Courtesy of GSU Communications

Caddo Parish Sheriff-Elect will serve as keynote speaker at Grambling State University’s 2024 Constitution Day Observance to be held at 11 a.m. today inside T.H. Harris Auditorium.

Henry Whitehorn, Caddo Parish’s first Black sheriff, will deliver a speech titled, “We The People.”

He was elected on March 23, 2024. Prior to being elected Caddo Parish Sheriff in March 2023 of this year, Whitehorn served as the Chief Administrative officer for the city of Shreveport from February 2020 to December 2022.

Whitehorn retired as the United States Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana on Jan. 31, 2020, after almost 10 years of service. He was recommended for that key federal position in Louisiana’s Western District by Sen. Mary Landrieu and nominated by President Barack Obama. The nomination was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.

Prior to duties as a U.S. Marshal, Whitehorn served as the Chief of Police for the city of Shreveport, Louisiana from August of 2007 to July of 2010.

Before that, he served as the Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Services and the Louisiana State Police Superintendent. A member of the State Police force from 1978 to 2007, Whitehorn served as a Trooper, Narcotics Trooper, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and finally Superintendent.

Prior to his Louisiana State Police service, Whitehorn served as a patrolman with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

He is a United States Air Force veteran who served his country honorably from 1973 to 1977. Whitehorn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University – Shreveport and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University.

Whitehorn has completed numerous law enforcement schools, including the FBI National Academy (170th Session) and the FBI National Executive Institute (28th Session). In addition, he has completed coursework at Harvard Kennedy School.

During his more than 40 years of law enforcement service, Whitehorn has received many awards and honors from his community and state. He has also received numerous commendations for outstanding performance of duty.

Whitehorn has been married to Waverlyn Whitehorn for 48 years and they have two children, Henry Jr. and Natasha.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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By Kyle Roberts

While the majority of Tuesday’s meeting was devoted to an update on the partnership between Lincoln Parish Schools and Louisiana Tech’s College of Education and Human Sciences, various project updates were discussed, as well.

Specifically, the Lincoln Parish School Board members voted to authorize the execution of substantial completion for both the Ruston High School Chillers (air conditioning) and Football Turf Projects, meaning the projects are both finished and control is returned to the school board office.

“The contracts are totally done, and they’ve been turned back over to us,” LPSB Superintendent Ricky Durrett said in a follow-up phone call. “We take over these projects now, and the warranties go into effect. It means everything has been finished and inspected.”

The bid for the chillers at Ruston High school were originally accepted in the May 2023 school board meeting with the cost being about $600,000 to update.

The new field turf replaced at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium has also been completed after construction began back in June of this year. The Bearcats have already played their home opener on the turf, beating Acadiana 35-27.

Following the approval for execution of substantial completion, the school board voted to authorize Clark Contractors of Little Rock. Ark., to move forward with the Construction Management at Risk Service (CMAR) for the Ruston School District No. 1 Bond Project.

The specific bond projects that require CMAR with be Ruston High’s new roof, the covered pavilion, both baseball and softball field upgrades, and both boys’ and girls’ dressing rooms in the main gymnasium, along with both the parking lot and security fencing at Ruston Junior High.

“It’s exciting that the process has started to get the rest of the projects going– all of these should be completed by August of 2026,” Durrett said.

Shannon Earls represented Clark Contractors at the meeting and expressed his excitement, citing his ties to Ruston as a Bearcat graduate.

“Thank you for your faith in us,” Earls said to the board. “I know we are new to you, but I’m not new to Ruston. I had the pleasure of growing up here, and it’s great to be back. You have my word we’re going to serve you well, and I believe you’ll enjoy the different phases of the projects based on how they’re managed. We want to say thank you, and we look forward to serving you.”

Hunter Smith of District 7 gave his appreciation to Clark Contractors for finding ways to include current Ruston High students in the construction process.

“(Clark Contractors) will partner with a local contractor (Triad Builders) here in Ruston,” Smith said. “Probably, the neatest thing for me is the program they provide to students of local schools that are interested in the construction field — they bring them along when they can as laborers or interns. That’s a really neat thing they did, and we’re excited about Clark and these guys getting started.”

Durrett added that the bidding for the Choudrant School District projects will begin in the next couple of months and should take 18 months to complete the new classrooms and building at Choudrant High School.

Updates on the remaining projects from the April 2024 approval vote will be given at future board meetings.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

 

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Principal Dan Gressett and Ruston High School are excited to announce and recognize four National Merit Semifinalists, John Cedric Serio, Carter Tims, Anhaar Wasi and Lydia Watts. These students are four of 16,000 students nationwide that have set themselves apart through exceptional PSAT scores and rigorous academics.

“We are very excited and proud of these four students,” Gressett said. “They are hard working students and that hard work has paid off. It’s an honor to be named a semifinalist, and we look forward to seeing how they do in the next step. I don’t know that we’ve had four students named semifinalists in the same year in several years, if ever. That’s a big deal.”

