There are many things or hobbies in life that we enjoy, and for me that would be tournament bass fishing. But like many other hobbies, fishing bass tournaments is expensive and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t justify the cost! For myself, with over 30 years of tournament experience, here’s how this works.
I don’t care what level you’re fishing, whether club tournaments, pro-am, weekend warrior or professionally, it’s hard to break even. Now some guys will boast that they have been making money for years with tournaments. Liars! They just hope their wives don’t figure out how much money they are spending on fishing!
They want you to think they’re making money because they’re not looking at the whole picture and, in most cases, don’t want to! It’s a sport that has so many hidden costs that anglers forget by choice.
Very few anglers sit down and truly put a pencil to how much money it costs to fish any tournament trail. If you’re really honest with yourself and include everything, the numbers just don’t add up.
First, there are entry fees which can range from $150 to $300 per event for lower-level events like the BFL’s and team tournament trails. On the high-level circuits and the professional side, entry fees can range from $1,700 up to $5,000 per tournament.
Next, you’ve got to make sure you have insurance for your boat. You’ll not only need collision, but most high-level pro/am events won’t let you enter without $300,000 in liability insurance.
Now let’s talk about boat gas expense, which can vary depending on how long the tournament is. Some events are one day while others are three days, but you also have at least three days of practice. This means you’re looking at 5 or 6 days per event.
Gas prices obviously fluctuate, but on average for me I spend anywhere from $125 up $175 just on boat gas alone. Truck gas, I usually spend around $150 up to $200 depending on how far away the tournament is.
Ok, we’ve covered gas and entry fees, now let’s look at housing. The one good thing that really helps with this is having a couple of other anglers to help split the cost. On average, for five days and nights which includes practice time, you’re probably looking at around $300 each if you find a really good deal.
Food! This can be an area where you can cut a few corners. Eating out is expensive and convenient but it can also be costly. Hopefully you have a couple of guys in your house who can cook and don’t mind doing it.
I will cook at least one night, sometimes two. It might be homemade burgers one night or spaghetti another night. I‘ve also made a good vegetable beef soup or chili, which is nice on those cold early events. Cooking your own meals is certainly one way to reduce expenses.
Now for me, I usually bring something for breakfast like a sausage biscuit or maybe I’ll eat a small turkey sandwich. Then I’ll pack another turkey sandwich for lunch. This way, I’m only actually eating out one meal at night which will be in the range of $15 to $25 per dinner.
But the one thing that we must add into the cost of tournament fishing: tackle! Holy cow, the money I have spent on the road simply because I’ve run out of a particular color worm or lost a crankbait that I must replace or maybe I’ve had a lot of breakoffs and need more hooks or weights.
One thing I do now, that I did not do early in my fishing career, is bring extra tackle with me that I think I might need for a particular body of water. But it never fails, no matter how many containers I bring full of baits and tackle, there will be that one thing I did not pack and must go buy. But that’s the life as an angler!
As you can see, tournament fishing is and can be very expensive. It is a sport that requires money if you want to compete. What I’m starting to realize after all my years of doing this is that nowadays just having the skill of catching fish is not good enough to fish at the highest professional level.
To fish as a pro in 2025, it takes money, and lots of it to cover all the expenses required. This to me is sad and is taking the sport in a direction that I don’t think is good. It’s now becoming a sport that is pretty much for the elites since many great fishermen can’t afford the day-to-day costs involved.
In the long run, this will not be good for the sport of professional bass fishing. Which means the average Joe, with a depleted checkbook, will no longer be welcome on any pro circuit.
More students are discovering that transferring to NSU is a turning point, not a setback
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
You remember the excitement of freshman year. You picked out the dorm decor, bought the textbooks, and had a clear picture of how college was supposed to go.
But sometimes, despite the hard work you’ve put in, the reality doesn’t match the dream. Maybe the campus feels too big and impersonal, or perhaps the program isn’t what you expected.
For many students across Louisiana, coming home for a weekend or a semester break brings a quiet realization: the school you chose at 18 might not be the school you need to become the professional you want to be.
There is a common misconception that transferring means failure or, worse, losing all the ground you have gained. The fear of wasted credits and tangled paperwork often keeps students stuck in places where they aren’t thriving.
At Northwestern State University, the philosophy is different. We believe that realizing you need a change isn’t a step back. It is a step toward a future that fits.
The biggest hurdle to transferring is the uncertainty. Will my classes count? Will I graduate late? These questions create a gap between where a student is and where they want to be.
“We get it. Transferring can feel stressful because of the unknowns,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting at NSU. “Our goal is to close that gap immediately. From day one, we provide a dedicated transfer advisor and fast credit evaluation. We look at the work you’ve already done and find every possible way to apply it to a degree at NSU. We want you to move forward, not start over.”
This approach transforms the process from a bureaucratic headache into a personalized welcome. Whether you are looking for the traditional on-campus experience in Natchitoches or the flexibility of our robust online programs, the focus remains on the individual student.
One of the primary reasons students transfer to NSU is the desire for connection. It is easy to feel like a number in a lecture hall of 400 people. Northwestern offers a different environment, one defined by small classes and professors who actually know your name.
“Transferring to NSU was one of my best decisions,” says Chris James, a Communication Arts and New Media transfer student. “From the start, I felt like I’d found a place to grow. I’ve covered live events with ESPN+ and worked with NSU TV News, the student newspaper, yearbook, and on-campus radio station, pushing me further than I imagined.”
“When a student joins the Demon family, they are bringing their unique story and potential to our campus,” says James T. Genovese, President of Northwestern State University. “We empower every student to shape their future. We are committed to providing the culture, the scholarships, and the academic support to ensure every transfer student finishes strong.”
This commitment includes scholarships specifically designed to recognize the progress transfer students have already made. It is a validation that your previous hard work matters here.
If you are feeling like your current college isn’t the right fit, you don’t have to wait a year to fix it. You can change your trajectory right now.
Spring classes at Northwestern State University begin January 12, 2026, and registration is currently open.
Ready to become a Demon? Visit www.nsu.la/transfer to see how your credits transfer and start your application today.
Erwin Perzy built and repaired surgical instruments for local physicians in Vienna, Austria. In 1900, one of his clients requested a brighter light for his operating room. Just 23 years earlier in 1879, Thomas Edison filed a patent for his carbon-filament lamp and thus began the electric light age.
