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Month: July 2026
Local events
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.
Friday, July 24
2 p.m.: Forestry with Darrell Streett( 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.
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Saturday, July 25
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Sunday, July 26
2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Monday, July 27
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
4 p.m.: Storytime : Fruit (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, 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)
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.
Bulldog Golf adds University of Houston transfer
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech head men’s golf coach Keenan Hickton announced the signing of sophomore transfer Jakub Janda, who will join the Bulldogs for the 2026-27 season.
Janda arrives in Ruston after spending his freshman season at the University of Houston. A native of Zruc-Senec, Czech Republic, he attended Sportovni Gymnasium before beginning his collegiate career with the Cougars.
Janda earned Academic All-Big 12 Conference Rookie Team honors during the 2025-26 season while competing in three tournaments during his freshman campaign.
He made his collegiate debut at the Houston Classic, carding an even-par 72 in the second round and tying for 33rd with a 54-hole score of 224. Janda later recorded his best collegiate finish by tying for 18th at the All-American Intercollegiate Individual at the Golf Club of Houston. He also posted a career-best 36-hole score of 145 at the Claud Jacobs Invitational.
He had an average round score of 76.44 after recording 688 strokes across his nine rounds.
Janda’s career-low round of 72 came twice during his freshman campaign, first at the Houston Classic and again at the Claud Jacobs Invitational.
Prior to his collegiate career, Janda enjoyed a successful junior golf career in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He recorded multiple top-five finishes on the Czech Open Tour and SKGA Junior Tour, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the 2023 SKGA Tour IV Championship and third-place finish at the 2023 SKGA Junior Tour IV Championship. In 2024, he placed fourth at the Bohemia Cup Junior Championship and Czech Open Tour 4 before tying for fifth at the Czech Open Tour 5 Grand Finale. He also posted a ninth-place finish at the 2025 UAX Golf Tour Kaskada and recorded a top-10 finish at the 2023 First Tee Miami Doral Junior Classic in Florida.
Remembering John Ed McKinney
The family of John Ed McKinney announces his passing on Wednesday, July 22nd at the age of 88. John was born in Warren, Arkansas on the family farm on April 15, 1938. John is preceded in death by his parents, David McKinney and Gertrude Halligan McKinney. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Lou, son Richard McKinney (Laura), and daughter Jennifer Haarala (Joel) and his sister Sue Lung. John had five grandchildren: Gavin McKinney (Nina), Brady McKinney (Bailey), Courtney McKinney, Michael Haarala (Breena)and Jacob Haarala and six great-grandchildren.
At the age of two, John’s family moved to Smackover, Arkansas where he grew up. His mother Gertrude owned a dry goods store, and his father co-owned a grocery store. John worked as a butcher in the family business and when he went to college in Conway, Arkansas, he worked as a butcher at Safeway. John grew up working long hours in the family business, and it instilled in him a strong desire to have his own business one day. John also met Mary Lou in high school in Smackover. He and Mary Lou married and relocated to Ruston in 1958 where they both attended and graduated from Louisiana Tech University.
John and Mary Lou started a business in Simsboro, Louisiana selling chain saws in 1961. By 1965, they also became a Honda motorcycle dealership and relocated the business to Ruston. The new store was called McKinney Saw & Cycle and continues to be a family operated and owned business today. John never forgot a face or a customer. He remembered their names, what they had purchased and when they bought it. He always wanted to help his customers and wanted to take care of them. John loved going to work every day. To him, it wasn’t work.
John enjoyed duck hunting with friends and family, deer hunting with family at the Arkansas deer camp, attending La. Tech football games, spending time with his grandchildren, and spending time at the beach in Destin as well as traveling. John also loved fishing but especially loved fileting the fish, his own and everyone else’s! John was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for over 60 years and was a member of the Board of Directors of Ruston State Bank. He served in the National Guard for 4 years.
Visitation for John will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, on Sunday, July 26th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. The service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00am at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. Officiating the service will be Reverend Wayne Evans. A private interment will be at Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston.
Pallbearers will be Gavin McKinney, Brady McKinney, Michael Haarala, Jacob Haarala, Howard Halligan and Robert Temple.
The family would like to thank Premier Hospice, The Gardens at Georgia Tucker Memory Care Unit, Quality Care at Home and his special sitters Lisa Hanes and Priscilla Boateng for their loving care and compassion.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Methodist Children’s Home or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Notice of death — July 23, 2026
Jerry Whitman
May 20, 1950 – July 17, 2026
Visitation: Friday, July 24, 2026, 9:30AM – 11:00AM, Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 11:00AM, Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary
Final Resting Place: Choudrant Memorial Cemetery, Jones Street, Choudrant
Charlotte Ann Washington
Saturday 08/04/1951 — Wednesday 07/08/2026
Memorial: Saturday 07/25/2026 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home
Bridge work, school traffic set to create more congestion
By Malcolm Butler
Pardon the progress.
For Ruston motorists, that progress will require a large serving of patience over the next few years when it comes to traffic around the construction of the new Cooktown Bridge.
Traffic delays have already become a daily reality lately for many drivers navigating one of the city’s busiest corridors. And with Louisiana Tech University and Lincoln Parish schools set to resume classes in August, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker knows the congestion is about to become even more challenging.
The ongoing bridge replacement project, combined with multiple nearby road improvements, utility relocations and new commercial development, is creating what Walker describes as one of the most congested areas in the city.
“If there is any way I can avoid that area, I think I would do that because that’s going to be congested,” Walker said. “And it’s only going to get more challenging when school starts back.”
Walker said the inconvenience is unavoidable, but so is the need for the project. The existing Cooktown Bridge, built in 1961, has served as one of Ruston’s primary gateways for more than six decades and is being replaced with a modern structure designed to serve the city for generations to come.
The approximately $39 million state-funded project will not only replace the aging bridge, but also transform one of Ruston’s busiest transportation corridors with three roundabouts, improved traffic flow and safer intersections.
While traffic backups have become common throughout the summer, Walker believes the return of thousands of students to Louisiana Tech University and Lincoln Parish schools will create the biggest challenge motorists have faced since construction began.
The bridge project sits along one of the city’s busiest areas, serving Louisiana Tech, Ruston Junior High School, numerous businesses and thousands of commuters each day.
