The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies.
10/01/24
Daniel Unsworth of Haynesville was arrested by the Haynesville Police Department for trespassing, drug paraphernalia, burglary and an active warrant.
10/05/24
Mark McLelland of Junction City was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for domestic abuse battery.
Trevor Gilbert of Homer was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for aggravated flight from an officer, possession of Schedule I, reckless operation and speeding.
10/07/24
Huey Weeks of De Berry, Texas was arrested by the Haynesville Police Department for a bench warrant and prostitution.
10/08/24
Anesta Turks of Homer was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for possession of Schedule I, possession of marijuana and introduction of contraband into a penal facility.
Jailan Turks of Homer was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriiff’s Office for introduction of contraband into a penal facility, illegal carrying of a weapon with a controlled dangerous substance and possession of Schedule I.
Justin Turks of Homer was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a felon, introduction of contraband in a penal facility and illegal possession of stolen firearms.
10/12/24
Darrell Goad of Homer was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for driving under suspension, failure to appear and speeding.
Jacobe Williams of Dubach was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for unauthorized entry.
Keyon Smith of Dubach was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office for unauthorized entry and as a fugitive from another state.
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.
Please send all non-profit calendar events to cpjnewsla@gmail.com
October 19
Louisiana Legends Fest – Vendor Registration is now open
October 19 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Harvest Time Homer at Gracious Plenty
October 22 (5 p.m.)
Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services Advisory Board Meeting
October 26 (6 – 7 p.m.)
Haynesville Quarterback Club – Fish Plates $10/each
November 8
Computer Workshops hosted by the Claiborne Parish Library
Funeral services honoring Ms. Edith Juanita Abbott Christoph, will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Athens. Burial will follow at Tulip Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, prior to service.
Edith Juanita Abbott Christoph was born August 5, 1931 in Colorado. She went to be with Jesus on October 12, 2024. She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and felt called to teach. She and her husband married in 1950. They lived in Florida for twelve years. The family moved to Louisiana in 1969. Mrs. Christoph started working as the daycare supervisor at Mt. Olive Christian School in 1980 when the school opened. She worked in that capacity until 1994 when she had her first heart attack. She stopped working for a couple of years then went back as the kindergarten teacher. She did this until 2001 when Mr. Christoph’s health declined. After he passed away, of course, she could not stay away from the school. So she started working again until she retired in 2017. She poured her heart and soul into the children at MOCS, and they all loved her and still remember her.
She had the sweetest spirit and had a sense of humor up until just before she died. She loved her family fiercely. She always wanted to know what was going on in their lives. She had a sharp mind and was able to remember what everyone was doing. Later in life, she learned how to use Facebook and tried to keep up with everyone that way. But she found her true joy getting to talk to her family whether on the phone or in person. She never complained and always thought about others before herself.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ola Marvin and Harriett Ella Kain Abbott, her husband of over 51 years, Manning Christoph, her sisters, Bonnie, Leona, Dorothy, Barbara and brothers Raymond, Edward, Irving, and Robert; and grandson, John Christoph.
She is survived by her brother, Richard Abbott of Fredericksburg, VA, her daughters Linda Christoph Gantt (Len) of Athens, LA, Marlene Christoph of Athens, LA, Christine Christoph Bullock (Ronnie) of Homer, LA, her sons Steven Christoph of Athens, LA, and Marvin Christoph (Marie) of Lufkin, TX, grandchildren, Jewella Newlen of Athens, LA, Tammy Gantt Jump (Nathan) of Athens, LA, Jason Gantt (Tammy) of Homer, LA, Jeremy Gantt (Jennifer) of Ruston, LA, Kristopher Darden (Jessica) of Stuart, FL, Christen Barnett of Homer, LA, Chester Christoph (April) of Lufkin, TX; Jacob Gantt (Jade) of Homer, LA, great grandchildren, Jasey and Jossy Gantt, Morgan Carroll Davis (Bradley), Madelyn Carroll, Blake Newlen, Jace and Coy Christoph, Harper and Emery Darden, Brieanna, Lissa and Dixie Barnett, Makayla Gantt, Natalie Bullock, Brandon, Sarah, Lilly, Madeline and Christopher Culver; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends that were more like family.
