The Jackson Parish Clerk of Court Office announces that names of those subject to serve have been drawn for the JANUARY 17, 2024 GRAND JURY. You can check the link below to see if your name has been drawn. Individuals listed will receive an official summons from the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Grand Jury selection only takes 30 minutes and does not get cancelled. This is NOT a Petit Jury which sits for a trial.
To see if your name has been drawn click here.ย
Staying true to the commitment he made when he was a Jonesboro-Hodge Tiger, Xavier Atkins has made it official that he will be a Tiger once again. Atkins, who prepped at Summer Creek High School in Humble, TX this past season, was one ofย 27 recruits to sign with LSU on the early signing day that took place on Wednesday, this past week.ย
Listed as the nationโs No. 26 linebacker prospect and ranked as high as the nationโs #10 linebacker by Rivals, Atkins was a finalist for 2024 Mr. Texas Football. Being named 1st team all district 21-6A after compiling 110 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks, Atkins led his team to a 14-2 record and the schools first ever berth in the UIL Texas Class 6A Division II Championship Game.ย
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For the second time in less than a month, Eldonta Osborne has been recognized. This time it is a national award that the Jonesboro native has been honored with being chosen the recipient of the 2023 Glen Permuy Contribution to the Profession Award from the Professional Association of the Boys & Girls Clubs.ย
The award was presented at the Southeast Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference titled โForward! United for Americaโs Youthโ was hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The award is given to someone who has made a significant contribution towards the advancement of the Boys & Girls Club Movement during the course of their career. Osborne started at the then-Boys & Girls Club of North Central Louisiana in 2001, which currently is located on Memorial Street in Ruston, La.
Since taking over as CEO, Osborne has led the charge to expand the Boys & Girls Club footprint in North Louisiana, and now oversees 11 Club sites ranging as far west as Homer and as far east as Monroe.
โHis heart for others, leadership style and unstoppable energy has only increased each year that I have worked for him,โ said Janet Wilson, Director of Resource Development for the North Central Region. โHe lives out his personal goal that we hear him say so often โ โwe must find a way to serve more kids, more often and in a more meaningful way!โโ
Among the 11 sites, Osborne created a vision called Club Blue that helps fund a Boys & Girls Club experience in rural sites. Many of these smaller towns cannot raise the money needed to build a Clubhouse just yet, so Osborne has made it his mission to meet and collaborate with city officials and leaders to bring the Club experience to every area in North Louisiana where the area youth need us most.
Osborne does not stop with his own organization. He has also mentored other CEOs in the Boys & Girls Club movement and consults with other leaders across the state and country.
The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on December 19th. It was far from the normal business like routine of taking care of parish affairs though.
This session was special as fellow jurors and those in attendance at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center said goodbye to long time, District 4 Police Juror, John McCarty, who was defeated in the November run off election by Sheketia Combs.
“Our parish was fortunate to have “Mr. John” as a Police Juror for as long as he was,” said JPPJ President Todd Culpepper. “His contribution is much appreciated and he will be missed.”
McCarty served on the Jackson Parish Police Jury from 1984 – 1997 and from 2016 to present. He served as the President for 2019 where he also served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Parish Cleanup Committee since 2020. During his nearly two decades of service, McCarty providedย valuable experience in setting and achieving goals for the community.ย
The selection of Student Athletes of the Week took on a distinct youth movement this past week. Being chosen to represent their respective schools for the week of December 17-23 were freshman, Zuwyneshya Johnson, at Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Brayden Smith, a sophomore at Quitman HIgh and Carly Jo Griffin who is in the 8th grade at Weston High School for the week of December 17-23.
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.
Carly Jo Griffin (8th Grade) โ Weston High School Girls Basketball
Zuwyneshya Johnson (9th Grade) โ Jonesboro-Hodge High School Girls Basketball
Brayden Smith (10th Grade) – Quitman High School Boys Basketball
The Village of Chatham sends a reminder that the 2023 property taxes are due by December 31st. If you mail in payments, they must also be postmarked by December 31st as well.
To check your properties located inside the municipal limits of Chatham and/or to pay your taxes online, visit https://snstaxpayments.com/chatham.
If you have any questions, please contact Chatham Village Hall at 318-249-2541.
It is a long standing tradition that when the Governor of the state of Louisiana prepares to leave office, he will sign off on pardons for some convicted criminals. he list of those that Jon Bel Edwards has signed off on to receive pardons or commutations of sentences for criminals stands at 56 as of December 21st.
