Good thing I’m elderly because it is evident as of two weekends ago when I went to my first ever T-Ball tournament that I could not afford to have a child today.
Not an athletic one, anyway.
This was the Dixie Baseball Regional Tournament (I think) at Tinsley Park in Bossier. For T-Ball. An All-Star Tournament. We now have all-star tournaments for 6- and 7-year-olds even though the ball is hit off a tee and there are no pitchers. This has been going on a good while; I’d just never seen it.
I knew the doings were big when I parked and could not hear any baseball things. That’s how far away the parks were and everyone had gotten there a lot earlier than I had. I like to walk, so no complaint there; just trying to convey how many people were parked here on this Saturday evening. It was like the cast party for Gone With The Wind.
The first sign of trouble was a nice lady walking toward me. She handed me a wrist band. “Here, I’ll save you 10 bucks,” she said and handed me the band. “I was in there five minutes.”
Mister Teddy did not know it cost money to watch T-Ball.
And now I have an idea how much money it costs to play T-Ball, or at least be the guardian of a person who plays T-Ball.
It’s a lot.
Jerseys. Colors. Full uniforms with “Saline” or “Ruston” or “Bossier” across the front. Dozens of teams. “Olla” and … is there a team from “Greater Olla” here? Seems everyone else in Louisiana is.
The winners are traveling to the Dixie World Series in Center, Texas this weekend, and if you’re going to that, best leave now because traffic will not be a walk in the park. (If you’re interested in sponsoring, Hospitality Tents are only $200 a day and the Team Dinner/Opening Ceremonies are just $1,500. This is a big jump from 30 years ago when T-Ball was a YMCA T-shirt and a cap and your cleanest dirty shorts, and when the “regular season” was over, you met at Johnny’s Pizza.)
It took less than five minutes for me to figure out two things.
One, the gear required. Full uniforms. Battery-operated fans. (Could have used those back in the day.) Bat bags. And a clever invention—a wagon. Most everyone had these fold-up wagons, and in them were chairs for Mee Maw and Pee Paw, coolers, fans, bat bags, and sometimes a baby.
And two, most everyone I saw was sweating, but also smiling. It wasn’t my scene, but then again, none of these people wanted to be on the No. 7 tee box with me. They pay for a wagon, I pay for a pitching wedge. Different strokes … Same feeling of fun.
The little team I went to support came in 14th out of 16 teams, I think, but they all looked happy as little dudes on Christmas morning.
Things change. Used to, “travel ball” was one trip each summer out of town for a two-day tournament so my guys could experience a hotel and be together for a weekend. Then it was wiffle ball in the parking lot at night. Low overhead, high return. It was a different time, I guess.
Today, if they were grading, I’d make an F in T-Ball.
Things change, but still … when was the last time you saw boys and girls riding bikes with their baseball gloves hooked to the handlebars, or playing pickup baseball at a park or wiffle in the yard? Something in my old soul always thought that would be timeless. At least it’s still free.
Reigning district 1B MVP, Briley Peterson of Weston High School, continues to impress this summer. Time and again the silky smooth forward has led her LA Elite 18U travel ball team in point production during tournament play resulting in a bevy of top finishes. This past weekend Peterson was at it again as she scored 39 points at the prestigious 2023 Hoop Play Nationals played in Conway, AR to lead LA to a second place.
LA Elite is comprised of top returning and recently graduated high school girls from across north Louisiana. Recent Weston High graduate, Emma Kate McBride, who will be playing at South Arkansas Community this fall is also a member of the team.
Pardue Builders Supply, located at 705 South Hudson Avenue in Jonesboro, invites you to come and visit their spacious showroom during the month of July and take advantage of the great deals available during their annual “Door Busters” sale.
All sorts of items that are needed in the summer such as window air conditioner units, fire ant killer granules, precision glow in the dark wall thermometers and much, much, more are priced to move but you better hurry. Quantities are limited and the sale lasts only as long as supplies last.
Locally owned and operated, Pardue Builders Supply has served Jackson Parish and the surrounding area for over fifty years as the “go to” supplier of residential, commercial and industrial building and equipment needs.
Lumber & Plywood, Carpet & Floor Covering, Plumbing, Electrical, Paint and Hardware items are always readily available and able to be delivered to your site. You can even find a wide variety of outdoor accessories and even have your propane bottles filled.
Got a special project planned? Call the professional staff at (318) 259-2529 and let them assist you. Hours of operation are 7:00am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday and 8:00am-12:00pm on Saturday.
Cooper Delaney has been named Player of the Game for his 5 Star Gulfsouth-Arceneaux 16U summer ball team. As result of his stellar performance where he allowed no runs and only one hit in 6.2 innings of work to lift his team to victory Delaney earned the designation for the third time this summer and second time in the last two weeks.
Third time the charm! By virtue of his sustained success this summer, Delaney has received a promotion to the 5 Star Gulfsouth Biondi 17U team where he was slated to pitch against the older competition for the first time on Tuesday. Delaney will be a junior at Weston High school in the 2023-24 school year.
