Marriage licenses issued by the Bienville Parish Clerk of Court during the month of June include:
| Date | Groom | Bride |
| June 2, 2021 | Johnny Edwards Rabb Jr. | Jessica Danielle Fields |
| June 2, 2021 | Johnny Lee Stewart | Peggy Ann Dring |
| June 7, 2021 | Charles Lee Gay | Margaret Lynn Leonard |
| June 7, 2021 | Jimmy Wayne Cannady | Carolyn Gail Johnson |
| June 9, 2021 | Kevin Lynn Coly | Sonya Marie Rickard |
| June 14, 2021 | Lester B. Fielding | Sonja Jones |
| June 21, 2021 | Spencer Darrel Stephens | Kimberly Diane Coleman |
1776 – George Washington ordered the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhattan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepared for the Battle of Long Island.
1850 – U.S. President Zachary Taylor died after eating raw fruit and iced milk; he was succeeded in office by Vice President Millard Fillmore.
1868 – The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, which guaranteed African Americans full citizenship and all persons in the United States due process of law.
1872 – Doughnut cutter patents were granted to John Blondel of Thomaston, Maine.
1893 – Daniel Hale Williams, American heart surgeon, performed the first successful open-heart surgery in United States without anesthesia.
1918 – In Nashville, Tennessee, an inbound local train collided with an outbound express, which killed 101 and injured 171 people, making it the deadliest rail accident in United States history.
1937 – The silent film archives of Fox Film Corporation was destroyed by the 1937 Fox vault fire.
1947 – Engagement of Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
1955 – Bill Haley & Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock” topped the billboards chart, one of the best-selling singles ever.
1956 – Dick Clark’s first appearance as host of American Bandstand.
1981 – Nintendo released arcade game Donkey Kong in Japan (July 31 in the US).
1982 – Pan Am Flight 759 crashed in Kenner, Louisiana, and killed all 145 people on board and eight others on the ground.
1982 – Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace and entered the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace, London.
1996 – “Blue” debut album by LeAnn Rimes was released (Billboard Album of the Year 1997).
2015 – 48th San Diego Comic-Con began. It included preview of new Star Wars film by J.J. Abrams.
Print this page to work the puzzle.
Instructions:
ZCIRPZCI is EINSTEIN
In Cryptoquotes, one letter stands for another. In the example above, Z is used for two E’s, I for the two N’s, etc. Single letters, double letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. The code letters change with each puzzle.
TODAY’S CRYPTOQUOTE:
“QC SPG GCI, QS’O CZS SPG XGVHO QC XZLH UQTG SPVS NZLCS. QS’O SPG UQTG QC XZLH XGVHO.” ~ VRHVPVK UQCNZUC
Previous Cryptoquote solution: “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.” ~ Maya Angelou
In the world of bass fishing anglers describe fish in several different ways. Smaller fish are known as dinks, knot heads or what Major League Fishing (MLF) Pros call non-scoreable bass (fish that don’t weigh enough to count). Big fish are referred to as a giant, hawg, big ol’ pig, big momma, or a tush hawg. I’m sure there are other names anglers use that are not printable or appropriate for this article. When anglers lose a big bass sometimes there are expletives used to express their frustrations. It may take some anglers hours, days or even weeks to get over losing a big ol’ pig! Some will even seek professional therapy.
But one thing that has frustrated me this season, is the fact that I catch quality bass during my practice days and then when tournament day rolls around, they get smaller. Let me set this up for you. During practice you go out trying to find as many schools of fish as you can. The more schools you find, the more options you have on tournament day especially if it’s a multi-day event. With most of the lakes having higher than normal water levels this summer, flooded brush has been a main target for me and other anglers. There’s just something awesome about catching bass out of flooded bushes. Now when it comes to fishing this type of cover, you can expect to lose a few fish because it’s almost impossible to get every bass out of the bushes but it’s a great technique for catching a 20-pound stringer. Big bass tend to migrate into the shallow water as the lake rises. Why? Because with rising water it offers more things for bream and baitfish to feed on like frogs, bugs, worms or crawfish. Anytime the smaller fish pull up, the bass will surely follow and take advantage of some great feeding opportunities.
