There was a time years ago when I worked as a journalist for Willamette Industries, creating and producing newsletters about how the company’s policies promoted good habitat for wildlife. One of the events I visited as an observer was watching as professionals in the industry deliberately set fires, prescribed fires, for the good not only for timber growing on the lands but for wildlife living on the company’s acreage.
There are fires burning now on timber lands, especially in southwest Louisiana that are anything but prescribed; these are out of control wildfires like the ones we often read about devastating hundreds of thousands of acres out west.
Todd Martin is President and CEO of Southern Loggers Cooperative. Martin provided insight into prescribed fires versus wildfires.
“One of the most valuable tools used in the forestry industry are prescribed fires. These are intentionally set. Weather conditions have to be right where there is little or no chance that the fire intentionally set doesn’t turn into a wildfire,” said Martin.
Wildlife such as deer, turkey and quail benefit from prescribed fire in that beneficial browse and tender forage plants are generated. When a wildfire goes through, it chars and burns everything which seriously limits what wildlife have available, according to Martin.
“What we are seeing now in Louisiana is an outbreak of wildfires from a standpoint I have never seen in my career,” he added.
Martin gave some mind-boggling information about the extent of these fires raging around the state, especially in southwest Louisiana.
“In the month of August alone,” he said, “our state has responded to 522 fires covering over 61,000 acres.
The two biggest fires are the one known as the Tiger Island fire involving over 31,000 acres with the Highway 113 fire near Pitkin covering some 8500 acres. Most of these fires are only about 50% contained so there is much work to continue until they’re extinguished. What is needed is a good prolonged rain over the affected area, something that is not in the long-range forecast as of now.
“Last week we held meetings in Lake Charles and you could look out the window of the building where we met and actually see the Tiger Island fires burning 40 miles away. This situation is more serious than people realize,” Martin said.
Three years ago, the forests in southwest Louisiana were devastated when Hurricane Laura destroyed much of the timber in the area where the fires are located today. According to Martin, the timber destroyed by the hurricane was replanted with new trees that were growing and doing well. The fires blazing in that area today have virtually wiped out all the new growth of timber that was replanted.
How did these wildfires get started? A TV news report this week indicated that fires were deliberately set with a hefty reward waiting for someone who can identify the culprit who set southwest Louisiana ablaze.
Right now, the entire state is under a burn ban and if heeded should keep other fires from igniting under these extremely dry conditions.
Keeping our eyes on the skies for rain clouds and praying that we’ll soon get rain seems to be an obvious plan of action that will extinguish these raging fires and preventing new ones from cropping up.
I recently attended a birthday gathering for a fellow cop – one that I’m particularly close with – who I refer to as brother and mean it wholeheartedly. For four hours, give-or-take, five cops and our significant others sat around a large table at a private residence, eating pizza, and talking. That’s all we did – and it was great. We spent the entire time reminiscing about adventures and misadventures – and we laughed – mostly at each other. It was a good night and I left there feeling refreshed. I left feeling human. Those guys, and many others like them, just “get it.” They understand that our job is the best job and the worst job in the world, and they understand why that’s true. You might be wondering what I mean by “feeling human.” The truth is that cops are expected to be superhuman, but around trusted cohorts, removed from the constant life and death decisions that are so often our day-to-day reality, there’s no pressure to be “super” at all. Sometimes, for a little while, we get to be just like you – and it’s nice.
The public expects us to wear all the proverbial hats – law enforcer, family therapist, attorney, mechanic, lifeguard, social worker, medic, weapons specialist, UFC fighter, English major, and many more. Not only that, but we’re also used as fact checkers for your personal gossip hour. We’re called on our personal time and asked, “What’s happening over at Bill’s house?” or “What happened with that car chase / shooting / arrest?” or “My kid won’t act right. Can you ‘scare’ him?” Here are some hard truths you need to know:
1.) What happened at Bill’s house is probably none of your damn business.
2.) Whatever incident or case we’re involved with, often can’t be discussed right away, (if ever) assuming we wanted to discuss it with you in the first place. So, please stop treating us like your personal information kiosk.
3.) Most cops don’t handle civil law – we handle criminal law. If you need advice on an eviction, a divorce, or child support payments, call a lawyer. Although, most cops could successfully argue their own divorce case based on personal experience, but I digress. It’s not just about us – it’s really bad for you! Don’t believe me? Stand up in court and tell a judge that you got legal advice on a civil matter from a cop and see how quickly he rules in favor of the other party.
4.) Lastly, if your teenager is out of control, we can’t fix in 15 minutes what it took you 15 years to screw up. So, no. I won’t scare your kid – but I will put him in prison if you continue to drop the ball. And parents, STOP threatening your children, even jokingly, with arrest when you see a cop. “If you don’t straighten up that cop is gonna get you.” That burns us up! No, little Timmy, I’m not going to “get you,” but if stupidity was against the law, I’d be first in line to arrest your mommy.
Stop complaining about cops to other cops. “He was soooooo rude to me.” – “He used a curse word when he spoke to me.” – “He wrote me a ticket and I wasn’t even speeding! I was only doing like 8-mph over the speed limit.” If you’ve ever been guilty of that last one, God bless your pea-pickin’ heart. I hope you’re attractive because you weren’t gifted much by way of brain power. If there’s a rude cop at our office, we identified them long before you did. We don’t need a play-by-play of how they upset you. If you’re mistreated by the police, by all means file an official complaint with their supervisor, department head, or anyone in a position of authority. Just be sure that everything you report is true. If you lie in an official complaint about how the mean policeman hurt your feelings, that’s a crime – and we’ll arrest your ass for that. Uh-oh. I said “ass.” I hope nobody tattles on me.
Cops know something the general public does not. We know what it’s like to be a cop AND a non-cop because none of us were born wearing a badge. The fact is cops understand the general public far better than the general public understands cops because cops have walked in both worlds.
Regardless of your social status, your job, your criminal history, (or lack thereof) your income, your education level, or what your upbringing was like, cops know more about you than you’ll ever know about us because we see people, from all walks of life, in their most vulnerable situations, every single day.
“Cops are always rude.” What do you mean “always?” Just how many police encounters have you had? If it’s more than a few, we call that a “pattern of behavior.” Here’s a wild notion, perhaps you should stop doing things that attract the attention of law enforcement. If a cop is rude to you, it’s probably because you’re a total jerk-face. If a cop doesn’t smile at you or coddle you the way you feel you should be coddled, and you’re offended by that, then you’re just a snowflake. Granted, cops can be very robotic at times, but we take verbal abuse on a regular basis that would prompt most people to smack someone in the mouth.
