The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that Edgewood St. between E. California and Eastland Ave. will be closed to through traffic Wednesday, July 30, 2025, beginning 1pm until further notice.
This closure is necessary to allow for utility repairs.
The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists.
We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703.
By T. Scott Boatright
Navigating across Lincoln Parish roadways can sometimes be tough enough to drive you crazy.
But at least one new state law that will kick in next week will hopefully ease that pain for some of us.
I can’t tell you how often I get caught in a line of 10 or even more vehicles stuck behind a left lane driving on 20 refusing to even drive the 70 miles per hour speed limit, even when there are that many vehicles trapped behind them.
And it often seems more about attitude. When did discourteous driving become so common, as if it’s a legal right?
As the month of August begins, it won’t be, as specially stated by law.
Starting Friday, thanks to SB11, which was authored by Sen. Jay Luneau, cars traveling in the left lane of Interstate 20 will be illegal, and (hopefully) enforced by an escalating fine.
I truly believed that such a law already existed. There are signs all along the interstate telling vehicles to stay to the right unless passing another. There have been many times I’ve been stuck in the middle of a left lane quagmire as all the vehicles pass a law enforcement vehicle parking along I-20.
And each time I thought to myself, sometimes out loud, “Why doesn’t the driver caught causing the backup get pulled over and given a ticket?”
But, as I’ve only recently learned, I didn’t fully understand the original law.
In Louisiana, rules regarding lane usage were initially adopted into state law in 1962.
Then what really had me scratching my head while being stuck behind a slow driver, the current (until Aug. 1) iteration of the law specifically addressing driving too slowly in the left-hand lane has been in place since 2009.
The new, stricter law targeting slow left-lane drivers goes into effect on Aug. 1.
That updated law removes the previous exemption enacted in the 2009 iteration of the law that allowed drivers to linger in the left lane if they are going 10 mph or more under the speed limit.
Under the new law, drivers must stay out of the left lane unless they are passing another vehicle.
Period. No excuses or exemptions. Or that’s the way the new law is written, anyway.
The new law also imposes increased fines for violations, starting at $150 for a first offense and escalating to $350 and potential jail time for a third offense within a year.
It’ll be interesting to see how many tickets will be handed out after that change, but I am hopeful its enactment will make for a more courteous driving experience.
Speaking of driving courtesy, what happened to moving over to the right lane when passing an onramp to allow vehicles to merge into the right lane of the interstate?
That’s a rare occurrence these days. Numerous times over the past month as I’ve try to merge onto I-20 eastbound coming out of Grambling, I’ve had drivers refuse to move left or speed up, even when they’ve had all kinds of room to do so, and sometimes they’ve even tapped their brakes to slow down in what very much seemed to be an attempt to force me to drive on the shoulder of the road before being able to merge into traffic.
A lot of times I see officers posted along onramps trying to catch speeders passing under the Tarbutton Overpass. And I often wish they had partners with them looking for those drivers refusing to allow others to comfortably merge onto the interstate when they had all kinds of room and time to temporarily move left and allow the merging process.
Another new law coming into effect on Aug. 1 is another that only makes simple sense is Act 124 stemming from HB 25 that will stipulate that drivers that are involved in a wreck and leave the scene, especially if someone gets hurt or even worse, you could go to jail for up to 10 years or pay up to $5,000. Or both.
I didn’t realize, but that’s not an official law until Aug. 1.
It’s not just the right thing to stay, it’s about to be the law..
The final new law will make traveling east along I-20 early in the morning or west along the interstate in the late afternoon a little more comfortable from those with tinted windshields.
That new law will change Louisiana’s front window tint limit from 45% visibility to 25%. That means more dark tint up front will be allowed and that Louisiana will as of Aug. 1 not be one of the most restrictive states in terms of window tint regulations.
And while we’re talking about driving courtesy and frustrations, I’m all about progress, but when the price of that progress makes for dangerous driving, it can get pretty annoying to say the least.
People traversing the Tarbutton Overpass know what I’m talking about. Between work trucks parked on sides of the road and on top of the islands driving the overpass lanes, along with the huge coil of cable tubing that has been sitting on that westbound stop sign island for weeks now, trying to drive from Woodard Avenue and merge onto I-20 westbound can be downright dangerous these days.
