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Local events
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.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Election Day
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
Wednesday, Nov. 4
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)
6:30 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Thursday, Nov. 5
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)
Noon: Louisiana Master Gardeners Easy Pruning Workshop (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by Trinity’s Game Changers and Ruston Rotary Club to be served at the Ruston Housing Authority office, 901 MLK Drive. All are welcome.
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St., Ruston)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 6
7-9 a.m.: Kiwanis Pancake breakfast (Ruston Civic Center)
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep v. Cedar Creek (at Cedar Creek)
Saturday, Nov. 7
Ruston Community Men’s Shed Open House; ShedEats at noon
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: GSU football
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
Sunday, Nov. 8
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Monday, Nov. 9
11 a.m.: Veterans Day program hosted by Lincoln Parish branch of NAACP (Ruston Sports Complex, Origin Bank Room)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
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, Nov. 10
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Veterans Day
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, Nov. 12
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)
5-8:30 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 13
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Out to Lunch concert series (Heard Freighthouse Food Park)
Saturday, Nov. 14
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
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
4 p.m.: LA Tech football
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Ruston swimmers win Red River Conference title, set two meet records
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High School won the combined team title at the 2026 Red River High School Swimming Conference Championships, finishing with 634 points on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Ruston.
Caddo Magnet was second with 548 points, and CE Byrd was third with 516.
The championships drew 150 swimmers from 18 central and north Louisiana schools. Preliminary swims were held Thursday, Oct. 29, in Shreveport, and the top 16 qualifiers in each event advanced to Saturday’s finals.
The Ruston boys won their team title with 434 points, ahead of Caddo Magnet (322) and Holy Savior Menard (204). CE Byrd won the girls title with 333 points, followed by Caddo Magnet (226) and Ruston (200).
Ruston’s boys set two conference meet records, both previously held by Ruston teams from 2023. J.J. Hoover won the 100 butterfly in a new record time, and the team of Joseph Amiano, Paul St. Cyr, Matthew Roach and Samuel Jackson won the 400 freestyle relay in record fashion.
“We are so pleased with the results of this meet, especially with the busyness of the week with Homecoming activities,” Bulldog Aquatic Head Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “The swimmers were able to be in the moment and produce some great swims. Now, we have a few weeks to work on the details as we prepare for the state meet.”
Jackson, who won the 50 and 100 freestyles, was named Conference Male Swimmer of the Year. Butterfield was named Conference Coach of the Year, and Ruston received the team sportsmanship award.
Hoover also won the 200 individual medley. Ruston’s boys swept the relays, winning the 200 medley relay (St. Cyr, Hoover, Amiano, Jackson) and the 200 freestyle relay (Hoover, Roach, Jackson, Smith).
Ruston’s top boys finishers also included:
- Roach: 2nd in the 200 freestyle and 4th in the 100 freestyle
- Amiano: 2nd in the 100 butterfly
- Maddox Greenwood: 2nd in the 100 breaststroke
- St. Cyr: 3rd in the 200 IM
For the Ruston girls, Breanna Senn won the 50 freestyle and Emily Xu won the 100 freestyle. Hannah Best was third in the 100 freestyle. The 400 freestyle relay team of Xu, Mikayla Colvin, Best and Senn won its race, and the 200 medley relay team (Colvin, Emma Hinton, Xu, Senn) finished third.
Two smaller programs also made their mark. Cedar Creek’s Camdyn Napper won the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Choudrant’s Jessie Groce was second in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
“The Cedar Creek and Choudrant swim teams may be small in number, but they post great results with all swimmers finishing in the top eight in all of their events,” Butterfield said.
Cedar Creek and Choudrant, both Division 4 teams, will compete at the LHSAA state meet Nov. 18-19 in Sulphur. Ruston, a Division 2 team, will swim at state Nov. 20-21, also in Sulphur.
Parish college hoops team off to strong start
Bulldogs 85, Kent State 75 (Ruston)
A new-look Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team gave Bulldog fans plenty to cheer about Monday night.
Braylon Wenger poured in a game-high 28 points, and Louisiana Tech shot 52 percent from the field on its way to an 85-75 victory over Kent State in the season opener for both teams before 1,995 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center.
The victory came in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge and marked a successful debut for a Bulldog squad featuring 12 newcomers on head coach Talvin Hester’s 13-man roster.
Wenger, one of those newcomers, was the offensive star, connecting on 8 of 12 field goals, including 4 of 8 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
“Shooting is what he does,” said head coach Talvin Hester. “We recruited him to make shots. He was fantastic on that end. I was really proud of his defense tonight, in particular. As for Jay (Tyler), a lot of guys come in and in their mind their job is to score. I have been trying to get him to distribute, which he did great with tonight. Once they took that away from him, he hit some big shots.”
