On March 29, Governor John Bel Edwards posted that on March 30 some state offices will be closed all day and some would close at noon.
Among those closing all day include Bienville Parish and most other parishes central and north Louisiana. Please see the image above for the full list of closings.
Expect High winds and flooding. If water is over the road, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
By Daniel Green
Written for the LSWA
Atlanta’s Princis Goff and Jehovah-Jireh’s John-Paul Ricks carried their respective teams throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
Goff led her squad to the brink of an LHSAA tourney berth. Ricks guided his team to a runner-up finish in Division V.
As a result, Goff and Ricks claimed Outstanding Player honors on the Class C All-State basketball teams selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
Goff was the primary scorer and rebounder for an Atlanta team that lost in the Class C quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Gibsland-Coleman. Goff eclipsed the 1,000-point barrier during her senior season, averaging 36 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four steals per outing. On the season, she registered eight 40-point outings and two games where she scored 50 or more.
Ricks powered Jehovah-Jireh once again. The 6-foot senior averaged 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals as he took his squad to the title game in Division V for the sixth straight year. The Warriors were the runner-up.
Hornbeck’s Matthew Killian and Family Christian’s Isaac Fontenot-Amedee were honored as the Coach of the Year winners.
Killian guided the Hornet girls team to a 22-12 record and the LHSAA tourney, where they lost to eventual champion Hicks. Killian, a Hornbeck graduate, led the school to its first semifinal berth in over a decade and were led by all-state selection Hannah Dahlhoff.
Fontenot-Amedee coached Family Christian to a Division V championship in his first season with brothers Bryson and Chance Martin, who both made the Class C squad, playing major roles. It was FCA’s first LHSAA title since 2002.
Class C state champions Hicks and Gibsland-Coleman each landed two players on the squads.
LSWA CLASS C ALL-STATE BASKETALL CHARTS
First team
Player, School, Height., Class, Average Points Per Game (ppg)
Second team
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: JOHN-PAUL RICKS, JEHOVAH-JIREH
COACH OF THE YEAR: ISAAC FONTENOT-AMEDEE, FAMILY CHRISTIAN
Honorable mention
First team
Second team
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: PRINCIS GOFF, ATLANTA
COACH OF THE YEAR: MATT KILLIAN, HORNBECK
Honorable mention
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:
Tramaine Andra Claiborne of Port Gibson, MS—Pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana (First Offense) and was sentenced to pay $803.00 in fines and court costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Tyrese Lontreal Craft of Hermanville, MS—Pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana (First Offense) and was sentenced to pay $803.00 in fines and court costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Johnnie Lee Flowers of Port Gibson, MS—Pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana (First Offense) and was sentenced to pay $803.00 in fines and court costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Malik Deveaon Taylor of Port Gibson, MS—Pled guilty to Possession of Marijuana (First Offense) and was sentenced to pay $803.00 in fines and court costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Mark Tyrone Adams of Ringgold, LA—Pled guilty to Simple Battery and was sentenced to 60 days in the parish jail.
April Michelle Daigle of Ringgold, LA—Pled guilty to Criminal Mischief and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. She will be placed on 6 months supervised probation. She also pled guilty to Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was sentenced to 15 days in the parish jail. These sentences will run concurrently.
Gerald Woodall of Jamestown, LA—Pled guilty to Criminal Mischief and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. He will be placed on 6 months supervised probation.
Tyler Kane Hodges of Bienville, LA—Pled guilty to Criminal Trespass and Theft less than $1,000. He was sentenced to 30 days parish jail on each, which will run concurrently. He pled guilty to Resisting an Officer and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail. He also pled guilty to 3 counts of Simple Cruelty to Animals and was sentenced to 6 months on each, which will run concurrently. All of these sentences will run consecutively to each other.
William Cody Hodges of Bienville, LA—Pled guilty to 3 counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and was sentenced to 2 years hard labor. He pled guilty to Criminal Trespass and was sentenced to 30 days parish jail. He also pled guilty to Theft Less Than $1,000 and was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail. These sentences will fun consecutively.
