A Ruston man faces an aggravated flight charge after leading Ruston police on an early morning chase that reached 100 mph.
Michael W. Pierce, 65, of Ruston, was arrested Aug. 2 by the Ruston Police Department.
According to an arrest affidavit, officers responded to the area of Cartwright and East Mississippi avenues in reference to an earlier call. Dispatch advised that a man was leaving a residence on Cartwright.
An officer traveling south on Neal Street spotted a gray Ford Focus matching the description near East Mississippi Avenue and identified the driver as Pierce. Pierce turned onto Neal Street and drove north toward U.S. 80.
The officer turned around and activated his overhead lights. Pierce accelerated, turned left onto U.S. 80 toward Highway 33 and then turned right onto Highway 33 heading north, picking up speed. The officer activated his siren and reached 90 mph on Highway 33.
According to the officer’s report, Pierce approached a red light at the South Service Road at about 100 mph and nearly struck another vehicle turning left off the service road. He continued through the next intersection at the north service road at the same speed.
Pierce then slowed and turned right onto Celebrity Drive, took a quick left onto Illinois Avenue and continued at a high rate of speed. He looped around to Ohio Avenue, where a second officer blocked the road at Celebrity Drive. Pierce drove around the officers, turned back onto Illinois Avenue and pulled into a driveway on Illinois Avenue as the vehicle’s motor began smoking.
Pierce put the vehicle in park and stepped out. An officer exited his patrol unit with his duty weapon drawn and ordered Pierce to stop. Officers placed him in handcuffs and advised him of his rights, which he said he understood.
Pierce was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on counts of aggravated flight from an officer, running a stop sign, speeding, driving under suspension and no insurance. He was also booked on an outstanding warrant for driving under suspension.
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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Attorney Phillip Ellis of Ruston today announced his candidacy for the open position of judge for the Third Judicial District Court, Division B, which serves Lincoln and Union parishes.
Ellis said his decision to run for the judgeship was driven by his commitment to “serve the people of our parishes in a manner that makes our communities the kind of place they want to live and raise their families,” and the widespread encouragement and support he has received from members of the legal profession and community leaders from both parishes.
“My wife Lauren and I had serious discussions with the many people who offered their support in Lincoln and Union Parishes, and also turned to our faith, in making this decision,” he said. “Ultimately, as a husband and father, I want safer families and communities where victims are heard, not forgotten, and the law is enforced fairly and firmly.”
Ellis’ education and experience in law enforcement, and as a practicing attorney in local courts, also factored into his decision.
“This district raised me, educated me, and gave me my start in law,” Ellis said. “I have worked as a corrections officer, clerked in these local courthouses, defended the State of Louisiana, represented people on both sides of a civil case, and stood beside those who could not afford a lawyer. My commitment is simple: decide every case on the law and the facts, treat every person with respect, and keep the court docket moving along.”
Ellis was raised in neighboring Claiborne Parish and graduated from Cedar Creek School in Ruston. He attended Louisiana Tech University before transferring to the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he earned a degree in criminal justice with cum laude honors in 2009.
He began his career in law enforcement with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, serving as a correctional deputy at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center near Minden.
In 2011 he graduated with academic honors from the North Louisiana Criminal Justice Academy.
Ellis attended Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, where he served as an officer of both the Moot Court Board and the Law Review, and worked as a research assistant. He graduated magna cum laude and was admitted to the Louisiana bar in 2015.
He completed an externship as a law clerk in the Louisiana Third Judicial District Court, working under Judges Cynthia Woodard, James Boddie, and Jay McCallum, now a justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
He then joined the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, in Monroe, serving as an attorney in the litigation division under Attorneys General Buddy Caldwell and Jeff Landry. There he defended the State of Louisiana in workers’ compensation, general liability, medical malpractice, civil rights, and road hazard claims.
In 2019, Ellis opened the Ellis Law Firm of North Louisiana in Farmerville, moving the office to Ruston in 2025 as the practice grew. He has since appeared in court across the same range of matters a district judge hears — criminal cases, successions, family law, personal injury, and business and property disputes. He also serves as a contract public defender in the Third Judicial District and on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
“A district judge in Lincoln and Union parishes hears everything — a first-offense charge, a succession, a custody case that will shape a child’s life, a business dispute that decides whether a family keeps its livelihood,” Ellis said. “I have handled every one of those, in these very courthouses, as well as others across North Louisiana.”
Ellis and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Greer, 8, and Flynn, 5, who play on local baseball and softball teams that Ellis helps coach and sponsor. He also sponsors the Union Parish Big Buck Contest, the Pelican Crappie Club, and a kennel at 4Paws in Ruston.
The Ellises are members of Weldon Baptist Church in Bernice, where Ellis teaches an adult Sunday school class and operates the church’s audio-visual and livestreaming systems. He and his wife have supported Operation Christmas Child for more than 20 years.
The above information has been provided by a political campaign.Unless otherwise noted, the Lincoln Parish Journal publishing staff does not endorse specific candidates or ballot measures.
Former LA Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland may be named the new AD at Purdue later this week.
By Doug Ireland, Journal Sports
Tommy McClelland, Louisiana Tech’s athletics director from 2013-20, appears to be poised to replace retiring Mike Bobinski as AD at Big Ten Conference member Purdue.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Monday that McClelland, the AD at Rice since 2023 after spending three years as deputy AD at Vanderbilt, could be introduced later this week when Purdue’s Board of Trustees holds a previously scheduled regular meeting in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Purdue coaches reportedly stressed the obvious need to identify new revenue streams in discussions with the search firm contracted to help with the AD search. In his time at Rice, McClelland has initiated NIL revenue generation including launching the South Main Fund at the affluent Houston private university.
He previously directed the Vandy Now campaign, which raised more than $300 million towards new and renovated athletic facilities.
While leading Louisiana Tech athletics, McClelland contributed to postseason appearances in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, golf and bowling. He hired two current successful Tech coaches, women’s basketball’s Brooke Stoehr and baseball’s Lane Burroughs, ironically plucking both from his alma mater, Northwestern State.
