Four players from Division V state champion, Quitman High School, have been selected to the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association (LSCA) Class B All-State team. Head Coach Justin Dodson was also named as Coach of the Year. All-State representatives are are chosen from schools whose coaches are members of the LSCA.

2024 LSCA All-State 

Cali Deal – Pitcher: Only a junior and already committed to LSU, the left handed fireballer posted a 20-3 record with one save and a sparkling 0.986 earned run average (ERA). Struck out 278 batters in 142 innings pitched, for a 1.95 per inning average, including a season best 18 against Class 5A Airline High School. Won all four games started in Division V playoffs allowing just one earned run and striking out 41 batters in 28 innings. 

Hallie Kate Pullig – Utility: Led the state among 8th graders with 41 RBI while compiling a .342 batting average and scoring 25 runs. Displaying superb power for such a young player, 11 of her 34 hits on the year went for extra bases, including hitting five home runs. Earned Division V state championship game MVP honors after hitting two doubles and and driving in five runs.

Maggie Guyotte – Infielder: The premier power producer led Quitman in most offensive categories including batting average (.531), hits (51), doubles (16), home runs (10), RBI (45), and runs scored (45). Only struck out 4 times all season while coaxing a team tying 30 walks. In 16 plate appearances in the Division V playoffs, was walked 8 times, got 5 hits in 7 official at bats, including two doubles, a home run, scoring 9 times and knocking in five runs. 

Madison Chaplin – Infielder: Displayed a rare combination of power and speed as the QHS leadoff batter. The Northwestern State University signee ended the season with a .391 batting average and a team leading 53 runs scored, 5 triples and 22 stolen bases, while tying for the team lead with 30 walks. Also supplied 9 doubles and 8 home runs while knocking in 30 runs.

Justin Dodson – Coach of the Year: Led the Lady Wolverines to the Division V “non-select” state championship and a sparkling 29-4 overall record. Only losses were to two state champions (Opelousas Catholic – Division IV), (Calvary Baptist – Division III) and two state semifinalist’s (Live Oaks – Division I), (Jena – Division III). Playing one of the strongest schedules in the state his team won 20 of 24 games against higher division schools.

 

---

The board of the Jackson Parish Hall of Fame will hold a meeting on Thursday, May 30th at the JPHOF building located at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex on Hwy 4 east of Jonesboro. During the session board members will entertain and discuss nominees to be inducted as the Class of 2024 at the upcoming annual Hall of Fame Banquet. 

---

Registration is still being taken for the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce, 2-Man Scramble Golf Tournament, scheduled to be played on Saturday, June 1st at the Jackson Parish Golf Course. 

You better hurry though as only a few slots are left. 

Cost per team is $200.00 with payouts given to 1st through 3rd place in each flight, which will consist of 8 teams per flights. Start time is scheduled for 8 am for the 18 hole tourney. Hole sponsorships, which runs $150.00, are also being accepted. 

To register call 318-259-7247 or go by the JPGC clubhouse, located at 524 Club House Road in Jonesboro. 

---

The 3rd annual “Tuck and Lizzie” Softball Tournament was played this past weekend at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex. The Co-Ed tourney is a fundraiser for the Tuck & Lizzie Memorial Scholarship fund that is in memory of Tucker Wallis and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gray, two young QHS students who tragically lost their lives in 2021.  

Tucker’s mother, Jeannie Wallis, and Lizzie’s mother, Sandi Lemmon, helps organize the tournament each year. After all was said and done, they showed their appreciation for all who participated in Facebook posts that the Jackson Parish Journal has reprinted below. 

Jennie Wallis 

Thank you so much for everyone who participated and help make one of the best Tucker & Lizzie’s CoED Softball Games yet! We truly appreciate everyone who came out and showed out for Tuck and Lizzie.

That you again Knight and Day. Chris, thank you for staying from the crack of dawn until 3 am. We really appreciate all your time and effort you put into this tournament.

Thank you, J & L Feed Store for sponsoring our younger team so they could play. We really appreciate your kindness and appreciation.

Thank you to L Combs Trucking for sponsoring Forever 9 and all the help in the concession stand.

Thank you Mercy Medical for providing the first aid kit.

Thank you Main Street Nutrition for making teas in Tucker’s and Lizzie’s name and allowing a portion of the sales to go towards the tournament.

Matt Whitman you did a wonderful prayer and we truly appreciate your kindness in not only praying but playing also.

Sharon Whitman the softballs you donated were gorgeous. Sandi and I adored them and will cherish them forever. We presented one for our second place winner. They were so proud of it. We know they will cherish it for years to come.

Swamp Donkey Music you did an amazing job. You have such an amazing talent. Not only did you play our national anthem, you also played in the tournament. Thank you so much.

We want to give a big shout out to all our teams and players. Y’all could have been anywhere else but y’all choose to come support our family and the Tucker & Lizzie’s Memorial Scholarship.

Mike Jordan and Todd Lowe y’all’s cooking was amazing. Todd it was your birthday and still worked very hard making this a success.

Greg and Garrett thank you for putting up with our Sass and anything else we asked for y’all made sure to be there with us helping and supporting us.

Nubb & Morgan Caskey you put so much time and work from drawing brakets, umpiriring, and helping Jeanie to understand the game lol. You definitely were a great asset.

Our concession stand workings were amazing. The dedication that was put on preparing the sweet treats, keeping everyone hydrated and ice bags coming as soon as we needed them.

Janet Cooper, Wendy Blewer & Phyllis Hargrove for donating concession items .

Phil Bickham you’re greatly appreciated for the generous donation to Tucker and Lizzie’s Memorial Scholarship.

Sloane Moak you were greatly missed. We hardly have pictures for all the running we were doing. Know that we appreciate all the pictures you have provided for us the past two years.

Sandi Lemmon

Now that everything has settled down, I want to say thank you to everyone that helped with the Tucker & Lizzie Tournament this weekend! It just does something to my heart to see so many people come out and support our children.

Darryl Nub Caskey I honestly don’t know if I could have made it without all of your help! You are always answering a million questions for us. If I don’t know what the answer is, I knew I could send them to you! I have come to love you, MoMo, and Gracie as my family!!! Thank y’all from the bottom of my heart!

