The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that Commerce Street at the intersection of E. Kentucky Avenue will be closed to thru traffic, beginning today at 7 a.m. (November 5) and shall remain closed until further notice.
This closure is necessary to allow for the installation of subsurface drainage systems associated with the on-going E. Kentucky Avenue Project.
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.
Cedar Creek guard Taylor Martinez signs her national letter of intent while Bryan College head coach Matt Bollant looks on Tuesday. (photo by Malcolm Butler)
by Malcolm Butler
Faith.
It’s a part of Taylor Martinez’s life that she doesn’t take lightly.
And when making one of the biggest decisions of her young life, it’s something she leaned one heavily on in the decision to sign a national letter of intent to play college basketball at NAIA Bryan College in Tennessee.
With a room filled with family, friends and teammates, the Cedar Creek senior guard put her John Hancock on the paperwork Tuesday and did so with confidence.
“It was the faith, atmosphere and community,” said Taylor about why she ultimately chose Bryan College after also visiting Millsaps and Covenant Christian. “I feel like I connected with everyone on my visit, especially the freshman. Coach (Matt) Bollant was so adamant about his faith and the type of player that he wanted. I just fell into that.
“It really made a lot of sense to me. I felt like I was already a part of their community.”
Part of that community made the almost 10-hour drive to Ruston for the signing day event as Bollant was in attendance for his newest signee.
“I just love Bryan College,” said Bollant. “We try do it the right way. We try to honor God in everything we do. Our goal is to sign players like Taylor and their families. For me it’s a big deal when it comes to who the parents are and how they (fit).
“And we want driven, tough kids, and most importantly, ones that want to honor Jesus. Taylor is the full package. As soon as I met her, I loved her.”
Toni and Todd Martinez, who both serve as basketball coaches at Cedar Creek, have had the front row seat to Taylor’s basketball journey since she first picked one up at age seven.
“It is special to see the work that she has put in come to fruition,” said Toni. “To see her be rewarded for that. Todd and I have been coaching for a long time so we have seen a lot of kids work and not be rewarded with a scholarship so to be able to see our own daughter go through the trenches and be rewarded … I got emotional this morning when I woke up.
“I knew it was an amazing thing to see all her work and dedication make her dreams come true. We are excited for her to get this opportunity.”
After playing her first two years of high school basketball at Benton High School, Taylor transferred to Cedar Creek prior to her junior season. She averaged 7.0 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while helping lead the Lady Cougars to a 29-4 record, the District 1-1A title and an appearance in the Select School Division IV title game.
“Taylor is one of the most deserving student athletes that I have ever had the privilidge to coach,” said Lady Cougars head coach Katie Hall, who played high school basketball with Taylor’s mom Toni at Byrd High School. “It’s extra special to me because this entire family means a lot to me.
“This kid is just different. She is different in the way she leads. Her competitiveness, her court vision, and her ability to lead really stand out. She is the kind of player every coach dreams of having on their team. She makes everyone around her better.”
Taylor said that Tuesday’s signing was just another step in her basketball journey as she prepares for the start of her senior season with the Lady Cougars.
“Today definitely means a lot,” said Taylor. “I have put a lot of work into this. I have put a lot of time, sweat, and tears into it. After everything, today it feels like it was all worth it. I didn’t know if this day would come, but it feels really good to have done it and to say that I met the goal that I set when I was little.”
Bryan College competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. It is located in Dayton, Tennessee.
Simsboro’s Jakaleb Modest poured in 39 points in the Tigers’ win over Choudrant Tuesday night. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Whenever Simsboro and Choudrant get together on a basketball court or ballfield, it always turns out special.
Tuesday’s season opener for both turned out to be just that, with a playoff atmosphere and packed house as Simsboro played its first game in its recently renovated gym.
And the Tigers held on for an 86-72 win their home opener, despite the Aggies rallying from double-digit deficits more than once.
The final 4:35 was a microcosm of the game.
Simsboro led 70-60 with 4:34 remaining before the Aggies did a defensive not so fast routine, chipping away at the Simsboro lead before cutting it down to one point at 73-72 with 1:42 remaining on a Carson Carrico shot from underneath the basket.
That was before Simsboro’s Ahmad Smith stepped on the gas, scoring on a short jumper, a long-range jumper and a 3-pointer to push the Tigers back out to an eight-point advantage only a minute later.