Walker said bridge construction is only part of what’s causing congestion.
Crews continue working on the bridge itself while recently shifting traffic to allow construction of the project’s roundabouts and surrounding roadway improvements.
“What they’re doing now with the way they moved the traffic over is so they can start working on the roundabout and all those areas around it,” Walker said. “They’re still working on the bridge, of course.”
Utility relocations have also become a visible part of the project as poles and other infrastructure are moved to accommodate the new roadway configuration.
Adding to the congestion are several other projects taking place in the same area.
New commercial development continues near the intersection. The City of Ruston is constructing improvements along the Interstate 20 frontage road designed to reduce traffic backups during student pickup and dismissal at Ruston Junior High School. At the same time, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is completing culvert work on the service road.
“It’s not just the bridge,” Walker said. “We also have new businesses going in right there on the corner. Then if you hit the frontage road going west, we’re working on the piece of the frontage road to alleviate the backup that Ruston Junior High causes. DOTD is also doing some culvert work between Trinity Methodist and Montessori School.”
Walker said construction on Cooktown Bridge continues to move forward as expected.
The contractor has a four-year contract extending into late 2029, although Walker believes the work could be completed sooner.
“It’s a four-year contract, so they have until 2029 to finish,” Walker said. “Based on what we’ve been told, we believe it’s going to be sooner than that. I still think it’ll be 2028 before it’s actually finished.”
As construction progresses, motorists can expect additional traffic shifts as crews move from one phase of the project to the next.
Some people have suggested assigning police officers to direct traffic once schools reopen.
Walker said the city has already discussed the issue with Ruston Police Chief Eric Watson but noted staffing limitations make assigning multiple officers to one location difficult.
“We’re already talking with Chief Watson about what we can do,” Walker said. “It’s really hard. If we have six officers on a shift and you have two or three of them there, it makes it tough.”
Walker noted officers have helped with school traffic in the area in previous years and said the city will continue looking for ways to ease congestion while working within DOTD’s traffic management plans.
“We’re doing everything we can to alleviate the issues,” Walker said. “But anytime you take a four-lane road and make it a two-lane road, there’s going to be problems.”
Walker knows the next couple of years will require patience from Ruston motorists. But he also believes the finished project will be worth the inconvenience.
The new Cooktown Bridge will replace infrastructure that has served Ruston since 1961 while improving one of the city’s busiest transportation corridors with safer intersections, improved traffic flow and infrastructure designed to accommodate future growth.
Until then, Walker urges motorists to stay alert, obey construction barricades and slow down through the work zone.
“I saw a lady the other night that was inside the barricades trying to get to Hobby Lobby,” Walker said. “People just need to pay attention. More importantly, they need to slow down.”
Bottom line is there may not be any good answer as construction on the bridge continues, but it’s a long past due necessity for Ruston.
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.
Harris on History: Shadow Glen Farm, where conservation made a childhood magical
by Wesley Harris
As a child, I knew Shadow Glen Farm before I knew the word “conservation.”
To me, it was simply a magical place north of Ruston—a place of muscadines, good fishing, and deer slipping through the trees, and buffalo moving across the pasture like something out of an old Western. It was the kind of place a child never forgot, partly because it seemed too unusual to be real and partly because its owner, Glen L. Shadow, had made it that way on purpose.
My father worked for Glen Shadow and his brother Hale Shadow for a time at the Ruston Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Like many working men of his generation, Dad also picked up extra money where he could, and some weekends that meant going out to Shadow Glen Farm to bushhog, repair equipment, or help with whatever needed doing. While he worked, I explored.
I collected muscadines. I fished in the lake. I watched the buffalo. I remember the farm as a place where land, water, animals, trees, and people all seemed to belong together.
The harmony was no accident. One newspaper article described Shadow Glen Farm as “a conservation farm that is prettier than a picture,” with rolling green slopes, fine trees, springs, lakes, pasture, wildlife, and carefully planned soil conservation work. Shadow reportedly said he had never owned a piece of land that he did not leave in better shape than when he got it.
Like much of North Louisiana, Shadow Glen had felt the effects of decades of cotton farming. Shadow converted depleted fields into productive pasture planted in Bermuda grass, lespedeza, clover, and Dallis grass. He terraced the land, limed the soil, protected timber, and reforested worn acreage. He selectively cut timber rather than stripping the land bare.
He grew grass and trees as deliberately as another man might grow cotton. His registered Shorthorn cattle harvested the grass, and he took great pride in that herd, which he shipped to several states and even Mexico. But the cattle were only one part of the larger design. Shadow Glen was pasture, timber, lakes, springs, wildlife refuge, and working farm all at once.
The wildlife made the place unforgettable. Buffalo roamed there—seven at one point—and they were among the farm’s most striking sights. Shadow had bought three buffalo because of his deep interest in preserving an animal about to disappear from North America. Over time, the herd grew, even producing newborns on the farm.
The deer were just as important. During the cotton years, deer had mostly vanished from north Louisiana. Shadow brought them back to his land, raising them under permit and protecting them behind fences. Visitors might see 25 or more bounding through the woods. Some became tame enough to feed from his hand. He supplemented their winter forage with corn and oats. He knew their habits well enough to joke, or perhaps complain, that they loved his pecan trees, pears, and apples as much as the corn.
Shadow’s idea of conservation was not merely practical, it was protective. When foresters once asked if they might hunt squirrels on the place, Shadow reportedly told them they could hunt all they wanted—but not to bring guns. When rabbits damaged young pine seedlings, he preferred buying more seedlings than killing the rabbits.
That spirit helped define Shadow Glen. The farm was not just land improved for profit. It was land restored for life.
There were birds, too—pheasants, quail, cranes, even peacocks. There were fish so tame they came to the bank to be fed when Shadow drove down to the lake with bread.
Glen Shadow loved dogs as much as he loved wildlife. Behind his Bonner Street home stood a complex of pens housing rare and unusual breeds. At one time, he owned 56 canines. He imported Bernese Mountain Dogs from Switzerland—the first brought into America—including a female that had received high European honors. He also imported collies from England, owned little tailless Belgian Schipperkes, and kept Shetland sheepdogs.
