None reported

According to a KTBS article,  pet projects from Louisiana lawmakers add up to millions in the annual budget that’s pending action from Gov. John Bel Edwards.

According to a report Friday in Biz Magazine, the pet projects statewide total more than $100 million. Of that, only about $5.3 million is included for northwest Louisiana parishes.  Of the $5.3 million, Bienville Parish would receive $100,000.

The Biz Magazine, citing the Louisiana Illuminator, states the money isn’t spread around the state evenly. Communities slated to receive the most pet project funding are home to lawmakers who have the most control over the budget process. The Louisiana Illuminator singled out the amounts the northwest Louisiana parishes are set to receive if they survive the governor’s review. Further analysis breaks down the amounts, which include:

Bienville – 1 project, $100,000

• Bienville Police Jury – repairs and improvement of parish roads, $100,000

Bossier: 7 projects totaling $975,000

• Bossier Police Jury – and water lines for a sawmill, $300,000
• Town of Plain Dealing – sewer and water supply for a lumber mill, $300,000
• Bossier City – street improvements on Benton Road at Interstate 220, $75,000
• Bossier City – street improvements on Hamilton Road, $75,000
• Bossier Police Jury – South Bossier Park, $75,000
• Town of Benton – street repairs, $75,000
• Town of Plain Dealing – street and bridge repairs and improvements, $75,000

Caddo: 13 projects totaling $2.2 million

• Northwest Louisiana Youth Golf and Education Foundation – improvements at the Jerry Tim Brooks Golf Course, $594,500
• Feeding Louisiana ($2.5 million across 5 parishes), $500,000
• Shreveport-Bossier Commission – 2022 FIVB Volleyball National League Women’s Preliminary Round event, $300,000
• Town of Greenwood – park improvements, $200,000
• American Rose Society – lighting, $100,000
• Town of Blanchard, $100,000
• Town of Vivian, $100,000
• Caddo Sheriff’s Office and Friends of Safety Town – equipment, $50,000
• City of Shreveport – Southern Hills Business Association dog park, $50,000
• Town of Oil City, $50,000
• Village of Ida, $50,000
• Village of Mooringsport, $50,000
• Village of Rodessa, $50,000

Claiborne – 1 project, $300,000

• Claiborne Police Jury – emergency road repairs, $300,000

DeSoto – 9 projects totaling $1.1 million

• DeSoto Police Jury – truck investory scales and upgrades to parish facilities, $400,000
• DeSoto EMS – new ambulance, $300,000
• Town of Logansport – downtown canopies, $125,000
• Town of Stonewall – playground equipment, $75,000
• Logansport Chamber of Commerce – new building, $50,000
• Town of Logansport – downtown renovations, $50,000
• Village of Grand Cane – improvements to historical district $50,000
• Village of Grand Cane – patio improvements, $40,000
• DeSoto Parish Bible Charity School Society – building repairs, $10,000

Natchitoches – 3 projects totaling $400,000

• Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, $250,000
• City of Natchitoches – Big Brothers Big Sisters, $75,000
• Northwest Louisiana Game and Fish Commission ($150,000 across 2 parishes), $75,000

Red River – 1 project totaling $75,000

• Northwest Louisiana Game and Fish Commission ($150,000 across 2 parishes), $75,000

Sabine – 3 projects totaling $525,000

• Town of Many fire station, $300,000
• Sabine Police Jury – recreation site improvements, $200,000
• Zwolle Historical Museum, $25,000

Webster – 1 project totaling $100,000

• City of Minden – improvements to Victory Park, $100,000

BATON ROUGE – Newly released data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that there is an alarming trend of increased traffic fatalities nationwide. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) numbers show the state also had higher fatalities in 2021.

From a recently published press release, NHTSA “projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The projection is the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history.”

In Louisiana, preliminary numbers are projecting 987 fatalities, which is a 19 percent increase from 2020 (828). This is the highest percentage change the state has experienced in one year since crash fatality records have been kept.

“The numbers are alarming,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We saw the numbers increasing in 2021 and tried to remind drivers of the need for safety on our roadways. Many of these fatalities can be prevented by slowing down, putting down the phone, and wearing a seatbelt. The loss of nearly 1,000 people on our roadways is devastating to thousands more who are friends and family members of those who died.”

