What you have accomplished over the last few years is truly remarkable, and the groundwork that was laid out by the 2022 team will never be forgotten. People do not realize how hard it is to reach a State Championship game, much less win it. To accomplish the feat of playing for the title three years in a row is what dreams are made of. I hear people talk about the “Glory Days” of the 80’ and 90’s all the time but understand this…YOU are now the standard of Ruston High School football.
Take the time to thank your parents, thank your grandparents, and thank your friends for the support they have shown you. Without them it wouldn’t mean nearly as much to you.
Take a moment when you are walking around the field house or school building over the next few days to thank Coach Baugh, thank your position coach, thank the trainers, managers, and support groups. They do what they do because they love you.
As the great former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there”. Those words identify you more than anything else in my eyes. Coach Baugh and staff have taught you so much more than how to be a good football player. They have taught you how to be great young men.
Enjoy the next few days. For you seniors, you may not realize it now, but it’s not the games you are going to miss the most. What you will look back on after it’s over are the times spent with your teammates in the locker room and field house, the bus rides to away games, your senior dinners, etc… This is what being a high school football player is all about.
Thank you for letting myself and others be such a small part of your high school football career. It has been an honor.
Remember your main goal when you started the 2024 season. As I am sure Coach Baugh told you after the game Friday night, “You have one more ballgame to win!”
Police arrested an El Dorado man on December 4 after he was found unconscious behind the wheel of a truck pulling a trailer in the ditch on U.S. 167 in south Ruston.
Officers responded to a report of a crash in the 4200 block of S. Vienna Street (U.S. 167) about 11:00 a.m.. Denzel Thompson, 29, was found unconscious in the driver’s seat. After repeated requests, Thompson opened the door and officers observed Indications of impairment.
A records check showed Thompson did not have a driver’s license. He said he did not remember going off the road but said he apparently fell asleep.
Thompson said he was traveling from Ruston to El Dorado, but he was traveling in the wrong direction.
Thompson refused medical treatment. Field sobriety tests were conducted which showed impairment. Thompson was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test. The test showed a blood alcohol concentration of .015g%, well below Louisiana’s legal limit.
An officer attempted to administer field sobriety tests for drug impairment, but Thompson refused to submit to a blood draw for analysis for the presence of drugs.
Due to a record of a previous DWI, Thompson was booked for a second offense DWI, no license plate, no driver’s license, and careless operation of a vehicle. His bail was set at $2,500.
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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Chick Childress led the Bearcats to state titles in 1982, 1986, 1988 and 1990. (Courtesy Photo)
By T. Scott Boatright
Firmly founded in a winning tradition, the Ruston High School Bearcats have hoisted a state football championship trophy nine times in program history.
Those titles came in 1925,1941,1947,1951,1982,1986,1988,1990 and 2023.
The Bearcats have also made four other title game appearances, finishing as runners up in 1944, 1984, 1998 and 2022.
And now 2024 will add another championship game notch for the Bearcats in either the championship or runner up category,
Not much information can be found about that first state that came in 1925, except that Ruston was named state champs by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, which did not hold formally sanctioned postseason games but instead simply declared state championships.
The Bearcats’ 9-3 Thanksgiving Day win over previously undefeated Minden that season was the deciding factor for the LHSAA in presenting Ruston with its first state championship.
Ruston had two players earn All-State status that season, an end by the last name of Kelly and a fullback with the last name of Zeiderich.
The Bearcats also had a pair of All-State selections on the 1941 1A state championship team — end Warren Wray and halfback “Dub” Jones, who helped lead Ruston to a 14-0 title-game win over LaGrange.
Jones, whose sons Bill, Bert and Tom all later turned in stellar football careers for the Bearcats, went on to play for both LSU (his first college season) and Tulane before becoming a standout for the Cleveland Browns after World War II.
Six years later, the Bearcats faced LaGrange again in the 1947 Class 1A championship game with Ruston coming out on top 26-12.
Quarterback Wyman Lee Collie, end Joe Colvin and guard Herbert Colvin were All-State selections from that RHS squad, which included other solid Bearcats such as Jimmy “Chick” Childress, Jimmy Wrentz, Joe Kavanaugh, Billy McBride, Donald Hoogland, George Berry and Tommy Boatright.
In 1951, the Bearcats roared to a 20-6 home win over Ponchatoula in the 1A championship showdown as the Bearcats completed the season undefeated.
Three Bearcats from that squad earned All-State accolades — guard Henry Delony, back Charlie Barham and running back Lacy Stinson.
Future Louisiana Tech and Canadian Football League standout Tom Hinton also played as a young Bearcat on that 1951 state championship team, which was led by the defense as Ruston outscored its opposition 454-112 that year.
It took 31 years for the Bearcats to earn another state title, which came when head coach Chick Childress returned to RHS and guided the Bearcats, quarterbacked by his son Dan Childress, to an 8-0 win inside the New Orleans Superdome for the 1982 Class 4A title.
Prep Classic records were set in that contest for the fewest combined points (8), first downs (14), total yards (213) and most punts (nine).
The only scores in that game came when defensive linemen Michael Brooks and Lee Porter teamed to tackle Neville running back Anthony Gipson in the end zone for a safety and the Bearcats’ special teams blocked a Neville punt for a touchdown.
Brooks and tackle Bob Hearn were All-State selections that season for the Bearcats, with Brooks and defensive back Tyrone Jones going on to later play in the NFL.
The Bearcats did it again in 1986, this time going to overtime to earn a 31-24 state championship win over Slidell.
