By T. Scott Boatright

The Lincoln Prep football team made it 2-0 to start the season as the Panthers steamrolled Block 46-8 Thursday in their home opener at Panthers Field.

And that left Panthers coach Chaunce Davison in a positive mood when the final seconds of a running clock that started midway through the third quarter ticked off the scoreboard.

“It’s a win that we’ve been working for,” Davison said. “I’ll feel even better if we get one next week (at Bastrop). I’m happy about this one and the way we played, but I’m eager to see what we can do next week.”

Davison hopes a combined 98 points while giving up only 20 in Lincoln Prep’s first two games of the season might give his team enough momentum to compete with the Class 3A Rams next week.

“I just want to see us play some football against a team from a higher classification and see what we can do,” Davison said. “I’m eager to get to practice and see if we can dial up another good week heading into that game.”

It all came down to something Davison reminds his team time and time again that he wants to see — effort.

“We executed,” Davison said. “We’re not going to be perfect. But the kids played hard. I’ve said before, as long as the effort is there, I’m OK. Even if you’re making a mistake, just make sure you’re running 100 miles an hour. Let’s be wrong while going 100 miles per hour.”

The Panthers scored on the second play of their first possession. After a 1-yard run by Jakaylon Armstrong, junior quarterback Jabari Levingston hit senior Josiah Spann on a 28-yard scoring strike that put the Panthers on top 6-0 only 2:38 into the game.

Spann finished with three receptions for 60 yards.

“Jo is one of those guys that, if you throw it to him, he’s going to make the catch,” Davison said. “He’s going to make it happen. My hat goes off to him. I’m glad he’s on our team and I’m going to hate it next year when we won’t have a Spann playing on the team. We might have to get their little sister to come play.”

Lincoln Prep stretched its lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter on a 7-yard scoring scamper by Armstrong followed by a 2-point conversion pass from Levingston to Spann.

Levingston got into the scoring action 9:31 into the second quarter as he took a quarterback keeper to the left and raced 46 yards to the end zone to put the Panthers on top 20-0. He made it a daily double with a 7-yard scoring run with 44 seconds remaining in the half that gave Lincoln Prep a 26-0 advantage at intermission.

That second touchdown by Levingston was set up by five straight runs by 5-foot-9, 170-pound sophomore Howard Kirkpatrick Jr.

Levingston completed all five of his passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 88 yards and two more scores.

The Panthers pushed their advantage to 34-0 with 8:16 left in the third quarter as Kirkpatrick powered his way through the Bears’ defense on a 10-yard scoring scamper.

A Block turnover on the ensuing kickoff soon allowed Kirkpatrick to showcase his receiving skills. Following six straight Armstrong runs, Levingston hit Kirkpatrick on a 9-yard touchdown pass that put Lincoln Prep up 40-0.

“Activate Howard, baby,” Davison said of Kirkpatrick, who finished with six carries for 55 yards and added a touchdown reception, five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and a fumble recovery. “Howard, he’s a bowling ball. Once he finds the A-gap, we just roll.”

The Panthers’ top offensive weapon of the night was Armstrong, who rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

“We missed some assignments, some blocks, early on or he would have gotten off to an even better start and would have had even a better game,” Davison said of his 5-foot-4, 160-pound junior running back. “We didn’t do what we needed to at first to help him. The O-line eventually settled down and started taking care of business, but we didn’t help Jakaylon enough early on.”

Armstrong ran hard — bigger than his actual size — all game long.

“He’s been like that since he was in eighth grade,” Davison said. “He left us (and went to Ruston High School), and I’m glad he came back. He’s been running hard for a long time. He likes contact and running his way into the gaps and trying to power his way through them.”

Davison also credited the Lincoln Prep defense for playing a big role in the win.

“Defensively, we’re locked in,” Davison said. “If the first team would have been in there, Block probably wouldn’t have scored. We were locked in on defense.”

Sheldon Holmes led the Panthers with six tackles and a pair of sacks, while Baylon Lyons added four tackles and a sack.

Dextin Washington chipped in with three tackles and a sack, while Randell Payne totaled three tackles along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

The Panthers will play next at Bastrop, which opened the season with a 22-14 win at Rayville. The Rams will play at Capt. Shreve at 7 p.m. Friday.

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by Malcolm Butler

There won’t be any district championship implications tonight at Origin Bank Stadium.

But, that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty on the line.

Cedar Creek hosts longtime rival St. Frederick at 7 p.m. in the Cougars’ 2026 home opener, renewing a rivalry that has produced its share of memorable — and sometimes heated — moments through the years.

“It’s a lot of bragging rights and a lot of pride involved,” Cedar Creek coach Jacob Angevine said. “I remember some basketball games over the last couple of years where there’s been some heated things between the student sections. It’s one of those games where everybody takes it pretty seriously, and it’s been going on for way longer than I’ve been there.”

For the Cougars, there is also the memory of how the 2025 season ended.

St. Frederick eliminated Cedar Creek from the playoffs in convincing manner last November, giving a number of returning Cougars a little extra motivation heading into Friday night’s rematch.

Angevine hasn’t shied away from reminding his players of that loss, but he also stressed that the Cougars are much different from the team St. Frederick faced in the postseason.

“Yeah, they ended your season last year, and I want you to have that taste in your mouth,” Angevine said. “But, man, we are a much different roster makeup this year compared to last year.

“We had a lot of guys that have been big players for us so far early on this year that didn’t play in that playoff game. We’ve had some newcomers come in that weren’t with us last year either. Our roster makeup right now is so much better than it was when we played them last year.”

