The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership (CIL) in the College of Education and Human Sciences is proud to announce the establishment of The Center for Literacy and Learning at Louisiana Tech (L3).

The Center for Literacy and Learning will serve as a location for evidence-based literacy support, providing diagnostic assessments, tutoring, and workshop opportunities for educators across North Louisiana. By integrating academic research with hands-on clinical practice, the Center aims to address literacy challenges while preparing future educators with real-world experience.

“As literacy rates and reading achievement continue to present challenges across Louisiana and the nation, the Center for Literacy and Learning is rooted in supporting evidence-based instruction, applied research, and community partnerships,” Dr. Dustin Whitlock, interim department head of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, said.

The idea for the center began over ten years ago as faculty saw a need for expanding literacy services to the local school district and the surrounding community. However, as the years followed, space and funding continued to delay progress.

In spite of the setbacks, Dr. Carrice Cummins, research professor in the CIL department, worked with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and literacy experts across the country to develop a professional learning course for Louisiana K-3 educators. The course, titled The Science and Art of Teaching Reading, provides current content knowledge and structured literacy teaching practices that align with Science of Reading research.

Through funding of The Science and Art of Teaching Reading and the LDOE, the Center for Literacy and Learning is becoming a reality within the department.

Megan Hunt, A.E. Phillips Laboratory School teacher, was chosen to lead the Center due to her strong background as an educator and her deep commitment to foundational literacy instruction. Throughout her years of teaching, she has continually sought opportunities to grow her knowledge and expertise in evidence-based literacy practices and early reading development, while also working towards becoming a certified UFLI coach.

“Mrs. Hunt’s skill and expertise allow her to support both students and educators through high-quality literacy instruction and professional learning,” Whitlock said. “Her passion for literacy, dedication to children and teachers, and genuine investment in serving the community made her a natural choice to lead L3 as it continues to grow its impact across the region.”

Hunt is excited to advance literacy education and notes the foundation that it can bring to Louisiana Tech and the community.

“Literacy affects all aspects of life and is ultimately how people access opportunity and how communities grow stronger,” Hunt said. “When children become proficient readers, it represents more than just academic progress; it changes the trajectory of their lives. L3 is exciting because it brings together Louisiana Tech, school districts, families, and community partners around that shared goal. We’ve already seen encouraging growth through this work, and the Center for Literacy and Learning gives us a way to build on that progress in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Michelle Thrower, K-2 facilitator for Lincoln Parish Schools, has witnessed a growth in literacy education throughout a partnership with the CIL Department and is excited for the next phase.

“Our collaboration with Louisiana Tech has been a cornerstone of our success in elevating literacy proficiency across Lincoln Parish Schools,” Thrower said. “Their exceptional support with professional development and resources has directly fueled the tremendous DIBELS growth we are seeing via the UFLI Foundations curriculum in K-2. We are incredibly excited to continue this partnership through the new literacy and learning center, allowing us to expand our vital literacy work to support our Pre-K and third-grade students.”

Operations for L3 will be divided into 3 components: The Literacy Clinic, the Literacy Institute, and the Literacy Resource Center. Through individualized assessments, targeted intervention services, literacy workshops, and educator professional development opportunities, the Center will provide comprehensive support designed to meet the diverse literacy needs of children, families, schools, and educators throughout the region.

“The center will advance literacy instruction through integrated clinical services in reading, writing, and language development for children in grades K-5 while also supporting preservice teacher preparation and professional learning for in-service teachers,” Cummins added. “These components will be developed in phases over the next few years but once all are in place will work simultaneously to provide transformative literacy support across North Louisiana while also serving as a living laboratory for teacher preparation and literacy research.”

Although L3 has already begun hosting workshops and literacy services, the established center marks a significant step forward in expanding its research and impact. L3 is set to better serve students, educators, and communities in need of literacy education.

For more information on The Center for Literacy and Learning at Louisiana Tech, contact Dr. Dustin Whitlock at whitlock@latech.edu.

Doug Estel Milliron was born on March 29, 1951. and he died on June 1, 2026. He lived for 75 years.

In life, Doug cherished his wife of 53 years and 8 months, Monabeth. He loved and cared for his four adult children and their spouses, his thirteen grandchildren and their companions, and his dog, Tally. Along with Monabeth, he valued the virtue of showing hospitality and treating people like they belong until they do belong. For Doug, Christian ministry took place in the kitchen and at the table. He will be remembered for how he brought joy, encouragement, and guidance to many. 

Doug had many things he enjoyed. He liked grilling in his cast iron grill. He had a passion for football. He took delight in playing guitar, singing, and songwriting, and he appreciated the mythologies of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. He also enjoyed many activities in times of silence and solitude like prayer, journaling, reading, writing, and bird watching. Doug had a depth of soul that matched his joyful presence with people. 