McClelland also helped develop new revenue-producing initiatives during his time in Ruston as Tech settled into Conference USA.
McClelland rose to his first athletic director position, at McNeese State, at age 26, and earned acclaim for fundraising success. It caught the attention of Tech leadership and he moved to Ruston following six years in Lake Charles. He was noted as a champion of student-athlete academic performance at both in-state universities, with impressive marks in NCAA annual reviews.
The Basile native was a walk-on long snapper and javelin thrower at Northwestern, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and met his wife, Jessica. He played for the Demons’ 2004 Southland Conference champion football team.
In 2021, the McClellands established the Tommy and Jessica McClelland Family Scholarship, contributing the initial $10,000 toward an endowment that will benefit NSU student-athletes. He also served as an alumni representative on the University of Louisiana System’s presidential search committee in 2024 that produced current Northwestern leader James “Jimmy” Genovese.
Bobinski announced in June he would retire on Dec. 31 after 10 years in charge of Purdue Athletics, and said he would step aside as AD as soon as possible after a replacement is hired, and remain in an advisory role. The university is currently led by an interim president, Mitch Daniels, who had retired from that position.
While the Boilermakers made NCAA Elite Eight appearances last year in men’s basketball and volleyball, they have floundered in football, where Purdue has not won a Big Ten game since 2023.
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RUSTON, La. — With the first practice of August in the books, Ruston High is settling into the version of preseason work that will carry the Bearcats toward this month’s Bayou Jamb appearance against Evangel.
Head Coach Jerrod Baugh said the transition has been smooth, built on groundwork the program laid back in June and July.
“I think it’s going well,” Baugh said. “We kind of redistribute our guys once July hits, normally after the week of the Fourth, and really get a chance to hone in — one group’s the varsity guys, and then the JV guys and the freshmen. You’re able to just get more eyes on everybody once we redistribute them the way that we do in July.”
Baugh said the workload has steadily shifted toward football-specific work as the summer has progressed, and Monday’s practice — the first with an extended schedule — reflected that buildup.
“We start doing a lot more football stuff the later in the summer it gets, and I thought they handled that well,” Baugh said. “It kind of gives you a head start coming into today. Our kids know what our routine is because we’ve already been doing it some. It’s just an extended practice. I thought it was pretty good today, and I think that’s due to how much stuff we do during the summer, group-wise.”
Baugh pointed to the program’s returning starters as a summer bright spot citing the leadership the group has provided across the board.
“I think our guys that are coming back — returning starters, guys with a lot of experience — are showing up and doing what they need to do,” Baugh said. “We’ve got to have those guys play well from the beginning, and to me it starts with what their attitude is coming into it. I think they’ve shown a really good attitude about coming to work.”
Ruston enters the season under a now-familiar spotlight, with outside publications and recruiting outlets ranking the Bearcats among the state’s top teams. Baugh said he doesn’t put much stock in outside projections, in part because there’s no way to know what the rest of the season holds.
“I don’t know nowadays, with the way social media is, that you can keep it cleared out,” Baugh said of outside expectations of the program. “But I think they’ve been around it so much that maybe it’s second nature to expect that people have those expectations. I don’t know how people judge who’s going to be the best team in the state. I don’t have a clue about how good anybody else is. I think we’ve got a chance to be a good football team, but you never know what things will transpire.”
Baugh cited an early example of that uncertainty: Holt Hunt has already been ruled out for the season with an injury, forcing the Bearcats to adjust their depth chart before the year has even started.
“We’ve already had to shuffle some things in that area,” Baugh said. “You don’t know what things will happen during the year that make you have to make some changes. I think everybody ought to think about — (running back) Dalen Powell got hurt last year. We were fortunate we had Kohl Gray come in and do a really good job. But you have things like that where maybe your backup situation isn’t as good as that, and then you start shuffling people around, and that changes your football team.”
Baugh said the length of the season is part of why he tries to keep expectations in perspective.
“It’s a long way from August 3rd to possibly playing the second weekend in December,” Baugh said. “If we stay healthy, I feel like we should have an opportunity to play a long ways in the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to make a run at a state championship. But who knows what’s going to happen, and who knows how good everybody else is. The only thing we can control is our guys and what we do on a daily basis, and I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far.”
Looking at the rest of the week, Baugh said the focus is on easing players back into full equipment after a summer built around conditioning and speed work.
“There’s a difference between running around out here doing conditioning and speed work without a helmet, and leaving a helmet on for a prolonged period of time,” Baugh said. “There’s some neck exercise that gets in there. It’s just getting used to having all that equipment on, and then we ease into it.”
Ruston plans to practice in helmets for four consecutive days before adding shoulder pads Monday through Wednesday of next week, then moving to full gear next Thursday and Friday.
“I just think easing them into it and taking advantage of every day to try to figure out and get ourselves into some playing shape,” Baugh said.
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A Ruston woman was arrested after a Louisiana Tech police officer reported watching her vehicle straddle the center line on Tech Drive, according to an arrest affidavit.
Jeanette Leniere Malone, 50, of Ruston, was arrested July 31 by the Louisiana Tech University Police Department.
An officer patrolling at about 7:23 p.m. observed a vehicle turn right from West Alabama Avenue onto Tech Drive without using a turn signal. The vehicle did not enter the closest lane and instead moved immediately into the inside lane.
The officer then observed the vehicle fail to maintain its lane, crossing and straddling the double yellow line with the driver’s side partially in the oncoming lane.
The officer initiated a traffic stop, and the driver stopped in the middle of the road despite having room to pull out of the roadway. The driver did not place the vehicle in park and repeatedly let pressure off the brakes, causing the vehicle to inch forward.
The officer instructed the driver to put the vehicle in park and step out. The driver, identified as Malone, initially refused to exit the vehicle.
Malone verbally expressed agitation but eventually stepped out of the vehicle. Attempts to confirm her identity were initially met with non-compliance before she answered.
