Tayt Culpepper of Weston High School and Quitman’s Eli Walker both shot a 43 to grab a tie for tenth place in medalist’s play at the Northeast Louisiana High School 9-Hole match held at Frenchman’s Bend Country Club in Monroe this past Thursday. As a team, Quitman finished eighth among the ten schools competing with Weston coming in one spot behind. Reeves Pullin from Ruston High, who is the grandson of Ross and the late Ginger Pullin of Quitman, shot an even par 36 to win medalist honors with West Monroe High School grabbing the overall team title.
Noah Leach of Quitman shot a 47 to also earn a top twenty finish at 18th place. Additional results by local golfers were: Keiffer Bradley (QHS) – 54 (26th place), Ethan Everett (QHS) – 62 (36th place), Ben Shows (QHS) – 66 (39th), John Davis (QHS) – 68 (40th place), Donavon Holland – 73 (41st place), Tyler Pardue – 79 (43rd place).
In junior varsity competition Landon Lutrick of Weston shot a 54 to earn a 12th place finish.
The Jackson Parish Clerk of Court office wants to remind voters that early voting end on Saturday, March 13. Ballots can be cast daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clerk of Court Office located in the Jackson Parish Courthouse in Jonesboro. At stake is the Louisiana Congressional 5th district seat that was vacated due to the untimely death of November electee, Luke Letlow, who passed away in December due to complications related to COVID-19.
Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and the mask mandate is in effect. Proof of identity through a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana Special ID, generally recognized ID with picture and signature or a digital license via LA Wallet, is required. The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is March 16 by 4:30 pm which must be received by the Registrar of Voters by 4:30pm on March 19th. The regular election day is Saturday, March 20th.
Ask the majority of coaches for the eight baseball and softball teams from the four high schools (JHHS, Quitman, Saline, Weston) that have been using the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Complex for their home games what the schedule for the rest of the week (March 11th – 13th means and they will say – “It’s Tournament Time!”
The race for two district championships also begin this Thursday. Quitman and Weston begin their district 2B title chase in softball at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department complex while Saline will also be playing Castor in Saline to start their district 1B schedule.
Four tourneys (two softball and two baseball) will be taking place, with three being in close driving distance for team supporters. Jonesboro-Hodge will be taking part in the Saline Softball Tournament that will be played in Saline on Friday, March 12th and Saturday, March 13th while both Weston and Quitman’s baseball teams will be in action at the always entertaining Choudrant Invitational that runs from Thursday – Saturday. The Saline baseball team will be playing in the Calvin Tournament that will be played Friday and Saturday. The Lady Wolverines of Quitman will be traveling the farthest away to play with three games slated for Friday and Saturday at the Tioga Tournament. See below for full schedule of games slated for March 11-13.
The response to the $10.00 off all oil changes that Jay Mallard Ford offered during the month of February was good but Jay (owner) knows that many didn’t get to take advantage of the discount due to all the inclement weather that took place. As result he is graciously continuing the discount throughout the month of March.
“I want to thank everyone for allowing us to assist them with their oil changes, other service needs and auto purchases during February,” said Mallard. “We know that it was a hard month to get out for most, so we are extending our oil change discount through March.”
Drive in’s are welcome for oil changes, other service needs, parts and auto purchases but in order to take advantage of the fastest turnaround available it is recommended to make an appointment by calling 318-259-9881. Additional toll free numbers are: Service Department (888) 454-4836, Sales: (888) 605-6015 and Parts (888) 620-0853.
On Friday afternoon, July 31, 1964, two gentlemen, 39-year-old James Travis and 30-year-old Dean Manuel, left Batesville, Arkansas, in a single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft 35-B33 Debonair airplane. Travis piloted the plane he had rented from the Southeastern Beechcraft Co. at Berry Field in Nashville, Tennessee. After taking off from the regional airport at Batesville, Travis aimed the airplane to the east and headed back toward Berry Field. Travis and Manuel expected to fly the 310 miles back to Nashville in under two hours.
At about 4:50 p.m., Travis radioed the tower at Berry Field that he was flying into a heavy rainstorm. The radar operator heard concern in Travis’s voice and tried several times to make contact with Travis. He received no reply. Five minutes later, the Beechcraft airplane disappeared from the radar screen.
Marty Robbins, a country and western singer known for hits such as “A White Sport Coat”, “The Story of My Life”, and “El Paso”, was at his home in Nashville when he heard a low-flying plane. He looked up and saw the airplane just before it went below the tree line. He heard the unmistakable sound of the plane crashing into the trees. He immediately notified the authorities.
John Moran, who lived nearby, heard the engine sputtering and, like Marty Robbins, heard the plane crash. He described it as “a thump.” Mrs. William Wirshing, who also lived nearby, said the plane sounded like it “conked out.”
Several agencies and a host of individuals began searching for the missing plane including the Davidson County Civil Defense, local and state police, and volunteers, some on horseback. Several airplanes and helicopters flew over the area during daylight hours but found no sign of an airplane crash. H.H. Atkins, supervisor of the air traffic control sector of the Nashville Federal Aeronautics Administration, said “We had planes over the crash area a few minutes after 5 p.m. Friday, just five minutes after radar contact was lost.”
The area where the plane went missing was home to several country music stars including Bill Pursell, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Ernest Tubb, Stonewall Jackson and, as mentioned above, Marty Robbins. They all helped in the search for the missing plane.
Based on the testimony of Marty Robbins, John Moran and Mrs. Wirshing, Davidson County Civil Defense workers concentrated their search in the vicinity of Franklin Road. They went door-to-door and asked residents if they had seen or heard the airplane. Puryear Mims said the plane circled over his swimming pool and headed toward Radnor Lake. Miss Ruth DeLacey was inside her home when she felt “a vibration like an explosion. It was like something had hit the house,” she said. She heard no airplane and was unaware that an airplane was missing. She walked outside and saw smoke in the woods for only a moment. Miss DeLacey walked toward the smoke but returned to her home when she failed to see what caused the smoke.
Although investigators had narrowed down the search area based on the testimony of multiple witnesses, they were unable to locate the airplane. Searchers hunted the missing plane Friday night, all day Saturday, and began again on Sunday morning. On that Sunday morning, August 2nd, some forty-four hours after the search began, Civil Defense investigator Bob Newton reviewed the testimony of Puryear Mims, who said the plane flew over his swimming pool and headed toward Radnor Lake. Bob drew a line from Mims’s house to Radnor lake on a local map. He then followed this path from Mims’s house toward the lake on foot. Within a short while, Bob found the remains of the missing plane. He was only about five hundred yards from the main area of the two-day search. He found Manuel’s mangled body among the wreckage. He found Travis’s lifeless body about thirty yards from the wreckage. After it was clear that neither Manuel nor Travis had survived, Bob called for help.