Simsboro added six points in the final 40.6 seconds on a Smith layup, a pair of free throws by Jakaleb Modest and a Smith steal and layup at the final buzzer.
Smith remained facedown on the court on that final play before eventually being helped off the court, but after the game SHS coach Adam Wodach said he hoped it wasn’t a major injury.
“I think it’ll be OK,” Wodach said. “I don’t want to speak as to what I think it is, I’m guessing at this point, but I think he’ll be all right. First game of the year, conditioning-wise isn’t the same, but I think he’ll be all right.”
Smith finished with 29 points on the night, but it was a 39-point performance from Simsboro’s Jakaleb Modest that seemed to spark the Tigers down the stretch.
“That was an amazing game,” Wodach said. “Credit to Choudrant. They’ve improved tremendously from last year. I think our biggest improvement is our ability to run our offense in big moments. When we needed buckets, we relied on our structure instead of getting out of control. I’m just super proud of the way we stayed together emotionally, mentally, physically — it was just a battle for both teams. Great game by both teams.”
Simsboro’s first double-digit lead came late in the first quarter as they moved on top 19-8 on a Modest steal and layup with 1:39 remaining in the opening stanza.
And the Tigers roared to their biggest lead of the game at that point as Modest hit the final basket of the first quarter with a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left on the clock.
Simsboro moved out in front by as many as 14 points at 26-12 early in the second quarter before Choudrant slowly started chipping away at the lead.
The Aggies’ Jackson Ambrose made a layup at the buzzer off a steal that cut the Simsboro lead to three points at 35-32 at halftime.
And the Aggies managed to move on top 40-39 on a short jumper by Carrico at the 5:29 mark of the third quarter before the Tigers finally regained the lead for good.
“It felt like every time (Choudrant) scored, it was like the world was ending for our team and I was just begging them to get the ball out and go,” Woodach said. “Once Jakaleb and everybody started getting into transition (offense). Ahmad and Jakaleb played great, but we had two players in TJ (Holland) and Mike (Smith) in foul trouble and Jamarcus (Goodrum) came off the bench and stepped up for us — gave us electric energy defending Carson (Carrico).
“Landry (Roberts) hit some big buckets (and finished with eight points),” Wodach said. “It was just a complete team effort. I don’t think we’re pleased with our full 32 minutes, but good teams find ways to win even when not playing well.”
Carrico finished with 18 points to lead the Aggies while Benton Case added 14, Brayden Pye hit for 12 and Ambrose chipped in with 11.
“What an awesome way to start the season,” said Aggies coach Ryan Smith. “I genuinely believe this is one of the bigger games in the state this season to start the season. We just love these bigger moments, and the community of Simsboro is so passionate about basketball — they fill the gym. It felt like a playoff game.”
Smith said he got what he wanted to get out the game — seeing where his team stands to start things off.
“That’s what you ask for early in the season — things to come back the next day and really work on in practice,” Smith said. “And there was a ton of stuff. I thought we handled the ball well. We didn’t turn it over a lot.
“We’ve got to get some defensive stops. We’ve got to keep communicating on defense. They had some leakouts and stuff where we didn’t get matched up in transition. But being able to get that on film and really hone in on those things I think will make us great going into our tournament the rest of this week.”
Choudrant’s Reese Brown (with ball) poured in 19 points to lead the Lady Aggies past Simsboro in the season opener for both Tuesday night. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
SIMSBORO — Experience counts, and it was there when the Choudrant Lady Aggies needed it as they opened the season in a special contest against Simsboro.
Simsboro played its first game in its completed new gym Tuesday night to open the season for both teams, and the atmosphere was just like Lincoln Parish hoops fans would expect from the two rivals — electric and playoff-like — as Choudrant held on for a 42-38 win.
The Lady Tigers’ 5-0 lead to open the contest was the largest for either team on the night and it was experience and free-throw shooting for the Lady Aggies.
Choudrant senior Reese Brown led the way with 19 points, including a 9-of-10 performance at the charity stripe.
Three of those free throws came in the final 1:06 of the game, including a pair Brown sailed through the net with 0.6 seconds remaining to put the game away for the Lady Aggies.
