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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, Sept. 24
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 Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
4 p.m.: Tween Time : Mosaic Tiles (Lincoln Parish Library)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at St. Benedict Church , 471 Main Street in Grambling. All are welcome!
5 p.m.: Library Board of Control Meeting (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time : Bad Art (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Contemporary Compositions Concert and Composer Talk presented by Wade Dillingham of LA Tech (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, Sept. 25
Dubach Chicken Festival
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
7 p.m.: RHS football
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football
Saturday, Sept. 26
Dubach Chicken Festival
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Park Fest 2026 (Lincoln Parish Park)
11 a.m.: Dubach Legends Fundraiser/Elvis Impersonator (Scott Hamilton Warehouse, East Hico Street; doors open at 10 a.m., hamburger lunch at 11 a.m., show at 11:30 a.m.)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
Monday,, Sept. 28
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
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, Sept. 29
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime : Circus Clowns (Lincoln Parish Library)
3 p.m.: Groundbreaking celebrating Russ Town Crossing (1211 Gaines Ave.)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon : Carousels (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Sheet Music Sunflowers; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, Sept. 30
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, Oct. 1
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 Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Oct. 2
6-8:30 p.m.: Pumpkins in the Park (Railroad Park)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football
Saturday, Oct. 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Board Game Day (Depot)
2 p.m.: GSU football
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.
Bulldogs start practice with almost entirely new roster
By Malcolm Butler
Talvin Hester isn’t sugarcoating where his Louisiana Tech Bulldogs stand during the opening week of official practice.
They are banged up, inexperienced together, and have plenty to learn.
“We really only have 10 healthy guys right now that can actually practice,” Hester said. “The summer it was like seven. So just a lot of learning, to be really honest with you. We’ve got a long, long, long way to go.”
That isn’t necessarily surprising considering Hester and his staff essentially rebuilt the roster during the offseason.
Of the 13 players on Tech’s 2026-27 roster, sophomore guard Jaylen Fenner is the lone returner from last year’s team that finished 20-14 and advanced to the Conference USA Tournament championship game.
Hester said last year’s team had four returners and still didn’t truly find its stride until late January and February.
That means this year’s learning curve could be even greater.
“We’ve got one returner this year, and he’s a sophomore,” Hester said. “Though he was monumental in the change in our team last year, becoming a starter in January and kind of helping push us forward, he’s still a sophomore.
“Jaylen’s still learning. On a senior-led team, he’d be one of our youngest guys, but he’s our most mature, oldest experienced guy. So just trying to take baby steps right now until we can get to the point where we can move further faster.”
Fenner played in 32 games with 24 starts as a freshman, averaging 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Now he finds himself in a much different role.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” Fenner said. “I feel like me being the only one that’s returning, me buying into the standard early last year, people have got to buy in. People have got to look at me as an example and buy in off of that. See how hard I play, how hard I go every day and do the same thing so they can be successful in the program.”
Hester said Fenner’s decision to remain at Tech despite the wholesale roster turnover says plenty about the sophomore and his family.
“I don’t think he was satisfied,” Hester said. “He was happy about the team success, but he wanted to be better as a player and an individual. So he wanted to come redo it.”
The Bulldogs added a mixture of freshmen, junior college transfers and four-year transfers, creating varying levels of experience as Hester attempts to teach his system.
Hester said players such as Izuchukwu Emelife, who practiced at Lamar, along with Division II transfers Kyran Tilley and Ethan Blackmon, have some familiarity with the pace and demands of four-year college basketball. But the others will need time.
Hester believes Tech’s upcoming scrimmages will provide an important measuring stick.
“They have to see another team, and they have to see what this level is like,” Hester said. “They’re not going to see it in practice if all of us haven’t been at Division I. Once we start scrimmaging and seeing other teams and seeing how hard other teams play and how much other teams want it, then you can hold them accountable because now they’ve seen the standard.”
As for what Hester eventually wants the Bulldogs to look like, that part hasn’t changed dramatically. Defense will remain a priority.
“I have an idea what I want to look like,” Hester said. “I don’t know if we can get there. I still want us to be as good defensively as far as guarding the ball and things of that nature.”
Hester doesn’t believe this year’s roster will possess the same rim protection and shot-blocking ability some of his previous teams have had, but he sees the potential for a better interior offensive presence.
“I think we’re a little bit better interior,” Hester said. “I think we have bigs that can score a little bit on the inside.”
More important than schemes at this point is creating team chemistry. Hester said that process has become increasingly important in the transfer portal era, when coaches often have only a few months to build relationships with a mostly new roster.
Tech even participated in an off-campus team-building exercise this offseason, something Hester said his program had never done before.
“It’s not just about getting them to run and jump fast,” Hester said. “It’s getting them to care about each other and move the ball and share and understand that this is bigger than themselves.
“You have to buy into a team concept, and if you can buy into a team concept, we is always greater than me.”