Kenny Wright’s four-yard touchdown run in OT, his second scoring scamper of the game, provided the margin of victory for the Bearcats, who also saw Shannon Aultman throw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Kennedy in the second half before Gary Williams’ 11-yard touchdown run helped Ruston push the game into overtime.
Center Bret Anderson and Aultman each earned All-State honors that season.
Ruston’s even-year playoff success continued in 1988 as the Bearcats bested Shaw 28-14 for the 4A championship inside the Superdome.
The highlight of the game may have been a simple tackle made by Bearcat Michael Parker, who had missed the previous year and a half for bone cancer surgery and treatment.
Arguably one of the best Bearcat football teams of all time — the 1990 squad — blasted Catholic Baton Rouge 52-10 to finish with a record of 15-0.
That win earned them a national high school championship in addition to the state title.
Current Natchitoches Central High School coach Brad Laird was quarterback for the 1990 Bearcats and said that season meant much to the team after Childress had already made it known it would be his final season on the sidelines for RHS.
“With all of the success he had prior to that last season, and then to come out and say that it was going to be his last year, he knew the opportunity that team had and knew that it was a pretty special group of guys,” Laird said.
That 1990 Bearcats team featured standouts like Laird, who went on to star at Northwestern State, Class 4A (the largest classification in Louisiana at that time), Offensive MVP Roymon Malcolm, a running back who went on to play at Auburn and then Northwestern State and who died in a car crash in 2009, Class 4A Defensive MVP Rodney Young, a defensive back who went on to start at LSU and later for the NFL’s New York Giants.
It also included the likes of defensive end Bobby Williams, who went on to play at LSU, defensive back Charles Green, who played collegiately at Nebraska, offensive guard Andrew Jacobs and center Nick Nelams, who all were first-team All-State selections that season.
Ruston blitzkrieg through the 4A playoffs that season, outscoring opponents 200-27. The Bearcats opened postseason play by blasting Barbe 42-0, before defeating Natchitoches-Central 41-0, Baker 38-14, Thibodaux 27-3, and then blowing past a Catholic team that included standouts of its own such as Warrick Dunn 52-10 for the championship.
That’s an average winning playoff score of 40-5 during that playoff run.
Not that the Bearcats have ever needed to be pushed to get fired up for any kind of championship game, but they had more incentive for the 1990 title contest after Coach Childress announced before the season kicked off that it would be his last on the sidelines.
“A lot of that team had been playing together since seventh grade,” Laird said. “With all the titles won before us, we had watched a lot of great Ruston teams and knew there were expectations about what we had to do. Individual honors and moving on to college were all on the backburner, all we cared about at the time was the importance of the team and winning our own championship and a last for Coach Childress.”
The championship magic returned for the Bearcats last year as quarterback Josh Brantley took over in the second half with both his arms and legs to lead Ruston to a 31-17 win over Zachary in the Division I Nonselect School Championship Football Championship.
Brantley, who was named the game’s MVP, totaled 333 yards of offense, throwing for 194 while adding another 134 and scoring scampers of three, seven and a 24-yard naked bootleg to the left that he took untouched to paydirt with 1:05 remaining to set off an early start for Ruston’s state title celebration.
Running back Jordan Hayes, defensive linemen Geordan Guidry, linebacker Jadon Mayfield and defensive back Aidan Anding all captured 2024 All-State accolades for the Bearcats with Mayfield being named the defensive MVP.
That’s a look at the Ruston High Book of Football Championships so far, with another chapter set to be written Saturday afternoon in the Superdome.
Here’s hoping the Lincoln Parish Journal is writing about 10 Bearcats state titles heading into next year’s title game.
Choudrant man charged with attacking woman, possessing firearms
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Choudrant man last week after he allegedly beat and strangled his family member. Deputies also discovered the man was a convicted felon in possession of several firearms.
David Wayne Young, 39, was arrested December 5 at a Roach Road residence after a family member reported Young was beating the victim.
When deputies arrived, a juvenile told them the victim was hiding in her bedroom and Young was still at the scene in his bedroom.
Young was found with a mark on his hand with fresh blood. He was secured while a deputy interviewed the victim.
The woman said she was asleep when Young woke her attempting to have sex, and she refused. Young then went through her phone, accusing her and attacked her, she said.
Young allegedly pulled her hair, struck her with a closed fist and strangled her before she escaped and told a family member to call law enforcement.
Deputies found the master bedroom showed signs of a struggle and blood was found on a pillow. Six firearms were found in the bedroom. Young is a convicted felon stemming from a 2021 drug arrest and cannot possess firearms.
Young was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for domestic abuse battery with strangulation and six counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Young’s bail was set at $60,000.
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.
A couple of Shreveport orthopedic surgeons who’ve seen their share of breaks deserve one.
Careers of 40-plus years in their rearview mirrors, Dr. Eddie Anglin and Dr. Craig Springmeyer, a one-two punch for Highland Clinic/Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and a pair of heroes for ligaments, tendons, bones, and nerves throughout the area, are hanging up their stethoscopes and scalpels.
Major Stud Alert here, Retirement Division. Job well done.
If our area high schools and colleges gave letters to team physicians, each of these guys would need an extra closet, just for letter jackets.
You’ll hear more about this pair in the days to come, but just know that as players “back in the day,” they were very good. As doctors, they might have been even better.
