This week, the Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School football team recognizes quarterback, King Campbell, as Tiger of the Week! King continues to lead his teammates, grow his knowledge of the playbook, and improve his game each and every day through consistent hard work. Congratulations, King Campbell!
The Louisiana Department of Education held their 18th Annual, Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala this past Saturday. Jackson Parish was represented through JHHS Band Director, Trey Porchay, who was one of nine finalists to be selected as New Teacher of the Year. Porchay came to JHHS in 2023 as Band Director, resurrecting the once highly acclaimed program that had been dormant for 16 years.
Through his faith in God, discipline, gifts, and unwavering financial and motivational support from the Jackson Parish School Board, band parents, individuals, anonymous donors, and groups, Mr. Porchay and our students have created “Tropical Thunder”. Our band is simply amazing. If you have not heard them, you are missing a treat. Mr. Porchay is a visionary and his visions have been manifested! The Best is yet to come! Congratulations, Mr. Porchay. – Facebook post by JHHS Principal, Chevonda Williams
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church wrapped up its summer learning program with a visit from the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service. The service offered health and safety information and conducted tours of their vehicles.
Jordan Boston, the summer learning coordinator, expressed pride in the church’s effort to provide local youth with valuable experiences in Christian education, math, literacy, and basic health. He conveyed deep gratitude for the ambulance service’s partnership on the program’s final day, highlighting it as a shining example of the positive outcomes that arise when the community collaborates.
Participating in their second only UCA Cheer Camp, the Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary Cheerleading Squad took top honors, including winning First Place in the Elementary Division Dance & Cheer competition and being named Most Improved.
Additional UCA Camp honors earned were:
Day 1: Spirit Stick
Day 2: Blue Ribbon and Pin It Forward Award (Mez’Meri Walker)
Day 3: Gold Ribbon and Spirit Stick
The nine-member group, which was the only elementary cheer squad to represent Jackson Parish, traveled to Dallas, TX, to participate in the camp held at The Great Wolf Lodge from July 23-26 per School Board approval.
The camp focused on crowd leading, skill fundamentals, and team bonding with exclusive, UCA material and dances. The squad is under the direction of Ms. Lauren Bennett who looks forward to the girls serving as school ambassadors and showing off their skills at this coming year’s pep rallies and elementary basketball games.
Phaelin Andrews
Draya Kelly
Savannah Murphy, Co-Captain
Sa’Miya Stallings, Captain
LaDarria Thompson
Mez’Meri Walker
Sailor Wells
Aulani Williams
Baylee Wilson
The Weston High School Softball team invites you to come and get your car washed by the Lady Wolves. The team fundraising activity will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on August 3rd in the parking lot of Weston High School. All washes will be on a donation basis and concessions will be available if you want to wait while your vehicle is washed.
The Lady Wolves will also be raising money for the team by sponsoring painted parking spots for teachers and students for the 2024-25 school year. The cost to secure your very own spot is $25.00. Teachers will be given first choice of parking spots, followed by senior students and then all underclassmen.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) launched the Get Down & Clean Up program in collaboration with the State Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana Public Library System, making litter clean-up supplies readily available at public libraries across the state in spring 2023.
Today, the program has grown to 127 participating libraries in 41 parishes, and more than 1,000 litter kits have been checked out by library patrons to care for their local communities.
The libraries with the greatest number of litter kit checkouts are Shreve Memorial Library, Jackson Parish Library, and Ouachita Parish Library. This program is free to all public libraries and there is no cost to check out a litter kit. Adult supervision is required when the kit is in use.
“Louisianans are tired of living in a dirty state,” said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. “The Get Down & Clean Up program makes it possible for people to easily do their part and demonstrate community pride.”
Included in the Get Down & Clean Up litter kits are safety vests, litter grabbers, trash bags, and instructions. Anyone with a library card can check-out a litter kit and return it after use. Participants are encouraged to scan the QR code available on the kit instructions and fill out a quick report sharing information about their cleanup.
“Libraries these days are books and so much more. They’ve become true community hubs, and this is just another example of that,” said State Librarian Meg Placke. “We’re proud so many libraries are taking part in this important program, and we’re even happier so many people are working so hard to help keep our state looking its best. It’s a great win-win.”
(Paid Advertorial)
Have you ever seen anyone as peaceful as dad taking his afternoon nap in his recliner? I can tell you from experience that sometimes a 10-minute recliner nap can be just as good as a one-hour couch nap. Did you know that this reclining position has a name? It’s called the zero-gravity position.
The zero-gravity position involves reclining at an approximate 120-degree angle with legs elevated slightly above the heart. It promotes neutral spine alignment and reduces strain on the lower back and hips. It also distributes body weight evenly, reducing pressure points and promoting optimal blood circulation. You can also apply this position to things other than sleep, like reading or watching television.