The family would like to thank all of the doctors that have taken care of her over the years and Passages Hospice for caring for her the last few weeks.
Honoring Ms. Christoph as pallbearers will be Jason Gantt, Jeremy Gantt, Kristopher Darden, Jacob Gantt, Chester Christoph, Blake Newlen. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Jump and Luke Smith
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Christoph’s memory to Mt. Olive Christian School.
Notice of Death – October 15, 2024
Edith Christoph
Aug. 05, 1931 – Oct. 12, 2024
Athens, La.
Visitation: 10 – 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Athens, La.
Funeral service will immediately follow visitation.
Interment will take place at Tulip Cemetery.
Teri Lynn Sullivan Godrey
Aug. 14, 1976 – Oct. 10, 2024
Castor, La.
Funeral service: 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Faith Baptist Church, Ringgold, La.
Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor, La.
Trudie Smith
Aug. 04, 1943 – Oct. 04, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.
Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, St. John Baptist Church, Lillie, La.
Interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Haynesville, La.
Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or cpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
By Shawn White
Under the Radar NWLA
Another split week in Claiborne Parish as the Homer Pelicans are still trying to find their footing in their new district in 2A as one of the other newcomers Union Parish beat Homer 49-14.
Haynesville on the other hand remained undefeated as they moved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in district. The Golden Tornado cooled off a surprisingly hot Lincoln Prep team.
Union Parish 49, Homer 14
The Pelicans (1-4, 0-1) had another 100-plus yard game by Gregory Williams last Thursday night in Farmerville. Williams had 17 carries for 182 yards and two touchdown.
Quarterback Kevin Williams was 8-for-13 tossing for 69 yards and a touchdown. Top receiver was Spencer Dunn with 4 receptions for 69 yards.
Haynesville 45, Lincoln Prep 6
Haynesville continued to dominate with a 45-6 thrashing of the Lincoln Prep Panthers (3-2.0-1). In normal fashion, Haynesville went to the ground game and pounded 235 yards rushing almost doubling the Panthers 120 yards.
Jayden Ahmad Green had 3 carries for 81 yards rushing. Donnie Critton had 7 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Yasin Meadors reached the end zone twice for Haynesville.
Quarterback Isaiah Washington was 3-for-9 throwing 38 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Jermarquise Hampton and Keizavion Woods each had a receiving touchdown.
Donnie Critton bolted on a 23-yard run to the end zonefor the first score by Haynesville. Yasin Meador crashed past the goal line on a 1-yard run as Haynesville held a 14-0 first quarter lead.
Meadors did it again on a 29-yard run just 20 seconds into the second quarter. Isaiah Washington went to work. Washington hit Woods on a 3-yard touchdown pass first. Washington flipped to defense and snagged a 29-yard pick-6 less than a minute remaining in the half. Haynesville led 35-0 at halftime.
Lincoln Prep got on the board in the third quarter with a 43-yard run from Jaylin Huntly. Haynesville still led at 35-6 at the end of the third quarter
Washington connected with Hampton on a 32-yard touchdown pass in the fourth. Elijah Bray closed out the game with a 34-yard field goal and the 45-6 win
The road for the Pelicans is not going to get easier as they will travel to Shreveport on Thursday night and face defending state champion Calvary Baptist (3-2, 2-0). Haynesville will host Jonesboro-Hodge on Friday at 7:30 pm
By Matt Vines
Where exactly does Claiborne Academy fit in the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools?
The Rebels (5-2, 1-2 District 2-1A) have proven they can easily dispense of mediocre teams with their five wins of at least 30 points.
But Friday’s 58-30 loss at home to Briarfield Academy means that it’s not in the elite either.
Claiborne’s two losses, a 50-8 decision to River Oaks and the Briarfield loss, means there’s still daylight between themselves and the district’s best.
River Oaks and Briarfield meet this week in what’s basically the district title game, but the Rebels still have a lot of meaningful football left.
Claiborne will get another test when they step out of district play to head to Prairie View Academy on Friday in a 7 p.m. kick.
Prairie View (7-1) owns wins against Briarfield (35-18) and Tallulah Academy (35-14) – Claiborne’s final two regular-season opponents – with its only loss coming to River Oaks (60-28).
