Schools from as far away as Junction City, AR will descend on the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex on Hwy 4 east of Jonesboro for the Quitman Invitational Cross Country Meet this Saturday, September 16th.
Host Quitman, Choudrant, Weston, Cedar Creek, Cypress Springs, Dubach, Simsboro and Junction City will compete over the 3-mile layout for varsity competition and 1-mile course for junior high and elementary runners.
The selections of the Student Athletes of the Week at Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman, and Weston High School for the week of September 11 – 17 have been announced.
The honorees are chosen by select members of the faculty and staff from each school after best exemplifying what it means to be a true student-athlete through academic achievement and athletic accomplishment. Each recipient is given a commemorative T-Shirt by the Jackson Parish Hospital, who sponsors the award.
Christian McGuire (11th Grade) – Football player for Jonesboro-Hodge High School
Carly Jo Griffin (8th Grade) – Basketball player for Weston Junior High
Hayden Seymore (7th Grade) – Basketball player for Quitman Junior High
NOTE: Football is sport where the majority of fans may know the names and numbers of the players but seldom see their faces and get to know them personally. In an effort to introduce the members of the 2023 JHHS football team, Jackson Parish Journal correspondent, Clay Williams, presents a question and answer interview series with Tiger players. Today – Demerrius Jones!
What’s your name, grade, number, and position?
Demerrius Jones, 12th, #23, DE/TE
What are your hobbies outside of football?
I like walking my dog and staying busy. I work at LA Tech, at the Recreation department, and I weld.
What is your favorite movie?
I’d probably say Real Steel.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Definitely Ag, because I’m a visual learner and that is a class I take pride in.
Who would you say is your biggest motivation in life?
I’d say the people in Jonesboro that are living the life that I want to live, like some of my uncles and friends. It’s inspiring, and it keeps me going.
What is your best memory from playing football?
The Semifinals run my sophomore year and seeing all the love we got shown from the community.
Are there any college or NFL players that you take inspiration from?
I honestly don’t watch a lot of football, but I do watch highlights of Aaron Donald, and it’s crazy to see him fight through double and triple teams.
What are your thoughts about the team’s play so far this season?
We’ve shown our potential, but we must have the consistent mindset, attitude, and discipline that is needed to succeed.
Any advice for younger players on the team or at the junior high?
What your coach says is true, and I promise you that they know more than you because they’ve been doing this for a long time.
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to go to Delta College and study Welding. I also have an interest in real estate.
Lastly, what are your goals this season for yourself, and the team?
For the team, I’d like to try to make it to the dome and make more memories like we did two years ago. For myself, I want to make first team All-district, and reach 100 tackles, since I had 80 tackles last year.
There was a time when the Jaycees were one of the top civic clubs in Jackson Parish. Then one day it all ended. Like the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and others that were prosperous and thriving civic groups for decades the Jaycees disappeared from the Jackson Parish scene.
That is until Tuesday, when some of the “survivors” decided to have a reunion. There were eight in all who made the short trip to Dodson to eat at the Teen Challenge Cafe and more importantly rehash old memories and never to be forgotten good times.
Shown in the banner above (l-r): Don Shields, James Ginn, Greg Hennigan, Wes Horton, David Tassin, Bill Brown and Paul Trosclair. Not shown in picture but at the meeting was Ronnie Madere.
In the early 1890s, Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Jane Hill worked at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School in Louisville, Kentucky. Mildred was a teacher, concert pianist, and played organ in their church. Patty was the principal of the school. With Patty at the helm, the school experimented with new ways to teach younger children and to better prepare them for elementary school. Just one of the many experiments the school performed was the use of songs as teaching tools. Mildred and Patty began working on an upbeat song to welcome the children to school and to get them in the mindset to learn. Within a short time, Mildred came up with a simple melody she was happy with. Patty composed simple, repetitive lyrics that the children could learn quickly. On October 16, 1893, Mildred and Patty copyrighted their composition entitled “Good Morning to All.” Later that year, Mildred and Patty’s song was included in a songbook Story Songs for Kindergarten with the permission of the Hill sisters. Each morning, kindergarten students at Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School began their day with “Good Morning to All.”
