Month: July 2025

Arrest Reports

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.

07/21/25
Madelin Allums of Jamestown was arrested for 3 counts of Simple Cruelty to Animals. 

07/22/25
Kenyatta Keener of Minden was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued.

Russell Smith of Ruston was arrested for False Imprisonment (Misdemeanor); Domestic Abuse Battery (Felony); Simple Robbery (Felony); and Aggravated Second Degree Battery (Felony). 

Jacolby Brown of Ringgold was arrested for Simple Battery (Misdemeanor) and Battery 0f  a Dating Partner with Strangulation (Felony). 

Kizzy Anderson of Minden was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License; No License Issued.

07/23/25
Adriana Taylor of Winnfield was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery (Misdemeanor). 

Kieonsai Neloms of Heflin was arrested for Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (Sex Offense – Registration Required) and on a Fugitive warrant. 

07/24/25
Marcus White Jr. of Ruston was arrested on two counts of Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor). 

07/25/25
Ola Gipson of Arcadia was arrested for Negligent Homicide (Felony).

Tommy Branch of Saline was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery (Misdemeanor). 

7/26/25

Jeremy Grant of Minden was arrested on a Fugitive warrant. 

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.

Clerk of Court seeking poll workers

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The Bienville Parish Clerk of Court recently highlighted the need for local poll workers. Without local poll workers, citizens of Bienville Parish can’t vote locally.
 
The Clerk encouraged members of the public to consider signing up – the training and testing can be done completely online or in person at the volunteer’s convenience.
 
Fill out the form below and return it to the Clerk of Court, and they will get volunteers signed up.
 
 
Serve the community and protect the right to vote locally.

LDWF delays Lake Bistineau drawdown to provide additional recreational opportunities

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is delaying the start of a previously scheduled drawdown of Lake Bistineau, located in Webster, Bossier, and Bienville parishes. The drawdown, originally set to begin on July 28, will instead begin August 11. The delay will provide extended use of the lake at full pool stage. The delay was possible due to successful vegetation management and control efforts by LDWF staff and herbicide application contractors over the last few months, as well as favorable weather conditions this past winter and late spring. As many in the public have noted, the majority of the lake has been free from heavy accumulations of giant salvinia this summer.

The lake is expected to dewater at a rate of four to six inches per day until it reaches a maximum drawdown level of eight feet below pool stage. This rate may vary depending on rainfall in the surrounding watershed. The drawdown structure will be closed on or around November 15, allowing the lake to refill during the waterfowl season and ahead of early spring recreational use.

Drawdowns are a key component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to address the overgrowth of aquatic vegetation and improve sportfish habitat. Contracted herbicide application of approximately 90 days has occurred on the lake so far in 2025. However, the rapid expansion of giant salvinia is likely to outpace herbicide control efforts as the summer continues. The drawdown will allow late-summer heat to desiccate salvinia once those plants are stranded on the dry lakebed during the drawdown. Seasonal water level fluctuations can simulate natural overflow cycles, benefiting both the ecosystem and recreational fishing. Herbicide treatments will continue throughout the two-week delay and during the drawdown period.

Approximately 10,000 acres of water will remain in the lake during the drawdown. Public boat access will still be available at the following launches:

  • Port of Bistineau Launch
  • Bossier Public Launch
  • Grice’s Landing
  • Bayou Dorcheat Public Launch

Boaters are advised to use caution, as submerged hazards may not be clearly marked and normal boat lane clearance will be reduced during low water levels.

The Lake Bistineau Waterbody Management Plan is available at:
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/freshwater-inland-fish/inland-waterbody-management-plans

Castor High is hiring a bus driver

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The Bienville Parish School Board will be accepting applications for a bus driver for Castor High School from Monday, July 28, through Monday, August 4, at 4pm. 

