Otha Lee Williams of Jonesboro passed away on June 30th at the age of 87 years old. Friends, family, and well-wishers are invited to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro for a public viewing on Monday, July 7th, that will take place from 10:00 – 11:00 am with the Life Celebration service immediately following.
Gregory C. Harris, Mayor of Chatham, announces that the boil advisory issued for consumers of the Chatham Water System on July 1, 2025, has been lifted.
After a Boil Water Advisory is lifted, it is advised that you flush your pipes by using the following procedure.
(1) Begin with the sink faucet on the lowest floor.
(2) Slowly open the cold water sink faucet. Opening slowly allows for the release of trapped air and may reduce the banging noise, known as a “water hammer,” that can occur when water flow and pressure changes as a result of water main repair work.
(3) Repeat on each floor, moving from lowest to highest, only opening cold water sink faucets.
(4) Once the water runs clear, usually in 5 minutes or less, turn off faucets in the same order, lowest to highest.
Additional precautions to take are:
Flush your refrigerator’s water lines.
If using ice makers, containers should be emptied and wiped clean with a solution of two tablespoons of bleach to one gallon of water then make and dispose of three batches of ice before using
Customers and businesses should also dispose of stored water, drinks, or ice made since the Boil Water Advisory.
Gregory C. Harris, Mayor of the Village of Chatham announces that the Chatham Water System has been placed under boil advisory by the Louisiana Department of Health because of a break in the main line. This boil advisory only affects Chatham Water Customers.
The break in the main line was caused by someone hitting a fire hydrant on Hwy 4.
Therefore, as a precaution, the Chatham Water System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Chatham Water System.
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container.
The one-minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.
Upon notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that the samples collected from our water supply have been found to be safe, the State Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results.
Upon such notification, the Chatham Water System will then rescind the Boil Advisory and notify its customers that the water has been found to be safe.
With a final day deadline looming, the Jonesboro Board of Aldermen came together in the Conference Room of City Hall for a special-called meeting on Monday, June 30th, to adopt the 2025-26 budget and avoid sanctions by the state for being non-compliant.
The action was one of 12 Ordinances that were adopted, including seven budget-related items, the amendment of a zoning area, regulation of size and placement of overhead signs, and two items regarding garbage rates and how trash would be collected in the future.
“Despite the problems earlier in the month in getting everyone together, I applaud the Board for coming together and putting the interest of the town at the forefront so that we can continue moving forward,” said Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris.
What Harris was referring to was the ability to get at least a quorum of Board members in attendance to get the needed business handled after several attempts to convene failed due to not enough members being on hand. After the tragic passing of Councilman James Ginn earlier in June, the board was left with only four members. Quorum requirements stated that at least three members must be present, but in prior attempts to meet, only two were present each time.
Regarding the empty seat, Tracy Ginn, wife of James, was present in hopes that her selection by Mayor Harris to fill the vacancy had been approved by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, but was told that the appointment had not yet been confirmed.
After all Ordinances were adopted, the head of each of the town departments came before the council to give their reports, highlighted by the news given by Public Works Director Karl Johnson.
“I am pleased to report that all 50 streets that were on the list to receive overlays have had the work completed and that for the first time in a long time, we completed the month without having to do any major water line repairs,” stated Johnson.
In regard to water developments in the town of Jonesboro, Johnson continued his report by pontificating on the ongoing water meter installation program, stating that 600 of the expected 2700 meters to be put in place had been installed.
“As expected, we encountered a few problems with leaking lines and such, but overall the installation is going smoothly, said Johnson, who asked that council members remind their partitioners to check for leaks before the installation of the meters takes place.
“You will want to have residents of your ward check their lines before we put the meters in place to give them the ability to get any problems fixed before we start reading the meters,” said Johnson. “Now that a consumer is going to be charged for the actual usage, the last thing they want to have happen is seeing a large water bill that is result of leaks in their line or because of things like a toilet constantly running.”
The session closed with Mayor Harris and Council members complimenting the Public Works department for their diligent efforts.
“As you may not know, we are now doing the majority of water and street repairs on our own, along with assistance from the Jackson Parish Police Jury, which has allowed us not to have to rely on outside contractors for work that has proven very costly in the past,” said Harris. “The Council and I applaud Public Works for the great job they are doing.”
To view the Monday, June 30th, Town of Jonesboro Board of Aldermen meeting in it’s entirety, click here or go to https://www.facebook.com/share/1EArQoFdgB/
On Tuesday, July 1st, William “Billy” Carter assumed the duties as Superintendent of the Jackson Parish School District. Carter was selected by the Jackson Parish School Board on March 13th to replace long-time Superintendent David Claxton, who retired effective June 30th.
Carter comes to the JPSD after 24 years (2001-2025) at Quitman High School, including the last nine as Principal, where he presided over what many recognize as the greatest decade in QHS history as a result of educational and athletic achievements as well as student growth.
A graduate of Brookland High School in Texas, Carter graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1997 before later receiving a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from NSU in 2005. Carter and his wife, Tara, are also the parents of four children, who he proudly proclaims are all Quitman High School graduates in Ty, Kailee, Emma and Maddie Grace.
With an exceptional ability to build relationships among school organizations, parents and students, Carter looks forward to the challenges ahead and helping Jackson Parish move forward as a school system.
“For the past 24 years, this parish has been my home, and this appointment is one of the greatest honors of my life. I do not take this trust lightly, and I am deeply grateful to the board for their confidence in me. I will work tirelessly to move this district forward and ensure the best possible education for every child in Jackson Parish. Our schools serve as the heart of our communities, benefiting from unwavering support from families, educators, and local partners. We will continue to build upon these strong community relationships to take our district to new heights. Above all, we must always remember that Jackson Parish is about family and community and I look forward to working alongside each of you to create an even brighter future for our students”.-William “Billy” Carter
At 10:00 am on Thursday, July 3rd, the groundbreaking for Jonesboro’s newest neighborhood will take place. On hand will be Sharonda Leonard of Jonesboro, who was selected by Habitat for Humanity for North Louisiana, to be the first of four future homeowners at the 265 Bond Street location back in February.
