It’s barely spring, and it already feels like summer showed up early. Around here, people aren’t just noticing—it’s becoming the main topic of conversation.
Even the jokes are writing themselves. Crawfish might as well be saying they’re “boiling before the pot now.”
All humor aside, the early heat has folks doing double takes at the calendar and wondering what the rest of the season has in store.
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.
3/16/26
Frederick Furman II of Gibsland was arrested for a Fugitive warrant.
3/17/26
Remington Jellum of Gibsland was arrested for Interfering with Emergency Communication (Intimidation).
3/18/26
Bridget Owens of Ringgold was arrested for Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling (Felony) and Flight from an Officer (Misdemeanor).
Wallace Pike Jr. of Arcadia was arrested for Failure to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender (Felony); Turning Movements and Required Signals; and Resisting an Officer (Misdemeanor).
3/21/26
Keri Jackson of Bienville was arrested for Simple Burglary – Immovable Structure (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 can expect another week of partly cloud skies followed by several days of sun. Temperatures will range between the upper 70s and mid-80s. Nighttime temps will range between the 50s and up into the 60s across the forecast window. This forecast window will end with a chance of an isolated thunderstorm.
Wednesday, Mar. 25
Wednesday will feature partly cloudy skies in the morning with a high of 84°F and overnight lows around 61°F. Night skies will be mainly clear with winds light and variable.
Thursday, Mar. 26
Thursday will also feature partly cloudy skies. Temps will increase slightly, with a high of 86°F. Overnight lows will be 61°F again. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph overnight with clear skies.
Friday, Mar. 27
Friday will be generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds and a high of 84°F. Overnight skies will be partly cloudy with a low of 51°F. Winds will be NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday, Mar. 28
Saturday will feature lots sun with occasional clouds. Temps will drop significantly, with a high of 70°F. Overnight low will not drop as significantly as the daytime temp, with a low of 49°F, and a few clouds.
Sunday, Mar. 29
Partly cloudy skies return, with temps climbing again to a high of 78°F and a low of 56°F. Overnight skies will be mostly clear, with winds light and variable.
Monday, Mar. 30
Partly cloudy skies persist into Monday but temps will continue to heat up again with a high of 82°F. Night will feature clouds from time to time and a low of 60°F.
Tuesday, Mar. 31
The clouds increase for Tuesday but scattered, with a possibility of an isolated thunderstorm, with a 30% chance of rain. The high for the day will be 81°F. The overnight low will be 63°F, with mostly cloudy skies.
This forecast window will be generally dry and feature a mix of partly cloudy and sunny skies. Temperatures will start warm, drop to 70, then warm up again. At the end of the forecast window, there is a chance of an isolated thunderstorm.
Overall, the period is defined by mixed partly cloudy and sunny skies.
Colby Bowman, a lifelong Jackson Parish resident and experienced attorney, announces his candidacy for District Attorney of the 2nd Judicial District. Bowman vows to restore integrity, enforce accountability, and put public safety first while maintaining an open-door policy long forgotten within the prosecutor’s office.
Bowman has served as an attorney for ten years since earning his Juris Doctorate from Southern University in Baton Rouge. He is the only candidate in the race actively practicing in all three parishes and with experience covering the full scope of the responsibilities of the District Attorney.
This unparalleled experience is matched by Bowman’s strong work ethic. He said, “Our community needs fresh leadership that is tirelessly committed to public safety. Families in our community deserve safe streets, and our law enforcement officers deserve a true collaborative partner in the District Attorney’s seat. Our system doesn’t work if our agencies don’t work together.”
He continued, “Justice is not being served in our neighborhoods under the status quo. Trials are being lost, dangerous narcotics are infiltrating our neighborhoods and criminals are walking free – just to leave our children in harm’s way. I pledge a new era of leadership and accountability that will keep our streets safer and prevent violent crime.“ As your District Attorney, I will relentlessly pursue solutions to the troubling waves of crime being committed by young adults and even minors. I have zero tolerance for violence between and against our children. I will force unconcerned parents to answer for their children’s truancy from school. This will narrow the gateway that leads to crime at earlier ages, keeping more young people on the pathway to success,” Bowman said.
