Young runners from Quitman and Weston High School traveled to Calhoun on Friday, September 9th to compete in the 2023 Chieftain Invitational Cross Country meet.  With 48 elementary and junior high schools from all over north Louisiana participating, hundreds of runners ran in eight races separated by gender and grade classifications.

Clay Burton of Quitman was runner-up in the 3-4 Boys Division and Joseph Delaney third in the 5-6 Boys Division for the highest finish among runners from local schools with several more compiling top ten finishes.

The complete list of how local runners fared in each division is shown below. 

2023 Chieftain Invitational Cross Country Meet

K-2 Boys

5th Place: Levi Norred – Quitman
8th Place: Dominic Vara-Hodnett – Quitman
13th Place: Carter Hall – Weston
18th Place: Jeremiah Jones – Weston
44th Place: Duke Henderson – Weston
48th Place: Sam Jones – Weston
49th Place: Baylor Garrett – Quitman
52nd Place: Reese Altheimer – Quitman
57th Place: Matthew Buchan – Quitman
73rd Place: Kolton Lafitte – Quitman
81st Place: Jess Potts – Quitman

K-2 Girls

5th Place: Maddi Spillman – Quitman
25th Place: Eva Martin – Quitman
50th Place: Karli Bradford – Quitman
59th Place: Charlotte Delaney – Quitman
68th Place: Hollis House – Weston

3-4 Boys

2nd Place: Clay Burton – Quitman
6th Place: Asher Norred  – Quitman
15th Place: James Lewis – Weston
41st Place: Kaine Stassen – Weston
43rd Place: Eli Jones – Weston
45th Place: Easton Buchan – Quitman
52nd Place: Jasper Owen – Quitman
53rd Place: Maddox Naron – Quitman
58th Place: Avery Buchan – Quitman
59th Place: Klay Roge – Quitman
71st Place: Jax Davis – Weston

3-4 Girls

4th Place: Abigail Sullivan – Quitman
18th Place: Henley House – Weston
19th Place: Harley Jordan – Quitman
27th Place: Aubrie Allen – Weston
32nd Place: Miriam Shuler – Weston
34th Place: Justice Faulkner – Weston
36th Place: Raegan Bell – Quitman
77th Place: Hilary Foster – Quitman
80th Place: Mayla Ruth Jones – Weston

5-6 Boys

3rd Place: Joseph Delaney – Quitman
4th Place: Noah Spillman – Quitman
13th Place: Carson Savana – Quitman
19th Place: Shepard Norred – Quitman 
44th Place: Josiah Ramsey – Quitman 
48th Place: Johnny Caldwell – Quitman
51st Place: Wade Graves – Quitman
62nd Place: Brody Garrett – Quitman

5-6 Girls

5th Place: Anna Pardue – Quitman
11th Place: Audrina Martin – Quitman
36th Place: Elliott Savage – Quitman
38th Place: Raelynn Cox – Quitman
39th Place: Karlee Altheimer – Quitman
45th Place: Bella Caskey – Quitman
52nd Place: Lylia Caraway – Quitman

7-8 Girls

26th Place: Addi Faber – Quitman
48th Place: Teyton Narron – Quitman
58th Place: Lana Hatfield – Quitman

 

 

 

---

Quitman High School presented the 2023 Homecoming Court during school assembly this past Thursday, September 7th. Announcement of the 2023 Homecoming Queen selected from senior Maids: Laila Bougues, Maddie Grace Giddens, AJ Gray, and Taylor Harvey will take place during Homecoming ceremonies in November.

2023 Quitman High School Homecoming Court

Senior Maids: Laila Bougues, Maddie Grace Giddens, AJ Gray, Taylor Harvey
Junior Maids: Jaleigh Burns, Cali Deal
Sophomore Maids: Ava Caskey, Addison Fenn
Freshman Maids: Anna Claire Leach, Taylor Borland

---

The Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers Tour has released their fall and spring tournament schedule for 2023-24.

The 2023 fall schedule contains two events with the first being on September 16th, on the Ouachita River followed by an October 21st date on Caney Lake. Both are NELAHS championship points tournaments.

To be eligible to fish the September 16th tournament, anglers must have an active Student Angler Federation (SAF) membership by September 15th. 

To apply call (580) 765-9031 during the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Information needed is High School Club number of 7001482 and Junior High School Club number of 900529.

Six dates highlight the 2024 spring tournament schedule starting with a points tournament on January 6th at Lake Bruin. A pair of LHSAA regional qualifying tourneys follow beginning with Caney Lake being the host on February 24, 2024 and followed by an event on Toledo Bend on March 9th.

On March 16th, 2024, NELAHS anglers go to Lake Claiborne for another points tourney with the LHSAA State Championship being held on Toledo Bend the weekend of March 22-23, 2024. Teams must attend some school to compete. The final tour date is on April 20th for a points tournament on Lake D’Arbonne. 

The SAF Junior High / High School State Championship tournament date will be added to the spring schedule as soon as it is released. It will be a full points tournament.

Tournament dates and locations are subject to change. 

Pre-season tournament fees are $360.00 if paying for the season upfront or $85.00 per team per tournament which is due before the date of each tournament. 

