Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University Communications

Diane Madden, Louisiana Tech University’s associate director of the Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC), was awarded more than a half million dollars by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to fund place-based education projects for students in grades K – 8. Madden is among 12 projects awarded $5.1 million across all projects.

The project, Understanding Place: Students and Teachers Researching and Engaging in Authentic Meaning (UP:STREAM), is an initiative designed to provide educators and students with the tools to develop environmental skills and address pressing issues in their communities.

“As a teacher with a background in earth and environmental science, I’ve always emphasized importance of caring for our environment and recognizing our interconnectedness,” Madden said. “My work with GEAR UP students during summer camps at Louisiana Tech reinforced this focus, as we explored local environments through hands-on scientific investigations.”

UP:STREAM aims to foster environmental awareness by training educators in place-based education, citizen science, and hands-on instructional methods. These educators will guide students in assessing their communities’ environmental issues and developing a master plan to address those challenges.

“Educators will learn water quality sampling techniques, explore the role of macroinvertebrates, and assess local ponds, lakes, and streams,” Madden added. “The project will conclude in an engineering design challenge where students will create solutions to protect bodies of water downstream.”

The project hopes to have a lasting impact not only on students and teachers but also on the broader community.

“We aim to inspire schools and communities to become more environmentally friendly and aware of how their actions affect their surroundings,” Madden said. “Ideally, this will create a ripple effect, encouraging neighboring communities to adopt similar practices.”

UP:STREAM is a collaborative effort, with key team members including Louisiana Tech’s Missy Wooly, STEM outreach coordinator, and Chris Campbell, UTeachTech master teacher, who are set to lead science education initiatives.

“I am excited to be a part of the UP:STREAM project, particularly helping with the place-based activities for the students and teachers,” Chris Campbell, UTeachTech master teacher, said. “This project will allow our UTeachTech students to work with 5th graders as part of their field experiences, while also helping design and deliver lessons.”

Dr. Terri Hebert from Indiana University South Bend will provide Place-Based Education training, while Dr. George Noflin from Grambling State University will involve participants in environmental camps for local fifth-grade students.

“Partnering with other universities promises to make a significant difference in the lives of students, teachers, and communities,” Madden added.

For more information about UP:STREAM and its initiatives, contact Diane Madden at dmadden@latech.edu.

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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Courtesy of Grambling Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

World Mental Health Awareness Day is a day set aside to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilize efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.

In October the Grambling Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Foster-Johnson Health Center hosted a Glow Walk in observance of World Mental Health Awareness Day.  

Patricia Hutcherson, Chapter President, was elated that the chapter’s Physical and Mental Health Committee chaired by Patrice Outley emphasized the importance of connecting the mind, body, and soul during this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week.   Ivory Bass, Program Planning and Development Chair plays a vital role in ensuring our chapter is current with physical activity.

In a colorful display of harmony and support, the Glow Walk for World Mental Health Day drew over
fifty participants to the campus of Grambling State University. As the evening drew near, the participants donned glow-in-the-dark accessories to illuminate their walk and the importance of mental health. The walk drew over fifty participants who came out to be informed on how to take care of their mental health and connect with mental health resources in the community.

Dr. Stephanie Bundle, an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Grambling State University,
spoke to walk participants about the importance of seeking help when you are not okay. Dr. Bundle gave
tips on how to prioritize your mental health and listed resources in the community for those who may be struggling with any life challenges.

Garnet Wagner, owner and personal trainer at Real Life Wellness, gave participants a really thorough stretch before they set out on the Glow walk. The walk proceeded through the campus of Grambling State University and included community members, students, and faculty/staff of GSU.

As the walk concluded, attendees gathered to hear music that centered on wellness and visit informational booths hosted by local organizations.

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A Choudrant man was arrested on drug charges last week after he was stopped by Louisiana State Police for not wearing a seat belt.

Kristopher J. Kennedy, 33, was stopped on La. Highway 820 by a state trooper about 2:00 p.m. October 26. According to the trooper’s report, Kennedy admitted he was not wearing a seat belt.

A records check showed Kennedy’s driver’s license and that he was wanted by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office for warrants for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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After he was arrested, Kennedy was asked if he had anything on him. He admitted to having a glass smoking pipe in his underwear.

Kennedy was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of drug paraphernalia and the two warrants. He was issued citations for driving under suspension and no seatbelt. His bail was set at $100,000.

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. 

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

Dear Ruston,

I have had to make the difficult decision to close my Ruston location.   We have enjoyed our time here, and I appreciate the way Ruston accepted us from day one.  

The economic climate has not been favorable to small businesses, and I am thankful that we will continue to be able to serve you all from our West Monroe location, at 2200 North 7^th Street.  

If there is any way that we can serve you, please reach out to me directly at robby@americanmattressoutletwm.com, or call me at 318-366-5565.  

 

Thanks again!

Robby Compton

Owner, American Mattress Outlet  

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A local man was arrested last Tuesday after he left letters at a Ruston hotel threatening violence in retaliation against a former employee.

Demarea Wilkerson, 20, of Ruston, was charged with terrorizing after an interview with Ruston Police. According to an officer’s report, Wilkerson said he placed five letters in the Fairfield Inn. Some of the letters mentioned “shooting up” the hotel.

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Police viewed surveillance video showing Wilkerson, a former employee, placing the letters around the hotel Monday night. Wilkerson said he placed the letters in an effort to bet back at a former female employee due to an incident that occurred during the summer.

The letters reportedly contained explicit language and threats of violence toward certain hotel employees. The letters had the name of a former female employee on them. The former female employee said she had no knowledge of the incident.

Wilkerson was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. His bail was set at $5,000.

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. 

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

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Lincoln Parish Swim Results – 2024 RRHSC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET

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Cross Country Results

• North Louisiana Championships: Tuesday, Oct. 29

As an added bonus this year, fans can submit pictures of players, and a select few will be published each week along with the scores.

To submit pics, please email lpjscoreboard@gmail.com with your pictures by Sunday nights at 8 p.m.

The scoreboard will run every Tuesday and have the previous week’s scores and highlights.

