WASHINGTON, DC — Speaker Johnson honored winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition and Congressional Commendation recipients at the 2025 Community Awards Ceremony for Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District on April 23.
“We just had an extraordinary event – we love to do this annually. We give out awards for people who really represent our communities well and do a lot of extraordinary work in all of our 20 parishes around the 4th Congressional District, which is the greatest district in America. There is of honor to give, and it is due,” Speaker Johnson said. “It was a great day, and we love to do this event.”
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide, visual art contest for high school students, in which one piece of artwork from each congressional district is chosen by a panel of judges to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. The second, third, and fourth place selections will be proudly displayed in Speaker Johnson’s congressional offices.
Congressional Commendation recipients were submitted for consideration by constituents of Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District and chosen for their efforts to better their communities.
2025 Congressional Art Competition Winners
1st Place: “Craw-Fever” by Grace Rougeau, Faith Training Christian Academy
2nd Place: “Glow of the Magnolia” by Ava Agee, Airline High School
3rd Place: “Serene” by Samirah Etienna, South Beauregard High School
4th Place: “Bayou’s Serenity” by EMantyi Mosby, Airline High School
Staff Pick: “Beauty of the Swamp” by Jarei’Yuana Adams, Homer High School
Staff Pick: “In Loving Memory” by Angela Smith, Simsboro High School
2025 Congressional Commendation Recipient for Bienville Parish
Deanna Curtis, Bienville Court-Appointed Special Advocate, Chamber President, Victims for Youth Justice Board Member, and DART volunteer
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.
04/20/25
Gerrod Wimberly III of Jamestown was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment (Felony).
04/21/25
Michael Trichel (no domicile city listed) was arrested for Blocking of Private Driveways, Highways, and Department Rights of Way and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor).
04/22/25
Deaquanita Thompson of Arcadia was arrested on two counts of Violation of Probation/Parole.
Jason Hinson of Coushatta was arrested for Simple Burglary of Inhabited Dwelling (Felony) and Simple Criminal Damage to Property (Misdemeanor).
04/23/25
Jasiah Foster of Ruston was arrested for Possession of Xanax (Alprazolam; Felony) and Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued.
Steve Walker of Monroe was arrested for Violation of Protective Orders (Misdemeanor).
04/24/25
Adrian Ashley (no domicile city listed) was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor).
04/25/25
Terica Tillman of of Gibsland was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued.
Nicholas Maryland of Simsboro was arrested on two counts of Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor).
04/26/25
Nicholas Ryan of Minden was arrested for Operating a Vehicle While Under Suspension for Certain Prior Offenses (Misdemeanor); Maximum Speed Limit; Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic; and D.W.I. – 1st Offense (BAC .15 to .19; Misdemeanor).
Bruce Rushing of Castor was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed and Maximum Speed Limit.
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.
The public is invited to a National Day of Prayer event at the Bienville Parish Courthouse on Thursday, May 1, at 12pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
An indigo bunting, one of the migratory birds at risk
BATON ROUGE – An estimated 1 billion migratory birds die each year in North America because of collisions with homes, commercial buildings, and other structures contributing to a 29% drop in the overall bird population over the last 50 years. Many species are in decline in part because of these collisions including the wood thrush, which used to be a prevalent species in Louisiana, but is now a species of “conservation concern.”
“In addition to habitat loss, much of the decline of the Wood Thrush population is likely due to collisions with building collisions” said Dr. Van Remsen, LSU Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences. “In fact, there are more than 100 species of migratory birds that are seeing significant decreases in population likely due in part to collisions.”
The carnage has to stop. That’s why the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) is calling on residents and businesses throughout the state to join others in turning off bright or excess indoor and outdoor lighting from 11pm until 6am between now and June 15 to help protect the millions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night during this period.
Louisiana sits within the Mississippi Flyway migratory path. With the state’s vast wetlands, forests, and coastline serving as critical stops along the way, our state is crucial to helping birds arrive at their summer nesting grounds. Twice a year, 325 bird species travel the Mississippi Flyway. During the 2024 fall migration, an estimated 500 million birds migrated through the state of Louisiana. The majority of those birds migrate at night and typically start their nightly migration about 30 to 45 minutes post-sunset, with peak flights between 11pm and 6am.
While the dark skies allow migratory birds to avoid predators, take advantage of calmer air and utilize the moon and stars for navigation, it also brings with it dangers such as bright artificial lights and the skyglow from larger cities, which can confuse the birds, often causing them to fatally collide with buildings or windows.
“Our city lights can misguide birds, diverting them off course with often dire consequences. This initiative is an easy yet impactful step in helping these birds continue their incredible journey,” said Rebecca Triche, LWF Executive Director. “Louisiana is well-known for the populations of migratory birds at different times of the year and people care about keeping wildlife sustainable. By supporting the Lights Out initiative, businesses and individuals can take a practical step to protect the birds that briefly call Louisiana home.”
Because low clouds and adverse weather conditions can detrimentally affect migratory birds’ flight paths, WAFB’s First Alert Weather Team has joined LWF in helping to alert the public when these types of weather conditions are expected, especially during peak migration times. This educational partnership is the first of its kind, and will bring awareness and, hopefully, action to help prevent migrating birds from colliding with homes and businesses in the Capital region.
