Digital news network’s no-paywall model drives advertising reach in underserved markets

By Frank Johnson
Special Report

The Parish Journals of Louisiana generated 17.6 million articles read in 2025 across 17 parishes in northwest and central Louisiana, according to site analytics data, establishing the digital network as a significant advertising platform in markets traditional media increasingly abandons.  While many social media platforms get their “counts” by you simply scrolling across their article or post, the 17.6 million Parish Journals analytics are specifically from articles opened and read – a huge difference for those who understand the value of that! 

The network, operated by Journal Services LLC, maintains individual publications serving Avoyelles, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn parishes, plus the Shreveport-Bossier Journal covering Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Unlike legacy newspapers implementing paywalls while reducing rural coverage, Parish Journals publications remain entirely FREE to readers — a model creating distinct advantages for advertisers seeking reach beyond metropolitan markets.

Geographic footprint addresses news deserts

The network spans Louisiana’s northern border through central parishes, delivering hyperlocal coverage to both population centers and agricultural communities where traditional news operations have contracted or closed entirely.

Each publication focuses on municipal government proceedings, school board operations, high school athletics and regional business developments — content that generates sustained reader engagement and repeat traffic.

Site analytics show consistent readership across rural parishes that major media outlets typically serve only through regional editions or wire service content, if at all.

Paywall-free access multiplies advertising reach

The network’s most significant competitive advantage centers on unrestricted content access and its impact on advertising distribution.

When readers share Parish Journals articles through social media, email or messaging platforms, recipients access full content immediately without subscription barriers. Advertisements within shared articles reach expanded audiences at no additional cost to advertisers.

Paywalled competitors face structural limitations: subscribers may share content, but non-subscribers cannot access articles or view advertisements without subscriptions. This restricts organic distribution and caps advertising reach at existing subscriber counts regardless of content popularity.

Parish Journals articles continue generating traffic and advertising impressions weeks or months after publication as readers discover and share content without access restrictions. High school sports coverage particularly demonstrates this sustained engagement as families share game stories and season recaps long after initial publication.

Learn more about advertising opportunities with the Parish Journals network.

Digital infrastructure enables targeting flexibility

The network’s digital-first operations provide capabilities traditional print cannot match: real-time campaign deployment, performance analytics, geographic targeting across multiple parish markets, and mobile accessibility.

Advertisers can execute both broad regional campaigns and parish-specific initiatives through a single media partner while maintaining unlimited organic reach through social sharing.

Contact Journal Services LLC to discuss your advertising strategy.

Market positioning amid industry consolidation

As consolidation reshapes Louisiana media markets and legacy publications reduce rural coverage while implementing subscription barriers, Parish Journals has systematically expanded into underserved communities.

The result: comprehensive regional reach combined with genuine local focus across individual parish markets, without subscription barriers limiting advertising effectiveness.

The network’s 2025 performance — 17.6 million articles read across 17 parishes — demonstrates sustained audience engagement in markets where traditional news operations struggle to maintain profitability.

For businesses seeking connections with audiences across northwest and central Louisiana’s diverse communities, the platform provides documented reach and engagement with the structural advantage of unrestricted content access multiplying advertising distribution.

Contact Journal Services LLC regarding advertising rates and partnership opportunities.

Got a question that’s been nagging at you? Life’s big (or small) dilemmas—work woes, family feuds, resolutions that fizzled, or just figuring out how to adult without losing your mind?

Past Examples from readers:

• When Silence Speaks: A Note to the Hurting
• New Year’s fireworks (the fun kind).
• Digital grief with AI voices.
• Wedding drama over social media posts.
• Resolutions that crash by Day 2.
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Write to Ida B. Torn. Start with DEAR IDA:, spill the details, and sign off with your town (real or not). She’ll answer with straight talk, a dash of Southern sense, and no sugarcoating.

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About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

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As Christmas approaches, the Bienville Parish Journal would like to extend our warmest wishes to each of our readers. This season reminds us of the joy of community, the comfort of tradition, and the importance of taking time to appreciate the people who make life meaningful. We are truly grateful for your support and for the privilege of sharing Bienville Parish’s stories throughout the year.

To allow our staff time to enjoy the holiday with family and friends, BPJ will take Thursday and Friday off. We’ll return Wednesday, refreshed and ready to bring you more of the news and updates that matter to our parish.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas, and may your holiday be filled with peace, warmth, and all the things that make this season bright.

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Journal Services Staff

Thanksgiving has always been more than a holiday. It is a pause button placed firmly near the end of the year—a reminder that despite the speed, noise, and pressure of modern life, there are some things too important to neglect. Chief among them is family.

In a world that constantly pushes us toward the next deadline, the next notification, the next obligation, Thanksgiving invites us to slow down long enough to truly see the people in front of us. It reminds us that our connections with one another are not distractions from life—they are life. The table we gather around, the conversations we share, and the traditions we pass from one generation to the next form the foundation of who we are and who we hope to be.

