Each week select members of the administration and faculty of Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School selects a representative(s) from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to be honored as Student of the Week. The award winners are chosen by showing positive behavior and best exhibiting the PAWS principles throughout the school!

P – Prepare yourself
A – Act Respectfully
W – Work Together
S – Safety First)

JHMS Students of the Week

6th grade – Bailee Turner
7th grade – Mason Howard and Heavenly Lard
8th grade – Ralei’ Bradford

Science / Social Studies Night on Wednesday

Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School in conjunction with Title I will host a parental engagement event this Wednesday, February 15th with a Science and Social Studies Night that will take place between 5:00 – 6:00pm. Come and gain lots of helpful information for your students success.

This Wednesday thru Saturday the Jonesboro and Chatham branches of the Jackson Parish Library offers a schedule packed with activities for all ages.

Jonesboro Branch

Wednesday @10:00AM – Bookworm Storytime for children, Grab-n-Go Caterpillars
Wednesday @ 2:00pm – Canvas Painting with Sharon Dousey for adults- REGISTRATION IS REQUIIRED
Thursday @ 4:00pm – Art Club with Miss Lynn for children (Symmetry Painting)
Friday @ 4:00pm – Canvas Painting for Teens n Tweens (Owl Always Love You)

Chatham Branch

Wednesday @ 9:00am – Check Out Fitness for Adults
Thursday @ 2:00pm – Canvas Painting with Sharon Dousey for adults- REGISTRATION IS REQUIIRED
Thursday @ 4:30pm – Unity Bracelet construction for Teens n Tweens
Saturday @ 9:00am – Medicare Seminar for Adults
Saturday @ 11:00am – Gamers Day

Special Feature

This Friday, February 17th, from 10:00am – 12:00pm the Jackson Parish Library and LSU AgCenter will partner together to present a Heart Healthy seminar at the Jonesboro Branch, located at 614 South Polk Avenue. The free class will teach you how to keep your heart happy and strong while also offering the ability to sample heart healthy recipes. Call 318-259-2697 to reserve a seat. 

When Burt Bacharach, 94, died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home last week, it meant one of America’s most awarded and talented musical geniuses, a man who checked every box on the Cool Meter, had taken his final bow.

Hurt me.

In the 1970s, my teen years, you couldn’t swing a cat around any sort of show business venue and not hit Burt Bacharach, the composer, conductor, pianist, well-groomed movie-star-handsome American showman who didn’t show off.

For more than six decades he was in the biz (“the biz” is what Hollywood types call show business, don’t you know), was part of a prolific two-man songwriting team with lyricist Hal David (who passed away in 2012, age 91), and gave you something you’re likely to hum every other day or so.

Another Burt — Reynolds — was the biggest box office movie guy around that time for a few years. Sadly, he passed away at 82 in 2018. Love Burt. Love the other Burt more, though. Bacharach was in the spotlight plenty but mainly he was in the background, on your radio, in the elevator, wherever the hits were played.

Easy listening.

Through the 1970s he was married to Angie Dickinson, for goodness sakes, who had her legs insured for a million dollars, which was $500,000 per leg, and a hat tip to the person who sold her that policy. Can’t be too careful when you star in Police Woman on television and you’re married to Burt Bacharach. He played the piano, she had the two legs, or about eight less than the number of Emmys, Grammys, and Academy Awards her husband won.

Point of clarification: My favorite Bert of the 1970s was Jones, the quarterback of Baltimore’s Colts. NFL MVP in 1976. Ruston and all. I mean, come on. Everybody’s favorite Bert with a “e.”

But Burt Bacharach was my favorite Burt with a “u,” and to honor his passing, we offer The Top 10 Burt Bacharach Songs, According to Me. He and Hal David teamed up for literally hundreds, so Close to You and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love and What’s New Pussycat? and The Look of Love and That’s What Friends Are For won’t even make the list. It’s a shame.