Weston High School has released the school supply list for students in grades K-12. All students regardless of grade are required to have the following: Backpack (no wheels) Looseleaf Paper Pencils or Pens (to keep at home)
Items needed for each grade are designated in the flyer below.
At 8:30 p.m. on November 24, 1992, a Gulfstream II jet piloted by John Joseph and co-piloted by John Messina, took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida en route to Rockland, Maine. If everything went as expected, the flight would take two-and-a-half hours. They planned to land in Maine at 11:00 p.m. This $5 million twin-engine business jet was rated to carry a maximum of 19 passengers in addition to the pilot and co-pilot. On this flight, only about a half dozen passengers were onboard, including Joseph’s wife of just 14 months and their seven-month-old son. The pilot and co-pilot had thousands of flight hours between them. Joseph had been flying since 1978 and held several different jet and non-jet pilot’s licenses. As you probably guessed, everything did not go as expected. At about 10:15 p.m., with only 45 minutes left to in the trip, a bearing in the jet’s left electrical generator failed. In case of a generator failure, the jet’s electrical system would automatically draw power from the other engine’s electrical generator. When this jet’s computer system switched to the right generator, a power surge in the electrical system tripped a circuit breaker. The second generator shut down. Without power from the generators, the jet relied on two small nickel cadmium batteries to power the jet’s radios, navigational gear, and other operational systems. When fully charged, these two batteries could only power the jet for about five minutes.
No alarms sounded when the two generators failed. Joseph and Messina only recognized that both generators had failed when the instrument panels began to dim. It had been about five minutes since the generators failed. Time was running out. As soon as Joseph was aware that there was a problem, he contacted the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center, declared an emergency, and asked for a heading to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. Before he could get a response from air traffic control, the two nickel cadmium batteries had exhausted their power supply and the jet’s entire electrical system failed. Like most jets, the Gulfstream II had a backup for the backup for the backup in case of electrical failure. Joseph tried to activate an instrument called a transformer rectifier to generate power but it, too, malfunctioned. Joesph and Messina immediately realized the severe trouble the crippled jet was in. All of the electrical navigational equipment had shut down, as had many of the jet’s crucial systems, such as electrically assisted flaps and brakes.
The jet was nearly eight miles high, traveling at about 400 miles per hour, and was approaching one of nation’s busiest airspaces with no radio communications, no navigational equipment, and no interior or exterior lights. The jet’s transponder, which transmits information such as the jet’s identification number, heading, speed, and altitude to air traffic controllers, also ceased to operate. Air traffic controllers could only see an unidentified blip on their radar screens. When Air traffic controllers realized Joseph’s jet’s electrical system had malfunctioned, they tried to contact Joseph by way of an emergency hand-held transceiver, another piece of emergency equipment, but the jet did not have one of the emergency transceivers.
In an act of desperation, an air traffic controller directed the pilot of a commercial jet to help locate Joseph’s jet. USAir Flight 1729 was traveling at the same speed as Joseph’s jet at an altitude of 20,000 feet. They were unsure of Joseph’s jet’s altitude. The air traffic controller told USAir pilot of Joseph’s jet’s electrical malfunction and said he would not be lit up. The USAir jet pilot saw Joseph’s jet directly in front of him about two miles away. They were heading directly toward each other. The air traffic controller held his breath as the symbol for the USAir jet and the blip converged. He breathed a sigh of relief when the symbols for the jets had passed each other and continued in opposite directions.
Back in Joseph’s jet, Messina shone a small flashlight in the cockpit for them to see by. Joseph had only a tiny magnetic compass and a small emergency attitude indicator which showed the relationship of the airplane’s wings in relation to the horizon for navigating the jet. There was no moon in the night sky on this night and all Joseph and Messina could see below them were dense clouds. In the distance, Joseph noticed a glow in the dense cloud cover. This, he surmised, had to be Washington, D.C. He aimed the jet towards the glow. At about 12,000, Joseph’s jet was engulfed by thick clouds. He continued his descent towards the glow. The jet continued its slow descent, but the clouds did not thin. Finally, at about 1,000 feet, Joseph’s jet broke out of the clouds. The first thing Joseph saw was a brightly lit obelisk in the night sky. It was the Washington Monument. Both pilot and co-pilot were relieved at the welcome sight. Joseph aimed the jet toward the Washington National Airport. Air Traffic controllers had rerouted the other jets from the area in anticipation of an emergency landing.
Joseph’s jet was not safe yet. They held their breath as they tried to lower the landing gear by using the emergency extension system. Another sigh of relief. This emergency system worked. They were unable to lower the jet’s flaps, which would normally slow a jet on approach. They touched town on the runway at the dangerous speed of about 170 miles per hour. The only brake they had was the emergency brake, which failed to respond until fully engaged. The locked tires only lasted a second or two before all four of them blew out. Somehow, the jet did not flip as it skidded to a stop. Finally, the harrowing ordeal was over.