For many families, this year has not been easy. Economic uncertainty, rising costs, health challenges, and the lingering strain of national division have all taken their toll. Yet Thanksgiving teaches us that even in difficult seasons, gratitude can anchor us. It helps us focus not on what is missing, but on what remains: love, loyalty, shared memories, and the people who continue to stand by us even when the world feels unsteady.

Putting family first does not require grand gestures. It can be as simple as setting our phones aside for a few hours, listening without distraction, or offering a sincere thank-you to someone who quietly keeps everything running. It means showing up—with patience, with kindness, and with a willingness to forgive the small imperfections that every family carries. It means recognizing that time is precious, that moments are fleeting, and that the relationships around us deserve our best attention, not just our leftover energy.

This Thanksgiving, let us choose to be fully present. Let us remember that family is not defined solely by blood, but by commitment, compassion, and the people who walk beside us through every season. Let us honor the elders who shaped us, encourage the children who are watching us, and embrace those who may be feeling the weight of the holidays more than they want to admit.

Above all, let us make the conscious choice to put family first—not just on Thanksgiving Day, but throughout the year ahead. Because long after the dishes are washed and the leftovers are gone, it is our bonds with one another that will sustain us, steady us, and shape the stories we pass down.

May this Thanksgiving bring warmth to your home, peace to your heart, and a renewed appreciation for the people who make your life meaningful.

In today’s saturated real estate market, your property listing can easily disappear into the digital noise. Between Zillow, Realtor.com, Facebook Marketplace, and countless other platforms, potential buyers are drowning in options—and your listing risks becoming just another scroll-by on someone’s smartphone.

That’s exactly why savvy landowners, homeowners, and real estate agents across Louisiana are turning to The Parish Journals of Louisiana to cut through the clutter and connect with serious, local buyers.

Local Reach That Actually Matters

Here’s what the big national platforms won’t tell you: the most qualified buyers for your Louisiana property are not browsing listings in New York or California. They are your neighbors. They are families already living in your parish who want to stay close to work, schools, and community. They are out-of-parish Louisianans looking to relocate within the state. They are local investors who understand the market and can close quickly.

The Parish Journals of Louisiana reaches these buyers where they already are—engaged with their local news, community updates, and regional happenings. When readers open their Parish Journal, they are not mindlessly scrolling; they are actively seeking information about their community. Your property listing becomes part of that trusted local conversation.

Precision Targeting That Saves You Money

Why pay to market a Natchitoches property to someone in Seattle who has no interest in Louisiana? With The Parish Journals of Louisiana, you control exactly where your marketing dollars go.

But here’s something most people don’t realize when someone in Seattle is seriously considering a move to Natchitoches Parish, they don’t start by booking a flight. They start by reading the local news outlets. Long before they ever make a market visit, they are online learning about the community—reading about local government, schools, business developments, and yes, scanning property listings. They are trying to understand what life would be like in their potential new home.

That’s when your listing needs to be visible. The Parish Journals of Louisiana captures these serious prospective buyers during their research phase, when they are most engaged and receptive. By the time they schedule that market visit, they have already seen your property and marked it as a must-see.

Need hyper-local focus? Target a single Parish Journal to reach buyers specifically interested in that community. Perfect for residential properties, agricultural land, or commercial spaces with strong local appeal.

Want regional coverage? Create a zone campaign across multiple Parish Journals to capture buyers considering several adjacent markets. Ideal for larger acreage, hunting land, or properties that might appeal to buyers from neighboring parishes.

Ready for statewide exposure? Leverage our entire footprint across 17 parishes in Northwest and Central Louisiana. This approach works beautifully for unique properties, investment opportunities, or high-value listings that deserve maximum visibility across our coverage area.

No other Louisiana media platform gives you this level of geographic precision combined with proven local readership—and the ability to reach both current residents and serious relocators who are actively researching your community.

The Trust Factor You Can’t Buy

The Parish Journals of Louisiana have spent years building credibility as the authoritative source for local news, government affairs, and business developments across our coverage area. When your property appears in our pages, whether in print or digitality carries that same credibility.

Readers trust The Parish Journals of Louisiana to deliver accurate, relevant local information. That trust transfers to your listing, giving you an immediate advantage over anonymous internet postings.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Real estate is about connecting the right property with the right buyer at the right time. The Parish Journals of Louisiana accelerates that connection by putting your listing in front of engaged local audiences who have the means, motivation, and genuine interest in acting.

While others are chasing viral social media posts and hoping the algorithm works in their favor, The Parish Journals of Louisiana provides consistent, reliable exposure to the audiences that matter most for Louisiana properties.