Doug was a lifelong learner and a man of remarkable intelligence. Added to his formal education in church history and historical theology were many decades of study in a wide variety of subjects and a wisdom that came from serving the needs of people in pastoral ministry. All of his insight was shaped by giving himself to learning and meditating on the holy scriptures. He left behind many tattered and marked up Bibles in his study that give evidence to a life lived before God in his Word.  

Doug will be remembered as a pastor and missionary, a teacher and disciple-maker, and one who was called “Honey”, Dad, Daddy, Papaw, Grandpa, neighbor, and friend. He will be missed! 

Doug is preceded in death by his father, Frank Arthur Milliron; his mother, Catherine Virginia Gouldy; and his sister, Elaine Carol Milliron-MacKenzie. 

Doug is survived by: his wife, Monabeth McCully Milliron; his children, Joshua Douglas Milliron and wife, Allison Farrar Milliron, Bethany Rose Freeman, Sarah Milliron Fernandes and husband Joel Ravi Fernandes; Erin Milliron; his grandchildren, Shellie Catherine Milliron and boyfriend, Justin Kenneth Ducote, William Douglas Milliron, Madeline Rose Garrett, Annabelle Lynn Garrett, Savannah Brooke Garrett and boyfriend, Gunther Jacob Simpson, Sophia Dawn Freeman, Josie Matthew Perkins, Emma Fernandes Huenefeld and husband, James Calvin Huenefeld, Joanna Elyse Fernandes, Whitney Elizabeth Hemphill, Harley Mae Klassen, and Joseph Edward Brown, and Molly Milliron; his sister Elenda Kay Milliron-Carroll and husband, John A. Carroll and their son, Kyle Wayne Brown, and their granddaughter, Martina Kay Brown; his nieces, Michelle Scott MacKenzie, Renee Scott MacKenzie, and Nicole Scott MacKenzie. 

—————————————–

Visitation 

Saturday, June 13th at 2:00 p.m. at Burkhalter Chapel at Trinity Methodist Church

1000 Woodward Ave, Ruston, LA 71270

—————————————–

Memorial Service 

Saturday, June 13th at 3:00 p.m. at Burkhalter Chapel at Trinity Methodist Church

1000 Woodward Ave, Ruston, LA 71270

Joshua Douglas Milliron and Dr. Brian Yeich officiating

Honorary Pallbearers – Josie Matthew Perkins, William Douglas Milliron, Joseph Edward Brown, James Calvin Huenefeld, Justin Kenneth Ducote, Gunther Jacob Simpson

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Favor International (favorintl.org) and 5 Loaves 2 Fish in Ruston, Louisiana (5loaves2fishruston.org). 

Funeral services for Thomas Shane Otwell, affectionately known by everyone as “Pooky”, age 53 of Pea Ridge, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, June 5, 2026 at Owens Memorial Chapel with Rev. Dallas Witt and Rev. Barry Joyner officiating. Burial will follow in Mineral Springs Cemetery in Dubach, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Shane was born on June 3, 1972 in Ruston, LA to Ruby and Jessie Earl Otwell and he passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 in Ruston, LA – just one day shy of his 54^th birthday.  A lifelong resident of Pea Ridge, Shane left behind a legacy of laughter, honesty, hard work, and unwavering love for his family and community.

A dedicated painter with Hinson Painting, Shane took pride in his work and the relationships he built throughout the years. But if you knew Shane, you knew there was much more to him than his job title. To know Shane was to know him as “Pooky.” If Becky wasn’t keeping him busy, you could usually find him fishing, hunting, or talking about fishing and hunting. He was truly one of a kind, unapologetically himself in every way. If he had something to say, he was going to say it, whether you agreed with him or not. That strong spirit came honestly from his parents, who raised him to be strong-minded and never afraid to speak his truth.

Those who knew him best understood that beneath his tough exterior was a man with a gentle heart and a kind soul. He was always willing to share his knowledge, offer advice, tell a story, or strike up a conversation with anyone willing to listen. Dressed in his cutoff shirts and shorts, he may not have looked like the smartest person in the room, but appearances can be deceiving. Shane had a wealth of knowledge on just about everything. Just ask Becky—he knew it all, or at least he thought he did.

Shane was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Earl Otwell. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rebecca Otwell; mother, Ruby Nell Otwell; mother-in-law, Ramona Martin; father-in-law, Donnie Martin; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bambi and Trey Hinson, and Brandi and Nick Cripps; along with countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and neighbors who loved him dearly.

Serving as pallbearers will be Trey Hinson, John Frasier, Brandon Watts, Eian Cripps, Gabe Hinson, and Alan Haynes. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Otwell, Sid Billberry, Nick Cripps, Brad Stucky, Marty Edwards, Dennis Cripps, and Joe Nunn.

