Last Friday, April 19, Assistant Chief Huffsteffer and Lt. Garrett Hedgepoth of the Haynesville Police Department served a Grand Jury warrant issued by the Second Judicial District Court in Claiborne Parish.

Christopher Brinson, 39, of the 2000 block of Mitchiner Drive, Haynesville, was arrested for four counts of first degree rape of a minor under the age of 13, one count of sexual battery, one count of lascivious acts on a person under the age of 17.

Brinson was advised of his Miranda Rights and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking. His bond was set at $200,000 per count of first degree rape, $100,000 for sexual battery and $50,000 for indecent behavior with a juvenile, totalling $950,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Robin Bridges, former University of Arkansas Extension Agent for Union County, Arkansas, will present a program at the Claiborne Parish Library on unusual fruits to add tasty and edible landscaping to your own yard.

Robin, and his wife Gail, grow many of these fruits in their own yard here in Claiborne Parish. Bridges explained, “ Many of these fruits are native plants found in Zone 8 and folks don’t think about them being edible.” He added, “They make delicious jams, jellies, and juices that are loaded with antioxidants and are excellent sources for vitamins. Some of the others I will speak about are not normally grown in our area but are hardy enough to withstand our cold and hot, dry climate.”

If you visit our local farmer’s market, then you may have purchased some of the products that Robin and Gail make from their unusual fruits. One of their delicious best sellers is Goumi Berry jelly.

You are invited to attend this free program to be held on Thursday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Library. You will be able to sample some of their unusual fruit products as well as purchase some to take home.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information and to register please call the library at 318-927-3845.

Beginning today, customers will have the option to purchase a  Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp (Louisiana Duck Stamp) online or at their local license vendor.  Customers can continue to purchase these stamps at the LDWF Baton Rouge headquarters office or through the mail. This new service will allow the convenience of purchasing online or at any license vendor.

The 2023-2024 stamp currently available is shown above; beginning on June 1, the new 2024-2025 Louisiana Duck Stamp will be available for purchase (see image below).

Louisiana State Duck Stamp Prices

$5.50 – Resident

$25.00 Non-Resident

Anyone can purchase either stamp, regardless of your residency type.

The Louisiana Duck Stamp began in 1988 with the Louisiana Legislature authorizing the creation of the Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Program, with the purpose of securing revenue to create, enhance, and protect wetland habitats to benefit Louisiana’s ducks and geese.  The projects these funds have facilitated over the years have, and continue to, benefit not only ducks and geese but countless additional wetland birds and other wildlife, in addition to providing and enhancing recreational pursuits of hunters, bird watchers, tourists, and any other citizens that appreciate wetlands, wetland wildlife, and the ecological services they offer. 

To learn more about the duck stamp program and contest, visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-duck-stamp

In my opinion (and I believe most people would agree), teachers are the most underappreciated and underpaid in today’s career field.  

But the most important.  

Most people point out that they are off during the summer months, but are they really? They stay in school after they let out for summer and go right back before the next session begins. Most probably take additional classes to get certifications that they do not have time to obtain during the school year. Some probably work in their classrooms to ensure our kids have an interesting and unique learning experience. A few work summer school because they cannot afford to go on a fancy vacation with just their yearly salary alone.

And some wonder why there is a teacher shortage across America? 

It is because they work as hard as they do with shit pay and the highest expectations.  

They are the ones in the classroom with our children every single day attempting to instill a decent education and teach them skills so that our children can go out and make a difference in the community and in some instances the world.  

I can promise you almost every successful person on the planet can refer to a teacher that inspired them to do what they do. I can name many that inspired me in different ways, but each one of them definitely made an impact and shaped me into the person I am today.  

The first that comes to mind, Mrs. Waites – my third-grade teacher. She was the biggest support system at that age. She always encouraged me and pushed me past my limits. She took the time to really get to know me and my interests and set me up for success even at such an early age. She noticed my interest in writing and still follows my work and sends encouragement every now and then.  

