As enrollment continues climbing at Louisiana Tech, university officials hope a new $7 million parking deck will help ease one of the most common frustrations found on college campuses — finding a place to park.
Construction is underway on a new single-deck parking facility located on Mississippi Avenue that university officials say should be completed before students return for the Fall 2026 quarter. Once finished, the project will provide approximately 550 parking spaces, a net gain of 221 spots for the campus.
Senior Vice President for Student Advancement and Chief Operating Officer Dickie Crawford said the project is being funded through a student-approved fee designed specifically to cover construction costs and annual debt payments tied to the project.
“It’s funded by a student fee that students voted on for his specific project,” Crawford said.
The project comes as Louisiana Tech continues seeing enrollment increases following declines during the COVID-19 pandemic years.
According to Crawford, Louisiana Tech recorded a total enrollment of 12,141 students last fall after three consecutive years of growth. The university’s freshman class totaled 2,413 students, which Crawford said was the second largest freshman class in school history.
“We think this fall will be the fourth year in a row we’ll grow in enrollment,” Crawford said.
That growth is creating additional pressure on infrastructure needs across campus, especially parking and housing.
“We want to keep growing as a campus,” Crawford said. “And so as our enrollment keeps growing, we’re going to have to address parking, housing, classroom space, everything.”
Parking challenges, Crawford noted, are most noticeable during morning hours when the majority of classes are being held.
“Probably 75% of our classes are in the morning,” Crawford said. “So, we’re trying to accommodate all the cars coming to campus from faculty, staff and students in the morning.”
While complaints about parking are common on nearly every college campus, Crawford said the issue is often more about convenience than overall availability.
“On every campus, it’s always that way,” Crawford said. “I think we have good parking, but people want it as close as possible to the building they want to go to.”
Crawford said Louisiana Tech has invested heavily in parking improvements over the past decade, estimating the university has spent roughly $20 million on parking-related projects during that span.
Louisiana Tech currently boasts approximately 6,000 parking spaces, including faculty/staff, students, and handicap.
Unlike previous projects funded directly through university resources, Crawford said this marks the first major parking initiative largely financed through a student-supported funding mechanism.
Construction on the new deck began in late November, shortly after the Fall 2025 quarter concluded in an effort to minimize disruptions during the busiest parts of the academic year.
Crawford said university officials worked closely with Triad Builders to establish a construction timeline that would allow work to progress through winter and spring while avoiding the loss of large amounts of parking during the fall quarter.
“They feel like they’re very confident they’ll be ready by mid-August,” Crawford said.
Despite the university’s recent enrollment gains, Crawford said there are currently no immediate plans for another parking deck project. However, he acknowledged that continued enrollment growth will likely require ongoing discussions about future campus infrastructure needs.
“We just got to keep ahead of that curve,” Crawford said.
University officials say those discussions extend beyond parking and include balancing future development with preserving the overall feel of Louisiana Tech’s campus.
“Doing that in a way that also keeps our campus core beautiful, walkable, pedestrian friendly,” Crawford said. “All of that is being discussed and what that looks like.”
Rendering of new parking deck at Louisiana Tech that is scheduled to be operational by the fall quarter.
City Marshal Curtis Hawkins said the answer is more complex — and more important — than most people realize.
Ask the average resident to explain the role of the marshal’s office and you’re likely to get a vague answer — if you get one at all.
“Most people don’t really know,” Hawkins said. “What they know about marshals comes from TV — ‘Gunsmoke,’ U.S. marshals movies — but that’s not what we do.”
That gap between perception and reality is exactly what Hawkins is trying to close.
At its core, the marshal’s office serves one primary function: It is the enforcement arm of Ruston City Court.
While the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office carries out orders from district court and U.S. marshals secure federal courts and execute the directives of federal judges, Hawkins and his staff implement the directives of City Court. That responsibility includes serving subpoenas and court notices, executing arrest warrants issued by City Court, carrying out court-ordered property seizures, handling wage garnishments and bank seizures, and providing courtroom security.
“When the court issues an order,” Hawkins explained, “we make sure it actually happens.”