Lucky enough to know them, I can tell you that whether you wanted to get back on the field or court or if you just wanted to be able to play pain free with your grandchildren, get through a golf ball, cast a fishing rod, or mow your grass, this was a great pair to visit. They’ve helped famous athletes and renowned entertainers (same thing, really), along with the rest of us who just wanted to move around with less pain after we’d pulled this or fractured that.
Athletically, they came by it honest.
Anglin is part of Haynesville High’s rich tradition; he was a running back on back-to-back state champions in 1970 and 1971. Lettered at Tech as a defensive end in 1973-75. Nice work if you can earn it.
Springmeyer starred for an infant Captain Shreve High before earning letters in each of the four years of the Golden Era of Tech Football, 1971-74. Noseguard. He operated in tight spots, something both he and his friend Anglin have managed to do well for four decades as they’ve treated this meniscus and reconstructed that anterior cruciate ligament.
But they were smart, too. And passionate about their calling. It’s a doctoring thing.
Ask any of a thousand bum wrists, sore backs, broken collarbones or screwed-up elbows that Anglin and Springmeyer have ambled onto the football fields across Louisiana, south Arkansas and east Texas on any given autumn Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night since the early 1980s, and they’ll take a moment, gather themselves, maybe wipe a tear or two and say, “Those guys … they’re the best.”
Bona fide.
Plaques can’t express everything in our hearts, but they’re a start, and often they’re the best we can do to express how much someone’s work has meant to us. It’s something to hang on the wall to illustrate a gratitude that can’t be framed.
And so it was, on a recent prep football Friday before an Evangel football game, that these two were honored. If you’ll “direct your attention to midfield,” we’ll first listen to the PA announcer and …
“Orthopedic specialists Dr. Craig Springmeyer and Dr. Eddie Anglin have spent the past four decades patching up athletes, weekend warriors, and the general population in our area with great skill and compassion. The Evangel family wants to personally thank both of these men for taking care of them and the rest of the Ark-La-Tex. We honor them tonight as they retire from their practices.”
And then, The Reading of the Plaques:
“In recognition of a career defined by dedication and compassion, we honor you for the countless lives you have touched with your hand and with your heart. With exceptional expertise and unwavering support, you have been a servant leader for us all. With our deepest gratitude, we thank you for your many years of service on the field. Your legacy as a trusted physician and advocate will continue to inspire and uplift generations for years to come.”
Contact Teddy atteddy@latech.edu
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RUSTON, La. — A stingy Arcadia High Hornet (8-1) defense held the Ruston High Lady Bearcats (2-6) at bay 57-45 Tuesday night in Ruston’s Main Gym despite a valiant offensive effort in the fourth quarter.
After trailing 48-30 at the end of the third, Ruston outscored Arcadia 15-9 in the fourth with a couple of chances to cut the lead into single digits before the Lady Hornets pulled away.
The Lady Bearcats struggled early, with Arcadia taking an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter before Ruston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 12-4 with 2:16 to go in the first quarter after sophomore Gioia Tatum hit her first of four three-pointers of the night.
“Starting off, (Arcadia) made some tough shots that hit us and kind of woke us up,” Ruston High head coach LaShanda Cooper said. “From what I’ve heard, there’s a little rivalry between Ruston and Arcadia, so I think we got a little bit too excited. One we were able to calm down execute our game plan, then we started to see a change.
“(Gioia) really stepped up. We’ve been on her in practice about stepping outside the box and having confidence — that’s the main thing we’re lacking right now, overall, along with chemistry.”
Tatum’s point production (12 points total) matched Ruston High senior Kiersynce McNeal’s 12 points, who made her debut for her final season as a Lady Bearcat after coming off of a knee-injury.
“With Kiersynce coming back, it’s putting us in a situation where we have a veteran,” Cooper said. “She’s going to work. Regardless of her injury, it didn’t stop her. She was still in practice, still out there, and she was the girls’ biggest cheerleaders. Her injury actually gave us the chance to grow up. It allowed others to get more experience for us. And so now with her leadership being on the court instead of just off the court, it’s going to be a big turnaround.”
Sophomore Angelica Green added 11 points, which included two three’s for Ruston.
Ruston High returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 17, at home to take on Airline.
Lady Bearcat Scoring FG(3FG)-FT=TP Kiersynce McNeal #20, Sr. 5- 2-2 FT = 12 Journi Douglas #21, Jr. 1 = 2 Angelica Green, #4, Soph. 4(2) – 1-2 FT = 11 Bailee Harrison, #23, Soph 1 = 2 Jasmine Summerford #22, Sr. 1-2 FT = 1 Samiya Lewis #3, Sr. 1 = 2 Gioia Tatum #5, Soph 4(4) = 12 Adrianna Robinson #24, Fr. 1 – 1-2 FT = 3
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Wednesday, Dec. 11: 5-6 p.m. Parking Lot Paint Party RHS Spirit Building Parking Lot: Come get your car DOME ready with a window paint party!
Thursday, Dec. 12: 6 p.m. State Championship Pep Rally Ruston High Main Gym
Saturday, Dec. 14: 6 a.m. Dome Bound Send Off!
Bearcat fans traveling to New Orleans are invited to a pregame community tailgate Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. sponsored by Origin Bank to be held at the Opening Act at Champions Square by the Super Dome. Please see the flyer listed below for more information.
Stay tuned to the Lincoln Parish Journal for more information throughout the week on more important information regarding Ruston High’s upcoming championship matchup with Central on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3:30 p.m.