Cedar Creek (1-0) opened the season with a convincing 55-14 road win over Delhi Charter last Friday despite playing in rainy conditions. The Cougars established their running game immediately, with sophomore Payton Harris racing 48 yards for a touchdown on Cedar Creek’s first offensive snap of the season.

While running the football remains the foundation of the Cedar Creek offense, Angevine hopes to see the Cougars take another step in the passing game Friday night.

“I’d love to see our passing game get a little bit more involved,” Angevine said. “It’s one of the things that we worked on a lot this summer. We worked on it a lot in the scrimmage and the jamboree. Of course, Week One, we had all that rain that came out of nowhere.

“But I think it was good for us to say, ‘Hey, look, even with us going back to our bread and butter, that is still our identity.’ We want to be able to run the football. But our guys have had a really good week throwing it around.”

The Cougars may see something familiar when they line up across from St. Frederick.

Angevine said the two offenses have plenty of similarities, making the matchup particularly important along the line of scrimmage.

“It’s a carbon copy of us, basically,” Angevine said. “It’s the same exact offense. Their terminology may be a little bit different than ours, but it’s going to be a game that’s going to be won in the trenches. It’s going to be who wants it more.

“We’ve beat our big guys down a good bit this week, just telling them, ‘Hey, look, we’re getting you ready for an all-out war on Friday night.'”

Angevine also wants to see the same pursuit and energy defensively that the Cougars showed in their season opener.

“Defensively, just keep flying to the football,” Angevine said. “I think we’ve got a really good scheme drawn up for them. We’ve got a good game plan, and the kids just have to go out there and execute it.”

St. Frederick has controlled the series in recent years, something Angevine knows well from his various coaching stops on the Cedar Creek sideline.

Now he would like to start changing that trend.

“We’re looking forward to getting one back,” Angevine said. “What better way to do it than our home opener in front of a huge crowd and just to set the tone for the 2026 season?”

And despite it being only Week Two, Angevine expects Friday night’s atmosphere to feel like something much bigger.

“I know T.O. (St. Frederick coach Tony Osborne) is going to have his guys ready to go,” Angevine said. “I think it’s going to be an all-out war.”

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By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON — Ruston High will play Episcopal School of Acadiana on Saturday inside the Thomas Assembly Center, marking the first time a varsity high school match has been played in the arena on Louisiana Tech’s campus.

The match follows Louisiana Tech’s 1 p.m. match against McNeese, part of the Bulldogs’ Bulldog Bash weekend. Admission is free.

Saturday begins as a tri-match in Ruston High’s main gym, with Ruston playing Byrd at 10 a.m. and Episcopal playing Byrd at 11:30 a.m. After a lunch break, players, parents and fans reconvene at the Thomas Assembly Center for Tech and McNeese, and Ruston and Episcopal take the floor after that.

The match came together after Louisiana Tech head coach Scott Mattera reached out to ask whether Ruston wanted to play in the building, Cauley said, and after both programs checked that it was allowed.

“Scott has been doing a really good job of trying to create more of a volleyball footprint in our community,” Cauley said. “And he reached out asking if we wanted to play in the gym, because the rules changed and it’s allowed now. And he looked into it with compliance. I checked into it with the LHSAA, and it’s perfectly legal. I talked to the officials and they said that wasn’t going to be a problem. So logistically and legally, everything is — you know, we made sure everything was good to go, and we’re real excited about it.”

Cauley said the arrangement works for both sides: Tech gets a crowd of parents and kids in the stands for its own match, and Ruston’s players get a night most of them may not get again after high school.

“Most of high school athletes will never play in college,” she said. “For them to have a college game day experience — we’re going to have an announcer, and we’re going to have a ball crew, and we’re going to have paid line judges. We’re going to try to mimic the collegiate experience as much as possible for them, just to say they had it.”

Ruston’s players are not strangers to the building. Most have attended camps there, and the team practiced in the arena once, three years ago, to prepare for the state tournament. Playing a match in it, Cauley said, is something else.

“The playing will be a completely different mindset and opportunity,” she said.

For Cauley, it is also a full-circle return: she played volleyball at Louisiana Tech from 1997 to 2000, in an era when the crowds bore no resemblance to what Saturday’s should look like.

“Things have changed a lot in the amount of people in the stands, because in ’97 we had maybe six people in attendance,” Cauley said. “We played for like six people, like three parents. … They were like our rock-solid three fans in the bleachers.”

Growing the sport locally in North Louisiana was part of the plan when she initially took over the Ruston program.

“When I started this program, I had a 20-year plan, and one of them was to change the volleyball community,” she said. “It feels pretty good. It feels good to have leadership that recognizes that there does need to be more of an effort. And I appreciate Scott and what he’s doing and the opportunities he’s providing for the kids.”

Cauley said she has been at Ruston long enough to feel confident about Saturday’s place in the record.

“I’ve been here a long time, and to my knowledge, this is the first high school match,” she said. “There wasn’t high school volleyball here when I played, and then since I’ve been here, there hasn’t been a game in the Thomas Assembly Center.”

She also said the day serves a purpose beyond the occasion, particularly against a tough opponent.

“Hopefully it’s helping us get ready for a strong postseason run,” Cauley said.

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Lady Bearcats fall in four to defending state champion

RUSTON, La. — Ruston took one set from the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots on Thursday night and spent the other three chasing, falling 22-25, 25-11, 19-25, 21-25 in the Ruston High main gym.

