Louisiana Tech University’s annual Undergraduate Research and Service-Learning Symposium will take place March 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in University Hall.
The event celebrates the academic research, scholarly activity and service-learning experiences of students within each of the university’s five colleges. Through presentations and networking opportunities, participants learn from each other by sharing their experiences.
The top five presentations in each category will be selected to represent Louisiana Tech at the University of Louisiana Academic Summit.
This year’s keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Jim Henderson, president of Louisiana Tech University.
As the political climate continues to heat up with tough issues, challenging decisions, and a national election looming later this year, many will continue to choose sides, some will get more frustrated, and others will become disillusioned and give up. The partisan approach to what was once public service is dividing a nation and tearing it apart from within. Power, platforms, and political agendas have replaced leadership, service, and sacrifice.
Are we so far away from leadership that we have forgotten what it looks like?
Leadership is uniting people NOT winning 51% of an election and denouncing the “losers.”
Leadership is connecting people to a common cause NOT pushing a platform because the political party pays the bills.
Leadership is serving people, NOT doing whatever it takes to retain power.
Leadership is making tough calls to do what’s best NOT passively doing what’s popular.
Leadership is prioritizing vital needs, NOT wasting time and resources on secondary issues.
Leadership is engaging people with different views NOT canceling those that don’t agree.
Leadership is equipping others to reach their potential, NOT enabling people to fall short.
Have political parties become too strong? Have the funding requirements to be relevant on a state or national level become too restrictive? Have political agendas of media outlets become too biased?
Leaders connect, communicate, and create. They connect with people regardless of how they voted. They communicate a vision of a better tomorrow. They create a strategy to identify and excel at the vital aspects for the nation, the state, or the community.
Leading others with diverse thoughts, beliefs, or backgrounds, does not require one to compromise personal convictions or values. It does necessitate asking questions, listening to others, and appreciating differences. The Apostle Paul stated that he become all things to all men to save some. When Paul made this statement, he was not saying that he renounced his beliefs or convictions. Rather, he was saying that he sacrificed any position he may have been afforded to relate to everyone. He served and sacrificed for the betterment of others. Not everyone would follow or agree, but that didn’t change his approach.
As you consider how to respond to this article, the key is to personalize it rather than project it to someone else. How will you respond differently in political discussions to build bridges not walls? Will you steer away from polarizing labels such as conservative, liberal, progressive, or moderate to seek an identity beyond some media classification. We are much more than some limiting media classification.
Regardless of the level of governmental oversight, everyone deserves good leadership. While we have examples of good leadership in places, we have huge voids in many other areas. We need more leaders worthy of following! How will you respond?
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Mississippi man Saturday night after he returned to the home of a woman he had a battered a few days before.
Deputies responded to a Madden Road residence about 9 p.m. Saturday night after the caller said Cecil Steele, 43, of Petal, Mississippi was at the residence. The Sheriff’s Office held a warrant for Steele’s arrest for battery of a dating partner that occurred Jan. 31 where the caller was the victim.
Steele stepped out of a vehicle in front of the residence when deputies arrived. He was placed under arrest on the outstanding warrant. Based on statements Steele made, his vehicle was searched which led to the discovery of a glass smoking pipe containing suspected methamphetamine.
The victim said Steele had been at the residence for a few hours, but she did not call until the children had departed. She said Steele had raised his hand toward her which she believed indicated he was going to strike her.
Steele was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the warrant for battery of a dating partner. His bail amount was not available at publication time.
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.
When the forefathers of the United States of America began considering a total separation from Great Britain, our leaders had to plan ahead. If the efforts of the colonists were successful, they would have to construct a new form of government almost from the ground up. They would have to take bits and pieces from governments from all over the world to create what they later described in the preamble to the Constitution as a “more perfect union.” What would the union be called?
When, in June 1775, the Congress appointed George Washington as commander in chief of the Army, our country was referred to as the “United Colonies.” The moniker itself defined the colonies as being an offspring of and answerable to the mother country, Great Britain. Our forefathers recognized the need for a new title for our collection of colonies. In early draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson began the document, “A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERCA, in General Congress assembled…” Notice that each letter in the name of our country is capitalized for emphasis. After several revisions, the final version of the Declaration of Independence began, “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America…” The final version of the Declaration included less emphasis on the title. The “thirteen united States” was used as a description of the colonies, to show that they stood together against Great Britain, rather than an official name.
Four days later, July 8, 1776, the words “United States of America” was included in the first draft of the Articles of Confederation, but the articles were not ratified by the states until 1781. In September 1776, our forefathers approved several resolutions including payments to the soldiers. The fifth resolution stated, “That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.” It was on that Monday, September 9, 1776, that our country officially adopted its legal name. During the American Revolution, government inspectors needed an easy way to show which casks of gunpowder had been approved for use by colonial soldiers. In August 1776, a month before “United States” became an official title, government inspectors began marking casks of approved gunpowder with the initials “U.S.A.”
