The Jackson Parish School District announces that a variety of professional and non-professional positions are currently available at schools across the parish. To apply now submit your resume to www.jpsb.us. Positions that need to be filled as soon as possible and at the location include:
| Position Available | Location |
| Speech and Language Pathologist | JP School District |
| Paraprofessional | J-HES and JHHS |
| Band Director | JHHS |
| Math Interventionist | JHMS |
| Custodian | QHS |
| Bus Driver | WHS |
Time is running out to register for the Youth Basketball League (YBL) and Junior Cheerleading. Final cutoff date is Friday, November 18th. Under the direction of the Jackson Parish Recreation Department, the basektball league is for both boys and girls from the ages of 5 -14 with the boys having to be of that age by April 30th and the girls by December 31st. The age for the Junior Cheerleaders, who will cheer at the YBL games, is from 4 to 12 years old. Cost to register is $50.00. All games will be played during the months of January and February. To register come to the JPRD Sports Complex headquarters, located just east of Jonesboro at 5254 Hwy 4 during normal business hours. For more information call (318) 259- 3031 or go online to JPREC.org
The Chatham Senior’s Mealsite (CSM) enjoyed a special Thanksgiving party on Monday, November 14th where a traditional Thanksgiving lunch was served and nice door prizes were awarded. Amber Etheridge with Chatham Rural Clinic sponsored the party while the Tattered Rose, Johnny’s Pizza, the Smoke House, Miriam’s Furniture, Pink Magnolia, Sunrise & CO, & Tammy McDowell provided the wonderful door prizes. See below for pictures from the gala day.
Chatham Senior’s Mealsite provides daily meals and activities for people 60+ in and around the eastern part of Jackson Parish. Meals are also delivered to homebound Senior’s, limited local transportation is provided along with more services. As a satellite site of the Jackson Council on Aging, CSM also provides a variety of activities geared toward fellowship with other seniors.
It is never too early to learn how to respond to an emergency. Young students at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Jonesboro got a great lesson on Monday when representatives from the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office gave an entertaining and educational demonstration on how 911 works. Using prompts like an oversized telephone dial pad and instructing the students where exactly the numbers were that you would press each got the opportunity to act like they were dialing 911. The students also got to take a close look at and in a Sheriff’s car as well as see plastic replicas of other first responder vehicles and pieces of equipment.
From 1902 to 1924, the Stanley Motor Carriage Company built what were colloquially known as Stanley Steamers. The automobiles earned this nickname because, like a locomotive, the propelling motion was produced by burners boiling water which produced steam. The engine was essentially a hot water heater. There was nothing electric on the Steamers. Everything was steam-powered, even the headlights which were lit by a match. They were eventually rendered obsolete when the internal combustion engine increased fuel efficiency and power delivery. Nowadays, most Stanley Steamers are in museums or are owned by wealthy private collectors. Jay Leno, long-time host of the Tonight Show, has a collection of them. You rarely see one being driven on the road. When people are lucky enough to see a Stanley Steamer on the roadway, most cannot help but stop and stare.
Willie was on summer vacation. His job required him to spend most of his time in our nation’s capital, about 400 miles from his home in Canton, Ohio. When vacation time came up, he and his wife escaped the busy streets of Washington for the relaxation of their home in Canton. Each day, Willie took long walks to take in the fresh air and clear his mind. On July 13, Willie was enjoying his usual walk when something caught his eye. It caught everyone’s eye. His pace slowed as he focused his eyes. An automobile puffing white steam was driving in his direction. Almost no sounds came from the car. Just an occasional hiss, like a steam train on a much smaller scale. It approached Willie and slowed. “Willie,” the man yelled with a wave. He blew the car’s steam whistle. Willie’s old hometown friend, Zebulon Davis, was driving a Stanley Steamer.
Zebulon pulled alongside Willie and the two exchanged pleasantries. They took turns speaking about their work, their families, and made other small talk. All the while, Willie peered uneasily at the Stanley Steamer. He was cautious but curious. As with a steam train, Willie understood that the boiler in a steam-powered car could explode if the steam built up too much pressure. Naturally, the focus of their conversation turned entirely to the rare car. Finally, partly out of politeness and partly to give Willie the rare opportunity to ride in a Stanley Steamer, Zebulon offered Willie a ride.
Willie smiled uncomfortably, thanked Zebulon, but politely declined. Maybe another time. Zebulon could see that Willie was still curious. He asked again. This time, Willie was slower to say no. Willie walked around the car and asked what this part did and how that part worked – questions any of us might ask if we saw one in person. Zebulon knew Willie was hooked. He asked Willie again and, this time, Willie accepted. Willie stepped into the passenger seat and the two men set off.
The car hissed away from the curb. Willie was uptight and nervous as the Stanley Steamer gained speed. His whole body, like his grip on the seat, tightened each time the car’s narrow tires hit a bump. The longer they rode, the more relaxed Willie became. Finally, Willie was enjoying the ride. Well, until someone on a bicycle pulled directly into the path of the Stanley Steamer. The brakes on the Stanley Steamer lacked the stopping power of a modern car. Zebulon jerked the wheel. Willie’s grip tightened once more. Onlookers gasped in expectation of a serious accident. To everyone’s relief, especially the bicycle rider’s, the Stanley Steamer narrowly missed the bicycle. A short time later, Zebulon dropped Willie off to continue his walk. They said their goodbyes and Zebulon’s car hissed as it sped away.
At 58 years old, Willie finally rode in his first Stanley Steamer automobile. For the entirety of his life to that point, Willie had avoided riding in any automobile. Willie’s first ride in an automobile made history, and not just for him personally. The date was July 13, 1901… the date William “Willie” McKinley became the first President of the United States to ride in an automobile.
The dedicated care of their animals over the past several months has brought great satisfaction to the 4-H members at Weston High School. After the 2022 State Fair Livestock Show in Shreveport, their work has also brought home recognition and ribbons. Congratulations go to Lane Diffy, Dominic Strickland, and Spencer Strickland for winning Champion ribbons for their Poultry and Nigerian Dwarf Goat entries.
Spring Creek Water System, while under previous ownership, was in violation of the requirements indicated below. The violation require notification to the public. Even though these were not emergencies, as our customers, you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation
What Happened?
The Spring Creek Subdivision Water System is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XIl) and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) set drinking water standard and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acid (HAA5). Some people who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards are determined by calculating a locational running annual average (LRAA) of quarterly TTHMs and HAA5 sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the second quarter of 2022 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAA is 92 ppb at DBP (disinfection byproduct) 03 – POC #l 518 COLBY JEAN RD. The system’s current HAA5 LRAAs are 65 ppb at DBP02- POC#4 255 SANDY POINT DR and 79 ppb at DBP03- POC #l 518 COLBY JEAN RD; thus, the system is currently in violation of the TTHMs and HAA5 standards.
What is being done?