Joining Leonard for the “dirt turning” is expected to be Habitat for Humanity President / CEO, Kathy Gardner, and board members, along with representatives from Smurfit Westrock and Jonesboro State Bank, who also played a big role in the planned development coming into fruition. Additionally, CEO Kim Brunson of Mercy Medical Health Center in Jonesboro, who graciously donated the land for the development, Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris, Jackson Parish Police Jury President Todd Culpepper and other various Jackson Parish officials will be present.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sharonda Leonard to our Habitat family,” said Gardner. “Her dedication to education and her community truly reflects the heart of our mission. It is an honor to walk alongside her on her journey to homeownership. We are also incredibly grateful to Smurfit WestRock for their unwavering commitment to this project. Their employees will be volunteering all the hours needed to build the home, in addition to providing the majority of the funding for materials.”
“Additionally, Jonesboro State Bank has been instrumental in this effort, generously providing essential funding to make this home a reality, continued Gardner. “We are so very grateful for their immense generosity.”
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in Southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., and in more than 70 countries.
Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.
For more information on how to support Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, please visit hfhnl.org or contact our office at (318) 366-5352.
Hailey Chatham and Ben Ramsey, representing Weston High School and the Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers Tour, were among 383 teams from schools all over the United States and several foreign countries to descend on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, this past week, for the Student Angler Federation World and National Championship Tournament.
After four intense days of fishing, the local pair finished in 26th place overall and, more importantly, had become the top Co-Angler Team in the World. The incredible achievement earned the pair four-year scholarship checks totalling $280.000.00, two being for $40,000.00 each and the other pair of checks being for $100,000.00 each.
Chatham and Ramsey weren’t the only anglers from Jackson Parish to make a good showing as Hayden Davis and Maddox Duck, representing Quitman High School, also qualified for the 31-team world championships, where they finished in 22nd place overall.
Congratulations to both Jackson Parish team representatives on the fine showing.
Town of Jonesboro Compliance Officer, Austin Ballot has identified several properties that are in Violation of the Town Ordinance Regarding Dilapidated and Dangerous Buildings, and Noxious Weeds, Grass, Etc.
“Each of the owners of these properties have been notified that they are in violation and are required to take measures to bring their property in compliance,” said Ballot.
Each of the properties identified as being dilapidated and dangerous have 15 days to make arrangements to have the buildings removed, torn down or burned to bring the property back into compliance. Those in violation of the Noxious Weeds, Grass, Etc. Ordinance have the same time frame to remove all unsightly and dangerous growth. If left undone, property owner violators face a fine.
326 Fourth Street
611 Seventh Street
617 Cedar Street
413 Central Street
612 South Street
423 Central Street
215 Cedar Street
413 Central Street
612 South Street
423 Central Street
215 Cedar Street
502 Beech Springs Hwy.
503 Northeast Street
412 Northeast Street
109 Napoleon Street
419 Mitchell Street
P#0095017210
P#0095012950
P#0105023500
P#0095023000
P#0105004400
(P#’s refer to parcels of properties that have no address)
Come celebrate the 4th of July holidays and join 2025 Grand Marshal, Tammy Gunter, and large cast of boaters who will tour Caney Lake for the 8th annual Caney Lake Flotilla on Saturday, July 5th.
To sign up click here or go to https://forms.gle/MoN3GDoA8Z7J1dgz6
For more flotilla information you can also go to www.caneylakecommunityfoundation.org
Wa-Hoo Nation came out in force this past Friday – Sunday, June 27-29, as a large contingent of classmates, graduates, and family members associated with Jackson High School in Jonesboro came together to celebrate the tradition-rich 36-years of educational history over the years of 1937 – 1973 during the 15th annual School Wide Reunion.
The gala event began on the morning of Friday, June 27th, when attendees gathered at the Boyer Bell Administration Building in Jonesboro to register for all of the planned activities scheduled to take place over the three-day span.
That evening, the always enjoyed “Purple and White” banquet took place at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center in Jonesboro, where attendees were treated to an inspiring and entertaining message by professional Comedian and Actor, Lee Marvin Adams, who is a 1975 Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate.
On the morning of Saturday, June 28th, activity returned to the Charles H. Garrett Community Center for a breakfast and annual alumni meeting before shifting outdoors to view the commemorative parade. Featured prominently were past JHS Alumni Associatioin Presidents James Bradford and Dr. Liz White, along with the current President, Gary Mims, serving as Grand Marshals.
Everyone then reconvened at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center for an indoor picnic that led up to “Class Night” later that evening, where former graduation class members enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with long-lost classmates and friends from other classes as well as remember those who have passed on to their reward.
The memorable event drew to a close on Sunday, June 29th, when all gathered at the Boyer Bell Administration Building for a special Worship Service that featured Dr. Melvin Zeno, who was a 1963 Jackson High School graduate, as guest speaker, followed by a farewell luncheon.
NATCHITOCHES – The lens through which much of the nation views Louisiana was on full display Saturday night inside the Natchitoches Events Center as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame welcomed in its 12-person class of 2025.
“A lot of people look at this state through the athletic programs at LSU,” said seven-time national champion college football coach Nick Saban, whose first title came in 2003 at the helm of the Tiger program. “When we were there, we raised the bar and the standard.”