Fortunately, most drivers traversing the overpass slow down because of all of the construction. But more than once in recent weeks I’ve had to quickly react to vehicles flying down Tarbutton that couldn’t be seen until “the last minute” because of all the parked trucks and equipment.
Sometimes there are workers with slow/stop signs that prevent that, but often there aren’t, making trying to get to the westbound experience a nerve-wracking experience to say the least.
Unfortunately, by far the quickest way home for me is to go back across the Tech Drive/Cooktown overpass. And again that can become a line of sight issue.
Taking the I-20 offramp to get to that pass, you come to a stop sign to turn either left or right. According to the white lines on that offramp, it’s supposed to be only one lane. But many a time as I have gotten to the stop sign and try to turn left, vehicles behind me drive on the shoulder of the offramp to pass my and try to turn right, impeding my (and other driver’s) line of sight at oncoming traffic moving from south to north across the overpass.
It can get frustrating, to say the least.
And the thing is, it simply seems with a little common sense combined with courtesy, it should all be easier, and safer, for all of us.
Hopefully it will become that way starting Friday, when the new laws go into effect as the calendar rolls over to August.
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
There’s good reason for Louisiana Tech football fans to be optimistic that 2025 will be the season that turns the Bulldogs’ fortunes in the right direction, as Sonny Cumbie’s fourth Tech team kicks off preseason practice today.
While the 2024 Bulldogs didn’t initially earn a bowl invitation with just five wins, after Marshall backed out of playing in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl last December, Tech got the call. That experience, and the sting of five losses by a touchdown or less, give cause to Cumbie and crew feeling confident that this fall will be a breakthrough snapping a skid of four straight losing seasons, going 11-26 in the last three with Cumbie on the sideline.
A key component is the December addition of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, whose Bulldog offense led the country in scoring (51 points per game) and total offense (578 yards pg) in his last year as OC back in 2012. Franklin has sophomore quarterback Evan Bullock back to steer things, and explosive players like running back Omiri Wiggins, tight end Eli Finley and receiver Jay Wilkerson.
Another cornerstone: the Tech defense, the strength of last year’s team, ranking 12th nationally and leading Conference USA by allowing just 308 yards and 21 points per game. Senior linebacker Kolbe Fields is the Preseason CUSA Defensive Player of the Year and has talented safeties Jacob Fields and Blake Thompson behind him.
The Bulldogs have a new defensive coordinator, Luke Olson, but he knows the territory. Last fall he was the DC at CUSA co-champion Jacksonville State.
Tech kicks off Aug. 30 on Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium against Southeastern Louisiana, then visits LSU in Week 2 and kicks off the CUSA slate Sept. 13 at home against New Mexico State.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
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.
Thursday, July 31
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
4 p.m.: End of summer prize party for teens (Lincoln Parish Library Community Room)
6 p.m.: Yoga at Lincoln Parish Library Community Room
7 p.m.: Community performance by Southern A’Chord (fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston)
Friday, August 1
10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Lincoln Parish Health Hub/HELP Agency (316 Mills Ave., Ruston)
Saturday, August 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
3 p.m.: Colorful reflections journaling (Lincoln Parish Library Events Room)
Monday, August 4
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall)
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, August 5
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
6 p.m.: Fitness class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Wednesday, August 6
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
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)
Thursday, August 7
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
5-6 p.m.: Free meal hosted by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry (Ruston Housing Authority Maryland Plaza Community Room, 615 Farmerville St.) All welcome
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
Saturday, August 9
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m.: Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Community Room)
12:30-4 p.m.: GSU Tiger Con (GSU Campus)
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Shreveport native Sam Burns is taking a break from the PGA Tour this week, hoping it’s the pause that refreshes.
He’ll be back in action next week as the FedEx Cup playoffs begin in Memphis with the FedEx St. Jude Championship, followed a week later by the BMW Championship near Baltimore, and culminating with the top 30 pros in the points standings teeing it up at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
While high finishes are always the goal, they have added value this time of year. The race to make the 12-man USA Ryder Cup team is coming down to the wire and Burns needs to finish with a flourish to earn one of the six at-large slots that captain Keegan Bradley will choose.
Burns is 15th on the Ryder Cup points list. He stands 22nd in the FedEx Cup points tally and is 23rd in the Official World Golf Rankings.
