TROOP G NEWS RELEASE – On April 22, just before 6 p.m., Louisiana State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 4 just east of Haysfield Road in Bienville Parish.

During the investigation, LSP discovered that a 2018 Kia Soul driven by Shavon Sullivan, 57, was traveling east on LA 4. For some reason, Sullivan’s Kia exited the roadway and struck a mailbox before crashing into a tree. As a result of the collision, the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

Sullivan, who was properly buckled up, was pronounced dead on the scene.

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The depth of the girls team and six gold medal performances by the boys led to Quitman High School winning the girls championship and coming in third in boys competition at the Class B Region One Track and Field Meet held on Tuesday. 

By virtue of their combined 18 top three finishes in events, the boys and girls teams have also earned the right to compete in 9 events each at the LHSAA Class B State Track Meet that will be held on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge on May 4th. 

The Lady Wolverines scored in 15 of the 18 events to score 101 points to best second place Simsboro by five points. Fellow district 1B schools Castor, Weston and Doyline  were next with 70, 64 and 63 points respectively to round out the top five. 

 Castor High won the boys side with 105 points followed by Simsboro with 99.5 and host Quitman, who finished with 99, just a half a point behind. Choudrant came in fourth with 77 points while Converse finished fifth with 62.50 points. 

QHS State Qualifiers: (First, Second, Third)

Girls: Emma Carter, looking to become a three time state champion in the high jump was the only gold medal winner for the girls. Kaleigh King finished second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles to join the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relay teams of Neysha Johnson, Maddie Grace Giddens, Bethany Leach and Emayshia Wiley. Kinley Walker also won a silver medal in the 800 meters. The Lady Wolverines also had three place third in field events with King qualifying for her third event at state in the Pole Vault, AJ Gray in the Discus and Lily Kate Odom in the Triple Jump.

Boys: Led by Nathan Harvey winning the 110 and 300 Hurdles, the boys team took home six gold medals. Other first place finishers were: Bryan Lay (Pole Vault), Sebastian Guinn (Shot Put), Gage Horton (3200 Meters) and Taylor Huddleston (1600 Meters). Brayden Smith finished in second place in the 200 Meters with Horton (1600 Meters) and the 4×200 Meter Relay Team of Geoffrey Maxwell, Jayden Harts, Brayden Smith and Nathan Harvey taking third place finishes.  

WHS State Qualifiers: (First, Second, Third)

Girls: Jalexia Claridy won first place in the Shot Put and Discus with Lexie Millien taking second in the Long Jump and Keeley Davis Keeley Davis placing third in the 300 Meter Hurdles. The Relay Team of Lexie Millien, Carlynn Waters, Ronneica Kimble, and Keeley Davis won the 4×200 Meters and placed third in the 4×100 Meters. In boys competition, Darin Allen came in second in the Javelin and both Sterling Stroud and Jayden Simmons won bronze medals in the Long Jump and 110 Meter Hurdles respectively. 

Class B, Region One, Final Team Standings

Girls: (18 events scored) 
1) Quitman 101
2) Simsboro 96
3) Castor 70
4) Weston 64
5) Doyline 63
6) Converse 57
7) Forest 33
8) Florien 25
9) Choudrant 21
10) Negreet 14
11) Zwolle 6

Boys (18 Events Scored)
1) Castor 105
2) Simsboro 99.50
3) Quitman 99
4) Choudrant 77
5) Converse 62.50
6) Zwolle 47
7) Weston 30
8) Negreet 18
9) Doyline 15
10) Florien 5

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The 30 anglers with the heaviest total from the seven 2022 Bass Pro Tour events returned to the waters of what many have called “their favorite stop on tour” as the 2023 Major League Fishing General Tire “Heavy Hitters” Tournament got underway at Caney Lake on Monday. 

The competition started with 15 anglers in “Group A” fishing on Monday, followed by the remaining 15 in “Group B” trying their luck and skill on Tuesday.  Each group will go at it again on Wednesday and Thursday to finalize the Qualifying Round.

On Friday, Caney Lake will also host the the Knock Out Round, setting the stage for the top ten remaining competitors to fish the Championship Round on Bussey Brake Reservoir on Saturday. 

Hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the tournament provides a total purse of more than $500,000.00 with a top prize of $100,000.00 to the winner. Anglers will also be awarded Big Bass Bonuses during the competition that pay out $25,000.00,  $50,000.00 and $100,000.00 to the single biggest bass in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

Group A lands new Qualifying Round Record 

Caney Lake answered the “Big Bass” call during Day 1 of MLF’s premiere big-fish event. Leading the way was Dakota Ebare, who brought in a 9-pound, 5-ounce largemouth for the big fish of the day and a new Heavy Hitters Qualifying Round record.

“I was fishing real slow through areas that I felt fish were staging and bedding in,” Ebare said. “I found a hard-bottomed area and started fishing it really slow with a wacky-rigged weightless worm. As soon as I set the hook on it, I knew it was going to be big.”

There were also seven fish caught that weighed over 5 pounds, six over 6 pounds and a 7-11 lunker courtesy of Bryan Thrift,  who ended the day in second place with six fish that weighed 30 lbs. 2 oz’s.

Alton Jones Jr., who is looking to become first two-time champion of 4th annual Heavy Hitters, was the Group A leader on Monday with a nine fish stringer of 33 pounds 14 ounces. 

“I just love the format of this tournament, and I love hunting big fish,” said Jones. “It’s what I do for fun in the offseason – I love to target one big fish.

Heavy Hitters “Group A” Day One Results:

Place / Name / Total Weight / #of fish / Big Bass

1st Alton Jones Jr. 33 – 14 (9) 6 – 08
2nd Bryan Thrift 30 – 02 (6) 7 – 11
3rd Ryan Salzman 25 – 12 (6) 6 – 02
4th Bradley Roy 24 – 15 (6) 6 – 08
5th Dakota Ebare 22 – 09 (5) 9 – 05
6th Stephen Browning 18 – 15 (5) 6 – 04
7th Josh Bertrand 16 – 01 (4) 4 – 12
8th Chris Lane 9 – 09 (3) 4 – 15
9th Terry Scroggins 8 – 01 (2) 5 – 05
10th Alton Jones 7 – 12 (3) 2 – 15
11th Gary Klein 5 – 08 (2) 3 – 06
12th Mark Davis 4 – 12 (1) 4 – 12
13th Mark Daniels Jr. 3 – 02 (1) 3 – 02
14th Zack Birge 2 – 12 (1) 2 – 12
15th Kevin VanDam 2 – 06 (1) 2 – 06

Group B finishes with a flourish

The bites were slow to start the day, but the big ones woke up to end Day 2 at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops. Dustin Connell finished the day with the $25,000 Berkley Big Bass lead thanks to his 7-pound, 8-ounce largemouth and Andy Morgan holds the top spot after catching 11 bass for 38-12.

“I was in my wheelhouse today and it felt good to be there,” Morgan chuckled. “I didn’t really find any fish in practice, but I just had a good feeling I could get bites flipping. I think the cold front helped me today, so we’ll see how it goes on Thursday if the weather is more stable.”

There were five bass over 5 pounds, six over 6 pounds and two over 7 pounds caught on Day 2, and the bigger-fish bites gradually improved as the day moved on, especially once the third period came around. Connell was able to catch his 7-8 in Period 3 as well as a 6-7, Brent Ehrler added two 6-pounders and Randall Tharp added a 6-13 as well in the final frame.

“I had a brush pile that I saw some big ones on earlier in the morning I marked,” Connell said. “Once it got sunny and calm in the afternoon, I went back to it and saw that fish sitting at the base of the brush. I also caught a 6-7 off that spot, too. It was just one of those special spots you love to find.”

