In a statement issued on June 4th, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s (LLA) office clarified a previous report regarding the finances of the Town of Jonesboro. In summary, the findings were from the previous town administration and as result no current opinions on the town finances could be issued.

“The report that was just issued related to fiscal year 2018, which was under the previous mayor’s administration,” said Bradley Cryer, Director of Local Government Services for the office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. “Upon taking office in January of 2019, Mayor Leslie Thompson hired a CPA firm to address outstanding issues from fiscal year 2018 and the first half of fiscal year 2019. We receive regular updates from the CPA on the progress of corrective actions.”

The town of Jonesboro had 23 findings on an audit that spanned the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018. Nineteen of the findings were carried over from previous years. Seventeen of the findings were considered material weaknesses.

The auditor found the town failed to properly prepare bank reconciliations or to submit bank statement and bank reconciliation records to the auditor. The town also may not have complied with the state’s Public Bid Law with its fuel purchases and did not comply with its own policies over purchasing.

In addition, the liability for customer deposits exceeded the cash available to refund them, and the utility fund accounts receivable included bad debts. Furthermore the auditor found customer refunds were not in the billing system, and overtime pay to employees seemed to be excessive.

Other findings included poor utility billing procedures, inconsistent reading of meters, late billing of customers, failure to provide monthly financial statements to the Board of Aldermen and a certificate of deposit was cashed with the proceeds deposited into the general fund without the approval of the Board of Aldermen. One finding from the 2017 audit was resolved: a bank account required by the debt service agreement was fully funded. It was initially reported in 2015.

Their voices were heard locally on the streets of Jonesboro this past Sunday as roughly 200 people took part in a “peaceful protest”. They were far from alone on this day though as the theme they presented resonated all over the nation as collectively America took to the streets to stand against racial inequality and police brutality.

Black and white alike came together to march through the streets of Jonesboro to demand racial equality and bring a stop to the injustice that was brought to the forefront of every citizen in the nation’s mind following the senseless killing of Minneapolis, MN resident George Floyd by Police Officers.

“We felt it was important to give Jackson Parish a chance to unite and support the cause of equality” said protest organizer Jakeshia Lard. “We can no longer abide with racial inequality that is so evident in America.”

Upon arriving at the Courthouse several speakers addressed the crowd including Brown Grove Pastor Quinn Quinten, Richard Jackson, Norman Amos and Lard who asked the crowd to conduct an 8:42 second, silent prayer. The time frame was in reminder of how long that Floyd was pinned to the ground with the knee of an officer on his neck while he was begging for his life before finally succumbing.

Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson, who was one of several local dignitaries present also made a statement to news media in attendance.

“The President called today a good day and I do to” said Thompson. “I hope that these protests that are taking place all over the nation start real change. The reality is that in the past only words were spoken. The day for real action is here and must be taken.”

Fourteen arrests were collectively made by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jonesboro Police Department and Hodge Police Department from the period of June 1st – June 8th. Below are details of each.

1. Marcus D. Walker (Jonesboro, LA) – Theft of good under $1000.00
2. Angela L. Frith (Hodge, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
3. Tina M. Malone (Winnfield, LA) – Traffic Bench Warrant
4. Daivyan C. Holland (Jonesboro, LA)- Aggravated Assault with a firearm, Resisting arrest (x2), Discharging of a firearm in city limits, Simple criminal damage
5. William A. Barr (Quitman, LA) – Disturbing the peace
6. Tiffani Connor (Atlanta, LA) – First offense DWI, Possession of Schedule 1 drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
7. David Lewis (Eros, LA) – Speeding, Failure to use turn signal, Possession of Schedule 2 drug
8. Jaclyn A. Duncan (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant, Theft of goods
9. Lester Thompson (Jonesboro, LA) – Violation of a protective order
10. Felisha Baker (Ruston, LA) – Failure to appear, Possession of Schedule 2 drug
11. Kimberly Lewis (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant
12. Danneil Brown (Hodge, LA) – Resisting an officer
13. Heather Frith (West Monroe, LA) – Ouachita Parish Sheriff OfficeWarrant, Registration Exemption, No Insurance, Possession of Marijuana
14. Pete B. Trim (Eros, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery

By: Glynn Harris
Okay you can put away your shotgun, your bow, your deer rifle and squirrel gun for awhile. We’re about to kick off the month of June and there’s no hunting season open and won’t be for another couple of months at least.

After you get your hunting stuff put away, you can start concentrating on what’s going strong right now and that will keep you doing fun stuff in the outdoors. It’s time to put new line on your reels, check the line guides for nicks, be sure your tackle box is stocked with what you need for summer fishing. Get out there and do something about it.

A couple of years ago, I kicked off my warm weather fishing quite a bit later than I usually do. By this time in years past, I would have been to my favorite pond half a dozen times already but later than usual, I made my first trip to the honey hole.

Instead of toting a bucket of crickets around, I opted to go artificial all the way. My ultra-light rig was tipped with a tiny spinner bait while the heavier rig was armed with a wacky-worm, my favorite go-to rig for pond bass.

The morning started off just right; cloudy skies and no wind, no problem with sculling the boat and keeping it within casting distance of a bream bed I knew was there because it has been in the same location for years. Sure enough, every cast produced either a big bluegill or half a dozen bumps before the lure made it back to the boat.

Trying the bass, I had several that were intrigued by the funny looking wacky- worm, opening and closing like a two-ribbed umbrella.

Okay so you’ve already caught bream ‘til the world looks level and you’re looking for something else outdoorsy to do. What about catfishing? Our lakes are full of channel, blue and flathead catfish and you can be sitting down to a wonderful fish fry before the day is out if you want to give them a try.

First, let’s talk about the heavyweights of the catfish world. Keith Johnson, my son-in-law, is a serious big cat chaser, setting stump hooks and limb lines on Lake D’Arbonne for big flathead, or Opelousas, catfish.

“I look for water a little deeper and areas where stumps are clustered or maybe an isolated larger stump,” Johnson explained. “Some folks think you have to fish on the bottom but I catch most of my fish setting my lines around four feet deep. I catch more on dark nights and especially on stormy nights. One other thing is that your bait has to be lively or a flathead won’t touch it. I catch bream and use these for bait.”

