RUSTON, La. — A coalition of regional and local partners has launched a pilot program in Lincoln Parish designed to help small businesses improve their online presence and reach more customers in an increasingly digital marketplace.
The Local Business Visibility Program, introduced this month, brings together Donnie Bell Design and North Louisiana Business Solutions with support from Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Economic Development, Jonesboro State Bank, the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Ruston.
Organizers say the initiative focuses on improving local search marketing, a strategy that helps businesses appear in online search results when nearby customers are actively looking for products or services.
“At its core, the program is about helping small businesses be found online,” said Donnie Bell of Donnie Bell Design. “Our clients have consistently asked for practical and affordable digital marketing solutions. We listened to those needs and built this system around real-world challenges.”
The program begins with a hands-on workshop and continues with the rollout of AI-powered tools and 75 days of coaching and support. Organizers say the approach combines education with practical implementation, allowing participants to strengthen their digital presence while simplifying complex marketing processes.
Joe Osborne of North Louisiana Business Solutions said the program addresses a gap many small business owners face when trying to compete online.
“In today’s digital world, small businesses don’t just compete on Main Street — they compete online,” Osborne said. “Too often, business owners don’t know where to begin. This program gives them a clear path to getting found by local customers.”
Kathy Wyatt, director of enterprise development and the Technology Business Development Center at Louisiana Tech University, said the initiative also includes financial support opportunities through partnerships with state and local organizations.
“With support from Louisiana Economic Development and Jonesboro State Bank, some participants may have nearly the entire cost covered, while others may receive significant assistance,” Wyatt said. “It’s been exciting to see the community come together to support local businesses in this way.”
Two training sessions are scheduled at the Historic Fire Station in downtown Ruston, located at 200 E. Mississippi Ave. The first session will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 21, followed by a second session from 8 to 10 a.m. on April 23.
Organizers say the program could expand across North Louisiana if the pilot proves successful. They encourage Lincoln Parish business owners to apply and participate, calling the initiative an investment in the long-term growth of the region’s small business community.
Pafford EMS made a significant donation to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) in an effort to enhance emergency preparedness in the Lincoln Parish Community. The donation included life-saving equipment and training that will allow officers to better assist citizens during emergencies before medical personnel arrives.
Pafford donated 49 medical bags along with 49 CAT tourniquets and BVM’s to the Lincoln Parish Sherrif’s Office. They also made a pledge to offer First Aid and AED training in upcoming months to further prepare officers for emergency situations.
Pafford Director of Operations, Alex Pafford, highlighted the importance of providing this equipment to the officers.
“Our law enforcement partners are often the very first to arrive at a crisis,” Pafford said. “Equipping the Lincoln Parish Sherrif’s deputies with these medical bags, tourniquets and BVM’s is about giving them the immediate capability to save lives before an ambulance even gets there. Pafford is incredibly proud to support Lincoln Parish, and we’re excited to follow this up with hands-on CPR and First Aid training in the coming months.”
The medical bags will be placed in all LPSO marked patrol units alongside recently purchased AED’s. With training, the officers will learn how to provide first aid and CPR during a medical emergency.
LPSO Chief Deputy, Landon Hunt, explained how the equipment and training will enhance safety within the community.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Greg Pafford and Pafford EMS for their generous donation of these first aid/medical kits,” Hunt said. “This lifesaving equipment will greatly benefit our community, as our deputies are often the first to arrive on scene. They will now have the tools they need to provide critical aid when every minute counts.”
With the addition of this equipment and upcoming training, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office will be better positioned to provide lifesaving care on the spot. The donation from Pafford EMS and the efforts from the LPSO ensure a commitment to public safety and emergency readiness when it matters most.
I remember struggling with one of the big life questions for years.
The question was – God, what is your will for my life?
I started asking this question somewhere in my high school years and continued searching for that answer into my mid-20s. As with many of those big life questions, I bet many have asked that question at some point in their life as well.
Looking back at those years and my asking that question, I have much more clarity today. The clarity relates to my motive for asking the question as much as it does the answer.
My desire to find the answer to that big life question had much more to do with me than God. Here’s why:
I was convinced that knowing God’s will for my life would lead to success, comfort, peace, and fulfillment. Furthermore, I thought knowing God’s will would alleviate uncertainty, anxiety, and worrisome situations.
