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

Wednesday, 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)

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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
3 p.m.: Fake African Wedding celebrating GSU’s Inaugural International Week (Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center; call 318-274-6556 for more information)

Sunday, April 26
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Monday, April 27
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, April 28
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime  (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-led exercise class  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night (Registration required by calling 318-513-5510)
6-9 p.m.: LA Tech Tri Delta pancake dinner fundraiser for St. Jude (Ruston Farmers Market)

Wednesday, April 29
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
11:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Russ Town Crossing (1211 Gaines Ave.)
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, April 30
6:30 a.m.: Community Prayer Breakfast (Ruston Sports Complex, 2001 Champions Way)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Shelter Insurance with Jessie Smith (829 E. Georgia Ave., Ste. 1)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: Tween Time  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time  (Lincoln Parish Library)

Friday, May 1
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Saturday, May 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, May 3
1 p.m.: GSU baseball

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

A Celebration of Life for Grant Stephen Glover, 65, of Monroe, LA will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 24, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Ruston, LA.  Officiating the service will be Dr. Chris Craig.  A private family committal will follow under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.

A visitation for family and friends will be 10:00 A.M. until service time at First Baptist Church.   

Grant was born on October 7, 1960, in Stuttgart, AR, to Don Glover and Barbara Glover and passed away on April 18, 2026.  He was preceded in death by his father, Don Glover.

He is survived by his four daughters, Ginny (Bryant), Landry (Joey), Chandler, and Emerson, and his grandchildren, Carson, Griffin, Henry, Sloane, and Kerrigan, his mother, Barbara, his brothers, Mark (Sandy), Tim (Alicia), and his sisters, Keli, Jill (Scott), and Charis.

Grant was a very talented dentist who practiced for almost 40 years. He was self-made and always pushed for excellence. His generosity knew no limits, and he would help others even to his own detriment if they asked it of him. Family was everything to him. Grant loved so deeply and so unconditionally and was tremendously proud of his children and grandchildren. They brought him such immense joy. He was also very sarcastic and funny. He had a way of taking you by surprise with his quick wit and humor. Grant was extremely smart and had a memory that was unmatched.

He was a talented, lifelong tennis player and played up until his death. He absolutely loved The University of Texas Longhorns and was a longtime season ticket holder. Grant loved movies and enjoyed going to the theater to watch on the big screen as well as watching in his home theater. He also loved music and enjoyed a variety of genres. It made him so happy to create playlists and share with others. Grant prided himself on his style and was always very well-dressed with perfect cologne to complete the ensemble.

He was truly like no one else in the world.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Pallbearers will be Mark Glover, Tim Glover, Scott Pearson, Joey Bagwell, and Bryant Lee.  Honorary pallbearers will be Griffin Bagwell and Henry Lee.

 

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Graveside service for Phenie Diane Diffey, age 69 of Ruston, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Mt. Patrick Cemetery in Bernice, LA with Dr. Wilton Wall officiating. Service will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Diane was born December 8, 1956 in Farmerville, LA to Lillian Bell Youngblood and Guthrie Henderson Diffey and passed away Monday, April 20, 2026 in Ruston, LA. She found happiness in the simple things in life. Diane was an avid quilter, creating pieces that will be cherished for generations. She also enjoyed embroidery. In her leisure time, Diane loved gathering with family and friends to play board and card games, creating lasting memories.

Diane’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Simsboro First Baptist Church, rarely missing an opportunity to attend or serve. She treasured her Sunday School class, where she formed deep friendships, especially with her best friend and Sunday School Buddy, Rosemary Ficklin.

Above all, Diane was a caregiver at heart. She selflessly cared for her mother, her nephew, Casey, and his daughter, Brooklyn, always putting their needs before her own. Her kindness and patience touched the lives of those she cared for tremendously. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Rickey Diffey; and brother-in-law, Allen Willis. She is survived by her sister, Judy Willis Lord and husband Roy; brother, John David Diffey and wife Debra; nieces, Stacy Willis Hicks, Shannon Willis Goff and husband Nick, and Amy Diffey; nephews, Lance Willis and wife Sharon, Jason Willis and wife Cassi, Casey Diffey and wife Stephanie, and Dusty Diffey and wife Stacie; and a host of other family and friends.