John Kendall Wise of Winnfield, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine) and was sentenced to 2 years hard labor, which was suspended. He will be placed on 2 years unsupervised probation. He is also sentenced to pay $1,303.00 in fines and costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Louisiana Tech University has announced the names of students on its Winter Quarter President’s and Dean’s honor lists.
Students whose names are followed by an asterisk earned recognition as members of the president’s honor list. That distinction signifies achievement of at least a 3.8 academic grade point average on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher), with no grade lower than a B.
To be eligible for the dean’s honor lists, a student is required to earn at least a 3.5 academic grade point average with no grade lower than a C on a minimum of nine semester hours completed (100-level or higher).
Courses yielding satisfactory/failure grades and courses audited do not count toward eligibility for either recognition. Only undergraduates with no incomplete grades are eligible to make either list.
Honor students are listed below by their hometowns, with all Louisiana students listed first by parish.
On Saturday, March 26, Crawford Elementary hosted the 2022 Rising Stars Showcase Elementary Basketball Championship Games at the Arcadia High School Gym.
The Girls Championship went to Coudrant Elementary School. 2nd place went to Ruston Elementary and 3rd place to Crawford Elementary School.
The Boys Championship went went to Ruston Elementary. 2nd place went to Choudrant Elementary and 3rd place to Cypress Springs Elementary.
“We salute the administration, coaches, players, and fans from the league schools for an awesome year!! The future is bright in our area!!”
240 BC – The first recorded perihelion passage of Halley’s Comet.
1822 – The Florida Territory was created in the United States.
1842 – Ether anesthesia was used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long.
1855 – Origins of the American Civil War: “Border Ruffians” from Missouri invaded Kansas and forced the election of a pro-slavery legislature.
1867 – Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2-cent/acre ($4.19/km2), by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward.
1870 – Texas was readmitted to the United States Congress following Reconstruction.
1939 – The Heinkel He 100 fighter set a world airspeed record of 463 mph.
1944 – World War II: Allied bombers conducted their most severe bombing run on Sofia, Bulgaria.
1944 – Out of 795 Lancasters, Halifaxes and Mosquitos sent to attack Nuremberg, 95 bombers did not return, which made it the largest RAF Bomber Command loss of the war.
1965 – Vietnam War: A car bomb exploded in front of the United States Embassy, Saigon, and killed 22 and wounded 183 others.
1967 – The cover picture of Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album was photographed by Michael Cooper.
1972 – Vietnam War: The Easter Offensive began after North Vietnamese forces crossed into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of South Vietnam.
1979 – Airey Neave, a British Member of Parliament (MP), was killed by a car bomb as he exited the Palace of Westminster. The Irish National Liberation Army claimed responsibility.
1981 – U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley, Jr.; three others were wounded in the same incident.
1984 – World’s most valuable tip – New York police detective Robert Cunningham offered waitress Phyllis Penzo half of $1 lottery ticket. On the following day, they won $6 million.
2017 – SpaceX conducted the world’s first reflight of an orbital class rocket.
The Bienville Parish Early Childhood Community Network will host their 2022-2023 Coordinated Enrollment for Child Care and Pre-School Registration Round-Up on April 6-8, 2022.
On April 6th -7th registration will be held from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and April 8th from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the following Bienville Parish Schools, Child Care Centers, and Head Start Centers.
Bienville Parish School Board Public Pre- School Programs (Pre-K 4 Year Olds) No Cost to Eligible Families
Child Care Centers- Accepting Birth to 5 Years Old (These Centers Accept CCAP- Child Care Assistance Program)
Head Start Programs (Pre-K 3 Year Olds & 4 Year Olds) No Cost to Eligible Families
Eligibility: Meet the Family Eligibility Criteria, Federal Income Guidelines, and Age Requirements for Pre-K Programs, Head Start, and Child Care Centers.
The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance are awarding a $1,000 scholarship to one Bienville Parish high school senior. Sheriff Ballance said the Sheriff’s Association is funding $500 of the scholarship, and because the cost of tuition has increased in the past few years, he is matching the amount put forth by the Sheriff’s Association.