Heavy Hitters “Group B” Day One Results:

Place / Name / Total Weight / #of fish / Big Bass

1st Andy Morgan 38 – 12 (11) 5 – 12
2nd Jacob Wheeler 25 – 10 (7) 7 – 07
3rd Brent Ehrler 19 – 07 (4) 6 – 13
4th Edwin Evers 16 – 12 (4) 6 – 13
5th Randy Howell 16 – 11 (5) 6 – 04
6th Dustin Connell 16 – 06 (3) 7 – 08
7th Jonathon VanDam 15 – 11 (5) 4 – 07
8th Randall Tharp 14 – 07 (3) 6 – 13
9th Justin Lucas 13 – 10 (4) 5 – 13
10th Jesse Wiggins 10 – 06 (3) 5 – 03
11th Jordan Lee 8 – 01 (2) 4 – 10
12th Cody Meyer 7 – 15 (3) 3 – 01
13th Casey Ashley 5 – 05 (2) 3 – 00
14th Fletcher Shryock 2 – 05 (1) 2 – 05
15th Brandon Coulter 0 – 00 (0)

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If you plan to attend the LHSAA State Softball Tournament semi-final game between #2 Quitman and #3 Florien you can leave early as QHS has cancelled classes on Friday. Before you go though, you need to purchase your tickets in advance as they will not be sold at the gate. 

To purchase tickets to the semifinal contest that is set to be played at 12:00pm on Friday, April 28th go the gofan.com website or click here. Cost of admission is $18.00 and the event has a no re-entry policy. Once you leave the ballpark during an event, you will not be permitted to return without the purchase of a new ticket.

For those not able to attend in person you can watch the game live at: http://speed4k.nawisan.com

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FORE! Actually, you should make that seven, as that is the number of linksters from Jackson Parish that will be competing in the LHSAA State Golf Championships. With a second place finish at the Division IV Region One Championships played at the Links on the Bayou Golf Course in Alexandria, the five man team from Quitman High School has qualified for the LHSAA State Championship that will be played on May 1st & 2nd. Also moving on to state competition is Ajay Tew of Jonesboro-Hodge and Tayt Culpepper of Weston High 

Led by top ten placements by Eli Walker (3rd) and Noah Leach (7th) the Quitman quintet that included Cam Deal, Pete Simonelli and  Ian Tilley trailed only Ouachita Christian in the team standings. Anacoco, Cedar Creek and St. Frederick’s of Monroe rounded out the top five. 

By finishing in the top four of players whose teams didn’t advance in their respective regionals, Ajay Tew of Jonesboro-Hodge moves on in Division III and Tayt Culpepper of Weston in Division IV. Culpepper was the top qualifier and will join the Quitman team at Bayou Bend in Crowley, LA, on May 1st & 2nd. Tew earned the final qualifying spot in the Division III Region One tournament played at Stonebridge Country Club in Shreveport. Division and will represent JHHS at the Division III State Championships to be played at Cane Row Golf Course in New Iberia on the same two days.  

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The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) will hold a Special Meeting  at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, April 26th in the Nathanial Zeno Jr. Meeting Room of the JPPJ Administrative Building, located at 160 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro.

A bevy of agenda items will be considered by Jurors Todd Culpapper (President), Lewis Chatham, Amy Magee, John McCarty, Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans and Regina Rowe, with Lynn Treadway expected to be absent due to continuing health issues.

Special Meeting Agenda

1. Discuss and approve Notice of Federal Interest for Jackson Parish Hospital Renovation and Expansion.
2. Consider and approve the posting of Road Superintendent and Maintenance Supervisor vacancies for four (4) consecutive weeks.
3. Consider and act on setting of meeting times for interviews of Registrar of Voters
candidates.
4. Consider and act on accepting lowest quote for Courthouse HVAC corrosion prevention treatment.
5. Consider and act on accepting the resignation of the Maintenance Department custodian.
6. Consider and act on approving lowest quote for zero turn mower for Solid Waste
Department.
7. Consider and act on accepting the resignation of Road Department Operator II.
8. Consider and act on posting and advertising the resignation of Road Department Operator II.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Emmett Gibbs, Secretary/Treasurer at (318)259-2361 Ext. 3 describing the assistance that is necessary.

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We called it the “lie-ba-rare-ry” or “lie-berry” but of course it’s properly The Library, and on this National Library Week we honor the place where each of us, in our hometowns and school houses, spent a large part of our formative years in this glorious building that held more fact and fiction than you could digest in a dozen lifetimes.

The Writer’s Almanac reminds me that the Library of Congress, or “Gramps” as all the other libraries call it, was founded this week in 1800. Had 964 books and nine maps.

Today, it’s a bit of a different ballgame, and if you work there, you best buckle your chinstrap. The Library of Congress has more than 17 million books now, plus recordings and art and lots of maps (like, way more than the original nine) and gets 15,000 new items each workday. They’ve got books like Hamlet had the crazies.

Speaking of, maybe the Library of Congress’s birth is why we celebrate this final week of April as National Library Week, but maybe it’s because the Bard of Avon and pretty good hand, William Shakespeare, is thought to have been born April 23, 1564, and for certain died on the same date, 52 years later, I forswear. He’s considered our greatest English dramatist and was also clever in the sonnet game:

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Except for that one time you were mean to me
And I thought, “What the heck; I’ll go ahead and scorn.”

He was a handful, ol’ William was.

So when you go by your local library branch this week, maybe tip your cap to this magical place, a joint that has plenty for kids of all ages, a place that connects the community and shares internet for job seekers and self-educators, a rest stop for movie night and craft night and poetry readings, if such is your thing.

And books. If you haven’t read or listened to one lately, here are a few I’ve finished so far this year, and brief reviews, just to rattle your cage and get you to thinking.

Amor Towles was an investments pro in Manhattan for 20 years, writing on the side, and is now a fulltime novelist and thank goodness. He is a wizard of time and place, a handy vocabulary but not high-falutin’, and tremendous with characters. My favorite of his three books is A Gentleman in Moscow, about an aristocrat sentenced to life in a luxury hotel across from the Kremlin in 1920, soon to be a Showtime/Paramount series starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov, now one of my favorite fictional people.

The Lincoln Highway is about four boys in 1954 who mean to go to San Francisco and end up in New York, and Rules of Civility stars a wonderful female character, Katey Kontent, a normal girl thrown into high society in post-depression New York City. Doesn’t sound like much, but I wish I could read each of them again for the first time.

Did not enjoy Ghost Story by Peter Straub, although it was a hit when released in 1979 and the movie (Fred Astaire and some other biggies were in it) was good, which is why I wanted to read it. Mistake.

Did not like The Haunting of Hill House, 1959, from Shirley Jackson (she wrote the short story The Lottery that we all read in high school). I wish Hill House had been only a short story.

And didn’t enjoy Fahrenheit 451, the 1953 classic by Ray Bradbury. It’s about banning books and so in the current climate, I thought I’d catch up. Instead, I wish I’d have banned myself from reading it. No doubt it was timely, though, 70 years ago.

More fiction I did like was Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, speaking of catching up, as this is the Stephen King short story, more of a novella, that the movie is based on. The movie is better but the story, of justice and hope and friendship and humanity, is just so good.

Stoner by John Williams didn’t get a lot of raves in 1965 when released but it is beautifully written “academic” or “campus” novel about a farm boy who becomes an English professor and comes to terms with a life that didn’t go as he’d planned. And why I’ve felt recently like reading novels 60 years old is a mystery even to my own personal self.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022) starring a talking octopus named Marcellus (or at least he shares his thoughts) is about how we are better together, whether we have two arms or whether we have eight.