We covered last week that there are absolutely bad / dirty / crooked cops out there, and I’m sure it happens, albeit rarely, but I can tell you that in 15 years, I’ve never seen a cop hurt anyone just because of what they were saying. I usually don’t comment on ongoing cases in the media because there’s always more information to be had than what’s initially put out for public consumption, but to assure readers that I’m not blind, as Ricky Ricardo would say “Memphis, you have some splainin’ to do!”
Cops don’t mind answering some questions about our job. For example, if you want to know the hiring process, we’ll be glad to explain it. Hell, we’ll even bring you an application, so long as you’re not a felon or a total moron. But don’t complain to us about “Officer X” hurting your feelings. You have no idea how many dead children he’s scraped off the pavement or failed to resuscitate in his career, and you have no idea how many times he has come within inches or seconds of death. For all you know it happened earlier in his shift the same day he pissed you off, or more accurately, wounded your precious sensibilities. That seems extreme, doesn’t it? Good – it was meant to.
You might think we’re offensive now, but every one of us, with unadulterated honesty, could tell you things that would truly offend your senses – and trust me, you don’t want that. Moreover, we don’t want it for you. We carry some burdens that the public shouldn’t have to bear – and we do it willingly – but that doesn’t mean we smile about it all the time. Being cops is what we choose to do – it’s not who we are, although the work does change us. So, if a cop is actually being rude, kill him with kindness – genuine kindness. Your attitude, good or bad, will affect the rest of his day, and maybe the rest of week or month, and there’s great power in that.
Avoid what you can. Defeat what you can’t.
-Ryan
(Ryan Barnette is not a licensed attorney or a medical provider, and no information provided in “Slicing the Pie,” or any other publication authored by Ryan Barnette should be construed, in any way, as official legal or medical advice.)
The anniversary of September 11th has come and gone again. Twenty-two years really flew by.
The day was a somber one for me, as I am sure it was for many, but I went along with my day as usual, like I am sure most did, as well.
But I had a fleeting realization after I picked the girls up from school that day. As my oldest daughter, Emerson, hopped into the front seat – it hit me. She is the exact same age and in the exact same grade as I was when 9/11 occurred.
Isn’t that crazy?
It is to me. The whole length of my childhood and my early adult years has passed. We are now a generation of adults living with the memories of that day, while our own children are learning about the events we lived through, in a textbook.
Emerson told me that they had talked about it at school that day and she asked me if I remembered when it happened.
Some memories are a little blurred, others are a lot sharper.
Some of my more distorted memories involve watching the news in class and my teacher crying, but I wasn’t sure why. I vaguely remember the intercom going off every few minutes with parents checking their children out early. I do not think I left school early that day, but maybe I did. If I did stay, I do not remember anything else about that day at school except where I was sitting when my teacher flipped on the television.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard about the planes crashing. That’s really all I understood at the moment. I did not know why, but knew it was important somehow. I was sitting in my fourth-grade Mathematics class. Mrs. Killian was my teacher, and I was sitting in the second-row desk.
I remember after my mom did pick me up, going to the gas station my grandparents owned and seeing vehicles lined up at the gas pumps like never before. I remember being confused about this. I remember asking my mom what was going on. I knew that the plane crashes happened far away, but seeing so many people in a frenzy made it feel like it was happening here.
And it was.
I did not understand why or how, but I knew that this event would affect everyone in the country. The crashes happened in New York, but the sadness and fear rippled through every state, city and community. The sadness and fear turned into rage for some. But no matter the differences in emotions, everyone felt American.
Patriotism was at an all-time high in the days following the attacks. That is another thing I remember vividly – seeing American flags flying everywhere – some on flagpoles, some stuck
in yards, some in windows of businesses and some pinned on shirts.
The importance of 9/11 overshadowed any argument of political party, race, gender or religion. Sadly, this has subsided.
It is crazy to now think of it as history, when it feels like it happened yesterday.
I am sure when Emerson is my age and has children of her own, they will probably be learning about the Covid-19 pandemic and Emerson will be reminded of the chaos during those times.
Now, I am wondering how many more historical events will occur throughout the remainder of my life. I feel as though I have already had my fair share. Y2K, Hurricane Katrina, Sandy Hook, the election of Barack Obama, the tsunami in Japan – all of these I remember, some better than others. But for some reason I cannot recall the exact age I was. place I may have been or what I was doing during those events quite like I can when remembering 9/11.
I will never forget.
(Paige Nash is a wife, mother of three, digital journalist for the Webster Parish Journal and publisher for the Bienville and Claiborne Parish Journal.)
All the years I’ve spent closely watching college and high school football games, almost every one including a halftime show with at least the home team’s band, and I didn’t know.
Many of the best shows have featured both the home and visiting bands, as was the case Saturday night in Aillet Stadium and in Tiger Stadium.
No doubt the sold-out crowd in Baton Rouge was eagerly anticipating the performance of the “World Famed Tiger Marching Band.” And they were certainly not disappointed, enjoying a trademark show from Grambling’s finest. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen reported many LSU fans said it was the highlight of the night.
In Ruston, there was tailgating talk centered around halftime, with Louisiana Tech’s faithful having watched dynamic performances in 2014 and 2017 by NSU’s “Spirit of Northwestern.” The “Band of Pride” at Tech has rising stock and proved it Saturday night.
But until then, I never knew. Neither did Shreveport’s Gordon Boogaerts, a Demon football legend who joined me on the way down from the visiting athletic director’s suite (I wasn’t in there, of course – I was in the O.K. “Buddy” Davis Memorial Press Box, an appropriate showcase honoring the legendary Ruston Daily Leader sports editor).
I knew Gordon should strike fear into the heart of any Bulldogs. In the 1973 State Fair Classic, with a struggling Demon squad facing off with the Bulldogs’ eventual Division II national championship team featuring the likes of future Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean, current Evangel coach and longtime chancellor Pastor Denny Duron, Pro Bowl pass catchers Roger Carr and Mike Barber, Gordon made 33 tackles.
Thirty-three. Not a misprint. Just an indelible impact by a Captain Shreve product who has since become a successful farmer and businessman and an aficionado of beautiful roses. You probably never knew.
