(RTJ 2026: Thirteen wannabe golfers…. and Bob… although Mitch won…)
By Kyle Roberts
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — “How do you get that many people to agree on anything?”
It’s the most common response I get when I explain our yearly golf excursion: over a dozen guys cement a yearly weekend on the calendar to play the links for four (sometimes five) straight days of championship-style golf, complete with entry fees, handicaps, and enough trips to Outback over the years that would make a kangaroo proud.
It’s what we call “The RTJ Shootout”, and this June we celebrated the 25th anniversary of this group (in some form and number) making the trek eastward to a Robert Trent Jones resort somewhere in Alabama.
Nearly a week in the pouring rain followed by muggy heat (Thank you, Tropical Cyclone Arthur), we trudged through 72 holes and walked somewhere in the neighborhood of 26 cumulative miles apiece from the cart path to our golf balls somewhere in the fairway or (more likely) the rough.
And we all loved every single second of it, regardless of how well we played.
What started as just a small outing nearly three decades has now flourished into groups as many as 16-large over the years.
Usually, planning starts as early as January with Scott’s yearly e-mail that boils down to “Okay, who’s coming this year?”
And from there, all of us do our best to figure out and, pardon the pun, scramble to make sure we can make the locked-in date once it’s set.
This year, 14 of us were able to go to celebrate the silver anniversary of what’s honestly become quite an anomaly: a group of dudes that have forged deep friendships over decades.
Think about that: fourteen grown men with families, jobs, and hobbies all creating time to be together for a week, hang out, enjoy each other’s company and not fight (much).
This kind of “community” doesn’t happen by accident. It requires each person to value and understand that we’re not just playing golf — we’re building bonds that will stand the test of time. In a world that rightfully mourns a “male loneliness epidemic,” where guys just don’t have enough friends in their lives, the studies clearly don’t look to Alabama in mid-June. It would turn the research on its head.
We’re not perfect, and we’re certainly not very good at golf, but we’re all men trying our best at life. And it’s really cool to catch up every summer, picking up conversations where they were left off on last year’s Sunday round.
Not everybody can come every year — I’m certainly guilty of this. And over time, sadly, some members have gone home to be with the Lord. We pray every before we pull out of the driveway that opening Wednesday as an homage to those we take with us to the first tee box.
If you know me, you know I’m blessed more than I’ll every deserve. God has given me many, many friendships in my near 44 years on this Earth. I take none of them for granted — and I certainly will never take for granted the January e-mail asking if “I’m in.” Even if I can’t go that year, just knowing that I have a place means so much.
Because the trip has never been about golf (well, maybe a little).
And that’s why we all pray one day there will be “The RTJ Shootout: Gold Edition.”
Kathy Holloway and Tommy Henry during the LHSAA HOF induction.
By BOB TOMPKINS
Written for the LSWA
Kathy Stewart Holloway’s life has been marked by unprecedented achievement as a woman in high school sports once ruled by men.
Yet, she points with love to two men who, behind the scenes, helped her along the way.
Her father, Jack Stewart, a car salesman, put up her first basketball goal on the side of a building on the family property in Lecompte when she was a tyke. It was a target, set then at a lower achievable height, but she always aimed high at whatever goal she pursued. That attitude was motivated by her father’s constant encouragement to “do your best.”
Her husband, Charles, who was the director of business affairs and comptroller at LSUA for 35 years before his death 19 years ago, was the other most influential man in her life. She turned to him for advice before any big decision in an extraordinary career as a coach and administrator.
A string of prestigious honors stands as testimony to her many local, statewide and national accomplishments, the latest of which is being among 12 elected to the 2026 class to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.
Holloway is going into the LSHOF among a 12-person Class of 2026 celebrated during three days of festivities Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27, with seven events (six in Natchitoches, bowling in Alexandria). For participation information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
She is the 25th recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award and will be enshrined in the Hall as the fourth female Dixon winner.
She joins Pineville native Sue Donohoe (2017), an NCAA basketball administrator; Alexandria native Marie Gagnard (2019), a pioneer as a women’s pro tennis official; and Opelousas native Joan Cronan (2020), the women’s athletic director during the Pat Summitt era at Tennessee, in the subset of women who have been honored.
The Dixon Award is presented annually by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s 35-member Hall of Fame selection committee to an individual who has played a decisive role as a sports leader or administrator benefiting Louisiana and/or bringing credit to Louisiana on the national and international level.
It is named in honor of the 1999 LSHOF inductee, an entrepreneur and innovator known for many sports-related endeavors, especially for helping bring an NFL franchise to New Orleans, along with the development of the Caesars Superdome.
The classic story of Holloway’s disciplined but quiet push into a male-dominated hierarchy at the Louisiana High School Coaches Association came during an All-Star weekend in Baton Rouge in 1982 when, as she said, “football coaches controlled everything.”
Yet, some of the iconic coaches of the day like Charlie Brown of Neville and Red Franklin of Haynesville (both since elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame) liked her and asked her when she was going to run for president (of the LHSCA).
“At a Friday night barbecue before a Saturday All-Star football game, I was standing by myself and this guy said, ‘Are you going to vote for me tomorrow (for president)?’ I said, ‘Yeah, if you vote for me when I run.’
“He said, ‘There ain’t ever going to be a woman president of this association.’”
One year later, at the suggestion of then LHSAA commissioner Frank Spruiell, Holloway ran for second vice-president (which virtually assures automatic succession to first vice president then president). No one ran against her. So, she was the first female to ever to hold each office, being the first LHSCA female president in 1986.
In 1992, she made history becoming the first female president of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. In 1998, she was elected to the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame and in 2012 was inducted into the NHSACA Hall of Fame.
In 2021 Holloway was honored by the NHSACA, becoming the first winner of an award named in her honor, the “Kathy Holloway Women of Inspiration Award” given annually to females promoting high school athletics.
Her road to prestigious positions and honors started at her home in her youth.
The oldest of three children of Jack and Edith Harrison Holloway, Kathy started shooting and dribbling a basketball as soon as she could walk, and from the start, her father, set the bar high.
“For him,” said Holloway, “everything we did, it was ‘do your best.’”
Young Kathy took that message to heart and has lived by it to the present day.
She enjoyed a stellar playing career at Poland High School, leading her team to the Class C state championship in 1965 and being named the most valuable offensive player of the tournament. She coached girls’ basketball at Tioga for 23 years (1969-92), mentoring four high school All-Americans, 13 all-state players, 5 LHSCA all-stars and achieving 10 playoff appearances, two Sweet 16 appearances and two state runner-up finishes. Fifteen of her players got college athletic scholarships.
In the 1990s, when Ocean Spray launched a sponsorship and scholarship initiative for the NHSACA, Holloway was on the initial selection committee with the two previous NHSACA presidents and Ocean Spray representatives to pick the national winners.