Although terrifying, Joseph still flies his jets. He owns several. Throughout the emergency, air traffic controllers failed to realize that Joseph, the pilot of the Gulfstream II jet, would have been instantly recognizable had they seen his face. You and I have watched him in “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “Grease,” and “Saturday Night Fever.” The pilot who miraculously guided the jet to safety, despite horrifying odds, whose middle name is Joseph, was John Travolta.
To have your Business Services, Job Opportunities, Items for sale, and Public / Legal Notices published – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com. Possible costs are dependent on content.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Jackson Council on Aging – Applications are being accepted for a Transportation & Meal Driver to work 5 hours a day Monday – Friday. Must have valid driver’s license, good work ethics with Senior Citizens, and have the knowledge to do paperwork involved in job duties. Applications will be received at the Robert Riddle Senior Center, located at 120 Polk Avenue in Jonesboro from 8:00am – 3:00pm on Monday-Thursday and 8:00 am – 1:00 pm on Friday. For more information call (318)259-8962.
Jackson Parish Journal – Does making money while meeting new people and greeting old friends sound appealing? If so, you may be perfect for opening of Account Executive position selling advertising for the JPJ. If interested call (318) 480-1206 or contact us at jpjjacksonla@gmail.com.
Sheriff’s Sale
SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC # 37171 ERIC MICHAEL MOORE
PARISH OF JACKSON STATE OF LOUISIANA
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 2nd day of AUGUST, 2023. Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:
BEGINNING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SE 1/4 OF NE 1/4, SECTION 10, TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST, AND RUN SOUTH TO SOUTH LINE OF THE HODGE-ARCADIA HIGHWAY FOR A STARTING POINT, SAID POINT BEING 30 FEET PERPENDICULAR FROM THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY; THENCE RUN SOUTH 208.7 FEET; THENCE RUN SOUTH 60 DEGREES EAST 211 FEET; THENCE RUN NORTH 29 DEGREES EAST 208.7 FEET; THENCE RUN NORTH 61 DEGREES WEST, ALONG AND PARALLEL TO SOUTH LINE OF SAID HIGHWAY, A DISTANCE OF 313 FEET TO THE STARTING POINT, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, ALL LOCATED AND SITUATED IN JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA; SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS, SERVITUDES, RIGHTS OF-WAY AND OUTSTANDING MINERAL RIGHTS OF RECORD AFFECTING THE PROPERTY.
Seized as the property of the above named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash with WITH the benefit of appraisal.
ANDY BROWN, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
6/21/23 7/26/23
SHERIFF’S SALE
U.S.BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF LB-TIKI SERIES V TRUST # 37182 GERALD ALAN WATTS, in his capacity As Administrator for the ESTATE OF RUTH WATTS
PARISH OF JACKSON STATE OF LOUISIANA
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 9th day ofAugust, 2023, Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:
BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4, SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST AND RUN NORTH TO THE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF STATE HIGHWAY N04 TO A DISTANCE OF 66 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 80 DEGREES 00 MINUTES WEST ALONG THE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF SAID HIGHWAY FOR A DISTANCE OF 871 FEET FOR STARTING POINT, FROM STARTING POINT RUN NORTH FOR A DISTANCE OF 163 FEET, THENCE EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 246 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF WAY OF INTERSECTION OF CHATHAM-JONESBORO ROAD WITH CHATHAM-RUSTON ROAD THENCE AROUND SAID RIGHT OF WAY LINE TO STARTING POINT A DISTANCE OF 323 FEET ALL IN THE SW 1/4 SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST AND BEING ALL SITUATED IN JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING.
Seized as the property of the above named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash WITHOUT the benefit of appraisal.
ANDY BROWN, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
6/28/23 8/2/23
LEGAL NOTICE
Affidavit of Succession and Certificate of Service
PUBLIC NOTICE
Village of Chatham Council Meeting Minutes July 11, 2023
The Chatham Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 6:00 pm with the following members present: Mayor Gregory Harris, Councilmembers Bernadean Jones, Toni Malone, Sue Proffer and Mike Wilson. Councilmember Laverne Mixon was absent. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Harris. The pledge was led by Councilmember Toni Malone and prayer was given by Mayor Harris. Mike Wilson motioned, and Toni Malone seconded and was approved by all to accept the minutes as read of the regular meeting held on June 13, 2023. Toni Malone motioned, seconded by Mike Wilson, and approved by all to pay the monthly bills. Toni Malone motioned, seconded by Bernadean Jones, and approved by all to begin the process of changing the Police Chief from an elected position to an appointed position. The repairs that are needed for each of the utility trucks were discussed and it was decided to get reasonable repairs done. Toni Malone motioned, seconded by Mike Wilson, and approved by all to adjourn the meeting.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that Hwy 4 east of Chatham is expected to reopen on Sunday evening after 7:00 pm following work done near the Chatham Cemetery, immediately east of Barnett Road.
In a bulletin issued by DOTD Public Information Officer, Erin Buchanan, the key byway that connects Chatham with Columbia, LA was closed on Saturday, July 15th, to allow for a cross drain pipe to be installed. Alternate routes to use until the highway is available for use is LA 34, LA 126, LA 499 and Bud Hester Road for local access.
