Longtime educator and workforce development professional pledges to put students and teachers first

RUSTON — Richard Bates, a Ruston resident and education professional with more than a decade of experience in student recruitment, retention and workforce readiness, announced today that he is running for the Lincoln Parish School Board seat representing District 12.

Bates said his campaign is built on a straightforward premise: that every student in Lincoln Parish deserves an education that prepares them for college, a career, military service or the workforce.

“I believe our schools should put students and teachers first,” Bates said. “That means preparing every student for what comes next, strengthening partnerships between our schools, families, businesses and the community, and making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.”

Bates, who is married to Dr. Tiffany Bates, a counselor educator at Louisiana Tech University, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Grambling State University. They raised two daughters in the Lincoln Parish School System. Richard currently works at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, where he has served in several roles, including test coordinator, completion success coach, education site manager, and career coach and WorkReadyU adviser.

In those positions, he has coordinated HiSET and Accuplacer testing, led student recruitment and admissions efforts, managed campus operations and staff, and worked to improve student retention and completion rates. He also has served on the college’s graduation and scholarship committees, and has been recognized as an Outstanding Professional Support Staff Member by Northwest.

Before joining Northwest, Bates worked for Louisiana Workforce Development in Shreveport as a One Stop Operator and Direct Connect Coordinator, coordinating workforce services among partner agencies and building educational partnerships with organizations including the office of state Rep. Patrick Jefferson, the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program, and the cities of Homer, Haynesville, Ringgold and Vivian, among others.

He also previously worked for Louisiana Delta Community College as a campus coordinator, site coordinator and transitional coach, where he oversaw daily campus operations, advised adult learners, managed student records and state reporting, and coordinated an educational partnership with the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Parish Correctional Facility.
Beyond his professional work, Bates has been active in the Lincoln Parish community. He currently serves as a member of the Lincoln Parish School Board’s Diversity Committee and belongs to National Alliance on Mental Illness -Ruston, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa – Anthropos. He is also an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He has organized the Gospel Scholarship Concert for Lincoln Parish-area students, coordinated back-to-school and Christmas bike drives for local families, and organized fan drives for Lincoln Parish senior citizens through the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Bates has also served as an adviser for the Venturing Crew at Ruston High School and for the school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter. He has coached RGSA softball, and founded the City of Grambling Youth Athletic Conditioning and Summer Enrichment Program. He was a member of the A.E. Phillips PTA and the Glen View PTA.

“I’ve spent my career helping students succeed, from the classroom to the workforce,” Bates said. “I want to bring that same commitment to the school board — supporting our teachers, holding our schools accountable, and listening to parents and this community every step of the way.”

Bates said his priorities as a board member would include supporting teachers and staff, promoting accountability and transparency, strengthening safe and productive learning environments, and preparing students for life after graduation.

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.

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By Malcolm Butler

A double bogey on the opening hole could have derailed Alex Roebuck’s championship hopes.

Instead, the Cedar Creek senior-to-be responded with one of the best back-nine performances of his young career.

Roebuck overcame the early stumble by firing a 2-under-par 70 Tuesday, using an eagle and three birdies on the back nine to capture the first Louisiana Junior Golf Tour title of his career at the University Club in Baton Rouge.

Competing against a field of 53 golfers in the boys 14-18 division, Roebuck finished the two-day tournament at 2-under 142 after opening with an even-par 72 on Monday. His one-stroke victory over Mason LeBlanc of Lafayette earned him his first championship on Louisiana’s premier junior golf circuit.

“I started off the day making a double bogey because of a poor tee shot, but I bounced back with back-to-back birdies,” Roebuck said. “I just settled down. I missed two 10-footers to finish one over on the front, but I had the eagle and three birdies to finish three under on the back.”

Roebuck’s scorecard reflected the resilience that has become a signature of his game.

After the double bogey on the opening hole, he birdied Nos. 2 and 3 before making the turn at 1-over 37. On the back nine, he eagled the par-5 11th hole and added birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 17 to shoot 3-under 33 and secure the tournament victory.

