Super Bee Speedway invites you to celebrate the Labor Day Holiday by coming to the track, located at 14325 Hwy 4 East of Chatham, LA, for a full slate of racing on Saturday, September 5th. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for the start of a whopping 8 races featuring all classes, highlighted by a Crate Late Model Division showdown that pays the winner $1,500.00 and the always popular Mechanic’s Race, where the guys who normally turn the wrenches and fix the cars will get their chance behind the wheel.

Running Order:
Factory Stock
Limited Modifieds
Crate Late Models — $1,500 TO WIN
Street Stock
Sportster
Pro Modified
Tuners
MECHANICS RACE

Entry fee for the “greatest show on dirt” is $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for kids aged 6-12. As always, no charge for children under the age of 5, and parking is FREE. Concessions will also be available.

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The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams representing Quitman and Weston Junior High Schools will be in action this Thursday and Friday at the Choudrant Junior High Basketball Tournament. All games will be played in the Choudrant High School Gymnasium, located at 2555 Hwy 80 in Choudrant, LA. Schools participating include Quitman, Weston, Choudrant, Downsville, and Simsboro.

The tournament provides a unique experience for both local schools, as this is the first time this year that both Quitman and Weston will field A and B teams in tournament play, giving more players an opportunity to play valuable minutes.

The Weston Jr. High girls bring the best record among Jackson Parish teams into the tournament, having posted a perfect 9-0 record that includes titles at both the Dodson and Quitman Tournaments. The Quitman boys team is next with a 5-2 record, both losses coming last week to tournament host Choudrant, and has a Dodson Tourney championship and a second-place finish in the Quitman Tourney. The QJH girls are 3-3 on the year while the WJH boys have a 1-4 record.

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The administration and staff at the Jonesboro and Chatham branches of the Jackson Parish Library have released their September activity schedule, which is full of educational and entertaining programs for children, teens, and adults, as well as the Bookmobile schedule for September, October, November, and December.

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(Submitted by JHHS Athletic Department) – As we begin another year of athletics at Jonesboro-Hodge High School, we want to share a reminder about how important it is to support our student-athletes and athletic programs. While all of our teams are extremely grateful for donations given, fundraisers and ticket sales are essential because they help cover the many expenses associated with providing athletic opportunities for our students.

For example, one of the most significant expenses for any sporting event is paying the officials/referees. Whether we have a packed stadium/gym/ball field or a small crowd, the officials must still be paid. When attendance is low, ticket revenue is also low, and there may be little or no profit after expenses. We must also provide and pay for security to help ensure that our students, staff, families, and guests have a safe environment.

We extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the officers and deputies who serve and protect us—and a special thank you to those who understand our circumstances and continue to make sure we are protected. Your service does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to our concession stand volunteers, including those who generously give their time even though they may not have a child participating. Thank you to our commentators, Booster Club, Quarterback Club, school personnel who work the gates, coaches, staff members, and administrators who step in wherever they are needed.

It truly takes a village to support our students and keep our athletic programs moving forward. So many people give their time, talents, resources, and energy, often without recognition or expecting anything in return.

To each of you who supports our effort: YOU are our unsung heroes, and we appreciate you!

When you purchase a ticket, support a fundraiser, volunteer your time, or make a donation, you are investing directly in opportunities for our J-HHS students.

One School. One Family. One Tiger Nation.
Tiger Pride!

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If you follow golf, you know that once every two years there is a two-day competition between the United States and Europe called the Ryder Cup. It is a team event between the representing nations where two-man teams compete against each other on the first day, followed by individual matches on the second day with the winning team decided by the number of matches won.

This past Saturday and Sunday (August 29-30), a “local” version of the Ryder Cup was played between members of the Jackson Parish Golf Course and those from Pine Ridge Country Club in Winnfield. The inaugural event featured 20 players per team, who earned the right to play by posting the best qualifying scoring averages leading up to the event.

The first round was played at the Pine Ridge Country Club, where two-man teams competed over 27 holes broken down into a Scramble format for 9 holes, Alternate Shot format for 9 holes, and Best Ball Format for 9 holes. On Sunday, play shifted to the Jackson Parish Golf Course, where each of the 20 individuals played one-on-one matches over 18 holes.