Make Your Property Stand Out

In a market where everyone is shouting for attention, the winners are those who know exactly who they are talking to and how to reach them effectively. The Parish Journals of Louisiana give you that strategic advantage.

Whether you are selling a family home, marketing recreational land, or listing commercial property, The Parish Journals of Louisiana offers the local reach, custom targeting, and trusted platform that turns “For Sale” into “Sold.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 2024

In 2024, The Parish Journals of Louisiana saw over fourteen million articles read by over three million unique readers!

That’s the kind of engaged audience your property listing deserves.

The Parish Journals of Louisiana serves 17 parishes across Northwest and Central Louisiana with comprehensive coverage of local news, government, business, and community affairs. Our readers are your neighbors—and your next buyers.

Contact The Parish Journals of Louisiana today to learn how we can customize a marketing strategy for your property. Because in today’s crowded market, you do not need to shout louder, you need to speak directly to the people who are ready to listen.

Call/Text: 318-500-3366
eMail: Property Marketing

Our Contact Form (Fast Response): Journal Contact Form

PRIOR REAL ESTATE ADS

LAND FOR SALE: Haughton, Louisiana

HOMESITE FOR SALE: North Caddo Parish

Natchitoches: Building for Sale

As costs rise and protections erode, the divide between comfort and crisis grows wider.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is announcing the distribution schedule for state-funded emergency assistance to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households that include the elderly, disabled, or children. The Department is also announcing SNAP staff furloughs.

Households consisting only of able-bodied adults will not receive state-funded emergency assistance. Any unused SNAP benefits from previous months will remain on all recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and can be utilized as usual.

Every SNAP-eligible household has a set day of the month when benefits are issued. Starting November 1, 25% of the SNAP household benefit allotment will be provided as state-funded emergency assistance on the assigned date that SNAP benefits are normally issued.

An additional 25% of the benefit amount will be provided to each household every seven days for the month of November, as long as the federal government shutdown continues. Following is an example of the issuance schedule:

EXAMPLE: Household Benefit Amount = $200

Normal benefit issuance day: November 1 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 8 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 15 – 25% of benefit = $50
Seven days later: November 22 – 25% of benefit = $50

Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive state-funded emergency assistance. However, SNAP recipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to continue their federal SNAP eligibility.

Report household changes: Continue to report any changes to your household circumstances.
Complete paperwork: Ensure you complete simplified reporting or recertification paperwork, if applicable.
Submit verification: Submit any requested verification documents:
By mail to the LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826; or
By fax to 225-663-3164.

Food banks

SNAP recipients who won’t receive state-funded emergency assistance should contact their local food bank for help. The Department also encourages Louisiana residents able to donate to support their local food banks and fellow Louisianans.

LDH employee furloughs

The Department has furloughed 786 SNAP employees due to the federal government shutdown, effective Monday, November 3. A total of 298 employees are essential staff and will not be furloughed. The furlough will continue until the federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C., ends.

The Louisiana Department of Health is closely monitoring the federal government shutdown and will provide updates to retailers and beneficiaries directly as they become available.

Despite the federal government’s refusal to use emergency funds to send out federal food aid, Louisiana residents remain hopeful that they will receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, better known as food stamps, in the first few days of November.

The optimism comes from Governor Jeff Landry asking the state legislature to authorize $150 million of state money to subsidize Louisiana SNAP benefits for November, after declaring a state of emergency to fund the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

However, Landry specifically asked that distribution be from November 1 through November 4, and limited the funds to go to children, the elderly, and disabled people, which make up a majority — but not all — of Louisiana SNAP recipients.

The state legislature, which is in an unrelated special session, unanimously passed the measure (97-0) on Friday, October 24th, and now the issue is with the Senate, which is expected to take up the matter on Wednesday, October 29th. Confident that the resolution will pass, Governor Landry has scheduled a new conference for Wednesday at 2:00 pm to address the situation. 

The decision carries great weight among Louisiana residents as it is estimated that nearly 800,000 people in Louisiana receive SNAP benefits. Of those roughly 565,000 are either children, the elderly, or disabled. 

A crash of a small plane that went down in northern Jackson Parish, roughly about five miles from the Ruston Regional Airport on Tuesday, October 21st, has claimed the life of a man who was en route to Ruston, LA from Huntsville, TX. 

The name of the pilot who was flying solo has not been released at present, but according to reports, the Cirrus SR22 airplane is registered to LaSalle Management Company in Ruston. The private company operates the Jackson Parish Correctional Center, the Natchitoches Parish Correctional Center  and other prisons in the region.

Flightradar24 shows the plane’s path from Huntsville, Texas, to near the Ruston airport. It made a couple of loops before the path stopped. The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified about the potential of a crash around 10:30 a.m., with air traffic control in Ruston reporting a plane going off the radar.

