When Quitman High “ten run” ruled Simsboro and Choudrant this past Thursday and Friday they reached one goal that was set at the beginning of the season – win the District 2B championship. Now they set their sights on an even bigger prize, but will have to wait for about a month to go after a state title as in an unusual scheduling quirk the regular season is only about halfway done. In the meantime, the 4th ranked Lady Wolverines according to Geaux Preps looks to continue their powerful season long performance that has led them to more wins than anyone in Class B and the most in all of northeast Louisiana, regardless of classification. The baseball team also won twice to extend their season best winning streak to five games before dropping a game while the Weston boys and girls went in the other direction.  The Lady Wolves dropped three of four and the boys lost one late that gave them their first two game losing streak of the year. Neither Jonesboro-Hodge team played. 

Quitman 16 Choudrant 1 (Friday) – Averie Williams followed up a career best on the bases with her game of the year at the plate by going 4/4, driving in 3 runs, stealing 3 bases and scoring twice to help pace Quitman to the district 2B title in undefeated fashion. She also had lots of help. Skylar Hall and Cali Deal had three hits apiece and Maggie Guyotte scored three and reached base three times including smashing her fourth home run of the year. Jada Naron got into the act with a double and two RBI and Madison Chaplin stole three bases and scored twice. Emily Borland scored two runs as well. Deal was also dominant on the mound, where she struck out 13 and allowed no earned runs to up her record to a stellar 8-3 on the year. Quitman pounded out 13 hits as a team and scored in all five innings they batted with the big blow being seven runs scored in the top of the fourth that blew the game open in the battle between the two top ten Class B teams.

	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Quitman (15-5, 3-0)	2	1	4	7	2	16	13	1
Choudrant (10-6, 2-1)	0	0	1	0	0	1	4	3

WP – Deal (8-3), LP – n/a
2B – Deal, Naron
HR – Guyotte
RBI – Williams 3, Hall 2, Naron 2, Brymer, Guyotte, Huckaby
SB – Williams 3, Chaplin 3, Grilette, Hall, Vail

Quitman 17 Simsboro 2 (Thursday) – Madison Chaplin got two hits including her fourth homer of the year and scored four runs and Maddie Kaye Brymer knocked in three and scattered four hits without allowing an earned run to win her third of the year against no defeats. Skyler Hall also came up big with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, Jada Naron go 2 hits, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases, Cali Deal hit a double, scored twice, drove in 3 and stole three bases. All of that failed in comparison though to the team best and career high, six stolen bases by Averie Williams, who drew three of the 11 walks Quitman received and scored three runs. As a team Quitman stole a season best 14 bases. Five runs in the second and third inning followed by six in the fourth ended the contest per the “mercy rule.”

	1	2	3	4	R	H	E
Simsboro (7-7, 0-2)	0	0	0	2	2	4	4
Quitman (14-5, 2-0)	1	5	5	6	17	7	2

WP – Brymer (3-0), LP – n/a
2B – Deal
HR – Chaplin
RBI – Brymer 3, Hall 3, Deal 2, Naron 2, Vail, Chaplin
SB – Williams 6, Deal 3, Naron 2, Borland, Chaplin, Hall, Roberts

Weston 8 Hornbeck 6 (Friday) – Weston raced out to an 8-3 lead and then threw a runner out at home to preserve the victory with the tying runs on base to stop and four game slide and win their fourth of the year. Mallory Tolar scattered five hits and gave up 3 earned runs over 7 innings to earn her first victory of the year. Weston took an early 4-0 lead in the second when Tolar and Audry Welch reached on two of the eight errors Hornbeck made that sandwiched a single by Jacie Ledford and a Mary Catherine Hay fielders choice that was followed by a Lexi Barmore double. Welch, Josie Irvin, Barmore, Emma Kate McBride, Taylor Chatham and Tolar all reached base in consecutive at bats in the sixth inning that scored what turned out to be three decisive runs.  

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Hornbeck (2-7)	0	0	2	0	0	1	3	6	5	8
Weston (4-10)	0	4	0	1	0	3	x	8	9	3

WP – Tolar (1-3), LP – n/a
2B – Barmore, McBride
RBI – Barmore, Chatham 2, Welch 2, Ledford, McBride
SB – Chatham, McBride

Choudrant 21 Weston 11 (Thursday) – The Lady Wolves scored nine runs in the top of the fifth to get within one after spotting Choudrant a ten spot but seven in the bottom half of the inning by the Lady Aggies and four more in the fifth ended the district 2B game via the “ten run” rule. Macie Hall got three hits, one which was her second homerun of the year, knocked in a pair and scored twice while Taylor Chatham chipped in with 2 RBI, 2 RS. Audry Welch also got two hits and knocked in a pair. Weston outhit the Lady Aggies 12-9 as every starter got a hit. Martin hit three doubles and knocked in four runs to lead Choudrant offensively. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Weston (3-10, 0-2)	0	0	0	0	9	2	11	12	5
Choudrant (10-5, 2-0)	5	3	1	1	7	4	21	8	2

WP – Bennett, LP – Aldy (0-2)
2B – Martin 3, Ledford, Goss
HR – Hall
RBI – Martin 4, Goss 3, Chatham 2, Hall 2, Welch 2, Barmore, Hay, Tolar, Smith, Johnson, Plyant
SB – Bennett 2, Barmore, Chatham, McBride, Guillotte

Quitman 15 Florien 6 (Thursday) – In a possible future playoff matchup #10 Quitman scored four in both the fourth and fifth innings to take down #9 Florien in their first game of the St. Mary’s baseball tournament in Natchitoches. Ty Simonelli (3 RBI, 2 SB, 2B, RS) and Riley Duck (2 RBI) had three hits while Luke Morgan (2B, SB) scored four and Ian Tilley (2B) three runs as did Cam Hollis, who also stole 3 bases and knocked in a run. Kyler West (2 RS) and Jordan Vail (2 RBI, RS) also got two hits. Logan Ponder went five innings to earn the win. With the game tied at one, Vail got a hit, West got hit, Hollis hit a single, Morgan walked and Simonelli got a single to give Quitman a 5-1 lead. With two out in the fifth West singled to score Tilley who doubled, Hollis walked, Morgan singled and Simonelli doubled as Quitman upped the lead to 9-2. After Florien plated four in the bottom of the sixth to draw to within three, Quitman batted around to plate five with Hollis, Simonelli, Joshua Smith, Vail and Duck all getting hits. As a team the Wolverines pounded out 17 hits and took advantage of four Florien boots. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Quitman (10-4)	0	0	1	4	4	1	5	15	17	3
Florien (8-5)	0	0	1	1	0	4	1	6	7	4

WP – Ponder, LP – n/a
2B – Simonelli, Duck, Morgan, Tilley
RBI – Simonelli 3, Duck 2, Vail 2, Hollis, Ponder, Smith
SB – Hollis 3, Simonelli 2, Morgan, Ponder

