At the final meeting of the year of the Jackson Parish Police Jury  which was held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center this past Monday evening, Amy Magee was chosen as President and Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans was named Vice President for 2021 by unanimous acclaim. Magee, the long-time District 3 representative, will serve as President for a second consecutive year while Cowans, who represents District 5, becomes a top official in her first term.

The election of next year’s officers culminated a loaded agenda that included the amending of the 2020 budget and adoption of the 2021 budget as well as taking action on recommendations regarding how several roads in the parish road system will be now be classified.

The session with juror members Todd Culpepper (District 1), Lewis Chatham (District 2), Magee, John McCarty (District 4), Cowans and Lynn Treadway (District 7) in attendance began with a pair of Public Hearings. District 6 representative Regina Rowe was absent.

Public Hearing #1: The first hearing was held to allow the public to make comments on a pair of ordinances regarding the proposed amending of the current annual operating budget that will expire on December 31^st, 2020 and the adoption of the budget for 2021 that will begin on January 1^st, 2021. No comments were expressed during the allotted time leading to President Amy Magee calling for a conclusion.

Public Hearing #2: The second hearing was in regard to the Police Jury adjusting where parish maintenance would end on certain roads or their removal from the current parish road system. The new designation was result of an independent auditor’s definition of a driveway being where a roadway had a beginning and end on one property.

While there was no public comment stated during the allotted time given a letter from Mr. John Everett was read by Juror President Amy Magee in protest of having a portion of the road removed from parish maintenance responsibilities.  

Passing of Ordinances:  As soon as the regular scheduled December meeting began the first order of business was adopt the two Ordinances regarding the amending and adoption of the year 2020 and 2021 budgets. A roll call vote was taken that was passed by unanimous decision.

Parish roadway designations: Jury members then were called on to approve designated action on the roadways listed below by roll call vote which saw each approved.  

1. Ironwood Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the Joyce Harvey property line
2. Burney Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the 181 Burney Road mailbox
3. Culpepper Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the John Everett property line
4. Branch Creek Road: remove from the Parish Road System
5. Tree Lane: remove from the Parish Road System
6. Bill Cole Loop: remove the portion of the road that is south of the intersection of Jade Road from the Parish Road System.
7. Jade Road: extend the road to include the east-west portion of Bill Cole Loop to the intersection with Harris
8. Bryant Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the 183 Bryant Road mailbox.

Operation Committee Recommendations: After the adoptions of minutes from the November 9^th and December 7^th general meetings total agreement other than on Item #1, which was tabled for further discussion, was then given to act on the recommendation of the Operations Committee to hold a public hearing in regard to the following.

1. Aberdon Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at 168 Aberdon (TABLED)
2. Wiliiam Shows Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the Westbook property line
3. Choctaw Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the Robert Moore property line
4. McKeaver Road: hear comments on how the road serves the public
5. Springfield Road: adjust parish maintenance to end at the Winter’s property line
6. Clair Road: hear comments on how the road serves the public
7. Canard Road: adjust parish maintenance to end after the second mailbox
8. Hire Riley Company for the 2021 Road Projects

Finance Committee Recommendations: Approval on the two recommendations of the Finance Committee was next up for discussion with the Jury agreeing to adopt the proposed 2021 Jackson Parish Library Budget as presented. The recommendation to institute a $25.00 permit fee at the Solid Waste Station for anyone regardless of residential or commercial usage was tabled at the request of Solid Waste Department Superintendent Robin Session who asked for more time to determine what exact charges would be.

Department Reports:

1. Road – Superintendent Jody Stuckey commented that for the first time his department had absolutely no emergency call outs for repairs.
2. Solid Waste – Superintendent Robin Session reported on the status of tonnage processed at the Solid Waste station and speculated future work.
3. Office of Emergency Preparedness – Director Mark Treadway informed the board that he would be stepping down as director after the first of the year and gave an update on the COVID-19 vaccination program that is expected to begin in the parish as soon as official numbers of how much is needed can be determined.
4. Maintenance – No report given.
5. Financial – Ms. Gina Thomas discussed the difference in the budget vs actual amounts used.
6. Engineering – Mr. Paul Riley stated that he is preparing information to be presented regarding the parish road system.

Additional business:

1. Adoption of the amended 2021-23 Road Priority lists for Blacktop Minor and Overlay
2. Clarification of previous actions from the November 9th Regular Meeting
3. George Gryder approved to continue his expired term on the District 2 Fire District Board. New term is a 2-year period ending 12/31/2022.
4. Accept the resignation of Jay Mallard from the Watershed District Board. No replacement was nominated.
5. Authorize Darrell Avery to research and present a recommendation regarding the Subdivision Ordinance
6. Adopting a resolution in support of rural broadband. Unanimously approved by roll call vote.
7. Suspend the Operations Manager position until May 2021.
8. Acceptance of the 2021 Road and Solid Waste Material Bids for January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
9. Approval of the amended 2020 and Proposed 2021 budget for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission.
10. Approval of the 2021 Employee Pay Schedule.
11. Approval to re-locate all Administrative personnel to the Administrative Building.
12. Adoption of the Community Center Refund Payment Policy
13. Adoption by unanimous roll call vote of a resolution ordering and calling a special election to authorize the levying of a 1% sales and use tax.
14. Discussion of correspondence from Baton Rouge legislature in regard to the Jackson Parish Library’s desire to emancipate from the Police Jury’s control of Library finances.

Final comments:   The meeting was closed following each Juror expressing the hope for all to have a Merry Christmas and to keep District 6 Representative Regina Rowe and her son Christopher Kohler in prayers and considerations during his continued fight with Leukemia.

Judging by the 2020 district 1-2A All-District football team that was announced this past week the future looks bright at Jonesboro-Hodge.  Of the ten players who were selected as either first team offense or defense, nine will be returning next year for the Tigers, who finished 3-4 overall and in second place in district 1-2A play. Also returning will be five of the eight that were named to the second team.  

“We have a chance to be very good next year,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “It all depends on how the kids handle themselves between now and then and how much work they put in to get better.” 

Davion McGuire (Kicker) is the lone J-H senior selected to the first team. Offensive Lineman Skylar Levingston, defensive end Connor Webb and Wide Receiver DeTrevien Bowie were second team honorees.

Wide receivers DeVontae Mozee and Justin Calahan, who also was named as 1^st team punt returner, defensive lineman Javeon Andrews and defensive back Manuel Hernandez were the juniors chosen to the first team. Quarterback Tydre Malone and running back Manuel Hernandez earned second team honors.

Three players from the Sophomore Class earned four first team and two second team spots.  LaJavion Nichols became one of the few players in JHHS history to be named to three first team, all-district positions when he was selected as running back, kick returner and linebacker. Cartavious Waters also was named as first team offensive lineman and second team defensive lineman while Ed’Tavious Drayton earned second team defensive back designation.  The Tigers also had the only freshman receive honors in Xavier Atkins who was selected to the second team as a linebacker.

Jonesboro-Hodge 2020 All-District representatives

First Team Offense:

RB – LaJavion Nichols-Sophomore

WR – Devontae Mozee-Junior

WR – Justin Calahan-Junior

OL – Cartavious Waters-Sophomore

Kicker – Davion McGuire- Senior

Kick Returner-2 LaJavion Nichols-Sophomore

Second Team Offense:

QB – Tydre Malone-Junior

RB – Manuel Hernandez-Junior

WR – DeTrevien Bowie-Senior

OL – Skylar Levingston-Senior

First Team Defense:

DL – Javeon Andrews-Junior.

LB – LaJavion Nichols -Sophomore

DB -31 Manuel Hernandez – Junior

Punt Returner – Justin Calahan – Junior

Second Team Defense:

DL – Cartavious Waters – Sophomre

LB – Xavier Atkins-Freshman

DB -Ed’Tavious Drayton – Sophomore

Flex – Connor Webb – Senior

Operation Clean Up is now in full swing. After several months of discussion the Jonesboro Board of Aldermen put into motion the process of cleaning up five dilapidated properties located in the city limits of Jonesboro that include the burning of any and all immovable structures.

The program is designed to not only clean up unsightly areas of the town where the owners did not have sufficient funds to do so but to also provide training for the Jonesboro Fire Department in safely and effectively fighting fires within the town of Jonesboro.

Each owner of the five properties gave the town permission to demolish and burn the structures on site subject to the conditions that the town of Jonesboro would assume all risks associated with the burning of the buildings and be liable for any damages caused to movable property on any other locations.

Further stipulations are that the town is not responsible for removing any debris left after the structure has been burned and that the cost of such removal shall be borne by the owner. Also the town of Jonesboro shall not be required to pay the owner of the property for any damages to any improvements on the designated property.

The owner of the property must warrant that any structures to be burned are not insured or mortgaged to any individual, firm or corporation and both parties (town and owner) must satisfy themselves that the structures contain no asbestos or other harmful chemicals or substances. 