Daddy!!! You spent your birthday frying fish, cooking burgers, hot dogs, and what seemed like a million fries! Anything I ask, you always take care of it! I love you a billion!

Mama, you always manage to have the concessions in order. I don’t understand how you deal with all that chaos, but you do! Thank you for never making me worry about what’s going on in that little room! Always supporting your little angel!

Damon, Brayleigh, Shea, Jessica – y’all worked your butts off in that concession stand! I’m thankful to have such an amazing family that always shows up for me! I love each one of you!

Chris, bro I can’t believe you hung out with us until 3am. You fought it until the end! We appreciate you spending the whole day (and night) with us! Everyone always talks about how great our DJ is, and they don’t even know the half of it!

Shonda and Amanda, thank y’all for sponsoring the Forever9 team. We appreciate y’all so much! Amanda made amazing funnel cakes and fries oreos y’all! When we were running low on drinks, y’all never once hesitated to get more! We can never thank y’all enough for everything y’all put into helping making this such a success!
Jax and Matt, thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for the opening ceremony! It was beautiful! I enjoyed having both of y’all there! Thank y’all for playing as well. I hope you both had a great time!

Sharon Whitman, the softballs that you painted were absolutely beautiful! I will forever cherish my Lizzie ball. Lizzie’s Sail will forever cherish their Tucker and Lizzie tournament ball! I love you sweet lady!

Thank you to ALL the teams that came to support our children! We hope to see you back next year! Congratulations to our first place team- Guns & Hoses
Second place- Lizzie’s Sail

Donations to the Tuck and Lizzie Scholarship Fund can be made by contacting Jeannie Wallis or Sandi Lemmon on their Facebook pages. 

 

---

A look in the rearview mirror at Louisiana Tech’s 2024 baseball season (so far) from someone who’s been there …

(Editor’s Note: Odd circumstances put me on the road with the team and, despite that, the guys ended up winning Conference USA’s regular season title and survived a metaphorical fistfight to finish runner-up in the conference tournament last week. They bring a 45-15 record and want-to into Friday’s 7 p.m. scrap against Kansas State, 32-24, in the Fayetteville Regional.)

Tech’s 12-0 start included its first road game of the year, a 20 hits, 13 runs whupping of McNeese in Lake Charles in cold weather, and by “cold” we mean 47-below 0. With a wind blowing in from left. It was so cold I saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.

The final part of trip was a championship at the three-day Battle at the Ballpark in Sugar Land, Texas, which was a semi-synopsis of the whole season, minus the losses.

Tech beat Army, 4-0, scoring all the game’s runs in the eighth, the final pair on a homer by centerfielder Cole McConnell, who at that point in Tech’s 9-0 season had 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts — and 0 singles.
Beat pain-in-the-ass Creighton, 12-0. Creighton’s voice carries, put it that way. The walk-off blow — a three-run, line-drive tater by Ethan Bates.
Beat Air Force, 8-5, after trailing 5-0.

Tech’s Bates was the DH and Reliever and MVP on the All-Tournament team — and was last week named the 2024 Most Outstanding Player in CUSA.
On the bus trip home, we started losing power near Grambling, regained it, limped off Interstate 20 and onto Tech Drive, and crawled to a stop at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson in the middle of the night. Without anyone knowing it, we’d just experienced the season in mini-form: some blowouts, some tight wins, and some flats that almost made you pull over.

And it was only the first week of March.

In Miami for three games, three guys went for separate walks and were attacked by the same bird on the same morning, a Hitchcockian affair we all witnessed on the team bus to the game that afternoon when the same bird at the same spot attacked some unsuspecting sap. Major laughs. And sadly, the highlight of the 1-2 trip.

There was the hotel where you had to turn in a Magic Ticket for breakfast, and the hotel in Arizona that was probably nice — 40 years ago. Someone was always misplacing a wallet or phone. Someone was always looking for a bottle of water.

There were enough 7 a.m. bus rides to make you feel you were in third grade again. These early-morning taxis were due mainly to early flights. One plane trip a season is about it for mid-majors; Tech had four. Miami. Arizona. New Mexico. Virginia. Flying a college baseball team commercial is like turning around a battleship. In molasses. In wintertime. (Or in Lake Charles in late February.)

Commercial air travel with college baseball is a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey affair, a circus without the elephants and straw. If you come home with almost as many people and almost as much equipment as you left with, it’s considered a very successful trip.

As any team will tell you, the non-baseball parts are common. The baseball parts are different. That’s why lots of teams aren’t playing this weekend, and 64, like Tech, are. They’ve been good at the baseball parts.

A lot of those 45 wins and the positive reaction to a couple of particularly hard-knocks losses has been because of how this team of Dogs has gotten along, adjusted and adapted during the non-baseball parts. Doubleheaders and time changes and Saturday and Sunday pre-noon games.

Life asks you to adapt, just as you would to a new arm out of the pen or an error or a bad hop — or a kamikaze bird or late plane or lost luggage. We adjust or we don’t.

It’s a group of teammates who look forward to getting to the ballpark. When they get there again this weekend — and they will, somehow, some way, to baseball-friendly Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville — the baseball parts should be fun to watch. For sure, they’ve earned their way.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

---

Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located at 908 Evergreen Road in Jonesboro invites kids and adults to join with them for The Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on June 3-7. If transportation is needed contact Lisa Jackson at 318-278-7959. 

---

Why?

I have never successfully answered the “why” question. There are times in a relationship when one will ask the other one, “Why did you hang the picture in that particular place?” “Why did you eat the last of the Blue Bell ice cream?” “Why did you mow the lawn as you did?”

I think I have failed in answering those questions. It is because the answer to the question moved behind the realm of action into the realm of motivation. How many of us have the emotional intelligence to authentically answer a motivational question? Why did you blow up at the nice person in the restaurant, when they didn’t melt the cheese on your cheeseburger?

I had an unanswerable “why” question this weekend. The dogs escaped the yard. When our dogs get out of the yard, they jet. Rolo is part Beagle and the sniffer in him takes over and he has to run each scent in the neighborhood. I know that if anything happens to Rolo, I will be in the eternal doghouse. He got out by opening a gate. No kidding, one of the dogs opened a gate. I don’t know how, and they are not confessing.

