(EDITOR’S NOTE: There were many events that took place in LaSalle Parish during the year that ends Sunday night, however, the staff of this newspaper has taken time to carefully consider them all and compile our Top Stories of 2023.
The criteria for determining the top stories were how much of an impact the event had for or upon all of LaSalle Parish. It should be noted that voting is underway now on our Facebook page and website to determine readers’ Top Ten Stories.)
Without a doubt, the year 2023 held many top stories as it was a busy year from town advancements, to sports, to retirements, to deaths and to elections. When considering the overall impact an event has upon the entire parish, there was one event that will reap positive impacts for years to come.
#1: Rod Brady’s New Campus
The Top Story of 2023 for LaSalle Parish was the announcement that the Rod Brady Campus of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) was the recipient of a $10-million allotment/grant from the State of Louisiana for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art building/ campus.
Since its original construction in 1986, the campus has been tucked away on East Bradford Street in Jena, quietly training thousands of vo-tech career students and licensed practical nurses. The announcement that funds had been secured during the State Legislative Session was made during a luncheon on the campus of Louisiana Christian University in Pineville June 26 by LaSalle Parish’s delegation of Senator Glen Womack and Representatives Gabe Firment and Neil Riser. The result of securing the money to fund a new facility began two years prior during a LaSalle Economic Development District’s (LEDD), “A Greater LaSalle,” luncheon. “Back in 2021, conversations with our legislators and Dr. Jimmy Sawtelle about building a new, more modern facility began,” LEDD Treasurer Blake Phillips said. “Those conversations led to more in-depth conversations with Senator Womack and Dr. Sawtelle about ways to have the project funded.”
The result was Senator Womack used his positions on the powerful Senate committees of Finance, Joint Committee on the Budget and Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development, to work funding for Rod Brady into the state’s budget.
The funding provides for $1-million in cash for planning and development with the remaining $9-million to be used for securing bonds for the actual construction.
“It will actually cost more than $9-million but the great thing about the State is once they begin a project such as this, they will provide additional funds to see its completion,” Phillips added.
In September, LEDD announced they were donating 10 acres of their Industrial Park Complex to the CLTCC, located just west of the Jena Airport on LA 8, where the new Rod Brady Campus will be constructed.
The location allows easy access and a very visible presence.
“It is an investment that’s going to yield a return for generations to come,” CLTCC Chancellor Dr. Jimmy Sawtelle said.
The current campus on East Bradford Street is less than three acres so the location will allow officials to build a much larger facility to meet more needs.
LEDD President Walter Dorroh, Jr. noted that LEDD’s estimated $100,000 land donation was given because members realize the importance Rod Brady has been, continues to be and will be in the future for the LaSalle Parish workforce.
“The Rod Brady campus has been an absolutely terrific partner in economic development by providing well-trained employees for companies and investors in our community,” he said. “The school is an integral part of the investment, industrial and business community in our parish and surrounding area.”
Representative Firment also noted the impact the new campus will have not only for La-Salle Parish, but surrounding parishes as well.
“We can’t underestimate the importance of Rod Brady, not just to LaSalle Parish but to Grant, Rapides, Winn and Caldwell,” he said. “They are in the business of educating people and putting them out into the workforce and improve their lives. This will enable them to do an even better job.”
The planning and architectural phase of the project will continue throughout 2024 with actual construction beginning sometime in 2025.
#2: Four-Day School Week In their April regular meeting, the LaSalle Parish School Board voted to approve a new, four-day school week, beginning with the 20232024 school year.
The change from the traditional, five-day school week was m a d e after a public survey was conducted that showed 76.5% of all participants were in favor of a fourday week.
While there are some Mondays that school will be in session, the majority of the weeks will see school only in session Tuesday through Friday. Temple Christian Academy also followed suit and changed to the four-day school week to keep continuity for parents and community events.
Along with survey results, officials noted that the change would help employee morale and allow them to compete with other surrounding districts who have already implemented fourday school weeks.
During a meeting of the Education Committee December 19, a recent survey noted that 71% of teachers say the four-day week has significantly increased their morale.
LaSalle Superintendent Jon Garrett noted that the real indicator on how successful the four-day school week is will come when state test results are revealed after the school year in completed.
#3: Jena Giants’ Historic Season
While it may be hard to estimate the overall impact to LaSalle Parish due to the historic season of the Jena High School football team this season, there is no doubt that cities and towns all across the state are aware of this parish due to their success.
The Jena Giants entered the 2023 state playoffs in November ranked number one for the first time ever following an undefeated regular season and the fourth consecutive district championship.
The team was led by an elite group of seniors who set all kinds of records during their four years at JHS, including never losing a district game, four district championships, the first ever quarterfinal playoff win and the first ever semifinal playoff game hosted in Jena.
Although the team came up one win shy of playing for a state championship, the impact they made upon all of LaSalle Parish earned this event as our third top story of 2023.
#4: Sales Along 84
The dream of Whitehall businessman Lavelle Evans was put into action during an organizational meeting held in July. Billed as “one long yard sale,” Sales Along 84 was first going to be for LaSalle Parish only as local consignment businesses and others would hold yard sales all along US Highway 84 attracting customers to shop the second-hand, homemade items and new items from buildings and lawns.
The dream not only took off locally, but quickly expanded. Within three weeks it had grown to include the parishes of Catahoula, Concordia and Winn, making Sales Along 84 occur in four parishes and cover over 100 miles.
Sales Along 84 was held Thursday through Saturday, September 7-9, with thousands of shoppers making the trek along the route shopping at various vendor locations. The event was deemed a tremen-dous success by organizers with everyone enthusiastic about its success. Immediately following the last day, plans were already being made to improve and expand it for 2024.
#5: Deaths of Local Officials
Sadly, LaSalle Parish lost many great local officials during 2023. These individuals made lasting impacts upon the parish and their deaths have significantly impacted life in LaSalle while their achievements during their lives have also had a significant positive impact that will yield future results for years to come.
The first death occurred on April 20, when longtime LaSalle Council on Aging Director Polly Duncan passed away at the age of 88. She had served with the LCOA for over 49 years.
The second death occurred on June 2, when longtime Olla Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Joe Thompson passed away at the age of 67. He had served as Olla’s Fire Chief since 1989 and also was a past president of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Association. Hundreds of firemen from across the state attended his funeral.
The third death occurred on November 4, as longtime educator, coach and recently re-elected LaSalle Parish Police Jury District 5 Juror June Fowler passed away at the age of 74. Just three weeks prior, he had overwhelmingly won re-election by 79% of the vote.
The fourth death occurred on November 18, when longtime LaSalle Parish Police Juror Brent Farley passed away at the age of 61 following a long battle with ALS. Ironically, his death was on the runoff election day where he was in a runoff for re-election. State officials removed the contest from the results and his opponent was automatically declared the winner.
#6: Towns Receive Grants
LaSalle Parish municipalities were the recipients of several grants during this past year which will greatly enhance life for residents of those towns.
The Town of Jena learned they were the recipient of a $4.7-million grant from the Louisiana Water Sector Program to replace nearly all of the town’s main water lines.
The Town of Olla learned they were the recipient of a $2-million grant from the Department of Environmental Quality for their sewer treatment plant.
The Town of Tullos learned they were the recipient of a $1-million grant from the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program for waste water system repairs.
The Town of Urania learned they were the re- cipient of a $2-million grant from the Department of Environmental Quality and another $509,000 from the Delta Regional Authority for upgrades and maintenance for their sewer system.
#7: Tragedy at JHS
Jena High School sophomore Kameron Shelton, 15, tragically died after going into cardiac arrest inside a school classroom while school was in session April 18. CPR and other life-saving measures were administered by school personnel and emergency responders when they arrived.
He was transported to LaSalle General Hospital in Jena where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital’s emergency room.
Kameron’s classmates remember him as always having a smile on this face and been friendly to everyone. He was even given the nickname “Smiley” by many in the school due to him always smiling.
It was a somber time for all involved and his life and tragic death left an impact on all.
#8: Murder in Olla
Kenny Wayne Smith, Sr., 55, of Olla was officially charged with second-degree murder on November 29 in connection with the death of his wife, Lacey Hayman Smith. Her body was discovered November 21 at a residence in Olla.
Smith had been been in jail since his wife’s body was discovered on a charge of violation of protective
order.
#9: New LaSalle School Superintendent
For the first time in decades, the LaSalle Parish School Board decided to elect a new Superintendent from outside of LaSalle Parish.
Rapides Parish Assistant Superintendent Jon Garrett was chosen to led the district from a field of four candidates. He would replace Janet Tullos who retired June 30 after serving as Superintendent for six years.
Garrett officially started his new position May 1, to allow him to work with Tullos during her remaining two months.
#10: Fall Election
The fall elections captivated the parish’s attention beginning back in March when four-term Sheriff Scott Franklin officially announced that he would retire at the end of his current term, leaving the position open for the 2023 election.
Following his announcement, six men would eventually run for the high law enforcement seat with the field narrowed down to two for the November 18 runoff election. After the votes were counted, Lane Windham was elected over Scott McLendon with a difference of just 110 votes.
Other elections that were significant for La-Salle Parish included Police Jury races and a vote on a LaSalle Parish School Board one-cent sales tax proposition which was narrowly rejected by voters by just 91 votes.
LaSalle joined voters across the state for a Republican sweep of all major state offices.