 

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Phenie Diane Diffey 
December 8, 1956 – April 20, 2026 
Graveside service: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 2:00 PM, Mt. Patrick Cemetery, Bernice 

Odessa Regina Buckner  
Sunday 12/31/1950 — Saturday 04/18/2026   
Family Gathering: Friday 04/24/2026 4:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Visitation: Saturday 04/25/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Celebration of Life: Sunday 04/26/2026 11:30am, Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2, 113 California Plant Road, Dubach  
Interment: Sunday 04/26/2026 Following Service, Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2 Cemetery, 113 California Plant Road, Dubach  

Tina Y Davis   
Friday 11/29/1963 — Saturday 04/04/2026    
Memorial Service: Saturday 04/25/2026 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home   
Private Burial   

Bryant Edward Mitchell   
Monday 01/04/1982 — Saturday 04/11/2026    
Visitation: Thursday 04/23/2026 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Abundant Life Evangelistic Ministries, 150 Guice Road, Winnsboro   
Wake: Thursday 04/23/2026 4:00pm to 5:00pm, Abundant Life Evangelistic Ministries, 150 Guice Road, Winnsboro   
Celebration of Life: Friday 04/24/2026 12:00pm, Morehouse Baptist Association Building, 8420 Collinston Road, Bastrop   
Interment: Friday 04/24/2026, H B Adams Cemetery, Kammelle Street, Bastrop 

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by Wesley Harris

 

There was a time when you could tell where you were in Ruston with your eyes closed.

All you had to do was listen.

Before traffic thickened and the world grew quieter in some ways and louder in others, Ruston had a soundtrack all its own—one that changed with the seasons, the time of day, and the part of town you called home.

For some, it was the steady hum of the Illinois Central line running east and west through town, paired with the shrill whistle of the ‘doodlebug,’ a self-propelled passenger car on the north-south Rock Island line. On a clear, crisp night, you didn’t have to be anywhere near the tracks. You could hear the low rumble of passing trains from miles away, the sound carrying across fields and neighborhoods like a distant storm that never quite arrived.

Trucks passing over the shuddering railroad crossing downtown often sounded like a deep-toned xylophone as timbers shifted, rattled, and boomed—loud enough to make you think a big rig had hit something solid.

In the early 1970s, you might have heard the roar of low-flying B-17 bombers—left over from World War II—dropping chemicals on invading fire ant colonies. It didn’t last long. The chemical, mirex, was later banned after concerns it caused cancer.

On fall afternoons, Louisiana Tech carried its own rhythm.

The chimes in the cupola atop Keeny Hall marked the hours with a steady, familiar cadence. Not far off, the band rehearsed, running through the fight song again and again. You didn’t have to see a stadium or a crowd to know it was football season.  

And underneath it all, the campus had its own mechanical voice. At the Tech power plant, boilers squealed as they pushed out electricity and steam—an unseen assurance students would never be left in the dark. 

On some days, the sky would crack without warning. Not thunder but a sharp, explosive boom that seemed to hit all at once, as if the air itself had split open. Windows rattled, screen doors shimmied in their frames, dogs barked, and conversations stopped.

The sonic booms of military jets were a reminder that something bigger was happening beyond Ruston, a cold war, even if we only felt it in a sudden crack of the sky.

For a time, a few days each December, carols and hymns proclaimed good cheer and Good News as the voices of the Singing Christmas Tree filled the air marking Jesus’s birthday. It was a sound many wish would return.

Downtown had its own voice.

The chimes of the Ruston State Bank clock marked the passing hours, steady and dependable. Church bells answered from a few blocks away—Trinity Methodist at the corner of Vienna Street and Alabama Avenue among them—calling people to worship or simply reminding them of the time.

And then there was the fire station horn.