“It feels great,” Roebuck said. “I knew I had a chance coming in. I was disappointed in how I finished the front nine, but I finished the back nine strong.”

Roebuck also credited longtime coach Brad Pullin for helping him reach another milestone.

“I want to thank Brad Pullin, my coach,” Roebuck said. “He got me a new putter. That definitely helped. I also want to thank Coach Jeff Parks as well. We have been working on some things. I feel like my swing is in a great spot and we put it together.”

The victory is another significant accomplishment for Roebuck, who has established himself as one of Louisiana’s top junior golfers.

As a sophomore, he won the LHSAA Division IV individual state championship before representing Louisiana at the PGA High School Golf National Invitational at Pinehurst. Last fall, he captured the Allstate Sugar Bowl Fall Series title, and this spring helped lead Cedar Creek to the Select Division IV team championship while finishing as the individual runner-up. Earlier this summer, he also qualified for the 107th Louisiana Amateur Championship.

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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Parish duo competes in State Games of America

By T. Scott Boatright

Maybe it’s “something in the water,” but there’s something about Lincoln Parish and longer-distance running.

It’s no secret we have some championship-level cross country teams here, but we have solid middle-distance runners, too.

Two of those runners — Choudrant’s Lakynn Roberson, who is 11, and incoming Ruston High freshman Lauren Price, 14, — recently competed in the State Games of America at Penn State University after qualifying at the State Games of Louisiana.

Roberson walked — “ran” — away with first-place awards in the 1,500-meter (6:12) and 3,000-meter (13:20) while also finishing third in the 800-meter race (2:53) while competing in the 11-12 year-old division.

“It’s pretty cool, I’m not going to lie,” said Lakynn’s mother, Brandy Tyler Roberson, the Choudrant High girls basketball coach. “We knew early on — she started running in kindergarten — that she just has a gift. She’s always been competitive, but it’s been fun seeing her put the work in with her talent.

“The new cross country coach at Choudrant High School, Joseph Wohlers, has been phenomenal, and she’s been running with the junior high and high school teams, and that’s been a really big jump that she has made. She has really invested in it. Her dad (Lucas) and I told her that if she put her time and minutes in, she could do it, and she did.”

Roberson admits that she wasn’t a distance runner during her athletic career.

“I was a sprinter,” Brandy said. “I did sprints and jumping.”

Lakynn says it’s confidence — learned confidence — in her longer-distance abilities that makes her compete in those races.

“I think I’m good at strides,” Lakynn said. “I think that’s a big part of it. I feel like I’ve gotten better because at the end of a race, you’re supposed to, like, sprint. And I feel like I’ve gotten better at that — the end of my races.”

Roberson credits Wohlers with playing a major role in Lakynn’s success.

“She’s been a cross country runner and had never run on a track,” Brandy said. “He took her out to the Louisiana Tech track and worked with her on the three events she would be competing in on the Penn State track. He went over strategies with her, too. And that obviously paid off.”

Before she heads to high school next week, Lauren, who also competed in the State Games of America, ran in the 800-meter, 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter events.

“Going up and running in Pennsylvania was really fun, but different,” Lauren said. “The air was really different. It was like running in the cold at home. It was more fun, but it was a lot different than running at home. The air wasn’t humid and wet, it was very dry, and I’m not used to that.”

Like Lakynn, Lauren said it’s simply comfort that makes her enjoy longer-distance events.

“It’s just easier for me to run longer-distance events than it is short distance,” Lauren said.

Lauren said her State Games of America journey began in Pittsburgh.

“We stayed there for a while and then went to State College and then I ran,” Lauren said. “Then we went to Cooperstown (the National Baseball Hall of Fame) and that was really fun.”

The trip wasn’t Lauren’s first appearance in the State Games of America. In 2024, Lauren competed in the State Games of America in San Diego.

“(Competing in San Diego in 2024) was her first time running on a big stage like that, so she’s done it before,” said Lauren’s father, John Price. “Hopefully she’ll get to do it again.”

