This week a new College World Series champ will be crowned, and that champ will be from the South, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.

For the foreseeable future, unless they redo geography, Omaha in June is likely to look a lot like this year’s All SEC-ACC showdown.

Before LSU won its first NCAA baseball title in 1991 and began a string of southern teams showing up in the CWS as often as biscuits show up with butter, the Bible Belt Baseball Boys were generally out of the running by the end of May. In college hardball, the South just couldn’t hang. Didn’t care, really.

You can take this train of thought back to the inaugural Series in 1947, when California, led by future American League MVP Jackie Jensen, beat Yale two games to none.

USELESS INFORMATION ALERT HERE: Yale was the first team to have the popular mascot of Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech was the second. Also, Yale finished 19-10-1 that season, 9-3-1 in the always competitive Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League. The other teams in the league finished either 7-5 or 6-6, which means they were the equivalent of any division in today’s NFL.)

Consider for a moment that Yale played 13 regular-season conference games back then. It was like a college football season today, with every game counting. Also of note (or could possibly be considered as More Useless Information), the Eli Nine were helped to the Series in ’47 by infielder George H.W. “Hot Corner” Bush, the future president, who is rumored to have kept his old Yale glove in his Oval Office desk drawer; never hurts to have your leather handy.

So, the game has changed — the Golden Bears finished the season 31-10 and got to play more games than the weather-addled Yale team — but what’s the same is that Yale and California weren’t from the South then and still aren’t. What the Golden Bears did was start a trend, one aided by the South’s love for football and the West Coast’s love for the more laid-back game of baseball. Pacific and Mountain Time teams would continue to dominate the Series for years, even decades, until LSU came along.

Check the record books pre-1990 and you will see a CWS dominated by Southern California, Arizona State and Arizona. Every now and then, a Texas or Miami would show up. During those formative years, teams from the north had all the impact of a snowball in a five-alarm fire, and that impact is the same today. To put it in perspective, Ohio State won a national title in 1966, the year Bush was first elected to the House of Representatives. A lot has happened since then, but one thing hasn’t: a Northern Team hasn’t sniffed the CWS.

Southern teams have won 11 of the past 14 College World Series — and finished second the three times Southern teams didn’t win it all.

For years and years, the West Coast had it made, baseball-wise. They had it made for sure — right up until the time the South started caring. And we won’t quit caring any time soon.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Ty Simonelli and Logan Ponder used to combine their talents to propel Quitman High School to great heights in baseball. When the pair got together again this past weekend, the success continued to follow for their team and individually.

Playing for the District 5 squad, both were voted to the Showcase Series All-Tournament team after leading their team to the 18U tournament title in the session that was played at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches on June 14-16. Next spring the pair will continue to partner in their baseball pursuits as members of the South Arkansas (SouthArk) Community College baseball team. 

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This will give you an opportunity to think about things. The application will be personal and thoughtful.

This is the story of a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain in the land. He began his journey after decades of preparation. But since he wanted glory for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone.

His climb started in the bright sunlight and proceeded until night. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. All was black. Zero visibility since the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, only mere feet from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked down by gravity.

He kept falling. . .

and in those moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good and bad experiences of his life.

He was thinking now about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden, he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard.

His body was still hanging in the air…Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice by to scream:

HELP ME GOD!

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the heavens answered:
What do you want me to do?

Save me God!

Do you really think I can save you?

Of course, I believe you can.

THEN CUT THE ROPE TIED TO YOUR WAIST. . .

There was a moment of silence: the man decided to hold on to the rope with all of his strength.

The rescue team says that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen. . .his body hanging from a rope. His hands holding tightly to it. . .

Only ten feet from the ground.

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Heading into the 2024-25 LHSAA boys basketball season, Quitman Head Coach, Mike Black, knows that his Wolverines have to replace a lot of scoring. Graduation hit his team hard with three of the top four scorers now gone. 

Concerned? Not now!

“Before we started playing this summer, I wondered what effect losing those guys would have,” said Black. “Seeing how so many have prepared for their opportunity, I am very confident about our prospects this year and eager to get the season started.”

The “new look” Wolverines piqued Black’s curiosity about how his team would tackle the challenges ahead by winning three of four games at the NSU team camp two weeks ago. That curiosity turned into confidence with their play this past weekend at the Referees Training Camp in Ruston when they won all five games played against Buckeye, Fairview, Weston, Logansport and Oak Hill. 

“We have potential to be a really good team,” voiced Black following the contests. “I am very pleased with the depth we have. We have several players who can handle and shoot the ball and for the first time in several years we have some big men in the post. Most of all I am excited about how the guys, some who are getting their first real opportunity to play extended minutes, are gelling together and playing good team ball.”

 

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Last week we covered some of the issues going on with anglers on our lakes and waterways. We talked about the confrontations taking place daily as guys compete for water space. Every angler, of course, wants an area of the lake to themselves. Twenty-five to thirty years ago, this might have been possible but not in 2024! Since the Covid pandemic, it is crazy how many people have taken to the outdoors, and specifically the water, for either fishing or just pleasure boating.

