A 34-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were arrested on numerous drug charges by the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Darrius Livingston and Porsche Reed, both of Ruston, were apprehended June 9 and booked for numerous drug offenses and outstanding warrants following a narcotics investigation.
Based on information that Livingston and Reed were both wanted on warrants and were selling drugs at Edward Square Apartments, LPNET members went to the apartment complex where the two were found in a blue Nissan Sentra. Reid was the exiting the vehicle as officers approached and Livingston was ordered out of the driver’s seat and arrested.
A gun was seen on the driver’s floorboard as well as possible narcotics inside the vehicle. Livingston and Reed were taken to the LPNET office for questioning and a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle.
A search located a .38 caliber revolver, two plastic baggies of methamphetamine, a bag of crack cocaine, a baggie of MDMA (ecstasy), a bag containing marijuana, legend drugs, plastic baggies, and two digital scales.
Livingston was in possession of $790 in cash in denominations conducive to drug sales. Neither Reed or Livingston claimed ownership of the items in the vehicle. Both were taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention center and booked. A records check showed Livingston is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm. The apartment complex is within 2,000 feet of the Lincoln Parish School Board office, a drug free zone.
Livingston was booked for:
possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute
possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute
possession of marijuana within intent to distribute
possession of a legend drug with intent to distribute
possession of drug paraphernalia
possession of a firearm by convicted felon
Illegal caring of a weapon in the presence of a controlled substance
three warrants for a failure to appear in Third District Court on drug possession charges
two bench warrants from Third District Court in Union Parish
Reed was booked for:
possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
possession of crack, cocaine with intent to distribute
possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute
possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
possession of a legend drug with intent to distribute
possession of drug paraphernalia
illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled substance
four warrants for failure to appear in 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.
The Ruston Farmers Market and Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen were full of energy and excitement on Thursday, June 5, as community members gathered for the annual Peach Cookery Contest, a beloved tradition held in conjunction with the Louisiana Peach Festival.
Sponsored by Park Haus, the event celebrated local culinary talent with a delicious array of pies and cobblers featuring the region’s favorite fruit, peaches.
Participants dropped off their peach dishes at 5:00 p.m. at the Ruston Farmers Market, with entries judged on taste, texture, appearance, peach flavor, and creativity. Judges faced a tough decision as they sampled each homemade dish.
After careful deliberation, judges awarded the top prizes in two age categories: adult and youth. Winners were announced at noon on Saturday, June 7 during the market.
Adult Division Winners:
1st Place: Mary Wilson
2nd Place: Laurel Nerren
3rd Place: AnnaGrace Hale
Youth Division Winners:
1st Place: Kara Robertson
2nd Place: Willow Tingle
3rd Place: Milly McDonald
The Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen, now in its second year as the contest’s home, provided an ideal setting for both participants and judges. The Ruston Farmers Market extends heartfelt thanks to all contestants, judges, volunteers, and community members who made the 2025 Peach Cookery Contest a success. A special thanks goes to Park Haus for their continued support and sponsorship, which helps make this event possible each year.
To continue the summer fun, Ruston Farmers Market is hosting a craft meet up for the community to engage in crafting activities while supporting local vendors from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. Weekly cooking classes are also available each Thursday at the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen. More information about the Ruston Farmers Market, classes, and upcoming events can be found at www.rustonfarmersmarket.org.
For media inquiries, please contact: Caitlin Lawrence, Market Coordinator
Since 2008, the Ruston Farmers Market has been a vital part of the community, offering exclusively Louisiana-grown and produced goods. Operated by North Louisiana Farm Fresh (NLFF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2014, the market has grown into a year-round destination for fresh food and community programming.
The mission of NLFF is to provide direct producer-to-consumer sales opportunities, support the development of a local food network, and conduct educational outreach of sustainable agriculture, health, and nutrition throughout North Louisiana.
The City of Ruston announced that effective Monday, June 23rd at 6:00 a.m., the speed limit will be reduced to 25 miles per hour on E. Kentucky Avenue, from Highway 33 to Briarhill Drive.
This will continue for the duration of construction as additional lanes are added along that stretch of road.
HAMMOND, La. — Ruston’s Dallas Smith has quickly made a name for himself on the track at quite a young age.
Over the weekend of June 14th, the 11-year-old Ruston Elementary student found himself with a gold medal in the 800 meter at the AAU Region 11 Qualifier at Southeastern University, competing against top youth athletes in Louisiana and Mississippi.
His time of 2 minutes, 34.18 seconds in the 800m earned him not only the championship title but also a spot at the AAU Junior Olympic Games to be held from July 28 – Aug. 2, 2025, in Humble, Texas. He also finished second in the 1500m with a time of 5:37.98.
Dallas’s dad Trey knows a thing or two about track and field being the head coach at Ruston High — and he couldn’t be more proud of how his son is excelling.
“There are moments as a parent when your heart feels like it could burst with pride. This past weekend was one of those for me,” Smith said. “Watching Dallas push through every second on the track was nothing short of inspiring. He’s earned his spot in the AAU Junior Olympics, and I couldn’t be prouder of his determination, discipline, and drive. Summer track has provided him a tremendous confidence boost as we are preparing for the upcoming cross country season. I’m excited to see his progress in the races and seasons to come.”
Earlier this year, Smith won the Lincoln Parish Elementary Fitness Competition and competes for the Ruston Elementary Cross Country team for head coach Emilie Tomlin.
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.