Edison’s electric light was practical for most homes and businesses, but in 1900, light bulbs produced a warm, yellowish glow with the maximum brightness comparable to a modern 25-watt light bulb. The dim bulbs also produced a lot of heat, which meant that the assistants had to keep the bulbs a certain distance away from surgeons and their patients.
Surgeons squinted their eyes, wiped sweat from their brows, and snapped instructions to their assistants on the positioning of the dim bulbs. If you have ever held a flashlight while your father worked on a car, you know the frustration that those surgeons and their assistants endured. They needed a brighter light.
Erwin began searching for ways to increase the light produced by the light bulbs while making them cooler at the same time. Rather than looking for a brand new method, he looked to history for the answer.
For hundreds of years, shoemakers and other craftsmen used schusterkugels (cobbler-spheres), glass spheres with a tubular end filled with water, to magnify and redirect candlelight into a concentrated beam. They were primitive spotlights.
Erwin experimented with schusterkugels, but the light was still not bright enough. He added various substances to the water to reflect and intensify the light, such as flakes of metal and fine glass particles, but they quickly sank to the bottom. Erwin was able to intensify the light but only for about a second. He tried just about everything he had in his workshop, but the substances either sank too quickly or failed to sink at all.
Erwin turned to his kitchen and tried a multitude of edible items, including rice and flakes of a coarse flour called semolina flakes, but none enabled him to produce a brighter light for more than a second or two.
Erwin ultimately failed to create the brighter light that the surgeon had requested, but with his failure came an accidental invention for which he received the first patent. Erwin’s invention became popular worldwide.
He built a company to produce his invention, which is still owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Perzy family. You see, Erwin was drawn to the effect the semolina flakes produced when added to water. With the addition of a pewter miniature of Vienna’s Mariazell church at the base of the sphere, he had created what people in German-speaking countries call “schneekugels.”
You and I know Erwin Perzy’s invention as a snow globe.
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.
Leonardo Rayford (Monroe, LA) – Theft (Ouachita Parish Warrant) Dewayne E. Woods (Ruston, LA) – Distribution of Schedule II (Lincoln Parish Warrant, Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule II, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon x3, Possession of Oxy with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Xana with Intent to Distribute, Prohibited Acts Schedule IV with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Synthetic Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Carrying of Firearm in Presence of CDE, Manufacturing of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Suboxone with Intent to Distribute Jaclyn Duncan (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule II x 2 Brandon O. Maryland (Ruston, LA) – Fugitive from Justice (Grambling Police Department), Domestic Abuse Battery Travis E. Fugler (Ruston, LA) – Failure to Appear, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Careless Operation, Driving Under Suspension Floyd E. Young (West Monroe, LA) – Morehouse Parish Warrant on Failure to Appear on charges of Simple Burglary, Conspiracy Christopher Krotte (Jonesboro, LA) – Outside Agency Warrant from Plaquemine Parish M. N. Sowers (Jonesboro, LA) – Speeding, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule IV, Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Schedule III, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Insurance Michael Pixley (Homeless) – Assault on Emergency Room Personnel Lesha M. Smith (West Monroe, LA) – Failure to Appear on Violation of a Protective Order x2, Resisting an Officer
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 the content.
SHERIFF’S SALE
PARISH OF JACKSON STATE OF LOUISIANA
BOKF, N.A. VS 37927 CHRISTOPHER LEE RICE
By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the Jackson Parish Sheriff Office, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 7th day of JANUARY, 2026. Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:
BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF THE SE 1/4 OF NW 1/4, SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST AND THE WEST LINE OF THE U.S. HIGHWAY 167 AND RUN SOUTH 40 DEGREES 45′ WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID HIGHWAY FOR A DISTANCE OF 80 FEET FOR A STARTING POINT. FROM STARTING POINT RUN SOUTH 39 DEGREES 00′ WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF U.S. HIGHWAY 167 FOR A DISTANCE OF 210 FEET, THENCE NORTH 51 DEG 00′ WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 210 FEET, THENCE NORTH 39 DEG 00′ EAST PARALLEL TO THE WEST LINE OF SAID HIGHWAY FOR A DISTANCE OF 210 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 51 DEG 00′ EAST TO STARTING POINT, A DISTANCE OF 210 FEET. ALL IN THE SE 1/4 OF NW 1/4, SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST, CONTAINING 1.0 ACRE. LESS AND EXCEPT A 0.171 ACRE TRACT TRANSFERRED BY DEED FILED IN CONVEYANCE BOOK 333, AT PAGE 213 OF THE RECORDS OF JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING. A 0.131 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESIGNATED TRACT “2”, ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY FOR MR. TROY JOHNSTON DATED JULY 15, 2008, BY W. G. KIRKLAND, P,L.S., SITUATED IN THE SE 1/4 OF NW 1/4 SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST, LAND DISTRICT NORTH OF RED RIVER, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA AND BEING MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT:
COMMENCE AT A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET) ON THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT #023-06-0050 (U,S. HIGHWAY NO. 167) SAID IRON ROD BEING 2880.69 FEET NORTH AND 2395.87 FEET EAST OF A 2″ IRON SHAFT MARKING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST,
THENCE LEAYING SAID WEST LINE PROCEED NORTH 57 DEG 49 MINUTES 54 SECONDS WEST 233.08 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET); THENCE PROCEED NORTH 30 DEG 48 MINUTES 14 SECONDS EAST 126.32 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET); THENCE PROCEED NORTH 53 DEGREES 26 MINUTES 31 SECONDS EAST 158.09 FEET TO A 3/4″ REBAR (FOUND) MARKING THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY FOR THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE 0.131′ ACRE TRACT OF LAND HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED; THENCE PROCEED SOUTH 80 DEGREES 55 MINUTES 01 SECONDS EAST 89,70 FEET TO A 3/4″‘1RON ROD (SET); THENCE PROCEED SOUTH 53 DEGREES 05 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST 97.47 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET) ON THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT #023-06-0050 (U.S. HIGHWAY NO.167); THENCE PROCEED ALONG THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT #023-06-0050 (U.S. HIGHWAY NO. 167) SOUTH 36 DEG 31 MINUTES 08 SECONDS WEST 41.86 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (FOUND) MARKING THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY; THENCE PROCEED NORTH 53 DEG 05 MINUTES 52 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY, 177.08 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING CONTAINING 0.131 ACRES AND BEING SUBJECT TO ALL SERVITUDES OF RECORD OR OF USE. ALL AS PER PLAT OF SURVEY DATED JULY 15, 2008 BY WALTER GLEN KIRKLAND, PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR, LOUISIANA REGISTRY NO. 4759.