Fenner has tried to help that process away from the court, organizing meals and spending time with his new teammates.
“I feel we’ve grown pretty close actually for how quick it’s been,” Fenner said. “I feel we’ve got a good camaraderie going on.”
Tech will also be adjusting to a new league as the Bulldogs return to the Sun Belt Conference for the first time since 2001. For Hester and the Bulldogs, one of the biggest positives will be geography.
After years of lengthy Conference USA trips, Tech will have conference road games at nearby schools such as ULM, Louisiana-Lafayette and Southern Miss.
“I think the biggest excitement for me is the travel,” Hester said. “People don’t understand how hard it was to travel in Conference USA.”
For now, though, his focus is much closer to home. Hester hopes the Bulldogs are playing their best basketball when February and March arrive, just as last year’s team did.
“My role is to get this team ready to play ball in February and March,” Hester said. “We stuck with it. We grinded. We fought. Gave ourselves a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament by playing for a championship.
“I just focus on my job and try to do the best I can at it.”
LA Tech Bowling releases 11-tournament slate
Louisiana Tech Athletics has announced the 2026-27 Bulldog Bowling schedule, an 11-tournament slate designed to test a reloaded roster against top competition from October through the NCAA Championships in April.
The schedule blends veteran star power, a wave of newcomers, and one of the toughest fields the program has faced, all pointed toward a deep postseason run.
Four seniors anchor this year’s team: Juliana Kerrigan, Kylee Trexler, Paulina Avalos and Rachel Ong. Their tournament experience and poise under pressure will set the tone for the Bulldogs across a demanding schedule.
“Our senior group has been through the battles and knows exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level,” Nantais said. “Their leadership on and off the lanes will set the standard for our entire program this season.”
Returner Arianna Araujo enters the year in a bigger role after a strong offseason. The roster also adds instant experience through transfers Mafe Molina and Kahlen Ranson, plus freshmen Riley Emerson and Nevaeh Hull, both set to compete for early playing time as they adjust to the college game.
Louisiana Tech returns to San Antonio, Texas, to host the Bulldog Classic Nov. 6-8, welcoming several of the nation’s top-ranked programs to town for one of the fall’s premier events. Serving as tournament host gives the Bulldogs a direct measuring stick against the best fields in the country on their own turf.
Louisiana Tech opens the season at the SWIBC I & II in Garland, Texas, Oct. 3-4, then heads to Harahan, La., for the Colonial Classic Oct. 9-11. The fall continues with a trip to Destination Orlando (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) before the Bulldogs host the Bulldog Classic in San Antonio (Nov. 6-8) and close the semester at the Track Kat Klash in Houston (Nov. 13-15).
The winter and spring slate brings a run of marquee national events: the Northeast Classic in New Castle, Del. (Jan. 15-17), the Prairie View Invitational in Arlington, Texas (Jan. 22-24), the Columbia 300 Saints Invite in St. Louis (Jan. 29-31), the TNBA Open in Baton Rouge, La. (Feb. 12-14), the Big Red Invite in Lincoln, Neb. (Feb. 19-21) and the Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tenn. (March 5-7).
The postseason opens with ISC/ITC Sectionals (March 12-14) and builds to the NCAA Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 5-10, with the ISC/ITC Championships in Mooresville, N.C., closing the year (April 14-17).
2026-27 Louisiana Tech Bowling Schedule
| Dates | Tournament | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 3-4 | SWIBC I & II | Garland, Texas |
| Oct. 9-11 | Colonial Classic | Harahan, La. |
| Oct. 30-Nov. 1 | Destination Orlando | Orlando, Fla. |
| Nov. 6-8 | Bulldog Classic* | San Antonio, Texas |
| Nov. 13-15 | Track Kat Klash | Houston, Texas |
| Jan. 15-17 | Northeast Classic | New Castle, Del. |
| Jan. 22-24 | Prairie View Invitational | Arlington, Texas |
| Jan. 29-31 | Columbia 300 Saints Invite | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Feb. 12-14 | TNBA Open | Baton Rouge, La. |
| Feb. 19-21 | Big Red Invite | Lincoln, Neb. |
| March 5-7 | Music City Classic | Smyrna, Tenn. |
| March 12-14 | ISC/ITC Sectionals | TBD |
| April 5-10 | NCAA Championships | Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| April 14-17 | ISC/ITC Championships | Mooresville, N.C. |
*Bulldogs will play host for the Bulldog Classic in San Antonio, Texas.
With a battle-tested senior class, an infusion of new talent, and a schedule anchored by hosting its own marquee event, Louisiana Tech Bowling heads into 2026-27 with high expectations on the lanes.
Tech Soccer hosts App State in home Sun Belt opener
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech will play its first home Sun Belt Conference match Thursday when the Bulldogs host Appalachian State at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
First touch is set for 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with Kyle Roberts and Wally Crittenden providing a call of the action.
