Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce Director Wilda Smith announces that the 2021 Christmas in Toyland T-Shirt is now available for purchase. The contermporary designed long sleeved shirt that commemorates the Christmas Festival held annually in Jonesboro will be red in color with red, black and white writing across the front.
Orders can be placed on the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce (JPCC) Facebook page or by coming to the JPCC office, located 102 4th Street in Jonesboro. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PRE-PAID BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8th.
(submitted by Dustin Barnes) More than 60 youngsters from the Jonesboro-Hodge community participated in the Only Basketball Elite (O.B.E.) Camp, which took place at the JHHS Boys Gymnasium. O.B.E. is a top-tier basketball development program founded by O’Brian “Coach O” Calahan, a 2003 graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School.
Camp participants divided into groups and worked with coaches, who taught fundamental skills necessary in the game of basketball. These coaches, along with Calahan, were Velario Altheimer, Shan Jackson, Gromika Jones Palmer, and Nikita Wilson. Allen Tew, the Head Coach for the J-HHS Boys’ Basketball Team, served as a gracious host and provided assistance throughout the day.
“We worked on moving without the ball, absorbing contact, and other key tips that are valuable in games,” said Zion Gray, a junior at J-HHS and a member of the Boys’ Basketball Team. “Coach O also taught us that everyone looks at your character on and off the court. With our being athletes in a small town, we have to stick together. It’s the real meaning of ‘Iron sharpens iron,” he added.
On Saturday evening, various members of the community attended a gala at the East Hodge Town Hall. While there, attendees had the opportunity to hear more about Calahan’s nonprofit organization, The Forever Young Foundation, Inc., and the work of the organization. The purpose of the nonprofit organization is to assist in developing and educating younger generations to become productive citizens. Calahan presented “Difference Maker” awards to Shan Jackson and Gromika Jones Palmer for their work in the community in the area of youth development.
While at J-HHS, Calahan played varsity all four years. He earned All State, District MVP, and All District 1st and 2nd Team Honors. He helped his team earn a spot in the Class 2A Top 28 Boys’ Tournament in 2002. Calahan played collegiate basketball and graduated from Tennessee Temple University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.
“I am so thankful for the support and encouragement I have received from my beloved community,” Calahan said. “I want to give back because this community has given so much to me.”
He is the proud husband of the former Brittany Powell, and they have two adorable, energetic children. The family resides in the Greater Baton Rouge area.
Registration will continue until November 19th for the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Youth Basketball League (YBL) for boys and girls of the ages 5-14. The fee is $50.00. Games will be played at the J-H Middle School and JHHS gymnasiums from January 8th – February 26th.
Boys and girls must be age 5 by cut off dates as follows: Boys – April 30th Girls – December 31st
Junior Cheerleading: Registration will continue until November 19th for children from the ages of 4-12. Cheerleaders will cheer during the YBL during the games played in January and February
Early voting for Louisiana’s Nov. 13 election ends Saturday, November 6th. Voting time runs 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters statewide will make decisions on whether to change the Louisiana Constitution, while some parishes will also have local races and propositions on the ballot.
On the ballot in Jackson Parish are the following four proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution:
Amendment No. 1: Consolidating sales tax collections; Amendment No. 2: A tax swap that would lower personal and corporate income tax rates in exchange for losing the current deductions for federal income taxes paid Amendment No. 3: Granting new taxing authority to a handful of levee boards Amendment No. 4: Allowing the governor and Legislature to skim a higher percentage of dedicated funds to address future budget crises.
There is free money available for people in the logging business in Louisiana but you need to apply now before the $9 million dollars left earmarked for the Louisiana Loggers Relief program is all gone.
The State Treasury Department said loggers can receive up to a $25,000 grant. It’s through the Main Street Recovery Program that was passed by the state legislature to help industries during the pandemic. Loggers were left out of the first round of funding so legislators included them this time, and now the State Treasurer is touring the state to let loggers know there is money waiting for them.The program ends in December.
“Loggers are working from morning to dark and are not real computer savvy so we’re trying to help them through that process. We are allowing their tax preparers or accountants or bookkeepers to prepare the applications for them.”, said John Schroder, State Treasurer of Louisiana.
For more information or to apply call the State Treasury (225) 342-0010 or click here: LA Treasury. gov
Whitney L. Kinman (North Hodge, LA) – Swapped License Plate, Driving under Suspension, No Insurance, No MVI James F. Culpepper (Quitman, LA) – Theft of a Motor Vehicle Jacob C. Horn (Ruston, LA) – Possession of Marijuana (2nd offense), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Joshua Warren (West Monroe, LA) – Theft of Goods Jamal Owens (Jonesboro, LA) – Attempted 2nd degree Murder, Failure to Appear, Execution of Sentence on charges of No Drivers License, Failure to Stop @ Stop Sign Brittany Searcy (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Battery DeMario Bradford (Ruston, LA) – Felony Theft Marcus Walker (Jonesboro, LA) – Bonsdman off Bond from 4/24/2021 arrest on charges of Improper Lane Usage, Possession of Schedule I and Schedule II drugs, Bondsman off Bond from 12/8/2020 arrest on traffic and drug charges Sadawate Livingston (Jonesboro, LA) – Fugitive from Winn Parish D’ondrae L. Johnson (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery, Reckless Operation Justin D. Spillman (North Hodge, LA) – Simple Battery of Infirmed, Terrorizing, Theft, Aggrevated Assault