While there is some level of truth in some of those assumptions above, I was focused on me and how I would benefit. I wanted a straight line in life. I wanted a direct path to success in every facet. I didn’t want obstacles, stumbling blocks, and detours.
I wanted to know, so I could write my plan in ink and move forward with certainty. Hard work should be rewarded. Doing the right thing should be recognized. Knowing God’s will for my life should provide that certainty.
As you can tell, my problem asking that question was the emphasis placed on “my life” not “God’s will”.
I now realize that “hard” doesn’t mean “wrong”, that uncertainty builds dependence (on God), and that true peace is not dependent on circumstances. I also realize that I am not in control and don’t have control over many outcomes, no matter how hard I work.
For most of us life will not be a straight line, and we had better use a pencil with an eraser when making plans. Uncertainty is part of life, and it’s ok!
The more I get to know God, the more my focus changes. Sure, I still wrestle with decisions and pray for guidance, but the motives are different. The most fulfilling outcomes are often found in the toughest challenge. The more uncertainty, the more dependent (on God) I find myself. The more I need guidance, the closer I walk with God.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”.
I wonder if we found the answer to that BIG question.
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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The terrain was unforgiving from the start, a dense tangle of loblolly and sweetgum pressing close on either side. The canopy was a cathedral of shadows and threats looming over our every step. The air was thick, alive even with the kind of humidity that doesn’t so much surround you as hold you hostage, settling into your clothes and hair like a bad smell.
Vindictive vines, armed with thorns seemingly engineered for the destruction of exposed ankles, suggested the forest had posted a “KEEP OUT” to visitors. Poison ivy colonized the trail with the confidence of a thing that has never been successfully argued with. Squirrels chittered at our presence, deeply suspicious of our passing.
Fire ants established fortifications along our approach. Mounds rose from the earth like concentrated fury, radiating warnings of pain.
Mosquitoes congregated in organized formations. Whether this was coordinated behavior or simply the statistical outcome of their sheer number was unclear, and practically speaking, irrelevant. The miserable effect was the same.
We pressed on.
The summit came without announcement. A gentle clearing. A sign. A geocache box that had been visited recently enough to contain a stub of pencil and a slightly damp notebook with a handful of names in it. Several of them from Texas. One an elderly gentleman named Gerald who noted only the date and a single word: Nice.
535 feet above sea level. We had done it! We made it to “the roof of Louisiana.” The highway was just audible from our perch.
In a state so thoroughly committed to sea level that its one geographic outlier is basically a rounding error, any solid ground above 500 feet feels exotic. Driskill Mountain, while not technically a mountain, rose to prominence in our state by simply declining to sink along with everything around it. Bravo good chap.
James Christopher Driskill, a Georgia native, bought 324 acres in Louisiana in 1859 looking for farmland. The mountain just happened to come with it.
When Jimmie Davis and his band played “You Are My Sunshine” at the summit before becoming governor of Louisiana five years later, it helped put the hill on the map, with its summit nearly the same height as an early New Orleans skyscraper.
The families that own the property kindly leave the peak open for the public to visit. The trail is actually a nice, under a mile walk, but it’s more fun to pretend like it is a perilous trek.
If you haven’t been to Bienville Parish to see it, you should consider making a light outing of it one day. While the real depth of our state may be more horizontal than vertical (unless you count the salt domes and gas wells), Louisiana is a fine ‘ole gal at any elevation, and our “mountain” is the icing on top.
A Simsboro man was arrested Monday after he allegedly violated a protective order by harassing a neighbor.
Sarnell M. Baldwin, 32, was arrested April 13 after Lincoln Parish deputies responded to a Hwy. 80 residence in Simsboro regarding the protective order.
A woman told deputies that Baldwin had been harassing her by repeatedly driving by her home while she was waiting for her ride. She said he honks at her when she is walking through the neighborhood and repeatedly drives by her.
Baldwin is subject to a protective order to stay away from the woman.
Baldwin was located by deputies at his residence in the same neighborhood as the victim. He said he was aware of the protective order. When asked about driving in front of her home, he said he had to go to work. The deputy noted in a report that there are two ways to exit the neighborhood and Baldwin chose the exit that takes him by the woman’s house.
Baldwin was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for violation of the protective order.
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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The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in an investigation involving sexual crimes involving a juvenile.
In April 2026, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received information regarding possible inappropriate sexual conduct between a juvenile and Blade Dawson Langley, 24, of Farmerville. UPSO investigators began an investigation and obtained a search warrant for Langley’s cell phone.
