by Malcolm Butler

Sometimes construction timelines are fluid. 

Well, most of the time.

That has been the case for Delta Biscuit Company as owner Jonathan Joseph confirmed this week that the widely-popular breakfast spot should be opening soon.

It’s been almost two years since Joseph purchased the old historic federal building in downtown Ruston, and although the renovations have been slower than many had hoped — due to numerous factors — area resident’s taste buds can still be excited knowing the location will be opening.

And according to Joseph, who owns Delta Biscuit Company in Monroe, it will be opening sometime this summer.

“We are still rocking and rolling,” said Joseph. “We have framed up the inside. We are going to lay some terrazzo. We are on track for (opening) in June or July. I would say we will be ready for this summer.”

Oliver Road Investments, LLC purchased the approximately 38,000-square foot building for $210,000 in April of 2024. The Federal Building was appraised at $230,000, but the city offered the special rate in light of the 40-plus jobs the new restaurant plans to create.

Joseph said back then that every step of the process from the exterior concept to the interior plans were having to be approved by both the state of Louisiana and National Parks. His goal for the final appearance of the building was to take it all the way back to its original form.

“Because it’s a historic building, we are working with National Parks and the state of Louisiana,” said Joseph in March of 2025. “We gave them a proposal. … They approved that pretty quickly.”

A new slate roof was put on the building along with some other work to the exterior this time last year.

Joseph said a year ago that the second part of the approval process was geared towards the interior of the building, something that was just approved last March by National Parks.

“We are trying to bring back (the look) of the original post office,” said Joseph. 

New windows have also been installed so most of the remaining work has to do with the interior.

Joseph said it will seat over 100 once opened.

“One thing we are working hard on is no bad seat,” said Joseph. “Every seat will be nice with a good view.”

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By Capt. Peter Drasutis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

Maj. Gen. Michael M. Greer, a north Louisiana native and Louisiana Tech alum, was promoted to the rank of major general during an official ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, Feb. 21.

Greer currently serves as the assistant adjutant general of Louisiana, where he assists in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans for the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard.

He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1992 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers with the 528th Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy), Louisiana Army National Guard.

Throughout his military career, Greer has served in a variety of leadership positions within the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, including director of civil affairs and civil-military operations for U.S. Forces Korea and Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).

Greer has completed four overseas tours, including combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2004, he deployed with the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) in support of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. In 2010, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, with the 17th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), where he served as the deputy commanding officer of Psychological Operations Task Force-17. In 2015, he mobilized to the Kingdom of Bahrain as the psychological operations officer at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, and in 2022, he served as director of civil affairs and civil-military operations for U.S. Forces Korea in the Republic of Korea.

“This is a particularly meaningful moment for me,” said Greer. “This is my first promotion ceremony with family and friends since I was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Every promotion since then has occurred either during or after a deployment, during COVID or while transitioning between units.”

His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and Master of Science degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and the U.S. Army War College.

Greer is a retired federal agent and currently resides in New Orleans with his wife, Meredith. They have three sons currently serving as officers in the US Army.

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The mayor of a Bienville Parish town has been arrested following an investigation led by the state Attorney General’s office.

Arcadia Mayor O’Landis “Bubba” Millican was booked into the Bienville Parish jail Thursday morning on four counts of malfeasance in office and one count of felony theft.

Millican is in his second term as Arcadia mayor.

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) opened a criminal investigation in response to allegations of official misconduct involving the Mayor of Arcadia, O’Landis Millican, of College Street in Arcadia, Bienville Parish. Agents received reports that Millican had misappropriated public funds for personal benefit.

During this investigation, LBI agents discovered multiple instances in which Millican had misused town funds, totaling more than $30,000, for personal benefit. For example, on separate occasions in 2025, Millican used more than $21,000 in public funds to pay for repairs to his personal vehicle. Millican issued multiple checks from the town’s accounts to cover the costs.

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In another example, agents learned that Millican held private events, in 2024 and 2025, at his residence in Arcadia and rented equipment from a business in Ruston. Millican used more than $7,800 in town funds to pay for that equipment, which included large event tents, lights, generators, and cooling fans for those events.

