Over the past several years, dozens and dozens of Pledge 10 grants have been awarded by the Jonesboro State Bank for projects in Jackson Parish and the surrounding area that benefit the community at large.
Proposals are being accepted until March 15th from Jackson, Bienville, Winn, and Lincoln Parish nonprofit organizations, schools, public agencies, and churches for the Spring Cycle Grants.
To learn more about the guidelines and for the online application click here.
Scam callers are the worst… and even if your phone has a spam blocker, they can still sometimes sneak through. According to the FTC, these are the area codes most likely to scam or spam call residents of Louisiana and Texas, so beware when one of these area codes pops up. Area codes known to be associated with scam and spam calls are 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849, and 876.
The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified one particular phone scam that is currently being perpetrated in north Louisiana. This involves the transfer of money where the caller identifies themselves as a sheriff with the parish. The number the call comes from will appear as a local number.
OPSO said this in their Facebook post.
The caller will then tell the person answering the call that they have missed Jury Duty and owe a substantial cash fine to avoid arrest. The caller will then give instructions to the victim to withdraw cash and take it to a specific kiosk that accepts cash to deposit it.
You are reminded that the Sheriff’s Office does not solicit fines or payments in this manner, never asking anyone over the phone to pay in cash or by credit or debit card using a kiosk for the transaction.
If you believe you have been the victim of this SCAM or similar scams, contact your local law enforcement agency.
Each week select members of the administration and faculty of Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School choose a representative from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to be honored as Student of the Week. Those selected receive a certificate from the school as well as a Paws team member T-Shirt. The award winners are chosen by showing positive behavior and best exhibiting the PAWS principles throughout the school!
P – Prepare yourself
A – Act Respectfully
W – Work Together
S – Safety First)
6th grade – SYLA MALONE
7th grade – WYNONA AYRES
8th grade – JALAILA AMOS
Head Track Coach Trevaun Calahan announces the 2023 Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School Track Schedule. The Junior Tigers will compete in four meets during the month of March including the Cedar Creek Invitational that was run on Tuesday, March 7th. Upcoming meets are the Neville Jr. High Invitational on March 9th, Choudrant Jr. High Meet on March 21st and the Quitman Jr. High Invitational on March 28th.
On your mark! Get set! Go to the Simsboro Invitational this Thursday at 3:00pm to see Jonesboro-Hodge and Quitman High compete in varsity track and field competition.
The meet will be the season opener for JHHS while Quitman will be coming off of the Cedar Creek Invitational that was held on March 3rd which also had Weston High take part in.
Local participants who placed 1st – 6th at Cedar Creek Invitational:
Girls:
1st Place: Jalexiah Claridy – Weston High ( Shot Put)
2nd Place: Lily Kate Odom – Quitman High (Triple Jump)
3rd Place: Jalexiah Claridy – Weston High (Discus)
3rd Place: Kaleigh King – Quitman High (Pole Vault)
4th Place: Kaleigh King – Quitman High (100 Meter Hurdles)
5th Place: Nadia Siadek – Weston High (Shot Put)
5th Place: Emayshia Wiley – Quitman High (100 Meter Dash)
5th Place: Carroll-Anne Foshee – Weston High (Pole Vault)
6th Place: Neysha Johnson – Quitman High (Long Jump)
Boys:
3rd Place: Sebastian Guin – Quitman High (Shot Put)
3rd Place: Nathan Harvey – Quitman High (110 Meter Hurdles)
3rd Place: Brian Lay – Quitman High (Pole Vault)
5th Place: Juan Gonzales – Weston High (Shot Put)
6th Place: QHS 4×100 Relay Team
6th Place: Nicholas Kliebert – Quitman High (High Jump)
The Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School (J-HES) Wraparound Services Program is pleased to partner with Ms. Shonneshia Jackson of the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Medicaid Division for Medicaid Round-Up. The event will take place at 5:00pm on Monday, March 13th at the J-HES Cafeteria.
Those in attendance will be able to update current information, register for new cards, and enroll in Medicaid and school Telemed services. Don’t risk losing coverage due to government changes that become effective on May 11th. Proof of Identification must be provided.
Ever wished you didn’t have to take off work during the week to go see a doctor? Or been faced with the situation of needing to see a doctor on a Saturday only to be told you would have to wait until Monday or go to the emergency room? Of course, you have as that is the way it has always been, or at least in the not-so-far-distant past.
Thanks to the administration of the Jackson Parish Hospital you don’t have to make special arrangements or wait to see a doctor and in worse case scenarios pay emergency room costs anymore.
