Bill Mitcham, age 76, of Bernice, LA, passed away at his home that he shared with his wife Judy on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bernice Methodist Church with Dr. Johnie Adkins and Bro. Reagan Colvin officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at the Bernice City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening, May 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 at the church.
Bill was born October 29, 1948, in Ruston, LA, to parents Carroll and Mildred Mitcham. He grew up in Bernice graduating from Bernice High School in 1966. He attended Louisiana Tech University where he obtained a degree in Agriculture and a Masters Plus 30 in Education. Bill began his 35 year career with the Union Parish School Board, teaching and coaching baseball in Bernice and Spearsville, LA, for a short time before becoming the Board’s Administrator of State and Federal Funding. In 2010, Bill was elected Mayor of Bernice and served two terms before deciding not to seek re-election. He enjoyed raising cattle and was a diehard New York Yankees fan. Bill was a life-time member of Bernice Methodist Church.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Jack Mitcham, brother-in-law Blane Kelly, first-cousins Bobby Mitcham and Judy Mitcham Parish, and dear friend Cotton Arnsdorff.
Bill is survived by his wife of 17 years Judy Kelly Mitcham; step son, Bart Miller (Shea); sister Mary Mitcham Butler and brother-in-law Joe, brother Robert Mitcham, sister-in-law Cheryl Kelly McCormick and brother-in-law Gary; step grandsons: Maddox and Cullen Miller; first cousin Carole Ann Kaplan; nephews Jason Butler, Jacob Mitcham, and Seth Manly; nieces Nicole Butler Shepherd (Jeff) and Sara Manly Nola (Matt); great-nephews Cole Shepherd, Paxton Nola and Levi Nola; great-nieces Marisa Shepherd and Zoey-Lynn Nola; fur babies Bailey and KittyKat; and many close and dear friends and relatives.
Honoring Bill as pallbearers are Jason Butler, Jacob Mitcham, Cole Shepherd, Jason Johnson, Matt Nola, and John Cook.
William “Bill” Mitcham October 29, 1948 – May 14, 2025 Visitation: Bernice Methodist Church, Monday, May 19, 2025, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Service: Bernice Methodist Church, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 11:00 am Cemetery: Bernice City Cemetery, Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Carolyn C Henry January 13, 1946 – May 15, 2025 Visitation: Monday, May 19, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Salem Methodist Church, Dubach Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2025, 2:00 PM, Salem Methodist Church, Dubach
Bobby Glen Murphy February 7, 1973 – May 14, 2025 Visitation: Monday, May 19, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Graveside Service: Monday, May 19, 2025, 2:00 PM, Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens, 1270 HWY 544, Ruston
Authorizing the start of a public bid process to try and sell surplus property and previewing the Summer Reading Program were the primary orders of business as the Lincoln Parish Library Board of Control held its May meeting Thursday evening.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge started on May 1 and will run through Aug. 1. Readers are asked to read 15 books in that time period, and those completing the challenge will be entered into a drawing for a prize package.
Participants must be a member of the LPL Readers Club but can join the club as they begin the challenge. Each participant will be asked to log their books and number of pages read.
To earn a bonus entry after completing the challenge, participants must read an additional four books selected from the library’s month book displays. Logs must be presented to a LPL staff member at one of the library’s information kiosks by 8 p.m. on Sept. 2.
Scans or photos of the completed logs can also be emailed to rhawkins@mylpl.org by the deadline.
LPL Children’s Services Manager Abigail Massey and Teen Coordinator Kris Patrick presented the Summer Reading Program preview to the Board.
The LPL Teen Reading Challenge will run through July 30. Participants must read 2,000 pages of anything they like and record each title, author and number of pages on the reading log.
They must also sign in and attend six LPL Summer Programs, which will take place every Thursday from 2-4 p.m. beginning on May 29.
Participants can be 12 years old if they are entering sixth grade for the 2025-26 school year through high school seniors.
The list of items declared as surplus property is well more than 100 items with a lot of 80 computer monitors being the vast majority.
Those items will now be sent to the Lincoln Parish Police Jury to put out for public bid.
“We need to get some of this gone, and these are the big items,” Bolom told the Board. “Things like broken refrigerators, broken ice makers, and water fountains and things like that. The guidelines are that if something has any value at all, even for parts, then it gets put out for bid.”