With the Briarfield loss, Claiborne had its three-game winning streak snapped.
Briarfield managed to rein in Claiborne quarterback Kyler Monk, who gained just 44 rushing yards on 20 carries (one touchdown) and threw for 82 yards on 5-of-9 passing (one touchdown). Dylan Buckner led the way with 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
But the 58 points allowed is a season-high for Claiborne.
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Sam Dowies has received educational materials from LAW PUBLICATIONS. The goal of Sheriff Dowies is to provide information about numerous topics that affect our communities.
The publications cover topics such as Fighting Drug Abuse, Violence Prevention, Frauds/Cons and Scams, Identity Theft, Online Apps and what parents should know.
These and other topics are covered in the LAW PUBLICATION materials.
Sheriff Dowies believes educating community members about these, and other issues provides a strong foundation for community involvement. Community involvement is vital to the health, well-being, and security of our community.
The publications were made possible due to donations made by individuals and businesses who care about Claiborne Parish. Sheriff Dowies would like to publicly thank the following supporters:
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office plans to have a meeting where the educational materials and the information contained therein will be shared with community members. The date and time of the meeting will be published at a later date.
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will be meeting today for their monthly meeting, October 09, 2024. The Road Committee will meet at 9: 10 a.m. and the regular meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at CPPJ Administration Building, 507 West Main Street, Homer, La. They will also be holding a public hearing at 9 a.m. for Proposed Ordinances No. 804 & 805.
AGENDA:
Louisiana Main Street is excited to announce that Main Street Homer has been selected for the Brownfields Planning Activities program through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Brownfields Program. Homer will receive $50,000 of technical assistance for redevelopment planning of vacant historic buildings located downtown. This project will catalyze private investment, ultimately returning the buildings to productive use for the community. Louisiana Main Street provided application assistance to Main Street Homer.
Ten years ago, more than half of Homer’s downtown buildings were vacant. Thanks to the work of Main Street Homer, the Town of Homer, and building owners, multiple buildings have been rehabilitated and re-occupied — the vacancy rate is now 31%. This project will target the remaining vacant buildings, including several that have been vacant for decades.
“Main Street Homer prides itself on making a difference one project at a time. That’s exactly what they have been able to do for the past 10 years. They are revitalizing their downtown area through economic development to preserve their historic buildings and increase economic vitality in the area to help bring back visitors who are spending money,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This grant will only help push their incredible work into the next ten years.”
This project will provide a vision and plan for reuse, with deliverables including market data, financial pro-formas, best tenant “fit” recommendations, implementation strategies, and more. The planning documents will be used to assist building owners and attract investors and financing to downtown Homer.
“By encouraging and utilizing input from our citizens, latest market and demographic trends, along with customized construction and operating pro-formas provided by an expert in the field, we have new hope in our ability to market our historic, vacant buildings and place them back into service in our community,” said Jimmy Hand, Main Street Homer board president. “Thank you to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for providing the opportunity and funding for this downtown development project to help us continue to revitalize Homer through economic development, historic and cultural preservations, and advancement of the arts.”
This project continues a strong partnership between Louisiana Main Street and the LDEQ Brownfields Program. The Brownfields Planning Activities program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on the Louisiana’s Main Street program visit the Louisiana Main Street webpage.
BRIDGE CLOSURE: LA 146 near Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish
Monday, October 07, 2024 at 9:39:51 AM
BRIDGE CLOSURE: LA 146 near Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish
Map indicates location of first bridge to be repaired on LA 146 in Claiborne Parish.
Map indicates location of second bridge to be repaired on LA 146
In 1962, 24-year-old junk dealer Luigi Lo Rosso was clearing out the cellar of a villa on the southern Italian island of Capri. As with anyone who is tasked with this sort of cleaning, Luigi had three basic categories of items; things to keep, things to throw away, and, most difficult of all, things he was unsure of. Luigi usually took only a few seconds to decide where to place each item. Then, Luigi found a rolled-up canvas. He quickly unrolled the painting and glanced at a distorted image of a woman. Luigi noticed a signature in the top left corner but did not recognize the artist’s name. As quickly as he had unrolled it, he rolled it back up. He placed it in the keep pile and kept sifting through the items in the cellar. Once finished with the task, Luigi returned to his home in Pompeii with the items he had deemed good enough to keep. He sold some of the items, usually “for next to nothing,” but not the distorted paining. He bought a cheap frame to hold the painting and mounted it to the wall. Luigi’s wife was less than impressed.
