Michael A. Jackson (East Hodge, LA) – Illegal possession of stolen things
Brandel L. Hollingsworth (Shreveport, LA) – Probation/Parole violation
Kenneth R. Shows (Chatham, LA) – Bond revocation
Joey Tilley (Quitman, LA) – Criminal Damage to Property
Kenneth R. Martin III (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule II drug, Speeding, No Drivers License
Betty R. Bogle (Jonesboro, LA) – Felony Theft, Filing False Public Record
Christian W. Smith (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery, Aggravated Kidnapping, Cruelty to a Juvenile, Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

John Dell Self
January 4, 1945 – March 13, 2022

After fighting the good fight, John Dell Self, 77, of Weston, finished his race with great faith on Sunday, March 13, 2022. He was born in Transylvania, LA, on January 4, 1945, to W.D. (Buster) and Mae Self.

John Dell was a 1962 graduate of Jonesboro Hodge High School. He married his true love, Dianne Stewart Self, on July 2, 1965, and they shared nearly 57 wonderful years together. John Dell worked at various jobs in Jonesboro, but will be best remembered as the singing school bus driver and owning and operating Weston Wolf Stop with his wife, Dianne, for over 48 years. He was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and was the music minister at Springhill Baptist Church for over 45 years. John Dell loved his life and had fun living it with always a song in his heart. He was the life of the party and everyone loved spending time with him.

John Dell was called many names: JD, Daddy, PaPa, and Pops. He was often found outside working in his garden or catching a bass on Caney Lake. He was his family’s crazy adventuresome- fish lovin’- garden growing- sports fan- let’s have a good time PaPa!

John Dell is cherished by his wife, Dianne Stewart Self of Weston, LA, his children, Chanda Self Canady and husband Scott of Jonesboro, LA, Johnathan Self and wife Patricia of Weston, LA, and Jada Self Walsworth and husband Jason of Ruston, LA; 8 grandchildren- Skyler Canady and wife Courtney, Courtney Self Bennett and husband Cody, Sladen Canady, Saxton Canady, Mason Self, Jalyn Walsworth, Jase Walsworth, and Jonah Self; 2 great grandchildren- Sailor Canady and Cali Canady; Siblings, Ronny Self and wife Virginia of Crossett, AR, Glenda Self Beebe of Anacoco, LA, and Ramona Self Herrera and husband Clyde of Plain Dealing, LA.  He is now reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Self, and his brother, Rev. Malcolm Self, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stewart.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 5-8 pm at Southern-Edmonds Chapel, Jonesboro, LA. Services will be Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 10 am at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Jonesboro, LA with Reverends Charlie Hammons, Don Cardin, Mac Brunson and Jason Walsworth officiating. Graveside following at Springhill Cemetery, Jonesboro, LA.

Honoring Mr. Self by serving as pallbearers will be Scott Canady, Skyler Canady, Sladen Canady, Saxton Canady, Mason Self and Cody Bennett.

Audrey Fay Burch
October 12, 1940 – February 27, 2022

Audrey Fay (Black) Burch, age 81 of Jonesboro, met her Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Audrey was not one to hang around the house or spend much time cooking as she spent most every moment she could outdoors. She was blessed with a green thumb and had a wonderful talent for growing flowers. She grew them, rooted them and sold them at flea markets. She was most fond of creating beautiful flower beds. If she built one and was not happy with it then she would surely tear it down and build another one. Audrey also liked to read and she enjoyed writing stories in her free time. Audrey loved any time that she could get to spend with her sisters. She loved her family very much and she will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Becky (Black) Hall and Terry, Cathy Sonnier and Mike, Leslie Milberger and James; 6 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Vivian Springfield, April Smith, Joel Smith, Charlie Smith, Donnie Glaze, Kenneth Black, James Black, Betty Black; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Burley Gaynel Burch; grandchildren, Rocky Parker, Rachel Sonnier; parents, Ruben Victor and Burlene Marie (Wilhite) Black; siblings, J.C. Black, Lonnie Black, Alice Springfield, Rachel Beauboueff, Wanda Carlton, Dorothy Horton, Sue Thornburg, G.W. Smith.

The family has planned a graveside memorial service for Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 11:00am at Henson Cemetery in Chatham with Bro. Hudie Beaubouef officiating.

Judge Jack Crozier Watson
September 17, 1928 – February 11, 2022

Jack Crozier Watson was the only Louisiana Supreme Court Justice elected from Calcasieu Parish. Justice Jack Watson passed away at 93 on February 11, 2022 and leaves a great legacy and proud family.

Jack was born in Jonesville, Louisiana. He was the son of a State Highway engineer who moved his family many times. Jack attended six grammar schools and two high schools. His connection with Calcasieu Parish began when his Father was assigned to build the “existing” I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Jack went to college at 16 and attended Louisiana Lafayette (then SLI), where he was a leader on the Debate Team. He served our Country in the Korean War as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Jack was stationed in the Philippine Islands after graduating from the Georgetown Intelligence School. Following his military service, Jack attended law school on the GI Bill.

Jack distinguished himself at LSU Law School by winning the prestigious Moot Court trial competition; he started his legal career at King, Anderson and Swift in Lake Charles. District Attorney Frank Salter appointed Jack Assistant District Attorney. Together they prosecuted the first large drug trial in Lake Charles. Also, Jack was on the Host Committee for the visit in 1959 by then Senator John F. Kennedy.

Jack was elected Calcasieu Parish District Judge at 35, one of the youngest ever to be elected judge in Louisiana. Judge Watson proudly performed as many as 86 marriages in one year and started the first Family Court in Calcasieu Parish. One prominent local attorney stated that “Judge Watson handled all family matters on a Wednesday night.” Judge Watson was also instrumental in getting our Juvenile Detention Center built.

In 1972, Judge Watson was elected from 21 Parishes to the prestigious Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He returned to the Philippines in 1977, after being invited as one of the few United States delegates to the International Conference of Appellate Magistrates. Jack was elected without opposition to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1979. He then became Justice Jack Watson and proudly served our State with honor and skill on Louisiana’s Highest Court for 17 years. He served with remarkable colleagues and prided himself on not being late with his Judicial Opinions.

Jack had a passion for travel and photography. He photographed polar bears in Canada and wild animals in Africa. Jack was a Commander of the Lake Charles Yacht Club and, with his family as his crew, won the Flying Scot sailing division. Jack coached his sons’ athletic teams, and one of his favorite activities was teaching Tulane Law Summer School in Greece.