One of the team managers during Holloway’s time as Tioga’s girls’ basketball coach is Dr. Joan Brunson, a family medicine physician who is the president of the medical staff at Rapides Regional.
“It doesn’t surprise me that she went on to accomplish the things she did,” Brunson said of Holloway.
“Kathy is a person that would never give up,” Brunson said. “She would think of ways to do things more efficiently. She was good at restoring confidence in her players when they were having a difficult time.”
The 78-year-old Holloway, who was a math major at LSU, wasn’t only skilled in basketball. In the same year she led Poland to the state title, she became the district president of the Future Homemakers Association of America, which, undoubtedly made her mother proud. Her mother, who lived to age 96, was a homemaker who made all the clothes for her children, cooked all the meals and did the gardening around the house.
“Mom would call me to supper,” Holloway recalled, “and I had to make 10 in a row before coming in. I don’t think I ever coached anybody that practiced shooting as much as I did.”
That includes four All-Americans: Jan Nugent (1969-72), Kay Ford (1972-75), Julie Wilkerson (1976-79) and Tara Curtis (1984-88). Ford and Wilkerson played for Louisiana Tech and Curtis played for LSU.
For the first nine years of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball program, at least one player from Tioga was on the team, be it Marilyn Robinson, Ford or Wilkerson.
Wilkerson, a local attorney, remembers Holloway’s innovation as a coach.
“She started a ‘jump’ layup,” said Wilkerson, “getting us to do a jump shot as our layup. She didn’t need to holler; she just looked at you with the kind of look that you knew you were not doing what you needed to be doing. And it was never about individual honors with her. She stressed team.”
Tara Curtis, her only player to play for LSU, said Holloway was “literally an angel, God-sent from heaven” in her life.
“I come from humble beginnings,” said the 56-year-old Curtis, who manages records and classifications for the women’s state prison in St. Gabriel. Despite being a talented player, she said she didn’t have confidence. “She always told me I was going to be somebody and do great things.”
That was a message she wasn’t getting at home with a single mother, she said, noting Holloway was “somewhat of a mother figure” who made sacrifices for her. “She’d pick me up, drive me to practice, brought me to games. She enhanced the skills I had to enable me to get a scholarship to go to college. She and her husband both took an interest in me, as would parents.”
Holloway had her own support group as a youth. In addition to her parents, her best friend while playing for Poland was a defensive player, Carolyn Beauregard, who was tougher guarding her than any opponent. One of the ways she gave her moral support when she was upset was to snap, “Don’t start crying!”
And, now, her son, Stewart Holloway, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Pineville, is supporting her as she is the director of his church’s “Upwards Basketball” K-6 program. It’s part of Upward Sports, founded in 1995, and the world’s largest Christian youth sports provider. It lists its mission as “promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports.”
Kathy is in her 15th year as the program director, and the participation has mushroomed from around 90 players to 300.
Holloway thinks back to her first job as a math teacher at Brame Junior High, when then Tioga principal Philip White hired her as a physical education teacher. He asked her to be a hostess for the Sweet 16 tournament in 1969-70, and she did. Impressed with her work there along with her basketball credentials, White hired her the next year as basketball coach.
Her teaching career later came full circle when, after she left Tioga, Bolton principal Ron Akins hired her as a PE teacher. The summer before what was to be her last year, Bolton girls’ basketball coach Danny Dotherow asked her to be his assistant.
“He had won district and wanted to win the next year,” she said. “I had to ask Charles. He said OK.”
And Holloway helped Dotherow guide a talented group to not only another district title but four straight district championships and playoff appearances, including the state semifinals in 2002-03.
“Looking back, sometimes I think, ‘How did this happen?’” Holloway said. “I think of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. Itook the road to Tioga. God just takes care of you and opens doors. If I hadn’t been here, it wouldn’t have gone this way, I guess. I’m thankful for being available to do the things I love to do. I like people. I like getting everybody to work together.”
When Choudrant High School head baseball coach Joel Antley recently told CHS principal Chris Jones it was time for him to move on from leading the Aggie baseball program, Jones knew his new hire had to be a good one.
After all, Antley has been coach since July 2022, leading Choudrant to the state tournament in 2023 after taking over the role from his cousin, Tony Antley, who led the Aggies to state titles in 2022, 2021, 2017, 2005, 2002 and 1996.
To try to make that good hire happen, Jones reached out to another proven championship winner, longtime North Louisiana coach Tim O’Neal, who has nearly 25 years of coaching experience, including leading Ouachita Christian to a 2015 state title before helping OCS earn a Louisiana Class 1A runner-up trophy in 2017.
Jones announced O’Neal as the new head coach for the Aggies on Tuesday.
“First off, we want to thank Joel Antley for the four years that he gave us as the skipper at CHS,” Jones said. “He always did a great job of taking care of our kids and making sure we were ready to compete. He also does a great job in the classroom.
“I’m really excited about adding Tim O’Neal to our staff. We have some young guys on staff, and being around him is going to develop them for the future. Everybody in the state of Louisiana who has spent much time around high school baseball knows who Tim is and knows the knowledge that he brings to our program.”
O’Neal, who is also executive director of the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association, has a career coaching record of 362-198, helping guide programs such as D’Arbonne Woods, St. Frederick High School, Ruston High School, Neville and Ouachita Christian.
Jones said he first met O’Neal in 1998.
“My dad actually hired him to come to St. Frederick High School, and I just missed out on getting to play for him,” Jones said. “I asked several of my friends who did play for him what their thoughts were about him, and they said that he was the best baseball coach they had ever had, and that included their college coaches.
“Tim knows the game inside and out, and I think he’s gonna do a great job of leading our young men. He’s an old-school coach, and he believes in discipline and hard work, and we can’t wait to see what he’s gonna do here at CHS.”
O’Neal, who has a career coaching record of 362-198, said he feels good about Choudrant’s returning corps of players, including 2026 first-team All-District and LBCA All-Region 2 selections Cash Camp and Cam Bagwell, for the 2027 season but plans to build for the future, too.
“The goal is leading them to another state championship. I’m going to work hard at it, and I expect them to work hard, too,” said O’Neal, a product of West Monroe High School. “I look forward to building the kind of relationships that can help make that happen and bringing them back to the level of play they reached year after year for so long. We have some solid arms, maybe five of them. We’re going to expect toughness. We’re going to expect a solid work ethic, both on the field and in the classroom.
“We’re looking for kids that want to play this game and want to represent Choudrant the way it deserves to be represented. We’re going to try to start them young and build them from the junior varsity level on up. We’ve got a group of solid junior and senior players capable of contending for a state title. We want to do that year by year, so we’re going to start building a brighter future early on by building this program with the younger kids all the way up to the seniors. We want Choudrant to be that respected baseball power on a yearly basis.”
