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

08-13-24

Jackson, Robert James of Heflin, LA—Pled guilty to Criminal Trespass. He was sentenced to 180 days in the parish jail, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

Pete, Melvin Dejuan of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery With Child Endangerment. He was sentenced to 3 years at hard labor with all but 6 months suspended. He was placed on 3 years supervised probation.

Smith, Jr., Wilbert Lee of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS-Fentanyl. He was sentenced to 5 years at hard labor.

08-14-24

Haulcy, Jerkiya Jershae of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Battery of a Dating Partner. She was sentenced to 3 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. She was placed on 1 year supervised probation. She is required to pay $250 fine.

08-19-24

Beason, Mark Alan of Castor, LA—Pled guilty to Aggravated Assault With a Firearm. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 year supervised probation.

Blythe, James Hayden of Dubberly, LA— Pled guilty to Theft Over $25,000. He was sentenced to 5 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 3 years supervised probation. He is also required to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $5,000.

Bounds, Adarius Quinshon of Ridgeland, MS— Pled guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things. He is required to pay $500 fine.

Glover, Deondre Tyrek of Ringgold, LA— Pled guilty to Aggravated Battery. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

Haulcy, Keadohnyahe J. of Arcadia, LA— Pled guilty to Aggravated Flight From an Officer. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

Mathews, Martita of Coushatta, LA— Pled guilty to Criminal Trespass. She was sentenced to 30 days in parish jail, which was suspended. She was placed on 1 year unsupervised probation.

Palmer, Lamarcus of Ringgold, LA— Pled guilty to Resisting An Officer With Force or Violence and Domestic Abuse Battery Second Offense. He was sentenced to 1 year at hard labor for each count, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation. These sentences will run concurrently.

Perritt, Randall Dee of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Simple Battery. He was sentenced to 6 months in parish jail, which was suspended. He was placed on 1 year unsupervised probation.

Sanders, Derek of Ringgold, LA—Pled guilty to Simple Battery. He was sentenced to 6 months in the parish jail, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years unsupervised probation. He is required to pay $1,000 fine.

Young, Kenneth A. of Ringgold, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Firearm By a Person Convicted of Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor.

09-03-24

Harris, Ashley Eastman of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling. She was sentenced to 3 years at hard labor.

Smith, Taylor Shane of Bienville, LA—Pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery. He was sentenced to 6 months in parish jail, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation. He is required to pay $738 in fines and costs.

Woods, Audriana Lynn of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II CDS-Methamphetamine and Possession of Schedule II CDS-Hydrocodone. She was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor for each count, which was suspended. She was placed on 2 years supervised probation. These sentences will run concurrently.

09-10-24

Lewis, Joseph of Minden, LA—Pled guilty to Aggravated Assault Upon a Dating Partner. He was sentenced to 1 year at hard labor.

Montgomery, Quanterrick Lamario of Dubberly, LA—Pled guilty to Principal to Distribution of Schedule II CDS-Aderrall. He was sentenced to 1 year at hard labor.

10-01-24

Sullivan, Jessie Thomas of Castor, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II CDS-Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor. He also pled guilty to Aggravated Assault. He was sentenced to 6 months. These sentences will run concurrently.

10-02-24

Crane, Jeremiah Trevon of Arcadia, LA—Pled guilty to Theft Over $1,000 but Less Than $5,000. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor.

Isreal, Derrel Antwone of Gibsland, LA—Pled guilty to Obscenity. He was sentenced to 3 years at hard labor.

Jones, Dequincy Marquez of Farmerville, LA—Pled guilty to 2 counts of Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling. He was sentenced to 10 years at hard labor for each count. He also pled guilty to Distribution of Schedule II CDS- Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 5 years at hard labor. These sentences will all run concurrently.

Morgan, Curtis Ray of Ringgold, LA— Pled guilty to 2 counts of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm. He was sentenced to 3 years at hard labor on each count. He also pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery. He was sentenced to 6 months. These sentences will run concurrently.

Saline High School is celebrating homecoming this week. The annual “Paw Brawl” with Castor High School will be played in the Castor High School gymnasium Thursday, October 24, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Admission will be $7.00. 

Our Coronation ceremony will be Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 6 o’clock in the evening. Admission will be $3.00. Saline High School Seniors selected as King Candidates are Mason Brawley, Braxton Davis and Drake Lewis. The Queen Candidates are seniors Keira Blewer, Gabi Stewart and Jo Wilfong.

Junior Members of the Saline High School Homecoming Court for 2024-2025 are Addison Davis, Ella Dison, Gavon Dailey and Elijah Ferguson.

Saline High School Sophomore members of the Homecoming Court are Jackson Bougues, Adysen Breeland, Latreasure Jackson and Trey Norred.

The Saline High School Freshman Class representatives on the Homecoming Court are Brooklyn Page-Loyd, Rylan Mauthe, London Robinson and Braydon Robinson.

The Saline High Basketball teams have chosen as their Beau, Elijah Calloway, and Sweetheart, Tyla Malone.

The Saline High Baseball and Softball teams have chosen as their Beau, Braden Hardaway, and Sweetheart, Kacidy Sims.

The SHS Homecoming Court is as follows from left to right. Front row: Tyla Malone, Drake Lewis, Jo Wilfong, Mason Brawley, Gabi Stewart, Braxton Davis, Keira Blewer, Gavon Dailey, Addison Davis, Elijah Ferguson, Ella Dison, Jackson Bougues, Adysen Breeland, Trey Norred, Latreasure Jackson, Braydon Robinson, London Robinson, Rylan Mauthe, Brooklyn Page-Loyd, and Kacidy Sims. Not shown: Braden Hardaway and Elijah Calloway.

