The West Carroll Gazette from Oak Grove, Louisiana • 1

Peewee Soccer Starts this year Page 9 Is your name on the Jury List? Page 14 Girl Scout Cookies Arrive Page 17 I 4 A 1 3 I I 7 0 4C- MICKOril.MINU DFPAK'TMFNT HILL ML IHKAR LOUISIANA SIATL UN IV BATON ROUGF LA QUO 3 -O 1 0. Vol. 91 No. 23 75 cents OAK GROVE, LA. Wednesday, February 14, 2001 1 Section, 18 Pages Students of Year honored Veterans given hope service office to stay By JOHNEY S.

TURNER Editor By JOHNEY S. TURNER Editor Francis Fowler, commander of the VFW Post, called the meeting when word was spread about the possible closing. Fowler said the turnout at the meeting was good and that he had letters from state legislators that they will support keeping the office open. See Stay, Page 3 A group of concerned West Carroll veterans met at the VFW Post, Friday at 7 p.m., about rumors the local Veterans Service Office may close due to budget cuts. i ii II MJ 'fc rL If) Hc4Ar lpli put JZ "'i 1 wit Ward One fire district purchases new truck The West Carroll Parish School Board named Student of the Year winners and presented them with plaques at the regular board meeting, February 5, at 6:30 p.m., in the Media Center.

Winners of this year's honors are William Trent Cox, fifth grade; Allison Nicole Johnson and James Riley Custer, eighth grade, co-winners; and Mathew Nathan French, twelfth grade. In making the presentations, Superintendent of Schools Jerry Dosher said, "Every year the state puts on a contest for Student of the Year. We send some very good representatives to regional competition. French, who won the high school honor, is the son of Diane and Jimmie French of Oak Grove. He is a senior at Oak Grove High School.

He feels that the four major areas of his life are sports, academics, church and family. Mathew has played baseball, See Honored, Page 3 The Ward One Fire Protection District has purchased a new fire truck that will play an important role in protecting homes and businesses in the district. The fire protection district was able to buy the fire truck and other equipment through innovative financing provided by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority and a grantloan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development. The truck is a pumper-tanker that holds 3,000 gallons of water and can pour 500 gallons of water a minute onto a fire.

The fire protection district also purchased a of life" device See Truck, Page 3 STUDENTS OF the Year from West Carroll Parish were recognized at the regular February school board meeting recently. Students were selected from high school, junior high and elementary. Pictured from left are co-winners from Junior high, Allison Nicote Johnston, eighth grader at Pioneer, and James Riley Custer, eight grader at OatrGrove; Mathew Nathan French, twelfth grade student at Oak Grove High School, and Superintendent of Schools Jerry Dosher, who congratulates winners. Trent Cox, Oak Grove Elementary student, is not pictured. (Gazette Staff Photo) Ruff in scholarship founded at Tech Barham swaps party president, he was able to share opinions on policy and Louisiana's role in the national economy.

And with the change in leadership in Washington and President George W. Bush leading the nation into a new era, Senator Barham decided now was the time for an official change of his own. "I just felt that I ought to officially affiliate myself with the party with which I feel most I wsw" District 33 State Senator Robert Barham of Oak Ridge, is joining the Republican Party. Barham, who represents citizens in Union, Morehouse and West Carroll Parishes as well as parts of Ouachita and Claiborne Parishes, announced his decision to register as a Republican after a visit with President George W. Bush at the White House, Friday.

"It is clear to me that the Republican Party best represents what I consider to be important," Senator Barham said. "The Republican Party espouses the values that are important to me in my life and that are vital to the future of our communities-the value of education, the value of families, the value of personal integrity and responsibility and the value of protecting our constitutional rights." Senator Barham worked with the Louisiana Democrats for Bush effort during the presidential campaign and developed a close association with the president's team and philosophy of the George W. Bush campaign. Senator Barham noted that, during his meeting with the The Louisiana Tech University Foundation announces the establishment of the Donald Ruffin Endowed Scholarship in Engineering. The scholarship was established in memory of Donald Ruffin and in response to the inquiries of friends, family members, and business associates who were seeking an appropriate and enduring way to honor his memory- The scholarship will benefit a graduate of Oak Grove High School entering the freshman year, majoring in engineering.

Ruffin attended Tech and was an engineering major. Guy Wactor, local businessman and lifelong friend of Donald Ruffin, has been the moving force behind the establishment of the scholarship. Working with the Louisiana Tech University Foundation, he has been instrumental in focusing support for the scholarship. Corre Stegall, executive director for University Advancement at Tech, said, "This scholarship is a most appropriate way to honor Donald Ruffin's memory. He was so obviously loved and respected by all who knew him, and he, in comfortable.

I support, the approach to politics and public policy endorsed and practices by President George W. Bush and the Republican Party and believe I can be a better public official as a part of the party and its efforts," Senator Barham said. Joining Senator Barham at the White House for the meeting with President Bush was State Representative Hunt Downer who also announced his decision to join the Republican Party. Representative Downer led the Democrats for Bush in Louisiana. Senator Barham, who came to the state senate in 1994, after See Party, Page 3 A SCHOLARSHIP in the engineering department at Louisiana Tech has been established in honor of the late Donald Ruffin.

Gathered for finalization of the project are from left, Kent Davis, principal of Oak Grove High School; Shelton Ruffin, Matthew Ruffin, Allison Ruffin, Corre Stegall, executive director for University Advancement at Tech, and Guy Wactor. (Gazette Staff Photo) turn, was dedicated to the West big boost to a young person's edu- to witness the outpouring of love Carroll Parish community and its cational career, and it has been an and respect for Donald Ruffin." people. This scholarship will be a inspiration to work with Guy and See Tech, Page 3 Index Booster club auction Obituaries 2 Opinion 4 Lifestyles 5 Community 15 Classifieds 16 Church directory 12 The theme is "Celebrating our Heritage." Valentine dance The Oak Grove Moose Lodge will host its Valentine dance. February 17, starting at 9 p.m., at the lodge. Blue Sage ill perform for the dance.

have completed the application for their child to be considered for placement in the Mason's program. Anyone who would like their child considered may pick up an application and make an appointment at Delta PREP. For information, call 428-9377 after 1 :30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The child should be in the fourth, fifth or sixth grade, and under the age of 13 years old. p.m., in the school cafeteria, and from 4 p.m., in the Fiskc Theatre.

The menu includes chicken spaghetti, cole slaw, crackers and chocolate cuke for $5 per plate. Tickets may he purchased from Kilbourne High School at 428-3721 or from Maye Stoll at 428-3220. Heritage parade The Oak Grove Booster Club will host its annual auction February 24, at 7 p.m., in the school's new gymnasium. Any donations or help from parents and supporters will be appreciated. The Booster Club meets each Monday at 7 p.m., at The Drug Store, Interested persons may contact any Booster Club member.

Dyslexia program Judge Tucks will meet with parents who Evergreen Supper 1 Evergreen for Senior Adults will meet at Goodwill Baptist Church, February 16, at 10:30 a.m. All senior adults arc invited. The annual Oak Grove Recreation and Civic Club, Black Heritage Parade will be held Monday. February 19. at I p.m., in Oak Grove.

Kilbourne High School will hold a chicken spaghetti supper, Thursday, February 22. Serving will be from 56018H71263' i.