“At WAFB and within our First Alert Weather Team, we are proud to support the Lights Out Louisiana initiative. As meteorologists, we closely track the conditions that impact our skies—not just for people, but for wildlife, too,” said WAFB Chief Meteorologist Steve Caparotta. “With millions of birds flying over Louisiana during spring migration, small actions like turning off unnecessary lights at night can make a big difference. We’re committed to helping our community protect these vital and vulnerable species as they pass through our state.”
Individuals and organizations wanting to join others in the Lights Out Initiative should follow these guidelines:
Turn off non-essential lights nightly from 11pm to 6am during the migration period.
Avoid using landscape lighting on trees or gardens where birds may be resting.
For essential security and safety lighting, use these dark skies-friendly lighting adjustments:
Aim lights downwards.
Use light shields to direct light downwards and prevent an upward glare.
Use motion detectors and sensors so lights turn on when needed.
Close blinds at night to limit the amount of light seen through windows.
For building owners/managers:
Adjust custodial schedules to be completed by 11pm.
Ensure lights are turned off after custodial cleaning.
Additional Guidelines for Buildings Over 3 Stories
Dim or turn off:
Exterior/decorative lighting.
Lobby/atrium lights.
Perimeter room lights on all levels.
Floodlights.
Lighting on interior plants/fountains.
Lights on vacant floors.
Lights with blue-rich white light emissions (over 3000 K in color temperature.)
Instead use:
Desk lamps or task lights instead of overhead lights.
“Warm-white” or filtered LEDs outdoors (less than 3000 K in color temperature)
Individuals can monitor bird migration in their area by using BirdCast, a migration dashboard provided by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dashboards for Louisiana and selected cities are:
The Lady Bobcats finished first overall at the Regional Track Meet.
Congratulations to the Saline High School Track & Field teams for their success Monday at the Regional Track Meet! The Lady Bobcats came in first place overall, and the Bobcats came in second place overall.
Saline High School issued “A HUGE shout out” to the SHS coaching staff and faculty for all the help with hosting the regional meet.
I can’t imagine any other staff stepping up and filling in as willingly and as efficiently as y’all did,” said Coach Colby. “I’m very grateful and thankful for the help! It’s always a great day to be a Bobcat!”
Adysen Breeland drove in five runs on one hit to lead Saline Varsity Bobcats past Dodson Varsity Panthers 7-5 on Tuesday. In the second inning, Breeland singled, scoring two runs.
Dodson Varsity Panthers jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Courtney Mckiddy homered to left field, scoring two runs, and Olivia Underwood grounded out, scoring one run.
A single by Jayden Browning extended the Dodson Varsity Panthers lead to 4-1 in the top of the second inning.
Saline Varsity Bobcats made the score 7-5 in the bottom of the sixth after an error scored three runs, and Aly Fine grounded out, scoring one run.
Fine stepped in the circle first for Saline Varsity Bobcats. The pitcher allowed six hits and five runs (four earned) over seven innings, striking out seven and walking five. Alora Marker started in the circle for Dodson Varsity Panthers. The right-handed pitcher allowed six hits and seven runs (one earned) over six innings, striking out eight and walking four.
Lanee Cheatwood, Breeland, Ally Kate Hillman, Addison Davis, Kellyn Brister, and Ella Dison each collected one hit for Saline Varsity Bobcats. Breeland and Brister each stole multiple bases for Saline Varsity Bobcats. Saline Varsity Bobcats stole four bases in the game.
Mckiddy provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Dodson Varsity Panthers with two runs batted in. The first baseman went 2-for-3 on the day. Mckiddy and Zoey Goss were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Dodson Varsity Panthers. Marker led Dodson Varsity Panthers with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying five walks for the game. Kaylyn Nugent stole three bases. Dodson Varsity Panthers stole five bases in the game.
Save the date for Saturday, June 7, 4-8pm, for a Community Fun Day at the Arcadia Kiddie Park in downtown Arcadia. There will be games, food, music, rides, prizes, and more.
Arcadia Parks and Recreation are seeking sponsors for the Fun Day.
For more info about the event or to sponsor the Fun Day, call Mario Jefferson Sr. at 318-436-6662.
Citizens for a Better Arcadia shared a “Save the Date!” notice via the Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce. The annual Fourth of July Festival will be held on Thursday, July 3, 5-9pm, at the Eugene Smith Events Center. The fireworks show will begin at 9pm.
The Louisiana spring squirrel hunting season begins May 3 in most parts of Louisiana and lasts until May 25, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. Squirrel hunting is the perfect gateway for hunting and a great introduction for youth into the sport.
A basic hunting license is all that is needed to hunt squirrels and those 17 and under are not required to have a youth license to hunt squirrels. There are many LDWF public lands on which hunting opportunity is available. Louisiana has two species of squirrels; gray and fox squirrels.
The bag limit is three per day during the spring with a possession limit of nine.
Spring squirrel season is closed on the Kisatchie National Forest, some national wildlife refuges, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property and some state WMAs.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and LA Wallet have partnered to add additional digital fishing permits to the LA Wallet app. Effective April 29 recreational anglers with LA Wallet can view their Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) and their Bowfishing Permit on their smartphone. If you have trouble seeing these permits, user may need to close and reopen their app or even logout of LA Wallet then log back in.
New to LA Wallet?
The LA Wallet app is free for the public (download at Google Play / Apple Store).