By Michelle Bates

A ribbon cutting, hosted by the Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce, was held Monday at the ambush site where Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow lost their lives following a robbery and murder spree.

The monument, which is adorned by a plaque, pays tribute to the law enforcement officers who ended the infamous couple’s crime spree. Near Gibsland, on Hwy. 154, the marker replacement was paid for by the Chamber of Commerce and the Bienville Parish Police Jury.

Perry Carver, owner of the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibsland, said the replacement comes after the original was vandalized and the original plaque was stolen.

“The people just need to leave it alone,” he said. “It’s not locals that mess it up. It’s not a memorial to Bonnie and Clyde. It’s a site marker; it’s an historical plaque, not a memorial for any one.”

Bienville Parish Police Juror Darryl Ryder, District 3, said the police jury was glad they were in a position where the marker could be replaced.

“Like everyone else, we just wish everyone would leave it alone,” he said. “It’s an historical fact, and it’s part of the history of Bienville Parish. It affects everyone.”

John Cole, Bonnie and Clyde Festival committee member, said the annual festival in Gibsland is in its 32nd year.

“We have a lot of visitors that come to the Town of Gibsland; the reason the Bonnie and Clyde Festival began in the 1990s is because people would come into town and want to visit the ambush site,” he said. “They would come out here (to the ambush site) and come back into town and asking people questions.”

Cole said a small group began what is today’s festival committee to continue to spread the message about the lawmen and the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

During the night of April 3 or the morning of April 4, 2023, a thief or thieves stole the plaque from its concrete stand at the ambush site. For 17 months, visitors to the site saw the original granite marker, which says, “At this site, May 23, 1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were killed by enforcement officers.” To the right of the granite marker, they saw a concrete stand where another plaque had been mounted.

The location of the stolen plaque remains a mystery.

The replacement marker says, “On this site, May 23, 1934, at 9:15 a.m., the famous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met their demise at the hands of these dedicated law enforcement officials. Lest we forget these brave and vigilant conservators of the peace.” Included on the plaque is the famous photo of the ambush posse.

People have mixed opinions when it comes to the “ambush” or “trap” of Bonnie and Clyde. At 9:15 on the morning of May 23, 1934, a posse consisting of Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan, his Chief Deputy Prentiss Oakley, former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and B.M. “Maney” Gault, and Dallas County Deputies Bob Alcorn and Ted Hinton killed Bonnie and Clyde in a hail of bullets on LA 154 near Sailes. It is now referred to as the ambush site. Bonnie and Clyde both had weapons on their laps.

At the 50th anniversary of the ambush, then Arcadia Town Council member Charles Butler told a Shreveport Times reporter, “Bonnie and Clyde is the most famous thing that’s happened in Bienville Parish – not the most important, the most famous.”

People come from all over the world to see the spot where Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree ended. Thanks to the Bienville Parish Police Jury and the Chamber of Commerce, visitors will get more of the story when they see the newly replaced historical marker.

Brad Dison, a columnist for The Bienville Democrat, and avid historian, contributed to this report.

The Mt. Lebanon Historical Society invites you to join us on Saturday, November 9, 2024 for the Mt. Lebanon Fall Festival at the Mt. Lebanon Stagecoach Trail Museum, three miles south of Gibsland.

Activities are from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, and include a silent auction, a cakewalk with DJ John Cole, cake auction with homemade cakes, and a quilt raffle. The raffle features a beautiful Scattered Shoofly Stars quilt, hand-made and donated by Emma Kidd. Quilt raffle tickets are $1.00 each, and the drawing will be at 3:00 p.m. You do not need to be present to win.

Tickets can be purchased from Gibsland Grill or Gibsland Bank in Gibsland by calling 318- 843-6175 or 318-286-6926, or purchase on site the day of the festival. The Country Store will serve lunch from 11:00 am until 2:45 pm. Menu: gourmet hot dogs with all trimmings, chips, desserts, and a drink (tea, soft drink, or water). Make plans to attend! If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to our museum.

This is a fun day, and an important fundraiser for our museum.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.

The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted. 

The burn ban map can be found at https://louisiana.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?layers=363fa05d91ee4d7d903c7167447785a2. 

While campfires are often part of hunting traditions in Louisiana, LDWF is asking hunters and campers to cooperate with the burn bans to ensure the safety of others and to protect forest and wildlife resources.

Violation of the burn ban order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is tasked with responding to wildfires. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or the LDAF 24-Hour Emergency Hotline at 1-855-452-5323.

John B. “Jack” Kelly was a sports fanatic.  During World War I, Jack served in the army and became a champion boxer.  Following the war, Jack rejoined his father’s highly successful bricklaying firm called “Kelly for Brickwork.”  The postwar boom quickly made Jack a millionaire.  Jack’s wealth freed him up to spend long hours perfecting his skill at sculling, rowing a long, thin needle-shaped boat with two oars.  Jack’s dedication paid off.  In a short time, he won six national championships and was the single scull champion of the United States.  Jack’s talents were such that he competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics at Antwerp, Belgium.  On that warm August day, Jack’s first event was the single scull, one person per boat.  Jack’s competitor, J. Beresford, jumped ahead at the start of the race and held the lead for the first 750 meters.  Newspapers said that Jack got a “last spurt” of energy and closed the gap when they were just 150 meters from the finish line.  Jack took the lead and crossed the finish line a full boat length before Beresford.  Jack won the gold medal in the single scull.  Back on dry land, Jack and Beresford were too tired to even shake hands.  Jack had little time to celebrate.  30 minutes later, he competed in the double scull with his cousin as his teammate and they won gold.  Four years later, Jack and his cousin competed in the double scull in the 1924 Paris Olympics and won gold again.  Jack was the first rower in history to win three gold medals.