Now you can go to the Saturday Clinic, located at 107 Watts Avenue in the Family Care Clinic building, where from 9:00am – 1:00pm one of the many great JPH healthcare providers will be there to take care of your entire family. Appointments can be made by calling 318-395-2121 but it is not necessary as walk-ins are welcome.
Better late than never! It has been a long time in coming but finally after many months of waiting the new Jackson Parish Library Bookmobile is scheduled to be delivered.
“We have been waiting on this day for over a year but due to first the problems with COVID and then supply chain problems felt by the manufacturer and specialty design company the delivery date kept getting pushed back,” said JPL Director Floyd Knox. “I can’t tell you how excited I was when I got the call that soon our Bookmobile would be here.”
Children from the ages of 9-13 are invited to come to the Jonesboro Branch at 4:00pm on Thursday for Crazy Hair Blow Painting Day. Register at the circulation desk. Art pickup will also be available if you can not make it and don’t forget to pick up this weeks Grab-N-Go while you are in!
Since the earliest humans roamed the Earth, theft has been a problem. I imagine one caveman being envious of another caveman’s club and taking it when the opportunity presented itself. Over the millennia, humans developed rules which eventually became enforceable laws to stave off thievery. In some cases, the penalty for theft was excessive in comparison to the value of what was stolen. In 2019, a man convicted of theft in Iran had four of the fingers on his right hand cut off.
In early November 1906, a boy whose name has been lost to history spied some “penny toys” dangling from the doorway of a shop in Weinfelden, Switzerland. Without much thought of the possible consequences, the boy seized two of the penny toys and simply walked away. The boy made no attempt to hide the stolen toys, nor did he rush away from the scene of the crime. He calmly strode away from the shop.
The shop’s clerk contacted a policeman and reported the crime. The clerk pointed in the direction the boy had walked. With the help of the public who, like the clerk, pointed in the direction the boy had walked, the policeman quickly made his way to the boy’s home. The boy’s parents were unaware of the boy’s new toys until the policeman arrived. The policeman questioned the boy who laughingly admitted to taking the penny toys. With a solid confession, the policeman arrested the boy.
When the theft case came before the Weinfelden magistrate, the policeman held the boy up so the magistrate could take a good look at him and so the boy could see the official, as well. When the magistrate asked the boy if he had taken the penny toys, the boy laughingly admitted to the crime just as he had done with the policeman. The boy tried as well as he could to defend his actions. He tried to explain to the magistrate that he did not have any toys like the other boys in his neighborhood. The magistrate was unaffected by the boys attempt to explain away his crime, and as sternly as if he were facing the most cold-blooded of murderers loudly proclaimed “three and a half months’ imprisonment.”
The boy’s parents, shocked by the prison sentence for a couple of penny toys, fell on their knees and pleaded with the magistrate to reconsider. As the boy had openly confessed to thievery, the boy’s parents had just one argument, that the boy did not know the difference between right and wrong. With hardly a glance in their direction, the magistrate sternly told the policeman, “Remove the prisoner.” The policeman seemed almost as shocked as the parents, but he had to abide by the magistrate’s order. The policeman led the boy to an equally astonished warden to begin his sentence.
Whether the boy’s imprisonment deterred him from a life of crime is unknown. It is possible that the boy did not remember the incident. You see, the boy who was sentenced to three and a half months imprisonment for the theft of two penny toys, had recently had a birthday. He had just turned three years old.
Bethany Leach and Brayli Stewart of Quitman High School traveled to the girls state basketball tournament in Hammond, LA last week to take part in the 2022-23 LHSAA Winter Quarter All Academic Awards Ceremony.
The pair were two of seven athletes from Jackson Parish that earned Composite All-Academic honors which required a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA). Others named to the elite team was Ansley Folks, Emma Carter and Blake Carter of Quitman High, Emma Kate McBride from Weston and Ajay Tew from Jonesboro-Hodge High School.
Earning All-Academic Class designation which required at least a 3.5 GPA was A’Jorianna Hoggro from Jonesboro-Hodge (3.5357 GPA) and Summer Grillette of Quitman (3.9649)
Jackson Parish was well represented at the 80th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show held March 2-4 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, located at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge.
Highlighting the fine performance turned by the local 4-H contention was Clara Robinson winning the Market Goat Division and placing second in Showmanship. Evan Robinson also placed sixth in the Market Goat Division and seventh in Showmanship while Reese Johnson did a wonderful job exhibiting Market Goats, Lambs, and Hogs entries.
