District Attorney’s Report – 12 Defendants Plead Guilty

Daniel W. Newell, District Attorney for the Second Judicial District in and for the Parish of Bienville, makes the following announcement relative to disposition of cases in Bienville Parish on the dates indicated:

February 18, 2022

  • David Rayshon Abbott of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, Obstruction of Justice, Interfering with a Trooper, and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. He was sentenced to 2 years hard labor, 2 years hard labor, 30 days parish jail, and 3 years hard labor, respectively. These sentences will run concurrently.

  • Jamarcus Terrell Abbott of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Obstruction of Justice and was sentenced to 2 years hard labor.

  • Heather Rae Adair of Waskom, TX—Pled guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and was sentenced to 1 year in the parish jail.

  • Cason Ross Bates of Ringgold, LA—Pled guilty to Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile and was sentenced to 3 years hard labor, which was suspended. He will be placed on 3 years supervised probation and will be required to register as a sex offender. He will also pay fine and costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

  • Douglas Willard Cloud of Castor, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was sentenced to 6 days in the parish jail. He also pled guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. He will be placed on 6 months unsupervised probation. He also pled guilty to Theft Less than $1,000 and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. He will be placed on 6 months unsupervised probation and is required to pay restitution to the victim.

  • Derick O’Neal Coliston of Taylor, LA—Pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery with a Pregnant Victim and was sentenced to 3 years hard labor, all of which was suspended but 1 year. He will be placed on 2 years supervised probation.

  • Christopher Dan Croom of Minden, LA—Pled guilty to Unauthorized Use of a Moveable and Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine) and was sentenced to 2 years hard labor on each, which was suspended. He will be placed on 2 years supervised probation.

  • Robert Shayne Culver of Bryceland, LA—Pled guilty to Identity Theft less than $300 and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail.

  • Teresa McCoy of Jamestown, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II CDs (Hydrocodone) and Possession of Schedule IV CDS (Tramadol) and was sentenced to 1 year hard labor on each, which was suspended. She will be placed on 1 year supervised probation and is required to pay fine and costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office. She also pled guilty to Simple Criminal Damage to Property and was sentenced to 3 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. She will be placed on 3 months unsupervised probation, is required to pay restitution to the victim, and was ordered not to return to the victim’s property. These sentences will run concurrently.

  • Ruben Redding of Saline, LA—Pled guilty to Resisting an Officer, Illegal Carrying of Weapons, and Flight from an Officer. He was ordered to pay $1,500 plus costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

  • Willie Timmons of Minden, LA—Pled guilty to DWI-Third Offense and was sentenced to 5 years with or without hard labor, all of which was suspended but 2 years. He will then be placed on 3 years supervised probation. He was ordered to pay $2,000 fine to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

February 20, 2022

  • Leland Edward Lindsey of Mansfield, LA—Pled guilty to Molestation of a Juvenile and was sentenced to 25 years hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Locals Excited as Bienville Hilltop Quickstop Officially Opens

By Brad Dison

People in and around the town of Bienville are excited because on Wednesday, February 23, the Hilltop Qickstop in Bienville officially opened for business. 

Within an hour of its opening, people took to Facebook to share the excitement.  The most common response to news of the opening was a single word, “AWESOME!!!”  Others commented, “YAY!!!”  Many people congratulated Austin Pike, grandson of Bienville’s Mayor Wesley Boddie, for opening the store for the community.  Several people expressed their gratefulness at having a store nearby.  

I spoke with Mr. Austin Pike, owner of the store, who said the current hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., but that is subject to change. 

Customers needing gas can purchase Unleaded and Diesel fuel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if using a debit/credit card.    

Hilltop Quickstop offers Hunt Brothers Pizza along with various foods from their deli including, as some requested on Facebook, the “delicious turkey sandwiches.”  The store has a Community Coffee corner and a wide variety of snacks and cold drinks.  Customers can enjoy their food, snacks, and drinks in the provided indoor seating area.  Mr. Pike said that he is waiting on a part for the store’s vent hood.  Once the part arrives, the store will offer an even wider range of good food.

Remember that shopping local provides jobs for people who live in our parish.  It also keeps our tax dollars in our parish.  Those tax dollars go towards the roads, schools, etc. in the parish.

Two weeks ago, the popular History Channel reality show American Pickers filmed at the Hilltop Quickstop.  (Click Here to read about the American Pickers filming in Bienville.)   

To get an update when the Bienville episode of American Pickers will air, sign up for the free email subscription by clicking here.