Why were the dogs in that part of the yard? That part of the yard is gated off on four sides, because my greenhouse is in that part of the yard. I was working in the greenhouse and the dogs were with me. I don’t know what motivated the dogs to be with me. I can’t explain canine motivation. I took a break and went inside; the dogs decided to execute an escape plan. The dogs did return, exhausted. I was released from the doghouse. However, the why questions continued. I know I am frustrating because I have never answered a why question, well.

The same in my professional life. Yes, I am called to this ministry. Yes, I read and study scripture daily. Yes, I talk to God several times a day. Even in ministry, I’m not good with the “why” question. “Why did this happen to me?” “Why am I sick?” “Why is my life falling apart?” I have been doing the preacher thing for forty-eight years. Here is how I now answer the “why” question. The answer to the “why” question is the purview of management, I’m only in customer service.

That is not where the conversation stops, although I have never been able to answer “why” question, I do have some insights about the better question; “how.” How do I move forward given my life circumstances How do I trust in Jesus in the middle of this storm? How do I put one foot in front of the other so I can take the next step? The question for all of us is….

How?

---

The girls that will pursue a second straight state championship title next spring became known this past week when Quitman High School announced the names of the girls that have earned a spot of the 2024-25 Lady Wolverines roster. Also announced were the names of the girls on the Junior High team. 

2024-25 QHS Varsity Softball Team 

 

2024-25 QHS Junior High Softball Team 

 

---

Bertie is a historical figure who is often overlooked or discounted as a failure, but was he? Bertie was born in Iowa in 1874. His father, Jesse, owned a farm implement store. His mother’s name was Hulda. He had an older brother and eventually, a younger sister. In 1880, Bertie’s father died from a sudden heart attack at the young age of 34. Four years later, his mother died from Typhoid fever. Ten-year-old Bertie and his two siblings were orphans.

In 1885, Bertie and his siblings went to Newberg, Oregon, to live with their uncle, a businessman named John Minthorn. Uncle John managed a real estate office called the Oregon Land Company. Bertie dropped out of school at the age of 13 to work in Uncle John’s land company.

In 1891, Bertie enrolled in the first class of the brand new Stanford University. He initially studied mechanical engineering but changed his major to geology after working with Dr. John Casper Branner, the chairman of Stanford’s geology department. In 1894, a strong-minded 20-year-old woman named Lou Henry attended a geology lecture by Dr. Branner and was hooked. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled at Stanford. There, she met Bertie and the two became inseparable. A year after her graduation, Bertie and Lou married. Soon thereafter, Bertie accepted a position as leading engineer in a private Chinese engineering and mining company. The newlyweds packed their meager belongings and moved to Tientsin, China.

At the time, tensions were rising in China. In June 1900, the Boxer Rebellion erupted in Tientsin. The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China between 1899 and 1901 by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as the “Boxers” in English due to many of its members having practiced Chinese martial arts, which at the time were referred to as “Chinese boxing.” For almost a month, Tientsin was under heavy fire. While Lou worked in the hospitals, Bertie directed the building of barricades. On July 14, 1901, a multi-national military force defeated the “boxers” in the Battle of Tientsin.

After the rebellion, Bertie and Lou moved to London where Bertie specialized in fixing failing mining companies. Rather than being paid a salary, Bertie took a percentage of the profits if he was able to rejuvenate the companies. Within a short time, Bertie had investments in mines on every continent and had offices in several countries. His talents as a geologist quickly made him wealthy. By 1914, Bertie’s wealth reached approximately $4 million. That would be over $125 million in today’s money.

Bertie wrote the book on mining. Seriously. In 1909, he published a book called “Principles of Mining” which became a standard textbook for geologists. Bertie and Lou were huge fans of Georgius Agricola’s 16th century work on mining and metallurgy called “De re Metallica.” In 1912, they published the first English translation of “De re Metallica.” At about the same time, Bertie joined the board of trustees at his alma mater, Stanford. Bertie was happy with the trajectory of his life. He had a loving wife and two wonderful children. Then something happened which forever changed his life’s trajectory.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France. The American Consul General asked for Bertie’s help in getting stranded American tourists back home. With the backing of Congress and President Woodrow Wilson, Bertie was selected as the committee’s chairman. He acted immediately. Within two weeks, his committee helped more 100,000 Americans return to the United States. Bertie said later, “I did not realize it at the moment, but on August 3, 1914, my career was over forever. I was on the slippery road of public life.”

In August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, which created a food crisis. Germany refused to take responsibility to feed citizens in captured territory. At this point, the United States declared neutrality in what was the early part of World War I. Something had to be done. With the cooperation of President Wilson’s administration, Bertie led a Belgian relief organization called the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Bertie made 40 trips to meet with German authorities in the North Sea and persuaded them to allow food shipments.

Under Bertie’s leadership, the commission delivered millions of tons of foodstuffs to Belgium. In 1915, the commission expanded and delivered supplies to people in the German-occupied Northern France. American diplomat Walter Page said Bertie was “probably the only man living who has privately negotiated understandings with the British, French, German, Dutch, and Belgian governments.” Remember, Bertie held no political office.

When the United States entered World War I, President Wilson remembered how well Bertie had handled the Commission for Relief in Belgium and France and appointed him to head the U.S. Food Administration. Bertie’s herculean task was to manage the country’s food supplies during the war. To avoid rationing, which other wartime countries were forced to undertake, Bertie established set days for people to avoid eating certain foods including the cleverly named meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays. The plan worked and allowed the Food Administration to send foodstuffs to allies of the United States. Bertie was referred to as an expert administrator for his work.

After the war, Europe still faced food shortages. The Food Administration, whose name changed to the American Relief Administration, provided food to central and eastern Europe. Bertie also founded the European Children’s Fund to provide food and aid to some fifteen million children from 14 countries. Despite his request that he not be named in publicity for the food program, Bertie’s selfless work during the war made him a public hero. His abilities were also praised when he worked as Secretary of Commerce under presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge.

Despite going from being an orphan to a multimillionaire, personally negotiating with leaders of warring nations to provide aid which potentially saved the lives of millions of people in multiple countries, Bertie is often considered a failure. How is this possible? When the stock market crashed in the fall of 1929 followed shortly thereafter by the Great Depression, Bertie was the president of the United States. Bertie was the family nickname for Herbert Hoover.