He hasn’t dipped despite mediocre finishes in his last three outings: 47th in the Genesis Scottish Open, 45th at the British Open two weeks ago, and 61st last week at the 3M Open in Minnesota. That last finish, not on a links-style track and coming where he was 12th last season, might dampen Burns’ bid unless he can approach what he did last year in the PGA playoffs.
After a fifth place in Memphis in 2024, he was runner-up at the BMW, and 12th at the Tour Championship. That helped him earn a spot in his third straight international competition, the Presidents Cup. He is bidding for a second Ryder Cup team berth.
Bradley is 10th in the Ryder Cup standings and is expected to be a playing captain. General speculation is that there are perhaps a dozen pros contending for 2-3 at large Ryder Cup roster spots to fill out the USA card.
In the mix: No. 11 Maverick McNealy, No. 12 Brian Harman, Andrew Novak at 13th, No. 14 Patrick Cantlay, and Burns at 15. Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger, Cameron Young and the red-hot Chris Gotterup, a New Jersey native, are next in the standings to make the American team playing on home turf at Bethpage Black on Long Island Sept. 26-28.
The standings do not dictate the captain’s choices. Burns’ putting, although he’s slipped from No 1 to No. 3 in total putting on the Tour standings, is as good as it gets in the game, making him a valuable team member in the various Ryder Cup formats.
He is sixth on Tour with 12 consecutive cuts made, showing his consistency, another virtue.
Undoubtedly, the Calvary Baptist and LSU product is honing his game at home on Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, preparing for the trip to Memphis and what he plans to be a season-ending surge.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Funeral services for Verlon Gene Rowe, age 91 of Jonesboro, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 1, 2025 at Hodge Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Dark and Rev. Wayne Morrow officiating. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Verlon was born May 30, 1934 in Jonesboro, LA to Hansel Webster and Katie Mae Morrow Rowe and passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025 in Monroe, LA. Verlon graduated from Jonesboro High School and attended Louisiana Tech University for four years. With a strong work ethic, learned from his parents, Verlon began working as a teenager delivering milk to homes before each school day. He would begin his day at 3:00 AM, he worked until the milk truck would drop him off at school at 8:00 AM to begin his studies. Throughout his teens, Verlon also worked at the local pharmacy and movie theater, where he ate all the popcorn he wanted.
Verlon was drafted into the US Army in 1954 and served 16 months active duty in Korea. He received an honorable discharge in 1955. His adult career in the paper industry began in Hodge, LA at Continental Can Company, but in 1962 he joined Georgia Pacific, in Crossett, AR, where he served as Bag Plant and Industrial Relations Manager until he was transferred in 1979 to Richmond, VA where he served as Bag Plant Manager for the East Coast Division. Following his retirement from Georgia Pacific, Verlon returned to his hometown of Jonesboro, LA and joined Stone Container, serving as Production Manager of the Bag Converting Operations for their Southeast and West Coast Division before retiring in 1996. Shortly after, Verlon joined the sales division of Flint Ink before “officially” retiring in 2003 to relax and enjoy life on his terms.
Verlon was an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting and fishing. Duck hunting was his first love and he enjoyed doing that with his life-long friends in Arkansas. A life long member of the Bluff Trail Deer Camp in southern Arkansas, Verlon spent as much time that was humanly possible duck and deer hunting. When he was not hunting, you could find him on the lake fishing for crappie and bream.
Verlon was a member of Hodge Baptist Church, joining in 2001, where he served on various committees. He loved his church and church family and dedicated much of his time assisting church members where needed.
Verlon was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Vickie Fox; brothers: Donald Rowe, Jerry Rowe, and Tommy Rowe; and son-in-law’s: Ronnie Gibson and Steven Fox. He is survived by his son, Terry Rowe of Lafayette, LA; daughter, Dana Gibson of Calhoun, LA; brother, Harvey “Joe” Rowe of Jonesboro, LA; sister, Diane and husband Pete Gunn of Quitman, LA; sister-in-law’s; Sue Rowe and Regina Rowe, and long-time friend and companion, Beverly Slocom. Verlon loved his family and was a proud Pawpaw of his grandchildren: Jason Goodwin, Miranda Ricks, Jessica Ables, Hannah Gibson, Josef Rowe, and Thomas Rowe; and great-grandchildren: Bryce Goodwin, Kayden Goodwin, Luke Ables, Hudson Ables, and Olivia Ricks. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews that he loved and enjoyed spending time with.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Goodwin, Adrian Ables, Creig Dark, Andy Barker, Marty Weeks, and Jamie Ford. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Pipes and Members of Bluff Trail Deer Camp.
Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time Friday at Hodge Baptist Church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit: www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Flowers are welcome or if preferred, memorial donations can be made to the Louisiana Hunters for Heros Association. Information can be found at: lahuntersforheros.com
Annie Lou Dubose Gibson
Sunday 04/15/1928 — Thursday 07/24/2025
Visitation: Friday 08/01/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/02/2025 1:00pm, St. Rest Baptist Church, 209 Walker Road, Choudrant
Interment: Saturday 08/02/2025 Following Service, St. Rest Cemetery, Choudrant
Sadie B Currie
07/10/1942 — 07/25/2025
Visitation: Friday 08/01/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Saturday 08/02/2025 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Interment: Saturday 08/02/2025 Following Service, St. Luke Baptist Church, 163 St. Luke Church Road, Arcadia
Verlon Gene Rowe
May 30, 1934 – July 27, 2025
Visitation: Friday, August 01, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Hodge Baptist Church, 1100 S. Holly, Hodge
Funeral Service: Friday, August 01, 2025, 10:00 AM, Hodge Baptist Church, 1100 S. Holly, Hodge
Jimmy Wayne Taunton
March 15, 1963 – July 20, 2025
Arrangements pending
by Malcolm Butler
Making history.
That’s what the Ruston Dixie Angels (10u) softball team did Tuesday when Madalyn Kelpe struck out the final batter of the game to preserve a 6-4 win over Team North Carolina in the Dixie World Series (Angels Division) title game.
The win avenged an earlier 13-6 loss on Saturday against Team North Carolina and gave a Ruston team its first ever world series title according to local officials.
“It was really cool, and not expected,” said Coach Bradley Walker. “But we pulled it out. We hit the ball all weekend.
“We lost to (Team North Carolina) earlier in the tournament. We didn’t really play bad in the game, but we had one inning where we just kind of threw it around. But yeah, lost to them Saturday which put us in the losers bracket, but then we won five in a row.”
After falling into the losers bracket following Saturday’s opening game, the Ruston Angels came back to defeat Team Louisiana (Oakdale, La.) 12-8 and Grant (La.) 15-4 on Sunday. The Angels then continued their scoring onslaught by defeating Team Alabama 25-3 and Team Florida 17-6 on Monday to advance to Tuesday’s title game.
The championship clash saw the Ruston Angels take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Destin Bell, scoring Collins Garriga.
After setting Team North Carolina down without a run in the bottom of the first and second innings, the Ruston Angels erupted for five runs in the top of the third inning. Collins Garriga drew a bases loaded walk to make it 2-0 followed by a two-run single to right field by Sophia Lopez to double the lead.
A fielding error by Team North Carolina allowed Collins Garriga to score and then Lopez crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Bell.
“We got up 6-0 and then they started to come back in the third and fourth (innings),” said Walker. “It was nice to get those runs to start off. They didn’t start their stud pitcher, but we scored one off their other pitcher. They then brought in their best pitcher and that’s who we scored the five runs against. We really did a good job all (tournament) of hitting the ball and scoring runs.”
Team North Carolina didn’t go down quietly, answering with three runs in the bottom of the third and one more in the bottom of the fourth to close the deficit to 6-4.
However, Kelpe retired Team North Carolina in order in the fifth, including her eighth and ninth strikeouts of the game, to seal the win.
“(Kelpe) has been our strongest pitcher all summer,” said Walker. “She had five innings left to pitch. She got into a few jams but left her out there and she kept battling. She got out of them each and every time. Then we put her back out their in the fifth with a 2-run lead and she went three up, three down.”
Walker said winning the title took an entire team effort over the course of the four days.
“It wasn’t like it was just one person or even a couple,” said Walker. “Collins Garriga pitched the best she has ever pitched. She was awesome all weekend. Madalyn Kelpe pitched great today. (Vivian Walker) got us three strong innings so we didn’t have to use anyone else (Monday morning against Team Alabama).
“And we hit from top to bottom. We scored a lot of runs because we were really hitting the ball all week. It was a fun weekend for sure.”