In 1923, Jack met a girl named Margaret Majer at a swimming competition.  Margaret drew Jack’s attention for multiple reasons.  Margaret, also a fierce competitor, won first place in the women’s competition.  Margaret was also a cover-girl model with a degree in physical education.  She later became the first woman to teach physical education at the University of Pennsylvania and at Women’s Medical College.  In January 1924, six months before the Paris Olympics, Jack and Margaret married.

Together, Jack and Margaret had four children; Margaret, whom they called Peggy, John Kelly Jr., whom they called Kell, Patricia, and Elizabeth Anne, whom they called Lizanne.  Jack and Margaret expected all of their children to be as competitive in sports as they were.  Peggy, Kell, and Lizanne lived up to their expectations.  Kell competed in the 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960 Olympics.  He won gold medals at the 1955 and 1959 Pan American Games and the 1949 European Championships.  Peggy and Lizanne competed as well at the college level.  Then, there was Patricia.       

Patricia was absolutely uninterested in competitive sports.  She enjoyed swimming but not competition swimming.  She liked to swim just for fun, which Patricia’s parents were unable to comprehend.  Patricia was only somewhat interested in academia.  Her math grades were so low that she was rejected from her first choice of colleges.  She eventually enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  Soon after graduation, she began working as an actress, an occupation her father thought was “a slim cut above streetwalker.”  She appeared in thirty films including “Dial M for Murder,” “Rear Window,” and “High Society,” before she decided to retire at the height of her career.  Patricia, the outcast of the family, the girl who was not expected to amount to anything, became the most famous member of the family.  Patricia was the middle name of movie star and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

Sources:

1.      Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), August 30, 1920, p.17.

2.     Donald Spoto, High Society: the Life of Grace Kelly (New York: Crown Publishers, 2009) 34.

When it comes to bass fishing, there are a lot of great lakes in our region of the country that are loaded with trophy size largemouth bass. Several lakes come to mind; Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Caddo and Lake Fork to name a few. Louisiana has another lake that would fall into this same category….Caney Lake! 

Located in the heart of Northeast Louisiana just north of Winnfield and south of Monroe off Hwy 34, Caney Lake pretty much dominates the landscape and holds many of the top ten record bass ever caught in Louisiana waters. 

It’s a 5000-acre lake created by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries in 1986 as a part of its “Trophy Lake” program; and boy it has not disappointed. Caney has seen a lot of changes over the years especially when it comes to grass (Hydrilla). It also has a great supply of coon-tail moss, dollar pads and milfoil, creating plenty of quality cover for bass to hide.

From the beginning, as part of the Louisiana Trophy Lake program, a slot limit was introduced from 15 to 19 inches. This slot allowed for good quality fish to spawn and reproduce. This means that any fish caught inside the slot must be released immediately. 

But it was only a few years ago that Caney was anything but a trophy lake as grass carp were introduced and almost destroyed this great fishery. Today, it has rebounded and is loaded with solid areas of grass (Hydrilla) with good structure as well. 

The bass have responded with record fish being brought to the scales. In order to win a tournament on this lake, you’ll need anywhere from 22 to 28 pounds with your best five fish. On December 28, 2023, a new state record for the largest 5 fish stringer came in on Caney as Colby Dark and Gage Struben of La. Tech Bass Fishing Team weighed-in an incredible 48.6 pound stringer!

But this lake is much more than a bass fishery, as the crappie and bream population is extremely strong. The problem is with great fishing comes a lot of traffic, as anglers from all over the region compete for the better places on the lake. There’s also a good selection of boat docks to fish if that’s your preferred choice of cover. 

The lake is such a beautiful place to go fishing but understand that you may have to sit in line to launch your boat. This is especially true during the peak fishing season of early spring, but there are plenty of ramps to choose from around the lake.  

It’s also a great family lake with plenty of room to ski, tube or just go swimming. Jimmy Davis State Park is an excellent place to set up camp for a long weekend and enjoy a great playground and a really nice beach area. The State Park also offers campsites and cabins along with two large family lodges. 

All of this is a testament to how good Caney Lake is today, and it doesn’t appear it will be slowing down anytime soon. But if it’s the big bass you’re after, the best time to catch one of these Caney lunkers would be from December through April. 

To wrap this up, if you’re looking for a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and maybe catch the biggest bass of your life, take the time to explore Caney Lake. It truly is a hidden gem in Northeast Louisiana and due to the recent national TV exposure and publicity from Major League Fishing (MLF), it’s no longer a secret! To learn more about this awesome fishery, go to caneylakelife.com

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

While it’s the thought that counts, maybe it’s not the best idea to buy your preacher a case of beer to show your thanks during Pastor Appreciation Month. 

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But … there’s a time and place for everything under the sun and, well, maybe just a gift certificate for supper or groceries would be more appropriate. 

Or a loaf of home-baked bread, leavened or unleavened.

Truth be told, we should have written this three weeks ago or at least two Sundays ago, but as things turn out, it’s perfect that it’s now.

It’s “perfect” in that October is Pastor Appreciation Month and the second Sunday of the month is (the official) Pastor Appreciation Sunday and now it’s late October and some of us (me?) are three weeks and a Sunday or two behind in getting around to thanking the preacher. 

Oops. “Though our sins were many …”

Not many of us really believe this, but pastors are people too. You know … more or less.