Out of room, so, suggested non-fiction I’ve read this year, and would recommend each, depending on your interests.

The Storyteller’s Nashville by Tom T. Hall, if you like Tom T. Hall.

Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story, by Rick Bragg, if you like Jerry Lee Lewis or are just interested in a fellow Louisianan.

Killer Triggers and I Will Find You, by Joe Kenda, the Colorado detective who became famous through TV’s Homicide Hunters. If you’re a fan, you might prefer the audio versions; he narrates them.

Something Wonderful: Rogers and Hammerstein by Todd Purdum; this bureau has a fascination with musical theatre.

On Writing by Stephen King. His wife pulled the draft of Carrie out of the trash and suggested he keep trying so …

And finally, enjoyed To Wake the Giant, Pearl Harbor historical fiction by Jeff Shaara, a longtime pro in the war arena, and Unsinkable, which is not fiction but is the real thing about five men aboard the World War II destroyer USS Plunkett, and especially their “problem” that day at Anzio. Studs.

Happy reading or listening, and happy National Library Week. Got anything to share?

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

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Dewayne “Snook” Harrell was honored on Sunday April 23rd for 48 years of faithful service playing the drums at Hodge United Pentecostal church. He started playing the drums for the church when he was twelve years old and hasn’t stopped since.

“Snook” as he is fondly called by family and friends, has played percussion instruments for well known local groups such as the Gate City Quartet and the Culpepper trio. He’s willingly played for many traveling choirs and chorales that have come through Hodge as well.

The countless hours spent at early morning or late night practices for worship services, Christmas cantatas, weddings and even funerals over the years cannot be measured. Dewayne has always had a willing heart and humble spirit when it comes to playing for God’s Kingdom.

Thank you Bro. Snook for your faithful and continued service drumming at Hodge UPC!

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Written by Kristina Bourgeois, Jackson Parish 4-H Agent

Young shooting sports enthusiast traveled from across the great state of Louisiana to compete at the Louisiana 4-H State Shooting Sports Competition held April 15 through April 23. Our Jackson Parish youth were no exception to the traveling. Twenty-six of our 4-H’ers rose early to make a 7:00 am report time in Grand Cane, LA and then showed off their skills with twenty-nine different entries across the disciplines and bringing home multiple medals as Top Ten Finishers.

How did our Jackson Parish shooters get to this point? Practice, practice, practice… Our shooters are dedicated and show up to practice even when they’d rather be somewhere else. These young people have spent hours upon hours practicing this season right here in our home parish with some of the greatest volunteer instructors around.

But what did all that practice do for them? It set them up to compete against the best in our northern Louisiana area at the Regional Competition.

Jackson Parish had 55 entries at Regionals with 29 scoring well enough to move on to the State Competition. After putting in more practice between competitions, these youth were ready to try their best and represent Jackson Parish 4-H Shooting Sports at the State level.

Depending on the discipline, air pistol, .22 rifle, shotgun, or archery, our shooters sometimes were competing against 150 or more competitors in their divisions. The Jackson Parish 4-H Shooting Sports team definitely left their mark on the State 4-H Competition.

You might even say these shooters “Hit the Bullseye” and brought home the bling!

Those Jackson Parish 4-H Shooting Sports competitors who placed in the Top Ten in their division at the State Competition are as follows:

2 Handed Air Pistol
1st – Remington Gregory
2nd – Rainey Gregory
3rd – Avery Dark

1 Handed Air Pistol
1st – Remington Gregory

Smallbore Pistol
3rd CMP – Jakob Potts
8th Bullseye – Jakob Potts

Archery – FITA
4th Sighted Recurve SR – Camden Flynn
7th Open Compound 9-11 – Remi Williams
10th Open Compound 12-13 – Luke Rowe
10th Genesis JR – Roman Strickland

Archery – 3D
2nd Open Compound 9-11 – Tucker Goss
3rd Open Compound 9-11 – Remi Williams
6th Open Compound SR – Garrett Dietrich
9th Open Compound 12-13 – Luke Rowe

Archery – FIELD
4th Sighted Recurve – Camden Flynn

Archery – NATIONAL Courses (3 Tracks)
3rd FIELD Track – Easton Hall
5th OVERALL – Easton Hall
6th FITA Track – Easton Hall
7th 3D Track – Easton Hall
8th 3D Track – Zachary Robinson
10th OVERALL – Zachary Robinson

All these amazing placings would not be possible without the dedication of not only our 4-Hers, but also their families and our volunteer instructors. Leading the charge in guiding our Jackson Parish 4-H Shooting sports is undeniably a tremendous group of volunteers including Thomas and Michelle Lay, Bob Davis, Lori and Richard Shell, Corey and Amy Rowe, Casey and Rachel Spillers, and last but not least Heath and Cassidy Hall. Without the countless hours put into setting up courses, gathering supplies, purchasing ammo, and so many other behind the scenes operations by these volunteers, our shooting sports program would not be successful.

Congratulations to all our Shooting Sports members!

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The Conservative Caucus supports being fiscally responsible by paying off debt instead of spending money on pet projects for campaigns or recurring expenses.
BATON ROUGE, April 23 – The Louisiana Conservative Caucus organized to protect the unborn, defend our 2nd Amendment rights, and make our state fiscally responsible. To advance those principles that our constituents elected us to uphold, we support keeping the current expenditure limit.

To break the current expenditure limit and allow unfettered government spending at a time when our state is forecasting future deficits is the most fiscally irresponsible action that we could take. This would not only squander our current surplus for the sake of good campaign soundbites but also ensure that the next Governor and legislature inherits a budget deficit like the one left behind by former Governor Jindal.

While we would all like to increase spending levels for road projects and special issues that would help us in our campaigns, the most unselfish and impactful way to honor our constituents is to spend THEIR tax dollars on paying off debt and planning for the future!

For example, we could pay off the debt of the Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) or the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). Either option frees up a significant amount of money every year in addition to the tens of millions of dollars saved on annual interest payments! Furthermore, paying off the TRSL debt would also free up money for local school boards.

Currently, school boards across the state are helping pay off the TRSL debt. Once that debt is paid for, the school boards could then redirect that money to their current teachers. Considering teacher pay is really a local issue, this is the simplest way for the state to give a recurring source of revenue to every single school board without either entity needing to raise taxes.

Another option to benefit all taxpayers and help provide a source of revenue for our future deficit would be to move additional money into our Rainy Day Fund. If we were to move more money then constitutionally required, it would activate a trigger that could lower corporate and personal income tax rates by a 1/4 percent.

Again, we would all like to spend every penny we have on projects and issues leading into our campaigns. However, that is an injustice to our constituents and it is the mentality that keeps our state at the bottom of every good list. If we want to break the state’s cycle of budget deficits and tax increases, we have to invest for a better future rather than mortgage our future as we’ve always done.

To build the Louisiana that our constituents voted for, we have to be fiscally responsible and say, “No” to raising the expenditure limit!

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Mark your calendars to come to the Jonesboro Branch of the Jackson Parish Library for the always popular “Parade of Quilts Mini Quilt Show” will take place from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Friday, May 5th and 10:00 – 11:45 am on Saturday, May 6th.

The Heritage Quilt Guild event is free to the public with a boutique featuring: Handmade Baby Items, Handmade Kitchen Boas, Hot Pads, Towels and other accessories available. Three gift baskets will be raffled with proceeds used for supplies to make comfort quilts for families who have lost their home due to fire, quilts for Veterans, and Christmas stockings for CASA children. 