The job often requires locating individuals who may not want to be found, whether they are witnesses, defendants or parties in civil cases, and ensuring they appear in court as required.
Complicating that explanation is the fact Ruston City Court, and thus the City Marshal’s Office, has some parishwide jurisdiction. And the role of the city marshal has changed over Ruston’s history. At one time, the marshal was head of the police department. Then the position became that of “ward marshal,” meaning the marshal and the court served Ward One of Lincoln Parish, virtually synonymous with the city’s boundaries.
The Financial Role Most Never See
One of the least understood — but most complex — roles of the marshal’s office is financial.
Every traffic ticket, court fine or probation payment assessed by City Court flows through the marshal’s office. The office does not keep those funds. Instead, it is responsible for collecting, accounting for and distributing them according to state law.
A single speeding ticket can be divided among numerous local and state entities, including the City of Ruston, City Court, the coroner’s office, the crime lab, the public defender program, Crime Stoppers and other organizations. Each entity receives a specific portion set by statute, and the marshal’s office must calculate and distribute those amounts each month.
“Our office collects it, accounts for it, and then disburses it — every month,” Hawkins said.
The process requires detailed accounting procedures and careful compliance with state law. It is one of the most significant responsibilities of the office, though it remains largely invisible to the public.
And unlike popular myth, none of the collected money goes to the police department or individual officers.
The city’s portion goes into Ruston’s general fund. The City Council decides how much the police department is budgeted annually, regardless of how much fine revenue it receives.
Although called city marshal, the office’s responsibilities were extended beyond Ruston to include all of Lincoln Parish in 1984.
Changes in state law expanded the jurisdiction of Ruston City Court, particularly for civil matters, allowing civil cases up to $50,000 rather than filing in district court. As a result, the marshal’s office now operates parishwide, increasing both its reach and workload while providing faster access to the court system for residents.
The Human Side of the Job
Some of the office’s most difficult work comes in the form of evictions.
“It’s tough,” Hawkins said. “You’re dealing with people who are struggling financially. There’s a lot of emotion involved.”
Even so, the process is not sudden or unexpected. Individuals receive notice well in advance, are informed of court dates and are given time to prepare. Deputies often take time to explain what is happening and encourage people to make arrangements before the eviction is carried out.
Helping people through the process, Hawkins said, reduces tension and leads to more peaceful outcomes.
Experience as a Strategy
Hawkins has built his office around one key advantage: experience.
Deputies assigned to the marshal’s office are seasoned law enforcement officers. Hawkins and his deputy marshals each have more than 30 years of law enforcement service. Their experience provides not only investigative skill, but also deep connections within the community and a level of communication capable of defusing difficult situations.
“They know how to talk to people,” Hawkins said. “It makes a big difference in what we do.”
Experience is especially important in situations involving strong emotions or potential safety risks, such as evictions or warrant service.
A Philosophy of Continuous Improvement
After decades with the Ruston Police Department, including years in leadership roles, Hawkins brought a clear philosophy with him into the marshal’s office: continuous improvement.
Hawkins said he always looks for a better way, focusing on making the office efficient, accountable and prepared for the future.
One of the most significant changes has been the transition from paper-based systems to digital records. Case files are now scanned, stored securely and backed up regularly, allowing faster access to information and reducing the need for physical storage. The shift allowed the office to eliminate thousands of pounds of outdated paper records.
Hawkins also implemented a formal records retention policy aligned with state guidelines, ensuring documents are kept, archived or destroyed according to clear legal standards. Upgrades to computer systems and workflow processes have replaced handwritten reporting with digital entry, improving both speed and accuracy.
Beyond technical changes, Hawkins has emphasized training and collaboration. Through his role as a vice president with the Louisiana Marshals Association, he works with agencies across the state to share policies, exchange ideas and adopt best practices.
“Why reinvent the wheel?” he said. “If someone’s doing something better, we learn from it.”
Despite the expanded responsibilities and increased demands, the marshal’s office operates with roughly the same staffing levels it had 30 years ago.
That reality makes efficiency essential.
“One of the most frustrating things for a leader to hear is, ‘That’s the way we’ve always done it,’” Hawkins said. “That doesn’t mean it’s the best way.”