Bowman’s extensive experience, knowledge, and relationships within the narcotics enforcement community make him uniquely qualified to serve as District Attorney. “I’m not just an attorney. I’ve lost clients and friends far too early, seeing first-hand the worst of the cancer spread by drugs, violence, and abuse in our communities. We cannot be complacent with burying our children.”
Beyond his legal career, Bowman serves as a volunteer firefighter with two departments, serving as the vice chairman of his local fire board. He routinely volunteers legal services to various boards and public entities. For five years he has taught Louisiana Tech University students, instilling practical skills and ethical leadership. Additionally, Bowman is a member of Masonic Lodge # 280 of Jonesboro.
Bowman and his wife, Lauren Dark Bowman, a registered nurse, are raising two daughters – Connor Wren (1) and Ava (15) and enjoy spending time outdoors and engaging in community life.
Colby Bowman invites all residents committed to justice, accountability, and public safety to support his campaign to revitalize the DA’s office and ensure a stronger, safer 2nd Judicial District.
Contact:
Colby Bowman
318-259-6200
colby@bowman.law
Facebook: Colby Bowman for District Attorney
http://www.ColbyBowmanForDA.com
Paid for by Friends of Colby L. Bowman
Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met at the Dorcheat Museum on Saturday, March 7 . Hostesses for the meeting were Katherine Coleman, Pam Mattox, and Nancy Procell, who provided sandwiches, snacks, and ice tea. Museum Director Jessica Gorman, who is the chapter Service to America Committee Chair, presented a genealogy workshop for the members. She explained the Genealogy Proof Standard and the importance of using primary sources such as courthouse records, old newspapers, and death certificates to connect one generation to another. She demonstrated how to locate many of these documents online at home and through websites available for patrons of the Webster Parish Library. She discouraged the habit of going to Ancestry.com and just hooking pedigrees together, because many of the pedigrees are incorrect. Chapter Regent Donna Sutton distributed DAR applications for the workshop attendees to give to friends and relatives who may be interested in joining
our chapter. The applications included a list of primary documents that DAR requires for each generation.
Pam Mattox, the chapter Volunteer for Veterans Chair, distributed Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal applications. These are medals that are available from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for any Louisiana resident who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime or peacetime. They are also available for families of deceased veterans. A copy of the DD 214 / Discharge Papers or DD 1300 / Death Certificate is required for documentation. The medal can be mailed to the applicant, or awarded at a Veteran’s Honor Medal Ceremony. The applications are available online on the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website.
DAR is a volunteer organization dedicated to education, patriotism, and historic preservation. Any woman age 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) is eligible to join DAR. For more information, contact dorcheatbistineau@yahoo.com.
Onyx Care Nursing Home of Arcadia will host an Easter celebration complete with an Easter egg hunt and a special guest, the Easter Bunny, making it an ideal event for families, on Saturday, April 4, 1-3pm.
The Easter Egg Hunt will feature over 2,000 eggs and prizes.
Residents in and around the area have felt more than a few unsettling tremors lately, and the recent spike in earthquakes is drawing increasing attention from both the public and government agencies.
Those concerns were the focus of a community meeting held Friday night, where about 50 people gathered to hear from Dr. Cynthia Ebinger, a Tulane University professor and earthquake expert, about the recent seismic activity affecting the area. Ebinger was the featured speaker for the meeting, which centered on her knowledge, research, and professional insight into what may be causing the earthquakes near Coushatta and what residents should know moving forward.
According to information shared during the meeting, the U.S. Geological Survey has recorded 10 earthquakes in the past 30 days in the area. A survey connected to the recent activity reportedly had about 1,575 people complete it, showing how many residents have been paying attention to the shaking and looking for answers.
Ebinger says one possible factor may be underground wastewater and saltwater injection. During the meeting, she explained that disposing of large amounts of water deep underground can increase pressure below the surface. Over time, that pressure can affect older rock formations and weak points underground, causing them to shift and sometimes trigger earthquakes.