The faculty, staff and administration of Ruston High School are proud of these young scholars and their hard work culminating in this prestigious distinction. We have no doubt these students will continue to shine throughout the National Merit competition.

Official press release from NMSC with additional information about the competition can be found below.

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Semifinalist in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program

(Evanston, Illinois) Today officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share MSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

Steps in the 2025 Competition

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit

Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

National Merit Scholarships

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2025. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 130 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 150 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 382,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

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by Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek senior Luke Waldron has been named a National Merit semifinalist.

Over 1.3 million juniors from about 21,000 high schools nationwide entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

National Merit Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and include the highest-scoring students within the state. Waldron scored a 33 on his ACT.

“We are so proud of Luke for being named a National Merit Semifinalist,” said Head of School Connie Bradford. “This outstanding accomplishment highlights his hard work, determination, and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing him continue to excel and achieve great things in the future.”

The son of Lance and Beth Waldron, Luke is among approximately 16,000 students who have advanced to this level. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million.

“I am beyond grateful to receive this honor,” said Waldron. “I have always had a love for learning that my parents have fostered and encouraged. There are also so many teachers that have played a vital role in my education, and I am so grateful for each one of them.”

Waldron is a member of the Foreign Language Club, Drama Club, FCA Leadership Council, and National Honor Society.

Finalists are chosen after they submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community service activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received.

They must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school and be endorsed and recommended by a high school official.

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Two men were charged in connection with the theft of a wallet and use of a credit card along with drug and traffic charges following a Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation early Sunday morning.

Bryant Lakerry Graham, 39, of Dubach, and Jaquinten Andrew Kinsey, 27, of Ruston were arrested on numerous charges after the vehicle Graham was driving was stopped for a traffic violation.

On September 7, a Ruston man reported the loss of his wallet containing credit cards and a large amount of cash. The man told a deputy he placed it on the roof of his car and forgot about it. He was unaware the wallet was missing until he received alerts his Discovery card had been used in fraudulent purchases at local businesses.

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Several hours later at about 2:00 a.m. on September 8, the same deputy stopped a Buick on West California Avenue for excessively dark window tint. The Buick’s temporary license plate was improperly displayed so that the number could not be read.

The deputy found the tint was allowing only 13% light transmission, far below the legal standard in Louisiana law.

Graham, the driver, did not have liability insurance and his driver’s license was under suspension. Kinsey, a backseat passenger, appeared very nervous and would not look at the deputy. When asked to step out of the vehicle, Kinsey fled on foot.

A records check indicated Kinsey was wanted on two warrants for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on speeding charges.

During the stop, Graham opened his car door and a deputy heard a noise. A brown purse was found under the vehicle and Graham said it was his and that it must have fallen out when he opened his door.

The purse smelled of marijuana and was searched. Two bags of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, and a small amount of methamphetamine were found inside. About $4,800 in cash and the Discover card of the victim who lost the wallet were also in the purse.

Graham said the cash was from an insurance payout and that he found the Discover card in a gas pump at Walmart. Several items from stores where the Discover card had been used were found in the Buick.

Graham was arrested and when asked if he had any drugs on him, admitted he had a bag of methamphetamine in his underwear.

The LPSO investigation revealed the Buick was purchased earlier in the day for cash.

Kinsey was later found at his residence on Bistineau Street in Ruston. He was arrested for resisting an officer and the two warrants. Bail was set at $10,000.

Graham was booked for felony theft, possession of stolen things, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal window tint, improper display of license plate, driving under suspension, and no liability insurance. Bail was set at $40,000 but he is also being held for the Probation & Parole Unit of the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

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. 

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The Lincoln Parish Journal wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s College Football Pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Dubach Air and Heat, Ginn’s Autobody, Hart Designs, Dawghouse Sports Grill, Pattons Western Wear, Tanyard Creek, Stows Moving Co., Ruston Athletic Supply, Hot Rod’s BBQ, and Charlie’s Carpet Cleaning for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

We encourage all of our readers to utilize the services and products provided by our advertisers!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

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Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $200 in cash … with the potential to make it $400 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).

The Lincoln Parish Journal is proud to host the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy.

If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!

Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $200 cash prize (maybe $400).  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 15 college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

Only one entry per participant will be accepted each week.

The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with this week’s games.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m.  It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $200 each week!

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

By T. Scott Boatright

 

Lincoln Preparatory School plays its 2024 home football opener starting at 7 p.m. as the Panthers play host to Magnolia School of Excellence on Panthers Field.

Both teams opened the season with losses last week as the Panthers fell 36-6 at D’Arbonne Woods while the Mariners went on the road and lost 58-6 at Glenbrook.

And both teams won only two games last season, with MSE going 2-8 while Lincoln Prep finished at 2-7.

The Panthers and Mariners last met in 2021, when Lincoln Prep traveled to Shreveport and came home with a 45-7 win.

