By Kyle Roberts

Parents heading to Ruston Junior High School this year will find a new carline route, a new entrance and, school officials hope, a little more patience behind the wheel.

With bridge work and Buc-ee’s construction narrowing roads across Ruston, Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent John Young said the junior high is the district’s biggest pressure point for morning drop-off and afternoon pickup.

“I hope everybody can be a little bit more patient with everybody else right now,” Young said. “We’re in it for the long haul.”

Construction has reduced the Interstate 20 service road in front of the school to a single lane with no shoulder, Young said, leaving the district one workable option — routing the carline through Tarbutton Road as opposed to Woodward Ave.

“There is not a shoulder for those cars to get off on,” Young said of Woodward. “If that backs up in our car line, an emergency vehicle may not be able to get through. It just chokes traffic.”

Drivers should now approach the school from Tarbutton Road, either from the north by way of Kentucky, or by crossing the Exit 83 bridge from the south. The entrance behind and to the east of the Lincoln Parish STEM Center is closed, which is the Woodward Avenue entrance families have used in the mornings for years.

Red “CARLINE” signs will guide drivers from Tarbutton Road onto the school access road, according to procedures the school distributed to parents. All vehicles then turn left into the semicircle carline, drop off students only in the designated area, and turn right back onto the access road to exit.

Three district employees will direct traffic, Young said. Ruston police will assist when officers are available, and the signal at the carline intersection may be switched to a blinking red light at the department’s discretion. The same route applies to both drop-off and pickup.

Bell times also shift about five minutes later this year. The carline opens and the earliest buses arrive at 7:30 a.m., instruction begins at 8 a.m., and dismissal is 3:27 p.m.

Young said the arrangement is for the foreseeable future.

“With the construction in front of us, this is how we’ll operate,” Young said. “I would say until we can get two lanes of traffic on the service road.”

At Ruston High, the biggest adjustment is for drivers accustomed to turning left on the service road near Starbucks to head back east. Lincoln Parish Transportation Supervisor Doc Hoefler said district buses will avoid that corridor altogether.

“For buses, we’re going to avoid going in that area going to and from Ruston Junior High to Ruston High,” Hoefler said. “Once we’ve dropped off the kids, we’re going to end up going a different way, going to Alabama to get to each school.”

Buses leaving Ruston High will turn left onto Bearcat Drive, heading west, then turn right and work back to Alabama behind the intramural fields. Hoefler said he has asked drivers to avoid the Cooktown bridge where possible, though about eight buses cannot — five special education buses and three regular routes.

Young urged parents to consider the same detour rather than the route that looks shorter on a map.

Glen View Elementary’s carline procedures are unchanged, Young said, but the road leading to it is tighter. One lane has been removed and the former turn lane — the one drivers used to reach Hobby Lobby and Dairy Queen — is now a travel lane, with the single-lane stretch running to Bittersweet.

Across all three schools, Young said he gave the same message to bus drivers at a professional development session and to parents across the parish: build in extra time and extend some grace.

“Our students are our most precious cargo,” Young said. “Law enforcement asked me to reiterate that you need to leave home a little bit earlier than what you normally have, even if it’s five or 10 minutes earlier.”

He encouraged families with bus riders to use the bus locator on the Lincoln Parish Schools app, which shows a bus’s location close to real time.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development posts construction updates on its Facebook page. Young said a DOTD flyer released last week listed late 2029 as the estimated completion date for the Cooktown bridge construction, though Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker recently said it could be in 2028.

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by Wesley Harris

Ruston’s new Fire Station No. 2 at 1609 West California Avenue is nearing completion after city officials conducted a final walk-through of the facility this week.

Mayor Ronny Walker said only a few items remain, including the arrival of furniture, and the city expects to announce an opening date soon.

The new facility will replace an obsolete station built in 1949 at 1010 West California that is too small to accommodate modern fire trucks. The old station has only one bay, leaving no room for multiple fire trucks or an ambulance.

The new facility of 10,000 square feet was built with $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, often referred to as “COVID money.”

The new station will include ambulance service. Currently, ambulances responding to southwest Ruston come from the main station on East Georgia Avenue.

Walker said the number of firefighters assigned to the station will be determined by the fire chief but six or seven bunks are available for personnel.

Alderman Bruce Siegmund said the station should provide quicker emergency response, place an ambulance closer to the surrounding neighborhood, and potentially help with fire insurance rates.

“It’s nothing but a win,” Siegmund said.

The new station will be dedicated in honor of the late Fire Chief Chris Womack who passed away November 18, 2025 following a battle with cancer. Womack began his career with the Ruston Fire Department in the early 1990s and steadily worked his way up the ladder, ultimately holding the position of Fire Chief for more than a decade.

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.

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A Simsboro woman was arrested Aug. 9 on five traffic-related counts, including driving under suspension and failing to restrain a child, after a Lincoln Parish sheriff’s deputy stopped her vehicle on Gahagan Road.

According to the affidavit, a deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on U.S. 80 west of Simsboro and ran its license plate, which came back uninsured. The vehicle turned south onto Gahagan Road, where the deputy reported seeing it cross the center line dividing the north and south travel lanes multiple times.

The deputy activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle at Gahagan Road and LA 3005. While speaking with the driver, identified as Shilo Rea Crane, 55, he observed an unrestrained child of about 2 years old in the vehicle.