His interest in unusual breeds dated back to World War I. While stationed in Europe, he became acquainted with one of the keepers of the dogs at Buckingham Palace in London, a connection that would prove significant years later.
That war almost took his life. Shadow nearly died and later credited a French woman with nursing him back to health and saving his life.
During World War II, amid fears that German bombing might threaten Buckingham Palace, Shadow was asked to care for the royal dogs. They were dispatched to Ruston for safekeeping. By the time the war ended, the dogs were five years older, and the complexities of safely shipping them back to England led authorities to ask Shadow to keep them permanently.
My own first pet came from Mr. Glen. That toy terrier made the man and his farm personal to me in a way the buffalo and deer could not. Among all the animals he owned, it was a tiny dog that left the deepest mark on me. I still think of “Buttons” often.
Shadow’s interest in animals had deep roots. He once said the farm “went back to when I was a kid” and that, as a boy, he had been interested in anything that breathed. He had dreamed of such a farm long before he built one.
His life had taken him through several places before Ruston. Born June 13, 1893, Glen Shadow came from a family that had worked in nursery and fruit tree cultivation. The family eventually moved south, and Glen’s path brought him to Ruston, where he became associated with Coca-Cola and later built Shadow Glen into a conservation landmark. Brother Hale joined him when Glen asked for his help in running the company.
The Ruston businessman was also part of a broader conservation movement. He helped originate the “Keep Louisiana Green” program, and one organizational gathering was held at Shadow Glen Farm. He protected timber, kept fire out, built terraces, improved pastures, and surrounded his farm with miles of fencing. Even the fence was unusual: old Model T frames were used as posts along sections of the farm.
Shadow Glen was not open as a tourist attraction. Shadow kept it locked, not because he was unfriendly, but because open gates could mean escaped animals or damaged work. Friends and visitors were welcome by appointment, and those who came found a man eager to talk about conservation in almost any form.
Looking back, I understand now what I could not have fully understood as a child. Shadow Glen felt magical because it was rare. It was not simply a pretty farm. It was a restoration project, a wildlife refuge, a demonstration of soil conservation, a pasture system, a timber preserve, and a boyhood dream made real.
When I watched the buffalo, gathered muscadines standing on top of Dad’s truck to reach the vines, or fished while my father worked nearby, I was seeing the result of decades of intention. Glen Shadow had taken tired land and given it back its abundance. He brought back grass and trees where cotton had worn out the soil, deer where cultivation had wiped away the woods, and buffalo where no one expected buffalo to be.
For a child, it was wonder. As an adult, I came to see something more. Glen and Hale Shadow’s deep faith was reflected in the way they treated both the land and the people around them. Their conservation work was not simply practical; it was an act of stewardship.
Shadow Glen Farm was conservation ahead of its time. In ways both visible and lasting, the Shadow family helped shape Ruston and Lincoln Parish for the better.
New Applied Behavioral Analysis Certificate at Tech targets growing need for Autism support
Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications
The School of Human Ecology in Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education and Human Sciences is launching a new undergraduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), designed to prepare students for careers such as Registered Behavior Technicians.
This certificate aims to address the increasing demand for trained professionals who support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental and behavioral needs.
“The Applied Behavioral Analysis Undergraduate Certificate was developed to meet a growing need within our community,” Dr. Matthew Thornton, director of the School of Human Ecology, said. “As more children are identified with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental challenges, the demand for high-quality ABA services has increased. This certificate creates a clear pathway for students to enter this vital field, equipping them with the skills needed to support children and families while strengthening the capacity of local services.”
Through coursework focused on the principles of behavior analysis, students will develop practical skills that can be applied in clinical, educational, and community-based settings.
For Kaitlyn Brown, adjunct professor in the School of Human Ecology, the addition of the certificate represents an opportunity to prepare students for meaningful careers.
“The rates of autism are increasingly high in our country, and providers who can render effective and ethical treatment are highly sought after,” Brown said. “Students of this program will be able to immediately serve this need in their communities. Children and young adults in Northwest Louisiana will feel the effect of having an increase in additional providers equipped to help improve the quality of their lives.”
The impact of the program extends beyond the classroom. According to DeAnna Morrow, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), ABA business owner, and Louisiana Tech alumna, the certificate will help future students enter the workforce with the knowledge and confidence needed to make a difference.
“This program represents a meaningful investment in preparing students with practical, evidence-based skills that are increasingly valuable across education, healthcare, human services, and community settings,” Morrow said. “For students in the human development and family sciences (HDFS) program, the ABA certificate provides an opportunity to build competencies in understanding behavior, teaching new skills, and supporting individuals with diverse needs. These are highly transferable skills that enhance graduates’ ability to serve children, families, and communities in a wide variety of professional roles.”
As the demand for ABA professionals grows, the School of Human Ecology is committed to preparing students for careers that meet critical workforce needs while improving the quality of life for individuals and families across communities.
Woman found hiding in secret room faces multiple warrants
A search of a Choudrant home for a woman wanted on multiple warrants, including one for failing to register as a sex offender, ended with deputies finding her hidden in a secret room behind a bedroom closet — and led to a second arrest at the same address.
Sommer Hattaway, 34, of Choudrant, was arrested July 19 by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. Jeremy Gates, 41, also of Choudrant, was arrested the same day in connection with the search.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies went to a residence on New Hope Road in reference to the possibility that Hattaway, who had several active warrants, was inside. Deputies made contact with Gates, who initially told them Hattaway was not there and that he had not seen her in some time.
Gates gave deputies consent to search the residence. During the search, deputies located a hidden room in the master bedroom closet that could only be locked from the inside with a deadbolt. Deputies advised Gates of his rights and instructed him to tell Hattaway to come out of the room. She complied and was taken into custody.
According to the affidavit, Gates initially withheld Hattaway’s presence from deputies before she was located. He was arrested on a charge of harboring or concealing a sex offender.
Deputies noted that an active protective order listed Gates as a protected person against Hattaway at the New Hope Road address, putting her in violation of that order as well.
Both were transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Hattaway was booked on charges of domestic abuse battery amended to simple battery, simple battery, aggravated assault, failure to register as a sex offender (fifth offense), and violation of a protective order; bond on the sex-offender registration charge was set at $150,000, with no bond set on the remaining charges. Gates was booked on a charge of harboring or concealing a sex offender.