Panthers coach Glen Hall is hoping to see a complete 48-minutes of focused play from his team, something that didn’t happen last week when it all suddenly fell apart, starting with one  of numerous bad shotgun snaps by Lincoln Prep that resulted in a safety that pushed the Timberwolves’ advantage to 8-0 with 2:46 remaining in the second quarter.

The late first-half storm was only the beginning for the Panthers at that point.

D’Arbonne Woods stretched its lead to 16-0 on an 8-yard run followed by a two-point conversion run before the Timberwolves added an 80-yard interception return for a score with no time remaining in the first half.

“We did it to ourselves, and good football teams don’t let that kind of thing happen,” said Panthers coach Glen Hall. “We weren’t a very good football team last week.

“But the season is still early and there’s plenty of time to turn things around, and this week’s game is an opportunity to do that. But we’ve got to come out focused from the start and play that way until the very end. We need to go out and play well in all three phases of the game, and we need to go out and protect the football and play smart.”

The Panthers did play better in the second half at D’Arbonne Woods, and that is something Hall hopes his team can build on. Lincoln Prep’s lone score came with 6:48 remaining as quarterback Jordan Brown connected on a scoring strike to Cenario Wilson.

Senior running back D’Tavion Wright also ran hard despite suffering a thigh stinger early in the contest.

“We know who we are as a team,” Hall said. “We know what we do well and what we don’t do well. I just must get them to guy into the system and buy into the things that we do well. 

“First of all, we know it all starts for us with our defense, so we need to focus on shutting (MSE) down. We don’t need them to suddenly change the game the way D’Arbonne Woods did last week. If we can dominate on the defensive, I think our offense can do enough to earn a win for us. But it all starts on defense.”

MSE has never defeated Lincoln Prep since first fielding a football during the 2019 season.

Lincoln Prep won 43-6 that season and defeated the Mariners 52-34 in 2020.

After seeing his team start strong before self-destructing last week, Hall is preaching one main keyword to the Panthers.

“Consistency,” Hall said. “We need to be consistent in the way we practice. We need to be consistent in the way we snap the football to our quarterbacks. We need to be consistent in the way we play our games. We need to keep that consistency up the whole game.

“If we can do that, I think we can become a better football team. We have talent. But we must be consistent in our focus and in the way we play.”

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

 

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Georgia is currently the number one team in the nation.  With recent national championship wins, they continue to assert themselves as one of the best college football teams in the nation.

However, when you dig deeper into the program, you learn more.  Georgia’s football team graduation rate is the lowest in the nation at 41%.  They routinely have arrest incidents involving their “student” athletes.  Like other large power four schools, they spend as much on football NIL deals as La Tech’s entire athletic budget.  Their quarterback drives a $250,000 Lamborghini. 

I assume Georgia fans could care less about graduation rates, arrest issues, or the ridiculous money being paid as long as they win.  Is that really success?  I guess it depends on how one defines success for a program.

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As we look at our local college football teams, what is a realistic view of success? 

Being a La Tech graduate and faithful follower of the team, I will share some thoughts.

1. Competing for conference championships in a conference of similarly funded teams.  Similarly funded meaning athletic budgets of similar amounts to allow for a competitive landscape. 

2. True student athletes.  Students attend class, earn degrees, and leave La Tech equipped to have success in whatever they pursue.

3. Coaching impact beyond the scoreboard.  Coaches invest in players to develop them as people and prepare them to navigate challenges of life.

4. Team is involved in the community.  Coaches and players are actively involved in the community because they see the value of impact (not because they were given a goal to meet).

5. School and community support.  The team is a unifying attribute within the school and community.  Support is noted through attendance, engagement, and financial support.

6. Character in every aspect:  The team conducts themselves on the field and off the field with a high degree of character and provides an exemplary picture for others to follow.

7. Connection.  The team connects with each other, the coaching staff, students, and the community in such a way that former players and alumni desire to come back, to engage, and to provide financial support.

Those are seven thoughts on success.  I know many will just point to wins and losses, but we must remember there are people on the other sideline trying to win too.  They pay coaches, recruit players, provide scholarships, and practice too.  Even if none of that were true, I still want more than just a win on the scoreboard.  I want an impact that lasts longer than it takes to sing the fight song after the game.

Winning is still a lot more fun than losing.  Let’s just do it the “right” way!

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

by Malcolm Butler

Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie told media on Tuesday that starting quarterback Jack Turner will play this Saturday against North Carolina State.

During his normal Tuesday presser, Cumbie gave an update on Turner, who left the season opener Aug. 31 vs. Nicholls State in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury.

“I anticipate Jack being able to play Saturday,” said Cumbie. “He practice Monday night and practiced last Friday and has done a nice job.’

In limited action in the 25-17 win over the Colonels at Joe Aillet Stadium, Turner was 4-of-8 for 70 yards, including a 28-yard TD pass to Solomon Lewis. He also threw a pick six for Nicholls State’s first score of the game.

Turner left the game with 3:53 remaining in the opening quarter after an incomplete pass to Eli Finley. He immediately went to the medical tent before then being taken into the Davison Athletic Complex for further evaluation.

