An Arcadia woman arrested on numerous warrants Friday was additionally charged with threatening to kill a Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office employee Sunday.
Ruston Police arrested Amy Lykins, 41, Friday evening on six warrants charging her with failure to appear in Ruston City Court. She was incarcerated at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
On Sunday morning, Lykins was directed to get up and make her bed to prepare for inspection of the female housing area. Lykins was told she would be placed on restriction if she failed to do so. Lykins allegedly replied with profanities directed at the detention center staffer.
Lykins continued to fail to comply with the staffer’s directives. According to a deputy’s report, Lykins said, “When I get out of here, I’m going to shoot you.”
Lykins was informed she was also being charged with public intimidation. Her bail is set at $45,000.
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.
The school was celebrating its renewed A-rating and sharing the highest School Performance Score of state championship public schools with its opponent Zachary High School.
And, as most people are already aware, Ruston would go on to win its first football state championship in 33 years with a 31-17 win in the ‘Dome over Zachary, completing a season of perfection.
But that story was focused on the football players, mostly. During the interview process, however, I sat down with multiple students, guidance counselors, teachers, even the principal himself.
Junior-grade guidance counselor Diana Humphries summed it up best during our chat: “It’s a great time to be a Bearcat.”
That was obvious on the football field, right? But what about other students? Non-football players?
I was, and still am, amazed at what I heard over and over again: the students raved about attending Ruston High, crediting the teachers and staff for pushing them to excellence. And the teachers and staff praising the student body as a whole for a culture of peer support and success, both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.
And don’t take it just from me. Here’s what a handful said about attributing their success to the school.
Dezmon Moreland (Bearcat Nation Network): “Ruston High is very connected. I think that if you go into any given day with a good attitude and good spirit, you’ll get the same back in return from the teachers and even from other students. It’s normally good vibes all around.”
Rylie Nutt (RHS Motorsports): “It’s growth-filled and very positive. You have teachers, students and peers that are willing to pour into you, and they care about you and your interests. That’s made very clear in the way everyone treats the students.”
Amaya Major (Cheerleader): “It’s been really welcoming. You walk in and people are smiling at you and greeting you every morning. The teachers and staff focus on us emotionally, and they try to help us balance schoolwork and other activities.”
Robert Campbell (Swim Team): “The teachers are very helpful. I’m able to reach out to them and make sure to keep my grades up. There’s an effort to help us balance being able to get your work done and being able to practice.”
Anhaar Wasi (Eco-Car): “There’s something for everybody here. Big clubs, small clubs, there a wide range of things. I can’t imagine going anywhere else for high school.”
Jordan Hamlin (Bearcat Nation Network): It’s been really fun and a journey. I love the people; the teachers and faculty are great. They really love what they do, and they love to help the students. The teachers and staff want to make Ruston High safe and fun.”
A’Nyia Moore (Basketball): “My teachers prioritize school with being able to play my sport. It’s clear they care about me. If I have to miss something for a game, they make sure I do not miss on anything.”
As a proud alum of the class of 2000, I’ll tell anyone that will listen how grateful I am to have graduated from the halls of the firmly founded, and these students are well on their ways to their own bright futures, hopefully making great memories along the way.
I still see teachers and have the chance to visit on occasion (thank you, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Moore, and Mr. Green, just to name a few). My classmates and I formed a bond during our school years that I never knew was happening. It’s always nice to visit Ruston grads, both young and seasoned.
What’s truly great is seeing how much Ruston High has only changed for the better since my time.
Don’t get me wrong– I’m not naive enough to think it’s all perfect. But when you see students light up talking about their school, well, that’s enough for pause.
Over and over again, I heard the stories about balance, care, support– even Cedric Serio recounted how counselor Kelly Ratcliff helped him re-start the robotics team, or Jordan Hamlin and Dezmon Moreland talking about learning the lead with Coach Brown overseeing the Bearcat Nation Network, or other students raving about their guidance counselors, teachers and administrators.