Ruston head coach Mandy Cauley said the Mississippi school (16-5) gave the Bearcats (3-3) some things to work on as the season continues.

“They were a great team, and they did some things really well, and it just gave us some homework and things we’re going to work on to get better,” Cauley said.

The Patriots opened with a 4-0 run, and Ruston spent the first set catching up, drawing even at 8 and leading 14-13 before surrendering four in a row. Trailing 19-15 out of a timeout, the Bearcats scored three straight — kills by senior middle hitter Jane Ramsey and freshman Emma Bissell, along with an Ellie Williams ace — but got no closer.

“I actually think our home crowd, which was amazing, worked against us … they’re young and they got rattled and they got so excited and afraid to make a mistake, but we didn’t really play free,” Cauley said. “And then we did, we got looser in set two. We did really good. And then we’re just learning to manage that.”

The second set was different from the first serve on. Senior setter Baylor Cauley served three aces in a six-point run that put Ruston ahead 8-2 and forced a timeout, and the Bearcats never trailed. They closed it with three blocks in the final four points, the last from Ramsey and freshman outside hitter Lily Bissell.

Ruston fell behind by seven in the third and used both timeouts. The fourth was closer: down 13-8, the Bearcats got four kills from Ramsey in a five-point stretch to lead 17-16, their only lead of the set. The Patriots answered with seven of the next eight points.

“With as many youngsters as I have out on the court, a lot of the game is mental, and we just had too many mental mistakes in a row,” Cauley said. “It’s not about ability. I still think we have so much ability and talent. It’s just about exposure and experience and getting them used to those kinds of situations.”

Freshman outside hitter Josie Cauley led Ruston with 10 kills, Lily Bissell had nine, Emma Bissell eight, Ramsey seven and senior middle hitter Ava Crowe six. Baylor Cauley had 32 assists and four of Ruston’s nine aces.

“It’s a great opportunity that we’ll replicate when we see good teams in the postseason,” Cauley said. “I hope we get to do this again.”

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Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Friday, Sept. 11
6 a.m.: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (Joe Aillet Stadium, LA Tech)
10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating BeMobile (1115 N. Service Rd. E., Ruston)
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball (Fredric C Hobdy Assembly Center)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
7 p.m.: RHS football
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football

Saturday, Sept. 12
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m.: Cotton Country Open Horse Show (North Louisiana Expo Center, 165 Fairgrounds Rd., Ruston)
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball (Fredric C Hobdy Assembly Center)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)

Sunday, Sept. 13
2-4 p.m.: Tech professor Albino Hinojosa book signing of “The Art of Albino Hinojosa” (Trinity Methodist Church)

Monday, Sept. 14
9-11:30 a.m.: Bulldog Bash (LA Tech, the Quad)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
5-7 p.m.: Fall/Winter DND Campaign for Teens & Tweens (Lincoln Parish Library) Please call 318-513-5518 for important information about participation.
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, Sept. 15
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
8 a.m. to noon: College and Career Fair (LA Tech TAC)
10 a.m.: Storytime : Spiders (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon : Web Spinning Spider (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, Sept. 17
10:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Tank Burger (300 E. Mississippi Ave.)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
4 p.m.: Tween Time : Egg Carton Animal Portraits (Lincoln Parish Library)
4-6 p.m.: Library Board Ice Cream Social and Meet & Greet (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time : Volunteer Hour (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6:30 p.m: Books & Bites Book Club; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library at Rotolo’s Craft & Crust)

Friday, Sept. 18
10:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating HOTWORX (310 E. Mississippi Ave.)
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football

Saturday, Sept. 19
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2-4 p.m.: Fall into a Book Festival : Charlotte’s Web (Fall Carnival) with local children’s authors and a music performance by Rickey Pittman (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

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For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Rosalind Jones 
Monday 12/02/1957 — Saturday 09/05/2026  
Visitation: Friday 09/11/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Wake: Friday 09/11/2026 6:00pm to 7:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Graveside: Saturday 09/12/2026 11:00am, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling 

Cleo Frank 
Wednesday 10/20/1948 — Monday 09/07/2026  
Visitation: Saturday 09/19/2026 8:00am to 10:00am, St. Paul Baptist Church, 2766 LA 1192, Marksville  
Funeral Service: Saturday 09/19/2026 10:00am, St. Paul Baptist Church, 2766 LA 1192, Marksville 
Interment: Saturday 09/19/2026 Following Service, St Paul Baptist Church Cemetery, 2766 LA 1192, Marksville 

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by Malcolm Butler

Wally Watson is a numbers guy.

He always has been.

The retired Louisiana Tech math professor spent 32 years molding the minds of tomorrow as a mainstay in the university’s math department.

And although he retired in 1998, he hasn’t slowed down.

Now just months away from turning 94 in January, Watson is turning heads.

Why?

Because at 93 years young, Watson can still be spotted pedaling his bicycle along the streets of Ruston.

And that’s nothing new.

Watson’s relationship with two-wheel transportation dates back nearly five decades to the administration of President Jimmy Carter and the energy crisis of the late 1970s.

With gasoline shortages and Americans being encouraged to conserve fuel, Watson decided there was another way to make the short trip from his home to his office in George T. Madison at Louisiana Tech.

He bought a bicycle.

“I think it was a combination of the two,” Watson said of saving fuel and getting exercise. “I enjoyed riding a bicycle, and it was good exercise. And I could get there quicker on a bike than I could in a car.

“I could leave here, and five minutes later, I could be up in the classroom. I could come home for lunch and eat lunch and be back in 30 minutes.”

