Mike Stevens is quite the success story.

Although he may not want to openly admit it — he is a pretty humble fellow — Mike turned lemons into lemonade just over two decades ago. He added a little sugar and 20 years later … oh, how sweet it is.

Mike is the owner of local family-owned Rapid Signs.

The well-known signage company’s work can be seen all across Lincoln Parish and other areas of north Louisiana, including banks, churches, schools, universities and more. In fact, a person probably can’t stand on a corner anywhere in downtown Ruston without seeing some of the great work by the Rapid Signs team.

Mike’s story is one of a hard-working guy making the most out of a challenging situation.

Rewind to early in Mike’s life. He moved to Doyline to live with his father at age 14 and admits school was not his strong suit.

“I am a legitimate 9th grade high school drop out,” laughed Mike. “I just struggled. I have always had a problem with authority. I didn’t like being told what to do. It’s probably why I work for myself now.”

When his father moved away when he was 17-years-old, Mike made the decision to move to the 318 because of … you guessed it … a girl. To his defense and credit, that girl is now his wife of over 20 years.

“My dad had moved off and had given me the ultimatum that I had to move with him,” said Mike. “I told him I was staying here. I lived in Choudrant on my now wife’s grandmother’s property so I could stay close to her.”

After working at McDonalds for a while, Mike moved to manage another local company around 2000. He did that for a few years before deciding he was ready to embark on his own journey.

Fast forward to March of 2004 when the idea for Rapid Signs became a reality. However, it didn’t come easy and it sure didn’t happen without some help.

“I had a business partner at the time named Brad Jones,” said Mike. “He was my pastor who married my wife and I. He was kind of my mentor. He always helped me and was always someone that I looked up to. He really took me under his wings.

“I had no money. I mean no money. I had a kid and a kid on the way. I had no paycheck coming in. I was in tears. Brad asked me, ‘Is this something you can do on your own?’ I thought about it for a day or two, and decided why not. It’s kind of what motivated me.”

Not only does Mike give Brad Jones credit for helping him start Rapid Signs, but he gives all the credit to God.

“I prayed about it for a long time,” said Mike. “I prayed about it and I got an answer from God saying this is what I should do. I never prayed as much or as hard as I did during the early days of Rapid Signs. Not knowing if you were going to have customers is pretty stressful.”

Fast forward 20 years and Rapid Signs is a fixture in Ruston, one of the many locally owned success stories that makes Lincoln Parish what it is today.

“I tell people all the time, I don’t know what have I done to deserve this,” said Mike. “Because quite frankly I have no education, but I am a hard worker.”

Bullseye.

Mike Stevens reputation as a hard worker and a man who backs his products are big reasons for two decades of success.

“I just think God has given me so many opportunities and for whatever reason, I have not squashed them,” said Mike, who now has 13 full-time employees plus a handful of part-time employees. “I treat people the way I want to be treated. I don’t know what tomorrow holds. I literally take care of what is in front of me today. My rule of thumb is I just treat people the way I want to be treated.”

That mantra has paid dividends and helped earn the trust of the local community.

“We have a long history with Rapid Signs,” said Louisiana Tech Deputy Athletics Director Gerald Jordan. “There isn’t anyone else I’d rather work with than Mike and his team. Rapid Signs takes it to a whole new level when you call at 8:30 a.m. and ask, ‘Is there anyway you could do this by the end of the day?’ The answer is always YES. While that doesn’t need to be the norm, that’s the result of a successful partner who has a vested interest in our success.”

Rapid Signs offers a variety of products, including yard signs, t-shirts, channel letters, trade show signage, interior wall wraps, banners and flags, building signs, decals and stickers, vinyl lettering, magnets and more.

“The biggest thing I want people to know is that we are thankful for our customers,” said Mike. “I want to thank them for their dedication and their trust and their loyalty. We are a family-owned business, and we plan to go nowhere. I don’t know what Rapid Signs will look like in 20 more years, but I do know that a Stevens of some sort will always be in this seat serving them.”

Rapid Signs is located at 120 West Railroad Avenue in Ruston. Customers can reach them at 318-251-2133 and can find out more at http://www.RapidSigns.com.

This is an advertorial

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Ruston Police arrested a Texas man last Friday after responding to a disturbance call and finding the man with drugs.

Donald Rice., 42, of Rio Vista, Texas, was arrested on drug charges after officers responded to the U-Pak-It convenience store on Cooktown Road about 6:30 a.m.

The store reported a shirtless man wearing shorts and socks was beating on a vehicle in the parking lot. Before officers arrived, the suspect had left, walking north on Cooktown Road.

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Rice was stopped about two blocks away and found to be sweating profusely and speaking incoherently. A search located crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and methamphetamine in his pockets. Two glass smoking pipes were also found.

Rice was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for three counts of possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $26,000.

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. 