Central States Water Resources Louisiana (CSWR-LA) purchased the facility in July 2022 and personnel are working to correct the problem. CSWR-LA will continue to work with LDH to ensure compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards accordance with State and Federal requirements.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAAS levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse
effects on human health.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Magnolia Water UOC is committed to bringing our customers safe, reliable water services and will continue to work with the LDH to carry out this commitment.
For more information, please contact Magnolia Water at 1-855-643-8152.
This notice is being sent to you by Spring Creek Water system. PWS ID# LA1049028
Date distributed: November 15, 2022
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Rickey Janet (McKaskle) Buck passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Jackson Parish Hospital in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Rickey graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in elementary education and taught school for 37 years. After moving back home to Jackson Parish she worked as a secretary for Ebenezer Baptist Church in Weston. She truly loved children and teaching was her passion. She enjoyed reading and traveling with her family. It was said that Rickey never met a stranger and she loved visiting with people. Her favorite thing to do was to spend time with her family.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Reginald W. Buck; sister, Sandy Lewin (John); brothers, Eric McKaskle (Lucretia), and Jerry McKaskle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceding Rickey in death were her parents, Jesse and Mildred (Wilson) McKaskle; sister, JoAnn Zabielski; brothers, Ralph McKaskle and Kenneth McKaskle.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Weston from 10:30 AM until 12 noon. The funeral service will begin at 12 noon. Burial will follow in the Ebenezer Cemetery under the direction of Southern- Edmonds Funeral Home
Johnie Lee Ethridge Sr., age 77, received his heavenly wings on November 6th at the age of 77. A graveside service will be held at 12:00pm on Friday, November 25th at the New Prosperity Baptist Church Cemetery in Clay, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through, God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, and undying love.
Could this be the year that the Weston High School girls make it to the “big dance”? As the season is still very young, the jury is still out on whether or not they can make it to or even win a state title. After this weekend one thing is known to be a fact though. The Lady Wolves have “waltzed” their way to a second straight tournament title in the early part of the 2022-23 campaign. All this in modern day record setting fashion too.
According to available records no WHS girls team has started a season 7-0 in at least the last 30 years before this season. There has also never been a team to average 66.43 points per game or score 50 points or better in the first seven games of the season during that time frame.
How are they making such beautiful “string music”? Taking a page from the hip-hop era, just call them “Run PMT” which stands for Peterson, McBride and Trosclair, who is averaging 45.3 points per game (ppg) between them. Emma Kate McBride leads the trio with a 16.6 ppg average and is shooting 49% from the field, which is fairly incredible considering she is a point guard. Briley Peterson checks in next at 15.7 ppg and with a 42% field goal percentage. Then there is “long range” Lainee Trosclair who is averaging 13.0 ppg and has already made an area leading, 19 three pointers. They don’t orchestrate the “scoring symphony” alone though as the deep team constructed by head coach Stacy Tucker has 8 other players that consistently make some noise too.
Weston rolled to the Calvin Tournament title by shooting down Saline 65-35 in the opener and then cruising past Choudrant 66-53 before clipping Calvin 52-47 in the finals. Next up for the Lady Wolves is possibly the sternest test yet as Weston travels to Class 3A Sterlington on Monday for their season opener and on Tuesday Weston will entertain undefeated Family Community Christian.
Weston 65 Saline 35 (Girls): Weston dominated Saline by the tune of 19-0 in the first quarter as they continued their torrid scoring pace to win their fifth straight to start the season and the opener of the Calvin Tournament on Thursday. Once again it was Lainee “Long Range” Trosclair who paved the way by scoring the first five Weston points to start the game and finishing with a game high 17 to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Included was three more 3-pointers that ups her area leading total to 16 on the year. Briley Peterson tallied 12 points and pulled down nine boards with Emma Kate McBride also reaching “double digits” with eleven. Nadia Siadek also played a key role as she registered her best game of the year in points and rebounds with seven and eight respectively. Jacie Ledford and Anslee Aldy both chipped in with six each while Lexie Millien and Jakayla Fourd added two apiece. The third straight loss dropped Saline to 1-4 on the year.
WHS (5-0) 19 15 12 19 – 65
SHS (1-4) 0 14 6 15 – 35
WHS Scoring: Trosclair 17, Peterson 12, McBride 11, Siadek 7, Ledford 6, Aldy 6, Millien 2, Fourd 2
Weston 66 Choudrant 53: Just like the game before, the Lady Wolves stormed out of the locker room to take a big lead, this time by scoring the first 11 points of the contest. By the end of the first quarter the lead had ballooned to 26-9 and Weston never looked back. Briley Peterson turned in a monster performance with 19 points and a career high 16 rebounds while adding six steals. Emma Kate McBride added 14 followed by Lexie Millien who tallied nine. Anslee Aldy scored five, Raelynn Shell four, and both Faith Beamesderfer and Lainee Trosclair who made three points apiece. Nadia Siadek scored two as did Tailan Bearden, which was her first points of the year.
WHS (6-0) 26 17 14 9 – 66
CHS (1-4) 9 20 16 13 – 53
WHS Scoring: Peterson 19, McBride 14, Millien 9, Aldy 5, Shell 4, Beamesderfer 3, Trosclair 3, Siadek 2, Bearden 2
Weston 52 Calvin 47: In what was a see-saw affair, Calvin gave the Lady Wolves the hardest game to date. ouyed by the home standing fans, Calvin jumped out to a 16-7 first quarter lead but Weston rallied to lead at the half 28-22. The difference in the game came in the third when after Calvin had come to withing 35-34 the Lady Wolves ran off nine straight to take a ten point lead that was good enough to withstand another attempt by Calving that narrowed the lead to the final five point advantage. Maybe it was because the Lady Wolves were tired after playing their third game in three days but for once, the shots weren’t falling demonstrated by making only 18 of 76 shots, a 24 % field goal percentage. From the three point line Weston was even worse hitting only 7 of 41 bombs (17%) far under their season average. Adding to the difficulty was 21 turnovers. Emma Kate McBride scored 20 and Lainee Trosclair 10 to lead Weston. Anslee Aldy canned seven, with both Lexie Millien and Briley Peterson scoring six. Faith Beamesderfer added three.
WHS (7-0) 7 21 16 8 – 52
CHS (3-3) 16 6 12 13- 47
WHS Scoring: McBride 20, Trosclair 10, Aldy 7, Millien 6, Peterson 6, Beamesderfer 3
Saline 63 Weston 29: (boys) Only three days after registering to a season low in points, Saline produced a new season high that gave the Bobcats their first victory of the year in six tries and kept Weston winless after three attempts.
Will Dyson led the way with 23 points, 17 coming in the first half that saw Saline bolt out to a 31-16 lead. Kenton Lee Crawford also reached double figures with a season high 11 followed by Shawn Staggs with nine. D.J. Rager-Radley chipped in with five as did Trent Ledbetter who added five steals and three assists in his first extended minutes of the year. Maddox Williams had 4, Gavon Dailey 3, Nathan Peoples 2 and Jer’Courtney Lard sank a free throw to round out the scoring.
