James Reginald “Reggie” McKinney August 5, 1949 – February 11, 2025 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, February 17, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:30 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, February 17, 2025, 11:30 am Cemetery: Edmonds-Gayla-Traina Memorial Cemetery, Monday, February 17, 2025
Anita Howard Gray August 19, 1946 – February 6, 2025 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, February 14, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: Alabama Presbyterian Church, Saturday, February 15, 2025, 10:00 am
Sarah Singleton Howard Friday 09/08/1922 — Thursday 02/06/2025 Visitation: Friday 02/14/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 02/15/2025 11:00am, New Prosperity Baptist Church, 1378 Prosperity Church Road, Clay Interment: Saturday 02/15/2025 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery, Clay
Pictured is North Louisiana Boys and Girls Clubs Director Eldonta Osborne talking to the Lincoln Parish Police Jury Tuesday night. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana organization has outgrown its current housing here in Ruston, but negotiations with the Lincoln Parish Police Jury might have the potential to help both of those entities in the short term if not longer.
Considering a request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana for use of space at the Police Jury Complex I (the old Temple Baptist Church building located at the intersection of Alabama and Homer streets in Ruston) was on the agenda of Tuesday night’s Public Property and Buildings Committee prior to the LPPJ’s February meeting.
That committee moved to table any action on that request for at least a month to give officials from both sides talk about the potential of the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana using space inside of it when it becomes available.
Currently the Lincoln Parish HELP (Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish) Agency, which assists low income individuals and families with utility assistance, rent, transportation, and more, is housed on the second floor of that building but will move at some point over the next few months to the new 12,500 square foot Health Hub building being constructed on White Street near Northern Louisiana Medical Center.
That led to the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana to make the request for that office space on the second floor of the older facility to use for administrative office space once the HELP Agency moves to the new Health Hub building.
Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana Director Eldonta Osborne was not at that Public Property and Buildings Committee meeting but did attend the full LPPJ meeting that followed and explained his organization’s need for new housing for administrative officers.
“When I started 20-plus years ago, we were in one club in one parish,” Osborne said. “Today we have 11 clubs and we’re in seven parishes serving more than 800 kids, and that growth has gotten us to the point where we’ve added to our staff and pretty much outgrown the space we’re in now. And for us to continue to grow and serve the kids of our area we’re needing some additional space and we’re looking for a place where we can actually have all of our staff together and we can continue to grow and serve our kids more efficiently and effectively.
“So, we’re looking forward and hoping that as we have some conversation going forward that we can work together with the Jury and figure out a way to allow us to get all of our staff and all of our people to a place where we can actually better serve our kids.”
Osborne stressed that the Boys and Girls Clubs are looking for administrative space and not space to interact with the kids attending the clubs.
Currently the old Armory on Memorial Drive across from the North Louisiana Military Museum is where the Boys and Girls Club hold activities for elementary and middle schools-aged children while older kids are mentored at the old Bobby James Gym area near Ruston High School.
“We used to have them all in one place, but there’s too many for that now so we had to split our kids and our staff,” Osborne said. “These are the things (that happen) when you’re successful — it takes more, and right now that’s where we are.”
Osborne said he’ll need office space for around 12 staff members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana.
One question that will be discussed in future negotiations is how long the Boys and Girls Clubs will need that space. When questioned about that, Osborne said his agency is flexible and has the ability to move and adjust.
“So, if something were to come up at some point in time, we’ll find a space that will give us a way to continue to operate,” Osborne said.
“If a long-term commitment comes, I’m sure we’ll take it. But if that’s not the case, we’ll take the space (short-term) and do the work that we do as long as we can there and then we’ll adjust it after that.”
Parish Administrator Courtney Hall said that at the least, any use of the Police Jury Complex I (also known as the Lincoln Parish Police Jury Annex), a cooperative endeavor agreement would have to be worked out with the Boys and Girls Club taking over at least a portion of utility costs.
There is an office currently being leased by the Department of Homeland Security to house a grant writer for that agency but that all the other offices on the second floor of the building will be open when the HELP Agency moves to its new office space at the Health Hub facility currently under construction.
Hall said any move would have to be temporary until the LPPJ decides what it wants to do with the Police Jury Complex I.
The Police Jury is already looking toward the future knowing it will eventually need to decide on multiple LPPJ properties being leased, as is currently being done with the Old Country Market building near the Lincoln Parish Courthouse that currently houses a Dollar General outlet and a Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Hall said he expects that Dollar General outlet to be moved to a new location planned to be built just outside southwest Ruston city limits. The Ruston City Council earlier this month passed a motion to provide electric utility services to Dollar General should that location just outside city limits be built.
Such a move would only increase the LPPJ’s need to consider the future of that old Country Market building.
District 5 juror Logan Hunt said part of the discussions needed for the Police Jury Complex I and the Old County Market building will likely entail coming up with an updated LPPJ Facilities Use Plan.
“I think 2012 was the last time the Police Jury set up the actual task of having a Facilities Use Plan,” Hunt said. “I don’t think those have been scoped in our long-range plan. At least not yet.”
Hall said there are “so many moving pieces” with property the LPPJ owns and is leasing out that will need to be considered for action to be taken, hence the need for further study and discussions, even if not setting a specific timetable should the LPPJ agree to work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Louisiana on at least a temporary basis.
“I think it could be done with the understanding that things could change, but I think that we need to give (the Boys and Girls Clubs) the one-year thing,” said LPPJ President Glenn Scriber. “I think we need to give them that. But I think it also needs to be stated (in any forthcoming agreement) that if something comes up and we need to (sell) that building, we would need to give them ample notice.”