The list of teams that will be put out for bid are as follows:
1. Bernhardt Designs Upholstered Brown Bench (cosmetic damaged)
2. Epson Photo Scanner V300 (J232B) untested
3. Flexsteel Green Armchair (CH108-01) Stained upholstery
4. Green Vegan Leather Rolling Armchair (Splits in upholstery; missing swivel desk in arm.)
5. Haworth Rolling Office Chairs (Lot of 2; red and green) will not keep height adjustment
6. HP Laser Printer (BOISB-1200-00) 2004 model works
7. Lot of 13 Versteel Rolling Chairs (CEC-04/NB) Scratches on hard plastic seats and backs; some had cushions, now missing; some may not keep adjusted height
8. Lot of 2 Bevco Tractor Seat Stools (3505, 2015) rubber seats are cracked
9. Lot of 29 Digium VOIP Office Phones (D62) Function as expected
10. Lot of 6 Art Design International Suspense Chairs (2004) Seats may sag; various upholstery issues; two sets of three in two fabrics
11. Lot of 80 Computer Monitors (various brands and models) may have cosmetic wear and/or pixel/color issues
12. Lot of 9 Speco Security Cameras (various models)
13. Lot of Elkay Water Fountains (Most likely for usable parts.)
14. Mini Jazzy Motorized Chair (Needs service and/or battery to operate; has extensive wear to wear to seat.)
15. Pihsiang Machinery Shoprider Motorized Chair (Needs service and/or battery to operate. Some cosmetic wear.)
17. Scotsman Ice Maker 1 (C0330MA-1A) Works intermittently; multiple repairs; best use for parts
18. Scotsman Ice Maker 2 (C0330MA-1A) Works intermittently; multiple repairs; best use for parts
19. Skywalker Adjustable Bike Rack (new in box)
20. Samsung Plasma TV (PPM24H3, 2004) will turn on.
21. Traulsen Commercial Refrigerator (RHT232WUT-FHS) intermittently works
22. Traulsen Commercial Refrigerator (RHT232WUT-FHS) stored outside; doors off; for parts or reuse
23. Werner Adjustable Ladder (operates as expected)
Bolom also reminded the Board that the LPL’s summer hours — 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays will begin on May 27 (after the Memorial Day holiday) and will run through Aug. 31.
Deputies of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal are investigating a Lincoln Parish fire that claimed the life of a Simsboro man.
At about 5 a.m. Monday morning, Lincoln Parish Fire responded to a fire in the 900 block of Liberty Hill Road north of Simsboro. James Sandifer, 51, died in the blaze that destroyed his small wood frame house.
Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. The home was not equipped with a smoke detector according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
The State Fire Marshal encourages the use of smoke alarms to save lives. Free smoke alarm installations are available by visiting lasfm.org or contacting your local fire department.
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President Heather Reeder and Vice President Thomas Graham
by Malcolm Butler
A pair of Ruston High alums will be leading the school’s alumni association as Heather Reeder and Thomas Graham have been named the new President and Vice President.
Glen Trammel, Class of 1968, was the previous president before stepping down last fall. Allen Tuten was the interim president until his untimely passing, with Jack Thigpen stepping into the role briefly. The vice president position has been open for over a year. The board has been working hard to find the right candidates to step into these roles.
“We’re very happy to have Heather and Thomas at the helm,” said Carter Carroll, social media and communications chair for the organization. “As one of her former students, I’m confident that Heather will do a phenomenal job at leading this organization into the future. Thomas’s leadership can be seen all across Ruston, and having him will help us to become the organization we want to see.”
On Tuesday the board unanimously voted to elect Reeder as the president Graham as the vice president. Reeder (Class of 1997) has been on the board since the summer of 2024, and Graham (Class of 2005) is new to the organization.
Reeder has been part of the faculty at RHS for two decades, currently teaching dual enrollment and AP United States history.
“It’s an honor to be asked to serve as president of the RHS Alumni Association,” said Reeder. “Ruston High holds such a special place in my heart as an alumna and as a faculty member for the last 20 years. We’ve seen so much growth and excitement over the last year as we brought back the organization and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
“If you went to Ruston High School, we would love to have you join us and be part of giving back to the Bearcat Nation. There are several events on our calendar already from the Peach Fest to our homecoming awards luncheon that we are looking forward to hosting in October. Please reach out if you’d like to get involved with serving on the board or helping on a committee.
“As a teacher at Ruston High, I can personally tell you how much having the alumni association active means to our students and faculty. Strong community support is what has always made RHS the amazing school that it is today.”
Graham played football for the Bearcats during his RHS days and is one of the top leaders in the Ruston community, serving on the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
“When Dr. Pat Garrett stood at the podium during this past year’s alumni luncheon and profoundly recited our alma mater, it was a powerful reminder of just how special Ruston High School is,” said Graham. “You could feel a renewed energy and excitement in the room. This past week, Patricia Flournoy invited me to attend a Board of Directors meeting — just to see if I might be interested in getting more involved.
“Little did I know they would be voting on new officers. At the end of the meeting, Jack Thigpen challenged everyone not just to help out, but to be active participants in strengthening our alumni association. Coach was pretty convincing. I’m excited about this opportunity, and I’m honored to help continue the mission. Firmly Founded.”