Changing Public Understanding
For Hawkins, improving operations is only part of the mission. The other is helping the public understand what the marshal’s office does and helping citizens work through issues within the court system.
It is not a patrol agency, and it does not duplicate the role of the police department or sheriff’s office. Instead, it serves as a critical link between the city court system and the community, ensuring court orders are carried out and the judicial process functions as intended.
“We’re the ones who make the court’s decisions real,” Hawkins said.
And increasingly, under his leadership, that work is being done with greater efficiency, stronger systems and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Forty-seven Louisiana Tech University students received their professional nursing pins in a Pinning Ceremony the evening of May 22 then graduated at Spring 2026 Commencement Saturday, May 23 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
The graduates and their hometowns are as follows:
Nathanael Allen, Bossier City
Briana Anderson, Rosepine
Morgan (Ford) Audirsch, West Monroe
Sage Bell, Monroe
Kaitlyn Bottrell, Shreveport
Anna Bougues, Quitman
Molly Brown, Anacoco
Mackenzie Coats, Bossier City
Mirihanna Colvin, Ruston
Grace Copa, Shreveport
Broderick (Brody) Doan, Hammond
Kirsty Frantom, West Monroe
Victoria Frusha, Monroe
Garett Garner, Benton
Marah Greenwood, Calhoun
Emmy Hamilton, Whitehouse, Texas
Logan Johnson, Deville
Alexander (Xander) Joubert, Lake Charles
Audry Lang, Lake Charles
Anna Grace Lee, Ruston
Caroline Lee, Bossier City
Paxton Lobbes, Patillo, Texas
Anna Grace McLemore, Baton Rouge
Elise Mercer, Pineville
Natalie Mooney, Rayville
Ross Newberry, West Monroe
Leah Nguyen, Slidell
Kadie Norsworthy, Ruston
Evelyn (Evie) Perdue, St. Francisville
Holland Peterson, Shreveport
Jenna Petry, Baton Rouge
Mallorie Phillips, Stonewall
Caroline Pleasant, Monroe
Dylan Procell, Bossier City
Isabel Robinson, Benton
Anna Claire Smith, West Monroe
Taylor Snowden, West Monroe
Anna Grace Stephenson, Ruston
Kennedy Stratton, Benton
Elly Swanbom, Ruston
Aspen Thomas, Bossier City
Jillian Thompson, Natchitoches
Ayden Tracy, Bossier City
Reece Weaver, Benton
Bailey Williams, Katy, Texas
Ainsley Wood, Ruston
Avery Wood, West Monroe
Graduates who were members of the Student Nurses’ Association, Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society, or Men in Nursing were recognized with the presentation of cords.
The following awards were presented:
Academic Excellence Award
Jenna Petry
Teamwork and Collaboration
Mallorie Phillips
Tenets of Tech Award
Jillian Thompson
Spirit of Patient Care Awards
Kirsty Frantom
Ayden Tracy
Avery Wood
Reece Weaver
Anna Claire Smith
SNA (Student Nurses’ Association) Award
Isabel Robinson
Pennington Visionary Leader Award
Anna Grace Lee
Benefactor Award for Excellence in Nursing
Xander Joubert
Morgan Audirsch
Taylor Snowden
Dylan Procell
Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society Members
Nathanael Allen
Sage Bell
Mackenzie Coats
Marihanna Colvin
Grace Copa
Garett Garner
Emmy Hamilton
Logan Johnson
Anna Grace Lee
Caroline Lee
Anna Grace McLemore
Leah Nguyen
Kadie Norsworthy
Holland Peterson
Jenna Petry
Mallorie Phillips
Dylan Procell
Anna Claire Smith
Ayden Tracy
Elly Swanbom
Elise Mercer
Nursing Ambassadors
Nathanael Allen
Sage Bell
Mackenzie Coats
Anna Grace McLemore
Holland Peterson
Each graduate was also presented with a commemorative Nightingale lamp by Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Following successful completion of the NCLEX-RN national licensing exam, the graduates are registered nurses.
A suspect in the shooting in the Raising Cane’s parking lot last week has waived extradition, allowing investigators to bring him back to Ruston to face charges.