Included is Connie Laron Sledge, who was convicted second degree murder charge in Jackson Parish. No details of what correctional facility, the arrest, or conviction was made public.ย
The Louisiana Board of Pardons meets on a regular basis to review and make decisions on Pardon and Commutation of Sentence (CTO) applications. Of all pardons made between October and December, 32 of them include second-degree murder charges and 8 of them include first-degree murder charges.ย
(With Christmas 2023 here, Iโd like to share a portion of one of the chapters in my new book, โBamboozled By A Bobcatโ regarding what Christmas was like during my growing up years in Goldonna.)
โChristmas at my house growing up. Man, what special memories. I think it all started
with a trip our family took to the woods out back to find a Christmas tree. It was not easy to find one perfectly shaped. One side would look good, but the back side was skimpy because of growing next to a big tree.
โNo problem. Mother would just set the tree in the corner and turn the skimpy side to the wall. Decorations were simple โ red roping, icicles, a few colored balls. No lights for one simple reason โ electricity had not made its way to Goldonna during the early years of my growing up.
โAnother favorite memory are the smells that came from my mamaโs kitchen โ wood
duck roasting in a cast iron pot, gravy dark and rich, cornbread dressing, a hen, not a turkey, roasting. We never had turkey growing up, but no problem, we were catching a chicken from the yard, wringing the neck, and scalding it.
โDesserts? Oh my! Chocolate pie, pecan pie and my all-time favorite, applesauce cake. Even today, my wife Kay and my daughter, Cathy, make me an applesauce cake for Christmas. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
โThe night before Christmas, Tom and I would go over from our house on one hill to the next hill where our cousins, Doug and Sambo, lived. Weโd build a big bonfire and shoot fireworks. I especially remember those big red two-inch firecrackers that could removed a finger if handled carelessly.
โAfter fireworks, it was off to bed, but sleep was not easy to come by because I couldnโt help thinking about what I might find under the tree the next morning. Tom and I would often wake up and jump out of bed long before daylight to see what was under the tree, and I was never disappointed.
โWe didnโt get the fancy stuff kids get today but a BB gun, toy truck, hard candy, apple
and orange, and maybe a board game.
โMy most memorable gift was when we were really small and we each got a pedal car.
Daddy had found them somewhere, maybe in somebodyโs garbage, but he brought them home, hammered out the dents and gave them a shiny coat of blue paint. I guarantee you no brand-new, store-bought pedal car would come close to providing the thrill we got when we saw those blue cars under the tree.
โProbably my favorite Christmas memory was when it came time to sit down for the
noon meal Mother had prepared. Before we sat down, she prepared a tray with everything we were about to enjoy, and the whole family would walk through the pine thicket to the home of an old couple and share our food with them. Otherwise they would not have had such a fine meal.
โIt taught me something that has stuck with me all my life, and that is the joy of giving. What sticks out in my mind the most is the lesson it taught us kids as Mother and Daddy used the occasion to remind us about the greatest gift ever given when God sent his son Jesus Christ to Earth to show us how to live and then to die and take the penalty of our sins on himself.
โThough our faith in what He did, we have the promise of life everlasting in His presence when our days on Earth are ended.โ
Having said that, Iโd like to wish my readers and listeners your very best Christmas ever.
CANEY LAKE โ Bass are moving to deeper water with best catches made on jigs, spoons and soft plastics. Yellow bass are hitting jigging spoons near the bottom in deep water. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs and they will also be headed for deeper water out from the dam as temperatures drop. 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 โ No report. Water is low. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE โ The crappie have moved to deep water with some good fish caught on shiners and jigs. No report on bass. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER โ Crappie have been best fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops in the river and in river lakes. Bass are best in the cuts fishing shad imitation lures. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE DโARBONNE โ With temperatures in the 30โs, the crappie bite is on fishing the
channels and channel edges in 14-16 foot water on shiners or jigs. Bass are moving to the secondary points and swim baits and soft plastics are picking up some nice fish. 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 โ The lake is down some seven feet as the result of the drawdown. Crappie are in the deep water out from the dam with shiners taking the most fish while jigs are working fairly well. Bass fishing has fair this week as they too are starting to move deep. Boats can still be launched at the State Park launch.. For latest information, call Kelโs Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT โ Catfishing has been good. Crappie fishing has improved on both ends of the lake with the south end of the lake as well as around the slips starting to improve. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN โ The water is low and fishing is quite slow this week. No fishermen trying it this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has updated the licensing system to allow individuals to renew their licenses before expiration. Previously, license holders had to wait until their license expired before repurchasing it.