If a big 50 pound catfish is not your cup of tea, what about channel catfish? Our lakes are teeming with big populations of eating-sized channels and they’re fun to catch.

The thing about these tasty little rascals is that they’ll bite just about anything so picking just the right bait is not all that important. If it’s stinky or slimy, so much the better.

Lots of anglers fish off the banks using night crawlers, cold worms or cut bait to catch channel catfish. However, a more exciting way to catch them, especially if you have youngsters along, is to go the “pool noodle” route. Simply stated, purchase several of the inexpensive foam pool noodles, cut them into sections one to two feet in length, tie your baited line on one end and toss ‘em in the water. Keep an eye and when one tips up and begins moving, you’ve got yourself a catfish.

One of the best baits for catching channel catfish is to purchase cheap grocery store wieners, cut them into chunks and let them soak overnight in a mixture of water laced with strawberry powdered drink and garlic powder. The cats just can’t leave these tasty tidbits alone.

Take your pick. Whether it’s bluegills on a neighborhood pond or catfish on the lake, now is the time to give ‘em a try.

It may not be the summer long season that youth baseball/softball players from Jackson Parish are accustomed to but at least they will get some playing time in. This is thanks to the Jackson Parish Recreation Department deciding to go forward with league games beginning June 29th. Practices started this past Monday, June 8th.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer summer league baseball/softball to the youth of our parish,” said Jackson Parish Recreation Department Director Tommy Smith. “I stress though that all precautions and safety measures recommended are followed in order that we can conduct the league play in a safe manner.”

Thanks to modern technology and a Police Chief who embraces the benefits of it the Jonesboro Police Department is receiving what is considered the most advanced training available. This past Sunday, June 7th, Jonesboro Police Chief James “Spike” Harris and his officers took part in the revolutionary “Street Smarts” virtual reality training program.

With the officers wearing the virtual reality headgear, each was presented with simulated situations that ranged from a traffic stop to handling a riot and required to act out how they would handle what could turn out to be life or death confrontations.

“Thankfully in a small community like we have our officers aren’t faced with as many life or death situations as takes place in a big city on a daily basis,” said Harris. “Still these issues arise and we must be prepared to handle them. Through the use of this program there is no scenario that we can’t practice on in order to be prepared as best as we can be.”

Pictured below: JPD Police Chief James “Spike” Harris (seated on left) monitors Officer Galen Arnold (right) during a virtual reality training program

Often times the courageous and heroic efforts of the brave men and women of our local Fire Departments get overlooked and taken for granted. Recently, were it not for their efforts, one Jackson Parish family would have lost not only their home but their many treasured possessions as well.

With heartfelt gratitude they convey a stirring tribute to the responders of the Jonesboro, Weston and Quitman fire districts that they felt needed to be recognized for their service to the area. Quite simply it couldn’t be said any better…..

“In the early hours of June 4, smoke began to fill our home and we were filled with terror. As we went through our house rescuing treasures from what we feared would be a terrible loss, we prayed to God to save our home.”

“Over and over we repeated that prayer to ourselves and God saw fit to be merciful to us. Not one, but THREE fire districts, responded to our 911 call. Within minutes our yard was filled with men and women who sole purpose in leaving the comfort and safety of their own homes was to come and try to save ours.”

“They did not come for public recognition. They came in response to some else’s need. They came because of their sense of duty. They came because they are brave and honorable. They came because they are heroes.”

“Early this past Thursday morning, the men and women of the Jackson Parish Fire Districts were OUR heroes. We can never thank them enough for their quick response to our call, their expertise and knowledge of firefighting and their selfless acts in responding to our needs.”

“We will always be grateful for their professional actions and personal compassion. We pray God will always bless them and protect each of them as they continue to protect us all.”

Joey and Debbie Pender

Citizens, black, white, brown and yellow, young and old, citizens from all faiths and walks of life, from all over the nation have watched with mixed emotions at the turn of events that have occurred over the past two weeks. We have seen peaceful protests and people of goodwill marching in unison calling America ‘s attention to the injustice suffered by African Americans for over four hundred years.

Unfortunately, and with deep regret we have seen events that did not represent the patriotic intentions, acts, or aspirations of civic minded people throughout the nation. More sadly, we have seen citizens of good will and intentions being rushed and trampled by the National Guard and the local DC police force so that President Trump could walk across the streets in front of the White House for a photo shoot while brandishing a closed Holy Bible upside down

The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota has not only sparked attention but has ignited a firestorm, one of which the nation has never seen before nor hopes to see ever again. This fire storm is not a new phenomenon because the flames did not begin on yesterday, its roots and sparking embers have their beginnings in the belly of a slave ship headed to the new world with a bounty of captured slaves, a horrible scene which is now part, parcel and legacy of America’s dark, inescapable and ugly history.

The events that have now erupted across the nation, i.e. the marches, the protests, the killing of unarmed African American citizens is a huge governing failure on the part of society and a foreshadowing of things to come if America fails to finally listen, respond, act upon the cries, pleas and demands of a neglected people who are weary, angry, have run out of patience and are feeling hopeless over a system of racism that has intentionally and deliberately disenfranchised them for much too long. Peaceful protestors are being heard worldwide, protester are heard chanting, no justice, no peace, justice for George Floyd, say their names, Black lives matter, these chants are a resounding refrain of an anthem that we want justice, we want peace, we want to be free from police brutality, we will not stop marching and protesting until we as a people can breathe again. These protesters are in search of “one America” one with liberty and order.

The fallout from centuries of injustice that characterizes the plight of millions of African American citizens, (the enduring pain and suffering, the cruelty and injustice, systematic discrimination, constant acts of violence and intimidation by law enforcement, and the police brutality that has and continues to visit upon and afflict African American communities) lay bare before the nation for the entire world to see America for what it truly stands for during a time of internal crisis, and has once again highlighted what can occur when there is a denial of America’s basic constitutional rights, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This denial has sparked national unrest and presented the nation with a dilemma and a challenge to get it right. America has reached a tipping point and is facing a predicament that it can no longer ignore or retreat and hide its dirty hands from. This dilemma is in the nation’s face, and the nation must confront and address this dilemma, or this dilemma will overtake and destroy this nation.

