The Louisiana Legislature passed SB 121 Thursday, sending a new congressional map to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature following months of debate prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s previous district lines.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais found that the previous map unconstitutionally prioritized race over traditional redistricting principles such as compactness and communities of interest. The new map was drawn without race as the predominant factor in determining district boundaries.

The legislation creates five Republican-leaning congressional districts statewide. A review of the enacted map shows that some parishes are split between congressional districts. 

For Caddo and Bossier parishes, both remain unified within the Fourth Congressional District alongside De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville parishes. Central Louisiana, including Rapides Parish, is kept whole within the Fifth Congressional District.

The map now heads to the Governor for signature. If signed, it will govern Louisiana’s congressional representation through the remainder of the decade.

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor developments.

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.

5/18/26

Melanie Alexander of Castor was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment (Felony). 

5/19/26

Elyse Bell of Vicksburg, MS, was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued; Maximum Speed Limit; and D.W.I. – 1st Offense (BAC .15 to .19; Misdemeanor). 

Jalen Butler of Ruston was arrested for Maximum Speed Limit and Operating a Vehicle While Under Suspension for Certain Prior Offenses (Misdemeanor). 

5/20/26

Bobby Tyler of Sanger, TX, was arrested for Fugitive.

5/21/26

Patricia Trantham of Arcadia was arrested for 2 counts of Dogs Not to Run at Large (Misdemeanor).

5/22/26

Deangelo Weathers of Heflin was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant.

Dennis Weathers of Ringgold was arrested for 2nd Degree Battery (Felony).

Clint Leone of Doyline was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant.

Steven Calhoun Jr. of Ruston was arrested for Violation of Probation/Parole; Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic; Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony); Obstruction of Justice – Destruction/Damage/Vandalism (Felony); and Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor). 

5/23/26

Dymetrius Adams of Gibsland was arrested for Disturbing the Peace – Appearing in an Intoxicated Condition (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.

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Daniel W. Newell, District Attorney for the Second Judicial District in and for the Parish of Bienville, made the following announcements relative to disposition of cases in Bienville Parish in May 2026.

Jeffery Paul Jackson of Doyline pled guilty to Theft over $1,000.00 less than $5,000.00. He was sentenced to 1 years at hard labor which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation and ordered to pay restitution and court cost.

Sharon Lockaby of Atlanta, GA pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II 2 grams or more but less than 28 grams of cocaine. She was sentenced to 1 year in the parish jail, which was suspended.

Lakesha Smart of Lake Village, AR pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II 2 grams or more but less than 28 grams of Methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor which was suspended. She was placed on 2 years supervised
probation.

Kendra Jenkins of Arcadia pled guilty to 1 count of Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine and 1 count of Possession of Schedule II Cocaine. She was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor on each charge, which was suspended, to run concurrently. She was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

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The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) competed in a SWAT competition held at the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office Training Facility near Simsboro on May 4-5. The following law enforcement agencies also participated in the event: Louisiana State Police, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hammond Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Shreveport Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office.

BPSO placed fifth out of the eleven teams competing and finished second overall in the Blue Falcon event. BPSO Deputy Jordan Richard finished sixth out of sixty-six competing in the individual hand gun competition. This was only the third year that BPSO has competed in the SWAT competition sanctioned by Louisiana Tactical Police Officers Association and is the smallest agency of the eleven teams entered.

BPSO issued a “thank you” to Sheriff Steve Williams and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and hospitality.

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The coming week for Bienville Parish will start with thunderstorms before tapering off to cloudiness. Daytime temps will remain mainly in the 80s, while nighttime temps will range between 60s and 70s. The highest chances of rain will occur Thursday and Friday, with a 50% chance of rain both days.

Wednesday, May 27: Scattered thunderstorms in the morning before giving way to cloudy skies later, with a 40% chance of rain. The high will be 79°F and overnight lows around 68°F. Scattered thunderstorms will return during the evening, then cloudy skies overnight, with a 40% chance of rain, and winds light and variable.

Thursday, May 28: Showers early then scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day with a 50% of rain. The high will be 84°F. Thursday night will be mainly cloudy with an overnight low of 69°F with winds light and variable.

