This Thursday, the girls and boys basketball teams from Quitman and Weston Junior High will wage another round of “civil war”. This time it will be in the opening round of the Dodson Basketball Tournament. In a rematch of the championship game at the Weston Tourney held last week, the girls teams from the Jackson Parish rivals will tip off action at 4:00 pm followed by the boys squaring off at 4:45 pm. Host Dodson and Calvin play a twin bill next with the girls game tipping off at 5:30 pm followed by the boys contest. 

The winner of the Quitman / Weston girls game will play Castor at 4:00 pm on Friday followed by the boys winner also playing Castor at 4:45pm. The girls and boys team from Saline await the winners of Dodson’/Calvin contests at 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm with the girls championship game slated to start at 7:00 pm followed by the boys title tilt. 

Weston sweeps Dodson on Monday

Weston had more players score than Dodson made in points in the boys game and the Lady Wolves ran their record to 3-1 on the year as Weston swept visiting Dodson on Monday in Junior High action.

Weston 57 Dodson 11: (boys)The Wolves had more players score than Dodson managed in total points in the blistering that saw WJH set a new Jackson Parish 2023 season standard for points scored in a contest.  Lukas Bandy scored 14 second half points to pace 15 Junior Wolves who tallied in the contest that saw WJH outscore Dodson 37-4 in the second half. Malachi Harris chipped in with six followed by Remy Kennard, Leyton Younse, Bryce Tolar, Jenson Waggoner and Kash Gandy, who all scored four points. Aiden Marsh contributed a three pointer and Braxton Brown, Dawson Griffin, Colt Guyotte, R.J. Woodward, Eli Henderson, Aundra Spence and Colton Otwell all added a basket each. Dodson was led by Riley Womack with six points while Bradock Chandler scored three and Ryder Horne tallied two points. 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Weston (2-1)	8	12	20	17	57
Dodson	3	4	4	0	11

Weston 32 Dodson 22 (girls): Carly Jo Griffin scored 8 of her team high 11 points in the first half and Carlynn Waters made five of her seven total points in the contest to lift Weston to a commanding 20-7 lead. Brylee Cuthrell finished with five, Ada Claire Tidwell scored four, Addison Faulkner hit her first three pointer of the year and Rainey Gregory scored a basket to help the Lady Wolves take their third victory in four games played. Dodson was led by Ja’Kiya Joniet who shared game high honors with 11 points followed by Alexia Williams with seven and two points each from Ella Skains and Ava Muse. 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Weston (3-1)	4	16	8	4	32
Dodson	2	6	5	9	22

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Jerry Yarborough, PT, DPT, owner of Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers locations across North Louisiana & South Arkansas has been named Franchisee of the Year by Fyzical at the Brand Triumph Celebration in Dallas, Texas on June 9th, 2023. Dr. Yarborough was recognized for his outstanding leadership and business insight in growing his six locations including Bastrop, Jonesboro, Monroe, Ruston, West Monroe in LA and El Dorado, AR.

Originally from Fort Worth, TX, Dr. Yarborough moved to Ruston, LA in 1995. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Findlay and has been practicing Physical Therapy for over 29 years, having opened his first clinic 21 years ago in Jonesboro, LA.

Dr. Yarborough has been a Fyzical Franchisee for 8 years. Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers is a Franchise of over 525 Physical Therapy clinics across the country, which specializes in balance and vestibular rehabilitation. Fyzical’s list of services doesn’t end at balance and vestibular rehab though.

Fyzical specializes in all traditional physical therapy interventions and Dr. Yarborough is known to seek out new and innovative technology and interventions to better benefit our community. For example, the Ruston location boasts the first Virtualis motion VR in the United States.

True to the “Love Your Life” motto, Dr. Jerry has used his personal experience with overcoming balance issues to inspire patients. After dealing with viral meningitis and encephalitis which temporarily had him in a wheelchair, he now enjoys using his experience to see patients be able to love their lives.

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The public is invited to join in the celebration of the Grand Opening of the Ebenezer Fishing Pier, located at the end of Ebenezer Church Road. The event that will include a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate Caney Lake’s newest amenity will take place at 9:00am on Friday, September 8th. 

Clean Up Day set for Saturday, August 26th

Anytime there is a construction project that takes place there is a clean-up of the area that follows. The Jackson Parish Watershed Commission (JPWC) will be undertaking the task of cleaning up around the new Ebenezer Pier on Saturday, August 26th and asks for your help. 

From 6:00 – 10:00 am please bring your shovels, weed eaters and trash bags but especially your willingness to help the JPWC prepare for the grand opening. Help keep Caney Lake beautiful! 

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This was the text message:

“My Lone Ranger lunchbox lunch every day for 5 years.
2 PB&J’s wrapped in tinfoil and thermos of sweet tea.
No snacks or exotic stuff from my mom.
That was it.”

Felt like getting a message in a bottle from a castaway, and knowing it was much too late to help him. “If I could have just gotten the guy some Fritos, or a Bite-Size Milky Way,” I’m thinking …

But what really got me was “lunchbox.” Had never thought about it much, but I missed the entire “lunchbox” cycle of a kid’s life. I was a ride-the-bus, eat-in-the-cafeteria kid.

