These are excerpts from an article in the Ruston Daily Leader. See www.rustonleader.com for the entire article. I just posted the stuff that affects Tech:
LEON'S GONE: Usually, late August around Ruston and Lincoln Parish means that thoughts turn to the football field.
But the focus on the beginning of another gridiron season was shattered momentarily with a major announcement.
Long-time head women's basketball coach Leon Barmore of Louisiana Tech University announced his retirement.
It ended 20 years at the helm and an overall 28 seasons of service as one of the nation's most successful collegiate coaches. He departed with a record of 576-87, a winning percentage of nearly .870 that ranked No. 1 among all NCAA coaches, male or female.
Since his retirement, Barmore has spent time enjoying the new 18-hole Squire Creek golf course and watching his former Lady Techsters and fellow Bulldogs play.
SQUIRE CREEK OPENS: Finally, after several years of anticipation, the plush Squire Creek golf and country club officially opened in late August.
The 18 holes situated over rolling hills near Choudrant cover over 7,000 yards of picturesque fairways and endless bunkers, all to test either the scenic imagery or playing skills of its participants.
It hasn't disappointed.
Successful PGA professional David Toms of Bossier City called it "the best golf course in Louisiana" for the future. Rave reviews have also come from the likes of former President George H.W. Bush and country and western singing star Kix Brooks, both of whom appeared at special functions held at the spacious and elaborately furnished clubhouse.
Ruston businessman James Davison and son Steve Davison placed the groundwork for the multi-million dollar layout in the early 1990s.
Last summer, their dream became a reality .
RESTAURANT REFERENDUM: A group of Ruston residents began in June to obtain signatures for a petition requesting that a vote on allowing mixed drinks and wine in Ruston restaurants be placed before the people.
In November, city voters got the chance to decide on the five-part proposition. Citizens could vote yes or no on selling beer in local stores or in bars or package liquor stores, on selling hard liquor and wine in bars, and on selling hard liquor and wine in restaurants only.
In the end, city residents decided to keep what they had — beer sales — and add the possibility of purchasing mixed drinks and wine in local restaurants.
State and local officials along with city police worked together to produce a plan for safe enforcement of the new laws. Beginning in January, city restaurants will have the chance to apply for the expanded liquor permits.
SERVICE-ROAD PLAN: In order to provide an economic boost for the City of Ruston, city officials approved in September a proposal to complete one-way service roads north and south of Interstate 20.
The plan will connect Ruston's service roads north and south of Interstate 20 between state Highway 33 and the old Rock Island Railroad underpass. It will include an overpass between U.S. Highway 167 and state Highway 33. The service roads between the underpass and Cooktown Road will remain two-way.
The plan has come under fire from residents of Ruston's Fairfield subdivision, but is lauded as a way to alleviate traffic congestion as well as avoid accidents in the area.
This plan is part of a larger overall plan to construct or rebuild service roads on both the north and south sides of I-20 from Ruston to Grambling as well as add another interchange at Tarbutton Road just west of Tech Drive.