Three men were arrested by Ruston Police last Saturday after the investigation of an assault.
Jalen Kelly, 21, Marquis Melancon, 22, and Jcolby Roberson, 22, all of Ruston, were arrested February 8 after the investigation of an assault on a male victim in the 700 block of Martin Luther King Drive.
According to an officer’s report, the victim said he was beaten by a group, identifying several suspects by name. He provided a vehicle description of the suspects.
Officers located the vehicle at a South Vienna Street residence. A number of individuals fled the location on foot. Officers apprehended Kelly, Melancon, Roberson, and a juvenile female.
An officer checked the porch where Melancon and the other males fled from and found a Glock pistol, a AR 15 rifle, and a bag of suspected marijuana.
Melancon was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Both he and Roberson denied any wrongdoing.
Kelly claimed the victim started the altercation but admitted pushing him. It was also determined the juvenile was present at the altercation.
Roberson was booked for a simple battery, resisting officer, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His bail was set at $3,000.
Melancon was booked for a possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, and illegal carrying of a weapon. Bail was set at $1,000.
Kelly was booked for simple battery and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
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.
Early voting is March 15 – 22 (excluding Sunday, March 16) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Registrar of Voters Office, Lincoln Parish Courthouse, 100 West Texas Ave, Ruston LA.
Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
Former Bulldog and current Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams celebrates the Super Bowl victory with his family. (Courtesy Photo)
By Malcolm Butler
Milton Williams, Jr., always dreamed of hearing his name called on draft night.
In 2021, it finally happened … just about 30 years later than he had originally hoped.
However, the father of Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams, III., was probably more excited for his son.
“He is doing something I dreamed of doing come out of a small town in South Florida,” said Mr. Williams, who played football at Trinity Valley Community College and basketball at Texas College. “I always wanted my name to be called on draft night back in the early 90s, but my name wasn’t called. But in 2021 my name was called … Milton Williams. They still called it.”
On that night in 2021, Milton Williams, III was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Eagles following a three-year career with Louisiana Tech.
And four years later, he is a Super Bowl Champion after the Eagles 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday in New Orleans.
“I have been telling my parents that I don’t think I could have drawn it up any better,” said Milton. “You dream of those types of moments, especially in the Super Bowl. It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but I am definitely happy to come out with a Super Bowl ring.”
His success in the NFL and his performance on Sunday, arguably his best game of the 2024 season which included four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery, didn’t happen just by chance.
No, it’s taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice over the years, a mindset that was pounded into him on a daily basis by his dad at a young age.
“Milton works his butt off,” said Mr. Williams. “He was underrated (in high school). I always told him, ‘You have to be 10 times better then the next man.’ And he listened to me. In the summertime in high school, I would give him workouts and we would work out together. He learned then.”
Although Dad does remember one time that son didn’t take care of his workouts.
“I came home and (his twin sister) Mia had done her workout, but Milton hadn’t done his,” said Mr. Williams. “So I had to take his PlayStation and his cell phone. Once he finally got it in his head, it was all she wrote. He started working it. He started working it. And look at him now. I’m just so proud of my kids.”
The work has paid dividends, something Milton doesn’t take for granted.
“(The NFL) makes you grow up fast,” said Milton. “There isn’t a lot of time to kick back and chill if you want to take advantage of the opportunity that they are going to give to you. While you are kicked back chilling, somebody else is out there busting their butt trying to get what you got or get the opportunity that you wasted. I pride myself on taking advantage of the opportunities that I get.”
And take advantage he has.
After graduating from Crowley High School in Texas where he recorded over 300 tackles and 22 sacks in his prep career, Milton signed with Louisiana Tech. During his three years in a Bulldog uniform, he registered 108 tackles and 10.5 sacks before foregoing his senior year to declare for the NFL Draft.
Milton said he still represents the red and blue even though these days he’s wearing green.
“I will always look back and appreciate Louisiana Tech,” said Milton. “I wasn’t really highly recruited. Louisiana Tech was the first school to offer me a scholarship. I will always be appreciative of them. My time there was great. I got my opportunity and took advantage of it.”
Following Sunday’s win over the Chiefs, Milton was joined on the Caesar’s Superdome floor by the rest of his family. It gave the Williams family an opportunity to celebrate together.
“My dad wasn’t around when I was trying to play ball, but I made sure I was around for them,” said Mr. Williams. “I never missed a game. It didn’t matter what sport it was, I didn’t miss.”
“Without God and my family I wouldn’t be in this situation,” said Milton. “They have seen it all. They know how hard I’ve worked. They know how hard I prepare and how I take care of my body. They know everything that I have been through, and they have been there with me every step of the way. Who else better to enjoy that moment with then your family.”
Milton, who lives in New Jersey instead of Philadelphia because “I have more elbow room in Jersey,” is a free agent now that the 2024 NFL season has concluded. Will he return to Philadelphia or will some other lucky professional franchise sign him?
“This was last year of my deal with the Eagles,” said Milton. “We will see what happens. I’m gong to look at all my options.”
And following his performance in Super Bowl LIV, the big man should have plenty of them. Oh, and a nice shiny new Super Bowl ring to take with him.
RUSTON, La. — The Ruston Area Music Teachers Association’s annual Solo Festival was held Saturday, Feb. 2, at Howard Auditorium on the campus of Louisiana Tech University, with multiple music students selected for the honor’s recital after their opening morning performance.
The winners are listed below.