Early numbers for 2022 show there have been nearly 300 fatalities thus far. In 2021, NHTSA cited speeding and a reduction in seat belt usage as two of the many contributing factors to the increased numbers.

“In December of last year, we addressed fatalities on our roadways at a press conference with our safety partners after there were a reported 15 crashes with 20 fatalities on state highways over the Thanksgiving holiday from Nov. 24 to Nov. 29,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn. D. Wilson, Ph.D, who is also president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “The trend was not good at that time and the numbers continue to grow. Safety is the No. 1 concern. It’s disheartening to see this type of increase in fatalities even when vehicles are adding safety features, and local, state, and federal officials continue their efforts to make roadways safer. We need everyone to take safety seriously and to drive with the knowledge that crashes can occur at any time. Be aware, be safe, and be smart.”

The largest contributing factors to statewide crash fatalities in 2021 were:

• 530 roadway departures
• 390 alcohol-involved
• 338 no restraint
• 245 young-driver (15-24) involved
• 227 distracted or inattentive

Some of these involved multiple factors, such as a young driver in an alcohol-related crash. All of the factors listed above are emphasis areas for the state highway safety plan that DOTD is updating.

With the increase in statewide crash fatalities, DOTD is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution.

“The consequences of poor decisions while driving or riding in a motor vehicle affect not only those involved, but also an unmeasurable number of family members and friends when a devastating crash occurs,” said Colonel Lamar Davis, Louisiana State Police superintendent. “Troopers will continue to work closely with our public safety partners, but the goal of reducing crashes and saving lives can only be accomplished through a partnership with the motoring public. In conjunction with increased enforcement and public safety educational campaigns, we need all drivers and occupants to always remain properly restrained, avoid all distractions behind the wheel, and never drive at unsafe speeds or while impaired. Together we can make a difference and save lives.”

“Louisiana has seen a steady and tragic increase in traffic deaths and injuries since 2020,” said Lisa Freeman, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director. “At the center of this devastating trend are risky behaviors by drivers and other road users. That means that the vast majority of fatal injuries are completely preventable. The difference between good outcomes and fatal outcomes on Louisiana roadways begins and ends with good decisions. The most impactful of those good decisions begins with an “always” mindset: always designate a sober driver, always focus on the task of driving, and always wear a seat belt regardless of seating position or the length of your trip.”

Governor Edwards recently signed ACT 35 into law which requires that a candidate qualifying for public office SHALL provide an email address on the notice of candidacy.

The previous law left email as an optional provision. That is no longer the case effective May 17, 2022.

Clerk of Court Eddie Holmes said, “If you plan to qualify for office this summer, make sure you have an email address that you want part of public record!”

The next regular meeting of the Bienville Parish School Board has been scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Annex Building at the Bienville Parish School Board, 1956 First Street in Arcadia.

The Bienville Parish Journal will Live Stream the meeting.  Visit the Bienville Parish Journal’s Facebook page or…

Act 356-HB 691 of the 2021 regular legislative session created sweeping changes to fishing and hunting licenses and fees. Though current licenses don’t expire until June 30, new license purchases on June 1 will be subject to the new fee structure. You can find a summary of the changes from Act 356 at the following link ‘Understanding Our New License Fee Changes’.

A few of the key recreational hunting and fishing license changes that will take effect on June 1 are below:

• Simplified Fishing Gear Fees:
  • Residential Basic Freshwater Fishing Licenses will include all legal means/gear for catching freshwater species (e.g., hoop nets, seines, slat traps, trammel nets, cast nets with a radius smaller than 8’, 6”, wire nets, pipes, buckets, drums, tires, cans, crawfish traps, crawfish nets)
  • Residential Saltwater Fishing Licenses will include all legal means/gear for catching saltwater species (e.g., crab traps [up to 10], shrimp trawl up 25 feet, oyster tong)
• 365 Day Licenses: Recreational licenses purchased on or after June 1, 2022, will be valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. These licenses will no longer follow the July 1-June 30 year.
• Automatic License Renewal: LDWF is excited to offer an auto-renew option for online license sales. This will allow individuals to store their payment information in the system and elect to have their license(s) renewed automatically every year.
• Youth Hunting License and Tags: As of June 1, youths (ages 17 and younger) who are actively harvesting deer or turkey, participating in a lottery hunt or trapping are required to have a Youth Hunting license (or a lifetime license). Youths who are spectating (not actively hunting) – or who are hunting game animals besides deer or turkey – are not required to have a license.
• Deer Hunting License: The Big Game License will no longer exist under the new, consolidated fee structure. Rather, deer hunters will need to obtain a Deer License (in addition to the Basic Hunting License.) The new “Deer License” will include archery and primitive privileges, as well as tags
• Turkey Hunting License: Previously, a hunter needed to obtain all of the following licenses in order to hunt wild turkey: Basic Hunting, Big Game, and a Louisiana Wild Turkey License. Under the new, consolidated fee structure, the Big Game license will no longer exist. Turkey hunters will only be required to obtain a Basic Hunting License and a Turkey License (includes tags).
• WMA Access Permit: As of June 1, you will need a permit to visit an LDWF Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for any reason – boating, hiking, bird watching, berry picking, fishing or hunting. The fee for a WMA access permit, which grants access to the 1.5-million acres of land managed by LDWF, is $20/annual (resident/nonresident) or a $5/day (resident/nonresident). All funds generated from the permit fees will be dedicated to managing the WMAs. Youths 17 and under are not required to have a WMA access permit. The Sportsman Paradise license and Lifetime licenses include the WMA access permit.
• WMA Camping Permit: As of June 1, staying overnight on a designated WMA campground will require a camping permit (in addition to the access permit). The camping permit is $7/night for up to five adults who are camping together and must be displayed at the party’s campsite. All funds generated from the permit fees will be dedicated to managing the WMAs. Youths 17 and under are not required to have a camping permit. A campsite is defined as any tent, RV, camper, vehicle or site occupied within a campground or vessel/houseboat moored adjacent to a campground.
• Disabled Veterans License: As of June 1, a Disabled Veterans combo license fee will be $4. However, this fee will be covered by donations made to the program through the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.

1495 – A monk, John Cor, recorded the first known batch of Scotch whisky.

1533 – Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England.

1773 – Wolraad Woltemade rescued 14 sailors at the Cape of Good Hope from the sinking ship De Jonge Thomas by riding his horse into the sea seven times. Both he and his horse, Vonk, drowned on his eighth attempt.

1779 – The court-martial for malfeasance of Benedict Arnold, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, began.

1792 – Kentucky was admitted as the 15th state of the United States.

1796 – Tennessee was admitted as the 16th state of the United States.

1812 – War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asked the Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom.

1831 – James Clark Ross became the first European at the North Magnetic Pole.

1849 – Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey declared the Territory of Minnesota officially established.

1868 – The Treaty of Bosque Redondo was signed which allowed the Navajo to return to their lands in Arizona and New Mexico.

1869 – Thomas Edison was granted his first patent for the Electric Vote Recorder (U.S. Patent 90,646).

1880 – The first pay telephone service in the United States was installed in New Haven, Connecticut.

1890 – The United States Census Bureau began using Herman Hollerith’s tabulating machine to count census returns.

1916 – Louis Brandeis became the first Jew appointed to the United States Supreme Court.

1918 – World War I: Western Front: Battle of Belleau Wood: Allied Forces under John J. Pershing and James Harbord engaged Imperial German Forces under Wilhelm, German Crown Prince.

1918 – Canadian ace Billy Bishop downed six aircraft over a three-day span, including German ace Paul Bilik, and reclaimed his top scoring title from James McCudden.

1935 – Compulsory driving tests and license plates were introduced in the United Kingdom.

1943 – BOAC Flight 777 was shot down over the Bay of Biscay by German Junkers Ju 88s, killing British actor Leslie Howard and leading to speculation that it was actually an attempt to kill British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

1950 – The Chinchaga fire ignited. By September, it had become the largest single fire on record in North America.

1964 – The Rolling Stones arrived in New York’s Kennedy International Airport for their first US tour and were greeted by about 500 fans.

1967 – EMI released The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” nationwide in the UK.  It held the number one position for 22 weeks.