His sudden passing is a heartbreaking loss to everyone who knew and loved him. Yet those closest to him know that Pooky wouldn’t want us sitting around being sad for too long. He liked life simple, and he would want us to remember the laughter, the stories, the lessons, and the love he shared so freely. The impact Shane left on our hearts will never fade. His spirit lives on in the memories he created, the lives he touched, and the family and friends who will carry his legacy forward. He was one of a kind, and he always will be. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever Pooky.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until service time, Friday, at Owens Memorial Chapel.

David Frank Fowler 
September 5, 1942  –  June 2, 2026 
Visitation: Friday, June 5, 2026, 10:00AM – 11:00AM, Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church, 1074 LA 152, Dubach 
Service: Friday, June 5, 2026, 11:00AM, Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church, 1074 LA 152, Dubach 
Final Resting Place: Harmony Chapel Cemetery, 1074 LA-152, Dubach  

Vivian Stringfellow 
Tuesday 06/14/1960 — Friday 05/22/2026  
Visitation: Friday 06/05/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 06/06/2026 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home 
Burial: Saturday 06/06/2026 Following Service, Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Bowden Road, Ruston 

Gloria Tippett 
Wednesday 03/05/1952 — Friday 05/29/2026  
Graveside: Saturday 06/06/2026 2:00pm, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 
Private Burial 

Thomas Leachman  
Saturday 12/19/1942 — Friday 05/08/2026  
Memorial Service: Saturday 06/06/2026 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Private Burial 

Thursday, June 4 – Clue #4:

The signs are there and the clues lead the way.

If you don’t find it, you have one more day.

A magnolia flower sure is great,

Have you found anything representing our state?

Wednesday, June 3 – Clue #3:

Don’t think too hard, it’s just a game.

To tell you the truth, it’s all in the name.

Use your brain you hold the power.

The festival is closer by the hour.

Tuesday, June 2 – Clue #2:

Grab this year’s shirt to up the winnings, where it’s hidden you can’t watch innings.

The trick, you see, to find the prize, is east and west, so open your eyes.

Monday, June 1 – Clue #1:

Up or down? Left or right?

We know this clue can cause some spite.

The rules of the game are strong and steady.

Clues presented by RightFiber.

Stay on public property, go on, we are ready.

by Malcolm Butler

The McKenney name is synonymous with radio in Lincoln Parish. And it has been for more than four decades.

In fact, the voices of Gary McKenney and his son, Matt, may be more well-known in the 318 than their faces. No surprise considering they have made a living behind a microphone, something that runs in the family.

The start to their story began over 1,500 miles across the country in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and 80 years ago.

Fast forward almost a century and three generations of McKenneys have spent their lives behind mics, inside control rooms and on the airwaves of small-town America. They have built a family legacy that stretches from the aftermath of World War II to the digital age of modern broadcasting.

What began with a former Air Force electrician named Bill McKenney eventually became a multigenerational radio tradition — one that continues each morning across North Louisiana as Matt McKenney signs on the air in Ruston.

And while technology has changed dramatically over the decades one thing has remained remarkably consistent: the McKenney family’s belief that local radio is still about people.

“It’s kind of funny because I never really set out to do it,” Matt McKenney said. “I don’t know that my dad really did either. I think it’s just one of those things where you grow up around it, you get a little job there and then you realize it’s fun. Then you just keep doing it.”

That family journey began nearly 80 years ago.

William “Bill” McKenney served in the armed forces during World War II, working as an electrician on bombers for the U.S. Army Air Forces. Following the war, he landed a job as an engineer in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before eventually finding an opening at radio station KXRJ in Russellville, Arkansas.

He moved there in the late 1940s and never left the business.

“I remember Gary showing me pictures of his dad in a broadcast booth,” said Mary Poe, who worked alongside Gary in Ruston for almost four decades. “And then there’s pictures of Gary in the broadcast booth and there’s pictures of Matt in a broadcast booth.”

Bill worked as both an engineer and announcer at the station — later renamed KARV — for roughly five decades, becoming part of the golden era of local radio when stations served as the heartbeat of small-town communities.

Back then, radio was intensely local.

Stations carried local news, sports, swap-shop programs, live remotes and call-in shows that often sounded more like community gatherings than broadcasts.

Gary McKenney, Bill’s son, grew up in that environment.

“I would tag along and help him,” Gary said. “That station was newstalk and music. Music at night for the college kids. During the day, they had all kinds of talk shows.”

One of those programs was Bill McKenney’s wildly popular “Party Line.”

“Ladies would call up and swap recipes,” Gary said with a laugh. “Then they’d ask things like, ‘Hey Bill, how do you get runny dog poop out of the carpet?’ Things like that.”