“Reese played just flat out phenomenal basketball,” Simsboro head coach Adam Wodach said. “We sent bodies after bodies after her and she’s hitting her free throws — she made four huge free throws down the stretch — and to their credit, they’re a little older than us. The average age on our girls (team) is 13 1/2, and sometimes experience is the best teacher.
“So, Reese is a two-time MVP, and I’m going to give her a lot of credit.”
Fellow senior Sadie Jones also played a key for the Lady Aggies, adding 10 points to the winning effort.
After falling behind 5-0 to start the game, the Lady Aggies battled back with eight unanswered points with Brown accounting for six on a layup, turnaround jumper and a pair of free throws.
“That was an awesome game and I’m so happy Reese was playing for us,” Choudrant head coach Brandy Roberson said. “I’m very proud of her for stepping up there and hitting those big shots at the end. And throughout the game.
“She played like the senior we need her to be.”
While happy with the win, Roberson admitted it was only the season opener and that experienced or not, her Lady Aggies still have a lot of growing to do.”
“We did not play well but we still won,” Roberson said. “The energy and the atmosphere were very intense.”
Turnovers were a factor Roberson found to be especially troubling.
“We’ve got to learn to settle down and handle the ball,” Roberson said. “We didn’t do very well with pressure tonight. We just need to take tonight and build on it.
“It was a good start. But we’re only getting started and still have a long way to go.”
Simsboro was led by Lazorreya Davis with 11 points while Tamia Green added nine and seventh-grader Madi Mitchell chipped in with eight.
“Watch out for her,” Wodach said about Mitchell. “You better get us early. You better get us now because she’s going to be special. This whole team, honestly, is going to be special. I don’t think they realize how talented they are as a whole.They’ve just got to learn from experience.”
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.
Wednesday, Nov. 5 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, Nov. 6 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by the Presbyterian Church and 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry (Ruston Housing Authority Community Room, 901 MLK Dr.) All welcome to come. 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 7 6:30-9 a.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast (Ruston Civic Center) 7 p.m.: Ruston High Football
Saturday, Nov. 8 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m.: Scouting for Food (Scouts and volunteers will pick up food donations in the brown bag dropped off at houses on Nov. 1. For questions, call Christian Community Action at 318-251-3282.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: Grambling State v. B-CU
Monday, Nov. 10 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day 7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Wednesday, Nov. 12 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) 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 7 p.m.: Grambling Theatre presents “A Raisin in the Sun” (Floyd L. Sandle Theatre, GSU)
Thursday, Nov. 13 9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church) 10 a.m.: Grambling Theatre presents “A Raisin in the Sun” (Floyd L. Sandle Theatre, GSU) 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) 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 7 p.m.: Grambling Theatre presents “A Raisin in the Sun” (Floyd L. Sandle Theatre, GSU)
Friday, Nov. 14 10 a.m.: Grambling Theatre presents “A Raisin in the Sun” (Floyd L. Sandle Theatre, GSU) 6 p.m.: GSU volleyball 7 p.m.: Grambling Theatre presents “A Raisin in the Sun” (Floyd L. Sandle Theatre, GSU)
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(7th Grade photos courtesy of Tonya McCulloch) (8th Grade photos courtesy of Big Zigg Photography)
RUSTON, La. — Ruston Junior High head coach Hilton Hay just wrapped up his fourth season at the helm of the Bearkit football program.
And what a fourth season it was, given the winning record for the seventh graders and the eighth graders running the table to a perfect record.
“Our seventh graders really impressed us all season long,” Hay said in an interview the Lincoln Parish Journal earlier this month. “How much they grew was amazing to the coaches. Just to see that growth from week one to week eight was a pretty big deal. On the eighth grade side, we knew we had really good groups the last few years, but this group as they become freshmen and sophomores in high school, they’re going to be very successful.”
The eighth grade’s undefeated full season is the first since 2009 (Note: The 2020 eight grade team went 4-0 in a shortened season due to COVID-19).
Hay said the seventh grade team was impressive given they had only been together for one season of football and that multiple players had to work in different positions. He praised a great deal of his roster.
“Cooper Stoehr had a great year for us at quarterback,” Hay said. “Caymen Cauley had some big runs for us at tailback, and Jameson Sutton had a good year at receiver and as a return guy for us. Both of our defensive and offensive lines played well, and Rand Garvin and Brett Brown did a great job at the linebacker position. Kayden Guy had a good year at free safety with a couple of interceptions.
