The Kiwanis Club awarded three of its annual scholarships Tuesday during its weekly meeting, recognizing local high school graduates for their academic achievements and career goals.

Lamar Tarver, chairman of the scholarship committee, presented the awards and highlighted the accomplishments of each recipient.

Rebekah Dupree, a graduate of Calvin High School, received a scholarship to attend Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Dupree plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with a eventual focus on pediatric care. She is the daughter of Kim and Sam Dupree.

For the first time in the club’s history, scholarships were also awarded to students attending Central Louisiana Technical Community College.

Twin sisters Peyton and Madalyn Cotton, both graduates of Dodson High School, received the technical college scholarships. Peyton Cotton plans to pursue a two-year associate degree in business. Madalyn Cotton will study practical nursing, with plans to later transition into a registered nursing program. They are the daughters of Christy and Tommy Cotton.

Club officials expressed pride in supporting the education of local students and announced that a fourth scholarship will be awarded next week.

The Kiwanis International honored students across Winn Parish as part of its May 2026 Terrific Kids program, recognizing young individuals for their character, leadership, and positive behavior in the classroom.

Kindergarten

Left to right: Murphy Swensen, Chandler Ford, Jaci Lee.
Principal Byron King, Kiwanian Troy Rogers, Assistant Principal Resa Johnson

Grade 1

Left to right: Don’Aria Cockerham, Asher Conner, Wilder Godwin, Royce Philson.
Principal Byron King, Kiwanian Troy Rogers, Assistant Principal Resa Johnson.

Grade 2

Left to right: Remyngton Parker, A’Mari Stewart, Angel Cornett, Losie Curry.
Principal Byron King, Kiwanian Troy Rogers, Assistant Principal Resa Johnson.

Grade 3

Left to right: Israel Miranda, Carson Durbin, Moriah Jewitt.
Principal Byron King, Kiwanian Troy Rogers, Assistant Principal Resa Johnson.

Grade 4

Left to right: China Allen, Lena Jones, Isaac Gauthier, Justice Stringer.
Principal Bryon King, Kiwanian Troy Rogers, Assistant Principal Resa Johnson.

DODSON

Left to right: Zoe Muse, Josie Broomfield, Nathan Roppolo, Noah Treadway, Kaylee Blackstock.
Principal Wendy Miller, Kiwanian Rita James

The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way in a month.

Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night, June 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67^th Induction Celebration.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 25, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday, June 26 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event.

The slate on Saturday, June 27 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Friday that beginning May 26, state SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for purchases made within Louisiana and in ZIP codes adjacent to the state’s border.

Department officials said the policy change aims to protect benefits from fraud and out-of-state use while ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected. Residents who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas will experience little to no disruption, as many of those border ZIP codes are included under the policy’s approved designation. Out-of-state purchases attempted outside of the approved areas will be blocked.

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption online at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-524-3578, or by visiting a local department SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default setting.

For more information and a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, residents can visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt.

If every disagreement turns into a critique of how you communicate, the real problem may be what you’re not resolving—here’s how to break the cycle and start working as a team.

 See what Ida says 

The Indianapolis 500, commonly called Indy 500, is a 500-mile automobile race which has become the largest single-day spectator sporting event in the world. Since its meager beginnings in 1909, people have flocked to the track in record numbers to watch the high-speed thrills. On May 30, 1941, George “Joie” Chitwood readied his cigar-shaped racecar, the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, for the Indianapolis 500. During qualifying, Joie bounced around the track in his racecar and had a hard time keeping his foot on the accelerator. Out of necessity, Joie used a simple strap to fix the problem. The other drivers objected to the strap because they thought it was dangerous. The heads of the AAA Drivers Association agreed and refused to allow Joie to use the strap. They only relented when Joie promised to release the strap if he thought he was going to crash. Keep in mind that the cars traveled more than 100 miles per hour. Joie did not crash that day. He came in 14th place and won $620. (The first-place winner, Floyd Davis, received $29,200.) Joie believed that using the strap helped his performance in the 1941 Indy 500, but the other drivers remained skeptical.