About the Ruston High School Alumni Association
Established in 2005 by a dedicated group of Ruston High School alumni, the Ruston High School Alumni Association was created to give back to the school and foster a strong community among its graduates. After a brief hiatus, the association was revitalized in 2024, ushering in a renewed commitment to its mission.
The RHSAA’s mission is to foster a lifelong and mutually beneficial relationship between Ruston High School and its alumni. The association aims to represent, support, and promote the interests of both alumni and the school, facilitating opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and philanthropy that contribute to the continued growth and success of Ruston High School.
Key initiatives include the Annual Alumni Association Homecoming Luncheon, where awards are presented to distinguished alumni and educators; a $3,000 Outstanding Achievement Award granted annually to a graduating senior; and a new grants program, where teachers and organizations can request funds for various projects.
Membership is open to all former graduates and friends of Ruston High School, with options for annual or lifetime memberships. Members enjoy opportunities to connect with fellow alumni, attend special events, and contribute to the school’s ongoing development.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ruston High swimmer and member of the Bulldog Aquatic Club J.J. Hoover has been selected by U.S.A. Swimming to participate in the prestigious Zone Select Camp at the University of Louisville from May 22 through May 25.
Hoover is one of 60 athletes selected from around the United States to participate in this particular camp, comprised of teams from the Southern and Eastern zones. Hoover is attending based on his results from last summer’s long course season in the 100- and 200- butterfly.
“We are so proud of the work J.J. has done to earn this great opportunity,” Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “This is the first step in learning about swimming beyond the local level. He will have the opportunity to connect with other swimmers from around the country with the same goals.”
The Zone Select Camps provide the top athletes aged 12-15 years old the opportunity to capitalize on their extraordinary achievements in the sport. Through an automated selection process, athletes are chosen based on their Long Course Meters (LCM) times to train and learn with other high-achieving athletes in the zone. Through a series of pool sessions and classroom facilitations, you will experience what it means to be a part of Team USA.
From Ryan Murphy to Katie Ledecky, various athletes representing our country on the world’s largest stages have gone through this very same camp and used the knowledge, experiences, and life-long friendships to transform their approach to the sport of swimming.
The fastest available male and female swimmer from each of the 14 Olympic events is selected for the camp. 30 female swimmers and 30 male swimmers.
Todd Martinez will join the rest of his family next academic school year after being named the head boys basketball coach at Cedar Creek School.
The announcement came via a press release from the school late Thursday afternoon.
Martinez comes to Cedar Creek after one year as the head boys coach at West Ouachita High School. He brings with him over 25 years of coaching experience and a long track record of developing competitive programs while building strong character in student-athletes.
His wife, Toni, served as the girls varsity assistant hoops coach where she helped lead the Lady Cougars to the state title game. His oldest daughter Taylor will be a senior while his youngest daughter, Gracie, will be in fourth grade this coming year.
“This past year I watched my two daughters fall in love with the school,” said Todd. “I have watched the same thing from my wife Toni. It is a special place with a small town community feel to it, but a huge vision for student growth.
“I feel like my girls know every students name on campus. That doesn’t happen at most places. I appreciate the opportunity Mr. (Kenny) Henderson has given me to be a part of this school community and vision moving forward. I have never worked at a K-12 school before.
“I can’t wait to see what can be accomplished with a strong pee-wee program. I always enjoyed working and developing players for four years. At Creek we may have young people for 5-6-7 or more years around the program. What an exciting opportunity.”
Todd Martinez replaces Lance Waldron, who departed to take the head coaching job at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School a few weeks ago. The Cougars posted a 15-10 mark and advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2025.
Prior to West Ouachita, Martinez served as head coach at Benton High School, where he led the Tigers to a 19-8 record and their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. His earlier tenure at Captain Shreve High School spanned two decades, where he guided the team to multiple district titles and earned accolades including Shreveport Times All-City Coach of the Year and District 1-5A Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
In addition to his work on the court, Coach Martinez has made a significant impact through his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He co-founded the FCA Coaches Care Basketball Camp, which grew from 68 to over 900 campers in just three years — a testament to his passion for combining athletics and faith to uplift young lives.
Martinez has also held multiple leadership roles in the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association, including President, Vice President, and Secretary, demonstrating his commitment to the broader coaching community in Louisiana.
He holds a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Centenary College and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Capella University.
Ruston Police arrested an 18-year-old Dubach man for his second underage DWI while investigating a traffic crash on May 2.
Eli May allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of North Trenton Street and West Alabama Avenue at about 8 a.m. Investigating officers believed May was intoxicated. He performed field sobriety tests poorly and was placed under arrest and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test.
May’s blood alcohol content was found to be .098g%. May was booked for second offense underage DWI and running a red light after it was learned he had been previously arrested for DWI in December 2024.
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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Authorities responded to a shooting with multiple victims in Union Parish late Tuesday night.
