It was a tale of two opposite extremes for the The Jackson Parish 10U Girls Little League All Star team in the early stages of the District 5 tournament being played at the JPRD Sports Complex. The locals opened play by thrashing West Ouachita 21-11 on Friday but failed to score in a 9-0 loss to Vivian on Saturday. 

Jackson Parish 21 West Ouachita 11: Both teams scored in each of the first three innings but 8 runs in the third by Jackson Parish blew the game open. Tessa Reeves, Rachel Bandy and Gabby Edwards all reached base and Emma Kate Toms hit a home run to score the final of four, first inning runs to give Jackson Parish a 4-3 lead. Landry Horsfall, Bandy, Edwards, Kylie Ann Barnes and Toms added to the score in the second to up the lead to 9-5 after two setting up the onslaught in the third where all of the above scored again as well as Raeleigh Medaris and Jennalee Hall. Four more runs in the fifth gave JP the ten run cushion. 

Vivian 9 Jackson Parish 0: After reaching base 28 times in game one only four players managed to reach safely led by Gabby Edwards who got on in both of her at bats. Tessa Reeves, Kyleigh Ann Barnes and Emma Kate Toms were the other three as Jackson Parish managed to get a player to third base only twice in the game played on Saturday.

The 10U team composed of Rachel Bandy, Kylianne Barnes, Ava Canerday, Gabby Edwards, Gracie Gray,, Jennalee Hall, Teegan Hall, Landry Horsfall, Raeleigh Medaries, Tessa Reeves. Halley Taylor and Emma Kate Toms and coached by William Bandy and Emily Toms were scheduled to play a losers bracket game against Bossier Parish later on Saturday.

 

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NOTE: This is the second in a series written by Ted Lewis of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) celebrating Shady Grove High School and Louisiana Tech girls basketball star who is being enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on June 26 in Natchitoches as a member of the Class 0f 2020. Others to be inducted include: “Sweet” Lou Dunbar, C. Kent Lowe, Charles Tillman, Joan Cronan, Kerry Kittles, Mackie Freeze, Phil Robertson, Robin Fambrough, Ronnie Coleman and Tim Brando. For information on the June 24-26 festivities, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

Angela Turner – affectionately known as AT – was an extraordinarily versatile guard who led Louisiana Tech to back-to-back national championship titles in 1981 and 1982, and was the 1981 Final Four MVP. She was signed out of Shady Grove High School in the late 1970s and became a major player in establishing the Lady Techsters’ long reign of national success. Angela (Turner) Johnson, as she is now known, lives in Carrollton, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and her MBA with an accounting emphasis – both from Tech. As a top-notch CPA, she fields questions with precision:

Q: What do you remember about being recruited out of high school and what led you to Louisiana Tech?

 

A: I remember coach Sonja Hogg walking into Shady Grove High School gymnasium and she had on a white mink coat. The gym was packed. We may have been playing a doubleheader against Jonesboro-Hodge. She had such a presence. Even though she was recruiting me, she talked to all of my teammates. She treated them like she was recruiting them too. She was very friendly. I also had a cousin, Laverne Henderson, who went to Louisiana Tech and played for the Lady Techsters. She still holds the record for the most rebounds in a game. My mother and Laverne’s mother were sisters. Shady Grove was in the country. It was about 10 miles west of Jonesboro. It was about 5 miles or so from Saline. They shut down Shady Grove in 1996. Some of the students went to Saline High School and some went to Bienville Parish.

Q: What do you remember about your time at Louisiana Tech?

A: All of the wins. Going to the games. We played in old Memorial Gymnasium. I remember wading through the crowd hours before the game. We would get to the gym and the crowds were already lined up waiting to get into the gymnasium even before we were getting there for the game. On the inside, it was packed to the rafters. Everyone was so excited. It was something new for us and new for the town of Ruston and the surrounding areas. Everybody was going along for the ride. They gym would be packed and the volume was so loud. The bleachers were almost on the court so there wasn’t much room. I remember the noise and the excitement. Even though it was loud, there were certain people you could distinguished their voices. I remember the excitement and being able to play in that atmosphere. The fans alone probably gave us a 10-point advantage.

Q: Looking back, do you think you and your teammates understood the magnitude of what you were accomplishing back then?

A: No, I don’t. When you are in the moment, you are in the moment. For me I didn’t have a chance to think about it because I was in the moment. Once I graduated and left Louisiana Tech, I realized the magnitude of our accomplishments. Even now at my age – and I’ve been gone a good number of years – the evidence is in the numbers: two Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers, five Women’s Basketball Hall of Famers, seven Louisiana Tech Sports Hall of Famers, five Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers … all from those two national title teams. That tells you what kind of a team and the coaches we had. In the moment, I never realized it.

 

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The Jackson Parish Police Jury would like to extend their appreciation to Ms. Joyce Amos-Smith for her service on the Jackson Parish Tourism Board. We send our heartfelt appreciation to all of those that have served on our boards in the past and would like to thank them for their efforts and dedication to move Jackson Parish forward. Along with Ms. Joyce, we also had Mr. Philip Lawrence complete his term on the Tourism Board and Mr. Lavelle Smith completed his term on the Watershed District Board in 2021. Thank you again to these citizens who stepped forward to share their knowledge and skills with our Parish.

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Louisiana College was first to get on board but it only took the University of Arkansas – Monticello just a few more days to fall in line. Both have offered JHHS senior receiver / defensive back, DeVontae Mozee, a scholarship to continue his football career at the next level.

Mozee who also competes in basketball and track for the Tigers burst onto the season last fall after showing big play capability from his wideout position where he caught 8 passes for 193 yards (24.13 yards per catch) and four scores in seven games. Season highlights included a 58 yard touchdown reception against Class 4A Huntington and a team leading 89 receiving yards in the Class 2A playoff game against Kentwood. What caught the eye of the coaches from both universities though were his performances at their summer camps this past week.

“I am happy for DeVontae that his performance at these summer camps got noticed. He was a good player for us last year and has really worked hard this past spring and summer,” said JHHS head football coach Terrance Blankenship. “We are expecting great things from him this fall and I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of next season there are several more colleges that are going to want his services.” 

Summer campers: Mozee isn’t the only Tiger who has been putting extra time in this summer. Since May 29^th several Tigers have gone “camping” as evidenced by the list below:
LSU Camp (May 29^th) – LaJavion Nichols, Dominick Strickland
Louisiana College Camp (June 12^th) – Mozee, Justin Calahan, Javeon Andrews, JaMarriyea Lewis
U of A-Monticello Camp (June 17^th) – Mozee, Tydre Malone, Josh Tatum, Chase Leonard
La Tech Camp (June 20) – Mozee, Malone, Nichols, Leonard, Omarrion Jackson

Tigers compete in 7 on 7 games: Blankenship and staff got a good look at their offensive and defensive playmakers on June 13th when they ventured to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. JHHS split the four games they played beating Red River and Logansport and losing to Class 3A Mansfield and Class 6A Hebron High out of Texas.