The National Transportation and Safety Board determined that Travis, the pilot, had experienced spatial disorientation during the rainstorm which led to the plane crash. Investigators concluded that the plane “went into a nosedive and crashed into the base of a tree, leaving the top branches undisturbed,” which explained why rescue helicopters and airplanes were unable to locate the wreckage.
Investigators identified the two men by the information in their wallets. Country music star Eddy Arnold had been personal friends of Travis and Manuel and identified the bodies of his friends. Dean Manuel was a piano player in Travis’s band and was also Travis’s business manager. Few people, though, knew Travis by that… his middle name. After high school, he became a disc jockey at KWKH, home of the Louisiana Hayride radio program, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and switched to a shortened version of his first name, James. Because of his polite manner on and off the stage, and his velvet voice on recordings such as “Four Walls,” “He’ll Have to Go,” and “Am I Losing You,” people referred to him as Gentleman Jim. Travis, the pilot of the ill-fated flight was James Travis “Gentleman Jim” Reeves.
CHATHAM, LA – Pennsylvania’s Mark Smith won his third Outlaw Thunder Tour feature of the season during opening night of the 3rd annual USCS Bayou State Sprint Car Nationals this past Saturday at the Chatham Speedway. Smith bested a field of 33 winged sprint cars after also winning his head race to place himself on the pole position for the 30 lap event. Matt Covington from Oklahoma finished as runner up with Connor Leofller coming in third. Dale Howard and Max Stambaugh rounded out the top five.
Over the past several years Traina’s Bakery has come to be known as one of the best locations in Jonesboro to be able to get a home cooked meal that can be eaten in their dining area or taken home. Each and every day meals are freshly cooked and there is always something to enjoy from the wide variety of selections on their menu but that is not all that is offered. If you have patronized the business that has been open since 1941 you know that Traina’s is also the “go-to” place for cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts and many other confectionaries. Got a sweet tooth? Go by Traina’s today!
A new state program is helping renters and landlords with financial assistance due to the pandemic after Louisiana received $161 million in federal money. The program is funded through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) and includes $25 billion for emergency rental assistance. The Louisiana Housing Corporation, in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Community Development, will administer the state program.
“We know many Louisiana renters are in jeopardy of eviction due to financial circumstances as a result of the current pandemic, and we want to prevent that,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “At the same time, we know many rental property owners are also being impacted. This program is designed to help provide much needed relief to both landlords and renters during this challenging time.”
The state-administered program will focus on paying rental arrears, or past-due rent, and up to three months of future rent for eligible applicants. Priority will be given to households where at least one member has been unemployed for more than 90 days due to COVID-19, and to households earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income, as required by the law. Louisiana renters may be eligible for assistance from the state-administered program if they meet all of the following criteria:
(1) They qualify or previously qualified for unemployment benefits, or experienced an income reduction or other financial hardship due to COVID-19. (2) They are not current on rent payments or at risk of eviction. (3) Their total household income is at or below 80 percent of the area median income.(Information on AMI income levels by parish can be found at http://www.LAStateRent.com).
Louisiana landlords may apply on their tenant’s behalf. To participate in the program, landlords must not evict a tenant for at least 60 days after the assistance ends and must forgive late fees, penalties, interest and court costs.
“We are excited to launch this program with our partners throughout the state as this assistance is critical and much needed,” said LHC Executive Director E. Keith Cunningham, Jr. “The goals of this program are to keep people housed during the pandemic by preventing evictions for failure to pay rent, to serve the maximum number of households as quickly as possible while prioritizing those in greatest need, to ensure equitable geographic distribution of assistance and to compensate landlords for unpaid rent during eviction moratoria.”
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Joyce Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs).
Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the fourth quarter of 2020 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAAs are 95 ppb at sample location DBP01 – 6758 Hwy 84 and 94 ppb at sample location DBP02 – 340 Louisiana. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
Construction of the GAC (granulated activated charcoal) system has been completed and the filtration system is now online. The GAC system will assist with the reduction of TTHM and HAA5 concentrations. UIL has kept LDH informed of our progress.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator at 985-893-6646 – Opt. 2.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Paradise Point Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs).
Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the fourth quarter of 2020 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAAs are 83 ppb at sample location DBP01 – 119 Eden Drive. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
UIL will be installing by the end of February an automatic flush valve. The automatic flush valve will assist with the reduction of TTHM and HAA5 concentrations. UIL has kept LDH informed of our progress.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator at 985-893-6646 – Opt. 2.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
JACKSON PARISH TOURISM BOARD Minutes for Meeting Held March 2, 2021
PLACE OF MEETING: The Sunshine Room 160 Industrial Dr., Jonesboro, LA 71251 Roll Call: D. Slezak, D. Barlow, C. Weeks, K. Spangler, J. Smith with C. Bowden being absent. Invocation and Pledge: C. Weeks gave the invocation with J. Smith leading the pledge Public Comments / Recognition of Guests: n/a Approval of Minutes of the December 2020 meeting: Motion made by D. Barlow and second by J. Smith to approve the minutes as presented. All in favor. Approval of the December 2020 Financials and Pay Bills: Motion made by J. Smith and second by K. Spangler to approve the financials as presented. All in favor. a. Renew the LTA yearly membership – the board agreed to renew the basic membership for $405. b. Review future accounting and audit fees – amounts have been set aside for 2021 accounting fees. c. Renew the domain name/email address – all agreed to renew the yearly subscription. Review Old Business: a. 2021 Art Contest – deadline of Friday, April 30, 2021. D Barlow has been in contact with the area schools. b. Rack card ideas – The board will solicit photos from the general public. c. Ideas on promotional items – Motion made by D. Barlow with a second by K. Spangler to purchase promotional items with amount not to exceed $2,000,order 500 floating key chains, 1,000 magnets, 1,000 fans. d. LTA Annual Meeting – Due to membership change no one will attend the annual meeting. e. Discuss hiring procedures – the board decided to not hire anyone at this time. Discuss New Business: C. Weeks informed the board that the Police Jury will be staggering the next round of appointments. Other Business: a. Election of officers for 2021 – • D. Barlow nominated D. Slezak to the position of Secretary/Treasurer – second by K. Spangler, motion passed, closed by J. Smith. • D. Barlow nominated C. Weeks to the position of Chair – second by J. Smith, and motion passed, closed by D. Slezak. • D. Slezak nominated D. Barlow to the position of Vice Chair – second by K. Spangler, motion passed, closed by D. Slezak. b. Meeting Location – C. Weeks made the motion with a second by D. Barlow to set the location of future meetings to be held in the Sunshine Room in the JPPJ Office Building at 160 Industrial Dr., Jonesboro, LA 71251 – motion passed. c. Meeting Date – Motion made by D. Slezak to hold future meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Sunshine Room d. Resignation from Philip Lawrence – Jackson Parish Tourism Board appreciates the 3 years of service and contributions Mr. Lawrence has put forth in building the tourism for Jackson Parish. Adjournment: 7:07 PM Motion by D. Barlow with a second by J. Smith to adjourn the meeting. Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 20th at 5:30PM
James Thomas Carter October 29, 1949 – February 25, 2021
Mr. James T. Carter, age 71 of DeRidder, La., went to his heavenly home on Thursday, February 25, 2021. In his younger days James enjoyed hunting and fishing, but through the years he began to take a shine to gardening. He will be best remembered for the vegetable gardens he loved to grow and care for. He learned a lot about agriculture from his father who was a share cropper. He found the most joy in the truck rides he would take with his beloved furbaby, Sassy. Those left to cherish his memory is his sister, Linda Young (Harold); nieces, Mindy Carter, Ashley Carter; furbaby, Sassy. A graveside was held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 10:00AM with Reverend Bill Staples officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Son “Soni” Dison January 30, 1944 – March 8, 2021
Mrs. Son Dison, age 77 of Castor, walked through the gates of heaven on Monday, March 8, 2021. Mrs. Soni was an avid hunter and fisher that enjoyed anytime that she could outdoors. She also enjoyed gardening, whether it be flowers, veggies or crepe myrtles. Her love of flowers created many flower beds over time around the yard and under the crepe myrtle trees. She also loved to cook for her family, her heart.