Podcast: Louie Bernard talks about re-drawing the Senate and House of Representative Maps

Senator Louie Bernard joins Billy West Live to discuss the recent Legislative Session regarding re-drawing the Senate and House of Representative Maps
Senator Bernard updates the public regarding his new Senatorial District and the process of how the lines for not only his district was redrawn but also how Natchitoches Parish was divided into 3 separate House of Representative Districts


Recent Statewide Burn Ban Rescinded

Due to recent dry conditions statewide being sufficiently alleviated following several rain
events, State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, along with Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike
Strain, is rescinding the statewide cease and desist order for all private burning issued on February 15,
2022.

This rescind notice is effective as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

“I want to thank the public for its cooperation with this recent burn ban and for understanding the sensitive situation many communities and their first responders were recently facing with some very dry
conditions,” said State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, “It never ceases to amaze me how supportive
Louisianans can be to each other in times of emergency and I’m proud of how the majority of our state
responded this past week.”

Residents should be aware that local and parish governments may continue their own burn bans at their
will.

Where the burn ban is being lifted, the State Fire Marshal’s Office would like remind residents that the only legal items you can burn in Louisiana are vegetation and ordinary yard waste items like leaves, tree
branches, grass clippings, etc.

According to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, items NOT allowed to be burned include:

  • Plastic and other synthetic materials
  • Tires and other rubber products
  • Paints, household and agricultural chemicals
  • Asphalt shingles, heavy oils, wire
  • Newspaper, cardboard and other paper products
  • Buildings and mobile homes

Mt. Lebanon Historical Society Holds Annual Meeting

The Mt. Lebanon Historical Society held its annual meeting on February 20, 2022 at the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. The program was led by Steven Lyles. Special music was presented by Steven Lyles and Mary Claire Kettler. Our guest speaker was Jack Land who gave a local history presentation about his Smith family who emigrated from Ireland and settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, in 1689. His ancestor William Smith was given bounty land in Georgia for his service in the American Revolution. The family came to Mt. Lebanon in 1847, and William’s son Robert attended Mt. Lebanon College. They later bought property near Black Lake Swamp, where they lived until 1866 when a disastrous hailstorm killed most of their livestock and destroyed most of their buildings. They moved back to Mt. Lebanon where they purchased Stagecoach Inn. From 1853-1883, Stagecoach Inn was a stop on the stagecoach route from Trenton to Shreveport on the Old Wire Road. The inn provided food for guests and a place to change horses.

Larry Rhodes presented the annual membership report. Our society now has 244 members. Steven Lyles led the Remembrance Ceremony for members we have lost since our last meeting in 2020: Mr. John Agan, Mrs. Lessie Carter, Mrs. Virginia Clark, Mrs. Babb Dance Cross, Mr. John Paul Fields, Mrs. Lanita Johnson Kent, Mr. Roy Lilly, Mrs. Frances Thurmond McNair, Mr. Harvey Shaffer, Mr. Joe Storey, and Mrs. Elizabeth Towns.

At this meeting, the following Officers were elected: President Steven Lyles, Vice President Aaron Clark, Recording Secretary Marguerite Gray, Corresponding Secretary Larry Rhodes, Treasurer John Cole, and Publicity/Marketing Donna Sutton. The following Board Members were elected: Ann Barr and Joey Allen, Charles Butler, Lorris and Elaine Carter, Steve and Beth Fontenot, Wayne Gray, J.R. Johnson, Patti Joyner, Mary Claire Kettler, Philip Towns, Steve and Jennifer Towns, and Tommy and Vickie Youngblood. The following Homeowners Advisory Board was elected: Charles and Marsha Andrews, Roger Freeman, Herbert and Jennifer Newman, Jeff and Pam Stogsdill, and John C. Thurmond. Nominating Committee Members were Mary Claire Kettler (Chairman), Marsha Andrews, and Philip Towns.


Today in History – February 25

1751 – The first documented performing monkey was exhibited in America. (New York City)  Admission was 1 cent.

1804 – Thomas Jefferson was nominated for US President at a Democratic-Republican caucus.

1836 – Samuel Colt was granted a United States patent for his revolver firearm.

1836 – Showman P. T. Barnum exhibited African American slave Joice Heth, claiming she was the 161 year-old nursemaid to George Washington.

1843 – Lord George Paulet occupied the Kingdom of Hawaii in the name of Great Britain in the Paulet Affair.

1862 – First Legal Tender Act 1862 was passed by the US Congress, which authorized the United States Note (greenback) into circulation, the first fiat paper money that was legal tender in America.  

1862 – Congress formed the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing to print newly issued US paper currency.

1870 – Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Mississippi, was sworn into the United States Senate, becoming the first African American ever to sit in Congress.

1901 – The US Steel Corporation was organized under J. P. Morgan, Sr.