Piano: 1:00 recital 1st grade – Timmy Lou 11th-12th grade – Melissa Le 9th grade – Eli Richey 7th grade – Zoey Wang
3:00 recital 6th grade – Mia Le 8th grade -Millie Marie McGehee 10th grade – Preston Parker 2nd grade – Iris Xiao 4th grade – Jack McGehee
Teachers represented on the piano honors recitals were: Dee Alexander Sherri Antley Cody Chandler Denise Cox Pam Givens Steele Moegle Lynette Murphy Jeanne Patterson
Voice: 1st-5th grade – Esther Allen 10th-12th grade – Catherine Williams 8th-9th grade – Rileigh Parent 6th-7th grade -Kaejha Stewart
Teachers represented on the voice honors recital were: Dee Alexander Tami Alexander Kathie Venable Pam Givens
A Ruston man was arrested by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Sunday after he was stopped for an obscured windshield and marijuana was found inside the vehicle.
Casey F. Bridwell, 39, was stopped about 2 p.m. Feb. 9 on U.S. 167 near Chautauqua Road after a deputy saw damage to the windshield obstructing the driver’s view.
As the deputy approached the truck, he smelled a strong odor of green marijuana. An unrestrained four-year-old girl was found on the rear seat.
When asked about the presence of contraband, Bridwell said there was marijuana between the driver’s seat and the center console. A search of the vehicle yielded a bag of marijuana and a suspected marijuana cigar.
A criminal history check showed Bridwell had been arrested on drug charges four times since 2019. He was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for obstructed windshield, no child restraint, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance in the presence of a juvenile.
Bridwell’s bail amount was not available.
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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GRAMBLING, La. — Ruston Junior High School’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America participated at Grambling State University’s annual Regional Leadership Conference held Thursday, Jan. 30, and had multiple students receive honors in various events.
The event centers around competitions based on business concepts that the students learn about throughout the year, and the students participated in combinations of both objective testing and live judging events. They also attended workshops put on by the Louisiana FBLA state officers and attended an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding achievements.
The Bearkits had numerous members placing and qualifying for the State Leadership Conference to be held in Lafayette in March.
Achieving Superior: Carley Carter, Avery Dixon, Braylen Gipson, Charli Grillot, Ryan Hester, Gabrielle Johnson, Raina Sharma and Marilyn Velazques
First Place Winners: Joseph Amiano, Bess Cotton, Peyton Jones, Briley Mack, Harper Mack, Rylie Nations, John Cole Parker, Chau Pham, Reese Pyles, Ella Kate Whitaker and Emory Winters
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Some decisions are black and white. There is clearly the right choice and wrong choice. There is clearly the right thing to do and the wrong thing to do. We may or may not make the right choice, but there is little question as to the right choice.
However, most of the tough decisions in life aren’t that obvious. In fact, much of life is lived in the gray area. There is no clear right and wrong. What’s right for one may not be right for someone else. What’s right in one circumstance may not be right in another. Taking it a step further, there may not be a right or wrong choice, but a better choice for you in the moment.
For example, I may choose to meet a friend at a bar/restaurant for lunch. I can order my grilled chicken sandwich, water, and have a great time with my friend. However, if my friend has battled an alcohol addiction, selecting a bar for lunch may not be the right choice.
What about financing a new car versus paying cash for a used car. There is nothing inherently wrong with either choice. If I have the financial ability to pay the note each month, financing is a good option. However, if being debt free is important to me and/or paying a monthly note for an extended period would be a burden, maybe paying cash for a less expensive used vehicle would be the better choice.
We live in the gray areas every day! Many of these decisions aren’t that important and we decide and just move on. However, others are more important and can be a huge burden if we aren’t careful.
Some of us get stuck, can’t decide, and suffer through anxious hours of worry, stress, and restlessness. We are essentially paralyzed by our fear of making a bad choice.
Others spend endless hours getting input from others as if the scales of public opinion are going to prove the wise choice.
What we really seek is wisdom. We want to make the wise choice, but it’s not always obvious.
Wisdom is mentioned in the Bible 234 times!
Proverbs 3:13 says, “How much better is wisdom than gold, to get insight than silver”.
Whether we are a Bible reader or not, wisdom is something to be desired and cherished. So how can we find wisdom? How can we make wise decisions when the answer is not clear? How can we navigate through those gray areas of life and feel confident with our choices?
Here are four steps to help you make wise choices:
Considering your present circumstances and future plans and dreams, what is the wise choice? In other words, considering where you are today but also what you want to experience in the future, what would be the wise choice. Far too often, I have focused only on the short-term and not considered the longer-term impact of a decision. The comfortable answer today may not be the best resolution long-term.
Get input from two to three wise counselors. Don’t go on social media and ask for public opinion but rather go to those people in your life that you trust to provide you thoughtful, wise input. Ask questions and listen to their guidance. If you don’t have those people, it’s a wakeup call to start investing in relationships to have those people in your life!
If someone were to come to me with my issue, what advice would I give them? Turn the tables here and evaluate the matter as if you were the one giving wise counsel.
Ask yourself, what would a wise person do if they were in my situation? Take the focus off the issue and elevate your mindset to one of a wise person. Then act as a wise person.
Rather than losing sleep and struggling with a decision, just work through those four steps and see if your choice becomes clearer. You may not like the answer, but at least you had the opportunity to make the wise choice.
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.
I’ve been tournament fishing since 1990 and the changes I have seen in equipment are staggering. From electronics, rods and reels, bass boats to bait and tackle, it’s amazing how far the sport of bass fishing has progressed. Let’s look at a few of the changes that have made the sport so much better.
First, who would have thought the electronics used today would be comparable to something you would see on a NASA spaceship. The biggest difference between depth finders today versus the 1990s would be the visual details. Today you can literally see every individual fish and how they’re positioned on a rock or a brush top.