For decades, the general public remained skeptical as well. Carmakers often adopt equipment designed for racing cars on their vehicles. In 1949, now defunct carmaker Nash Motors offered this strap on about 40,000 of their Airflyte and Ambassador models, but over 39,000 of them were removed by dealerships at the request of the owners. In 1955, Ford offered it as an option on their vehicles, but less than 2% of buyers chose the strap. In 1958, Saab became the first carmaker to include the strap as part of their standard equipment.

Although he had nothing to do with its invention, Joie Chitwood made history that day in May 1941 because he was the first driver to wear the strap in the Indy 500. Today, all race car drivers are required to wear one. It has also become a requirement in all automobiles. At that time, the common misperception was that people were safer in a car accident if they were thrown from the wreck rather than behind held inside the vehicle. They called the strap safety belts, but we know this strap as the seat belt.

Sources:

1. Robert Tate, “The 1949 Nash was an Entirely New Postwar Design,” MotorCities National Heritage Area, October 1, 2025, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2025/the-1949-nash-was-an-entirely-new-postwar-design.

2. “1941 Indianapolis 500 Race Results,” Indianapolis 500 Race Day Stats, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/race-results/1941.

3. “Joie Chitwood (SR.),” National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, accessed May 17, 2026, https://web.archive.org/web/20190619150409/https://www.sprintcarhof.com/helper_pages/FileGet.aspx?id=186.

When you hear ‘Peach Festival’, you may picture baskets of fuzzy peaches, maybe a peach cobbler bake-off, or even a parade. But here in Ruston, the Louisiana Peach Festival is so much more than just a celebration of our locally grown fruit. It is a time to experience the rich tradition and culture that can only be found in our small historic town. Residents and visitors alike come for this special day, filled with activities that keep people coming back year to year. This year’s Peach Festival in Ruston is Saturday, June 6.

Here are 5 ways that the Peach Festival exceeds just peach appreciation (although, we love our peaches too):

1. A Love Letter to Louisiana Culture

Area artists, vendors, musicians, and makers are the forefront of what makes this festival thrive. Browsing our curated arts market with 90+ artists of all mediums allows you to get a glimpse into the vibrant arts of our state. And you can’t miss the music! Louisiana-based musicians play on the Railroad Park Stage to ensure the spirit of the festival carries on into the night. Celebrate our Louisiana roots with us, and dive into what makes our culture so unique.

2. The Food Scene Goes Full Peach (In the Best Way Possible)

Here in Ruston, we pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of our local restaurants and food trucks. The creativity of Ruston’s culinary scene is unmatched, and the sweet peach flavor is no exception. In the week leading up to the festival, 30+ local restaurants come together for the Peach Culinary Crawl, featuring unexpected dishes, drinks, and pairings. From a peach caprese turkey melt to a pint of locally-brewed peach wheat ale, indulge your tastebuds with this staple, seasonal ingredient.

3. It Still Holds Tight to Its Sweet Southern Traditions

Of course, it would not be a southern festival without all of the classic contests and exhibits. The Peach Pageant, Peach Parade, Antique Car Show, Peach Rodeo, Peach Art Exhibit, and Cookery Contest are all ways that the community engages with the roots of the festival. These fun traditions have been happening for generations, and plan to stay for many, many more. The Ruston community continues to add to these celebrations, with sidewalk sales, a 5K race, and even a Pickleball Tournament. All these traditions keep the festival feeling like a small town gathering, keeping it close to the hearts of our residents and visitors.

4. It’s One of the Few Festivals Where You Don’t Feel Nickel-and-Dimed

The Peach Festival prides itself on having free admission, making it accessible for a Saturday full of activities. In Kids Alley, there are no paid vendors, allowing all kiddos to enjoy hands-on crafts, games, entertainment, and more festival activities. It is the perfect opportunity to bring the family out for fun that won’t break the bank. Our goal is to make the festival easy and accessible for all ages to enjoy!

5. It Feels More Like a Community Gathering Than a Carnival

No flashy rides or ferris wheels here – the Peach Festival provides something even more memorable. Surrounded by the painted murals of downtown, local organizations, and all the friendly volunteers, it’s easy to feel like a part of the Ruston community that we know and love. With festivities happening from morning to late into the night, you have plenty of time to experience the festival at your own pace. So bring out your lawn chair, grab a bite, listen to the music, and enjoy all the sights and sounds of our community. 

The traditions, culture, and hospitality surrounding this celebration reminds us that this isn’t just a festival, but a signature kind of Southern experience you don’t find everywhere. The peach flavor is just the tip of the iceberg to all of the sweetness of peach season in Ruston, LA. 

For more information on the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.lapeachfest.com/. 

Today’s kids are booked, busy, and burned out—but one parent is asking if it’s time to bring back a simpler, slower kind of childhood.

 See what Ida says 

Dear Fellow Citizens, 

I’m John Fleming, your State Treasurer and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

This Saturday’s election is extremely important. DC lobbyists and Baton Rouge elites have poured millions into supporting their preferred candidate — NOT ME. 

At stake is the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) industry’s push to use YOUR tax dollars to seize YOUR private land through eminent domain.  Estimates suggest that up to 75% of the nation’s CO2 emissions could be pumped beneath our lands, lakes, and rivers – ‘captured’ for eternity. The whole thing is a “Green New Deal” scam, which will make the elites wealthier at the expense of the rest of us.  I am the only candidate who is 100% opposed to this fraud and abuse.  

Don’t be fooled! The establishment and powers that be are trying to buy our Louisiana Senate seat. I can’t be bought, bribed, or bullied! 

Our future, and the future of our children and grandchildren, hangs in the balance. Please don’t sit this one out — vote this Saturday, May 16th.   Polls open at 7:00 a.m. 

Thank you,

John Fleming
Louisiana State Treasurer
Republican Candidate for the US Senate 

Paid Content

The early voting period for the May 16, 2026, election has officially concluded in Winn Parish, with a total of 867 ballots cast through the final day on Saturday, May 9.

According to reports from the Louisiana Secretary of State, the majority of voters chose to participate in person, with 746 in-person votes and 121 absentee (mail) ballots processed throughout the week.

Voter Demographics

The demographic breakdown for the entire early voting period in Winn Parish is as follows:

• Race: 604 White voters, 257 Black voters, and 6 voters identified as Other.

• Sex: 516 Female voters and 350 Male voters.

Party Affiliation

Participation across party lines remained active throughout the week:

• Republicans: 401

• Democrats: 299

• Other/Other Parties: 167

Winn Parish Early Voting Recap

With the early voting period now complete, these totals represent the final count of ballots cast ahead of next week’s election.

Registered voters in Winn Parish who did not participate in early voting may cast their ballots at their designated precincts on election day, Saturday, May 16.

The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is observing Mental Health Awareness Month by highlighting the non-linear nature of recovery and the importance of self-compassion for survivors. Serving the community since 1994, DART continues its mission to help keep families safe while providing resources for those navigating the emotional complexities of healing.

The organization emphasizes that healing does not have a fixed deadline and that “growth” can often be found in the simple act of surviving challenges that once felt insurmountable. During this month of awareness, residents are encouraged to practice patience with their mental health journey, acknowledging that some days will naturally feel heavier than others.

Key Messages for Mental Health Awareness:

• Healing is Individual: There is no “behind” in the healing process; it is a continuous state of becoming.

• Self-Compassion: Past versions of yourself deserve compassion rather than criticism.

• Persistence: It is vital to give yourself credit for the days you do not give up and grace for the days you are still figuring things out.

• Mental Resilience: Be gentle with your mind, as it is the tool carrying you through every life experience.

DART remains a steadfast resource for families in Winn Parish, offering support and safety for those affected by domestic abuse.