The revitalized Louisiana African American Heritage Trail will celebrate the cultural contributions Louisiana African Americans have made in the state and nation. It will be an acknowledgment of just how much Louisiana – the world – owes to African Americans who, for three centuries, have influenced and innovated in the disciplines of literature, music, dance, art, science, math, architecture, agriculture, economics, medicine and food.

The Louisiana African American Heritage Trail is not a history lesson, nor does it serve to focus on the “oldest,” the “only,” or the “firsts” throughout history—unless the submission is recognized or made an impact on the statewide or national level.

The trail will bring to life stories that have enriched our state’s culture, identity and global influence. Visitors from out of state and around the world will be inspired, entertained, and filled with pride. There’s no end to what we may discover with your help.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA:

• Sites, individuals, organizations, or events must be significant and recognized on a regional, national and or international level and have historical documentation (written, photography, videos, news articles, etc.)
• It is preferred but not required that sites are accessible to view as a tourist attraction, offer interpretation or self-guided tours, and adhere to regular posted hours.
• It is preferred but not required that submissions have a website and promotional materials used to promote the site as a tourist attraction.

Already listed sites must meet the criteria and must complete this form to update your listing or it may be eliminated.

For more information visit explorelouisiana.com

Make a Nomination

BATON ROUGE –   For 57 years, Louisiana Wildlife Federation has recognized individuals and organizations in Louisiana that have made outstanding contributions to the natural resource welfare and environmental quality of their community, parish, and the state each year This year, for the first time, the Federation is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award will honor an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and sustained contributions to the field of wildlife conservation in Louisiana.

“Adding the Lifetime Achievement Award helps us  honor the luminaries that have been so influential in the field of wildlife conservation in Louisiana over many year,” said Louisiana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Rebecca Triche. “There are many  individuals who have truly dedicated themselves, either personally or professionally, to Louisiana’s wildlife and wildlife habitat.”

Nominations are now open for all categories of Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s 58th Conservation Achievement Awards.

Nominations are accepted for conservation achievement in ten award categories:

• Lifetime Achievement –  honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and sustained contributions to the field of wildlife conservation. Only one of these awards may be given per year.
• Professional – given to an individual in a compensated professional capacity that has made a significant contribution to the management, enhancement, or protection of  Louisiana’s fish, wildlife, air, water, soil or forest resources, or related recreational opportunities in 2023.
• Volunteer – awarded to a person acting in a volunteer capacity during the year that has shown outstanding achievement in the management, enhancement, or protection of Louisiana’s fish, wildlife, air, water, soil or forest resources or related recreational opportunities in 2023.
• Business – this award honors a company, not a person, that has shown significant achievement in pollution abatement, land use planning and management, conservation education/awareness, and habitat stewardship including providing lands for wildlife conservation and public recreation in 2023.
• Educator – this is awarded to an outstanding conservation educator, either in a professional or volunteer role, whose emphasis has been on teaching students or the public, rather than on research or administration. Examples include instructors of hunter safety and outdoor ethics, as well as teachers of natural sciences, fish and wildlife management, environmental design and management, and various aspects of environmental education in 2023.
• Elected Official – awarded to a local, state or federal elected official for their achievements around conservation efforts in 2023. All Louisiana elected officials, except the Governor, are eligible in this category.
• Communications – this is given for the outstanding work by a writer, reporter, radio or TV broadcaster, photographer, artist, cartoonist, radio or TV station, newspaper, website or other publication for increased public awareness around environmental quality and natural resource conservation or has contributed toward the solution of a major conservation problem in Louisiana in 2023.
• Organization – this recognizes a state or local organization for outstanding conservation achievement in addressing significant natural resource management and environmental quality challenges in 2023. Examples of organizations might include but are not limited to civic organizations, environmental groups, sportsmen’s clubs and garden clubs. In special cases where government agencies or institutions have accomplished extraordinary work above and beyond their normal responsibilities, such organizations will be considered for this award.
• Youth – this is awarded to an individual youth, 18 years of age or younger, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in any phase of conservation work in2023.
• Youth Organization – this is given to a youth group, with members 18 years of age or younger, who have provided outstanding conservation or related recreational work in addressing significant natural resource management and environmental quality challenges in 2023.

Nominations are due by February 4, 2024, and can be made online at lawildlifefed.org.

Award recipients will be honored at a banquet to be held in Baton Rouge on April 12, 2024. For more information, call 225-344-6707 or email awards@lawildlifefed.org.

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Established in 1940, Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide nonprofit organization that represents 19 affiliate organizations and more than 10,000 members dedicated to the conservation of Louisiana’s wildlife and natural resources. Louisiana Wildlife Federation is an affiliate of National Wildlife Federation and together forms a powerful network for conservation locally and nationally.

Have you ever wondered why some people are so successful no matter what they do? With some people it seems that everything they touch turns to gold. We all know folks who fall into this category and who seem to have something special that you just can’t put your finger on. You can’t measure it, but it’s something average people just don’t have. We call it the “it” factor.

Of course, there are some physical skills you can develop in a person that will help them to achieve great things. With help from the right mentor or coach, you can develop certain skills that may put you on the path to success by making you faster or stronger. But the “it” factor is something you’re born with. Let’s acknowledge, the good Lord blesses certain people with abilities and skills others will never have.

Now, it’s doesn’t mean you can’t be successful, but those born with “it” just take success to another level. The “it” is the gift that allows people to do things you can’t explain. They do things instinctively while the rest of us wonder why and how they did it. We question what makes them so good? Let’s look at an angler who falls into the “it” category.

In the bass fishing world, it’s the man from Kalamazoo, Michigan — Kevin Van Dam (KVD), the man who many call the greatest bass angler to ever wet a hook. One day while having a conversation with Kevin’s brother, Randy, we talked about Kevin’s instincts and what makes him so good. Randy told me that even as a young kid, Kevin did things that defied explanation.

Kevin, Randy, and their dad fished often when the bites were few and far between. For reasons unknown, Kevin would switch to another bait and start catching fish immediately. This was something, according to Randy, Kevin did frequently. For no apparent reason he would pick up a different rod and just start whacking them while Randy and his dad just stood there in amazement shaking their heads and wondering why. Over his entire career, Kevin would zig when others would zag. These are instincts not all anglers have and this is what separates the great anglers from the average ones.

In the bass tournament world, there are certain anglers who seem to always make the right decisions at the right time. It’s because, like Kevin Van Dam, they have the “it” factor on their side. In tournament fishing, this is the difference between those that win tournaments and those that don’t. If you’ll notice and look at tournament standings over the years, there are certain guys who seem to always be at the top.

Obviously they are good anglers, but they also have something special that allows them to win more often than others… they have ”it!” You can’t teach it or learn it, you must be blessed with it. I’m not sure why God only hands “it” out to a select few. If you’re one of those who has this gift, be thankful. Because if you use it correctly, it will serve you well.

There’s a radio show that’s been on air for over 16 years. The Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show that also has the “it” factor covering all things related to the great outdoors. Rated as the No. 1 outdoor radio show in the Ark-La-Tex, this program airs every Wednesday from 11:00 till 1:00 CST on AM 1130 The Tiger or FM 103.3. You can also catch me and my co-hosts on Facebook Live or our web site at http://www.hutdshow.com.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and remember, even though it’s cooler now, you still need to wear your sunscreen. Melanoma does not discriminate!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

By Matt Vines, The DeSoto Parish Journal

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana High School Sports Association has finalized its new district alignments, and all three districts featuring DeSoto Parish high schools will undergo changes.

North DeSoto in District 1-4A will see the greatest change as the district will lose Evangel Christian and Huntington while gaining Southwood and Loyola Prep.

Lakeview High will be dropping from 3-2A to 3-1A, meaning Mansfield will lose the Gators from its district slate while Logansport adds the Campti-based school in Natchitoches Parish.

North DeSoto football’s path to a third straight district title should get easier with the exit of two of the district’s contenders in Evangel and Huntington. Huntington’s enrollment pushed it to Class 5A, while Evangel decided to play even higher above its slated classification in Class 5A.

Huntington is also a force in boys and girls basketball, although incoming Southwood will match what the Raiders did on the hardwood.

As big of a departure as Evangel is in football, baseball might be the sport of biggest impact for the Eagles.

Evangel is traditionally a state championship contender and was part of a deep District 1-4A.

School enrollment numbers are evaluated every two years, with schools changing classifications because of enrollment increases or decreases or because a school chooses to play above their listed classification.

Loyola, whose enrollment increase moved it into Class 3A, chose to play up in Class 4A because it was slotted in a Monroe-based district.

District 1-4A now consists of North DeSoto, Booker T. Washington, Southwood, Loyola, Northwood, Woodlawn, Bossier and Minden.

In terms of Mansfield’s District 3-2A, the loss of Lakeview with no replacement means Wolverines’ football will need to find an extra non-district game.

Lakeview drops to Class 1A and adds a team for District 3-1A, which includes Logansport.

Lakeview football has had success against the middle and bottom of the district, but the Gators are a long ways off from challenging Logansport for district supremacy.

Basketball is a different matter as both Lakeview boys and girls are state championship contenders, creating a nice district rivalry with fellow state contender Northwood-Lena.

The Mansfield State Historic Site is hosting Cocoa & Stories with Santa on Wednesday, December 20 at 1pm. The elves are helping Santa serve up hot cocoa to go with their amazing tales of Christmas, both long ago and recent. Have a seat in the theater and listen to the elves tell Christmas stories while getting your picture made with Santa. Admission is $4 per person ages 4-61; 62 and over and children 3 and under are free.

Join the Town of Stonewall for Cookies & Cocoa with Santa on Thursday, December 21 from 10am – 1pm inside the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Government Plaza, 1746 US Hwy 171.

Mark your calendars now! VFW Post #4586 will be the Grand Marshall for the Krewe of Demeter parade on January 28, 2024. The parade will have a new location this year. Stay tuned for more information.

This Saturday (Dec 16) in Rebel Park the Marthaville Community Hometown Christmas will be celebrate. Parade rolls at 6pm followed a movie at 7. Lots of other activities are planned.

Henry Thomas
March 3, 1953  — December 9, 2023
Visitation: Friday, December 15 from 6:30-7:30pm at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel – Mansfield

Ola Bernadette Laffitte
July 26, 1938 — December 12, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 16 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church – Mansfield

Ella Garrett
December 23, 1947 — December 9, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 16 at 11am at St. Peter C.O.G.I.C – Logansport

Andrew Thomas
December 12, 1958 — December 9, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 16 at 1pm at St. Elizabeth Baptist Church – Grand Cane

Reva Thomas
September 4, 1926 — December 10, 2023
Service: Saturday, December 16 at 12pm at Mary Evergreen Baptist Church – Grand Cane

At the regular meeting of the DeSoto Parish School Board on December 7, the Board unanimously approved a $1,500 “Achieving the A” supplement for all employees. The district recently celebrated another “A” rating for student performance, solidifying its position as one of the top school systems in Louisiana. Now ranked 3rd out of 70 districts statewide, this achievement is a testament to the dedication of its staff, students, and families.

“We are incredibly proud of our entire school community for achieving this significant milestone,” declared Clay Corley, Superintendent of DeSoto Parish Schools. “This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of our educators, administrators, and support staff, who have worked so hard to ensure our students’ success. The supplement is a small token of our appreciation for their commitment and the #TheDeSotoDifference they embody.”

Coday Johnston, Board President, echoed the sentiment of gratitude: “We are truly grateful for the passion and dedication of our exceptional staff. Their unwavering commitment to our students is the driving force behind this remarkable achievement. This ‘A’ rating belongs to every member of our team, and the supplement is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication.”

Donnie Dufour, Finance Chairman, emphasized the importance of recognizing the collective contributions of all the district’s staff: “As a Board, we recognize the collective impact of our employees and the difference they make in the lives of our students. This supplement is a tangible way to express our appreciation for their tireless work with our students, which has been instrumental in attaining this recognition.”

The “Achieving the A” supplement will be distributed on December 18, just in time for the holiday season. This gesture of appreciation demonstrates the district’s deep respect and gratitude for its employees, who are the cornerstone of its success.

“This achievement is a testament to the collective effort of our staff and their unwavering commitment to our students,” said Corley. “I am truly grateful to be a part of such a dedicated and talented team. We look forward to building upon this success and continuing to provide our students with the high-quality education they deserve.”  

In November 2023, voters in District 2 did not approve a bond proposal that would have resulted in the construction of a new North DeSoto High School as well as additions to North DeSoto Lower Elementary and upgrades in other areas across the campus. Because of the rapid growth in our area, the quickly increasing student population, and anticipated enrollment growth, the DeSoto Parish School Board is working quickly to gather information from the community to revise the original plan and move forward with a more inclusive and focused approach.

Five-year enrollment projections show that continued growth is expected for the North DeSoto area. Additions were made in 2014 at the upper elementary and middle schools, which are now full. All of the schools in the North DeSoto area are at, or near maximum capacity, with more growth on the horizon. While other schools in the district have seen a push for lower class sizes at the elementary level, North DeSoto Lower and Upper Elementary Schools cannot have comparable class size decreases because of space constraints.

Residents of District 2 are encouraged to participate in a survey that aims to find a path forward to address the growth in the district and maintain the student-focused high level of education that DeSoto schools are known for. The survey closes Thursday, December 14.

Take the survey here.

Calling ‘em deer “stands” is a misnomer. Most of us don’t stand; we sit. It’d make more sense to say we were going to climb a tree and hunt out of our deer “seat”, which could be a chair, or stool, or board nailed between two branches.

However, we need to accept the fact that we climb and sit down in deer stands. Even the hunting catalogs call ‘em deer “stands” so if they’re good enough for Cabela’s they ought to be good enough for us.

The first deer stand I ever used was one I built. By today’s standards, climbing and sitting in the one I made would get you seriously maimed, or worse. To reach my perch 12 feet up in the tree, I drove spikes into the trunk (that activity today would get me banned from the club by the timber company owning the land), and once I reached my desired height, I nailed a two-by-four in a fork of the tree for a place to sit. Admittedly, my hunts were of fairly short duration because the comfort level deteriorated rather quickly.

Today, while some hunters still construct their own stands, there are types of deer stands on the market that boggle the mind. There are box stands, ground blinds, climbing stands, lock-on stands, ladder stands, saddle stands and even one you pull on a trailer to your hunting site, hit a button and the stand on the trailer magically elevates for you to climb into and hunt.

Many of the stands we have used on our hunting club are stands members constructed and for sure, they’re better made and safer than the spikes-in-the-tree; two by four seat from my early days of chasing deer.

Interestingly, we named most of our stands to coincide with either the location or the circumstances from which the stand originated.

One of the stands I used was a ground blind I built and it had been dismantled, moved and reconstructed at least three times. I dismantled and moved the stand to my former hunting club in 2001, and in honor of the devastating event that took place that year on September 11, I call this stand Ground Zero.

Another of my stands, a box mounted atop a ladder, rested against a tree that was literally covered in poisonous green vines when the tree was selected. It’s only natural that this stand was called Poison Oak.
Still another was a similar stand sitting against a tree on the banks of Sugar Creek, a stream that periodically floods and brings with it debris from who-knows-where. While getting the stand ready to place on the tree, I noticed an old light bulb lying in the leaves. It had washed in from somewhere. The name of this stand? Forty Watt.

Another of my stands was a tri-pod and the day I put it up, a pretty orange Gulf Fritillary butterfly (I had to Google it to find out the name) came and lit on my finger. The tri-pod became the Butterfly Stand.
My good friend and hunting partner, George Seacrist, named all his stands from Running Wild to Bermuda Triangle to Indian Mound. One of his that caught my interest was a big roomy ground stand he set up down in the bottom along the creek. He called it Noah’s Ark.

A couple of years later, he set up a box stand on the ridge above Noah’s Ark and was pondering with me one day about a possible name. Hmmmm….Noah’s Ark is down in the bottom. Why not Mount Ararat on the ridge? George liked it and that’s the new name it was given.

The next stand I build I’m going to call it the Ten Point Buck stand. Maybe if I name it that, I’ll get that big one. If things turn out wrong, I guess I’ll just call it the Dang-I-Missed-Him stand.

The Logansport Chamber and the Town of Logansport will host Christmas Caroling on the River/Downtown Stroll Thursday, December 14 from 6-8:30pm. 

Local choirs will perform at 6pm on the Riverfront Stage.  Caroling begins at 6:30pm. Bring a lawn chair. Music folders will be provided. 

Downtown merchants are open until 8:30pm. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/8/23
Media Contact: Ted Beasley | ted.beasley@la.gov

State’s Quality Rating Scores from the 2020-2021 school year are the highest since
the accountability’s inception in 2017-2018

(BATON ROUGE, LA) – The Louisiana Department of Education today released the latest results of the state’s Teacher Preparation Quality Rating System. Required by federal regulations, the rating system is designed to provide teacher preparation providers with meaningful information for improvement, identify programs of excellence, and provide aspiring educators with information on selecting quality programs.

Available in the LDOE’s preparation library, these state quality rating scores from the 2020-2021 school year are the highest since the accountability’s inception in 2017-2018.

Just over 95 percent of Louisiana’s teacher preparation provider programs maintained or improved their rating. The state’s undergraduate pathway score increased by .6 to a 2.6, which is Level 3 Effective. The state’s post-baccalaureate pathway score increased by .4 to a 2.8, which is also a Level 3 Effective.

An undergraduate teacher preparation pathway consists of earning a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree program. A post-baccalaureate teacher preparation pathway is best suited for individuals who already hold a Bachelor’s degree that become alternatively certified.

Overall domain scores and ratings improved in both pathways.

• Post-baccalaureate pathways are scoring higher than undergraduate.
• 78% of pathways increased their score or remained the same, and 85% of pathways increased their level or remained the same.
• 52% of the pathways increased their domain score for Meeting Workforce Needs. 

This is the first year the results will be used by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to inform continued program approval decisions. Previous years were for information purposes only.

A teacher preparation program is a post-secondary, state-approved course of study. Completion signifies that an enrolled teacher candidate has met all state educational and training requirements to be recommended for initial certification.

The system rates providers on a four point scale: Level 1 Ineffective, Level 2 Needs Improvement, Level 3 Effective and Level 4 Highly Effective. The teacher preparation quality rating is based on three domains:

• Preparation Program Experience, as measured by an on-site review;
• Meeting Educator Workforce Needs, as measured by the number of candidates placed in high-need schools and the number of program completers in high-need certification areas;
• Teacher Quality, as measured by the value-added results on the state standardized assessment of program completers.

The profiles for each provider are a tool for aspiring teachers to use when selecting a program that meets their needs. They also support decision making for providers and LDOE around supports needed for improvement.

The LDOE released the first round of informational results for the state’s Teacher Preparation Quality Rating System in 2021. In 2020, the LDOE, Louisiana Board of Regents, and BESE debuted LouisianaTeacherPrep.com to help soon-to-be educators choose the teacher preparation program that fits them best.

By Doug De Graffenried

Since I have lived in the Gibsland metroplex, I have rescued or rehomed fifteen dogs. I know that dog number sixteen is out there. I’m always looking!

We kept two dogs; I think it is called a foster-failure. They are classic mutts. I rescued Rolo’s mom knowing that she would have puppies. She had nine! Rolo, the runt of the litter, is part Beagle and part Pit bull. Chester was found abandoned in January of this year. He is a funny blend of Pit bull and boxer. The dogs and I have a symbiotic relationship. I plant things in the yard. The dogs dig them up. I put sod down. The dogs dig it up. I purchase toys for the dogs, they unstuff the toys. There are mornings when the floor of the house looks like a snowstorm happened. Recently, they have taken the indestructible stuffed doggy toys to the backyard to unstuff them. Imagine the fun I’m having picking up the stuffing along with leaves, pecans, and the remains of the plants that have been excavated. 

I built nice picket fences around the flower beds to keep the two diggers out. That plan failed. It failed so miserably that Rolo got trapped behind one of the fences. He entered the flowerbed to dig, and then couldn’t figure out how to get out. He whined until someone came out to free him.

Rolo has also developed a fascination for the Christmas tree. He has a preference for the glass ornaments that are hanging on the bottom third of the tree. Since he is part Beagle, he is a long dog and has a great reach. So along with the stuffed animal stuffing in the backyard, I am now cleaning up the remnants of Christmas tree ornaments. So far, he has not chewed a sentimental ornament, just old glass ornaments. Ugh!

My two dogs can make a prodigious mess. If only I could thank them for making the mess!

I have seen some homes that are perfectly decorated for Christmas. We could debate long and hard; colors, textures, styles, and whether you believe that a C-9 incandescent Christmas light is the most pleasing seasonal illumination. I have seen some homes decorated for Christmas that were probably the inspiration for magazine covers. They are amazing and beautiful. Hours of work to accomplish the perfect Christmas atmosphere. The decorations inspire and create seasonable warmth. There is much to commend about Christmas decorations and the hard work that goes into getting it “just right.”

The first Christmas was not “just right” nor was it orderly or neat.

My dogs have a great gift of bringing chaos to my orderly planting and tree decoration. They remind me that Jesus came into the middle of our mess. He came not to condemn or judge us but rather to lift us out of the mess and bring some order to our self-inflected chaos. I’m going to remember that when I go home this afternoon to clean up what the dogs have left for me this Monday.

The message of Christmas is that Jesus has entered your mess!

Rodney Wilson has been named chief financial officer at Northwestern State University effective Jan. 3, 2024. He replaces Pat Jones, who is retiring. Wilson’s appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

The chief financial officer (CFO) is responsible for managing the business and financial services of the university. The position provides collaborative financial management leadership for the university; ensures the short and long-term fiscal health of the University; oversees the business practices of the University and ensures that the budget is linked to and supports the University’s strategic plans.  

“Rodney, a Northwestern alumnus, brings a vast array of extensive experience in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems with him to the institution,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Marcus Jones. “Based on his professional experience, Rodney possesses the knowledge and leadership qualities we value, making him the ideal candidate for the next Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern State University.”

Wilson has been finance director for the Sabine Parish School Board since 2012. He was the lead business official for the parish school system reporting directly to the superintendent of schools and managing all financial aspects of the district.  

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next CFO of Northwestern State University and am excited to join Dr. Jones and his team,” said Wilson. “As an alumnus of NSU and a lifelong resident of west central Louisiana, I have an interest in seeing the university continue to succeed and grow. It is my hope that my own children will someday be alumni as well. NSU is vitally important to our region, and I recognize the great responsibility that I have been afforded by this appointment.”
 
Wilson’s duties as finance director included filing the Annual Financial Report (AFR) with the Louisiana Department of Education, adopting the annual operating budget in accordance with the local government budget act and ensuring audit submission to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and Federal Audit Clearinghouse. He recommended financial strategy and practices to the superintendent and School Board members, levied property tax millage rates and distributed sales tax collections according to voter approved propositions and ensured securities are adequately pledged for public funds exceeding FDIC $250,000 limit.

As finance director, Wilson invested the appropriate amount of fund balance in interest bearing securities, worked with school board legal counsel on lawsuits and settlements, instructed and approved journal entries, oversaw payroll distribution for all staff in accordance with board adopted salary schedules. He managed comprehensive benefits for all staff which included working with the Teachers’ Retirement System of La, Office of Group Benefits, Louisiana School Employees Retirement System as well as the Supplemental Benefits package.

“I am looking forward to joining the university staff and working with my colleagues to ensure the finance/business office continues to support all other departments, divisions, goals, and the overarching vision of Northwestern State University. I will draw on my experience in educational finance while also leveraging a background in technology to make sound and balanced financial decisions to best serve the needs of all stakeholders.”

Wilson served as president of the Louisiana Association of School Business Officials, chairman of the Cooperative Accounting Management System and commissioner and vice-chairman of the Sabine Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission, He is a member of the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials and Property Casualty Alliance of Louisiana where he was vice-chairman.

Before joining the Sabine Parish School System, he was an analyst and programmer for Amerisafe Inc. in DeRidder and was promoted to senior programmer.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. 

Cries and moans about perceived poor officiating in the NFL this season seem to be louder and more often than usual. Maybe it’s because the season is a game longer now, or maybe it’s because more fans have more TV access to more games than ever before, or maybe it’s because there are more commentators on more platforms than ever and because fans have more ways than ever to express their views.

And who knows? — maybe the officiating isn’t as good this season as it’s been in the past. Only the chief of NFL officials would know that. And he’s not saying.

But a lot of us are. You can slam officials on everything from Facebook to “Insta” to TikTok — if you know how to work all those things. (Some of us don’t.)

Unlike fans, the players and coaches are wise to temper theirs comments about officiating or face getting fined. That threat didn’t stop Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett Sunday for calling the officiating in Sunday’s game against Jacksonville a “travesty” and “honestly awful.”

And his team WON.

Much more publicized and dramatic was what happened in Kansas City, where the homestanding Chiefs had a touchdown (that included a lateral pass) called back because a KC receiver had lined up offsides. The score and extra point would have given Kansas City a four-point lead with a minute to play; instead, three Patrick Mahomes incompletions later, the Chiefs were 20-17 losers to Buffalo.

After that game, Kansas City players and even some broadcasters complained that such a “little” penalty shouldn’t decide the game. The quarterback blamed it on the ref. The coach said “it’s a bit embarrassing for the National Football League” for a dramatic play and score so late in the game to be wiped out by an offsides penalty.

Which is all fine except the professional wide receiver lined up offsides. He has been playing since he was 6 and has been practicing for this season since July. It was the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ 13^th game of the year. 

And it’s the first rule in most sports: you have to be on one side of a line or another at some point. Think of all the lines drawn on fields and courts and tracks. You can’t have a sport without a line like you can’t have a trial with a manila folder.

Yet it’s the fault of the official. It’s not dropped passes or turnovers or blown assignments that have the defending Super Bowl champs at 8-5. Neg. It’s somebody else’s fault. Like the official’s. For calling the receiver offsides. For being offsides. For dropping the flag as soon as the ball was snapped.

What a joke. The officials were right and some people are still mad. 

It’s just a game and not life or death and the world will continue to spin. Still it’s funny when even professionals, obviously in error, blame someone or something else when things are going badly.

Like playing any sport at a high level, officiating is demanding and an inexact science. It’s my pleasure to know officials at every level of sports, and the ones I know love it and train for it and take it seriously, just as the players do. The imperfections of players and officials and even the journalists who cover them will never go away.

None of this is new, even though there have been several stories this fall questioning officiating. I’ve kept a few dozen Sports Illustrated covers through the years. The one I’m looking at today pictures Terry Bradshaw — then Pittsburgh’s quarterback and probably why I kept the cover — pleading with an official. This is the headline:

“The Refs: Uproar in the NFL”

The date is October 9.

Of 1978.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

This week, the Sheriff’s Office released the December 4-11, 2023, arrest report. In a statement by Mark Pierce, PIO, public relations and social media, Pierce stated, “Our office has been working to recreate such a report to share with the public after upgrading to a new system. We are still working to get the Inmate Roster available to view on our website, but in the meantime, it can always be viewed in the DeSoto Parish Sheriff App. We thank the public and our media partners for their patience as we have worked diligently to continue providing this information with transparency.”

The Journal will post all information provided. Be advised that all persons listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Hall, Jeremiah A.
WM 35 Frierson
Possession of CDS IV
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Hines, Roger
BM 20 Frierson
Contempt of Court

Evans, Jimmy
WM 31 Logansport
Theft

Sanders, Billie Jo
F 35 Stonewall
Fugitive Warrant

Walker, Kelly A
WM 71 Carthage, TX
DWI
Open Container
Reckless Operation of a Vehicle

DeYoung, Christopher L.
WM 53 Stonewall
DWI
Open Container
Driving wrong lane of traffic
Turn Signals required

Brunson, Mark Alan
WM 60 Pineville
Theft less than $1000

Street, Harterica Leshay
BF 32 Mansfield
Operating while intoxicated 1st offense
Vehicle requires headlamp

Cruse, Elisha
BF 32 Lufkin, TX
Domestic abuse, aggravated assault
Warrant Desoto Parish

The Mansfield Main Library will host their annual open house today from 11am-1pm.

The Stonewall Branch Library will hot their annual open house today from 11am-2pm.

The Stonewall Santa parade will take place on Saturday December 16. The theme is Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. The parade rolls at 1pm. Line up is at Salem Baptist Church on Highway 3276.

Frances Elliott Lafitte
April 11, 1951 — December 8, 2023
Service:  Wednesday, December 13 at 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield

Marian Elizabeth Murphrey
September 14, 1932 — December 8, 2023
Service: Wednesday, December 13 at 11am at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church – Logansport

Grace Lee
September 2, 1942 — December 9, 2023
Service: Thursday, December 14 at 2pm at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield

By Matt Vines, DeSoto Parish Journal 

While Logansport football hoped to be playing for a state championship this week, not all is lost in the Logansport athletics world as those football players transitioned to the basketball court. 

The Tigers (1-2) knocked off defending state Division IV Select champion Northwood-Lena, 35-32, in the Converse Tournament. 

The win vastly differs from Logansport’s earlier results – a pair of 30-point losses to Byrd and Stanley. 

Stanley also scored a win against Northwood-Lena, edging the Gators, 42-39, before ripping through Logansport (64-34) and tournament host Converse (47-41). 

Stanley (6-10) did drop contests to Negreet (47-38) and Doyline in an action-packed week. 

Mansfield’s difficult early-season schedule continued as the Wolverines fell to Carroll and Benton this week. 

The Wolverines (1-5) play Caddo Parish members Northwood and Booker T. Washington in the coming days. 

North DeSoto will finally gets its basketball season underway Monday, starting a five-game stretch in 10 days. The Griffins open with Lakeside at home on Monday before heading to Converse on Tuesday and hosting Plain Dealing on Friday to cap its first week of action. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL 

North DeSoto’s stifling defense continued as the Lady Griffins extended their winning streak to four games. 

NDHS (6-2) controlled Bossier in a 39-21 win before dominating Byrd (43-15) and Haynesville (52-4). The Lady Griffins have allowed just two opponents to score more than 30 points this season. 

Mansfield (2-5) split with a pair of Class 5A teams, falling to Southwood 39-27 before knocking off Benton 43-37. The Lady Wolverines have won two of their last three games after an 0-4 start. 

Stanley (3-10) stopped a three-game skid with a 48-35 win against Doyline after suffering losses to Zwolle and St. Mary’s earlier in the week. 

SOCCER 

The North DeSoto girls experienced an offensive explosion in three Bossier Tournament wins. 

The Lady Griffins blanked Haughton (5-0), Huntington (9-0) and Wossman (8-0) to finish the tournament unscathed. 

NDHS split its next two matches, a 1-0 loss to Division III power South Beauregard and a 1-1 tie with Grace Christian. 

After a tussle with Ruston, NDHS (6-2-3) will open district play with Natchitoches Central on Monday before catching Haughton on Friday. 

The North DeSoto boys lit up the scoreboard at its own tournament with wins against North Caddo (9-0) and Union Parish (7-0). 

After a date with Ruston, the Griffins (4-2-1) catch Natchitoches Central on Monday and Leesville on Thursday. 

By: Wesley Horton

Southwestern Energy, the nation’s largest multibasin natural gas producer with operations in Louisiana, donated 26 total computer monitors in Stonewall Library. These 23.8-inch LED monitors will make productivity tasks much easier for the users. Mr. Paul Pratt, the community relations advisor for Southwestern Energy, came personally to install these monitors.

According to Mr. Pratt, Southwestern Energy upgraded the company’s monitors and wanted to donate the old ones to local businesses. Thankfully, they’ve chosen the Stonewall Library. “We truly appreciate Southwestern Energy for their generosity,” said Sharon Bogan, the Branch Manager at Stonewall Library. “Now, our patrons can do their work more efficiently by utilizing large monitors on public computers.”

Stonewall Library hosted a small celebration for the unveiling of the monitors, which was successfully held on November 21.

Whatever line of work you’re in, there is always a goal or a destination you’re trying to reach. Without goals it’s hard for us to measure our success. For some the goal might be attaining a title while for others it might be reaching a financial milestone that gives you security. But for tournament bass fishermen, it’s all about the money! No matter how good you do or how many tournaments are won, anglers are never satisfied.

No other sport do participants question themselves more than tournament anglers. It’s similar to a football coach critiquing film the day after the game. Bass anglers do the exact same thing but on a different level. Anglers are even more critical of themselves than any coach could ever be. Here’s a long list of questions anglers may ask themselves no matter how well they do.

First, they will question where they started the tournament if they didn’t catch fish early. Did they leave their starting spot too early? Did they use the wrong technique, or could they have changed lures that may have triggered the fish into biting? Should they have used a different color soft plastic worm? They question if their timing was off on their rotation of spots they planned to fish that day? (In bass fishing, timing is everything!) Did they stay tool long in one area? Should they have started out in deeper water rather than fishing shallow? The questions never seem to end!

Tournament anglers are always looking for excuses. They can always find a reason the tournament did not go their way. For example, the water was too cold or too hot. A cold front came through the night before and the fish did not bite. There was a full moon last night so the fish fed at night. But the most famous excuse is that someone was on their best spot…..all day.

Just like a Monday morning armchair quarterback, anglers question if they should have called an audible at 10:00 o’clock that morning rather than waiting till 1:00 in the afternoon to make a change. I mean even when they get a check and have a high finish, anglers still question what they could have done better? The only time anglers are truly satisfied, is when they pull out a win!

Wins are few and far in between especially today with so many great anglers competing. Sometimes anglers must have a little bit of luck in order to get a win. There’s a saying among tournament anglers about winning, “When it’s your turn, it’s your turn and there’s nothing you do to screw it up!” It’s as if the bass fishing Gods have intervened to make sure you win. It’s like playing a slot machine when you pull that handle and triple 7’s pop up! This is where luck comes into play. As a Las Vegas casino attendant once told me, the machine is constantly playing itself, you just happened to be sitting there when the machine decided to pay off. Even in tournament fishing, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good!

From the start of an angler’s career, they are always looking to fish the perfect tournament. Even on the tournaments they win or had a high finish, there were still things they felt they could have done better. It’s even worse on the questions they ask themselves when they bomb in a tournament.

As you can see, anglers are tough on themselves no matter the results. They will always question what, how and where they caught every five fish limit they weigh-in. They will always wonder if they could have done something a little bit better. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and always strive to be the best angler you can be….win or lose!

Steve Graf

By Brad Dison

For much of the English-speaking world, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree inside the home became popular in the Victorian era.  For hundreds of years, people had decorated Christmas trees, but they were kept outside.  Prior to 1840, when Queen Victoria married her German-born cousin Prince Albert, indoor Christmas trees were normally a tradition only held by the royal family.  A few upper-class families adopted the tradition, but the popularity of indoor decorated Christmas trees quickly spread when commoners saw an etching of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children celebrating around a festively decorated tree.  Other countries, including the United States, quickly adopted the tradition.  Everyone, it seemed, wanted to celebrate in the same fashion as the royal family.  Well, almost everyone.

In September of 1901, Junior, his second wife Edith, and four of their children, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin, moved into a new-to-them house.  The house was over a hundred years old when they moved in.  Junior and his family loved to celebrate Christmas, but they had never adopted the tradition of having a decorated Christmas tree in the home.  Although his children would certainly have enjoyed a festively decorated Christmas tree with all the trimmings, Junior ultimately decided not to get a tree.  Junior had nothing against Christmas trees in particular, there was just not enough room in the home for a tree.  Can you imagine not having a Christmas tree as part of your holiday decor? 

Late in the afternoon on Christmas day, Junior and his family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner.  As Edith and the children looked on with watering mouths, Junior carved the 32-pound turkey.  After they ate their fill of turkey and all the trimmings, they turned their attention to the mince and pumpkin pies.  What a feast it was. 

Not wanting his children to miss out on the Christmas tree tradition altogether, Junior found a solution.  Following Christmas dinner, Junior made some excuse and conveniently disappeared.  Edith and the children took a carriage to the nearby home of Junior’s sister and brother-in-law, Anna—they called her Bamie—and William Cowles.  The two families, minus Junior, were enjoying a festive celebration around the cedar Christmas tree complete with red, white, and blue electric lights when they had a visit from Santa Claus.  He had white hair, white beard, and belted out the unmistakable “Ho! Ho! Ho!”  However, this Santa had no red suit and hat lined with white fur as we would expect.  He wore the khaki uniform of a soldier and a sombrero pulled down low over his eyes.  Santa passed out a large number of presents to the children, then they all joined in games and the telling of ghost stories over snacks.  As the celebration was winding down, the unusually dressed Santa Claus said a final “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and made a hasty exit.  Edith and the children said their goodbyes, wished each other “Merry Christmas,” and returned to their house.  With a twinkle in his eye, Junior met them at the door and asked for details of their celebration at the Cowles’ home, which they were only too eager to share.  Even without a Christmas tree in their new-to-them house, Junior, Edith, and the children had a most memorable Christmas together.

The home that Junior and his family moved into, which Junior deemed not large for a Christmas tree, now includes just under 100 Christmas trees as part of its annual holiday décor.   The house had plenty of rooms to be sure, but Junior was so popular and received so many visitors on a daily basis that all the rooms were required for guests.   The house is still popular with guests.  Visitors wanting to get a glimpse inside the house must apply months in advance for the chance to take a tour.  The Santa Claus that joined the celebration at the Cowles residence was wearing, not a traditional Santa suit, but the uniform of a Rough Rider.  Junior, the 26th president of the United States, was Theodore Roosevelt.  The house without room for a Christmas tree was the White House. 

Sources:

1.     The Baltimore Sun, December 22, 1901, p.2.

2.     Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon), December 25, 1901, p.3.

3.     St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 25, 1901, p.2.

4.     The Washington Times, December 25, 1901, p.5.

The first day of December brought what, in some ways, may stand as the first day in a new era of Northwestern State athletics.

On an unseasonably warm Friday on the Northwestern State football practice field, 15 dignitaries turned over a pile of dirt, symbolizing the groundbreaking for the multi-million dollar David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center.

The annex that will be located in the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex will include a new 11,600 square foot weight room with space for more than 100 student-athletes, a 25-foot artificial turf pad, a new nutrition center, a student-athlete lounge and offices for the strength and conditioning staff. A second phase of the construction project will convert the current weight room into a high-tech rehabilitation center along with other sports medicine upgrades. The third phase will be the renovation of the current Eugene Christmas athletic training room.

The roughly hour-long ceremony brought to life a project that worked its way through the legislative and fundraising process, much like a football team making its way steadily downfield rather than by virtue of one or two big plays.

“It’s like (State Senator) Louie Bernard said during the program, ‘Sometimes good things take a little bit longer than you think to come to fruition,’” former Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “This project started before COVID. That meeting with David Morgan in (former NSU President) Dr. (Chris) Maggio’s office was Homecoming of 2019. Then COVID really put the brakes on things for over a year. We got it going again. Thanks to a lot of people from the donors to the legislators to the people on campus, I knew it was going to happen. From the first time (current NSU Director of Athletics) Kevin (Bostian) and I talked, it was a discussion point. There was no doubt it was going to get to the finish line. It was a matter of timing more than anything else.”

The timing of Friday’s ceremony came two days after Northwestern State introduced its new football coach, Blaine McCorkle, who attended the ceremony.

During his introductory news conference Wednesday, McCorkle spoke of meeting with Bostian and how Bostian had a “vision for everything” within the walls of the NSU fieldhouse. Friday’s groundbreaking brought some of those closer to reality.

“There are a lot of times you got into a new place and they tell you what they’re going to do,” McCorkle said. “There’s nothing better when you show up on the first day and they’re putting shovels in the ground. That’s pretty exciting to see, and it gives me hope and encouragement that I made the right choice coming here. It’s not just a vision and a reality, and we saw that today.”

Added Northwestern State President Dr. Marcus Jones: “The renovation and expansion of the athletic complex is a major milestone for NSU Athletics. Not only is it a symbol of progress and pride, but it is also an investment in our coaches, staff, student-athletes and future Demons. For NSU to remain competitive, we must continue to recruit the highest-caliber of student-athlete. Modern recruiting standards are based on the expectations of prospective student-athletes, and the quality of facilities is a major factor in the decision-making process of every student-athlete. Being able to showcase a state-of-the-art facility, such as the one that will be built here, will give NSU an advantage over our peers and help us to attract a high-caliber recruit.”

A significant portion of what lies ahead for NSU Athletics as it relates to the center is rooted in what happened on the campus more than half a century ago. David Morgan walked into a business class – “Late,” Sherry Morgan added – and met his wife.

“There were some young ladies there from the business school who were going to take our letters,” David Morgan said. “We were supposed to read a problem in the business book and dictate a letter to the girls from the secretarial pool who came over to class. I walked in, and I surveyed the group. I saw this beautiful, blonde-headed young lady with a Tri Sigma jersey on. I said, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen here before. I’m going to go it by her.’ That began a 50-year relationship and marriage. We just celebrated 50 years of marriage – to the same person, which I think is important.”

When the Morgans announced their $1.5 million lead gift in April 2022, David Morgan called attending Northwestern State a “game-changer” for both he and his wife.

The same could be said for what the Morgans’ donation did to move the project forward.

“The support this project – and Northwestern State University as a whole – received from David and Sherry Morgan cannot be understated nor can it be underappreciated,” Bostian said. “The David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center will benefit current and future student-athletes in much the same way David’s and Sherry’s experiences as Northwestern State benefited them. The work put in by our university administration and our legislative representatives at the local and statewide levels is symbolically recognized here today, but the impact it will have will be seen physically on the fields or on the courts where our student-athletes will compete.”

That impact will be felt outside the walls of the university as well.

“We believe the strength of the university is the strength of our medical center,” said Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kirk Soileau. “As the community grows, we grow as an organization. On behalf of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, our associates, our medical staff and our board, congratulations on this amazing project. Thank you to the Morgans for putting this together and helping this all come together.”

Bernard echoed the Morgans’ sentiments in his remarks.

“There is something about the college experience,” he said. “There is something about going to a university and what it leaves with you. It drips with nostalgia when you come back to your university and you can be proud of it. We’re always going to be proud of Northwestern. There’s not a university, a business, an industry in America that hasn’t had tough times. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. All of these things you see happening today are positive things for Northwestern, and I challenge all of you to stay strong, stay positive. Be more than involved with Northwestern – be committed to Northwestern.”

He was 6-8 and thin as a celery stick in the 1970s, a young athlete all afro and smiles and jump shots. 

“The kids today, they see that afro I had back then — they love that,” says Aaron James. “I couldn’t grow one now.”

Retired in Ruston —  “You better believe it!” says the ex-NBAer and college coach and administrator — James is still all smiles. It would be hard to know him and not like the easy-going, lanky dude who led the nation in scoring as a senior at Grambling in 1973 when he pumped in 32-plus a game.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, the Grambling Hall of Famer, Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Famer, and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer was back on the court, minus the hops and the afro but still hanging with teammates and getting love from fans, just as he did in 1974 when the New Orleans Jazz was born and James was the franchise’s first draft pick.

In Salt Lake City since 1979, the Jazz hosted James and former teammates Truck Robinson — an All-Star forward and still the franchise’s all-time rebound leader — and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich for a weekend, part of a season-long celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Jazz. Similar events are planned through the spring, when the organization will release a documentary featuring former players, coaches and owners titled “Note Worthy: 50 Seasons of Jazz Basketball.” 

“They really did it up nice,” said James of the weekend, one that included “lots of dinners,” a meet-and-greet with four dozen or so fans who’ve had season tickets since 1979, and, from a luxury suite in the Delta Center, watching the Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I love the Pelicans,” said James, whose All-America hoops career began at the Dryades Street YMCA in New Orleans. “But when they play the Jazz, well, I gotta pull for the Jazz.”

He still talks to several of his teammates three or four times a year, something he understands is unusual for former NBAers. E.C. Coleman. Nate Williams. Freddie Boyd. Paul Griffin. Several others. He’s spent time on vacation with Rich Kelley up in Sun Valley, Idaho, where the former 7-foot center lives, and Kelley and his family have attended the Bayou Classic and shared Thanksgiving with James’ family in New Orleans.

“We were close when we played together,” James said of those first Jazz teams. “We were just like family. Of course, that means we’d fight a little bit too. But we were all just really good friends. At least once a month I talk to one of the guys.”

Good times. Back then, if there was a basketball goal within 35 feet or so, James was taking aim, so much so that former NBA star and Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod Hundley called him “AJ From the Parking Lot.”

“I still get that from time to time,” James said. “Somebody will come up to me and say, “Wait … AJ From the Parking Lot!”

When was the last time, I wondered, he shot a basketball?

“Last week when they had me and Truck and Gail on the court during the Pelicans game,” he said. “We each shot a free throw. They missed; I made mine.”

Of course he did.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

The City of Mansfield’s Christmas parade is tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm weather permitting. If it is raining the parade will take place on Sunday, December 10 at 2pm. The parade route will begin at the old Walmart parking lot and end at City Hall.

Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 9 from 9-11am at 203 Hwy 5, Logansport. For more info call 697.2330.

ROCKING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE Santa parade will take place on Saturday, December 16 at 1pm in Stonewall. Line up is at Salem Baptist Church on 3276 just past the fire station if coming from 171 on the right. For more information contact newcombc61@gmail.com