Congratulations to the members of the Jackson Parish Golf Course who came out on top and brought home the first-ever “Ryder Cup,” now proudly displayed in the clubhouse for all to see. Team members from Jackson Parish included: Pearce Russell, Tayt Culpepper, Tommy Cruse, Leigh Cathey, Brad Porter, Marshall Boggs, Justin Morris, Zack Pickett, JB Elia, Peyton Mitchell, Jack Lyles, Josh Stringer, Snook Harrell, JJ Culpepper, Pete Simonelli, Trey Howard, Wayne Hay, Robert Price, Eli Walker, and Justin Dodson

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The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) is proud to continue offering the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program to students throughout Jackson Parish. Through the three JPSO DARE deputies: Bentley Williams, Cole Stevenson, and Lindsey Stevenson, students receive lessons that extend far beyond drug and alcohol prevention. The program also focuses on helping students make safe and responsible decisions, resist peer pressure, communicate effectively, and develop skills that encourage positive choices in all areas of life.

This past school year, the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office is especially proud to have two individuals from Jackson Parish receive special recognition through the DARE program.

Johannah Holland, a student at Weston High School, was selected as the North Delta District D.A.R.E. Essay Winner. Johannah was presented with a trophy and a $300 award in recognition of her outstanding essay and achievement.

Mrs. Sarah White Rahn, a teacher from Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School, was named the Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers Association Educator of the Year. Mrs. Rahn was recognized this summer during the 35th Annual Louisiana DARE Officer Training Conference in New Orleans for her dedication to students and her continued support of the DARE program.

The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office is extremely proud of Johannah and Mrs. Rahn and the outstanding way they represent our parish. We are also grateful for the continued partnership and collaboration between the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Parish School System as we work together to support and encourage Jackson Parish students.

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Congratulations to Lonnie Menzina of Chatham, LA, and his partner Caroline Sanchez of Tyler, TX, for qualifying for the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa, Ok. Additionally, they are US Senior Pickleball (USSP) Qualifiers for the USSP National Championships in Casa Grande, AZ.

Competing through the Shreveport-Bossier City Pickleball League, Menzina, who is a pharmacist at Family Pharmacy in Jonesboro, and his partner qualified by winning a gold medal at the Oklahoma Senior Games, held the weekend of August 21- 23 in Bixby, OK.

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Take home sweet treats while helping build stronger futures by supporting local Cub Scout Pack 523 by coming to Walmart in Jonesboro, located at 184 Old Winnfield Road (Hwy 167 South), and taking part in a fundraising Bake Sale. The event will take place on Saturday, September 5th, beginning at 8:00 am.

Your support is greatly appreciated!

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“They Promised Us Flying Cars”

Where are the flying cars that engineers began promising us as early as the 1940s? In 1946, Popular Mechanics magazine predicted that flying cars would become commonplace soon. Nearly 40 years later, Doctor Emmett Brown in the Hollywood film Back to the Future told Marty as they were preparing to hit 88 miles per hour, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” That was in 1985 and flying cars are still not commonplace. What happened to the flying cars that we have been promised for generations?

During World War II, Theodore “Ted” Hall proposed a flying car that could be used in commando-type raids but he was unable to convince the military of its practicality. Following World War II, Ted worked with Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation to build flying cars for the masses. They began with the Convair Model 116, a two-seater crude car body with detachable wings and tail. Test pilots completed more than 65 flights in the Model 116 before Ted began working on a more marketable model called the Model 118 (see photo above).

The Model 118 had a more refined plastic car body, a 26½ horsepower car engine, a more powerful Lycoming airplane engine, and could comfortably transport four people. Convair planned to produce 160,000 of the Model 118s and expected to sell many of them to airports to use as rental vehicles.

On November 15, 1947, test pilot Reuben Snodgrass flew the prototype Model 118 for the first time, and it performed splendidly. Three days later, pilot Snodgrass and flight researcher Lawrence Phillips flew the flying car over San Diego, California, on what was supposed to be a one-hour flight to test the engine’s calibration. A few minutes into the flight as they were enjoying what had been a flawless test, the engine sputtered and died. All attempts to restart the engine failed. Pilot Snodgrass was familiar with the area and glided the flying car toward the hard-caked mud flats near South Bay. It was a textbook landing for the first 200 feet, but pilot Snodgrass did not see the four-foot-high embankment until it was too late. In the crash, pilot Snodgrass suffered only minor bruises, but Phillips suffered a fractured shoulder. The car portion was destroyed, but the wing and airplane engine were repaired and used on further test flights. Although public interest in the flying car was initially high, it was not high enough. The company cancelled the flying car.