1913 – The 16th Amendment to the US Constitution became law, which provided the legal basis for the institution of a graduated income tax.

1919 – Oregon began taxing gasoline, the first sate to do so.  The tax was 1 cent per gallon.

1932 – Hitler, having been stateless for seven years, obtained German citizenship when he was appointed a Brunswick state official by Dietrich Klagges, a fellow Nazi. As a result, Hitler was able to run for Reichspräsident in the 1932 election.

1933 – Launch of the USS Ranger at Newport News, Virginia. It was the first purpose-built aircraft carrier to be commissioned by the US Navy.

1939 – As part of British air raid precautions, the first of 21⁄2 million Anderson shelters was constructed in a garden in Islington, north London.

1956 – In his speech On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences, Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union, denounced Stalin.

1957 – Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded “That’ll Be the Day”.

1963 – The Beatles released their first single in US, “Please Please Me”.

1969 – The Beatles began recording the Abbey Road album.

1982 – The final episode of “The Lawrence Welk Show” aired.


Gibsland-Coleman Lady Bulldogs Headed to Marsh Madness Quarterfinals

Yesterday, the Lady Bulldogs played Atlanta in a Quarterfinals game of the 2022 LHSAA Marsh Madness and won, 53-45. They move on to the Semi-Finals next week.

Click Here for the Girls’ Basketball Playoff Bracket

The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Kilbourne today in their first game of the 2022 Marsh Madness.

Click Here for the Boys’ Basketball Playoff Bracket


Cryptoquote

Print this page to work the puzzle.  If you are unable to print this page you can download it by clicking “Download” below.

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:

“Z XZOU ILJI ILS LJBUSB Z NKBH, ILS EKBS QWVH Z RSSE IK LJCS.” ~ ILKEJR PSXXSBRKO

Previous Cryptoquote solution: “The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.” ~ John D. Rockefeller Jr.


Angler’s Perspective: Part 2…Things Anglers Should or Should Never Do

Let’s continue our conversation from last week on what anglers should and should not do. Some of these topics we’re talking about are things the younger generation of anglers coming up have not been taught. As great as high school bass fishing is for the sport, this group of anglers needs some undivided attention on things that are important, like boat management and fishing etiquette on tournament day.

First let’s talk about things you should never do with your boat. With so many anglers on the water today, which has increased by the hundreds over the last 15 years, confrontations are occurring at an alarming rate. Just like road rage, now you have water rage. It’s only a matter of time before someone takes matters into their own hands and hurts someone who is basically innocent due to the fact they’ve never been taught boating etiquette. You should always respect another angler’s area that he’s fishing by idling past or around him. So many times, I see anglers get on plane way too soon which creates a 3-foot wake, which can result in throwing another angler out of his boat. Always idle past or out of an area slowly if it is being fished by other anglers. This is called respect and all anglers appreciate this jester. To add to this, never run too close to another angler either. I’ve seen several near misses with boats traveling 60 MPH or faster within 10 feet of another boat.

No one is impressed with your ability to run a bass boat like you’re in the Daytona 500. Always navigate your boat at a safe distance away (at least 20 yards) from other boats fishing that area. Now obviously there are times when this may not be possible, such as when anglers are fishing in a marina or a narrow creek channel. Even when you’re running in a creek channel and you come upon a boat that is fishing, shut down before you get to them. This eliminates a big wake that can throw the other boat up on the bank or into a dock or tree line. For the most part, just be respectful…it’s really just common sense or common courtesy.

The next issue I see all too often is the lack of respect for the area or a stretch another angler is fishing. Every day I see someone pull up on another angler, shut off their motor (way too close) and create a 3-foot wake! Then they jump up on the front deck and start fishing on the same side of the pocket (or stretch) within 20 feet of another angler going in the same direction! It’s as if they are wearing blinders like a horse in the Kentucky Derby! This is becoming a major problem today with guys competing for the areas that have proven to be productive over time. Every lake has popular areas that anglers know hold good quality fish. Not all areas on a lake or river are created equal, and good anglers who do their homework know where these are. If you’re going to fish the same area or stretch, fish away from me in the opposite direction. DO NOT go in front of me twenty yards and start fishing. This is called “cutting someone off” and it’s not right. It’s another one of those unwritten rules of bass fishing…. never cut someone off by fishing in front of them.

Now there is another situation that can occur, especially out on the open lake. All over most lakes there are brush piles that other anglers have put out in order to attract bass. With today’s electronic fish finders and forward-facing sonars, it’s easy to find these brush piles. This is where anglers get a little confused and frustrated. You have to understand that when you sink brush on a public body of water, it’s now considered community property and anyone can fish it. Unfortunately, the angler that has worked hard to put out that brush pile does not always see it that way and will go to extraordinary lengths to protect it. Many a feud has occurred on the water over who is entitled to fish it. The best advice I can give you on this…ask permission to share this area with the other angler if he got there first. If he says “no”, then move on to another area to fish.