---

There was a time years ago when I worked as a journalist for Willamette Industries,
creating and producing newsletters about how the company’s policies promoted good habitat for wildlife. One of the events I visited as an observer was watching as professionals in the industry deliberately set fires, prescribed fires, for the good not only for timber growing on the lands but for wildlife living on the company’s acreage.

There are fires burning now on timber lands, especially in southwest Louisiana that are anything but prescribed; these are out of control wildfires like the ones we often read about devastating hundreds of thousands of acres out west.

Todd Martin, who lives in Winn Parish, is President and CEO of Southern Loggers
Cooperative. Martin provided insight into prescribed fires versus wildfires.

“One of the most valuable tools used in the forestry industry are prescribed fires. These are intentionally set. Weather conditions have to be right where there is little or no chance that the fire intentionally set doesn’t turn into a wildfire,” said Martin.

Wildlife such as deer, turkey and quail benefit from prescribed fire in that beneficial
browse and tender forage plants are generated. When a wildfire goes through, it chars and burns everything which seriously limits what wildlife have available, according to Martin.

“What we are seeing now in Louisiana is an outbreak of wildfires from a standpoint I
have never seen in my career,” he added.

Martin gave some mind-boggling information about the extent of these fires raging
around the state, especially in southwest Louisiana.

“In the month of August alone,” he said, “our state has responded to 522 fires covering
over 61,000 acres. The two biggest fires are the one known as the Tiger Island fire involving over 31,000 acres with the Highway 113 fire near Pitkin covering some 8500 acres. Most of these fires are only about 50% contained so there is much work to continue until they’re extinguished. What is needed is a good prolonged rain over the affected area, something that is not in the long-range forecast as of now.”

“Last week we held meetings in Lake Charles and you could look out the window of the building where we met and actually see the Tiger Island fires burning 40 miles away. This situation is more serious than people realize,” Martin said.

Three years ago, the forests in southwest Louisiana were devastated when Hurricane
Laura destroyed much of the timber in the area where the fires are located today. According to Martin, the timber destroyed by the hurricane was replanted with new trees that were growing and doing well. The fires blazing in that area today have virtually wiped out all the new growth of timber that was replanted.

How did these wildfires get started? A TV news report this week indicated that fires were deliberately set with a hefty reward waiting for someone who can identify the culprit who set southwest Louisiana ablaze.

Right now, the entire state is under a burn ban and if heeded should keep other fires from igniting under these extremely dry conditions.

Keeping our eyes on the skies for rain clouds and praying that we’ll soon get rain seems to be an obvious plan of action that will extinguish these raging fires and preventing new ones from cropping up.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass have been fair to good early mornings on topwater lures with square bill crank baits, spinners and soft plastics working best later. Some bass are starting to school and hitting shad imitations. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs. Bream are slow. 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 – A few bream and crappie have been biting early mornings before water temp heats up. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE –Bass fishing continues to be fair with spinners with trailers and flipping jigs around the brush working best. A couple over 11 pounds reported. The crappie are scattered around the brush. Bream have slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water level continues to be dropping. Bass are slow to fair. Crappie are fair to good in the river lakes and the bayou on shiners or jigs. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass have been fair to good early mornings on topwater lures with square bill crank baits, spinners and soft plastics working best later. Some bass are starting to school and hitting shad imitations. Crappie have been best along the channel edges and the deeper flats on shiners or jigs. Bream are slow. 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 – Striper fishing has improved fishing shad imitation lures in the coves early mornings or late afternoons. Bream fishing has been slow. Crappie have been best fishing 8-14 deep water with some good ones reported. Also at night fishing under the lights while the bass have been best early mornings on topwater lures and at night on dark plastic worms and spinner baits. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Fishing for catfish has improved while other species are slow. 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 level is falling and quite low. Some catfish have been caught; other species slow. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259

---

Jonesboro-Hodge High School will celebrate Homecoming on Friday, October 6th. The theme of this A bevy of activities are scheduled including the traditional downtown parade, tailgating festivities at the annual Homecoming football game, and the ceremonial crowning of the King and Queen during an assembly at the school. 

Beginning on Monday, September 11th, Jonesboro-Hodge High School will begin selling tailgate spots for $100.00 each. Wristbands for $12.00 to allow entry into the designated tailgate area that will be located just south of the football field will also be available. Please be mindful that this is a high school campus and protocol must be followed regarding tailgating activities!

Reservations for entries in the downtown parade will also begin. The cost per entry varies and is shown in the flyer posted below that also contains information that details the parade route, lineup instructions and how car/float judging will be handled.

To secure a spot in either or both, go to the JHHS administration office, located at 225 Pershing Hwy in Jonesboro or call (318) 259-4138.

---

The Weston High School FFA’s Food Science CDE team won first place at the state competition earning them the right to compete for national honors at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, slated for the end of October.

These 4 young men have worked extremely hard putting in tons of practice time this summer as well as multiple days a week after school. They have not only earned the right to represent the state but also our local community at the national level. This is an accomplishment that they will always be able to remember and reflect on.

As the trip is rather expensive the hope is that the community will provide support through sponsorships to help defray costs. A summary of expected costs is shown below.  

To donate please contact Derek Shields at 318-259-9367 or by email at derek.shields@jpsbschools.us.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter and supporting the Weston High School FFA chapter.