As a result of evidence obtained during this investigation, LBI agents secured an arrest warrant for Millican through the 2nd Judicial District Court

In a statement, Chris Bowman, Millican’s attorney, said the mayor is confident in the judicial system and expects to be fully vindicated at trial.

“We will defend these charges vigorously and look forward to all facts being presented in this case,” Bowman said.

In a prepared statement, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “No matter who you are, if you break your oath of office, you’re going to jail.”

LBI’s investigation is continuing.

Millican’s bail was set at $10,000.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

 

By T. Scott Boatright

 

They’re baaack!

Defensive domination was the name of the game Thursday evening as Cedar Creek’s Lady Cougars punched their tickets for a second straight trip to Marsh Madness with a 53-18 win over 21st-seeded St. Mary’s in quarterfinals action of the LHSAA Division IV Select girls basketball playoffs inside The Brickhouse.

With the win, Creek will now travel to Hammond Wednesday to face No. 1 seed Southern Lab at 2:45 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s Select School Division IV title game. Southern Lab defeated No. 8 seed Sacred Heart 71-21 Thursday night.

No. 2 seed JS Clark will face No. 3 seed Ouachita Christian in the other semifinal Wednesday at 1 p.m.

St. Mary’s Ava Hebert opened the game’s scoring with a short jumper 1:17 into the opening stanza.

But the Lady Tigers didn’t score again until 2:26 in the second quarter on a Corbin Gandy 3-pointer to shrink Cedar Creek’s lead to eight at 12-5.

Cedar Creek’s offense finally ignited at that point as the Lady Cougars outscored St. Mary’s 20-2 the rest of the quarter to build a 32-7 advantage at halftime.

“I felt like our defense would give them trouble,” said Lady Cougars coach Katie Hall. “”We’ve been taking steps forward in the last month and a half to get to this point. We still have some habits they’ve got to get better at, but we’re finally getting back to where we were in the Northwood game, the very first game of the season. It’s just confidence.”

The second half was all Cedar Creek, with a running clock starting late in a third quarter that saw the Lady Cougars outscore St. Mary’s 17-4.

And that running clock made fast work of the final stanza as Hall slowly took her starters out of the game to standing ovations.

Cedar Creek senior post player Avery Ryan dominated on both ends of the floor, using her 6-2 size advantage to lead the Lady Cougars with 15 points while also controlling the boards.

“Avery was awesome,” Hall said. “I’m so proud of her because she draws a lot of attention and she works. She runs and is getting banged all the time and that’s hard to do. Tonight, I felt like it didn’t bother her. She was wanting the ball and sharing the ball. She trusted her teammates tonight.

“And that was really big for her because a lot of times she’ll get frustrated because it’s hard for her to get touches, but she was rebounding the heck out of it. She and Alivia (Lee) were great on the boards.”

Lee also played a big role for Cedar Creek, using her 5-10 height advantage to help give the Lady Cougars dominant play in the post and finishing with 14 points.

“She’s playing with confidence right now,” Hall said of Lee. “She was everywhere. She was rebounding, she was making steals. It was good to see her have success because she has had some physical deals. But I think being in shape helped her.”

Ryan dominated defensively from the opening tip but started slow offensively, not getting on track until the final three minutes of the second quarter when she scored on a short jumper, a putback off the glass and a shot she banked off the backboard from under the goal off an assist from Caroline James, who totaled 11 points on the night.

“It was pretty tough but I knew that we would come out with a win and banging down low is just a part of the game and tonight (the referees) were just letting us play,” Ryan said. “My teammates talked to me and pumped me up at halftime, so I was good to go heading into the second half.”

Hall said holding St. Mary’s top offensive weapon — Ava Hebert, a senior who has scored more than 2,000 career points — to 14 points was one of the keys to the Lady Cougars big win.

“I thought Caroline’s defense on No. 1 was exceptional,” Hall said. “She’s a very good player and Caroline just really did a great job on her.”

Hall believes her team will be ready for its next challenge thanks to having a chip on their shoulder.

“Sometimes they feel disrespected because people don’t give them enough credit,” Hall said. “I mean, some guy picked St. Mary’s to win today. So they’ve got a little chip on their shoulders. And now we’re going back to the semifinals — again — because we’re a good team. I’m proud of these girls.”