1968 – Simon & Garfunkel’s single “Mrs Robinson” from “The Graduate” hit #1 (first rock song to win Grammy for Record of the Year).

1970 – “Everything Is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens hit #1.

1973 – George Harrison’s “Living in the Material World” album went gold just two days after its US release.

1973 – Paul McCartney & Wings released the single “Live & Let Die.”

1974 – Ted Bundy victim Brenda Ball disappeared from Burien, Washington.

1974 – The Heimlich maneuver for rescuing choking victims was published in the journal “Emergency Medicine.”

1975 – Ronnie Wood replaced Mick Taylor as Rolling Stones guitarist.

1980 – Cable News Network (CNN) began broadcasting.

1985 – “Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody” by David Lee Roth hit #12.

1985 – Weird Al Yankovic released his “Dare To Be Stupid” LP.

1990 – Cold War: George H. W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev signed a treaty to end chemical weapon production.

1996 – Woody Harrelson was arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, after he symbolically planted four hemp seeds to challenge the state law which did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana.

1999 – American Airlines Flight 1420 slid and crashed while landing at Little Rock National Airport, killing 11 people on a flight from Dallas to Little Rock.

2004 – Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols was sentenced to 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of a parole, breaking a Guinness World Record.

2008 – A fire on the back lot of Universal Studios broke out.  It destroyed the attraction King Kong Encounter and a large archive of master tapes for music and film, the full extent of which was not revealed until 2019.

2009 – General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It was the fourth largest United States bankruptcy in history.

2011 – A rare tornado outbreak occurred in New England; a strong EF3 tornado struck Springfield, Massachusetts, during the event, killing four people.

2011 – Space Shuttle Endeavour made its final landing after 25 flights.

On Saturday morning, May 28, Saline marathon runner Don Brown participated in Monroe’s 10th Annual Run for the Red, White & Blue 5K.  The marathon is held each Memorial Day weekend to support the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum.  The course was flat, fast, and well surfaced. The race began and ended at the Museum and participants passed through the Flags of Freedom for the last quarter mile.

Mr. Brown completed the 5k race in 26.45 and won first place in the legends class.  Mr. Brown is 74 years old.

After winning first place at the Monroe race, Mr. Brown drove to Waco, Texas.  The following morning, Mr. Brown participated in the  Badass Texas Half-Marathon.  The Badass Texas race started and ended at Heritage Square Downtown and ran along the Brazos River, through Cameron Park, East Brazos Park, and Washington Bridge.  Unlike the Monroe race, which was flat, runners at the Badass Texas marathon had to overcome the hilly Waco terrain.

Mr. Brown completed the 13.1-mile race with a time of 2:27:02 and won first place in his age group.

Congratulations, Mr. Brown, on two wins in a single weekend!

The International Space Station will be visible to the naked eye tonight, weather permitting.  The station orbits the Earth at a height of 254 miles and travels at a mind-blowing 17,500 miles per hour, or 4.76 miles per second. 

• Tonight, it will become visible at 9:49 PM in the northwestern sky and will travel to the southeast.  It will be visible for about 4 minutes.  It will move at a maximum height of about 88° above the horizon.

The space station will look like a bright star, like the North Star, and will be moving quickly across the evening sky. 

The space station passes overhead many times a day but lighting conditions usually make it difficult or impossible to see.  All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the space station and contrasts against the darker sky.

The Bienville Parish Police Jury will have a public hearing on June 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss reapportioning the Police Jury districts.  The hearing will be held int he Police Jury meeting room in the Bienville Parish Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Drive, Suite 2100, Arcadia, Louisiana.  The proposed plan maps are available to the public for inspection at the Police Jury office, 100 Courthouse Drive, Suite 2100, Arcadia, Louisiana during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bienville Parish Police Jury
Rodney L. Warren
Secretary/Treasurer