One cannot mention Jack without mentioning his wife, Sue.  They met in Law School and were married 63 years.  Jack told the story that banker Frank Field lent him $500 to get married on what Mr. Field called a “character loan.”  Sue and Jack were constant companions, worked together and were best friends.  Jack is survived by his wife, Sue, and his son, Wells, the managing partner of Baggett McCall Law Firm. Wells credits his parents for his legal career and as a lawyer cherished his Father’s invaluable guidance.  Jack was a very proud grandfather of three – Wells, Jr., Emeline and Jack, II.  He was his grandchildren’s personal photographer and will always be known to them as “Big Jack.”  Jack is also survived by his brother, Dr. Jerry Watson, a retired orthopedic surgeon.  Jack’s parents were Jesse Watson and Gladys Talbot Watson.  Jack was predeceased by his son, Carter, and his brother, Talbot. 
One of Jack’s favorite expressions was “sometimes you have to stand up and be counted.” Justice Jack Crozier Watson stood up and was counted for his 93 amazing years.  The Watson family gives heartfelt thanks for the amazing acknowledgements of our beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Episcopal Day School or to Tulane University Law School.

Jack was buried in his judicial robe alongside his family in Jonesboro, Louisiana at the Jonesboro Cemetery on March 12th. 

MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation dubbed “Operation Kutt Off” has resulted in the conviction of nine individuals for their involvement in drug trafficking in the Western District of Louisiana. This includes six current Jackson Parish residents.  

Eight of the defendants have been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty after either a plea of guilty or conviction at trial. Those defendants and their sentences are as follows:

Justin Randall Goss, 31, of Quitman, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 216 months (18 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Curavious Omarion Deshun Harrell, 30, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 104 months (8 years, 8 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Rodney Ceasar, 53, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug premises and was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Adriene Denise Ceasar, 57, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug premises and was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release.

Meshach Demontez Conley, 31, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 38 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

DeLewis Johnson, IV, 46, of West Covina, California, was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 405 months (33 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Roy Lee Jones, Jr., 46, of Grambling, Louisiana, was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 210 months (16 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Willie Todd Harris, Jr., 47, of Ruston, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 228 months (19 years) in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

These defendants conspired together to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Winn Parish and Jackson Parish, Louisiana. In April 2019, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating the illegal drug trafficking activities in this area and were able to obtain approval to wiretap the phones of Harris and Jones.

Through their investigation, agents learned that Johnson, who lived in California, would obtain bulk quantities of methamphetamine from Mexican suppliers and would then send those drugs to Jones and Harris. Harris would then distribute the methamphetamine to other individuals to sell and distribute, including Goss and Harrell.

Law enforcement officers conducted undercover purchases of methamphetamine from Johnson, Harris, Goss, and Harrell. The purchased narcotics were sent to the crime lab and analyzed and determined to in fact be methamphetamine. Agents were also able to intercept phone calls between Johnson, Jones and other co-conspirators wherein they communicated about the selling and purchasing of methamphetamine.

Rodney Ceasar and his wife, Adriene, stored distribution quantities of the methamphetamine for Harris at their home in Jonesboro. Agents were able to intercept phone calls wherein Harris and both Ceasars discussed distributing or selling the narcotics.

In addition, on December 17, 2019, agents intercepted phone calls wherein Johnson discussed shipping a package containing one pound of methamphetamine via overnight mail. Johnson instructed the individual to wire money to him in exchange for the drugs but in another person’s name.

Undercover agents sent the money via Western Union as instructed. After receiving payment, Johnson sent a text message containing the shipping information. On December 19, 2019, agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service located the package at a facility in Shreveport and executed a search warrant on the package. Inside was approximately one pound of methamphetamine.

Chadreck Carter, 34, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell on April 16, 2021.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Louisiana State Police, LPNet, ATF, Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The talk of Jackson Parish is the incredible start to the season by the Weston High baseball team. The Wolves have gotten noticed statewide as well as verified by their #1 ranking in both the LHSAA and GeauxPreps.com latest Class B power point polls.

The Wolves not only top the Class B polls, they lead it by a wide margin of more than two points and well they should. Weston has not only won every game they have played so far this season but have won by more than 10 runs in every game and by 15 or more in all but two.
The team’s stat line is almost unbelievable.

Weston has outscored their opponents by an incredible 106-1 margin. Making it even more impressive is that this has been done against teams from higher classifications in 6 of the 7 games. Defensively the pitching staff has allowed only four hits all season. This includes four no-hitters two one hitters and a two hitter. Offensively the 15-man roster is batting .424. The teams on base percentage stands at .591 almost half of their hits on the season have been for extra bases. That computes to a 1.364 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage).

Two of the three other teams in District 2B, Quitman and defending Class B state champion, Choudrant, have also gotten off to solid starts and are highly ranked as well. The Wolverines (6-2) are currently at #3 in the state while Choudrant (9-2), is one spot behind at #4. At #18, Simsboro (4-4) is the lowest ranked team from what is easily the toughest Class B district in the state.

On the flip side the 1-2A baseball and softball districts are by far the worst in the state according to conglomerate rankings. In baseball the best team in 1-2A, Lakeside, is only at #30 while in softball the best rankings a team from 1-2A has, D’Arbonne Woods, is #21 and has a win-loss record of 5-28 among the four teams. 

Area prep baseball and softball standing, rankings and records as of Sunday, March 13th.

District 1-2A Baseball

3/14 North Caddo at Plain Dealing
3/15 Lakeside vs Evangel Christian
3/15 D’Arbonne Woods at Choudrant

District 2B Baseball

3/14 Weston vs Bastrop
3/14 Simsboro at Dodson
3/14 Quitman at Calvary Baptist
3/15 Weston at West Ouachita
3/15 Choudrant vs D’Arbonne Woods

District 1B Baseball

3/14 Dodson vs Simsboro
3/14 Saline vs Doyline (District)
3/15 Dodson vs Calvin
3/15 Castor at Stanley

District 1-2A Softball

3/14 Jonesboro-Hodge at Doyline
3/14 D’Arbonne Woods vs Weston
3/15 Jonesboro-Hodge at Calvin (2 games)
3/15 North Caddo at Haynesville
3/15 Lakeside at Claiborne Christian
3/15 D’Arbonne Woods vs Choudrant

District 2B Softball

3/14 Quitman vs Choudrant (D)
3/14 Weston at D’Arbonne Woods
3/15 Weston at Castor
3/15 Quitman vs Northwood-Shreve
3/15 Choudrant at D’Arbonne Woods

District 1B Softball

3/14 Doyline vs Jonesboro-Hodge
3/15 Doyline vs Bossier (2 games)
3/15 Castor vs Weston
3/15 Saline at Loyola Prep

Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson and town of Jonesboro administration personnel invites residents to come and celebrate with them the reopening of City Hall, located at 128 Allen Avenue on March 23rd. Come during the times of 12:00 – 1:00pm and enjoy refreshments while also getting a chance to see the improvements and upgrades to the building. 

After the 15-0 “mercy rule” whipping Quitman applied to Weston this past Thursday the only question that remained was which part of the Lady Wolverines arsenal was most dominant? Was it the offense that had 22 batters reach base before ten outs were recorded or was it the pitching performance by Cali Deal who didn’t allow a hit and recorded every out by strikeout?