10. This Guy’s in Love with You: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass were a thing back then and had a monster hit with this. It was a simpler time. Lots of other artists scored hits with this too; more than 1,000 artists have recorded Bacharach songs so …

9. You’ll Never Get to Heaven if You Break My Heart: Dionne Warwick (more on her in a sec) had a hit with this but I prefer The Stylistics’ version. Warwick and The Stylistics were very good but, in all honesty, it’s a bit egotistical of them to think they get to make this call. “If you break up with me, you’re going to the bad place.” Neg. Good song though, especially for a tune about really, really high stakes dating. Maybe it wasn’t a simpler time …

8. Walk on By: “If you see me walking down the street / And I start to cry each time we meet / Walk on by, walk on by …” Bacharach wrote some happy songs; this is not one of them.

7. Say a Little Prayer for You: Warwick had hits with this and with the two songs above this one and with the two below. Warwick and Bacharach and Hal David were practically printing money for a while there in the ’70s.

6. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again: “So for at least, until tomorrow / I’ll never all in love again…”

5. Always Something There to Remind Me: Lot of co-dependency back then, apparently.

4. Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do): Christopher Cross had a hit with this song that batted leadoff in a terrific movie; quote it so much I get on my own nerves.

3. Alfie: This is on the list because Jerry Byrd sang it often in the Shreveport Journal newsroom. Sounded nothing like Dionne Warwick. Precious memories though. Bacharach said these were his favorite lyrics created by his writing partner.

2. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head: Where else would they fall? Somehow this fits into my favorite movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

1. Any Day Now: The original hit was by Chuck Jackson, then Elvis, but I prefer the cut by Ronnie Milsap. One of my favorite songs ever. By one of the best composers ever.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu or on Twitter @MamaLuvsManning

Calling all surrounding Middle and High School CHEER SQUADS‼️ This is an event you don’t want to miss! Get your squad signed up today for Cheer Battle 2023. The event will take place on February 25th with the doors of the JHHS gymnasium opening at 2:30pm and the battle starting at 3:00pm. Registration for the Cheerleading squads will be $50.00 per team. Admission for the public will be $5.00 per person. First, second and third place prizes will be given. To register a team contact Karen Wimberly at 318-413-4600 or by email at karen.wimberly@jpsbschools.us

To see video on Cheer Battle 2023 click here. 

Five girls and six boys were recogizied this past Friday when Saline High School played host to Georgetown on Senior Night. In the ceremony between the girls and boys games Kassie Hood, Kalei Nelson, Finley Oliver, X Lard, Kirsten Toms, Wesley Crawford, Shawn Staggs, DJ Rager-Ridley, Will Dison and TreyVon Colvin was introduced to the large crowd in attendance. 

Seventeen members of the Jackson Parish Gifted/Talented music program achieved high ratings at the RAMTA  music rally held at Louisiana Tech University on Monday with Meredith Turner (WHS), Kash Gandy (WHS), Skylar Hall (QHS) and Jerriona Leonard (JHHS), who are shown in banner above,  coming home with Superior Plus ratings in voice. 

RAMTA Rally Award Winners

The Jackson Parish Museum and Fine Arts Association (JPMFAA) encourages individuals, groups, orginzations and businesses to be a supporter by becoming a member-sponsor through donations provided to the only facility dedicated to the history of Jackson Parish. 

Your membership is crucial in helping the JPMFAA move forward. Let us all work together to help preserve our Jackson Parish history, present art and cultural programs, and educate our chizens and visitors about our heritage.

To become a partner please complete the bottom portion shown below and mail to:

Jackson Parish Museum
515 South Cooper Avenue
Jonesboro, LA 71251 

Sponsorship/Member Form

Name

Benefactor ($500.00 plus)
Patron ($250.00 – $499.00)
Guardian ($100.00 – $249.00)
Business ($75.00 plus)
Non-Profit Org. ($40.00)
Family ($40.00 plus)
lndividual ($25.00 plus)
Sr. Citizen/Student ($15.00 plus)

On February 10, fifth graders at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School (J-HES) had a unique opportunity to speak with a German immigrant. Karol Chrisman, a World War 2 survivor, immigrated to America with her GI husband. She told the kids all about her experience as an immigrant as well as her opinion on whether or not immigrating to the United States was worth the sacrifices she had to make. Students were also able to ask her questions about her experiences as an American immigrant.