I grew up with one. Right there in my house. 

There is no angel that shows up once a month and changes the batteries in the preacher or priest or rabbi who shepherds your congregation. At least not in the Southern Baptist preacher I grew up with. 

Once my dad got his times mixed up and fell asleep in the easy chair when he was supposed to be officiating a wedding. Had his gall bladder out. Got a few speeding tickets. Got a few more. Said a dirty word, unrehearsed, when he walked up on a snake while looking over a tiny lot of land that was being cleared; the beautiful thing about that experience was he was with the deacons — the church was constructing a little building out back — and it was right before Wednesday night prayer meeting.

Good times.

Daddy shared with the Wednesday night flock what had just happened. He did not, thank God, share word-for-word.

The point is, they are human and have feelings and are never off the clock and can never turn the clock back, even if they walk up on a snake and wish they could. 

Bringing sheaves in can be a tough job for laymen and pastors alike, but the difference is that, if you see either at the hardware store, you’re more likely to ask one to help you find the caulk (15 seconds) and the other to help you with your crazy nephew or divorce proceedings, (which could take a hardware store eternity, and to make matters worse, the preacher is likely there on his ‘day off’).

We can start small and believe that little things really do mean a lot. My gift to the preacher this month is just to try not to get on his nerves. Each of us is gifted, remember, in some way. Still a week to go to see if I can pull that off.

You can honor your pastor too. Don’t put anything mean in the suggestion box. Stay in the sanctuary until the hymn of invitation is over. Maybe smile? 

It’s the little things. 

Pastors also accept gift certificates and, if memory serves, meat they can put in the deep freeze. 

We read stories of pastors who have stumbled or ones who are asking their congregations for another jet plane, or both. It’s a hard and often strange life for us all.

But in my experience, most pastors are like most people in that they’d do just about anything for you. Like we are, they are set upon by the same lightning bolts, big and small, the rest of us are trying to dodge, they are serving in just about the hardest job to do well that there is, and they are trying to love the flock as best as they possibly can.

They’re probably doing it much better than we could.

About that beer. Daddy told the guy, “Well, I appreciate it. Very much. But it’s not something I can use. If you know of anybody…”

And the church member said, “Well, I mean, if you’re not gonna drink it, I guess, well…”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies.

10/13/24

Henry Williams of Bienville were arrested for violation of protective orders.

10/14/24

Diego Aguilar Gimenez of Round, Texas was arrested for exceeding the maximum speed limit and no driver’s license.

Juan Martinez of Arcadia was arrested for no driver’s license and exceeding the maximum speed limit.

Austin Havard of Ringgold was arrested for simple criminal damage to property (felony).

10/15/24

Ladarius Williams of Greenville, Mississippi was arrested for illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana over 14 grams and unlawful handling of machine guns.

Tyreneshia Coleman of Arcadia was arrested for failure to appear warrant.

10/17/24

Landon Haynes of Saline was arrested for domestic abuse battery.

10/18/24

Mary Cavett of Dubach was arrested for violation of protective without battery.

Cassie Havard of Castor was arrested for child support obligation.

Christopher Townsend of West Monroe was arrested for simple criminal damage to property.

Douglas Cloud of Jamestown was arrested for child support obligation.

Christian Barnard of Arcadia was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm.

10/19/24

Jordan Jenkins of Bossier City was arrested for first offense D.W.I.

Terrance Thompson of Arcadia was arrested for first offense D.W.I. and violation of probation/parole.

Steven Raymond of Arcadia was arrested for cruelty to the infirmed and domestic abuse battery.

Lisha Nix of Coushatta was arrested for failure to appear warrant.

Pecola Haynes of Arcadia was arrested for two counts of simple battery.

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.

Please send all non-profit calendar events to bpjnewsla@gmail.com

October 25 (6 – 8 p.m.)

Saline Watermelon Festival Inaugural Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Dylan Dingler Memorial Park 

October 26 (5 p.m.)

Trails End Golf Course Night Glo 2-Man Scramble $100/Team

October 26 

Pine Beetle Festival Gumbo Cook-off – Castor Community Center

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

Competition begins at 6 p.m.

October 31 (10 – 11 a.m.)

Reception to Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors and to Honor Lost Loved Ones

Bienville Medical Center

October 31 (6 – 8 p.m.)

Fall Fest hosted by Citizens for a Better Arcadia 

Festival games on Memorial Drive

Truck or Treat on N. Railroad Avenue

November 1 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Crawford Elementary School Fall Festival 

November 9 (10 – 3 p.m.)

Mt. Lebanon’s Fall Festival – Mt. Lebanon Stagecoach Trail Museum 

December 9 – 14

2024 Town of Gibsland Christmas Festival and Parade 

Notice of Death – October 22, 2024

Ozie Coleman

Feb. 23, 1943 – Oct. 15, 2024

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 12 – 3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.

Wake: 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church, Minden, La. 

Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, Mt. Pigah C.M.E. Church, Homer, La. 

Phillip Taylor McKenzie

April 21, 1948 – October 16, 2024

Homer, La. 

Graveside service: 2 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, Arlington Cemetery, Homer, La. 

Vivian Lopo Jones

June 04, 1933 – Oct. 09, 2024

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 01, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La. 

Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 02, 2024, Springlake Church of God in Christ, Homer, La. 

Interment to follow at St. John Cemetery, Homer, La. 

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 no charge.)

Arcadia – On October 11, 2024, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 20, west of Louisiana Highway 9. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 23-year-old Ruby Brantley of Minden.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by Brantley, was traveling west on Interstate 20. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle exited the roadway and entered a ditch, where it began overturning.