There was another advantage. No searching for a parking spot. So what began partly as an effort to save gasoline became a way of life.

Watson, a Fort Worth, Texas, native and Texas A&M graduate, came to Louisiana Tech in 1966. Before arriving in Ruston, he worked for IBM on the Gemini space program.

But Watson realized early in his professional career that he wanted to teach, and Louisiana Tech provided that opportunity.

Ruston became home. So did the bicycle.

Watson said he never considered himself a serious cyclist. He didn’t race. He didn’t enter competitions. He didn’t embark on 50- or 100-mile rides.

He simply rode.

“I think probably as far as I’ve ever ridden is maybe about 12 miles at one stretch,” Watson said.

These days, the distances aren’t quite as long, but Watson still gets on his bike regularly.

Three days a week, he makes the trip to meet his coffee-drinking buddies. When temperatures cool, he’ll sometimes head to the Rock Island Greenway for a ride of four or five miles.

Watson believes all those years on two wheels have paid dividends as he’s aged.

“Oh, no doubt it’s helped,” he said.

One of the biggest benefits, Watson said, is balance — something that can become increasingly difficult with age.

“Balance is really a challenge as you get older,” he said. “I think it helps a lot to maintain that. When you get on a bike, you don’t think about what you’re doing. You just step on and go.

“All of those muscles are there that tend to wear out as you get older if you don’t use them.”

Watson has also watched Ruston become a more bicycle-friendly community over the years. He points specifically to the Rock Island Greenway, which allows him to travel across town while largely avoiding busy streets.

“The biggest thing is that Rock Island Greenway,” Watson said. “That’s really great. The sidewalks have gotten a whole lot better. I can get on my bike and go across campus and get on the greenway over by Walmart, and I’m not on any busy roads.”

That’s not to say Watson’s decades of riding have been without a few bumps and bruises.

Or worse.

At 85 years old, Watson was riding home from coffee when he encountered a pickup truck. Watson said he had slowed at an intersection rather than coming to a complete stop when he suddenly saw the vehicle.

He grabbed the brakes. Hard. Watson went forward, flipping over the handlebars.

The crash left him with seven broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and a punctured lung. He spent two or three days in the hospital.

“The biggest thing was the punctured lung,” Watson said. “They had to reinflate my lung.”

Even that wasn’t enough to keep him off the bicycle for good. He recovered. Then he started riding again.

His four children — Lori, Marki, Sam and Joe — have expressed their concerns over the years, particularly after the accident. But they’ve also come to understand that their father is going to ride.

“They’re pretty accepting of it,” Watson said. “They were concerned then, but since then I’ve been back riding, and they just remind me to be careful and that sort of thing.”

His wife, Mary, worries, too.

But apparently the bicycle isn’t the only thing that gives her reason for concern. Watson still gets on the roof of his house with a leaf blower. At 93.

During a recent conversation about getting older, Watson said he told Mary he figured a stroke might eventually be what gets him.

Mary’s prediction was different.

“She said, ‘No, the most likely thing is you’ll fall off the house and kill yourself,'” Watson recalled.

Perhaps that’s the best evidence that Watson hasn’t spent much time worrying about the number attached to his birth certificate.

His current bicycle isn’t anything fancy. Watson estimates he bought it at a neighbor’s garage sale 12 to 15 years ago. But it still gets him where he wants to go.

Just as bicycles have been doing for him since the Carter administration.

Watson turns 94 on Jan. 6.

It doesn’t matter. Chances are Ruston motorists will continue to see the retired math professor doing what he’s done for nearly half a century. Pedaling along.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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RUSTON, La. Ruston High School is proud to announce that seniors Harper Anderson and Clayton Craig have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Harper and Clayton are among more than 16,000 academically talented high school seniors nationwide selected for this honor. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and include the highest-scoring students in each state on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

To advance to the Finalist level, each Semifinalist must submit a detailed scholarship application highlighting academic performance, school and community involvement, leadership, employment, and honors received. Candidates must also be recommended by a school official, submit an essay, maintain an outstanding academic record, and earn an SAT or ACT score that confirms their performance on the qualifying test.

More than 15,000 Semifinalists are expected to advance to Finalist standing. Approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships, valued at nearly $24 million, will be awarded in the spring of 2027.

Ruston High School congratulates Harper Anderson and Clayton Craig on this outstanding achievement. Their recognition reflects their hard work, academic ability, and potential for continued success in college and beyond.

About the National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a nonprofit organization established in 1955 to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The organization recognizes academically talented students and encourages the pursuit of educational excellence. Scholarships are funded by NMSC, businesses, corporations, colleges, universities, and other sponsors. For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

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A 19-year-old Baskin man was arrested Sept. 6 on two counts of battery of a police officer after a disturbance at a West Louisiana Avenue apartment turned into a fight, police said.

Mason Grayson was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Ruston police were dispatched to the apartment shortly after 9 p.m. in reference to a disturbance. Officers found one officer already attempting to detain Grayson, and he was advised of his rights and placed in a patrol unit.

All four residents of the apartment told police they wanted Grayson banned from the address, and he was advised of the ban.

One of the residents said she had invited Grayson over earlier in the day, but that he became violent after he began drinking. She said Grayson pushed her multiple times and punched her in the left side of her ribs. She did not wish to pursue charges.

A man who drove up to the apartment during the argument saw Grayson being combative with the woman and tried to restrain him while another resident called police. He said Grayson bit him on the right arm during the struggle. He also declined to press charges.