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.
10 Old Movies You Really Need to See
By Wesley Harris
Somewhere along the way, black-and-white movies developed an undeserved reputation. Mention one, and people react as though watching it might permanently damage their eyesight.
“It’s black and white?”
Yes. And so are newspapers. Somehow we’ve survived both.
The truth is some of Hollywood’s greatest stories were filmed before color became standard. These movies rely on sharp writing, memorable characters and performances so good you’ll forget they’re not in Technicolor after about five minutes.
If you’ve never ventured into classic cinema—or if it’s been a while—here are 10 black-and-white films that deserve a spot on your watch list.
The Canterville Ghost (1944)
Adorable child actress Margaret O’Brien steals nearly every scene in this charming comedy-fantasy about a centuries-old ghost who can’t seem to scare the U.S. Army unit that moves into his castle during World War II. Charles Laughton is wonderfully grumpy as the frustrated ghost, but it’s O’Brien’s warmth and determination that make this film unforgettable. Funny, touching, sometimes a little silly and just spooky enough, the film is an irresistible mixture of ghost story, wartime comedy and family adventure.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Audrey Hepburn won the Academy Award for best actress in her very first starring role, and it’s easy to see why. She plays a European princess who slips away from her royal duties to spend one magical day exploring Rome with an American reporter played by Gregory Peck, who doesn’t let on that he knows who she is. Funny, romantic and bittersweet, this is one of Hollywood’s most beloved love stories.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
If your family gatherings seem a little unusual, wait until you meet the Brewsters. Cary Grant races through this wonderfully chaotic comedy after discovering his sweet elderly aunts have a rather disturbing hobby involving lonely old gentlemen and homemade elderberry wine. It’s one of the funniest dark comedies ever filmed.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Gregory Peck’s Oscar-winning performance as Atticus Finch anchors this faithful adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. Told through the eyes of young Scout, the film explores justice, courage and compassion in a small Southern town. Powerful, moving and just as relevant today as when it premiered.
Red River (1948)
Before modern Westerns became fashionable, John Wayne and Montgomery Clift showed everyone how it was done. This epic cattle-drive adventure delivers breathtaking scenery, tense action and a memorable clash between a stubborn trail boss and the young man who challenges his authority.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
John Ford’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the Joad family as they leave the Dust Bowl in search of a better life in California. Henry Fonda gives one of the finest performances of his career in a film that remains both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Part romance, part fantasy and part ghost story, this gentle classic tells the story of a young widow who moves into a seaside cottage haunted by a retired sea captain. Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney create one of cinema’s most unusual—and touching—love stories.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
James Stewart plays an idealistic young senator who discovers honesty isn’t exactly popular in Washington. Frank Capra’s timeless political drama is inspiring, funny and suspenseful, featuring one of the greatest filibuster scenes ever put on film.
The Thin Man (1934)
Forget every detective you’ve ever seen on television. William Powell and Myrna Loy are Nick and Nora Charles, a wealthy, wisecracking married couple who stumble into a murder mystery while trading witty banter, sipping cocktails and letting their wire fox terrier, Asta, steal a few scenes of his own. Equal parts mystery and comedy, it’s one of the most entertaining films Hollywood ever produced.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart form one of the greatest casts ever assembled. Set during the chaotic days leading up to a society wedding, this sparkling romantic comedy is full of sharp dialogue, mistaken identities and enough charm to brighten any evening.
The next time you’re scrolling endlessly through streaming services looking for something “new,” consider going back 80 years or so. These films have lasted because they tell great stories with unforgettable characters, not because of special effects. You may have to seek a DVD or Amazon rental since you won’t find these on Netflix or Apple TV+.
Give one a try. Within a few minutes, you’ll probably stop noticing it’s black and white—and start wondering why you waited so long. You might even find yourself wondering what other cinematic treasures you’ve been missing.
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.
Man arrested after trail cam catches him returning to scene of thefts
A theft investigation involving multiple visits to the same property led to the arrest of a Ruston man on felony charges.
David Blackwelder, 33, of Ruston, was arrested July 19 by Lincoln Parish deputies.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies responded to a Bethany Lane address regarding a theft complaint. Deputies had already responded to the property earlier that day for items reported stolen, as well as on July 16.
The affidavit states the property owner placed a trail camera on the land after deputies left earlier in the day. He received a notification and observed a red SUV hauling a small trailer with a green four-wheeler on the property.
Deputies had separately made contact with Blackwelder at the Sheriff’s Office, where he was found driving a red SUV with a small trailer matching the one seen in the trail cam video, though without the four-wheeler. The victim had originally reported a four-wheeler stolen from the property on July 16.
According to the affidavit, the victim said he was contacted by someone on Facebook who had seen a post listing the stolen property for sale. That person provided a license plate number and identified the driver as Blackwelder.
While deputies were on scene, Blackwelder arrived driving the same vehicle seen in the video, with a matching license plate. He had a yellow four-wheeler loaded on the trailer, which had also been reported stolen on July 16 — indicating he had entered the property on at least three separate occasions.
Blackwelder was detained and advised of his Miranda rights, which he acknowledged understanding. When questioned about the items, he said he was told to collect them as payment for work he had done for someone he could not name. Using a list of items provided by the victim, Blackwelder admitted to taking everything on the list except a chainsaw, including both four-wheelers, a large water pump, multiple tables and chairs, a charcoal grill, a wooden kitchen island with a marble countertop, and decorative signs. He told deputies he could show them where the property was located, at an abandoned house off Tech Farm Road. The victim estimated the total value of the stolen property at $9,000.
Deputies transported Blackwelder to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where they located the property at the address he provided. The wooden kitchen island was visible in plain view on the exterior of the residence and appeared damaged, with pieces of wood broken or missing and the marble countertop missing.
Blackwelder was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on three counts of criminal trespassing, felony theft, and simple criminal damage to property.
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.
CAMP LITTLE GIANTS: Small in size, but large in courage and grit
by Caleb Seney, Executive Director of MedCamps of Louisiana
Each summer, MedCamps of Louisiana welcomes hundreds of children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to Camp Alabama in Choudrant, where they discover adventure, friendship, and confidence in a medically safe environment. One of the most meaningful weeks of the summer is Camp Little Giants, a residential camp designed specifically for children ages 6–16 living with Sickle Cell Disease.