He was one of four Bulldogs to score in double figures as Jaylen Fenner and Ethan Blackmon added 13 points each, while Jay Tyler chipped in 11 points and a game-high seven assists.
Blackmon also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds to record a double-double in his Bulldog debut, while Fenner, Tech’s lone returning player from last season, added eight boards.
Louisiana Tech (1-0) wasted little time taking control, scoring the game’s first eight points behind 3-pointers from Wenger and Tyler and a layup by Iyran Francis Jr.
The Bulldogs extended their advantage to 20-8 on Tyler’s second 3-pointer with 14:18 remaining in the opening half.
Kent State (0-1) trimmed the deficit to five points at 29-24 with 7:10 remaining, but Tech responded with an 8-0 run capped by a Fenner layup to push its lead to 37-24.
The Bulldogs carried a 41-32 advantage into the halftime locker room after shooting a sizzling 57.1 percent (16 of 28) from the field during the opening 20 minutes.
Kent State opened the second half with five straight points to cut Tech’s lead to four, but the Bulldogs answered with a 15-4 run to build a 56-41 advantage with 15:42 remaining.
Wenger continued his hot shooting, knocking down another 3-pointer to give Tech a 59-43 lead with 14:41 remaining.
The Bulldogs eventually built their largest advantage at 71-52 with 6:44 to play following a Deven Bates putback.
Kent State refused to go away, trimming the deficit to nine points at 78-69 with 2:14 remaining, but Wenger scored seven points down the stretch to help seal the victory.
Tech finished 28 of 54 from the field, including 8 of 22 from beyond the arc, while recording 19 assists on its 28 made baskets.
The Bulldogs also held Kent State to 36.5 percent shooting, including just 7 of 28 from 3-point range.
Christian Henry led the Golden Flashes with 17 points off the bench, while Dhani Miller added 15 points and Latif Diouf contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Kent State owned a 45-40 rebounding advantage, including 23 offensive boards that led to 25 second-chance points, but Tech’s superior shooting proved to be the difference.
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LA Tech 61, Toledo 57 (Toledo, Ohio)
Louisiana Tech used a strong fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Toledo 61-57 Monday night in the season opener for both teams at Savage Arena.
The Lady Techsters (1-0) outscored the Rockets 21-14 in the final quarter, shooting 72.7% from the field and closing the game with a 7-0 run to give head coach Brooke Stoehr her 250th career victory.
Jordan Marshall led Louisiana Tech with a game-high 14 points and 11 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season. Brittani Wells added 11 points and a game-high six assists in her Lady Techsters debut, while Alana Obianozie contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
“It doesn’t have to be pretty as long as it is gritty, and this group was gritty tonight,” Stoehr said. “I thought we defended, rebounded, and took care of the ball really well in the first half. We lost our minds a bit in the third quarter, we took too many bad shots that led to transition.”
Playing before 3,844 fans as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge, Louisiana Tech jumped out to an early lead behind a 3-pointer from Alexia Weaver. Freshman E’Marriha Johnson connected on a 3-pointer on her first collegiate shot attempt, helping the Lady Techsters battle to a 14-14 tie after one quarter.
Johnson continued her strong debut in the second quarter, scoring four consecutive points to give Louisiana Tech a two-point advantage. Marshall later added a layup to help the Lady Techsters build an eight-point lead before taking a 30-24 advantage into halftime.
Johnson led Louisiana Tech with nine first-half points on 4-of-7 shooting, while the Lady Techsters held Toledo to 31% shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
However, the Rockets seized momentum in the third quarter, using a 12-2 run to take their first lead since the opening period. Toledo eventually stretched its advantage to 43-38 before an Obianozie layup cut the deficit to 43-40 entering the fourth quarter.
Louisiana Tech committed seven turnovers and was outscored 19-10 in the third period.
The Rockets pushed their lead to six points early in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Techsters responded behind their inside game, scoring 14 points in the paint during the final 10 minutes.
Louisiana Tech eventually regained the lead with 2:20 remaining and made its final four field goal attempts while holding Toledo to just one basket on its final seven shots.
Obianozie converted two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to help seal the victory.
“I can’t say enough about that fourth quarter toughness,” Stoehr said. “We learned something about our group tonight. This is a hard game to have first and we are going to look back on this win and see that this game is going to make us better. Really proud of our groups fight and resilience.”