Map of Hwy 4 Road Closure location east of Chatham
Jackson Parish beat DeQuincy 6-3 and homestanding Monroe 10-0 to storm their way into the finals of the winners bracket of the Dixie Youth State 12U baseball tournament being played at Osterland Park in Monroe.
Timely hitting, tremendous base running and spectacular pitching was the recipe as the locals became only one of two teams in the eight-team tourney to be undefeated heading into Sundays, 7:30 pm, matchup where the winner will punch their ticket to the finals.
Over the two contests, JP12U posted a .308 team batting average and swiped 17 bases, equating to an incredible 8.5 stolen bases per game. Just as impressive was the pitching performance by four hurlers that allowed only four hits in 43 batters faced and striking out 15 while posting a minuscule 0.70 earned run average.
Jackson Parish 6 DeQuincy 3: Three runs in each of the first two innings was all that was needed as Tucker Goss, Ryan Mauthe, Leyton Younse and Aiden Rhodes held their south Louisiana opponent to just three hits.
The locals wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as Bryce Tolar and Mauthe deployed a keen eye to coax walks setting up an clutch, two-out single by Younse. Goss followed with a grounder to third that was too hot to handle allowing Younse to come all the way around for the quick 3-0 advantage.
The second inning started much like the first with Mason Thomas and Aiden Rhodes getting free passes to open the frame. A Tolar single brought both home followed by Mauthe’s double that posted the final runs scored by JP12U.
In reality they only needed one as the four “horsemen” on the mound for Jackson Parish was virtually untouchable until the bottom of the fifth inning allowing only two hits, one which was immediately erased by a double play.
Jackson Parish 10 Monroe 0: Tucker Goss and Leyton Younse combined to strike out seven and allow only a second inning single in the shutout over the tourney host. Five hits and seven steals led to JP12U posting seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to slam the door on the contest by virtue of the the “ten run” rule.
The decisive inning started with a single by Kolt Keiffer and walks to Mason Thomas and Aiden Rhodes to load the bases. Jaxon Cheatwood then blasted a double to center field to score two followed by Bryce Tolar hitting a single to left to add two more to the total and give JP12U a commanding 7-0 lead. A Ryan Mauthe single and Hayden Seymore’s sacrifice fly to left field plated two more runs setting up a base hit by Dawson Griffin who scored the game ending run.
The only threat Monroe made in the contest came in the second when two walks and a hit loaded the bases but Goss struck recorded one of his five strikeouts in 2.2 inning pitched to end the threat.
Back-to-back doubles by Ryan Mauthe and Seymore put JP12U up 1-0 in the first inning. The lead increased to 3-0 in the bottom of the third when Tolar led off with a walk and scored on Mauthe’s second “two bagger” of the game. After a steal of third, one of four bases Mauthe swiped in the contest that added to the astounding 13 thefts recorded by JP12U, Griffin hit a sac fly to drive him home.
The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, July 18th at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center in Jonesboro. Of special interest is a presentation by the local 4-H chapter where state and national contest participants will be introduced and recognized.
Thirty minutes prior to the session the JPPJ Finance Committee will meet to review the year-to-date financial statement of the General Fund.
JPPJ Meeting Agenda
Call to Order Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Public Comments 1. Presentation by the 4-H State and National Contest Participants. Approve Minutes 2. Adopt the minutes of the May 31, 2023, June 14, 2023, and June 23, 2023, Jury Meetings, monthly purchase orders, and the payment of all bills Approve Committee Reports: 3. Adopt the minutes of the June 14, 2023, Personnel Committee meeting Road Committee 4. Adopt the minutes of the July 11, 2023, Road Committee meeting 5. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to remove the class B CDL requirement from the Operator I description. 6. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to move Jack Williams into a working Supervisor position. 7. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to not remove one of the Operator II positions under Asphalt Crew, but change it to Operator I. 8. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to move Dale Layfield into the Operator I position under Asphalt Crew. 9. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to promote and move Paul Aldy into the open Operator I slot to fill the vacant spot under Brush-Ax Crew. 10. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to change one of the General Laborer spots under the Drainage Crew to Operator I and move Mathew Connor into this slot. 11. Discuss and approve Road Committee’s recommendation to hire Mr. Charles Robertson as Mechanic I in the Road Department, dependent on him obtaining his class A CDL within 60 days from his employment date. 12. Consider and adopt the Revised Org Chart for Road Department. Management Reports 13. Operations Manager Report – Mr. Brad Roller 14. Road Superintendent Report – Mr. Jody Stuckey a. Accept the Emergency/Off-Schedule Report 15. Solid Waste Superintendent Report – Mr. Robin Sessions 16. Financial Report – (report includes budget to actual comparisons for all funds) Other Business 17. Engineering Report – Mr. Paul Riley, The Riley Co. of Louisiana 18. Consider and approve hiring Mr. Todd Brazil for the Solid Waste Operator I position. 19. Consider and approve posting for two (2) vacant Laborer positions in the Road Department. 20. Consider and act on Parish Board Appointments Announcements & Notifications Juror Comments Adjourn
In baseball, it’s never good when the opposing pitcher throws a shutout in the first game and gives up only one run in the second. Right? Wrong! Welcome to the world of “Coach Pitch” Dixie Youth baseball.