The standard raising and bearing celebrated Saturday night did not begin and end with Saban nor did it end with on-field or competitive accomplishments.
Joining Saban in the induction class was one of his first recruits – West Monroe offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. Whitworth followed his national championship at LSU with a standout NFL career that culminated in a Super Bowl victory that came after he took home the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Saban lauded Whitworth as epitomizing what the coach wanted his players to become in their post-collegiate career.
Whitworth attributed that to his home state’s culture and what it instilled in him during his formative years in northeast Louisiana.
“Culture is shared belief and values,” he said. “When you have that, it makes it special. I always want to make things better than I found them, and I have been given the blessings and ability to do that. Anything I’m a part of, it will be better because I’m there. The people I do it with are what matters most. That’s our way of life.
“When I think of being at West Monroe, I think about my parents and my teammates’ parents. When we were really successful, they were feeding the whole team and the coaches are pouring into us. At LSU, it was the same thing. You’re just further away from home, but it was a new home. Moms were having us over to eat. Dads were taking us to lunch, asking us what we wanted to do after LSU. It was a support system. Once you get to the league, you have to be the support system. Could I share the values I learned from Louisiana? Making others feel valued. Can you spread that love? Making everyone feel special and feel a part of something sets you up to be successful. That’s our way of life in Louisiana.”
Being that support system for others came naturally to Whitworth and was on display long before his 16-year NFL career that saw him help redefine the legacy of left tackles at football highest level.
“He always poured into other guys,” West Monroe strength and conditioning coach Kirk Frantom said. “Whit was always in tune with his body and always wanted to perform at his highest level, but it wasn’t just the competitiveness. It was the servant’s heart he has.”
Whitworth’s legacy extended to his final NFL stop, winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, a franchise that allowed him to lead almost in lock step with head coach Sean McVay. Whitworth’s relationship with McVay has been well documented, and the two remain close after Whitworth’s retirement from the game.
“Whit always said this is a blessing, not a burden, and that’s the approach he took every day,” McVay said. “He’s the only person to wear the Walter Payton Man of the Year patch and go out and win a Super Bowl to go out. He is the epitome of a special one and of a Hall of Famer.”
While at LSU, Whitworth shared campus with another transformative force – one that came in a much smaller package than his hulking, 6-foot-7, 330-pound frame.
For the second straight year, the Hall opened its doors to a female LSU student-athlete who changed the trajectory of program in Baton Rouge. One year after women’s basketball’s Seimone Augustus walked into the Hall, 14-time All-American gymnast April Burkholder gained entry into the state’s sports shrine.
Just as Augustus did, Burkholder’s presence turned the Pete Maravich Assembly Center into the place to be when LSU competed.
“It was the same time that LSU women’s basketball landed Seimone,” said Hall of Fame coach D-D Breaux, who coached Burkholder throughout her LSU career. “There was so much gain and so much reward with April. She brought a real professional, polished look, a style and a self-confidence in the kind of gymnastics she wanted to do. The program continued to grow. The crowds continued to grow. She was the start of that.”
The All-American honors and the 2006 NCAA beam championship almost never happened. Burkholder faced injuries that threatened her career starting at age 2 with a concussion and a fractured skull.
There were two compound fractures and three surgeries on one of her arms. Amputation of that arm nearly happened.
Yet, Burkholder pushed through and became the standard bearer for an ascendant program that reached a national championship peak in 2024.
“My parents said at one point, ‘We’re OK if you don’t want to do gymnastics again,’” Burkholder said. “I said, ‘What would it all be worth? What would it be for?’ That’s what makes it all worth it. Grit, perseverance, it teaches you throughout your entire life. It teaches you life skills you use forever.”
Burkholder’s place in LSU lore is secure while another set of skills endeared Metairie-raised Danny Granger to his NBA teammates – skills that weren’t the ones that led to him scoring 9,855 points and earning one NBA All-Star selection.
Those helped, but it was the family unit that aided some of Granger’s popularity in the Indiana Pacers locker room, especially when the team visited New Orleans.
“Everybody knew when we would play in New Orleans that I would need 50 tickets or something crazy like that for my family and friends,” said Granger, who could not make the ceremony but spoke via video from Scottsdale, Arizona. “My grandmother, I don’t know how she did it, but she got past security and would leave food on our bus. It was so common that when I left Indiana, one of my former teammates called me and said, ‘We’re going to play in New Orleans. Can you tell your grandmother to bring us some food? I wasn’t there, but she still brought the food.”
While the story brought a roomful of laughter, Granger’s multi-faceted game that took shape at Grace King High School before a stellar college career at New Mexico made life tough on opposing coaches and much easier on his own coach.
“He was that guy,” said Jeryl Fischtziur, Granger’s Grace King coach. “He was a quiet leader, but he always worked so hard. He had a 32 ACT and a 4.0 GPA. Yale was after him really hard. If every kid understood the work ethic Danny had, they’d be better off.”
Injuries scuttled Granger’s pro career and left questions about how many more All-Star Games were in his future. One thing hasn’t changed for Granger when he comes back to New Orleans.
“We try to go back and see my family as much as possible, but we have to fast for about five days before we go, because I know I’m going to eat,” he said. “We are planning to be back there in about four or five months, so I better start working out.”
Workouts were on the menu whenever George “Bobby” Soileau had the eyes and ears of his Sacred Heart football team, part of an impressive second act that rivaled a remarkable first.
A national championship boxer at LSU in the 1950s, Soileau coached Sacred Hart for 30 seasons, winning 159 games, at least a share of nine district titles and a Class B state championship in 1967.
“He goes to LSU and wins a national championship as a sophomore,” journalist Raymond Partsch III said. “Then they killed the program. Now, he doesn’t have the thing he’s most passionate about. The great thing about coach Soileau is he reinvented himself.”
