Bingo is back, and Bienville Parish Libraries has published the schedule for January. The schedule is as follows.
Don’t hesitate to call the local branch to double-check the times and details.
One of the great joys of ministry is baptizing infants. We Methodists believe that God does the baptizing—we’re just the human instruments of His gracious activity. And because we’re Methodists, we’re so laid back about it that we offer the full buffet: immersion, sprinkling, and the mysterious middle option known as affusion.
If you’ve never seen affusion, imagine a college prank that somehow wandered into the sanctuary and got canonized. For the uninitiated, affusion is simply pouring water over the candidate’s head. It’s the liturgical equivalent of someone saying, “Hold still, this won’t hurt… probably.”
Most babies are adorable, and I love holding them for those few sacred moments. But sometimes the baptismal waters are troubled. One Sunday, little Junior had a pacifier in his mouth. Before I took him from his mother, she reached in and pulled the pin. Now, taking a pacifier from a baby and pulling the pin on a grenade share certain similarities. In both cases, you brace yourself, because the next sound you hear will not be angelic.
Some infants, on the other hand, fall asleep in my arms mid-baptism. They’re so peaceful and precious. I’ve been in ministry long enough that those sleeping cherubs are now full members of the church—and they still fall asleep in my arms, only now it’s during the sermon. So the next time you see a brother or sister snoozing in the pew, feel free to wonder whether they slept through their baptism too. And remember: every one of them was once a cute baby… or at least someone said they were.
But here’s the part that stops me in my tracks: many of the infants I’ve baptized recently will live to see the year 2100. I will not. They will witness things we can’t imagine. Think of the changes you’ve seen in your lifetime. Technology evolves so fast it makes your head spin. A decade ago, we were introduced to the smartphone. Before that, our phones were not very bright. They were basically pocket bricks that could call your mama and maybe play Snake if you were lucky. Now they can do everything except fold the laundry—and I’m sure that’s coming.
So the next time you see an infant, be amazed. You are looking at someone who will experience a century you will never see. Pray for them. Pray that they inherit a world shaped more by compassion than conflict. Pray that our technology builds community instead of tearing it apart. Pray that they grow up knowing peace, and knowing the astonishing power human beings have to love one another.
Because the future they will live in is the future we hand them. Through them, you and I get to touch a world beyond our years. That’s worth pondering the next time you’re in the presence of a child.
Maybe that’s why this story is in the sacred text:
Parents brought their children to Jesus so He could bless them. The disciples tried to shoo them away—because apparently even in the first century, church people were good at gatekeeping. But Jesus was having none of it. He said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. The Kingdom belongs to such as these.” And then He gathered them up, placed His hands on their tiny heads, and blessed them.
Pray for a child.
They hold the keys to the kingdom.
And they hold the future we will never see—but God will.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is accepting applications for the 2026 Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Workshop through an online lottery system, replacing the previous first-come, first-served mail-in process.
LDWF has transitioned to a convenient online lottery application process to ensure all interested participants have an equal opportunity to attend. For online lottery application instructions and additional workshop information, click here or email bow@wlf.la.gov.
The online lottery application period is open through Jan. 28. During this time, all eligible applicants must submit their application online. Once the application window closes, participants will be randomly selected through the lottery system. Those selected will receive an email with instructions to complete their registration.
The Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop is a hands-on outdoor education weekend designed especially for women 18 years of age and older who want to learn new outdoor skills in a supportive and fun environment. Offered annually by LDWF, the workshop introduces participants to activities such as hunting, fishing, marksmanship, kayaking, outdoor cooking, archery and more.
Workshop Details:
The weekend also includes fellowship activities, meals, lodging and opportunities to connect with like-minded women who share a passion for the outdoors. Scholarships are available for qualifying participants in need of financial assistance.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman supports LDWF’s mission to broaden outdoor recreation participation and empower women with the knowledge and confidence to safely enjoy Louisiana’s natural resources.