So, with so many people on our lakes and rivers, competition for water space is at an all-time high. Today, I’m going to grab my whistle and put on my coach’s cap and teach anyone willing to listen (boat captains and high school anglers) on the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Actually, these rules should apply to all anglers!

Rule #1: Don’t back your boat down the ramp if you’re not ready to launch. This is a major sore spot with anglers as so many times some anglers will block the ramp by loading all their gear, putting on the running light, loading their rods, removing the trailer bar and unhooking all the trailer straps. Do all this before you get to the ramp! Same goes for pleasure boaters; do all your prepping away from the ramp. Now when you get to the ramp, you’re ready to drop the boat in the water and get out of the way.

Next, brush piles….Rule #2: You don’t own a sunken brush pile. This might be the most controversial topic among tournament anglers and can be a major source of tension. But you must understand, that even though YOU spent hours sinking brush piles all over the lake, in reality, you do not own them. Once anything is sunk on a public waterway, it is no longer YOUR personal fishing spot, it’s public. YOU DO NOT OWN THAT OR ANY OTHER BRUSH PILE! Anyone and everyone have just as much right to fish that brush pile as the person that put it there.

Now, with all this being said, if I know that an angler in the tournament put out a particular brush top, I’ll honor him by not fishing it. Also, if I see a good friend fishing a particular brush pile, I’ll check it off my list of places to fish out of respect for him.

Here’s the thing about brush piles; most lakes have hundreds of brush piles all over the lake. All you have to do is use your electronics and go find them. Which leads us to Rule #4: Go find your own fish! Don’t rely on another angler to find fish for you! Find them on your own! You’ll get a greater satisfaction from fishing when you do it on your own.

Rule #4: Don’t cut another angler off! This is the most controversial unwritten rule there is and the one that has created the most verbal wars on the water. Nothing sets a bass fisherman off quicker than another angler cutting them off. If you see a boat going down a stretch of boat docks, grass line or tree line, don’t run in on him and start fishing a few hundred feet in front of him. THIS IS A MAJOR NO NO! Give the angler his space and go at least 300 yards or more before dropping your trolling motor. Or start behind the angler and go away from him which is what he would prefer anyway.

Rule #5: Don’t run up on another boat and shut down on top of them. This is more of a problem on lakes that have a defined boat lane with little to no wiggle room. If another angler is fishing close to the boat lane, shut down at least 40 yards from them and idle by him a few yards before getting back on pad.

In some cases, anglers will motion you with a hand signal waving you on to stay on pad and run by them. I personally would rather have someone just run by me on pad rather than shutting down and throwing a 2-foot wake on me. A running boat produces a smaller wake than one with a fast idle. But it’s always good to be courteous and let the other angler tell you what they want you to do.

Rule #6: Never drop waypoints with your GPS of another angler’s fishing spot. This one is a major issue with all tournament bass anglers. Just because you see one of the local favorites on a particular body of water fishing a specific spot, does not mean you should idle by him and drop a waypoint. I’ve seen anglers go out of their way to mark another angler’s location only to return and fish the same spot. If you can’t find your own fish, don’t enter the tournament!

Rule #7: At no point should an angler have a pair of binoculars in their boat! This really makes an angler using them look pitiful. It shows you’re spending time sitting and watching other anglers catch fish while you’re waiting for them to leave so you can fish that spot. Don’t do this! Binoculars have no place in a bass boat!

The next two rules (#8 and #9) apply mainly to anglers fishing a pro/am tournament. Rule #8: Don’t throw past the front of the boat. This is actually a written rule, but also the most overlooked or ignored rule by co-anglers. Some co-anglers think they can cast anywhere they want, but that’s not the case. The co-angler should fish the water from the imaginary line from the middle of the boat to the back of the boat. My advice to co-anglers…if you want to fish in front of the boat, then sign up as a boater/pro.

Rule #9: Make sure to help the boater/pro with gas on tournament day. Most guys will never ask for the money, so it’s up to you (co-angler) to offer. It’s pretty much understood that unless gas prices are high, $40 is a good offer. Some boater/pros may not take it, but it’s a courteous gesture on your part to offer, especially if you covered a lot of water that day.

Finally, Rule #10: Your bass boat is not a rocket ship! You’re not impressing anyone on the lake by going fast. So SLOW DOWN and be courteous and respectful of all boaters. In the words of former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jimmy Johnson…speed kills! Now obviously he was talking about football, but the same rule applies for going too fast in a bass boat.

Whether we think it or not, we (anglers) do not own any portion of the lake. Everyone is entitled to all areas of any public lake or river. So be respectful of all boaters using the lake. As hard as it can be, exercise patience and try to be nice.

The rules listed above have been passed down to me by previous generations of anglers during my many years of tournament experience. These are things that all bass fishermen need to be reminded of from time to time.

We all get frustrated, but today our lakes and waterways are overrun with boaters and it’s up to us to educate each other as to what is considered acceptable behavior on the water. If you know of anyone, like a boat captain, high school angler or someone new to tournament bass fishing, please share this information with them. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt…set the hook!

Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective

Jerome “Jerry” Silberman was born in 1933. When Jerry was eight years old, his mother had a heart attack. When she was well enough to return from the hospital, her doctor escorted her and Jerry’s father back to their home. This was in the era when doctors made house calls. The doctor made sure Jerry’s mother was comfortable in bed and gave Jerry’s father a few instructions. Then, the doctor spoke to Jerry in another room.

The doctor took Jerry by the arm, leaned over him, sternly looked him in the eye, and slowly said, “Don’t ever argue with your mother because you might kill her.” Eight-year-old Jerry stood there in silence as he tried to process what he had just been told. Then, the doctor continued, “try to make her laugh.” Those instructions changed Jerry’s life.

Jerry followed the doctor’s advice and his mother slowly recovered. When Jerry was eleven, he saw his sister, Corinne, perform in a dramatic recital in front of about 200 people. Before the show began, the people in the audience jabbered away loudly. Then, the lights went down, and a single spotlight shone on his sister. For twenty minutes, the crowd was absolutely silent. Jerry was entranced by his sister’s ability to make the crowd want to hear her every word. Jerry remembered thinking that that was, “about as close to being God as you could get as a human being.”

After the recital, Jerry asked his sister’s acting coach to teach him. The teacher asked Jerry his age. When Jerry answered, “eleven,” the teacher responded, “If you still want to when your 13, come see me.” The day after he turned thirteen, Jerry began studying acting.

In high school and college, Jerry studied drama and theater and performed in several Shakespearean plays. His acting earned him a spot in the prestigious Actor’s Studio, a membership organization for professional actors in New York City. His plan was to become a serious actor, but life has a way of changing plans.

Throughout his long career in the film industry, Jerry often remembered the words his mother’s doctor told him when he was eight years old; “Don’t ever argue with your mother because you might kill her. Try to make her laugh.” For more than forty years, he tried and succeeded in making us laugh.

As I said earlier, Jerry initially aspired to become a Shakespearean actor. Jerry said, “I didn’t think Jerry Silberman in MacBeth had the right ring to it.” Jerry decided he needed a stage name but was unable to find just the right one. One evening, Jerry went to his sister and brother-in-law’s apartment for dinner. Also joining them was a screenwriter named David Zelag Goodman.

During dinner, Jerry explained his stage name dilemma. David saw this dilemma as a fun challenge. Over dinner, David went through the alphabet, beginning with A, and came up with a last name for each letter. David was nearing the end of the alphabet, but nothing seemed right. Then, he came to the letter W. When David said a name that began with W, Jerry said, “the bell went off. I wanted to be Wilder.” Thus, Jerry Silberman became Gene Wilder.

 

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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – are registered for the already filled-to-capacity free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp (JTC) on Saturday morning on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department. It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Everyone who registered should have received an email Monday with a link to an easy-to-complete JTC waiver form that needs to be submitted online by Friday at 5. Those who don’t return that form online will have to complete it Saturday morning before being able to join the fun. JTC organizers are using the online form to hopefully avoid a bottleneck of kids whose participation could be delayed by having to fill out the form on Saturday.

If there are questions about the waiver form, or if it wasn’t received, call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255. The camp filled to capacity last month.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration this weekend. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night’s Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2024 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium. Due to the full capacity of 350 campers signed up, it’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

 

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At a Loss for Words

My husband Norm is seldom at a loss for words. He’s spent most of his life as a radio and TV announcer. Talking comes naturally. I entered broadcasting a few years after we married and even enjoyed a daily talk TV show with him in Northwest Florida. Conversation flowed easily.

Looking back, Norm was always quick with the ad-libs. That really helped when we did remote broadcasts. I wish I could say the same for myself.

One remote broadcast really stands out in my memory. I found it nearly impossible to be creative in a paint store. How many things can you say about paint? Okay, it comes in lots of different colors; then what? I was at a loss for words.

What more could I say?

Jeremiah was at a critical point in ministry. What would he tell the people?

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, ‘Oh, Lord God!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth.’
But the Lord said to me,
Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
And all that I command you, you shall speak (Jeremiah 1:4-7 NASB).”

Lord, fill my mouth with your message.

 

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This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Floyd Hassen Jr. (Chatham, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Ronnie Stringfellow (Jonesboro, LA0 -Outside Agency Warrant, Probation and Parole Warrant, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Justin J. Nash (Jonesboro, LA) – Armed Robbery
Presley M Nelson (Castor, LA) – Fugitive from Justice Bienville Parish, Interfering with Emergency Communication, Home Invasion
Sophia Harrell (North Hodge, LA) – Simple Battery
Jaelyn A Duncan (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule III, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II with Intent to Distribute
Mykal Woods (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
Jeremiah Edwards (Jonesboro, LA) – DWI, Flight from Officers, Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment, Domestic Aggravated Assault, Reckless Operation, Stop Sign Violation, Negligent Discharge, No Helmet, Expired Tags
Scot Simmons (Ruston, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery
Heather Mathers (Jonesboro, LA) – Resisting an Officer, Simple Escape, Possession of Schedule II CDS, Possession of Schedule I Synthetic, Possession of Schedule III
Nathan Fair (Jonesboro, LA) – Tail Lamps Violation, Prohibited Acts Schedule III
Bradden Griffin (Jonesboro, LA) – Assault with a Firearm 