Once you renew your license, the expiration resets to 365 days after your renewal.
Auto-Renew
License holders may also sign up for license auto-renew through our licensing website. This feature will automatically renew your license the moment it expires without any additional action on your part.
Auto-renew is available for most hunting and fishing licenses. This feature allows you to store payment information in the system and elect to have your license(s) renewed automatically every year. LDWF reminds users of a $3.50 convenience fee with any online transaction, including auto-renew.
In your LouisianaOutdoors.com account, you can select which annual licenses youโd like to auto-renew. LDWF will automatically renew your licenses at the purchase price plus the convenience fee using your stored credit card information. You will receive a reminder email 30 days and 7 days before the renewal date.
All year long, Jackson Parish 4-H members from area schools have been working on a service project to help fight poverty and hunger in the area. On Thursday, December 21st, the efforts of this past months focus of collecting canned goods items were realized when almost 850 canned food items were brought to the His Hands Ministries Food Bank in Jonesboro. Tabulating which schools contributed the most it was found that Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School was first followed by Gracepoint Christian Academy.ย
A bevy of local youth enjoyed picking out what they wanted for Christmas this past Wednesday when they descended on Walmart in Jonesboro to take part in the annual “Shop with a Cop.”ย
Members of the Jonesboro Police Department, Jonesboro Fire Department, Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Winnfield Police Department, Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District, Pinebelt Multi-Purpose Agency and other volunteers escorted the youth through the store.ย
Thanks to the benevolence of these agencies participating children were allowed to purchase as many items as they wanted within the dollar amount that each was given making this year’s Christmas a very merry one.ย
Fa-lah-lah is a joyous refrain from Deck the Halls. The catchy tune can restore our Christmas spirit. I love reading between the lines of familiar scripture to discover emotions of Bible characters. The Holy Spirit guides as I perceive the great joy of shepherds.
With a song in their hearts, they rushed to share the good news of the birth of the Savior. (Luke 2:15-17)
In stark contrast, Ebenezer Scrooge bellowed. โBah! Humbug!โ
Ebenezer had more than a bad temper and indifference to needs of others; the fictional character had Christmas dementia. He forgot the message of Christmas. Scrooge walked in the steps of King Herod, a wicked man who saw no reason to rejoice at news of the birth of the King of the Jews. Herod was a troubled man.
He falsely stated his desire to worship the (Christ) child; in reality he was planning the Deityโs demise. (Matthew 2:3-16)
How will others characterize me this Christmas?
Do I have the sensitivity of the shepherds or selfishness of Scrooge? My words will reveal what my heart holds.
Scrooge had a change of heart. Me? I pursue an attitude of praise and joy.
โJoy to the worldโ (Isaac Watts)
โAnd the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11 KJV).โ
To have your Business Services, Job Opportunities, Items for sale, Wanted to Buy and Public / Legal Notices published – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com. Possible costs are dependent on content.ย
100 Year History of JHHS Football – Wonderful Christmas gift for father, son, brother, uncle or just a great friend. Relive the memories, players and teams in this comprehensive season-by-season review of Jonesboro-Hodge High School football from 1919 – 2019. Cost of book is $25.00 each or $40.00 for two. Free shipping. To order call 318-480-1206 or send email to jpjjacksonla@gmail.com
Just a little over a month ago, the Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH) was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Rural Health Organization of the Year by the Louisiana Rural Health Association (LRHA).
Another step towards maintaining that position in the future took place on Monday, December 18th, when elected officials and JPH administrators broke ground on the Emergency Room / MRI / Endoscopy Expansion Project, estimated to be valued at #11 million dollars.ย
The groundbreaking took place in front of the hospitalโs electronic digital sign, another new addition in the last year, located on the corner of Beech Springs Hwy and Hwy 167 in Jonesboro. With “golden spade” in hand ten distinguished officials and hospital leaders “turned the earth” earmarking the upcoming addition of new services and a new look after 60 years of history through the “two phase” project.ย
โOur hospital was built in 1962. We just celebrated our 60th year anniversary. Over that time the healthcare industry has changed and grown. Our community has grown,โ said JPHโs, CIO/COO, Jason Thomas. “While we’ve made greater progress in implementing state-of-the-art technology throughout our hospital, only one major renovation has occurred in that entire history and that was for the inpatient wings. This will help match the building to modern healthcare requirements as well and provide more space tailored to today’s needs with plans for tomorrow’s growth.”