Old school.

Never had a lunch box. (Except one time on Halloween when Mrs. Alice in second grade let us dress up and have a party and our parents could come for an outside picnic lunch so I packed one and my lunch box was called “a paper sack.” No idea why I’ve always remembered that. Dressed up like a pirate. Wonder if I packed fish and chips and something to keep me from getting scurvy and rickets?)

In the ignorance of rural youth, I never knew there were Lone Ranger lunch boxes, because surely I would have wanted one. Would have coveted one. A little tin box with a matching thermos, filled with peanut butter and jelly or maybe even “round steak” (bologna) on fresh white bread. What was in it wouldn’t have mattered much. I suspect the box itself was the thing.

I’ve studied and found there were Gomer Pyle lunch boxes. Gilligan’s Island. The Hulk. Happy Days. The Six Million Dollar Man. And — are you kidding me? — Superman.

Ignorance is bliss, thank goodness. I was lucky for what I didn’t know. I hope if I’d have had a lunch box that it would have been The Lone Ranger or Batman and not something stupid like The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie.

“Hey, which one of you losers belongs to this Partridge Family lunch box?!,” the kid with the Evel Knievel lunch box was wanting to know.

Sometimes I wonder what Lunch Box Life would be as a grownup.

“Hey TA, let’s go eat a gourmet burger or some enchiladas. I’m buying.”

Me: “Y’all go ahead. I’ll just eat this deviled ham and some moldy Ritz from my Wonder Woman lunch box.”

It would be all about the lunch box for me.

But things happened for me as they were supposed to, because one of the best memories of my wasted youth was the smell of a certain food baking each mid-morning at Lake View Elementary. That aroma was the portal to olfactory heaven. We’re talking — and I shouldn’t even have to write this — yeast rolls, the smell of hope and comfort and joy.

I love the smell of elementary school yeast rolls in the morning.

Mrs. Erline Perritt was the magic behind the memory. Black hair pulled back tight and under a hair net to showcase a round face always smiling. The yeast rolls she made on those giant sheet pans were things of fluffy goodness that could keep you battling through spelling class, knowing that if you could hold out a little while longer, she’d be putting a couple of those on your tray, maybe sneaking you one for dessert.

What smelled better to a little kid back then? A cheerleader’s perfume, maybe? But I doubt it.

Mrs. Erline Perritt. I didn’t need a lunch box. She was my real-life Wonder Woman.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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In this time of unprecedented extreme temperatures and humid conditions being felt this summer, the Louisiana Department of Health warns of occupational heat-related illness. See below for information you need to know. 

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NOTE: Football is sport where the majority of fans may know the names and numbers of the players but seldom get to see their faces unless they are a close friend or family member. In an effort to introduce the members of the 2023 JHHS football team, Clay Williams, will be presenting a question and answer interview series with players all through the season. Today – Noah Lucas

Meet The Tigers

What’s your name, grade, number, and position?
Noah Lucas, 12th Grade, #52, OL/DL

What are your hobbies outside of football?
I like to fish, and lift weights after football practice.

What is your best memory from playing football so far?
Last year during one of the games, Coach Hicks sat me on the bench because I made a mistake. That was a moment that I won’t forget, and that I don’t want to experience again.

Do you have a favorite pregame song?
Smooth Criminal by Fredo Bang is a song I always go to. I’ve also been getting into some country music lately.

What is your favorite subject in school?
Science, because I like seeing all of the different chemical reactions.

Who would you say is your biggest motivation in life?
I actually have three people. The first one is my mom, because I’ve watched her struggle and I just want to do better for her. My friend and former teammate Peyton Smith is the second one, because I was motivated by the way he worked, and he has taught me a lot. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the last one, because of his motivational speeches that I listen to often.

How do you want to grow throughout your senior season?
I really want to grow on defense. I want to be able to look back after the season and see the strides I took in my ability to come off the ball faster and read plays.

Are there any college or NFL players that you take inspiration from?
I’ve been watching a lot of Dexter Lawrence highlights lately, and I love to see his burst after reading a play. Also, I watch Aaron Donald and Jalen Carter to see their first step explosiveness.

What is something important that a coach has taught you?
One thing that has always stuck with me, is my training coach Justin Francois from YoungBullz Training telling me to let the inner dog come out on the field, and don’t let anyone push me around. I feel that has really helped me out with my aggressiveness.

What are your plans after graduation?
I want to go to college and study criminal justice. I plan on becoming a game warden, so I can help protect the wildlife.

Lastly, what are your goals this season for yourself, and the team?
A goal for the team, is to try and help bring us together, and stay that way throughout the year. My personal goals are to get more than 80 tackles, and also win either Beast of the Week or Aaron’s Aces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Coordinated by the North Louisiana Camping Club and hosted by Jimmie Davis State Park, the Redneck Rendezvous Parade will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 26th. Adding to the enjoyment of the fun day are demonstration’s beginning at 6:00 pm followed by a cold food potluck supper taking place at 8:00 pm.  