Students from Cornerstone Christian Academy enjoyed field trips recently. On March 3rd the upper level students traveled to Shreveport to visit the Sci-Port Discovery Center while on March 2nd the lower level students celebrated the memorial birthday of Dr. Seuss by participating in activities at the school and the Jackson Parish Library.
Not counting the contests played on Tuesday, March 7th, three games remain to be played for the Cornerstone Christian Academy varsity and junior varsity boys basketball teams in the SLICE League regular season. Coached by Dusty McNaughton the CCA varsity boys are at 5-3 on the year and in third place behind league leader Heritage and second place Kingston. The JV boys are 3-3 and in fourth place behind Kingston and two games behind Kingston, Heritage, and ARC.
Both teams are still in contention to make the playoffs that are set to begin on March 31st. In the varsity division, the top 7 teams qualify for postseason play and in the JV division, the top six teams move on. All playoff tournament games will be played at Kingston.
Varsity Boys:
March 14th: CCA at LA School
March 16th: ARC at CCA (Senior Night)
March 17th: CCA at ARC
JV Boys:
March 10th: CCA at Northside
March 16th: ARC at CCA
March 17th: CCA at ARC
The Jackson Parish Golf Course has announced the 2023 Tournament schedule for this spring and summer. All tournaments will be played on set weekends beginning with the Westrock 3-Man Scramble on May 6th and continue until the Club Championship slated for September 9-10. The always popular Tuesday Scramble will tee off on March 14th and continue each Tuesday through August.
Tuesday Scramble – Every Tuesday (9 holes)
May 6th: Westrock 3-Man Scramble (18 holes)
June 3rd: Chamber of Commerce 2-Man Scramble (18 holes)
June 17th: Quitman Softball 2-Man Scramble (18 holes)
July 8th: Four Corners 2-Man Scramble (18 holes)
July 15th: Pineywoods Shootout 2-Man Scramble/Shamble (27 holes)
August 12th-13th: Pineywoods 3-Man Scramble (36 holes)
September 9th-10th: Club Championship (36 holes)
The Louisiana Main Street Program was one of nine projects nationwide to receive grant funding through the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (HRSP). The National Park Service, which oversees the HRSP grants, awarded Louisiana Main Street $749,000 for the rehabilitation and revitalization of commercial buildings around the state. Grant awards in the amount of $55,000 each will be given to owners or tenants of historic buildings located within officially designated Louisiana Main Street districts. Grants are available for either interior or exterior building rehabilitation projects.
To be eligible for HRSP funds, a building must be located within a Louisiana Main Street district in a community with less than 50,000 population. The building must also be either individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a contributing element in a National Register Historic District. In addition, buildings that are eligible for either of these National Register designations but not currently designated can qualify. All proposed rehabilitation work must comply with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
The HRSP application, details, and deadlines are available by contacting Danielle Stein, Thibodaux Main Street, Inc. Executive Director, at Danielle@ThibodauxMainStreet.com or by visiting www.DowntownThibodaux.org.
This project is supported through a grant from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.
We not only yearn for the good ole’ days; we hope for better days ahead.
Our lives are made up of bitter and sweet; sunshine and rain, adversity and prosperity.
We can learn to be grateful for both happiness and heartache. It’s easy to see the plus side of equations; yet, negatives (our times of trouble) can draw each of us closer to the Lord.
Better days will come.
“But they now aspire to a better land – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16 HCSB).”
The Creator is the architect, city planner and zones coordinator. Our comfort zones will have no boundary lines of restriction. He knows our every need.
Not only has God created the city but He prepares our dwelling places as well.
“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also (John 14:1-3 HCSB).”
And now… He’s preparing us.
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 HCSB).”
Yes, our day will come.
NOTE: Pam Ford Davis is a contributing author to Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, and Mary Hollingsworth’s The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
To have published your Business Services, Job Opportunities, Items for sale, Advertisements for Bids, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotes, Public Notices, and Legal Notices – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com. Possible costs are dependent on content.
Stump Removal and Grinding: Call James Stewart at (318) 243-1009 or (318) 768-2554 for your stump removal and grinding needs. Free Estimates!
Sales Position: Globe Life Insurance is searching for a motivated self starter to represent the Family Heritage Division that offers supplemental Life, Cancer, Heart, Stroke, ICU and Accident policies. To learn more contact Regional Director, Jamie Antley, at 318-488-1218 or send email to jamiefamheritage@gmail.com
Book – “100-year history of JHHS football” Comprehensive year-by-year description of the first 100 years (1919-2019) of JHHS football. Includes categorial individual and team top ten rankings. Perfect gift for that family member or friend who would enjoy remembering their “glory days”. The cost is $25.00 per book plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. To order call (318) 480-1206.