“It was a good experience for the guys to get a chance to work together again in somewhat of a game environment,” said Blankenship. “There are several areas that we need to improve on but we proved we could move the ball through the air against some good teams.”

Game scheduled for Tuesday at Ruston High: JHHS will continue to play 7 on 7 games on June 22^nd and again on the 29^th at Ruston High against several top teams from north Louisiana. Games will run from 1:00pm – 3:00pm and the public is invited to attend.     

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Shepherd Norred, Bentley Ponder, Grant Griffin and Thatcher Savage all reached base with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jackson Parish scored a pair of runs to rally past LaSalle 5-4 in the opening round of the Dixie Youth, Coach-Pitch, 8U All Star Tournament being played at the JPRD Sports Complex. The locals took a quick 2-0 lead when Ponder opened the contest by scoring a run and Jackson Ables circled the bases in the second with an inside the park home run. LaSalle came back to take a 4-2 lead after 3 ½ innings that was narrowed to 4-3 when Ryder Diffey scored on a Levi Horsfall hit setting the stage for the fifth inning heroics.

East Rapides 17 Jackson Parish 6: In the second game played on Saturday, Bentley Ponder, Grant Graham, Jackson Ables, Jax Culpepper and Thatcher Savage all got first inning hits to stake the locals to a four run lead. East Rapides responded though by swinging heavy lumber in their half of the opening frame that resulted in nine runs on the strength of four triples, two doubles and a home run. Maddox Graham and Gunner Brown scored in the second to narrow the gap to three but that was as close as JP would get in the contest that was called after three and a half innings. The loss dropped the JP All-Stars into the losers bracket where they were forced to play a late game on Saturday needing to win to continue to play. 

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Barbara Morris and Ted Wells wed on December 26, 1932. Ted was a talented carpenter and worked from one job site to another. During the Great Depression, new construction ground to a halt and Ted struggled to find work. In 1932, he became a schoolteacher. Barbara brought in extra money to the family by giving piano lessons and playing for local crowds. In early 1935, Barbara told Ted that she was pregnant, and on October 1, 1935, Julia Elizabeth Wells was born. Two years later, they had a son they named Johnny. Soon thereafter, the marriage fell apart. In 1940, Barbara, still legally married to Ted Wells, began a relationship with another man, also named Ted. Johnny lived with Ted Wells and Julia lived with Barbara and “Uncle Ted.” In November 1943, Julia’s parents divorced, and Barbara immediately married the other Ted. Following the ceremony, Barbara instructed Julia that, rather than calling her stepfather “Uncle Ted,” she was to call him “Pop” which Julia despised.

Barbara was a talented piano player and Pop was a Vaudeville performer. Soon after they met, Barbara and Pop joined forces and performed in Vaudeville shows together. Barbara took every opportunity to display her talent when she held or attended parties. Sometimes, Julia attended parties with her mother, and, on many occasions, Barbara convinced Julia to sing for the guests. The guests enjoyed the impromptu performances, but Julia was always reluctant because she felt her mother was using her to get attention.

One night in the Autumn of 1950, Barbara and Julia were driving to yet another party. As they neared the home, Barbara turned to Julia and said, “I want you to do me a favor. If I ask you to sing, will you, do it?” This was out of character for Barbara. She usually asked Julia in front of the guests knowing she would be unable to refuse. Julia reluctantly agreed to sing. During the party, Barbara played piano and Julia sang a single song. The guests were delighted. After their performance, guests complimented Barbara and Julia. One man seemed genuinely interested in Julia. She recognized the man immediately. He had been a visitor in their home on several occasions when Julia was much younger than her current fifteen years of age. As the party progressed, Barbara had one stiff drink after another. The man Julia recognized from so long ago sat down on the couch beside her. Within minutes of their meeting, Julia “felt an electricity between [them] that [she] couldn’t explain.” Rather than making small talk, the man asked her specific questions about school, about singing, about her life in general.

By the time the party was over, Barbara was too intoxicated to drive. Julia, not yet old enough to operate a vehicle legally, had no choice but to drive herself and her mother home. Barbara reassured Julia in slurred speech that she would show her the way home. As they drove through the thick fog, Barbara asked Julia if she knew why they attended the party, and why she asked Julia to sing. Julia replied that she did not and kept her focus on the road. Barbara asked Julia what she thought about the man who sat beside her on the couch. “He…seemed pleasant,” Julia replied. With hesitation and tears in her eyes, Barbara explained why she had taken Julia to the party and had her sing. “That man is your father.”

Barbara explained that she had wanted to tell Julia this secret for fourteen years. Tears fell from Barbara’s eyes. Although confused, somewhat angry, and in shock, Julia remained calm and focused on the road. Barbara explained that there had been an “overwhelming attraction that she couldn’t deny,” and she had a one-night stand with him. Julia drove the car into the driveway and turned off the engine. She and her mother sat in awkward silence, neither knowing what to say. Julia was stunned by her mother’s revelation, and Barbara seemed embarrassed. Without another word, Barbara hurried from the car to sleep off her intoxication.

Barbara avoided any discussion about the topic with Julia for several days. Finally, Julia brought up the subject. Julia asked her mother how she could be sure that the man at the party was her father. Barbara replied, “because Daddy and I weren’t being romantic in those days.” Julia and her mother never spoke about the subject again.

Nearly forty years later, long after Barbara had died, Julia spoke to her Aunt Joan about the man she had met at the party. She asked if what her mother had told her so many years ago was true. Aunt Joan reluctantly told her that it was. The man at the party was, in fact, her biological father. During their conversation, Julia asked Aunt Joan a question she had wanted to ask her mother, but never did. She wanted to know if the man she knew as “dad” knew. Aunt Joan simply replied, “Yes. He Did.” Julia was almost as stunned as the night she learned who her real father was. Aunt Joan explained that “Dad” was so in love with Barbara that he overlooked the affair and the fact that Julia was not his. He had raised Julia as his own. Julia did not reveal the name of her biological father.

Back in the early 1950s, Julia joined Barbara’s and Pop’s act. For a while, she only performed a song or two. Pop wanted the spotlight for himself. Pretty soon, her talents outshone those of Barbara and Pop. Julia got offers to perform without Barbara and Pop, whose careers had stalled completely. Julia’s career, however, soared. She performed with orchestras, in Broadway and West End productions, on various television shows, and in movies. It had been Julia’s stepfather who insisted that Julia legally change her name to one more fitting his last name, which is the name you know her by. You may recognize some of Julia’s many movies such as “Victor Victoria,” “The Princess Diaries,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Mary Poppins.” You know Julia Elizabeth Wells by her adopted name… Julie Andrews.