College Baseball Hall of Fame coach Wilbert Ellis of Grambling State University was elated to hear of O’Neal’s return to coaching in Lincoln Parish.
“He helps me with my baseball camps,” Ellis said. “He’s all about serving the game and the youth who play it. I am thrilled to see this happen and hopefully get a chance to see him coaching next season. He knows so much about the game of baseball. This is a really good hire for Choudrant.”
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, June 24 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 a.m.: Groundbreaking for Russ Town Crossing (1211 Gaines Ave.) 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)
Thursday, June 25 10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Power Water District Power Building apartments (300 E. Mississippi Ave.) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richartd Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121) 2 p.m.: Tween Time : Bristle Bots (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Retro Video Games (Lincoln Parish Library) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal provided by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at St . Benedict Church, Main Street in Grambling. All are welcome 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) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Willy Wonka, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Friday, June 26 10 a.m.: Open house for Fox Nesbit (500 Dan Reneau Dr.) 2 p.m.: Briarhill Farms at Lincoln Parish Library Events Center
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. 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Willy Wonka, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Saturday, June 27 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: Russ-Town Band concert (Howard Auditorium, Louisiana Tech) 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Willy Wonka, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Sunday, June 28 2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Willy Wonka, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Monday, June 29 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Storytime : Patriotic Stories (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 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 30 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Storytime : Patriotic Stories (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 10 a.m.: Summer movie series “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (Dixie Theatre) 2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Patriotic Geese (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Japanese Paper Doll Bookmark (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Firecracker Flowers; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, July 1 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, July 2 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richartd Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, July 3 7:30 p.m.: LoveLincoln Freedom Fest (Temple Baptist, 1515 S. Service Rd. W; fireworks to follow)
Saturday, July 4 Independence Day 7:30 a.m. to noon: Patriotic Field Day (Dubach Ballpark) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
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.
The Ruston High FFA Chapter recently returned from the Louisiana FFA State Convention with numerous awards and recognitions, highlighting another successful year for the chapter and its members.
Among the chapter’s top accomplishments were state championship victories in both the Farm Business Management and Marketing Plan Career Development Events. The Farm Business Management Team, consisting of Joe Aulds, Kaleb Gray, Jermanus Lyons, and Gabe Middleton, under the guidance of advisors Mark Milstead and Kylee Triche, earned the state title and will represent Louisiana at the National FFA Convention. The Marketing Plan Team, consisting of Jake Lary, Emma Medders, and Boston Smith, under the guidance of advisor Cadie Coleman, also claimed a state championship and qualified for national competition. With these wins, both teams earned the opportunity to represent Louisiana at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this October. Their success reflects months of preparation, dedication, and teamwork from the members and advisors involved.
The chapter also demonstrated strong leadership development throughout the convention. Five chapter members and officers successfully completed the Area Nominating Committee process [Jermanus Lyons, Emma Medders, David Smith, James Spann, and Morgan Walker]. In addition, one member advanced through the State Nominating Committee process [Emma Medders]. Additionally, the chapter was represented by one Area Nominating Committee Chair [Kayden Woods], further showcasing the leadership skills being developed within the organization.
The chapter was recognized at the state level for its overall Program of Activities, earning both the Superior Chapter Award and the Gold National Chapter Award. These awards recognize chapters that excel in developing student leaders, strengthening agriculture, and serving their communities through a variety of activities and projects conducted throughout the year. Chapter leadership team members Jermanus Lyons, Emma Medders, and Gabe Middleton additionally presented the chapter’s POA to a committee of three for judging.
Additional honors included recognition as a Proficiency Award Finalist [Cullen Smith] in the area of Equine Science and the recognition of a Superior Livestock Exhibition Award, highlighting the diverse accomplishments of chapter members in agricultural education, supervised agricultural experiences, and livestock exhibition.
These achievements reflect the hard work and commitment of the chapter’s members, advisors, parents, and supporters. As the chapter looks ahead to the National FFA Convention this fall, members remain committed to pursuing excellence in leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The Ruston High FFA Chapter congratulates all members who contributed to these accomplishments and extends thanks to the community for its continued support of agricultural education and FFA. Ruston FFA hopes that the community will support their accomplishments as they take on the national stage this October.
Thomas Wayne “Tom” Loe, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on June 22, 2026. Tom was born on May 23, 1949, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Thomas Alexander Loe, Jr. and Dorothy Nell Allison Loe, both of whom preceded him in death.
Raised in Arcadia, Louisiana, Tom quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete. At Arcadia High School, he participated in all sports, earning All-State honors in football and baseball, and was named Mr. Arcadia High School during his senior year. His athletic abilities became the stuff of local legend. On one memorable occasion, when the school’s high jumper failed to appear for a track meet, Tom was asked to fill in despite having little experience in the event. He not only won the competition but set a school record in the high jump that day—a fitting example of his determination, natural talent, and commitment to giving his very best in everything he did.
Following high school, Tom was recruited to play football at Louisiana State University and was red-shirted after playing his freshman year with the Tigers. While at LSU, he met the love of his life, Pamela O’Neal (“Pam”), beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades. He continued his education at Louisiana Tech University, where he studied forestry and began building the foundation for a remarkable professional career.
Tom’s career in the oil and gas industry spanned decades and took him around the globe. He began with Southern Natural Exploration (SONAT), working both offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and in onshore operations as part of the Offshore Production Group. Through hard work, technical expertise, and leadership, he advanced to Drilling Supervisor for both onshore and offshore operations. In 1982, he joined Occidental Oil and Gas (Oxy) as a Drilling Supervisor, and in 1989 became a Drill Site Manager for Oxy International. Throughout the remainder of his distinguished career, Tom oversaw drilling operations in numerous countries around the world, earning multiple company awards and recognition for record-setting performance and operational excellence.
While Tom achieved tremendous professional success, his greatest joy was found outside of work. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, shooting, gun collecting, and reloading. Few things made him happier than spending a day on the water with a good friend and a fishing rod in hand. Known for his attention to detail and perfectionist nature, Tom approached every endeavor with dedication and excellence, whether in the field, at work, or at home.
Tom was a man who loved life and loved people. He was known for his mischievous spirit as a young man, often keeping his sister Peggy on her toes with a steady stream of pranks and practical jokes. He worked hard, laughed often, and never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those around him. His commitment to hard work, loyalty to friends, and unwavering devotion to his family defined the man he was.