Mounted atop the central fire station, it sounded every day at 11:00 a.m.—so reliable you could set your watch by it. But it served another purpose as well. When a fire alarm box was pulled, the horn would sound a coded sequence identifying the location. Box 132, for example, came across as one blast, followed by three, then two—simple signals that once carried urgent meaning across the city.

Out by the airport behind the hospital, the soundscape shifted . Planes droned overhead. Sometimes dozens at a time as student pilots overcorrected, dipped and climbed, chasing level as instructors barked commands and held on for dear life.

Evenings in town brought a different kind of noise.

Engines revved and tires squealed as cars pulled away from teen hangouts like Hood’s Drive-In, Village Plaza, and Extra Play as attention-seeking guys used their souped-up, jacked-up vehicles to proclaim, “Look at me!” It was part performance, part ritual.

And then there were the sounds that came to you.

The school bus braking to a stop in the afternoon, doors opening, children spilling out. The snick-snick-snick of playing cards slapping through bicycle tire spokes. The distant music of the ice cream truck drifting through neighborhoods in the summer.

Some sounds are constant, spanning the decades—dogs barking in the distance, music exploding from a passing car.

Others came and went. All of them, at the time, felt ordinary.

But taken together, they formed something else—a shared memory.

Ask enough people, and you begin to hear it again. A time measured in sounds that have long since faded.

Ruston still has a soundtrack.

But if you listen closely, you can still hear the old one beneath it.

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Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Louisiana Tech University is partnering with Louisiana Economic Development (LED), Jonesboro State Bank, and SHOLOC, a north Louisiana-based organization focused on helping small businesses connect with customers, to offer a local business visibility program.

This program addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing small businesses today: maintaining visibility and relevance in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace. The program will give businesses a structured, measured path to improving their local search marketing, so they can more easily be found online. It will also provide practical guidance on increasing visibility, managing business listing information across major platforms, and using AI tools to increase efficiencies and support growth.

Funding to introduce the initiative is made possible through LED’s Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) program, which provides business training needed to grow and sustain small businesses. As an intermediary of LED’s SEBD program, the University is helping administer state resources aimed to support eligible businesses.

“Louisiana Tech’s role in this program reflects our commitment to supporting innovation and economic development,” said Kathy Wyatt, director of Louisiana Tech’s Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurial Ventures (EDEV). “Our role as an SEBD intermediary allows us to connect state support with meaningful training that empowers local businesses and delivers lasting economic impact for our community and region.”

Added support that enhances the benefit for small businesses and extends the opportunity to not-for-profit organizations is contributed by Jonesboro State Bank’s Pledge 10 grants.

There are two opportunities for local businesses to attend the training at Ruston’s Historic Fire Station: Tuesday, April 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Louisiana Tech’s involvement in this initiative reflects its broader commitment to regional economic development and its role as a connector of public resources, private partners, and community needs.

If you’d like to learn more or sign up, visit https://sholoc.com/local

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Ruston Police arrested a local man for battery of a dating partner after responding to a residence to investigate a disturbance.

Jaylan Payton, 24, of Ruston, was arrested on April 14 at about 8:00 a.m. after a preliminary investigation.

Officers arrived at a West Line Avenue residence where they found a woman who appeared upset. She was disheveled and partially dressed. Payton told police, “Me and my girl just got into it.” He stated he and the woman were going through each other’s phones when he saw text messages of a sexual nature between the woman and another man.

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According to an officer’s report, Payton said he started striking the woman with an open hand, and he continued striking her on the side of her face, causing some swelling.

Payton said the physical altercation continued into the bathroom where he and the woman were pushing each other around.

Payton was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where he was booked.

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 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

by Tim Smith

They say, “Never meet your heroes,” and perhaps that is good advice.

It spares us from discovering that they are human, just like the rest of us: flawed individuals with feet of clay. Yet, that truth does little to diminish our desire to meet those we admire, those who have inspired and entertained us.

I have been fortunate enough to meet a few of my heroes, and I have no regrets. The encounters were brief and limited, but they remain vivid memories I will always carry.