Parade participants are asked to meet at the Jimmie Davis State Park Gatehouse Office by 1:45 PM 

Golf carts, side-by-sides, and street legal vehicles are allowed to participate. Side-by-sides can only be used during the parade and must be trailered immediately after. Only licensed drivers can operate motorized vehicles in the state park.

 

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Nathaniel Gilman was born in New Hampshire before the United States declared independence from Great Britain. His birth year remains a mystery. As a young man, he became interested in shipbuilding. The New York Times reported that young Nathaniel “manifested a singular ability to accumulate money.” By the time the War of 1812 began, Nathaniel had acquired several ships. Through privateering and trading, Nathaniel made a small fortune. Nathaniel was a shrewd businessman. In the 1820s, he established a hide and leather business. The Times described him as being “a queer individual, a daring speculator, a taciturn, secretive trader. Images of the Charles Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge come to mind. Within a few years, Nathaniel had turned his small fortune into a large fortune. Nathaniel died in 1859. Upon his death, his heirs began a bitter battle over his large estate worth millions of dollars which lasted thirty years.

Shortly after Nathaniel’s death, one of his sons, George Gilman, founded a tea and coffee business he named the Great American Tea Company. George quickly expanded the business with the promise of low prices for quality products. In addition to having multiple stores, George began a mail order business and operated wagon routes to deliver tea and coffee to his customers. In 1869, workers completed the transcontinental railroad. People throughout the country, including George, were fascinated by the linking of the west coast and east coast and all points in between with the new form of safe, reliable, and speedy transportation. George recognized this as a good marketing opportunity and changed the name of the company from the Great American Tea Company to the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.

In 1880, George’s company began to sell sugar, a needed product for tea and coffee, in its stores and through mail-order. George slowly added other self-branded products including baking powder, condensed milk, spices, and butter. George continued to add grocery products to its inventory and unknowingly and unintentionally created the first grocery store chain. During his lifetime, George’s tea company expanded to 285 stores. One of his unique business practices was the requirement that each of his 285 stores send him a one dollar bill each day. In addition to his $1 per day per store income, his profits from his stores averaged about $8,000 per day at the time of his death. Adjusted for inflation, his profits would be nearly $288,000 per day in today’s money.

George was an eccentric character. He had a “handsome residence,” others described it as a mansion, in Black Rock, New York. At George’s insistence, his home had no mirrors to remind him that he was aging and “no bells or knockers at any of its entrances. There are no clocks in the house, for time was nothing to Mr. Gilman. His aversion to the subject of death was so pronounced that he refused positively to talk or read about it. If he met a funeral on his drives about the country, he would turn about so as not to pass it. He would not ride on a train on which there was a corpse.”

Despite George’s best efforts to elude death, he died on March 3, 1901, of Bright’s Disease. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company lived on and continued to expand under the direction of his long-time manager George Hartford. At its height, it was twice as large as the second largest retailer, Sears, and four times larger than the second largest grocer, Kroger. However, the company began a slow, gradual decline following the death of John Hartford in 1951. Despite numerous attempts to return the company to its former glory, the last of its stores closed in Hewitt, Texas in 2015.

At its peak, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company was as well known as Amazon, Walmart, and Google are today. Since the name The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company was too wordy to be practical on store signage or in advertisements, the company went by a shortened version. You and I remember the oldest grocery store chain in the country as A&P.

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A mandatory meeting for dual enrollment student that will be followed by a meeting of seniors at Quitman High School has been set for Monday, August 28th.

The session for the parents and students currently taking Dual Enrollment classes through the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) and Louisiana Tech University (LTU) will take place at 5:30 pm in the QHS Auditorium. 

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This coming Saturday, August 26th, you will have the wonderful opportunity to purchase the scrumptious selections of a bake sale and when you finish, drive away in your freshly washed automobile. 

Talk about the ultimate “two for”!

The event that is a fundraiser for the Weston High School baseball team takes place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at WHS. Your support and donations are greatly appreciated. 

 

 

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Robert D. Hunter attended his first meeting of the Jackson Parish Recreation Board on Monday, August 21st as the new appointee taking the place of Sullivan “Sully” Stevens who resigned following his move to Kansas City, MO.

The session opened with engineer Paul Riley of Riley Company of LA providing an update on the progress of the planned Open Air Pavilion to be constructed on the grounds of the JPRD Sports Complex. Board members Ricky Cash (President), Jeff Hairston, Brandon Lamkin, Chris Womack and Hunter then approved to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Town of Jonesboro not to exceed $10,000.00 for the purchase of playground equipment at the McDonald Recreation Center in Jonesboro. Brent Barnett and Rodney Potts were absent. 

Director Tommy Smith then presented information regarding the Archery program and a recap of activity at the Jackson Parish Golf Course, where he indicated that revenue and membership was up compared to this time last year. 

The meeting closed after it was voted that the next session will take place at 12:00 pm (noon) on September 18th. 

 

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Today we’ll look at the correlations between tournament bass fishing and the greatest game in America…football! Now this is an area that I can relate to very well. As a former coach/player/angler nothing comes close to matching what football and tournament fishing gives you. Football is a team sport that’s made of eleven guys working together as one. But if only one guy does not do his job, the other team will make you pay. Bass Fishing on the other hand is all about one guy…the angler holding the rod!