Above all, Tom was a devoted family man. He shared 56 wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, Pamela Susan Loe. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and enduring love. He was a proud father to his son, Thomas Wayne Loe, Jr. (“Tommy”); a beloved father-in-law to Kimberly Loe; and a deeply cherished grandfather to Thomas Alexander Loe III (“Alexander”), as well as grand-dog Bailey, who brought immeasurable joy to his life. He is also survived by his sister, Peggy McCoy, along with husband Jerry McCoy, as well as numerous extended family members and countless friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
Tom was fortunate to be loved and respected by so many throughout his life. His legacy will no doubt live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He gave unconditionally of himself to others, and while his presence will be deeply missed, the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the memories he created will continue to bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, with funeral services immediately following at 11:00 AM. Officiating the service will be Rev. Doug de Graffenried. Interment will follow at Bear Creek Cemetery in the Bryceland community south of Arcadia, Louisiana. Pallbearers for the service will be Alexander Loe, Jeremy Haddox, Daniel Halbert, Zach Halbert, Reed Allison, and Randy Allison. Honorary Pallbearers include Doug Haddox, Bruce Cowan, John Corley, Ronny Graham, William Colvin, Johnny Durrett, and Stanley Read. Organist will be Micky Cloud and Soloist will be Marissa Nugent.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. William Sanders, Tom’s longtime primary care physician, and to Dr. Tharwat Ghattas, MD, along with his devoted nurse, Rebecca Hood, for the exceptional care, compassion, and support they provided throughout Tom’s illness.
The family also extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated caregivers and staff of Elara Caring Hospice and Touched By An Angel Personal Caregivers for their kindness, compassion, and support during Tom’s final journey.
The family will forever be grateful to all who cared for Tom with dignity, respect, and love. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Trinity Methodist Church and MD Anderson Cancer Center in support of cancer research and patient care.
Funeral services for Gerald Butler Hampton, 88, of West Monroe, Louisiana, will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10:00am in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe, with Pastors Waymond Warren and Darris Waren officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe. Visitation will be 9:00am until service time.
Butler Hampton was born on March 3, 1938, and passed away on June 21, 2026 following a lengthy illness.
While living in Ruston, Butler and wife Betty were active members of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served on the JOY committee helping plan activities and outings for the Senior Adult members. He also served on Ruston’s Greater Ward 1 Water Work District’s board and later became President claiming no water tasted better than his district’s water. Butler was known for his love of golf and fishing and enjoyed his Saturdays spent on the Ruston Country Club golf course and his annual men’s trip to Flippin, AR for trout and bass fishing. He was a devout Louisiana Tech Bulldog and Lady Techster fan and rarely missed a football or basketball game. After moving to West Monroe in recent years to be closer to family, he and Betty became members at Fair Park Baptist Church and enjoyed attending services when his health allowed.
Butler loved nothing more than being a “Pawpaw” to his grandchildren. He worked hard to attend all their school, cheering, and sporting events and would brag on them to anyone who would listen. He taught his grandchildren how to play golf, cards, and Chicken Foot, but never let them win at any of them. They were his greatest blessings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ollie Hampton; brothers, Don Hampton, Ray Hampton, and Bill Hampton; and sisters, Maxine Auttonberry and Loree Morrow.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Hampton; sons, Mark Hampton and wife Bonnie, and Gary Hampton and wife Joan; daughter, Paula Aultman and husband Donnie; grandchildren, Jacob Hampton, Brooke Hampton, Cassidy Hampton and fiancé Peyton Little; Laken Drake and husband Justin, Victoria Hampton, and Hunter Tyler; Reece Aultman and wife Vivian, Holden Aultman, and Brodie Aultman; and great-grandchildren, Aurora Drake, Caden Drake, and Noah Aultman.
The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Johnathan Baines of Ruston, the staff of Onyx Care of Arcadia, and Donita of Bristol Hospice of Minden for exceptional care of Butler in his final months.
Memorial donations may be made in Butler’s honor to SOS Pets of Ouachita.
Bernard White III Saturday 02/06/1954 — Friday 06/12/2026 Graveside: Wednesday 06/24/2026 1:00pm, Mt. Zion Church Cemetery, 113 California Plant Road, Dubach
Ruston has boasted a hospital for almost a century.
Could that be coming to an end?
Residents of Lincoln Parish hope not.
However, it is no secret that the current version of a Ruston-based hospital — Northern Louisiana Medical Center — is under scrutiny, not only from residents of the area, but also from the Louisiana Department of Health.
As first reported by the Ruston Daily Leader last week, the LDH sent Northern Louisiana Medical Center an 87-page document with findings that could lead to the loss of Medicare funding and potentially the loss of the hospital altogether.
Not a fun thought.
Current NLMC Chief Executive Officer Monica Adams, who has only been on the job since June 1 after coming to Ruston from Winnfield, released a statement late last week saying the hospital is already working to address the deficiencies outlined in the survey.
“Northern Louisiana Medical Center has received the results of its recent Louisiana Department of Health survey and is finalizing its Plan of Correction,” Adams said. “Our leadership team is actively addressing the survey findings and implementing corrective actions, many of which are already underway. We are committed to resolving all identified issues promptly and in accordance with state requirements.
“Patient safety, quality care and regulatory compliance remain our highest priorities. We view this process as an opportunity to strengthen our operations and further enhance the care we provide to our patients and community.
“Northern Louisiana Medical Center remains fully operational and dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality healthcare while continuously improving the services we provide.”
Hospital officials have until Wednesday to submit a corrective action plan addressing the deficiencies cited by the state.
The state survey findings came only weeks after Northern Louisiana Medical Center was included among more than 500 hospitals nationwide that received warning letters from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding federal price transparency requirements.
The current version of Northern Louisiana Medical Center has been under the ownership of Allegiance Health Management, led by Rock Bordelon, since March 2020, when the company purchased the facility from Community Health Systems. In November 2024, Allegiance expanded its footprint in Lincoln Parish when it acquired Green Clinic, bringing two of the area’s largest healthcare providers under the same ownership.
While Adams declined further comment Monday, hospital officials said they have been working nonstop to compile a detailed response.
As the pressure mounts, local leaders say the stakes extend far beyond the hospital itself.
To them, the issue is about growth, public safety and quality of life.
“When I became mayor 12 years ago, I started studying what you needed to have in place to grow a big city,” Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said. “What I found was that a city is no different than a church or a business. You’re either growing or you’re dying. There’s no staying the same.”
Walker said one of the lessons city leaders learned early on was that healthcare infrastructure is one of the foundations of a thriving community.
“One of the key components was a great healthcare system,” Walker said. “You’ve got to have that.”
Walker said Ruston has aggressively pursued growth over the past decade and that maintaining healthcare services is part of that effort.
“Having a hospital, and a clinic, and an emergency room is extremely important to grow any city no matter where you are,” Walker said.
But Walker said the issue becomes even more critical because the City of Ruston provides emergency medical services for all of Lincoln Parish.
“The emergency room is even more important for us because we run the ambulances for the entire parish,” Walker said.
That sentiment is shared by Ruston Fire Department EMS Director David Wells, who said the impact of losing a local emergency room would be felt immediately.
“It’s very important for the community to have a healthcare facility in our parish,” Wells said. “We have 50,000-plus citizens that live in Lincoln Parish and they deserve to have quality healthcare services in their parish.”