The properties are located at: 221 Northeast Street, 416 Northeast Street, 424 Northeast Street, 134 Lawrence Street and 207 Wood Street. in Jonesboro. No exact date on when the clean-up of each property is to begin has been set as of yet.    

In further action taken at the regularly scheduled, December 8^th meeting the attending council members of Devin Flowers, James Ginn, Robbie Siadek and President Pete Stringer (Nia Evans-Johnson was absent) declared that Tax Notice #0105002800 be designated as surplus property and that the starting bid amount should be no less than the cost of advertising . For more detailed information please contact City Hall during normal business hours.

The council also voted to allow a mobile home to be placed at 2407 Wayne Street and Police Chief James “Spike” Harris provided his department report. No reports were given by Fire Chief Brandon Brown or Public Works Director Calvin Wortham.

In final action after the minutes of the October 13^th, October 15^th and  November 24^th minutes were approved board members approved the closure or twelve bank accounts at the Jackson Parish Bank that were no longer used.

The homecoming of former star player and head coach Ryan Bond back to Weston High highlighted the local prep basketball scene last week that was limited due to COVID outbreaks at several schools either in the area or at the ones scheduled to be played. Limited play continues this week with just three tilts slated at present. Given the current conditions it is recommended t to verify with the schools to see if the games scheduled will still be played:

This week’s schedule (December 17^th – 22^nd)

Thursday, December 17^th: Weston at Calvin (B&G) – 5:00 pm; Quitman at Summerfield (B&G) – 6:00 pm

Friday, December 18^th: Quitman at Cedar Creek (B&G) – 6:00 pm

Results from last week: (December 8^th – 15^th)

Ruston 70 Weston 38 (boys) For the first time since becoming head coach at Ruston High Ryan Bond returned home to lead his Class 5A Bearcats to a resounding victory over his alma mater. The Wolves hung tough early on until a 29-5 second quarter blitz by Ruston blew things open.

Jace Holt, who finished with 15 on the night, drained a pair of three’s and scored all ten of the Wolves first quarter points to keep Weston within two after the first quarter but Ruston went on a 29-5 run in the second to blow things open.  All thirteen players on the Bearcat roster scored led by 15 from Jay Lillard as Ruston continued one of their best opening season stretches in many years by winning their sixth straight without a loss. Jonesboro native Rollin Belton added eight.

WHS   10   5   7   8 – 30

RHS    12 29 21 16 – 78

WHS scoring: Holt 15, Mathews 4, Stewart 4, Roberts 2, McBride 2, Theriot 2, Shirley 1

RHS scoring: Lillard 15, Dean 10, Chatman 10, Belton 8, Scott 6, Jones 5, McNeal 5, Wilson 4, Pilgreen 4, Thomas 4, Brewster 3, Dimmer 2, Dobbins 2

Ruston 65 Weston 44 (girls) After three quarters of play the Lady Wolves were leading 43-41 but a 24-1 blitz by the Lady Bearcats in the final frame led to the lopsided loss. A pair of trey’s in the second by Emma Kate McBride and two more in the third by Lakerria Austin as well as 11 points by Mallory Tolar and 15 of Briley Peterson’s 16 points on the night had Weston in prime shape to upset the Class 5A school after three periods but Weston managed only one free throw in the final quarter as foul trouble set in.

WHS   14 18 11   1 – 44

RHS    19 12 10 24 – 65

WHS scoring: Peterson 16, Tolar 11, Austin 10, McBride 6, Barmore 1

RHS scoring: J. McWain 18, Hintee 12, Spencer 6, Jackson 4, McCallister 4, K. McWain 3, Evans 2 

Weston 50 Atlanta 40 (boys) Jace Holt scored all of Weston’s points in the first quarter for the second consecutive game and the Wolves raced out to a 30-11 halftime lead that held up. Holt scored 12 of his game high 28 in the initial frame and Braden Theriot scored all six of his points in the second to pace the Wolves to the big bulge at the break. Davis Tolar chipped in with 9, Eli McBride added four, Kaden Shirley two and Cooper Harvey one to round out the scoring.

The victory ended a three game slide and improved the Wolves record to 5-9 on the season.  Atlanta dropped their second in a row after having their first five games of the season cancelled due to an outbreak of COVID at the school.

WHS (5-9)    12 18 11  9 – 50

AHS (0-2)        3   8 14 15 – 40

WHS scoring: Holt 28, Tolar 9, Theriot 6, McBride 4, Shirley 2, Harvey 1

AHS scoring: Nash 18, Watkin 8, Jenkins 7, Sykes 7

Weston 55 Atlanta (girls) 42 Briley Peterson’s nine points in the second quarter led the way to a team high22 points and Lauren Maxwell added 13 on the strength of a season best three, 3-pointers to pave the way as Weston continued their roller coaster ride of winning after a loss. Each scored six in the first quarter to give the Lady Wolves a 17-8 early advantage.

Emma Kate McBride drained a pair of treys on the way to 10 points while Mallory Tolar and Lexi Barmore added three each. Lakerria Austin and Mary Catherine Hay also each scored basket as Weston improved to 7-6 on the year. Atlanta, who had almost as many free throw attempts (38) as points (42) fell to 0-2 on the year. 

WHS (7-6)    17 13 14 11 – 55

AHS (0-2)        8 12 11 11 – 42

WHS scoring: Peterson 22, Maxwell 13, McBride 10, Tolar 3, Barmore 3, Austin 2, Hay 2

AHS scoring: Goff 23, Sapp 12, Herbert 5, Stewart 2

Homer 62 JHHS 47 (boys) The Tigers saw their record even at 2-2 in the disheartening loss to Homer who won their first game of the season after three losses. The difference in the game was the third quarter when Homer stretched a seven point halftime lead to a commanding 20 point advantage. The Tigers , who made only 4 of 18 attempts from the three point line scored almost as many points in the fourth quarter (23) as they did the first three combined (24).

JHHS (2-2)           10   7   7 23 – 47

HHS (1-3)             14 10 20 18 – 62   

JHHS 54 Homer 35 (girls) The Lady Tigers outscored Homer 33-15 in the second half to win their 5^th straight and sixth in seven games. Xabrianna Jackson and Chamya Waters scored 21 and 20 to lead the way for Jonesboro-Hodge who moved up to #6 in Class 2A following the victory. Yahzmynne Andrews added 11 and Sydney Malone a basket as only four players scored in the contest. Homer dropped to 1-4 with the loss.

JHHS (5-1)    9 12 15 18 – 54

HHS (1-4)     13 7   5 10 – 35

JHHS scoring:  Jackson 21, Waters 20, Andrews 11, Malone 2

HHS scoring: Williams 11, Young 9, Webb 8, Curry 7

J-H Junior High 33 Calvary Baptist 24 (girls)

Jonesboro-Hodge Junior High Lady Tigers improved to 4-0 on the young season as Morgan McGee scored 14 points and Tyra Davis recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. LeRonda McGuire added 7 points and dished out 6 assists while Angel Moss scored 2 points, pulled down 5 rebounds and added 2 steals. Ja’Mauri Kimble, Jaidon Venzant, Angel Moss and Realte’ Atkins were also lauded by head coach Cornelius Dunaway for their defensive effort.

By: Glynn Harris

I love a good book, especially if it has anything to do with the outdoors. Fortunately my library has been restocked with some gems this fall. With Christmas just around the corner, my thinking is that my readers who love the outdoors will want to take advantage of some good outdoors-related books as special gifts to a hunters/fishermen/nature lovers et al on your Christmas gift list.

            Here are some such books I can highly recommend, not only for their content but because they were written by outdoor writer friends, each of whom is an expert at producing top quality products.

A SMOKY MOUNTAIN BOYHOOD; MEMORIES, MUSINGS AND MORE

By: Jim Casada

            I have known Jim Casada for years and I find his writing capable of holding my attention for hours on end. In his book, Casada covers just about everything you could imagine a country boy might experience from growing up in the Smoky mountains.

            My initial thought was that this book, although fascinating to read, would be somewhat removed from my growing up in the deep south. I found I was wrong because so many of the experiences he had paralleled mine growing up in rural north Louisiana.

            Chapter headings cover holiday tales and traditions, seasons of the year, tools, toys and boyhood treasures (including sling shots, BB guns, marbles and pocket knives.) He winds up with some precious memories, many of which triggered special memories for me.

This book of almost 300 pages has a number of vintage photos giving life to his stories.

To order an inscribed copy, send a check for $29.95 plus $5 for shipping to Jim Casada, 1250 Yorkdale Dr., Rock Hill, SC 29730 or through his website at www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com.

BAD BIRDS 2

By: Jim Spencer

If you hunt wild turkeys, this book is a must have for your library. Spencer has chased turkeys all across the United States and in three foreign countries and this is his second beautifully illustrated book in a series about ornery gobblers, most of which beat him at the game of turkey hunting.

For an inscribed copy, send a check for $22 plus $4 shipping and handling to Spencer at Treble Hook Unlimited, P.O Box 758, Calico Rock, AR 72319 or e-mail to modernmountainman@gmail.com.

THE SOUTHERN WILDLIFE WATCHER

By: Rob Simbeck

You don’t have to be a hunter or angler to thoroughly enjoy sitting down and reading Simbeck’s book. He’s more of a naturalist and his expert research and writing skills cover just about any critter that flies, crawls or swims in the south.

This book is available at all book stores for $18.95 or you can order your inscribed copy by going to Simbeck’s website at robsimbeck.com.

HUNTING WITH BEANPOLE

By: Jim Mize

Interested in outdoors humor? Jim Mize can fill the bill with his latest volume of the mishaps of a do-everything-wrong fellow he calls Beanpole.

Amazon.com offers this book for $12.95 or inscribed copies can be ordered at Mize’s website, acreektricklesthroughit.com. 

Good books, all. You won’t be disappointed.

FISHING REPORT

BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing has been fair around the grass, sunken tops and logs on jigs and spinners. No report on other species. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

BLACK BAYOU –  Bass have been fair around structure on soft plastics. Crappie and bream are slow. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.

OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie have been fair in the river lakes and submerged tops in the river on shiners or jigs. Bass fishing is fair in the cuts and in the back of the river lakes on soft plastics and spinners. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is down some five feet. Crappie have been best on the edges of the channels with some caught on the flats in the afternoons on shiners or jigs. Look for bass in the deepest holes in the channels on tail spinners and crank baits. Bream are slow while catfishing is good on cold worms and night crawlers. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE CLAIBORNE – The crappie bite has slowed but a few are being caught in deep water fishing jigs or shiners in the open water 25 feet deep in 30 foot water. Lower your bait to the bottom and reel up two turns is best. Bass are running small to medium in size with some caught deep on soft plastics and some fairly shallow on spinners and crank baits. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with chicken livers. Stripers and bream are slow. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best in deeper water with spoons and tail spinners picking up a few. The yellow bass are starting to bite in deep water with some caught on jigging spoons and tail spinners bounced off the bottom. Crappie fishing has been fair around deep tops on shiners or jigs. Catfishing is fair with some caught around the boat docks on chicken livers.For latest information contact Bateaux on Caney Lake at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing has been best fishing around the boat slips afternoons with some caught in the mornings on the south end of the lake on shiners or jigs. Catfishing has been good this week. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318-878-0101.

LAKE ST. JOHN – Bass are fair on soft plastics and jigs with crank baits picking up a few around the piers. Crappie, bream and catfish are slow. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.

LAKE YUCATAN – The water is high and slowly falling. No fishermen this week. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

LAKE BRUIN – Crappie fishing has been fair in the canals on shiners of jigs. Bass, stripers, catfish and bream are all slow. For information, contact Carlos Gray at 318/766-0075.                             

The Jackson Parish business community welcomed a new member this past Monday, December 14th with a ribbon cutting ceremony that designated the grand opening of Rise and Grind Nutrition and Energy, located in the Hodge Shopping Center.

The gala event was shared by owners Dustin and Haley Siddon and Shannon and Elmo McKinney along with representatives from the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce, friends and family members. Hours of operation will be 7:00 am – 4:00 pm on Monday – Friday and Saturday’s from 8 am – 1:00 pm. The store will offer a variety of energy drinks ranging from teas to shakes and additional energy products for both adults and children.

No directions were needed. He had come to the school and entered into the gymnasium thousands of times before beginning as a young lad dreaming of playing for Weston High, becoming an All-State player on the court and later on leading the Wolves basketball teams to heights never before achieved as their coach. Only this time it was different.

Upon arriving, instead of going to the home team’s dressing room Ryan Bond was used to he went to the locker room across the floor. When the teams took to the court he took a seat on the visitors sidelines as head boys basketball coach of Ruston High. Regardless of the fact that he was in somewhat of different surroundings one thing was still the same. It was a feeling that will never change.

“It was a unique experience going to the visitor’s locker room and sitting on the other end of the court from where I was used to being,” laughed Bond. “Still I knew I had come home and it felt good.”

After the contest that marked the first time that Bond had ever represented another school in the Weston gymnasium, he found himself taking a good long look at the banners hanging from the rafters that reminded him of the success and good times he had enjoyed as a Weston player and coach.

“It was special to me to see the names of young men and women I was fortunate to be associated with as a coach,” recalled Bond.  “It brought back memories of each and the success we had.”

The record shows that with Bond as a coach for either the boys or girls teams during his ten year tenure (2009-2018), Weston won nearly 70% of their games. His actual record was 249-119 and included seven district championships and the Wolves first ever boys state tournament berth.

The athletic success wasn’t the only thing that waxed nostalgic. There was also the memory of special events and the people who were so instrumental in his development that has led to him being not only a tremendous coach but a dedicated husband to his wife, Manon and father  to his two children, Fynn and Harper.

“I not only played basketball in this gym but graduated kindergarten here and got my high school diploma,” said Bond. “Looking back I don’t know if that would have ever taken place if it weren’t for all the wonderful people like Mr. Staples, Mrs. Pender and Mr. Anders and so many others that took the time to not only keep me focused while I was in school but prepare me for my adult years.”

“I will also be so very appreciative of (Weston Principal) Ritchie Tolar, who gave me a chance to teach and coach when my playing career was over and all the staff members and others coaches who helped me along the way. I can’t ever thank them enough.”

He has traveled all over the United States as a player for Louisiana Tech and across Europe during his decade long career as a professional basketball player.  Currently his new house in Lincoln Parish is being built but in his heart there is an old saying will always be so very true . There is no place like home.  

The Grand Canyon is considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world.  The Colorado River carved out the canyon over millions of years.  The canyon measures about 277 miles long, 18 miles at its widest span, and reaches a depth of over a mile.  Millions of visitors flock to the canyon each year to see the unique landscape.  In 2016, the Kleins, 47-year-old Eric, his 46-year-old wife Karen, and their 10-year-old son Isaac were on vacation in Arizona and wanted to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  They had driven some thirty-five hours across the country from Easton, Pennsylvania, and the Grand Canyon was to be the highlight of their trip.

It had been snowing for some time on that Thursday afternoon.  The ground was blanketed with thick snow but the main roads were clear.  Unbeknownst to the Klein family, the snowfall was just the beginning of a larger snowstorm which was heading their way.  Being from Pennsylvania, they were unconcerned about driving in snow.  They travelled along Arizona Highway 89A until they reached State Route 67, the only main road which led to the North Rim.  To their surprise, Route 67 was closed for the winter.  Eric used his cell phone and found an alternate route to reach the North Rim.  Undeterred by this setback, they trudged ahead.  They turned off of the main highway and onto their alternate route.  They drove for a few miles until they reached a spot where the road was impassable.  They turned their vehicle around and headed back to the main highway.  Within a short distance, the vehicle’s tires lost traction in the accumulating snow.  The Klein family was stuck. 

The Kleins were not too concerned because Eric could use his cell phone to call for help.  None of the sources mention Karen having a cell phone.  By this time, the snow was falling in thick sheets.  Eric tried to call for help but he had no signal.  Karen, a marathon runner and triathlete, was in better physical condition than her husband and they decided that she should go for help.  Karen wore a parka, a knit cap, and hiking boots, clothes which were not considered snow gear.  Karen reassured Eric and Isaac that she would soon return and walked away in the snow.  Within seconds, she was out of sight.

In the car, Eric and Isaac impatiently waited for Karen’s return.  Minutes turned into hours.  Eric and Isaac used the car’s heater to stay warm.  To save gasoline, Eric would turn the engine off occasionally.  When the cold became almost unbearable for him and Isaac, Eric would crank the car again.  Eric and Isaac spent a slow evening, night, and morning in the car.  Finally, the car ran out of gas. 

Eric decided that he and Isaac would abandon the car and try to go in search of help.  It was Friday afternoon.  Karen had been gone a full 24 hours.  Eric and Isaac trudged through the deep snow.  Eric regularly checked his cell phone for signal but none was available.  Eric saw a high hill a short distance away.  He and Isaac climbed the hill and Eric looked at his cell phone.  His expectation of having cell signal was almost nonexistent.  To Eric’s surprise, his phone had reception.  He quickly called 911 and told them of their dire situation.  Within a short while, searchers rescued Eric and Isaac.  Eric asked about his wife, but they had no knowledge that anyone was missing until Eric’s 911 call.  The rescuers took Eric and Isaac to a hospital in Kanab, Utah, where they were treated for exposure.  Now they had to find Karen.

Searchers used all of their resources which included helicopters and car-sized snowmobiles in their search for Karen.  On Saturday morning, searchers on snowmobiles located her tracks.  They followed her tracks for about 26 miles through snow that sometimes reached a depth of three feet.  Her tracks led to a cabin at the park entrance station which had been closed for the winter.  From the outside, the cabin looked deserted.  No lights were on and there was no smoke coming from the chimney.  They ran to the cabin, threw open the door, and found Karen lying on a bed in the freezing cold cabin.  One of the rescuers said that Karen “was too exhausted to even make a fire.”  They took Karen to the same hospital where they had taken Eric and Isaac.  Her condition was more serious than Eric’s or Isaac’s, but not life-threatening. 

To save her family, Karen walked for more than 24 hours non-stop, for a distance of about 26 miles, in snow up to three feet deep, without proper snow gear.  Karen, Eric, Isaac, and the host of search and rescue personnel considered their survival a Christmas miracle because they were reunited on Christmas Day.                           

Source:

1. Albuquerque Journal, December 25, 2016, p.B18.
2. National Park Service. “Grand Canyon National Park.” Accessed December 10, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm.

Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate Doug Ireland, who became an award winning sports journalist, former Northwestern State University Sports Information Director and longtime Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame chairman is one of three to have been selected for the 2021 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

Also selected for the award that is presented by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and includes being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame next June is pioneering New Orleans sportscaster Ro Brown and Baton Rouge sportswriter Sheldon Mickles.

Brown was the first on-air African-American sports anchor-reporter in New Orleans, in 1978 at WDSU-TV, and became a staple of the Crescent City’s sports scene. An award-winning journalist who also became the first education reporter in the New Orleans market in his final three years (1999-2002) at WDSU, Brown has continued covering and promoting sports during the last two decades.

Mickles is in his 43rd year of sports coverage in Baton Rouge, currently as a beat writer on LSU basketball for The Advocate. First for the Baton Rouge State-Times, a now defunct afternoon paper in Baton Rouge, and then the morning Advocate, Mickles covered the New Orleans Saints for 30 seasons. While winning many state, regional and national writing awards, Mickles has been a key leader for the LSWA, including a term as president, and has been chair of the nominations subcommittee for the Hall of Fame for years.

Ireland has been the chairman of the Hall of Fame, a volunteer role, since April 1990, just over a year after he left the Alexandria Town Talk sports staff to become sports information director at Northwestern. The 1978 JHHS grad spearheaded efforts leading to construction and opening of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches in 2013. Ireland wrapped up over 30 years as the Demons’ innovative SID last summer.

While earning his journalism degree at NSU, Ireland was a news reporter for the Shreveport Times for two years, running the Times Natchitoches Bureau in 1981-82. He spent the next three years as the first-ever assistant SID at UL-Lafayette, then was an award-winning sports editor of the Natchitoches Times before joining the Alexandria Town Talk sports staff in 1987.

In 18 months in Alexandria, Ireland captured 15 LSWA writing contest top three finishes, including records of nine overall awards including six first places in the 1987-88 competition while he covered state colleges, high schools and did general assignment reporting. He picked up six more awards, two firsts, in the 1988-89 contest despite leaving the LSU beat in mid-year to accept the SID post at his alma mater in January 1989.

Ireland added dozens of LSWA awards for writing and publications in 30-plus years as the Demons’ SID, including 33 since 2000. In 2016, he won the LSWA’s Story of the Year award while writing for the Natchitoches Metro Leader. His 1992 Demon football media guide won Best in the Nation for Division I-AA from the College Sports Information Directors of America, and a 1997 historical feature marking Demon great Joe Delaney’s induction in the College Football Hall of Fame was second in a national CoSIDA contest.

Just over a year after taking the Northwestern SID job, Ireland was asked to step in as the LSWA’s Hall of Fame chairman in April 1990. A decade later, he began a process which took root in 2003 when the Hall of Fame partnered with the Louisiana State Museum, ultimately leading to construction of the acclaimed $23 million Hall of Fame museum that opened in 2013 in Natchitoches.

Ireland managed all aspects of the annual Hall of Fame selections and inductions from 1990-2010, and has continued to coordinate elections since while collaborating with LSHOF Foundation leaders to stage the Induction Celebration each year. He serves as executive director of the Foundation, led by CEO/President Ronnie Rantz since 2016 as its events schedule and brand has greatly expanded around the state and throughout the year.

I believe I would be correct in stating that there is no one who has not been affected or touched in some way by the pandemic.  People, we must continue to pray fervently that God will endow mankind with the wisdom, knowledge, and wherewithal to produce a safe and effective vaccine or cure that will deliver the nation from the scourge of COVID 19 and enable world populations to get through this pandemic. We have seen or stood at the grave side with grieving family’s member as they said goodbye and laid loved ones to rest. Hospitals across the nation are once again filled with COVID patients, and with makeshift morgues located nearby to receive the deceased.  Too many people have lost loved ones to the virus, many of our friends and supporters have stood at the grave side with family members as they bid farewell to loved ones.  For those of us who remain and have been blessed to witness the dawning of a new day with more health than sickness, having presence of mind and thoughts, equipped with the ability and strength to move about, have a morsel of bread to eat, and raiment’s to clothe our bodies, a few dollars to spare, a roof over our heads, to attend church of choice without fear of death, arrest or persecution, we have much to be thankful for, even during this pandemic.  Though our patience is being tested beyond the boundaries of our faith and hope, we have to hang in there, and though our strength gets a little weak, our backs may be against the wall, trusted friends may turn and walk away, hang on, hang on in there!! 

This Thanksgiving my wife Jan and I took some time to visit with our son Zachary in New Orleans.  Out of fear and respect for COVID 19 and for fellow citizens we stayed indoors most of the visit, watching television, dining on good food, fellowshipping and giving thanks.  We asked that Zach be tested for the virus before we arrived which he did.  We always wore our masks during outings.  Jan had prepared a delightful meal earlier in the week which we took with us to New Orleans.  It was a wonderful visit, and we enjoyed the quiet time together.

As I reflected upon God’s goodness, mercy, and grace, how we traveled the dangerous highways to New Orleans without incident, how in my senior years and in the twilight of life I am still able to get out of bed each morning, (although at times lacking clarity of mind, strength of body and soul) how both Jan and I have made it through several illnesses including bouts with cancer, how we were able to experience the breaking and dawning of a new day, how God has blessed us to see our children graduate from college and professional school and are now able to fend for themselves.  I reflected on how we were able to hang in there when our backs were against the wall, when we needed a little grace and our faith was tested, how we were able to hang in there!!  I could not help but reflect upon the times when we were blessed to overcome many of life’s challenges and disappointments, especially when critics and circumstances indicated that failure and defeat was our destiny.  In those moments of reflection and being overcome emotionally, I had to confess that it was only by God’s grace and mercy that we are still standing, and that God’s grace and mercy has always been sufficient and more than enough to see us through.

Equally concerning, I also reflected upon the mean and ugly allegations that were brought against Jan several years ago, the innuendoes, the under-breath comments, the slander and deliberate acts instituted against us by known adversaries whose intentions were to persecute, oppress and destroy us for trying to make a difference in the lives of God’s people. I well remember how God delivered us from the hands of our enemies.   We learned of the rumors that we would never succeed in our effort and attempts to liberate and make a difference in the lives of people in Jonesboro.  Thanks be to God we have done a whole lot of good and will not retreat in our commitment to continue to do some good.  We were blessed and given the strength, courage, and fortitude to stand upright and stay focused and to trust and believe God’s promises.

We were able to hang on in there, to keep the forward look and commit to never give up or quit the race of life or to give up on our ministry to touch and provide hope to communities throughout northeast Louisiana!  Yes, we are grateful and thankful for the ability and wherewithal to hang on in there!!  Throughout the night and each day that I arise, I give God praise, glory, and thanksgiving for enabling us to hang on and hang on in there.  Walter Hawkins in a song entitled Thank you Lord said it this way; “It could have been me outdoors with no shoes and no clothes, just another number with a tragic end.”  WC Martin and Chas. H Gabriel nailed it this way; “Trust in God wherever you may be, upon on the land or on the rolling sea, for come what may, from day to day, our heavenly father watches over us”.

Whatever you may be facing in this season, just keep looking ahead to a season where laughter, peace, prosperity, and joy will fill your space once again.  And  when your faith begins to flicker as it will  at times , when you lack the strength to keep moving, when your back is against the wall and you can’t see your way through the fog of disappointment and uncertainty, when  COVID 19 has taken a tremendous toll on you and your family, and when you are faced with a multitude of problems, trust God and pray for a little more grace to help you hang in there and see you through!!  Be thankful and “hang in there!!

Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is an associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, former President, Grambling State University Faculty Senate and former Chair, Department of Consumer Education and Resource Management, Howard University, Washington, D.C.  

Arrests made in Jackson Parish on the dates of December 1st-14th, 2020

1. D. Thompson (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant on Identity Theft charge
2. Dexter Kennedy (Jonesboro, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery
3. Eric Alvin Parker (Quitman, LA) – Bench Warrant on Expired MVI
4. Marcus K. Walker (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule IV and V drugs, Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I and II drugs Improper Lane, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No driver’s license, Improper lane usage
5. Jeannie P. Ray (Jonesboro, LA) – Bench Warrant on speeding charge
6. Lester C. Thompson (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Assault, Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Home Invasion, Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault
7. Brandon T. Lewis (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated flight from an officer, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Insurance, No driver’s license, No registration
8. Kaley Hall (Jonesboro, LA) – Bench Warrant of DWI charge
9. Movialene Wilson (North Hodge, LA) – Remaining after being forbidden, Disturbing the Peace
10. Lorenzo Bradford (Jonesboro, LA) – Failure to appear on charges of no headlights, Driving under suspension, No Insurance
11. Holland (Jonesboro, LA) – Execution of sentence
12. John Clifton (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule I drug
13. Felicia G. Crawford Loyd (West Monroe, LA) Possession of Schedule I and II drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
14. Michael A. Robbins (West Monroe, LA) – No required signal on turn movement, No Driver’s License, Possession of Schedule II drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
15. Felicia Loyd (West Monroe, LA) – Contempt of Court
16. Phillip R. Andrews (Jonesboro, LA) – Bondsman off bond on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Simple Battery, Driving under suspension, Failure to appear on Possession of Schedule II charge
17. Brandon T. Lewis (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Firearm by a felon
18. Kenneth J. Anderson (North Hodge, LA) – Resisting an officer, Domestic Abuse Battery, Operation of motor vehicle by non-resident, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
19. Michael L. Waldroup (Eros, LA) – Fire raising on lands of another

louise Rasberry                 Feb. 01, 1929 – Dec. 11, 2020

Elouise Rasberry, who was born February 1st. 1929 to Arnold and Effie Shows in Eudora, Arkansas passed away peacefully the morning of December 11th at the age of 91. She grew up in the Weston community of Jackson Parish where she attended high school. While attending a Weston High School basketball game she met a handsome young sailor, our dad, who was home on leave during the war, James Rasberry, who would become the love of her life and soul mate for the next sixty-eight years. They married in 1946, started a family and had three children together.

They resided in Jonesboro where James worked at the Paper Mill for forty years and attended McDonald Memorial Baptist Church which became their extended family. Elouise became a very accomplished seamstress and made many of our family’s clothes. She was the type of Mother that loved unconditionally and never saw anything but the side good of her children and would defend us to the end with a vengeance. She loved going any place and doing anything that involved James Rasberry. He was the light of her life.

When he retired from the papermill they spent the next twenty-five years traveling and camping in their travel trailer spending time with their many old as well as new found friends in the camp grounds, especially at Caney Lake. On July 20th 2015 a part of Elouise died with James. Her sadness extended well past the normal time one would grieve for a lost spouse. Even though she shared as much love as she had with her newfound puppy, Molly, she never seemed to move past the loss of our Dad. On Friday around noon she found relief from her sadness and loss as she slipped away to be with him once again. She will be sorely missed.

She left behind three children, Diane Rasberry of Monroe, Linda Blackstock and husband Ray of Jonesboro and James A. Rasberry and wife Debra of Monroe. Five grandchildren of which are Chris Ayres and wife Cari of Shreveport, Pat Posey and wife Cristy of Jonesboro, Dana Ingram and husband Jeff of Jonesboro, Scarlett Boles and husband Bill of Monroe and Sierra Rasberry of Monroe. She also had six great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

A walk through visitation period was held at Edmond’s Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday the 14th followed by a graveside service at the Garden of Memories Cemetery. A special thanks to Charlene Cavett for her loving kindness to our Mother during her final days.

Merle Keith Rhodes                  Nov. 22, 1930 – Dec. 10, 2020

Mr. Keith Rhodes, age 90 of Chatham, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 10, 2020.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlie and Edna (Dickerson) Rhodes; brother, Lynwood Rhodes; brothers-in-law, Rudolph Tarver, D.R. Avery.

Those left to cherish is memory is his loving wife, Carolyn (Avery) Rhodes; son, Russell Rhodes and Sandra; grandchildren, William R. Rhodes and Lacey, Elijah R. Rhodes and Ashley, Avery R. Rhodes and Heather; great grandchildren, Aiden, Asher, Audrey, Aleck, Ella; sister, Nadine Tarver.

Visitation was held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Ebenezer Baptist Church by funeral services with Brother Russell Rhodes and Brother Chris Lee officiating.  Burial followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home. Serving the family as pallbearers were William Rhodes, Elijah Rhodes, Avery Rhodes, Darrell Avery, David Avery, Brad Cresse.

Notice is hereby given that the Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH) Service District and the Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) will hold public hearings at the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center located on 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro, LA. Both hearings are in regard to 2021 operating budgets and the general public is invited to attend and make comments.

The proposed Jackson Parish Hospital budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021 public hearing will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 10th. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Jackson Parish Hospital Administration Office located on 165 Beech Springs Road in Jonesboro. Immediately following the public hearing will be the annual meeting of the JPH Medical Staff and Governing Board of Directors.

On Monday, December 14th, the Jackson Parish Police Jury will also host a public hearing scheduled to begin at 5:15 pm. Immediately following the hearing the JPPJ will hold their regularly scheduled December meeting.

The Ambulance Service District is the only other organization to be holding a meeting this week. That is set for Thursday, December 10th at 12:00 pm. The regularly scheduled meeting of the District One Quitman Fire Protection Board has been cancelled.

What a difference two weeks makes! Better yet, what a difference it makes that the guys who were on the gridiron for Jonesboro-Hodge the last time Weston and the Tigers faced off two weeks ago, were on the basketball court this time.

In actual numbers the difference is 76 points. That is derived from J-H walloping Weston 85-19 this past Friday night after losing their season opener to the Wolves by ten.  Add the total difference in points of the two and you get 76 (66+10) in point differential.

Unbreakable record! The exact dates and last time it was done, if it was done, was not available but at the very least the ZERO points J-H allowed in the first quarter ties a record that can never be broken. Combining that with the five points the Tigers gave up in the second half (3 in the third and 2 in the fourth) the rematch was no match.

Downtown discrepancies! Perhaps the telling statistic of the night can be found by looking no further than what went on downtown. Led by Ajay Tew, who paced the Tigers in scoring with fifteen, going a perfect 3 for 3 from three point land the Tigers shot an impressive 55.6% from down town on the strength of 10 of 18 shooting. Conversely Weston made only 2 of 22 attempts.

Transitioning Turnovers! With a full roster of 15 players at his disposal this time around, compared to the eight he had on the roster in the prior meeting, Tiger head coach Allen Tew was able to unleash wave after wave of ball hawks that feasted on 26 Weston turnovers.  As result the Tigers outscored Weston 38-4 in transition points and even more impressively scored 32 points off of turnovers without allowing a single basket.

Dandy Dozen! Tew was the only Tigers to reach double figures but Javeon Andrews was close with nine and five others had eight each as J-H had a season best 12 player’s score. LaJavion Nichols, Justin Calahan, Edward “Robbie” Kary, Zion Gray and Tydre Malone all ended with eight apiece, Cornelius Boston had seven and both Devontae Mozee and Cameron Leonard finished with four. Savantez Phillips basket rounded out the scoring for the Tigers.

Holt gets no help! Jace Holt hit 7 of 15 shots and both Weston three pointers to post a game high 16 points.  This was just three points shy of the team total as the rest of the team made only 1 shot in 35 attempts that included going 0 for 20 from behind the arc.

JHHS (2-1) 22 30 17 16 – 85

WHS (4-7)   0 14   3    2 – 19

JHHS scoring: Tew 15, Andrews 9, Nichols 8, Calahan 8, Kary 8,Gray 8, Malone 8, Boston 7, Mozee 4, Leonard 4, Phillips 2

WHS scoring: Holt 16, Theriot 2, Mathews 1        

Weston 64 Dodson 56

Weston extracted little revenge of their own when they beat visiting Dodson by eight points just three days after Dodson had won by three at their place. Once again it was Jace Holt, who is becoming one of north Louisiana’s premier scoring threats, leading the way with 31 points. Davis Tolar also stepped up big with 19 points after making five bombs from behind the arc.

Mitchel Mathews hit a pair of treys for six points while Eli McBride made three, Cooper Harvey and Landon Roberts two and Brandon Theriot one to round out the Weston scoring. Caleb Barton led Dodson (1-1) with 24 points followed by Xaiden Hall with 20. Beau Canter added six, Nathaniel Evans had three and Caden Potts one for the Panthers who stands at 1-1 on the year after splitting the pair with Weston.

WHS      19 14 19 12 – 64

DHS        14 12 15 15 – 56

WHS scoring: Holt 31, Tolar 19, Mathews 6, McBride 3, Harvey 2, Roberts 2, Theriot 1

DHS scoring: Barton 24, Hall 20, Canter 6, Evans 3, Potts 1  

 

Quitman 65 D’Arbonne Woods 52

Class B Quitman is making a case in the early season going of being a strong contender in district 1-2A. Less than a week ago they took Jonesboro-Hodge to double overtime before falling by three. This past Friday they dominated another 1-2A opponent, D’Arbonne Woods, 65-52 to win their fifth game in six tries.

Big John!  He may be small in stature but guard John Pabaya stood tallest of them all in regard to “making it rain”. The junior sharpshooter set new season and career bests with five, 3-pointers and a team high 17 points. Four of the trey’s came in the first half as Quitman went up 30-22 and never ooked back

Total team effort! Without question Quitman head coach Mike Black was pleased to see Pabaya step up but what was most pleasing to the first year coach was the total team effort that goes down as the most consistent of the year.  Cooper Williams (15) and Ethan Everett (12) also posted season best’s while Joshua Smith added 11 to give Quitman four players tally in double digits.

In all eight Wolverines made their mark in the scorebook as Landon Roberts chipped in with four and L.D. Manning, Blake Carter and Shane Rowe all added two each.

Solo act! D’Arbonne Woods lost for the fourth time in a row and the fifth in six games to continue to struggle as a team but few in north Louisiana has a starring solo act like the Timberwolves. Austin Riley scored 36 for DWC including all of their points but two in the second quarter and one in the final frame.

QHS (5-1)             14 16 18 17 – 65

DWC (1-5)             7 15 15 15 – 52

QHS scoring: Pabaya 17, Williams 15, Evetrett 12, Smith 11, Roberts 4, Manning 2, Carter 2, Rowe 2

DWC scoring: Riser 36, Davis 6, Auger 5, Todroz 5

The Honorable Judge Jenifer Ward Clason passed the gavel of the Second Judicial Court Division A to newly elected Honorable Walter May in a swearing in ceremony held in the Claiborne Parish Courthouse second floor courtroom Tuesday morning with many family, friends and supporters in attendance. Reverend Willie Young offered the invocation to begin the ceremony and three of May’s grandchildren – Jackson, Connor and Morgan led the Pledge of Allegiance. Judge Clason administered the oath of office to Judge May, who was joined by his wife, Robin, while using his family Bible, (upper left). Local attorney James Hatch, a personal friend of May, was able to ‘robe’ the now sworn in Honorable Judge May in his black judge’s robe (above). Deputy Randy Layfield officially announced Judge May as presiding over the Second Judicial Court and Judge May took his seat in the judge’s chair for the first time (at left). After making his way through thanks and a bit of an emotional acceptance speech of the new position, Honorable Judge May was welcomed by everyone in attendance. The planned reception was not held due to our recent slide back into Phase 2 Covid-19 restriction rules.

For the past several years Jonesboro Fire Chief Brandon Brown has been one of the first ones there when a disaster such as a fire or accident happens within Jackson Parish. He has heard many times over how thankful someone was to him and other first responders for the work they did in saving not only someone’s home but sometimes even their life.

This past Monday week Brown experienced the other side to his profession. That was when a fire ripped through his home causing him to lose many things of value causing him to experience what it felt like to be victim of such a tragedy and the helplessness that goes along with it.

Several days later the realization of the loss had still not totally sunk in but one thing stood out like never before and that was Brown’s love for his family and appreciation for his friends and the special group of the people he works with day in and day out.

“OVERWHELMED is all I can say,” reflected Brown in a post he wrote on Facebook on December 1^st. “At 5:32 pm Monday evening my world changed. I lost a lot but me and my children are safe and everything lost can be replaced.”

“I can’t thank enough my firefighters of the Jonesboro fire department, the Quitman fire, Ward-4 fire, Jackson parish ambulance, Jonesboro police, Town of Jonesboro, Louisiana State fire marshal’s office and the Jackson parish Sheriff’s office for responding.”

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the outreach of the people of this community, the love that has been shown towards me by everyone is truly overwhelming!!!!  I can’t thank you all enough for everything that has been done the phone calls and text. My heart is overwhelmed and I truly have no words to explain how thankful I am to everyone!!”

“The JFD is made up of some very special people that I hold very dear to my heart and I can tell you I’m very proud to be the Fire Chief of this department. These men and women are my friends my family and I can’t express how truly blessed I am to have them holding me up during this tough time!!!! I’m truly thankful and can’t say it enough to everyone that has been praying and helping out in any kind of way!!!! Thank you all for everything!!!!!

Jonesboro-Hodge doubled up Weston 73-36 to win their fifth of the season against one loss and fourth in a row. The win also marked the third straight over teams from Jackson Parish for second year coach Britani Fields in the first official home game of the season.

Xabrianna Jackson drained four, trey’s and scored 28 points and Chamya Waters added 21 to pace J-H who set a new season high in points scored. Yahzmynne Andrews chipped in with 11, Zymea Hoggro and Sydney Malone scored four each and Jessica Bradford added a fourth quarter basket to round out the scoring.

Mary Catherine Hay and Lauren Maxwell each made three, 3-pointers and finished with 12 and 11 points respectively for Weston which also got 7 from Emma Kate McBride. Briley Peterson scored four and Lainee Trosclair two for the Lady Wolves who made six three pointers in the contest but only six from inside the circle as Weston fell to 5-5 on the year.

JHHS (5-1)           17 22 16 18 – 73

WHS (5-5)            6  15 13   2 – 36

JHHS scoring: Jackson 28, Waters 21, Andrews 11, Hoggro 4, Malone 4, Bradford 2

WHS scoring: Hay 12, Maxwell 11, McBride 7,  Peterson 4, Trosclair 2

 

Weston 65 Dodson 23

At this point of the season it looks like it is safe to say that Weston is better than Dodson. This is evidenced by the Lady Wolves dominating the Lady Panthers by 42 points on their home floor only four days after winning by 44 in Dodson.

Single digits scoring! It was an aggressive defensive effort by the Lady Wolves that paved the way as Weston limited the Lady Panthers to single digits in every quarter. Counting the last three quarters of their first game it extends the streak of not allowing double digits to Dodson in a quarter for seven straight frames.

Briley is best! Nine players scored for Weston but none as much or as often as Briley Peterson who scored a game high 17 points – all in the first half that saw Weston race to a 41-16 lead. Emma Kate McBride drained four long three pointers to check in with 15 followed by 11 from Mallory Tolar.

Mary Catherine Hay scored six, as did Faith Beamesderfer, whose pair of three pointers gave her a new season high in points. Lakerria Austin added five, Jacie Ledford and Sara Beth Bond scored two and Lainee Trosclair made a free throw to round out the scoring for Weston.  Janiyah Weary scored 12 to lead Dodson with Sadie Beaubonef getting five, Logan Womack four and Jaden Graham two.

Weston               19 22 9 15 – 65

Dodson                  7   9 4   3 – 23

WHS scoring: Peterson 17, McBride 15, Tolar 11, Hay 6, Beamesderfer 6, Austin 5, Ledford 2, Bond 2, Trosclair 1

DHS scoring: Weary 12, Beaubonef 5, Womack 4, Graham 2  

Quitman 55 D’Arbonne Woods 36

There is no place like home! This is not referring to being called the home team like Quitman was when they played at Jonesboro-Hodge three days before that saw Quitman lose their first of the year after six straight victories. No! What we are talking about is actually being home – in your own gym and dressing in your own locker room! It was just what the doctor ordered as Quitman started back up their “giant killer” act by comfortably downing Class 2A, D’Arbonne Woods by nearly twenty.

Bethany Leach who seemingly gets better each game once again led Quitman in scoring with 24 points including 12 in the final frame on four baskets and four for four shooting from the line. Long range marksman Clara Womack nailed three treys to score 18 and Brayli Stewart added nine. Cali Deal and Emma Carter scored a basket each.  D’Arbonne Woods fell to 0-6 on the year.

Charity not free! One major difference in the game was what took place at the charity stripe. For D’Arbonne Woods the price they paid was not free of charge by any means of the imagination. Actually they paid dearly from the free throw line as Quitman made 9 of 14 (64%) compared to DWC sinking only 6 of 24 (25%) foul shots.

QHS (7-1)  20 12  7 16 – 55

DWC (0-6)   7   3 11 15 – 36

QHS scoring: Leach 24, Womack 18, Steward 9, Deal 2, Carter 2

DWC scoring: Skains 9, Hayes 7, Seuskie 7, Fine 6, Hayes 2, Hails 2, Phelps 2, Newcombe 1

For the last three years as Principal of Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Chevonda Leonard, has tirelessly worked toward making her alma mater the best school it could be. As evidenced by her being named the Principal of the Year in Jackson Parish by the Louisiana Department of Education recently her efforts have been noticed.

“This completely caught me off guard,” said Leonard. “I am truly humbled and consider this quite an honor but this award shouldn’t be about only me but also the wonderful group of people that I work with and depend on.”

The 1986 graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA in 1991, and a Master of Science degree in Developmental Education with a Concentration in Guidance and Counseling from Grambling State University in 2000.

Leonard also earned 30+ graduate hours from Grambling State University and is certified in Special Education, Business Education, guidance and counseling. She completed the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) Executive Development Program in 2018. I

In 2000 Leonard started working in the parish in special education and spent many years in the classroom until I assuming the role of guidance counselor at Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary and Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School. From there she was named assistant principal at Jonesboro-Hodge High School before becoming principal in 2018.

By: Glynn Harris

These weeks we’re living in right now are some of my favorite times of the year. Several years ago I was asked to write stories for LA Sportsman magazine about big bucks taken around the state. I have written stories on well over one hundred such events over the years, highlighting successful hunts from one end of the state to the other.

This year has been especially rewarding because of  the two dozen or so accounts I have chronicled for the magazine so far, six have been taken right here at home in Lincoln Parish. Following are some of these success stories.

MIKE CHANDLER – On October 2, retired Lincoln Parish school bus driver, Chandler was sitting on his lean-to stand armed with a crossbow when a big 8 point buck, one he had been seeing on his trail camera, walked out at 43 yards and Chandler dropped him.

“When he hit the ground and after all these years of seeing him on camera and finally seeing him in person, I can’t explain how it felt to finally see him in the flesh and seeing him go down, knowing I’ve got him,” said Chandler.

The buck was estimated to have at least 140 inches of antler mass.

JAY SMITH – Hunting a tiny 5 acre tract owned by his family on the outskirts of Ruston, Smith was sitting in a homemade ground blind on November 13 when he got the surprise of his life when a really big buck stepped out at 75 yards and Smith was able to get the crosshairs of his scope of his primitive firearm and downed the big 14 point trophy.

“I was supposed to get a haircut that afternoon but something told me I needed to be on my stand and I’m glad I decided the haircut could wait,” Smith recalled. Antlers on this genuine trophy measured 166 2/8.

BRETT NOBLES – On November 15, Nobles decided to walk out behind his house in north Lincoln Parish around Hilly to see if a buck he had gotten a glimpse of the day before might make another appearance.

Propping his rifle on a gate near where he had seen the deer earlier, he was surprised when a buck with a tangle of antler points stepped out and he dropped him. The buck had 14 points and because of the profusion of points, it was difficult to get an exact measurement of the rack which was estimated to score in the mid-40s.

“At first I was planning to just cut off the rack but was talked into caping it out because the rack was so unique,” said Nobles.

SCOTT SIMMONS – Having a chance at a buck with a weird set of antlers not unlike those of Nobles’ buck, on November 2, Simmons sat in an old ground blind on land he has permission to hunt that is located just east of Ruston. He picked up a bottle of Tink’s estrous doe scent and sprayed it into the wind. Within moments, the buck came running into an opening and Simmons dropped him. The buck scored 143 5/8 of antler mass.

CHRIS LEWIS – On the afternoon of November 1, Lewis was hunting a tract of land on his hunting club east of Ruston when a buck he had been after finally stepped out to feed on a pile of Mo-Bucks blend. He downed the big 17 point buck that scored 166 7/8 inches.

MELISSA MADDOX – Maddox and her dad hunt a tract of mixed pines and hardwoods across the road from their rural Lincoln Parish home. On the afternoon of November 23, an impressive buck walked out and she dropped him. The buck with a 10 point rack, scored just over 155 inches.

There is still more than a month left in deer season. Who knows but what more big Lincoln Parish bucks could be making the news.

FISHING REPORT – 12-2-20

BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing has been fair around sunken brush and trees with jigs, Rat-L-Traps and spinners picking up a few. No report on other species. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

BLACK BAYOU –  Bass have been fair to good on Rogues and crank baits. Crappie and bream are slow. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.

OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie have been fair fishing submerged tops in the river on shiners or jigs with Gum Drop and Blue Pearl working best. Bass have been fair fishing shad imitation lures around the mouth of the cuts. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE D’ARBONNE – The lake is down some five feet. Crappie are fair with jigs and shiners working best fishing 13 feet deep in 18 foot water. Bass have been best in the channels fishing drop shot rigs, jigs or Sinkos. With the lake lowered, everything is mostly active in the deeper channels. A few bream have been The lake is down some five feet after the draw down. Look for crappie to be in the channels caught deep on night crawlers. Catfishing is good on cold worms and night crawlers. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE CLAIBORNE – Bass fishing has been slow this week. Crappie fishing has been good fishing the tops as well as the open water in the thousand foot channel on jigs or shiners. No report this week on stripers. Catfishing has been fair on trotlines baited with chicken livers or blood bait. No report on bream. For latest information, call Tim Loftin at Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best in deeper water with soft plastics such as drop shot rigs or jigging spoons picking up a few. From photos posted on social media, some good bass have been caught this week. The yellow bass are starting to bite in deep water with some caught on jigging spoons and tail spinners bounced off the bottom. Crappie fishing has been best around deep tops with some caught under the Hwy 4 bridge on shiners or jigs. For latest information contact Bateaux on Caney Lake at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE POVERTY POINT – Some big catfish to 23 pounds have been caught off the back deck at the marina. Crappie have been fair with better catches made in the afternoons. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318-878-0101.

LAKE ST. JOHN – The water is rising and fishing is slow but should improve when water levels are more stable. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.

LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising but then should become stable. No fishermen this week, only duck hunters. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

LAKE BRUIN – No report. For information, contact Carlos Gray at 318/766-0075.                                       

It is quite an honor and achievement to be named either Student of the Year or Teacher of the Year. It signifies that they are the best of the best and speaks volumes about the environment that is in place at their school.

So what does it say about a school when not one, but THREE students and THREE teachers have been named 2020-21 Student and Teacher of the Year. Furthermore those honored reflect all the educational sectors: Elementary, Junior High and High School.

What is says is that the Quitman High School administration, educational staff and students in every age group is being recognized for setting a shining example of what it means to achieve EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION!

The three educators who have been designated as Teachers of the Year are Bethany Schimmel (Elementary), April Simonelli (Junior High) and Lydia Clary (High School). Those named as Student of the year are: Hallie Kate Pullig (5^th Grade), Cali Deal (8^th Grade) and Grace Sharplin (12^th Grade).

People across the nation were stretched this past Thanksgiving season to find peace, joy and something to be thankful for especially as they are enduring one of the nation’s worst and most devastating crises it has faced in over one hundred years. People will face the same challenges during the Christmas Season as well. Nevertheless, the word of God commands us to be thankful in all things, pray continuously, for he is always with us. Let us remember that even during crises and turmoil, God is in control.

It is difficult to be thankful when one is isolated from family and friends, when you hear that over 285 thousand individuals, some of whom you know, have lost their lives to COVID 19, when over 100 thousand new cases of the virus are reported each day and fellow countrymen watch lines of cars stretching as far as the eye can see filled with persons in search of food to make it through another day or night. It is troubling and terrifying when one notes that over 40 million Americans including large numbers of children are going to bed hungry each night. It is also devastating to see a national scene where hundreds of thousands are being evicted from their places of abode, citizens are facing increasing foreclosures, staggering high unemployment rates where thousands cannot find work to sustain themselves, where there are no bail outs to assist in making ends meet. Loud voices from the right are fixated on reversing the progress that has been made in race relations. People are asking what is there it be thankful for when partisan party politics have been placed over country, when the county is inundated with conspiracy mongering, when American democracy is being assaulted, when the country is suffering as never before from the greatest divide in racial relations history and Americans are desperately in need of economic assistance. Yet, through our darkest moments we must give thanks for life and God’s blessings, for as dire as things seem, it could always be even more devastating. There is so much to be thankful for. Hope and believe that God will provide a way out of this horrible experience as has been done many times before.

It is hoped that during these turbulent and troubling times citizens will be encouraged by the lyrics of a song recorded by Kierra Sheard entitled Hang On. The lyrics encourage the hearer to “Hang on in there when your back is against the wall, when you think all hope is gone. Hang on in there! What do you do when you need a little more grace, when your faith is tested, and you want to quit the race? What are you going to do when you need a little more strength and you are feeling incomplete?” The answer is hang on in there, tell the devil you can’t have my faith, I am going to make it by His grace, hang on, hang on in there. By faith, I believe that this too will pass, for no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and yes, I am going to win.!!

Now is the time for people of God to not only protect themselves from the virus by wearing masks and practicing social distancing, the time is for the saints of God to shine, to pray mightily for the weak and sick among them, praying for those who are facing a crisis in their lives, those who are blinded by doubt and disbelief, those who have become hopeless and see no way out of this crisis. This is time for God’s people to show compassion for neighbors, to speak truth to power, to encourage those who are frightened by the moment, remind them that God has not forgotten about them. Let us help friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to stay calm during the crisis moments they are experiencing now. Let us remember and remind one another to be Thankful for all the gifts God has given us. Encourage one another to avoid situations where one can be drawn into temptation and overtaken by doubt. Above all we must know that life is to be lived not of our own strength, but through God’s power.

Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is an associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, former President, Grambling State University Faculty Senate and former Chair, Department of Consumer Education and Resource Management, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

The temperature may have been a little chilly outside the first day of December but inside the Calvin gymnasium Saline was scorching. The nets that is! Playing only their second game all season and first in a month the Bobcats made up for lost time by scoring the most points they have in over a decade in their 94-76 victory over former district 4C rival Calvin.

The last time the Bobcats have orchestrated such an offensive onslaught was on February 2^nd, 2010 when they blew past Bienville High (now defunct) 99 – 55. The near century mark total also marks the most points, Saline head coach Klint Robinson has seen a squad of his ever score in his seven year tenure.

“It has been a long month” said Robinson, who also was victimized by the COVID-19 virus. “I am really proud of the guys the way stayed focused during the down time and very happy for them to see the fruits of all their hard work come to them.”

Titus Malone and Kenton Lee Crawford, a pair of sophomores starting to come into their own, led the way with 21 and 17 points apiece. Ethan Roberts chipped in with 16 and Titus Jackson added 14 as the Bobcats placed four players in double figures. Blake Clifton and Ryder Blanchard scored seven, Will Dyson 4 and Rafe Martin two to round out the Saline scoring.

Saline (1-1)  24 19 29 22 – 94

Calvin (0-1)  16 20 25 14 – 76

Saline scoring: Malone 21, Crawford 17, Roberts 16, Jackson 14, Clifton 7, Blanchard 7, Dyson 4 Martin 2

Calvin scoring:  Kyle 26, J. Adams 22, A. Adams 11, Anderson 6, Clark 6, Griffin 3, Yocum 2

Calvin’s been waiting too! Before you start to feel too bad about Saline playing only two games in the month of November, it’s been even worse at Calvin. The Cougars had all six of their prior games cancelled or postponed meaning this was their season opener. 

Cougar Head coach Justin Tinsley has to be pleased with his team’s progress as two days later the district 4C school took down Class A Cedar Creek of Ruston 59-55 in Calvin’s home opener.  The loss was the first of the year for Cedar Creek after opening the season with three road victories.

Ruston showing it has “Bond”ed! In former Weston High School head basketball coach Ryan Bond’s first year at Ruston High last season his Bearcats beat only five teams from Class 3A or higher. This year they have already beaten four in their first four games.

Furthermore, after the Bearcats (5-0) 64-13 smashing of perineal Class C power Summerfield this past Saturday, you have to go all the way back to 2007-08 when Ruston won their first eight, to find as impressive a start to a season.

More signs! The 13 points allowed most certainly is one of the best defensive performances in school history and is the fewest the Bearcats have given up since Max Preps.com started keeping stats in 2005. The last time a Ruston team held an opponent to anything close was when they beat Loreauvile 52-17 way back in 2010.

Ruston began the year by winning three straight at home. First they mauled Class 4A Minden 80-44 then followed that up with a 53-49 win over Class 5A Southwood. Class 3A Green Oaks was no match in the 62-28 Bearcats victory then Ruston won their first road game of the year 64-60 over Class 5A Parkway before suffocating Summerfield.

Arcadia wins Bienville Parish Tournament

The biggest school in the parish turned out to be the best this year in the annual Bienville Parish Tournament.  Class A, Arcadia (5-0) won all three of their contests to finish with the best record in the round robin event and run their season opening winning streak to five games.  The Hornets beat Gibsland-Coleman 67-47 after taking out Saline 73-55 and fellow district 1-1A rival Ringgold 52-28 in earlier contests played last weekend.

Class C, Gibsland-Coleman’s (3-5) had the next best as other than their loss to Arcadia the Bulldogs took out Class A Ringgold 64-47. A contest with Saline(1-2), who didn’t play again after the Arcadia loss due to  COVID-19 quarantine requirements once again was cancelled.  Ringgold (1-4) did manage to win their first of the year by beating Class B, Castor 73-32 in the Tigers only contest of the tourney.

Sending Christmas cards has been a yearly tradition since John Callcott Horsley designed the first Christmas card in 1843, the same year Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol.  Each year, people send festively decorated Christmas cards to friends and relatives.  Cards come in innumerable varieties.  They often contain religious sentiment, a poem, a prayer, Christmas song lyrics, a Bible verse, but the most traditional greeting is “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”  These small, simple Christmas cards always seem to lift spirits and spread Christmas cheer. 

Unfortunately, sending Christmas cards has been declining steadily in the twenty first century.  Many people have abandoned traditional Christmas cards in favor of ecards, emails, video chatting, text messaging, and a host of other electronic mediums.  However, there is something special about sending and receiving traditional Christmas cards which modern technology cannot replace.  This is the true story of Mary’s Christmas card list.

In about 1918 or 1919, Samuel and Mary began courting, as they referred to it at the time.  In 1919, Samuel proposed to Mary and, to his delight, she accepted.  With their betrothal, Mary would inherit a last name which, at the time, they thought was a rather unfortunate pairing with her first name.  Several newspaper reporters heard of their upcoming nuptials and the unique name combination and wanted to do a feature story on their marriage.  Embarrassed by the name combination, Mary and Samuel declined their offers and shied away from reporters.  On August 24, 1919, Samuel and Mary wed, and she took Samuel’s last name.  Practical jokers telephoned Mary at all hours of the night and bombarded her with wise cracks and insults about her name.  Some members of the Assembly of God Church in Racine, Wisconsin, her own church congregation, joined in on the fun at Mary’s expense.  For a while, Samuel and Mary considered legally changing their last name to Thompson to avoid mockery, but they ultimately decided against it.  Mary had to accept her new name.

Eventually, Mary’s and Samuel’s embarrassment of her name eased somewhat.  In 1936, Mary sent Christmas cards to a few handicapped persons to lift their spirits during the holidays.  The recipients of Mary’s good deeds were overjoyed at her act of kindness.  Mary signed her unfortunate name to the cards and the recipients were even more delighted.  Many of the recipients sent thank you letters to Mary for thinking of them.  The following year, Mary added more names to her Christmas card list.  Just as before, she got an overwhelming response.  Each year, the number of Christmas cards Mary sent grew exponentially.       

Mary never expected anything in return for her Christmas cards and always looked forward to sending them out.  “If I know I can make a few people smile at Christmas time, then I am more than repaid,” Mary declared.  “Tears come to my eyes when I receive letters telling of the happiness that my simple cards bring.”  Over the years, several radio show hosts interviewed Mary about her Christmas card campaign.  In 1954, she appeared as a guest on the “Welcome Travelers,” a Chicago based television show.  In that same year, Mary was named “Racine’s Mother of the Year.”  Multiple national magazines included feature stories about Mary and her lengthy Christmas card list. 

The increase in publicity resulted in an increase of Christmas card and stamp donations.  Various societies around the world provided Mary with the names and addresses of people they thought needed a little Christmas cheer.  People from all over the country helped Mary’s Christmas card campaign with donations including civic organizations, manufacturers, scout troops, school children, and hundreds of her friends in Racine, Wisconsin.  Many of the donors were or had been recipients of Mary’s Christmas cards and wanted to help Mary give others the same joy they had when they received a card.     

Each June, Mary began signing cards and addressing envelopes.  For her to complete her task, Mary had to address and sign a minimum of forty cards per day for the six months preceding Christmas.  She never allowed anyone else to sign her name or address the envelopes.  Her only shortcut was using a rubber stamp to imprint her return address.  She sorted and tied the cards in bundles according to states and countries.  In mid-December, Samuel happily delivered her avalanche of cards to the Racine post office.  At the height of her Christmas card campaign, during World War II, Mary added a large number of American soldiers to her list of recipients and sent out over 7,000 Christmas cards.  Wounded soldiers in armed forces hospitals were always first on her list.  Mary’s was considered the longest Christmas card list in the world.

In addition to her Christmas card campaign, Mary still found time each year to prepare her house for Christmas for her 5 children and their spouses along with her twenty-five grandchildren.  As Mary grew older, it took more of a toll on her body to ready all of the Christmas cards. 
“My own difficulties aren’t going to hamper me,” she told reporters.  “It really is a relief when the job is over.  I always get writer’s cramp in my right arm, neck and back.”  Each year until her death, regardless of physical pain or handicap, Mary sent out Christmas cards to every name on her list. 

Once Mary overcame the embarrassment of her unique name, a name she and Samuel once considered unfortunate, she used it as a way to spread the Christmas spirit.  She no longer saw her name as a hindrance, but as a gift.  “I feel that God gave me my name so I can carry out this work.  I know how happy an unfortunate person can feel by receiving a friendly card from a stranger, especially one with the name… ‘Mary Christmas.’”  

Sources:

1. The Hanford Sentinel (Hanford, California), December 24, 1952, p.21.
2. The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin), September 30, 1959, p.1.
3. Find A Grave. “Samuel Christmas.” Accessed December 1, 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26453590/samuel-christmas.
4. Find A Grave. “Mary Christmas.” Accessed December 1, 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26453599/mary-christmas.