One question that was definitively answered was would Quitman continue their dominance of their parish and district rival? The answer was a resounding YES!

The victory was the sixth straight over five years by the Lady Wolverines in the Jackson Parish rivalry. It also marked the fifth consecutive time the contest was called due to the “mercy rule” and fourth straight over a three year period that Weston has failed to even score.

There is no doubt that Weston is a much improved team this season in Cecilia Akins first year as head coach. This is verified by the 3-1 start the Lady Wolves brought into the battle, tying the 2019 edition with the best mark after four games since 2017.

To give an idea of the improvement shown, in 2020 Weston lost every game played. Last spring the Lady Wolves lost their first six before earning a win. It led to belief that maybe this year Weston would give Quitman a game in the district 2B opener for both.

The answer was a resounding NO!

Not when one of the most dominant pitching performances in the state so far this season was exhibited. Not when the vaunted Quitman offense is hitting on all cylinders like they were. In all fairness when Quitman turns in a combined performance like that, NO TEAM, regardless of classification, has much of a chance.

Back to the question as to what area was Quitman most dominant in.

Let’s start with the display of pitching shown by Cali “The Real” Deal. After getting a late start due to her obligations to the Quitman basketball team, the lanky lefty showed that she is rounding into the form that earned her first team All-State honors as an 8th grader last year. Actually, it could be said she has even taken to a higher level.

Deal threw 66 pitches to 14 Weston batters, 46 of them were for strikes. When Alaina Trosclair hit an infield grounder and reached base on an error in the first inning it was the only time Weston managed to make contact with one of Deal’s pitches. Only one other time did Weston manage a base runner and that was when Penelope Ferguson walked in the top of the third. Other than that, Deal struck out every Weston batter. Twelve up. Twelve down. That includes streaks of first six and then five K’s in a row.

The offensive production was impressive as well. Quitman sandwiched three runs in the first and third innings with eight in the second. The final run that ended the game was scored without an out made in in the fourth. In 26 “official” at bats the Lady Wolverines pounded out 15 hits. That tabulates to a .577 TEAM batting average for the game. Five more times Quitman batter drew a walk and twice more they reached on an error. In 31 plate appearances Quitman batters reached base 22 times giving them a .667 on base percentage. That breaks down to two out of every three that stepped in the batter’s box.

Maddie Kaye Brymer led the offensive onslaught by reaching base all four times by going 3/3 with a walk that led to 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Madline Vail, Maggie Guyotte, Averie Williams and Skylar Hall all got two hits apiece and scored two runs, except Guyotte who crossed home three times. A.J. Grey also scored twice. Addison Fenn, Anna Leach and Deal also got a hit as did Karley Huckaby. Hers was not just any hit but a three run home run. Quitman also stole 8 bases with Vail leading the way with three thefts.

The answer to what area Quitman was most dominant in is – take your pick. The combination led to the 7th win in 10 outings this season and a 1-0 start to district 2B play. That is all head coach Justin Dodson is concerned with anyway.

WP – Deal (2-1)
LP – McBride (2-1)
2B – Guyotte, Vail
HR – Huckaby
RBI – Huckaby 3, Hall 2, Williams 2, Brymer 2, Guyotte, Deal, Fenn, Vail
SB – Vail 3, Guyotte, Leach, Brymer, Grey, Deal

Friday contest is easy “Pitken” for Quitman

One day after 9th grader, Cali Deal’s, best pitching performance of the year 8th grader, Maggie Guyotte, followed with hers. She also turned in her best day at the plate as well. You just can’t have a much better day at the ballpark.

In one of the more dominating, all-around individual performances you will ever find, Guyotte threw 32 strikes in 39 pitches to face just one batter over the minimum over 5 innings of shut-out ball and then went a perfect 4/4 at the plate that included a double and a home run and 4 RBI. Remember, this is an 8th grader!

The other half of the youthful “dynamic duo” that toes the circle for the Lady Wolverines gave up a double to the second batter of the game. The “young gun” then retired 14 in a row as Quitman won 18-0 for their second straight shutout and 8th of the season against 3 losses. Guyotte is 5-2 in those games with the losses coming against Class 5A Ruston and Class 4A Neville. Think that is impressive? Check this out! The 4/4 effort at the plate gave Guyotte 11 hits in her last 15 at bats. That equates to a .733 batting average. For the year, Guyotte is batting .563 with 18 hits in 32 at bats and has 19 RBI and 14 runs scored in just 11 games. Is there a better 8th grader in the state? Find one if you can.

That is still only a portion of the incredible young talent Quitman possesses as evidenced by the stats compiled in the Pitkin game. As a team Quitman reached base 22 times, stroked 7 doubles, a triple, two homeruns, had six stolen bases and had ten players score and nine players knock in a run.

Additional individual stat leaders were Maddie Kaye Brymer (3/4, 2-2B, HR, 3 RBI), Madeline Vail (2/3, 2 RS, 4 SB), Skylar Hall (2/4, 2RS) and Averie Williams (2 RS, 2 RBI). Madison Chaplin (3/4, 2-2B, 3 RS, 2 RBI), Karley Huckaby (2/4, 3B, 2 RS), Marley Bell (2B, RS, RBI), Anna Leach (1/1, 3 RS, 2 RBI) and Deal (2/4, 2B, 2 SB) also contributed mightily.

WP – Guyotte (5-2)
LP – Perkins
2B – Brymer 2, Chaplin 2, Deal, Bell, Guyotte
3B – Huckaby
HR – Brymer, Guyotte
RBI – Guyotte 4, Brymer 3, Leach 2, Chaplin 2, Williams 2, Vail, Huckaby, Hall, Bell
SB – Vail 4, Deal 2

Weston baseball defends top ranking 

It was bound to happen sooner or later, so it was no big surprise when defending Division V state champion Claiborne Christian scored the first earned runs off of Weston pitching this season. It still didn’t stop the Wolves, who entered as the top ranked team in Class B from winning their 8th consecutive contest by 10 runs or more. They just did it by scoring in the later innings this time.

Tied at four apiece after four innings of play, Weston broke out for 15 runs over the last three innings, including scoring eight when they batted in the seventh inning for the first time this year. Six Wolves got multiple hits, led by four from Caleb Waters who also scored four times. Davis Tolar and Tait Henderson got three each, with both scoring three times and Davis knocking in two with a triple and Henderson one. Drew Browning and Kaden Shirley got two hits and drove in a pair each. Cooper Delaney also got a pair of hits, including a double and accounted for three RBI. Bryce Zehr and Cole Tolar each got a hit and drove in a run as did Braden Theriot, who also walked twice and scored twice. Caleb Waters threw three innings to get the win.