Wells said the absence of a local emergency room would force ambulances to spend considerably more time transporting patients outside the parish.
“It would require resources to be tied up longer transporting patients to Monroe or out of the parish,” Wells said.
He said that becomes problematic when other emergencies arise simultaneously.
“There’s only so many ambulances and personnel to be able to handle those emergencies, especially if other emergencies arise like multiple transports or car accidents with multiple people in them or structure fires,” Wells said. “Having them go out of the parish to deliver those patients for healthcare would be very taxing on the resources.”
Currently, Ruston Fire Department staffs three stations, with two serving as primary ambulance locations. Minimum staffing on a shift is 17 personnel.
Wells said the burden would not stop with Lincoln Parish. Those hospitals receiving additional patients would face challenges of their own.
“Those healthcare facilities are set up to handle the citizens in their area,” Wells said. “If an influx of patients from outside their area comes in, it’s going to tax their resources as well.”
For Walker, healthcare means much more than a hospital building.
“It is of the utmost concern to me that we have a strong medical community,” Walker said. “I’m not talking about just the hospital. Doctor’s offices, docs, nursing homes, emergency room, operating rooms, everything. The entire medical community has to be strong.”
If Northern Louisiana Medical Center were to fail, Walker said city leaders would immediately begin seeking alternatives.
“We would immediately start a hard press on getting someone in here,” Walker said.
Still, Walker emphasized that the city’s desire is not replacement but success.
“That’s the reason we want Northern Louisiana Medical Center, or whoever it might be, to succeed and grow,” Walker said.
Lincoln Parish Police Jury President Glenn Scriber said parish officials feel much the same.
“We are basically sold out to having that in Ruston, Louisiana, Lincoln Parish,” Scriber said. “We are not going to give up until we have something that is satisfactory for our citizens here in Lincoln Parish that are so deserving of that.”
Scriber acknowledged that public confidence in the local hospital has suffered.
“It’s heartbreaking to see that at the present time people do not have confidence in our local facility,” Scriber said.
Still, he said the Police Jury intends to remain actively engaged as the state reviews the hospital’s corrective efforts.
“I don’t think it’ll be a time of wait and see necessarily,” Scriber said. “There’ll be some of that, but we will be proactive in asking questions and trying to continue to get some answers.”
Scriber said the Police Jury plans to remain in communication with the Louisiana Department of Health to monitor the situation and keep residents informed.
“We will continue to be proactive on following this situation,” Scriber said.
Walker knows healthcare as essential to growth. Wells sees it as essential to emergency response. Scriber sees it as essential to the quality of life Lincoln Parish residents deserve.
To them, the question facing Northern Louisiana Medical Center is about much more than an 87-page state report.
It is about preserving a resource that has been part of Ruston and Lincoln Parish for generations and ensuring it remains part of the community’s future.
With a strong background in marketing and a vision for Ruston’s tourism future, Tori Davis has taken on a new role as president and CEO of Experience Ruston.
Following a unanimous vote by the organization’s board of directors, Davis will officially assume the position July 1, 2026. Building on Experience Ruston’s success, she plans to focus on what she calls the “Three I’s” — identity, investment and impact.
With more than a decade in the tourism industry, Davis is no stranger to new challenges. From her start as a marketing and communications assistant to her previous role as director of marketing and communications, she has worn many hats while investing in the local community.
“I’m so appreciative of the presidents that have come before me. They’ve done such a great job navigating through seasons of growth and turmoil,” Davis said. “There is all of this groundwork that’s been laid with branding, development and partnerships. It’s given me such a great setup to move forward with the current staff and board with a strong foundation.”
The “Three I’s” focus on strengthening Experience Ruston’s presence, investing strategically and highlighting tourism’s impact on the community.
“Identity is the first focus. This means strengthening branding, target marketing and unifying a look and message that makes it clear what Experience Ruston does,” Davis said.
“Investment is the second focus. We’ve done such a great job investing in marketing, events and things like public art. I want to continue to be strategic in investing in what drives visitation. We’re working on a wayfinding signage project for the parish so people can easily find things like the sports complex. Especially with Buc-ee’s coming in, we will have thousands of people driving through Ruston and we want to capture some of that traffic and convert it into business for our community.
“Impact is our third focus. What this means is focusing on our impact on the community. Conveying what tourism really does throughout the year for Ruston and Lincoln Parish and communicating that impact so people understand why our work is important for a thriving community.”
Davis’ career in tourism began with a bold question and a bit of good timing.
While attending a Public Relations Student Society of America session at LSU, she watched a presentation highlighting careers in tourism public relations. A video featuring destinations across Louisiana included scenes from Mitcham Farms in Ruston. Preparing to move to Ruston to pursue an MBA at Louisiana Tech, Davis took notice.
She approached presenter Laura Cating, now senior vice president of marketing and communications for Visit Baton Rouge and then with the Louisiana Travel Association, to ask whether opportunities existed for a student moving to Ruston. Cating connected Davis with Experience Ruston, where she joined the organization as a marketing and communications assistant.
“Tori approached me and very boldly but kindly told me she was moving to Ruston and asked if there was any opportunity to work in tourism while there in grad school,” Cating said. “Fast forward years later, what an exciting step for her. It’s such a testament to her success that from such a young age and early start in her career, she was able to say, ‘I know what I want and I’m ready.’
“Her potential from the very beginning was amazing. That kind of initiative is rare. It’s been a pleasure to watch her have that same eagerness to learn and embrace new challenges and let that carry her through her career.”
Director of Destination Sales Jennifer Mamon said she has had a front-row seat to Davis’ growth as a leader.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Tori for several years, and I’ve had a front-row seat to watch how much she has grown as a leader in our office and the tourism industry,” Mamon said. “She has a unique ability to balance creativity and strategy while making sure she keeps the best interests of Ruston and Lincoln Parish, and the Experience Ruston brand, top of mind.
“As someone who has worked closely with her in both marketing and sales efforts, I’m excited to see her bring her forward-thinking approach to the CEO role. What excites me most is her understanding of how marketing, sales, partnerships and community engagement all work together to move a destination forward. I know in my heart that she will continue to elevate Experience Ruston, strengthen partner relations, focus on what creates long-term value for our community and lead our organization into an exciting new chapter.”
Storm clouds over Wal Mart in Ruston Monday morning. (photo by Tim Smith)
Strong thunderstorms rolled across north Louisiana late Monday night and into the early morning hours Tuesday, bringing heavy rain, intense lightning and gusty winds that caused scattered power outages, including temporary outages in Ruston.
The storms moved through the region beginning around 11 p.m. Monday and continued into the overnight hours, producing torrential rainfall and nearly continuous lightning across portions of Lincoln Parish and surrounding areas. The lightning activity was particularly intense around midnight, with frequent flashes illuminating the sky as the strongest cells moved through the area.