“When you talk about players taking care of their bodies, you do it in a preventative way,” said Cumbie. “But you also do it so if you do happen to have an injury, it’s mitigated from the standpoint of severity and you are able to come back from it quicker. Jack does a great job taking care of his body with Coach Dave Schulz and our staff. I anticipate him playing Saturday.”

Blake Baker came on in relief of Turner and completed 12-of-24 passes for 207 yards, one TD and two interceptions.

Tech and North Carolina State will kickoff at 11:03 a.m. CT on Saturday.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Special to the LPJ

 Kiba is our newest guy!

He was found as a puppy in a ditch outside of Ruston. A Good Samaritan took him in, vetted him, and tried to find him a home for months.

She never could find him a home so 4 paws finally took him in.

This boy loves everyone and has a heart of gold!! He is about a year old, up to date on vacs, neutered, and heart worm negative/on prevention.

Kiba loves other dogs and plays nonstop with his friends!

Please come meet this amazing Angel!! 4 Paws is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11a-3p.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

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Ellen Naomi Cohen was born in 1941.  Ellen lived with her parents—her father was an entrepreneur, and her mother was a nurse—in Virginia and later Baltimore, Maryland.  Her grandparents were European Jewish immigrants who came to America in search of a better life.  When she was seven years old, Ellen’s parents sent her to live with her grandparents while Ellen’s mother gave birth to Ellen’s little sister.  Ellen said later that this “aroused some insecurities in me.”  Ellen felt as if her parents had abandoned her in favor of the new baby.  Ellen calmed herself by overeating.  Ellen moved back in with her parents soon after the baby was born, but the insecurities remained.  By the time she became a teenager, she weighed approximately 180 pounds, almost double the weight of the other kids in her class.  Her weight became the subject of many cruel jokes by her classmates, which fueled her insecurities.  She ate to calm her anxieties about her weight.  Ellen was trapped in a vicious cycle.  Ellen’s parents recognized the problem and took her to a doctor.  The doctor put her on diet pills which were amphetamines.  At the time, amphetamine pills were prescribed to combat “mental and emotional distress” and as a “weight-loss remedy striking at the emotional causes of overeating.”  The amphetamine pills contained a potent stimulant and were highly addictive.  Upon taking one of the pills the user felt a sudden “flash” of joy abusers nicknamed a “rush.”  Inhibitions were lowered.  The user felt more self-confident, had more energy, was more social, and felt that they were thinking more clearly.  Ellen was a part of America’s first amphetamine epidemic.

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In the 1950s and 1960s, doctors prescribed amphetamine pills without restraint.  Pharmaceutical companies gave kickbacks to doctors who prescribed their amphetamine pills.  Doctors had not yet learned the side effects of amphetamines such as high body temperature, memory loss, stroke, heart problems, and possible damage to young, developing brains.  Amphetamines quickly became a recreational drug.

Despite the amphetamine pills, Ellen continued to be a big girl.  Rather than becoming angry when classmates made jokes about her weight, she eased the burden by making the jokes herself which were more clever than what her classmates could come up with.  That way, they were laughing with her and not at her.  Later in her teenage years, Ellen shocked her parents when she explained that she wanted to be a Broadway singer.  Ellen joked that she would be “the most famous fat girl that ever lived.”  Her horrified parents failed to see the humor in her claim.  Finally, they made an agreement that if Ellen failed to make it as a singer with five years she would go to college.  Ellen moved to New York to begin her Broadway career. 

Ellen’s auditions were promising.  In 1962, she was almost cast as Miss Marmelstein in the Broadway musical “I Can Get It for You Wholesale,” but she ultimately lost the part to Barbra Streisand.  It was Barbra Streisand’s big break.  While waiting for her big break, Ellen rehearsed constantly.  She knew that she had to perfect her sense of pitch.  Ellen joined a trio called the Mugwumps, but the trio was short-lived.  Ellen wanted to join a trio called the New Journeymen while she awaited her big break, but the trio’s leader refused because “she was too fat.”  Undeterred, Ellen used many ploys to persuade the trio into becoming a quartet including introducing them to LSD.  Finally, Ellen was allowed to join. 

In September 1965, the quartet released their first album.  By December of the same year, they were stars.  Four albums and four years later, the quartet disbanded.  Ellen had a successful solo career and became a successful TV personality.  Despite all of her accomplishments, the fat jokes continued.  In 1973, Ellen was a guest on The Dean Martin Show and during her introduction Dean Martin said, “I wouldn’t say she’s fat, but from the front she looks like Carroll O’Connor from the back.”  The fat jokes were hurtful to Ellen, but she usually smiled and played along.  She still struggled with the vicious cycle of eating to help with her insecurities and taking medicines to help her lose weight. 

Ellen’s health was declining.  In a period of seven months in 1974, Ellen was hospitalized five times for shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.  Despite her worsening health, she began a world tour.  On the evening of July 28, 1974, after an all-night birthday party for Mick Jagger in London which lasted late into the following day, Ellen finally returned to her rented apartment and went to bed.  In the early hours of the following morning, July 29, 1974, Ellen had a fatal heart attack in her sleep.  An autopsy revealed that she had no drugs in her system when she died. 