 

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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

McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in Jonesboro, LA is seeking a bi-vocational Southern Baptist minister. If interested please send resume to mmbcchurch318@gmail.com

 

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. 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Jackson Parish Police Jury is hiring for the following open position. Please submit all applications to: Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. Applications will be received until 4:30 pm on Friday, June 21, 2024. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: nevans@jppj.org.

POSITION: General Laborer
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Road Department

Description:
Under close supervision, the Road Department General Laborer performs unskilled manual labor, operation of light equipment requiring no special training or experience, and performs related work as required by the supervisor. Laborers in this position class are also responsible for the operation of a variety of construction and maintenance equipment and for performing manual labor activities as needed and/or required by the Road Department.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age.
• High school diploma, or equivalent, required.
• Class E Driver’s License; progression towards a CDL license a plus.
• Three (3) months of experience in the operation of equipment listed above preferred, but not required.
• 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 General Laborer is responsible for performing industrial and safety housekeeping of assigned areas following the instructions from their Supervisor.
• Operates Police Jury-owned vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, backhoe, street sweeper, dump trucks, farm–type tractors, bush hog cutters, boom mowers, etc. as required.
• Operates hand and power tools and equipment, such as mowers, chain saws, air compressor, small compaction equipment, etc. as required.
• Mows grass and rights of ways with hand power equipment.
• Uses hand tools to load and unload sand, dirt, gravel, and hot and cold mix asphalt.
• Repairs pot holes.
• Required to inspect and repair equipment as directed by department procedures, as well as be able to make repairs to parish roads, curbs and sidewalks.
• Performs road and ditch maintenance and associated work.
• Cleans culverts and other drainage structures including placing rip rap and filter cloth.
• Sweeps streets, shop, and sidewalks; cleans up debris and materials from roads, bridges, and culverts.
• Flags traffic when needed.
• Manually moves and transports equipment, materials, etc.
• Loads and unloads materials from trucks including debris, sand, dirt, gravel, etc.
• Cleans trucks, replaces blades, and other maintenance of equipment as needed.
• Performs building maintenance, cleaning offices, restrooms, and shop as needed.
• Assists operators, truck drivers, mechanics etc. with specific projects as requested.
• Performs a variety of other heavy manual work in connection with the maintenance of streets, bridges, and drainage of parish roads.
• Ready to learn from on-the-job training when necessary.
• Follows safety procedures and practices as required, as well as wearing required safety equipment.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Detailed Job Description available upon request.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every Father’s Day, we pay tribute to the fathers and father figures in our lives who shower us with unconditional love and support. These men shape our character, help us reach our full potential, and believe in us so that we can believe in ourselves. Today, we honor their tremendous sacrifices, their unwavering devotion, and their tireless work to build better futures for our families. – US President, Joe Biden

That was part of the proclamation that was signed on June 14th that officially recognized June 16th as Father’s Day which is always celebrated on the third Sunday in June each year. 

The Origin Of Father’s Day

Many people assume Father’s Day (and Mother’s Day for that matter) is a holiday designed by greeting card makers to turn a profit. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The story behind how this day became a holiday is actually a tale of determination by one woman and a decades-long fight to get fathers the recognition they deserve.

Some attribute the first Father’s Day observance to the 1907 Monongah, West Virginia mining disaster that killed 361 men—250 of them fathers— and which left more than a thousand children without a dad. Grace Golden Clayton, whose father was killed in the tragedy, suggested a service of commemoration to the pastor of her local Methodist chapel. But it never really caught on as an annual observance.

Two years later, in May of 1909, a woman named Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, heard a Mother’s Day sermon by Reverend Dr. Henry Rasmussen in her hometown church and thought a similar day should be set aside to honor fathers. Her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised six children as a single parent. 

Becoming a National Holiday

On June 6, 1910, Dodd approached the Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) with her petition outlining the idea for an annual observance, and she received overwhelming support. Spokane’s held its first Father’s Day celebration on Sunday, June 19, 1910, with moving speeches by her own pastor and those from other area churches.

The first US President to celebrate it was Woodrow Wilson in June of 1916, who opened the church services by telephone to Spokane from the Oval Office. Wilson liked the idea so much of a day of observation for fathers that he pushed to make it a national holiday (he had just made Mother’s Day official in 1915), but members of Congress resisted, fearing that such a day would take away support from the Mother’s Day holiday, and commercialize the day for fathers, causing more harm than good.