The Farmerville Police Department and Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the Eastside Hill Apartments on Rabun Road about 11:00 p.m. on May 13.
UPSO, which is handling the investigation, said two men, an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old, were wounded by gunfire. The 18-year-old was shot in the abdomen and suffered the worst injury of the two.
Both men were taken to Union General Hospital and the 18-year-old was later airlifted the Ochsner LSU Health Center in Shreveport.
No arrests have been reported in the case.
The apartment complex of a dozen buildings is located just outside the Farmerville city limits.
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RUSTON – The Diamond ‘Dogs (30-22, 13-11 CUSA) extended their winning streak to three games after opening the series against New Mexico State (22-30, 10-14 CUSA) with a 12-7 victory at the Love Shack.
With Thursday night’s win, the Bulldogs clinched their 30th win of the season under head coach Lane Burroughs. It marks his 10th 30-win season in his 13 years as a head coach and his seventh in eight full seasons at the helm of Louisiana Tech’s baseball program.
Logan Forsythe opened the game hot out of the gates, retiring the New Mexico State side in order in the first two frames including three strikeouts in the opening inning. Forsythe allowed a leadoff knock in the third but continued his dominance by striking out the next three batters to bring us total up to seven going into the fourth.
The power righty ended his outing with a new career-high 10 strikeouts in four innings, allowing six runs on six hits with two walks and earning his first victory as a Division I pitcher following a then-career high performance of nine strikeouts in his previous start at Jacksonville State.
“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” Tech head coach Lane Burroughs said. “It was a crazy game, a lot going on. One thing about New Mexico State—and we saw it last year when we went out there—they never stop. They’re used to because of where they play and the altitude, they give up runs and the ball flies out there. Their hitters know they have to score runs, and we knew they wouldn’t stop tonight. That’s one thing I really remember about their team is you can score as many as you want, they’re going to keep coming because they’re used to it, and they did that tonight. I thought Logan Forsythe—second-straight Friday, great start. The ball was exploding out of his hand. He got a lot of punchouts—10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, your pitch count is going to get up when you strike people out. I thought after 103 pitches last Friday and now a short week, he got up to 89 and things were spinning for him. We probably brought Harland into a really tough situation, and one of their better hitters got on a ball and drove it out of the yard. I thought Nate Crider and Luke Nichols were outstanding. I thought the fact that Luke gave us three innings and we didn’t have to use [Blake] Hooks tonight with a five-run lead was huge. Hooks threw two innings two nights ago, I don’t know how hot he would’ve been, so I thought Luke Nichols was the player of the game to come in and get those three innings and keep it at bay, and he got a save out of that. Not to be negative, but I thought we left way too many runs out on the field tonight.”
The ‘Dogs were retired in order in the first before jumping ahead to a six-run lead in the second despite not recording a hit. After a leadoff fly out, Colton Coates drew a walk and Garrison Berkley and Brody Drost were both hit by a pitch to load the bases. Thaxton Berch entered the game for Berkley as a pinch runner as Berkley entered concussion protocol but entered back in the game when Tech was back out for defense.
Eli Berch brought across the first run on a sacrifice fly before Drost stole second and Will Safford drew a walk to load the bases once again. Sebastian Mexico then drew a walk to increase the lead to 2-0 before Michael Ballard hit into a fielder’s choice at second. The New Mexico State second baseman ran to second base to attempt the force out, but Mexico was able to beat him out to bring in another run for the ‘Dogs. Trey Hawsey was then hit by a pitch and Zeb Ruddell walked before a wild pitch capped off the frame and gave Tech a 6-0 lead going into the third.
Berch then hit his fifth homer of the season to push the ‘Dogs out in front by seven before an RBI groundout made it 8-0 through four innings. The Aggies answered back in the fifth with seven runs to make it a one-run lead for the ‘Dogs, but an RBI double from Ballard got a run back and gave Tech a 9-7 lead in the sixth.
New Mexico State saw eight-straight batters reach base safely on three walks, three singles, a double and a three-run homer before the Bulldogs’ 40th double play of the season ended the inning. The ‘Dogs now have nine-straight seasons and 12 of the last 13 years with at least 40 twin killings in a single season.
Berkley led off the seventh with a walk before swiping his team-leading 13th stolen base to put himself in scoring position. The Aggies then made a pitching change with Drost coming to bat, who advanced Berkley to third with a fly out before Eli Berch was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners with one out. Safford then reached base on a chopper to the New Mexico State pitcher who fired the ball to first, but it hit off the first baseman’s glove, allowing Safford and Berch to move to second and third with one out.
Mexico was intentionally walked to load the bases before Hawsey delivered a two-run double to increase Tech’s advantage to 12-7 going into the eighth.
The Aggies led off the inning with a base hit but the ‘Dogs ended the threat quickly with their second double play of the night. New Mexico State added an infield single on a close play at first, but a flyout sent the game into the home half.