The reason the Model 118 flying automobile was never made available to the public was not because of a design flaw, not because of something the pilot did, but something he did not do. On that cool November day, the Convair flying car crashed because… it ran out of gas. Pilot Snodgrass was a careful pilot who always used a preflight checklist to avoid accidents such as this. After the crash, Pilot Snodgrass went over the checklist more carefully one item at a time. He remembered vividly checking the fuel gauge which showed to be full. Then, he realized his mistake. It was a simple mistake that anyone could make. Pilot Snodgrass had checked the fuel gauge, the car’s fuel gauge. He had not checked the airplane’s fuel gauge.

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To have Public/Legal Notices, Business Services, Job Opportunities, Items for Sale, and Wanted-to-Buy items published, send an email to jpjjacksonla@gmail.com  or call 318-480-1206. Possible costs are dependent on the content.

SHERIFF’S SALE

PARISH OF JACKSON
STATE OF LOUISIANA

GITSIT SOLUTIONS LLL
#38213
CLARENCE RAY JACKSON

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at JACKSON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 16TH day of September 2026 between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:

BEGINNING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE NW 1/4 OF NE 1/4 OF SECTION 19, T15N, RANGE 3 WEST, AND RUN SOUTH 90 FEET, THENCE EAST 157-1/2 FEET, THENCE NORTH 90 FEET, THENCE WEST 157-1/2 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THEREON AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SURVEY OF JAMES WOOTEN DATED OCTOBER 12, 2007 (“PROPERTY”)

Seized as the property of the above-named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash WITHOUT benefit of appraisal.

Brent Barnett, Sheriff
Ex-Officio, Auctioneer

August 5, 2026
September 9, 2026

SHERIFF’S SALE

PARISH OF JACKSON
STATE OF LOUISIANA

VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC
#38157
MARLON M. JARRELL, JR., MARLON JARRELL, JR., MARLON JARRELL

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at JACKSON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE,
Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 23 day of September, 2026, between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:

2006 CMH LOCEL MOBILE HOME BEARING SEARING NUMBER CS2008343TNAB, IMMOBILIZED ONTO AND INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: LOT 2, 3, 4, & 5 OF BLOCK 1 OF EROS, LOUISIANA, AS SHOWN BY ORIGINAL PLAT AND SURVEY OF SAID TOWN OF EROS, NOW ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, SITUATED IN EROS, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.

Seized as the property of the above-named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash WITH benefit of appraisal.

BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF
EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER

August 12, 2026
September 16, 2026

SHERIFF’S SALE

PARISH OF JACKSON
STATE OF LOUISIANA

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES LLC
#38264
ALMA DIAS GRAHAM

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable Second Judicial District Court, Parish of Jackson, State of Louisiana, and to me directed, I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale for cash at JACKSON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE, Jonesboro, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 21 day of October, 2026, between the hours governing judicial sales, the following property to wit:

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF JACKSON AND STATE OF LOUISIANA TO WIT: ONE CERTAIN LOT OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITH ALL BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, ADVANTAGES, AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, SITUATED IN THE PARISH OF JACKSON, LOUISIANA, TO WIT: DESIGNATED AS LOT 51 OF UNIT 1 OF THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SUBDIVISION TO THE TOWN OF JONESBORO, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS PER PLAT ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF JACKSON PARISH LOUISIANA.
AND ALSO
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF JACKSON AND STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO-WIT: ONE CERTAIN LOT OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITH ALL BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, ADVANTAGES, AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, SITUATED IN THE PARISH OF JACKSON, LOUISIANA, TO WIT: DESIGNATED AS LOT 52 OF UNIT 1 OF THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SUBDIVISION TO THE TOWN OF JONESBORO, JACKSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS PER PLAT ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE RECORDER’S OFFICE OF JACKSON PARISH LOUISIANA.

Seized as the property of the above-named defendant and will be sold to satisfy said Writ and all cost, sale to be made for cash WITHOUT benefit of appraisal.