We navigated the west side stands, running into friends including Lady Techsters’ basketball coach Brooke Stoehr, eventually finding the elusive staircase to the field. Three steps down left Gordon briefly in the Bulldogs’ bench area, and that could have been bad if he suddenly reverted back a half-century.
There was no bull-in-the-china shop incident, although Gordon admitted he felt young again being so close to the action. We swept right, moving quickly past Champ the Bulldog mascot and the enthusiastic Tech cheerleaders, looping around to the NSU bench area in the waning moments before halftime.
Gordon was back in his element (not that he spent much time on the bench back in his day). In my 30 years as sports information director at Northwestern, I’d been on the Demons’ sideline plenty, but never at that stage of games, just in the closing minutes. I watched walk-off field goals score stunning upsets at TCU (2001) and Tech (2014). I watched coach Sam Goodwin carried onto the field on the shoulders of his players, more than once. I saw goalposts tugged down (twice). As the clock wound down, I had one of NSU’s greatest running backs, Clarence Matthews, ask me about his game rushing total, and then give me what he’d kept in his head. There wasn’t much difference, but he didn’t agree with the Stephen F. Austin stat crew.
The back of the bench area Saturday night began getting congested as the Band of Pride left the stands, moving into position to march. On the other end of the bench, there was an even larger contingent from the SON, as they’re called, massing in their purple and orange. They were first up.
Suddenly, the halftime horn sounded, the teams trotted toward their dressing rooms, and NSU’s band began excitedly streaming into position to take the field.
Northwestern-Tech, once a bitter rivalry, now not so much. For the guys wearing helmets and shoulder pads, there was obvious intensity but there was a definite pecking order – the Bulldogs were not only at home, they were supposed to win, being a much-greater resourced Football Bowl Subdivision team compared to the Football Championship Subdivision Demons.
For the guys and girls in shorts and shirts, toting instruments, trotting giddily to find their spots so the show could begin, the dynamic was flipped. Over the past three decades, the scholarship-heavy SON has earned a national reputation for excellence – mentioned in band blogs alongside stalwarts like Ohio State, Texas and yes, LSU – along with the Human Jukebox from Southern, and Grambling’s crew. That I knew.
What I didn’t know, had never seen before, was the kinship between the bands. I was later told that’s not uniformly the case, in bitter school rivalries, but what I saw in a few fleeting moments on that sideline was remarkable.
Louisiana Tech’s bandmembers were cheering NSU’s. They were encouraging them. They were high-fiving them as the SON streamed in front to start the show.
I never knew.
It was very, very cool.
I’m pretty sure Boogaerts and Duron never had that friendly bond 50 years ago.
“Crabs” by Wyatt Waters, from our book A Southern Palate
One of the most frequent questions I am asked in interviews is, “What is your favorite ingredient?” That’s a broad and subjective question, but it’s low hanging fruit for an interviewer when speaking to someone in the food business. My answer typically varies depending on the season, my mood, what genre of the food world I am exploring at that moment, and a dozen other factors that might come into play.
Nevertheless, the ingredient I cite most often is crabmeat.
I love crabmeat, and the blue crab that comes from the Gulf of Mexico, just 65 miles south of my hometown is the ingredient that makes its way into many of my favorite creations. It is rich, mild, delicate, sweet, and buttery. It’s a very healthy protein with a low salt content. Jumbo lump crab is the best of the bunch, though we use regular lump, special white, claw meat, and claw fingers at our restaurants.
Blue crab is plentiful in the warm Gulf waters. So much so that a large portion of the year (mainly the colder months), Gulf Coast seafood suppliers are shipping crabmeat up to Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. Though we do hit spells where availability is limited down here.
One place where crabmeat is plentiful these days is a place where that particular species couldn’t even be found a few years ago— Italy. That country has been experiencing an “invasion” of blue crab over the past year or so.
It’s a problem. A big problem.
Blue Crabs have taken over certain areas of the northern Italian coastline, especially in the Po Delta. Though the Tuscan coast is experiencing the same invasion. “Invasion of crabs” seems like a term that would be used in a cheesy 1950s B-movie science fiction flick, but it’s happening.
One might think, “In the world of problems, having an overabundance of blue crabs in your waters seems more like a blessing than a problem.” I would love to have an invasion of Blue Crabs in the Gulf of Mexico. The problem on the northern Italian coast is that the blue crab has no predator. In our waters sharks and rays thrive on blue crab which keeps the ecosystem balanced. Sharks and rays don’t exist on the northern coastline of Italy.
The bigger problem is that blue crabs thrive on clams and squid. Italian citizens also thrive on clams and squid. Currently, there’s an area in Italy where blue crabs have wiped out 90% of the young clam harvest. The Italian government is trying to solve the dilemma on two fronts. They’re giving a small amount of governmental assistance to all the family farmers and seafood harvesters in the affected areas. Though, from the reports I have read, it’s not near enough to cover the damage done to families in the seafood trade. The government has also mounted a media campaign teaching Italians how to cook and eat blue crab.
When I heard this news my first thought was— how did the blue crab made its way to the Italian coastline? It appears that international shipping is to blame. Cargo ships when filling their ballasts with water take in blue crab. When the ballasts are emptied in Italian ports the water is not always filtered.
The Italians are now dealing with the saltwater version of kudzu.
One blue crab can lay up to eight million eggs at a time. It can also have up to seven broods in one year. All one must do is a little fourth-grade math to figure out that problem is going to get exponentially worse without a natural predator. The only solution appears to be that the Italians are going to have to develop the taste and appreciation for blue crab. As tasks go it’s not a tough one if you know what you’re doing. I could take on that problem in a heartbeat.
After Hurricane Katrina I was told that Louisiana sent a delegation to Holland to learn how they have spent centuries holding back the North Sea from flooding their country— a large portion of which, is below sea level. They do it brilliantly and have done it for years. It may be time that we send a contingent of Mississippi Gulf Coast chefs, New Orleans chefs, and anyone above the age of twelve who owns a stove in Houma Louisiana to Italy to show them the glory of blue crab cooking and how many ways it can be served at the dinner table.