Tech (2-5-2, 0-0-1 Sun Belt) returns to Ruston after earning a 1-1 draw at Marshall on Saturday in its conference opener.
Izzy Wilson scored the first goal of her collegiate career against the Thundering Herd, while goalkeeper Mackenzie Lorkowski recorded nine saves, including a penalty kick save in the seventh minute.
App State (6-1-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) enters Thursday’s match following a 1-0 victory over Georgia State.
The Mountaineers have not lost since falling to UNC Wilmington in their season opener and have held opponents to 0.78 goals per match.
Libby Bermingham leads App State offensively with five goals, including two game-winners.
The Mountaineers are coached by Aimee Haywood.
Thursday’s match will mark the first meeting between Louisiana Tech and App State.
Notice of death — Sept. 23, 2026
Nedra Dee Gaulden
Oct. 17, 1939 – Sept. 22, 2026
Visitation: 9-10 a.m., Sept. 25, 2026, Hodge Baptist Church, 1100 S. Holly Stret, Jonesboro
Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Sept. 25, 2026, Hodge Baptist Church, 1100 S. Holly Stret, Jonesboro
Burial: 11:30 a.m., Sept. 25, 2026, Antioch Cemetery, Quitman
Vontella D. White
Friday 04/30/1982 — Saturday 09/12/2026
Visitation: Friday 09/25/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Saturday 09/26/2026 11:00am, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston
Interment: Saturday 09/26/2026 Following Service, Mt. Calm Cemetery, 566 Par Road, Simsboro
LPPJ awards low bid for library renovation work
By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury voted to accept a low base bid of $630,125 for planned renovation work at the Lincoln Parish Library (LPL) planned to start on Nov. 2 during a special-called LPPJ meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.
Womack & Sons Construction, LLC, of Harrisonburg submitted the accepted low bid that will see the LPL receive new painting and new flooring.
That base bid was significantly higher than the $500,000 budgeted for the project, but Parish Administrator Courtney Hall said the additional $130,125 will be paid through some of the LPL’s reserves.
Plans to also install new LED lighting throughout the library were tabled, at least for now. Womack & Sons’ bid to include the lighting as part of an alternative bid would have cost an additional $498,580.
“That has to be pushed back for now,” Hall said.
Womack & Son’s bid for alternate additional work was actually the highest out of those alternate additional bids, with that low bid for adding mostly lighting improvements submitted by RT&F Construction being an additional $260,820.
Following are the five received bids, starting with the base bid, then the alternative bid and finally the combined total bid.
• Conway Boone Construction, LLC (Ruston) — $817,000/$276,500/$1,093,500
• Mann’s Construction (West Monroe) — $730,000/$286,000/$1,016,000
• RT&F Construction, LLC (New Braunfels, Texas) — $728,250/$260,820/$989,070
• Streeter Construction (Ruston) — $717,660/$268,525/$986,185
• Womack & Sons (Harrisonburg) — $630,125/$498,580/$1,128,705
“The carpet in our library is 22 years old,” said LPL Board of Control Chair Bill Jones. “It’s served its useful life. We’re going to put LBL flooring in all throughout the library and we’ll use area rugs where appropriate, like in the Children’s Section. That’s going to be so much better when we have it.
“And the library needs painting. The painting is 22 years old, too. I’m sorry we had to have a special meeting called to do this. I appreciate it. The reason it’s important to us is because we need to get the bid awarded because that is a huge amount of flooring. We don’t want to have any holdup on the materials.”
Jones said hopes are that the work will begin on Nov. 2 with an end date set for mid-February.
“We’re going to keep the library open to the best of our abilities,” Jones said. “And it’ll be a mess. It’ll be chaos at times — a challenge. But we’ll try to keep it open as much as we can.”
Jones said the only anticipated LPL closure will come in the last of four phases planned for the work.
Phase 1 is adding new flooring and painting the main part of the library and will take four weeks. Phase 2 will be work on the Children’s Section and Chautauqua Gallery and will take around four weeks to complete. Phase 3 will take a couple of weeks to complete but will keep the same flooring, and Phase 4 will involve renovating the entryway foyer and restrooms.
“And of course we’re going to work with the contractors throughout the process, with (LPL) staff there to help even if they have to stay late — whatever they have to do,” Jones said. “And we hope to keep the library open until that last week. We hope Phase 4 will only take that one week to complete.”
Dubach council takes long look at water system, gas project
The Dubach Town Council spent much of an unusually long meeting Monday discussing the town’s water system and raising concerns about ongoing natural gas work in town.
The Sept. 21 meeting stretched to about 80 minutes, with extended discussions on water infrastructure and the natural gas replacement project underway in Dubach.
Mayor Mona Wilson and all five council members — Evelyn Graham, Monquie Roberts, Mary Billberry, Angela Dunn and Kyle Hennigan — were present.