Arcadia Parks and Recreation is seeking coaches for basketball and football. They are seeking coaches for girls and boys youth basketball teams and girls and boys flag football teams. Want to make a difference by becoming a coach? Sign up today by contacting Mario Jefferson, Sr. at 318-436-6662.
I’ve always wondered what makes one athlete better than another. Why do some excel more than others? Is there a secret pill or an exercise regimen that makes them better? Well today we’ll ask the same questions about bass tournament anglers.
I’ve heard for years that no angler has learned anything without another angler telling them. While this might be true in a few cases, I’m not sure that’s the case with everyone.
So many of today’s anglers have learned so much through the internet and on YouTube. You can literally learn any technique and know when to use it simply by watching a YouTube channel.
Want to learn how to use your electronics? Watch YouTube! Want to learn about a drop-shot, Carolina Rig, or how to flip a jig? Watch YouTube! Want to understand how to fix an issue with your boat? Watch YouTube! It’s an endless resource of information.
But the older generation of anglers, like me, has learned through trial and error. We’ve learned from other anglers who came before us how to get better or how to fix an issue we’re having with our boats. We didn’t always have the internet as a resource. But there was one resource that came by mail once a month: Bassmaster Magazine!
This was my generation’s internet. Every issue in the mailbox addressed everything from different ways to catch bass, to how to replace a water pump or change the oil in the lower unit of the motor. Today, I’m still a subscriber to not only Bassmaster Magazine, but another publication called B.A.S.S. Times.
But just like great athletes, there’s something different about anglers who win more than others. The first thing I have noticed is their confidence level is usually high. They believe in what they are doing to catch bass and they understand bass behavior.
Another trait I’ve noticed is how the top anglers tend to think outside of the box. They don’t follow common trends or thought patterns other anglers do. Most of these winning anglers tend to do things a little differently.
I believe that the great anglers like Kevin Van Dam, Dustin Connell, Jacob Wheeler and the late Aaron Martens, each possess a sixth sense. They tend to think a little differently than the average bear. They don’t always follow traditional thinking when it comes to how they should be catching bass.
A phrase commonly used by these exceptional anglers is that “they let the fish tell them what and how they want the bait.” Saying this to the average angler means nothing, but to the great anglers, it explains a lot.
They don’t try to force a technique onto the bass. Every angler always has a game plan going into the tournament based on what and how they caught bass in practice. But on tournament day, the great anglers are not afraid to abandon that game plan and change their approach in the middle of the day.
I’ve also found that great anglers are really good at reading the water. To those who don’t bass fish, this is something that’s a gift that not all anglers have. They can literally walk up to the edge of the lake and tell you how they will catch them on that day just by looking at the water.
The great anglers have abilities just like great athletes. They have intangibles that make them special that some call the ‘it” factor. You can’t coach “it,” you’re born with “it.”
While all anglers can get better by spending time on the water, reading magazines or watching You Tube videos, there will always be those anglers who possess something that cannot be measured…God-given talent!
Source: “Jerry Reed Impromptu Gearz Interview, Part 4,” G V, Youtube.com, July 9, 2010, https://youtu.be/bF9te3INOZ0?
Digital news network’s no-paywall model drives advertising reach in underserved markets
By Frank Johnson
Special Report
The Parish Journals of Louisiana generated 17.6 million articles read in 2025 across 17 parishes in northwest and central Louisiana, according to site analytics data, establishing the digital network as a significant advertising platform in markets traditional media increasingly abandons. While many social media platforms get their “counts” by you simply scrolling across their article or post, the 17.6 million Parish Journals analytics are specifically from articles opened and read – a huge difference for those who understand the value of that!
The network, operated by Journal Services LLC, maintains individual publications serving Avoyelles, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn parishes, plus the Shreveport-Bossier Journal covering Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Unlike legacy newspapers implementing paywalls while reducing rural coverage, Parish Journals publications remain entirely FREE to readers — a model creating distinct advantages for advertisers seeking reach beyond metropolitan markets.