BRENT BARNETT, SHERIFF
EX-OFFICIO, AUCTIONEER

September 9, 2026
October 14, 2026

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The Jackson Parish Police Jury is hiring for the following open position. Please submit all applications to: Jackson Parish Police Jury Administrative Building, 160 Industrial Drive, Jonesboro, LA 71251. Applications are being accepted until filled. To request a detailed job description, please contact our office at (318) 259-2361 or by email: nevans@jppj.org.

POSITION: Operator 1
DEPARTMENT: Jackson Parish Solid Waste Department

Description:

Under close supervision, the Solid Waste Department Operator I is a semi-skilled to skilled position consisting of equipment operation, manual labor, and maintenance repair of various pieces of light and heavy motorized equipment and trucks used in solid waste management, maintenance, inclement weather, and other generalized work. Incumbent may be used as a relief operator on equipment of a higher class if qualified and trained.

Minimum Qualifications:

• In good standing as an employee in current position
• Class B CDL Driver’s License required; progression towards Class A CDL a must

Basic Responsibilities:

• Primarily operates trackhoe/packer located at the Solid Waste Landfill.
• Directs compact trucks and the public to the proper dumping areas in the landfill.
• Packs and tarps the garbage in the trailers and prepares the trailers to be transported to the Union Parish Landfill.
• Keeps the wall area washed and clean.
• Cleans out drains and bins, when necessary.
• Monitors the water transport and hauls and empties, when necessary.
• Picks up general litter and debris around the landfill, keeping it clean and organized.
• Cross-trained on all Operator II positions; prepared and able to operate any and all equipment used at the landfill.
• Serves as a backup for the Specialty Equipment Operator (Compact Truck), if qualified, trained, and licensed and Operator I and II positions, if necessary (at the appropriate set-up rate).
• Physically present to perform the duties of the position.
• Performs walkaround safety checks at the beginning of every day noting any deficiencies found on equipment and report to Supervisor.
• Complete daily paperwork noting equipment and materials used each day and daily equipment forms.
• Must have good working knowledge of equipment and safety habits.
• Performs manual work functions associated with construction, maintenance, and cleanup of the solid waste landfill and off-site bin sites in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures.

Detailed Job Description available upon request.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

PART TIME JOB OFFERING

PART TIME JOB OFFERING

BUSINESS SERVICES

BUSINESS SERVICES

L P Saw Shop
2612 Hwy 4
Jonesboro, LA
(318) 259 – 4056

BUSINESS SERVICES

BUSINESS SERVICES

Pardue Builders Supply
705 South Hudson Avenue
Jonesboro, LA
(318) 259 – 2529

ATTENTION HUNTERS! Pardue Builders Supply in Jonesboro is now offering Camo Paint in Olive, Green, Black, and Tan for $21.99 per gallon. Also available are Tactacam 3.0 Field Cameras at $119.00 each.

J. Ross Pullin
Jan 3, 1949 — Aug 30, 2026

. Ross Pullin, age 77 of Hodge, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026. A lifelong resident of Jackson Parish, Ross was a graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University. He was an avid golfer and at one time managed Advance Country Club. Ross was known by many for rarely being seen without a Dr. Pepper in his hand and for the simple joy he found in passing out candy to children throughout the parish. Above all, one of his greatest pleasures was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, where he was always proud to cheer them on.

Ross is survived by his sons, Brad Pullin & wife, Sarah and Matt Pullin & wife, Emily; grandchildren, Reeves Pullin, Kate Pullin, George Pullin, James Pullin, Henry Pullin and Sam Pullin; siblings, Ray Pullin, Jr., Nell McLean and Amy Blackwell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginger (Hathaway) Pullin; father, Alfred Ray Pullin, Sr.; and mother, Mary (Mathews) Pullin.

Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at Gayla Traina Cemetery on Friday, September 4, at 9:00 AM. with Bro. Trey Etheridge officiating. Services will be directed by Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Rex Johnson, Glen Runyon, Mike Holder, George Griggs, Phillip Underwood, Reeves Pullin, George Pullin, James Pullin, Henry Pullin, and Sam Pullin.

Shelby Mitchell “Buddy” Clark
December 29, 1951 – August 27, 2026

Shelby Mitchell “Buddy” Clark Jr., age 75, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026. He was born on December 29, 1951, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to the late Shelby Mitchell Clark Sr. and LeBo Genova Clark.

