by Brad Dison

Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions each year, which is the most popular of all New Year’s traditions.  Whether we keep them or not is a whole other matter entirely.  We kiss our partners at the stroke of midnight and sing “Auld Lang Syne.”  Many of us have grown up watching the ball drop in Time Square.  Die hard Louisianans watch the fleur de lis drop in New Orleans.  (At one time, rather than a fleur de lis, Louisianans dropped a big gumbo pot.)  We yell “Happy New Year” and be as noisy as we can be.  In the cell phone era, we send out as many text messages as we can to wish everyone a “Happy New Year.”  We do the obligatory Happy New Year post on whichever social media platform we prefer. 

Other traditions have fallen to the wayside. Have you ever heard of a New Year’s Tree?  This tradition was popular as recent as a couple of decades ago.  Rather than removing the beloved Christmas tree as soon as Christmas was over, people added decorations or redecorated the Christmas tree to make it a New Year’s Tree.  They attached notes with wishes for the New Year or with New Year’s Resolutions.  The New Year’s Tree became popular in communist Soviet Russia where Christmas celebrations and Christmas trees were banned. 

Here are some other New Year’s Traditions that you may not have been aware of:

• In the Philippines, people celebrate the New Year by wearing polka dots for good luck.
• In Brazil, people wear white for prosperity and good luck.  They also head to the beach to jump seven waves.  They get one wish per wave jumped.
• In Russia, since Christmas festivities were banned, New Year’s became their gift-giving holiday.  Rather than Santa Claus, presents are delivered by Ded Moroz, or Father Frost, aided by his granddaughter, Snegourochka.
• In Denmark, where broken dishes are seen as a good thing on New Year’s eve, people break dishes on the doorsteps of friends and family.  The more shards of glass, the better luck you will have.  They also stand on a chair and “Jump” into January at the stroke of midnight.
• Like Denmark, some citizens in Turkey smash pomegranates on their doorsteps for good luck.
• In Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes at midnight, one at each chime of a clock at midnight. 
• In Greece, people hang bundles of onions, a symbol of good luck and prosperity, on their doors as an invitation to prosperity.  They also cook a coin inside a vasilopita, cake, or sweet bread.  The person who finds the coin is said to have good luck in the coming year.  (Some Scandinavian countries cook a coin inside a rice pudding.)
• In Germany and Austria, people buy good luck charms such as pigs, mushrooms, clovers and chimney sweeps.  Some people buy edible good luck charms made from marzipan. 
• In Ireland, celebrations include banging on the walls of their homes with “Christmas bread” to chase away bad spirits and to welcome in the New Year with a clean slate.
• In Columbia, people grab empty suitcases in hand and run as fast as they can around the block or for a specified distance so the upcoming year will be filled with travel.
• In Singapore, revelers send illuminated spheres, which contain their hopes and dreams, down the Singapore River.
• In Puerto Rico, some throw a bucket of water out of a window as to wash away evil spirits.  They place sugar on their doorstep to welcome good spirits.

What are you your New Year’s Traditions?

Happy New Year from the Bienville Parish Journal!!!

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Bienville Parish and surrounding parishes are under a Flood Warning until noon today, according to the National Weather Service due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.  Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.  Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, including the following counties and parishes, in Arkansas, Columbia, Lafayette
and Union. In Louisiana, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Union, Webster and Winn. In Texas, Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby.

Remember, Turn Around, Don’t Drown!!!

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Sheriff John Ballance said yesterday, “Due to state holidays, the deadline for paying property taxes has been extended to January 15, 2023. Also, the Ringgold Sheriff’s Office Substation was closed today due to illnesses in the department. The same extension applies to those individuals who could not pay their taxes today in Ringgold!”

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The final fireworks sales season of the year kicked off this week, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them.

More than 500 retail fireworks permits have been issued for this end-of-the-year season, as it is state law for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be appropriately licensed by the SFM, in the parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. The sales season extends through 11:59 p.m. on January 1.

The SFM encourages, first and foremost, that families choose to enjoy public fireworks displays over creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks is your preference, we advise families to be mindful of whether the stand they are purchasing from has been permitted by this office. You can request to see permitting information from any retail fireworks business you patron. The SFM encourages reporting any suspicious or illegal sales of fireworks to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting our website, lasfm.org.

In addition, we want everyone to enjoy fireworks in the safest way possible. Some of the top ways to do that are:

• Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish
• Never allowing children to light fireworks
• Never operating fireworks while impaired
• Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose nearby
• Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent reignition and not disposing of them in a trash container immediately

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued guidance to prepare for an upcoming change in the law regarding the presence of carbon monoxide alarms in homes across Louisiana.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, the State Fire Marshal’s Office collaborated with State Representative Stephanie Hilferty (R-Metairie) to develop and pass Act 458 which revised Louisiana law on carbon monoxide detectors. Simply put, any house sold or leased after January 1, 2023, must have at least one installed carbon monoxide alarm.

In addition, the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Council adopted an amendment to the state’s residential building code requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed at the same time a standby generator is installed.

“These changes are the direct result of the tragic aftermath of the 2020 and 2021 hurricane disasters across our state that saw more than a dozen carbon monoxide-related deaths and dozens more hospitalizations, all attributed to both portable and standby generator use,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis. “We’re grateful to the housing and real estate industry for being proactive ahead of the law change to ensure everyone is appropriately educated on this effort to save lives well before the law goes into effect.”