In 1891, Lucas Miller became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin’s 6th district. He thought our country was not living up to its full potential and he, a first term representative, was the person to lead the country toward its destiny. He introduced numerous bills which, if they had passed, would have forever changed our country. Miller proposed 46 bills that, if they had become laws, our daily lives would be much different. His proposals would have provided for the governmental control of “pretty much everything that can be controlled, and some things that cannot be.” He proposed that 37 departments, each controlled by a secretary, such as the secretaries of fluids, forces, fairs, lectures, amusements, and more. “The comfort of the general public,” he proposed, “is to be provided for by a department of public health, their cleanliness enforced by a department of public baths, and their clothing washed through the medium of a department of public laundries.” Had his bills been approved, the government would have had control over every aspect of our lives in America, the home of the free. A couple in love would have to petition the government for permission to marry. Governmental permission would have been necessary to have children or to get divorced.
The United States of America is always changing. We have enlarged the United States with the addition of states and territories, but Miller’s proposals went too far. Lucas Miller completed his first term in 1893. His bid for a second term was unsuccessful. One of the main reasons why his reelection campaign failed was his desire to change the name of our country. He reasoned that “it is possible for the Republic to grow through the admission of new States into the Union until every Nation on Earth has become part of it.” Miller rationalized that he was just planning ahead. His plan even included a new title for our country which reflected its eventual growth. The new title Miller proposed for our country was “the United States of Earth.”
Louisiana Tech looks to snap its two-game losing streak tonight when the Bulldogs host Jacksonville State inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Tipoff is at 6 p.m. and the game can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network with Malcolm Butler (PxP) and Jack Thigpen (Analyst) providing a call of the action.
LA Tech (16-8, 6-3) lost a heartbreaker this past Saturday, falling in the final seconds to Liberty, 65-62. After tying the game up at 62-62, the Flames were able to hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to pull out the win.
The Bulldogs were solid defensively, especially in the first half when they allowed just 22 points. For the game, they registered 11 steals and five blocks. LA Tech ranks first in CUSA and 23rd in the country with an average of 5.0 blocks per contest. They also continue to rank top 15 in the nation in scoring defense (63.6) and field goal percentage defense (39.0).
Despite the two consecutive losses, LA Tech is still tied atop the CUSA standings with Sam Houston. The Bulldogs have seven conference games remaining, four of which are at home.
Jacksonville State (12-13, 4-6) is in seventh in the CUSA standings. After opening league play with consecutive wins over FIU and Liberty that were part of a six-game winning streak, the Gamecocks have lost six of their last eight games.
This past week, Jax State split its home contests, defeating Sam Houston, 79-68, while falling to WKU, 70-59. The Gamecocks are 4-8 on the road this season, having lost four straight away from home.
The Gamecocks excel on the defensive end, particularly in the rebounding category. While they are allowing just 65.0 points per game, which ranks 29th in the country, they are one of the best in the league at rebounding the basketball. In league play, they rank first in rebounding defense (31.20) and second in rebounding margin (+4.80), having only been outrebounded five times all season.
LA Tech and Jax State met for the very first time back on Jan. 20 with the Bulldogs prevailing, 74-57, in Jacksonville, Alabama. Isaiah Crawford went off for a career-high 30 points, 21 of which came in the second half. The Bulldogs closed the game out by making 12 of their last 14 field goal attempts to pull away for a 17-point road victory.
Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team begins a two-game road swing tonight against Jacksonville State at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Pete Mathews Coliseum on ESPN+.
The contest can be heard on 97.7 FM with Kyle Roberts providing a call of the action.
Louisiana Tech (8-16, 2-7) dropped a back-and-forth battle with Liberty inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Salma Bates and Anna Larr Roberson continue to be a consistent presence for the Lady Techsters this season. The duo combined for 21 points and eight rebounds against the Lady Flames. They have combined for 33 double-figure scoring outputs.
The Lady Techsters remains at the top of CUSA in several statistical categories. Tech is No. 2 in assists to turnover (0.86), No. 3 in assists per game (13.4) and turnovers (15.5), and No. 4 in bench points (20.5) and three-point defense (29.9).
Jacksonville State (9-13, 4-6) has been playing their best basketball as of late. On Saturday, the Gamecocks fell to Western Kentucky, 54-45, but won the previous three games.
Jax State has a balanced attack, with seven players averaging over 5.0 points a game and five over 4.0 rebounds.
Clint A. Harper, 46, of Downsville, LA passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024. Clint was born October 28, 1977, in Bastrop, LA, the son of Clifton Harper and Mary Sue Branch. He grew up in Oak Grove, LA attending Fiske Union Elementary School, then graduating from Oak Grove High School. While attending school he played baseball and basketball and made many lifelong friends. Clint loved hunting, fishing, and all things outdoors.
After high school, Clint attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology. He accepted a teaching job at his Alma Mater, Oak Grove High School as a chemistry teacher. Not only was he a teacher, he was also an assistant baseball coach for his first year and accepted the head baseball coach position in 2001 winning the Louisiana State Baseball Championship that same year. In 2002 Clint decided to pursue his career as a veterinarian accepting a position as a Vet Tech at Cooper Veterinary Hospital in West Monroe, LA. It is there he met his future wife, Heather King. Clint went on to attend Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine graduating in 2007.