I hope you gained some knowledge and understanding today on some of the hot topics we are experiencing on our lakes and waterways. Again, as our lakes and waterways become overcrowded, we need more anglers to step up and try to educate the next generation on the ethics of bass fishing and how to conduct themselves. So, if you’re on the water and see youngsters doing things that aren’t right, exercise patience and feel free to educate them on the unwritten rules of fishing. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

Steve Graf


Parish 4-H Make Good Showing at Commodity Ambassador Contest

The Louisiana 4-H Commodity Ambassador Contests was held on February 15, 2022 during the LSU Livestock Show at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana.

The Louisiana 4-H Commodity Ambassador contest is a state level speaking competition designed to allow youth to demonstration their ability to effectively communicate about some of Louisiana’s most important commodities including poultry, eggs, beef, seafood, sugar, sweet potatoes and rice.

Each parish is eligible to enter one enrolled 4-H member in good standing in each category and age division.

Bienville Parish had 5 participates: 

  1. Hunter Williams demonstrated how to cook a Sour Cream Pound Cake.
  2. Katelyn Albright demoed Western Omelet Cups.
  3. Madeline Bolyer did a speech on the Crawfish Industry in Louisiana.
  4. Makenzie Waggoner did as speech on the Sweet Potato Industry in Louisiana.
  5. Dakota Albright cooked steak on a charcoal grill as well as giving a speech on the Beef Industry ion Louisiana.

Winners from Bienville Parish included:

  • Katelynn Albright (7th Grade) – 3rd Place in Division II Egg Category
  • Dakota Albright (11th Grade) – 1st Place in Division III Beef Category
  • Makenzie Waggoner (11th Grade) – 2nd Place in Division III Live Crop Category

Notice of Death – February 24, 2022

  • Kenneth Earl Warren
    May 22, 1934 – February 22, 2022
    Visitation for Kenneth Earl, as people in the community called him, will be Friday night, February 25, 2022, 6-9 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday, February 26, 2022, 3 p.m. Both of these events will take place at Foster Arbor Assembly of God Church, Kenneth’s home church.
  • Gary K. Richardson
    October 16, 1949 – February 22, 2022
    Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 26, 2022 in Rockett Funeral Home Chapel, Ringgold, LA.  Burial will follow in Springhill Cemetery, Ringgold, LA. Visitation will be Friday, February 25, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, LA.
  • Kenneth Roger Pickett
    October 30, 1946 – February 22, 2022
    Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Arcadia, Louisiana.  Interment will follow at Hurricane Cemetery. Visition will be held today, February 25, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia from 5 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Lady Hornets Sting LaSalle in Marsh Madness Regionals

On Monday, the Lady Hornets played LaSalle in a regional game of the 2022 LHSAA Marsh Madness and won, 60-30.  Tomorrow, the Lady Hornets will take on Merryville in the Quarterfinals.  To allow students, faculty, and staff to attend the game, school will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. 

Click Here for the Girls’ Basketball Playoff Bracket

The Hornets are scheduled to play Oberlin on Friday in their first game of the 2022 Marsh Madness.

Click Here for the Boys’ Basketball Playoff Bracket


Parish Library Celebrates Black History Month with Art Exhibits

Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history.

To highlight and celebrate Black History, the Bienville Parish Library Main Library in Arcadia and the Gibsland Branch are hosting special exhibits from two African-American artists from Bienville Parish. Marcus Terrell Kilgore and Cameron Murphy. Their exhibits will be on display for a bit longer so our patrons have an opportunity to view the artists’ work.

Marcus Terrell Kilgore Exhibit

On exhibit at the Gibsland Branch Library during their hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:15am to 5:00pm and Saturday, 8:15am to 12:00pm.

About Kilgore

Marcus Terrell Kilgore is deeply committed to his community. He works tirelessly in the neighborhoods and schools, using his artistic talents and collaborating with local civic and fraternal organizations he is affiliated with. Inspiring his mission and vision of the future, is his mother, sister, and teacher/mentor, Professor Larry Holston.

Marcus states that he loves the artistic technique of realism because it allows him to create a platform for his audience so they feel they are part of his work.

Kilgore is the recipient of numerous awards for his artwork. He was the first-place winner in the Adult Division of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Inclusive Art Contest. Kilgore presented his winning artwork, a portrait of Governor John Bel Edwards, in a ceremony at the historic Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

Cameron Murphy Exhibit

On exhibit at the Bienville Parish Main Library in Arcadia during their hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:15am to 6:00pm and Saturday, 8:15am to 12:00pm.