For many families, the daily realities of Sickle Cell Disease can be challenging. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become hard and sickle-shaped rather than round. These misshapen cells can block blood flow, leading to severe pain episodes, anemia, infections, and other serious health complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100,000 people in the United States are living with Sickle Cell Disease, with the condition affecting about 1 in every 365 African American births.
Camp Little Giants provides these children with something every child deserves—a week filled with swimming, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts, archery, outdoor adventures, campfires, music, games, and lasting friendships. While campers experience all the excitement of a traditional summer camp, parents enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are surrounded by medical professionals who understand their unique healthcare needs.
This exceptional level of care is made possible through MedCamps’ longstanding partnership with the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. The clinic provides an outstanding team of physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and child life specialists who volunteer their time throughout the week. Together, they deliver around-the-clock medical care, educational programming that helps campers better understand and manage their condition, and support families by recruiting campers through the clinic’s patient network.
The partnership allows children to participate in activities they may never have imagined possible while remaining under the supervision of healthcare providers who specialize in treating Sickle Cell Disease. Throughout the week, campers build confidence, learn valuable self-management skills, and connect with peers who truly understand their experiences.
“For kids living with sickle cell disease, MedCamps (Camp Little Giants) is so much more than a week away. It’s a place that truly feels like home,” says J. Mason Kent, PA-C| Physician Assistant at St. Jude’s Baton Rouge Affiliate Clinic. “I’ve had the privilege of coming to this camp for nearly 10 years, and every year I am reminded of the incredible impact it has. From the leadership to the counselors, every child is seen, loved, supported, and cared for. They get to leave behind the worries that come with living with a chronic illness and simply be kids. That’s why they talk about camp all year and can’t wait to come back.
“And for me, MedCamps is where I get to set down the stethoscope and just be with them. Not just as their physician assistant, but as someone who gets to laugh with them, hear their questions, their fears, their hopes, and build connections that help us care for them better.” Mason says as he attends a archery session with a cabin group. Mason adds, “I love these kid. I love their families. And I’m incredibly grateful and honored to be a small part of their lives. MedCamps is a reminder of why I chose this profession, and why I keep coming back.”
Since 1987, MedCamps of Louisiana has remained committed to providing free camping experiences for children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Thanks to generous donors, community partners, volunteers, and dedicated medical professionals, families never receive a bill for their child’s camp experience.
Programs like Camp Little Giants demonstrate the incredible impact that collaboration can have. By combining MedCamps’ tradition of creating life-changing camp experiences with the medical expertise of the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, children living with Sickle Cell Disease are given the opportunity to enjoy childhood, gain independence, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
For more information about MedCamps of Louisiana or to learn how you can support its mission, visit MedCamps.org.
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Bad weather? Power outages? Sign up for LincAlerts for emergency notifications for Lincoln Parish
Reminder for Lincoln Parish Residents!
Just a friendly reminder about the new notification system that keeps you informed about emergencies, weather updates, and local events in Lincoln Parish.
Participants found this extremely useful during the recent winter storm and you will too!
If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure you do so to stay in the know. Your safety matters to us, so don’t miss out on important updates!
Click the link to sign up for alerts: www.lincalerts.org Stay safe and informed!
Bulldog Aquatic Club shines at Louisiana Summer State Championship in Baton Rouge
Isabella Liu, Charlotte Xu, Kate Bolton, Hayden Ryan, Ethan Hemed, Joshua Johnson, Charlie Han, Rory Gouedy
Emma June McDonald, Destin Bell, Mason Moreno, Solae Woods, Ana Anaya, Riya Koticha
LPJ Sports Report
Twenty Bulldog Aquatic Club swimmers, coached by Paulette Butterfield, traveled to Baton Rouge July 9-12 to compete against the state’s fastest 14-and-under swimmers at the Louisiana Summer 14 and Under State Championship Swim Meet.
Athletes competed in the 10-and-under, 11-12 and 13-14 age groups, with each swimmer allowed up to six individual events plus relays across the three-and-a-half-day, prelims-and-finals meet.
“We sent 20 athletes to compete in the individual events,” Butterfield said. “It was a good mix of experience and youth within each age group. This was a tough meet for a lot of kids as they changed age classifications and got to experience a new level of competition. As a whole, we had some great results and even more importantly, had fun.”
Bulldog Aquatic Club finished 10th out of 19 teams in the overall standings, with the girls team placing 10th and the boys team placing eighth. The club also received the meet’s Spirit/Sportsmanship Award.
Six BAC swimmers earned All-State honors, given to athletes who finish in the top three of an individual event or relay: Mason Moreno (50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, 200 IM), Ian Liu (50 breaststroke, relay), Isabella Liu (100 breaststroke), Jackson Smith (relay), Charlie Han (relay) and Drew Cloutet (relay).
Smith, 14, was also selected to the Louisiana Zones All Star Team, one of 12 boys age 13-14 chosen to represent Louisiana Swimming at the Southern Zone championship meet in Orlando, Florida, later this month, where he’ll compete against swimmers from 15 other regions across the southern United States.
Below are results for Bulldog Aquatic Club swimmers by age group.
Girls 10 & Under
Charlotte Xu was 15th in the 50 freestyle, 14th in the 50 butterfly and 14th in the 100 butterfly. Isabella Liu was 8th in the 200 freestyle, 4th in the 400 freestyle, 4th in the 100 backstroke, 5th in the 50 breaststroke and 3rd in the 100 breaststroke. Kate Bolton was 35th in the 200 freestyle.
Girls 11-12
Destin Bell was 14th in the 50 freestyle, 11th in the 100 freestyle, 13th in the 50 backstroke, 18th in the 200 freestyle, 19th in the 100 backstroke and 27th in the 50 butterfly. Hayden Ryan was 41st in the 200 freestyle, 32nd in the 400 freestyle, 26th in the 50 backstroke, 27th in the 100 backstroke, 27th in the 50 breaststroke and 39th in the 100 breaststroke. Solae Woods was 17th in the 50 freestyle, 22nd in the 100 freestyle, 24th in the 200 freestyle, 11th in the 400 freestyle, 34th in the 50 breaststroke and 37th in the 200 IM.
Girls 13-14
Ana Anaya was 24th in the 50 freestyle, 20th in the 100 freestyle, 11th in the 200 freestyle, 16th in the 50 butterfly, 18th in the 100 butterfly and 18th in the 200 IM. Riya Koticha was 23rd in the 50 backstroke and 34th in the 100 backstroke. Emma June McDonald was 4th in the 1,500 freestyle, 4th in the 800 freestyle, 9th in the 200 freestyle, 9th in the 400 freestyle, 12th in the 200 backstroke and 12th in the 400 IM.
Girls relays
The 12-and-under 200 freestyle relay of Isabella Liu, Hayden Ryan, Destin Bell and Solae Woods finished 11th. The 12-and-under 200 medley relay of Ryan, Liu, Bell and Woods finished 14th.
Boys 10 & Under
Kegan Carnahan was 16th in the 50 breaststroke and 15th in the 100 breaststroke. Rory Gouedy was 10th in the 50 freestyle, 11th in the 100 freestyle, 7th in the 50 breaststroke, 6th in the 50 backstroke, 7th in the 100 backstroke and 9th in the 50 butterfly. Joshua Johnson was 8th in the 50 freestyle, 7th in the 200 freestyle, 6th in the 50 breaststroke, 5th in the 50 butterfly, 6th in the 100 butterfly and 5th in the 200 IM.
Boys 11-12
Nolan Boudreau was 22nd in the 400 freestyle. Ethan Hemed was 32nd in the 200 freestyle, 15th in the 50 backstroke and 29th in the 100 backstroke. Mason Moreno was 3rd in the 400 freestyle, 5th in the 100 backstroke, 2nd in the 200 freestyle, 1st in the 50 breaststroke, 1st in the 100 breaststroke and 2nd in the 200 IM.
Boys 13-14
Drew Cloutet was 20th in the 50 backstroke, 25th in the 100 backstroke, 23rd in the 200 backstroke, 12th in the 50 breaststroke, 15th in the 100 breaststroke and 11th in the 200 breaststroke. Dallas Gouedy was 17th in the 50 freestyle, 19th in the 100 freestyle, 24th in the 200 IM, 11th in the 50 breaststroke, 26th in the 100 breaststroke and 22nd in the 200 breaststroke. Charlie Han was 15th in the 400 freestyle, 23rd in the 100 backstroke, 19th in the 200 IM, 6th in the 50 butterfly, 10th in the 100 butterfly and 8th in the 200 butterfly. Ian Liu was 14th in the 50 freestyle, 12th in the 100 freestyle, 12th in the 200 IM, 3rd in the 50 breaststroke, 9th in the 100 breaststroke and 10th in the 200 breaststroke. Jackson Smith was 4th in the 50 freestyle, 9th in the 50 backstroke, 15th in the 100 freestyle, 15th in the 50 breaststroke and 22nd in the 200 IM. Maddox Snider was 21st in the 200 breaststroke.
Boys relays
The 10-and-under 200 freestyle relay of Rory Gouedy, Kegan Carnahan and the Johnsons finished 7th, and their 200 medley relay finished 9th. The 12-and-under 200 freestyle relay of Ethan Hemed, Nolan Boudreau, Joshua Johnson and Mason Moreno finished 11th, and their 200 medley relay finished 12th. The 14-and-under 200 freestyle relay of Drew Cloutet, Dallas Gouedy, Ian Liu and Jackson Smith finished 5th, and their 200 medley relay of Smith, Liu, Charlie Han and Smith finished 3rd. The 14-and-under 400 freestyle relay of Cloutet, Gouedy, Han and Smith finished 9th, and their 400 medley relay of Smith, Cloutet, Han and Gouedy also finished 9th. In the 14-and-under mixed-gender 200 medley relay, Smith, Liu, Ana Anaya and Emma June McDonald finished 12th.
The Bulldog Aquatic Club accepts new members year-round. For more information about the team and its programs, visit bacswim.net or teamunify.com/team/labac/page/home.
COLUMN: Finding your way!
I normally sit down to write this article on a Sunday night after observing, thinking, and praying for several days. I typically have a general idea early in the weekend and finalize on Sunday night.
This week, however, has been very different.
The ups and downs of life have become very real this week. The simple joy of seeing grandkids enjoy a simple backyard water hose spray and hear the excitement from your young adult daughter with great news is awesome. However, my heart aches for those battling health issues and the myriads of issues around job loss.
So how do we navigate the ups and downs of life?
The best approach I have found is a progression of a few Bible verses that provide some great insight. Whether you are a Bible reader or not, I think you may find this mindset focus helpful.
Purpose – Matthew 5:16 talks about letting your “light” shine before others so they can see those good works and see what God is doing through your life. With the ups and downs of life, it’s important to live a purposeful life. You choose the purpose, but the key is intentional focus.
Purpose provides meaning when the reason becomes cloudy. It provides direction when the path is uncertain. It provides motivation when the drive dissipates. Purpose can be the fuel to keep you going in tough times.
Plan – Luke 14:28-30 talks about needing to plan to ensure one makes wise choices to avoid the consequences of hasty decisions that were not well thought out. While much of life is outside of our control, it is important to focus on what we do control.
Planning, budgeting, and stewarding are all elements of living wisely. We can avoid unnecessary difficulties and avoid some of those “downs” in life by practicing these wise practices. Control what you can control through intentional planning.
Perspective – Luke 12:16-21 talks about a rich foolish man who experienced great financial success and became so engrossed in that success that he sought to focus solely on that success as he pursued a comfortable, self-absorbed life. It didn’t end well.
Perspective is so key to the “ups” as well as the “downs” of life. Success should drive us to continue striving, serving, seeking, and sharing. Striving to work hard, serving others, seeking to have impact beyond the income, and sharing with those in need.
Power – Ephesians 3:20 talks about not relying on our ability or strength, but rather on God to work through us with his power. There will be times in life that we need support. That support can come from others in addition to those relying on faith.
The power to navigate through difficult circumstances is something that we will all need at some point in life. At some point, the challenges will be larger than our ability, and we will need to draw strength from outside ourselves. Make the investment today to have access when needed!