A check of Crane’s identification through Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatch showed a failure-to-appear warrant issued through the Ruston Police Department for driving under suspension and that her license remained suspended. She was taken into custody and advised of her rights.

Crane was booked on charges of driving under suspension, no insurance, a second count of driving under suspension, child restraint required and improper lane usage.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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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.

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By T. Scott Boatright

Grambling City Councilman Jerry Lewis has decades of service as a Lincoln Parish firefighter.

And now Lewis is using that experience to work with the Grambling Fire Department to try and upgrade and move up from the Class 8 Property Insurance Association’s (PIAL) fire rating, which puts the city near the borrow of state ratings.

PIAL’s rating scales from 1-10, with 1 being the best grade a city can earn.

That rating is based on grades for a municipality’s fire department operations, which make up 50% of the overall rating, water supply (40%) and communications (10%).

Better (lower) scores reflect lower risk and can help property owners qualify for reduced fire insurance premiums. PIAL does reviews and issues fire ratings every five years. 

Lewis, who served as a city of Ruston firefighter for more than 33 years, said during last week’s Grambling City Council meeting that improving the city’s communication system, including providing every GFD firefighter and vehicle with a new radio would be a crucial first step.

“We’re working on getting a new system that would allow our fire department and firefighters to talk with others — the Lincoln Parish Fire Department, Ruston Fire Department and any other firefighting organization that can be on the same system and frequency no matter how far away.” 

Currently Grambling’s Fire Department is dispatched through the Grambling Police Department.

“Right now our fire department personnel  can’t talk to anyone but ourselves and the Grambling Police Department,” Lewis said. “We need to upgrade that to be able to talk to every department in the parish and even beyond.You never know what might happen where the Grambling Fire Department might face a situation that it simply can’t handle on its own. Other departments are able to communicate with each other. We need to be able to do that, too.”

The Grambling Fire Department has over the past year or two added a new ladder truck donated by the city of Baton Rouge, added more firefighters working to increase certification levels and added more equipment.

Grambling has also been working to upgrade its water system, with new water lines and adding valves which it didn’t have previously to the entire city’s supply system.

“That’s important because of water pressure,” Lewis said. “Being able to shut off some surrounding water supplies by using the valves that are being added means more water pressure to areas where that is needed during fires.

“And all of those continuing improvements will help us hopefully get a better PIAL rating when a new review is done next year. What I really hope to do is chip away at it and move up three points every review. I think that can be done. If we can get down to a six next year, that would be a good start. Then, if we could get down to a 3 or 4 PIAL rating after the next review, then that will be major progress in less than a decade.

After being priorly designated with a 6 PIAL rating, that score dropped to Class 7 after the city’s 2017 review.

Then, due to what Lewis called a lack of training, inadequate equipment and missing paperwork, which were all mentioned in the 2017 PIAL review, the city of Grambling’s score fell to the current Class 8 rating after the city’s 2022 review.

The fact that the city has been without a true fire chief since 2021 when former Chief Patrick Conley resigned after being arrested for domestic violence hasn’t helped the situation.

Conley was convicted in 2022 on charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sexual battery and a count of domestic abuse with child endangerment. He was sentenced to 95 years in prison at hard labor with the benefit of parole. After Comley appealed that decision, the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed all of Conley’s original convictions and sentences.

Several potential fire chief candidates have been talked to in recent years about potentially taking over following Conley’s resignation but Grambling has remained without a true fire chief since.

Alexio Williams-Hargrove has worked for the Grambling Fire Department since 2020 and has served as a de facto GFD leader of sorts under Grambling Police Chief Tommy Clark’s supervision and Lewis’ consultation.

“We’re training our chief inside,” Lewis said. “We’re getting there. (Hargrove-Williams) is getting his certifications. We’re not going to give him a chief position (at this point) because he’s not up to that level. Time in class and getting his certifications will bring him up to where he needs to be. He’s getting there.

“But, we’ve got three people coming up. Either one of the three will be able to do it once they get all their certifications.”

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Special to the LPJ

Experience Ruston (Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau) is pleased to announce Leah Freeman as the organization’s new Director of Marketing & Communications. Freeman officially joined the Experience Ruston team on August 10.

In her new role, Freeman will lead Experience Ruston’s marketing and communications efforts to strengthen the destination’s brand, inspire visitation, and showcase the people, places, and experiences that make Ruston and Lincoln Parish unique. She will oversee integrated marketing campaigns, public relations, digital content, social media, and other strategic communications initiatives supporting the organization’s mission and goals.

“Leah brings a great combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and genuine passion for our community to this position,” said Tori Davis, President & CEO of Experience Ruston. “She has a strong understanding of our destination and organization, and I’m excited to see her step into this leadership role during such a pivotal season of growth for Experience Ruston and Lincoln Parish as a whole.”

Freeman returns to Experience Ruston after previously serving as Marketing & Communications Assistant from 2023 to 2025. During her time with the organization, she developed digital advertising and email marketing campaigns, expanded the brand’s social media presence, and managed content for both Experience Ruston and the Louisiana Peach Festival.

Most recently, Freeman served as Marketing Assistant for Infrastructure Rehabilitation USA, Inc., where she gained additional experience in B2B marketing, brand management, website development, email marketing, client research, and strategic communications.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to Experience Ruston and to promote such a unique community that means so much to me,” said Freeman. “I’m excited to combine my experience in destination marketing with the skills and perspective I’ve gained over the past year to help tell Ruston and Lincoln Parish’s story in new and impactful ways. I look forward to working alongside our incredibly talented team and amazing community partners to continue growing our destination and creating meaningful connections with visitors.”