About Murphy

Murphy is currently a student of Northwestern State University, seeking a Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design.

Murphy is the son of Kendra Butler and Edward Murphy. He has had a fascination with art since he was a child. Every birthday, Christmas, and special occasion, Cameron would ask for oil painting sets and could be seen drawing pictures on the sidewalk, and sketching patterns in the sand or dirt. Family tells stories of Cameron as a very young boy who could always be found with a pencil, pen, chalk, even a stick in his hand drawing the world around him or what had sparked his imagination.

As a student of Fine and Graphic Arts, he continues to grow as a young artist, and hone his artistic skills. We expect we will see more from this talented young artist in the future!


Saline Lady Bobcats on a Skid


The Saline Lady Bobcats are on a 5 game skid. They lost to 4A Caddo Magnet 19-9 and 5A Southwood 15-0 Friday night at Southwood’s tournament. On Monday, they dropped two to 5A Natchitoches Central 17-0 and 24-0.  Yesterday, they lost to 2B Quitman 1-17.

Game Schedule

Date/TimeOpponentHome/AwayWin/LossScore
Feb. 15 at 4:30 PMRinggoldHomeWin14-1
Feb. 18 at 5 PMCaddo MagnetAwayLoss9-19
Feb. 18 at 7:30 PMSouthwoodAwayLoss0-15
Feb. 21 at 4:30 PMNatchitoches CentralAwayLoss0-17
Feb. 21 at 6:30 PMNatchitoches CentralAwayLoss0-24
Feb. 22 at 5:30 PMQuitmanAwayLoss1-17
Feb. 25 at 4 PMZwolleAwayPostponedPostponed
Mar. 1 at 5 PMSimsboroHomeCancelledCancelled
Mar. 4 at 4:30 PMRinggold (Game 1)Home
Mar. 4 at 6 PMRinggold (Game 2)Home
Mar. 15 at 4:30 PMLoyola PrepAway
Mar. 17 at 4 PMDodsonAway
Mar. 22 at 5 PMCastorAway
Mar. 24 at 4:30 PMNorthwood – Shrev.Home
Mar. 26 at 1 PMChoudrantHome
Mar. 29 at 5 PMSimsboroAway
Apr. 4 at 4 PMLakeview Away
Apr. 4 at 6 PMLakeview Away
Apr. 5 at 4:30 PMSouthwoodHome
Apr. 6 at 4 PMJonesboro-Hodge Away
Apr. 7 at 4:30 PMJonesboro-HodgeHome
Apr. 11 at 4:30 PMCalvinHome
Apr. 12 at 5 PMMontgomeryAway

Tournament Schedule

#Saline TournamentsFromTo
1Southwood2/18/20222/19/022
2Saline3/11/20223/12/2022
3Red River3/17/20223/19/2022
4Saline3/25/20223/25/2022
5Southwood4/8/20224/9/2022

Bag Up Your Litter Before Leaving Mardi Gras Parades, Cher

As part of ongoing statewide efforts to address Louisiana’s litter problem, Gov. John Bel Edwards today encouraged Louisianans to take responsibility for their own garbage when they’re attending Mardi Gras parades and celebrations this year.

In January, Gov. Edwards launched a Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force, which will work to find policy solutions for Louisiana’s litter problem, educate the public and promote community litter abatement activities. The task force held its first meeting last week and will make a report by July 2022.

The Governor also designated the fourth Saturday of every month as Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Love the Boot. Don’t Pollute Day, to encourage leaders and individuals to address litter issues in their communities. For the month of February, the Governor wants people to focus on reducing litter at Mardi Gras parades.

“While there certainly are policy, enforcement and budgetary solutions to some of Louisiana’s litter problem, the fact of the matter is that litter is 100 percent preventable if we take personal responsibility for our surroundings – even when we’re out celebrating with friends and family at a Mardi Gras parade,” Gov. Edwards said. “There are simple steps all of us can take to reduce litter as we head to the parades, most notably, just bringing a trash bag to take all of your garbage home with you and not leaving wrappers, cups and cans on the parade route. Discarded trash can easily end up in our drainage system and cause storm water management and flooding issues down the line. We all want to let loose this Mardi Gras, but let’s make sure we keep our trash contained.”


Castor High School Softball Scores

  • On Thursday, Castor played Dodson and won, 22-0.
  • Yesterday, Castor played Stanley and lost, 0-12.