A 0.428 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, DESIGNATED TRACT “1” ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY FOR MR. TROY JOHNSTON DATED JULY 15, 2008, BY W.G. KIRKLAND, P.L.S., SITUATED IN THE SE 1/4 OF NW 1/4, SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST, LAND DISTRICT NORTH OF RED RIVER, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA AND BEING MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT:
BEGIN AT A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET) ON THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT #023-06-0050 (U.S. HIGHWAY NO. 167) SAID IRON ROD BEING 2880.69 FEET NORTH AND 2395.87 FEET EAST OF A 2″ IRON SHAFT MARKING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 3 WEST, THENCE LEAVING SAID WEST LINE PROCEED NORTH 57 DEGREES 49 MINUTES 54 SECONDS WEST 233.08 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET); THENCE PROCEED NORTH 30 DEGREES 48 MINUTES 14 SECONDS EAST 126.32 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (SET) ; THENCE PROCEED NORTH 53 DEGREES 26 MINUTES 31 SECONDS EAST 158.09 FEET TO A 3/4″ REBAR (FOUND) MARKING THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY; THENCE PROCEED SOUTH 37 DEG 31 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY 210.00 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (FOUND); THENCE PROCEED SOUTH 53 DEG 05 MINUTES 51 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SHANNA LYNN STROZIER PROPERTY 180.77 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON ROD (FOUND) ON THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT (#023-06-0050 (U.S. HIGHWAY NO. 167); THENCE PROCEED ALONG THE WEST LINE OF STATE PROJECT #023-06-0050 (U.S. HIGHWAY NO.167) SOUTH 36 DEG 31 MINUTES 08 SECONDS WEST 2.50 FEET TO A RIGHT OF WAY MONUMENT
(FOUND) AND SOUTH 10 DEG 52 MINUTES 17 SECONDS WEST 50.56 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING CONTAINING 0.428 ACRES AND BEING SUBJECT TO ALL SERVITUDES OF RECORD OR OF USE. ALL AS PER PLAT OF SURVEY DATED JULY 15, 2008 BY WALTER GLEN KIRKLAND, PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR, LOUISIANA REGISTRY NO. 4759.
Seized as the property of the above named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all costs, sale to be made for cash WITH the benefit of appraisal.
BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO AUCTIONEER
SHERIFF’S SALE
PARISH OF JACKSON STATE OF LOUISIANA
FIRST HORIZON BANK vs 37730 DARRY LAMAR NELSON AND JUDITH ANN HUMBYRD NELSON
By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the Jackson Parish Sheriff Office, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 14th day of JANUARY, 2026 Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:
ALL THAT PART OF THE NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 16 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, LAND DISTRICT NORTH OF RED RIVER, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, LYING SOUTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF LOUISIANA HIGHWAY 146, CONTAINING 1.3 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING AND COMPONENT PARTS. AND A TRACT OF LAND IN THE SOUTH 1/2 OF THE SW 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 16 NORTH, RANGE 1 WEST, LAND DISTRICT NORTH OF RED RIVER, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO-WIT: COMMENCING AT AN ANGLE IRON FOUND MARKING THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 30, THENCE ALONG THE SOUTH LINE THEREOF NORTH 89 DEGREES 51 43″ WEST 2635.82 FEET TO THE UN-MONUMENTED SOUTH QUARTER CORNER; THENCE ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID SOUTH 1/2 OF SW 1/4 OF SE 1/4, NORTH O DEGREES 17 ’30” WEST 658.48 FEET TO THE UN-MONUMENTED NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE THEREOF, SOUTH 89 DEGREES 54′ 07” EAST 467.28 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE GLADYS NELSON ESTATE 2 ACRE TRACT; THENCE CONTINUE ON THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE, AND ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID 2 ACRE TRACT, 295.68 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON PIPE SET MARKING THE NORTHEAST CORNER THEREOF, AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SOUTH 1/2 OF SW 1/4 OF SE 1/4, SOUTH 89 DEGREES 54′ 07” EAST 208.71 FEET TO A 3/4″ IRON PIPE SET; THENCE DUE SOUTH 208.71 FEET TO A 3/4′ IRON PIPE SET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 54′ 07” WEST 208,71 FEET; THENCE DUE NORTH 208.71 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 1.00 ACRES OF LAND, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING AND COMPONENT PARTS, SITUATED IN JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA; SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS, SERVITUDES, RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND OUTSTANDING MINERAL RIGHTS OF RECORD AFFECTING THE PROPERTY.
Seized as the property of the above-named defendants and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all costs, sale to be made for cash, WITH the benefit of appraisal.
BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
SHERIFF’S SALE
Parish of Jackson State of Louisiana
GUARANTY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF DELHI vs 37958 ADMC PROPERTIES, LLC
By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 21st day of JANUARY 2026. Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property, to wit:
LOT ONE (1) OF BLOCK “B” OF THE J.D. JEFFRESS ADDITION NO. TWO (2) TO THE TOWN OF JONESBORO AS PER PLAT OF RECORD IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING.
Seized as the property of the above-named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all costs, sale to be made for cash, WITH the benefit of appraisal.
BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
SHERIFF’S SALE
Parish of Jackson State Of Louisiana
GUARANTY BANK & TRUST COMPANY OF DELHI vs 37878 AM PROPERTIES & INVESTMENTS, LLC
By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 21ST day of JANUARY, 2026. Between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:
THOSE CERTAIN PIECES, PARCELS OF TRACTS OF LAND, TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS SITUATED THEREUPON, ALL APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING AND COMPONENT PARTS SITUATED AND LOCATED IN THE NE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, BEARING THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS OF: 869 FIREWOOD ROAD, JONESBORO, LOUISIANA 71251, AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOT 22 OF THE SOUTH HIGHLAND SUBDIVISION TO THE TOWN OF JONESBORO, AS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON THAT SURVEY SHOWING SOUTH HIGHLAND SUBDIVISION, PREPARED BY U.S. ROANE, C.E., DATED OCTOBER 26, 1956, RECORDED AT CONVEYANCE BOOK 90, PAGE 428, ACQUIRED AND FILED ON JULY 29, 1970, IN COB 136, PAGE 202, RECORDS OF JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA. ALSO: BEGINNING AT THE SW CORNER OF THE NE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4, SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 4 WEST, AND RUNNING DUE EAST 243 FEET TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD RUNNING NORTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST THROUGH SAID FORTY, THENCE RUN N13 DEGREES 45' EA DISTANCE OF 350 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING THENCE RUN DUE EAST 150 FEET; THENCE RUN IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION PARALLEL WITH THE ABOVE ROAD 100 FEET; THENCE RUN DUE WEST 150 FEET OR A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT TO INTERSECT THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE ABOVE ROAD; THENCE RUN IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION ALONG AND WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY OF SAID ROAD A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT TO INTERSECT THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO: LOT NUMBER SIX (6) OF BLOCK ONE (1) OF THE J.D. JEFFRESS ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF JONESBORO, LOUISIANA.
Seized as the property of the above-named defendants and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all costs, sale to be made for cash, WITH the benefit of appraisal.
BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER
PUBLIC NOTICE
Village of Chatham Regular Call Meeting Minutes December 09, 2025
The Village of Chatham held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 09, 2025, at 6:00 pm.
The meeting was called to order and roll call was taken and the following were present: Mayor Gregory Harris, council members Bernadine James and Sue Proffer and Toni Malone
Motion to approve minutes from regular meeting held on November 11, 2025, and Special Call Meeting November 19, 2025, was made by Bernadine James and seconded by Toni Malone and approved by all.
Motion to pay monthly bills was made by Bernadine James and seconded by Toni Malone and approved by all.
Motion To amend Collection Policy and Procedure to include no cut offs are done on Fridays and no cutoffs for owing twenty dollars or less on past due amount was made by Bernadine James and seconded by Toni Malone and approved by all.
Motion to amend personal policy holiday schedule to adopt the state holiday schedule was made by Toni Malone and seconded by Bernadine James and approved by all.
Motion to accept financial statements was made by Toni Malone, seconded by Bernadine James and approved by all.
Motion to adjourn was made by Sue Proffer and seconded by Toni Malone and approved by all.
ITEMS FOR SALE
LeBlanc Cypress Works – A stand-alone cooler box with a hinged top, complete with logo and/or exterior picture add-on capability, along with an outdoor chair and end table, is featured this month at LeBlanc Cypress Works. Other custom-made cypress or oak items, including benches, swings, gates, and fences, are available as well. Cost depends on the type of material used. For an estimate or to place an order, call Don LeBlanc at (318)-475-1161.
Cooler Box
Outdoor Chair
End Table
ITEM FOR SALE
History of JHHS Football – Looking for that special Christmas gift to give a former Jonesboro-Hodge High School football player? Present him with a copy of the “History of JHHS Football”. This comprehensive review of the first 100 years of Tiger football (1919-2019) features a separate chapter for each year that includes a season summary, game recaps, names of players, and highlights of that year. Included are JHHS team and individual records, a coach’s summary, and a large number of historical pictures. The cost of a book is $25.00, which includes shipping and handling. To place an order, send a text to (318) 480-1206 or email the Jackson Parish Journal at jpjjacksonla@gmail.com
Vickie Yates was born on March 27, 1971, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and passed away surrounded by her loving family on December 13, 2025.
Vickie was a devoted member of Ebenezer Church in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She faithfully served her community for 28 years as a Librarian at the Jackson Parish Library in Jonesboro, where she touched many lives through her kindness and dedication.
She was preceded in death by her father, Billy Walker; her mother, Rose Polk; and her oldest daughter, Billie Walker.
Vickie is survived by her loving husband, Jeffrey Yates; her children, Alisha Dison, Brianna Lamkin, Dylan McMillan, and wife, April; her brothers, Bobby and Billy; and her cherished grandchildren: Landon, Paige, Taylor, Kingston, Ruger, Sophie, Makinley, Sunnie, and Destiney. She is also survived by many other beloved family members and dear friends.
Following visitation on Monday, December 15, 2025, funeral services were held at Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA on December 16, 2025 with Rev. James Lovell officiating. Burial followed at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Hodge, Louisiana.
“Everything happens for a reason. That reason causes change. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it’s hard. But in the end, it’s all for the best. Never stop trusting in God and believing in His plan.”
The National Weather Service in Shreveport, LA, indicates that frigid temperatures are expected to descend on Jackson Parish during the nighttime hours of Sunday, December 13th, and Monday, December 14th.
According to the forecast, Sunday and Monday night are expected to be mostly clear with temperatures dipping into the lower 20s. The temperature is expected to rise into the mid-40s for Tuesday night.
Residents are advised to stay warm by dressing in layers, and covering extremities (head, hands, feet. Also, as a precaution, it is recommended to insulate exterior pipes, cover spigots, and limit outdoor time.
Personal Safety
Dress in Layers: Wear loose, lightweight layers, a waterproof outer coat, warm socks, a hat (losing heat from your head), scarf, and waterproof mittens (warmer than gloves). Protect Exposed Skin: Cover your mouth and nose to protect lungs from extreme cold; even 20°F can cause frostbite in an hour with exposure, especially with wind or moisture. Stay Dry: Change wet clothes immediately as dampness increases heat loss. Limit Outdoor Time: Reduce outdoor activity, especially strenuous tasks, and take frequent breaks indoors. Stay Hydrated & Eat Well: Drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol) and eat hearty meals for energy.
Home & Property
Protect Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes, leave cabinet doors open near plumbing to allow warm air in, and let faucets drip slightly to prevent freezing. Cover Spigots: Cover outside faucets to protect them from freezing. Check on Others: Check on elderly neighbors, family, and pets, and ensure they have adequate heat and supplies.
Vehicles & Pets
Cars: Never leave children or pets in a closed vehicle, as temperatures inside can rise or drop dangerously fast. Pets: Don’t leave pets outside for extended periods.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorists that the northbound US 167 traffic is being shifted to allow construction of the two northbound lanes and center turn lane at the intersection of LA 147 and US 167.
This traffic shift will last until Monday, December 15th at 6:00 am. Southbound US 167 traffic will also be reduced to one lane during this time period, and the LA 147 intersection will also remain open.