An officer reported that Grayson bit him on the right arm while officers were attempting to detain him. Grayson later turned and spit in a second officer’s face as officers were transferring him into the custody of the parish jail, according to the affidavit.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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by Wesley Harris

When Sharon Brown walked onto the Louisiana Tech campus in the fall of 1960, she was known simply as a freshman cheerleader from a tiny north Louisiana town. Within a year, she would become one of the most recognizable young women in America.

The journey from rural Waterproof, Louisiana to Ruston to the Miss USA crown remains one of the most remarkable—and least remembered—stories in Louisiana pageant history. Along the way, Brown collected an extraordinary series of titles, represented Louisiana on the international stage, found herself in the middle of one of Miss Universe’s most publicized backstage controversies, and became an ambassador for both her home state and Louisiana Tech.

When Sharon Brown walked into her first class on the Tech campus in September 1960, she could not have imagined that just a few months later, she would be wearing the Miss USA crown.

Born September 1, 1943, in tiny Waterproof, Brown moved with her family to Minden after high school. Athletic, outgoing, and photogenic, she enrolled in Tech as a speech major. She excelled as a member of Tech’s cheerleading squad. Several modern online biographies identify her as a Miss Louisiana Tech, but a review of records shows she was selected as Tech College of Engineering Queen and as a Tech Beauty but never competed for Miss Tech.

Brown’s ascent through pageantry happened almost overnight.

In 1960 while still in high school, she won the title of Miss Northeast Louisiana Stock Show, giving her experience in public appearances and competition. The following year she captured the Miss Louisiana crown while at Tech and advanced to the Miss USA Pageant in Miami Beach.

There, the 18-year-old Tech freshman defeated contestants from across the country to become Miss USA 1961.

Brown admitted she barely slept after winning the crown.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she told The Shreveport Times. “My eyes just popped open to stay.”

Like many newspaper accounts of the era, coverage of Brown’s victory devoted space to describing her height, weight, and body measurements—standard beauty-pageant journalism in the 1960s that has since fallen out of vogue. Those same stories also emphasized her poise, athleticism, and friendly personality, qualities that made the Tech cheerleader a favorite of photographers and audiences.

As news of her victory spread across Louisiana, Governor Jimmie Davis announced he would welcome the new Miss USA when she returned home. The celebrations at Waterproof and Minden and at Tech, where all students were invited to welcome her back at a luncheon at the student center, had to wait. Brown had one more pageant.

Winning Miss USA instantly thrust Brown onto the international stage.

She prepared to represent the United States in the 1961 Miss Universe pageant, also held in Miami Beach immediately following the Miss USA pageant. The sudden fame came with a whirlwind of attention. Reporters wanting interviews and photographers snapping photos kept her busy.

Representatives of entertainment venues hounded her about possible contracts. Brown said her future remained uncertain, explaining she had not yet decided where the unexpected opportunity might lead. First, she had to compete once again.

Vying against contestants from around the world, Brown finished fourth runner-up to Miss Universe, one of the highest placements ever achieved by a Louisiana contestant.

She also received the Miss Photogenic Award, voted on by international photographers covering the Miss Universe pageant, the first Miss USA to earn the honor.

One disappointment accompanied the celebration. Brown said her parents had not traveled to Miami because she had convinced them there was little chance she would win anything.

“Really, it is my own fault that both Mother and Daddy missed seeing me win,” she informed reporters. “I told them it would be senseless for them to come down here.”

The Miss Universe pageant, however, became memorable for more than Brown’s top-five finish.

Questions surfaced over whether Miss Mississippi Marlene Britsch had been eligible to compete in the pageants because of questions surrounding her residency qualifications for the state title. Brown was questioned by reporters about the controversy, and Britsch came to believe Brown had helped spread the rumors.

Britsch later told reporters she sought out Brown in a dressing room to confront her.

“One word led to another,” Britsch said. “She swung at me. She missed, and I slapped her in the face.”

Brown firmly denied Britsch’s version of events.

“I have never swung at anyone,” Brown said. “She called me a liar while I was sitting in a chair, then slapped me in the face, and walked out.”

Wire service photographers later captured the two contestants publicly shaking hands, allegedly making up after the heated exchange backstage.

Despite the distraction, Brown maintained her composure and finished among the world’s top five contestants, although she admitted the incident affected her performance.

Brown’s past seemed like slow motion compared to the next twelve months.

Rather than returning immediately to Tech, Brown spent the next year traveling an estimated 70,000 miles, making appearances across the United States and overseas. She participated in March of Dimes campaigns, civic celebrations, television programs, and promotional events while serving as the USA’s official beauty queen.

Despite the hectic schedule, Brown remained refreshingly down to earth. She admitted enjoying shooting pool, mowing the lawn, babysitting, planting flowers, and even peeling off her nail polish. She joked that before becoming Miss USA she never drank coffee, but after months of appearances she “just funneled it down.”

Rumors spread that Brown intended to transfer to LSU but she squelched those, insisting Tech was her school and she would return after her reign as Miss USA ended.

But the national exposure opened doors beyond pageantry and college. Warner Bros. expressed interest in her, Decca Records scheduled an audition, and television and modeling opportunities followed. She appeared on a Bob Hope TV show and entertained countless invitations to pageants and special appearances for years. Yet friends and reporters consistently described Brown as the same friendly North Louisiana girl who happened to wear a national crown.

In January 1962 she was selected Queen of the Sugar Bowl, one of the South’s premier sporting events. She also earned another unique distinction when Dell Publications selected her as Miss Ideal Figure for 1962, placing her alongside a list of celebrated beauty icons that included Marilyn Monroe.