Freeman holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a concentration in Sports Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University. While at Louisiana Tech, she also served in several leadership roles with the University’s Union Board, including executive officer and publicity head.

About Experience Ruston
Experience Ruston (Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau) is a destination marketing organization that works to create, preserve, and enhance a variety of quality visitor experiences through the promotion of Lincoln Parish. Through strategic marketing, partnerships, and event development, Experience Ruston supports tourism, economic growth, and community engagement throughout the region. For more information, visit experienceruston.com.

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A Ruston man was arrested Sunday evening on a second-offense DUI charge after a minor crash at Martin Luther King Drive and South Farmerville Street, according to Ruston Police.

Anthony Tyrone Hall, 48, was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on counts of DUI second offense, failure to yield while turning left at an intersection, having an open container and having no proof of insurance in the vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the intersection about 6:10 p.m. in reference to a two-vehicle crash with no reported injuries. The officer made contact with Hall, who was driving a red Honda Accord, and reported detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage.

Hall was unsteady on his feet and swaying while standing still, had bloodshot and glassy eyes and had slurred and stuttering speech. Also, he could not produce valid proof of insurance.

Hall said he was traveling south on South Farmerville Street and turned left onto Martin Luther King Drive on a green left-turn arrow. The driver of the other vehicle said she was traveling north on South Farmerville Street and continuing straight through the intersection on a solid green signal. A passenger in her vehicle gave the same account.

The officer reported finding an open beer in the center console cup holder of Hall’s vehicle. Hall performed poorly on field sobriety tests and later submitted a breath sample that registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.135 percent.

Bond was set at $2,500 on the DUI count, with release on his own recognizance on the three remaining 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.

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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.

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By Doug Ireland, Journal Sports

MEMPHIS – It was a rather big surprise that Sam Burns played in the British Open, and even more surprising, he nearly won it.

Four weeks later, a lot of golf experts are picking him to win this week in his return to the PGA Tour at the FedEx St. Jude Championship beginning today at TPC Southwind, in a field of the 69 most successful players this season.

Burns hasn’t played since his third-place finish in The Open Championship. He teed it up at Royal Birkdale 11 days after wife Caroline gave birth to the couple’s second child, and she encouraged him to travel to England for the final major championship of 2026.

That came on the heels of what everybody, including Burns, thought was his last major of the year, the U.S. Open, where he was runner-up after burning the right edge of the cup on a missed 22-footer for a tying birdie on the last hole.

Burns has five career Tour victories, but none since 2023. His performance this spring and summer have analysts, combined with his history at TPC Woodlands, have analysts listing him as either the top pick to win, or among the top 5-6 contenders.

‘With a pair of top-five finishes at TPC Southwind and three Top 5s across his past five events to go along with a sterling statistical profile, Burns is set to take a run at winning again this week,” wrote Neil Painter of Covers.com, shared by YahooSports.com.

“We need a golfer who knows this golf course. We need a golfer who can putt. We need a golfer who can embrace hot conditions. Burns? Well, he fits all three asks,” offered Thomas Carelli of Draft Kings, picking the Choudrant resident to win.

From Pat Mayo of Underdog, as carried by Golf Digest: “He enters having gained off the tee and on approach in five straight starts, with three top-five finishes and no result worse than T-20.”

Also in the same Golf Digest preview, Keith Steward of Read the Line said, “If there was ever a venue built for Sam Burns’ 2026 season, TPC Southwind is the place. A fantastic Southern scorer, Burns has five career PGA Tour wins south of Fort Worth. Bermuda Burns is back, and the combination of his excellent iron play, driver acumen and tour-leading putting, Sam is poised to take home title No. 6.”

Add in a couple of GolfWeek writers picking the recently-turned 30-year-old, and lots of eyes (and wagers) will be on Burns as he tees off at 12:35 today, partnered with Xander Schauffele.

CBS, Golf Channel and ESPN will provide TV coverage. Golf Channel will keep track of Burns’ round today, while with Friday’s 9:25 tee time, coverage will start on ESPN, shift to ESPN+ then wrap up on Golf Channel starting at 1.

There’s a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million for the winner.  It begins a three week series culminating in the Tour Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Country Club.

Burns has collected $7.6 million in 17 starts this season and has contended on the final day of The Masters, The Memorial, the U.S. Open and the British Open. He has five top 10s and 10 top 25s.

The Shreveport native and former two-time LSU All-American stands fourth in U.S. President’s Cup rankings and is eighth on the FedEx Cup points list.

In the British Open’s second round, Burns tied the lowest score ever posted in a major championship, shooting a 62, and followed that with a 65.

He enters the week 11^th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

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.

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It’s that time of year again.  School is about to start, and thoughts are turning to fall.  I can remember the excitement around the first day of school, both as a student and a parent.  There is also the excitement around the opening day of baseball season, the first kickoff of football season, or many other “firsts” in life.

There is something about those “firsts” that bring excitement, optimism, and hope.  We look forward to a fresh start, a chance to start with a clean slate, and an opportunity to do things differently this time.  We are filled with positive thoughts about what could happen.