He instilled a toughness in his Trojan teams that helped the Ville Platte-based school compete until the very end – just as he had in the ring.”
“He was a disciplinarian and loved conditioning,” said Soileau’s son, Robert, who spoke on behalf of his father. “That went back to his boxing. He’s stay in the ring and throw and take punches. He brought that to the football field. He had some of his players who went and played at McNeese, and they said, ‘We didn’t do as much conditioning there as we did with coach Bobby.’ He was determined they would win in the fourth quarter.”
Soileau’s legacy lives on in his son, who is Sacred Heart’s head track and field coach and an assistant football coach. As for the elder Soileau, he’s still throwing punches as he battles dementia.
During his son’s speech, a video showed father and son sparring with Bobby Soileau showing he still had the hand speed that wowed Billy Cannon during the two’s shared time together at LSU.
“His hands were super fast,” Robert Soileau said. “He could throw three jabs, and you’d think it was one. Billy Cannon was bragging about my dad and how good a fighter he was. The legend’s telling me he never missed a fight, telling me how great my dad was. When I heard that, I thought he must have been pretty dang good.”
Unlike Robert Soileau who heard stories of his father’s prowess, Neil Weiner had a front-row seat to his father’s construction of a prep football power at Baton Rouge’s Catholic High School.
Four games into his Catholic career, however, it did not appear Dale Weiner was on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
“My very first year as a principal we were 0-4,” said Lisa Harvey, who currently serves as Catholic High’s President. “I remember saying, ‘Dale, if you don’t win this next game, they’re going to run you and me out of here.’”
The wins soon followed – 317 of them to be exact along with a state championship in 2015. Along the way, the Bears went from being the featured opponent for other schools’ Homecoming games to the team no one wanted to face.
Whether it was teams that featured high-wattage stars like Warrick Dunn, Travis Minor and Major Applewhite or more balanced outfits where quality depth was a calling card, Catholic’s surge went hand in hand with Dale Weiner’s faith-based beliefs.
“He saw coaching as a calling,” said Neil Weiner, the head coach at Baton Rouge’s Dunham School. “He wanted to reflect Christ’s love to his players and his school. When Dale Weiner and that mission and Catholic’s mission came together, you got 30 years of excellence.”
The Dale Weiner people who filled Baton Rouge’s Memorial Stadium saw was the same one who drove Neil Weiner to school every day. Dale Weiner attended Saturday’s ceremony after being released from the hospital earlier in the week.
“He was rock steady all the time,” Neil said. “My dad’s my hero. He just never makes mistakes. I wanted to be just like him. Even when I could screw everything up, unconditional love was poured out. Watching him and the way he loved my mom, loved my sisters and raised us is an absolute inspiration.”
The father-son connection between the Soileaus and Weiners was taken even deeper when Delgado baseball coach Joe Scheuermann became a Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer.
With his selection, he joined his father Rags Scheuermann to become the fourth father-son duo in the Hall.
A New Orleans native, Scheuermann has spent 35 seasons following his father as Delgado’s coach, winning more than 1,200 games and taking the Dolphins to five NJCAA World Series appearances. Seven years into his tenure, Scheuermann’s father died a week shy of his 74th birthday. That marked a turning point for the younger Scheuermann.
“I wasn’t a very good coach the first 10 years,” he said. “My father was there, and I was worried about impressing him and not embarrassing him. Once he passed, I started doing it my way. He’s laughing at me right now, but he used to send me notes through our official scorer. I didn’t need them to know I screwed up.”
While Joe Scheuermann may have fretted about embarrassing his father, those who knew baseball could have assuaged those fears.
“When I came to Louisiana, I met a young kid whose father coached the team,” legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman said. “Ultimately, a few years later, he was the coach. I could tell there’s something special about this guy. He’s been a superstar for Louisiana baseball and certainly a Hall of Famer.”
And he has done it by keeping things in the family.
His son, Tyler, is his father’s right-hand man, handling operations, media relations and whatever else is needed.
“That’s a part of the Scheuermanns’ creed,” Tyler said. “The expectation is there is a pass-it-on mentality. My grandfather said, you don’t raise your family for yourself. You raise it for others. There is a mantra that is unspoken and it is a servant leadership that has been a steady presence not just in my dad’s career but generationally.”
Family forged Vickie Johnson’s rise from small-town sensation in Coushatta to Louisiana Tech standout and WNBA trailblazer.
Initially, Johnson’s brother did not want her playing basketball with him and other family members. Johnson took the initiative and found an opening to exploit.
“One Saturday they were playing two-on-two but they only had three players,” she said. “I was lurking in the wings. I secretly practiced for five or six months, because I knew the opportunity would present itself again. When it did, he allowed me to play. From that moment on, he put me under his wing and helped me get there.”
That snub-turned-protector and nurturer began the push that led Johnson to become the first WNBA player to score 4,000 points, grab 1,000 rebounds and hand out 1,000 assists in a career. What it also may have birthed was a pretty effective forearm.
“My first memory of Vickie was her forearm in my hip,” said current Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, a six-time WNBA All-Star. “It was a reality check. I thought, ‘Oh, man, she’s really strong.’ I did get a lot of my points off her assists. I like to say I helped her in the assists category and she helped me in the points category. She’s one of a kind. They don’t make them like V.J. anymore.”
Johnson fought back tears when speaking about her late mother, who passed away in 2016. It was her mother who “allowed me to dream and dream big.”It was her mother who also may have allowed Louisiana Tech to keep its nascent star.