Commemorative Plates – Beautifully etched china plates commemorating Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Jackson Parish. To order contact Wilda Smith at (318) 426-6511 or Barbara Johnson at (318) 450-5561.
REQUEST FOR BIDS: The Jackson Parish Recreation District is looking for a vendor to run the concession stand for the upcoming baseball season. If you want to submit a proposal or have questions, contact Tommy Smith at 318-737-8493.
Veteran’s Affairs Office Open: The Veteran’s Affairs Office, located at 322 6th Street in Jonesboro, is open on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m. Representative, Mr. Gary Poole, can be reached at 318-259-2100 or by email at gary.poole@la.gov
Please submit all applications to Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: egibbs@jppj.org.
POSITION: Mechanic I
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Road Department
Description:
Under close supervision, the Road Department Mechanic I is a skilled position responsible for performing minor and major repairs on automobiles, trucks, heavy trucks, tractors, heavy equipment, and related departmental equipment. Assignments are made orally or in the form of written work orders.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age.
• High school diploma, or equivalent, required.
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License preferred.
• ASE certified or two (2) years experience at the journey level, working with diesel engines, heavy trucks, and equipment, or three (3) years experience as an auto mechanic.
• Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds frequently.
• Ability to work safely in all weather conditions, including adverse conditions.
• Can understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Able to work in elevated areas, confined spaces, and on and off ladders.
• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Basic Responsibilities:
• The Mechanic is responsible for performing all types of routine maintenance and service duties on equipment, including repair work on engines, transmissions, differentials, electrical systems, front ends, and minor tune-ups. Arc welding, Mig Welding, and Acetylene Cutting with torch and plasma cutting.
• Road tests vehicles and confirms complaints, checks malfunctions, and determines necessary repair needs using experience and the use of various testing equipment and tools.
• Changes oil and oil filters, air filters, hydraulic filters, etc. on gas and diesel equipment.
• Greases truck chassis, wheel bearings, and end equipment moving parts.
• Performs repair work on small gasoline engines. Able to operate a chainsaw and weed eater.
• Repairs and adjusts brakes and clutches; replace brake linings and cylinders.
• Performs hydraulic systems repairs on trucks and equipment.
• Repairs flat tires and performs all related tasks incumbent to this endeavor.
• Uses manual and power equipment for breaking down and balancing of tires.
• Operates service/lube truck and performs maintenance duties on equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance work of vehicle air conditioning systems.
• Inspects and repairs suspension systems on automobiles and trucks.
• Tracks all warranty work available for equipment.
• Maintains all shop records, work orders, purchase orders, shop inventory, and shop work scheduling.
• Performs proper pre-start and daily maintenance and service of equipment including lubrication, changing tires, making minor adjustments and repairs, and cleaning.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of general maintenance requirements of various pieces of light to heavy motorized equipment.
• Services, changes tires and cutting blades, cleans machines including trucks, and makes minor adjustments.
• Recognizes and diagnoses equipment malfunctions or complicated services needs and reports to Supervisor.
• May be required to lift equipment, tools, or any combination in excess of 100 pounds.
• Skilled in the use of tools and the operation of machines and equipment used in automobile repair and maintenance.
• Adheres to all traffic laws, applicable Federal and State health and safety rules, local ordinances, and Jackson Parish Police Jury rules and regulations and policies and procedures.
• Ability to drive various pieces of equipment used by the Police Jury.
• Follows safety procedures and practices as required, as well as wearing required safety
• Performs other job-related duties, as assigned.
Detailed Job Description available upon request.
Please submit all applications to: Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: egibbs@jppj.org.
POSITION: Operator I
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Solid Waste Department
Description:
Under close supervision, the Solid Waste Department Operator I is a semi-skilled to skilled position consisting of equipment operation, manual labor, and maintenance repair of various pieces of light and heavy motorized equipment and trucks used in solid waste management, maintenance, inclement weather, and other generalized work. Incumbent may be used as a relief operator on equipment of a higher class if qualified and trained.
Minimum Qualifications:
• In good standing as an employee in current position
• Class B CDL Driver’s License required; progression towards Class A CDL a plus
Basic Responsibilities:
• Primarily operates trackhoe/packer located at the Solid Waste Landfill.
• Directs compact trucks and the public to the proper dumping areas in the landfill.
• Packs and tarps the garbage in the trailers and prepares the trailers to be transported to the Union Parish Landfill.
• Keeps the wall area washed and clean.
• Cleans out drains and bins, when necessary.
• Monitors the water transport and hauls and empties, when necessary.