Firsts are great, and I enjoy them as much as anyone.  The issue is what do we do after the “first.”   So many of us, including me, have great intentions.  We talk about what we want to accomplish, experience, and impact.  We so look forward to the “first” with so many plans.

However, for many of us, those intentions are never acted upon.  The excitement of the “first” fades quickly on day two and beyond.  The intentions on day one begin to diminish as the grind begins.  We get caught up in the busyness of life, and things settle into a norm with nothing being different.

Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom God does not consist in talk but in power”.

That verse doesn’t mean that words don’t matter, but rather that talking about our intentions is meaningless unless we act.

Whether you are a Bible reader or not, there is a great message in that statement.

Intentions don’t impact lives, improve workplaces, advance communities, or benefit people. Actions impact, improve, advance, and benefit.  Actions change lives, improve futures, and bless people.  The key is to act on those intentions.

While every day can’t be the first day of school, it can be a day filled with optimism and hope.  If we start keeping our commitments and acting on those intentions, every day can be a PLUS (positive) day. 

While every game can’t be opening day or the first kickoff of the season, every game can be exciting and filled with optimism and hope if we continue to act on our intentions and commitments. 

Don’t wait for the perfect conditions or the ideal time to take that first step.  Don’t wait until you feel comfortable in the moment.  Those moments may never happen.  Be a person of action, not of idle talk.  We live impactful, fulfilling lives when we act on those intentions. 

Whether it’s a “first” for you or just the continuation of many days, when the sun comes up, you have a choice.  You can treat that day like the first day of a new opportunity for you.  Every day can be a new “first” in a sense. 

Act on those intentions and approach every day with the optimism and excitement of a “first” for you.

Doug equips leaders to make organizations better.  He has two leadership books available on all online platforms.  Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at  doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.

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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.

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Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

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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, Aug. 13
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; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richartd Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi Class (Events Center)

Friday, Aug. 14
Lincoln Parish school starts

Saturday, Aug. 15
8 a.m.: Liberty Ruck and 5K (418 Dan Reneau Drive near the Engineering Building, Ruston)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market

Monday, Aug. 17
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting (Ruston City Hall)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, Aug. 18
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise Class (Events Center)

Wednesday, Aug. 19
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, Aug. 20
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richartd Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
5 p.m.: Library Board of Control Meeting (George Byrnside Conference Room)
5:30-8 p.m.: Ruston Art Ramble (Downtown Ruston)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Tai Chi Class (Events Center)
6:30 p.m.: Books & Bites Book Club (Roma Italian Bistro) Please call 318-513-5510 to register

Saturday, Aug. 22
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market

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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.

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Have you ever wanted to use prescribed fire on your property for wildlife or forest management? Join us for the Piney Hills Prescribed Burn Association’s 6th annual membership meeting!

DATE: August 25th, 2026

TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

LOCATION: Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, 161 Camp Rd, Ruston, LA 71270

Prescribed burning associations, or frequently called PBA’s, consist of landowners and other concerned citizens creating partnerships to conduct prescribed burns – Neighbors Helping Neighbors Getting Fire Back on the Ground.

Through the sharing of knowledge, equipment, time and experience, the Piney Hills PBA has been safely and effectively increasing burned acres in North-Central Louisiana since 2021. If you’re passionate about wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire risk or overall land management, this is for you.

The meeting is open to all current members and new folks looking to join or learn more. Annual dues are only $25, and please bring exact cash or check. We look forward to seeing you!

Paid Content

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RUSTON – Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has announced its full schedule of the upcoming 2026-27 season, celebrating 100 years of Dunkin’ Dog basketball.

The Bulldogs are set for 32 regular-season contests, 18 of which to be played at the Thomas Assembly Center. In their first year in the Sun Belt since 2001, the Dunkin’ Dogs will take on an 18-game conference schedule, splitting with nine home games and nine road games.

LA Tech opens the season with Kent State at home on November 2 in part of the MAC-SBC Challenge across the two conference’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. The Bulldogs then host Arkansas-Monticello (Nov. 5) before taking an in-state road trip to LSU (Nov. 9) and Nicholls (Nov. 14).

The ‘Dogs return home for a four-game slate, opening with former CUSA foe Jacksonville State on November 17. The week concludes with a clash with Tulane (Nov. 19) before closing out the homestand against Alcorn State (Nov. 24) and Texas State (Nov. 27).

The month of December opens with rematches on the road against the Bobcats in San Marcos, Texas (Dec. 2) and the Gamecocks in Jacksonville, Alabama (Dec. 6). Tech then returns home for a two-game homestand against Arkansas Baptist (Dec. 9) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 12) before facing Troy (Dec. 16) on the road in their Sun Belt opener.

The Sun Belt home opener features Appalachian State (Dec. 19) followed with a non-conference contest against Jackson State (Dec. 22) in the TAC. The 2026 calendar year concludes with a New Year’s Eve clash at Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina. The Bulldogs then travel to Norfolk, Virginia to close out the week against Old Dominion (Jan. 2).

Tech returns to the TAC to host James Madison (Jan. 7), Marshall (Jan. 9) and Arkansas State (Jan. 14) before traveling to Mobile, Ala. to take on South Alabama (Jan. 16). The ‘Dogs then play five games back in their home state, three of which are in Ruston. The slate features Troy (Jan. 21), at ULM (Jan. 23), Southern Miss (Jan. 28), South Alabama (Jan. 30) and at UL-Lafayette (Feb. 3).

