Funeral services for Lisa Diane Mizell Weaver, 60, Of Choudrant, LA, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 31, 2026, at Dayspring Baptist Church, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be Rev. Jim Manning.
Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at Dayspring Baptist Church from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
Lisa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a Servant of the Lord and enjoyed serving the Lord and her church. She also served as the Church Secretary at Dayspring Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her father, Bobby Mizell.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 42 years, Ken Weaver; her daughter, April Mckee; her sons Len Weaver, Allen Weaver, Jim Weaver, Joseph Weaver, Andrew Weaver, Reece Weaver; mother, Carol Mizell: 6 grandsons;12 granddaughters; 3 great granddaughters; sister, Kim Mizell; cousins, Chris Brown, Donna Sasser, Karen Kirkham, as well a host of other family and friends.
RUSTON, La. — As the Lincoln Parish School District prepares for its elementary school reconfiguration this fall for the four Ruston schools, district leaders say the transition is progressing smoothly and is already producing benefits for students and families.
The reconfiguration, approved by the Lincoln Parish School Board earlier this year, will shift the district’s elementary schools to a neighborhood-school model while also relocating pre-kindergarten classes from the Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center to individual campuses. Assistant Superintendent Justin Barron confirmed that “(we had) six classes at LPECC last year, and we’ll have the same capacity within the four elementary schools.”
One of the most immediate impacts will be later bus pickup times for elementary students.
“We’ll be ready to receive students at 7:10, which is twenty minutes later than our arrival time in previous years,” Superintendent John Young said. “The changes will reduce time spent on buses and in car lines and will create more efficient transportation routes.”
Barron said the district remains on schedule to have all teachers and classrooms ready before the start of the school year. “We have been really intentional about both personnel changes and moving instructional materials and furniture. The vast majority of staff and teachers stayed on their same campus. That was a priority that we had.”
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Emily Howell said teachers who were changing schools or grade levels were notified before spring break and received training before the school year ended.
“Every teacher that was new to a content or grade level received training in May and left with their grade level materials in hand,” Howell said. “I think anytime you ask a teacher to teach something new, that can be stressful. Our teachers were a delight to work with in their spring training. They exhibited flexibility and positivity.”
“On May 12, we did open houses, and it was powerful for me to see families attending together with siblings that would be at the same school,” Howell said. “I do think over time, we’re going to see benefits and results for kids being able to be rooted in a neighborhood school.”
To help address concerns from educators, Young said the district established a teacher reconfiguration advisory group that met during the spring.
“We wanted to hear what they had to say — the good, the bad, ugly — and we wanted to address those needs as they went on,” Young said. “There are legitimate feelings that are involved with moving, and we get it; we tried to alleviate some of those fears as best we could.”
At the school level, Glen View Elementary Principal Jordan Blachier said teachers are eager to begin the new year despite the uncertainty created by the transition. “I think we’ve already worked through all that, and everybody is excited for the things that are in store for 26-27,” he said.
“I’ve had teachers contact me daily, ‘Hey, when can we get back in our classrooms to start setting up?'” Blachier said. “They’re eager to start and get ready for the new year to welcome students back.”
The district is also moving forward with plans to convert the former Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center into a new central office and operations complex. At the July 2026 board meeting, Triad Builders of Ruston was selected in the bid process to handle the project.
“In terms of a timeline, it could be anywhere from 12 to 18 months,” Young said. “Our goal is to hopefully move in at some point during the 27-28 school year.
The new site will consolidate maintenance, child nutrition, student services, and other district departments into one location.
“That’s a huge benefit to us academically and from an operations standpoint. One location allows departments to work more collaboratively in pursuit of better outcomes for kids,” Young said.
Young added that no decision has been made regarding the future use of the current school board office, but added that he expects that “hopefully, there will be some good use the community gets from it.”
The price of a first class stamp has increased from 78 cents to 82 cents. Even a simple postcard requires 65 cents in postage. Postal officials say the rate adjustments are intended to help offset rising operating costs while supporting the agency’s long-term financial stability.
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Lock vehicle doors even when parked at home overnight. Most vehicle burglaries involve unlocked cars, and removing firearms, wallets, and electronics greatly reduces theft risk.
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The Ruston Sports Complex Indoor Facility will serve as a cooling station on weekdays.