Narcotics officers arrested a Ruston woman last Wednesday while investigating reported drug use at an abandoned house.

Officers of the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team responded to a house on Union Avenue where they found several people inside. In identifying the occupants, they learned Lametria L. Owens, 23, was wanted on two warrants for failure to appear in Third District Court.

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Owens was arrested and searched. A coin purse was found containing a small amount of suspected methamphetamine. She was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine and the two warrants. She is also being held on a probation violation.

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

By Kyle Roberts

As we’ve celebrated milestone after milestone over these last few years, we want to acknowledge that this endeavor to bring the news to our community for free is impossible without our terrific community partners who have advertised with us.

As we approach our three-year anniversary, I hope you will consider ways to join our mission.

Here are a few things you can do to walk alongside us:

Advertise your business with us! Our business model is as close to a win-win-win as there is in the business world. Our readers receive a premium service of the best local news, sports and features completely for free. Our advertisers are in front of tens of thousands of readers in any given month. And we get to do the job of reporting and publishing through that incredible support.

Our rates are incredibly competitive for the amount of views your business will receive. If you are interested in learning more about how you can be a partner of the Lincoln Parish Journal and support our mission, email us at LPJnewsLA@gmail.com.

Spread the word! Please help us make sure people in our community know about the LPJ and our affordable advertising opportunities. Word-of-mouth or personal testimonies about how happy you are that the Lincoln Parish Journal is available to you for free goes a long way. We are appreciative for every positive comment and constructive feedback we receive, so we hope you’ll consider sharing with others,too.

Subscribe to the daily email… and be sure to read it, too! We just crossed our 10,000 followers on Facebook this past month, which is incredibly exciting for us. However, the most important metric that shows us how connected we are to the community is still our email subscribers. We have over 5,000 people who receive the journal every weekday morning (and Saturdays during football season). It’s by far the best way to learn about all the things going on in Lincoln Parish. To subscribe for free, CLICK HERE.

We thank you again for considering us with your advertising needs. The future is incredibly bright for us all, thanks to you.

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By Kyle Roberts

Ryan Gregory has seen plenty of talent in his day.

The head football coach for the historic Oak Grove Tigers, who just recently won his fourth state Non-Select, Division IV championship in five years, has without doubt coached top talent.

And for him, Ruston High’s newest offensive line coach Josh Mote stands above the crowd, literally and figuratively, having played for him from 2014-2017.

“The best word that sums him up is special,” Gregory said of Mote. “I mean, you don’t have a lot of kids that excel in every aspect of the game on the field and in the classroom; he just checked every box. I haven’t coached a kid that had a switch like him. In between reps, he’s fun to talk to and joke around with.

“And all of a sudden, even in practice, when the ball is snapped, it’s a different deal. You knew he was going to be special at that.”

Having already starred at Louisiana Tech on the offensive line, Mote is looking to bring that kind of energy to Ruston’s sideline — the kind of coach that is approachable and easy to be around, but also the kind of coach that will expect the absolute best out of his players.

And he knows the best way to get the best is to connect in a meaningful way as a coach with the player — and understanding that each player is a different person.

“I think first off, you have to care for the heart of the kid,” Mote said. “I believe when you engage with them in that way, everything else will fall into place. Essentially, that’s what high school football is support to be able. I do have a handful of guys who may go on to play college football, but at the end of the day it’s about teaching them how to live life the right way.”

If you didn’t know that you were talking to a 26-year-old, you’d think you were talking to a seasoned veteran with decades of experience. There’s a maturity that brings wisdom beyond his years — something that he directly points back to his faith in Jesus.

“Very few people can stand on faith as much as he does as far as walking the walk,” Gregory said. “He’s always been to type of kid that you never had to worry about.

In fact, the plan was originally for him to work full-time as an area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an interdenominational organization with the vision to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

“I started with FCA while I was training for Pro Day in March of 2023,” Mote said. “Shortly after that, (Ruston High Head Football Coach Jerrod) Baugh reached out and asked what I thought about coming to coach with him. Hearing what Coach Baugh had to say and how Ruston High runs the program — I was really impressed. It’s different from any other high school program; they do it the right way, almost like a college. It’s not much different than the way we did it at Tech, so I wanted to be a part of what he’s doing and be able to grow.

“I hopefully I have a lot of years coaching ahead of me. So I can take a lot of what I’ve learned here and use it in the future.”

For Baugh, hiring Mote was an easy decision, citing Baugh’s own relationship with Gregory.

“Usually, whenever I reach out to a person like (Gregory), whose opinion I respect, all it takes if one phone call to know it’s who I need to get,” Baugh said. “He told me “You have to get him.” Coach Gregory had even tried to get him to come move back to Oak Grove to coach with him. It was a no-brainer for me with that recommendation.”

Bearcat Offensive Lineman Sam Nations already sees Mote’s influence on the rest of his o-line squad and respects his coach’s previous involvement with FCA.