Those left to cherish her memory is her husband of 50 years, Kenneth “Butch” Dison; sons, Kirby Dison and wife Misty, Charles Dison and wife Aimee; grandchildren, Garrett Dison, Grayson Dison, Austin Lawson, Zachary Dison and wife Emily, Morgan Dison, William Dison, Ella Dison, Abram Lee Dison; 3 brothers; 2 sisters. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Crystal Eloise Dison; her parents.
Friends may view on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Old Saline Baptist Church from 11:00AM-1:00PM. Funeral services are set to begin at 1:00PM with Reverend Calvin Hubbard officiating. Burial will follow in Old Saline Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Zach Dison, Will Dison, Garrett Dison, Austin Lawson, Abe Rogers, Matt Cheatwood. Honorary pallbearers will be Grayson Dison, Casey Rogers, Jerry Dison.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Please be advised that wearing a mask and social distancing is to be expected at all times while inside the church.
Lenda Aurelia Boykin May 20, 1948 – March 7, 2021
Ms. Lenda Boykin, age 72 of Jonesboro, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2021 after a brief period of decline. Lenda loved to collect items that brought her joy such as ceramic roosters, chickens and antique rolling pins. One of her favorite hobbies was to sit and crochet. She absolutely enjoyed cooking for her family and caring for animals and plants. She loved her son, her family and children above all else.
Those left to cherish her memory is her beloved son, Cody Edward Freeman of Jonesboro, La.; siblings, L.H. Boykin of Franklin, La., Mary Carol Bonck of Pine Grove, La., Retha Joy Toney (Murray) of Busy Corner, Ms., Veronica Plaisance (Sidney) of Ferriday, La., Scarlet Collier of Central City, La., Terry Boykin of Zachary, La., Jerry Boykin (Debbie) of St. Francisville, La. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Trey Humble; lifelong partner, George Freeman; parents, Elwood and Vassar Boykin; brothers, Gavin Boykin, Kermit Boykin. A Memorial service has been set for Sunday, March 14, 2021 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home at 2:00PM with Bro. Glen Davis officiating.
Please be aware that due to Covid-19 restrictions a mask is to be worn inside the building and social distancing must be maintained.
Walnette Loucious August 21, 1977 – March 2, 2021
Graveside services were held for Walnette Loucious, age 43, on Saturday, March 6th at the Winnfield Cemetery in Winnfield, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) invites everyone that wants to know more about why they are asking residents of Jackson Parish to vote to add one cent to the current sales tax rate in an upcoming election to attend the first of two scheduled Public Hearings this Monday evening at 5:15pm. The hearing will be held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro, just prior to the regularly scheduled monthly session of the JPPJ.
Over the next several weeks the Jackson Parish Journal will be running a series on why parish public officials deem it necessary to pass the added amount to the current sales tax, what would be the effect if the tax doesn’t pass and where Jackson Parish currently stands in relation to neighboring parishes regarding sales tax figures.
The Town of Jonesboro and Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) have posted the agendas for their upcoming regularly scheduled March monthly meetings. At 5:30pm on Monday, March 8th, the JPPJ will begin session at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center located at 182 Industrial Avenue in Jonesboro following a Public Hearing slated to begin at 5:15pm. The town council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9th at 6:00 pm. via teleconference.
JACKSON PARISH POLICE JURY MEETING AGENDA
Call to Order Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Public Comments Approve and Adopt minutes of the February 8th, February 11th and March 1st Jury Meetings, monthly purchase orders, and the payment of all bills Approve Operations Committee Report: 1. Adopt the minutes of the February 11th Operations Committee meeting 2. Approve letter of response from President to Plum Hill Missionary Baptist Church Approve Finance Committee Report: 1. Adopt the minutes of the February 26th Finance Committee meeting 2. Consider and act on authorizing the President to sign and execute the 2021 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the LSU Ag Center for $10,000.00 3. Consider and act on recommendation to authorize the President to execute the 2-year 4. Consider contract with Acadian Fleet Management in exchange for upgraded GPS devises at no cost to the Jury 5. Consider and act on recommendation to authorize the President to execute the contract with FISERV for a credit card system to be covered by the CARES Act 6. Consider and act on recommendation to authorize the DRA Federal Assistance grant application for road maintenance on Gansville Road 7. Consider and act on recommendation to authorize the LCDBG grant application for courthouse HVAC units 8. Consider and act on the recommendation to decline the offer to purchase the land adjacent to the Blake Building Approve Management Reports for month of February: 1.Road Superintendent Report – Mr. Jody Stuckey (Accept the February 2021 Emergency/Off-Schedule Report) 2.Solid Waste Superintendent Report – Mr. Robin Sessions 3. Office of Emergency Preparedness Report (Declaration of winter storm event) 4. Financial Report – Ms. Gina Thomas (report includes budget to actual comparisons for all funds) Other Business: February 2021 Engineering Report – Mr. Paul Riley Consider and act on authorizing advertisement for bids for oversized gravel material Consider and accept the price for recycled bins Consider and act on a resolution of support for the Village of Hodge watershed initiative project Consider and act on Parish Board appointments Consider and act on virtual meeting options Consider and act on determination of nuisance violation abatement Announcements & Notifications (Discuss parish cleanup event: Mr. John McCarty) Juror Comments Adjourn
TOWN OF JONESBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING AGENDA
Call to Order Roll Call Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Public Comments Mayor’s Update Discuss Ordinance 2021-001 -(Surplus Property bid) Consider Jonesboro Police Dept. new hire – Sketea Walker Department Head Reports (Fire, Police, Public Works) Approval of February bills Approval of February financials Approval of February 9th minutes Consider Resolution 2021-006 (LCDBG) Consider 2019-20 Audit engagement authorization Mayors’ Comments Adjourn
The Town of Jonesboro is on the move an effort to make improvements for its citizens. Mayor Leslie Thompson and Public Works Director Calvin Wortham are hard at work in an effort to make improvements to the town’s infrastructure which includes both wastewater and drinking water systems. One of the largest ongoing issues faced by the Town of Jonesboro is infrastructure improvement.
