Christian McGuire of Jonesboro-Hodge High School has been named one of nine north Louisiana prep football players to be selected as a National Football Foundation Scholarship Winner. 

The field of 18 finalists was extremely impressive as board members of the S.M. McNaughton North Louisiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation met recently to consider how to identify its group of top senior scholar-athletes from around the 318 area code.

After extensive deliberation, nine class of 2025 standouts have been selected to receive $1,000 college scholarship awards.

The winners will be celebrated Thursday evening, February 20th, during the McNaughton Chapter’s annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport.

McNaughton president Toni Goodin announced the scholarship recipients Monday on the chapter’s Facebook page.

The seniors honored:

Cole Cory – North DeSoto High School
Carter Doyal – Loyola College Prep School
Jaydan Gladney – Airline High School
Sam Greer – C.E. Byrd High School
Landon Hall – Cedar Creek High School
Christian McGuire – Jonesboro-Hodge High School
Cooper Russell – Ouachita Christian High School
Parker Todd – West Monroe High School
Abram Wardell – Calvary Baptist Academy

One of the nine seniors will be designated as the McNaughton Chapter’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year and will be recognized throughout 2025 at the NFF’s College Football Hall of Fame Museum in Atlanta, and will be eligible for the NFF’s national honors.

Another will be presented by KTBS-TV of Shreveport and Johnny’s Pizza as the Johnny’s Pizza/Griffin’s Game Ball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

For the past three seasons, KTBS has honored the memory and legacy of former McNaughton Chapter board member Bob Griffin, the iconic sportscaster at KSLA and then KTBS for over 50 years, by weekly in-season profile stories and presentations of a Griffin’s Game Ball to a player on the chapter’s Preseason Scholar-Athlete Watch List.

Requirements for the postseason scholarship program included a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, along with 2024 all-district honors on the playing field, and extracurricular activities. Scoring in the evaluation process follows national NFF guidelines and is evenly divided at 40 percent emphasis each for scholarship and football achievement, with leadership and community/campus service scored for the remaining 20 percent.

Head coaches from across north and central Louisiana were invited to nominate remarkable seniors for the McNaughton Chapter Scholar-Athlete Awards.

The program began over 40 years ago. After the season ended, coaches were asked to provide academic transcripts, an information sheet and recommendation letters for their scholarship nominees, which were limited to one per school.

Along with the nine scholar-athletes to be featured on Feb. 20, the McNaughton Chapter will also present special awards to three adults.

Winners will be announced soon for the NFF’s Distinguished American Award, the Contributions to Amateur Football Award, and the chapter’s choice as Coach of the Year in north and central Louisiana.

The coaching award is not presented annually but given for extraordinary accomplishment as determined by the chapter’s board of directors. Recent winners include Jess Curtis of Many High School, Jason Brotherton of Haughton, and Bo Meeks of Airline.

Tickets, table purchases, and sponsorship opportunities for the Feb. 20 festivities are available by contacting Goodin at 318-347-4453 or emailing 318nffchapter@gmail.com. An extensive silent auction of college and professional football gear, memorabilia, and other items will be conducted during the evening.

Tickets for the banquet are $45.00 each or $360.00 for a table of eight. Sponsorships are $1,000.00 with all revenue going to fund the scholarships for the nine deserving winners.

Emma Walker scored six of her season-high 10 points to help the Lady Wolverines jump out to a 13-2 lead that Quitman blew up to a 32-6 advantage at the half as Quitman improved to 3-0 in 1B play to take control of the District title race. Cali Deal scored 15 and Anna Leach added 8 while Jaleigh Burns hit a three-pointer, and both Brooklyn Brown and Hallie Kate Pullig added a basket each. 

Simsboro 85 Quitman 69 (boys): In the battle for the top spot in District 1B, Simsboro scorched the Wolverines for a new season high in points allowed. The second loss in a row after winning 18 straight dropped Quitman to 19-4 overall and 2-1 in District 1B play. Simsboro improved to 4-0 in 1B games and 13-8 overall. No individual totals were available. 

