Deadheads Get Snow Day; Tax Slaves Get to Work

Winter Weather Closings for Monday, February 23 – KTVE-TV10

-Lincoln Parish Public Schools: Closed Monday
-Cedar Creek School: Closed Monday
-All Louisiana Tech University campuses, including Tech-Barksdale and the Shreveport Center: Closed Monday
-Grambling State University: Closed Monday
-Louisiana Delta Community College (All Campuses): Closed Monday
-Grambling Laboratory School K-12: Closed Monday
-Union Parish Public Schools: Closed Monday
-Union Christian Academy: Closed Monday
-D’Arbonne Woods Charter School: Closed Monday
-Downsville Charter School: Closed Monday
-Mom’s Helper Daycare in Farmerville: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Christian School: Closed Monday
-Jackson Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-Jackson Parish Public Libraries: Closed Monday
-Jackson Parish Courthouse: Closed Monday
-Jackson Parish Police Jury: Closed Monday
-University of Louisiana Monroe (All Campuses): Closed Monday
-Montessori School of Ruston: Closed Monday
-Our Lady of Fatima School: Closed Monday
-Jesus The Good Shepherd: Closed Monday
-St. Frederick’s High School: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-Richland Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-Claiborne Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-Monroe City Schools: Closed Monday
-Delhi Charter School: Closed Monday
-Claiborne Christian School and K-4: Closed Monday
-Franklin Academy: Closed Monday
-West Carroll Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-Grace Episcopal School: Closed Monday
-Learning Tech Quest School (Full School & After School Programs): Closed Monday
-Franklin Parish Schools: Closed Monday
-All OMCAP Head Start: Closed Monday
-Bayou Gymnastic Pre-School: Closed Monday
-Unitech Training Academy: Closed Monday
-Riverfield Academy (Rayville): Closed Monday
-Vision Academy High School (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Delta Head Start & Early Head Start in Madison/East Carroll & Richland Parishes: Closed Monday
-YMCA After School Programs: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Council of Aging: Closed Monday
-Prevailing Faith Christian Academy: Closed Monday
-Beekman Charter School Teacher In-Services: Closed Monday
-Happy Days Development and Learning Center (West Monroe): Closed Monday
-Briarfield Academy: Closed Monday
-St Francis Pediatric Neurology (Dr. Pina’s Office): Closed Monday
-New Vision Learning Academy (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Missy Crain Dance Studios: Closed Monday
-College Prep Daycare and Preschool (West Monroe): Closed Monday
-Mini Scholars Daycare (West Monroe): Closed Monday
-Anna’s Lollipop Lane Daycare (Bastrop): Closed Monday
-Playhowse Learning Center (Sterlington and Playhowse -Farmerville): Closed Monday
-Debbie’s School of Dance: Closed Monday
-New Vision Child Development Center: Closed Monday
-First Assembly Learning Center Daycare (West Monroe): Closed Monday
-Happy Tails Daycare (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Monroe City Court: Closed Monday
-Delta Charter School (Ferriday): Closed Monday
-Arthritis & Diabetes Clinic (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Liberty Stylist Beauty School (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Toonie Bugs Daycare (Calhoun): Closed Monday
-Fourth District Court: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Council On Aging/Meals On Wheels Deliveries: Closed Monday
-Jackson Parish Library: Closed Monday
-Covenant Day School (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Physical Therapy, Inc: Closed Monday
-Prairie View Academy (Bastrop): Closed Monday
-Wonderland Child Care & Development Center: Closed Monday
-NE Delta Human Services Authority Offices & Clinics: Closed Monday
-Excellent Daycare (Monroe): Closed Monday
-Arco of Community Resource: Closed Monday
-Wee Learner’s Daycare: Closed Monday
-Child’s Play II Daycare: Closed Monday
-Fairpark Baptist Church Daycare: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Parish Library (All Branches): Closed Monday
-Excellence Academy Charter School: Closed Monday
-First United Methodist Daycare, Monroe: Closed Monday
-Ouachita Parish Public Libraries (all branches): Closed Monday
-Oak Grove Town Hall Meet On Tues., Feb 24th postponed to March 3rd

Cameron Mays Assigned New Counsel

Cameron Mays was assigned new counsel this morning in Third Judicial (Lincoln, Union Parishes) District Court in Ruston.

James Buckley, a Monroe, LA, based attorney, will be defending Mays against charges of murdering retired Grambling State University (GSU) professor Susan Hashway, aggravated rape of a Louisiana Tech Student, robbery, possession of stolen things, and other related charges.

This is Mays’ third attorney since being arrested for the crimes in June, 2012.

His first attorney, Joseph Clark, passed away. His second attorney, Indigent Defender DeAnna McCallum, was recently appointed as an Assistant District Attorney, and was released because of the conflict of interest.

Buckley will serve as an indigent defender for Mays.

The next hearing in the case is set for April 21, 2015. Trial is set for September 28, 2015.

Handling the case for the state this morning was First Assistant DA Laurie James. Presiding today was Division B Judge Tommy Rogers.

Caraway Appointed Ruston’s Public Works Director

Darrell Caraway, a 30 year veteran at the City of Ruston, was at last night’s meeting of the city’s Board of Aldermen, appointed Director of Public Works. He had formerly been Operations Manager of Light & Power since 2006, he said.

Public works exercises operational control over several other city departments, including water, solid waste, streets, and zoning.

Several other municipal officers were appointed last night.

Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers was reappointed. He has been Chief since 2007.