Following the execution of the search warrant on the cell phone, investigators located evidence indicating attempts to delete apps, images, and video content. A forensic review of the device revealed a significant amount of explicit content, along with internet search activity and browsing history consistent with illegal sexual material involving minors.
UPSO investigators recovered multiple videos depicting juveniles that appeared to have been recorded without consent, in private settings. Further investigation revealed that Langley had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile under the age of 10. At the time of this crime, Langley was 21 years old.
On April 15, 2026, Langley was taken into custody and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center. He is charged with Video Voyeurism (12 cts.), Creation of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Molestation of a Juvenile, and Obstruction of Justice.
Langley’s bond was set at $520,000. This case remains under investigation.
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.
A trifecta of area high school teams earned postseason berths Wednesday as Ruston High, Cedar Creek and Choudrant will all advance to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs in their respective divisions.
Cedar Creek earned the highest seed of the parish schools as the Lady Cougars enter the Select School Division IV playoff as the No. 12 seed and will host No. 21 Delta Charter today at 5 p.m.
Creek (18-13) played a tough in-season slate that included six of their 13 losses coming against Class 5A opponents, including an 8-3 loss to Ouachita Tuesday in the regular season finale.
Delta Charter (12-16) won its final three games of the regular season, including a 17-1 victory over Rayville Sunday.
The winner of the contest will then face No. 5 seed Central Private.
Ruston High enters the Non-Select School Division IV playoffs as the No. 26 seed and will go on the road Friday to face No. 7 seed Natchitoches Central. First pitch is 6 p.m.
The Bearcats (13-14) won their final three games of the season, including a 5-4 win over Byrd High School on Tuesday. Ruston lost to Natchitoches Central 12-3 way back on February 23.
Natchitoches Central (25-6) boasts a six-game winning streak heading into the match-up.
The winner will play the winner of No. 10 Live Oak vs. No. 23 Prairieview.
Choudrant is the No. 20 seed in the Class B playoffs and will travel to face No. 13 Doyline today at 4:30 p.m.
The Aggies (9-17) dropped their final three games of the regular season, including a 3-0 loss to Class 4A West Ouachita in the finale.
Doyline (16-6) bring a three-game winning streak into the contest, including a 13-12 win over Class 4A Loyola Prep.
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 16 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 1 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Adala Health (902 S. Vienna St.) 4 p.m.: Tween Time (Lincoln Parish Library) 5 p.m.: Library Board of Control meeting (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Climbing Everest with guest speaker John Kyte (Lincoln Parish Library) 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.: Books and Bites Book Club (Lincoln Parish Library; registration required by calling 318-513-5510) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Murder on the Nile”
Friday, April 17 1 p.m.: GSU softball 1 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Adala Health (902 S. Vienna St., Ruston) 4 p.m.: Family Fun Friday (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6 p.m.: GSU baseball 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Murder on the Nile”
Saturday, April 18 USSSA Softball: St. Jude Classic (Ruston Sports Complex) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market Noon: GSU softball 2 p.m.: GSU softball 2 p.m.: LA Tech softball 3 p.m.: GSU baseball 6-9 p.m.: India Night (For tickets, call 682-321-9914 or 318-957-9298) (Louisiana Tech) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Murder on the Nile”
Sunday, April 19 USSSA Softball: St. Jude Classic (Ruston Sports Complex) 11 a.m.: LA Tech softball Noon: GSU baseball 2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Murder on the Nile”
Monday, April 20 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning 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, April 21 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Storytime (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day 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, April 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) 6 p.m.: Tween/Teen Time (Lincoln Parish Library)
Friday, April 24 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Saturday, April 25 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Master Gardeners spring plant sale (The Bridge Community Center, 2301 N. Trenton St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Sunday, April 26 1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
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No. 1 seed Louisiana Tech gets its postseason underway today as the Bulldogs face off against No. 9 Sam Houston in the Conference USA Women’s Tennis Championship quarterfinals.
It’s scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at the Adams Tennis Complex in Murfressboro, Tennessee.
Following a 16-3 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in league play, LA Tech looks to carry its momentum into the conference tournament as the top seed. The Bulldogs have won 13 of their last 14 matches and are currently ranked No. 73 in the country.