If sitting in the zero-gravity position is comfortable, can you imagine how great sleeping in ZG is? The zero-gravity position could not only help you sleep better and reduce pain, but it could also:
● Promote heart health
● Digestive health
● Respiratory health
● Give better quality sleep
With these medical benefits, it’s a considerably healthy way to rest! Now what if you could get these benefits from your mattress? You can, with an adjustable base.
Adjustable beds aren’t just fancy hospital beds. They’re your ticket to customized comfort, better health, and the deepest sleep of your life. They do more today than just raise your head. You can elevate your head to stop snoring, find the perfect angle to ease back pain, or even give yourself a soothing massage. An adjustable base can put you in this zero-gravity sleep position daily.
The best part is that an adjustable base will work with most new mattresses and may even work with yours. The options on adjustable beds are endless. There are so many styles that can do so many things. Things like:
● Head up/down
● Feet up/down
● Head tilt
● Lumbar support
● Anti-snore
● TV/lounge positions
● Massage features
● programmable settings
● Bluetooth
● Under Bed lighting
Come by and try one out for yourself. We have several styles that you can test out to see what options you like.
The start of the 2024-25 school year is just around the corner. As result, Weston High School is sending a reminder to parents of Pre-Schoolers of important dates. Please see below.
For the past few years, it was looking like Louisiana’s turkey hunters would have to reluctantly put away their shotguns and turkey calls and go back to doing what we were doing a couple of decades ago. It seemed the only outdoors springtime activity would be fishing. All the statistics pointed to a steady decline in turkey populations, back like it was when only a handful of local diehards, like Blue Parkman, Pete Brister and L.W. Hamner went out morning after morning hoping they might find a turkey track or actually hear a gobble.
Then something happened. According to a press release by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana’s turkey hunters enjoyed the best year by far from a harvest standpoint in 2024. They reported taking 3695 birds during the recently completed hunting season.
This year, for the first time since the harvest reporting was mandated in 2009, turkey hunters reported taking more than 3,000 birds. In fact, the past three seasons were the best ever reported since harvest data was compiled. Last year, an astounding 2833 birds were taken but for the 2024 season, the take was 30.4 percent higher than that.
What happened?
Why did the harvest data take a jump in the right direction over the past three years?
In 2018, the LDWF staff recommended that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission push back the opening date for turkey season to give gobblers and hens more time to take care of the business of breeding and putting more baby turkeys on the ground.
Cody Cedatol is Turkey Program Manager for LDWF and he believes that giving turkeys more time to do what they naturally do in spring before hunters take to the woods played a big role in the improvement of the number of gobblers being taken.
“This clearly indicates increasing turkey populations in many areas of the state and provides additional evidence that the season change is working,” said Cedatol. “Many hunters indicated increased encounters with jakes (juvenile turkeys), which is an indicator of good reproduction. Similar reports were noted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.”
Jason Lupardis, native Kentuckian, has been named CEO of an up and coming organization, Turkeys for Tomorrow, that has the goal of trying to pinpoint problems nationwide having to do with the overall decline in wild turkey populations around the country.
We visited with Lupardis recently to ask about Turkeys for Tomorrow and get his take on what he sees as some of the main problems and why he believes Louisiana has beat the odds, in a manner of speaking, by having such good results over the past 2-3 years while other states continue to struggle.
“Reports from brood surveys of Louisiana turkeys have shown a higher poult-to-hen ratio which means that there has been good production of young turkeys. That is partly due,” said Lupardis,” to the pushing back opening day to allow gobblers and hens to breed.”
To find out how Turkeys for Tomorrow works, visit turkeysfortomorrow.org
He also noted a new regulation Louisiana will implement beginning the 2025 season that will protect young gobblers. “The new regulation means only youth hunters may take one jake per season. For remaining hunters, only mature gobblers may be taken and jakes will be off limits. A mature gobbler is described as an adult with tail feathers the same length, beard longer than 6 inches and spurs at least ½ inch long,” he said.
It is troubling to realize that in so many areas, Louisiana is at or near the bottom in rank. However, when it comes to wild turkeys, our state because of more restrictive regulations, is setting standards that hopefully will see our wild turkey population continue to thrive.
CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been good at night on 11 inch plastic worms and deep diving crank baits with some big fish reportedly caught. During the day, deep diving crank baits and soft plastics fished on underwater humps is producing. Bream fishing has slowed as the fish are scattered. 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 –Lots of moss and pads. Bream fair on crickets. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Big bass continue to come in on jigs and oversized plastic worms with topwater lures best early. Crappie fishing has been good fishing around deep brush. Bream fishing has slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Bass fishing has improved fishing shad imitation lures in the cuts. Crappie fishing has been quite good fishing shiners or jigs in the sloughs. Some bream are being caught up the bayou. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –. Bass have been best early morning on topwaters. swim baits and square billed crank baits fished around the edge of the grass. Soft plastics and crank baits working best later. Crappie are good on the flats and along the edges of the channels and hitting shiners and jigs. Bream are off the beds and scattered. Catfishing is good fishing cold worms off the banksFor latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE –Bass fishing is best at night fishing soft plastics and dark spinners and crank baits. Some have been caught early mornings on topwater lures fished along the edges of grass and around boat docks. Crappie have moved deep and are best around submerged brush on shiners and jigs. Bream are scattered and fair on crickets and worms. No report on stripers or catfish. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been good and bream are fair. No report on bass or crappie. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is on a slow fall. Catfishing is good while crappie are fair. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities across the globe. While the physical and emotional scars left by abuse are often the most visible, the financial toll of domestic violence is a significant but frequently overlooked aspect. The economic repercussions affect not only the victims but also ripple through society, leading to substantial costs in healthcare, legal systems, and lost productivity.
For victims, domestic violence can result in immediate and long-term financial instability. Abusers often exert control over their partners by manipulating finances, restricting access to money, and sabotaging employment opportunities. This economic abuse leaves victims financially dependent and unable to escape their situations.
One survivor, Jane Doe (name changed for privacy), shared her experience: “My husband controlled all our bank accounts and wouldn’t let me work. When I finally left, I had nothing but the clothes on my back and my two children. Starting over has been incredibly hard, especially with no financial support.”
Victims frequently face a range of economic challenges, including:
Medical Expenses: Injuries sustained from abuse often require medical treatment, leading to substantial out-of-pocket costs. Chronic health issues resulting from long-term abuse can also result in ongoing medical expenses.
Legal Costs: Seeking protection through restraining orders or custody battles incurs legal fees, which many victims struggle to afford.
Housing Instability: Escaping an abusive environment often means leaving the family home. Finding safe, affordable housing is a critical and costly step in rebuilding one’s life.
Lost Income: Many victims lose their jobs due to absenteeism or the need to relocate frequently. The struggle to find and maintain employment further exacerbates their financial instability.
The financial burden of domestic violence extends beyond individual victims, affecting the broader economy. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the economic cost of domestic violence in the United States alone exceeds $8.3 billion annually. These costs include:
Healthcare: Medical treatment for injuries, mental health services, and long-term care for chronic conditions contribute significantly to healthcare costs. Emergency services and hospitalization also add to the financial burden on the healthcare system.
Law Enforcement and Judicial Costs: Police intervention, court proceedings, and incarceration of perpetrators require substantial public funding. Additionally, victim services such as shelters and hotlines are essential but costly resources.
Workplace Productivity: Domestic violence leads to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and turnover in the workplace. Victims may struggle with concentration, experience fatigue, or require time off for medical and legal appointments. Employers bear the cost of lost productivity and the need to recruit and train replacement workers.
Combatting the financial toll of domestic violence requires a multifaceted approach. Support services, including financial assistance and job training programs, are crucial for helping victims regain their independence. Public awareness campaigns and education initiatives can also play a role in preventing abuse and encouraging bystanders to support victims.
Legal reforms are needed to ensure that victims have access to financial resources and protection. Strengthening laws around economic abuse and enhancing support for victims in the workplace are steps in the right direction. Employers can implement policies that provide paid leave for victims and training for staff to recognize and respond to signs of abuse.
The financial toll of domestic violence is profound, affecting both individuals and society as a whole. By understanding the economic impact and implementing comprehensive support systems, we can help victims rebuild their lives and mitigate the broader societal costs. Addressing the financial dimensions of domestic violence is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.
For “Jane Doe” and countless others, the journey to financial stability is a critical part of healing and moving forward. By providing the necessary resources and support, we can help survivors reclaim their lives and contribute to a healthier, more equitable society.
If you, or someone you know is a victim of family violence, please contact DART at 395-8006, or our 24-hour crisis line number at 251-CALL (2255).
Andrea Malone, Jackson Parish DART Rural Advocate
208 Hudson
Jonesboro LA 71251
318-395-8006
On Saturday, August 24th, the second annual Jackson Parish Friends of 4-H Banquet will be held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Avenue in Jonesboro.
Once again, a silent and live auction of items will take place with all proceeds benefitting the youth of Jackson Parish 4-H. Donations of items to be auctioned are now being accepted.
A “Wish List” of items that JP4-H would like to have available for auction is provided by clicking here.
For more information contact Jackson Parish 4-H at (318) 259 – 5690.
George Carlin once made this comment on why he had such a congenital distrust of religious neophytes who claim to be “born again.” “They talk too much, pure and simple! When I was born, I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak for two years! If someone has a religious experience and shuts up for a couple of years, I will take them seriously.” Carlin had nothing nice to say about organized religion, but in this regard, he points out a spiritual truth.
Wonder and awe stun and mute our spontaneous energies. They paralyze us so that we become reflective by conscription.
