Funeral services for Joyce Marie Popwell Crawford, age 68 of Dubach, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 24, 2025 at New Prospect Baptist Church with Bro. Marvin Winham and Bro. Larry Bullock officiating. Burial will follow in Unionville Cemetery in Dubach, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Joyce was born July 18, 1957 in Farmerville, LA to Daisy Beth Popwell and John Russell Popwell and passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in her home in Dubach, LA surrounded by her family. Joyce “Motormouth” Popwell met “Bone Crusher” Larry at the age of 15 on the C.B. radio and graduated from Farmerville High School in 1975. Joyce married the love of her life Larry Crawford on February 28th, 1976. Together they had two children, Melissa Renee and Clint Allen Crawford. Family was the center of Joyce’s world, and she poured her heart into creating a home full of love and laughter. Whether it was Sunday dinners, family gatherings, or simple evenings spent together, she cherished every moment with a smile.
Joyce began working at Safeway, where she wore many hats throughout the years. Whether arranging flowers, helping in the deli, or serving customers at the register, she was known for her strong work ethic and her willingness to lend a hand wherever she was needed. Eventually, Joyce retired from Harvest Foods, though anyone who knew her knows that retirement just wasn’t in her nature. Before long, she found herself back at work as a postal worker, where the friendships she formed along her delivery routes became an important part of her everyday life.
Joyce had a contagious laugh and never met a stranger. Everyone she encountered quickly became a friend. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother. Now she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and unconditional love.
Joyce is proceeded in death by her father, John Russell Popwell; mother, Daisy Beth Popwell; husband, Larry Lynell Crawford; brother, Johnny Michael Popwell; and sister-in-law, Barbara Barham Crawford. She is survived by daughter, Melissa Crawford; son, Clint Crawford and wife Heather; grandchildren, Schyler and husband Cody Sanderson, Jon Dumas, Kade Dumas and girlfriend Stormy, Katelyn Harvey, and Connor Harvey; great-grandchildren, Henley, Jayce, Jett, and Revan. Joyce is also survived by her sister, Kathy and husband Daniel Groves; brother, Larry Popwell and wife Brenda; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Travis Frasier, Craig Crawford, Kerry Gaskin, Nicky Barham, Lance Popwell, and Shaun Popwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Connor Harvey and Caleb Gray.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time Friday at New Prospect Baptist Church.
Joyce Marie Crawford July 18, 1957 – October 21, 2025 Visitation: Friday, October 24, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, New Prospect Baptist Church, 3438 Hwy 167, Dubach Funeral service: Friday, October 24, 2025, 11:00 AM, New Prospect Baptist Church, 3438 Hwy 167, Dubach Cemetery Committal: Friday, October 24, 2025, 12:00 PM, Unionville Cemetery, 6598 Hwy 822, Dubach
Sheryl S. Modest Abney Sunday 10/30/1966 — Sunday 10/12/2025 Visitation: Friday 10/24/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 10/25/2025 11:00am, Countyline Baptist Church, 7246 Highway 146, Ruston Interment: Saturday 10/25/2025 Following Service, Ebenezer Cemetery, Parish Road 214, Ruston
Frank “Hamp” Hampe Miller, Jr. September 15, 1952 – October 20, 2025 Visitation: Monday, October 27, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Graveside Service: Monday, October 27, 2025, 2:00 PM, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
Terry Kent Smith April 8, 1955 – October 15, 2025 Graveside service: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2:00 PM, Canaan Cemetery, Spearsville
An airplane crash just south of the Ruston Regional Airport Tuesday morning has claimed one life.
Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown announced the pilot, the sole occupant of the plane, was killed in the crash.
The name of the pilot had not been provided to the news media at publication time.
Aircraft tracking programs available online show the Cirrus SR22 aircraft left Huntsville, Texas at 8:30 a.m. and crashed at 9:50 a.m. in a wooded area off La. Highway 146 near Old Snipe Road between Ruston and Kellys. The location is in Jackson Parish just south of the Lincoln Parish line and about five miles south of the Ruston airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft’s registered owner is LaSalle Management Company, LLC, of Ruston.
LaSalle is a subsidiary of LaSalle Corrections, a company that develops and operates correctional facilities. It provides a wide range of services to law enforcement agencies, including facility development, financing, management, security, and inmate programs. LaSalle Corrections manages 18 correctional facilities in Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia.
The Cirrus SR22 is a popular, four-seat, single-engine aircraft known for its advanced avionics, performance, and safety features like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). No information was available on whether the parachute was deployed prior to the crash.
Another aircraft crashed near Lafayette earlier in the morning, killing three occupants.
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.
(Left to right): Britton Bennett, Avery Ryan, Queen Emma Phillips, Katherine Worthey, Caroline James
Cedar Creek School is proud to announce their 2025 Homecoming Court.