Over time, these will be bonds and memories these students will carry forever; and I can attest that all of those bonds last well into adulthood and will prepare them all for success in the real world.
I know it sure did for me.
So while we should all celebrate the football championship for as long as we can, we need to recognize the real magic is happening everywhere on the campus of the school– committed teachers and administration fostering a culture of success with students that are supporting each other, regardless of their extracurricular activities.
So yes, allow me to agree with Mrs. Humphries: it certainly is a great time to be a Bearcat.
*I want to personally thank the numerous students, administration, and teachers that shared stories or participated in the interview process for these stories: A’Nyia Moore, Amaya Major, Anhaar Wasir, Austin Guillory, Cedric Serio, Dezmon Moreland, Gabrielle Simmons, Hannah Rollins, Harper Cauley, Mariah White, Chad Hamlin, Jordan Hamlin, Joshua Ramachandran, Robert Campbell, Rylie Nutt, Ashlee Bell, Emily Howell, Diana Humphries, Lindsey O’Neal, Erin Henderson, Kelly Ratcliff, Nick Brown and Dan Gressett.
Krewe of Pomona King and Queen, Stephen and Jesse Bullock
The good times are rolling in Ruston with the Krewe of Pomona.
The young Krewe’s annual Mardi Gras ball slated for Feb. 3 is fast approaching.
“Just about every major city in Louisiana has a Mardi Gras krewe and celebrates with a ball,” said Gabrielle Woodard, marketing and membership committee chair. “We want to bring the celebration and energy of Mardi Gras to Ruston. The ball is intended to pull the spirit of Mardi Gras out of Ruston, and parade it in the street while celebrating such a rich part of Louisiana culture and history.”
Woodard said each Mardi Gras ball across the state was unique.
“Traditional balls thrown by historical krewes take a more formal approach compared to the extravaganzas thrown by newer/bigger krewes. Regardless of the krewe, the balls will always consist of gowns, glitz, glam, tuxes, Mardi Gras throws, an incredible band and — like most events in New Orleans — a ball is just an excuse to have a good time,” she said. “Our vision is to one day have a parade, and until it rolls, our primary goal of the ball is to celebrate Mardi Gras with our members and fundraise.”
The Krewe’s ball this year will be held at Squire Creek Country Club. Members are allowed one non-members guest. If non-members are interested in attending they can contact a known krewe member or get tickets via sponsorships.
Members are able to purchase one additional ticket for a guest until capacity is reached. Two of the Krewe’s sponsorship levels include tickets, and more information on these sponsorships can be found on the Krewe’s website, https://www.kreweofpomona.org/.
This year’s Mardi Gras Krewe of Pomona King and Queen are Stephen and Jessica “Jesse” Bullock.
“As king and queen, we are looking to bring excitement and interest to this Krewe for not only current members, but potential members who are looking to get plugged in the community,” Stephen Bullock said. “We want everyone to feel that they have a place to fit in, have fun, and socialize with their community.”
Having a Krewe in Ruston is so special and so important because many families in Ruston grew up being involved in Krewes or have deep roots in famous Krewes from New Orleans, Jesse Bullock added, saying the Krewe of Pomona brings the excitement of Mardi Gras to our community.
“Being born and raised in Louisiana, you can’t help but have Mardi Gras running through your veins,” she said. “We have always loved the Mardi Gras season and have loved attending events throughout the carnival season. So being a part of this Krewe, in our hometown, makes this experience that much more special.”
Krewe President Michelle Landry said the Bullocks’ energy, excitement, and love for all things Ruston and Mardi Gras is exactly what the Krewe wants to convey to the community and new members.
“The Bullocks’ vision for how they’d like to see this organization grow complements conversations we’ve had with the Board,” Landry said. “They’re visionaries and are already thinking of ways this organization can financially give back to the community with scholarships and community service. This is exactly what we’re looking for in a King and Queen.”