The project is being funded in part by a $2 million community appropriation project supported by Congresswoman Julia Letlow, R-La., with the rest coming from the hospital’s operating funds.ย
โWhat I try to share with my colleagues up in Washington is that $2 million dollars can go very far in our rural communities. It can really transform an entire town. And thereโs nothing thatโs more important than healthcare for our rural communities,โ said Letlow.
The first phase of the project will make upgrades to the front of the hospital by updating the patient and vehicle traffic flow. Inside the hospital, the former surgery and business office areas will then be combined into an expanded endoscopy suite, along with parts of a new emergency room area.ย ย
Phase 2 will then upgrade and rebuild the existing Emergency Room (ER) and surgery space, that once complete will increase the area from around 2,500 square feet each to a combined 12,000 square feet.
The new ER will feature eight treatment rooms and two trauma rooms, with additional access to the new surgery space’s single trauma room and three treatment areas if needed. A new ambulance bay will also be a part of the project, allowing for four-vehicle pass-through availability, along with ambulance and patient dedicated lanes. A 46-car parking lot will also be included in the project.
JPH officials say that “Phase 1” of the project is expected to wrap up in November or December 2024, with the completion of “Phase 2” estimated to be in the summer ofย 2025.ย
Make plans to be at the intersection of Jimmie Davis Blvd. and Polk Street in downtown Jonesboro at 12:00 pm (noon) on Wednesday, December 20 where the “fleur de lis” fountain will be dedicated in memory of two of Jonesboro and Jackson Parish’s most beloved residents, Tony and Marlene Rome.
On hand for the gala event, along with Jackson Parish government and civic leaders, will be members of the Rome family, including family matriarch, Anthony Nicholas “Tag” Rome. Now a prominent businessman in Shreveport/Bossier and owner of several State Farm Insurance Agencies, Tag remembered his “home town” by donating funds to the “Beautification of Jonesboro” projectย that provided the funding for the purchase of the fountain and corresponding plaque that is situated in the median of the intersection just up from where Anthony’s Men’s Store, was located that was owned and operated by Tony and Marlene and was a staple of the Jonesboro business district for decades.ย
After the dedication, a reception with refreshments will be held at the Jackson Parish Museum, located at 515 S Cooper Ave in Jonesboro. The public is invited to attend the dedication, and also the reception and enjoy the food that has been provided
Saline High School set a modern day school record and area prep girls and boys entered into the Christmas break full of momentum after collectively recording nine wins against only two losses in games played Monday and Tuesday.
It was a rare achievement indeed orchestrated by the girls and boys of Saline as both squads held their opponent scoreless in the first quarter, a feat that is believed to have never been done before on the same night in modern day times.
In composite action, area girls compiled a perfect 6-0 record paced by a pair of wins by Quitman and Saline and single victories by Jonesboro-Hodge and Weston. The boys also had a successful two days, goingย 4-2 overall with the Saline boys winning both of their games against schools from a higher classification while Weston and Quitman also took victories.ย
Quitman 61 Calvin 48 (girls) The visiting Lady Cougars scored the first 8 points of the game but Cali Deal scored 11 of her game high 33 points in the third quarter to help the Lady Wolverines “double up” Calvin by an 18-9 margin and pace QHS to a sweep of the season series. Anna Leach chipped in with 11 points on the strength of three 3-pointers. Taylor Harvey and Emma Walker added four points each, Morgan Cheatwood tallied three and both Taylor Borland and Hallie Kate Pullig finished with two points each. A free throw by Jaleigh Burns and A.J. Gray rounded out the scoring.ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Quitman | 4 | 13 | 18 | 26 | 61 |
| Calvin | 8 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 48 |
JHHS 49 Haynesville 6 (girls) The Lady Tigersallowed only one field goal and four free throws while turning in their best defensive performance since a 48-0 victory over North Caddo in 2021. The victory breaks a three game losing streak and registers more wins in a season before the Christmas break than all of last year. Morgan MaGee led the charge by scoring 9 of her game high 18 in the first quarter. Tyya Davis and Neesha Johnson chipped in with 7 points each followed by 6 from Sanaa Tatum. McKenzie Bradford, LaRonda McGuire and Ciara Gray all totalled three point each and Angel Moss rounded out the scoring with a second quarter basket.ย ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge | 10 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 49 |
| Haynesville | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
Saline 45 Lakeside 33 (girls) The Lady Bobcats held their Class 2A opponent scoreless on their home floor in the first quarter and never looked back to break a six game losing streak. Three players did most of the damage scoring all but six of Saline’s points led by Alana Gray who scored 16 on the strength of an 8 of 11 showing from the free throw line. Kacidy Sims and Tyla Malone, who connected on a season best three 3-pointers contributed 12 and 11 points respectively. Sydney Thomas, CeNada Weathers and Rachel Leggett scored two points each.ย ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Saline | 11 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 45 |
| Lakeside | 0 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 31 |