Game Schedule

Date/TimeOpponentHome/AwayWin/LossScore
Feb. 15 at 4:30 PMConverseHomeLoss0-13
Feb. 17 at 4 PMDodsonAwayWin22-0
Feb. 22 at 5 PMStanleyHomeLoss0-12
Feb. 24 at 5 PMChoudrantHomePostponedPostponed
Feb. 28 at 4:30 PMRinggoldAway
Mar. 8 at 4 PMZwolleAway
Mar. 15 at 5 PMWestonHome
Mar. 22 at 5 PMSalineHome
Mar. 29 at 6 PMNorth WebsterAway
Apr. 1 at 5 PMDoylineAway
Apr. 5 at 5 PMDodsonHome
Apr. 7 at 5 PMNorthwood – Shrev.Away
Apr. 8 at 5 PMCalvary BaptistAway
Apr. 11 at 4 PMConverseAway
Apr. 12 at 5:30 PMQuitmanHome

Tournament Schedule

#Castor TournamentsFromTo
1Choudrant3/4/20223/5/022
2Lakeside3/10/20223/12/2022
3Stanley3/17/20223/19/2022
4Quitman3/25/20223/26/2022

Today in History – February 23

303 – Roman emperor Diocletian ordered the destruction of the Christian church in Nicomedia, which began eight years of Diocletianic Persecution.

1455 – Traditionally the date of publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.

1540 – Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition set off from Mexico in search of the 7 cities of Cibola,

1778 – American Revolutionary War: Baron von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to help to train the Continental Army.

1782 – Engineer James Watt’s patent for a rotary motion for the steam engine (his sun-and-planet gear) was granted.

1822 – Boston, Massachusetts, was incorporated as a city.

1836 – Texas Revolution: The Siege of the Alamo (prelude to the Battle of the Alamo) began in San Antonio, Texas.

1847 – Mexican–American War: Battle of Buena Vista: In Mexico, American troops under future president General Zachary Taylor defeated Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

1861 – President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived secretly in Washington, D.C., after the thwarting of an alleged assassination plot in Baltimore, Maryland.

1870 – Reconstruction Era: Post-U.S. Civil War military control of Mississippi ended and it was readmitted to the Union.

1883 – Alabama became the first U.S. state to enact an anti-trust law.

1886 – Charles Martin Hall produced the first samples of aluminium from the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, after several years of intensive work. He was assisted in this project by his older sister, Julia Brainerd Hall.

1886 – “The Times” of London published world’s first classified ad.

1896 – Tootsie Roll was introduced by Leo Hirshfield.

1903 – Cuba leased Guantánamo Bay to the United States “in perpetuity”.

1904 – The United States acquired control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million.

1905 – Chicago attorney Paul Harris and three other businessmen met for lunch and formed the Rotary Club, the world’s first service club.

1927 – U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill by Congress which established the Federal Radio Commission (later replaced by the Federal Communications Commission) which was to regulate the use of radio frequencies in the United States.

1940 – Walt Disney’s animated movie “Pinocchio” was released.

1941 – Plutonium was first produced and isolated by Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg.

1942 – World War II: Japanese submarines fired artillery shells at the coastline near Santa Barbara, California.

1945 – World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, a group of United States Marines reached the top of Mount Suribachi on the island and were photographed raising the American flag.

1945 – World War II: The 11th Airborne Division, with Filipino guerrillas, freed all 2,147 captives of the Los Baños internment camp, in what General Colin Powell later refered to as “the textbook airborne operation for all ages and all armies.”

1945 – World War II: The capital of the Philippines, Manila, was liberated by combined Filipino and American forces.

1954 – The first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh.

1958 – Five-time Argentine Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio was kidnapped by rebels involved in the Cuban Revolution on the eve of the Cuban Grand Prix. He was released the following day after the race.

1974 – The Symbionese Liberation Army demanded $4 million more to release kidnap victim Patty Hearst.

1980 – Iran hostage crisis: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini stated that Iran’s parliament would decide the fate of the American embassy hostages.

1983 – The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced its intent to buy out and evacuate the dioxin-contaminated community of Times Beach, Missouri.

1988 – Saddam Hussein began the Anfal genocide against Kurds and Assyrians in northern Iraq.

1998 – In the United States, tornadoes in central Florida destroyed or damaged 2,600 structures and killed 42 people.

2008 – A United States Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber crashed on Guam, which was the first operational loss of a B-2.

2019 – Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767 freighter, crashed into Trinity Bay near Anahuac, Texas, and killed all three people on board.