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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From the Louisiana Department of Health

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jul 31, 2026 – The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is advising Louisianans that Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., has recalled 1,589,577 dozen shell eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination.

“Protecting Louisianans from foodborne illness is a core public health responsibility and one that LDH takes seriously,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “We encourage anyone who purchased these eggs to check the recall information carefully and discard or return affected products.”

To date, Louisiana has identified seven illnesses associated with this outbreak. Three people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Recalled eggs were available to consumers at Kroger stores, Brookshire Grocery stores, and Brookshire Grocery-owned stores, including Super 1 Foods and Spring Market in Louisiana. Other stores may have also carried the recalled eggs.

The eggs are sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Cal-Maine, and Country Morning.

Only certain brown cage-free shell eggs and white shell eggs were included in the recall, including:

• Cartons with codes P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184 printed on the side;
• Products produced in Texas and distributed between June 6, 2026, and July 3, 2026; and
• Cartons with sell-by or best-by dates between July 20, 2026, and August 17, 2026.

“Recall responses, like this one, reflect the outstanding coordination between our Office of Public Health Epidemiology and Sanitarian teams, our federal partners, and local retailers,” said Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan. “Our epidemiologists quickly identify and investigate illnesses to determine whether they are part of a larger outbreak, while our sanitarians work with local retailers to verify that recalled products are removed from store shelves. That collaboration helps us identify risks and quickly share information with the public, limit additional illnesses, and ultimately protect the health of Louisiana families.”

Symptoms of Salmonella

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
• Some people — especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems — may experience more severe illness that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Recommendations for Louisianans

• Do not eat any recalled shell eggs. Throw them out or return them.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled shell eggs using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 2 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Resources

• CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Shell Eggs
• CDC: About Salmonella Infection
• FDA: Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. Recalls Shell Eggs Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination
• FDA: Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (July 2026)
• FDA: Key Temperatures for Egg Safety in Food Service Operations and Retail Food Stores | FDA

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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. 

Monday, Aug. 3
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Noon to 6 p.m.: Friends of the Library Book Sale (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council 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. 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

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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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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Louisiana Tech fans are invited to kick off a new era of Tech Athletics at Fall Fan Fest, set for Friday, Aug. 21, from 6-8 p.m. at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. Admission is free and open to the public.

As Louisiana Tech prepares for its first season competing in the Sun Belt Conference, fans will have their first opportunity to meet the Bulldog football, soccer, and volleyball teams before the start of the 2026-27 athletic season.

Student-athletes and coaches from all three programs will be available for autographs and photos. At the same time, fans can enjoy interactive sport stations, bounce houses, tailgating games, music, food, LA Tech merchandise, and family-friendly activities throughout the evening.

Season tickets for Bulldog football will be available for purchase during the event, along with memberships to Champ’s Kids Club (ages 12 and under) and Varsity Blue (ages 13-18), which provide members with various perks, including admission to all Louisiana Tech home regular-season athletic events throughout the 2026-27 season.

Fans can also learn more about the upcoming athletic year, purchase tickets, and prepare to Bark Louder as Louisiana Tech begins its inaugural Sun Belt campaign.

Upcoming Season Openers

• Soccer opens the 2026-27 athletic season on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m., hosting Nicholls at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
• Volleyball opens the season by hosting the Jambalaya Jam Tournament inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Aug. 28-30. The Bulldogs’ first match is Friday, Aug. 28, at 6:30 p.m. against Iona.
• Football opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m. against Northwestern State at Joe Aillet Stadium.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the start of a new season, reconnect with Bulldog and Lady Techster Athletics, and help launch Louisiana Tech’s first year in the Sun Belt Conference alongside fellow fans, student-athletes, coaches, and the Ruston community.

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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Eleisha Yvette Levingston  
Saturday 11/19/1966 — Thursday 07/23/2026   
Memorial Service: Saturday 08/08/2026 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home  

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From the Louisiana Department of Health

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jul 31, 2026 – The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is advising Louisianans that Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., has recalled 1,589,577 dozen shell eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination.

“Protecting Louisianans from foodborne illness is a core public health responsibility and one that LDH takes seriously,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “We encourage anyone who purchased these eggs to check the recall information carefully and discard or return affected products.”

To date, Louisiana has identified seven illnesses associated with this outbreak. Three people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Recalled eggs were available to consumers at Kroger stores, Brookshire Grocery stores, and Brookshire Grocery-owned stores, including Super 1 Foods and Spring Market in Louisiana. Other stores may have also carried the recalled eggs.

The eggs are sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Cal-Maine, and Country Morning.

Only certain brown cage-free shell eggs and white shell eggs were included in the recall, including:

• Cartons with codes P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184 printed on the side;
• Products produced in Texas and distributed between June 6, 2026, and July 3, 2026; and
• Cartons with sell-by or best-by dates between July 20, 2026, and August 17, 2026.

“Recall responses, like this one, reflect the outstanding coordination between our Office of Public Health Epidemiology and Sanitarian teams, our federal partners, and local retailers,” said Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan. “Our epidemiologists quickly identify and investigate illnesses to determine whether they are part of a larger outbreak, while our sanitarians work with local retailers to verify that recalled products are removed from store shelves. That collaboration helps us identify risks and quickly share information with the public, limit additional illnesses, and ultimately protect the health of Louisiana families.”

Symptoms of Salmonella

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
• Some people — especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems — may experience more severe illness that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Recommendations for Louisianans

• Do not eat any recalled shell eggs. Throw them out or return them.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled shell eggs using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 2 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Resources

• CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Shell Eggs
• CDC: About Salmonella Infection
• FDA: Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. Recalls Shell Eggs Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination
• FDA: Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (July 2026)
• FDA: Key Temperatures for Egg Safety in Food Service Operations and Retail Food Stores | FDA

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by Malcolm Butler

Northern Louisiana Medical Center says state health regulators have cleared the remaining condition-level deficiencies cited during a July inspection, marking what could be a significant step in the hospital’s effort to restore full Medicare compliance.

In a statement provided to the Lincoln Parish Journal on Wednesday, NLMC CEO Monica Adams confirmed that surveyors with the Louisiana Department of Health returned to the hospital this week for a follow-up visit.

According to Adams, the revisit resulted in all remaining condition-level deficiencies being cleared, including issues involving the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory.

“LDH did return to our hospital this week for a follow up and all condition level deficiencies were reportedly cleared during this revisit — including the Cath Lab, which is now fully operational and no longer on diversion,” Adams said.

However, Adams noted the hospital has not yet received the official survey report documenting the findings.

“Because we have not yet received the official survey report for this revisit, we do not want to speculate on specific regulatory findings,” she said.

The latest development follows a series of state inspections that began in June and culminated in a July 8 follow-up survey that found the hospital remained out of compliance with Medicare’s Conditions of Participation for Patient Rights. During that survey, inspectors removed an Immediate Jeopardy finding after the hospital placed its cardiac catheterization laboratory on diversion, but the Patient Rights condition-level deficiency remained, leaving the hospital subject to continued regulatory oversight.

In a July 14 letter accompanying the survey findings, the Louisiana Department of Health notified the hospital that it remained out of compliance with Medicare’s Conditions of Participation and that the Medicare termination process would continue. The agency directed the hospital to submit a Plan of Correction within three calendar days and advised that compliance with all remaining Conditions of Participation had to be achieved during a follow-up survey before the scheduled Aug. 30 termination date to avoid further action.

Northern Louisiana Medical Center submitted its Plan of Correction on July 21, outlining dozens of corrective actions designed to address deficiencies identified by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Among the most significant commitments was keeping the catheterization laboratory on diversion until its backup power system was fully restored.

The plan also detailed operational improvements throughout the hospital, including installation of a wireless nurse call system for the ambulatory surgery center, replacement of approximately 60 over-bed tables, expanded preventive maintenance tracking, additional infection-control measures, revised policies, enhanced quality monitoring and increased oversight by hospital leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Under the Medicare survey process, hospitals cited with condition-level deficiencies must demonstrate to regulators that corrective actions have been implemented before those deficiencies can be removed. The follow-up survey conducted this week was expected to determine whether Northern Louisiana Medical Center had successfully corrected the remaining deficiencies identified during the July inspection.

If confirmed by the LDH official survey report, the latest revisit would represent a positive step towards a turnaround for the hospital. Just weeks ago, state regulators warned that Medicare termination proceedings would continue unless Northern Louisiana Medical Center corrected the remaining condition-level deficiency before a follow-up survey conducted ahead of the Aug. 30 deadline.

The official survey report is expected to document the state’s findings from the latest revisit and identify whether any new deficiencies were cited during the inspection. As of Wednesday evening, that report had not been released.

In her statement, Adams said efforts have resulted in meaningful operational changes.

“Today, our processes include more structured monitoring, greater departmental ownership, increased leadership engagement, and an even stronger organizational commitment to patient safety and accountability,” Adams said. “These are improvements that will continue benefiting our patients long after the survey process concludes.”

Adams credited physicians, nurses, department leaders and employees with implementing the changes while continuing daily operations.

“This process has challenged every department in our hospital, but it has also reinforced who we are,” Adams said. “Our team has embraced accountability, worked collaboratively, and remained focused on providing safe, compassionate care for our community.”

The Lincoln Parish Journal has requested the official survey report from the Louisiana Department of Health and will report its findings once it becomes available.

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 Hanna Singh

The Simsboro School staff bridged the gap between teachers and students during the summer months with a special day dedicated to preparing for the upcoming school year.

During the Popsicles and Paws Tour, volunteer teachers and staff members took the Simsboro school bus from stop to stop throughout the community to meet incoming students and bring them a sweet treat.

In an effort to welcome students back to school and build stronger connections with families and community members, the bus made stops at apartments, day cares and community areas to meet and greet the kids. Simsboro Principal Lacey Holcomb described the intention behind bringing the event to life for the first time last year.

“We started this event last summer. It was an idea we had been discussing for a couple of years and just had not been able to put the pieces together to figure out exactly what it should look like,” Holcomb said. “We finally came up with this idea as a way to visit with the kids, welcome them back to school, and spread a little joy. We really do miss the kids over the summer, and it is so good to see their faces when we go hand out the popsicles.”

As a K-12 school, Simsboro encompasses children of all ages throughout the community. During the summer, many of these students spend their days at day cares, play centers, recreational programs or around their neighborhoods. With the Popsicles and Paws Tour, teachers were able to see the students in a different environment outside the regular classroom.

Assistant Principal Jonathan Hood highlighted the importance of reaching the kids and their families outside the classroom.

“It’s the first time we get to see some of the students in a few months, and it’s so fun to interact with them just as normal kids in their own neighborhoods — not a structured environment like inside the school walls,” Hood said. “Kids get so excited about seeing their teachers. It builds trust and relationships between those kids and their teachers because we are going out to see them and, as a bonus, we bring them popsicles.”

This year, the bus made stops at the apartments on College Avenue in Grambling, Kiddie Palace in Simsboro, the Braswell Lane mobile home community, and Regan Maden Park in Simsboro. The tour around town allowed students in all different areas to meet their teachers without having to travel to school for an event. It brought joy to the kids and their families to see their school staff taking the time and effort to visit them and bring them a treat during their summer break.

Fifth-grade teacher Teyauna Shorter shared her favorite part of volunteering for the event.

“I liked seeing the connections with the families and getting to meet siblings,” Shorter said.

With the tour of Simsboro bringing a bit of end-of-summer joy to all, the Simsboro staff and students are ready for a fun and successful school year. Thanks to the teachers and staff who volunteered, students can enter the school year knowing their educators are looking out for them wherever they may be.

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 local man was arrested early Sunday on driving while intoxicated and drug charges after a Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s deputy stopped him in Choudrant, according to an arrest affidavit.

Ryan Mead Smith, 33, of Choudrant, was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on charges of first-offense driving under the influence, two counts of possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies saw a red Chevrolet at about 1 a.m. cross the center line while traveling south and conducted a traffic stop at Highway 821. The deputy reported smelling an odor associated with an alcoholic beverage while speaking with Smith and continued to detect the odor on his breath as the conversation went on. Smith agreed to a standardized field sobriety test and performed poorly. He was placed in restraints and advised of his Miranda rights.

While retrieving Smith’s phone from the vehicle at his request, the deputy reported smelling an odor associated with marijuana. A subsequent probable cause search turned up 3.7 grams of suspected marijuana, high-concentration THC edibles and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.

Smith refused to submit a breath sample after arriving at the detention center and was booked without incident.

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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by Malcolm Butler

Ruston has been known for decades for Bulldogs and Bearcats and Cougars.

It’s about to be known for a Beaver. A pretty famous one.

Yep. Buc-ee’s is most definitely coming to town.

The mascot of the nationally renowned travel center is about to be plastered on billboards from the Texas state line to the Mississippi state line.

Mile marker 83. Tarbutton Exit.

Get ready, Ruston. The Beaver is most definitely coming to town.

I have written a lot about this topic since the official announcement was made in early January 2023. And outside of the recent health care issues in our parish, no one topic has generated as much passionate debate as that of this Beaver.

Buc-ee is his name.

Evidently, you either love him or you hate him. People are very passionate about ol’ Buc-ee and his travel center from what I have read on social media.

Some folks aren’t too happy about the newest addition. My buddy Stephen complains all the time about it. Any time the B word is brought up, que Stephen’s negativity. His prerogative.

I have heard grumblings that stem from location to increased traffic to tax breaks to more. All fair arguments that I won’t delve into in this column.

Why not? Because this column is pro-Beaver.

Personally, I am a big fan of the ecosystem engineer portrayed by a cute little guy in a red hat. And I am a huge fan of the cleanest public bathrooms that said-varmint represents. And the BBQ sandwiches. The variety of jerky. The selection of candy and cookies and chips and Coca-Cola products and more!

Heck, I even bought a belt at Buc-ee’s in Terrell, Texas one time (packing snafu on a road trip to Denton, Texas).

And as excited as I am about the travel center opening sometime in the second quarter of 2027, I am just as eager to start hearing about what is following it to Tarbutton Exit. Every time I meet with Ronny Walker, that’s one of the first questions that I ask. Ronny has been pretty consistent with his Fort Knox reply.

“They won’t start announcing that until closer to the opening of Buc-ee’s.”

Trust me, folks who want to know. I have worn the mayor out with that question. Ronny has his reply on replay.

I know not everyone is as excited as I am about the newest, most talked-about addition to our parish in decades. And I respect those who say their shadows will never darken the sliding doors.

But, I, for one, will frequent Buc-ee’s to pay homage to the Beaver … Buc-ee himself.

Beaver nuggets, anyone?

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 local man was arrested after a traffic stop for an inoperable headlight led a deputy to find suspected crack cocaine in his vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

Isaiah Bates, 21, of Ruston, was arrested July 24 by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department.

A deputy on patrol on RWE Jones Drive observed a vehicle traveling north with one headlight inoperable and conducted a traffic stop at RWE Jones Drive and Main Street.

The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Bates. While speaking with Bates, the deputy reported observing a mostly smoked suspected marijuana cigarette in the center console area of the vehicle. Bates was asked to step out of the vehicle, complied and was advised of his rights.

When asked about the cigarette, Bates said he does not smoke marijuana and that he shares the vehicle with a relative.

The deputy conducted a probable cause search and located an orange pill bottle in the center console containing an unknown pill and suspected crack cocaine. The bottle had no label with a prescription or name on it.

A field test of the suspected crack cocaine yielded a positive result. Deputies continued searching the vehicle, where the odor of marijuana was detected, but no other contraband was located.

Bates was placed in restraints and transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where he was booked without incident.

Bates was booked on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (crack cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia and a headlight violation.

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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Below is a list of events for the month of August at the Lincoln Parish Library.

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By Brad Dison

All Americans learned in school that we fought two wars against the British, namely the American Revolution and the War of 1812, but there was a third war that began in 1859 which has been largely forgotten.  Following the War of 1812, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed in the Treaty of Oregon that the boundary between the countries was along the 49^th parallel from the Rocky Mountains to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver’s Island then south through the channel to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and west to the Pacific Ocean (see map).  This agreement was made by using crude maps by people who had little knowledge of the area.  Both parties were unaware that there were two distinct channels or straits, the Haro Strait and the Rosario Strait, which were divided by San Juan Island.  Because of the way the treaty was written, both countries claimed right to the island and people from both countries began settling on the island. For years, tension rose as each side argued that settlers from the other side were nothing more than squatters or trespassers. 

The first shot of the war happened on June 15, 1859, when Lyman Cutlar, an American, shot and killed a British subject whom Lyman had found destroying crops in his field.  British authorities threatened to arrest Lyman and to evict all Americans from the island.  In response, American Brigadier General William Harney ordered a company of 64 infantry soldiers to the island.  When the soldiers arrived, the British Governor at Vancouver ordered Royal Navy Captain Geoffrey Phipps Hornby to take his 31-gun steam frigate HMS Tribune to remove the American soldiers.  More British warships joined the Tribune shortly thereafter, and more American soldiers were sent to the island.  For months, the British and Americans stockpiled weapons and built up their forces for the upcoming battle.  Each side drilled and fired their cannons, but they were careful not to aim at the opposing soldiers just yet.  As both sides were making their final preparations for battle, General Winfield Scott, U.S. Army commander and War of 1812 veteran, arrived and began negotiations.  General Scott proposed and both sides agreed on a joint military occupation until a final border could be agreed upon.  For twelve long, tense years, San Juan Island remained under joint military occupation.  In 1871, when Great Britain and the United States were still unable to agree on ownership of San Juan Island, they turned to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany who set up a three-man arbitration commission to settle the dispute.  Both sides agreed that the commission’s decision would be final.  Finally in October 1872, after nearly a year of discussions by the commission, Kaiser Wilhelm I ruled in favor of the United States.  San Juan Island belonged to the United States.  The Royal Marines withdrew the following month, and the war ended 14 years after the first shot was fired.  The war over San Juan Island was named after that British subject who was the only fatality of this war between the United Kingdom and the United States.  It is known as the Pig War.  That’s right.  This conflict between the United Kingdom and United States was set off by a squabble over a pig.

Source: “The Pig War,” National Park Service: San Juan Island, accessed July 19, 2026, https://www.nps.gov/sajh/learn/historyculture/the-pig-war.htm.       

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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 Kyleigh Bass (Assistant Extension Agent-Horticulture/Lincoln and Bienville Parishes)

Local landowners and wildlife enthusiasts will have the opportunity next Saturday August 8^th to learn practical strategies for improving habitat quality at the Management for Better Wildlife workshop, hosted by the LSU AgCenter at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by a two‑hour program starting at 9:00 a.m.

The workshop will focus on building stronger wildlife food plots, improving forage availability, and understanding how seasonal changes shape habitat needs. Participants will also explore the role of prescribed burning as a tool for maintaining healthy environments and encouraging beneficial plant growth. Presenters will walk attendees through smart, effective approaches that landowners can apply to develop their own property.

Organizers from the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, and the Piney Hills Prescribed Burn Association will guide participants in thinking about their land as a connected system. Where soil health, vegetation structure, and management decisions work together to support wildlife. The workshop is designed to give attendees clear, actionable steps they can begin using immediately.

The event is free to attend, and registration is available by email (MHale@agcenter.lsu.edu) or phone (318-251-5134). Organizers note that programs like this strengthen community‑based conservation efforts and help landowners make informed decisions that benefit both wildlife and long‑term land stewardship.

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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