Second, Mrs. Timmons – my middle school science teacher and cheer coach. She wasn’t the most liked, but she was the most controversial teacher at the school. She was the one that taught me not to worry about what others think about me. To keep my head down and focus on myself and what I could control. She also inadvertently taught me not to form opinions about people based on others input, but to take the time to learn about a person myself.  

Third, Coach Cooper – my high school geometry teacher and softball coach. He not only taught me the Pythagorean Theorem (which I am still hoping to use one day), he also taught me self-discipline. To always work harder than the person next to you and to show up even on the days you really just do not want to.  

Fourth, Coach (now Principal) Finley – my high school American History teacher. He really is responsible for my love and appreciation for history. He made learning fun and was always one to joke around and come up with cool and interesting ways to keep us focused. I may have majored in journalism, but I think I had more history credits than anything else.  

Lastly, Mrs. Ramsey – my high school English teacher. She was never short on praise, but on the other hand she was never short on criticism. When you did a good job, she let you know, but when you did not, she also let you know. I always loved writing, but I do not think it was until I took her class that I realized I wanted to make a career out of it. I loved her passion for teaching and always left her class feeling inspired.  

Teachers are the backbone of our society and its future. So, let’s rally behind them every chance we get and never miss an opportunity to help out or show them just how important they truly are.  

(Paige Gurgainers is a mother of three, digital journalist for the Webster Parish Journal and publisher for Bienville and Claiborne Parish Journal.)

The Louisiana Departments of Health, Environmental Quality, and Wildlife and Fisheries issued a series of fish consumption advisories for 11 bodies of water. These most recent advisories include one new warning and updates to ten previously issued warnings.

The state issues precautionary advisories when unacceptable levels of mercury are detected in fish or shellfish.

The Department of Environmental Quality conducts fish sampling. LDH then uses this data to determine the need for additional advisories or to modify existing advisories. Each advisory lists the specific fish, makes consumption recommendations, and outlines the geographic boundaries of the affected waterways.

The individual advisories for the following bodies of water are linked below.

Bayou Dorcheat (Updated Advisory)
Black Bayou Lake (Updated Advisory)
Black Lake and Clear Lake (Updated Advisory)
Caddo Lake (Updated Advisory)
Corney Lake (Updated Advisory)
Grand Bayou Reservoir (Updated Advisory)
Ivan Lake (Updated Advisory)
Kepler Creek Lake (Updated Advisory)
Toledo Bend Reservoir (Updated Advisory)
Vernon Lake (Updated Advisory)
Lake Maurepas (New Advisory)

Because of mercury contamination, there are now fish consumption advisories for 51 waterways in Louisiana and one for the Gulf of Mexico.

Louisiana fish consumption advisories are based on the estimate that the average resident eats four meals of fish per month (one meal = ½ pound). Consuming more than this from local water bodies may increase health risks.

Mercury is an element that occurs naturally in the environment. Consequently, there are small amounts of mercury in the sediments of streams, lakes, rivers and oceans. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of mercury. They absorb mercury as they feed on aquatic organisms. Larger predator fish contain more mercury than smaller fish. It is recommended that smaller fish be consumed instead of larger ones.

People are exposed to low levels of mercury throughout their lives. Health effects from harmful levels of mercury can include nervous system and kidney damage. Young children and developing fetuses are more sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. Therefore, consumption advisories are issued at lower fish tissue concentrations for women of childbearing age and children under seven years of age.

The full text for each advisory is posted online at http://www.ldh.la.gov/EatSafeFish or is available by calling 1-888-293-7020. You may also access the information by downloading the Department of Environmental Quality’s new app which is available through Google Play and the Apple Store. Enter the search term: LA Fish Advisories.

This is one of the original red bricks of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. When drying, a pig walked across the wet brick and left his foot print. Construction began on our beautiful courthouse in 1857, and it was built with red bricks fired in local kilns and lumber from Middlefork Bottom.

Final settlement was made with contractor  W. C. Crutcher on September 3, 1861 for $12,304.36. The building is a classic example of Greek architecture. A 30-inch bell was housed in the octagonal-shaped roof dome. It was used to summon citizens to court sessions, to community events and to town fires.  Later when the supporting beams weakened, the bell was removed.  It now rests in its permanent home, the Ford Museum.