Maids, dukes, and princesses for the Krewe of Pomona have been announced as well, and are as follows:
Not that we haven’t noticed. We’ve been using this expression since LIFE magazine published an article in 1955 about a new phenomenon that emerged in the prosperity of the 1950s. “Throwaway Living” the article was called.
Instead of blowing our noses using washable handkerchiefs (as did our eco-friendly grandmothers), we use tissues and throw them away.
We diaper babies’ bottoms, and then throw them away — the diapers, not the bottoms.
We buy a pair of shoes and throw them away.
We buy water packaged in plastic bottles, drink the water — and throw the bottles away.
Almost everything we purchase comes in what many call excessive packaging which … is thrown away. If in fact, you can get into these excessively protective plastic packages. Last week it took two pairs of scissors and my wire cutters to open the “plastic package” in which the new scissors were located. Who oversees this crazy world?
We buy small and large appliances and when they break down, we buy new ones and throw away the old ones.
We buy TVs and throw them away.
In an era long past, small shops existed to repair items that consumers were then loath to throw away. Used to be that a small repair shop could provide a modest income. You could get your TVs, toasters, radios, and irons repaired for a small charge and they were good to go.
The archetype for such small businesses is Emmett’s Fix-It Shop in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, as depicted on the 1960s television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” Emmett Clark fixed clocks, lamps, radios and more. These shops, for the most part, have disappeared.
We don’t fix things; we toss them out. Our throwaway culture involves more than antiquated electronics.
We also throw away friendships, values, traditions, manners, decency, and common sense. Some might say that we too often throw away our souls in pursuit of some elusive dream we hold dear. We cast aside the spiritual component of our lives thinking, perhaps, that we will focus on spirituality later.
Then, one morning, we wake up wondering who we are and where we’ve been and where our life has taken us. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” according to Beatles legend John Lennon.
Whatever you want to call it, we sense deep down that something is wrong. Something is broken. Something is in desperate need of fixing.
Ruston Police arrested a Monroe man Saturday afternoon after he was found trespassing at a local residence.
The owner of two properties on West California Avenue reported to police that a man was trespassing on the property. When officers arrived, they found Joshua Williams, 20, of Monroe, standing against the side of one of the residences.
An officer explained to Williams the reason for the call and asked his name and he refused to provide it.
After being told not to make things difficult, he provided his name. When directed to turn around so that an officer could conduct a pat down, Williams refused. Williams was placed in a position where the pat down could be conducted and then he was placed under arrest for criminal trespass and resisting an officer. 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.
The Gilbert Center has announced its inaugural art exhibition in Downtown Ruston.
“Transcultural Reflections: The Artistic Journey of Hao ‘Eric’ Shi,” features the works of the Chinese-born artist Eric Shi, RLCF’s 2022 Resident Artist.
The exhibition serves as a testament to Shi’s commitment to creating art that authentically mirrors his life experience and embraces cultural diversity. “Transcultural Reflections” showcases the vibrant and honest expressions of an emerging Chinese American artist, providing a unique lens into his journey.
Shi’s artwork captures the beauty he has encountered through extensive travels. The landscapes and portraits are an exploration of culture, offering an engaging perspective.
Shi’s work will be on display at The Gilbert Center Gallery, located at 301 N Trenton St. Suite 3, until Feb. 29.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Friday, Jan. 19 7th annual Louisiana Biennial: National Juried art exhibition (F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center, Louisiana Tech) 7 p.m.: BETA Quartet performance (Howard Auditorium)
Saturday, Jan. 20 7th annual Louisiana Biennial: National Juried art exhibition (F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center, Louisiana Tech) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market Noon: GSU women’s basketball game (Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center) 2 p.m.: LA Tech women’s basketball game (Thomas Assembly Center) 2:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball game (Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center)
After almost a week with no games, the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters and Bulldogs return to the hardwood Saturday for more CUSA action.
Head coach Brooke Stoehr and Co. will host Jacksonville State at 2 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center in a game that will be on ESPN+ and broadcast on 97.7 FM.
The Lady Techsters (7-11, 1-2) look to get back into the win column after a pair of single digit losses to Middle Tennessee and Liberty after its league opening win over Sam Houston State.