Applicants must be Louisiana Certified to drive a school bus (CDL, Driver’s License with Passenger [P] and School Bus [S] endorsements). Applicants must meet this qualification at the time the application is submitted. In addition, applicants must pass (1) a CDL physical examination, (2) a pre-employment drug screening, and (3) a criminal records background check. 

Applications may be picked up at the office at Castor High School. Submit the application along with documentation of certification to: 

Joy Dee Wallace, Principal
Castor High School
140 Front Street
Castor, LA 71016
Fax: 318-544-9077

For questions or information, call 318-544-7271. 

Arcadia to host community town hall meeting Aug. 5

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Councilman Timothy Williams is sponsoring a community town hall meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 5:30pm at the Arcadia Town Hall (1819 S. Railroad Ave.). The meeting will feature special guest Ms. Amri Warren, Louisiana Main Street representative. This is an opportunity to hear directly from Louisiana Main Street and to voice ideas, concerns, and questions. 

This is more than a meeting – it’s a movement. Be part of the change. Be part of Arcadia’s comeback.

For questions or to get involved, contact Councilman Williams or email citizensforabetterarcadia@gmail.com.

Town of Arcadia Community Litter Pickup & Cleanup Day on Aug. 2

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The Town of Arcadia will host a Community Litter Pickup & Cleanup Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 8am-12pm. 

Volunteers will meet up at Arcadia High School (Daniel St.). Come together to make a visible difference in the community. From Arcadia High, volunteers will spread out across town to clean up. 

The town is calling on all service organizations, church groups, students, families, and community members to join them in this effort. Whether it’s picking up trash, lending a hand, or simply showing support—it starts with community. Together, the community can Keep Arcadia Beautiful and do its part to Keep Louisiana Beautiful too.

Secretary Landry announces dissolution of Independent Party in Louisiana effective Aug. 1

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Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that, due to legislation passed in the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, the Independent Party will cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana on Aug. 1, 2025. Voters registered as Independent will have their party affiliation automatically changed to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. Affected voters will receive a notification by mail, including an updated voter information card.

The Louisiana Legislature mandated this change in Act 84 of the 2025 Regular Session to prepare for the state’s transition to a Closed Party Primary system for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education contests. Closed Party Primaries will begin in 2026 and participation will be limited to voters whose party affiliation is listed as Democrat, Republican, or “No Party” on their voter registrations.

“Many Louisiana voters who are registered as Independents mistakenly believe they are unaffiliated with any political party, when in fact they are members of the Independent Party,” Secretary Landry said. “This proactive change will allow voters formerly registered as Independents to participate in Closed Party Primaries next year, preventing voter confusion while maximizing participation.”

Louisiana’s new Closed Party Primaries were created by the Louisiana Legislature in Act 1 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session. Secretary Landry encourages voters to check their voter registration information on the GeauxVote Online Registration System or free GeauxVote mobile app to ensure their information and party affiliation are up to date.

An ‘Independent’ Federal Reserve is Impossible Without a Public Audit

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By Royal Alexander

We have seen President Trump’s great frustration regarding Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, and what Trump insists is the stupidity and tardiness of Powell in not cutting short term interest rates.

[As an aside, let me note that Powell was appointed by Trump in his first term when Trump knew comparatively little about D.C. and relied on others for advice. He considers Powell one of his biggest disappointments. In addition, Powell has squandered his credibility with his incompetent, if not corrupt, management of the obscene upgrade and cost overrun of the Federal Reserve building itself. How can Powell be trusted to manage the monetary policy and the economic well-being of the entire American economy with 330 million citizens if he can’t truthfully and efficiently manage the upgrade of one building?]

This tension between U.S. presidents and the Fed has always existed, but the Fed has remained independent and insulated from the reach of a president. However, Congress never intended that the ‘independence of the Fed’ extend this insulation beyond the scope of public accountability to the American people whose economic interests the Federal Reserve was first established to protect.