Buddy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Buddy proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1971 to 1976. Throughout his working years, he worked for the Highway Department and as a machinist. He later worked for the Town of Ball for 10 years in the Utility Department before retiring in 2014.

Buddy was a talented musician who loved to sing and play the guitar. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. One of his greatest joys was mowing the grass and working in the yard, especially spending that time working alongside his daughter, Stacey Renee Perot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Shelby Mitchell Clark Sr. and LeBo Genova Clark; and his two daughters, Charlotte Clark and Patricia Ann Clark.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 13 years, Carolyn Sue Clark; his biological son, Buddy Mitchell Clark; his daughter, Kaitlyn Nicole Clark Roy; his grandkids; his stepchildren, Stacey Renee Perot and Wilson Shannon Perot; and his great-grandkids.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Clark Deslatte, and her husband, James Deslatte, along with numerous extended family members and friends who will forever treasure the memories they shared with him.

Buddy leaves behind a lifetime of memories filled with music, family, hard work, the outdoors, and the simple joys of being at home and working in his yard. His love for his family and the memories he created with them will remain in their hearts forever.

Funeral Services

Visitation will be held on September 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Paradise Funeral Home.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Paradise Funeral Home, with Brother Lamar Carpenter officiating.

Immediately following the funeral service, a graveside service will be held at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jonesboro, Louisiana.

May Shelby Mitchell “Buddy” Clark Jr. rest in eternal peace, and may his memory live on through the family and loved ones he leaves behind.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorists that the scheduled road closure on LA 810 between LA 34 and LA 505 in Jackson Parish on Saturday, August 29th, has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

The postponement of DOTD crews’ work to replace a cross drain located approx. 3.2 miles west of the intersection with LA 34 and 5.1 miles east of the intersection with LA 505 to a later date was necessary because the detour route for an adjacent project had not been opened.

DOTD is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life and appreciates your patience. Please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

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It is all too often that a report is given of a young man getting shot. Guns aren’t going anywhere, but the Men of Purpose, a Jackson Parish faith-based and community-driven group designed to help males build character, accept personal responsibility, and lead intentional lives, will do what they can by educating young men aged 10 and up on gun safety, rules, and regulations at a “Talk Back” session to be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 5th. The gun safety and awareness program will take place at 11:00 am.

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Jonesboro-Hodge High School played Beekman Charter to a 14-14 tie in the opening game of the Saturday session of the annual Bayou Jamb, held at Malone Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM), as both teams fell behind but rallied.

It wasn’t a win, but it wasn’t a loss! Following the contest, which saw both teams compete on a sweltering morning that by game’s end found the surface of the turf over 100 degrees, JHHS head coach Terrance Blankenship, now in his school-record 14th season at the helm, sounded pleased with the effort.

“I have to admit that overall I am pleased with the effort the guys gave,” said Blankenship. “As expected, any time you take to the field for the first time, there are going to be mistakes made that, through additional practice, can be corrected, but we did more good than bad today.”

After being stopped on the JHHS four-yard line on their first possession, Beekman Charter scored on a seven-yard sweep to take a 6-0 lead midway through the first half. J-H responded with a good drive of their own, buoyed by a 48-yard sprint by Lon’trevious “Tre” Burns, in his first start at tailback, but got held out on downs at the Beekman Charter one-yard line.

Safety! On the next play, JHHS swarmed the BC runner in the end zone for a safety, the first ever achieved in Bayou Jamb competition by the Tigers, to narrow the gap to 6-2. The Tigers then took the lead on the ensuing possession when Tyson Burks made a spectacular one-handed catch on a King Campbell bullet for a 13-yard touchdown that gave JHHS an 8-6 lead at the half.

Upping the lead! The Tigers opened the second half by upping the lead to 14-6 thanks to Burns ‘ first-ever score as a running back when he burst over from four yards out. To the Class 2A opponents’ credit, they rallied to score and make the two-point conversion to tie the game with a little over four minutes left in the contest.

JHHS showed great grit and determination when, after fumbling to give Beekman Charter the ball around midfield, Burns stripped a BC ball carrier to get the ball back at their own 30-yard line. JHHS had one more hurdle to overcome as time was winding down when Beekman forced the Tigers into a fourth-down situation, calling for the first punt of the game by either team. A perfect snap by Micah Magee and a booming kick by Jamarlon Johnson sent the ball all the way to the Beekman Charter 18-yard line with only 6 seconds left in the game, leading to BC kneeling on the ball as time ran out.