Completed applications may be mailed to Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, PO Box 328, Arcadia, La. 71001 ATTN: Margie Talbert.
All applications must be received no later than April 1st. The scholarship recipient will be announced May 1, 2022.
On March 26, 2022, shortly before 6:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 126. The crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Thomas Homan Jr. of Goldonna.
The initial investigation revealed Homan was traveling west on Louisiana Highway 126 on a 2008 Suzuki motorcycle. For reasons still under investigation, the motorcycle traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. This action ejected Homan from the motorcycle.
Homan sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis. The crash remains an on-going investigation.
Troopers encourage all riders to take an approved motorcycle safety course. These courses teach safe riding practices and help you apply safe riding strategies that can help reduce your chance of injury should a crash occur.
Making good choices while riding a motorcycle, such as never driving while impaired and obeying all traffic laws, can often mean the difference between life and death. If motorists witness hazardous situations they may dial *LSP (*577) to be connected to the nearest Troop to report that activity.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Mar. 1 at 5 pm | Harrisonburg | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 3 at 4:30 pm | Plain Dealing | Home | Loss | 2-12 |
| Mar. 4 at 4:30 pm | Woodlawn – Shrev. | Away | Win | 11-6 |
| Mar. 7 at 4:30 pm | Lincoln Preparatory School | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 8 at 4 pm | Richwood | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 10 at 5 pm | Booker T. Washington – Shr. | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 11 at 2 pm | Saline | Away | Loss | 0-13 |
| Mar. 14 at 4:30 pm | Carroll | Home | Win (forfeit) | Win (forfeit) |
| Mar. 17 at 5 pm | Booker T. Washington – Shr. | Home | Win | 16-0 |
| Mar. 18 at 4 pm | Cavin (tournament) | Away | Loss | 0-15 |
| Mar. 19 at 12:30 pm | Ringgold (tournament) | Away | Win | 6-3 |
| Mar. 21 at TBA | Carroll | Away | Win (forfeit) | Win (forfeit) |
| Mar. 23 at 4 pm | Richwood | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 28 at 4:30 pm | Dodson | Away | Loss | 4-14 |
| Mar. 31 at 4:30 pm | Lincoln Preparatory School (District) | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Apr. 1 at 5:30 pm | Simsboro | Away | ||
| Apr. 4 at 5 pm | Homer | Home | ||
| Apr. 7 at 5:30 pm | Haynesville (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 11 at 5 pm | Simsboro | Home | ||
| Apr. 14 at 5 pm | Dodson | Home | ||
| Apr. 19 at 4 pm | Plain Dealing | Home | ||
| Apr. 21 at 4:30 pm | Huntington | Home |
Kansas is a 4.5-points favorite against Villanova Saturday in the first of two NCAA Tournament semifinal games. Duke and North Carolina will follow at approximately 7:49; the Blue Devils are a 4-points favorite.
Hello, Awesome Saturday Night. Except …
If you see a Kansas fan between now and then, and if he or she is gnawing on tree bark and unable to mumble a complete sentence, move along. Yes, the Jayhawks are favorites. Yes, Kansas has a basketball tradition as rich as anyone’s.
But yes, Kansas come Tournament time is a heartache waiting to happen.
East Coast. West Coast. Midwest. Deep South. Historically, the Kansas basketball program has arguably left more hoop-loving hearts broken all over this great land and on the Final Four Road than any other program that’s ever dared nail up a peach basket.
They’ve got the awesome old-school gym. The simple, bright, cheerful uniforms you could probably wear to church and get away with. That happy-go-lucky Jayhawk mascot.
It’s a program that’s strung together a ridiculous 31 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the most ever. All the Jayhawks do is win.
Until it’s time to finish. Kansas has only three NCAA Tournament titles in its illustrious history.
Which is three more than lots of programs, for sure. Most anyone would trade for what Kansas has been able to do, generation after generation.