Within a short time, the simple song became popular with children as young as a year-and-a-half. People soon began singing their own lyrics to the popular medley. On March 4, 1924, Robert H. Coleman edited the lyrics to the song and published it in a song book without the permission of the Hill sisters. It remains unclear whether Robert Coleman realized the song had been copyrighted.
On September 30, 1933, the musical comedy called “As Thousands Cheer,” produced by Sam Harris, opened on Broadway. One of the musical numbers in the play was “Good Morning to All,” but with the altered lyrics. The play was a huge success, but Jessica Hill, sister of Mildred and Patty, was angered and claimed that her sisters’ song had been plagiarized. In August of 1934, Jessica filed a plagiarism suit on behalf of her sisters against producer Sam Harris. In the suit, Jessica claimed that her sister Patty and late sister Mildred copyrighted the song in 1893, that the copyright was extended in 1921, and that she owned the rights to the song. For the infringement, Jessica asked for $250 for each of the 403 performances of “As Thousands Cheer,” for a total of $100,750. Patty, who would share in the damages, had all but resigned herself to the fact that the song “had become common property of the nation.” The court decided that Jessica and Patty owned the copyright of the melody for “Good Morning to All,” along with all versions of the melody with altered lyrics. For Sam Harris to continue to use the song in “As Thousands Cheer,” he would have had to pay $250 per performance. Unsurprisingly, Sam dropped the song from the musical. The song was so popular that some companies agreed to pay to use the song. For example, Fox Film Corporation paid $250 and used the song in the 1934 Shirley Temple film, Baby, Take a Bow.
Royalties from “Good Morning to All” and all of its variations now amount to an estimated $2-$4 million per year. You probably have never heard of Mildred, Patty, or Jessica Hill, but their song is regarded as the most frequently sung tune in the world. The song is always sung to honor someone else and not the singer. You and I know Mildred and Patty Hill’s song “Good Morning to All” as “Happy Birthday to You.”
The Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 6:00 pm on September 14th at Traina’s Bakery & Diner, located at 211 6th Street in Jonesboro.
All members are invited to attend. If planning to eat at the Dutch Treat session, please reply on Facebook, or send text to Wilda Smith at (318) 426-6511, so they can be prepared with salads & po-boys.
(Lincoln Parish Journal) – Les Guice, president at Louisiana Tech, announced his impending retirement to faculty and staff through email this morning.
Guice, who succeeded Dan Reneau as president in 2013, said he requested a retirement date for him at the end of 2023.
“I have been blessed to be a part of an incredibly dedicated faculty, staff and administration at Louisiana Tech for the past 45 years,” Guice conveyed to faculty. “I have been most gratified to be a part of this team that puts the success of our students the top priority. It becomes more evident each day that our students are seeing great value in their education at Tech, and they are spreading that word back home.”
Guice hinted at a change in leadership at the faculty and staff convocation earlier this month that welcomed the new academic year. He said he would work with University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson on the upcoming change.
“I will work with Dr. Henderson to ensure a smooth presidential transition so the next president can hit the ground running,” he wrote in the email. “In the meantime, I will work with you to continue making progress on all of our campus initiatives and strategic plans.”
Saline High School has announced the 2023-24 Homecoming Court of Class Maids and Beaus. Homecoming festivities will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in the school gymnasium.
SENIOR MAIDS: Alana Gray, Sydney Thomas, Jordan Williams
SENIOR BEAUS: Bryce Davis, Trenton Ledbetter, Maddox Williams
JUNIOR MAIDS: Clara Mauthe, Jo Wilfong
JUNIOR BEAUS: Mason Brawley, Braxton Davis
SOPHOMORE MAIDS: Ayssa Hollingsworth, Tyla Malone
SOPHOMORE BEAUS: La’javion Nash, Aiden Welch
FRESHMAN MAIDS: Alyson Fine, Kacidy Sims
FRESHMAN BEAUS: Gunner Fontenot, Conner Roberts
BASKETBALL SWEETHEART: Alazja Amos
BASKETBALL BEAU: Jer’Courtney Loyd
BASEBALL SWEETHEART: Jayden Williams
SOFTBALL BEAU: Bradlyn Corley
O’brian Calahan has been selected to be the keynote speaker at the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP. The event is scheduled to take place at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA on September 30th beginning with a luncheon at 11:50 am.