You can watch fish attack your bait in real time! You can see and learn so much about the mood of the fish and how they are reacting to whatever bait you’re throwing.
Next, when it comes to rods and reels, top-name companies like Daiwa are constantly looking at ways to make everything better with both innovation and technology. Whether it’s the materials or components used, they are always trying to make a better rod that’s lighter and stronger for greater hook sets and reels that will cast smoother and farther while giving anglers so many options for different retrieve speeds.
Now let’s look at the most expensive item an angler can invest in — the bass boat. Next to the trucks anglers buy to pull these luxury boats, bass boats have become ridiculously overpriced and overdesigned.
Back in 1998, a top-of-the-line Ranger bass boat listed for about $30,000. Ranger, which has been a leader with innovation in the bass boating world, continues to add and perfect the modern-day bass boat year after year with innovations like hull design, digital switches and gauges, cushioned casting decks, and adjustable/softer seats with tilt steering wheels. They were the first to add live wells to a bass boat which were all made and built by hand. Who would have thought that today there would be a keyless ignition system and heated seats with leather wrapped steering wheels.
Today, with all the new innovations and perks all bass boat companies are creating, who would have thought the average price would jump from $30,000 in 1998 to $140,000 in 2025! A tournament angler today will more than likely have a minimum of $175,000 tied up in just the truck and boat alone.
So, as you can see, bass fishing has come a long way in terms of technology and innovation, as well as cost. This does not include the 30 to 50 rods and reels tournament anglers bring to each event, along with all the tackle like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastic worms and fishing line.
Has bass fishing become a rich man’s sport? Well, that depends on how serious the angler wants to be. Does he want to be a weekend warrior and fish for fun, or does he want to compete in tournaments at a high level? To fish competitively today, the electronics on the boat may be the most important feature. If you’re not good with reading and using the depth finders on your boat, you’re probably just donating your entry fee.
Who would have thought that to be a professional bass fisherman on a major tournament trail in 2025, you would have to pony up over $50,000 up front for entry fees before you ever even wet a hook.
Who would have thought that some anglers would take out a second mortgage on their house just to fish professionally. The sad part is, only a handful will make it. By the end of year three, a lot of anglers are bankrupt, in financial ruins and maybe divorced.
While a lot of what I’ve just covered is depressing, I have never seen bass fishing as popular as it is today. The sport is attracting a huge number of young anglers fishing on high school and college teams. There are still many anglers age 40 and above, but the younger generation is quickly taking over the sport due to their ability to maximize the use of electronics, especially when it comes to forward-facing sonar.
Today, who would have thought that bass fishing would be as popular as it is in 2025! We should thank people like Ray Scott (founder of B.A.S.S.) for creating a professional tournament trail and the Super Bowl of bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
We should thank the legendary anglers of the sport like Rick Clunn, Gary Kline, Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Hank Parker and Forest Wood (founder of Ranger Boats) for taking the sport to a level anglers could only dream of.
‘Til next time, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read my article each week. It truly means a lot to me, and I really appreciate your feedback, both good and bad.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
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Louisiana Tech puts its eight-game home winning streak on the line tonight when the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler and Jack Thigpen providing a call of the action.
After dropping its first five conference road games, LA Tech (17-7, 6-5) picked up its first league win away from home in an 82-71 victory at FIU this past Saturday. The Bulldogs never trailed in the game, leading by as much as 18 points in the first half.
The Bulldogs found their offense again, shooting 60.8 percent from the field versus the Panthers which was their second-best shooting performance of the season. It was also the third-best shooting percentage ever for LA Tech in a CUSA game. The ‘Dogs currently rank 44th in the country in field goal percentage (47.8).
The story of the game was the play of AJ Bates. The freshman from Houston, Texas made his first collegiate start and ended up playing the entire 40 minutes while registering career highs in points (19), made field goals (8), assists (7), and steals (3). He became the first LA Tech freshman since 2023 to play an entire game and his 19 points was the second most scored by a freshman in their first career start since 1997.
Kennesaw State (14-10, 6-5) is in a two-way tie with Louisiana Tech for fifth in the conference standings with a 6-5 record. The Owls are coming off a four-game home stand where it defeated FIU and WKU while falling narrowly to Liberty and most recently Middle Tennessee. Kennesaw State found itself down 15 at halftime to the Blue Raiders but stormed back with a shot to win it at the buzzer coming up short in a 76-75 loss.
Of KSU’s 11 conference games so far, only four have come away from home. The Owls are 1-3 in league road games so far with the lone win coming at New Mexico State.
Kennesaw State has proven to be one of the top rebounding teams in the country. They rank top 20 in the nation in every rebounding category — rebound margin (7.5), rebounds per game (42.50), defensive rebounds per game (28.54), and offensive rebounds per game (13.96).
Adrian Wooley and Simeon Cottle are the top scoring duo in CUSA, averaging 18.9 and 18.1 points per game this season, respectively. The tandem accounts for 47.4 percent of KSU’s scoring.
Kennesaw State won the first ever meeting between the two programs back on Jan. 18 in Kennesaw, Georgia. The Owls prevailed, 78-76.
Due to the potential threat of inclement weather this weekend, the Louisiana Tech softball program has altered its weekend tournament schedule and will face Louisiana Monroe in its home opener today at 4 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
The Bulldogs’ contest against No. 13 Arkansas is still set for Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup with ULM at 4 p.m.
LA Tech will close out the LA Tech Classic on Sunday against Southern Miss at 4 p.m. All four games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Anyone who purchased a Sunday ticket will receive a complimentary ticket for Thursday’s home opener against ULM. Gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch of the first game each day.
Season ticket holders with printed tickets can stop by the ticket booth to have a new ticket printed before Thursday’s opener. For any questions regarding tickets, fans can reach the ticket office by calling (318)-257-3631.
ABOUT No. 13 ARKANSAS (5-0, 0-0 CUSA)
Arkansas enters the LA Tech Classic with a 5-0 record after outscoring its opponents 40-4 in the five-game Texas State Tournament. The Razorbacks posted a program record in a 23-0 win against Lipscomb.
Bri Ellis paced the Hogs offensively during opening weekend, finishing with six hits in 12 at-bats, nine RBI, three home runs, five runs and 15 total bases. Ella McDowell and Kailey Wyckoff both recorded five hits, while Courtney Day also hit three home runs and is second on the team with seven RBI. The Hogs have blasted nine home runs through five games.
Payton Burnham picked up two wins in the circle, while Reis Beuerlein, Lexi King, and Robyn Herron all have one. Cam Harrison leads the team with 12 strikeouts, while Burnham has 10.
ABOUT ULM (1-4, 0-0 SBC)
ULM enters Thursday with a 1-4 record after playing five games in the Houston Classic. The Warhawks dropped two games to Lamar before bouncing back to beat Houston Christian 6-5. ULM played the University of Houston close, falling 13-10 and 15-11. Brooklin Lippert leads the Warhawks with a .500 batting average after finishing with nine hits in 18 at-bats in the Houston Classic. Morgan Brown and Maryssa Zenzen both have eight hits apiece, while Zenzen leads the team with eight RBI.
Dakota Lake picked up the win in the Circle against HCU and leads the team in innings pitched (10.2) strikeouts (four), and ERA (4.59).
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS (1-4, 0-0 SBC)
The Golden Eagles sit at 1-4 after playing give games in the NFCA D1 Lead off Classic in Clearwater, Fla. USM picked up a 6-2 win over Marshall after falling 12-2 to Nebraska to start the season. The Golden Eagles then dropped three straight to Pittsburgh (1-8), Kentucky (3-13), and Northwestern (1-2).
Kayce Bennett and Hannah Christian lead the team with four hits apiece, while Maddie Weeks leads the group with four RBI. Jana Lee holds a 1-1 record in the circle and leads the team with 14.0 innings and 11 strikeouts.
LA TECH CLASSIC FULL SCHEDULE
Thursday | Feb. 13 4:00 pm – La Tech vs ULM
Friday | Feb. 14 4:00 pm – ULM vs Arkansas 6:00 pm – La Tech vs Arkansas
Saturday | Feb. 15 1:00 pm – Arkansas vs USM 4:00 pm – La Tech vs ULM
Sunday | Feb. 16 10:00 am – Arkansas vs USM 1:00 pm – Arkansas vs ULM 4:00 pm – La Tech vs USM
Funeral services for Reggie McKinney, age 75, of Jonesboro, LA will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday, February 17, 2025, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. Officiating the service will be Bro. Geary Phillips. Interment will follow in Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
A Visitation for family and friends will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. until service time at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel, 209 North Bonner, Ruston, LA.
Reggie met His Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Forest Haven Nursing Center in Jonesboro. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. McKinney and Dora Jean (Costin) McKinney; brother Randy D. McKinney of West Monroe; Paternal Grandparents, Ernest and Maebelle McKinney; Maternal Grandparents, Viola Copeland Upchurch, all of Jonesboro; and Charlie Costin of Bastrop. He was also predeceased by his Step-Grandfather, R. G. (Gordon) Upchurch; his Paternal Great Grandmother, Ida Seymore McKinney, both of Jonesboro; and his son-in-law Garrett McGowan of Ruston.
Reggie, an entrepreneur, was in the automobile sales business for most of his life. He also operated McKinney Grocery in Jonesboro, as well as “Fatty’s” Drive Inn. Reggie grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, and he Loved his oldies but goodies music, including artists such as The Temptations, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dianna Ross and The Supremes, The Four Tops, and The Four Seasons.
Reggie was always “the life of any party,” and whether at his home, or in his nursing center room where he resided for a number of years, if he knew company was coming, he had his music playing. Not only did he enjoy his music; he also knew every word of every single song! Sometimes, friends and visitors found difficulty in having a serious conversation with Reggie, as he would suddenly turn up his music and start singing, mid-conversation!
He loved family and friends, and it was never difficult to get them to come over because Reggie loved great food and was a great cook! He was known for his Shrimp Creole, Shish-k-Bobs, and for cooking great steaks! Reggie hosted the very best of Christmas get-togethers for his family in his home, and it was never unusual for friends or extended family to “drop in” on Christmas Eve, uninvited, as they all know that they would be welcomed by Reggie.
Reggie loved to have fun and making his friends and family laugh! He could make people laugh, even during difficult circumstances. As a matter of fact, Reggie often added a light note to sometimes difficult circumstances faced by using humor.
And, of course, all who knew Reggie were aware of his love for politics. Whether it was a local election, a district wide election (especially District Attorney and Sheriff’s Elections), or Presidential Elections, Reggie McKinney always had his “marked” ballot, and he was constantly sharing it with others. “Win, Lose or Draw,” as he would say, Reggie was whole-heartedly with his candidate, and he was a fierce political competitor.
Most important though, Reggie believed in his Lord and Savior, and he looked forward to the time when he could meet those who he loved, in Heaven. And with this, we know that he is rejoicing!