Clint married Heather Ann King on February 11, 2005, at Melbourne Baptist Church in Transylvania, LA. Once finishing veterinary school, he accepted a job at a vet clinic in Nacogdoches, TX, but after a year he was called to come back home to Cooper Veterinary Hospital. He and Heather moved to Downsville, LA. He joined Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo as their Veterinarian in 2014. Clint and Heather welcomed two beautiful daughters Riley and Reese in 2009 and 2015 respectively. He was a loving husband and father and dearly loved and was very proud of his family.
Clint is survived by his wife Heather Ann Harper, daughters Riley Grace Harper and Reese Faith Harper; parents Clifton Harper and Mary Sue (Susie) Branch; siblings Casy Spatafora (Joe) and Christy Popwell (Sam); nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceded in death by grandparents Otho Branch, Minnie Rose Poole, Joe and Mable Harper.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up at Origin Bank. All contributions will provide support to Clint’s family. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Christ Church, 208 Lincoln St, West Monroe, LA. Services provided by Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Ruston, LA.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said Monday that the city sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) late last week in order to solicit bids to sell the City’s internet fiber and all of the assets associated with the system.
Walker said that the city got into the fiber business in 2009 when they began offering it to commercial businesses. Now the city owns a system that includes 136 miles of fiber either underground or on poles, a very “valuable asset.”
After servicing businesses for around a decade, the city conducted a study about four years ago that showed a tremendous demand for internet options for residential areas within Ruston. However, a few months after the completion of the study the federal government began offering billions of dollars nationally to run fiber to every home.
Thus with that federal funding on the near horizon, Walker said the city has decided it’s time to get out of the internet business.
“The feds started coming out with all of this money for fiber throughout the United States,” said Walker. “The State of Louisiana is getting over $2 billion to provide internet to every home in our state. This changed the whole landscape.”
So with the impending influx of federal dollars coming from Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants and the impact that it will have on the internet market within Lincoln Parish and the entire state, Walker said the decision was made to put the city’s plan in reverse.
Walker said state officials have said that the $2 billion will be more than enough to get fiber into every home in the state.
“So we immediately pulled out of that idea and started looking at what we were going to do,” said Walker.
That decision entails trying to sell the internet system, thus Walker said the city hired a company to evaluate and provide an appraisal of what it is worth, a system that includes 192 strands of fiber.
Walker did say that when the system was originally built, the city had an agreement with Nexus Communications out of Monroe which was then absorbed by Hunt Telecom which was absorbed by Unity. Unity has the right to utilize half of those 192 strands to provide internet service to any Lincoln Parish school that is part of the BESE Board.
Walker did say that that aspect of the agreement was being discussed as the city looks to sell the entire system.
He said that although the RFP was just sent out this past Friday, the city has already had “quite a few” suitors, putting the number between one and two dozen.
“We are looking to sell all assets that are in place,” said Walker. “The fiber. The switches. Everything that is located within that system, plus any equipment that we have sitting in our warehouse, like additional fiber. We are getting out of the fiber business.
“I am a firm believer that if we can’t be No. 1 or No. 2 in a business, then we need to get out of it. Fiber is not our strong suit. We don’t have the (manpower). We depend on contractors. Before the government got into it, we were in pretty good shape. But when the government started throwing out hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars to provide fiber throughout the state, we backed off. It’s a whole different ball game now.”
So what happens to area businesses who currently depend on the city’s fiber system? Bill Carter, legal counsel for the city of Ruston, said the RFP protects those interests.
“The is simply a request for a proposal,” said Carter. “It simply says, ‘Hey, if you are interested in acquiring our system, you can make us a proposal.’ But it’s a very structured document to here is the criteria that we are going to use. It’s all in the RFP. These are the things that we think are important.
“One of them is the price, but it’s only 20 percent. What can we do with this system to benefit our customers. We don’t know what the proposals are going to say, but we are going to look for somebody that is going to take care of the customers.”
The Criteria and Scoring in the RFP includes:
A. Acquisition Price Offer (20%)
B. Experience in Providing Telecommunication Services to the Public (20%)
C. Financial Stability and Legal Structure (20%)
D. Business Plan for Maintaining and/or Expanding Local Fiber Services (15%)
E. Retail Price Structure (15%)
F. Planned Network Configuration (5%)
G. Customer Service Plan (5%)
Officials said the sale would include a plan for the city to continue to use fibers for communication between its buildings and substations.
“We want the same connectivity that currently exists, plus more,” said City of Ruston IT/Telecom Director Dusty Hampton. “That’s our goal.”
Hampton also said that by the time the $2 billion is utilized throughout the state, the hope is that not only does it benefit those who don’t have internet now, but also those who have it but aren’t happy with their current provider as additional companies move into this area.