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The Ruston Police Department will conduct an Occupant Protection – Sobriety checkpoint on Friday, July 31 from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. on a public roadway in the city limits of Ruston. Numerous other agencies will be assisting.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has previously set forth guidelines for checkpoints, and public notice is a requirement. The purpose of checkpoints is to bring awareness to driving laws, the dangers of impaired driving, encourage the proper use of occupant protection and to help curb violations.
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Word is Louisiana Tech may announce the addition of one or more varsity sports. The plan is based in part on a strategy of attracting students seeking a school offering the one of the new sports without significant expense to the university. The Lincoln Parish Journal broke this news back in mid-May with THIS STORY.
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There’s a new private service in Ruston called Curbside 318. They don’t collect your trash, but will roll your trash bin to the curb for pickup and take it back after pickup by your trash service. Plans start at $25/month.
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Another new business is Downtown Vendors Market opening the first week of August at 311 East Georgia.
A Jonesboro man was arrested after a traffic stop for a modified exhaust system led agents to find narcotics in his vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.
Roy Brosset Jr., 32, of Jonesboro, was arrested July 22 by agents with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit (LPNET).
According to the affidavit, LPNET agents observed a gray Chevrolet pickup truck traveling south on Highway 167. Agents heard the truck before noticing it had a modified exhaust system and conducted a traffic stop.
Agents made contact with the driver, identified as Brosset, and asked if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle. Brosset said there was marijuana and showed agents a burnt marijuana cigar.
Brosset and a passenger were then asked to step out of the vehicle while agents conducted a probable cause search. When asked again whether there were additional narcotics inside, Brosset said it was possible his relative’s “Lortabs” were somewhere in the vehicle, though he was unsure where, according to the affidavit.
Agents located a cigar wrapper in a cup holder in the back seat containing three pills identified as hydrocodone and marked “M367,” the affidavit states.
Brosset was placed in handcuffs, advised of his charges and transported to LPNET before being booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. The vehicle was released to the passenger.
Brosset was booked on charges of modifying a vehicle’s exhaust system and possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (hydrocodone), according to the affidavit.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Lincoln Parish School Board, District 2.
For the past 13 years, I have been blessed to call District 2 home. I am married to my loving husband, Dennis Woods, and together we have a wonderful blended family of eight children, eleven grandchildren, and two beloved granddogs. I am a graduate of Ruston High School and attended Louisiana Tech University.
Throughout my career, I have been committed to serving our community. I worked for CenterPoint Energy for 20 years, the City of Ruston for 10 years, and have proudly served the Lincoln Parish School Board for the past 11 years. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the importance of teamwork, accountability, and public service.
My husband and I are passionate supporters of our local students. Whether attending elementary, high school, or college sporting events, we enjoy cheering on our young people. Watching them work hard, grow, and succeed brings me tremendous joy.
My commitment to our community also extends to my church, where I have served in youth ministries, Bible study, Sunday School and Outreach. These opportunities have strengthened my belief in the importance of investing in our children and building strong relationships throughout our community.
I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between our schools and our community through open communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success. Lincoln Parish is already one of the top school districts in our state, and I believe that, together, we can build on that strong foundation and make it even better.
It would be an honor to earn your vote for the Lincoln Parish School Board, District 2. I am committed to listening, serving, and working alongside our educators, parents, students, and community to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your trust. I look forward to working together to build an even brighter future for the students and families of Lincoln Parish.
Sandra Woods
Candidate for Lincoln Parish School Board, District 2
The above information has been provided by a political campaign.Unless otherwise noted, the Lincoln Parish Journal publishing staff does not endorse specific candidates or ballot measures.
A standing-room-only crowd gathered in late April at the Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville for a presentation exploring the life and legend of Louisiana outlaw John Murrell, widely known as the “Reverend Devil.”
The program, delivered by Ellen Abercrombie, drew on years of research compiled by her late husband, Wayne Abercrombie. Together, their work examines Murrell’s shadowy presence across the Old South in the early 19th century, including Louisiana, where he allegedly operated an extensive criminal network.
Abercrombie outlined both documented history and enduring folklore surrounding Murrell, describing him as a multifaceted figure—slave stealer, burglar, counterfeiter, river pirate, horse thief, gang leader, and even a fraudulent camp meeting preacher. She emphasized the difficulty of separating fact from myth, noting Murrell’s story exists at the intersection of criminal record and regional legend.