Now a senior citizen—sixty-something—I belong to a generation that experienced countless films, both in theaters and on television. When I was a child, there was no bigger movie star than John Wayne. He was the quintessential American: rough and tough, yet kind and steady—dependable, always the hero. He rarely, if ever, portrayed a troubled soul searching for identity. I doubt Rooster Cogburn went to therapy. His characters knew exactly who they were, and we loved it.

As a sophomore at Louisiana Tech in 1978, I had the opportunity to photograph the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. I wasn’t particularly qualified—I wasn’t even a very good photographer—but I had a friend on the Lagniappe yearbook staff who managed to get me a sideline pass for the 1977 game against Louisville. One of my photos even made it into the yearbook.

In 1978, the Bulldogs were invited back, this time to play East Carolina. I didn’t have a pass for that game, but I still had the one from 1977. 

Hmmm…

I figured it was worth a try.

The previous year, I had been able to photograph General Omar Bradley, the first recipient of the Spirit of Independence Award. This time, however, it was even more meaningful to me. John Wayne was being honored with the same award, and I wanted the chance to see him—to meet my hero.

It worked.

Once again, I found myself on the sidelines at State Fair Stadium (now Independence Stadium). I suppose the statute of limitations has long since expired for any rules I may have bent to get there.

I will never forget the moment. There he was—tall, statuesque, and …Grand. By then, he had already been diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life just six months later, but you would not have known it from his presence. He stood on the field, conversing with bowl dignitaries before the game, when I quietly made my way into their circle.

He noticed me and smiled.

I reached out to shake his hand, and he took mine. I don’t remember what I said—or if I said anything at all—but I can still hear that voice, that unmistakable voice from the movies: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, son.”

I remember little else about the game itself. Louisiana Tech lost, and since I was taking photos only for myself, I remain the sole keeper of those images. But that moment—that brief exchange—is more than enough.

It may be risky, heck, it may not even be allowed, but if you ever have the chance to meet a hero, don’t let it pass you by. Take the chance.

It is worth it.

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A Spearsville woman was arrested in Ruston last week after a Lincoln Parish deputy spotted her driving a vehicle with a stolen license plate.

Crystal G. Johnson, 41, was arrested on April 16 after the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office received information that a vehicle bearing a stolen license plate was headed toward Ruston on U.S. 167.

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Once the vehicle was stopped, Johnson said she was aware of the license plate was not registered to that vehicle as a relative gave it to her “to make getting around easier,” according to a deputy’s report. However, she said she was not aware it was stolen.

The license plate had been flagged as stolen by the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A records check showed no liability insurance on the vehicle and that Johnson’s driver’s license had been suspended.

Johnson was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a possession of stolen things, driving under suspension, and no liability insurance.

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 6:45 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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This is story from a book titled “Moments for Mothers.” The Rogers family was a strong Christian unit. Mr. Rogers took seriously his role as spiritual leader. Often at supper the family would have a Bible quiz or discuss some spiritual truth. One evening the family was discussing what heaven will be like. 7-year-old Jimmy grabbed this subject and ran with it; he had a very creative imagination.

Jimmy said, “When we get to heaven, the big angel will call the roll. He will come to the Rogers family and say, ‘Daddy Rogers’ and Daddy will say ‘Here! ‘. Then the angel will call out, ‘Mommy Rogers,’ and Mommy will say, ‘Here! ” Then the same thing will happen for Susie and Mavis. Then the angel will call my name, “Jimmy Rogers,” and because I’m little and don’t want to be missed, I will jump up and shout real loud, ‘Here!'”

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Just a few days later, there was a tragic accident. A car struck down Jimmy as he made his way to the school bus. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The family gathered round his bed and kept a prayerful vigil through the night. The doctors told them that he had suffered severe brain damage and could not recover.

Just before dawn, Jimmy seemed to be stirring a bit. The family saw his lips move; just one word was all he uttered before he passed from this life. But oh what comfort and hope that word gave for this grieving family. In a voice clear enough for everybody in the room to hear, Jimmy said, “Here!!” and then he was gone, to another world, to a better world, where a big angel was calling the roll.