Along with the opportunity to view the wonderful craftmanship, patrons will be entertained by “Quilt Guild” members with hourly demonstrations and learning sessions on various quilting techniques. 

Quilting Demonstration Schedule 

National Library Week being celebrated 

Highlighted by National Library Workers Day on Tuesday, April 25th, the Jonesboro and Chatham Branches of the Jackson Parish Library are celebrating National Library Week that runs April 23rd – 29th. Come and visit the fine staff and both locations for refreshments and while you are there let them know how much you appreciate them. 

Library Staff enjoys visit to Council on Aging 

On Tuesday, JPL staff members had the opportunity to go to the Robert Riddle Senior Center in Jonesboro to spend time with patrons of the Jackson Parish Council on Aging where they assisted with the making of beaded necklaces. 

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Robert LeRoy Parker was a “medium short, stocky build, with blue eyes and an infectious smile. His sense of humor was highly developed; he made friends easily, was highly dependable when he chose, and was loyal to his friends.” He could “outrope, outride, and outshoot any man on the range. He drank sparingly and never allowed women to interfere with his business.” His business, at this time, was working cattle.

Sometime in the 1870s, the exact date has been lost to history, Robert stole a saddle and several horses near Circleville, Utah. Two deputies tracked Robert for miles through the desert and got a lucky break. They found Robert asleep at camp. Before he was fully awake and aware, the deputies handcuffed Robert. Anyone else in that situation would have admitted defeat, but not Robert. One newspaper reported that Robert’s “mind worked like chain lightning.” As the deputies were transporting Robert from his camp in the desert to the nearest jail, they stopped near a spring to prepare lunch. The deputies built a fire and got enough water from the spring to boil a pot of coffee. One of the deputies went back to the spring to fetch more water while the other deputy stayed to guard their prisoner. Robert sat near the fire directly across from the guarding deputy. The deputy squatted by the fire to check on the coffee. At that instant, Robert kicked the boiling coffee in the face of the deputy. The deputy grabbed his face and screamed. Robert snatched the deputy’s pistol from its holster and trained the pistol on the second deputy. He disarmed the second deputy, retrieved the handcuff keys, and removed the restraints. In less than a minute, Robert jumped into his stolen saddle and rode away with the stolen horses and the deputies’ two horses.

In most other cases, that would have been the end of the story. By most accounts, Robert was a likable, caring guy. After riding a couple of miles from where he made his escape, he realized that the deputies’ water canteens were still tied to the saddle of their horses. He knew the area well enough to know that the next nearest spring to the deputies was about 30 miles away. He knew the deputies would try to walk to some sort of civilization but without their water canteens they would certainly perish. Robert rode back to the stranded deputies and, to their surprise, returned their water canteens and gave them directions to the next nearest watering hole. The shocked deputies thanked Robert as he rode away again.

Robert’s criminal career continued for more than a decade, and he joined forces with other like-minded criminals. The pressure of continually being pursued by law enforcement officers convinced Robert to leave the country for South America. He and his most infamous partner purportedly died in a shootout on November 7, 1908. Robert used many aliases during his criminal career including Santiago Maxwell, Jim Lowe, George Cassidy, and Mike Cassidy. You and I know Robert LeRoy Parker as Butch Cassidy. His partner’s alias was the Sundance Kid.

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There are two types of people. Those who run away from a dangerous situation and those who run toward it. Todd Abercrombie falls in the latter category. Now after 25 years of foregoing his own safety to come to the need of others, the Jonesboro native has climbed the ladder of the Ruston Fire Department to be named District Chief.

The announcement was made on April 20th.

After graduating from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1982, Abercrombie went to work at Stone Container in Hodge, staying in the paper industry for 16 years. Then the life long desire to serve others in the capacity of a firefighter got to strong to ignore leading to him starting a career as a firefighter for the Ruston Fire Department in 1998. A few years later, Abercrombie was promoted to driver before being named as a Captain in 2013. 

 

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In 1998 the Jackson Parish Policy Jury created an ordinance establishing the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District (JPASD). Over the past 25 years local residents have been blessed to have the dedicated and skilled staff of medical technicians of the JPASD always on call. Time and again their prompt response, knowledge and training has saved lives in the most extreme situations. 

Knowing that it is also important for a person to know what to do before an Ambulance can arrive, the JPASD has also reached out to the community to provide instruction and training. 

Recently the staff of the Jonesboro State Bank in Jonesboro visited the JPASD Training Center, located at 103 Watts Street in Jonesboro, where they were instructed in health and safety practices, and what to do in case of medical emergencies. 

To have your business take part in this valuable, possibly life saving, training session call JPASD Director Aaron Johnson at (318) 259 – 2891 or send an email to jacksonparishambulance@gmail.com. 

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Entering into his second year as Head coach of Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School, Tre’Vaun Calahan has announced that tryouts for the  2023-24 edition of junior Tigers will take place May 1st – 4th for those that will be entering into the 6th grade this fall. Sessions will take place at the JHMS field from  4:00 – 5:30 pm daily. 

“I am looking forward to seeing the future students of the school wear that tiger with pride,” said Calahan. “Discipline, consistency, hard work, effort and being coachable is what we are looking for.”

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Technology is awesome today as cell phones, smart TVs and computers are just a few of the things where technology has advanced into mind blowing devices. We have instant access to an information highway that mankind has never seen before. We can play video games on our cell phones and compete against individuals around the globe. No longer do we have to wait until the 6:00 news to get the weather forecast or to hear the latest trades our favorite sports teams have made. Information today is instantaneous!

Today we’ll look at the latest technology that has affected the fishing world and what some anglers are calling a controversial topic; forward facing sonar. What is forward facing sonar? It’s a sonar unit that allows you to see fish swimming up to 100 feet away in real time. These sonars reveal extreme details as you watch fish swim up and actually eat the bait you’re throwing. Basically, it’s a real time fishing video game!

So many anglers were against it and a lot were excited to have it. Opinions varied even among the top-level professional anglers when it first came on the scene. It was not well received by many tournament anglers as they felt it made fishing too easy and any angler could now start winning tournaments. Skills and instincts were no longer enough to win an event, but If you could read and understand what your screen was showing, you had a distinct advantage over other anglers.

The younger generation of anglers today, has adapted very quickly to this new technology. Today’s youth have grown up with cell phones an iPad or computers and are not intimidated by technology like so many older anglers who learn to fish by instinct or what they’ve learned over many years of fishing. But here’s the problem with technology. These new sonar units by Garmin, Lowrance, and Hummingbird are great but like all technology can go on the blink occasionally. The older generation anglers have an advantage when this happens as the younger anglers of today don’t have the instincts or the experience to fall back on.

Watching some of today’s top professional anglers, not all are fans of the forward-facing sonar. Anglers like Elite Series Pro John Cox (a shallow water angler) don’t even own one of these types of units because they’re not very effective in shallow water conditions of five feet or less. The general conscience by tournament anglers across the country is that if you don’t have forward-facing sonar, you can’t compete or win a tournament. This is not true as some of the best fishing pros today don’t use them, and many anglers are having tremendous success without it.

So don’t feel like you must go out and spend $5000 for one of these high-tech sonar units. While they’re great if you know how to use and read one, it’s not the end all be-all answer for winning tournaments or catching fish. Time of year is also a factor when these forward-facing sonar units are more effective. Some anglers that I compete against are still winning and do not have one of these expensive sonar units. They are like any other tool in your fishing arsenal, it’s just a tool that’s only as good as the person using it.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen and good protective outerwear when spending the day on a lake.

Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective

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The Jonesboro and Winnfield Animal Clinics, along with other locations in central and north Louisiana, will be hosting the second annual “Sug’s” Spay & Neuter Event from May 15th- May 20th. Cost for appointment is $60.00 per companion. 

On behalf of The Heart of Louisiana Humane Society volunteers and supporters, we thank Rosie “Sug” Wells family for seeing her wishes through to continue to help our mission to aid the amount displaced animals of our state through advocating for spay and neuter for yet another year.

We hope to continue to assist our community members with the alters of their companions, so that the burden of displaced animals will be further lightened for our community and state by making sure unwanted litters of cats and dogs do not happen.

Spots will fill up fast, please reserve yours today!
**Please fill out a form per companion**

To reserve your spot, you have three options!
1. Stop by Scentsational Scents at 1617 E Lafayette St. Winnfield, LA from 9am-4:30pm to pick-up a form .
2. Navigate to http://www.hlhumane.org/spayandneuter.html to fill out a digital form. A representative will call and schedule your appointment with you.
3. Navigate to http://www.hlhumane.org/spayandneuter.html to download and print your own form and bring it completed to Scentsational Scents at 1617 E Lafayette St- Winnfield, LA from 9am-4:30pm.

All co-pays of $60 per pet must be paid at the time your form is completed!
Cash, check, or PayPal is accepted.

Please make all checks out to “Heart of Louisiana Humane Society”

For PayPal, please select “Friends & Family” and write your pet’s name in the memo; send to hlhumanesociety@yahoo.com

Delivery of checks/cash should accompany your form whether digital or physical.

For questions or more information call Caitlin at (318) 471 – 8808.

🚨Procedures will NOT be scheduled until payment is received!🚨

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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

Forest Haven Nursing Home – Facility Maintenance Position. Must possess general knowledge in Plumbing, Electrical and performing inspection of building to confirm safety guidelines while following LTC, Life Safety and OSHA standards. Apply in person at 171 Thrasher Drive, Jonesboro, LA.

Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District – Full time Paramedic Supervisor, Paramedic and EMT positions available. For more information call JPASD Director Aaron Johnson at 318-259-2877.
Resumes can be emailed to: jacksonparishambulance@jpasd.com or sent by regular mail to: JPASD, attn: Aaron Johnson, 115 Watts St., Jonesboro, LA 71251

Jackson Parish Police Jury – Openings for an Operator 1 position at the Solid Waste Department and a Mechanic 1 position at the Road Department. Applications can be found on the Jackson Parish Police Jury Website, or by visiting the Administration Department at 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2023. (For description of jobs see below in Public Notices)

Globe Life Insurance – Sales position available for motivated self starter to represent the Family Heritage Division that offers supplemental Life, Cancer, Heart, Stroke, ICU and Accident policies. To learn more contact Regional Director, Jamie Antley, at 318-488-1218 or send email to jamiefamheritage@gmail.com

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. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Jackson Parish Police Jury is hiring for the following open position

Please submit all applications to Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: egibbs@jppj.org.

POSITION: Mechanic I
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Road Department

Description:
Under close supervision, the Road Department Mechanic I is a skilled position responsible for performing minor and major repairs on automobiles, trucks, heavy trucks, tractors, heavy equipment, and related departmental equipment. Assignments are made orally or in the form of written work orders.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age.
• High school diploma, or equivalent, required.
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License preferred.
• ASE certified or two (2) years experience at the journey level, working with diesel engines, heavy trucks, and equipment, or three (3) years experience as an auto mechanic.
• Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds frequently.
• Ability to work safely in all weather conditions, including adverse conditions.
• Can understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Able to work in elevated areas, confined spaces, and on and off ladders.
• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Basic Responsibilities:
• The Mechanic is responsible for performing all types of routine maintenance and service duties on equipment, including repair work on engines, transmissions, differentials, electrical systems, front ends, and minor tune-ups. Arc welding, Mig Welding, and Acetylene Cutting with torch and plasma cutting.
• Road tests vehicles and confirms complaints, checks malfunctions, and determines necessary repair needs using experience and the use of various testing equipment and tools.
• Changes oil and oil filters, air filters, hydraulic filters, etc. on gas and diesel equipment.
• Greases truck chassis, wheel bearings, and end equipment moving parts.
• Performs repair work on small gasoline engines. Able to operate a chainsaw and weed eater.
• Repairs and adjusts brakes and clutches; replace brake linings and cylinders.
• Performs hydraulic systems repairs on trucks and equipment.
• Repairs flat tires and performs all related tasks incumbent to this endeavor.
• Uses manual and power equipment for breaking down and balancing of tires.
• Operates service/lube truck and performs maintenance duties on equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance work of vehicle air conditioning systems.
• Inspects and repairs suspension systems on automobiles and trucks.
• Tracks all warranty work available for equipment.
• Maintains all shop records, work orders, purchase orders, shop inventory, and shop work scheduling.
• Performs proper pre-start and daily maintenance and service of equipment including lubrication, changing tires, making minor adjustments and repairs, and cleaning.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of general maintenance requirements of various pieces of light to heavy motorized equipment.
• Services, changes tires and cutting blades, cleans machines including trucks, and makes minor adjustments.
• Recognizes and diagnoses equipment malfunctions or complicated services needs and reports to Supervisor.
• May be required to lift equipment, tools, or any combination in excess of 100 pounds.
• Skilled in the use of tools and the operation of machines and equipment used in automobile repair and maintenance.
• Adheres to all traffic laws, applicable Federal and State health and safety rules, local ordinances, and Jackson Parish Police Jury rules and regulations and policies and procedures.
• Ability to drive various pieces of equipment used by the Police Jury.
• Follows safety procedures and practices as required, as well as wearing required safety
• Performs other job-related duties, as assigned.

Detailed Job Description available upon request.

The Jackson Parish Police Jury is hiring for the following open position.

Please submit all applications to: Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: egibbs@jppj.org.

POSITION: Operator I
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Solid Waste Department

Description:
Under close supervision, the Solid Waste Department Operator I is a semi-skilled to skilled position consisting of equipment operation, manual labor, and maintenance repair of various pieces of light and heavy motorized equipment and trucks used in solid waste management, maintenance, inclement weather, and other generalized work. Incumbent may be used as a relief operator on equipment of a higher class if qualified and trained.

Minimum Qualifications:
• In good standing as an employee in current position
• Class B CDL Driver’s License required; progression towards Class A CDL a plus

Basic Responsibilities:
• Primarily operates trackhoe/packer located at the Solid Waste Landfill.
• Directs compact trucks and the public to the proper dumping areas in the landfill.
• Packs and tarps the garbage in the trailers and prepares the trailers to be transported to the Union Parish Landfill.
• Keeps the wall area washed and clean.
• Cleans out drains and bins, when necessary.
• Monitors the water transport and hauls and empties, when necessary.
• Picks up general litter and debris around the landfill, keeping it clean and organized.
• Cross-trained on all Operator II positions; prepared and able to operate any and all equipment used at the landfill.
• Serves as a backup for the Specialty Equipment Operator (Compact Truck), if qualified, trained, and licensed and Operator I and II positions, if necessary (at the appropriate set-up rate).
• Physically present to perform the duties of the position.
• Performs walkaround safety checks at the beginning of every day noting any deficiencies found on equipment and report to Supervisor.
• Complete daily paperwork noting equipment and materials used each day and daily equipment forms.
• Must have good working knowledge of equipment and safety habits.
• Performs manual work functions associated with construction, maintenance, and cleanup of the solid waste landfill and off-site bin sites in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.

Detailed Job Description available upon request.