The water and sewer systems of the town have had little to no work performed on either of the systems in many years. This has resulted in the many issues the Town has experienced with erupting water lines, sewer lines backing up and other issues naturally caused by age and neglect of the system. Public works employees work diligently in an effort to keep the systems operating at an optimal level but the lack of funding affects just how much they are able to do.
Approximately two years ago an assessment was conducted of the aging wastewater collection system. This study was made to determine the needs and to seek strategies for funding the work needed to bring the aging wastewater system up to standards required by Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The water department has worked to improve its operations to continue the delivery of safe drinking water to the valued customers with minimal interruption. Prior to February 2019, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) cited many defects and deficiencies that were problematic and required immediate attention. An assessment of the Town’s treatment and water systems determined that all of the Town’s water wells need upgrading and improvements. We have installed several new pumps and generators in our efforts to upgrade and keep the system operating. There is still more work to be done to upgrade the aging system and to keep it operating at an optimal level. We understand the issues and challenges of the town’s aging systems and have secured the following grants to address these issues. We have been busy seeking out and applying for grant funding to address the problems.
To date the Town of Jonesboro has been awarded the following grants:
• LGAP (Louisiana Government Assistance Program) applied for by the Jackson Parish Police Jury on behalf of the town. This grant of $45,700 will be applied towards upgrades and repairs to the Terrell Lift Stations. • LGAP grant of $20,000 will be applied towards matching funds required for the Capital Outlay Grant • Capital Outlay Well Rehab for Tank #1 requested $650,000 • Community water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) has awarded $35,000 to be used at the Patterson Street Pump Station. • Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Public facilities Grant in the amount of $1,199,451 has been awarded to repair and improve the south oxidation pond and to repair 3 major lift stations. • We have been awarded two grants for the Jonesboro Airport. One is a pass through grant dedicated to obstruction removal in the amount of $181,770. The other is the Airport CARE’s Grant which is dedicated to improvements at the airport.
The total grants awarded in the last two years total $2,151,921. All but $201,770 of the grant awards are dedicated to improvements to the town’s infrastructure. While we have made much progress, we realize that there is still much to be done in order to get where we need to be to have the town’s wastewater and fresh water systems operating at the highest quality level.
Local schools will hit the ground running this week with a heavy schedule of games slated for Monday and Tuesday. Fans of Jonesboro-Hodge softball and both teams from Saline and Weston have the shortest distance to travel as their games are slated for the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Complex. For the others whose teams will be playing on the road travel to Famerville, Winnsboro, Monroe, Calvin and Ringgold depending on who you follow are in your future.
Governor John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday that Louisiana would move forward to Phase 3. This announcement comes after almost six weeks of improvements in Louisiana’s COVID case counts and a sustained decrease in COVID-related hospitalizations. This brings most COVID restrictions back to where they were in September 2020. Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate, which has been in place since last July, will remain in place. The Governor’s new order will last for 28 days and will expire March 31, 2021. Here is a look at what that means:
The majority of businesses, including restaurants and salons, will be able to move to 75 percent of their capacity and indoor gatherings and event centers will be capped at 50 percent of their capacity but limited to 250 people. Religious services will no longer have capacity limits, social distancing is strongly encouraged and masking will still be required.
Gyms and fitness centers will remain at 50 percent of their capacity, based on recent research from the CDC that raises concern about the spread of COVID-19 in these settings.
Bars in all parishes will be able to open for indoor service at 25 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people, but those in parishes where the percent positivity is 5 percent or lower for two consecutive weeks may have indoor service at 50 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people. Alcohol sales still must end at 11 p.m. and no one younger than 21 years old can enter a bar. Patrons must be masked at all times except when consuming food or drink, and they must be served at socially distanced tables.
Live music will be allowed indoors under additional guidance provided by the State Fire Marshal. Indoor gatherings may operate at 50 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people. Outdoor events may operate at 50 percent of their capacity, with no cap on attendance, but six feet of social distancing must be practiced.
Conventions, conferences, indoor sporting events and fairs and festivals may operate at up to 50 percent capacity with six feet of social distancing required, if they receive approval from the State Fire Marshal and the Louisiana Department of Health.
Strict masking continues to be required for all gatherings and events.
Overall, Louisiana’s percent positivity for COVID-19 tests is 5 percent, one third of the positivity rate six weeks ago. The state has completed more than 6 million COVID tests and administered more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.
It took longer than both wanted but first year coaches Ethan Roberts (JHHS baseball) and Kim Shows (Weston softball) has finally emerged their “baptism by fire” to be bathed in the “sweet waters of success.” Both had been plagued by seeing early leads turn into losses over the first two weeks but each saw their teams “flip the script” with game winning rallies to give them their initial career varsity coaching victory. For Jacob Otwell at Weston and Micah Bogues at Saline, the path to their first ever career baseball coaching victory was much smoother and shorter as both Wolves and the Bobcats won their season opener. The fifth new coach in the area, Tracy Taylor (JHHS softball), is still searching for his first win as a varsity head coach after the Lady Tigers got swept in a double header. Overall, it was a good four days (March 3-6) on the diamond as Jackson Parish Journal coverage area schools (JHHS, Quitman, Weston, Saline) won eight of twelve baseball/softball games played.