The Jackson Parish 8U All-Star baseball team ran its postseason record to a perfect 9-0 by winning three straight Pool E contests in the 24-team Dixie Youth State Baseball tournament being played in Metairie, located on the outskirts of New Orleans.
JP8U opened pool play by beating fellow north Louisiana representative Winnsboro by a 5-0 score on Thursday. They then blew past Girard 7-1 early Friday setting up a climactic 6-4 victory over Franklin that evening , won in the bottom of the fifth inning with a “walk-off” triple.
By winning their pool, JP8U became one of eight teams to qualify for the the second phase of the state tournament, which is a double elimination bracket that will determine the state champion. Additional qualifiers were Ruston American, Rayville, Girard, Miley, Ville Platte-Mamou, Pontiff and Lakeshore.
Jackson Parish 5 Winnsboro 0: (Thursday) You don’t often see a lot of zeroes on the scoreboard in “Coach Pitch” play where the team gets to hit pitches thrown by their coach. Rest assured he is trying to lay “lollipops” in there on every pitch and the Winnsboro coach was doing his part. So how did JP8U hold Winnsboro scoreless? DEFENSE!
JP8U didn’t commit a single error in the six-inning contest that saw 12 of the 18 outs that Winnsboro was allotted, orchestrated by the JP8U infield. Included was a snag of a line shot by shortstop Asher Norred after a Winnsboro leadoff double in the bottom of the third, followed by a snazzy double play by second baseman Andrew Seymore that ended the inning and preserved a 2-0 Jackson Parish lead.
Another big play came in the bottom of the fourth. Winnsboro loaded the bases and hit a ball that was headed up the middle. Cruz Nomey, who was manning the pitcher position, fielded the sharp grounder and fired to first to end the inning and squelch the rally attempt. Third baseman, Brock Craighead, and first bagger, Koplen Taylor, got into the act as well in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on second and third and only one out, Craighead snatched a line drive out of the air for the second out and Taylor cleanly handled a hard grounder at first to end the contest. In two other innings, when Winnsboro managed to hit a ball out of the infield, short fielder Maddox Graham and left fielder, Kutter Blalock also ran them down for key outs.
“I am proud of the way we fielded the ball. It was the difference in the game,” said head coach Dusty Nomey. “Winnsboro hit some good shots, but our guys have put in a lot of time practicing and it showed today as they played almost flawless on defense.”
Jackson Parish had great team production offensively as well, beginning with singles by Graham, Craighead, and Taylor to put Jp8U on top 1-0 after their first at-bat. Nomey, Wyatt McGrew, and Remington Davis all singled in the second to double the score. JP8U went up 4-0 in the top of the fourth when Taylor led off with a single and scored on a Carter Kelley double to center field, who later scored on an error. Norred scored the final run in the top of the sixth by starting the inning with a single and advancing to second on a groundout setting up an RBI single by Craighead.
Taylor led the 17-hit attack by going 3/3 while Norred, Graham, Craighead, and Davis all got two hits each. Blalock, Nomey, Seymore, and McGrew each got a hit as well. Ridge Lewter and Landry Garrett also contributed by putting balls in play and moving runners over.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Jackson Parish
1
1
0
2
0
1
5
17
0
Winnsboro
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
1
2B – Kelley 3B – Graham RBI – Craighead, Taylor, Kelley, Davis Runs – Norred, Blalock, Taylor, Kelley, Seymore
Jackson Parish 7 Girard 1: (Friday) Once again JP8U turned in a sparkling defensive performance to win their second straight Pool E contest holding a hard-hitting Girard squad to just one run. Clutch defensive efforts led to seven Girard runners being stranded and four lead runners being thrown on the base paths.
JP8U ran their unscored upon streak to ten innings before Girard managed to plate their sole run. Highlights included getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third and forcing consecutive outs at third base in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game after Girard opened with a pair of singles. Asher Norred was a human vacuum at shortstop, accounting for nine outs while Craighead made four put outs at third as Jackson Parish played flawlessly in the field for the second game in a row.
Wyatt McGrew put the locals on top 3-0 in the top of the second with a three-run, inside-the-park homer that scored Carter Kelley and Cruz Nomey who had opened the frame with back-to-back singles. JP8U upped the lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth when Brock Craighead led off with a single and scored when Nomey’s roped a “two-bagger” down third, who came home on Ridge Lewter’s double to center field. Singles by Kutter Blalock and Koplen Taylor followed by a double by Kelley and Lewter’s second RBI hit of the contest accounted for the final two runs.