Quitman 12 Montgomery 2 (Saturday) – It was back to back four spots once again, this time in the third and fourth innings that broke open a 2-2 game and lift Quitman to their season best fifth straight victory in the second game of the St. Mary’s tourney. Logan Ponder went 4/4 and scored three runs while Ian Tilley (3 RBI, 2 RS, SB) and Luke Morgan (3 RS, 2 SB) got two hits apiece. Jordan Vail also had a big day with three stolen bases and two RBI. Ty Simonelli scored twice. Cam Hollis got plunked followed by Morgan, Ponder and Tilley getting singles to give Quitman a 6-2 advantage after three before Quitman added four more with two outs via walks to Morgan, Simonelli and Tilley accompanied by singles by Ponder, Smith and Vail. Ian Tilley got the win in relief of Riley Duck with four innings of one hit and no run ball. Quitman got ten hits and stole ten bases.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Quitman (11-4)	2	0	4	4	1	1	12	10	3
Montgomery (3-8)	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	4

WP – Tilley, LP – n/a
RBI – Tilley 3, Vail 2, Smith, Simonelli
SB – Vail 3, Morgan 2, Hollis 2, Simonelli, Ponder, Tilley 

Downsville 5 Weston 4 (Thursday) – Downsville pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the sixth when the batter reached first after striking out, went to third on a single and scored on a groundout to send Weston to their first two game losing streak of the year. The Wolves had tied it a four in the fifth after squandering leads twice in the game when Kaden Shirley scored on a Cooper Delaney groundout after stroking a one out double and moving to third on a passed ball. Weston opened the game by taking a two run lead when Davis Tolar doubled in both Bryce Zehr and Shirley who had walked. Zehr scored in the third to give Weston a 3-2 lead after reaching on an error and Davis hit a ball to second that was booted after Shirley had singled. Delaney, the third Weston pitcher on the day, took the loss. Weston managed only three hits, two by Shirley who also scored two runs as did Zehr. Davis had two RBI and stole 2 bases

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Weston (4-3)	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	4	3	1
Downsville (9-4)	2	0	2	0	0	1	x	5	8	3

WP – n/a, LP – Delaney
2B – Shirley, Tolar
RBI – Tolar 2
SB – Tolar 2, Theriot

Elizabeth 12 Weston 8 (Saturday) – Weston out hit Elizabeth 10-7 and had ten runners reach base via errors but grabbed defeat out of the jaws of victory by stranding 11 base runners in the opending game of the Grace Christian softball tournament held at Cabrini Field in Alexandria. The killing blow came in the third when six walks and an error that combined with four hits, including a home run led to nine Elizabeth runs in the third inning. Down 12-3 the Lady Wolves made a furious rally by scoring two in the sixth and three more in the bottom of the seventh on EmmA Kate McBride’s three run dinger but left two runners on base in each. Lexi Barmore gave Weston a 1-0 first inning lead with leadoff home run that went to 2-0 after two when Audry Welch singled and scored on back to back Elizabeth errors on balls hit by Josie Irvin and Barmore. Mallory Tolar took the loss. Welch, Taylor Chatham and Welch got two hits apiece

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Elizabeth (8-6)	0	0	9	2	1	0	0	12	7	10
Weston (4-11)	1	1	1	0	0	2	3	8	10	4

WP – n/a, LP – Tolar (1-4)
HR – Barmore, McBride
RBI – McBride 3, Barmore, Welch, Hall

Bunkie 20 Weston 1 (Saturday) -Kara Tims will always remember this game as the one where she got the first hit of her varsity career. Don’t blame her if in time she forgets the outcome as the way it turned out the final score was one that she and the Lady Wolves would rather forget. Nine walks, four hit batters and seven Weston errors in the first three innings led to the easy Bunkie victory in the Lady Wolves second game of the Grace Christian Softball Tournament in Alexandria. There was one other bright spot in the worst loss of the year, that being Macie Hall’s team leading third home run and 16th RBI of the season that came in the second inning. Taylor Chatham got the other Weston hit. 

	1	2	2	R	H	E
Bunkie (6-8)	7	5	8	20	7	0
Weston (4-12)	0	1	0	1	3	7

WP – n/a, LP – Hay
HR – Hall
RBI – Hall

St. Mary 9 Quitman 2 (Saturday) – It was just one of those “total team tank” days. The fielders couldn’t catch, the pitchers couldn’t throw strikes and the batters couldn’t get hits when they needed them. The result was eight errors, nine free passes given by three pitchers and only six hits, three of those coming in the sixth inning when the Wolverines were already down by eight runs. The loss brought to a screeching halt the season best five game winning streak and dropped the Wolverines to 11-5 on the season while the 7th ranked team in Division IV in the latest LHSAA power rankings and tournament host improved to 13-4 and 2-0 against Quitman this season. Even the only good storyline of the game for Quitman came the hard way, that being when Luke Morgan got hit by a pitch for the area leading, ninth time to open the sixth inning where the Wolverines scored their only two runs. Ian Tilley and Joushua Smith, who took the loss, got an RBI each.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Quitman (11-5)	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	6	8
St. Mary (13-4)	1	2	2	3	0	1	x	9	4	0

WP – Williams, LP – Smith
RBI – Smith, Tilley

Four items were on the agenda of the Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) Finance Committee, which met in the Sunshine Room of the JPPJ Administration Building on Friday, March 19th. In the first order of business committee members: Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans (Chairperson), Amy Magee and John McCarty heard a presentation from Enterprise Fleet Management about cost savings for leasing and maintenance programs. This was followed by a review of the month-to-date budget vs. actual, POs, budget amendments and fund reviews. Discussion took place next on a letter of request from the Jackson Parish Library and plans and strategies for the Solid Waste Department. All recommendations are to be brought forward to the entire Police Jury at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 12th.  

With all three Jackson Parish high schools using the recreation department sports complex on Hwy 4E for the majority of their baseball and softball games, the Jackson Parish Recreation Board (JPRD) opted to expand the parking areas by agreeing to purchase 630 tons of rock. In a corresponding move the JPRD moved to request assistance from the Jackson Parish Police Jury to spread the rock. The action was taken during the March 1st meeting that was held at the Jackson Parish Golf Course Banquet Room.

In an additional move board members: Brent Barnett (President), Ricky Cash, Brandon Lamkin, Sullivan Stevens and Chris Womack voted to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing employee policy manual, compensatory time for salaried employees and pay increase for full-time employees. Jeff Hairston and Rodney Potts were absent. Upon returning it was voted to amend the Personnel Policy Manual to remove sentence, “Currently, all employees other than the recreation director are classified as non-exempt employees,” under non-exempt employees on page five of the manual. Further results was the decision there is no compensatory time for salaried employees and that the board will examine the budget for salaries for the year and then determine what pay raises will be given at the next board meeting.

After President Barnett called the meeting to order and opened the floor to public comments, which there was none, Mr. Paul Riley, engineer, gave board update on the golf course cart shed followed by the board agreeing to hire Riley Company of Louisiana, Inc. to design 60’ x 100’ with 20’ lean-to metal golf cart storage building. JPRD Director Tommy Smith then gave board update on some of the ongoing programs at the sports complex including basketball, baseball/softball, archery/shooting range and storm damage, as well as, an update on the golf course including membership, tournaments, Tuesday Night Scramble, 1st Youth Scramble and Youth Golf Clinic.

