at tournament results. It’s a great barometer to determine how healthy a fishery really is. One recent tournament was the Bob Sealy Big Bass Splash which is held annually on Sam Rayburn in the month of April. Anglers from all over the country make their way to this famed reservoir each year for one thing…to catch big bass! This year the Sealy event did not disappoint as record numbers were caught.

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Here’s some impressive numbers to back up why Sam Rayburn is truly the best. These weights reflect the total bass weighed over the three-day event.

Friday – 41 bass weighed in over 7.00 lbs. with 9 of them over the 9 lb. mark including the winning fish of the event coming in at 11.30 lbs.                                                          

Saturday – 34 bass over 7.00 lbs. came to the scales with 14 coming in over 8.00 lbs.

Sunday – was a good day but not as good as the two previous days, which is normal for a three-day event, as only 13 fish were weighed in over 7.00 lbs.

With all Bob Sealy events, there’s an hourly payback, as well, that pays the Top 15 places per hour. Here’s what it took to just get an hourly check or 15^th place each hour.  

Friday – it took a bass weighing 5.38 lbs. to get 15^th place each hour.                          

Saturday – you needed a 4.66 lb. bass to make the Top 15.                                                  

Sunday – a 4.20 lb. bass put you in the Top 15.

To the average person who does not fish, these numbers mean nothing, but to an angler, these numbers are off the chart impressive!

What makes this even more amazing is the fact that from January through the end of September, there’s not a single weekend where Rayburn isn’t hosting at least two tournaments. 

Most lakes with this kind of pressure will have a drop off in the quality of bass caught. But not Sam Rayburn and that’s a testament to the hard work of the Texas Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. No other state does as good a job of producing great fisheries than the state of Texas!

If you’re looking for a place to go and catch big bass, look no further than Lake Sam Rayburn! Till next time good luck, good fishing and when in doubt, set the hook!

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey announced today that the University has signed two-time Conference USA Coach of the Year Josh Taylor to a restructured contract that will run through the 2029 season.

Taylor recently completed his third season in Ruston after taking over the program in the summer of 2021 following a five-year stint at Nevada. During Taylor’s three seasons at the helm in Ruston, he has led the Bulldogs to 103 victories, including three consecutive 30+ win seasons. Taylor’s 103 wins are the most among all CUSA coaches during their first three seasons at their current programs.

“We are committed to our investment in our softball program, and a big step in that investment is signing Josh to this 5-year restructured contract,” said Ivey. “Josh has proven in his three years in Ruston that he and his staff are committed to building our softball program the right way. And we want to do our part in investing in that common goal. We have high expectations for the program both on and off the field, and we feel Josh is the coach to accomplish those goals.”

The restructured five-year contract includes a new bonus structure, an increase in assistant coach salary pool, and additional resources that will provide stability and allow for growth for Bulldog Softball.

“I am humbled and honored,” said Taylor. “I would like to thank President Jim Henderson, Ryan Ivey and Malcolm Butler for entrusting me with the future of Louisiana Tech Softball. I would also like to thank my coaching staff as any of my successes are a direct reflection of their knowledge and hard work.

“My coaching staff and I are excited about the future of this program and will work tirelessly to continue to build and grow this program into a championship caliber program year in and year out.”

During Taylor’s time in Ruston, he led the Bulldogs to the 2022 Conference USA Regular Season title and 39 wins in only his first season after inheriting a program that had won just 22 games the previous season and was coming off two straight losing campaigns.

Taylor earned the Conference USA Coach of the Year award in both 2022 and 2024, becoming the first Tech softball coach to earn a league Coach of the Year award multiple times.

This past season, Taylor led Tech to wins over league champions in UL-Lafayette (Sun Belt), San Diego State (Mountain West), McNeese (Southland – regular season) and Southeastern Louisiana (Southland – tournament champion). He also recorded victories against P5 programs in Georgia Tech and Illinois.

Taylor won his 100th career game at Louisiana Tech on April 27 at New Mexico State, becoming the second-fastest head softball coach in program history to reach the milestone.

While registering at least 32 games in each of his three years in Ruston, Taylor has seen 14 players earn all-Conference USA honors, including back-to-back CUSA Freshman of the Year in 2022 (Sierra Sacco) and 2023 (Allie Floyd).