Singles have been a big driving force behind LA Tech’s success this season. The Bulldogs are a combined 63-29 (18-4 against their five league opponents). The team is led by reigning CUSA Athlete of the Week Zoie Epps who is 16-1 this spring from the No. 1 position, having won 13 in a row all via straight sets.
Another key Bulldog in the singles lineup has been freshman Isabella Walker who clinched LA Tech’s regular season finale at Kennesaw State. The newcomer is 13-2 this season, playing primarily at the No. 6 position.
Other steady contributors include Maria Tsironi and June Vigneron who both have tallied nine dual singles victories. Vigneron has won four of her last five matches, all via straight sets. Meanwhile, Tsironi has won seven of her last 10 matches. There is also Mio Kozaki who is undefeated this season with a 7-0 record. The senior has won 13 in a row, a streak which dates back to last season.
Doubles has been a key component to LA Tech’s success as well, combining to go 31-14 while winning 13 of its 19 doubles points. The duo of Tsironi and Alice were named CUSA Doubles Team of the Week after wins of 6-0 and 6-3 against Georgia State and KSU, respectively, in the last weekend of regular season action.
The tandem has 11 wins this spring at the No. 2 position, the same number of victories as Epps/Walker which enters the tournament ranked 70th in the country (have been nationally ranked for almost two months). This top duo has won four in a row and seven of their last eight.
It took almost three-and-a-half hours, but Sam Houston (9-12) advanced in the tournament with a 4-3 marathon victory over WKU. The Bearkats dropped the doubles point to the Hilltoppers, put pulled off singles wins on courts one, two, four, and ultimately court three that ended in a third set tiebreaker.
In dual singles, the Bearkats are a combined 46-50, anchored by Nayuma Subba who is 13-4 this spring while playing at the top position for Sam Houston. It was Christine Jevicky who provided the clincher over the Hilltoppers, winning 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7) for her third consecutive victory.
Meanwhile in dual doubles, Sam Houston is a combined 14-25, having won the doubles point just five times this season. The pairing of Ella Fitcher and Aaliyah Johmann has been their most successful doubles team, going 5-3 at No. 2.
LA Tech leads the all-time series versus Sam Houston, 14-12. The Bulldogs have won three four over the Bearkats, including a 6-1 win in Huntsville earlier this season. This will be the first time the two programs face off in the CUSA Championship.
The CUSA Women’s Tennis Championship returns to Murfreesboro, Tennessee for the first time since 2022. The event has been hosted by Middle Tennessee twice before (first time was 2016).
LA Tech is 6-11 all-time in the CUSA Tournament, having played in the event 11 times since joining the league in 2013-14. The Bulldogs are the top seed in this year’s tournament for the first time ever (highest previous seed was No. 3 last season).
The program has advanced to at least the semifinals in each of the last three tournaments, including last season when they upset No. 2 seed Middle Tennessee to reach the title game for the first time in program history.
Ashlynn Jonette Shell June 14, 1964 – April 10, 2026 Visitation: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Memorial service: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel
A trifecta of area high school teams earned postseason berths Wednesday as Ruston High, Cedar Creek and Choudrant will all advance to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs in their respective divisions.
Cedar Creek earned the highest seed of the parish schools as the Lady Cougars enter the Select School Division IV playoff as the No. 12 seed and will host No. 21 Delta Charter today at 5 p.m.
Creek (18-13) played a tough in-season slate that included six of their 13 losses coming against Class 5A opponents, including an 8-3 loss to Ouachita Tuesday in the regular season finale.
Delta Charter (12-16) won its final three games of the regular season, including a 17-1 victory over Rayville Sunday.
The winner of the contest will then face No. 5 seed Central Private.
Ruston High enters the Non-Select School Division IV playoffs as the No. 26 seed and will go on the road Friday to face No. 7 seed Natchitoches Central. First pitch is 6 p.m.
The Bearcats (13-14) won their final three games of the season, including a 5-4 win over Byrd High School on Tuesday. Ruston lost to Natchitoches Central 12-3 way back on February 23.
Natchitoches Central (25-6) boasts a six-game winning streak heading into the match-up.
The winner will play the winner of No. 10 Live Oak vs. No. 23 Prairieview.
Choudrant is the No. 20 seed in the Class B playoffs and will travel to face No. 13 Doyline today at 4:30 p.m.
The Aggies (9-17) dropped their final three games of the regular season, including a 3-0 loss to Class 4A West Ouachita in the finale.