Louisiana Tech held Toledo to 22.6% shooting from 3-point range as the Rockets connected on just 7 of 31 attempts.
The Lady Techsters overcame struggles at the free-throw line, making just 9 of 19 attempts (47.4%).
Obianozie finished 4 of 5 from the field in her Louisiana Tech debut, while Johnson provided an early spark in her first collegiate game.
Louisiana Tech will return to Ruston for its home opener Wednesday against Texas A&M-Texarkana. Tipoff for the Education Day game is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.
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Tigers 89, Northern Illinois 87
Isaiah Miranda scored 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting as Grambling State opened its season with an 89-87 victory over Northern Illinois on Monday at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
The game was part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.
Dwayne Pierce added 19 points and eight assists for the Tigers (1-0), who shot 64% from the field and outscored the Huskies 48-28 in the paint.
Miranda made four of five 3-point attempts, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots. Isaiah Howard scored 13 points off the bench, Mekhi Fitts added 12 on 4-of-4 shooting, and Antoine Shannon finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Northern Illinois (0-1) got 15 points from Trevor Polite, 13 from Nino Carter-Smith and 12 from David Douglas Jr. Max Weisbrod added 11 points and eight assists. The Huskies made 14 of 31 attempts from 3-point range.
Grambling State led 43-36 at halftime after shooting 57% from the field in the first half. Miranda scored 20 of his 29 points before the break, including a 3-pointer in the final minute.
The Tigers stretched their lead to 12 points twice in the second half, taking a 62-50 advantage on Brandon Hardy’s layup and a 65-53 lead on a Howard layup.
Northern Illinois answered, cutting the deficit to 67-65 on Douglas’ 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining.
The Huskies pulled within 78-77 on a Weisbrod 3-pointer with 3:13 left. Grambling State responded with two Fitts free throws, a Pierce jumper and a Pierce dunk to take an 85-79 lead with 1:41 remaining.
Douglas connected on another 3-pointer to make it 85-82 before Fitts’ layup pushed the Tigers’ lead to 87-82 with 40 seconds left.
Bennett Basich converted a three-point play to trim the deficit to 87-85 with 33 seconds remaining. Pierce made one of two free throws with nine seconds left, and Carter-Smith sank two free throws with six seconds remaining to pull Northern Illinois within 88-87.
Chancellor Perkins made one of two free throws with four seconds left to restore Grambling State’s two-point lead. Weisbrod missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, and Shannon grabbed the rebound to seal the victory.
Grambling State made 20 of 29 free throws and outscored Northern Illinois 37-30 in bench points. The Tigers also held a 28-27 rebounding advantage, while the Huskies recorded seven steals to Grambling State’s four.
Notice of death — Nov. 2, 2026
Song Hui Franklin
Aug 28, 1949 — Oct 30, 2026
Janet D. Russell
Mar 9, 1967 — Oct 29, 2026
Visitation: 9-10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at Owens Memorial Chapel
Funeral: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at Owens Memorial Chapel
Burial: Following the service at Chatham Cemetery
Ponderings by Doug: Welcome to New Hallowsthanksmas
Welcome to the holiday season officially known as New Hallowsthanksmas!
I am not certain how official it is. I believe I named it sometime in the 1980s, and, as far as I know, I remain the only person using the designation. Still, every tradition has to begin somewhere. Usually, in my family, it begins with somebody saying, “Are you going to eat that?”
New Hallowsthanksmas stretches from Halloween through New Year’s Day. Calorie counting is suspended. Sound nutritional advice disappears beneath a layer of cream cheese. Family members suddenly rediscover the road to your house, especially if you have a guest bedroom and dependable Wi-Fi.
It is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the people we love. Occasionally, it also reminds us why we usually love a few of them from a distance.
Somewhere along the way, however, we turned celebration into a competitive sport.
How many dishes are necessary for Thanksgiving dinner? At what point does a meal become an agricultural exposition? Must we serve sweet potatoes in three different forms? Apparently, a sweet potato cannot enter the kingdom of Thanksgiving unless it has been baptized in butter and covered with marshmallows.
Then comes Christmas. How tall should the stack of presents be? Should we still be able to see the tree? How many parties constitute a successful season? And who decided every organization we have ever joined needs to hold its Christmas gathering during the same eleven days?
By January, we are exhausted, overdrawn, and eating leftover cheese ball because nobody has the strength to find a vegetable.
Someone asks, “How were your holidays?”
“We survived.”
That ought to tell us something.
Survival is a reasonable goal for a shipwreck. Surely we can hope for more from the celebration of our Savior’s birth.
Perhaps this year we could begin with a different question: What would help us receive the gifts God is actually giving?