To connect your LDWF licenses to LA Wallet:
Tap the “LDWF Licenses” credential shown on the homepage.
Read the disclaimer, then tap the yellow “Connect LDWF Account” button at the bottom. Once your LDWF account is found, tap “Yes” to add your licenses.
Your LDWF account information will display at the top of the screen. To see your individual licenses, tap the category to expand the licenses in that category. You will only see the categories for which you hold licenses. Expired licenses will display for 30 days in the LA Wallet.
As always, official hunting and fishing licenses/permits may still be carried in several other ways:
Email – If an email address is available in our system and a license is purchased, a digital version of that license will be emailed.
Image – An individual can also take a photo of their license and store that photo on their phone. Paper – We recommend folding the license and storing it in a zip-top bag or laminating the paper print between two pieces of packaging tape.
Hard cards – These collectible cards allow you to carry all of your active licenses on one long-lasting card that fits right in your wallet. The cards feature artwork from our very own outdoor enthusiasts.
Need a Free ROLP Permit?
To get your ROLP sign in or register at: ldwf.wlf.la.gov/rolp/login
A Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) is required to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, gray triggerfish, and dolphinfish in Louisiana waters. This permit is free of charge.
Charter captains, including those fishing from vessels with a valid federal charter/headboat permit, are required to have a valid Charter ROLP to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, gray triggerfish and dolphinfish in Louisiana waters. A Charter ROLP covers all paying anglers on a charter trip. A Charter ROLP is also valid for the captain on any private, recreational offshore trips he may take. Charter captains should not get a separate ROLP for private trips; they only need a Charter ROLP
Need a Free Bowfishing Permit?
The free permit can be received by using this link: ldwf.wlf.la.gov/bowp
On the above page, you will either need to create a new account or, if you have a ROLP (Recreational Offshore Landing Permit), log in using your ROLP credentials by clicking ‘Sign In With Email’. After you create your account, you should sign in with your LDWF number and then click ‘Create Permit’
For questions or experience issues, email ROLP@wlf.la.gov or call 225-763-5488. They will respond to emails/calls during normal business hours.
Tournament bass fishing is sometimes about as predictable as the weather. Every single day is different, even when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate. This is why anglers must be flexible and willing to adjust.
The anglers who can pivot at the right time are usually the guys who win. Just because you caught bass one way on Thursday, does not mean you’ll be able to catch them the same way on Friday. So many factors come in to play when it comes to bass biting.
The weather is probably the biggest factor in how bass react daily. Of course, they bite best during low or falling barometric pressure days and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over my many years of tournament fishing, it’s that timing is everything. No matter what body of water it is, bass are biting somewhere! You just have to be in the right place at the right time.
This is where practice pays off, but you as an angler must pay attention. If you caught fish in a certain area on Friday at 10 a.m., there’s a good chance those same fish will bite about an hour later the next day.
But almost every tournament day, anglers must adjust on the fly. Conditions can change hourly, especially during the spring, as cold fronts come through more often than any other time of the year. During the summer months, bass are more predictable as weather patterns tend to be more consistent and stable for days at a time.
There are days, however, when anglers are left scratching their heads and questioning the bait and technique they are using. It’s a running joke with anglers that memos are sent out to all bass on the morning the tournament starts.
It’s like they’ve been notified to be aware that there are bass fishermen on the water today looking to jerk them into a bass boat. Therefore, bass should avoid all artificial lures and be alert for anything that resembles live bait and approach all food sources with caution!
While we all know bass can’t read, there are times when it seems someone has made them aware that anglers are on the water.
Sometimes, I think we as anglers give bass way too much intellectual credit, but with so much fishing pressure on our lakes today, bass are becoming more educated and can be difficult to catch. Day after day, hour after hour, bass are seeing so many lures that they have become warry of anything that doesn’t look like natural forage.
This is the challenge that I absolutely love about bass fishing! How can I put together a recipe to catch these little green creatures we call bass. Because the ultimate goal is to put a heavy five-fish limit in the boat that will allow me to either win or cash a check.
But so many times, the tournament never goes the way you planned. There comes a point during the day that you must rethink your strategy and approach. This is when the word “adjustment” comes into play.
Like so many professional anglers will tell you, bass fishing is all about decision making. Anglers that make the right adjustments at the right time are usually the ones holding up the trophy at the end of the day.
Bass fishing is becoming more and more difficult even with all the great lures and equipment we have as anglers. The days of going out and catching a hundred bass in a day are pretty much gone. Why? I feel it’s all because of one word, “pressure.”
Boat ramps that used to be empty Monday through Thursday, are now full seven days a week. The bass never get a break from the pressure with so many anglers on the water every single day. Also, we now have Livescope, a tool that allows anglers to go after every bass.
Today, there’s no longer a safe haven for bass to retreat to and get a break from all the fishing pressure. Daily, bass are chased and pursued all over the lake with no time to recover.
This is why so many tournaments today are won by anglers who make the right decisions and adjustments in order to put themselves in position for the win or cash a check.
‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your life jacket every time your big engine is running.
What process is due? They have broken into our country and are here illegally. They clearly didn’t follow the legal process for coming into our country but now are demanding that our legal process be engaged to allow them to remain here, either for a time or permanently.
They include many rapists and murderers. During the time they have been illegally in our country they have gravely injured or killed our fellow Americans like Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, to say nothing of the drugs, human trafficking and terrorists who have infiltrated our country.