There’s one huge problem though—Italians never mix dairy and seafood. Americans do this often. People in the South do it almost exclusively. Crabmeat au gratin would be seen as an abomination in Italy. But there are plenty of dishes in which crabmeat could be sauteed in olive oil and garlic and then flashed with a little white wine to top a nice grilled sea bass. There are several pastas we have served over the last three-plus decades that have used crabmeat as the main ingredient. Angel hair pasta works best but we typically use a butter sauce such as beurre blanc to bring out the richness of the protein.
I have faith. Italian chefs are some of the most talented and creative cooks in the world. They will figure it out. I head over there in October to work for six weeks. I may give a few of my friends a few pointers. Afterall, jumbo lump crabmeat is selling for $5.00 a pound over there. To put that in perspective my price last week on jumbo lump crabmeat— wholesale mind you— was $28.50.
Tomatoes came to Italy from the Americas, so did corn. They’ve figured out how to use those items better than most. I have faith that crabmeat will be the same.
Onward.
West Indies Crab Salad
2 pounds Jumbo Lump Crab
1 1/2 cup Yellow Onion, small dice
1/2 cup Canola, cottonseed or peanut oil
1/2 cup Champagne vinegar
1/4 cup ice water
2 Tbl fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbl kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Gently fold all ingredients together and cover tightly. Refrigerate overnight before serving. Just before serving, toss the salad well to redistribute the dressing.
French Bread Croutons
Preheat oven to 400
2 French Baguettes, sliced into 1 inch thick rounds
2/3 cups light olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 Tbl kosher salt
Arrange the sliced bread on one large baking sheet,
Use a pastry brush to brush each slice of bread with the olive oil.
Bake for 4-5 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven and quickly rub each slice with the raw garlic.
Sprinkle with the kosher salt and serve.
Yield: 6-8 servings
(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
1775 – An early and unofficial American flag was raised by Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Mott after the seizing of Fort Johnson from the British. The flag was dark blue with the white word “Liberty” spelled on it.
1776 – British forces occupied New York City during the American Revolution.
1789 – The U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of State.
1821 – Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador proclaimed independence.
1853 – Reverend Antoinette Brown Blackwell was ordained becoming first female minister in the United States.
1857 – Timothy Alder earned a patent for the typesetting machine.
1858 – The first mail service begins to the Pacific Coast of the U.S. under government contract. Coaches from the Butterfield Overland Mail Company took 12 days to make the journey between Tipton, MO and San Francisco, CA.
1883 – The University of Texas at Austin opened.
1909 – A New York judge rule that Ford Motor Company had infringed on George Seldon’s patent for the “Road Engine.” The ruling was later overturned.
1909 – Charles F. Kettering applied for a patent on his ignition system. His company Delco (Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company) later became a subsidiary of General Motors.
1916 – During the Battle of the Somme, in France, tanks were first used in warfare when the British rolled them onto the battlefields.
1917 – Alexander Kerensky proclaimed Russia to be a republic.
1923 – Oklahoma was placed under martial law by Gov. John Calloway Walton due to terrorist activity by the Ku Klux Klan. After this declaration national newspapers began to expose the Klan and its criminal activities.
1928 – Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum.
1935 – The Nuremberg Laws were enacted by Nazi Germany. The act stripped all German Jews of their civil rights and the swastika was made the official symbol of Nazi Germany.
1940 – The German Luftwaffe suffered the loss of 185 planes in the Battle of Britain. The change in tide forced Hitler to abandon his plans for invading Britain.
1949 – “The Lone Ranger” premiered on ABC. Clayton Moore was the Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels was Tonto.
1950 – U.N. forces landed at Inchon, Korea in an attempt to relieve South Korean forces and recapture Seoul.
1953 – The National Boxing Association adopted the 10-point scoring system for all of its matches.
1955 – Betty Robbins became the first woman cantor.
1959 – Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev arrived in the U.S. to begin a 13-day visit.
1961 – The U.S. resumed underground testing of nuclear weapons.
1965 – “Lost in Space” premiered on CBS TV.
1965 – “Green Acres” premiered on CBS TV.
1971 – Greenpeace was founded.
1978 – Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks to win his 3rd World Heavyweight Boxing title.
1982 – The first issue of “USA Today” was published.
1983 – The U.S. Senate joined the U.S. House of Representatives in their condemning of the Soviet Union for shooting down a Korean jet with 269 people onboard.
1990 – France announced that it would send an additional 4,000 soldiers to the Persian Gulf. They also expelled Iraqi military attaches in Paris.
1993 – The FBI announced a new national campaign concerning the crime of carjacking.
1994 – U.S. President Clinton told Haiti’s military leaders “Your time is up. Leave now or we will force you from power.”
1995 – The U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing.
1997 – The domain name “google.com” was registered.
1998 – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the Iranian military to be on full alert and massed troops on its border with Afghanistan.
1998 – It was announced that 5.9 million people read The Starr Report on the Internet. 606,000 people read the White House defense of U.S. President Clinton.
1999 – The United Nations approved the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor.
2003 – In Independence, MO, the birthplace of Ginger Rogers was designated a local landmark. The move by the Independence City Council qualified the home for historic preservation.
2012 – Legoland Malaysia opened in Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia.
Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or bpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)
Some members Bienville Parish School Board were a little confused and concerned regarding the Superintendent of Schools’ contract.
In Thursday’s monthly meeting, William Wysinger’s contract came up for renewal and approval, but Districts 1 and 2 Board Members Sharolyn Boston and Oswald Townsend were concerned because Townsend said they hadn’t seen the contract before the meeting. Therefore, he said, he couldn’t vote for approval of the contract until he’d had a chance to look at it.
“Can we vote on something that we haven’t seen?” Boston asked, to which Wysinger said he thought the contract was in the board’s packets and handed out copies of his contract.
Calloway explained that in the past, the board president and the superintendent would meet and discuss the contract before it was brought before the board for approval.
“We’ve never seen a copy of the superintendent’s contract,” he said. “It’s always been the superintendent and the school board president who took care of it.”
“If we don’t see the contract, then how do we know what’s on the contract?” Townsend asked. “Every meeting we’ve had and everything we’ve voted on is included in our packet. I can’t vote on something I can’t take a look at.”
Wysinger replied that his contract could be deferred until October.
“Since I’ve been in this parish, that’s how they did it,” District 7 Board Member Donald Calloway said. “We’re not trying to hide anything from the school board. The president of the school board and the superintendent always got together, and someone wanted to see the contract, and a couple of months later, they got the contract to show them what was in it. That’s just been how it’s been for the past 30 years.”