Under Taylor’s watch LA Tech has also garnered six NFCA All-Mideast Region selections and eight College Sports Communicators All-District honorees.

The contract is pending approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Directors.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech student-athletes showcased their success in the classroom again with high marks on the latest NCAA Academic Progress Rates (APR).

In the release made public on Tuesday, all 16 of LA Tech’s Division I programs remained penalty free while also registering six perfect 1,000 single-year APR scores for the 2022-23 academic year as well as recording its highest ever multi-year average of 982.

Programs posting a perfect single-year rating were Men’s Cross Country (sixth consecutive year), Men’s Golf (fourth straight year), Men’s Track (highest ever), Women’s Basketball (third time in last five years), Bowling (14th time ever), and Tennis (eighth time in the last 11 years).

Men’s Cross Country and Golf also achieved a perfect 1,000 multi-year rate while Volleyball tallied 995, all three setting program highs. In all, ten programs achieved a multi-year rate of at least 980. The multi-year rates are based on scores from the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 academic years.

The Academic Progress Rate measures the eligibility, retention, and graduation of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team and serves as a predictor of graduation success.

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Funeral services for Mary Glynn Winham, 96 of Ruston, Louisiana will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., at New Prospect Baptist Church with Dr Chris Craig officiating.   Interment will follow at Longstraw Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral homes of Ruston.  Visitation will be prior to the service from10:00 to 11:00 A.M., at New Prospect Baptist Church. 

Mary was born May 5, 1928, in Choudrant, Louisiana in Lincoln Parish and very peacefully passed away June 3, 2024, in Ruston, Louisiana. In 1946, Mary graduated from Choudrant High School.  In 1950, Mary graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Elementary Education.  After graduating, Mary taught school in Minden and Greenwood, Louisiana.  One day after teaching school in Minden, several of her fellow teachers decided to go get a hamburger at a local diner.  It was here that Mary met Ansel M. Winham, Sr., who was back in Minden, recovering from an aircraft accident.  They started dating and were married on July 7, 1953. Ansel and Mary would end up enjoying a marriage that lasted for 70 years together. In 1963, Mary gave birth to their only son, Marvin. 

Mary was a servant-giver who always seemed to place others in her family before herself.  Mary enjoyed traveling on occasion, but mostly preferred the peace and solace of running a home. Mary kept a calm, well-kept home with clean laundry and clothes. Mary would sing silly songs when she made breakfast in the morning, while Ansel and Marvin rolled their eyes. Mom was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Ruston, Louisiana who served for many years. Mary loved to bake and found great delight in specializing in various Thanksgiving and Christmas desserts.

Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Evelyn Pipes; parents, Wade Hartwell and Eliza Pipes; brothers, Walter and (Betty) Pipes, Truman and (Ruby) Pipes.

Mary is survived by her brother: Bert Neil Pipes (Glenda); Son: Marvin Winham (Kayla); Grandsons, Stephen (Ally); Philip; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Mary Glynn Winham 
May 5, 1928 – June 3, 2024 
Visitation: New Prospect Baptist Church, Thursday, June 6, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am 
Service: New Prospect Baptist Church, Thursday, June 6, 2024, 11:00 am 
Cemetery: Longstraw Cemetery, Thursday, June 6, 2024 

Pauline W. Lee 
Monday 11/06/1933 — Wednesday 05/29/2024  
Visitation: Friday 06/07/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/08/2024 10:00am, Fellowship Baptist Church, Hwy 507, Simsboro 
Interment: Saturday 06/08/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 

Jarod Lee Mardis 
Saturday 07/13/1991 — Wednesday 05/29/2024  
Visitation: Friday 06/07/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/08/2024 12:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Saturday 06/08/2024 Following Service, George Washington Carver Memorial Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston 

Anthony Caesar 
Thursday 02/20/1969 — Saturday 06/01/2024  
Visitation: Friday 06/14/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/15/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Saturday 06/15/2024 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery, Clay 

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By T. Scott Boatright

The sword has finally been pulled from the stone, and Excalibur is on its way to Ruston.