Saline 56 Lakeside 18 (boys) The Bobcats scored the first 20 points of the game and held their opponent to the lowest scoring output in head coach Klint Robinson’s long tenure. Gavon Dailey, Eli Ferguson and Maddox Williams all scored 11 points and Jer’Courtney Loyd added nine to pace the balanced scoring attack. Trent Ledbetter and Jay Nash scored four apiece, Nathan Peoples tallied three, Connor Roberts added two and Bryce Davis hit a fourth quarter free throw to round out the scoring.ย ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Saline | 15 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 56 |
| Lakeside | 0 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 18 |
Quitman 68 Calvin 56 (boys): The Wolverines spotted Calvin to a 31-17 second quarter lead but Eli Walker scored 8 of his 13 points and Gavyn Caskey made 7 of his ten on the night as Quitman went on a 21-5 fourth quarter run to win going away. Logan Ponder led four players in double figures with 14 with Noah Leach checking in with 11. Brayden Martin finished with nine and Braden Smith had six, Larsen Thomas four and Riley Duck hit a free throw as Quitman won their 14th game of the season.ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Quitman | 9 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 68 |
| Calvin | 18 | 13 | 20 | 5 | 56 |
Haynesville 46 JHHS 30: The Tigers took a 18-16 lead into the break but made only 5 of 16 shots in the second half as lack of firepower once again spelled doom.ย For the contest the Tigers hit on only 9 of 28 of their two point field goals and 4 of 18 from behind the arc. Daelen Boston led JHHS in scoring with 12 followed by seven points from Dewayne Palmer and five by Chance Leonard. Za’Mauryian Palmer and Symeon Malone chipped in with four and two points each as JHHS dropped their fifth straight.ย ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Jonesboro-Hodge | 6 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 30 |
| Haynesville | 15 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 46 |
Quitman 61 Simsboro 32 (girls): Anna Leach more than doubled her scoring average by exploding for a career high 19 points and Quitman came out of the half by outscoring Simsboro 17-3 in the third quarter. The victory was the fourth in a row and concluded the Lady Wolverines December record at 9-2 with the only losses being in overtime against St. Mary’s in Natchitoches and a December 1st affair against 15-2 Haughton. Cali Deal added 14 points and Jaleigh Burns 13 while Taylor Borland scored 8 and A.J. Gray finished with five. Emma Walker also scored two points.ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Quitman | 17 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 61 |
| Simsboro | 9 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 32 |
Weston 53 Stanley 45 (girls): Lainee Trosclair poured in 21 points and the Lady Wolves broke open a 35-34 game with a 12 point run. Carly Jo Griffin added 12 points and Anslee Aldy chipped in with nine. Nadia Siadek also came up big with 6 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks as did Lexie Millen who posted five points, 10 boards and four steals. The victory was the fourth in the last five games for Weston.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Weston | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 53 |
| Stanley | 7 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 45 |
Saline 40 D’Arbonne Woods 33 (girls) With their second victory over a higher classified school in as many nights, the Lady Bobcats enter the Christmas break boasting their second, two game winning streak of the year. Alana Gray led Saline with 16 points followed by Tyla Malone with ten. Kacidy Sims and CeNada Weathers scored 5 apiece and Jordan Williams finished with four points the same amount that D’Arbonne Woods scored in both the third and fourth quarters
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Saline | 5 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 40 |
| D’Arbonne Woods | 12 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 33 |
Saline 50 D’Arbonne Woods 47 (boys) Eli Ferguson and Gavon Dailey scored 11 each and Maddox Williams added ten as Saline exploded out to a 20-6 first quarter lead to win their fourth game in their last five outings. Connor Roberts ended with eight points, all in the second half to help quell the Crusaders late charge and Jer’Marcus Loyd scored six. Trent Ledbetter also added a pair of fourth quarter free throws.ย
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Saline | 20 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 50 |
| DWC | 6 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 47 |
Weston 68 Stanley 58 (boys) Bryce Zehr scored 27 points, just two off his season best and Weston stormed to a 34-17 lead to win the fourth out of their last five games. Tait Henderson also had a big night with 23 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Daniel Watlington and Tommy Walker, who added 7 rebounds, both finished with 6 points. Juan Gonzalez scored four and Tyler Pardue hit a pair of free throws for the Wolves
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Weston | 17 | 17 | 25 | 9 | 68 |
| Stanley | 5 | 12 | 16 | 25 | 58 |
Simsboro 82 Quitman 67 (boys) Next year’s district foe put up more points than anyone on the Wolverines this year and outscored Quitman 23-10 in the fourth quarter to break open what had been a close game. Logan Ponder scored 20 and Both Braden Smith and Eli Walker ended with 11 each. Gavyn Caskey netted nine points and both Noah Leach and Riley Duck scored seven with Brayden Martin making a field goal.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL |
| Quitman | 13 | 25 | 19 | 10 | 67 |
| Simsboro | 27 | 10 | 22 | 23 | 82 |
๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ช๐ฒ๐ต๐ผ: The list of addresses is below. If youโre starting in the Jonesboro area, start at No. 1 and end at No. 17. If youโre starting from the Quitman area, start at No. 17 and end at No. 1.