For centuries African American citizens with the assistance of the NAACP and other civil rights organizations have fought to outlaw the institution of slavery and racism which were sanctioned, condoned and promoted by local and national governments. These organizations have also fought to overturn Jim Crow Laws, outlaw discrimination and stop police brutality, halt economic and political oppression, and have fought to ensure that every American citizen has the right to vote in local and national elections. Citizens have assembled and protested in towns and city halls , descended upon state capitals, appeared before legislative bodies, walked the corridors of the United States Congress, gathered and petitioned the office of the President of the United States of America demanding that changes be made regarding the ill treatment of people of color.

Sadly, the pleas for help and the sounds of tired footsteps from years of protest and marching have gone ignored and the nation now has come face to face with the ghosts, senseless killings and deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Jamar Clark, Breonna Taylor, Dominique Clayton, Botham Jean, Stephon Clark, Michael Brown, Ezell Ford, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Travon Martin, Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and the list goes on The nation must face the fact that from 1980 to 2019 over 280 thousand African men and women have been killed in America, too many of which have been at the hands of law enforcement. By contrast roughly 58,000 men died in Vietnam. These killings magnify a long-standing need and obligation to address such a tragic ending and state of affairs in America.

While we have seen police chiefs across the country marching with and embracing protesters, kneeling and leading prayer vigils with protestors, and police chiefs apologizing for the past transgressions and brutality of police officers, it’s not enough. We were hoping to hear white evangelicals condemning their past sins for condoning and supporting systematic racism, but they have remained silent on the issues. While we have heard confessions from NFL commissioner Roger Gödel stating that it was wrong to punish professional football players for taking a knee when the national anthem is played, he now realizes that the controversy was not about the American flag but was all about race. Gödel has been on national television trying to offer words of comfort and to do damage control after Colin Kaepernick’ (who led a peaceful protest) professional football career was wreathed and laid to rest; it’s not enough.

While we have seen Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints one day condemning football players for kneeling while the national anthem is played, a few days later he too is on national TV weeping and crying, apologizing for his comments, stating that the he was sorry for what he said, weeping and trying to show that he is not a racist. Though Brees apologized, and his apology was accepted by many players, it’s not enough. Gödel and Brees both have come to the realization that two thirds of the players who make up the National Football League are African American. Fans have heard no comments from team owners regarding these apologies.

From all indications, President Trump hasn’t gotten there yet, especially when it comes to race issues when he in on national TV yelling “wouldn’t you like to fire all the sons of bitches”, hearing him at political rallies screaming; “would it be nice to hear National Football League owners throwing the sons of bitches out, hear them saying you are fired; at a rally touting throw him out, I will pay the doctor bill” Trump was heard saying in a speech addressed to African Americans, “What the hell, you live in rat infested cities, you have no jobs, what do you have to loose, and referring to third world countries, as S hole countries” Trump continues to flame the fires of racism and discontentment by threatening to line the streets of Washington D.C with 10,000 American soldiers from the military, have tanks rolling through the streets, paratroopers falling from the sky, with camouflaged Navy seals and green berets infiltrating ranks of peaceful protesters, erecting concrete barriers to fortify the White house from potential insurrection efforts, an act of desperation that was not taken even during the 911 terrorist attack on the nation. Wow!! These erratic epithets and unbridled comments make it sound and appear as though we are no longer living in a democracy or in the land of the free where citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully protest and petition the government. Thank God, finally cabinet officials including Attorney General Barr and the Secretary of Defense balked at the threat and (we are told) rebuked the President and the threat was not executed.

Because it’s not enough for a haphazard apology, police chiefs kneeling with protesters, the real need is to enact laws and provisions that will protect African American citizens from racial injustice, prejudice and violence. African Americans are calling upon legislative bodies throughout the country to speak up, act up, vote up and enact laws and measures that will stop the killing, laws that will protect African American citizens against the violence and hate crimes that are sweeping across the nation. Please vote to Protect African American citizens from police officers who are sworn to protect and defend all communities and all people. Such measures are needed to curtail and/or control the behavior of rogue white police officers who seemingly are bent on beating, terrorizing and killing African American citizens without any fear of retribution.

These events have caused us to call upon our elected officials to help to make a difference. We ask that you join in and become a force for change enacting legislation, swiftly passing statutes and laws that will eliminate deadly choke holds that have been exercised by police officers used to murder Eric Garner and now George Floyd. We ask you to carefully examine and establish ordinances that are designed to regulate the practices of police departments across the country. The nation’s entire justice system must be reformed and revamped once and for all so that the oppressive police practices exhibited toward American citizens will become a distant memory and that people of color will no longer have to live in fear of being unlawfully attacked, beaten or murdered by police officers.

We pray that the nation will join in and offer support to the African American community in this historical journey to make America free so that one day we can all sing together with conviction and meaning, America the beautiful, crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. We are encouraging every citizen to register to vote and get to the polls in November and vote, vote, vote.

Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is an associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, former President, Grambling State University Faculty Senate and former Chair, Department of Consumer Education and Resource Management, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

The Caney Lake Community Foundation (CLCF)would like to invite all to the Freedom Celebration on July 4th. Festivities start with a Flag Pole Dedication at 400 Spillway Road at 9am. The flag pole is being erected to honor those that are serving or have served our country.

If you are active military or a veteran please send an email to Caneylakefoundation@yahoo.com to reserve a seat for you at the Flag Ceremony. Lt. Governor Billie Nungusser will be conducting a welcome to everyone followed by a prayer and then the raising of the Flag.

The CLCF is excited to have this flag to honor those from Jackson Parish who dedicate their lives to serving our country. For more information go to http://www.caneylakecommunityfoundation.org or on Facebook at Caney Lake Community Foundation

For the football players and coaching staff at Jonesboro-Hodge High School fun times are here again. Well, that is if you consider toiling away for several hours a day in the grueling heat of the summer to get in shape for the upcoming fall season fun.