Brown’s résumé remains extraordinary—Miss Northeast Louisiana Stock Show in 1960; Miss Louisiana and Miss USA in 1961; fourth runner-up at Miss Universe and Miss Photogenic; and Sugar Bowl Queen in 1962—but those titles tell only part of her story.

The crowns made Sharon Brown famous, but it is the image of the Louisiana Tech cheerleader from a place so tiny it’s labeled a “village” to a spot on the world stage that makes her story unforgettable. More than six decades later, her journey from Waterproof to Ruston to a crown in Miami Beach remains one of Louisiana Tech’s greatest untold stories and one of North Louisiana’s most remarkable achievements.

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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Courtesy of GSU Communications

Grambling State University will honor a century of sound, showmanship, and cultural impact as the World Famed Tiger Marching Band celebrates its 100th anniversary with the World Famed Tiger Marching Band Centennial Gala & Concert on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on the campus of Grambling State University.

The evening will begin with a VIP Reception at 6 p.m., followed by the general program at 7:30 p.m. 

The milestone celebration will bring together alumni, students, former band members, University leaders, supporters, and friends of the World Famed for an unforgettable evening honoring one of Grambling State University’s most treasured traditions. 

Founded in 1926, the World Famed Tiger Marching Band began with a vision to create a group of marching musicians at the institution now known as Grambling State University. What started with 17 instruments and a determined group of students has grown into one of the most celebrated collegiate marching bands in the nation, known for its powerful sound, precision, showmanship, and unmistakable Tiger pride. 

“As we celebrate 100 years of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band, we are honoring generations of students, directors, arrangers, musicians, alumni, and supporters who built and sustained a standard recognized around the world,” said Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Director of Bands. “This Centennial Gala & Concert is a moment to celebrate our history, uplift those who helped carry this legacy forward, and inspire the next generation of World Famed musicians.” 

The Centennial Gala & Concert will feature music, special recognitions, fellowship, and a special guest performance, with the featured artist to be announced at a later date. More than an evening of celebration, the event will help support the future of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band and sustain the next century of musicianship, leadership, performance, and cultural impact. 

The celebration comes during Grambling State University’s historic Multiversary year, honoring 125 years of academic excellence, 100 years of Tiger Athletics, and 100 years of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band.

“For a century, the World Famed Tiger Marching Band has carried the sound, pride, and spirit of Grambling State University to audiences across the nation and around the world,” said President Martin Lemelle, Jr. “This centennial celebration is an opportunity to honor those who helped build this extraordinary legacy while celebrating the students and leaders who continue to move the tradition forward.” 

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the World Famed Tiger Marching Band Centennial Gala & Concert are available at gram.edu/world-famed-gala. 

About the World Famed Tiger Marching Band 

Founded in 1926, the World Famed Tiger Marching Band is one of Grambling State University’s most recognized and beloved traditions. From its earliest days under the leadership of Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones, the band has grown into a nationally celebrated program known for its powerful sound, precision, showmanship, and unmistakable Tiger pride. For generations, the World Famed has represented Grambling State University on some of the nation’s most visible stages, serving as a cultural ambassador for the University and a lasting symbol of HBCU excellence. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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An Arcadia man ran from officers during an early morning traffic stop on Vernon Street and was booked on a felony gun charge after officers found a firearm beneath the driver’s seat of his vehicle, according to an affidavit.

Jamichael Caldwell, 34, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Sept. 4 by the Ruston Police Department and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on five counts, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Two Ruston police officers stopped the vehicle at Vernon Street and Mills Avenue at about 12:46 a.m. after seeing that its Louisiana temporary tag was improperly displayed. When the driver, later identified as Caldwell, rolled his window down, a large amount of smoke flowed from inside the vehicle and carried a strong odor commonly associated with burning marijuana. Caldwell admitted he had been smoking marijuana.

Caldwell was asked to step out of the vehicle and did so, moving to the front of a patrol unit, where an officer advised him of his rights under Miranda. He gave his name and date of birth, then turned and ran south. After multiple verbal commands to stop, Caldwell stopped and laid on the ground so that officers could place hand restraints on him.

As Caldwell was escorted to a patrol unit and placed inside, the second officer approached the driver’s side of the stopped vehicle and saw a firearm resting beneath the driver’s seat. A search of the vehicle turned up an open container of an alcoholic beverage, the firearm and a small bag of marijuana.

Caldwell was transported to the detention center and turned over to its custody. In addition to the firearm count, he was booked on possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, resisting an officer by fleeing, an open container violation and driving without a required driver’s license.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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The Lincoln Parish Journal salutes the 2026-27 Ruston High School Junior Varsity cheerleaders and wish them the very best year.

Back row: Lilly Grace Turpin, Stella Myers, Carley Carter, Savannah Foster, Cate Davison

3rd Row: Bella Bradshaw, Charli Grillot, Audrey Colvin, Keatyn Brashear, Hallie Hogan, Aubrey Summersgill

2nd Row: Khloe Green, Georgia Puckett, Catherine Kozar, Jaleigh Martin, Kynzlee McConnell

Front row: Avery Dixon, Kate Wood, Ella Kate Whitaker

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Lincoln Parish Journal readers have an opportunity each week to win FREE money in the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em presented by Johnson Physical Therapy, Ruston Athletic Supply, and The Rental Association.

And the best part is it’s FREE … just like your subscription to the LPJ.