Mitchell Mathews, finally back at full strength after suffering an ankle injury before the season started, scored eight to lead Weston with both Tait Henderson and Garret Nickerz chipping in with five. Jude Otwell added four, Ja’Michael Fourd tallied three and Byrce Zehr and Braden Theriot made a basket for the Wolves who established a new season low in point for the second straight game.
Saline (1-5) 10 21 23 9 – 63
Weston (0-3) 9 7 5 8 – 29
SHS Scoring: Dyson 23, Crawford 11, Staggs 9, Rager-Ridley 5, Ledbetter 5, Williams 4, Dailey 3, Peoples 2, Lard 1
WHS Scoring: Mathews 8, Henderson 5, Nickerz 5, Otwell 4, Fourd 3, Zehr 2, Theriot 2
One and done! That was the result of the JHHS Tigers’ foray into the Division IV playoffs after falling to #7 Logansport by a 36-6 score. The loss ended the Tiger’s season with a 3-8 record while Logansport improved to 8-3 on the season and advanced to play #10 East Feliciana in the regionals.
Optimism was high for the #27-seeded Tigers to pull an upset as playing conditions were horrible. From the start, the contest was played in a driving rain and a cold, howling wind that seemingly would benefit JHHS as Logansport was more of a passing team. Time and again in the first half, JHHS was in a favorable position only to see Logansport not only escape but capitalize on their situation. Examples are:
(1) Logansport faced a fourth and 11 in the first quarter and lined up to punt. Instead, it was a fake that accounted for 16 yards and a first down. Three plays later Logansport went up 8-0.
(2) After going 90 yards in 11 plays to narrow the margin to 8-6, JHHS had Logansport facing a 3rd and 21 situation only to see the home-standing Tigers gain 26 yards leading to another TD that upped the lead to 14-6.
(3) JHHS was at the Logansport 48-yard line facing a 4th and six situation with 2:38 remaining in the half. A seemingly good decision to punt backfired as Logansport blocked the kick and took over at the Tiger 26-yard line. Again JH forced a long third down, this time 3rd and 15 only to have Logansport gain 21 yards. Still, all JHHS had to do was hold the home team out on the last play of the half but allowed a 6-yard TD pass as time expired to go up 22-6 and break the back of the Tigers.
Weston High School has announced Teacher’s of the Year for the Elementary, Junior High and High School divisions. Selected for the 2022-23 school year was Haley Staples (high school), Megan Rackley (Jr. High) and Katie Ramsey (Elementary. Staples and Rackley was also selected as the Jackson Parish School Distirct High School and Junior High Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all and thank you for your service to the youth of Jackson Parish.
Under the direction of Mrs. Venable , the Jackson Parish Gifted & Talented Music Students honored local United States Armed Services Veterans on Thursday, November 10th with a stirring program in the WHS Gymnasium. The performance by the sixteen young men and women was the second in two days, coming on the heels of the JPGT production at Quitman High on November 9th.
For some it was a “Blast from the Past” rekindling memories of days gone by when they went to the “Drive-In” and sat outside to enjoy a feature on the “big screen”. For others it was their first opportunity ever to enjoy such an outing. The result of the unique fundraiser was a fabulous time had by everyone with the Weston High School athletic program being the biggest beneficiary of all.
Thanks to the effort of the WHS Booster Club and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), on the evening of November 7th, the paved area in front of the school was transformed. Instead of the usual vehicles taking up all the room, the parking lot was full of lounge chairs and blankets as supporters enjoyed a meal and viewed a movie in a outdoor setting. Face painting and the opportunity to purchase school spirit items added to the entertainment. All proceeds went to help the Weston High School athletic program, who wishes to express their gratitude for helping defray expenses.
It was a wonderful example of creative teaching by Emily McBride, Emily Smith, Holly Durbin, Rebecca Jones, and Trinity Boyett, the Pre-K and Kindergarten instructors at Weston High School. Through a fun but educational way to help the “future of tomorrow” learn about the voting process and Election Day, the students got to create a voter registration card and vote cast a ballot on their choice of President and what afternoon snack they wanted. After first reading the book “Duck for President” the students were asked to choose between Farmer Brown and Duck for President, which Duck won by a landslide. Also winning through no contest was the choice of cookies for the afternoon snack. After voting each received an “I Voted” badge which they all wore with pride.
Have you heard the new “buzz”? The FFA at Weston High School has been selected as 1 of the 5 chapters for the new Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) LDAF Beekeeping Apprenticeship. This is a grant worth up to $10,000 to start an apiary and to help teach agriculture students how to become beekeepers. The grant will provide us with 8 hives and all of the tools needed to properly care for those hives. The hives will be used to help students learn through real world experiences about beekeeping. The new apiary and beekeepers training is expected to take place in the Spring of 2023.
FFA traveled to Shreveport to compete in the State Carpentry Career Development Events (CDE)CDE. This is a Louisiana-only event that tests students knowledge and skills in planning, estimating, and safely constructing a carpentry project using modern tools and techniques. While no awards were won the creations of several pub style tables are now for sale. They are $250 each and made completely of treated lumber. The money for the tables will be used to take students to future CDEs and pay for other projects and opportunities for students in the FFA and Agriscience classes.
Imagine how it must feel to a junior high baseball player to stand on the pitcher’s mound and in the batter’s box at a college baseball field? Think they could see themselves toeing the rubber or digging in to face a pitcher one day while they are in college? You better believe it!
Thirteen members of the Junior High Wolves Baseball team got. to do just that recently when they took a trip to Monroe to tour the ULM Baseball facilities. It not only was a reward for a fine 5-1-1 fall campaign the Junior Wolves completed but is the kind of trip that fosters dreams and provides incredible inspiration and motivation. The WHS administration, baseball coaching staff, and players would like to thank ULM Head Coach Michael Federico and the staff for their gracious hospitality.
There are days, then there are DAYS! This past Tuesday, Dillon Pardue had a day that no matter how old he grows will rank as one of his best. The day started with Pardue being selected as the Weston High School Athlete of the Week. Then he learned that he had received an acedemic scholarship in the amoun of $14,000.00. It can’t get any better than that, right? Well adding icing to the cake was the knowledge that his unique rendention of a pelican art project had been sold. Congratulations, Dillon on your special day!
Let there be light! The first time that order was heard was at the beginning of time and brought light to a world of darkness. This past week that order was commanded again but this time when the brightness came forth it lit up an area that had been dark for around thirty years. Congratulations Quitman High Softball – YOU HAVE LIGHTS on your home field. To celebrate the occasion the team gathered on Wednesday to “flip the switch” and then take batting practice.