Two years later, Luigi and his wife had a son they named Andrea. As the boy grew up, he was always aware of the painting because his parents argued about it regularly. There were times when the family considered getting rid of the hideous painting. They considered throwing the painting away. “My mother didn’t want to keep it,” Andrea explained. “She kept saying it was horrible.” For some reason, the painting remained there on the wall of the Lo Rosso home. One day, Andrea’s aunt gave Andrea an encyclopedia of art history. Andrea immediately thought about the horrible painting on their wall. He flipped through the book and found a similar painting of a distorted lady. It appeared that the painting shown in the encyclopedia was of the same lady in the painting that had hung on their wall for decades. The paintings were not identical but had noticeable differences. The title of the painting in the book was “The Buste de Femme.” Andrea learned that the painting was a distorted image of the artist’s mistress, a French photographer and painter named Dora Maar. Andrea looked at the top left corner and realized that the signatures were almost identical. Andrea kept telling his father that the paintings were similar, and the signatures were similar, but Luigi remained unconvinced.
As the years turned into decades, Andrea remained curious about the painting. In 1999, the painting Andrea saw in the book, “the Buste de Femme,” was stolen from a luxury yacht belonging to Saudi billionaire Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh. Andrea thought about the painting that still hung on his family’s wall. Twenty years passed. Then, in March 2019, after a four-year search, Arthur Brand, known as the “Indiana Jones of the art world,” found and returned the stolen painting. Again, Andrea thought of the painting that his father had found all those years ago.
Andrea took the reins and sought the advice of the experts at the Arcadia Foundation, a company which specializes in attributions, restorations, and valuations of art works. Cinzia Altieri, a handwriting expert working at the Arcadia Foundation, confirmed the signature on the painting. After an intense investigation, Luca Marcante, president of the Arcadia Foundation, concluded that the painting that Luigi found amongst the junk in that cellar in 1962, which hung on Luigi’s wall in a cheap frame for more than six decades, is an original, authentic painting by Pablo Picasso. Its value has yet to be determined.
Sources:
1. Angela Giuffrida, “Painting found by junk dealer in cellar is original Picasso, experts claim,” The Guardian, October 1, 2024, accessed October 2, 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/
2. “Stolen Picasso portrait of Dora Maar found after 20 years,” BBC, March 26, 2019, Accessed October 2, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/
Professional football is the most popular sport in America and maybe in his hemisphere, so that probably puts me in the minority in thinking it borders on completely boring compared to the college game and compared to the way the pro game was played when I was a kid.
Weather. Outside. Ripped and dirty jerseys. People could tackle and were allowed to. Tape. Mud. Hockey-player teeth. Grass.
That sort of thing.
Long (but true) story.
So when I kind of/sort of want to watch, I recall a simpler time and watch it with the Mannings on “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” on ESPN2 while the “main” broadcast (as if!) airs on either ESPN or ABC.
As a lot of fans in Louisiana did, I spent Monday night watching defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City host New Orleans. Kept it tuned to ESPN2. Football is fun when the Manning brothers and their guests are in the house and on the couch. Somehow, with Peyton in a downtown Denver garage/den/TV studio, Eli somewhere in his house within the gravitational pull of New York or New Jersey, and with their guest from wherever they might be, it all works out.
All-Star Lineup Monday: Peyton’s old nemesis Bill Belichick in the first half, third quarter with actor and KC super fan Paul Rudd, and the best for last: the ManningCast debut of the father of the Super Bowl quarterbacks and TV hosts sons, Archie Manning, for the fourth quarter.
Best way to watch a game.
Kansas City remained perfect at 5-0 and covered the 5.5 spread easily, beating the Saints, now 2-3, 26-13. Not a compelling game, but with the Mannings and their guests, beautiful.