Maddox Graham and Nomey led the hit parade with 3/3 efforts while Asher Norred, Kelley, Wyatt McGrew, and Lewter got two hits apiece. Blalock, Brock Craighead, Taylor, Andrew Seymore, Remington Davis, and Landry Garrett also chipped in with a hit each as all twelve batters contributed to the 20-hit attack. McGrew and Lewter both had 3 RBIs with Kelley adding another. Nomey scored twice to lead the locals with Blalock, Craighead, Taylor, Kelley, and McGrew each crossing home plate once.
Jackson Parish 6 Franklin 4:(Friday) Brock Craighead may end up accounting for many great finishes over his baseball career. Only time will tell. One thing for sure is that he will always remember the two-out, “walk-off” triple he hit in the bottom of the sixth inning that secured the Pool E championship for Jackson Parish.
To set the stage for the thrilling finish that catapulted JP8U into the “elite eight” that will determine who will be crowned state champion, Franklin had just taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth after tying the game in the inning prior.
Remington Davis started the decisive frame with a single and went to second on a one-out single by Asher Norred. Maddox Graham followed with the third hit of the inning to score Davis and tie the game. Craighead then blasted a long fly ball over the head of the short fielder in left center field that rolled to the fence sending Norred and Graham scampering home with the winning runs.
It marked the second time that JP8U had rallied from a deficit. Franklin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first that could have been worse were it not for a several stellar defensive plays.
Three straight singles loaded the bases but Cruz Nomey, who was manning the pitcher’s position, snagged a grounder and forced a runner out at third. Another single loaded the bases again followed by a shot that went through the infield to plate the second run. Alertly, short fielder Carter Kelley fielded the ball and fired to Brock Craighead at third who tagged out a runner, wheeled, and threw to Norred covering second for the twin killing that ended the inning.
Carrying the momentum into their at-bat, JP8U quickly responded. Norred and Graham led off with singles and scored on Craighead’s first extra-base hit of the game, a “two-bagger” to right. Then with two outs, Kelley hit the first of his pair of doubles in the contest to give Jackson Parish the 3-2 lead.
Norred and Graham each had three hits in three at-bats to pace the 17-hit JP8U attack. Adding to the two extra-base hits by Kelley and Craighead, Wyatt McGrew also had two hits as did Ridge Lewter, which included a triple. Nomey, Andrew Seymore, and Remington Davis added a hit each. Once again, JP8U didn’t make an error in the field.
The Town of Jonesboro will be holding a Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 Budget (General, Sewer and Water). Anyone with questions or comments regarding any portion of the Budget are encouraged to come. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 5:30 pm and will be held in the Conference Room at City Hall, located at 128 Allen Avenue in Jonesboro.
With the addition of the concrete sidewalk being poured and place, Phase Two and the majority of the work on the Ebenezer Pier Project on Caney Lake is complete. The last phase is the placing of the handicap parking and signage that is expected to be completed by the end of July.
Jackson Parish Watershed Commission Vice President Gary Joynor reminds that while the pier appears ready to be used all three phases of the project must be completed before it can be used.
Once we get the “all clear” from the State Fire Marshall’s Office we will have a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new Ebenezer Park Public Fishing Pier,” said Joynor. “As for now, the public is invited to drive by and look but until the project is totally complete, please do not attempt to use the new pier.”
The Councilmembers for the Village of Chatham have begun the process changing the Police Chief from an elected position to an appointed position. The decision to move forward with the action Bernadean Jones, Toni Malone, Sue Proffer and Mike Wilson took place at the regularly scheduled monthly session that was held on Tuesday, July 11th. Laverne Mixon was absent.
After Chatham Mayor Gregory Harris called the session to order, the minutes from the prior meeting and monthly bills of June were approved. The meeting concluded following the decision to get reasonable repairs done to the town’s utility trucks.
On July 13th, local resident Todd Abercrombie, retired as District Fire Chief after 25 years of service to the city of Ruston and spending most of his adult life as a public service in both Jackson and Lincoln parishes.
In front of the Ruston Fire Department that he faithfully served for a quarter of a century in virtually every capacity before being named District Chief six months ago, Abercrombie received the coveted “golden axe” in recognition of his dedicated service.
This past Wednesday, July 12th, the Village of Chatham was rocked when a vehicle ran over a fire hydrant near J&H Cooking that disrupted water transmission to residents and businesses and forced a Boil Advisory to be put into place.
Thanks to the fast and proficient response of David Ricard, John Mize, Justin Green of the Chatham Public Works Department, the main water line that was ruptured was quickly repaired and just two days later the advisory was lifted.
“I applaud the work done by our Public Works Department and Ms. Lillian Pittman in our administration office for their help in getting this situation resolved so quickly,” said Chatham Mayor Gregory Harris. “Normally something like this takes a while to get straightened out. Thanks to the guys getting the water back on so fast and Ms. Pittman’s skill in getting things documented with the Dept. of Health, our residents were only slightly discomforted. We are blessed to have them working for our town.”
Have you observed someone with a far-off gaze and said to them, “a penny for your thoughts?” It will snap the person out of their mental reverie and bring them back to the moment.