What’s interesting is that while we have seen the current Supreme Court hold that the Chief Executive may exert his presidential (executive) authority over independent agencies (like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), not so the Fed.  In fact, the Supreme Court has stated “The Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured quasi-private entity that follows in the distinct historical tradition of the First and Second Banks of the United States.”  

Why would that be the case?

Well, the Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States and was created in 1913 to stabilize the nation’s monetary and financial system. It came about due to several financial “panics” in our nation’s history which underscored for Congress the need to create a central authority to manage the nation’s money supply and prevent banking collapses.  In fact, the “dual mandate” of the Fed has historically been to pursue both “maximum employment and low, stable inflation.”  That continues and the Supreme Court has deemed it prudent to allow the Fed to do so as a “uniquely structured quasi-private entity.”

However, the Supreme Court’s legal treatment of the Fed is a very different consideration than whether the Fed—which is still a hybrid agency of the United States—should be audited.  I don’t think there is any question it should be audited.  While I recognize that the Federal Reserve does not receive funding through regular congressional appropriations, it does fund its operations from the interest earned on the huge number of securities—primarily U.S. government securities—that it purchases. (It also charges fees to financial institutions for services like check clearing). 

That, to me, provides a sufficient nexus to allow it to be audited.  So, how would that go?

Well, U.S. Senator Rand Paul has championed this issue for many years.  However, I note that whenever the topic of “auditing the Fed” is raised, the Fed quickly asserts that it is already “subject to several levels of audit and review.”  However, the audit I seek would not be of only the Fed’s financial statements and internal controls.  While those are necessary and important, they are incomplete.  Secondly, the so-called independent auditor the Fed states that it uses is “an independent outside auditor retained by the Fed’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).”

That’s simply inadequate.  I don’t want the “independent outside auditor” to be retained by the Fed’s Inspector General. I want Congress to appoint a truly independent outside auditor.  Otherwise, there is an implicit conflict with, and bias in favor of, the Fed because the auditor chosen by the Fed is—given it is paying the auditor—beholden to the Fed position and view.

That is why I hope Congress will pass legislation recently reintroduced by Senator Paul.  The bill is the “Federal Reserve Transparency Act” better known as “Audit the Fed” requiring a full public audit of the Federal Reserve’s operations and increased congressional oversight of its decision-making.

Sen. Paul makes the point that “no institution holds more power over the future of the American economy and the value of our savings than the Federal Reserve.  It’s long past time for Congress to stop shirking its duty and hold the Federal Reserve accountable.” Amen.

Trying to keep fishing fun

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As athletes, and no matter what sport you play, the day comes when you must ask yourself, “Am I having fun?” At the age of 35, softball was a sport I truly enjoyed, and I was fortunate enough to play on two national championship teams while making friends for life.

But after winning the last championship, I knew my time was up as I walked out the gate of the USSSA Men’s Softball World Series in Shreveport. I knew this because it was no longer fun. Additionally, my kids were now playing sports as well and it became my time to give back and start coaching.

Tournament fishing is very similar in the fact that there comes a day when you are no longer having fun. Once it becomes a grind and more like work, that’s your cue to do something else.

Being competitive on any tournament trail requires commitment and time on the water, otherwise you’re just donating to the rest of the field. In today’s tournament world, the competition is so good it’s ridiculous.

Twenty years ago, out of 100 anglers in a tournament, maybe 15 were a legitimate threat to win. Today, out of 100 anglers there are probably 40 guys who are capable of winning. The competition level has totally changed with young anglers on the rise and having access to so much information while taking advantage of their ability to use their electronics so much better than the older guys.

Then there’s the mental side of bass fishing that can really take a toll on an angler’s ability to compete. Just like any other sport, you have to believe in yourself as much as you believe in the bait you’re throwing in order to catch bass.

There’s so much thought and preparation that goes into a tournament that it can be exhausting. The research it takes to get ready for an event can be overwhelming, especially if it’s a new body of water you’ve never fished.

That’s why for an angler, it’s important to make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. Never take an event for granted no matter how many times you’ve been to a specific body of water. Have fun and enjoy your practice days because the only way to stay focused is if you’re enjoying the process.

