The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.

10/20/26

Joseph Hull of Natchitoches was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment (Felony).

Tommy Pearson of Gibsland was arrested for Operating Vehicle with Suspended License – Other Offenses.

10/23/26

Deangelo Moore of Dallas, TX, was arrested for Second Degree Rape (Sex Offense; Felony).

Schyler Harrell of Ringgold was arrested for First Degree Rape (Sex Offense; 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.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.

The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted.

The burn ban map can be found at https://louisiana.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?layers=363fa05d91ee4d7d903c7167447785a2.

While campfires are often part of hunting traditions in Louisiana, LDWF is asking hunters and campers to cooperate with the burn bans to ensure the safety of others and to protect forest and wildlife resources.

Violation of the burn ban order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is tasked with responding to wildfires. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or the LDAF 24-Hour Emergency Hotline at 1-855-452-5323.

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History, horsepower, and holiday giving will come together Saturday, October 31, for the First Annual Bonnie & Clyde Poker Run and Toy Drive at Henderson Jordan Memorial Park in Arcadia.

Co-organized by local author and historian Brad Dison and CASA, the event will take participants on a scenic drive of approximately 85 miles through Bienville Parish, including locations associated with the notorious outlaw couple Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

Dison, author of The Trap: The Untold Story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the Final Pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde, hopes to combine the area’s unique history with an opportunity to help children during the upcoming Christmas season.

Participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy. CASA will handle the distribution of the donated toys to children in need.

The poker run is open to all street-legal vehicles, including classic cars, modern cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Participants will collect playing cards at seven stops along the route, with prizes awarded for the best poker hand.

Registration is $20 per vehicle plus a new, unwrapped toy. Additional poker hands are available for $10 each. The winning poker hand will receive 50 percent of the entry fees. The event will also feature a door prize drawing and a 50/50 raffle.

Registration will take place from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Henderson Jordan Memorial Park, with the first vehicle departing at 10:00 a.m.

The event offers participants an opportunity to explore the history of Bienville Parish, enjoy a leisurely drive through the Louisiana countryside, and support a worthwhile cause.

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Bienville Parish will continue to experience a mix of sunshine and clouds as its creeps closer to Halloween, which may unfortunately see rain. The cooling trend does not continue; highs are still topping out in the low 80s, but the nightly lows will get into the 50s and 60s. While Halloween isn’t the only day that carries a chance of rain, it is the night with the highest chance of rain, with a 60% overnight.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds with winds light and variable. Mostly clear skies overnight, winds light and variable. High 83, low around 55.

Thursday, Oct. 29: Sunshine and clouds mixed. Mainly cloudy skies overnight. High 84, low around 56.

Friday, Oct. 30: Overcast and warm. Considerable cloudiness overnight. High around 81, low near 62.

Saturday, Oct. 31: Cloudy with occasional rain showers; chance of rain 50%. Cloudy with occasional rain showers; chance of rain 60%. High near 82, low around 65.

Sunday, Nov. 1: Mostly cloudy skies. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High near 84, low around 64.

Monday, Nov. 2: A shower or two around the area in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon; chance of rain 40%. Mostly clear skies early giving way to clouds and a few showers after midnight; chance of rain 30%. High near 84, low around 62.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. High 84, low 56.

Plenty of sun and clouds in this forecast window and some rain starting on Halloween, which will see the highest chances during the day (50%) and night (60%), though Monday may also see some. Temperatures are staying steady in the 80s, while night-time temps climb back up into the 50s and 60s.

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Join Onyx Care for a spooktacular night of games, treats, music, prizes, and Halloween fun on today, Oct. 28, 5-7pm. There will be games, treats, music, and prizes.

Tickets are 25¢ per ticket or $5 wristband. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire event.

Costumes are welcome – come dressed to impress and ready for some Halloween fun.

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Come help make the Citizens for a Better Arcadia Fall Festival a fun night for the children. The Fall Festival will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 6-8pm. It will feature food, games, and family fun.

Interested in participating or helping? Send the Citizens a message on Facebook. Let’s come together to create a wonderful evening for the community.

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Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met at the Dorcheat Museum on October 19 th for our annual DAR Day of Service project. The chapter packed birthday cake kits to donate to Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry. The kits contained boxed cake mix, icing, Sprite, candles, and other birthday party items. In September and October they filled out 40 Christmas cards to send to Military Missions in Lexington, Kentucky. The cards will be added to Christmas care packages that are sent to deployed service members each year. Military Missions has website at https://militarymissions.org/. The hostess and speaker for the meeting was Jessica Gorman, Director of the Dorcheat Museum and one of the chapter board members. She explained how to safely clean cemetery headstones with D/2 Biological Cleaner and a soft brush, and how using other methods such as bleach and power washing ruins headstones.

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 them at
dorcheatbistineau@yahoo.com.

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It’s time again for the Bienville Parish 4-H Sweet Potato and Pecan Sale. This fundraiser will help support the Bienville Parish 4-H Junior Leadership Club to conduct service learning projects and participate in leadership opportunities. Orders must be received by November 2.