Maybe you have seen someone on the street and described them as “not having two pennies to rub together.” A bad penny was a person who was a troublemaker and should be avoided. If memory serves, males were primarily bad pennies. Sage wisdom was and still is, “a penny saved is a penny earned.”
Should I comment on penny ante poker.
There is a penny idiom I had not heard until I started the in-depth research for this article. I am going to adopt the saying, “I felt like a penny waiting for change.” It is descriptive of so many of the things that happen in life.
We don’t think too much about pennies. They are valueless. When I’m given change, I place the pennies in that little tray by the cash register. There is not much you can do with a penny. I’m not sure that a gumball can be had for a penny. Yet, it costs $1.83 to produce one penny. This is an insane example of our tax dollars at work. I’ll let you mull that one without my comment.
Jesus was sitting outside the temple one day watching people give their offerings. (He still is in case you are wondering.) The big givers were coming by putting money in the bowl. Their money was coinage, and the different metals made a different sound as they fell in that bowl. One could tell what was being given by the sound it made dropping into the bowl.
You can test this theory on Sunday, even our coins make different sounds when dropped into the plate. Of course, a few years ago, folks caught on to the audible offering tracking method and began lining the offering plates with felt. The felt cuts down on the distraction of coins going into the offering plate.
Another place I will let you mull without my commenting.
That day all the big givers, making all that noise with their coins then a widow walked up to the offering bowl. That widow was about to do something that Jesus noticed.
This widow gave one penny. The penny was called a mite. It was all she had. Sit with that one for a minute. It was all she had, and she gave it to God. The mite was so small it made no sound in the bowl. In terms of temple giving, it was insignificant. It was only a big deal to her and to Jesus.
Her story of sacrifice and generosity has been told for two millennia. The widow’s penny has become famous, because of its association with Jesus.
Maybe in the economy of God we are all pennies. Our significance is found when we give ourselves to God’s purposes.
The Jackson Parish Library has a special week planned boasting a bevy of activities at both the Jonesboro and Chatham branches that include the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Library Board on Monday.
The scheduled special events are in conjunction with the normal weekly Bookworms Storytime on Monday and Teen’s /Tween’s get together on Tuesday at the Jonesboro Branch.
The fun week of “extra’s” begins in Chatham at 2:00 pm on Monday, July 17th with Movie Mania where the film Ticket Paradise will be shown along with free popcorn and drinks available for viewing patrons.
Sponsored by the local LSU-AG Center, the extra fun continues in Chatham at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 18th when Shannon Chevallier teaches how to make a charcuterie board.
On Wednesday, the Jonesboro Fire Department and Fire Marshall Mark Treadway will be on site at both the Jonesboro (10:00 am) and Chatham (2:00 pm) branches where patrons get a close up look at one of the Fire Trucks. Providing for a very special end to the week, children of all ages will get to enjoy petting a wide variety of animals and taking pony rides compliments of the Jubilee Zoo. Adding to the animal kingdom entertainment will be Sno-Cones by Willy Ts, first at the Chatham Branch on Thursday from 1-3 pm and Friday at the same times at the Jonesboro Branch.
The weather has started to heat up here in the middle of July and for the bass fisherman, he knows that some of the day’s most exciting and often best action occurs at the break of day.
There is something about being on the water this time of year while all is quiet with a growing glow in the east as he casts a topwater lure next to the trunk of a cypress or willow. When the twitch of the lure results in an explosive strike, it just about doesn’t get any better than this. Once the day brightens, the early morning action usually slows and the average bass angler heads home for the air conditioning once old Sol peaks over the cypresses.
For anglers who want to extend their bass fishing experience longer, the search is on for one lure to keep the bites coming, even after daytime temperatures rise. The Wobblehead meets all the characteristics of just such a lure.
This rather non-descript device features a slender curved slab of metal with a single hook onto which is attached a plain straight tail six inch plastic worm. Incidentally, there is no lure easier to retrieve than a Wobblehead; you simply cast it out and bring it back in a rather boring straight retrieve. However, there is nothing boring when a big bass gulps down the bait.
The curved metal body of the Wobblehead gives the lure its name; it wobbles side to side and gives the plastic worm tail an enticing swimming motion which resembles a favorite food for a foraging bass, a small swimming snake. Remember the last time you saw a snake swimming across the water? That’s the exact image you get when you reel in a Wobblehead.
These lures are especially effective when fished next to moss beds, where bass lurk out of the glare of the scorching sun waiting for something good to eat to pass by. A small snake slowly wagging overhead is often too much to pass up. Cast out a Wobblehead in the heat this summer next to a patch of weeds and hang on. The results could leave you feeling “cool”.
Bream fishermen can still do their thing with these fighters even in the heat of summer. Both bluegills and chinquapins can be caught even though the spawn is over and they have moved from their shallow spawning beds.
One of the most productive bream fishing forays I ever experienced was one sweltering day several years ago when Eddie Halbrook took me to Grand Bayou lake near Coushatta where we caught at least 50 big chinquapins fishing cold worms on the bottom on an 8 foot deep flat.