When fishing becomes too much like a job, it’s time to get out and do other things with your time like playing golf or going camping. Do something that you enjoy! Do something that you look forward to and not something you dread.

For me, tournament fishing is still fun, and I enjoy the competition probably more today because at the age of 64, it’s pretty satisfying knowing that you’re beating guys half your age! But most importantly, I enjoy my time with the guys I travel with as we share our experiences on the water over a good meal.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and happy times! Make sure to stop me and say hello when you see me at a boat ramp or on the lake.

Save the Date: Pine Beetle Festival Lodge St. Chili Cook-off coming Oct. 25

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Ahead of the festival proper in November, Castor will host the Pine Beetle Festival Lodge Street Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Castor Community Center (111 Lodge St.). Registration will begin at 5:30pm with the competition beginning at 6pm. The entry fee is $5. All entries must be in a crockpot.

After final judging, the public may purchase meal tickets for $5. 

Ponderings: How Is Your Heart Hearing?

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Years ago, I admitted my age and the ever-increasing number of conversations I was missing.  I blamed it on soft talkers. The truth was the promise of my mother that if I don’t turn that noise down, I’ll go deaf, came true. Years of loud music, loud concerts, and loud lawn equipment have taken their toll.

The household mantra has become, “you don’t listen to me.” If Alabama has the football and it is third and seven on the LSU twenty-yard line, it is true I am not listening, I’m holding my breath to see what happens. Talk to me after the play! I did give up a couple of years ago and bought hearing devices. 

Speaking of hearing, I hear the sounds of football returning. I am rejoicing greatly. The dark period is almost over; we are less than a month away from kickoff. I don’t care who, we are going to be playing football again. If you want your team to win this year, come to Trinity Methodist I am offering the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and fervent prayer for your team. You must be present to receive the football prayer.

I had a secretary once who could not hear. I was told by church members that when Ellen smiles it means she is not hearing a word you are saying. It seemed that Ellen smiled all of the time. When she would leave messages for me that involved phone calls they were always amusing and often incorrect.

I served a church with an associate pastor who was decades past retirement. He couldn’t hear even with his hearing aid. One day, he forgot the name of the dearly beloved we were burying. I couldn’t bail him out by whispering in his ear. I had to say loudly, “Her name is Helen Jones.” From then on, I made sure he had the name of the dearly departed written down.

The takeaway in this noise is that I have concerns that I am not hearing God. There is often too much noise in daily life. Even in prayer, we have such a long prayer list that by the time we tell God everything that is on our minds, we don’t have time to be quiet and listen to Him. I’m great at telling God stuff, I’m not so good at listening to His “still small voice.” The Hebrew behind that English phrase is better translated “the sound of utter silence.” Ponder that phase in your heart.

God speaks, most clearly in Jesus. He speaks. I confess that I need to do a better job of finding ways to listen for the “sound of utter silence.”

How is your heart hearing?

 
 

OMV warns residents of recurring text message scam

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Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) are alerting residents about another text message scam that aims to steal personal information and charge unnecessary fees.

In the latest iteration of the scam, many Louisiana residents have received text messages claiming the recipient has an “outstanding traffic ticket” and must pay a fee or face repercussions. These messages are fraudulent; do not click links, respond, or send payment. The OMV advises all recipients to ignore and delete these messages immediately.

The Louisiana OMV offers the following tips to help residents avoid scams:

  • DO NOT click on links in an unsolicited message from an unverified source
  • DO NOT respond or send personal information via text
  • Delete all suspicious texts and emails, and report them to reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • Exercise caution with all communications received from anonymous sources
  • Confirm the message was generated from a legitimate source
  • Keep an eye out for signs of scams (rewards, vague URLs, incorrect grammar)

The Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening prosecution for traffic or fee violations. To process legitimate online services safely and securely, Louisiana residents can visit the official OMV website at www.expresslane.org.