Amazement does the opposite. Amazement opens up the conduit to our emotions and usually to our mouths. When your friend starts, “we had the most amazing vacation.” Don’t you catch your breath because you are about to be assaulted with a verbal travel journal? Of course, to go with the narration, pictures will be thrust upon you. Wonder and awe are spiritual and deep, amazement is visceral and shallow.
I take you to the Christmas stories in Luke. There are angels busy giving birth announcements. Zechariah the old man gets one and he is amazed. Zechariah, knowing about biological impossibilities voices proper questions, and Gabriel, seemingly unhappy with his questions, mutes him for nine months. So, Zechariah was amazed, and he spoke. Albeit, he spoke “out of school.”
A short time later, the same angel goes to the virgin Mary, with her birth announcement. She certainly knows about biological impossibilities, but she says nothing. She ponders the angel’s words in her heart. She is filled with wonder and awe by this news. Her wonder and awe kept her silent.
Wonder and awe are the biblical antithesis to amazement.
It is the difference between taking your breath away and taking your words away.
Are wonder and awe a part of your daily experience? When you listen to the voice of creation as the sun is setting? When do you hear divine music? When are you touched by the love of another? Are there moments that are so divine for you, that you can’t speak?
Where do you find wonder and awe? What takes your words away?
Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.
You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com
Weston High School and the Wolves baseball team offers the opportunity for youth aged 5-13 to gain valuable instruction at the 2024 Wolves Baseball Camp that will take place August 5th-7th. The camp will be held at the Jackson Parish Recreation Sports Complex located at 5254 Hwy 4 East from 8:00 am – 11:00 am each day.
Cost to attend is $75.00 per person or for the family rate of $50.00 per camper.
For more information contact WHS Coach Joey Kemp at joey.kemp@jpsbschools.us
You can also pre-register by scanning the symbol shown below.
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.
Anita G. Williams (Chatham, LA) – Remaining after Forbidden
Ricky D. Merideth (Jonesboro, LA) – No Drivers License, Expired MVI
Ronnie Stevenson (Jonesboro, LA) – Non-Support Warrant
Ashton L. Young (West Monroe, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II
Dennis Reppond (Bastrop, LA) – Fugitive from Justice (Morehouse Parish)
Jacob Watson (Quitman, LA) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2nd Offense)
James D. Garcie (Livingston, LA) – Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Marijuana, Tail Lamp Violation
Briahne McGowan (Marrero, LA) – Max Speed Violation, Execution of Sentence on Disturbing the Peace Charge
Chelsey Jiles (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule IV, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Willie J. Young (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant from Outside Agency on Possession of Firearm by a Felon (Habitual Offender)
Matthew J. Gray (Jonesboro, LA) – Disturbing the Peace
Jerry Gentry (Farmerville, LA) – Remaining After Being Forbidden
Megan Davis (Jonesboro, LA) – Distribution of Schedule II, Use of CDS in Presence of a Juvenile
Channing Gray (Jonesboro, LA) – Pornography Involving a Juvenile (x5)
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 or call 318-480-1206. Possible costs are dependent on content.
McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in Jonesboro, LA is seeking a bi-vocational Southern Baptist minister. If interested please send resume to mmbcchurch318@gmail.com
Sealed bids will be received by the Procurement Section of the Division of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd. Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 10:00 A.M. for the following:
RFx No. 3000023353, Waste Disposal Service for DMA – Gillis Long Center – 8/15/24
Bid proposal forms, information and specifications may be obtained by accessing the bid number in LaPac at www.doa.Louisiana.gov/osp or from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour specified. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities.
Tom Ketterer
Director of State Procurement
FAX (225) 342-8688
Bids will be received at the Jackson Parish Sheriffs Office for the following:
One 2016 (4) door Police Interceptor SUV as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 1FM5K8AR2GGB96807
One 2015 (4) door Police Interceptor SUV as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 1FM5K8AR3FGB12914
One 2008 F-150 crew cab truck as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 1FTRWl 2Wl 8FB94804
One 2013 (4) door Ford Taurus as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 1FAHP2M85DG101824
One 2001 F250 crew cab truck as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 3FTSW30L91MA67276
One 2010 Ford Escape as is with no warranty or guarantee for salvage. VIN 1FMCU0C72AKB01665
Bids will be received until 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 9, 2024
Copies of complete bid specifications are on file at the Jackson Parish Sheriffs Office, 150 Old Winnfield Road, Jonesboro, LA. 71251 and are open for public inspection, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Jackson Parish Sheriffs Office reserves the right to reject ALL bids.
Andy Brown, Sheriff
Jackson Parish Sheriffs Office
150 Old Winnfield Road
Jonesboro, La. 71251
The Jackson Parish Library Board of Control met on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. at the Jonesboro Branch of the Jackson Parish Library for the regular quarterly board meeting. The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Massey, Board President.