Over sixty hopefuls to make the team descended on Caldwell-Peacock Stadium this past Monday, June 8th for the first practice of the year and like any initial practice session it was anything but fun. Exciting to be back with your teammates – yes, but fun – not by a longshot.

“Overall I was pleased with the shape most of the guys were in,” said JHHS head football coach Terrance Blankenship. “You could tell that they guys have been away for a while though and we have a lot of work ahead of us to get them ready.”

Mark Ellen dreamed of being a rich and famous rock star, and fantasized about all of the perks that come with it. He realized that success would come from performing original material and not as a cover band. How hard could it be to write an album’s worth of material? Mark struggled to write a catalog of songs and after two weeks, he had a total of three songs. Mark recalled that he “thought they were classics and saw [himself] performing them in a halo of soft lighting.” The few people who heard the songs at Chilswell Road commune thought differently. Some members of the unimpressed crowd later told Mark to stick to the bass.

Adam Sharples, a rhythm guitar player and old friend of Mark’s, contacted Mark and told him that he was forming a cover band. He wanted Mark to play bass guitar. Adam told Mark that the name of the band was Ugly Rumours. “Why?” Mark asked. Adam explained that if you hold the Grateful Dead’s album From the Mars Hotel upside-down and look at it in a mirror, it spells the words “Ugly Rumors.” Since they were English, they adopted the English spelling, rumours. Still struggling to write original material, Mark relented and joined the cover band.

The Ugly Rumours quickly added band members. They had a lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer, harmonica player, but none of them were comfortable singing. They had heard about a guy named Charles Linton who had managed a band and sang in a few shows. They asked him to audition. Charles had just the look they were hoping to find. He had long hair, wore fringe, had a folk-rock look, was funny, well-organized, and started most sentences with the word ‘guys.’ Charles was the last member added to the Ugly Rumours.

Without so much as a proper rehearsal, the Ugly Rumours began performing in front of crowds. “Guys, guys,” Charles told the other band members following one show, “We’re okay and everything but we could be so much better if we rehearsed!” They played a few college balls and got paid very little money. This would not do. Charles suggested they headline a small tour that they, themselves, would organize. One evening in June, the Ugly Rumours readied for their top-billing performance at the Corpus Christi Alternative College Ball. They hired two bands to go on before them. To get attention, Charles and his bandmates hired a traditional jazz band comprised of musicians in their 40s, who wore striped blazers and straw hats, to open the show. To the surprise of the Ugly Rumours, the jazz band was a hit with the crowd. Mark recalled the shocking sight of long-haired hippie-type guys and girls who “hurled themselves about in riotous abandon.” The second act to play the show was a string quartet. They were well-received by the crowd as well. Would the crowd do the same for Ugly Rumours?

Finally, the Ugly Rumours took to the stage. The silence was broken by a familiar cowbell intro. The rest of the musicians joined in on the Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Women. Decades before Maroon 5 released the song Moves Like Jagger, Charles burst onto the stage doing his best Mick Jagger impersonation with “low-slung flares, bare midriff, one hand on a hip, the other wagging a cautionary finger, elbows flapping like a chicken.” The crowd, exhausted from dancing to the jazz band, was not impressed.

No matter how Charles and the rest of the band tried to stimulate the crowd, they were unmoved. Charles realized he would have to think quickly to gain the crowd’s attention. As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” In a moment of inspiration or desperation, Charles invited the string quartet to join them onstage. The other members of Ugly Rumours were just as shocked as the string quartet was. Everyone onstage was stunned when the crowd roared with delight. They cheered, not for the Ugly Rumours, but for the string quartet.

The Ugly Rumours never recorded an album, never sold out arenas, never played on any television shows, and never went much further than the Corpus Christi Alternative College Ball. Few people have ever seen the original lineup of the Ugly Rumours perform live because they played less than a dozen shows before disbanding.

A life of relative obscurity seemed to be their destiny. Well, not really. From 1982 to 1985, Mark Ellen was a presenter on BBC TV’s Whistle Test, and he became the founding editor of a British music magazine called Q. Adam Sharples spent forty years working in various directorial roles in British civil service. Charles also went into public service and kept his early foray into rock and roll somewhat quiet. In 2017, Charles Linton, the vocalist of the Ugly Rumours who had moves like Jagger declared, “When I was in the band, if we had had social media at that time, I would certainly not have been prime minister.” Charles and Linton were the middle names of Anthony “Tony” Blair.
Sources:

Mark Ellen, “If Blair Made You Cringe as the Pm, Read What He Was Like in My Student Rock Band: A Bare Midriff and Cuban-Heeled Cowboy Boots Are Just the Start,” Daily Mail, May 3, 2014, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4384328/Tony-Blair-says-social-media-killed-career.html.

Chris Pleasance, “Tony Blair Says He Would Never Have Been Pm If Social Media Had Been Around When He Was Younger to Expose His ‘highly embarrassing’ Behaviour,” Daily Mail, April 5, 2017, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4384328/Tony-Blair-says-social-media-killed-career.html.

Search for “Brad Dison’s Remember This” podcast based off the “Remember This” series, as seen in the Jackson Parish Journal.

It would be an understatement to say that Blake Alford had a couple of nice days on Caney Lake over the past weekend. As in two first place finishes in a pair of tournaments that netted him more money than most people make in a week. Below is Glynn Harris’s Fishing Report on some of our local waterways as well some pictures from the Caney Creek Total Weight and Hook’s Marina 3-Bass Blast Tournaments.