Doyline (16-6) bring a three-game winning streak into the contest, including a 13-12 win over Class 4A Loyola Prep.
From left to right: Daniel Moore, Frank Hamrick, Dr. Nasim Sabah, Dr. Shengnian Wang, Dr. Joan Lynam, Dr. Elisa Castagnola
Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications
Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Research hosted the Research and Scholarship Awards on April 9. These awards are given to Louisiana Tech faculty who drive innovation through research and practice, leading to discoveries that expand the boundaries of knowledge.
“Louisiana Tech’s longstanding reputation for research and innovation attracts some of the world’s leading-edge thinkers to Ruston to explore and address enduring and emerging local and global challenges,” Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson said. “The 2026 research award winners embody that brilliance and curiosity that continue our legacy of excellence in research and scholarship.”
Each year, The Louisiana Tech Research and Scholarship Council recognize a select group of researchers whose work exemplifies excellence, creativity, and dedication to advancing their fields.
“Faculty are the source of Louisiana Tech’s creativity, research ingenuity, mentorship, and scholarship,” Dr. Ramu Ramachandran, interim vice president for research, said. “Our Research and Scholarship Council has selected a slate of honorees whose accomplishments speak highly of the quality of this institution. It is an honor and a privilege to gather together to recognize and celebrate them.”
The following individuals are the 2026 Research and Scholarship Award winners:
Early Career Excellence in Creative Arts Daniel Moore Assistant Professor of Art in the College of Liberal Arts
Daniel Moore teaches across foundational courses in architecture, graphic design, interior design, and studio art, helping students build a strong, interdisciplinary design perspective. He also serves as art studios supervisor, gallery installation coordinator, and advisor for the Society of Studio Art Students.
Moore’s creative work explores the connection between visual art and environmental conservation. Through artist residencies at national parks and workshops at places like Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, he brings art into natural and community spaces.
Through his teaching and outreach, Moore encourages students to see art as a tool for observation and impact, both inside and outside the classroom.
Early Career Excellence in Research Dr. Elisa Castagnola Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Science
Elise Castagnola leads innovative research focused on advanced implantable interfaces for monitoring neural activity, combining engineering and neuroscience to better understand the brain.
With more than $3 million in external funding, including a prestigious NSF CAREER award, Castagnola’s work is pushing the boundaries of biomedical technology. She collaborates with leading institutions across the country and contributes to major advancements in neurochemical sensing.
Through her lab, Castagnola mentors undergraduate and graduate students, providing hands-on research experience and fostering a culture of collaboration and discovery.
Early Career Excellence in Scholarship Dr. Nasim Sabah Assistant Professor of Finance in the College of Business
Nasim Sabah’s research explores financial markets, investor behavior, and the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence on the global economy.
His work has been published in leading finance journals and addresses critical issues such as economic inequality, labor markets, and decision-making in uncertain environments. His research offers insights that connect theory to real-world financial challenges.
In the classroom, Sabah equips students with advanced analytical skills through courses like Financial Data Analytics, preparing them to succeed in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Excellence in Creative Arts Frank Hamrick Professor of Art and MFA Program Coordinator
Frank Hamrick’s creative practice spans photography, papermaking, and alternative processes, resulting in work that is visually compelling.
His projects, including the nationally recognized Cyanotype Quilt, often involve student collaboration and have been exhibited and published across the country. His work reflects a deep commitment to craftsmanship, experimentation, and storytelling.
Through Hamrick’s teaching, he integrates mentorship directly into his creative process, giving students meaningful experiences that shape their artistic growth.
Excellence in Research Dr. Shengnian Wang Chemical Engineering Professor in the College of Engineering and Science
Shengnian Wang’s work spans nanomaterials, energy systems, environmental applications, and nanomedicine, addressing complex challenges across multiple scientific fields.
With over $14 million in research funding and thousands of citations, Wang has played a key role in advancing innovation and expanding research capabilities on campus. He has also helped secure major instrumentation that supports cutting-edge research.
Through mentoring a large and diverse group of students, Wang fosters collaboration and innovation while preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Excellence in Scholarship Dr. Jonathan Elmore Associate Professor of English in the College of Liberal Arts
Jonathan Elmore’s research spans literary studies, archival work, and cultural analysis.
Elmore has produced an impressive body of scholarship, including books, articles, and edited collections. His work contributes to major conversations in contemporary literary studies.