Persistence – Philippians 3:13-14 talks about the need to forget the past, strain forward to what lies ahead, and press on toward the goal. In tough times, it’s key to just keep “showing up”. Just keep taking the next step.
Persistence keeps us in the game. Persistence doesn’t need immediate answers, but rather requires hope, commitment, and belief. Persistence keeps us moving forward when nothing makes sense, the future is uncertain, and the outlook is negative.
I don’t know about you, but life can be hard. It’s full of ups and downs. However, we can navigate more effectively if we follow the 5 P’s:
- Purpose – Identify your why
- Plan – Control what you can control
- Perspective – Seek hard over comfort and always focus on others
- Power – Life wasn’t meant to be lived alone; seek and receive support
- Persistence – Just keep showing up – showing up matters
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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Daily puzzles
Local events
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 23
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 : Cup Chickens (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Teen Time : Drones in Agriculture (Lincoln Parish Library)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal provided by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry at the Dubach Community Center, 167 North(just past the Post Office at the corner of Smith Street). 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 “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Friday, July 24
2 p.m.: Forestry with Darrell Streett( 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.
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Saturday, July 25
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Sunday, July 26
2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls” (Dixie Theatre)
Monday, July 27
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
4 p.m.: Storytime : Fruit (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, 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)
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.
Diamond Dogs to play in Round Rock College Baseball Classic
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech baseball is marked to compete in the Round Rock College Baseball Classic at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas on February 26-28, 2027.
Hosted by Peak Events, LLC and presented by Karbach Brewing Company and Go Round Rock, the Bulldogs will compete in the round-robin style tournament alongside the Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas State Bobcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders.
This is the first time the ‘Dogs travel to the Lone Star State for a neutral-site weekend since sweeping Army, Creighton and Air Force at the Battle at the Ballpark at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
“This is a field that college baseball fans in Round Rock are going to love,” said Ryan Holloway, Founder and CEO of Peak Events. “The Crimson Tide, Bulldogs, Bobcats, and Red Raiders each bring serious talent and a winning tradition to the diamond, and we’re excited to host the next edition of the Round Rock Classic with teams of this caliber.”
LA Tech will announce the full baseball schedule later this year.
Tickets on sale for LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame induction
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Tickets are available for the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set to take place on Friday, October 9, inside the Davison Athletic Complex.
The event will honor the 2026 Hall of Fame class, a distinguished group of four former student-athletes including Fred McGaha (Baseball), Johnny Robinson (Football), Morgan Turkoly (Softball), and Wenford Wilborn (Football).
Single tickets are on sale for $50, and a table of eight is $500. A limited number are available for the event and can be purchased through LATechSports.com/HOFTickets. For more information, contact the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631 or email techtickets@latech.edu.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by an hour-long social reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, prior to the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. Dress is business casual.
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.
Notice of death — July 22, 2026
Jerry Whitman
May 20, 1950 – July 17, 2026
Visitation: Friday, July 24, 2026, 9:30AM – 11:00AM, Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 11:00AM, Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary
Final Resting Place: Choudrant Memorial Cemetery, Jones Street, Choudrant
Charlotte Ann Washington
Saturday 08/04/1951 — Wednesday 07/08/2026
Memorial: Saturday 07/25/2026 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home
Hooper appointed to fill Anders’ District 10 seat on Lincoln Parish School Board
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — The Lincoln Parish School Board appointed Juan Hooper to fill the District 10 seat left vacant by the death of longtime board member Otha Anders during a special-called meeting Tuesday, voting 7-2 after an hour-long process that included presentations from three candidates and a brief dispute over how the vote itself would be conducted.
Board President Gregg Phillips opened the meeting with a prayer remembering Anders before turning proceedings over to Superintendent John Young, who said the board had received a letter from the Secretary of State’s office authorizing it to appoint a replacement at the conclusion of Tuesday’s vote. Board members Joe Mitcham and Hunter Smith were absent.
Young said three district residents had applied for the seat: Jennifer Mamon, Juan Hooper and Dr. Lorie Ann Hopkins-Brown. Each was given five minutes to address the board, followed by questions from members.
Mamon, director of destination sales for Experience Ruston, told the board she has lived in District 10 her entire life and came up through Lincoln Parish schools alongside her four children, two of whom have graduated. She said her background includes juvenile behavioral development, human resource management and psychology, and that she began her career as a substitute teacher and bus driver assistant at Lincoln Total Community Action’s Head Start program.
Hooper, a fourth-generation educator with 36 years in the field — including 27½ years with Monroe City Schools teaching pre-K through first grade — said she is a Louisiana Tech graduate and currently serves as education coordinator for Lincoln Head Start under Lincoln Total Community Action. She described herself as a longtime neighbor and family friend of Anders and said she wanted “to pick up the baton” he carried for nearly 30 years.
Hopkins-Brown, pastor of Liberty Christian Center West and a business owner in residential and commercial construction and real estate development, said her platform would rest on parental and family involvement and full accountability for public funds. She told the board she has been in ministry more than 30 years and described her approach as rooted in a “servant mindset.”
During public comment, Veda Emerson of the Ruston Voters League read a letter she said she was given on behalf of the Anders family recommending Hooper for the appointment. The letter, addressed to the board, said the family believed Hooper “possesses the character, commitment, and leadership necessary to continue the work that Mr. Anders began” and that her appointment would “provide continuity of leadership and honor the legacy of public service” Anders devoted to the community.
After the letter was read, Hopkins-Brown withdrew her name from consideration, saying she wanted to honor the family’s request.
Several community members spoke in support of Hooper before the board moved to a vote, including one speaker who noted Hooper had previously run unsuccessfully against Anders for the seat in a previous election.
The board’s method of voting became a point of contention before ballots were cast. Board attorney Neal Johnsonhad prepared written ballots with the names of the three candidates requiring members’ signatures, which he said would be attached to the meeting minutes as part of the public record. Some board members and audience members questioned why a written ballot was necessary rather than a voice vote, with one member calling the paper process needlessly complicated for a two-candidate race. Phillips ultimately opted for a roll-call vote instead.
The board first voted on Mamon’s nomination, which failed 5-4. Voting no were David Ferguson, Dr. Danielle Williams, Clark Canterbury, Patricia Mims-Brooks and George Mack Jr. Voting yes were Phillips, Vice President Donna Doss, Danny Hancock and Debbie Abrahm.