Quitman starts the second round of District 1B games on Friday when they travel to Castor. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 pm

The 2025 LA North “Fishers of Men” National Tournament Trail comes to Caney Lake from January 31 – February 1. Anglers must be members of Fishers or Men to participate.

The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail, which began in 1998, is a non-profit organization that hosts bass fishing tournaments. The tournaments are intended to introduce people to Jesus Christ and invite them to have a relationship with him.

The event will begin with a registration meeting and meal at 6:00 pm on Friday, January 31, at the First Assembly of God Church in Jonesboro. Check-in and boat checks will take place at the Jimmie Davis State Park boat ramp at 5:30 am on Saturday, February 1. Blast-off will take place at “safe light,” with the weigh-in being at 3:00 pm. There is a five fish per stringer maximum limit. 

The entry fee for each team is $150.00 along with $25.00 as bonus bucks. There will be a payout for every 5 boats and a $1500.00 “Big Bass” guarantee, sponsored by Rolling Hills Ministries. A drawing for $150.00 will also take place for those who attend the Friday night meeting. 

To pre-register for this tournament, go to the website: fishersofmenlanorth.com

For any questions or more information contact:
David Walsworth – (318) 548-5851
Cody Williams – (318) 480-9664

Don’t look now but suddenly the Lady Wolves of Weston High has become a scoring machine. On the heels of scoring 70 points on Friday to set a new scoring standard for the season, WHS erupted for 75 and 73 points on Monday and Tuesday against Claiborne Christian and Dodson to open up a three-game winning streak and improve their season record to 17-8 overall.

Meanwhile, the Wolves, who now stand at 7-18 on the year, opened the week with an 85-51 loss to Claiborne Christian before getting a much-needed 76-41 win at Dodson to stop a six-game skid before getting back to District 1B play.

Monday, January 27

Weston 75 Claiborne Christian 45 (girls): The Lady Wolves spotted visiting Claiborne Christian a 12-11 first-quarter lead before and then turned on the jets to set a new season-high scoring standard for the second straight game. Briley Peterson showed that she is beginning to round back into the form that made her the District 1B MVP two seasons ago as she made a game-high 25 points that included a season-best three bombs from behind the arc. Carly Jo Griffin also came up big with 18 points and a team-high 8 rebounds while Anslee Aldy also reached double figures with 12 points. Rachel Bandy added six, Nadia Siadek finished with five, and Jakayla Fourd scored four. Carlynn Waters made a three-pointer and Gracie Gray hit a basket to round out the scoring.

Claiborne Christian 85 Weston 51 (boys): The visiting Crusaders found the Weston gym to their liking as they equaled the Wolves scoring total for the entire game in the first half. The loss offset a strong performance by Brody Tidwell who more than doubled his season scoring average of 6 points per game by getting 14 points to lead Weston. Dawson Clifton also had a good game with 11 points and Nathin Wages added eight. Daniel Williams scored six as did Abram Toms, who set a new season scoring mark. Gunner Younse and La’Javion Harris finished with four each while Cole Otwell and Aiden Faulkner both made a fourth-quarter basket.

Tuesday, January 28

Weston 73 Dodson 27 (girls): Weston took an incredible 89 shots to eclipse the 70-point barrier for the third game in a row as four players reached double figures in scoring. Briley Peterson once again led the way with 22 points followed by a career-high 14 points from Gracie Gray. Adding 10 points each were Carly Jo Griffin and Ada-Claire Tidwell, who also ended the game with a new career high in scoring. Rachel Bandy netted nine points, Jakayla Fourd finished with five, Carlyn Waters made a basket and Anslee Aldy added a free throw.

Weston 76 Dodson 41 (boys): Brody Tidwell set a new career high with 22 points and Weston had a season-best 10 players who scored to help grab the much-needed win. Nathin Wages also had a big game with 17 points and Dawson Clifton continued his hot streak with 13 points Abram Toms scored 7, Aiden Faulkner scored 6, Cole Otwell finished with four and the trio of La’Javion Harris, Hunter Donaldson, and Gunner Younse tallied two each. Aiden Dowd also added a free throw for the first point of his varsity career.

Weston will get back to District 1B play on Friday when they host Simsboro. Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm.