“There was a moment at Louisiana Tech when coach (Leon) Barmore got on me good,” Johnson said. “I called my mom and said, ‘This guy is crazy. I need to leave.’ She said, ‘I’m going to ask you three questions. You wanted to go to Louisiana Tech?’ I said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ ‘You signed a scholarship?’ Yes, ma’am. ‘You at Louisiana Tech?’ Yes, ma’am. ‘Then stay your (butt) there.’”
No one has had to convince Danny Broussard to stay at St. Thomas More, although there were – like many first-time coaches – questions about whether he was fit for the job upon his hiring.
A state championship in his first season helped answer those inquiries emphatically and gave rise to a 42-year career that has netted five more state championships for the Cougars. Those, however, came long after Broussard’s first title of any kind.
“I was a high school senior, and they say, ‘We’ve got a 4-H tournament for sixth, seventh and eighth graders,’” Broussard said. “I said, ‘Maybe, I’ll get a team together.’ I practiced them a couple of weeks, go to the tournament and we win it all. I went to school on Monday morning, carrying that championship trophy to our principal. I thought I could make a career out of it.”
Broussard’s trademark high-intensity style has funneled its way through generations of Cougar basketball players.
“He was high-strung and energetic,” said Lyle Mouton, a player on Broussard’s first state championship team before becoming a national champion baseball player at LSU and a major leaguer. “It always showed in his teams. If you’re energetic, your team will feed off it.”
Broussard’s 1,162 career victories are sixth all-time national. He is 171 victories away from setting a national record. If he does, his thank you list will be larger than the throng of people who made the trip from Lafayette to celebrate their coach.
“Tommy Lasorda said he bleeds Dodger Blue,” Broussard said. “I bleed St. Thomas More maroon and blue. We’re a family. That’s what it’s all about.”
Though it wasn’t a family business, a journalism career just made sense to Glenn Guilbeau, one of the two Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism honorees.
The son of a devoted LSU sports fan and an original New Orleans Saints ticketholder whose wife was an English teacher, Guilbeau’s DNA prepared him for a career that has seen him win national awards while allowing him a front-row seat to some of the top moments in Louisiana sports history.
“I got to cover the greatest baseball coach of all time in Skip Bertman,” Guilbeau said. “I covered the greatest football coach in Nick Saban. I covered a great basketball coach in John Brady. I enjoyed covering John, and Skip and Nick were really, really special because they’re both teachers. They left a lasting impression on me.”
The same can be said in reverse. Never one to shy away from an opinion or to doggedly latch onto a breaking news story, Guilbeau left his mark on those he covered.
“He’s probably the top journalist I’ve been around in my life in sports,” former LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri said. “It wasn’t always bells and whistles, but I always respected Glenn. I always thought he was fair.”
Some accusations lobbed at Guilbeau involve a perceived negativity for which the versatile journalist has an explanation.
“I’ve never spoken to a psychologist or an analyst about this, but I was a Saints fan from age seven on, and they didn’t have a winning season until I was 26,” said Guilbeau, who was able to cover the team’s Super Bowl championship. “I remember when I was 14 in 1975, the Saints moved into the Dome and went 2-12. That same year, my baseball team – the (Houston) Astros – finished 40 games out of first place. Ask me why I’m negative.”
Joining Guilbeau, a New Orleans native, in the DSA category Saturday night was New Orleans television institution Ed Daniels, who died of a heart attack in 2024.
A champion for high school sports – not just football – Daniels was a voice for those who may have been overlooked.
“He liked the purity of (high school sports),” said Ro Brown, himself a DSA winner. “He recognized people who would not have been recognized for doing something good. He provided a service to the community. People don’t think about sportscasters doing that. He knew why we do what we do.”
Daniels was represented throughout the weekend by his wife, Robin, and his daughter, Erin. Daniels’ larger-than-life presence was an adjustment for Robin.
“I was comfortable staying in the background,” she said. “It was an adjustment being with someone who is so big and magnanimous. He had the greatest personality and sense of humor. It was eye-opening and humbling. There have been many awards, but he would be so honored by this one.”
Daniels’ reach wasn’t limited to the prep scene.
“I consider him like a Nick Saban,” longtime John Curtis football coach JT Curtis said. “His work ethic was unbelievable. Prep, college, pro, it didn’t matter. Ed was going to be there.”
The same could be said for Herb Vincent, especially as it pertained to the LSU campus.
Vincent, the 2025 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award winner, graduated from LSU and spent two separate tenures working at his alma mater.
As Saban said, Louisiana often is viewed through the lens of LSU sports. Part of that image was built by Vincent, which caught the attention of the other side of the Baton Rouge campus during his second stop in the state capital.“The chancellor called me and said, ‘I want to stop by your office,’” Vincent said. “I said, ‘You’re the chancellor. I should come to your office.’ He came by and said, ‘I really like what you’re doing with the marketing of the athletic department. We want you to do that for the university.’”
Said LSU athletic administrator Verge Ausberry: “He knew the message to put out there. He knew how LSU needed to look.”
And he had known it for a long time. Legendary LSU sports information director Paul Manasseh allowed Vincent to work in his office as a freshman – a stunning development – sensing something special in Vincent.
Others knew too. After the USFL folded when Vincent was working for the LA Express, Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Dan McDonald seized on the opportunity to add him to his staff at the then-University of Southwestern Louisiana, knowing full well it was not going to last long.“Herb was basically looking for some place to land, and we had a job opening,” McDonald said. “I thought, this is great, but I knew all along it was a short-term thing.”
Vincent matriculated down I-10 to LSU for the first time and added to a Hollywood-esque time as a Tiger.
“I feel like the Forrest Gump of LSU,” Vincent said. “I was behind the goal posts in the Earthquake Game. I saw the Bluegrass Miracle. I was on the concourse behind home plate for the Warren Morris home run. All that makes for great memories at LSU.”
Saban can understand Vincent’s feelings.