Ryan says she and her teammates will be ready.

“I feel very confident in us,” Ryan said. “We still have work to do, but we’re going to be ready. This was a game we needed.”

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Ruston Police arrested a local woman Monday after she was involved in an altercation with a roommate and allegedly threatened the victim with kitchen knives and threw objects which caused injuries.

Alexzandria Floyd, 25, of Ruston, was arrested February 23 for aggravated assault and aggravated battery following an investigation at a Kennon Lane apartment.

Floyd told officers she had an argument with a roommate over a kitchen light being left on. She said she pulled out two kitchen knives and told the roommate not to get closer to her.

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When interviewed, the alleged victim said Floyd threw a doorbell chime at her, striking her in the head. The victim provided video of the argument before Floyd yelled, “Last time I checked it was illegal to record someone in Louisiana,” and then knocked the phone out of the victim’s hand and took it away.

The victim said she managed to get out of the house and knock on her neighbor’s door to seek assistance.

An officer wrote in a report that Floyd appeared to be the aggressor in the video and she also admitted to throwing objects at the victim. She was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

Grambling State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Trayvean D. Scott, announced a two-year contract extension for head football coach Mickey Joseph.

Joseph, who was named head coach in 2024, signed a two-year extension that runs through the 2027 season. He also has option years in 2028 and 2029.

“This decision reflects our belief in the future of Grambling State football. We are committed to building a program defined by discipline, development, and championships,” said Scott. “Coach Joseph’s leadership continues to move us forward, and we are confident that the foundation being laid today will position us for sustained success in the years ahead.”

In his second season at the helm, Joseph led the Tigers to a 7-5 record last year. It was GSU’s first winning season since 2019. It was also Grambling State’s highest single season win total since 2017.

“I want to sincerely thank our administration, our players, and Tiger Nation for their continued trust and support,” said Joseph. “It means a great deal to lead this program. We are working every day to build something special for the future, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this university and these young men.”

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

When Simsboro’s offense gets rolling, the 13th-seeded Tigers are hard to beat as they showed Thursday night with a 88-59 win over District 1B foe Weston in opening round action of the Class B playoffs inside Napper Gym.

It was Simsboro’s second straight win over the Wolves after the Tigers took a 64-50 at Weston on Jan. 29.

Simsboro led by as many as eight points in the first quarter but stretched that lead to 20 points at halftime.

And the Tigers led by at least 20 points throughout the second half with their biggest advantage being 30.

“They just did enough — made a few big shots — that kept them within striking distance, just hanging around, until they just didn’t have enough time anymore,” said Simsboro coach Adam Wodach about the Wolves.

Simsboro’s 88 points was its high scoring output on the season.

Ahmad Smith and Justin Terrell provided the bulk of Simsboro’s offensive firepower with Smith striking for 30 points while Terrell hit for 25, including four 4-pointers in the third quarter.

“They’re both the type of players that when they get hot, you just keep on feeding them the ball,” Wodach said.

Mike Smith and Marr Woodard added 11 points each for the Tigers.

“It’s a big win for us,” Wodach said. “It’s been a long season and finally to get to be 1-0 again feels good. We’re starting a new journey here.”

The Tigers beat Choudrant, the 11th seed in Class B that had an opening-round bye, 86-72 in the Nov. 4 season opener for both teams.

Next up for the Tigers will be a game at fifth-seeded Laccasine, which also had a first-round bye, in a game Wodach said he hopes will be played on Monday.

Laccasine, the defending state champion, defeated Simsboro 71-64 in last year’s Class B semifinals.

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Virginia was devastated.  Three months after the accident, she had her child and named him William J. Blythe III in honor of her late husband.  Everyone called him Billy.  Virginia, now a single parent, went to nursing school in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Virginia’s parents took care of Billy while she was away.  In 1950, Virginia returned to Hope and went to work as a nurse.  In that same year, she met and married a car dealership owner named Roger.  In 1956, Roger and Virginia had a son whom they named Roger Jr.  At some point, Billy Blythe began using his stepfather’s last name, and, in 1962, Billy legally changed his last name so that he and his half-brother would have the same last name.  In the following year, Billy was selected to be a delegate to Boys Nation, a special youth leadership conference held in Washington D.C.  Billy was among the other boys from Boys Nation who, along with the Girls Nation, were invited to the Rose Garden at the White House to meet President John F. Kennedy.  Billy was one of the first in line to shake JFK’s hand.  Billy said later that meeting JFK had a profound impact on his life. 