The changes go into effect on January 1, 2023.

The Fire Marshal’s Office stresses the need for having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in a home regardless of any law requirements. 

If a resident needs assistance obtaining a smoke alarm, the Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life can help. Visit lasfm.org for more information on the program.

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On Wednesday, the Bulldogs played Huntington in the Airline Tournament and lost, 46-70.

On Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs played C.E. Byrd in the tournament and won, 59-53.

Please see the schedules below.

Gibsland-Coleman Boys Basketball Schedule

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/1/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Away	Win	59-37
11/4/2022 5:15 PM	Summerfield (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	70-47
11/5/2022 4:15 PM	Choudrant (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	64-49
11/7/2022 6:00 PM	Atlanta	Away	Win	69-19
11/11/2022 7:00 PM	Simsboro (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	61-31
11/12/2022 5:00:00 PM	Atlanta (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	81-26
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Union Parish	Away	Win	81-38
11/16/2022 7:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home	P	P
11/18/2022 7:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	P	P
11/22/2022 6:00 PM	Minden	Home	Win	56-51
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Parkway	Away	P	P
12/2/2022 7:30 PM	Castor (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	75-44
12/3/2022 7:30 PM	Arcadia (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	74-57
12/9/2022 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Home	Win	66-41
12/10/2022 5:45 PM	Rayville (Southwood Tournament)	Away	Loss	60-69
12/12/2022 7:00 PM	Ringgold	Home	Win	80-54
12/14/2022 8:00 PM	Northwood – Shrev. (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	49-48
12/15/2022 6:40 PM	Calvary Baptist (Minden Tournament)	Away	Loss	71-75
12/19/2022 7:00 PM	Ruston	Away	Loss	31-66
12/21/2022 5:20 PM	Parkway	Away	Loss	64-79
12/23/2022 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Away	Loss	65-70
12/28/2022 1:30 PM	Huntington (Airline Tournament)	Away	Loss	46-70
12/29/2022 12:00 PM	Northwood – Shrev. (Airline Tournament)	Away	Win	58-38
12/29/2022 6:00 PM	Loyola Prep (Airline Tournament)	Away	Loss	50-55
1/6/2023 7:00 PM	Choudrant	Home
1/12/2023 7:00 PM	Huntington	Away
1/17/2023 7:00 PM	Simsboro	Away
1/20/2023 5:00 PM	Kilbourne	Away
1/24/2023 7:00 PM	Summerfield	Home
1/27/2023 7:00 PM	Family Community	Home
2/2/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/7/2023 6:30 PM	Claiborne Christian	Home

Gibsland-Coleman Girls Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/1/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Away	Win	55-16
11/4/2022 4:00 PM	Summerfield  (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	53-38
11/5/2022 3:00 PM	Choudrant (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	57-6
11/7/2022 5:00 PM	Atlanta	Away	Win	58-8
11/11/2022 6:00 PM	Simsboro (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	54-40
11/12/2022 4:00 PM	Atlanta (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	69-5
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Union Parish	Away	Loss	46-48
11/16/2022 6:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home	P	P
11/18/2022 6:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	P	P
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Parkway	Away	P	P
12/1/2022 7:30 PM	Castor (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	67-48
12/3/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	57-48
12/9/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia	Home	Win	57-33
12/10/2022 6:00 PM	Huntington (Southwood Tournament)	Away	Loss	39-70
12/12/2022 6:00 PM	Ringgold	Home	Win	71-16
12/14/2022 4:00 PM	Loyola Prep (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	49-9
12/16/2022 4:00 PM	Mansfield (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	56-36
12/17/2022 6:40 PM	Minden (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	60-35
12/19/2022 5:00 PM	Ruston	Away	Win	43-40
12/21/2022 4:00 PM	Parkway	Away	Loss	26-63
12/23/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia	Away	Win	48-46
12/28/2022 12:00 PM	C.E. Byrd (Airline Tournament)	Away	Win	59-53
1/4/2023 6:00 PM	Parkway	Home
1/6/2023 6:00 PM	Choudrant	Home
1/12/2023 6:00 PM	Huntington	Home
1/17/2023 6:00 PM	Simsboro	Away
1/20/2023 5:00 PM	Kilbourne	Away
1/24/2023 6:00 PM	Summerfield	Home
1/27/2023 5:30 PM	Family Community	Home
1/28/2023 6:00 PM	Rosepine	Away
2/2/2023 6:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/7/2023 5:30 PM	Claiborne Christian	Home

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1702 – Queen Anne’s War: James Moore, Governor of the Province of Carolina, abandoned the Siege of St. Augustine.

1813 – War of 1812: British soldiers burned Buffalo, New York.

1816 – The Treaty of St. Louis between the United States and the united Ottawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes was proclaimed.

1825 – The Treaty of St. Louis between the United States and the Shawnee Nation was proclaimed.

1853 – Gadsden Purchase: The United States bought land from Mexico to facilitate railroad building in the Southwest.

1890 – Following the Wounded Knee Massacre, the United States Army and Lakota warriors faced off in the Drexel Mission Fight.

1903 – A fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, Illinois killed at least 605.

1905 – Former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg was assassinated at the front gate of his home in Caldwell.

1916 – Russian mystic and advisor to the Tsar Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin was murdered by a loyalist group led by Prince Felix Yusupov. His frozen, partially-trussed body was discovered in a Petrograd river three days later.

1922 – The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed.

1936 – The Flint sit-down strike hit General Motors.

1962 – In Nashville, TN, Brenda Lee’s home was destroyed by fire.

1979 – Emerson, Lake & Palmer announced their break-up.

1999 – George Harrison and his wife were attacked in their home during a robbery. Though, Harrison was stabbed in the chest four times, he and his wife were able to subdue the assailant until police arrived.

2002 – In Tucson, AZ, Diana Ross was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

2005 – Tropical Storm Zeta formed in the open Atlantic Ocean and tied the record for the latest tropical cyclone ever to form in the North Atlantic basin.

2006 – Former President of Iraq Saddam Hussein was executed.

2009 – A suicide bomber killed nine people at Forward Operating Base Chapman, a key facility of the Central Intelligence Agency in Afghanistan.

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Today, I’m venturing away from my fishing stories by wrapping up 2022 and taking a hard look at where we are as a country. In so many ways 2022 was a great year, as we finally returned to a sense of normalcy. It seems like years ago that we were under mask mandates and trying to figure out the facts and fiction of Covid-19. It truly rocked our world like nothing ever has in my lifetime of 61 years. We’re still trying to make sense of what this disease brings with it and the lasting effects it could have for generations.

But for now, I am going in a different direction as I reveal my observations on where we are as a nation. First, politics has come to the forefront now that Trump is no longer in office but has declared he’s running for office again in 2024 as we’re halfway through the Biden years. Never can I remember in my years of living in this great country the political and moral division that exists today. America has truly lost her mind! Can I say that America is considered she or am I being sexist?

The 1960s might be the closest era we’ve seen that is similar to now. For one thing, we have allowed the minority groups and I don’t mean minority as in the African Americans, Mexican Americans or Italians, or any other demographic group that makes up this great nation. I’m talking about the one or two people in a crowd that don’t want the prayer or national anthem recited at a public event. Those that don’t want their kids exposed to Jesus in any shape or form.

So, who’s responsible for our nation turning its back on Jesus? EVERYONE!!! No one political party can excuse themselves from the plain and simple fact that we are a nation divided. Republicans and Democrats and their leadership from within are all guilty of fueling the flames of this division. I guess you could also say, we the people are to blame as well since we are the ones who voted these people into office. Yes, Trump had a hand as well with all of his idiotic Tweets and trying to communicate with Americans through social media…something no other President has ever done. While a lot of his policies were for the good of America, his mouth was nothing but pure venom and created a “pick a side” mentality.

As a church-going member of the First United Methodist Church, I’ve seen a decline in the number of people attending church. Recently I counted 24 empty pews out of 40 during a church service. More than half of the churches or churches all across this country are empty. People have walked away from the church but more devastating, they’ve walked away from God. Our schools and state officials have also taken God out of the equation with no one willing to challenge the powers that be to bring this one saving grace back.

The family dynamic has all but disappeared from the American landscape which used to be our foundation for what was right with this country. Divorce attorneys are in high demand and single-parent dwellings are on the rise. People no longer see the importance of family structure and the stability it brings to the younger generation. One common quote I hear so often amongst couples is, “I’m not happy.” I’m sorry, but I don’t recall seeing anywhere in my Christian upbringing where the good Lord promises happiness. But he has given us the tools and the playbook (Bible) to follow and work things out and to do what’s always in the best interest of the family and the children.

Kids need a mom and a dad under the same roof. This is critical for their total development as a boy or a girl. We have kids today who are so confused about who and what they are. Really?!!! This is a total lack of parenting and not being exposed to the Word of God. Do you remember the slogan a few years ago for educating our children? “No child left behind.” Well, we have left the children behind, and they will turn in whatever direction they can to get the answers they’re looking for. The problem is they’re turning to the wrong people and looking in the wrong places.

People have become so consumed with their own selfish needs that they have forgotten what’s really important. Couples’ ability to communicate effectively and fight hard to save their marriage no longer exists. It’s easier to give up and just get a divorce.

Meanwhile, our churches are empty, and we have turned our back on God, and we wonder why we are in the shape we’re in. If this one concept of getting back in the church does not return to the American landscape, we are doomed to fall not only from God’s grace but as a nation as well. We must start to rebuild our church base and bring back the family dynamics that are missing today. We must elect officials who have the same moral compass as the church. Know what and who the people you’re voting for are and what they represent. If we as Christians don’t rise up and redirect our nation, we will be at a point of no return and I’m not so sure we’re not already there.

For those of you that have made a point to acknowledge my articles this year, I say, “Thank you!” It always makes my day to know that what I’m writing has touched someone in a good way. I’m always very appreciative of the kind words you’ve sent my way in person, by text, or by email. I hope each of you has a healthy and prosperous 2023! See you on the other side! Until then, good luck, good fishing, and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Steve Graf
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down
Show & Tackle Talk Live

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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:

“NL TDE’WZ DLLZWZI O KZOS DR O WDQFZS KXNC, IDR’S OKF YXOS KZOS! HEKS BZS DR.” ~ KXZWTV KORIMZWB

Previous Cryptoquote solution:  “Bienville Parish Journal wishes each of you a very Merry Christmas.” ~ Brad Dison

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On Tuesday, the Redskins played Red River and lost, 55-59.
On Wednesday, the Redskins played Captain Shreve in the Airline Tournament and lost, 16-52.

On Wednesday, the Ladyskins played River Oaks and lost, 15-61.

Ringgold Boys Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/15/2022 7:00 PM	River Oaks	Home	Win	90-30
11/16/2022 6:30 PM	North Webster (Lakeside Tournamentaa)	Away	Win	80-15
11/18/2022 6:30 PM	Lakeside (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Win	66-48
11/19/2022 4:30 PM	Minden (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Win	66-54
11/22/2022 11:30 AM	Magnolia School of Excellence (Woodlawn – Shreveport Tournament)	Away	Win	76-66
11/23/2022 2:00 PM	Green Oaks (Woodlawn – Shreveport Tournament)	Home	Loss	38-50
11/28/2022 7:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	Loss	24-51
11/29/2022 7:00 PM	River Oaks	Away	P	P
12/1/2022 6:15 PM	Arcadia	Away	Loss	65-66
12/5/2022 7:00 PM	Lakeside	Home	Win	56-30
12/8/2022 7:00 PM	Calvary Baptist	Away	Loss	53-62
12/12/2022 7:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Away	Loss	54-80
12/13/2022 7:00 PM	Saline	Away	P	P
12/14/2022 8:00 PM	North Caddo (Minden Tournament)	Home	Loss	58-62
12/15/2022 5:20 PM	Homer (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	81-59
12/16/2022 8:00 PM	Lakeside (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	71-49
12/17/2022 5:20 PM	Haughton (Minden Tournament)	Away
12/19/2022 7:00 PM	North Webster	Away	Win	63-15
12/21/2022 7:00 PM	River Oaks	Away	Win	74-40
12/27/2022 7:00 PM	Red River	Home	Loss	55-59
12/28/2022 4:30 PM	Captain Shreve (Airline Tournament)	Away	Loss	16-52
12/28/2022 4:30 PM	Mansfield (Airline Tournament)	Away	Cancelled	Cancelled
1/6/2023 7:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Away
1/9/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Home
1/10/2023 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Away
1/13/2023 7:00 PM	Glenbrook	Home
1/20/2023 7:00 PM	Haynesville	Home
1/23/2023 7:00 PM	Magnolia School of Excellence	Away
1/24/2023 7:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Home
1/27/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Away
1/31/2023 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Home
2/3/2023 7:00 PM	Glenbrook	Away
2/7/2023 7:00 PM	Haynesville	Away
2/10/2023 7:00 PM	Magnolia School of Excellence	Home
2/14/2023 6:00 PM	Jonesboro-Hodge	Home

Ringgold Girls Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/15/2022 6:00:00 PM	River Oaks	Home	Loss	36-50
11/16/2022 5:00 PM	Lakeside (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Win	54-34
11/18/2022 5:00 PM	Minden (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Loss	19-55
11/28/2022 6:00:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	Win	42-16
11/29/2022 6:00:00 PM	River Oaks	Away	P	P
12/1/2022 5:00 PM	Arcadia	Away	Loss	3-50
12/5/2022 6:00:00 PM	Lakeside	Home	Win	51-42
12/8/2022 6:00:00 PM	Calvary Baptist	Away	Loss	18-44
12/12/2022 6:00:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Away	Loss	16-71
12/13/2022 6:00:00 PM	Saline	Away
12/14/2022 6:40 PM	Minden (Minden Tournament)	Away	Loss	25-59
12/16/2022 6:40 PM	Simsboro (Minden Tournament)	Away	Loss	29-59
12/19/2022 6:00:00 PM	North Webster	Home	Loss	37-48
12/21/2022 7:00 PM	River Oaks	Away	Loss	15-61
12/23/2022 6:00:00 PM	Red River	Home
1/6/2023 6:00:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Away
1/9/2023 6:00:00 PM	Homer	Home
1/10/2023 6:00:00 PM	Arcadia	Away
1/13/2023 6:00:00 PM	Glenbrook	Home
1/20/2023	Haynesville	Home
1/24/2023 6:00:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Home
1/27/2023 6:00:00 PM	Homer	Away
1/31/2023 6:00:00 PM	Arcadia	Home
2/3/2023 6:00:00 PM	Glenbrook	Away
2/7/2023 6:00:00 PM	Haynesville	Away

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None Reported

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The freezing temperatures which, over the last several days, have wreaked havoc with our water pipes are gone for the foreseeable future.  Temperatures in the next several days will be slightly warmer than normal for this time of year.  Average lows for December and January are 37°.  Highs for the same period are usually 57°.

The lowest temperatures recorded in north Louisiana happened in February of 1899.  On February 12, 1899, Shreveport recorded a low temperature of -5°.  On the following day, Minden reported a low temperature of -16°, which is the lowest temperature on record for all of Louisiana.

Here is a look at our forecast according to Weather.com.

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Aeriel Jenkins was recently named Gibsland Coleman High School Student of the Year -Junior Division and then became Bienville Parish Student of the Year in the Junior Division.

Congratulations, Ms. Jenkins!!!

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On Thursday, the Hornets played Simsboro and won, 77-57.
On Friday, the Hornets played Gibsland-Coleman and won, 70-65.

On Friday, the Lady Hornets played Gibsland-Coleman and lost, 46-48
.