---

Results from May 20-24

11-13 Boys League

Traina’s Bakery 13 BFCU 3
Traina’s Bakery Scoring: Mason 3, Brayden 2, Tucker, Hayden Seymore, Jenson, Shepard, Marcus, Connor, Carter
BFCU Scoring: Ayden Greer, Ryder Gray, Kolt Keiffer

Super Bee 3, Mercy Medical 2
Super Bee Scoring: Luke Rowe, Dawson Griffin, Jaxon Cheatwood
Mercy Medical Scoring: Leyton Younse, Cason Rogers

11-13 Girls League

Crawfish Basket 17 Pardue Builders 14
Crawfish Basket Scoring: Charleigh Newton 3, Amelia 3, Teegan Hall 3, Kamryn James 2, Kinsley 2, Molly Henderson, Allison Ramsey, Skyleigh, Bethany
Pardue Builders Scoring: Braleigh 3, Nixie Bolyer 2, Jessie Walker 2, Treylon 2, Bella Blewer 2, Myleigh Bolton, Kell, Morgan

5A Pump & Hose 10 LFMC 8
5A Pump & Hose Scoring: Brooklyn Coody 2, Aubrey Donaldson 2, Mykenzie Maloy 2, Carley Whitehead, Raleigh Guilliams, Eliza Crocker, Ansley, Maggie, 
LFMC Scoring: Camryn Ashley 2, Jayleigh Wright, Lakelyn Welch, Blakelyn Gray, Adelyn Fine, Emma, Charleigh Newton

9-10 Boys League

Uptown Tanning 15 Cherokee Contractors 5
Uptown Tanning Scoring:  Mason Tolar 2, Kutter Blalock 2, Thatcher Savage 2, Chance 2, Remy 2, Brock Craighead, Jax Davis, Ryder, Klay, Jaysen
Cherokee Contracting Scoring: Leland Anderson, Jase Tinsley, Drew Caldwell, Nash Moak, Kree

Catfish Inn 4 Maxwell’s Services 1
Catfish Inn Scoring: Bentley 2, Koplen, Carter
Maxwell’s Services Scoring: Clay

9-10 Girls League

Family Pharmacy 16 Shuler Consulting 6
Family Pharmacy Scoring: Hannah Aldy 3, Savannah 3, Jayd 3, Scarlett Parks 2, Raylie 2, Elliot 2, Aaliyah, Aubrie
Shuler Consulting Scoring: Delilah, Charleigh, Emma, Macie, Aubrey, Myla

Ruffled Feathers 15 BFCU 5
Ruffled Feathers Scoring: Kate Keiffer 2, Ella Siddon 2, Ryleigh McCormick 2, Brooklyn Keiffer 2, Ryan Kate 2, Blakelyn, Harper Roark, Khaliya Cash, Lizzie Sullivan, Autumn
BFCU Scoring: Abby Sullivan 2, Marlee Bates, Lainey Elmore, Halle Coody

7-8 Boys League

Klassy Kleen 21 Farm Bureau 10
Klassy Kleen Scoring: Reese Johnson 4, Ryker Whitman 3, Raidon Franks 3, Jae 3, Kase Mathews 2, Reed 2, Austin West, Kolton, Isaac
Farm Bureau Scoring: Stetson Kennedy 3, Colby Taylor 2, Jacob Patton, Eli Treadway, Beaux, Pistol McCurdy, 

Dodson Enterprises 19 J&L Works 8
Dodson Enterprises Scoring: Levi Norred 4, Lyndon Walsworth 3, Jeremiah Jones 3, Mathew 2, Brennan Otwell 2, Owen Shively 2, Sam, Asher Mathews, Sawyer
J&L Works Scoring: Carson Liles 2, Braxton 2, Jackson 2, Thomas, Jayce

J&L Works 15 Scrap Iron BBQ 14
J&L Works Scoring: Braxton 3, Eli 3, Carson Liles 2, Jackson 2, Kaden 2, Thomas, Reece, Uriah Hall
Scrap Iron BBQ Scoring: Isaac 4, Lucas Womack 3, D.J. Hudson 3, Cole 2, Cameron, Luke

Square One 15 Farm Bureau 4
Square One Scoring: Sutton Vail 4, Rowan Sampey 4, Raiden Franks 2, Kaden Blewer 2, Lucas, Oliver, Luke 
Farm Bureau Scoring: Colby Taylor 2, Dominic Vara 2

7-8 Girls League

Peoples Bank 8 Pink Magnolia 8
Peoples Bank Scoring: Matilyn Otwell 2, Brenleigh Whitman 2, Mary 2, Ryleigh Puffer, Kendall Barnett
Pink Magnolia Scoring: Caylee Mauthe 2, Reagan Hall, Ellie Shultz, Natalie Sullivan, Aria Dodson, Jersey Coreley, River Waggoner

Pink Magnolia 8 Jackson Parish Bank 3
Pink Magnolia Scoring: Ellie Shultz 2, Natalie Sullivan 2, Caylee Mauthe, Reagan Hall, Aria Dodson, River Waggoner
Jackson Parish Bank Scoring: Landrie Watson, Malisa, Karlie Bradford

Pink Magnolia 15 Jonesboro State Bank 2
Pink Magnolia Scoring: Ellie Shultz 3, Natalie Sullivan 3, Aria Dodson 3, Reagan Hall 2, River Waggoner, Jersey Coreley 2
Jonesboro State Bank Scoring: Madison Baker, Vera 

Jackson Parish Bank 8 Peoples Bank 2
Jackson Parish Bank Scoring: Karis Jacobs 2, Starr Bradley 2, Ariel 2, Jess Williams, Harlie
Peoples Bank Scoring: Katelyn Smith, Zoe Muse

JPRD vs Castor

7-8 Girls: Castor 8 Jonesboro State Bank 1
Jonesboro State Bank Scoring: Leighton

7-8 Boys: Castor 19 Scrap Iron BBQ 10 
Scrap Iron BBQ Scoring: Mayson 3, Lucas Womack 2, Cameron 2, D.J. Hudson, Cole, Tommy

7-8 Boys: Castor 18 Square One 3
Square One Scoring: Rowan Sampey, Kaden Blewer. Taten

9-10 Boys: Catfish Inn 6 Castor 2  
Catfish Inn Scoring: Bently 2, Koplen, Jase, Carter, Brandon

9-10 Girls: Ruffled Feathers 19 Castor 0
Ruffled Feathers Scoring: Kate Keiffer 4, Brooklyn Keiffer 4, Ryleigh McCormick 3, Ryan Kate 3, Lizzie Sullivan 3, Khaliya Cash, Braelyn

11-13 Girls: Castor 8 Pardue Builders 7
Pardue Builders Scoring: Anna 2, Nixie Bolyer, Jessie Walker, Myleigh Bolton, 

 

 

---

God’s Way

“I don’t get no respect.”