And still, their reputation is that of a Bracket Buster. Kansas giveth, and Kansas taketh away. Saturday will mark the program’s 16th trip to the Final Four, which means that for all their trips to the mountaintop, the Jayhawks have left as King of the Hill only once every five times.
They’ve been runners-up six times, college basketball’s equivalent of baseball’s 1950s’ Brooklyn Dodgers and 1990s’ Atlanta Braves.
Bridesmaids City.
Recent history:
In 2010, Northern Iowa, historically one of the finest programs in all of the great state of Iowa, bounced them out.
In 2011 as the Tournament’s No.1-seed, Kansas was dismissed by VCU in the Elite Eight. (Time flies; Shaka Smart seems like last week.)
2014, they got Stanford-ed, although it’s important to remember that Kansas was Joel Embiid-less thanks to an unfortunate injury.
2016 and 2018, well, we’ll come back to that in a sec.
In 2020, the Jayhawks were ranked No. 1 in some polls and … The Ultimate Indignity … the Tournament was pandemically cancelled.
So here they are again with head-scratching Kansas, never ranked No. 1 this season, yet champions of the Midwest Regional and the only No.1 Regional seed left in the ballgame. If you are a Kansas fan, you are probably preparing for a dagger where it hurts.
But who knows? Bill Self could become just the 16th guy in the college game to win multiple national titles. Kansas could do what the 1952 and Self’s 2008 team did and win it all.
Very un-Kansas-like, they’ve even won it when they weren’t supposed to. I happened to be there hanging around in Kemper Arena in Kansas City in 1988 when “Danny Manning and the Miracles,” a 6-seed, upset No.1 Oklahoma, 34-3 and winners of 21 of its last 22 games, 83-79. The game was tied 50-50 at the half, the small (for a Final Four) arena was an explosion of cheers and colors and gasps and drama, and the whole thing was more fun than a little bit.
And maybe the same will be true this weekend. Maybe. With Kansas being a favorite over Villanova in the Saturday semis, that’s a step in the right direction.
Except … remember we mentioned 2016 and 2018? Kansas played Villanova in the tournament both those years. And lost. First, in 2016 when the Jayhawks were the top-seeded team in the tournament.
And then in 2018, when Kansas lost to the underdog Wildcats … in the semifinals.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
On March 21-22, 2022, Castor Tiger FCCLA competed at the Louisiana State FCCLA Conference. 10 CHS students qualified for the National FCCLA Conference this summer in San Diego, CA. Congratulations to FCCLA advisor Mrs. Miranda Smith and all the students who represented CHS.
National Qualifiers:
Outpatient Medical Center is recruiting a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or a physician to provide primary care at its Natchitoches or Leesville location. We are a federally-qualified health center offering weekday ambulatory primary care to anyone, but especially the underserved.
A rewarding career serving those with greatest need, excellent benefits, no Holidays, and competitive pay for a workstyle that supports a family life.
Anyone interest may contact us at hr@outpatientmedical.org or call 318-357-2071 (ext. 3202).
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Mar. 1 at 5 pm | Ringgold | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 5 at 3 pm | Hicks | Away | Loss | 0-10 |
| Mar. 8 at 5 pm | Calvin | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 10 at 4:30 pm | Castor | Home | Win | 6-4 |
| Mar. 11 at 2 pm | Arcadia | Home | Win | 13-0 |
| Mar. 14 at 5 pm | Doyline | Home | Loss | 8-16 |
| Mar. 17 at 4 pm | Calvin (tournament) | Away | Loss | 4-6 |
| Mar. 18 at 4 pm | Pleasant Hill (tournament) | Away | Win | 6-1 |
| Mar. 21 at 5 pm | Montgomery | Home | Win | 4-3 |
| Mar. 25 | Red River | Home | Loss | 3-12 |
| Mar. 25 | Red River | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 29 at 5 pm | Ringgold | Home | Win | 16-6 |
| Mar. 29 at 6 pm | Ringgold | Home | Win | 10-3 |
| Apr. 4 at 5 pm | Castor (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 5 at 4:30 pm | Dodson (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 7 at 4 pm | Calvin | Away | ||
| Apr. 11 at 5 pm | Castor (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 12 at 5 pm | Dodson (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 14 at 5 pm | Montgomery | Away | ||
| Apr. 22 at 5 pm | Ebarb | Home |
The 2022 Dr. Jariel E. Norton Scholarship Program is still accepting applications from high school seniors. (Dr. Norton Family Dentistry is located in Homer.)