The year was 1925. Television was invented. The first female governor in the United States was elected and America was right in the middle of the decade dubbed the “Roaring 20’s”.

There was another event of local significance that took place on January 27th, 1925, that has brought joy and happiness to a Jackson Parish family and associated friends for an entire century.

That was the day France Kramer was born.

On Monday, a celebration was had at Forest Haven Nursing Home in Jonesboro as Ms. Kramer celebrated her 100th birthday with members of her family alongside. 

Prior to the beginning of the 2024 -25 LHSAA basketball season the consensus opinion was that Arcadia would be a contender for the district 1-1A crown in both the girls and boys divisions. 

On Friday, the two Hornet squads looked the part as Arcadia swept Jonesboro-Hodge by a 53-17 score in the girls game and 69-50 in the boys contest. The losses saddled the JHHS boys with an 0-2 mark in 1-1A play and dropped the Tigers to 5-14 overall. The Lady Tigers fell to 9-12 overall and 1-1 in district competition. Arcadia’s girls, ranked #1 in Division IV among “non-select” schools, improved to 18-3 overall and 2-0 in district play while the Hornets now stand at 10-5 and 1-1. 

Arcadia 53 JHHS 17 (girls): The defending Divison IV state champions proved why they hold the top ranking again this year as the Lady Hornets jumped out to a 22-8 first-quarter lead that ballooned to a 40 -11 margin at the half. Morgan McGee led JHHS with 6 points, followed by Tyya Davis with four. Jaylena Jackson made J-H’s only three-pointer of the contest and both Nesha Johnson and Sanaa Tatum made a basket each. 

Arcadia 69 JHHS 50 (boys) A slow start spelled doom for JHHS as the Tigers managed only seven first-quarter points and just 16 by the half. Ariy’un Bradford got hot after the break to score 12 of his team-high 14 points while D. J. Palmer tallied 13 points. Dylan Hayes added six, Samuel Combs finished with five, and Kamerin Bradley scored four points. Both Tysen Burks and Pierce Ulloa tallied three points each and C. Gray added a basket for the Tigers. 

JHHS will travel to Haynesville on Friday for three games with the junior varsity getting things started with a 5:00 pm tip-off followed by varsity girls and boys action. 

Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA has announced the President’s, Dean’s and Honor’s List for the 2024 Fall Semester. A total of 529 students earned designation to the three lists with seven hailing from Jackson Parish.

Local honorees include:

NSU President’s List for 2024 Fall Semester

Jonesboro – Bryan Lay, Georgia Robinson
Quitman – Kaitlyn Williams

President’s List honorees must have a 4:00 grade point average 

NSU Dean’s List for 2024 Fall Semester

Jonesboro – Anayah Allen
Quitman – Makenna Cates

Dean’s List honorees must have between a 3.50 and 3.99 grade point average

NSU Honor’s List for 2024 Fall Semester

Eros – Carley Perry
Jonesboro – Amber Melton

Honor’s List designees must have between a 3.00 and 3.49 grade point average

The honorees for the “Student / Athlete of the Week” Award for the week of January 26 – February 1 have been selected. The award, which is sponsored by the Jackson Parish Hospital, recognizes an outstanding student/athlete chosen by select members of the faculty and staff from each of the three Jackson Parish School District high schools. 

The selectees are chosen for best exemplifying what it means to be a true student-athlete through academic achievement and athletic accomplishment. Each recipient is recognized by the Jackson Parish Hospital through social media and receives a special commemorative shirt.

Earning accolades this week are Oddyssey Brooks, a member of the Tiger Paws at Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Jaleigh Burns of the Quitman High School girls basketball team and Megan Walker, who is a cheerleader at Weston High School. 

Join the Jackson Parish Hospital and the Jackson Parish Journal as we congratulate and applaud these athletes for their dedication and achievements in the classroom and through their athletic endeavors!

Student-Athlete of the Week

Oddyssey Brooks (10th grade) – Jonesboro Hodge High School Tiger Paws

Jaleigh Burns (12th grade) – Quitman High School girls basketball team

Megan Walker (10th grade) – Weston High School Cheerleading team

Slideshow of Award Winners

(to change picture hit arrow at side)

Jackson Parish 4-H may have had a small group of livestock exhibitors at the Northwest District Livestock Show in Shreveport this past week but they packed a big punch!