Jacksonville State (6-9, 1-2) is coming off a 62-52 loss to WKU but already has a league win over Liberty (78-63). The Gamecocks are just 1-7 in true road games this season.
Talvin Hester and the Bulldogs (12-6, 2-1) hit the road for their third road game in four CUSA contests. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum, and the game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on 107.5 FM.
Tech puts its modest two-game winning streak on the line, including an 80-76 overtime victory over Liberty last Sunday.
Jacksonville State (10-8, 2-1) saw its six-game winning streak snapped with an 80-69 loss at Western Kentucky in its last contest.
Louisiana Tech fans are invited to attend Softball Fan Fest on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field and the Origin Bank Softball Complex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will feature a tour of the facility as well as multiple interactive stations geared towards youth featuring LA Tech players and coaches from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. At Noon, all fans will then have the opportunity to meet the 2024 Bulldog Softball squad for a meet and greet and autograph session with photo opportunities.
Fans will also have the chance to enter a raffle to win various team giveaways. Concessions and the LA Tech Barnes and Nobles Bookstore will be on-site for the event. Season tickets for Bulldog Softball will also be available for purchase throughout the duration of the event.
The Bulldogs enter year three of the Josh Taylor era looking to build off of the last two seasons, which saw Tech post a 71-44 overall record and a Conference USA Regular Season Championship in 2022.
LA Tech begins its season by hosting the LA Tech Invitational, Feb. 10-11, at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field, the first of 25 home games on the schedule.
Season tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, fans can call 318-257-3631 or go to LATechSports.com/tickets.
Patsy Laverne Castle July 19, 1951 – January 17, 2024 Services pending
Virginia Earlene Dixon October 4, 1932 – January 11, 2024 Graveside Service: Friday, January 19, 2024, 1:00 PM, Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 4000 Monroe Hwy, Ball
Brooke Dodds Smith November 1, 1980 – January 17, 2024 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, January 25, 2024, 10:00 am Cemetery: Douglas Cemetery, Thursday, January 25, 2024
As the wintery precipitation continues to melt, Lincoln Parish schools, Lincoln Prep and Cedar Creek will be closed on Friday as well. This will make a full week of closures for the school.
Lincoln Parish Superintendent Ricky Durrett said Lincoln Parish public schools will be closed tomorrow. The parish school board central office will be open form 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Central Office employees should report to work. Teachers may work at schools from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to finalize grades for second nine weeks grading period. Schools will reopen Monday.
According to Cedar Creek Head of School Cindy Hampton, Cedar Creek is going to be closed as well.
With winter temperatures expected to go well below freezing again tonight, parish schools have announced closures for Thursday.
Lincoln Parish Superintendent Ricky Durrett said Lincoln Parish public schools will be closed tomorrow, and that that this will be considered a virtual day. Students should check Google Classroom for any updated assignments.
Additionally, Lincoln Prep will be closed tomorrow, according to Gordan Ford, school executive director. Head of School Cindy Hampton also said that Cedar Creek Schools will be closed tomorrow.
City of Ruston employees will be returning to work as normal today while garbage pickup will be conducted as road conditions allow for residents within the city limits, according to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker.
“The city will open up for business (today),” Walker said. “We will pick up as much trash as we can according to the condition of the roads. We will not be able to pick up outside the city limits.”
Employees that do not feel comfortable with the driving conditions for their respective commutes will be allowed to take PTO.
Residents will need to take their garbage cans to the road by 10 a.m. today and put them as close to the road as possible so trucks do not have to go on the edge of the roads.
Trash pickup will be conducted within the city limits, but only on roadways that are deemed safe for the trash trucks to drive.
“We’re actually going to have a pickup truck running in front of our garbage trucks to see if they can actually get down the road,” Walker said. “Trucks won’t be able to back track. We realize this is going to be a hit and miss, but it’s the only way we can start getting control of our situation.”