• Picks up general litter and debris around the landfill, keeping it clean and organized.
• Cross-trained on all Operator II positions; prepared and able to operate any and all equipment used at the landfill.
• Serves as a backup for the Specialty Equipment Operator (Compact Truck), if qualified, trained, and licensed and Operator I and II positions, if necessary (at the appropriate set-up rate).
• Physically present to perform the duties of the position.
• Performs walkaround safety checks at the beginning of every day noting any deficiencies found on equipment and report to Supervisor.
• Complete daily paperwork noting equipment and materials used each day and daily equipment forms.
• Must have good working knowledge of equipment and safety habits.
• Performs manual work functions associated with construction, maintenance, and cleanup of the solid waste landfill and off-site bin sites in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.
Detailed Job Description available upon request.
Bonnie Ann Lowe passed away peacefully at her home in Jonesboro, Louisiana on Tuesday, March7, 2023. She was 93 years old. Bonnie was born in Wyatt, Louisiana on September 20, 1929 to Allie Washington Holsomback and Josie Carrenthe (Buchanan) Holsomback.
She worked as a florist at Edmonds Funeral Home, and then owned Lowe’s Southern Flower Shop in Jonesboro. Later, Bonnie worked at Harvest Foods in Ruston as their florist. She loved to raise a garden full of vegetables, especially tomatoes and purple hull peas. Bonnie loved taking care of her yard full of flowers as well. She loved her church and all her church family at Siloam Springs Community Church.
Bonnie is survived by her son, Larry Wayne Lowe; daughters, Deborah Ann Gates (Douglas), Tina Jo Merritt (Raymond); many grandchildren and great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Ray Lowe; her parents; and 9 brothers and sisters.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM, officiated by Bro. Wayne Morrow. Burial will be in Siloam Springs Community Church Cemetery near Wyatt, under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
Quitman went south to play and Weston went north. Their records went the complete opposite way. The weekend proved very fruitful for the Lady Wolverines who won three games at the prestigious Acadiana Tournament in Broussard. Included was wins over a Class 4A school, the #5 ranked team in Division IV among “non select” schools and a victory over defending Class B state champion Holden. The “three peat” improved Quitman’s record to 5-4 against one of the hardest schedules in the state and vaulted QHs to #9 in the Division V rankings. Meanwhile Weston continued to give up heavy doses or runs in their two losses in the Choudrant tourney to fall to 1-6 on the year.
Quitman 14 Eunice 0: it was the best of both worlds for the Lady Wolverines in their easy “ten run” rule victory over their Class 4A foe in the tourney opener. 
Maggie Guyotte drove in five runs and Maddie Brymer four, as both hit a pair of home runs to lead the 15 hit offensive attack. Madison Chaplin got three hits, scored three runs and stole three bases and Skyler Hall and Hallie Kate Pullig stroked doubles, got an RBI and scored a run. Cali Deal knocked in a pair or runs on a hit and a walk and Madeline Vail got a hit, walked, scored a run and stole a base. Karley Huckaby got a hit and scored a run and Averi Williams added a hit.
Deal and Guyotte were as dominant in the circle as the Lady Wolverines were offensively. Throwing 40 strikes in just 55 pitches the pair combined for a perfect game, no hitter with Deal striking out six in four innings and Guyotte recording a K to close out the game.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| Eunice (2-5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Quitman (3-4) | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3 | x | 14 | 15 | 0 |
Quitman 13 Opelousas Catholic 0: Seventh grader, Hallie Kate Pullig, drove in six runs with a home run and a double and Madison Chaplin roped a single, double and a triple as QHS “ten run” ruled the #5 seed in Division IV among “non-select” schools.