No other sport in my opinion requires the emotional level that football does but tournament bass fishing is a close second. There are just as many emotional highs and lows on tournament day as there are in a four-quarter football game. One play or one cast can completely change the outcome.

Another word that describes both sports and is often overused…. Momentum! One minute you have everything going your way and scoring on every possession then your quarterback throws an interception, and everything goes south. Same goes for bass fishing as you get an entire school of fish fired up catching fish on every cast, when for some unforeseen reason, they quit biting. Momentum can even carry over from one tournament/game to the next.

No football game or bass tournament can be won without one important detail…. a game plan. Your football game plan can change not just on every series but on the result of just one play. An angler’s game plan can change on the very next cast. You spend hours preparing for your next opponent or tournament and all the sudden, you have to punt and regroup. Then there are days that everything you planned works like a charm and your game plan pays off with a championship win or collecting a check on tournament day.

Then there are times as athletes or anglers that we call a grind. Those days when nothing you planned goes right. Everything you thought would work, does not. Every play/cast is a struggle, and the game/tournament seems like it will never end. Just trying to get a first down or catch that 5th fish for a limit just seems to take forever and some cases you can’t get it done. This is where heart, grit and determination come into play and the player/angler that has the most, will usually prevail.

In football, they say defense wins championships. The same can also be said for tournament bass fishing. With football, you go and scout an opponent to gain an advantage. In bass fishing sometimes you go and catch fish in areas you know you’re not going to fish on tournament day because you don’t want to beat up your own fish. It’s not something you do to intentionally hurt a specific angler, but it’s a strategy anglers employ in order to play defense. Every once in a while, you’ll find an area by accident simply by fishing defensively in areas you otherwise might not have fished.

The final comparison with football and tournament bass fishing that just might be the biggest difference between winning or losing…. decision making. Some point during a football game a coach has to make a decision to go for it on fourth and goal or kick a field goal. One is the safe play while the other is a huge gamble. Anglers must also make major decisions during a tournament day like; do I make the long run for bigger fish and hope they’ll bite, or do I stay where I’m at and wait them out? One has high risk while the other is a safer play. Anglers for instance will most always take the risk because it has the highest reward.

There’s no better time of year as football season kicks off and it’s also when most tournament trail championships take place. Football and tournament bass fishing; two sports that have so much in common and appeal to so many fans. Now you have an angler’s perspective on how these two awesome sports parallel each other. Till next time, good luck, good fishing, apply your sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective

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Want to earn $200.00 a day without having to do any real intensive work? Jackson Parish needs the help of women and men of all ages to work as a certified election commissioner for the upcoming elections in October and November. 

Registration is being taken by the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court for the General School for Commissioners. The class that will provide instruction on how to serve as a pollworker, will be held at 5:30pm on September 12th at the Jackson Parish Library in Jonesboro.  To register call JP Clerk of Court Laura H. Culpepper at (318) 259-2424.

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James Whitman (Quitman, LA) – Driving Under Suspension, Headlights Violation
Chasion Chisom (North Hodge, LA) – Burn Ban Violation
Jackson W. Nelson (Chatham, LA) – Disturbing the Peace, Remaining after Forbidden, P&P Hold
Sabrina Childs (Jonesboro, LA) – Accessory After the Fact, No MVI, No Child Restraint
William R. McCurdy (Eros, LA) – Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Tarerous C. Lathan (Chatham, LA) – Simple Criminal Damage to Property
Alexander Vines (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery, Bench Warrant on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Improper Lane Usage
Brandon Mallard (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse, Cruelty to a Juvenile x2, Simple Criminal Damage x2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Synthetic Schedule I drug
Christopher H. Wilson (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Battery
Joshua Searcy (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Criminal Damage to Property
Rocky Davis (Jonesboro, LA) – Execution of Sentence
Cedric L. Lopez (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Resisting an Officer

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

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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. 

PUBLIC NOTICE

JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR E-911 DIRECTOR

THE JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT IS HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL RESUMES TO THE JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT, 319 JIMMIE DAVIS BLVD, JONESBORO, LA. 71251 OR MAIL TO P.O. BOX 636, JONESBORO, LA 71251. APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL 4.00 P.M., TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2023. TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION ON POSITION, PLEASE CALL JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT OFFICE AT (318) 259-2103.

POSITION: JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT E-911 DIRECTOR
AGENCY: JACKSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT.

GENERAL DUTIES:
1. SET-UP AND MAINTAIN OFFICE RECORDS TO INCLUDE HANDLING DISTRICT PAYMENTS AND MAKING MONTHLY DEPOSITS.
2. MAINTAIN AND UPDATE MAP FILE OF JACKSON PARISH ADDRESSES.
3. ASSIST THE BOARD SECRETARY IN PREPARING BOARD MINUTES AND OTHER RECORDS.
4. MAINTAIN COMPUTER WITH UPDATES OF NEW ADDRESSES.
5. HANDLE TELEPHONE CALLS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISTRICT.
6. ASSIGN A PHYSICAL ADDRESS TO NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENCES, BUSINESSES, OR OTHER LOCATIONS AS REQUIRED.
7. WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN THE PARISH TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR NEEDS RELATED TO 911 ADDRESSES.
8. HANDLE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL REQUESTS CONCERNING 911 ADDRESSES IN JACKSON PARISH.
9. PUT UP YARD 911 SIGNS OR STREET SIGNS AS NEEDED.