JHHS 9 Haynesville 8 – In the battle of the new JHHS head coach versus a former one (Adam Farris), the new won in thrilling fashion when Marcus Henderson roped an eighth inning double into right center to score Ajay Tew and Logan Smith who had opened the frame with singles. The battle of attrition that saw the two teams combine to make 13 errors and give up 19 base on balls gave the Tigers their first win of the year. J-H led 4-3 heading into the final inning of regulation play despite not getting their first hit of the game until the bottom of the sixth when Alfonzo Calahan got his first hit and RBI of the year to score Dominick Strickland who had walked. Earlier Chandler Harvey had scored twice and Tew once, the first of three in the game, after both had reached via free passes. It looked bleak after the top of the 7th with the Tigers trailing 7-4 but the Tigers rallied for three to tie by virtue of Tew and Smith opening with walks, Drew Davis getting a hit followed by both Xavier Atkins and Strickland getting hit by pitches and Devontae Mozee coaxing the fifth free pass of the inning. Haynesville regained the lead in the top of the 8th after Tiger pitching walked the bases full but once again the Tigers rallied by equaling the number of hits they had gathered all season combined in one inning. Tiger pitching gave up only two hits all game, both by starter Bryce Ethridge who gave went 6.2 innings and gave up only one earned run. Strickland came in to strikeout two before giving way to Harvey who earned the win by striking out two straight that left a pair of Haynesville runners on base. The Tigers also collected a season best ten steals with Tew swiping 4 and Davis taking three.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R
H
E
Haynesville (1-3)
1
0
0
1
0
1
4
1
8
2
5
JHHS (1-2)
1
0
0
0
2
1
3
2
9
5
8
WP- Harvey (1-0) LP – n/a 2B – (JH) Hernandez, (H) Goodwin RBI – (JH) Hernandez 2, Calahan, Davis, Fenn, Smith, Strickland (H) Jackson SB – (JH) Tew 4, Davis 3, Harvey, Hernandez, Smith (H) Buffet
Weston 4 Grace Christian 1: Weston played large and small ball to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth to rally for the season opening victory in Jacob Otwell’s first game as head coach. It was ninth place batter, Bryce Zehr and leadoff Caleb Waters who did the little things with Zehr hitting a seeing eye single and Waters laying down a beautiful bunt. That set the stage for the big blasts, a pair of run scoring doubles by Kaden Shirley and Davis Tolar, who then was driven in by Cooper Delaney’s single. Shirley scattered four hits in five innings of work and gave up only one earned run to earn the win after the crafty lefty consistently came up with big outs that left Grace runners on base. Delaney earned the save with two innings of no run relief. Waters, Shirley and Zehr got two hits apiece and scored a run. Delaney also got two hits and knocked in one and Tolar drove in two and scored a run. Braden Theriot also chipped in with a hit and several stellar stops at third base. NOTE: Weston was well on their way to a second straight victory on Friday with a 4-0 lead after one inning of play before the game was called due to rain. No makeup date has been set at current time.
Quitman 11 Winnfield 6: The Wolverines got timely hitting and took advantage of wild Winnfield pitching over the last two innings to score six runs that broke open a 5-5 game after five. The victory evened Quitman’s record at 2-2 while Winnfield fell to 1-5 on the year.in the contest that was played on Thursday. Cam Deal was on third with two outs after opening the top of the sixth with a hit and stealing two bases before Logan Ponder and Ty Simonelli walked to load the bases. Luke Morgan then got hit by a pitch to score Deal setting the stage for a big two run double by Ian Tilley to give Quitman an 8-5 lead . After winning pitcher Joshua Smith tallied the last two of his 9 K’s in the game to set Winnfield down in order in the bottom of the sixth the Wolverines blew it open with three more runs in the top of the seventh. Blake Carter stole second after getting plunked to open the frame and scored on Kyler West’s second RBI and third hit of the game. Cam Hollis was the third to “take one for the team” and after Ty Simonelli reached for the fifth straight time, Morgan followed with his second hit to score West and Hollis. Morgan and Tilley each drove in four while Simonelli, who went 2/2 with three walks, scored three times and Ponder twice. Jordan Vail also went 2/4 with a run scored. Quitman outhit Winnfield 12-8 in the contest and stole 14 bases led by Simonelli with four. Deal, Hollis and Ponder swiped two each with Carter, Morgan, Vail and West getting one each.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Quitman (2-2)
0
1
3
0
1
3
3
11
12
2
Winnfield (1-5)
2
0
1
0
2
0
1
6
8
0
WP – Smith (1-0), LP – n/a 2B – Simonelli, Tilley 3B – Morgan RBI – Morgan 4, Tilley 4, West 2 SB – Simonelli 4, Deal 2, Hollis 2, Ponder 2, Carter, Morgan, Vail, West
Buckeye 4 Quitman 2: A two run Buckeye lead, after scoring one each in the first and second innings,tood up dropping the Wolverines to 2-3 on the year in the second game of the Grant Invitational in Dry Prong. Quitman, who was designated the home team despite playing their first straight on the road to open the season cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third when Luke Morgan got hit by a pitch for the fourth time in five games and scored on a two out single by Ian Tilley. Morgan, who reached base all three times, would score again in the fifth after getting his second hit of the game and stealing his way around that set a new personal best of six steals in one game. Logan Ponder, Ian Tilley, Jordan Vail and Cam Hollis each got a hit for Quitman.
Saline 13 Simsboro 2: Ethan Roberts had a big day by going 2/3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Even more impressively he struck out 12 over the last four innings in relief of Logan Parker as Saline broke open a 2-2 by scoring 11 unanswered runs in the Bobcats season opener. Drew Golden started the scoring outburst by stroking a triple to lead off the fourth and scored on a Will Dison single who would later score by stealing home. Hunter Laborde gave the Bobcats a 5-2 lead by walking, stealing second and scoring on when Sean Staggs reached on an error. After Roberts scored in the fifth, Staggs stroked a double and scored in the sixth on Logan Parker’s single who scored on a Roberts groundout to up the lead to 8-2 setting up a five run seventh that was powered by consecutive hits by Jacob Jones, Laborde, Staggs (2B), Parker and Roberts (2B) and another by Golden.
What a whacky season it has been so far for the Lady Wolves. Over the first nine games Weston has seen about as many kind of results their can be. They started the year by losing a pair of games to late rallies. Then they got blown out in four straight. This was followed by the Lady Wolves scoring more in one game than they had all year combined and on Saturday, winning one by a late rally and a blowout of their own. The result is now a 3-6 record and a three game winnings streak.
Weston 25 River Oaks 8: After four innings it looked like the Lady Wolves were on their way to a seventh straight loss but in a reversal of fortune this time it was Weston who rallied late to win and in a HUGE way. It could be said Weston walked their way to their first win of the year as 13 times the Lady Wolves reached base via base on balls or hit batters over the final two innings but five hits including a double by Emma Kate McBride and triple by Macie Hall along with six River Oaks errors also contributed to the 19 run, two inning, outburst. It was a total team win as the entire starting nine scored at least two runs each and drove in a run. All but two got at least one hit and they combined to reach base seven times via walk or getting hit as Weston batters reached base an incredible 41 times on 17 hits, 11 walks, 5 hit by a pitch and 8 River Oaks errors. Lexi Barmore (2B), McBride (2B, HR), Hall (3B) and Mary Catherine Hay (2B) led the way with the power and three hits apiece. Barmore scored four with McBride, Taylor Chatham, Mallory Tolar, Hay and Josie Irvin scoring three times. Audry Welch, Jacie Ledford and Hall scored twice. Hall and Hay knocked in four apiece with Tolar and McBride finishing with 3 RBI. McBride was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion to get the win but also pitched very well over the last four innings as she limited River Oaks to just 3 hits and one earned run.