The effort to formally recognize a day for fathers met with even more hurdles over the years. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged states to observe the day nationwide but refused to issue an official proclamation for the holiday, and by the 1930s there was an effort to combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day into a single “Parent’s Day” holiday. Even the newly formed “Father’s Day Council,” made up (and funded by) of members of men’s clothing retailers, couldn’t get the holiday recognized by 1938, only succeeding in getting calendar makers to mark the third Sunday in June with tie and pipe illustrations. And the general public had no interest in buying cards or gifts for dad that he probably didn’t need.

More than 50 years after Dodd’s initial efforts, Father’s Day was recognized as a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June by President Lyndon Johnson’s Executive Order in 1966. But it was still not officially recognized as a federal holiday until six years later, in 1972 when, during his re-election campaign, Richard Nixon signed an official proclamation setting Father’s Day permanently on the third Sunday in June nationwide.

 

 

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The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) met in regular session on Monday, June 10, 2024 in the Nathaniel Zeno, Jr. meeting room, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members present  were Todd Culpepper (President), Amy Magee (Vice-President), Sheketia Combs, Regina Rowe, Lewis Chatham and Nia Evans. Tarneshala Cowans and Keith Burris were absent. Also present was Brad Roller (Operations Manager); Wayne Anderson (Road Superintendent) and Robin Sessions (Solid Waste Superintendent). 

After President Culpepper called the meeting to order and Ms. Rowe gave the invocation, Mrs. Magee led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The floor was then opened for public comments with none being heard. 

The minutes of the May 13, 2024, regular jury meeting, monthly purchase orders, and the payment of all bills were approved followed by committee reports being adopted. Brad Roller followed with the Operation Manager Report. 

Mr. Wayne Anderson, Road Superintendent, presented the May 2024 Road Report noting that $10,721.76 had been spent on emergency callouts/off-schedule work. Robin Session was next with the the May 2024 Solid Waste Report and Paul Riley gave the Engineer’s Report.

The Police Jury then agreed to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the LSU AG Center in the amount of $12,000.00 and Edquado Howard and Walter Johnson was approved to attend the Louisiana Solid Waste Association training to be held on July 9 & 10, 2024. 

Approval to purchase of culverts needed to make the repairs on Siloam Church Rd. in the amount of $13,164.35 was then passes and the Ruston Daily Leader was voted to be the official journal for the dates of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025. 

The implementation of the 2% COLA increase was adopted in the 2024 budget, excluding the Operations Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, with the effective date of July 1, 2024 and the operations manager was approved to attend all required training for the Floodplain Administrator’s role. 

In final action before adjournment, the road repair request from the Village of North Hodge upon the receipt of the required documentation, materials, and payment was approved.

 

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Six players from Jackson Parish, three each from Quitman and Weston High Schools were named to the 2024 Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association (LBCA) Division V All-State team. 

Representing Division V state champion Quitman High was Ian Tilley (Pitcher), Logan Ponder (Infield) and Hudson Pullig (Outfield). From District 1B champion and Division V semi-finalist, Weston High named to the elite team was Drew Browning (Infield), Bryce Zehr (Outfield) and Tait Henderson (Outfield). 

The Hitter of the Year was Tanner Dupuy of Avoylles PC with the Pitcher of the Year being Lincon Stephens of Pitkin. Representatives to the LBCA All State team are chosen from schools whose coaches are Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association members. 

2024 LBCA Division V Baseball All State 

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The Village of Chatham met at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm. Present were Mayor Gregory Harris, council members Bernadean James, Toni Malone, Sue Proffer and Mike Wilson. Council member Lavern Mixon was absent.

The session opened with the minutes of the May meeting being approved and monthly bills being paid. A pair of Ordinances (#2024-02 & #2024-03) to amend the budget for 2023-24 and set the budget for 2024-25 was then adopted.

Members then decided to not install speed bumps within the village limits of Chatham and set the millage at 7.41 mills for the 2024 tax roll. Financial statements as presented were then adopted before the meeting was adjourned. 

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Jonesboro-Hodge High School announces Geneice Levingston as the new Lady Tigers Softball Head Coach. The daughter of Mrs. Evelyn (Wright) Levingston and the late Mr. Bobby Geno Levingston and mother of Sanaa’, Tylan, and Lamar Jr., is a 2004 graduate of JHHS.

Although this will be Coach Levingston’s first experience as a head coach, she brings a wealth of talent and experience with her having been a four times all district player at J-H and playing in college at Jackson State University! Prior to agreeing to take over the Lady Tiger program, Levingston served as an instructor at D-Bat in Ruston.

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Jackson Parish has a rich tradition of success in Dixie Youth baseball and Little League softball All Star district and state competition. Now that the regular baseball and softball seasons that were played at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex has ended, eight All-Star teams representing ages groups from 7-12 years old, will begin district competition in hopes of continuing that strong legacy. See below for the 2024 All-Star rosters in the respective age divisions.

Dixie Youth 7U Boys All-Stars

Head Coach: Nick Sampey
Players: Kaden Blewer, Matthew Buchan, Uriah Hall, Davis Hudson, Oliver Lee, Kase Mathews, Reed McMillan, Rowan Sampey, Emmett Thomas, Luke Turner, Lucas Womack

Dixie Youth 8U Boys All-Stars

Head Coach: Joshua Jones
Assistants: Jacob Norred, Jacob Otwell, Joshua Henderson
Players: Ashton Anderson, Briggs Craighead, Duke Henderson, Jeremiah Jones, Carson Knox, Rafe Lewter, Levi Norred, Brennon Otwell, Isaac Sessions, Braxten Theriot, Sutton Vail, Austin West

Dixie Youth 9U Boys All-Stars

Head Coach: Steven Moak
Assistants: Dusty Burton, Railey Garrett
Players: Leland Anderson, Clay Burton, Remington Davis, Landry Garrett, Ryder Gray, Carter Kelley, Ridge Lewter, Noah Moak, Cruz Nomey, Jaycob Rogers, Grant Williams, Hunter Williams

Dixie Youth 10U Boys All-Stars

Head Coach: Dusty Tolar
Assistants: Lance Seymore, Ronny Savage
Players: Kutter Blalock, Braddock Chandler, Brock Craighead, Eli Jones, Asher Norred, Ryder Pardue, Caleb Robinson, Thatcher Savage, Andrew Seymore, Koplen Taylor, Jase Tinsley, Mason Tolar 

Dixie Youth 12U Boys All-Stars

Head Coach: Juddy Rogers
Assistants: John Ables, Dusty Griffin
Players: Jackson Ables, Jaxon Cheatwood, Grant Griffin, Carter Powell, Corbin Powell, Aiden Reed, Carson Rogers, Ryand Sandifer, Waylon Sullivan, Conner Thompson, Jensen Waggoner, Caston Zimmerman

Little League 8U Girls All-Stars

Head Coach: Kyle Allen
Assistants: Donovan Shultz, James Conn
Players: Maila Gunter, Kaylee Hammons, Matilyn Otwell, Ellie Shultz, Kylee-Ann Allen, Marlee Bates, Cadie Conn, Aria Dodson, Caylee Mauthe, Ryleigh Puffer, Natalie Sullivan

Little League 10U Girls All-Stars

Head Coach: Justin Wyatt
Players: Presley Carpenter, Ryan Wyatt, Hannah Aldy, Brelaina Hall, Brooklyn Keiffer, Sally Keiffer, Charlee Mauthe, Ryleigh McCormick, Scarlett Parks, Elliot Savage, Lizzie Sullivan, Emma Gray

Little League 12U Girls All-Stars

Head Coach: Patrick Staggs
Players: Raleigh Guilliams, Charleigh Newton, Amelia Staggs, Camryn Ashley, Isabella Blewer, Kellyn Brister, Gracie Gray, Kamryn James, Sophia Kleibert, Anna Pardue, Tessa Reeves, Teegan Hall 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Louisiana Tech University held their 348th Commencement exercises  on May 25th at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston. Included among the 2024 spring graduates who received their degrees were 15 residents of Jackson Parish. See below for a list of names and hometowns.

2024 LA Tech Spring Graduates

Chatham

Landon S. Myers – Bachelor of Science Forestry
Kendrick Da’mon Tatum – Associate of Science Nursing

Eros

Steven J. Anderson – Bachelor of Science
Elizabeth Elaine Foster – Bachelor of Science
Jonah Michael Wall – Bachelor of interior Design

Jonesboro

Saxton Elijah Canady – Bachelor of Science
Hunter Nicole Guyotte – Undergraduate Certificate
William Chandler Hay – Bachelor of Science
Julia Renee Kelly – Undergraduate Certificate
Ingrid Denise Leslie – Undergraduate Certificate
Dawson James Tolar – Bachelor of Science Forestry
Candace Williams – Undergraduate Certificate

Quitman

Beau Lawson Bowen – Bachelor of Science
Jason Warren King – Associate of Science Nursing
Katelyn Leigh Wiley – Bachelor of Arts

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Maddox Duck and Hayden Davis of Quitman High School were among several that were honored at The Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers season end banquet held on Tuesday, June 11th,  at Catfish Charlies Restaurant in Monroe.

The pair was recognized for finishing second overall in the 2023-24 NELAHS Anglers Trail Tournament schedule and for qualifying for the National Championship and World Finals tournament. 

 

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Patrons who participated in the daily noontime meal session sponsored by the Jackson Parish Council on Aging on Friday, June 14th were treated to a special Father’s Day Cook-Out. Big prize winners were (seated): Jerry Shankles & Richard McLeland. (Standing): John Alexander, Jimmy Buckelew, Schultz Sanders & Hank Lowery. 

 

Representatives of the Jackson Parish Sheriff Department grilled burgers and Bruce Thomas of Traina’s Bakery in Jonesboro donated the dessert for the group assembled at the Robert Riddle Senior Center, located at 120 Polk Avenue in Jonesboro.  

The Jackson Council on the Aging is a non-profit organization designed to meet the needs of the elderly of Jackson Parish, assisting them in retaining the level of independence they desire, and implementing programs to address their needs.

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It sounds like something you might see in a horror movie. A monster attacks helpless defenseless people who have no way of escape as it mutilates and destroys everyone in its path.

There is a disease spreading across the country among cervids including whitetailed deer, elk, moose that is strikingly similar to the fictitious monster from the movies. When an animal contracts the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), they die; there is no cure.

The Ruston Rotary Club last week heard ULM Professor, Dr. Kim Marie Tolston, share grim details of what happens once deer become affected by CWD. The disease has been documented in 22 states and as of January, 2022, Louisiana was added to that list. The malady so far has only been found in Tensas Parish but neighboring parishes are likely to learn the disease has spread to their locales.

Just exactly what is Chronic Wasting Disease? Dr. Tolston explained it and why it is impossible to cure.

“It is caused by prions that cause the brain of affected animals to form holes much like a sponge. These prions are proteins, not living organisms which means you can’t kill them,” she said.

“How does a dees get these proteins? It has to be ingested and spreads from one animal to another from saliva, urine, feces or other body fluids. If an infected deer feeds at a feeder and for instance drops a grain of corn or two and another deer eats it, it becomes infected.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has published regulations concerning deer that are taken in the control area, which includes all of Tensas Parish along with portions of Madison, Concordia, Franklin and E. Carroll Parishes. These controls include prohibiting of baiting, placement of bait or hunting over bait. In addition, only meat that has been cut, boned out and wrapped with no part of the spinal column or head may be taken from the control area.

Eddie Barnes, Ruston businessman, has a hunting lease in Tensas Parish and he shares his impression of what he has observed since CWD entered Tensas.

“There have been 22 deer that have tested positive in Tensas, our club has shot 16 of them,” said Barnes. “The only way to stop it is to reduce the number of deer. We have some 800 deer on our club and we have been instructed by LDWF to get the number down to 400. We hate to have to do it but it seems the only way we can reduce the spread is to take out lots of deer.

“After we shoot them, they are placed in coolers and LDWF comes and removes the heads and tests them for CWD. The deer that are cleared as not having it are quartered with bones removed, meat packaged and are taken to the Deer Factory in Dubach which processes the meat and donates it to Hunters for the Hungry.”

According to Dr. Tolston, the prions can remain active for at least ten years. “There was a pen where infected elk that had tested positive for CWD and were all shot and removed. Ten years later, more elk were put in the pen and they all contracted CWD because the prion was still active on the ground where they were penned,” she said.

“The disease affects not only mature deer but even fawns have been found with CWD. The only way to help control it is to reduce the number of deer in affected area because if one gets it, likely as not the entire herd will,” she noted.

The monster in the movies that wipes out victims is bad, but it’s just a movie. Chronic Wasting Disease is worse because it’s real. The entire deer hunting industry in Louisiana could eventually be subject to restrictions if CWD continues to spread.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bream fishing for chinquapins and bluegills has been good around shallow bedding areas. Big oversized plastic worms and crank baits are picking up some good sized bass in deeper water around the secondary points. Crappie are best fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU –Bream are bedded and biting crickets and worms around the trees fished over the grass. Crappie are around the trees and are fair on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair on spinners. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Some big bass are still being caught flipping soft plastics around brush. Some big crappie are being caught on the flats on shiners and jigs. Bream are on the beds and hitting worms and crickets. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is still high. Bream are beginning to bed in the backwaters. No report on bass and crappie. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass have been good with some over 7 caught on buzz baits, jerk baits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on the flats and are hitting shiners and jigs fished 8 feet deep in 12-14 foot water. Bream are on the beds and taking crickets or worms. Catfishing is good fishing cold worms off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – There have been some good reports of stripers starting to school and hitting shad imitation lures. Bass fishing is best fishing around the boat docks and piers with spinners, crank baits and soft plastics. Crappie have moved deep and are best around submerged brush on shiners and jigs. Bream should still be around shallow bedding areas and hitting worms and crickets. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing is good and the bream are on the beds. No report on crappie or bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising again and the road is under water to the landing. No fishing reports this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

 

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The Jonesboro Heritage Quilt Guild held their monthly “Show and Tell” meeting this past Wednesday, June 12, in the Community Room of the Jonesboro-Hodge Methodist Church. The session was highlighted by Sherry Hauser showing members how to make a Blue Onion quilt as well as members presenting their beautiful hand stitched designs. 

Heritage Quilt Guild provides a means for quilters and guild lovers to promote the appreciation and preservation of quilts. The guild is a forum in which the skills of the quilt makers are shared so the art will be handed down to others and excellence in quilt making is presented to add to the history of the fine needlework for following generations.

Heritage Quilt Guild Charity Activities
Comfort quilts for those who have lost their home due to fire
Christmas stockings for CASA
Lap quilts for Veterans

“June Show and Tell” 

 

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LA Elite, the summer basketball team comprised of top female high school athletes from north Louisiana, took second place at the Gulf Coast Regional Championship played in Monroe on June 8-9.