“It has been a long time coming and I am very happy that the day that our field is complete s finally here,” said QHS softball coach Justin Dodson. “I would like to thank all the people who have helped make this happen including the Jackson Parish School Board, Bannister Electrical Company, and all the parents, players, family, and friends who have been great supporters of our program.”
Tucker Newton hit a double and scored a run to lead Weston past, Calvin, by a 2-1 margin for their third straight win. Andrew got on twice on free passes and scored Quitman’s other run that lifted the season record to 5-3-1, securing a winning season in the fall campaign with only a Monday tilt against Claiborne Christian left to be played. Hayden Seymore got the only other hit for the Wolverines and Conner Moak, Asher Rhodes and Dawson Griffin also reached base via walks. Quitman got brilliant pitching to limit Calvin to just one run as Tucker Goss struck out five in the first two innings and Zach Smudricks K’d seven over the final three.
Quitman 20 Simsboro 4: Quitman scored the maximum allowed five runs in each of the four innings to power past their Lincoln Parish neighbors. Most of the damage was done through 18 free passes as the Wolverines made only four outs the entire game and every player on the roster reached base at least once. The Wolverines added five hits led by Cail King with a pair of singles as Waylon Sullivan, Andrew Boyler and Tucker Goss got base hits as well.
Quitman 8 Simsboro 7: The first game was much tighter with Quitman winning the see-saw affair thanks to an Andrew Boyler double that scored Cail King and Hayden Seymore who had walked in the top of the fifth to break a 6-6 tie. The balance of the game was still in doubt in the bottom half of the final frame until a Simsboro runner was gunned down at the plate for the second out after one run had scored and Newton struck out the final batter with the potential tying run on third.
Tucker Newton ripped a triple, Cail King walked and both Hayden Seymore and Andrew Bolyer hit singles to give Quitman a 3-0 lead in the top of the first only to see Simsboro rally for a 4-3 lead after two innings. Newton hit a double and scored on King’s triple in the third to tie the score but Quitman fell behind by two in the bottom half when Simsboro scored a pair for the third straight inning. Walks to Seymore, Bolyer, Remi Upshaw, and Dawson Griffin helped the Wolverines knot the score at six leading to Quitman’s last-inning heroics.
The road back and forth to Glenmora is a long one but even though the miles were the same on their trip Wednesday and Friday, the ride back the second time certainly seemed not to take as long for the Quitman boys. That was because of the 55-45 victory over Evans after falling 62-50 to Midland two nights before which left the Wolverines with a 4-2 record. Eight players scored in the victory led by Blake Carter and Logan Ponder who hit 16 and 13 points respectively. Riley Duck also came up big with a season-best 8 points followed by Nicholas Kliebert who made six points and pulled down a season-high 11 boards. Noah Leach scored four as did Gavin Caskey, who saw action for the first time this season at the tournament and set new scoring highs in each game. Brayden Smith and Grant Williams also scored two each.
Logan Ponder scored 18 and Blake Carter pulled down 11 rebounds but despite outscoring Midland 18-11 in the final frame the 13-point deficit at the half that ballooned to 18 by the end of the third quarter was too much to overcome. Eli Walker scored nine, Brayden Smith added eight, and Blake Carter finished with five. Riley Duck and Gavyn Caskey added two each.
Quitman 55 Evans 45: QHS Scoring: Blake Carter 16, Logan Ponder 13, Riley Duck 8, Nicholas Kliebert 6, Noah Leach 4, Gavyn Caskey 4, Brayden Smith 2, Grant Williams 2
Midland 62 Quitman 50: QHS Scoring: Ponder 18, Eli Walker 9, Smith 8, Leach 6, Carter 5, Duck 2, Caskey 2
Quitman head girls coach Kyle Leach could only wonder what might have been. The Lady Wolverines lost their first two games of the season falling to Midland 63-31 and then Elizabeth by a 51-46 margin but the long-time coach wasn’t too worried, only wishful.
While the Midland loss was hard to digest due to the Lady Wolverines managing to make only 25 % of their shots that included a 2 of 19 performance from behind the arc Leach knows that if he has another shot at the 4-1 team, things could be different.
“We were more competitive than the final score indicates,” said Leach. “We just couldn’t hit any shots and had way too many turnovers (20). If we played like we are capable we could play with that team”
The loss to Elizabeth was more painful, especially for senior guard Bethany Leach, who was lost for the game in the second quarter after turning her ankle. Already Quitman was playing without leading scorer and post presence, Cali Deal, who was forced to miss the contest due to being at a national softball showcase. A couple of bright spots were the play of Emma Carter who registered a season-high 12 points and Anna Leach who pulled down a season’s best 8 rebounds and the fact that every player on the roster scored.
“Cali is on the radar nationally in softball and needed to be at that event to bolster her recruiting ranks,” said Leach. “It really hurt when Bethany went down as she was really playing well. I am proud of the girls as everyone stepped up and picked up the slack.”
Midland 63 Quitman 31: QHS Scoring: Brayli Stewart 12, Bethany Leach 5, Ansley Folks 4, Cali Deal 4, AJ Gray 2, Summer Grillette 2, Anna Leach 2
Elizabeth 51 Quitman 46: QHS Scoring: Carter 12, Stewart 9, B. Leach 7, Folks 7, Gray 6, Grillette 3, A. Leach 1
Last year when the schedule said a game was to be played at home it meant at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex. This year the seven dates that are designated as home games will truly mean at their home field on the QHS campus. Those seven,along with ten away games and five tournaments, comprise the 2023 softball schedule that shows the first regular season game slated to be played on February 21st and the last one being Senior Night on April 11th. See below for complete schedule including time of games.
NOTE: Reprint from November 10th, The History of Jackson Parish Facebook post taken off of RootWeb.com website. Information from (1) The Village of Vernon seat of Government in Jackson Parish 1845- 1873 Arliss Morelle Barr (2) Jackson Parish Louisiana, Jonesboro 1982
After Jackson Parish was formed in 1845 the Vernon town site was made in June 1845 by Dennis Mackie, surveyor and P. Wyatt, Chairman. The story goes that there were three places wanting the location of Parish Seat. These were Vernon, Mount Zion and a place four miles north of Vernon. Vernon was the most convenient to the majority, so in 1846, by Act of the Legislature No. 173, Vernon was named the first Parish seat of Jackson. It is said that Vernon was named after a family by the name of “Vernon” who wee living in that vicinity at the time.
The most revealing description of Vernon and Jackson Parish is given by Mr. J. W. Dorr in the following letter published in The Louisiana Historical Quarterly. Mr. Dorr, a gentleman connected with the editorial department of the New Orleans Crescent, made a horse and buggy tour through a considerable portion of Louisiana during the spring and summer of 1860. The description follows in part:
Vernon, Jackson Parish (July 28, 1860) “To reach Vernon, the parish seat of Jackson, the traveler must leave the stage of Vienna, and take a private conveyance to that place, sixteen miles distant. Vernon, is a pleasant little burgh of some three or four hundred inhabitants, Joseph R. Ryan, Esqr., Mayor. It is located on a knobby, knolly, hilly piece of ground, and is a rather picturesque settlement, with its courthouse occupying a hill in the center – a capitol line mount; its churches, Methodist and Baptist; its residences on hill and in dale with ground running back to adjoining forest, or broadening into wide and beautiful fields.”