“When (the season came) to an end, we really wanted to play a couple more with them just because they all got to a point that they really know what’s going on. It clicked for them.”
On the eighth grade side, Hay predicts the group will give great dividends to Ruston High football when they move on.
“We’ve had really good groups these last few years, and I’m not trying to take anything away from anybody, but when this eighth grade group gets together with (Ruston High’s) freshmen and sophomore groups, they’re going to be incredibly successful,” Hay said. “There’s pieces in one that might not be in the other, and when they all come together, they’re going to be a great football team.
“Aulds Garvin had a great year at quarter, and WJ. Campbell ended up being a force at fullback. Willie Williams had a great year, and I felt like he came in and took the next step of not just being a finesse back and being able to outrun everybody, but he was willing to run between the tackles and lower his should and become a physical back. Kayden Smart did a great job kicking, and he also plays defensive tackle. And Silas Warren did a great job, defensively.”
Letha Odom, 68, of Ruston, Louisiana went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 2, surrounded by her loving family after a short courageous battle with bile duct cancer.
Letha was a woman whose faith, family, and friends were the cornerstones of her life. She faced every challenge with grace and strength, trusting God through it all. She loved her family deeply and made sure everyone around her felt cared for and included. Her kindness, laughter, and warm smile made her a friend to everyone she met – she never knew a stranger and made everyone feel like family.
Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, she came from humble beginnings and went on to build a successful 25-year career as an insurance agent in Ruston, forming lasting relationships with clients who often became dear friends.
Letha is survived by her best friend and spouse of 50 years, Bruce Odom, children Kyle Odom and Kurt and wife Kristin Odom, grandchildren Kyla Odom, Wyatt Odom and Bella Odom and siblings Jeana Cockerham and Susie Branch who will carry her love and lessons with them always. She was preceded in death by parents Minnie Rose Branch and Otho Branch.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church at 200 South Trenton St. in Ruston, Louisiana with Senior Pastor Chris Craig officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories of the incredible woman she was.
Philippians 4:6: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
RUSTON, La. — The Lincoln Parish School Board voted today to reconfigure the Ruston School district elementary schools to be PreK – 5th grade neighborhood schools (Hillcrest, Glen View, Cypress Springs and Ruston Elementary) following nearly an hour of public comments primarily in protest to the proposal and requesting the board take more time before voting.
The Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center will then become the home for the school board office and house the parish buses, which are housed at Ruston Junior High. All PreK teachers will then be embedded into the different elementary schools.
Seven yes votes were enough for a majority to pass.
The seven yes votes: Hunter Smith (District 7), Donna Doss (District 4), Joe Mitcham (District 6), Danny Hancock (District 5), Debbie Abram (District 12), Gregg Phillips (District 8) and George Mack, Jr. (District 11).
Those not in favor: Dr. Danielle Williams (District 1), David Ferguson (District 2), and Lynda Henderson (District 9).
Both Otha Anders (District 10) and Clark Canterbury (District 3) were absent.
The reconfiguration will take effect in the 2026-27 school calendar year.
Pictured is Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston City Council along with Louisiana Center for the Blind Director Pam Allen. Walker and the City Council recognized Allen and the Center for the Blind for its 40th anniversary. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Approving seven resolutions and introducing a pair of others made up the bulk of a Ruston City Council meeting that took under a half hour to complete Monday evening inside the courtroom at City Hall.
One of the introduced ordinances is proposes granting Delta North Louisiana Gas Company, LCC, the right to construct, install and maintain facilities for the transportation, distribution and sale of gas in the municipality of Ruston and, for such purposes, to use and excavate in the public highways, streets, sidewalks, alleys squares, commons, grounds and other to enter into publicly-owned areas and levying a franchise (privilege tax for that purpose while the other is to set the date, time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Ruston for the 2026 calendar year.
Those meetings have taken place at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of every month unless being adjusted due to a holiday or another reason.
Both of those ordinances introduced during Monday’s meeting will be discussed and voted on during the City Council’s December meeting.
The first resolution approved during Monday’s meeting authorized the city to enter into a professional services agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ( LADOTD) for the state’s Interstate 20 interchange at Rough Edge Road project.