Beginning Friday, December 19th at 6:00 pm, LA 147 will be closed at its intersection with US 167 and detoured to LA 155 (Detour will be signed). US 167 will remain open, but the two southbound lanes will be closed, and southbound traffic will be shifted to the center turn lane beginning at 6:00 pm on December 19th to 6:00 am December 22nd, weather permitting.
The lane closures are part of the continuing project SP H.016050.6 that began at the intersection of Hunt St. in Hodge, LA, involving milling of the asphalt roadway, and placement of an ultra-thin concrete whitetopping surfacing, and related work.
Safety Reminder: DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active work zone. Call 511 or visit www.511la.org for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-800-ROAD-511 (1-800-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Office of the Jackson Parish Clerk of Court announces that the names of those subject to serve on the January 7, 2026, Grand Jury have been drawn. Individuals listed should have received an official summons from the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office in the mail.
Grand Jury selection only takes about 45 minutes and DOES NOT get cancelled. This is NOT a Petit Jury which sits for a trial. If you have already been excused by the Judge, you DO NOT have to appear or follow up.
Names of Potential Grand Jury Members
ADKINS, DESTINY PAIGE ALDY, PAUL WOODROW ANDERSON, KAYLA PAULINE ASHCRAFT, GARLAND ALEXANDER BANDY, JUSTIN TYLER BARKER, SHELIA ROWE BARNES, CARDELL ONEAL BELL, SCOTT ARTHUR BLAKE, PATRICIA LACAS BOONE, LORI COLEMAN BOWDEN, ERIN DANIELLE BROWDER, CARLETTE JACOBS BROWN, CHARLENE J BROWN, DOROTHY MARIE BROWN, GARY DAVID BROWN, REBECCA HALE BURNS, COURTNEY BURTON, TIMOTHY DUSTIN BUSSEY, LATOYSIA LATRICE CALLOWAY, JASMINE CARTER, DANIELLE MARTINA CASKEY, JANET BROWN CHATHAM, BRENDA WOODS CHATMAN, DERRIC TYRONE CLIMER, MARGARET LURETTA COFFMAN, NELDA JAN W COLDIRON, ISAAC BRADLEY COLEMAN, APRIL DANIELLE COLEMAN, MARILYN DALE CORLEY, TAMMY JO CUMPTON, AMANDA COOPER CURRY, ROGER DALE DARK, KEVIN L DAVIS, JOHNNY LEE DAVIS, TERRY W DICKS, MARILYN S DIFFY, SARAH AMANDA DILL, CHARDAE RENA DISON, PAIGE LEEDY DOBBINS, ALONZO F DOYLE JR, LEAMON DUCK, CAITLIN ELLIOTT DUNHAM, JEFFERY RYAN EASON, PATSY PERSONS FABER, THOMAS PAUL FAULKNER, MONTE DEAN FENDLEY, FAITH ANN FENN, TAWNYA LEIGH FISCHER, CHARLES WAYNE FORD, MARGARET O FREDRICKS, JUDITH WATERS FUTRELL, MADELYN ANNE GARRETT, SUZETTE ANISSA JONES GARRETT, THOMAS BRYAN GRAY, TOMMY RANDALL GREER, KRISTI HARPER GRIMSLEY, WENDY DENISE GRIMSLEY, WINDY M GULLEY, ROBERT WAYNE HAILE, NACIEA KASHEAY HAMMONS, DONNA BENNETT HARDWICK, MISTY A HARDY, TIA’ NIKOLE HARRIS, SHANETRA MONIQUE HAYES, SHIRLEY BALLARD HENDERSON, ANGELA DENISE HINTON, ARCHIE KEMP HODGES, MINNIE OSBORNE HOFFPAUIR, MICKEY PAUL HOLDEN, DIANE DOROTHY ROBINSON HUMBLE, LARRY JACOB INGLES, MICHAEL DAVID JACKSON, IREE POCHE JACKSON, KATANA DEJANEE JAMES, JAYDA LEAANN JOHNS, TYLER RAY KEES, MARILYN K KINDLE, YOKO YOLANDA KIRKHAM, LORANE KNEIPP, KAY I LAWSON, TERRANCE DAVID LEONARD, CHEVONDA W LEONARD, NATHANIEL ANTONIO LOWREY II, BRANDON LEE MADERE, DEBORAH ROBINSON MAGEE, KIMBERLY RENATA MAHAFFEY, STAN HUNT MARTIN, JOHN LAMAR MASTERS, JOHN DURWOOD MATHEWS, CATHY HARPER MCCARTNEY, DONNA W MCGUIRE, TATEREA S MCMANUS, KANDIE AUTTONBERRY MCQUINN, CHANTAY LANAE BAILEY MERIDETH, RICKY DALE MILLER, ANGELA DAWN MIXON, JAMES MCARTHUR MOFFITT, DANIEL DEWAYNE MOORE, JUDY P MORGAN, ELIZABETH STUCKEY MOSS, DANIELLE LYNETTE MURPHREY, LANDON MICHAEL MURPHY, BONNIE F MURRAY, BRIAN EDWARD MYERS, BRIAN AUSTIN NORMAN, AIMEE DORENE NORMAN, JULIA E ODENBAUGH, TERRI S OLIVER, VONDA LYNN OTWELL, SANDRA MARIE PAGGETT, WILFRED KEITH PEAIR, ARIEL CHANELLE PEEL, ZADIE HENDERSON RICE, ALICE WILLENE M RICH, EDWARD LYNN ROPER, MARK ALLEN SALSBERRY, BARBARA KEY’EDRA SAVAGE, VERLON SCOTT SHOWS, SAMANTHA ENNIS SHRYOCK, JOHN HALLECK SMITH, DENISE ANN SMITH, GINA BRYMER SMITH, LESLIE LUCIEN SMITH, MARY A BOLDS SMITH, MICHAEL K STEVENS, BYRON OSCAR STEVENSON, LISA JO STEVENSON, SAWYER SCOTT STOKES, MORGAN ANN TATUM, LANTIS RAY TATUM, LOUISE JONES TERRAL, NELLIE JEAN THOMAS, KARI JOHNSON TIBBIT, SHIRLEY HAMMONS TOWNLEY, BONNIE C TRAINA, KIM DESLATTES TREADWAY, TRACY TRAINA TUBBS, KAREN HOLLIS TURNBOW, TIFFANY ALMA TURNER, MARSHA K VALENTINE, CYNTHIA DIANNE VENZANT, MARY HELEN WALDROP, JASON T WALKER, ASHLEY DENISE WARREN, CANDICE KIMBELL WASHINGTON, EDDIE LEEVANCE WELLS, ROBBIE JACOB WILLIAMS, KOLBY BRANDON WILLIS, THERESA KIRBY WOMACK, CHRISTOPHER RICHARD
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE ABOVE IS A TRUE AND CORRECT LIST OF GRAND JURORS SELECTED BY DRAWING INDISCRIMINATELY BY LOT WITH NO DISTINCTION, NEITHER INCLUSION THEREIN OR EXCLUSION THEREFROM MADE ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, COLOR OR PREVIOUS SERVITUDE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH LA. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE 416. THE JURY COMMISSION OF JACKSON PARISH DREW THIS LIST FROM THE GENERAL VENIRE OF JACKSON PARISH, LA. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025, TO SERVE AS GRAND JURORS ON THE ABOVE DATE OR FOR AS LONG AS MAY BE NECESSARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF THE OFFICE OF CLERK OF COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, THIS DECEMBER 9, 2025.
LAURA H. CULPEPPER, CLERK OF COURT, JACKSON PARISH, JONESBORO, LA
The Quitman Wolverines won both games played in the Neil Kilgore Invitational hosted by Cedar Creek in Ruston, LA. The Wolverines opened play on Friday by setting a new season high in points scored to take down the host school 87 -51 as by Taden Thomas and Brayden Martin both scored 21 points. Brayden Smith chipped in with 18. Abel Leach added 8, Shane Reed 7, and both Jack Thomas and Kaleb Maxwell ended with six points each. On Saturday, the Wolverines won their 7th in a row to improve to 11-4 on the year by beating New Living Word 71-49. Taden Thomas led the Wolverines in scoring with 24 points followed by Brayden Smith with 15 points. Shane Reed scored 14 and Brayden Martin added 12 as QHS had four players reach double digits. Abel Leach finished with five points and Jack Thomas made a free throw to round out the scoring.
Lady Wolverines Drop Pair
The weekend wasn’t as fruitful for the Quitman girls who dropped both of their contest in the tournament to fall to 10-6 on the season. The Lady Wolverines opened play with a hard matchup against Class 5A Haughton who scored the most points against QHS this year in the 71-46 loss. Anna Claire Leach and Allie Robertson did most of the damage for Quitman with16 and 11 points, respectively. Emma Walker finished with four points, Hallie Kate Pullig added 3 and both Taylor Borland and Sophia Kliebert ended with two points each.
The Saturday night contest was much closer but QHS came out on the short end of the stick once again as host Cedar Creek made the final four points of the game to break a tie and win 27-23. Unable to find the range, Quitman was trailing 21-13 at the end of three but 8 points by Anna Claire Leach, including a pair of three pointers helped QHS forge a 23-23 tie late. Leach led QHS with 12 points followed by 6 from Taylor Borland. Allie Robertson made a three pointer and Emma Walker added a basket.
Lady Tigers Win Second of the Season
Jonesboro-Hodge won their second game of the season in the opening game of the Lakeview Tournament when they scored a season-best 67 points to beat St. Mary’s of Natchitoches. Samone Mallard scored a career best 28 points to lead to the victory while Jaylena Jackson chipped in with 19 points. Neesha Johnson and Sanaa Tatum added 10 points each as well. The Lady Tigers dropped their next game against Logansport by a 59-31 margin with Mallard once again leading JHHS in scoring with 20 points with Jackson adding 10 and Khorii Lard sinking a free throw. J-H ended the tourney by falling 55-19 to Pleasant Hill.
JHHS boys still searching for first win
Jonesboro-Hodge lost both of the games played in the Lakeview Tourney, falling to Logansport 69-49 to open play before giving up the most points this season to date against host Lakeview in an 83-27 defeat. King Campbell led JHHS in scoring against Logansport with 15 points, followed by 10 points from Raylon Bradford. Dylan Hayes and Michael Malone finished with 7 points eac,h and Tyson Burks scored 6. JaQuan Qualls scored a season-best 12 points to lead the Tigers against Lakeview, with Bradford scoring five, Hayes four, and Darion Gray hitting a three-pointer. Jayce Wright also sank a free throw to round out the scoring.
Weston Girls Sink Stanley
Teegan Hall posted her third “double-double” of the year and both Carlynn Waters and Kate Keiffer chipped in with 10 points each as Weston outscored homestanding Stanley 16-6 in the final period to win 52-42. Carly Jo Griffin and Ada Claire Tidwell scored 8 and 7 each, while Gracie Gray added three points as WHS improved to 9-4 on the season
Weston boys drop sixth straight
Homestanding Stanley forced 28 turnovers while making only 9, and limited the Wolves to their lowest scoring output of the year in the 66-29 loss that stretched the current losing streak to six straight and dropped WHS to 4-10 on the year. Ty Henderson and Abram Toms led WHS in scoring with 8 points each, while Malachi Harris added five. Cole Otwell and Colton Otwell scored three each and Brody Tidwell tallied two to round out the scoring.
Tuesday Tilts
Jonesboro-Hodge will travel to future district foe Montgomery while Quitman hosts St. Mary’s of Natchitoches and Weston welcomes Downsville Charter. All games are scheduled to begin with the girls games tipping off at 6:00 pm.
The Village of Chatham held its regularly scheduled Councilmember meeting on Tuesday, December 9th, with Mayor Gregory Harris and council members Bernadine James, Sue Proffer, and Toni Malone present.
The session began with the council trio approving the minutes from the regularly scheduled and special-called November meetings, along with agreement to pay the monthly bills.
Next, the Collection Policy and Procedure was amended to include that no utility cut-offs are done on Fridays, and no cut-offs for owing twenty dollars or less on past due amounts would be made.
The personal policy holiday schedule was then amended to adopt the state holiday schedule, leading to the acceptance of financial statements, which was the final action of the group.
On December 11th, the junior high school building at Quitman High School was evacuated in response to a jar of formaldehyde being dropped and broken in the science lab.
The area was immediately ventilated and secured with no injuries or breathing problems reported by the Quitman Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technicians who quickly responded.
Quitman High School Principal Chris Cavin issued the following statement.
“Parents, at approximately 10:40 am, a jar of formaldehyde was accidentally dropped and broken in the junior high science lab. Out of an abundance of caution, we evacuated the junior high building while the area was ventilated and secured. The fire department and EMTs responded immediately. All students who were in the area and may have been exposed were evaluated by EMTs, and no serious concerns were found. Students have returned to their normal schedule, and the affected area will remain closed until it is fully cleared for use. If you have any questions or notice anything concerning your child, please feel free to contact the school. Thank you for your understanding and support.”
Whether it was playing small school football at Jonesboro-Hodge or in the highest classification in Texas, Xavier Atkins proved that he was one of the best prep football linebackers in the entire nation.
Gifted with uncanny field vision, superb closing speed, and an uncommon tenacity, Atkins has now shown that he is one of the best defensive players in collegiate competition as well.
This was verified recently when the 6′ 0″, 210-pound sophomore at Auburn University ended his tremendous breakout season by reaping several prestigious awards after compiling 84 tackles, 60 solo tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception and leading the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in several statistical areas.
By virtue, Atkins has been named to the Walter Camp All-American Second Team, First Team All-SEC and was recognized as the SEC Lineman of the Year by the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club.
Congratulations “Deebo”! Here’s to your continued success in the future.
First Team All-SEC
Best Lineman in the SEC Award by the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club
The Town of Jonesboro is proud to announce that FREE Financial Literacy Classes will be offered beginning this Tuesday, December 16th, for an opportunity for every family to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to build a stronger financial future.
“This 6–8 week cohort will empower our community with practical tools, smarter money decisions, and long-term planning skills,” said Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris.
The class, which is open to all and has light refreshments provided, will begin each Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Conference Room of City Hall, located at 128 Allen Avenue in Jonesboro, or you can view online at jonesborola.net.
(l-r) K9 Niko, Deputy Alex Blundell, Sheriff Brent Barnett, Deputy James Conn, K9 Sting
Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alex Blundell with K9 Niko and Deputy James Conn with K9 Sting recently completed a multi-week Advanced K9 Handler Course through Thorn K9.
The course was comprehensive, mixing classroom instruction with daily hands-on training. The handlers learned, practiced, and applied their skills as they progressed alongside their partners.
Throughout the program, both teams trained in the major areas expected of a working K9 unit, including detection, obedience, tracking, building searches, apprehension, and patrol scenarios.
Deputies Conn and Blundell established the fundamentals of managing their dogs effectively, maintaining their safety in various environments, and recognizing the behavioral cues that guide a K9’s work during searches.
Detection work took place in multiple settings, obedience focused on clear communication and control, and tracking exercises progressed in stages as the teams advanced. Patrol components were practiced in controlled environments where the dogs worked recalls, apprehension, outs, and decoy encounters to build confidence and discipline. Classroom instruction supported the fieldwork, covering topics such as documentation, case law, training-aid handling, and courtroom preparation.
“Their completion of this course strengthens the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office by expanding our ability to support patrol operations, locate evidence, conduct searches, track individuals, and assist surrounding agencies when needed. Each handler and K9 team adds depth to the resources and capabilities available to our parish, building a stronger and more effective unit for our community. Please join us in congratulating Deputy Alex Blundell and K9 Niko, along with Deputy James Conn and K9 Sting, as they serve both the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of our parish.” – Sheriff Brent Barnett
It is the goal of every basketball player to score in a game. For some, it is expected every time they step onto the floor. For others, like Abegunda Odiduro of Saline High School, it is more of a dream.
You see, Odiduro suffers from autism. While the “spectrum disorder” as it is classified, affects people in many different ways, one thing is common, and that is that it makes it nearly impossible for someone who suffers from autism to participate in athletic endeavors, especially those involving team play.
In recognition of Autism Awareness Week, the administration and coaching staff at Saline High School decided to honor Odiduro by letting him realize his dream of suiting up for his beloved Bobcats.
“Abegunda is really a great kid who works hard,” said SHS head coach Klint Robinson. “When we learned that it was going to be Autism Awareness Week, we wanted to recognize him.”
After getting approval from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) and coordinating the plans with Choudrant High School head coach Ryan Smith, the Autism Awareness Game was set.
On December 8th, Odiduro saw his dream come true. Multiple times. This was made possible when it was decided that, before the Saline vs Choudrant boys’ game, a special two-minute time period would be played before the actual contest.
The special period began with Odiduro being announced as one of the Saline starters. The crowd went wild, showering him with a loud ovation that brought a grin from ear to ear. With Saline controlling the opening tip, the ball was immediately passed to Odiduro, who impressively dribbled up court, set his feet and sank his first shot ever taken in a basketball game, bringing the crowd to its feet in jubilant celebration.
Odiduro wasn’t through.
With players on both squads assisting to make sure he had as many opportunities as possible, Odiduro made four more baskets before the special time frame ended, leaving a lasting memory for the young man, his family, and all those in attendance.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who made this happen,” said Abegunda’s mom Sergy Odiduro. “From the administrators, staff members, to the coaches, medical staff, his awesome teammates, and the Choudrant team! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This was such a special night for him! He has been smiling ever since. Love you all!”
For the record, Saline won the actual contest 59-33. There were no losers on this night, though, with the biggest winner of all being Odiduro. Great applause goes to both the Saline and Choudrant administrations, coaches, and players who helped make this special night happen and help a dream come true.
To see a video of the entire special two-minute period, go to the Saline High School Facebook page.
Jonesboro-Hodge High School and the “Tropical Thunder Marching Band invite you to celebrate the season by coming to a special “Christmas in the J-H” band concert on Monday, December 15th. The event by the tremendous musical scholars under the guidance of Director Trey Porchay will take place at 6:30 pm in the JHHS Auditorium.
Asher Rhodes was hunting in Jackson Parish when he shot this giant 14-point buck.
(Reprint of LA Sportsman article written by Glynn Harris)
Youngster chooses bucks over ducks
Fifteen-year-old Asher Rhodes, a 10th-grade student at Quitman High School, had a choice to make. He was set on going duck hunting on the morning of Nov. 28. Fortunately for him, at his granddad’s prompting, he decided to forego duck hunting for a chance at a big buck that was showing up on cameras on the 80 acres his family leases in Jackson Parish.
“The buck had been showing up on our cameras a few weeks earlier, but all of the photos except one had been made at night,” Asher said. “With the rut going on, my papaw was pretty insistent that I could go duck hunting later and that I should go deer hunting because of the chance the big buck might show up.
“He also cautioned me that if I decided to go ahead and go duck hunting, he was going to sit on the stand and shoot the buck if it came out,” Asher said, laughing. “That was enough for me to decide to deer hunt instead of duck hunt.”
Monster buck caught by a field camera at night
Spotting his opening
Asher and his grandfather got on the deer stand, a two-man ladder stand, before daylight that morning. The stand was located at the edge of a clear cut with a few openings out front. At about 7:15, a doe came running through the brush.
“My papaw said I needed to get my gun up because it was likely she was running because a buck was chasing her,” Asher said. “Sure enough, the buck was hot on her trail.”
Asher learned his gun had malfunctioned on an earlier hunt so his granddad handed him his 7mm.08 to use instead.
“I got the gun up, and there was an opening about 90 yards ahead of the deer I put the scope on, thinking that even though the buck wasn’t stopping, I could have a chance at him when he hit that opening,” Asher said. “As soon as the buck entered the opening, I shot and he dropped on the spot. I don’t know who was more excited, me or papaw.”
Granddad and Grandson display a Grand Prize
Taking the buck to Simmons Sporting Goods in Bastrop to be measured and entered in that store’s Big Buck Contest, they found out the buck weighed 200 pounds, sported 14 points, and had an inside spread of 19 inches. Simmons scored the 4 ½-year-old buck at 167 inches, good enough to put Asher’s buck in first place at that time.
“I finally got to go duck hunting a few days later,” he said, “but it took me a while to settle down enough to want to go. The fact that my papaw had threatened to deer hunt that morning and shoot the buck himself if he had a chance was another incentive to hunt bucks instead of ducks that morning.”
The Student/Athletes of the Week for December 7-13 from Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman, and Weston High Schools have been selected. Sponsored by the Jackson Parish Hospital, the award recognizes an outstanding student/athlete from each school for their academic achievements and athletic accomplishments. Each award winner was chosen by select faculty and staff from the representative institutions.
Earning accolades this week are: Carlynn Waters – Sophomore on the Weston High School girls’ basketball team Sanaa Tatum – Junior on the Jonesboro-Hodge High School girls basketball team Brayden Smith – Senior on the Quitman High School boys basketball team
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 their outstanding athletic endeavors!
Each month, the administration of the Jackson Parish Hospital in Jonesboro honors an outstanding staff member who has best demonstrated the core beliefs of the health care facility with the “WOW” Award.
For the month of December the selection is Cassidy Hall, Critical Access Hospital Coding & Billing Specialist(CAH-CBS), Accounts Receivable Specialist in the Business Office.
“Cassidy shows up every day ready to go above and beyond. Her dedication and work ethic set the standard, and her positive energy (with a great sense of humor!) keeps everyone smiling. Thank you, Cassidy, for all that you do and for continuing to be passionate about our mission of providing the very best care to the communities we serve. You truly radiate WOW!” – JPH Administration
The factors that place victims of domestic violence at greatest risk for homicide during a relationship are the same as those that place a victim at greatest risk after separation, including: • The abusers’ access to firearms • Abuser’s threats of suicide and/or to kill the victim or harm the children • Abuser’s lack of protective factors (such as social support, steady employment, and a positive reputation in the community) • A recent separation • Physically forced sex • A history of strangulation • A history of stalking • The abuser’s abuse of alcohol and/or use of illegal drugs • Coercive control • Constant or violent jealousy • That a victim believes the abuser is capable of killing them
Contact your local domestic violence agency to assess risk and safety factors and to develop an individualized safety plan. If you do seek a protective order, you will want to have as much evidence as possible when you go into court.
Emergency, temporary, or permanent protective orders are not hard to obtain, but turning that temporary order into a longer-term order requires more evidence and usually the help of a lawyer and/or advocate. Your family court case (involving divorce or child custody) may be prejudiced if you seek a protective order and it is denied.
One domestic violence survivor cautions: “When you are awarded your protective order, never dismiss the order. You can get your protection order modified if you ever want to permit more contact, but if you dismiss the order, you may be unable to secure a second order later on.”
She further reminds victims that they can hide their address, protect their place of work, and list pets, friends, family members, and property as protected parties to the order at the time the order is entered.
Whether or not you think your abuser will respect a protection order, it’s important to take safety precautions very seriously around the time you leave. Contact your local domestic violence agency to help you make a safety plan. For more information, please contact DART at 318-395-8006.
Back in the 1960s, Christmas shopping was an event.
Families piled into cars, drove downtown, and pressed their noses against frosty department store windows. The glow wasn’t from a screen—it was from a color wheel shining on an aluminum Christmas tree, turning silver branches into psychedelic blue, red, and green.
And if you wanted to dream big?
You didn’t scroll Amazon—you flipped through the Penny’s or Sears catalog. Those glossy pages were the original “wish list generator.” Children circled toys with crayons, then wrote letters to Santa with the confidence that he had a bulk account at Sears. The catalog was basically Santa’s shopping cart.
Fast forward to today: shopping is done in pajamas, with coffee in hand, scrolling through endless digital aisles. No frosty windows, no jingling bells—just the glow of a screen and the occasional “Your package will arrive Tuesday.”
We’ve traded window shopping for browser tabs, and clerks in bow ties for chatbots that say, “How can I help you?” (though they never look nearly as cheerful).
And yet—amid all this cultural change—the church still gathers to sing the same carols. “Silent Night” hasn’t been updated to “Silent Wi Fi.” The story of the baby born in Bethlehem hasn’t been rebranded as “Bethlehem Prime.”
While the world has gone from aluminum trees to LED lights, from catalogs to clicks, the heart of Christmas remains unchanged: God’s gift of love, wrapped not in shiny paper but in swaddling clothes.
There’s something comforting about this contrast. In a season when everything else demands “new and improved,” the church offers something beautifully old and enduring. Nostalgia for the simple isn’t just a warm memory—it’s a reminder that the best gifts don’t need upgrades. They’re timeless.
So, whether you’re circling toys in a catalog, clicking “Buy Now,” or humming “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” may you find joy in the simple, the familiar, and the eternal story that still outshines every holiday sale.