If you’re a crappie fishermen, here’s something you may want to try to improve your summertime catch of tasty slabs. If you want the best service from your waiter at a favorite restaurant, let it be known that you’re a generous “tipper”. You’re more than likely to find him eager and willing to be at your service. Keep this truth in mind the next time you head for the lake after summertime crappie. If you’re a good “tipper”, the crappie just might be much more cooperative.
Tipping explained means that you add something to your crappie jig to make it more enticing. Some anglers regularly tip their jigs with small shiners while others prefer commercial pea-sized niblets, grass shrimp or wax worms.
One of the best times to go for crappie during the heat of summer is to say indoors during the hottest part of the day and head for the lake at night. A bucket of shiners dangled beneath the lights around a pier or off the side of the boat will attract shiners or shad which attracts the crappie. It can be a bunch of fun and you won’t even need sunscreen.
Whether it’s bass, bream or crappie, you can still get your string stretched even in the middle of summer.
.”Bass fishing can sometimes be better at night in summer.” Glynn Harris photo
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best at night with Carolina rigs and deep diving crank baits along with soft plastics picking up some nice sized fish. Wobbleheads are taking some fish around the grass during the days. Crappie are fair around the deep brush on shiners or jigs. The bream bite is slowing as the spawn is about over and they’ve moving from the shallow spawning areas. No report on catfish. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707. BLACK BAYOU – Bream and crappie have both been biting. Crickets and worms for bream; shiners for crappie. Bass best on spinners. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information. BUSSEY BRAKE –Bass fishing continues to be good. Spinners with trailers and flipping jigs around the brush have both been working. The crappie are scattered around the brush. Bream have slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707. OUACHITA RIVER – Bass are best fishing in the cuts where there is a bit of current. Topwater lures, crank baits and spinners best. Crappie are best fishing shiners or jigs in the river lakes as well as around sunken tops in the river. Bream are fair. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707. LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has been best fishing the flats fishing 6 feet deep in 8-12 foot water especially around Terrill Island and around the Hwy 33 bridge in 12-14 foot water on jigs and shiners. Bass fishing has been good early mornings fishing topwater lures around the grass. Later in the day, look for them in deeper water where Carolina-rigs, crank baits and spinners are working best. Bream are on starting to slow down off the beds on hitting worms and crickets. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707. LAKE CLAIBORNE – Night fishing has been best for crappie fishing shiners under the lights around the piers and boat houses. The Majestic Big Bass Tournament is scheduled for July 21-22. Bass fishing has been best fishing around the docks and grass lines with swim baits and soft plastics or spinners. Some stripers are beginning to show up in the coves and hitting shad imitation lures. Bream are fair. Some nice catfish have been caught on noodles baited with live bream. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498. LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish and bream are biting. Bass are slow to fair. Crappie are best on the south end on shiners or jigs. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259. LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a rise with lots of catfish and some slab crappie being caught. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
In a wonderful act of benevolence and demonstration of kindness and care for others, Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown was given “Comfort Bears” this past week that were made by young ladies who participated in the week long Friendship Church camp.
The bears will be given out when JPSO deputies are responding to calls where children are involved. Each bear, along with a personal note written by a camper, will be given to children to comfort them during difficult times.
Ty Simonelli has committed to play baseball for South Arkansas Community College. The former LSWA and LBCA first team All-Stater heads to the El Dorado based school after spending one season at Bossier Parish Community College.
Instrumental in leading Quitman High School to the Class B state semifinals in 2022, Simonelli led the team with a .403 batting average, seven triples and 37 runs scored. The son of April and Michael Simonelli of Quitman also excelled as ace of the QHS pitching staff, especially in postseason play where he pitched Quitman to a second round victory and earned the save in the quarterfinals.
This summer Simonelli has been playing for the Koala’s in the Shreveport based North Louisiana Collegiate League where his versatility has earned him a spot in the NLCL All-Star game that was played on Friday.
Simonelli becomes the second athlete from Jackson Parish to commit to South Ark for the 2023-24 athletic year joining Emma Kate McBribe of Weston High who will compete in the girls basketball program.
She will be gone but not forgotten. This past Friday, a grand celebration took place at the Jackson Parish Hospital in honor of Daphne Smith, who retired after 10 years of dedicated service.
“We wish Daphne the best in the new chapter of her life,” said JPH Chief Executive Officer, John Morgan. “She will be missed by us all.”
Smith came to the JPH in 2013, benefitting the many patients she attended to through her passion in nursing. In 2018, she continued her career by joining the JPH Case Management team.
The Back to School Supply Drive for the students at Weston High School being conducted at the Jimmie Davis State Park is nearing the end of the July 31 deadline. Those who donate will be entered in our drawing to win a FREE 2-NIGHT STAY in one of our cabins. There will be one winner and the drawing will be held on August 4th.
Drop Off location for all donated items is at the Jimmie Davis State Park administration building located at 1209 State Park Road on Caney Lake.
Locally owned and operated, Pardue Builders Supply has served Jackson Parish and the surrounding area for over fifty years as the “go to” supplier of residential, commercial and industrial building and equipment needs. 