“It was a good start,” concluded Blankenship, who gave somewhat of a prediction for the upcoming season. “We play a lot of people both ways, but if we can keep our guys healthy, I think we are going to be pretty good.”

Burns was named Player of the Game for JHHS after rushing for over 80 yards and recovering a fumble on defense in what was equivalent to one half of a regular-season game. JHHS received $250.00 from the Bayou Jamb on his behalf.

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The team at Jimmie Davis State Park has been working diligently to get everything ready for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. To help keep things running smoothly so everyone can enjoy a safe, fun, and relaxing time, they are sending a few reminders to park patrons below.

Tremendous Number Visits State Park in July

The Jimmie Davis State Park is one of the more popular summertime destinations in the state. That is verified by the statistics that were shared by Jackson Parish Watershed Commission President Gary Joynor on August 26th.

According to Joynor, who received the information from Jimmie Davis State Park officials, a total of 21,689 people visited the park in July. Breaking the information down even further shows that day use and overnight stays by in-state and out-of-state residents were as follows.

Day use (in-state) was 8,829
Day use (out of state) was: 5
Overnight use (in-state) was: 7,229
Overnight use (out of state) was: 5,626
Total: 21,689

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Celebrating the close of its 48th season, the Ruston Community Theatre (RCT) held its annual RusTony Awards Celebration on August 27th at the Dixie Center for the Arts in Ruston. Among the winners recognized during the gala event was Skyleigh Webb of Quitman, LA, who received the “Rising Star” Award for her performance as Mrs. Gloop in the production of Willy Wonka Jr. Emily and Russ Webb’s daughter was also nominated for her ensemble roles in other shows.

The evening kicked off with a live performance of the “Opening Number” from The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, followed by a warm welcome from RCT President Britton Kilpatrick, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Audience members reveled in watching compilation photo and video slideshows from each show of the season.

In addition to awards for outstanding performances, the Kevin Cuccia Comedic Award, Helen M. Thompson Volunteer of the Year Award, and Satish Bharadvaj Creative Contribution Award were also given. The “unsung heroes” of RCT were also acknowledged in a slideshow, recognizing the countless volunteers who make the shows possible.

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Weston Junior High won the girls’ division of the Quitman Tournament, claiming their second straight tournament championship and stretching their season-opening winning streak to nine games. The Lady Wolves opened the two-day event, played on Thursday and Friday, by beating Claiborne Christian 38-8, then won 30-12 over Choudrant, setting up an all-Jackson Parish final, where WJH beat host Quitman 30-4.

Weston 38, Claiborne Christian 8 (First Round): Hannah Aldy poured in a season-best 15 points, and Kate Keiffer added 11 to pace an 8-player scoring attack. Saniyah Salsberry, Brooklyn Keiffer, Ashlyn Petre, Bailey McCurdy, Cadie Conn, and Carrington Bond all added a basket to round out the scoring.

Quitman 28, Dodson 17 (First Round): Elliot Savage scored all but four of the points scored by Quitman, tallying six points in each of the four quarters for 24 points, a new career high and season best in scoring for Jackson Parish. Brelaina Hall added four for the Lady Wolverines.

Weston 30, Choudrant 12 (Second Round): The Lady Wolves raced to a commanding 20-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back to earn a spot in the finals. Saniyah Salsberry led the way with 10 points, with 8 of those coming in the decisive first frame. Kate Keiffer chipped in with 8, and Hannah Aldy added six points. Ashlyn Petre, Kylee Allen, and Myla-Ruth Jones all tallied two points each.

Weston 30 Quitman 4 (Finals): A tremendous defensive effort that didn’t allow a point to be scored until the fourth quarter propelled the way to a second straight tournament championship in as many weeks. Saniyah Salsberry led the offensive attack with 13 points. Kate and Brookly Keiffer both added six points, and both Ashly Petre and Aubrie Allen chipped in with a basket. Ryleigh Puffer added a free throw.