The week concludes with Tech’s second contest of the MAC-SBC Challenge on the road against an opponent to be announced at a later date, tentatively scheduled for February 6. The Bulldogs return to SBC action at Southern Miss (Feb. 11) before concluding the regular season against ULM (Feb. 13), at Georgia Southern (Feb. 20), ULL at home (Feb. 24) and at Arkansas State (Feb. 26).

Floor season ticket holders will be contacted to renew, relocate, and add-on additional seats before those are made available to the public.

Season ticket holders who renew by Aug. 31 can take advantage of early bird pricing.

Early bird season ticket prices begin at:

• Lady Techsters: $124
• Bulldogs: $222
• Combo Package (Both Teams): $284

Following the Aug. 31 deadline, season ticket prices will increase.

Season ticket holders receive the best value while securing the same seats for every home game throughout the 2026-27 season. The complete schedules and additional game-day information will be announced at a later date.

To renew season tickets, fans can visit LATechSports.com/Tickets or call the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.

Planning a trip to Ruston this season? Book your hotel through GoTechTravel.com. Whether you’re visiting for Bulldog Volleyball or traveling for any occasion, you’ll receive the same great hotel rates while helping support Louisiana Tech student-athletes.

Broadcasts and game times will be released at a later date.

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LPJ Sports Report

RUSTON — Louisiana Tech soccer opens its 2026 season Thursday night, hosting Nicholls at Robert Mack Caruthers Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the match streaming on ESPN+.

The Bulldogs enter the year under first-year head coach Matt Lodge, who compiled a 70-55-21 record over eight seasons at Murray State before taking over in Ruston.

Thursday’s match is the 10th all-time meeting between the programs, and Louisiana Tech has yet to lose one. The Bulldogs hold an 8-0-1 edge in the series, most recently playing Nicholls to a scoreless draw in Thibodaux in 2024. The last meeting in Ruston was considerably more lopsided, an 8-1 Tech win.

Sophomores Peyton Wiseman and Abby Hanton return as the Bulldogs’ only multi-goal scorers from a year ago. Wiseman led the team with six points on two goals and two assists and was one of three freshmen to log at least 1,200 minutes.

Senior Madison Pensom and junior Mary Helen Burford return as captains for 2026. Senior transfer Brielle Buchanan was also named a team captain before the start of the season.

Louisiana Tech finished 4-13-2 last season and 3-4-1 in its final year as a member of Conference USA. The Bulldogs went unbeaten in three of their last four regular-season matches before falling to No. 2 seed Liberty, 4-1, in the CUSA Championship quarterfinals.

Nicholls arrives under third-year head coach Kristy Helmers, who is 6-22-6 since taking over in Thibodaux ahead of the 2024 season. The Colonels went 4-9-5 overall last season and 1-5-4 in Southland Conference play.

Kaylie Harris is back as one of the Colonels’ top scorers after finding the net five times and adding an assist for 11 points, tied for the team lead. Mylea Riggle matched that total with four goals and a team-best three assists.

Goalkeeper Aislinn Wright also returns after starting all 18 matches in 2025. She made 94 saves and factored into three clean sheets, including one full 90-minute shutout.

Live stats will be available at LATechSports.com/stats.

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Tracy Glenn Calcote  
Friday 01/22/1971 — Monday 08/03/2026   
Visitation: Friday 08/14/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home  
Funeral Service: Saturday 08/15/2026 10:00am, Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ, 1405 South Farmerville Street, Ruston  
Interment: Friday 08/14/2026 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery, Ruston 

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By T. Scott Boatright

Lincoln Parish now knows who its new Hospital Service District No. 1 board members are after five people were appointed to that entity during Tuesday’s Lincoln Parish Police Jury August 2026 meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.

“The Jury’s been aware of what’s going on within our (new) hospital service district (concerning health care concerns within Lincoln Parish) and we now have a board that’s ready to move into place,” said LPPJ President Glenn Scriber. “So, now we’re ready to vote on that board tonight.

“Tonight’s agenda reads our next step is to consider and take action on the initial appointments to the Lincoln Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 Board, including designation of initial staggered terms of service as required by Louisiana Revised Statute 46:1053.”

The LPPJ then unanimously voted on the Lincoln Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 Board.

Appointed to two-year terms expiring Aug. 11, 2028, were LPPJ District 12 Juror Annette Straughter, who chairs the Police Jury’s Health and Welfare Committee, and local attorney, business owner and University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors member Steve Davison.

Appointed to four-year terms expiring Aug. 11, 2030, were Argent CEO Kyle McDonald and local physician Jackie White.

And appointed as the lone six-year term holder on the new Lincoln Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 Board was Guillot & Associates co-founder and senior adviser Jay Guillot.

“No doubt, this is a ‘dream team’ board,” said Scriber. “Each of these individuals have an unequivocal track record of success, and are eager to sacrifice their time on the most important issue facing our parish. I’m proud of each juror. They should be commended on a job well done.”

During last month’s LPPJ meeting, the Police Jury voted to create the Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 Board, with Logan Hunt, chair of the LPPJ’s Economic Development and Long-Range Planning Committee, saying the new hospital service district will help protect, strengthen and improve health care in Lincoln Parish.