Mayor Ronny Walker said he hopes that the Rough Edge Road interchange project will come to fruition faster than the Tarbutton Road project did, jokingly giving Ruston Public Works Director John Freeman a timetable.
“The last interchange project for the city of Ruston took 28 years,” Walker said. “We’re trying to do this in a lot shorter (time period), maybe eight to 10 years. So John, I’m putting you on a time limit.”
Two other approved resolutions authorized the city of Ruston to enter into Professional Services Agreements with The Riley Company of Louisiana, Inc., for engineering services related to the 2027 Street Overlay/Reconstruction Project as well as for engineering services related to emergency generator installations.
“Some time back FEMA awarded monies for emergency generators placement at critical locations like lift stations, water wells and fire stations,” Freeman said. “One of the final things to do to put that application finally through and receive that funding is to do some site surveying and put all that together.”
Walker said the funding comes from monies dedicated to the city after the 2019 tornado that struck various parts of the city and Lincoln Parish.
“The city of Ruston paid for a grantwriter to write this for the entire parish,” Walker said. “We paid for that, the school board, the parish, Louisiana Tech, Grambling State, and I think Choudrant was involved — but anyway, we did one big grant instead of a bunch of smaller grants, so we’re looking forward to finally getting this done.”
Ruston’s City Council also passed a resolution authorizing the sale of damaged transformers as surplus movable property as well as the sale of scrap materials as surplus property, with Freeman calling both annual requests.
Also approved was a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the Riley Company for engineering services related to sewer rehabilitation also related to the 2027 Street Overlay Program as well as another resolution authorizing Walker to execute an agreement with the LADOTD for Improvements at Ruston Regional Airport.
The Council also granted permission to start the property condemnation process for structures located at 217 Union Avenue and 705 Second Avenue.
Just before Monday’s City Council began, Walker recognized the Louisiana Center of the Blind for celebrating its 40th anniversary, calling LCB Executive Director Pam Allen to the front to read and present here with a proclamation honoring the occasion.
The Louisiana Center for the Blind was founded in 1985 in Ruston to provide residential training and support for blind individuals to gain skills for independent living. It grew rapidly, attracting students from across the nation and globe and moving from its original small location inside a small home on Bonner Street to its current site at 101 South Trenton.
RUSTON, La. — The Lincoln Parish School board will take up a vote today on the new proposed zones and reconfiguration of the elementary schools in the Ruston school district as part of its November agenda.
The proposed plan will be to reconfigure Hillcrest, Ruston Elementary, Cypress Springs, and Glen View into PreK – 5th grade neighborhood schools and bring the school board office to the current LPEC school building.
“Since the meeting in October, when HGA introduced the plan to reconfigure the schools, board members have been listening to the public on their thoughts,” Lincoln Parish School Board President said. “I personally had a few emails, calls and texts about it. And of course, we were able to get a pretty good amount of responses from the survey. I will say most of them have been positive, with others having questions and concerns. Most of the concerns that I heard revolved around the closure of preschool and shifting them to the four school locations.
“While we know that there will be many details that need to be worked out, we believe that the overall benefit of making this change will be worth the effort. And that’s one of the reasons most board members wanted to go ahead and introduce this item in November is to give the system, if the plan passes, an extra month to start the planning.”
The meeting will be held today at I.A. Lewis at 12 p.m. There will be a public comment portion allotted prior to the board members taking the vote.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on the night of Wednesday (November 6) from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. there will be a lane closure on eastbound and westbound I-20 in Ruston as part of the LA 544 (Tech Drive) Overpass Replacement.
These lane closures will be between the Tarbutton Interchange and the US 167 Interchange and are required to install temporary concrete barrier rails on the shoulders of I-20.
This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.
Safety Reminder: DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking or biking near an active work zone. Call 511 or visit www.511la.org for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-800-ROAD-511 (1-800-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.
Ruston’s longstanding dedication to educational excellence began with visionary pioneers and continues today through the efforts of those who followed their example. Before the steel beams, research labs, and sprawling grounds of Louisiana Tech University, there was Ruston College.
Modest in scale, ambitious in spirit, and now nearly forgotten, this faith-led institution of the 1880s planted the roots of higher education in Ruston, preparing the way for what would become Louisiana Tech.
The story begins in 1884, when Ruston was just becoming a town, mostly filled by
transplants from north Louisiana towns like Homer and Vienna and Mt. Lebanon that had embraced education as a means to a better life.