Walker said it was an experience the Ruston players will never forget in large part to the people who put on the tournament.
“The Dixie board and the city did an unbelievable job,” said Walker. “And all of the volunteers that worked were just unbelievable. Every visiting team just kept raving about how nice the entire event was from the facilities to the hospitality. That’s what makes Ruston special.”
The Ruston Angels roster included:
Coaches: Bradley Walker, Chris Garriga, Chris Doolittle
Players: Destin Bell, Paige Denny, Allie Doolittle, Charley Garriga, Collins Garriga, Madalyn Kelpe, Payton Lancaster, Sophia Lopez, Jacyi Ovitt, Emma Grace Shaw, Evie Smith, Vivian Walker
Courtesy of GSU Communications
Grambling State University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Kenyatta Shamburger as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective June 28, 2025, following a national search.
A seasoned higher education leader, Dr. Shamburger brings over two decades of experience in strategic operations, student affairs, and executive administration at some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities.
In his new role, Dr. Shamburger will provide oversight of the University’s core operational divisions, including Facilities Management, Capital Projects, Information Technology, Property and Receiving, Safety and Risk Management, Emergency Management, and the University Police Department (GSUPD). His appointment reflects the institution’s commitment to strengthening its infrastructure in alignment with its strategic priorities.
“As Grambling continues to excel, I am energized to join President Lemelle and the leadership team at such a pivotal moment in the university’s trajectory,” said Dr. Shamburger. “Grambling State is a storied institution with unlimited potential, and I am honored to be part of a mission-driven community where values, vision, and action align.”
Dr. Shamburger most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Talladega College, where he also held roles as Vice President and Chief of Staff. His prior experience includes leadership appointments at Philander Smith College, Iowa State University, Clemson University, and Morehouse College. He earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University and is widely respected for his operational expertise and student-centered leadership.
President Martin Lemelle, Jr., D.B.A., praised the appointment: “Our leadership appointments reflect our strategic focus on building a future-ready university—one that honors our legacy while accelerating toward bold new possibilities. Dr. Shamburger brings the experience, insight, and passion to help us build the systems that will carry Grambling forward. We are honored to welcome him.”
Simultaneously, Grambling State announces the continued leadership of Penya Moses, who now serves as Vice President for Administration and Business Affairs, effective May 2025. A respected legal and policy executive, Moses previously served as the University’s Chief Operating Officer from 2021 to 2025. In her new cabinet-level role, she oversees Compliance, Title IX, Civil Rights, Human Resources, Procurement, Contracts, and Policy Administration.
“I’ve always believed Grambling’s greatest asset is its people,” said Moses. “We’re building something enduring—and it’s a privilege to help architect the systems that support it. I look forward to advancing our commitment to operational excellence, equity, and institutional integrity.”
President Lemelle added: “Ms. Moses’ contributions to Grambling have been transformational. Her steady leadership, deep understanding of institutional governance, and unwavering commitment to compliance and transparency continue to position us for long-term success.”
The appointments of Dr. Shamburger and Ms. Moses represent the latest milestones in Grambling State University’s Adapt and Advance initiative—an ongoing effort to modernize university operations and strengthen leadership capacity in service of student success and institutional excellence.
Whether cooking, doing magic tricks, telling stories, pulling pranks, or fixing just about anything, Bill Cox is one of Ruston’s most beloved characters. And believe it or not, the local legend is turning 90 this week. That means it’s time for a party.
Origin Bank will host a special reception in his honor from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 31, at its new downtown location, 400 North Trenton Street. Friends and members of the community are invited and encouraged to stop by and help Cox celebrate.
Born August 2, 1935, in Many, Louisiana, Cox arrived in Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University, where he graduated with a degree in geology in 1959. He owned and operated Cox’s Shell Station from 1960 – 1984, where he became known as “Mr. Everything.” He left his business to return to Louisiana Tech, where he served as its Director of Athletic Promotions and later as Director of Athletic Facilities. Upon his retirement from Tech, Cox immediately moved to Cedar Creek School in Ruston, where he worked from 1996 to 2007 before retiring. Yet, despite being “retired,” he remains vibrant and active throughout the Lincoln Parish community.