Geographic footprint addresses news deserts
The network spans Louisiana’s northern border through central parishes, delivering hyperlocal coverage to both population centers and agricultural communities where traditional news operations have contracted or closed entirely.
Each publication focuses on municipal government proceedings, school board operations, high school athletics and regional business developments — content that generates sustained reader engagement and repeat traffic.
Site analytics show consistent readership across rural parishes that major media outlets typically serve only through regional editions or wire service content, if at all.
Paywall-free access multiplies advertising reach
The network’s most significant competitive advantage centers on unrestricted content access and its impact on advertising distribution.
When readers share Parish Journals articles through social media, email or messaging platforms, recipients access full content immediately without subscription barriers. Advertisements within shared articles reach expanded audiences at no additional cost to advertisers.
Paywalled competitors face structural limitations: subscribers may share content, but non-subscribers cannot access articles or view advertisements without subscriptions. This restricts organic distribution and caps advertising reach at existing subscriber counts regardless of content popularity.
Parish Journals articles continue generating traffic and advertising impressions weeks or months after publication as readers discover and share content without access restrictions. High school sports coverage particularly demonstrates this sustained engagement as families share game stories and season recaps long after initial publication.
Learn more about advertising opportunities with the Parish Journals network.
Digital infrastructure enables targeting flexibility
The network’s digital-first operations provide capabilities traditional print cannot match: real-time campaign deployment, performance analytics, geographic targeting across multiple parish markets, and mobile accessibility.
Advertisers can execute both broad regional campaigns and parish-specific initiatives through a single media partner while maintaining unlimited organic reach through social sharing.
Contact Journal Services LLC to discuss your advertising strategy.
Market positioning amid industry consolidation
As consolidation reshapes Louisiana media markets and legacy publications reduce rural coverage while implementing subscription barriers, Parish Journals has systematically expanded into underserved communities.
The result: comprehensive regional reach combined with genuine local focus across individual parish markets, without subscription barriers limiting advertising effectiveness.
The network’s 2025 performance — 17.6 million articles read across 17 parishes — demonstrates sustained audience engagement in markets where traditional news operations struggle to maintain profitability.
For businesses seeking connections with audiences across northwest and central Louisiana’s diverse communities, the platform provides documented reach and engagement with the structural advantage of unrestricted content access multiplying advertising distribution.
Contact Journal Services LLC regarding advertising rates and partnership opportunities.
Jaylee Erin Hough, a fifth-grade student from Bienville Parish named a Regional Honoree in the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2026 Students of the Year program, recognizing exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, and service.
The Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), announced the 2026 regional honorees on Jan. 6, highlighting outstanding fifth, eighth, and twelfth grade students from across the state. The Students of the Year program honors students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship, and service to their schools and communities.
Regional honorees are selected through a competitive review process involving public, charter, and nonpublic schools within each BESE region. From this distinguished group, one honoree per BESE region will be named a finalist later in the school year. Finalists will be announced and recognized at a statewide awards ceremony, where one overall honoree per grade level will be selected.
Hough will continue in the selection process as the Students of the Year program progresses later this school year.
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.
12/28/25
Andres Castro of Pensacola, FL, was arrested for Maximum Speed Limit (Interstate or Controlled Access Highway).
12/29/25
Floyd Williams of Jackson, MS, was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended License; No License Issued.
Caitlan Craig of Bossier City was arrested for Simple Littering Prohibited (Misdemeanor) and Obstruction of Justice – Hindrance/Delay.
Robert Lowery of Ruston was arrested for Violation of Probation/Parole; Driver Must Be Licensed; Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor); Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony); and Maximum Speed Limit.
1/01/26
Ananda Baxter of Gibsland was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed.
Donterrius Smith of Arcadia was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended License; Other Offenses.
1/02/26
Max Boyd of Heflin was arrested for Fugitive.
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.