Remember This? The Book Seller

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In the mid-1880s, David McConnell was a traveling book salesman in New York.  He went door-to-door trying to convince women to purchase his books.  Many women refused to open their doors to him because their husbands were away at work.  The ones who opened their doors to him were too uneasy with a man they did not know being in their homes to actually make a purchase.  Most of them became irritated that he had stopped their work for a sales pitch.  Word spread quickly when David made it to a new neighborhood, and even fewer women opened their doors to him.  David altered his introduction, added more charm, and tried different approaches, but sales remained dismal.  David realized that unless he came up with a way to sell more books, he would soon be out of business.
 
David searched for a way to make women feel comfortable with letting a strange man into their homes and to make them comfortable enough with him so they could consider purchasing a book from him.  But how?  He considered several different gimmicks but discounted each for one reason or another.  He considered giving each woman who opened the door to him a free sample, but a sample of what?  He could not just give them a page from a book.  He needed something that most women would be interested in immediately to make that most important good first impression.  Items for cooking and cleaning were okay, but he wanted something inexpensive that would make them feel good, something that would take their minds off their household chores.  Finally, he settled on perfume.
 
In 1886, David put his new plan into action.  He knocked on the first door, met the woman with a charming smile and a free perfume sample, and she let him in.  So far, so good.  She was happy enough with the perfume to listen to his book sales pitch, but she did not buy a book.  Neither did the next, nor the string of perfumed women that followed.  Now David’s business was in worse shape than before.  He had the expense of his book inventory plus the expense of the perfume that he was giving away, but he had few book sales to show for it.
 
Then, in September of that same year, David had an epiphany.  If the women he was trying to sell books to were more interested in perfume, why not sell them perfume.  David began redesigning his sales strategy, but there was one issue he was unable to overcome on his own.  Most of the women were still uncomfortable allowing a strange man into their homes.  He solved this issue by hiring 50-year-old Mrs. Persis Foster Eames Albee.  He invested what little money he had left in his new idea.  If it failed, David would go bankrupt.
 
David sent Mrs. Albee out on her first day and waited impatiently for her return.  Women welcomed Mrs. Albee into their homes as if she was a lifelong friend, and perfume sales went beyond David’s wildest dreams.  David named his new venture the “California Perfume Company” purely for marketing reasons, hired more ladies to sell perfumes, and profits grew exponentially.  Through the years, California Perfume Company expanded to a full line of beauty products, all of which were sold, not in stores, but in homes.  In 1928, David renamed the company after the birthplace of William Shakespeare.  David, the traveling book salesman who continually altered his failing business model until it became successful, was the founder of Avon.

Sources: 

1.     “It All Began with David H. McConnell – Avon’s Founder,” Avon, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avon.com/135-years-of-avon/david-h-mcconnell.

2.     “The Best Beauty Story Ever Told – 135 Years of Avon,” Avon, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avon.com/blog/avon-insider/132/the-best-beauty-story-ever-told—135-years-of-avon.

3.     “Our Story,” Avon Worldwide, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avonworldwide.com/about-us/our-story.   

On This Date in Pop Culture: Disney’s Leap Into Color Changed Animation Forever

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On July 30, 1932, Walt Disney changed the course of animation history—not with a feature film or a major character, but with a short cartoon about singing trees and blooming flowers.

That cartoon, Flowers and Trees, marked the first commercially released film to use full-color three-strip Technicolor, a revolutionary leap forward that dazzled Depression-era audiences and cemented Disney’s reputation as a creative risk-taker. It also signaled the beginning of a new visual era for animated storytelling, where imagination was no longer confined to black and white.

At just over seven minutes long, Flowers and Trees was part of Disney’s Silly Symphonies series—shorts that were more experimental than the Mickey Mouse cartoons that had launched the studio into public favor. Originally planned as a black-and-white release, Flowers and Trees was redesigned mid-production after Disney secured exclusive rights to the new three-strip Technicolor process, which allowed animators to use a broader spectrum of vivid reds, greens, and blues on screen for the first time.