---

Weston Baptist Church, located at 112 Weston Church Road, is currently conducting a raffle for a pallet of deer corn as a fundraiser for their community outreach program. Proceeds will go to community outreach programs such as the annual Coat Drive, Community Garden, and Christmas for Wyatt Manor Nursing Home residents. 

Tickets are available for a cost of $5.00 each or $20.00 for a pack of five. The winner’s name will be drawn on October 7th at J&L Farm Supply, located at 7035 Hwy 4 East. For more information call (318) 259 -7677 or (318) 259-9577. 

 

---

The Jonesboro-Hodge High School Alumni Association is requesting help with contact information for former Class Presidents / Class Contacts. Please see below for the list of names that email address and/or phone number is needed in order that contact can be made. 

To forward the contact information simply forward to the JHHS Alumni Association Facebook page. Your support and assistance is greatly appreciated. 

---

Open Enrollment has started!

If you are a returning 4-Her, log into your 4-H Online account and re-enroll for this year! If you are new to 4-H, go to v2.4honline.com and follow the onscreen instructions to enroll.

Paper enrollment forms have been made available at local schools where enrollment meeting began this past week.

---

Some things simply go together: ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, eggs and bacon… repentance and revival.

Let’s face it; repentance and revival don’t pop-up in casual conversations at the water cooler.

Yet; they’re as relevant as today’s weather forecast; predicting showers of blessing. Christ, John the Baptist and the apostles extended an urgent invitation to repentance.

Jesus shared a story about repentance and the safe return of lost sheep. “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7 NASB).”

Repenting occurs when we admit we’ve lost our way. Making a U-Turn, a sinner turns around and runs into God’s open arms. What about revival?

Christ followers easily lose fervor and faithfulness. We need to repent too; we need revival.

“Revive me according to Thy lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Thy mouth (Psalm 119:88 NASB).”

Where did the psalmist go when seeking revival?

“If Thy law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Thy precepts, For by them Thou hast revived me (Psalm 119:92-93 NASB).”

The call to repent is heaven sent. The progression is clear. Repentance leads me to revival and rejoicing!

---

Let’s Get Vaccinated! With a recent surge in the Covid virus activity being reported and youth starting school, Ana Deloach VanEaton, Communications Coordinator for Regions 7 & 8 of the Office of Public Health reminds residents the importance of getting vaccinated. 

To help make that possible, free Covid-19, Flu, and Monkeypox vaccinations are being offered a the Jackson Parish Health Unit (JPHU), located at 228 Bond St. in Jonesboro, Tuesday – Friday (September 11-15) during times of 8am-4:30pm. Appointments are suggested, but not necessary. To schedule an appointment call (318) 259 – 6601.

 

---

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. 

BUSINESS SERVICES

Brookwood Homes – Used and Repo Mobile Homes as low as $10,000.00. Call 318-644-2226.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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.

AFFIDAVIT OF SUCCESSION

LEGAL NOTICE

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.

 

 

Mildred (Corley) Brewer
October 15, 1934 – September 4, 2023

Mildred Brewer was born on October 15, 1934 to William Ronel Corley and Geneva Beard Corley. She passed away on September 4, 2023 at the age of 88 in the Jackson Parish Hospital.

Mildred attended Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana and went on to teach school in New Orleans while her husband, Dr. Brewer, finished Dental School. After they moved to Jonesboro she taught school as well. Coming up, her loved ones called her Pibby. Mildred loved to read and she was an avid golfer. She was also a member of Jonesboro Baptist Church and the Advance Country Club Ladies Auxiliary for many years. Mildred loved her family, her church and the people of the town of Jonesboro. She would always lend a helping hand for any project the community proposed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Geneva Corley and her husband Dr. Charles E. Brewer.

She is survived by her son, John Brewer and his wife Tracie; grandsons, Johnathan and Dakota Brewer; and several cousins.

A graveside service was held in the Gayla Traina Cemetery on Friday, September 8th, with Rev. Brian McAllister officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers was Johnathan Brewer, Bob Davis, Todd Culpepper, M.H. Walker, Ed Rich, and Larry Emery.

Howard “Bill” Olen Walker
October 5, 1928 – September 1, 2023

Howard was born October 5, 1928, in Bienville Parish to Howard and Jesse Walker. Howard went to his heavenly home on September 1, 2023. He grew up in a large loving family with three sisters and two brothers. Howard joined the Army in 1952, where he served his country proudly in the Korean and Vietnam war in the tank division.

While Howard was still in the service, he met his wife Joan King of 47 years. Howard retired after 22 years of service. A few years later he attended seminary in Louisville, Kentucky to become an Ordained Minister in 1978 because of his love to serve God his Savior.

Some of his favorite things to do was reading at least five chapter from the Bible every morning, visiting surrounding nursing homes spreading to word of God, hunting, fishing, decorating for Christmas, golf, playing dominos, building bird houses for the martins every spring, and enjoyed spending time family and friends.

He preceded in death by his wife Joan Walker, his father Howard C. Walker, his mother Jesse Walker, his brother Ralph Walker, and sisters Avis Cooley and Odale Huckaby.

He is survived by his son Erine Walker (Shonda Meshell) of Zwolle, his daughters Tina & Jeff Webster, Kathy & Clint Ashlock, Cindy Lamm (Phil Cockerham) all of Jonesboro. Granddaughters Breanna and Alyssa Lamm, Quetzal Webster, and Joann Walker, and Great-Granddaughter Henley Buckelew. He is also survived by his brother, Homer Merle Walker of Andrews Texas, and his sister Jimmie Lou of Jonesboro. He also has a host of nieces and nephews that he adored.