Recycling and trash will not be separated for today or tomorrow, but will still both be picked up. For residents that wish to keep their recycling separate, they will need to wait until next week to take their recycling to the road.
Garbage truck drivers will be using discretion while on the roads, which means that some roads and streets may not be entirely safe for total pickup. This could lead to some trash being picked up for some residents on a given road, while others may not have theirs picked up until Friday.
The City of Ruston will be aware of which garbage cans have not been picked up, meaning residents will not need to alert city hall and should leave their cans at the road.
Regular scheduled trash and recycling pickup is expected to resume next week including for residents outside of the city limits.
Both Louisiana Tech and Grambling State will resume somewhat normal schedules today following three days off from the winter storm.
Louisiana Tech
While major roadways are mostly navigable, dangerous driving conditions remain on rural and local streets as well as throughout campus sidewalks and parking lots. As a result, classes will be remote all day today. The remainder of campus operations will return to normal at 1 p.m., and we expect normal operations Friday.
Faculty are encouraged to use remote learning tools for class instruction during the inclement weather event. Classes are not to be considered canceled. Faculty will remain flexible with students due to weather conditions each student may encounter during this time.
University offices will open at 1:00 p.m. Employees unable to report to work should contact their supervisor. The Payroll Office will provide revised guidance for those unable to return today.
Food Services will open Tech Table at 10 a.m., and the remaining food service options will begin normal operations at noon today.
The Lambright will open at 10 a.m. and will return to normal operating hours for the rest of the day.
Grambling State
All morning classes (start times of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) will be delivered virtually. Face-to-face instruction of classes will resume at 1 p.m.
Employees will report to work at 11 a.m. and are asked to contact their supervisor if they are unable to safely do so.
McCall Dining Hall will open at 9 a.m. and closes at normal operation hours (midnight).
The men’s gym was affected by extreme temperatures and is currently without heat and power. Heating capabilities have also been disrupted in offices on the Douglas Hall side of the building leaving that area without heat. Facilities management and campus services is working to resolve the issue.
A Choudrant man was arrested Saturday morning after Lincoln Parish deputies went to his house to serve several arrest warrants.
Jared D. Sanford, 44, was found at a residence on La. Highway 821 about 8 a.m. Saturday. He was told he was under arrest and to place his hands behind his back. Instead, Sanford attempted to walk away from the deputies toward another room. He was taken by the arm but continued to attempt to pull away and tense up his body to avoid being taken under control. He was eventually placed in handcuffs and escorted to a patrol car.
Sanford then became irate, stating he could not go back to jail. He began kicking and headbutting the vehicle and was told to stop multiple times.
Sanford was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center as he continued to kick and headbutt the prisoner enclosure in the patrol car back seat. Deputies had to stop along the highway to resecure Sanford to attempt to keep him from injuring himself and damaging the vehicle.
He was booked on a Lincoln Parish warrant for failure to appear in court on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer by flight on foot, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, improper lane usage, no insurance, and improper vehicle lighting.
Sanford is also being held for the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. For his conduct at the time of arrest, he was booked for resisting an officer and attempted simple criminal damage to property.
Tara Stone (left) of The Well and Phillip Thigpen of First West Thrift (courtesy photo)
Although they are located in Ouachita Parish, First West Thrift Store is doing its part to invest in Lincoln Parish through philanthropic means.
Recently, First West Thrift provided financial investments totaling almost $10,000 among three Lincoln Parish ministries: Freedom 13, Life Choices – Ruston and The Well Ministries.
The First West Thrift Store is the largest thrift store in North Louisiana with 13,000 square feet of retail space laid out like a department store.
“Our layout helps with the shopping experience; we even have a new section where we display all of our new and name brand clothing,” said First West Thift Director Phillip Thigpen. “First West Thrift has the largest selection of furniture of any thrift stores in North Louisiana. You can also find household items, decor, linens, electronics, TV’s, books, clothing and so much more.”
Located in downtown West Monroe on the corner of 4th and Mill Street (just off of I-20), First West Thrift’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday thru Friday) and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday).