The result was a lush and whimsical woodland fantasy where trees sprout arms, flowers dance to classical music, and nature itself becomes the story’s protagonist. To 1932 audiences, accustomed to muted grayscale animation, the effect was stunning. Color wasn’t just decorative—it became part of the emotional language of the cartoon.

The gamble paid off. Flowers and Trees was a critical and commercial success, winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject in 1932. It also paved the way for Disney’s continued dominance in the animation industry throughout the 1930s and beyond. The success prompted Disney to colorize all future Silly Symphonies and eventually convert Mickey Mouse cartoons to Technicolor as well.

More importantly, Disney’s early use of Technicolor helped normalize color in mainstream filmmaking. The process itself had been available in various forms since the 1910s, but technical limitations and cost had made it rare. With Flowers and Trees, Disney proved that color could be more than a novelty—it could elevate storytelling.

The timing was strategic. America was in the grip of the Great Depression, and movie theaters served as an escape. Audiences were hungry for wonder. Disney gave them color-splashed joy at a time when they needed it most. Behind the scenes, the innovation was just as bold: using the new Technicolor system required major changes in how animation cells were painted and photographed, demanding both technical precision and artistic vision.

The impact of that decision is still felt today. Without Flowers and Trees, there might never have been the vibrant fantasy worlds of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, or Encanto. The commitment to color redefined what animated films could be, inspiring generations of animators around the world.

Now, 93 years later, it’s easy to forget a time when animation was anything but colorful. But on July 30, 1932, Disney’s choice to take a chance on color reshaped the future of animation—and reminded us that sometimes, a bold splash of paint can rewrite the story.

As modern animation evolves into 3D, CGI, and virtual reality, the roots of that progress trace back to a little short about trees in love. Flowers and Trees didn’t just add color to the screen—it added depth, emotion, and limitless possibility.

So on this day in pop culture history, we tip our hats to Walt Disney’s visionary leap into Technicolor. It was the first of many bold moves, but perhaps the most transformative of all.

Notice of Death – July 29, 2025

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Richard Leon Norrell
November 10, 1946 – July 26, 2025
Service: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 10am at Bistineau Baptist Cemetery, Heflin.
 
Shirley Dianne Dyer
May 14, 1963 – July 25, 2025
Service: August 30, 2025, TBD at Jamestown Baptist Church, Jamestown.
 
Leonard Kennedy
March 30, 1938 – July 25, 2025
Service: Friday, August 1, 2025, 12pm at Memorial Funeral Home, Cullen.
 
Lloyd Scott
July 14, 1939 – July 25, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 11am at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Ringgold.
 
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.)

Get the Bienville Parish Assessor’s App

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The Bienville Parish Assessor’s Office is expanding its services to better serve the public – including now from a smartphone. With the new app, users can:

  • Search property owners, maps, and legal descriptions
  • Access Homestead Exemption, Special Assessment, and LAT forms
  • Find important deadlines and office information
  • Learn about what the office does and how they serve the parish

It’s free to download on iPhone and Android.

This app is a work in progress, and the Parish Assessor’s Office is excited to keep improving it for its users.

Louisiana workers see boost as “No Tax on Tips” becomes law

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Louisiana workers who rely on tips will see meaningful tax relief starting this year, thanks to a newly enacted federal law that exempts a portion of their tip income from taxation. The “No Tax on Tips” provision, part of the broader One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, officially became federal law as Public Law 119-21—and Louisiana is among the states embracing it without additional legislative hurdles.

The new law allows employees and self-employed individuals in tip-based occupations to deduct up to $25,000 annually in qualified tips from their taxable income. The deduction applies to voluntary tips received in cash, by card, or through tip-sharing arrangements, and must be reported through standard IRS channels such as Form W-2, Form 1099, or Form 4137 for unreported tips.