Much of the council’s attention centered on the condition and future of Dubach’s water system. Council members reviewed a water tank inspection and questioned whether the town had received enough technical information to determine whether repairs or eventual replacement would be the better investment.
Hennigan requested additional details concerning the qualifications of those conducting the inspection, as well as measurements showing the condition and remaining thickness of portions of the tank where paint was flaking and oxidation was present.
Water operator Keith Peper said he would obtain additional information from the inspection company. He said some emergency repairs will have to be completed regardless of the town’s longer-term plans.
The discussion came as Dubach faces substantial water and sewer expenses. Wilson said more than $40,000 has already been spent from the water and sewer account on expenses outside general maintenance, with more than $32,000 in emergency repairs still anticipated.
Painting the interior and exterior of the wells could cost approximately $100,000 each, according to an estimate discussed at the meeting. A completely new tank could cost more than $500,000 once demolition of the existing tank and site preparation are included.
Council members also discussed pursuing grants and other financing for a more comprehensive infrastructure project. Hennigan said financial and engineering contacts he made through the Louisiana Municipal Association were willing to meet with town officials concerning possible infrastructure improvements in the $3 million to $5 million range.
The water discussion later returned during public comment when a resident complained of reduced water pressure following a water line break and repair. The resident said another nearby household was experiencing similar problems.
Peper said a previous test showed 58 pounds of pressure at the residence but agreed to return with a town employee to test the meter and pressure again.
Natural gas work underway around Dubach also generated lengthy discussion.
Hennigan said he had contacted Delta Utilities after receiving concerns about work associated with the gas replacement project. He questioned the identification of workers, the number of open excavations and whether some holes were adequately protected.
He said some excavations were deep and close enough to roads and parking areas to create potential safety concerns, particularly with the Chicken Festival approaching. Hennigan said he had contacted the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, fire department, State Fire Marshal’s Office and state Rep. Chris Turner about his concerns.
Town officials said barricades, fencing and tape were being used around work areas. Peper said the gas contractor has remained in contact with town officials and has mapped water lines, sewer lines and manholes discovered during the project. He said the town is expected to receive a PDF of that mapping when the second phase of work is completed.
The council also returned to the manufactured-home ordinance Hennigan introduced during a special-called meeting Sept. 14.
Wilson said the proposed ordinance had been sent to the town attorney for review because some provisions overlap with Dubach’s existing mobile-home regulations.
Hennigan said his principal concern is ensuring larger developments involving multiple manufactured homes receive council review before permits are issued. He said an individual placing a manufactured home on his or her own property is different from a multi-unit development.
The council voted to table the proposal until October to allow the attorney to review and revise it.
Dubach Police also introduced Emmanuel Seals of Ruston as the department’s new officer. Seals said he has more than 10 years of law enforcement experience and is retired from the military after 23 years of service. He is POST-certified but will need to complete a refresher course.
Seals, who currently works as a school bus driver, told the council he plans to emphasize community policing and is prepared to work evenings and weekends. Police officials also told the council a retired deputy is interested in serving as a part-time Dubach officer if the town decides to add the position.
The council also discussed establishing rental rates for the town ballpark. Suggestions included different rates depending on use of lights and the concession stand, along with a possible deposit to ensure cleanup. A final decision was tabled until October while officials gather comparable rates from other facilities.
Council members also discussed a building inspection involving 178 Main St., with concerns raised that an inspection did not adequately address both properties involved in a complaint. Town officials agreed to consult with the town attorney concerning an additional inspection.
Wilson also announced plans being discussed with First Baptist Church for an “Honor Our Veterans” event Nov. 14. The church is hoping to partner with other churches and organizations for the event, with activities planned at the church during the afternoon followed by burgers and the town’s postponed July 4 fireworks show at the park that evening.
Driver clocked at over 100 mph on I-20 faces DWI, stolen gun charges
A Ruston man was arrested early Saturday after a Lincoln Parish sheriff’s deputy saw him driving more than 100 mph on Interstate 20 and later found a stolen pistol in his vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.
James R. Jones, 30, was arrested at 3:14 a.m. Sept. 19 on Louisiana Highway 33 at I-20.
The deputy was traveling north on Tech Drive when a tan GMC Yukon crossed Tech Drive from the South Service Road onto the eastbound I-20 on-ramp. The deputy pulled in behind the Yukon and watched the driver make several lane changes, cross the fog line on the right side of the road and accelerate to more than 100 mph. The driver then began rapidly steering left and right, causing the SUV to rock as if he were about to lose control, and nearly struck a guardrail.
The deputy turned on the patrol unit’s emergency lights. The driver exited onto Louisiana Highway 33 and headed north, then stopped at the Circle K just north of the interstate after the deputy activated the siren.