Reggie is survived by his daughters, Katie McKinney McGowan of Ruston and Christi McKinney Permenter and husband, Chris, of Hodge; two grandchildren who were lights to his life, Hunter Alexander of Quitman and Bridget Alexander of Hodge; sister-in-law Cindy McKinney; and niece, Mallorie McKinney, all of West Monroe.
Reggie is also survived by a host of friends, all of whom he counted as family. If you were ever a part of Reggie McKinney’s family, then you always were. Surviving Reggie, as well, his “grandbaby” dachshunds, Coco and Pearl.
The family wishes to express their eternal gratitude to the amazing staff at Forest Haven Nursing Home, who have loved, and taken such good care of him over the last 8 years. We would also like to thank Charlotte and the staff at Ascend Hospice for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; online at stjude.org/donatetoday or to the Full Gospel Temple in Jonesboro, the church he was raised in. Their address is 773 Walker Road, Jonesboro, LA, 71251 or Text to Give at 318-351-2529.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Golden, Russ Golden, Andrew D’Avy, and Hunter Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Johnson, Floyd Miles, Dane D’Avy, John Golden, and Chris Permenter.
Anita Howard Gray August 19, 1946 – February 6, 2025 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, February 14, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: Alabama Presbyterian Church, Saturday, February 15, 2025, 10:00 am
Sarah Singleton Howard Friday 09/08/1922 — Thursday 02/06/2025 Visitation: Friday 02/14/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 02/15/2025 11:00am, New Prosperity Baptist Church, 1378 Prosperity Church Road, Clay Interment: Saturday 02/15/2025 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery, Clay
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury made a move during Tuesday’s monthly meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse that it hopes will eliminate the major headache it faced in early 2022 regarding fire and rescue service for parish residents living outside of municipal jurisdictions.
To that end, the LPPJ approved a new Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee consisting of six jurors.
In the summer of 2022, the Rustron Fire Department requested a significant rate increase for the RFD to continue providing rescue and ambulance service for the Lincoln Parish Fire District, which did not (and still doesn’t) have the equipment or manpower to provide the kind of crucial services the Ruston Fire Department offers.
But a majority of the then-LPPJ initially rejected that request, setting off a firestorm of internal division that finally ended in October of that year when the LPPJ, under openly vocal pressure from many parish residents and businesses, finally relented a $645,604 deal with the city of Ruston on a new five-year agreement that included an annual percentage increase based on the Consumer Price Index.
During the fall 2023 elections there was a major upheaval within the LPPJ ranks, with the infighting over the ambulance deal and the way those negotiations were handled considered a likely reason for the big change across the Jury. It resulted in a significant turnover of Jury members.
The Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee created Tuesday night will be tasked with doing the research and negotiating to prevent such division as that five-year agreement is reexamined and discussed before a new potential contract is discussed in 2027.
LPPJ President Glenn Scriber described why he thought the creation of a new LPPJ was necessary.
“Basically, we’re looking at getting this research, study or whatever you want to call it and have a plan in place for 2027,” Scriber said. “That’s when we’re going to have to have something in place to bring before the entire jury for our rescue and ambulance.
“There’s going to be a lot of moving parts, and a lot of discussion, so it will be a very active committee so we can see where we’re headed.
That committee will be chaired by Chris “Moose” Garriga, who will be joined by Annette Straughter, Dan Lord, TJ Cranford, Logan Hunt and Milton Melton.
“They’ll be serving not only the Jury, but the community as well,” Scriber said. “Because they’re going to have to be talking with area leaders, the fire district, the Ruston fire chief and mayor, small municipalities that we have — all of those. They’ll have to be engaged and hear from them.
“I like the idea of a smaller committee. You get more done with a smaller committee. But just like any other committee we have, any police jury member that wants to can come and be there for those meetings.”
Scriber said he recommended Garriga to be chairman of the committee because of the concern Garriga showed in 2023 before he was elected as the LPPJ District 8 representative.
“He’s shown a passion about this and I think that he’ll be an absolutely great head for this,” Scriber said. “I’m excited about who’s on (the new committee) and the effort they’ve already shown. They have a lot of experience dealing with the things they’re going to have to deal with.
“They can talk the language when they meet with a (Ruston Fire Chief) Chris Womack or a (Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1 Chief) Kevin Reynolds, or mayors or whatever positions they may have in our smaller municipalities. So we’ll absolutely get input from them and they’ll be a part of this thing we’re trying to accomplish before the time comes down the road.”
Scriber said it’s nowhere near too early to begin looking at a next agreement or course of action.
“All of this takes a lot of time,” Scriber said. “Maybe there are some monies we can get out there for certain things. There’s just going to be a lot they’re going to have to do and when the time comes, we’re really hoping and praying that it’s going to be a smooth transition for whoever we vote to have our Lincoln Parish Rescue and Ambulance Service.”
Garriga talked to his fellow jurors about why he believes a long-term plan is so important.
“Our Fire District needs help,” Garriga said. “We’re building houses outside the city left and right. We just passed plat approval for a new subdivision (Oak Tree Road Unit 1 Subdivision) tonight. The Fire District has a $1.1 million budget. Their vehicles are older than all of the vehicles in this room right now are driving.
“In the past there hasn’t been a good relationship between the city EMS and parish EMS, and I think that’s mended now and moving forward. A couple of us (on the new Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee) do have some background in that field and I think we can help make sure we’re getting the best service, training and personnel that we can.”
Ruston High School announced Tuesday afternoon that four students have advanced as National Merit Finalists.
The students are Anhaar Wasi, Cedric Serio, Lydia Watts and Carter Tims.