The officer was made aware that Malone’s driver’s license had been suspended in 2017, 2018 and twice in 2019. She was advised she was under arrest.
Malone refused to face the patrol unit to be placed in wrist restraints and pulled away as the officer attempted to restrain her. She continued to pull away while twisting her arm and attempting to bring it to the front of her body.
Malone was booked on charges of driving under suspension, reckless operation of a vehicle and resisting an officer. She was released on her own recognizance on the driving under suspension charge, with bond set at $1,000 each on the reckless operation and resisting charges.
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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Despite triple-digit temperatures, Ruston spent July getting into the holiday spirit.
Throughout the month, local businesses, churches, civic organizations and residents joined together for Christmas in July, a communitywide gift drive benefiting Ruston Community Christmas.
Hosted by Real Change in Ruston, Community Christmas is an annual holiday shopping experience held in December that celebrates the dignity and worth of every participant.
“Community Christmas is so much more than just shopping,” said Stacie Clinton, who serves on the Real Change in Ruston committee. “It’s an opportunity to build relationships in our city. People who participate with one of our partner organizations have the opportunity to earn ‘Christmas Cash’ throughout the year, and anyone who has earned the cash can shop for themselves, friends and family members in the Community Christmas store.”
Partner organizations include Bridges International, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana, DART, Family Village of North Louisiana, Freedom 13, Life Choices of North Central Louisiana, Lincoln United Community Coalition, Recovery Court and Zion Traveler Community Development Corp.
The monthlong effort culminated July 25, when volunteers gathered at the Historic Fire Station to collect, sort and organize donations while welcoming community members throughout the day. More than 2,500 gifts are needed to stock the Community Christmas store, and the team set a goal of collecting 60% to 70% of that during the July drive.
“We were so excited to meet our goal during the Christmas in July drive,” Clinton said. “This would not have been possible without the entire Ruston community coming together. Businesses served as drop-off locations, churches held gift drives, and volunteers from across the community helped us get the word out, including our downtown Ruston businesses, which put up signs and had collection boxes.”
Members of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball team volunteered throughout the day, helping collect and organize donations. They were especially inspired when 20 elementary-age children participating in Trinity Methodist Church’s Weekend of the Cross Jr. arrived with more than $1,300 worth of gifts. The children raised the money the previous day through a downtown lemonade stand before shopping together for toys and other items to donate.
“Volunteering at Christmas in July was such a humbling experience,” said Lady Techster Kennedy Evans. “Being able to give back to the community, connect through Jesus, talk to the awesome people of Ruston and fellowship with my teammates was such a great way to serve. The kids were definitely the best part. Seeing how excited they were to give back to the community was incredible.”
Although Christmas in July has ended, preparations for Ruston Community Christmas are just beginning. This year’s shopping event will be held Dec. 3-4 at the Ruston Civic Center. Volunteer opportunities — including gift wrapping, assisting shoppers and serving at checkout — will open in November.
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The list on my computer titled “Things to Think About in Different Months” has been calling my name. I haven’t perused it in some time.
You may recall that sometimes I use this list to give me a kickstart on what I might want to do during a particular time frame. For example, one of the words for March is actually “march” – like marching ahead. And one of June’s gems is “juggling.”
You may also recall that I have written multiple columns based on these calendar ideas.
Well, August is nudging me now with “attention,” “attitude” and “another.”
Now, let’s not get that confused with April’s “activity” and “action.” Since we’re officially in the dog days of summer, we might actually hurt ourselves if we spring into said activity and action.
Sidenote: The dog days of summer are traditionally observed from July 3 to Aug. 11 and are so named because Sirius – the “Dog Star” – rises and sets alongside the sun each day during this time period. Ancient Romans and Greeks believed this bright star added its own heat to the sun’s warmth, creating the most intense summer weather – hence, the dog days.
They obviously had not visited Louisiana, when days succeeding Aug. 11 may be even hotter than the ones that come before. Do I hear an “Amen”?
But back to “attention,” “attitude” and “another.” How can we use those words to guide us the rest of this month?
Actually, attention isn’t just about keeping our eyes open. It’s about keeping our eyes focused while we keep our hearts open as well. If we do this, we may notice a caring cashier whose smile brightens our day, a child’s question that stops us in our tracks, or a hymn we’ve sung a hundred times, only to suddenly hear a phrase that speaks to us in a brand-new way.
Scripture often urges us to “behold” or “consider” – in other words, to pay attention. After all, we seldom find what we’re not looking for.
Attention is one of life’s most valuable commodities. Every day, countless voices compete for it – news headlines, social media, advertisements, worries, schedules and endless to-do lists. Yet Jesus often directed people’s attention elsewhere: to lilies, seeds, vineyards and sparrows. He knew that where we focus our attention often determines the direction of our hearts.
Perhaps August is a good time to ask ourselves not just what has our attention, but what deserves it.
And what about attitude? We can’t always choose our circumstances, but we can often choose our response to them. A flat tire, a long line at the grocery store or an unexpected bill can sour an entire day – if we let it. On the other hand, a grateful spirit can soften life’s rough edges.
The apostle Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks.” He didn’t say for everything, but in everything. That’s a reminder that our attitude is shaped not so much by what happens to us as by how we decide to look at it.
Then there’s “another,” a simple word with more promise than we might realize.
“Another” can mean another chance after we have failed, another season after one has ended, another beginning when we thought the story was over, or another perspective that helps us see an old problem differently. It can even mean another mile on the journey, taken one step at a time. As long as God gives us another day, there is still another opportunity to learn, to serve, to forgive, to encourage and to grow.
So perhaps these three August words belong together. We can pay attention to what deserves our focus, choose an attitude that leaves room for gratitude, and make good use of another opportunity God places before us.
When tomorrow arrives, bringing another day, another chance and another mile along the journey, perhaps we will recognize each one for what it is – another gift from God.