Where’s Your Heart?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB).”

Pastor Danny Taylor once paraphrased the end of the passage above. ‘For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.’

Where’s your heart?

Is it fixed on God?

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB).”

The LORD wants all of me.

“And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment (Matthew 22:35-38 NASB).”

LORD, we confess that we’re prone to be idol worshipers.

Our treasure is much more than money; we treasure our time too.

Are we supporting our home church with tithes, offerings and time?

If not, where is it going?

We may unknowingly worship the idols of materialism.

Men can put business expenses ahead of the LORD’s work. What about big boy toys? Red flags should be heeded if checking accounts or credit cards reveal large purchases. Is God the #1 priority?

Ladies, we’re held accountable too. Temptations of extravagance can catch us off guard.

Father, forgive us. We want to worship You alone. In Jesus name. Amen.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) is seeking a full time Practical Nursing Instructor at its Huey P. Long Campus in Winnfield. This is a full time, nine month position that includes some evening and weekend duties. For more information go to: www.cltcc.edu/about-cltcc/job-openings-at-cltcc. 

Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), a two-year technical and community college headquartered in Alexandria, La. Today, CLTCC provides comprehensive educational programs that meet the needs of its students and communities. These programs include career and technical education, general education, adult basic education, and workforce development training. CLTCC serves 8 parishes through six campus locations: 

NOTE: 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.

Aaron Dousay (Pineville, LA) – Rapides Parish Bench Warrant
Christopher Combs (Jonesboro, LA) – Probation Violation
Shonetta Huber (Jonesboro, LA) – West Monroe Bench Warrant
Cedric Flanagan (Jonesboro, LA) – DWI 2nd Offense, Careless Operation
Johnathan Ashcraft (North Hodge, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a vehicle x6, Reckless Operation
Gregtazone Burks (Shreveport, LA) – Possession of Marijuana on a School Campus, Remaining after Forbidden
Lisa M Lindsay (Eros, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery, Driver must be Licensed
Gavin Gresham (Jonesboro, LA) – Traffic Warrant
Floyd Hassen Jr. (Chatham, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Lamario M Hicks (Chatham, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Leslie L Gates (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant for Obstruction of Justice and Simple Assault
Tiffany L Crim (Bienville, LA) – Running Stop Sign, Possession of Schedule I with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II with Intent to Distribute

To have published your Business Services, Job Opportunities, Items for sale, Advertisements for Bids, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotes, Public Notices, and Legal Notices – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com. Possible costs are dependent on content. 

BUSINESS SERVICES

Stump Removal and Grinding: Call James Stewart at (318) 243-1009 or (318) 768-2554 for your stump removal and grinding needs. Free Estimates! 

HELP WANTED

The Hodge Fire Department is looking for individuals interested in serving their community. If you live within Hodge or the Hodge Fire Protection District and are interested in joining contact Chief Michael Heard at (318) 259-4704 or go to the station located at 1002 South 1st Street in Hodge.

FOR SALE

Book – “100-year history of JHHS football”  Comprehensive year-by-year description of the first 100 years (1919-2019) of JHHS football. Includes categorial individual and team top ten rankings. Perfect gift for that family member or friend who would enjoy remembering their “glory days”. The cost is $25.00 per book plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. To order call (318) 480-1206. 

Commemorative Plates – Beautifully etched china plates commemorating Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Jackson Parish. To order contact Wilda Smith at (318) 426-6511 or Barbara Johnson at (318) 450-5561.

PUBLIC NOTICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR BIDS: The Jackson Parish Recreation District is looking for a vendor to run the concession stand for the upcoming baseball season. If you want to submit a proposal or have questions, contact Tommy Smith at 318-737-8493.