Daughters of American Revolution Attend Regional Patriotic Luncheon, Burial Service for 13 Unaccompanied Veterans

Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Regent Kathy Johnson

Members of Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution attended the Regional Patriotic Luncheon at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. This year, the luncheon was hosted by Dorcheat-Bistineau, Claiborne Parish, and Bon Chasse chapters. Northwood High School Junior ROTC served as Color Guard. The program was led by Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Regent Kathy Johnson. Our special guest was Olivia Stringham of North Caddo Magnet High School. She won the regional DAR Good Citizens Essay Contest, and her essay will be sent to the state level. Our speaker was LTC Byron Lafield who presented the history of Junior ROTC.

Members of our chapter attended the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery’s burial service for 13 Unaccompanied Veterans. The Caddo Coroner’s office and Veterans Service Officers worked diligently for years to locate the families of these veterans, but none were found. The veterans were buried with military honors, and members of the Ark-La-Tex area were invited attend because no veteran should be buried alone. Hundreds of people were in attendance at the outdoor ceremony on a rainy day.

Spencer Creech, son of our chapter registrar Donna Sutton, was elected to serve as a state officer in Louisiana Society Children of the American Revolution. This organization is for youth under the age of 22 who are descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. C.A.R. develops leaders, trains good citizens, and promotes love of the United States and its heritage.

We are excited to welcome Laura McFarland as a new member of our chapter! Her father is a new member of Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution in Shreveport, and Laura joined DAR on his lineage. Their patriot ancestor is John McFarland who was born in Ireland around 1750. John married Nancy Menees in 1783 in Fort Nashborough, which would later become Nashville, Tennessee. He was paid for services rendered during the Revolution, and the payment is recorded in North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts. He died on 24 May 1824 in Wilson County, Tennessee.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution (1775-1783) is eligible to join DAR. For more information, please visit dar.org and our Facebook page: Daughters of the American Revolution – Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter.


Gibsland-Coleman Lady Bulldogs Took a Bite out of Pleasant Hill in Marsh Madness Regionals

On Monday, the Lady Bulldogs played Pleasant Hill in a regional game of the 2022 LHSAA Marsh Madness and won, 56-52. Tomorrow, the Lady Bulldogs will take on Atlanta in the Quarterfinals.

Click Here for the Girls’ Basketball Playoff Bracket

The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Kilbourne on Friday in their first game of the 2022 Marsh Madness.

Click Here for the Boys’ Basketball Playoff Bracket


Teddy Allen: The MVPs of Mardi Gras

How we made it through Mardi Gras parades without them, only our excretory systems know for sure.

Those were archaic and tawdry times.

Today, we are more civilized out there on the parade highways and byways, all thanks to the upright and rectangular 3-D miracles of translucent roofs and vents, and the miraculous pairing of high-density aluminum and polyethylene.

They are no question the MVPs of the Mardi Gras parade season.

Most Valuable Potties.

Look at them, will you? Admire them. Lay flowers and rolls of toilet paper at their feet, which is probably a worn spot in the grass where quick-stepping, over-served revelers hurried to take advantage of their favors.

They are the figurative port in the storm. Or the literal Port-O-Let in the storm.

A mere few feet off the parade route, they stand there as silent sentries, loyal soldiers, dutiful and dependable, ready if called upon, available but not obvious.

On the streets and in our ’hood they go by names like “Honey Bucket” or “Porta-Loo” or “Johnny-on-the-Spot.” The business community that makes a living renting, servicing, and supplying these crucial devices to the Great Unwashed call them portable toilets or chemical toilets.

But the way most of us first came to appreciate them was when we heard the phrase “Port-o-Let” or “Port-a-Jon” or “Porta Potty.” It should come as no surprise that each starts with a “P.”

Poetic justice is served.

Hemingway said once that Paris is “a moveable feast.” Had the outhouse of his day been mobile, he’d have said the same thing of the Port-o-Let.

The street where I live is perpendicular to the four-lane that marks the end of the route of Shreveport-Bossier’s two largest parades. By largest, I mean a quarter-million of our closest friends turn out to enjoy what krewes have worked (and played) all year to assemble. There are smaller parades in town and in the area, but these two pulled in the most bladders.

Thus, the Potty Patrol is needed. Down that otherwise unassuming street that marks the parades’ end, these portable must-haves stand stately for a quarter mile, maybe a bit more. They are rented by people who have reserved “spots” along the route, and the envied contraptions will be picked up next week. But right now, they are assurance and insurance for the renters, who can sleep well, knowing that on The Big Day, help will be just one opening of a plastic door away.

If you didn’t rent one and you need to “go,” well, you’ll find out who your friends are come parade time. You think you’re No. 1 and might just find out that you’re No. 2.

Sad, but such is the human condition. There will come a time when relief is demanded for the laboring kidney, the anxious bladder, the suspect colon. Those who fail to prepare are prepared to fail, and this is the kind of failure that does not go quietly into that dark night.