We Christians believe this is true. It is why we can live with hope in the midst of such a crazy world. We know that we are all pilgrims, simply passing through this life. Our home is in heaven.

Easter people believe that one day we will all answer, “Here!”

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Courtesy of History.com

A funeral train carrying the body of Abraham Lincoln departed Washington, D.C. on April 21, 1865, beginning a long journey to Springfield, Illinois, where the slain president would be buried May 4.

The train traveled through 180 cities across seven states on its 1,654-mile route to Lincoln’s home state. Stops for the procession were announced in advance in newspapers, and at each location, Lincoln’s coffin was removed from the train and placed on a decorated horse-drawn hearse. Funeral processions then carried the casket to public buildings, where thousands gathered to pay their respects.

Large crowds turned out in cities including Columbus, Ohio and Philadelphia, as well as in smaller communities such as Herkimer, New York. In Philadelphia, Lincoln lay in state at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Newspaper accounts reported mourners waiting for hours—sometimes more than five—to view the casket.

Known as “The Lincoln Special,” the train bore a portrait of the president mounted on the front of the engine. About 300 people accompanied the procession, including Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln.

Also aboard was the coffin of Lincoln’s son, William Wallace Lincoln, who died in 1862 at age 11 from typhoid fever. His remains were exhumed in Washington so he could be buried alongside his father in Springfield.

The train car that carried Lincoln’s body was destroyed in 1911 by a prairie fire near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

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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. 

Tuesday, April 21
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime  (Lincoln Parish Library)
Noon: Ouachita Strummers Mountain Dulcimer Concert  (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-led exercise class  (Lincoln Parish Library)

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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 a.m. to 2 p.m.: International Food Festival celebrating Grambling State’s Inaugural International Week (St. Benedict Catholic Church, Grambling)
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 hosted by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry (Dubach Community Center, corner of 167 North and Smith Street — All are welcome)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: 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
3 p.m.: Fake African Wedding celebrating GSU’s Inaugural International Week (Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center; call 318-274-6556 for more information)

Sunday, April 26
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

Monday, April 27
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, April 28
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime  (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-led exercise class  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night (Registration required by calling 318-513-5510)

Wednesday, April 29
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
11:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Russ Town Crossing (1211 Gaines Ave.)
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, April 30
6:30 a.m.: Community Prayer Breakfast (Ruston Sports Complex, 2001 Champions Way)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Shelter Insurance with Jessie Smith (829 E. Georgia Ave., Ste. 1)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: Tween Time  (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time  (Lincoln Parish Library)

Friday, May 1
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Saturday, May 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, May 3
1 p.m.: GSU baseball

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Louisiana Tech heads on the road today for an in-state matchup against McNeese Cowboys baseball at Joe Miller Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT as Louisiana Tech (24-17, 11-7 Conference USA) looks to continue its recent success in the series against McNeese (21-19, 10-11 Southland Conference).

Despite the Bulldogs holding a 101-56 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1954, the Cowboys claimed the most recent meeting earlier this season, earning an 8-3 victory on Feb. 18 in Ruston. Louisiana Tech, however, has won seven of the last eight matchups overall.

The Bulldogs also found success the last time they traveled to Lake Charles, sweeping the first two games of a series while outscoring McNeese 32-8, highlighted by a 21-5 win followed by an 11-3 victory.

Louisiana Tech’s offense has been led by sophomore first baseman Trey Hawsey, who ranks among Conference USA’s top hitters. Hawsey leads the league in total bases and entered the week among the top five in hits and home runs. He has recorded seven three-hit games and 18 multi-hit performances this season while carrying a team-best .323 batting average.

Hawsey also shares the team’s longest hitting streak this season at 10 games with Colby Lunsford. His 30 career multi-hit games are the most among active Bulldogs.

McNeese enters Tuesday’s contest following a series loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Cowboys opened with a 9-4 win before dropping the final two games, 7-6 and 9-5.