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been fair to good with tournament anglers doing pretty well over the weekend with some nice fish in the 7 and 8 pound range caught on Shaky heads and crank baits. Bream fishing continues to be good fishing the shallows with crickets and worms. Crappie are better at night around lighted piers using shiners for bait. Catfishing has been fair to good tight lining or using noodles baited with cold worms. For latest information contact Bateaux on Caney Lake at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

OUACHITA RIVER – A good many bream are being caught in the backwaters on crickets and worms. Crappie fishing has been best in the river south area and in the river lakes on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair in the mouth of the cuts. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass have been fair early mornings on topwater lures fished around grass and up the creeks around the grass on a variety of lures such as soft plastics, topwater lures and spinner baits. Crappie are on the flats and have been fair to good on shiners and jigs fished 8-10 feet deep in 12-14 foot deep water. Bream are around bedding areas and hitting crickets and worms around the lake. Catfishing has been good on set hooks baited with bream with lots of smaller channel catfish caught fishing off the banks with cold worms and night crawlers. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good especially at night fishing around lighted piers on shiners. Bass have slowed down a bit and have only been fair this week. Catfishing has been good on both trotlines and limb lines for flatheads with noodles and trotlines working on channel cats. Small bream are best baits to use for flatheads. The bream are biting worms and crickets just off the banks in 5 foot water. Stripers have improved with some caught around the piers on shad imitations. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.

Caney Creek Bass Club’s Total Weight Tournament (14 participants)
1st. Blake Alford & Nick LaDart – $560.00 (11 total fish weighing 28.49 lbs.
2nd. Jake Beach & Adam Comeaux – $308.00 (9 total fish weighing 19.07 lbs.)
3rd. Greg Williams & Joey Neatherland – $182.00 (5 total fish weighing 12.90 lbs.) $130.00 for fruit jar Big Bass – 5.25lbs
4th. Jim Dillard & Wade Weems $140.00 (3 total fish weighing 10.93 lbs.)
$140.00 -Big Bass of the Day – 6.85lbs

Hooks Marina Pro-Am 3 bass blast (19 participants
1st Place. Blake Alford – 11.12 lbs. & Big Bass 6.27 lbs.
2nd Place. Jerry Burlow & Danny Owen TW 8.81lbs
3rd Place. Wade Weems & Jim Dillard TW. 8.71lbs.

Here are also some good catches by Renee and Travis Hampton while enjoying the past weekend.

The Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) today announced the deadline for families to apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program has been extended one week, from June 8 to June 15.

June 15 is the final application deadline for the program. No further extension will be announced.

The agencies also today announced a slight delay in the timeline for mailed benefits for parents who applied between May 18 and May 25, during the program’s first week of applications. While the vast majority of P-EBT cards for this first group were expected to arrive in Louisiana mailboxes by the first part of this week, DCFS has been notified by its contractor that recipients should expect a delay of several days. Updates will be provided as they become available.

All Louisiana public schools and many non-public school facilities have been closed since March 16 as a result of the ongoing public health crisis. Under the federal P-EBT program, families of children in prekindergarten through 12th grade who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school may get financial assistance to replace those meals. This includes children who attend a Community Eligibility Provision school, at which all children receive free and reduced-price meals regardless of income.
These benefits, which total $285 per child, intend to cover 50 school days, from the onset of statewide school facility closures through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Parents who applied for free meals in May, after the P-EBT program was announced, will receive $91.20, which covers the cost of meals for 16 school days in May.

To date, applications have been submitted on behalf of 431,764 eligible children, or nearly 60 percent of all 729,507 eligible children. This is an increase from previously reported numbers, as the number of children eligible for the benefits has increased since the P-EBT program began.

P-EBT is separate from the more familiar Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, which is issued on a Louisiana Purchase EBT card to approved low-income households. The P-EBT card can be used to purchase the same eligible food for the household as can be purchased with a SNAP card. All SNAP families with qualifying students are also eligible to receive P-EBT benefits if they apply, and P-EBT also is available to non-SNAP families if they meet the P-EBT guidelines.

The P-EBT benefits do not compete with other school meals programs. Many public school systems, for example, continue to offer emergency school meals to children regardless of the child’s enrollment or income. Children can continue to access these meals, in addition to the P-EBT benefits.

The online application is simple, requiring only a name, address, school district and school. Social security numbers, while helpful, are not required. The information submitted by the family, however, must exactly match the information on file with the school system in order for the application to successfully submit.

Once families complete an application in the portal, the computer system will notify them of their successful submission. Upon verification, DCFS will then mail the household a P-EBT debit card loaded with a one-time benefit of $285 per child (or $91.20 per child for those parents who applied for free lunch in May).

Families who completed the application by May 25 will be the first to receive the cards. They are expected to arrive this week. Families who completed the application by June 1 should receive benefits by June 13. Those who complete the application by June 8 should receive benefits by June 19. Those who apply by the new June 15 deadline should receive P-EBT cards by June 26. Benefits are available for 365 days. The cards may be used at any store that accepts SNAP to buy SNAP-eligible food items.

Glen Roy Robinson February 10, 1932 – June 07, 2020

Mr. Glen Roy Robinson, age 88 of Danville, entered the portals of heaven June 7, 2020 following a period of declining health. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was a retired teacher. Glen Roy enjoyed spending time with his family and his friends and took great pride with his beautiful flowers.

There will be a walk-through viewing held Wednesday, June 10, 2020 5:00PM ~ 8:00PM at Edmonds Chapel. Funeral services will be held 11:00AM Thursday in the chapel with Reverend Randy Dark, Reverend Stuart Toms and Reverend Robert Leach officiating. Interment will follow in the Danville Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Billie Robinson; children, Toni Dark & Randy, Rita Plunkett & Quince, Klint Robinson & Autumn; grandchildren, Nicholas Dark & Allison, Miranda Arnold & Arlen, Lauren Dark, Carson Robinson, Georgia Lea Robinson; great-grandchildren, Micah Jackson, Alex Dark, Ava Bramstedt, Adriana Dark, Brahm Arnold; a host of nieces, nephews, other realtives and friends. Mr. Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, Homer & Eva (Allen) Robinson; brother & sister-in-law, Shelton & Faye Robinson; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Carson & Cecil Martin; brothers-in-law, Bobby Martin & Jackie, Benny C. Martin.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Mike Towns, Chuck Garrett, Randy Anderson, Robin fair, Nicholas Dark, Carson Robinson, Arien Arnold, Quince Plunkett. Honorary pallbearers are Matt Williams, Allen Robinson, Colvin Robinson, Justin Holt, Terry Howell, Jay Martin, Patrick Staggs, Bubba Martin, Jubal Cheatwood, Brad Martin, Sean Mauthe, Blaine Martin, Bannon Martin, Colby Bowman, Butch Garner, Mike Guillher, Joe Ferguson, Billy Wayne Pullig.

*** A Mask Will Be Required To Enter The Chapel For The Viewing Or The Funeral Service ***

Hazel Evelyn Jordan June 19, 1928 – June 08, 2020

Mrs. Evelyn Jordan, age 91 of Jonesboro, was escorted into heaven Sunday, June 8, 2020 after a lengthy period of declining health. Mrs. Jordan was a very bright and intelligent person who enjoyed life to the fullest. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and a friend to many. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

Graveside services will be held 10:30AM Wednesday at Ebenezer Cemetery, near Jonesboro, with Reverend Bill Strawbridge officiating. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Jordan; children, Nancy Alexander and husband Rodney, Judy Bell and husband Gary, Larry Allen, Rusty Allen and wife JoEllen; grandchildren, Jordon Shaffer and husband Jordan, Jaina Robinson and fiance Caden Thomson, Jackson Robinson, Jorgia Nalley, John Brooks Robinson, Jenna Lowe, Clayton Harper, Cannon Harper, Cason Harper, Brandon Bell, Owen Bell; sisters, Benola Robinson and husband Jerry, Velda Pennington and husband Russ; brothers, Homer Ponder and wife June, Edsel Ponder and wife Carolyn, Bill Ponder and wife Nancy; host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Jordan was preceded in death by her parents, Homer M. Ponder and Pearl McMillan Ponder; sisters, Beatrice Ayres, Jo Guffey, Louise Bott Tolar, Mabel Adams, Vera Edell Ponder, Era Estell Ponder; husbands, Jesse Sutton, Wayne Allen, John Templeton.

James Preston Pierce October 05, 1931 – June 03, 2020

Mr. James Preston Pierce, age 88 of Jonesboro, passed peacefully through Heaven’s gate on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. He was a lifelong member at Ebenezer Baptist Church. His family will always lovingly remember how he and his bride, Elaine loved to travel. He was very fond of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also found joy and took much pride in mowing and keeping his yard up. He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather. He proudly and faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Randy Pierce (Vicky), Janet P. Clements; grandchildren, LeAnn Jowers (Jarod), Jeremy Clements (Jessica), Jodi Peppers (Billy), Amber Kornegay (David); 14 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; sister, Doris Hudson; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine (Peel) Pierce; parents, Jesse H. and Annie (Hogan) Pierce; son in law, Wayne D. Clements; 4 siblings.

A graveside service was held on Sunday, June 7th at Ebenezer Cemetery with burial under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Ebenezer Building Fund.

Governor Jon Bel Edwards announced that the state will move into Phase 2 on June 5. The decision was made after consultation with OPH epidemiologists, as well as other health officials and professionals across the state. Phase 2 will provide for the following:

1. All businesses and organizations currently open at 25% capacity may expand to 50% capacity.
2. Casinos and video poker establishments may expand operations to 50% capacity and 75% of gaming positions, under the guidance established by the Gaming Control Board.
3. Massage establishments, tattoo parlors, and esthetic services may operate at 50% of the business’s capacity, and under the guidance established by their respective regulatory agency.*
4. Bowling alleys, skating rinks, pool halls may resume operation at 50% capacity.*
5. Bars that do not hold an LDH food service certificate may resume operation at 25% capacity with diminished standing room occupancy and under the guidelines applicable to restaurants.*
6. Arcades and children museums may resume operation at 50% capacity under a plan submitted to and approved by the State Fire Marshal.*
7. Outdoor playgrounds and play centers may resume operation.*
8. Amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, fairs, indoor children play centers, theme parks, and concert and music halls will remain closed during Phase 2.

Businesses in the bullets above noted with an asterisk were not open in Phase 1, but may resume operations as provided for in Phase 2.
According to information provided by the Jackson Parish Sheriff Office on June 2nd statistics locally are:

1. Positive cases tested – 161
2. Recovered – 45
3. Hospitalized – 2
4. Deaths – 13
5. Active cases – 103

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ)with the general public invited to attend will be held at 5:30 pm on Monday, June 8th at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center in Jonesboro. Jurors Todd Culpepper, Lewis Chatham, John McCarty, Amy Magee (President), Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans, Regina Rowe and Lynn Treadway are expected to be present.

The agenda will include discussion of the May 28th Finance Committee meeting, June 1st, Business Session as well as updates on the Road, Public Works, Emergency Preparedness and Maintenance Departments. Phase Two of the reopening of the state and how that effects the JPPJ will also be a topic of interest. The JPPJ asks those who choose to attend to practice safe procedures involving social distancing and other recommendations made when congregating with other people in a controlled environment.

In a broadcast aired by KNOE-TV Channel 8 in Monroe, LA on Monday, June 1st, it was learned that the state of Louisiana’s Auditor’s Office has released a report concerning the Town of Jonesboro. According to the state auditor’s website, an audit for fiscal year 2018 found the Town of Jonesboro may not have complied with the state’s public bid law for fuel purchases.

The audit also found inconsistent reading of meters, and late billing of customers, among other things. A letter from the mayor included in the audit shows the town is taking measures to rectify the findings. Click here to read the full Jonesboro report.

Thirteen arrests were made by the Jackson Parish Sheriff Office, Jonesboro Police Department and Hodge Police Department from 5/27/2020 – 6/2/2020. See below for detailed information.
1. Martavius Wyatt (Jonesboro, LA) – Second degree battery
2. Edward Wyatt (Hodge, LA) – Theft
3. Paul Listle (Jonesboro, LA)- Possession of stolen goods, Simple Burglary
4. Steven Martin (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse, Strangulation, Aggravated Battery
5. Jerald Dewayne Harris (Ruston, LA) – Criminal Trespass, Theft over $1500.00 (2 counts)
6. Richard J. Stewart (Jonesboro, LA) – EOS Warrant
7. Sandra Gland (Jonesboro, LA) – IWC
8. Ronnie Stringfellow (Jonesboro, LA) – Theft warrant (x2), Trespassing Warrant
9. Marcus D. Walker (Jonesboro, LA) – Theft of Goods under $1000.00
10. Angela L. Frith (Hodge, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
11. Tina Marie Malone (Winnfield, LA) – Traffic Bench Warrant
12. Daivyan Cortez Holland (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a firearm, Resisting Arrest (x2) Discharging a firearm within city limits, Simple Criminal Damage
13. William A. Barr (Quitman, LA) – Disturbing the Peace

An Eros teen is facing multiple charges after he allegedly captured images of a juvenile nude by leaving his cell phone recording in a bathroom. According to an arrest report for John Massey Jr., age 18, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office was contacted after the complainants learned Massey may have recorded a teen taking a bath. The juvenile discovered the phone pointed at the bathtub and was concerned it may be capturing footage.

The original complaint was made on March 24. Immediately after, the statewide stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 was issued. This delayed a full investigation. Per the warrant, all OPSO detectives were dispersed and placed on restrictive duty. The Family Justice Center was also closed, and no interviews were allowed due to social distancing. The phone was confiscated and stayed in custody until operations resumed.

On May 4, detectives returned to “somewhat normal operations” and scheduled an interview with the victim for May 11. Files were pulled from the phone on May 13, and deputies determined a video was recorded. Still images taken from the video were also found in the phone per the warrant. Massey was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on a charge of video voyeurism and pornography involving juveniles charge on Tuesday morning. Bail was set at $6,000, and the suspect has posted bond.

By: Glynn Harris

When I married and started a family, as a lover of all things outdoors I secretly hoped I’d become father to a little boy who I could watch follow in my footsteps learning to hunt and fish. It didn’t happen. Cathy came along first followed by Kayla.

As much as I wanted a boy, there is no way on God’s green Earth I could have been happier than watching these two do what little girls all pink and frilly do. Barbie Dolls, Betsy Wetsy, Donny Osmond, piano recitals as I watched them grow up to become beautiful and special young ladies both marrying quality young men.

But I never had a son.

Cathy and Kayla both wanted to please their outdoorsy dad and although they both gave it a good effort, Cathy even fighting a gag reflex as I coaxed her into hanging onto the hind legs of a squirrel I was skinning, it just wasn’t to be. I needed them to have a brother.

But I never had a son.

Later in my life I married Kay and she brought into our marriage, a 10 year old. Again, no little boys entered my life. Melissa tried, learning to love some of the outdoorsy things I loved like feeding and identifying song birds.

But I never had a son.

Somewhere along the way, a 13 year old kid found his way into my life. David was his name. He spent several summers with us and even attended Ruston High School for a time. I finally had a boy with which to invest my love for the outdoors.

What a thrill is was to watch David following in my footsteps in the outdoors. I was with him when he shot his first squirrel. He and I high-fived when he downed his first deer. I showed him where to cast his lure when he hooked and landed his first bass. He buddied up with a kid his age who introduced him to even more outdoors stuff. That young man, Keith Johnson, is now my son-in-law; he married my Kayla.

Time passed, David grew up and married and was dad to two youngsters, a son and daughter. We kept in touch but our man-boy experiences became fewer and farther between.

A few years ago, a painful sensation behind David’s eye became bothersome and when he finally decided to have a doctor check on it, he found cancer that had spread and was making its slow but certain and inoperable path to his brain, eye, face and throat. Doctors told him he had maybe a couple of years to live.

Last year, David and I rekindled our special relationship that involved our mutual outdoors interest. Confined to his apartment in Hot Springs Village, AR, he mounted a trail camera out back to take advantage of the wood lot behind his apartment. Spreading corn in clear view of his camera, deer were attracted to the corn and for more than a year, he sent me and I responded to images of bucks with no antlers, then bucks sprouting new antlers and ultimately bucks with sets of hardened antlers repeating the process again this spring.

The last deer photos he sent me last week were dated May 21 and after commenting on the photo, David added, “I’m having to take tons of pain meds and can hardly swallow. AJ (his son) is coming back this afternoon and Kristi (his daughter) will be here Friday. I can’t do much for myself.”

Four days later, on May 25, David was gone. He had assured me he already made peace with his Maker and expressed his upcoming death in the way only the die-hard LSU fan he was might do.

“It’s Gods call now. He’s the Umpire Crew Chief and I’m ready when he calls. Like LSU baseball players at the start of the game, when the Umpire calls, I will come running, my heart full of joy!”

No, I never had a son but I had David, and that’s good enough for me.

CORE volunteers, workers and local activists gather to rebuild Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Jonesboro, one of the two black churches destroyed by arsonists in January 1965. Of note shown are(l-r) 1st on front row: Alvin Culpepper; 3rd – Charlie Fenton (CORE); 4th- Rev. E. H. Houston (church pastor). Second row, fifth from left, Cathy Patterson (CORE). Top row, fourth from left, Ronnie Moore (CORE). In the doorway, left to right, Mike Lesser (CORE) and Jonesboro residents Eddie Scott, Lee Gilbert, and Freeman Knox. (Source: Photo courtesy of the Ronnie Moore Papers, Amistad Research Center, New Orleans, LA)

On a July night in Jonesboro in 1964, the rumble of engines encroached on a quiet, black neighborhood then known as “The Quarters.” As residents stepped out onto their porches, they observed a line of cars—maybe 50 in all—with two to four men in each vehicle, their faces covered by white hoods.
As the Ku Klux Klan motorcade paraded through the neighborhood the intruders jeered and cursed. In their wake, sheets of paper fluttered through the air before settling onto the unpaved road. Once the cars moved on, neighbors gathered the litter from the streets. The KKK leaflets threatened retaliation if African-Americans engaged with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), a civil rights group that assisted black communities with voter registration and integration of public facilities.

CORE arrived in Jonesboro earlier in this “Freedom Summer” of 1964. The activists busied themselves organizing voter registration drives from within the confines of black churches. They also joined demonstrations to desegregate public accommodations, such as the restaurants and the community swimming pool. CORE’s presence, as well as the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, moved racial tensions to a new height.