Arcadia Boys Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Summerfield	Away	Win	55-51
11/17/2022 6:30 PM	Minden (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Loss	43-61
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Home	Cancelled	Cancelled
12/1/2022 6:15 PM	Ringgold (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Home	Win	66-65
12/2/2022 6:15 PM	Saline (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	48-42
12/3/2022 7:30 PM	Gibsland-Coleman (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Loss	57-74
12/5/2022 7:00 PM	Simsboro	Away	Loss	51-59
12/9/2022 7:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Away	Loss	41-66
12/12/2022 7:00 PM	Ruston	Home	Loss	48-70
12/16/2022 4:00 PM	Neville (Ruston Tournament)	Away	Loss	49-53
12/17/2022 2:00 PM	Southwood (Ruston Tournament)	Away	Win	62-57
12/20/2022 7:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home	Loss	62-64
12/22/2022 7:00 PM	Simsboro	Home	Win	77-57
12/23/2022 7:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Home	Win	70-65
12/30/2022 7:00 PM	Jonesboro-Hodge	Home
1/3/2023 7:00 PM	Green Oaks	Home
1/6/2023 7:00 PM	Lakeside	Away
1/9/2023 7:00 PM	Glenbrook	Home
1/10/2023 7:00 PM	Ringgold	Home
1/13/2023 7:00 PM	Haynesville	Away
1/17/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Home
1/20/2023 7:00 PM	Magnolia School of Excellence	Away
1/23/2023 7:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Away
1/27/2023 7:00 PM	Glenbrook	Away
1/28/2023 7:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Away
1/31/2023 7:00 PM	Ringgold	Away
2/3/2023 7:00 PM	Haynesville	Home
2/6/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/7/2023 7:00 PM	Magnolia School of Excellence	Home
2/10/2023 7:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Home
2/17/2023 7:00 PM	Jonesboro-Hodge	Away

Arcadia Girls Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Summerfield	Away	Win	49-35
11/15/2022 3:30 PM	North DeSoto (Lakeside Tournament)	Away	Win	36-29
11/21/2022 5:40 PM	Ouachita Parish (Wossman Tournament)	Away	Loss	60-62
11/22/2022 1:00 PM	Neville (Wossman Tournament)	Away	Loss	41-53
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Home	Cancelled	Cancelled
12/1/2022 5:00 PM	Ringgold (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	50-3
12/2/2022 5:00 PM	Saline (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	47-31
12/3/2022 6:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Loss	48-57
12/6/2022 6:00 PM	Simsboro	Away	Win	41-24
12/9/2022 6:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Away	Loss	33-57
12/12/2022 5:30 PM	Ruston	Home	Win	38-36
12/14/2022 6:40 PM	Mansfield (Minden Tournament)	Away	Loss	30-33
12/15/2022 4:00 PM	North Caddo (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	43-19
12/16/2022 4:00 PM	Loyola Prep (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	27-17
12/17/2022 4:00 PM	Simsboro (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	50-31
12/20/2022 6:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home
12/22/2022 6:00 PM	Simsboro	Home	Win	45-31
12/23/2022 6:00 PM	Gibsland-Coleman	Home	Loss	46-48
12/30/2022 6:00 PM	Jonesboro-Hodge	Home
1/3/2023 6:00 PM	Green Oaks	Home
1/6/2023 6:00 PM	Lakeside	Away
1/9/2023 6:00 PM	Glenbrook	Home
1/10/2023 6:00 PM	Ringgold	Home
1/13/2023 6:00 PM	Haynesville	Away
1/17/2023 6:00 PM	Homer	Home
1/23/2023 6:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Away
1/27/2023 6:00 PM	Glenbrook	Away
1/28/2023 6:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Away
1/31/2023 6:00 PM	Ringgold	Away
2/3/2023 6:00 PM	Haynesville	Home
2/6/2023 6:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/10/2023 6:00 PM	Plain Dealing	Home

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BOM’s Jessica Ammons, Ann Caskey and Lisa Hay participated in the Ringgold Christmas Festival. BOM had a booth at the event, discussed our products and services with the community, gave out promo items and even hosted a raffle drawing! Congratulations to Roxanne Salter who won the Christmas gift basket raffle.

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On Friday, the Bulldogs played Arcadia and lost, 65-70.

On Friday, the Lady Bulldogs played Arcadia and won, 48-46.

Please see the schedules below.

Gibsland-Coleman Boys Basketball Schedule

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/1/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Away	Win	59-37
11/4/2022 5:15 PM	Summerfield (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	70-47
11/5/2022 4:15 PM	Choudrant (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	64-49
11/7/2022 6:00 PM	Atlanta	Away	Win	69-19
11/11/2022 7:00 PM	Simsboro (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	61-31
11/12/2022 5:00:00 PM	Atlanta (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	81-26
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Union Parish	Away	Win	81-38
11/16/2022 7:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home	P	P
11/18/2022 7:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	P	P
11/22/2022 6:00 PM	Minden	Home	Win	56-51
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Parkway	Away	P	P
12/2/2022 7:30 PM	Castor (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	75-44
12/3/2022 7:30 PM	Arcadia (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	74-57
12/9/2022 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Home	Win	66-41
12/10/2022 5:45 PM	Rayville (Southwood Tournament)	Away	Loss	60-69
12/12/2022 7:00 PM	Ringgold	Home	Win	80-54
12/14/2022 8:00 PM	Northwood – Shrev. (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	49-48
12/15/2022 6:40 PM	Calvary Baptist (Minden Tournament)	Away	Loss	71-75
12/19/2022 7:00 PM	Ruston	Away	Loss	31-66
12/21/2022 5:20 PM	Parkway	Away	Loss	64-79
12/23/2022 7:00 PM	Arcadia	Away	Loss	65-70
1/6/2023 7:00 PM	Choudrant	Home
1/12/2023 7:00 PM	Huntington	Away
1/17/2023 7:00 PM	Simsboro	Away
1/20/2023 5:00 PM	Kilbourne	Away
1/24/2023 7:00 PM	Summerfield	Home
1/27/2023 7:00 PM	Family Community	Home
2/2/2023 7:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/7/2023 6:30 PM	Claiborne Christian	Home