Choudrant Tourney (JPRD)
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Weston (1-6)
2
0
3
1
5
14
25
17
3
River Oaks (1-2)
0
6
2
0
0
0
8
6
8
WP- McBride (1-3), LP – Wintham 2B – Hay 2, McBride, Barmore 3B – Hall HR – McBride| RBI – Hall 4, Hay 4, McBride 3, Tolar 3, Welch 2, Irvin 2, Barmore, Ledford SB – Ledford
Weston 16 Downsville 10: For the first time all season Weston scored in every inning and held on to an early lead to win their second straight. The contest also marked the second straight game that the entire starting lineup scored. It was the bottom of the order that did the most damage with Audry Welch and Josie Irvin both reaching base in each of their four at bats and combining to score seven runs and drive in five. Lexi Barmore and Mallory Tolar had two hits and drove in three with Macie Hall also colleting a pair of hits and knocking in a pair. Taylor Chatham and Jacie Ledford scored twice and Emma Kate McBride had two RBI. Alaina Trosclair also got a hit, scored a run and stole a base. Emma Kate McBride was the winning pitcher for the second time in as many days.
Weston 17 Caddo Magnet 1: Emma Kate McBride threw her first no hitter of her career and won her third game in two days as the suddenly red-hot Weston “mercy ruled” Caddo Magnet of Shreveport in just 2 1/2 innings for their third straight win After being shut out by Winnfield three games ago the Lady Wolves have now strung together 14 consecutive innings in which they have scored at least one run including the season best 15 they put on C-Magnet in the first inning of this one. Lexi Barmore, Taylor Chatham, Mallory Tolar and Macie Hall sandwiched a hit by McBride before Weston made their first out. A Jacie Ledford double and another walk to Audry Welch followed to give Weston a 6-0 lead with two outs then the entire starting nine reached as the Lady Wolves batted around twice. Ledford led the way with two doubles, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Chatham and Tolar scored three times with Barmore, McBride, Hall and Welch tallying twice. Tolar and Hall also both drove in two runs.
In scientific terms the five games played in three days against two Class 5A schools, two from Class 4A and a top Class 2A contender finally back at full strength, was what would be called a litmus test. The Lady Wolverines might not have a’ced the test but they get a passing grade after winning three of the five. It was also expected to be a good test for all the “future” stars that dot the Lady Wolverine roster. Correction! After their showing over the weekend make that just “stars.” Leading in offensive categories over the stretch were Sophomores Madison Kaye Brymer and Madeline Vail, Freshman Madison Chaplin, 8th graders Karlee Huckaby and Cali Deal and 7th grader Maggie Guyotte. In all fairness the lone senior on the team, Jada Naron, deserves mention too
Brymer led Quitman with a .588 average, 2 HR’s and 11 RBI over the five games and was tied for the most runs scored with seven. Guyotte was the leader in doubles (4), triple (2), hit a grand slam and had 9 RBI. Deal was a double threat with a dinger and a team tying seven runs score while on the mound striking out 17 in 13.2 inning and yielding a 0.512 ERA while winning twice. Vail and Chaplin tied for the team lead with seven runs scored and Huckaby led with four stolen bases.. Naron hit .500 and was just behind the leaders in most every category. Obviously it is safe to remove the “future” tag. At Quitman the future is now!
Quitman 15 Ruston 3: The Class 5A Lady Bearcats swaggered in with a perfect 7-0 record and one of the most talked about Freshman in the state. They left with their heads hanging after getting thoroughly outplayed by the host of Quitman underclassmen including 8th grader Cali Deal who held the vaunted Ruston attack that was averaging 13 runs a game to just three meaningless tallies. Quitman came out stroking as Madison Chaplin, Madeline Vail and Deal all got hits followed by Madison Kaye Brymer smashing a double off the fence before an out was made that gave the Lady Wolverines a 3-0 lead. The second inning found more of the same with Jada Naron, Karlee Huckaby, Averie Williams and Chaplin again collecting four straight hits before the first out to help Quitman take a 7-0 advantage. Maggie Guyotte, Skylar Hall, Naron and Huckaby did it again in the third as the stunned Lady Rebels could only watch the score balloon to 9-0. The “coup-de-gras” came in the fourth as this time the Lady Wolverines had six straight get a hit before Ruston recorded an out, including a double by Guyotte and Naron. Game totals reflect Quitman getting 18 hits with seven of the nine starters getting at least two hit. As a team the Lady Wolverines batted an incredible .643 and had a 1.417 OPS (on base % plus slugging %) where a rate of 1.00 is considered extrodinary. The summary of it all was said best by a Ruston fan who while walking off was overheard muddling “We thought we had a good team. Those girls can mash!”
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Ruston (7-1)
0
0
0
3
0
3
4
0
Quitman (7-1)
3
4
2
6
x
15
18
2
WP – Deal (4-1), LP – n/a 2B – Guyotte RBI – Brymer 2, Hall 2, Deal, Guyotte, Naron, Williams SB – Averie Williams
Quitman 12 Captain Shreve 0: Cali Deal struck out seven allowed only two hits in five innings of work for her third shutout of the year. It was also her fourth straight game of giving up no earned runs and for the second straight day, Quitman “ten-run ruled” a Class 5A opponent. Quitman turned on the power on offense as well with Madison Kaye “Big Bopper” Brymer smashing two solo dingers and Madison Chaplin hitting a two run shot. Maggie Guyotte went 3/3 with a double and a triple and Karley Huckaby went two for three with two runs scored and two stolen bases as Quitman improved to 8-1 on the year.
D’Arbonne Woods 16 Quitman 8: In the “say what” category, DWC overcame a 2-0 second inning Quitman lead to plate 16 runs on 15 hits in the contest that was played on a damp field. It was a totally unexpected outcome as just one day before Quitman had handed, well regarded and previously unbeaten, Ruston a thorough whipping while DWC entered into this one having lost their first six of the year. It was an 8 run third and five run fourth that blew things open. The Lady Wolverines got untracked with four in the fifth and two more in the sixth but it was too little too late. Quitman hit the books first when Cali Deal hit a solo shot in the first and Jada Naron singled and scored in the second to stretch their season best streak of being ahead in a game to 25 innings. The Lady Wolverines reached DWC pitching for four runs in the fifth as Madeline Vail, Deal, Brymer, Maggie Guyotte and Marley Bell got consecutive hits. Averie Williams and Madison Chaplin both scored in the sixth inning. Guyotte, who went the distance, was the hard luck loser as six Quitman errors led to nine unearned runs.