Howard never met a stranger, by the time you left his presents you had a friend in Jesus’ name. He will be missed greatly by many.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Friday, September 8th at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Quitman followed by Interment in the Walnut Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. 

Pallbearers were Rickey Huckaby, Monty Huckaby, Ronnie Huckaby, Keith Huckaby, Jeff Ingram, and Clint Ashlock. Honorary Pallbearers were Arnold Harvey, Robert Tyler Jr., Randy Browder, and Billy Lamm.

---

Jonesboro-Hodge travels to Red Sims Field in Cadeville to take on Class 5A West Ouachita this Friday, September 8th, for a battle of unbeatens in week two of the 2023 LHSAA prep football season. The contest gives JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship a chance to move to 2-0 on the season for the third time (2014, 2022) during his 11 year tenure and also even his mark against West Ouachita to 2-2 overall. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.

Series History: Jonesboro-Hodge owns a 5-2 advantage over West Ouachita in the series that began in 1989 with a 46-3 JHHS victory. The Tigers would win the next three contests as well from 1990-92, all under the direction of Joey Pender, who had a 4-0 record against the Chiefs where he coached his final sevens season of a sterling 33 year career. West Ouachita got their first victory of the series in 2019 by a 28-6 score followed by JHHS winning 41-20 in 2021. The victory marked the first win ever over a Class 5A program for the Tigers. West Ouachita won last years battle by a 28-6 margin.

Last Week: Both teams opened the season with a victory as the Tigers beat General Trass out of Lake Providence by a 40-30 margin while West Ouachita clipped Caldwell Parish 25-13. The surprising offensive explosion marked the first time a Blankenship led team reached 40 points in a season opener. The 70 points scored by both squads also equaled the total combined first game points record for JHHS (2018 – Logansport 41 JHHS 29) both set with Blankenship as head coach. In the 105 year history of JHHS football it is the 8th time the 40 point barrier has been reached to start a season and the first since 1997.

Best season opening scores in JHHS history

1974 – JHHS 44 Caldwell 6
1981 – JHHS 43 Farmerville 6
1930 – JHHS 42 Ringgold 0
1997 – JHHS 41 Winnfield 20
1938 – JHHS 40 St. Johns 7
1978 – JHHS 40 Mansfield 12
1993 – JHHS 40 Winnfield 0
2023 – JHHS 40 General Trass 30

Coaching Matchup: Mike Rainwater enters his third season as West Ouachita head coach. In his first season the Chiefs went 2-8 before improving to 6-5 last year. Jonesboro-Hodge is led by Terrance Blankenship who now in his 11th year at the helm holds the record for the longest tenure of a JHHS coach, breaking the tie he had with Jack Jaggers (1944-53). With the victory last week Blankenship reach #50 in his career, (50-62) moving him into third place on the JHHS all-time coaching wins list, one ahead of Walter Causey. 

Top Five All Time JHHS Coaching Victories

Joey Pender (73-37)
Jack Jaggers (64-43)
Terrance Blankenship (50-62)
Walter Causey (49-16)
Bobby Stone (47-44-3)

Offensive Players to watch:

West Ouachita:

Antonio “Cadillac” Ford (Tailback) – The star tailback that has received several offers to play collegiately didn’t play in week one after suffering a pre-season foot injury. Questionable to play in week two, his appearance would be a huge boon for the Chiefs offense.

M.J. Owens (Fullback) – The 5’9″ 220 lb. “bowling ball” who normally is the lead blocker for Ford took up the slack against Caldwell by blasting his way for 113 yards and a score on 16 carries.

C.J. Barr (Tailback) – At 5’8″ 170 lbs. the quick scatback provides a dangerous change of pace. Ran for 82 yards on just 8 carries in the opener and is capable of turning short passes into long gains. 

Sam Ozark (Quarterback) – Only attempted four passes, completing two for nine yards but possesses a strong arm capable of stretching the field. At 6’2″ 215 lbs. is a load to bring down evidenced by his 61 yards and two TD’s on 11 carries performance last week. 

Jonesboro-Hodge: (1-0)

Symeon Malone (Quarterback) – Was week one the birth of a new star? Turned in one of the best first half performances in Tigers history in the opener with 13 completions in 15 attempts for 247 yards and two scores. 

Chance Leonard (Tailback) – Proved to still be a powerful runner after missing last season. Blasted his way to 91 yards on 22 carries in the opener to help solidify the Tigers running game. 

Christian McGuire (Wide Receiver) – At 5’7″ 145 lbs., the speedster may be slight in stature but proved to be a threat anytime he touches the ball. Showcased good hands and route running ability by corralling five passes for 111 yards and a score in week one.

Zamauryian Palmer (Wide Receiver) – Deep threat that possesses good speed proven by his 80 yard touchdown reception in week one. Ha great size (6’1″ 200 lbs.) for a wideout that helps him win most one on one battles. 

Keys to a Tiger Victory!

Control West Ouachita rushing attack! The Chiefs have a bevy of backs that big and fast out of the triple option attack. Keeping their runners in check will be priority one for the Tiger defense.