Today, citizens of Jamestown in Bienville Parish and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) filed the first known suit to appeal a Class 2 (Exploration & Production Wastewater) Injection permit granted by Louisiana’s Dept. of Conservation. Local residents strongly object to the proposal, based on the proliferation of such facilities and the potential for contamination of drinking water aquifers, and have been calling for a Cumulative Environmental Impact Study to address their concerns.
Brickyard Trucking, LLC received a permit on Nov. 6, allowing 3 injection wells to pierce the Carrizo-Wilcox and Upland Terrace Aquifers (in the Sparta Aquifer system). The “saltwater” contents of 192 tanker trucks per day (1 truck every 10 minutes) are to be pumped underground under high pressure through the aquifers. This wastewater contains toxic and radioactive material, although it is exempted from regulation by the federal hazardous waste law.
The suit was filed with the 19th Judicial District Court by Clay Garside, esq. of Waltzer, Wiygul and Garside, LLC. In it, LEAN and 4 citizens (Ralph Woodall, Tanya Griffith, Lois Smith, & Audrey Evans) cite substantive as well as procedural errors by Conservation, reflecting the technical concerns in over 800 citizen petitions filed with the agency. During the time of the Brickyard Trucking permit review, the agency was overloaded with Carbon Capture Sequestration (Class 6) permit applications, resulting in a Moratorium by Gov. Landry to prioritize certain Class 6 projects.
“The Dept. of Conservation is a public agency, and it needs to start taking the public seriously,” said Lois Smith of Jamestown. The injection site is in a recharge zone for the Sparta aquifer system, not far from a major fault. The increasing number of earthquakes in the area (which scientists attribute to human-caused drilling activity) is a major concern, alongside existing problems with the existing trucking required to transport the wastewater to various facilities.
Bienville Parish citizens are continuing their yard sign campaign to “Save Louisiana’s Aquifers” – promoting the re-direction of the Federal 45Q tax credit funding toward the facilitation of alternatives to the underground injection of Produced Water (www.ShiftTheSubsidy.org). Developing the option of above-ground treatment of Produced Water is now ‘the priority’ of the oil and gas industry, based on massive problems in the Permian Basin and in Oklahoma, as a result of the large quantities of wastewater injected under pressure into the ground over time.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recently provided updates on two projects in Bienville Parish.
The first project is the U.S. 371 Overlay Project. All of the asphalt paving on the 12-mile long U.S. 371 overlay project near Ringgold is now complete. Final work items include permanent roadway striping/signage and mailbox installation. The $14 million project is estimated to be completed early this year.
The other project is the LA 516 Bridge Replacement. This $2.6 million ongoing project to replace the LA 516 bridge over Poland Branch east of Fryeburg continues. The estimated completion is early this year.
District A of the Bienville Parish Police Jury has announced that they will be replacing a culvert on Hilltop Street in Gibsland beginning at 8:30am this morning, Jan. 7. Work will go until the replacement is completed, weather permitting.
District A apologizes for any inconvenience. For information or questions, call 318-579-0152.
Residents across Bienville Parish should prepare for a mix of mild winter warmth, much-needed sunshine, and increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms as the week progresses. The latest outlook from the National Weather Service and multiple meteorological sources provides a day-by-day summary of what to expect from Wednesday, Jan. 7, through Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Another warm day is on the way, with highs around 71°F and muggy overnight lows near 60°F. Expect partly cloudy skies, ideal for outdoor plans.
Thursday, Jan. 8
Cloud cover increases with temperatures in the mid-70s. A couple of showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, and stronger storms could produce localized gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours.
Friday, Jan. 9
Warm temperatures continue near 71°F, but showers and isolated thunderstorms remain possible. Morning rain may give way to partly cloudy skies later.
Saturday, Jan. 10
A significant cooldown arrives with highs around 57°F. Skies will feature a mix of sun and clouds, and overnight lows near 35°F bring seasonable chill.
Sunday, Jan. 11
Unsettled skies persist with partly sunny conditions and highs near 57°F. Overnight lows dip to the low 30s.