Gibsland-Coleman Girls Basketball

Date/Time	Opponent	Home/Away	Win/Loss	Score
11/1/2022 6:00 PM	Saline	Away	Win	55-16
11/4/2022 4:00 PM	Summerfield  (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	53-38
11/5/2022 3:00 PM	Choudrant (Choudrant Tournament)	Away	Win	57-6
11/7/2022 5:00 PM	Atlanta	Away	Win	58-8
11/11/2022 6:00 PM	Simsboro (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	54-40
11/12/2022 4:00 PM	Atlanta (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	69-5
11/15/2022 6:00 PM	Union Parish	Away	Loss	46-48
11/16/2022 6:00 PM	Lincoln Preparatory School	Home	P	P
11/18/2022 6:00 PM	Evangel Christian	Home	P	P
11/29/2022 6:00 PM	Parkway	Away	P	P
12/1/2022 7:30 PM	Castor (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	67-48
12/3/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia (Gibsland-Coleman Tournament)	Away	Win	57-48
12/9/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia	Home	Win	57-33
12/10/2022 6:00 PM	Huntington (Southwood Tournament)	Away	Loss	39-70
12/12/2022 6:00 PM	Ringgold	Home	Win	71-16
12/14/2022 4:00 PM	Loyola Prep (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	49-9
12/16/2022 4:00 PM	Mansfield (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	56-36
12/17/2022 6:40 PM	Minden (Minden Tournament)	Away	Win	60-35
12/19/2022 5:00 PM	Ruston	Away	Win	43-40
12/21/2022 4:00 PM	Parkway	Away	Loss	26-63
12/23/2022 6:00 PM	Arcadia	Away	Win	48-46
1/4/2023 6:00 PM	Parkway	Home
1/6/2023 6:00 PM	Choudrant	Home
1/12/2023 6:00 PM	Huntington	Home
1/17/2023 6:00 PM	Simsboro	Away
1/20/2023 5:00 PM	Kilbourne	Away
1/24/2023 6:00 PM	Summerfield	Home
1/27/2023 5:30 PM	Family Community	Home
1/28/2023 6:00 PM	Rosepine	Away
2/2/2023 6:00 PM	Homer	Away
2/7/2023 5:30 PM	Claiborne Christian	Home

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1065 – Edward the Confessor’s Romanesque monastic church at Westminster Abbey was consecrated.

1795 – Construction of Yonge Street, formerly recognized as the longest street in the world, began in York, Upper Canada (present-day Toronto).

1832 – John C. Calhoun became the first Vice President of the United States to resign. He resigned after being elected Senator from South Carolina.

1835 – Osceola led his Seminole warriors in Florida into the Second Seminole War against the United States Army.

1836 – Spain recognized the independence of Mexico with the signing of the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty.

1846 – Iowa was admitted as the 29th U.S. state.

1895 – Wilhelm Röntgen published a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of radiation, which later became known as x-rays.

1902 – The Syracuse Athletic Club defeated the New York Philadelphians, 5–0, in the first indoor professional football game, which was held at Madison Square Garden.

1912 – The first municipally owned streetcars took to the streets in San Francisco.

1944 – Maurice Richard became the first player to score eight points in one game of NHL ice hockey.

1944 – The musical On the Town opened in New York City and ran for 462 performances. It featured the song, “New York, New York.”

1948 – The DC-3 airliner NC16002 disappeared 50 miles south of Miami.

1958 – “Greatest Game Ever Played”: Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants in the first ever National Football League sudden death overtime game at New York’s Yankee Stadium.

1967 – American businesswoman Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

1969 – “Temptations Day” was declared in Detroit, MI.

1972 – The last scheduled day for induction into the military by the Selective Service System. Due to the fact that President Richard Nixon declared this day a national day of mourning due to former President Harry S Truman’s death, approximately 300 men were not able to report due to most Federal offices being closed. Since the draft was not resumed in 1973, they were never drafted.

1973 – The United States Endangered Species Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon.

1975 – Twenty-five year old David Gelfer pointed a .44 magnum at Ted Nugent and was then brought down to the ground by members of the audience and security guards. Gelfer was charged with “intimidating with a weapon.”

1981 – WEA Records (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) raised the price of its 45-rpm records from $1.68 to $1.98.

1983 – Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys drowned while swimming near his boat in the harbor at Marina del Ray, CA.

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The coming of a new year brings hope for us all.  It is a chance to wipe the slate clean and start anew.  Many of us will set goals which we could never achieve, but we must believe that we can achieve anything.  We much believe in ourselves.  No matter what happens this coming year, don’t stop believing in yourself.