๐๐พ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ฌ: A special Spotify Playlist has been createdย to enjoy while you take the tour! There’s even a few “timed” surprises if you manage to stay on track!
Listen here: https://shorturl.at/uzGLS
๐ฅ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ: There are three categories to vote for – Major, Moderate, and Minor. The category is indicated next to each address! (Categories were self-selected when the participant entered the contest!)
๐ฅ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ท๐ด: https://forms.gle/qKaBRHtSUU7H7NrM6
๐ 1. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 152 Phil St, Jonesboro
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 2. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 1376 Country Road, Jonesboro
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 3. ๐๐พ๐๐๐ – 1524 Country Road, Jonesboro
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 4. ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ – 2030 Country Road, Jonesboro
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 5. ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ – 1006 Gansville Road, Jonesboro
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๐ 6. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 210 Polk Ave, Jonesboro
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๐ 7. ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ – 707 South St, Jonesboro
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๐ 8. ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ – 715 South St, Jonesboro
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 9. ๐๐พ๐๐๐ – 1111 S 3rd St, Hodge
http://maps.apple.com/maps?q=1111+S+3rd+St+Hodge+LA+71247
๐ 10. ๐๐พ๐๐๐ – 132 Lowery Rd, Quitman
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 11. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 6252 Quitman Hwy, Quitman
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๐ 12. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 434 Gladway Rd, Quitman
http://maps.apple.com/maps…
๐ 13. ๐๐พ๐๐๐ – 188 Sandy Acres Dr, Quitman
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๐ 14. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 334 Sandy Acres Dr, Quitman
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๐ 15. ๐๐พ๐๐๐ – 320 Keppler Creek Rd, Quitman
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๐ 16. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 4748 Beech Springs Rd, Quitman
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๐ 17. ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ – 176 Highway 148, Ruston
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สแดแดแด สแดแด สแดแด แด แด ษขสแดแดแด แดษชแดแด แดษดแด แดษดแดแดส แดสแด แดกแดสแด แดสแด แดแดสแดษชแดษชแดแดษดแด๊ฑ สแดแด แด แดแดแด ษชษดแดแด แด แดแดแดสแดแดษชษดษข แดสแดษชส สแดแดแด๊ฑ!
The Weston Wolves Baseball Team held their annual Christmas dinner on Monday, December 18th featuring special guest speaker, Joey Pender, long recognized for giving incredible motivational speeches.
After a wonderful meal presented by Ponchatoulas Restaurant in Ruston, Pender reminded the players how important character and leadership qualities are in winning championships and that the biggest game theyโll ever play is their relationship with Jesus Christ and making sure they can know for certain that they will win that one in the end.
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The Jackson Parish Police Jury adopted a pair of Ordinances at their final regularly scheduled meeting of the year that involved the 2023 and 2024 operating budgets of revenues and expenditures.ย
Ordinance No. 01-1219-2023 amended Ordinance No. 02-1220-2022 annual operating budgets of revenues and expenditures for General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Fund, and Capital Project Fund for the fiscal year 2023.
