By Doug De Graffenried

You can’t drive forward while looking in a rear-view mirror.

You can try and some do.

Ministers spend a great deal of time in a car driving to various places. I enjoy my automotive world. With technology, I can hear the phone ring despite playing my radio loud enough to change my heart rhythm. I play the radio so loud because I don’t hear well after all these years of playing the radio very loud in my car. The vehicle allows the phone call to interrupt my musical moment. I never miss a phone call while driving. When I am alone, the air-conditioning is on the “freeze out” setting. I want to make sure that my glasses fog up heavily when I exit the vehicle. If I can’t see at all, the air conditioning was cold enough. I also look for sermon illustrations while I am driving. Jesus is certainly watching, but I am too! When I raise the phone while driving, I’m not texting. I am photographing.

This morning driving to work, I had the radio loud and the air conditioning on “freeze out,” while I observed the world. In front of me was a black mustang convertible. There was a girl in the car. I could tell because she had her rearview mirror cocked in the “installing make up while driving” position. We sat at the light, and I watched as she applied some ointment, powder, or treatment to her face while the light was red. Because of the angle of the Mustang rear window, I could not tell if she continued applying make-up while driving. She was going “my way” and I did note she was an excellent driver and I’ll bet a super multi-tasker.

I have witnessed full facial make-overs while the person was driving the car. I have seen men put on a tie, send a text message, and read the newspaper at the same time while driving on the Interstate. But I am fascinated by the women who can put on that eye makeup stuff while driving. I have seen mascara going on while the nice lady was driving the car and making a cell phone call. I am amazed. They are doing all of this while looking backwards. The road they are traveling on is out the front window!

But really, you can’t drive forward looking in a rear-view mirror. Jesus said, “If you put your hand to the plow and look back you are not worthy of the kingdom.” Jesus was saying you need to keep your spiritual focus and your life looking forward. If you look back to regrets, mistakes, slights, hurts, sins, or even successes you will miss the beauty of this day. Today is out there, it is not back there!

You didn’t know your car was spiritual, did you?

 All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty

Wagstaff, Jonathan
W M 40
Aggravated Assault with a firearm
Stalking victim under 18
Logansport

Adams, Ted Arlen Jr.
W M 44
Domestic Abuse Battery
Mansfield

Sepulvado, Alexis Payge
W F 23
Obstruction of Justice
Registration not renewed
Converse

Bentley, Kanner Day
W M 32
Simple Burglary
Possession of firearm by convicted felon
Theft of motor vehicle
Stonewall

Anderson, Rhonda Shantay
B F 40
Warrant Desoto Parish
Mansfield

Perry, Joshua Jerome
B M 23istribution or possession with intent to distribute CDS1
Zwolle

Henderson, Quadarius
B M 21
Simple Criminal Damage to property
Mansfield

Hill, Daytrus Oneal
B M 38
Distribution or possession with intent to distribute
Possession of CDS II with intent to distribute
Logansport

Jones, Calvert
B M 45
Possession of schedule I with intent to distribute
Mansfield

Sanders, Dominique Daqunne
B M 35
Resisting an officer
Disturbing the Peace
Disturbing the peace/Drunkenness
Mansfield

Pouncy, Shamanskie Orlando
B M 33
Failure to register as Sex Offender
Gloster

Bounds, Allen
B M 30
DWI
Shreveport

Anding, Gavin Blaine
W M 18
Simple Battery
Logansport

This past week the Louisiana Legislature passed into law a bill that requires the displaying of the 10 Commandments in every public- school classroom in the state. Our young people are trying to survive the cultural cesspool that modern American society has become and being reminded of the eternal principles of morality and faith, and encouraging respect for parents, can only benefit them.

Naturally, the atheist and “civil liberties” groups like the ACLU (which hasn’t found a conservative civil liberty to champion in decades) immediately vowed to sue arguing the display constitutes an “establishment” of religion, notwithstanding the fact that the 10 Commandments also provide the general foundation for American civil and criminal law.

These groups quote Thomas Jefferson, that there should remain “a separation between church and state.” Well, all that our Framers intended by the Establishment Clause was that there be no official state religion of the kind the Pilgrims fled when they settled in America. That is all. The Framers never intended for there to exist this outright hostility to all notions of religion and faith in public life. However, that’s what we have.

Jefferson absolutely favored free exercise of religion and cited as one of his proudest accomplishments the religious freedom law he wrote for his native state of Virginia. Jefferson opposed a mandated state religion. Beyond that, he supported the broadest definition of religious liberty possible.

Back to the new law.

It should be unnecessary but perhaps the way to avoid having the law struck down is by including other historical displays such as the Declaration of Independence, the Mayflower Compact, and the Northwest Ordinance. Perhaps, the Jewish Torah and Muslim Koran as well. By surrounding the 10 Commandments display with other religious and historical displays, it would be imbued with academic, educational, and historical value outside of any religious context.