 

On your mark….Get set… and on this coming Friday, March 26th  it will be a GO for the three Jackson Parish High Schools as Jonesboro-Hodge, Weston and Quitman will open their track and field season at the Quitman Relays. Also competing in the nine team field will be boys and girls teams from: Choudrant, Converse, St. Mary’s of Natchitoches, Simsboro, Winnfield and D’Arbonne Woods, leading to a promise of exciting and entertaining action. Field events are expected to start around 3:00-3:30pm with track events starting about one and a half hours later. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. See below for the track and field meet schedules for all three of the parish schools. 

Jonesboro-Hodge:

DATE	MEET
March 26	Quitman Relays
April 1	Woodlawn Relays (Shreveport)
April 9	Llewellyn Starks Invitational (JHHS)
April 16	Sterlington Relays
April 23	District 1-2A Meet @ Lakeside High (Sibley)
April 27	Class 2A Regionals @ Red River (Coushatta)
May 7	Class 2A State Meet @ LSU (Baton Rouge)

Quitman and Weston High:

DATE	MEET
March 26	Quitman Relays
April 9	Castor Relays
April 15	Choudrant Relays
April 21	District 2B Meet @ Choudrant
April 27	Class B Regionals @ Castor
May 6	Class B State Meet @ LSU (Baton Rouge)

An age old adage in sports is “You wins as a team, You lose as a team.” What that means is that everyone that is part of a team plays an important role. It is common to think that the person who scored the most points was most important to their teams success but there are many ways that a player makes contributions. To name a few is a players rebounding and passing skills, defensive play, hustle, being a “coach on the floor” or simply just showing others how to be a team player.  Some of these areas can be measured through statistics, while others can’t. The only statistic that was kept in the JPRD Youth league games were points so below is a listing the total points scored by every single player from every single team. This is being identified with the understanding that no matter how many or few points were scored during the season every single player that competed was a important to their team and deserve recognition for their total contribution. 

Age 5 & 6 League (Boys and Girls)

Bulls	Pelicans	Warriors	Lakers
Jagger Ingram – 40	Adeline Anderson – 34	Eli Stringer – 37	Bentley Hall – 27
Koplen Taylor – 36	Ainsley Bougues – 28	Andrew Seymore – 11	Maddox Naron – 20
Kutter Blalock – 33	Jacob Toms – 10	Hudson St. Clair – 8	Kylee Ann Allen – 5
Maddox Graham – 16	Braxton Lawson – 6	Mason Greer – 5	Braxten Theriot – 4
Carter Greer – 15	Grant Williams – 5	Jasper Owen – 4	Brantley Tucker – 4
Savannah Porter – 10	Jaylee Hough – 5	Hinley Hall – 3	Isaac Sessions – 3
Clay Burton – 6	Natalie Sullivan – 3
River Waggoner – 4

Age 6 & 7 (Boys and Girls)

Hawks	Jazz	Magic	Blazers
Bentley Ponder – 51	Caiden Jackson – 39	Kash Gandy – 26	Samone Mallard – 57
Jace Reed – 26	Jaxen Culpepper – 33	Hannah Aldy – 23	Elliot Savage – 25
Jase Tinsley – 20	Knyleigh Leach – 26	Antley Wright – 13	Caleb Robinson – 8
Aiden Reed – 18	Emerson James – 19	Kaine Stassen – 7	Cooper Roton – 6
Ryder Pardue – 7	Parkey Nomey – 14	Karrigan Gandy – 4	Dallas Stringer – 1
Lizzie Sullivan – 4	Ella Simonelli – 14
Brooklyn Keiffer – 3

Age 9 & 10 (Girls)

Mystics	Sparks	Storm
Kinsley Ponder – 36	Bailey Tinsley – 9	Jalynn Jiles – 81
Syla Malone – 17	Allie Robertson – 8	Braelyn Patton – 26
Rachel Bandy – 12	Lily Duck – 7	Hallay Taylor – 10
Maggie Wall – 9	Skylar Lamkin – 6	Skyleigh Webb – 5
Klea Blalock – 8	Demie McCurdy – 5	Teegan Hall – 4
Sophia Kliebert – 8	Annalise Bougues – 4	Emma Kate Toms – 3
Raeleigh Medaries – 6	Avery Hasley – 2	Anna Pardue – 3
Allie Fenn – 6	Julie Ford – 1	Madeline Hodnett – 3
Teyton Naron – 3

Age 9 & 10 (Boys)

Rockets	Grizzlies	Kings	Raptors
Kobie Williams – 63	Joseph Delaney – 57	Hayden Seymore – 38	Bryce Tolar – 36
Eli Henderson – 22	Ryder Gray – 26	Noah Spillman – 16	Jameon Jefferson – 10
Quantavious Campbell – 18	Asher Burns – 17	Brody Tucker – 8	Leyton Younse – 7
Mason Thomas – 17	Jayden Burns – 10	Spencer Strickland – 8	Ayden Watkins – 4
Jasen McNeil – 12	Tucker Wallis – 3	Luke Sims – 8	Andrew Watkins – 1
Luke Rowe -8	Jake Moak – 3	Damon Whitman – 1
Eli Rowe – 1	Carson Savana – 1

Age 11 & 12 (Girls)

Liberty	Dream	Wings
Anna Claire Leach – 49	Emma Walker – 23	Hallie Kate Pullig – 13
Jada Conner – 38	Ava Caskey – 20	Taylor Borland – 8
Ralei Bradford – 13	Breelyn Boone – 10	Carlynn Waters – 7
Carly Jo Griffin – 10	Jaidon Venzant – 6	Brenna Lamkin – 5
Abby Martindale – 7	Briley Jones – 3	Lily Jones – 5
Avery Watson – 3	Sanaa Tatum – 2	Allison Morgan – 1
Makayla Hodnett – 3	Lanee Cheatwood – 2	Megan Walker – 1
Jana Potts 3	Evie Hasley – 2
Brooklyn Brown – 2	Morgan Cheatwood – 1

Age 11 & 12 (Boys)

Warriors	Lakers	Bulls	Spurs
Taden Thomas – 68	Asher Schultz – 71	Brayden Martin – 64	Larsen Thomas – 48
Ty Henderson – 30	D.J. Palmer – 50	Shane Reed – 54	Brody Tidwell – 47
Christopher Harrell – 27	Elijah Jackson – 33	Remy Kennard – 15	Jackson Bougues – 27
Rylan Reynolds – 20	Caden Jackson – 16	Gunner Fontenot – 11	Jackson Thomas – 17
Brody Toms – 10	David Gandy – 14	Roman Strickland – 2	Matthew Odom – 4
Mason Howard – 8	Braedyn Turner – 6	Corbin Ussery – 2	Scout Johnson – 2
Gunner Younse – 6

Age 13 & 14 (Boys)