Madeline Vail added three hits and two runs and Skylar Hall scored twice and drove in a pair through a walk and single. Maddie “Big Bopper” Brymer scored twice, reached base twice and scored a run while Karley Huckaby and Averi Williams scored a run each. Cali Deal continued her mastery on the mound, striking out nine and allowing just one hit in five innings of work.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| Opelousas Catholic (7-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quitman (4-4) | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | x | 13 | 14 | 1 |
Quitman 4 Holden 3: Maggie Guyotte hit a clutch two out triple to drive in Madison Chaplin and Cali Deal who had singled, as QHS scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally past the defending Class B champs. Karley Huckaby singled, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Anna Leach’s sacrifice fly to open the final frame of the contest many predict was a preview of the Division V state championship contest . Quitman struck first when Chaplin led off the game with a single, stole second and scored on a Cali Deal groundout. Holden tied the score in the bottom of the third on a single and triple and then took a two run lead in the bottom of the 5th when two runs following a lead off double, an intentional walk, a single and an error. In an odd quirk of fate, Starting her third straight contest, Deal went six innings, striking out nine but not in normal fashion. Guyotte relieved Deal in the bottom of the fifth and then Deal returned to the circle for the final frame. The result was Guyotte got the win after throwing one inning in relief, while Deal, who started the contest earned a save. Quitman improved to 5-4 on the year with a third straight win while Holden, who has played 7 Class 5 A schools and only two schools with a losing record, fell to 4-6 with a third straight loss.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Quitman (5-4) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| Holden (4-6) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
Summerfield 14 Weston 5: After spotting Summerfield a six run first inning lead, Weston battled back to narrow the margin to 6-5 only to give up seven runs on 8 hits and a walk in the sixth inning. Betty McCarty went 3 for 3 with a walk and an RBI to lead the Lady Wolves offense followed by a 2 for 4 performance that included a run scored and two stolen bases by Carly Jo Griffin. Josie Irvin scored twice on a hit and a walk and Jacie Ledford, stole two bases and scored a run after reaching base twice via walks. Carlyn Waters knocked in a run on a hit and a walk and Jaylin Williams added a single. Anslee Aldy, who took the complete game loss, got a hit and knocked in a run.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Weston (1-6) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| Summerfield (3-1) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | x | 14 | 15 | 0 |
Oak Grove 18 Weston 1: For the second straight game Weston fell way behind after one, this time by a dozen runs as Oak Grove waltzed their way to the three inning victory. Weston got two hits in the contest, both triples in the bottom of the first inning by Jacie Ledford and Gracie Mudge, who drove in Ledford.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | R | H | E |
| Oak Grove (1-1) | 12 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 1 |
| Weston (1-6) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Quitman and Weston had just about had enough of “tourney time” after both lost twice last weekend and the first game they played on Friday. After their final games of their respective tournaments though suddenly things don’t look so bad, especially since the two teams that the locals beat to snap their losing streaks are both in Class B and could be potential playoff foes.
Wolverines win first of year! You could see the progression in each game. After losing by five in the season opener, QHS fell by three and then by a single run in two straight. Now thanks to an Ian Tilley first inning triple and a complete game three hit shut out by John Reagan Hasley, the Wolverines finally got into the win column in their final game of the Grant Tournament.
What makes the victory all the more sweeter is that it came at the expense of former district nemesis and defending Class B state champion Choudrant. The much needed victory put an end to the four game slide Quitman had opened the season with and ended a three game win streak by the 6th ranked Aggies.
Tilley gave the Wolverines all the runs they would need when he line a shot to right and legged it to third setting up a Riley Duck grounder to third that was booted allowing Tilley to score. Nothing but goose eggs followed for both teams the rest of the way.
Maddox Duck got two hits for QHS with Braden Hobbs, Kace West and Cam Deal chipping in with singles. Logan Ponder drew a pair of walks and Brian Lay got hit by a pitch. Hasley was the key though, allowing only three singles in 81 efficient pitches for his first career victory.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Quitman (1-4) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Choudrant (5-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Grant 4 Quitman 3: After spotting the Class 4A school a pair of two run leads the Wolverines fought back to leave the tying run on base. The loss marked the second straight one run defeat. Grant reached starter and loser Pete Simonelli for a pair of first inning runs but QHS cut the lead to one in the top of the second when Cam Deal doubled and eventually scored on a passed ball. The score was tied in the top of the fifth when John Reagan Hasley opened with single, moved to second on a Brian Lay bunt single and scored on Logan Ponder’s two out hit. Entering the top of the 7th inning, QHS was again behind by two but Lay reached on an error then stole second setting up Ponder’s second two out hit that scored one before a ground ball ended the rally.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Quitman (0-4) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| Grant (5-3) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | x | 4 | 6 | 1 |
The closer the Wolves got to home the better the outcome. After falling 10-8 to a late rally by Crossett, AR in Monroe, Weston closed the tourney by blasting Class B foe Stanley 10-4 and then winning on a rally of their own against homestanding Cedar Creek in Ruston. The pair of victories snapped a five game losing streak and upped the Wolves record to 4-5 on the year.