Danny Barbero paced McNeese offensively in the series opener, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. DJ Pinkerton added a triple and a home run with three RBIs, while Eric Nachtsheim earned the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

For the season, Matt Stancliff leads the Cowboys with a .329 batting average, 48 hits, 39 runs and 77 total bases while going a perfect 18-for-18 on stolen base attempts. Barbero ranks among team leaders with a .314 average along with highs in doubles (11), home runs (7), RBIs (39) and OPS (1.007).

Tuesday’s game will be available via ESPN+ and can also be heard on 97.7 FM and the Louisiana Tech Athletics app.

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Odessa Regina Buckner 
Sunday 12/31/1950 — Saturday 04/18/2026  
Family Gathering: Friday 04/24/2026 4:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Saturday 04/25/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Sunday 04/26/2026 11:30am, Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2, 113 California Plant Road, Dubach 
Interment: Sunday 04/26/2026 Following Service, Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2 Cemetery, 113 California Plant Road, Dubach 

Tina Y Davis  
Friday 11/29/1963 — Saturday 04/04/2026   
Memorial Service: Saturday 04/25/2026 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home  
Private Burial  

Bryant Edward Mitchell  
Monday 01/04/1982 — Saturday 04/11/2026   
Visitation: Thursday 04/23/2026 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Abundant Life Evangelistic Ministries, 150 Guice Road, Winnsboro  
Wake: Thursday 04/23/2026 4:00pm to 5:00pm, Abundant Life Evangelistic Ministries, 150 Guice Road, Winnsboro  
Celebration of Life: Friday 04/24/2026 12:00pm, Morehouse Baptist Association Building, 8420 Collinston Road, Bastrop  
Interment: Friday 04/24/2026, H B Adams Cemetery, Kammelle Street, Bastrop 

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by Hanna Singh

A record turnout of senior residents enjoyed a day of educational speakers, workshops, giveaways and camaraderie at the 18th Annual Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Senior Expo. The day gave senior citizens a chance to learn about important topics while enjoying fun entertainment, food and prizes.

At the event, seniors visited the Ruston Sports Complex alongside family members and caretakers. Speakers addressed important topics including Medicare and Medicaid use, wellness and life balance, life skills, funeral plannings, fraud awareness and more. Attendees were provided with a continental breakfast and those 55 and older were able to enter a drawing for door prizes. Ruston resident, Barry Morales, shared his experience at the event.

“I was very impressed with the Senior Expo,” Morales said. “It was well organized and planned out, and the turnout was amazing. I appreciate all that the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office did to assist our seniors here in Lincoln Parish. I look forward to next year’s expo.”

The event recorded its highest attendance for both seniors and vendors yet. Seniors and their families had the opportunity to visit over 90 vendor booths with services ranging from hospitals and health to financial services.

Event organizer and Lincoln Parish Sherriff’s Office Sgt. Iris Winston highlighted what makes the event so important for seniors in the community and for the sheriff’s office.

“The senior expo is so important for our seniors to learn about different services that are available here locally,” Winston said. “They have an opportunity to socialize with family and friends that they may not have seen in a while and it gives the Sheriff’s an opportunity to connect with our citizens. We want our citizens to know that we are here for them not only in emergency situations, but also in everyday life.”

Officers attended the event to socialize with and educate attendees. From offering access to essential resources and providing important informational speakers to providing a meal and prizes, the sheriff’s office intended to give senior citizens a day to feel recognized. They organized the event and offered seniors the opportunity to get to know the local law enforcement.

Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Landon Hunt touched on the role of the seniors in our community and thanked a specific organizer.

“Our seniors are the backbone of this community,” Hunt said. “They have given so much to all of us, and this is our small way of giving back. We are so grateful for Sgt. Iris Winston. She is the only reason this event comes together each year. Iris puts in hundreds of hours behind the scenes, and her dedication shows as the event continues to grow year after year.”

With the annual senior expo, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office recognizes an important group of people in our community that often goes unnoticed. Seniors deserve to have access to resources and recognition for their needs. The senior expo continues to support our senior residents and provides them with helpful opportunities each year.