The deadline to apply is March 31, 2022.
Take a look at the schedule below.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Feb. 28 at 5 pm | Red River | Away | Loss | 1-11 |
| Mar. 1 at 6 pm | Choudrant | Away | Loss | 3-13 |
| Mar. 3 at 5 pm | North Webster (Tournament) | Away | Loss | 1-17 |
| Mar. 5 at 11 am | Grace Christian (Tournament) | Away | Loss | 1-13 |
| Mar. 5 at 1:30 pm | North Caddo (Tournament) | Away | Loss | 2-14 |
| Mar. 8 at 5 pm | Bossier | Home | ||
| Mar. 10 | Saline | Away | Loss | 4-6 |
| Mar. 15 at 6 pm | Stanley | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 17 at 4 pm | North Caddo | Away | Loss | 4-7 |
| Mar. 19 at 5 pm | Red River (tournament) | Away | Loss | 0-18 |
| Mar. 22 at 4 pm | Calvin | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 25 at 5 pm | Doyline (District) | Away | Loss | 0-10 |
| Mar. 29 at 4:30 pm | Dodson (District) | Away | Win | 19-6 |
| Mar. 31 at 6:15 pm | Red River | Home | ||
| Apr. 1 at 5 pm | Weston | Home | ||
| Apr. 4 at 5 pm | Saline (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 8 at 5 pm | Dodson (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 11 at 5 pm | Saline (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 12 at 5 pm | Ebarb | Away | ||
| Apr. 15 at 5 pm | Doyline (District) | Home | ||
| Apr. 19 at 4 pm | Ebarb | Home | ||
| Apr. 22 at 4 pm | Calvin | Away |
On Saturday, March 26, runners including Saline’s Don Brown competed in the 2022 Viking 13.2-mile Half Marathon. The race began and ended in the historic Cotton Row district of Greenwood, Mississippi, and passed through the flat, tree-lined streets of Greenwood. Spectators watched the racers as they ran under the beautiful oaks and by homes lining Grand Boulevard, once named ”One of America’s 10 Most Beautiful Streets” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Garden Clubs of America. The race course also passed by many of the site locations used in the filming of the blockbuster movie The Help, which was filmed in Greenwood in 2010.
Don Brown completed the 13.2-mile run in 02:11:29.96 and won FIRST PLACE in his age division, 70+.
Congratulations, Mr. Brown, on another First Place Win!!!