This year’s court includes:
Queen Emma Elizabeth Phillips, daughter of Dr. Shane Phillips and Ms. Lauren Phillips.
Maid Britton Morgan Bennett, daughter of Mr. Brad Bennett and Ms. Jessica Bennett.
Maid Leah “Caroline” James, daughter of Max and Holly James.
Maid Avery Kate Ryan, daughter of BJ and Candi Ryan.
Maid Katherine Elizabeth Worthey, daughter of Jim and Kelli Worthey.
Cedar Creek will celebrate its 2025 Homecoming this Friday when the Cougars host Lincoln Prep at Origin Bank Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Homecoming Assembly is Friday at 2:15 p.m. in the Spillers Multipurpose Center where the Court and the Cougar Senior Football players will be presented.
The Court will also be presented prior to kickoff Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at Origin Bank Stadium.
Louisiana Tech is celebrating National Forest Products Week October 19-25.
Home to the South’s top-ranked forestry program, the week will be filled with a look back at the University’s impact on the timber industry as well as a look forward to its future, especially with construction underway on the state-of-the-art Forest Products Innovation Center.
Individuals can learn more about the Forestry program on the most recent episode of Beyond 1894 Podcast featuring Forestry professors Heidi Adams and Nan Nan.
The College of Applied and Natural Sciences will promote the Forestry Week on social media through photos, videos, and stories of the past and will also host a panel presentation and Q&A with forestry experts on October 23.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a congressional proclamation into law on September 13, 1960, designating the week beginning on the third Sunday in October as National Forest Products Week. The goal is to highlight the importance of forests for the environment and economy, including conservation, sustainability, and the various wood products derived from them.
Lincoln Parish School Board is considering a shift to a PK–5 neighborhood school model for Ruston’s elementary schools. For most families, this idea has been received with relief, especially from parents who currently have children on two or three different campuses at once. The move is meant to give students a longer, more stable school experience and help families stay rooted in one school community instead of frequently transitioning between schools.
Academically, the PK–5 model allows teachers to build on student learning over multiple years, strengthen foundational skills, and create greater continuity in instruction and relationships. This proposed structure will also improve transportation for families. When siblings attend the same school for more years, bus routes become shorter and drop-off routines become easier to manage. A more efficient transportation plan could also allow for a slightly later start time for younger students.
Like any significant change, this one has brought questions, and the district wants to address them directly. The most common concern raised in public comments has been whether the new attendance lines would unintentionally take the parish back toward days of racial imbalance among schools. Our proposed zones are informed by student capacity and shorter transportation routes, not demographics. Current law no longer allows zoning decisions based on race. Additionally, some zones are larger geographically on a map because the farther a neighborhood is from town, the more rural and spread out the population becomes.
Families have also asked about specialized programs. French Immersion will continue in the district and will be housed at one school (to be determined during the planning phase). Other specialized services such as intervention supports or self-contained classrooms will continue to be available based on student need, not school location.
Another question is why the Early Childhood Center (LPECC) would no longer house Pre-K students. Pre-K classrooms would move into the elementary buildings, similar to current models already in place in Choudrant, Simsboro, and Dubach. Young learners would continue to enjoy age-appropriate spaces—bathrooms, play areas, and dedicated lunch and recess times—so they remain in environments suited to their developmental needs. Integrating Pre-K into existing elementary campuses would allow the district to better align early learning with the K–5 experience while making more efficient use of existing facilities. The plan is to bring district services, transportation, child nutrition, special programs, maintenance, and the central office under one roof so that resources currently spent operating multiple small facilities can be redirected back into schools.
This transition represents the first phase of a multi-year plan. Phase 1 allows us to stabilize enrollment, strengthen neighborhood schools, and complete the necessary facility and instructional preparation. Over the next couple of years, the district will evaluate outcomes, including transportation efficiency, program effectiveness, and the impact of new community growth (such as Buc-ee’s and the microchip plant) before advancing to Phase 2, which will shape the long-term structure of Ruston’s elementary model. Phase 2 will involve continued collaboration with families and the community as we explore facility upgrades due to aging buildings or possible new school construction.
A community survey is currently open and can be accessed through the district website and social media pages. We encourage all families to participate and share their feedback. The survey will close on Friday, October 24.
This change is not just about moving students from one campus to another. It’s about creating a stronger foundation for learning, one that gives students more time to grow within a single school community, surrounded by teachers who know them well and a curriculum designed for consistency and progress. Lincoln Parish School District remains committed to transparency, fairness, and open communication every step of the way as we work toward what matters most: doing what’s best for our students.
A Choudrant man was arrested last week after he allegedly offered money to a minor in exchange for sex acts.