Execute on offense! The Tigers have the talent to score on the Chiefs but must limit mistakes and take advantage of the big play opportunities when they arise. Another big performance by Malone will be needed to open up the Tiger ground game.

Stand strong up front! The performance by JH’s senior laden offensive / defensive line in the opener was impressive. A much bigger challenge awaits against a team that will continually rotate fresh bodies into the mix. How the line holds up late may well be the biggest key to victory of all. 

 

 

 

 

---

Traina’s Bakery has been named the Business of the Month for September by the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce. Located at 211 6th Street in Jonesboro, the long established eatery owned and operated by Bruce and Toni Thomas that contains a confectionary counter, serves pastries and lunch daily from 11:00 am – 1:45 pm. 

Celebrating 82 Years in Business

“You must be doing something right to last for 82 years!” The statement was made by Rick Rowe of KTBS 3 TV from Shreveport on Tuesday morning when he filmed a live segment at Traina’s Bakery, celebrating their 82nd year in business. With several town dignitaries on hand, Rowe presented a glowing feature on owners Bruce and Toni Thomas and the business that began as a grocery store and bakery in September of 1941, and since grew into a town staple as the popular bakery and eatery it is today. 

To see the feature segment click here. 

---

NOTE: The Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held on October 7th at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Six former greats will be enshrined as the Class of 2023 with three more being recognized for Outstanding Achievement and Service. Leading up to gala event the Jackson Parish Journal will run a special feature on each of the inductees and honorees. This Edition: Michael Malone

The memory to those who witnessed it is as vivid as if it happened yesterday. With JHHS on the Rayville 10 yard line and down 6-0 in the Class 2A playoffs, Michael Malone took the snap and raced toward the right sideline. Finding no where to go, he reversed field. Shaking off would be tacklers, he weaved and bobbed his way back across the field only to find his way blocked once again.

Hornet pursuers reached and grabbed at him in an attempt to bring him down forcing Malone to retreat all the way back to near the 20 yard line when he finally found an opening and darted through. A hit by a would be tackler threw him off balance but the playmaker kept his balance, bounced off three more Rayville defenders and lunged.

TOUCHDOWN! 

Virtually every Rayville player on the field had touched him at least once yet no one could bring Malone down. It was one of the most incredible acts of elusiveness you could ever witness. The Rayville coach said after the game he had never seen anything like it.

Jonesboro-Hodge fans had.

Many times.

So many in fact that exploits like that came to be expected. At least once in nearly every game there would be a time when Malone would dip, dart, twist, turn and then simply outrun defenders for a score. 

His ability to suddenly shift what seemed like three feet to the left or right leaving would be tacklers grasping at air all the while never breaking stride led local iconic sportswriter Raymond “Doc” Jeffress to dub him the “Magician.” It was a fitting moniker, as his ability to disappear from a tackler was like a magic act. One second he was there, the next he was gone.                                                                                           

Malone gave the first indication of how special he was in his second game as starting quarterback as a junior in 1977. The Tigers and Winnfield, ranked #1 in Class 2A after playing in the Class 3A finals the year before, had played to a 0-0 tie, forcing the first regular season overtime where both teams got a possession from the 10 yard line in LHSAA history. On the Tiger’s second play, Malone broke through a bevy of Winnfield defenders to score, leading to a 7-0 victory. JHHS would not lose a game that year until the state championship, finishing 13-1 and completing what is still the best single season turnaround in LHSAA history having gone 1-9 the year before. 

The Tigers lost 16 of the 22 starters the next year but they still had Malone, who JHHS Coach Don Shows said before the 1978 season was the “best individual talent in the state” and years later the “best pound-for-pound player he had ever coached.” That is serious accolades coming from an LHSAA Hall of Fame coach who would end up winning 342 games, multiple state titles and a mythical national championship over his 32 year career.

Malone lived up to billing his senior year, leading the Tigers to a 10-2 record with both losses occurring while he was sidelined due to injury. He scored touchdowns every way imaginable – rushing, passing, and returning interceptions, punts and kickoffs – on his way to a new school record 140 points scored and north Louisiana leading scoring title. The “Magician” set several other school records as well, several that still stand today. His 1113 rushing yards is still the most ever by a QB as is the 597 yards accounted for in a single game. 

In his two years as starting Quarterback, Malone led JHHS to a 23-3 record, a district title and a state runner up finish while twice being named Class 2A All-State, including earning first team honors his senior year. Attesting to his all around talent was first team All-District track and basketball designations. 

There was something else that made Malone memorable as well. His hair! Dubbed “Too Short” in junior high school due to his small stature, Malone compensated for his lack of height by growing one of the most impressive Afro’s ever worn. It stood at least six inches on top and spread from shoulder to shoulder. Legend has it that while as a scholarship player at Northeast Louisiana University he ran the 40 yard dash in “full fro.” The time was no where near what was expected. Before he ran again he braided his hair resulting in his next time being three tenths of a second faster. 

Sadly, Malone was taken at way to young an age but the memories he left behind still resonate strong today. Whether you choose to remember Malone as the “Magician” or “Too Short” you can now add another description to the iconic JHHS athlete, many who say was the best ever – Class of 2023 Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame Inductee!