Most of the world never heard of the death of 32-year-old Ellen Naomi Cohen.    That name was meaningless to everyone but Ellen’s family and childhood friends.  Ellen developed her own stage name.  She based her first name on the nickname her father had given her, Cassandra, and the last name in honor of a friend who had died.  While few know the name Ellen Naomi Cohen, people around the world know Cass Elliot or Mama Cass, member of the New Journeymen quartet who changed their name to The Mamas and the Papas.

For half a century, people have repeated the false story that Ellen died from choking on a ham sandwich.  According to Ellen’s daughter, a friend of Ellen’s who was staying with Ellen at the rented apartment had made her a sandwich and left it next to her bed.  Ellen’s manager, Allan Carr, created the choking story because he knew people would assume that she had died from a drug overdose just as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin had done.  Ellen’s manager never expected his false story to turn into a macabre joke.  He was trying to protect her.

 Sources:

1.     Hadley Freeman, “The secret life of Mama Cass – by the daughter she left behind,” The Sunday Times, May 5, 2024, accessed September 8, 2024.  https://www.thetimes.com/article/1125cc4e-9371-4ed0-83df-7b2223316b9c?shareToken=957e326b9e883745acf14a6fbb663504.

2.     Erin Blakemore, “A Speedy History of America’s Addiction to Amphetamine,” Smithsonian Magazine, October 27, 2017, accessed September 8, 2024.  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/speedy-history-americas-addiction-amphetamine-180966989/.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

The Grambling State University women’s volleyball team swept Northwestern State 3-0 (28-26, 25-13, 26-24) on Tuesday night at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. The Lady Tigers improved their record to 2-5, while Northwestern State dropped to 4-3 on the season.

Tuesday’s win over NSU was the first for GSU since beating the Demons in five sets on Oct. 9, 2008.

Essence Allen led the way for Grambling, delivering 11 kills on a .310 hitting percentage. Kai Williams contributed seven kills at an impressive .385 clip, while Lauryn Bourne chipped in with seven kills and 13 digs. Letícia Correa directed the offense with 19 assists, and Alyssa Pieh anchored the defense with eight digs.

Northwestern State’s Reaghan Thompson had a match-high 20 kills on 49 attempts, but the Lady Demons could not overcome Grambling’s solid all-around performance, which included 39 kills and a .306 team hitting percentage.

Grambling State looks to carry this momentum into their next match at home against Nicholls on Sept.19 at 5 p.m.

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Funeral services for Edwin L. Gaskin will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Fellowship Baptist Church in Dubach, LA.   Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Bernice, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.  Officiating will be Bro. Barry Joyner.   A Visitation will be held prior to the service at Fellowship Baptist Church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. 

Edwin was a retired cross country truck driver. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, H. R. Gaskin and Essie Mae Anderson Gaskin, his wife, Sadie Sexton Gaskin, and son, Donny Gaskin.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Ronny Gaskin, daughter, Kathy Petermann and husband Robert; grandchildren, Tara McGinty and husband Jason, Ashley McFarland and husband T.J., Kasey Petermann, Kerry Gaskin and wife Lori, Dusty Gaskin, Ethan Gaskin, Caleb Gray, Leslie Petermann Law, great grandchildren, Caleb McGinty, Molly McGinty, Olivia McFarland, Rylee McFarland, Jacob Gaskin, Isaac Gaskin, Brayden Vining.

Pallbearers will be Jason McGinty, T.J. McFarland, Dusty Gaskin, Daniel Garner, Rusty Garner, and Kerry Gaskin.   Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Bollier and Max Gaskin.

 

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Edwin L. Gaskin 
November 29, 1933 – September 9, 2024 
Visitation: Fellowship Baptist Church, Friday, September 13, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am 
Service: Fellowship Baptist Church, Friday, September 13, 2024, 11:00 am 
Cemetery: Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery, Friday, September 13, 2024 

Allison Neal Turner  
July 19, 1951 – September 6, 2024  
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm  
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, September 12, 2024, 11:00 am  
Cemetery: Williamson Cemetery, Thursday, September 12, 2024  

DeQuincy Holyfield   
Monday 08/28/1972 — Thursday 09/05/2024   
Visitation: Friday 09/13/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Saturday 09/14/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home  
Interment: Saturday 09/14/2024 Following Service, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Lisbon 

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(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).     