“Creating the district gives Lincoln Parish a permanent framework to plan and act on the future of its healthcare system,” Hunt said. “Hospital service districts across Louisiana have tools and authorities provided under state law. Creating this district does not impose any new taxes or fees. Any future public funding proposal would be a separate decision and go through the appropriate public process.”

Following Tuesday’s election process, Guillot spoke of what he feels the new hospital service district will be aiming to accomplish.

“Keep in mind what this does for Lincoln Parish residents, this is really a culmination of the last several years where the residents, the Lincoln Health Foundation, the Police Jury and the city of Ruston funded a health care study,” Guillot said. “That health care study outlined the roadmap of how we get back to a hospital regional healthcare district to where we used to be within the last several decades ago.

“This is the next step in that process in that we have the roadmap, and now we have the public buy-in established with the hospital service district that can now operate as a public hospital district, which gives a lot more leverage to public funds of how you could potentially finance a new facility going forward. Think about this as the next, legit and excellent step to continue down the road of the plan to try and get the community a new facility and a much more quality position in healthcare service.”

Tied to that was passage of a request added to the agenda during the meeting for the LPPJ to hire legal counsel Ben Gaines, a certified health law specialist with the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and member of the Louisiana Health Law Advisory Commission, to help protect the Police Jury’s interest after the new Hospital Service District No. 1’s creation.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the LPPJ also set a public hearing for 6 p.m. Sept. 8, at the start of next month’s Police Jury meeting, for any questions or concerns about 2026 property taxes.

“That will be to listen to and discuss any public appeals for upcoming property taxes,” said Parish Administrator Courtney Hall. “The assessment list will be open to the public for inspection for 15 days from Aug. 17-Aug. 31. During this period taxpayers should check the values on their property. If there’s a disagreement and a taxpayer wishes to protest the value, the taxpayer must fill out a form called a Witness of Appeal for the Board of Review to set an appearance before the Board of Review.

“The Board of Review will determine if any changes should be made to the assessed value in question. If either the assessor or the taxpayer is not satisfied with the determination of the Board of Review, either may appeal to the Louisiana Tax Commission. The Tax Commission will consider any and all appeals that are timely filed in hearings that are open to the public.”

In other business, the LPPJ also scheduled a public hearing for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program at 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Housing Program Office located at 829 E. Georgia Ave. in Ruston for the purpose of discussing the missions, goals and objectives of the program and also authorized submission of a funding request through the Delta Regional Authority for a 2026 Community Infrastructure Fund relative to a greenspace drainage and renovation project.

The LPPJ also adopted an ordinance revoking Cypress Street, Unit 1, on the 1978 Village of Tremont plat for a road that was never built, turning that property over to Clark and Shannon Hall, who own all of the surrounding property, and adopted an ordinance setting speed limits on streets within the Creeks Edge Subdivision, a residential subdivision located just north of Ruston off U.S. Highway 821, at 25 mph.

Also approved were multiple actions on bids involving the parish Public Works Department, including acceptance of a bid of $251,324 from David Lawler Construction Inc. for a main replacement for the Mt. Zion Water System and acceptance of a $190,000 bid by Insulated Roofing Contractors for roof repairs at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

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by Wesley Harris

Long before backyard pools, splash pads, and air-conditioned homes became commonplace, the swimming pool at Memorial Park was the place every Ruston youngster wanted to be on a hot summer afternoon.

For generations of Ruston residents, Memorial Park was more than a city park. It was where children learned to swim and families gathered for picnics or playground fun.   The pool stood at the heart of the park as one of the city’s most beloved attractions—the perfect place to escape the relentless Louisiana heat on a sweltering summer afternoon.

Completed in 1931 for about $27,500, the pool represented a significant investment in public recreation during the depths of the Great Depression. With a capacity of nearly half a million gallons, it quickly became the centerpiece of summertime life in Ruston. Week after week, children crowded its deck for swimming lessons, teenagers gathered with friends, and families found an affordable way to spend long summer days together.

The pool complemented Memorial Park, itself a civic landmark dedicated as a memorial to those who gave their lives in war. Together, the park and pool transformed the area into Ruston’s primary recreation center, hosting picnics, ballgames, community celebrations, and creating treasured memories for generations.

Like virtually every public facility in the South during the 1930s, Ruston’s municipal swimming pool operated under the laws and customs of racial segregation. The pool served white residents only, while African Americans were excluded. It was not until 1966 that the City of Ruston opened a separate pool for black residents at what is now Duncan Park, at the corner of Vaughn Avenue and Arlington Street. The recreation complex there also included a small branch library, reflecting the era’s separate public facilities. By about 1970, Ruston’s public recreational facilities—including its parks, pools, and libraries—had been integrated, ending decades of officially segregated public services.

By the early 1940s, the pool had become known beyond Lincoln Parish.

In the fall of 1941, General George S. Patton’s famed 2nd Armored Division rolled into North Louisiana to participate in the Louisiana Maneuvers, one of the largest military training exercises in American history. While passing through Ruston, Patton’s soldiers welcomed the chance to cool off at the city pool in Memorial Park before returning to the field. For a brief time, one of Ruston’s favorite summertime destinations became a gathering place for soldiers preparing for a world at war.

That same year, the pool became the subject of an unusual lawsuit.