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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Class 5A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Karr (9) 8-0 141 1
2. Neville (3) 9-0 132 2
3. Acadiana 8-1 113 3
4. Alexandria 9-0 111 4
5. Catholic-Baton Rouge 7-1 94 5
6. Ruston 7-2 88 6
7. Archbishop Rummel 8-1 72 8
8. Airline 9-0 58 9
9. Central 8-1 46 NR
10. Zachary 6-2 35 7

Others receiving votes: St. Paul’s 17, Mandeville 4, Destrehan 3, Parkway 3, St Augustine 3, Covington 2, West Monroe 2, Dutchtown 1, Hahnville 1, Jesuit 1, John Curtis 1, Southside 1, Terrebonne 1.

Class 4A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Lutcher (5) 8-0 134 3
2. North DeSoto (4) 7-2 125 2
3. St. Thomas More (1) 6-3 120 4
4. Teurlings Catholic (1) 8-1 112 1
5. E.D. White 7-2 96 5
6. Archbishop Shaw (1) 7-2 90 6
7. Opelousas 5-3 67 7
8. Franklin Parish 8-1 57 8
9. Cecilia 6-3 44 9
10. Franklinton 8-1 32 10

Others receiving votes: Westgate 25, Plaquemine 14, Iowa 9, Vandebilt Catholic 4, West Ouachita 3, Leesville 2, Northwood-Shreveport 2, Brusly 1, Lakeshore 1.

Class 3A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Bunkie (8) 9-0 139 2
2. Jennings 8-1 123 3
3. University (3) 7-2 114 1
4. St. James 6-2 103 4
5. Northwest 7-2 85 5

(tie) Madison Prep (1) 6-3 85 10

7. John F. Kennedy 5-4 83 6
8. Amite 7-2 53 8
9. Jewel Sumner 8-1 51 9
10. Sterlington 6-3 44 10

Others receiving votes: Erath 20, De La Salle 18, Iota 5, Lake Charles Prep 4, Bastrop 3, Haynes Academy 3, Jena 2, Church Point 1, Westlake 1.

Class 2A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Newman (6) 7-0 130 1
2. Calvary Baptist (3) 7-2 129 2

(tie) Dunham (3) 9-0 129 3

4. Oak Grove 7-1 106 4
5. Ouachita Christian 9-0 96 5
6. Catholic-New Iberia 8-1 86 6
7. Union Parish 5-4 66 8
8. Notre Dame 5-4 56 9
9. Episcopal-Baton Rouge 7-2 47 7
10. Mangham 6-3 39 NR

Others receiving votes: Lafayette Christian Academy 16, Northlake Christian 8, South Plaquemines 6, DeQuincy 5, Lafayette Renaissance 5, Kinder 3, Pope John Paul 3, Delhi Charter 2, Welsh 1.

Class 1A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Vermilion Catholic (12) 9-0 144 1
2. Haynesville 9-0 129 2
3. Ascension Catholic 7-1 114 3
4. Riverside 6-2 109 4
5. Catholic-Pointe Coupee 9-0 92 5
6. Covenant Christian 9-0 90 6
7. Southern Lab 5-3 77 7
8. St. Martin’s 6-2 46 8
9. Kentwood 6-3 44 9
10. Ascension Episcopal 8-1 34 10

Others receiving votes: St. Edmund 18, Central Catholic-Morgan City 11, St. Frederick 11, Logansport 8, Westminster Christian-Opelousas 3, Delta Charter 2, Hamilton Christian 2, North Iberville 2, Jeanerette 1.

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Staff Reports

Louisiana Tech used a strong second half to cruise past LSU-Alexandria 77-50 Monday night in the season opener for the Bulldogs at the Thomas Assembly Center.

After leading just 30-26 at halftime, Tech outscored the NAIA No. 12-ranked Generals 47-24 over the final 20 minutes of play before 2,050 fans.

Transfers Kaden Cooper (Oklahoma), Will Jeffress (Pittsburgh) and Amaree Abram (Georgia Tech) combined to score 40 points and grab 30 rebounds in their Bulldog debut as Tech saw five players in double figures in the win.

Cooper led Tech with 17 points and nine rebounds while Daniel Batcho scored 15 points and pulled down eight boards. Abram scored 13 points, Devin Ree added 11 points and Jeffress chipped in with 10 points.

Sean Newman and freshman AJ Bates combined to record 13 assists while committing just two turnovers.

LSU-Alexandria (2-0), which already posted a win over DI Lamar last week, came out of the gates strong behind NAIA All-American Kashie Natt, who scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the opening 10 minutes of play.

Simsboro High product Jakemin Abney’s layup with 11:31 to play in the first half gave LSU-Alexandria a 17-9 lead, its biggest of the game.

However, the Bulldogs turned up the defensive pressure, allowing just nine points over the final 11 minutes of the first half while Ree came off the Tech bench to ignite them offensively by hitting three three-pointers.

The second half was all Bulldogs. Tech hit 52 percent (16-31) of its field goals, including 5-of-12 from the three-point line while holding LSU-Alexandria to just 29 percent (8-28) over the final 20 minutes of action.

Tech will travel to face UT-Arlington Saturday at 5 p.m.

 

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Courtesy of Louisiana Tech Athletics

RUSTON, La. — Jordan Marshall and Jianna Morris combined for 31 points to lead Louisiana Tech to a 53-51 victory over Nicholls in front of 2,660 elementary and middle school students inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Monday.

Morris led all scorers with 19 points on 4-8 shooting and 8-12 from the charity stripe. In her Lady Techster debut, Marshall finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

“Obviously you’re happy to find a way to win at the end of the day,” Lady Techster head coach Brooke Stoehr said. “We’ve had two scrimmages, and I thought we looked like it was our first real game today. Nicholls is well coached, and we knew it would be a solid opponent for the opener. We had a number of turnovers and missed opportunities today. Defensively we were not disruptive and didn’t communicate or rotate the way we have shown. This will be a great film to teach from improve as we move forward with this group.”

Louisiana Tech (1-0) grabbed the lead just 20 seconds into the contest off a layup by Melissa Mwanza. Neither team would score over the next two minutes until Robyn Lee hit a jumper in the paint. Nicholls (0-1) would respond on their next possession for their first points of the season.

Marshal was everyone in the first quarter, accounting for six points and six rebounds to help the Lady Techsters to a 12-4 lead after one.

Both offenses caught fire in the second stanza and shot over 60 percent from the field. Nicholls took the lead around the six-minute mark, but a pair of free throws by Marshall put Tech back on top. Morris would add back-to-back triples as part of her 11-point performance to help extend the lead back to seven. The Lady Techsters would finish the quarter with eight turnovers, foreshadowing things to come.