Monday, Jan. 12
Milder than weekend lows, highs near 59°F are expected with sunny to high-cloud skies. Overnight lows around 40°F offer a milder start to the week.
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Another cool day with highs near 58°F and a passing shower chance. Conditions will remain breezy and mostly cloudy.
Warm Start: The beginning of the forecast remains unseasonably warm, with highs in the 70s and a slight uptick in shower activity mid-week.
Rain & Storm Potential: Thursday–Friday bring the best chance for showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons and evenings.
Cooling Trend: Over the weekend and into early next week, temperatures drop to more typical winter values with cooler days and chilly nights.
Residents are advised to stay tuned to local forecasts and alerts for updates on rain chances and any severe weather developments during the mid-week period.
A burn ban may stop brush fires, but it doesn’t slow fear, outrage, or misinformation. Some fires don’t require permits.
I have a preacher friend who delivered a baby. Yes—delivered a baby. Some ministers get called to preach revivals. Some get called to chair committees. Rev. Kathy Howell? She gets called to the maternity ward parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana.
Kathy was visiting her mom in the hospital and had been waiting with her all morning. Since her mom couldn’t eat before her test, Kathy said, “Mama, I’m going to walk across the street to Wendy’s and get a burger. I’ll be right back.” That’s already a holy act—leaving a hungry mama to go get a single, solitary burger.
So off she goes, walking across the parking lot in her clerical garb. Yes, even we Methodist ministers have the shirt with the backwards collar. We don’t get many perks in ministry, but we do get one fashion statement that says, “I am available for baptisms, blessings, and—apparently—obstetrics.”
She was wearing her Roman collar when a man jumped out of his car with the look of someone who had just realized babies don’t wait for paperwork. He yelled, “How do I get to the emergency room entrance—my wife is having a baby!”
Kathy walked over, looked in the car, and sure enough, that baby was clocking out of the womb early.
Now, I like to think of myself as available to offer care and comfort to those in extremis. But let me be clear: no call of God would have me climbing into the front seat with a woman about to pop out a baby. I’m more of a “boil some water and rip some sheets” kind of helper. You know—19th-century frontier medicine. Very safe. Very sanitary.
Imagine the poor woman in the passenger seat. She looked at Kathy—this unexpected, collar-wearing, Wendy’s-seeking angel—and said, “My husband and I prayed the whole way here that God would take care of us… but I was not expecting His answer to be you.”
And she did not say it with confidence. It was more like, “Lord, is this… is this really what we’re doing today?”
Kathy patted her hand and said, “You’re going to be okay. God’s got you.” And apparently God said, “Yes, and I’ve also got a Methodist minister with a nursing degree and a half-eaten burger waiting across the street.”
By the time the husband came back with the wheelchair and the nurse, he was a father. Right there in the front seat of a car in the hospital parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana, Reverend Kathy Howell delivered a baby. That is a great day’s work for a minister. Most of us are thrilled if we can find the right page in the hymnal.
Now, how dare God answer a heartfelt prayer for medical attention with a Methodist minister. Honestly. God should do a better job of answering prayers. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? We pray for help, and God sends… well… us. Or someone who looks suspiciously like they were on their way to Wendy’s.
The hospital even let her sign the birth certificate because she delivered the baby. And she signed it:
“Reverend Katherine Howell, R.N.”
Turns out, before she was a Methodist minister, Kathy Howell ran the emergency room at East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie. So, I suppose God answered that prayer exactly the way it needed to be answered.
Which is just like God—always sending help, always showing up, and occasionally doing it in a Roman collar with a Frosty waiting across the street.
Arcadia High School – home of the Hornets – will host the Arcadia Classic Basketball Tournament this Saturday, Jan. 10, at the AHS Gymnasium. Entry fee is $15.
Games start at 12pm with the Union Farmers vs. Red River Bulldogs. The rest of the schedule is as follows.