Was stand-up-comic Rodney Dangerfield victimized by a nagging wife? Maybe he was just ignored?

Ladies, we have much in common with our mates but in many ways we’re as different as night and day.
We’re highly emotional. We can deny it; ignore it or fight it. Better yet, we can shape it into strengths of understanding and respect.

Men, you’re focused and rational. You think things through to form logical conclusions. God is pleased when you link love and wisdom in decision making.

God’s way is the way to harmony in the home.

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives (1 Peter 3:1 AMP).”

God made His way clear.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27 NASB).”

---

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. 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Jackson Parish Council on Aging is seeking part-time help for Nutrition Site Aid in Chatham, LA. A high school education is required and interested parties should expect to work four (4) hours a day, Monday – Friday while providing an exceptional attitude to senior citizens. Applications will be taken at the JPCOA office at 120 Polk Avenue in Jonesboro. 

SHERIFF’S SALE

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
# 37375
PARISH OF JACKSON
STATE OF LOUISIANA

DUSTYNE C MOBLEY

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the JACKSON PARISH SHERIFF OFFICE, 150 OLD WINNFIELD RD., Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 29th day of May, 2024. Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:

2020 CHEVROLET TAHOE BEARING VIN: 1GNSCBKC6LR131959

Seized as the property of the above named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash WITH the benefit of appraisal.

ANDY BROWN, SHERIFF
EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Aldermen of the Village of Chatham shall hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm at the Village Hall. The purpose is to provide parties in interest with an opportunity to be heard concerning Ordinance 2024-02, the amendments to the Budget for fiscal year 2023-24 and Ordinance 2024-03 setting the budget for fiscal year 2024-25. 

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Jackson Council on Aging is having their Annual Membership Drive. Please come by the office at 120 Polk Ave. Jonesboro if you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors.

What is Memorial Day?

The holiday takes place annually on the last Monday in May and is a dedicated day for honoring the over 1.3 million U.S. military personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States armed forces.

In recent history, Memorial Day has also meant the unofficial start to summer. Employees are excuses from work allowing the time for families to hold BBQ’s, the local pool announces its opening day, and retailers promote big sales.

While everyone has the freedom to celebrate as they choose, Americans should also remember that this holiday is really a somber occasion to pause and reflect as a nation.

When was Memorial Day first celebrated?

Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day.” On May 30 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, established Decoration Day as a way for the nation to honor the graves of those who died in the Civil War with flowers, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

What state first celebrated Memorial Day?

There are debates over which city was the origin place of Memorial Day, although the first large observation was held at Arlington National Cemetery for a crowd of about 5,000 in 1868. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York the official “birthplace” of the holiday, according to the Veterans Administration (VA).

When was it declared a federal holiday?

In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, placing it as the last Monday in May. According to the VA, the day was expanded to honor all those who have died in American wars. In December 2000, Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” to ensure those who sacrificed their lives for the country were not forgotten.

---

On Thursday, May 23rd, Mayor Gregory Harris announced that the Chatham Water System has been placed under boil advisory by the Louisiana Department of Health. This boil advisory affects New Hope St. Clair Water customers.

The advisory was issued after a contractor hit a main water transmission line at the New Hope booster station site. Temporary repairs were immediately made to restore water pressure but as a precaution, the BOIL ADVISORY was issued and remains in effect until further notification. 

Once the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory determines that the samples collected from the water supply have been found to be safe, the Boil Advisory will then be rescinded. 

It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one-minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

---

---

To say that Quitman High School had a historic spring sports season is an understatement, as both the softball and baseball teams won their first ever Class B state championships.

To the victor’s go the spoils.

This was proven when the Louisiana Sports Writers Association released their 2024 Class B All State baseball and softball teams on Saturday with QHS claiming three of the top four awards.

QHS junior Cali Deal won Outstanding Player honors in softball, while her coach, Justin Dodson, was voted Coach of the Year. Meanwhile, Quitman’s Joe Lockhart won baseball Coach of the Year honors.

Deal, an LSU commit, was 20-3 on the season in the softball circle, recording 278 strikeouts in just 142 innings pitched while posting a miniscule with a 0.986 ERA. She was also a force at the plate, batting .440 with four home runs and 30 RBIs.

She was not the only Lady Wolverine selected to the elite squad as Northwestern State University signee Madison Chaplin and sophomore Maggie Guyotte also was named All-State. Eighth grader, Hallie Kate Pullig, who was the MVP of the Division V state championship game, earned Honorable Mention designation.

In baseball, both Quitman and Weston had two players named to the All-State team. Representing the Wolverines was Logan Ponder and Hudson Pullig while district 1B champion and Division V semi-finalist Weston saw Tait Henderson and Drew Browning elected. Bryce Zehr also earned Honorable Mention honors.

2024 LSWA Class B All-State Softball Team

Cali Deal, Quitman, Jr. 20-3, 278 K’s, .440 batting average, 30 RBI’s
Maggie Guyotte, Quitman, Soph., .531 batting average, 45 RBI, 51 runs scored
Madison Chaplin, Quitman, Sr., .382 batting average, 49 runs scored, 19 steals
Zoey Smith, Choudrant, Jr. .573
Carlei Wheeler, Simsboro, Jr., .545
Jade Jones, Stanley, Soph. 21 HR, .545
Paige Campbell, Stanley, 8th, .349, 15 wins
Summer Brumley, Converse, Sr., .493
Avery Pine, Converse, Sr., .392, 161 Ks
Bailey Davis, Anacoco, Sr., .654, 19 wins
Hanna Jackson, Anacoco, Sr., .476, 13 HRs
Courtlyn Dousay, Hicks, 8th, .550
Rylee Guillot, Grace Christian, Jr., .429, 21 wins, 221 Ks
Wynlee Vincent, Grace Christian, Soph., .467
Ali Conner, Bell City, Sr. .475
Anna Hutchinson, Holden, Sr. .453

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: CALI DEAL, QUITMAN
COACH OF THE YEAR: JUSTIN DODSON, QUITMAN

HONORABLE MENTION: Hallie Kate Pullig, Quitman; Holly Bennett, Choudrant; Jacoya Lewis, Simsboro; Riley Palmer, Stanley; Kourtney Sepulvado, Zwolle; Addison Burr, Zwolle; Jayde Wilbanks, Hicks; Tucker Perkins, Pitkin; Bella Acree, Grace Christian; Erin Tiffee, Monterey; Addison Hollier, Lacassine; Raievah Craddock, Holden.