Nothing is more exciting than the day a bass fisherman buys his first bass boat! For me, that was 1990 when I bought a new Pro Gator from Cary’s, a dealer in Ville Platte, Louisiana. It was an 18-foot boat with a 150 Yamaha and was loaded with the best electronics money could buy, for a boat at that time. But if you own a bass boat, then you know first-hand all the trials and tribulations that come with being a boat owner.
At the time of my purchase, I was working for an apparel company by the name of Holloway Sportswear. They were an outerwear/jacket manufacturer based out of Ohio. They had 6 cutting and sewing factories in Louisiana, one of which was in Ville Platte where I was plant manager at the time of my boat purchase.
I was one happy camper the day I picked up my new Pro Gator bass boat! It had all the bells and whistles that I could want. Being the plant manager at this facility meant I had to spend a couple of nights a week in the apartment located inside the Holloway factory.
But just outside of Ville Platte was Chicot Lake, loaded with good quality bass that anglers crave. So, one day after work and with plenty of daylight left, I decided to take my new boat to Chicot Lake and give it a good test run.
I was so impressed with this boat and how it handled. It was great for bass fishing. After catching a few bass, I decided to head back to the boat ramp about an hour after dark.
Once I returned to the dock at the ramp, I tied off my boat and went to back my truck in the water so I could load my boat. Funny thing about owning a boat… sometimes things happen that defy explanation.
Well after backing my boat trailer down the ramp, I put the truck in park and walked back down the dock to get the boat, only the boat was not there! Looking around I noticed the boat had floated away from the dock about fifty yards. All I could see were the running lights in the pitch-black darkness! Yet there it was floating all alone like a lost puppy waiting for me to save the day and bring it back.
Now, one thing that I remembered as I left the dock to go fishing earlier that afternoon was that there were several alligators sunning on the shore of the bayou that my boat was now floating in. So, after a lot of thought and consideration as to what my options were, I decided the only way to get the boat back was to swim to it.
So, I took off my shirt and shoes and laid my wallet on the dock. I got a good running start and sprinted down the dock and dove into the lake headfirst… (which looking back was probably not a very good idea as I could have landed on a stump and suffered a catastrophic injury; but the good Lord above was watching out for me.)
Those of you old enough might remember the Olympic gold medal swimmer, Mark Spitz. He won a record seven gold medals in the 1972 Olympics. But that night, not even Mark Spitz could have out swum me as I had visions of alligators chasing me! Nor has anyone ever leaped into a boat quicker than I did that night.
So, what’s the lesson I learned that night? Always make sure you tie a good knot anytime you’re leaving your boat by the dock. There’s nothing like owning your first bass boat even when it means you have to risk your life swimming with gators!
Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and make sure to introduce a kid to the great outdoors. Kids that hunt and fish, don’t deal and steal.
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.
Louisiana Tech’s Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Brian Johnson announced the 2025 indoor and outdoor schedule for the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
The 2025 schedule includes six indoor and 10 outdoor meets, including the Jim Mize Invitational at the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex.
The Bulldogs will open the season with the Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, hosted by the University of Kentucky on January 10-11. Tech will travel to Baton Rouge the following week to participate in the LSU Purple Tiger.
LA Tech will close out January and start February with the Stan Scott Invite & Multi hosted by Texas Tech on January 30 and February 1. The Bulldogs last participated at a Texas Tech-hosted meet in 2023.
The Tyson Invitational will be the last regular season indoor meet on February 9 and 10. The University of Arkansas hosted meet is a repeat of last season’s schedule and an event the Bulldogs attended every season from 2010-2015.
The CUSA Indoor Championship will be back in Lynchburg, Virginia, at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex on February 28 through March 1. The NCAA Indoor Championship will be held March 8 and 9 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Louisiana Tech will open the outdoor portion with a trip to Lake Charles for the McNeese Cowboy Relays “Bob Hayes LA Challenge on March 15. They will then head to the Clyde Hart Invite hosted by Baylor on March 22.
The Bulldogs will head to the Pepsi Florida Relays on April 4 and 5 for the first time since 2015 after the trip in 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19. Tech will also make the first trip to an Arkansas outdoor meet for the first time since 2021 when they head to the Arkansas Spring Invitational on April 12.
The Jim Mize Invitational will take place on April 19, and the following week, the Bulldogs travel to the LSU Alumni Gold meet, their most attended meet outside the Jim Mize.
May will start with the Marron and White Invitational hosted by Mississippi State on May 2. The Bulldogs last participated in the meet in 2016.
Middle Tennessee will host the CUSA Outdoor Championship on May 16-18. This season, the NCAA Regionals will be hosted by North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 28-31, and the NCAA Outdoor Championships are back in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11-14.
Funeral services for Martha Jean Henry, age 77 of Minden, LA, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, December 13, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston with Rev. Robbie Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in the Salem Cemetery near Dubach under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Martha Jean Henry was born in Ruston, LA, on July 17, 1947, she passed away on December 8, 2024.
Martha was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed spending time in her yard tending to her flowers. She found great joy in watching the hummingbirds that came to her feeders. Martha was constantly cleaning and kept her house in an immaculate condition. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her husband Billy and took great care of him, they were inseparable. She loved cooking and entertaining her friends in her home, she was well known for her dessert dishes. Martha thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her church family and she very much appreciated the regular visits from her nephew Tommy. Martha’s son Will would call her every Sunday and she anticipated his calls with great joy. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father, James Milam; her mother, Ophelia Peterson; one son, James Allen Singleton; and a grandson, Harley Tamayo.