Reports of temporary power outages surfaced in Ruston as the storms passed through.
The National Weather Service office in Shreveport had warned that some storms could become severe, with damaging winds and localized flooding posing the greatest threats. The strongest storms were capable of producing wind gusts up to 60 mph, small hail and rainfall rates high enough to cause localized street flooding.
A flash flood warning was issued by the NWS in Shreveport just after 1 a.m. through 4:15 a.m. with rain totals expect between two and four inches in some areas of north Louisiana.
No significant damage had been immediately reported Tuesday morning, although isolated power outages and downed limbs remained possible following the overnight storms.
Areas of the state received record rainfall late last week and through the weekend, especially in central and southern parts of Louisiana.
A Ruston man was arrested June 17 after deputies responded to a report of a man refusing to leave a convenience store near Ruston, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Employees of the USA Travel Plaza on La. Highway 33 reported asking Kevin Alexander Brown, 37, to leave approximately ten times. The manager told deputies Brown went behind the counter into the employee-only area after being told to leave.
Deputies found Brown appeared to be sleeping, was sweating, making loud moaning noises and flailing his body. Brown was placed in restraints and evaluated by Ruston Ambulance Service, but he denied medical treatment.
While speaking with Brown, deputies attempted to learn where he had been that night and who he was with, but Brown said he had no recollection and gave inconsistent statements.
Brown was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for remaining on premises after being forbidden and disturbing the peace.
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.
Just two months after guiding Michigan to a national championship, Dusty May is leaving the Wolverines to become the next head coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports Monday.
For many Louisiana Tech fans, the move marks another milestone for a coach who spent six seasons on the Bulldogs’ bench and helped guide one of the most successful stretches in program history.
May compiled a 64-13 record in two seasons at Michigan and guided the Wolverines to their first NCAA championship since 1989. The 49-year-old is reportedly set to replace Jason Kidd and make his first move into the NBA.
Long before national titles and NBA opportunities, May spent six seasons in Ruston working under both Kerry Rupp and Mike White from 2009-15. Hired by Rupp, May remained on staff when White was hired to replace Rupp as head coach and he eventually became associate head coach.
Those years coincided with one of the most successful eras in Louisiana Tech basketball history.
May helped the Bulldogs capture the 2012-13 Western Athletic Conference regular-season championship as Tech finished 27-7 overall and 16-2 in league play. The following season, the Bulldogs went 29-8, tied the school record for victories and shared the Conference USA regular-season title in the program’s first season in the league. Tech also advanced to the C-USA Tournament championship game and came within one victory of reaching the National Invitation Tournament Final Four.
When White accepted the Florida job in 2015, May followed him to Gainesville and spent three seasons with the Gators before earning his first head coaching opportunity at Florida Atlantic.
At FAU, May engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball. He guided the Owls to the 2023 Final Four and became the winningest coach in school history before Michigan hired him in March 2024 to replace Juwan Howard.
His impact in Ann Arbor was immediate.
Michigan won the Big Ten Tournament in his first season and followed that with a 37-3 campaign and a national championship in 2025-26. The Wolverines had assembled one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and transfer portal groups heading into next season, making May’s departure one of the most surprising moves of the offseason.
The opportunity to coach reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg reportedly played a role in May’s decision. Dallas is looking to rebound after parting ways with Jason Kidd following a 26-56 season and turned to one of basketball’s fastest-rising coaches.
From six seasons on Louisiana Tech’s bench to the Final Four, a national championship and now the NBA, May’s coaching journey has taken him to the highest level of the sport.
The Kiwanis Club of Ruston meets every Thursday at noon at Trinity Methodist Church. The first Thursday of the month is a business meeting, while the remainder of the weeks are devoted to our speakers.
Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting, but please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance at 318-518-2121.
This week’s speaker is: NO SPEAKER (BUSINESS MEETING ONLY)
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one CHILD and one Community at a time.
LINCOLN ROTARY CLUB
Lincoln Rotary Club is a service organization dedicated to making a positive impact in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and communities around the world. As part of Rotary International, whose mission is to provide service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill and peace, Lincoln Rotary members are committed to addressing local needs through hands-on projects, partnerships, and community engagement.
Lincoln Rotary meets every Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. at the Ruston-Lincoln Visitors Bureau, located at 2111 North Trenton Street in Ruston. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome to attend and learn more about Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Each weekly meeting features a guest speaker who shares insights on topics impacting our community, region, and beyond.
This week’s speaker is: CHRIS TURNER, State Representative
For more information about the Lincoln Rotary Club, membership opportunities, or upcoming service projects, contact via the club’s social media pages.
RUSTON ROTARY
Ruston Rotary is the oldest Rotary Club in Lincoln Parish, with over 80 years of service to the Ruston community since its charter on February 13, 1943. It meets weekly for fellowship, food and insight, as well as to implement community projects. Their projects include scholarships for graduating high school seniors, dictionaries for third-graders, Christmas gifts for local nursing homes, and fans for the elderly.
It hosts monthly recognition for Lincoln Parish Students of the Month, and it presents the Bill Best Humanitarian Award annually to a deserving Lincoln Parish resident. It also provides camp opportunities for local students to RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
The Rotary motto is Service above Self. Come be part of Ruston Rotary and help create a lasting impact by giving back to the community with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Ruston Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon at the Historic Fire Station at 200 East Mississippi in Ruston, and lunch is provided at each meeting. Stop in for a meeting one week to find out more about membership with our organization.
This week’s speaker is: New Ruston Rotary President Ruby Pye will be sworn in this week.
If not for a determined crop-dusting principal, Dewain Strother would have likely spent decades working in lumber mills, instead of becoming one of the winningest girls high school basketball coaches in United States history.
Despite being an all-district guard at Plainview High School for Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Famer O.D. West and helping the Hornets claim the state championship in 1965, Strother had no intentions of going to college.
Raised in the Rapides Parish woods west of Glenmora, Strother firmly believed he was done with schooling upon graduation. Thankfully, Plainview principal Mike Irving had other plans.
“I had been in school for 12 years. That was long enough,” recalled Strother.
During his senior year, Strother wanted to take shop class, but the school had him in English 4. So Irving made him a deal. He could take shop class, but if he messed up, then back to English he would go.
“I left school without permission one day,” Strother said. “I think they were watching me under a magnifying glass. I was put back in that English class. (Irving) then helped register me for Northwestern State, flew me up there in his little four-seat Cessna plane to take a test, and that is how I got up there.”
That would set into motion a storied career, as Strother would lead Florien High School to six state championships, five runner-up finishes, and 21 semifinal appearances. His 1,235 victories are the most by any girls basketball coach in state history, and the second most in the nation.