Now they demand “due process.” (I find it richly hypocritical that the same individuals who would not grant President Trump due process during the lawfare strategy against him now scream to high heaven about its importance for illegal criminals.)
I don’t know what the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately do but allowing due process to criminal illegals will be hard to swallow for millions of Americans, especially given the emergency declarations like the Alien Enemies Act that President Trump has invoked.
Nevertheless, what process is due to these criminal illegals?
I would argue that if due process is owed, it is a very light standard. By that I mean it would be legally satisfactory for our Department of Homeland Security to simply document that the individual being deported is, in fact, an illegal criminal alien. Then, to the plane and out of the country they go.
However, while I am on this topic, please allow me to address a much larger one:
Our constitutional republic sets up a tripartite system of government, with Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches each comprising 1/3rd of our federal government. The three branches are inarguably co-equal. That means they all possess the same amount of constitutional authority and are limited to their rightful places by our Separation of Powers and its checks and balances.
In this instance, though, we have one branch of government—federal judges in the Judicial Branch—telling another branch of government, the Executive Branch—i.e., President Trump, that he cannot exercise his core constitutional power to protect and defend our country from the invasion of illegals.
Well, if the three branches of government are truly co-equal, I don’t think a federal judge has the constitutional authority to prevent President Trump from exercising his own constitutional authority to deport these criminal illegals.
So, this is the larger question: who checks the Judicial Branch? Who gets to tell the Judicial Branch when it’s exceeding its authority? The Framers of our Constitution certainly did not set up the U.S. Supreme court to be superior to the other two branches; again, the three branches are to be co-equal.
I am also fully aware of the case of Marbury v. Madison in which Chief Justice John Marshall claimed and declared that “it is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.” Well, while a time-honored precedent, Marbury is not in the U.S. Constitution. For our purposes, all the Framers granted the federal courts was the authority to hear and decide concretely presented “cases and controversies,” certainly not nationwide injunctions blocking the president from exercising his core powers.
So, again, who tells the Judicial Branch, which is, again, nothing more than a co-equal branch—it has exceeded its authority? Constitutional law expert, Jonathan Turley, asserts that “federal judges have overextended themselves, they have intruded into areas of Article II, which is presidential authority … and the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to support President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies to deport over 200 members of the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Agua.”
Some constitutional scholars may disagree but if I were one of his attorneys, I would advise President Trump in this fashion:
“Sir, the entire authority of one of our three co-equal branches of government is vested completely and exclusively in you. As such, I believe your core constitutional powers as both Chief Executive and Commander in Chief provide you with unquestioned constitutional and legal authority to deport criminal illegals from our country. As a result, I would announce that you are respectfully not following this particular federal judge’s order because, in your view, it transcends the authority of a co-equal branch of government.”
The Framers were purposeful and explicit that none of the three branches of government were to be superior to, or more important than, the others. That must be obliged here.
I enjoy a well-kept lawn. My efforts in the back yard are stymied by the two dogs which own and very loudly protect their backyard turf. It is their kingdom. Both have archaeological projects going on at present. Their holes are immense. The lawn mower does strange things when I hit one of the dog’s holes.
I have no such challenge in the front yard. Mowing the yard is a task that I enjoy. The project happens on a weekly basis. At the end of the project, I can look at the lawn and see that I have finished. So much of my life is incomplete. The joke is that ministers only work on Sunday mornings and then only for a few minutes. The truth is we work all the time, and our job is never finished. I drove to the office before the sun rose this morning and made a list of the calls I didn’t make yesterday or needed to make this afternoon. We live in a state of incompleteness. (Another article for another time.) Mowing the yard is a task that I can complete.
Right now, even when I have completed the task, my lawn leaves something to be desired. Many of the lawns in the Gibsland metroplex have the same problem. You see, in Gibsland we have the Jonquil Jubilee on the first weekend in March. As a participant in the Jubilee, I have planted Jonquils along the sidewalk and in random places in the yard. This year they popped up in several random places.
The thing about Jonquils is that you don’t cut them down until Mother’s Day weekend. They need sunlight to keep the bulb healthy and to help them bloom for the 2026 Jonquil Jubilee. The committee looks unfavorably upon Jonquils that don’t bloom!
If you drive to Gibsland you will see the remainder of the jonquils. The people in town know what these spindly plants are, but visitors to our fair city might think we don’t know how to operate a lawn mower. The good news is that the time to cut them down is getting close. The jonquils are not weeds, but they sure look like it to the untrained eye.
So, my lawn looks messy even though I am mowing it regularly. If you come by after Mother’s Day, you will really see a difference. Also, all the lawn people mowing professionally will be happy that finally the Jonquils can be cut. Until then, don’t judge us if we are helping the plants get ready for the big show in ’26.
I remind you of the words of Jesus, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” It applies to lawns and to human behavior.
Robert Norman was born in Daytona, Florida, in October 1942. He grew up loving animals and nature. As a child, he raised a baby alligator in the family bathtub. For unknown reasons, he quit school and went to work with his father, Jack, as a carpenter. After an accident with a saw in which he cut off the tip of his left index finger, Robert lost what little desire he had for woodwork.