1:30pm – Junction City Dragons vs. Nat. Central Chiefs
3pm – Evangel Eagles vs. Gibsland Bulldogs
4:30pm – Captain Shreve Gators vs. Rayville Hornets
6pm – North Caddo Titans vs. Arcadia Hornets
Come out and support Bienville Parish’s very own Arcadia Hornets.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), announced the launch of its inaugural raffle Thursday evening during its annual A Wild Night Fundraising Event. Supporting ongoing LDWF conservation efforts, the raffle offers outdoor enthusiasts and conservation supporters the chance to win a brand-new Chevy Silverado from your Super Chevy Dealers, valued at $60,000.
Tickets are still available for purchase now through Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The winner will be drawn Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. All proceeds will support LDWF’s mission to preserve and enhance Louisiana’s diverse wildlife and fisheries through vital initiatives including habitat restoration, public hunting and fishing area improvements, species monitoring programs, and community outreach programs aimed at sustaining Louisiana’s fisheries and wildlife heritage.
Raffle Details:
Those who wish to receive raffle updates can sign up for email notifications at lawff.org.
Drawing and Winner Notification:
The winner of the raffle will be drawn on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, and will be notified by phone and email.
Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Contest ends 1/8/26. Visit the official rules page to view the complete rules of the LAWFF 2025 Conservation Raffle.
Over the past three years, tournament participation has fallen off dramatically mainly due to forward-facing sonar (FFS). Organizations have made rule changes with the hope of bringing tournament anglers back. Some have eliminated FFS all together, while the Major League Fishing trails like the BFL’s and the Toyota Series have put a time limit (three hours) on how long FFS can be used on tournament day.
While there’s no pleasing all the anglers, some tournament trails are hoping that the changes they have made will encourage anglers to come back and fish. They’ve made compromises for both sides, those who are in favor of FFS and those who want it eliminated from the sport all together.
Some anglers feel this new technology has no place in pro tournament fishing. It’s a great tool for the weekend warrior and an awesome tool for scouting. But for tournament use, others feel it is damaging the integrity of the sport. It’s made touring pros out of average to below average anglers.
Where organizations believe they have lost co-anglers, it turns out the boater/pros are also walking away. Early registration for the upcoming BFL (Cowboy Division) on Sam Rayburn indicates that they have more co-anglers signed up than boater/pros. This is a big problem for the parent company, Major League Fishing.
So many factors are at play when it comes to getting anglers back. Economy, price of boats and too many tournament trails are creating problems, not to mention the FFS issues.
To use a political hot word for 2026, “affordability” is a big concern for a lot of anglers. One tournament director of a major fishing organization made the comment that anglers are not having “fun” anymore. This is very much a true statement!
I agree with this comment. The fun days of showing up at a particular body of water and competing with guys you respect and have good relationships with are gone.
We, as anglers, never really thought about anyone cheating. But with so many issues last year with rules violations and failed polygraph tests, it’s now the first thing that pops into our heads when we back our boats down the ramp.
COVID, I believe, has also played a hand in the drop-off of angler participation. Back during the pandemic, the structure of tournaments changed. Anglers who fished during this period know that tournament directors focused on making sure we kept our distance from each other due to COVID restrictions.
The rules for a weigh-in changed as you had to stay in your boat and bring your fish to the scales one at a time. No more gathering of anglers at the weigh tanks.
Once you weighed in, you were expected to leave immediately, and winning checks were often mailed. This took all the fun out of tournament fishing and eliminated the connection anglers had developed over the years.
But during this difficult time, it was truly a lifesaver and a boost to anglers’ morale because they were excited just to have bass tournaments. Anglers appreciated the efforts organizations and directors put forth just so anglers could compete. Connections and comradery are very important to bass anglers. That’s what makes it fun!
Hopefully 2026 will bring a new beginning and a resurgence of anglers coming back to fishing tournaments. My hat is off to all tournament organizations as they try and navigate the new technology with FFS while trying to please as many anglers as possible.
I’ve always said the worst job in the world would be trying to make bass fishermen happy.
Best wishes and tight lines to all anglers for the upcoming tournament season!