Timberwolves	Celtics	Pelicans
Noah Leach – 60	Brayden Smith – 51	Bryce Zehr – 72
Jacob Gill – 33	Skylar Strickland – 44	Sawyer Watkins – 41
Tyler Pardue – 25	Jude Otwell – 44	Payton Nomey – 34
Walker Medaries – 14	Cole Tolar – 14	Brock Henderson – 18
Kace West – 7	Peyton Joiner – 8	Case Sims – 7
Mason Delaney – 3	Cash Ussery – 6	Jeremiah Jefferson – 4
Caden Brown – 3	Nicholas Kliebert – 4	Duke Tew – 3
Shelby Perot – 2

Jeff Simmons, head guru of Simmons Sporting Goods in Bastrop told me that based on results from that establishment’s annual Big Buck Contest, this was a record year for big bucks taken in Louisiana. I’d have to agree that something special was going on in the woods during deer season 2020-21. I featured 48 of the most impressive bucks taken in Louisiana during this past season in
articles I did for LA Sportsman magazine.
In order to score trophy bucks, measurements are taken in inches of such things as antler mass, number of points and spread between antlers. The magazine gave me a guideline to follow in that for a buck to make the pages or website of LA Sportsman, the minimum total measurement was 140 inches.
Here’s how the 48 bucks I covered panned out. Total number of bucks measuring between 140 and 150 inches were 11; between 150 and 160 inches, 13; 160 to 170 inches, 10; 170 to180 inches, 10; 180 to 190 inches, 1 and the number of giants exceeding 190 inches was 3.
Where were these trophy bucks hanging out and what parishes produced the biggest bucks I was able to cover in my articles? The parish with the highest number of bucks making the magazine may come as a surprise because Lincoln Parish is not necessarily known as a trophy producer. Nevertheless, I wrote about seven bucks that were taken in Lincoln Parish.
Next in line was Tensas parish with five bucks followed by Richland Parish with four, including the big daddy of them all, a 42 point buck taken with a crossbow by Brennan Morris that scored a whopping Boone and Crockett official measurement of 275 5/8 inches of antler mass. The Morris buck is officially the second highest scoring buck for all time in Louisiana taken by any method and is easily the new state record taken by crossbow. The parishes of Madison, Bienville, Natchitoches and Avoyelles recorded three trophies each.
The method of taking these bucks was lead by rifle hunters who collected 28 trophies, followed by 13 bucks taken by bow and seven by primitive firearms. The buck with the most impressive inside spread was taken in Natchitoches Parish by
Joey Woodard, an eight point with a whopping 23 inches of antler spread. For a trophy buck to reach its potential, antler point wise, it has to have a big body which was authenticated by 37 of the 48 I wrote about weighing at least 200 pounds, topped off by a 300 pound brute taken in Richland Parish by Bob Thompson.
Antler point average of these 48 bucks featured nine that carried 10 points, eight that were eight pointers, seven that had 13 points, six 11 pointers and an equal number of 14 point bucks. Rounding out this category were two 17 point bucks and one each sporting 15, 16 and 18 points with the Brennan Morris buck with 42 points rounding out the total. The overall average number of antler points came out to 11.8. Jonathon Bordelon is Deer Program Manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries and he has an opinion as to why so many trophy bucks were taken this season.

“Hunters overall are being more selective in taking bucks,” said Bordelon. “At one time in the past, any buck with anything showing on the head was shot while today, the majority of hunters are passing on taking young bucks and allowing them to grow to maturity.”

At any rate, deer season 2020-21 was one for the books.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – The chinquapin bite has started with fish moving shallow and hitting worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good with most fish moving shallow while some are still being caught beneath the Highway 4 bridge on shiners and jigs. Bass are just beginning to move up with some in the 7-9 pound range reported on Chatter baits and trick worms. No report on
catfish. 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.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie are starting to move up with some real slabs caught in shallow water on shiners and jigs. The bass are following suit and moving up to spawning areas with some caught on crank baits and soft plastic lures. Chinquapins are starting to move in and hitting worms and crickets. Catfishing continues to be good off the banks on night crawlers and cold
worms. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Bass fishing is improving with some good fish to 7 ½ pounds caught around shallow grass with the Carolina rig being the go-to lure this week. Crappie fishing has been good with some still fairly deep, some moving shallow with yo-yos baited with shiners working well. Also lots of crappie are being caught below the spillway. Catfishing has been fair
on trotlines and yo-yos. Bream are just now beginning to head for the shallow beds. Worms and crickets are starting to work on these fish. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Things are really starting to pop on the lake with both big bass and crappie moving up. Tyler Stewart, West Monroe, landed a 12.74 pound bass, a lake record, in shallow water on a soft plastic lure. Bream are starting to go for crickets and worms. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – Bass are good around shallow grass, bream are starting to bite crickets and worms and crappie are improving. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is still too high. No fishing report this week. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie to over 3 pounds have been caught in the shallows on shiners and jigs. Catfishing is fair, bream are just starting and bass to around 7 pounds have been caught fairly shallow. No report on bream. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE ST. JOHN – Crappie are starting to move up and fishing is improving. Bass have been good in the shallows on soft plastics. Catfishing is improving and bream have yet to start. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is very high and rising. No fishing this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
LAKE BRUIN – No report.

Austin Craig, Hunter Alexander, Luke Walker, Eli Walker and Ty Garrett fired a 26 (10 under) over the par 36 front nine at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Golf Course to win the initial “Tuesday Night Scramble” held on March 16th. Both the first and second place teams eagled both par fives and parred #2 and #9, but it was an eagle on the par four, sixth hole that gave the winning team a one shot victory over Ritchie Tolar, Dawson Tolar, Greg Foshee, Carrollane and Layton. Birdies on the two par fives and a par on #5 relegated Bo and Jimmy Teat, Paul Trosclair, Tim DuCote and Billy M. to third with a seven under score. 

Final results of March 16th “Tuesday Night Scramble”

Score	Team
26 (10 under)	Austin Craig, Hunter Alexander, Luke Walker, Eli Walker,Ty Garrett
27 (9 under)	Ritchie Tolar, Dawson Tolar, Greg Foshee, Carrollanne F., Layton Lumb
29 (7 under)	Bo Teat, Jimmy Teat, Paul Trosclair, Tim DuCote, Billy M.
30 (6 under)	Cason Davis, Garrison Hill, Walker Simmons, Colten Moore, Roger Richards, Bryan Roberts
32 (4 under)	Richie Stewart, Hunter Wells, Rick Brown, Tommy C. Drew Huddleston, Gary Willis

There is less than two weeks left to take advantage of the discount offered by Jay Mallard Ford on all oil changes. Drive-ups are welcome but since the weather has improved  more and more customers have been taking advantage of the saving and in order to make sure you get the fastest turnaround it is recommended that you call in advance to make an appointment. The local number to call is (318) 259-9881. Additional toll free numbers are: Sales: 888-605-6015, Service: 888-454-4836  and Parts: 888-620-0853.

Even with the time change allowing for more sunlight each day, there still never seems to be enough time in today’s “hustle and bustle” world. That is especially true in regard to preparing a good old fashioned, home cooked meal. Tired of waiting in the long lines at the fast food restaurants and feeding your family “processed” meals? Then give Traina’s Bakery a call at 318-259-2600 and pick up lunch or dinner or simply go by and enjoy dining on a healthy plate of hot food just like you would cook at home.