“He’s from a winning culture,” Nations said. “I think the intensity that Oak Grove has is similar to ours — it’s two really good football programs, so it’s nothing new to him. He’s a younger coach, and we can connect to that. But him being involved with FCA is a really big thing. I think our faith will grow — we pray and stuff and we’ve done Bible studies during the offseason. I want to work with Coach Mote to grow it. He’s the guy to do that.”

Mote is looking forward to the new challenges ahead, both on the field and off. Now engaged to Kate Thompson, a former Louisiana Tech Lady Techster who will be playing her final year of college basketball eligibility at Loyola in New Orleans, Mote will spend this season learning how to coach within a championship program — while also gleaning life advice from his fellow coaches.

“It’s good to be around these guys,” Mote said. “They do more than just come up here and coach — a lot of them have families at home, too. I’ll get to see how they treat their wives and how they are as parents. Hopefully, I can learn from them and grow from here.”

Only a few limited edition Ruston Bearcat posters remain for sale. Anyone wishing to order one of these gold gilded editions should follow the directions below to do so as only 15 of these remain available.

What a ride it was in 2023.

With the start of the 2024 season just around the corner, fans who may have missed out on the chance to purchase either a Limited Edition or Commemorative Edition poster still have a chance.

And the best news … they are on sale. Starting today and while supplies last, both the remaining Limited Edition and Commemorative Edition posters are 20 percent off. Only a limited number of each remain so they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Head coach Jerrod Baugh and the Ruston Bearcats took our community on a memorable journey this year, capturing the 2023 Nonselect School Division I title with a 31-17 win over Zachary in the Caesar’s Superdome.

Baugh and the Bearcats captured the school’s ninth state title, its first since 1990 and they did so in a first-class fashion.

In recognition of the state title run, the Lincoln Parish Journal commissioned local graphic designer Courtney Pugh of Donnie Bell Design back in December of 2023 to create a commemorative edition and limited poster featuring photos from official GeauxPrep’s state title game photographer Josh McDaniel (FourSix3).

There are two unique versions of the 18 x 24 inch poster, each printed on 100-pound glossy:

a) a LIMITED edition ($60) with ONLY 75 printed that features a gold gilded tint and a numbering system to differentiate each poster (only 15 remain for sale)

b) a COMMEMORATIVE edition ($20)

To order either poster, email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.

The LPJ will take orders on a first come, first serve basis and will continue to sell while supplies last.

The LPJ will take payment via credit card (an email invoice will be sent which can be processed by the buyer with a credit card) or cash. No checks will be accepted.

Don’t miss your chance to purchase this beautiful keepsake depicting the Bearcats title run in 2023. Email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.

Special thanks to Origin Bank and Forth Insurance for their support of this project.

George Carlin once made this comment on why he had such a congenital distrust of religious neophytes who claim to be “born again.” “They talk too much, pure and simple! When I was born, I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak for two years! If someone has a religious experience and shuts up for a couple of years, I will take them seriously.” Carlin had nothing nice to say about organized religion, but in this regard, he points out a spiritual truth.

Wonder and awe stun and mute our spontaneous energies. They paralyze us so that we become reflective by conscription. 

Amazement does the opposite. Amazement opens up the conduit to our emotions and usually to our mouths. When your friend starts, “we had the most amazing vacation.” Don’t you catch your breath because you are about to be assaulted with a verbal travel journal? Of course, to go with the narration, pictures will be thrust upon you. Wonder and awe are spiritual and deep, amazement is visceral and shallow.

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I take you to the Christmas stories in Luke. There are angels busy giving birth announcements. Zechariah the old man gets one and he is amazed. Zechariah, knowing about biological impossibilities voices proper questions, and Gabriel, seemingly unhappy with his questions, mutes him for nine months. So, Zechariah was amazed, and he spoke. Albeit, he spoke “out of school.”

A short time later, the same angel goes to the virgin Mary, with her birth announcement. She certainly knows about biological impossibilities, but she says nothing. She ponders the angel’s words in her heart. She is filled with wonder and awe by this news. Her wonder and awe kept her silent.

Wonder and awe are the biblical antithesis to amazement.

It is the difference between taking your breath away and taking your words away.

Are wonder and awe a part of your daily experience? When you listen to the voice of creation as the sun is setting? When do you hear divine music? When are you touched by the love of another? Are there moments that are so divine for you, that you can’t speak? 

Where do you find wonder and awe? What takes your words away?

Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston. You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com.

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

Friday, July 26
2 p.m.: Briarhill Farms at Lincoln Parish Library (Ruston Room)

Saturday, July 27
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey announced today that the University has extended Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Brian Johnson‘s contract that will run through the 2029 season.