Murrell used the “Neutral Strip” between Spanish Texas and Louisiana as a hideout. The Neutral Strip, also called the Neutral Ground or No Man’s Land was a disputed area between Spanish Texas and the United States’ newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Local officers of Spain and the United States agreed to leave the Neutral Ground temporarily outside the jurisdiction of either country. The area, now in western Louisiana, therefore had no controlling government so thieves and murderers found it a secure hiding place.
A significant portion of Abercrombie’s presentation focused on “Murrell’s Cave,” long rumored to have been used as a hideout and storage site for stolen goods and buried treasure. According to Abercrombie, the cave system—described in historical accounts as large enough to house men, horses, and supplies—was later destroyed by the U.S. Forest Service in the mid-20th century due to safety concerns. Remnants of the site lie within what is now Kisatchie National Forest.
The cave legend fueled decades of “treasure hunting” across central Louisiana, particularly in the Kisatchie forest. Abercrombie recounted how generations of local families—including her own—followed cryptic maps and “waybills,” searching for hidden caches marked by carved trees and coded symbols. While hunters have uncovered relics such as tools, metal fragments, and other artifacts, no verified treasure trove has ever been found.
Murrell’s alleged organization, said to involve hundreds of associates, relied on such maps and markers to conceal and recover stolen wealth. Yet, as Abercrombie noted, logging, land development, and the passage of time have erased many of the original clues, further deepening the mystery.
Treasure hunting within the national forest is now prohibited.
Murrell’s fate remains uncertain, with competing theories suggesting he was killed by his own gang, escaped abroad, or quietly disappeared. He is traditionally believed to have died in 1854, though definitive evidence is lacking.
For attendees, the program offered both a historical account and a reminder of how deeply legends are woven into regional identity—where history, mystery, and storytelling continue to overlap.
**Several books have been written about Murrell. While out of print, they may be available at your local library:
Reverend Devil: Master Criminal of the Old South by Ross Phares
The Great Western Land Pirate: John A. Murrell in Legend and History by James L. Penick
Treasure Hunting: The Bandit of Murrell’s Caves by Walter Bruce
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited three hunters for their alleged roles in violating turkey hunting regulations.
Agents cited Morgan Levi Jones, 29, of Ruston; Charles Ladon Gilbert, 56, of Quitman; and Zackary Turner Gilbert, 29, of Quitman, for three counts each of violating interstate commerce regulations for transporting illegally taken game across state lines, LDWF officials said.
The investigation began in late May after LDWF was contacted by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission about possible turkey hunting violations. Agents discovered evidence the three took over the daily and season bag limits while turkey hunting in Lincoln County, Nebraska.
The investigation revealed all three hunters harvested four turkeys each, which put them two birds over the legal bag limit. The subjects then transported the illegally harvested turkeys to Louisiana. Agents have been working closely with Nebraska authorities regarding the investigation and charges in Nebraska, officials said.
Additionally, the investigation revealed Jones and Zackary Gilbert committed violations in Louisiana in the month of April. Jones and Gilbert were cited for failing to tag or validate turkeys and taking over the daily and seasonal limit of turkeys.
The men harvested 17 turkeys in Nebraska and Louisiana, with agents seizing turkey parts – including beards, spurs, and fans – from 16 of those birds. All three will face criminal prosecution in Louisiana and Nebraska, officials said.
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The inaugural Roots & Rhythm Arts & Harvest Camp, a free summer arts camp for more than 40 children entering grades 1-6 held in Grambling last week, brought a little Louisiana lagniappe, featuring local cultural traditions through visual arts, quilting, African dance, gardening, storytelling and cooking.
“Our camp is a little different than some arts camps because ours includes culture as well,” said Grambling City Councilwoman and Vice President of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) DeVaria H. Ponton. “We had two sections. One was painting and watercolors and self-portraits, and the other section was the cultural component that included storytelling, agriculture, music and culinary traditions, and we wanted to provide a hands-on learning experience for the kids.”
Funding for the camp was provided by a grant through NCLAC via the LA Project grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, with additional funding coming from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Grambling and Grow Grambling 501(c)(3).
Held from July 20-24, the week began with visual arts and quilting led by local quilter Hazel Hunter, who introduced campers to the history and cultural significance of quilting while guiding them through the quilting process.
Campers were able to create art on quilting pieces to be joined into one quilt.