In five seasons, Saban took a 3-8 team and turned it into a national championship, securing LSU’s first national crown in 45 years in 2003.
His first recruiting class included Whitworth with whom he shared induction Saturday. The pair was instrumental in helping broaden the horizons and setting new standards at LSU.
For that, Tiger fans can thank – in large part – Terri Saban.
“We had just gone 10-2 at Michigan State, and I was disappointed in our administration because of their lack of commitment to what we wanted to do,” Saban said. “I was interested in the LSU job. (The LSU contingent) met me in Memphis secretly to interview me for the job. They offered me the job. I said, ‘I can’t take the job. I haven’t been to Baton Rouge.’ I couldn’t go for an interview because if (Michigan State) found out publicly, they’ll absolutely crucify me. So I sent Mrs. Terri – this is the truth – to interview. Mark Emmert’s wife showed her around for two days. There were billboards of who LSU wanted to hire, and my name wasn’t on there.
“She spent two days, and I called and said, ‘What do you think?’ She said, ‘Man, this place needs a lot of work. The stadium is in bad shape. They have no academic support and no academic facilities. The players are not doing well academically. You have to get on the bus and ride to practice from campus because the facilities are separate. The coaches’ offices are in a bank building. I don’t know how you are going to recruit here, but I went in the weight room, and they have some damn good-looking players. ‘ That’s ow I took the job.”
The good-looking players continued to find their way to Baton Rouge under Saban in large part because of the coach’s personality.
“You can’t recruit the type of players he did without the ability to connect,” said former LSU and Dallas Cowboy standout Marcus Spears. “Moving from tight end to defensive end was difficult at 17, 18 years of age. I trusted him blindly and he turned out to be right. There are hundreds of those stories. He has had consistency in his work and elevated people.”
Saban elevated the LSU program to that 2003 national champion, which he said gave him the best feeling in his professional life to that point.
What has transpired in the 21 seasons since also has made Saban flush with Bayou State pride even as he stood across the gridiron from the purple-and-gold clad Tigers.
“I’m proud of the fact that we contributed to the iconic brand LSU has and the state of Louisiana has,” he said. ‘All of us, when we get rid of the self-imposed limitations and accomplish something of significance, it establishes a new horizon. The next time you accomplish it, it’s a new horizon. Then, it becomes the standard, the example for other people. Transformational leadership helps other people reach those horizons as well. I’m really, really proud every time I see LSU. It was a great rivalry (with Alabama), but I’m always proud because we did something to raise the bar and the program has been outstanding ever since.”
On June 29th, Jonesboro and Jackson Parish residents said goodbye to The Tattered Rose and hello to The Green House. The transition took place when Kelliann Blalock of Quitman purchased the gift shop, event room and light dining location featuring ice cream and sandwiches from former owner Janet Anderson.
“I’m so honored to be the new owner of the beloved Tattered Rose! This cozy, well-loved spot has already made its mark in the community, and I couldn’t be more excited to carry it forward into its next chapter. For now, everything you love — the food, the friendly atmosphere, and the hours — will stay just the same. My heart is to honor what’s already been built while slowly stepping in with care and gratitude.
Whether you’ve been coming here for years or you’re just now discovering us, I’m so excited to welcome you in and begin this journey.” – Kelliann Blalock
While the Jonesboro and Chatham branches of the Jackson Parish Library will be closed on Friday in celebration of the 4th of July holiday, prior to the break, patrons will be in for a special treat at both locations as Mitch the Magician will make an appearance.
The entertainer will hold his first show at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 2nd at the Chatham Branch, followed by a pair of follow-up shows at the Jonesboro Branch on Thursday, July 3rd that will take place at 10:00 am and again at 2:00 pm.
As the sun set on a hot summer day on the 28th of June the Quitman High School baseball field was a cool place to be. With fans packing the stands and lined up along the fence on both baselines, the sounds of baseballs coming in contact with aluminum bats, leather mitts popping, and a good bit of smack talk echoed throughout as over 30 former players took part in the first annual QHS Alumni baseball game.
Three teams (Blue, Gold, White) of Quitman baseball alumni, with graduation years ranging from 2002 up to 2025, played a spirited 7-inning game that was formatted so that 2 teams played each inning with the third team sitting out on a rotational basis until the 7th, when all 3 teams had a chance to bat as well as play defense.
The contest that was designed to raise money to help offset costs of the upcoming 2026 baseball season began with the Blue and Gold team taking the field. Bradley Koonce immediately brought back memories of his dominance as a QHS hurler back in 2019 by striking out the side for his “Gold” team. That set the stage for Cason Womack (2019) doing what he did so many times as a leadoff hitter for the Wolverines by reaching 1st on an error, advancing to 3rd base on a pair of gound ball outs and then scoring on a passed ball to give the Gold team an early advantage.
The White team then took the field against the Blue with Joshua Smith (2021) striking out all three batters he faced. Dennis Robertson, from the class of 2002 and one of the elder statesmen in the contest, reached the hard way by taking a pitch from Logan Willis in the back but was gunned down by catcher Jake Potts (2025) attempting to steal.
Pitching stayed in the forefront as the contest moved to the third inning as Smith struck out two more and Koonce, who finished with 7 strikeouts in two innings K’d four in the frame, after Dakota Johnson (2012) reached first on a dropped third strike call.
The fourth inning featured recently named Junior College All-American, Ty Simonelli (2022), taking the mound for the Blue team. Brandon Joyner (2011) of the Gold team opened by coaxing a walk but was thrown out attempting to advance on a passed ball by Logan Willis (2014). Noah Vail (2021) and Womack walked to load the bases, but Simonelli escaped the jam with a strikeout of Wade Shoemaker (2004). Pete Simonelli (2024) then took the hill to get the Blue team out in order, including getting big brother Ty on a soft liner to shortstop that evened the score for the brothers with each getting the other out.
