No Struggle, No Progress
No Struggle, No Progress
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All of us who have gone to school have wonderful memories of those formative years in grade school, learning and interacting with others. That extends into our high school years, collecting memories. Some memories we remember more than others, but this writer is convinced that just about everyone will remember someone who worked in the school cafeteria. Yes, those tireless workers who are up at the crack of dawn year-round to greet and serve the children. When students get to school in the morning, the first people they see are most often the c...
It saddens us to announce that Martha T. Caston passed away during the morning of December 17, 2022, at the age of 98. She was born on May 28, 2024, to the union of John Alex and Ollie Thompson and grew up in Monroe Louisiana and attended Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church. Martha enjoyed a lifelong career as an educator teaching during segregation which required her to travel in 1952 to Crowley, LA to teach at Ross Elementary School, Acadia Parish. After segregation ended and schools were...
The tragic school shooting in Uvalde, TX will stay in people’s memories for a long time, as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary will not go away. Nor should they. People are still asking how, in an advanced nation like America could, school shooting after school shooting happen, and next to nothing is done. Those types of shootings also happen at high schools, which presents a greater danger because high school students are thought to be more mature than their elementary counterparts as life-changing decisions begin to come into focus. Let’s not...
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MLK THEME: Break the Silence þCHECK YOUR DREAM þDedication, þResponsibility þEducation þAttitude þMotivationMONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023 9:00 a.m. – King Day Parade Entry Fee:$20-Line up begins at 8:00 a.m. – Wossman High School – Ends at Zoo ä 6:00 p.m. – Essay Contest and Recognition Program-New Saint James Baptist Church1010 Richwood Rd – Monroe, LA-Rev. Samuel M. Andrews – Pastor Guest Speaker: Dr. K. C. Wade, M.D. WHO MAY ENTER? Contest is open to all churches and schoo...
A report published on November 16, 2022 indicated that schools in the state of Louisiana did better than expected when the state compared performance scores in 2022 as compared to those from 2021. That would be (and is) good news to state education officials, but the report also said that "a majority" of schools, not all, improved their scores. That being the case only highlights that more work is still needed. The scores come on the heels of numerous school disruptions caused by COVID-19 and...
Edna’s Cooking “Home of the Breakfast Bowl” Serving southern style hot breakfast and lunch daily: Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Saturday, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. All plates come with coffee or fountain drink. Great food! Great service at reasonable prices. Three Monroe locations: Now Save #1 4399, Hwy 165 South, 318-737-7873; Tiger Market Café, 1800 Forsythe Ave, Suite 1, 318-325-4000; Now Save # 5, Hwy 165 South and Hadley St. Ms. Edna and Staff ~ Serving up LOVE every day! Edna’s Cooking features $6.99 breakfast and coffee, $9.99 lunch an...
Questions continue to arise over an incident that happened at a high school football game between Carroll High School and Franklin Parish on Thursday, October 10, 2022. Initial reports from the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Department say that several Carroll coaches were escorted out of the stadium press box for allegedly using profanity in the presence of others in the press box. Some accounts say that Sheriff Kevin Cobbs went to the press box to escort one of the Carroll coaches back to what was...
Edna’s Cooking “Home of the Breakfast Bowl” Serving southern style hot breakfast and lunch daily: Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Saturday, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. All plates come with coffee or fountain drink. Great food! Great service at reasonable prices. Three Monroe locations: Now Save #1 4399, Hwy 165 South, 318-737-7873; Tiger Market Café, 1800 Forsythe Ave, Suite 1, 318-325-4000; Now Save # 5, Hwy 165 South and Hadley St. Ms. Edna and Staff ~ Serving up LOVE every day! Edna’s Cooking features $6.99 breakfast and coffee, $9.99 lunch and d...
The Bible states in Matthew 12:25, "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." Many citizens in northeast Louisiana are concerned about the divisions in our areas; North Monroe against South Monroe against West Monroe. Some residents who reside in West Monroe were products of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), formerly Northeast Louisiana University...
Tensions and emotions were high at the Tuesday, October 11, 2022 meeting for Monroe city council, as a resolution asking Mayor Ellis to reconsider SEDD’s response to the mayor’s Tax Increase Funding (TIF) offer was denied. It was an unexpected reaction for SEDD members and many in the community who came to voice their concerns. But even before any items on the agenda were brought for discussion, Council chairwoman Kema Dawson(District 5) made it abundantly clear that she "did not block” TIF from the agenda as had been rumored. Dawson conti...