The current U.S. Supreme Court has been more accommodating of free exercise of religion, including the case of Kennedy v. Bremerton, the “praying football coach” who was fired from his job at a public high school after he briefly knelt after games to offer a prayer of thanks. The Court ruled in his favor, finding that the coach had never attempted to force his players to join him, or based playing time upon player participation in the prayer. Rather, in firing the coach the school district had unconstitutionally punished him “for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance.”

I note that for decades the Supreme Court employed the “Lemon test” in establishment of religion cases. (Lemon v. Kurtzman). The test applies three principles: 1) Whether the “religious” action or display had a clear secular purpose. 2). Whether the primary effect of the action or display would advance or inhibit religion. 3). Whether the action or display would create an excessive government entanglement with religion.

Let’s do a quick analysis:

I would argue the display has a clear secular purpose in that the 10 Commandments have great historical, academic, and educational (and, depending upon how the display is prepared and posted, even artistic) significance aside from any religious connotation. Second, I don’t think a display of the 10 Commandments in Louisiana public schools has the primary effect of advancing religion. I think it primarily contributes to students’ education about American and world history as well as the study of the Bible as an academic pursuit. Finally, it would not create an excessive entanglement with government because a display of this type would simply be present to be noticed or not noticed by uninterested students. It’s no more an entanglement of government with religion than a rendition of the Mona Lisa hanging on the same school wall.

Well, the Lemon test is complicated and confusing and has now been rejected by the Supreme Court which ruled that, instead, the establishment clause “must be interpreted by ‘reference to historical practices and understandings.” I much prefer the new standard because America has many historical practices involving faith and religion in the public square as well as the understanding that such practices are based not only on faith and religion but on our nation’s culture, history, and tradition.

Even if this new law is struck down, it nonetheless has great symbolic value in having existed in the first place. Essentially, the new law—however long it may last—sends an unmistakable message about the values of Louisiana and what we think is important to emphasize in public education.

Royal Alexander

The Village of Grand Cane is celebrating 125 years with numerous events on Thursday evening and a full day of activities on Saturday, June 28 beginning at 10am. 

Community HealthWays and LSU Ag Center will sponsor an Indoor Health & Resource Fair Thursday, August 1 from 10am until 2pm at the 4-H Building in Grand Cane. Along with health screenings, there will be door prizes, food and school supply giveaways. This event is free to the community. For more information contact Maria Bourgeois at 318.658.6409 or Erin Stockton at 318.872.0533.

The DeSoto Parish Police Jury is hiring. Click here to see openings. 

NONE

From grade school onward, Wyatt Adair has drawn inspiration from art. The interplay of colors, layouts, and the power to share one’s creativity with the world has fueled his passion. His journey in the world of art is truly inspiring and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and dedication. That is why the 2024 graduate from North DeSoto High School in Stonewall is the most recent recipient of the DeSoto Arts Council’s (DAC) Scholastic Arts Grant (SAG).

Sophia Tolliver has been Wyatt’s Talented Arts Teacher in DeSoto Parish since he was in sixth grade. Her belief in Wyatt’s potential speaks volumes. His interest in digital art and graphic design, along with his focus on clean lines and composition, sets him apart.

“I believe wholeheartedly that Wyatt has a bright future ahead of him in art and design and that his many skills will take him far,” said Tolliver. She said it is no surprise that Wyatt was invited to attend Louisiana State University to study Business with a minor in Arts, concentrating on Digital Design. “He has always been a step above the rest, and I have every confidence he will continue to bring this same level of excellence to his time in college and eventual career.”

During Wyatt’s visits to towns and cities while growing up, he said he was consistently intrigued by the layout of graphic designs used in corporate advertisements when presenting their products and services on signs and billboards.

“What inspired me the most is when I recreated their process and learned how that particular design had a stronger composition than others,” he said. “Practicing this has caused me to figure out more techniques and how color theory is used when creating the advertisements.”

Wyatt said all these different types of advertisements had led him to pursue a passion he’s always dreamed of… running his own advertising business model. “My goal is to find and create the best way to advertise any type of product or service through billboards or magazines,” he said.

Wyatt’s dream of running his own advertising business is exciting! His passion for creating effective advertisements that resonate with audiences will undoubtedly lead to a successful career. The NDHS graduate said he received the DAC’s cash grant just in time to cover some of his last-minute college-prep expenses. The DAC offers DeSoto Parish seniors and college students an opportunity to apply for the $1,000 cash Scholastic Arts Grant (SAG) to aid in their pursuit of a higher education and study in the performing or visual arts at a college, university, or art training institute. The DAC wishes Wyatt the Best of luck to him on this creative journey!

The DeSoto Arts Council (DAC) is a non-profit organization comprising volunteers and members dedicated to fostering individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the arts in DeSoto Parish. DAC’s grant programs receive funding from generous donations by individuals, community programs, and local businesses. For more information on how you can contribute, download grant applications, and explore the arts in DeSoto Parish, please visit us online at desoto-arts-council-of-la.org.

Source: https://desoto-arts-council-of-la.org

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