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE TAX SALE OF IMMOVABLE
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA VS DELINQUENT TAX DEBTORS OF PARISH OF JACKSON

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, I will sell at the principle front door of the courthouse in which civil district court of said parish is held, within legal hours for judicial sales beginning 10:00A.M. Of Wednesday, May 10, 2023 A.D., and continuing, each succeeding day, until said sales are completed all Immovable Property on which taxes are now due to the State of Louisiana and Parish of Jackson, to enforce collections of taxes assessed in the year of 2022 together with INTEREST THEREON FROM THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY 2023 at the rate of One per centum (1%) per month, until paid and all costs. The names of the said delinquent taxpayers, the amount of taxes due by each on the assessment of said year, and immovable property assessed for sales as follows:

0070002290 WARD 07
ADMC PROPERTIES LLC
453 CAMPBELL RD
CHOUDRANT, LA 71227-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $314.49 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
228-235: 250-190: 289-52:
324-194: 335-356: 399-86:
420-1064: #423634: 423633:
423634: 425540:
78-10: 108-850: 81-215:
LOT BEGINNING AT SW/C OF SE
OF NW, SEC-1-14-4-WEST, TH
RUN E ON FORTY LINE 635′, TO
THE WEST R/W LINE OF PAVED
HWY #13, TH NE ALG SAID HWY
R/W 274 2/3 FT. FOR BEG. TH
CONTINUE NE ALG SAID HWY R/W
147’7′,TH NW AT RIGHT ANGLE
TO SAID HWY R/W 147’7′, TH SW
PARALLEL WITH SAID HWY R/W
147’7′ TO THE BEG.
BEG. AT THE SW/C OF SE OF NW,
SEC-1-14-4-WEST, TH RUN E
632′ TO AN IRON PIN, TH RUN
NE WITH JONESBORO- DANVILLE
HWY 237’6′ FOR POB, TH RUN
NORTH 39 DEG. 15 MIN. WEST
146’6′, TH RUN NORTH 49 DEG.
EAST 35′, TH RUN IN A SE
DIRECTION 146’6′ TO A PT.
35′ NE FOR A ST PT, TH RUN SW
35 FT TO ST. PT.

0070019990 WARD 07
ADMC PROPERTIES LLC
453 CAMPBELL RD.
CHOUDRANT, LA 71227-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $316.40 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
254-182: 265-220: 274-67:
309-289: 400-690: 425414:
425539:
151-516: BEG. AT THE SOUTH
SIDE OF THE PAVED HWY R/W OF
SAID HWY. AT THE
INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH
BDRY LINE OF THE NE OF SW OF
SEC-1-14-4-WEST AND
RUNNING SOUTH 39 DEG. AND 30
MIN. EAST A DISTANCE OF 129
FT, TH RUN NORTH 50 DEG.
EAST A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET,
TH RUN NORTH 39 DEG. 30 MIN.
WEST 129 FT. TO THE SAID
HWY R/W LINE, TH RUN SW WITH
SAID HWY R/W LINE 100 FT. TO
THE POB.

0065000051 WARD 06-JB
AILLET, ROBERT RAY SR.; ETAL
184 PRESTON AVE
SHREVEPORT, LA 71105-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $28.68 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
57-144: 192-631; 195-487:
409179:
ROBERT RAY AILILET, SR. (UND
1/2 INT. AND USUFRUCT)
MELANIE MARGARET AILLET HAND,
ROBERT RAY AILLET JR.,
RICHARD ROGUET AILLET,
CYNTHIA CELESIE AILLET
PETTIETTE, JERELYN MARIE
AILLET VANDEWATER, MARY
MINETTE AILLET GILBERT,
JOSEPH ROGUET AILLET II AND
DOROTHY DENISE AILLET LANDRY
(UND 1/2 INTEREST) 15′
STRIP OFF LOT 8, BLK 34.

0020001330 WARD 02
ALLEN, WILLIAM ABE & DONNA
LOUISE ALLEN
4726 OKALOOSA RD
EROS, LA 71238
TAXES OWED ARE $194.42 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
MH ID#1103
177-412: 150-374: 237-266:
150-374: BEGINNING AT THE
CORNER OF THE SE OF SW OF
SEC-7-16-1-EAST, RUN S
ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE NE
OF NW, SEC-18-16-1-EAST A
DISTANCE OF 432 FT., TH
RUN WEST 448 FEET TO THE EAST
RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF
EROS-OKALOOSA HWY., TH
RUN IN A NORTH WESTERLY
DIRECTION ALG SAID ROW LINE A
DIST. OF 1159 FT. TO
ESTABLISH A CORNER TO
DESCRIBE THE FOLLOWING
PARCEL, CONTINUE IN SAME
N’WESTERLY DIRECTION ALG SAID
ROW LINE 120 FT, TH RUN E TO
THE E 40 LINE OF THE SE
OF SW, SEC-7-16-1-EAST, TH
RUN SOUTH ALG AND WITH SAID
40 LINE 120 FT. TH RUN
WEST TO THE POB, CONTAIN 1
ACRE, M/L.

0084000850 WARD 08-NH
ANDERSON, AARON R.-TRUST
AND FRANCINE HARVEY
207 ROME RD
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $14.34 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
66-550: 33-418: 50-359:
88-97: 209-433: 213-77
262-175:
BEG. AT THE SE COR OF SE OF
SE, SEC-13-15-4-WEST AND
RUNNING WEST ALONG THE
SOUTH LINE OF THE FORTY TO
THE EAST LINE OF THE R/W OF
CRI&P RR, TH NW’ERLY ALG
AND WITH SAID R/W 327 FT, TH
NORTH 72 DEG. AND 30 MIN.
EAST 76 FT. FOR A ST.
PT., TH CONTINUE IN THE SAME
DIRECTION 130 FT, TH NORTH 72
DEG. WEST 265 FT, TH SOUTH 72
DEG. WEST 130 FT, TO THE NE
CORNER OF THE LOUIS EASLEY
PROPERTY, TH SOUTH 72
DEG. EAST 265 FT. TO THE ST
PT, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD AND
AGREED THAT THE SOUTH 20 FT.
HEREINABOVE DES. AS BEING
USED AND IS CONTINUED TO BE
USED AS A R/W OR STREET AND
UPON ABANDONMENT THEREOF 1/2
OF THE SAME SHALL ACCRUE TO
A. Z. ANDERSON AND HIS
SUCCESSORS AND 1/2 OF WHICH
SHALL ACCRUE TO THE PERSON
WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY ON THE
SOUTH SIDE OF THE SAID
STREET, LESS LOT 10′ X 265′
TO LESTER MORGAN.

0105010290A WARD 10-JB
ANDERSON, MORLEE
212 GLYNN DR
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $131.91 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
421-679: 421-903: 299-700:
LOT 29, UNIT 10, BOOKER T.
WASHINGTON SUBDIVISION,
JONESBORO, LA. 306-147:
LOT 28, UNIT 10, BOOKER T.
WASHINGTON SUBDIVISION,
JONESBORO, LA.

0090016800 WARD 09
ANDERSON, VICKIE RENA GRAY
1515 EVERS ST
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $103.23 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
320-199; 320-201: #417979:
82-241: BEG. AT THE SE COR OF
SW OF NE, SEC-3O-15-3-W, AND
RUNNING W 100 FT. FOR A
ST PT, TH RUN N 145 FT., TH W
5O FT, TH S 145 FT, TH E 5O
FT TO THE ST PT.

0100013500 WARD 10
ANDERSON, VICKIE RENA GRAY
1515 EVERS ST
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $368.03 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
320-199; 320-201: 417979:
133-694: LOT 21 OF UNIT 4 OF
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SUBDIV.