Through both his research and teaching, he brings energy, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the craft of writing and scholarship.
Excellence in Mentoring Future Scholars Dr. Joan Lynam Program Chair and Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Science
Joan Lynam is known for her student-centered approach, guiding students through every stage of the research process from developing ideas to implementing meaningful projects.
Lynam’s research focuses on converting agricultural waste, such as rice husks and sugarcane byproducts, into useful and sustainable products. She creates a supportive and collaborative environment where students are encouraged to brainstorm, explore their own ideas, and gain hands-on experience.
Through her dedication, Lynam helps students build confidence and develop the skills needed to succeed in their academic and professional careers, while also inspiring them to discover new knowledge.
Origin Bank announces the launch of its interactive online Fraud Prevention Simulators, designed to help consumers and businesses recognize and respond to common fraud attempts and imposter scams. The simulators leverage the latest technology and use natural-sounding voice prompts to mirror real-world scenarios and phishing attempts.
The new interactive tools are housed within Origin Bank’s recently enhanced Security Center, an online education hub containing resources and guidance on current fraud tactics and how to combat them. It also provides recommendations and steps victims of fraud can take to resolve fraud and limit losses.
With financial fraud schemes on the rise nationwide, Origin Bank is committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to safeguard their private financial, personal and business information. Business fraud losses exceeded $534 billion in 2025 according to TransUnion’s H2 2025 Global Fraud Report, while the Federal Trade Commission reported consumer fraud losses topped $12.5 billion in 2024. In direct response, Origin Bank invested in expanding their online Security Center and developing their Fraud Prevention Simulations to help educate and protect against the growing threats.
“No one wants to fund fraudsters, and awareness is the first line of defense,” said Chief Operations Officer Debbie Williamson. “Whether you’re an Origin Bank customer or just want to learn how to protect yourself or your business, our Fraud Prevention Simulators offer immersive experiences to test your knowledge, spot red flags and stop fraud before it’s too late.”
How the Fraud Prevention Simulators Work
Origin’s interactive simulators leverage the latest technology to replicate real-world fraud scenarios using:
● Phishing attempt recreations
● Imposter scam voice prompts
● Text message fraud examples
● Online banking compromise scenarios
Each quiz takes just minutes to complete and delivers:
● Realistic, scenario-based fraud attempts modeled on current scam trends
● Immediate feedback on user responses
● Clear explanations of red flags and warning signs
● Practical tips to safeguard financial, personal and business information
The free tools are part of Origin’s ongoing commitment to financial education and proactive fraud prevention, providing individuals and businesses with hands-on practice to properly identify and respond to today’s most sophisticated scams and fraud tactics.
The interactive Fraud Prevention Simulators are free and accessible to everyone via their website atOrigin.Bank/Security.
RUSTON — Five seniors at Ruston High School were recognized for their commitment to military service during a Tuesday signing ceremony in the school auditorium, marking a significant milestone as they prepare to serve their country after graduation.
Jake Hawkins, Eli Anderson and Cameron Britt will join the Louisiana Army National Guard, while Connor Martin will enter the United States Air Force and Fisher Cannon will enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
The ceremony honored the students’ decision to pursue military service, with school leaders and recruiters emphasizing the significance of their commitment.
Principal Dan Gressett praised the group for choosing a path of service.
“We’re just proud of these young men, young women that have decided to serve our country,” Gressett said. “We know that’s a huge decision, probably one of the toughest decisions they’ve made so far, but as far as Ruston High School, on behalf of Ruston High School, we’re just extremely proud of them and excited to see what their future holds.”
The event included remarks from Sergeant Courtney Bruzeau, Louisiana Army National Guard Recruiter, who highlighted both the students’ commitment and the support systems behind them.
“Today, we recognize not just a career choice, but a courageous decision to stand for something greater than oneself,” Bruzeau said. “The dedication it takes to choose this path is not something to be taken lightly.”
Bruzeau also acknowledged the role of families in the students’ journeys.
“It takes a lot of courage on your end, and we are aware of the sacrifices that you make as well,” she said. “Thank you for allowing us to help mold and mentor your loved one as they continue on this journey.”
During the ceremony, students participated in the oath of enlistment, formally committing to serve. The moment underscored the transition from high school to military life, as each student pledged to uphold the Constitution and serve both the nation and the state of Louisiana.