 Although the courthouse appears to be square, it is actually a rectangle. The north and south sides of the building measure 63 feet in length, and the east and west sides are 53 feet in length.  The 20 massive columns that surround the courthouse were placed closer together on the north and south sides creating the illusion of a square.  The red bricks have now been painted white. 

The beautiful Claiborne Parish Courthouse is one of only four antebellum courthouses still standing in Louisiana.  It is the only one that still functions as a courthouse.

Please help the Herbert S. Ford Museum preserve our region’s rich history and culture. Giving is now open. Be a philanthropist and donate to our Give for Good Champaign. Go to https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/organization/herbertsfordmemoralmuseum

No Amount is too Small!!!!

The 2nd annual City of Lights crawfish cookoff hosted by the Natchitoches Parish Fair Board will be held on May 4th at the fairgrounds. Teams will be boiling their best recipes competing for cash prizes and people’s choice.

This event is open to the public, 11 am to 5 pm for only $30 – all-you-can-eat crawfish!!! There will be live entertainment provided by the Comeback Kids & the Born to Boogie band. A Taste of Heaven Food Truck, Cane River Pizza Co., snow cones, Murphy’s Sweets & eats, a bouncy house play area for the kids, and Antoons will be selling beer to that id as 21 and over. 

No ice chests or outside food or drinks will be allowed, bags will be checked, and lawn chairs are recommended. Visit our 2nd annual City of Lights crawfish cookoff Facebook page to find sponsorship and /or registration information to enter a team or to purchase pre-sale tickets.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the NRMC Cancer Center. So come to the fairgrounds on May 4th to support this great cause.

The official start of spring was March 21. For many, it is that time of year when daylight hours are increasing, bringing warmer days and nights, and it starts encouraging people to spend more time outside. The vegetable gardener is one such person. They start by collecting soil samples, to know the proper nutrients needed for desired crop, and monitor the weather for the optimum time to plant their vegetables. Below are examples of vegetables that can be grown during the spring and summer:

Plants Dates to plant How to plant Spacing Harvest

Snap Bean: 3/15-5/15,  plant seed 1/2inch deep,  2-3inches, 48-55 days

Sweet corn: 3/1-5/15, plant seeds 1/2inch deep, 10-12inches, 69- 92 days

Peas: 4/15-7/31, plant seeds 1/2inch deep,  4-6 inches,  70-80 days

Hot Peppers: 4/1-6/15, transplants 1 inch deep,  12-18 inches, 70- 80 days

Bell Peppers: 4/1-5/30, transplants 1 inch deep, 12-18 inches, 70- 80 days

Tomatoes: 3/20-6/30, transplants 1 inch deep, 18-24 inches, 60- 75 days

Watermelons: 3/15-6/30, plant seeds 1/2inch deep, 36-60 inches, 90-110 days

Pumpkin: 6/15-7/10, plant seeds ½ inch deep, 36-60 inches, 60-120 days

Squash: 4/1-8/31, transplants 1 inch deep, 2-36 inches, 50-90 days

You may be thinking I do not have room for a traditional in-ground garden. A simple solution for limited space is a raised bed, window boxes, or simply in 5-gallon buckets. Many of the warm season crops listed, along with others not listed, do well in containerized gardening.

This is not a complete list of warm season vegetables. These are just the ones I enjoy growing. For more vegetables and varieties, please contact John Monzingo at 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371.

It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.

My advice to upcoming graduates: You are a few years away from beginning your professional life, but you are only weeks away from planning for it. The decision you make about your professional life should be the easiest decision you ever make — your career should be about one thing: passion.

It’s not about money or prestige or power or fame. It’s about passion. Once you find your passion everything will come together. Someone once said, “Do what you love to do for a career, and you’ll never work a day in your life” — that’s passion. Find your hobby and see if you can get paid for it. To be successful in your professional life, find your passion, because success always follows passion.

When it comes to your personal life, it’s all about priorities. It’s not just about fun. It’s as simple as that. Arrange your priorities in the correct manner and fun will present itself with little, or no, effort. But it’s got to be the right kind of fun, and it’s got to come in the right places.

