The Bienville Parish Police Jury held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
The complete minutes can be viewed below.
Bienville Parish Police Jury: Minutes from Jan. 14 meeting
Month: January 2026
Have questions about usufruct? Ask the Assessor
Here’s what the public needs to know about usufruct, especially as it relates to property ownership and the Assessor’s Office in Louisiana, according to the Bienville Parish Assessor’s Office.
Usufruct means the right to use property – not own it. A usufruct allows someone (often a surviving spouse or parent) to live in, use, and enjoy a property for their lifetime or for a set period of time without being the legal owner. The legal owner is called the naked owner, and this is often the children or heirs.
In many cases, a property that is donated or transferred may need to retain a usufruct for the person living in the home in order to keep the Homestead Exemption (and any additional exemptions tied to the property).
Property tax responsibility can be confusing. Even though the naked owner holds title, the usufructuary is often responsible for paying the property taxes while they are using the property. It’s important for everyone involved to understand who is responsible and to make sure taxes are paid on time.
It is important to keep records updated. When a usufruct ends, whether due to death, relocation, or a change in ownership, it’s important to notify the assessor’s office and provide the proper documentation so property records and exemptions can be updated correctly.
Lagniappe Justice Bus is coming to BPL
Through the Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator, a joint project of Lagniappe Law Lab and the Louisiana Bar Association, visitors can get FREE expertly-curated legal information on a growing list of common legal problems through the Lagniappe Justice Bus. The Justice Bus will be at the Arcadia branch of the Bienville Parish Libraries on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1-3pm.
Common problems with which the Justice Bus can help include:
- Facing illegal evictions or unsafe living conditions in the home they rent.
- Seeking redress for owed wages.
- Accessing and complying with public benefits like SNAP, healthcare, and housing programs.
- Order of protection to protect themselves and their family from abusive partners.
- Simple divorce and child custody filing.
Service is first come, first served. Email Bria Williams at bria@lagniappelawlab.org for specific questions. Call 318-263-7410 to reserve a spot.
Krewe of Dionysos 12th Night Celebration and Presentation of Junior Court
The Krewe of Dionysos held its 12th Night Celebration and presentation of Junior Court on Jan. 2 at the Natchitoches Event Center. Food was provided by T-Johnny’s and entertainment by Leonard Sarpy of Wrinkle Free Entertainment. To be eligible for Junior Court, students must be a Senior in High School and be the child or grandchild of a Krewe member. They will also be presented at the Grand Bal Jan. 31 and will represent the Krewe in the Dionysos Parade on Saturday, Feb. 14.
2026 Junior Court Members are as follows:
Lainey Bennett – Daughter of Krewe Members Jeremy and Hillary Bennett.
Ava Broadway – Daughter of Lindsey Broadway; Granddaughter of Krewe Member Shelby Borders.
Landon Carney – Son of Lonny Carney, Jr and Katie Dunn Carney; Grandson of Krewe Member Cindy Dunn.
Andrew Cockrell – Son of Brian Cockrell and Dr. Jennifer Poynter Cockrell; Grandson of Charter Member
Brenda Poynter Reinhart and Krewe Member Paul Reinhart and the late Charter Member Mike Poynter.
Chalin Gandy – Son of Krewe Member Charlie Gandy and Matt Gandy.
Matthew Mayeux – Son of Krewe Member Dr. Michelle Ingram Mayeux and Chris Mayeux; Grandson of
Charter Krewe Members Lucille Ingram and the late Ralph Ingram.
Kinsley McManus – Daughter of Melissa Brumley; the late David McManus and Captain Brandi McManus.
Ava Grace Mitchell – Daughter of Krewe Members Rick and Crystal Mitchell.
Addison Price – Daughter of Krewe Members Brad and Daviona Price.
Izabella “Izzy” Smith – Daughter of Keith and Jessica Brown; Granddaughter of Krewe Members Jerry and Darlene McElwee.
If any group would like to participate in the February 14, 2026 parade, participation forms can be submitted on-line through the website, https://kreweofdionysos.com/
Saline Watermelon Festival seeking sponsors
Become a sponsor of the 43rd Annual Saline Watermelon Festival. Sponsors have helped the festival do so much over the years and have brought an incredible amount of joy to the community. The festival truly couldn’t do this without their continued support.
- Sponsorships of all levels are welcome.
- Sponsor names will be featured on the 2026 Festival T-Shirt.
- Optional “Meet the Sponsor” spotlight on the Facebook page! Send in a picture of the logo, a family picture, or self portrait, and a short bio.
Join the Saline Watermelon Festival in keeping this tradition alive and bringing smiles to Saline once again. Message the festival for sponsor information.
LSU AgCenter seeking summer interns
The LSU AgCenter is now accepting applications for college junior, senior, or graduate students interested in working in LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension. Participants will spend the summer learning how to plan and conduct extension programs by working alongside LSU AgCenter educators at a parish Extension office.
There are twenty (20) positions available throughout Louisiana at different Extension offices. Students who are enrolled in Agriculture & Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Extension Education, or a related field are encouraged to apply. Interns earn $15/hour for 8-10 weeks, not to exceed 400 hours. Interns must submit an application and will go through an interview process. Interns will complete a project, report and video highlighting their experience. Interns may work with their advisors for college credit for the internship.
To apply and learn more, visit lsuagcenter.com/extintern or send an email to larcemont@agcenter.lsu.edu.
The application will close Sunday, March 1, at 11:59pm.
Hall Summit to host full-day benefit event supporting Pilots for Patients
Hall Summit is preparing for a big day of action, community spirit, and charitable giving as the Hall Summit Community Center & Park hosts a full slate of events on Saturday, February 28, 2026, all benefiting Pilots for Patients.
The all-day event will bring together motorcycle riders, barbecue teams, outdoor sportsmen, vendors, and families for a cause that provides critical air transportation for patients in medical need.
One of the highlights of the day will be the Don Bernard Memorial Poker Run, which will begin at 3 State Harley-Davidson in Bossier City before riders make their way to Hall Summit. Motorcycles, cars, Jeeps, and clubs are all welcome to participate, honoring Bernard’s legacy while supporting the life-saving mission of Pilots for Patients.
Also on the schedule is a BBQ Cook-Off, featuring a non-traditional two-meat competition with half chicken and ribs. Teams will compete for bragging rights and prizes, with an entry fee of $150. Smoke will be in the air as pits fire up for what organizers expect to be a competitive and crowd-pleasing cook-off.
Outdoor excitement continues with a Wild Hog Live Catch Tournament, offering 40 award buckles and action throughout the day. The tournament is expected to draw participants from across the region.
In addition to the main events, attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, vendors, concessions, and a variety of family-friendly activities, making the day accessible for all ages.
The event will take place at Hall Summit Community Center & Park, located at 1170 First Street in Hall Summit.
All proceeds from the day will go directly to Pilots for Patients, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free air transportation for patients facing serious medical challenges.
Organizers say the event is about more than competition and entertainment — it’s about honoring a legacy, supporting a life-saving cause, and showcasing the strength of a small community coming together for something bigger.
Cartoon of the Week: Still Loading
In a world of endless alerts and nonstop trends, the public’s attention rarely makes it past the loading screen before the next “new thing” drops.
Ponderings: Kids These Days
If you grew up in the 1960s, you remember that nightly public service announcement that came on right before the late news: “It’s 10 PM. Do you know where your children are?”
Of course, our parents didn’t know where we were. It was the 60s. Half the time we didn’t know where we were. Childhood back then was a free-range, unsupervised, loosely organized adventure involving bicycles with no helmets, creeks with questionable water quality, and a general understanding that you should be home “before dark,” which could mean anything from 5:30 PM to the next morning depending on the season and your mother’s mood.
Today’s parents track their children with GPS, Bluetooth, satellite imaging, and—if necessary—a drone. In the 60s, the only tracking device was your mother’s voice hollering your name across three neighborhoods like a foghorn powered by righteous indignation. And somehow, that worked.
Back then, if you told your mom, you were “going outside,” that was considered a complete itinerary. No one asked follow-up questions. No one needed a permission slip. You could be building a treehouse, digging a hole to China, or accidentally setting something on fire. As long as you came home eventually and didn’t bleed on the carpet, you were considered a successful child.
And yet, for all the differences between then and now, one thing hasn’t changed: every generation has to figure out life—and faith—for themselves.
My generation grew up with three TV channels, rotary phones, and the theological certainty that if you ran in church, God would personally trip you. Today’s kids grow up with smartphones, streaming services, and the ability to Google “Why does my pastor say that?” during the sermon. (Please don’t tell me if you’ve done this.)
But here’s the truth: faith has never been something you inherit like your grandmother’s casserole dish. Each generation has to discover Christ anew—sometimes in ways that surprise the generation before them. And the church, if it wants to stay alive and not become the spiritual equivalent of lukewarm leftovers, has to let the Holy Spirit shape it into a living, breathing, organic body of Christ—not a museum of how things used to be.
The kids who grew up hearing “It’s 10 PM—do you know where your children are?” are now grandparents watching their own grandkids navigate a world we couldn’t have imagined. And just like our parents trusted us to find our way home before dark, we can trust that God is guiding this new generation toward their own encounter with grace.
So the next time you worry about “kids these days,” remember: our parents survived us. And God, who has been faithful through every generation—from rotary phones to TikTok—will be faithful still.
And if you’re reading this after 10 PM, don’t worry. God knows where His children are. Always has. Always will.
Wildlife rehabilitation online training course available
A new online wildlife rehabilitation training course offered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now available. The course is for those who want to become permitted wildlife rehabilitators in Louisiana.
This is a four part training series which covers the following: Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Rules and Regulations, Standards for General Wildlife Rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Process, and Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Rehabilitation.
Click here to see the course. Upon completion of the training series individuals will be required to complete the LDWF Wildlife Rehabilitation and Basic Skills Course Exam online and achieve a minimum passing score of 80% or greater.