Teams practice of course, but the purest beauty comes when players improvise, which they must do more than you might think. Same with the ManningCast, an offspring of Peyton’s Omaha Productions company: some of the show is planned —film clips and questions, a bonafide “bit” now and then, like Eli throwing football into a picture of his big brother’s head taped to a net — but the best parts are improvised, when the guys or the guests are flushed from the pocket.
That happens on the ManningCast about as often as the ball is snapped.
The Chiefs led 16-7 at half, the Saints hanging in there when it looked early as if the game might get away from them. A start-and-stop second half. Who cares? The babble and brotherhood carried the day.
At various times, the trio of The Brothers Manning and Belichick talked about a safety blitz that helped the Chiefs beat the Chargers in September—although the safety wasn’t even supposed to blitz. But it worked. And about how that’s often the case in the NFL, and about how those “busts” often turn into planned plays.
After that game, Peyton told Eli he’d guessed that the blitz was a bust. Eli said it wasn’t, called Chiefs stud defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuola and asked him, Spag said it WAS a bust, “and you owe me $20,” Peyton reminded Eli as he drew the blitz on the telestrator. All while the game continued.
Belichick, who coached New England to six Super Bowl wins, told a story (the stories are the thing!) about when he was an assistant with the New York Giants and how Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor came off the field after a sack when he wasn’t supposed to blitz but did, and his coach Bill Parcells said “We don’t have that blitz in our playbook” and Taylor smiled and said “Maybe we oughta put it in.”
They talked about Andy Reid’s call sheet, the big laminated card that looks like a Waffle House menu he carries on the sidelines. They talked about how the card is divided, showed an enlarged picture of it on Peyton’s giant TV telestrator, explained how it’s divided into plays to get certain players the ball or defenses to run on certain downs or distances. Or how Reid might order the No. 2, extra bacon.
They talked about the Saints good-looking new black helmets, about Belichick’s “On to Cincinnati” quote after suffering a shellacking in 2014 (the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that season), about how stiff-hipped defensive backs get put at safety and the hip-swivelers play corner.
Just stuff. But lots of stuff. Good stuff.
Rudd was People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, and Eli asked him if he’d know beforehand if he’d been chosen or “will I just find out when everybody else does,” and of course there was a mock cover of People with a picture of Eli as the newest “Sexiest Man” looking half asleep in his jersey, and then the Saints nose guard intercepted a dropped pass in the end zone and ran it back to midfield, the ultimate indignity, to spoil a Chiefs score, and the quarter ended and Paul went from being The Sexiest Man in America to The Most Distressed Man in America.
“Thanks for joining us Paul,” Peyton said going to commercial. “I’m sure you’ll look back on this as one of the great decisions of your life to be on this show and create some negative plays for your Chiefs.”
And then the fourth quarter and dear ol’ dad, glory hallelujah, Archie, who assured the boys that their mom had said it was OK for him to be on, that she’d “signed off on it.”
They asked him about the highlights of his time with the Saints and Archie said that while those weren’t many, it was interesting that “during my 11 seasons I got to play for the Saints, I had a good relationship with all seven of my head coaches during that time.”
Ahem …
But of course he loved “the journey” and “the friendships” and the “long career,” sincerely, even though the team didn’t win.
Archie was Archie, which is all he can ever be. They showed clips of Peyton “dancing” in his school play, video that hinted at his future “lack of mobility,” his dad and brother noticed. Videos of Archie and a 12-step drop back in the day, Archie scrambling, Archie passing underhanded and sidearm, Archie stories of facing the Chiefs in old Tulane Stadium and facing the Chiefs in brand new Arrowhead.
The game in Tulane Stadium was Archie’s rookie year, in preseason, and he’s scrambling all over the place and the Chiefs’ feared linebacker, Willie Lanier, told him near the end of the first half on that hot night in New Orleans, “If you run one more time,” he said, after calmly putting his hands on Manning’s chest, “I’m gonna break your neck.”
“You kind of remember those type things,” Archie said.
The game in new Arrowhead was also in preseason. “I don’t remember much about preseason games — we played six back then — but I do remember in that game I had three tackles in the first half.
“Kind of tells you,” he said, “what kind of night that was.”