“It ain’t about me,” Strother said. “It’s about those girls on the floor. They put the work in. They bought into what they needed to do. All the players who have gone through my program are successful. Nurses, police officers, teachers. I am amazed. I am just amazed. They are successful in society.”
Many will be in the audience watching Strother in the spotlight Saturday evening, June 27, culminating three days of activities celebrating him and the rest of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s 12-person Class of 2026. For participation opportunities and more information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
“It is well deserved,” said former longtime NSU women’s coach James Smith. “I have been hollering for a long time. It is really hard to believe. He can go back to the first game he coached. He still has a scorebook. He still has every book. That’s amazing to me. He is a special coach and a good guy. He gave himself to Florien and girls basketball for a long time.”
Like many young boys in rural Rapides Parish during the 1950s and 60s, Strother fell in love with basketball.
“I always loved the game of basketball,” Strother said. “At home, when we finished our chores, I would go outside and play basketball until mama hollered about supper.”
That love would carry over as he would go to play for West at Plainview, first as a bench player and then as the starting point guard. The lessons that he would utilize in his own coaching career are rooted in the time spent in the small gymnasium at Plainview.
“He basically made sure that we were well-behaved kids, and made the grades, and in the gym, he made sure we were fundamentally sound,” said Strother.
Those lessons were also done in a condensed amount of time, due to the school’s rural location.
“We didn’t practice after school,” Strother said. “We had 30 minutes during gym to work on fundamentals. We didn’t have any way to get home if we practiced after school.”
His on-court career came to a close upon graduation in 1968, but thanks to his principal, he would return to the hardwood in a different capacity, but not before one more detour.
In 1970, Strother married and stepped away from his studies at NSU to provide for his family. It didn’t take long to realize the plywood mill wasn’t for him after all.
“I realized that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in the mill,” Strother said. “My late wife, Charlotte, got a job at Ft. Polk, and her pay took care of everything. She said, ‘Go back and finish school.’ With her support, I went back.”
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1974, Strother would be hired as an elementary physical ed teacher at Florien, located roughly 40 miles southwest of Natchitoches. He would keep books for the boys team before being asked to begin the girls basketball program in the early 1980s.
It didn’t take long for Strother to mold the Black Cats into one of the state’s best programs. In his second season, the team won the district championship, and then in 1986, they advanced to the semifinals, losing to Starks. Then came a state runner-up finish in 1987 to Starks.
The girls at Florien had bought into his style of “90-foot basketball.”
“The girls saw what we were doing,” Strother said. “It was exciting. The goal for the next year was to get back to state. We went back and made it to the finals. That started everything for us.”
“He was very intense at the time,” said Florien coach Angela Anthony, who played for Strother. “Kids nowadays could not have played for him. We had a good time, but we took care of business. All the girls were 100 percent bought in, and our parents were bought in.”
The seeds had been planted for one of the greatest runs in girls’ basketball history in Louisiana.
Florien claimed its first state championship under Strother in 1989 by rolling Chatham, but the next year lost the title game to Sabine Parish rival Zwolle, 47-35. That championship loss would be the last one for more than a calendar year.
In 1990-91, Florien went 48-0, defeated Holden for the state crown, and was ranked No. 13 in the nation — the perfect season.
Florien would repeat in 1992 by beating Pitkin for the state title, then win the title again in 1993 over Zwolle, and defeat Doyle for the crown in 1994.
In six years, Florien went to six consecutive title games, hoisting the title trophy five times.
“It was amazing,” said Strother’s daughter, Jessica Caroline, who played for her dad. “Florien, it was on the map. Everybody knew about Florien. Everybody knew Dad. Everybody still knows Dad. They will say, ‘he is so amazing, and I wish we had a coach like him.'”
“They always had great players,” James Smith said. “Dewain’s kids were well coached. You weren’t getting kids who were raw and had to teach them everything. They were disciplined and fundamentally sound. They had so many games and practices, and it showed. They just wanted to win. No one intimidated them.”
The key to Strother’s coaching success was humility, as the coach never stopped trying to learn and improve.
“After my first year as head coach, I thought I knew basketball, but I didn’t,” Strother recalled. “You have to find out who the five best players are playing together, not the five best overall. That summer, I went to Bobby Knight’s coaching clinic. I wrote in pad after pad of notes.”
Strother added, “Anytime I got a chance, I went to clinics. Jody Conradt, Dean Smith, Jim Calhoun, and Geno Auriemma. I have seen all of them and listened to them. I educated myself on the game and never looked back.”
“He was always wanting to learn something new,” daughter Caroline said. “The coaches these days are not like they used to be. Even through all of his fussing or screaming on the floor, he was still teaching us something. You don’t get that nowadays.”
Strother retired after the 2022-23 season following a storied career filled with a gym full of accomplishments and even more memories. The legendary coach imagined spending his days playing golf, but that first year, he didn’t play at all due to knee replacement surgery. It didn’t take long for him to have the coaching itch.
This past year, Strother returned to Florien to help his former player, turned assistant coach and then head coach. The Black Cats won 18 games and earned a playoff berth.
“He came back with a vengeance,” Anthony said. “He had rested up for two years, and he was raring to go. They (our girls) got something they weren’t expecting to get.”
“I truly enjoyed it,” Strother said. “My whole demeanor had changed because I felt useful again. It is great to be back.” Strother is back where he was destined to be — on the hardwood of a small high school gymnasium.
The views of this Letter to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the view of the LPJ publishing staff.
Dear Editor:
I am deeply concerned about the proposal to consolidate five existing school taxes into a single tax. Supporters call it an administrative change, but the real issue is control—who decides how these tax dollars are spent.
I fully support our newly elected Superintendent, John Young. However, voters must remember that superintendents recommend; School Board members decide. Budget approvals, spending priorities, and policy decisions ultimately rest with the School Board.
My concern is not with Superintendent Young, but with the Board’s track record. Too often, citizens have questioned whether its decisions reflect the best interests of teachers, students, and taxpayers. Teachers deserve competitive pay and classroom support. Students deserve safe schools and quality educational opportunities. Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability.
Dedicated taxes provide safeguards by ensuring that funds are spent for purposes approved by voters. Consolidating them into a single funding source would give the School Board greater discretion while reducing those safeguards.
This proposal is about more than taxes—it is about trust. Do you want teacher pay-protected by law OR prioritized by leadership? Until we have a School Board that consistently demonstrates sound judgment, transparency, and a commitment to putting students and teachers first, I cannot support this change.
On June 27, I urge voters to vote NO.
Veda Brown Emerson President, Ruston Voters League Ruston, Louisiana
Once again, my words landed in a way I didn’t intend.
Not the words from this column, or even words out of my mouth. Just words in one of my many communications with people in my life.
I’m not writing this to get attention or solicit assurances that I am an OK person. I just want to own up to what I did and in this discussion maybe find a kernel of truth or a glimpse of hope – for all of us.