A member of Temple Baptist Church, where he is a deacon, Sunday School Director, greeter/usher, and cherished cook, Cox has amassed some two dozen awards for his service to Louisiana Tech, Cedar Creek, and the Ruston community. Among those are Tech’s “Top Dog” Award and 2014 Alumnus of the Year as well as the Robert E. Russ Award in 2001 and the Bill Best Humanitarian Award in 2007 – two of Lincoln Parish’s highest distinctions. The city of Ruston honored him with a “Bill Cox Day” in 1996, which included a proclamation by then-Louisiana Governor Mike Foster and the Louisiana State Senate Award for dedicated service to the community, university, and state.
Please make plans to join Origin Bank on July 31 as it honors Bill Cox and celebrates a life well-lived and dedicated to serving this community for over 70 years.
This is an advertorial
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston man Monday after an investigation into child pornography.
LPSO detectives arrested Jacob Jordan, 21, for eight counts of possession of child pornography under 13 years of age and eight counts of possession of child pornography.
The investigation was prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
NCMEC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation.
Lincoln Parish law enforcement authorities have investigated a number of NCMEC tips in the past.
Jordan’s arrest is the result of a collaborative investigation with the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General Cyber Crime Unit.
Courtesy of Louisiana State Police
Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) are alerting residents about another text message scam that aims to steal personal information and charge unnecessary fees.
In the latest iteration of the scam, many Louisiana residents have received text messages claiming the recipient has an “outstanding traffic ticket” and must pay a fee or face repercussions. These messages are fraudulent; do not click links, respond, or send payment. The OMV advises all recipients to ignore and delete these messages immediately.
The Louisiana OMV offers the following tips to help residents avoid scams:
· DO NOT click on links in an unsolicited message from an unverified source
· DO NOT respond or send your personal information via text
· Delete all suspicious texts and emails, and report them to reportfraud.ftc.gov
· Exercise caution with all communications you receive from anonymous sources
· Confirm the message was generated from a legitimate source
· Keep an eye out for signs of scams (rewards, vague URLs, incorrect grammar)
The Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening prosecution for traffic or fee violations. To process legitimate online services safely and securely, Louisiana residents can visit the official OMV website at www.expresslane.org.
Ruston Police arrested a local man July 21 after responding to a report of domestic violence and finding he was wanted on warrants.
Xavier Winters, 48, was arrested for two counts of failure to appear in Ruston City Court and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers had responded to a report of a possible domestic abuse incident on West California Avenue and found Winters. When asked if he had been involved in a domestic situation, Winters said no. A records check showed he was wanted on the two City Court warrants.
After Winters was arrested and handcuffed, a search found a clear plastic pipe commonly used for smoking crack cocaine.
Winters 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.
By Kyle Roberts
CHOUDRANT, La. — It’s been a busy summer for Grey Ramsey, particularly on the golf course.
The youngster from Choudrant grabbed another win on the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour this week — this time at the challenging U-Club in Baton Rouge, where the LSU Tigers’ golf squad calls home.
Ramsey found himself alone in the top spot Tuesday afternoon, carding 72+73 (145) in two days to finish first at +1 for the tourney.
“This was the hardest course I’ve played this summer,” Ramsey said. “The greens were firm, fast and undulated. And it was really hot. I think they got some rain earlier and that made the fairways a little wet, but that part wasn’t too bad.”
And for Ramsey, it marks the fourth win of his 2025 campaign — starting with a top finish all the way back in February at the 7th Sam Burns Junior Four-Ball Championship in the Boys 11-13 division with teammate Mac Steltenpohl from Dothan, Ala.
From there, Ramsey took first at the Summer Kickoff at Koasati Pines in Kinder, La., in May, shooting -5 for the tournament and three strokes ahead of the field — and only three weeks after hitting his first hole-in-one on No. 12 at Squire Creek.
Following a fourth-place finish at The Wetlands Course in Lafayette, La., Ramsey bounced back for a win at The Island course in mid-July, carding a 68+74 (142) to take the top honor.
This week’s win marks another bounce back for Ramsey, who took seventh at the TPC Louisiana then second at the 68th Louisiana Junior Amateur Championship this month.
And now, Ramsey it sitting at the top of the standings for Boys’ 11-13 Player of the Year honors with a total of 600 points as of Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s been a great summer,” Ramsey said. “I’ve had a lot of fun. It feels good to see all of the work paying off and know that I can compete.”