Ruston College arrived just as the new town received official recognition. Established first as the Ruston Male and Female Academy, founder Reverend W. C. Friley, a Southern Baptist pastor, envisioned a Christian institution serving the region’s youth.
Operating for roughly twelve years, Ruston College averaged about 250 students annually and offered both classical and religious instruction. The campus was on the site of Ruston’s current civic center with most of its facilities housed in a massive, rambling two-story structure.
One professor at Ruston College, C. Edwin Ives, described the campus as a grade school, high school, and college all rolled into one institution.
Many of the teachers in surrounding parishes received their education at Ruston College. My own great grandfather, Christopher Columbus Liner, attended Ruston College before he was licensed to teach school in Jackson Parish.
Ruston College represented an early commitment to offering classic and religious instruction to north Louisiana towns that sought educational opportunities. But it faced immense challenges. Funding came through tuition which fluctuated with enrollment. Sustaining a small private college was difficult in that era.
In 1888, Friley left to serve in leadership roles at other colleges. He was succeeded by Professor Thomas Summer Sligh, a seasoned educator from the Masonic Female Institute of Homer, Louisiana. Sligh’s wife, an accomplished mathematician, was also highly regarded for her scholarship. The Slighs were heavily involved in promoting education in north Louisiana, participating in teacher training conferences and educational associations.
In 1893, Sligh was succeeded by Professor G. W. Eichelberger, who was presiding when the college’s main building burned on December 26, 1893. At the time, about 160 students were enrolled.
Officials hustled to find alternative classroom space among other campus buildings and churches in Ruston. In 1894, Professor M. W. Hatton of Missouri took charge as Ruston College’s head. Local newspapers praised him as a brilliant young educator with “indefatigable energy.” Yet despite his leadership, enrollment fell to fewer than 100 students in 1894.
The school’s struggles while contemplating a new facility planted an idea in the minds of local leaders—that Ruston deserved a durable institution of higher learning.
Leaders took action to establish a tuition-free state institution in Ruston. On May 14, 1894, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury called upon State Representative George M. Lomax to champion such a school. Just weeks later, on July 6, 1894, the Louisiana Legislature approved Act 68, creating the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana. The act envisioned a school that would educate young people in the arts and sciences.
Francis P. Stubbs donated 20 acres for the new campus, and Col. Arthur T. Prescott was named the first president. Under his leadership, the first two-story brick “Old Main” building was constructed, complete with classrooms, auditorium, laboratory, and reading room. A nearby frame structure housed mechanical instruction.
What was later renamed Louisiana Industrial Institute, and even later Louisiana Tech, opened its doors in September 1895 with six faculty members offering a free education. Ruston College, still rebuilding, managed to reopen briefly that fall with about 100 students in a new facility. But the competition proved overwhelming. After the fall semester of 1895, newspapers no longer mentioned Ruston College. By 1896, it had closed permanently, though one of its buildings continued in use as a dormitory for the Industrial Institute.
Over the decades, the institution grew and changed. In 1898 it was renamed Louisiana Industrial Institute. In 1921, it became Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, reflecting broader academic offerings. Finally, in 1970, it evolved into Louisiana Tech University, a full-fledged research university. From its 20-acre start, the campus expanded to thousands of acres, with enrollment and academic programs multiplying to match.
Though many know Louisiana Tech today as a leading research university, proud of its engineering, technology, and science credentials, it is worth remembering that the institution’s roots include not just state legislation and industrial ambition—but a small, idealistic private college that dared to plant a seed in the soil of Ruston.
Ruston College left behind an enduring idea: that Ruston—a growing railroad town in Lincoln Parish—deserved a lasting center of higher learning. The buildings are gone, but the memory of Ruston College endures as the seed from which Tech ultimately grew. Ruston College may be forgotten in name, but its spirit continues to live on in the ambitions of Louisiana Tech University.
A Ruston man resisted arrest when police attempted to check out a woman’s report of a suspicious man Halloween night.
Franklin Terry Roane, 60, was arrested October 31 for resisting officers and eight outstanding warrants after police responded to Cornell Avenue where after a woman reported men approaching her vehicle as she parked in her yard.
A responding officer located a man matching the description in the area. He identified himself as Michael Roane, born April 1. The man did not possess any identification, but said the woman was related to him.