Troy Hughes, Jr., 45, was arrested at about 3 a.m. Oct. 17 by Ruston Police in a closed city park. He was accompanied by a minor.
An RPD officer conducting routine patrols saw a vehicle parked at a city park that closes at dark. The officer exited his patrol unit to investigate and saw a male sitting in the driver’s seat with Hughes standing in the open driver’s side door.
The individual seated in the vehicle was identified and was determined to be a minor.
During the course of the investigation, officers learned Hughes and the minor had met online and arranged to meet in person. The underaged victim told officers Hughes had offered him money in exchange for sex acts.
Both Hughes and the victim were transported to the Ruston Police Department for further investigation and were placed in separate interview rooms. Following the investigation, Troy Hughes Jr. was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for possession/distribution of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and soliciting for prostitutes.
The investigation remains ongoing and more charges could follow.
In a press release, RPD said it “remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and will continue to take every measure necessary to identify, investigate, and apprehend individuals involved in crimes against children.”
If you have any information regarding this case or others like it, please contact the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141.
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.
Lincoln Parish Journal readers have an opportunity each week to win FREE money in the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em presented by Johnson Physical Therapy, FanBase of Ruston, and Martin Presence.
And the best part is it’s FREE … just like your subscription to the LPJ.
Steve Pate was this week’s winner of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by FanBase of Ruston, Martin Presence, and Johnson Physical Therapy, and she walked away with $150.
Congratulations, Steve !!
Now, are you ready for some football?!?
Bigger question. Are you ready to win $150 in cash … with the potential to make it $300 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).
The Lincoln Parish Journal is holding the 4th Annual Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by FanBase of Ruston, Martin Presence, and Johnson Physical Therapy.
If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!
Anyone is eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $150 cash prize (maybe $300). Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 15 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).
The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by FanBase of Ruston, Martin Presence, and Johnson Physical Therapy will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games (August 30).
There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.
All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.
Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $150 each week!
Week 1: Faith Moss
Week 2: Don Sutton
Week 3: Kim Shackelford
Week 4: Lisa Wright
Week 5: Russ Thompson
Week 6: Steve Grafton
Week 7: Mechelle Brown
Week 8: Steve Pate
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
It was an interesting, and fun, five days of gridiron greatness for Lincoln Parish football.
And the one thing I know for sure is that I can feel coaching greats “Chick” Childress, Donnell Cowan, Eddie Robinson and Maxie Lambright watching from afar and feeling pride of the programs they built, along with pride for the programs their fellow coaching greats helped build.
Let’s face it, the piney, red-dirt hills of Lincoln Parish is a special place for football, and we’re coming off a special 96 hours of pigskin play — the kind of old school, smashmouth, “gut-check” football all four of those coaches preached.
Think about “Chick” Childress and the pride he would take in Ruston’s unlikely, come-from-behind stunner over Neville Friday night, as the Bearcats went on the road to Bill Ruple Stadium and scored 21 answered points to stun the Tigers and their home crowd in the 100th ever meeting between the two teams.
After playing listless football for three and a half quarters, the Bearcats put it all together in the final 8:40 to score three straight times — gut-check football at its finest.
Not to be outdone, the Lincoln Prep Panthers turned in another tough and gritty showing of their own, going on the road and after struggling to build a lead until in the first half closed out with an old school whooping of their own by shutting down Glenbrook 25-7.
This time, it was coaching great Donnell Cowan that I could almost feel the pride pouring out of as his spirit was cheering on the Panthers, who rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the Grambling Lab School to become part of a newer school representing the city of Grambling.
It wasn’t until Zion Hick’s 103-yard interception return for a score that gave their Panthers their first lead of the game with 0:00 remaining on the second quarter clock.
With new quarterback Josh Kelly, a transfer from Texas, earning his second straight win in as many starters, the sophomore and first-year head coach Chaunce Davison and his staff seem to have the Panthers playing the kind of old-school, smashmouth football the Lincoln Prep coaching staff had been begging for the first half of the season.
Gut-check football heading toward the final three games of the regular season, and the Panthers rose to the challenge.
Another team passing the gut-check test was the Grambling State Tigers, who scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:46 remaining and then held on defensively to win one for Coach Rob with a 20-16 road win over the Golden Lions.
And that win might have featured the biggest gut-check of all from GSU quarterback C’zavian Teasett, the kind of old-fashioned, “walk it off” gut check that harkened back to the Robinson’s coaching heyday, where I could almost hear Coach Rob imploring Teasett to walk off an ankle injury and lead his team to victory.
You see, Teasett, Grambling’s No. 1 quarterback, hadn’t started the Homecoming game against Texas Southern the previous week because of an injured ankle.