Three Jackson Parish 4-H members spent two cold days exhibiting their animals, competing in showmanship classes, and showcasing their knowledge of livestock through premier exhibitor and livestock judging.

All three of our exhibitors brought home banners!

Congratulations go to:

Lane Diffy – Weston High School
Jastyn Jordan – Quitman High School
Gracie Bourgeois – Gracepoint Christian Academy

Slideshow Presentation of NDLS Winners from Jackson Parish 

(to move to next picture click on arrow on side)

Welcome to On the Trail with Scout Pack 523! We have a wonderful Scout family right here in Jonesboro, and we would like to offer our community a regular view into the current and exciting happenings in the world of Scouts.

Last week, our Webelos bundled up to brave the icy temperatures in Ruston’s Mayfield Park and learn about an uncommon sport in our area: trout fishing. Each January, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) releases farm-raised rainbow trout into ponds located in community parks throughout the state, as part of the Get Out and Fish! campaign.

Experts from LDWF conducted a 45-minute class for these 5th-grade scouts, addressing topics such as diet, eating habits, farming methods, and the best strategies to lure and catch these trout.

After completing the training, scouts were given the opportunity to apply their new knowledge. Fishing poles in hand, and with the help of parents and volunteers, our youth had an exciting time honing their skills. Ultimately, because recent weather fluctuations had pushed the trout to deeper water, the troop came back empty-handed, yet their hearts were full of memories to last a lifetime.

Cubmaster, Brian Hurt, would like to thank Josh Porter from LDWF for sharing his expertise and afternoon with our scouts, as well as, assistant cubmasters Judd Rodgers and Todd Callaway, who provide excellent guidance to our pack.

If you are interested in joining the Scouts on upcoming fun family adventures, contact Brian Hurt at (318) 734-3571, or visit www.beascout.org.

For more information on the Get Out and Fish! program, visit: wlf.louisiana.gov/page/get-out-and-fish

wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fishing-workshops

Hi, my name is Samantha Shows. I am a licensed funeral director and embalmer and I have been the manager of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home for the last 2 and a half years. Following college, I prayed over a place for me to be and the Lord decided to uproot me. This brought me 4 states away from home. I accepted a position at Southern Funeral Home and it did not take me long to realize that the Lord had led me exactly where I needed to be.

There is no doubt, he always knows and is always good! I am a friendly and compassionate person that is always happy to help others. Growing up wasn’t easy for me and I carry those hard times and struggles with me to this day. I keep that in mind when I try to help others who may need extra encouragement or help in some way. I have 15 years of embalming and restoration experience. I never start a job without prayer. No matter the task, I always ask the Lord to help me through.

My husband and I are members of Ebenezer Baptist Church. I am a past Governor of the Louisiana Funeral Director Association- North District and now hold the title of Secretary/Treasurer for the North District. In my free time, I love to keep busy gardening, playing with my fur babies, painting abstracts, and making decorative wreaths. I absolutely love animals! They are the best therapy!

A little more about me, I grew up on a rural farm in Indiana and I graduated with a degree in science from Vincennes University in Funeral Services. I am the oldest of five children. I moved to Louisiana and met my husband, Jason, who is the youngest of five children and together we have five handsome sons and a grandbaby on the way. We are blessed beyond measure!

It was a weekend to remember for the boys basektball team Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School as they not only played in their first ever Middle School State Tournament but also won their first game of state competition.

Led by head coach Carlos Hicks, JHMS was one of 25 teams from across the state of Louisiana competing for a state title this Friday and Saturday at the University of Louisiana – Monroe. 

The Tigers opened the tourney by beating North Webster Junior High 36-25 on Friday, January 24th led by 26 points from King Campbell.  Additional contributors were Raylon Bradford who registered 8 points, 8 assists and 3 steals, Tristan Smith with five points, Levi Martin scoring two and Corey Campbell making a free throw. 

The very productive season for JHMS, came to an end  on Saturday as Logansport dropped JHMS in the second round by a 44-15 margin. Corey Campbell scored 11 points to lead the Tigers with King Campbell and Raylon Bradford adding two points each. 