The tourney started with LA Elite beating Sunset Elite 40-10 and Prolific 48-38 before dropping a close contest to LA Goats by a 54-51 margin. The next day, La Elite beat Prolific again to earn a spot in the finals where they once again fell to LA Goats.

Briley Peterson of Weston High was outstanding over the five games compiling 61 points, second highest on the team behind 89 scored by Bella Hammond of Haughton High, grabbing a team high 66 rebounds and 14 steals.

 

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As part of continuing efforts to protect the senior community, the Internal Revenue Service today issued a warning about the rising threat of impersonation scams.

These scams are targeting older adults in Louisiana and elsewhere across the country by pretending to be government officials, aiming to steal sensitive personal information and money. By posing as representatives from agencies such as the IRS, or other government agencies, these fraudsters use fear and deceit to exploit their victims.

“Scammers often target seniors, attempting to steal personal information through phone calls, emails or text messages by pretending to be from the IRS or other agencies or businesses,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Preventing these types of scams requires assistance from many different places. By partnering with other federal agencies and others in the tax community, we can reach more seniors and other taxpayers to help protect them against these terrible scams.”

This is part of a wider effort taking place this week leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on Saturday, June 15. WEAAD, observed since June 15, 2006, aims to foster a better understanding of the neglect and abuse faced by millions of older adults, focusing attention on the contributing cultural, social, economic and demographic factors.

The IRS also has been engaged in long-term efforts to protect against scams and other related schemes, including identity theft. This has been an ongoing focus of the Security Summit [irs.gov] partnership between the IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax professional community since 2015.

Understanding the threats:

The IRS has identified a concerning trend where fraudulent actors are increasingly targeting unsuspecting individuals, particularly senior citizens, by masquerading as IRS agents. Victims are pressured into making immediate payments through unorthodox methods such as gift cards or wire transfers under the pretense of resolving fictitious tax liabilities or securing false refunds.

These scammers deploy advanced techniques to fabricate a veneer of credibility, including the manipulation of caller IDs to appear legitimate. Here are just a few examples of their schemes:

Impersonation of known entities : Fraudsters often pose as representatives from government agencies — including the IRS, Social Security Administration and Medicare — others in the tax community or familiar businesses and charities. By spoofing caller IDs, scammers can deceive victims into believing they are receiving legitimate communications.
Claims of problems or prizes : Scammers frequently fabricate urgent scenarios, such as outstanding debts or promises of significant prize winnings. Victims may be falsely informed that they owe the IRS money, are owed a tax refund, need to verify accounts or must pay fees to claim non-existent lottery winnings.
Pressure for immediate action : These deceitful actors create a sense of urgency, demanding that victims take immediate action without allowing time for reflection. Common tactics include threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension or computer viruses to coerce quick compliance.
Specified payment methods : To complicate traceability, scammers insist on unconventional payment methods, including cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps or gift cards, and often require victims to provide sensitive information like gift card numbers.

Scam precautions and reporting:

If an individual receives an unexpected call from someone alleging to be from the IRS, but they have not been notified by mail about any issues with their IRS account, they should hang up immediately. The call is likely from a scammer.

Do not return the call using the number provided by the caller or the one displayed on their caller ID. If taxpayers are uncertain about the legitimacy of IRS communications, they can contact IRS customer service for verification at 800-829-1040 , or for the hearing impaired, TTY/TDD 800-829-4059 .

To view details about an individual’s tax account, they can set up or check their IRS individual online account [irs.gov] on IRS.gov.

Electronic scams are also on the rise, with scammers sending malicious emails and texts posing as IRS representatives to steal personal information. The IRS reminds taxpayers that it does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media regarding tax bills or refunds.

Report the call or electronic scam by visiting the Hotline page of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and using an IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484 . Forms to report different types of fraud are available on the Hotline page of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration website [tigta.gov] . Taxpayers can click the appropriate option under “IRS Scams and Fraud” and follow the instructions.

Key points to remember:

Individuals should understand how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers to help them verify whether any communication they receive is genuinely from an IRS employee.

Most IRS communications are initiated through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. However, in certain situations, the IRS may make phone calls or visit homes or businesses. These situations include having an overdue tax bill, an unfiled tax return or missing employment tax deposit.

Additionally, an IRS employee might review assets or inspect a business as part of a collection investigation, audit or ongoing criminal investigation.

Remember the following:

The IRS will never demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards or wire transfers. Typically, if taxes are owed, the IRS will send a bill by mail first.
The IRS will never threaten to involve local police or other law enforcement agencies.
The IRS will never demand payment without allowing opportunities to dispute or appeal the amount owed.
The IRS will never request credit, debit or gift card numbers over the phone.
Remaining vigilant and informed about these scams can help protect taxpayers from financial loss and identity theft. The IRS and partnering federal agencies urge everyone to be cautious, especially when dealing with unsolicited communications concerning taxes.
In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice introduced the National Elder Fraud Hotline to address fraud targeting elderly Americans and support affected individuals. If an individual has fallen victim to elder fraud, they can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

The hotline operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, and services are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.

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