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BUSINESS SERVICES

Sanders Pressure Washing Service:  Residential, Commercial, Patio’s, Driveway’s, Log Trucks, etc… All professionally done at great prices and with quick turnaround. For a free estimate call: Kyle Sanders at (318) 475-5430 or send email to: kylesanders28@icloud.com

B3 Lawn Services: No job to large or small. For complete lawncare and select landscaping services contact:
Todd Lowe (318) 623-8532
TJ Wilkerson (318) 480-1328
Josh Henry (318) 480-1596

or send email to: littleballgame93@yahoo.com

Harris Yard Beautification Service:  For all your lawn and landscaping needs contact Greg Harris at (318) 245-2349. Free estimates and professional service guaranteed. Based out of Chatham. 

Swimming Lessons: A Pipes family tradition continues. Call Pamela at 318-533-2983. Cost is $65.00

JONESBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN ANNOUNCE PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing will be held July 13th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the purposed Ordinance #2021-006 Tax Collector Salary. An ordinance amending section 2 of the code of ordinances of the Town of Jonesboro to amend section 2-73 fixing the compensation for the Town Tax Collector; providing an effective date therefore and providing for matters related thereto.

JONESBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 8, 2021

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Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Although public service is tough, it is very rewarding to play a small part in helping those in need. If you haven’t been called to serve the public please do not apply, it isn’t for everyone. EMS isn’t for everyone either, try going to be a doctors helper, If you are looking for a change the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District is now hiring part-time Paramedics at @ $22.00 / hr. Also taking EMT, and A-EMT applications.  For more information call 318-259-2877 or send fax to 318-259-2099. You can also apply by going to:  www.jpasd.com or at email address: jacksonparishambulance@jpasd.com
You can also mail through US Post Office to: 
Attn: Aaron Johnson
Jackson Parish Ambulance Service
115 Watts St.
Jonesboro, LA, 71251 jacksonparishambulance@jpasd.com

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Orion Grayson “O.G.” Watts Jr.
November 28,1934 – June16, 2021

Mr. O.G. Watts, Jr, age 86 of Weston, was escorted into Heaven on June 16, 2021 following a period of declining health. Mr. Watts was a farmer by trade and following his noble service in the Navy he and his wife, June, raised and nurtured a very close-knit family in the Weston community. He loved his wife, children, grands, greats and all of his siblings and their families. Mr. & Mrs. Watts were members of Ebenezer Baptist Church until the later years when physical disability hindered them.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 66 years, June (Duck) Watts; children, Vickie Hatch & Danny, Sonny Watts & Kim, Sandra Kennedy & Mark; grandchildren, Rodney Hatch & Amy, Garin Hatch & Tatum, Stefanie McBride & Michael, Heather Linton & Josh, Mallory Garrett, Lindsay Stevenson & Adam, Allison Hightower & Timothy; 21 great-grandchildren; brother, Malcolm Watts & Jessie; sister-in-law, Vernell Watts; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

O.G. was preceded in death by his parents, Orion Grayson Watts, Sr & Ethel (Odom) Watts; daughter, Toni Watts; siblings, Valton Watts, Grace Nelwyn Enmon, Bonnie Mae Lamm, Lehman Watts.

Friends may visit with the family at Ebenezer Baptist Church from 2:00pm ~ 3:00pm Sunday, June 20. 2021. Funeral services will begin at 3:00pm with Reverend Chris Lee and Reverend Randy Lee officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Rodney Hatch, Garin Hatch, Adam Stevenson, Timothy Hightower, Darrell Magee and Jim Fannin.

Reuben Roy Lofton
August 12, 1935 – June 16, 2021

Mr. Reuben Roy Lofton went to his heavenly reward on Wednesday June 16, 2021 at Northern Louisiana Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born on August 12, 1935 in Natchitoches, Louisiana and lived throughout Louisiana, residing in Jonesboro for the past thirty years. Reuben was a member of the Hodge United Pentecostal Church. He served in the US Marines at the end of the Korean War.

Left to cherish his memory are his second wife of twenty-seven years, Lynda Lofton, son Lane Lofton (Allison), grandsons, Cameron, Peyton, and Colin all of New Orleans; daughters LaNita Braud (Darren) and granddaughters, Tiffany Braud, Taryn Bennett (Jeff), and Taylor Braud, all of Prairieville, and Jan Walker (Steve), and granddaughters Heather Horton (Kyle) and Whitney Willis (Logan), all of Quitman. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Reuben was preceded in death by his first wife of thirty-one years, Elma Hodges Lofton; by his parents, William and Elizabeth Reams Lofton, and by four brothers and three sisters.

Reuben had many roles during his life, his favorites being husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. His work roles included moving mobile homes, welder, truck driver, and others. He loved traveling, especially to the Ozarks, staying at his waterfront camps, and watching the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. He will be missed beyond words by many.

Friends may visit with the family on Monday, June 21, 2021 beginning at 9:00AM with services immediately following at 10:00AM at the Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Bro. Jeff Stroud officiating. A graveside service will be held at Hope Haven Garden of Memories cemetery in Gonzales, Louisiana on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 3:30PM.

Pallbearers for the service will be grandsons Cameron Lofton, Peyton Lofton, Colin Lofton, Jeff Bennett, Kyle Horton, and Logan Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be great grandsons Gage Horton, Ridge Horton, and Cohen Haydel.

Betty Sue Collinsworth
April 25, 1948 – June 15, 2021

Betty Sue Collinsworth, age 73 of Hodge, traveled through the portals of Glory to meet her Savior on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. She was a member of Hodge United Pentecostal Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years. She was known as Grammy to her family and to most anyone who knew her. She loved flowers and enjoyed gardening. Sue could also be found being crafty in her craft room or playing cards with family and friends. She might get caught up in a good game of rook or progressive rummy and lose track of time. Sue was a Godly woman that dearly loved her family.

Those left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Alita Pipes; son, Clint Collinsworth (Tammy); grandchildren, William Pipes, Garland Pipes, Jake Pipes, Colby Collinsworth, Brooke Collinsworth, Noah Collinsworth, Claire Walpole; siblings, Lynette Wynn (Larry), Ronnie Williams (Amy), Beth Cooper (John); sisters in law, Charlene Williams, Linda Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Collinsworth; parents, Howard Joyner and Viola Elizabeth (Dison) Williams; siblings, Jimmy Williams, Tommy Williams and wife Marie, Fran Fort, Johnny Williams; twin sisters, Judy Lane Williams and Julia Ann Williams.

Funeral services were held at the Hodge United Pentecostal Church on Friday, June 18, 2021 with Reverend Jeff Stroud officiating. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery near Castor.

Serving the family as pallbearers were Colby Collinsworth, William Pipes, Garland Pipes, Jake Pipes, Noah Collinsworth, David Odenbaugh. Honorary pallbearers were James Ray Williams, Kenneth Collinsworth, Lindon Collinsworth, Jody Hall and Kim Treadway.