THE COURT HOUSE’S
After the founding of the Vernon town site, a small log courthouse was first used. Following that a two story building was build. In the fall and winter of 1859, according to notes taken from The Southern Times published at Vernon, in the issue of November 28, 1859, the following notice was published: Notice to the Builders and Contractors. The undersigned Committee appointed by the Police Jury of the Parish of Jackson, Louisiana, for the purpose of contracting for the building of four brick chimneys to the Courthouse in the town of Vernon, will on the 10th day of December next let to the lowest bidder before the Courthouse door in said Parish, the building of said chimneys. Specifications will be given on the day of letting.
A draft on the Parish Treasurer will be given at the first meeting of the Police Jury after completion of the work. (Signed H. C. Slaton, W. C. Ashley, M. Johnson, W. B., Warren, Committee, November 25, 1859. The contract for the building of the chimneys called for two chimneys to be built with fire places upstairs and down stairs. Two to be build with one fireplace each, down stairs.
Mr. Clarence A. Ives describes the courthouse as an impressive building of classic design; a two-story structure with wide halls extending entirely through the building on the first floor. Parishes’ offices were on the first floor, the second floor serving the court. It occupied the crown of a gentle slope. There was a level spot of about an acre square which was enclosed by an ornamental fence, building and fence painted white. Entry to the courtyard was by means of broad steps at the center of each side. There would thus be no bother about keeping the gate shut. To suit the mode of travel of the time, hitching posts or racks were provided.
Business, houses and offices faced the courthouse, forming a spacious town square. This kind of setting was common throughout all north Louisiana.
THE FIRE
On the night of January 24, 1879, a disastrous fire completely demolished this magnificent courthouse that was once the pride and joy of Jackson citizens. (On January 15, 1947 Judge E. L. Walker said that when he became Clerk of Court (Jackson Parish) in 1916 he was advised by his predecessor, Mr. L. W. Ramsey that the courthouse burned September 28, 1878. The Bossier Banner printed October 17, 1878 says, “The Courthouse at Vernon, Jackson Parish, was recently burned by an Incendiary. All records were lost.”
To go on with the story of the fire, it is said that the light from the flames could be seen for miles around. There was a man sentenced to ten years in prison for this deed. He had some indictments on him in the courthouse and evidently did not want to be prosecuted. The Legislature, by Act. No. 7 of 1879 provided for the reestablishment of the destroyed records. Judge N.M. smith worked patiently for years doing his best to make maps and to establish clear titles to land.
Court was held for the next six years in churches and sometimes in schools. Instead of the taxpayers voting a tax to build a new courthouse, they built it by private subscriptions from members of the parish. It was a single story building dedicated in 1884. The police jury paid one hundred and fifty dollars a year for the use of this building as a courthouse and as offices for the clerk and sheriff.
MEDICINE & LAWYERS OF THE DAY
There were few professional people in Vernon. There were two doctors and two lawyers, but no dentist. Doctors were not greatly skilled in medical practice. They used simple, time-honored remedies for common ailments. doctors did not maintain offices, but were called from their homes at any hour of the day or night. The doctor brought along a supply of medicine, and thus was a druggist as well as a doctor. Fees were light; some of the poorer families were not able to pay at all, but no one was neglected.
THE ROADS
Approaching the town square from any direction except from the east would be up hill. Vernon was truly at the cross roads. seven roads led to it. One led north towards Longstraw, then northeast toward Monroe and Trenton, the market center, east toward Columbia, southeast towards Sparta and Coushatta, northeast towards Vienna.
Vernon was not a large town but the fact that so many roads led to it, indicates that it was an important business and political center. It was the courthouse town and the chief trading center for a large area.
THE ECONOMY
Jackson was a large parish covering some 260,000 acres of which more than 50,000 were in cultivation in 1860. The principal crops were cotton and corn. There was much land available for purchase at that time, but nearly all of the more valuable tracts wee in private hands. The price of none of the land–even the most valuable–exceeded ten dollars per acre. Inferior but pretty good land sold for three. Average land sold for six and a half dollars per acre.
THE SOIL, THE TIMBER, THE CROPS, THE POPULATION
The soil was sandy loam and because of this the gentle slopes drained well. This gentle area had a type of soil suited to cotton, corn, potatoes, orchard fruits and melons. Generally better crops were produced here more so than other North Louisiana parishes in 1860. The population of Jackson Parish was between nine and ten thousand, with more than a third of these being slaves. The farmers worked to produce as much as possible for family needs. This included meal, grits, meat, milk, vegetables, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and fruit. Most farmers made syrup from sorghum cane, and honey was plentiful.
Other products for home use were raw wool, cotton, and feathers. The cotton and wool were corded and spun into thread. The cotton or woolen thread was then knitted into a variety of useful items. This added much to the duties of the women.
The only item produced on the farm and sold on the market was cotton, which was gathered and sold in the fall of each year. The farmer was fortunate if the sale of his cotton brought enough to pay for what he had bought on credit during the year. There were many small planters but comparatively few large ones engaged in the cultivation of cotton. Cotton was transported on wagons drawn by four large mules. Each wagon could carry five or six 500 pound bales of cotton. Most of the traffic was during the wet and rainy fall and winter months. The wagon wheels were ringed with narrow iron tires that cut into the earth easily. The roads were not kept up, and wee in constant need of repair.
Just north of the town square was a level tract of perhaps ten acres that was used for public service. This was a favored spot for outdoor gatherings, etc. At about the center of this square stood the Methodist church, at the edge of an oak grove. A one-room school building was north of the church. In 1860 the Vernon Female Seminary had an average attendance of some forty-five pupils and occupied a large comfortable building. Rev D. B. Thomas was principal at that time. There was a flourishing school for boys also. When a Mr. Ives attended school in Vernon around 1875 there was a one teacher private school there which operated throughout the year, but did not have a steady enrollment. School was held on the first floor of the two-story frame building that had been an academy before the war.
The most commonly used texts were McGuffey’s Readers, Noah Webster’s Blue-Backed Speller, Davies’ Arithmetic, Cornell’s Geography, and Smith’s Grammar. The modern system of grading was not used.
There were no other buildings in Jackson Parish that were strictly schools. In other places, school was held in churches and Masonic lodges. These schools were called public schools, but they wee that only in part. The tuition was usually $1.50 per month. At that time, farm labor was paid 50 cents a day. Public schools did come into being until after 1895.