Thanksgiving invites gratitude. Gratitude requires enough attention to notice what we already have. That is difficult when we are busy making lists of everything we still need to buy.
Christmas announces that God has come near. Yet we can become so occupied preparing for Christmas that we have little time to pray, worship, or notice the person beside us.
The first Christmas ought to give us permission to simplify. God entered the world in the vulnerability of a child laid in a manger. We keep acting as though the occasion requires matching pajamas, six coordinated wreaths, and a dining room that qualifies for a magazine cover.
There is nothing wrong with decorations, presents, or a good casserole. I am a Methodist minister. I would never recklessly endanger the casserole.
But we ought to ask whether our celebrations leave room for the love Jesus teaches us to practice.
Could we prepare one fewer dish and spend a little longer at the table? Buy one fewer gift and help a neighbor keep the lights on? Decline an invitation and visit someone whose calendar is painfully empty?
Could we listen to a relative without preparing our rebuttal? Offer an apology before passing the rolls? Remember that the people in our homes need kindness more than they need a flawless centerpiece?
Make a little room now. Leave an evening open. Spend within your means. Worship with your church. Welcome someone who might otherwise be alone.
When New Year’s Day arrives, may we have something better to say than “We survived.”
May we be able to say, “We gave thanks. We made room for Jesus. We loved the people he placed before us.”
And if there are only two kinds of pie, I believe the family will recover.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
LSWA releases final regular season poll
Class 5A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank
- St. Augustine (10) 9-0 131 2
- Alexandria (1) 8-1 117 3
- Karr 8-1 113 1
- Ruston 7-2 94 5
- Mandeville 9-0 78 6
- Jesuit 7-2 71 7
- Archbishop Rummel 7-2 67 4
- Catholic-Baton Rouge 6-3 53 8
- Barbe 8-1 44 9
- Brother Martin 6-3 36 10
Others receiving votes: St. Thomas More 32, Northshore 7, John Curtis 5, West Monroe 5, Destrehan 2, Zachary 2, Acadiana 1.
Class 4A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank
- Westgate (8) 8-0 128 1
- Neville (2) 7-1 122 2
- North DeSoto (1) 9-0 110 3
- Archbishop Shaw 8-1 90 4
- Madison Prep 7-2 85 5
- Lake Charles Prep 8-1 77 6
- John F. Kennedy 8-1 67 7
- Leesville 8-1 44 9
- Franklin Parish 6-3 42 10
- Lafayette Renaissance 6-3 40 8
Others receiving votes: Salmen 23, Opelousas 17, Carencro 4, Cecilia 1.
Class 3A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank
- St. Charles (11) 8-1 132 1
- University 7-2 121 2
- Eunice 9-0 100 4
- Sterlington 6-3 89 5
- St. James 7-2 82 7
- Marksville 8-1 76 8
- Jena 6-3 62 3
- Lutcher 6-3 53 6
- West Feliciana 8-1 51 9
- Jennings 7-2 31 10
Others receiving votes: Loyola Prep 24, Iowa 22, Jewel Sumner 7, Vandebilt Catholic 3, Northwest 1.
Class 2A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank
- Notre Dame (9) 9-0 129 1
- Calvary Baptist (1) 8-1 121 2
- Mangham 8-1 109 3
- Newman 8-1 94 4
- Dunham (1) 6-3 88 5
- Lafayette Christian Academy 7-2 80 6
- Mansfield 8-1 57 7
- Amite 7-2 45 8
- Vinton 9-0 42 9
- Lake Arthur 8-1 29 10
(tie) Catholic-New Iberia 6-3 29 NR
Others receiving votes: Pine 18, Loreauville 14, Caldwell Parish 3, Country Day 1, Rosepine 2.
Class 1A
School, 1st rec, points, Prev. rank
- Ouachita Christian (9) 9-0 130 1
- Riverside Academy (2) 8-1 119 2
- Haynesville 8-1 103 3
- Southern Lab 8-0 90 4
- Ascension Catholic 8-1 81 6
- Jeanerette 8-1 69 8
- East Feliciana 8-1 56 NR
- Logansport 8-1 55 10
- Kentwood 8-1 51 5
- Westminster-Lafayette 8-1 37 7
Others receiving votes: Cedar Creek 28, St. Mary’s 9, Jonesboro-Hodge 5, Ascension Episcopal 4, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 4, South Plaquemines 1,
Dubach town clerk resigns, special meeting called
by Wesley Harris
After only sixty days on the job, Dubach’s town clerk has resigned, citing “so much discourse . . . and frivolous requests daily” left it impossible for her to complete her duties.