Members present: Mrs. Essmeier, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Nunn, Mrs. Standley, Mrs. Massey, Ms. Jenkins, and Mrs. Tew.
Also present: Floyd Knox and Judy Robertson.
Members absent: Mrs. Magee.
Mrs. Massey led the invocation.
There being no public comments, the Board proceeded with the proposed agenda.
Mrs. Standley made the motion to approve the minutes for the April 15, 2024 board meeting. Mrs. Nunn seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Cooper made the motion to accept the 2nd quarter financial reports. Ms. Jenkins seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Nunn made the motion to accept the April, May, and June statistical reports. Ms. Jenkins seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Cooper made the motion to approve the moving of the library’s special funds account to Jonesboro State Bank. Mrs. Standley seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
The Library Director introduced the following resolution:
Jackson Parish Library – A Component Unit of the Jackson Parish Police Jury
Referred to in this document as “Organization”
I, Floyd A. Knox, certify that I am the Library Director and Secretary of the Board of the above-named Organization organized under the laws of Louisiana, Federal Employer ID Number 45-3235504, and that the resolutions on this document are a correct copy of the resolutions adopted at a meeting of the organization duly and properly called and held on July 15, 2024. These resolutions appear in the minutes of this meeting and have not been rescinded or modified.
Whereas the Organization wishes to open an account at Jonesboro State Bank. Therefore, the following powers are granted:
Agents: Any Agent listed below, is authorized to exercise the powers granted as indicated below:
Name and Title or Position
Carol Massey, Library Board President
Ann Standley, Library Board Vice-President
Paula Essmeier, Library Board Treasurer
Powers Granted:
• Each individual listed above shall have the power to open any deposit account in the name of the Organization.
• Endorse checks and orders for the payment of money or otherwise withdraw of transfer funds on deposit with Jonesboro State Bank.
• Enter into a written lease for the purpose of renting, maintaining, accessing and terminating a Safe Deposit Box in Jonesboro State Bank.
• Access bank statements and any other bank records by physical or electronic means including online banking.
Special Funds Account Policy: All checks written from the library’s special funds bank account totaling $500.00 or more require two signatures.
Resolutions:
Jonesboro State Bank is designated as a depository for the funds of the Organization and to provide other financial accommodations indicated in this resolution. This resolution shall continue to have effect until express written notice of its rescission or modification has been received and recorded by Jonesboro State Bank. The signature of an Agent on this resolution is conclusive evidence of their authority to act on behalf of the Organization. Any Agent, so long as they act in a representative capacity as an Agent of the Organization, is authorized to make any and all other contracts, agreements, stipulations and orders which they may deem advisable for the effective exercise of the powers indicated in this resolution. Jonesboro State Bank may rely on alternative signatures such as electronic signatures.
__________________________________________________ 7/15/2024
Floyd A. Knox, Secretary & Library Director Date
Mrs. Essmeier made the motion to approve the resolution as introduced. Mrs. Nunn seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
The Library Director introduced the following resolution:
“RESOLVED THAT the Jackson Parish Library’s current account with Sabine State Bank be closed and the amount lying in the said account be transferred to other Current Account in the name of the Jackson Parish Library at Jonesboro State Bank via electronic funds transfer. Details of all banking information are attached hereunto.
RESOLVED FURTHER THAT Carol Massey, Library Board President, be and is hereby authorized to do all such acts and to sign all such documents as may be required in connection with the closure of the said Account.”
RESOLVED FURTHER THAT a certified true copy of the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the Bank for necessary action at their end.”
Mrs. Essmeier made the motion to approve the resolution as introduced. Mrs. Standley seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Massey made the motion to approve the implementation of COLA increase adopted in the 2024 budget with effective date of August 5, 2024. Ms. Jenkins seconded. A roll call vote was taken as follows:
District 1: Nay District 2: Aye District 3: Aye District 4: Nay
District 5: Aye District 6: Nay District 7: Aye Ex-Officio: Absent
The results were 4 Aye, 3 Nay, and 1 absent. Motion carried.
Mrs. Cooper made the motion to table agenda item #8 to hire Fred Newton and Company to assist in obtaining an emergency generator for the Jonesboro Branch. Mrs. Essmeier seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Since the purchase of the emergency generator was tabled, there was no reason to update the 2024 budget at this time.
Mrs. Cooper made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Jenkins seconded. All yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Carol Massey, Board President
Mr. Floyd Knox, Secretary
At 3:00 pm on Tuesday, July 23rd, Town of Jonesboro Mayor J. “Spike” Harris announced that the Water Boil Advisory for the customers of the Jonesboro Water System has now been lifted.
“I am pleased to announce that the Boil Advisory has now been lifted and that the water is safe for consumption once again,” said Harris in his Facebook post. “I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
Harris also congratulated the Town of Jonesboro Public Works and Water Department for the tremendous work they have done over the past couple of weeks.
“We owe our Public Works department a debt of gratitude,” said Harris. “This was the third major breach we have had in our water mains over the last two weeks but thanks to their expertise we were hardly ever without water.”
Harris also gave appreciation to the residents of Jonesboro.
“I know these past couple of weeks has been hard on everyone and I appreciate the patience and understanding that has been exhibited,” said Harris. “Rest assured that the day will come in the not to far distant future when we won’t have to deal with water pipes that date back to the 1950’s and our water transmission system will be up to date.”
NOTE: Special thanks to KNOE-TV for allowing permission to reprint transcript of news segment published on Monday, July 22nd.
(Kenya Ross – KNOETV)
The Village of Eros is trying to cut down on drivers who speed.
Mayor Roy Daniel Bailey of the village said the area has a terrible speeding problem along Highway 34, and they’re just trying to slow the traffic down. The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office is not responsible for the enforced radars.
“The Village of Eros has hired a private company to do traffic cameras, and the company is sending motorists tickets in the mail, and I’m not for that, and I have nothing to do with that. It is legal for Eros to hire that company and do that,” said sheriff Andy Brown.
Bailey said when the village first began catching violators this past fall, they caught 134 speeders on the first day. According to the mayor’s office, enforced radars have only helped the village financially, but they want the speeders to slow down. Bailey said he witnesses speeders on a daily basis.
“Well, we were flat broke, when I came in here, and owed everybody in the world. We couldn’t borrow no money, because we owed too much. Couldn’t get no help from the state because we owed too much,” said Bailey. “So, that was a means of trying to get the town afloat.”
The traffic company, known as MetaTraffic, that assists the village issued a citation to a Chatham resident for speeding through Eros in February 2024. The driver owed $140 for speeding six miles to nine miles per hour over the speed limit, which is a violation of the Village of Eros Ordinance 1T of 2023. Sheriff Brown said in the sheriff’s department, the deputies give drivers a 10-mile grace period before writing tickets.
A July 2024 Traffic Ticket Statistics report from MarketWatch Guides shows that a speeding ticket in Louisiana can increase a driver’s auto insurance an average of $721 more each year. The report writes that the average annual car insurance premium in Louisiana is $4,357, and for those with speeding violations, the average annual premium jumps to $5,078.
Even though the Jackson Parish sheriff personally disagrees with the practice, the sheriff’s office placed a flashing billboard sign in the area – warning drivers of the speed trap going through the village.
“The law has changed and if you’re doing this now – even if you’re a private company, the private company has to have a police officer writing the tickets, and they have to be commissioned so the Town of Eros commissioned a police officer for this company, so take that commissioned police officer and give him the radar and it like normal law enforcement,” said Brown.
The mayor of the village said for the past three to four weeks, the office has stopped enforcing radars. The office does not know when they’ll start back enforcing the traffic cameras and issuing citations to the owners of the vehicles. The governor signed ACT No. 103, which became effective in May 2024. It prohibits issuing traffic violation citations in certain circumstances.
To view the segment as it was aired click here.
The continued effort to beautify “Main Street” in Jonesboro got a big boost this past week with new flowers being planted around the fountain and in other beds. The initiative is result of concerned residents of the community spearheaded by Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce Director, Wilda Smith.
“I am delighted to announce the recent beautification efforts around the fountain and other beds on the boulevard. This initiative has brought new life to our beloved town, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contributions of several individuals and businesses,” said Smith.
Heartfelt thanks go to:
Brookshire’s Grocery
B&B Landscaping
Kay’s Design
Santos Landscaping
Barbara Johnson
Wilda Smith
Dugdemona Farm. and Feed,LLC
Also want to express sincere appreciation to the town employees, who are responsible for keeping our boulevard beautiful,” continued Smith who added, “Your generosity and community spirit have truly made a difference. We still have room for more flowers and mulch to enhance our beautiful boulevard further. If anyone is interested in making a donation, we would greatly appreciate it. Your support will help us purchase additional plants and mulch to keep our town looking its best. Thank you once again to all our contributors and to those considering making a donation. Together, we are making our town a more beautiful place to live.”
At their regularly scheduled meeting held this past Thursday, July 18th, the Jackson Parish Watershed Commission (JPWC) voted to start an annual buoy and maintenance program on Caney Lake. Work was scheduled to begin on Monday, July 23rd.
President Gary Joynor and the JPWC has set aside a designated buoy fund and sends special thanks to everyone paying the launch fees and the donations to help support these projects for public use.
“We do not receive any tax payer money and we must rely on boat launch fees, building permits, duck blind permits and donations for revenue for this project and others,” said Joynor.
Leonard Franklin Slye was born on November 5, 1911, in a tenement building on 2nd Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family and friends called him Len. Eventually, the tenement building where Len was born was torn down and the Riverfront baseball stadium was built on the location. Len always said that he was born at second base.