That’s where it gets tricky. It’s probably going to take you a long time to figure out how to be a success in your personal life and how to find the true source of fun — it’s not at a college party or at someone’s apartment at 3 a.m. Those fleeting moments may be temporarily enjoyable, but you’re never going to achieve a fuller life at a college party. Learn the difference between happiness and pleasure. 

The things that truly matter are: Faith, family, friends, food and fun. Once you’ve mastered the first four — in order — the fun will have already happened. You don’t need to go looking for it.

Go out and make a difference. Befriend the underdog. Laugh a lot. Make others laugh a lot. Visit a nursing home. Make them laugh a lot. Hug your parents long and hard. Hug them so long that they’re the ones who let go first. Hug your favorite teacher. Thank him or her. If you don’t appreciate them today, I promise you that you will soon. Hug the teacher you liked least, too. They probably worked just as hard; you just don’t appreciate that yet.

Take care of your teeth. Walk a lot. Drink milk. Don’t hate. Stay in touch with your friends. Make new friends. Share a meal with your friends. Travel. Eat French fries. Be nice. Be bold. Behave. Spend time with your grandparents. Love your neighbor. Love your neighbor’s neighbor. Love your neighbor’s grandparents.

Don’t go broke trying to look rich. And don’t waste time worrying about the doors that have closed behind you. Doors will always open in front of you. Be open to new experiences, that is where opportunity lives. Always keep moving forward. The happiest and most successful people try to be a little bit better every day— a better son or daughter, a better friend, a better team member, a better citizen. You don’t have to be a lot better, just a little better. The only person you should ever compare yourself to is yesterdays you.

When you’re thinking positively about someone, let them know. Call them immediately and say, “I know this sounds weird, but life is short, and when I think of something I want to get it out. I have always been so impressed by the way you do_______” Or, “I think you are a great parent.” Or “I truly value your friendship.” One day you’re going to have the last conversation with someone you love. Make sure it comes from a place of love and is one you can live with for the rest of your life.

Make mistakes. Then don’t sweat the mistakes you’ve made. Learn from your mistakes. Go out and make more mistakes, you’ll get it right eventually. Forgive others for their mistakes. That whole “do unto others” thing is great advice. Floss every day. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Don’t be so hard on others. Just make it a general rule not to be hard.

Find your “one thing.” Your one thing is something beyond your family life and professional life that makes your neighborhood, city, or state just a little better. It can be as simple as going out once a week and picking up trash on the side of the same road or volunteering at your local school to read to students.

Think big or think small— start a local festival, promote local sports, feed those in need— just do one thing. If everyone in a neighborhood, city, or state did just one thing to make it a better place to live think of how great things could be. It doesn’t have to be a big thing; it just has to be one thing. It can be infectious, and it can start with you.

Volunteer where you feel led. Don’t just “give back” (to “give back” you must have received something first) just give, and then give some more. Give of your time, give of your resources, and give your love. When you think you’ve given enough, then give some more.

Don’t forget the laughing thing. Don’t forget the hugging thing either. Don’t forget any of it. Focus on faith, family, friends, food, and fun. Find your passion. Make that your career. Then go be passionate and have fun.

Onward

Congratulations and good luck, Robert

Muz’s Fudge Cake

Makes 9 brownies
Preheat oven to 350 F

2 ounces Bakers Chocolate, unsweetened

2 sticks unsalted butter

4 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Non-stick-spray

Melt the chocolate and butter together over a double boiler. Once melted, stir well and set aside to cool slightly. The cooled chocolate should remain in liquid form. In a medium-sized mixing bowl beat the eggs until light and fluffy. Gradually whisk in the sugar until completely incorporated. Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Slowly incorporate the flour and sifted cocoa. Fold in the vanilla, nuts and salt. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for five minutes. Carefully flip the brownies onto a serving platter and let cool completely. Remove the parchment paper and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

If you have followed The Copper Whisk for awhile you know that Mom’s Brownies are THE #1 recipe on my website! Now you can make and serve this absolutely delicious White Chocolate Sauce alongside the brownies for dipping. It is without a doubt the perfect partner. I love it for strawberries too.