WP – Delaney (3-0)
LP – Wedrall
2B – Waters, Delaney
3B – D. Tolar
RBI – Delaney 3, D. Tolar 2, Browning 2, Shirley 2, Zehr, Henderson, Waters, C. Tolar, Theriot
SB – Waters

Quitman continues to play “Giant Killer”

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Six times this season the Quitman baseball team has forced schools from higher classifications feel the pain of getting beat by a smaller school. Class A, St. Frederick, out of Monroe, is the latest victim and they fell the hardest of them all.

It wasn’t the score that hurt worst, although the 11-4 victory was a wide margin. It was the fact that twice the Warriors took the lead and led after the end of the first four innings only to see Quitman come storming back with 9 runs over the final three frames to win going away in the first game of the Choudrant Tourney for both teams.

It was as crushing a blow for St. Frederick as it was a glorious win for Quitman. The Warriors had already posted wins over Class 5A schools Ouachita Parish and Natchitoches Central. They had also beaten a pair of Class 3A teams in Union Parish and defending state champion Sterlington. Losing to Class B, Quitman? OUCH!

They shouldn’t be ashamed. Quitman is getting quite a reputation as “giant killers.” Already the Wolverines had claimed victories over Class 2A Pickering and D’Arbonne Woods and Class 3A team South Beauregard, Grant and Buckeye. The 4th ranked team in Class B according to the latest power poll improved their record to 6-2.

It isn’t just the fact that the Wolverines won their sixth of the year against higher classified teams, that was what was impressive. It was the way they did it.

Down 4-3 heading into the top of the sixth inning, Quitman sent 10 batters to the plate to score six runs then scored three more in the seventh. Cam Deal go the big inning started by reaching first on an error. Logan Ponder followed with a single. Then the Wolverines showed the “good eye” as Luke Morgan, Ian Tilley, Blake Carter and Riley Duck coaxed walks before Cameron Hollis got hit with a pitch and Kace West got a hit. In the seventh inning it added three more as Morgan, Tilley and Carter who got hit, Simonelli walked and Hollis got plunked for the second straight inning.

Meanwhile Duck came in relief of Tilley, who had been touched for four runs although none were earned, to throw 3.1 innings of “one hit” ball to get the win. Logan Ponder paced the offense with three hits, with Carter and West getting a pair of singles each and knocked in three and two runs respectively. Morgan, Duck and Ty Simonelli, who hit a triple in the contest, all got a hit as well.

WP – Duck
LP – Carr
3B – Simonelli
RBI – Carter 3, West 2, Deal, Hollis, Duck, Simonelli
SB – Morgan

Saline evens record with victory over Castor

It didn’t count as a district game but Saline’s 6-4 victory over their district 1B foe, Castor, served notice that the Bobcats show more potential to be title contenders than their fellow Bienville Parish rival. In the contest between the two schools who were both still searching for their first victory of the year, the Bobcats scored three in the fifth inning to rally from a run down twice over the first four frames.

How can two schools still looking for their first win after the season is several weeks even think about being district champions? Looks can be deceiving. After having a couple of games postponed that caused a late start to the season, the contest was only the second of the year for the Bobcats. In their opener they fell in a tight battle to perineal Class C power Hicks, who is still undefeated on the year.

With the loss Castor is now 0-6 on the season but the record is somewhat misleading. The first five games were all against schools from a higher classification other than a contest against defending Class B champion Choudrant. The combined record of those opponents is 33-14.
After Castor had scored two to open the game, the Bobcats cut the lead in half when Shawn Staggs singled in Jacob Jones who had singled and stolen second. Staggs tied it up in the third after getting hit by a pitch, stealing second, going to third on a passed ball and scoring on Landon Horsefallon’s single.

Castor once again went ahead with two runs in the top of the fourth only to see Saline rally again thanks to some wildness by Castor pitching and Saline’s only extra base hit of the game. Bryce D and Jones both got plunked to open the bottom of the fourth followed by Will Dyson coaxing a walk.

Ethan Roberts then did what a clean-up batter is supposed to do and roped a double to give Saline a 5-4 lead. Dyson added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when he singled, stole second and came home on Drew Golden’s RBI single. Roberts not only knocked in the run that put Saline on top he also grabbed the win on the mound after throwing the final 2 2/3 innings in relief of Staggs. Caleb Shirley took the loss for Castor.

Lady Tigers show improvement

For the Jonesboro-Hodge softball team the past two springs have been a dreary and dark time. Last year the Lady Tigers lost 13 straight games before finally winning one. Then they lost seven more after that to finish the season with a 1-20 record. After dropping the first six this season, JHHS is once again enduring a 13-game losing streak, counting the final seven games last year. That computes to a 1-26 record in the last two seasons. OUCH!

For some, the futility might make them want to quit. To the Lady Tigers credit, they are working harder than ever. Judging by their performance over the last three games it looks their may be brighter days ahead.

This past week JHHS showed signs of beginning to turn the corner. On Wednesday against Red River the Lady Tigers were tied late in the game before falling by a 19-15 score. One day later they scored 11 runs over two games against Ringgold, who won both games.

What leads credence to the Lady Tigers having fortune in their future fortunes is the number of runs scored. Before JHHS broke out for the 15 runs they had scored only 10 over the last 10 games dating back to last year. The last time JHHS scored as many runs (26) over a three game period came just before they won their only game of the year last spring.

“I was very proud of our girls. We lost, but they played a great game,” said second year head coach, Tracy Taylor following the loss to Red River. “The girls are working hard and we are getting better. We have great leadership from the returning starters and our young players are developing every inning.”

There will be a Public Meeting held at the Chatham Town Hall before the regular Town Council meeting on April 12th beginning at 5:00pm and running to 6:00pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the status of the town and answer any questions that residents may have about how the town is being operated.

That was the decision made by Chatham Town Council members Marvin Davis, Laverne Mixon and Sue Proffer in front of Chatham Mayor, Gregory Harris and visitor John Mize during the regular monthly session held on March 8th. Toni Malone and Mike Wilson was absent.

In additional action, the Council voted to adopt Resolution 2022-02, which appointed David Risher to serve as director and Mayor Harris as alternate director to represent Chatham on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Municipal Natural Gas Purchasing and Distribution Authority for four-year terms.

Several local prep players from Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman, Weston and Saline have been awarded with All District designations. 
See below for honorees from each district represented.

District 1-2A (Jonesboro-Hodge)

Justin Calahan and Ajay Tew has been named to 1-2A All-District First Team. The two backcourt members of the Class AA quarterfinalist Tigers received the second and third most votes behind district MVP, O’marrion Miller, of 1-2A champion, North Caddo. Leandre Gibson of North Caddo was named Coach of the Year.

The All-District selections were chosen by the coaches from the four district 1-2A schools based on a 10-point ranking system where 10 represents the top choice, 9 the second choice and so on. A coach is not allowed to vote for a player from his own team and statistics of players are from district contests only. 