Ordinance No. 02-1219-2023 adopted the annual operating budgets of revenues and expenditures for General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Fund, and Capital Project Fund for the fiscal year 2024.ย
Jurors next approved the Road Priority Lists based on the Road Committee’s
recommendation and approved the purchase of an Asphalt Trailer for the Road Department.
In other business:ย
1. Riley Company of Ruston, LA was hired for Engineering Services for the 2024 Jackson Parish Road Program.
2. Quote from Albritton Service Company for new service installation at the Jackson Parish Transfer Station was accepted.
3. An announcement of a Public Meeting regarding the Council on Aging Property Tax Renewal was made
4. Action on amending Ordinance No. 04-1213-2010 to allow Sunday sale of liquor was tabled due to need of further research.
5. 2024 Solid Waste dumping fees to Municipalities were increased.
6. Approved moving the following employees to permanent employment status at conclusion of their 60-day probationary period:
Thomas Holland on 12/15/2023
Thomas Allen on 1/4/2024
7. Approved the North Louisiana Criminalistic Laboratory’s 2023 Amended Budget
and 2024 Proposed Budget
On Friday, December 15th, a select group of students, faculty, and staff traveled to Monroe’s Altitude Trampoline Park for a day of FUN! These select students scored Mastery or Above on the 2023 LEAP assessment and/or moved up an achievement level from their 2022 LEAP score and are a testament to our recent SPS increase (44.8/F to 53.7/D).
To clarify, Mastery is a score of 750 across all contents and is defined by the LDOE as meeting the grade level expectations and prepared for the next grade level. A school receives 150 points for every Advanced, 100 for every Mastery, 80 for every Basic, and 0 for every Approaching Basic and Unsatisfactory scoring.
“While I believe a score does not define our students, I am incredibly proud of the progress of this group of students. If you remember, the cohorts pictured were either in Kindergarten or 1st Grade when the world shut down due to the pandemic. Those are critical foundational years of learning that were interrupted. I admire their ability to perform on these assessments despite the adversity. I look forward to more students meeting their Growth to Mastery Academic Goals this coming year, as evidenced by the 2024 LEAP Assessment. –ย Ms. Copeland, Principal.
It feels like Hallmark channel syrupy sentimentality has washed over into sound biblical exegesis. Maybe I should blame it on all the โtruthโ floating around on Facebook. After all Facebook and Instagram are bastions of Biblical knowledge and wisdom. I have experienced an outbreak of Levitical shepherds and sheep. I have even heard of these Levitical shepherds swaddling sheep so they would remain pure and without blemish until the time of sacrifice.
I know Iโm an old dude, but I never heard of anything like this until three years ago. I heard it from a preacher who was speaking at a non-church event. He waxed poetic about the swaddling of a baby and how the shepherds would understand that. As I recall, he went on and on about shepherds swaddling Levitical sheep. I was too tired to go home and look it all up.
Then it grew into Levitical shepherds, who took care of the Levitical sheep meant for temple sacrifice. The Mishnah allows that animals destined for temple sacrifice would be raised around Bethlehem. These shepherds are in the region, so certainly these were Levitical shepherds raising Levitical sheep. Except, there are two Bethlehemโs in Palestine in the first century. Which Bethlehem are we talking about? It will make a difference in your sheep story.
The other problem with Levitical shepherd is the notion of a shepherd in first century Palestine. Shepherds were thieves and robbers. Their station in life was so low that they were not competent to be witnesses in judicial matters. When Jesus says, โI am the good shepherd.โ He is introducing a radical new concept to his audience.
Shepherds can be good. They can care for the sheep. They can be trusted. One author long ago said, Jesus as the good shepherd is an oxymoron. The shepherds, hearing the angelโs announcement were not good guys. They were felonious fellows watching the sheep at night.
Nope, I donโt believe Facebook and Hallmark have this exegesis right. The shepherds were night shift shepherds. They were the dregs of the dregs. It is to these outcasts the birth is announced. The first people coming to Jesus were not the religion professionals like preachers and priests. The first people to visit Jesus, didnโt really fit into the religious narrative or lifestyle. That is the point.
Christmas is about the unexpected love and grace of God. It flows freely, even to night shift shepherds. It flows all the way to you and me.
Oh, one more thing about Jesus in swaddling clothes. That didnโt remind the shepherds about some mythical sacrificial lamb swaddled to protect it. No, the scoundrel shepherds would have figured out that the good news came in the form of a newborn.
The story is powerful, just the way it is. You donโt need to read anything else into the love of God born in Jesus. In the end, all you and I need to know is Jesus.