Tech would struggle out of the break and allow Nicholls to take the lead just three minutes in with an 11-0 run. From there, neither team could take advantage of the other’s turnovers as the Lady Techsters would outscore the Colonels 6-4 over the final six minutes.

With Tech down 42-40, Paris Bradley scored her first collegiate points to tie it up and knocked down a three to give the Lady Techsters a four-point lead. Morris would go 5-6 from the free-throw line to seal the game.

Tanita Swift scored 15 points to lead Nicholls, while Deonna Brister was the other Colonel in double figures at 12.

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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Michael Judson Barmore, 74, joined his Lord on November 2, 2024.

Born in Dubach, Louisiana on May 11, 1950, Mike grew up as a mischievous country boy in Dubach, Unionville, and Ruston. He learned piano from Grandmama Crawford; always sought refuge in the arms of his other grandmother, Mammie Fannie, after misbehaving; got knocked off by low tree limbs while riding Kokomo, an especially mean family Shetland pony; collected fresh eggs daily; and fed newborn calves using a baby bottle, all while growing up under his mother’s watchful eyes. Back in those days, school bus drivers in Lincoln Parish owned their own buses, and Mike loved making his dad’s bus lurch forward by pushing the starter button on the floorboard.

After graduating from Dubach High School, Mike received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Louisiana Tech. He later returned to Louisiana Tech for his master’s degree in education. He went on to have 33-year career teaching fifth graders at Hico Elementary School. A favorite annual activity involved his students making soap using the recipe and methods of American pioneers. He loved teaching and he loved his students. After retiring as a teach, Mike was elected as a member of the Lincoln Parish School Board for three terms. He was the Board’s voice for teachers and students.

Mike became a talented cook and baker. Holidays found Mike wearing an apron daily as he prepared cornbread dressing, hot water cornbread, purple hull peas, candied yams with marshmallows, and baked turkeys. He was pleased when other family members began frying turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts! Each year, the family chose from five deliciously different homemade pies, some with meringue, some with whipped cream toppings, and all with different crusts. Mike could never strictly follow a recipe – he always added ingredients or tweaked the flavorings. The results were devoured! He also somehow found time to grow flowers and vegetables, harkening back to childhood days of picking purple hull peas, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other veggies grown in the big family garden.

With his family, Mike attended New Prospect Baptist Church in Unionville, First Baptist Church in Dubach, and Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. He parlayed his cooking skills into joining the Kitchen Crew at Temple Baptist Church, where he helped prepare weekly and special event meals for members and their visiting families. At Temple Baptist, he also served as deacon and in other leadership roles and reveled in serving as a Sunday morning greeter at the sanctuary door.

Mike was the family caregiver, a somewhat rare trait for a man. As his mother’s health declined, he and his sister shared those caregiving responsibilities. Later, he provided daily care for his Aunt Ruby. Mike had a servant, loving heart, a selfless life attitude, and a kind and gentle spirit, always finding a way to help others while serving and loving God, his family, and his friends. He positively impacted the lives of so many people, including nearly a thousand fifth graders and many more parents. He often played piano for services at New Prospect Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Dubach (where he also played the organ), and Mineral Springs Baptist Church.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Temple Baptist Church, led by Dr. Reggie Bridges, Rev. Terry Garrey, and Rev. Barry Joyner. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. With the help of his sister, Glynda, Mike planned his memorial service, selecting the preachers and picking Margie Hearn and Lane Brown to play the piano for the songs Mike selected.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, S.J. and Melba Crawford Barmore, and his brother Donald “Donnie” Wayne Barmore. He is survived by his sister Glynda Barmore Hicks and her husband, Maury Hicks, and many, many cousins in north Louisiana.  Mike’s family thanks cousins Pam and Jerry Owens for their selfless help in caring for him.

Mike’s ashes will be interred near the graves of his family at Colvin Memorial Cemetery later.

Memorials in Mike’s name can be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1515 S. Service Rd. W. Ruston, LA 71270, Rolling Hills Ministries Disaster Relief Fund, 3487 Hwy 33, Ruston, LA 71270, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

 

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William Augustus “Dub” Jones, age 99, passed from this life on November 2, 2024, at his home in Ruston, Louisiana.  He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.  A visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Trinity Methodist Church, Ruston, Louisiana, and a funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm at Trinity. 

He was born December 29, 1924 in Arcadia, Louisiana, to Bertha Hays Jones and John Earl Jones. He, his widowed mother and his brothers moved to Ruston when he was five. He graduated from Ruston High School, attended LSU, Tulane and graduated from Louisiana Tech.

On June 22, 1946, he married Harriet Schumpert Barnes.  They were a loving and devoted couple, best friends and terrific partners for a lifetime.

W.A. had a distinguished athletic career: he was the starting tailback on the Ruston High’s 1941 state championship team; he attended LSU for one year on a football scholarship, but when WW II began, he joined the US Navy V-12 Program  and was transferred to Tulane University where he also played football, making the All-American team of 1945; he was a first-round draft pick in 1946 and after he was discharged from the Navy, he played one year for the Miami Seahawks, one year with the Brooklyn Dodgers Football Team, and then was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1948, where he played until his retirement in 1955.   During his eight years with the Browns, they played in the championship game every year and the Browns won five championships.  He won All-Pro honors twice and still shares the record for most touchdowns scored in an NFL game (six).

In 1963, he rejoined the Browns as receiver coach and offensive coordinator and held that position through 1967.  The Browns won the 1964 NFL championship using the offensive scheme and personnel he had developed.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, W. A. was a successful businessman.  He and his brother Richard bought Ruston Lumber & Supply, which they ran for thirty years.  During that time, he, Richard and Bill Waldron founded Triad Builders of Ruston, a general contracting firm. W. A. remained active in Triad into his 90s.  Through the years he was involved in the construction of numerous homes, office buildings, churches, industrial facilities and the development of several residential subdivisions.

Beyond his football and business careers, his interests were many and varied.  He loved the Jones homeplace—”The Farm.”  He was an avid hunter of all sorts of game but quail hunting was his favorite.  He appreciated a good bird dog and had many.  Numerous family members and friends cannot forget trying to keep up with his long strides as he headed toward a dog on point on a faraway hill.  Like his father, he was a horseman and rode almost all his life. When W. A. was 90, he rode a horse while hunting quail in Texas.  He passed that love of horses down to his children.  He was also an enthusiastic golfer, although his golfing skills fell far short of his football talents. 