She said small tremors are not unusual, but what stands out now is that both the number of earthquakes and their magnitude are drastically increasing. “That change is one of the biggest concerns in the Coushatta area right now,” stressed Ebinger.
Part of the challenge in tracking the full scope of the activity is that seismic stations across Louisiana are spread so far apart that they do not always pick up the smaller earthquakes. Ebinger said that in October, more instruments were placed around the area to help gather better data and improve monitoring closer to where the shaking is happening.
The increased seismic activity has now drawn the attention of both state and federal officials. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake in the area prompted greater involvement from the U.S. Geological Survey, which is now working to better understand what is happening underground. Ebinger said she was surprised that a 4.9 earthquake happened in North Louisiana. She noted that a 4.9 is considered a moderate earthquake and said she believes it is probably the strongest earthquake the area will feel.
Officials also noted that any earthquake over 4.5 magnitude receives help or investigation from the federal government, which explains the increased federal response following the larger quake near Coushatta. In addition, a task force is now being created as officials continue responding to the recent activity and studying what steps may be needed moving forward.
To gather more information, new seismic equipment has been installed in the area to track earthquake activity in real time. The added monitoring is expected to help scientists map the faults involved, study the sequence of events, and answer questions many residents have raised, including whether groundwater could be affected, how many faults may be involved, and whether stronger earthquakes are possible in the future.
Ebinger also encouraged that the river levees be inspected, noting concern about the direction of the earthquake waves moving from Coushatta toward the Pleasant Hill and Pelican area.
Another concern raised during the meeting involved the many pipelines that run through the region. In response to a question from a concerned citizen, Shane Hubbard, director of Red River Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said that after a moderate earthquake, pipelines are inspected immediately before production continues.
Hubbard also added that additional earthquake information and preparedness resources can be found on the redriverready.com website.
With concern continuing to grow, local residents are paying close attention as experts and officials work to learn more about the unusual wave of seismic activity beneath North Louisiana.
NATCHITOCHES – Seven teams from five area middle schools and high schools competed in the annual Demon Mathematics Classic, a quiz bowl-style competition hosted by Northwestern State University’s Department of Mathematics on March 20. Students from the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, Bolton Academy, Saline High School, Zwolle High School and Bolton Middle School competed both as teams and individuals. Winners received a trophy, a TI-Nspire CX CAS graphing calculator and a scholarship to NSU. Sabine State Bank, Pearson and the NSU Alumni Association sponsored the event.
All Stars:
Students selected as All Stars from their teams were Bhuvana Danivas, Bolton Academy; Austin Ross, Bolton Academy; Maven Anderson, LSMSA; Monika Garlapti, LSMSA; Jack Odom, Saline High School; Jackson Bougues, Saline High School; and Jensen Ebarb, Zwolle High School.
1st Place Individual:
Emil Galliano from the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts was first place winner in the Individual Competition.
2nd place Individual:
Bhuvana Danivas from Bolton Academy was second place winner of the Individual competition.
3rd Place Individual:
Noeh Schleifstein from the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts was the third place winner of the Individual competition.
1st Pace Team Competition LSMSA:
A team from the Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts won first place in the Team competition. The team is composed of Benny Zheng, Adyson Allen, Meena Matta, Maven Anderson and Alison Key.
2nd Place Team Saline:
The team from Saline High School won second place in Team competition. The team is composed of Latreasure Jackson, Jackson Bougues, Brooklyn Page-Loyd, Bentley Branch, and Braydon Robinson.
3rd Place Team LSMSA:
A team from the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts won third place in the Team competition. The team is composed of Noah Shleifstein, Emil Galliano, Sean Song, Monika Garlapati, and Emily Mwatibo.
4th Place Team Bolton Middle:
A team from Bolton Middle School won fourth place in the Team competition. The team is composed of Tim Enger, Bryson Smith, Will Jones, Londen Mason, Austin Ross and Carter Hall.