Brantley, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered severe injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis.

Troop G was notified that on October 13, 2024, Brantley had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of making good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted; always ensure every occupant is properly restrained and obey all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions like these can mean the difference between life and death.

Contact Information:

Trooper Eddie Thomas           

Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section-Troop G

Office: (318) 741-7411                      
eddie.thomas2@la.gov

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a $5.7 million project to replace rural six bridges in Red River and Bienville parishes, including along LA 507, LA 514 and one locally-owned route as well.

The project is slated to begin on Monday, October 21, 2024 with the closure of the Minden Road bridge over Stanley Creek south of Womack, which is a parish-owned bridge located approximately 0.7 miles east of LA 507. (see included map)

The closure is anticipated to last approximately 8 months, and is necessary to allow for the full removal and replacement of the structure.

Additional information about the replacement of the other bridges included in the project will be issued as the project progresses.

The entire project – replacement of all six structures – is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2028, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

‘The problem is not that people are taxed too little; the problem is that government spends too much‘

Many of us who were born and raised in Louisiana or who have lived here for a number of years understand that our state tax code, specifically including that portion of it located in our State Constitution, needs some re-evaluation and updating to account for current and future fiscal realities.  In connection with this, Gov. Jeff Landry highlights the coming 2025 fiscal “cliff” in which Louisiana will face a $500-$700 million deficit. 

The question has always been, what is the best way to do tax reform?

Well, much as he stated he would during his campaign for governor, Gov. Landry has taken a first step to eliminate the state individual income tax to make Louisiana more competitive with our neighboring states like Texas and Florida that have no state income tax.  He feels doing so would send a message that Louisiana is becoming increasingly tax “friendly” and more efficient with the taxes it does collect—which, of course, contributes nationally to our profile as being a pro-growth state.  In fact, the Plan specifically states that it “seeks to attract new investment while protecting low-income earners, our middle class, and senior citizens.”

So, what does the Landry plan entail?

Some of the prominent items include going to a 3% flat tax rate, down from 4.25%, a $12,500 standard deduction for low and middle-income earners, reducing the corporate tax rate from 7.5% to 3.5%, increasing the deduction for seniors (65 years and up) from $6,000 to $12,000 a year, eliminating state sales taxes on prescription drugs, a permanent teacher pay raise and repealing the corporate franchise tax. 

Wow!  That would be quite a change.  How would those tax revenues be replaced?

The services that would fall under the new sales tax plan include activities such as political lobbying, dog grooming, massages, car detailing, landscaping work, streaming services in our state, and numerous others.  It would also likely require making permanent our “temporary” 0.45% state sales tax. 

The reason I suggest that this tax reform proposal is worthy of our consideration (and I hope the governor will take on the permitting process in this state next) is because we have seen, time and again, at the federal level that tax reform (which prominently includes tax cutting!) does create jobs, spurs economic growth and attracts investment. 

Pres Reagan and others have reminded us many times that “the power to tax is the power to destroy” and the more we tax something the less we will have of it.  We must apply this commonsense advice to our own state tax structure.  Some of the deductions and exemptions that riddle our State Constitution are decades old and may serve no need or have no real purpose any longer.  Those constitutional dedications must be examined in light of Louisiana’s current needs.

In short, by reducing personal and corporate income taxes we protect families and small businesses—which are the economic backbone of this state—and we provide hope.  We give our children the thought that perhaps in a better economic climate they would not need to leave Louisiana and go to Dallas or Atlanta for jobs. We know many of them want to stay here, where they are from, we just have to make it possible for them to do so.  We already have the best people, best food and the most interesting culture in the world.  Now, let’s develop an equally great business climate.

I close with two points:

1). I note that because several of the aforementioned proposals will require changes in our State Constitution, the voters will have to agree to them and most likely that voting opportunity will come in March of 2025.  2). I commend Governor Landry for taking this on.  No matter how it turns out, and I’m certain there will be much debate and numerous amendments, the Governor’s plan puts a spotlight on our state tax structure and performs the equivalent of an audit.  That is all for the good.

It is morally essential that government at every level impose the awesome tool of taxation—the power to remove from the pockets of American and Louisiana citizens under force of law their hard-earned monetary gains earned through blood, sweat and tears—with respect and with care, taking as little as possible and only as much as is necessary for essential government functions.

(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.  He has witnessed up close several Speaker races.)

Fall feeding is one of the most critical feeding times for your lawn. A healthy and stable plant can endure the hardship of winter better than a weak plant. Using a winterizer lawn food builds better hardiness, stem strength and disease resistance in lawns. It also is a good evaluation time for your grass. Is there proper moisture content with good drainage? You don’t have places that have standing water. This just causes more stress to your lawn along with the winter stress.

Fertilome has a winterizer that is 10-0-14 that also contains trace elements. The application rate is 20 lbs per 5000 square feet. It is also labeled to use around your shrubs and trees. Trees use 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter around the drip line. For shrubs use 1 cup per 3 ft of height around drip line.

Another thing to think about is overseeding your lawn with perineal ryegrass. This does not mean perineal that comes back every year.  Perineal ryegrass is a really thick ryegrass that makes your lawn look green, thick and luscious. This is the grass that the baseball fields use in the winter. When they start spring season there is a silent competition between  the coaches who have the best looking field. Futura and Panterea are names of 2 of the varieties used in our area.  

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Bienville Parish Journal.)