Wolverines fall to Choudrant in Boys Finals

Quitman 44 Dodson 16 (First Round): Kyree Boston poured in a new career-high 13 points to lead the 8-player scoring attack that saw QJH race out to a 24-4 halftime lead. Aiden Reed posted 8 points, and Bentley Ponder scored six. Jaxen Culpepper chipped in with four, and Kutter Blalock tallied three. Jase Reed, Sutton Vail, Luke Davis, and Koplen Taylor all added two points each.

Choudrant 34, Weston 10 (Second Round): Quaylyn “Hawk” Snuggs scored four points, and Kane Stassen and Bret Rasbury tallied two points each on the night the Wolves managed only four baskets against a stingy Choudrant defense in the second round after Weston had advanced with a first-round bye. Bradley Keeney added a free throw for WJH, which fell to 1-4 on the season with the loss.

Choudrant 34 Quitman 27 (Finals): After winning on Tuesday, the Aggies beat the Wolverines for the second time in a week in the finals on Friday to drop Quitman’s record to 5-2 on the year. Aiden Reed led the Wolverines in scoring with 14 points, all coming in the first half, with Khyree Boston finishing with four points. Kutter Blalock made a three-pointer, and Bentley Ponder, Jaxen Culpepper, and Luke Davis all scored two points each.

Tuesday Tilts!

An All-Jackson Parish battle is on tap for Tuesday as Jonesboro-Hodge will open their 2026 season by traveling to Weston. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm. Quitman has no game scheduled.

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You are cordially invited to attend a “Meet and Greet” fundraiser for Yumeaka Washington, candidate for District B Judge, which comprises Jackson, Bienville, and Claiborne parishes, on September 21st at the Dr. Charles H. Garrett Community Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro. The event will run from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

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Jonesboro-Hodge High School (JHHS) is pleased to announce the 2026 Homecoming Court. Using the theme “There is No Place Like J-H,” the annual event will take place on October 9th during an assembly in the JHHS auditorium, where 36 young ladies and gentlemen will be introduced as Maids and Escorts for grades 7-12. The court will also be on display at the JHHS vs. Ringgold football game that evening.

Reserve Tailgate Spots and Purchase Wristband Tickets

Jonesboro-Hodge High School will play Ringgold High School on October 9th for the annual Homecoming contest and is now taking tailgate spot reservations and pre-sale wristband tickets. You can either scan the QR codes below or visit the JHHS Hudl Fan page to make your purchases.

By reserving your spot and purchasing your wristband tickets early, you will save on costs, as the price of a tailgate spot and wristbands will increase during homecoming week. Come and enjoy the best weekend of the 2026 football season.

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Cornerstone Christian Academy in Jonesboro swept Lake Academy on Saturday, with the boys winning 3-1 and the girls winning all three sets. With the victories, the boys won their third straight match of the 2026 season and remained undefeated, while the girls improved to 6-1 after a victory over Ascension Academy on Friday.

Saturday, August 29:
CCA 3 Lake Academy (varsity boys): 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-9
CCA 3 Lake Academy (varsity girls): 25-13, 25-10, 25-19
CCA 2 Lake Academy (junior varsity girls): 25-6, 25-4

Friday, August 28:
CCA 3 Ascension Academy 0 (varsity girls): 25-14, 25-12, 25-11
CCA 2 Ascension Academy 0 (junior varsity girls): 25-6, 25-21

Gracepoint Christian Academy falls to Mt. Olive

In their first year of fielding a volleyball team, Gracepoint Christian Academy has been remarkably resilient, showing tremendous poise and determination. The Lady Guardians played Mt. Olive Academy out of Athens on August 25th, with the Junior Varsity winning two sets out of three by 20-25, 25-18, and 14-13 scores, and the varsity team losing all three sets by 25-10, 25-5, and 25-10 margins to drop to 1-2 on the year.

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The 7th/8th grade football team at Jonesboro-Hodge High School (JHHS) opened its 2026 season with a contest against LaSalle Junior High on August 27th at Caldwell-Peacock Stadium on the JHHS campus. The Tigers fell by a narrow 14-12 margin, with Carter Sanders scoring on a 50-yard fumble return and Sayvionne Mallard running 45 yards on a quarterback sweep. The junior Tigers will next be in action on September 1st when they travel to Cedar Creek in Ruston for the second of the six-game schedule. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 pm.