Jones, who identified himself through LA Wallet, had a moderate odor of alcohol and slurred speech, and the app showed his driver’s license was suspended. Inside the driver’s door was a prescription pill bottle, and an open container of whiskey sat between the driver’s seat and the center console. Jones had an unsteady gait and had trouble standing without propping himself on something.
After being read his Miranda rights, Jones said he had been drinking. He said he had not been prescribed any medication.
A probable cause search turned up a Hi-Point .45-caliber pistol in the center console. A check of the serial number showed the gun had been stolen out of Arkansas. The pill bottle held a prescription-only anxiety medication that Jones said was prescribed to a family member who was not present.
Jones refused field sobriety tests. A name check showed he is on probation for domestic abuse battery and had a previous DWI arrest in 2014.
At the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, Jones gave a breath sample of 0.170 percent. He told deputies he had been drinking whiskey and had just left a bar. Asked about the pistol, Jones said he bought it from a friend for $50 and that he was not allowed to possess firearms because of the domestic abuse battery arrest.
Jones was booked on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle, first-offense DWI, illegal carrying of weapons, illegal possession of stolen firearms, open container and driving with a suspended license. Bond was set at $1,500 on the DWI count, and he was released on his own recognizance on the reckless operation, open container and suspended license counts.
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.
Colvin claims prize for Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pickem Contest
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Congratulations to Lance Colvin, this week’s pickem contest winner sponsored by Karl Malone Toyota! Lance went 14-1!
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Lincoln Parish Journal readers have an opportunity each week to win FREE money in the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em presented by Johnson Physical Therapy, Ruston Athletic Supply, and The Rental Association.
And the best part is it’s FREE … just like your subscription to the LPJ.
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The Lincoln Parish Journal wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Johnson Physical Therapy, Ruston Athletic Supply, and The Rental Association for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s College Football Pick’em contest.
We also want to thank Dubach Air and Heat, Ginn’s Autobody, Hart Designs, Charlie’s Carpet Cleaning, Tommy’s Tees, Mike Smith Law Office, Smoothie King of Ruston, CoreTechs, and Jeremy Hebert at Edward Jones for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.
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Are you ready for some football?!?
Bigger question. Are you ready to win $150 in cash … with the potential to make it $300 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).
The Lincoln Parish Journal is holding the 5th Annual Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by The Rental Association, Ruston Athletic Supply, and Johnson Physical Therapy.
If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!
Anyone is eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $150 cash prize. Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 15 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).
The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Ruston Athletic Supply, Johnson Physical Therapy, and The Rental Association will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games.
There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.
All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.
Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $150 each week!
Week 1: Michael Davis
Week 2: Patrick Taylor
Week 3: Lance Colvin
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
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Man banned from residence arrested after returning, threatening couple
A Ruston man who had been ordered to stay away from a residence three days earlier was arrested Sunday after he returned, threatened to kill a woman and her husband and then resisted a Lincoln Parish sheriff’s deputy, according to an arrest affidavit.
Ethan Paul Busby, 24, was arrested at 6:11 p.m. Sept. 20.
A deputy went to the residence after a trespassing report. The woman who lives there said Busby was on her property. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office had trespassed Busby from the residence Sept. 17.
When the deputy arrived, Busby was walking away from the residence toward the patrol vehicle with a beer bottle in his hand. The deputy told him to put the bottle down, turn around and put his hands behind his back. Busby turned toward the deputy instead and became more agitated.
The deputy drew his department-issued Taser and repeated the commands, and Busby complied. When the deputy holstered the Taser and tried to handcuff him, Busby turned toward the deputy and slipped one hand free. The deputy pinned Busby against the hood of the patrol vehicle and handcuffed him. Busby had a strong odor of alcohol.
The woman told the deputy Busby came into her yard, started yelling at her and then threatened to kill her and her husband. Her father arrived later and said he had also heard Busby make the threats. He said he told his daughter to call 911 and then drove to the residence himself.
By the time the deputy arrived, many nearby residents were outside and on their porches.
Busby was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on charges of criminal trespass, disturbing the peace by public intoxication, simple assault and resisting an officer. Bond was set at $1,000 each on the simple assault and resisting counts. He was released on his own recognizance on the trespass and disturbing the peace counts.
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.
Young invites community feedback on 2026-27 Pupil Progression Plan
LPJ Staff Report
Lincoln Parish residents have until Friday to weigh in on the policies that decide when students move from one grade to the next.
The Lincoln Parish School District has released a draft of its 2026-27 Pupil Progression Plan for public review and comment. The plan lays out the criteria for promoting students from one grade level to the next, along with other academic policies that guide the district’s schools.
Comments will be accepted online through Friday, Sept. 25, at www.lincolnschools.org/page/pupil-progression-plan-review.
A printed copy of the plan is also available at the Lincoln Parish School District Office through Thursday, Sept. 24, during regular operating hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“This is really about our students and making sure we have a clear, consistent approach to helping every student move forward and be successful,” Superintendent John Young said.