The most important things in W. A.’s life and character were not his football fame, his business interests or even his bird hunting—above all else was his faith in God and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ which guided how he lived his life and how he loved.  He treasured his wife, his children, his extended family and his friends. 

W.A. and his wife Schump were life-long members of Trinity Methodist Church.

W.A. was preceded in death by his parents and his four brothers, John Earl Jones, Jr., H. Richard Jones, Bertram H. Jones and Carroll G. Jones.

W.A. is survived by: his wife of 78 years, Harriet Schumpert Barnes Jones, and their seven children, William A. Jones, Jr. (Rhonda), Hasson Holt Jones Glasgow, Schumpert Cassity Jones (Cheryl), Bertram Hays Jones (Danni), Benjamin Milton Jones (Meg), Nancy Ruth Jones Knox (Jimmy) and Thomas Barnes Jones (Dell); twenty-two grandchildren, Richard Glasgow (Aimee), Mary Glasgow Germany (Kent), Jennifer Jones Bucha (Jason), Will Jones (Amy), Nancy Glasgow Hunt (Trotter), Cass Jones (Florissa), Tram Jones (Gretchen), Molly Jones Gray (Zach), Bethany Jones McCullough (Clint), Hasson Jones Felber (Eddie), Stephanie Jones Jordan (Ammen), Jack Gray (Jennifer), Benjamin Jones (Wendy), Jessie Gray Bryan (T. J.), Christie Jones, Seth Jones, Grace Jones Byrd (Aaron), Beaux Jones (Emilie), Caleb Jones, Jordan Gray, Aaron Jones (Rachel), and Sarah Jones Birdi (Sandeep); thirty-eight great grandchildren, and a multitude of extended family and friends.

 In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the LA United Methodist Children & Family Services (904 Deville Lane, Ruston, LA 71270) or the charity of one’s choice.

 

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Monique Marie Kruger Mullin left this life as she lived this life, in a calm and peaceful way. She moved on to her Heavenly Home on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at the age of 88. Her gentle spirit and sweet smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Monique was born September 3, 1936 in Roanne, France, to Jeannette Emilie Garmy Kruger and Maximillion Otto Kruger. She immigrated to the United States by boat, landing in New York after World War II with her family, when she was only 11 years old and entered public school in Westbury, NY, not knowing a word of English. She quickly caught on, but she never stopped speaking French throughout her life. As a young girl, she enjoyed her summers in Sag Harbor, NY on Long Island with her cousins and developed a love for the oceans and beaches of that area. Monique graduated from Westbury High School and then attended Interboro Institute in New York City where she earned an associate degree as a bilingual administrative assistant.

While visiting her older brother who was stationed at Peace Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, she met and later married Charles “Burt” Mullin. They soon moved to Houston, TX where she worked as a bilingual secretary. The Mullins later moved to Alexandria, VA; Slidell, LA; and finally settled in Covington, LA where they lived for 50 years in the Tchefuncta Estates subdivision. They raised their two children, Yvette Mullin Broocks and Charles Burton Mullin, Jr., in this idyllic neighborhood.

Monique worked as a preschool teacher at The Little School of Covington for more than 20 years and impacted many young lives. She taught French to countless students there and served as the Assistant Administrator. She and the late Ernie Knowlton would go on to start Covington Christian Preschool where she continued to work until she retired.

Monique loved sewing, doing needlework, and gardening. She was an excellent seamstress and crafted many dresses for Yvette’s high school dances and made most of her granddaughter Emily’s costumes. She also imbued a love for the French language in her granddaughter and maintained close correspondence with her cousins in France. At 70 years old, Monique was able to revisit her French hometown for the first time in sixty years, with her husband, daughter and granddaughter as well as reunite with many of her French family.

After retirement, she and Burt spent most of their time at Sandpiper Cove in Destin, FL where they made many dear friends, won Halloween costume contests, and enjoyed countless hours spent on the white sand beaches. Monique was known among her friends for treating them to her homemade jellyrolls and eggnog pound cake during the holidays. Monique often wrote poems for her family and friends on special occasions. Receiving one of her poems was a special gift. She was unselfish in her love, especially for her family, and was always willing to help others.

Monique and Burt moved to Ruston in 2019 and spent their final years at The Arbor and Terrace, enjoying wonderful care by the staff and friendships with their fellow residents. Their favorite place to visit regularly in Ruston was Lincoln Parish Park. Monique loved walking around the lake, feeding the ducks, and sitting on the benches under the beautiful trees when walking was no longer easy for her.

Monique is preceded in death by her parents Max and Jeannette Kruger, her brother Jean Jacques Kruger, husband Charles Burton Mullin, son Charles Burton Mullin, Jr., and her infant son Max Burton Mullin.

She is survived by her daughter Yvette Monique Mullin Broocks and son-in-law Dr. John Broocks, her grandchildren John Henry Broocks V (Hank), and Emily Marie Broocks. Monique is also survived by sister-in-law, Maurine Mullin Kalk (Gail), cousin Jackie Garmy Frye, nieces and nephew and other family in Sag Harbor, New York, and Annecy and Sallanches, France.

The Broocks family wishes to thank the staff of The Arbor and Terrace of Ruston for their compassionate, loving care during her last years. They would also like to thank Sandra Hardyway and her PCA staff at the Terrace for loving Monique like family, and Mahin Shahbazi for being Monique’s long time caregiver and friend. The family also extends their gratitude to Best Home Health nurses Ashley Verdin and Connie Kennedy, Speech Therapist Katie McCormick, and Physical Therapist Ammi Schillinger for helping to improve and maintain the quality of Monique’s life during her time in Ruston. Lastly, the family thanks Premier Hospice and Nurse Amy Vance for helping Monique to live her last year and a half with dignity and comfort.

 There will be a private family burial of ashes and comital service at Simsboro Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember Monique may do so with a memorial donation to Lincoln Parish Park, (“In Memory of…”) 211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston, LA 71270 or by donating to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration on-line at theaftd.org or by mail at AFTD, 2700 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at http://www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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A celebration of life for Patrice Hilton, 72, of Ruston, LA will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Ruston. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 AM with the service following at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow with a private graveside at Cook Cemetery in Ruston, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes of Ruston, LA.