A nearby property owner sued the City of Ruston, claiming water discharged when the pool was drained had enlarged a natural drainage ditch and damaged his property. According to testimony, the city emptied the pool about once a week during the summer through a 14-inch outlet, releasing hundreds of thousands of gallons of water into the drainage system. City officials maintained they had received no previous complaints and argued the water simply followed an existing natural channel. The lawsuit revealed the engineering challenges associated with operating one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Despite occasional controversy, the city pool remained one of Ruston’s most cherished summertime destinations for decades. It was where generations of children learned to swim, earned Red Cross certificates, advanced through lifesaving classes, and eventually became lifeguards themselves.

Swimmers may remember two names synonymous with the pool. Coach L. J. “Hoss” Garrett, one of the most revered figures in local athletics, was a familiar sight seated on a bench just outside the bathhouse, where he supervised the pool’s lifeguards and managed the swimming program. Best known for his legendary coaching career and lasting influence on generations of Bearcat athletes, Garrett also helped make summer days at the pool both safe and enjoyable.

Another name fondly remembered is Nelda Johns, whose swimming lessons introduced generations of children to the water. Patient and encouraging, “Miss Nelda” taught hundreds—perhaps even thousands—of young Ruston residents the life-saving skill of swimming. Mrs. John’s lessons were free. In fact, there was hardly any charge for pool use—a two-week pass was $1. Only $5 was charged for a season pass for the summer.

Long after the pool closed, many adults could still trace their first strokes and newfound confidence in the water to lessons from Miss Nelda.

Overlooking the pool stood a small hexagonal building everyone simply called the “Round House.” Before Ruston built a formal recreation center, it served a variety of community purposes. Many remember taking ballet and tap lessons there from sisters Eloise and Glenda Matthews, while outside, children filled the playground’s merry-go-round, swings, slide, and other play equipment.

Ask longtime Ruston residents about the municipal pool, and they’ll likely remember far more than the water. They’ll recall stepping in the disinfectant foot bath before entering the bathhouse, climbing the towering high dive for the first time, racing down the slide, buying a peanut butter bar from the concession stand, stopping by Dairy Queen on the bicycle ride home, Coach Garrett watching from his bench, Miss Nelda’s swimming lessons, the Matthews sisters’ dance classes, and carefree afternoons with friends until the whistle signaled it was time to go home. Hours in the pool, plus the playground, and perhaps dance classes could fill a Saturday with pure joy

Eventually, time caught up with the aging structure. Years of use took their toll as the concrete foundation deteriorated and massive leaks developed. Cracks became increasingly difficult and expensive to repair, and maintaining the aging pool was no longer practical. The city eventually closed the facility, bringing an end to an era that had defined summers in Ruston for generations.

Today, the crystal clear water disappeared after the 2015 season. The property has been repurposed for a skateboard park where a new generation will gather.

The laughter that once echoed across Memorial Park survives in family photographs, newspaper stories, and the recollections of those who remember spending carefree summer days beside the cool blue water. Long before club and hotel pools, splash pads, and backyard swimming became commonplace, the  pool at Memorial Park was where Ruston came together, where friendships were formed, and where generations of children learned one of life’s most important summertime skills.

Sometimes the most enduring landmarks are remembered not because they still stand, but because so many lives passed through them. The municipal pool gave Ruston far more than a place to swim. It gave generations of children their first swimming lesson, their first leap from a high dive, lifelong friendships, and memories that have outlasted the pool itself. For thousands who grew up here, Memorial Park wasn’t simply where they spent their summers—it was where they grew up.

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By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — The tiles clicked across a table at The Depot Coffee Shop on Saturday morning as a mahjong game got underway, and Dusty Hampton kept one eye on the board while he explained what he and his wife, Heather, are trying to build in Ruston.

“This is a community board game day,” Hampton said. “It marks probably one year anniversary. I think we started in July last year, when we began to partner with the library, to honestly just try to build excitement and awareness and just kind of community enjoyment of board games.”

The Hamptons have hosted a weekly game night at their home for years, and the Saturday gatherings are their attempt to move that circle outward. The group plans to meet again in October. It does not yet have a name.

Hampton grew up on the games most households own — Monopoly, Scattergories, Pictionary. About seven or eight years ago, friends came over and brought a cooperative game, and he said it rearranged how he thought about the hobby.

“I grew up with an appreciation of board games, but that just flipped my whole entire world,” Hampton said. “Like, you mean there’s this kind of stuff out there? I didn’t know it existed.”

The timing was fortunate. Tabletop gaming boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Hamptons went all in — weekly game nights with friends, a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and a habit that now shapes their travel.

“When we book a vacation, we’ll book a place to stay, and before we even look at things to do, we’ll look up local board game shops so we know where we’re going to play,” Hampton said. “Like, it’s a priority.”

Friends began bringing friends, and the house games grew. Hampton said the community events grew out of a simple gap: for a city Ruston’s size, there is not much organized board gaming.

“It’s a great place to get out, meet new people, put your phones down, communicate, work together, find calm and enjoyment,” Hampton said.

The goal, he said, is to host something like this once a month, once every other month or at least once a quarter, rotating through different venues and partners. The longer-term vision is bigger — a board game convention in Ruston.

Right now, the Hamptons drive for theirs. They attended a convention in Lafayette this year, the Southern Board Game Festival in March, another in Tennessee in April and a Board Game Geek convention in the Dallas area in May.