“Hazel showed the students how to do quilting and also talked about the cultural significance in the Black community about quilting and how they were able to help slaves escape,” Ponton said.
According to legend, a safe house along the Underground Railroad was often indicated by a quilt hanging from a clothesline or windowsill. These quilts were embedded with a kind of code so that, by reading the shapes and motifs sewn into the design, an enslaved person on the run could know the area’s immediate dangers or even where to head next.
Throughout the week, professional artist Daija Essien led the Roots & Rhythm Camp’s visual arts component, exposing campers to a variety of artistic techniques, including cyanotype printing, an early cameraless photography process, self-portraits, watercolor painting and mixed-media projects.
The campers also drew whatever they wanted on quilting patches, with all of the patches being sewn together to create a quilt.
On the second day of the camp, Grambling native, registered nurse and former Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders captain LaTasha Ferguson and her daughter, Summer, conducted a dance workshop that included nutrition education.
Campers also enjoyed a special cultural drumming demonstration that day by Grambling State University students Atakora Yeboah and Andrew Opoku, who both hail from Ghana.
“Students were able to listen to rhythmic Ghanaian tunes and some were also able to play the drums,” Ponton said.
On Day 3 of the camp, retired educator Remonia Hudson taught campers how to make traditional pepper sauce using fresh peppers while sharing the cultural significance and family traditions behind the recipe.
“We made pepper sauce,” Ponton said. “My mom came out and we were able to make authentic pepper sauce. We talked about the creation of pepper sauce in the 1700s by those who were enslaved, who brought the tradition from Africa and were able to help the sauce make food more palatable for those who were enslaved.”
The fourth day of the camp saw campers visit Exodus Family Farms, where owner Deidra Scott introduced them to the history of Black farmers in the Grambling area. Campers fed goats, cows, pigs and donkeys, planted their own herb seedlings to take home, and learned about duties and responsibilities on a farm.
A Roots & Rhythm Exhibition at the Grambling Community Center wrapped up the last day of the camp and allowed the campers to showcase the artwork, crafts and projects they created throughout the week.
“It was a great week,” Ponton said. “It was a great inaugural camp, and we are already looking forward to making it even bigger and better next year.”
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Walking through our preschool the other day, a little fellow proudly showed me his bandaid. He stuck out his arm like he was unveiling a medal of honor. I asked what happened. With the solemnity only a fouryearold can muster, he said, “I got a bobo.”
Case closed. Diagnosis made. Treatment applied. Healing underway.
Children are refreshingly honest about pain. If something hurts, they point to it. If they fall, they cry. If they get a scratch, they want a bandaid — preferably one with dinosaurs or superheroes, because everyone knows those heal faster.
Adults, on the other hand, become experts at hiding our wounds. We carry heart bobo’s — hurts no one can see. Disappointments we never voice. Grief we tuck behind a busy schedule. Regrets we bury so deeply we forget where we put them. Pain that we pretend isn’t there because we think grown-ups are supposed to “handle it.”
But the truth is, some of the deepest wounds don’t show up on the skin.
Isaiah wrote, “By his wounds we are healed.” That’s not poetic exaggeration — it’s the heart of the Gospel. Jesus didn’t just die for our sins in some abstract theological sense. He took on our pain, our brokenness, our hidden hurts, our heart bobo’s. The Son of God carried what we try so hard to conceal.
There’s pathos in that exchange — Christ taking our sin and sorrow, offering us freedom, and yet we humans often cling to the very things He died to release us from. It’s like walking around with a perfectly good bandaid in hand but refusing to peel off the backing.
King David prayed, “Put a new and right spirit within me.” That’s the grown-up version of holding out your wound and saying, “Lord, this is where it hurts.” It’s the courage to admit we need healing. It’s the humility to let God do what we cannot.
And here’s the soft humor of it all: If a preschooler can trust a bandaid to make a scraped elbow better, surely we can trust the Savior of the world to tend to our hearts.
So maybe today is a good day to stop pretending we’re fine. A good day to let go of what Christ has already carried. A good day to let the Healer do His healing.
After all, Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make broken people whole. And that includes every one of us — heart bobo’s and all.