“The FCC differentiation right now is between unserved areas and underserved areas,” said Hampton. “Ruston is technically served. You can get internet at every address in the city. But Ruston is definitely underserved. The rest of Lincoln Parish is unserved. A lot of these companies are applying for federal funding, and they are getting Lincoln Parish.
“When they get a map they start looking at Lincoln Parish and say ‘where do we want to start spending this money?’ Well Ruston, but Ruston is already served. But everything around it is not. So all these companies that want to compete in Lincoln Parish, where would they start their system? Right here in Ruston. So it could take us from underserved to completely served. Then it gives a backbone that literally runs a ring to go straight out to all your unserved areas. So it makes it a prime spot. So this system (that we want to sell) is a dream-come-true for all these companies.”
RFP Schedule
February 9 – RFP Issued
February 22 — Pre-proposal Conference
March 7 – Deadline for receipt of written inquiries
March 14 – Deadline to respond to written inquiries
With the departure of Eric Wood as the Louisiana Tech Vice President and Director of Athletics back in late January, the search for the University’s next athletic department leader heats up this week as the initial round of interviews begins.
A new president will be leading the charge in looking for a new AD.
Dr. Jim Henderson, who took over the role as the Tech President on January 1, said his desire is to have a new AD in place by the end of this month. However, he was clear that he will err on the side of making the right hire.
“We hope to announce the new AD the last week of February,” said Henderson. “That’s our timeline and it is very aggressive. But your timelines are flexible. Finding the right person is non-negotiable. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Henderson confirmed that the University’s five-person search committee also includes Associate VP/Deputy AD Mary Kay Hungate, University Interim Provost Donna Thomas, Director of Title IX Compliance Mortissa Harvey, and Tech alum and former President of the University Alumni Association Steve Davison. He also stated that the University contracted with Parker Executive Search firm for the process.
“We’re working with a renowned national search firm that understands our institution, that understands the landscape of college athletics, that has deep connections with potential candidates,” said Henderson. “And it has a great process of getting input from multiple stakeholder groups and truly understanding the mission and then delivering on it.
“But they also understand our desire to find the athletic director that helps move Louisiana Tech Athletics to the ultra upper echelon of the Group of Five athletics. That’s where we want to be. We understand the challenges. We understand the resource environment. But we want to be competitive in every sport that we field a team, and I believe we can do that.”
Henderson said the journey to the next AD started the day that Wood announced he accepted a Senior Deputy AD position at Ole Miss. In addition to naming Hungate the Interim AD, Henderson began dialogue with members of the athletics department.
“I talked to the the department about our path forward,” Henderson said. “I met with the athletic department leadership team and with all the head coaches. We had a good hour-long conversation, ensuring they understood what our process was going to be and that they would have a role and a voice in that process. We communicated what the expectations are.”
In addition to talking to the internal stakeholders, Henderson said he has had numerous conversations with many of the external ones as well.
“We had a number of conversations with fans and alumni that have an interest,” said Henderson. “And to their credit, they have said, ‘you know, I don’t want to get into the business, but kind of tell me what where we’re going and what you think.’ And, and all of them seemed to support this idea that we can compete with any like institutions.
“They want to win. Fans are fans. They want to have a quality product on the courts and on the fields of play. And from everything I’ve heard, the fan base has been very supportive, very positive, but also with clear expectations of what they want to see.”
So what does “compete” mean?
Henderson simply pointed to the success that one of the former CUSA members had last year on a national stage, and said he believes Tech has the potential to position itself for similar success stories.
“Just think of what Florida Atlantic did last year (advancing to the Final Four in men’s basketball),” Henderson said. “We’ve got a great stable of coaches. All have the potential to be championship coaches. We want to give them create the conditions which they can do that. And then create a system of accountability that they will do that.”
Henderson said that his meeting with the Tech head coaches led to plenty of feedback. And although the feedback include a variety of factors, he said there was one over-riding message that came out of the meeting.
“They want an AD that’s going to allow them to do what they came here to do, and that’s coach competitive teams,” said Henderson. “They don’t want to get caught up in administrivia. They don’t want to be saddled with activities that that aren’t part of coaching student athletes. We all have to step in and do things for the broader good. We have to work as a team. We have to support each other.”
Due to the budget challenges at Tech, Henderson admitted the definition of success for the next AD may look a little different than at school’s with greater resources. However, he feels strongly that success can still be measured and the right selection can help elevate the department.
“If we can get an athletic director who is going to give us at least five to six years, and if they want to lead, they leave better than they found it,” said Henderson. “That’s going to be the real success. And I think most fans would be thoroughly satisfied with it.“
Tech ranks among the bottom third in CUSA in athletic department budget so Henderson knows the importance of finding a leader that can continue to work to increase revenue streams and private giving.
“(I am looking for) someone that understands the resource game, that understands that we’ve got to fundraise and that we can’t fundraise from the same 25 alums,” said Henderson. “We have to broaden that donor base. And to do that, you have to create a compelling reason for them to give. They want to invest in excellence. People don’t give to need. They give to excellence. They want to be part of a good product.”