Alarmed by the motor parade and the threat against CORE some residents ran back to their homes to defend their property, while another group headed to the Freedom House, CORE’s lodging, and stood guard until daylight. The next day hundreds of black residents crammed wall-to-wall onto the second floor of their Masonic Hall building, the KKK leaflets clenched tight into their fists.

One attendee at this meeting was Rev. Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick. Named after the abolitionist, Kirkpatrick was a force in both stature and ambition. He stood tall at 6-feet-4-inches and weighed 260 pounds. Formerly a football star at Grambling University, Kirkpatrick in 1964 was the gym and football coach at Jackson High School, the segregated black school in Jonesboro. The students nicknamed him “Boogie Chillen” because he carried his guitar around the school and played songs during classroom breaks.

This birth of the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Louisiana came at a time when Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was preaching non-violent civil disobedience. However, Klan violence against black neighborhoods in rural areas like Jonesboro was ramping up with frequent cross burnings, arsons, harassment and murder. Armed self-defense seemed like the only option, and the Deacons may have been the first, and certainly became the largest, group in Louisiana to espouse this view.

Six months after the Masonic Hall meeting, in January 1965, Jonesboro CORE Representative Charles Joseph Fenton advised an FBI agent of the establishment of the Deacons. For the first time, the organization was on the radar at the bureau, which was closely monitoring Klan activities. A young, white New Yorker thirsty to make a difference, Fenton had taken on the role as liaison between CORE and the Deacons.

Fenton explained that the Deacons had “purposes much the same” as CORE. However, according to an FBI summary of the interview, Fenton also said the group was “more militant than CORE and that it would be more inclined to use violence in dealing with any violent opposition encountered in civil rights matters.” He added that armed Deacons patrolled and defended the black section of Jonesboro at night.

In March 1965, according to FBI files, a United Klans unit from Monroe arrived in Jonesboro with plans to retaliate against civil rights activists wanting to integrate the white high school. Local Klansmen sometimes asked out-of-town units to handle certain projects. Targeted in Jonesboro were the black high schools, CORE headquarters and black neighborhoods.
When the Monroe Klansmen made it to Jonesboro, they were greeted by three police officers, including the sheriff, who warned them to abandon their project because the FBI was aware of their plans. Also alerted was James Malcolm Edwards, a chiropractor in Jonesboro, who was named Grand Dragon (or statewide president) of the Louisiana Realm of the United Klans of America in late 1964.

In late February 1965, shortly before the Deacons filed formal papers with the Louisiana Secretary of State to become a nonprofit organization, Kirkpatrick and other members of the Jonesboro group visited Bogalusa. Deacon’s Vice President Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas, as well as Fenton and another CORE activist, William Yates, also went to Washington Parish. There, they met with the Bogalusa Voters and Civic League. Their discussion centered on establishing a Deacons chapter in Bogalusa, the second of what would become four chapters in Louisiana.

According to FBI records, officers who served the Jonesboro Deacons were Percy Lee Bradford, president; Earnest Thomas, vice-president; Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, secretary; Cosetta Jackson, treasurer; and Allen Scherrah, financial secretary. Members included Henry Collins Amos, Otis Martin, Olen Satcher, Elton Lee Patterson, Charlie White, Elmo Jacobs, Harvey Barnes, Edd Barnes, Jesse Lewis, Rudolph Patterson, Hose Barnes, W. C. Flanagan, J. B. Bolds, John Jackson, Johnny Bonier, Asper Reed, Frank Bolds, Joseph Doyle, Edgar Joe, Harvey Johnson, Rev. Sanders Thompson and Army Johnson.

Good food and even better fun will be had on Saturday, June 13th at the 4th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off and Caney Crafters Festival. The event will be held at Hook’s Marina located at 400 Spillway Road on Caney Lake and is sponsored by the Caney Lake Community Foundation.

Prizes will be awarded for the 1st -3rd place Cook-Off winners as well as People Choice Prizes. Cooking will begin at 6:30 am with the judging to take place at 12 noon. Tasting bowls and sample cups will be sold at a cost $1.00 for sample cups and $5.00 for bowls. To-go Quarts will also be available if desired. Booths set up will begin at 7:00 am with the public able to make purchases from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Additional activities include Cake/Toy Walk for the kids that will run from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm along with snow cone sales and music throughout the day. Rules and entry forms for both the Cook-Off and booth spaces can be found on the Caney Lake Community Facebook page, Hook’s Marina and Bateaux’s.

Tennis anyone? The Jackson Parish Recreation Board (JPRB) agreed to allow the Riley Company of Louisiana in Ruston, LA to advertise for the tennis court project underwritten by a Land Water Conversation Grant and take quotes on the back concession building during the May 18, 2020 regular monthly meeting held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center.

The moves highlighted the meeting of Board members Brent Barnett (President), Ricky Cash, Jeff Hairston, Brandon Lamkin, Rodney Potts, Sullivan Stevens and Chris Womack who also heard from several interested parties from the area as well as learning five new scoreboards were in and ready to be installed.

The meeting opened with President Barnett calling for public comments where Ben Ledbetter of the Jackson Parish Journal first talked about possible advertising ventures for the Jackson Parish Recreation Department (JPRD).

Mr. Fred Tolar next spoke to the Board about rules, out of parish playing and drinking at the Golf Course followed by Mr. Todd Culpepper – District 1 Police Juror thanking the Board for all they have done for the children of Jackson Parish.

A cooperative endeavor agreement with the Village of Hodge for 32 yards of wood fiber and 22 six foot borders in the amount of $6,716.00 was then unanimously approved followed by Mr. Steven Gatlin talking about the regulations and restrictions involved with the re-opening of the sports complex.

JPRD Director Tommy Smith was then afforded the discretion to make all decisions about when the baseball/softball season would open based on Governor Jon Bel Edwards plan for Phase Two of the reopening of the state.

Ongoing programs regarding baseball, softball, archery and the graduation ceremonies for Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman and Weston High School that was held on May 26th-28th at the JPRD were discussed along with an update on activities at the Golf Course that included membership information and banquet rentals.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 12:00 PM (noon) on June 15th to be held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center in Jonesboro.