When Mardi Gras in our area was new, in pre-Port-o-Let days of yore, the make-believe portable potty was a shrub, a shadowed tree, the side of an unassuming garage.

That was rural fare. Tacky. We’ve since come a long way.

Who could have known then that instead of going to the bathroom, the bathroom would one day come to us. And usually, not a second too soon.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu


Arrest Report

February 13

  • Amanda Edwards – Ringgold
    • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor

February 14

  • Lamario Myles – Shreveport
    • Fugitive
  • Shandreka Richardson – Arcadia
    • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses

February 16

  • Xavier Hardmon – Gibsland
    • Distribution/Manufacture of Schedule 1 – 3 Counts
  • Cordairo Walker – Arcadia
    • Aggravated Battery with Dangerous Weapon – Felony

February 17

  • Jonathan Thompson – Bienville
    • Cruelty to Juveniles – Assault – Felony
  • Thomas Pardo – Calhoun
    • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses
  • Phillip Lee – Coushatta
    • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor

February 19

  • David Jones, II – Castor
    • Violations of Registration Provisions – Misdemeanor
    • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued
  • Enrique Martinez – Haltom, TX
    • Driver Must Be Licensed
  • David Brown – Ringgold
    • Violation of Probation/Parole
    • Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment – Felony

Remember This?: The Prospector’s Pen

Sam was born in Missouri in 1835, the sixth of seven children. His father, John, was an attorney and judge in Hannibal during Sam’s childhood. In 1847, when Sam was 11-years-old, his father died “after a protracted and painful illness,” which was later revealed as pneumonia. In the following year, Sam quit school and went to work for the Hannibal Journal, a newspaper owned by his older brother Orion.

Beginning in 1859, newspapers reported the discovery of the Comstock Lode, a rich gold and silver ore deposit located in the Virginia mountain range in Virginia city, Nevada. The Comstock Lode was the first major discovery of silver ore in the United States. News of the find quickly spread across America and beyond. It created an excitement reminiscence of the California Gold Rush ten years earlier. Droves of prospectors flocked to Virginia City to make their fortune. The population quickly rose from a few hundred and peaked at around 25,000 residents. Businesses in Virginia City flourished and new businesses opened seemingly overnight with much success.

In March of 1861, during a two-hour Executive session, the Senate confirmed numerous nominations for office including Orion’s nomination as the Secretary of the Nevada Territory. Orion’s appointment required him to move to Nevada. Rather than going alone, Orion and Sam decided to move to Nevada together. As Secretary, Orion would work under Nevada’s governor, James W. Nye, and Sam planned to make his fortune as a prospector in the gold and silver mines. It would be an adventure.

Sam and Orion gathered their belongings and began the journey to Nevada. For more than two weeks, Orion and Sam rode in a dusty, bumpy, and swaying Concord stagecoach. Rather than a hard iron suspension, the Concord stagecoach had an improved suspension system which employed leather straps to produce a swinging motion when the coach was in motion. Sam later described the ride on the Concord stagecoach as being like “a cradle on wheels.” Another Concord stagecoach traveler described a “ride [which] will always live in my memory – but not for its beauty spots.” He and the other passengers were “jammed like sardines on the hard seats.” When traveling over rough terrain which required the stagecoach to creep along at a snail’s pace, the passengers would get out of the coach and “foot it” for relaxation. The coachman made frequent stops to exchange horses with fresh ones and the closer they got to Nevada, the more stories they heard about minors becoming wealthy. They trekked over 1700 miles from the Great Plains, over the Rocky Mountains, through Salt Lake City, and eventually arrived at the boomtown of Virginia City.

Almost immediately, Sam began working to unearth his fortune. He toiled for months at the backbreaking labor but never found his fortune. Unlike a lot of prospectors who continued searching in almost a maniacal fashion, Sam was smart enough to know that prospecting was not for him. He needed a job. His experience working for the newspaper owned by his brother enabled him to find employment at Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise newspaper. Two years later, in 1865, Sam had his first significant success as a writer when he published “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” He wrote a book called “Roughing It” based on his experiences in the American West. Sam is most well known for two books based on his own childhood entitled “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” However, we know Sam under a different name. It was in 1863, in Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise, the job Sam took when his prospecting career failed, where Samuel Clemens first used his pen name, …Mark Twain.

Sources:

1. Palmyra Weekly Whig (Palmyra, Missouri), April 1, 1847, p.3.
2. The Daily Exchange (Baltimore, Maryland), March 29, 1861, p.3.
3. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), March 30, 1876, p.3.
4. Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania), January 18, 1884, p.2.