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 egg yolks

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ teaspoon salt

1 package white chocolate chips

Directions

In a heavy sauce pan simmer bring heavy cream to a low boil.  As soon as it boils add egg yolks. Whisk rapidly, and as soon as eggs are incorporated well remove from heat. Stir in sugar, vanilla, salt, and white chocolate chips.  Stir until white chocolate chips are melted.  You can let simmer on low heat to thicken if you like, but at this point the sauce is ready. 

I like to make this ahead of time and refrigerate as it will thicken as it cools.  This is so so fantastic with Mom’s Brownies, strawberries, graham crackers, and pretzels. 

(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)

Please send all non-profit calendar events to cpjnewsla@gmail.com

April 23- May 7

Give for Good – Ford Museum 

May 4 (8 a.m.)

Rocky Spring Baptist Church – Children’s Ministry 2-Man Scramble at Homer Golf Course

May 7 (6 p.m.)

Summerfield High School Athletic Banquet

May 11 (5 p.m.)

Summerfield Academic Foundation Annual Fish Fry & Auction

June 11 

2024 Mr. and Miss Juneteenth Pageant – Homer City Hall 

October 7 – 11 

Claiborne Parish Livestock Show 

Notice of Death – April 25, 2024

Mary Ann “Queen” White

Homer, La. 

Wake: Friday, April 26, 2024, 5 – 7 p.m., Memorial Funeral Home, Arcadia, La. 

Funeral service: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 2:30 p.m., Memorial Funeal Home, Arcadia, La. 

Interment to follow at St. Duty Cemetery. 

Marcus Patillo 

May 31, 1969 – April 17, 2024

Minden, La. 

Funeral service: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 11 a.m., Mt. Zion CME Church, Minden, La. 

Interment to follow service at Sheppard Street Cemetery, Minden, La. 

Marshall Woodard

Aug. 13, 1938 – April 21, 2024

Arcadia, La. 

Funeral service: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 2 p.m., Alabama Baptist Church, Arcadia, La. 

Interment to follow at Alabama Cemetery, Arcadia, La. 

Roy Franklin McClure

Nov. 01, 1947 – April 14, 2024

Homer, La. 

Memorial service: Friday, May 3, 2024, 10 a.m., St. Margaret Catholic Church, Homer, La. 

Interment: Lisbon Methodist Cemetery, Lisbon, La. 

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or bpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)

You are invited to meet Victoria Edwards, the daughter of one of Louisiana’s most noted politicians, Thursday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. She will speak about her new book: The Life and Times of a Governor’s Daughter.

Edwin Edwards served a record-breaking 16 years as governor of Louisiana. He impressed us, enraged us, and entertained us; his flamboyancy rivaled that of Huey P. Long.

Victoria Edwards, the second oldest child of Elaine and Edwin Edwards, has a lot to say about her father and their relationship in her autobiography.

Victoria Edwards, a former model, actress, and high school teacher has noted in interviews that the rocky relationship with her father could be traced to two basic things: they were very much alike, and because she was bipolar, a diagnosis she did not receive until her 40s. Her new book is a mix of autobiography, poetry, musings, cats, and lots of photographs!

Her life has been very different from the average person because her father was in politics for so many years. His high-profile political life influenced her, resulting in some very unusual experiences, many exciting adventures, a lot of heartache, and much joy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn some interesting history about one of Louisiana’s most famous political families! Join us on Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Library, 909 Edgewood Drive in Homer. This program is open to the public, no registration is required, and light refreshments will be served.

The nickname for this small instrument, the ocarina, is “little goose.”  Its unique sound is produced by blowing through the mouthpiece and covering the “tone holes”. The ocarina belongs to a very old family of instruments, believed to date back over 12,000 years. Ocarina instruments come in a variety of shapes and designs. This and other instruments, typical of the 1800s and early 1900s are on display in the Ford Museum.

Please help the Herbert S. Ford Museum preserve our region’s rich history and culture by donating to the Museum through the Give for Good Campaign. The campaign runs April 23-May 7, 2024.