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Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Tuesday, July 28 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: Storytime : Fruit (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with Special Guests: BABY ALLIGATORS (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Plant Pattern Bookmarks (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Flower Mandala Garden Stake; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, July 29 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)
Thursday, July 30 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) 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Picnic in the Park (Railroad Park) 2 p.m.: Tween Time : Watermelon Slime (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Teen Time : Jigsaw Puzzle Craft (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, July 31 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 10 a.m.: PAWS for NELA Therapy Dogs 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. 4 p.m.: Teens End of Summer Reading Party (Lincoln Parish Library)
Saturday, Aug. 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Sunday, Aug. 2 1-4 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
Monday, Aug. 3 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome Noon to 6 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 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, Aug. 4 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (Lincoln Parish School Board office)
Wednesday, Aug. 5 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, Aug. 6 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) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at Ruston Housing Authority Maryland Plaza office, 615 N. Farmerville Street. All are welcome. 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Saturday, Aug. 8 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
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As Louisiana Tech Athletics officially entered a new era in the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, fans were welcomed by a refreshed LATechSports.com.
That relaunch, however, represents something much bigger than a redesigned website.
It reflects a department-wide commitment to continuously elevating the fan experience-finding one more way to remove barriers, tell Louisiana Tech’s story, and strengthen the connection between Bulldog and Lady Techster fans and the university they love.
While the refreshed homepage introduced a modern look and streamlined navigation, it also marked another chapter in an ongoing initiative to make every interaction with Louisiana Tech Athletics more meaningful, more helpful, and more connected.
From planning a first game to purchasing tickets, discovering exclusive content or simply checking tonight’s schedule, the department continues to invest its time and talent in creating a better experience wherever fans engage with Louisiana Tech Athletics.
“We’re always challenging ourselves to find one more way to better serve our fans,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “Whether that’s inside our venues or through our digital platforms, our responsibility is to remove barriers, strengthen connections, and continue creating an experience that reflects the pride people have in Louisiana Tech Athletics. Serving people isn’t something we do only on Saturdays-it’s something we strive to do every day. This initiative is another example of that commitment, and we’re just getting started.”
Among the most noticeable enhancements are schedules, results, and upcoming events now prominently featured at the top of every page, giving fans immediate access to the information they use most. Dedicated destinations for Tech Drive podcasts, All-Access content, photography and feature stories make discovering Louisiana Tech Athletics easier than ever, while expanded ticketing, travel and game day resources help fans spend less time searching and more time enjoying their experience.
But perhaps the biggest improvements aren’t measured by how the homepage looks. They’re measured by how much easier it is to become-and remain-a Louisiana Tech fan.
Much of that work has been led by Assistant Athletics Director of Ticket Operations Bret Guice, who has spent the past several weeks rebuilding and expanding the department’s fan-facing digital resources. Many of those enhancements have already been quietly rolled out, with new guides, redesigned pages, and expanded fan resources continually added almost daily as the department invests in long-term improvements rather than a one-time launch.
From redesigned ticket information and troubleshooting guides to updated parking and seating maps, tailgating resources, clear bag information, and comprehensive game day FAQs, dozens of resources have been reimagined around one simple question:
What’s one more way we can better serve our fans?
That same philosophy extends beyond game day planning. Louisiana Tech Athletics continues expanding its digital storytelling experience through Blue Bloods, Varsity Blue, Champs Kids Club and LTAC while preparing to launch Your Tech Journey-a new resource designed to help fans discover, grow, belong and give back throughout every stage of their relationship with Louisiana Tech Athletics.
“Every page we build starts with the fan,” Guice said. “We ask ourselves what they’re trying to accomplish and how we can help them get there faster. Sometimes that makes it easier to buy tickets. Sometimes it’s helping someone find parking for their first game. Sometimes it’s adding another FAQ because we know it’s a question fans are asking. Those improvements may seem small on their own, but together they create a better experience. We believe every click should bring fans closer to Louisiana Tech Athletics, and that’s a standard we’ll continue chasing every day.”
For Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Chief Brand Officer Kyle Kavanaugh, the initiative represents something much bigger than a digital redesign.
“One of the words we’ve used internally over the past year is alignment,” Kavanaugh said. “Every platform, every story, and every experience should feel like it’s coming from one Louisiana Tech Athletics. Whether someone discovers us through social media, uses the website to plan their first game, listens to Tech Drive on the drive home, or opens our mobile app inside the stadium, those experiences shouldn’t feel disconnected. They should feel like different chapters of the same story.”