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS ($8.99)

Monday: Beef tips, rice & gravy, green beans, corn, roll, dessert
Tuesday: Hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, corn, roll, dessert
Thursday: Baked chicken breast, rice, green beans, roll, dessert or Chicken fried steak, purple hull peas, mashed potatoes, dumplings, dessert (+ $1.00)
Friday: Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, dessert or Catfish fillets, fries, dessert

TOASTED SANDWICHES (Includes chips and dessert)

Traina’s Delight ($6.49) – Ham, cheese, special sauce
The Boss ($7.99) – Ham, sausage, cheese, olives, pickles, onion, special sauce
Hog Heaven ($6.99) – Ham, pepperoni, ground sausage, cheese, pizza sauce
French Cow ($6.99) – Roast, cheese, mayo, ajau gravy
Sassy Pig (6.99) – Ham, cheese, onion, jalapeno peppers, special sauce
Ham Po-Boy ($5.99)
Roast Beef Po-Boy ($5.99)
Turkey Po-Boy ($5.99)
Shrimp Po-Boy ($7.00)
Chicken Salad Sandwich – $5.99 (Half pint – $4.99, Pint – $9.99)
BBQ Sandwich – $5.99

Baskets & Plates (Includes fries and dessert)

Chicken Strip Basket – $8.99
Hamburger Basket – $7.49
Shrimp Basket -$8.99
Shrimp Po-Boy Basket – $7.99
Finger Steak Basket – $8.99
BLT Basket – $7.99
BBQ Sandwich Plate -$5.99 (includes baked beans, potato salad, dessert)
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti – $8.99 (includes side salad, roll)

SIDES

Fried Pickles – $5.99 (1/2 order – $2.99)
Onion Rings – $5.99 (1/2 order – $2.99)
Texas Toothpicks – $5.99 (1/2 order – $2.99)
French Fries – $1.49

SOUPS, SALADS, ETC…

Chef Salad (Small – $6.99, Large – 7.99)
Taco Salad (Small – $6.99, Large – $7.99)
Grilled Chicken Salad (Small- $6.99, Large – $7.99)
Chicken Salad Explosion (Small – $6.99, Large – 8.99)
(on lettuce with cheese, pickles, sweet jalapenos, tomatoes, bacon bits, croutons)
Stuffed Potato – $7.99 (ham, cheese, sausage, butter, sour cream)

SUNDAY LUNCH  ($8.99 – $9.99)

Fried Pork Chops, dumplings, purple hull peas, mashed potatoes, roll, dessert
Fried Chicken, dumplings, purple hull peas, mashed potatoes, roll, dessert
Turkey, dressing, green beans, corn, roll, dessert
Roast, green beans, potatoes, carrots, roll, dessert
Baked Chicken, green beans, potatoes, carrots, roll, dessert
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, roll, dessert
BBQ Sandwich, baked beans, potato salad, dessert
Meat Loaf, corn, potatoes, roll, dessert
BBQ Chicken or Ribs, baked beans, potato salad, roll, dessert
Traina’s Delight or French Cow Sandwich, dessert
Mexican Casserole (beef or chicken), salad, roll, dessert
Potato Rolls – $4.39 / dozen
Meat Rolls – $4.39 / half dozen

Open on Weekdays: 7:00am – 3:00pm
Open on Sunday: 11:00am – 1:30pm

Address: 212 6th Street, Jonesboro
Phone: 318-259-2600

Special Called Board of Alderman Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 16th, 2021

Call of order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro temp Nia Johnson at 6 P.M.
Roll Call: Johnson-Present, Flowers-Present, Ginn-Present, Siadek-Present, and Stringer-Present.
Invocation was conducted by Siadek.
Pledge of Allegiance was conducted by Stringer.
Public Comments: Chief Harris spoke regarding the new hire of Sketea Walker. He reassured council Ms. Walker was being hired at a part time basis and would cut down on his overtime that he has been having due to losing to full time workers from being deployed.
Police New Hire- Sketea Walker-Mayor’s Veto: Stinger made a motion to hire Sketea Walker at $13.00 an hour on a part time basis and override the Mayor’s veto, seconded by Siadek.. Council voted as follows: Ginn- Yes, Siadek- Yes, Stringer- Yes, Johnson- Yes, Flowers- No at this, based upon the recommendation of the Town attorney.
Adjournment: Flowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Stringer. Motion carried.

Jackson Parish Recreation District Board Meeting Minutes
March 1, 2021

A special call meeting for the Jackson Parish Recreation District was held on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6:00pm in the Jackson Parish Golf Course Banquet Room, 524 Club House Drive, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members Present: Mr. Brent Barnett, Mr. Ricky Cash, Mr. Brandon Lamkin, Mr. Sullivan Stevens and Mr. Chris Womack. Absent: Mr. Jeff Hairston and Mr. Rodney Potts. Also present, Mr. Steven Gatlin.

The President, Mr. Barnett, called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Mr. Cash and Mr. Barnett led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Barnett opened the floor for public comments. There were no public comments.
January minutes and financials will be on next meeting agenda for approval.
Mr. Paul Riley, engineer, gave board update on the golf course cart shed.
Motion Mr. Cash seconded Mr. Lamkin to hire Riley Company of Louisiana, Inc. to design 60’ x 100’ with 20’ lean-to metal golf cart storage building. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Barnett seconded Mr. Cash to purchase approximately 630 tons of rock to expand parking at sports complex and request assistance from Jackson Parish Police Jury to spread the rock. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Smith gave board update on some of the ongoing programs at the sports complex including basketball, baseball/softball, archery/shooting range and storm damage.
Mr. Smith gave board update on the golf course including membership, tournaments, Tuesday Night Scramble, 1st Youth Scramble and Youth Golf Clinic.
Motion Mr. Cash seconded Mr. Womack with a roll call vote of 5 yeas and 2 absent to go in to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing employee policy manual, compensatory time for salaried employees and pay increase for full-time employees. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Barnett seconded Mr. Womack to end Executive Session and return to regular session with no actions taken. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Barnett seconded Mr. Cash to amend Personnel Policy Manual to remove sentence, “Currently, all employees other than the recreation director are classified as non-exempt employees,” under non-exempt employees on page 5. All in favor. Motion carried.
The board discussed compensatory time for salaried employees. There is no compensatory time for salaried employees.
The board will examine the budget for salaries for the year and then determine what pay raises will be given at the next board meeting.
Next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15, 2021 at 6:00p.m. at the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, 182 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro.
Motion Mr. Cash seconded Mr. Barnett to adjourn meeting. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

Eva Marie Kelley
May 24, 1954 – March 10, 2021

Mrs. Eva Marie Kelley, age 66 of Quitman, walked through the gates of Heaven on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. She was born May 24, 1954 to Harold and Loretta Chretien. She loved her family dearly, especially her beloved husband, children and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory is her husband, Danny Max Kelley; children, Danny Patrick Kelley and Aileen, Amy Kelley; grandchildren, Madalyn Kelley, Brayden Kelley, Trey Bradford, Preshous Bradford, Lela Bradford; siblings, Leona McConathy, Andrew Chretien. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry Lee Chretien, Harold Chretien, Jr.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 12, 2021 in the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Joel Sneed officiating. Burial followed in the Fellowship Church Cemetery in Quitman under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Alice Barnes
October 28, 1937 – March 13, 2021

Ms. Alice Barnes, age 83, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021. Funeral services were held at the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, LA on March 19th. Interment followed at the New Galilee Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home. 