Are you a current or rising junior, senior, or grad student interested in working in LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension? Spend your summer learning how to plan and conduct extension programs by working alongside our educators at a parish Extension office. 

Twenty (20) positions are available throughout Louisiana

Students enrolled in Agriculture & Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Extension Education, or a related field are encouraged to apply. 

Interns earn $15.00 / hour for 8-10 weeks, not to exceed 400 hours

Interns must submit an application and will go through an interview process

Interns will complete a project, report, and video highlighting their experience

Interns may work with their advisor for college credit for the internship

If interested in applying or learning more, contact lsuagcenter.com/extintern or larcemont@agcenter.lsu.edu. 

The application process will end on March 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm

Local prep anglers will descend on Lake Claiborne on Saturday, February 1st as the 2025 portion of the Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers fishing tournament season takes place. 

There is 10 angler teams from Jackson Parish expected to compete hailing from Weston and Quitman High School and Gracepoint Academy. If both of the two-person teams are from the same school then that school is listed. If the two anglers are from different schools they are designated as NELAHS anglers.

Lake Claiborne NELAHS Angler Tourney Lineup

Richie Faust – James Malone (Weston)
Hailey Chatham – Ben Ramsey (Weston)
Jake Vail – Jaxon Cheatwood (Quitman)
Chance Lemoine – Jaxen Culpepper (Quitman)
Addison Ledford – Brody Halbrook (NELAHS Anglers)
Gage Guyotte – Hunter Williams (Weston)
Shepard Norred – Jackson Ables (Quitman)
Hayden Davis – Maddox Duck (Quitman)
Brody Toms – Tucker Goss (Quitman)
Andrew Brown – Christopher Rasberry (Quitman)

Check-in will take place from 5:45 – 6:45 am at Kel’s Kove RV Park and Marina, located at 3455 LA-146 in Homer with “blast off” to immediately follow. Scales will open at 3:00 pm for the weigh-in with Flight 1 boats  (1-25) slated for 3:00 pm and Flight 2 boats (26-57) scheduled for 3:15 pm. 

By Brad Dison

In 1873, Julius Wettstein, a German cheese maker, opened a cheese factory in Monroe, New York. He named it Monroe Cheese Company. The company was so successful that Wettstein sold the company five years later for $16,000. Adjusted for inflation, that would be just over half a million dollars in today’s money. The cheese company was bought and sold twice, each time making a profit, until Adolphe Tode and a partner bought it in 1884 for $25,000. In 1888, they hired 21-year-old Swiss immigrant Emil Frey to work in the factory.

In 1889, Adolphe challenged his cheese makers to produce a popular cheese called Bismarck. Bismarck cheese imported from Europe spoiled before it reached American grocers. After two years of failed attempts on his own time, Emil developed a new spreadable cheese that was so popular that the company discontinued their efforts to create Bismarck cheese. They named Emil’s creation Liederkranz after a famous New York Singing Society. Liederkranze cheese became popular across America, but Adolphe had made enough bad business decisions that he lost everything.

In 1891, New York wholesale grocer Jacob Weisl bought the Monroe Cheese Company from the Goshen Savings Bank. Under Jacob’s leadership, the Monroe Cheese Company grew and expanded. They opened a second factory in Covington, Pennsylvania where they focused mainly on producing Swiss cheese. Sales of Swiss cheese were spectacular, but there were some issues with producing and distributing wheels of hard Swiss cheese. It often came out misshapen or was broken during the manufacturing or distribution processes. Jacob deemed the misshapen or broken cheese unsalable, but what could they do with all the “waste cheese?”

In 1916, Jacob challenged his employees to find a way to turn the “waste cheese” into a profitable product. Luckily, Emil Frey was still working for Monroe Cheese Company. In his spare time in his home kitchen, Emil mixed and measured various ingredients. After two years of trial and error, he came up with a concoction which used only three ingredients; the waste cheese, whey, which was the leftover liquid from milk curds, and an emulsifier used to blend and stabilize the product. Emil patented the process, named his new cheese, and shared his discovery with his boss. The new cheese could easily hold its shape, required no refrigeration, had a long shelf life, and turned into a silky sauce when melted.