In the early 1970s, Jonathan moved from his hometown of Chicago to Los Angeles, California.  The only being Jonathan knew in “the City of Angels” was his beloved dog that he brought with him from Chicago.  Jonathan, a talented musician, hoped to “make it big” in the music industry.  At eight years old, Jonathan began taking accordion lessons.  As a teenager, he made extra money playing accordion and piano in clubs and at parties.  Following high school, Jonathan attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music.  His parents, teachers, and friends all thought he had the talent required to “make it,” and encouraged him to give it a shot. 

Jonathan was hopeful when he arrived in Los Angeles, but he quickly began to struggle just to survive.  There were opportunities for up-and-coming musicians to play, but the market was saturated with fine musicians who often played for little or no pay.  More often than not, Jonathan’s income from playing music was too little to allow him to pay his bills and to eat, too.  He became one of Los Angeles’s many starving artists.  When he became desperate, which happened often, Jonathan ashamedly called his father and asked for a small loan.  His father always sent Jonathan what money he could and reassured him that one day things would be better. 

Then, an event happened which brought Jonathan to the point of giving up on his dream, his beloved dog was hit by a car and severely injured.  He had no money to pay the vet.  Once again, he called his father for another loan.  His father could hear the discouragement in his voice more than any other time that Jonathan had called.  “Dad,” Jonathan asked in a dispirited voice, “should I just give up on this thing and come home?”  His father reassured him as he always had.  “No. Don’t come home,” his father said.  Always full of encouragement, his father gave him another piece of advice which Jonathan thought important enough to jot down in his notebook.

With his father’s reassurance, Jonathan kept searching for the right opportunity.  He thought that opportunity had finally arrived in 1976 when he recorded a solo album which he named after his hometown, “Windy City Breakdown.”  The album failed to chart, and Jonathan’s struggle continued.  In 1978, Jonathan joined a British rock group called The Babys.  Jonathan recorded two albums with The Babys, but the band failed to achieve the level of success they had hoped for and, in 1980, the group disbanded.  In that same year, Jonathan joined another band and began working on an album with them.  The band needed two more songs to complete the album, and the band’s lead singer asked Jonathan if he had any song ideas.  Jonathan flipped through his notebook and read again the advice his father had given him several years earlier.  Those three simple words of encouragement became the inspiration of and title of one of Jonathan’s band’s biggest hits.  It has been described as the “perfect rock song” which featured Jonathan playing “one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock.”  The song was the best-selling digital track from the 20^th century.  The band was Journey.  The name of the song and the advice his father gave Jonathan Cain was,… “Don’t Stop Believin’.”   

Those three words were good advice from Jonathan’s father then and have remained good advice to listeners for over forty years.  If we “Don’t Stop Believin’” in ourselves, we can accomplish anything in the coming new year.  (Click Here to listen to this song.)

Happy New Year!

Source: Elkins, Kimberly, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Guideposts, p.75.

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December 19, 2022

• Dylan Thomas – Minden
  • Violation of Probation/Parole
  • Possession or Distribution of drug Paraphernalia/Unmarried Persons Under Seventeen Years of Age – 1st Offense – Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana 14 Grams or Less – Misdemeanor
  • Distribution of Methamphetamine – Felony
• Heaven Hunt – Minden
  • Possession or Distribution of drug Paraphernalia/Unmarried Persons Under Seventeen Years of Age – 1st Offense – Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana 14 Grams or Less – Misdemeanor
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – Felony
• Celia Aleman – Longview, Texas
  • Driver Must Be Licensed

December 20, 2022

• Terrell Glover – Ringgold
  • Armed Robbery – Felony
• Jeffrey Ouzts – Castor
  • Violation of Protective Orders – Misdemeanor
  • Simple Criminal Damage to Property – Misdemeanor

December 21, 2022

• Timothy Kimmons – Minden
  • Maximum Speed Limit
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued
  • Fugitive
• Sharon Russell – Arcadia
  • Domestic Abuse Battery – Felony
• Thomas Kennedy, Jr. – Gibsland
  • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor
  • Failure to Appear Warrant – Misdemeanor

December 22, 2022

• Deonita Robinson – Ruston
  • Operating Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued
  • Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles
  • Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor

December 24, 2022

• Elmo Winzer, Jr. – Monroe
  • Distribution/Manufacture Crack Cocaine – Felony – 3 Counts

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In good ol’ 2022, we celebrated the 30^th anniversary of Love Languages, a lady named Amy earned $1 million-plus and made the Jeopardy! TV game show cry “Uncle!”, LSU’s football team won more games than even the Tigers’ most loyal and optimistic fan thought possible, and Port-O-Lets again made their presence known during Mardi Gras as one of the best inventions since indoor plumbing — which turned out to be heavy plastic outdoor plumbing. 

 Good times.  

 These were just some of the more light-hearted and trivial happenings of a somewhat gray 2022, a year that had this One Big Thing going for it: it wasn’t 2021 or, Lord help us all, 2020, when our leaders didn’t.  

 I was born at night, but not last night. 

 Actually, I was born at 8:15 in the morning, just in time to clock in, and have been carrying my little tool box and lunch pail since. Like you, the past two years have beaten all I’ve ever seen and have tried, overly hard, to beat us down. 

 But here we are, still flying the flag, like the old man in Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, a little thinner and gaunt, showing some deep wrinkles and splotches, some deep-creased scars, but our eyes are bright and cheerful and undefeated.  