---

Five of the six area Junior High boys and girls basketball teams tamed their Tuesday opponents with Quitman and Saline sweeping their way to a pair of victories over Summerfield and Castor and Weston splitting with Calvin.

Boys Games

Quitman 27 Summerfield 23  – Hayden Seymore ended with 11 points and both Jack Thomas and Joseph Delaney finished with five apiece to lead Quitman to the victory. Eli Jackson pitched in with four and Mathew Odom added a basket to help the Wolverines even up their record to 6-4 on the season.

Weston 26 Calvin 21 – Remy Kennard made all six of his point on a pair of three pointers and Malachi Harris scored four of his team high eight points in the fourth quarter to help Weston pull away from pesky Calvin. Eli Henderson finished with five, Leyton Younse added a first quarter trey, Colton Otwell hit a second quarter basket and both Dawson Griffin and Lukas Bandy hit a free throw for the Wolves. 

Saline 41 Castor 32: Elijah Calloway scored 10 of his game high 18 points in the first quarter to help Saline break out to a nine point lead that held up. Rylan Mauthe also reached double figures with 11 to help pace Saline to their fourth win in six contests. Hayden Laborde scored seven, Gavin Bellard added three and Edwarda Quintana chipped in with two. 

Girls Games

Quitman 22 Summerfield 8 – The Lady Wolverines held Summerfield scoreless over the first three quarters as they raced to a 20-0 lead with Hallie Kate Pullig leading the offense with nine. Kinsley Ponder scored four, London Burke added three and Brenna Lamkin, Braelyn Patton, and Lily Duck all tallied two as Quitman improved to an area best 9-1 record.

Calvin 32 Weston 20 – With Carlynn Waters scoring the only two points in the first half the Lady Wolves dug to deep a hole to recover in the loss to the visiting Lady Cougars. Seven players would score in the second half for Weston with Teegan Hall leading the way with six and Carly Jo Griffin, Davynee Bearden, Brylee Cuthrell, Keely David, Gracie Gray and Marcela Gonzales all scoring two each. 

Saline 37 Castor 23 – no stats of game provided

 

 

 

 

---

Jackie Dalgaard, Supervisor of Federal Programs presented information on the Jackson Parish Schools Summer Programs to the School Board at their regularly scheduled meeting that was held on Tuesday, September 5th.

Calvin Waggoner (President), Dennis Clary, Paulette Belton, Rick Barlow, Gerry Mims, Wade McBride and Mary Saulters held the session in the Conference Room of the Central Office, located at 315 Pershing Hwy. in Jonesboro.

Additional action taken is as follows:

A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Mary Saulters and carried to approve the minutes as presented from the Regular Scheduled Meeting held on August 7, 2023.

A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried to approve the Continuous Learning Plan for Jackson Parish Schools.

A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve the Jackson Parish Ready to Achieve K-12 Operational Guidance.

A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried to approve the Jackson Parish Schools Reopening Plan for 2023-2024.

A motion was made by Mary Saulters seconded by Gerry Mims and carried to approve the 2022-2023 revised General Fund and Special Revenue Budgets.

A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Wade McBride and carried to approve the 2023-2024 General Fund and Special Revenue Budgets resolution attached herein.

Dennis Clary reported to the Board on the meeting of the Executive Finance Committee held prior to the Board meeting.

A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to approve for payment the following bills: General Fund, Federal Program, School Food Service, Sales Tax, Special Education, District Maintenance bills.

A motion was made by Paulette Belton, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried to approve paying the following for the 23-24 school year for extended learning programs: to include Accelerate Summer Learning, after school tutoring, Stem camps, IDEA camps, ESY summer learning, Saturday schools and stipends for employees working outside normal school hours to attend professional development, trainings or collaborative groups. Teachers, Nurses and Therapists $30.00 an hour, Support staff (Janitorial, Cafeteria, Paraprofessionals) $15.00 an hour and $70.00 per day for bus drivers and $ 17.70 an hour for after school events to be paid from Achieve (all ESSER funds), School Nurse and Behavioral Health Grant, Super App (all Title and IDEA funds and Redesign), Believe, Early Childhood Consolidated and General Fund.

A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Gerry Mims and carried to approving payment of $28,757.08 to La. Delta Community College for Jump Start Dual Enrollment Summer Courses, to be paid from 2022-2023 Jump Start Summer Grant.

A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried approving to pay the six (6) nurses a one-time stipend of $2,000.00 for the extra duties associated with Covid testing and tracking for the past several years, to be paid out of the School Nurse and Behavioral Health grant. Pending LDOE approval for the 23-24 school year.

A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve a $1,000.00 stipend to be paid to two (2) paraprofessionals who have completed one full year in good standing in the REACH program, to be paid out of ESSER II Incentive funds. This funding was allocated by the LDOE for this purpose.

A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Wade McBride and carried to approving to pay $17,500.00 to Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center for Spring and Fall Session of Therapeutic Riding for students with disabilities, to be paid from IDEA funds.

A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to consider approving a change of rate for Firm Foundation Pediatric Therapy for physical therapy services (Physical Therapist $80.00 an hour, Physical Therapy Assistant $55.00 an hour) for the period of August 11, 2023 – June 30, 2024, to be paid from IDEA and IDEA Preschool funds.

A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Mary Saulters and carried to approve the distribution of Certified and Support Staff Stipends with payment of $2000 for Certified and $1000 for Non-Certified personnel, to be paid from Certificated and Support Staff Stipends Allocation. In addition, consider paying the Pre-K teachers $2000 stipend, Pre-K Paraprofessionals $1000 stipend, and three (3) Support Supervisors $2000 stipend. Funding sources: Certificated and Support Staff Stipends Allocation; Federal Programs; General Fund.

Presentation of Monthly Financial Report by Kristi Bass, Business Manager.

Wade McBride reported to the Board on the meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee held prior to the Board meeting.

A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried accepting low quote of $19,944.50 from BSN Sports to purchase and install bleachers at the Quitman High School track, to be funded by the contribution of $20,000.00 from Mr. Aylon Pate and Mrs. Bettye T. Pate under the conditions set forth in Mr. Stokes letter of August 10, 2023.

A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Gerry Mims and carried to accept low quote of $18,767.00 from Morse Covers, Inc. for materials and labors to furnish a canopy on the new Special Education building at Weston High School, to be paid from ESSER II funds.

A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried accepting low quote of $96,494.00 from Bannister Energy Solutions for material and labor to install LED lights at Jonesboro Hodge High School Football Stadium, to be paid from Jonesboro District funds.

Gerry Mims reported to the Board on the meeting of the Transportation Committee held prior to the Board meeting.

A motion was made by Rick Barlow, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve out of state travel for Weston Baseball Team to attend Six Flags in Arlington, Texas, October 20-21, 2023. The team will cover all expenses.

A motion was made by Gerry Mims, seconded by Dennis Clary and carried to approve the purchase of two (2) Type C, 71 passenger gasoline buses from Ross Bus Sales at a cost of $261,182.50, to be paid from Parish Wide District funds.

Mary Saulters reported to the Board on the meeting of the Policy Committee held prior to the Board meeting.

A motion was made by Wade McBride, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve revising policy:
• EBBB – School and Student Safety
• JB – Attendance
• JBD – Student Absences and Excuses
• JDA – Corporal Punishment

A motion was made by Dennis Clary, seconded by Paulette Belton and carried to approve adopting new policies:

• EDCB – Carpool and Bus Line Safety
• IDCJ – Continuous Learning

A motion was made by Mary Saulters, seconded by Rick Barlow and carried to adjourn.

 

 

---

“Simple words can be come clever phrases,
And chapters could turn into books.
Yes if I could just get it on paper,
But it’s harder than it ever looks.”
— If I Could Just Get It On Paper, Jimmy Buffett, 1982

Was out of town this weekend and had trouble sleeping in a hotel as usual so I saw when the cell phone lit up with an alert at 2 a.m.

Jimmy Buffett, dead at 76

Great way to start a weekend — if you want the weekend to be crummy.

It was autumn of 1979 and a friend said to come with him to a casual party on a weeknight, just a couple blocks from Louisiana Tech’s campus, off Spencer Street in someone’s yard. Maybe 50 students hanging around with Solo cups and a record player was spinning “The Great Filling Station Holdup,” my first exposure to Jimmy Buffett. I was about six years late to the party that wouldn’t end until early Saturday morning when Jimmy Buffett, a musical Boy of Summer, passed away from a rare form of skin cancer, holding on, fittingly, through the final day of the Unofficial Summer.

I backtracked and caught up. Scraped together loose change and when possible bought “A1A” and “Havana Daydreamin’” and “Changes in Latitudes” and “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” each an album or cassette when there were such things.

Loved Jimmy. Appreciated he could laugh at himself and find the humor in his fellow travelers and share it. We are, after all, an odd bunch.

Saw him twice in concert. I never recall anyone saying anything about going to a Jimmy Buffett concert to hear Utley on keyboards or Fingers on harmonica or even to hear Jimmy Buffett sing. It was all about going to have some fun.

In all the obits I’ve read, there were no stories of him being a big shot or a crazed rock star. They are all about his humor and generosity and blanket kindness. He sang about Margaritaville, but he didn’t live there.

He was a singer and a guitar player but mainly he was an entertainer and mostly he was a writer. And a great one. He was at his best writing short stories, so short that they could be three-minute songs.

Paul Simon and Paul McCartney, no less than titans in the art, have said this week that Jimmy Buffett was not only one of their best friends but also one of the best songwriters in the business. They know how hard it is.

You want silly, fun songs? Listen to “Margaritaville” or “Pencil Thin Mustache” or “Cheeseburger in Paradise” or “The Weather is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful.” “Fins” and “Volcano” and “Fruitcakes.”

Women and men songs? “Miss You So Badly.” “Distantly in Love.” “Come Monday.” “Cuban Crime of Passion.” “Who’s the Blonde Stranger.”

Want to make some quick trips? “Jamaica Mistaica.” “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season.” “One Particular Harbor.” “Tampico Trauma.” “Boat Drinks.” “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”

You want to meet some unforgettable people, read/listen to some textured short stories? Try “African Friend,” “Havana Daydreamin’,” “He Went to Paris,” “Somewhere Over China,” “The Captain and the Kid,” “Last Mango in Paris,” or “Cowboy in the Jungle.”

There’s some good stuff on those old albums.