In fact, Teasett wasn’t even the second quarterback to enter that game. But after his backup, Ashton Frye, who started that game, was injured in the third quarter Teasett jogged off the field, up the ramp from “The Hole,” as the playing field at Robinson Stadium is known, and changed out of street clothes into his game gear.
And when the No. 2 quarterback for GSU struggled for a couple of series, Teasett literally walked off the pain as he walked out on the field and managed to finish the game despite not being able to pull out the Homecoming win as the G-Men fell 21-20.
After a week of GSU coach Mickey Joseph saying he couldn’t name a starter, Teasett ended up taking the field against Arkansas Pine Bluff and led his team to victory in a perfect way to honor Coach Rob.
And then last night, there was Louisiana Tech’s performance against Western Kentucky on a Tuesday.
Admittedly, I have to wonder what Tech coaching great Maxie Lambright would think about Tuesday night football. But it’s all good, especially after the Bulldogs rallied back from a 10-point halftime deficit and facing their own late game gut check, pushed the contest into overtime.
This time it was the Hilltoppers who made the gutsy call as they called a win or lose two-point conversion on the final play of the overtime period and completed the pass that gave them a 28-27 win.
But three out of four ain’t bad, and it didn’t damper a great long weekend of gut check football — the kind of contests all of our parish coaching legends would have loved.
The world’s worst eating disorder occurs between two people of the opposite sex.
Truth: Somewhere right now, a man and woman who really love each other are having a big fight over where they are going to eat.
“Where do you want to eat, honey?”
“I don’t care. Where do you want to eat?”
“Doesn’t matter to me. Whatever you want. I love you. Just in it for the company.”
Silence.
A tinge of friction, undefinable at the time. But something besides hunger is there that wasn’t there before.
You speak again. The car is almost out of the driveway.
“You in the mood for anything in particular?”
“Well, not really. I could eat just about anything.”
“Well, Mexican, Italian … Want a burger or something?”
“Anything’s fine. You decide.”
You are driving now, or being driven in a direction. Just a direction. Not to anything, not away from anything. Just driving, hungry and decisionless.
“Seafood?”
“Well, not seafood. But anything else.”
Discreetly, eyes roll.
“Enchiladas?”
“If you want. Really, it doesn’t matter to me.”
The car is going slower because you don’t want to drive too far in case you’re heading away from whatever restaurant you decide — sometime before the turn of the century — to eat at.
“You don’t care?”
“Not really.”
That’s it.
“Fine. Let’s go to the 7-Eleven and get a Big Gulp and hotdog and eat it on the curb by the pay phone.”
“Well, not that.”
“OK then. It does matter. You do care. Now, where do you want to eat?
“Where do you want to eat?”
At this point, ugly names are not spoke at the ends of sentences. But they’re understood.
“Well, where do you want to eat, (insert ugly name here)?”
“That’s what I’m asking you, (worst name goes here).”
And you continue trying to make the other person decide, secretly hoping they will save you from Culinary Hell.
We all eat several times a day. Every day. You’d think after all the practice, we’d get it right. But time and time again, men and women have food fights.
Why is this?
It doesn’t work this way when it’s just guys or just girls. The decision is made quickly, the compromise comes easier, or something. I do not know why. All I know is that if Chef Boy-ar-dee and the Jolly Green Giant decide to go eat together, they’re seated and already ordering 10 minutes later. But if Chef Boy-ar-dee and Betty Crocker decide to dine together, they’re still hungry an hour later. Hungry, and on a low boil.
Sadly, we seldom make the perfect call. We second-guess. We try to read minds. We don’t trust. (“Does she really want pizza for the third straight night?, or is she just being nice …?”)
Sometimes, though, you actually make it to a restaurant without having to stop for either gas or stitches. And you look at each other, and apologize, and there’s only one thing left to say:
The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that the Historic Fire Station parking lot will be closed to thru traffic, beginning at 6:00 a.m., Thursday, October 23rd and shall remain closed until further notice.
This closure is necessary to allow for the restriping of the parking lot spaces.
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.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Simsboro man after investigating a call regarding a suspicious person pacing up and down a road.
Matthew Daniel Mattox, 25, was arrested on a felony warrant after he tried to conceal his identity by giving a false name.
Deputies found Mattox walking on Houston Street in Simsboro shortly after midnight. He said he was on a phone call with a friend and did not want to wake up his family, so he went outside. When asked to identify himself, he gave his name as Matthew Cedotal, stating he had identification from Nebraska but no on him.
A record check failed to find anyone by that name. He provided a Social Security number which showed belonging to Mattox. A warrant was located for Mattox for failure to appear in Third District Court on a felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
Mattox was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention for resisting an officer by giving the false name and the warrant. Bail on the warrant was set at $65,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
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.
Tuesday, Oct., 21 12 p.m. “Bearcats Live with Jerrod Baugh” Q94.1FM, BearcatNationNetwork.com
Wednesday, Oct. 22 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, Oct. 23 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) 7-9:30 p.m.: Haunted Car Wash (Rocketfast, presented by Ruston Community Theatre)
Friday, Oct. 24 6-9 p.m.: Wine Walk (Downtown Ruston) 7 p.m.: Ruston High football 7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep v. Cedar Creek (Cedar Creek) 7-10 p.m.: Haunted Car Wash (Rocketfast, presented by Ruston Community Theatre)
Saturday, Oct. 25 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market and fall plant market by Master Gardeners Noon to 4 p.m.: Board Game Day (Lincoln Parish Library) 7-10 p.m.: Weather permitting, Haunted Car Wash (Rocketfast, presented by Ruston Community Theatre)
Sunday, Oct. 26 1 p.m.: LA Tech soccer 2 p.m.: GSU volleyball 4-6 p.m.: 4PAWS Fall Fest (290 Rodeo Rd., Ruston) 5 p.m.: Fall Festival (Trinity Methodist Church, 1000 Woodward Ave.)
Monday, Oct. 27 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6 p.m.: GSU volleyball 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Wednesday, Oct. 29 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, Oct. 30 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.: LA Tech Homecoming Parade 6:30-8 p.m.: LA Tech Homecoming pep rally and fireworks (Thomas Assembly Center) 7-10 p.m.: Tech R Treat (Argent Pavilion, LA Tech campus)
Friday, Oct. 31 Halloween 2 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 7 p.m.: LA Tech v. Sam Houston (Homecoming) 7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football
Saturday, Nov. 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 1 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 2 p.m.: Grambling State v. Alabama A&M
Sunday, Nov. 2 Daylight Saving Time
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.
Freshman Zheric Hill was called for targeting and ejected from the game for this hit on WKU QB Rodney Tisdale Tuesday. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
by Malcolm Butler
Something about Tuesday night had that “it just isn’t meant to be” feel to it for me.
And ultimately, it wasn’t as the Bulldogs fell 28-27 in overtime to WKU at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Personally, Tuesday night was a little strange for me. It was the first Tech home football game since 1998 that I haven’t worked. I sat in the club level of the DAC and tried to remember what it was like to be a fan.
My “it just isn’t meant to be” feeling started in the first quarter. With Tech leading 7-3, former Ruston High Bearcat Zheric Hill obliterated WKU quarterback Rodney Tisdale on a blitz. Obliterated him. Textbook tackle.
Hill’s hit forced a fumble that Tech recovered deep in Hilltopper territory. The Bulldog sideline went wild. Tech fans did too.
The Tech offense trotted out onto the field. The WKU defense too.
Ready to run a play.
That is, until, referee Reed Brotherton blew his whistle and made the announcement “the last play is under review.”
Under review for what, I thought? To see if they could find Tisdale’s soul which had basically been separated from his body on the hit by Hill?
Nope. Not so lucky.
Replay shows a textbook tackle. Photos show it too. Hill never launched himself at Tisdale. He never used the crown of his helmet. He simply ran through … literally through … Tisdale on the way to his first career sack.
Of course minutes later, Brotherton took off the replay headset to announce that Hill was going to be flagged for targeting. 15-yard penalty. Hill ejected from game. Football goes back to the Hilltoppers.
It was just the first quarter, but it was a huge momentum-shifting, game-changing call by the striped shirts who never threw a flag on the play.
I’ve watched the replay numerous times. There is no way you can convince me it was targeting. I even had two buddies of mine who are refs text me saying there were no aspects of targeting on the play.
It was the first time during the game, but not the last, that I overheard Tech fans say they won’t miss Conference USA officials in any sport when the school makes the move to the Sun Belt next year.
Point well taken.
The next “it just isn’t meant to be” moment came in the waning moments of the first half. Tech trailed 20-7, but the Bulldogs offense had driven down the field.
With half a minute to play in the quarter, Blake Baker completed a pass to Jalen Mickens that set up a fourth down and two from the WKU 5-yard line. Clock running.
Tech fans wanted Sonny Cumbie to use his final time out when the tackle was made with 25 seconds left. They wanted him to go for it. Be aggressive. Personally, I wanted him to do it too.
But, I understood when he let the clock run down to one second and called the timeout. Sonny wanted to make sure the Dogs got three points and a little feel good going into the halftime locker room, knowing Tech was getting the ball to start the third quarter.
Take the points. A lot of coaches would have done the same thing.
Only problem was the Bulldogs botched the center to holder snap and what amounted to an extra point field goal was never attempted.
So instead of points and some momentum, all the Bulldogs took into the locker room was a cascade of boos from some of the Tech faithful.
Just wasn’t meant to be.
Or was it.
In a day and age where kickoff returns are few and far between due to the leg strength of college kickers, the Bulldogs got an opportunity to start the third quarter and made the most of it.
A little razzle dazzle throwback on the return led Devin Gandy 92 yards to paydirt as life was breathed back into Joe Aillet Stadium.
20-14 the good guys still trailed, but had some juice back.
The Bulldog defense came out in the second half and played as well as they have this year against a tough WKU offense. They kept Tech in the game. Gave themselves a chance.
Six offensive possessions by WKU in the third and fourth quarters amounted to ZERO points. Twenty plays and only 80 yards. That unit did it’s job.
Offensively, Tech got inside the WKU 10-yard line twice in the second half. And both times the drives stalled, forcing field goals instead of touchdowns.
And each time it had that “it just isn’t meant to be” feel to it for me.
It did appear as if the Tech special teams units had done it again with just under five minutes to play in the third quarter when Cedric Wood fielded a punt and raced 65 yards for a TD that would have given the Bulldogs the lead.
I knew better. As the Tech crowd was partying, I didn’t allow myself to celebrate. Instead, I scanned the field for a flag. Surely these guys weren’t going to let the Dogs take the lead, right?
Right. On the complete other side of the field from where the return had happened, there it lay. The little yellow hanky.
“Block in the back” said Brotherton moments later as the ball was brought back and the points taken off the scoreboard.
It’s just not meant to be, I thought once again.
However, I began to let myself believe late in the fourth. The Bulldogs blocked a WKU go-ahead field goal with just under two minutes to play. Tech football in a tie game.
Could that feeling have just been indigestion?
As Tech lined up for the game-winning 57-yard field goal attempt on the final play, I let myself hope.
Nope. Blocked.
Overtime it was.
Tech came out on its OT possession and the offense scored a TD in five plays. The extra point gave the Dogs a 27-20 lead.
Maybe it was meant to be?
The Bulldog defense was so so good in the second half. And with the game on the line, it appeared as though they may make the game-sealing play.
Twice in OT they needed just one stop.
The first time came on fourth down and 10 when Tisdale threw a strike low to the ground that somehow WKU receiver Matthew Henry scraped off the top of the artificial turf with a Tech defender diving with Henry.
At first watch I didn’t think the was any way he could have made that catch.
It was called a catch on the field and was confirmed as such with instant replay. First down. Fresh set of downs.
Four plays later the Hilltoppers scored. But instead of going for the extra point and to send it to a second overtime, WKU elected to go for the win.
Tech needed just one stop.
As Tisdale rolled out on the two-point conversion, the entire flow of the Tech defense rolled with him. I had a birds eye view from the Davison Athletics Center Club Level as it was in the south endzone.
Tisdale was under duress. There was a mass of humanity between him and the endzone. Hell, there was a mass of humanity in the endzone too.
Finally, running out of time, Tisdale threw back across his body … and K.D. Hutchinson came down with the catch for the conversion and the WKU win.
Nope. It wasn’t indigestion.
It truly was a night that just wasn’t meant to be.
As much as it sucked to watch this unravel from my view above the south endzone, it did provide me a reminder that sometimes I need.
While the WKU players ran around celebrating, the Tech players and coaches were gutted. Defensive players were laying on the ground in the endzone. Some were crouching, helmets off and head in their hands in disbelief. Some were consoling teammates. There was a lot of pain and emotion in their faces.
It was a good reminder for me that “us fans” aren’t the only ones who hurt when our beloved Bulldogs lose. Those Bulldogs hurt too.
Graveside services for Mr. Frank Hampe “Hamp” Miller, Jr., age 73 of Ruston, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, October 27, 2025 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Hamp was born September 15, 1952 in Ruston, LA and passed away peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2025 in Ruston, LA. For most of his career he was a certified electrician helping solve pool-related problems. He valued his customers and made many friends during this time. He also loved his cats dearly and they provided great companionship.
He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Miller Sr.; sister, Carol Vaughan; and brother-in-law, Rodney Lyons.
Hamp is survived by his ex-wife, Avis Miller who he remained friends with throughout his life. He is also survived by his mother, Faye Miller; sister, Robin Lyons; nieces, Caren Wagner (Joe), Cate Wagner, and Caroline Wagner; nephews, Matthew Lyons (Sarah) and Benjamin Lyons; brother-in-law, Stan Vaughan; and a host of other family and friends.
The family would like to thank Alpine Nursing Home and Allegiance Hospice for their care during this difficult time.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, Monday, October 27, 2025 at Owens Memorial Chapel.
Sheryl S. Modest Abney Sunday 10/30/1966 — Sunday 10/12/2025 Visitation: Friday 10/24/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 10/25/2025 11:00am, Countyline Baptist Church, 7246 Highway 146, Ruston Interment: Saturday 10/25/2025 Following Service, Ebenezer Cemetery, Parish Road 214, Ruston
Lizzie Mae Jackson Johnson Friday 07/07/1950 — Tuesday 10/14/2025 Celebration of Life: Wednesday 10/22/2025 1:00pm, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 446 Bowden Road, Ruston (Clay) Interment: Wednesday 10/22/2025, Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Bowden Road, Ruston (Clay)
Frank “Hamp” Hampe Miller, Jr. September 15, 1952 – October 20, 2025 Visitation: Monday, October 27, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Graveside Service: Monday, October 27, 2025, 2:00 PM, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
Terry Kent Smith April 8, 1955 – October 15, 2025 Graveside service: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2:00 PM, Canaan Cemetery, Spearsville
Third Judicial District Court Judge Bruce Hampton has been elected to serve as Chair of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana for the 2025-26 term.
In accordance with the Louisiana Constitution, Judge Hampton was appointed to the Commission by the Louisiana Supreme Court and was elected by Commission members to serve as Chair for a one-year term, succeeding Suzanne H. Stinson.
Judge Hampton earned his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Louisiana Tech University in 1978 and was named Outstanding Finance Student. He earned his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane University School of Law in 1981 and his Master of Laws degree from Southern Methodist University in 1990. He is a member of the Order of the Coif. Judge Hampton brings over four decades of legal experience across Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
He has served as an assistant district attorney, an indigent defender, and an active member of numerous judicial and civic organizations. Judge Hampton is a member of the American Judges Association and the Louisiana District Judges Association (currently serving as Secretary), was appointed to the Executive Board of the District Judges Association in 2021 and is a member of the Louisiana State Law Institute. Most recently, Judge Hampton was recognized with the 2025 Judge Benjamin Jones Judges in the Classroom Award and serves on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom Task Force.
Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Sharon D. Wilson was elected as Vice-Chair.
In addition to these leadership roles, the Commission welcomes several new appointments as the Commission expands from nine volunteer members to fourteen, in accordance with La. Const. Article 5, Section 25, which was amended earlier this year.
These new appointments include attorney Chester Cedars of St. Martin Parish, attorney Michael McGlone of Jefferson Parish, attorney John Sinquefield of East Baton Rouge Parish, Retired Justice Chet D. Traylor of Ouachita Parish, and Retired Judge Robert Wyatt of Calcasieu Parish. In addition, attorney D. Brennan Hussey of Caddo Parish and Dr. Shondra G. Williams of Jefferson Parish have been appointed to replace outgoing members.
Judge Wilson is currently serving a second term on the Commission, having first been appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. She was then elected by Commission members as Vice-Chair for a one-year term, succeeding Judge Bruce Hampton. Judge Wilson has served as a judge of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, since 2020. Before her election to the Court of Appeal, she served as a judge of the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish, where she co-founded the Veterans Treatment Court and later became Chief Judge. Judge Wilson previously worked as an assistant district attorney at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, as a chief felony prosecutor at the Allen Parish District Attorney’s Office, and in private practice.
She is the first African American woman elected District Judge in Calcasieu Parish. She has served as an Executive Board Member for the Louisiana District Judges Association, as a district judge-member of the Judiciary Commission from 2019 to 2020, and is currently serving a four-year term as an appellate judge member of the Judiciary Commission. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1988 and her Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1991.
Selected to serve on the Judiciary Commission by the Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Cedars is Chief Legal Counsel for the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. He has over 48 years of experience in the general practice of law.
McGlone was appointed to the Judiciary Commission by the President of the Louisiana Senate. He attended Loyola University New Orleans and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972. He also obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1975.
Selected to serve on the Judiciary Commission by Governor Jeff Landry, Sinquefield is Executive Counsel to Attorney General Liz Murrill. Mr. Sinquefield received his bachelor’s degree from Northeast Louisiana State College in 1968. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1971.
Justice Traylor (retired) was appointed to the Judiciary Commission by the President of the Louisiana Senate. Retired Justice Traylor earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1969 and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1974.
Judge Wyatt (retired) was appointed to the Judiciary Commission by the Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Judge Wyatt received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1978 and a Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University Law School in 1981.
Selected to serve on the Judiciary Commission by the Conference of Court of Appeal Judges, Hussey is a partner in the law firm Casten & Pearce, APLC, in Shreveport. Mr. Hussey received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina in 1984 and his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University Law School in 1987.
Dr. Williams was appointed to the Judiciary Commission by the Louisiana District Judges Association. She earned a master’s from Loyola University New Orleans in 2001 and a doctorate in nursing from Southern University in 2009.
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About the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana:
The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana is a fourteen-member, constitutionally created body that assists the Louisiana Supreme Court in matters of judicial discipline. The Commission investigates complaints of judicial misconduct and recommends disciplinary actions when warranted. Members are selected by the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Louisiana District Judges Association, the Conference of Court of Appeal Judges, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor. More information can be found on the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana website at https://judiciarycommissionla.org/
With a heart for her community, FanBase of Ruston Manager Cindy Bagwell has been helping Louisiana Tech fans sport their pride for five years now in Ruston.
Staying at the store after the transition to new owners, Bagwell has remained the backbone of the store’s continued success in its new era. Her consistency, dedication and energy have helped guide FanBase through a time of change with grace.
FanBase, a true family affair, has been run for the past year by the Stracener family. Co-owners Kyle and Niki Stracener, along with their middle daughter, youngest son, and his girlfriend, have worked together to breathe new life into the store. But to them, Cindy isn’t just an employee, she feels like family.
In her role as store manager, Bagwell manages the day-to-day operations of FanBase. From merchandising and scheduling, to payroll and making sure that their customers have the best experience possible, she puts her all into each and everything she does there.
Co-owner Kyle Stracener, described the important role that Bagwell has played in keeping their store alive.
“We bought FanBase in March of 2024. She worked there for Ronny and Kay Walker before,” Kyle Stracener said. “She has really kind of been the backbone of the operation the past few years. She has been in retail service her entire life, so you name it, she does it.
“She does so much for the store, from the orders to the arranging of all the products. She also just has an awesome personality and she greats people so well. She’ll remember everyone that comes in regularly. I really don’t know how we could manage without her.”
Although not from Ruston, Bagwell has developed a passion for the town and love for the fans of Louisiana Tech. She currently lives in Monroe with her husband Curry. However, Bagwell drives each day to Ruston where she brings an unmatched positive spirit with her. She enjoys connecting with the students and sharing in the school spirit.
“I love Ruston, the small town charm and the sense of community here,” Bagwell says. “I did not attend Louisiana Tech, but I’ve always been a big supporter of the Bulldogs and love being a part of the family.”
Her love for the town has kept FanBase going throughout the years. Bringing in new customers and building relationships with regulars. She believes that FanBase gives people a place to show their love for the University. From students and alumni, to locals and visitors, everyone comes to Fanbase to celebrate, and Bagwell is always here to party.
Co-owner Niki Stracener highlighted the dedication that Bagwell has put into the store.
“She’s been such an integral part of helping us with everything.” Stracener said. “She’s so great at knowing what the clients like and the expectations of the people who shop here. She’s a huge part of keeping our social media going. She’s definitely the person I’ve leaned on when making decisions to get her input as well.”
Bagwell echoed the sentiments from the owners, sharing her gratitude for having such a close-knit work environment.
“I have an amazing relationship with the owners,” Bagwell said. “They’re supportive, encouraging and truly care about their employees and the community. They’ve created a work environment that makes work enjoyable.”
The team foresees good things on the horizon for FanBase. With Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt Conference, they’re excited about new opportunities for growth and fan engagement. As Ruston grows with new businesses, new residents and new sports fans, FanBase will be here greeting each person with a smile. Bagwell prides herself in being a part of the team, sharing what the store means to the town.
“Fanbase means a lot to our community,” Bagwell said. “To me, FanBase feels like family. It’s a place where I get to share my LA Tech pride every day and work with people I love.”
Bagwell’s love and passion for what she does shines bright. As the FanBase family looks toward the future, they show their appreciation for the store’s past, especially for keeping Bagwell on their team. Her joy, passion and dedication have kept the spirit alive through a season of change.
Four members from Ruston’s Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha participated in this month’s groundbreaking ceremony for the 24th annual Monroe St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.
The Zeta Rho-ESA service organization is among the main volunteer groups supporting the project. Additionally, Ruston’s Big Z Country 107.5 is a key sponsor.
Local ESA members attending were Nancy Darland, Zeta Rho philanthropic chair and Louisiana State Council president; Jennifer Patterson, Zeta Rho president; Lester Fife, Zeta Rho treasurer and state St. Jude senior chair; and Dawn Erickson, Zeta Rho pledge.
Tickets to win the house, located in Sterlington’s new DeSiard Trace subdivision, will go on sale in early 2026 at $100 each. Last year’s sales raised $850,000 for the hospital.
A leading children’s hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, treats the most serious childhood cancers and pediatric diseases. Treatments developed there have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago.
The hospital freely shares the discoveries it makes with doctors and scientists worldwide. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because those associated with the facility believe that all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
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