The plan has to meet state requirements, but Young said the district also wants it to reflect local needs.
“There are certainly state requirements that we have to follow, but I also think it’s important that we look at this through the lens of Lincoln Parish,” Young said.
That is where the public comes in.
“One of the things I value most about this process is the opportunity for public input,” Young said. “As educators, we have professional expertise and experience, but we don’t have all the answers. Our parents, teachers, administrators, students and community members bring perspectives that are important to consider.”
COLUMN: Small moments make the big story
Almost everything has a beginning.
The school year. Football season. Autumn, thank goodness, which just showed up after a summer hotter than a snake’s butt in a wagon rut.
Not that things will cool down in north Louisiana any time soon. But at least autumn’s out of the blocks. It’s started. It has had its beginning.
Just as everything does.
Except God.
Interesting concept, God always being around, never starting, never ending. Unlike the seasons and storms of life, he doesn’t go in cycles. He just is, was, and always will be.
But the rest of us, the “created,” had to start somewhere. Whether we’re a person, place, or thing, we were nothing — and then we were suddenly something.
History was not, and then it was. Fiction or fact, song or story, pet or person, everything but God was born.
And he’s always known what was going to happen with the rest of us.
Take the story of Joshua. Old Testament guy. His story started when his dad, Nun, “the Nunster,” as he was called by the boys, met Joshua’s mom. (Long story.)
Joshua grew into quite the stud. There came a day when he ordered his officers to tell the Israelites to pack up, that it was time to move out, cross the Jordan, and “take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.”
This was a group of people who, under Coach Moses, had just played road games for 40 years. And here they were, about to enter the stadium they’d been promised generations ago.
The point here is that there was a time when the Israelites stood on the banks of the Jordan and, at God’s timely command, were finally able to cross over. An actual moment in time.
The entire book reads as the rest of biblical Hebrew history does, as an account of what a real God was doing with real people in real time. And although this marks the beginning of this era — the Israelites inhabit the Promised Land — the story had begun long ago, first with Adam, and Abraham, and Moses, and so many others we don’t know.
But God knew them all.
We are all part of the story, one that, if we pay attention, reveals still today the ways of God with us, people in the modern world. No good you do — a card to a friend, a cake to someone ill, and encouraging word — goes unnoticed or without eternal consequence of some sort. God, (as either Francis Schaeffer or Eugene Peterson has suggested, I can’t remember which?), meets us in the ordinary and extraordinary occurrences that make up the stuff of our daily lives. He did with the Hebrews; he does with us.
We are because he always was.
Every day he offers a new beginning, another part of His story — and yours and mine. If you feel alone or confused or even lost, it might put a spring in your step to remember that God’s great purposes are worked out “in the messes, storms and sins, blue skies, daily work and dreams of our common lives.” Our author is one who works with us as we are now and not as we should be.
As God told Joshua, who ably passed it along to his friends and family, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
And all of the time, right from the start.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
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Lady Bearcats sweep Haughton behind tough serving
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High used a heavy dose of tough serving to pull away from Haughton in straight sets Tuesday night, winning 25-17, 25-10, 25-12 to improve to 10-5 on the season. Haughton fell to 5-2 with its second loss of the year.
The Lady Bearcats trailed by as many as two points early in the first set before pulling away, and they never trailed in the third. Ruston finished with 20 aces, 25 kills, six blocks and 36 digs as a team, and 24 of the Lady Bearcats’ 75 points came on Haughton errors.
Senior setter Baylor Cauley ran the offense with 16 assists and added five aces. Freshman outside hitter Josie Cauley led Ruston with eight kills and also had four aces, while freshman outside hitter Lily Bissell added six kills and a team-high 10 digs. Junior middle hitter Addie Powell led all players with five blocks.
Ruston opened its largest run of the match in the second set, scoring seven straight points from 7-5 to 14-5 that included four consecutive aces from Josie Cauley. Haughton called a timeout at 12-5 in that set but could not slow the run, and Ruston closed it out 25-10. The Lady Bearcats opened the third set with a 3-0 run and led wire to wire, closing it out 25-12.
“I thought we did really well. I thought we executed really well,” Ruston High head coach Mandy Cauley said. “I would say the shining star of our gameplay tonight was that we had really tough serves. We were able to get on some really good runs by some tough servers, and everybody that came in from the bench did a really good job, and I’m proud of everyone.”
Cauley singled out Powell’s play at the net.
“She dominated at the net tonight,” Cauley said. “Addie had a fantastic weekend at Bearcat Brawl. She’s done a good job getting block touches and being a big presence in the middle, and it’s allowed us to make some adjustments and play with some other lineup opportunities, because she’s come in and done such a really good job.”