Veteran’s Affairs Office Opens: The Veteran’s Affairs Office, located at 322 6th Street in Jonesboro, will now be open on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m. The VA Representative is Mr. Gary Poole who can be reached at 318-259-2100 or  gary.poole@la.gov

SHERIFF’S SALE

PEOPLES BANK
# 35438

PARISH OF JACKSON
STATE OF LOUISIANA

DONNA KAY KYLE

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the principal front door of the Courthouse, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 22nd day of March, 2023 Between the hours governing judicial
sales, the following property to wit:

THREE AND ONE-HALF ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THEE 1/2 OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4, SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP 16 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL IMPROVEMENTS SITUATED THEREON AND THERETO BELONGING.

Seized as the property of the above-named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all costs, sale to be made for cash with WITH the benefit of appraisal.

ANDY BROWN, SHERIFF
EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
TINA SPILLERS, DEPUTY

2/8/23
3/15/23

*****Important Information About Your Drinking Water****
Magnolia Water UOC – Spring Creek Water System, PWS# LA1049028

Failed to Take Corrective Action Following Identification of a Significant Deficiency

Spring Creek Water System, while under previous ownership, was in violation of the requirements indicated below. The violation  requires 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?
On April 10, 2018 and March 12,2020 the Louisiana Department of Health (LOH) performed a detailed inspection and engineering evaluation of our water system called a sanitary survey. During this sanitary survey, they identified one or more significant deficiencies in our system. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this
situation. According to EPA’s Ground Water Rule, we were required to correct the deficiency (or deficiencies) or work with the State to develop a plan to correct the deficiency (or deficiencies). However, we failed to correct the deficiency or contact the State before the established deadline and have therefore violated a requirement of the Ground Water Rule.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 hours. This significant deficiency has the potential to result in lack of proper treatment and oversight of the water system. Inadequately treated or inadequately protected water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and associated headaches. While we have not detected any evidence of contamination or other health threats related to our source water, we are still committed to correcting the deficiency to eliminate the threat of contamination.
What was Done?
As of January 31, 2023, Magnolia Water UOC has corrected over half of the significant deficiencies cited on the sanitary surveys from 2020 and 2018. Magnolia Water UOC will continue to correct all significant deficiencies and return to compliance at Spring Creek Water System.

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.

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., 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.

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: February 15, 2022

Jaden Ke’Undrez Washington
April 2, 2003 – February 6, 2023

Jaden Washington was born April 2, 2003 in Nacogdoches, TX to the proud parents of Rosemary Washington and Torinzo Burns. At a young age, Jaden United with Mount Gillard Baptist Church in Jonesboro, LA. Jaden attended Jonesboro Hodge High School where he graduated May 2021 and was looking forward to attending Delta Community College for Welding in Spring 2023. In 2022, Jaden was blessed with two beautiful Baby Girls by the name of Ah’Miri Washington and Khloe Hyde who he loved dearly. Jaden always had a passion for cooking. His favorite food to cook was a Steak!

Jaden is survived by his Mother Rosemary Washington and Father Torinzo Burns(Shemika); (his Beloved Daughters) Ah’Miri Washington and Khloe Hyde; (Grandparents) Barbara Wyatt and Wilbert Deckard; (5 Sisters) Ja’Raven Washington, Kazariah Graham, Renzi Burns, Ladi Burns, and Infinite Cottonham; (2 Brothers) Randi Hayes and LaJavean Cottonham, (His Favorites Aunt) Larekia, Ne-Ne, Rhonda, Bee, and Ieshia and Numerous Cousins, Uncles, and Friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00pm on Friday, February 17th at Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, February 18th at the Union Star Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Interment will follow in the Union Star Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home. 

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

JACKSON PARISH (KTVE/KARD) — On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, around 7:05 AM, the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department was notified by Louisiana State Police that authorities attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle. According to officials, the vehicle was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 167 near Quitman, La.

The vehicle failed to stop for authorities and turned onto Mount Olive Highway, losing control in a curve. The driver of the vehicle allegedly exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Authorities confirmed that Quitman High School was placed on lockdown for a short period of time and extra deputies were assisgned to the school due to officials searching the area for the suspect. Officials confirmed that the suspect was attempting to get a ride from residents after leaving the scene of the accident.