Kentorious Carey, 18, of Magnolia, Ark. was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Friday afternoon.
Ruston Police Lt. Kayla Loyd said Carey’s arrest followed a coordinated effort between Ruston Police and Arkansas law enforcement agencies.
“With the assistance of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Magnolia Police Department, Ruston investigators arrested Kentorious Carey of Magnolia, Arkansas, for attempted second degree murder in connection with the shooting that occurred at Raising Cane’s,” according to Loyd.
Carey was booked for attempted second degree murder and aggravated battery.
More arrests are expected in the case.
RPD was notified of a disturbance involving a large crowd at Raising Cane’s at 659 North Service Road East at about 12:48 a.m. on May 24. While officers were responding, several calls were received reporting gunshots had been fired in the parking lot.
When police arrived at the scene, they learned a gunshot victim had already been transported by private vehicle to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Hospital staff reported to RPD that a large crowd had gathered outside the emergency room.
Patrol officers and criminal investigators responded to the hospital and contacted with the victim, who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The victim is reportedly from Arcadia.
Video recorded in the parking lot and posted on social media showed numerous young males engaged in the melee with others looking on. One young man can be seen knocked to the ground and punched and stomped by at least six others.
“During the course of the investigation, we were able to identify Carey as the shooter involved in this incident, along with several other individuals who participated,” Loyd said. “The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional arrests are expected as investigators continue to pursue leads and gather evidence.”
Carey was listed as a senior track star at Magnolia High School this past season.
Loyd added, “We would like to thank the public for the overwhelming amount of information, tips, and assistance provided following the incident. Community cooperation played a significant role in advancing this investigation quickly and safely.”
Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141.
How Lincoln Parish became Peach Country and why almost all its orchards have disappeared
Before Ruston peaches became a festival emblem, a roadside sign, or a summer ritual, they were family work. They were mule-drawn barrels of pesticide, long days of pruning, children pressed into orchard duty, and fathers teaching sons how to read a tree.
One of the earliest remembered peach families in Lincoln Parish was the Roane clan. In 1972, U.S. Roane, then 75, recalled his father, the late Henry S. Roane Sr., as “one of the first peach growers here.”
“He always had peaches,” Roane said of his father—a simple recollection of the position peaches held in everyday farm life in Lincoln Parish. The Roane farm lay along Rough Edge Road, near what became U.S. 80 and on toward Choudrant.
The Roanes grew more than peaches. Their farm produced apples, pears, and other crops. But peaches became the family marker. Henry Roane grew early and late varieties, canned peaches at home, and sold to people who drove in from St. Louis and Kansas City. In one remembered transaction, Roane said his father sold a man a truckload of peaches for $300—only to have the check bounce.
On the Roane farm, a mule pulled an insect spray barrel through the orchard. Grass was not allowed under the trees. Diseased trees were cut out and burned. When the family tried “Indian peaches,” they abandoned the fruit as too large for canning. They grew what worked.
That model became the pattern for Lincoln Parish’s peach industry.
By the middle of the 20th century, peach growing had spread across the parish. Some growers operated on a small scale, selling directly to consumers. Others expanded into large commercial orchards, shipping fruit out of state and experimenting with varieties. In 1947, area growers organized the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association, and the first Louisiana Peach Festival followed in 1951, giving Ruston’s crop a public identity that outlasted most of the orchards themselves.
Elmer Hollis represented the smaller grower. In the spring of 1950, he planted his first peach tree on Cooktown Road, and by 1972 he had 10 acres of trees. His varieties included Spring Gold, Early Red, Cardinal Red and Dixie Red—early-season fruit that ripened from mid-May into early June. Hollis described the peach year as a 12-month job: pruning, burning brush, spraying, and tending trees long before harvest.
Mack Caraway Jr. used location and direct sales to make a small acreage pay. His roadside stand enticed motorists on U. S. 167 south of Ruston. A major thoroughfare, Caraway called it “one of the best methods of advertising possible,” especially after “Ruston Peaches” gained their reputation. Caraway farmed five acres, mostly Red Globe, with some experimental trees. He had planted his first peach tree in 1958 and, by the early 1970s, sold all his peaches to individuals at roadside.