During Monday evening’s monthly City Council meeting, Ruston’s Board of Aldermen authorized the city to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Excalibur FEC of Ruston LLC and to sell property to the Excalibur corporation in connection with economic development for the city.

Steve Privitor, who owns and operates Excalibur Family Entertainment Center in both West Monroe and El Dorado, Arkansas, will own the Ruston location along with his two sons. It will be located on 4.5 acres of land adjacent to the Ruston High School baseball field at the Ruston Sports Complex.

Privitor said the Ruston location will include a Go-Kart track, miniature golf, bumper cars, arcade games, virtual reality consoles and numerous arcade-style games.

“We’ll get started with the Go-Cart track first because that’s all outside work needed to be done,” Privitor said. “We hope to start that very soon.

“As far as the actual building itself, we still have to work out plans with the first marshal and things like that, but as soon as we can get approvals, we’ll get started building that, too.”

Privitor said there is no real timeline set yet but added that hopes it could be finished as soon as next summer and at least before the end of 2025.

He said the Ruston location will be larger than the Excalibur location in West Monroe, which Privitor said has been in operation for around 18 years now.

“This one will be bigger — about 13,000 square feet,” Privitor said. 

Excalibur FEC of Ruston LLC is the business entity that has discussed potential plans to build an entertainment center within the confines of the Ruston Sports Complex.

“We’ve been looking at Ruston for quite a while now,” Privitor said. “The Sports Complex is an ideal location because we won’t have to rely on only parish residents to support it because of all of the visitors the sports complex brings in.”

“Even before we expanded to El Dorado, we had been looking for a location in Ruston and this seems like the perfect one.”

In another matter on the meeting agenda, Ruston’s Board of Aldermen authorized execution of an agreement with JB&B Capital LLC to lease equipment used to pull cables for underground infrastructure improvements.

The City Council also approved an ordinance amending the city zoning code related to wireless telecommunication facilities and also approved a resolution establishing fees for zoning and planning services, applications, appeals and permits.

“At its April meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and recommended some revisions involving cell towers and this is approval to accept those recommendations,” said Ruston Zoning Administrator Jim Hays.

Ruston’s Board of Aldermen also gave its approval for the city to accept its portion — $89,274 — of the proposed 2024-25 budget for the Lincoln Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

In a significant boost for sustainable energy research, Dr. Yang Xiao, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University, has been awarded a two-year, nearly $200,000 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.

The NSF awarded Xiao the Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) grant for his project on converting methane into carbon-free hydrogen and ethane. ERI awards, highly selective grants from the NSF Directorate for Engineering to build research capacity nationally, are issued to support new academic researchers as they initiate research programs and advance in their careers as educators and innovators.

Xiao and his team at the Xiao Research Group Lab will establish a new experimental setup to enhance the infrastructure for research and education at Louisiana Tech and the Institute for Micromanufacturing. Along with Xiao, one doctoral student and one undergraduate student will conduct the experiments.

The project leverages MXenes, a cutting-edge class of nanomaterials, distinguished by their unique ability to accelerate chemical reactions at high temperatures. These advanced materials are crucial for efficiently converting methane—a major component of natural gas—into cleaner substances like ethane and hydrogen. Unlike traditional catalysts, MXenes offer exceptional stability and effectiveness in breaking down methane molecules without producing harmful byproducts. This conversion process not only yields ethane and hydrogen but does so in a way that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional methods.

Hydrogen, produced cleanly, offers a promising pathway for energy production with water vapor as its only emission, while ethane serves as a vital building block for creating ethylene, essential in manufacturing polyethylene plastics widely used in various industries.

This research will use advanced instruments to design novel catalysts, significantly impacting Northern Louisiana—home to the large deposit of natural gas in the Haynesville Shale—by developing skilled workers and spurring innovation in the chemical and petroleum industries.

“Our research group greatly appreciates the support from the NSF – CBET Division – Catalysis Program,” Xiao said. “This ERI project enables us to continue the fundamental research on the carbon/hydrogen bond cleavage in methane molecules and develop more collaboration opportunities with Louisiana gas and oil companies.”