REQUIREMENTS
1. MUST HAVE VALID LOUISIANA DRIVERS LICENSE.
2. MUST BE AMERICAN CITIZEN.
3. MUST BE BONDABLE.
4. MUST PASS DRUG TEST.
5. MUST BE COMPUTER LITERATE IN WORD AND EXCELL PROGRAMS.
6. GIS EXPERIENCE IS PREFERRED.

OTHER:
1. POSITION IS CONSIDERED PART-TIME AND SALARY ONLY. NO OTHER BENEFITS.
2. SALARY WILL BE ON MONTHLY BASIS DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, AND HOURS EXPECTED TO BE IN OFFICE.
3. THREE-SIX MONTHS PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

RESUMES WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT BOARD AT A SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON THURSDAY NOON, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 AT THE 911 DIRECTORS OFFICE AT 319 JIMMIE DAVIS BLVD, JONESBORO, LA 71251. THE COMMNICATION DISTRICT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ALL APPLICATIONS.

Bienville Fire District 7 is seeking applicants for the position of Part Time Fire Chief.

Bienville Fire District 7 is seeking applicants for the position of Part Time Fire Chief. The position will be responsible for administrative duties as well as incident command on scenes. Qualifications: Officer 1, Instructor 1, Incident Safety Officer, EMR but EMT is preferred. Officer 2 is preferred but not necessary. The deadline for applications is September 13, 2023. Resume must be mailed to Bienville Fire District 7, P. O. Box 309, Saline, LA 71070. Please place the resume in a sealed envelope marked Fire Chief Applicant. Note: Qualifications listed are preferred but the Board will consider negotiating.

DIVORCE NOTICE

Jazmine A. Ellis, address unknown is hereby notified that his spouse, Maryann Ada-Nta filed for divorce in Wahkiakum County, WA in April, 2023

AFFIDAVIT OF SUCCESSION

Donald Wayne Price
January 11, 1949 – August 16, 2023

Mr. Donald Wayne Price passed away at his residence in Friendship, Louisiana on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. He was 74 years old. Donald was a graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School and he served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the U.S.S. Ranger. He later attended nursing school and worked in nursing and sales. Donald loved music and playing his guitar. He enjoyed working in his garden and watching wild animals on his game camera.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Mary Christine (Price) Saucedo and husband, Hector; their children, Ethan, Hannah and Rachel; stepson, Shane Christopher Irwin; brother, Larry Price and wife, Jayne of Richmond, Indiana; sister, Cathy Barron and husband, Talton of Friendship, Louisiana; sister, Ann Caskey and husband, Edward of Bossier City, Louisiana; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his new-born baby daughter; infant son, Daniel; parents, Thurman Ellis and Mary Alice (Allen) Price; sister, Barbra Robinson; and brother, Jim Price.

As per his wishes, Donald will be cremated. A memorial service is scheduled for 9 AM on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Friendship Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Leach officiating. Burial will follow in the Danville Cemetery.

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On August 18, 2023, Judge Rick Warren heard arguments from Attorney George Britton III representing Leslie Thompson, former Mayor of Jonesboro, Devin Flowers, Danettia Hayes, and Henry Bradley. These members of a community committee called Fit-to-Fight for Justice and Equality, challenged the Jackson Parish Registrar of Voters in her role as signature qualifier of recall petition.

While present Mayor James Harris is the subject of the recall, Louisiana Revised Statutes requires that 33-1/3% of the registered voter signatures in the town be obtained to accomplish this goal. Of the town 2084 active registered voters, the committee submitted 811 signatures only to have 134 names disqualified of which 49 were removed due to questionable signatures or handwriting.

Thompson challenged the authority of the Registrar and claimed that she did not have that authority nor the discretion under law to remove the 49 names. He claimed that to give that type of authority to an individual usurps the authority and will of the people.

The judge ruled, after reviewing the latest ruling of law handed down by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, that the Registrar in fact did not have the discretion to remove these names. Therefore, the names will be added back to the petition and the recall will be able to move forward.

“Generally, it’s an unpopular position to take when one is called to challenge the system, even when it’s done with the intent of protecting the rights of the people. Now that the Court has cleared the way for a recall election to be held, this matter is now in the hands of the voter. You showed great courage when you signed the petition promoting election fairness. Now you must vote in the up-coming election to support the recall. Democracy only works when it works for everyone equally. Thank you for restoring my faith in the electoral process. When the system does not get it right, the people are still vested with the power to demand that it corrects itself.” – Leslie Thompson

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Board Members of the Jackson Parish Police Jury recently distributed $97,476.10 in rebate checks to area Fire Districts recently that was received from the Two Percent Fire Insurance Fund. The payment represents fiscal year 2023 funds collected from fees assessed on fire insurance premiums received by insurers against loss on damage by fire.  

