Sheriff Richardson and the Bringing Joye Program would like to remind residents about the “Friends of the Sheriff” decals that are available for pickup from the Mansfield main office or the Logansport or Stonewall substations. If you or someone in your household lives with Autism, Down Syndrome, Deafness, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, PTSD, etc, you can fill out a short form and receive decals for your vehicle and home. The information you provide is entered into the dispatch system.

If there is ever a call to your residence or vehicle, first responders receive an alert prior to arriving letting them know there may be someone sensitive to sirens, lights or otherwise that has been listed on the form. 

The form can be accessed through the DeSoto Sheriff app under the Forms & Tips-Special Needs Awareness.

The average soldier during the American Civil War only experienced combat one day out of thirty. What did they do when they weren’t fighting?

The Mansfield State Historic Site invites you to see the answer firsthand on Saturday, July 6 from 9am till 4pm.

Visitors will witness what the daily life of a Civil War soldier was like including how they trained, what they ate, and where they sheltered during those four years of fighting.

The Friends Group of The DeSoto Parish Library functions as a vital arm of support and promotion of the library as a fundamental component in establishing a healthy society.

One of the many important ways the Friends Group supports the library is in the role of ambassadors as they go out into the community on a daily basis. They bring together citizens who are keenly aware of libraries as a public good and appreciate the library and staff. They also present an unbiased assessment of the library and serve objectively to enhance the library and promote its use.

The Friends Group ultimately seeks to increase and enrich library resources and services through gifts of time and money, endowments, bequests, and fundraising activities. The DeSoto Parish Library places a high value on the Friends Group and is aware of the essential part they play at each of our locations.

If you are interested in becoming a part of The DeSoto Parish Library Friends Group, please contact the appropriate president below.

Logansport Branch Library
Linda Foreman, Branch Manager
(318) 697-2311

Pelican Branch Library
Carrie Laffitte, President
(318) 755-2329

Stonewall Branch Library
Sherry Shockley, President
(318) 925-1083

Jerome “Jerry” Silberman was born in 1933. When Jerry was eight years old, his mother had a heart attack. When she was well enough to return from the hospital, her doctor escorted her and Jerry’s father back to their home. This was in the era when doctors made house calls. The doctor made sure Jerry’s mother was comfortable in bed and gave Jerry’s father a few instructions. Then, the doctor spoke to Jerry in another room. The doctor took Jerry by the arm, leaned over him, sternly looked him in the eye, and slowly said, “Don’t ever argue with your mother because you might kill her.” Eight-year-old Jerry stood there in silence as he tried to process what he had just been told. Then, the doctor continued, “try to make her laugh.” Those instructions changed Jerry’s life.

Jerry followed the doctor’s advice and his mother slowly recovered. When Jerry was eleven, he saw his sister, Corinne, perform in a dramatic recital in front of about 200 people. Before the show began, the people in the audience jabbered away loudly. Then, the lights went down, and a single spotlight shone on his sister. For twenty minutes, the crowd was absolutely silent. Jerry was entranced by his sister’s ability to make the crowd want to hear her every word. Jerry remembered thinking that that was, “about as close to being God as you could get as a human being.” After the recital, Jerry asked his sister’s acting coach to teach him. The teacher asked Jerry his age. When Jerry answered, “eleven,” the teacher responded, “If you still want to when your 13, come see me.” The day after he turned thirteen, Jerry began studying acting.

In high school and college, Jerry studied drama and theater and performed in several Shakespearean plays. His acting earned him a spot in the prestigious Actor’s Studio, a membership organization for professional actors in New York City. His plan was to become a serious actor, but life has a way of changing plans. Throughout his long career in the film industry, Jerry often remembered the words his mother’s doctor told him when he was eight years old; “Don’t ever argue with your mother because you might kill her. Try to make her laugh.” For more than forty years, he tried and succeeded in making us laugh.

As I said earlier, Jerry initially aspired to become a Shakespearean actor. Jerry said, “I didn’t think Jerry Silberman in MacBeth had the right ring to it.” Jerry decided he needed a stage name but was unable to find just the right one. One evening, Jerry went to his sister and brother-in-law’s apartment for dinner. Also joining them was a screenwriter named David Zelag Goodman. During dinner, Jerry explained his stage name dilemma. David saw this dilemma as a fun challenge. Over dinner, David went through the alphabet, beginning with A, and came up with a last name for each letter. David was nearing the end of the alphabet, but nothing seemed right. Then, he came to the letter W. When David said a name that began with W, Jerry said, “the bell went off. I wanted to be Wilder.” Thus, Jerry Silberman became Gene Wilder.

Sources:

1.      “Gene Wilder Interview (HARDtalk Extra 2005) – BBC News,” YouTube, September 6, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYGxF-VLL08&t=4s.

2.     “Gene Wilder: In His Own Words | a Docu-Mini Narrated by Gene Wilder,” Hats Off Entertainment, February 21, 2021,  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoJMkIshGHY&t=170s.

BATON ROUGE—As the temperatures rise, so does the activity of our slithery neighbors. Between April and October, venomous snakes are notably more active, increasing the risk of snake bites, especially for our curious pets. Always supervise your pets during outdoor activities and keep them away from tall grasses or underbrush where snakes may hide.

What Should You Do If Your Pet is Bitten by a Snake?

• Act Fast: Seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Prompt treatment may prevent the most serious effects of a snake bite and help quicker healing.
• Avoid cutting the wound, sucking on it, or tying off the affected limb.
• If it’s safe, snap a picture of the snake for accurate identification, which can be crucial in treating your pet effectively. Do NOT attempt to capture the snake to bring it to the veterinarian.
• Keep your pet calm and quiet.
• Even if you believe the bite is from a non-venomous snake, you should still contact your veterinarian to see if your pet needs basic wound care and to confirm that the snake is non-venomous.

Signs Your Pet May Have Been Bitten

• Sudden yelp of pain, especially if your dog is playing in a potentially infested area.
• Rapid swelling on the legs or face
• Apparent, intense pain
• Fang/puncture marks
• Swelling and redness
• Oozing blood at puncture
• Drooling
• Rapid breathing
• Dilated pupils
• Pale gums
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Paralysis

Understanding Anti-Venom

Anti-venom plays a critical role by blocking the effects of certain snake venom. Administered in a timely manner, it can prevent further health deterioration, though it may not reverse damage already caused by the venom. However, not all snake bites require anti-venom; a veterinarian will carefully evaluate the situation to determine if it is indicated for your pet.

Remember, quick and efficient medical intervention is the best way to ensure your pet’s safety in case of a snake bite. Stay safe and keep a vigilant eye on your furry friends!

In case of after-hours emergency medical care for your pet, LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Skip Bertman Drive is available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you have pets or small exotics, call 225-578-9600; for horses and livestock, call 225-578-9500. For more information about the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, visit lsu.edu/vetmed.

Shared by LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

(SHREVEPORT, Louisiana) – With summer just around the corner and temperatures already on the rise, CHRISTUS Health is stressing the importance of taking necessary precautions when venturing out into the heat.

Extreme heat can lead to health issues, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Dr. Jean Ancelet, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Shreveport, said it’s important to know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Someone with heat exhaustion is obviously not well, but they are still responding to you,” he said. “Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency requiring an aggressive, hospital-based response. Its appearance is more severe, too, with a patient usually becoming unresponsive or at least so confused they can’t follow instructions.”

Ancelet said a quick way to tell the difference between the two is if a patient is aware enough to be coached to drink ice water, it’s not yet heat stroke.

“But heat exhaustion is still serious, and ER evaluation and care may still be necessary to reverse the effects,” he said.

Alan Edwards, supervisor of athletic training for CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, said athletes should constantly drink water to stay hydrated when out in the heat.

“We try to teach them to drink well before they are out there in the heat,” he said. “Gatorade and Powerade, those are also great, but stay away from caffeine and Cokes.”

Edwards said schools in Louisiana must follow a heat and humidity policy, which includes the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.

Wet Bulb is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight and includes temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover. The different levels are color-coded.

When the Wet Bulb is in the black, Edwards said the athletes aren’t allowed outside.

“And if it’s in the red, you can only be out there for an hour in T-shirts and shorts and no equipment,” he said. “You have to have 5-minute breaks every 20 minutes and there’s always water available.”

Ancelet said signs of mild to moderate dehydration in adults include feeling thirsty, a dry or sticky mouth, dry skin, decrease in urination, dark urine, headaches and muscle cramps.

Moderate to severe dehydration signs include dizziness or light headedness, irritability or confusion, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, listlessness, delirium, fainting or unconsciousness.

“We already do a poor job of drinking the recommended amount of water each day. The old rule of thumb of eight glasses of water a day is a suggestion in normal conditions, not in the extreme heat of a southern summer,” Ancelet said. “Where we live, that eight glasses a day rule is a starting point; you’ll need more if you are out in the heat.”

Those most at risk for heat-related health issues are people younger than 15 and older than 65, those who are sedentary or in poor physical condition, or who are overweight or obese, Ancelet said.

“There are also certain chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and cardiac disease, and certain medications which also increase the risk of heat-related illness,” he said. “Patients should discuss their relative risk of heat-related-Illness with their doctor.”

Ancelet said most heat-related illnesses can be avoided. Key strategies, he said, include keeping the indoor temperature closer to the outdoor temperature to minimize the shock of going outside into extreme heat.

“Other strategies include adequate hydration, wearing loose-fitting and light-colored clothing and avoiding activities or work during extreme temperatures,” Ancelet said. “When avoidance is not possible, frequent water breaks, scheduled rest and recovery cycles and close monitoring are recommended.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2024

SHREVEPORT – As an elementary teacher for eight years who completed her undergraduate teaching degree in face-to-face classes, Kendle Davis knows the power of communicating in person.

So the Baton Rouge-area resident had legitimate hesitations when considering pursuing a masters degree online at LSU Shreveport.

But come graduation this September, Davis will walk across the stage for the second time after earning her second master’s degree in 30 months from LSUS.

Davis finished her master’s in educational leadership this spring and is on pace to add a master’s in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in special education leadership by the end of July.

“The quality of education I received at LSUS was no different than in a face-to-face setting,” Davis said. “If I had questions about something or needed clarity on a topic, the professors were very good about talking through Zoom or making time outside of normal sessions.

“The expectations are still as high as classes held in a classroom. I was hesitant about going 100 percent online because I like to talk to people, but the professors made it feel like they were right there with you and not hundreds of miles away. They are really personable, and they really care.”

Davis, who worked as an educational compliance coordinator (Section 504 coordinator) for charter schools after leaving the classroom, just started a new job as a Montessori specialist in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system.

She said LSUS’s program structure in which students aren’t often required to be in front of a computer at a specific time allowed her to work her full-time job and raise her family while pursuing her master’s degrees.

“We would turn in assignments on Thursdays and Sundays, so I’d find time after work hours to dedicate to school,” Davis said. “That flexibility was very beneficial to me.”

Davis also benefitted from LSUS’s online accelerated format, which consists of seven-week terms instead of traditional semesters.

Juggling responsibilities is nothing new for Davis, who pursued an undergraduate degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge after having three children.

“As a young mom who had three children by age 21, I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in their classes – I was like a volunteer classroom mom,” recalls Davis, whose children are now 20, 18, and 16. “Seeing how different teachers were making a difference for my kids and others is what led me to the education field.

“I had a really supportive husband, so I didn’t have to work while going to college (for my undergraduate degree). Without his support, none of this would be possible.”

When Davis started her master’s journey in 2022, she began working toward her special education degree before deciding to transition to educational leadership.

“I felt like I could cover more ground and had more opportunities with the educational leadership degree,” Davis said. “But once I finished that, I was close enough to the special education degree that I decided to just finish it.

“I think having both degrees will be essential because to be a good leader, you need to ensure equity and compliance for your special education population and support teachers in that way.”

Special education isn’t confined to certain teachers in certain classrooms – Davis said those principles are being used by every general education teacher as well.

“There are so many kids who are not identified as special education that need to be, but they go under the radar,” Davis said. “They are barely making the grades.

“So many kids need that support and that advocate. I want to support teachers to ensure that all learning styles are being considered, and that we have inclusion everywhere. When you support teachers, you support students.”

Completing the special education leadership master’s degree cemented Davis’s belief in a special education career path.

Ultimately, she wants to be a special education director of a district or a special education consultant who offers professional development.

Last week, we covered some of the issues with anglers in our lakes and waterways. We talked about daily confrontations as guys compete for water space. Every angler, of course, wants an area of the lake for themselves. Twenty-five to thirty years ago, this might have been possible, but not in 2024! Since the Covid pandemic, it has been crazy how many people have taken to the outdoors, specifically the water, for fishing or just pleasure boating.

So, with so many people on our lakes and rivers, competition for water space is at an all-time high. Today, I will grab my whistle, put on my coach’s cap, and teach anyone willing to listen (boat captains and high school anglers) the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Actually, these rules should apply to all anglers!

Rule #1: Don’t back your boat down the ramp if you’re not ready to launch. This is a major sore spot with anglers as so many times, some will block the ramp by loading all their gear, putting on the running light, loading their rods, removing the trailer bar, and unhooking all the trailer straps. Do all this before you get to the ramp! The same goes for pleasure boaters; do all your prepping away from the ramp. When you reach the ramp, you’re ready to drop the boat in the water and get out of the way.

Next, brush pile’ Rule #2: You don’t own a sunken brush pile. This might be the most controversial topic among tournament anglers and can be a major source of tension. But you must understand that even though YOU spent hours sinking brush piles all over the lake, you do not own them. Once anything is sunk on a public waterway, it is no longer YOUR personal fishing spot; it’s public. YOU DO NOT OWN THAT OR ANY OTHER BRUSH PILE! Anyone and everyone has just as much right to fish that brush pile as the person who put it there.

With all this being said, if I know that an angler in the tournament put out a particular brush top, I’ll honor him by not fishing it. Also, if I see a good friend fishing a particular brush pile, I’ll check it off my list of places to fish out of respect for him.

Here’s the thing about brush piles: most lakes have hundreds of brush piles all over the lake. All you have to do is use your electronics and go find them. This leads us to Rule #4: Go find your own fish! Don’t rely on another angler to find fish for you! Find them on your own! You’ll get greater satisfaction from fishing when you do it on your own.

Rule #4: Don’t cut another angler off! This is the most controversial unwritten rule there is and the one that has created the most verbal wars on the water. Nothing sets a bass fisherman off quicker than another angler cutting them off. If you see a boat going down a stretch of boat docks, grass lin,e or tree line, don’t run in on him and start fishing a few hundred feet in front of him. THIS IS A MAJOR NO NO! Give the angler his space and go at least 300 yards or more before dropping your trolling motor. Or start behind the angler and go away from him which is what he would prefer anyway.

Rule #5: Don’t run up on another boat and shut down on top of them. This is more of a problem on lakes that have a defined boat lane with little to no wiggle room. If another angler is fishing close to the boat lane, shut down at least 40 yards from them and idle by him a few yards before getting back on pad.

In some cases, anglers will motion you with a hand signal, waving you on to stay on pad and run by them. I personally would rather have someone just run by me on pad rather than shutting down and throwing a 2-foot wake on me. A running boat produces a smaller wake than one with a fast idle. But it’s always good to be courteous and let the other angler tell you what they want you to do.

Rule #6: Never drop waypoints with your GPS of another angler’s fishing spot. This one is a major issue with all tournament bass anglers. Just because you see one of the local favorites on a particular body of water fishing in a specific spot does not mean you should idle by him and drop a waypoint. I’ve seen anglers go out of their way to mark another angler’s location only to return and fish in the same spot. If you can’t find your own fish, don’t enter the tournament!

Rule #7: At no point should an angler have a pair of binoculars in their boat! This really makes an angler using them look pitiful. It shows you’re spending time sitting and watching other anglers catch fish while you’re waiting for them to leave so you can fish that spot. Don’t do this! Binoculars have no place in a bass boat!

The next two rules (#8 and #9) apply mainly to anglers fishing in a pro/am tournament. Rule #8: Don’t throw past the front of the boat. This is actually a written rule but also the most overlooked or ignored rule by co-anglers. Some co-anglers think they can cast anywhere they want, but that’s not the case. The co-angler should fish the water from the imaginary line from the middle of the boat to the back of the boat. My advice to co-angler. If you want to fish in front of the boat, then sign up as a boater/pro.

Rule #9: Make sure to help the boater/pro with gas on tournament day. Most guys will never ask for the money, so it’s up to you (co-angler) to offer. It’s pretty much understood that unless gas prices are high, $40 is a good offer. Some boaters/pros may not take it, but it’s a courteous gesture on your part to offer, especially if you covered a lot of water that day.

Finally, Rule #10: Your bass boat is not a rocket ship! You’re not impressing anyone on the lake by going fast. So SLOW DOWN and be courteous and respectful of all boaters. In the words of former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jimmy Johnson, speed kills! Now obviously, he was talking about football, but the same rule applies to going too fast in a bass boat.

Whether we think it or not, we (anglers) do not own any portion of the lake. Everyone is entitled to all areas of any public lake or river. So be respectful of all boaters using the lake. As hard as it can be, exercise patience and try to be nice.

The rules listed above have been passed down to me by previous generations of anglers during my many years of tournament experience. These are things that all bass fishermen need to be reminded of from time to time.

We all get frustrated, but today, lakes and waterways are overrun with boaters and it’s up to us to educate each other as to what is considered acceptable behavior on the water. If you know of anyone, like a boat captain, high school angler, or someone new to tournament bass fishing, please share this information with them. Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and when in doubt, set the hook!

Steve Graf    

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame free entertainment. Some of the greatest sports stars Louisiana has ever produced. Beautiful fireworks, with a sports music bed.

It’s free, this evening, on the Natchitoches riverbank stage, in a cornerstone event of the 2024 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.

The Rockin’ River Fest Concert, presented by Rapides Regional Medical Center, runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30. You are invited to join the party. At no charge!

At 9:15, members of the LSHOF Class of 2024 will be introduced on stage, and celebrated with 10-minute fireworks show set to sports-themed music over Cane River Lake. Then music resumes for another hour.

There will be food and beverage vendors on the riverfront. Front Street’s always fun watering holes/restaurants are just a few steps away.

It’s family friendly. A free interactive kid’s zone presented by Louisiana Propane Dealers under the Church Street Bridge will include basketball, football, golf, and science games for all ages to enjoy.

Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs have been a staple of the concert since it began in 2018, but now as Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members, the popular group gets to headline the musical card. The Moondogs have entertained across the south and are set for another July 3-4 gig on Orange Beach during the Independence Day festivities at the Gulf Coast’s unofficial capital.

Cranking up the party this evening at 6 will be Coteau Grove, an energetic and entertaining south Louisiana band with a wide range of sounds and its own Louisiana Music Hall of Fame recognition.

For a preview, visit the bands’ websites – TheMoondogs.com and CoteauGrove.com – and see and hear what’s going to be on the riverbank stage free of charge this evening in Natchitoches.

If you want to beat the summer heat and enjoy a tasty collection of Louisiana foods and specialty refreshments, there are just a few $100 tickets remaining to join the VIP Taste of Tailgating presented by Hancock Whitney. That party is headquartered inside Mama’s Oyster House, The Blues Room and Papa’s Bar and Grill at 608 Front Street.  To get set up, call LSHOF operations manager Ronnette Pellegrin at 318-332-8539 – none will be on sale this evening.

That party runs from 7-10 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room that will provide exclusive access to the 2024 Induction Class.

Saturday’s Round Table Lunch at Riverside Reserve also still has a handful of seats available – call Mrs. Pellegrin at 318-332-8539.

Saturday evening’s 2024 Induction Reception and Ceremony are already sold out. A crowd of nearly 800 patrons will attend the ceremony.

You can watch live coverage free beginning at 6 Saturday evening on the LPB.org website.

Looking for a new career in DeSoto Parish? Register today for Global Seamless’s job fair being held at NLTCC Mansfield, 943 Oxford Road, on June 26 from 10am-4pm. You can register by visiting the following link https://tinyurl.com/2s4hy4nn

A driver education course will be offered through Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education in July 8-11. The deadline to register is June 21. A mandatory parent meeting will be on June 25 at 6pm in South Hall on the NSU campus. This course will consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and at least 8 hours of practice driving (behind-the-wheel instruction). Participants will receive a certificate verifying successful completion of the course. Proof of age must be supplied for those
taking the course. They must be 15 years old on or before April 2 to be eligible to enroll in this class. For more information or to register for NSU non-credit programs, go to checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355. 

The Battle of Pleasant Hill will hold a work day on Saturday, July 13 from 6am to 1pm. Your help is needed to make repairs to the Battlefield Hall’s roof. Lunch and drinks will be provided. What you need to bring: knee pads and drill. Drill bits will be provided. RSVP to Katelyn Calhoun at 318-658-5785.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is hiring. Start your career today. Use the website link to start your application process and become part of the DPSO Family. www.dpso.org/careers. Next testing date will be held July 20 at 9am at the DeSoto Sheriff Training Center.

Linda Brown
September 18, 1959 – June 15, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2pm at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel – Mansfield

Emmanuel Thomas Sr.
November 26, 1959 – June 16, 2024
Service: Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11am at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel – Mansfield

In light of the recent severe storms that have affected various areas of DeSoto Parish, a need for action has become top priority among various local and state agencies. The DeSoto Parish Police Jury, in partnership with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and Parish Emergency Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC), will begin advertisement for contracts of debris removal beginning June 20.

July 1 will be the targeted date to award the debris removal contract and a CEA with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). The DeSoto Parish Police Jury is currently working in coordination with each town/city government leadership to put together a comprehensive list of effected areas currently in need of debris removal.

This cleanup process will likely begin the week following the July 4 holiday and last about 10 days. Residents in need of debris removal should consider these two important factors prior to that time: First, the debris must be related to the recent severe storms. No other junk, trash or unrelated materials will be picked up. Second, debris cannot and therefore will not be removed from private property. Residents will need to move all debris into the right-of-ways (or near ditches at edge of property) nearest to their property in order for it to be removed. 

There is no need for residents to make contact with anyone to assure debris in their area is removed. This post is for informational purposes only to assure the public that a plan of action is in place.

BATON ROUGE – The first phase of SUN Bucks benefits will be issued this week to approximately 300,000 children, ages 5-18, who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the 2023-2024 school year. A one-time payment of $120 per eligible child will be loaded onto their household’s SNAP EBT card by Friday. (The CAFE portal may not display SUN Bucks benefit category until early next week.) SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of the issuance date, or the benefits will expire and cannot be added back to the card.

“It takes time to stand up a new program like SUN Bucks, and I’m incredibly proud of our team for meeting the challenge. To issue the first round of benefits in just 45 days after sending our notice of intent to participate in this program is an extraordinary feat,” said DCFS Secretary David Matlock. “The eligibility requirements, the expungement window, even the benefit funding process – all of that is different from the Pandemic EBT program, and all of it required system changes for us and for our EBT vendor. It also required the hard work and collaboration of our federal and state partners, and we want to thank them for supporting us through this process.”

SUN Bucks is a USDA-funded program that provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families for the summer months when children are not receiving breakfast and lunch at school.

Phase 2 to begin in late July for school-aged children on Medicaid, TANF, or approved for School Lunch Program. Phase 2 of Louisiana’s SUN Bucks program will include:

• School-aged children (ages 5-18) who received Medicaid (income-eligible), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) or Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) benefits during the 2023-2024 school year.
• Children who received free or reduced-price school meals in 2023-2024 because their family’s income met the requirements of the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP). (Children who attended a Community Eligibility Provision school, where all students received free lunch regardless of household income, are not automatically eligible for SUN Bucks but may apply during Phase 3 if their household income is below 185% of the federal poverty level.)

Phase 2 children are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks benefits and will not need to apply. DCFS is working with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) as well as the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the state’s NSLP-participating schools to gather eligibility information. DCFS will then issue new EBT cards, preloaded with SUN Bucks benefits, to these children beginning in late July. The Phase 2 cards will go out in waves by eligibility group (Medicaid, FITAP, KCSP, NSLP) over the course of a few weeks.

The Phase 3 application period for children not automatically certified as eligible in Phases 1 and 2 will open after Phase 2 cards have been issued.

Because SUN Bucks is a new program with different requirements, not all children who were eligible for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) will be eligible for SUN Bucks, and SUN Bucks benefits will not be issued on existing P-EBT cards.

Phase 1 recipients will receive SUN Bucks on their household’s existing SNAP EBT card. Lost SNAP EBT cards can be replaced by calling 1-888-997-1117, visiting www.LifeInCheckEBT.com, using the LifeInCheck EBT app, or utilizing CAFE. Households with recently closed cases must call 1-888-997-1117.

Phases 2 and 3 will receive SUN Bucks on a new EBT card that will be mailed to the address on file for the child with their Medicaid, FITAP or KCSP case, or with the child’s school. Families should make sure their child’s mailing address is up-to-date with their caseworker and school in order to avoid delays in receiving their cards.

SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days of the issuance date, or the benefits will expire and cannot be added back to the card.

Recipients may use SUN Bucks benefits to purchase SNAP-eligible food items at stores that accept EBT cards.

For more information about Louisiana SUN Bucks, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit sunbucks.la.gov.

For information about other summer feeding programs, visit the USDA SUN Programs page at www.fns.usda.gov/summer. A map of summer feeding sites can be found at www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder. 

Source: Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Facebook page

At 9:52am on Monday, June 17th, DeSoto Parish Sheriff 911 dispatchers took a call regarding a water rescue on a property owned by International Paper. At the time of the call it was reported one male individual in a boat had been in or under the water for several minutes, Sheriff Richardson said in a news release. 

The DeSoto Sheriff Water Rescue and DeSoto FIRE/EMS were dispatched and located the male drowning victim. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene by the DeSoto Coroner.

Further information on the identity of the victim will be provided at an appropriate time when family has been notified. 

Matt Vines

Local high schoolers rack up wins at Mansfield’s summer track meet
With summer track teams from across Louisiana and Mississippi descending on Mansfield High for the fourth annual River Cities Lawrence Word Classic, the local athletes made their mark.

Mansfield’s Zakhia Austin dominated short sprints in the 17-18 age group, winning the 100 meters with a 12.48 and the 200 with a 25.29.

Mansfield’s Jaden Youngblood added a 400 hurdles win with a 56.16 and a second-place effort in the 110 hurdles with a 14.82.

Teammate Ian White wasn’t far behind with a 14.96 in the 110 hurdles (fourth) and a 56.81 in the 400 hurdles (second).

North DeSoto’s Macaylah Tingle took the javelin with a personal record 100-4.75 and added a second-place finish in the 800 meters (2:32.30).

Mansfield’s LaJordan Boykin reached the podium with a third-place finish in the 200 meters (25.99).
The track meet featured athletes from 6 & Under all the way through high school as summer track attempts to expose the next generation to track and field.

River Cities Track Club is the premier summer track organization in Northwest Louisiana with athletes from Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto parishes primarily.

North DeSoto’s McFerren picks up baseball all-state honor
North DeSoto shortstop Blayne McFerren was voted to the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association All-State team for Division II.

McFerren served as the Griffins’ leadoff hitter for a squad that entered the playoffs as a No. 9 seed and advanced to the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champion Lutcher.

The all-state team included six infielders, six pitchers, two catchers, four outfielders, two designated hitters and eight utility players. The team combined select and non-select schools from Division II.
The vast majority of the players, like McFerren, are seniors.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mickey Morgan/Mic’s Pics
A pair of youth sprinters from River Cities Track Club leave the rest of the field behind in a short sprint Saturday at the fourth annual River Cities Lawrence Word Classic at Mansfield High.

It sounds like something you might see in a horror movie. A monster attacks helpless defenseless people who have no way of escape as it mutilates and destroys everyone in its path.

There is a disease spreading across the country among cervids including whitetailed deer, elk, moose that is strikingly similar to the fictitious monster from the movies. When an animal contracts the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), they die; there is no cure.

The Ruston Rotary Club last week heard ULM Professor, Dr. Kim Marie Tolston, share grim details of what happens once deer become affected by CWD. The disease has been documented in 22 states and as of January, 2022, Louisiana was added to that list. The malady so far has only been found in Tensas Parish but neighboring parishes are likely to learn the disease has spread to their locales.

Just exactly what is Chronic Wasting Disease? Dr. Tolston explained it and why it is impossible to cure.
“It is caused by prions that cause the brain of affected animals to form holes much like a sponge. These prions are proteins, not living organisms which means you can’t kill them,” she said.

“How does a dees get these proteins? It has to be ingested and spreads from one animal to another from saliva, urine, feces or other body fluids. If an infected deer feeds at a feeder and for instance drops a grain of corn or two and another deer eats it, it becomes infected.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has published regulations concerning deer that are taken in the control area, which includes all of Tensas Parish along with portions of Madison, Concordia, Franklin and E. Carroll Parishes. These controls include prohibiting of baiting, placement of bait or hunting over bait. In addition, only meat that has been cut, boned out and wrapped with no part of the spinal column or head may be taken from the control area.

Eddie Barnes, Ruston businessman, has a hunting lease in Tensas Parish and he shares his impression of what he has observed since CWD entered Tensas.

“There have been 22 deer that have tested positive in Tensas, our club has shot 16 of them,” said Barnes. “The only way to stop it is to reduce the number of deer. We have some 800 deer on our club and we have been instructed by LDWF to get the number down to 400. We hate to have to do it but it seems the only way we can reduce the spread is to take out lots of deer.

“After we shoot them, they are placed in coolers and LDWF comes and removes the heads and tests them for CWD. The deer that are cleared as not having it are quartered with bones removed, meat packaged and are taken to the Deer Factory in Dubach which processes the meat and donates it to Hunters for the Hungry.”

According to Dr. Tolston, the prions can remain active for at least ten years. “There was a pen where infected elk that had tested positive for CWD and were all shot and removed. Ten years later, more elk were put in the pen and they all contracted CWD because the prion was still active on the ground where they were penned,” she said.

“The disease affects not only mature deer but even fawns have been found with CWD. The only way to help control it is to reduce the number of deer in affected area because if one gets it, likely as not the entire herd will,” she noted.

The monster in the movies that wipes out victims is bad, but it’s just a movie. Chronic Wasting Disease is worse because it’s real. The entire deer hunting industry in Louisiana could eventually be subject to restrictions if CWD continues to spread.

WASHINGTON — Today, the House of Representatives voted to advance the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual legislation which includes major priorities for the Louisiana defense community, particularly Barksdale Air Force Base along with Air Force Global Strike Command and Fort Johnson along with the Joint Readiness Training Center.

The FY25 NDAA contains many quality-of-life improvements, namely:

• 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members
• 4.5% pay raise for all other service members
• Authorizes nearly $1 billion to improve existing barracks, build new barracks, and new childcare centers
• Ensures the basic housing allowance covers 100% of housing costs
• Expands allowances for housing and food for servicemembers
• Requires DoD to base all personnel decisions on individual merit and demonstrated performance

“As we confront increasingly hostile threats from Communist China, Russia, and Iran, we must provide our military with all the tools they need to defend our nation and deter our enemies. This year’s NDAA will refocus our military on its core mission of defending America and its interests across the globe, fund the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border, expedite innovation and reduce the acquisition timeline for new weaponry, support our allies, and strengthen our nuclear posture and missile defense programs,” Speaker Johnson said.

“This legislation also reinforces our commitment to America’s brave men and women in uniform, and their families, by making landmark investments in their quality of life. I’m proud that we’re providing significant pay increases to our servicemembers, reducing barriers to employment for military spouses, and improving military housing and access to childcare.”

“This year’s NDAA also includes significant investments for Louisiana and the 4th Congressional District, which is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, Air Force Global Strike Command, Fort Johnson, and other critically important assets for American national security and military readiness,” Speaker Johnson concluded.

LA-04 Provisions authorized in FY 2025 NDAA or Appropriated in Milcon/VA Appropriations:

Barksdale Air Force Base

• $22 million – Childcare Development Center
• Fully authorizes funding for modernization of the nuclear triad, 2/3 of which are commanded, trained, and equipped at Barksdale AFB
• Language requiring the Air Force to conduct an analysis of the manning at Air Force Global Strike Command to ensure they have adequate personnel to conduct their mission

Air Force B-52 Program

• $1.2 billion for modernization and sustainment of B-52 Bomber Program
• Requires the Air Force to brief Congress on potential modifications to the B-52 to improve crew comfort
• Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the number of B-52s capable of carrying nuclear weapons
• Requires the Air Force to brief Congress on B-52 modifications to improve its airborne electronic attack capabilities

Fort Johnson

• $117 million – Military Construction Projects

Long Range Standoff Weapon

• $834 million for development and procurement of the Long Range Standoff Weapon

In addition, this year’s NDAA:

• Eliminates the DEI bureaucracy and reorients the military back towards its position as a lethal fighting force
• Bans the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, gender transition surgeries, and drag shows on military bases
• Bans the use of Critical Race Theory on base and in DoD schools

Since being appointed to the House Armed Services Committee in 2021, Congressman Johnson has secured:

• Nearly $759 million in military construction projects for the State of Louisiana
• $352.5 million for Barksdale Air Force Base
• $378.8 million for Fort Johnson
• $13.8 million for Camp Minden
• $3.5 billion for the Air Force B-52 program
• $2.67 billion for the Long Range Stand Off Weapon program

Truth be told, this is how MOST people end up saying “My Facebook was hacked.” You play that game, click on an ad or take a quiz and at some point it says, “Login to Share.”

The reality is…you are already logged into Facebook. It is simply a fake page setup to steal your login information.

The next thing you know you have lost access to your Facebook account and all those years of family pictures, and someone is using your account and your name to sell used cars for $300 to scam others.

Don’t fall victim to this very old and very common scam. 

Shared by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office

By Doug De Graffenried

This will give you an opportunity to think about things. The application will be personal and thoughtful.

This is the story of a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain in the land. He began his journey after decades of preparation. But since he wanted glory for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone.

His climb started in the bright sunlight and proceeded until night. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. All was black. Zero visibility since the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, only mere feet from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked down by gravity. He kept falling. . .and in those moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good and bad experiences of his life.

He was thinking now about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden, he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard.

His body was still hanging in the air…Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice by to scream:

HELP ME GOD!

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the heavens answered:

What do you want me to do?

Save me God!

Do you really think I can save you?

Of course, I believe you can.

THEN CUT THE ROPE TIED TO YOUR WAIST. . .

There was a moment of silence: the man decided to hold on to the rope with all of his strength.

The rescue team says that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen. . .his body hanging from a rope. His hands holding tightly to it. . .

Only ten feet from the ground.          

Shreveport, LA – The 48th Annual Red River Revel Arts Festival is set to return to Festival Plaza in Downtown Shreveport from September 28 to October 6, 2024. The highly anticipated festival promises to deliver unforgettable experiences with a vibrant theme to be reflected throughout the festival with stunning art installations, programs, activities, along with being showcased on the official poster artwork. In addition, the Revel has a stellar lineup of diverse musical performances to captivate audiences of all ages, exciting partnership initiatives to enhance the overall experience, and a new transportation option for ease and convenience in getting to and from the festival.

The official poster artwork was painted by New Orleans-based and Jackson Square certified artist Jason Rodriguez and features vibrant colors with symbols unique to our state and imagery inspired by the Dia de los Muertos traditional Mexican holiday. “The “Spirit of Louisiana” piece was inspired by the rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking beauty that surrounds us in the South,” said Rodriguez. “Drawing inspiration from the Spanish influence and iconic imagery of the region, we set out to create a dreamy landscape that also captures the weird essence of our art.” Jason Rodriguez and his wife, Heather, form a dynamic professional artist team, seamlessly blending their talents to create captivating paintings and murals. More information about the artists and their work can be found at http://www.thewonderlandgallery.com. This piece is funded by a competitive grant from the Community Foundation of North Louisiana to produce a celebration of Latino art, dance, and music within the festival programming.

The 48th Annual Red River Revel Arts Festival music lineup features national, regional, and local artists of various genres and styles. Classic Rock band, Jefferson Starship, leads as the headliner for the opening day on Saturday, September 28th, as part of their 50th anniversary world tour that showcases songs from the band, as well as their former and latter iterations as Jefferson Airplane and Starship. Additional headliners include country artists Frank Foster, Chapel Hart, and Trea Landon, southern soul artists TK Soul and LJ Echols, songwriters Dylan Leblanc and Dan Smalley, Afro-Mexican pop group Las Cafeteras, and Cajun/Zydeco rockers Lost Bayou Ramblers. “This lineup is a dynamic mix of musical styles that represents more of our community and offers something for everyone, no matter what day fans attend the festival,” said Logan Lewis, Executive Director of the Red River Revel. A full musical performance lineup is available at http://www.redriverrevel.com. Additional performing artists, including dancers, theatre groups, and children’s programing will be announced at a later date.

The Red River Revel has forged new partnerships to enhance the overall experience through several initiatives for the 48th annual festival, including a new downtown pedicab transportation option, an all-new coffee and cocktail bar, and updated VIP hospitality opportunities. Austin-based company, Movemint, will be offering pedicab rides for a fee to any location in downtown Shreveport throughout the festival dates. Sugarlands Distilling Company from Tennessee and locally owned Lyon’s Pride Coffee have collaborated to offer specialty coffee and cocktail beverage options to festivalgoers. Revelers may now receive nightly access to VIP hospitality, also known as The Balconies, adjacent to the Chase Stage by joining all new ’76 Club. The ’76 Club is an annual membership which includes tickets to the festival, recognition on signage and in the official guidebooks, and one or two VIP tickets that include exclusive Balcony access, free beverages, and festival snacks.

The Primary Sponsors for the Red River Revel are Chase Bank, City of Shreveport, The Alta and John Franks Foundation, Pepsi, Eagle Distributing-Shreveport, and the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier. For more information about the Red River Revel, please visit http://www.redriverrevel.com and follow our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

This week a new College World Series champ will be crowned, and that champ will be from the South, and that is unlikely to change any time soon. 

For the foreseeable future, unless they redo geography, Omaha in June is likely to look a lot like this year’s All SEC-ACC showdown. 

Before LSU won its first NCAA baseball title in 1991 and began a string of southern teams showing up in the CWS as often as biscuits show up with butter, the Bible Belt Baseball Boys were generally out of the running by the end of May. In college hardball, the South just couldn’t hang. Didn’t care, really.

You can take this train of thought back to the inaugural Series in 1947, when California, led by future American League MVP Jackie Jensen, beat Yale two games to none. 

(USELESS INFORMATION ALERT HERE: Yale was the first team to have the popular mascot of Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech was the second. Also, Yale finished 19-10-1 that season, 9-3-1 in the always competitive Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League. The other teams in the league finished either 7-5 or 6-6, which means they were the equivalent of any division in today’s NFL.)

Consider for a moment that Yale played 13 regular-season conference games back then. It was like a college football season today, with every game counting. Also of note (or could possibly be considered as More Useless Information), the Eli Nine were helped to the Series in ’47 by infielder George H.W. “Hot Corner” Bush, the future president, who is rumored to have kept his old Yale glove in his Oval Office desk drawer; never hurts to have your leather handy.

So, the game has changed — the Golden Bears finished the season 31-10 and got to play more games than the weather-addled Yale team — but what’s the same is that Yale and California weren’t from the South then and still aren’t. What the Golden Bears did was start a trend, one aided by the South’s love for football and the West Coast’s love for the more laid-back game of baseball. Pacific and Mountain Time teams would continue to dominate the Series for years, even decades, until LSU came along.

Check the record books pre-1990 and you will see a CWS dominated by Southern California, Arizona State and Arizona. Every now and then, a Texas or Miami would show up. During those formative years, teams from the north had all the impact of a snowball in a five-alarm fire, and that impact is the same today. To put it in perspective, Ohio State won a national title in 1966, the year Bush was first elected to the House of Representatives. A lot has happened since then, but one thing hasn’t: a Northern Team hasn’t sniffed the CWS.

Southern teams have won 11 of the past 14 College World Series — and finished second the three times Southern teams didn’t win it all. 

For years and years, the West Coast had it made, baseball-wise. They had it made for sure — right up until the time the South started caring. And we won’t quit caring any time soon.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – are registered for
the already filled-to-capacity free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations
department. It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Everyone who registered should have received an email Monday with a link to an easy-to-complete JTC
waiver form that needs to be submitted online by Friday at 5. Those who don’t return that form online
will have to complete it Saturday morning before being able to join the fun. JTC organizers are using the
online form to hopefully avoid a bottleneck of kids whose participation could be delayed by having to fill
out the form on Saturday.

If there are questions about the waiver form, or if it wasn’t received, call the LSHOF Foundation office at
318-238-4255. The camp filled to capacity last month.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration this weekend. The JTC
is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in
Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night’s Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the
downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2024 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb
Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium. Due to the full capacity of 350 campers signed up,
it’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then,
campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills
instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes.
Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a
highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills
instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles
and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction,
while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the
second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the
east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being
made.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty

Ladkin, Willie
B M 28
Warrant Desoto Parish
Mansfield

Blomberg, Glenn Ray
W M 47
Possession of CDS IV
Stonewall

Hamilton, Terrence Devoris
B M 41
Warrant Desoto Parish
Fugitive Warrant
Warrant Desoto Parish
Gloster

Campbell, Casey Paul
W M 52
Probation violation
Stonewall

Banks, Willie John III
B M 58
Warrant Desoto Parish
Fugitive warrant
Shreveport

Frazier, Jami Lynn
W F 47
Fugitive Warrant
Logansport

Prim, Dontravious Keyon
B M 23
Warrant Desoto Parish
Shreveport

Green, Fredreka Ransha
B F 32
Warrant Desoto Parish
Mansfield

Williams, Carlan Andre
B M 53
Warrant Desoto Parish
Possession of CDS II
Switched License Plate
Mansfield

Hall, Anthony
B M 57
Resisting an officer
False Swearing with the intent to cause an emergency response
Mansfield

Brent, Cedric Dwyane
B M 39
Fugitive Warrant
Baton Rouge

Tackett, William Chandler
W M 22
Warrant Desoto Parish
Stonewall

Smith Calvin
B M 63
Operating vehicle while intoxicated first offense
Possession of CDS I
Open Alcohol container in vehicle
Driving under suspension
Grand Cane

Johnson, Kaylyn Alexis
B F 21
Driving under suspension
Child restraint required
Proper equipment required on vehicle, display of plate
Shreveport

Robinson, Latedrick
B M 21
Fugitive warrant
Homer

Grant, Rodney Ray
B M 46
Warrant DeSoto Parish
Dogs at Large
Mansfield

Gilliam, Patrick Benard
B M 59
Cruelty to animals
Resisting an officer
Mansfield

Hicks, Glenn Edward
K M 42
Fugitive warrant
Fort Worth, TX

Allen, Tyshay Kelly
B F 27
Possession of THC
Resisting an officer
Baltimore, MD

Cortes, Marcial P
H M 49
DWI
Open Alcohol Container in Vehicle
Grand Cane