Caraway’s experiences showed the fragility of the business. He fertilized but did not irrigate. Birds ate fruit. A peach picked too early shriveled. Rain, or the lack of it, could determine the year’s profit. Location was everything in roadside sales.
A. B. Larance Jr. of Hilly grew up in the peach business and described it in plain terms: “rocky ground with clay close under it, lots of fertilizer, hard work and lots of nights without sleep worrying if your peaches are going to make.” His father, A. B. Larance, and C. F. Alexander, both of Hilly, had started growing peaches in the early 1930s, giving Larance his start in the business.
By the seventies, Larance had 100 acres in peaches, a mix of new and old trees. He grew Island, Dixie Red, Coronet, Red Globe, Red Cap, Red Haven, Red Skin, Fire Ball, Southland and Early Red. His picking season stretched from the first two weeks of May until the first or middle of August, depending on the previous winter. Like the other growers, Larance said there was no quitting in the peach business.
Mitcham’s orchard was one of the parish’s major commercial operations and, in time, became the surviving name most closely associated with Ruston peaches. Arnold Mitcham planted a home orchard in 1929 in Claiborne Parish near Summerfield. His son J. E. Mitcham planted his first commercial orchard in Claiborne Parish in 1943, then his first commercial orchard off the Cooktown Road in 1947.
By the early seventies, Mitcham had 290 acres of peach trees, with 155 acres of producing age. He added another 135 acres in the Greenwood Community. His orchards contained 40 varieties to ensure a steady stream of ripe fruit throughout the summer.
Mitcham’s operation showed the industry’s direction: ponds for irrigation, attention to insects and disease, and mechanization. His overhead sprinklers for watering were eventually replaced by drip irrigation as he constantly sought new mechanical equipment, predicting technology and mechanization were the future of the peach industry.
Dennis Owen, whose farm lay near Hico and Dubach, represented another large-scale grower. Owen had 325 acres of peach trees of 18 varieties by 1972, with about 250 acres in production. Owen entered the peach business with his father, J.C. Owen, in 1946 and took over the farm in 1960.
Owen’s peaches went to jobbers in Shreveport and to anyone else who wanted them. He described a strong local market for the good crops produced each year from 1946 to 1972 except in 1965, when a freeze killed his peaches. His comments reflected the optimism of the time: demand was strong, and growers expected the industry to expand.
Mickey Sumrall carried on another family line. His father, W. H. Sumrall, had been in the peach business in Arkansas before moving to Lincoln Parish in 1940 and planting the family’s first local orchard. By 1972, Mickey Sumrall had about 300 acres south of Grambling, all producing.
Sumrall grew 14 varieties, from early peaches such as Moore’s Early Red and Spring Gold to the later Red Globe, Keystone and Jersey Queen. In addition to selling to locals, he shipped them to New Orleans, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas and local buyers. Like Mitcham, Sumrall expected the industry to grow and become more mechanized.
By the seventies, the peach market had captured Lincoln Parish with a recognizable peach belt from Hico and Dubach to Cooktown and on to south of Ruston and Grambling. In those days, local peaches were not nostalgia. They were a vital industry.
For decades, it was not unusual to see an old pickup at roadside in Mississippi or Alabama with a hand-painted sign announcing “Ruston Peaches.”
Today, those named orchards have vanished, with one exception: Mitcham Farms. Joe Mitcham still maintains one of Louisiana’s largest peach orchards but the acreage has been reduced drastically. It remains a Ruston institution, but Mitcham reports he is down to a mere eight acres of trees, having lost 280 trees last year to an uncontrollable root rot disease. Mitcham remembers when his family’s operation constituted a large percentage of the more than 1,000 acres in Lincoln Parish at the industry’s height.
Several factors play into the reduction in the local crop. Peaches demand year-round labor. Small orchards like Hollis’s and Caraway’s depended on direct local sales, family labor, and roadside traffic. Large orchards like Owen’s, Larance’s, Sumrall’s and Mitcham’s had to manage labor, equipment, transportation, packing, wholesale markets, and weather risk. As older growers retired, the next generation faced a harder calculation: high costs, high risk, short harvest windows, and no guarantee that a good crop would pay for the year. There are easier ways to make a living.