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The Lincoln Parish Journal wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Johnson Physical Therapy, Ruston Athletic Supply, and The Rental Association for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s College Football Pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Dubach Air and Heat, Ginn’s Autobody, Hart Designs, Charlie’s Carpet Cleaning, Tommy’s Tees, Mike Smith Law Office, Smoothie King of Ruston, CoreTechs, and Jeremy Hebert at Edward Jones for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest. 

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Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $150 in cash … with the potential to make it $300 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).

The Lincoln Parish Journal is holding the 5th Annual Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by The Rental Association, Ruston Athletic Supply, and Johnson Physical Therapy.

If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!

Anyone is eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $150 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 15 selected college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Ruston Athletic Supply, Johnson Physical Therapy, and The Rental Association will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with Week 1 games.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning.  It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $150 each week!

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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The summer before my freshman year in college, I worked my first “inside” job.   I was a self-employed yard mower from 12-14 years old.  At 15, I worked at a full-service gas station/garage.  At 16 and 17, I worked for an apartment complex taking care of the grounds and pool.

Now was my chance to work inside.  The People’s Bank in Minden gave me that opportunity.  They moved me around to several departments but eventually trained me to be a teller.  I started inside the main branch and learned the process.

But then there was that Friday that opened my eyes and made me rethink how good that Lawnboy mower was on some days!

Keep in mind, this time was an era when everyone went to the bank.  ATMs and direct deposits were just getting traction. 

That Friday, I opened my window in the main branch and served a few customers when the bank cashier came and told me to close my window, balance the drawer, and head to the drive through branch across the street.  One of the two ladies that worked that drive-through became ill and had to go home.

I quickly closed out and made my way over there.  As I crossed the street, I saw the longest line of cars I had ever seen.  They were backed up down Broadway Street.

I met the cashier inside and he gave me a full money drawer!  He said he would be back in two hours to replenish it.  I had never gone through that much in a day and never needed replenishment.  He told me it was payday, social security check day, and that lines would be long all day.

Before I started with that first customer, the lady working next to me stopped and gave me advice that I have never forgotten.

She said, “Don’t look past the one in front of you.  Just wait on the current customer no matter how long the lines are.  Once you put that canister in the delivery chute, you can’t get it back.”

We made it through that day.  I recall finishing somewhere after 6:00 even though closing time was 5:30. We wouldn’t close until we served the last customer.

I have never forgotten her words of advice that day and have applied it to many areas of life.

• We can get so caught up in our own lives that we miss the needs of others right in front of us.
• We can get so busy pursuing accomplishments that we miss opportunities in front of us.
• In the heat of the moment, we say or do things that we soon regret.  We can apologize, but we can’t pull the words back.
• We can get so consumed with the size of the task that we fail to focus on the next step.

Philippians 2:3-4 – The Apostle Paul reminds the people to not miss the opportunity in front of them.  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Where do you need to be more focused on the one in front of you?

Where do you need to slow down, not react from emotion, but rather respond with poise to ensure we avoid regret?

Doug equips leaders to make organizations better.  He has two leadership books available on all online platforms.  Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at  doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.

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For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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By T. Scott Boatright

The Lincoln Preparatory School football team got off to a strong start last week with a 52-12 season-opening win at Delhi, with a number of Panthers turning in solid performances.

But one of the biggest came from senior wideout Josiah Spann, who hauled in a pair of catches for 51 yards and a touchdown that seemed to kick the Panthers’ offense into high gear.

The Panthers will kick off at 7 p.m. tonight at home on Panthers Field.

Panthers coach Chaunce Davison knows what Josiah means to the team after years of playing in the shadow of his older brother, Trey Spann, who has taken his talents west to play at the collegiate level for Centenary in Shreveport.

Davison knows exactly what Josiah’s skill set — both physical and mental — means to his team.

“He means a lot,” Davison said. “He’s just like his brother. He’s a silent leader. He doesn’t yell or pump people up but instead leads by example. He leads with his work ethic. He was out there running a little bit after all the other players had gone into the locker room to get dressed and get ready to go home.

“That wasn’t punishment. That was something he was doing on his own, just trying to get better. Just sharpening up his tools. He’s a big-timer, and we’ve figured out another way he might be able to help us. He’s already helping us with his receiving skills, and he’s a pretty good defensive back and defender, too. But we might give him the chance to showcase another new skill against Block.”

That skill would be rushing the football.

“He’s a silent leader, but it still rubs off on his teammates,” Davison said. “He’s going to make sure that when it’s time for him to make a play, he’s going to make a play. We had a third-and-15 last week at Delhi. We were kind of just going back and forth, but when he made an incredible catch, it just kind of opened up everything. I mean, everything just started rolling — clicking for us. We fed off of it. The team fed off of that one great catch.

“That was a tough catch. But after that, we just started scoring, started rolling. He’s one of those guys who knows that if we call his number, he wants to make that play. That’s why we’re going to try him in the backfield and see what he can do. And if we need him on defense, we’ll put him out there. He can do whatever we need him to do.”

Josiah said as long as he’s getting a chance to contribute offensively, he’s good with it.

“I like playing offense more,” Josiah admitted. “I like catching the ball and getting touches. So, it’ll be exciting to see what I can do running the ball, too. It’s just one more thing for me to focus on and work on.”

That kind of focus is something he shares with his brother Trey.

“Josiah’s like Trey in that he’s quiet,” Davison said. “But he’s probably a little more relaxed as far as personality is concerned, while Trey just stays focused and intense all the time. That’s not saying Josiah doesn’t have focus and intensity, because he definitely does. That comes from their parents, so it’s kind of natural for both of them. It’s part of who they are.