Quitman 13 Minden 3: You almost have to feel sorry for Class 4A Minden. You just don’t expect to be treated they way they were by a seventh grader. Maggie Guyotte took out her frustration of losing her first of the year on the mound the game before by going 4/4 at the plate that included her first grand slam of her young career and a triple that accounted for 5 RBI to lift Quitman to the easy victory. Madison Kaye Brymer was the beneficiary of Guyotte’s offensive explosion to win her second of the year without a loss after scattering seven hits and helped her own cause with a pair of hits and RBI’s. Jada Naron also got two hits while and Madeline Vail scored three runs. Cali Deal, Taylor Harvey, Karley Huckaby and Averie Williams all scored two apiece as Quitman scored in every inning on the strength of 10 hits and 6 Minden errors.
Franklin Parish 16 Quitman 11: Maybe it was being worn out from playing five games in three days. Maybe it was the inclement conditions of rain and cold wind that plagued the day. Whatever it was Franklin Parish was the better for it as Quitman made a season worst eight errors, six in the first four innings that led to 10-2 deficit. Madison Chaplin and Brymer, Jada Naron, Karlee Huckaby and Averie Williams hit singles and Maggie Guyotte slapped a double in the 5th to help narrow the margin to 10-7 but four more by FPHS put the game away. Cali Deal took the loss despite only allowing one earned run.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Quitman
2
0
0
0
5
1
3
11
14
8
Franklin Parish
2
3
0
7
0
4
x
16
12
5
WP – n/a, LP – Deal (4-2) 2B – Guyotte RBI – Brymer 2, Hall 2, Deal, Guyotte, Naron, Williams SB – Williams
GAME OF THE WEEK
Saline 25 Simsboro 24: Hopefully those in attendance weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere in what Saline head coach Colby Hough characterized as a “marathon game”. While it wasn’t the “best played” game you will find one would be hard pressed find another as exciting or with as many offensive exploits. The totals are almost mind boggling. There were nine lead changes over the eight innings that saw the two teams combined for 49 runs scored, 39 hits, 35 walks and 13 errors. At least one run was scored by a team in every inning with both scoring in the first five innings and six of the eight. In the end it was Saline winning their 5th straight after dropping their first two of the year and Simsboro falling to 1-3. It would take a whole newspaper section to review each and every inning so see boxscore below for inning by inning scoring. What must be mentioned though are the several standout performances that were turned in by the Lady Bobcats, especially two freshmen, two seniors and a junior.
It all starts at the top of the order where Ava Toms reached base an incredible 7 times in game which was every time she came to bat. The ninth grader got four hits including a triple, drew two walks and reached on an error while also scoring five runs. Seniors Kylie Bates and Karah Zumwalt each got on base six times with three hits apiece. Bates had a triple, drew two walks, scored two runs and reached on an error. Zumwalt had a double scored five times, coaxed two errors and drew a walk. The other freshman, Jordan Williams, reached base five times, smacked a home run among her three hits and scored four runs. Junior Terrilynn Cloud also got on base four times and scored three runs. RBI totals weren’t available.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R
H
E
Simsboro (1-3)
1
4
9
3
4
2
0
1
24
12
4
Saline (5-2)
7
2
4
4
3
0
3
2
25
17
9
WP – Jayden Williams, LP – Wheeler 2B – Zumwalt 3B – Toms, Bates HR – Jordan Williams
Lady Tigers get swept by Calvin
After the first two attempts to play got postponed due to bad weather the home opener didn’t got as hoped for as the Lady Tigers got swept by Calvin 17-0 and 17-2 in games that lasted two innings each before being called by the ‘mercy rule.” In the first game Da’Brandie Grey, A’Brianna Paggett and Zoie Anderson reached base while in the second Kaylee Ethridge and Anderson scored with Madison Page, Lawanna Davis, Madeline Freeman, Harley Stewart and Jeffreianna Bradford getting on base. With the loss JHHS fell to 0-3 while Calvin improved to 3-1.
Then there were none! Quitman High fell to Fairview 57-51 in the regional round of the 2020-21 LHSAA boys state basketball playoffs this past Tuesday night. The loss eliminated the #11 ranked Wolverines who was the last remaining school alive from Jackson Parish in the “Marsh Madness” tourney and ended their season with a 17-7 record in head coach Mike Black’s first season at the helm.
The loss was hard to swallow as the visiting and lower ranked Wolverines outplayed the 6th ranked Panthers from Allen Parish. Quitman won or tied three of the four quarters played, made more baskets (22-19) and held a 38-28 advantage in rebounds but the outcome of the contest boiled down to a simple principle of mathematics – three is more than two. Of the 57 shots Fairview attempted, 39 were from behind the three point line. Conversely, Quitman only took nine shots from behind the arc. The result was a 12-1 advantage in made trey’s which proved to be the difference in the game as several were canned in the first quarter that allowed Fairview to get out to a 19-7 lead.
The loss overshadowed good performances by Joshua Smith and Cooper Williams in what turned out to be their final roundball game of their high school career. Smith ended his career with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds while Cooper led the team in scoring with 17 points. Blake Carter scored seven and the trio of Ty Simonell, john Pabaya and fellow outgoing senior Ethan Everett chipped in with four apiece. Logan Ponder had three and L.D Manning two to round out the scoring. Fairview was led by Tinks and Strother who had 23 and 22 points respectively.
1
2
3
4
Total
#11 Quitman (17-7)
7
13
15
16
51
#6 Fairview (19-8)
19
11
15
12
57
QHS scoring: Williams 17, Smith 10, Carter 7, Simonelli 4, Pabaya 4, Everitt 4, Ponder 3, Manning 2 FHS scoring: Tinks 23, Strother 22, LeJevne 7, Goods 5
It seems like just yesterday that the Jackson Parish Recreation Department (JPRD) youth basketball league began. As the old saying goes time flies when you are having fun. On Saturday, the seven leagues that consisted of close to 200 area boys and girls from the ages of 5-14 that played games virtually every weekend over the last two months played their final games of the year.
“I want to thank everyone who was involved for helping us make this season a great success,” said JPRD Director Tommy Smith. “Through their dedicated effort we were able to provide not only entertainment for our area kids but good instruction on how to compete in an organized activity, which was a main goal that were striving to achieve.”
Below are the results of games played on February 27th. Results from the March 6th games will be published on March 10th.
Results of games played on February 27th:
Warriors 24 Pelicans 20 (5 & 6 league) Scoring: (Warriors) Eli Stringer 13, Andrew Seymore 4, Hinsley Hall 2, Hudson St. Clair 2, Jasper Owen 2, Mason Greer 1 (Pelicans) Adeline Anderson 8, Ainsley Bougues 7, Jacob Toms 1, Grant Williams 1, Natalie Sullivan 1, Jaylee Hough 1, Braxton Lawson 1
Bulls 35 Lakers 7 (5 & 6 league) Scoring: (Bulls) Jagger Ingram 8, Koplen Taylor 8, Kutter Blalock 6, Carter Greer 6, River Waggoner 2, Maddox Graham 2, Savannah Porter 1, Clay Burton 1 (Lakers) Bentley Hall 2, Maddox Naron 2, Braxten Theriot 1, Tommy Sessions 1, BrantleyTucker 1
Monroe Medical Center, the City of Monroe and the Region 8 Louisiana Department of Health will host a mass vaccination event at the Monroe Civic Center, 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe, La. The mass vaccination event will take place March 16 and 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be open to eligible residents of Region 8, which includes Jackson Parish. Appointments are required and registration will open on Monday, March 8.