Patrice Hilton passed away in her home on November 1, 2024, after a battle with colon cancer. Born in Ruston on June 22, 1952, to Hayward and Patsy Hilton, Patrice attended A.E.Phillips Lab School and Ruston High. She moved to Weatherford, Texas during her senior year of high school and then returned to Louisiana Tech University. Patrice always knew she wanted to be a teacher and graduated with her bachelor’s, master’s and Plus 30 from Louisiana Tech.

Patrice spent 46 years as an educator at Hillcrest Elementary in Ruston where she taught almost every grade and served as the coordinating teacher. For the last half of her career, Patrice was the principal at Hillcrest. She loved her Hillcrest family of teachers and students and arrived bright and early in the mornings to make sure the school was ready for the day. It was not uncommon to see her red VW bug parked in front of the school by 5:30 AM. She retired from Hillcrest in the summer of 2020. Throughout the last year, Patrice fought her cancer diagnosis with great faith that the Lord would take care of her and maintained the most positive attitude despite how she was feeling.

Patrice loved spending time with her family. She had four children–Heather, Hilton, Holly and Haley–and seven grandchildren–Hannah, Bryce, Hagen, Hunter, Brooks, Crosby and Emma. Known as “Trice” to her grandchildren, she enjoyed having them come over for Sunday lunch and going to their events. Patrice loved working in her yard, running to Walmart and TJ Maxx, and watching the Game Show Network. She was an avid collector of Peanuts and dachshund memorabilia. Her home was decked out for each holiday season both inside and out. Patrice loved going to the beach and spending time by the pool in the summers. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Ruston, Patrice served in many positions over the years but particularly loved being part of the choir. She will be remembered for sharing her brownies and cookies complete with seasonal sprinkles and napkins around the community.

Patrice was preceded in death by her father, Hayward Hilton, and her granddaughters, Baileigh and Brooklyn Benoit.

She is survived by her children, Heather Reeder (Chad), Hilton Hay (Jennifer), Holly Hay, and Haley Wynne (Michael); seven grandchildren, Hannah and Hunter Reeder, Hagen Hay, Bryce and Brooks Benoit, and Crosby and Emma Wynne; our father, Tommy Hay; mother, Patsy Hilton; brother and sister-in-law, David and Susan Hilton, and numerous aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Serving as pallbearers will be David Hilton, Chad Reeder, Michael Wynne, Garrison Hilton, Ethan Hilton and Braden Hilton. Honorary pallbearers are Bryce Benoit, Hagen Hay, Hunter Reeder and Tommy Hay.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Patrice Hilton Memorial Scholarship for Future Educators (Origin Bank) or the First Baptist Church Choir.

Her family wants to thank Amy Wilson, Lacy Youngblood and LyQuinta Fegans of Premier Hospice for their support and guidance during the last few weeks. They also want to thank Dr. David Osafo and staff of Green Clinic, the staff of Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Dr. Ross Bland of St. Francis Medical Center for their care of Patrice over the past year. She was always so appreciative of the doctors, nurses and staff who provided care for her.

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 Patrice Hilton 
June 22, 1952 – November 1, 2024 
Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 9:00 am – 11:00 am 
Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 11:00 am 

 

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Class 5A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Karr (9) 8-0 141 1
2. Neville (3) 9-0 132 2
3. Acadiana 8-1 113 3
4. Alexandria 9-0 111 4
5. Catholic-Baton Rouge 7-1 94 5
6. Ruston 7-2 88 6
7. Archbishop Rummel 8-1 72 8
8. Airline 9-0 58 9
9. Central 8-1 46 NR
10. Zachary 6-2 35 7

Others receiving votes: St. Paul’s 17, Mandeville 4, Destrehan 3, Parkway 3, St Augustine 3, Covington 2, West Monroe 2, Dutchtown 1, Hahnville 1, Jesuit 1, John Curtis 1, Southside 1, Terrebonne 1.

Class 4A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Lutcher (5) 8-0 134 3
2. North DeSoto (4) 7-2 125 2
3. St. Thomas More (1) 6-3 120 4
4. Teurlings Catholic (1) 8-1 112 1
5. E.D. White 7-2 96 5
6. Archbishop Shaw (1) 7-2 90 6
7. Opelousas 5-3 67 7
8. Franklin Parish 8-1 57 8
9. Cecilia 6-3 44 9
10. Franklinton 8-1 32 10

Others receiving votes: Westgate 25, Plaquemine 14, Iowa 9, Vandebilt Catholic 4, West Ouachita 3, Leesville 2, Northwood-Shreveport 2, Brusly 1, Lakeshore 1.

Class 3A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Bunkie (8) 9-0 139 2
2. Jennings 8-1 123 3
3. University (3) 7-2 114 1
4. St. James 6-2 103 4
5. Northwest 7-2 85 5

(tie) Madison Prep (1) 6-3 85 10

7. John F. Kennedy 5-4 83 6
8. Amite 7-2 53 8
9. Jewel Sumner 8-1 51 9
10. Sterlington 6-3 44 10

Others receiving votes: Erath 20, De La Salle 18, Iota 5, Lake Charles Prep 4, Bastrop 3, Haynes Academy 3, Jena 2, Church Point 1, Westlake 1.

Class 2A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Newman (6) 7-0 130 1
2. Calvary Baptist (3) 7-2 129 2

(tie) Dunham (3) 9-0 129 3

4. Oak Grove 7-1 106 4
5. Ouachita Christian 9-0 96 5
6. Catholic-New Iberia 8-1 86 6
7. Union Parish 5-4 66 8
8. Notre Dame 5-4 56 9
9. Episcopal-Baton Rouge 7-2 47 7
10. Mangham 6-3 39 NR

Others receiving votes: Lafayette Christian Academy 16, Northlake Christian 8, South Plaquemines 6, DeQuincy 5, Lafayette Renaissance 5, Kinder 3, Pope John Paul 3, Delhi Charter 2, Welsh 1.

Class 1A

School 1st rec pts prev.