“I wasn’t surprised that these students were named semifinalists and I’m not surprised that all of them are now finalists,” Ruston High principal Dan Gressett said. “We are talking about extremely high level students. The average ACT score for the group is a 34 with a couple of perfect scores mixed in. We are very proud of them and we are so glad that they are Bearcats.”
See below for additional information about the Nation Merit Scholarship Program.
Steps in the 2025 Competition
Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
National Merit Scholarships
Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2025. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 130 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 150 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 382,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.
Alivia Lee makes a pass to a teammate for a late bucket to help Cedar Creek defeat Arcadia Tuesday night at The Brickhouse. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
by Malcolm Butler
Sophomore Alivia Lee scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and junior Avery Ryan added 16 points and eight boards to lead Cedar Creek to a dramatic 49-42 win over Arcadia Tuesday night as the Lady Cougars claimed the District 1-1A title in front of a standing room only crowd at The Brickhouse.
With the Lady Cougars (25-3, 6-0) leading 43-42 with less than three minutes to play, the game was on the line as Arcadia (24-4, 5-1) was attempting to grab its first lead of the night.
It didn’t happen.
Lee took a lob pass in the middle of the lane off an inbounds and hit a short jumper with 2:10 to play and one minute later Ryan hit a layup off a feed from Lee as the Cougars pulled away for the 13th straight win of the season.
“I thought our girls were ready,” said head coach Katie Hall. “I thought they came out with energy and executed our game plan. The crowd was great. I was pleased with everyone’s performance and contribution tonight.”
Junior point guard Taylor Martinez agreed.
“(This win) was huge,” said Martinez, who scored eight points and sealed the win with two late free throws. “We haven’t been tested in a while. So winning this game going into the playoffs is very important. It just reassures us that we can handle the harder teams and that we are one of those harder teams. It just gives us confidence.”
The two teams traded early buckets before senior Mallory Smith drained a corner three-pointer and Taylor Martinez followed with a pair of free throws. After a Ryan jumper in the lane, Martinez hit her own jumper in the lane to cap a 9-0 run and give the Lady Cougars an 11-2 advantage midway through the opening quarter.
The marquee match-up of the night saw Ryan battling Arcadia super sophomore DeAsia Alexander as the two versatile post players traded blows all night long.
“(Alexander) was great,” said Lee. “She can really score the ball. It took all of us with the help defense … having our (defensive) wall to pick her up.”
Lee hit a corner 3-pointer with 3:23 to play in the first quarter as the Lady Cougars grabbed a double digit lead at 19-8 after the opening period of play.
Arcadia turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter. After committing just four turnovers in the first stanza, the Lady Cougars coughed it up seven times in the second but still lead 29-18 at the half.
“We anticipated it being a struggle in keeping the turnovers down,” said Hall. “They are very athletic. You have to give a lot of credit to Arcadia. Their defense is very good, and we haven’t seen that in a while. We persevered and didn’t hang our heads.”
“Arcadia has a really good defense, something we will see in the playoffs,” said Martinez. “I was able to give the ball up to other people (at times) and that relieved the pressure from me. Having confidence in them and them having confidence in me right back is important. Everyone knows each other and trusts each other on this team.”
After Lee opened the third quarter with a layup to push the lead to 31-18, Ryan picked up her third foul with 7:05 to play. Three minutes later with Creek leading 33-25, Ryan was whistled for her fourth foul and Hall pulled her from the game.
“Avery is a great player, and when she goes out we all have to step up,” said Lee. “If that means me getting any extra rebounds or loose balls and just doing what I can to help.”
Alexander took advantage of Ryan’s absence, scoring five quick points, including a corner three, to close the gap to 33-30. After two free throws by Arcadia sophomore guard Ari Williams closed it to 33-32, Le answered with a layup and then Alexander was whistled for her fourth foul sending the Lady Hornets star to the pine.
“Alivia was big (during that stretch with Ryan on the bench),” said Hall. “When you have two players like Avery Ryan and DeAsia Alexander both out of the game, I like how our girls stuck with it and looked to find the gaps (in the defense) and penetrate like Alivia did. It really worked for us.”
Lee opened the fourth quarter with a bucket for Creek, pushing the advantage to 39-33 with 6:45 to play. Both Ryan and Alexander entered back into the game 18 seconds later.
Two Caroline James free throws with 4:10 remaining gave the Lady Cougars a five-point lead before four straight by Arcadia closed it to 43-42, setting up the final stretch.
Hall praised the defensive job of James, who face guarded Williams all night, limiting the star point guard to just 11 points and forcing her into some off-balance contested shots.
“Caroline was huge,” said Hall. “I felt like taking (Ari Williams) out of the game was a key because she is the engine of that team. She can penetrate, and draw fouls, and hit pull up jumpers. I felt like Caroline did a good job of shutting her down.”
Creek handed Arcadia its first loss since the Lady Hornets fell to Captain Shreve on December 27.
“It’s a reminder that we are good,” said Hall. “These girls will carry (that confidence) thru the playoffs and they should. I am confident in them.”
Alexander led Arcadia with 20 points, but was held scoreless in the decisive fourth quarter.
The Lady Cougars close out the regular season Friday when they host Jonesboro-Hodge.
For three-time cancer survivor Hillary Husband, of Ruston, Feb. 13 has been special since 2021, and this year it will be even more meaningful.
Part of what makes Feb. 13 so distinctive is that it’s her wedding anniversary. In 2021 she married high school friend John Pickering on that date. This year it’s also when the local Z107.5 St. Jude Radiothon begins, and Hillary is a champion of such causes for the Memphis hospital since treatments there saved her life not only once, but three times.
Add to that, Feb. 13 is the wedding anniversary of her bone marrow donor, which she was not aware of when she chose the date for her own wedding.