In late 1960 or early 1961, 18-year-old Robert joined the Air Force. He was initially stationed at a base in Florida, but, at six-foot-two, with flat feet, and an uncompleted high school education, Robert was not eligible to become a pilot. Instead, his superiors assigned him to a desk job as a medical records technician. In 1963, Robert was transferred to Eielson Air Force Base, about 25 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska. Robert had spent all of his life in warm and cozy Florida. The frigid environment in Alaska was in complete contrast to what he had known in Florida. Robert said he was 21 years old when he saw snow for the first time. He said later that Alaska, “has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that I’d ever seen.”
Through the years, Robert earned numerous promotions. He eventually became a military training instructor, what most of us refer to as a drill instructor. To supplement his Air Force income and as a means to escape, he took a second job as a bartender and spent hours staring at the snow-covered mountains. “I was the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being late to work,” Robert explained. “The job requires you to be a mean, tough person, and I was fed up with it.” Robert was good at his job and earned the nickname “Bust ‘em up Bobby.” He said later, “I promised myself that if I ever got away from it, I wasn’t going to be that way anymore.” He hated the person he had to be at work, a “mean, tough person.” In 1981, after 20 years of service, Robert, then a master sergeant, decided he had had enough. He retired and was determined to never raise his voice again. He also abandoned the clean-cut hairstyle required by the military.
Based on classes he took while in the Air Force, Robert found a new vocation. He began teaching in 30-minute episodes which were broadcast on public television (PBS). He unexpectedly became a cultural phenomenon. Unlike his years screaming at fresh recruits during boot camp, Robert became known for his voice which was “so soothing that its effect was once compared to Demerol.” Robert taught the world to paint “pretty little mountains,” “happy little clouds,” and “happy little trees.” Thankfully, few people remember “Bust ‘em up Bobby,” but the world remembers Robert Norman “Bob” Ross and his television series entitled “the Joy of Painting.”
Sources:
1. The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts), July 15, 1995, p.49.
April 30 is a day rich with diverse observances. National Raisin Day celebrates the dried grape, a staple in many cuisines and a significant agricultural product, particularly in California’s Central Valley. Raisins are not only a healthy snack but also a key ingredient in numerous recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes.
The day also marks National Bugs Bunny Day, commemorating the debut of the iconic cartoon character in 1938. Bugs Bunny, with his witty catchphrase “What’s up, Doc?” has become a cultural icon, entertaining generations through his clever antics and resilience.
Additionally, April 30 is observed as Honesty Day in the United States. Established in the 1990s, this day encourages honesty in communication, relationships, and politics. It serves as a counterbalance to April Fools’ Day, promoting truthfulness and integrity in daily interactions.
Barbara Torrence January 2, 1959 – April 25, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:30am at Bethel Baptist Church, Haynesville.
Lonnie Brice Service: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 1pm at Mount Canaan Baptist Church, Bienville.
Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.
04/13/25
Jimmy Bailey of Saline was arrested for Careless Operation; Criminal Sanctions for Operating Motor Vehicle Not Covered by Security; and Driver Must Be Licensed.
04/14/25
Tyler Mondello of Bossier City was arrested for Prohibited Acts – Schedule IV (Felony); Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – Other Offenses; and Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).
Sonny Lee of Arcadia was arrested for Fugitive.
04/15/25
Elizabeth Barnett of Arcadia was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor) and Theft (Misdemeanor).
Theresa Jackson of Ruston was arrested for Aggravated Battery with Dangerous Weapon (Felony) and Domestic Abuse Battery (Felony).
04/16/25
Shemerik Brown of Grambling was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed.
Veronica Clemons of Jamestown was arrested for 3 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearm (Felony); Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (Misdemeanor); and Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).
David Gutierrez, Jr. of Jamestown was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed.
James Whitman of West Monroe was arrested for Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued.
Joseph Waites of Arcadia was arrested for Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued.
04/17/25
Kadarren Gipson of Arcadia was arrested for Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued.
Barbara Crawford of Arcadia was arrested for Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued.
Adrian Reese of Gibsland was arrested for Headlamps for Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles; Driver Must Be Licensed; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Felony).
04/18/25
Dashawn Coliston of Arcadia was arrested for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (Felony; Sex Offense – Registration Required) and Theft (Misdemeanor).
04/19/25
Taylor Beasley of Arcadia was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor); Possession of Marijuana Over 14 grams/1st Offense (Misdemeanor); and Illegal Carrying of Weapon in Presence of CDS (Felony).
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 celebrated academic excellence in grand fashion at the Annual Academic Banquet held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Eugene Smith Events Center. This much-anticipated event highlighted the outstanding achievements of students who have demonstrated exceptional academic dedication, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
The evening was elevated by the inspiring presence of guest speaker, Mr. Antavion “Tay” Moore, a distinguished alumnus of Ringgold High School. His remarkable journey from Bienville Parish to becoming a national Truman Scholar and policy advocate exemplified this year’s banquet theme: “Excellence in Action: Leading and Serving with Purpose.” His message of leadership, perseverance, and giving back served as a beacon of motivation for students, educators, and families alike.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of students from across all five high schools in Bienville Parish—Arcadia High School, Castor High School, Gibsland-Coleman High School, Ringgold High School, and Saline High School. Certificates were awarded to students maintaining a 3.50 or higher GPA, acknowledging their commitment to academic excellence and personal growth.