Elizabeth Carol Silmon
November 11, 1960 – June 15, 2021

 

Elizabeth Carol (Cooper) Silmon, age 60 of Quitman, made her journey from this life to meet her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. She is a member of Hodge United Pentecostal Church. She will be remembered as a true worshiper of God. She loved the Lord and put God above all else. She enjoyed to hunt and was an avid deer hunter. She and her husband, Stacey also enjoyed traveling together in their camper. Liz loved her family and especially loved being Nannee to her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Those left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband, Stacey G. Silmon; daughter, Sara Elizabeth Stewart (Nick); son, Chandler Gray Silmon (Ashley); grandchildren, Jensen Avery Stewart, Paisley Gray Silmon; nephew, Cal Idom; mother in law, Syble Silmon; sister in law, Angie Idom (Bud). She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Andrews and Johnnye Carol (Thrift) Cooper; father in law, Melvin Silmon.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Hodge United Pentecostal Church with Reverends Stan Thrift and Jeff Stroud officiating. Burial followed in Brooks Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers were Troy Cunningham, Brandon Durbin, Caleb Tidwell, DeWayne Harrell, John Cooper, Kasey Kelly. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Cooper, Bro. Geary Phillips.

 

 

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On Tuesday, June 15th, the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the Louisiana Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit – Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force, with executing an arrest warrant for Jesse L. Bland, along with a search warrant for his residence. Bland was arrested on one count of distribution of pornography involving children under the age of 13.
After completing the search warrant of his hard drives, an additional warrant was issued. Bland was then arrested on 100 counts of possession of pornography involving children under the age of 13, along with one count of sexual abuse of an animal. Bland was booked without incident and a bond has been set at $625,000.00.

Additional arrests made (June 4th – 15th)

Preston McDaniel (Cartwright, LA) – Battery of a dating partner, 2nd degree kidnapping, Simple Criminal Damage to Property
Terrence D. Cooper (Greenville, MS) – Traffic warrants, Speeding, Expired license plates, No proof of insurance
Logan J. Petre (Chatham, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Illegal color of vehicle lights
James J. Martin (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule IV drug, Taillamps violation, Bienville Parish Warrant
Jessie Pylant (Eros, LA) – Drug Paraphernalia, No drivers license, Illegal U-turn
Andre Dellard (Monroe, LA) – DWI (3rd offense), Careless Operation, Driving under suspension
Mark Smudricks (Jonesboro, LA) – DWI (Child Endangerment Law)
Trenton N. Toms (Quitman, LA) – Speeding, Minor in possession of alcohol, Reckless Operation
Shambriese Grant (Chatham, LA) – Disturbing the Peace Warrant, Failure to Appear
Justin D. Spillman (Hodge, LA) – Bench Warrant for Issuing Worthless Checks under $50.00
Austin Triplet (Crossett, AR) – Warrant for Simple Arson
Shaun J. Lassere (Jonesboro, LA) – DUS x 2
Ryon A. Caldwell (Downsville, LA) – Bench Warrant for Unauthorized use of a movable and Criminal Damage to Property
Amber N. McEacham (West Monroe, LA) – Ouachita Parish Bench Warrant for P&P violation
Daivuan C. Holland (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated Battery
Lindsay Lester (Jonesboro, LA) – Remaining after Forbidden
Pamela N. Lebron (Jonesboro, LA) – FTA warrant , Resisting an Officer, Battery of a Police Officer

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If there was one consensus that resulted from the June 14th regularly scheduled meeting of the Jackson Parish Police Jury it was that if you want a big crowd, just promise to talk about taking some money or services away. That was about the only thing agreed upon during the session that took place at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center as Jurors and the public alike expresses a wide variety of opinions in regard to what to do to help alleviate the funding deficit of the Solid Waste Department.

One of the largest crowds in recent memory was in attendance with several taking the podium to address the panel of Todd Culpepper, Lewis Chatham, John McCarty, President Amy Magee, Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans, Regina Rowe and Lynn Treadway. 

First up was Sarah Dark who said that after attending the Library Board meeting she felt that the Library may be more accommodating in helping with funds for the Solid Waste Department if a plan was in place that they could review and that such a plan needed to be immediately implemented. Dark then asked how the people of Jackson Parish could have a chance to vote on reallocating library funds. She also stated that the Police Jury should take into consideration labor involved and wear and tear on equipment and charge businesses and municipalities more than the $27.03 per ton that had been proposed. 

Gayle Hobson followed by reiterating that the people should be allowed to vote on the reallocation of library funds and that businesses and out of parish users of the landfill should be required to pay but not the local taxpayers. Hobson also showed the Jury a flyer she had received that offered to have a private company pick up trash but stated that she didn’t want to have to go that route. Concluding she thanked the panel for listening to the concerns of the people. Linda Devine closed the public comments portion of the meeting by stating that the Jury should look at more avenues of funding the Solid Waste Department other than just the Library. She cited that other entities like the Council on Aging has a large surplus of money as well and asked that a solution to this problem be looked into earnestly so a decision could come quickly. 

When the time came for the Jury to discuss what would be required to have a possible election to allow the Police Jury to allocate surplus funds from the Library, District One representative stated that he was against having an election at all. 

“I am not in favor of calling for an election and If it comes to a vote I will vote against it,” said Culpepper. “I look at it as the Solid Waste Departments money shortage is a problem for the Police Jury to solve. It is not the Library’s problem or anyone else’s and it is up to us to fix it. We need to leave these other entities alone. What has taken place is not their fault.” 

“I believe that through working together we can find a solution that will be fair for everyone involved,” continued Culpepper. “We now have American Recovery Act (ARA) money that previously wasn’t in consideration. By trimming some here and there from within we should be able to fix this. 

In regard to the ARA funds, President Magee informed the crowd that the Parish had received 1.5 million dollars but that a 137 page guideline on how the money could be used was in accompaniment.

“We are looking at exactly where we can use this money and the expected additional $1.5 million we are expecting to receive, said Magee. “Hopefully we will have some leeway so that we can use some of this on Solid Waste. We are researching every possibility there is in order to get this fixed.”

In additional action the Jury voted to go along with Governor Jon Bel Edwards recommendation to declare June 19th as “Juneteenth Day” which would be a state holiday that will go into effect immediately. The $27.03 per ton charge to  municipalities to dump their trash was instituted as well. This will go into effect on August 1st, 2021

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When 2017 Quitman High School graduate Hunter Ford signed on Monday, June 14th, to pitch for Arkansas Tech University it was more than just a notice of a player continuing to play baseball – much more. What it represented is one of the most inspiring stories of determination and hard work you could ever hear of about young man who refused to give up on his dream.

Ford announced his commitment to ATU through the following Twitter post.

To fully appreciate Ford’s journey you have to go back to his senior year at QHS. He was a very accomplished athlete who won two firsts and two seconds at the state track and field meet to lead Quitman to the Class B state title and just as impressive on the diamond. Ford earned district MVP honors after compiling a sterling 12-2 record on the mound that included a microscopic 0.92 ERA while leading Quitman to a #2 ranking in Class B and an undefeated, district 2B title. 