In 1-2A play, Calahan averaged 16 points per game (ppg), 3.8 rebounds per game (rpg), 3.2 steals per game (spg) and 2.6 assists per game (apg). Tew averaged 10.8 ppg / 2.8 rpg / 4.3 apg / 1.7 spg.  Devontae Mozee (7.8 ppg/5.2 rpg/0.8 apg/2.0 spg) was named to the second team while Tydre Malone (10.6ppg/8.6rpg/4.0apg/3.0spg) earned Honorable Mention designation.

First Team 

Second Team 

Honorable Mention 

District 2B (Quitman, Weston)

L. D. Manning of Quitman High and Davis Tolar from Weston has been named to the 2B All District first team.  Eli McBride of Weston and Blake Carter of Quitman made the second team with Seth Peterson of Weston and both Logan Ponder and Ty Simonelli of Quitman receiving Honorable Mention designation.

Jordan Crawford of District Champion Saline was named MVP with coaches Josh Brown of Simsboro and Ryan Smith of Choudrant sharing Coach of the Year honors. Additional first team honorees were Chris Williams and Lachian Thompson from Choudrant along with Nick Maryland and Chilaydrien Newton of Simsboro. 

First Team

Second Team

Honorable Mention

District 1B

The entire starting five for Class B quarterfinalist Saline made either first or second team 1B All-District honors. Named to the first team was Ethan Roberts and Titus Jackson. Second team honorees were Titus Malone, Shawn Staggs and Steven Brown. All but Staggs are seniors.

Dodson saw Dylan Box make the first team with Zach Engram named to the second and Clay Statham earning Honorable Mention designation. Jamaria Clark of Doyline was the MVP of the district with Michael Normand of district champion Doyline earning Coach of the Year honors.

Georgia Robinson was the lone representative to the girls 1B All-District first team with Saline’s Alana Gray and Sadie Beauboeuf of Dodson earning second team designation. Skylar Hough and Alaya Gray received Honorable Mention recognition for Saline while Dodson had Molly Connor and Andrea Uribarri named. Jalexia Caldwell of Castor was chosen as MVP.

Chatham Branch Schedule of Activities (March 14-19)

Jonesboro Branch Schedule of Activities (March 14-19)

The Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District (JPASD) is hosting an Open House from 6:00-7:30pm this Tuesday, March 15th to celebrate their new training center that has been added on to their facility, located at 115 Watts Avenue in Jonesboro, which is behind the Jackson Parish Hospital. 

Get a chance to tour the new center, meet with instructors and learn about the upcoming EMT class that will take place in April. Student packets will be given out and refreshments will be provided. 

The Spring application window for a possible Jonesboro State Bank / Pledge 10 grant ends on Tuesday, March 15th. Applications for the fall quarter that runs from July 15th to September 15th is still being accepted from area non-profits in Jackson, Lincoln, Winn and Bienville Parishes. 

These grants assist with innovative projects that promote education, youth development, financial literacy or community enrichment in this four-parish area. Awards range from $2500.00 to $10,000.00 To apply for a Pledge 10 grant go online @ Pledge10.com.

Grants are largely evaluated, scored and recommended for funding based on how carefully the guidelines are followed. Please send questions to Pledge10@jboro.com. Upon submission of a grant proposal, contact will be made if any additional information or clarification is necessary. To learn more about the guidelines, grant agreement and for Frequently Asked Questions click here.

On your mark… Get set… POW! The starters pistol sounded for the first time this spring as the beginning of the 2022 LHSAA track season took place. For Jackson Parish schools, Quitman and Weston, that meant competing at the Cedar Creek Relays in Ruston on Friday, March 4th. 

Along with fellow district 2B competitor Simsboro, the two local schools were the smallest in classification in the season opening meet that attracted 14 schools from northeast Louisiana. The Quitman girls and boys had the highest point total among Class B school’s that was good for a 6th and 9th place finish respectively. Weston finished 12th in the boys meet and 13th in the girls.

Ouachita Christian won both the boys and girls divisions with host Cedar Creek coming in second and Ruston third in the girls and Ruston and Sterlington taking silver and bronze in the boys division. 

Individually, Maddie Grace Giddens scored twice in the hurdles and twice as a member of relay teams to post 32 points to her credit, over half of the Lady Wolverines, 61 point team score. Giddens and Kaleigh King finished 2nd and 3rd in the 300M High Hurdles to grab 14 points Quitman doubled up again in the 100M Hurdles as Giddens finished 3rd and Taylor Borland 5th to earn 8 points.

Additional top six finishers and point earners:
4x100M Relay- Bethany Leach, Emayshia Wiley, Giddens, Kaleigh King – 3rd Place (6 points)
4x400M Relay-Leach, Faith Odom, Giddens and Lily Kate Odom – 4th Place (4 points) 
Shotput – AJ Gray – 4th place (3 points)
Long Jump – Bethany Leach – 5th place (2 points)
Triple Jump – Brayli Stewart – 5th place (2 points)
High Jump – Kylee Ann Dixon – 5th place (2 points)

Individually for the boys, Hunter Folks of Quitman had the highest finish with his 9’0″ jump earning fourth place in the Pole Vault. The 4x200M relay team of Brayden Smith, Geoffrey Maxwell, John Pabaya and Nathan Harvey earned a point with a 6th place finish with a time of 1:45.89 as did Taylor Huddleston, who clocked 5:25.62 in the 1600M. Nathan Harvey leaped 35’3″ in the triple jump and Kliebert Nicholas cleared the bar at 5’2″ in the high jump to grab 6th place finishes as well.

For Weston, the only point winners were Lexie Millien who took 4th place in the Long Jump to earn 4 points, Carroll Foshee, fifth in the Pole Vault for 2 points and the 4x100M relay team of Albert Daniel, Kaden Shirley, Daniel Washington and Albert Gage, who won 6th place for a point..

Quitman boys and girls take 2nd at Cedar Creek Junior High Meet

Quitman Junior High won second place in both the boys and girls divisions in the meet held at Cedar Creek High School in Ruston this past week. Teams that competed came from Cedar Creek, Ouachita Christian, Haynesville, Delhi Charter and Choudrant.

Medal winners are shown below.

Gold Medal Winners (1st Place)

Nathan Harvey – High Jump, 4x100M relay, 4x200M relay
Taylor Huddleston – 800M, 1600M
Tylor Huddleston – 4x200M relay
Abel Leach – Javelin
Jayden Harts – Long Jump
Kaleigh King – 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, Pole Vault, 4x200M relay
Emayshia Wiley – 100M, 4x200M relay
Taylor Borland – 4x200M relay

Silver Medal Winners (Second Place)

Nathan Harvey – 4x100M relay
Taylor Huddleston – 4x400M relay
Tyler Huddleston – 4x100M relay, 4x400M relay
Jayden Harts – 300M Hurdles
Gage Horton – 800M, 1600M
Emayshia Wiley – 4x200M relay, 4x400M relay
Taylor Borland – Pole Vault, 100 Hurdles, 4x100M relay
Kinley Walker – 800M, 4x400M relay
Brooklyn Brown – High Jump
Emma Walker – Javelin

Bronze Medal Winners (Third Place)

Abel Leach – 400M

If you work hard enough and never stop believing, your dream will come true. Want proof? Just ask Quitman resident, Brett Washington. The son of Quitman residents, Ronald and Yumeaka Washington, saw his dream come true this past week when he stepped on the baseball field at Grambling State University in a relief pitching performance. 

Entering his senior year at Cedar Creek High School, Washington had hopes of earning a scholarship to play college baseball. After only a few weeks of practice though the excitement about the upcoming season turned to dismay as he was forced to be hospitalized. When he finally became well enough to begin practicing again, the COVID-19 pandemic struck forcing the cancellation of the baseball season. 

Just like that his dream became a nightmare! 

Washington refused to let the unfortunate situation dampen his spirit though and kept working, determined to play. In the spring of 2021, he was given the opportunity to try out for the Grambling baseball team and earned a spot as a walk-on.  He had made the team but that was not Washington’s dream.

The dream was to pitch in a game.

It was in Grambling’s 23-8 victory over Wiley on March 9th when the 2020 Cedar Creek High School graduate finally heard the words he had worked so diligently for.

“Washington! Get loose! You are closing the game!”

His dream had finally come true! Washington didn’t disappoint either as he quickly dispatched the Wiley batters three up and three down. He even recorded a strikeout. 

It was a grand personal achievement for Washington but a lesson for all to remember. If you work hard enough and never give up, your dreams will come true. 

The Student/Athlete of the Week of March 6th – 12th at Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman and Weston High Schools has been named. The award is sponsored by the Jackson Parish Hospital and chosen by select faculty and staff at each school. The recipients were chosen based on their academic excellence and athletic achievements during the week. 

Student Athlete of the Week (March 13th – 20th)

JHHS – Gabrielle Kirkendoff (Senior Cheerleader)
QHS – Ty Simonelli (Senior baseball)
WHS -Lexi Millien (Sophomore Track)

Back in the early and mid-1990s, Caney Lake was living up to its name as the Jewel of Jackson Parish. Between the years of 1993 and 1996, six of the top ten bass listed in official and current Louisiana freshwater fish records were caught on Caney Lake, topped off by a behemoth
caught on February 12, 1994 by Greg Wiggins.

Flipping a jig next to a stump, Wiggins felt a thump of a bass that would put him atop Louisiana’s Top Ten list where today, 28 years later he’s still sitting in the catbird seat with a
fish officially weighing in at 15.97 pounds.

Things rocked along for years since Wiggins set the record with few serious challenges to the record reported as big bass production declined. Caney had gradually reverted to being a lake
like several others around the state where you had the chance to catch a good bass maybe in the seven to nine pound range.

This year, however, something is happening with Caney Lake bass today that makes one wonder how much longer Wiggins can wear the crown as big bass champ.

Heads were turned around the country a couple of weeks ago when Alabama angler Randy Howell, fishing the Major League bass fishing circuit landed a 10.11 pound lunker, his personal best and the largest every weighed in on that circuit.

Last week reports coming in from Caney were of five bass being weighed in at over 10
pounds each, topped by two bass each tipping the scales at over 13 pounds. It is becoming
obvious that something interesting and exciting is going on with this lake.

Mike Wood, retired fisheries biologist who spent years managing area lakes including Caney, was asked if there is the chance that a bass to challenge Wiggins’ record is swimming today on the lake.

“Absolutely,” said a confident Wood. “There is no reason to believe its not out there because Caney now has the essentials to make it happen.”

What is different about Caney Lake today that gives Wood such confidence of the lake’s
potential to produce another state record?

“The lake has three important elements that make this a real possibility. First, there is the
genetics of the bass on Caney. Then there is an abundant food source in shad and sunfish,
primary forage needed for bass to grow. Then,” he added, “there is aquatic vegetation now where it has been absent for years.”

In 1992, the lake was choked down with an abundance of hydrilla, a type of vegetation that is good for cover and is not problematic until there is too much of it. The decision by the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was to release a grass-eating fish, grass carp,
into the lake to try and control the vegetation.

“Too many carp were introduced to the lake and within a couple of years, Caney became like a big bathtub with virtually no cover for the fish,” Wood said. “Success with catching big bass declined to the point that Caney was no longer on top of the heap. We planted ‘tape grass’, a type of grass that can be controlled and does a good job of providing cover. Also, we have noticed that hydrilla is returning to the lake and that certainly provides what is needed to help produce bigger fish. However,” he added, “there is the potential down the road for the hydrilla to get out of hand once again.”

So there you have it. There is likely to be another state record bass enjoying the abundant
food and cover Caney Lake provides.

As Wood said, “somebody has just got to catch it.”

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – The big bass continue to attract attention with a 10.5, 9.9 and 8.3 reported.
Soft plastics and square bill crank baits fished very slow from 8 feet water in towards the bank
have been best lures to try this week. Crappie fishing is mixed with some still in deep water
while others are moving up. Shiners and jigs are working best. No report on bream or catfish.
For information contact Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey
Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Some good bass and crappie are being caught this week with a couple of
crappie over 3 pounds each.
BLACK BAYOU – Fishing is slow. No report this week. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-
8707 for latest information.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is high and rising. No fishing reports this week. For latest
information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The bass are in transition with some moving shallow and some still deep
in the channels. Crank baits and soft plastics are best bets. Ditto for the crappie as they’re
beginning to move toward the shallows for the spring spawn while some are still holding back.
Some have also been caught below the spillway in the bayou. Shiners and jigs are both working. Bream have not started yet but catfish are still biting cold worms fished off the banks. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good with some of the bigger fish caught at
night on shiners and jigs. Days have been too windy which means most anglers are having their
best luck at night fishing around the piers. Bass fishing has been fair this week with Chatter Baits seeming to work best. No report on stripers, bream or catfish. For latest information, call Misty at Kel’s Cove at 331-2730 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been good on cold worms with mostly frying sized
fish caught. Crappie fishing has been off and on with shiners or jigs best bets. Bass fishing has
just starting to pick up. No report on bream. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at
318/878-0101.
LAKE ST. JOHN – The water is slowly rising again but still hard to launch a boat. Catfishing
has been good fishing off the piers with a few crappie caught as they begin to move up. No
report on bass or bream. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising rapidly and is now over the road to the landing. No
fishing this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

If you are a civic minded person who likes to make the town of Jonesboro a better place, then
the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce (JPCC) wants to talk to you. Under the direction of JPCC Director, Wilda Smith, a “downtown clean-up day” is set for March 19th and volunteers are needed to assist in cleaning the Christmas designs off of the windows on Main Street.