Waitstaff, bartenders, hair stylists, delivery drivers, casino workers, and others in traditionally tipped professions stand to benefit the most. To qualify, the occupation must have been recognized by the IRS as regularly receiving tips by the end of 2024.

Self-employed individuals can also take the deduction, though it is capped at their net income from the relevant trade or business, before accounting for the tip deduction.

The full deduction is available to individuals earning less than $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), or $300,000 for married couples filing jointly. Above these thresholds, the deduction phases out.

Because Louisiana’s income tax system largely conforms to federal adjusted gross income, most workers in the state will automatically see the benefit of this deduction reflected on their state returns as well—without needing to complete separate calculations or forms. That’s welcome news in a state where service industries play a major role in the economy, particularly in hospitality hubs like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Natchitoches.

The deduction takes effect for tax year 2025 and will remain in place through 2028, barring further congressional action. The IRS is expected to release updated instructions and guidance before the end of the year.

In the meantime, tip earners are encouraged to continue accurate recordkeeping and reporting. The deduction doesn’t eliminate reporting requirements—only the tax burden on qualifying amounts.

For service workers across Louisiana, especially those juggling fluctuating incomes and long shifts, the “No Tax on Tips” provision offers more than just savings—it’s a nod to the essential roles they play in the state’s economy.

LDWF schedules drawdown for Lake Bistineau

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau, located in Webster, Bossier, and Bienville parishes, to help control the spread of giant salvinia. The drawdown will also enhance fish habitat and improve water quality by reducing excessive organic material on the lake bottom.

At LDWF’s request, the Department of Transportation and Development will open the water control structure on or around July 28. The lake is expected to dewater at a rate of four to six inches per day until it reaches a maximum drawdown level of eight feet below pool stage. This rate may vary depending on rainfall in the surrounding watershed. The drawdown structure will be closed on or around November 15, allowing the lake to refill during the waterfowl season and ahead of early spring recreational use.

Approximately 10,000 acres of water will remain in the lake during the drawdown. Public boat access will still be available at the following launches:

  • Port of Bistineau Launch
  • Bossier Public Launch
  • Grice’s Landing
  • Bayou Dorcheat Public Launch

Boaters are advised to use caution, as submerged hazards may not be clearly marked and normal boat lane clearance will be reduced during low water levels.

This drawdown is a key component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to address the overgrowth of aquatic vegetation and improve sportfish habitat. Although contracted herbicide application over nearly 70 days has occurred on the lake so far in 2025, the rapid expansion of giant salvinia has outpaced herbicide control efforts and the drawdown is necessary. The drawdown date was chosen based on concerns of salvinia expansion, but also to allow the maximum amount of public use of the lake at full pool stage during the summer. This date closely aligns with drawdown dates utilized in each of the last three years, and helps allow late-summer heat to desiccate salvinia once those plants are stranded on the dry lakebed during the drawdown. Seasonal water level fluctuations can simulate natural overflow cycles, benefiting both the ecosystem and recreational fishing. Herbicide treatments will continue throughout the drawdown period.

The Lake Bistineau Waterbody Management Plan is available at:
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/freshwater-inland-fish/inland-waterbody-management-plans

Wrapping up some hot summer tournaments

/ Megan Lowe / Leave a comment

Last week I expressed my feelings about summer bass tournaments. This week we’ll break down and go over the results of my last two ABA (American Bass Anglers) summer events.

First, the Texas Pro League event was held on Lake Tyler on June 21 as hot temperatures and high winds made fishing difficult for some, but not for everyone.

It seems that no matter how difficult the fishing might be in any bass tournament, someone will figure out how to catch a big bag. It doesn’t matter if there are 200 boats or 20, somebody will figure it out!

That was pretty much the case for the Lake Tyler event, as Zach Fogal (2024 Angler of the Year) decided to show out a little as he came to the scales with five bass weighing over 36 pounds! That’s right, you read it right- 36 pounds! To put this in perspective, the next closest angler was Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan, Texas, with 27.84.