After taking over the program in the summer of 2022, Johnson recently completed his second season in Ruston. During his time at the helm, the Bulldogs set five program records and 55 marks inside the top 10 on the performance list.

“The progress that the program has made in Coach Johnson’s first two years is evident,” Ivey said. “Brian has proven that he and his staff are committed to building our track and field program the right way. We are excited that Coach Johnson will continue to lead the program through 2029 and take even greater strides in the years to come.”

This past season, Johnson led the Bulldogs to their best conference finish since 2014 for the indoor and outdoor season. The Bulldogs sent nine to the NCAA East Regional, five males and four females.

“I am proud and thankful that Louisiana Tech University, Dr. Henderson, and Ryan Ivey have entrusted me with the opportunity to represent this great university as its Director of Track and Field Coach,” said Johnson. “I am committed to the Louisiana Tech model of striving for academic and athletic excellence. These past two years have convinced me that LA Tech will win on the track and continue to graduate young men and women who will be leaders in their chosen profession fields.”

In his first season at the helm, Johnson’s teams improved at the Conference USA meets with their first indoor conference champion since the 2019 season and first women to win the indoor title since 2015.

The Bulldogs claimed two indoor and five outdoor titles, including sweeping the long jump and 4×400 titles on the men’s side.

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

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech’s Will Allen and Anaya Hairston will represent Louisiana Tech Athletics at the Summer Conference USA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meetings.

Allen, a redshirt junior on the Bulldog Basketball team, and Hairston, a sophomore on the Bulldog Volleyball team, will begin their representation July 25-27 in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the three-day event that will include a variety of group sessions and community service activities, providing a forum for student-athletes to express ideas, concerns, and options relating to NCAA and Conference legislation as well as other issues that affect their welfare.

“We look forward to having our student-athletes come to town for Summer SAAC Meetings,” said CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod.  “It is one thing to see each of them compete in their respective sports, but it is very special to spend time with them outside of competition.  Engaging and learning directly from them is very important as we continue to chart our future path.”

“The engagement that we get through our summer SAAC meeting at Conference USA sets the tone for the rest of the year,” said Scott Hays, Chief of Staff/General Counsel.  “We have an extremely bright group of student-athletes and getting an opportunity to engage with them on ideas and opinions about the college athletics landscape is invaluable to the success of Conference USA.  We are looking forward to getting everyone together and are excited for a productive meeting this week.”

The committee consists of 20 members (one male and one female from each institution) and one national SAAC representative.  The committee is managed by an executive board consisting of a chair, vice chair, and secretary.  The committee meets five times a year and provides insight on the student-athlete experience and offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives within Conference USA.

SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the Bulldog Community Outreach which is the NIL collective that supports Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.   

BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.

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Visitation for Michael Joseph Hummel Jr., will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Friday, July 26, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in West Monroe.

Michael was born October 5, 2000, in Barrington, Illinois and passed away on July 21, 2024, in West Monroe, Louisiana after a tragic accident. He spent his early childhood in Wonder Lake, Illinois, where his father’s side of the family are from. Michael loved being there and often went back to visit, spending time with his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He attended Woodlawn Elementary and Jr. High and attended high school at West Ouachita High School. Michael was also a 2018 graduate of the National Guard Youth Program. He was well known for being thoughtful and having extremely good manners.

Michael loved everything about being outdoors. He loved to fish, hunt, mud ride and fix cars. Most recently, he discovered motorcycle racing. His dogs, Daisy and Tank, meant the world to him. Michael loved his friends and family and always made sure he never left without them knowing he loved them. He had such a big heart and beloved by all. Michael is preceded in death his dad, Michael Hummel Sr.; grandparents, Clarance and Genevieve Hummel of Wonder Lake, Illinois and John and Bamma Crowell of West Monroe, Louisiana.

Michael is survived by his mom, Cheryl Lewis and stepfather, Jeff; sister, Heather Hopko; nieces and nephews, Russ, Max and Violet Hopko.

Michael was a wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend. He is already greatly missed by so many.

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Gary L. Dunlop 
November 16, 1949 – July 21, 2024 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, July 27, 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, July 27, 2024, 2:00 pm 
Cemetery: Sibley Cemetery Choudrant, Saturday, July 27, 2024 

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by Wesley Harris

I like to see old buildings preserved and restored, especially when the restorers take great pains to maintain the historical integrity of the property. In other words, the restoration gives a sense that you are stepping back in time.

I had the pleasure of touring the old Ruston Post Office recently from basement to attic with one of the new owners, Jonathan Joseph. It was an adventure. The renovation of this historic property will be a major undertaking–not something that will take place in a couple of months.

When word got out the old post office building, constructed in 1910, was likely to become a restaurant, possibly a Delta Biscuit Company, the excitement in Ruston was palpable.

Joseph said no final decision has been made on the type of restaurant going into the building.

“Very likely it will be Delta Biscuit,” Joseph said, adding the final decision will be made once interior construction is planned.

I knew such restorations took time and money, but when I toured the building, the reality struck me that this is a huge and bold venture. The building of Indiana limestone is sturdy and structurally sound, but the inside is in shambles. There is nothing that can be saved for the restaurant. The new owners are starting from scratch.

Joseph wants to recognize the history of the building and the legacy of downtown Ruston as much as possible in the renovation.

That thrills Amy Stegall, Ruston’s Main Street director.

“I’m very excited about the revitalization of the historic post office in Downtown Ruston,” Stegall said. “An additional restaurant will significantly boost the economic vitality of downtown. By attracting both locals and tourists, it will not only create jobs but also stimulate further investment and business opportunities in the area.”

Stegall recognizes the importance of the building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“To me the most exciting part of this project is the adaptive reuse of one of our most significant buildings,” Stegall said. “Investing in historic preservation projects enhances the overall vibrancy and sustainability of our community.”

“We’re about to submit our plan to the Louisiana Division of Historical Preservation and National Park Service to restore the facade to the post office, as it was for most of the 1900s,” Joseph said. “Based on historical photos available, we have a good idea of what the outside of the building was like, and those photos are supporting our plan.”

For the exterior, that means opening up windows that have been sealed for decades and recreating the original iron lamp posts that lighted the front steps.

“We’re progressing nicely,” Joseph said, “as quickly as expected with a historic building that needs careful preservation and attention.”

Joseph said he wants to restore the building as much as possible to its look as a post office. The dining room will replace the former customer service area and the kitchen will be positioned where mail sorting occurred.

“We’re working with historians to ensure the building’s cultural and regional significance is restored and revived,” Joseph said, his enthusiasm for the project obvious.

As a first step, the building is being protected from further deterioration.

“We’re in the process of protecting the building from leaks and further deterioration to the inside,” Joseph said.

After the post office closed at 1963, the building became the home of a number of federal offices that had been scattered throughout Ruston. During the Vietnam era, young men went to the draft board in the building to register.

With the addition of numerous sheetrock walls and suspended ceiling tiles since 1963 and the removal of anything postal, the building looks nothing like it did before the post office operation moved.

The building was eventually acquired by the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, which used it for entities like the Cooperative Extension Service and the parish’s geographic information systems office.

Brian Davis, executive director of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation is one of those consulted on the renovation.

“It’s great to see the rehabilitation process begin on this Ruston landmark, with original features of the building being uncovered and incorporated into the new design,” Davis said. “Small offices and drop-down ceilings have been removed, allowing original plasterwork to be appreciated once again.”

Those sheet rock walls and dropped tile ceilings concealed any remnant of the old post office. The massive ceilings with intricate brick molding was hidden. The building will have to be completely gutted and that will be a chore in itself.

The building will require new wiring, new plumbing, new air conditioning, and ADA features like an entrance ramp.

The renovation is anticipated to cost millions. That’s a lot of biscuits.

That means they are going to need community support. And patience. Opening day is far away and a historic restoration, or perhaps more accurately a renovation in this case, is going to take time.

The exterior won’t be as difficult. You can see from the photos, the current building features changes to the main floor windows, the closure of the basement windows, and removal of the original lamp posts on the front steps.

Davis likes the plan to remove the partially blocked windows.

“The new owners will replicate the large wood windows which were present  until the mid-20th century,” Davis. “This will completely transform the look and feel of the building and return it to a more historically appropriate appearance.”

Even with a post office theme throughout, don’t expect it to look like Ruston‘s post office of old. The need for a large dining room, kitchen, and much larger restrooms than the original tiny cubicles will mean a completely different floor plan.

But the owners are serious about creating a sense you are stepping into a post office of 100 years ago.

Don’t be surprised if they pay homage to the equally historic Post Office Café that was so popular right next door.

I was only six in 1963 and even though my dad and great uncle worked at the post office, my memory of the interior is limited. Any descriptions anyone can provide of the interior that I can pass on would be helpful. Little details like the type of floor in the lobby, the number of clerk windows, etc. would be helpful. Photos of the interior would be great, but I’ve been looking for those for years.

Wesley Harris can be reached at campruston@gmail.com.

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Former Ruston High Bearcat and current OU Sooner stand-out BJ Green recently competed for the chance to represent the United States of America in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in the men’s triple jump. At 20-years-old, Green was the youngest competitor in his event.

Green shared his story of the competition and his plans moving forward.

Following this interview, Green earned United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Honors.

This conversation has been lightly edited for continuity.

Lincoln Parish Journal: Let’s start at the beginning: when did you receive official word that you qualified to participate in the Olympic Trials?

BJ Green: I actually qualified back during the season in the (Big XII Conference Championship) — I had a mark of 16.46 meters, so I knew for awhile that I had qualified.

LPJ: After you earned bronze in the Track and Field National Championships, what did you do following that to prep for the Olympic Trials?

BJ: Kind of the same thing we had been doing all season — practicing, working on technique, then hitting the weight room. I wanted to make sure that I was maintaining the strength I needed to get through the competition.

LPJ: Would you expand more on the process of what it’s like to try out for the US Olympic team? What are the things you would want people to know about the process?

BJ: For starters, the world’s best athletes are there. Everybody is competing for the same spot as you. So, it’s pretty cutthroat, since only the top three make the team. Everybody there has the same goal in mind and the same mentality. You have to be prepared to compete at the highest level.

LPJ: With everybody competing for the same spots, was there any camaraderie there? Or was it all just business?

BJ: I mean, it depends on the person. You know, some people don’t let it get to camaraderie. They’re strictly business. But you do have others that were willing to go speak to others, but it was more “to each his own.”

LPJ: Being the youngest in the field, what did that feel like for you?

BJ: I’m pretty much used to it. Having to be competitive and going against other guys — it doesn’t really make a difference whether I’m the youngest or the oldest. The same mindset is there.

LPJ: What was the actual day of the event like for you?

BJ: That was everything, man. I got, not only the support of my teammates and those around me, but it also brought support from the ones back home — my family, my friends, old coaches and teammates. They all gathered to watch me compete on the national and global level. They made me feel happy and proud of myself. I loved getting bring all of these people together.

My next goal is to try to make the world team and be able to compete next year.

LPJ: You recently entered into the transfer portal, so have you decided what’s coming next for you?

BJ: When I got into the portal, a lot of people were hitting me up. When I was going through that process, it was a lot different from when I was coming out of high school. This time around, a lot of schools were coming after me because I’m one of the top triple jumpers in the nation. I weighed my options and decided to stay at OU. It’s better opportunity for me if I stay.

LPJ: Thank you for your time.

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A Grambling man was arrested for aggravated battery after he allegedly attempted to run over a woman last Tuesday.

Jesse L. Mayfield, 62, was arrested on numerous charges by Grambling Police after a woman reported to officers that he tried to run over, hit her with a stick, and stole her cellphone.

About 8:30 a.m. on July 16, a woman told officers Mayfield usually gives her a ride but he refused. She left the house and Mayfield allegedly followed her outside while he was arguing with someone on the phone. Mayfield then attempted to run over her with his vehicle and the woman said she left the roadway and hid behind a tree.

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The woman said an physical altercation ensured with Mayfield striking her with a stick and took her phone. He left the scene but officers obtained a description of the car and a partial license plate.

Officers saw a small gash on the woman.

Mayfield’s vehicle was located at a Wilson Street apartment. Mayfield was taken into custody and refused to speak with officers. He was booked for aggravated battery, aggravated battery with a vehicle, and theft over $100.

Bail was set at $31,000.

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. 

Only a few limited edition Ruston Bearcat posters remain for sale. Anyone wishing to order one of these gold gilded editions should follow the directions below to do so as only 15 of these remain available.

What a ride it was in 2023.

With the start of the 2024 season just around the corner, fans who may have missed out on the chance to purchase either a Limited Edition or Commemorative Edition poster still have a chance.

And the best news … they are on sale. Starting today and while supplies last, both the remaining Limited Edition and Commemorative Edition posters are 20 percent off. Only a limited number of each remain so they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Head coach Jerrod Baugh and the Ruston Bearcats took our community on a memorable journey this year, capturing the 2023 Nonselect School Division I title with a 31-17 win over Zachary in the Caesar’s Superdome.

Baugh and the Bearcats captured the school’s ninth state title, its first since 1990 and they did so in a first-class fashion.

In recognition of the state title run, the Lincoln Parish Journal commissioned local graphic designer Courtney Pugh of Donnie Bell Design back in December of 2023 to create a commemorative edition and limited poster featuring photos from official GeauxPrep’s state title game photographer Josh McDaniel (FourSix3).

There are two unique versions of the 18 x 24 inch poster, each printed on 100-pound glossy:

a) a LIMITED edition ($60) with ONLY 75 printed that features a gold gilded tint and a numbering system to differentiate each poster (only 15 remain for sale)

b) a COMMEMORATIVE edition ($20)

To order either poster, email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.

The LPJ will take orders on a first come, first serve basis and will continue to sell while supplies last.

The LPJ will take payment via credit card (an email invoice will be sent which can be processed by the buyer with a credit card) or cash. No checks will be accepted.

Don’t miss your chance to purchase this beautiful keepsake depicting the Bearcats title run in 2023. Email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.

Special thanks to Origin Bank and Forth Insurance for their support of this project.

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By Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek School announced that 25 students garnered Advance Placement Awards for their scores on AP exams.

“Our students performed exceptionally well on their Advanced Placement test this year,” said Head of School Cindy Hampton. “This is a testament to the commitment of these students and their teachers to upholding a high level of academic rigor. We are extremely proud of our AP students and their teachers.”

Bailey Anne Adams, Kate Barron, Mia Graham and Lesley Osafo were named AP Scholar with Distinction for averaging a score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scoring a 3.0 or higher on five or more of the exams.

Seven students earned AP Scholars with Honor for averaging 3.25 on all AP exams and scoring 3.0 or higher on four or more. These students are Hayes Bridges, Ella Eagles, Allie Jones Nolan Martin, Harper Nguyen, Lindsey Osafo, and Evie Stake.

The remaining students were awarded AP Scholars for receive score of 3.0 or higher on three of more AP exams. These students are Jack Bell, Elli Dickerson, Lauren Enterkin, Isaac Gremillion, Drew Gulledge, Landon Hall, Hanna Hiers, McKenzie Jones, Lawson Lillo, John Brody Mayzel, Amelia Reynolds, Adrianna Robbins, Zoey Venters and Luke Waldron.

Software Developer

5 yrs exp. dvlp process models, workflow diagrams, test protocols, perform root cause analysis.

BS deg. & travel to unanticipated client locations throughout the U.S. req’d.

Mail Resume: Infosytech Solutions Inc., 211 W. Alabama Ave., Ruston, LA 71270.

This is a paid job posting.

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Reminder for Ruston Residents!

Just a friendly reminder about our new notification system that keeps you informed about emergencies, weather updates, and local events!

We have already launched this new system, and starting April 1st, we stopped using “Code Red” for emergency alerts.

If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so to stay in the know. Your safety matters to us, so don’t miss out on important updates!

Click the link to sign up for alerts: www.lincalerts.org Stay safe and informed!

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Change can bring excitement or anxiety.  Change can bring needed relief, new opportunities, and a renewed sense of optimism.  It can also lead to uncertainty that increases stress, diminishes confidence, and elevates worry.  While change is a part of life, effectively navigating through change can make a big difference in our quality of life.

After a thirty-plus year career with International Paper, I decided to make a change and do something different.  Now that’s a pretty big change that I elected to pursue.  I chose to leave a known salary with benefits, a manageable set of challenges, and a great group of people, to start a coaching and speaking business with no clients, no guaranteed income, and a lot of potential for failure.

The decision to make that change didn’t occur overnight and was something that I contemplated for quite a while.  The key elements of that process that I went through to make that decision as well as some key observations that I have witnessed along the way might just be helpful to you. 

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Whether you are evaluating a potential job change, retiring from a long career, starting a business, changing schools, moving to a new community, joining an organization, getting help with a problem, or any number of other potential changes, here are a few thoughts on navigating the difficulties of change in our lives.

• Don’t be a victim to predictability:  Too many of us will settle for a predictable bad situation rather than risk a change to a possible better.  The reason is that the change could lead to something worse.  So, we settle for bad.  We embrace the concept that at least we know what to expect.  We live predictable, unhappy lives because we fear change. 

• Don’t play the long game too long:  Many of us tell ourselves that if we just keep hanging on to a less than desirable situation, that it will eventually pay off, get resolved, or improve.  In many cases, we just lack the courage to seek a better opportunity and hide behind false hope.  Time will always be more valuable than money, recognition, or rewards.

• Run to something not away from something:  Be careful not to overreact to an unpleasant situation, difficult boss, or tough challenge.  Those things aren’t always a bad thing and often get resolved.  In the short-term, don’t run away from tough things.  However, when you clearly have something to run towards, change takes on an entirely new focus.  Change is a positive step when you are running towards something.

• Trusted counselors are a blessing:  Find people that you trust to talk things over with regarding changes you are contemplating.  These people are the ones that make sound choices, ask good questions, and are willing to have hard discussions with you.  Be selective and careful who you listen to for advice. 

• Focus on direction, not comfort:  Will this change enable you to take the next step in living the life you desire?  Will this change move you toward the impact you want to have?  Far too many of us seek change for comfort rather than challenge.  Comfort may feel good in the moment, but it may lead to regret in the longer-term. 

Your present circumstances don’t determine where you will ultimately go, they merely determine where you start.  What changes do you need to consider to start living, impacting, and experiencing the life you desire?

Two Lake Providence residents were arrested in a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe in Grambling last Wednesday.

Grambling Police arrested Nicolas D. Hullaby, 34, and Shannon Nichole Garner, 29, about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning after an officer stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation.

When the officer checked the license plate number, the registration showed the description of a different vehicle. When the vehicle’s identification number was checked, police learned the Tahoe had been reported stolen in Union Parish.

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Hullaby reportedly told officers he was taking Garner home and that she had nothing to do with the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle located a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Garner admitted the pipe was hers, according to an officer’s report.