Henderson also said he understands his role and impact as University President on helping the athletic side of campus grow, knowing athletics success can have a direct impact on enrollment.
“Creating the conditions for success,” said Henderson about his role. “That means the resource mix. We are a resource-strained institution as are most public institutions these days. And so it’s not about dividing up our pie into different pieces, different sized pieces, and giving someone a larger piece of the pie. It’s going out and enlarging an entire pie and ensuring that that we can grow the resource base. It’s going to allow them to be successful.”
Although there were plenty of topics discussed during Tuesday night’s monthly Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting, none of them were dirtier than the trash.
During a time when campaigns and studies like “Keep Louisiana Beautiful” and “Love the Boot” are publicized throughout our state, the challenges of keeping Lincoln Parish clutter free have been overwhelming and many times impossible.
The topic of litter and landfill and dumpers and illegal dumping were at the forefront of both the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee meeting and the Economic Development and Planning Committee meeting prior to Tuesday night’s main affair.
And the thought process was unanimous amongst the 12 members of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury — something more has to be done. Although some jury members said they felt improvements had occurred over the past year, the issues around parish dumpsters and along roadsides is far from solved.
“I’ve noticed in the past year, there has been a great improvement as far as the dumpster sites with the clean up,” said jury member Milton Melton. “You see a lot of trash on the weekends, but by Monday or Tuesday the area is clean. It’s not as bad. Now some of them off the beaten path are kind of filthy.”
However, the trash that is outside of the dumpsters continues to be a problem.
“There are several dumpster sites where they are picking it up around them, but nothing is getting picked up in the woods,” said juror Dan Lord. “Stray dogs are dragging stuff everywhere. There was one lady that went and there was somebody in the dumpster. She didn’t know what to do and so she put her trash outside the dumpster. Next thing you know there is trash everywhere.”
The issue appears to be more a lack of public adherence to laws when it comes to dumpster sites.
“You have couches hanging out of them,” said juror Logan Hunt.
“We have a problem with dumpster diving,” said Melton. “Until we use some type of mechanism in place … as long as we are slapping their hand, nothing will change. What is going to have to happen is identify some of these people that are doing some of this illegal dumping and have them fined. When you go into their pocket, things will change.”
“Instead of fining them, make them have community service,’ said Lord. “Make them pick up trash. I guarantee if someone has to pick up trash for two days, that will slow them down.”
The parish landfill is currently running four compactor trucks — one more than in recent years — although officials said sometimes the lack of workers prevents all four of them from running on a daily basis. More than 71 tons of trash was picked up along road sides and around dumpsters in Lincoln Parish in 2023.
“We are running four which significantly helps,” said Hunt. “We are still running this grabber truck right behind them. We are still running the litter crew behind it. We are touching each one of these dump sites three times each round.”
Much of the conversation was centered around educating parish residents as well as increasing penalties for those who break the laws when it comes to dumpsters.
Currently, the parish policy doesn’t have a penalty for first offense while the second offense is a small fine. Tuesday night the talk was about significantly making penalties much harsher for those who are not abiding by the laws.
“There has to go to be some type of enforcement of what is happening,” said Solid Waste and Recycling Committee Chair TJ Cranford. “Whether it is people throwing it on the ground out by the dumpster, whether its blowing out of the back of trucks, whether its blowing out of the back of compactor trucks … wherever its coming from. If it’s something we can fix, then let’s fix that.
“Then from people just being sorry, there has to be some type of consequence. Whether its a big fine or whether its two or three days of community service. We can make all the rules we want, but we have to have some sort of enforcement behind it.”
Parish Administrator Courtney Hall said that residents can call the Lincoln Parish Landfill and arrange for them to come by and pick up larger trash items that should be taken to the landfill and not left by a dumpster.
“We actually offer a program where if you call the landfill, you can go out and put that couch or that refrigerator or that washer or dryer in the right of way at the end of your driveway … if you call us, we will come pick it up free of charge,” said Hall.
The number to the Lincoln Parish Landfill is 318-251-5159.
Hall pointed to the Keep Louisiana Beautiful study that was recently done as a way to
“Expenditures overwhelmingly focus on remediation and cleanup rather than prevention,” said Hall. “Local jurisdictions spend seven times more to remove litter and trash than from preventing it from being generated in the first place.
“So I think we are backwards a little bit. We are trying to remediate, remediate, and it’s not working. You can keep throwing more money and more people at it, but we need to focus on enforcement and education.”
Hall said that officials with the Keep Louisiana Beautiful study came to Lincoln Parish as part of their study and the results weren’t positive.
“We participated with this study. They came up and spot checked with their study, and they picked Highway 80,” said Hall. “It was the worst place they could have picked. That’s where that (ranking) came from. It was the second worst place that they saw in the state of Louisiana.”
Juror Joe Henderson said he felt that they should utilize the water works districts to help spread the word.