Tatjana Marsh was hired by Mayor Mona Wilson and her salary was set by the Dubach Town Council at its August meeting. Marsh had asked for $22/hour to account for the lack of insurance coverage by the town but the council set her rate at $20/hour.
In a letter of resignation dated October 23, Marsh said she was resigning immediately but offered to continue on the job to give the council time to find a suitable replacement but asked that the position be filled as soon as possible.
Marsh’s letter said “my time has been plagued with so much discourse. I received multiple emails and frivolous requests daily that it is almost impossible to complete my duties. I am not willing to continue to deal with all of this as I do not see a change in the foreseeable future.”
The resignation comes during a contentious election season in Dubach, where allegations, rumors, and heated exchanges on social media have contributed to growing tensions within the community. Amid the controversy, some residents have called for a return to civility and a greater emphasis on facts rather than speculation and personal accusations.
A special town council meeting has been called for 6:30 this evening to discuss controversies surrounding the mayoral race. The meeting was apparently called by council members, not Mayor Mona Wilson nor Mayor Pro Tem Mary Billberry.
Security is expected to be present to maintain order.
Agenda set for tonight’s Ruston City Council Meeting
This represents notice of a regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ruston, Louisiana, to be held Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers/Courtroom, City Hall, 401 North Trenton, Ruston, Louisiana. A copy of the proposed Agenda is attached.
Pursuant to Act No. 539 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, the City will broadcast live all Board of Alderman meetings. The meetings may be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/
Man arrested on three warrants
A Grambling man was arrested early Wednesday after a traffic stop in Ruston revealed three active warrants.
Christopher Watts, 39, of Grambling, was arrested at 3:10 a.m. Oct. 28 by the Louisiana State Police.
According to an arrest affidavit, a trooper saw a black Chevrolet Cruze fail to come to a complete stop at a posted stop sign on Cedar Street at about 3 a.m. before turning left onto East Line Avenue. The trooper activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.
Watts, who was driving, told the trooper there was no reason he failed to stop at the sign. A records check showed his Louisiana driver’s license was suspended and that he had three active warrants through the Ruston Police Department.
Watts was arrested on the warrants, handcuffed and advised of his rights. A search turned up nothing. He was issued citations for failing to stop at a posted stop sign and driving with a suspended license.
Watts was taken to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on the three Ruston 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.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Sheriff’s office warns of scam
Another common scam by telephone has prompted the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office to warn citizens of callers attempting to steal money who falsely claim to be affiliated with the agency.
According to the sheriff’s office, scammers have been calling local residents using employee names, ranks, and fake badge numbers in an attempt to appear legitimate. In some of the calls, victims are told they missed a court date and have an outstanding warrant, while others offer alternatives to a traditional bail bondsman or request payment through gift cards.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that it will never ask for gift cards, recommend a specific bail bondsman, or take any type of payment over the phone.
Residents who receive a suspicious call are encouraged to hang up and contact the sheriff’s office at 318-251-5111. Officials warn never to send money or provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.
LPSO noted the scammers can spoof the department’s phone number so it appears on Caller ID even though it is not coming from the sheriff’s office. If ever in doubt if the call is legitimate, citizens can hang up and call the LPSO to ask to speak to the caller.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to share the warning with family, friends and neighbors.
Yoga at the Park returns Nov. 8 for a full day of breath, movement and stillness
This is a paid advertorial.
Lincoln Parish Park will once again become a daylong retreat for body and mind on Sunday, Nov. 8, when Blue Sky Yoga hosts “Yoga at the Park” from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The event is built around a simple idea: a day to tune in to your internal wisdom through breath, movement, meditation and the practice of complete presence. Participants can attend every session or pick and choose the ones that interest them.
Community is what Ruston does so well, and Blue Sky Yoga is no exception,” said participant Lillian Smith. “Yoga at the Park is a fabulous day of movement and connection for all, whether joining the Blue Sky community for the first time or the hundredth.”
The day begins at 9 a.m. with an opening meditation and Dharma talk, followed by Yoga for Everybody with Emily Foster at 9:30 a.m. and Breathwork at 10:45 a.m. After a midday Flow class at noon, the schedule slows down with a 1:15 p.m. meditation with Andy Davidson and a Yin class with Capree Bramel at 2:30 p.m. The late afternoon is devoted to rest and restoration, with Yoga Nidra at 4 p.m. with Amy Marcus and a Sound Bath led by owner Donna Wood and teachers Capree Bramel and Emily Foster at 4:45 p.m. The day closes at 5:30 p.m.
“Blue Sky Yoga puts on an amazing yoga day event with immaculate vibes that nourish the mind, body and soul,” said participant Danielle Ewing. “My daughter and I look forward to it every spring and fall.”
All sessions will take place in the L6 Pavilion at Lincoln Parish Park. The pavilion is enclosed, so the event will go on regardless of weather. If conditions allow, the large garage-style doors will be opened to let in the fresh air.
Yoga at the Park is included for Blue Sky Yoga Monthly Unlimited Members. For all other participants, the cost is $35 for the full day.
The event is the latest in a series of community gatherings hosted by the downtown Ruston studio, which offers classes seven days a week, including Yoga for Life, Pilates and warm flow yoga.
For more information, call or message Blue Sky Yoga at 318-614-1619.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Man arrested on warrants, marijuana charge after traffic stop
A Ruston man was arrested early Wednesday after a traffic stop for speeding on South Maple Street.
Ja’laen Bonner, 24, of Ruston, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. Oct. 28 by the Ruston Police Department at South Maple and Saratoga streets.
According to an arrest affidavit, an officer conducting stationary radar at about 12:03 a.m. saw a gray 2026 Kia traveling about 42 mph in a 25 mph zone. The vehicle stopped at Saratoga Street, and Bonner, who was driving, told the officer his license was suspended and that he had traffic warrants.
Dispatch advised that Bonner’s warrants included a Third Judicial District Court bench warrant for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug. The officer ordered him out of the vehicle and searched him. Bonner told the officer he had a firearm under the driver’s seat and 8 grams of marijuana.
Bonner was placed in handcuffs, advised of his rights and put in the back of a patrol unit. He said he understood his rights and agreed to a search of the vehicle. The officer found a Glock 19x pistol, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a joint containing marijuana. The marijuana had a field weight of 11.1 grams. Dispatch advised that the firearm was clear and that Bonner was not prohibited from carrying one.
The officer issued Bonner citations for speeding and driving under suspension. Bonner was taken to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on a charge of possession of marijuana.
He was also booked as a fugitive from another jurisdiction on the Third Judicial District Court warrant. He was booked on two Ruston bench warrants as well, one for failure to register a vehicle and one for no liability insurance.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Holidays in CedarTown set for November
GET READY TO SHOP! The holiday season is right around the corner, and Holidays in CedarTown is back for another exciting year! Join us November 12–14 at the Ruston Civic Center as we transform the venue into a festive holiday shopping destination. Hosted by the Cedar Creek School Parent Club, this three-day market brings together shoppers and vendors from across the South for one of North Louisiana’s favorite holiday shopping traditions.
With more than 30 booths filled with unique gifts, holiday décor, clothing, accessories, and more, Holidays in CedarTown is the perfect place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping while supporting local and regional businesses. This year’s exciting lineup of merchants includes Goldie Boutique, The Fashion of Ruston, North Forty Woodworks, Sugarplums & The Vintage Marketplace, Heirloom, Rock Creek Farms, Legacy House Ruston, The Dance Wearhouse, Mid South Pecans, Arcadia Publishing, Blush by Elle, Bella Magnolia, Bows by Tammy, Simply Chic Boutique, Let’s Go Mahjong, Urban Collective, The Children’s Shoppe & Peach Lemonade, National Jewelry, Billy’s Barnhouse, American Flyway Waterfowl, Lilburns, Sis & Hunny, The Prissy Pelican, Sandy + Rizzo, Different Strokes, Big Creek Pecans & Honey, Art by Sarah Katherine Semon, and many more!
The festivities kick off on Thursday, November 12, with our Holidays After Hours Preview Party from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Shoppers will enjoy an exclusive first look at this year’s market while sipping and sampling complimentary drinks and appetizers from local favorites, including Crumbs Catering, Iron Cactus, Uptown Downtown, Ponchatoulas, Beau Vines, and Newk’s Eatery. Preview Party tickets are $30 and can be purchased online in advance. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but don’t wait—last year’s event sold out!
Shopping continues Friday, November 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift or treating yourself to something special, there’s something for everyone! To add a little extra holiday cheer, some of our Cedar Creek Lower School students will be present to help spread the Christmas spirit with caroling performances throughout the day! And in celebration of Friday night lights, shoppers wearing their favorite team spirit gear can enjoy FREE general admission from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Saturday, November 14, brings a little extra Christmas magic with Santa’s Cookie Crew from 9:30 a.m. to noon! Little ones are invited to enjoy a festive morning filled with cookies, letters to Santa, and photos with the big man himself. Tickets are $10 per child and can be purchased online, with a limited number available at the door. Meanwhile, shoppers can squeeze in those last-minute finds as the market continues until 2:00 p.m. Saturday general admission is $10.