Archie said he and Joe Theisman were two of the final single-bar facemask guys “until (Minnesota Hall of Fame defensive end) Alan Page planted my nose right over here by my ear; after that, I decided I needed to get a little more protection there.”
Archie had to end a couple of verbal fights by telling each of his two youngest sons to go to their rooms, which Eli said they couldn’t do, being in the middle of a TV show and all. And dad being in a different time zone.
And Peyton asked his dad if they thought something was wrong with Eli when he was born, since he weighted “only” 10 pounds and both Peyton and oldest brother Cooper each weighed 12.
“I think we kept him in the hospital a few extra days,” Archie said, playing along, then added, “The word was around the hospital that the doctor said they weighed him after he was circumcised.”
Big smiles, some head shaking and laughs, and then Eli: “Dad, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me.”
The Saints, the team these three grew up with, didn’t make much noise in the quarter, so it left plenty of time for Archie to talk about some of the best players of his era.
Defensive linemen: Bob Lilly and Merlin Olsen.
Edge rushers: Deacon Jones and Jack Youngblood.
Most intimidating: Dick Butkus. “I didn’t play against Lawrence Taylor,” he added.
And the greatest player of his era, the best all-around? “Walter Payton. Just throw everything in there. Just a great football player.”
Payton, from Mississippi like Manning, called Archie the day after Peyton’s birth to thank him for naming his second son after him. “I tried to tell him I spelled it different, that we’d named him after his uncle,” Archie said. “But he was convinced. After a while, I just let him keep believing it.”
If you ever saw Walter Payton play, you could see why they called him Sweetness.
Like watching a game with the Mannings.
Sweetness.
What a breath of football fresh air …
The ManningCast isn’t every Monday night during the season, but it is — they are —on during each of the next four Mondays.
And you can always visit the entertaining cornucopia that is OmahaProductions.com; you must see the 10-minute ManningCast: The Musical, which you’ll probably want to watch only once — but you’ve got to see it that one time.
But especially, consider the ManningCast on Mondays. It’s entertainment. It’s a football lesson if you want it to be, but it’s also a relaxing way to watch a sometimes violent but beautiful sport, an athletic broadcast for the prince and the pauper, for the athlete and the fan, for the AFC or the NFC, for the circumcised or the uncircumcised.
It’s nuts. It’s (foot)ballsy.
It’s fun.
Sweetness.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Well, the day has arrived when one of the professional bass fishing organizations has made a major decision that will impact a lot of professional anglers both young and old. This decision was to ban forward-facing sonar. Finally, someone has grown a set and decided to level the playing field….or have they, and will it?
Let’s first look at who has decided to step up and save the sport of bass fishing as so many legendary pros think needs to be done. The NPFL (National Professional Fishing League) recently announced that forward-facing sonar will NOT be allowed for official practice or tournaments in 2025.
It will not be allowed for scouting (practice) or at any other time. It must be removed from your boat, along with the black box and the transducer. As one joyful pro angler said, “Time to go back to old school fishing!” No longer will anglers be able to look at bass on a screen like a version of Xbox and catch fish.
Is this good for the sport or is this decision holding the sport back? Well, the answer you get will depend upon what angler you ask. Majority of the old school guys will defend this decision and say “yes” it is good for the sport. Most compare this decision to the banning of the A-Rig (or umbrella rig) which many of the pros thought was an unethical way to catch bass by using more than one bait or hook. Old school anglers feel the same about forward-facing sonar in that it’s an unfair advantage for the anglers versus the fish.
I tend to agree with the old school anglers now that I’ve been a user of forward-facing sonar for the last two years and understand how it works. With this device, no fish is safe anywhere on any body of water. It allows anglers to select and zero in on the bigger bass in a school or swimming solo. This is not good for any fishery and could have lasting consequences as anglers do what I would call selective fishing by targeting larger bass.
Let’s face the facts with this electronic device. It has made champions out of anglers who have never won a tournament in their life. It’s become an equalizer or advantage for the younger or less experienced anglers that are fishing on the professional level. It has allowed them to not only compete but win with little to no experience compared to the guys that have paid their dues and taken years to acquire the knowledge they possess.