The show became a snapshot of small-town radio at its most personal — informal, neighborly and deeply woven into daily life.

Gary officially entered the business around age 15 under unusual circumstances.

“There was a New Year’s Eve party everybody wanted to go to,” he said. “So they wanted me to work as ‘Silent Sam.’ I wouldn’t talk. I would just segue all the records. That was my inauspicious start.”

Like his son decades later, Gary never originally planned to make radio his career.

He worked his way through college at KXRJ while earning a biology degree with a chemistry minor and initially hoped to attend medical school.

“I didn’t get into med school,” Gary said. “At the same time, I was making a decent living as a DJ and thought maybe this was my career path. Of course, my dad told me I didn’t want to do that. But I did it anyway.”

After serving 90 days in the Army following college, Gary returned to Arkansas radio before a friendship with legendary Louisiana Tech broadcaster Dave Nitz altered the course of his life.

The two became close while working together in Russellville.

“Dave was doing high school games, and I was an announcer, and we kind of hit it off,” Gary said. “I spent a lot of time over at Dave’s house.”

Eventually, Nitz called Gary about an opening at KRUS in Ruston during the mid-1970s.

“They interviewed me over the phone,” Gary said. “Based on that and Dave’s recommendation, they hired me.”

Gary became the station’s morning host and copywriter, writing and voicing commercials during the day before later moving to KNOE radio in Monroe and eventually Jackson, Mississippi.

But Ruston kept pulling him back.

After a financially troubled station in Jackson collapsed, Gary called longtime Ruston broadcaster Dan Hollingsworth.

“Dan liked me and we had always worked well together,” Gary said. “So, I came back to KRUS in 1982, and I’ve been here for 40-something years.”

“I started working at the radio station the day after Mother’s Day, and about three weeks later Gary showed up with his wife and two kids,” recalls Poe.

Even retirement never fully stuck.

Gary officially retired in 2021 but still works part-time and remains closely tied to the station.

“He is Mr. Radio,” said Poe. “Nobody has a voice like him.”

Over the years, he also spent time alongside Nitz as a color commentator for Louisiana Tech football broadcasts during the mid-1980s.

“We had fun doing that,” Gary said. “Sometimes we flew around on James Davison’s plane. Most of the time, though, it was Dave’s crazy van with shag carpet and a CB radio.”

Like many longtime broadcasters, Gary accumulated countless stories from the unpredictable world of old-school radio.

There were overnight shifts where exhausted DJs accidentally fell asleep during broadcasts.

There were emergency food runs down fire escapes while long vinyl records played upstairs.

There was even the morning Gary walked into the station and found a preacher marrying a couple inside the control room at 5:30 a.m.

“You’re getting married in a radio station control room?” Gary remembered thinking. “This is the best you can do?”

There were live remote broadcasts from livestock auctions, golf tournaments and parades.

And there was the infamous story of broadcasters tossing old vinyl records from a third-story station window while coworkers stood below trying to dodge them.

“There’s a million stories in radio,” Gary said.

Matt McKenney grew up hearing those stories while also creating his own.

Now 46 years old and serving as operations manager for the Ruston station group, Matt remembers radio as simply part of everyday life.

One of his earliest memories involves his father portraying Santa Claus during a remote broadcast at a local hardware store.

“My little brother immediately realized it was Dad,” Matt said. “He just burst into tears and had to be removed. It wasn’t great for the remote broadcast.”

Matt also remembers riding through Peach Festival parades in station vehicles while beauty queens waved from convertibles.

“I used to love riding in parades and going to remotes,” he said.

Eventually, like Gary before him, Matt drifted naturally into the business.

While attending college in the late 1990s, he began working overnight shifts as a DJ.

Unlike modern automated radio, those overnight broadcasts still required manually loading each song into the system.

“We had computers, but they only told us what to play,” Matt said. “You still had to physically load every song. If you didn’t, there was dead air.”

The overnight schedule could be brutal.

Matt laughed remembering moments where he accidentally nodded off during overnight shifts.

“I’d wake up on the stool and realize nothing was playing,” he said. “Then I’d panic and just replay the same Shania Twain song again.”

At one point, Matt stepped away from radio and worked in restaurants for a while before eventually returning.

His explanation is simple.

“I figured out the microphone was lighter than the shovel,” Matt said.

Today, Matt still hosts the morning show from 6-10 a.m. while also overseeing operations for multiple stations.

And despite the endless scheduling, staffing and paperwork responsibilities, he said the live on-air portion of radio remains the best part.

“That’s the fun part,” Matt said. “I still like going live. I’ll have younger people ask why we don’t just prerecord everything, and I always think, ‘Isn’t it more fun to go live?’”