Click on https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/organization/herbertsfordmemorialmuseum  to make your donation. The campaign is April 23-May 7, 2024.  No amount is too small, and every donation will go into the restoration of the Ford Museum.

For more than 60 years, people have accused Eddy of at least five murders, but the evidence against him is only circumstantial.  When confronted with evidence which proves Eddy’s innocence, people who believe in Eddy’s guilt cry conspiracy, of which there is no evidence.  Let us take a brief look at Eddy’s supposed crime spree.

The first murder happened at about 3:40 on the morning of August 31.  A man named Charles Allen Cross was walking to work when he discovered what he initially thought was a tarpaulin on the ground at the entrance to a horse stable.  Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the body of a woman later identified as 43-year-old Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols.  Polly was lying on her back with her eyes open.  Her legs were straight, and her skirt was raised above her knees.  Another man on his way to work, Robert Paul, approached and spoke briefly about the deceased woman.  They pulled her skirt down to preserve her dignity, then ran to fetch policeman Jonas Mizen who was only a short distance away.  When the policeman arrived, Polly’s legs were still warm.  Surgeon Dr. Llewellyn determined that Polly had been dead for approximately 30 minutes.  Eddy was over 200 miles away at the time of the murder.

At about 5:15 on the morning of September 8, Albert Cadosch, a resident of 27 Hanbury Street went into his yard to urinate.  He heard a woman say “No, no!”  Then he heard something hit the fence dividing his property with 29 Hanbury street.  He thought little of it at the time and went back inside.  The mutilated body of 47-year-old Annie Chapman was discovered less than 45 minutes later by John Davis, an elderly resident of 29 Hanbury Street.  Again, Eddy was over 200 miles away at the time of the murder.  

At about 12:35 on the morning of September 30, policeman William Smith saw Elizabeth “Liz” Stride with a man at number 40 Berner Street.  The man was carrying a package that officer Smith later said was about 18 inches long.  With no reason to suspect anything, officer Smith continued on his patrol.  Approximately 25 minutes later, Louis Diemschutz drove his horse and two-wheeled cart into the poorly lit Dutfield’s Yard.  His horse abruptly shied to the left to avoid a dark object lying on the ground.  Louis struck a match and saw a dead body lying on the ground.  She was still bleeding from a single knife wound on her neck.  Louis ran for help.  When police arrived, parts of Liz’s body were still warm.  They suspected that the killer had been interrupted by Louis.

At precisely 1:44 on the same morning, just 44 minutes after Liz’s body was discovered, policeman Edward Watkins discovered the mutilated body of Catherine Eddowes lying on her back in the southwest corner of Miter square.  Officer Watkins had passed through Miter Square 14 minutes earlier, but the body was not there at that time.  (According to google maps, the average person can walk the distance between the location of Liz’s and Catherine’s murders in just 17 minutes.)  At the time Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes were killed, Eddy was over 500 miles away.

Sometime between 3:30 and 4 o’clock on the morning of November 9, Elizabeth Prater, who lived directly above Mary Jane Kelly’s apartment, along with a guest, Sarah Lewis, heard a scream.  This being the roughest part of the city at the time, screams during the night were nothing new.  They thought little about it at the time.  At about 5:30 that morning, Elizabeth walked past Mary’s door but saw nothing out of the ordinary.  At about 10:45 that morning, Thomas Bowyer went to Mary’s room to collect the rent which was six weeks overdue.  He knocked on the door but got no response.  He went to the window, but the curtains were drawn.  He removed a piece of cloth which had been used to plug a broken windowpane and pulled back the curtain.  Thomas was shocked to see the extensively mutilated body of Mary Jane Kelly. 

Investigators believed Mary had died sometime between 1:45 and 8:00 a.m. that morning.  They determined that her body was so badly mutilated because the killer struck in a private room which enabled the murderer to take his time.  The murder of Mary Jane Kelly is considered by most to be the last of the murders some claim Eddy committed.  Eddy was over 100 miles from the scene of the murder. 