Adding further distinction to the night, Acting Superintendent Leroy Hamilton, Jr. presented plaques to students who achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA. These students demonstrated the highest level of academic rigor and perseverance in their coursework.
4.00 GPA Honorees
Arcadia High School: Janiyah Mays (9th), Kei’Undra Simpson (9th), Kyndall Thomas (9th), Jalaisyah Sanders (10th), Tikera Fields (12th)
Castor High School: Anna Myers (12th)
Ringgold High School: Kimberly Kenny (10th)
Saline High School: Brooklyn Page-Loyd (9th), Braydon Robinson (9th), Braden Hardaway (10th), Lily Martin (12th), Clara Mauthe (12th)
Bienville Parish Banquet Coordinator, Timothy Williams, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks were extended to:
Randy Wright – Fast Pak Foods
Michelle Fields/Edwin Mason/Kasey Salvaterra – Invitations, Programs, Certificates, and Decorations
Crawford Elementary National Honor Society/4-H
Ringgold High School 4-H
Champion Trophies
Mayor O’Landis Millican and the Town of Arcadia
School Counselors, Principals, and Bienville Parish School Board Members
“This banquet serves as a celebration of not only academic excellence but also the values of service, leadership, and community commitment,” said Williams. “Our students are not only scholars but future leaders, and tonight we honor their bright futures.”
The Bienville Parish Academic Banquet is more than an awards ceremony—it is a celebration of the enduring partnership between students, educators, parents, and the greater community.
Congratulations to all the honorees for their remarkable accomplishments.
Jermario “Mario” Jefferson Sr. was selected as the 2025 Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Pictured with him are Mayor O’Landis Millican and Chamber Treasurer Deanna Curtis.
Themed “Thrive in 2025,” the 40th annual Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce banquet was held Monday, April 21. The venue was decorated to resemble the Oscars, with this year’s Man, Woman of the Year and Heritage Award winners shining bright.
The 2025 Man of the Year is Jermario “Mario” Jefferson Sr. He is a devoted family man, community leader, entrepreneur, and proud lifelong resident of Arcadia. He is married to Chautauqua Jefferson, and together they are the proud parents of seven children. He thanked everyone for honoring him in this way.
“I just want to thank God, because without him, none of this would be possible, and I also want to thank my beautiful wife, and my family and friends,” he said. “I also want to thank the [Arcadia] Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce for considering me for this honorary award. Thank you all.”
The 2025 Woman of the Year is Ann Chapman. Along with her role in helping the elderly as director of Bienville Parish Council on Aging, Chapman’s unwavering commitment is to making every occasion special for her clients. She diligently coordinates celebrations for Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Older American Month every May, and other holidays. Ann’s personal touch and attention to detail reflect her deep care and concern for each citizen.
“It is a tremendous privilege to receive the 2025 Woman of the Year award,” Chapman said. “I’m sincerely grateful to Barbara Johnson and Susan Fields for nominating me for this award, to the [Arcadia] Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce for considering me deserving of this distinguished honor.”
This year’s Heritage Award Winner is none other than LHSAA’s Hall of Famer Coach Ruby Smith Qualls. Her distinction and dedication to high school basketball is unparalleled. Coach Qualls is considered the driving force behind the Lady Hornets basketball teams’ success as well as having a positive impact on so many lives.
Coach Qualls’ career at AHS ended with 994 wins and 164 losses. Those games included six state championships, five state runner-ups, 25 district championships, and 18 Sweet 16/Top 28 appearances. She retired in 2018.
“Angela Corbin was the one who nominated me, and thanks to Deanna [Curtis] and the Chamber of Commerce for this recognition,” she said. “Thanks to my personal friend Minister Coleman and my pastor, and most of all those magic Arcadia Lady Hornets. You cannot imagine the push they’ve given me. Without those ladies, I couldn’t have done it. I did it for them, I did it for Arcadia and Gibsland. I love Arcadia and Gibsland.”
Qualls was nominated by Melanie Colvin, assistant principal at Arcadia High School. Qualls was also presented a certificate of Congressional Recognition from House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. Representing Johnson’s office was Kathy Babers, who presented the certificate to Qualls.
Large Business of the Year went to Haynes International. Scott Canady presented the award to Scott Pinkham, vice president of operations. Haynes International is the tubular factory/facility that sits on 42 acres and has been operating since 1976, serving industries such as aerospace, chemical processing, power generation and emergent technologies. Pinkham thanked the chamber, saying they are proud of the Arcadia facility.
“I’ve been coming to our Arcadia facility for the last 10 years, and I’ve always felt welcome,” he said. “I love the people, I love the culture, but it really is a wonderful facility, and we’re lucky we started it 49 years ago. We have some planning to do for our 50 years, and that’s pretty special.”
He said whenever people get on an airplane, and it’s a Boeing aircraft, it will have the Haynes tubing line that runs all the hydraulics in the plane.
“Right now we are supplying 100 percent of our titanium tubing to Boeing,” he said. “They [Boeing] have told us we have the best quality of work, so that’s pretty special.”
Small Business of the Year went to Renter’s Choice, owner Sheltric Hill. He thanked the chamber for the recognition, saying it has been an honor to serve the Bienville Parish community for the last 21 and a half years.
“How can I put 22 years into one night?” he asked. “Thank you to Deanna for nominating me, and she knows she means a lot to me. I’ll end with this, the truth be told, I need to split this award into about 300 different pieces and give it to those 300 customers who walk into my door every month. I tell my customers all the time, you can make it without me, but I can’t make it without you. I thank you for making me your choice.”