That connection to live local broadcasting remains central to the family’s identity. Even now, Matt says he still enjoys the simple recognition that comes with local radio.

“I’ll walk into the gas station and somebody will say, ‘You’re the guy from the radio,’” he said. “That never really gets old.”

The broadcasting world surrounding the McKenneys has changed dramatically since Bill McKenney first entered radio after World War II.

Gary witnessed the transition from vinyl records and fully staffed 24-hour stations to satellite programming and automation.

“Everything’s on computer now,” Gary said. “There’s no vinyl. There’s not even CDs.”

Still, the McKenneys believe the heart of the business remains the same. People still want familiar voices. They still want local personalities. They still want connection.

They want voices they trust. They want the McKenneys.

“Both of their voices are so recognizable — you can’t mistake them,” said Poe.

And perhaps most importantly, the family legacy may not be finished yet.

Matt’s 11-year-old son, Everett, has already begun occasionally appearing on-air to deliver weather reports and join conversations during broadcasts.

“There might be a fourth generation,” Matt said.

The possibility seems fitting.

After all, none of the McKenneys ever really planned on radio becoming the family business.

It simply happened one microphone at a time.

Courtesy of GSU Communications

Grambling State University President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. recently joined Bloomberg Businessweek for a national conversation on higher education leadership, institutional strategy, and Grambling State’s continued momentum during its 125th anniversary year.

The interview highlighted Lemelle’s enterprise-minded approach to leadership, including how private-sector strategies can be adapted to strengthen higher education institutions while remaining grounded in mission, access, affordability and student success.

Lemelle’s national media appearance followed Grambling State’s National Day of Giving, which became the university’s highest-yielding giving day since inception, grossing $1.25 million in support of the institution. The milestone points to growing donor confidence and continued investment in Grambling State’s future.

“Think about the university as an enterprise,” Lemelle said. “Yes, we exist for a mission and a purpose at Grambling State University. We’re grounded in being the place ‘Where Everybody is Somebody.’

“But at this strategic inflection we also have to think about affordability, how we look at the cost of instruction and rate both well-performing programs and programs that need to exist for purposes outside of just the margin. So, it brings a definite perspective to the business concept of higher education.”

During the Bloomberg Businessweek interview, Lemelle discussed the importance of building a healthier financial ecosystem for the university through strategic partnerships, disciplined investment, and a clear focus on long-term sustainability. He also emphasized the role of higher education in advancing economic mobility and preparing students to compete in a rapidly changing workforce.

As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, Lemelle addressed the importance of ensuring students are prepared not only to use new tools, but to lead, communicate, think critically, and create value in evolving professional environments.

The interview also provided an opportunity to elevate Grambling State’s broader story as the university celebrates 125 years of educational excellence, cultural influence, and service. Founded in 1901, Grambling State has built a national legacy rooted in academic achievement, leadership development, athletics, music, innovation, and community impact.

That recent historic milestone during GSU’s fifth annual 1901 Day of Giving that raised $1,251,715 from 859 investors nationwide surpassed the university’s $750,000 goal and marked the most successful giving day in the institution’s history.

This year’s campaign carried special significance as the university celebrated a multiversary moment—125 years of institutional excellence, 100 years of Tiger Athletics and 100 years of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band.

The convergence of those milestones created a meaningful opportunity for the Grambling State University community and its supporters to invest in both the legacy and future of the institution.

“I’m happy to lead an institution that has one of the healthiest balance sheets in the country,” Lemelle said.

“When we think about Grambling State University going forward, and our mission as a HBCU, we want to deliver on our value proposition, which starts with a first-class education and is grounded in a perspective that allows students to achieve ultimate social and economic mobility,” he said.

“We serve students who are often Pell (Grant) eligible, but when they leave Grambling State University, they’re going into the workforce, they’re going into graduation school, and they’re seeing generational wealth creation, and that’s a part of the Grambling (State) promise.”

Lemelle’s appearance on Bloomberg Businessweek underscores Grambling State’s growing presence in national conversations about the future of higher education, HBCU leadership, philanthropy, innovation, and workforce development.

As Grambling State marks its 125th anniversary, the university continues to build on its legacy while pursuing strategies that strengthen financial sustainability, expand opportunities, and prepare students for the future of work.

Ruston Police arrested a woman last week following a reported disturbance at a residence on Rosalie Drive, according to an officer’s report.

Marricka Francis, 25, of Ruston, was arrested after officers responded to the call at about 9:25 a.m. May 30.

According to the report, Francis told police she was at the residence to apologize for her behavior from the previous night.

A man at the residence said he and Francis had previously been involved in a romantic relationship and shared a child together. He told police Francis entered the residence while he was in bed sleeping and began yelling at him. He stated he went outside to get away from Francis, but she followed him outside, and the two became involved in a verbal altercation.