“Our digital front door is one chapter in that story; social media creates discovery; Tech Drive creates a connection; our mobile app enhances the game day experience. This initiative brings those experiences together. When every platform understands its purpose, every fan experiences the same Louisiana Tech Athletics. That’s alignment. That’s how we Bark Louder-not by simply creating more content, but by creating better connections.”
Just as Louisiana Tech Athletics continually looks for one more way to improve the fan experience on game day, the department will continue to enhance its digital experience with new storytelling initiatives, expanded fan resources, updated guides and additional tools throughout the year.
Fans are encouraged to visit LATechSports.com to explore the latest enhancements and check back often as Louisiana Tech Athletics continues writing the next chapter of its digital fan experience.
Dr. Wesley Ferrell Lee, DVM, born June 11, 1955, died July 22, 2026, after a short illness. He was a much-beloved son and brother and will be greatly missed.
Dr. Lee is survived by his mother, Doris Virginia Staples Lee of Ruston and Minden, his son Ethan James Lee of Jackson, Wyoming, and his sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Thomas Ager of Evergreen, Colorado. Also left to cherish his memory are many cousins in Minden and elsewhere, and a niece and grand niece in Denver.
He was pre-deceased by his father, William L. Lee of Ruston, and grandmothers Edna Maud Hollis Lee of Shreveport and Minden, and Jimmie Ivy Staples of Minden.
Dr. Lee grew up in Shreveport, Spain, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and spent time in many other states. A veterinarian, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, after a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and pre-veterinary studies at Louisiana Tech.
At his request, there will be no funeral service at this time.
As concerns continue to mount over the future of healthcare in Lincoln Parish, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says maintaining quality healthcare is essential not only for residents but also for the city’s continued economic growth.
Those concerns have intensified in recent months after state and federal regulators cited Northern Louisiana Medical Center for multiple deficiencies, including an Immediate Jeopardy finding in July, while local officials have explored ways to preserve long-term access to healthcare in Lincoln Parish.
Walker said one of the biggest challenges facing the city is the growing strain placed on Ruston’s emergency response system when Northern Louisiana Medical Center is unable to provide certain services, forcing local ambulances to transport patients to hospitals outside Lincoln Parish.
“When we pick somebody up, by law we have to take them to the hospital,” Walker explained. “If Northern Louisiana Medical Center cannot take that patient because they don’t have a doctor, equipment isn’t working or they can’t provide the service that’s needed, then we have to divert that patient to Monroe, Shreveport or wherever care is available.”
Diversions have become an increasing concern for local officials because they remove ambulances and firefighters from Lincoln Parish for extended periods while patients are transported and transferred to hospitals in neighboring communities.
Walker said those diversions have a ripple effect that extends well beyond the individual patient.
“When that happens, that ambulance and those firefighters are out of our parish,” Walker said. “If we have a major accident or a fire while those units are gone, it impacts our ability to respond. It also costs the city more money because those crews can be tied up for hours before they can return.”
Walker said the city’s emergency personnel often spend significant time waiting for patients to be admitted after arriving at hospitals outside Lincoln Parish.
“People think it’s just a quick trip to Monroe and back, but that’s not how it works,” Walker said. “Sometimes those crews are tied up for three, four, five or six hours.”
Walker said quality healthcare remains one of the few significant obstacles facing a city that continues to experience unprecedented economic momentum.
“Twelve years ago, when I literally was sitting in this chair researching, ‘How do I build a great city?’ healthcare was one of five components,” Walker said. “There’s no doubt. I mean, where Ruston is right now is unbelievable. The one weakness is our healthcare system.”
Walker pointed to private investments either underway or planned in Ruston, saying the city’s continued success depends on providing quality healthcare that businesses, physicians and residents expect.
“We’ve got over $900 million worth of private investment coming into our town,” Walker said. “Healthcare is critical to continuing that growth.”
Walker said improving the quality of care is the top priority but believes better communication from hospital leadership, specifically owner Rock Bordelon, would also help restore public confidence.
“Rock needs to get in front of every civic organization here,” Walker said. “He needs to be telling the story of what they’re going to do to improve the hospital.”
Walker suggested two questions he believes Bordelon should answer publicly: What is his plan to improve the quality of care at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, and what specific steps will he take to convince residents that meaningful change is coming after years of promises?
City officials have also held discussions with Bordelon regarding the future of the hospital. While Walker said the city has the legal authority to purchase a hospital, he does not believe operating one should become a municipal responsibility.