“We need to partner with the water works districts and see if we can put a letter in their bill letting them know about what they can do about getting trash picked up, but that same letter needs to if caught, we need to tell them about the fine,” said Henderson. “Although I think the (current) fine is weak. We have to get the word out. We need to fine them and add community service.
“People don’t know. It’s been going on so long. They think its okay to put their couch out there.”
Using direct mail was also suggested for spreading the word.
Lincoln Parish is one of only a handful of parishes that still provide dumpsters in the state of Louisiana with a total of 66 dumpsters located around the area.
Hall also said the Keep Louisiana Beautiful study cited Tangepahoa Parish as one of the best in the state when it comes to cleanliness.
“It takes a model from another parish — I think it’s Tangepahoa Parish — that has a really good program,” said Hall. “They have engaged with the JPs, the Justice of the Peaces, where they have litter court which is permitted by state law. You have to have JPs that are willing to spend the time and resources to do that, but criminal court and the drug court … they really don’t have time to do this. They are overwhelmed.”
Hall said years ago the Lincoln Parish Police Jury hired a private investigator to obtain video and photo evidence of illegal dumping.
“This guy came with (plenty) of photographs and data of people doing illegal dumping and littering,” said Hall. “We saw pictures and it was great (proof). But we could never get any cooperation to prosecute for a number of reasons. So we hit a road block and it went away.
“So taking something like this and trying to move it to the JPs where they can make some money for their operation and get it out of the clogged criminal justice system. It might be effective. We aren’t going to solve this problem today.”
The LPPJ authorized Hall to look into the possibility of utilizing the local justice of the peaces as well as increasing parish penalties (fines, community service hours) for those who are found guilty of illegal dumping.
Displaying a presentation check showing the amount raised during the 2024 St. Jude Radiothon are KXKZ program director Matt McKenney (second from right) and his son, Everett; Zeta Rho-ESA members Amy Ringheim, Norlyn Hyde, Sallie Rose Hollis and Nancy Darland; and Super 1 Foods customer experience manager, Eric Mayfield.
The total for the Z107.5 St. Jude Radiothon when it went off the air Friday came to $93,957, $5,569 more than the $88,388 raised last year.
At the event’s conclusion, station program director Matt McKenney, said, “After years of doing the radiothon, I’m always blown away by the generosity of the people in my hometown.”
Radiothon chair Nancy Darland echoed McKenney’s feelings and added, “We had a lot of volunteers who helped us succeed in this effort. To them – along with the generous donors and sponsors – we give our deep, heartfelt thanks.”
Darland is a member of the co-sponsoring group, the Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service organization.
Darland said the total will actually go somewhat higher within the next few days as additional contributions and deposits are made.
“What an amazing accomplishment for those three students,” Ruston High principal Dan Gressett said. “Jodi, Thomas, and Chaz are tremendous students, and we couldn’t be more proud of them. To have all three be named as finalists is pretty special. But I’m not surprised at all– they deserve it. We’re glad they’re Bearcats, for sure.”
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.
The round of students that has advanced to the finals will be in competition for National Merit Scholarships from three categories:
1. National Merit $2500 Scholarships. (2500 single payment awards) 2. Corporate sponsored Merit Scholarships (about 840 awards issued to student meeting specific standards or criteria set by various company sponsors of National Merit) 3. College-sponsored Merit Scholarships. (Awarded by the institute the finalist wishes to attend)
Finalists will need to submit their first choice college by March 1 to be considered for college-sponsored awards.
National Merit will begin notifying finalists of various awards by mid-March.
The complete timeline is as follows:
April 24 – Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners May 8 – National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners June 5 and July 15 – College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners
An incident at the Chili’s Restaurant in Ruston led to gunfire Sunday night and the arrest of a Monroe man.
Ruston Police responded to the restaurant on the North Service Road about 10 p.m. Sunday night. A vehicle driven by Lashaun Auston, 24, collided with a patrol car as he attempted to flee the scene. Auston was taken into custody after he said he had shot a pistol. Auston refused to make further statements and was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
A woman identified herself to police as the victim. Video evidence was also obtained from witnesses. Based on the videos and victim’s statement, it was determined Auston had pointed a firearm at the victim in the parking lot while yelling at her. Auston discharged the firearm into the ground. The video also showed Auston shoving the victim before attempting to flee the scene.
Austin submitted to a breath test at the detention center which showed his blood alcohol concentration was .124g%. Auston reportedly told the officer accompanying him to the detention center that he was homicidal and suicidal. He was taken to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center where he received medical attention and was then discharged.
A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the front seat of Auston’s vehicle.
Auston was booked for aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a weapon, simple battery, disturbing the peace by appearing intoxicated in public, first offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, and expired inspection sticker.
Bail was set at $231,500.
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.
Cedar Creek seniors Bailey Adams and Hayes Bridges are two of the 15,000 high school seniors nationwide that have advanced as finalists for the National Merit Award.
Head of School Cindy Hampton cited the pair’s overall impact on the school, both academically and as leaders on campus.
