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The Early Bird sale ends March 31st at 11:59 pm!
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VIP ticket buyers will be entered into an exclusive VIP Giveaway to be announced! STAY TUNED!
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Jack McFarland, State Representative for Winn, Jackson and parts of Bienville and Natchitoches Parishes talks about his proposed legislation and attempts to relieve local Governments of their budget problems related to fixing our roads and bridges. Representative McFarland also talks about teacher pay raises and the $1.5 Billion surplus and how to be a good steward of that budgetary windfall.
The Jonesboro Branch of the Jackson Parish Library is pleased to announce that they will host a Book
Signing for local teen author Kaelin Palmer. The event will run from 9:00 – 11:45am on Saturday,
December 17 th .
Palmer’s book, A Teenager’s Mindset, talks about everyday issues and life and how they can affect
others. The 17-year old from Jonesboro wrote many of these stories during down time in class and
decided to publish them and make available to people around the world. Copies will be available for
purchase at a cost of $12.00. Please come and support this budding author.
The selections of Student-Athlete of the Week for December 11-17 have been announced. The award,
which is sponsored by the Jackson Parish Hospital, recognizes a student-athlete from Jonesboro-Hodge,
Quitman, and Weston High School as chosen by select faculty and staff from each school. Each honoree
is chosen through best exemplifying what it means to be a true student-athlete through academic
achievement and athletic accomplishment. Congratulations to you all!
Student-Athlete of the Week (December 11-17)
Kaelin Palmer (12th Grade) – Varsity Girls Basketball player at Jonesboro-Hodge High School
Briley Peterson (10th Grade) – Varsity Girls Basketball player at Weston High School
Summer Grillette (12th Grade) – Varsity Girls Basketball player at Quitman High School
Weston High swept Dodson in a pair of games played on Monday. The Weston boys won their season best third straight by a 66-24 margin to improve to 6-9 on the year while the Lady Wolves ran their record to an area best 14-4 with a 73-50 victory, already the sixth time this season that WHS has scored 70 or more points in a season.
Weston 66 Dodson 24 (boys): The Wolves raced to a 22-11 first quarter lead and then clamped down hard by allowing just 13 points the rest of the way as ten players scored led by 18 from Bryce Zehr. Senior, Daniel Watlington also had a big night with a career best 12, all in the second half and Braden Theriot added 11. Nathin Wages also set a new career high with 8 that included a pair of three pointers. Additional scorers were Mitchel Mathews and Jude Otwell with four, Garrett Nickerz had three and Ja’Michael Fourd, Juan Gonzalez and Daniel Williams all scoring two apiece.
Weston 73 Dodson 50 (girls:) The girls continued their up and down December slate by winning a third game in a row after a loss to keep Dodson winless at 0-8 on the year. Lainee Trosclair once again caught fire from deep, draining four three pointers in the first half to lead a balanced Weston attack with 20 points. Ansley Aldy also drained four “bombs” to finish with 14, the same amount of points that Jessica Newton tallied. Briley Peterson was the fourth to register “double digits” as she ended the night with 13. Emma Kate McBride scored four and Raelynn Shell, Livi Otwell, Jakayla Fourd and Tailan Bearden all made two points each.
Folks are getting excited as the way things are going it won’t be long before the newest addition to the
business district of Chatham will be in operation. The roof is nearly completed and the skin around the
building frame is in place on the Chatham Branch of Mitchell’s Pharmacy located at the corner of Oak
Street and Hwy 4, which once open will bring to Chatham the same fast and friendly service that people
in Jonesboro has enjoyed for many years.
“We are really looking forward to when this opens,” said Chatham Mayor Greg Harris. “I know I speak
for everyone in our community when I say how much we appreciate Mitchell’s for building a branch
here.”
Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary is pleased to announce that Jazzeria Ellis and LaJulia Blankenship have
been selected as Student and Teacher of the Year for 2022-23. Ms. Blankenship was also honored as
Jackson Parish School District Teacher of the Year.
J-HES Student of the Year
Jazzeria Ellis is the daughter of Shan Jackson and Jazz Ellis. Her favorite subject is math because she
enjoys working with numbers and Mr. Boston teaches fun and engaging strategies that make math
easier to learn! She currently serves as Miss Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary and plays on the Jonesboro-
Hodge 4th & 5th Grade Basketball Team. She is an active member of 4-H, the School Garden Club, and a
D.A.R.E. participant. Her extracurricular activities include Gymnastics and Basketball. She attends House
of Prayer in Shreveport under the leadership of Apostle Teresa Jackson, where she serves as Lead Praise
Dancer, Youth Finance Officer, and Head Youth Officer. Her community service projects include the 2022
United Way Ready 4 Service Project, 2022 Canned Food Drive, and House of Prayer-Feed the Hungry,
Nursing Home visits, and Elderly Care Baskets. She has future plans to attend the Grambling State
University to become a lawyer. She enjoys eating, sleeping, and spending time with her family in her
spare time and promises to represent J-HES in a positive and respectful manner.
J-HES Teacher of the Year
LaJulia Blankenship is humble and honored to have been chosen as this year’s Jackson Parish District
Teacher of the Year. Blankenship is a graduate of Grambling State University where she received her
degree in Elementary Education. She has worked in the parish as a paraprofessional for 7 years and
moved to Pine Belt Head Start where she worked for 13 years. This is Ms. Blankenship’s 3rd year at
Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary where she is proud to be part of a strong 1st-grade team. She is also a K-2
Content Leader and a certified CLASS observer.
Blankenship says “teaching is a gift from God that comes naturally to me. I credit my late mother, Mrs.
Linda Spence, for grooming me to become a successful teacher”.
The QHS Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) made it feel like Christmas come early for several select
students and a pair of teachers this past Monday. That was through the joy brought by the annual
Christmas giveaway where a student from each grade class was given gifts and Mrs. Michelle Davis and
Mrs. Cherie Odom were winners in the Teacher Christmas Games.
See below for the list of student giveaway winners.
Today is the unofficial First Day of Christmas since it’s 12 days until The Big Day, which means it’s fixing to be Christmas.
That we say “fixing to” instead of “about to” is one of the joys of being a Southerner. Who said it first, I don’t know, but bless his heart, and merry First Day of Christmas to you.
Some traditions hold that the First Day of Christmas is December 25, and the 12 days run into the New Year. Who wants to wait that long? Not me. We’re fixing to start celebrating now.
Speaking of things southern, we’ve been working on some carols, Southern-themed:
“I’m dreaming of a white cornbread,
In every skillet that’s in sight.
May the sides be crispy, to bite,
And may all your cornbreads be just right.”
Or, how about . . .
“Pork skins roasting on an open fire.
Chittlins’ nipping at your nose.
Waylon and Willy being sung by the fire,
While dad spends Christmas Eve at Lowe’s.”
Give me some time to work on it …
Thankfully, the most important songs were written at the dawn of time and wait as gifts for us to receive and to sing with sincerity, even as the angels sang, that long-ago Judean night, as Luke recorded:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill toward men.”
Peace and goodwill came to earth, to men, in the flesh and as a baby. Only God could have thought of something like that.
William Billings, regarded as America’s first choral composer, captured — at least as well as a human mind can — the mystery of the incarnation in his Shepherd’s Carol, composed in New England in the mid-1700s.
“Seek not in courts or palaces,
nor royal curtains draw.
But search the stable, see your God
extended on the straw.”
God, extended on the straw.
Extended, as a baby, a stretching newborn. Extended, from a heavenly throne to an earthly manger. Extended, to mankind and to man, to each of us, individually.
God extends his hand. Even to me. Even to you.
Christmas is always the opportunity to receive the best gift of all, a new birth in our old selves. And a new song the Psalmist told us about.
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God . . ..”
Now some 2,000 years after Christ’s birth, the message is the same. A 19th century minister named Phillips Brooks reminds us, each year at this time, that the Good News is everlasting. If we choose to be quiet, we might even hear the song, the new song, born in a manger.
“How silently, how silently
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still,
the dear Christ enters in.”
If no one’s wished you Merry Christmas yet, I’m “fixing to.” Let me be the first. Here’s hoping we can get in tune with the baby and ourselves and each other, and make this our best song yet.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
At this rate it won’t be long before coming to the Jonesboro Branch of the Jackson Parish Library will
mean educational entertainment inside and out. Just a few weeks ago the final contract papers on the
Library Park and Inclusive Playground were signed but if you drive by the park location behind the
Jonesboro Branch you will already see the retaining wall and earthwork nearly completed.
“We are very pleased with the speed that things are coming along at,” said Jackson Parish Library
Director Floyd Knox. “Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate and soon our patrons will get to
enjoy this creative addition.”
Every day is a new experience this week at Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School as the faculty, staff and
student body is enjoying Christmas Spirit Week
The festivities began on Monday when everyone was invited to wear their coziest Christmas or wackiest
socks or slipper to school. Tuesday was wear a plaid shirt day followed by ugliest sweater day on
Wednesday. On Thursday it will be time to wear a favorite Christmas headgear with Friday being
Christmas Pajamas day.
Students are reminded that all apparel must be school appropriate.
To have your job opportunities, business services, items, or any Legal/Public Notices, Advertisements for Bid, Requests for Proposals, and/or Quotes listed – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com
Stump Removal and Grinding: Call James Stewart at (318) 243-1009 or (318) 768-2554 for your stump removal and grinding needs. Free Estimates!
The Village of Quitman has an opening for the position of Part Time Clerk. Please bring Resume to Village of Quitman between 8-12 Tuesday-Thursday (Dec. 13-15). Pay will be discussed after Interviews are conducted and candidate is selected. Will take Resumes until December 15th a 11:00 am. The Village of Quitman is an equal opportunity employer!
Book – “100-year history of JHHS football” Comprehensive year-by-year description of the first 100 years (1919-2019) of JHHS football. Includes categorial individual and team top ten rankings. Perfect Christmas gift for that family member or friend who would enjoy remembering their “glory days”. The cost is $25.00 per book plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. To order call (318) 480-1206.
Commemorative Plates – Beautifully etched china plates commemorating Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Jackson Parish. To order contact Wilda Smith at (318) 426-6511 or Barbara Johnson at (318) 450-5561.
Monitoring Requirements Not Met For Spring Creek Subdivision Water System Spring Creek Water System (Magnolia Water UOC) did not fulfill the monitoring requirements over the past year. Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct the situation
What Happened?
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During the period of June 1 through September 30, 2022, we did not complete all required monitoring for lead and copper and, therefore, cannot be sure of the quality of our
drinking water during that time. Necessary action has been taken to prevent this violation from recurring.
What is being done?
Central States Water Resources Louisiana (CSWR-LA) purchased the facility in July 2022 and personnel are working to ensure monitoring requirements are met every year going forward.
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.
Magnolia Water UOC is committed to bringing our customers safe, reliable water services and will continue to work with the LDH to carry out this commitment.
For more information, please contact Magnolia Water at 1-855-643-8152.
This notice is being sent to you by Spring Creek Water system. PWS ID# LA1049028
Date distributed: December 11, 2022
The Jackson Parish Police Jury met in regular session on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 5:30 PM in the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, 182 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members Present: Mr. Todd Culpepper, Mr. Lewis Chatham, Ms. Amy Magee, Ms. Tarneshala Cowans, Ms. Regina Rowe, and Mr. Lynn Treadway. Absent: Mr. John McCarty. Also present, Mr. Brad Roller, Operations Manager; Mr. Jody Stuckey, Road Superintendent; Mr. Robin Sessions, Solid Waste Superintendent; Mr. Darrell Avery, Assistant D.A.; and Mr. Paul Riley, Parish Engineer.
The President, Mr. Treadway, called the meeting to order. Ms. Cowans gave the invocation and Mr. Chatham led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The President opened the floor for public comments. There were no public comments.
The President moved to the approval of minutes.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. Chatham to adopt the minutes of the October 18th Jury Meeting, monthly purchase orders, and the payment of all bills. Motion carried.
The President moved to Committee Reports.
Motion by Mr. Chatham, second by Ms. Cowans to adopt the following minutes from the October 19th Solid Waste Committee meeting. Motion carried.
Solid Waste Committee
October 19, 2022
The Solid Waste Committee met Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 12:00 PM in the Nathaniel Zeno, Jr. Meeting Room, Jackson Parish Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, Louisiana. Members Present: Ms. Amy Magee, Mr. John McCarty, and Mr. Lynn Treadway. Absent: None. Also present: Mr. Todd Culpepper, Mr. Brad Roller, Operations Manager and Mr. Robin Sessions, Solid Waste Superintendent.
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Mr. Lynn Treadway. Ms. Magee gave the invocation and Mr. McCarty led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Mr. McCarty, second by Ms. Magee to recommend to the Police Jury for the purchase of an excavator for the transfer station. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. McCarty to recommend to the Police Jury for the purchase of a new $380,000 compactor truck for year 2024 from ARP funds. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. McCarty to recommend to the Police Jury for the purchase of 32 new trash bins from ARP funds. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. McCarty to recommend to the Police Jury for the approval of overtime for the solid waste employees: 4 employees on November 12, 2022, a full crew on November 26, 2022, and a full crew on December 26, 2022. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. McCarty to adjourn. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Culpepper, second by Ms. Magee to approve the purchase of 32 trash bins from ARP Funds. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Chatham, second by Ms. Magee to approve the purchase of an Excavator for the Transfer Station. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Culpepper, second by Mr. Chatham to approve the setting aside $380,000 of ARP Funds for the purchase of an excavator for Year 2024. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Rowe, second by Mr. Culpepper to approve the holiday overtime of Solid Waste employees: 4 employees on November 12, 2022; a full crew on November 26, 2022; and a full crew on December 26, 2022. Motion carried.
The President called for monthly management reports.
Mr. Brad Roller, Operations Manager, gave the October 2022 Operations Manager Report.
Mr. Jody Stuckey, Road Superintendent, Mr. Jamie Holland presented the October 2022 Road report noting that $804.36 had been spent on emergency call-outs/off-schedule work.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. Culpepper to accept the October 2022 emergency call outs/off-schedule report. Motion carried.
Mr. Robin Sessions, Solid Waste Superintendent, presented the October 2022 Solid Waste report.
Mr. Emmett Gibbs, Secretary-Treasurer, gave the October Financial Report highlighting the budget vs. actual comparisons for all funds.
The President moved on to Other Business.
Mr. Paul Riley, Parish Engineer, gave an update on parish engineering projects.
Motion by Mr. Culpepper, second by Ms. Magee to approve the use of the Community Center for the Northwest Regional 4-H Quarterly Meeting on November 30, 2022. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. Culpepper to table the Revised Building Permit Application and Building Permit Checklist for the Projects Committee to review. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. Culpepper to accept the 2023 Materials bids. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Ms. Rowe to adopt a resolution to enter into agreements with the Riley Company and Frye Magee associated with administration and engineering services for the FY 2023 LCDBG Program. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Ms. Rowe to adopt the FY 2023 LCDBG Program Procurement Policy. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Ms. Rowe to adopt the FY 2023 LCDBG Program Procurement Policy Resolution. Motion carried.
PROCUREMENT POLICY RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Jackson Parish Police Jury has been afforded the opportunity to apply and participate in the State of Louisiana 2023 Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the Division of Administration; and,
WHEREAS, the STATE requires the establishment of uniform procedures in compliance with OMB Circular A-102;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Jackson Parish Police Jury, that the attached policy entitled “Procurement Procedures Relative to the LCDBG Program” is hereby adopted.
Passed, approved and adopted this __15th _ day of _November___, 2022.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Ms. Rowe to adopt the FY 2023 LCDBG Program Citizen Participation Plan. Motion carried.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Ms. Rowe to adopt the FY 2023 LCDBG Program Citizen Participation Plan Resolution. Motion carried.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Jackson Parish Police Jury has been afforded the opportunity to apply and participate in the State of Louisiana 2023 Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the Division of Administration; and,
WHEREAS, the STATE requires Grantees to establish procedures to ensure adequate citizen participation with the program;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Jackson Parish Police Jury , that the attached policy entitled “Citizen Participation Plan”, dated _November 15_, 2022 is hereby adopted.
Passed, approved and adopted by the Jackson Parish Police Jury, Parish of Jackson , State of Louisiana, on the __15th
__ day of __November__, 2022.
Mr. Emory Belton, Jr. of the Belton Law Firm gave a presentation of the Southern Spirit Electric Transmission Project.
Motion by Mr. Culpepper, second by Mr. Chatham to approve the 2023 Library Budget. Motion carried.
Motion by Mr. Chatham, second by Mr. Culpepper to approve the 2023 Recreation District Budget. Motion carried.
The Jury reviewed Parish Boards and Commissions Appointments.
Motion by Ms. Magee, second by Mr. Culpepper to re-appoint the following board members:
• Re-appoint Mr. James Fitzpatrick to the Museum Board for a 3-year term ending 12/31/2025.
• Re-appoint Mr. Allen Lindsay to the Ambulance Board for a 6-year term ending 12/31/2028.
• Re-appoint Ms. Barbara Johnson to the Museum Board for a 3-year term ending 12/31/2025.
• Re-appoint Mr. Gary Joynor to the Watershed Board for a 4-year term ending 12/31/2026.
• Re-appoint Ms. Wendy Hall to the Jonesboro Fire Board for a 2-year term ending 12/31/2024.
• Re-appoint Ms. Tammy Gunter to the Tourism Board for a 3-year term ending 12/31/2025.
The President opened the floor for announcements and notifications.
The President made the following announcements:
• The proposed 2023 Consolidated Budget of the Jackson Parish Police Jury is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. The proposed budget is scheduled for a Public Hearing and final adoption at the Regular Police Jury Meeting on December 20, 2022, at 5:15 PM at the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, Jonesboro, LA.
• A 2023 liquor application has been processed for Class A Retail Beer and Retail Liquor to The Lazy Gator.
• Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 5:30 p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, 182 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, Louisiana, the Police Jury of the Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana to authorize the continuation of an ad valorem tax therein.
The President opened the floor for Juror comments.
Motion by Ms. Rowe, second by Mr. Culpepper to adjourn. Motion carried.
In the mid-1960s, the space race, the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, Cold War rivals, was at its peak. At first, the Soviet Union was ahead. They sent up the first artificial satellite (Sputnik 1), sent the first human into space (Yuri Gagarin), and had the first human make a “spacewalk” (Alexei Leonov). America had to play catch up, but had several firsts as well. This is the true story about one of the American firsts in space.
Launching people into space has always been dangerous, and so it was with the Gemini 6 mission. Gemini 6, crewed by command pilot Walter Schirra and pilot Thomas Stafford, was scheduled for launch on October 25, 1965. One of their main objectives included four dockings with an unmanned space vehicle, the Agena Target Vehicle. On the morning of October 25, Schirra and Stafford boarded the Gemini 6 spacecraft and prepared for launch. During their preparations, NASA launched the unmanned target vehicle on a separate rocket. Six minutes into the unmanned craft’s flight, a catastrophic failure caused it to explode. As the target vehicle was needed for the mission, NASA cancelled the Gemini 6 launch.
NASA rescheduled the spaceflight for December 12, 1965, with an altered mission objective referred to as Gemini 6A, to rendezvous but not dock with Gemini 7, a spacecraft crewed by command pilot Frank Borman and piloted by James “Jim” Lovell. As they had done on the previous launch attempt, Schirra and Stafford boarded the spacecraft and prepared for launch. At 9:54 a.m., the main engines ignited and, after just a second and a half, shut down abruptly. Engineers determined the cause of the problem was a plastic dust cover mistakenly left inside the booster when it was assembled months earlier. Engineers removed the cover and, after reinspecting the spacecraft, deemed it safe to fly.
Three days later, on the morning of December 15, astronauts Schirra and Stafford boarded the rocket for another attempt. At 8:37, the spacecraft lifted off and rocketed into space in what engineers called a textbook launch. After four orbits, Gemini 6A propelled towards Gemini 7 for the planned rendezvous. The two spacecrafts carefully positioned themselves, and at one point, came within one foot of each other, and the astronauts conversed over their radios. This was the first rendezvous of two spacecrafts in space. After nearly four hours of remaining together in close proximity, Gemini 6A positioned itself 19 miles from Gemini 7 to ensure that there would be no accidental collisions while the astronauts slept.
On the following morning, December 16, 1965, as the crew of Gemini 6A prepared for reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, they radioed a distressing message to the Houston space center:
“…this is Gemini VI. We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, up in a polar orbit. He’s in a very low trajectory traveling from north to south and has a very high climbing ratio. It looks like it might even be a … Very low. Looks like he might be going to reenter soon. Stand by one … You might just let me try to pick up that thing.”
Then, over the radio, Gemini 7 and the Houston space center heard a metallic jingling sound along with some musical notes. They were relieved when they realized that Schirra was playing a harmonica and Stafford was shaking some bells, instruments that the stowage people at Cape Kennedy would have had to approve for the flight. This was another first in the space race as it was the first song ever played in space. The name of the song astronauts Schirra and Stafford played in space was “Jingle Bells.”
Sources:
1. The Buffalo News, December 16, 1965, p.1.
2. The Raleigh Register, December 16, 1965, p.15.
3. The Buffalo News, December 16, 1965, p.1.
4. “First Song Played in Space,” Guinness World Records, accessed December 8, 2022, guinnessworldrecords.com.
Whitney Blake Martin
January 02, 1991 – December 08, 2022
Funeral services for Whitney Blake Martin, age 30, were held at the Jonesboro Assembly of God on Monday, December 12th. Internment followed at the Carolina Cemetery in Saline, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Whitney was survived by her parents: Thadd and Janet Martin; grandparents: Helen Caver; Uncles: Troy (Angeline)Roberts, LeDean (Sheri)Roberts; Aunts: Carla Roberts, Faith Martin(Roger) Leithead, Fran Angell, Audrey Simpson.
Wanda Gale LeVasseur
June 9, 1945 – December 10, 2002
Wanda Gale LeVasseur Norred, 77, of Natchitoches, LA, she was born June 9, 1945 & sadly passed away December 10, 2022 at Forest Haven Nursing Home in Jonesboro, LA after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her parents S. C. & Mattie LeVasseur, Sylvian LeVasseur (brother), Mark Noble LeVasseur (brother). She is survived by her son Heath “Shorty” Norred and wife Michelle of Eros, LA and daughter Seantel Price and husband Kenny of Castor, LA. Grandchildren, Raeghan Norred, MaKaehan & Jake Ingles, Rheachel Ross, Rileigh & Sam Tullis, Krystal Kenney, Chris & Katie Mangham, Cody Price (Allison) great grandchildren Rowhyn, Colt, SJ, Nora, Stella, Skyler, Mattie, Jackson, Bella, Aiden, Christian, & Barrett. Sisters, Martha Fox, Linda Hilton, Mona Hoogeveen, and brother Tilden (Pat) LeVasseur, special sister Sue Saragossa and numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 12th at the Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Edna Nally Jaynes
March 7, 1947 – December 10, 2022
Funeral services were held for Edna Nalley Jaynes, age 75, on Tuesday, December 13th at the Hodge United Pentacostal Church under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Edna was born March 7, 1947 in Hodge, LA. Edna loved her family and friends above all and was known for her generosity to all in need. She loved to sew and cook, especially if she was doing it for her family and friends. She spent most of her career working for the USPS, and was beloved by her customers. Edna was a faithful member and supporter of the Hodge United Pentecostal Church for all her life.
She is survived by her children, Michael, Rob(Allyson) Jaynes, and Latasha(Eddie) Stump, her sisters, Verssie (Harold) Churchill, Doris(Luke) Jaynes and Dorethea (Bob) Yates. She was called “Nana” by Amanda, Avery, Marleigh, Travis, Amy, Kelly, Loren and Brook, and multiple great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would like to express appreciation for Amy Morris, her granddaughter at heart, who was her caregiver for the past two years. Also we appreciate her adopted sister, Gina Phillips, for the love and friendship she had for Edna. Special thanks to the doctors and medical personnel who cared for her in her last illness.
Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the Jackson Parish Journal will not publish today – Sunday, November 27, 2022.
The Jackson Parish Journal will proudly resume publishing on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 6:55 a.m.
Make sure to get your news at 6:55 a.m. every day of the week in the fall by subscribing for FREE by clicking HERE.
All JPJ articles are free and always will be free!
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Students who aren’t sure where they’ll go to college this fall are encouraged to apply for the Journal Services NSU Scholarships, which will award three new Northwestern State University students up to $3,000 in the next school year.
Applications are being accepted beginning today through midnight June 8. A link to a simple online application form is available at the bottom of this story.
The scholarships are designed to assist Class of 2022 high school students who haven’t settled on a college choice, as well as students currently enrolled at other higher-education institutions who are considering transferring to NSU in Natchitoches.
They are being provided by Journal Services, LLC, the business that serves local and area residents by providing the framework for the Jackson Parish Journal. Journal Services, LLC, is based in Natchitoches and supports 12 journals covering north central and northwest Louisiana.
“We know there are students who haven’t decided yet where they’ll go to college this fall. We know that in many cases, money is a key factor in making college accessible,” said Bill Vance, general manager of Journal Services, LLC. “We are providing three game-changing scholarships bringing eager students to NSU to take advantage of the excellent academic programs here, and to live in a community where there are plenty of opportunities to find part-time jobs and to have a great student experience.”
A successful applicant from Jackson Parish will join 33 other local students who attend Northwestern. Among the university’s 81,000 alumni, 184 currently live in Jackson Parish.
Applicants are asked to provide their high school GPA (and college GPA if applicable), and also, report their ACT score along with listing honors, extracurricular activities and other relevant information on the form. That information will provide a basis for selecting the three winners.
The scholarship awards are for $1,500 cash per semester in the 2022-23 academic year. To renew the scholarship for the Spring 2023 semester, winners must post at least a 2.7 Fall semester GPA at NSU.
Scholarship winners must live in Natchitoches Parish during the upcoming school year. They are also required to have in-person, face-to-face instruction for 75 percent of their classes in 2022-23.
Students who have already accepted financial aid awards from Northwestern are not eligible to apply.
APPLICATION: To Apply – Click Here
Kansas is a 4.5-points favorite against Villanova Saturday in the first of two NCAA Tournament semifinal games. Duke and North Carolina will follow at approximately 7:49; the Blue Devils are a 4-points favorite.
Hello, Awesome Saturday Night. Except …
If you see a Kansas fan between now and then, and if he or she is gnawing on tree bark and unable to mumble a complete sentence, move along. Yes, the Jayhawks are favorites. Yes, Kansas has a basketball tradition as rich as anyone’s.
But yes, Kansas come Tournament time is a heartache waiting to happen.
East Coast. West Coast. Midwest. Deep South. Historically, the Kansas basketball program has arguably left more hoop-loving hearts broken all over this great land and on the Final Four Road than any other program that’s ever dared nail up a peach basket.
They’ve got the awesome old-school gym. The simple, bright, cheerful uniforms you could probably wear to church and get away with. That happy-go-lucky Jayhawk mascot.
It’s a program that’s strung together a ridiculous 31 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the most ever. All the Jayhawks do is win.
Until it’s time to finish. Kansas has only three NCAA Tournament titles in its illustrious history.
Which is three more than lots of programs, for sure. Most anyone would trade for what Kansas has been able to do, generation after generation.
And still, their reputation is that of a Bracket Buster. Kansas giveth, and Kansas taketh away. Saturday will mark the program’s 16th trip to the Final Four, which means that for all their trips to the mountaintop, the Jayhawks have left as King of the Hill only once every five times.
They’ve been runners-up six times, college basketball’s equivalent of baseball’s 1950s’ Brooklyn Dodgers and 1990s’ Atlanta Braves.
Bridesmaids City.
Recent history:
In 2010, Northern Iowa, historically one of the finest programs in all of the great state of Iowa, bounced them out.
In 2011 as the Tournament’s No.1-seed, Kansas was dismissed by VCU in the Elite Eight. (Time flies; Shaka Smart seems like last week.)
2014, they got Stanford-ed, although it’s important to remember that Kansas was Joel Embiid-less thanks to an unfortunate injury.
2016 and 2018, well, we’ll come back to that in a sec.
In 2020, the Jayhawks were ranked No. 1 in some polls and … The Ultimate Indignity … the Tournament was pandemically cancelled.
So here they are again with head-scratching Kansas, never ranked No. 1 this season, yet champions of the Midwest Regional and the only No.1 Regional seed left in the ballgame. If you are a Kansas fan, you are probably preparing for a dagger where it hurts.
But who knows? Bill Self could become just the 16th guy in the college game to win multiple national titles. Kansas could do what the 1952 and Self’s 2008 team did and win it all.
Very un-Kansas-like, they’ve even won it when they weren’t supposed to. I happened to be there hanging around in Kemper Arena in Kansas City in 1988 when “Danny Manning and the Miracles,” a 6-seed, upset No.1 Oklahoma, 34-3 and winners of 21 of its last 22 games, 83-79. The game was tied 50-50 at the half, the small (for a Final Four) arena was an explosion of cheers and colors and gasps and drama, and the whole thing was more fun than a little bit.
And maybe the same will be true this weekend. Maybe. With Kansas being a favorite over Villanova in the Saturday semis, that’s a step in the right direction.
Except … remember we mentioned 2016 and 2018? Kansas played Villanova in the tournament both those years. And lost. First, in 2016 when the Jayhawks were the top-seeded team in the tournament.
And then in 2018, when Kansas lost to the underdog Wildcats … in the semifinals.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
The Forest Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, located at 171 Thrasher Drive in Jonesboro, will be hosting the inaugural “Forest Fest” on October 25th. The public is invited to come help residents celebrate Halloween through receiving “treats” from visitors and participants on hand for the event. Twenty four spots are available to claim where you can distribute items from your vehicle, tent or a termporary structure that can contain Hallowen theme related props and while in costume if you desire. Suggested “treats” for the residents include: coloring books, word searches, stationary, lotions and edible individually wrapped goodies. Participants will have the chance to win a $100.00 gift card and a prize for the best decorated pumkin. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided for all. For more information please contact the Activity Department at Forest Haven at (318)259-2729.
Director of Nursing
The time to be awesome is now!
Wyatt Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is hiring a Director of Nursing for our long term care facility in Jonesboro, LA.
RN Required, salary and benefit package commensurate with experience.
Please call Ron Frazier at 318-259-3290 for more information.
Monday, April 26th
Meme’s Minis vs Mitchell Pharmacy – Age 3&4 – 6:00pm- TBall 1 Field
State Farm vs Jonesboro St. Bank – Age 3&4 – 6:00pm – TBall 2 Field
Mercy Medical vs Jonesboro St. Bank – Age 9&10 boys – 6:00pm – Field 2
Klassy Kleen vs M&M Handy Foods – Age 9&10 girls – 6:00pm – Field 3
Cap Roofing vs Hodge Bank – Age 11&13 girls – 6:00pm – Field 4
Sign Design vs Champion Trophies – Age 3&4 – 7:00pm – TBall 1 Field
Dodson Enterprises vs Mitchell’s Pharmacy – Age 3&4 – 7:00pm – TBall 2 Field
Traina’s Bakery vs Jonesboro Glass – Age 9&10 boys – 7:00pm – Field 2
Todd’s Bailbonds vs M&M Handy Foods – Age 9&10 girls – 7:00pm – Field 3
Listle Real Estate vs Barksdale Credit Union – Age 11&13 girls – 7:45pm – Field 4
Tuesday, April 27th
Pardue Builders vs Johnny’s Pizza – Age 5&6 – 6:00pm – TBall 1 Field
Ables Farms vs Family Pharmacy – Age 7&8 boys – 6:00pm – Field 2
Bucketboat vs Leach Lawn Services – Age 7&8 girls – 6:00pm – Field 3
Academy Mortgage vs M&M Hand Foods – Age 11&13 boys – 6:00pm – Field 1
Affordable Autos vs J & L Works – Age 5&6 – 7:00pm – TBall 1 Field
Kohler Krew vs LA Family Med Clinic – Age 7&8 boys – 7:00pm – Field 2
Ruffled Feathers vs Rise & Grind – Age 7&8 girls – 7:00pm – Field 3
Elite Roofing vs Southern Kustoms – Age 11&13 boys – 7:30pm – Field 1
Zoie Anderson and Amber Melton represented Jonesboro-Hodge on the district 1-2A All-District first team as reported by JHHS head coach Tracy Taylor. Kaylee Etheridge, Kyla Hayes, Madison Page, A’Briana Paggett and Ja’Kaja Philips earned honorable mention.
Lakeside takes two from Tigers
Jonesboro-Hodge fell 20-5 and 7-0 to Lakeside that left the Tigers winless at the conclusion of district 1-2A play and end the regular season with a 4-15 record. In the first contest Lakeside (15-15, 5-4) took advantage of 8 errors and 9 walks that resulted in runs being scored in every inning. A Xavier Atkins double and Chandler Harvey’s triple were two of the eight hits racked up by J-H. Marcus Thompson had 2 RBI with Dominick Strickland and Nathan Vines plating one each. In the second game Logan Smith, and Strickland had singles and Drew Davis slapped a double for all the offensive production the Tigers could muster as they were blanked for the seventh time this season.
In the final district 2B contest of the season between the two Jackson Parish rivals Weston beat Quitman 5-3 to draw into a tie with the Wolverines for second place. The victory lifted the Wolves to an 11-7 overall record while Quitman fell to 17-11 on the year.
Weston High got only three hits against Quitman pitching this past Thursday but one will forever be remembered. Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning after Ty Simonelli and Ian Tilley had scored to break a scoreless tie, the Wolves responded with Cooper Delaney walking and Kaden Shirley, who was the complete game winner on the mound, slapping a single. Braden Theriot then coaxed a walk to load the bases setting up a grounder to short by Tait Culpepper that plated Delaney. Bryce Zehr then hit a grounder to third that ended up with Shirley getting thrown out at the plate bringing up Caleb Waters.
Waters worked the count to three balls and two strikes and then delivered the most dramatic moment in Jackson Parish sports this year when he lofted a drive to left center that cleared the fence and the bases giving Weston a 5-2 lead that stood up despite a 6th inning rally attempt by the Wolverines.
What made the victory all the more sweeter was that prior to the contest, the administration of Weston High had dubbed the contest “Chase a Win” in memory of their former head coach Chase Frasier, who tragically lost his life last year in an auto accident. While the grand slam was an incredibly huge event in the game, what made the moment so special and dramatic was that as Waters rounded second base he pointed to the heavens signifying honor to his former coach. After the contest another touching moment occurred when as the team was joyously celebrating the victory, Lillie Frasier, the young daughter of the fallen coach joined the team on the field and every player and coach alike paid homage to her.