Outside of LJGT competition, Ramsey also participated in the Junior Masters in June and finished 20th overall in a field of over 100 players from all over North America.
And when he’s at his home course, he’s getting time with Louisiana Tech golfers and Burns when he’s available, for which Ramsey said he was very grateful.
Ramsey will have another tournament next week — right in his backyard at the LJGT at Squire Creek.
About the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour
The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour is dedicated to promoting junior golf and developing those junior golfers in the region. Through tournaments, clinics, and educational programs, the tour provides young golfers with opportunities to improve their skills, compete at a high level, and foster a lifelong love for the game. The Louisiana Junior Golf Tour is committed to giving back to young golfers, while also instilling values of sportsmanship, integrity, and camaraderie among its participants.
The passing Monday of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, the Chicago Cubs hero for a generation, seems so out of place, and not just because he was only 65.
Sandberg, whose play defined a true love of the game, dies in the middle of baseball season? The pictures shared this week were of him smiling with thumbs up, despite the IV at his side, wearing his “Baseball is better at Wrigley Field” Cubs-blue T-shirt.
Looked like he could still pinch hit.
For those of us his age and for everyone with a TV set and cable, he was part of our young adulthood. He was part of mine. One of us even won the National League MVP in 1984 at age 25. (It wasn’t me.)
I have a bestie in Webster Parish who used the Cubs and WGN to help rear her children, even if she had to VHS the home games (it was all daytime ball at Wrigley back then) to watch at night. Sandberg (I shouldn’t even have to write this) was her favorite: those kids of hers gave her a Cubs jersey with Sandberg’s No. 23 on it for her birthday one year.
There was a time when that’s what Sandberg meant and that’s what the Cubs meant to a lot of us.
It was a summer weekend back then when airfare was cheap and I caught it just right and went to Chicago and watched Sandberg and the Cubs and the Cubs’ fans play a bunch of ex-Shreveport Captains and then-San Francisco Giants in the Friendly Confines, where everything and everyone was happy and humming.
A smiling grandmother wore a Cubs cap and checked tickets in our section. Evelyn was her name. She called people “Honey,” and Harry Caray blew her kisses from the press box during the seventh inning stretch.
All in all, it was a fine way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
In a way, it was like watching the game in your den with friends. With the Giants slugger Barry Bonds at the plate big moment, the hometown Cubs fan behind me leaned forward. He’d heard me talking about how good both Bonds and my cheeseburger were. He said: “You guys aren’t from Chicago, are you?”
“Sure,” I told him. “From the South side.”
And he laughed and his buddy laughed. “From the SOUTH SIDE!” he said. “You mean waaaaay South.” Then he spilled beer on his Bermuda shorts and a good time was had by all.
The guy laughed at everything. He wanted me to say more things. “Please,” he asked me, “say ‘reckon’ again. Just one more time. Please.”
It was only a few minutes later when the woman in front of me turned around with a bag of Gummy Bears. “Here,” she said. “Welcome to Chicago.”
Her name was Rivian. She was sitting by Ira. Ira comes to every game and he wants the Cubs to start bunting more, even when they play defense. When Mark Grace got the game-winning hit, Ira hugged Rivian. She’d had her fingers crossed.
That night we watched the White Sox in Comiskey Park. I should have felt more at home there — 3-year-old Comiskey really is on the South side — but I prefer Wrigley. At Cubs’ games, they play the organ between innings. Between innings at Sox games, they play metal and everybody tosses dimes at cracks in the concourse.
Sunday. It was back to Wrigley. And unanticipated peril.
First, a rain delay. Then in the bottom of the first inning, two women and two boys were hit by foul balls and had to get first aid. What are the odds?
Then Cubs third baseman Steve Buechel fouled a ball off his leg.
Then, another guy was reaching for a foul and almost fell clean out of the upper deck. For a while, it looked like there might not be enough fans and players left to play and watch a whole nine innings.
But there we, of course, and I knew they’d be back the next day, a few to play the Expos and a lot to watch them and to try and catch foul balls and to throw opponents’ homers back onto the field and to pound down the ol’ Mountain Dew. Which is why, as I left Wrigley Field slowly that Sunday during an eighth-inning rain delay to catch the late-evening flight back home, I wondered by everyone didn’t come here at least once a summer, if only to watch Sandberg play second, if only to share hugs with Rivian, if only to blow kisses to Evelyn.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
By T. Scott Boatright
Lincoln Preparatory School has added a familiar and proven face to its football staff as former Lane University head coach and Grambling State product Vyron Brown has returned to full circle to rejoin the Panthers.