This event was dominated offshore by these two guys who are really good with forward facing sonar. It’s just another example of how good some guys are with this technology.

For me, this was a tough tournament as I struggled to catch a five-fish limit and only brought four fish to the scales. But the fish I caught were descent size fish as I managed to finish ninth with a little over 13 pounds and got some good points, keeping me in the Top 10 (seventh) in the overall points race.

Next was the ABA Solo 150 held June 27-28 on Lake Palestine. Once again, Fogal, a Longview native, backed his boat in the water and blew the field away as most everyone knew he would. Some anglers are just on another level and Zach is that guy!

Turns out, Zach came to the scales and spanked all of us with a two-day total of over 56 pounds, winning this event by an amazing 18.4 pounds! Catching this kind of weight in June used to be unheard of, but not today with forward-facing sonar as it’s becoming more of the norm no matter what lake it is.

This event for me was the tale of two days, as on Day 1 I came in with 15.80 pounds. and was sitting in third going into Day 2.

But what a difference a day makes! Day 2 was filled with one lost fish after another, as I lost a four-pounder on the first dock I pulled up on. Then I lost two three-pounders in 10 minutes, not to mention the eight-pounder I lost four feet from the boat on Day 1.

I wound up in sixth place overall, as I had a two-day total of 25.47 pounds. Day 2 really hurt me, bringing in five bass just under 10 pounds. The fish just didn’t seem to take the bait as well. Several guys complained about losing fish on Day 2.

Bass fishing is a funny sport that sometimes defies explanation! You would think in a tournament this time of year (summer), and with no major weather change, that the fishing would be the same day in and day out. But no, for some reason the bass decided they just weren’t as hungry on Day 2 as they were on Day 1.

But make no mistake, I still hate summertime bass tournaments! It would not bother me in the least if tournament trails suspended bass tournaments for the months of July and August. It’s just not worth everything you have to go through as anglers with the heat, babysitting fish all day, and constant fighting against recreational boaters.

Hope everyone has a great summer and please be safe out there with regards to the heat. Heat exhaustion can creep up on you quickly if you’re not paying attention. Make sure to always drink plenty of water the night before you hit your area lake, either for fishing or just having a good time.

Southern A’Chord to present first community performance

/ Megan Lowe / Leave a comment
A portion of Southern A’Chord gathered during the holidays for an outdoor singing event. From left: Anne Garay, Kesha Jean Batiste, Judy Sisson, Jan Lenard, Tina Allen, Candice Bassett, Michelle Jones, RozAnne Bell, Sallie Rose Hollis, Rachel Grider and Kim Gronewold.

Southern A’Chord, Ruston’s new women’s a cappella chorus, will present its first community performance at 7pm on Thursday, July 31, in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston.

The program, which the group hopes will become a twice-yearly tradition, will feature a mix of patriotic, gospel and pop songs.

Admission to “Southern A’Chord: Songs of Summer” is free, and refreshments will be served following the performance. Donations will be accepted from those who wish to support the group’s musical mission.

Formed in late 2024, Southern A’Chord exists to bring music and joy to the community – through song and the rich tradition of unaccompanied vocal harmony.

“Our goal is to uplift, entertain and create connection through the joy of singing,” said Judy Sisson, of Monroe, the group’s newly elected president and a longtime a cappella singer. “We hope our music brings a smile and maybe even inspires others to sing with us.”

The group is led by musical director Candice Bassett, of Grayson, and is growing steadily. Southern A’Chord welcomes new members, at this time especially those who sing in the alto range to fill the dynamic and harmony-rich baritone part.

For more information, visit the Facebook page Southern A’Chord Chorus or the website http://www.southernachordchorus.org. Interested singers can also attend a Thursday rehearsal at 6pm at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston or contact membership chair Sallie Rose Hollis at sallierose@mail.com.