Take a look at the schedule below.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Feb. 25 at 4:30 pm | Plain Dealing | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 1 at 5 pm | Saline | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 3 at 5 pm | Georgetown | Home | Win | 17-13 |
| Mar. 4 at 6:30 pm | Downsville (Tournament) | Away | Loss | 0-12 |
| Mar. 5 at 12:30 pm | Caldwell Parish (Tournament) | Away | Loss | 0-20 |
| Mar. 7 at 4:30 pm | Dodson | Home | Loss | 1-14 |
| Mar. 9 at 5 pm | Lakeview | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 10 at 5 pm | Huntington | Away | Win | 5-3 |
| Mar. 10 at 6:30 pm | Huntington | Away | Loss | 5-7 |
| Mar. 14 at 4:30 pm | Booker T. Washington – Shr. | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 14 at 4:30 pm | Downsville | Home | Loss | 2-13 |
| Mar. 18 at 6 pm | Red River (tournament) | Away | Loss | 1-22 |
| Mar. 19 at 12:30 pm | Arcadia (tournament) | Away | Loss | 3-6 |
| Mar. 21 at 4:30 pm | Dodson | Away | Win | 11-7 |
| Mar. 23 at 4 pm | Northwood – Lena | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 25 at 4:30 pm | Woodlawn – Shrev. | Home | Win | 11-0 |
| Mar. 25 at TBA | Woodlawn – Shrev. | Home | Loss | 11-12 |
| Mar. 28 at 5 pm | Plain Dealing | Away | Loss | 1-2 |
| Mar. 29 at 5 pm | Saline (game 1) | Away | Loss | 6-16 |
| Mar. 29 at 6 pm | Saline (game 2) | Away | Loss | 3-10 |
| Mar. 31 at 6 pm | Calvary Baptist (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 1 at 6 pm | Bossier | Away | ||
| Apr. 4 at 6 pm | Glenbrook (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 7 at 5 pm | Plain Dealing (District) | Away | ||
| Apr. 9 at 1 pm | Georgetown | Away | ||
| Apr. 11 at 5 pm | Homer | Away | ||
| Apr. 13 at 4 pm | Northwood – Lena | Home | ||
| Apr. 14 at 5 pm | Haynesville | Home | ||
| Apr. 18 at 4:30 pm | Homer | Home | ||
| Apr. 21 at 5 pm | Mansfield | Away | ||
| Apr. 22 at 5 pm | Negreet | Home |
Take a look at the schedule below.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Feb. 15 at 5 PM | Green Oaks | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Feb. 23 at 5 PM | Wossman | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Feb. 28 at 5 PM | Wossman | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Feb. 28 at 6 PM | Simsboro | Away | Loss | 0-15 |
| Mar. 1 at 4:30 PM | Plain Dealing | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 2 at 5 PM | Plain Dealing | Home | Win | 15-13 |
| Mar. 3 at 4:30 PM | Ringgold | Away | Loss | 6-21 |
| Mar. 8 at 5 pm | Richwood | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 14 at 5 PM | Haynesville | Away | Loss | 0-17 |
| Mar. 22 at 5 PM | Lincoln Preparatory School | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 22 at 7 PM | Lincoln Preparatory School | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 25 at 4 pm | Choudrant | Away | Loss | 0-15 |
| Mar. 25 at 4 pm | Saline | Away | Loss | 2-17 |
| Mar. 29 at 4:30 PM | Ringgold | Home | Loss | 13-35 |
| April 1 at 5 PM | Simsboro | Home |
| # | Arcadia Tournaments | From | to |
| TBA | |||
Bienville Parish 4-H offered Modified Shotgun this year as well as added BB gun and Archery. They took 6 junior shooters to the BB Gun competition on Wednesday, March 16 at the David B. Means Memorial 4-H Center in Grand Cane, La., 10 junior shooters and 7 senior shooters to the Modified Shotgun competition on Friday, March 18 at Long Range Alley Gun Club in Grand Cane, La. and 6 junior archery shooters competed on Saturday, March 19 at Long Range Ally Gun Club as well.
The Modified Shotgun Senior Team made up of Mason Scott, Drake Lewis, Jay Slayton, Drew Golden and Trey Hood came away with 1st place win as well as Mason placing 2nd place individual, Jay placing 7th individual, Drew placing 8th individual, and Drake placing 10th individual. All five shooters will advance to the State 4-H Shoot in Port Allen the end of April. The junior team also came away with a 2nd place win. The junior team was Remington Bolyer, Connor Webb, Zach Bolyer, Brently Blundell, and DJ Lamay. Remington placed 2nd individual and will compete at the state shoot. Also representing Bienville Parish 4-H at state in April will be Connor, Zach, and Brently.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Feb. 15 at 4:30 PM | Converse | Home | Loss | 0-13 |
| Feb. 17 at 4 PM | Dodson | Away | Win | 22-0 |
| Feb. 22 at 5 PM | Stanley | Home | Loss | 0-12 |
| Feb. 24 at 5 PM | Choudrant | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Feb. 28 at 4:30 PM | Ringgold | Away | Win | 21-0 |
| Mar. 4 at 3 pm | Oak Grove (tournament) | Away | Loss | 3-13 |
| Mar. 5 at 10 am | Weston | Away | Loss | 5-6 |
| Mar. 5 at 1:30 pm | Weston | Away | Loss | 1-11 |
| Mar. 8 at 4 PM | Zwolle | Away | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 10 at 4 pm | Lakeside (tournament) | Away | Win | 10-6 |
| Mar. 12 at 5:30 pm | Stanley (tournament) | Away | Loss | 1-16 |
| Mar. 12 at 7:30 pm | Logansport (tournament) | Away | Loss | 6-16 |
| Mar. 15 at 5 PM | Weston | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 19 at 10 am | Ebarb (tournament) | Away | Loss | 5-11 |
| Mar. 19 at 2 PM | Parkway (tournament) | Away | Loss | 9-11 |
| Mar. 22 at 5 PM | Saline | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Mar. 25 at 3:30 PM | Glenbrook (tournament) | Away | Loss | 1-16 |
| Mar. 25 at 5:30 PM | Simsboro (tournament) | Away | Win | 18-2 |
| Mar. 29 at 6 PM | North Webster | Away | Loss | 4-15 |
| Apr. 1 at 5 PM | Doyline | Away | ||
| Apr. 5 at 5 PM | Dodson | Home | ||
| Apr. 7 at 5 PM | Northwood – Shrev. | Away | ||
| Apr. 8 at 5 PM | Calvary Baptist | Away | ||
| Apr. 11 at 4 PM | Converse | Away | ||
| Apr. 12 at 5:30 PM | Quitman | Home |
| # | Castor Tournaments | From | To |
| 1 | Choudrant | 3/4/2022 | 3/5/022 |
| 2 | Lakeside | 3/10/2022 | 3/12/2022 |
| 3 | Stanley | 3/17/2022 | 3/19/2022 |
| 4 | Quitman | 3/25/2022 | 3/26/2022 |
BOM (Bank of Montgomery) donated items to Ringgold High School for their track meet this Friday. Items will be used for their hospitality room. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Jessica Ammons and Lisa Hay, Kimberly Bowden-Moore, RHS Para-Professional & Coach, and Shon Trent RHS Teacher & Coach.
Take a look at the schedule below.
| Date/Time | Opponent | Home/Away | Win/Loss | Score |
| Feb. 15 at 4:30 pm | Saline | Away | Loss | 1-14 |
| Feb. 18 at 4 PM | Doyline | Away | Loss | 1-16 |
| Feb. 22 at 5 PM | Jonesboro-Hodge | Home | Postponed | Postponed |
| Feb. 28 at 4:30 PM | Castor | Home | Loss | 0-21 |
| Mar. 3 at 4:30 PM | Arcadia | Home | Win | 21-6 |
| Mar. 4 at 4:30 PM | Saline (Game 1) | Away | Loss | 0-15 |
| Mar. 4 at 6 PM | Saline (Game 2) | Away | Loss | 4-20 |
| Mar. 7 at 4:30 PM | Red River | Home | Loss | 5-22 |
| Mar. 10 at 5 PM | Jonesboro-Hodge | Away | Win | 10-5 |
| Mar. 14 at 6 PM | Glenbrook | Away | Loss | 2-20 |
| Mar. 17 at 5 pm | Lakeview (tournament) | Away | Win | 16-4 |
| Mar. 17 at 7 pm | Red River (tournament) | Away | Loss | 0-15 |
| Mar. 21 at 4 PM | Doyline | Home | Loss | 0-20 |
| Mar. 24 at 4 PM | Haynesville | Away | Loss | 1-16 |
| Mar. 24 at 6 PM | Haynesville | Away | Loss | 1-16 |
| Mar. 29 at 4:30 PM | Arcadia | Away | Win | 35-13 |
| Apr. 1 at 5:30 PM | Choudrant | Home | ||
| Apr. 5 at 4 PM | Haynesville (Game 1) | Away | ||
| Apr. 5 at 6 PM | Haynesville (Game 2) | Away | ||
| Apr. 8 at 5 PM | Lakeview | Away | ||
| Apr. 11 at 5 PM | Choudrant | Away | ||
| Apr. 12 at 5 PM | Lakeview | Home |
| # | Ringgold Tournaments | From | To |
| 1 | Red River | 3/17/2022 | 3/19/022 |
March 20
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March 26
By Brad Dison
When Mary Porter was in her final year of high school, she wrote an essay entitled “The Influence of Misfortune Upon the Gifted.” She had no way of knowing how well that title fit the life of her son, William Sydney Porter. In 1882, twenty-year-old William Sidney Porter decided to relocate from Greensboro, North Carolina to rural Texas to alleviate his persistent coughing. While in Texas, William worked as laborer on a sheep ranch, as a surveyor, as a newspaper writer and cartoonist at the Houston Post, and finally, in 1891, as a paying and receiving teller for the First National Bank of Austin. During his tenure at the bank, William worked part time on a humorous weekly newspaper of his own creation called The Rolling Stone.