The Nonprofit of the Year went to Citizens for a Better Arcadia, whose volunteer work has been integral in cleaning up, beautifying and providing much needed assistance to those in the Arcadia community. Timothy Williams accepted award.
Scholarships were awarded to two Bienville Parish students. The first went to Timothy Tingle, a Saline High School student. He plans to attend Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College in Minden, majoring in instrumentation. The second scholarship went to Tikera Fields, of Arcadia High School, who received a scholarship sponsored by Bienville Medical Center. She will attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe in the fall, majoring in pre-medical laboratory science and intends to obtain her doctorate in medical research.
The Title Sponsor of the event was Bienville Lumber LLC, which just opened operations last year in Taylor. Bienville Lumber LLC is also the 2025-26 Chamber Champion. Diamond sponsors include House of Raeford, Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehab and Gibsland Bank and Trust. Platinum sponsors include Wimberly Agency, Trails End Golf Course, Haynes International, BOM Bank, LNB Bank, and Mercy Medical Health Center of Arcadia.
Special thanks also went to Bienville Parish 4-H, The Bienville Democrat, FastPak Foods, Bienville Parish Police Jury, the Town of Arcadia and Devine Wines and the Keg Package.
KTBS 3 Community Reporter Rick Rowe was the keynote speaker for the event.
As a teenager, John “Duff” Lowe was a budding pianist. In February 1958, a friend of his from school knew of Duff’s playing ability and asked him to join his band. With little consideration, 15-year-old Duff agreed. Being in the band was tough on Duff. On Sunday afternoons, the band would rehearse for Saturday night gigs which were anything but frequent, and his bandmates lived on the other side of the city. Just to get to rehearsals, Duff, too young to drive himself, had to take two buses. Like the rehearsals, their sporadic bookings were usually across town as well. With his school schedule, Duff was unable to meet up with the band during the week.
On Saturday afternoon, July 12, 1958, five months after joining the band, Duff and his bandmates went to a shop owned by Percy Phillips. Percy sold a variety of consumer goods including electrical appliances, batteries, and bicycles from the front of the shop. In the back of his shop was a soundproof room where Percy had a small and simple recording studio. Bands paid a small fee to make a recording, and each song was recorded in a single take directly onto an acetate disc. On that hot July day, Duff and his bandmates went to Percy Phillips’s back-room studio and recorded two songs: “That’ll Be the Day,” a cover version of Buddy Holley’s 1956 hit song, and an original slow-paced doo-wop song called “In Spite of All the Danger.” Duff and his bandmates were proud of the record, but they could not afford to make duplicates. To solve the dilemma of who would keep the record, they decided that each band member would get to keep the record for a week, then he would pass it to another member. Duff was the last member in the rotation.
The band was, as the expression says, going nowhere fast. Duff tired of the long treks to and from rehearsals. He was also missing out on the camaraderie that the other band members were experiencing during the week. Two years after joining the band, Ricky Tomlinson, leader of another band called “Hobo Rick & the City Slickers,” heard about Duff’s abilities. With the lure of fame and fortune, and more importantly, less bus trips, Ricky convinced Duff to abandon his current band and to join his band. Have you ever heard of “Hobo Rick & the City Slickers?” They failed to become household names and only lasted a short time.
Duff became a successful stockbroker. In 1981, Duff was looking in his sock drawer when he found the old 10-inch acetate record that he and his original band had recorded at Percy Phillips’ studio 23 years earlier. We can only speculate as to Duff’s reaction to finding the recording which everyone thought was lost forever. Duff eventually sold the record to one of his former bandmates, Paul, and it is said to be the most valuable record in the world. That 10-inch acetate disc, recorded with Duff as a member of the Quarrymen, was the first recording of the band that became the Beatles.
The Trump Administration announced last week it was freezing $2.26 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts that were to be awarded to Harvard University after the school refused to comply with the Trump Administration’s demands that it dismantle so-called diversity programs and limit student protests, without which the violence and antisemitism toward its Jewish students will continue. I hope the Trump IRS withdraws the school’s tax-exempt status next.
President Trump has been clear that his Administration will not tolerate Jewish students (or students of any faith) being harassed and discriminated against in violation of federal and constitutional law. Harvard, unfortunately, is only one of the numerous so-called “elite” American colleges and universities that have tolerated such discrimination.
In response to this demand by the Trump Administration, Harvard President Alan Garber idiotically wrote in a campus-wide message that “the University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” (Mr. Garber, I know a way to avoid this “surrender” you fear. How about not annually accepting billions of taxpayer dollars?!) The Trump Education Department soon responded: “Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges—that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.”
This development follows a Trump Administration initiative begun two weeks ago reviewing the approximately $9 billion dollars in annual federal funding Harvard receives with demands Harvard must meet to continue its financial relationship with the United States government.
These include “the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a ban on face coverings during protests, and reforms to admissions and hiring systems that prioritize merit-based criteria over race-or gender-based preferences” (The Epoch Times, April 15, 2025). Harvard, hopelessly Leftist and confused, resisted these calls for reform. As a result, the Trump Administration then brought the hammer stating that “the United States has invested in Harvard’s operations because of the value to the country of scholarly discovery and academic excellence. But an investment is not an entitlement. It depends on Harvard upholding federal civil rights laws, and it only makes sense if Harvard fosters the kind of environment that produces intellectual creativity and scholarly rigor, both of which are antithetical to ideological capture” (The Epoch Times).