Donation drop off is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday thru Friday) and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Saturday). First West Thrift also does pickups in Ruston each Monday. Just call 318-410-0999 to schedule.
“Our mission at First Baptist Church of West Monroe is to see to it that no one misses the grace of God,” said Thigpen. “We at the Thrift Store do that by investing in local ministries. We currently have twenty-six local ministries we financially support.”
In 2023 First West Thrift Store invested over $350,000 into local ministries.
Freedom 13 was founded in 2015 and is on a mission to rebuild dignity in the lives of those we serve. They believe the best way to change our community is to be like Jesus in every way – to live the way He did, serve the way He served, and give our lives to the work of God’s kingdom. Freedom 13 serves the community in three areas, local jail ministries, local school outreaches, and providing resources for women needing a fresh start, specific to residential recovery resources.
“Having the support of incredible organizations like the First West Thrift Store means that Freedom13 can continue fulfilling God’s mission in this community through the Gospel message of Jesus Christ,” said Lindsey Crawford. “Freedom13 represents God‘s heart for the broken, but always redeemable, women in northeast Louisiana. Having support from other ministries not only helps us minister to these women, but represents how powerful it is when members of the body of Christ lock arms with one another.”
The Well is on a mission to offer everyone in our city access to a restored life through relationships and resources – providing a full continuum of care for people in our community who have intersected with the foster care system or have experienced family separation and/or family trauma.
They have two main avenues for this endeavor: Family Village and the LoveWell. Family Village is a community built around foster care and adoption. We offer practical resources and a community of support for families navigating either of these journeys. The LoveWell is a membership-based resource center offering access to practical resources and a community of friends for the vulnerable- many of whom have experienced family trauma and separation in their histories.
Life Choices of North Central Louisiana has been serving women in unplanned pregnancy for 28 years. We have served nearly 14,000 women with help and hope through a variety of services including pregnancy testing, ultrasound, options, counseling, material assistance, fatherhood support, mentoring, home visits, parenting classes and more.
More Information about Life Choices of North Central Louisiana, go to www.lifechoicesncla.org
A Ruston woman was arrested for DWI and other charges after she had allegedly run into a ditch while Impaired early Sunday morning.
About 7 a.m. Sunday, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash on Larance Orchard Road. A Ruston public safety worker on his way to work told the responding deputy that he saw a vehicle stuck in the ditch and talked with the driver who said she was attempting to turn around and got stuck. She told the worker she had taken codeine the previous night.
The deputy found Lindsay Marie Barham, 45, In the driver’s seat of a Toyota Tacoma with the engine running. Barham first said she was visiting a friend on Sellers Road when they got in a fight, and she left headed to West Monroe. However, her direction of travel was in the opposite direction.
The deputy noticed signs of impairment and conducted field sobriety tests. Barham denied drinking any alcoholic beverages, taking any medications or any controlled substances. Due to her poor performance on the sobriety tests, she was determined to be under the influence and too impaired to drive. She was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where a drug recognition expert performed additional tests.
A records check showed Barham was wanted on warrants from the Fourth Judicial District Court for failure to appear in court on numerous drug charges. She was booked for first offense DWI, careless operation of a vehicle, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, and the Fourth District Court warrants.
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.
There are still both Limited and Commemorative Editions posters available to be purchased Twenty-five percent of all profits go directly to the Bearcat Football Club.
Individuals who have purchased a Limited Edition or Commemorative Edition copy of the Ruston Bearcat state title poster can pick up their poster(s) today between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Black Rifle Coffee Company located at 1913 East Kentucky Avenue.
Anyone who ordered a poster has been emailed an invoice for their order to the email address from which the order was placed. Individuals can pay the invoice via credit card or pay with cash at the time of picking up the poster. Checks will not be accepted.
Questions can be sent to LPJMerchandise@gmail.com.
Head coach Jerrod Baugh and the Ruston Bearcats took our community on a memorable journey this year, capturing the 2023 Nonselect School Division I title with a 31-17 win over Zachary in the Caesar’s Superdome.