1. Vermilion Catholic (12) 9-0 144 1
2. Haynesville 9-0 129 2
3. Ascension Catholic 7-1 114 3
4. Riverside 6-2 109 4
5. Catholic-Pointe Coupee 9-0 92 5
6. Covenant Christian 9-0 90 6
7. Southern Lab 5-3 77 7
8. St. Martin’s 6-2 46 8
9. Kentwood 6-3 44 9
10. Ascension Episcopal 8-1 34 10

Others receiving votes: St. Edmund 18, Central Catholic-Morgan City 11, St. Frederick 11, Logansport 8, Westminster Christian-Opelousas 3, Delta Charter 2, Hamilton Christian 2, North Iberville 2, Jeanerette 1.

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by Malcolm Butler

City of Ruston residents will see an increase in their water rates each of the next two years and then in future years.

At the turn of the calendar, City of Ruston water rates will increase by 26.5 percent — the first of a number of increases over the next decade.

According to Ruston mayor Ronny Walker, the Ruston City Council will vote on the increase in Monday’s meeting, but it is inevitable based on a water study stemming from a $4 million grant that the city received two years ago.

“We took about $4 million in federal funds that came through the state through what is called the Water Sector,” said Walker. “The $4 million was used for water projects throughout the city. When you take those funds, you are required to do a water study to see what you should be charging for your water.

“We hired the company, and we did the study. That study has come back. You do what the study says, or you pay the ($4 million) back.”

Walker said the projects included replacing old water lines throughout the city, but mostly on the south side.

“Most of the projects were upgrading old water lines that had been there for 75 years,” said Walker.  “What they are forcing cities to do is to prepare for the future. A lot of small cities and water districts are in bad financial shape so they are forcing them to correct their rates where they can survive in the future.”

According to Walker, City of Ruston residents have not seen an increase in water rates since 2009 although the city did change their method of charging a few years ago, going from cubic feet to gallons.

“We haven’t actually raised the rates since 2009,” said Walker. “The 26.5 percent increase sounds like a lot — and it is — but compared to a lot of cities, it’s not. I have heard of some unbelievable increases in a lot of cities.

“We probably should have been going up a little every single year, but we had such good rates that we didn’t raise them. Now we have to raise them to a higher level.”

According to Walker, the rate hikes are over a 10-year period.

“Over the next 10 years our rates will increase,” said Walker. “The first two years there is an increase and then it levels off for four years. Then it increases a little bit for the rest of the 10 years.

“The key to this whole thing is we don’t have a choice. Its either do it or pay the $4 million back, and we aren’t going to do that. There was a study done in 2005 that said we needed to increase it every two years, but it was never done.”

According to information found on WorldPopulationReview.com that list average water prices per state in 2024, Louisiana is one of the five least expensive within the United States at an average of $21 per month. West Virginia ($91) and California ($77) are the most expensive while Vermont ($18) and Wisconsin ($18) are the least.

In addition to the water rate increase, a new Impact Fee will be instituted starting at the beginning of the new year.

“If you build a new building — commercial or residential — a one-time fee of $750 per meter (of water) is charged,” said Walker. “Most apartments have one meter, so they would only pay $750.”

Walker said residents would see the 26.5 percent increase on their first bill they receive after January 1.

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

RUSTON, La. — United States Speaker of the House and Representative Mike Johnson (R) came through North Louisiana Saturday, stopping at the Historic Fire Station to meet with dozens of Lincoln Parish citizens and talk about the upcoming election on Tuesday.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker gave opening remarks before Johnson took the lectern, where his 45-minute speech covered a variety of talking points– from his roots in Louisiana to the border and immigration to his working relationship with former President Donald J. Trump.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time in the history of the city that the Speaker of the House has come to Ruston,” Walker said. “He is a great friend of mine and a great friend of Ruston and Lincoln Parish. I couldn’t have been happier (with how the town hall went) — there was standing room only, and I think it speaks volumes of our city’s support of him, also.”

Johnson took a few questions from the audience and the media following his speech and expressed his pleasure in having the opportunity to represent Ruston and Lincoln Parish.

“We’re so excited,” Johnson said. “It makes sense, I think, to have (District 4) represent the I-20 corridor, and we’re delighted by the new map. We got a few new parishes, and we’re excited.”

Johnson also talked about how important North Louisiana is to him, despite his role as the 56th Speaker of the House.

“The thing about North Louisiana — everybody’s the same kind of people, you know? And that’s my people,” Johnson said. “It’s where I grew up. We had a great event here today– most of the people in the room I’ve known for a long time. Louisiana is blessed with great congressional representation. Julia Letlow used to have this district, and she’s like my sister. We work very closely together. I think it’s going to be a good thing for the state.”

Asked about both representing District 4 and his Speaker duties, Johnson credited his staff and team along with his family for being able to properly handle all needed duties.

“It’s a lot to manage,” Johnson said. “I have a great team, and they help with all of that. We’ve got about 100 people working for our office now, because the Speaker has a big set of responsibilities with the whole map and legislative agenda. But the most important thing is to take care of folks at home. So we try to balance that.

“My wife (Kelly) is very understanding and our kids are very understanding. They’ve been a big part of it, and we’ve been able to manage it. We’re looking forward to the days ahead.”

The most recently approved district map in Louisiana switched Lincoln Parish from District 5, which was represented by Letlow, to District 4, where voters are projected to vote Johnson in officially on Tuesday.

Johnson is currently running against another Republican, Joshua Morrott, for the U.S. Representative 4th Congressional District, which now includes Lincoln Parish.

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 Malcolm Butler

Ruston High School softball will have a new home soon.

The question is where.

After playing the past few years out at the Ruston Sports Complex, the Lady Bearcats will call home somewhere else soon.

Today’s Lincoln Parish School Board and Ruston City Council meetings will both determine the future site as well as other financial issues surrounding additional projects associated with the $17.5 million bond that was voted through in April.

Many people believed RHS softball would return to the site of its former home facility located in the Bittersweet neighborhood adjacent to Glenview Elementary School.

However, recent talks between Lincoln Parish School Board members and the Ruston City Council have led to an alternative plan.

During tonight’s City Council meeting, a vote will be taken to approve the sale of the land on South Farmerville Street that in the past housed the Ruston Girls Softball Association fields.

The price tag for the land will be $150,000.

“Instead of building the softball field by Glenview, they can build it out at the Sports Complex,” said Walker.

Both today’s City Council and Lincoln Parish School Board meetings will help determine direction for a number of projects that fell under the bond proposal that was voted on in April.

From the Lincoln Parish School Board site of things, the plan to purchase the land is the best of its options according to LPSB President Gregg Phillips.