School officials and military representatives emphasized that the students are stepping into roles defined by service, leadership and sacrifice.
“These Bearcats have already gone above and beyond by choosing to take this oath,” Bruzeau said. “The opportunities before them are endless, and we know that they will shine as they continue on.”
The 18th Annual Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Senior Expo is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ruston Sports Complex (Indoor Complex) located at 2103 Champions Way.
This event will feature speakers, information relevant to seniors, entertainment, delicious food, and prizes (participants must be 55 years or older and present to win a door prize).
“This event is a way to honor our senior citizens for their vital contributions to our community and parish life,” stated Sgt. Iris Winston from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Community Services Division. “Our main goal is to share valuable information that can positively affect our seniors’ daily lives.”
Winston noted that previous expos have featured speakers addressing topics such as frauds and scams, Medicare and Medicaid, wellness and balance, funeral planning, and more. This year’s lineup includes Cardiologist Dr. Michael Langiulli from Willis-Knighton Cardiology Ruston speaking on heart health as well as local lawyer Ryan Madden talking about power of attorney and estate planning.
“This entire event focuses on our seniors. We want to express our gratitude for their contributions to the community,” explained Winston. “Everything is tailored for senior citizens, showcasing what Lincoln Parish offers and the various services available. We have been hosting this event for 18 years, and many seniors eagerly anticipate it each year.
“We are aiming to make this year’s event even bigger and better. We encourage all seniors in our community to come out and enjoy.”
The LPSO expresses gratitude to major sponsors for the event: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, City of Ruston, Rolling Hills Ministries, Willis-Knighten Cardiology of Ruston, Morris & Dewitt Personal Injury Attorney, Entergy, Origin Bank, FYZICAL, and Trenton Dental.
For more information, to make a donation, or if your organization wishes to reserve a booth, please reach out to Sgt. Iris Winston at 318-251-6440 or via email at iwinston@lpsheriff.org.
A Bernice man was arrested last week after he was pursued by a state trooper into Ruston for a traffic violation on Interstate 20.
Dexter Jermaine Shields, 26, was arrested April 7 for numerous drug and weapon charges, as well as outstanding warrants from Ouachita Parish.
Shortly before 1 p.m., a trooper saw Shields’s Infiniti QX 30 traveling east on I-20. The trooper’s report noted Shields was following a pickup truck at an unsafe distance of about two car lengths at about 70 miles per hour.
When the trooper attempted to stop Shields, the Infiniti left the interstate at the Simsboro exit, but then immediately re-entered I-20.
The pursuit continued into Ruston where Shields reportedly left the interstate at exit 85, traveling north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 167.
Shields allegedly disregarded traffic signals and loss control of his vehicle on Morrison Drive off the North Service Road. He then exited the car and surrendered.
Shields said he ran from the trooper because the vehicle contained drugs and guns.
The vehicle was taken to another location where a search was conducted. Approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, digital scales and a Glock .45 caliber pistol were seized.
Shields is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.
A records check showed Shields was wanted in Ouachita Parish for aggravated flight from an officer, careless operation of a vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, no headlights, no driver’s license, no child restraint, no insurance, domestic abuse battery, and possession of marijuana.
Shields was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for aggravated flight from an officer, following too closely, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance, no driver’s license, and the Ouachita Parish 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.
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.
RUSTON — Four Lincoln Parish baseball programs are headed to the postseason, with Cedar Creek, Ruston, Simsboro and Choudrant all earning spots in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs.
Cedar Creek and Simsboro headline the group after securing top-10 seeds and first-round byes in their respective brackets.
Cedar Creek (25-5) enters the Division IV, Select playoffs as the No. 3 seed and will await the winner of a first-round matchup between No. 14 Central Private and No. 19 Ascension Catholic.
(Photo by Darrell James)
In Class B, Simsboro (22-9) claimed the No. 9 seed and will now travel to face No. 8 Hicks in the second round.
Ruston (22-12) will open Division I, Non-select play at home as the No. 13 seed and will host No. 20 New Iberia in a first-round by-of-three series with Game 1 on Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. Game two is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m., and if necessary, game three will start at 2 p.m. following.
The winner advances to face No. 4 Zachary on the road.
Choudrant (11-15) rounds out the parish representatives as the No. 16 seed in Class B. The Aggies will host No. 17 Negreet in a first-round matchup, and the winner will travel to play No. 1 Pitkin. The time is yet to be determined.