0065011180 WARD 06-JB
ANDERSON, WILLIE
289 BEECH SPRINGS RD
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $289.65 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
258-80: 296-271: 397-468:
#411674: 425158:
177-94: LOT 3, BLK J OF KNOB
HILL ADD. TO TOWN OF
JONESBORO, LA.

0020003400 WARD 02
ANDREWS, GENNIE MAE, ESTATE
% BEVERLY ANDREWS ARMSTRONG
1605 ALBERT LANE APT A
HIXON, TN 37343-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $48.07 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
#419620: #419996: 219-764:
COMMENCING AT THE SE COR OF
THE NW OF NW, SEC-31-16-1-W
AND RUN N 300 FT FOR POB,
TH CONTINUE N 100 FT, TH RUN
W 434.50 FT, TH RUN S 100 FT,
TH RUN E 434.50 FT TO THE POB
AND CONTAINING 1 ACRE, M/L,
TOG. WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS
THEREON, APPURTENANCES
THEREUNTO BELONGING AND
COMPONENT PARTS.

0055000500 WARD 05-JB
ASHCRAFT, IRMA PAWNEE ALFORD;
ETAL
523 WALKER RD
JONESBORO, LA 71251-0000
OTHER OWNERS:
ALFORD, OTHAR DELANE; ETAL
TAXES OWED ARE $109.93 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
#415452: OTHAR DELANE
ALFORD, VIRGINIA ANN ALFORD
SELF, & IRMA PAWNEE ALFORD
ASHCRAFT: 84-287: BEG. AT
THE PT. OF INTERSECTION OF
THE N R/W LINE OF THE
GRAVELED HWY. AS NOW
LOC. AND GRAVELED WITHTHE W
BDRY LINE OF THE NW OF NW,
SEC-5-14- 3-WEST, AND
RUNNING E ALG THE R/W LINE A
DIST. OF 544 FT, TH RUN N 500
FT, TH RUN E 95 FT. FOR A
ST PT, TH CONTINUE AND RUN E
95 FT, TH RUN S 555 FT. TO
THE SAID R/W LINE OF THE
JONESBORO-WALKER HWY., TH RUN
ALG AND WITH THE R/W LINE
OF SAID HWY IN A NW’ERLY DIR.
145 FT. TH RUN IN A NORTHERLY
DIR. TO POB. WHICH IS THE N
40 LINE OF SAID 40.

0084001300 WARD 08-NH
ATKINS, GLEN (ESTATE)
C/O SUZANNE ATKINS
1007 BURGESSVILLE ROAD
RUSTON, LA 71270-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $391.94 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
148-312: BEG. AT THE SE/C OF
THE SE OF SE,
SEC-13-15-4-WEST, AND FROM
SAID PT. RUN WEST ALG THE
SOUTH BDRY LINE OF SAID 40 A
DISTANCE OF 106 FT. FOR THE
PT. OF STARTING, AND FROM
THE PT. OF STARTING RUN NORTH
210 FT., TH WEST 105 FT.,
TH SOUTH 210 FT. TO THE SOUTH
FORTY LINE, AND TH EAST ALONG
THE SOUTH FORTY LINE 105
FT. TO THE POB.

0010004500 WARD 01
ATKINS, GLEN C.
C/O SUZANNE ATKINS
1007 BURGESSVILLE ROAD
RUSTON, LA 71270-0000
TAXES OWED ARE $53.53 WITH
INTEREST & COST TO BE ADDED.
163-147: ONE AND TWO EACH
BEING FIFTY FT WIDE FORMING A
RIGHT TRIANGLE ON THE N
SIDE OF BLK ONE; LOT THREE
FIFTY FT BY ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY FT AND ONE HALF OF
LOT FOUR BEING TWENTY-FIVE FT
ON N SIDE AND ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY FT ON LONG, ALL IN
BLK ONE OF THE THOMAS
ADDITION TO SAID VILLAGE OF
QUITMAN, ALSO LOT ONE IN BLK
FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF
SAID VILLAGE OF QUITMAN.

Pursuant to R. S. 47:2180 Notice is hereby given to unknown owners of assessed immovable property situated in Jackson Parish, Louisiana and to non-resident owners of such property whose post office addresses are unknown. The names of delinquent so notified with their addresses when both are known brief description of property and amount of taxes are due as stated.

On the day of the sale I will sell such portions of the property as each debtors will point out and, in case the debtor will not point out sufficient property, will at once and without further delay sell the least quantity of said property of the debtor which any bidder will buy for the amount of taxes, interest and cost due by the debtor, the sale will be without appraisement, for amount of taxes, interest and cost due by the debtor, the sale will be without appraisement, for cash in legal tender of the United States. The immovable property sold will be redeemable at any time for the space of three years by paying the price given, including cost and five per centum (5%) penalty, with interest of one per centum (1%) per month.

ANDY BROWN
SHERIFF AND EX-OFFICIO AUCTIONEER
Jackson Parish
Jonesboro, Louisiana
March 29, 2023 & May 3, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marzell Phillips
July 20, 1929 – April 23, 2023

Dewanna Marzell Phillips passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She was 93 years old. Marzell was born in Chatham, Louisiana on July 20, 1929 to Red and JoAnn (Copeland) Womack.

Marzell loved her family very much and she loved the Lord and her church, North Hodge Assembly of God. She was a retired accountant at Stone Container in Hodge, Louisiana. It has been said that her banana pudding was the best around. Marzell enjoyed watching game shows, especially “The Price is Right.” She loved to shop and was a big fan of the Home Shopping Network.

Marzell is survived by her son, Bro. Geary Phillips and his wife, Tammy; grandchildren, Kyle Phillips (Nicole), Courtney Whitehead (Robin), Casey Petersen (Michelle), Shane Morgan and Angela Morgan; 11 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill Phillips; daughter, Sonya Phillips Petersen; and sister, Peggy Griggs.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at North Hodge Assembly of God from 5 PM until 8 PM. The funeral service will be on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at North Hodge Assembly at 1 PM, with Bro. David Walsworth and Bro. Lance Huckaby officiating. Burial will follow at Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro, under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be David Smith, Donnie Knox, Jeremy Cousins, Johnny McMillian, Troy Griggs and Doug Harper. Honorary pallbearers will be Derek Goss, Ernie Roden and Corey Vail.

Nadine Tarver
March 19, 1926 – April 24, 2023

Nadine (Rhodes) Tarver, age 97 of Chatham, made her way through Heaven’s gates on Monday, April 24, 2023. She was devoted Christian and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She loved being a part of WMU and was a proud member for over 60 years. Her heart belonged to her Lord and Savior and her beloved family. Nadine and her husband, Rudolph were absolutely inseparable. Everything she did was centered around him and school events. They were residents of Morehouse Parish until they moved back Jackson Parish in 1997. She is a cherished mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be missed.

Nadine is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Tarver) Burk; granddaughters, Carlie (Burk) Cresse and husband Brad, Haley Burk; great grandchildren, Burk Bradley Cresse, Chayie Mills Cresse, Rhodes Andrew Cresse; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph E. Tarver; parents, James Carlie and Edna Elaine (Dickerson) Rhodes; siblings, Keith Rhodes, Lynwood Rhodes.

Friends may visit with her family on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Ebenezer Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 8PM. Funeral services are set for Friday, April 28, 2023 at 1:00PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Bro. Chris Lee and Bro. Russell Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Deryl Wayne Audirsch
May 10, 1949 – April 22, 2023

Deryl Wayne Audirsch was born on May 10, 1949 in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana to the union of Arthur Dale and Rosie Mae (Hutchins) Audirsch. He passed away on April 22, 2023 at his home in the Gansville Community of Winn Parish, Louisiana.