That set the stage for the fifth inning that produced the first earned runs of the day. After Zach Duck (2012) retired the White team, John Raegan Hasley (2024) stroke a single and scored on a single by Potts. Zach Duck (2012) followed by knocking in Potts giving the Blue team their first two runs of the game. The 2024 LHSAA State Tourney Most Outstanding Player, Ian Tilley, then came on in relief to end the inning with the score being Blue 2, Gold 1, White 0.
The Gold team took a 3-2-0 lead in the sixth inning as Koonce tripled and scored and both Mason Miller (2020) and Logan Ponder (2024) had RBI’s. The Blue team threatened to tie when Riley Hayes (2018) and Ty Simonelli singled but Pete Simonelli, who finished with 6 K’s, struck out the side to end the threat.
The White team made a late charge in the 7th inning when Dakota Johnson (2012) and Wade Williams (2014) opened with a walk and single before both scored on an errant pickoff throw. Smith and Tilley doubled and singled respectively then gave the White team a 4-3-2 lead when they scored after Robertson reached base for he third time in the contest on an error. Luke Morgan, who currently plays for Louisiana Christian University, followed with a double off the wall in center field but Robertson was deemed out for missing third base to bring the at bat to a close.
With the tiebreaker established as run differential, the Gold team would bat in the bottom third of the inning, needing only to score one run to win. Walks to Joyner, Pete Simonelli and Womack loaded the bases. After Hunter Alexander (2020), who had come on as a pinch runner for Joyner was thrown out at the plate attempting to steal home, Simonelli scored on a wild pitch to give the Gold team the victory.
To view the contest in its entirety, click here or go to https://youtu.be/w4nllZGIEHw
On June 26th, many homes of the congregation at Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman were displaying beautiful fresh floral bouquets. That is because of the generosity of Sarah Beth Bates and owner Terry Liles Jones of Always Eva’s Flowers, located at 214 Jimmie Davis Blvd. in Jonesboro, who the day before, met with the ladies at the church, passed on their knowledge and expertise in floral design, and helped each make their bouquet. The result was an evening full of good fellowship and a room full of beautiful designs that all enjoyed making.
During what has become known as the Battle of France in World War II, German troops had surrounded more than 338,000 allied troops on the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk in northern France. The soldiers had retreated to the sea and could retreat no further. The Germans were preparing to slaughter them. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill considered this the greatest military defeat in centuries and struggled to find a solution. Time was of the essence. With each passing hour, the outcome looked more grim. At Churchill’s request, the British Navy requisitioned more than 850 “little ships” which consisted of family yachts, lifeboats, fishing vessels, sailing barges, fire boats, paddle steamers, river launches, and just about anything else that could float to help in the evacuation codenamed Operation Dynamo. Some of the boats were taken under protest. Others were taken without permission. In some cases, the boat owners were unaware that their boats were taken until the operation was over.
One boat owner, 66-year-old chicken farmer Charles Lightoller, refused to allow the Navy to take his 52-foot converted Admiralty steam pinnace called Sundowner. Charles, a retired sea captain himself who was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery, declared that he would captain Sundowner himself. He insisted that his ship would be crewed by his oldest son, 33-year-old Robert Lightoller, and 18-year-old sea scout Gerald Ashcroft. Charles was no stranger to danger. He had survived the sinking of two ships during World War I, and rammed and sank a German U-boat, UB-110, with his destroyer HMS Garry. Charles’s ship was so badly damaged during the ramming that he had to steer it 160 miles to safety in reverse. The Royal Navy knew of his seamanship and agreed to his request. Captain Charles and his crew left the harbor at Ramsgate, England for Dunkirk.
Although Sundowner was licensed to carry just 21 passengers, Captain Charles loaded his ship with sailors. One survivor wrote a letter to Charles’s widow, Sylvia, after his death in 1952. He told her that he “looked over the stern while your husband stowed the soldiers below in every corner it was possible to stow one. Only your late husband’s knowledge of the Channel and his seamanship brought the boat right back into Ramsgate harbour.” For nine days in May and June 1940, hundreds of “little ships” including Charle’s Sundowner, evacuated more than 338,000 stranded allied soldiers from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, France.
Charles, the captain of the little ship who saved 139 lives during the evacuation of Dunkirk, is mostly remembered as the second officer of what was once the largest ship afloat. Charles Lightoller was the last person off of and the most senior surviving officer of the Titanic.
What better way to learn the correct way to play softball than from the coaches and players of a two-time defending state champion? That is what is being offered on July 2nd and 3rd when the Quitman High School softball team hosts a Softball Youth Camp at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex located at 5254 Hwy 4 East in Jonesboro.
Hours of the camp will be from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm where participants will receive instruction on fundamental training, pitching and catching, strategy and positioning, and take part in fun skills competition.
For more information or questions, contact QHS head softball coach Justin Dodson at (318) 243-7251
Turn Purpose Into Action—Join the United Way Team!
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? United Way of Northeast Louisiana is now hiring dedicated, community-minded professionals to help drive meaningful change across our region.
Current Open Positions:
Development Officer – Lincoln, Union, Jackson Market
Financial Health Associate
Education & Social Impact Associate
Community Resource Navigator
211 Information & Referral Specialis
If you’re ready to be part of something bigger and create a lasting impact, we invite you to click here or apply today at unitedwaynela.org/careers.
Together, we can make a difference.
Beware of the summertime slump…
You won’t be to blame; energy levels wane during hot weather. In no way do we feel in step with the Ever Ready Bunny.