The addition of this new course will give individuals three options for approved online training courses in order to become a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in Louisiana;
- LDWF Rehabilitation and Basic Skills course (free)
- International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council’s Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course (fee)
- National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association’s Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills course (fee)
For more information regarding the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program contact the LDWF Wildlife Permits Office at wildlifepermits@wlf.la.gov or 225-763-5499.
Second Louisiana black bear hunting season concludes with 16 taken
A total of 16 Louisiana black bears, consisting of 10 males and six females, were harvested during the second bear hunting season that ran from Dec. 6-21, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The first bear hunt in Louisiana in more than 35 years was conducted in December of 2024 with 10 harvested.
Eight bears were harvested in Bear Area 4, including the largest at 565 pounds. Three bears were taken in Bear Area 2 and five in Bear Area 1. Twenty-six (26) tags were issued for the lottery hunt.
“Our second bear hunting season proved to be successful and a tribute to the conservation effort of our department, private landowners, hunters and other partners who helped bring back the Louisiana black bear,’’ LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth said. “We’re pleased to give our state hunters a chance to enjoy this special season. And the lottery revenue which comes from the hunt helps to make sure the Louisiana black bear thrives.’’
Bear Area specific population estimates and vital rate data were used to determine the number of bear harvest permits issued. There were eight permits issued in Bear Management Area 1, three permits in Bear Management Area 2, and 15 permits, including a Secretary’s permit, in Bear Management Area 4. Cubs and females with cubs are not legal to harvest. A cub is defined as any bear less than or equal to 75 pounds.
Hunts were restricted to properly licensed Louisiana residents by lottery.
All black bear lottery fees and license revenue will be reinvested directly into the Louisiana Black Bear Program. These funds will assist LDWF biologists in continuing to conduct bear management operations such as annual live trapping and radio-collaring of bears, winter den checks to monitor reproductive rates and non-invasive hair sampling to monitor range expansion.
The Louisiana black bear is one of the state’s most recent conservation success stories. The animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1992. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of many stakeholders to monitor black bear population numbers, restore habitat and protect the bear for the long term, it was removed from the list in 2016.
For more information on the Louisiana black bear, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.
The next big thing in bass fishing technology
Nothing has shaken the bass fishing world more than forward-facing sonar (FFS). While I’ve given my perspective on this technology and how it’s affected the bass tournament world, I’m now wondering what’s next? Understand, this is my perspective, as I have no inside knowledge from anyone.
One thing that we know for sure, the big three fishing electronic companies (Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance) are not going to stop building a better mouse trap. Their engineers are paid to be innovative and are aways looking to make improvements and advancements with regards to their technology.
Today’s sonar units are crazy good! You can literally see the swimming action of the tail on a bass. No fish is safe anymore and no fish can hide from today’s electronics.
One thing that is probably coming next will be the ability to identify the fish you’re seeing on the screen without guessing. Is that a bass, crappie or a carp? Knowledgeable anglers can do that today if they’re really good with their electronics and if they have studied and understand fish behavior.
But I think these companies are going to figure out a way to tell you exactly what species of fish you are seeing on your screen. They are going to continue to simplify the visual aspect of what you’re seeing on the screen.
Next, get ready for live video! This already exists with a company called Aqua-Vu. (It’s just not allowed in tournaments.) These have been out for a few years and to let everyone in on a little secret: several bass touring pros already use this unit for scouting, but don’t want the public to know.
Look for new camera units from one of the big three electronic companies, probably in association with “Go Pro Cameras,” to be the first to introduce this new way of seeing fish on our screens.
Many people are asking the question, “Where does all this stop?” Here’s the bottom line. There’s no stopping technological advancement. It won’t stop until people quit paying the prices they are asking for all these electronic advancements. If anglers are willing to pay, companies will continue to build bigger and better units.
Here’s the problem; just follow the money! All these electronic companies are pumping thousands of dollars into these professional bass fishing organizations as sponsors, forcing B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF) to allow pro anglers to use forward-facing sonar.
I think we are getting to the point where these organizations are going to have to decide what’s more important — sponsorship support or the integrity of the sport? They also need to ask themselves if this new technology is good for the sport in the long run on the professional level.
You can say what you want, but forward-facing sonar (FFS) in bass tournaments is destroying the sport. I’m personally not against FFS for the everyday angler. I think it’s great tool for fun fishing and catching crappie.
I’m even OK with it for local bass tournaments on the amateur level. But when it comes to professional anglers using it on pro tournament trails, I am not a fan and it should be disallowed.
This is the same as Major League Baseball allowing the use of aluminum bats. It’s just not good for the sport of baseball! Hopefully the pro tours will do the right thing and eliminate FFS completely.
The biggest complaints about FFS come from the older generation of anglers, not the young guns on the rise. The young kids today have been raised with FFS from day one and really understand how to use it, giving them a huge advantage over the older anglers.
This could all play out another way. Pro tours may just wait out this issue with FFS and let this older group of anglers walk away or retire because five years from now, FFS won’t even be an issue at all.
So, what’s the next big issue going to be? Probably something totally different, as the electronic companies continue to make improvements and advancements with their electronic units. Only time will tell!
Dear Ida: When the Credit Card Bill Comes after Christmas
Here’s my latest Q & A
About Ida
Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.
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