The man said Francis punched him twice in the face with closed fists. Officers observed a red scratch on the side of his face and a bloody scratch near his right eye. The report states the man said he did not want Francis inside the residence and that Francis did not have permission to enter.

Police transported Francis to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center to be booked for domestic abuse battery and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

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.

It’s summer time, and that means it’s time for summer camp! For many children living with chronic illnesses or physical disabilities, the traditional summer camp experience can feel out of reach. Specialized equipment, medical needs, and physical barriers often stand in the way.

And that’s why there is MedCamps of Louisiana!

MedCamps is on a mission to improve the health and wellness of people living with chronic illnesses, and disabilities through unique recreational and educational camping experiences. We believe that all people, regardless of medical or special needs, deserve to experience life to the fullest and that camping is an American tradition which epitomizes normalcy and provides participants with a sense of well-being, belonging, accomplishment, and self-worth. In light of these beliefs, our mission is to provide at no charge a medically supervised residential camping experience that supports growth in the physical, social, and emotional aspects of the life of a young person with special needs by developing normalcy, confidence, and independence within each participant.

This week officially kicked off our summer as we welcomed over 30 campers to Camp Alabama for Camp Kandoo. Camp Kandoo is a week long residential camp for children ages 6-11 who are living with cognitive disabilities. Campers checked in on Sunday afternoon, and they will head home on Friday morning after a week jam-packed with activities and fun!

When you think summer camp, you think arts and crafts, canoeing, archery, fishing, and swimming. Our campers get to do all of those activities plus more in a friendly, inclusive environment. Our counselors go through a week of intensive, hands-on training, and they help foster independence and ensure our campers have the absolute best week ever! Our campers get to zip line through the trees, show off their talents and vocal prowess at our Talent & Karaoke show, play an intense game of kickball, and ride horses thanks to the amazing staff at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center.

At MedCamps, our campers get fresh fruits and veggies with all their meals, and every camper gets as much food as they would like. Chicken strips are a favorite meal of our campers and staff, and last year, we went through 50 pounds of chicken strips in one dinner service! Our food budget for the summer is $71,000, and to offset some of that cost we offer meal sponsorships. Your community group, team, business, or organization also has the opportunity to serve the meal you sponsor, but service isn’t required. To sign up to sponsor a meal, visit tinyurl.com/MCMeals26 or email Info@MedCamps.org for more info.

At MedCamps, we believe that every child deserves the chance to experience summer camp, regardless of their medical condition or financial situation. That is why every single camp session is provided 100% free of charge to campers and their families. Because we do not charge tuition or hidden fees, MedCamps relies entirely on a powerful network of community support and the generosity of our donors to keep our cabins open, our staff equipped, and our activities accessible. If you would like to learn more about our Adopt-A-Camper program or other ways you can financially support MedCamps, please visit MedCamps.org for more info.

Special to the LPJ

RUSTON, La. — Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana will host its tenth annual Holiday Basketball Camp on Saturday, June 13, from 9 AM – 1 PM at the Louisiana Tech Lambright Intramural Center. This free event is open to kids ages 6-12 with any experience level, or none at all!

Hundreds of campers will get hands-on experience learning the fundamentals of basketball, running drills, and get to talk with NBA Champion Justin Holiday about his experience as a Club kid, his life journey, and his faith. Parents and guardians are also invited to meet with Justin’s parents, Toya and Shawn, to hear about their parenting journey and faith at 12 PM in the Lambright meeting room.

“Yes, our campers have tons of fun and learn a lot about the game, but they also get a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk with a true leader who’s encouraging, honest and so much more than just an NBA champion,” said Janet Wilson, Director of Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana. “Justin is so incredibly humble and his story is one of resilience and hard work. He really tries to impart to these kids that they can reach great heights, no matter what setbacks they might face.”

Register your camper here: https://www.bgcofnl.org/hbc

Sponsor a camper here: https://www.bgcofnl.org/hbcsponsor

• We are going to be “wronged” at some point
• There may be some repeated actions that cause continued problems
• Many of us may question the benefits of forgiveness
• Jesus states that there are no limits to forgiveness

• Live a joy-filled life, not one rooted in bitterness
• Focus on the future, not the past
• Restoring relationships, not fracturing friendships
• Choose victory over circumstances, rather than become a victim of them
• Focus our thoughts on positive growth, not negative vengeance

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.

Wednesday, June 3 – Clue #3:

Don’t think too hard, it’s just a game.

To tell you the truth, it’s all in the name.

Use your brain you hold the power.

The festival is closer by the hour.

Tuesday, June 2 – Clue #2:

Grab this year’s shirt to up the winnings, where it’s hidden you can’t watch innings.