Coates led off with a walk and stole second with Berkley coming to bat. The Bulldog center fielder then ripped a ball to center field with Coates holding at second on the fly, but the ball hit the ground next to a diving Aggie center fielder to put runners at second and third. Eli Berch drew a walk on a 3-2 count to load the bases, but a swinging strikeout and a fly out ended the threat.
Luke Nichols earned his second save of the year, tossing three scoreless innings allowing just three hits and fanning a pair of batters. Berkley hit his team-leading 15th double while Mexico tacked on his 53rd RBI of the year.
Ryan Harland made his 85th career appearance on the mound Thursday night, tying Jonathan Fincher for the third-most appearances by a Bulldog in program history. Ballard and Mexico both picked up multi-hit performances, and Ballard, Hawsey, Berch and Ruddell combined for nine of the team’s 11 RBI.
“We won the ball game, our hitters did a great job, but we could’ve scored a lot more,” Burroughs said. “There was a lot going on and there’s some stuff we have to clean up. When we get the bases loaded with no outs [or] one out, we can’t punch out. But we found a way to win, and Trey Hawsey had a huge two-run double with two outs. That was big, and I’m just proud of our guys. We got the big double play there in the eighth with Mike and Will, but all in all it’s a win, our 30th. Like I said, it’s a hard climb to get to 30 and every game is important from here on out. We’ve won three in a row and it’s fun to come to the ballpark again. That’s our first Friday win in quite some time, so that felt good to win on a Friday night.”
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Friday, May 16 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Saturday, May 17 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market Noon: LA Tech baseball
Monday, May 19 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, May 20 Last day of school for Lincoln Parish public school students
Wednesday, May 21 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, May 22 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Saturday, May 24 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 9:30 a.m.: LA Tech graduation (College of Engineering and Science, College of Liberal Arts) (Thomas Assembly Center) Noon to 2 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Library Summer Reading Kickoff (Lincoln Parish Library) 2:30 p.m.: LA Tech graduation (Colleges of Applied and Natural Sciences, Business, and Education and Human Sciences) (Thomas Assembly Center)
Monday, May 26 Memorial Day 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Wednesday, May 28 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, May 29 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Saturday, May 31 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
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.
Louisiana Tech’s Zoie Epps was named to the 2025 Academic All-District Women’s Tennis team, as announced by College Sports Communicators which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.
Epps, a sophomore from Norman, Oklahoma, owns a 3.73 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Exercise and Health Promotion.
On the court this past season, Epps earned First Team All-Conference USA honors in both singles and doubles. The Bulldog broke a 43-year-old program record for most dual singles victories, putting together a 25-3 mark while going 2-0 at No. 1, 21-3 at No. 2, and 2-0 at No. 3.
Along with doubles partner Ana Rodrigues, she was a staple at the No. 1 position, going 20-7 which set a new program record for most doubles wins in a single season.
Epps was selected as a CSC Academic All-America finalist and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced June 3, 2025.
Funeral services for Carolyn C. Henry, age 79 of Dubach, LA will be held at ;00 PM, on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Salem Methodist Church in Dubach, with Rev. Robbie Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Carolyn was born in Ruston, LA on January 13, 1946 and passed away May 15, 2025 in Dubach, LA. She is preceded in death by her parents, L.D. and Edwina Colvin; husband of 36 years, Gary Lane Henry Sr.; brother, Victor Dan Colvin; and sisters, Anna Johnette Colvin and Patsy Colvin.
Carolyn is survived by her sons, Joey Poche (Lauryn) of Gonzales, LA, Pat Poche (Lisa) of Hico, LA, and Lane Henry Jr. (Brandi) of Simsboro, LA; grandchildren, Heidi Henry, Cade Henry, Lanie Henry, Dominique Poche, and Alex Poche; sister, Shirley Soto (George) of Ruston, LA; brothers, Mike Colvin of Dubach, LA and Eddie Colvin (Debbie) of Dubach, LA; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Carolyn grew up and became a long-time member of Salem Methodist Church and she was always willing to help any way possible. She loved hunting and fishing, and loved being with family and friends and spending time with her grandkids. Many precious memories were made during her lifetime.
Serving as pallbearers will be: James Colvin, Seth McGrew, Cody Colvin, Jim Poche, Josh Abraham, Joe Dan Martin, and Danny Jarmon.
Graveside services for Bobby Glen Murphy, age 52 of Simsboro, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, May 19, 2025 at Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston, LA. Burial will follow under direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Bobby was born to the union of Bobby Gene and Anna Ruth Welch Murphy on February 7, 1973 in Morgan City, LA and passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Ruston, LA joining his loved ones in their eternal homes.
Bobby was a loving father, grandfather, son, and brother who never met a stranger and brought light to many people’s lives. He was very uplifting and welcomed everyone with open arms. Some of his most cherished times were spent with family and friends. Bobby spent many days in the woods or on the water with Charlie Stevens, his best friend for years, who was more like a brother. Bobby will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Bobby is survived by his wife, Holly Murphy; three sons: Dylan Murphy and wife Just’us, Matthew Murphy and wife Sydney, and Logan Pylant and wife Jolee; three granddaughters: Nevaeh, Haelynn, and MaKayla and two grandbabies on the way. He is also survived by his siblings: Pam Fontenot, Gearld Nichlos, Chris Mason, and Cheryl Henson; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM Monday, May 19, 2025 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston, LA. To leave an online message for the family, please visit: http://www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Bobby Murphy Date of death: May 14, 2025 Services incomplete at this time
Donald Franklin June 14, 1951 – May 13, 2025 Visitation: Friday, May 16, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Service: Friday, May 16, 2025, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Cemetery Committal: Friday, May 16, 2025, 3:00 PM, Simsboro City Cemetery, Braswell Ln, Simsboro
Dorothy Mae “Dot” Napper March 8, 1929 – May 9, 2025 Visitation: Grace Methodist Church, Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:00 am Service: Grace Methodist Church, Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10:00 am Cemetery: Harmony Chapel Cemetery, Saturday, May 17, 2025
Cedar Creek School is proud to announce the hiring of Todd Martinez as the new head coach of the boys’ basketball program.
Coach Martinez joins Cedar Creek from West Ouachita High School, where he served as head basketball coach. He brings with him over 25 years of coaching experience and a long track record of developing competitive programs while building strong character in student-athletes.
Prior to West Ouachita, Martinez served as head coach at Benton High School, where he led the Tigers to a 19-8 record and their first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. His earlier tenure at Captain Shreve High School spanned two decades, where he guided the team to multiple district titles and earned accolades including Shreveport Times All-City Coach of the Year and District 1-5A Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
In addition to his work on the court, Coach Martinez has made a significant impact through his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He co-founded the FCA Coaches Care Basketball Camp, which grew from 68 to over 900 campers in just three years — a testament to his passion for combining athletics and faith to uplift young lives.
Coach Martinez has also held multiple leadership roles in the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association, including President, Vice President, and Secretary, demonstrating his commitment to the broader coaching community in Louisiana.
He holds a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Centenary College and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Capella University.
Cedar Creek is excited to welcome Coach Martinez and looks forward to the future of Cougar basketball under his leadership.
Police Jury members spent time discussing and ultimately voting on an ordinance authorizing them to levy an assessment on NLMC.
by Malcolm Butler
During Tuesday night’s monthly Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting, one of the main agenda items was a public hearing in regard to the adoption of an ordinance to authorize the collection and rate of a local hospital tax.
Allegiance Health Management (AHM) has requested that the LPPJ vote to assess a new tax on the hospital which could unlock additional Medicaid funding, helping the healthcare system in Lincoln Parish.
During the 20-minute public hearing, two local residents spoke as Bill Jones and Dr. Rel Gray addressed some of their concerns.
“I have always been proud of Lincoln Parish,” said Gray, a longtime area physician who also spent time as a police jury member years ago. “We have always striven to be the best. I think I’m qualified to comment on this as a physician. When I first came here, we were building the present hospital. The old hospital wasn’t much. We were proud of the new one. Thirty to 40 years ago people came from all over north Louisiana for medical care. That was a real source of pride.
“Now the word on the street and from my patients is if you want care, go to Bernice or Jonesboro. Imagine that, but that’s what I hear. …. I don’t know why, but that’s what I hear. I would like for this hospital to once again be an attraction for patients from all over.
“I am not opposed to a new hospital, but I say let’s make this one an attraction first to prove that we can run it right. I agree with Bill. We would like to have the money, but in the words of President (Ronald) Reagan, ‘Trust, but verify.’ We need some way to make sure that money goes to patient care.”
If Allegiance’s tax request is passed, the hospital would be taxed millions of dollars that would then go to the state and ultimately to the feds. Those monies would then be returned two- or three-fold, generating millions of dollars of additional funding that could be spent within the parish.
“I know it sounds strange that the hospital wants to pay this assessment, but the assessment goes into the Medicaid program and the state’s share of funding Medicaid is roughly 27 to 37 cents (on the dollar),” AHM attorney Nicole Frey told jurors during the March LPPJ meeting. “The federal government pays the rest. So, this is a funding mechanism to draw down more federal money that comes back to (NLMC) to help it counter its costs.”
According to District 8 juror Chris “Moose” Garriga, it’s a topic that has been voiced to him repeatedly by constituents, mostly in regard to assurances that the money would stay in Lincoln Parish.
“Since I have been a juror, this topic I’ve been confronted about more than anything else,” said Garriga. “Whichever way this goes, I do think it’s sad that (AHM CEO) Rock (Bordelon) wasn’t here or someone from legal to answer some of these questions from citizens and some people here.
“I feel like this is a great opportunity for us to give the hospital some financial ease to help make itself better. … I want Kathy and Rock and others to understand that this community has to have this money stay here.
“I want (this message) pushed up to Rock … that he has an opportunity to make a good statement here, and the ball will be in his court if this goes in favor of getting the money. He has a chance to make this hospital better or break the public opinion of the hospital and make it go a different way.”
Most of the 20-minute public hearing consisted of Jones asking Hall numerous questions about assurances that the money would stay in the parish. Although Hall did her best to answer the questions, there were some that she simply couldn’t respond to but she promised to work diligently to get the answers.
Hall told the LPJ following the meeting that she is confident that the additional monies would be used to better the healthcare system in Lincoln Parish.
“I’ve invited the Lincoln Parish Police Jury to come up and tour the facility,” said Hall. “They are welcome to come and see what the money is being invested in. Rock has made a commitment to the community. He has already invested close to $17 million into the hospital and the clinics that have been purchased.
“He is committed to the community. The hospital was neglected for years, and we have spent several million dollars replacing equipment. The need is there.”
Hall said that the hospital and clinic have added 14 new doctors over the past few years, one example of steps that are being taken to improve the healthcare system. She also talked about updating equipment and purchasing new state-of-the-art medical equipment such as the da Vinci XI, a robotic surgical system.
“To recruit a doctor here is so expensive,” said Hall. “No one realizes those things. We have worked diligently to do that. Anyone is welcome to come anytime they want to.”
“Most providers when they finish their residency they have anywhere from $250k to $275k in debt. You have to mitigate that. It’s part of the recruiting process. Not only are you paying a salary, but you are also paying student loans back for those individuals to try to get them here.”
Following the end of the public hearing portion of Tuesday night’s meeting, the jurors voted 9-2 in favor of adopting the ordinance authorizing collection and rate of local hospital assessment. District 9 juror Joe Henderson and District 11 juror Diane Richard voted against the ordinance while District 4 juror TJ Cranford was not in attendance.
“What we are doing tonight is adopting an ordinance that authorized us to levy an assessment,” said Parish Administrator Courtney Hall. “We are not levying the assessment tonight. We are just getting the authority to do it.
“There is another step that we have to take. I think as Kathy mentioned, we have to get the numbers that we can collect … the hospitals voluntary assessment. They provide that to us. We put it in a resolution, and we adopt it. That’s the mechanism trigger if you will. What we are doing tonight is simply putting in place the authorization to do that.”
LPPJ President Glenn Scriber said that the vote that will come in the June meeting would be for one year and that any annual renewal of the tax would have to be voted on each subsequent year, which would serve as a pseudo safeguard.
“We have been told that this money will be used in our parish,” said Scriber. “Without anything in writing, we have to have trust that this will indeed happen. That is what the jury will have to get comfortable with between now and when we vote on this in June.
“As a jury we don’t want to stand in the way of helping healthcare with this money that can be brought to Lincoln Parish. We are always called to do what is best for our parish and we don’t want to stand in the way. That’s our goal. We want to feel comfortable that this money will be used locally.”
The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership (CIL) in Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education and Human Sciences earned an A+ rating in elementary mathematics instruction from the National Council on Teacher Quality, distinguishing it as one of the top teacher preparation programs in the nation.
This evaluation praises the CIL department for preparing future educators with a strong foundation in both math content and pedagogy, ensuring that graduates are ready to meet the educational needs of today’s classrooms.
“Having an external group like the NCTQ review our work and determine that it meets the highest standards is incredibly rewarding,” Dustin Whitlock, interim department head, said. “We prioritize preparing future educators with a strong foundation, and this recognition is an indication of the work we are doing to produce graduates who are ready to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners.”
The NCTQ specifically recognized the program for its instruction in five essential components of elementary math: numbers and operations, algebraic thinking, geometry and measurement, data analysis and probability, and mathematics pedagogy.
“Our coursework emphasizes deep content understanding, evidence-based instructional practices, and the use of high-quality instructional materials aligned to standards,” Whitlock added. “We also provide early and frequent opportunities for candidates to apply their learning in real classrooms through targeted field experiences.”
A major focus of the program is ensuring teacher candidates feel confident and capable when teaching math to young learners. According to Dr. Lynne Stratton, a key leader in curriculum development, confidence is built through a combination of rigorous preparation and developmental understanding.
“We use high-quality instructional materials, but we also spend significant time helping our students identify the developmental levels at which children typically pass in each grade,” Stratton said. “This ensures our candidates can determine where their students are developmentally, create learning goals, and design plans to help students reach those goals, regardless of curriculum.”
Collaboration with local school districts also enhances the program’s impact. Field experiences and mentorship from experienced classroom teachers give Louisiana Tech candidates a practical, grounded understanding of instructional success.
“Our partners regularly provide feedback that supports our programmatic reviews,” Whitlock said. “These relationships ensure our program remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the schools we serve.”
This A+ rating reflects the College of Education and Human Sciences’ commitment to preparing excellent educators and reinforcing the strength of teacher preparation across the state and region.
A Grambling woman has been arrested in connection with the shooting last week of a woman in Ouachita Parish.
Ouachita sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate a shooting on Old Sterlington Road at about 1 a.m. May 8.
When an investigator arrived, he was told the victim had at least two gunshot wounds. A nurse on scene said the injuries did not appear life threatening.
The victim told the investigator she heard knocking at her door around 12:45 a.m. When she opened the door, she saw a man unknown to her. As she tried to close the door, Jalexus Mayuan Kennedy, 24, of Grambling, who is known to the victim, forced the door open and entered the residence.
According to the victim’s account to the investigator, Kennedy then shot the victim with a handgun and stood over her after she fell to the floor. Kennedy tried to shoot her again, but the gun apparently malfunctioned. Kennedy then ran away.
During the investigation, officials discovered Kennedy is the ex-girlfriend of the victim’s current girlfriend.
The victim told officials Kennedy had threatened to fight her earlier in the week.
Jalexus Kennedy was located May 11 and booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center for attempted second degree murder and home invasion. Her bail was set at $600,000.
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.
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.
Ruston, LA – The Lincoln Parish School District is seeking input from residents to help shape the future of local schools. As the parish continues to grow and evolve, district leaders are taking a proactive approach to ensure school zoning and facilities planning align with the community’s needs.
To support this effort, the district has launched a brief public survey to gather feedback on the guiding principles that should inform any potential updates to school zoning and attendance areas. In addition to zoning, the input collected will also help guide decisions related to possible future school construction projects.
“We want to ensure every decision we make reflects the values and priorities of the families we serve,” said Superintendent Ricky Durrett. “Community involvement is an important part of that process.”
All Lincoln Parish residents are encouraged to participate in the survey and share their perspectives. The survey is open to parents, students, staff, and community members alike.
The district also urges residents to help spread the word and encourage neighbors, friends, and fellow Lincoln Parish stakeholders to provide their input.
A Ruston man was arrested by narcotics agents on May 2 as part of an ongoing roundup of one drug suspects.
Jerriel Jones, 44, was arrested on warrants charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and violation of the drug free zone statute.
Jones was arrested at a Timber Ridge Circle residence after officers breached the door to locate him when their efforts to talk him out of the house failed.
Jones was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on the two drug warrants and three unspecified warrants from Ruston City Court.
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.
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.
RUSTON, La. — If you blink, you may miss the three weeks allotted for spring practice in Louisiana high school football.
“It does go by fast,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “And you know, doing it here at the very end of school, the kids are ready to get out, the coaches are ready to get out of school — it’s really difficult to dig in for one last push. There’s so many things here at the end of school that it’s hard to stay focused — and that’s actually a good thing. Coaches and kids alike have to try to figure out how to get out here and get things done.”
Starting back on Monday, April 28, the Bearcats and the coaching staff have run three weeks of physical practices with a roster that has had a hefty churn — losing over a dozen starters on both sides of the ball to graduation.
And tonight, they’ll have a chance to clash pads with a different team — Captain Shreve at Lee Hedges Stadium in Shreveport at 6 p.m. For Baugh and the Bearcats, it’s less about stats and scoring and much more about situations and players knowing where to be and to step up.
“It will be a lot of the same things that we grind in our practices,” Baugh said. “How do we handle different situations in a game? Where do we need to work more going into next year? Player by player, we’re going to evaluate how their growth has been from the start of spring to here. And we’ll figure out who our Junior Varsity guys are and what our freshmen will be able to do. A lot of guys are majorly confused right now about what they’re supposed to do, so it will be a good opportunity to get some video on those guys to see where everybody stacks up. So this will be no different than what we’ve had practice by practice.”
The scrimmage will be a similar format to how most Bearcat spring and summer scrimmages go: there will be two rounds of a controlled portion on both offense and defense for the first, second and third groups between the ‘Cats and the Gators. Due to a lack of freshmen football players for Captain Shreve, Ruston’s freshmen will have two rounds of playing each other.
Following that, there will be two 12-minute halves of live football with a running clock.
“I’ve been pleased so far with what we’ve gotten out of spring practice leading into this game,” Baugh said in conclusion. “It’s one thing to go out there and do things against your teammates — somebody you’re comfortable hitting on. But it’ll be interested to see how some of the newer guys and less experienced guys do against somebody else and how nervous they’ll be. Hopefully, we’ll see some guys find another level of juice tonight against another team.”
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