The Quitman High School Theatre I Class invites the general public to come and enjoy their presentation of Junie B. Jones Jingle Bell, Batman Smells by Allison Gregory. The wonderful display of talent by the schools budding actors will take place in the QHS school auditorium at 6:00 pm om Thursday, December 21st. A donation fee of $1.00 will be asked at the door.ย
While Thanksgiving is a great holiday, Christmas is without a doubt my favorite. There are so many things that make it special, but itโs the memories of Christmas past that make it number one for me. Weโve all had a specific Christmas that carries special memories for each of us. Itโs not always about the gifts you got or didnโt get, but itโs about sharing time with family and friends. Yes, the gifts were great, but in our younger innocent years, thatโs not what made Christmas special.
Every year you got a lot of new stuff, but first you had to make room for the new stuff by getting rid of the things you got the year before. It was a continuous cycle and ritual that you had to go through every Christmas. I remember calling my best friend on Christmas morning and telling him everything I got. But the funny thing about that conversation was the fact that I usually had a hard time remembering what I did get.
As I got older, it made me realize that it wasnโt the gifts that made Christmas special. It was more about all the moments shared with family and friends at parties or driving around town and looking at Christmas lights. It was the food, like my momโs pecan pie and homemade fruit salad. It was going downtown to see the annual Christmas parade the day after Thanksgiving, which was a great way to kick off the Christmas season.
It was picking out a real tree until our family decided to go the artificial route. I even remember my grandparents having this weird white Christmas tree with a rainbow-colored lamp that rotated different colors onto the tree. I thought it was the worst Christmas tree of all time and whoever came up with this idea should have been taken out behind the woodshed and severely beaten.
But for me, it was more about the anticipation of Christmas Eve and believing that jolly Olโ Saint Nick was headed my way. It was tuning into the 10 oโclock news that night and watching the Santa tracker as I laid two feet on the floor in front of the TV. Where is he right now and how soon will he be coming to my house?
As a youngster, I was a true believer, but could not wrap my head around how he would get into my house since we did not have a chimney. How was this man, bigger than life, going to enter my house and leave the gifts I so desired and had earned? It’s amazing the imagination you had as a kid and the thought process that went with it.
Finally, the big day arrived after a long and sleepless night trying to hear Santaโs arrival. I remember waking up at 5:00 AM on Christmas morning and having to lie in bed until everyone was up, wondering did the big man leave me the Hot Wheels Track or the Daisy BB gun I requested, or would it be underwear and clothes that I did not request? Did he remember the new bike I desired with the sissy bar and chopper handlebars? I gave him plenty of options so surely, he left at least one of those! After the gifts were opened and I was dressed for the day, I remember going outside and looking for sleigh marks or deer tracks as proof that he actually came.
Then the day comes when someone delivers the shocking news that Santa isnโt real! It puts that little bit of doubt in your mind and makes you question Santaโs true existence. They would destroy your beliefs with common sense facts and tell you that the big fat man in the red suit does not exist! They would try to reason with you how impossible it would be for a full-size man who eats nothing but cookies and drinks lots of milk would ever fit down a chimney! It was hard to argue with that!
But, in the back of your mind, youโre thinking the โknow it allโ kid just might be mistakenโฆ.. or is he? He puts just enough doubt in your mind that you feel that the only way to find out for sure is by asking your mom. Moms never lie and she would never tell you something thatโs not true!
Then your mom says to you that it doesnโt matter what anyone says, and tells you to ask yourself, โDo YOU believe?โ She never actually answers your question, and she leaves you continuing to think that maybe he is real. This is what keeps the magic of Christmas alive. The one thing I always told my kids as each of them at some point ask the age-old question, โDoes Santa really exist?โ was, โIf you stop believing, he will stop leaving.โ
Now the day finally comes when you know the answer, but it sure was a lot more fun when you thought differently and just werenโt quite sure. Your imagination as a child is what made Christmas so special. Thatโs still the case today, as thereโs nothing more fun and exciting than to see that twinkle in a kidโs eye as they see jolly Olโ Saint Nick.
I hope youโve enjoyed this look back in time when all of us had that special believing look in our eye. Itโs always fun going back in time and remembering the things that made each Christmas so special. As we get older, we realize that itโs more about the times we share with family and friends that makes Christmas so special. To each of you, Merry Christmas, and may all your dreams and wishes come true. Remember, believing is not always about seeing.
Steve Graf
Anglerโs Perspective