Deryl was an electrician and a sign painter. Many truck doors and church signs were painted by his skilled hands. He also enjoyed rock painting and canvas painting.

He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir and playing the harmonica.

Deryl is survived by his wife, Linda Carol (Quinn) Audirsch. They celebrated 55 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughter, Corrina (Audirsch) Thompson and husband Jason; two grandsons, Zane Thompson and wife Taylor, Rune Damon Thompson; one sister, Rebecca Hubbard; one brother, Arthur David Audirsch. He is also survived by many friends and acquaintances.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Dale and Rosie Mae (Hutchins) Audirsch.

Funeral services were on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Siloam Baptist Church in Gansville with Rev. Terry Bartley and Rev. Charles Hammons officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers were Charles Hammons, Jack Bowers, Jim Tinsley, George Simon, Cecil Hall and Jimmy Dunigan.

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Per action taken by the Jonesboro Board of Aldermen at the Certification of Emergency special called meeting held this past Monday, April 17th, the Town of Jonesboro is no longer under a State of Emergency.

Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris had issued the declaration of State of Emergency due to the town’s fleet of vehicles being in such a dilapidated state that they were unsafe to operate.  

The special session was required so that American Recovery Plans Act (ARPA) funds received in 2022 could be allocated for use to enter into a lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for new vehicles.

“Our fleet of vehicles were in such a state that we could no longer tolerate any delays in getting this done,” reflected Harris. “We took the measures that were necessary to move forward with this and now the Town of Jonesboro in a better place,” said Harris. 

The emergency session which introduced amendments to Ordinance’s 2022-004 and 2022-005 and adopted Ordinance 2023-001, was called pursuant to LA R.S. 33:405.

The new Ordinance transferred $47,095.38 from line item Water Revenues being federal grants “ARPA” to transfer into 2022-004 under Public Safety, creating line item Enterprise Fleet in the amount of $31,180.50 and creating line item under Public Works, Enterprise Fleet Management in the amount of $15,914.88, for the Town of Jonesboro for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

In response to the debate as to whether ARPA funds could be used in this manner, Mayor Harris issued the following clarification notice received by the US Treasury. 

US Treasury Final Rule

The Treasury Department  released the final rule for the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Fund program on January 6, 2022. The ruling effective April 1, 2022, provided additional clarity and flexibility on uses including:

Capital Expenditures
Expanding public sector hiring and capacity
Premium pay for essential works
Broadening eligible broadband, water and sewer infrastructure.

The allocation of the funds falls under the area of Capital Expenditures.

Already several of the vehicles have been received and is in the process of being implemented with additional vehicles expected to be received soon. 

 

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There is nothing better than playing at home. That is unless your next game is at the home of the state softball tourney, which after smashing Stanley 12-0 on Saturday is where #2 ranked Quitman will take on #3 Florien in a Division V “non-select” school semi-final matchup.

The “final four” that is made up of #2 Quitman, #3 Florien, #4 Converse and #9 Choudrant, who shocked five-time defending Class B state champion and #1 ranked Holden in the quarterfinals, will be played April 28-29 at the North Frasch Softball Complex in Sulphur.

Quitman punched their second ticket in the last three years to the “dance” by following the same dominating script that has led to victories in 27 of their last 28 games as well as a pair of shutouts in the regional and quarterfinal rounds of the playoffs.

No “smoke and mirrors” have been required. The combination of one of the best, top to bottom, offensive attacks in any classification, supporting one of the state’s most dominating pitchers has been devastating to opponents. Especially to those who reside in Division V of the LHSAA.

Seventh seed, Stanley, simply had no chance. Neither did #15 Starks in the regionals or the teams that were seeded #1, #5, #6, #10, and #11 in the Division V playoffs that Quitman has dispatched this season on their way to the swampland of south Louisiana in search of the first state softball championship in school history.

Maybe it would be more apropos if Quitman traveled by train to Sulphur. It would be more reflective of the “locomotive like” exhibition of superiority that the Lady Wolverines has portrayed. Like a powerful engine, Quitman slowly gained momentum early before reaching full throttle to storm their way to a second straight “ten run” rule playoff victory.

The beauty of the Lady Wolverines offensive attack is that the opposition can’t focus on keeping one or two batters off base. From the leadoff to the ninth batter in the lineup, every single one can take a game over and has.

The “steam rolling” of Stanley is a perfect example.

Eight of the nine starters reached base at least once and scored as Quitman pounded out 15 hits in 31 official at bats for a .484 team batting average. Six batters had two or more and of the six extra base hits that Quitman gained, all but one came from the bottom four of the batting order.

As further testament to the depth of the Lady Wolverines attack the “big bat brigade” in this one was led by an unlikely source. After entering the contest with only two extra base hits all year and none in the prior 17 contests, freshman Karley Huckaby exploded for three hits, two homeruns and five RBI. The three hits tied a season high while the home run and RBI totals are both new single game bests in her young career. For added emphasis the three RBI in the bottom of the sixth inning as result of her second “dinger” gave Quitman the “walk-off” victory.

Other “big blasters” in the ball game was Skylar Hall and Hallie Kate Pullig  who slashed doubles and scored a run. Madeline Vail also came up big with the team tying high three hits, including a double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Cali Deal also got into the act by stroking a triple in the first and scampering home on the first of Maggie Guyotte’s three RBI as did Madison Chaplin who got two hits, scored two runs, knocked one in and stole a base. Maddie Kaye Brymer added a run and an RBI.

In all reality, Quitman only needed the first inning run as the sophomore southpaw Deal was once again virtually untouchable, as she has been throughout the season and especially over the last four games. After allowing a single to Stanley’s leadoff batter of the game on an 0-2 count, Deal gave up only a double in the top of the fourth, to record her fourth straight shutout and 20th win on the season against only one loss. Her eight strikeouts ran her season total to 250 achieved in only 135 innings for an incredible average of 1.85 batters per inning.

NEXT UP! While Quitman has had their way with most of the top teams in Division V this season, the guarantee of a championship trophy is far from given. Standing in the way of a berth in the state title game is #3 Florien. As in the same school that upended Quitman in last year’s quarterfinal round and was the last Class B opponent to beat the Lady Wolverines.

The Lady Black Cats beat #14 Monterey 12-2 and #11 Hicks 12-4 in their first two playoff games to run their overall record to 20-8. Florien is also the district 3B champion, having beat #4 and sister semi-finalist Converse for the title.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
#7 Stanley (13-19)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
#2 Quitman (28-5)	1	2	0	3	0	6	12	15	1

Photos courtesy of Tony Valentino

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On the morning of April 18, 2023, the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office took a complaint in reference to some electrical equipment being stolen off bucket trucks parked over night in the Cartwright area of the Parish.

We are asking anyone who might have information or who has seen the following items to contact the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-259-9021 or Crime Stoppers of North Delta at 318-388-CASH (2274) or www.crimestoppersnorthdelta.com

 

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It had rained hard for two straight days making the ground wet and soggy. That still didn’t stop the annual Jackson Parish Clean Up Day from taking place nor a goodly amount of volunteers from showing up. 

Residents came to the call of assistance by meeting at one of the four locations at 7:00 am and the dispersing all over the parish to pick up trash and help make make our parish neat and clean. 

The effort that was coordinated by the Jackson Parish Police Jury was in conjunction with the State of Louisiana Clean Your Boot Day. A couple of truckloads of refuse was picked up and removed from the roadways. 

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