“They both want to keep getting better. You can see whenever they’re out practicing, whether it’s with our football or basketball teams, or with their dad (Joseph ‘Scooby’ Spann), who they get that from, or whether it’s just them together or one of them alone. They’re both determined to get better in all phases of not only sports, but in all phases of life. They’re always sharpening their tools. Always doing something athletic.”

But Josiah, who led Lincoln Prep with 657 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season as a junior, said there are differences between the brothers, who were born about a year apart.

“Yes, I see a lot of differences between us even if we still are a lot alike,” Josiah said. “We’re alike, but we’re also two opposite people even if we’re really the same. It’s hard to describe. It’s just who we are.

“I miss my brother. But I feel like him leaving created opportunities for me to step into the hole he left behind and pick up all those things he did for Lincoln Prep athletics. I get the ball more — on the football field and on the basketball court. I don’t have to pass it as much in basketball with him moving on. I feel like it’s my time to shine, and that’s something I’ve waited for.”

Josiah said his father, Joseph, and mother, Yamalin Spann, have played strong roles in their children’s success.

“It’s a combination of them both,” Josiah said. “It’s the work ethic they both have. It’s the focus they both have. We can’t help but notice and try to be like them.”

Now Josiah is focused on building off the start he and his teammates had last week.

“That was a good start for us — a good way to start the season,” Josiah said. “The defense started off good. But the offense picked things up pretty quick. We just started throwing it and coming down with it.

“We feel good going into our first home game. We know what (junior) Jabari (Levingston) can do at quarterback. But there’s a lot of people on this team that can make plays, like me, (Karmelo Goins) — a lot of people. People were focused on all this talent this team lost heading into this season. But that just makes those of us who are still out here play that much more hungry.”

Davison knows that hunger will be needed against Block, which fell 22-16 at home to Ringgold in its season opener.

“Block has some kids that look very athletic,” Davison said. “I’m just looking for us to focus on sharpening our tools and not doing things that can hurt ourselves. We got off to a good start last week. That kind of win was a great way to start the season.

“I need a second week in a row of seeing this team line up right on defense and make our checks and our calls. Just play football and give effort.”

Like Josiah, Davison feels good heading into Thursday night’s home opener.

“I could see as the preseason moved along we were kind of locking in,” Davison said. “The kids just seemed to start taking it a little more seriously. But last week, we still made a lot of mistakes. We overcame them, but we made them, too, and still came out OK.

“So, we’re still trying to perfect what we’re doing. I tell the kids every day, even if I’m doing it wrong, I’m doing it wrong going 100 miles per hour. Make sure the effort is there. If the effort is there, sometimes that can make up for those mistakes you might make and can help you do the things that you want to do.”

Davison also hopes to have a strong crowd supporting the Panthers for their first home game of the season.

“I hope we have a good crowd,” Davison said. “The community coming out really builds the kids’ spirits. We need Lincoln Parish to come show out for us. It’s a Thursday night game. We have kids that go to neighboring schools who can come out and support us. We’ve got family in this community. Hopefully we’ll see that happen.”

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Click the three bars in the bottom corner and select “With Radar” to see current precipitation and storms in your area.

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Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Thursday, Sept. 10
9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church)
12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Master Gardeners Seminar (Lincoln Parish Library Jack Beard Room)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
4 p.m.: Tween Time : Pokémon Bookmarks (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time :  Teen Advisory Board Meeting (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football

Friday, Sept. 11
6 a.m.: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (Joe Aillet Stadium, LA Tech)
10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating BeMobile (1115 N. Service Rd. E., Ruston)
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball (Fredric C Hobdy Assembly Center)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)
7 p.m.: RHS football
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football

Saturday, Sept. 12
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m.: Cotton Country Open Horse Show (North Louisiana Expo Center, 165 Fairgrounds Rd., Ruston)
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball (Fredric C Hobdy Assembly Center)
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball (TAC)

Sunday, Sept. 13
2-4 p.m.: Tech professor Albino Hinojosa book signing of “The Art of Albino Hinojosa” (Trinity Methodist Church)

Monday, Sept. 14
9-11:30 a.m.: Bulldog Bash (LA Tech, the Quad)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
5-7 p.m.: Fall/Winter DND Campaign for Teens & Tweens (Lincoln Parish Library) Please call 318-513-5518 for important information about participation.
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)

Tuesday, Sept. 15
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
8 a.m. to noon: College and Career Fair (LA Tech TAC)
10 a.m.: Storytime : Spiders (Lincoln Parish Library)
4 p.m.: Crafternoon : Web Spinning Spider (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Video-Led Exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station)

Thursday, Sept. 17
10:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating Tank Burger (300 E. Mississippi Ave.)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall; Anyone is welcome to come to our meeting,please notify Richard Hamilton of your attendance. 318-518-2121)
1 p.m.: Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club meeting (Presbyterian Church, 212 N. Bonner St.)
4 p.m.: Tween Time : Egg Carton Animal Portraits (Lincoln Parish Library)
4-6 p.m.: Library Board Ice Cream Social and Meet & Greet (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Teen Time : Volunteer Hour (Lincoln Parish Library)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
6:30 p.m: Books & Bites Book Club; registration required 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library at Rotolo’s Craft & Crust)

Friday, Sept. 18
10:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating HOTWORX (310 E. Mississippi Ave.)
7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football

Saturday, Sept. 19
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2-4 p.m.: Fall into a Book Festival : Charlotte’s Web (Fall Carnival) with local children’s authors and a music performance by Rickey Pittman (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)

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For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

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