Gregory Todd Jiles
April 09, 1969 – March 14, 2021

Mr. Gregory Todd Jiles, age 51 of Jonesboro, was escorted through the gates of Heaven Sunday, March 14, 2021. Todd was a loving and kind person who in his younger days loved to spend time in the great outdoors enjoying the beauty of the creation. He enjoyed fishing, squirrel hunting and riding his bicycle.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Sally Jean Kennedy; sister, Misti Wood; a host of Aunts, Uncles, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Randall Jiles.

Graveside services were held at the Antioch Cemetery, near Quitman, with Bro. Mark Powell and Bro. Jeff Stroud officiating. Interment followed in the cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers were James Kennedy, David Harvey, Ray Hearron, Scott Powell, Allen Kennedy and Richard Kennedy.

Dorothy Roberson Chatman
April 10, 1938 – March 09, 2021

Ms. Dorothy Roberson Chatman, age 82, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 09, 2021. After friends and family paid their respects on March 17th, graveside services followed at the Transport Cemetery in Dodson, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA. 

 

The incredible, new amenities found in one of the most futuristic designed, hospital patient rooms you would ever expect to see is something you would expect to find at one of Louisiana’s major hospitals like Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans or Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. Yet the “sneak-peak” tour that was held on Tuesday took place at the Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH) in Jonesboro.

 Say what? Of all the hospitals in the state, the JPH is going to be the site of some of the most modern medical technological advances there is to offer? You bet ya! Actually, if you have been keeping up with the advancements made at the hospital over the last couple of years you know that this announcement isn’t as “mind blowing” as it might sound. After all, it was JPH who was on the cutting-edge of using revolutionary Tele-Medicine technology in schools to allow students to see a clinical provider when feeling ill, without the need to leave school. It was also the Jackson Parish Hospital that was among the first few hospitals in the state to offer 3D mammography two years ago, implemented a brand-new artificial-intelligence (AI) assisted Computed Tomography (CT) machine just over a year ago, and was also recently in the top five percent of hospitals in the state when evaluating total care.

You don’t have to look far to find the reason the JPH is continuing to earn such lofty accolades and making cutting edge strides in patient care. All you have to do is walk through the administrative offices where CEO John Morgan and CFO Jason Thomas can be found. Credit also must be given to the Board of Directors, who share in the futuristic vision and goals of making the JPH one of the most modern healthcare facilities around. 

Among the recent advances JPH has implemented is a brand-new futuristic nurse call system (NCS). According to Sam Haydon, Regional Manager for West-Com, “One reason we chose to partner with Jackson Parish Hospital in the launching of the first total NCS system in the state was because we were greatly impressed with the ideals and goals that this administration shared,” said Haydon. “Their ambition to bring the best patient experience possible is right in line with what we are trying to achieve.”

The many features of the revolutionary Nurse Call System is simply jaw-dropping to the point that you basically have to see it to believe it. Mere words that try to describe the various functions just doesn’t do justice. Here is a sampling of some of the advantages that are found. 

1. Pillow Speaker – Naturally you can call to a nurse but now simply by pushing a button, you can request pain medication or assistance to go to the rest room. No more having to explain why you are calling every time. You can even raise or dim the room lights and of course change the TV channel and adjust the volume. 
2. Electronic patient care board – No more having to try and decipher the writing on the hard to read, white dry board. This new age, easy to read, information panel automatically identifies the nurse, physician and even aide that walks through the door through the use of electronic sensors that are implanted on the medical staffs badges. Other listings shown is the patients activity schedule, safety plan, pain level, schedule and description of medication and even blood sugar level.
3.  State of the art medical monitor – All vital stats are easily accessed and needed plug ins are housed on a conveniently located wall monitor that eliminates the need for the medical staff to roll in and out  separate pieces of equipment that takes up space. 
4. Wall embedded charting computer – Makes for easier and quicker recording and evaluation of patient care needs. 

The NCS system is just one of several upgrades that each room of the new wing at the JPS has to offer. Remember the problems associated with the archaic, standard room design that is found in virtually every hospital across the state? There was the air conditioning unit that jutted out from the wall making it hard to get around. For guests who stayed overnight, sleeping was almost impossible in the old style chairs, especially when the medical staff was needing to move around the patients bed as there was never enough space. Taking showers in the small bathrooms were always an adventure if the room had a shower. 

All of those former “liabilities” of being in the hospital are now “assets” to your stay. A new air-pressure system is built in the ceiling that not only keeps temperatures at a comfortable level but also removes any possible infectious airborne particles ensuring that the air is clean for the patient and guest alike. Seating and bedding is much improved through the large sofa in each room that make down to a full size bed with the simple pull of an easy to reach extended tab. This is possible because the rooms are a full 70 square feet bigger than in the past. the bathroom is more spacious as well, each equipped with large, walk in shower areas. 

The hospital has taken past issues and suggestions about amenities and treatment options to heart when designing the new rooms, and each of these additions and improvements comes directly from staff, provider, patient, and board suggestions on how to make healthcare better.

“We don’t want to just be any hospital, we want to be THE hospital,” says Morgan. “These efforts to help make Jackson Parish proud of the healthcare offerings available to patients goes a long way towards that.”

Using a take of a popular saying “This isn’t your father’s hospital.” At the Jackson Parish Hospital  – THE FUTURE IS NOW!

 

It started simply because he thought he would enjoy what one of his best friends doing and lasted longer than he had planned because he enjoyed working so much under another of his best friends. What is being referred to is the career of Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) Chief Deputy, Paul Trosclair. Now it is over though as the man who ended up being the best friend Jackson Parish residents had, whether they knew it or not, turned in his badge at the end of February bringing to an end an illustrious, thirty-two (32) career in law enforcement.  

According to Trosclair, who after 18 years in the position is believed to be the longest tenured Chief Deputy in Jackson Parish history, it actually hit him that it was time to retire a few years back while on a manhunt with fellow deputies.

“I called on the radio that I had spotted the suspect we were after and described where he was at by saying he was near a place of business that had been closed for nearly 30 years,” recalled Trosclair with a chuckle. “When everyone came back to ask where I was talking about, it hit me that none of the younger Deputies had no clue where I was talking about, as it had been out of business before most of them were even born.”

Trosclair, who first started his law enforcement career in 1989 first as a JPSO Deputy the Investigator for the District Attorney’s office before becoming Chief Deputy kept working mainly for two reasons. The first being that he felt an obligation to Sheriff Andy Brown.

“Way back when Sheriff Brown and I worked together as Deputies, one day we had to go to south Louisiana to a fingerprinting school,” Trosclair said in reflection. “We had been on the road for a while when Andy looked over and said that one day he hoped to be Sheriff and if he ever was that the first thing he would do was make me his Chief Deputy. A couple of years later when he got elected the first call he made was to me offering me the job. Goes to show what kind of person he is. I will always treasure the time I got to work with him and his friendship.”