Weather adds another risk: dry weather can be helpful during ripening, but winter weather could be ruinous. Freezes in 1954, 1955, and 1965 killed nearly all the peaches in the state, followed more recent years when late frosts destroyed crops, including this year’s crop which was totally destroyed by a late freeze in March. But, on the other hand, insufficient chill hours during the winter can result in low yields.
Disease has become another defining threat. The modern Ruston peach decline is closely tied to Armillaria root rot, also known as oak root rot or mushroom root disease, which attacks the roots and can kill trees with few effective controls. With government bans of some pesticides, growers lost access to their best fumigation tools. LSU AgCenter guidance still describes peaches as high-maintenance fruit trees requiring well-drained sites and frequent spraying to control insects and diseases.
The industry did not disappear overnight. It thinned, like a tree being cut back limb by limb: a freeze here, a fungus there, a retired grower, a lost market, an acreage reduction, and new generations choosing not to spend 12 months working for a six-week harvest.
The Peach Festival survives because it has become culture, with strong backing from the Visitor’s Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and local government. The orchards did not survive on the same scale because they were agriculture, and agriculture has to pay its way every season.
But the old peach dynasty—Roane, Hollis, Larance, Caraway, Owen, Sumrall, and the sprawling Mitcham acreage of the seventies and eighties—belongs mostly to history now. Lincoln Parish did not lose its peach story. It lost the broad agricultural base that once made the story true from one end of the parish to the other.
That is why U. S. Roane’s plain recollection of his father carries so much weight. “He always had peaches,” he said. For a time, so did Lincoln Parish.Top of Form
A Ruston man was arrested early May 26 after officers responded to a reported shoplifting incident at Neighborhood Walmart and pursued a suspect on bicycle through several Ruston streets, according to a Ruston Police Department report.
Keyshawn West, 20, of Ruston, was arrested at approximately 3:20 a.m. following the incident on West California Avenue.
According to the report, officers responded to the store regarding a possible shoplifter. Upon arrival, an officer observed a man wearing all-black clothing outside the gas pump employee building matching the description provided by dispatch.
The report states the officer exited his vehicle and attempted to speak with the man, who walked away on foot and then got on a bicycle and fled the store. The officer reported the suspect was fleeing by bicycle, and officers responded to assist in his apprehension.
According to the report, the pursuit traveled from Neighborhood Walmart down South Monroe Street, east on West Line Avenue, south on South Vienna Street, and onto South Trenton Street, where the suspect wrecked his bicycle.
Officers then apprehended West and took him back to Neighborhood Walmart, where an officer located two backpacks outside the gas pump employee building. According to the report, West confirmed the backpacks were his.
The bags were searched and police found cold chocolate products still inside wrappers in one backpack and opened sports drinks in the other. Officers also observed empty spaces in refrigerators near the front of the employee building where sports drinks and chocolate products had reportedly been.
West was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for resisting an officer and misdemeanor theft.
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.
A Marion man was arrested May 26 after a traffic stop in Ruston led officers to discover multiple active warrants and suspected marijuana, according to a Ruston Police Department report.
Franciscos Andrews, 44, of Marion, was taken into custody at approximately 3:37 p.m. after an officer observed a vehicle traveling west on West California Avenue at a high rate of speed.
According to the report, the vehicle was traveling 51 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. The officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of West California Avenue and Paul Street and made contact with Andrews.
The report states the officer discovered Andrews was wanted on six active warrants from Ruston City Court. Once the warrants were confirmed, Andrews was issued a citation for the traffic offense and advised he was under arrest.
According to the report, while Andrews was seated in the back of the patrol unit, the officer detected the strong smell of burnt marijuana. Andrews was searched, and officers located approximately 8.7 grams of suspected marijuana hidden in his groin area after he advised he had something on his person.
Andrews was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana and failure to appear in court on charges of driving under suspension (2 counts), no liability insurance (2 counts), switched license plate, and no driver’s license.
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.