The Monroe Cheese Company quickly put the “waste cheese” into production. Like Emil’s Liederkranze cheese, his new creation became popular in homes, hotels, and restaurants. It was so popular that on Valentine’s Day 1923, Jacob created and incorporated a new independent company to produce this one product. In 1927, Kraft Foods bought the “waste cheese” company.

Researchers at Kraft quickly began tinkering with Emil’s formula and process. Remember that Emil patented the process for making his “waste cheese.” Rather than three ingredients, the new formula had a paragraph’s worth of chemical ingredients. Kraft advertised the “waste cheese” as a health food and diet aid, though it was neither. With clever marketing campaigns, Kraft’s version of Emil’s “waste cheese” remains one of the most popular cheese products in the world. Kraft’s version still tastes and melts pretty much the same as the Emil’s “waste cheese,” and still uses the name Emil gave it because of its velvety smoothness when melted. You know Emil’s “waste cheese” as Velveeta. What you may not know is that Kraft’s version of Velveeta cheese does not contain any cheese.

This past week, the administration of Quitman High School recognized three outstanding team members as Staff of the Week for January 26-31. Congratulations go to the following:

Elementary – Cortney Harvey
Secondary – Bonnie Goss
Support Staff – Carmen Gray

Thank you for your undying dedication and tremendous work ethic that helps Quitman High School continue to be one of Jackson Parish’s top facilities of learning. 

When it comes to bass tournament anglers and sponsors, the winds are changing, and the opportunities are diminishing. Today we’ll take a look at what many young anglers are facing with regards to landing sponsors while trying to compete on one of the professional bass tournament trails. If you’re looking to fish for a living, pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you.

First, let’s address why sponsors are necessary; without them, the decision to fish professionally can be next to impossible unless you have parents or grandparents willing to foot the bill. To fish at the highest level requires lots of money up front even before you ever wet a hook. Without great sponsors, it’s almost impossible to make the dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman a reality.

In today’s professional bass fishing world, there are only so many sponsors available as anglers are constantly competing for what few there are. Not all sponsors are created equal, as some are willing to pay the angler a salary, while others just give products such as a bass boat, fishing tackle, or possibly a truck in exchange for the angler’s promotion of these items.

But before an angler needs to worry about sponsors, he or she needs to learn how to find fish. The one mistake I see with many young anglers on the rise is that they are too worried about how to obtain sponsors rather than learning how to find and catch fish.

Kids today are star struck by the fancy sublimation shirts that really do turn heads. But it goes without saying that unless you can catch fish, you won’t have to worry about landing sponsors. Tournament success is still important!

Another thing young anglers don’t understand in today’s professional bass fishing world, it’s not just about catching bass, it’s also about an angler’s ability to promote a product. Most sponsors could care less if you can catch bass. They’re more concerned with your ability to communicate and sell products for them.

They want an angler who will represent their brand in a professional manner by attending boat shows, fishing seminars and doing a great job with social media promotions. My first advice to any angler looking to fish professionally is to take speech and learn how to sell yourself and communicate with people.

Here’s the truth…once you sign with sponsors, you’re now obligated to them and must respond to their beckoning call. They’re not paying you to fish, but rather to represent their brand and promote product.

Here’s where the love-hate relationship comes into play. Every angler will tell you that when it comes to sponsors, it is a double-edged sword. With success comes more responsibility and commitment to the sponsors you’re connected with.

This means more time off the water and less time practicing, which can interfere with your ability to compete at the highest level due to the fact that your sponsors are pulling you away from what you really want to do the most….go bass fishing!

But sponsors are a necessity for a fulltime professional angler, and they hold all the cards in an angler’s ability to make a living. Every angler will tell you there’s no way an angler can make a living just off tournament winnings. Anglers must draw a salary and get help with expensive tournament entry fees in order to make a living for their families.