“Dr. Xiao has been relentlessly pushing the envelope of this promising new technology since he arrived at Tech,” said Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “He is truly at the forefront of chemical technology, and our students are working alongside him to innovate how we approach fuel and energy challenges. I am thankful that the NSF saw this value and awarded the grant to him.”

“Dr. Xiao’s research epitomizes the innovative and high-impact scientific inquiry that Louisiana Tech is dedicated to advancing,” Louisiana Tech Executive Vice President for Research and Chief Research Officer Dr. Sumeet Dua added. “This NSF grant not only acknowledges his pioneering methodologies in clean energy conversion but also highlights the crucial role our institution plays in tackling global energy challenges through advanced engineering solutions. We are proud to support Dr. Xiao and his team as they progress this transformative technology, leveraging state-of-the-art nanomaterials and catalytic processes to achieve significant advancements in methane conversion and carbon emissions reduction.”

Tobias Misicko, a third-year doctoral student and student leader of the Xiao Research Group, says that his work with Xiao has prepared him to apply the correct research methods for a variety of engineering challenges.

“Working in the laboratory with Dr. Xiao has taught me many important skills and techniques for research,” he said. “I am looking forward to further applying my laboratory catalysis and reaction engineering skills in this ERI project to understand shale gas conversion in chemical reactors and conduct new experiments.”

Xiao’s innovative research promises a cleaner future, transforming shale gas into a powerful ally in the quest for sustainable energy and boosting the Louisiana economy.

Learn more about this exciting research and explore Xiao’s other groundbreaking efforts in sustainable energy by visiting the Xiao Research Group website.

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A Choudrant man was arrested by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office last Monday after deputies responded to a report of a reckless driver.

Toby Lee Bozyonne, 43, was charged with drug offenses and reckless driving Monday evening.

A citizen reported the reckless vehicle was on La. Highway 3072. A deputy located the vehicle and saw it swerving back and forth within the travel lane. The vehicle continued for some distance before stopping for the deputy’s lights and siren. Bozyonne was the driver.

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A drug detection K-9 conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle. The canine alerted to the odor of narcotics and a search was conducted.

A search of a backpack on the front passenger seat located a plastic baggy of pills identified as buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance, and a folded piece of tinfoil containing suspected methamphetamine. The backpack also contained a syringe commonly used to consume methamphetamine.

A digital scale was found on the floor near the center console. A finely ground green substance was found in a metal container in the center console. Bozyonne said he did not know what the substance was called, but that he had gotten it from “a hippie in Alabama.” Tramadol, a Schedule IV controlled substance, was also located.

The concerned citizen who called in the reckless vehicle met deputies and said the vehicle had been all over the road and possibly struck a bridge.

Bozyonne was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine, possession of buprenorphine, possession of tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, and careless operation of a vehicle.

Bail was set at $31,000 but Bozyonne is also being held for the Louisiana Department of Corrections—Probation and Parole.

By Kyle Roberts

Grey Ramsey is pretty good at New Year’s resolutions.

The 12-year-old from Choudrant, La., sat down with his father Patrick on New Year’s Day this year and talked about his goals for 2024 when it comes to golf.

“He said he wanted to win one of the six Louisiana Junior Golf Tour events,” Patrick said. “I’m really proud to see how he’s committed to that goal. And he works very hard individually — sometimes I have to pull the reins on how hard he works. I’m really proud to see his hard work pay off and for him to do what he set out to accomplish.”

Grey’s impressive performances at Calvert Crossing in Monroe, La., — a 73 on Thursday and a 76 on Friday — were enough to propel the youngster to his first place finish against nearly a dozen top golfers in his age range throughout the state.

“It feels really good,” Grey said. “We put in a lot of days, but it just feels good to finally see it pay off.”

Grey took up golf about four years ago and only in the last two has considered playing competitively. Patrick said that winning this event was validating considering Grey’s decision to stop playing baseball. 

“His age group that he played with has always been very successful in competitive baseball,” Patrick said. “He decided this year that he wanted to commit completely to golf, which was fine with me. He’s really worked hard this offseason.

“Wherever he goes is up to him from here.”

The LJGT will have some more opportunities for Grey with events in Lafayette, New Orleans and Shreveport this year.