Cedar Creek HC Jacob Angevine will welcome back Mark Ware to the Cougars football program.
by Malcolm Butler
A few months ago, Cedar Creek made a post on its football social media platforms about the return of Mark Ware to the Cougars program.
It fell under the radar.
It’s huge news.
Ware is a household name around the north Louisiana high school football circles, having spent his coaching career at some of the most successful programs, including Haynesville, West Monroe and Ruston High to name a few.
And now the Haynesville native returns to Cedar Creek, where he spent five years as the DC prior to serving in the same role the past two years at West Monroe High School.
“Having Mark back is just awesome,” said Cedar Creek head coach Jacob Angevine. “Anytime you get a wealth of knowledge like that — from all the different places he’s been and all the championships he’s been a part of — coming back to a school like this where I think we’re at a really great point to start rising, it’s huge.”
Ware was a huge reason for the Cougars success on the defensive side of the football from 2000 through 2004. One of the well-respected veteran high school coaches in Louisiana, Ware has helped lead four different programs to state title appearances during his career.
He said he has strong emotions about returning to the Ruston-based program.
“When I left here the last time, I felt bad about it,” said Ware. “But I kind of owed somebody a favor, to make a long story short. I love Cedar Creek. It’s a great place to work. I loved working with these kids.”
While Ware and Angevine have worked together before, the hierarchy has changed since Ware’s last stint at Creek. Angevine will be entering his third year as the Cougars head coach.
“We work so well together, and we’ve got great respect for each other,” said Ware. “That’s the main thing you want to have with a coaching staff. It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are — you want everybody to respect each other’s opinions. I don’t think that’ll be a problem at all.
“Jacob’s a very open-minded guy. He’s extremely intelligent. He may not have a lot of head coaching experience yet, but he’s ahead of his time in terms of understanding the game.”
Angevine isn’t shy about expressing what Ware meant to him as a young coach.
“Mark Ware is probably the biggest influence on my career over the last 10 years,” said Angevine.” It’s really cool to have a mentor like that back here.”
Ware will take over the reins of the Cougars defense (and coach linebackers), replacing Kyle Stracener who will now serve as the head coach for the Cedar Creek middle school.
“Anytime you can get your junior high ready for those Friday nights and get a coach like Kyle Stracener to step into that role, it’s huge,” said Angevine. “With him already being here, knowing all the kids and being the dean of students, it’s really a perfect fit.”
And Angevine said not much will change defensively for the varsity Cougars, schematically.
“We ran a 4-3 last year,” said Angevine. “Mark Ware runs a 4-3, so there’s really not a lot of new things we need to teach. The terminology is a little different, but the kids will soak it in.”
Creek is coming off a season that saw the Cougars post a 6-5 record and return to the Select School Division IV playoffs. And the hope is that the 2026 season will be another step in re-establishing the program.
“I think we have a lot of things in place here now that are going to be very beneficial to us establishing a very solid winning program,” said Ware. “I have already gotten to see some of the guys again and give them all big hugs. Reunions are always fun.”
Weekend of the CROSS (WOC), a ministry of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, has been awarded a 2026 Pledge10 Grant from Jonesboro State Bank (JSB). The funds will support the ministry’s mission to serve our neighbors across North Louisiana through home repairs.
“We are honored to receive this generous award from JSB and Pledge10,” said Jennifer Willis, who serves as chair of this year’s WOC committee. “These funds will give us the flexibility to address emerging issues that inevitably arise during WOC planning and while actually on the worksites. Once repairs begin, additional home needs often surface and it means a great deal to both the volunteers and the homeowners to be able to fully complete anything extra that arises.”
The funds will also help WOC volunteers and youth serve more homes in and around Ruston. The Pledge10 Grant Program invests 10 percent of Jonesboro State Bank’s profits back into local communities and supports innovative projects focused on education, youth development, financial literacy, and community enrichment.
Weekend of the CROSS — which stands for Christians Reaching Out in the Savior’s Service — has impacted lives for more than 35 years by bringing together youth groups and volunteers from across Louisiana and beyond for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and community service. Participants complete projects such as wheelchair ramps, porch repairs, painting, and yardwork for individuals and families in need. Each night, youth and adult leaders worship through song and hear a challenging message.