“We looked at buying it 11 years ago, so yes, we could,” Walker said. “Is that in our wheelhouse? No. Somebody else needs to buy it — somebody that’s in that business.”
Instead, Walker said the city’s role is to support efforts that ultimately restore quality healthcare to the region, regardless of who owns the hospital.
Earlier this month, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury created Hospital Service District No. 1 to establish a framework that could help preserve hospital services and recruit future healthcare providers if needed. The ordinance itself does not impose any new taxes or fees.
Ultimately, Walker said ownership is secondary to restoring public confidence and ensuring residents have access to the level of healthcare they deserve.
“We want to do whatever we can do, just like I’m sure the Police Jury wants to do whatever we can do, to have the very best healthcare in the parish,” Walker said. “My hope and prayer for our hospital is that whoever owns it — whether it’s Rock or whoever — we provide quality healthcare for everyone in our parish and the surrounding areas to come to Ruston for healthcare that is of the highest level there is.”
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As conversations surrounding youth mental health continue to grow across the nation, one Ruston nonprofit is working to ensure families in north Louisiana have access to education, resources and support before the start of the new school year.
The Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project will host Behind the Scenes of Mental Health from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Zion Traveler Baptist Church Family Life Center, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive in Ruston.
The free event is designed for Pre-K through college students, along with parents and teachers, and will feature age-specific breakout sessions led by educators, counselors and community leaders. Organizers say the goal is to equip attendees with practical tools to recognize and address mental health challenges while reducing the stigma often associated with seeking help.
Participants who register by July 20 will be eligible to receive free school supplies, and a sack lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the program.
Executive Director E.C. Morgan said the Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project views the seminar as another step in its mission to improve mental health awareness and support throughout rural north Louisiana.
“The Mt. Zion Faith Healing Restoration Project continues to be intentional in its commitment to meet the challenge as a nonprofit community agency and strengthen its role as a trusted resource for addressing the mental health crisis in our rural communities,” Morgan said. “Our purpose is to address the life-altering and complex issues surrounding mental health, particularly in rural and other underserved communities. This seminar will bring together youth, parents, teachers and mental health professionals to equip students and families with the support and resources they need as they prepare for the upcoming school year.”
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all presentation, organizers have designed the event around age-appropriate breakout sessions that focus on the unique emotional and mental health challenges participants are likely to face.
Children in Pre-K through third grade will participate in sessions centered on Learning About Feelings and Friendships. Mike Smith (Assistant District Attorney, 3rd Judicial Court) will present “Awakening Awareness: Starting the Conversation,” while Jamie Arthurlee (LCSW) will lead discussions designed to help young children recognize emotions, build healthy friendships and develop positive social skills.
Students in grades 4 and 5 will focus on Bullying and Exercises to Help With Anxiety during a presentation led by Minister Darrius Stewart. The session is intended to provide practical strategies for responding to bullying while teaching simple techniques students can use to manage anxiety and build confidence.
Middle school students in grades 6 through 8 will participate in Stress Management, Emotional Resilience and Social Media, led by Roddric Johnson (LPC). The presentation will address the increasing pressures faced by adolescents, including the effects of social media, while emphasizing healthy coping skills and emotional resilience.
High school and college students will hear from Dr. Tiffany Bates (PhD, LPC), who will present Stress Management and Academic Burnout. The session will focus on helping older students recognize the signs of overwhelming stress and develop strategies to balance academic demands while maintaining their mental well-being.
Parents and teachers will participate in a separate session, Bridging Home, School and Community, presented by Dr. Stephanie Bundle (PhD, LMSW, RSW). That discussion will emphasize collaboration among families, schools and community organizations to better support children’s emotional health and academic success.
The Mt. Zion Community Faith Healing Restoration Project said the event reflects its ongoing mission to address the growing need for mental health resources in rural communities.
The organization works to support young adults, children, parents, veterans and their families by providing education, referrals, telehealth access and resources related to depression, anxiety, trauma and family stress. Organizers hope programs such as Behind the Scenes of Mental Health will encourage open conversations about emotional well-being while connecting families with available support services.
Registration is now open. Organizers encourage students, parents, teachers and community members to register by July 29 to be eligible to receive free school supplies. A sack lunch will be provided following the program.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) in a case involving child sexual abuse material and possession of an illegal child sex doll.