Let’s gets back to my frustration of catching smaller fish on tournament day. I really don’t have an answer for this, but some guys will say “Well you shouldn’t be catching or sticking fish in practice.” My general practice habits include catching one two in an area to check the size that are there, then either moving or covering up or removing my hook completely and going to a screw lock in order to shake fish off. This year, that practice has not paid off! Three events this year I have been on quality fish with the potential to catch 16 pounds or more in which 3 and 4 pounders turned into 2 pounders basically overnight. But if there’s one thing, I will give myself credit for is sticking to my game plan. Now some will say that was my problem; that I did not adjust. This is not true as I did make changes from baits to presentations. But there are some days you just have to weed through a few smaller bass in order to catch a good one.
To wrap this up, one thing is clear, you can’t win tournaments by weighing in a bunch of 2 pounders. You must catch quality fish even if you’re just wanting to cash a check. Size really does matter! I guess the best advice I can offer all tournament anglers is to have a game plan but be prepared to do something different. One big mistake tournament angler’s make is that we get dialed in too much on how we caught fish in practice, and we try and force the fish to bite the same way they did under practice conditions. Be prepared to make adjustments and FISH THE MOMENT! Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!
Steve Graf
Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show
And Tackle Talk Live
Gregory Guillory arrives at the Bienville Parish Library for his performance as “Geebo the Clown” July 8th and July 9th. Geebo continues the “Tails & Tales” theme with a variety of magic tricks, and a lively interaction between adults and children that includes juggling, live animals as well as creating fun balloon animals for his audience!
Guillory is originally a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana and now calls Los Angeles, California home. Guillory is a seasoned bilingual stage performer and magician. Added to his list of achievements, Guillory is a member of the World-Famous Magic Castle, a premier organization dedicated to the art of magic. You will not want to miss a single moment of “Geebo the Clown” today! Below are the program times for each library:
Today
A BIT OF HISTORY
The clown character, usually depicted as a wide-eyed peasant, has entertained the rich and wealthy citizens in Classical Greek and Roman amphitheaters for centuries! The English word “cloyne” was first recorded in literature about c.1560 and again the generic meaning was used to identify the character as an unsuspecting peasant. The origin of the word is vague, perhaps coming from a Scandinavian word that may have had the same meaning as someone who was clumsy-acting. Today, we associate clowns with the circus clown developed in the early 19th century.
NOT A CLOWN’S FIRST RODEO!
The modern circus we know today originally came from the London riding school, which opened in 1768. A clown act was added to shows to amuse the spectators between equestrian events. Could it be this was the very first “rodeo clown?” Over time, the form of the clown costume used became the modern stock character of the “circus or children’s clown” replete with a red nose, white makeup around the eyes and mouth, and oversized clothes and shoes!
SNAG YOUR BRAG TAGS AND KEEP READING!
This is a new Summer Reading Program reward and there are ten brag tags to snag! Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. This new reading incentive gives your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
But it doesn’t end with the brag tags – Children are encouraged to keep reading as much as they can because there will be certificates and prizes for the top reader in multiple categories, including: top reader at each branch, and top reader in the Bienville Parish Library system.
Look for the times and list of performers at bienvillelibrary.org. See You at the Library!
In an effort to combat the rising gun violence in Northwest Louisiana, Louisiana State Police has partnered with local and federal law enforcement agencies. This is a collaborative initiative to provide additional patrol, investigative capabilities, and resources to the affected areas in Shreveport/Bossier City, as well as additional surrounding areas including Bienville Parish.
The Violent Crimes Abatement Committee is comprised of leaders from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, in Northwest Louisiana, along with community leaders. A violent crimes task force, known as the Violent Crimes Abatement Team (V-CAT), was created to carry out the mission of providing a safer environment for residents of Louisiana and those visiting our state. Incorporating multiple jurisdictions and utilizing numerous enforcement methods, V-CAT will continue to work diligently to find, apprehend, and prosecute illegal firearm offenders. Our efforts are in hopes of preventing someone from becoming a victim.
The public plays an important role in identifying suspects involved in criminal activity and is urged to report this activity to law enforcement. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through an anonymous reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators.
This partnership will include the following law enforcement agencies:
On Saturday afternoon, July 3, 2021, Castor held its First Annual Freedom Fest.
The weather was great. The temperature was in the upper 80s but the low humidity made it feel much cooler than it was.
People at Freedom Fest participated in bingo, corn hole, mechanical bull riding, and enjoyed a wide variety of foods provided by local churches. Congratulations to Melissa Reese of Castor. She is the winner of the 2021 Freedom Fest Treasure Hunt. Ms. Reese learned at the Freedom Fest that the Treasure Hunt prize was $800.