Prior to Tuesday’s match win, the Lady Bearcats went 4-1 at the Bearcat Brawl on Sept. 18-19 at the Ruston Sports Complex. Ruston opened the tournament with a 25-22, 26-24, 15-5 win over East Ascension and a 25-13, 25-21 win over Sam Houston. On the second day, the Lady Bearcats dropped the first set against Westlake before rallying for a 24-26, 25-15, 15-5 win, fell to Barbe 25-19, 25-22, and closed with a 25-22, 25-20 win over Prairieville.
“The Bearcat Brawl was great,” Cauley said. “First of all, it was well run. The courts stayed on time, which is meaningful to all the coaches, officials, parents and fans. We had a great turnout, and people complimented the facility and the hospitality suite. A huge thank you to everybody.”
Cauley said Ruston was inconsistent at times in serve receive but found ways to keep scoring.
“The way we played was really, really good,” Cauley said. “There were times when we were spotty on serve receive, but we hung in there and were able to capitalize with our offense. We were still able to generate points and move past the bad passes.”
Junior Bridget Crittenden came off the bench during the tournament and sparked a run of at least seven straight points.
“She came in and did phenomenal,” Cauley said. “We have girls that are hungry, and we have depth, and that’s a really positive thing to have when we’re competing every day in practice.”
The Lady Bearcats will get a bit of a breather on the varsity side as Thursday’s road matchup with Airline has been canceled. Ruston hosts Jackson Academy out of Mississippi on Monday, Sept. 28.
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Who is speaking this week at Ruston civic clubs?
KIWANIS CLUB
The Kiwanis Club of Ruston meets every Thursday at noon at Trinity Methodist Church. The first Thursday of the month is a business meeting, while the remainder of the weeks are devoted to our speakers.
Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting, but please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance at 318-518-2121.
This week’s speaker is: Caleb Seney, Executive Director of Medcamps of Louisiana
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one Child and one Community at a time.
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LINCOLN ROTARY CLUB
Lincoln Rotary Club is a service organization dedicated to making a positive impact in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and communities around the world. As part of Rotary International, whose mission is to provide service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill and peace, Lincoln Rotary members are committed to addressing local needs through hands-on projects, partnerships, and community engagement.
Lincoln Rotary meets on Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. This week they will meet at the Rolling Hills Ministries Book Store, located at 1103 Farmerville Hwy, Ruston, LA 71270. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome to attend and learn more about Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Each weekly meeting features a guest speaker who shares insights on topics impacting our community, region, and beyond.
This week’s speaker is: Ellen Taylor, Community Advocate for DART
For more information about the Lincoln Rotary Club, membership opportunities, or upcoming service projects, contact via the club’s social media pages.
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RUSTON ROTARY
Ruston Rotary is the oldest Rotary Club in Lincoln Parish, with over 80 years of service to the Ruston community since its charter on February 13, 1943. It meets weekly for fellowship, food and insight, as well as to implement community projects. Their projects include scholarships for graduating high school seniors, dictionaries for third-graders, Christmas gifts for local nursing homes, and fans for the elderly.
It hosts monthly recognition for Lincoln Parish Students of the Month, and it presents the Bill Best Humanitarian Award annually to a deserving Lincoln Parish resident. It also provides camp opportunities for local students to RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
The Rotary motto is Service above Self. Come be part of Ruston Rotary and help create a lasting impact by giving back to the community with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Ruston Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon at the Historic Fire Station at 200 East Mississippi in Ruston, and lunch is provided at each meeting. Stop in for a meeting one week to find out more about membership with our organization.
This week’s speaker is: Lt. Kayla Loyd, Ruston Police Department
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.
Daily puzzles
Today’s weather forecast
Daily stock ticker
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.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
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, Sept. 24
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 Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
4 p.m.: Tween Time : Mosaic Tiles (Lincoln Parish Library)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at St. Benedict Church , 471 Main Street in Grambling. All are welcome!
5 p.m.: Library Board of Control Meeting (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time : Bad Art (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Contemporary Compositions Concert and Composer Talk presented by Wade Dillingham of LA Tech (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, Sept. 25
Dubach Chicken Festival
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
7 p.m.: RHS football
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football
Saturday, Sept. 26
Dubach Chicken Festival
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Park Fest 2026 (Lincoln Parish Park)
11 a.m.: Dubach Legends Fundraiser/Elvis Impersonator (Scott Hamilton Warehouse, East Hico Street; doors open at 10 a.m., hamburger lunch at 11 a.m., show at 11:30 a.m.)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
Monday,, Sept. 28
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
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, Sept. 29
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime : Circus Clowns (Lincoln Parish Library)
3 p.m.: Groundbreaking celebrating Russ Town Crossing (1211 Gaines Ave.)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon : Carousels (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Sheet Music Sunflowers; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library)
Wednesday, Sept. 30
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, Oct. 1
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 Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Oct. 2
6-8:30 p.m.: Pumpkins in the Park (Railroad Park)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football
Saturday, Oct. 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Board Game Day (Depot)
2 p.m.: GSU football
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Lady Techsters begin official practice with experienced core, new pieces
By Malcolm Butler
The calendar may say the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters have just started official practice.
But to head coach Brooke Stoehr, it feels like they have been at it for a while.
After eight weeks of summer workouts and the transition into the NCAA’s preseason practice schedule, Stoehr and the Lady Techsters officially began preparations this week for the 2026-27 season.
“I think we’ve had a great eight weeks of summer access with our team,” said Stoehr. “Really got a chance to get to know them. They’ve worked extremely hard. I feel like we’ve been practicing for a while now.”
There is plenty of familiarity for Stoehr and her staff with seven players returning from last year’s team. But it is hardly the same team.
Stoehr said the combination of a veteran returning core and a group of newcomers with different skill sets has given the Lady Techsters plenty of competition during the summer and into the opening week of official practice.
“We’ve got a lot of competitive spots on our roster this year, and we’re looking forward to it,” Stoehr said. “I think they’ve had a hunger and a desire to get better. They know it’s a new season, new year, new team and new dynamic, and so it’s been fun to work with them.”
The seven returners are Alexia Weaver, Hillary Dawson, Jordan Marshall, Isla Airey, Kennedy Evans, Joy Madison-Key and Kaleigh Thompson.
Stoehr has already seen growth from that group in areas beyond basketball, specifically pointing to Weaver, Thompson and Marshall as players who have become increasingly comfortable taking ownership of the team.
“From a leadership aspect, I think you see Lex, KT, Jordan, they’re really comfortable in who they are and using their voices to direct and lead,” Stoehr said. “But I think the biggest thing is them holding each other accountable and calling each other up and not being afraid to do that.”
Marshall is one player whose development has particularly impressed Stoehr.
After producing throughout her first two seasons in Ruston, the junior forward has taken another step during the offseason, according to her head coach.
“I think we’ve seen Jordan Marshall take the next step with her game,” Stoehr said. “It’s been really cool to see her development of just being so steady and consistent and not having one or two good days and then a day where she’s not as focused. Her consistency and focus this summer has been really good.”
Stoehr said Marshall’s growth has extended well beyond what she does on the floor.
“Her ability to be coached, take direction and then coach someone else in that same respect has been really neat,” Stoehr said. “It’s rewarding. It’s why we do what we do of still seeing young people develop and grow over a period of time.”
While Tech has plenty of returning experience, Stoehr believes the newcomers will allow the Lady Techsters to play differently in some areas.
“We brought back a lot of really good players, and we added some pieces that I think are going to give us a different dimension, an added dimension,” Stoehr said. “We’re going to be able to play something similarly, but we’re going to have an added dimension that we didn’t have last year.”
Stoehr believes that will be particularly noticeable on the defensive end.
“I think we’re more physical,” Stoehr said. “I think we’re more athletic. I think we’ve got a chance to be really special defensively. We’re not there yet, obviously, but I think we’ve got a chance to be really, really good defensively.”
Offensively, Stoehr sees additional versatility as well.
Weaver has spent more time at her natural shooting guard position, while newcomer Brittani Wells also gives Tech additional players capable of creating opportunities for teammates.
Stoehr also mentioned Alana Obianozie’s ability to attack the basket and shoot from the perimeter, while freshman E’Marriha Johnson has shown the ability to stretch the floor despite playing primarily in the post during her prep career.
“We’ve got some different weapons, players that can really manipulate a ball screen and create for others and do some things with our versatility,” Stoehr said.
The Lady Techsters are also awaiting the full return of Kennedy Evans, who missed last season with an injury. Stoehr said Evans had been cleared before experiencing a setback but has returned to practice.
“She gives you an opportunity with some length and athleticism to go rebound, too,” Stoehr said. “I think that’s a dimension that is going to be a really good asset for us.”
All of it comes as Louisiana Tech prepares for its first season as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.
Stoehr, who played in the Sun Belt during her career as a Lady Techster before Tech moved to the Western Athletic Conference, knows the physical challenges the league will present.
“We know we’re going into a league where rebounding is really key and some great offensive rebounding teams in the Sun Belt,” Stoehr said. “We’ve got to be prepared for that from a physicality standpoint.”
Tech will have opportunities to test itself before conference play. The Lady Techsters’ nonconference schedule includes road games at Ole Miss, Georgia and Arkansas, along with a home matchup against Memphis.
Tech will also participate in three preseason scrimmages, with the first scheduled for Oct. 11.
“We want to be gritty, we want to be tough, we want to be a connected group that’s in search of excellence every day,” Stoehr said. “I think we’ll see our identity develop as we go.
“We’re kind of blue-collar. We’re going to show up. We’re not worried about winning a press conference or the style points. We want to find a way to be the best team that we can be when it gets to February and March.”