Imagine just for a second that Bill Blythe’s car wreck never occurred.  Billy Blythe III would probably have been born in Chicago.  The whole trajectory of his life would have been different.  He probably would not have become President of the United States.  If he had, we would know him as Bill Blythe rather than Bill Clinton.        

Sources:

1.      Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff, Missouri), May 18, 1946, p.1.

2.     “It All Began in a Place Called Hope: Biography of the President Bill Clinton,” National Archives, accessed February 15, 2026, https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/Hope.html.

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.

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Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Friday, Feb. 27
3:30 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

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Saturday, Feb. 28
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Inaugural Black Expo  (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
2 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
4 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball

Sunday, March 1
Noon: LA Tech softball
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Monday, March 2
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, March 3
Noon: Lincoln Parish School Board Meeting (Choudrant Elementary School)
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Wednesday, March 4
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 p.m.: GSU softball
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Thursday, March 5
9 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Chase Bank (297 North Service Rd., Ruston)
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 to be served at the Ruston Housing Authority Community Room at 901 MLK Dr. Sponsored by 5 Loaves 3 Fish Ministry. All are invited. 
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.: Lady Techster basketball
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Stinky Cheese Man”

Friday, March 6
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Stinky Cheese Man”

Saturday, March 7
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Find Your Voice: Empowering Women through Song (Presbyterian Church of Ruston Fellowship Hall)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Third annual Geektogether  (Lincoln Parish Library and LPL Events Center)
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Stinky Cheese Man”

Sunday, March 8
2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Stinky Cheese Man”

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.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Baseball

A highly anticipated match-up is on deck at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park this weekend, with the Diamond ‘Dogs (8-1) hosting the #12 Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-1) for a three-game series.

Game 1 is set for Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m. and Game 2 is set for Saturday, February 28 at 4 p.m. CT. The series finale is slated for Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. CT.

All three games can be seen on ESPN+.

With the 12th-ranked team in the country coming to Ruston, it marks the first time the Bulldogs have hosted a ranked opponent for a three-game series since the 2021 season, when LA Tech played host to #1 Arkansas.

LA Tech is coming off a midweek win over Northwestern State and improve their winning streak to four games after suffering their first loss of the season to McNeese at home on February 18.

Colby Lunsford has been the hot bat for the ‘Dogs to start the year, holding a nine-game hitting streak and leading the team with a .455 average, 1.538 OPS, 13 runs scored, six doubles, four homers, 33 total bases, slugging 1.000 and has stolen two bases on as many attempts.

The weekend rotation for the ‘Dogs has proved to be effective and efficient through the first two weeks of the season. Declan Dahl, Hudson Rowan and Brooks Roberson all hold 2-0 records and combine for three earned runs allowed across 32.1 innings so far. Rowan, a southpaw transfer from Florida State, has tossed 11 innings without allowing a run while scattering four hits and three walks with eight punchouts.

Southern Miss enters the weekend as the No. 12 team in the country, per D1Baseball’s most recent release of their Top 25 rankings. The Golden Eagles are riding a seven-game winning streak after losing their season opener to UC Santa Barbara at home, 5-1.

USM is coming off a 14-4 eight-inning run rule victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide at home, which was lifted by a second-inning grand slam and a seven-run fourth inning, which included a bases-loaded walk, a two-run single and a second grand slam hit by the Eagles.

The projected weekend rotation for Southern Miss is right-handed pitcher Colby Allen, left-handed pitcher Grayden Harris and right-hander McCarty English. Allen is 0-1 through two starts with an ERA of 2.70. He tossed five innings in the season opener against the Gauchos allowing three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.

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Softball

Louisiana Tech will close its nine-game homestand with four games in the Bulldog Classic, beginning Friday against Stephen F. Austin (3:30 p.m.) and Central Arkansas (6 p.m.).

The Bulldogs will face Northern Iowa on Saturday night at 7 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend against Central Arkansas on Sunday at noon.

All four games will be streamed on ESPN+.