Pine Beetle Festival Committee President Melanie Jordan said, “Mayor Vicki Picket and I would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you all did to make our 2021 Freedom Fest an epic success. We could not have done this without the hard work, donations, and community support that we received. The festival was awesome. From the Treasure Hunt, the Bingo games and prizes, the food provided from our area churches, the attendance from our community and surrounding areas to the phenomenal fireworks show, it was event we will always remember! Thank you again and God Bless America.
Mayor Vicki Pickett-Castor, LA
Melanie Jordan-Pine Beetle Festival Committee President”
The Bienville Parish Journal would like to thank Melanie Jordan, Bonnie Carr and Robin Stevens for sharing their photos from the Freedom Fest.
by Brad Dison
Since the inception of the Mill Creek Recreation and Water Conservation District in July of 1995 there has been confusion about who can serve on the Lake Commission.
According to Louisiana Revised Statute 38:3087.54, “The district shall be governed and controlled by a board of five commissioners, each of whom shall be a qualified elector of the state of Louisiana, owning property within the district.”
Many locals assumed that the statement “owning property within the district” meant that only people who owned land on Mill Creek Reservoir could serve on the Lake Commission. However, the Mill Creek Recreation and Water Conservation District encompasses a much larger area.
The Police Jury has provided a map which shows the Mill Creek Recreation and Water Conservation District as it was when created in 1995. According to the highlighted portion of the map, people who live in the southeastern quarter of the parish can serve on the Lake Commission. (see map below)
The appointment of new board members will be on the agenda for the July 14th Police Jury meeting.
If you are interested in being on the Lake Commission, contact the Police Jury at 318-263-2019.
Previous articles pertaining to Mill Creek Reservoir: (Click on each link to read the article)
On Saturday, July 3, 2021, Castor’s new Family Dollar/Dollar Tree Combo Store held their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting.
A DJ entertained the crowd with a wide selection of hit music while an artist provided face-paintings.
Following a heartfelt prayer and a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, Castor’s Mayor Vicki Pickett spoke to the crowd. Mayor Pickett said, “I’m so happy that they have chosen to hire so many local people. That’s jobs. Jobs that we needed.” (Please see video below)
Ward 6 Police Juror Michael Nelson said “It’s bittersweet to me. While we do not want any of our local businesses to suffer from corporate stores moving into our area, we do realize that most people in our town and rural areas drive several miles to shop at discount stores in other towns for many items. This will bring some of that money back to benefit our town of Castor and Bienville Parish. Hopefully, it will also let people see just how well our town is equipped to meet any need you may have. Anything from hardware, lumber, fresh-cut meats to fast food, nutrition, and gas (2 locations) or a great sit down meal at the café. You now can shop for anything you need for great prices at home! Castor has it all!”
1456 – A retrial verdict acquitted Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death.
1777 – American forces retreating from Fort Ticonderoga were defeated in the Battle of Hubbardton.
1863 – The United States began its first military draft; exemptions cost $300.
1865 – Four conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt, were hanged.
1875 – Jesse James robbed a train in Otterville, Missouri.
1898 – US President William McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution which annexed Hawaii as a territory of the United States.
1907 – Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. staged his first Follies on the roof of the New York Theater in New York City.
1928 – Sliced bread was sold for the first time (on the inventor’s 48th birthday) by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri.
1930 – Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser began construction of Boulder Dam (now known as Hoover Dam).
1936 – RCA showed the first real TV program (dancing, film on locomotives, Bonwit Teller fashion show and monologue from Tobacco Road & comedy).
1946 – Howard Hughes nearly died when his XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft prototype crashed in a Beverly Hills neighborhood.
1954 – Elvis Presley made his radio debut when WHBQ Memphis played his first recording for Sun Records, “That’s All Right”.
1958 – US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into law.
1965 – Otis Redding recorded “Respect”.
1967 – Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” was released.
1967 – Doors’ “Light My Fire” hit #1.
1977 – “The Spy Who Loved Me”, the 10th James Bond film, starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach, premiered in London.
1981 – US President Ronald Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States.
1992 – The New York Court of Appeals ruled that women have the same right as men to go topless in public.
2005 – A series of four explosions occurred on London’s transport system, killing 56 people, including four suicide bombers, and injuring over 700 others.
2011 – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2”, the last Harry Potter film, premiered in London.
2017 – Tesla Motors produced its first mass-market car, the Model 3.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning tomorrow, Thursday, July 8, 2021, I-20 westbound at the Bear Creek overpass just east of the US 80 interchange (Ada Taylor Exit 55) in Bienville Parish will experience lane closures.
These lane closures are anticipated to last approximately one (1) week, and are associated with a project to repair the overpass that was damaged when it was struck by a large truck which caught fire.
The contractor will be performing repairs to the bridge piles and bents, the concrete travel lanes of I-20, as well as the asphalt shoulder. Work will take place primarily at nighttime, though motorists should expect to encounter the lane closures round-the-clock.
Shoulder closures may also be in place at times during the project.
The entire project is anticipated to be complete in late Summer 2021, weather permitting.
Alternate route: These lane closures will allow vehicles 11 feet wide or smaller to pass through the construction zone. All larger vehicles will need to detour.
This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
On Sunday morning, July 4, 2021, Mill Creek Christian Center held its service at the Point at Mill Creek Reservoir.
Their theme of the day was ‘it’s “Independence Day” for our Nation and for these individuals!’
Stephen Dickerson led praise and worship, and Pastor Sandra Sanford led the service.
Four people were baptized in Mill Creek Reservoir during the service.
Pastor Sandra Sanford said, “It was a great 4th of July service. I think we had about 60-70 people there. Many of the people who were camping at the lake came to participate in the service.”
There will be a community wide prayer meeting at the Point this evening, July 7, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.
June 27
June 29
July 1
July 3
On August 13, 1860, Jacob and Susan Mosey welcomed their ninth child into the world, a daughter whom they named Phoebe Ann. Two more children followed Phoebe. Another child was stillborn. The large family lived in a small log cabin on a rented farm in the northeastern part of Darke County, Ohio, known as “the wilds.” Phoebe’s parents were poor and spent most of their time laboring at the never-ending chores of farm life.
In the late winter of 1865, Jacob drove a team of horses into town to have corn and wheat ground at the mill and to purchase supplies. Before he returned home, Darke County, Ohio was struck by a blizzard. For several hours, snow fell in thick sheets. Visibility was reduced to just a few feet at best. The wind blew and whipped in gusts in excess of 35 miles per hour. The Mosey family stayed as near as they could to the small fire and awaited Jacob’s return. When the snow finally slowed, the Mosey family peered out of their log cabin and saw that everything was covered in a deep snow that would have been measured in feet rather than inches.
When Jacob finally returned to the warm cabin, he was shaking uncontrollably and seemed confused. His body temperature had dropped to a dangerous level. He was suffering from hypothermia. He huddled next to the small fire to try to rid of himself of the shivers. Jacob’s strength was weakening. No longer able to stand, he sat in a chair near the fire. Within a short time, Jacob was too weak even to sit in a chair. Susan helped him to bed.
Eventually, Jacob’s shivering and confusion subsided, but his strength never returned. He had lost the ability to farm the land, hunt, and fish. His children struggled to provide for the family in the same manner that Jacob had. The kids hunted, fished, and tended to the crops to the best of their abilities. Phoebe understood at an early age that missing a shot at wild game meant the family would have no meat to eat. She quickly developed a keen eye.
In March of 1866, Jacob began to cough and run a high fever. The sickness evolved into pneumonia. In his already weakened condition, Jacob’s body was unable to fight off the sickness. Jacob died and left Susan a widow.
More for practicality than love, Susan married Daniel Brumbaugh the following year. In 1870, Daniel died from an unknown cause, which made Susan a widow for the second time. She would never remarry. Susan did everything in her power to keep the children fed.
In 1870, a local family made an agreement with Susan that Phoebe would help the family raise their infant child in exchange for food, shelter, education, and a small allowance. Susan saw this as a great opportunity for Phoebe which would also lessen the burden on the rest of the family. As per the agreement, Phoebe “would have no work except to watch the three-week-old baby boy.” Phoebe became a “bound girl,” essentially an indentured servant, to a family that she later referred to as “the wolves.” “All went well for a month,” she wrote in her autobiography, “then the work began to stack up. I got up at four-o’clock in the morning, got breakfast, milked the cows, fed the calves, the pigs, pumped water for the cattle, fed the chickens, rocked the baby to sleep, weeded the garden, picked wild blackberries, got dinner after digging the potatoes for dinner and picked the vegetables—and then could go hunting or trapping… I was held prisoner. They wrote all the letters to my mother telling her that I was happy and going to school.” Contrary to the letters, Phoebe was not happy and was not allowed to attend school. She never revealed the name of the family to whom she was “bound.” For two long years, Phoebe endured physical and mental abuse from “the wolves.” In 1872, Phoebe finally escaped from “the wolves.”
Three years later, in 1875, Phoebe visited her sister who lived near Cincinnati. A local hotelkeeper heard that Phoebe was an excellent shot and, as a publicity stunt, arranged a trap shoot match against professional exhibition shooter Frank Butler. Frank and Phoebe took turns firing at clay birds. Frank would fire and hit his bird, the Phoebe would fire and hit hers. This continued for 24 consecutive shots each. Spectators speculated the trap shoot would end in a draw. Frank and Phoebe were determined to continue the competition until a winner was declared. On the 25th bird, Frank fired at his bird. The crowd gasped when Frank’s shot missed. If Phoebe made her shot, she would win the competition. She took a quick but careful aim, and fired. Her aim was true and the shot broke the clay bird. At fifteen years old, Phoebe had outshot a professional marksman ten years her senior.
Rather than being irritated or embarrassed that he was upstaged by a shy fifteen-year-old girl, Frank was smitten. He and Phoebe married the following year. They began holding shooting exhibitions with Phoebe as the star of the show. They capitalized on Phoebe’s young appearance and told audiences that she was even younger than her true age. For most of the next five decades, Frank and Phoebe made a living by traveling the world and entertaining people with shooting exhibitions. It was at one of these shooting exhibitions that the Indian chief Sitting Bull gave Phoebe Ann Mosey Butler the nickname Watanya Cicilia, “little sure shot.” The rest of the world knows Phoebe by her stage name… Annie Oakley.
Source: “Frequently Asked,” The Annie Oakley Center Foundation, Inc., accessed June 29, 2021, https://annieoakleycenterfoundation.com/faq.html.
Gregory Guillory arrives at the Bienville Parish Library for his performance as “Geebo the Clown” July 8th and July 9th. Geebo continues the “Tails & Tales” theme with a variety of magic tricks, and a lively interaction between adults and children that includes juggling, live animals as well as creating fun balloon animals for his audience!
Guillory is originally a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana and now calls Los Angeles, California home. Guillory is a seasoned bilingual stage performer and magician. Added to his list of achievements, Guillory is a member of the World-Famous Magic Castle, a premier organization dedicated to the art of magic. You will not want to miss a single moment of “Geebo the Clown” on July 8 and July 9! Below are the program times for each library:
Thursday
Friday
A BIT OF HISTORY
The clown character, usually depicted as a wide-eyed peasant, has entertained the rich and wealthy citizens in Classical Greek and Roman amphitheaters for centuries! The English word “cloyne” was first recorded in literature about c.1560 and again the generic meaning was used to identify the character as an unsuspecting peasant. The origin of the word is vague, perhaps coming from a Scandinavian word that may have had the same meaning as someone who was clumsy-acting. Today, we associate clowns with the circus clown developed in the early 19th century.
NOT A CLOWN’S FIRST RODEO!
The modern circus we know today originally came from the London riding school, which opened in 1768. A clown act was added to shows to amuse the spectators between equestrian events. Could it be this was the very first “rodeo clown?” Over time, the form of the clown costume used became the modern stock character of the “circus or children’s clown” replete with a red nose, white makeup around the eyes and mouth, and oversized clothes and shoes!
SNAG YOUR BRAG TAGS AND KEEP READING!
This is a new Summer Reading Program reward and there are ten brag tags to snag! Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. This new reading incentive gives your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
But it doesn’t end with the brag tags – Children are encouraged to keep reading as much as they can because there will be certificates and prizes for the top reader in multiple categories, including: top reader at each branch, and top reader in the Bienville Parish Library system.
Look for the times and list of performers at bienvillelibrary.org. See You at the Library!
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that, effective immediately, LA 154 just west of its intersection with LA 4 in the Town of Ringgold, Bienville Parish is CLOSED.
This closure is necessary due to a collapse in the roadway. DOTD is currently investigating the cause, and mobilizing to determine the appropriate repairs.
There is no timeline on when repairs will be complete, but DOTD will issue further communication when additional information is available.
Alternate route: Detour signage will be in place.
Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the railroad tracks. All vehicles must detour.
This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred in Bienville Parish on July 3.
The body Keshaun Garner, 20, of Bossier City, was recovered from Lake Bistineau around 9 a.m. this morning, July 4. Searchers used sonar technology to locate the victim in about 11 feet of water.
LDWF agents were notified around 8 p.m. on July 3 about a missing boater in Lake Bistineau near Ringgold. Agents responded to the scene and searched throughout the night. Several agencies worked together to locate the missing man including members of Bienville Parish rescue, South Bossier Fire Department, Natchitoches Parish and Red River Parish divers, and members of the Louisiana Deptartment of Wildlife and Fisheries.
It is unknown at this time how Garner entered the water. Bienville Fire Chief Bobby Conly said, “We believe there were several people boat riding when the boat turned and the victim fell out, went down and never came up.”
He was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time he entered the water.
The operator of the vessel, Hayes M. Meek, 20, of Shreveport, was arrested for alleged operating or driving a vessel while intoxicated (DWI).
LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. The investigation is still ongoing and further charges could be pending. Garner’s body was turned over to the Bienville Parish Coroner’s Office.
DWI on the water brings a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
This is the second person to drown at Lake Bistineau in just over a month. On June 1, 2021, 15-year-old Hayden “Lane” Mangum drowned while boating near the Bistineau dam.
The Bienville Parish Journal sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Garner.
Today we celebrate the 245th birthday of the United States of America. It was on this date in 1776 that the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and adopted the Declaration of Independence from the kingdom of Great Britain.
Happy 4th of July from the Bienville Parish Journal,
and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!!!
The Bienville Parish School Board held its regular meeting at 6:00 p.m., July 1, 2021.
Due to the large number of people who were present at the meeting to discuss whether or not teachers and students would be required to wear masks during the upcoming school year, an item which was not on the original agenda, the board members voted unanimously to add it to the agenda.
Item No. 6 on the agenda was to consider revisions to employees’ salary schedules. The legislature recently passed annual raises for teachers of $800 and for support workers of $400. The Bienville Parish School Board voted unanimously to increase that amount to a total of $1100 for teachers and $550 for support workers. Those in attendance applauded the board’s decision.
Click below to watch the video.
Join us tomorrow for the First Annual Castor Freedom Fest!!! It will be fun for the whole family.
The festivities begin at 5:00 p.m.
There will be food, free Bingo, a cake walk, a mechanical bull, corn hole, sno cones, Treasure Hunt presentation, a spectacular fireworks display, a grand finale provided by Alvie Myers, and more.
Congratulations to Melissa Reese of Castor. She is the winner of the 2021 Freedom Fest Treasure Hunt. She will find out exactly how much the treasure was worth Saturday night at the festivities.
The Pine Beetle Festival’s Melanie Jordan said Melissa followed the clues and found the treasure “on Hwy 153 south at that spot after the bridges where the truck trailers sit on the old part of the road. It was on the last post on the south end of that area by the red diamonds and yellow and black signs. She told me she looked at everything she saw that had red and yellow on it. It was a pair of black Cat firecrackers turned back to back and taped up. The package was also yellow and red… Melissa has been looking hard for years to find the treasure. We are glad it finally paid off for her. The amount will be revealed at the Freedom Fest on this Saturday night.”
Local churches will have food booths to raise money to help their kids and youth with camp expenses. Only local churches are allowed to sell food. Each church will sell one thing. There will be no other vendors allowed to set up. We just want this to be a time of fun and fellowship.
At 5:00 p.m., join us at the pavilion for FREE BINGO. Bingo will be free because we want everyone to support our churches and kids with food purchases. Bingo prizes have been donated by local businesses and individuals. If you would like to donate prizes for Bingo, please drop them off to Mayor Pickett at the Castor City Hall.
The celebration will end with the best fireworks show around. We will have a pyrotechnic firework show that can be seen all over the town. It will begin when it gets dark enough to be seen really well, probably around 9:00 pm give or take a few minutes. You will be allowed to sit on the tracks, downtown, at the community center, or wherever you think you can see best. Fireworks will be launched from the Castor Fire Station.
***Masks are NOT required to attend any of these activities but if you feel better wearing one please do so.
BRING YOUR CHAIRS AND LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!!
**NO ALCOHOL WILL BE ALLOWED**
On Wednesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced more than $315 million in federal coronavirus relief aid will be allocated to 290 Louisiana towns and cities under the American Rescue Plan to help them respond to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and support economic recovery. Of the $315 million, towns and villages in Bienville Parish will receive more than $2.25 million.
“The American Rescue Plan provided vital aid for communities large and small all across Louisiana that are still working to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will work at the state level to support these communities,” Gov. Edwards said. “This funding will provide a much needed economic boost to Louisiana, and I am deeply grateful to the Congress and to President Biden’s administration for continuing to support state and local government during this unprecedented recovery.”
The funding is divided among the 290 municipalities and localities in Louisiana that did not get direct allocations in the American Rescue Plan, because of their size. Larger communities, including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Houma, Jefferson Parish, Kenner, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport, Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and Thibodaux, are not funded through this program.
Funding is allocated based on a community’s population and will be delivered in two allocations of funding – one in June 2021 and one in June 2022, or possibly later. The program is administered by Louisiana’s Division of Administration in compliance with federal guidance.
Bienville Parish Towns and Villages receiving relief aid:
| Name | Population | First Tranche Allocation | Second Tranche Allocation | Total Allocation |
| Arcadia town | 2700 | $499,300.70 | $499,300.70 | $998,601.40 |
| Bienville village | 198 | $36,615.38 | $36,615.38 | $73,230.77 |
| Bryceland village | 99 | $18,307.69 | $18,307.69 | $36,615.38 |
| Castor village | 242 | $44,752.14 | $44,752.14 | $89,504.27 |
| Gibsland town | 878 | $162,365.19 | $162,365.19 | $324,730.38 |
| Jamestown village | 126 | $23,300.70 | $23,300.70 | $46,601.40 |
| Lucky village | 256 | $47,341.10 | $47,341.10 | $94,682.21 |
| Mount Lebanon town | 70 | $12,944.83 | $12,944.83 | $25,889.67 |
| Ringgold town | 1370 | $253,348.87 | $253,348.87 | $506,697.75 |
| Saline village | 277 | $51,224.55 | $51,224.55 | $102,449.11 |
On August 1, Act No. 471 will become effective which will designate an Official State Cultural Song for Louisiana. The Act will also remove one of two Official State Songs.
Governor John Bel Edwards signed the Act on Tuesday, June 29, which designated the song “Southern Nights” by Allen Toussaint as the Official State Cultural Song. Toussaint, a New Orleans native, wrote the song about visiting with his relatives in Louisiana. He released the song on his 1975 album of the same name.
Two years later, Glen Campbell was visiting songwriter Jimmy Webb, who had written two of Campbell’s biggest hits, “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” Webb and Campbell were listening to the Allen Toussaint album. When “Southern Nights” began playing, Campbell was mesmerized. He said it reminded him of his rural childhood in Arkansas. Campbell asked Webb if he could have the Allen Toussaint record, and Webb agreed to let him take it. Four weeks later, Campbell’s version of “Southern Nights” was climbing the charts. Campbell never returned Webb’s record.
Toussaint said about Campbell’s version of the song, “I first heard it on the radio and I was delighted. It was so good to hear it like that because I just hadn’t imagined that someone would listen closely enough to it to want to cover such a thing.” Campbell’s version of Toussaint’s song went all the way to No. 1 on three separate charts. (Listen to both versions below.)
On August 1, 2021, Act No. 471 will also remove one of two Official State Songs, Doralice Fontane’s song entitled “Give Me Louisiana.” Fontane’s song became an official state song on July 9, 1970. During her lifetime, state legislators attempted to remove the song as an Official State Song but relented upon Fontane’s insistence that it remain. She died in 1981. (Listen to it below)
The single remaining Official State Song is “You Are My Sunshine” by Louisiana’s Singing Governor, Jimmy Davis and Charles Mitchell. Jimmy Davis served as Louisiana’s governor from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960–1964. (Listen to it below)
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced Wednesday that 24 projects around the state were let on June 23, 2021. Seventeen contractors presented apparent low bids totaling $81.7 million.
“As a result of June’s second letting, we’re investing nearly $82 million in infrastructure and kicking off several major projects around the state,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.
One of the aforementioned projects includes the replacement of the Saline Bayou Relief Bridge on LA 507 in Bienville Parish. The low bid for this project was $1,554,114.90.
Other projects and their apparent low bids are as follows:
Bridge Replacement and Repair:
Pavement/ Overlay:
Congestion Mitigation and Safety:
Other:
Construction projects are prioritized by road/bridge condition, urgency of improvements, type/volume of traffic, crash records, unforeseeable emergencies that caused damage, and several other factors.