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Name: Ciria Lee  

Age: 35 

Employer: Homemaker/Assistant at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Grambling State University  

Hometown: LeCompte 

Years Living in Ruston: 18 years     

Civic Volunteer Organizations: Member, Grambling Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Board Member, Life Choices of North Central Louisiana 

Professional Highlights: Featured on the cover of Ruston Living Magazine, May 2021; two-time graduate of Grambling State University 

Ivory Bass, facilitator for 6-8th grade in Lincoln Parish Schools, on Cici Lee: I am elephant elated and hippopotamus happy that Ciara Lee was chosen as one of LPJ Rising Lincoln  Leaders. I don’t know anyone more deserving. She is passionate about making a difference in the community in which she lives. She truly believes that volunteering and giving back is a great way to make a positive impact on those around her. She is committed, compassionate, and a communicator. She is a woman who first seeks to understand then to be understood. She is always giving of her time and talents; not just to her community but to her family, friends, and various organizations she is a part She seeks to change the world, and I am forever grateful to have her in my life. She cares so deeply and steps up to support the things she believes in regardless of the personal cost. As a community leader she truly lives Proverbs 27:17; As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. When I think of Cici I think of the quote by Mother Teresa: ”She alone cannot change the world, but she can cast a stone across the waters to create a ripple.” Congratulations, CiCi. I love you. 

Q&A with Cici Lee:  

What makes Lincoln Parish special?      

Lincoln Parish is special because of the relationships. I’ve been blessed with since starting school at Grambling in 2007. I never imagined that 18 years later, I would still be here, raising my family. I’m so grateful that God had different plans than my own. Being that I’m not originally from the area, it has been amazing to see how God has brought us “family” and helped us grow within this community. The warmth and support we’ve experienced have truly made Lincoln Parish feel like home. 

How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?      

I believe that fostering unity is essential to making Lincoln Parish a better place for everyone. By continuing to serve in ways that bring people together, I hope to play a small part in creating a more connected and supportive community. My aim is to help build and bridge relationships in our community by showing and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. 

Who has played a role in your professional development and why?      

There are three individuals who have been instrumental in my professional development: my mother, my grandmother, and my mentor, Latoya Tolbert. My mom has shown incredible resilience, overcoming many challenges in life and sharing her testimony, which inspires me to persevere. My grandmother stepped in during key moments, helping to shape me into the person I am today. Finally, Latoya Tolbert has guided me in learning how to lead well and love deeply in ministry. I am truly grateful for their influence and support. 

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By Kyle Roberts

Expect literacy proficiency rates to climb in Lincoln Parish to reach even higher than they already are in the coming months.

That’s the vision laid out by Lincoln Parish School Board Chief Academic Officer Dana Talley from the Tuesday meeting of the Lincoln Parish School Board for the month of September, where a specific academic effort in partnership with Louisiana Tech’s College of Education and Human Sciences to increase literacy proficiency was the primary focus of the day.

Talley began by referencing a recent study in the United States that found that most students — particularly students of color, students from low-income households, students with mild to moderate disabilities, and students that are English language learners — are missing out of the following resources for learning:

• Grade-appropriate assignments
• Strong instruction
• Deep engagement
• Teachers with high expectations

“This is the foundation of what we know is true,” Talley said. “For students to be successful, those four critical resources must be in place in every school, in every classroom, for every kid, every single day.”

Talley then discussed the beliefs and expectations of the LPSB, which she believes matches these four resources, and the importance of evaluations that learning implementations are successful for students.

Talley then said the top priority for the 2024-25 school year is Kindergarten through Second Grade literacy with the goal that students will be reading on grade-level by the end of the second grade.

“A lot of change and attention has been focused on literacy at both the national and state level,” K-2 Literacy Coordinator Michelle Thrower said. “Last year, the Louisiana Department of Education adopted DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) as the universal screener for Louisiana (regarding literacy). This was the first time that all districts were required to give the full battery of recommended literacy screening instruments three times (for K-2) at the beginning, middle and end of the year.

“While I am proud to report that the proficiency rate for all grade levels increased from beginning of the year to end of year (in 2023-24), our end of year overall literacy proficiency rate was a disappointing 55 percent. This placed Lincoln Parish in line with the state averaged and ranked 34th among all districts in Louisiana. I’m definitely not satisfied with these results.”

To raise these literacy rates, the LPSB and Louisiana Tech College of Education and Human Sciences have partnered together to implement a new skills curriculum to enhance students’ decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling) abilities.

The team from Tech consists of Dr. Dustin Whitlock, Dr. Don Schillinger, Dr. Kimberly Kimbell-Lopez, Dr. Libby Manning, and Dr. Julie Cappo.

“We are just a tad passionate about this,” Manning said. “We are seeing such great results — we know the “science of reading” movement has been in effect for probably the last two or three years. The Louisiana Department of Education was awarded a $4 million this last year to provide modules to be able to do professional development for our teachers across the state, Kindergarten through third grade. Louisiana Tech was awarded that grant, which was very exciting.

Utilizing curriculum from the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), Manning was selected to write the phonics module, while Lopez wrote the vocabulary module.

A.E. Phillips implemented the curriculum last year and reported eye-popping results.

“All of their student scores — we couldn’t believe it — moved up,” Manning said. “Dr. Whitlock said that he had to go back and look twice because every child moved up.”

LPSB President Gregg Phillips expressed his excitement after the meeting for the partnership with the COEHS at Tech.