LA Tech improved to 12-3 after earning a walk-off win over ULM last Thursday, followed by two victories and a series win against Southern Miss over the weekend. It marks the Bulldogs’ best start since 2024, when they also started 12-3 through the first 15 games.

Allie Floyd was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week and D1Softball Mid-Major Pitcher of the Week. The senior tossed two complete games, highlighted by an 11-inning complete-game victory over ULM. The right-hander logged 20 innings, allowing just eight hits (five bunt singles) with no extra-base hits. She struck out 14 while surrendering two earned runs and four walks, finishing the week with a 0.70 ERA.

Freshman Bradi Gallaway put together a standout week at the plate, batting .529 (9-for-17) with four RBIs, four runs scored and a home run, which was a walk-off solo shot in an 11-inning win over ULM. Gallaway recorded four multi-hit games in five contests last week, including three hits against ULM, and now leads the team with seven multi-hit performances this season.

Thursday

SFA 5, Northern Iowa 0

Friday

1 p.m. Northern Iowa vs. Central Arkansas

3:30 p.m. LA Tech vs. Stephen F. Austin

6 p.m. LA Tech vs Central Arkansas

Saturday

1 p.m. Northern Iowa vs. Stephen F. Austin

3:30 p.m. Central Arkansas vs. Stephen F. Austin

7 p.m. LA Tech vs. Northern Iowa

Sunday

12 p.m. LA Tech vs. Central Arkansas

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By Malcolm Butler

Fifth-year graduate Will Allen saved some of his best for last.

The Bulldog forward got a start in place of Avery Thomas (illness) and made the most of it, scoring a career-high 13 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and hitting the game-winning shot with 8 seconds to play to lead Louisiana Tech to a 72-70 victory over Missouri State.

With the two teams tied at 70-70, Scooter Williams drove down the right side of the lane, but left his shot a little short. Allen grabbed the rebound and in one motion laid the ball in to give Tech the two-point lead with 8 seconds to play.

After a pair of timeouts by Missouri State, the Bears tried a lob pass backdoor that Kaden Cooper got a piece of, deflecting it off of the Bears player and out of bounds with 2.4 seconds to play.

Tech (16-12, 9-8) would miss two free throws in the final 2 seconds but a desperation three-quarters court shot was well off the mark as the Bulldogs picked up a huge win.

Allen, who entered the game with only two made three-pointers in his entire college career, connected on three of them and hit a pair of huge free throws down the stretch, plus the game-winning putback in the closing seconds.

“We didn’t have Avery (Thomas) and so I told Will and these guys that they had to play confidently,” said Tech head coach Talvin Hester. “I told Will a story about me in high school. I wasn’t a starter but I got an opportunity and I stepped up. He certainly stepped up tonight for us.”

Allen wasn’t the only Bulldog that had a season-best game as guard DJ Dudley poured in a Tech career-high 27 points, including a go-ahead offensive rebound and putback with 51 seconds to play that gave the home team a 70-68 lead.

Dudley hit 10-of-19 field goals, including three three-pointers, while playing 38 minutes. 

Center Mel Martinez also had a career-best outing, recording seven of the Bulldogs 11 blocked shots. The seven blocks were the most by a player in any Conference USA game this season. 

Tech jumped out to an early 15-4 lead before Missouri State fought back and eventually took a 39-38 lead into the halftime locker room. The game featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes. 

With the victory, Tech remains in a three-way tie for fourth place with Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State, one game behind WKU in third place. 

“Tonight’s win was huge because one win or one loss moves you a lot of places within the standings,” said Hester. “We just wanted to protect our home court and put ourselves in better position within the seedings for the conference tournament. We did that tonight, and now we have another one Saturday.”

Keith Palek scored a season-high 29 points for the Bears. 

Tech will host FIU Saturday at 2 p.m. in the home finale for the Bulldogs. 

 

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Head coach Matt Lodge and Louisiana Tech soccer have announced the official signing of Kate Mondejar Thursday morning.

Mondejar is native of Gurnee, Illinois and was born in Highland Park, Illinois. She brings in experience as a midfielder, outside back and forward.