May 22

• Christopher Casey – Phoenix, Arizona
  • Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic
  • Driver Must Be Licensed
• Joshua Williams – Ruston
  • Failure to Appear – Execution of Sentence
• Derrithe Ferguson – Ruston
  • Procedure on Approach of an Authorized Emergency Vehicle
  • Licensee Must Give Notice of Change of Address
  • Failure to Display License Plate
  • View Outward or Inward Through Windshield or Windows; Obscuring Prohibited
  • Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles
  • Obstructing Public Passages – Misdemeanor
  • Operating a Vehicle While Under Suspension for Certain Prior Offense – Misdemeanor
  • Unlawful Refusal to Submit to Chemical Tests – Misdemeanor
  • D.W.I. – 3rd Offense (BAC .08 to .15) – Felony

May 23

• James Cotton – Shreveport
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses
• Jeffery Canterbury – Castor
  • Illegal Possession of Stolen Things – Felony
  • Fugitive
• Bryant Gray – Lucky
  • Distribution of Methamphetamine – Felony
  • Illegal Use of Controlled Drug in Presence of Persons Under 17 Years Old – Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute – 2 Counts
  • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor
  • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Schedule I with Intent to Distribute
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses
  • Excessive Noise of Amplified Sound from Vehicles or Other Sources

May 24

• Corey Buggs – Arcadia
  • Domestic Abuse Battery Involving Strangulation – Felony
  • Home Invasion – Felony (Person)
• Keric Jackson – Bienville
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Distribution of Marijuana
• Jamieon Cooper – Rinngold
  • Domestic Abuse Battery of a Pregnant Victim with Child Endangerment – Felony

May 25

• Robert Ward – Birmingham, Alabama
  • Maximum Speed Limit
  • Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles
  • D.W.I. – 1st Offense (BAC .08 to .15) – Misdemeanor
• Andrecus Love – Ringgold
  • Possession of Firearm/Carry Concealed Weapon by Convicted Felon – Felony
  • Possession of Schedule I less Than 28 Grams
  • Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia/Unmarried Persons Under Seventeen Years of Age – 1st Offense – Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Methamphetamine Less Than 28 Grams – Felony
  • Violation of Probation/Parole
  • Fugitive
  • Aggravated Second Degree Battery – Felony
  • Possession of Firearm/Carry Concealed Weapon by Convicted Felon – Felony
  • Resisting an Officer – Misdemeanor
  • Home Invasion – Felony (Person)
  • Simple Criminal Damage to Property – Misdemeanor
• Wade Bryan – Ringgold
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued

May 26

• Antonio Burks – Ringgold
  • Possession of Firearm/Carry Concealed Weapon by Convicted Felon – Felony
  • Flight from an Officer – Misdemeanor
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Aggravated Battery with Dangerous Weapon – Felony
  • Attempted Armed Robbery with Use of a Firearm – Felony
• Benjamin Davis – Philadelphia, Mississippi
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses
• Joseph Smith – no town provided, Texas
• • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; Other Offenses

May 27

• Kevin Brunston – Simsboro
  • Possession of Methamphetamine Less Than 28 Grams – Felony

May 28

• Calvin Baxter, Jr. – Gibsland
  • Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Felony
  • Computer Fraud – Felony
• Roy Patterson – Bernice
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Distribution of Marijuana
  • Distribution of Methamphetamine – Felony
  • Illegal Use of Controlled Drug in Presence of Persons Under 17 Years Old – Misdemeanor – 5 Counts

Students who aren’t sure where they’ll go to college this fall have until midnight, June 8 to apply for the Journal Services NSU Scholarships, which will award three new Northwestern State University students up to $3,000 in the next school year.

A link to a simple online application form is available here:

APPLICATION:  To Apply – Click Here

The scholarships are designed to assist Class of 2022 high school students who haven’t settled on a college choice, as well as students currently enrolled at other higher-education institutions who are considering transferring to NSU in Natchitoches.

They are being provided by Journal Services, LLC, based in Natchitoches, which supports 12 locally-owned journals covering north central and northwest Louisiana.

“We know there are students who haven’t decided yet where they’ll go to college this fall. We know that in many cases, money is a key factor in making college accessible,” said Bill Vance, general manager of Journal Services, LLC. “We are providing three game-changing scholarships bringing eager students to NSU to take advantage of the excellent academic programs here, and to live in a community where there are plenty of opportunities to find part-time jobs and to have a great student experience.”