If you know me, you know I’m forthright, often plainspoken – “blunt” might be another description. I’ve written here about this before. I have lost a friendship because of this.
And I’m still trying – after all these years – to cope with:
This is my personality. This is how God created me and how my environment shaped me … and I need to learn the best way to deal with it.
Actually, what I said in this latest interaction wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but it was enough to draw a comment from someone I love and interact with on a regular basis. I own up to the fact that there were probably many other ways to make what I said more palatable.
I apologized, and we had – I think – a good discussion about the situation. I will try to be more aware of how I can phrase certain things. She, in turn, may look at a few things differently, too. I do hope and pray to grow from the situation.
This past Sunday, the interaction was still on my mind, and during lunch with friends, one of my brothers in Christ reminded me that none of us are perfect. I had already told myself that, but it was good to hear it from someone else as well. If any of us could be perfect, then Jesus would never have had to come down here and die for us.
But he did.
And the good thing about that is: We can always seek to grow toward that model of perfection that he presented, that he still presents, even though we’ll never reach it this side of heaven.
No, we’ll never be perfect – down here. But … if we accept and obey him, he treats us just as if we’ve never sinned. Think about that. If we are in Christ, Jesus and the Father look at us just as if we had never sinned. Justification. What a beautiful word.
My unwise, foolish actions – and we know I have many – all of those are covered by his blood and His forgiveness.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” – Romans 8:1.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” – Psalm 103:12.
Friend, I hope you have this in your life. If you don’t, and if trying to be “good enough” – much less perfect – is where you are in life at this time, I truly encourage you to look for Jesus, look at Jesus, and accept what he has to offer.
The older I get, the more I realize how often I fall short. But I also realize more and more that God’s plan for my salvation was never based on my perfection. It was always based on his grace.
As regular readers of this column may remember, I’ve accumulated quite a collection of Christian T-shirts over the years. One of them sums up this entire discussion in four simple words.
“Not perfect. Just forgiven.”
———————————————————
Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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 Grambling man was arrested June 17 after police responded to a complaint of a man harassing customers outside a Ruston business, according to a Ruston Police affidavit.
Christopher Thomas, 46, was arrested at the USA Travel Plaza on West Alabama Avenue after officers noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage, slurred speech, and other signs of intoxication.
During a search, officers found two copper rods in Thomas’ front left jacket pocket. The affidavit states the rods were bent in half and had white powder residue on one end of each rod.
Thomas was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of drug paraphernalia, disturbing the peace by intoxication. He was also booked on a Lincoln Parish warrant.
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.
The greatest idea in the history of these Ponderings. Pulitzerworthy. Heavensanctioned. The kind of idea that makes you sit up straighter in your car at the Walgreens red light and think, “Well now… that’s good.”
I remember exactly where I was when it arrived. I was headed to Tractor Supply to look at things I will never use in my life. I call this “expanding my horizons,” though my horizons remain suspiciously unchanged. Still, there I sat—traffic creeping, inspiration soaring. The idea was brilliant. It was illuminating. It was humorous. It was under six hundred words. It was perfect.
And then a voice in my head whispered, “This one is unforgettable. No need to write it down.”
Never trust that voice. That voice lies. That voice is the same one that says, “You don’t need a grocery list,” and “You’ll remember where you parked,” and “You can fix that without reading the instructions.”
The truth is: I have absolutely no idea what the idea was. None. I don’t know if it was about faith or farming or ferrets. I don’t know if it was animal, mineral, or vegetable. It has vanished. Gone. Evaporated. Or worse—someone else posted it on social media this morning and is now being hailed as a genius. If you read something brilliant, illuminating, and humorous today, it was probably mine.
I do remember this much: it had something to do with a Yiddish proverb I’m using in a sermon later this month. It goes like this: “If one man calls you an ass, pay him no mind. If two men call you an ass—go buy a saddle.” I thought it was brilliant, illuminating, and humorous. I just forgot what else went with it.
Do you forget? Because I do. More and more. As I grow more “mature” (which is the polite churchnewsletter way of saying “things are starting to creak”), I’ve noticed my mind isn’t quite as quick as it once was. I forget names. I forget appointments. I forget why I walked into the kitchen. I even forgot to read an online article about remembering not to forget.
But here’s the tender truth tucked inside all this forgetfulness:
God remembers you. Every bit of you. Not the polished version you wish you were—you. He remembers you with love, with delight, with the kind of attention usually reserved for an only child. And while God remembers you, He chooses to forget something else entirely:
Your sins. When you confess them, He doesn’t file them, store them, or keep them in a drawer labeled “For Later Use.” He forgets them. Completely. Eternally. Joyfully. So if God has forgotten your sins, why are you still lugging them around like a saddle you never needed to buy?
Maybe the real brilliance—the idea I lost somewhere between Walgreens and Tractor Supply—is simply this:
Your memory may fail you, but God’s mercy never does. And that’s something worth remembering.
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.
The Origin Blue Jays 18U squad closed out its weekend on a high note, defeating OCS A’s 18U 7-5 on Sunday after dropping a pair of games Saturday in American Legion action.
The Blue Jays comprised of Cedar Creek School players opened the weekend with a 10-2 loss to Swing Lab 17U before falling 9-6 to 2 Seam Sports Rush/Sims 18U.
Against OCS A’s, Origin overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a seven-run third inning. Connor Yates delivered the biggest hit of the rally with a two-run double as the Blue Jays collected six hits in the frame to seize control.
Yates also picked up the win in relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings while striking out two without issuing a walk. Cole Luker provided 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Yates and Brett Bell each drove in two runs, while Bell and Micah Taylor finished with two hits apiece.
Saturday’s opener against Swing Lab saw Origin held to two hits in a 10-2 setback. Case Phillips and Yates recorded the Blue Jays’ only hits, with Phillips driving in a run. Origin showed patience at the plate with eight walks, including two each by Yates and Eli Slocum.
Brett Bell started on the mound and struck out four over two innings. Origin played error-free defense, with Abram Riser handling four chances.
The Blue Jays were more competitive in Saturday’s second game but came up short against 2 Seam Sports Rush/Sims 18U.
Slocum’s RBI double in the first inning helped Origin erase an early deficit, and Case Phillips delivered a two-run double in the third to tie the game at 5-5. However, JP Mann’s RBI double in the fourth put 2 Seam back in front, and Graham Chandler added a three-run homer in the fifth to help seal a 9-6 victory.
Slocum and Phillips each collected two hits and drove in two runs for Origin. The Blue Jays again showed plate discipline, drawing eight walks. Cason Floyd, Yates and Bell each walked twice, while Yates added two stolen bases.
Origin committed no errors in the game, with Bell recording a team-high six defensive chances.
The Blue Jays are scheduled to play the Monroe Buffs today at 6 p.m. at Cedar Creek School.