My first clear memory of her is not a happy one. It’s when she came into my brother’s bedroom and told us our father had just passed away. I was six. My final memory of her isn’t good either. She was in the hospital, unable to talk, unable to recognize me. It was just two weeks ago and the morning of my 63rd birthday. Even though those first and last memories aren’t joyful ones, I believe it’s the time in between, “the dash,” that matters. And she made all 91 years in that dash, count.

She was a single mother before single mothers were cool. Left with two boys to raise, she went back to school and got her master’s degree. She taught art lessons in our home to help make ends meet, sold her art, and eventually began teaching in local schools. She taught for 50 years and retired at 80. 

She was tough. Two weeks after her husband died, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Two months later, Bobby Kennedy was killed. A few weeks after that were the Chicago riots. It must have seemed like the world was falling apart around her. Through it all, she remained strong. She had solid, loving friendships, and I was blessed to have grown up surrounded by those friends and their children. I can’t imagine having a better childhood. We didn’t have much money, and material things were sparse, but there was one thing that rose above all else: love.

She knew she couldn’t play backyard football and had no interest in hunting, but she figured she could learn how to fish. In 1971, three years into widowhood, she made one of the greatest single-mom moves ever and bought a fish camp. I have no idea where she got the money, but she made it happen. It wasn’t much— a mobile home a few blocks off the water— but to my brother and me, it was paradise. The three of us set crab traps in the morning and checked them at dusk. We fished, and water-skied, and swam. It was young-boy heaven, and everything in the world felt right. I probably never appreciated her sacrifice as much as I should have.

Looking back, I can only remember a few times in my childhood when I regretted not having a father. That’s because of her, and the community that surrounded us. The men and women in our neighborhood took great interest in my brother and me and went to great lengths to help raise us. But the main reason I rarely felt fatherless is because she was tough, committed, and did a fine job filling both parenting roles.

She never remarried. She dated a little, but she always said that no one would ever replace our father. Even though she was alone, she rarely let on that it was difficult. She was fiercely independent and determined to make a life for us the best she could. It’s only now, with the clarity of time, perspective, and kids of my own that I can fully appreciate the strength it took to carry that burden alone. 

As the only widow in the neighborhood—for several neighborhoods actually—she designated herself the self-appointed in-house counsel for recently widowed or divorced women. I can remember going with her to several houses as she visited and offered comfort and advice (one thing she was never short of) to women who were going through what she had already dealt with.

In the early years of my marriage, my mother and wife didn’t always see things the same way. They were both fiercely independent, strong-willed women, each with her own approach to life. Like many mothers, she struggled with letting go. But over time, that initial tension softened, giving way to a mutually abiding respect. In the last two decades of my mother’s life, my wife became a dedicated caretaker, a role for which I am deeply grateful. Their bond grew, not out of ease, but out of the shared love they had for our family. In her final weeks, my wife sat at her bedside, reading Bible verses, playing recorded hymns, and quietly reminding her how much her two boys loved her.

She was a teacher, an artist, and a friend to many. She loved her church, but above all else, she was a mother. That was her most important role, the one she carried out with grit, determination, and love. She and I spent her last healthy decade sharing breakfast three days a week. As a kid, breakfast was just fuel—something quick before rushing out the door. But as we got older, those meals became something else entirely. It wasn’t just about eating; it was about sitting together, reflecting, and taking a little time before the day got away from us.

In the same way she laid paint on a canvas with purpose, she lived her life with a strong hand, unwilling to let circumstances dictate her choices—always creating, always moving forward. People will say, “It’s a blessing.” She probably would have said the same, as she wouldn’t have wanted to live the way she did in her final year. She’s finally with my dad again. Therein lies the true blessing.

As I rode the hospital elevator down after saying my final goodbyes to her two weeks ago, it struck me: 63 years earlier, to the day, we were in that same building, at that same moment, but for a very different reason. I had just been born. In that instant, her life must have seemed full of promise and ease. She might have imagined the road ahead as bright and smooth. But life had other plans. Fate threw its share of storms, yet she faced every one of them with the unyielding grit and determination that always defined her. Standing in that hospital, it hit me: life had come full circle. What began with her bringing me into the world had quietly come to an end, with me standing there, letting her go, as if everything we had shared was always leading to that moment.

The timing of something like this can never be good, but it actually couldn’t be much worse. I am in Italy and begin hosting four separate groups of Americans over the course of four weeks, tomorrow. For the last few years, my brother and I have had a plan in place just in case. She was a hard-working woman. She raised two hard working boys who each started earning money around 12-years old. She would insist that I fulfil my commitment and do the work. I return in mid-November. The funeral will be held soon after. 

In my mind’s eye, I still see her at the fish camp, behind the steering wheel of that little bass boat as we navigate the Pascagoula River. The traps just checked, and a small Igloo cooler full of live crabs at our feet. It’s just the three of us—a mom and her two boys—living life together. In those moments, nothing else mattered. There was no weight of the world, no burden of being widowed or fatherless, no struggles that awaited us back home. It was just us, on the water, savoring the simplicity of being together. Beautiful.

I hear that tiny outboard, the sound of the waves on the bow, and the smell of the brackish air mingling with the briny scent of crabs in the ice chest. Those moments, small as they seemed then, are the ones I hold closest to my heart now. We didn’t need much—just each other, a summer afternoon, and the promise of a seafood dinner at the end of the day.

She made those moments possible—the ones that felt effortless but were built on quiet strength and work ethic. She taught me that even in the face of hardship, there is joy to be found, especially in the simple things. And life goes on. 

Until it doesn’t. 

As I look back on her life, I see it clearly. She was right. Life isn’t about grand gestures or extravagant plans; it’s about the steady presence of someone who loves you, who keeps you moving forward, even when the waters are rough.