Mrs. Martha is survived by her husband, Billy Henry of Minden; a son, Will Singleton and his wife Leeann of Battleground, WA; a step son Wayne Henry and his wife April of Cypress, TX; two step daughters, Glenda Walding and her husband Winston of Choudrant, and Cheryl Fee and her husband Ray of Hebert Springs, AR; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lorrie Faber and her husband Tom of Clay, and Renea Thompson of Ruston; and a favorite nephew, Tommy Faber and his wife Jessica of Vernon, and their two children, Chandler and Addison.
Pallbearers for Martha’s service will be: Cody Ellis, Zachary Ellis, Eddie Colvin, Mike Colvin, Nicky McCullin, and Tommy Faber. Honorary pallbearers are: Donnie Harrell, Michael Fluhr, and Will Singleton.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Salem Methodist Church 11793 Hwy 151 Dubach, LA 71235.
Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 AM, Friday, December 13, 2024 at Salem Methodist Church near Dubach, LA.
Funeral Services for Debra Trull Trevillion, age 65 of Ruston, LA, will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Dubach Methodist Church in Dubach, LA, with Rev. Bob Deich officiating, Burial will follow at St. Rest Cemetery in Dubach under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Debra Trevillion was born in Rayne, LA on January 18, 1959, she passed away in Ruston on December 9, 2024 after a lengthy illness, with her daughter by her side. Debra was a loving mother, Nanny, and friend and enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved animals and working with them. Debra loved being outside and doing yard work. Christmas was one of her favorite times of year, decorating, making Christmas favorites, and finding the perfect gift. She will be missed by many.
Debra is preceded in death by her parents, Lula Bell and Oscar Lee Trull.
Debra is survived by her daughters, Dixie Garrett and husband Marty of Minden, LA and Amanda Colvin and husband Lance of Dubach, LA; grandchildren: Brent Colvin and wife Cassie of Dubach, LA, Tyler Garrett of Philadelphia, PA and Levi Colvin of Dubach, LA; brothers: Mervin Trull and wife Molly of Dubach, LA, James Trull and wife Martha of Quitman, LA.
Debra is also survived by Luther Trevillion, friend and father of her children; Ruth Powell, “Life Long Best Friend made sister”, her two fur babies Sadie and Chewy, and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brent Colvin, Levi Colvin, Tyler Garrett, Gerald Trull, Braxton Trull and Jeffery Trevillian. Honorary pallbearers are: Luther Trevillion, Lance Colvin and Marty Garrett.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be made to Dubach Methodist Church, 144 Main St., Dubach, LA 71235.
The family would like to thank the staff of NLMC, especially the ICU nurses that took excellent care of her over these past couple of months and to all that visited and prayed for us during this time.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Dubach Methodist Church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit: www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Dr. Paul Nolen Hale, Jr. December 5, 1941 – December 7, 2024 Cemetery: Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 2:00 pm
Martha Jean Henry July 17, 1947 – December 8, 2024 Visitation: Friday, December 13, 2024, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Salem Methodist Church, 11793 Hwy. 151, Dubach Funeral Service: Friday, December 13, 2024, 10:00 AM, Salem Methodist Church, 11793 Hwy. 151, Dubach Cemetery Committal: Friday, December 13, 2024, Salem Cemetery, 11793 Hwy. 151, Dubach
Patrick “Pat” Lloyd Cone December 7, 1953 – December 3, 2024 Service: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 1:00 pm
Luther Ceasar Steverson Sunday 04/27/1941 — Thursday 11/28/2024 Visitation: Friday 12/13/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 12/14/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 12/14/2024 Following Service, New Prosperity Cemetery, Clay
Lisa Renee Archie Thursday 07/31/1969 — Sunday 12/01/2024 Visitation: Friday 12/13/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 12/14/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 12/14/2024 Following Service, Hopewell Cemetery, Dubach
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker looks over approved plans for Phase 1 of Tarbutton Road with all eyes set on Buc-ee’s coming in the near future.
by Malcolm Butler
Ruston mayor Ronny Walker said that the Louisiana State Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has signed off on the approved plans for Phase 1 of the Tarbutton Road improvements in conjunction with the development of Buc-ee’s and other businesses coming to the parish in the near future.
“We as a city will put these out for bid in the next two weeks,” said Walker. “They will go out and those bids will come back to us in the middle of January. We will turn around in our February (City Council) meeting and approve the contract for whoever gets the bid.”
Walker said he hopes the bid solicits “as many bidders as possible.”
The approved plans do not include the Buc-ee’s development itself, according to Walker.
“These are simply the roads,” said Walker.
Phase 1 includes all of Tarbutton Road, including the exits and entrances to I-20 going East and West as well as the service road. It also includes the addition of lanes on the Tarbutton Road bridge as well as I-20 and service road entrances and exits.
The project will be paid through the $15 million bond issue that was approved through the Tax Incremental District.
“It’s a huge step for us,” said Walker, who first announced the Buc-ee’s development on January 9, 2023. “We are thankful for finally getting to this point. There was a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that had to be signed by the city and the state and that was the other key piece that had to get done.”
Stantec is the engineering firm based in Baton Rouge that will be in charge of the project.
Walker said the estimated cost of the plans is $8 million but that expenses for water, sewage, and electricity will also come out of the approved $15 million bond.