“This is something we’ve been looking forward to for a while,” Phillips said. “We are super excited to work with Dr. Manning and her team to implement the UFLI curriculum, which we’ve heard great things about. We’re excited to see the progress over the next months and school year to see those scores come up.”

David Ferguson from District 2 also expressed his excitement for the curriculum’s promise of increasing literacy rates.

“This is the first presentation I’ve heard that has sparked my interest knowing that these (reading) scores are going to go up,” Ferguson said. “I want to say to the superintendent (Ricky Durrett) that you all have done a wonderful job.”

Phillips expects to get four literacy proficiency updates throughout the course of the school year, beginning in October.

Read more about the Lincoln Parish School Board’s September meeting later this week in the LPJ.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

Correcting a legal issue regarding a property tax assessment hearing date and time and authorizing an intergovernmental agreement to construct a connector road for buses at Ruston Junior High School were primary measures passed as the Lincoln Parish Police Jury held its September meeting Tuesday night.

The property assessment hearing date problem came after Lincoln Parish Tax Assessor Billy McBride failed to follow legal requirements to notify the public of a property assessment hearing date originally scheduled for Tuesday.

During Tuesday’s meeting the LPPJ passed a motion to reschedule the property assessment hearing for 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse,

Earlier this summer the Tax Assessor’s office reassessed all taxable property as it is supposed to be done every four years. After those reassessments were done a number of property owners voiced a desire to appeal those reassessments after some of those fees significantly rose, some reportedly as much as 80%.

The Tax Assessor’s office sent out letters to property owners facing reassessment increases of 15% or more, with some of those receiving those letters indicating they wanted to appeal the findings of those reassessments.

During last month’s LPPJ meeting, Jurors set a public hearing date for Tuesday night to listen to appeals acting as the local Board of Review and then voting as that Board on certifying or rejecting that assessment list. Both the appealing property owners and the Tax Assessor’s Office can appeal whatever decision the Board of Review to the tax commission if they so choose.

The problem came when regulations set by the Louisiana Tax Commission stating that the tax assessor must publish notices of the appeal hearing time and date at least twice in the LPPJ’s journal of record at least seven days in advance of the scheduled property assessment hearing date were not followed.

Those notices about the scheduled property assessment hearing date were not published with the required seven days of advance notice before such a hearing be held. 

By the time the notices were published, they instructed readers to turn in their appeals to the Board of Review by Sept. 5, which was three days before the notices were actually published.

“I’d like to apologize for the miscommunication,” McBride told Jurors after the LPPJ passed a motion resetting the property assessment hearing date. “I made a (mistake).”

The LPPJ also passed a motion authorizing an intergovernmental agreement between the Police Jury and the Lincoln Parish School Board to construct a one-lane, rock gravel connector road at Ruston Junior High School for use by school buses, citing safety concerns as the reason for that vote.

“We met with (Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett) and some of his associates at their request,” Parish Administrator Courtney Hall told the Jurors. “What their concern is buses having to cut through a car line on the service road for parents dropping off students at the school. It causes a lot of problems a lot of times.

“So, what they are asking us to do is to construct a road that goes from the north end of the Bus Barn to the west parking lot of Ruston Junior High School. It is not a real big project for us and certainly within our wheelhouse. The School Board is going to pay for all the material, and we will be responsible for the labor.

Also approved as a motion establishing a planning team for a long-range transportation planning process for the parish.

The LPPJ voted unanimously for Mike Causey from Hunt, Guillot and Associates (HGA)to serve as project manager for a planning team that will also include Hall as the LPPJ’s representative, Ernie Broussard from HGA, Chamber of Commerce Director Will Dearmon representing parish businesses, Louisiana Tech Vice President  for External Affairs Cami Geisman, Grambling State Dean of the College of Business Derrick Warren, and City of Ruston Public Works Manager Andrew Halbrook.

Hall said that the team will be advisory in nature and will report to the LPPJ.

“Without a plan in place, there is no money to be gotten from the state or anyone else,” said LPPJ President Glenn Scriber. 

In other business, the LPPJ also authorized the reappointment of Bill Sanderson to a four-term on the Lincoln Parish Communications District, again rolled back the millage rate it set for the Lincoln Parish Library from the previous 4.28 mils to 3.8 as a “housekeeping” request from the state Legislative Auditor’s Office, and scheduled a public hearing for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program for 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Housing Program Office located at 829 E. Georgia Ave., Suite 7 in Ruston for the purpose of discussing the program’s mission, goals and objectives.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

 

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Two Ruston Fire captains have joined other area firefighters in deploying to south Louisiana to assist in search and rescue efforts due to Hurricane Francine.

Fire Captains CJ Tygart and Mitch Jones headed south as part of a northeast Louisiana rescue team Tuesday afternoon.

The Region 8 Urban Search and Rescue team is composed of firefighters from the Ruston, Monroe, West Monroe and Ouachita Parish fire departments.

USAR personnel like Tygart and Jones are under the coordination of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office during such deployments.