Baugh and the Bearcats captured the school’s ninth state title, its first since 1990 and they did so in a first-class fashion.
In recognition of the state title run, the Lincoln Parish Journal commissioned local graphic designer Courtney Pugh of Donnie Bell Design to create a commemorative edition and limited poster featuring photos from official GeauxPrep’s state title game photographer Josh McDaniel (FourSix3).
There are two unique versions of the 18 x 24 inch poster, each printed on 100-pound glossy:
a) a LIMITED edition ($75) with ONLY 75 copies available that features a gold gilded tint and a numbering system to differentiate each poster
b) a COMMEMORATIVE edition ($25) with an unlimited number of sales based on orders.
To order and secure a copy of either poster, email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase. The LPJ will take orders on a first come, first serve basis and will continue to sell while supplies last.
The LPJ will take payment via credit card (an email invoice will be sent which can be processed by the buyer with a credit card) or cash. No checks will be accepted.
Don’t miss your chance to purchase this beautiful keepsake depicting the Bearcats title run in 2023. Email lpjmerchandise@gmail.com and include your name, email address, cell phone number, version of the poster (LIMITED or COMMEMORATIVE), and total number wanting to purchase.
Special thanks to Origin Bank and Forth Insurance for their support of this project.
How do you feel about a typical Monday morning?Are you tired, burned out, or feel like you are just going through the motions?Whether it’s a job that has become a monotonous process of the same thing day after day, the daily grind of balancing work and parenting, or a retirement that is anything but fulfilling, there is something that you can do about it.You don’t have to go through the rest of your life burned out, tired, or unfulfilled.
For most of us, we don’t need a job change, a stage of life change, or financial gain to experience a more fulfilling life.We may not need a change in circumstances at all.What we need though is a change in our approach to those circumstances.
If you painted a portrait of a perfect workday, what aspect of your job would you be engaged in?When you think about your response to that question, you will revert to what you enjoy doing, where you find fulfillment, or where you feel that you are making a meaningful contribution.The key here is that you are not only acting in a zone where you are finding affirmation, but you are performing in a zone where you are adding the most value to the organization.
We can’t avoid all the unpleasant tasks in our work, but we can seek to arrange our approach to work to invest more time in the areas that we are drawn to and add the most value.Have you talked to your boss about the issue?Have you avoided being a victim of the job description and sought to use your skills to add the most value?I don’t know if people really get burned out on a job as much as they just lose sight of purpose and meaning in their work.When one finds daily purpose to pursue, any job assignment can become challenging and exciting.Mondays can be different.
What if you painted a portrait of your perfect retirement day?What would that day include?I know you might consider playing golf, traveling, or being consumed in some other hobby.Those are typical responses, but are those activities enough?If you press into that question of a “perfect day”, it likely goes beyond just the activity to include people, relationships, and interactions.While the activity may be an enjoyable reason to gather, the activity alone is not the secret to fulfillment or affirmation.What can you alter with your retirement plan to purposefully have more of those perfect days?
I altered my approach to work years ago to be more engaged in impacting the lives of others.I still had to perform various tasks, attend certain meetings, and abide by certain workplace expectations, but my focus was on the purpose of impacting others.I would either find a way to impact others in the mundane, unpleasant tasks, or work my way through these tasks efficiently to allow more time to impact others in various ways in my workday.
I’ve since moved on from my original career focus to redirect (not retire) to allow myself even more time to invest in impacting others in a wide range of intentional pursuits.My portrait of a perfect day may include several things but impacting others must be a part of that day.
What’s your portrait of a perfect day look like?
What changes can you make to have more perfect days?
The church near Victor’s home was badly in need of repair, but no one seemed to care. Generations of worshipers had passed through its doors, but, with each passing year, the building got dirtier, darker, and more damp. It needed a new roof. Its rafters needed repairs. It needed a little of everything, but nothing was offered. Unless something drastic happened, Victor feared that the old church would be torn down and a more modern building, maybe not even a church, would be put in its place. Victor was horrified by the thought. He saw something in the old church building that most others failed to see. Maybe they had seen it at one time, but most people in town largely ignored the old church. To Victor, the building was much more than merely walls and a roof. To him, the church was important.