“We weighed the options of going back to Bittersweet which was the original plan,” said Phillips, who also said it will be voted on during Thursday’s normal monthly board meeting. “But then this opportunity became available to us.

“Being close to (RHS) baseball and tennis complexes is attractive. We also looked at the cost of moving dirt at Bittersweet versus RSGA and it made financial sense to look at the South Farmerville location. It fits for a number of reasons so that’s where we are looking to build.”

Ruston High principal Dan Gressett believes the old RSGA site is the better of the two options.

“From a cost perspective it would be significantly lower as opposed to the dirt work needed at Bittersweet,” said Gressett.  “We also don’t run into parking issues there as opposed to Bittersweet. At Bittersweet you are right on the road, and it does cause some traffic issues with it being in the neighborhood.”

The Lincoln Parish School Board has a joint building and grounds and finance meeting today at noon to discuss how to trim costs off a number of the projects that fall under the $17.5 million bond that was approved through a vote last April. Bids came back higher than expected, according to Phillips.

“We got the bid information in from Clark Construction earlier (last) week on the costs of not just the softball field but security at (Ruston) Junior High … and several of those items came in higher than what we had originally been advised those costs would be when we put together the bond,” said Phillips.

“Earlier (last) week we met to rethink some things. We said, ‘Alright, this is the stuff that would be really, really nice versus the stuff that we really need to have.’ So, we are going back and revisiting some of this.”

Phillips said that he believes the LPSB will tackle the overages through value engineering aspects of certain projects as well as using additional funds through other sources.

“The meeting (today) at noon is to look at all of this, and then decide what we want to do,” said Phillips. “Those options range from pulling some items out to putting some items on the backburner to do later to the (LPSB) ponying up and paying the difference out of our building reserve fund.

“The Board will have to decide this Monday and Thursday.”

The LPSB will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday.

Below is a list of the items included in the bond proposal that passed for District 1 and District 6 in April

The Ruston District 1 proposal for capital improvement included:

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

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

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

Choudrant School District No. 6 included:

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

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

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

 

William Augustus “Dub” Jones, considered to be Ruston gridiron royalty, died early Saturday morning at the age of 99, one month shy of his 100th birthday.

Jones was born Dec. 29, 1924, in Arcadia and after graduating from Ruston High attended LSU on a scholarship for a year before being transferred to Tulane University in New Orleans as part of a World War II-era U.S. Navy training program. 

He played football at Tulane for two seasons before being drafted by the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals as well as the Miami Seahawks, a team from the All-American Football Conference (AAFC), an upstart league in its first year challenging the NFL.

He was traded to the Brookly Dodgers of the AAFC before Paul Brown, head coach of the league’s Cleveland Browns, traded the No. 1 overall pick to bring Daddy to the Browns.

Brown starred in Cleveland for the next eight years.

That first year Dub was playing for Cleveland, the Browns won all of their games and the AAFC championship. The team repeated as champions in 1949, but the AAFC dissolved at the end of the year and the Browns joined the NFL. 

Dub, a tall, rangy player, went to the Browns as a defensive back but moved to halfback before Paul Brown created a new position to feature him — flanker.

And that flanker who was both a running and receiving threat, remained a key part of Browns teams that won NFL championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955. 

He was twice named to the Pro Bowl, the NFL’s all-star game, including in 1951, when he set an NFL single game touchdown record with six, a mark he now shares with the New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara along with a pair of late former standouts — Ernie Nevers and Gayle Sayers.

Jones finished his NFL career with 2,210 rushing on 540 carries along with 171 receptions for 2,874 yards, totaling a combined 41 touchdowns in the process.

But it was that six-touchdown record he was maybe most proud of, other than his family.

“There’s one record dad is a part of that I don’t know can ever be broken — it’s hard to imagine it happening,” said Dub’s son Bert Jones, a Ruston High and LSU standout who went on to play in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams. “And that’s that the Browns played in 10 championship games in a row, which was the Super Bowl back then.”

Jones was a “no-nonsense” type of player who simply played the game with no flamboyancy.

“He didn’t like self-promotion. He believed in team. Being part of a team,” son Ben Jones told TigerRag.com. “Let your play speak for you. No dancing in the end zone. That used to drive him nuts. And also he didn’t want you being a hypochondriac. He said, ‘Look, your leg ain’t broke. Get up and walk off the field.’”

After retiring from his playing career Jones returned to Lincoln Parish, working at a Simsboro sawmill before returning to the Browns in 1963 as a coach. 

He coached until 1968 but also did some football consulting work after returning to the sawmill, including working with someone who became a longtime friend — legendary Grambling football coach Eddie Robinson.

“He brought the Cleveland Browns playbook to show Coach Rob, and that’s how Grambling went from a straight Wing-T (offense) to a Pro-Set,” Bert Jones said. “So, every year Dad would go work some with Grambling,”

Wilbert Ellis was an assistant baseball coach at Grambling at the time and remembers Jones’ influence.

“He was a special man who was very good to everyone he met,” Ellis said. “He never did see color. He and Coach Rob became very close and Dub spent quite a bit of time in Grambling visiting with Coach and working with our football receivers and showing them how to run routes and things like that. The Jones and Robinson families were close friends.

“It’s a big loss because he was so important to the whole parish way back when. He was a great man.”

Jones is survived by five sons, two daughters, 22 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and his wife, Schump, whom he met in junior high school in Ruston.

“He was a great father,” Ben Jones said. “He was devoted to his family. He was hard working. He was an entrepreneur. There were challenges being a small business owner — financial stresses. But he was steady through it all.”

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 Malcolm Butler

Ruston mayor Ronny Walker and the board of aldermen could receive 20 percent pay raises in the near future.

As part of tonight’s Ruston City Council meeting, Agenda Item D will introduce an ordinance to establish salary increases for Walker as well as aldermen Carolyn Cage (Ward 1), Angela Mayfield (Ward 2), Melanie Lewis (Ward 3), John Denny (Ward 4) and Bruce Siegmund (Ward 5).

Walker, who is in his second year of his third term as the Ruston mayor, currently makes $100,000 and would receive an additional $20,000 starting January 1.

Each of the five aldermen currently receive $12,000 and would receive a $2,400 increase starting at the turn of the calendar.