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The Jackson Parish Recreation Department is excited to announce that registration for the 2026 Basketball Camp for youth aged 5-18 is now open. Take advantage of this great opportunity for young athletes in the area to develop their basketball skills under the guidance of Dwayne Lathan of Pro Life Training.

Location: Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School Gymnasium
Dates: October 3rd, October 10th
Times: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (5-12-year-old girls and boys); 3:00 – 6:00 pm (13- 18-year-old girls and boys)

The cost of the camp is $100.00 per participant. To register, use the QR Code shown below or visit https://docs.google.com/…/1FAlpQLSey7MAximP…/viewform…

For more information, call (318) 243-7251.

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Graveyard Grasshopper Nearly Puts Writer in Graveyard

The book calls them “lubber” grasshoppers. Around here, we know them by another name, “graveyard” grasshoppers.

These oversized grasshoppers are not our friends as, according to the book, “they are voracious plant eaters that can quickly strip and destroy gardens, vegetable crops and ornamental landscaping.”

You’ll know one when you see it; they’re oversized, much larger than a regular grasshopper and are brightly colored in yellow, orange and red. Because of their size, they don’t hop like regular ones; they try but they can’t get their big bodies off the ground to hop.

If I see one, I send it on to glory with a quick stomp; they are not good for my wife’s plants.

According to the book, you can touch one of these creatures without being bitten but handling them triggers a loud hiss and a foul-smelling, irritating spray.

We have so many because birds stay away from them as they’re poisonous if eaten by birds and small mammals. Their bright colors warn animals not to eat them, and they spray a foul-smelling, irritating foam when threatened.

A couple of weeks ago, I had just such an encounter with one I found in the front yard. I gave it a good stomp believing that would be the end of the dastardly thing but it got the last laugh even after its demise. This particular graveyard grasshopper came close to sending me to the graveyard.

Here’s what happened.

I have a disability to limits me being able to walk without either a walker or cane but still able to drive. One afternoon I was about to head for the post office and elected to leave my cane in the garage and walk to the car, a distance of only about 8 or 10 steps.

The first few steps were no problem until I looked down and the grasshopper I had recently stomped was lying dead right in the path of where I was walking. I thought it best to get it out of the way, so I made a decision that would cost me dearly in the days and weeks ahead. I decided to move it out of the way by giving it a kick to the side.

Bad decision; when I kicked it, my foot caught on something causing me to lose my balance. Down I went, face-first on the concrete driveway. I was unable to gain my footing alone so my wife who heard me fall, called out neighbor to come help me up.

Next was a trip by ambulance to the ER at the hospital where they did a splendid job of putting me back together. The fall created a cut above my eye and an injury to my hand I assume I tried use to break the fall. Sutures were required for the cut above my eye as well as the hand.

Wait, there’s more. X-rays were taken of my eye which revealed that the Orbital bone encircling my eye was fractured in several places, requiring a visit to a specialist in Shreveport later this week. A cat scan showed no skull or brain damage, so I was fortunate in that regard.

I was left with a hum-dinger of a shiner in my eye and bruises and abrasions on my face, and it was all caused by a graveyard grasshopper, getting its revenge, even in death.

If I find another graveyard grasshopper in the yard, I’ll call my wife to come stomp it. My days of kicking grasshoppers, even dead ones, have ended. I just can’t afford to take the chance to have another almost send me to the graveyard.

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FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass are fair around the grass early on topwaters. Later if you can stand the heat, they’re around deep drops. Soft plastics and cranks baits are working fair. Crappie are around the deeper tops and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are slow. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Crappie are deep and are fair on shiners or jigs. Some bass are being caught early on topwaters and not many anglers are trying it later because of the excessive heat. Fishing overall has slowed because of air and water temps being so warm. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Bass are fair on crank baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair in the river lakes. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are overall slow but best on topwaters early. Crappie are in deep water in the channel and fair on jigs and shiners. The bream are slow. Catfish are fair on red wigglers and night crawlers fished just off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are suspended around and above the thermocline where there is more oxygen. Bass are in the shallows early hitting topwaters. Not many are trying them later because of excessive heat. Night fishing is best now that the weather is turning hot. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water level is slightly rising. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and buffalo caught in nets. Nobody is trying the crappie and bass because it’s too hot. The lake is inundated with Asian carp, which create problems. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.