Weston 8 Cedar Creek 7: Errant play and pitching by Cedar Creek was the catalyst for two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning that rallied the Wolves to victory. Blaine Graham reached on an error to start the decisive inning and advanced on a walk to Colton Blundell. Then with two outs Tait Henderson drew a walk and Braden Theriot got hit by a pitch to score Graham. Blundell then scored the winner on a wild pitch. Cedar Creek opened the bottom of the second by having a batter reach on an error but Henderson, who earned the win in 3.1 innings of relief, coaxed a double play ground out. Cooper Delaney then closed the door by snaring a grounder at first. Blundell scored three times and reached base four times on two hits and two walks to lead the Wolves offense. Delaney knocked in a run on a hit and two walks and Henderson chipped in with two hits, one being a double. Sawyer Watkins got a hit and knocked in a pair and both Bryce Zehr and Cole Tolar got a hit, walk and drove in a run. Theriot scored twice and drove in a run after getting plunked twice and drawing a walk. Drew Browning chipped in with a double and Graham scored a run.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Weston (4-5) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| Cedar Creek (1-6) | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
Weston 10 Stanley 4: The Wolves got five runs in the first and last at bats to take the easy victory over their Class B foe. Colton Blundell and Tait Henderson reached on errors, Braden Theriot walked and then Cooper Delaney doubled to give Weston a quick 2-0 advantage. Sawyer Watkins and Blaine Graham followed with singles and Drew Browning doubled to up the lead to 5-0. Stanley clawed back to within 5-3 before Browning opened the sixth with his second double of the day. Cole Tolar and Colton Blundell drew walks and both Bryce Zehr and Tait Henderson singled to up the lead to 7-3 before Weston made their first out. With two outs, Watkins reached on an error and after a balk scored a run, Graham singled to bring in Weston’s final run. Delaney drove in three and threw a complete game four hitter to pick up his second win of the year.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Stanley (3-7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Weston (3-5) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | x | 10 | 11 | 2 |
Crossett 10 Weston 8: An 8-2 lead turned into a 10-8 defeat after Crossett scored sixth in the fifth inning and two more in the bottom of the sixth. Five walks, two errors and a dropped third strike led to the meltdown. Weston took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second when Braden Theriot reached on an error and both Cooper Delaney and Sawyer Watkins hit singles to open the inning. Drew Browning knocked in a run on a ground out and Blaine Graham followed with a sac fly to center. After Crossett tied the score the Wolves went up by three following Drew Browning being safe on an error, and Graham and Henderson sandwiching singles around a walk to Colton Blundell. The lead ballooned to 8-2 in the top of the fifth when Cole Tolar led off by getting plunked, Theriot singled, Delaney doubled. Browning singled for the final hit but was the hard luck loser after coming in with the scored tied 8-8 and falling victim to two Weston errors. The loss was the Wolves fifth straight.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Weston (2-5) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
| Crossett, AR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | x | 10 | 6 | 2 |
Steps of improvement were made by the Tigers, albeit baby ones. The Tigers scored the most they have to date and made no errors but an 11 run fourth inning by Montgomery put the game out of reach. Eleven walks and six hit batters by a trio of Tiger hurlers proved fatal in the 19-2 loss. Trey Trosclair stole two bases and scored a run after getting walked and hit by a pitch. Waylon Evans also stole a base and scored a run, Dakota Knox got plunked and Pierce Ulloa got a hit for J-H.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| JHHS (0-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Montgomery | 2 | 4 | 2 | 11 | x | 19 | 10 | 0 |
Eli Walker of Quitman High and Tayt Culpepper birdied the final hole at Frenchman’s Bend in Monroe to post their best nine-hole rounds of the year and tie for second and fourth place respectively in the Front 9 high school golf tournament.
On the heels of shooting 38-41 (79) to win the President’s Day Junior Classic held at Trails End Golf Course in Arcadia on February 20th, Walker fired an even par round of 36 to finish just one back of Grey Kengrea of West Monroe High School. With a one-over-par round of 37, two better than his previous nine-hole best, Culpepper ended in a four-way tie for fourth, his second straight fourth-place finish.
The pair was two of five from Jackson Parish to finish in the top 20 of the 58 contestants vying for medalist honors. Noah Leach of Quitman was one of seven to shoot a four over par 40 for the sixth-best round of the day and a tie for 13th place. Just one stroke behind at 41 was Quitman’s Pete Simonelli and Tyler Pardue of Weston who ended in a seven-way tie for 20th place
Additional local competitors were Cam Deal of QHS (37th place), and the WHS contention of Kennard Jackson (47th), Cayden Smith (54th), and Austin Durbin (55th). Nicholas Kliebert from Quitman finished in 12th place in the Junior Varsity Division.
Pardue Builders has been named the Jackson Parish Business of the Month for March. Operated by Bubba Pardue and Lori Brown, this long time area business entity provides Jackson Parish and surrounding areas with lumber, plywood, carpet and floor covering as well as plumbing and electrical parts and the needed expertise.