The sweet potatoes are Louisiana-grown and are perfect for baking and casseroles. A 36-pound box is $30. A 18-pound bag $18. A 3-pound bag is $8.

Louisiana pecans are available in $14 1-pound bags of pecan halves. Choose from the following flavors: sugared, roasted, chocolate-coated, hot and spicy roasted, and praline crunch topping. Plain halves or pieces are $12 a bag.

Make checks payable to Bienville Parish 4-H. Call the office today to place your order: 318-263-7400. 

Potatoes and pecans can be picked up Nov. 18–20, 9am – 4pm, at the LSU AgCenter Office (2710 Maple Street Arcadia).

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The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Declaration of Emergency to modify the extended falconry duck season for 2026-27. The action came during the Commission’s June meeting in Baton Rouge.

The date alterations are to accommodate the experimental black-bellied whistling duck season that will be held in October while maintaining consistency with federal regulation for the number of waterfowl hunter exposure days.

The East Zone season will run from Nov. 5-Nov. 20 and Dec. 7-18. The West Zone will from Nov. 5-Nov. 13, Dec. 7-Dec. 18 and Jan. 25-Jan. 31, 2027.

To see the full Declaration of Emergency, go to the LWFC Action Items page.

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The Mt. Lebanon Historical Society invites the community to join them on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Old Mt. Lebanon Days Festival at the Stagecoach Trail Museum, three miles south of Gibsland.

Activities are from 11am – 3pm, and include bingo, a cakewalk with DJ John Cole, and a silent auction. The lunch menu will be gourmet hot dogs, chips, desserts, and a drink (tea, soft drink, or water).

This year’s raffle item is a 4-gallon two basket fish cooker from R&V Works. Raffle tickets are $5 each, and the drawing will be at 3pm. Winners do not need to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased from Gibsland Grill, or by calling 318-843-6175 or texting 318-243-2343.

Tickets may also be purchase on-site the day of the festival. Make plans to attend. This is a fun day, and an important fundraiser for our museum.

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Verna Mae Santos
April 6, 1929 — October 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Ringgold.

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

 

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.

10/11/26

Jimmy Shine, Jr. of Homer was arrested Simple Criminal Damage to Property (Felony), Resisting an Officer (Misdemeanor), Disturbing the Peace – Appearing in an Intoxicated Condition (Misdemeanor), and Fugitive.

10/15/26

D’Antonio Hart of Ringgold was arrested for Fugitive.

10/17/26

Noah Taylor of Campti 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.

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The Bienville Parish Police Jury held their regular monthly meeting on Oct. 14. The complete minutes can be viewed below.

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Louisiana currently provides a Special Assessment Level, often called the “property tax freeze,” for qualifying homeowners age 65 and older who meet income requirements.

Amendment No. 6 would authorize parishes and municipalities to provide an additional homestead exemption to homeowners age 65 and older who qualify for the Special Assessment Level. The exemption would increase with age, ranging from $60,000 to $300,000 in market value, in addition to the existing homestead exemption.

Importantly, passage of the statewide amendment would not automatically put the additional exemption into effect in Bienville Parish. Local voter approval would also be required before the exemption could be implemented. If approved at both levels, the constitutional provision would take effect January 1, 2028.

A vote YES would authorize parishes and municipalities to offer the additional age-based exemption to qualifying homeowners.

A vote NO would keep the current statewide exemptions in place.

Louisiana voters will consider Amendment 6 on November 3, 2026.

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Bienville Parish will continue to experience a mix of sunshine and clouds as its creeps closer to Halloween. The cooling trend continues, with highs topping out in the low 80s and nightly lows hovering in the 40s. No rain or chance of showers in the coming forecast.

Wednesday, Oct. 21: Mainly sunny skies with winds light and variable. Clear skies overnight, winds light and variable. High 82, low around 49.

Thursday, Oct. 22: Mainly sunny skies. Clear skies overnight. High 83, low around 49.

Friday, Oct. 23: Sunny skies. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High around 842, low near 49.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Sunshine and clouds mixed. A few clouds overnight. High near 85, low around 49.

Sunday, Oct. 25: Sunshine and clouds mixed. Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds later overnight. High near 83, low around 51.

Monday, Oct. 26: Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A few clouds overnight with winds light and variable. High near 82, low around 50.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Partly cloudy skies with winds light and variable. A few clouds overnight. High 84, low 52.

Plenty of sun and clouds in this forecast window but no rain. Temperatures continue to cool, especially at night, finally really reflecting the fact that autumn has arrived.

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Time again for the CASA Car Show! This year’s event will be held this Saturday, Oct. 24, 8am to 1pm in Arcadia. All proceeds will benefit CASA of Bienville, Clairborne, and Jackson Parishes.

CASA is still seeking vendors and food vendors for the show. Reach out to CASA for more info.

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Holland Grove Baptist Church, Inc. is invites the community to their coat drive and fall festival. This is more than a coat giveaway; it’s an evening of fun, food, fellowship, love, and community.

The coat drive and fall fest will happen this Sunday, Oct. 25, 5-7pm, at Holland Grove Baptist Church (3105 Felts Road, Arcadia)

Free coats will be available for children ages 3 to 18. Parents and guardians – every child receiving a coat must be accompanied by an adult. The church wants each child to receive a coat that fits properly, so having an adult present will help ensure the right size coat is selected for the child.

Everyone is welcome. Bring the children, family, neighbors, and friends.

Sponsored with love by The HGBC Choir & The Sister Circle Young Women’s Ministry.

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Come help make the Citizens for a Better Arcadia Fall Festival a fun night for the children. The Fall Festival will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 6-8pm. It will feature food, games, and family fun.

Citizens for a Better Arcadia are looking for individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations to decorate a vehicle and hand out candy for Trunk or Treat. They are also looking for someone who can provide a bounce house

Interested in participating or helping? Send the Citizens a message on Facebook. Let’s come together to create a wonderful evening for the community.

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Join Onyx Care for a spooktacular night of games, treats, music, prizes, and Halloween fun on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5-7pm. There will be games, treats, music, and prizes.

Tickets are 25¢ per ticket or $5 wristband. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire event.

Costumes are welcome – come dressed to impress and ready for some Halloween fun.

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Elizabeth Juanita Peavy
November 15, 1936 — October 14, 2026
Service: Thursday, October 22, 2026, 2pm at Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold.

Gustavia Shyne Winzer
January 20, 1944 — October 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:30am at Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, Arcadia. 

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

 

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement officers.

10/04/26

Shakeyia Harris of Vicksburg, MS, was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued and Maximum Speed Limit.

10/05/26

Zareya Bonner of Marshall, TX, was arrested for Maximum Speed Limit.

Manell Melton of West was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed (Second or Subsequent) and Maximum Speed Limit.

10/06/26

Dannica Robinson of West was arrested for Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License – No License Issued and Maximum Speed Limit.

10/07/26

LaTreval Jones of Baton Rouge was arrested for Domestic Abuse Battery (Felony) and Violation of Probation/Parole.

10/09/26

Jessica Bolyer of Castor was arrested for Possession of Crack Cocaine Less Than 28 Grams (Felony) and Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).

Alisson Villanueva-Flores of Jackson, MS, was arrested for Driver Must Be Licensed and Failure to Drive on Right Side of Road.

Douglas Cloud of Jamestown was arrested for Possession or Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor) and 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.

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The Bienville Parish Police Jury will be convening for their regular monthly meeting today, Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9am at the Bienville Parish Courthouse in Arcadia.

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Public service property plays a significant role in Bienville Parish’s tax base. Unlike most property assessed locally, public service property is assessed by the Louisiana Tax Commission rather than the Bienville Parish Assessor’s Office.

This category includes property owned by certain regulated companies, such as utilities, railroads, pipelines, telecommunications companies, transportation companies, airlines, and certain waterway carriers.

Public service property is assessed at 25% of its fair market value. In 2025, Bienville Parish had more than $123.6 million in assessed public service property value.

Want to learn more about what makes up Bienville Parish’s tax base? Check out the 2026 Annual Bienville Parish Tax Roll Booklet for more information.

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October weather continues to feature clouds in a big way, though the coming forecast contains sun this week rather than rain. The slight cooling trend also continues, with afternoon highs dropping into the 70s though mostly staying between the 80s and low 90s. Nightly lows will drop into the upper 40s at one point, though the upper 50s and lower 60s are more common. No rain or chance of showers in the coming forecast.

Wednesday, Oct. 14: Partly cloudy skies with winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Clear skies overnight, winds light and variable. High 93, low around 66.

Thursday, Oct. 15: Mainly sunny skies. Clear skies overnight. High 93, low around 66.

Friday, Oct. 16: Mostly sunny skies. A few clouds from time to time overnight. High around 82, low near 53.

Saturday, Oct. 17: Mainly sunny with winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Clear skies overnight. High near 73, low around 49.

Sunday, Oct. 18: Sunny skies. Mostly clear skies overnight. High near 79, low around 55.

Monday, Oct. 19: Partly cloudy skies. Partly cloudy skies overnight with winds light and variable. High near 81, low around 59.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Intervals of clouds and sunshine with winds light and variable. A few clouds overnight. High 86, low 63.

No rain but plenty of clouds in this forecast window. Temperatures continue to cool, especially at night, reflecting the fact that autumn has arrived.

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The Gibsland branch of Bienville Parish Library will host a breast health toolbox workshop this Friday, Oct. 16, starting at 10am. Come learn about facts, resources, and early detection. Knowledge is power in the fight against breast cancer.

Dr. Tammy Stewart-Dixon of Grambling State University will present this essential educational session on breast health and wellness. Call 318-843-1690 to reserve a spot.

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