The suspect is described as a young Black male and he was wearing blue jeans and a lighted color shirt. If anyone has any information on the suspect, contact the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department at 318-259-9021 .

The Board of Aldermen for the Town of Jonesboro will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, February 14th a the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro. A full agenda awaits board members Devin Flowers, James Ginn, Robert Hunter, Nia Evans-Johnson and Robbie Siadek including the approval of  Resolution 2023-007 which awards a contract to Skylan Construction in the amount of $213,000.00 for Improvements at the Patterson Street Pump Station.

Addtional agenda items include presentations by Kenneth D. Folden & Company and Enterprise Fleet Management as well as discussion regarding a vehicle allowance for Mayor James “Spike” Harris, Cedar Streeet issue and Charlotte Bradford. Reports by the Compliance Officer and various Department heads will be heard prior to final comments by council members and the Mayor that will conclude the meeting.

If you need Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please inform Town Hall prior to meeting to make necessary arrangements.   

Lainee Trosclair made a steal then calmly made a pair of free throws to lift Weston to a thrilling 66-64 victory to climax Senior Night this past Thursday. The victory improved the Lady Wolves overall record to 27-6 overall and with a 5-1 record in district 1B play secured their first district title since 2016-17.

In between the girls and boys games, which Weston lost 72-68, seniors Daniel Moffit, JaMichael Fourd, Mitchel Mathews, Skyler Shirley, Kinleigh Harvey, Jessica Newton, Morgan Russell, Laurel Russell and Emma Kate McBride (shown in banner above) were honored by the fans, families, coaches and players. 

Down by four at 61-57 late in the contest played before a packed house at Weston, Briley Peterson cut the deficit to 61-60 with a basket and a free throw and then added another field goal to keep Weston just one behind following a Castor basket. A Lady Tiger free throw upped the margin to two but Emma Kate McBride made two free throws to bring Weston even at 64 apiece setting up Trosclair’s heroics. Jessica Newton and Briley Peterson ensured the win by making blocks on Castors last two possessions. 

Briley Peterson led Weston in scoring with 22 points followed by 18  and 11 rebounds from Lexie Millien, who ironically made a three pointer for the first points of the game after draining a last second trey to lift the Lady Wolves to a win in their last game with Castor. Trosclair finiished with 11 points and Jessica Newton added eight to go along with 10 boards and five blocks which gives her an incredible total of 108 rejections on the year. McBride also had an all around good game with seven points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks as the starting five scored all the points for the Lady Wolves. 

Castor, who fell to 16-9 and 3-3 in district play was led by Kailey Ann Shirley  with 20 points and Ambree Collinsworth with 12. Kalena Smith had 11, MeLayeh Rogers 8 and Timeria Gray closed with seven points. Kaylyn Long, who entered the game averaging 25 points per game was held to only six points thanks to an excellant defensive effort by Millien, who blanketed her throughout the game. 

Castor 72 Weston 68 (boys) The Wolves gave a game effort but ended district 1B play winless at 0-6 following the loss. With their seventh loss in a row and 10th in the last 11 games, Weston’s overall record fell to 9-22 on the year, dropping them to #35 in the Division V power rankings and eliminating them from any postseason considerations.

Braden Theriot and Mitchel Mathews scored seven and five points repectively in the first quarter on the strength of each canning a three pointer to give Weston an 18-14 lead but a 21-12 second quarter advantage by Castor left the Wolves behind 35-30 at the half. Five points each by Mathews and Bryce Zehr along with four from Ja’Michael Fourd helped Weston narrow the gap to 49-46 heading into the final frame but despite a ten point fourth by Zehr and five from Tait Henderson the Wolves were unable to close the gap. 

Weston ends the season with their best balanced team offensive effort of the year as five players reached double figures. Zehr led the way with 15, followed by 14 from Mathews, and 12 by Theriot. Henderson had 11, Fourd 10 and both Jude Otwell and Nathan Wages made a basket. Castor was led by the Clark brothers, Jamison and Demitre who had 31 and 16 points each. Gage Jordan ended with 13. 