The feeling is mutual for Brown.

“I would hope so, but I don’t think the people of Jackson Parish really know and understand what a friend Paul has been to them over the years,” said Brown. “I know being able to work with him and getting to know him like I do has meant the world to me. I was blessed to have him beside me all this time. He has been invaluable to me through his counsel and most of all just being the true friend he is. I am going to dearly miss him.”

The other reason Trosclair kept “punching the clock” was that he really enjoyed the opportunity that his position of Chief Deputy afforded him. As he grew older and more experienced, going to work had become more than just a job but a daily mission to try and talk to people about doing the right thing to stay out of trouble. In retrospect, you could call it his witness.

“I spent the first fifteen (15) years of my career focusing on what I thought was my job, which was to put people in jail,” said Trosclair. “I spent the last seventeen (17) years working even harder to try and keep them out of it. I tried hard to talk to people to let them know that it is much better to make needed changes in their lives before they got in serious trouble, as I learned that once someone gets locked up, many times they would end up in jail again and again.”

Trosclair’s counsel and guidance not only was appreciated to the many citizens he tried to help get back on the right path but was noticed among fellow Jackson Parish law enforcement officials as well. This was evidenced by by a statement made by JPSO Investigator Donovan Shultz, who has worked alongside Trosclair his entire career.

“Paul will be missed by everyone at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Shultz. “He was someone that anyone in the Parish could come see and talk to. He took the time to sit down, listen to their problems and help them in any way he could. What is also impressive is that he never asked for or wanted any type of attention or accolades. We want to thank him for everything he has done for our department and for the citizens of the Parish.”

Now that he is retired, Trosclair plans to enjoy his “days in the pasture” by doing what he loves, which is spending time with his family and playing golf with friends. Reflecting back on his career the best way to describe it is by using the words from the old Elvis Presley song “He did it his way.” It was the right way! 

 

 

 

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At the regularly scheduled March 9th meeting of Chatham Town Council, panel members Toni Malone, Marvin Davis, Laverne Mixon, Sue Proffer and Mike Wilson unanimously approved Ordinance 2021-01 which allowed for the setting of sewerage rates for service outside of the city limits. After Mayor Pro-Tem, Malone called the meeting to order in Mayor Gregory Harris’s absence, additional business handled was the acceptance of a bid from R&J Family Trucking and Construction, LLC for cleaning the property located at 6357 Hwy 34. This is contingent on the property being donated to the town. Resolution’s #2020-14 and #2021-05 were then approved which gives the Mayor the authority to sign documents pertaining to the donation of said property and documents pertaining to the 2019-20 Community Water Enrichment Fund respectively.  Michael Stewart was hired as a part time police officer in a final action before the meeting was adjourned.

Special session call for Thursday, March 11:  The Chatham Town Council had a special session on Thursday, March 11, 2021 where board members Marvin Davis, Toni Malone, Laverne Mixon, Sue Proffer and Mike Wilson discussed a water improvement project and  personnel issues.  After Chatham Mayor, Gregory Harris, called the meeting to order the board unanimously agreed to adopt Resolution 2020-27, which gave Harris the authority to sign all documents pertaining to FP&C Project #50-M42-18-01. This was followed by the board going into executive session to discuss personnel. Once the members returned from the private discussion the meeting was adjourned without any further comment.

Quitman 13 JHHS 0 (Tuesday) – Home sweet home! In Quitman’s first game at the ballpark on school grounds after starting the season by playing 12 games in other locations Jordan Vail threw the first no-hitter of his career and Quitman exploded for ten runs in the third inning to whip Jonesboro-Hodge in the all Jackson Parish matchup. Vail was simply dominant against the listless Tiger batters in five innings of work that saw him strikeout seven, including six in a row at one point and allow only two balls to be hit out of the infield.  Luke Morgan stole four bases for the second straight day to up his total to an area leading 23 and scored three times while also  knocking in a pair. Ty Simonelli hit a triple, stole a pair and scored twice as did Blake (3SB) and Jonathan Carter to help pace the Wolverine offense. Logan Ponder scored a run and drove in a pair. While the JHHS batters couldn’t muster a hit against Vail, Tiger pitching hit five Wolverine batters in the third to lead to the breakout innings. With the win Quitman, who stole 14 bases off Tigers pitching, improved to 9-4 while J-H falls to 3-3. 

	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
JHHS (3-3)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Quitman (9-4)	1	0	10	2	x	13	5	0

WP -Vail, LP – Vines
3B – Simonelli
RBI – Morgan 2, Ponder 2, Simonelli, Smith, B. Carter
SB – Morgan 4, B. Carter 3, Simonelli 2, J. Carter, Ponder, Tilley, West , Williams

Quitman 9 LaSalle 4 (Monday) – The Wolverines feasted on LaSalle pitching for 18 hits and put the game away early with six runs over the first two innings. The entire starting nine got at least one hit. Luke Morgan who scored three runs and stole four bases and Joshua Smith leading the way with three apiece. Ty Simonelli, Logan Ponder, Cam Hollis, Jordan Vail and Kyler West got two each. Ponder, Smith, West and Ian Tilley, who picked up the win with 5 1/3 innings of work all drove in two runs. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Quitman	4	2	0	0	2	0	1	9	18	2
LaSalle	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	4	6	2

WP – Tilley, LP – n/a
2B – Simonelli, Tilley, Vail
RBI – Ponder 2, Smith 2, Tilley 2, West 2
SB – Morgan 4, Vail 2, Simonelli, Hollis, Ponder

Weston 16 Saline 5 (Monday)- The Wolves scored in all six innings they batted to methodically “mercy rule” the visiting Bobcats in six innings. Saline was it’s own worst enemy by making seven errors, allowing six base on balls and hitting four batters. The Wolves raked out ten hits, with half of them being doubles led by a pair of two baggers from Cooper Delaney, who went 3/4, scored four runs, drove in one and stole a base. Braden Theriot also came up big with three runs scored, two hits (2B), an RBI and a stolen base as did Caleb Waters who went 2/3, stole 3 bases and knocked in two. Bryce Zehr, Davis Tolar and Landon Roberts also scored twice. Tayt Culpepper, who also had three RBI, Caleb Waters and Roberts combined to allow just three hits. Of special note Cam Mire got his first RBI of the year. The victory marked Weston’s fourth in five games while Saline fell to 3-4. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Saline (3-4)	2	0	0	0	1	2	5	3	7
Weston (4-1)	3	1	4	2	2	4	16	10	4

WP – Culpepper, LP – n/a
2B – Delaney 2, Theriot, Waters, Culpepper
RBI – Culpepper 3, Waters 2, Delaney, Mire, Roberts, Theriot, Tolar
SB – Waters 3, Delaney, Theriot, Tolar

The ongoing effort to revitalize downtown Jonesboro took another big step forward this past Saturday, March 13th, when owners Melissa Johnson and Megan Rowe cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of their new business, MMe’s Boutique.  Located at 110 Jimmie Davis Blvd., the store will offer children and baby, boutique brand clothing, gifts and accessories, along with vinyl print t-shirts, embroidery and more. Store hours are 10-6 Monday-Friday and 10-2 on Saturday.

The Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce, who this past weekend celebrated another new business opening in Jonesboro, will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 12:00pm at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro on Thursday, March 17th. Chamber Director, Wilda Smith, reminds all those planning to attend, that even though COVID-19 restrictions have loosened now that Louisiana has moved to Phase 3, to please be courteous and wear your mask. 

On Saturday, March 20th, Ms. Jaydria Taylor will be at the Jackson Parish Library for a book signing of her debut children’s novel “I am a Queen” which gives and inspiring and empowering message to young girls. The 2017 JHHS graduate, who is scheduled to graduate from Southern University this May, is the daughter of former Jonesboro resident, James D. Taylor Jr. and Angela (Nichols) Taylor of Lake Providence and the granddaughter of Jonesboro residents, Cloteal and James D. Taylor Sr. 

“My hope is that this book will uplift the next generation of young girls,” said Taylor when asked what inspired her to write the book. “It is designed to promote positive values, etiquette, kindness and gratitude.”

The vivacious Taylor, who was voted Southern University’s “Miss Junior” for the school year 2019-20 looks forward to reuniting with family and old friends at the signing which begins at 10:30am. She also hopes that the families of young girls in Jackson Parish and the surrounding area will take advantage of the opportunity to give their daughters something that she knows will be beneficial in their development. 

A baseball spirit raffle is being held to benefit the Chase Frasier Memorial Scholarship fund. Tickets will be available in the Weston High School main office and sent home with students. The drawing will be held April 30. Raffle includes an ice chest, chair, cup, monogrammed blanket, Frasier tea donated by Rise and Grind, $50 Wolf Stop gift card, hot hands, and much more!! The scholarship that is to be awarded yearly is in honor of Frasier, who was in his first year as teacher and coach at Weston High and tragically lost his life in a automobile accident. Your support of this worthy endeavor is greatly appreciated. 

When the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Youth Basketball League ended play, two wonderful months of fun drew to a close for nearly 200 area boys and girls from the ages of 5-14.  While the primary purpose of the league was to provide entertainment and instruction for the youth of Jackson Parish the champions of the seven leagues and the tops scorers for each deserve recognition. See below for the teams who had the best season and the top scorers from each league, including their single game best point total. 

League Champions:

Age 5 & 6 (B & G)	Bulls
Age 7 & 8 (B & G)	Jazz
Age 9 & 10 (Girls)	Storm
Age 9 & 10 (Boys)	Rockets
Age 11 & 12 (Girls)	Dream
Age 11 & 12 (Boys)	Warriors
Age 13 & 14 (Boys)	Pelicans

Top Scorers for the Year per league

Age 5 & 6 (Boys and Girls)

Name	Total Points	High game
Jagger Ingram – Bulls	40	10
Eli Stringer – Warriors	37	13
Koplen Taylor – Bulls	36	9
Adeline Anderson – Pelicans	34	8
Kutter Blalock – Bulls	33	12

Age 7 & 8 (Boys and Girls)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Samone Mallard – Blazers	57	19
Bentley Ponder – Hawks	51	18
Caiden Jackson – Jazz	39	13
Jaxen Culpepper – Jazz	33	13
Noah Leach – Jazz	26	10
Jase Reed – Hawks	26	10
Kash Gandy – Magic	26	10

Age 9 & 10 (Girls)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Jalynn Jiles – Storm	81	24
Kinsley Ponder – Mystics	36	14
Braelyn Patton – Storm	26	8
Syla Malone – Mystics	17	6
Rachel Bandy – Mystics	12	6

Age 9 & 10 (Boys)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Kobie Williams – Rockets	63	18
Joseph Delaney – Grizzlies	57	18
Hayden Seymore – Kings	38	11
Bryce Tolar – Raptors	36	14
Ryder Gray – Grizzlies	26	9

Age 11 & 12 (Girls)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Anna Claire Leach – Liberty	49	12
Jada Conner – Liberty	38	10
Emma Walker – Dream	23	7
Ava Caskey – Dream	20	8
Hallie Kate Pullig – Wings	13	8
Ralei Bradford – Liberty	13	4

Age 11 & 12 (Boys)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Asher Schultz – Lakers	71	19
Taden Thomas – Warriors	68	16
Brayden Martin – Bulls	64	22
Shane Reed – Bulls	54	12
D.J. Palmer – Lakers	50	11

Age 13 & 14 (Boys)

Name	Total Points	High Game
Bryce Zehr – Pelicans	72	15
Noah Leach – Timberwolves	60	17
Brayden Smith – Celtics	51	9
Skyler Strickland – Celtics	44	12
Jude Otwell – Celtics	44	12

Fire Chief Jim Manning had his contract renewed at the March 9th, regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Ward Two Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners. Manning’s contract was renewed after the panel of Charles Hopkins, Mack Williams, George Gryder and Bill Wheelis went into executive session for a discussion before returning to approve the new contract. Alton Fallin was absent. 

In other business it was announced that no bid had been received for the purchase of the 3/4 ton pickup and that in February the Fire District responded to one fire, one public tree removal and two other unidentified issues. It was also reported that 5 people took part in a first responders training class and that Dona Snow resigned as of February 28th. 

Quitman High’s four golfers who registered qualifying team scores finished within six strokes of each other to pace QHS to a sixth place finish at the Northeast Louisiana High School 9 Hole Match held at Frenchman’s Bend in Monroe on Thursday, March 11th. Weston’s Tyler Pardue shot a 44 for the best score among Jackson Parish golfers which gave him a tie for 16th place. 

Cam Deal led the Quitman quartet with a 49 that gave him a 22nd place finish followed closely behind by Noah Leach and Eli Walker who both carded 51 over the par 36, 3181 yard layout. Ethan Everett grabbed the final scoring slot with a 55 that was good for 30th place. Quitman also had Joshua Smith, Ben Shows, Peyton Simonelli, Ty Roberts, Bailey Keys and Keiffer Bradley play while Donavon Holland teed it up for Weston. 

The Jackson Parish School Board (JPSB) is accepting applications to fill the position of Custodian at Quitman High School. Applications may be obtained online at www.jpsb.com. Completed applications should be submitted to Dr. Robin Potts by fax at 318-259-2527, by email at robin.potts@jpsbschools.us or at the front desk of the JPSB located at 315 Pershing Hwy (Hwy 167) in Jonesboro, LA. 

Criteria for submitting an application include:
|1. Strong worth ethic – Must be able to lift 25lbs. or more. 
2. Physical and mental stamina and ability to perform job functions, responsibilities, tasks and duties.
3. Satisfactory evaluations or references from previous jobs. 

Resume, copy of High School Diploma or GED and photo ID are required to submit with application.

All qualified applicants will be considered and ranked on a competitive basis with the final selections for an interview based on, but not limited to degrees, references, areas and length of experience submitted. Final interviews will be scheduled by Billy Carter, Principal at Quitman High School. 

Deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 2:00pm.