Mack then nominated Hooper, who was appointed 7-2. Voting yes were Ferguson, Williams, Canterbury, Phillips, Doss, Mims-Brooks and Mack. Voting no were Abrahm and Hancock.
The board then adopted a resolution formally appointing Hooper to serve the remainder of Anders’ unexpired term, with copies to be sent to the Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court and the Secretary of State as required by law. Johnson administered the oath of office to Hooper immediately following the vote.
“It means so much to me to be able to serve District 10, to follow such a leader as Mr. Anders,” Hooper said. “He has set a standard that I think will be hard to follow, but I’m going to do my best to live up to what I think that he would have loved to see as we move forward.”
Young said the process marked a departure from how the board has typically filled vacancies.
“This process may have been a little bit different from our standard appointments,” Young said. “I do think, if you lived in District 10 and wanted a shot to be on a school board, you’d come out tonight and you’d have a discussion. It’s about increasing some transparency for us as a school board. We usually just brought one person in the past, but I think tonight you got to see a bit of a shift in terms of our ideology to give an open forum for candidates.”
Phillips thanked all three candidates and encouraged them to remain involved with the district.
“I really appreciate all three candidates who put their name forward; all three obviously want the job, and I really appreciate the fact that all three of them have the heart of public service,” Phillips said. “I hope all three of them stay engaged, uh, beyond tonight, throughout the rest of this year, and next year, and beyond. We have an opportunity to make a positive impact in our community.”
Mack, who represents District 11, said he was confident in the board’s ultimate choice.
“Ms. Hooper will be an outstanding addition to the board,” Mack said. “She epitomizes the legacy of Mr. Otha Anders, now and moving forward.”
As board attorney, Johnson also noted before the vote that Anders’ unexpired term does not extend beyond the next regularly scheduled school board election, meaning a permanent District 10 representative will still be decided by voters this fall. Both Hooper and Mamon confirmed during the open forum that they intend to run for the seat in that race.
Lincoln Parish residents invited to Alderman Bruce Siegmund’s campaign kickoff July 27
Lincoln Parish residents are invited to meet Ruston Alderman Bruce Siegmund and hear his vision for the future of the city during his campaign kickoff event on Monday, July 27, at Tanyard Creek Student Center.
The come-and-go event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Tanyard Creek Student Center, 402 Harley Lane in Ruston, where attendees will enjoy finger food treats while hearing a campaign update from Siegmund as he officially launches his campaign for re-election to the Ruston Board of Aldermen representing Ward 5.
Hosted by Mayor Ronny Walker and his wife, Kay, the event will provide residents with an opportunity to visit one-on-one with Siegmund, discuss the issues facing Ruston and learn more about the priorities he hopes to continue advancing after 12 years of service on the Ruston Board of Aldermen.
Walker said Siegmund’s leadership has played an important role in Ruston’s continued success and believes he has earned another term representing the citizens of Ward 5.
“I am proud to endorse Bruce Siegmund for re-election to the City Council, District 5,” Walker said. “Bruce has served our community with integrity, sound judgment and a steady commitment to doing what is best for the citizens of Ruston. He has been a valuable partner in helping move our city forward, and I appreciate his thoughtful leadership, commitment to progress and willingness to work collaboratively to move our city forward. I ask the citizens of District 5 to join me in supporting Bruce Siegmund for re-election.”
For Siegmund, the campaign is about building on the momentum Ruston has experienced over the past decade while ensuring the city remains focused on responsible growth, strong neighborhoods and sound financial management.
A 47 year Ruston resident, Siegmund has served on the Ruston Board of Aldermen for the past 12 years. During that time, the city has experienced unprecedented economic growth, welcomed new businesses and industries, invested millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements and continued enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the community. All of this has been done while remaining fiscally sound in budgeting.
As a member of the Board of Aldermen, Siegmund has worked alongside Mayor Walker and his fellow aldermen to support investments in streets, utilities, parks, public safety and recreational facilities while helping guide Ruston through one of the most significant periods of growth in its history.
His tenure has coincided with the continued revitalization of downtown Ruston, expansion of parks and walking trails, improvements to city infrastructure and strategic economic development projects that continue to attract new businesses, jobs and investment. Most recently, Ruston’s continued growth along the Interstate 20 corridor has positioned the city for even greater opportunities in the years ahead.
Siegmund believes that success has come through collaboration, careful planning and a commitment to making decisions that serve the best interests of the community. His campaign is centered on continuing that approach by maintaining fiscal responsibility, investing in infrastructure, supporting public safety and encouraging responsible economic development while preserving the hometown quality of life that makes Ruston unique.
Just as importantly, Siegmund says effective local government begins with listening to the people it serves.
Rather than a traditional political rally, Monday’s campaign kickoff is intended to provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations with residents. Guests are encouraged to stop by at any time during the two-hour event to enjoy refreshments, ask questions and share their thoughts about the future of Ruston.
Whether discussing neighborhood concerns, infrastructure improvements, economic development or public safety, Siegmund says hearing directly from citizens has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of serving in public office.
Supporters say Siegmund has earned a reputation for being accessible, thoughtful and willing to listen before making decisions. They point to his collaborative leadership style, steady approach and commitment to practical solutions as qualities that have helped Ruston continue moving forward while maintaining the character that has made it one of North Louisiana’s premier communities.
As he seeks another term, Siegmund says he is grateful for the trust residents have placed in him over the past 12 years and looks forward to continuing to work with fellow city leaders and citizens to build on Ruston’s momentum.
Everyone is invited to attend the campaign kickoff on Monday, July 27, from 5-7 p.m. at Tanyard Creek Student Center, 402 Harley Lane in Ruston. The event is come-and-go, and guests will enjoy refreshments while hearing a campaign update from Siegmund and learning more about his vision for Ruston’s future.
For more information about Bruce Siegmund and/or to donate to his campaign, visit www.Vote4BruceSiegmund.com.
Campaign supporters encourage Lincoln Parish residents to attend the July 27 kickoff, meet Bruce, ask questions and be part of the conversation as the campaign officially gets underway.
This is a paid advertorial
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.