Eddy was never questioned by police, nor was he a suspect during his lifetime.  Three years after the last murder, Eddy was engaged to be married.  By all substantiated accounts, Eddy was in perfect health until a couple of weeks before his wedding date.  Eddy became ill with influenza which turned into pneumonia.  He never recovered and died at the young age of 28.  Could Eddy have been the murderer?       

For any investigation, police try to determine whether a suspect has an alibi and must judge the strength of the alibi.  Eddy had many alibis.  In fact, his movements were being tracked by newspapers all over the country, not because he had done anything wrong, but because of who he was.  Based on newspaper accounts alone, Eddy could not have been the murderer.  Even the Queen of England could have vouched for Eddy.  In her journal, she recorded that on September 30, 1888, the date that the killer murdered two women in less than an hour, she had lunch with Eddy over 500 miles away.  You see, Eddy was the family’s nickname for Prince Albert Victor.  He was the grandson of Queen Victoria and second in line to the English throne.  Despite the numerous books and films on the subject, Eddy, Prince Albert Victor could not have been the murderer known as Jack the Ripper.

Sources:

1.     Western Daily Press (Bristol, England), August 28, 1888, p.3.

2.     The North Star (Darlington, England), September 8, 1888, p.4.

3.     The Yorkshire Herald and the York Herald, September 29, 1888, p.16.

4.     The Gloucestershire Echo, November 5, 1888, p.3.

5.     “Casebook: Jack the Ripper – Prince Albert Victor,” Casebook.org, 2019, https://www.casebook.org/suspects/eddy.html.

It’s finally time to put the topic of forward-facing sonar to rest. Last week I gave a great breakdown on this topic. Now, I’m tired of all the debates of banning this new technology. I’m tired of hearing all the whining from anglers who either can’t master it or just refuse to learn it. It’s time to put this topic to rest and move forward!

This controversy is no different than any other issues that have risen in other sports. This is not about some drug that is enhancing an angler’s ability to perform and fish better. It has nothing to with any one angler having a bigger advantage over another. Why? Because every angler has the right and access to the same technology as the next one.

The problem with this controversy is the fact that it’s not the young anglers who are complaining. It’s the guys who have helped build the sport of professional bass fishing into what it is today. It’s the legends of the sport and guys who have made a good living fishing with B.A.S.S. or Major League Fishing (MLF).

They don’t like the fact that today’s young anglers are stepping out onto the big stage and not just competing with them, but winning tournaments. They feel that forward-facing sonar is the only reason this is happening. So rather than get on board and get better with it, some have chosen to file complaints.

 I relate to this topic the same way I had to become a better hitter in order to get the opportunity to get drafted by Major League Baseball. 

One thing that separates an average hitter from a great hitter is the ability to hit the curve ball. This one thing has kept more baseball players out of the highest level than any other baseball skill. 

Until I got better and learned how to go with the pitch, I was only an average hitter. But I spent two years of my college career getting better with countless hours hitting in a batting cage and working off a batting tee. This was hours of what is referred to as soft toss and programing my body to hit the curve ball and go with the pitch.

I didn’t go and complain to Major League Baseball and push for a “no curve ball rule!” No, I worked at it and got better by putting in the work! This same effort needs to be applied by these fishing pros. Instead of using the offseason to go hunting, it might be a good career move to get on the lake and get better using forward-facing sonar. 

Here’s some food for thought. If the older anglers on tour were winning with this new technology, would anyone be complaining about it? If Rick Clunn or Kevin Van Dam was kicking everyone’s butt with it, I’ll bet a dollar-to-a-donut that all pros would be figuring out how to get better with forward-facing sonar! 

So, for all the anglers that just can’t seem to grasp this new forward-facing technology, you’ve got two choices:  either get better with it or load your boats and go home. You cannot stop technology in an age where a new computer today is out of date before the end of the month you bought it. 

It’s like any other advancements in the bass fishing world, forward-facing sonar is here to stay. Stop waiting on B.A.S.S. or MLF to make rule changes to accommodate the older anglers. In the words of my team partner who got tired of my negative complaining, “Shut up and fish you big baby!”

Steve Graf                                                                                         

Angler’s Perspective