“The city council members went to (City of Ruston CFO) Julie (Keen) when we were working on the budget and said, ‘We need to give the mayor a raise,'” said Walker. “I said no. They insisted but we didn’t want to hold up the budget, and it has to happen through a separate ordinance. So they are bringing forth to the council a raise for the mayor.

“I said that I wouldn’t accept a raise unless they gave themselves one too. So there a raise for the same percentage that they came up with of 20 percent.”

The ordinance will be introduced in tonight’s meeting and then would be voted on by the aldermen during the December meeting.

According to Denny, the decision to pursue the raise for the mayor came due to a couple of different reasons.

“A lot of business leaders around town reached out to myself and some of the other aldermen pushing for a raise for Ronny,” said Denny. “If you look at the job Ronny has done in Ruston over (his tenure as mayor), it’s easy to see the growth with the things that have occurred around us and the new development that is still coming. The job he has done in my opinion and the opinion of so many others has been great.”

Bill Hogan, President and CEO of Century Next Bank, also praised the job that Walker has done during his tenure in office.

“Ronny is a shining example of leadership in our world,” said Hogan. “He oversees a $120 million business, and he has done incredible things through his leadership. It’s amazing what we have become in Lincoln Parish.

“He is undoubtedly not only one of the best mayors in the country, but he is one of the best business leaders in the country. He has the ability to pull the best out of every situation. I completely support paying him more, and we should pay the council more too.”

Denny added the decision impacts the future of the position as well.

“Part of the conversation is that Ronny is not going to be the mayor forever,” said Denny. “The draw is also to bring the salary up to the standard for cities our size in the state of Louisiana. That was part of this conversation as well. We want to make sure we are competitive in the event that Ronny doesn’t run for re-election.”

Although most cities have a mayor and an administrator, Walker serves in both capacities within Ruston.

“When I ran for this job, I didn’t even know what it paid,” said Walker. “I didn’t do it for the money.”

According to Walker, his last raise came “six or seven years ago” and was 20 percent.

Since Walker began serving as Ruston’s mayor in 2014, the city has seen tremendous economic growth and is considered one of the fastest growing economically within the state of Louisiana.

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 Malcolm Butler

One of the agenda items on tonight’s City Council meeting agenda is to vote on a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) where the City of Ruston team up with the Lincoln Health Foundation and the Lincoln Parish Police Jury to pay for a health study for the parish.

According to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, the cost of the health study would be $500,000 and would be split amongst the three entities with the city and the LPPJ each paying $50,000 and the Lincoln Health Foundation paying $400,000.

“This is to look at the healthcare needs in our parish,” said Walker. “This will help us as we continue to grow this parish and the city to formulate a plan for what we need from a healthcare standpoint.”

Back in early September an announcement was made that Allegiance Health Management and Northern Louisiana Medical Center would acquire Green Clinic, which ended months of speculation and rumors about the future of the medical mainstay of the Lincoln Parish community.

Although the deal was originally supposed to be completed in early October, it still has not been finalized yet although it is still expected to be in the coming months.

However, Walker said the feeling is that the study is needed regardless of the merger.

Walker said that a decision on which third-party consulting group would manage the study has not yet been determined.

“The committee is currently meeting to determine what consultant will manage this study,” said Walker. “It’s a really good committee. They are meeting with a consultant now to determine the third party.”

The Lincoln Parish Police Jury has already voted in favor of the health study, leaving the Ruston City Council with the remaining vote on this. Walker believes it will be approved tonight.

The Lincoln Health Foundation utilizes revenue set aside for health services within the parish after the sale of the hospital years ago when it was Lincoln General Hospital.

The alignment of The Green Clinic with Northern Louisiana Medical Center is expected to streamline healthcare services, provide more robust support for patients, and further advance the quality of medical care in the region. This strategic move aligns with Allegiance Health Management’s mission to foster collaborative healthcare environments that prioritize patient well-being and community health.

“Ten years ago, when I became mayor, I realized if we were going to grow and active and progressive and vibrant city, we needed to have good healthcare,” Walker told the LPJ back in September at the time of the announcement of the acquisition. “That’s always been a focus and concern of mine. I know health care the last few years has been very difficult for all communities.”

Lincoln Parish Police Jury President Glenn Scriber echoed Walker’s sentiments at that time.

“Quality healthcare is paramount for any community,” said Scriber. “With the growth of Lincoln Parish, it is crucial that we are open minded of the healthcare needs in our community and that we take the necessary steps to make sure our residents are provided for in the future.”

Northern Louisiana Medical Center CEO Kathy Hall said that when Green Clinic went on the market in the summer of 2023, there was immediate interest by Allegiance Health Management of acquiring it.

“The best thing that can happen for our community is for our healthcare to come together,” said Hall back in September. “We have recruited a lot of doctors into (our system recently). The state of reality of when Allegiance came to Ruston, the goal has always been to have a great relationship with Green Clinic. We have been working with Green Clinic since 2019 to help with the recruiting process and things of that nature.”

Northern Louisiana Medical Center’s current structure was built in 1962. And although the facility has had renovations over the decades, there is no doubt that a new facility is needed in Ruston.

Allegiance Health Management purchased a 35.5-acre tract of land in 2022 from James Davison at the corner of East Commerce and Celebrity Drive with plans of building a new full-service hospital.

Hall said in September that although the plans were put on hold, now that the acquisition of Green Clinic is almost complete, they will return their focus to building a new hospital that includes larger rooms for patients and ICU units as well as state-of-the-art operating and treatment rooms.

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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A 22-year-old Virginia man was charged with domestic violence in Ruston after he allegedly beat and strangled his girlfriend.

Nassib Opong was arrested just after midnight on October 25 at The Preserve Apartments on West Alabama Avenue.

The victim said she and Opong had gotten into an argument that became violent. She said Opong grabbed her by the throat and threw her onto the bed. She said she felt as though she could not breathe as she was being pushed down by Opong’s hand around her throat.

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The victim said Opong then punched her in the stomach, back, and head. Officers saw red marks around the victim’s throat, a large bruise on her chest, and redness and swelling on her right cheek.

Opong also allegedly threw the victim into two of the doors inside the bedroom.

Two roommates witnessed the altercation and heard the woman tell them to call the police.

Officers and a security guard saw that the victim’s dress was torn, and a struggle appeared to have taken place in the apartment.

Opong told officers he had not been involved in any violent behavior. He was arrested for domestic abuse battery with strangulation and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

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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