Calahan is a Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate and founder of the Forever Young Foundation and Only Basketball Elite a pair of non-profit organizations that work with youth all over the state of Louisiana.
In observance of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the LifeShare Bus will be on the Quitman High School campus from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm on Wednesday, September 13th for the “Sock it to Cancer and Save Lives” Blood Drive. Donors will receive free LifeShare socks while supplies last.
It’s time to sign up for After-School Tutoring! If you are interested in registering your child that is a student of the Jackson Parish School District, please click the link below. The deadline to register is September 22nd with After School Tutoring beginning on October 2nd.
To sign up go to: https://sites.google.com/jps…/jackson-parish-tutoring/home
Got some handy information for you, as I was wrong about something but have seen the light, and it was cool and it was refreshing.
Knew I wouldn’t get in bed until after midnight Saturday because of working a football game so when I was asked at the first of the week about going to the Texas Rangers game in Arlington the next day—this past Sunday—it didn’t sound so hot, simply because I am not 20 years old and not totally insane anymore.
But when a trio of friends of 40 years ask and they have good tickets and they use the magic word — “Free” — you go to bed as quickly as you can, even if that’s not until 2 Sunday morning, get up at 6 and drive to Chief’s so the Senator and Hearing Aids can pick you up, get your butt and your water bottle in the backseat of the Senator’s Jeep Cherokee and head toward Texas, tired but up for whatever.
Good times.
This was my first trip to Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers, that opened during the virus-throttled 2020 season. When the Rangers announced in 2016 they were building a new ballpark, my first thought was, “They just BUILT a new ballpark?!”
And, in terms of a ballpark’s normal lifetime, they had. The Ballpark in Arlington opened in 1994. I had socks and shoes that old. The park was just getting broken in. And what a glorious ballpark it was.
It’s still gorgeous. It stands a home run from the new stadium, which looks from the outside like an airplane hanger. No contest. The old ballpark wins swimsuit and evening gown and it’s not close.
Except … you know what they say about judging a book. That’s Globe Life Field. The beauty is on the inside.
And by “beauty” I mean “air conditioning.” The retractable roof on the $1.1 billion new stadium keeps the 68-degree air inside and the 90-degree air and sun outside. No sweat. We’d have melted Sunday in the old ballpark, especially at this stage of our development.
Globe Life Field is a five-tool player. It’s all about “fans first.” Actual baseball things would be No. 6, tops, on my list of things that are awesome about this new yard.
You start with the roof. Arlington had three 110-degree days this summer and dozens over 95. Mercy!
All kinds of food along what has to be the widest, most open concourses in big-league baseball. People love food and people love not being crowded. Double play.
There are helpers/ushers in baby blue shirts by the dozens, maybe by the hundreds. One was by an escalator and while we explored an hour before first pitch we asked the man if we could go down to that level and he said we needed a ticket for down there and we said we were just ignorant people from Louisiana and he said OK and down we went, then self-reported when we got back and he said that was good because he was a few seconds from calling a SWAT team.
Good-natured folk.
Since Chief had a bum leg and handicapped parking, those same support people drove us in a golf cart from the Jeep to the front door. Took us back after the game. No charge, tipping not allowed. One of our lady drivers was packing heat, too.
Texas.
The park is a multi-purpose palace for concerts and rodeos and even basketball and who knows what else they might use it for.
The immediate area outside is called Texas Live!, an entertainment district around AT&T Stadium (where the Dallas Cowboys play) and the new park and the “old” ballpark, now used for football and soccer and whatnot. Also in the mix are a couple of half-billion-dollar hotels, eating places, a concert venue, convention center, partridge in a pear tree, and on like that. Really pretty.