Pardue Builders is a commercial and industrial equipment supplier and your stop for grout, concrete mix, paint, patio equipment and all sorts of hardware and accessories. For outdoor enthusiasts, you can fill your Propane tanks and bottles and choose from a large selection of fishing tackle and outdoor gear.
Located at 705 South Hudson Avenue in Jonesboro, the hours of operation are from 7:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Saturday.
The Michael Ryder Memorial blood drive will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 12:30 p.m. at the Backwoods Venue in Brewton’s Mill, La. Michael was a 2009 graduate of Saline High School and a volunteer firefighter. He lost his life on February 16, 2015, after a work truck that he was riding in was struck by a train in Desoto Parish.
His mother Lori Williams has been hosting an annual blood drive in memory of her son, who was a faithful donor, since 2019. This year will be their fifth year hosting the memorial blood drive and it has turned into a full-on event filled with food, games, bounce houses and door prizes.
Williams is asking for attendees to sign up for the blood drive by March 9. Early entries will not only allow LifeShare to be better prepared with staff and supplies, but will also provide an opportunity to win a $100 prize.
“If I get at least 33 to sign up and successfully donate at our event, one of them will get $100,” said Williams. “33 is the goal for appointments because Michael should be turning 33 this month, but we absolutely hope to blast right through that and even break our record number of 48.”
The current link is only allowing for two appointments in each time slot at this time, but Lifeshare should be updating that to four appointments per time slot. They will accept walk-ins at the event, but if attendees would like to have an opportunity to win the incentive prize, please sign up by March 9.
Donors can sign up through the Michael Ryder Memorial Blood Drive Facebook page: Michael Ryder Memorial Blood Drive or directly on the Lifeshare website.
(contributed by Paige Nash – Bienville Parish Journal)
A delegation of Jonesboro-Hodge High School students participated in the annual Clayton A. Wiley “Engineering Week” High School Day Activities at Grambling State University this past Friday. Not only did these talented Tigers participate, several came home winners.
1st Place Mechanical Puzzle – John Self, Kalep Atkins, Houston Cox.
(Cox also won the prize for finishing the puzzle in the fastest time for the day)
2nd Place Electrical Circuit -Ma’Riya Jones, Kaelen Palmer, Serenity Mallard
3rd Place Electrical Circuits – Jaidon Venzant, Ric’Kiya Bryant, Cameron Leonard.
Principle Chevonda Williams along with the administration and staff of JHHS would like thank Terrance Blankenship and Kris Cash for assisting the students as well as Yolanda King of GSU for extending the invitation and accommodations.
Their seasons were eerily similar but there was nothing strange about the job done by the head coaches of the boys and girls basketball teams at Saline High School. Not strange, but incredibly impressive. As result both have been named Coach of the Year for District 2C.
Both Robinson and Toms saw their squads endure horrible starts to the 2022-23 prep season with the boys team losing nine of their first 10 and the girls 11 of their first 12. Then came the Thanksgiving holidays where through tremendous teaching and instruction the two mentors turned their season from being a turkey into winning the district championship.
Following the lead of their coaches was 2C first team representatives, Shawn Staggs, Will Dison, Alana Gray and Alaya Gray. Kenton Lee Crawford was named to the second team and X. Lard, Sydney Thomas and 8th grader, Kacidy Sims earned honorable mention.
Calvin High swept MVP honors with John Bradley Griffin being selected on the boys side and Becky Peters named for the girls. Additional boys first teamers were: Brian Small – Atlanta High School and Caleb Bevill – Calvin High School with Dylan Box – Dodson High School, Brandon Smith – Atlanta High School, Logan Riggs and Landon Coleman – Georgetown High School, earning second team honors
Cadence Griffith and Erin Wright – Georgetown High School rounded out the girls first team. Second team honorees were Catherine Womack and Mattie Barnes – Calvin High School, Carlie Maxwell – Georgetown High School, Ali Russell – Central-Jonesville High School and Nia Peters – Atlanta High School.
Additional Honorable Mention selectees were: Serenity Pennywell (8th) – Atlanta High School, Ja’Nise Starks (Soph) – Altanta High School, Lilly Barnes (Jr) – Calvin High School, Lizzie Lang (Jr) – Calvin High School, Sarah Riggs (8th) – Georgetown High School, Amia Adam (Fr) – Central-Jonesville High School, Jami Adams (Sr) – Georgetown High School, Ashlynn Biggart (Sr) – Central-Jonesville High School, Kellie Book (Soph) – Central-Jonesville High School