So, the next time you see a professional bass fisherman wearing one of those great looking sublimation shirts with all the different company logos, understand that each logo comes with a high level of commitment and dedication, not just to the companies he represents, but his family as well.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and always believe that the fish are going bite tomorrow. The power of positive thinking is the most important ingredient an angler can have in order to achieve success.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Reply

Reply all

Khyree Boston hit a three-pointer as time expired to give the Quitman Elementary School Wolverines a 24-23 victory over the Dubach Hornets this past Thursday. Boston led all scorers with 11 points, Asher Norred had 6, Bentley Ponder had 3 with Luke Davis and Andrew Seymore adding a basket each.

The young Wolverines improve their season record to 4-1. The next game for the boys is Monday the 27th at Dubach with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.

QES Girls fall to Simsboro

The first game of the evening saw the Quitman Elementary Girls lose a hard-fought game to Simsboro 20-15. Lilly Tolar had 6, Jaycee Watkins had 4, Kelsey Shaw had 3 and Chloe Maxwell had 2 points.

The Quitman Elementary girls will be back in action on Thursday, January 30 when both the girls and boys teams travel to Simsboro.

Excel

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.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Benoit Ford – Need two outgoing people to train for professional sales representatives! Guaranteed income with unlimited potential commission! We offer a full benefit package including insurance and 401k. Apply in person Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at the dealership located at 601 Hudson Avenue in Jonesboro or call Anthony Gray @ 225-200-8289.

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, January 31, 2025. 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.

LEGAL NOTICE

VF Properties LLC d/b/a Caney Lake Landing and RV Park is applying to the Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control of the State of Louisiana for a permit to sell beverages of high and low alcohol content at retail in Jackson Parish at the following address:
7777 La Hwy 4
Jonesboro, La 71251
VF Properties LLC
Caney Lake Landing and RV Park
Members: Nicholas P. Vondenstein

Michael Anthony Otwell
March 28, 1984 – January 22, 2025

Michael Anthony Otwell, age 40, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Michael will forever be remembered for his kind and loving nature. Michael loved his family, but more than anything, his beloved daughter Brooklyn. Whether they were on the ball field or getting pedicures together, the bond between them was undeniable. Michael was a wonderful father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

He loved sports, watching movies, playing golf and spending time with the ones dear to him. Growing up you could always find Michael on a court or field. He graduated from West Monroe in 2002 and was part of the national championship football team. He was also quite the home run hitter. He created so many lifetime bonds through these years. Michael held his friends close. He would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was the last thing he had to give. Michael will always be remembered by his genuine smile and his ability to bring joy to those around him. To know Michael was to love Michael.

Michael was proceeded in death by his father, James Scott Otwell, brother Jason Ferguson, maternal grandparents Billy and Roy Dancy, paternal grandfather Thomas Otwell, and special friends Ben Caldwell and DJ Ernst.

Those left to cherish his loving memory are his daughter Brooklyn, his mother Teresa Cantrell, paternal grandmother Joanna Otwell, sister Leighanna Clifton (husband Heath), brother Daniel Otwell (wife Ruby), sister Molly Rogers (husband Jarrett), nieces Rylee Otwell, Lily Clark, Margot Otwell, Mabry Cobb, Lylah Rogers and Lettie Rogers, nephews Waylon Clifton, Camdyn Clark, Kreed Delaughter, and Gus Clifton, Brooklyn’s mother Alisha Martin, special family members Jay and Nita Cantu, WH Cantrell and a host of cousins, uncles, aunts and friends.

Friends and loved ones may visit with the family from 10 AM-12 PM, Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Cedar Crest Baptist Church, located at 3245 Arkansas Road in West Monroe, LA with the funeral service following at 12:00 pm under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home.

Melvin William Boswell
July 4, 1950 – January 17, 2025

Melvin William Boswell passed away at Forest Haven Nursing Home on Monday, January 27, 2025. He was 74 years old. Melvin enjoyed all sports. He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys on television as well as baseball. He loved socializing with everyone.

Melvin leaves behind his sons, Melvin W. Boswell, Jr. (Crissy) and Sean Boswell; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Howard E. Boswell; sisters, Dorothy Knott, Lois Talbott, Patsy Tippett, Mary Bowen, Wanda Ridgeley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph T. Boswell; mother, Lucille (Richardson) Boswell; brothers, Joseph Boswell and Charles L. Boswell; sisters, Shirley Windsor, Annabelle Bradshaw and Judy Tucker.