A Presbyterian church stood on the southeast corner of the square. The Baptist Church was some distance away on the south side of town, buildings were the courthouse and jail. The first jail was a two-story building with a trap door on the second floor used for hanging. The second jail was the only brick structure in the village, was still standing in 1945, but has been torn down since. Mr. Ives recalls the interior was grimy and ill served, smelly and repugnant. One of his saddest memories concerning the jail was the harsh and unfeeling treatment of the insane. Such people would be placed in jail until there was room for them in the state institution. The state facilities wee far from adequate and these poor people would be imprisoned for an indefinite period without attention except as to food. If violent they would be chained. This condition was true all over the state in those days.
CHURCHES
There were three churches in Vernon: Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian. Each had its own church building, but none of the congregations was strong enough to support a full-time minister. Services in each were held once a month, and these were staggered so that, in a sense, these were community churches. Most of the preachers had no religious training. They were farmers as well as preachers.
The Presbyterian church dated as far back as the early or middle 1850’s and belonged to the Red River Presbytery. The records of this congregation are preserved in Ruston along with those of the First Presbyterian Church there.
The Negro preachers of the day had either little or no education. They preached what they heard and talked about in the fields. One Negro preacher, on being reprimanded for preaching half-drunk, replied that he could talk with more fervor when he was about half-sober. Negro services were carried on with an excess of emotion. There were shouts of “Hallelujah,” rhythmic chanting, and stomping of feet.
Sometimes regular services and revival meetings did not seem to be enough to combat the tendency to sin, and a “camp meeting” was called. A camp ground was developed at Oak Ridge, four miles east of Vernon. Cottages were build near the stream to house people during the meetings. These camp meetings usually lasted about two weeks with services four times daily: sunrise, mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening.
The preaching at these camps was harsh and strong. Emotional fervor was contagious; sometimes whole parts of congregation would break out in loud cries. The people seemed to endure religion rather than enjoy it.
ELECTIONS, HOLIDAYS, PAST TIMES
Saturday was a big day in Vernon, as it much have been in like centers elsewhere, particularly in the agricultural south. People streamed in from all directions, Negroes and whites, in wagons, buggies, and on horseback. These throngs did not come to sell anything except perhaps a few eggs. Because the farmers had money just once a year, following the sale of cotton in the fall, the merchants operated on a credit basis. Many farmers were poor risks, so merchants were compelled to “mark-up” the prices so that those who paid their bills indirectly paid for those who didn’t. The saloons attracted some of them, which would be evident as the wore on. The merchants of Vernon in 1860 were W. C. Ashley, M. B. Kidd and Brother, Davis and Sholar, Samuel and Cann, William Lewis, and Lloyd and Ives.
Wide interest on voting days brought everyone who could walk or ride to town. Election days wee like holidays. The town was full of people and excitement. Saloons did a rush business. All voting was carried out in the open. Ballots were passed out freely. This gave poll workers the opportunity to mark ballots according to their preference, and thus stack the ballot box.
Holidays played a major role in the social life. May Day, the fourth of July and Christmas were the most important holidays.
There were functions that were both social and practical in value such as, log rolling, house raising and quilting bees.
Two popular ball games of the period were “cat” and “townball.” Cat was played with a twine ball and any number could take part. Two batters stood about forty feet apart. A third player pitched the ball, and when the ball was hit the batters had to change places. If another got the ball and ran to either station before the runner, that station was then his. Townball was played with a hard rubber ball and a bat that was squared at the striking end. There were three bases and a home plate similar to baseball. Two captains chose their players until everyone was on one team or the other. Thus, there were no idle spectators. The batter was out if the ball were caught on the first bounce or thrown across the base path in front of the runner. Other games included marbles, leapfrog, shinney, and other running and jumping games.
Hunting and fishing, besides being a major source of food, provided hours of relaxation for the men. There were no restrictions then to conserve game. Turkey, quail, deer, dove, squirrel and other game were there for the killing.
MAIN ROADS & POST OFFICE & MAIL
To satisfy their desire for news people gathered in this way at trading centers, visited much, turned out on public occasions. Even church attendance was affected by a desire for news and companionship. There was a daily mail service between Vernon and Vienna, except Sundays. This was by horseback, as the mail in the nature of things was not considerable. The old road one would thus travel did not follow any of our present roads, but roughly paralleled the Farmerville Highway (Route 33) and the Chatham Road (Route 146). Mail from abroad came to Vienna first. This town 17 miles north of Vernon was on a main highway east and west across the state. This road from Monroe to Shreveport was called the “Wire Road’ because a telegraph line followed the road. It was best known of all the roads in North Louisiana. The road from Vernon joined the Wire Road at Indian Village some fifteen miles from Monroe. A Mr. Stinson of Gainsville, was awarded the contract to carry the mail between Vernon and Vienna. Such a route was called a “Star Route.” This was a horseback service using two horses, each horse being used on alternate days. His son was the mail carrier, the Christopher Ives home was his headquarters for him self and horses. He would leave Vernon in the morning, reach Vienna about noon, and return in the afternoon. In rough wintry weather this was not exactly easy life.
The post office was once the oldest in the state, having been established in on June 4, 1846 and was closed permanently on July 1, 1967 after 121 years of service.
Robert A. Carson was the first postmaster. These postmasters followed him through 1893 and the dates of their appointments are as follows.
Marion W. Ashley, December 24, 1852
John C. Jones, December 16, 1854
John W. Arnold May 15, 1856
James M. Smith January 29, 1857
J. Y. Allen December 26, 1865
John H. Tatum February 13, 1866
Hiram L. Smith May 9, 1870
Mrs. Mary M. Stover December 1, 1873
Ferdinand M. McCormick January 21, 1873
Dennis N. Pyburn Failed to qualify, January 9, 1879
William H. Squyres February 27, 1879
Edwin L. Hill March 23, 1881
Augustus C. Simonton October 31, 1892
THE RAILROADS
The only railroad serving North Louisiana at that time was the Texas and Pacific Railway from New Orleans to Shreveport. The railroad form Monroe to Shreveport was built in the early 1880’s. Monroe was the chief market center for the general area because of its rail connections and because shipping by boat on the Ouachita River was available during the winter and spring months. A round trip from Vernon to Monroe (some thirty miles) usually took three days.
NEWSPAPERS
Over a period of time, Vernon acquired several newspapers. The first newspaper was established by J.C. Drew as the “Jackson Patriot.” Sidney McCranie moved to Vienna and took his paper with him renaming it the Vienna Sentinal. The “Jacksonian,” was edited by Andrew J. Bell and the “Southern Times” was edited by G.W. McCranie. A few of the Southern Times have been preserved and now on microfilm at various libraries.
THE CIVIL WAR & BEYOND
The Civil War caused hardship and deprivation in Vernon As it did in many other similar towns. However, the people were fortunate in that no large battles or total destruction occurred in the area. A local legend in Vernon states that part of the plans for the Battle of Vicksburg were made in the old Vernon post office, but documentation is lacking. But in reality, the war began the inevitable decline of Vernon, for after the war came the movement and westward expansion that was to deplete the community and remove Vernon from its position of prominence.