The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team and the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School would like to recognize some outstanding stakeholders at our school:

Our Student of the Month, Kindergartener Alexa Martin, shown above receiving a $20 gift card and plaque for exemplifying what it means to be a Jonesboro-Hodge Tiger. Alexa Prepares herself for success, Acts respectfully, Works together with others and puts Safety first. Alexa is truly deserving of recognition for being a true ambassador of the PAWS motto.

Teacher of the Month, Tina Leonard is also recognized for going above and beyond the job description. Mrs. Leonard is a first-grade teacher here at Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School and part of a dynamic professional learning community and a leader in the continued growth and success of our school. Mrs. Leonard is presented here with a gift card and plaque honoring her dedication to our students.

Last and certainly not least, Tristen Bergholtz, Counselor, is recognized as our Support Staff of the month. Mrs. Bergholtz has been invaluable as a stakeholder providing counseling services, coordinating a food pantry and closet for student needs, and so much more. She also plays a key role in reducing truancy and disciplinary issues at our school.

We are very lucky to have these three as stakeholders and hope you’ll join us in recognizing and applauding these outstanding Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary Tigers!

Both the girls and boys teams headed to Doyline this past Thursday evening with the hopes that by nights end that they would come home with a district title in hand, or at least a share of one. In regard to the girls, they needed a little help. Even if they beat Doyline it was imperative that Castor beat Weston so that all three teams would end in with a 4-2. Quitman did it’s part. Castor didn’t. The result was that the Lady Wolverines finished in second place of district 1B.

The boys were more in control of their destiny needing only to beat Doyline to claim the title. Easy enough right? Not so fast….It needs to be mentioned that the only time that Doyline has lost at home in the last five years was  to Class 5A Byrd High out of Shreveport two years ago. Making only 15 of 55 shots that included 6 of 25 from behind the arc didn’t help the cause either as Doyline continued their home mastery to claim the title and saddle the Wolverines with a second place finish.

Quitman 72 Doyline 28 (girls) Four players reached double figures in points and nine players scored in all as the Lady Wolverines ended the regular season by winning their fourth in a row that propels the overall record to 21-8,  marking the fourth year in a row that Quitman has won at least 20 games under long time head coach Kyle Leach. 

Cali Deal topped QHS with 16 points followed by a season best 13 from Emma Carter. Brayli Stewart added 12 and Bethany Leach chipped in with 11 in her second game back from being out with an illness. Summer Grillette ended with 8 and both Ansley Folks and AJ Gray had four. Anna Leach and Jaleigh Burns hit a basket each to round out the scoring. 

Doyline 63 Quitman 41 (boys) The secret to Quitman’s success in the first game played was limiting the number of shots that Doyline took and keeping the score low. For the first half the plan continued to work as Doyline led by only a 22-20 margin. The second half belonged to the homestanding Panthers though as Doyline outscored Quitman by ten in each of the third and fourth quarters to secure the district 1B title. 

Logan Ponder made four shots but three were 3-pointers to lead Quitman in scoring with 14 points. Gavyn Caskey contributed a pair of treys leading to nine points in the contest while Blake Carter had 7 points and 10 rebounds. Grant Williams finished with four, Eli Walker canned a three pointer and both Noah Leach and Riley Duck made a basket. 

On February 2, 2023, Jonesboro-Hodge High School sent a delegation of students to attend the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Regional Leadership Conference at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Nine students received a first place or superior rating in their competitive events and qualified to attend the state conference that will be held March 26-28, 2023 at the Cajundome & Convention Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Four students received a rating of first place in their competitive events: Honesty Poland (Marketing), Serenity Mallard (Marketing), Zion Gray (Cyber Security and Marketing), and Houston Cox (Introduction to Information technology).

Five students received a rating of superior in their competitive events: Ethan Bradford and Richard “Pierce” Ulloa (Business Management), Trinite’ Davis and T’ara Tyler (Cyber Security), and Mallorie Ashcraft (Introduction to Information Technology).