As per his wishes, Melvin will be cremated. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The Jackson Parish Police Jury held their regularly scheduled meeting for January and a Special Called meeting on January 13th and 15th. Both sessions were held in the Nathaniel Zeno, Jr. Meeting Room of the Jackson Parish Administrative Building, located at 160 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro. 

Featured on the agenda of both sessions were the re-appointments of the following Jackson Parish residents to various parish boards, offices, committees, commissions, and districts. 

Mrs. Conchita-Malone Doyle (Ambulance Board)
Ms. Kim Huthinson (Hospital Board)
Ms. Ann Standley- Library Board
Ms. Lisa Nunn- Library Board
Mr. Mark Culpepper- Museum Board
Ms. Mary Hoover- Museum Board
Mrs. Yumeaka Washington- Tourism Board
Mrs. Sandy Joyner- Tourism Board
Mr. Joel Burnum (Quitman Fire District)
Mr. Colby Bowman (Quitman Fire District)
Mr. Rickey Cash (District 2 Fire District)
Mr. George Gryder (District 2 Fire District)
Mayor Greg Harris (District 3 Fire District)
Mr. Wayne Whitman (District 3 Fire District)
Mr. Tracy Rushing (District 4 Fire District)

Assignments to Boards, Agencies, and Commissions manned by Jackson Parish Police Jurors for 2025 are as follows: 

Library Board: Lewis Chatham
Sales Tax Board: Amy Magee
PineBelt MPAA: Sheketia Combs
Broadband: Regina Rowe
NLEP: Regina Rowe
Sparta Commission: Regina Rowe
Workforce Development: Keith Burris

The final appointments made were the JPPJ members who were assigned by President, Todd Culpepper, to the various Committees of the Jackson Parish Police Jury as shown below. 

2025 Jackson Parish Police Jury Committees

In additional business handled during the regular meeting held on January 13th, JPPJ employees are now approved to sell up to 40 hours of their vacation time in eight-hour increments once a calendar year with a 2-week notice and 20 hours of vacation time left. Also approved were the North Louisiana Criminalistic Laboratory’s 2024 Amended Budget and 2025 Proposed Budget along with the decision to approve of the resolution and adopt the Sales Tax Renewal.

Police Jury members also authorized Secretary-Treasurer, Nia Evans to advertise for the Solid Waste Operator vacancy, approved the Solid Waste 2025 Holiday Work Schedule, and for Brad Roller (Operations Manager) and Robin Sessions
(Solid Waste Superintendent) to attend the LSWA Conference on March 19-21, 2025.

Items that were approved during the special session held on January 15th were giving President Culpepper permission to sign a letter of support for the Town of Jonesboro and the approval to purchase a tractor truck from Empire Truck Sales in the amount of $154,665.00 using funds from ACT 776 for Solid Waste.

Full official minutes from both meetings can be found in the Classified Section of this edition of the Jackson Parish Journal listed as Public Notices.

(reprint from January 23rd edition of the Lincoln Parish Journal) 

Three men were arrested in Grambling last week after they were allegedly involved in a fight that left a bystander injured.

Grambling Police responded to the TA Express station at the Grambling I-20 interchange regarding several men fighting inside the store on Jan. 16. Officers found a victim whose foot was bleeding heavily. The man said three men were fighting inside the store and one of the men grabbed a fire extinguisher and struck him several times. The three men then left in a dark brown Chevrolet Impala.

The Grambling Fire Department responded to the scene to check on the victim’s injuries.

GPD’s police chief spotted a vehicle matching the description at the Chevron station in Grambling. Upon questioning the man in the car, Jalen J. Jackson, 31, of Jonesboro, admitted he and his cousins were involved in the incident at the TA Express.

Jackson was identified from the surveillance video as the suspect who used the fire extinguisher to attack the victim.

Johnny R. Simmons, 37, of Monroe, and Deaundre M. Davis, 31, of Ruston, went to the Grambling Police Department, where they were questioned and arrested for simple battery and disturbing the peace by fighting.

Jackson‘s bail was set at $10,000. Bail for Davis and Simmons was set at $1,500.

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.