The USAR team will handle swiftwater rescues. In addition to the two Ruston firefighters and a RFD boat, other members include four Monroe Fire members with two vehicles and one boat; Ouachita Parish Fire with six members, a command vehicle, 28-foot equipment trailer, three boats and staff vehicles; and West Monroe Fire with two members.

The team was scheduled to meet Tuesday evening with Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans fire personnel to conduct swiftwater operations as well as search and rescue as needed.

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The Lincoln Parish Journal wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s College Football Pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Dubach Air and Heat, Ginn’s Autobody, Hart Designs, Dawghouse Sports Grill, Pattons Western Wear, Tanyard Creek, Stows Moving Co., Ruston Athletic Supply, Hot Rod’s BBQ, and Charlie’s Carpet Cleaning for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

We encourage all of our readers to utilize the services and products provided by our advertisers!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

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CLICK HERE TO PLAY

Just like her friend Alethea Gipson, our Week No. 1 winner, NaTyra Bolds loves free money!

Bolds was the Week 2 winner of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy. She walked away with $200!

Would you like to win $200 in cash … with the potential to make it $400 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).

The Lincoln Parish Journal is proud to host the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy.

If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!

Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $200 cash prize (maybe $400).  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 15 college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

Only one entry per participant will be accepted each week.

The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with this week’s games.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m.  It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $200 each week!

Week 1: Alethea Gipson

Week 2: NaTyra Bolds

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Local authorities responded to a fire at a gas well site north of Choudrant Monday night, according to the Lincoln Parish Fire District.

Fire Chief Kevin Reynolds said parish firefighters were dispatched to the fire on La. Highway 145 about 7:30 p.m. The Lincoln Parish Fire District, Choudrant Fire, and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the location initially with Pafford Ambulance Service later requested to stand by as a precautionary measure.

“When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a large compressor on the site to be completely involved in fire,” Reynolds said. “After consulting with the site operator, firefighters were able to isolate the compressor from any product by closing in the well and storage tanks.”

After an evaluation to ensure product was no longer feeding the fire, firefighters moved in and extinguished the compressor and surrounding equipment.

Reynolds said no injuries occurred and no product was released into the environment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. All agencies cleared the scene around 10:30 p.m.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, contact the Lincoln Parish Fire District or Choudrant Fire Department for information on how to serve your community.

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A Grambling woman was arrested Sunday after she allegedly assaulted another woman by punching and kicking her in the face.

Latisha L. Paul, 48, was arrested about 11 p.m. Sunday night for aggravated battery after police investigated a 911 call on Ella Washington Street.

GPD reported finding the victim with blood on her face and a swollen jaw. The woman said she was approached by Paul who demanded to use her cell phone. The victim told Paul she did not have any minutes on her phone, and she turned to walk home. At that moment, Paul allegedly punched her in the face with a closed fist, knocking her to the ground. The victim told police that while she was on the ground, Paul then kicked her in the face.

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A neighbor took the victim home. A witness verified the victim’s account and noted the victim has special needs and had to have someone call 911 for her.

Paul, who was found at her residence, refused to make a statement. She was arrested for aggravated battery and booked in the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

Bail had not been publication time.

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. 

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This is a Journal Services advertorial.

 Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana sets the bar high when it comes to their employees who care for their clients. This was evidenced recently as Wynne Dee Rinicker of Ruston received the Readers’ Choice “Best of the Best Award” for Nurse Practitioner for Lincoln Parish.

Though born in New Orleans, Wynne Dee has no doubt she’s “from Ruston,” having gone to school here, a graduate of Ruston High before receiving her Associate Degree in Nursing from Louisiana Tech. She went on to NSU for her Master’s Degree and a career that led her to Atlanta then Memphis. “But you know, you always find your way back home to raise your family.”

She has a son, Garrett, his wife Hunter and grandchildren (“my heart”) Blakelyn and Winston.
Wynne Dee is excited to talk about her profession. “I’m passionate about health and a healthy lifestyle. I promote preventative screening because that’s so important and routine visits for optimal health.” She prides herself on building relationships with individuals so that she can work with them “across their lifespan.” A part of that strategy includes developing what she calls “life plans for health.”

She told the Journal, “I provide a holistic approach to care for a patient. I look at the whole picture to see how the patient can enjoy the full benefit of their health. I individualize a plan so that person can be successful in reaching their goal to achieve a healthier, happier lifestyle.”

The Best of the Best winner entered the healthcare field in 1990 as a nursing tech and was graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1992. Her MS degree came in 2011 and she’s been with Trinity for seven years. Over those years, she’s had experience in medical & surgical nursing, rehab, ICU, ER and management.

“I was working surgery and wanted to embark on a more personal level with patients,” she said. “My time with Trinity has been extremely rewarding. This is the best professional experience of my life, watching our Ruston branch grow. As my own caseload grows, I feel I’m giving back to the community. This honor I’ve received has validated my journey.”

She attributes her success to “the best team I work with. It’s a family that makes day-to-day operations so smooth.”

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