Monday, June 23 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Story hour at Lincoln Parish Library (Events Center) 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, June 24 10 a.m.: Family storytime at Lincoln Parish Library (Events Center) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 5 and up) 4 p.m.: Watercolor art class for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night (Lincoln Parish Library; must register by calling 318-513-5510) 6 p.m.: Fitness class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 7 p.m. Temple Patriotic Program (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech)
Wednesday, June 25 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11 a.m.: Technology Help Hour (Lincoln Parish Library George Byrnside Conference Room) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, June 26 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Tween Time at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 9 and up) 4 p.m.: 4-H Nutrition Class for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Friday, June 27 10 a.m.: Therapy Dog storytime special (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Saturday, June 28 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: Russ-Town Band Concert (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech) 3-5 p.m.: Puzzle swap (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Sunday, June 29 2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Singing in the Rain Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Monday, June 30 10 a.m.: Senior Health (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Story hour at Lincoln Parish Library (Events Center) 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, July 1 10 a.m.: Harvey Rabbit and Friends (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room (Ages 5 and up) 4 p.m.: Color wheel wreath for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.) 6 p.m.: Fitness class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Wednesday, July 2 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, July 3 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) 6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center 8:30 p.m.: Temple Baptist Church fireworks
Friday, July 4 Independence Day
Saturday, July 5 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 9 a.m.: Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)
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 Oscar Smith has been named the Conference USA Track and Field Male Newcomer of the Year, announced by the league on Friday.
The hurdler is the first Bulldog to receive a conference end-of-the-year award since Trey Hadnot won Outstanding Track Performer in the Western Athletic Conference in 2013.
The Ohio State transfer burst onto the scene by breaking the nearly 20-year-old record in the 60m hurdles in his first meet with a time of 7.82 in the prelims. Smith would come back in the finals and improve his time to 7.74.
Smith would conclude the indoor season with two wins in four meets, culminating in a silver medal at the CUSA Indoor Championship, where he broke the program record again with a time of 7.70. He would finish with eight marks on the school’s top 10 performance list.
The outdoor season started slowly, with a fourth-place finish at the Arkansas Spring Invitational being the best result in the 110m hurdles in the first two meets. However, he would quickly pick up momentum after winning the Jim Mize Invitational.
The following week, the Nassau, Bahamas, native clocked a time of 13.55 at the LSU Alumni Gold, securing his spot in the NCAA East Regional. It would be Smith’s third appearance in the regional after qualifying twice in his two seasons with the Buckeyes.
Smith would continue to improve his time at the regional in Jacksonville, Florida, qualifying with the top time in the entire meet in the first round. His 13.52 in the prelims would finish the season as the fourth-fastest time in program history and the fastest since Ricky Stubbs ran a 13.30 wind-aided time at the Southland Conference Championships in 1974.
He would win his quarterfinal heat to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 13.42, the second fastest time in program history.
At the NCAA Championships, Smith clocked a time of 13.45 to finish 10th overall, missing out on the finals by 0.02 seconds. The 10th-place finish earned him a Second Team All-American honors, the first second-team honor by a Bulldog since 2016 and the first by a male hurdler since 1977.
Ms. Sharon Sue Moore, age 71, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on June 18, 2025, at Azalea Estates, in Monroe, Louisiana, after a lengthy illness. Born on February 20, 1954, in Monroe to Reece and Helen Joiner Moore, Sue—affectionately known as Susie to her family and “Sumo” to many friends and colleagues—lived a life marked by devotion to others and faith in Jesus Christ.
Sue graduated from West Monroe High School and went on to pursue her passion for music at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. There, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to education and the arts. Her love of learning and teaching found its fullest expression at West Ouachita High School, where she taught English and choir. Sue considered her greatest accomplishment to be the impact she had on her students. Under her direction, the school choir flourished, earning numerous awards and accolades. She also directed school plays such as “Cinderella” and many others, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence in performance arts.
Sue’s talents extended far beyond the classroom. A gifted musician and performer, she participated in numerous local theatre productions including “Annie Get Your Gun,” “The King and I,” and “Annie”. She served as choir director at several area churches and led music with passion and purpose. Her deep love for Jesus was evident in every note she sang and every life she touched. As a devoted member of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Sue sang in the church choir and participated in special programs during Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day celebrations. She cherished her Sunday School class and was actively involved in church activities.
In addition to her musical gifts, Sue had a wide array of interests. She held a master lock certificate from her early days working retail installing locks—a unique skill that reflected her hands-on spirit. She enjoyed tackling DIY home improvement projects and was an avid traveller through her involvement with the American Businesswomen’s Association (ABWA), attending state and national meetings while exploring new places along the way. To keep up with the demands of her theatrical pursuits, she took dance classes at the Linda Lavender School of Dance in Monroe.
Sue also had a sweet tooth—especially for chocolate—and a soft spot for animals. Over the years, she cared for two horses, a bobtail cat, several dogs, and most recently Miss Lily Pearl, her beloved dog.
She is lovingly remembered by her brother Jerry Moore (Pam) of Dubach, LA; sister Donna Fontenot of Houston, TX; niece Jennifer Parker (Jonathan) of Ruston, LA; nephew Jamey Moore (Christina) of Ruston, LA; niece Valerie Thompson (Josh) of Houston, TX; uncle Carroll Joiner of Calhoun, LA; great-nieces Hannah Grace Parker, Caroline Faith Parker, Natalie Joy Parker—all of Ruston—and Leah Mae Thompson and Hailey Reece Thompson of Houston; great-niece and nephews Emily Rose Moore, Dakota Reece Moore, and Timothy James Moore—all of Ruston. She also leaves behind many cousins, lifelong friends and colleagues, and countless former students whose lives were enriched by her guidance.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents Reece and Helen Joiner Moore of West Monroe and brother-in-law Byron Fontenot.
A worship service celebrating Sue’s life will be held at Temple Baptist Church Chapel, 1515 S Service Road W in Ruston, LA on June 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Rev. Dale Oden and Dr. Reggie Bridges. Interment will follow in New Chapel Hill Cemetery near West Monroe in Drew, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., prior to the service at Temple Baptist Church Chapel in Ruston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org or to your local animal shelter—causes close to Sue’s heart.
Miss Sharon Sue “Sumo” Moore will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her legacy lives on through music sung, lessons taught, lives touched—and above all—the love she shared so freely with others. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.
A heartfelt thanks to the staff and administration at Azalea Estates in Monroe, LA. You will never know how grateful we are to you all. In addition, many, many thanks to the dedicated staff at Allegiance Hospice. You’re love and dedication to your patients is a parent and all you do.