 We can hardly afford to buy the toot off a whistle if they were selling for a nickel apiece, but we soldier on. The world keeps spinning and we’re happy to be along for the ride into what we trust will be a more upbeat 2023.  

 2022 was the year that brought us Wordle. Remember last year this time when everybody was Wordleing? The fad has worn off a bit, but last spring, Wordle was almost as popular as Taylor Swift. 

 2022 was also the year when Top Gun: Maverick became required viewing. Is it the best sequel since The Godfather Part II? 

 Fair Grounds Field was demolished in 2022 — until it wasn’t. Red tape and bat poop sort of sums up the year; the higher-ups don’t want to admit a mistake and get things back on greased grooves.  

 Closer to home, we became grandparents in July 2022, a definite highlight. She’s a healthy five months old. Because we are good grandparents, we took her to see Top Gun: Maverick five times and sold all we have except our toothbrushes to get her a Taylor Swift concert ticket. She’ll have to go alone because one is all we could afford but the kid has got to learn to stand on her own at some point.  

 We did not get her a ticket to Monday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando when 9-4 LSU takes on 8-5 Purdue/Purdon’t because although we love Chees-Its, one of the highest quality dairy foods you can eat, who knew LSU could threaten a 10-win season? This is a team that started a receiver at quarterback and had 38 players on scholarship in last year’s bowl game, something called the TaxAct Texas Bowl when Kansas State beat what was left of the Tigers, 42-20.  

 Hat tippage to new coach Brian Kelly and Tiger fans everywhere for their expectation-exceeding results this fall. 

 Since this is the first time ever the two programs have met and since the only alum of Purdue people in these parts might know is New Orleans Saints forever-hero Drew Brees, you might find it of interest that the nice lady who invented Stovetop Stuffing, Ruth Siems, went to Purdue, as did Orville Redenbacher, the popcorn magnate. Doubtful that either of those things will come into play during Monday’s game — unless the Boilermakers have Stovetop Stuffing and popcorn for pregame. Then we really like LSU to cover the two-touchdown spread. Kick is at noon Monday, Jan. 2. 

 2023 kicks off the day before.  

 Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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None reported

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Count your blessings and embrace the joy of the season.  Merry Christmas from the Bienville Parish Journal.

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Most of us can recite at least some of “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” a poem first published anonymously in 1823.  It was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837.  The version that follows (including original punctuation) was taken from one Moore’s four known surviving handwritten copies.  Merry Christmas from the Bienville Parish Journal!!!

A Visit From St. Nicholas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap;

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now! Dasher! now, Dancer! now! Prancer and Vixen!
“On! Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen;
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
If they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So, up to the house-top the coursers they flew;
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot;
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.

His eyes–how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircle his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went strait to his work,
And fill’d all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team give a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.’

To download a copy of A Visit From St. Nicholas to recite or share, click download below.

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By Brad Dison

When temperatures dropped and strong winds began to blow yesterday afternoon, some people in the parish lost power.  Some households in Lucky and Saline were without power for hours.  At the time of publication this morning, Entergy’s outage map for our area showed that the power had been restored to all of the parish with the exception of 210 homes in the Bryceland and Giblsand area (Please see map above).  If you have family or friends who live in this area, please be sure to check on them.  

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development staff is preparing to respond in the event of adverse weather. Forecasts call for freezing temperatures with the possibility of wintry precipitation in the northern portion of the state this weekend.

DOTD will have crews out scouting the roadways and bridges and will be prepared to respond, if necessary.

Supply inventories and equipment have been checked, and crews will be available to monitor bridges and elevated sections of roadways when safe to do so in order to perform emergency winter weather operations as necessary. In addition, DOTD will continue to closely monitor upcoming weather situations.

DOTD is prepared to close bridges and elevated sections of roadway that are deemed unsafe when resources and worker safety allows. Motorists are advised to be aware that some bridges and roadways may become unsafe for travel before a closure notice is issued.

Drivers should not be on the roadway during hazardous driving conditions.

For the most up-to-date road status information, DOTD offers motorists various resources:

• 511 Traveler Information: Travelers can find information regarding road closures by downloading the Louisiana 511 mobile app or by visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at http://www.511la.org. This website is updated in real time with changing road conditions.
• MyDOTD: Motorists can receive up-to-date information on local projects, lane and road closures, and other DOTD activity by signing up for MyDOTD at http://www.dotd.la.gov.
• Social Media: Find DOTD on social media for updates and information. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  DOTD urges motorists to stay off the roads during hazardous driving conditions. DOTD will do everything it can to keep Louisiana’s highways and interstate system open in the event of freezing rain, sleet or snow and will prioritize the maintenance and opening of routes based on traffic volumes.

During winter weather conditions, motorists should adhere to the following driving safety tips:

• Drive slowly and carefully.
• Avoid driving while distracted.
• Always allow for extra driving time.
• Avoid using cruise control.
• Reduce speeds when visibility is low.
• Make sure there is plenty of room between vehicles.
• Be on the lookout for DOTD crews and other emergency responders and their equipment
• Remember that it’s unlawful and unsafe to drive around a road closed barricade for any reason

Also, beware of black ice – a thin, transparent layer of ice accumulation that can be visually hard to detect on bridges, overpasses, off-ramps and in shady spots. As always, DOTD reminds motorists to buckle up and refrain from distracted driving or driving under the influence.

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