He had an wide arsenal of pitches including a fastball that clocked in the mid 80’s, a serviceable curveball and a knuckleball that he could spot for a strike at any time. Ford also had the rare ability to adjust his arm angles from pitch to pitch. One would come from straight over the top followed by another that looked like the ball was coming out of the dirt. Surprisingly though, despite the gaudy numbers and unique attributes, college coaches offering scholarships were non-existent. It was confusing to even his high school coach Joe Lockhart.

“Beats me” stated Lockhart, when asked why no one came calling. “Hunter has the best combination of ability, drive and mental toughness of any player I have ever been around. He would be an asset to any program.”

Despite the lack of attention, Ford was undeterred from pursuing his dream. He attended a summer camp in Shreveport sponsored by an organization called The Complete Showcase. At the end of the two day session, TCS Academy out of Dallas, TX offered Ford a scholarship to train at their state of the art facilities for one year, which would allow him to earn college credits but not jeopardize a year of athletic eligibility. 

Ford quickly made a name for himself as a reliever for the school which led to him being offered a chance to play for Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Through diligent work Ford added 15 pounds to his frame. He also added speed to his fastball after working with former major league pitcher and fellow Quitman High graduate Toby Borland. The result was that Ford blossomed this past spring. In 45.2 innings pitched he struck out 48 batters. He also won both of his starts, earned a save and became an integral part of the rotation late in the season that helped FSCC make a deep run in the NJCAA national tournament.

Now he will ply his trade for Arkansas Tech University out of Russellville, AR who won the Great American Conference regular season championship this past spring. It is a fitting destination for Ford as you would be hard pressed to find another player who best exemplifies the moniker the school uses. He is a true Wonder Boy!

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Maybe it felt bad. Or it could have been that since it lives in a wet habitat, it was drawn to Dr. Rainwater’s name. Regardless, its presence on the doorstep of the Jonesboro Family Clinic this past Wednesday was a quite alarming and unusual site. After all, it isn’t everyday you see a six-foot long alligator perched on the concrete entranceway of a highly trafficked place of business. 

“I have responded to many strange calls over the years but this was one of the more unusual ones I have gotten,” said Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) Deputy Tim Wyatt, who along with Deputy Ty Garrett were first to arrive to the scene.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) agents were contacted and collared the unwanted visitor. It was then transported it to a wetland habitat far from town where it was released into the wild unharmed. 

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“Miss Hogg, we’re going to win the national championship.”

That was a pretty audacious promise, especially considering it was coming from a player at a rural Class C school and made to a coach recruiting her to a college just four years into having a women’s basketball program and which had yet to sign anyone from more than 100 miles away from Ruston – including this one.

But that player was Angela Turner, who was sensational at Shady Grove High School, about 15 miles west of Jonesboro. And, sure enough, while she was at Louisiana Tech, the Lady Techsters claimed not one but two national titles plus two other Women’s Final Four appearances to boot, establishing a tradition that kept the school among the sport’s elite into the 21st century.

“I don’t know what made me say that other than I believed it was true,” said Turner, the Final Four MVP in 1981 when Tech took the AIAW championship and a Kodak All-America in 1982 when the Techsters became the first NCAA women’s champion, “When I dream, I dream big. I didn’t see any reason why it couldn’t be us.”

And now, more than four decades after she first made that memorable pledge to Tech coach Sonja Hogg, Turner’s can-do attitude — not to mention her versatile abilities topped by an ahead-of-its-time jump shot — have landed her in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

She’ll be honored in the pandemic-delayed 2020 Induction Celebration June 24-26 in Natchitoches. For tickets and information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255. Turner’s going in long after her playing days. But she’s fine with that.

“Better late than never,” said Turner, now Angela Turner Johnson, a soon-to-be-61 grandmother (and minus her trademark gold tooth and Afro) who resides with her husband, Troy Johnson, in Carrollton, Texas.

Turner Johnson joins Hogg, then-associate head coach Leon Barmore and teammates Pam Kelly, Kim Mulkey and Janice Lawrence-Braxton in the state’s shrine to its top athletes, located in Natchitoches.

That’s just 32 miles from her listed hometown of Saline in Bienville Parish. Nearby was now-closed Shady Grove High School where Turner was both a star player, averaging 30.9 points and 15.1 rebounds as a senior, and also the valedictorian of the 17-member Class of 1978 along with being Miss Shady Grove and student council president.

Turner Johnson’s fellow Hall of Famers from her Lady Techster days are unanimous in saying her inclusion is long overdue.

Kelly (1992): “A.T. should have gone in with the rest of us. She worked her butt off a player and a student, and that included helping me out with math when I couldn’t get it.”

Lawrence-Braxton (2005): “You can always tell good people, and from the time I met her, A.T. was good people. She was a leader on and off the court. Without A.T. you really don’t have the history of Lady Techster basketball.”

Barmore (2000): “Angela Turner could score, defend, steal and rebound. That God-given ability was just there. There was just an electricity about her game and you don’t find people that have the class she has.”

Mulkey (1990): “A.T. had a mid-range jump shot back in the day when mostly it was just men who were shooting them. She’d do it with a smile on her face, too. And on top of that, she was and is just a kind and classy person.”

Hogg (2013): “Angela was a joy to coach because she was the kind of player who would run through a brick wall for you. And she was a great student-athlete in every sense of the word.”

 

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Let’s do it again! That was the overriding sentiment following this past Saturday’s parish wide, clean-up effort that saw volunteers from all over the parish donate their time and energy for the purpose of helping pick up trash and remove unsightly items from residents yards, ditches, rural roads and downtown areas. 

“I think the event went well and am grateful to everyone who turned out in the heat to help,” said Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) Clean Up Committee Chairman and event organizer, John McCarty.

JPPJ President Amy Magee echoed those sentiments.

“I heard from many people that they thought we should do this more often.  Only next time we should schedule it for some other time than in the dead of summer,” laughed Magee. 

Volunteers ranged from Police Jury members, municipality officials, area residents and even the youth of the parish. Several also donated not only their time but equipment as well.

“We would like to thank Brent Barnett and Barnett Cattle and Land Development for the use of his dump trailer for the Chatham area clean up crew to use. Also would like to thank Mayor Greg Harris and the Chatham Town Hall for the use of their facility,” said Police Jury member Lewis Chatham. 

See below for a small sample of people who assisted and participated.

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The name has changed and a new updated menu that promises to continue to have many of the patrons favorites will be in the offering. You can even expect a breakfast menu soon. The reason is that what used to be Bateaux’s on Caney Lake is now Laine’s Landing after Shawn and Kate Laine, owners of Just Wing located in downtown Jonesboro purchased the business this past week. 

After announcing the purchase this prepared statement was issued on Facebook::

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS DIFFICULT TRANSITION PERIOD. We are working to straighten out the “system” in place to better serve y’all.
For anyone that purchased a boat pass, or RV spot from the owners of Bateaux for an extended time, we WILL honor all those, and if you have a group that comes up to eat (fishing groups, church groups, etc..), give us a call the day before so we can make sure your tables/area will be ready for you to dine, we will DEFINITELY keep letting that happen. FAMILY DINING, MUSIC PLAYING IN DINING ROOM, FRIENDLY STAFF, COME ENJOY SOME GOOD FOOD AND A SUPER FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. We will make sure “Laine’s Landing” WILL BE A STAPLE on Caney lake for years to come!!!
Thank you,
Shawn, Kate, Xander bug
and the entire Laine’s Landing staff!

 

 

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If you enjoyed watching area high school baseball and softball teams play this past spring then you are in for a treat as the  Jackson Parish Recreation Department is hosting a 2021 Summer High School Baseball and Softball League. The six member High School B Baseball League began play this past Monday with the eleven member Softball League scheduled to start play this Thursday.

Schools participating in the baseball league are: Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman, Saline, Calvin, Dodson and Haynesville. Each team will play a total of 10 games during the season that will run from June 14th – July 15th. All games are played on field #5, which is on the southeast corner of the complex. 

The Softball League consists of teams from: Weston, Cedar Creek, Montgomery, Downsville, Saline, Plainview, West Ouachita, Simsboro, Choudrant, Calvin and Quitman. Eleven games will be played each Thursday beginning with three games at 4:30pm, four games at 6:00pm and four games at 7:30pm Games will be played on Fields 1,2,3 and 4.

Date and Times	Home	Visitor
June 14th – 6:00pm	JHHS	Calvin
June 14th – 8:00pm	Quitman	Calvin
June 15th – 6:00pm	Dodson	Saline
June 15th – 8:00pm	Dodson	JHHS
June 17th – 6:00pm	Haynesville	Saline
June 17th – 8:00pm	Haynesville	Quitman

Time and Field	Home	Visitor
4:30 pm / Field 2	Downsville	Weston
4:30 pm / Field 3	Montgomery	Cedar Creek
4:30 pm / Field 4	Plainview	Saline
6:00 pm / Field 1	Simsboro	West Ouachita
6:00 pm / Field 2	Plainview	Choudrant
6:00 pm / Field 3	Montgomery	Calvin
6:00 pm / Field 4	Weston	Quitman
7:30 pm / Field 1	West Ouachita	Cedar Creek
7:30 pm / Field 2	Choudrant	Saline
7:30 pm / Field 3	Simsboro	Calvin
7:30 pm / Field 4	Downsville	Quitman

Dixie Youth Baseball Coach-Pitch, 8U All Star Tournament begins Friday at JPRD

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The Jackson Parish Recreation Department will play host to the Dixie Youth Baseball Coach-Pitch, 8U All Star Tournament beginning on Friday, June 18th and ending on Tuesday, June 22nd. Nine teams will compete on Fields 1 & 2 with the tournament beginning with two games scheduled to be played at 6:00 pm on Friday followed by two more at 7:30pm. Teams participating include: Jackson Parish, Winn Parish, Pineville, Jena, Sabine Parish, Tioga, LaSalle Parish, Rapides East and Alexandria. 

Representing Jackson Parish is: Jackson Ables, Gunner Brown, Jaxen Culpepper, Ryder Diffey, Maddox Graham, Grant Griffin, Levi Horshal, Tripp McBride, Shepard Norred, Bentley Ponder, Thatcher Savage, Caston Zimmerman. Coaches are: John Ables, John Culpepper and Ronald Savage. Team manger is Larry Ponder. 

Tournament Bracket

Little League All Star Softball Tournament begins play at JPRD on Friday 

The Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex will also play host to the Age 8-10, District 5, Little League Softball All Star Tournament beginning on Friday, June 18th and ending on Monday, June 21st. Seven team consisting of All-Stars from Bossier, SE Shreveport, Sterlington, West Ouachita, DeSoto Parish, Vivian and host Jackson Parish will play on Fields 3 & 4. Action begins at 6:00 pm on Friday with Bossier and SE Shreveport playing on Field 3 and Jackson Parish taking on West Ouachita on Field 4. DeSoto Parish faces Vivian on Field 3 at 8:00pm 

Tournament Bracket

The 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session ended last week with Governor Jon Bel Edwards signing 117 acts into state law. See below for a listing of bills that were signed as well as those vetoed by Governor Jon Bel Edwards. 

On June 1 Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that he signed the following bills into law from the 2021 Legislative Session, including HB 375 by Rep. Aimee Freeman, which allows for sexual assault survivors to receive early termination of their residential leases.

“I am proud to have signed HB 375 by Rep. Freeman into law, making it Act 1 of the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Gov. Edwards. “This bill is a great step forward in helping sexual assault survivors gain independence and protection under the law, and I applaud Rep. Freeman for bringing this legislation forward.”

ACT 1—HB 375 Provides relative to sexual assault victims as parties to certain residential lease agreements.

ACT 2—HB 8 Requires the Evangeline Parish Tax Assessor to pay the cost of certain insurance premiums for eligible retirees from the assessor’s office.

ACT 3—HB 12 Creates an individual income tax checkoff for the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) organization.

ACT 4—HB 27 Repeals certain adjudication, reporting, and notice requirements applicable to certain licensing boards and commissions.

ACT 5—HB 32 Increases the total number of credits that may be earned by an offender upon earning a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

ACT 6—HB 37 Provides for uniform post-placement functions associated with agency adoptions and private adoptions.

ACT 7—HB 50 Provides a state and local sales and use tax exclusion for certain re-leases or re-rentals of items of tangible personal property.

ACT 8—HB 65 Provides relative to mandatory audits of title insurance producers by title insurers.

ACT 9—HB 69 Provides relative to underground utilities.

ACT 10—HB 97 Designates a portion of United States Highway 425 in the town of Mangham as the “Marshall Waters, Jr. Memorial Highway.”

ACT 11—HB 125 Provides relative to the role of the Department of Children and Family Services as an indispensable party in certain domestic matters.

ACT 12—HB 139 Requires specified members of the parish board of election supervisors to complete annual training relative to the preparation for and conduct of elections.

ACT 13—HB 141 Requires persons conducting exit polls within six hundred feet of a polling place to register with the secretary of state.

ACT 14—HB 179 Provides relative to the requirements for officers and directors of domestic regulated entities.

ACT 15—HB 182 Provides relative to annual meetings of domestic insurance companies.

ACT 16—HB 214 Provides relative to required orientation and training of new registrars of voters.

ACT 17—HB 217 Provides relative to banks and banking.

ACT 18—HB 227 Provides relative to subpoena duces tecum when investigating sex offenses involving human trafficking.

ACT 19—HB 236 Provides relative to Louisiana Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Law.

ACT 20—HB 260 Provides for technical corrections and revision of provisions of Title 36 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

ACT 21—HB 283 Repeals reporting requirements related to commercial motor vehicle policies.

ACT 22—HB 285 Provides relative to the amount a time a person may remain in a voting machine.

ACT 23—HB 298 Provides relative to stockholders’ meetings and use of remote communication.

ACT 24—HB 307 Provides relative to notary examination preparatory education and instruction reporting requirements.

ACT 25—HB 385 Provides for the removal of abandoned manufactured housing units.

ACT 26—HB 387 Provides relative to network leasing by dental insurers.

ACT 27—HB 400 Provides relative to the partition of property.

ACT 28—HB 436 Repeals requirements for the Department of Insurance to maintain a central database for contact information on life insurance policies in force in the state.

ACT 29—HB 450 Provides relative to the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission.

ACT 30—HB 451 Provides for discounts and insurance rate reductions for residential and commercial buildings built to, or retrofitted to, reduce the threat of loss due to windstorm events.

ACT 31—HB 461 Provides relative to violations by facilities licensed in accordance with the Specialized Provider Licensing Act.

ACT 32—HB 462 Provides relative to the tax on surplus lines and unauthorized insurance.

ACT 33—HB 532 Provides relative to the contract limit for certain common carrier certificate requirements for movers of household goods.

ACT 34—HB 689 Provides relative to credit unions.

ACT 35—SB 13 Allows upgrade of accrual rate applicable to transferred service credit.

ACT 36—SB 21 Provides for the purchase of service and salary credit for members furloughed due to COVID-19.

ACT 37—SB 24 Provides a minimum benefit increase for certain retirees, beneficiaries, and survivors of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana, Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System, Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System.

ACT 38—SB 26 Designates the Forked Island Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway on Louisiana Highway 82 in Vermilion Parish as the “Rose Ashy Broussard Memorial Bridge.”

ACT 39—SB 37 Provides for designation of certain state highways.

ACT 40—SB 67 Increases the documentation fee allowed to be charged between an automobile dealer and customer.

ACT 41—SB 78 Provides for eligibility for military honor license plates for members of the Louisiana National Guard.

ACT 42—SB 79 Provides relative to the governance of fire protection districts created by Pointe Coupee Parish.

ACT 43—SB 84 Provides for health insurance coverage of genetic testing for various cancer mutations.

ACT 44—SB 100 Provides liability protection for federally insured depository institutions and mutual associations that transfer money or property by relying on small succession affidavits.

ACT 45—SB 119 Provides relative to health insurance coverage for mammography.

ACT 46—SB 169 Provides relative to the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law.

ACT 47—SB 174 Provides relative to the membership of the Alexandria/Pineville Area Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.

ACT 48—SB 182 Provides relative to public bid forms and specifications.

ACT 49—SB 184 Provides for the appointment of members to the nominating committee for the board of commissioners of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 2.

ACT 50—SB 191 Provides relative to coverage of certain physician-administered drugs and related services.

ACT 51—SB 193 Provides relative to entrance firefighters and police officer classes.

ACT 52—SB 5 Excludes amounts deposited into certain education savings accounts for tuition expenses for elementary and secondary schools from state income tax.

ACT 53—SB 6 Exempts purchases of utilities used by commercial farmers for on-farm storage from state sales and use tax.

ACT 54—SB 11 Provides an individual and corporation income tax exemption for state and federal COVID-19 relief benefits.

ACT 55—SB 18 Provides for the reemployment of retirees.

ACT 56—SB 23 Provides certain enhanced survivor benefits and insurance coverage for the spouses and children of members killed in the line of duty.

ACT 57—SB 28 Authorizes the transfer of certain state property in Orleans Parish.

ACT 58—SB 32 Repeals the exclusion of certain agricultural products authorized to be sampled and analyzed by the commissioner of agriculture.

ACT 59—SB 38 Provides relative to the terms of the members of the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board.

ACT 60—HB 23 Repeals crimes relative to defamation.

ACT 61—HB 77 Provides relative to the suspension or deferral of sentence and probation in felony cases.

ACT 62—HB 94 Extends authority for imposition of certain fees levied by the Louisiana Tax Commission for the assessment of certain properties.

ACT 63—HB 96 Redesignates a portion of Louisiana Highway 3094 in Shreveport as the “Rev. Dr. Elbert W. ‘Eddie’ Giles Memorial Highway.”

ACT 64—HB 102 Designates a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 in Caddo Parish as the “Coach Carl Pierson Memorial Highway.”

ACT 65—HB 104 Provides relative to the composition of the Louisiana Board of Animal Health and its regulatory authority over the disposal of livestock animal carcasses.

ACT 66—HB 128 Provides relative to the powers and duties of the Cash Management Review Board with respect to financial security and cybersecurity plans and procedures adopted by state agencies, including the assessment and deployment of such plans and procedures.

ACT 67—HB 133 Provides relative to the qualifications of one member of the municipal fire and police civil service board in the city of Zachary.

ACT 68—HB 140 Provides for the modernization of certain provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure.

ACT 69—HB 147 Provides relative to charges collected by public license tag agents.

ACT 70—HB 162 Provides relative to the civil service status of employees of the Simmesport Housing Authority.

ACT 71—HB 219 Provides relative to delivery of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages by restaurants.

ACT 72—HB 251 Provides relative to time limitations for instituting prosecution for crimes with victims with infirmities.

ACT 73—HB 397 Provides relative to public health programs and services related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

ACT 74—HB 405 Provides relative to compensation for members of the planning and zoning commission for the town of Brusly.

ACT 75—HB 413 Designates a portion of North Causeway Boulevard in St. Tammany Parish as the “Captain Vincent N. Liberto, Jr., Memorial Overpass.”

ACT 76—HB 502 Provides relative to dealer warranty compensation.

ACT 77—HB 577 Provides relative to residential flood coverage.

ACT 78—HB 593 Provides relative to passing a parked emergency vehicle.

ACT 79—HB 595 Provides for the payment of health insurance claims prior to the credentialing of a healthcare provider.

ACT 80—HB 697 Provides for sports wagering.

ACT 81—SB 45 Extends the sunset date for Ports of Louisiana tax credits.

ACT 82—SB 48 Provides relative to continuing education requirements imposed by the Louisiana Board of Hearing Aid Dealers.

ACT 83—SB 52 Provides for payment of certain group insurance costs by Livingston Parish sheriff.

ACT 84—SB 57 Provides for the functions of the jury commission in Franklin Parish.

ACT 85—SB 64 Provides relative to acts prohibited during early voting or on election day.

ACT 86—SB 65 Provides relative to dental referral plans.

ACT 87—SB 74 Provides for the disposition of abandoned property deposited at the state archives.

ACT 88—SB 75 Provides an exception for late approval of a capital outlay request for a state-owned and administered project submitted by a budget unit of the state, including public postsecondary education institutions.

ACT 89—SB 82 Provides for external review of health insurance issuers.

ACT 90—SB 88 Authorizes levee boards to spend funds generated from one or more levee districts in another district that benefits an entire levee authority.

ACT 91—SB 89 Provides for the unemployment insurance procedure to be applied by the secretary of the La. Workforce Commission for calendar year 2022.

ACT 92—SB 93 Provides relative to telehealth services provided by licensed hearing aid dealers.

ACT 93—SB 95 Provides relative to the return of certain schools in the Recovery School District to the transferring school board.

ACT 94—SB 98 Provides relative to marine products.

ACT 95—SB 99 Provides relative to TOPS eligibility.

ACT 96—SB 107 Provides relative to the composition of the controlled dangerous substances schedules.

ACT 97—SB 120 Provides for the salary of the marshal of the city court of Lafayette.

ACT 98—SB 129 Creates and provides for the Community Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Act.

ACT 99—SB 132 Provides relative to analysis of the DNA sample collected following an arrest for certain offenses.

ACT 100—SB 144 Creates the crime of unlawful possession, transfer, or manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia.

ACT 101—SB 168 Provides relative to controlled dangerous substances.

ACT 102—SB 180 Provides relative to state procurement of certain services by use of reverse auction technology.

ACT 103—SB 183 Provides for the acquisition of blighted property in Lake Charles.

ACT 104—SB 186 Provides for post-conviction relief with regard to successful “actual innocence” claims.

ACT 105—SB 199 Designates portions of state highways for certain individuals.

ACT 106—SB 206 Provides relative to group insurance expenses for certain clerks of court.

ACT 107—SB 212 Designates a portion of US 90 Business-Westbank Expressway in the city of Westwego in Jefferson Parish as the “Michael D. Louviere Memorial Highway.”

ACT 108—SB 216 Requires early literacy professional development for certain teachers.

ACT 109—SB 229 Provides for the creation, dedication, use, and investment of the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund.

ACT 110—SB 246 Provides relative to the creation of an international language immersion school.

ACT 111—SB 101 Provides relative to self-service storage facilities.

ACT 112—HB 3 Provides for the Omnibus Bond Act.

ACT 113—HB 484 Provides for the ancillary expenses of state government.

ACT 114—HB 515 Provides for the transfer, deposit, and use of monies among state funds.

ACT 115—HB 553 Provides for Revenue Sharing Distribution for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

ACT 116—HB 584 Appropriates funds for the expenses of the judiciary for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

ACT 117—HB 695 Makes appropriations for the expenses of the legislature for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

VETOED: Gov. John Bel Edwards also announced that he has vetoed House Bill 20, which would have prohibited local elections officials from using grant dollars to support elections, from the 2021 Legislative Session. The Governor vetoed a similar bill last year because it limited elections officials’ ability to conduct safe elections.

HB 20 Gov. Edwards has vetoed HB 20 because it is not necessary to protect the integrity of the election process. State and local election officials should retain the authority to apply for grants that would assist them in providing for safe and fair elections.

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At the start of the new year, it’s going to cost you more to enjoy the Sportsman’s Paradise as hunting and fishing permits will see a price increase in Louisiana.

Earlier this week, state lawmakers gave the green light to increase annual fees for hunting and fishing licenses. The current basic, annual fishing fee of $9.50 will increase to $17.00, and the license itself will increase from $15.00 a year to $20.00.

Some residents, like Brandon Williams, are frustrated by the increased fees.

“I think that’s a bit much. I think it’s high enough right now because you are only paying for like six months,” Williams said.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is funded by the state’s oil and gas industry revenues, although profit has declined over time.

Though they’re upset over the increase, many fishermen say it’s not enough to keep them away.

“I’m still going to come out and fish every now and then, it’s a mini-vacation,” Nick Wilton said.

This is the first time in 20 years that Louisiana’s price for fishing and hunting licenses has seen an increase.

 

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He may not be big in stature but in the world of automotive parts and service “Little” Gary Smith is a giant and his local presence is paying big dividends for the residents of Jackson Parish. The lifelong “Mallard Man” who has been associated with the Mallard family (Joe and Jay) for roughly 35 years, is now plying his trade at Jay Mallard Ford in Jonesboro. 

Actually he has been there since the first of June and already the man who has “forgotten more about Ford vehicles than most will ever know” has made an immediate impact. Regardless whether your vehicle is of “vintage” age or brand new, there is nothing that is presented to “Little” Gary that he hasn’t seen before and knows how to provide an efficient and long lasting fix. 

Obviously word of his expertise has already made the rounds as service calls are consistently growing. Drive ins are welcome but it is recommended to call in advance to 318-259-9881 and reserve a shop appointment for the quickest turnaround. 

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There is an old saying of there is no place like home. If you can’t get back home then the next best thing is to at least get back closer to home and be with the ones you have known for most of your life. An opportunity to do just that was recently afforded JHHS head baseball and assistant football coach, Ethan Roberts, who beginning this fall will now be a member of the Bolton High School staff where he will take on multiple positions. 

“I enjoyed my time coaching at Weston and at Jonesboro-Hodge and am grateful to have had the chance to work with the players, staff and faculty of both,” said Roberts. “To have the opportunity to go back to the area I was raised was to good to pass up though.”

Roberts graduated from Buckeye High School, which is just outside of Alexandria where Bolton High is located.  At the district 3-3A school, Roberts will be an assistant coach in football, baseball, weightlifting and conditioning as well as teaching science classes. Jonesboro-Hodge had a 4-16 record this past spring in Roberts first year as head coach of the Tigers baseball team.

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First Responders from all Law Enforcement agencies in Jackson Parish took part in a continuing education “Stop the Bleed” class on Thursday, June 3rd. The event that included Life Blood Center providing two donor buses where approximately 40 people participated in the Cuffs and Hoses blood drive sponsored by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“I would like to thank all those that participated in the Cuffs and Hoses blood drive,” said Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown. “It continues to be my goal to provide training opportunities open to all law enforcement personnel in the Parish.”

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T. Howard and R. Price shot a 65 to take a one shot victory in the 2021 Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. The seven under par score bested the teams of J. Liles and C. Mitchell as well as J. Sharp and R. Tew by one stroke. R. Tolar and C. Tolar along with J.J. Culpepper and R. Walsworth finished two back of the winners. 

S. Murry and P. Mims took the first flight in a scorecard playoff over J. Robinson and K. Martin. S. Brazil and R. Brazil came in third. T. Cruss and G. Kirkland won the second flight over R. Stewart and T. Strozier. Greg Foshee won the putting contest while Phillip Brown and Shannon Brown won the two closest to the hole prizes. 

The JPCC would like to thank all members who assisted in making the tournament a great success and Becky Williams and her staff for serving the delicious hamburger lunch. 

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