“We are so proud of Bailey and Hayes for this prestigious accomplishment,” said Hampton. “Not only are they academically talented, they are motivated to excel. They are not only great students but also great leaders and members of our Cedar Creek family. As the next stage of their life approaches, we know they will be prepared and will thrive. We will miss them.”
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.
The round of students that has advanced to the finals will be in competition for National Merit Scholarships from three categories:
1. National Merit $2500 Scholarships. (2500 single payment awards)
2. Corporate sponsored Merit Scholarships (about 840 awards issued to student meeting specific standards or criteria set by various company sponsors of National Merit)
3. College-sponsored Merit Scholarships. (Awarded by the institute the finalist wishes to attend)
Finalists will need to submit their first choice college by March 1 to be considered for college-sponsored awards.
National Merit will begin notifying finalists of various awards by mid-March.
The complete timeline is as follows:
April 24 – Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners May 8 – National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners June 5 and July 15 – College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners
I love you more than football, I love you more than hoops. I love you more than baseball — And that’s almost the truth.
From “Love is a Ball,” a work in progress
There is no way to win on Valentine’s Day.
Sports is about trying to win and sports is about pressure, either imagined or for real. But you can’t win on Valentine’s Day. Can’t do it. Too much pressure for even the best of us.
You have to do something on Valentine’s Day. Gotta make the free throw. Gotta complete the pass. Gotta get on base.
It’s ridiculous.
It’s like being on the Kiss Camera, or “Kiss Cam,” a popular thing at sporting events. It’s a public torture chamber and should be banned. They show a “couple” on the Kiss Cam and they’re supposed to kiss. Even if it’s a first date, even if it’s a last date, even if they’ve just had a fight over who’s going to get the beer. The guy who invented the Kiss Cam should have to go on a date with Rosie O’Donnell.
The only time Kiss Cam has hit a homer was when it caught Mr. and Mrs. Met kissing at Citi Field. And that was in the summer. When Valentine’s Day should be.
No one can be perfect all the time. Baseball millionaires get a hit just 30 percent of their at-bats. But Valentine’s Day demands that you barrel it up. On demand. Not just a hit, but extra bases.
Tip of the hat to the guy who made up Valentine’s Day. He’s rolling in the dough and the rest of us are trying to figure out how to do “something special” for our significant others on a blah day in February, which would be just another day if this Valentine’s Day Creator hadn’t ruined it.
The best way to combat Valentine’s Day is to admit it. Admit your romantic game is in the cellar. What I know about women and relationships, you could fit in a walnut shell. But I DO know that when you’re staring into the loss column, the best thing to do is to say so.
“I love you but I don’t know what to do today to express that. BUT, would you like to go eat out in a couple of weeks? Also, I will buy you new underwear and some socks.”
Boom.
That’s what works for me. Just move Valentine’s Day to another day. A random day when you express to your beloved that you think they are Johnny Unitas reincarnated. Give him or her a card on Valentine’s Day, then eat out and send flowers on a Wednesday in March. Watch a March Madness game with them.
End of story.
That’s really what’s wrong with Valentine’s Day. There is nothing to do, sports-wise, in mid-February. Super Bowl’s done. Basketball is mid-season. Spring training just started, but how many of us can take time off in winter to go to Scottsdale or Cocoa Beach?
Too bad, because America’s best sports song is about dating. It’s about love.
“TAKE ME OUT … to the ballgame. Take me out to the crowd…”
Ruston Police arrested a local man variety after a report he was shoplifting at a local discount store.
At about 1:20 p.m. Friday, the Dollar General store on South Vienna Street reported that a man had shoplifted and was still inside the store. When officers arrived, the manager said the suspect had walked out of the store toward a mobile home park on Riser Road.
The suspect, Bryant L. Graham, 39, was located and advised of his rights. Graham confessed to being at Dollar General and gave an officer permission to search a bag he had in his possession. The bag contained a glass smoking pipe with suspected drug residue in it.
A records check showed Graham was wanted on a warrant for theft by shoplifting at the same Dollar General store and December. No items from Dollar General we’re located.
Graham was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of drug paraphernalia and the warrant for theft by shoplifting. 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.
Ruston High School’s cheer squad took second place at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla., Monday graded on their ability to lead a crowd.
“This year’s team has been incredible and we couldn’t be more proud of all 19 girls,” Ruston High cheer sponsor Collin McDonald said. “These girls practiced extra outside of sideline cheer. To balance cheering for a state championship football team, basketball season, and competition cheer on top of their school work has been amazing.
“Twelve of the 19 girls had never competed before this season and we are only graduating out three girls from this team and they’re already asking if we can get to work on next year. Being so close to winning the school’s fifth national championship really has them motivated to get to work for next year. We are thankful for the Ruston community that has supported us this year and are just extremely proud of these girls.”
Ruston’s division began with 40 teams broken up into two groups, with the squad wining the preliminary group to skip the semifinal round and compete directly into the finals.
Ruston’s official score was 96.1, 0.3 points behind first place.
Two Lincoln Parish students have conquered Regionals and are heading to the State Poetry Out Loud competition.
Elena Baines and Grisham Locke, who studied under coach Tami Alexander, will represent Ruston March 7 in Opelousas with POL, an organization funded by the Endowment for the Arts that allows high school students to compete for scholarships. Baines and Locke competed in Ruston Cultural District’s city competition earlier this year and, if successful at the state level, will compete nationally.
State contestants are required to prepare three memorized poems. One must be pre-20th century and one must be 25 lines or fewer. Contestants perform their poetry one at a time on the stage, and a panel of judges scores each contestant based on poise, articulation, interpretation and accuracy.
“The process of studying and memorizing poetry has given me a new appreciation for historical poets,” Baines said. “I’m also inspired to write more creatively.”
She said she is excited about the next step in the competition.
“I’m not too nervous,” she said. “I figure I don’t have much to lose – I’m just happy that I’ve made it this far.”
Locke said the whole experience, from picking poems that spoke to him to expanding his public speaking skills, has been beneficial.
“I have strengthened my public speaking skills, which is surprising considering the time I’ve spent onstage,” Locke said. “Through Poetry Out Loud, I’ve discovered a new confidence in being myself on stage rather than a character.”
Locke said he would encourage others to participate in POL next year.
“Pick poems that speak to you,” Locke said. “More than that, pick pieces that tell a story; audiences always want to go on a journey.”
Baines echoed that choosing the right poems is important in the competition.
“I would advise anyone who is interested in doing this in the future to choose their poem carefully, because if it resonates with you, you’ll perform it better,” Baines said. “Overall, it’s been a great experience.”
Caroline Easom and the Bulldogs will host Southeastern Louisiana tonight at 5 p.m. (Photo by Darrell James)
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech Softball team is back in action tonight when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana for a 5 p.m. in-state showdown at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Louisiana Tech is 1-0 this season after defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-1 in its season opener on Monday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The victory marked the sixth-consecutive season-opening win for the Bulldogs.
In the season-opening win over the Islanders, Brook Melnychuk and Allie Floyd combined to retire 21 of their 23 batters faced and carried a no-hitter to the game’s final out. Melnychuk pitched five innings of no-hit ball while tying a career-high with four strikeouts to earn her first victory of the season.
Floyd also tied a career-high with four strikeouts in two innings of relief to pick up the save. With the win, Melnychuk became the first LA Tech pitcher to record a victory in back-to-back season openers since Lindsey Meadows accomplished the feat in 2001-2002.
Nicole Hammoude led the Bulldogs at the plate by going 2-2 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. The two-hit performance was Hammoude’s second career multi-hit game. Claire Raley would lead Tech with 2 RBI, while Alexis Gilio and Brooke Diaz also drove in a run, respectively. Eight of the nine Bulldogs in the starting lineup recorded hits in the contest, the most since April 23, 2023.
Southeastern Louisiana (5-0)had a dominant opening weekend at the Mardi Gras Mambo in Youngsville, La. The Lions went 5-0 with wins over Green Bay (13-0), Providence (2-0), UT-Arlington (3-0), Montana (5-0) and North Dakota (8-0).
So far this season, Southeastern has posted a .426 team batting average with 52 hits and 31 runs scored. In the circle, the Lions have yet to allow a run this season and are limiting opponents to a .121 batting average.
The Bulldogs and Lions have met 68 times, with LA Tech leading the series 50-18. Southeastern took the last matchup 5-4 on Feb. 15, 2023, in Hammond courtesy of a walk-off sacrifice fly from Bailey Krolczyk.
The Louisiana Tech Golf team shot its second-lowest round of the season on Tuesday, carding a 281 (-3) to help the Bulldogs tie for seventh at the Hal Williams Collegiate played at the Magnolia Grove Golf Club.
Three Bulldogs – Niilo Maki-Petaja, Thomas Henson, and Hunter Battles – finished in the red in round three as LA Tech shot 286-287-281=854 (+2) for the tournament.
Reigning Conference USA Golfer of the Week Maki-Petaja continued his consistent play after his 4th-place finish this past week at the Sea Best Invitational. The freshman shot at or under par in all three rounds, carding 71-71-70=212 (-1) to tie for 21st as an individual.
Also tying for 21st was Thomas Henson, playing in his first event of the season after recovering from injury, as the senior shot 73-69-70=212 (-1). The final red scorecard on Tuesday came from Battles who tied for 31st after shooting 70-75-69=214 (+1).
Joel Thomas Stephens was the fourth score used for LA Tech in round three, shooting 72 (+1) for his best round of the tournament. Will Patrick (individual) and Lake Juban each shot 73 (+2) on Tuesday, finishing tied for 41st and 46th, respectively.
Top-25 Illinois would take the title, holding off a late surge by LSU to shoot -25 (827).
The six Bulldogs competing combined for eight rounds of at or under par for the event, The 281 (-3) was the second-lowest round of the season for LA Tech (lowest round was -7 at the Argent Financial Classic).
LA Tech will return to action in a month when they travel south to participate in the Louisiana Classics in Lafayette on March 11-12.