Week 6 October 7, 2022 #2 Carroll Bulldogs (4-0) @ #9 Wossman Wildcats (3-2) It's that time of the year again. That time when the leaves fall, the fair is in town and the baby bayou classic is staring us right in the eyes. That's right it's Carroll vs Wossman week. The history of this rivalry dates all the way back to the late 1980's after their closure of the original Richwood High School, Carroll went searching for a new rival and found one just 4 miles down the road. This year's game may be...
It is not often that a student gets to enter a new school in a different school year, especially when the name of the school is the same. But that is what’s happening for students who attend Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School on the South side of Monroe, LA. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, September 9, 2022, at the school to celebrate what some are calling a “school of the future”. It is a “state-of-the-art” school that did not come without some controversy. When the Monroe City Schools Board decided to replace the old MLK s...
April 8, 1934 – September 4, 2022 Legendary Monroe City Schools Educator and Choreographer, Joe Ella Brown Burton, passed away peacefully at the home of her youngest daughter in McDonough, GA early Sunday morning, September 4, 2022. Mrs. Burton is best remembered as the choreographer of J.S. Clark Elementary's 1960s renowned dance group the "Tantalizing Clarkettes'' and Carroll High School's "Joettes." She is the youngest of two daughters born to Joseph Alfred Brown and Mary Ellen Gordon Brown o...
Deborah Smith Monroe City School Board Candidate My name is Deborah Smith. I am a dedicated educator for over 25 years. I am the mother of 4 children. I am the 2nd of three generations of Carroll High School graduates. I have resided in the Booker T Addition for over 60 years. Being a single mother made me choose what kind of life that I wanted for my children. I knew that education was key to them achieving success as well as well as being productive thriving citizens. Being poor never stopped...
A program aimed at “restorative practice training” for teachers in the Monroe City School System was approved by the Monroe City Schools Board at its Tuesday Aug. 17, 2022 meeting. The program will be provided by a firm called Time 4 Academics, whose goal is to offer professional learning services to help teachers and students in the school system “with communication and understanding”. Time 4 Academics Representative Frances Hester said that “Human beings need strong, intentional relationships to survive” to board members. Hester went on to sa...
Another election for local School Board leadership is fast approaching. Voters will have an opportunity to see different education leaders or the same that is currently assembled. Elections give the power to the voters to effect change if there is dissatisfaction with the current administration that has led these past few years. Voters should be well informed about each candidate running for School Board leadership roles, have knowledge of their voting record over the last four years, and their vision to take the Monroe City School District to...
Local motorists traveling on Hwy 165 near Renwick St. in Monroe cannot miss the ongoing changes on the walkway bridge that serves as a corridor for students who attend nearby Carroll Jr. and Carroll High Schools. The bridge has been seen as an eyesore and even a danger to pedestrians for decades because of its age and neglect. Over the last several months, that outlook is changing. The bridge is undergoing a new makeover in repairs and cosmetic changes like new colors that will recognize one of...
Voters need to not only vote but check and vet candidates running for elected offices. With Blacks being the majority in Monroe, LA, one would think that more tax dollars would be spread equally in City Council Districts 3, 4, and 5 and Monroe City Schools Districts 4, 5, 6, and 7 due to the needs of those most at risk. One would think Monroe City School Board members would show more empathy and allocate more resources to those schools with the most vulnerable student populations to help enhance student achievement. The unfortunate truth is...
A resolution for the city of Monroe to provide matching funds in the amount of $7,426,609 for the Texas Standifer Sewer Trunkline was a major discussion during the Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Monroe City Council meeting. According to Mayor Friday Ellis and Ouachita Parish Engineer Kevin Crosby, this project is huge in scope and must be done if the city wants to improve its sewer/water infrastructure. Ellis said that this is an issue that he inherited from previous years where the project can no...
Another school year has ended in Monroe, LA, and young people, known as high schoolers, are now ready to embark on another exciting chapter of their lives. Some are ready to start that chapter at the collegiate level, go into the military or begin working on a specialized skilled job from a technical school. They have many possibilities as to how that next chapter will unfold, but one thing they will not forget is where they graduated from as they take the next big step in life. The three public...
In an effort to beautify portions of Carroll High School, a proposal on the Monroe City School Board agenda was requested to move air conditioner chillers located in between two buildings of the school. The request was made at the Tuesday, May 17, 2022, meeting to make an area available for secure outdoor activities. Those activities may include classroom study, a place to unwind, eat lunch, work on projects or have quiet time during lunch hour. In 2022, all school students deserve areas on scho...
January 25, 1935-May 23, 2022 Maydell Batiste Spears was a former Educator and coach with The Monroe City School System. She worked at Carroll and Neville High Schools in Monroe LA. In the community she was a huge advocate for Sickle Cell Anemia and Jump Rope for Heart raising thousands of dollars throughout the years. Her husband Elvin Spears Sr. preceded her in death. To their union three children were born. Elvin Spears Jr., Pamela Spears Johnson and Sherita Spears Moham. five grandchildren,...
It seems as if many parents, much of the Church, the government and even schools have fallen under the spells of hell. Many are deceived- thinking they’re doing good jobs, better yet- God’s job; yet they’re fulfilling the evil wishes of that liar and deceiver- Satan. There is still hope though, for those of you who will hear the Lord. True leadership is of God, and true leaders- whether in or outside of the home follow God. They don’t follow what is popular, what is financially profita...
Continued from February 24, 2022 Betty Ward Cooper Betty performs other community volunteer service work that includes President of the Board of Control (Trustees) for the Ouachita Parish Public Library System; President of the Louisiana Federation of Democratic Women (LFDW). She serves as a Northeast Louisiana liaison with Power Coalition for Equity & Justice and NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Serves on the Planning Committee - Mayor's Friday Ellis' City of Monroe Early Childhood Initiative. She...
Mrs. Dietra Wade-Blackmon! A loving mother to Zyria Smith and a "newlywed" wife to Mr. Demorialle Blackmon. Dietra is a hard worker with a determined mind.Her Motto:Whatever you want to do in life, talk to God about it first. Work hard at it and don't give up. If it's for you it's yours. Dietra love meeting & talking with people. Giving respect is very important to her.In August 2018, she started as a Bus Operator with Monroe City Schools Transp. Dept. She became the Head Dispatcher in January...
We have developed a Parental Involvement Task Force for the purpose of focusing on exploring existing definitions and creating a new definition of family engagement and creating an action oriented plan for the district. Practicing equitable family engagement requires an intentional, long-term effort to change ingrained perceptions, beliefs, and regular practices of school staff. This is not an effort schools can undertake on their own; to be successful, school staff will need to work with district personnel, families and the community to...
Another hit-and-run fatality occurred in Monroe, LA, on January 19, 2022, on Standifer St. where suspect Jeremy James, 33, allegedly hit Leroy Dorsey, 61, in a hit and run accident. The victim, Leroy Dorsey, later died as a result of the accident. According to police reports, Leroy Dorsey was hit by a hit-and-run driver south of Monroe city limits. LA law states it's a crime to leave the scene of a crash, regardless of who is at fault for the crash. Police have charged the suspect with one...
Thomas Jefferson Upper Elementary School in Monroe LA had a celebration to honor Ms. Yolonda Kennon on Friday January 14, 2022. Ms. Kennon was the computer operator at Thomas Jefferson for 17 years. She worked under three different principals and did an outstanding job with each principal. Ms. Kennon was promoted to the Central Office with Monroe City Schools. Thomas Jefferson Upper congratulates Ms. Kennon on her endeavor, while she will be missed. Mr. Danzie Pierce is Principal at Thmas...
The best way to truly know how you feel about the ‘hood (the sides of town that Black and people densely populate) is to visit a 'hood in another city. When I first enter a 'hood, I immediately realize I have entered a not-so-good side of town by what I see - overgrown grass, dilapidated homes, sketchy gas stations, potholes every 100 feet - I could go on. The most distinctive thing is the feeling I get within seconds of turning into a 'hood I am not familiar visiting. There is an uneasiness about what can happen at any moment and a rush to n...
A local school band director is in trouble after an alleged incident on campus, where a Carroll student received corporal punishment for performing poorly during rehearsal and was disciplined. Band Director Desiree Player, who is a well-known and respected educator, uses the same form of punishment on other band students. Monroe City Schools Board (MCSB) officials took action against Player after Carroll's Principal Eric Davis informed her that a parent had filed a formal complaint. According...
By (Aunt) Mrs. Bertha Page Dunlap Sherry Dunlap Dennis was a resident of Monroe LA, who went home to be with the Lord on Saturday December 4, 2021. She attended Lincoln Elementary School now Roy Shelling Elementary School and also Carroll High School in Monroe LA. Sherry completed her high school studies graduating from high school in Shreveport LA. She attended college for two years. Sherry was employed at one time as a bus driver by Monroe City Schools once moving from Shreveport. Sherry was...
Jerry Lindsay 80, (Former math teacher at Wossman/school bus driver) passed Friday September 17, 2021. He was born on March 23, 1941. Jerry was a retired educator from Wossman High School and a bus operator for Monroe City Schools from May 17, 1976 until March 28, 2021. A Memorial and Celebration of Life service will be held at Mulhearn Funeral Home, 2308 Sterlington Rd., Monroe, LA, on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 1:00 pm. Visitation is Thursday, September 23, 2021, from 4:00-6:00 pm....
Carroll High School is a historic Afro-American educational institution that has stood the test of time during some turbulent years and yet it still stands at its Renwick Street address. It being the only high school in the city of Monroe LA for Black children, has carve its niche in Ouachita Parish and is letting other neighboring high schools that it is not done. The school has served the community well, as it has sent out into the community, the nation and the world some of the best and brightest minds from the Black Monroe community. it is...
In Monroe, LA, city school students are hurting and in dire need of a new 21st-century school system education that could provide more hope and equity for a better, more prosperous future. With the new school year beginning next week, many hope school board leaders remember to keep the students' best interests first over conflicting agendas. The children of Monroe are a reflection of the city's future. In order for the entire city to move forward, more attention, more importantly, more resources have to go to the neediest schools in the area....
Herman Brown was born July 20, 1934, in Eudora, Arkansas. He was a very bright, spirited individual who loved and enjoyed family, friends, and life. Exemplifying leadership as a young adult, he was responsible for leading his family to a better quality of life by moving them to Monroe, LA. With determination to be successful and a desire to contribute to the community, he worked in several capacities for the city of Monroe, which included Housing and Urban Development and the City Marshal's...
Monroe City Schools Superintendent Brent Vidrine got an early Christmas present, in of all months, July. That Christmas present was an 18-month contract extension in his position that was slated to expire December 31, 2021. Santa, aka the board members, decided to "reward" Vidrine with a new contract, even though the signed contract was only a draft. An incomplete contract wasn't a problem for five members of the board, who voted to extend Vidrine's contract without making sure that all of the...
Live every day as if it is your last, as we never know when life will begin or end. Hearts are saddened by the death of Walter "Walt Baby Love" Bynum's passing. Walt was an incredible guy who always thought of others. He was a hard worker who began working at the age of 13. Walt was one who had his own. He never asked anyone for anything and knew he had to provide for his family. He was employed with and retired from Monroe City Schools as a head supervisor. On the job, Walt was impeccable as...
The Monroe City Academy League (MCAL) is a youth sports league provided by The Academy Fitness & Sports LLC and Free Me Association. The purpose of the league is to provide constructive physical sports activities for youth in the city of Monroe, specifically offering safe after-school activities. The league provides football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and cheer to youth ages 5-12. The organization hopes the teams will be able to practice at six community centers operated by the...
Cheryl Collins Mother, Educator, Survivor Cheryl Kay Williams Ricks Collins, our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister was called home to glory to rest with Jehovah on May 31, 2021. Cheryl was born on July 13, 1949 to the late Eddie Ricks and Ozella Ricks in Rayville, Louisiana. She was one of 10 children. Her beloved father, mother, two brothers, one brother-in-law, husband, and son preceded her in death. She was united in matrimony to the late Wardell Collins and to their union four...
Members of the Monroe City Council listened in silence Tuesday, May 25, 2021 as several citizens voiced their deep concerns over recent Monroe police officers' conduct. Though there are sometimes limited comments from council members when citizens from the audience voice their concerns over civic matters, none of the council members said anything. There wasn't even a head nod to acknowledge what concerned citizens were saying. Members of the city council are keenly aware of recent and...
Al R. Sampson, 61 Al R. Sampson of Chicago IL Retired died May 8, 2021. Service: 11 AM May 18, 2021 at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Calhoun, LA. Burial: Jerusalem Cemetery under the direction of Hester Central State Funeral Home. Mary Meadows, 78 Mary Meadows of Delhi, LA Homemaker died Friday May 14, 2021. Celebration of Life: Friday May 21, 2021 11:00 AM at Union Valley Baptist Church of Delhi. Burial: Saint John Community Cemetery Delhi under direction of McFarland Funeral Company-Delhi. Elijah James Whitfield, 76 Elijah James (Bo Jack)...
A spirited disagreement between two Monroe City Schools Board members over supplemental checks to employees turned awkward at a recent school board meeting, as words being hurled at some board members, who were only referred to as "they". The back and forth between District 2 board member Jennifer Haneline and former board president Betty Ward-Cooper erupted over an email put out by District 4 representative and current board president, Daryll Berry. Berry sent out an email that stated that...
Edna’s Cooking “Home of the Breakfast Bowl” Serving Southern Style Hot Breakfast & Lunch Daily Monday- Friday 6 am – 2:30 pm and Sat 7 am – 2 pm All Plates come with coffee or fountain drink Great Food! Great Service @ Reasonable Prices 2 locations Now Save #1 4399 Hwy 165 South Monroe, LA /318-737-7873 & Tiger Market Café 1800 Forsythe Ave Suite 1 Monroe, LA 71201/318-325-4000 Ms. Edna & Staff ~ Serving up LOVE every day! Thought Don’t nothing ruin a duck but its bib! Late Legendary Merle Robinson Remote Learning Meeting Diverse Needs School...
Death, sorrow, tragedy, grief, suffering, hurt, and pain have been the nightmare experiences of the numerous pedestrians killed and injured along U.S Highway 165 South in the town of Richwood corporate limits, and their loved ones and families have been left behind to cherish their memories. The calls from the community and concerned citizens for needed highway improvement have been ignored for many years by local and state officials, and those Black elected/voted into office (i.e., Police Jurors, State Senator and Representatives, Southside...
Edna’s Cooking “Home of the Breakfast Bowl” Serving southern style hot breakfast and lunch daily, Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM and Saturday, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. All plates come with coffee or fountain drink, and of course, great food! Great service at reasonable prices at two locations: Now Save #1 (4399 Hwy 165 South, Monroe, LA, 318-737-7873), and Tiger Market Café (1800 Forsythe Ave Suite 1, Monroe, LA 71201, 318-325-4000). Ms. Edna & staff ~ serving up LOVE every day! Gospel Springfest Sunday, March 28, 2021, 3:00PM at Louisian...
Congratulations Betty Ward-Cooper, Monroe City School Board member representing District 5! This week, at the 83rd Annual Convention of the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) held at the Shreveport Convention Center, she received an official certificate from the President and Executive Director of the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA). She was the only school board member, from Ouachita Parish schools (Monroe City and Ouachita Parish School Districts), receiving the designation...
It appears to be a foregone conclusion that not everyone is happy with the result of last week's election of officers to the Monroe City School Board. Former Board President Betty Ward-Cooper was up for reelection to continue her role, but in a twist that may not have been a surprise, Cooper was defeated by Darryl Berry 4-3 from fellow board members. Even before the nominations were taken, local NAACP President, Rev. Ambrose Douzart rose to voice his views to the board. Ambrose rose to voice his opposition to Mr. Berry, saying that he believes...
The Monroe City Schools Board elected new officers for the 2021 school year Tuesday(Jan.19) night in their first meeting of the year. District 4 Board Member Darryl Berry was elected as board president, succeeding outgoing president Betty Ward Cooper. District 7 Board Member Sharon Neal Greer was elected as vice president replacing District 6 Board member Brandon Johnson. After the results were announced, Berry assumed the role as president directing the proceedings of the meeting. With the school board having a 5-2 majority, it’s amazing h...
Origin Bank donated $200 in honor of late educator and community activist Cleora Dunn. The donation was received by Stacie Sylvestri, principal of Barkdull Faulk Elementary, along with Dunn's children Joshua Ross, Caleb Ross, and Zakaevia Ross on January 7, 2021. The donation was presented to representatives of Barkdull Faulk and the family of Cleoria Dunn. "It's a real honor to do this in memory of Cleoria. She had such a positive impact on so many people. She really loved her students and had...
In just under a week, the Monroe City Schools Board will hold its first meeting of the New Year and quite frankly, no one knows what to expect. The board went through some ups/downs throughout 2020 beginning on how it would maintain/conduct a normal school year of activity with the coronavirus on the horizon early in 2020. COVID-19, as the virus came to be known as, proved to be challenging for all school boards across the nation and it still is for the current board. How effective was last...