Two brothers who alleged they were attacked by a crowd of men were arrested last week after a woman accused one of them of sexual battery.
Bryan Gilberto Martinez, 30, and Kenneth Martinez, 26, both of Houston, were arrested April 10 in downtown Ruston for appearing intoxicated in public.
Bryan Martinez was also charged with sexual battery.
Officers responded to downtown restaurant regarding a disturbance shortly before 2 a.m. Bryan Martinez and his brother were found in the middle of Park Avenue with Bryan bleeding from a laceration above his left eye. He said they were jumped by over 20 people inside the restaurant.
Officers determined Bryan Martinez was extremely intoxicated. A woman told police that Bryan Martinez came up to her at the bar and began touching her inappropriately. She allegedly told him to leave her alone. He then made a vulgar statement to her and only increased his unwanted behavior. This reportedly started the fight when other male patrons attempted to defend her. Kenneth Martinez was also found to be highly intoxicated and argumentative with police.
An ambulance transported the injured brother to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center for treatment. After his release from the emergency room, the two were 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.
He walked into homes of high school football recruits in the early 1970s with a caramel tan, biceps that didn’t lie, and a shock of black hair that appeared borrowed from the baddest man in the mob, smelling like cologne and cigar smoke and winning.
If you want to define how winning looked and smelled in that era, Pat Collins was your man.
During a eulogy so appropriate for Coach Collins in February, his former player Denny Duron remembered with joy and a lingering amount of reverence that picture, that smell, that scratch ’n’ sniff memory of a young and slick Pat Collins coming to Duron’s humble home in Shreveport to sign the receiver from Captain Shreve.
“Wait,” Duron remembers thinking, there in the Durons’ little den with Denny’s parents and a prep senior and an undersized former lineman and current Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator who filled up every room he ever walked into.
“Wait,” Denny remembered thinking. “Just … wait a minute. I’d never … this is the coolest guy I’ve ever seen.”
But Denny wasn’t going to college. Was going straight to seminary. Seminary, then the pulpit. Except …
“Maybe you should just go over to Ruston and … check it out,” his dad said.
“Just go see,” mom said.
Coach Collins could do that to you. Just his presence. Some sort of electricity that hit you either positively or negatively. There was no neutral ground with the guy his peers called “Collie.” But if you bought in, no matter how wild the ride, it seemed always to end up with both of you holding a trophy.
When Denny and some of his friends had finished playing in 1974, they’d switched the receiver to quarterback, the Bulldogs had gone 44-4, and Collie, sometimes suave and debonair, sometimes sweaty and profane, had fired up more than one national championship cigar.
Smelled like cologne and cigar smoke. And winning.
He’d go on to a nasty break with Tech, to a national championship at Northeast (now ULM), to a Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame career. Lots of stories in between, many of them shared at that February service celebrating his 84 years.
In The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities sanctuary in West Monroe, three or four really good football teams were there, just older. During the coffee drinking and storytelling and handshaking and backslapping, no fights broke out between the Tech and Northeast players — but had that happened, it wouldn’t have been totally inappropriate. It might have even been a bit nostalgic, and everyone would have smiled and bearhugged at the end because it had been the same leader of the band, the man being honored, who’d taught both sides to carry that edge.
Some of us there that bright afternoon had played for him or alongside him. Some of us had worked for him. Some of us had coached with him. Some of us had written stories about him and his teams.
Some of us had walked with him to old Parkview Elementary School on Laurel Street, to Queensborough Middle, to Fair Park High. Two of us had called him daddy, and several of the younger ones had called him granddad. One of us had been married to him, for 65 years.
Who knows how many others would have been there if they could have.
So while they couldn’t hear Elvis’ recording of “Amazing Grace” as we did, while they couldn’t hear Kenny Chesney sing “Coach,” while they couldn’t hear the preacher remind us of Job’s testimony — “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord”— a good word to spotlight the joy of promises fulfilled in a world not yet perfect, most of those whose lives were touched by Coach Collins could hear, as we did, his voice, his booming, sometimes gravely, always demanding and encouraging voice.
Because of all the coaches and teachers and mentors in a life, there is always That One Voice that you hear most clearly when the chips are down, when it’s time to get it done. And for most of us there, it is more likely than not the voice of Coach Collins that booms in our heads more than the voice of any other.
It was his voice then and it is now, and surely always will be.
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.