The trick, you see, to find the prize, is east and west, so open your eyes.

Monday, June 1 – Clue #1:

Up or down? Left or right?

We know this clue can cause some spite.

The rules of the game are strong and steady.

Clues presented by RightFiber.

Stay on public property, go on, we are ready.

Louisiana legislation aimed at reducing litter and protecting the state’s natural beauty has officially become law as Act 196, which prohibits the intentional release of balloons outdoors.

The measure became law without the governor’s signature and classifies intentional balloon releases as littering under Louisiana law.

Under Act 196, individuals who intentionally release balloons or organize events involving the planned release of 12 or more balloons can face penalties under the state’s anti-littering statutes.

The law includes exemptions for unintentional releases, indoor balloon releases, biodegradable balloons, scientific and meteorological uses, amateur radio tracking balloons and recovered hot air balloons.

Billy Nungesser, who supported the legislation, called the measure another important step in Louisiana’s ongoing effort to combat litter.

“Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise is defined by our beautiful waterways, parks, wildlife and outdoor spaces, and we all share a responsibility to protect them,” Nungesser said. “Released balloons do not simply disappear. They often end up as litter in our communities, bayous, lakes and along our coast, harming wildlife and livestock and creating unnecessary pollution.”

Nungesser also thanked John Illg Jr. for authoring the legislation and helping guide it through the legislative process.

“As a member of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Foundation Board of Directors, Representative Illg has been a strong advocate for reducing litter and preserving the beauty of our state,” Nungesser said.

State officials said the new law aligns with broader anti-litter initiatives, including Love the Boot Week and Love Our Waterways, which focus on cleanup efforts, public awareness campaigns and community partnerships aimed at protecting Louisiana’s natural resources.

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Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Thursday, June 4
Louisiana Peach Festival events
10 a.m.: Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum at Lincoln Parish Library
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
2 p.m.: Tween Time : Mad Libs with Hector Vargas (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Teen Time :  DIY Terrariums (Lincoln Parish Library)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal provided by Trinity Methodist Church Game Changers and volunteers in collaboration with 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be held at Ruston Housing Authority office at 615 N. Farmerville 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)

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Friday, June 5
Louisiana Peach Festival events
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.
6 p.m.: Peach Festival Parade

Saturday, June 6
Louisiana Peach Festival events
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: Pi Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi annual Community Fan Drive (Zion Travelers Event Center, 1201 Martin L. King Dr., Ruston)
12-5 p.m.: Video Game Meetup hosted by Ruston Fighting Gaming Community (Lincoln Parish Library)

Monday, June 8
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
4 p.m.: Storytime : Insects (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
6 p.m.: AI for Real Life (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, June 9
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
10 a.m.: Storytime : Insects (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
10 a.m.: Summer movie series: Bolt (Dixie Theatre)
2 p.m.: Crafternoon : Bowl Ladybugs (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Teen Time :  Popsicle Stick Wall Art (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)

Wednesday, June 10
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)
2 p.m.: Author/Musician Rickey Pittman performance (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

Thursday, June 11
9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
2 p.m.: Tween Time : LSU Ag Center Smoothie Bike (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Teen Time :  LSU Ag Center Smoothie Bike (Lincoln Parish Library)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal provided by Chick-fil-A and 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at Simsboro Grace Methodist Church, Highway 80 in Simsboro. 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)

Friday, June 12
9:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Ruston Parks Inclusive Play Communication Boards (2800 Kavanaugh Rd., Ruston)
2 p.m.: American Chemical Society 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.
6 p.m.: Juneteenth Pageant (TH Harris Auditorium, Reed St., Grambling)

Saturday, June 13
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
Noon: Historic Landmark unveiling (City Park Pavilion, 119 Park St., Grambling)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

LA Tech soccer head coach Matt Lodge has announced the official signing of midfielder/center back Alethea Levy out of Wagga Wagga, Australia.

The Bulldogs’ newest signee is a part of the 2026 high school signing class, having just graduated from Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney. Levy brings in plentiful experience at both the club and high school levels that will make an exceptional addition to Lodge’s roster this upcoming fall.

“Alethea is a great addition to our program,” Lodge said. “She has a high IQ, is very athletic and can play in midfield or anywhere at the back. She is playing at a high level in Australia, so we are excited to have her transition her experience to our group this fall.”

Levy has most recently spent time playing at a high level with the Gladesville Ravens on the U23 Senior Squad of their National Premier League. Across her club career, she has played a role in six championships and six runner ups since 2023.

During the 2025 season with the Ravens, she started in all 28 games, registering four goals and nine assists through nearly 2,500 minutes on the pitch. In her career at Pymble, she received both the Team of the Year Award and Strive and Succeed Award in 2024 and 2025.