“I want to thank our staff — John (Freeman), Andrew (Halbrook), and everyone who has worked tirelessly on this for the last (23) months,” said Walker. “I also want to thank the DOTD district office in Monroe. They have been very, very helpful with this. And Stantec has been incredible to work with once again. But most of all the Secretary of Transportation Joe Donahue and Governor Jeff Landry for helping make this happen.”
While the process continues to move forward for the city of Ruston on the road and infrastructure side, Walker said Buc-ee’s officials continue to move forward with their checklist.
“They will continue to get their plans approved,” said Walker. “My hope would be that all of this comes together at the same time in March or April and there is a groundbreaking.”
Walker said once the bid is awarded he expects it to take another month or two before dirt work begins. Once that work begins, its a 300-day timeline for completion of Phase 1.
“They usually take 30 to 60 days to lay down, in other words to get their equipment and supplies in place,” said Walker, who is not completely sure where that footprint will be.
So once construction begins, what does that mean for the traffic flow along Tarbutton Road?
“Our intention and expectation is that traffic will be maintained throughout the project area and the ramps during construction,” said Halbrook. “There may be some activities that may limit it for a day or 48 hours or so. The overall flow and operation of the area should be maintained throughout the construction.”
Once the Tarbutton Road work is complete, three stop lights will be included — one on each side of the bride as well as a third in front of the entrance into Buc-ee’s across from Ruston Junior High.
The timeline for the construction of Buc-ee’s is a 12- to 15-month process.
Selling property for a softball field for Ruston High School, increasing the salaries of Mayor Ronny Walker and the Board of Aldermen, and approving a rate hike for water were primary orders of business Monday night as the Ruston City Council held its December meeting at City Hall.
Public hearings were opened on all three of those matters, before they were all passed 4-0 with Councilwoman Angela Mayfield being absent, but no citizens spoke on any of them.
The motions will raise Walker’s salary to $120,000 annually from its previous amount of $100,000 yearly.
Salaries for each member of Ruston’s City Council were also raised 20% to an annual amount of $14,400.
“I just want to say how difficult it was to get the mayor to agree to this, but he deserves it, and we want (him) to keep going with this thing,” Councilwoman Melanie Lewis said before the vote on the salary increases were made.
The City Council also unanimously moved to authorize Walker and the city to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Lincoln Parish School Board to sell the LPSB for $150,000 a 15-acre tract of land near the Ruston Sports Complex on which it will build a softball field for Ruston High School.
Also approved was a 26.5% increase on water rates that will first show on bills to be sent out in February.
City officials say that the rate hike must be done in accordance with regulations for a federal water sector program from which the city received nearly $4 million.
Water will increase in 2025 and 2026, then remain level for the next four years before increasing again in each of the following three years after that four-yard period of no increases.
“The city entered a cooperative endeavor agreement that brought in $3,698,000 for improving select water and sewer projects,” said Ruston Public Works Director John Freeman. “One of the requirements of that CEA is that the city participate in a water rates study by a firm assigned by the state and to implement any water rate changes indicated to be needed. The water rate changes were identified in the study, and so those changes are included in the amendments asked to be made to (Ruston’s Code of Ordinances).”
The City Council also approved a resolution granting the city permission to enter into a $285,000 with Amethyst Construction to build a 63-space parking overflow lot at the Ruston Sports Complex as well as authorizing the city to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the Riley Company for $235,000 for engineering consulting services regarded the 2026 Street Overlay Program.
Also approved was authorization for the city to enter into a contract relating to a Water Improvement Project for Stewart, Dark and Jonesboro Streets for $523,448.50 and to enter into a contract for $627,915 for sandblasting and painting for the downtown elevated city water tank just off of Interstate 20.
“That will include repainting the city of Ruston and Louisiana Tech logos on the tank,” Walker said.
The City Council also granted permission to start the condemnation process for dilapidated homes at 205 Cotton St. and 611 Eastland Ave. while also approving a final plat for the Country Club Estates subdivision.
Ruston’s City Council also introduced a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a professional services agreement with Parish Controls, LLC and to sell that company property for an engineering facility.
That resolution will be discussed and potentially voted on during the January 2025 City Council meeting.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Louisiana State Police Troop F, plans to conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Lincoln Parish on Thursday December 12, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., weather and traffic permitting. The goal of this operation is to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roads before they cause injury or death to themselves or others.
Driving impaired can have deadly consequences. Last year, nearly half of all fatal crashes investigated statewide involved impaired drivers. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other impairing substances can significantly affect the body by impairing visual ability, distorting the sense of time and space, reducing fine motor skills, and slowing reaction times—all critical for safe driving. If you feel different, you drive differently. Preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility.
By ensuring that impaired individuals don’t get behind the wheel and reporting dangerous drivers, you can help reduce crashes caused by impaired driving. Motorists are encouraged to designate a sober driver before attending events where impairing substances will be consumed or use alternate transportation such as a rideshare app or taxi. Passengers should also never get into a vehicle with an impaired driver. Making responsible choices can mean the difference between life and death. Choose to drive sober.
Motorists who observe hazardous driving are encouraged to call 911 or *LSP (*577) to report the incident to the local authorities or the Louisiana State Police.
Support for this checkpoint is provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
Wow! What an exciting and awesome time to be a Bearcat! I’m so proud of our team, coaches, support staff, teachers, spirit groups, fans, students, and everyone involved with Ruston High School and our Bearcat football team.
The support of the community continues to be so impressive and it feels like the entire city of Ruston and Lincoln Parish is rooting for the Bearcats to bring home another state title. I’m just fortunate to get to go along for the ride. So many memories have been made this year for players, coaches, and fans that will last a lifetime.