Now 32 and in good health, Hillary emerged from these experiences as someone passionate about speaking out on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A web search of her name alongside “St. Jude” brings up multiple pages of stories concerning both her journey and her explanations of what the hospital means in the grand scheme of things, including events like the local radiothon.
“Every dollar raised for St. Jude goes to make sure every kid that walks through those doors gets the best possible care,” she said. “I owe my life to that, and I hope every child that comes through the doors has that opportunity, too.” Because of this, Hillary urged people to consider donating to the radiothon.
“It circles back to the Danny Thomas quote,” she said. Thomas, who founded St. Jude in 1962, said, “I’d rather have a million people give me a dollar than one give me a million. That way you’ve got a million people involved.”
Hillary firmly believes that if it were not for 1 million people giving, “I would not be here with the life I now have.”
Hillary suffered her first bout with leukemia in early high school. St. Jude’s attention to patients’ educations allowed the DeRidder native to continue her studies – and she ended up being valedictorian of her class. She was even able to help her clogging team win a national championship.
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville followed – but so did two relapses, while both a freshman and junior. In total, she was sick from 2008-2013.
Regarding related hospital costs and related expenses for such extended periods, “that’s just not doable for most families,” Hillary said. Her bone marrow transplant cost approximately half a million dollars.
Hence the need for monetary help for such patients. No family is ever billed for treatment, travel, meals or lodging. An estimated 89% of funds required to maintain and grow St. Jude must be raised by donors’ public contributions, hospital officials say.
Actually, Hillary is somewhat of a St. Jude legend. In 2013 during her treatment, she undertook a series of one-mile walks on the hospital’s transplant floor that resulted in completing her own unique marathon – 26.2 miles in her house slippers. As one story on the St. Jude website described it, she “showed other patients, and the world, how determination and a competitive spirit can lift a person, even in the most challenging of times.”
Afterward, she did receive her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Christian and went on to complete a master’s in mathematics and a doctorate in molecular science and nanotechnology at Louisiana Tech.
Today, she continues to live in Ruston and works remotely as a research scientist for Metrum Research Group, a consulting firm that helps pharmaceutical companies take clinical trial data to the Federal Drug Administration for approval. In doing this, she said, “In a small way I can give back. I was in (some of) those clinical trials. Now, it’s nice to be on the other side of it.”
Another way she’s giving back is serving as chapter adviser to Tech’s Tri Delta sorority, which has been involved nationally with St. Jude fundraising in a huge way for 25 years.
Concerning her treatment at St. Jude, a high point was going back for her five-year checkup after her transplant – and receiving a good report. That’s the time when the first big drop in the odds of relapsing occurs, she explained, adding, “I took a morning jog.”
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The Z107.5 Radiothon will be broadcast Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. During the event, donations can be made by calling 1-800-787-5288 or by contributing via the station’s website (Z1075fm.com), Facebook (Z107.5) or Instagram (Z1075fm) pages. In-person donations will be collected in side events at the Ruston Walmart Supercenter and Super 1 Foods.
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.
Ruston Police are again asking for help in breaking up a plague of vehicle burglaries after video of two possible suspects was obtained.
For over a month, the department has received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries. Vehicles have been entered and items ranging from personal articles to firearms have been stolen. In several instances, the vehicles themselves were stolen.
In a social media post, RPD said officers are investigating multiple reports of vehicle burglaries in the area of Ruston Elementary School that occurred around February 7. Investigators obtained video footage of two suspects believed to be involved in the burglaries walking near the school during this time.
Victims posting about their vehicles being entered or stolen indicate the crimes are occurring throughout Ruston and not isolated to a specific neighborhood.
If you know the suspects involved in these incidents, you can call Crime Stoppers at 318-255-1111. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment. To speak directly to an investigator, call 318-255-4141.
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.
A taste of Louisiana’s finest crawfish is right under the giant Chevron sign on Tech Drive right here in Ruston. Packed with signature seasoning and classic Louisiana flavor, U-PAK-IT’s Tech Drive Crawfish is sure to please everyone, thanks in large part to the cook Jacob Habetz, who has spent over 19 years perfecting his recipe.
At Tech Drive Crawfish, we’re all about quality and consistency. With years of experience, a perfected seasoning blend, and a dedication to freshness, Keith Brasuell, Habetz, and the rest of the team take pride in serving the best crawfish in town.
“It takes a true crawfish lover to be passionate about the process,” Habetz said. “I love crawfish and it’s always been my favorite food. I grew up in the crawfish industry – my parents had crawfish ponds since the early 90’s as a side hustle that eventually turned into a career when my dad started hauling crawfish commercially in 2000. What keeps me passionate about crawfish is all the awesome customers I have and the great people in Ruston who rely on us daily during the season.”
Come to Tech Drive Crawfish today for the highest-rated crawfish in Ruston!
The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that S. Bonner St. between E. California Ave. and E. Arizona Ave. will be closed to through traffic beginning Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 8am until further notice.
This closure is necessary to allow for utility repairs.
The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703
A Ruston woman was arrested last week after she allegedly attacked a woman and stole her purse.
Ameka Thompson, 55, allegedly went to a Jackson Street residence after being banned from the property. She engaged in an altercation with the resident, striking her in the face with a closed fist multiple times until the victim fell to the ground.
The victim said she had her purse with her, and Thompson pulled the purse off of her and took $40 out of it. Thompson then walked away, throwing the purse down.
Thompson was arrested at a Bonita Street residence and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for purse snatching, simple battery, and entering premises after being forbidden.
Bail was set at $1,000.
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.