I’ll carry those memories with me for the rest of my days. 

In the quiet corners of my thoughts, she’s still behind the wheel of that little boat, guiding us through the currents, her hair blowing in the breeze, the sun setting behind the cypress. My brother and I are in the other two seats, the day’s catch in the cooler, water lapping against the hull, and the sky painted with the final hues of day. We are headed home, just the three of us, as we always were—her leading the way, always steering us safely back, no matter the storm.

That’s who she was. A true force, steady and sure, always taking us home.

Onward.

(Robert St. John is a chef, restauranteur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

While we all know that nothing is better for a sport or business than competition, it’s the one thing that makes everyone work harder. Competition creates diversity and allows for people or an organization to get better. If you want to see what diversity looks like, look no further than the options available for bass tournament anglers in the state of Texas. Today we’ll look at the many options anglers have to pick from.

While competition is great, it’s not always what’s best for everyone. Bass anglers in this part of the Ark-La-Tex are spoiled and offered a lot of different options to fish especially when it comes to team tournament trails. 

The question is: “How do anglers decide what they want to fish?” Is it about the cost to enter, the payback or is it more about what lakes the circuit is going to? The answer is…. all the above! Anglers today have a plethora of circuits to fish with the big three being the Texas Team Trail, Bass Champs and the Brandon Belt Team Trail. Also available are the ABA Solo 150’s, along with the ABA Pro League. 

The big three listed above are all team trails while the two ABA circuits are professional style events as anglers fish solo in both. In 2024, ABA eliminated all co-anglers in order to offer anglers an affordable pro-style tournament trail with low entry fees of $325 for the single day Pro League and $625 for the Solo 150’s which are two-day events. 

ABA also offers the opportunity for anglers to advance to a national championship event called The Ray Scott, named after the man who was a huge supporter of ABA and started professional bass fishing. The Ray Scott National Championship will draw up to 200 boats on average each year and is held on some of the best lakes in the country. 

For 2025, Texas Team Trail has increased its payback with the intent to draw more anglers. Of the big three, Brandon Belt has become the top dog with huge paybacks of $100,000 going to the winners of each event. Bass Champs continues to cater to its angler base with great paybacks as well. 

So, with so many great tournament trails available, anglers are sitting down and looking at what trail best fits their needs. The lakes selected by the circuit are a huge factor because anglers want to fish bodies of water they are familiar with. They want to fish lakes that give them the best chance to not only win but get a check. 

The other problem with too many circuits is the fact that there are basically only 4 weekends in a month and anglers can’t financially afford to fish every weekend. This is why most anglers will only choose to follow two circuits. 

This means some tournament trails will and are experiencing lower participation numbers. The next question is, “ Can they all survive?” So far, the answer has been yes, but as we prepare to elect a new President, there is a lot of uncertainty with regards to the economy and what direction our country is headed. 

From an angler’s perspective, we better hope and pray that the American people are not being fooled by a candidate who is feeding us a “word salad” and trying to sound intelligent while trying to convince the American public they can do the job. Because the choice we make this time will have a lasting affect that could have grave consequences and end our days of enjoying the sport we all love so much.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and just because the hot summer days are behind us, protecting your skin is still important. Wear your sunscreen and good protective clothing every time you head out to your favorite lake. 

Steve Graf

Angler’s Perspective

Please send all non-profit calendar events to bpjnewsla@gmail.com

October 19 

Bonnie & Clyde Halloween Trade Days

October 21 (10 a.m.)

Celebrating Restoration of the Tribute to Law Enforcement Plaque at Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Site

October 25 (6 – 8 p.m.)

Saline Watermelon Festival Inaugural Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Dylan Dingler Memorial Park 

October 26 (5 p.m.)

Trails End Golf Course Night Glo 2-Man Scramble $100/Team

October 31 (10 – 11 a.m.)

Reception to Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors and to Honor Lost Loved Ones

Bienville Medical Center

October 31 (6 – 8 p.m.)

Fall Fest hosted by Citizens for a Better Arcadia 

Festival games on Memorial Drive

Truck or Treat on N. Railroad Avenue

November 1 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Crawford Elementary School Fall Festival 

November 9 (10 – 3 p.m.)

Mt. Lebanon’s Fall Festival – Mt. Lebanon Stagecoach Trail Museum 

December 9 – 14

2024 Town of Gibsland Christmas Festival and Parade 

Graveside services for Sally Bogan Bissonnette, 96, of Castor, LA will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 18, 2024 in Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor, LA with Devon Aldridge officiating. Visitation will be October 18, 2024 from 11:00 – 1:30 at Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, LA.

Sally was born June 24, 1928 in Castor, LA and passed away October 13, 2024 in Shreveport, LA.

She graduated from Castor High School and went to LA Tech where she obtained her degree in English with a minor in Arts.  While at LA Tech she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.  With a servant’s heart, she was always helping the downtrodden.  Sally worked as a Child Support Enforcement Officer and retired as a social worker for the state of Louisiana.  She loved doing genealogy and was one of a kind.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Willie C. Bogan; sister, Betty Bogan and husband, Anthony Bissonnette.

Left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Vicki Pickett and husband, Marcy of Castor, LA and Candi Gijsbers and husband, Gary of Rio Rancho, NM; seven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and one more on the way, eight great, great grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Sanford, Jeremy Sanford, Reed Gijsbers, Bridges Gijsbers, Marcy Pickett and Gary Gijsbers.

Trudie Smith 

Aug. 04, 1943 – Oct. 04, 2024

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La. 

Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, St. John Baptist Church, Lillie, La. 

Interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Haynesville, La. 

Sally Bogan Bissonnette

June 24, 1928 – Oct. 13, 2024

Castor, La.

Visitation: 11 – 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, La.

Graveside service will follow visitation at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor, La.

Vivian Lopo Jones

June 04, 1933 – Oct. 09, 2024

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 01, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La. 

Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 02, 2024, Springlake Church of God in Christ, Homer, La. 

Interment to follow at St. John Cemetery, Homer, La. 

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 no charge.)

By Shawn C. White

Under the Radar NWLA

The road was a little rough for the two Bienville Parish football teams. 

Ringgold had another Thursday night game traveling to Grambling and fell 53-6 to Lincoln Prep Panthers.  The loss is the third consecutive for the Redskins.  Ladaunte McCoy scored the lone touchdown for Ringgold. 

Arcadia headed to Minden and came up short 27-6 against Glenbrook.  The Hornets are currently on a two-game skid but are still in the Division IV Nonselect Top 28 at No. 23 which equates to a road playoff game. 

Glenbrook 27, Arcadia 6

Rodtravious Jackson tossed 11 for 26 for 189 yards a touchdown and an interception.  Darrell Sneed Jr. Was the main target with 3 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.  

The swarming Hornet defense kept the game from a blowout as Bryan Gates had 5.5 tackles (4 solo, 3 assists), Joe Salvaterra collected 6 tackles (3 solo, 6 assists), Tekiyrian Abney added another 6.5 (2 solo, 9 assists).  Salvaterra added an interception. 

Glenbrook took the first-quarter lead on a 4-yard touchdown run and the 6-0 first-quarter lead.  

Another Apache 4-yard touchdown pushed the lead to 14-0.  Jackson connected with Sneed on a 52-yard touchdown pass to put the Hornets on the board.  Glenbrook got one more touchdown on a 5-yard run before halftime and took a 20-6 halftime lead.  

Neither team could score in the third frame but Glenbrook added one more touchdown on a 7-yard touchdown for the 27-6 win. 

Ringgold will be back at home on Friday night against a team that they’ve found success against in the Magnolia School of Excellence Mariners (0-6).  Arcadia will have homecoming festivities and a game on Friday night against the winless Plain Dealing Lions (0-6). 

By Michelle Bates

A man who embodied community spirit and all things Arcadia received special recognition in the renaming of the Arcadia Events Center.

The events center was renamed after the late Mayor Eugene Smith, who served as mayor for nearly 16 years. He passed away in April 2018.

Edwin Mason, who came up with the idea to rename the Arcadia Events Center, said Smith was an exceptional man.

“He was a politician’s politician,” Mason said. “He didn’t meet a stranger. Everywhere he went, he was talking about Arcadia. His legacy is everlasting. He will forever be cherished because he started this process around 2012, and it was completed in 2014, and it was his pride and joy.”

Mason said he wanted to rename the Arcadia Events Center because it was a ‘no brainer.’

“I witnessed former Mayor Smith’s tireless efforts to accomplish this great task and provide his town with a building to hold many events and be the pride of our town and community,” he continued. “I marveled at his relationship with former Governor (Bobby) Jindal to accomplish this in a small town. So it was a no brainer that his name should forever be etched in the stone and walls of his event center.”

Smith’s grandson, Jessie E. Smith, said he and his family were honored to have this recognition for the late mayor.

“This place was one of his highest achievements,” he said. “It seems so fitting that it was named after him.”

He shared stories with those in attendance, especially one in Smith’s final days.

“He followed everything that was going on, and while he was in the hospital, he would introduce himself and talked to everyone, introducing himself as ‘Eugene Smith, Mayor of Arcadia.’ My grandfather’s spirit will always live on in the community of Arcadia, and now every time we gather here, we’ll be reminded of his love for his community.”

Mayor O’Landis Millican reflected on his relationship with Smith, saying he taught him much about being in politics.

“If you know Eugene Smith, you know not to disagree with him,” he said. “If you knew Mayor Smith, you’d know the love he had for Arcadia. It’s unmatched. He was the best teacher on how to be a politician.”

Smith retired from the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles after 30 years of service to the state. Following retirement, he ran for and won the mayor’s seat in 2003, and remained so until his passing.

He owned and operated a furniture store and a car dealership in Arcadia for many years.

Two of Eugene Smith’s major accomplishments as mayor were the funding and construction of the Arcadia Events Center and the purchase of the Vanity Fair Outlet Mall, both reportedly with no debt to the town.

His loving wife, Billie Smith, sent a statement to be read during the ceremony.

Millican said she could not make it, but read aloud what she’d written about her late husband.

“I would like to thank Mayor Millican and the members of the Town Council for the honor they are bestowing upon their former mayor and my late husband, Mayor Eugene Smith. He proudly served the Town of Arcadia for almost 16 years. Eugene recognized that Arcadia and the surrounding area were in desperate need of a facility such as the Event Center. With the help of some friends in Baton Rouge, he
was able to obtain the funding for the building, and so the work began. Eugene and the Town Council worked tirelessly to completely fulfill his vision. It is a beautiful, multi-functional facility for everyone to enjoy.

“I remember being at several events with Eugene where certain people would ask him how he managed to get that much money approved at the state level. He would reply in his own unique humor, “I had to shake a lot of hands and kiss a lot of people. Now, I won’t say where I had to kiss them.”

“Again, my family and I want to thank everyone for this great honor. Our only wish is that he could be present to see how much his leadership and hard work are being appreciated.” (Billie Smith, 10/09/24)