According to a statement made by Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown, the crash site was in a heavily wooded area around State Highway 146 and Old Snipe Road southeast of the Ruston airport, with no homes or other structures nearby.

Federal authorities will head up the investigation into the crash.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Colvin is running for Second Judicial District Attorney now that current DA Danny Newell will be retiring. The Second Judicial District includes Bienville, Claiborne, and Jackson parishes.

Jim is a Ruston High School graduate who played college baseball at Hill Junior College before earning his BA in history from Louisiana Tech University in 1989. Jim married his college sweetheart, Laura John of Monroe, before leaving north Louisiana for graduate school in New Orleans in 1989.

For more than three decades, Jim Colvin has successfully litigated cases across Louisiana. This success and the working relationships he has established with law enforcement in the Second Judicial District and across our state are invaluable to success in the courtroom.

Since returning to the courtroom after COVID, Assistant District Attorney Colvin has tried multiple felony jury trials and has won unanimous verdicts of conviction in each.

In addition to his success in the courtroom, Colvin’s business success in managing multiple offices and employees is an indispensable administrative advantage that he brings to the position of District Attorney.

By law, a DA provides civil representation to local governmental boards and elected officials. For more than thirty-two years, Colvin has provided highly effective legal representation to sheriffs, local public boards and commissions, and town councils—not only locally but all over the State of Louisiana.

Currently, Jim Colvin represents the Claiborne Parish Sheriff, Sam Dowies, the E-911 Claiborne Parish Communications District, Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District #3, Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, the Bienville Parish Hospital Service District #2, the Bienville Family Clinic, Grant Parish Sheriff Steve McCain, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker, Franklin Parish Sheriff David Rigdon, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood, East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis, West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman, Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson, Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre, and the Bossier Parish Police Jury.

Colvin previously represented the Town of Homer, the Town of Haynesville, the Town of Sarepta, the Town of Grambling, the Town of Athens, the Town of Richwood, the Town of Springhill, and Claiborne Electric.

He attended Loyola University School of Law, where he earned honors as a member of Loyola’s Moot Court Board. He graduated from Loyola in 1992 and became a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association that same year.

Jim and Laura live in Homer, Louisiana where they raised their three children, Jack, Hannah, and Ben. They also have two grandchildren.

By Pat Culverhouse

A search is underway for a Ringgold man who reportedly crashed his vehicle into a wooded area on Cousins Rd. in Dubberly and escaped on foot after attempting to flee the scene of a traffic stop early Monday morning.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said the suspect, 35-year old Nicholas Sims, ran into the woods after the accident and has managed to elude capture. McIver said Sims should be considered armed and dangerous.

According to MPD Det. Lt. Kenneth James, passengers in the suspect’s vehicle said he retrieved a handgun before running into the stretch of woods.  Drones reportedly were deployed in an attempt to locate the suspect, but with no success.

MPD Officer Cadyn O’Connor reportedly initiated a traffic stop sometime after 2 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Hwy. 531 and Industrial Dr. For reasons still under investigation, Sims reportedly raced away with officers in pursuit.

Investigators said Sims’ vehicle left the roadway on Cousins Rd. near the old Dubberly airport. Sims reportedly will be charged on a warrant for aggravated flight from an officer. Other charges reportedly could be filed the outcome of the investigation.

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.

Continue your article here…

The CASA Car Show will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, 8am to 1pm, in Arcadia. 

Paid Editorial Feature – The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Journal.

Last month, OnPath Federal Credit Union agreed to buy Heritage Bank of St. Tammany in Covington, Louisiana, a century-old institution with deep local roots. The deal was hailed by OnPath CEO Jared Freeman, who praised Heritage’s “unwavering commitment to the local community.” But what Freeman failed to mention is that the acquisition will rob that community of a critical source of revenue.

Because OnPath is a credit union and thus tax-exempt, the deal means that St. Tammany Parish will lose a reliable stream of tax payments. Those dollars help fund schools, pay essential public servants like police officers and firefighters, and support other vital public services across the parish. Once the acquisition is finalized, that revenue will disappear, and the burden of making up the difference will fall squarely on the shoulders of local taxpayers.

The example of OnPath in Louisiana illustrates a much bigger problem across the country: credit unions are no longer the small, member-focused institutions they were established to be. Many have grown into large financial operations, similar to banks, all while enjoying tax-exempt status. Lawmakers must investigate whether credit unions’ tax-exempt status is still necessary in light of their significant growth, which is ultimately leaching revenue from state and local governments and setting the stage for higher taxes on local communities.

The situation in Louisiana is not the first. Texas Dow Employees Credit Union (TDECU) had planned to acquire Sabine Bank and Trust, which is based in Many, Louisiana. Although TDECU ultimately backed away from the acquisition, it underscores the fact that credit unions have strayed far from the original mission Congress envisioned when it exempted them from most federal, state, and local taxes under the Federal Credit Union Act. It’s time for Congress to revisit whether the tax breaks are still justified.

Credit unions like TDECU have grown into large financial institutions by leveraging taxpayer subsidies. Far from its founding mission to serve the residents of Lake Jackson, Texas, TDECU now serves over 380,000 members across the state. Ending 2024 with $4.8 billion in total assets, TDECU’s services have widened to include wealth management investment products through its partnership with LPL Financial, which they even acknowledge as being a conflict of interest. The growth doesn’t stop there. Credit unions are buying community banks at a time when bank consolidation and burdensome regulations are putting extreme pressure on banks’ bottom lines. The current regulatory environment and credit union acquisitions are exacerbating bank consolidation. In fact, data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shows that the number of community banks dropped by 46% over the last two decades, falling from 7,620 in 2003 to 4,129 in 2023. Credit unions are thriving, and skirting taxes while community banks are getting squeezed.

One negative outcome of tax-exempt credit unions acquiring community banks is that local and state governments lose revenue. This essential tax revenue helps fund local schools, projects, and infrastructure. The state of Louisiana has a bank shares tax that funds local communities, but when a credit union acquires a bank, it eliminates that source of revenue and results in less funding for local services. The shortfall in revenue could compel a parish to raise taxes on households to maintain a balanced budget. According to the Tax Foundation, “since 2011, more than 100 credit union–bank acquisition deals have been announced across the country.” Credit unions get to grow and avoid paying taxes, while American households across the country are getting forced to foot the bill at the end of the day.

Americans expect transparency, safeguards, and a level playing field from banks. These same principles should apply to credit unions. This is not about eliminating credit unions; it is about accountability and ensuring the law matches credit unions’ behavior. In an era where credit unions operate more like large financial institutions and less like community-oriented lenders, Congress should conduct oversight hearings and reexamine whether their tax-exempt status still aligns with their actions today. Louisiana taxpayers, in towns like Many and Covington, and in parishes around the state, should not have to pay more taxes because the law, as currently written, allows credit unions to exploit their tax loophole.

Ken Hale is the President & Chief Executive Officer of BOM Bank

The survey was conducted from August 11, 2025 to August 15, 2025 at 7 p.m. Friday.

The survey aimed to gather feedback from our readers in North and Central Louisiana to the Parish Journals (Parish Journal of Louisiana) regarding their plans to purchase a vehicle in the next four (4) months

SURVEY: How likely are you to purchase a new or used vehicle in the next 4 months?

Irregularities

Outside the State of Louisiana – Entries outside the State boundaries were excluded from the survey based on IP addresses.

Duplicate entries – Entries with the same IP address and MAC address were removed.

Masked/Hidden entries – Masked or hidden IP address entries were deleted.

Editor’s Note: Historically, some participants have attempted to influence our survey results. By removing irregularities, we attempt to ensure that uncaught entries with irregularities remain statistically insignificant. 

This survey provides an overview of Parish Journal readers in the State of Louisiana. It is not a scientific survey.

Parish Journals: Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson,  LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn

By Pat Culverhouse

Future sites for solar farms are also under consideration by Birch Creek in neighboring parishes including Bienville and Claiborne, Zimmerman said.

Webster Parish could be home to an 86-acre solar farm depending on future action of the parish police jury on a permit request from a Missouri independent power production company.

Michelle Zimmerman, Director of Development for Birch Creek, a company involved in utility scale solar development with headquarters in St. Louis, gave jury members a look Tuesday at what the company is proposing to develop on land south of Sarepta.

Her presentation came during the police jury’s road committee meeting prior to the regular session.

Zimmerman said the project would be located on CVOC Rd. and is estimated to cost roughly $20 million. Generation lines would connect to Entergy power lines at the site. Construction would take approximately seven to nine months, she said.

Discussions with Entergy are underway and could be completed by August, she told jury members. In response to a question from Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson, Zimmerman said Tuesday’s presentation was to provide information for a potential vote in August.

Neighboring property owners have received letters of the company’s intentions, she said.

Benefits of the proposed solar farm include enough generation to provide power for approximately 2,000 residential homes. During the construction phase, 74 full-time jobs would be generated and the company would be contributing to Webster Parish property taxes.

Zimmerman told jurors that parish roads would not be negatively impacted by trucks during the construction phase, pointing out that loads would be considerably under load limits.

“We will review all the roadways before and after construction, and we will make any repairs that might be necessary,” she said.

According to its website, Birch Creek was founded in 2019 by a group of solar industry executives. Since its inception, the company reportedly has developed 36 utility scale solar projects throughout the nation.

The three-story medical complex rising along Winnfield’s five-lane should be open by year’s end, Winn’s retired teachers heard during their monthly session May 19.

What launched as Winn Community Health Center with 5 employees in 2009 has grown into a healthcare operation covering seven parishes with nearly 500 employees, explained CEO Deano Thornton.  Asked about the name “Trinity,” he replied that as the coverage area grew, an overall name of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana was adopted, although each clinic retains the name of its specific parish.

With Thornton was Lisa Peddy Frontaura, a 2000 graduate of WSHS who was described in introduction as “the principal architect who oversees everything from the beginning of design to the end of construction and everything in between.”  She is vice president of operations for TBA Studio.

The CEO and former Winnfield mayor told the retired teachers that his dream is to leave something lasting here in the community.  Inspired by a saying by longtime educator Etoy Ashley, he noted, “Make your community better because you were part of it.”

When asked, he said cost of the project from the ground up is about $30 million, including $1 million in furniture.  “I called Lisa and said I wanted to build this clinic.  She is a Winn graduate and proud to be involved with this construction.  She is young enough to do the IT work whereas I’m too old, more traditional.”

Frontaura confirmed, telling the gathering that she is happy to be here and part of this project.  “When I was approached, I was glad to be giving back to this community.”  Having worked on projects big and small over the 20 years of her career, she called this “the height of my activity.”  In its design, she sought a façade that reflects the region’s forestry rather than simply a “white medical building.”

The audience seemed to enjoy descriptions of each of the three floors.  Thornton continues to be proud of the escalators from the ground to second floor as well as the elevators, although if a patient ends up on the third, administrative floor, it’s only because they got lost, he said.  First floor will contain primary care, clinic pharmacy, behavioral health, nurses’ station and x-ray.

Second floor will house optometry, dental care, physical therapy as well as a visual space to “look down” on the first floor plus an outdoor balcony.  The third floor will have administration for the multi-parish clinics, billing, medical records, finance, IT, a kitchen and conference room large enough to seat 100 banquet-style.

The three-story was designed not just for patients but also employees so every floor has a break room for staff.  About 125 people will work in the building daily.  “My mission is to create jobs, not to farm things out.”  Parking and access to the building with be ample, the visuals showed.

Since Trinity’s new center interfaces with the varied aspects of its services—clinic patients, school-based clients, pharmacy—he said the move could be in phases including school holidays to minimize service disruptions.  He anticipates that move should be complete by the end of the year.

Your Guide to Peach Festival Weekend

The 75th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival will take place on June 7, 2025, but the peach celebrations will be going all week long in Ruston, LA!  If you’re planning to spend a full weekend soaking in the sweet peachy charm of Ruston, let this guide help you make the most out of your adventure.

Friday, June 6

Eat:

From June 2-7, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach toast, cocktails, and desserts. There’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available in late May on the Peach Fest website. 

See:

In celebration of the festival’s 75th anniversary, The Louisiana Peach Festival is collaborating with the Lincoln Parish Museum to present Peach Fest Through the Decades. This special exhibit will showcase memorabilia from the very first Peach Festival all the way through present day.

• Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, explore downtown Ruston to scope out the festival grounds and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

Experience: There’s plenty to experience Friday before the festival. 

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 2-6. 

• • Peach Fest Hack: Grab a Peach Fest fit at the sidewalk sale to wear at the festival!

• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will take place in Downtown Ruston on Friday, June 6, at 6PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the 36th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family entertainment, trick riders, and more. The rodeo starts at 8PM.

Saturday, June 7 – Festival Day

Festival activities start at 9:00AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

Eat:
This year, enjoy bites from a variety of food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks. You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi. 

• Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival.

The festival is also conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Ruston, so there’s plenty of local restaurants you can walk to. 

See:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover art boards and interactive displays by local artists that will be showcased throughout festival grounds.

• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Drone Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s first ever drone show at 8:45 PM! This transforming sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.

Experience: 

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Band of Heathens, taking the stage after the drone show.
• Kids Alley: A family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated market: The festival will have over 70 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op. 

• • Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering. 

Sunday, June 8

After a Saturday full of adventures, take it slow on Sunday. Sleep in, relax, and savor your last day in town before heading home.

Eat: 

Start your day with a delicious Sunday brunch at Trio’s. Whether you choose a cozy table indoors or enjoy the sunshine on their patio, you’re in for a wonderful dining experience. Looking for a spot closer to downtown? Try Board & Bottle’s Sunday brunch and specialty brunch cocktails.

See: 

While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

Experience: 

Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats to live tunes and everything in between, the Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 75 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories! 

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

Y’all may not be old enough to remember it but I still do. Hank Williams had a bunch of hits back in the day as his twangy voice sang all sorts of sad love songs, such as ‘I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Lovesick Blues,” “Mansion on the Hill.” But he had one that was a jumpy little ditty about taking his girlfriend out for a date where they’d be, in the title of the song, “Settin’ the Woods on Fire.”

I saw on the news last week about a wildfire in New Jersey where a young man was arrested for doing just that to the forests in his state. He was guilty of “setting the woods on fire,” and I don’t think it was the same sort of fire that old Hank was singing about.

For someone to deliberately set fire to the woods because he has a grudge against a property owner or just has a screw loose and likes to see things burn, that’s some seriously bad stuff. However, there are some who set fire to the woods for a good cause; they’re professional foresters who know how to set a controlled or prescribed fire for the purpose of improving the habitat by removing dead underbrush and duff from the forest floor to allow tender plants that are desirable to grow in place of the no-good stuff.

Retired wildlife official David Moreland wrote an article on controlled fire in a recent edition of LA Sportsman magazine that piqued my interest, so I read it to get more information on the subject of prescribed fire.

Moreland wrote that Native Americans learned how to use fire for clearing underbrush, opening pasture lands, and providing nutrition-rich forage for deer, elk and bison.

Historians today refer to this as “cultural burning.” They knew that fire would clear the grass and brush for villages and camp areas. They also knew that burning to open clearings in the forests would regenerate new plant growth that would attract animals they depended on for food and skins.

Prescribed burning is a tool regularly used by foresters and wildlife managers today. Referred to as “dormant season fires,” these fires can occur in fall and winter, a time when much of the vegetation is in a dormant condition. Prescribed fires done in spring are known as “growing season fires.”       

Burning during the growing season comes with more challenges as this time of year is when deer fawns and turkey poults are being born.

Can just any property owner decide on his own to use controlled fire on his property? They can,  but should fire spread to adjoining property, the landowner may be liable for expenses should he be responsible for damage to timber on a neighbor’s land.

This is why, Moreland writes, “most forest landowners have a consulting forester to help them with their timber management needs.” The state has a program designed so individuals can become “certified prescribed burners.” This certification is done through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a certification that must be renewed every five years.

Certified prescribed burners know when conditions are best for fire and when a particular stand of timber needs to be controlled burned. Watching for weather conditions, wind speed and direction, humidity and ground moisture all figure into deciding the best time for a fire. 

Should you have land that you are considering for a controlled fire, be sure to contact experts before you proceed so that you won’t be “setting the woods on fire” like Hank — or do anything  like that kid in New Jersey.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

The permanent marker recently replaced and stolen again will be replaced with a temporary marker honoring the law enforcement officers who took down the infamous Bonnie and Clyde in Bienville Parish.
The marker was replaced in October 2024, and was subsequently stolen again earlier this year. The Bienville Parish Police Jury, in its April meeting, agreed to replace the stolen marker with a temporary one at the ambush site.

The issue, they say, is how to keep it from being stolen again. Tourism Director Deanna Curtis approached the police jury, saying they are looking at a concrete monument with the memorial etched into the monument.

Police jury officials say it will cost roughly $100 for the temporary marker.

“We’re looking into prices for a monument to put out there instead of the plaque that was there,” she said. “We think that will keep someone from stealing it again. A plaque like the one we had will be placed out there in time for the Bonnie and Clyde Festival.”

Curtis expects to have quotes for the police jury at the May meeting.

The cost will be shared between the police jury and the Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce.
The plaque was replaced with funds from the Bienville Parish Police Jury and the Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce. The monument, which was adorned by a plaque, paid tribute to the law enforcement officers who ended the infamous couple’s crime spree. The couple was ambushed by law enforcement and lost their lives following a robbery and murder spree.

It was first heisted in April 2023, and for 17 months, visitors to the site saw the original granite marker, which says, “At this site, May 23, 1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were killed by enforcement officers.” To the right of the granite marker, they saw a concrete stand where another plaque had been mounted. The location of the stolen original plaque remains a mystery.

The replacement marker said, “On this site, May 23, 1934, at 9:15 a.m., the famous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met their demise at the hands of these dedicated law enforcement officials. Lest we forget these brave and vigilant conservators of the peace.” Included on the plaque is the famous photo of the ambush posse.

A Saline man has been charged with vehicular homicide that killed a Ruston woman.
Authorities arrested Ruben Redding Jr., 46, who was charged with possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, no seat belt (first offense), reckless operation with accident (misdemeanor), vehicular negligent injuring (misdemeanor) and vehicular homicide (felony).

According to Louisiana State Police, in November, troopers responded to a three-vehicle crash on LA Hwy. 519, near EW Morgan Road, that claimed the life of 66-year-old Maureen Hinton.

During the preliminary investigation, troopers learned that a 2015 GMC pickup, driven by Redding, was traveling north on LA Hwy. 519. At the same time, a 2007 Honda SUV and a 1997 Dodge pickup were traveling south on LA Hwy. 519. The GMC crossed the centerline, sideswiped the Honda and collided with the Dodge.

Redding, who was unrestrained, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger in the Honda were properly restrained during the crash. The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene, while the passenger was uninjured. The driver of the Dodge, who was properly restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Hinton, who was a passenger in the Dodge, was properly restrained but sustained severe injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Troop G was notified that on Nov. 20, 2024, Hinton had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Minden, March 5, 2025 – The Greater Minden Chamber held a ribbon cutting Wednesday at Interstate Building Materials to celebrate the completion of a major renovation of its lumberyard, adding an 11,000 sqft drive-thru shed and 30,000 sqft of concrete driveway. It follows the hardware store renovation completed in 2022, highlighting the company’s continuous commitment to providing top-notch service and facilities.

This project marks another major investment into Interstate’s commitment of serving customers with convenience and speed. Interstate’s friendly staff hand loads customer orders, getting them back on the road in minutes.

About Interstate Building Materials:

Founded in 2014 in Many, LA by Kyle Martinez, Interstate expanded to Minden in 2021 with the purchase of Howard Lumber. The company specializes in a wide range of building materials, including lumber, siding, moulding, paint, and more. It serves a diverse customer base, from new home builders to do-it-yourself weekend warriors.

Interstate was recently a finalist for the Greater Minden Chamber’s “Large Business of the Year”.  The company currently has two locations with a third opening in June 2025 in Sabine Parish.

For more information, visit Interstate’s website at www.interstatebm.com

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

A Black History Program is set for 9 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at Ringgold High School in the gymnasium.
Themed, “Reclaiming Our Narrative: The Power of Representation,” the program will feature speaker Pastor Bentley Williams.

For more information, call Ringgold High School at 318-894-2271.

(This week’s column is a chapter from the new book, “Fathers, Sons and Old Guns” by Glynn Harris. The book is now available from Amazon.com online)

It’s been a long time since I last visited the home place where I grew up. I remember what it was like soon after my mom passed away; it was like the cord that had bound our family together had snapped after she was no longer there.

My sister, Linda, lived next door to our house and I remember one Christmas when I visited Linda soon after Mother had died, I was not prepared for the feeling of loneliness that swept over me when I looked across her yard to the simple frame house where we grew up. On other Christmases, this would have been the scene of laughter, of sweet and tangy aromas wafting from Mother’s kitchen. This day however, it seemed cold and dark.

The years have soothed the pain of that first Christmas without my mother but my memories of the old home place linger like the spicy aroma of her applesauce cake. The old house is gone now, somebody bought it and moved it and there was nothing there but the cedar tree in the front yard, the crepe myrtles that formed a ring around the yard and the pecan tree growing just out of the yard.

Until the house was purchased and moved, a young family rented it for a while and I remember feeling sad and resentful that somebody else was living in what had been our family’s home where we all grew up.

As I paused to reflect on the spot where our house had been, I remembered things like drawing water from the well in the back yard. The water bucket, a slender cylinder that went “gulp…gulp” when it filled and when you pulled the bucket from the well, hand over fist by the rope to which it was attached, you pulled a trigger at the top to release water into the water bucket.

I remembered things like calling our old milk cow from the pasture late in the afternoon, dumping cans of Acorn cow feed into the trough and pulling up the stool to sit and milk the cow, hoping she hadn’t gotten into bitter weeds that day.

I remembered things like watching dogs with names like Boots, Rusty and Tippy waiting outside the back door for scraps from the kitchen.

I remembered how the cool green grass felt to tender feet the first time shoes were shucked in spring.

I remembered hoping it was my turn to lick the bowl after Mother made a cake, and sitting on the front porch on a summer afternoon making the churn dasher slap up and down in the sour milk as it separated from the globs of butter and watching Mother work the golden mound until all the buttermilk was gone and pure, sweet butter remained.

I remembered things like listening to my uncle Sam cuss his mule over on the hill across the way as he plowed his field.

I remembered making sling shots out of slices of inner tubes and old shoe tongues attached to just the right fork of a branch you had cut for the handle.

I remembered things like digging earthworms from beneath the cow patties at the cow barn and my brother Tom and me heading for Molido Creek with bamboo poles, hook, line and sinker to fish for goggle-eyes and sun perch.

I remembered fingering the etched wooden stock on my old double barrel shotgun as I sat with my back against a beech down on Molido, listening for the scritch-scratch of a squirrel’s claws on oak bark, getting out of a warm bed early fall mornings, grabbing my shotgun and heading for the Sand Flats along Saline Creek hoping for a shot at a squealer duck that flew from their roost to wing their way up the creek to feed.

Somebody else now owned our house and I knew I could never go back home again. That’s how it should be, I suppose, and that’s okay. I have my memories and I can take them down from time to time, dust them off and for a moment, become the little barefoot boy again.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@aol.com