Calloway first made the motion to approve Wysinger’s contract, seconded by District 3 Board Member Derrika Bailey. Following the motion, it went to a roll call vote, with four in favor and three against. Townsend, District 4 Board Member Darren Iverson, and District 6 Board Member Colton Guin were the nay votes. In favor were Boston, Bailey, District 5 Board Member Martha Grigg and Calloway.
Boston, after more discussion, changed her vote to abstain, which brought the board to a tie. The board then voted to defer the contract until October.
On Monday, The Bienville Democrat sent a public records request to Wysinger, asking for the contract. While it was provided to school board members, The Democrat, as of press time, has not received a copy of it. The school board has three days from the receipt of the records request to produce the document or provide in writing the reason for not producing it.
In other school board news, the board approved:
– The 2023-24 Pupil Progression Plan
– The Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire, which is required for the school board’s annual audit
– Millage rates as follows: Constitutional, 5.99 mills; Operational, 7.93 mills; Repair and Upkeep , 7.93 mills; Employee Benefit Tax (9 mill), 13.09 mills; Employee Benefit Tax (23 mill), 25.07 mills; School District #1, 21.10 mills; School District #2, 9.00 mills; School District #16-37, 54.12 mills; and School District #33, 13.50 mills
– Adoption of policy revisions, which include File: BCAD, Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings; File: BCBI, Public Participation in School Board Meetings; File: EBBB, School and Student Safety; File: EDCB, Carpool and Bus Line Safety; File: IDCJ, Continuous Learning; File: JB, Attendance; File: JBD, Student Absences and Excuses; File: JDA, Corporal Punishment; and File: JGCD, Administration of Medicine;
– The issuance of a recruitment/retention supplement to staff that met all the criteria. The supplement was $2,000
– The use of the Ringgold High School parking lot for the Slabtown Parade set for Saturday, Sept. 23.
The next school board meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m., at the school board annex, located at 1956 First St.
(BATON ROUGE, LA) – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is recognizing eight educators from across the state for their impact on student success. The LDOE today announced its 2023 Exemplary Educators. This annual program honors teachers, teacher specialists, and school leaders who represent excellence in the education profession.
Louisiana’s 2023 Exemplary Educators are:
Bienville Parish: Timothy Williams
DeSoto Parish: Jasmine Taylor
Iberville Parish: Anthony Hollins
Lincoln Parish: Marissa Boyd
Rapides Parish: Amy Holley
Rapides Parish: Amanda King
St. Bernard Parish: Joseph Cipollone
St. Tammany Parish: Courtney Milam
Louisiana Exemplary Educators receive a certificate of recognition and may be invited to participate in Department advisory boards and task forces. Exemplary Educators are also eligible for consideration in other recognition programs.
School systems from across the state submitted recommendations for the program through a confidential process. Honorees were chosen based on the following criteria:
Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective and innovative instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
Exemplary educational accomplishments and leadership beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;
Early- to mid-career educators (minimum of five years) who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
The Bienville Parish Police Jury will be holding their regular monthly meeting today, September 13. It will begin at 9 a.m. in the Bienville Parish Courthouse Jury Room.
The meeting will be live streamed on the Bienville Parish Journal’s Facebook page.
38th Annual Slabtown Festival, “CommUnity” is approaching and we are all very excited.
We will kick off Friday, September 22, 2023 tailgating at Ringgold High School Complex and come show support for the Ringgold Redskin Homecoming game. After the game asking everyone to come downtown for the entertainment under the tent and some good food sold by the vendors.
The BIG day, Saturday, September 23, 2023, when we expect to have all of Downtown Ringgold filled with many food & craft vendors, along with the big tent—-the air will be filled with great entertainment.
Festivities start with the Big Parade at 11 AM, featuring the 2023 Grand Marshals Linda May, Frances and Clarence Mason. Don’t forget to bring some sacks as there will be lots of candy being thrown during the parade.
Opening ceremonies will take place under the big tent, with presentation of the flag, and prayer then followed by some good singing and dancing. Everyone looks forward to seeing who has found the annual treasure, and the presentation of the big check for the lucky winner.
The cake auction will take place at the Slabtown Breakfast and this year we have some of the best bakers in the Ringgold area, this is your chance to bid and win one of these Legendary confections.
The Big Tent will be alive with wonderful music and games. The food at the festival is always a treat not to be missed along with the many art and craft booths. You can contact Kim Moore at 318-579-0386 or Sherry Howard 318-588-0095 for a booth application.
We have a wonderful kid’s fun area where there will be a gaming truck. There will be a basketball tournament held at the old gym. Contact Jerome Moore 318-464-1062 or Anthony Hullaby 318-220-6397.
Be sure to buy the official Slabtown tee shirt as soon as we start selling then so be sure to check our Facebook page for the announcement or on sale under the tent.
There will be a Car Show so come show off your treasure. You can contact Lydia Harris at 318-579-0322, Kim Moore at 318- 579-0386 or Sherry Howard 318-588-0095.
The best thing about The Slabtown festival is that it is a time to have a lot of fun with family and friends as the festival is always a family event.
Please like our page on Facebook to get more information about all events or send an email slabtownringgold@gmail.com.
So, grab the kids, a few bags, and prepare for so much that it should be a crime.
A special thanks to the Town of Ringgold, Mayor Milton Vining, Ringgold Police Dept, Ringgold Fire Department, Ringgold Water Department and Bienville Sheriff Department be sure to thank them for their service. We want to Thank our Title Sponsors Minden Coca-Cola, Bank of Montgomery and Pepsi.
All interested persons are hereby advised that the Bienville Parish Police Jury has applied to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for project funding under Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Rural Transportation Program/Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facility Program for the following:
PROJECT: Bienville Parish Police Jury is preparing to replace existing equipment to continue rural transportation services to the general public in Bienville Parish.
Further details relative to the project are available from Rodney Warren, Bienville Parish Police Jury, P.O. Box 479, Arcadia, Louisiana 71001, 318-263-2019.
Interested persons are advised that they may request that a public hearing be conducted to provide a means for the public to express their views relative to the proposed project on the probably social, economic and environmental effects involved. In lieu of requesting a public hearing, interested persons may submit their comments in writing.
Written requests for a public hearing and/or submittal of comments must be postmarked on or before September 22, 2023 and should be addressed to:
Rodney Warren
Bienville Parish Police Jury, P.O. Box 479
Arcadia, Louisiana 71001
318-263-2019
Should a public hearing be required, a public notice will be published stating the date, time and location of the hearing.