Fourteen students received a rating of excellent in their competitive events: Mallorie Ashcraft, Houston Cox, and Gabrielle Smith (Business Ethics); Jermya Bryant (Client Service); Jem’mya Bryant, Zaylen Harrel, and Makenzie Lowery (Entrepreneurship); Angela Jackson (Hospitality and Event Planning); Ma’riyah Jones (Journalism); Jaidon Vanzant, Ma’riyah Jones, and Skyliah Dill (Business Ethics); Richard “Pierce” Ulloa (Organizational Leadership); Serenity Mallard (Personal Finance); and Ariy’un Bradford (Sports & Entertainment Management).

Congratulations to FBLA Adviser, Alberta S. Foster, and the JHHS students who participated in the FBLA Leadership Conference.

After droppinig a crucial contest to Atlanta on the last day of January that put Saline a game back in the district standings it looked hurt the surging Bobcats chance at winning or sharing the 2C title. Things looked especially bleack when Atlanta beat Georgetown this past Tuesday, who had been the only team to plant a district defeat on the Bulldogs.

Saline kept the heat up by winning their remaining district games including a 50-44 victory over Georgetown on Friday. Now they needed Atlanta to stumble at home against defending Class C runner-up Calvin. Christmas came in February for the Bobcats as Atlanta lost 61-55 to drop the Bulldogs into a tie with Saline at 8-2 in district setting up a winner take all playoff game in Dodson next Saturday, February 18th at a time to be determined. 

Saline 50 Georgetown 44 (boys) There are two games a small school basketball coach dreads. Homecoming and Senior Night. That is because of all the distractions that the players deal with it is hard to keep them focused. Down 27-23 at the half in the must win game against a good Georgetown team on Friday, head coach Klint Robinson challenged his guys to strengthen their focus and intensity in the second half. The Bobcats did just that, limiting Georgetown to just 17 points combined in the third and fourth quarter 

Meanwhile Wesley Crawford and Jacob Jones, who had two points between them in the first half, took it upon themselves in the second half to supply firepower with Crawford making all nine of his points and Jones adding seven  to help lift Saline to a 27-17 second half advantage. One needs look no further than Will Dison to find the game star. The senior made sure that the night celebrating others like him on the team ended happily by pouring in 25 points that included 17 of Saline’s first 23 points in the contest. Maddox Williams scored five and Shawn Staggs added a basket. 

With the victory Saline improved to a seemingly impossible 19-14 overall, after starting the season 1-9, and tied with Atlanta atop district 2C with an 8-2 record. Georgetown saw their district record evened at 5-5 and their overall mark drop to 20-12.  

Georgetown 47 Saline 41 (girls) Free throws aren’t free if you don’t make them. Saline found out that lesson the hard way on Friday when Georgetown sent the Lady Bobcats to the line 13 times in the fourth quarter of the final district 2C contest of the year. The Lady Bobcats only made three, leaving ten points on the court. Add the fact not a single field goal was made and Saline’s 38-30 third quarter lead turned into a six point loss. 

With Alaya Gray, who led Saline in scoring with 15, draining three treys in the third quarter it looked like Saline, who had already wrapped up the district title the game before, was going to finish 2C play undefeated. Georgetown had an incentive though in the fact a victory would give them a winning season at 15-14 and played the final frame with a ferocity not seen in the game prior that caught the Lady Bobcats flatfooted.  

This past week Weston High School Jr. Beta members created a “kindness” rock garden in memory of Lexi Wise. Members read the book, Scribble Stones, to elementary students and painted kindness rocks. Beta members would like to say a special thank you to Mr. Shields and his students for building the garden and to Lexi’s Closet for sponsoring our project. 

Six senior boys and three girls basketball players, along with Lajavion Nichols, who would have been a member of the class were it not for a tragic auto accident that took his life, were honored at Senior Night this past Friday at Jonesboro-Hodge High School.  Thie event took place prior to the girls and boys final district 3-2A game of the season against Many. 