“We look forward to Kate joining our program,” Lodge said. “She brings an incredible work ethic, energy, pace, and a desire to win. Kate is another player who can fill many roles for us. We’re excited to bring her to Ruston this fall.”

She was a four-year varsity letterman for soccer at Warren Township high School, being a two-time recipient of All-Conference and All-Sectional honors.

Mondejar was voted the Co-MVP of her team as a sophomore and was a two-year captain for her junior and senior seasons. She also spent her club career playing for Rockford Raptors FC ECNL.

Mondejar also spent two years on the varsity cross country team, being named All-Conference twice and was a state qualifier, as well as playing two years of junior varsity basketball.

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Funeral services for Mildred Eloise Falkenheiner Peterson, 92, of Ruston will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 2, 2026, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston, LA.  Pastor Pete Mace will officiate the service.  Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes of Ruston, LA.

A visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M until service time in the Chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.

Mildred passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026, in Ruston.  She was born April 14, 1933, in Ferriday, LA to Henry and Edith Falkenheiner.  She was a member of Grace Methodist Church in Ruston.

For 36 years, Mildred worked for Bell South, South Central Bell, and retired from AT&T.  Her hobbies were traveling and shopping.  She loved to be on the go! Didn’t matter where as long as she was gone from home.  She loved to make picture albums when she returned from her trips.  Mildred loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Forrest C. Peterson and parents, Henry and Edith Falkenheiner. 

Mildred is survived by her children, Libby McMullen and husband Corbet of West Monroe; granddaughter, April Taylor (Dustin) of Choudrant; great grandson, Riggins Ray; great granddaughter, Anniston Grace; and son, Clay Peterson and wife Susie of Homer, LA; step-grandchildren, Jamie Morganthall (Donna) and their children of Downsville, LA; Charlie Morganthall (Toni) and their children of Ruston, LA.

Pallbearers honoring Mildred are Charlie Morganthall, Keith Williamson, Ronald (Speedy) Edwards, Richie McKinney, Dustin Taylor, and Wayne Patterson.

We would like to thank Tender Touch Caregivers for the 5 years of service to Mildred and our family.

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Mildred F. Peterson 
April 14, 1933  –  February 25, 2026 
Visitation: Monday, March 2, 2026, 10:00AM – 11:00AM, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes 
Service: Monday, March 2, 2026, 11:00AM, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes 
Final Resting Place: Greenwood Cemetery, West Alabama Avenue, Ruston 

Wanda McCallister Lewis 
Monday 08/24/1964 — Friday 02/20/2026  
Visitation: Friday 03/06/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Funeral Service: Friday 02/27/2026 1:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Saturday 03/07/2026 Following Service, Bonner Cemetery, Ruston 

Marilyn Hargrove Jackson 
Thursday 08/08/1957 — Saturday 02/21/2026  
Funeral Service: Friday 02/27/2026 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Interment: Friday 02/27/2026 Following Service, George Washington Carver Memorial Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston 

Letrice Anita Cedotal  
March 11, 1957  –  February 24, 2026  
Visitation: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:00PM – 3:00PM, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home   

Brigitte Watson Fitzgerald    
March 25, 1956 – February 21, 2026    
Visitation: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel    
Memorial Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel    

Katherine Dorena “Doe” Wilson Clark    
February 23, 1948 – February 15, 2026    
Visitation: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Feazel Chapel at First Baptist Church West Monroe, 311 Mill St., West Monroe    
Celebration of Life: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00 PM, Feazel Chapel at First Baptist Church West Monroe, 311 Mill St., West Monroe 

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by Malcolm Butler

Relief is on the way.

As residents continue to talk (and worry) about possible challenges associated with the construction of the new Cooktown Bridge and roundabouts, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said funding has been approved by the state for the completion of Goyne Street.

This should alleviate some of the pressure coming off of the eastbound frontage road located south of Interstate 20.

Although normally traffic is only a major issue at this intersection following church services on Sunday and Wednesdays, it is still a concern. The completion of Goyne Street will also provide another route for motorists traveling from I-20 that are wanting to access the Tech Athletics complex, including Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center.

Walker said at March Ruston City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, a vote will be taken to approve the first phase of the project. 

The road would start on the frontage road just west of Temple Baptist Church and would run south through existing woods (behind Garland Gregory Hide-A-Way Park), eventually ending at West Alabama Avenue between The Heights Ruston and Park Ridge Estates.