And while you’re shopping, don’t forget to stop by our Sounds of the Season raffle table for your chance to take home a Turtlebox Cub! Sponsored by Cross Country Infrastructure, raffle tickets are just $10 each or three for $20 and can be purchased online or throughout the event. The lucky winner will be drawn at the close of the market on Saturday, and you do not have to be present to win!
Mark your calendars, grab your shopping buddies, and get ready to kick off the Christmas season with us! Holidays in CedarTown returns November 12–14 to the Ruston Civic Center, and we can’t wait to welcome you for three days of shopping, holiday cheer, and festive fun.
This beloved holiday tradition wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our wonderful vendors, shoppers, and sponsors. Thank you for helping make Holidays in CedarTown a special part of the Christmas season in North Louisiana. We can’t wait to see you in CedarTown!
Holidays in CedarTown is a project of the Cedar Creek School Parent Club. For sponsorship, merchant, or ticket information, contact Cedar Creek School or advancement@cedarcreekschool.org.
2400 Cedar Creek Drive, Ruston, Louisiana 71270
318.255.7707 – www.cedarcreekschool.org
Cedar Creek School practices a nondiscriminatory policy whereby it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
This is a paid advertorial.
COLUMN: Welcome to a whole new Dunkin’ Dogs roster
As I sat in the Thomas Assembly Center late last week watching the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team practice, I stared at the roster sheet in front of me as much – or more – as I did the court.
Why, you ask?
Because tonight I will join my good friend Teddy Allen on the ESPN+ broadcast to call the Bulldogs’ season opener against Kent State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
The season opener is always a bit of a challenge in any sport for any broadcaster as you try to familiarize yourself with a new group of players.
Before the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and … well, let’s be honest … buying players became part of the college athletics landscape, I usually had to learn three, four, maybe five new names for a basketball season.
Not anymore.
Head coach Talvin Hester has a roster comprised of 13 players. Twelve of them will be wearing a Bulldog uniform for the very first time tonight.
Twelve. Out of 13.
Welcome to college basketball in 2026, where roster continuity has become more of a luxury than a reality. Second-year guard Jaylen Fenner is the lone returner from last year’s squad. He wears No. 4. I know that one. He’s easy.
The other 12? Well, let’s just say I’ve got some studying to do before tonight’s opening tip.
Hester lost some players to graduation. He lost others to the transfer portal. And now he faces the challenge of taking an almost entirely new collection of players and turning them into a basketball team. Whether we like it or not, this is the day and age of college athletics. At least until someone figures out how to fix it.
And while learning 12 new names and numbers might be a challenge for yours truly, it’s nothing compared to what Hester and his coaching staff have faced over the past several months.
Because learning names is one thing. Building chemistry, establishing roles, developing trust and getting 13 individuals to play as one cohesive unit? That’s an entirely different ballgame.
And it’s not something that happens overnight.
There is talent on this roster. There are players who have enjoyed success at previous stops, whether at the junior college level or at other four-year programs. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee victories.
The question is how quickly Hester can get these guys on the same page, particularly with the Bulldogs entering their first season back in the Sun Belt Conference after 25 years away from the league. If exhibition games are any indication (and sometimes it’s hard to tell), the Bulldogs appear to be ahead of schedule. Hester and Co. “defeated” North Texas, UT Arlington and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in their three preseason scrimmages.
Tonight will be a different monster. This one counts. For keeps. And it is the first time the Dunkin’ Dog fan base will see the product on the floor.
It’s a challenge that isn’t unique to Louisiana Tech. Coaches across the country are dealing with similar situations. The days of recruiting a freshman, developing him over four (or five) years and watching him graduate in the same uniform are becoming increasingly rare. It’s not necessarily better. It’s not necessarily worse for every individual involved.
But it is different.
And for those of us who have spent decades around college athletics, it’s taking some getting used to.
Hester has guided Tech to three consecutive 20-win seasons. He knows how to coach. He knows how to win. The question this season is how quickly he can get an almost entirely new group to do the same.
Until then, my challenge is learning new names, new numbers and a whole lot of new faces early in the season. That begins tonight. And if I happen to glance down at my roster sheet a few more times than usual during the broadcast, now you’ll know why.
It’s Monday! Time for Week 10 of the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em contest!
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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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Local events
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.
Monday, Nov. 2
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall)
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, Nov. 3
Election Day
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
Wednesday, Nov. 4
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)
6:30 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Thursday, Nov. 5
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)
Noon: Louisiana Master Gardeners Easy Pruning Workshop (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal sponsored by Trinity’s Game Changers and Ruston Rotary Club to be served at the Ruston Housing Authority office, 901 MLK Drive. All are welcome.
6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St., Ruston)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 6
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep v. Cedar Creek (at Cedar Creek)
Saturday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
2 p.m.: GSU football
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
Sunday, Nov. 8
6 p.m.: GSU volleyball
Monday, Nov. 9
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
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, Nov. 10
6:30 a.m.: Veterans free breakfast (VFW Post 3615, 206 Memorial Dr.)
7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Police Jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Veterans Day
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, Nov. 12
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)
5-8:30 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, Nov. 13
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Out to Lunch concert series (Heard Freighthouse Food Park)
Saturday, Nov. 14
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
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Holidays in Cedartown (Ruston Civic Center)
4 p.m.: LA Tech football
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Bulldogs flex on Jaguars; remain atop Sun Belt standings with fifth straight victory
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech’s winning streak reached five games Saturday afternoon, but it was the Bulldogs’ second-half defensive performance that had head coach Sonny Cumbie particularly pleased following a 35-20 victory over South Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
After surrendering 20 points in the opening half, Tech shut out the Jaguars over the final 30 minutes to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Bulldogs (6-2, 4-0) recorded their first 4-0 start in conference play since 2019 while completing an undefeated October for the first time since that same season. Tech has now won five straight games for the first time since 2019, outscoring its opponents 148-80 during that stretch.
“That was just a gutsy win by our football team,” Cumbie said. “I thought it was a complete team win. … I’m proud of how they played, proud of how they competed. I thought that this team played together and fed each other well at different points of time in the game.”
It was a tale of two halves for the Tech defense, which struggled to slow down South Alabama’s offense early before making the necessary adjustments at halftime.
The Jaguars (4-4, 2-2) scored touchdowns on three first-half possessions, but the Bulldogs responded by recording three sacks, seven tackles for loss and two takeaways while forcing three turnovers on downs.
“We have to tackle better in the first half — I think that was really a big concern,” Cumbie said. “We didn’t tackle as well as we could have in the first half. Second half, Coach Luke Olson and his staff did a great job of adjustments and the players did a good job of handling them, able to get a shutout in the second half.
“They just play really well together; they’re smart football players and they take coaching really well. I think that anything we do, from an adjustments standpoint or any tweaks we make at halftime, or even between drives, our players are able to apply it.
“I think they take a lot of pride in how they play, and they understood when we got in at halftime that it wasn’t enough to the standard of how they can play and there was room for them to be better, and they did that.”
Offensively, quarterback Blake Baker completed 10 of 16 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs scored 21 second-quarter points to erase an early deficit.
Marcus Calwise Jr. caught three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, while Rayshun Hurt totaled 107 all-purpose yards, including a career-long 67-yard reception.
Tech trailed 14-7 after the opening quarter before Baker connected with Calwise on a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The Bulldogs then took the lead on a double-pass play as Trey Kukuk connected with Jalen Mickens for a 27-yard touchdown. Baker later found Calwise on a 35-yard scoring strike to give Tech a 28-20 halftime advantage.
The game’s defining sequence came late in the third quarter when Lexington Matthews pinned South Alabama deep in its own territory with a punt. MJ Moultrie forced a fumble that Alonzo Jackson Jr. recovered at the Jaguars’ 10-yard line. Two plays later, Baker connected with Luke Watkins for a 4-yard touchdown and a 35-20 advantage.
“In terms of that punt, he flipped the field and did a great job of bouncing back in his response to not having his best punt when we were backed up and against the wind,” Cumbie said. “Then he goes against it again and flips the field, and one play later we get the fumble and then we score on offense.”
Jackson led Tech with nine tackles, a half-sack and a fumble recovery, while Jadon Mayfield added eight tackles. Janard Lockhardt sealed the victory with his first interception as a Bulldog with 1:40 remaining.
“I was so proud of Janard Lockhardt — he’s down about missing the interception before halftime, and responds with getting his one to seal the end of the game,” Cumbie said.
Despite being outgained 397-315, the Bulldogs committed no turnovers and continued their impressive run through their inaugural Sun Belt season.
“It’s going to be a fun drive home, and I’m glad to stay undefeated in Sun Belt play,” Cumbie said. “We’ll enjoy this one, and then go take on a good Troy football team next week.”
The Bulldogs will take their show on the road next Saturday when they travel to Troy for another important Sun Belt West Division match-up against the Trojans.