“The true differentiator of Weekend of the CROSS is the relationships built between the homeowners and the youth volunteers,” said Willis. “While home repairs are the reason they are at the house, that often because secondary to building lasting and real relationships with those in our own backyard.”
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!
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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.
Monday, June 1 Louisiana Peach Festival events 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Storytime : Vegetable Garden (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Anything But a Pot (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) Please call 318-513-5510 for important information about participation. 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, June 2 Louisiana Peach Festival events 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting for All Hours Fitness (1506 Commerce St.) 10 a.m.: Dixie Theatre Summer Movie Series: Trolls 10 a.m.: Storytime : Vegetable Garden (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Garden Starters (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Plant Art Prints (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St., Ruston)
Wednesday, June 3 Louisiana Peach Festival events 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, June 4 Louisiana Peach Festival events 10 a.m.: Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum at Lincoln Parish Library 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Tween Time : Mad Libs with Hector Vargas (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : DIY Terrariums (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, June 5 Louisiana Peach Festival events 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Summer DND Campaign for Teens & Tweens (Lincoln Parish Library) Please call 318-513-5518 for important information about participation. 6 p.m.: Peach Festival Parade
Saturday, June 6 Louisiana Peach Festival events 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 12-5 p.m.: Video Game Meetup hosted by Ruston Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library)
Monday, June 8 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Storytime : Insects (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: AI for Real Life (Lincoln Parish Library) 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, June 9 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Storytime : Insects (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 10 a.m.: Summer movie series: Bolt (Dixie Theatre) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Bowl Ladybugs (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Popsicle Stick Wall Art (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Wednesday, June 10 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) 2 p.m.: Author/Musician Rickey Pittman performance (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Thursday, June 11 9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Tween Time : LSU Ag Center Smoothie Bike (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : LSU Ag Center Smoothie Bike (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, June 12 9:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Ruston Parks Inclusive Play Communication Boards (2800 Kavanaugh Rd., Ruston) 2 p.m.: American Chemical Society at Lincoln Parish Library 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Summer DND Campaign for Teens & Tweens (Lincoln Parish Library) Please call 318-513-5518 for important information about participation. 6 p.m.: Juneteenth Pageant (TH Harris Auditorium, Reed St., Grambling)
Saturday, June 13 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) Noon: Historic Landmark unveiling (City Park Pavilion, 119 Park St., Grambling) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
LA Tech signee Maggie Guyotte was named the Class B Player of the Year.
Choudrant’s Cash Camp and Simsboro’s Chris Harrell earned honorable mention recognition on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class B All-State baseball team following standout seasons for their respective programs.
Quitman’s Maggie Guyotte, a Louisiana Tech signee, was named the Class B MVP on the softball side.
Camp helped lead the Aggies throughout the spring helping Choudrant to a 13-15 record and a second round appearance in the playoffs, narrowly falling 4-3 to eventual state runner-up Pitkin. Harrell turned in another productive season for the Tigers, leading Simsboro to a 23-10 mark and a second round playoff appearance, falling 2-1 to Hicks.
Glenmora junior Brayden Holloway was selected as the Class B baseball Most Valuable Player after helping guide the Wildcats to the first state championship in school history.
The Class B All-State teams were selected by a panel of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association following the conclusion of the 2026 high school baseball and softball seasons.
Guyotte, a Louisiana Tech signee, was named the Class B Most Valuable Player after helping lead the Lady Wolverines to a third straight state championship.
Guyotte batted .519 during her senior season and also delivered in the circle during Quitman’s state tournament run in Sulphur, earning saves in both the semifinal and championship game victories.
She ends her high school career ranked among the state’s all-time leaders in home runs and RBI.
Joyce Ann Smith October 2, 1947 – May 26, 2026 Visitation: Monday, June 1, 2026, 10:00AM – 11:00AM, Kilpatrick Funeral Home Funeral Service: Monday, June 1, 2026, 11:00AM, Kilpatrick Funeral Home Final Resting Place: Downsville Cemetery, State Hwy 151, Downsville