2024 LSWA Class B All-State Baseball Team

Logan Ponder, Quitman, Sr., .350 batting average, 28 runs scored, 1.35 ERA
Hudson Pullig, Quitman, Sr., .385 batting average, 29 runs scored
Tait Henderson, Weston, Sr., .400 batting average, 33 runs scored 
Brew Browning, Weston, Soph., .403 batting average, 42 RBI, 38 runs scored
Colton Smith, Choudrant, Jr. .436
Brooks Boudreaux, Converse, Sr. .442
Jaxon Perkins, Pitkin, Sr. .405
Dayne Martin, Pitkin, Jr. .476, 1.49 ERA
Hayden Doyle, Hicks, Sr., .381
Kyle Scott, Anacoco, Jr., .405, 8 HRs
Tanner Stockman, Elizabeth, Jr., .489
Kanyon Wright, Grace Christian, Jr. .452
Maddox Attales, Grace Christian, Jr., .442
Tanner Dupuy, Avoyelles Charter, Sr., .460
Conner Mayeaux, Avoyelles Charter, Sr., 1.18 ERA
Ean Thibodeaux, Bell City, Sr., .404

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: TANNER DUPUY, AVOYELLES PUBLIC CHARTER
COACH OF THE YEAR: JOE LOCKHART, QUITMAN

HONORABLE MENTION: Bryce Zehr, Weston; Noah Spears, Doyline; Hayden Rabo, Simsboro; Gavon Waldron, Stanley; Lincon Stephens, Pitkin; Brock Nolen, Pitkin; Micah Merchant, Hicks; Seth Cook, Grace Christian; Noah Hoyt, Rapides; Kane Broussard, Lacassine; Kade Penalber, Maurepas; Tyler Thompson, Holden.

The Thomas family proudly announces the 2024 Pat Thomas Memorial
Scholarship winner is Ellie Renee Burris. Ellie was presented with a one-time
$1,000 scholarship during the Quitman High School graduation ceremony held on
Tuesday, May 21, 2024. She plans to attend Louisiana Tech University and major
in nursing.

The Thomas family would like to thank those that served on the selection
committee this year and in the past. Choosing a recipient each year is a difficult
task. We would also like to express our gratitude to Principal Carter and the staff
at QHS for the continued support every year during this process.

Following the 2016 death of our mom, Pat Thomas, the Thomas Family
Scholarship Fund was established. We wanted to honor her legacy of service to
God, her Church, her community, and to Quitman High School. In addition to the
scholarship, our family also makes donations to special projects, an athletic team,
activity, or club at the school. Our family appreciates our surrounding
community’s generosity that enables us to give back to our school.

As part of the selection process, all scholarship applicants are screened based on
the following characteristics that were present in the life of our mom:
Honor
Character
Integrity
Humility
Willingness to serve others without the expectation of recognition or
personal attention.

Ellie Burris was found by the scholarship committee to encompass all of Mom’s
attributes. The letters of recommendation that we request are always such an
insight to the applicants.

The below comments are just a few comments written about Ellie:

“Ellie has a combination of a positive attitude and the belief that she always has
room for improvement.”

“She will uphold the spiritual, moral, and academic values that are so important
for this scholarship.”

Ellie’s original career in education was upended after her sister, Mollie, was
involved in a serious accident. Ellie found her “calling” after witnessing the care
and compassion the nurses displayed not only with Mollie, but her entire family.

Ellie’s humility, integrity, and love for God, others, and her family are on full
display in her life whether she is at school events, work, church, or even on social
media. The Thomas family has no doubt that she will continue to add to the legacy
of our family and the winners that have come before her.

Congratulations, Ellie! We pray God blesses you! – Thomas family

---

MGM Development Group, LLC and Rampart Management Company is pleased to announce a “Summer Special” which provides for an incredible opportunity for savings on rent at the Jonesboro Senior Village.

Beginning immediately, all new residents will pay only $99.00 per month throughout the month of September. In addition, the rent will be only $495.00 per month for the following one-year period of October 2024 to September 2025. 

This incredible offer will expire on July 1, 2024.

Terms and Conditions: Tenants must execute a lease by the end of June to be eligible. The rate of $495.00 per month that will take effect in October requires a $595.00 monthly lease that is coupled with a one-year, $100.00 monthly rent credit from a local non-profit corporation beginning October 2024.

Tenant must meet all other development tenancy requirements. 

Call Jonesboro Senior Village at 318-669-4664 to schedule a tour. 

---

The Jackson Parish Council on Aging (JPCOA) announces that their annual Membership Drive has begun and will run through the end of June. To sign up, please come by the Robert Riddle Senior Center at 120 Polk Avenue in Jonesboro or call (318) 259-8962 during regular business hours. Also, if you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors please contact Executive Director, Linda Wyatt or Senior Center Coordinator, Lowanda Traxler. 

The Jackson Council on the Aging is a non-profit organization designed to meet the needs of the elderly of Jackson Parish. Since becoming a chartered organization in 1969 the JPCOA operates under a volunteer board of directors and at present has thirteen employees providing services through-out the parish. Funds are received from state and federal grants to provide a variety of services to those 60 years of age or older.