Funds are distributed in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 22:347 to individual fire service units. Payments are calculated based on July 1, 2022 estimated population of each parish as determined by the LSU AG & Mechanical College Center, Dept.. of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness in addition to the number of persons serviced by each fire service unit in the parish. 

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Jonesboro-Hodge High School hosted Class 4A Booker T. Washington out of Shreveport and defending district 1-1A champion Glenbrook Academy from Minden in their pre-season scrimmage this past Friday.

The event was played under a controlled platform of each team’s first-team offense going against another’s first-team defense for a series of ten plays in a round-robin, rotational format. While scoring was not kept there was one clear winner on the day – The Heat!

“It was hot,” laughed JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “Normally in this type of scrimmage there will be goal line situations and a live clock period but keeping the player’s safety in mind, we ended up shortening the playing schedule.”

When asked what his takeaway from the event was, Coach Blankenship said that the Tigers showed a lot of promise and were encouraged about the prospect of JHHS having success in the upcoming season.

“As always the case the first time you hit the field for live action there were mistakes made and we learned that we are going to have to “coach up” some guys to get them ready for the season,” reflected Blankenship. “I was pleased with the fact that we did better in the scrimmage this year than last and showed good promise.”

Jonesboro-Hodge will next play on Saturday, August 26th in the Bayou Jamb being played at West Monroe High School. Fans will receive a discount on ticket prices by purchasing them in advance from the school instead of buying them at the gate. 

To view the portion of the scrimmage JHHS vs Glenbrook click here. 

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In partnership with the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Parish Life Share Blood Center and Workforce Development Board 83, the Town of Jonesboro and Mayor James “Spike” Harris invites local residents to participate in the Jonesboro Job Fair, slated for Saturday, September 9th. 

The event that give local business owners and educators an excellent opportunity to connect with potential employees and future students will run from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro. 

“As you know, the job market can be challenging to navigate and finding the right candidates for an open position can be a time consuming process,” said Mayor Harris. ‘Our hope is that this job fair can streamline the process by bringing job seekers and businesses together in one convenient location.”

For inquires, registration information, and to reserve a table, contact Jasmana Bryant at (318) 259 – 2385 or by sending email to jasama@jonesborola.net.

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Sponsored by Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown, DG&E Logging and Barnett Cattle and Land Development, an “Emery’s LEAP” benefit raffle is being conducted to help pay medical expenses for Emery Jones. 

Ticket costs are $5.00 each or $20.00 for a book of five. The drawing will be held October 4th with the winner having a choice of receiving a CZ 600 Lux .308 Rifle or a Glock 9mm Model 19 pistol, providing passing a background check. 

Emery Jones is the two-year-old daughter of Jaylan Jones who is currently undergoing treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. One hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds will go to Emery. 

Tickets are available at the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office during normal business hour’s Monday through Friday. Online purchases can also be made by going to: Venmo: @Jhela-Barnett. If ordering tickets online please include a contact phone number.

Thank you for supporting Emery’s LEAP!  

 

 

 

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Exploding for 10 fourth-quarter points, Quitman Junior High broke open a close game against neighboring Weston to take a 24-9 victory and the girls championship of the season opening Weston Junior High Tournament. Choudrant beat Castor 41-12 to win the boys title.

Quitman reached the finals by taking down Choudrant 27-12 and Saline 27-11 while Weston made it to the championship game by topping Dodson 25-12 and Castor 11-7.

In boys competition Castor drew a first round by and then eliminated the Weston boys 34-15 in the second round after the Wolves had beaten Dodson 42-14 to open the tourney. Choudrant beat Quitman 34-31 in the first round and Saline 49-17 in the second round to reach the finals. 

Quitman 24 Weston 9 (Championship) – Hallie Kate Pullig, who led all scorers with 12 points, was one of five girls who scored in the pivotal final frame, joining Lily Jones, Brenna Lamkin, Kinsley Ponder and Breelyn Boone. Allie Robertson and Brealyn Patton also pitched in with two points in the first and second quarter respectively. Carly Jo Griffin led Weston with four points followed by three from Brylie Cuthrell and two by Carlynn Waters.  

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Quitman (3-0)	6	4	4	10	24
Weston (2-1)	5	0	4	0	9

Quitman 27 Saline 11 (Second Round) – Seven players scored in the team effort that saw Quitman score 18 in the second half to win going away. With Allie Robertson hitting her first three pointer of the season and Lily Dark, Sophia Kliebert and Ella Simonelli adding a basket each, QJH took a 9-5 halftime lead. Seven points by Hallie Kate Pullig and another Duck basket stretched the lead to 18-9 setting the stage for Brenna Lamkin to score four, London Burks add three and Simonelli to hit her second bucket in the game for the final points. Saline was led by Jalynn Jiles with five followed by Bella Blewer, Hannah Peoples and Jaylynn Malloy with two each.  

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Quitman (2-0)	5	4	9	9	27
Saline (0-1)	0	4	5	2	11

Weston 11 Castor 7 (second round) – A seven point surge by Weston in the second quarter lifted Weston to the low scoring victory. Two players from each team did all the scoring with Carlynn Waters scored 8 and Carly Jo Griffin added 3 for Weston.  Rogers and Creel scored 4 and 3 points respectively for Castor. 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Weston (2-0)	2	7	0	2	11
Castor (1-1)	2	3	2	0	7

QJH 27 Choudrant 12 (first round) – After the two teams played to a 6-6 standstill in the first quarter, Quitman held Choudrant to just two points combined in the second and fourth quarters to win their season opener. Hallie Kate Pullig scored 10 to lead eight Lady Wolverines who posted points. Brenna Lamkin hit the first three pointer of the season on her way to five points followed by Breelyn Boone’s four fourth quarter points that helped Quitman scored 12 in the final frame to blow the game open. Sophia Kliebert, Kinsley Ponder and Klea Blalock hit a basket each with Braelyn Patton and Lily Duck contributing a free throw apiece. Za’Niga Jones led Choudrant with seven points.

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TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Quitman (1-0)	6	5	4	12	27
Choudrant (0-1)	6	0	4	2	12

Boys Bracket

Choudrant 41 Castor 12 (championship) – It was over early as Choudrant raced to a 8-0 first quarter lead that blew open to a 21-2 advantage at the half. Clarence Mayweather scored 14 to lead a balanced attack that saw eight Aggies tally points. 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Choudrant (3-0)	8	13	7	13	41
Castor (1-1)	0	2	4	6	12

Castor 34 Weston 15 (second round) – Castor exploded to a 17-0 first quarter lead and never looked back to eliminate the tourney host. Remy Kennard scored five to lead the Wolves with Bryce Tolar adding four points. Malachi Harris, Leyton Younse and Braxton Brown chipped in with two each. Smiley led Castor with 14 followed by McNealy with eight points. 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Weston (1-1)	0	5	6	4	15
Castor (1-1)	17	11	2	4	34

Choudrant 49 Saline 17 (second round) – Choudrant outscored Saline 30-4 in the first and fourth quarters on their way to a tournament high in points scored. Clarence Mayweather led the way for the Aggies with 16 points that included a tourney best four 3-pointers. July Johnson scored 8 and both Turner Rhodes and Sam Sellers chipped in with six apiece. Elijah Calloway scored 11 to lead Saline with Braiden Robinson adding four and Rylon Mauthe scoring two.  

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Choudrant (2-0)	18	8	11	12	49
Saline (0-1)	4	4	9	0	19

Weston 42 Dodson 14 (first round) – Weston raced out to a 27-3 first quarter lead with Remy Kennard nailing three 3-pointers to score 13 and Leyton Younse adding 12 points. Dawson Griffin added seven points in the second quarter, including his first three pointer of the year as the Wolves ran the score to 36-3 at the half. Braxton Brown, Colt Guyotte, Bryce Tolar, Kash Gandy, and Audra Spence all hit a basket each to round out the scoring. Dodson was led by Rily Womack with 8 and both Brody Tucker and Levi Hanson with 3 each.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Weston (1-0)	27	9	2	4	42
Dodson (0-1)	3	0	4	7	14

Choudrant 34 Quitman 31 (first round) – Choudrant outscored the Wolverines 7-4 in the final quarter to break a 27-all stalemate after three quarters in the most entertaining contest of the tournament. After falling behind 20-11 in the first half the Wolverines came alive for 16 third quarter points to draw even. Kaleb Maxwell hit six of eight free throws and added three baskets to pace Quitman with 12 points with Hayden Seymore chipping in with seven points on the strength of a pair of three pointers. Eli Jackson and Joseph Delaney made four each followed by Kobie Williams with three and Jack Thomas with one. Clarence Mayweather led Choudrant with 17 points.  

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Quitman (0-1)	6	5	16	4	31
Choudrant (1-0)	8	12	7	7	34

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE BAYOU JAMB 2023 EVENTS

FAN JAMB WEEK – West Monroe, LA – Bayou Jamb comes to West Monroe! August 21 – 26, 2023 fans will enjoy signature events such as Champion Square Tailgate, Fan Jamb Pregame Live, Media Day, Character Counts School Tour, Salute to Service and Taste of the Tailgate Cook-Off. A week’s worth of Bayou Jamb events packed throughout the community of West Monroe to give everyone a taste of the Bayou Jamb experience leading up to the big games August 25-26th at Rebel Stadium.

For extended details, a calendar of events, and to purchase tickets, visit our website bayoujamb.com or download our app on Apple Store or Google Play.

BAYOU JAMB MEDIA DAY – West Monroe, LA – Bayou Jamb 2023 Media Day will be Monday, August 21st, upstairs in the Don Shows Fieldhouse at West Monroe High School beginning at 10:00 am. Coaches from the fourteen participating teams will address the media, and each school will bring two of its top players. Representing Jonesboro-Hodge will be head coach Terrance Blankenship and players Noah Lucas and Quirese Howard. Special guests in attendance will include Bayou Jamb Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Coach Jerry Arledge, Super Bowl Champion Strength Coach Travis Crittenden, and high school football coaches and players. 