What could Victor do? He was not an architect or carpenter. He held no political office. He had no authority to do anything towards preserving the church that he loved so dearly. Victor was a writer, mostly of poetry. Oh, dear. He published a paper entitled War [declared] on the Demolishers in which he argued for the preservation of old buildings such as his beloved church. Most of the people who read his paper were the ones who wanted to demolish buildings to make room to erect more modern structures. Victor was distraught.
Victor decided to write a book about the church in his spare time. For three years, Victor struggled to find the time to work on the book as his other literary projects, ones that earned money, took precedence. Rather than a clever title which would draw interest to the story, Victor simply used the name of the church as the title of the book. The church, an inanimate object, became almost a living, breathing character in itself. Finally, Victor finished the book, sent it to his publisher, and waited. Would anyone read a book about an almost forgotten church?
To Victor’s surprise, his book about the church became a hit. Readers flocked to see the old church which was featured so prominently in the book. They flocked to the same church they had previously ignored. The church had not changed, but their perception of it had. Victor’s book brought new interest in the church. With each passing year, Victor’s book became more popular. Thirteen years after Victor published his book, the king of the country ordered the restoration of the church, a project which lasted twenty years. With the success of Victor’s book, the church became much more than a building of worship. It became a national icon.
In the years since Victor’s book was first published, millions of visitors, myself included, have flocked to see the church because of the book. The church is currently undergoing another restoration following a disastrous fire. You and I know the story and the church well because of the book’s many stage, television, and film adaptations. Had Victor not written his book, the church which had stood for over 700 years would not have been saved, and you and I would never have heard of the church Notre-Dame de Paris. The original French title of Victor’s book was Notre-Dame de Paris, but English speaking countries know Victor Hugo’s 1831 book by its adapted title, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is just one example of the positive power of words.
MANDEVILLE, La. – Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), in alignment with its mission to promote clean and sustainable communities, announces the opening of registration for comprehensive educational workshops for classroom educators of grades K-5 in Monroe, Lafourche, and Orleans Parishes. The workshops will offer valuable insights into youth environmental stewardship and community engagement.
“Through effective litter education for the children of Louisiana, we can increase a child’s understanding of just how litter causes various environmental issues,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “If we can reach our children when they are young, they can form anti-littering habits. We can teach them pride in their communities and to do their part to make Louisiana a clean and beautiful place to live.”
Scheduled workshop dates and locations are as follows:
February 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ouachita Parish at Tower Place,1500 N. 19th St., Monroe
KLB will offer stipends for up to $150 for teachers participating. Teachers who attend and stay for the duration of the workshop will receive a $50 stipend. Teachers have the opportunity to earn an additional $100 to implement the lessons.
“America is in the midst of one of the most profound and rapid societal shifts in history,” said KLB Executive Director Susan Russell. “Today’s generation of children is the first to grow up indoors. Their ‘plugged-in’ lives are often devoid of exploring the natural world. As tomorrow’s leaders, they need to be equipped for the challenges the future brings and it is our responsibility to prepare our children for the future they will inherit. That requires a commitment to providing our children with an environmental education.”
The desired result of this program is an increase in knowledge and awareness that yields a positive change in perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to caring for the environment and community. The workshops and lessons will cover a range of topics including:
Impact of litter on wildlife
Reducing waste in your personal life
Plastic pollution
Microplastics
Mapping litter at school
Recycling, reusing, and reducing
Watersheds
At the end of each lesson, students will be encouraged to apply what they learned from each lesson by participating in student-driven activities. These interactive sessions, led by experienced environmental educators Dr. Pam Blanchard and Dr. Mary Legoria aim to empower educators to engage young minds and instill a sense of responsibility for environmental stewardship.