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By Hanna Singh

The 2024 Promising Practices Conference on Community Health is coming to Grambling on Friday, June 7. 

A hybrid (both on-site and online) event, the conference will be held at Grambling State University (on site) and by Zoom webinar (online). The Conferences is a part of a greater community outreach and engagement program coordinated by the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC)’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE). 

The objectives of the conference are to increase awareness of factors related to public health issues affecting Louisiana communities with a particular emphasis placed on how cancer is affecting Louisiana communities. In addition to this focus on cancer, the conference presenters will also examine a wider range of public health and wellness services and programs available to Louisiana communities.

They will also examine health-related related research being done in Louisiana and approaches that can help address overall public health and wellness within Louisiana Communities. This focus supports the LCRC OCE goal of reducing the impact of cancer across Louisiana and in the Gulf region. It also helps residents of Louisiana address health and wellness needs within their communities.  

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The event focuses on bringing together community members, researchers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders of public health to listen and learn from each other about issues relating to community health. The objective of the Conference is to help both presenters and attendees better understand and identify community health and wellness issues around both the topic of cancer as well as a broader range of public health issues.  The Conference will also provide information about both cancer-related and more general health and wellness resources available to Louisiana communities. 

Conference discussion panels will examine topics like identifying a community’s health and wellness needs.  They will also review approaches for collaborating to address community healthcare issues, and strategies for applying research results to meet community health and wellness needs.   

Additionally, the conference’s keynote speaker, Faith Hunter, MBA, ERYT, will deliver a talk entitled, “Uniting for Health: Innovative Solutions for Community Wellness.” Hunter’s talk will focus on community wellness as established by her journey as a wellness expert, author and pioneering force in the realms of meditation, yoga and mindfulness.  

Registration for both the on-site and online versions of the conference is free, and the event is open to anyone. Individuals, however, must register to attend.  Individuals can register now using this link https://www.promisingpractices2024.com/copy-of-registration. 

More information on the Conference can be found online at https://www.promisingpractices2024.com/ 

By Kyle Roberts

Construction and remodeling is moving steadily ahead at Ruston High School.

Following a school year where no sports were played in Ruston High’s historic main gym, principal Dan Gressett fully anticipates that there will be full return for volleyball and basketball this year.

“As far as timeline, everything is good,” Gressett said. “We’ll be glad to have our volleyball and basketball teams back here. It’s nice to be in your own facilities.”

The main entrance now features an updated trophy case with Ruston’s “R” backlit to greet all fans and visitors.

Upstairs, the concession area has been completely overhauled and will be walled off. Workers will be able to watch a live feed from a mounted television.

Fans will also rejoice at the brand new men’s and women’s bathrooms — now located on both floors.

Volleyball will now be housed completely beneath the home-side seats, with locker rooms for freshman, junior varsity and varsity. Athletic trainer Chris Brister will also have a full classroom for his training classes.

Final bits of construction will take place over the course of the summer — mainly cosmetic with lots of branded Ruston Bearcat graphic screens to be placed on walls and various windows.

Gressett was also thankful for both Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston for housing basketball and volleyball, respectively, last year.

Money for the renovation will came from the federal COVID funding ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund), while the renovation plans were drawn up by Michael L. Walpole, Architect, LLC.

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The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that S. Farmerville St. between E. Vaughn Ave. and Champions Way will be closed to through traffic beginning at yesterday until further notice.

This closure is necessary for sewer upgrades.

The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703

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The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.

The women’s suffrage movement was founded in the mid-19th century by women who had become politically active through their work in the abolitionist and temperance movements. In July 1848, 240 woman suffragists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, met in Seneca Falls, New York, to assert the right of women to vote.

Female enfranchisement was still largely opposed by most Americans, and the distraction of the North-South conflict and subsequent Civil War precluded further discussion. During the Reconstruction Era, the 15th Amendment was adopted, granting African American men the right to vote, but the Republican-dominated Congress failed to expand its progressive radicalism into the sphere of gender.