Life was not easy in those hard years after the Civil War. Fortunately, there had been no fighting in this immediate section, and few of the enemy troops wee to be seen. However, the war brought casualties to many families. The fact that a husband or father had been killed or disabled in the war left some families poor, but the people of Vernon rallied to their aid.
When reconstruction drew to a close, Jackson Parish grew rapidly in the areas around Macedonia (now Jonesboro), but the population of Vernon gradually began dwindling.
The economy in the country around Vernon was dependent almost entirely on agriculture and specifically on cotton. Without any industry of its own to compete with the saw mill towns of Jonesboro and Chatham, Vernon’s influence became less and less and her commerce suffered.
Even before the courthouse burned, Mr. William B. McDonald, who was a representative to the Legislature, saw that Vernon had seen its best days. He was in favor of moving the governmental seat to a settlement where railroads would probably build, and where sawmills would be constructed. He was a man of leadership and foresight. and as usual in such cases, he had enemies. his opinion cost him his life for he was shot and killed at old Vernon as he was preparing to go to the Legislature.
After the court house burned talk arose concerning the transfer of the Parish seat. Before the question was settled, almost every Legislature saw a bill introduced for moving the Parish seat away from a declining community.
Bills for the removal of the parish seat were introduced in the legislature in 1884, 1904. and 1908 but all defeated. In1910 the Legislature passed Act No. 67 providing the removal of the parish seat from Vernon to a point “as near as practicable to the center of the parish.”
The story of what happened to the old Vernon courthouse is worthy of note. A public auction was held and Mr. Jim McDowell purchased for the surprising sum of $65 the courthouse built by private subscription. He proceeded to tear it down move the lumber to his land and built a five- room house that was still used as his home in 1945. Mr. McDowell sold the benches that were in it realizing through this sale almost one-half of the money he had spent on purchasing the building. When my sister Kathy and I (Elaine (Monroe) Nagel stopped to ask the man beside the road where Vernon was he pointed to the home acorss the road from us and said that house over there has the wall’s inside covered in the courthouse lumber. This house stands today in 2000
The loss of its status as parish seat was something of a death-blow to Vernon In the years that followed more of its citizens continued to move away and slowly its business and commercial life died. The town square which had once been surrounded by thriving businesses became an empty field; the school and all but one small church disappeared. Where streets had been and where buildings had once stood there were now lonely pines and deserted plum thickets.
VERNON TODAY
Vernon presently consists of a small number of neat and attractive homes, most of which are located approximately; one-tenth of a mile west from the site of the old town square. The Vernon Baptist Church which is located a few yards from the area where the jail once stood and near the former location of the Vernon Academy School
The old cemetery still stands and can be found a short distance from the church and contains many tombstones with inscriptions over a hundred years old. The earliest known burial in the cemetery took place in 1855.
There is one business left in Vernon a grocery store and service station location on the Vernon Road.
At the southern edge of the community is the Vernon fire tower which stands like an inland lighthouse above the hills. The tower watches over the never-ending forest and as fewer and fewer people remain in Vernon, the forest reclaims its own.
Winnfield took advantage of slow starts by both the JHHS girls and boys in the season opening Jamboree played on Thursday at the JHHS gymnasium, resulting in the Lady Tigers falling 39-13 and the varsity boys losing 55-46. The contest was a precursor to the first regular season girls game this coming Thursday, Nov. 17th against Simsboro, while the boys will tip off the 2022 campaign on November 29th against Quitman.
The Lady Tigers failed to score in the first quarter and only had one point in the third allowing Winnfield to take the easy 39-13 victory. A bright spot was the play of Morgan McGee who scored eight points but the combination of making only 4 of 25 shots and turning the ball over 20 times doomed the opening night effort. LeRonda McGuire and A’Joriana Hoggro scored two each and Tyya Davis hit a free throw.
In the boys contest, JHHS scored 11 straight points to open the third quarter to rally from a 16 point halftime deficit but Winnfield pulled away at the end to take the nine point victory. Winnfield jumped out to a 12-2 lead to start the game and led 20-7 after the first period. At the half it was 33-17 but JHHS came out smoking in the third to make a game of it only to see Winnfield apply a knockout punch by scoring nine straight points to start the final period.
In conjunction with Lagniappe Homecare, Heart of Hospice and Philip Lawrence, Post Commander at Edwin Brown VFW Post 4317 in Jonesboro, the Forest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center honored their resident Veterans on Friday. It was a gala celebration for the brave men and women who fought to ensure the freedom that we as American’s enjoy. Those recognized for their service were: Clarence Kelton, Larry Huddleston, Ronald Lowery, William Burton, Albert Schmidt, Barbara Arnold, Tom Torning and Shelby Lee.
If you’re a bass fisherman, don’t you dare catch a fish on your first cast. Tradition has it that you’ll have lousy success the rest of the day. That’s why I usually flip my first cast out near the boat where no bass could possibly be lurking and retrieve it quickly
before a fish finds it.
If you’re a hunter, there are many more traditions we deal with every huntingseason. Of course, you remember what happened when you got your first deer. You were probably a little squirt and were proud to wear the badge of a successful hunter; you got
blood from your deer liberally smeared over your face.
You also remember the first time you missed a deer; the “kind and compassionate” members of your hunting party un-ceremoniously relieved you of the tail of your shirt; it’s probably still hanging on the wall at the camp along with those shirttails
of others who missed deer.
I was speaking at an outdoor event a few years ago and an elderly gentleman approached me after my talk and handed me a bag containing a couple of buckeye balls, the nut that grows on the buckeye shrub, a nut that looks somewhat like the eye of a deer.
“Put this in your pocket when you go hunting, rub on it and a buck will walk out by your stand”, he told me.
I’ve tried it several times and all I’ve seen are squirrels and woodpeckers. Maybe I’m rubbing it wrong.
I did an internet search and picked up some traditions/rituals/superstitions from around the country practiced by deer hunters.
One bow hunter offered this…”I listen to ‘Fred Bear’ by Ted Nugent in order to make the transition from suburbia to the forest complete.” In case you don’t know who Fred Bear was, he’s the father of traditional bow hunting whose success with stick and
string is legendary. Ted Nugent? He’s a rock star and a militant spokesman for hunting.
One of the strangest events is this one offered by a hunter…”I eat half a banana on my way to my hunting spot and bury the other half next to my stand. My grandmother told me my grandfather always did it and it seemed to work for him.” Hmmm….
The only ritual I cotton to involving my hunting has to do with squirrels. No matter if a hurricane is raging, rain is pouring, wind is howling or it hasn’t rained in a month and walking in the woods is like walking on corn flakes, I have to be there on
opening day. Something about opening day of squirrel season was engrained in me as a youngster when my dad would get my brother and me all hyped up for squirrel season opening.