Dr. Billy Jack Talton, Professor Emeritus at Louisiana Tech University and a world-renowned figure in powerlifting, died peacefully at his home in Dubach, Louisiana, on June 18, 2025, with his loving wife, Carolyn, by his side. He was 85.
Born to Oltavone and George Talton on March 16, 1940, in Minden, Louisiana, Billy Jack played football and graduated from Minden High School. During this period, he became interested in lifting weights to gain strength. In 1958, legendary coach Joe Aillet recruited Billy Jack to play football at Louisiana Tech University, where he excelled as an athlete and continued his passion for weight lifting.
Upon graduation, Bastrop High School hired Billy Jack to teach and coach where from 1962-1967. Here, he developed the idea of competitive powerlifting as a motivator to include not only football players but also other students who perhaps were underserved by other high school sports.
Following his tenure at Bastrop, Billy Jack continued coaching at Captain Shreve High School from 1967 to 1970. Between 1970 and 1972, he coached at Northwestern State University while pursuing a doctorate.
He went on to join the staff at Cedar Creek High School, where he coached and taught from 1972 to 1974.
Louisiana Tech brought Billy Jack back in 1974, where he became a faculty member in Health and Physical Education. Soon afterward, several students approached him about forming a university powerlifting team. The team competed in its first national collegiate championship in 1976 and, by 1987, won its first National Championship. With a team that evolved from the Dungeon Dogs to the Iron Dogs, Billy Jack would build Louisiana Tech into a national powerlifting powerhouse. At the same time, he led the team to 22 national championships until his retirement in 2001. In 2012, the fitness room in the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center was named the Billy Jack Talton Fitness Room in his honor.
Recognized as the “Father of Powerlifting,” Billy Jack served in many areas within the sport, including National Meet Director, IPF International Official, Official for the Paralympic Games, International Official for the Special Olympics, and a host of powerlifting administrative positions. A ten-time Collegiate Powerlifting Coach of the Year honoree, he was recognized as the founder of Louisiana High School Powerlifting, inducted into the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum Hall of Fame, named an inaugural inductee into the USAPL Louisiana Hall of Fame, honored as the USA Powerlifting Federation 1st Annual Coach of the Year, and inducted into the US Powerlifting Hall of Fame.
A true pioneer beloved by the hundreds upon hundreds of students he mentored and coached through the years, Billy Jack remained in close contact with scores of athletes who soared to incredible heights under his tutelage. Always willing to regale groups, small and large, with stories from his legendary career, his signature intensity, dry wit, and robust laugh remained a gift to those around him. His life pushed limits with a legacy built upon profound strength, tenacity, grit, and the pursuit of excellence.
Billy Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Flanagan Talton; daughter Tanya McGowan White (husband Ricky); son Billy Jack Talton, II (wife Vickie); granddaughter Evangelina Talton, grandson Sean McGowan (wife Katie); grandson Brian McGowan (wife Calyn); grandson Trey Talton; sisters Susan Byrd (husband Larry) and Sharon White (husband Jimmy); nephew John McLemore; nieces Jennifer Cox (husband Ronnie), Patricia Phillips, Carolyn Frances Crouch, Ann Crouch, and Kristen Fairchild; great-granddaughters Sammi McGowan; Juliette McGowan and Caroline McGowan; and the family of Vickie Talton – Bertha Leticia Mejia (mother), Carlos Rameriz, (brother), Vanessa Lopez (sister) and Isauro Vasquez (brother).
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 27, 2025, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. in the Temple Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located at 1515 S. Service Road W in Ruston, Louisiana. Visitation will resume on Saturday, June 28, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the service to follow at 2:00 P.M. Officiating the service will be Dr. Reggie Bridges and Bro. Dale Oden. Following the service, all are welcome to attend the burial at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens on Highway 544 in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
Serving as pallbearers are Bo Harris, Dr. Butch Dunn, Wade Hooper, Taurus Johnson, Gordon Boogarets, Jack Talton, Sean McGowan, and Brian McGowan.
Through the Louisiana Tech Foundation, Memorials honoring Billy Jack Talton will be sent to the Louisiana Tech University Athletics Museum.
Sharon Sue Moore February 20, 1954 – June 18, 2025 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Monday, June 23, 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Service: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Monday, June 23, 2025, 1:00 pm Cemetery: New Chapel Hill Cemetery, Monday, June 23, 2025
Billy Jack Talton March 16, 1940 – June 18, 2025 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Friday, June 27, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: Temple Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Saturday, June 28, 2025, 2:00 pm Cemetery: New Chapel Hill Cemetery, Saturday, June 28, 2025
Trucy Mae Hudson Tuesday 03/06/1928 — Saturday 06/14/2025 Visitation: Friday 06/27/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/28/2025 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 06/28/2025 Following Service, Ebenezer Cemetery, Parish Road 214, Ruston
Ronald Lora Foster April 28, 1948 – June 12, 2025 Graveside service: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 3:00 PM, New Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor
The Louisiana Tech University School of Banking, presented by the College of Business in collaboration with the Louisiana Bankers Association, aims to expand the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders, regulators, and vendors.
Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University Communications
Bankers from across the state participated in the fourth year of the Louisiana Tech University School of Banking, June 2-6, in Ruston. Presented by the College of Business in collaboration with the Louisiana Bankers Association, the weeklong professional development program expands the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders.
The 83 participants engaged in trainings and discussions about AI, regional economic development, and cybersecurity to hone skills that have become increasingly critical to the banking industry.
“The Louisiana Tech School of Banking has fast become a vital resource for the banking industry in Louisiana,” said Rodney “Poncho” Seaford, SVP and director of credit support services for b1BANK and chair of the School’s Advisory Board. “With a focus on professional growth, leadership, and innovation in the banking industry, the School is playing an important role in developing the next generation of bankers in Louisiana.”
Courses taught by Louisiana Tech faculty members, banking executives, consultants, and regulators covered a variety of topics including operations, risk management, liquidity, marketing, sales, and regulations.
“The School provided us with full circle knowledge that focused on every aspect of community banking,” said Adam Palmer, treasury assistant for Caldwell Holding Company. “The in-depth classes taught by banking professionals, along with the networking opportunities available, will no doubt help anyone excel in the ever-changing world of banking.”
The week concluded with a graduation ceremony celebrating 36 bankers who completed their second year of the School of Banking.
2025 School of Banking Graduates
Kaitlin Ainsworth, Caldwell Bank & Trust
Jake Bennett, Caldwell Bank & Trust
Amy Blaylock, Caldwell Holding Company
Whitney Boyd, Bank of St. Francisville
Jack Colvin, b1BANK
Tia Culpepper, Origin Bank
Angelle Bertrand David, b1BANK
Amy Flint, Caldwell Holding Company
Angelice Fried, Bank of St. Francisville
Misty Guidry, Synergy Bank
Danielle Hearne, Louisiana National Bank
Devon Hebert, State Bank & Trust Company
Wesley Lazarus, Progressive Bank
Kim Lee, Community Bank of Louisiana
Jonathan Little, Origin Bank
Elliot Macks, South Louisiana Bank
Kade Madden, Home Federal Bank
Lindsay M. McClaran, Gibsland Bank & Trust
Julie McMillin, Merchants & Farmers Bank
Kylie Middleton, b1BANK
Rusti Morel, Rayne State Bank
Greg Nichols, Barksdale Federal Credit Union
Dillon Patel, Louisiana National Bank
Briar Prewitt, b1BANK
Darryl Pruitt, Bonvenu Bank
Logan Reeder, Home Federal Bank
Trey Roberson, Century Next Bank
Karri Shaver, Century Next Bank
Kendall Shaw, b1BANK
Susan Skapura, Century Next Bank
Jessica Slaughter, Century Next Bank
Justin Stanley, Delta Bank
Neil Thomason, Jonesboro State Bank
Peyton Underwood, Century Next Bank
Katie Vegas, State Bank & Trust Company
Michael Wilkes, Century Next Bank
A cohort of 47 bankers completed their first year of courses and will return in June 2026 for a second year featuring BankExec simulations and case studies complimenting classroom discussions.
2025 School of Banking First-Year Participants
Alyssa Allen, Louisiana Land Bank
Ashley Avery, Louisiana National Bank
Hunter Battles, Century Next Bank
Eric Bedel, Rayne Building & Loan Association
Hailey Begnaud, FM Bank
Ronnie Bennett, Louisiana Land Bank
Briana Borland, Caldwell Bank & Trust
Ashley Butler, Origin Bank
Haley Chavis, Century Next Bank
Kellie Coulter, Century Next Bank
Sonya Crowe, Landmark Bank
Brandy Davis, WSB
Stephen Dowies, Gibsland Bank & Trust
Ashley Evans, Origin Bank
Randy Funes, Century Next Bank
Nicky Gautreau, Bank of Zachary
Chris Harkins, Louisiana National Bank
Jessica Haymon, b1BANK
Rusty Jenkins, Louisiana Land Ban
Landon Joiner, Citizens Progressive Bank
Mikey Jones, American Bank
Andie Lindsey, Caldwell Bank & Trust
Jordan McNeely, Origin Bank
Abbey Melancon, MC Bank and Trust
Adam Napper, Century Next Bank
Sherman Naquin, Synergy Bank
Stephanie Ockman, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust
Keesha Ockmand, Landmark Bank
Megan O’Neal, Gibsland Bank & Trust
Adam Palmer, Caldwell Holding Company
Amanda Parker, Century Next Bank
Rachel Raborn, Century Next Bank
Charlie Reeves, Delta Bank
Stacey Schouest, South Louisiana Bank
Leslie Slaughter, b1BANK
Casey Smith, Landmark Bank
Christie Spillers, WSB
Tim Stephens, Origin Bank
Brittany Theriot, FM Bank
Lindsay Tomlinson, Origin Bank
Marcel Vandenoord, Louisiana Land Bank
Sara Walden, Community Bank of Louisiana
Tammy Walsworth, Century Next Bank
Roger Watkins, b1BANK
Braden Whatley, b1BANK
Heath Williams, First Federal Bank of Louisiana
Johnny T. Williams, Louisiana National Bank
For Kellie Coulter, vice president and operations manager at Century Next Bank, attending the School was an opportunity for both personal and professional growth.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to attend the Louisiana Tech School of Banking,” said Coulter. “It was an incredible experience to learn from industry experts about the challenges we’re facing now and what’s coming in the near future. I appreciated the chance to connect with other bankers, share ideas, and gain new perspectives that will help me grow both personally and professionally. Thank you to the organizers, speakers, and everyone who made this experience so impactful. I’m excited to put what I’ve learned into action.”
Each second-year banker participated in BankExec, an intensive simulation designed to provide an understanding of financial management challenges in banks. Divided into seven banks, teams competed throughout the week and presented their final results prior to graduation. The following team was the 2025 winner:
Integrity One United Bank
Amy Flint, Caldwell Holding Company
Danielle Hearne, Louisiana National Bank
Briar Prewitt, b1BANK
Logan Reeder, Home Federal Bank
Justin Stanley, Delta Bank
Sponsors for the Louisiana Tech School of Banking include b1BANK (presenting), Bonvenu Bank (gold), Origin Bank (gold), Century Next Bank (silver), Caldwell Holding Company (bronze), Gibsland Bank & Trust (bronze), Louisiana Land Bank (bronze), and the Louisiana Bankers Education Council (bronze).
Registration will open in January 2026 for the next cohort of participants. For more information on the School of Banking, visit business.latech.edu/banking.
The city of Grambling’s 2025 Juneteenth celebration came to a close Thursday, highlighted by the annual parade that rolled through the Grambling State University campus and then Main Street, better known as “The Village.”
Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June 19th”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed.
Leading off the parade were Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley and his wife Monica followed by the city’s 2025 Juneteenth Royalty — Little Miss Juneteenth Alaya Nichelle Casson; Junior Miss Juneteenth Evangeline Sha’Marie Rhodes; and Miss Juneteenth Aubrey Champion.
That was followed by a Health Fair held in the Community Room at Grambling City Hall.
Organizations and businesses manning booths at the Health Fair included the Louisiana Family Medical Clinic, Lincoln Nova Vital Recovery, the Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Preparatory School, Louisiana Key Academy, the National Marrow Donor Program, the NAACP, Lincoln Community Health Center and the Bienville Family Clinic/Wellness Center.
Bradley said he was thrilled with the way this year’s more than weeklong Juneteenth celebration went for the city.
“It’s been awesome,” Bradley said. “A lot of our events have been well-attended. The citizens have come out and given us feedback on how much they appreciated everything and how much they enjoyed themselves.
“The Bible Study session (Wednesday) night was awesome. All the events have been great and well attended and I thank (Grambling City Council member) Cathy Giles (Grambling’s Juneteenth Chairperson) and Jeffery Simms (Grambling Chamber of Commerce Director) and many others for putting together such a wonderful celebration.”
(This is part of a series on the 11 projects designed and built by classes in the Louisiana Tech School of Design at MedCamps of Louisiana.)
MedCamps Executive Director Caleb Seney: The Peregrine Treehouse and Zipline marked the introduction of a new activity on new property that was donated for use by MedCamps of Louisiana at Camp Alabama. The activity consists of a fully accessible zipline that is over 500 feet long and in parts nearly 40 feet off the ground. The students designed and built staging area and launch platform where the camper’s ride begins. They also designed a treehouse where each camper’s ride ends. MedCamps and Arch335 partnered with Adventure Experience to design and install the zipline. AE certifies the equipment annually and trains our staff on how to safely use it.
It is almost overwhelming to see a child who might be confined to their wheelchair during all waking hours of their day-to-day life come to the Peregrine, be harnessed in and raised up to the zipline where they too get to fly through the canopy of trees at the north end of the lake. This project takes “fully accessible” to another level to say the least and sets MedCamps’ program apart from almost any other experience a child confined to a wheelchair can have. I love watching the fear that confronts our campers as their turn approaches be replaced by the same resilience and determination that they live their daily life with and blossom into courage as they rise up to the platform are transferred over to the zipline and fly away with squeals of joy and exhilaration. Essentially that is what MedCamps is all about. We take the impossible, make it possible, challenge our campers to confront their fear and foster grit and resilience in their lives all with the reward of unbridled joy!
Tech Professor Brad Deal: This project began as a simple treehouse idea until Caleb challenged us to access it via zip line. We immediately said, “Absolutely not!” But some research led us to Adventure Experiences, a zip line outfit in Trinity, Texas, whose owner grew up in Farmerville and had a daughter with special needs. From our first call, he was excited and committed to helping us make it happen. This was also An Le’s introduction to Design Build; she later returned as a co-instructor in the 2024 studio. This project was hard to top. Each one that followed struggled to compete with the thrill of sending otherwise wheelchair bound campers sailing through the treetops.
Program Summary:Special needs-oriented zip line launch and landing structures including a “tree house” and climbing tower.
Program Statement:This 712-foot zip line and support structures at a camp for children with special needs encourages participants to embrace the thrilling experience of flight. At the “launch”, dramatic steel walls gesture skyward, visually obscuring and revealing the zip-line. The varied deck facilitates safe loading, and a pivoting swing-arm allows wheelchair bound campers to be hoisted up, swiveled into position, and transferred onto the zip line. Riders unload at the “tree house” which extends horizontally as the land falls away. Campers then find themselves on an elevated perch overlooking a stream where they can observe a multitude of flora and fauna. A floor hatch provides access to the ground below, reinforcing the feeling of “tree house”. A 50’ tall steel tower signifies flight and offers an accessible ropes course challenge. The brave are rewarded with a dramatic view of the horizon from the treetops. The project is inspired by a parable in which two peregrine falcons are gifted to a king who admired the birds for their speed, power and grace. One of the falcons, however, simply would not fly. After many unsuccessful attempts by experts to remedy this, the king was visited by a peasant who claimed she could get the falcon to fly. Upon seeing the second falcon high in the air, the king implored “How?!” “Simply by cutting the branch the bird was resting on. Some souls,” she said, “need to be reminded they have wings.”
Project Team:
Professors: Robert Brooks, Brad Deal
Students: Amanda Abadie, Anthony Ardoin, Ethan Carlisle, Devin Cashio, Khaki Coggins, Rachel Cowell, Jane Emory, Madison Hackworth, Jordy Head, Jacob Hunter, Will Johnson, Jennifer Jones, An Le, Christian McVay, Laura Miller, Wesley Mitchell, Marisa Noonan, Chris Perry, Rashon Porter, Brie Ramsey, Randi Roberts, Casey Rogers, Raquel Ross, Sarah Sparks, Cameren Trowbridge, David Verzyvelt, Logan Vickery, Nick Winters
Recognition: 2018 AIA Louisiana Member’s Choice Award
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MedCamps programs are completely free of charge to all campers with special needs. If you would like to support future projects at MedCamps, events, sponsor a campers attendance financially or volunteer please visit www.medcamps.org or email info@medcamps.org for more information.
(This is part of a series on the 11 projects designed and built by classes in the Louisiana Tech School of Design at MedCamps of Louisiana.)
MedCamps Executive Director Caleb Seney: In 2019 the students of Arch335 redisigned and resurrected the old concession stand at Camp Alabama. Originally built in the 1950’s, Stroud Store had served as a place where campers attending Presbyterian Youth Camps at Camp Alabama could get a cold drink and a candy bar. By 2019 the building was falling in on itself and used for little more than storage. Sitting at what was then the main entrance into camp, the store was an eye sore to everyone who drove by. As part of the design, the students built a bell tower to house a bell that was originally cast in 1858 and hung in Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Ruston before it was eventually demolished.
Today Stroud Store has been revived and is a place where campers can get a cold drink, snow cone, ice cream treat and snack during camp. The old bell hangs in a beautiful bell tower out over the water and serves as a wake up call in the mornings, a call to assembly at Gibbs Pavilion prior to each meal, and a celebration of birthdays at camp. What was once old and unused has found new life in the Stroud Store and Bell Tower.
Tech Professor Brad Deal: This was the last of the 10 week Studios, our first renovation project, our first use of masonry, and our muddiest experience to date with that bell tower. On the night we installed the roof, one of our favorite students, Bill, was working on the tower foundation and sank to his hips in the mud. It took two hours and three mud soaked classmates to pull him out; we nearly called the fire department. Everyone who was there remembers that night and always tells the story with a smile.
Program Summary:The renovation of an existing summer camp building, including the design of a pier and bell tower, new camp signage and secondary entry gate.
Program Statement:A humble block building, built in the early 1950’s, served as a concession store for a children’s summer camp for nearly three decades. As the camp’s priorities evolved, and the store was no longer needed, the building assumed various roles since the mid-eighties. Time had taken its toll on the roof structure, but the foundation and walls were still strong, and willing. In 2018 camp leadership revived the idea of the camp store as a desired camp experience, and a central node around which the campers would pass. The new store would serve as camp concession offering refreshments during the week and as a camp gift store on the weekends. Additionally, a 36” solid bronze bell, cast in 1885, which once hung in one of the town’s first churches, was donated to camp. A new bell tower would serve as the morning greeting, and the call for campers to gather for meals. The roof was removed from the existing structure, and all salvageable material was reclaimed and re-used on the interior. Custom trusses were fabricated from discarded steel from the local gas industry. Fixed shelving and a movable partition/merchandise display were fabricated from new and reclaimed material. A 30’ tall bell tower was fabricated from the same repurposed steel, and placed near the center of a small pond, where it stands visible from most locations at the camp. Custom lighting allows the bell tower to serve as a beacon through the night, reassuring campers that all is well and good.
Project Team:
Professors: Robert Brooks, Brad Deal
Students: Cody Snellenberger, Nate Ackerman, Logan Blandino, Kade Brandon, Monica Buller, Wes Cagle, Zoe Collum, Ja’kyrin Conner, Jenna Daneshfar, Leslie Davis, Mehi Diallo, Corey Evans, Justin Franklin, Shelby Gifford, Jack Gustovson, Janie Issac, Courtney Kemp, Judy La, Jakob Mier, Sommer Page, Austin Parker, Nick Paventy, Traci Reyez, Trinity Smith, Tyler Thomas, Abbie White, Adrianna Wilbert
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MedCamps programs are completely free of charge to all campers with special needs. If you would like to support future projects at MedCamps, events, sponsor a campers attendance financially or volunteer please visit www.medcamps.org or email info@medcamps.org for more information.
(This is part of a series on the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted in Natchitoches on June 28th.)
By JAKE MARTIN
Written for the LSWA
Don’t ask Andrew Whitworth to catalogue binge-worthy Netflix series.
Chances are he hasn’t seen it. In order to contribute to the conversation, one would have to actually sit down to, you know, watch. And if you know anything about this year’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, well, that ain’t happening.
“No, I don’t binge shows,” Whitworth said. “I love to be active. Right now, I just walked seven or eight miles hitting golf balls. I’m always outside. That’s my version of a great day. I wake up, get my coffee, hike a mountain, hit 6,000 golf balls and then go hang out at the beach with my kids. I don’t like to sit down.”
Makes sense when you think about it. Longevity in the NFL doesn’t accompany an All-Pro career by happenstance. Laziness isn’t exactly a common trait for 16-year NFL veterans either.
The former West Monroe High School and LSU standout, who helped teams at all three levels win championships, headlines the LSHOF’s Class of 2025 being enshrined June 26-28 in Natchitoches. Event information is at LaSportsHall.com.
The never-idle Whitworth actively participated in sports growing up, like tennis, basketball, baseball, golf and powerlifting. Heck, he even threw the shot put in track and field. But each had its importance. Every sport taught the future Los Angeles Ram something that indirectly contributed to retiring as the oldest offensive lineman to win a Super Bowl. In some ways, Whitworth’s activity was his greatest gift.
“Play multiple sports,” said Whitworth with passion. “I grew to be 6’7” 330 pounds. I was going to be able to push people around with my God-given ability. But playing tennis and baseball and track and all those other things taught me a skill. Basketball, for example, helped me with my pass protection. What does playing defense look like in basketball? It’s like trying to slide protect. If you want to be a great blocker, you have to keep the defender between yourself and the quarterback. That’s just like in basketball, using your body to stay between them and the goal. A lot of things carry over.”
For a man who prides himself on being mobile, the irony isn’t lost on Whitworth that his most viral moment involved him sitting on the floor of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. His career peaked with the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory against (of all teams, the one he spent his first 11 NFL seasons with) the Cincinnati Bengals just days removed from Whitworth being named the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Talk about a whirlwind. Amongst all the confetti on the turf, the West Monroe native sat with his family and told his children that it was “Daddy’s last ballgame.”
“It will forever be special,” Whitworth said. “You’ll meet somebody, and you can tell they’re trying to explain to their wife who you are. Then they’ll say you probably saw him on the ground with his family at the Super Bowl. And that’s immediately when they recognize me. I don’t ever sit down and take a breath, and that was the moment for me to do it with my kids. It was one of the calmest moments of my career. I knew it was over.”
Perhaps the saddest person to see Whitworth go was his head coach Sean McVay, who didn’t mince words when it came to Whitworth’s importance to the franchise.
It was a master stroke to acquire a left tackle who finished his career with 250 NFL starts, meaning McVay was protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside with an experienced All-Pro, sure. But it also provided leadership for a first-year head coach on the job.
“When we lost him, I thought I appreciated how valuable he was in terms of his leadership and giving me the ability to hear what I needed to hear and not what I wanted to,” McVay said. “I thought I valued it a whole lot, but since he retired, I realized what a unique human being he is. You can’t say enough good things about him. I can’t describe what he means to me. I think he has to go down as one of the greatest free agent signings of all time.”
A storybook ending for a career that featured multiple first-team All-Pro accolades (2015, 2017) and four Pro Bowl selections is quite the contrast to Whitworth’s rocky start. Put it this way — no confetti fell during Whitworth’s first live rep of middle school football at Ouachita Christian School. Not when he stood opposite of the coach’s daughter, Molly Harper, during his first practice. What happened next would be told time and again over the next three decades.
“I get in line and realize I’m going against a person with really long hair, and I’m like, ‘This is the ‘90s… There aren’t too many boys with long hair.’ Other players are like, ‘Hey dude, you better lock in,’” Whitworth remembered. “I’m thinking I don’t know how hard I want to hit her because she’s a girl, and she pancaked me and knocked me down.
“I remember thinking, ‘Maybe football isn’t for me,’ because I was a basketball kid at the time. I love to tell that story because if you have a totem pole of where you career is, near the bottom has to be what people think of when the coach’s daughter trucks you. But it’s not about that. I didn’t quit. I made a commitment to finish something, and I ended up falling in love with it.”
Redemption followed. Whitworth quickly ascended to one of the top prep players in Louisiana with the West Monroe Rebels and played a part in two national championship teams in 1998 and 2000, arguably the peak of that prestigious football program.
At West Monroe, Whitworth played for the legendary Don Shows, the 2011 LSHOF inductee who holds the fifth most wins in LHSAA football history. Whitworth transitioned from tight end to tackle his senior year and ultimately chose to play football for Nick Saban at LSU, despite admiring Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators growing up.
Saban was honest about Whitworth projecting better as an offensive tackle, and Whitworth appreciated Saban’s candor. Wholeheartedly, Whitworth believed Shows made him tough, while Saban brought out the best in him.
“Don lived hanging off of my facemask, chewing me to pieces,” Whitworth said. “Don would take me down to get his point across. He wanted to take down our best player and fire the other guys up. It was manipulation a little bit. He was like Vince McMahon. He was a showman.
“Nick was all about having a sense of urgency to be great. Here’s the playbook, what all has to happen and what it looks like to chase greatness. Can you keep up? I loved that challenge of matching his urgency every day to be great.”
Whitworth played for legends in high school and in college and ultimately played for a Super Bowl winning coach in McVay.
“He’s the closest thing I saw to Nick Saban,” Whitworth said.
It’s quite the compliment for McVay, who isn’t afraid to give Whitworth immense credit for changing the culture of the Rams organization. McVay astutely pointed out the Rams had 10 straight losing seasons before Whitworth joined in 2017. The Rams went 55-26 with five straight winning seasons, four playoff runs and two Super Bowl appearances with Whitworth at left tackle.
“I just finished up my eighth year, and I can’t imagine what that would have looked like without him to help me as a first-year head coach,” McVay said. “That was a big edge for us.”
Before Whitworth completed the trifecta of winning a ring at every level, he was a valued member of an LSU football team that broke through and won the 2003 national championship.
“We were freaking rock stars,” Whitworth said. “Every single day, going back-and-forth to practice, we felt like we were a part of Guns N’ Roses or Aerosmith. Fans were outside our hotel. They were shaking and hitting the busses. Playing in New Orleans for the national championship when it’s been almost 50 years since you won it, that’s hard to replicate. Yeah, they’ve had talented teams since, but what that one meant, it was really special.”
Changing the culture is what Whitworth’s career is all about. He was front and center of Saban ushering in the golden era of LSU football. And you could argue he did the same for Cincinnati, as the Bengals morphed into a consistent winner from 2006-16 after posting just two winning seasons in the previous 17 years.
The numbers and accolades speak loudly, but his leadership inside the locker room reveals even more about the man whose Big Whit 77 Foundation donated $250,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the pandemic.
Former Cincinnati offensive lineman Clint Boling, who was drafted in 2011 during the NFL lockout, had no communication with the Bengals for three to four months due to the work stoppage. A week after being drafted, Whitworth reached out to Boling, invited him to a charity golf tourney in the offseason and paid for his flight and hotel room to stay and bond with all the offensive linemen that came. Later on, Whitworth organized voluntary workouts, and once more flew Boling out to practice at the University of Cincinnati with other Bengal players. Boling never forgot it.
“One of the best ways to describe his leadership is to describe the void when he left in 2016,” Boling said. “There weren’t very many guys who could take on that leadership role because he was such a big presence with the way he would lead our group.”
Football remains a focal point of Whitworth’s life, even though it’s in a different capacity. His work now consists of breaking down the game in front of a camera, rather than taking on many hall of fame pass rushers he’s faced through the decades.
Evolution was a big part of Whitworth’s game, as he slimmed down and embraced flexibility exercises to counter the speedy pass rushers that flooded the league in the latter stages of his career. And here he is parlaying retirement to evolve once more.
Surprisingly, Whitworth admitted this new venture is a little more nerve-wracking too. Some might think he’s making a fashion statement with the hoodie under his suit on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football telecast, but it actually has little to do with that.
“When you get feedback from people who say they love seeing you on T.V., it makes you feel good because you just don’t know,” Whitworth said. “I’m not super confident in it. That’s why I wear my hoodie. It makes me feel comfortable to be myself. I’m just trying to be me.”
Traveling from one NFL city to the next as part of a broadcast crew is a fitting “retirement” for the Louisiana legend. Nope, you won’t catch Whitworth slowing down any time soon. For a man who is seemingly always on the move, it’s a lifestyle well earned.
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Jake Martin, a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame selection committee, is a multiple-time LSWA award-winning writer as the sports editor of the Ouachita Citizen.
Grambling State University was closed Thursday in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday, but that didn’t stop some of the institution’s employees and students from showing up on campus before 7:30 a.m.
More than 50 students and employees celebrated the holiday by participating in a 5K Run/1-mile walk throughout campus that began and ended in front of T.H. Harris Auditorium.
Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June 19th”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed.
GSU President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. joined in on the run, which was won by Katrell Askins, a GSU honor student from Hillside, Illinois.
Askins completed his 5K run with a time of 22:03, nearly two minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.
A Texas woman facing charges in several jurisdictions for prescription fraud finds herself in similar trouble in Lincoln Parish.
Louisiana State Police investigators have obtained numerous warrants for Armesha S. Jackson, 42, of Mesquite, Texas alleging she obtained narcotics with fake prescriptions in Lincoln Parish.
The state police investigation involved fraudulent prescriptions and human trafficking in Caddo, Ouachita and Lincoln parishes. Jackson is reportedly wanted on similar charges in Texas.
Jackson’s Lincoln Parish charges include:
–one count of human trafficking
–one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking
–12 counts conspiracy to obtain a legend drug by fraud
–12 counts of obtaining a legend drug by fraud
–4 counts of conspiracy to obtain a controlled substance by fraud
–4 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud
All the charges are felonies.
Jackson was transferred from the Ouachita Correctional Center to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. on June 16.
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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A motorist stopped for following too close on Interstate 20 was arrested by Louisiana State Police last week.
Bennie Eugene Banks, 26, of Grand Prairie, was arrested by state troopers on June 10 for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance.
Banks was stopped on I-20 eastbound near milepost 98 after he was seen following a SUV at an unsafe distance. Troopers smelled marijuana coming from Banks’s vehicle and from his body.
A 9mm pistol was found in the glove box and a marijuana cigarette in the center console. When Banks was searched, a bag of about 26 grams of marijuana was found in his pants.
Banks said he had no knowledge of the gun found in the rental car. He was 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.
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.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I had finished my sophomore year of high school, we had won the state baseball championship, and I had signed up to play in the high school summer league in Minden.
I had just come home from working my summer job, and there was a knock on the door. It was the American Legion baseball coach. He asked me why I hadn’t been to tryouts the night before.
Back then, American Legion Baseball was the top-level baseball for high school and some college freshman. There was no “travel ball” back then. American Legion teams were usually formed from five or six high schools coming together, having tryouts, and forming a very high-level team.
I had planned on trying out my junior year but had never considered it as a sophomore. I had a decent season playing second base for Minden High, but this would be something way different. The coach told me that if I was interested, I would be his second baseman.
While I was flattered, I knew I would be overmatched some nights. I would be facing the best of the best, and I didn’t know if I was ready.
I turned him down that night and played in the city high school league. My team won the city championship, and I was given an MVP trophy. However, I was in the wrong league. I missed a great opportunity that I have regretted ever since.
I will always wonder “what if”! What might have happened if I had played American Legion ball that summer and gotten that experience and exposure?
That choice was the first in a series of decisions that I made over the next few years that I have regretted ever since. I sought comfort over uncertainty, safety (success) over unknown (failure), and predictability over possibility. I didn’t think ahead. I was too caught up in my present comfort.
Have you ever been there? Do you find yourself avoiding opportunities based on fear? That fear could be based on any number of things including:
Fear of failure – The possibility of failure overrides any desire to experience success
Fear of uncertainty – You will remain in a predictable bad rather than seek a possible good
Fear of rejection – Your fear of what others may say or think overrides your personal desires
Fear of losing control – You like comfort, assurance, and control and avoid anything that involves you giving those up
I made a commitment several years ago to never let fear cause any more regrets. There would be no more “I wish I had” moments in my life.
2nd Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.”
What is it for you? What area of your life are you allowing fear to impact your decisions? What regrets are you creating due to fear?
Let’s face those fears and start creating a life pursuing opportunities and avoiding regrets!
Seek wise counsel on key decisions to ensure you don’t allow fear to control you
Start your day early doing something uncomfortable to set the tone for the day
Redefine success – Success is not always an outcome but is often an input (an experience not an achievement)
Don’t base your decision on what you see on social media or any comparison
Remember any noteworthy experience will likely have an element outside your control
No more regrets for me! How about you?
Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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Edi was pregnant with her first child. Her pregnancy was considered normal until she started experiencing severe pains in her abdomen. She feared for her unborn child. Her husband rushed her to the hospital, and doctors diagnosed her with appendicitis. As part of her treatment, they put ice on her stomach. The doctors feared the treatment was unsuccessful and advised Edi to abort the child. They explained that abortion would be the best solution because they knew the child would be born with some kind of disability. You see, the doctors had misdiagnosed Edi and feared their odd treatment had jeopardized the fetus. Despite the dangers to herself and her child, and despite the possibility of the child being born with a disability, Edi refused the doctors’ advice. She was determined to have her baby.
On September 22, 1958, Edi gave birth to a son. As the doctors predicted, the child was born with a disability, congenital glaucoma. Edi’s son was born with damaged optic nerves which were responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. The boy was only partially blind. The extremely short-sighted boy could see everything but only from up close. By the time the boy was three-and-a-half years old, he had undergone 13 operations to try to improve his eyesight, but none of them worked. When he was seven, his parents sent him to a boarding school for visually impaired children because no local school would allow him to enroll. His family visited him at the boarding school once a month, and the boy returned home for holidays. Then, an incident happened which Edi’s son said was the worst moment of his life. The boy was playing the position of goalkeeper in a game of football — you and I would call this soccer — at the school for the visually impaired. It was Edi’s son’s first time as a goalie, and it would be his last. One of the players kicked the ball and it struck Edi’s son directly in the face. The force of the strike caused a hemorrhage and darkness fell over the boy forever.
Edi’s son may have lacked sight, but his hearing was perfect. At the young age of six, the boy began taking piano lessons. His interest in music led him to learn to play the drums, flute, guitar, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. Following high school, Edi’s son went to college where he studied law. He supported himself through college by playing in piano bars. Once he earned his law degree, he worked as a court-appointed attorney. Edi’s son could have continued his occupation as an attorney and his story of achievement would certainly have been impressive, but, to our benefit, another career came calling.
Had Edi taken the advice of her doctors, we would never have heard a voice which has been on 15 solo studio albums, three greatest hits albums, nine complete operas, and has sold more the 75 million records worldwide… so far. Celine Dion once said, “If God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like…Andrea Bocelli.”
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