In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association, led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was formed to push for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Another organization, the American Woman Suffrage Association, led by Lucy Stone, was organized in the same year to work through the state legislatures. In 1890, these two societies were united as the National American Woman Suffrage Association. That year, Wyoming became the first state to grant women the right to vote.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the role of women in American society was changing drastically; women were working more, receiving a better education, bearing fewer children, and several states had authorized female suffrage. In 1913, the National Woman’s party organized the voting power of these enfranchised women to elect congressional representatives who supported woman suffrage, and by 1916 both the Democratic and Republican parties openly endorsed female enfranchisement. In 1919, the 19th Amendment, which stated that “the rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” passed both houses of Congress and was sent to the states for ratification. Eight days later, the 19th Amendment took effect.

Despite the passage of the amendment and the decades-long contributions of Black women to achieve suffrage, poll taxes, local laws and other restrictions continued to block women of color from voting. It would take another 50 years for all women to achieve voting equality.

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A Ruston man was arrested early Wednesday morning after a Lincoln Parish deputy stopped him for a traffic violation and found drugs in the vehicle.

Marcus D. Albritton, 38, was stopped about 2 a.m. on La. Highway 33. Albritton told the deputy he did not have liability insurance and his driver’s license had been suspended.

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A search of the vehicle located pills identified as oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Albritton was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of oxycodone, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, driving under suspension, and no license plate light.

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 University of Louisiana System has announced the appointment of Dr. Marcus Jones as executive vice president and chief operating officer. In this role, Dr. Jones will oversee all system operations and coordinate strategic activities among the UL System’s nine higher education institutions. He will also serve as a senior advisor to UL System President Rick Gallot, helping to guide strategic planning for the UL System, foster enrollment growth, and enhance the overall educational experience for the students the UL System’s institutions serve. 
 
Dr. Jones rejoins the UL System from Northwestern State University (NSU), where he currently serves as university president. He has served as an integral part of the NSU community in various capacities over the years – including serving as a member of NSU’s faculty since 1995 and leading the institution over the past three years as president. Previously, he held a similar role with the UL System as executive vice president, overseeing a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including budget management, administration, policies and procedures, and system-level strategic initiatives. 

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“Dr. Jones brings a wealth of experience and leadership, having served in various roles within the University of Louisiana System and other higher education institutions throughout his distinguished career,” said Dr. Jimmy Clarke, Board Chair of the University of Louisiana System. “As executive vice president and chief operating officer, his return will strengthen our System and propel our system-wide operations and strategic planning efforts forward.” 
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Jones back to the University of Louisiana System Office in this crucial leadership role for higher education in our state,” said Rick Gallot, President of the University of Louisiana System. “His proven track record of strategic vision, innovation, and dedication to student success makes him exceptionally well-suited for this position. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Jones as we continue to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for students across our universities.” 
 
During his tenure at NSU, Dr. Jones contributed to the institution’s financial stability, growth, and student success, leading initiatives to strengthen academic programs, enhance student support services, and foster community engagement. Under his leadership, NSU achieved significant milestones, including substantial growth in enrollment and academic achievements across critical fields such as healthcare, STEM, business, and education. His strategic vision and dedication to student success positioned NSU as a premier institution in the region, a testament to his ability to lead and drive positive change. 
 
“It has been my pleasure to serve Northwestern State University for the past 25 years, and I am honored to rejoin the University of Louisiana System Office as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,” said Dr. Marcus Jones. “I am deeply committed to advancing the mission and priorities of our universities, promoting student-centered policies, and collaborating with stakeholders to drive positive change in higher education. Together, we will continue to build on the System’s strengths and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.” 
 
The UL System is one of the nation’s largest higher education systems, serving more than 82,000 students and awarding more than 16,500 degrees annually. Offering a broad spectrum of educational opportunities, the System and its nine institutions provide high-quality, cost-efficient education to thousands of Louisiana families. 
 
Dr. Jones will work closely with System leadership, university presidents, and stakeholders at the UL System’s nine institutions to address key priorities, including campus safety, student access and success, fiscal stewardship, technology and innovation, and international study abroad opportunities for students and faculty across the System. 
 
The UL System Board of Supervisors is initiating a national search to identify Dr. Jones’ successor at NSU. The Board will consider the appointment of an interim president at its regularly scheduled June 13 meeting to support Dr. Jones, the System, and NSU community through this transition.