Also reappointed was City Attorney Bill Carter, who has served in that capacity since 2004.

Finally, Emmett Hall, who as ably served as City Clerk/Treasurer since 2005, was reappointed.

Approval of City Officials on Ruston Council Agenda

Approval of the appointment of several City of Ruston officials is on the agenda for Monday (2/2/15) night’s meeting of the Ruston City Council.

Listed are: Chief of Police, City Clerk/Treasurer, City Attorney, and Public Works Director.

See here the agenda.

The meeting is set for 6:00 PM, Ruston City Hall, 400 North Trenton.

Noted Unionville Coffee Group Profiled

Unionville Saturday Morning Coffee Club

The Unionville Saturday Morning Coffee Club has collected quite an array of political campaign signs to show off at its meeting place in downtown Unionville, LA. Most are from last year’s local and federal elections. Besides providing decoration, the signs also help seal up cracks in the walls of the historic Unionville General Store.

Many area candidates visited with the group last fall while campaigning, and due acknowledgement is warranted, the group insists.

“After all,” said one member of the group, “if (former state representative) Willie Sumlin can get his picture on the front page of the Ruston Daily Leader with a barn full of outdated political signs, we deserve similar recognition.”

The venerable group of BS artisans, political savants, and social commentators meets every Saturday morning at the store.

While the group’s reputation is often said to be unfavorable, that characterization isn’t accurate, some members say.

Said founding member Richard Jones, “We provide a venue where diverse opinion is celebrated.”

Cynics have suggested that the group is merely a collection of misfits that are not welcome in more genteel area coffee clubs, like McDonald’s, Jefferson Corner, or Huddle House.

Supposedly more respectable Lincoln Parish opinion leaders say the loud talk and animated conversation by members of the group is because of highly opinionated personalities, and the participant’s penchant for political repartee.

A more plausible explanation is that most of the attendees suffer from age-related hearing loss.

Hashway Murder Case Set For September Trial

Cameron Kinte Mays

A September 28 trial date has been set for Cameron Kinte Mays, accused of the June, 2012 home invasion and murder of Cypress Springs resident Dr. Sue Hashway, 63, a retired Grambling State University (GSU) professor. The action came this afternoon in Third Judicial (Lincoln, Union Parishes) District Court, Division B, with brand-new Judge Tommy Rogers presiding.

Prior to the trial, however, there will be a hearing on February 18 to appoint another attorney to represent Mays.

As we had reported last week, Deanna McCallum, who is the wife of another judge in the 3rd JD, Jay McCallum, won’t be serving as court-appointed attorney, as she is expected to begin working for the 3rd JD’s District Attorney’s Office.

McCallum briefly conferred with Mays prior to the start of today’s court session.

In connection with the case, Brandon Bonton, who is an alleged accomplice of Mays, today had his preliminary exam hearing reset until April 21.

Notable in the courtroom today were a couple of Ruston Police Department (RPD) officers, including Chief Steve Rogers.

The RPD investigated the case initially, and made the arrests in 2012.

Representing the State was First Assistant District Attorney Laurie James.

Hashway Murder Case Likely to see More Delays

Dr. Sue Hashway

As a result of likely new hires in the Third Judicial (Lincoln, Union Parishes) District Attorney’s Office, there will be more delays in the case of State v Cameron Mays. Mays is accused of second degree murder in the June, 2012 home invasion and robbery of retired Grambling State University (GSU) professor Dr. Sue Hashway, 63.

District Attorney John Belton last night told Lincoln Parish News Online that he is “negotiating with” two attorneys as new hires in his office.

Deanna McCallum, who is the wife of another judge in the 3rd JD, Jay McCallum, and Lewis Jones, who was recently a candidate for 3rd JD Judge, are under consideration as Assistant District Attorneys, Belton said.

McCallum is Mays defense attorney, having been appointed as a public defender last April. McCallum has done contract work in the past with the Public Defender Board.

Mays had originally retained Shreveport attorney Joseph Clark, who passed away earlier this year. Several hearings on the case had been postponed during Clark’s illness.

Jones has previously supervised the district’s Public Defender Board, so new supervision will have to appointed for that agency.

Finally, Division B Judge Tommy Rogers will need time to become familiar with the case, as he was just recently elected.

Hashway’s nearest relative reportedly lives in Florida, and keeps up with the case through Hashway’s neighbors who have dutifully attended the hearings.

A status hearing is set for next Tuesday, January 20, 1:30 PM, Court House Annex.

Chris Womack Appointed RFD Chief

What can we say but that our sources were wrong.

Ruston Fire Department Training Officer was tonight appointed Fire Chief at a special called meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

The board approved the appointment unanimously.

Womack thanked the mayor and council for their confidence in him, and promised that his door would always be open.

Said Womack, “I especially like to meet with the new councilmen at some point and discuss any concerns you’ve seen in the fire and EMS departments here in Ruston.”

Eric Brazzel Likely for Ruston Fire Chief

Ruston Fire Department Public Education Officer Eric Brazzel will likely get the nod from Mayor Ronny Walker as Ruston’s next Fire Chief, Lincoln Parish News Online (LPNO) has learned.

He will be the city’s fourteenth chief since Ruston was chartered in 1884, according to the department’s history.

The appointment is expected to garner unanimous approval at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Ruston Fire Chief Appointment Imminent

A special called meeting of Ruston’s Board of Alermen is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 5:30 PM, Ruston City Hall, 401 North Trenton.

The only item listed on the agenda is the appointment of a Fire Chief.