The school must also overhaul its international admissions process to screen out applicants deemed “hostile to American values” or “supportive of terrorism or anti-Semitism.” Harvard must also commission an external audit of faculty, students, staff, and leadership to assess “viewpoint diversity” across all departments and academic units.
The audit must include specific programs that “fuel anti-Semitic harassment or reflect ideological capture.” The audit must also produce a report identifying any faculty who “discriminated against Jewish or Israeli students” or “incited students to violate Harvard’s rules” following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre in Israel, which triggered a wave of campus protests across the United States (The Epoch Times).
The Trump Administration position warms my heart.
Recall that three college presidents, including Harvard’s, were grilled in a congressional hearing about the massive protests on their campuses where chants calling for the genocide of Jews, “intifada,” and “from the river to the sea” were heard. All three awkwardly dodged the question or claimed such conduct did not violate their school policies as such, and whether the characterization of such vile hate speech violated school policy depended on the “context.” Again, the indication was that only if gatherings of students chanting genocidal slogans crossed into “conduct” might it be prohibited.
Again, this is the intellectual rot that has poisoned our American institutions of “higher learning” for decades—masquerading as political correctness—coming home to roost. This is where we are with the Woke American Left. There can be no dissenting thought, no genuine exchange of ideas. Rather, you are either Woke, or you are silenced. Censored. Cancelled. Free speech in the context of genuine academic freedom is largely non-existent in American higher education. Many of us have observed this academic censorship for years but the virulent antisemitism we are currently witnessing on college campuses receiving taxpayer-funding is a disturbing reminder.
Harvard boasts an endowment of over $50 billion. The last thing the federal government should be doing with our hard-earned taxpayer dollars is further funding this school and others like it. A hundred times more so when the school is hopelessly engaged in this kind of anti-American behavior, intolerance, and discrimination.
Mt. Lebanon Historical Society’s annual Stagecoach Trail Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 11am to 3pm at the Stagecoach Trail Museum south of Gibsland. The Country Store will serve Steve’s Famous Hot Dogs, snacks, desserts, and soft drinks.
Events include a cakewalk with music by DJ John Cole and a large silent auction. The spring raffle features a queen-size Nine Patch Quilt by Emma Kidd. Raffle tickets are $1 each, and can be purchased at the festival or in advance from Gibsland Grill and Gibsland Bank in Gibsland. The drawing will be held at 3pm, and the winner does not need to be present to win. Make plans to attend. This is an important fundraiser for the local museum.
Our beloved state of Louisiana is low on the list for some things but we have one thing we can claim that no other state has. We have the only modern-day Will Rogers as senator representing Louisiana. Senator John Kennedy often appears in clips on national news channels for his comments that have the nation laughing.
Here’s an example. While appearing with a panel of U.S. Senators on a show recently, he was asked to comment on the behavior of a member of an opposing party. He kept a straight face while other members of the panel were laughing when he said “She’s the reason they put instructions on shampoo bottles.”
Kennedy is a master of the quip and was using one of the several techniques humor writers employ to bemuse their readers.
I received a book in the mail, Funny You Asked Me That!, from my friend, humor writer Jim Mize, who writes from his cabin in the mountains of South Carolina. Included in the book are several of his humor columns but what I have found intriguing is he explains techniques he uses to create the humor that caused me to laugh.
In the book’s preface, Mize writes “Within these chapters, you will find discussions of techniques, samples and opinions of humor from a student who has spent almost fifty years on the subject and is yet to graduate.”
When I was growing up, I loved to read the outdoors magazines such as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream and Sports Afield. As soon as I got my hands on a copy, I’d head to the back pages first to read the humor columns of Ed Zern and Patrick McManus. In Mize’s book, he is also a fan of these two great humor writers and has learned a lot from them, in person or by correspondence, of how they do what they do.
Another of his favorite humor writers, also mine, is the late Lewis Grizzard who wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here’s something Mize included in the book that Grizzard wrote. “In the south, there’s a difference between ‘Naked’ and ‘Nekkid.’ Naked means you don’t have clothes on while Nekkid means you don’t have any clothes on and you’re up to something.”
Mize’s humorous writings have appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Field and Stream, South Carolina Wildlife, In-Fishermen, Great Days Outdoors and several other national magazines.
On a personal note, I occasionally include a bit of humor in the columns I write. If bits of humor in my columns are created by some of the techniques Mize writes about, such as misdirection Fishing With Beanpole, tension, timing et al, it’s strictly by accident. This is one reason I am enjoying Mize’s book so much; it shows me when I try to write something funny, that there’s a reason a particular column might produce a chuckle or at least a smile and head nod.
Mize has produced a collection of humorous books that each hold special niches in my personal library. His first one, The Winter of Our Discontent, may be my favorite. Others of his include A Creek Trickles Through It, Hunting With Beanpole, and The Jon Boat Years. Autographed copies of any of his reasonably-priced books are available at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com.
I am a lifelong fan of reading and hearing funny stuff and if you are, get your hands on one of Jim Mize’s books. Also be sure to keep your television on to news channels to see and hear what Senator John Kennedy might say next.