In the early 1890s, Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Jane Hill worked at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School in Louisville, Kentucky. Mildred was a teacher, concert pianist, and played organ in their church. Patty was the principal of the school. With Patty at the helm, the school experimented with new ways to teach younger children and to better prepare them for elementary school. Just one of the many experiments the school performed was the use of songs as teaching tools. Mildred and Patty began working on an upbeat song to welcome the children to school and to get them in the mindset to learn. Within a short time, Mildred came up with a simple melody she was happy with. Patty composed simple, repetitive lyrics that the children could learn quickly. On October 16, 1893, Mildred and Patty copyrighted their composition entitled “Good Morning to All.” Later that year, Mildred and Patty’s song was included in a songbook Story Songs for Kindergarten with the permission of the Hill sisters. Each morning, kindergarten students at Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School began their day with “Good Morning to All.”
Within a short time, the simple song became popular with children as young as a year-and-a-half. People soon began singing their own lyrics to the popular medley. On March 4, 1924, Robert H. Coleman edited the lyrics to the song and published it in a song book without the permission of the Hill sisters. It remains unclear whether Robert Coleman realized the song had been copyrighted.
On September 30, 1933, the musical comedy called “As Thousands Cheer,” produced by Sam Harris, opened on Broadway. One of the musical numbers in the play was “Good Morning to All,” but with the altered lyrics. The play was a huge success, but Jessica Hill, sister of Mildred and Patty, was angered and claimed that her sisters’ song had been plagiarized. In August of 1934, Jessica filed a plagiarism suit on behalf of her sisters against producer Sam Harris. In the suit, Jessica claimed that her sister Patty and late sister Mildred copyrighted the song in 1893, that the copyright was extended in 1921, and that she owned the rights to the song. For the infringement, Jessica asked for $250 for each of the 403 performances of “As Thousands Cheer,” for a total of $100,750. Patty, who would share in the damages, had all but resigned herself to the fact that the song “had become common property of the nation.” The court decided that Jessica and Patty owned the copyright of the melody for “Good Morning to All,” along with all versions of the melody with altered lyrics. For Sam Harris to continue to use the song in “As Thousands Cheer,” he would have had to pay $250 per performance. Unsurprisingly, Sam dropped the song from the musical. The song was so popular that some companies agreed to pay to use the song. For example, Fox Film Corporation paid $250 and used the song in the 1934 Shirley Temple film, Baby, Take a Bow.
Royalties from “Good Morning to All” and all of its variations now amount to an estimated $2-$4 million per year. You probably have never heard of Mildred, Patty, or Jessica Hill, but their song is regarded as the most frequently sung tune in the world. The song is always sung to honor someone else and not the singer. You and I know Mildred and Patty Hill’s song “Good Morning to All” as “Happy Birthday to You.”
Sources:
1. Daily News, August 15, 1934, p.391.
2. The Belleville News-Democrat, August 27, 1934, p.4.
3. Green Bay Press-Gazette, September 24, 2004, p.75.
It’s been 22 years. Two decades. They’ve gone by in a blink, and many of us have forgotten as those years have passed. Other troubles have come our way. Wars. The economy. Job loss. Politicians. Division, discord, disillusionment. The destruction of what it means to be a united country.
But we need to remember.
We need to remember the shock. We need to remember the tears. We need to remember our unity.
Twenty years ago, a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history.
The images are burned indelibly into memory – four hijacked American aircraft cut through a cloudless late summer sky; the World Trade Center plummeting to the earth; inky smoke billowing from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93, the call of “Let’s Roll” earning a place of immortality as heroes fought back against evil to spare further death and destruction.
Yet, I’d reckon the most heartbreaking images are those that only one or two of us have seen at any given time. These are the images of an empty seat at the dinner table. These are the images of children aging without a mother or a father.
The families of the 3,000 Americans who died that day go to bed every night with the knowledge that their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends will never again walk through the doors of their homes.
They were taken. Taken too soon.
In that great time of need, our pettiness was forgotten. Our politics and prejudices cast aside. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded aid and succor.
We reaffirmed our ties of simple humanity to one another. Community and country took precedent over class and political ideology. No matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we claimed, united as one American family we were.
Yet as time passed the old ways resurfaced, grievances reemerged, and squabbling returned. And today, 20 years after 9/11, this nation is arguably the most divided socially and ideologically it has been in its history.
But perhaps for a brief time we can stop our bickering. Perhaps for a brief time, a single day is all, we can remember our loss and the way it united us on that dark day and the uncertain ones that followed.
Perhaps we can remember those lives lost instead of being consumed by all our other faults.
Just for a day.
Because what happened on Sept.11, 2001, is one of the single most significant and tragic events in American history.
It must be respected. It must be remembered.
By everyone.
At least for a solitary day.
(Josh Beavers is an award-winning writer and author. He has earned more than 40 individual writing awards and is syndicated in 12 North Louisiana news journals. The Louisiana Press Association has recognized him five times for excellence in opinion writing, and he has earned numerous Best Investigative Reporting Awards and Freedom of Information Awards for exposure of governmental corruption in Webster Parish.)
Here in Louisiana we are still embracing summer with this ridiculous weather, and to me summer means strawberry flavored anything. This sweet yummy cake starts with a boxed cake mix, is swirled with an easy cheesecake filling and finished off with graham cracker crumbs.
Cake: – 1 box strawberry cake mix – 3 eggs at room temperature – 1 cup whole milk – 1/2 cup vegetable oil – 1 small box cheesecake flavored instant pudding
Other: – 1 jar vanilla frosting – Crushed graham crackers
Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bundt pan. Mix all ingredients for the cake with a stand or hand mixer until fully blended. In a separate bowl mix all ingredients for the cheesecake filling with a stand or hand mixer until fully blended. Pour half of the cake mix into the bundt pan. Pour half of the filling mixture over and swirl gently into the batter. Pour remaining cake batter over followed by the remaining filling. Swirl again. Top with graham cracker crumbs. Bake until done. This took mine 50-55 minutes. Let cool in the cake pan 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely before frosting. Top with extra graham cracker crumbs.
(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)
Got some handy information for you, as I was wrong about something but have seen the light, and it was cool and it was refreshing.
Knew I wouldn’t get in bed until after midnight Saturday because of working a football game so when I was asked at the first of the week about going to the Texas Rangers game in Arlington the next day—this past Sunday—it didn’t sound so hot, simply because I am not 20 years old and not totally insane anymore.
But when a trio of friends of 40 years ask and they have good tickets and they use the magic word — “Free” — you go to bed as quickly as you can, even if that’s not until 2 Sunday morning, get up at 6 and drive to Chief’s so the Senator and Hearing Aids can pick you up, get your butt and your water bottle in the backseat of the Senator’s Jeep Cherokee and head toward Texas, tired but up for whatever.
Good times.
This was my first trip to Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers, that opened during the virus-throttled 2020 season. When the Rangers announced in 2016 they were building a new ballpark, my first thought was, “They just BUILT a new ballpark?!”
And, in terms of a ballpark’s normal lifetime, they had. The Ballpark in Arlington opened in 1994. I had socks and shoes that old. The park was just getting broken in. And what a glorious ballpark it was.
It’s still gorgeous. It stands a home run from the new stadium, which looks from the outside like an airplane hanger. No contest. The old ballpark wins swimsuit and evening gown and it’s not close.
Except … you know what they say about judging a book. That’s Globe Life Field. The beauty is on the inside.
And by “beauty” I mean “air conditioning.” The retractable roof on the $1.1 billion new stadium keeps the 68-degree air inside and the 90-degree air and sun outside. No sweat. We’d have melted Sunday in the old ballpark, especially at this stage of our development.
Globe Life Field is a five-tool player. It’s all about “fans first.” Actual baseball things would be No. 6, tops, on my list of things that are awesome about this new yard.
You start with the roof. Arlington had three 110-degree days this summer and dozens over 95. Mercy!
All kinds of food along what has to be the widest, most open concourses in big-league baseball. People love food and people love not being crowded. Double play.
There are helpers/ushers in baby blue shirts by the dozens, maybe by the hundreds. One was by an escalator and while we explored an hour before first pitch we asked the man if we could go down to that level and he said we needed a ticket for down there and we said we were just ignorant people from Louisiana and he said OK and down we went, then self-reported when we got back and he said that was good because he was a few seconds from calling a SWAT team.
Good-natured folk.
Since Chief had a bum leg and handicapped parking, those same support people drove us in a golf cart from the Jeep to the front door. Took us back after the game. No charge, tipping not allowed. One of our lady drivers was packing heat, too.
Texas.
The park is a multi-purpose palace for concerts and rodeos and even basketball and who knows what else they might use it for.
The immediate area outside is called Texas Live!, an entertainment district around AT&T Stadium (where the Dallas Cowboys play) and the new park and the “old” ballpark, now used for football and soccer and whatnot. Also in the mix are a couple of half-billion-dollar hotels, eating places, a concert venue, convention center, partridge in a pear tree, and on like that. Really pretty.
And then there’s baseball. In the past three-ish weeks, the Rangers have nose-dived from a 3-and-a-half game lead in the American League West to a neck-and-neck race with Seattle for the AL’s third and final wild-card spot. Me and the boys did our part Sunday in rooting the Rangers to a 9-4 victory over hapless Oakland, a team that sports classic uniforms but just does not have any major league players to wear them.
Now it’s your turn. The Rangers have only six regular-season home games left: Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 18-20, vs. Boston, and Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-24, vs. those pesky Mariners from Seattle. The Rangers need you. Keep in mind that for that Sunday game against Seattle, Blue Bell ice cream sandwiches are just — wait for it — $1. I kid you not. All you’ve got to do is get your posterior to Globe Life Field.
1759 – The French were defeated by the British on the Plains of Abraham in the final French and Indian War.
1788 – The Constitutional Convention decided that the first federal election was to be held on Wednesday the following February. On that day George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States. In addition, New York City was named the temporary national capital.
1789 – The United States Government took out its first loan.
1847 – U.S. forces took the hill Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War.
1862 – During the American Civil War General Lee’s Order No. 191 was found by federal soldiers in Maryland.
1898 – Hannibal Williston Goodwin patented celluloid photographic film, which is used to make movies.
1922 – In El Azizia, Libya, the highest shade temperature was recorded at 136.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
1935 – Aviator Howard Hughes, Jr., of Houston, set a new airspeed record of 352 mph with his H-1 airplane (Winged Bullet).
1937 – The first broadcast of “Kitty Keene, Incorporated” was heard on the NBC Red network.
1943 – Chiang Kai-shek became the president of China.
1948 – The School of Performing Arts opened in New York City. It was the first public school to specialize in performing arts.
1948 – Margaret Chase Smith was elected to the U.S. Senate and became the first woman to serve in both houses of the U.S. Congress.
1949 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association of America was formed.
1959 – The Soviet Union’s Luna 2 became the first space probe to reach the moon. It was launched the day before.
1960 – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission banned payola.
1970 – The first New York City Marathon took place. Fireman Gary Muhrucke won the race.
1971 – In New York, National Guardsmen stormed the Attica Correctional Facility and put an end to the four-day revolt. A total of 43 people were killed in the final assault. A committee was organized to investigate the riot on September 30, 1971.
1971 – The World Hockey Association was formed.
1977 – The first diesel automobiles were introduced by General Motors.
1981 – U.S. Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig said the U.S. had physical evidence that Russia and its allies used poisonous biological weapons in Laos, Cambodia and Afghanistan.
1988 – Forecasters reported that Hurricane Gilbert’s barometric pressure measured 26.13. It was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.
1993 – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” premiered on NBC.
1993 – Israel and Palestine signed their first major agreement. Palestine was granted limited self-government in the Gaza Strip and in Jericho.
1994 – U.S. President Bill Clinton signed a $30 billion crime bill into law.
1998 – The New York Times closed its Web site after hackers added offensive material.
2001 – U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell named Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Limited commercial flights resumed in the U.S. for the first time in two days.
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies.
09/03/23
Jesus Nunez of Houston, Tx. was arrested for no driver’s license.
Christopher Sutton was arrested for no driver’s license.
09/04/23
Doyle Young of Ringgold was arrested for second offense D.W.I. and careless operation.
Yolmaira Briceno Perez of Arlington, Tx. was arrested for no driver’s license. Young, Doyle 07/03/81 Male White Ringgold LA 32:58 – CARELESS OPERATION
Thomas Howell of Castor was arrested for four counts of forgery.