Brown, who became Lincoln Prep’s offensive coordinator in 2016 following a two-year stint as associate head coach as well as offensive coordinator and receivers coach at Texas Southern, left the Panthers in 2019 to become offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.
He was promoted to Dragons’ head coach in 2020 and stayed until last November, chalking up a coaching record of 17-23 in four seasons (Lane didn’t play football in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Along the way Brown coached 22 All-SIAC players, recruiting many from north Louisiana, including former Lincoln Prep standout Taviauhn Turner.
“We did some great things and coached some great players at Lane,” Brown said. “Andrew Farmer got signed into the NFL by the San Diego Chargers and is still in the NFL right now with the Denver Broncos. But it was time. I had my three other sons with me at Lane and to be there together and help groom them into the young men they are today was a great thing.
“But it was time. It was time to come home and be with my wife and my baby boy. To come home and be with them — that means everything to me.”
Brown said he left that job expecting to take another prominent coaching position that didn’t end up happening.
“I had done everything I could do at Lane, and thought I had another job ahead,” Brown said. “I was told I did, but then I didn’t. But somehow God looked down on me and opened the door to this opportunity. He called me back home, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.”
Brown, who starred at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, has been a longtime fixture for north Louisiana football.
“I played at Woodlawn from 1993-97,” Brown said. “And to play at a school like Woodlawn and all the players that went before me — players like Terry Bradshaw, Joe Ferguson, Robert Pennywell, Lawrence Hart, Donovan Wilson and my father, among even more — that gave me a great start.”
He was recruited to Grambling State University by legendary coach Eddie Robinson and played for the G-Men under Robinson’s successor — another GSU product by the name of Doug Williams.
There Brown helped Grambling win back-to-back National Black College Championships before graduating and taking over as offensive coordinator at Carroll High School in Monroe.
He then joined Williams’ Grambling staff as a defensive assistant coach. He served in that role for three seasons before spending 2007 as interim head coach/offensive coordinator at Southern Lab High School before moving on to Shaw University in 2008 as offensive coordinator/running backs coach and then to Alabama State as running backs coach from 2009-10 before returning to Grambling from 2011-13 as offensive coordinator before taking the associate head coaching role at Texas Southern.
“I’ve been blessed every step of the way,” Brown said. “It’s just great to be back home at Lincoln Prep and to be a part of this program again. Football has been good to me and I’m just happy to be able to be giving back to it.”
And as his father (also named Vyron) was concerning him, Brown might be most pleased about being able to give back to his three oldest sons, who all starred at Calvary Baptist in Shreveport.
Brown’s son (another Vyron better known as “Shun”) set a Calvary Baptist record with 23 touchdowns as a senior while catching passes to the tune of 1.362 yards before playing collegiately at Arizona State as a standout receiver, finishing with 140 receptions for 1,773 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding another two scores on punt returns.
His younger brothers, Jeremiah and Ike, both played collegiately for their father and Lane.
Ike led the Dragons in rushing last season with 711 yards and seven touchdowns on 113 carries while Jeremiah recorded 49 tackles last season while adding a pair of pass breakups.
And Brown’s youngest son Noah, a 9-year-old fourth grader at Cypress Springs Elementary, is another budding standout athlete and is a candidate for National Youth Athlete of the Year who played for the Ruston Dixie All-Stars earlier this summer for Coach Stoney Stone.
“God is good, and I’ve been blessed, especially with my kids,” Brown said. “I’m talking about my children. I’m talking about all the players I’ve coached over the years. And I’m talking about all my kids playing for me at Lincoln Prep.”
A former ground-and-pound running back himself at Woodlawn and Grambling, Brown said that as an offensive coordinator, he tends to take what he’s been given and plans to do so with his Panthers’ offense.
“You know I like to move the ball up and down the field on the ground,” Brown said. “But at the same time, as a coach, you’ve got to do what the kids can do. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning the game.
“A smart coach molds his system around the players he has. But we (Lincoln Prep) have the kind of skill set where we can throw 50 times a game, or we can run 50 times a game if we want to, too. Get your popcorn ready.”