Applicants are asked to provide their high school GPA (and college GPA if applicable), and also, report their ACT score along with listing honors, extracurricular activities and other relevant information on the form. That information will provide a basis for selecting the three winners. 

The scholarship awards are for $1,500 cash per semester in the 2022-23 academic year. To renew the scholarship for the Spring 2023 semester, winners must post at least a 2.7 Fall semester GPA at NSU.

Scholarship winners must live in Natchitoches Parish during the upcoming school year. They are also required to have in-person, face-to-face instruction for 75 percent of their classes in 2022-23.

Students who have already accepted financial aid awards from Northwestern are not eligible to apply.

Erik Weihenmayer liked to test his limits. He was an angry, rebellious kid who eventually turned his fury into competitiveness and personal achievement. He joined his high school’s wrestling team and, to everyone’s amazement including his own, he became a champion. He became a skydiver, skier, long-distance biker, marathon runner, kayaker, and scuba diver. There seemed to be no limit to what Erik could accomplish.

In 1987, Erik enrolled at Boston College. Four years later, he graduated with a 3.1 grade point average and a degree in English. Unable to land a job, Erik returned to college and earned a masters degree in education. He finally got hired as a grade school teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. It was while he was in Arizona that Erik became interested in mountain climbing. In 1995, he joined a team of climbers who were determined to climb Alaska’s 20,310-foot Denali Mountain, also known as Mount McKinley. After months of preparations, arduous training, and a difficult climb, Erik and his team summited Denali. He and his team spent a total of 21 days on the mountain. During that time, three climbers on other teams died while climbing the same mountain.

In the five years that followed, Erik had summited the highest peaks of five of the seven continents, and had climbed the vertical 3,000-foot face of Yosemite’s El Capitan. In the previous fifty years, 170 climbers had lost their lives trying to climb the mountains that Erik had bested. In 2000, Erik set his sights on conquering Earth’s highest mountain, the 29,031-foot Mount Everest. Family and friends tried to persuade Erik not to attempt Mount Everest because of the high number of climbers who had died trying to conquer the mountain. Erik could not be dissuaded.

Finally, after months of training, Erik and his team began their ascent of the world’s highest peak. Climbing Mount Everest took its toll on Erik’s body. He suffered from bouts of dehydration and dysentery, but Erik continued to climb. His confidence grew with each step he took toward the towering peak. At one point, Erik’s climbing partner stumbled and fell into a crevasse. While falling, his partner’s ice ax accidentally cut Erik’s face. After helping his partner regain his footing, the team treated Erik’s cut with the first aid kit they had brought along. They continued to climb.

On May 25, 2001, Erik and his eighteen team members reached the summit of Mount Everest. Erik and his team earned several records upon reaching the summit. Erik’s team was the largest single group of people who had ever reached its peak. 64-year-old team member Sherman Bull, a Connecticut physician, became the oldest person to reach the summit. The team reached the peak with the heaviest piece of equipment climbers had ever lugged up the mountain, a 25-pound high-definition camera used to document the climb.

Erik and his team had little time to celebrate. They spent a mere fifteen minutes at the peak before they began the dangerous task of descending the mountain. When Erik completed his descent from the mountain he said, “I feel great,” and added “my next challenge will be to climb into bed.”

Erik was not the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He was not the first person to complete the Seven Summits—at the time about 150 people had done it before. He was not the first to reach the top of the Carstensz Pyramid, the Eighth Summit. He was not the first to climb up the 3,000-foot Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, nor was he the first person to ascend Losar, the 2,700-foot vertical ice face in the Himalayas. Although he was not the first to reach these peaks, Erik became something of a superstar among climbers. He even appeared on the June 18, 2001 cover of Time magazine following his reaching the summit of Mount Everest, though he never got to see it. In fact, he never got to take in the view from atop the world at Mount Everest. Erik Weihenmayer is blind.

Sources:
1. Daily Press (Victorville, California), June 7, 2001, p.6.
2. Time Magazine, June 18, 2001.
3. The Boston Globe, June 27, 2001, p.81.

• Dawn Adele Atkins Hines
  April 29, 1974 – May 29, 2022
  Funeral services will be held Friday, June 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Arcadia, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Thursday, June 2, 2022, from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia, Louisiana.