Pay attention to signals of weakness. Our ebb in energy might not be caused by high temperature readings alone. Sometimes sin can be a root cause. King David discovered the reason for his lack of vitality.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah (Psalms 32:1-4 NKJV).”
In humility, David confessed his sin to the LORD…
“I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah (Psalms 32:5 NKJV).”
To God be the glory, His strength is made perfect through my weakness.
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).”
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.
Amy Henderson (Quitman, LA) – Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II Drug, Possession of Schedule II Drug
Shelby D. Kelly (Jonesboro, LA) – Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II Drug
Jeremy Murphy (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery
Jeremy Watson (Jonesboro, LA) – Non Support Violation
Ashley Renee Harvey (Quitman, LA) – Lincoln Parish Warrants on Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Jeanne P. Ray (Jonesboro, LA) – Unauthorized Entry of Inhabited Dwelling, Burglary of Inhabited Dwelling
Daivyan Holland (Jonesboro, LA) – Possesion of a Firearm by a Felon
John H. Shaw (Arlington, TX) – DWI 2nd Offense, Stop Sign Violation, Caddo Parish Warrants x2
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.
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, July 11, 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 potholes.
• 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.
• Sweep streets, shop, and sidewalks; clean 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, replace 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.
Jackson Parish Hospital, located at 165 Beech Springs Road in Jonesboro, is seeking a full-time housekeeper. To apply or learn more about the position, you are asked to contact JPH Housekeeping Manager, Kelly, at the Jackson Parish Hospital or call (318) 259-4435.
STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JACKSON,
SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DOCKET NUMBER 5086
VERDIE CHRISTINE JOHNSON
FIRST NOTICE
NOTICE IS GIVEN, that the Administratrix of this succession has filed a petition for authority to sell immovable property belonging to the deceased at private sale in accordance with the provisions of Article 3281 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure for $133,500.00 Dollars cash. The immovable property proposed to be sold at private sale is described as follows:
A 0.834 acre tract of land situated in the NW¼ of SE¼, Section 23, Township 15 North, Range 2 West, Jackson Parish, Louisiana and being more particularly described as follows, to-wit:
Commencing at a 2½” aluminum post (found) marking the Southeast corner of Section 23, T15N, R2W, Jackson Parish, Louisiana, as per plat of survey by Virgil T. Collins, P.L.S., and run West 2110.50 feet to a point; thence proceed North 1778.31 feet to a P.K. nail (found) marking an intersection with the centerline of Haven Loop Road and the East Right-of-Way line of Hancock Haven Road; thence leaving said centerline proceed the following two courses along the aforementioned East Right-of-Way; N08°01’34″E 56.19 feet to a 3/4″ iron rod (found) and N04°20’32″W 180.00 feet to a 3/4″ iron rod (found) marking the Southwest corner and POINT-OF-BEGINNING of the 0.834 tract of land hereinafter described; thence continue N04°20’32″W along said East Right-of-Way 125.00 feet to a 3/4″ iron rod (set); thence leaving said right-of-way proceed N88°35’27″E 291.00 feet to a 3/4″ iron rod (set); thence proceed S04°20’32” E 125.00 feet to a 3/4″ iron rod (found); thence proceed S88°35’27″W 291.00 feet to the POINT-OF-BEGINNING containing 0.834 acres and being subject to all servitudes of record or of use. All as is shown on that certain plat of survey dated May 27, 2003 by Walter Glen Kirkland, Professional Land Surveyor, Louisiana Reg. No. 4759 together with a Cavalier Model A5010 Mobile Home Serial No. BC03AL0132820A/B.
Municipal Address: 407 Hancock Haven Rd., Jonesboro, LA 71226
Any heir or creditor who opposes the proposed sale must file their opposition within seven (7) days from the day on which the last publication of this notice appears.
Sylvia Dianne Walters, Administratrix
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Paradise Point Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs and HAA5 sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the second quarter of 2025 show that the system’s current TTHMs LRAAs is 88 ppb at sample location DBP01 – 119 Eden Drive. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
The granulated activated carbon (GAC) filter is now online. The samples were collected when the interconnect with Spillway was closed. Spillway’s TTHM level for the 2Q2025 was non-detect, demonstrating the GAC filter was successful in lowering TTHM levels. The interconnect with Spillway is open, and UIL anticipates the TTHM LRAA will continue to decrease.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator, Vicki Spence at 985-893-6646.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana Spillway Water Supply is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:Xll)] and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) set drinking water standards and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDHH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs). Some people who drink water containing THMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5s in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards for public water systems servicing less than 10,000 individuals initially became effective and enforceable on January 1, 2004. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standard is determine by calculating a locational running annual average (LRRA) of quarterly TTHMs and HAA5 sample results. Compliance calculations performed for the second quarter of 2025 are 82 ppb at sample location DBP03- 211 Spruce Drive. Thus, the system is currently in violation of TTHMs standards.
The granulated activated carbon (GAC) filter is now online. The TTHM level for the 2Q2025 was non-detect, demonstrating the GAC filter was successful in lowering TTHM levels. UIL anticipates the TTHM LRAA will continue to decrease.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. If you have any questions, contact the UIL Compliance Administrator, Vicki Spence at 985-893-6646.
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAA5 levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.
Reese Walker, age 52, passed away at his home in Saline, Louisiana, on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Friends may visit with the family at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Friendship Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM with Bro. Kelly Leach officiating. Burial will follow at Taylor Cemetery in Liberty Hill, Louisiana under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Bonnie Jean Walker of Jonesboro passed away on June 24th at the age of 73 years old. Public Visitation will take place from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 5th at the Greater Jonesboro Church of God in Christ in Jonesboro, LA followed by her Life Celebration. Interment will then take place in the Belton Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.