Officers saw three copper filters with suspected drug residue on them on the ground where Roane was standing that had not been there earlier. The man attempted to push the filters under a patrol car.
When officers attempted to take him in the custody, he resisted and tried to pull away. As officers attempted to secure the man, he actively resisted by trying to push himself away and break the grip officers had on him. He was eventually taken in the custody.
The woman said she was not related to Roane and did not know him. He finally identified himself to officers as Franklin Terry Roane.
A records check showed Roane was wanted on four warrants from Third District Court on charges of theft and four warrants for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on two counts of expired license plate and two counts of no license plate.
Roane was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the eight warrants.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Seniors Jake Terry (pictured) and Cameron Temple will lead the Cougars into the 2025-26 season.
by Malcolm Butler
“It’s more than just basketball.”
That’s the overriding sentiment echoed when talking to new Cedar Creek School head boys basketball coach Todd Martinez and seniors Jake Terry and Cameron Temple.
Although hoops is on the horizon for the Cougars with the Brickhouse Bash set for Nov. 11 and the season opener the following week, the trio are focused on what some might say is the bigger picture.
“It’s about growing a culture of getting one percent better every day,” said Martinez, the longtime veteran high school coach who spent last year at West Ouachita. “If you do that, you are going to care when you leave. When you come back, you are going to want the basketball program to be successful. It has to start with someone. And that is Cam and Jake.
“I am really big on character and being a light wherever we play at whether we win or lose. I believe in that concept. It took a minute, but they are starting to buy into that. My goal is to implement a system that we can grow with.”
Neither Terry nor Temple shy away from the truth when talking about the transition to a new coach as they head into their final year on the high school court.
“It’s been a big culture change for me,” said Terry. “It was rough for a little bit, but I think we have handled it really well. Coach (Martinez) has come in and brought a lot of new stuff; a lot of really good things we need to make us successful.
“He wants to make us better men for the future. It’s more than just basketball. It’s been good for all of us. Cam and I are just trying to be senior leaders that this team needs.”
His backcourt teammates agrees.
“I like the culture he is trying to establish,” said Temple. “It’s family. It’s more program based. It’s multiple guys being involved. It’s not just us. It’s working with elementary school kids. It’s going to be good for the future. It’s a different coaching style, but it works with this team really well.”
The dynamic duo were a big part of the Cougars run to the Select School Division IV quarterfinals last year which included a road upset over No. 5 seed Vermillion Catholic. The Cougars battled through injuries and adversity in posting a 15-10 record.
And although Cannon Robbins and Jack Bell graduated and there is still some uncertainty what Creek football players may or may not hit the hardwood following the gridiron season, the confidence gleaned from last year is obvious when talking to them.
That combined with outside noise from those who don’t believe the Cougars can repeat that success is fueling both seniors.
“What we did last year was incredible, but not many people are expecting much out of us this year,” said Temple. “Jake and I hear it every day. Coach tells us to keep our head down, rely on each other, and make each other better every day. We have to just rely on each other and our teammates.”
“I am really excited,” said Terry. “The last two seasons have been great. We had such a great year last year coming off the best season in a long time. A lot of people are doubting us, saying they lost Cannon and they lost Jack and they lost these other guys. They have a new coach. It’s going to be different.
“But it’s about more than just basketball. I want to show people the person I am. I want to make an impact at Cedar Creek before I leave and help set a foundation that this program can build upon after I am gone.”
Martinez is quick to give his predecessor at Cedar Creek credit. Lance Waldron departed last summer and is now the head coach at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School after serving as the Cougars head coach for three seasons.
“We are picking up where he left off and continuing to grow,” said Martinez. “It may not be the exact same direction, but the ultimate goal for most coaches is to grow you as a person and have you leave here better than we found you. I believe Coach Waldron did a tremendous job with that. We have really good kids here. He built a really good foundation.
“We are just putting our signature on that foundation and building it in the direction that we see fit with the personnel that we have.”
The Cougars have been practicing with six varsity players while the Creek football team is still in season as Terry and Temple are currently joined by sophomore Bridger Reynolds, freshman Jase Martin, junior Rhett Bridges, and sophomore Brett Hasty. And although Martinez isn’t sure what his final roster will look like come end of the calendar year, he is confident that they are headed in the right direction.
