The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal joined the Facebook world back in 2016 in an effort to expand online services and keep its readers and members of the community informed with the latest news.
Though thejenatimes.net website has existed for a number of years, it’s evident that social media platforms have become the main source for news across the nation and around the world. This of course is no different for members of LaSalle Parish.
During this year, the staff at your Official News Journal has made a concentrated effort in providing real-time news updates, photos from community and sporting events and even provided free access to several top stories published weekly in The Jena Times.
According to Facebook demographics, The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal page has seen its followers increase from approximately 10,000 in 2021 to over 12,000 in 2023.
In a breakdown of those followers, 74% are women while 26% are men. Though most followers are from La-Salle Parish, specifically Jena, there were five cities that made Top Cities Represented by Followers, which are as follows: Jena, 25%; Olla, 6%; Jonesville, 4.9%; Columbia, 2.9% and Alexandria, 2.6%.
Here are the Top Facebook Posts of 2023 (the number is the total combined number of “reach, likes, reactions, comments and shares” for each post pertaining to that subject):
No. 1 – JENA GIANTS’ HISTORIC SEASON
August 30 to December 1 – more than 300,000
Posts were made weekly all season, from game day graphics to photos from the games and real-time score updates, and fans and family from LaSalle Parish and beyond followed this historic season closely.
The 2023 Jena Giants saw an undefeated regular season and entered the state playoffs ranked number one for the first time ever, led by a record-setting senior class. The last score update of the season saw the most “reach,” as over 54,000 people turned to Facebook to see “Jena loses heartbreaker to Union.”
No. 2 – TRAGEDY AT JHS
April 17 – 102,000
During a normal Monday at Jena High School, sophomore student Kameron Shelton went into cardiac arrest and tragically passed away in a school classroom. Within minutes after publication, the post saw 1,543 comments, all from members of the community offering support and prayers for the Shelton family and students and staff at the school.
An account was setup the following day and hundreds of people donated to assist the Shelton family with funeral expenses.
No. 3 – ZERRICK JONES NAMED 102.3 JACKED UP PLAYER OF THE YEAR
November 20 – 62,000
In a top post all its own, one Jena Giant player was celebrated via Facebook this year for being named the “Jacked Up Player of the Year.” Zerrick Jones was honored at a special ceremony in Alexandria where he received a trophy, jacket, signed Warren Morris baseball and a year’s supply of Whataburgers. The post included a photo of Jones, Morris and Jena Giants Head Coach Jay Roark.
No. 4 – MURDER IN OLLA
November 21, 22, 30 – 60,000
On November 21, the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the murder of Olla resident Lacey Hayman Smith. She was found dead at a residence in Olla, and it was revealed the following day that her death was being investigated as a homicide. Just one week later, Kenny Smith Sr., husband of the victim was arrested and charged for second-degree murder.
On these three posts, over 500 comments were made by community members offering condolences to the family, specifically the victim’s two young children.
No. 5 – FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK VOTE PASSES
April 3 – 33,000
The post itself was short and simple but the response was great. In a simple update, The Jena Times page stated, “LPSB Meeting April 3, 2023 – School Board voted unanimously to go to a four-day school week for the 2023-2024 school year.” This post alone reached over 24,000 people with hundreds commenting their opinion of the change.
No. 6 – SUPERHEROES IN DISGUISE: LASALLE PARISH SCHOOL SECRETARIES
August 17 – 20,000
Contributing writer Deborah Mayo offers unique stories in each edition of The Jena Times, and this story has been deemed the Top Feature Story of 2023. The story highlights some of the most vital, and oftentimes overlooked, members of the school system – school secretaries. Over 1,000 people used the link on Facebook to read the full story on The Jena Times website, the most website visits from any feature story.
No. 7 – BRIDGE CLOSED ON US 84 IN TULLOS
May 12 – 18,000
This post was a simple update that received a lot of attention. On Friday, May 12, The Jena Times staff received word from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) that the bridge located in Tullos on US 84 was closed until further notice until repairs could be made. A suggestion for an alternate route was also provided.
No. 8 – DOWNTOWN HOMECOMING EVENT IN OLLA
October 18 – 17,000
On Saturday, October 14 the annual Downtown Homecoming Celebration took place in Olla. The event, scheduled alongside LaSalle High School’s homecoming, boasted of 50 vendors, all-day entertainment and beautiful weather. The Jena Times staff was also in attendance, taking several photos from the day’s festivities. The post included a story and photos from the day, completely free to all viewers.
No. 9 – LADY TIGER SOFTBALL
April 13, 17 – 16,000
On Thursday, April 13, the LHSAA softball brackets were released and published on The Jena Times page. On Wednesday, April 19 the LaSalle Lady Tigers, ranked #1 in Division IV Non-Select, hosted the South Plaquemines for the second round of the state playoffs.
No. 10 – TIGERS WIN
Thursday, October 26 – 14,000
With one photo of the scoreboard and two words, “TIGERS WIN!” this post made the #10 spot on Top Facebook Posts of 2023. During a Thursday night game at LaSalle High School’s Tiger Stadium in Olla, the LHS Tigers beat the Northwood-Lena Gators 52-14.
Bonus – CHRISTMASVILLE AND THE SISTERS WHO BUILT IT
December 22 – 8,000
The second most popular feature story by Deborah Mayo shined a light on two sisters who make Christmas magic happen through their completely free, drive-thru light display. Their goal was to spread the love of Jesus, and anyone reading the comments of love and “thank-yous” on this post can agree they did just that.
Upon review of the The Jena Times’ Top Facebook Posts of 2023, there was a common thread discovered. Why were these stories and posts interacted with the most? What do these posts reveal about LaSalle Parish and its members?
Most of these posts, and their shares, likes and comments, are centered around children. LaSalle Parish is known for being family-focused and a community of people who love and support its children, and this just further proves it.
Fans supported the Jena Giants as they fought their way to the playoffs, celebrated with Zerrick Jones when honored for his accomplishments, showed its support for the school system with the passing of the four-day week and thanking its secretaries, and cheered on the Tigers and Lady Tigers during their respective seasons.
Members of the community rallied around family and offered prayers and support when young lives were lost too soon. Even the story of Christmasville was one for the kids – hundreds of parents and grandparents offered their thanks for making their children and grandchildren’s Christmases more magical.
So, if you are of the more than 12,000 who follow our page and over 300,000 who have interacted with these posts and others, we at The Jena Times want to say, “thank you.” Thank you for keeping up with your local news, celebrating successes, supporting your community and keeping it family first.