Along with soccer, she has also participated in futsal-a faster-paced and more condensed version of traditional soccer in a 5v5 format. Levy also competed in water polo, cross country and swimming.

Born January 18, 2008 in Canberra, Australia, she is the daughter of Kylie Thomas and Cole Levy. She was team captain and house captain in 2025, spirit captain in 2024 and a member of the Boarding Representative Council in 2023.

Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Fans and alumni are encouraged to submit nominations for the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame as the University is set to induct another class in the fall of 2026.

The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be announced at a later date and enshrined during a home football weekend in the fall.

The Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame currently includes 128 members, a list that can be viewed at LATechSports.com by clicking on the LA Tech Hall of Fame link located under the INSIDE ATHLETICS menu bar. The nomination form can also be found on that same web page (HERE) or requested by emailing Senior Associate A.D. for External Affairs/Chief Brand Officer Kyle Kavanaugh at kylek@latech.edu.

Anyone interested in knowing if a nominee is already on the Hall of Fame nominee list from previous years contact Kyle Kavanaugh.

For an individual to be eligible for consideration, they must meet the following criteria.

Athletes must have distinguished themselves through outstanding individual achievements at Louisiana Tech and/or distinguished themselves after college through professional career, outstanding community, civic or University service. A former student-athlete shall be first eligible for selection five full academic years after completing his/her eligibility at LA Tech.

Athletic staff and University officials who have made significant contributions to the athletic department either in an official capacity or in a volunteer service, displayed unwavering loyalty to LA Tech athletics and contributed significantly to the advancement of athletics at the University. There is no prescribed waiting period for these individuals.

LA Tech last held an induction ceremony in the fall of 2025 with the inductees including Ronnie Alexander (Football), Randy Crouch (Football), Billy Ryckman (Football), Ray Germany (Men’s Basketball), Wayne Smith (Men’s Basketball), Cheryl Ford (Women’s Basketball), Gary Stanley (Track & Field/Cross Country Coach), and Sam Wilkinson (Athletic Trainer).

David Frank Fowler was born on September 5, 1942, in Hico, Louisiana, and passed away at his home in Hico on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

David is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carole Spigener Fowler and son David Andrew Fowler; sister-in-law Jeannette Robinson; nephew, Dick Logan and wife Lynne and their daughter, Anna; niece, Shannon Liston and husband Derek and their children, Cole, Kate, and Alex; niece, Julie Fowler; as well as numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Osie and Lura Fowler; brothers Jack and Joe; nephew, Michael; and sister-in-law Mary Ann.

David worked at Claiborne Gasoline Plant and was a broiler farmer for 40+ years; he was a volunteer for Hico Water System for many years and was on the board for the Harmony Chapel Cemetery until his death.

He loved to travel, especially to the Air Sow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.   Until he was unable to drive, he never missed a month to go the flea market in Canton, Texas.   He made many friends over the years on his travels.

David was a true and loyal friend and was always there to lend a helping hand or help repair something, especially for his fellow broiler farmers.

Visitation will be held at Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church in Hico, Louisiana, from 10:00 till 11:00 AM on Friday, June 5, 2026, with the service following at 11:00 AM.  Officiating will be Bro. Ronnie Dies and Bro. Ricky Houck.   Interment will follow the service at Harmony Chapel Cemetery.  

Pallbearers will be Tommy Frederick, Larry Barnette, Daryl Sullivan, Russell Barfield, Shawn Griffith, Dick Logan and Derek Liston.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jay Deason, Gene Foster, and Loyd Colvin.

Special thanks to neighbors Daryl and Wanda Sullivan; Daryl’s devotion and friendship for David especially after he started having trouble with dementia, he still took him riding just about every afternoon and it was the high point of David’s day, and Wanda for her compassion, help, and advice through this time. 

The family wants to thank Premier Hospice for the wonderful care David received in his last days.

Planned memorials may be made to Harmony Chapel Cemetery Association, Maintenance Fund, c/o Gene Foster, 2135 Highway 545, Dubach, LA  71235

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Thomas Leachman 
Saturday 12/19/1942 — Friday 05/08/2026  
Memorial Service: Saturday 06/06/2026 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Private Burial 

Wednesday, June 3 – Clue #3:

Don’t think too hard, it’s just a game.

To tell you the truth, it’s all in the name.

Use your brain you hold the power.

The festival is closer by the hour.

Tuesday, June 2 – Clue #2:

Grab this year’s shirt to up the winnings, where it’s hidden you can’t watch innings.

The trick, you see, to find the prize, is east and west, so open your eyes.

Monday, June 1 – Clue #1:

Up or down? Left or right?

We know this clue can cause some spite.

The rules of the game are strong and steady.

Clues presented by RightFiber.

Stay on public property, go on, we are ready.