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Longtime local attorney Addison “Add” Goff has announced his candidacy for Ruston City Court Judge in the upcoming parish-wide election in Lincoln Parish.

Goff, a lifelong resident of Ruston, brings 33 years of legal experience to the race. Over the course of his career, he has represented individuals and families in a wide range of legal matters and has built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and careful attention to the law.

“I have spent my career working with people during some of the most challenging moments in their lives,” Goff said. “Those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the importance of a fair and respectful courtroom. Every person who enters the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity and have their case heard carefully and fairly and decided according to the law, by a judge that is prepared and who has a strong work ethic.”

A graduate of Ruston High School, Goff earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University before receiving his Juris Doctor from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He has practiced law in North Louisiana for more than 30 years and has courtroom experience in a broad range of legal matters.

Goff has been especially active in championing the needs of seniors and veterans.

“I’ve always felt a special calling to help the elderly and their families, which only strengthened after watching members of my own family struggle with end-of-life issues, dementia, and long-term care placement,” Goff said.

During his career, he has also assisted wartime veterans and their families as a Veterans Administration Accredited Attorney. He’s been a frequent lecturer to civil, legal, and church organizations on topics such as professionalism, estate planning and elder law.

Goff has been active in both professional and community organizations. He has served in leadership roles in statewide legal organizations and has been involved with numerous civic and charitable efforts in the Ruston community.

Notably, serving as a Hearing Committee Chair for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, he has presided over evidentiary hearings resulting from formal ethics complaints against lawyers across a 20-parish region. Furthermore, he was twice appointed to the Louisiana Public Defender Board (formerly the Louisiana Indigent Defense Assistance Board), serving from 1998–2006 and again from 2010–2015. Those boards were state agencies that regulated Louisiana’s public defender system.

Goff has served as president for several local community organizations, including Ruston Kiwanis Club, Ruston Jaycees, Christian Community Action. He also served on the Board of Directors for Louisiana Med-Camps.

An Eagle Scout and longtime Judo coach, Goff is an avid hunter and fisherman. He and his wife Shelley are active members of Trinity Methodist Church.

“The Ruston City Court plays an important role in the administration of justice for our parish,” Goff said. “If elected, I will work every day to ensure that the court is fair, efficient, and respectful to everyone who appears before it.”

The election for Ruston City Court Judge will be held parish-wide across Lincoln Parish. All parish voters, including those living outside Ruston city limits, will vote for Ruston City Court Judge.

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by Wesley Harris

Eight children were killed in Shreveport Sunday morning in an apparent domestic incident.

The incident occurred about 6 a.m. in the 300 block of West 79th Street in southwest Shreveport, according to Corporal Christopher Bordelon with Shreveport Police. Bordelon said the children, who were killed by gunfire, ranged from age 1 to 14.

Bordelon said the crime scene encompassed three residences near one another, two on 79th Street and one in the 500 block of Harrison Street.

Two adults were injured, including one who was shot at the Harrison Street home. Those two victims were hospitalized in critical condition, along with a child with a broken leg.

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Authorities believe the suspect was the only individual who fired shots that resulted in the children’s deaths.

Bordelon said the suspect carjacked a vehicle near the crime scene after he shot the victims. He was pursued by Shreveport patrol officers into Bossier Parish where they shot and killed the suspect on Brompton Lane.

Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

Shreveport Police have not named the deceased suspect.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux provided a statement to the news media near the shooting scene. “We have a hurting community. We have hurting families. We have hurting police officers, coroner’s personnel, fire department, sheriff’s people, and this affects the entire community. We all mourn with these families. I ask, it’s a Sunday morning. I ask all of you who are, who are listening, who might be able to. Pray at your services this morning for not just this family, for all the victims, for the victims who are at the hospital, and for the Cedar Grove community and for the community at large.”

“It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport,” Arceneaux added.