CHARACTER COUNTS SCHOOL TOUR – West Monroe, LA – Players from participating Bayou Jamb schools will visit elementary schools on Tuesday, August 22nd, connecting with students about the importance of maintaining healthy relationships in sports, in the classroom, and in their everyday lives. Each student will receive a coloring sheet for one (1) What-A-Burger Kids Meal. Whataburger is
also awarding a year’s worth of Whataburger to a Senior Football Player representing good character on and off the field. Please visit bayoujamb.com for scholarship details and to download an application.

THE SPIRIT OF ST. FRANCIS AWARD AND TOUR – Monroe, LA – Bayou Jamb, in partnership with St. Francis Medical Center, will host players from each participating school as they visit St. Francis Medical Center on Tuesday, August 22nd. Additionally, St. Francis Medical Center will recognize one outstanding senior member of a football team from one of the participating schools in the 2023 Bayou
Jamb who excels in academics, community involvement, and extracurricular activities and who also exemplifies the following St. Francis’ Core Values: Service, Reverence and Love for All of Life, Joyfulness of Spirit, Humility, and Justice. Award recipients will receive a $1,000 educational stipend to go toward their post-graduate education school of choice. Football players from any participating
school in Bayou Jamb can complete an application online by visiting bayoujamb.com.

SALUTE TO SERVICE – Monroe, LA on Wednesday August 23rd – Salute to Service is a celebration to Honor, Empower, and Connect our nation’s service members, veterans, and high school ROTC members through sports. In honor of their service, Bayou Jamb will host a tribute to our service men and women and participating school’s ROTC students on Wednesday, August 23rd, at 10:00 AM on the lawn of Ouachita Parish Courthouse. 

TEACHERS ROCK – READY, SET, SHOP! – West Monroe, LA on Thursday, August 24th – Get your business game day ready! Decorate your window and store for Fan Jamb week Aug. 21st-26th to pay tribute to our schoolteachers in this year’s window decorating contest themed “Teacher’s Rock-Ready, Set, Shop”. Fans will be encouraged to shop locally for back-to-school clothes, school supplies, visit restaurants, and much more while our teachers and educators throughout the region
will be honored! All businesses throughout the community are invited to participate. Each decorated storefront will be featured on Bayou Jamb social media channels and fans will vote for their favorite “Teachers Rock – Ready, Set, Shop” storefront! Participation is FREE! Visit bayoujamb.com to register.

CHAMPION SQUARE – West Monroe High School – Friday, August 25th, and Saturday, August 26th, @ West Monroe High School. In addition to the great football action, our ARMYs Champion Square opens at 4:00 PM on Friday and 10:00 AM Saturday with vendors, games, music, pep rallies, tailgating and an activity filled Ochsner LSU Health Kid’s Zone. Set up a tent and get your business in front of thousands of fans by visiting bayoujamb.com or downloading our app on Apple Store or Google Play.

FAN JAMB TAILGATE – West Monroe High School – Friday, August 25th, and Saturday, August 26th, @ West Monroe High School. Football fans can set up their RVs, tents, and grills and stay for the weekend to watch all the football action. Stop by your local Brookshire’s Grocery for all your tailgate needs then join the fun activities and test your fitness level in the Championship Square area with the 360 Sports Academy, Ouachita Parish Sherriff Office, Army, National Guard, and Marine
Corp fitness testing and several on-site displays. Reserve your spot today before they are all gone!

FAN JAMB PREGAME LIVE! – West Monroe, LA – The excitement of the football season kicks off with a weekend of events that will have the city buzzing as West Monroe High School transforms into Bayou Jamb Campus. Spirit groups will take the stage to highlight the passion for their team before every game! A full schedule of all pep rallies can be found in the Bayou Jamb app.

TASTE OF THE TAILGATE COOK-OFF – West Monroe, LA – A perfect lunch to kick off football season! Bayou Jamb is hosting a tailgate cook-off at The Rec on 7th Square Thursday, August 24th from 11-1 pm. Local restaurants and chefs will battle it out for the Championship Title. Do not miss cheering for your favorite team while showing support for your favorite school as part of ticket proceeds go back to participating Bayou Jamb schools. General Admission is $10 to sample all
restaurants. Purchase tickets at bayoujamb.com or download our app on Apple Store or Google Play.

VIP STADIUM CLUB – Don Shows Stadium, West Monroe, LA – Watch all the football games with up close field access. Outdoor seating and air-conditioned tent area complete with outdoor furniture, tv’s and unlimited food and drinks to kick-off the football season! Great food, atmosphere, and sideline experience you will not forget.

LIFETIME ACHIVMENT AWARD – West Monroe, LA – The 2023 Bayou Jamb Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees is Coach Jerry Arledge. Coach Arledge will be honored at halftime of the Ruston vs. West Monroe game on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

2023 Bayou Jamb Game Schedule

Friday August 25th
6:00 pm Evangel (Visitor) vs. Ouachita (Home)
8:00 pm Ruston (Visitor) vs. West Monroe (Home)
Saturday August 26th
11:00 Jonesboro Hodge (Visitor) vs. St. Frederick (Home)
1:00 pm Darbonne Charter (Visitor) vs Red River (Home)
3:00 pm Cedar Creek (Visitor) vs Mangham (Home)
5:00 pm Jena (Visitor) vs OCS (Home)
7:00 pm Many (Visitor) vs Oak Grove (Home)

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