32-year-old Herald Francisco Huete Vivas, of Bossier City, was arrested for two counts of Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material, 579 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count of 1 count of possessing, trafficking, or importing a child sex doll.
LBI agents were conducting an investigation into an account which was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The suspect’s account contained 581 files depicting CSAM; two of those files were video calls where the suspect was speaking live to a juvenile exposing themselves.
The account also contained videos of the suspect in possession and using a child sex doll for sexual purposes. The child sex doll was recovered from the suspect’s residence. When the suspect was taken into custody, he admitted viewing CSAM, purchasing the sex doll from Temu, and using the child sex doll for sexual purposes as well as selecting the doll based on its anatomical features.
According to the Louisiana Attorney General, Huete Vivas is a Nicaraguan National with no legal status in the United States.
Huete Vivas was arrested on July 23 and booked into the Bossier Maximum Security Facility.
The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Bossier City Police, Bossier City Marshal’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Vivas’ bail was set at $750,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
For 36 years, Trinity Methodist Church’s Weekend of the Cross has been a moving tradition in Ruston. Every summer, hundreds of youth and adults come together with a purpose: to be the hands and feet of Christ through serving others. The name says it all: Christians Reaching Out in the Savior’s Service.
One of the sweetest parts of the weekend belongs to the youngest servants.
The Weekend of the Cross Jr. Crew, led by our incredible Children’s Ministry volunteers, gives children the opportunity to learn that no one is too young to make a difference. Through simple acts of kindness, they discover what it means to serve others with joyful hearts.
This year’s Jr. Crew was nothing short of inspiring.
Throughout the weekend, the children packed comfort bags for children entering foster care, shopped for gifts for Ruston Community Christmas’s Christmas in July program, and delivered popsicles around our community to spread a little joy. Every project was a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting impact.
One of the highlights of the weekend was Friday’s lemonade stand in Downtown Ruston. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, these young servants raised more than $1,300 to purchase gifts for Ruston Community Christmas in just a couple of hours.
What an incredible testament to the heart of Ruston.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a cup of lemonade, offered words of encouragement, or simply supported these children as they learned the joy of giving. A special thank you to The Children’s Shoppe for graciously allowing us to set up in front of their store and to Mayor Ronny Walker for stopping by to cheer on the kids. The team also wanted to extend a thank you to the wonderful employees at our local Five Below, who patiently welcomed more than 25 excited children as they shopped for gifts to bless local families this Christmas.
None of this would be possible without the amazing adults who poured their time and energy into making the weekend so meaningful. Abbey Bamburg, Cindy Brantly, Katey Day, Lindsay Heard, Jessica Hill, Ashley King, Abby Mandrell, and LeAnn Waldroup created an experience that taught this group of children what serving others looks like, and they loved every minute of it. Their leadership is planting seeds of compassion that will grow for years to come and continue to serve our community.
Every child who participated was reminded that serving doesn’t require a certain age. It simply requires a willing heart.
Weekend of the Cross has been changing lives for generations, and seeing the next generation embrace its mission gives us great hope for the future.
To everyone who supported the Jr. Crew this weekend by buying a cup of lemonade, it was more than lemonade. You are helping teach our children that serving others isn’t just something we talk about in Ruston; it’s something we do.
Because when little hands serve with big hearts, extraordinary things are possible.
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A Grambling man was arrested early Wednesday after deputies responded to a burglary call at a Garr Road residence.
Christopher Dewayne Thomas, 46, of Grambling, was arrested July 22 by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies were dispatched to the Garr Road residence around 11:45 p.m. July 21 in reference to a burglary. While en route, the caller told dispatchers she believed the person inside the house was named Christopher.
The resident told the arresting deputy she owns the home and that no one was supposed to be inside. She said she had noticed an open window and called police.
According to the affidavit, the deputy called out the name “Christopher,” and a male voice responded from inside the home, “Here I go.” The man came outside as ordered.
The man was placed in restraints, searched and advised of his rights. According to the affidavit, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in his front left pants pocket. He was identified as Christopher Dewayne Thomas.
A search of the home with the resident present turned up a broken antique table valued at $1,000, according to the affidavit. No other items were found broken or missing at the time. The resident said she planned to search the home again in daylight and would contact the Sheriff’s Office if she found anything else disturbed.
Thomas was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on charges of simple burglary, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