On April 12, during morning worship service, several churches in the Arcadia area will be joining in a “Call to Prayer.” The churches will be praying for God’s guidance, wisdom, discernment, power and love over the people, churches, town and country. In a constantly changing world with ever-increasing distractions and controversy, this group of believers believe that God is still the only source of lasting peace, hope, and love.
They will pray that in the days to come, many will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He is their only hope for today and for eternity. They encourage all members to continue to pray daily. If anyone or any church would like to join this “Call to Prayer,” please contact First Baptist Church, Arcadia, 318-263-8474 for information and materials.
When I was a little boy, keys were my thing. Not toys. Not marbles. Not baseball cards. Keys. Real, metal, grownup keys—the kind that clinked in your pocket and made you feel like you had access to the universe.
And I had a source.
My grandfather—Pop—was a policeman. And apparently in the 1960s, Americans were losing keys at a rate that can only be described as “biblical.” Pop would bring me bags of keys. Now, I’m sure it was only three or four at a time, but to my young eyes it looked like Fort Knox had sprung a leak.
I had a ritual. A system. A liturgy of keys.
Back then, every car company had its own key design. Ford keys looked like Ford keys. GM keys looked like GM keys. Chrysler keys looked like they were designed on a Friday afternoon. And because Ford also made Mercury, their keys were cousins—interchangeable in shape, though not in function. You could slip a Mercury key into a Ford ignition, but it wasn’t supposed to turn.
Supposed to.
One Friday night, Pop dropped off a fresh batch of keys. I sorted them with the precision of a jeweler. Then I grabbed a couple of Mercury keys and headed outside for what I can only describe as unauthorized field research.
I climbed into our 1961 Ford Galaxie—bench seat, steering wheel the size of a hula hoop, and an ignition switch that sat right on the dashboard like it was daring you to try something foolish.
I inserted a Mercury key.
It fit.
But it didn’t turn.
I inserted another Mercury key.
It fit.
It didn’t turn.
Then came key number three.
I slid it in, gave it a twist, and—VROOOOM—the Ford Galaxie roared to life like it had been waiting all day for a small child to hotwire it. Naturally, I followed the adult pattern I had observed:
I pulled the column shifter down into “D.”
“D” meant go.
And go it did.
The car lurched forward and traveled a majestic, triumphant five feet straight into the side of the house. The dent remained for forty years, a permanent historical marker commemorating the beginning of my illustrious driving career.
The adults poured out of the house like a fire drill—Mom, Dad, and Pop the policeman.
“How did you start the car?” they asked.
I explained my key-based methodology. Pop immediately cut off my Ford key supply.
I still had a large collection of GM keys, though, and Pop owned a Chevrolet. I had a whole testing plan ready for that vehicle. Sadly, my research program was shut down before Phase Two.
Jesus has given us the keys to the Kingdom—and unlike my Mercury Ford experiment, these keys actually belong to us, they always fit, and they never cause property damage.
You’re not locked out.
You’re not stuck in “Park.”
You don’t have to hotwire your way into grace.
The astonishing truth is this:
In Christ, you already hold the keys.
Keys to freedom.
Keys to forgiveness.
Keys to hope.
Keys to a life that actually goes somewhere.
And unlike that 1961 Ford Galaxie, you won’t crash into the side of the house when you use them.
Jesus hands you the keys and says, “Go ahead. Turn the ignition. Live. Move. Be free.”
That’s a Kingdom worth driving toward.
The 2026 turkey hunting season begins Saturday and Sunday (March 28-29) for youth (17 or younger) and physically challenged-wheel chaired confined hunters. The season opens statewide in areas A, B and C on April 3 for all hunters, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced.
Turkey hunting in Area A runs from April 3-May 3, Area B from April 3-26 and Area C from April 3-19.
Turkey hunters are required to have a basic hunting license and wild turkey license, or an equivalent combination. A youth hunting license and turkey tags are required for those 17 or younger hunting turkey. Click here to purchase a hunting license.