And then there’s baseball. In the past three-ish weeks, the Rangers have nose-dived from a 3-and-a-half game lead in the American League West to a neck-and-neck race with Seattle for the AL’s third and final wild-card spot. Me and the boys did our part Sunday in rooting the Rangers to a 9-4 victory over hapless Oakland, a team that sports classic uniforms but just does not have any major league players to wear them.
Now it’s your turn. The Rangers have only six regular-season home games left: Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 18-20, vs. Boston, and Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-24, vs. those pesky Mariners from Seattle. The Rangers need you. Keep in mind that for that Sunday game against Seattle, Blue Bell ice cream sandwiches are just — wait for it — $1. I kid you not. All you’ve got to do is get your posterior to Globe Life Field.
It’s a cool place.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
The Jonesboro Heritage Quilt Guild held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting in the Community Room of the Jonesboro-Hodge Methodist Church this past Saturday, September 9th.
With several guests in attendance the group, who welcomed new member Margaret Watts, worked on Christmas projects for CASA, and displayed quilts in progress and finished creations that highlighted the creativity and wonderful skill of the patrons.
It’s apple pickin’ time in Central New York State. Memories transport me back to my Mycenae, New York childhood home.
Mom made delicious apple pies from the McIntosh tree orchard out back. Cherry pies were her favorite but she had to settle for the canned fruit variety when making them.
It’s apple harvest time; start pickin.’ Many of us are ‘as American as apple pie.’
“The patriotic origins of the classic dessert date back to the 1600s, when the colonists first arrived in America, long before the first Independence Day.” (Better Homes & Gardens)
Consider apples and America; they both have strong roots. Apple trees are rooted in fertile soil and America is rooted in love of God and country.
Have you traced your roots?
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and strength,
The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-2 NASB).”
JESUS is the root of Jesse and King David.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16 NASB).”
I’m returning to my spiritual roots. Are you?
… “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19 NASB).”
NOTE: Pam Ford Davis is the author of Tea & Testimonies and writes daily devotionals for Faith Writers Great Multitude Christian Daily Devotional, Wing His Words, and Call His Name Jesus. She has also has had articles published in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, and Mary Hollingsworth’s The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
Jarvis Qualls (Jonesboro, LA) – Theft x2, Introduction of Contraband
Lathan Wise (Sikes, LA) – DWI, Possession of Marijuana, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile, Possession of Paraphernalia
Joey B. Patton (Jonesboro, LA) – Burn Ban Violation
John J. Clifton (Jonesboro, LA) – Execution of Sentence
Maxwell Horton (Quitman, LA) – Unauthorized Entry into an Inhabited Dwelling, Wanted Person by Adam County, OK
Jeatham Echagle (Jackson Parish Jail) – Battery of a Correctional Officer
Leana Davis (Jonesboro, LA) – Illegal Carrying of a Weapon
Casey Estes (Winnfield, LA) – Warrant on Theft of Goods charge
Aulontay Rachal (Grambling, LA) – Driving Under Suspension, Resisting an Officer
Brandon V. Jones (Cloutierville, LA) – Careless Operation, Open Container, Possession of Schedule IV, JPSO Bench Warrant
Timothy L Anderson (No address) – Hit and Run
Noble M. McBride (Jonesboro, LA) – State of Texas Fugitive from Justice
James Baxley III (Quitman, LA) – Simple Criminal Damage to Property
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.
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.
Brookwood Homes – Used and Repo Mobile Homes as low as $10,000.00. Call 318-644-2226.
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Spillway Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the HAA5 standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly HAA5 sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the third quarter of 2023 show that the system’s current HAA5 LRAAs are 61 ppb at sample location DBP02 – 133 Suanna Road and 63 ppb at DBP03- 211 Spruce Drive. Thus, the system is currently in violation of HAA5 standards.