Within months of Len’s birth, Len’s father Andy, and his brother Will tired of their jobs and built a houseboat from salvaged lumber. In July 1912, Andy, his wife Mattie, and their three children, Mary, Cleda, and Len, along with Will, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Raymond, sailed east along the Ohio River from Cincinnati towards Portsmouth in the homemade 12-foot by 50-foot houseboat. The Slye families jointly purchased land near Portsmouth where they planned to disassemble their houseboat and build a house from the lumber, but mother nature altered their plans.
On March 23, 1913, heavy rain began to fall which continued for at least four days. Flooding from the rain killed an estimated 650 people in at least 13 states. Damages to property exceeded $330 million. This became known as the Great Flood of 1913. The majority of the deaths—somewhere between 422 and 470—happened in Ohio. In Dayton, Ohio, downtown streets were covered with water 10 feet deep. Fourteen square miles of the city were flooded. An estimated 123 people were killed in Dayton alone. In Hamilton, 35 miles downstream from Dayton, about 100 people were killed when water from 10 to 18 feet deep flowed through its residential districts. 93 people died from flooding in Columbus, Ohio.
As the waters rose near Portsmouth, the Slye families used the high water to their advantage and moved their houseboat onto the water which covered their property. They carefully positioned the houseboat and tied it off. As the water slowly receded, they placed foundation piers under the houseboat. The houseboat eventually rested perfectly on their land. There was another benefit in keeping the houseboat river worthy. If the river flooded again, their home would be protected from the water because it would float.
In 1915, Len’s sister Kathleen was born in the former houseboat. In 1919, Andy purchased farmland near Lucasville, Ohio, about 12 miles north of Portsmouth, where he built a six-room house. Despite his best efforts, Andy was unable to earn enough income from the farm for his family to survive. He took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth. During the work week, Andy stayed in Portsmouth. On weekends, he returned to the farm. While Andy was away, the rest of the family was pretty much isolated from the outside world. To communicate over long distances on the farm, Len and his mother used different yodels. The varying pitch of their voices carried much farther than yelling. Yodeling was a skill that helped Len later on.
In the days before electronic devices, television, or radio, the Slye family found ways to entertain themselves. Saturday night square dances were common on the Slye family farm. Len would often play the mandolin and call the square dances or sing. This began before Len was a teenager. By the time he turned 18, Len’s musical abilities were like a finely tuned machine. In 1929, Andy, Mattie, Len, and Kathleen drove in their 1923 Dodge to Lawndale, California to visit Len’s older sister Mary and her husband. In the spring of 1930, the Slye family moved to Lawndale permanently. Soon thereafter, Mary suggested that Len audition for a radio show called the Midnight Frolic. Producers of the show were surprised by Len’s talents. A few nights later, Len, dressed in his best western attire, played guitar, sang, and yodeled on the program.
Len was in demand from then on, and became part of several western musical groups. The most successful was the Pioneers Trio, which became the Sons of the Pioneers when a radio station announcer changed their name because he thought they were too young to be seen as pioneers. In 1934, the Sons of the Pioneers signed a recording contract and began recording material in August of that year. One of the songs to come out of that session was the western standard “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.” Their 1934 recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
In 1935, Len began working in western films using his real name Leonard Slye. Gene Autry was the king of western films, but he kept demanding more money for his work as the singing cowboy. Studios began looking for another singing cowboy that they could get for less money. Len fit the part perfectly… well, almost. Republic Pictures, who hired Len, thought Lenoard Slye was not a suitable name for a western star. The film company finally settled on a stage name for Len.
While working in Hollywood, Len’s alter ego taught lessons in fairness and gentleness. He was always on the right side of the law and respected the law. His was a positive character with unwavering principles. This was more than just a Hollywood-created persona, this was Leonard Slye. He was a positive role model, something that we could use more of in our modern times.
Republic Pictures chose Len’s stage name carefully. They thought Roy had a good western ring to it. At the time, Will Rogers was a popular western comic entertainer, and they wanted to take advantage of the name recognition. From that point on, the world knew Leonard “Len” Slye, the King of Cowboys, as Roy Rogers.
(Jonesboro, LA) Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has been recognized by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a 2024 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award recipient.
The distinction is the second of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, which recognizes providers across the country that have demonstrated improved quality outcomes for staff and residents.
“Earning the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award is an incredible honor for our team,” said Sandra Billings, administrator of Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. “This national recognition underscores our team’s dedication to delivering exceptional, person-centered care and treating our residents as family.”
Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is the foundation of the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative.
“Congratulations to Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on earning the prestigious Silver award,” said Mark Berger, executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association. “This remarkable accomplishment reflects their unwavering commitment to continuous quality improvement and maintaining high standards of care.”
Award recipients will be honored during the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo in Orlando, Florida, on October 6-9, 2024.
Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jonesboro, a Central Management facility, provides exceptional quality healthcare services for residents needing short-term care with rehabilitation therapy or long-term care in a nurturing, comfortable environment. Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s qualified team of healthcare professionals is committed to providing person-centered quality care to each resident with the utmost dignity and respect. Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a proud member of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association. To learn more about Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, visit www.foresthavennursingandrehab.com.
The Louisiana Nursing Home Association (LNHA) is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 250 member nursing facilities and assisted living facilities that care for more than 20,000 of Louisiana’s elderly and disabled individuals each day. Learn more at www.lnha.org.
John Raegan Hasley was instrumental in helping Quitman High School to their first ever LHSAA state championship in baseball this past spring. He is still leading his team to great heights this summer.
This past weekend Hasley paced Team Louisiana Owens, based out of Erath, LA, to the 2D Sports Louisiana Wood Bat Finale Tournament Championship that was played in Natchitoches, LA.
Behind Hasley’s pitching and hitting, which earned him Player of the Game honors in one of the contests, Team LA Owens won five straight games without a defeat to claim the title, including a victory over the Jonesboro based Dawgs 18U squad.
Olympics News hot of the press:
There was a danger that our world-class American athletes competing in the 2024 Summer Games from Paris might not have air-conditioning.
No one loves the “good ol’ days” more than me. AM radio and Tammy Wynette. Screen doors. Front porches. Movies with dialogue. The only travel ball was in the major leagues.
Old days were the best — EXCEPT for automatic banking, streaming channels, and air-conditioning. And the leadoff hitter of those three is AC.
Has to be. Game-changer.
So why no AC in Paris at the Olympics?
If you are an American who enjoys, even celebrates, seeing our country win at anything, and if you are an American who is spoiled rotten when it comes to air-conditioning, this less-than-thrilling and less-than-chilling news that our athletes might have to sleep in a France toaster is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat.
Or a hot sweat. (Sometimes I get my sweats confused.)
The Games open today with football (we call it soccer), rugby sevens (no idea), handball (some idea but not really), archery (some idea: cowboy movies when I was little), shooting (pretty good idea, unfortunately, since I can read a newspaper), and Friday, FINALLY, the Opening Ceremony and badminton (some idea: church camp) and rowing (some idea: fishing).
If you miss the start, not an issue. We still have two wonderful weeks of swimming, diving, fencing, gymnasticsing, boxing, taekwondoing, cycling, weightlifting, pentathloning, “modern” pentathloning, basketballing, canoe sprinting (what the …?), sport climbing, running, jumping, and watching Coca-Cola and Visa commercials.
And, if the Americans are lucky, sleeping between winning golds.
Sleeping during a period of competition is no side chick or fling. Sleeping is part of who brought you to the party. Sleeping is your Main Thang. Gotta sleep.
This notion escaped the French.
They’d decided years ago that these Games would be the most eco-friendly and “greenest” ever, which is fine. Their plan to cut in half the carbon footprint of a “normal” Olympics was admirable — right up until the architects insisted that their non-AC, “energy-efficient geothermal cooling system” of water and pipes and wishes would keep the athletes’ rooms no warmer than 26 Celsius — which is a sultry 79 Fahrenheit in Indoor America.
To which the American coaches and athletes said, “NEG!”
The high temp in Paris during July and August averages 78. Child’s play for the American southerner, for sure. BUT …
We are a habit-driven people. I grew up in a two-story that had a window unit downstairs and a window that opened upstairs. Slept great. But once the world introduced us to central air, nighttime became a different ballgame.
In rural America, we got used to AC. Really fast.
Expand that rationale for the world-class athlete who has slept at a certain temperature nearly their whole lives in preparation for the Olympics, the most important “athletic days” of their lives. The “optimal bedroom sleep micro-environment” for the Team USA competitor, one of our team physiologists told yahoo!/sports, is 61-65 degrees.
So when the Paris mayor insisted Olympic Village athletes would be “very comfortable” at “no warmer than 79,” athletes from the USA, Canada, Italy, Brazil, Greece, Japan, Australia and the like said, “Comfortable compared to WHAT?”
So those countries have either brought their own portable air-conditioners or are renting ones the French organizers have made available. No one wanted to come off as a spoiled or ungrateful visitor: they just didn’t want to be sweating in their PJs on the eve of running the 100.
Many countries — Germany, Tonga, Samoa, plus the Swiss and French come to mind — don’t need or aren’t used to AC. They’re chill without it.
To each his own.
And that’s the point. We really are creatures of habit. Hey, the French gave us chocolate and perfume and the beret and fries. They meant no harm with the AC thing. But if the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre were in Kansas or Richmond or Shreveport, you can bet your last shred of Brie or Roquefort that they’d be air-conditioned. Set around 68, at the highest.
Have a great (and cool) Olympics!
(PS — the diff between the “pentathlon” and the “modern pentathlon”?; the modern one is air-conditioned.)
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu