Charles Davis Hogan Sept. 18, 1936 – Dec. 02, 2020
Mr. Davis Hogan, age 84 of Weston, crossed through the gates of Heaven Wednesday, December 2, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, V.J. and Martha Eugenia (Davis) Hogan; six brothers and four sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Linda (Johnson) Hogan; children, Tim Hogan and wife Jo, Dana Hogan Bollier and husband Bill; grandchildren, Jordan Alford, Hannah Meredith, Gina Hogan, Chance Hogan, Brock Bollier; great grandchildren, Waylon Clifton, Hazel Grace Bollier, Tillie Alford; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A private service was held by the family.

Ila Jean Walsworth Sept. 27, 1944 – Dec. 05, 2020
Mrs. Ila Jean Walsworth, age 76 of Jonesboro, entered into heaven on Saturday, December 5, 2020. She was a member of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved spending any and all time she could with her grandchildren and great grandchild. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

Those left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 57 years, Truett Walsworth; daughters, Karen Morrow (Donald), Carla Walsworth (Lloyd Siebert); grandchildren, Matthew Bosch, Travis Bosch (Amber), Shannon Bosch, Dylan Morrow; great grandchild, Andrew Bosch; siblings, Clyde Gray, Jr. (Laverne), Glenda Simpson; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by parents, Clyde Alfred and Ima Jewel (Farmer) Gray; sister, Inez Sapp; brother in laws, Johnny Simpson, Eddie Sapp.

A private service was held for the family. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Springhill Cemetery.

Flu vaccines are now available at Mitchell’s Pharmacy located at 202 East Main St. in Jonesboro, LA. For those not good with addresses the Pharmacy is located right beside McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Jonesboro.

The vaccination program allows for a recipient to drive up curbside and receive a vaccination without ever having to leave your vehicle. There is also high dosage, vaccines available upon request. For quickest turnaround simply call in advance to make a reservation or you can also call once you arrive and be seen on a first come first serve basis.

Mitchell’s is open from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday thru Friday and 8:00am – 12:00pm on Saturday and now has two other pharmacists on staff along with a courteous crew of assistants always ready to help you with your prescriptions and other medical supply needs.

The lobby is not open but you can go to the drive thru for all your needs. If you desire you can also take advantage of Mitchell’s Home Delivery program that most of the time gets your prescriptions brought to your house the same day you place the order.

Edward “Robbie” Kary scored 10 points in the second overtime to lift Jonesboro-Hodge to a thrilling 59-56 victory over Quitman in the Tigers de-facto home opener despite Quitman being listed as the home team. The game was moved from Quitman to J-H to accommodate the large crowd that witnessed the exciting contest. The win evened J-H’s record at 1-1 while Quitman suffered their first loss after starting the year with four straight victories.

The two teams battled to a 41-41 draw at the end of regulation and remained tied at 46 apiece after the first extra frame. Kary, who led J-H with 18 points, then put the Tigers on his back by scoring the first eight Tiger points of the second overtime period on the strength of a lay-up and back to back three pointers on consecutive possessions to give the Tigers a lead they would hold till the end.

Sloppy start! Quitman led 21-19 at the break after both teams committed more turnovers than made baskets. The Wolverines committed 8 turnovers and made only 7 baskets with J-H following suit with 9 turnovers and 8 baskets.

Josh by gosh! Senior Joshua Smith kept Quitman in it early by scoring 11 of the Wolverines 21 points in the first half and ended regulation play with a team high 17 points. As soon as the first overtime period started the lanky forward was forced to exit due to his legs cramping up.

Still plagued with the gimpy legs Smith re-entered late in the overtime period battled through the pain and through sheer determination took a pass at midcourt and thrilled the Quitman crowd by making a driving three pointer at the buzzer to send the game into the second overtime.  

Spreading the wealth! Quitman had four players make all but five of their 56 points. Conversely Jonesboro-Hodge whose roster was bolstered by the football players playing their first game of the year had nine contribute valuable points in the game.

JHHS (1-1) 6 13 13 9 5 13 – 59

QHS (4-1)  4 17 9 11 5 10 – 56

JHHS scoring: Kary 18, Malone 8, Andrews 7, Calahan 6, McGuire 6, Tew 5, Joe 4, Nichols 3, Gray 2

QHS scoring: Smith 23, Everett 13, Ponder 9, Williams 7, Manning 2, Carter 2, Pabaya 1

Turnovers: JHHS – 18, QHS – 23

Lady Tigers saddle Quitman with first loss of the year

On the strength of a pesky defensive effort Jonesboro-Hodge won their third straight to improve to 4-1 on the young season by taking down Quitman 58-41. The loss was the first in seven games and ended one of the longest unbeaten strings to start a season in Lady Wolverine history.

After both teams played to a 14-14 draw in the first quarter the Lady Tigers aggressive man-to-man defense started causing major problems for Quitman and led to J-H stretching a 27-19 halftime advantage into the 17 point advantage.

Grounded bombers! In the first six games of the year Quitman averaged taking around 20 three pointers a game, making over half of them often times. With the Lady Tigers staying close to Quitman as soon as they crossed the half court line the Lady Wolverines were never able to get their bread and butter shots off. For the night Quitman made only 3 trey’s on a season low 10 attempts and only one after the first quarter.

Shorthanded success! One would think that to implore such defensive pressure it would take a bevy of players to handle the job. Remarkably though the Lady Tigers dressed only 8 players and played the majority of minutes with an even shorter rotation

Trice as nice! If you thought the shorthanded defensive success was impressive on offense it was only three players that scored all but two of the Lady Tigers 58 points. Chamya Waters led the way with a season high 25 points followed by 15 from Zymea Hoggro and 14 from Xabrianna Jackson.

Leach stands tall! Bethany Leach may be small in stature but her game stood tall for Quitman. The diminutive guard not only sank the only three trey’s Quitman made on the night but constantly drove the lane for easy baskets en-route to a team 21 points, which was one more point than the rest of team collectively scored.

Game changer! Entering the final frame the Lady Wolverines were down 40-31 but gamely fought back through a trapping defensive effort of their own to cause several turnovers and narrow the margin to 43-39. For one of the few times in the game Quitman got a good look at a three that would have cut the lead to one with 4: 44 left to play. The shot bounded away and J-H proceeded to score six straight to open up a safe lead once again.

JHHS (4-1) 14 13 13 18 – 58

QHS (6-1)  14   5 12 10 – 41

JHHS scoring: Waters 25, Z. Hoggro 15, Jackson 14, Andrews 2

QHS scoring: Leach 21, Womack 8, Stewart 7, Deal 5

 J-H Girls win two at Lakeview Tourney

Jonesboro-Hodge had four players scored in double figures to impressively down defending Class 2A finalist Red River 71-50 in the Lakeview Tournament. The Lady Tigers followed that up by destroying Class 4A North DeSoto 66-32.

Against Red River, Xabrianna Jackson led the way with 25 points followed by Chamya Waters with 16, Yahzmynne Andrews 14 and Zymea Hoggro 12.  J-H turned a 32-32 game at the half into the 19 point rout by outscoring Red River 21-6 in the third and 18-12 in the fourth period.

JHHS (2-1)           15 17 21 18 – 71

RRHS (0-1)           17 15  6  12 – 50

Jackson and Waters scored 24 each in the victory over North DeSoto with Zymea Hoggro pitching in 11. It was over early as J-H raced out to a 24-11 first quarter lead and limited the Lady Griffins to just 21 points the rest of the way.

JHHS (3-1)           24 11 16 15 – 66

NDHS (0-2)         11   7 10   5 – 32

 Weston 72 Dodson 28 (Girls)

Dodson made three, 3-pointers in the first quarter of their season and home opener to take an 11-10 lead but Weston allowed only four more baskets the rest of the way to pummel the Lady Panthers by a 72-28 margin. The 28 points sets a new season best for the Weston defense.

Weston broke it open in the second quarter by taking a 24-8 advantage leading to a 34-19 lead at the half. Seven of Briley Peterson’s game high 19 points and six of the twelve scored by Emma Kate McBride led the way with Lauren Maxwell adding five and Mary Catherine Hay four of her six points in the game.

Weston completely dominated the third period to break the game open by scoring 22 and holding Dodson without a basket and only three free throws to go up by a 56-22 advantage.  Seven players scored in the third led by Peterson’s five. McBride added four as did Lainee Trosclair, who ended the night with a season best nine points.

Maxwell also chipped in with the last of her 11 points on her third, 3-pointer of the game while Jacie Ledford (4 pts.), Lakerria Austin (4 pts.) and Mallory Tolar (4 pts.) all made a basket in the pivotal period. 

Mary Beth Bond and Cameron Rushing’s basket rounded out the scoring as Weston had ten players tally for their best overall team scoring contribution of the year.  The victory evened Weston’s early season slate at 4-4 and continued the string of winning every game after a loss. Dodson fell to 0-1 on the year.

WHS (4-4) 10 24 22 16 – 72 

DHS (0-1)  11  8   3    6 – 28

WHS scoring: Peterson 19, McBride 12, Maxwell 11, Troslclair 9, Hay 6, Tolar 4, Ledford 4, Austin 4, Rushing 2, Bond 2

 Dodson 71 Weston 68  (boys)

Dodson finally got to hit the hardwoods after having their first five games cancelled or postponed to a later date due to the Coronavirus but the wait was worth it after taking down Weston 71-68 to win their season and home opener.

Xaiden Hall scored 11 of his team high 23 points in the final frame to keep Weston at bay after the Wolves scored 21 in the fourth to come close overcoming a seven point halftime deficit. Quinton Edwards added 20, Caleb Barton 14 and Beau Canter 10 as the four made nine three pointers on the night and all but two of Dodson’s total points. Caden Potts made the other basket.

Jace Holt scored 13 of his game and career high 31 points to valiantly lead the attempted rally. The Wolves had two more in double figures with Davis Tolar adding 13 that included a pair of three pointers in the third period and Mitchel Mathews chipping in with twelve. Eli McBride scored 6, Cooper Harvey 3, Kaden Shirley 2 and Braden Theriot hit a free throw to round out the scoring for Weston who remained winless on the road after four attempts and fell to 3-5 on the year.

WHS (3-5) 16 14 17 21 – 68

DHS (1-0)  18 19 14 20 – 71

WHS scoring: Holt 31, Tolar 13, Mathews 12, McBride 6, Harvey 3, Shirley 2, Theriot 1

DHS scoring: Hall 23, Edwards 20, Barton 14, Canter 10, Potts 2 

He’s done it again! It should be no surprise though as if you know local resident Robert Tyler you know that he is always searching for another way to spread the Gospel. Over the past several years he has penned books, wrote songs, performed concerts and given motivational speeches whenever and wherever he is called.

Tyler, who writes under the pen name R. D. Tinsley, has recently added to his library with his newest edition entitled “Snowbird to a Dove.” The wonderful book that incorporates local landscape and towns stresses things like how to cope in this most uncertain world and how important it is to welcome into your life God’s word.

Snowbird to a Dove and his previous children’s book Baptism on the Bayou which was published by Harper Hill Publishing in Saline, LA is available for purchase through Amazon.com. It makes the perfect stocking stuffer for adults and children alike. Supplies are limited so you will want to get your order in early.

By: Glynn Harris

            A year or so ago, my good friend and avid, make that obsessed, turkey hunter, Jim Spencer decided to put a book together about his encounters with wild turkey gobblers, birds he described as “bad birds”. In fact, that was the name of his first book,”Bad Birds”.

            Realizing that his book that took readers step by step up mountains, through briar thickets and across creeks to chase bad birds only covered part of his experiences, Spencer has assembled his accounts of more brushes with bad birds. His new book, “Bad Birds 2” is hot off the presses and is available for the perfect Christmas gift for turkey hunters.

            Beneath the title on the cover of his new book, Spencer adds…”Another collection of “mostly” true stories starring the gobblers we all love to hate.”

            Just who is this guy, Jim Spencer, anyhow? Here’s what a blurb on the back cover of the book says about this turkey fanatic….”Jim Spencer’s name and reputation are well-known in the turkey hunting subculture. A self-described turkey bum, Spencer has written more than a thousand magazine and newspaper features about turkeys and turkey hunting, and now, a third book on the subject. In more than 40 years of being whipped by turkeys, he has hunted them in three countries and 30 states. He and his wife Jill (also a well-known outdoor writer) live in the north Arkansas Ozarks, near Calico Rock.”

            The book is beautifully illustrated in photos taken by Spencer, his wife and renowned wildlife photographer, Tes Jolly. The foreword was written by Tes and her husband, Ron Jolly. Here’s what Ron Jolly wrote in the book’s Foreword about the kind of turkey man Spencer is.

            In describing a hunt in which Spencer was the shooter and Jolly the cameraman shooting a video for television, they had set up on a gobbler and when the gobbler closed the distance and was within shooting range, Spencer never got the signal to shoot before the gobbler walked away.

            “When he was gone, Spencer pulled down his mask and grinned at me over his shoulder. ‘You couldn’t see him, could you?’ I shook my head. ‘You should have killed him anyway,’ I said. ‘Naw,’ he said, ‘that wasn’t the deal. You couldn’t get any footage, so I didn’t want to shoot. It’s just a turkey.’”

            Giving it their all for two more days to film Spencer taking a gobbler they never had another chance but Jolly added, “Spencer proved to us to be a turkey man”.

            Bad Birds 2 contains 40 stories of Spencer’s encounters with tough old birds, some he was able to conquer; some where the gobbler got the best of him. He affixed monikers to each of the bad ones he has met, names like Lazy bones, Gabby, Sir Edmund, Ringo, Blinky and on and on.

            As thrilling and frustrating and fun to read as Spencer’s stories are about the bad birds he has encountered, the book ends soberly with his epilogue where he describes in a manner only he can do of the problems wild turkeys are facing in today’s world. “Something is happening out there in turkey country, and we need to get a handle on it,” he wrote.

This is a book every turkey hunter should read, for enjoyment, for pleasure and for instructions on what not to do. It’s also one that needs reading for his serious message about the plight of wild turkeys today.

            To order your copy in time for Christmas giving, send a check for $26, which includes cost of shipping and handling to Treble Hook Unlimited, P.O. Box 758, Calico Rock, AR 72519 or to Paypal at modernmountainman@gmailcom.

FISHING REPORT

BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass have been fair on spinners and soft plastics around pads and structure. Crappie fishing has improved a bit fishing the lower end of the lake around the dam with shiners working best. No report on bream or catfish. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

BLACK BAYOU –  Bass are fair around the grass on jigs and soft plastics. Bream and crappie are slow. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.

OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie are fair on shiners and jigs around submerged tops in the river with some caught in river lakes.  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 – With the lake lowered, everything is mostly active in the deeper channels. Crappie fishing has been best up the creeks on shiners and jigs. Bass fishing has been best fishing the edges of the channels on crank baits and soft plastics. A few bream have been 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 improved as the fish have moved to the secondary points feeding on small shad. White is the main color for spinner baits or chatter baits. Crappie fishing has been best on shiners or jigs on the south end of the lake. Stripers are fair trolling white bucktails with Beaver creek area producing best. Catfishing has been fair on trotlines baited with chicken livers or blood bait. 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 soft plastics such as drop shot rigs or jigging spoons 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 best around deep tops with some caught under the Hwy 4 bridge on shiners or jigs. No report on bream or catfish this week. 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 have been best on the south end of the lake. Catfishing is fair to good while bass are slow. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318-878-0101.

LAKE ST. JOHN – The gates are open and fishing overall has been slow. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.

LAKE YUCATAN – The water is falling. Bass and catfish have been good while crappie are slow. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

LAKE BRUIN – The water is very clear and fishing overall has been slow. For information, contact Carlos Gray at 318/766-0075.   

All three of the Jackson Parish schools will be in action this week with Friday and Tuesday games but the games that Weston plays has the most intriguing local flavor. This Friday, December 4th the Wolves will make the short trip to Jonesboro-Hodge for a rematch of the boys and girls contest played on November 19th that saw the J-H girls and Weston boys take victories. Quitman will also host D’Arbonne Woods for a boys and girls matchup.

Weston will travel to Summerfield on Monday for a boys and girls contest scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm but it is Tuesday’s action that is spiciest of all. That is when former Wolves star Ryan Bond, who also led the Weston boys to their only state tournament in school history as a coach, brings Class 5A Ruston for a contest slated to begin immediately following the girls game, which is set for 6:00 pm.

Additional games on Tuesday will see Jonesboro-Hodge visit Homer, Quitman will travel to Calvin and Union Parish will invade Saline. Tip off time is to be at 6:00 pm for the Quitman and Saline games while Jonesboro-Hodge will begin action with a junior varsity game at 5:00 pm before varsity boys and girls action takes place.

Friday (Dec.4th)
Weston at Jonesboro-Hodge (B&G) 6:00 pm
D’Arbonne Woods at Quitman (B&G) 6:00 pm

Monday (Dec. 7th)
Weston at Summerfield (B&G) 5:00 pm

Tuesday (Dec. 8th)
JHHS at Homer (JV, G&B) 5:00 pm
Quitman at Calvin (B&G) 6:00 pm
Saline at Union (B&G) 6:00 pm
Ruston at Weston (B&G) 6:00 pm

With the world enduring through the Coronavirus Epidemic it could be said that never before in the history of modern medical treatment has the skills of a respiratory therapist been so vital to the recovery of the patients they come in contact with. Go to any hospital in America over the past several months and you would find virtually every floor full of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.

Fortunately for local residents, the Jackson Parish Hospital employs the services of one of the best staff in the industry under the direction of Respiratory Manager, Teresa Jones.  They are a very dedicated group of respiratory therapists serving our community 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and are credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME). Per information provided by usafacts.org (see below) which provides parish by parish statistics as a result of their abilities and care, Jackson Parish has one of the better recovery rates among COVID-19 infections anywhere in the state.

Not familiar with what does a respiratory therapist actually does? They have quite a broad scope of practice within the hospital. Daily responsibilities include various respiratory care modalities in the treatment of pulmonary diseases as well as advanced critical care procedures, including the use of advanced diagnostic tools to accurately diagnose the severity of respiratory dysfunction in patients.  They conduct preliminary examinations on patients suspected of having respiratory ailments and collaborate with attending physicians to come up with patient treatment plans.

As part of their work, they also administer respiratory therapy treatments by performing nebulization of bronchodilators and corticosteroids, bronchopulmonary drainage, administering oxygen, assisting with breathing exercises, mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.  Each one of these treatments is designed to ensure that a patient’s lungs operate efficiently and effectively when it comes to supplying oxygen to the body, and if the lungs aren’t fully capable, providing the necessary support to make up for the shortfall until the lungs are capable of operating independently again.

At the Jackson Parish Hospital, you can take advantage of the following outpatient services:

• Holter Monitor (Heart monitor usually run continuously 24 – 72 hours in the comfort of your home)
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Breathing Treatments
• Chest Percussion Therapy
• Pulse Oximetry
• Arterial Blood Gases
• Incentive Spirometry
• Peak Flows
• Pulmonary Education

For complete parish by parish stats on number of COVID-19 cases vs. number of deaths go to:

https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/state/louisiana

Vice President Pence, who heads up the Nation’s Corona Virus Task force, decided that it was time for some fun time and decided that he was going to vacation time in sunny Florida.  However, his vacation was called off and plans were scrapped due to an approaching hurricane named Eta.   Amid virus numbers climbing as never before, Pence would find time to take a vacation as Americans are dying in record numbers.  Republican Governors like Mike Dewine, of Ohio, Larry Hogan of Maryland, are calling on citizens to control their personal lives by wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings at funerals, football games, social events, and practicing good health hygrine.  Wearing a mask and taking responsibility for what citizens do in their own personal lives is key for the nation to conquer this virus.  Someone commented that “we are fighting a common enemy and it is not Republicans, Democrats or Independents, it is COVID 19”. 

It is now past time for President Trump to accept defeat and allow the county to move forward. Political experts and commentators are warning that President Trump’s behavior is putting the nation’s security at risk  His only concern seems to be what he WANTS, not what is good for the country,

While President Elect Biden garnered more popular votes and currently has 279 Electoral votes, President Trump is contending that the Democrats stole the election from him,  and without any plausible evidence has inundated the courts with frivolous and baseless claims of voter fraud in the red states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, states headed by Republican Governors.  From all indication, President Trump has mesmerized his base to the extent that they will do almost anything to support him.  I am informed that many Republicans do not want to become engulfed in a political spat with Trump and his base that could impact their election chances in the future.  They believe that Trump’s base, which consists of over 70 million voters, could bury them alive, politically.

We are witnessing one of the most shameful and embarrassing moments in the history of the nation all while there is a legion of crises facing the nation.  It is hoped and citizens are praying that President Trump will come to his senses and for the sake of our democracy, accept  his loss and rejection by the American people and do what is right and best for the country, not what is right for Donald Trump.  This ugly fabricated crisis by President Trump must give way to the Biden elect administration which hopefully signals a new beginning for greatness in all peoples.   

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.

Home-standing Jonesboro-Hodge put up a good fight in the first round of the LHSAA playoffs but in the end it was 18^th seeded Kentwood who continued on the road to the Dome with a 27-18 victory. Kentwood advances to play #2 Mangham this Friday while Jonesboro-Hodge’s season comes to a close with a 3-4 mark

In most years if a Louisiana high school is playing football after Thanksgiving it means that team had a fairly successful year. That is because normally it would mean that school had won a couple of playoff games, was playing at least in the quarterfinals and would end the year with a winning record.

By no means was 2020 a normal year as this year every team that made the playoffs were playing after Thanksgiving. First it was scare there would be no season at all due to the Coronavirus. Then only an eight game schedule would be played. As a result the annual contest with rival Winnfield wasn’t played for the first time since World War II. 

Fortunately for the Tigers most of the contests on the schedule were able to be played but J-H did have a couple of games (Loyola, Lakeside) cancelled by outbreaks of the virus, leaving J-H playing six games in the regular season. In those J-H finished 3-3 overall and 1-1 in district 1-2A play.

First round blues! The loss continued the string of first round Class 2A playoff losses by the Tigers to six straight and dropped head coach Terrance Blankenship’s playoff record to 4-8 in his eight years at the helm.  

Suspect seeding! Perennial playoff power Kentwood entered as an 18^th seed. This was due to their last two games being cancelled which caused a major loss of valuable power points. As result they entered the contest with only six games under their belts but sported a 4-2 record overall and a perfect 3-0 record in 9-2A play. If they would have been able to play their last two Kentwood would have been seeded much higher.

Roos jump on top! Kentwood went up 14-0 before J-H finally got on the board in the second quarter when JaMarriyea Lewis caught a Tydre Malone touchdown pass to narrow the half time margin to just an eight point deficit.

Heartbreaking turnaround! J-H started the third quarter by driving the ball into Kentwood territory and bringing hope to the Tiger faithful that they might draw even. Then disaster struck as Kentwood intercepted a pass at their own 27 yard line and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Instead of the score possibly being tied at 14 apiece it was now a 21-6 Kentwood lead.  Another Roo score pushed the margin to 27-6 midway in through the fourth quarter.

Still fighting to the end! With such a large deficit and really no hope of making a comeback to win it would have been understandable if the Tigers just laid down and let the clock run out.  To their credit they continued to fight and scored a pair of touchdowns to make the final score respectable.  First it was a Devontae Mozee and Tydre Malone connection for 50 yards. Then JaMarriyea Lewis picked up a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown to narrow the margin to the final 27-18 score.

“I hate we lost this game as it is one we could have won,” said Blankenship. “Still I am proud of the way the guys fought. They played to the end. “ 

No ground game! Quarterback Tydre Malone completed 13 passes for 239 yards and two scores but that was virtually all the offense could muster as Kentwood totally shut down the Tigers running game. LaJavion Nichols led the Tigers rushing attack with 15 carries for only 36 yards as J-H had their lowest rushing output of the season. DeVontae Mozee caught 3 passes for 89 yards and a score to lead the receiving corp. Jamarriyea Lewis followed with 5 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

#15 JHHS (3-4)   0 6 0 12 – 18

#18 KHS (5-2)      7 7 7   6 – 27

1^st Quarter: Kentwood 11 yard run (PAT good) 7-0

2^nd Quarter: Kentwood 11 yard run (PAT good) 14-0

                        JHHS – Malone pass to Lewis (PAT no good) 14-6

3^rd Quarter: Kentwood 73 yard interception return (PAT no good) 20-6

4^th Quarter: Kentwood 2 yard run (PAT no good) 27-6

                          JHHS – Malone 50 yard pass to Mozee (2 pt. no good) 27-12

                         JHHS – Lewis return of blocked kick (2 pt no good) 27-18

JHHS offensive statistical leaders: (GAME)
Passing: Malone (13/23 – 239, 2 TD’s, 1 Int)

Rushing: Nichols (15/36), Malone (10/1), Calahan (4/-1)

Receiving: Mozee (3/89, 1 TD), Lewis (5/74, 1 TD), Bowie (2/53), Calahan (1/15), Boston (1/8)

  JHHS offensive statistical leaders: (SEASON)

Passing: Malone (59/115 – 974, 10 TD’s, 4 Int’s)

Rushing: Nichols (73/513, 6 TD’s), Thompson (23/341, 4 TD’s)

Receiving: Calahan (16/221, 4 TD’s), Lewis (11/258, 2 TD’s)

Just a few miles northwest of Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is the town of Oberndorf.  Towering over the town was the bell tower of St. Nicholas’s Church.  The church and bell tower were visible from anywhere in town.  People for miles around could hear the bell calling them to worship. 

St. Nicholas’s Church was equipped with a pump organ.  In the days before electricity, the organist sat on a stool and pumped foot petals, alternating between the right and left feet, which were connected to a set of bellows.  The bellows increased the air pressure in the organ’s drum.  The organist pulled out knobs called stops, which adjusted the volume and tone of the organ.  (The phrase “pull out all the stops” derived from pump organs, and “pulling out all of the stops” meant the organ played at its highest volume and fullest tone.)  The organist pressed the black and white keys on a keyboard similar to a modern piano or organ.  The keys released air which passed over reeds and created different tones based on the length of the reed. 

In 1816, thirty-year-old Franz Xavier Gruber, a teacher in a neighboring town, became the organist at St. Nicholas’s Church.  In the late Fall of 1818, Franz noticed a hissing, wheezing sound coming from the bellows of the old organ.  The bellows were leaking.  Each time Franz played the organ, the hissing grew louder and the wonderful tones of the organ grew quieter.  The leak worsened until the organ would no longer make any sound other than a hiss.  Franz and Joseph Mohr, the assistant to the priest of St. Nicholas’s Church, sent for Karl Mauracher, an organ-builder from Fügen, a small town about one hundred miles southwest of Oberndorf in the Zillertal valley.  The valley was renowned for its many families who built the best quality instruments and played them just as well.

Karl gathered his hand tools and began the slow trip to Oberndorf in a horse drawn wagon.  Several days later, Karl arrived at St. Nicholas’s Church and assured the organist that he would have the organ repaired in time for the Christmas Eve Advent service.  He planned to have the organ repaired in time for him to make the several-day trip back to Fügen in time for Christmas.  However, as he inspected the organ more thoroughly, he determined that the organ needed more than mending, it needed a total refurbishment.  Karl worked on the delicate instrument as quickly as he could, but he was a perfectionist.  As it neared the date for him to leave so he could arrive in Fügen by Christmas, it began to snow.  It snowed until the wagon trails were impassable.  Karl’s work on the organ was going slower than anyone, especially Karl, had expected.  He knew he would not be home for Christmas, but he tried to complete the organ in time for the Christmas Eve service.  He worked in the short days of winter from early morning until late into the night.  On Christmas Eve morning, Karl told Franz and Joseph the bad news.  The organ refurbishment would not be completed in time.

Franz and Joseph searched through their sheet music for something suitable to perform without the pump organ at the service.  Nothing seemed to satisfy them.  In desperation, Franz quickly came up with a melody.  Joseph listened to Franz’s melody, picked out the chords on a guitar, and provided lyrics to fit.  They rehearsed the song later that afternoon until they were comfortable with its arrangement, then they rehearsed the song with the choir. 

Karl had become friends with several members of St. Nicholas’s Church and decided to go to the Christmas Eve Advent service.  During the service, Joseph and Franz began to play and sing their new song.  Joseph played the guitar and sang tenor and Franz sang bass.  The choir joined in on the choruses.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the song, especially Karl.  He asked Joseph and Franz if he could get a copy of the song to take home with him, and they obliged. 

A few days later, Karl completed the refurbishment of the pump organ and returned to Fügen with his copy of Joseph’s and Franz’s new song.  The following year, Karl convinced a local family of singers, the Rainers, to perform the song at their Christmas Eve service.  The congregation loved the song and the Rainers added it to their repertoire. 

In 1822, Ferdinand I, the Hapsburg Emperor, and Czar Alexander I of Russia spent Christmas in Fügen Castle.  During their stay, the Rainers performed several songs including the song Franz and Joseph had written.  Ferdinand and Alexander were impressed by the Rainers and made arrangements for them to perform on a European tour of royal courts.  The highlight of each show was their performance of Franz’s and Joseph’s song, which they saved until last.  They performed the song in London and the audience was as enthusiastic as any the Rainers had encountered even though the song had not yet been translated into English.   

Within a few years, the Rainers had forgotten who had written their most popular song.  Rumors persisted that the song must have been written by Mozart or some other renowned musical genius.  Finally, a special commission from the Prussian court dispelled the rumors and learned that Joseph and Franz were the true authors of the special song that we still sing each year at Christmas time.  Had it not been for the incredible sequence of events mentioned above, we would never have heard one of the most popular Christmas carols of the past two hundred years, “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.”  The English translation is “Silent Night, Holy Night.”               

Sources:

1. The Bangor Dialy News, December 24, 1973, p.20.
2. The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada), December 18, 1986, p.27.
3. YouTube.com. “Mrs Flewwelling Explains – How to Play a Pump Organ.” Accessed November 24, 2020. https://youtu.be/iBXV8Aol_wo.

Sarah McCurdy (Eros, LA) – Domestic Abuse Battery

Lawrence R. Tatum (Jonesboro, LA) – Jackson Parish Bench Warrant on Possession of synthetic marijuana charge

Courtney Dennis (Hodge, LA) – Simple theft

Casey D. Cathey (Quitman, LA) – Disturbing the peace, Resisting an officer

Matthew Joseph Gray (Jonesboro, LA) – Bench Warrant on Disturbing the peace charge

Jovan Wright (Jacksonville, AR) – Bench Warrant on speeding and driving under suspension charges

Kenneth L. Snyder (Dodson, LA) – Failure to appear on violation of seatbelt law charge

Jasmin Barnes (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant for theft

Phillip R. Andrews (Jonesboro, LA) – Battery of a dating partner

Johnathon Turner (Jonesboro, LA) – Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Andrea Tatum (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule II drug, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Christopher G. Ross (Jonesboro, LA) – Jackson Parish Bench Warrant for theft charge

John W. Robertson (Shreveport, LA) – Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Vicki Cottonham                        Sept. 18, 1959 – Nov. 21, 2020

Ms. Vicki Cottonham, age 61, went to be with the Lord on November 21, 2020. A graveside service was held on Saturday, November 28^th at the Galilee Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Paul Humphrey                           Feb. 10, 1929 – Nov. 27, 2020

Mr. Paul Humphrey of Saline, Louisiana passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020 at the age of 91.  Paul entered into his heavenly home peacefully with his beloved wife, Margie by his side.  Dementia is cruel and watching a brilliant mind fade away was incredibly rough.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions placed on nursing homes, our family was unable to visit him for the past nine months except through a window or a video chat.  The family would like to thank all of the staff at Forest Haven in Jonesboro, LA for the wonderful care provided over these final months.

Paul was born in Friona, Texas on February 10, 1929 to David and Maudie Humphrey.  Growing up during the depression undoubtedly shaped his exemplary work ethic, innovative mind and resourceful ways.  He was the pillar of our family, loved God and served as a deacon of Old Saline Baptist Church for many years. 

He loved his country and served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California.  Paul was a master mechanic and had the ability to fix, build or fabricate almost anything.  He was a straight and plumb carpenter and his construction was top notch.  He was a lover of music and could play many instruments by ear.  He passed on his many talents and passions to his children and grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Aubrey Humphrey.  He is survived by his wife, Margie of 70 years; their three sons, Douglas Humphrey and wife Gail of Saline, Gene Humphrey and wife Gail of Saline, Ronnie Humphrey and wife Janice of Shreveport.  Grandchildren include Tanya and Jeremy Paul of Ruston, Trent and Emily Humphrey of Haughton, Ryan and Amy Humphrey of Shreveport, Alyson Lancaster of Forney, Texas, Ashlin and Heath Thompson of Shreveport, Matthew and Cody Rawls Beaverton, Oregon, Eric and Jennifer Rawls of Keithville, Chris and Shannon Fife of Sterlington, Matthew and Kristi Fife of Farmerville, Leigh Ann and Nicholas Hamburg of West Monroe, eleven great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

Graveside services were held on December 1^st, 2020 at Old Saline Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home following a brief visitation period at the Old Saline Baptist Church.

Evelyn Russell                             May 03, 1958 – Nov. 15, 2020

Funeral Services were held at the New Galilee Baptist Church in Jonesboro, LA on Friday, November 27, 2020 for Evelyn Russell who passed away at the age of 62 years old. Internment followed at the New Galilee Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. 

Casey “Buck” Anders Jr.          Jan. 04, 1956 – Nov. 19, 2020

Funeral Services were held Casey “Buck” Anders Jr., age 64, on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Anders Farm in Eros, LA. Internment followed at the Old Ziggler Cemetery in Eros, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA.

Marie Knox                         August 09, 1935 – November 23, 2020

Ms. Marie Knox, age 85 passed away on November 23, 2020. A graveside service was held at the Sandhill Cemetery in Quitman, LA on Monday, November 30^th under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA.

On Monday, November 23^rd Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson issued a written statement that the Town of Jonesboro would not be a participant in the 2020 Christmas Parade. As result, the annual event sponsored by the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce (JPCC) that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 28^thhas been cancelled.

JPCC Director Wilda Smith immediately followed up by announcing that those who have paid to enter the parade will receive refunds and encouraged would be visitors to still come and enjoy the Christmas Fesitival events scheduled for the day that will go on as planned, just without a parade.

There will still be the lights, Santa, fireworks, shopping, lots of food available and music for your enjoyment. Jon Sorenson (guitar & saxaphone) & Paul Tassin (piano/keyboard) will be playing & singing Christmas songs beginning at 2:00 PM outside the North entrance to the Jackson Parish Courthouse.

Statement issued by Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson:

From the Office of Mayor Thompson:

It is the order of the office of Governor John Bel Edwards that due to the drastic increase in the pandemic there would be no parades or large crowds assembled. The CDC lists attending parades, shopping in crowded stores or being a spectator in a crowded race as among the higher risk activities for exposure to the Coronavirus.

For this reason, The Town of Jonesboro, in our efforts to provide the greatest protection for our citizens and to comply with the governor’s order will be unable to participate in the 2020 Christmas parade. Public works will not put up barricades or provide the services which would normally be provided by the Town. We apologize for having to take this action but are left with no alternative given the situation with the virus being worse than it’s been at any time since it started.

Leslie Thompson – Mayor of Jonesboro

Christmas Parade at State Park this Friday still a go

As of Monday, November 23^rd, the Christmas Parade that is being sponsored by the North Louisiana Camping Club and scheduled to be held at the Jimmie Davis State Park this Friday, November 27th is still a go!

Per host Trish McGraw Smith campers at the park will enjoy the parade free of charge while all others will be charged a fee of $3.00 at the office of the main entrance to the park. Due to the quickly changing scenarios involving the Coronavirus across the state it is recommended that before you make plans to attend you contact the Jimmie Davis State Park office to ensure the parade will still take place.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced on Nov. 24 that the aggressive third surge of COVID-19 across all regions of Louisiana has made it necessary to impose tighter mitigation measures and step back to Phase 2 in order to protect public health.

The Governor’s updated Phase 2 proclamation, which is slightly modified from the summer, takes effect on Wednesday, November 25. It calls for reducing occupancy at some businesses, decreasing gathering sizes, limiting indoor consumption at many bars and urges everyone in Louisiana to avoid gatherings with people outside of their everyday households.

Cases are increasing, hospitalizations have climbed back up to more than 1,000, the highest level since August, and to date, the virus has claimed the lives of more than 6,300 Louisianans. According to the latest report by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Louisiana had 474 new cases per 100,000 people last week, which is higher than the national average for states, which is 356 per 100,000 people.

Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate, which has been in place since mid-July, will continue. In addition, Gov. Edwards encourages any business that can allow its employees to work remotely to do so. He has directed all state agencies to do the same.

“There is not a single region of our state that is not seeing increases in new cases, hospitalizations and growing positivity of COVID tests, and I am incredibly concerned by Louisiana’s trajectory and our ability to continue to deliver health care to our people if our hospitals are overrun with sick patients,” Gov. Edwards said. “The data clearly tells us that we have lost all of the gains we had made and that our current mitigation efforts must be increased in order to adequately slow the spread. Now is the time to make changes, and stepping back to guidelines that closely resemble our Phase 2 restrictions is a tough but necessary step to take in order to protect the public.

“It is absolutely vital that Louisianans take this third surge of COVID seriously. While there is hopeful news about the development of an effective vaccine, the reality is that we are several months away from being able to widely vaccinate the general population in our state. This virus is with us and we must continue all of the mitigation measures including wearing a mask and social distancing in order to stay safe. All of us working together can slow the spread of COVID and flatten the curve – indeed, we already have twice. We now have more than 1,000 patients in the hospital with COVID, wiping out months of progress and leaving our hospitals in a perilous place.”

MAJOR CHANGES

Gov. Edwards’ updated order will go into effect on Wednesday, November 25 and will run for four weeks. The Governor intends to keep these restrictions in place at least through the end of the year.

Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate remains in place. Major changes to Louisiana’s COVID-19 restrictions include the below:

All Louisianans are encouraged to avoid gatherings of individuals not part of their households.

All businesses, private and public sectors, are encouraged to use remote work where they can.

All restaurants are limited to 50% of their indoor capacity. Restaurants should move as much dining outdoors as they can. Social distancing is required.

For bars in parishes above 5% positivity, bars are closed to indoor sales and consumption but open for outdoor consumption at tables only and at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people. Social distancing is required. Take-out and delivery will still be available.

Retail businesses at 50% capacity, except for essential businesses, as defined by federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Gyms may be open at 50% of their capacity.

Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75% of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household. The State Fire Marshal will put out additional COVID mitigation measures to make services safer.

Barber and beauty shops, and nail salons may open at 50% of their capacity.
Movie theaters may open at 50% of their capacity.

Indoor gatherings at event/receptions centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 75 individuals.

Outdoor gatherings at event/reception centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 150 individuals when strict physical distancing is not possible.

All sporting events will be capped at 25% capacity.

Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate is still in place.

When it comes to LHSAA prep football lore there are not many schools across the state that can equal Jonesboro-Hodge’s legacy. This Friday night one of those schools, #18 seed Kentwood, invades Caldwell-Peacock stadium for a first round Class 2A playoff matchup. The contest will be the first ever between the two. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.

You think JHHS has a great tradition? Try this on for size. Where JHHS has five state titles and three second place finishes, Kentwood (which is probably more known worldwide as the home of Brittany Spears) has 9 state championships and 7 runner-up finishes. That includes three state title game appearances in the last five years.

Jonesboro-Hodge has 19 district championships since 1929 but only one since the year 2000. Kentwood has 19 district titles on their resume also but all but one is since 1996. Over the last 24 years the Kangaroos have claimed 18 district championships.

They are good this year as well. Kentwood finished the regular season with a 4-2 record and a perfect 3-0 slate in district 9-2A. The #18 seeding isn’t a result of their not be successful  but because of not being able to play the last two weeks due to Coronavirus precautions which cost them dearly in power points.

“I am really glad we ended up getting to host a playoff game but I couldn’t believe it when I saw that we would be playing Kentwood,” said JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship. “They aren’t your typical #18 seed. They have a better record and have won their last three games by over 30 points. We have a real test ahead of us.”

As a team the Kangaroos have scored 183 points in six games and given up 113. In their last three games the ‘Roos scored 42, 47, and 42 points against district foes Independence, Varnado and Pine. Their two losses were 31-6 to Class 5A Live Oak and 21-7 to Class 2A Dunham in week two and three of the season.

The 9-2A member is led by 2019 Class 2A Honorable Mention All-Stater Kajuan Magee who excels on both sides of the ball, albeit, in an unlikely combination. On offense the 6”0” 167 pound senior is a threat to score from anywhere on the field from his wide receiver position. He is also just as effective as an undersized defensive end with incredible speed off the ball.

Others to watch for are senior QB/FS Otis Elzy who at 5’10” and 165 is cat quick and slippery as an eel. Kentwood likes to throw quick passes to their extremely talented wideouts and let them make plays. Besides Magee there is also 6’2” 190 pound Cornelius Dyson who can run by or over an opponent, 6’0” senior Shaquil Woolridge and 6’3” sophomore Jermichael Carter. The defense is led by linebackers 6’2”, 180 lb. Ja’Kevis Callahanand 5’9” 230 lb. fire plug Bryce Cooper.

JHHS, who ended the season at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in 1-2A play counters with a rested team of their own having been forced to sit on the sidelines this past week due to Lakeside (Sibley) cancelling the final district 1-2A clash of the year. It is the second game that was on the schedule lost due to the Coronavirus. Two other games (Winnfield, West Ouachita) were cancellation casualties before the season even started.

Junior QB Tydre Malone looks to rebound from his worst game of the year where he completed only 7 of 20 passes and had 3 INT’s. Conversely tailback LaJavion Nichols is coming off his best performance of the year after running roughshod over North Caddo for 164 yards and two TD’s on 19 carries.  Justin Calahan who has scored TD’s by rushing, receiving, kickoff return and a 94 yard punt return that set a new all-time school record, Manuel Hernandez, Devontae Mozee and JaMarriyea Lewis also look to come up big for the Tigers.

#15 JHHS (3-3, 1-1) season totals

37-8       Delta Charter (1A)

42-41    Rosepine (2A)

0-36       Mansfield (3A)

26-30     Huntington (4A)

36-0       D’Arbonne Woods (1-2A)

21-44    North Caddo (1-2A)

162 points for

159 points against

JHHS 2019-20 Final Regular Season Stats

Passing: Tydre Malone   46/92 -735 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT

Rushing: LaJavion Nichols 58 rushes / 477 yards, 6 TD’s

Receiving: Justin Calahan 15 catches / 206, 4 TD’s

Tackles: LaJavion Nichols – 52 tackles, 24 assists, 7 tackles for a loss

Longest kickoff return for a score: 70 yards by Justin Calahan vs Delta Charter

Longest punt return for a score: 94 yards by Justin Calahan vs. Huntington (new school record)

Linda Gregory, age 65, of Saline and her passenger, 69-year-old Kenneth Self, of Chestnut, were killed this past Sunday afternoon in a single car, rollover crash on US 79 near the east Texas community of Bethany located in Panola County.

According to DPS troopers, Gregory, the driver of a 2007 Honda Accord was traveling northbound when she changed lanes to the right and failed to negotiate the curve. The car then entered a ditch and struck a concrete culvert before rolling several times. Both were declared dead at the scene of the accident which remains under investigation.

Entering the 2020-21 season Quitman head girls basketball coach Kyle Leach knew his squad had the potential to be special this year. After six games his girls have proven to be just that. Quitman won three games last week to up their record to 6-0 for the best start in the new millennium and become the last remaining undefeated school from north Louisiana in Class B.

The Lady Wolverines put their season opening, best record in over 15 years on the line this coming Tuesday when they face perhaps their sternest test of the year when neighboring Jonesboro-Hodge comes visiting. The Lady Tigers enter the contest with a 1-1 mark after knocking off Weston in their season opener before falling 51-39 to East Iberville in the Lakeview Tournament.

The boys teams from both schools will play following the contest for the only action of the week for the Jackson Parish neighbors. Weston is scheduled to visit Dodson for a boys and girls matchup against Dodson on Monday and Grace Christian (Alexandria) on Tuesday in limited Thanksgiving holiday action.

Games on boxcast! As most know by now the state of Louisiana has limited the number of fans that can come to a game to 25% of a gymnasiums capacity. For the three Jackson Parish schools that has caused some problems for the fans who normally would pour into the area gyms to support their schools.

Thanks to the Jackson Parish School Board who has partnered with the on-line web site Boxcast you can still follow the area teams, whether they are playing at home or on the road, by going to your favorite schools Facebook page and watch the games in real time.

Quitman 41 Haughton 27 (Girls)

It is suspected to be the first time ever that the Quitman girls have beaten a Class 5A school. It is certainly the first time since Kyle Leach became the girls head coach way back in 2004. Regardless the Lady Wolverines continued their season opening best start by outscoring the Lady Buccaneers 18-5 in the second quarter after both teams struggled to find the range in the early going.

Slow start! In the season home opener it seemed as though someone forgot to take the lid off the baskets at the Quitman gym as both squads combined for only 7 points in the first eight minutes. While Quitman finally warmed up in the second quarter it didn’t get much better for Haughton the rest of the way as Quitman limited the visitors to just 10 of 46 shooting (21.7%) and just one basket from three point range in 19 attempts.

Triple threat! Brayli Stewart led the Lady Wolverines with 14 points followed closely behind by Clara Womack and Bethany Leach who scored 11 each as the three combined for 36 of the 41 points scored and six of the seven three pointers that were made in the game. Cali Deal rounded out the scoring with five that included the other 3-pointer.

What’s up with that! Quitman defied logic by connecting on 7 of 12 three point attempts for a 58.3% shooting percentage. This is compared to making just 8 of 27 shots from inside the arc that tabulates to a .29.6% average and only 4 of 10 (40%) from the free throw line. Womack made 3 of 4 from behind the arc while Leach made 2 of 3. Deal made one of her two bombs taken with Stewart nailing one of three.

QHS (4-0)     3 18 10 10 – 41

HHS (1-1)     4   5 14   4 – 27

QHS scoring: Stewart 14, Womack 11, Leach 11, Deal 5

HHS scoring: Shyne 13, Chapple 4, White 4, Hooper 2, Phillips 2

Quitman 60 Claiborne Christian 37 (Girls)

Quitman exploded for 27 fourth quarter points to break open a close game for their fifth consecutive victory to start the season. Once again the Lady Wolverines started slow to fall behind by six after the first quarter but rallied to take a one point lead at the half.

Continued long range accuracy! For the second game in a row Quitman shot better from behind the arc than they did close up as the Lady Wolverines shot just 39.6% for the game but connected on 11 of 21 shots from three point land for an second consecutive above 50% average from downtown. Again it was Clara Womack, Bethany Leach and Brayli Stewart leading the way with four, three and three each with Cali Deal chipping in with a trey in her only attempt.

Pressure D! With the game still in question the Lady Wolverines picked up the intensity by forcing numerous turnovers in the second half and especially in the final quarter. For the contest the Quitman defense caused 21 turnovers compared to making just 8 in the game.

Balanced scoring: Quitman had three players finish with double digits in points scored and one more who finished just one point short. Bethany Leach paced the attack with 17 points followed closely by Clara Womack with 16. Cali Deal added 11 and Brayli Stewart chipped in with nine. Emma Carter and Ansley Folks scored two each.

 

QHS (5-0)       8 11 14 27 – 60

CCHS (3-3)   14   4   9 10 – 37

QHS scoring: Leach 17, Womack 16, Deal 11, Stewart 9, Carter 2, Folks 2

CCHS scoring: Russell 12, Head 10, Robinson 6, Bell 3, Towers 3, Miller 3

Quitman 46 St. Mary’s 41 (Girls)

In their first real test of the season Quitman extended their season opening streak to six straight by taking the five point victory over defending Division IV state champion St. Mary’s of Natchitoches for their second straight victory over a school from a larger classification.

Unique win! In every game this season to date, the Lady Wolverines have come out victorious by outshooting their opponent from the three point line to overcome a rebounding deficiency. Things were completely opposite in this one as St. Mary’s made more three pointers (7-6) but lost the rebounding battle 34-19. Emma Carter was the leading glass cleaner with a season best 9 boards followed by Cali Deal with six. Brayli Stewart grabbed four as every single Quitman player got at least one rebound.

Savior Stewart! While the rest of the team struggled to make only 7 of 32 shots (21.8%) and not a single three point shot Brayli Stewart stepped up to put the team on her back for 21 points on 7 of 15 shooting overall and 6 of 9 from behind the ar. Bethany Leach added 10 and Clara Womack 9 despite the normally sharp shooting pair suffering through an uncharacteristic 5 of 25 shooting performance and not making a trey for the first time all season.

QHS (6-0)     7 5 16 18 – 46

SMHS (0-1)  8 7 12 14 – 41

QHS scoring: Stewart 21, Leach 10, Womack 9, Deal 4, Carter 2

 

JHHS 69 Weston 63 (Girls)

Second-year JHHS head coach Britani Fields made it a perfect 2-0 in season openers this past Thursday evening as the Lady Tigers took the road victory. It is the sixth straight triumph for J-H in the series between the two schools separated by only 8 miles.

The contest brought both cheers and groans from fans from both sides as the two Jackson Parish schools experienced times where they were red hot and suffered through agonizing droughts.

In the end it was J-H who won after taking a sizable halftime lead, find themselves down in the fourth and then rally for the victory in the contest that was closer than the final score indicated.

Riding the Rollercoaster! The pace of the game resembled the Lady Wolves season to date as the 2020 roller coaster ride continued. Weston is now 3-4 on the year after the contest marked the seventh game in a row that the outcome was different from the game before.

Overcoming Emma! Behind 13 points from Xabrianna Jackson, who finished with a team high 27 points and 11 from Chamya Waters the Lady Tigers took a commanding 12 point lead early in the second quarter and held on for a 34-27 lead at the half.

Impressively J-H held all but one of the Weston starters to just three baskets and eight points in the first 16 minutes. That one though, Emma Kate McBride, was unstoppable as she lit Jonesboro-Hodge up for an impressive 19 first half points to keep Weston within striking distance.

Clawing back! With 5:14 to go in the 3^rd quarter Weston had narrowed the deficit to three at 38-35. After just short of two minutes gone in the fourth the Lady Wolves took the lead at 56-55 by scoring the first six points in the final frame. McBride, who ended the night with a career high 32 points continued to stay hot and Mallory Tolar (11 points) hit a pair of treys to lead the charge.

Lady Tigers regroup! The game see-sawed back over the next four and a half minutes with both teams taking one point advantages at different time before Yahzmynne Andrews, who finished with 19 points and Waters (16 points) made back to back baskets with 1:14 to play to give the Lady Tigers a 65-62 lead.

Sydney says hello! The two teams swapped a free throw each to make the score 66-63 and with less than 20 seconds to go Waters made the front end of one. That is Sydney Malone introduced herself to the scorekeeper and ended any hopes of a comeback for Weston as she grabbed the rebound and followed with her only basket of the night to give J-H the winning margin.

 

JHHS (1-0)    20 14 21 14 – 69

WHS (3-4)    16 11 22 14 – 63

JHHS scoring: Jackson 27, Andrews 19, Waters 16, Hoggro 4, Malone 2, Bradford 1

WHS scoring: McBride 32, Tolar 11, Peterson 7, Maxwell 6, Hay 4, Austin 2, Bond 2

 

Weston 74 JHHS 64 (boys)

In the only action for both teams this past week, Weston’s 74-64 victory over Jonesboro-Hodge this past Thursday night represented a series of firsts. For the Tigers it was their first game of the season. In regard to Weston it was head coach Jacob Otwell’s first victory over Jonesboro-Hodge and the Wolves first victory over their parish neighbor since 2014 breaking a string of four consecutive losses. The victory also marked the first time this season that Weston has won back to back games.

Holt Jolt! Senior forward Jace Holt shocked the Tigers by scoring 18 of his season high 25 points in the first two quarters to pace the Wolves to a commanding 32-21 lead. Holt opened and closed the half with a flourish as he scored 10 of Weston’s first 12 points and then put an emphatic exclamation point on his team’s early dominance by draining a three pointer as time expired in the second quarter.

Shorthanded struggle! Jonesboro-Hodge dressed only eight for the contest and most of them were underclassmen seeing their first varsity action as many of the expected contributors this season are still playing football. The two that will continue to see heavy minutes for the Tigers once at full strength, JaMarrion “Pork Chop” Atkins and Edward “Robbie” Kary carried the load for J-H scoring 22 and 16 points respectively.

Bombs Away! Weston made only three baskets inside the arc in the second and third quarters but the five players who drained a total of 8 long bombs helped keep the Tigers at bay. Davis Tolar (10 pts), Holt and Cooper Harvey (8 pts) made two apiece with Kaden Shirley (8 pts) and Braden Theriot (4 pts) adding a three pointer each.

Furious fourth! With J-H being forced to resort to fouling in order to try and rally the Wolves went to the line 16 times in the fourth, making ten after taking only 12 freebies in the first three quarter. Eli McBride scored 10 of his 12 points and Mitchel Mathews made all nine of his points in the contest in the final frame to help Weston outscore the Tigers 25-24 in the quarter to give Weston the 10 point victory.

WHS (3-4)    16 16 17 25 – 74

JHHS (0-1)    11 10 19 25 – 64 

Scoring:

(WHS) Holt 24, McBride 12, Tolar 10, Mathews 9, Harvey 8, Shirley 8 Theriot 4

(JJHS) Atkins 22, Kary 16, Joe 10, Tew 7, Beard 5, Lamkin 2

 

Quitman 63 Forest 32 (boys)

Quitman limited Forest to single digits in the first three quarters to win their season home opener going away in a Class B matchup. The victory was Quitman’s third straight to open the season while Forest fell to 0-3.

Balanced attack! Cooper Williams paced the Wolverines with 16 points followed closely behind by John Pabaya, who hit three of six three pointers for 14 points and Ethan Everett who scored 12. Joshua Smith added nine points and a team leading 8 rebounds and five blocks. Ladayrun Manning added four, Shane Rowe three, Ty Simonelli three and Eli Walker a basket to round out the scoring for Quitman.

Defense! It was the emphasis on defense which has been a major focus of first year head coach Mike Black that led the way to the easy victory as Forest never was able to score more than 7 points in the first three quarters. Quitman allowed Forest to make only 23% of their shots while forcing 23 turnovers and out-rebounded the visitors by a 29-14 margin.

QHS (3-0)     16 15 13 19 – 63

FHS (0-3)        7   6   6  13 – 32

QHS Scoring: Williams 16, Pabaya 14, Everett 12, Smith 9, Manning 4, Rowe 3, Simonelli 3, Walker 2

Quitman 65 Claiborne Christian 45 (boys)

Quitman opened the contest by taking a 21-11 first quarter lead and then blew the game open by taking an 18-7 advantage in the third to take the 20 point victory and remain undefeated after the first four games of the year.

Earning an identity! Webster’s defines a Wolverine as being aggressive and quietly furious. That personifies Coach Mike Black’s bunch to a tee so far in the early season going as Quitman held an opponent to 45 points or under and under 40% from the field for the fourth straight game.

Continued quarter success! Quitman stretched their streak of winning a quarter to 11 straight before being outscored in the final frame with mainly reserves playing. The Wolverines still haven’t allowed more than 14 points to be scored in a quarter but once the entire year.

Manning up! Cooper Williams scored 16 for the second consecutive game and Joshua Smith added 14 and 8 boards but it was Ladayrun Manning that stole the show by providing season best stats with 9 points and 7 rebounds.  Ethan Everett chipped in with 6 while Shane Rowe, Ty Simonelli and Logan Ponder added four each. John Pabaya rounded out the scoring with two.  

QHS (4-0)     21 16 18 10 – 65

CCHS (3-3)   11 13   7 14 – 45

QHS scoring: Williams 16, Smith 14, Manning 9, Everett 6, Rowe 4, Simonelli 4, Ponder 4, Pabaya 2

By: Glynn Harris

            Our pretty fall colors sort of came and went rather quickly this year. The sweet gums and oaks and other deciduous trees were pretty for a week or so but except for a smattering of color, we’re mostly looking at brown.

            A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting an enchanted part of the country when our writer’s conference was scheduled this time of year in Gatlinburg, TN and I got introduced to the beauty and majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains. I want to share some of my memories with you from that special week.

            “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. The Earth was without form and void….” (Genesis 1:1-2a). If I may speculate a bit, I think God probably looked over the world He created, pausing as His gaze settled on what is now the Tennessee-North Carolina border, feeling this would be an ideal spot to do something extra special. So he reached down and pinched up and molded a goodly portion of landscape to form the Great Smoky Mountains. 

            There is no other reasonable explanation; to behold these majestic forested peaks that reach Heavenward to over 6,000 feet is to sense the presence and the work of the Creator. The conference was great. The setting? Indescribable.

            Gatlinburg is a major tourist attraction in large part because of the scenery. Although the foliage had yet to change when we were there, visitors were in abundance in the area; I can only imagine what it would have been like in a few weeks when the hills and valleys catch fire in shades of red, gold and amber.

 We took a side trip one day to visit Ashville , NC some 90 miles from Gatlinburg and our trip took us through and over the Great Smoky Mountains. Although we were pressed for time, wild horses couldn’t have prevented me from stopping several times to try as best I could to capture with my camera some of the scenery passing before our eyes.

            On one particular look-out in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we beheld a scene a camera just can’t do justice. Two layers of mountain lay in the distance beneath a bank of white clouds. Incredibly, a third layer of mountain peaks arose above the clouds. We could only stand and gaze reverently, awestruck at the sight.

            As majestic as were the peaks, the little mountain streams demanded a couple of stops as well. The gurgling of the water rushing over smooth round stones suddenly tumbling over little waterfalls where dark pools formed put me in a mood to flip a fly into the pools. I had the mood; I didn’t have the rod so I could only look and imagine.

            A writer friend who grew up in that part of the world told me later that he could almost guarantee that those darker pools held a wild rainbow trout or two. “They may be only six inches long but you can bet one is there,” he said. It’s for sure when you behold those cold, clear and moving mountain streams, you don’t conjure up images of catfish and carp.

            Wildlife flourishes in these mountains. Although we didn’t see one, several of our group saw black bears; one friend was almost overrun by a bear when he parked in front of his hotel room and was startled when a bear rushed by between his car and the door to his hotel room. “I could have reached out and touched him,” he told me. As we left

Gatlinburg on our way back to Louisiana , a flock of wild turkeys fed contentedly a few yards from the highway.

            If you want to have your senses stirred to the point you can hardly stand the titillation, may I suggest a trip to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

FISHING REPORT

BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass have been fair on spinners and soft plastics around pads and structure. Crappie fishing has improved a bit fishing the lower end of the lake around the dam with shiners working best. No report on bream or catfish. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

BLACK BAYOU –  Crappie are fair on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair around the grass on jigs and soft plastics. Bream are slow. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.

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

LAKE D’ARBONNE – Crappie fishing has improved with best fishing being up the creeks. The area around Gill’s Ferry is producing some good catches on shiners and jigs with a 2.9 pounder reported. Bass fishing has been best fishing the edges of the channels on crank baits and soft plastics. A few bream have been 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 improved as the fish are on the move. Not much happening up the lake with best catches being made on the south end of the lake. White swim jigs or white spinners seem to be working best with fish in the 2-3 pound range reported. Crappie fishing has been best fishing shiners around brush 11-12 feet deep. Stripers are fair trolling white bucktails with Beaver creek area producing best. Catfishing has been fair on trotlines baited with chicken livers or blood bait. 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 soft plastics such as drop shot rigs or jigging spoons 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 best around deep tops with some caught under the Hwy 4 bridge on shiners or jigs. No report on bream or catfish this week. 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 have been fair around the boat slips on jigs or shiners. Catfishing has slowed and no report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318-878-0101.

LAKE ST. JOHN – Fishing overall has been slow. A turn to cooler weather should improve success.  For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.

LAKE YUCATAN – The water is falling but a big rise is expected next week. Other than a few bass reported, fishing is slow. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.

LAKE BRUIN – Bass fishing has been fair while other species are slow. For information, contact Carlos Gray at 318/766-0075.

Former Shady Grove High School and Louisiana Tech basketball legend Angela Turner will be a member of the 2020 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class which will be celebrated on December 15^th – 17^th.

A four-year starter from 1978-82 and a prestigious Kodak All-American in 1982, Turner helped Louisiana Tech to four Final Fours, four national title game appearances and two national titles (1981 AIAW, 1982 NCAA). The 5-foot-8 forward was a key in an undefeated season in 1980-81 when the Lady Techsters went 34-0 and defeated Tennessee 79-59 in the title game, when she was named Final Four MVP. The following season as a senior, she led Tech to a 35-1 record and the NCAA national title as Tech defeated Cheyney State 76-62.

She helped the Lady Techsters set the Division I women’s basketball record with a 54-game winning streak during the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons. “A.T.” scored 2,262 career points, still ranking third all-time at Tech, and averaged double figures all four seasons. Her 817 points scored in 1979-80 still ranks as the second most in a single season in school history.

Turner ranks No. 2 in field goals made (1,021), No. 3 in scoring (2,262 points), No. 3 in steals (358), No. 6 in rebounds (1,073) and No. 9 in assists (466) in the storied history of the program. Known for her picture-pretty jump shot, she made the 20-member LSWA All-Century Team for college hoops chosen in 1999. Her No. 5 jersey is retired.

After scoring 3,780 points in high school and leading Shady Grove to the 1978 Class C state championship Turner graduated as valedictorian. She was then was named to the U.S. National Women’s U20 team in 1978, leading the team in scoring at the Pam American Games.

After recently being elected for the LSHOF Class of 2021, two championship coaches, former LSU track and field coach Pat Henry and retired Monroe-Richwood High School football coach Mackie Freeze, will be inducted in December as part of the 2020 class.

Eight-time world bodybuilding champion Ronnie Coleman, a Bastrop native and Grambling graduate, was elected for induction in 2020, but will go into the Hall next June 24-26 with the Class of 2021. This year’s traditional June induction was postponed to December due to the coronavirus pandemic, while at the same time, Coleman’s biggest annual event, the Mr. Olympia competition, shifted from its planned September timetable to conflict with the Hall’s dates in December.

Freeze and Henry step into a star-studded Class of 2020. Other than Turner it includes outdoorsman Phil Robertson, recognized internationally as the Duck Commander, former LSU football coach Nick Saban, who won 75 percent of his games and the 2003 national championship in five seasons with the Tigers, Sweet Lou Dunbar of the Harlem Globetrotters, Pro Bowl football standout Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, a star at UL Lafayette and New Orleans native Kerry Kittles, a two-time All-America guard at Villanova who averaged 14 points in an eight-year NBA career.

Inducted as winners of the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism will be LSU sports publicist Kent Lowe and Baton Rouge Advocate prep sportswriter Robin Fambrough.

Opelousas native Joan Cronan, one of college sports’ most influential administrators in her career as athletics director at the University of Tennessee, will be inducted as the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award winner.

Enshrined as the first recipient of the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award will be Shreveport-based broadcaster Tim Brando, whose pride in his home state has been evident throughout his four decades among the best in his business around the country.

They will be honored in a series of events culminating with the annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies presented by State Farm Agents of Louisiana on Thursday evening, Dec. 17, at the Natchitoches Events Center.

The 2020 Induction Celebration begins Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 15, with a nationally-televised (Cox Sports Television) afternoon press conference.

The press conference and a free public reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, located at 800 Front Street, are presented by La Capitol Federal Credit Union.

The Wednesday, Dec. 16 schedule begins around lunchtime with the LSHOF’s Celebrity Bowling Bash, presented by BOM Bank, pairing 2020 inductees and more sports celebrities, including past inductees, with patrons at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria.

Wednesday evening, the third annual Rockin’ River Fest presented by Rapides Regional Medical Center will feature bands and fireworks over Cane River Lake in historic downtown Natchitoches in a free concert. The 2020 induction class will be introduced just before the fireworks show. The Taste of Tailgating Party, presented by Hancock Whitney Bank, will be held in Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room on Front Street, overlooking the riverbank stage.

Thursday morning, Dec. 17, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp, presented by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, will be held on the Northwestern State campus with 300 youth participating at no charge. Hall of Fame inductees will be the featured instructors for drills in football and basketball while healthy living initiatives and other positive lifestyle messaging will be presented to boys and girls.

Social distancing and other preventive measures will be practiced throughout the celebration per local and state government policies.

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Frank Gumm was the owner of the New Grand theater in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  His wife, Ethel, was a former actress, pianist and singer.  Together, they had three daughters, Suzanne, Virginia, and Frances.  Being the youngest, the family called Frances “Baby.”  With the help of their mother, the three Gumm sisters developed their voices and their ears for music.  Before her third birthday, Baby showed an aptitude for singing and dancing.  Even at such a young age, Baby was persistent and practiced constantly. 

Just before Christmas, 1925, Baby decided that it was time to make her performance debut on amateur night at her father’s theater.  If her parents made any attempt to dissuade her, it failed miserably.  She was a determined three-year-old.  She selected a seasonal song and rehearsed it numerous times in front of the family on the stairs which led to the second floor of their home.  On the evening of the performance, Baby wore a white dress donned with sprigs of holly for a seasonal flare.  Someone led her onto the stage and showed her where to stand.  She waited patiently and calmly behind the curtain.  Perhaps she had not yet reached the age when stage freight develops. 

The curtains parted and the public got their first glance at Baby.  Seeing such a small child alone on such a large stage must have been a curious sight.  The crowd probably thought the performance was going to be just another “cute” act at which they were supposed to politely smile and clap.  The orchestra gave Baby a chord as a vocal cue.  That was all she needed.  Baby began singing the song and the orchestra came in right on cue.  As she sang “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way,” the audience members’ eyebrows raised and their mouths dropped.  Baby sang in perfect pitch, with perfect timing, and did not miss a single syllable of the lyrics.  The crowd cheered as the song neared the ending and the orchestra played the last few notes.  Baby’s successful debut was over, or so everyone thought. 

As soon as the orchestra finished the last note, Baby began singing the song from the beginning again.  The shocked conductor played along and led the orchestra through “Jingle Bells” a second time.  Again, Baby performed it flawlessly.  Just as before, the crowd cheered for Baby, but she was still not through.  She started the song over and the orchestra played along again.  She performed “Jingle Bells” the third time just as perfectly as her first two performances.  Fearing that Baby would begin the song for a fourth time, her father marched out onto the stage, picked Baby up, and carried her backstage.  Even over their cheering, the crowd chuckled as they heard Baby yelling from backstage, “I want to sing some more.”  However, this was to be her only performance at her father’s New Grand Theater.

Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Lancaster, California, about an hour and a half north of Hollywood.  Baby’s parents developed two different singing acts under different names.  One act featured Baby’s sisters, while the other act featured her parents.  For some unknown reason, Baby was not included in either act.

In 1926, when Baby was four years old, her parents enrolled her in a training program which prepared children for the stage.  Baby’s talent and wit quickly drew attention.  She tried out and got the feature role of Cupid in a production held in downtown Los Angeles.  Vaudevillian performer Gus Edwards watched Baby perform and met her and her two sisters after the show.  Their mother mentioned to Gus that Baby’s older sisters performed as a duo.  Gus watched eagerly as Baby’s sisters performed a song from their act, followed by another song from Baby.  At Gus’s suggestion, Baby and her sisters formed a trio.

The Gumm Sisters performed a wide variety of popular songs and became a popular act.  “Gee, we had a lot of fun,” Baby remembered.  “I was the smallest, so I was always in the middle with my arms around Suzanne and Virginia.  If things seemed to be dull, I used to tickle them in the ribs.  Virginia thought it was funny, but Suzanne took things more seriously.  I certainly did catch it when we got off the stage.” 

Ethel, acting as manager of the Gumm Sisters, drove the trio from California to Chicago to perform at the Oriental theater.  “We were to have billing and everything,” Baby reminisced, “and did we get it!  We no sooner arrived on the scene than we saw there, in lights on the marquee, a sign reading ‘The Glum Sisters.’”  The girls were disheartened.  George Jessel, another performer on the same bill, felt sorry for the girls.  He suggested they change the name of their act.  From then on, the trio performed under a new name.  Soon thereafter, the trio dissolved when Suzanne, and then Virginia, married.

Baby, now twelve years old, went on vacation with her parents to Lake Tahoe.  While there, she performed in a program at the lodge.  A talent scout from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios happened to be at the performance.  A few days later, the talent scout called and asked her to audition at the studio, as they were looking for girl singers. 

Entering the grand gates of the movie studio would have intimidated most aspiring performers, but Baby remained calm.  When she began singing at the audition, everyone within earshot stopped and listened.  Baby had a “childish freshness, naturalness and enthusiasm.”  More experts entered the room and she sang again.  Then another group of experts listened.  All of them agreed and suggested that Louis B. Mayer, head manager of MGM, give her an audition.  Mayer, usually busy with a myriad of tasks, auditioned her on the spot.  Baby sang beautifully and gracefully.  Mayer immediately signed her to a film contract. 

Baby went on to have a successful career in motion pictures, television, and as a recording artist.  She starred as a farm girl from Kansas in one of the most beloved films of all time.  You know Frances “Baby” Gumm by her world-famous stage name…Judy Garland.

 

Source:

1. The Atlanta Constitution, October 6, 1940, p.53.

 

On Wednesday, Nov. 11^th, my friend Zachary James Harris was struck by a car while riding his bicycle along Hwy 167 in Jackson Parish. He passed from this world the next day at 8:56 pm. In the following days it was widely reported in the area that he, for reasons that were under investigation, had left the relative safety of the highway’s shoulder and swerved into the active lane where the accident occurred. On Thursday, Nov. 19, the police formally concluded their investigation, stating that Zach was at fault for the accident that took his life. For this to be correct, we have to assume at least three things to be true: 1) An experienced cyclist entered the flow of traffic without checking his surroundings, or, rather, chose to swerve into traffic instead of away from it; 2) The evidence at the scene and the nature of his injuries clearly demonstrate that he put himself at risk; and 3) A disinterested party was the source of this story.

I see no reason to address point no. 1 above, as it is illogical. I suppose it is possible, but unlikely. Additionally, we know that Zach purposely avoided riding on the shoulder as he knew the rumble strip could potentially damage his bicycle and negatively affect his balance. He rode in the lane, and it was within his rights to do so. By Louisiana law, cyclists are to be given no less than three feet of space. Often people change lanes entirely for parked vehicles, emergency or otherwise. Cyclists should be given this courtesy, if possible.

Regarding the evidence at the scene and the injuries sustained, it is doubtful that they can be used to say he was definitively at fault. There appears to be no evidence that the driver attempted to slow down or swerve away prior to the collision. There were no traumatic lower limb injuries that would point to him being hit in any way other than directly from behind. The bicycle, its rear light still flashing after the accident, sustained minimal damage from the impact aside from the rear wheel and that portion of the frame being crushed. The skid mark his rear wheel made from the impact was straight.

The story of Zach unexpectedly swerving into the active lane from the shoulder was told by the person who hit him. I can’t think of any circumstance in which a person in that position would be considered credible. I do not mean to allege that this person lied to police; I point this out only because it seems unusual given the circumstances. There is another claim that someone saw him move into the lane in their rearview mirror prior to being hit. However, given Zach’s low estimated speed in relation to the person who had already passed and then glanced back, this statement warrants additional scrutiny as increasing distance and distraction by the road ahead would need to be addressed. 

As a friend who should have been a groomsman for the deceased on Saturday. Nov. 21^st instead of a pallbearer on Wednesday, Nov. 18^th, I understand that I can hardly be considered a neutral party in relation to this event. Those of us in mourning naturally want justice. But what constitutes justice in the wake of such devastating tragedy? No monetary compensation nor any outcome of criminal prosecution will replace what we’ve lost. My hope is that, in raising awareness of this event, people will make an effort to be both more courteous and alert drivers and more loving friends and family members. It’s up to us to make our fleeting physical existence into what we want it to be. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Don’t wait to be a good friend and person, do it now.

 

Sincerely,

Thaddeus J. Light

1. Terrion S. Atkins (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Schedule II drug, Resisting an officer, Disturbing the Peace, Contempt of Court
2. Kelley L. Dukes (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant for theft
3. Lamanius Williams (Jonesboro, LA) – Possession of Marijuana, Resisting by flight, Prohibited (Oct.5)
4. Daniel Wayne Norris (Jonesboro, LA) – Aggravated flight from an officer, Driving under suspension of license, No inspection sticker, Switched plates, Bench Warrants in Caddo and Winn Parishes
5. Lewis Edward Russell Jr. (Jonesboro, LA) – Bench Warrant for failure to appear
6. Dakota Milstead (Georgetown, LA) – IWC Warrant
7. Jayson Allen Morrow (Jonesboro, LA) – First degree rape
8. David Ellington (Hodge, LA) – Warrant for failure to appear, no seatbelt
9. Christa Boatner (Jonesboro, LA) – Warrant for failure to appear, no seatbelt
10. Zachary D. Latour (Winnfield, LA) – Possession of Schedule I drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Execution of sentence
11. Tellandra O. Collins (Jonesboro, LA) – Disturbing the Peace
12. Rhett Price (West Monroe, LA) – Execution of sentences on possession of drug charge and resisting an officer
13. Paul L. Diffy (West Monroe, LA) – Possession of controlled substance schedule II, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No driver license, Turning signals violations
14. Jack T. Kent Jr. (Eros, LA) – Possession of controlled substance schedule II, Possession of drug paraphernalia

Annie Ruth Jackson                   May 20, 1928 – Nov. 14, 2020

Sister Annie Ruth Jackson, age 92, departed this life on Saturday, November 14^th, 2020 at the Forest Haven Nursing Home in Jonesboro, LA.  She was born on May 20, 1928 to the departed Israel and Mary D. Hall of Chatham.

Annie Ruth joined the Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Chatham at an early age and served as an usher until her health failed. She was employed with the Jackson Parish School Board and united in holy matrimony to the late Isiah Jackson of Chatham. To this union, nine children were born.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother and husband as well four children, two grandchildren, two great grand-children and eight siblings. Cherishing her memories are five daughters: Jo Ann Buckner (Lattimore) of Jonesboro, LA; Mary Davis (William) of Chatham, LA; Deborah Robinson (Donald) of Pineville, LA; Sarah Foster and Janet Jackson of Chatham, LA. Also are thirty-three grandchildren, seventy-three great grandchildren, fourteen great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, November 21^st at the Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church in Chatham, LA with Reverend Will Jefferson officiating. Pallbearers were Casey Jackson, Melvin Jackson III, Samuel Mayo, Domminie Jones, Khalif Jackson, Jayvonte Jackson, Lyndon Richardson and Gregory Harris. Honorary Pallbearers were the Mt. Mariah Baptist Church Deacons. Internment followed at the Mr. Mariah Church Cemetery under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA>

 

James Allen Choate                   Dec. 26, 1953 – Nov. 21, 2020

Mr. James Allen Choate, age 66 of Saline, died Saturday, November 21, 2020 in Monroe, La. following a period of declining health.  Mr. Choate was a retired logger who enjoyed the outdoors and loved to spend time with his family and friends.

Mr. Choate is survived by his wife, Joy Choate; children, Jamey Ambler & husband Larry, James Garland Choate and wife Shelly; 4 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James William and Mary Beatrice (Fowler) Choate. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be set by his family.

Calvin Martin           Aug. 29, 1954 – Nov. 11, 2020

Mr. Calvin Martin, age 66, passed away on November 11, 2020. A graveside service and interment was held on Saturday, November 21^st at the Bethany Cemetery in Quitman, LA under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA

 

Betty Sue Brody                          Aug. 15, 1946 – Nov. 16, 2020

Ms. Betty Brody, age 74 of Jonesboro, went to glory on Monday, November 16, 2020.  Betty Sue Brody was born August 15, 1946 to Elijah Houston Owens and Vera Cantrell Owens in Ruston, Louisiana.  She retired from Forest Haven after nursing for over 20 years.  She lovingly cared for her residents.  She enjoyed travel, reading, and her “pet” babies, Sally, Tia, Rosey.  Sunday dinners with her wonderful cooking, gathering with family and friends will be a cherished memory.

Betty is survived by her sons, Timothy Lee Nunn and wife Tammy of Jonesboro, James David Nunn and wife Beverly of Dubach; grandsons, James Adam Nunn, Elijah Clark Nunn, Blake David Nunn and Christian Elijah Hay; granddaughters, Kristy Renee Nunn, Brandi Lee Nunn Freitas and husband Cesar, Courtney Nicole Nunn; great grandson, Esbon Lee Alexander Nunn; sister, Ruby Nell Otwell; nephew, Shane Otwell.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Ray Brody; daughter, Donna Sue Nunn Hay; parents, Elijah and Vera Owens.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Southern-Edmonds Chapel with President Don Walden officiating.  Burial took place at Walnut Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

 

Debra Kaye Denton                   Aug. 20, 1958 – Nov. 19, 2020

Mrs. Debra Denton, age 62 of Quitman, met her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 19, 2020.  Mrs. Debra enjoyed time spent working in the yard and planting and caring for her flowers. 

Mrs. Debra is survived by her children, Christopher North, Michael D. North; grandchild, Michael Scott North; mother, Alice Denton; siblings, James Denton, Susie Harvey.  She was preceded in death by her father, David Denton; sister, Kathy Denton.

A graveside service was held at the Quitman Baptist Church Cemetery at 2:30pm with burial following under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

 

Ezekiel Harrell Jr               Sept. 17^th, 1950 – Nov. 14^th, 2020Mr. Ezekiel Harrell Jr., age 70, of Jonesboro, LA left this world on November 14^th, 2020. A graveside service and internment under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA was held at the Sandhill Cemetery in Quitman, LA on Saturday, November 21^st.

 

Billy Joe Miller                   Dec. 02, 1957 – Nov. 16, 2020

Mr. Billy Miller, age 62 of Heflin, passed through the gates of heaven into a joyful reunion on Monday, November 16, 2020.  Mr. Billy was an avid fisherman, hunter and enjoyed spending time camping.  He was a carpenter and could always find something to do to keep his hands busy.  He loved his family and his children, but his grandchildren were his world.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Jody Miller (Ashley), John Miller, Tiffany Pylant (Chris), Movaline Elizabeth Miller, Tommy Miller (Mary); 9 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; 9 siblings; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Ann (Wilson) Miller; parents, Joseph Henry and Shirley Elizabeth (Heyse) Miller; 1 sister.

A graveside service was held at the Chatham Cemetery with Reverend Bill Staples officiating.  Burial followed under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.