Hullaby was booked for theft of a motor vehicle, no turn signal, and driving under suspension. He is also being held for state Probation & Parole. Garner’s charges include theft of a vehicle, two failure to appear in court warrants, misdemeanor probation violation, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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. 

Leonard Franklin Slye was born on November 5, 1911, in a tenement building on 2^nd Street in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His family and friends called him Len.  Eventually, the tenement building where Len was born was torn down and the Riverfront baseball stadium was built on the location.  Len always said that he was born at second base.

Within months of Len’s birth, Len’s father Andy, and his brother Will tired of their jobs and built a houseboat from salvaged lumber.  In July 1912, Andy, his wife Mattie, and their three children, Mary, Cleda, and Len, along with Will, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Raymond, sailed east along the Ohio River from Cincinnati towards Portsmouth in the homemade 12-foot by 50-foot houseboat.  The Slye families jointly purchased land near Portsmouth where they planned to disassemble their houseboat and build a house from the lumber, but mother nature altered their plans. 

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On March 23, 1913, heavy rain began to fall which continued for at least four days.  Flooding from the rain killed an estimated 650 people in at least 13 states.  Damages to property exceeded $330 million.  This became known as the Great Flood of 1913.  The majority of the deaths—somewhere between 422 and 470—happened in Ohio.  In Dayton, Ohio, downtown streets were covered with water 10 feet deep.  Fourteen square miles of the city were flooded.  An estimated 123 people were killed in Dayton alone.  In Hamilton, 35 miles downstream from Dayton, about 100 people were killed when water from 10 to 18 feet deep flowed through its residential districts.  93 people died from flooding in Columbus, Ohio.

As the waters rose near Portsmouth, the Slye families used the high water to their advantage and moved their houseboat onto the water which covered their property.  They carefully positioned the houseboat and tied it off.  As the water slowly receded, they placed foundation piers under the houseboat.  The houseboat eventually rested perfectly on their land.  There was another benefit in keeping the houseboat river worthy.  If the river flooded again, their home would be protected from the water because it would float. 

In 1915, Len’s sister Kathleen was born in the former houseboat.  In 1919, Andy purchased farmland near Lucasville, Ohio, about 12 miles north of Portsmouth, where he built a six-room house.  Despite his best efforts, Andy was unable to earn enough income from the farm for his family to survive.  He took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth.  During the work week, Andy stayed in Portsmouth.  On weekends, he returned to the farm.  While Andy was away, the rest of the family was pretty much isolated from the outside world.  To communicate over long distances on the farm, Len and his mother used different yodels.  The varying pitch of their voices carried much farther than yelling.  Yodeling was a skill that helped Len later on.

In the days before electronic devices, television, or radio, the Slye family found ways to entertain themselves.  Saturday night square dances were common on the Slye family farm.  Len would often play the mandolin and call the square dances or sing.  This began before Len was a teenager.  By the time he turned 18, Len’s musical abilities were like a finely tuned machine.  In 1929, Andy, Mattie, Len, and Kathleen drove in their 1923 Dodge to Lawndale, California to visit Len’s older sister Mary and her husband.  In the spring of 1930, the Slye family moved to Lawndale permanently.  Soon thereafter, Mary suggested that Len audition for a radio show called the Midnight Frolic.  Producers of the show were surprised by Len’s talents.  A few nights later, Len, dressed in his best western attire, played guitar, sang, and yodeled on the program. 

Len was in demand from then on, and became part of several western musical groups.  The most successful was the Pioneers Trio, which became the Sons of the Pioneers when a radio station announcer changed their name because he thought they were too young to be seen as pioneers.  In 1934, the Sons of the Pioneers signed a recording contract and began recording material in August of that year.  One of the songs to come out of that session was the western standard “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”  Their 1934 recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. 

In 1935, Len began working in western films using his real name Leonard Slye.  Gene Autry was the king of western films, but he kept demanding more money for his work as the singing cowboy.  Studios began looking for another singing cowboy that they could get for less money.  Len fit the part perfectly… well, almost.  Republic Pictures, who hired Len, thought Lenoard Slye was not a suitable name for a western star.  The film company finally settled on a stage name for Len. 

While working in Hollywood, Len’s alter ego taught lessons in fairness and gentleness.  He was always on the right side of the law and respected the law.  His was a positive character with unwavering principles.  This was more than just a Hollywood-created persona, this was Leonard Slye.  He was a positive role model, something that we could use more of in our modern times. 

Republic Pictures chose Len’s stage name carefully.  They thought Roy had a good western ring to it.  At the time, Will Rogers was a popular western comic entertainer, and they wanted to take advantage of the name recognition.  From that point on, the world knew Leonard “Len” Slye, the King of Cowboys, as Roy Rogers.

Sources:

1.     Chicago Tribune, July 7, 1998, p.97.

2.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, July 7, 1998, p.28.

3.     Desert Dispatch, July 7, 1998, p.1.