According to Walker, an access road from the Temple Baptist Church parking lot will allow churchgoers to access Goyne Street.

“The City Council will vote Monday to authorize the city to enter into a contract related to starting phase 1 of constructing this road,” said Walker. 

Walker said the price tag on the entire project will be around $2.3 million with the city paying for 25 percent.

“We have about $600,000 from capitol outlay for phase 1,” said Walker. “Goyne Street starts at West Alabama but only goes for about a couple hundred yards.  Phase 1 will allow us to completely finish that stretch with drainage and everything. Phase 2 will take us from that point to the frontage road.”

Walker said there will be multiple benefits to the new road.

“Our thought was people can get off on Tarbutton, come down the frontage road, and take a right on Goyne Street and have access to the (Thomas) Assembly Center and Joe Aillet Stadium,” said Walker. “Plus, this will give the Temple Baptist folks relief to go south on Goyne Street and then hit West Alabama. It will help congestion during those times on Cooktown.”

Although funding has been approved, the timeliness of phase 2 funds is still a concern.

Walker said he is hoping the state will move funds for phase 2 from Priority 5 to Priority 1 so the entire project can be completed sooner than later. 

“If people want to help us with this, call any legislator — not just ours from around here because they are aware of it but others — and encourage them to move that money from Priority 5 to Priority 1,” said Walker. “This could be completed before the new Cooktown Bridge and roundabouts open if the funding is moved to Priority 1.”

 

 

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by Wesley Harris

 

The City of Ruston has announced a special Groundbreaking Ceremony for “The Bark Yard,” a city-maintained dog park. The groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2 at 4:00 p.m. at 1212 McAllister Drive behind the Ruston Animal Shelter.

The Bark Yard Dog Park is being brought to life in partnership with some incredible students and faculty of the Louisiana Tech University School of Design.

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The LA Department of Transportation & Development will host an open house public meeting to provide information and gather input regarding a proposed roundabout in Ruston. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish Library, 910 N. Trenton.

The project involves constructing a double lane roundabout at the intersection of LA Hwy 150 (W. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave) and LA Hwy 818 (Tarbutton Road), which would replace the current traffic controls of stop signs and flashing lights. This is the busiest intersection between Ruston and Grambling on LA 150, referred to by some as “Old Grambling Road.” It will only get busier when Buc-ees and adjacent businesses open.

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A big dream of the non-profit “Dubach Legends” group is the acquisition of the Fred Dubach House, home of the founder of the town. The Wisconsin native moved to the area and developed one of the biggest timber operations in Louisiana. The grand house built by Dubach in 1900 is deteriorating and the group wants to save it. Fred Dubach eventually sold out to T. L. James in the 1920s. The James family, known for its construction empire and philanthropy, lived in the house until moving to Ruston’s T. C. Standifer House, now known as “The Big House.”

You can check out Dubach Legends on Facebook.

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The ice is gone but the devastation will remain for some time. Scores of structures collapsed or were damaged by the terrific weight of the ice dumped by Winter Storm Fern, particularly on flat roofs. The victims included business establishments, schools, and private homes.

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Another victim of the ice storm is our road system. If you suspect your favorite pothole is a bit bigger, it’s no wonder. As rain or melted ice seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, it breaks apart asphalt, resulting in significant potholes and surface degradation.

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While Lincoln Parish is not under a burn ban, the State Fire Marshal has warned conditions exist that increase the likelihood for wildfires. The Fire Marshal recommends no outside burning until we get some rain.

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A two-vehicle crash in north Webster Parish Monday morning has claimed the life of a 20-year-old Haynesville man.

Louisiana State Police said Tristan Young died when his vehicle apparently entered the intersection of LA Hwy. 160 and Fire Tower Road and collided with a log truck.

Preliminary investigation by troopers revealed a 1995 Toyota Tercel, driven by Young, was traveling south on Fire Tower Road around 10:15 a.m. approaching the intersection of LA Highway 160. A 2019 Mack Pinnacle was traveling west on Hwy. 160 when, for reasons still under investigation, the Toyota traveled into the intersection and collided with the truck.