I appreciate the hard work and dedication that our football team and staff have put into making this a successful season. I pray for safe travels down and back for anyone going and THANK YOU for your support! Let’s go take care of business.
Bearcat fans traveling to New Orleans are invited to a pregame community tailgate Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. sponsored by Origin Bank to be held at the Opening Act at Champions Square by the Super Dome. Please see the flyer listed below for more information.
Stay tuned to the Lincoln Parish Journal for more information throughout the week on more important information regarding Ruston High’s upcoming championship matchup with Central on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3:30 p.m.
For three straight playoff games, the Ruston Bearcats have faced an opponent that was more known for the offensive side of the football.
Zachary. Southside. Destrehan.
Three up. Three down. The Bearcats held those three teams to 35 total points in playoff victories.
However, Ruston will face a Central High School team Saturday in the Nonselect School Division I state title game that is more known for the defensive side of the line.
Central has advanced to the title game with victories over three Ouachita Parish teams: West Ouachita (45-20), West Monroe (21-7) and Neville (17-13).
The Wildcats (12-1) are spearheaded on the defensive side by fraternal twins DK and KD Mays. DK is a defensive lineman who has signed with the University of Houston while KD is a linebacker who has drawn interest from some smaller colleges.
KD has 30 tackles for loss and 11 sacks while DK has 25.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks.
“They are very athletic on defense,” said writer Robin Fambrough, who covers high school sports for the Baton Rouge Advocate. “They have a bunch of athletic guys that they move in and out. Some of them you may see on offense too. What they do is based on speed. They are not big, big up front.
“They are multiple. They want to move DK Mays inside and outside. They don’t want people to know where he is coming from.”
As a whole, the Wildcats
“They are stacked defensively,” said Mario Jerez, who handles the play by play for Central for their home game streams. “They are multiple. You will see some 4-3, some 3-4. They just have stars at every level of the defense.
“DK and KD Mays have both been borderline unstoppable in the playoffs. Those guys are constantly wreaking havoc. Everybody contributes and everybody is good in their role, but the stars really eat. Both corners have been shut down. It’s a very complete defense.”
The Wildcats have held six opponents to single digits in points this year, including in a 21-7 win over West Monroe in the quarterfinals. Only four times (Lafayette Christian, Catholic, Liberty, Scotlandville) has Central’s defense allowed 20 or more points.
Former Louisiana Tech assistant coach Anthony Camp serves as the Central co-defensive coordinator. Camp played alongside Central head coach David Simoneaux Jr at Parkview Baptist.
Simoneaux is in his first year at Central and is leading his third different school (Catholic Pointe Coupee – 2019; Catholic-Baton Rouge 2021) in six years to the state title game.
In the 17-13 win over Neville last week in the semifinals, the Wildcats special teams also came up huge, including blocking two kicks (xp, FG). The blocked field goal with less than three minutes to play was returned 85 yards for the game-winning TD.
“The blocked field goal was not a fluke,” said Fambrough. “They put good athletes on special teams.”
Compared to some of Ruston’s playoff opponents, Central’s offensive numbers aren’t as eye-popping. The Wildcats average 27.2 points per game this season and are amassing around 230 total yards per contest (120 via pass; 110 via rush).
“They are very multiple, but pretty standard pro-style offense,” said Jerez. “They will run a lot of I-formation but will run some 12-type formations with multiple tight ends. You will see a lot of pistol sets with (quarterback) Jackson Fermin, who is a pretty big threat running or passing. But there are a lot of wrinkles in there.”
Fermin is a Nicholls State signee.
The Wildcats rushing attack took a hit before the season when Manny Williams – along with Fermin and wide receiver Kylen Thomas — was injured in a car wreck. Williams, who rushed for over 500 yards in the playoffs last season, sustained injuries that included a broken hip, broken jaw, lacerated liver, and concussion. He missed all of the regular season but returned the past two weeks for Central.
“They were all in a car heading to team dinner and were rear-ended by car going about 55 MPH,” said Fambrough. “It went off the road and rolled into a ditch. When you see pictures of the car, you don’t know how any of those three kids survived.”
Marvin Joseph, who also plays DB for the Wildcats, is the team’s leading rusher with 409 yards and 14 TDs while Fermin is second with 339 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Williams has rushed for 77 yards and one score in his two games since returning.
“They have tried a lot of things with the running game this year,” said Jerez. “They just got Manny (Williams) back. He has been pretty effective. They have gotten a lot of contribution from Marvin Joseph … those two guys give them a really good one-two punch.
“Recently, they have started running Jackson Fermin a lot more too. He has been really effective in the run game. He broke a long run in the quarterfinal win over West Monroe. They have had to get creative with the running game at times, but getting Manny back is huge. It definitely gives them that dimension they have been missing all year.”
Fermin has passed for 1,550 yards and nine scores with eight interceptions.
Central is looking for its first state title since winning a Class 2A title in 1966.
A Texas man was arrested last week for allegedly committing sexual acts with a juvenile in Union Parish, according to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Charles Stewart, 80, of Dallas, Texas, was booked in the Union Parish Detention Center on numerous counts including rape and crime against nature.
According to UPSO, the department was contacted in October by law enforcement investigators in Texas who were conducting a sex crimes investigation. Through their interviews, it was learned the victim, a 13-year-old girl, was sexually abused while in Bernice in Union Parish in 2020.