Police had not determined a motive as of Sunday afternoon but stated it was a domestic incident. The Shreveport Police Department is expected to release more information later.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Jack Thigpen is one satisfied customer.

The longtime local high school and college basketball coach decided to hire Custom Curbing to add a concrete landscape border along his flower beds in his front and side yards.

“Ann and I saw a picture of Custom Curbing in a Lincoln Parish Journal advertisement a couple of years ago and really liked how it looked,” said Jack. “We called Aaron Cash, he came to our house and suggested options and colors we could use. After discussing this with Aaron we decided to install Custom Curbing around our flower beds.”

And according to Jack, he sure is happy he did.

“We love the way it looks,” said Jack. “It really enhances the appearance of our front yard. The curbing also makes weed eating around the flower beds so much easier.

“Aaron and his crew were friendly, very professional, easy to work with and did a wonderful job installing the curbing. I highly recommend Aaron and Custom Curbing. I think anyone will be highly satisfied with how it adds to the appearance of their yard.”

Jan Grigsby was another happy customer. Grigsby had her flower beds done by Custom Curbing in 2023.

“I saw it from one of my neighbor’s houses, and I loved it,” said Jan. “It has defined my yard. I can’t tell you how many people have come by and said, ‘Your yard looks so good.’ It has really defined my yard. I also got him to do my backyard. It has really made all the difference.”

Custom Curbing is owned by Aaron Cash and is based out of West Monroe. The company has been around for almost three decades and is making a splash in Lincoln Parish.

“Basically, we put really nice borders around flower beds,” said Aaron. “The business was established in 1996, so we have been serving northeast Louisiana for almost 30 years. It’s like adding a beautiful frame around your landscape. Our longtime slogan is ‘Frame Your Landscaping.’”

Aaron said much of the business comes from neighbors seeing the finished product at other neighbors’ houses. And based on his clientele’s satisfaction, it’s understandable.

“They are so great,” said Linda Tuten, another satisfied customer, in regard to Cash and his Custom Curbing team. “They are some hard-working guys. They came in and really got after it. They are so polite. They clean up after the job is over. They don’t leave a mess. They are so professional and friendly.”

The hits just keep on coming.

“I am so pleased,” said Jan. “When I go outside, I look at it and just smile. They did such a super job. So many people have said, ‘Oh, Jan. Your yard looks so much better.’ And Aaron and his guys were so pleasant to work with during the process.”

Interested individuals can learn more at http://www.TheCustomCurbing.com. A step-by-step list of the process involved can be found at http://www.TheCustomCurbing.com/process.

Aaron said that at the end of the day, it’s all about the client being happy with the finished product.

“We typically stick with earth tones; tans, and browns, and greys and charcoals,” said Aaron. “We want to use colors that will be in style for years to come. Typically, that is earth tones. I see what their needs are and give them my advice on what would look better and how to alleviate some problems such as beds washing out or the grass encroaching in the beds.

“We also remove lots of dangerous metal edging that has become rusty and jagged and replace it with our concrete border system. We figure out the best designs and go from there.”

According to Aaron, a “typical” job costs between $1,200 and $1,500, but the price can vary depending on style/color of curb, amount of ground prep, drainage work, root work, travel distance, number of areas, etc.

An average job can be completed within a day.

“We have had multiple people comment on our yard, saying how great it looks,” said Linda. “We highly recommend them anytime anyone asks.”

For more information, individuals can call 318-598-YARD or click on the CONTACT link on the website.

This is a paid advertorial.

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A search warrant executed by the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team led to the arrest of a Ruston man on several drug charges.

Currwyn Griffin, 19, was arrested shortly before 5 a.m. April 15 at his West Barnett Springs Avenue apartment.

When LPNET arrived at the location, Griffin was found standing outside the apartment. He was taken into custody. Griffin informed officers where illegal narcotics, paraphernalia and a firearm were located inside the residence.

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Recovered in the search was a firearm with additional ammunition, a large amount of cash, five large glass jars of marijuana, packaging material and digital scales.

Griffin was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of the drug free zone law and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance.

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 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.