Prior to hunting turkey, all turkey hunters, regardless of age or license status, must obtain turkey tags. They must have the tags in their possession while hunting turkey, and immediately after harvesting a turkey, tag the turkey before moving it from where it was killed. Hunters must record required information for tagged turkeys and validate tags within 72 hours of harvesting a turkey. Click here to obtain turkey tags.
Click here for a complete list of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) open to turkey hunting and more information on WMA turkey hunting.
All visitors to LDWF WMAs must have either a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. Click here for more information.
Click here for more information on turkey hunting in Louisiana or contact LDWF Small Game/Wild Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal at ccedotal@wlf.la.gov.
With over 30 years of bass tournament experience, I know that every bass angler that wets a hook has one goal in mind when they enter a tournament — win! While we all strive to bring winning sacks to the scales, the stars do not always align and allow that to happen.
My background as an athlete has proven to be beneficial when it comes to the mental side of tournament bass fishing. The “never give up” mentality is so important as a tournament angler.
Playing on a Texas state championship high school baseball team was one of my greatest accomplishments as an athlete. Twice during that special run in 1978, our backs were to the wall, but we never gave up and persevered on our way to winning it all.
We never panicked no matter what the situation was. We stayed strong and committed to each other, making sure things went our way. Tournament bass fishing is no different. There will be days when things just don’t go the way you thought they would.
But the guys who have a strong mindset, and the “never give up” attitude, seem to always find a way to put fish in the boat. Even if they don’t catch the winning fish, they still make a good showing.
One of my recent trips to Lake of the Pines brought me so much joy — eventually! It began when the fish I found in practice just did not pan out. Oh, I had lots of excuses as to why they did not bite, but to sum it up, I just did not catch them.
At 10:30 that tournament morning, I did not have a fish in the boat. I had caught a few, but none that would reach the 14-inch minimum. But I did not panic as I felt the fish would bite a little better in the afternoon due to the full moon we were fishing under.
I finally put three fish in the boat between 10:30 and noon and then decided to move out of the area where I had found quality fish during practice. There was so much fishing pressure on the lake, I was sure that a lot of the fish I had found the day before had been caught.
So, I pulled up on a point and made a long cast, and low and behold I caught a solid 3-pounder! I’m thinking, “hmmm, this is a good sign and maybe there’s a good school of bass on this point.” Sure enough, it was loaded with good keeper-size fish including a 5-pounder that threw my bait back to me on one particular cast.
I anchored down on this spot and for three hours I began to catch over 35 bass off this one point. It was a day you don’t have all the time as an angler and even though I did not catch the winning bag, I had an awesome day on the water and enjoyed a trip I will never forget!
I’m wondering if age has anything to do with how I think now as an angler. At 65 years old, winning tournaments is just not as high on my priority list as it used to be. Oh, I’m still competitive and want to beat the pants off all these young bucks, but then there’s reality.
But one thing I can say for myself, no matter how much longer I continue to fish bass tournaments, my desire to compete and win will never wane. I just have to remember; it’s not always about winning.
March 25 marks the birthday of music icon Elton John, born in 1947 in Middlesex, England. Over the course of more than five decades, Elton John has become one of the best-selling artists of all time, known for flamboyant stage costumes, unforgettable melodies and deeply personal songwriting.
Bursting onto the international scene in the early 1970s, Elton John teamed with lyricist Bernie Taupin to create a catalog of hits including “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Crocodile Rock.” His blend of pop, rock and theatrical performance redefined what it meant to be a global superstar.
Albums such as “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” cemented his reputation as a musical innovator. Known for his dynamic piano performances and larger-than-life persona, Elton John became synonymous with arena-filling concerts and extravagant tours.
Beyond music, he has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, using his platform to promote philanthropy and social change.
In 2019, his life and career were dramatized in the biographical film “Rocketman,” introducing his story to a new generation. He also completed a multi-year farewell tour, closing a historic chapter in live performance history.