Will I get to choose my vaccine? This event will offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday, March 16 and the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday, March 17. Ochsner LSU Health is committed to vaccine transparency and will provide community members with information about which vaccine will be offered before scheduling. The type of vaccine offered at each location depends on Ochsner LSU Health’s weekly supply and allocation.
Will I need a second dose? The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose, so there is no need for a follow up appointment. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses. Follow up appointments will be made four weeks after the initial dose.
Who can get a vaccine? Anyone included under the current state vaccine guidelines, including but not limited to those who are: 65 and older Healthcare workers K-12 teachers, support staff and daycare personnel Law enforcement and first responders Pregnant persons 55 and older with at least one underlying medical condition as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
A full list of criteria can be found at https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/. Vaccination sites are open to those without insurance regardless of their patient status at Ochsner LSU Health.
How long do these appointments take? Usually, patients are finished in about 25-45 minutes, including the 15-minute monitoring period following their vaccination. To make the process as quick as possible, we encourage you to complete your registration online in advance following the instructions sent to you upon booking your appointment.
Are other dates and vaccine appointments available? Ochsner LSU Health continues to vaccinate community members across North Louisiana. We encourage community members to continue checking availability as new appointments across our system become available each week.
Appointments can be made by calling 318-626-0050, Option ‘0’ during business hours.
My 2021 bass fishing season got off to a slow start this year with a 41st place finish at Sam Rayburn. I fished the ABA South Texas Division and let’s just say, things did not go as planned. Now as a true angler, I know in my mind what went wrong, or should I say where I went wrong. Like any great angler, I have plenty of excuses that I will attempt to explain and then we’ll break it all down and see exactly what really went wrong.
First, there was another major event taking place on Sam Rayburn at the same time as my event called the MLF Toyota Series which included some of the greatest names in bass fishing with Rick Clunn (who is arguably the greatest angler of all time) Paul Elias (one of the legends of the sport) and many other top names that fish the MLF Pro Tour. With over 200 plus anglers in this event alone, the lake was very crowded making it difficult to have fish to yourself. Second excuse, too much fishing pressure on the lake with Toyota, ABA Open Series and guys practicing for a Sunday event called the Sweet 16. Unstable weather was another reason I had trouble (while others did not) as a front came through with high wind and rain. Oh, and did I mention we were in the middle of a full moon cycle.
As you can see, anglers are full of reasons why they did not catch fish for a particular event. I did have 3 days of good pre-fishing in which I was able to put together a Rat-L-Trap (a flat sided crankbait) pattern along with everyone else on the lake. But this time of year, that’s a normal pattern that a lot of anglers will make a part of their game plan. This is a great technique especially when you have a lake like Sam Rayburn with plenty of hydrilla (aquatic vegetation). I was also able to catch a few fish on a Yamamoto Swimming Senko slow rolling it through the hydrilla in 5 to 6 feet of water.
After picking up my co-angler (Lat Nichols of Paris, Texas) for the day, I decided to start our fishing in the same area I found and caught 4 bass in practice on a 100-yard stretch. There were 70 boats (pros) in this tournament and we were boat 47 at takeoff on Saturday morning with our scheduled weigh-in time of 3:30. We spent the first two hours on this so-called hot stretch that did not pay off with an early morning bite. So, we made a few moves here and there but still had nothing to show for our hard work and commitment. But with little to no success, I still maintained my focus and felt there would be a late bite in the afternoon just before weigh-in time. Turns out, I was right as I proceeded to catch 3 of my four keepers in the last hour of the tournament. Just like touring MLF Pro Mike Iaconelli says, “Never give up!” Always keep this in mind the next time your tournament day does not go according to plan.
Tune in to Tackle Live every Monday at 12:30 CST. on our Facebook or You Tube channel as we discuss the latest news and tournament results from Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and other great bodies of water found right here in the Ark-La-Tex region. Until next time, don’t forget to set the hook!!! – Steve Graf
Registration has begun for the for a virtual interactive “Cooking for One or Two” program, sponsored by the Jackson Parish division of the LSU-AgCenter. If you desire, you will receive a list of ingredients and a recipe so in the comfort of your own home you can cook along with show host Cathy Schimmel Judd or you can simply watch on your computer or tablet the two part series that will teach tips on saving time in the kitchen, making meal time special and how to plan nutritious meals. Classes will be held from 9:30am – 10:30 am on March 18th and 25. Sign up by calling the LSU-AgCenter office at 318-251-5134 or email cjudd@agcenter.lsu.edu. Deadline to sign up is March 15th.
Quitman High School had four powerlifters, one boy and three girls, qualify for the Division V state tournament at the North Regional Championships held at Ruston High School on February 26th. The LHSPLA state championships will be held at the University of Louisiana -Monroe (ULM) on March 18-19.
In boys competition 11th grader Jake Patton qualified in the 198.3 lb. weight class with a total lift of 785 pounds which earned him an 8th place finish. The only participant from Class B to qualify lifted 320lbs. in the squat, 180lbs in the bench press and 340lbs in the dead lift.
The top qualifier was Junior, Lajaesha Bailey who placed third overall in the girls 181.3 weight class after compiling a total weight of 565 pounds. Bailey squatted 200 pounds and bench pressed 115lbs. Her 250 pound dead lift was the second best total in her class.
Lillian Crawford and Kaitlyn Williams finished in 10th and 14th place respectively in the 165.3lb weight class. Crawford totaled 460lbs with a squat of 150lbs, bench press of 85lbs and a dead lift of 225lbs. Williams totaled 420lbs broken down into 150lbs in the squat, 70lbs in the bench press and 200lbs in the dead lift.
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Joyce Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs).
Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the fourth quarter of 2020 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAAs are 95 ppb at sample location DBP01 – 6758 Hwy 84 and 94 ppb at sample location DBP02 – 340 Louisiana. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
Construction of the GAC (granulated activated charcoal) system has been completed and the filtration system is now online. The GAC system will assist with the reduction of TTHM and HAA5 concentrations. UIL has kept LDH informed of our progress.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator at 985-893-6646 – Opt. 2.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Paradise Point Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs).
Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the fourth quarter of 2020 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAAs are 83 ppb at sample location DBP01 – 119 Eden Drive. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
UIL will be installing by the end of February an automatic flush valve. The automatic flush valve will assist with the reduction of TTHM and HAA5 concentrations. UIL has kept LDH informed of our progress.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator at 985-893-6646 – Opt. 2.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