Friday, May 29: Scattered thunderstorms during the day with a 50% chance of rain and a high of 87°F. Partly cloudy skies at night, winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The night’s low will be 71°F. 

Saturday, May 30: Saturday will see scattered thunderstorms, especially in the morning, with a 40% chance of rain. High will be 90°F. Night skies will be partly cloudy early followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers later at night with a 30% chance of rain. Overnight low will be 71°F with winds light and variable.

Sunday, May 31: Daytime weather will feature partly to mostly cloudy skies with a chance of thunderstorms with a 40% chance of rain with a high of 84°F and a low of 72°F. Nighttime weather will be partly cloudy with winds light and variable.

Monday, June 1: Monday will see a few showers early with mostly cloudy conditions later in the day and a 30% chance of rain and a high of 81°F. Monday night will see considerable clouds early with some decrease in clouds late. The low will be 66°F and winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday, June 2: The day will see partly cloudy skies with a high of 83°F.  The overnight low will be 64°F, with partly cloudy skies and winds light and variable. 

The rain of last week will persist into this week, though next week will see a break in the rain. But the break this week won’t come until the end of the forecast period.  

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The Louisiana Department of Health announced Friday that beginning May 26, state SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for purchases made within Louisiana and in ZIP codes adjacent to the state’s border.

Department officials said the policy change aims to protect benefits from fraud and out-of-state use while ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected. Residents who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas will experience little to no disruption, as many of those border ZIP codes are included under the policy’s approved designation. Out-of-state purchases attempted outside of the approved areas will be blocked.

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption online at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-524-3578, or by visiting a local department SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default setting.

For more information and a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, residents can visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will conduct commercial alligator lottery harvests on 23 LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), 28 public lakes and one U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) property beginning on Aug. 26. Applications are now available and are due by June 15.

(Please note: This is the longstanding commercial alligator lottery harvest and not the recently adopted recreational alligator lottery, which will have a separate lottery application in the coming months.)

Commercial alligator lottery applications can be found on the LDWF lottery application webpage. To apply, click on the Lottery Applications tab, update or create customer details similar to purchasing a license and then submit the application. There is a $5 application fee and a $3.50 transaction fee.

Only one commercial alligator lottery application may be submitted per customer, but applicants can rank and submit up to three hunt area choices on their application. Applicants must be legal Louisiana residents and 16 years of age or older. If selected, you will be required to purchase an alligator hunter license ($25) and to submit payment of $40 for each alligator tag allocated.

To assist applicants in selecting specific WMAs/public lakes, LDWF has posted the percentage of commercial lottery alligator harvest applicants selected for their first choice in 2025 by WMA or public lake as well as a map showing the general location of each area and the appropriate area manager’s contact information on its website. Go to the 2026 Alligator Lottery Choices page to see this information.

For more information concerning commercial lottery alligator harvests on LDWF WMAs or public lakes, contact the appropriate LDWF Field Office or email LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov.

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The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way in a month.

Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night, June 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67^th Induction Celebration.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 25, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday, June 26 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event.

The slate on Saturday, June 27 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.

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Nothing is harder to swallow than when a younger athlete comes along and replaces the older, more experienced player. Egos are shattered and feelings are sometimes hurt. No athlete likes to be put out to pasture. But in today’s bass fishing universe, that’s exactly what’s happening.

To say the young guns of bass fishing have arrived would be an understatement! No matter what sport you play, there comes a day when someone wants to take your spot. They respect you because of your experience and time you’ve given to the game, but they are the ones pushing you out of the sport you love. 

Today, a younger generation is making its mark on the sport of tournament bass fishing by utterly dominating tournaments with catches that no one has ever seen before. This past month a young buck, Andrew Rickman, 24 years old from Canton, Texas, made his presence felt by catching a record setting B.A.S.S. Nation record of 95 pounds,15 ounces over a three-day period.

Now to some this may not resonate, especially if you’re not familiar with tournament bass fishing. But what this young man did is nothing short of incredible! Maybe this will help you understand; he caught 15 bass over the three days and averaged over 6 pounds per fish — something that has never been done before in tournament competition. 

What makes this more amazing is the fact that he had never seen, let alone fished Toledo Bend in his entire life! Most anglers could add up three years of tournament catches and not even come close to 95 pounds of bass. This kid did it in three days with zero experience on the lake!

It’s just another testament to how good so many of these young anglers are. They are doing things and catching fish in ways the older generation of anglers have never dreamed about. 

One thing that is very noticeable about the young anglers of today; they spend a tremendous amount of time on the water learning new techniques and studying their electronic units like Forward-Facing Sonar so they can get better.

So many of these young anglers (due to forward-facing sonar) have been unfairly labeled as “scopers only.” But it’s a little unfair to put a blanket label over all of them because so many have been raised with old-school techniques and can catch bass with or without Forward Facing Sonar.  

To put a bow on this topic, if changes or FFS restrictions are not made with regards to bass tournaments, I highly suggest that the older anglers spend more time on the water learning how to use FFS during the off season and spend less time in the deer stand if they want to be competitive with the young guns that are on the rise in the bass tournament world. 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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The Bienville Parish Library is thrilled to reveal the winners of the 2026 Adult Reading Program. This year’s theme, The Story Zone: So Many Books, So Little Time to Read, was a playful nod to Rod Serling’s classic television series, The Twilight Zone.

There was outstanding participation by patrons across all branches. This program not only celebrates the top readers, but also sets the stage for the Children’s Summer Reading Program launching on June 3.

A Standing Ovation for the Winners

From February through April, adult participants immersed themselves in books, e-books, and audiobooks, tracking their journeys at their local branches. BPL is proud to announce the top three readers from each branch, along with ther Parishwide Champion, the individual who logged the most books in the entire Bienville Parish Library System.

Parishwide Champion

Debbie Carlisle – 93 books

Ms. Carlisle also came in as the 1st prize winner at the Main Library in Arcadia. Her achievement will be featured in her home library and across BPL’s social media platforms.

Branch Winners

Arcadia Branch

1st Place: Debbie Carlisle (93 books) *
2nd Place: Janet Blackwell (81 books)
3rd Place: Jackie Blank (52 books)

Ringgold Branch

1st Place: Juanita Nettles (90 books)
2nd Place: Robert McElroy (83 books)
3rd Place: Vickie Petty (50 books)

Saline Branch

1st Place: Sylvia Moore (71 books)
2nd Place: Theresa Blewer (49 books)
3rd Place: Chancy Ponder (21 books)

Castor Branch

1st Place: Patsy Quick (28 books)
2nd Place: Betty Potts (26 books)
3rd Place: Judy McCarthy (14 books)

Gibsland Branch

1st Place: Rosetta Ryder (45 books)
2nd Place: Marsha Andrews (9 books)
3rd Place: Markeona Jones (7 books)

Honorable Mentions

BPL’s amazing staff is the heart of its mission. BPL is proud of their personal dedication to reading and promoting the library’s online resources.

Peggy Marquez – 29 books (Saline Branch)
Shelby Coates – 25 books (Castor Branch)
Cathey Jackson – 23 books (Main Library, Arcadia)
Melissa Matthews – 23 books (Saline Branch)
Clara Powell – 23 books (Ringgold Branch)
Susie Graham – 20 books (Main Library, Arcadia)
Robin Word – 16 books (Castor Branch)

What’s Next?

A huge congratulations to all the winners and participants. Their love of reading made this year’s program a huge success. Keep turning those pages and get ready for an exciting 2026 Summer Reading Program.

For details on upcoming events, visit the nearest Bienville Parish Library and follow them on social media.

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I’m about to tell you something no preacher has ever told you. You may want to sit down. You may want to brace yourself. You may want to alert the denominational office, because if this leaks out, it could change the face of Christianity as we know it.

Ready?

It is holy, righteous, and perfectly acceptable for you to say “No.”

Not “no” to sin—we already know that one. I’m talking about a radical, countercultural, spiritually liberating “no” to good things. To church things. To “we’vealwaysdoneitthisway” things. To “we need a warm body on this committee” things.

You no longer have to say, “Let me pray about it,” when you already know the Holy Spirit is whispering, “Child… absolutely not.”

You have permission—pastoral, biblical, Christcentered permission—to use the word “no” freely, joyfully, and without guilt.

We live in a culture that treats “no” like a fourletter word. We’re so polite, so conflictavoidant, so eager to be liked, that we twist ourselves into pretzels trying to find “winwin” solutions.

Meanwhile, our souls are running on fumes.

Jesus Himself said “no” all the time. He said “no” to crowds who wanted Him to stay. “No” to disciples who wanted Him to skip the cross. “No” to temptations that promised shortcuts.

If the Son of God could say “no” without guilt, surely His followers can too.

This revelation hit me while changing the air filters at the house. We have two units, which means two filters, which means two opportunities for sanctification.

I went to the discount store, the only place in Ruston that carries my size—and brought home the filters. When I unwrapped them, I noticed something odd.

Let me pause here.

Why is everything wrapped in plastic?  Who decided my air filter needed to be hermetically sealed like it was going on a space mission? Why is my chewing gum wrapped like it’s a national security threat?

Somewhere, a committee met, and not one brave soul stood up and said, “No. Wrapping an air filter in plastic is dumb.”

Back to the filter.

Under the plastic was a sheet titled, “Getting to Know Your Filter.” I’m sorry… what? I don’t want a relationship with my filter. I don’t need to know its hopes, dreams, or how many microns it filters. If you’re out there reading airfilter biographies, I say this with love: get a hobby.

So I said “no.” I refused to “get to know my filter.” And it felt good.

“No” creates margin. “No” creates Sabbath. “No” creates space for the things Jesus actually calls you to do.

We are exhausted not because God has overburdened us, but because we have said “yes” to things He never asked us to carry.

When you say “no” to the unnecessary, you say “yes” to: peace, presence, prayer, people and purpose.

You say “yes” to following Jesus instead of following expectations.

The cross itself is God’s great “no” to everything that destroys us—and His great “yes” to everything that gives life.

When you say “no” in the right places, you’re not being selfish. You’re being faithful. You’re choosing the narrow way. You’re choosing Christ.

So hear this clearly, boldly, and with pastoral authority:

You are hereby empowered to say “no.”  Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t care. But because your “yes” belongs to Jesus first.

And that, my friend, is the secret that might just set the church free.

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If every disagreement turns into a critique of how you communicate, the real problem may be what you’re not resolving—here’s how to break the cycle and start working as a team.

 See what Ida says 

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The Indianapolis 500, commonly called Indy 500, is a 500-mile automobile race which has become the largest single-day spectator sporting event in the world. Since its meager beginnings in 1909, people have flocked to the track in record numbers to watch the high-speed thrills. On May 30, 1941, George “Joie” Chitwood readied his cigar-shaped racecar, the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, for the Indianapolis 500. During qualifying, Joie bounced around the track in his racecar and had a hard time keeping his foot on the accelerator. Out of necessity, Joie used a simple strap to fix the problem. The other drivers objected to the strap because they thought it was dangerous. The heads of the AAA Drivers Association agreed and refused to allow Joie to use the strap. They only relented when Joie promised to release the strap if he thought he was going to crash. Keep in mind that the cars traveled more than 100 miles per hour. Joie did not crash that day. He came in 14th place and won $620. (The first-place winner, Floyd Davis, received $29,200.) Joie believed that using the strap helped his performance in the 1941 Indy 500, but the other drivers remained skeptical.

For decades, the general public remained skeptical as well. Carmakers often adopt equipment designed for racing cars on their vehicles. In 1949, now defunct carmaker Nash Motors offered this strap on about 40,000 of their Airflyte and Ambassador models, but over 39,000 of them were removed by dealerships at the request of the owners. In 1955, Ford offered it as an option on their vehicles, but less than 2% of buyers chose the strap. In 1958, Saab became the first carmaker to include the strap as part of their standard equipment.

Although he had nothing to do with its invention, Joie Chitwood made history that day in May 1941 because he was the first driver to wear the strap in the Indy 500. Today, all race car drivers are required to wear one. It has also become a requirement in all automobiles. At that time, the common misperception was that people were safer in a car accident if they were thrown from the wreck rather than behind held inside the vehicle. They called the strap safety belts, but we know this strap as the seat belt.

Sources:

1. Robert Tate, “The 1949 Nash was an Entirely New Postwar Design,” MotorCities National Heritage Area, October 1, 2025, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2025/the-1949-nash-was-an-entirely-new-postwar-design.

2. “1941 Indianapolis 500 Race Results,” Indianapolis 500 Race Day Stats, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/race-results/1941.

3. “Joie Chitwood (SR.),” National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, accessed May 17, 2026, https://web.archive.org/web/20190619150409/https://www.sprintcarhof.com/helper_pages/FileGet.aspx?id=186.

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The Bienville Parish Police Jury held their regular monthly meeting on May 13. 

The complete minutes can be viewed below. 

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The Bienville Parish Clerk of Court is recognizing election workers and support staff for their role in helping administer elections across the parish, emphasizing the essential work required to keep voting operations running.

In a public statement, the office thanked poll workers, election day staff, warehouse personnel, and machine delivery teams, noting the long hours, training requirements, and logistical coordination involved in conducting local elections.

Officials also expressed appreciation for election day support individuals Mark Jones, Sharon Monroe, and Anna Nelson, along with Turner Madden, who provided AC repair assistance, ROV staff who remain in the office throughout election operations, warehouse supervisor Caleb Tidwell, and machine delivery staff Bill Lunn with Strongmen Movers.

The office said these workers play a critical role in ensuring elections are properly staffed, equipment is delivered and maintained, and voters are able to cast ballots.

Below is the full list of election workers and volunteers recognized by the Clerk of Court’s office:

Dolores K Alford
Kristin B Alford
Conley Ray Bare
Glenda W Bare
Kimberly Thurmon Bennett
Arreica Boston
Ruth Ellen Boston
Betty Allen Burns
Deborah G Carlisle
Jimmy F Cheatwood
Susan C Cheatwood
Vanessa Clark
Lorea S Cobb
Allison Teagelenn Coe
Sandra E Coe
Brenda P Coldiron
Carrie Cooper
Sharon S Council
Terry L Council
Erin Elizabeth Cox
Holly Bennita Cox
Judy C Cox
Lecy Marie Cox
Roszera H Cox
Tiffany T Crane
Deanna Curtis
Phyllis A Curtis
Bradley S Cutlip
Mary L Daniel
Cathy Davis
Pamela L Davis
Claude Dickey
Patricia W Durham
Rebecca Vise Fearrand
Dana Nicole Fontenot
Natalie Bamburg Foster
Gloria C Gaudet
Marda Westberry Gildon
Carolyn Henson Green
Edna Bamburg Guest
Beverly S Ham
Tameka Resha Harris
Sandra Robinson Heflin
James L Hughes
Kayla Monique Hullaby
Chandrica Nicole Jefferson
Loura A Johnson
Keonta Abney Jones
Joey L Jordan
Melanie S Jordan
Stephanie L Lard
Kimberly Ann Lathan
Hilda R Leonard
Randall Lee Lilly
Sharon Arnold Lilly
Kenneth R Malone Jr
Kristy Danelle Malone
Teresa L Malone
Melissa Guin Mathews
Jennifer Rae Mathis
Valerie D Maxey
Frank May III
Carol H McCarter
Angela C Merritt
Lillian Merritt
Linda Mincey
Katherine Mixon
Sharon R Monroe
Carlette B Moore
Helen M Moore
Kishmia L Moore
Betty Weems Neathery
Tyler Jonathan Nutt
Shannon Crane Olayinka
Janice Brown Oney
Roy Page
Sarah F Page
Tresa S Perot
Elaine Carter Pietsch
Stacy B Plunkett
Betty J Potts
Kirby C Potts
Barbara Maxey Rivers
Michelle E Roberson
Catina Combs Rogers
Jeanette H Rushing
Carolyn Russell
Mattie Mae B Russell
Sharon Denise Sanders
Minnie Harper Scott
Phyllis M Scott
Christine Jefferson Smith
Katherine E Sullivan
Charles Michael Thomas
Joyce E Thomas
Paula G Thomas
Susan A Thomas
Desmond L Venzant
Pamela C Volentine
Phillip J Volentine
Jacqueline Doyle Wardlaw
Willinette Peair Westmoreland
Shantelle White
Ashley Sharelle Williams
Mattie Williams
Lauren Andrea Woodall
Mary P Woodfork
James Dustin Woods
Sharra C Woods
Jason Ray Young

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Bienville Parish is expected to see an extended stretch of wet and unsettled weather, with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms likely from Wednesday through at least Tuesday.

The pattern begins Wednesday under mostly cloudy skies, with a chance of morning showers and thunderstorms increasing to likely afternoon activity. Highs will reach the lower 80s with light northeast winds around 5 mph. Rain chances sit near 60 percent.

Wednesday night will remain mostly cloudy with continued chances for showers and thunderstorms. Lows will dip into the upper 60s as rain becomes more likely after midnight.

Weather conditions turn more active Thursday as a stronger round of showers moves through the region. After a brief chance of morning showers, thunderstorms and steady rain are expected to develop by the afternoon. Highs remain in the lower 80s before easing later in the day, with rain chances increasing to around 90 percent.

Thursday night continues the wet trend, with showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows remain in the upper 60s.

Friday brings another day of widespread rain and storms, with showers likely throughout the day and thunderstorms becoming more likely in the afternoon. Highs will stay in the lower 80s, and rain chances remain high at around 90 percent.

The unsettled pattern continues through the weekend. Saturday will feature showers likely and possible thunderstorms, with highs in the lower 80s and lows in the upper 60s. Sunday trends even wetter, with widespread showers and thunderstorms likely again and rain chances rising to around 90 percent.

By Memorial Day, conditions remain active with showers likely and occasional thunderstorms possible. Highs will stay in the lower 80s with continued high humidity and frequent cloud cover.

The wet weather persists into early next week as well, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through Tuesday and only brief breaks in activity.

Overall, Bienville Parish will remain under a persistent storm pattern, bringing several days of rain, embedded thunderstorms, and limited dry time.

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Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. to Acquire Marion State Bank

Gibsland, Louisiana, May 15, 2026 – Gibsland Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Gibsland, Louisiana based Gibsland Bank & Trust Company (“Gibsland Bank”), and Marion, Louisiana based Marion State Bank, jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. will acquire Marion State Bank. Together with the acquisition, Marion State Bank will merge with and into Gibsland Bank, creating a combined Louisiana community bank with over $815 million in pro forma assets.

Marion State Bank, a community bank headquartered in Marion, Louisiana, had approximately $240 million in total assets as of March 31, 2026. The transaction will bring Marion State Bank’s five branches into the Gibsland Bank network, which will be entering the Ouachita/Union Parish market and expanding its footprint along the I-20 corridor. Once completed, Gibsland Bank will operate from 18 branches across the Northern Louisiana market area.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with Marion State Bank and look forward to bringing together two deeply rooted Louisiana community banking franchises. Marion State Bank has built an outstanding reputation through more than a century of service to its customers and communities, and its presence in Union and Ouachita parishes is a natural complement to our franchise across northern Louisiana,” reported Thomas L. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Gibsland Bancshares Inc. and of Gibsland Bank.

“Together, we believe our combined organization will be well positioned to deliver relationship-focused banking services while continuing to invest in and support the communities we are proud to serve,” explained W. Michael Hipp, President of Gibsland Bank.

“We are proud to partner with Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, an organization that shares our commitment to community banking, customer service, and local decision-making,” remarked Scott Jones, President and CEO of Marion State Bank. “Joining Gibsland will allow us to build our long-standing Louisiana legacy with greater scale and enhanced products and services. We believe this partnership is an excellent fit for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead”.

The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Marion State Bank shareholders and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.

National Capital, LLC served as the financial advisor to Gibsland Bancshares Inc.  Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP served as the legal advisor to Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.  Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as the financial advisor to Marion State Bank and delivered a fairness opinion to the Marion State Bank Board of Directors. Jones Walker, LLP served as the legal advisor to Marion State Bank.

About Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.

Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, a community development financial institution headquartered in Gibsland, Louisiana. Gibsland Bank operates 13 branches across Northern Louisiana and is focused on serving underserved and rural markets by providing financial services and broader economic support within the communities it serves. As of March 31, 2026, Gibsland Bank had total assets of $575 million, loans of $411 million and total deposits of $461 million.

About Marion State Bank

Marion State Bank is a Louisiana community bank headquartered in Marion, Louisiana. Founded in 1907, Marion State Bank operates five branches across Union and Ouachita parishes offering a full suite of personal, business and loan banking products, along with digital and mobile banking capabilities. As of March 31, 2026, Marion State Bank had total assets of $240 million, loans of $163 million and total deposits of $210 million.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange any securities, or a solicitation of any proxy, vote, or approval, and there shall not be any such offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted.

Media Contact(s):

Thomas L. Martin, Chairman & CEO
Gibsland Bank & Trust Company/Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.
tmartin@gbt.bank
gbt.bank

Scott G. Jones, President & CEO
Marion State Bank
scott.jones@marionstate.bank
marionstate.bank

 

Source: Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.

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The Bienville Parish Assessor’s Office attended a retirement celebration honoring Rodney Warren, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service with the Bienville Parish Police Jury.

Warren was recognized during a recent ceremony marking his decades of work and dedication to parish government operations. The event brought together colleagues from multiple offices to celebrate his career and contributions to the community.

Officials with the Assessor’s Office expressed appreciation for Warren’s long-standing commitment to public service, noting his role in supporting parish operations throughout his tenure.

The office extended its best wishes to Warren as he enters retirement, wishing him a well-deserved period of rest, enjoyment, and new opportunities following his years of service to Bienville Parish.

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The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office recently held its D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony on May 12, 2026, recognizing fifth grade students from across the parish for completing the program.

The ceremony took place at the Bienville School Gymnasium and included students from several elementary schools, marking the completion of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education curriculum.

As part of the program, students were required to submit essays reflecting on their D.A.R.E. experience and what they learned throughout the course. Officials recognized five students for outstanding submissions. Taylin White of Crawford and Anthony Milstead of Castor tied for first place as the top parish winners. Additional essay winners included Chyna Scott of Gibsland-Coleman, Kurell Manning of Ringgold, and Ashtyn Cavazos of Saline, each representing their respective schools.

Following the ceremony, students were treated to pizza and cupcakes in celebration of their achievement.

The sheriff’s office expressed appreciation for Deputy Trevor Ryder for his work in the classroom and for organizing the graduation event. Officials also thanked school administrators, teachers, and parents for their continued support of the program.

The department said the D.A.R.E. initiative continues to play a role in promoting positive decision-making and education among young students throughout Bienville Parish.

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The Arcadia/Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce has recognized Bienville Lumber Company, LLC as its May 2026 Business of the Month, highlighting the company’s long-standing role in the region’s forestry industry and its economic impact across Bienville Parish.

The Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce, working in partnership with Bienville Lumber Company, LLC, said the recognition reflects both the scale of the company’s operations and its continued contribution to local jobs and industry development.

According to the Chamber, forestry remains a cornerstone of the local economy, with generations of families across communities such as Taylor, Lucky, Castor, and Gibsland working in logging, trucking, milling, and related trades.

Bienville Lumber Company operates one of the region’s most advanced southern yellow pine sawmills, producing dimensional lumber used in residential and commercial construction and distributing products across multiple states. The facility reportedly sees approximately 250 log trucks daily, supporting a wide network of workers including truck drivers, loggers, mill employees, mechanics, contractors, and equipment operators.

Officials noted that the company’s operations extend beyond the mill itself, with economic activity supporting local businesses and reinforcing the region’s working economy. The Chamber also emphasized the early-morning movement of log trucks as a visible sign of the industry’s daily presence across the parish.

In addition to its industrial role, Bienville Lumber Company has also participated in workforce development and educational partnerships aimed at introducing students and young workers to skilled trades and industrial careers.

The Chamber of Commerce said the recognition underscores the company’s long-term investment in both the local economy and future workforce development in Bienville Parish.

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