It was while he was working for the First National Bank of Austin that misfortune struck. In 1894, William’s boss accused him of embezzling $1,100.00. William defended himself as well as he could, but the bank’s accounting ledgers were rarely balanced due its “loose methods.” He explained that he had been a loyal employee of the bank for four years. There was nothing William could say that would save his job. After being fired, William worked on The Rolling Stone full time. He was lucky not to be prosecuted.
In 1895, William moved with his family to Houston to work at the Houston Post after The Rolling Stone failed to turn a profit. William’s luck ran out when the First National Bank of Austin was audited. After reviewing the bank’s ledgers, the federal auditor found evidence of embezzlement. William’s ex-boss told the auditor that William had been fired for embezzling money. William was indicted on the embezzlement charge and arrested in Houston. William’s father posted bail and William was released. His trial was set for July 7, 1896.
On the day before his trial was to begin, after much discussion with his wife, William fled to New Orleans then took a ship to Honduras. At the time, Honduras had no extradition treaty with the United States. William’s wife, Athol, and daughter, Margaret, were to join William in Honduras at a later date. Misfortune struck William again when his wife contracted Tuberculosis. Despite being a fugitive, William quickly returned to Austin to be with his wife. William’s wife, 29-year-old Athol Estes Porter, died on July 25, 1897.
While grieving over the loss of his wife, William stood trial for embezzlement. He tried to persuade anyone who would listen that he was innocent, but on February 17, 1898, he was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. He began serving his prison sentence at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio the following month. It must be noted that William’s predecessor in the job had a nervous breakdown and his successor tried to commit suicide. The First National Bank of Austin, the loosely-run bank in which William was convicted of embezzling of money, eventually failed.
William was able to turn the misfortune of prison into a fortunate situation. One newspaper reporter claimed “The prison term, to a man of Porter’s sensitive temperament and culture—he was of the best blood of Virginia and North Carolina—was crushing, yet it revived and stimulated his genius.” For the entirety of his prison term, William wrote short stories with a fervor. He knew no one would publish stories sent from a convicted criminal in the penitentiary, so William enlisted the help of a friend. Each time he completed a story, William mailed it to his friend. Upon receiving it, his friend discarded the prison envelope, addressed a new envelope to William’s publisher, and the publisher was none the wiser. To ensure that no one learned that the stories were written by a convict, William chose a pen name that he had used on occasion.
William’s stories became wildly popular. Newspapers proclaimed after his death that his “name and fame…is secure in American literature. He was one American writer who was touched with the fire of genius. After Poe, he was the greatest American master of the short story, and in depicting American life he excelled Poe and was equal to Mark Twain.” William entered prison “a man chastened by misfortune.” He emerged as an American icon, a man “whose genius had been stimulated and inspired.” William Sydney Porter became famous for stories such as “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Ransom of Red Chief,” and “The Caballero’s Way” in which he introduced his most famous character, Cisco Kid. His pen name was … O. Henry.
Sources:
1. Austin American-Statesman, August 1, 1897. P.3.
2. The Chattanooga News, November 3, 1916, p.4.