In tandem with my opening day ritual, another tradition closely follows and whether or not I get to engage in it depends on how my opening morning progressed. Upon returning from my opening day squirrel hunt, I’ll select a young and tender
squirrel from my bag, clean it and prepare it for my opening day brunch. Cutting the squirrel into quarters, I’ll dust it with flour, salt and pepper and fry it until golden brown. While the squirrel is frying, I’ll pop some biscuits in the oven. In the past I made
my own but since that gifted lady Mary B. came along, I’ve found that hers are better than mine anyhow.
Once the squirrel and biscuits are done, I’ll make gravy and spoon it over the biscuits and bite down on that tender sweet squirrel leg. No need for half a banana when you have this heavenly manna.
BLACK BAYOU – Bass have been fair around the trees and brush. Crappie fishing has improved around the deeper trees and brush. No report on bream. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is at pool stage with no current. Everything is on the slow side except lots of catfish are being caught. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing had been quite good fishing spider rigs 16-18 feet deep along the channel edges and drops. Bass fishing has been better in the mornings fishing Bandit crank baits in the Citrus shad and Silver Minnow Sparkle pattern. Best catches have been made along the banks and off the points. The bream have about shut it down but catfish can still be caught fishing cold worm off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has improved with some nice fish being caught around brush in the deeper holes mostly on shiners. Bass have been best skipping jigs under the docks with soft plastics picking up some off the points. No report on bream,
catfish or stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing continues to be best fishing the deep tops on shiners or jigs. The bass have been best with some nice sized fish are being caught fishing the points with Carolina rigged soft plastics while some are also being caught fished jigging spoons off the bottom in deeper water. Bandit crank baits are producing some around the docks and piers. 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.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing has improved with bigger fish caught on the south end while the area around the boat slips have been fair on shiners or jigs. Catfishing has been good on a variety of baits. No report on bass or bream. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is quite low. Some nice crappie are being caught around underwater structure on shiners or jigs. No report on bass, bream or catfish. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
Then there was one! After a long season in which dozens of runners represented local schools in the recently completed LHSAA cross country regular season, there is only one from Jackson Parish that is still competing. That is Gage Horton who will run in the state cross country meet that will be held on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches on November 14th.
The freshman at Quitman High School qualified for the prestigious meet by setting a new personal record time of 19:30 to finish 21st in the Division IV, Region 1 meet that was held at Lincoln Parish Park on November 3rd. Adding to Horton’s accomplishment is that he achieved the top 25, state qualifying status, against runners from 17 schools from Class 2A and below and had the fifth fastest time of all runners in Class B.
Jayden Harts and Chance Chaplin also ran for QHS in the regionals while Weston was represented by Daniel Albert, Dillon Pardue, Darin Allen, Emery Caskey, Ethan McCarty, Ariana Roberts, Brianna Williamson and Betty McCarty.
The movement of money was the priority of the unusually short monthly meeting of the Town of Jonesboro Board of Aldermen this past Thursday evening. Forced to meet on a different night other than their regular second Tuesday of the month date due to the elections board members opened a new bank account for the DRA grant money and also withdrew $14,693.05 from a Certificate of Deposit (CD) to pay legal fees in the recently settled Stringer lawsuit.
Other than that, the regular agenda items of approving the minutes, paying the bills, and accepting financial statements from the prior month as well as hearing reports from the various department head ended the meeting that was held in the conference room of the Jonesboro City Hall.
Ms. Angela Shows’ Ag Carpentry Shop at Jonesboro-Hodge High School has been busy helping Santa get ready for Christmas. Learning how to operate the miter saw, jigsaw, and skill saw, J-HHS Ag department has made many Christmas wood displays for your yard, door hangers, and even plant stands for sale.
These will be displayed daily under the canopy in front of JHHS beginning Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18, 2022 from 8:45 till 10:45a.m. (or until we sell out). I the event of inclement weather due to rain and cold, we will be displaying and selling the Christmas items at the J-HHS Ag Department – located on the south end of the football field just below the greenhouse.
You may purchase, preorder, or even custom order any wood project design of your choosing but it is recommended that you come early as the items are certain to go quick. The funds will be used to purchase needed supplies and other equipment for the workshop. If you are interested in any of these projects you may email Ms. Angela Shows at angela.shows@jpsbschools.us.
The JHHS Ag Department and Carpentry Shop thank you for your support in this fundraising event and hope to see you there!
During the second week of November, National Nurse Practitioner Week recognizes those medical professionals with the experience to help us maintain our health and guide us to the treatment we need when illness occurs. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners founded National Nurse Practioner Week in 2014.
Nurse Practitioners (NP’s) are quickly becoming the health partner of choice for millions of Americans. As clinicians that blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to health care.
All NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse (RN) preparation. Didactic and clinical courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term health care settings.
In honor of National Nurse Practitioner’s Week and the five NP’s who are part of their frontline team that works hard to provide quality patient care the Jackson Parish Hospital presents the ones whose passion and professionalism provides the best patient care in our community.
The upcoming winter is predicted to be very cold. Fortunately for many of the elementary students of Jackson and Lincoln Parish schools, they will be protected from the elements. This is because of the collaborated effort by Jonesboro State Bank / Pledge 10 and the Ruston Rotary Club, which annually sponsors a “Coats for Kids” program.
Grayson Allen, CFO of Jonesboro State Bank, and Elaine Rupert of the Ruston Rotary Club recently presented Jackson Parish School District Superintendent David Claxton brand new coats for elementary students in the Jackson Parish School System, part of the 170 coats that were given out in the two-parish area. The Ruston Walmart also assisted in the benevolent program by donating funds and coats.
Want to check out the talk of the automobile industry? Then come to Jay Mallard Ford, located at 601 Hudson Avenue in Jonesboro and take a look at the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. Taking you to the next level of all-electric exhilaration, the GT Performance Edition harnesses 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of tire-spinning torque, to go from 0–60 mph in an incredible 3.5 seconds. The future is now!
Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School will field a basketball team for the first time ever. An ambitious schedule of eight games against mainly schools in Lincoln Parish will be played throughout January and February, including four home games that will be played at Jonesboro-Hodge High School.
The season will cumulate with an Elementary Championship tournament that will be played in Ruston on March 4th. The team will be coached by Assistant Principal Jacob Barron, who before moving into administration at J-HES coached both boy’s and girls’ varsity basketball at Quitman High School.
“We are very excited about our upcoming season and want to thank Hodge Bank & Trust, Mitchell’s Pharmacy, and Willy T’s for their sponsorship that allowed us to purchase our uniforms,” said Barron. “We would also like to thank JHHS Principal (Chevonda) Leonard, Coach (Kris) Cash, and Coach (Allen) Tew for allowing us to use their facilities.”