Lily Garrett of Ruston High, whose father Bob is a JHHS graduate and Jonesboro native, is the state of Louisiana’s premier girls high school Cross Country competitor. Recently she proved that she can also compete on the track as well.

The competition doesn’t hardly get any bigger or better than the annual Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational which routinely draws the top male and female athletes from Texas and surrounding states.

Garrett ran a 2:22.00 to take third in the 800 meters for Ruston, being the only competitor from Louisiana to score in the event. Nationally ranked, Leah Klenke of Houston St. Agnes, won the race with a time of 2:17.33

On March 4th, Mr. Joe Vail, Mayor of Quitman, signed a proclamation acknowledging last week as National Beta Week in the Village of Quitman. Pictured above with Mayor Vail (center) are Quitman’s Beta officers: Nicholas Kleibert – Treasurer (far left); A.J. Gray – President (second from left); Emma Carter – Secretary (second from right); Sebastian Guin – Vice-President (far right).

National Beta Week ran from March 7th-11th. The theme was “The Time Is Now.” Quitman High School’s Beta Club had several projects planned during the week, including collecting used books for their school library and elementary classrooms, collecting magazines for the local hospital and nursing homes, and collecting baby items (new or gently used) for Life Choices of Ruston. They also picked up trash, assisted with cleaning the museum in Jonesboro, as well as other school-oriented service projects.

I remember as a kid how we played outside until the streetlights came on. We all cried when our moms called our names to come inside. It was a time when you ran or rode your bike behind the mosquito fog truck, breathing in all sorts of chemicals! Times were much simpler back in the early 60’s and 70’s and no one locked their doors at night. People slept with their windows open so the cool nighttime breeze flowed throughout the entire house. Political division was not as prevalent as it is today. If someone had a difference of opinion, you just listened and went about your business. We did not have social media outlets to get online and criticize what they had said. Today I’ll jog your memory as we go back to a time when right was right and wrong was wrong, and people had morals and respected each other.

I remember when your bike was your main form of transportation, and we rode all over town looking for a backstop (sandlot) to get a game of baseball or football going. Parents of this generation did not have to worry about where their kids were. We were mature enough to know the difference between stupid and doing something a little risky. We played baseball games on our own and used ghost runners when you did not have enough players for a full team. If guys disagreed on whether you were out or safe, you worked it out. But every once in a while, it came to blows, only lasting a few punches or until your buddies dragged you off each other. Then, the game would resume as if nothing ever happened. Good times!

I remember playing ball all day, only taking a break to eat something. We would walk to a black berry patch or a fruit tree like a plum, apple, fig or even a pear tree in order to get our nutrition. We didn’t have protein bars or a Subway sandwich store near us…and didn’t need one. We did have a donut shop fairly close that had an ICEE machine, which was a great way to hydrate in the East Texas heat. Nothing better than donut holes and a large coke/strawberry ICEE! I remember sitting under a shade tree with our awesome snack and hearing Little Johnny jokes from the neighborhood renegade (bad boy). It was through these jokes that I got my sex education…some or most Little Johnny jokes were not very clean. But to us, it was a form of dirty language we kept a secret among ourselves.

I remember when I would go fishing or maybe squirrel hunting by myself at the age of 10 with a 20-gauge shotgun. My childhood was awesome, and I still treasure those memories. Today, I feel sorry for kids that they never got to have the freedoms our generation enjoyed in the 60’s and 70’s. It’s sad, but today’s kids are sheltered and protected due to the world we live in. So, it’s up to the older generation of today to make sure we get these kids outside and expose them to the great outdoors in order to keep the passion and traditions alive that we associate with any and all outdoor activities.

Steve Graf
Ranger/Daiwa Pro Staffer

To put it bluntly the financial picture for the Town of Jonesboro is bleak. Expenses has exceeded revenues by huge sums monthly causing serious problems. According to Mayor Leslie Thompson this can’t continue, or the town will be in serious trouble with the state Legislative Auditors division, once again.

Thompson relayed this information during the Mayor’s Update portion of the agenda to Aldermen Devin Flowers, Robbie Siadek and Nia Evans-Johnson during the regular monthly meeting of the town council on Tuesday, March 8th. James Ginn and Pete Stringer were not present. 

“As most of you know the Town of Jonesboro has been having troubles financially,” Thompson said to those in attendance. “Two months ago we started looking at where we could make adjustments to help ease this situation. It has come to the point now that we have to come together and fix this now. What we thought could happen is now staring us in the face.”

The situation was brought to the forefront recently through a letter received from Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack. IIn summary the correspondence indicated that the Legislative Office had agreed to remove Jonesboro from the non-compliance list a few years back but due to several current issues the town is facing being reinstated.

Itemized details show that the Legislative Auditor removed the town from the non-compliance list in 2020 in consideration of the public safety, health and welfare of residents. At that time the town’s utility system was out of compliance with Louisiana Dept. of Health (LDH), Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency regulations. In order to receive needed grant funding to make corrective actions, the town had to be shown in good standing with the Legislative Auditor. The letter further stated that it now appears that several of the stated corrective actions that were planned have still not been implemented. 

Another issue the Auditor has is the letter received from Kenneth Folden, CPA stating that he was terminating all accounting services for the town as of January 31, 2022. A final issue was that Jonesboro was having cash flow problems in both the General Fund and Utility Fund and has become delinquent in paying vendors and that no specific remedies had been provided.

It was recommended that in order for the town to remain off the non-compliance list that the town continue to work with Folden & Co. or have another independent accountant to report the use of grant funding and progress related to the corrective action plan submitted.

Another recommendation was that the spending deficits be immediately eliminated and present strategies necessary to address delinquent accounts and payable balance and to become current with all vendors. 

In response, Mayor Thompson drafted a letter to the state Legislative Auditor’s Office stating that the following plan would be submitted to the Board of Aldermen at the March 8th meeting.

1. Convert all employee compensation for overtime hours to compensatory time. Estimated savings per month would be approximately $10,100.00 per month.
2. Incorporate a garbage tipping fee to offset the costs passed to the town from the parish who now charges the town. Estimated to increase revenues by approximately $,000.00 per month.
3. Hiring of an internal auditor who job it is to pay bills and process payroll. Estimated to save town approximately $2,000.00 – $3,000.00 per month.
4. Cuts in weekly purchases of gasoline. Estimated savings of approximately $2,000.00 – $4,000.00 per month (subject to change due to recent gas price hike)
5. Consolidation of Public Works Department. Every employee will be called upon to assist in any area needed as determined by the Public Works Director. Estimated savings to be approximately $25,000.00 per month. 
6. Sewer rates raised by $3.00 per month in August of 2020. This action increased utility intake by approximately $4,542.00 per month.
7. Cut back on contract labor. Estimated saving would be $3,000.00 – $5,000.00 per month. 