As fans celebrate his birthday each March 25, Elton John’s influence remains undeniable. From chart-topping hits to cultural impact, his legacy continues to sparkle as brightly as the sequined jackets he made famous.
It was the most elaborate presidential inauguration in the history of our country at the time. An estimated one million people witnessed the peaceful transition of power in person. There was a 10-mile, two-and-a-half-hour inaugural parade which escorted incoming president Dwight D. Eisenhower from the Capitol to the White House. The parade was comprised of about 22,000 servicemen and women, 5,000 civilians, 50 state and organizational floats which cost a total of about $100,000, 65 musical units, 350 horses, three elephants, an Alaskan sled dog team, and the first public showing of our military’s most devastating piece of artillery at the time, an 85-ton atomic cannon called “Atomic Annie.” Overhead, a continuous stream of aircraft including 1,100 jet fighters and a fleet of super bombers flew over the parade route. To handle the huge crowds, two formal balls were held simultaneously at opposite sides of the city with President Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower having to be shuttled back and forth between the two for maximum effect. While at previous inaugurations, one or two film stars made appearances, at least 40 stars of film and stage entertained or were guests at the inauguration, more than at any previous inauguration. Newspapers around the world reported that it was the “biggest show ever staged in Washington.”
Hotels charge premium prices, and many desperate people had to pay a “black market bonus” of $100 just to make a hotel reservation. Adjusted for inflation, that would be over $1,200 in today’s money. Some of Washington’s “old families” rented out their luxury homes to millionaires and their friends for up to $3,000 for the week. That would be nearly $37,000 in today’s money. 60 special trains set up “Pullman Cities,” named after the 600 Pullman parlor and sleeper train cars which accommodated about 10,000 visitors. Forty steam locomotives kept constant “full heads of steam” to provide heat and hot water for the Pullman cities. The accommodation committee set up for the purpose of housing the influx of visitors to our nation’s capital referred to it as Operation Headache.
Rather than paying exorbitant fees and fighting the maddening crowds, most people chose to watch the inauguration from the comfort of their own homes. It was broadcast on all three major television networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. An estimated 29 million people tuned in throughout the day for at least part of the inauguration.
President Eisenhower’s inauguration should have been the highest rated program on television during that era, but it was overshadowed by a regularly scheduled television sitcom shown the night before which depicted something that has happened to every living human being—a child was born. More than 70% of American households, some 44 million people, 15 million more than watched the inauguration, watched the 30-minute sitcom which aired on CBS, a single network. It remains one of the most watched sitcoms in television history. The episode was filmed two months earlier and starred an actress who was really pregnant, a first for television. This comedy showed the fictional chaos that happened leading up to the actress having a baby. The actress in the sitcom went into labor and had a son, named after his father, on the day the episode aired. The episode was titled “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” and starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Sources:
1. The Mail (Adelaide, Australia), January 17, 1953, p.23.
2. Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California), January 20, 1953, p.3.
3. The Roanoke Times, January 21, 1953, p.18.
4. “Inaugurations: 1953 Inauguration,” Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, National Archives, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.
5. “Lucy Goes to the Hospital,” IMDb.com, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.imdb.com/
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.
3/08/26
La’zeric Haynes of Ruston was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery (Felony).
Christie Roberson of Arcadia was arrested for Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles; Careless Operation; First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring (Felony); and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor).
3/09/26
David Liles of Campti was arrested for Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce (Felony); Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor); Obstruction of Justice – Hindrance/Delay; Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor); and Reckless Operation Without Accident (Misdemeanor).
3/10/26
Omar Garcia of Pittsburg, TX, was arrested for Maximum Speed Limit (Interstate or Controlled Access Highway).
Willie Willis of Arcadia was arrested for Theft (Felony).
3/11/26
Demarcus Burns of Ringgold was arrested for Leaving the Scene of an Accident – No Injury; Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (Felony); Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License – No Licensed Issued; Hit and run Driving with Injury (Misdemeanor); and Reckless Operation with Accident (Misdemeanor).
Jacoby Tellis of Ringgold was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant (Misdemeanor).
Laray Wesley of Ruston was arrested for Obscenity (Felony); Simple Battery (Misdemeanor); Disturbing the Peace – Engaging in a Fistic Encounter (Misdemeanor).
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 Bienville Parish Police Jury held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 11.
The complete minutes can be viewed below.
The week begins with partly cloud skies before transitioning to several days of sun. Temperatures will start mild before increasing into the 80s. Nighttime temps will range between the 40s and up into the 60s across the forecast window.
Wednesday, Mar. 18
Wednesday will feature partly cloudy skies in the morning with a high of 71°F and overnight lows around 47°F. Night skies will be mostly clear with winds light and variable.
Thursday, Mar. 19
Thursday will bring sunny skies with a high of 80°F and overnight lows around 54°F. Winds light and variable overnight with clear skies.
Friday, Mar. 20
Friday will be feature mainly sunny skies with a high of 86°F. Overnight skies will be mostly clear with a low of 58°F. Winds will continue to be light and variable.
Saturday, Mar. 21
Saturday will feature lots and lots of sunshine with a near-record high of 88°F. Overnight skies will be clear with a low of 60°F.
Sunday, Mar. 22
Another day of sunny skies with a high of 88°F and a low of 61°F. Overnight skies will be mostly clear, with winds light and variable.
Monday, Mar. 23
Monday will feature sunshine with some clouds and a high of 83°F. Night will bring partly cloud skies and a low of 57°F.
Tuesday, Mar. 24
The clouds hang around for Tuesday, with skies being a mix of sunshine and clouds. The high for the day will be 81°F. The overnight low will be 58°F, with a few clouds from time to time.
This forecast window will be dry and feature a lot of sunny skies, though the clouds will show up from time to time. Temperatures will warm up, with near-record highs possible.
Overall, the period is defined by sunny weather with some clouds and warming temperature but no rain.
The parish-wide burn ban for Bienville Parish has been lifted. Regardless, be careful with any outdoor burning. Remember to always have a water source nearby.
BATON ROUGE – The 2026 Regular Legislative Session convened on March 9 at noon as required by the State Constitution. Returning to Baton Rouge, lawmakers will tackle a variety of subjects including regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly when it comes to protecting children, regulation of carbon capture activities here in Louisiana, and proposals to increase investment in public safety and education.
“We have made such great strides in the first two years of this term, when you look at how far we have come in areas like tax reform and beginning to see insurance rates come down here in Louisiana,” said Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier. “This year we want to build on those successes to encourage even more economic investment in our state and better prepare our workforce to take advantage of those opportunities.”
“As we carefully consider the proposed $47 billion state budget for next year, legislators want to fund the priorities that are important to Louisianans without committing our state to spending we can’t afford in the years ahead,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “As we look ahead to next year when we want to bring down our state income tax rate even further, we’ll be looking to strengthen our long-term revenue sources so that whether it’s education, energy or public safety, we build revenue sources that our state can depend on going forward.
The House of Representatives welcomed four new members today. Chasity Martinez will serve District 60 in the parishes of Assumption and Iberville and has been named to the Education, Labor and Transportation committees. Ed Murray will serve District 97 in Orleans Parish and has been named to the Insurance, Municipal, and Transportation committees. Reese “Skip” Broussard will serve District 37 in the parishes of Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis and has been named to the Agriculture, Education and Transportation committees. Doyle Boudreaux will serve District 39 in Lafayette Parish and has been named to the Transportation, Administration of Criminal Justice and Retirement committees.
As of this morning, more than 1,360 bills have been filed by legislators, including the state budget, to be considered over an 85-day general legislative session.
To follow the legislative session in real time, the public can log into www.legis.la.gov to search for bills and watch live streams of committee room and floor debates. The legislative mobile phone app LALEGE can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. This app includes a bill search and “find my legislator” function. Other key features include legislator profiles, Senate and House schedules and a visitor’s guide to the Capitol.
The 2026 Regular Legislative Session must adjourn no later than 6:00pm on Monday, June 1, 2026.