Come to think of it, “another” may have been the best word on the list all along.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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There are few places in life where a person feels quite as vulnerable as the dental chair. Reclined, mouth open, bib clipped on like a toddler at mealtimes, we are reminded—sometimes painfully—that even the strongest among us can be brought to our knees by a stubborn molar. Recently, during a stretch of extensive dental work (the kind they do before you get dentures), I found myself reflecting on forgiveness, sin, and the curious ways God uses everyday experiences to get our attention.
There I was, gripping the armrests “with my teeth clenched,” even though the dentist had politely asked me not to clench anything. As drills whirred and suction tubes slurped, I realized how much of life feels like this: uncomfortable, exposed, and out of our control. Sin works the same way. It sneaks up on us, decays what we thought was solid, and before long we’re dealing with something far more extensive than we ever expected.
The hygienist cheerfully said, “We’re just going to get down to the root of the problem.” I almost laughed. Isn’t that exactly what God does with us? Grace doesn’t just polish the surface; it goes deep, right to the root. It addresses the infection, the hidden places, the things we’d rather keep tucked away. And like dental work, grace can feel intrusive before it feels healing.
As the dentist worked, I thought about how often we “bite off more than we can chew,” how frequently we “grit our teeth” through situations we caused ourselves, and how easy it is to “sink our teeth” into resentment. Sin has a way of leaving us spiritually toothless—unable to chew on the Word, unable to speak truth without wincing, unable to smile without feeling the ache of what’s broken.
But here’s the good news: God is the Master Dentist of the soul. He doesn’t shame us for the decay; He simply says, “Open wide.” And when we do, He gets to work—cleaning, restoring, reshaping. Forgiveness is His anesthetic: it numbs the sting of guilt and gives us courage to face the deeper work. Grace is His reconstruction: building us back up where life has worn us down. And mercy? Mercy is the gentle rinse that washes away what we cannot remove ourselves.
When the appointment finally ended, the dentist said, “You’re going to feel better once the healing kicks in.” I knew he meant my mouth, but I heard something more. Forgiveness doesn’t just fix what’s broken; it frees us to heal. It lets us smile again—really smile, not the tight-lipped kind we give when we’re still hurting.
So if life has left you feeling like you’re in the dental chair—exposed, anxious, and aware of your own decay—take heart. God’s grace is already at work. And when He’s finished, you’ll walk out renewed, restored, and ready to sink your teeth into joy again.
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Louisiana State Police is gearing up to launch the 110th Cadet Class, continuing the legacy of excellence and intensity that defines our training. This 24-week academy will immerse Cadets in a rigorous curriculum, preparing them with the skills and knowledge needed to become Louisiana State Troopers.
Cadets will receive advanced training that exceeds POST standards, covering firearms proficiency, tactical driving, defensive tactics, de-escalation techniques, advanced crash investigation, lawful use of force, implicit bias recognition, and the core values that make LSP a proud tradition.
Cadet Class 110 is expected to start on January 3, 2027, with an application deadline of August 11, 2026. Applications are available for download at http://laspc.dps.louisiana.gov and should be submitted electronically to the Louisiana State Police Commission. Applicants for Cadet Class 110 must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and meet one of the following criteria:
· Two (2) years of experience as a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Level 1 (or out-of-state equivalent) certified peace officer in a full-time position (whose job duties include armed duty with the power of arrest); or
· A minimum of sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university (must provide transcript or degree); or
· Any two (2) year combination of Options 1 and 2 above, whereby thirty (30) semester hours will be equivalent to one (1) year of experience; or
· Three (3) years of continuous active military duty in the United States Military (must provide a DD-214 or letter from current commanding officer verifying service), effective October 1, 2001.
LSP offers competitive pay and benefits, a take-home state vehicle, opportunities for overtime, and an incredible retirement package. Visit JoinLSP.org for more information on the hiring process, qualifications, physical fitness standards, and frequently asked questions. For additional questions and information, please contact LSP Recruiters at LSPRecruiting@LA.gov or Text “JoinLSP” to 225-777-8162. Applicants can also visit facebook.com/LouisianaStatePoliceRecruiting.
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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.
Tuesday, Aug. 4 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.) 10 a.m.: America 250 Craft & Storytime with NSDAR Long Leaf Pine Chapter (Events Center) 6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise Class (Events Center) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (Lincoln Parish School Board office)
Wednesday, Aug. 5 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. 6 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) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry to be served at Ruston Housing Authority Maryland Plaza office, 615 N. Farmerville Street. All are welcome. 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)
Saturday, Aug. 8 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Board Game Day (The Depot Coffee House)
Monday, Aug. 10 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: AI for Real Life (Jack Beard Community Room) 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. 11 6 p.m.: Boost Your Wellbeing with guest Valencia Esters (Events Center) 6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
Wednesday, Aug. 12 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. 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)
Saturday, Aug. 15 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
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Grambling State women’s volleyball assistant coach Daniel Cabrera has been elevated to head coach of the program.
His promotion comes just after head coach Paige Phillips stepped down to spend more time with her family.
“We are grateful to Coach Paige Phillips for her dedication and leadership of our volleyball program,” said Grambling State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean Scott. “She has made a positive impact on our student-athletes and represented Grambling State with professionalism and integrity. We thank Paige for her commitment to our university and wish her continued success in the next chapter of her career.”
Cabrera joined the GSU staff in 2025 as assistant coach after serving as the women’s volleyball head coach at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Prior to ULM, Cabrera served as head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs at Olivet Nazarene University.
In 2020, he led the women’s team to a 20-2 record, a conference title and a national tournament berth, earning Chicagoland Coach of the Year honors.
He also launched the ONU men’s team, which reached a national top-20 ranking and finished as NCCAA runner-up in 2022.
Cabrera’s resume includes stops at Culver-Stockton College, work under Olympian Caren Kemner and coaching for USA Volleyball’s Iowa High Performance program.
As a player, he competed at Hannibal-LaGrange and played professionally for the Great Lakes Lightning. A Chicago native, he starred at Saint Patrick High School, leading his team to a top-50 national ranking.
“We are excited to name Daniel Cabrera as our next head volleyball coach. Daniel has been an important part of our program and has earned this opportunity through his leadership, work ethic and commitment to the development of our student-athletes. We are confident he will build on the foundation that has been established and continue moving Grambling State Volleyball forward.”
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Gunfire erupted in a Ruston city park known for its peaceful, natural setting Sunday evening, leaving one man dead and another wounded.
Ruston Police, assisted by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Tech Police, responded to the Huckleberry Trails Park at 2304 Magnolia Drive at about 5:00 p.m. Sunday following reports of multiple people running through backyards, including one armed suspect, and calls reporting active gunfire.
While officers secured the crime scene at the park, emergency dispatchers learned two shooting victims had arrived at Northern Louisiana Medical Center by private vehicle.
RPD’s investigation revealed two groups met at the park, a dispute erupted between the groups, quickly escalating into gunfire.
RPD Lieutenant Kayla Loyd said the cause of the dispute is still under investigation.
The 23-acre park is located adjacent to Cypress Springs Elementary School. One of its features is a complex of walking trails through a heavily wooded area.
Juel Carmine Rodriquez, 19, of Simsboro, was taken into custody by patrol officers as he walked on Magnolia Drive just minutes after officers arrived in the area.
The deceased victim has been identified as Roman Moore IV, 20, of Ruston. Moore sustained severe gunshot wounds and was airlifted to Ochsner LSU HealthShreveport where he later died from his injuries.
Jeremiah Freeman, 18, of Ruston, sustained a gunshot wound, drove himself to Northern Louisiana Medical Center, and was treated and released. Sources told the Lincoln Parish Journal Freeman was a senior at Ruston High last year.
Police emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The investigation remains active as investigators continue to interview witnesses and analyze evidence. Additional charges may be filed as new details emerge.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding this incident to immediately contact the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141.
Rodriquez was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for second degree murder, possession of a machine gun, distribution of a Schedule I drugs, and violation of the controlled substances law—drug-free zone. Bail had not been set at of mid-day Monday.
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.
A vending machine in the carport of a West Monroe home wasn’t stocked with soft drinks or snacks, investigators say—it was allegedly selling drugs to neighborhood children.
Narcotics officers have arrested a West Monroe man after receiving information that kids were reportedly purchasing drugs from the machine.
Jonathan Coburn, 35, of West Monroe, was arrested July 28 for numerous drug and weapons charges after complaints from parents that their children were obtaining various drugs from a vending machine in Coburn’s Arlington Drive carport earlier in the month.
According to an arrest affidavit, “multiple parents” told narcotics agents their children were obtaining THC vapes, THC gummies, mushroom candy bars, and other similar items from a vending machine.
Agents of the Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish went to the residence on July 1 and found a refrigerated vending machine full of illegal controlled substances inside of the open air carport. The vending machine was in good working order and displayed the price per each unit of drug, according to authorities. For example, one disposable THC vape was listed at $35.
Residents on the premises were determined to be Coburn’s mother and juvenile son. After interviews, a search warrant was obtained and executed for the home. During the search, agents located large amounts of THC vapes, large amounts of marijuana, large amounts of THC gummies, mushroom candy bars, a large variety of drug paraphernalia, one money counter, drug ledgers, two firearms, ammunition, money bands, banking information, two metal safes, etc. The resident was unable to provide a key or code for the two metal safes.
The suspect, Jonathan Coburn, was not home and would not cooperate by cellular phone. According to the affidavit, Coburn resides at the residence with his mother and juvenile son.
The arrest affidavit noted Coburn’s criminal history includes consists of a number of drug arrests, burglary, firearm crimes, sexual crimes with adult/juvenile involvement, and that he is a convicted felon. Coburn was convicted of a methamphetamine charge where he received probation from May 2, 2013 to May 2, 2018.
Coburn was booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center for two counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substances law–drug-free, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm in the presence of narcotics, possession of controlled substances in the presence of persons under 17, distribution of mushrooms, distribution of THC vapes, distribution of THC gummies, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Coburn was released after posting bail of $94,500.
Metro Narcotics is a task force staffed by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, West Monroe Police, Monroe Police, and the Office of the Fourth Judicial District Attorney.
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City of Ruston crews work on restoring power during a winter ice storm. (Courtesy Photo)
by Tim Smith
Lightning splits the sky.
Rain blows sideways against the windows, and somewhere in the darkness a tree crashes onto a power line.
In the winter, freezing rain coats tree limbs until they can no longer bear the weight, and they come crashing down, taking power lines with them.
Most of us experience these storms from the safety of our homes. We pull another blanket over our shoulders, light a few candles, or begin wondering how long it will be before the electricity comes back on. It doesn’t take long before impatience sets in as minutes turn into hours.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself grumbling when the lights stay out longer than you expected.
Then I stop and think about what has to happen before those lights come back on.
Someone has to leave a warm bed in the middle of the night, kiss their family goodbye, climb into a truck, and drive straight into the worst of the storm. While everyone else is looking for shelter, they are heading toward the danger.
Those people are linemen.
They work for cities, electric cooperatives, power companies and independent contractors. Sometimes a call-out lasts only a few hours. Other times it means leaving home for days — or even weeks — to help communities devastated by hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, floods and wildfires.
It is difficult enough just being in those places. For a lineman, it also means working around power lines carrying 13,000 volts of electricity.
This is work that allows very little room for mistakes.
One moment of inattention can cost a person their life or the life of a fellow worker. The job is dangerous even on a beautiful spring afternoon. During a storm, when rain, wind, darkness, ice and exhaustion are all working against you, the danger only increases.
So why would anyone choose this kind of career?
That was the question I asked Matt Deville, superintendent of electrical distribution for the City of Ruston.
“Why would anyone want to do this job?”
Matt laughed before answering.
“I have no idea.”
We both smiled, knowing there had to be more to the story than that.
“It’s a good career,” he said. “It’s a good living, and you’re just about always guaranteed a job.”
He isn’t wrong.
Electricity has become something we rarely think about until it disappears. When it does, we quickly realize just how much our lives depend on the people who keep it flowing.
For Matt, that career began nearly 30 years ago.
“You start as an apprentice,” he explained. “You’re not really hands-on at first. You do exactly what your supervisor tells you. You watch, and you learn.”
Matt left college when an uncle offered him a job with an electrical service contractor. That opportunity became a career that has taken him across Louisiana and into other states whenever disasters left thousands of people without power.
Over the years, that career has taken Matt far from home whenever disaster struck.
He has spent weeks at a time restoring power in Florida after hurricanes and has worked throughout south Louisiana following some of the worst storms our state has endured.
Most of us work our shift, clock out and head home to our families. For linemen, there are times when “going home” isn’t an option.
“The way it used to be,” Matt said, “you would work until you couldn’t anymore. Then you’d get a little rest and go right back at it.”
Eventually, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stepped in and established a maximum 16-hour work period before mandatory rest. Sixteen hours still sounds extraordinary, especially when those hours are spent climbing poles, handling heavy equipment and working around high-voltage power lines in miserable weather.
Storm restoration isn’t simply hard work—it’s physically exhausting and mentally demanding. Every decision has to be made carefully because there is no room for complacency around electricity.
Matt has seen his share of storms over nearly three decades.
When Hurricane Katrina devastated southeast Louisiana, he spent a month working near Slidell, helping restore power to communities whose lives had been turned upside down. Before that work was even finished, Hurricane Rita struck farther west, and he was sent there as well.
Closer to home, he and his crew responded after the tornado that tore through Ruston in 2019. Then came Hurricane Laura in 2020, bringing sustained winds of nearly 75 mph to Ruston and leaving thousands without electricity. Not long afterward came what many people around here still call “Snowmageddon,” the historic winter storm of 2021 that coated roads, trees and power lines with ice.
For most of us, those storms are remembered because we lost electricity.
For linemen, they’re remembered because they never stopped working.
I asked Matt what creates the biggest challenges for linemen today, beyond the weather itself.
His answer surprised me.
“People not staying home,” he said without hesitation.
He explained that during ice storms and severe weather, people often decide to drive around just to see what’s happening. Too often, those trips end with another damaged utility pole and another neighborhood without power.
Matt recalled one incident during the winter storm of 2021.
“A guy in a Dodge truck lost control near Log Cabin Grill and hit a power pole. When that pole broke, it caused two more poles to break with it.”
His crew arrived around 10 p.m. that night.
“We worked until after daylight the next morning getting everything repaired. If he’d just stayed home instead of riding around, we could have been helping other people.”
There wasn’t any anger in Matt’s voice when he told the story—only the quiet frustration of someone who had seen an already difficult job become even harder because of one unnecessary decision.
His advice was simple.
“If you don’t absolutely have to get out during those conditions, please stay off the roads.”
Sometimes the best way to help the men restoring your electricity is simply to stay out of their way.
Before we finished our conversation, I asked Matt one final question.
“Besides staying off the roads during bad weather, what is something you wish people knew?”
His answer had nothing to do with storms.
It had to do with generators.
“People need to be careful using portable generators during a power outage,” Matt said.
Most permanently installed home generators are connected through a transfer switch. When city power fails, the switch safely disconnects the house from the electrical grid before supplying power from the generator.
Portable generators are different.
“If someone buys a generator from Lowe’s, for example, and simply plugs it into a wall outlet without the proper equipment,” Matt explained, “it can feed electricity back through the meter and into the service transformer.”
To most homeowners, that may not sound like a serious problem.
To a lineman, it can be deadly.
A transformer normally reduces approximately 13,000 volts of electricity to 120 volts we use in our homes. But when electricity from a portable generator is sent backward through the system, that same transformer works in reverse, stepping 120 volts back up to thousands of volts.
A lineman working on what should be a de-energized power line could suddenly be exposed to lethal voltage.
“It’s a danger they don’t need,” Matt said.
It was another reminder that restoring electricity isn’t simply about replacing broken poles or restringing power lines. Every repair depends on careful procedures, constant awareness, and trusting that the public is doing its part as well.
Fortunately, responding to emergencies isn’t all the Electrical Distribution Department does.
Matt spoke with pride about the projects his department has completed throughout Ruston, especially the downtown revitalization efforts. Monroe Street, Homer Street, Texas Street, Arizona Avenue, West Mississippi Avenue and now Bonner Street all reflect work that most people never notice. Moving power lines underground isn’t glamorous, but it improves reliability, safety, and the appearance of our city for generations to come.
Like so much of what linemen do, their best work often goes unnoticed.
Most of us never think about where our electricity comes from until the lights go out.
We flip a switch, charge a phone, turn on the air conditioner, or brew a pot of coffee without giving a second thought to the people who make those everyday conveniences possible.
Maybe that’s because they’re doing their job so well.
The next time a thunderstorm rolls across Lincoln Parish and the lights begin to flicker, I’ll probably still hope the power comes back quickly.
But I’ll also think about the men climbing into bucket trucks while the rest of us are heading for shelter.
Long before the lights come back on, they’re already on their way.
And that’s exactly where Matt Deville and the men and women of the City of Ruston Light and Power Department expect to be.
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The Lincoln Parish Journal salutes the men and women, not only in Lincoln Parish, but everywhere who work tireless — sometimes dangerous — hours to restore power during storms.
Louisiana Tech University physicist Dr. Lee Sawyer was selected for a prestigious international leadership position within the ATLAS Collaboration at CERN, positioning the University at the forefront of one of the world’s largest scientific research efforts.
Effective October 1, 2026, Sawyer, professor of physics and academic director of physics and chemistry in Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science, will serve as Jet/ETmiss Combined Performance Convener, a two-year leadership role responsible for overseeing the performance, calibration, and validation of one of the ATLAS detector’s most critical systems.
“Leadership appointments like this are earned through years of scientific excellence and the confidence of an international research community,” Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the College of Engineering and Science, said. “Dr. Sawyer’s selection reflects decades of scientific leadership and Louisiana Tech’s longstanding contribution to one of the world’s most ambitious scientific endeavors. His NSF-supported research program has created exceptional opportunities for our students while strengthening the University’s reputation as a meaningful contributor to international scientific discovery.”
As Jet/ETmiss Combined Performance Convener, Sawyer will coordinate international teams responsible for ensuring the accuracy of detector measurements that support many of ATLAS’ highest-profile physics analyses, including studies of the Higgs boson and searches for previously undiscovered particles.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for particle physics. On June 29, CERN concluded the final physics run of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) before beginning Long Shutdown 3, a four-year international effort to upgrade the accelerator and its experiments for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). Scheduled to begin operation in 2030, the upgraded collider will increase the LHC’s data-producing capability by up to a factor of ten, enabling unprecedented precision in studying the Higgs boson and expanding the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.
Sawyer was selected through ATLAS’ international nomination and review process, recognizing decades of technical expertise and scientific service within the collaboration. For Sawyer, this involvement places Louisiana Tech among leading research institutions, while also providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research.
“The value of our involvement places Louisiana Tech in the same conversations as the leading research institutions worldwide,” Sawyer said. “We work closely with colleagues from places such as Stanford, Oxford, the University of Paris, and so on. We provide students at both the undergraduate and graduate level the opportunity to see cutting-edge science and to work with extremely advanced scientific topics in an international context. For over a quarter of a century, the High Energy Physics group has secured external research funding that has supported faculty and students to pursue particle physics research, first at Fermilab near Chicago, and since 2007 at CERN.”
Louisiana Tech’s physics research program provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to contribute to detector operations, artificial intelligence applications in particle physics, and data analysis alongside researchers from leading institutions around the world.
“Working with Dr. Sawyer has taught me a lot about how research is done,” Ryan Boudreaux, fourth year physics major, said. “Contributing to a project of this scale inspires amazement and makes me wonder about what direction science will head.”
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of Louisiana Tech’s HEP team and to work with Dr. Sawyer,” Chaisse Benson, third year physics major, added. “I never thought this would be possible as an undergraduate, but I’m looking forward to the doors this experience will open for me as I pursue my Ph.D.”
ATLAS brings together thousands of physicists, engineers, and computing experts that play a critical role in investigating some of the universe’s most fundamental questions, including the nature of dark matter and physics beyond the Standard Model.
“Working with the ATLAS Collaboration at CERN has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Habeeb Adenle, Ph.D. student in engineering physics, said. “Working under Dr. Sawyer’s mentorship has profoundly strengthened my desire to pursue a lifelong career in high-energy physics. These experiences have reinforced my ambition to work in academia and research and development, where I look forward to contributing to future breakthroughs in particle physics and mentoring the next generation of scientists, just as Dr. Sawyer has mentored me.”
As Sawyer prepares to begin his leadership role this fall, Louisiana Tech continues contributing to one of the world’s largest scientific collaborations while providing students with opportunities to engage in internationally recognized research.
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A Ruston man was arrested last week after officers responding to a welfare concern found a woman with scratch marks on her chest.
Cade Worley, 25, of Ruston, was arrested at 9:51 p.m. July 29 by the Ruston Police Department and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
Based on the affidavit, an officer went to a Haskell Avenue residence in reference to a welfare concern and made contact with Worley outside the home. Worley was emotional and appeared intoxicated, the officer wrote, and he told the officer his girlfriend was inside.
The officer then made contact with the woman, who was inside the residence and was crying. The officer reported observing what appeared to be three scratch marks at the base of her neck.
The woman told the officer she and Worley had argued before officers arrived and that the argument started when Worley learned she had gone through his phone. She said Worley damaged property inside the residence during the argument, specifically in the living room and a bedroom, and she said it was not the first time he had battered her. She also said Worley became aggressive when he had been drinking.
After being advised of his rights, Worley admitted he had been drinking prior to the incident and had smoked medical-grade marijuana, the officer wrote. Worley also said the woman had battered him during the incident, but the officer reported observing no signs of battery.
Worley is charged with one count of domestic abuse battery.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
From feeding a sourdough starter to shaping a loaf, community members learned the basics of artisan bread making Thursday night during an Intro to Sourdough class in the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen at the Ruston Farmers Market.
The hands-on workshop introduced attendees to the ins and outs of creating and maintaining a sourdough starter, understanding the fermentation process and baking a loaf from start to finish.
Local baker and market vendor Jadee Davis led the class, demonstrating each step while helping participants gain the confidence to recreate the process at home. Davis became involved with the teaching kitchen through her work as a vendor at the Ruston Farmers Market and said sharing her passion for sourdough has been especially rewarding.
“Teaching classes there has been such a fun experience,” Davis said. “I love being able to help people realize that making sourdough doesn’t have to be intimidating. The classes are very hands-on, so people leave with the confidence to bake at home and understand the fermentation process instead of just following a recipe.”
Throughout the year, the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen offers educational sessions and hands-on workshops on a variety of culinary topics. Since opening in 2024, the kitchen has served as a hub for culinary education while providing a space for learning, creativity and community connection.
Marketing Assistant Amber Garner said the workshops help community members become more comfortable cooking with fresh, locally grown ingredients while also connecting them with area farmers and food producers.
“I think the classes give people the confidence to cook with fresh, local ingredients they might not have tried otherwise,” Garner said. “They also create a fun, welcoming space where people can learn new skills, ask questions and connect with others in the community. I’ve seen people leave excited to recreate the recipes at home and feeling more comfortable supporting local farmers by incorporating those ingredients into their everyday cooking.”
Many attendees had never worked with sourdough before, making the class a new learning experience. Participants learned every stage of the process, including preparing the starter, mixing the dough, fermentation, shaping, cold proofing, baking and cooling. While the process can seem intimidating to beginners, the workshop broke each step into manageable lessons.
Attendee Kimberly Rice said the class gave her both practical experience and the confidence to continue baking at home.
“What I loved about the class was that we got to experience starting the process, and we could take home our own dough and sourdough starter,” Rice said. “I’ve always wanted to make my own sourdough, but making a starter from scratch was just so daunting to me. Jadee came prepared with all of the tools we needed to make our own loaves, and she was very informative on what steps to follow. She answered all of our questions. She did a really great job. I enjoyed the class, and I would absolutely come to another RFM class in the future.”
Beyond teaching baking skills, the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen helps build relationships between local vendors, culinary experts and community members. The workshops not only send participants home with new culinary knowledge but also with the confidence to continue learning and a stronger connection to the local food community.
For more information about educational opportunities and workshops at the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen, visit rustonfarmersmarket.org.
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.
When Memrie Lolley moved back to Ruston two decades ago, she brought with her an idea she had seen and participated in while living in Memphis.
Kool Kids.
Now all these years later, Memrie, daughter Morgan, and really the entire Lolley clan, are preparing for the 42nd Kool Kids event which will be August 5 through August 8 at the Ruston Civic Center.
“I used to go to these when I had young children when I lived in (Tennessee),” said Memrie. “Kool Kids is basically a seasonal children’s consignment sale that we hold twice a year. We have consignors where people bring in their items, they tag their own items, and then we organize all of the items to sell them for them.
“When we moved back (to Ruston) there wasn’t anything like this around. I thought Ruston needed this. It’s really a great service to our community. We are dedicated to keeping down the cost of growing up.”
So Memrie teamed up with her sister and sister-in-law way back in 2005 to hold the inaugural Kool Kids in Ruston in what she termed “the hottest August ever.”
Year No. 1 was held in her sister-in-law’s carport with 30 consigners. Fast forward 20-something years and now Kool Kids usually boasts merchandise from 400-plus consignors.
For four days (three days are free admission and open to the public: August 6-8) interested moms, dads, grandparents, and parents-to-be can shop merchandise that is usually priced at around one-third of its normal retail price, including upscale name brand kids’ clothes, toys, baby items, juniors, furniture, and much more.
The first day of Kool Kids (Wednesday, August 5) is a presale only open to special subsets of customers, including Kool Kids volunteers, Kool Kids consignors, new (first time) mothers (pregnant or first child is 12-months or younger), grandparents, heroes (first responders, school employees, healthcare personnel), and guests (consignors are provided with two guest passes).
“Just before our granddaughter was born a few years ago, we went to Kool Kids to see what all the fuss was about,” said Ruston resident Susan Yepson. “Now we are absolutely hooked! Everything we needed to get prepared for our baby girl was there, at phenomenal prices.
“Prices, quality of merchandise, and organization are all outstanding. I can honestly say this well-organized event is easier to shop than some of our chain stores. It is truly my favorite place to shop for our grandchildren.”
Each subset of customers has beginning time slots (see below) where they are allowed to enter the Civic Center on that presale Wednesday. Due to limited space, no children are allowed in during the presale.
The cutoff to register for the presale is Wednesday, August 5 at noon (see specific registration links below).
“The presale basically gives people a chance to come in and shop for everything you need in one place,” said Memrie. “It can be a little overwhelming, especially being a new mom. The new moms get to bring a guest which is nice. A lot of them are coming for the first time.
“It’s such a great concept that allows shopping in one weekend in one place at great discounts.”
Memrie said the consignors receive 70 percent of the proceeds of the sale of their items during the four-day stretch. Any remaining items can either be donated to a local charity, or the consignors can pick them back up.
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PRESALE (Wednesday, August 5)
Volunteers: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Consignors: 12 to 9 p.m.
New Moms: 1:30 to 9 p.m.
Gran’s: 3:30 to 9 p.m.
Heroes: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Guests Presale: 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Registration for Presale closes Wednesday at noon
Due to limited space, no children or babies are allowed at the Presale.
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New Mom Presale (Wednesday, August 5 from 1:30 to 9 p.m.)
If you are a first time mom with a child under 12 months, expecting for the first time, or adopting for the first time, register for this special presale.
You may bring one guest! Admission Cost is $5 each. (One lifetime registration)
We want you to experience what Kool Kids has to offer. Baby supplies, clothes, and equipment … so much that new moms need. It can be overwhelming so hang in there!
Due to limited space, no children or babies are allowed at the Presale.
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Gran’s Presale (Wednesday, August 5 from 3:30 to 9 p.m.)
Whether you are expecting a new grandbaby or have many grandchildren, welcome to our sale. We have baby supplies, pack ‘n plays, clothes, toys and equipment you need at your house! (Or send to their house!)
You may bring one guest.
Cost is $5 each.
Grandparents can register every time to shop this special presale!
Due to limited space, no children or babies are allowed at the Presale.
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Heroes Presale (Wednesday, August 5 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.)
Due to limited space, no children or babies are allowed at the Presale.
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Kool Kids Public Sale (Thursday, August 6 to Saturday, August 8)
Thursday, August 6: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, August 7: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 8: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission
Children welcome during the Public Sale!!!
50% off Saturday from 7:30 am – 5 pm on items written in red.
NEW**75% off Saturday from 3 pm – 5 pm on many (but not all) items
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Benefits of Kool Kids
NO hassle of Marketplace
NO hassle of haggling prices
NO running all over town
NO “no shows”
NO meeting strangers for a few dollars when you can sell it in one place and do it safely!
Kool Kids takes care of organizing, advertising, and selling YOUR items for you!
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Shopping at Kool Kids
Kool Kids has EVERYTHING to do with babies – clothes galore! Sleep sacks, infant toys, strollers, swings, activity mats, blankets, books, too much to list!!!
Children’s Consignment is the BEST! 400+ families = HUGE sale! Great prices, unbelievable deals, and just fun to shop!
Kool Kids is 100% committed to selling affordable high-quality items for your growing family. When shopping our event, you can expect to pay 40-90 percent less than retail on high-quality name brand and boutique merchandise. Whether it’s play clothes or Beaufort Bonnet – BEST DEALS AROUND! Gently used and in excellent condition!