The meeting began with the opportunity for the public to make comments. John Newman, who lives at 210 McDonald Street, made a request to have the situation involving the lift pump station there be resolved to which Mayor Thompson replied that it was his understanding that it had been taken care of. Ronald Harper of 1109 South Hudson then made an appeal to have someone speak to his neighbors about the trash in their yard that keeps blowing into his. Compliance Officer Brandon Brown replied that he would immediately speak to them about this. 

A proposed contract offer for telephone services by Converged Telephony Networks was tabled so that the Board could gain more information about specifics of the five year proposal. In final action the Council agreed to the Police Department’s recommendation to hire Eric Davis and Jeremy Garrett  to replace Rob’Bresheen Goree and Harry Woolridge who resigned to take positions with other companies. 

It’s “tourney time” for all four Jackson Parish Journal coverage area schools this weekend as a large slate of games are on tap. In baseball action both Weston and Quitman will take part in the Choudrant Tournament this Thursday – Saturday, while Saline will be in the Calvin Tourney on Friday and Saturday. JHHS and Saline headline the Saline Tourney in softball action that will take place Friday and Saturday with Quitman traveling to Tioga to play a game on Friday and two on Saturday.

The Jackson Parish Recreation Department Complex will be the site of a pair of local matchups on Thursday and Friday. Weston and Quitman get things started on Thursday when they square off against each other in a softball contest while on Friday, JHHS will take on Dodson in a baseball game.

Prep Schedule for Thursday – Saturday

Weston girls power past Georgetown

Weston pounded out a season best in hits and runs to power past Georgetown by a 17-13 margin. Led by four hits apiece by Alaina Trosclair and Lexi Barmore and three more from Jacie Ledford the Lady Wolves totaled 16 hits, including seven that went for extra bases.

Barmore smashed two or the five triples Weston stroked, with Trosclair, Josie Irven and Emma Kate McBride each collecting a “three bagger.” Jacie Ledford hit a home run and Taylor Chatham slapped a double as the Lady Wolves got more extra base hits in this game than the previous three combined. 

Trosclair and Barmore had perfect days at the plate with Trosclair reaching five times on four hits and a walk leading to four runs scored, two stolen bases and two RBI. Barmore went 4/4, scored twice and knocked in a season best five runs while Ledford got three hits in four at bats, knocked in four, scored two and stole a base.

Mary Catherine Hay also came up big with two hits, scored two runs and swiped a season best three bases. Additional contributors were Taylor Chatham (RS, SB, RBI), Irvin (2 RS, 2 RBI), McBride (2 RS, RBI), Layken Roberts (RS) and Hailey Chatham (RS). McBride held Georgetown to just two runs over the first four innings and went the distance to pick up her second win of the year. Although Georgetown scored 13 runs only 5 were earned as Weston made 7 errors in the contest.   

WP – McBride (2-0), LP – n/a
2B – T. Chatham
3B – Barmore 2, Irvin, McBride, Trosclair
HR – Ledford
RBI – Barmore 5, Ledford 4, Trosclair 2, Irvin 2, T. Chatham, McBride, Hay
SB – Hay 3, Trosclair 2, T. Chatham

At the special called meeting that was held at the Jackson Parish Police Jury Administration Building on March 3rd the Jackson Parish Watershed Commission adopted three Ordinances that amend certain rules and regulations on Caney Lake. 

The action was approved by members Kent Hightower, Gary Joynor, Jimmy Waggoner, Roy Barlow and Daniel Ponder through a roll call vote. Ponder abstained from voting on each amendment. Jerry Chestnut and Wesley Harvey were absent. 

The three Ordinances that were adopted and what they referred to is as follows: 

Ordinance 2022.02.01 Amending Section 3-2(a) of the Rules and Regulations of Caney Lake providing for a maximum total length for commercial lot owners and residential lot owners.

Ordinance 2022.02.02 Amending Section 3-2(b) of the Rules and Regulations of Caney Creek Reservoir for Permit Applications for residential or commercial piers, wharves, boathouses, boat slips and other facilities further providing respect thereto.

Ordinance 2022.02.04 An Ordinance amending Section 3-2(d)) of the Rules and Regulations of Caney Lake for floating piers, wharves, boathouses, boat slips and other structures thereto.

Never say the Wordle Word of the Day if “a wordler,” someone who works the daily Wordle puzzle, is around.
I’ll explain.
First, Wordle is a five-letter word that can, if you’re aggravated enough, become a four-letter word.
Wait. We better explain some more…
If you are part of the Great Unwashed who don’t know Wordle, consider yourself both blessed and cursed. Same as the ones of us who DO know.

Wordle is the new pickleball of word games, pickleball being our country’s fastest growing sport, not counting Pin the Tail on the Fauci. Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, ping pong, and, of course, cucumbers. Look it up, grab a racquet and a wiffleball and go play — IF you can find a free court.

Not kidding. It’s a 24/7 Pickleball Party out there.Some with Wordle, except it’s right there on your laptop device, just waiting to either reward you or make you want to hit yourself upside your head with a pickleball racquet.

The game was created in October by an engineer in Brooklyn named Josh Wardle, who was obviously born to create a word game. (“You say Wardle, I say Wordle.”) The game starts with six rows of five blank boxes each, and you get six guesses to figure out the five-letter word that changes every day.

One day this week was “hoard.” Others were “cloth” and “brine” and “mourn.” March 1 was “rupee,” a unit of Indian money, which apparently a lot of people didn’t know, and we know this because It Was In All The Papers, stories about Wordle-ites who felt they’d been ripped off — an interesting take on the American mindset since Wordle is, after all, free.

(I got rupee; sixth and final try. Makes me think of another five-letter word: lucky.)

The Guardian reported that Wordle had 90 players in November, 300,000 by January, and now more than three million around the world. Mankind is caught in a Wordle vice of biblical proportions. The game’s traveling faster than gossip down a church pew.

Its charm is that it’s not overwhelmingly hard to solve — but it’s hard enough. Simple, but keeps you on your toes. Sort of like your colon does as you age.

Sign up through Google, or wherever you subscribe to your addictive, fun, time-wasting, sucking-the-life-out-of-you word games. Again, it’s free, and the rules are simple, which the Wordle site will explain.

The first day I played, a good friend — my “Wordle dealer/supplier” since he got me hooked — gave me a two-minute tutorial. One minute I’d only heard of Wordle and the next, I was a Wordle Junkie.

A Final Word to the Wordle Wise: Do not casually mention to anyone the Wordle Word of the Day unless they ask. My rookie day, I said, “Hey, took me four shots but I figured out ‘shake’ was the Worldle wor…”

“Nooooooooo!” That was the sound from a friend (now ex-friend) walking by; they had not Wordled yet on that day.

Wordle word for me at that moment? Idiot. Or loser. Either five-letter word would have worked.

Moral of story? Keep your Wordle to yourself. Otherwise … “YIKES”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu