• Sammy Wade Warren
  October 20, 1945 – September 27, 2021
  Graveside Service: Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Cemetery in Castor.

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The Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding out who shot a man to death Friday evening.  

According to Sheriff John Ballance, “Bienville Parish Sheriff’s deputies are currently investigating the homicide of Dennis Rushing, 58, which occurred at his residence on Fifth Street in Gibsland in the evening hours of September 24, 2021. Rushing sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Bienville Parish Coroner Don Smith. Investigators have interviewed several potential witnesses and are continuing to follow up on several leads but are not ready to name a suspect in the shooting. If anyone has any information regarding the homicide, please contact the sheriff’s office at 318-263-2215.”

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Yesterday, Gov. John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana’s statewide indoor mask mandate for another four weeks, until October 27, as the state’s overall COVID-19 outlook improves following the state’s worst COVID-19 surge of the entire pandemic. The statewide mask mandate includes K-12 schools and college campuses.

“There is no doubt that our COVID-19 situation in Louisiana has improved since the peak of our fourth surge, which was largely driven by the Delta variant, and for that I am deeply grateful,” said Gov. Edwards. “Even so, the amount of COVID in Louisiana is still incredibly high, at 243 cases for every 100,000 people, as it is disproportionately driven by transmission in those five to 18 years old. This is why to support continued decreases in COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases and deaths, I am extending Louisiana’s statewide indoor mask mandate for another four weeks, including in our K-12 schools and on college campuses,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Masks have been proven to help slow the spread of COVID-19, with recent federal data from the Centers for Disease Control showing that schools without masking requirements are 3.5 times more likely to have a COVID-19 outbreak than schools where children and staff members are masked. We must do everything we can to protect ourselves and those around us who are vulnerable, including wearing masks indoors and getting the safe, effective and totally free COVID-19 vaccine.

“On August 4, the day that the mask mandate was put back into place, only 37 percent of Louisianans were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As of today, that is up to more than 45 percent. While that improvement is something to be proud of, it is not enough. Currently, our hospitalizations are down, but they are still roughly four times the pre-Delta surge baseline. In the month of September alone, Louisiana reported that 1,470 people died of COVID, which is tragic, as we know that the vast majority of these deaths were likely preventable. We have to get Louisiana’s vaccine rate up even more so that we have strong vaccine protection in our communities. Just over half of all people in Louisiana who are eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated. That’s why masking right now is important still.”

“Our COVID-19 indicators continue to move in the right direction and that is critical, but we are still wading in COVID,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer at the Louisiana Department of Health. “All 64 parishes are currently at the highest possible level on our community risk scale. With the highly transmissible Delta variant circulating throughout the state, masking indoors is how we stay safe and protect our loved ones.”

STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE

Face masks that properly cover the wearer’s mouth and nose should be worn indoors at all times, unless a person is in a home, under the Governor’s statewide mask mandate, which will be in place until at least October 27, 2021.

The order requires face coverings for everyone age 5 or older or enrolled in kindergarten, except for the following:

• Anyone who has a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a face covering
• Anyone who is consuming a drink or food
• Anyone who is trying to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired
• Anyone who is giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience
• Anyone temporarily removing his or her face covering for identification purposes
• Face coverings are highly encouraged for those ages 2 to 4 as tolerated.

As with the Governor’s previous mandate, children younger than kindergarten age are exempted if they cannot wear a mask. However, the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health strongly encourage indoor mask wearing in public for all children aged two and older, especially as they are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine.

HOW TO GET A COVID VACCINE IN LOUISIANA

Vaccines remain the best protection against COVID-19, as they are proven to reduce the likelihood that a person will get a serious case of COVID, be hospitalized or die of the illness. They are safe, free and available all across Louisiana for anyone who is 12 or older.

Everyone aged 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana. The FDA has fully approved the first COVID-19 vaccine – from Pfizer – for everyone 16 years old and up.

The Pfizer vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 through 15 years of age. Parents should confirm with the vaccine provider that their child is under 18 to ensure Pfizer vaccine is available before making an appointment.

• COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at more than 1,000 locations in all of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, including at pharmacies, hospitals, health care clinics, and doctor’s offices.
• For a list of locations, visit LDH’s vaccine directory or visit vaccines.gov, which is maintained by the federal government.
• To get a list of vaccine locations near you text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.
• If you have questions, would like to speak with a medical professional, or need help scheduling an appointment, call 211 or Louisiana’s vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774.

COVID-19 BOOSTER DOSES

Last week, the Louisiana Department of Health made booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine available to adults at increased risk, following new guidance from the CDC. Anyone who is six months out from their two-dose Pfizer series is now eligible to receive a booster shot if they are:

• Age 65 or older
• Age 18 or older and have one of many underlying medical conditions OR
• Age 18 or older and live or work in a setting that places you at risk of being exposed to COVID

As always, LDH recommends people discuss their individual situation and risk/benefit analysis with their doctor or medical practitioner. CDC and LDH will evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

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See your car on the big screen!

Filming is continuing on “The Man in the White Van” in the Shreveport area and they need vehicles for background shots.  They are looking for a wide variety of cars in various conditions as long as they are drivable.  

There are other upcoming film productions in the Shreveport area.  They will need an even wider range of vehicles.  You can submit those as well.

Being on a film set can be a lot of fun.  You get to see some of the magic of filmmaking, meet new people who love cars, and you get paid for it.  

It is easy and free to submit your car for casting in films.  You can register more than one vehicle.  

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Eight minors have been summoned to appear at juvenile court.

Earlier this month, parents of a minor who formerly attended Cedar Creek School in neighboring Lincoln Parish filed a civil lawsuit against faculty, administration and the parents of eight minors who also attended Cedar Creek School. The civil lawsuit claims that the minors sexually abused and bullied the plaintiff. 

According to KNOE, the eight minors listed in the civil lawsuit are the ones summoned to juvenile court.

According to two sources, juvenile summons generally means that charges have been filed against a minor, and the individual in question will go to juvenile court.

Several students of the school are residents of Bienville Parish, although they may not be involved in the lawsuit.

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1789 – The United States Department of War first established a regular army with a strength of several hundred men.

1829 – The Metropolitan Police of London, later also known as the Met, was founded.

1885 – The first practical public electric tramway in the world opened in Blackpool, England.

1907 – The cornerstone was laid at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (better known as Washington National Cathedral) in Washington, D.C.

1915 – First transcontinental radio telephone message sent by U.S. naval radio station at Arlington, Virginia, to naval radio station at Mare Island, San Francisco.

1916 – American oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller became the world’s first billionaire.

1923 – The First American Track & Field championships for women were held.

1927 – Telephone service began between US & Mexico.

1936 – Radio was used for first time for a presidential campaign.

1940 – Two Royal Air Force airplanes (Avro Ansons) collided in mid-air over New South Wales, Australia, remained locked together, then landed safely.

1949 – The Communist Party of China wrote the Common Programme for the future People’s Republic of China.

1950 – Telephone Answering Machine was created by Bell Laboratories.

1953 – “Milton Berle Show” premiered on NBC.

1957 – The Kyshtym disaster was the third-worst nuclear accident ever recorded.

1957 – Buddy Holly & Crickets released second single: “Oh Boy!”/”Not Fade Away”.

1958 – “Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran peaked at #8 in US; #18 in UK.

1959 – Little Anthony & the Imperials recorded “Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop”.

1960 – “Tell Laura I Love Her” by Ricky Valance peaked at #1 in UK.

1961 – Bob Dylan’s first recording session.  He played backup harmonica for Caroline Hester.

1962 – “Alley Cat” by Bent Fabric & His Piano peaked at #7.

1962 – “Green Onions” by Booker T & MG’s peaked at #3.

1962 – President John F. Kennedy authorized the use of federal troops to integrate the University of Mississippi.

1963 – Rolling Stones first tour.  They were the opening act for Bo Diddley and the Everly Brothers.

1966 – The Chevrolet Camaro, originally named Panther, was introduced.

1967 – Gladys Knight & Pips released “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”.

1969 – Jackie DeShannon got a Gold Record for “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”.

1971 – Ron Hunt was hit by a pitch for record 50th time in a season.

1972 – Robert McNamara, former US Secretary of Defense, was almost thrown overboard on a ferry by an artist wanting to confront him on his role in escalating US involvement in the Vietnam war.  McNamara did not press charges against the artist.

1973 – “We’re An American Band” by Grand Funk peaked at #1.

1976 – TV show “Alice” debuts on CBS.

1976 – While attempting to shoot soda bottles, Jerry Lee Lewis hit his bass player Norman Owens twice in the chest.

1977 – James Brown’s band walked out claiming they were underpaid & overworked.

1979 – “Bad Case Of Loving You” by Robert Palmer peaked at #14.

1979 – “Lonesome Loser” by Little River Band peaked at #6.

1979 – “Message In A Bottle” by Police peaked at #1 in UK.

1982 -First broadcast of comedy “Cheers” on NBC starring Ted Danson and Shelley Long.

1984  – “Drive” by Cars peaked at #3.

1984 – “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince & Revolution peaked at #1.

1985 – “MacGyver” starring Richard Dean Anderson, debuted on ABC.

1987 – “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” by Whitney Houston hit #1.

1988 – NASA launched STS-26, the first mission since the Challenger disaster.

1989 – Zsa Zsa Gabor was convicted of slapping a police officer in Beverly Hills.

1990 – “Love & Affection” by Nelson peaked at #1 on pop singles chart.

1990 – Construction of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (better known as Washington National Cathedral) was completed in Washington, D.C.  Construction began in 1907.  (see above)

2004 – The asteroid 4179 Toutatis passed within four lunar distances of Earth.

2004 – Burt Rutan’s Ansari SpaceShipOne performed a successful spaceflight, the first of two required to win the Ansari X Prize.

2006 – A Boeing 737 and an Embraer 600 collided in mid-air.  The accident killed 154 people and triggered a Brazilian aviation crisis.

2007 – Calder Hall, the world’s first commercial nuclear power station, was demolished in a controlled explosion.

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September 20

• Debra Dean (Homer)
  • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor
  • Violation of ProbationParole

September 21

• Danielle Joiner (Ringgold)
  • Violation of Probation/Parole
• Michael Malone (Quitman)
  • Fugitive
  • Simple Cruelty to Animals – Misdemeanor
• Darius Brown (Ringgold)
  • First Degree Rape (Sex Offense) – Felony

September 22

• Joe Johnson (Gibsland)
  • Distribution of Marijuana – Felony
  • Distribution of Marijuana – Felony
  • Distribution of Marijuana – Felony
• James Stroud (Coushatta)
  • Fugitive
  • Violation of Probation/Parole

September 23

• Michael Hawk (Gibsland)
  • Distribution of Marijuana – Felony
  • Distribution of Marijuana – Felony
  • Distribution of Methamphetamine – Felony
  • Distribution of Methamphetamine – Felony – Principal

September 24

• Brandon Butler (Dubberly)
  • Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure – Felony
  • Simple Criminal Damage to Property – Felony
  • Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure – Felony
  • Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure – Felony
  • Possession of Firearm/Carry Concealed Weapon by Convicted Felon – Felony
  • Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure – Felony
  • Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure – Felony
• Skyla Gray (Jonesboro)
  • Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment – Felony

September 25

• Cody Stephens (Castor)
  • Theft – Felony
• Tarkedria Hill (Hall Summit)
  • D.W.I. – 1st Offense (BAC .08 to .15) – Misdemeanor
  • Careless Operation
• Orvis Porter (Garland, TX)
  • D.W.I. – 1st Offense (BAC .08 to .15) – Misdemeanor

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In 1945, General inherited a large multilevel house which was in disrepair. The wooden structure was in danger of collapsing and the masonry was crumbling. The floors creaked and swayed, especially when walked on. The light fixtures in the lower rooms swayed when someone walked on the floors above. One light fixture in the house seemed to be lower with each passing day. General referred to the creaking and moaning of the house’s rotting timbers as ghosts. General had an architect inspect the house who remarked that “the beams [in the house] are staying up there from force of habit only.” The house was in danger of collapsing. The last straw came in June of 1948 when a leg of a piano crashed through an upper floor and through the ceiling of the dining room. In November of 1949, General moved into a residence nearby so that the house he inherited could be reconstructed. The house had too much sentimental value for it to be demolished.

Not everyone liked General. In fact, some people wanted to kill General and he knew it. For this reason, General surrounded himself with bodyguards, some of which were police officers.

At about 2:15 on the afternoon of November 1, 1950, two men, Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo, set a plan into motion to murder General. They had learned that General had moved into the temporary residence. Griselio approached the residence from the west side, while Oscar approached from the east. Police officer Donald Birdzell stood on the front steps of the residence. Oscar, with pistol in hand, snuck up behind the Birdzell and pulled the trigger. Snap!!! Oscar had forgotten to chamber a round in his pistol. Birdzell turned as Oscar chambered a round. Oscar fired the pistol and struck Birdzell in his right knee. As Oscar approached the steps which led to the front door, another bodyguard stepped out of the residence and shot Oscar in the chest. Oscar collapsed and writhed in pain at the foot of the steps.

Meanwhile, on the west side of the residence, Griselio shot police officer Leslie Coffelt four times at close range. He turned his pistol on policeman Joseph Downs and shot him three times. Griselio shot officer Birdzell in his other knee. Griselio had no more rounds in the gun and stopped to reload. General, who had been taking a nap on the second floor, peered out of a window directly over the front door to see what the commotion was. General was a First World War combat veteran and was not frightened by the gunfire. People yelled for General to get away from the window. He obeyed their command. At that moment, Coffelt, though severely injured, fired a single shot at Griselio before falling to the ground unconscious. The bullet from Coffelt’s pistol struck Griselio in the head and killed him instantly.

When the shooting was over, three guards were wounded including 40-year-old Leslie Coffelt, who died later that evening during surgery. Oscar survived and spent the next 29 years in prison. In an interview with Time magazine about the murder plot, General calmly said, “the only thing you have to worry about is bad luck.” General grinned and said, “I never have bad luck.” General remarked that he was unafraid because he “had been shot at by professionals” during the First World War.

Although the shooting lasted less than a minute, General survived a murder attempt in what was described as “the biggest gunfight in Secret Service history.” You see, the house General inherited was the White House. General was the Secret Service’s code name for… President Harry Truman.

Sources:
1. The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2, 1950, p.1.
2. Mahan, Sydney. “66 Years Ago Today, President Truman Survived an Assassination Attempt at Blair House.” Washingtonian. November 1, 2016. https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/11/01/president-truman-assassination-attempt-blair-house/.

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On Friday night, September 24, the Arcadia Hornets battled the Lincoln Prep. Panthers. 

Markecion Carr made a 14 yard touchdown run, Arcadia’s only touchdown for the night.

The Hornets ended up losing to Lincoln Prep. 33-6.

Take a look at the highlight video and photos below.

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• Lynn Louise Loe Barefield
  December 1, 1958 – September 24, 2021
  Visitation:  9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 First Street, Arcadia.
  Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 First Street, Arcadia.  Burial to follow directly after at Bear Creek Cemetery in Bryceland.
• George Wesley Taylor, Sr.
  March 11, 1937 – September 23, 2021
  Visitation:  11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia.
  Graveside service:  1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Mt. Lebanon.

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Earlier yesterday morning, September 23, shortly before 6:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on LA Hwy 544 just east of Tarbutton Road in Ruston.

This crash claimed the life of a pedestrian that was walking in the roadway.

The initial investigation revealed a 2006 Toyota Scion, driven by 58-year-old Joseph Jeffers of Arcadia, was traveling east on LA Hwy 544 over a small hillcrest. A pedestrian, 68-year-old Milton Woodard of Ruston, was standing in the eastbound lane of travel. Jeffers was unable to take evasive action and struck Woodard.

Woodard was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis. Jeffers was not injured during the crash.

Pedestrians and motorists alike are urged to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should always avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas. Pedestrians must also assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night.

The crash remains under investigation.

In 2021, Troop F has investigated 40 fatal crashes resulting in 49 deaths.

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A Texarkana, Arkansas resident, Michael Jeffery, age 45, doing business as Mike’s Construction, Genoa, Arkansas, was recently arrested on five arrest warrants involving a paving scam on two Bienville Parish residents in June, 2021.

Jeffery approached two different victims offering to pave a portion of their driveways with what he described as “leftover hot mix” from prior jobs. In both cases Jeffrey verbally agreed to perform the work for $600 but greatly inflated the price after the jobs were completed.

In the first incident the victim reluctantly paid Jeffery a larger sum of money than the original quote after the victim felt pressured into doing so.

In the second incident Jeffery grossly inflated the price of the job and made the victim feel threatened by Jeffery’s aggressive behavior. The victim told Jeffery to wait outside but he entered the residence without the victim’s permission. Feeling fearful and nervous by Jeffery’s unwanted presence, the victim paid $600, the original agreed upon amount, and he departed the residence.

Jeffery recently completed a sentence in Webster Parish and has an outstanding warrant from Columbia County, Arkansas for theft by deception. He faces two counts of residential contractor fraud, two counts of exploitation of the infirmed/aged and one count of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling with bond set at $375,000.

Sheriff Ballance warns all Bienville Parish residents to beware of “fly-by-night” contractors especially those that go door-to-door offering special deals on paving or any other construction jobs. Always get a written quote/contract before any work is done.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has received the request from Mill Creek Lake Commission to conduct a drawdown on Mill Creek Reservoir in Bienville Parish.  The request was approved by LDWF and the Lake Commission plans to lower the lake beginning August 15, 2022.

This drawdown is for shoreline maintenance and erosion control.

The lake will be lowered 4 to 6 inches per day until it reaches the target goal of 8 feet below normal pool stage.  The lake will be held at this level until January 15, 2023, at which time the water control gate will be closed and the lake allowed to refill.

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Clerk of Court Eddie Holmes said Wednesday, “It’s that time again! So soon you say? Notices are going out!  Check to see if you’re one of the lucky 250 citizens chosen to serve.”

Holmes requested that if you are on the list to “Please wait until you receive your summons before trying to be excused. We must have the documentation of the request. Once drawn, only the trial judge can excuse you.  As always, cancellations and changes will be posted ASAP. We wanted to give everyone plenty of notice. You should get your summons in the mail sometime next week.”

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On Wednesday, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced the launch of the Reimagine School Systems program, a $35 million grant encouraging school systems to create new, bold educational opportunities that improve student access to high-quality schools.

“We are accepting the most innovative ideas from the field to help generate sustainable excellence in schools across the state,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, State Superintendent of Education. “We must empower our school systems to challenge the status quo and think big about how we can boost students’ performance.”

School systems participating in the Reimagine Program will receive the following benefits:

• Technical assistance (TA): each system will be matched with high-quality providers with expertise in selected Reimagine School Actions. LDOE recognizes that the actions covered in this grant are likely new ways of operating for many school systems, and TA providers will ensure that school systems have the support they need as well as have all their questions answered during the course of the grant.
• Financial resources: each system will receive two phases of funding. Phase I funding is reserved for strategic planning and will be up to $350,000, with up to 25% of that reserved for required technical assistance, with even greater resources available in Phase II implementation (most up to $1.5 million or more per grant, with larger grants available as well).
• Capacity building: each system will develop new competencies to lead innovative school system work, building their overall skills to lead successful school systems.

The deadline to apply for the Reimagine School Systems program is December 16, 2021.

Email Deputy Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Tuttleton at jennifer.tuttleton@la.gov with any questions or to discuss how the Reimagine Program may fit in with your school system’s strategy.

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Clerk of Court Eddie Holmes wants your feedback.

Clerk of Court Eddie Holmes said yesterday, “It’s important that we have discussion in our community. With our community. About our community. The more we share, the more we know.

Take a moment to fill out the simple form at the link below:

What is an issue in our Bienville Parish community that needs to be addressed? All answers are anonymous. If there are enough responses, we will compile and share the list.”

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Just before noon on September 22, 1921, Will Bowman, an employee of Smith Bros. Construction Co., was accidentally killed while preparing to dynamite a stump just east of Gibsland.

Will had dug a hole beneath the stump and was placing dynamite in the hole when the explosion occurred. 

The original article stated, “From those who witnessed the accident we learn that fragments of the body was all that could be found.”

Source: The Bienville Democrat, September 22, 1921, p.1.

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The Ringgold Bike Club will host a Bike Rodeo tomorrow, September 25, from 9:30 a.m. until noon at the Ringgold School Complex.

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1493 – Christopher Columbus embarked on his second expedition to the New World with a fleet of 17 ships.

1657 – The first autopsy and coroner’s jury verdict was recorded in Maryland.

1789 – The United States Congress passed the Judiciary Act, which created the office of the Attorney General and federal judiciary system and ordered the composition of the Supreme Court.

1852 – The first airship powered by (a steam) engine, created by Henri Giffard, traveled 17 miles from Paris to Trappes.

1869 – Gold prices plummeted after President Grant ordered the Treasury to sell large quantities of gold after Jay Gould and James Fisk plotted to control the market.

1906 – U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower in Wyoming as the nation’s first National Monument.

1911 – His Majesty’s Airship No. 1, Britain’s first rigid airship, was wrecked by strong winds before her maiden flight at Barrow-in-Furness.

1929 – Jimmy Doolittle performed the first flight without a window, which proved that full instrument flying from take off to landing was possible.

1935 – Earl and Weldon Bascom held the first outdoor rodeo under electric lights (Columbia, Mississippi).

1948 – The Honda Motor Company was founded.

1952 – American fast food restaurant chain “KFC” [Kentucky Fried Chicken] opened its first franchise (Salt Lake City, Utah).

1955 – US President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while on vacation in Denver, Colorado.

1957 – President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce desegregation.

1957 – “Jailhouse Rock” single was released by Elvis Presley.

1960 – USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was launched.

1964 – “The Munsters” premiered on TV.

1968 – “60 Minutes” premiered on TV.

1969 – 2500 fans attended the first Elvis convention (Cincinnati, Ohio).

1977 – First broadcast of “Love Boat” on TV.

1984 – Paul McCartney released single “No More Lonely Nights”.

1991 – Rock band Nirvana released their second studio album “Nevermind”.

1995 – Emillio & Gloria Estefan’s boat hit and killed a jet skier.

2005 – Hurricane Rita made landfall in the United States, which devastated portions of southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.

2007 – “The Big Bang Theory” created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco, premiered on CBS.

2014 – The Mars Orbiter Mission made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit, and the first nation in the world to do so in its first attempt.

2020 – David Attenborough broke Jennifer Aniston’s record as the fastest person to reach 1 million followers on Instagram.

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We’ve all, at one time or another, had those jobs that nobody else wants. Those jobs, where no matter what decisions you make, everyone will not be happy. If you’ve ever run a bass tournament, you’ll find out quickly that there’s not a bigger bunch of whiners on the planet than bass fishermen. If you feed them hamburgers for good performance, they want to know why they didn’t get a ribeye. They really are the most selfish and spoiled outdoorsmen that exist. They like to be catered to and hailed for their skills and abilities to catch bass. Another way to say it…they’re brats!

Without Tournament Directors (TD’s), anglers would be the inmates running the asylum. TD’s are the guys that run bass tournaments for different organizations all across the country and have a tough job trying to satisfy bass fishermen. They don’t write the rules, they just enforce them, even when they know it will hurt an angler or a team. That’s not their intention to hurt anyone, but it’s a part of the job that goes with being a tournament director. Sometimes they have to be the bad guy whether it’s a one-pound penalty for a minor violation, or worst, a disqualification, which is rare. An example of a one-pound penalty would be weighing a dead fish. If there’s one thing that’s really emphasized in bass tournaments today, it is keeping your fish alive before weigh-in. An example of a disqualification would be not wearing a life jacket either during practice or on tournament day.

But without good TD’s, bass tournaments would be a mess. They constantly have to hear anglers complain about this and that including, but not limited to, accusations from other anglers like… they were fishing too close, they were fishing my spot, they ran through a no wake zone, they weren’t wearing their life jackets….and the list goes on and on! Bass fishermen love rules, as long as they don’t apply to them. No matter what the TD decides on a situation, someone will not be happy. But for a fishing circuit or tournament trail to be successful, it better have a good strong TD who’s not afraid to hurt someone’s feelings. Nothing will ruin a tournament trail quicker than a weak director who does not enforce the rules, or even worse, changes or alters the rules the morning of a tournament. This will make anglers load their boats and leave….. never to return. Every tournament trail that’s ever failed, was usually because rules were not enforced with consistency. If things aren’t run the right way, anglers will abandon ship quicker than setting the hook on a big bass.

So today, I salute all the guys who have taken on that role of TD and had to be the bad guy every once in a while. They spend countless hours on the road and away from their families just like anglers do. In some cases, they literally go from one event to the next, loading and unloading, breaking down and setting up. They make sure the polygraph exams are done correctly. They coordinate all take-offs the morning of the tournament and they make sure all anglers are off the water safe and on time. Then they have to run the weigh-in and pass out checks, before packing up and heading to the next event. So, the next time you’re in a bass tournament or following a bass trail, tell the tournament director “thank you” for doing a great job. 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

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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:

“DQS AENAYUS YK YEN MOFSU OU DY HS QXAAG.” ~ RXMXO MXIX

Previous Cryptoquote solution: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ~ Albert Einstein

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Ruston Community Theatre in neighboring Lincoln Parish will host auditions for its Christmas musical, “A Christmas Carol.”

The auditions will take place from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at the old Stage store, located at 201 N. Service Road East.

The musical is directed by Dee Anderson, and the performance will take place Dec. 2-5.

The show sponsor is Green Clinic.

To audition, participants should prepare 16-20 bars of a song, and Alexander will be on keyboard, if needed.

Auditions are open to ages 8 and up.

Performances run Thursday, December 2, through Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Ticket are $18 for adults and $9 for children/students. All performances take place at The Dixie Center for the Arts at 212 N. Vienna Street.

Tickets go on sale two weeks before production starts, and season members have the opportunity to reserve seats a week before the public sales begin.

For more information, visit rctruston.org or call 318-595-0872.

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Arcadia Hornets take on Lincoln Prep. tonight at 7:00 p.m. in a district game at Hornet Stadium. 

GO HORNETS!!!

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The Ringgold Redskins will take on the Magnolia School of Excellence Mariners tonight at 7:00 p.m. at BTW stadium in Shreveport.

Go Redskins!!! 

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• Kevin Lane Taylor
  September 25, 1968 – September 14, 2021
  Visitation: Saturday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Briarwood Baptist Church in Readhimer.
  Service:  To begin at noon. Burial will follow in Strange Cemetery in Readhimer.  
• Autumn Dean Holt Blakeley
  December 15, 1934 – September 16, 2021
  Graveside Service: Saturday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bistineau Baptist Church Cemetery in Ringgold.  The family requests that attendees remain masked and highly encourages vaccinations.

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