“It’s three hours minimum to get to a big board game convention,” Hampton said. “So we’re like, man, if we could get this started here, do at least one or two all day, that would be awesome.”

Part of the effort is a collection that has gotten away from them in the best way. Hampton said the couple owns roughly 2,300 to 2,400 games and is weighing an application for the Guinness World Record for the largest board game collection, which Guinness lists at 1,531 games.

The complication is the fine print. Guinness defines a board game by pieces that move along a pre-printed surface according to a set of rules, which eliminates card games and a fair number of boxes on the Hamptons’ shelves.

“We’re having to go through our collection, open every box and determine, is this a pre-printed surface? Do you move pieces?” Hampton said. “It’s a process, man. It’s a process.”

Among Saturday’s players was Dustin Gulledge, who drove in from West Monroe. He has played mass-market games since childhood and hobby games for 10 or 12 years, and he has made the trip to several of the Ruston gatherings.

“It’s very relaxed, but a fun time — good people, some good games,” Gulledge said. “I get to try something new. No reason not to. It’s a good time. It’s very relaxed. It’s just in general a lot cheaper than a lot of things you could be doing. Everybody’s welcoming. Everybody’s pretty open. There’s no reason not to (come out).”

For anyone convinced they are not a board game person, Hampton has an answer ready.

“Board games, to me, are like books,” Hampton said. “If you don’t have one you’re in love with right now, I promise you there is one that you will find that you like. There is some version that you will absolutely love. It’s just giving them a shot.”

He said teaching new players is his favorite part and always makes sure there are games within a wide range of difficulty and skill level available.

“I can sit down and talk to you for four hours about these games, what they play like, give you some recommendations,” Hampton said. “That’s probably my favorite part, honestly.”

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A Ruston man is facing three felony charges after officers said they found suspected Tramadol pills and a handgun in a car he had been driving.

Laross Marshun Womack, 35, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Aug. 9 by the Ruston Police Department on East California Avenue.

Based on the affidavit, an officer on patrol about 1:38 p.m. at Garden Street and Eastland Avenue saw a 2024 black Kia Forte with dark window tint and a tinted license plate cover turn onto Garden Street. As the patrol unit turned around, the Kia accelerated and made a left turn onto East California Avenue.

The officer found Womack walking away from the car toward an apartment and made contact with him. Womack sat back down in the vehicle and turned his body in a way that made it difficult to see past the driver’s seat, the officer reported, adding that a large amount of banded cash was in the driver’s door.

Asked whether anything illegal was in the car, Womack replied, “I don’t think so.” Dispatch advised that he had two active Ruston City Court warrants, and he was placed in restraints and read his rights.

A K-9 deputy who responded to the scene later reported seeing a clear plastic bag of pills in the center console. Womack said the pills were Tramadol, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Officers searched the vehicle and collected about 20 to 30 suspected Tramadol pills, which a pill identifier confirmed on scene, along with a Glock handgun found in a bag on the passenger side.

Womack was charged with possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, illegal carrying of weapons and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also served with Ruston City Court warrants for flight from an officer and simple assault, with bond set at $3,000 on each.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Qualifying is over, and I am humbled and grateful to announce that I am unopposed for a fourth term as your District 1 Alderwoman.

To God be the glory for the things He has done.

I am truly honored by the opportunity to continue serving as the voice for District 1 and to be a part of the continued progress and success of our great City of Ruston.

I want to sincerely thank my family, constituents, friends, and supporters who have encouraged, stood beside, and placed their trust in me throughout this journey. Your support means more to me than I can adequately express.

I remain fully committed to serving District 1 with the same energy, dedication, and purpose that I have brought to this role. I am excited about what lies ahead for our district and our city.

Thank you again for your trust, support, and the opportunity to serve. I look forward to continuing the work and moving District 1 and the great City of Ruston forward.

Carloyn Elmore Cage, District 1 Alderwoman

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.

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A Ruston woman faces drug and impaired-driving charges after deputies stopped her at a Choudrant store Saturday morning and reported finding individually wrapped packages of suspected methamphetamine in her purse and her car.

Jacqueline Casey Wilson-Sanders, 41, was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on counts of driving under the influence, first offense; possession and distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and resisting an officer, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy in an unmarked unit saw a black Dodge Charger turn north onto Louisiana Highway 145 from Pleasant Grove Road about 8:14 a.m. and followed it. The car crossed the center line five times and ran the stop sign at Highway 145 and U.S. Highway 80 before turning west onto Highway 80 and pulling into a parking lot.

The deputy identified himself and called for a uniformed deputy. When she was told to walk to a patrol unit, she reached for her purse and turned away.

A K-9 ran around the car and alerted on the purse, which was on the trunk. A search of the purse turned up multiple individually wrapped packages of suspected methamphetamine. Deputies also reported finding a scale in the center console and an eyeglass case in the glove box holding a smoking pipe and numerous bags of suspected methamphetamine.

At the detention center, Wilson-Sanders refused field sobriety testing but agreed to a breath test, which registered 0.00% blood alcohol. Because deputies suspected other intoxicants, a Louisiana State Police drug recognition expert was called to evaluate her. Wilson-Sanders consented to a blood draw at Northern Louisiana Medical Center before being returned to the jail and being booked.

Bond was set at $1,500 on the DWI count and $2,500 on the possession and distribution count. She was released on her own recognizance on the paraphernalia and resisting 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. 

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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.

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