“We have talented kids who believe they are going to win because of the success they had last year,” said Martinez. “Early success is very, very important, and with that, I think we could have a really good year.”
In order to maximize that success, leadership from the two most experienced players is critical.
“I need to provide leadership and realize I need to be a bigger option (on the court),” said Temple. “Last year we had a lot of great pieces like Cannon (Robbins) and Jack (Bell) and Brett (Bell). It’s a change. Jake and I are the only seniors. I realize I need to take on more of a leadership role and be more assertive on the court.”
“I think I can be a better leader through my actions on the court,” said Terry. “Just playing hard while showing people it’s about more than just the game of basketball. Christ above all. I want my actions to show that message.”
A Ruston man was arrested Monday after he allegedly took his relative’s vehicle without permission and then apparently drove while intoxicated.
Vincent Elmore, 30, was arrested at the Ruston Police Department early Monday morning after he and his relative came to the station.
The relative said Elmore had come to her residence and took the keys to her vehicle and drove away without her permission. Elmore had an odor of alcoholic beverages on him and the relative said he had been drinking when he came to her residence. Elmore said he drank several alcoholic drinks when he was at his relative’s residence as well.
Field sobriety tests were administered and Elmore was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he submitted to a breath test. The test showed Elmore’s blood alcohol content to be .195g%, more than twice the Louisiana legal limit.
Elmore was booked for a second offense DWI, unauthorized use of movable, and driving under suspension.
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.
LAKE CHARLES, La. — For the second time this year, Ruston and Barbe will square off on the court.
The No. 22 Lady Bearcats (16-17) will be heading to southwest Louisiana on Wednesday, Nov. 5, for a 5 p.m. matchup with No. 11 Barbe (27-11), who Ruston faced in its host tournament “The Bearcat Brawl” back in September.
“I’m really excited to face Barbe for the second time this season,” Ruston Head Coach Mandy Cauley said. “We played some tough opponents over the weekend and played very well. I feel like we are in a good spot to go down and give the best version of our team.”
Playing in three sets, Barbe would get two out of three for the match in the first contest by final scores of 25-23, 22-25, and 15-10 with Ruston winning set two.
Ruston split a weekend tournament at The Dunham School in Baton Rouge, winning Friday over East Ascension 25-23 and 25-20, and then Saturday over Prairieville 25-20 and 25-22. The costs dropped matches in the middle to Dutchtown (23-25, 20-25) and Archbishop Chapelle (21-25, 16-25).
The winner will go on to face the winner of No. 6 Southside and No. 27 Terrebonne.
Once upon a time, the preacher’s hair was a theological marvel—thick, resilient, and capable of withstanding even the fiercest stewardship campaign. But somewhere between the fifth funeral and the twelfth vision meeting, the follicles began to falter. The once lush locks now resemble the sanctuary after a youth lock-in:scattered, exhausted, and in need of divine intervention.
Is this simply aging? Or is the church, in its mysterious ways, sanctifying its shepherd one strand at a time?
Let’s examine the evidence.
Sermonic Stress: Each sermon must be biblically sound, emotionally stirring, and short enough to beat the Baptists to lunch. That kind of pressure could make Samson reach for a razor.
Liturgical Load: From Lent to Laity Sunday, the preacher must pivot from lament to celebration, all while remembering which stole matches the season. Hair doesn’t stand a chance.
Pastoral Care and Hair Despair: One moment you’re comforting a grieving family, the next you’re navigating a debate about the color of the new fellowship hall chairs. Emotional whiplash is real—and follicular fallout follows.
Vision Casting and Hair Blasting: Rolling out a church-wide vision like L.I.V.E. (Learn and Apply the Word, Invest in Others, Voice the Gospel, Engage with God) requires graphics, podcasts, small group guides, and enough coffee to sanctify a Starbucks. The preacher’s hair, once thick with possibility, now thins under the weight of holy ambition.
And yet—here’s the grace.
Jesus once said, “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Not counted in judgment, but in love. Not tracked for vanity but treasured for intimacy. Every strand lost in ministry is known to God. Every follicle that falls is a testimony to a life poured out in service.
So let the strands fall where they may. For every hair lost, a story is gained. Every patch of bare skin becomes a canvas for resurrection. And in the end, the preacher doesn’t go bald.
He goes bold!
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