UIL is pleased to announce the commencement of construction work for the water system upgrades. Currently, contractors are working on the interconnection with the Paradise Point Water System. Later construction phases will include drilling a second well at Spillway and installing a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter. UIL appreciates your patience during the construction period.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator, Vicki Spence at 985-893-6646 – Opt. 2.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
Robert Bohn Duos of Quitman passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was 82 years old. As a child, Robert helped his father on their farm in south Louisiana. He was married to his sweetheart, Jackie Ann (Thompson) Duos for 60 years. Robert was a mechanic for 30 years in Lafayette and Ville Platte. He was a very kind-hearted individual and a true man of God. He enjoyed spending time with his family on Sundays and loved his canine companion, Coco.
Robert is survived by his wife, Jackie; sister, Theresa Glenda (Duos) Ortego; 7 nieces, 6 nephews, numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Josien Duos; mother, Izola (Vidrine) Duos; and his sister, Pearl Jean (Duos) Reed.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Saint Lucy Catholic Church in Hodge, Louisiana from 11:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. The Funeral service will begin at Noon with Father George Thirumangalam officiating. Burial will follow in the Saint Lucy Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Quin Ortego, Bart Ortego, Steven Reed, Archie Reed, Larry Causey and Chad Soileou. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Soileou, Blake Soileou and Clarence Thibodeaux.
Donald Lee Bartlett, age 86 of Brewton’s Mill in Winn Parish, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023 in Shreveport, Louisiana from complications related to a stroke he suffered on November 18, 2022. He was born on June 7, 1937, the first born of Harvey Clyde and Lola Irene (Raborn) Bartlett, who preceded him in death.
Donald graduated from Calvin High School in 1955. His first job was in road construction. Later, he began cutting logs, first for Billy Ray Thomas and then for Greg Williams when he took over the company. He cut logs until he retired at the age of 70. Donald loved the outdoors and was an experienced fisherman and deer hunter. He was always easily recognized in the woods or on the lake by his signature orange hard-hat that he continued to wear after his log-cutting days were over. Donald always wanted to catch that “next big fish” and was so proud of the 95 pound catfish he caught that was almost as long as he was tall. In his earlier days, he excelled as a pitcher in the fast-pitch softball leagues. More recently, he enjoyed his afternoons drinking coffee with good friends like Mr. Harold Joe Johnson at the Saline General Store. His absence will be filled with many good memories.
Donald is survived by his brothers, Jerry Bartlett of Shreveport, Harvey Deuane Bartlett and wife, Virginia of Winnfield; sisters, Ann Dewitt and companion, Richard of Jonesboro, and Sharon Lyles and husband, Bobby of Danville; nieces, Jennifer Carpenter and husband, Brent of Winnfield, and Melanie Rosier and husband, Josh of Haughton; special aunts, Eva Raborn of Jonesboro and Dorothy Raborn of Pflugerville, TX; cousins, Colin Brown and wife, Marisse and Barbara Brown of Saline who were dear to him; and many other friends and relatives who will also miss him.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Carolina Baptist Church in Saline with Bro. Ken Roberts officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 9:15 AM until 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Carolina Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Graciously serving as pallbearers will be Greg Williams, Keith Duck, Mike Womack, Josh Hood, Brent Carpenter, and Brenton Carpenter. Others holding special places as honorary pallbearers are one of his best friends and hunting/ fishing buddies, Colin Brown, Josh Rosier, Harold Joe Johnson, Ronnie Raborn, Richard Lowery, Ricky Peterson, and Jimmy Cheatwood.
Harvey Lee Keiffer, age 75 of Goldonna, made his way to his Heavenly home on Saturday, September 9, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather. Harvey and his wife, Debbie were blessed with 53 years of marriage. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors.
Those left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Debbie (Collinsworth) Keiffer; children, Jason Keiffer and Season, Kerri Wise and Michael, Stacey Keiffer, Morgan Keiffer and Sarah, Mechell Keiffer; grandchildren, JT McClean, Lucas McClean, Natalie Anderson, Baylie Anderson, Brody Keiffer, Haley Bates, Cambry Bates, Kylie Bates, Gracie Weaver, Liam Weaver, Briar Keiffer, Brooklyn Keiffer, Brennan Keiffer, Jody and Katelyn Wise, Casey and Kellyann Allen; 3 great grandchildren, brother, Lammon Keiffer, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his great grandson, Chandler Wise; parents, Lee and Willie Mae (Longino) Keiffer; brother, Clifton Keiffer.
Funeral service was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home with Bro. Chase Burns and Jody Wise officiating. Burial followed in Pine Ridge Cemetery near Goldonna under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral home.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Brad Weaver, Casey Allen, Kyle Sneed, Jerry Brigmon, Josh Hawkins, Trey Morgan. Honorary pallbearers were Rodney Porter and Lee Wise.
Daniel Ponder, Roy Barlow, and Gary Joyner of the Jackson Parish Watershed Commission joined together to “cut the ribbon” on Friday, September 8th to officially open the new handicap accessible fishing pier at Ebenezer Boat Park. To help celebrate the even were several local dignitaries and members of the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce.
Funded by Pledge 10 – Jonesboro State Bank, the Jackson Parish Recreation Department, and the Jackson Parish Watershed District, the pier is FREE for residents and visitors to enjoy.
(Clay Williams- Jackson Parish Journal) Week 2 of the Jonesboro-Hodge football season that saw the Tigers fall to West Ouachita 44-12 was one that the Tigers will learn from, and then quickly move past.
The first half saw the opposing Chiefs, who represent district 2-5A, start deep into Tiger territory on 3 separate possessions, all of which led to touchdowns. Add in a 74 yard rushing score from West Ouachita’s all-district running back on their first play from scrimmage as well as a 65 yard punt return TD, and
you had a 37-0 halftime deficit for the Tigers.
During halftime, the Tigers made adjustments, and set a goal to win the second half in order to work towards being better next week.
Chance Leonard came out of the locker room ready to make sure that J-H would not go home scoreless. In the third quarter, Leonard led a drive that saw him carry the rock 4 times for 71 yards, and he capped it off by bulldozing his way into the end zone for the first Tiger points of the night.
After West Ouachita responded with a score of their own, quarterback Symeon Malone drove the Tigers down the field to start the fourth quarter. Malone then found his favorite target Christian McGuire in the back of end zone, for what would be the final points of the contest for either team. The final score would be 44-12 in favor of West Ouachita, but the Tigers did have a 12-7 advantage in the second half of play.
One of the positive takeaways for J-Hodge on the night was in the turnover department. The Tigers forced five Chiefs turnovers, as opposed to only three from J-Hodge. Freshman Michael “Big Mike” Malone recovered one of four Chief fumbles in his first high school action.
Jonesboro-Hodge, now 1-1 on the season will be back at home this Friday, September 15th at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium taking on the 2-0 Bunkie Panthers. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge (1-1) | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| West Ouachita (2-0) | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 44 |
| TEAM STATS | JHHS | WOHS |
| First Downs | 14 | 11 |
| Rushing Yards | 166 | 246 |
| Passing Yards | 36 | 20 |
| Total Yards | 199 | 266 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 5 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 3/15 | 3/5 |
| 4th Down Conversions | 1/1 | 0/0 |
| Penalties/Yards | 9/64 | 4/37 |
The road trip to Castor was a successful one for Quitman Junior High as both the girls and boys basketball teams came away victorious. The girls got the doubleheader off on the right foot by winning 28-14 to improve their sterling record to 11-1 on the year followed by the boys team winning 28-14 to up their record to 7-4.
Quitman 28 Castor 14 (Girls) – Hallie Kate Pullig scored four, Allie Robertson added a three pointer and London Burks, Brenna Lamkin and Emma Kate Jones made a basket each as Quitman stormed to a 13-3 advantage in the third quarter to break open a close game at the half.