The alleged abuse occurred several times over a weeklong period. Detectives from UPSO’s Criminal Investigation Division then conducted a local investigation.
Stewart is charged with the following crimes:
Aggravated Crimes Against Nature
Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
Oral Sexual Battery (4 Counts)
Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile (5 Counts)
Sexual Battery (2 Counts)
Second Degree Rape (2 Counts)
Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles
Bail for Stewart was set at $1,085,000 by a Third District Court judge.
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.
A man and a woman were arrested by Ruston Police on December 4 after they caused allegedly caused a disturbance at a traffic crash scene.
Devon West, 21, of Ruston, and Niani McCoy, 28, of Grambling were arrested on South Monroe Street about 5:00 p.m. while officers were working a traffic crash scene. According to an officer’s report, the two were continuously aggressive toward the other driver, screaming profanities while standing in the roadway. The drivers had to be physically separated from one another.
McCoy and West were both arrested for disturbing the peace. West physically resisted being handcrafted, requiring two officers to take him into custody. West was found in possession of a jar of marijuana and was also charged with resisting an officer and possession of marijuana. His 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.
It was 2017 when I formally decided to embrace what I considered the early arrival of Christmas decorations, holiday movies and all things Yuletide instead of muttering “Bah humbug” when the lights began twinkling and Santa Claus took up residence next to the pumpkins. I even wrote a column about it back then.
In 2024, I’m still pondering the situation because the Christmas holiday season seems to creep into the calendar earlier and earlier each year. And I’m trying to stay true to my self-imposed pledge that one of our Southern A’Chord Chorus songs champions.
Yes, the carol “Christmas Is a Feeling” speaks of mistletoe, falling snow and candles burning bright; a baby in a manger on a cold winter’s night; glad noels, chiming bells and presents by the tree; the spirit of giving in you and in me. It talks of Christmas being a feeling that fills the air, of love and joy and laughter of people everywhere.
Then, at the song’s end, a question is posed: “If Christmas is a feeling bringing such good cheer, then why, oh, why don’t you and I try to make it last all year? Why can’t it last all year?”
As the cliche goes, that’s a good question.
It should last all year. Not just as a feel-good observance, but because it’s associated with the birth of the Savior of humankind. If that shouldn’t be celebrated all year, I don’t know what should be. Well, except for his death and resurrection.
Of course, no one really knows exactly when Jesus was born. It’s nice, however, for the world to slow down for a few weeks – or months – and actually recognize that he did come to earth with the grandest of missions ever. We should be thankful every single day of the year for that.
So today I’d like to look at some Christmas traditions that we hold dear – the ones described in “Christmas Is a Feeling” and others. Let’s delve into their origins and significance.
Christmas trees – Evergreen trees represent eternal life and God’s unchanging nature. The star atop the tree symbolizes the star over Bethlehem, and the tree’s triangular shape can denote the Holy Trinity.
Lights and candles – These bring to mind that Jesus is the Light of the World, who drives out darkness and sin.
Bells – Bells are associated with proclamation and celebration, indicating the announcement of Christ’s birth.
Gifts – Holiday presents echo the gifts of the Magi (gold, frankincense and myrrh) and God’s ultimate gift of his Son. They are an expression of love, mirroring God’s love for us.
Candy canes: The shape represents a shepherd’s staff, reflecting Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The colors have meaning, too: white, for the purity and sinlessness of Christ; red, for his blood shed for humanity.
Wreaths – The circular shape suggests God’s infinite love and the eternal nature of life. An evergreen wreath connotes eternal life through Christ.
Holly and ivy – Holly’s sharp leaves characterize the crown of thorns; ivy’s red berries, the blood of Christ.
Poinsettias – This flower’s star-shaped leaves are said to resemble the Star of Bethlehem.
Snow – Its whiteness designates purity and cleansing, affirming Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
The Yule log – This tradition represents Christ as the light in the darkness, carried over from old European customs.
The colors red and green – Red symbolizes Christ’s blood shed for redemption; green, eternal life and renewal in Christ.
Other traditional images that are always near at Christmas come straight from scripture, such as the manager, angels, shepherds and the Wise Men.
So, next year when the Christmas lights begin to glow in October, perhaps we can view these as reminders, not nuisances. They prompt us to carry the spirit of Christmas – love, joy and reflection on Christ’s birth – into every season. After all, as the song reminds us, the message of Christmas isn’t bound by a calendar. It’s a feeling, a truth and a gift meant to last all year.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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.
Cannon Robbins and Jake Terry combined for 54 points to lead Cedar Creek to a 63-53 win over Family Community Christian Monday night.
The Cougars (5-1) duo hit nine three-pointers (Robbins – 6, Terry – 3) and helped Creek build a 32-17 halftime lead and never look back.
Robbins netted 12 points in the opening quarter as the Cougars built a 17-8 lead and then Terry scored eight in the second stanza as the advantage ballooned to 15 points at the half.
Robbins then hit a trifecta of three-pointers in the third quarter en route to 11 points while Terry led Creek with eight points in the fourth period.
Drew Carroll led Family Community Christian (2-6) with 15 points.
The Cougars will return to action Thursday when they host Simsboro at 7:45 p.m. in the first day of the Neill Kilgore Memorial Tournament.
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Cedar Creek Scoring: FG(3FG)-FT-TP
Cameron Temple 1-1-3; Cannon Robbins 11(6)-2-30; Landon Hall 0-2-2; Jack Bell 2-0-4; Jake Terry 7(3)-7-24. Totals 21(9)-12-63