Girls being recognized were cheerleader Alaycia Kamil Caldwell, basketball player Kaelin Palmer, basketball player Sydney Malone and basketball player Ajoriana Hoggro. Boys being honored were Savantez Phillips, Ajay Tew, Cameron Leonard, Zion Gray, Edward “Tre” Beard and Jarrius Lumpkin, all varsity basketball players. 

Following the ceremony Jonesboro-Hodge lost both games against Many with the girls falling 66-30 and the boys losing by a 44-43 score. With the school record 17th loss in a row, the Lady Tigers end their season with a 3-23 overall record and 0-10 in district 3-2A play, failing to qualify for the playoffs . The JHHS boys team dropped to 9-14 overall and 3-6 in district, while dropping to #17 in the most recent power ratings. 

Many 44 JHHS 43 (boys): Jarrius Lumpkin and Ajay Tew hit three pointers and Savantez Phillips scored six points in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough to overcome a four point deficit as JHHS fell for the fourth time in a row. Many, who didn’t qualify for the playoffs won their first district game of the season and snapped a 17 game losing streak closes the season by winning their first and last game with 17 losses in between.

Lumpkin led the Tigers in scoring with 12 followed by 10 from Tew and 8 from Phillips. Zion Gray scored 5, Cameron Leonard tallied three and both Symeon Malone and ZaMarrion Palmer made a first quarter basket. Edward “Tre” Beard made a free throw to round out the Tigers scoring. Jakolby Jones scored 17 followed by Cam Medlock with 11

Many 64 JHHS 30 (girls) Many raced to a 30-10 first half lead and then made 20-29 free throws in the second half to send JHHS to a school record 17th straight loss that includes 10 consecutive district 3-2A defeats. Tyya Davis scored 10 followed by Jalenya Jackson with nine. Ajoriana Hoggro contributed seven and Sydney Malone closed out her high school career with four. Jacobs led Many with 29 points with Holder scoring 15 and Carter adding 11 to lift Many to a 3-7 district record and 10-19 overall. 

Sergeant Major Kerrick Loyd of Jonesboro, who devoted his military career to supporting special training projects and providing leadership to soldiers and their families, was recently recognized for 30 years of service in the United States Army. The eldest son of the late Cynthia D Loyd of Jonesboro, and grandson of HC (deceased) & Mrs. Ora B Loyd of (Pine Grove) Jonesboro, La. graduated from Bienville High school and enlisted in the United States Army in June 1993.

SGM Loyd entered active duty on June 1993. He completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia as a Petroleum Supply Specialist 77F, later renumbered to 92F.

Loyd’s assignments included: B co 214th AVN Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; B co 2/52nd Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphreys, Korea; HHC, 2-8 Calvary Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; HHC, 9th Battalion 101st Airborne Air Assault Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Alpha Company 2/52nd Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphreys, Korea; 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Victor Company, Fort Lee, VA., 262nd Quartermaster Battalion; 135th Quartermaster Company, Fort Stewart, Ga; 3rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Stewart, GA; Distribution SGM for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, fort Shafter Hi.; Special Troops Battalion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Hi and Senior Enlisted Leader, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam , Hi .

His duty assignments include Petroleum Vehicle Operator, Petroleum Supply NCO, FirstSergeant, Chief Instructor, Logistics NCO, S3 Sergeant Major, Field Service Branch SGM, Battalion Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Leader. His deployments include Bosnia, OEF I, III and VII, OEF VIII and IX.

Military education includes: United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 68), Battle Staff Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leaders Development Course, Master Resilience Trainer, Demonstrated Senior Logistician, and JointLogistics Course and Support Operation Course.

Loyd also holds an Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Webster University.

Awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (w/OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Service Ribbon (w/Bronze Star), Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 6), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, Drivers Badge and is a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. He is also a recipient of the Prestigious Order of St. Martin.

Loyd married to the former Rhonda Bragg and together they have three children, Aaliyah (29), Alonna (21) and Kerrick Jr. (7).