by Wesley Harris
The City of Ruston has announced a special Groundbreaking Ceremony for “The Bark Yard,” a city-maintained dog park. The groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2 at 4:00 p.m. at 1212 McAllister Drive behind the Ruston Animal Shelter.
The Bark Yard Dog Park is being brought to life in partnership with some incredible students and faculty of the Louisiana Tech University School of Design.
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The LA Department of Transportation & Development will host an open house public meeting to provide information and gather input regarding a proposed roundabout in Ruston. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish Library, 910 N. Trenton.
The project involves constructing a double lane roundabout at the intersection of LA Hwy 150 (W. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave) and LA Hwy 818 (Tarbutton Road), which would replace the current traffic controls of stop signs and flashing lights. This is the busiest intersection between Ruston and Grambling on LA 150, referred to by some as “Old Grambling Road.” It will only get busier when Buc-ees and adjacent businesses open.
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A big dream of the non-profit “Dubach Legends” group is the acquisition of the Fred Dubach House, home of the founder of the town. The Wisconsin native moved to the area and developed one of the biggest timber operations in Louisiana. The grand house built by Dubach in 1900 is deteriorating and the group wants to save it. Fred Dubach eventually sold out to T. L. James in the 1920s. The James family, known for its construction empire and philanthropy, lived in the house until moving to Ruston’s T. C. Standifer House, now known as “The Big House.”
You can check out Dubach Legends on Facebook.
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The ice is gone but the devastation will remain for some time. Scores of structures collapsed or were damaged by the terrific weight of the ice dumped by Winter Storm Fern, particularly on flat roofs. The victims included business establishments, schools, and private homes.
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Another victim of the ice storm is our road system. If you suspect your favorite pothole is a bit bigger, it’s no wonder. As rain or melted ice seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, it breaks apart asphalt, resulting in significant potholes and surface degradation.
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While Lincoln Parish is not under a burn ban, the State Fire Marshal has warned conditions exist that increase the likelihood for wildfires. The Fire Marshal recommends no outside burning until we get some rain.
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