Robertson would add another trey to finish with a team high six points, followed by Pullig, Braelyn Patton and Lamkin with four each. Kinsley Ponder and Jones chipped in with three points and both Burks and Ella Simonelli added a basket to round out the balanced scoring attack that saw eight Lady Wolverines make points on the night.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Quitman | 5 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 28 |
| Castor | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
QJH 39 Castor 20 (Boys) – Hayden Seymore (13 points), Joseph Delaney (5 points) and Jack Thomas (7 points) all made a three pointer in the first half and Kaleb Maxwell (2 points), Hayden Bryant (4 points) and Kobie Williams ( 2 points) added two points each to lift QJH to a commanding 25-10 lead at the break. Eli Jackson contributed as well, making all six of his points in the third quarter to help keep the Gators at bay.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Quitman | 14 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 39 |
| Castor | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
NOTE: Football is sport where the majority of fans may know the names and numbers of the players but seldom see their faces and get to know them personally. In an effort to introduce the members of the 2023 JHHS football team, Jackson Parish Journal correspondent, Clay Williams, presents a question and answer interview series with Tiger players. Today – Eric Hudson!
What’s your name, grade, number, and position?
Eric Hudson, 12th, #61, OG/DT
What are your hobbies outside of football?
I like playing video games, spending time with family, and playing basketball with friends.
What is your favorite Pregame meal?
The bacon, egg, and cheese toasters from Sonic are always a go-to of mine.
What is your favorite subject in school?
I’d say science, specifically chemistry, because all the chemical reactions are interesting to me.
Who would you say is your biggest motivation in life?
My father, I hear a lot of good stuff about him and what he did in his athletic career when he played basketball at Quitman, and I want to try to make that impact here on the football field.
Are there any college or NFL players that you take inspiration from?
Trent Williams, who’s a great o-lineman, is a player I love to watch. Also, how can someone not like watching Aaron Donald and his work ethic on the d-line.
What do you think are your biggest strengths you bring to the team?
I would say my vision, ability to see the field, strength, and footwork. Also, my leadership qualities and ability to lead by example.
Any advice for younger players on the team or at the junior high?
Work on your craft, because the more you work, the more you will get better. Try to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, stay close to God.
What are your plans after graduation?
Hopefully I get scholarship for football, but if that’s not in God’s plans, I want to try to go to LA Tech or something close. LSU is also a dream of mine. I want to study computer science because I love technology, and I feel that it runs the world.
Lastly, what are your goals this season for yourself, and the team?
For the team, I want to do my job as well as I can to help us prove all the doubters wrong. Personally, I just want to be a dog on the field, do what I love, and hopefully get a chance to play at the next level.
The Weston girls and boys split a pair of contests against Claiborne Christian out of West Monroe in the first round of the Choudrant Tournament played this past Thursday and Friday. The girls won 24-9 while the boys fell by a 29-17 margin.
WJH24 CCJH 9 (Girls) – A 20-2 second half by Weston helped the Lady Wolves overcome a 7-4 halftime deficit. Carlynn Waters scored eight to lead Weston in scoring with Carly Jo Griffin checking in with six. Brylee Cuthrell and Ada-Claire Tidwell added a three pointer each in the second half. Teegan Hall and Gracie Gray scored two each.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Weston (8-5) | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 24 |
| Castor | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
CCJH 29 WJH 17 (Boys) – A 16-2 advantage by home standing Castor in the third quarter sealed the Wolves fate. Falling to 3-6 on the season the Wolves got six points by Lukas Bandy, all in the second half, to lead the team. Remy Kennard added a three pointer followed by Braxton Brown, Colt Guyotte, Aiden Marsh and A. J. Woodard with two each.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Weston | 7 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 17 |
| Castor | 11 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 29 |
Burn baby, Burn! That is what adults are invited to do in a work-at-your-own-pace. month long, craft session being presented at the Chatham Branch of the Jackson Parish Library during the month of September.
Sessions for three people each day will be available any day of the week during normal Library hours. To register or reserve dates and times, call 318-249-2980 or send a fax to 318-249-2981. You can also come by the Chatham Branch Library, located at 1500 Pine Street.