09/05/23
Demarcus Smith of Arcadia was arrested for first offense D.W.I., possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, no driver’s license and driving on a roadway laned for traffic.
09/06/23
Floyd Martin of Jamestown was arrested for violation of protective orders and domestic abuse battery.
Patience Evans was arrested for operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
Luis Wilson IV of Castor was arrested for domestic abuse battery involving strangulation with child endangerment.
Daniel Patterson of Arcadia was arrested for resisting an officer and domestic abuse battery.
09/08/23
Autry Foster of Sandy, Ga. was arrested for second offense D.W.I., exceeding the maximum speed limit and operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
09/11/23
Tausha R. Williams of Castor was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and charged with first degree vehicular negligence with injury.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or bpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)
In a thrilling start to the high school football season, the Ringgold High School football squad has captured the inaugural GeauxPreps Team of the Week presented by Magnolia Property Management. Their remarkable performance on the gridiron has earned them this prestigious recognition, and it’s a momentous occasion for the Redskins.
Friday night brought a renewed sense of hope and excitement to the Ringgold community as they witnessed their beloved football team secure their first season-opening victory since 2016. The Redskins clashed with Northwood-Lena in a nail-biting contest, ultimately emerging victorious with a final score of 34-26.
This triumph was more than just a win; it was a symbol of resilience, determination, and a bright future for Ringgold football. The victory not only marked the end of a challenging six-game losing streak dating back to the previous season but also provided the Redskins with their first non-district win since 2017.
Leading the charge for Ringgold were standout performers Jordyn Wilson and Carlos Madden. Wilson’s explosive play on the ground accounted for two crucial touchdowns, and he racked up an impressive 86 yards rushing during the game. Meanwhile, Madden showcased his prowess on the defensive end, recording an impressive 10 tackles, helping to keep Northwood-Lena at bay.
Ringgold’s remarkable comeback story and their dedication to breaking the losing streak caught the attention of GeauxPreps, earning them the coveted Team of the Week title.
The GeauxPreps Team of the Week award is proudly presented by Magnolia Property Management of Lake Charles. Magnolia Property Management & Investments, LLC, a locally owned professional property management company, is known for its exceptional service and extensive experience in the Lake Charles area. With a portfolio that includes over 600 home and apartment units, as well as 200,000 square feet of commercial and office space, Magnolia Property Management is a trusted name in the region. Their team, with over 100 years of combined experience, is committed to assisting both property owners and tenants in finding the perfect housing or office solutions.
If you’re on the lookout for your next home or office space in the Lake Charles area, look no further than Magnolia Property Management & Investments, LLC. Give them a call today at 1-337-478-0152 and experience their top-notch service firsthand.
The GeauxPreps Team of the Week is a celebration of outstanding achievements in high school sports, and Ringgold High School’s football team has set the bar high with their impressive season-opening victory. Congratulations to the Redskins on this well-deserved honor, and here’s to a promising season ahead. Geaux, Ringgold!
US 80 in Ada remains closed at this time to allow for the continued mobilization and clean-up efforts of the railroad company following a train derailment that occured on Friday, September 1, 2023.
The road closure is anticipated to remain in place for the remainder of the week and possibly into the week of September 11, 2023.
DOTD will issue another update when additional information becomes available. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Original notification 9/1/2023 7:30 p.m.):
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that, effective immediately, US 80 from Oscar Kilpatrick Road to Martin Road in Ada, Bienville Parish is closed due to a train derailment.
This road closure is necessary in order to allow the railroad company to mobilize equipment in order to begin clean-up operations.
Access to Oscar Kilpatrick Road and Martin Road will be maintained during the closure. At this time, there is no estimated time frame for reopening the roadway.
The train was not carrying hazardous material so no evacuations are necessary, though DOTD urges motorists to drive with caution through the area.
Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location.
Alternate Route: Eastbound through traffic on US 80 will need to utilize Exit 61 (Gibsland).
Safety reminder:
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
Additional information:
Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.
Contact Information:
Erin Buchanan Public Information Officer Shreveport-Bossier District (318) 549-8402 erin.buchanan@la.gov
STATEWIDE BURN BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT DUE TO CONTINUING, CONCERNING DRY CONDITIONS
BATON ROUGE (September 6, 2023)- Following consultation among the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM), Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the National Weather Service (NWS), the statewide burn ban re-issued on August 25th removing all exceptions remains in effect.
Multiple factors were taken into consideration when making this decision to include Thursday’s anticipated update to the Drought Index Map showing almost all of the state remaining in the highest categories for fire risk, and in fact, more parishes being added to the worst category, D4 (Exceptional Drought). In addition, according to the state’s weather experts, though some areas have received rain in the past few days, the rain has not significantly improved conditions and it has not been consistent even within individual parishes. Lastly, the forecast for the rest of this week into next still keeps the state under very high temperatures alongside a consistent drop in humidity which increases the chances for renewed Red Flag Warnings across most of our state.
“Wildfires are still burning across our state. Hundreds of firefighters are still working hard to extinguish those fires and there’s a grave concern more can develop,” said State Fire Marshal Chief Dan Wallis, “This decision was not made lightly, but it is being made with public safety, including the safety of our first responders, as the top priority.”
“Even though we have received a limited amount of rain, drought conditions still exist that could result in a massive wildfire,” said Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain, “We are asking for your help. Please continue to follow the guidelines of the burn ban that remains in place at this time. Let’s continue to pray for much-needed rain that will allow us all to get back to normal.”
As a reminder, the active burn ban order in effect as of August 25, 2023, at 12 p.m., prohibits ALL private burning, with no limitations, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602. This burn ban order coincides with a separate burn ban order issued by LDAF prohibiting all agricultural burning including but not limited to prescribed burning.
However, Louisiana residents can resume outdoor cooking with safety measures in place. These measures include using contained cooking equipment like grills and smokers, designed for cooking purposes only, on a flame-resistant surface with a water source or fire extinguisher nearby. The fuel source for this equipment (propane, charcoal, pellets, etc.) is not a factor in its acceptable use. The use of open flames in fire pits, campfires, barrels, bonfires, burn piles, and like open burning is still prohibited.
The status of this burn ban order will be reconsidered on a weekly basis.
SFM Public Affairs Director- Ashley Rodrigue Contact Information- osfm.publicaffairs@la.gov