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According to state police, Young was unrestrained at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the front seat, who also was unrestrained, was ejected, sustaining severe injuries. He was transported to a local hospital. The third passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle was unrestrained and reportedly received moderate injuries.

Investigators said the driver of the log truck was properly restrained and suffered moderate injuries.

Investigators indicated impairment on the part of Young is not suspected, but routine toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

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.

Reminder for Lincoln Parish Residents!

Just a friendly reminder about the new notification system that keeps you informed about emergencies, weather updates, and local events in Lincoln Parish.

Participants found this extremely useful during the recent winter storm and you will too!

If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so to stay in the know. Your safety matters to us, so don’t miss out on important updates!

Click the link to sign up for alerts: www.lincalerts.org Stay safe and informed!

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Two Ruston men were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop near the Louisiana Tech campus Monday evening.

Chauncey Harper, 21, and Christian Wright, 25, were arrested by Ruston Police on February 23 after an officer observed traffic violations and stopped the vehicle on Tech Drive. Harper reportedly fled on foot as soon as the vehicle stopped.

Harper was located in the men’s locker room of the Louisiana Tech Intramural Center. When he was taken into custody, 13 grams of marijuana were located on him. Harper said the marijuana was the reason he ran.

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Louisiana Tech Police said Harper did not check into the intramural center and pay a fee so he was considered a trespasser. Tech police officers also found additional marijuana in the area where Harper had fled.

Review of surveillance video showed Harper running through the intramural center parking lot, stop between two vehicles, and bend over behind the vehicles where he appeared to throw items before running away. This was the location where the bags containing about 78.5 grams of marijuana were found.

Wright, a passenger in the vehicle said everything found in the vehicle belonged to him. A search by officers located 18.1 grams of marijuana, four tablets of acetaminophen-hydrocodone tartrate and a bottle of promethazine hydrochloride. Wright told officers he was under the influence of all three drugs.

The two men were booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Wright was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a legend drug, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

Harper was booked for possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, and criminal trespass.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (5-4) got a bounce-back run-rule win Tuesday night on the road at Airline (3-7) by a final score of 12-2 thanks in large part to a four-RBI performance by junior JP Moak at the plate.

“Man, we needed that to start a tough five-game stretch on the road,” Ruston High Head Coach Bryan Beck said. “I really challenged our kids after coming off back-to-back losses in the Trey Altick that we needed to compete better at the plate and give our pitching staff better run support. We had a good practice (Sunday) and had a good pregame batting practice. We hit some balls really, really hard and really aggressive today.”

The production started early when Moak got his first of three hits on the day with a single into center field to score senior Jackson Lee. Two batters later, senior Jackson Burroughs singled into right to then score Moak for a 2-0 lead.

Airline would score its only two runs of the night to tie the game 2-2, but it would only take two empty innings for both teams before Ruston to put up a four-spot of runs in the top of the fourth — all with two outs.

Senior Lander Smith first doubled into right field to score both seniors Michael Brisco and Kenden Freeman to give Ruston a 4-2 lead. Lee then brought home pinch runner Tucker Patterson from second, followed by Lee scoring on a single from Moak to go up 6-2.

Not done for the night, Ruston added five more runs in the top of the sixth — again, all with two outs — which was started by Moak doubling to score both Patterson and junior Keilan Davis to go up 8-2. Two batters later, Moak scored from third during an at-bat by sophomore Tyler Osborne, and junior Dillon Williams scored senior Hudson Wood with a single for an 11-2 lead.

Ruston added one final run in the top of the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly by Lee to score Brisco for the 12-2 score.

Sophomore Hudson Wilkerson got the win after 4.1 innings pitched and striking out four batters along the way.

“That’s how we need to play the game and that’s how we need to approach every game, no matter the opponent,” Beck said. “Airline’s a good baseball team, and we went over on the road and took care of business. And I’m really proud that (Wilkerson) got his first varsity win under his belt.”

Ruston return to action this weekend at the Jay Patterson Shootout in South Louisiana. The Bearcats will start off today playing Destrehan at 4 p.m.

“We’ll enjoy this one today,” Beck said. “Hopefully, this will be good momentum to carry us into a really tough four-game stretch down in Baton Rouge this weekend.” 

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