Services offered are: Advocacy, Health Screening, Homemaker, Information & Referral, Meals – Congregate, Meals – Home Delivered and Nutrition Screening. Additional services include: Caregiver Services, NFSCP Information & Assistance, NFCSP In-home Respite, NFCSP Companion Service, Material Aid, Transportation, Nutrition Education, Telephone Reassurance, Visiting, HID Wellness, Outreach, and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

---

Recognition was given to the outstanding athletes of the basketball, baseball, golf and track teams at Weston High School on Friday, May 19th at the annual Sports Banquet held in the WHS gymnasium. Earning awards were:

Boys Basketball

All-District (Second Team) – Tait Henderson,  Bryce Zehr
Honorable Mention – Jude Otwell, La’Javion Harris
Senior Award: Juan Gonzalez, Jude Otwell, Tait Henderson, Tyler Pardue, Daniel Watlington, Tommy Walker
1,000 Point Club – Bryce Zehr 
All-Academic – Jude Otwell

Girls Basketball

Lainee Trosclair: Academic All State, 1st Team All District 1B, Leadership Award, Senior Award
Anslee Aldy: 2nd Team All District 1B, Leadership Award
Lexie Millien: Honorable Mention All District 1B, Lockdown Award, Senior Award
Carly Jo Griffin: Honorable Mention All District 1B, Instant Offense Award
Nadia Siadek: Rebounding Award
Carlynn Waters: Most Improved Award
Raelynn Shell: Most Improved Award
Faith Beamesderfeer: Senior Award
Jacie Ledford: Senior Award
Tailen Bearden: Senior Award

Baseball

District 1B Most Valuable Player: Tait Henderson
1st Team All District 1B: Tait Henderson, Cole Tolar, Cooper Delaney, Drew Browning, Colton Blundell, Braden Theriot, Bryce Zehr
Honorable Mention 1B: Tayt Culpepper, Layton Garrett
4 Year Letterman: Bryce Zehr, Layton Garrett, Tait Henderson, Tayt Culpepper, Braden Theriot, Cooper Delaney
3 year Letterman: Colton Blundell, Drew Browning, Jacob Gill, Sawyer Watkins, Cole Tolar
2 Year Letterman: Beaux Oliver, Ty Henderson, Kyptin Caskey, Drew Williams
1 Year Letterman: Remy Kennard, David Gandy, Jase Borders

Softball

Jacie Ledford: 1st Team All District 1B
Molly Beaubouef: 2nd Team All District 1B
Carly Jo Griffin: 2nd Team All District 1B
Carlynn Waters: Honorable Mention All District 1B
Jaylin Williams: Honorable Mention All District 1B
Anslee Aldy: Team MVP
Raelynn Shell: Golden Glove Award: 

Track and Field

Nathin Wages – Class B State Champion in High Jump, District 1B Meet (2nd place)  High Jump, 200 meters, 400 meters (3rd Place) Long Jump
Juan Gonzalez – Class B State Runner-up in Shot Put, District 1B meet (2nd place shot put)
Lexie Millien: Class B State 4th Place in High Jump, District 1B meet (1st place) Long Jump, High Jump, (2nd Place) 200 meters, 4×200 relay
La’Javion Harris: District 1B meet (1st Place) 100 meters, (3rd Place) 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 200 meters
Gage Albert: District 1B meet (2nd Place) 110 meter hurdles, (3rd Place) 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay (4th Place) Javelin
Keeley Davis: District 1B meet (2nd Place) 100 meter hurdles, 4×100 relay, (3rd Place) 4×200 relay (4th Place) 300 meter hurdles
Carly Jo Griffin: District 1B meet (2nd Place) 4×100 meter relay, (3rd Place) 4×200 meter relay (4th Place) High Jump
Carlynn Waters: District 1B meet (2nd Place) 4×100 meter relay, (3rd Place) 4×200 relay (4th Place) 200 meters
Daniel Albert: District 1B meet (2nd Place) 300 meter hurdles, (3rd Place) 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
Nadia Siadek: District 1B meet (3rd Place) Shot Put (4th Place) Discuss
Jaydon Simmons: District 1B meet (3rd Place) 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
Darin Allen: District 1B meet: (3rd Place) 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
Gracie Gray: District 1B meet: (3rd Place) 4×200 relay (4th Place) 100 meter hurdles, 400 meters
Hunter Donaldson: District 1B meet (3rd Place) 4×400 relay
Addison Faulkner: District 1B meet (3rd Place) 1 mile run, 2 mile run
Marcela Gonzalez: District 1B meet (4th Place) 1 mile run, 800 meters
Abel McBride: District 1B meet (4th Place) shot put

Golf

Tayt Culpepper – 6th Place at Division IV State Golf Tournament
Tyler Pardue – Division IV Regional Qualifier
Jackson Kennard – Division IV Regional Qualifier
Cayden Smith – Division IV Regional Qualifier
Cam Mire – Division IV Regional Qualifier

---

JPRD Summer Leagues Schedule

May 27th

3-4 Tee Ball Field 1
(6:00 pm) Dodson Enterprise vs Grizzly Land (7:00 pm) The Oil Change vs Tucker’s Closet
3-4 Tee Ball Field 2
(6:00 pm) A-Team Trucking vs The Crawfish Basket (7:00 pm) Lonesome Pine vs Kohler’s Krew

9-10 boys – Field 2
(6:00pm) Uptown Tanning vs Jonesboro State Bank (7:30pm) Cherokee Contractors vs Catfish Inn

9-10 Girls – Field 3
(6:00pm) Ruffled Feathers vs Shuler Consulting (7:30pm) BFCU vs Family Pharmacy

11-13 boys – Field 1
(6:00pm) Super Bee vs BFCU (7:45pm) Mercy Medical vs Traina’s Bakery

11-13 Girls – Field 4
(6:00pm) 5A Pump & Hose vs Pardue Builders (7:45pm) LFMC vs Crawfish Basket

May 28th 

5-6 Tee Ball Field 1
(6:00 pm) Reverie Hair vs Rook Ads (7:00 pm) Six Point vs Jim Neatherland
5-6 Tee Ball Field 2
(6:00 pm) MeMe’s vs Mitchell’s Pharmacy (7:00 pm) Jonesboro State Bank vs Jonesboro Animal Clinic

7-8 Boys –  Field 2
(6:00 pm) Klassy Kleen vs Scrap Iron BBQ (7:30 pm) Farm Bureau vs Dodson Enterprises
7-8 Boys  – Field 4
(6:00 pm) Square One vs Castor (7:30 pm) J&L Works vs Castor