If you are aware of him at all, you can hardly think of him and not smile. I appreciate that he had such a fascination with life, and that he wasn’t selfish about spreading the love. Secretly, that took a lot of work behind the scenes; all we saw were the beaches and the boats.

“… Yeah if I could just get it on paper,
I could tell you what I think I did.”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

 

---

The overwhelming choice for Sheriff of Jackson Parish by the Mayor’s  and Chief’s of Police in the area is incumbent Andy Brown. This was made evident on Thursday, August 31st when each came to the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office to show their collaborated support.

“Thank you to the Mayors and Chiefs of Police that are in support of my campaign for re-election. Thank you for standing by me!” – Sheriff Andy Brown

Shown in the banner above is Gregory Harris (Mayor of Chatham), Bobby Dillon (North Hodge Police Chief), Joe Vail (Mayor of Quitman), Gerald Palmer (Mayor of Hodge), Dr. J. “Spike” Harris (Mayor of Jonesboro), Joanie Cannady (Mayor of North Hodge.

Jonesboro Chief of Police, Israel Smith, and Assistant Chief, Warren Johnson, along with East Hodge Chief of Police, Terrence Leonard, has also expressed his support for Brown.

(paid for by the friends to re-elect Andy Brown for Sheriff)

---

An overflow audience gathered at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center in Jonesboro this past Saturday for the first ever Jackson Parish Friends of 4-H Banquet. The event was designed to raise money for the local 4-H chapter to held offset expenditures of the many local, state and national activities that the 4-H’ers participate in.

Orchestrated by Amy Magee, President of the Jackson 4-H Foundation, and with the support of many local businesses, the event allowed the large audience the opportunity to enjoy a good meal and share experiences with local 4-H members. A large array of items that included everything from a wide selection of guns to outdoor equipment and accessories was also auctioned off which raised over $27,000.00.

“There are not enough words to thank the people of Jackson Parish for their amazing support of our 4-H program. We are growing great people in Jackson Parish and you are helping us grow even more,” said Bourgeois. “I cannot begin to list all who worked behind the scenes leading up to what, in my opinion, was the best kickoff to a new tradition of an annual banquet ever! Thank you to our Jr Leaders and their families who stepped up and showed how amazing our Jackson Parish 4-Hers really are. Thank you all for supporting our kids in big ways and small!”

---

Elijah was born in Ontario, Canada in 1844. Three years later, Elijah’s family moved to the United States. In 1859, Elijah’s father, George, sent 15-year-old Elijah to Scotland to attend the University of Edinburgh where he became a certified mechanical engineer. When Elijah returned to the United States, he was unable to find work as an engineer. He eventually settled for a job as an oiler and fireman for the Michigan Central Railroad, a job that was far below his level of education. An oiler’s job was to keep the railroad’s locomotives and rolling stock lubricated. Steam engines of the era required oilers to manually lubricate all the moving parts of an engine including ball bearings and cylinders. Locomotives had to make frequent stops so oilers could lubricate the parts.

Elijah knew there was a better way. He just needed to find it. In his free time, Elijah performed more highly skilled work at the machine shop at his home. Through his efforts to allow trains to run for longer periods without maintenance which made them more efficient, Elijah made improvements to existing equipment and invented new pieces of equipment.

On July 23, 1872, Elijah received patent number 129,843 for his “Improvement in Lubricators for Steam-Engines.” Elijah’s invention was a lubricating cup which automatically distributed oil evenly over the engine’s moving parts. Rather than having the oilers lubricate each moving part individually, which took a lot of time, they could fill a central cup with oil. The oil flowed through pipes to the engine parts which required constant lubrication. Railroad companies quickly began installing Elijah’s automatic lubricators on their trains.

Elijah probably could have lived the remainder of his life off the income from this one invention, but Elijah kept making improvements. In 1898, 26 years after he received his patent for the lubricating cup, Elijah added a glass sight feed tube to the system. This improvement enabled engineers to visually monitor the rate at which the moving parts were being lubricated. If the engineer saw that the automatic lubricator was feeding too much oil to the engine, he could partially close a valve to slow the release of oil. If oil was needed, he could open the valve more. A study published the following year concluded that Elijah’s lubricating systems were in use on almost all railroads in North America.

Throughout his lifetime, Elijah received nearly 60 patents, most of which were related to lubrication systems. He also received patents for a lawn sprinkler, an ironing board, and other machines unrelated to steam engines. Elijah’s inventions proved to be reliable and long-lasting. As with any successful product, competitors came up with their own versions of Elijah’s popular products. Most of the copycat products were designed quickly and made as cheaply as possible to maximize profits. The cheaper lubricators failed frequently and required almost constant maintenance. To avoid using the cheap imitations, railroad workers began asking for Elijah’s equipment by name. Over time, Elijah’s name came to symbolize any superior product made by any manufacturer.

Nearly 100 years after his death, Elijah McCoy’s name is still synonymous with quality. To this day, people who want to avoid buying cheaply made imitation goods ask for the real thing. They ask for the real McCoy.

---

The administration of Quitman High School invites all Grandparents of K-2nd grade students to come take part in “Granola with Grands” this coming Friday, September 8th. 

Grab a snack, take a pic and meet the teacher from 1:00 – 2:30 pm but most of all come make a memory with your grandchild who will always remember the day ‘Nanna, Papa, MawMaw and Pawpaw” came to see them at school.  

---