7-8 Girls – Field 1
(6:00 pm) Pink Magnolia vs Castor
7-8 Girls – Field 3
(6:00pm) Jonesboro State Bank vs Jackson Parish Bank (7:30pm) Peoples Bank vs Castor

11-13 boys – Field 1
(7:30pm) BFCU vs Castor

May 30th

3-4 Tee Ball Field 1
(6:00 pm) Dodson Enterprise vs A-Team Trucking (7:00 pm)  vs The Oil Change vs Kohler Krew
3-4 Tee Ball Field 2
(6:00 pm) Crawfish Basket vs Grizzly Land (7:00 pm) Lonesome Pine vs Tucker’s Closet

9-10 boys – Field 2
(6:00pm) Jonesboro State Bank vs Maxwell’s Service (7:30pm) Catfish Inn vs Uptown Tanning

9-10 Girls – Field 3
(6:00pm) BFCU vs Ruffled Feathers (7:30pm) Family Pharmacy vs Shuler Consulting

11-13 boys – Field 1
(6:00pm) Super Bee vs Mercy Medical (7:45pm) BFCU vs Traina’s Bakery

11-13 Girls – Field 4
(6:00pm) 5A Pump & Hose vs LFMC (7:45pm) Crawfish Basket vs Pardue Builders

May 31st

5-6 Tee Ball Field 1
(6:00 pm) Reverie Hair vs MeMe’s  (7:00 pm) Six Point vs Jonesboro State Bank
5-6 Tee Ball Field 2
(6:00 pm) Mitchell’s Pharmacy vs Rook Ads (7:00 pm) Jonesboro Animal Clinic vs Jim Neatherland

7-8 Boys – Field 1
(6:00 pm) Square One vs Klassy Kleen
7-8 Boys – Field 2
(6:00 pm) Scrap Iron BBQ vs Dodson Enterprise (7:30 pm) Farm Bureau vs J&L Works

7-8 Girls – Field 3
(6:00pm) Jonesboro State Bank vs People Bank (7:30pm) Pink Magnolia vs Jackson Parish Bank

June 1st

9-10 Boys – Field 2
(7:30pm) Cherokee Contractors vs Castor

9-10 Girls – Field 4
(6:00pm) BFCU vs Castor

11-13 Girls – Field 4
(7:30pm) LFMC vs Castor

---

If there’s one debate in bass fishing that has gone on for decades, it’s the age-old question: Does color matter? What we are referring to is the color of the bait you’re throwing when fishing for those elusive largemouth bass. No other topic in the bass fishing world has a difference of opinion more than this topic. Today I’ll give you my perspective that could lean you in either direction.

If you ask any angler with years of experience, some will say, “Yes, color does matter,” while others will say, “No,” that the color of your bait has no bearing on if a bass will eat it. Occasionally, I will agree with the guys who say “no” because there are occasions where bass are on a feeding frenzy, otherwise known as “schooling,” and will bite just about anything you throw at them. But I’ve also seen instances where if you don’t throw something that is very close to the forage (baitfish) they are chasing, and I mean in both size and color, you will not get bit. This rule of “matching the hatch,” so to speak, pretty much applies 90% of the time.

Here’s my perspective when it comes to color. I say “yes” color does matter, if for no other reason than confidence. I know we’ve talked about confidence in the past and there’s nothing more important to an angler than his confidence, whether it’s in a particular color or a select bait. This is always a part of my message when I speak to high school or college anglers. It’s important for young anglers to gain confidence in a particular color because when the fishing is tough, you want to fish with something you have a lot of confidence in.

When it comes to soft plastic baits, color can make a huge difference on whether you catch bass or not. My argument has always been if color is not important, then why do manufacturers make so many for anglers to choose from? Some will say that is because companies are trying to catch anglers and sell lures. That might be true, but they also make so many colors because of the many different types of water clarity we have all across the country, and certain colors are designed to match different types of forage bass feed on.

All I know is this, over my many years of chasing those little green fish we call bass, more times than I can count, I made a color change and suddenly, I started catching bass. Was this a coincidence or was the new color I switched to closer to the forage they were feeding on? Only a bass can truly answer this question of whether color really matters, and until bass learn to speak, the world may never know.

Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective

---

LOUISIANA STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE

Public Awareness Message – 2026 Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker Fading Issue

Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police has been made aware of a defect in Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) stickers issued for the year 2026. Upon initial adhesion to a vehicle windshield, the “26” sticker has a yellow background. Due to sun exposure, the sticker may potentially fade from yellow to clear or white.

Individuals who have received 2026 MVI stickers from January 1, 2024, until the present date may experience fading. It is important to note that despite the fading, these MVI stickers will remain valid. No action is required by the vehicle owner. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is aware of this issue, and is working to replace the current unissued inventory.

---

Jordan Williams of Saline High School has been named to the Class C All-State team in softball as chosen by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA). The elite squad is comprised of players from both “select” and “non-select” schools. 

The senior standout was selected after compiling a .638 batting average, which was the highest in Class C. Williams led Saline to a 10-9 overall record and a second-place finish in District 2C. 

The outstanding player of the Year was Allie Wainwright of Division V “select” semi-finalist, Claiborne Christian Academy in West Monroe.  Kenny Sepulvado of Family Community Christian was named Coach of the Year. 

2024 Softball Class C All State 

Allie Wainwright Claiborne Christian Jr. .565
Anna Cate Miller Clairborne Christian Sr. 426
Baleigh Haulcy Gibsland-Coleman Jr. .587
Akeirah Jones Summerfield So. .533
M.J. Caldwell Family Community Fr. 493
Jadyn Hutchinson Family Community So. .419
Haley Martin Calvin Jr. 389, 193 Ks
Kyleigh Blundell Calvin Jr., .392
Jordan Williams Saline Sr. .638
Daisy Jeane Evans Jr., .610
Madelyn Wilson Ebarb Jr. .606
Madelyn Nolen Starks Jr. .463
Rylee Hernandez Northside Christian Fr. .556
Madelyn Dupuis St. Joseph Sr. 198 Ks
Emilee Gauthier St. Joseph Jr. .477
Malee Stanley Fairview Jr. .594
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: ALLIE WAINWRIGHT, CLAIBORNE CHRISTIAN
COACH OF THE YEAR: KENNY SEPULVADO, FAMILY COMMUNITY

 

 

---