Nothing has leveled the playing field quicker for the younger generation of anglers more than forward-facing sonar. Anglers competing on the NPFL will have to rely on finding fish with more traditional ways by locating fish either by catching them or using side scan or down-imaging. No longer will they be able to just ride around on a body of water with three or more transducers and locate bass in real time.
While all organizations will not ban this new technology, there will be others that will follow. It’s still hard to understand how the three major electronic companies (Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance) will move forward.
These companies will not sit on their hands and stop developing new technology. So, what’s next? Will the next advancement be banned as well? If so, how will these companies continue to survive without innovation and advancements in technology?
Here’s my perspective…. we can’t just continue to ban every new piece of technology that comes out! Tournament organizations need to adapt by altering the rules presently in place; rules that work for both boaters and co-anglers. At some point, they will have to figure out how to make forward-facing sonar and any future innovations work for the benefit of everyone.
But understand this, just because it’s banned on the professional level, does not mean it will be banned for the everyday angler or anglers fishing on the lower levels of competition.
I do agree that anglers on the professional level should be held to a higher standard; that’s why they’re called professionals. It’s the same reason Major League Baseball does not allow aluminum bats. Hitters would have too much of an advantage over pitchers and it would completely change the game.
But with regards to forward-facing sonar, only time will tell if it is doomed or if it will return. I personally think at some point, it will once again be allowed. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and take the time to enjoy some great fall fishing as lakes are less crowded now that hunting season is upon us.
Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective
Please send all non-profit calendar events to cpjnewsla@gmail.com
October 7 – 11
Claiborne Parish Livestock Show
October 12 (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Car Show with Raffles, Prizes, Cake Auction and Food Trucks benefiting CASA
1952 N. Railroad Ave, Arcadia, La.
October 12 (10 a.m.)
Claiborne Parish 4-H Pet Show
We will need to know what kind of animal you have.
Awards: Most Unique, Cutest, Furriest, Best Dressed, Best Overall
October 19
Louisiana Legends Fest – Vendor Registration is now open
October 19 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Harvest Time Homer at Gracious Plenty
October 22 (5 p.m.)
Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office of Community Services Advisory Board Meeting
Notice of Death – October 08, 2024
Wade Stovall
Oct. 14, 1987 – Sept. 30, 2024
Athens, La.
Visitation: 11 – 12 p.m., Friday, Oct. 04, 2024, New Hope Baptist Church, Athens, La.
Funeral service immediately following visitation.
Burial at Old Athens Baptist Church.
William Nelson Philpot
June 09, 1935 – Sept. 30, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 10 – 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 07, 2024, First Baptist Church of Homer
Funeral service immediately following visitation.
Burial to follow at Arlington Cemetery, Homer, La.
David “Wonderful” Peterson
Oct. 12, 1929 – Oct. 04, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 10 – 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 08, 2024, Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Homer, La.
Funeral service immediately following visitation.
Interment at Centuries Memorial Cemetery, Shreveport, La.
Azzie Lee Dodd
Dec. 23, 1923 – Oct. 02, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.
Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.
Interment to follow at Colquitt Cemetery, Haynesville, La.
Dorthy Bittle
June 23, 1963 – Sept. 24, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.
Funeral service: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Haynesville, La.
Interment to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Haynesville, La.
Trudie Smith
Aug. 04, 1943 – Oct. 04, 2024
Homer, La.
Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Memorial Funeral Home, Homer, La.
Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, St. John Baptist Church, Lillie, La.
Interment to follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Haynesville, La.
Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or cpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
By Shawn White
Under the Radar NWLA
Week 4 turned out to be a good week for LHSAA football in Claiborne Parish as both Haynesville (4-0, 1-0) and Homer (1-3) picked up wins on Friday night. Homer took their first W of the season with a 32-22 win over North Webster. Haynesville took the 51-0 shutout over the winless Plain Dealing Lions.
Homer 32, North Webster 22
The Pels ended their three-game slide at home against the North Webster Purple Knights. Gregory Williams passed the century mark on yards yet again for Homer as he had 17 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Williams tossed 10-for-18 for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Spencer Dunn was on the receiving end of one of those touchdown passes in one of his 4 receptions for 56 yards. Demetrius Pitts added another receiving touchdown for the Pelicans.
The Pelican’s defense saw some big numbers as Jatavion Webb had 12 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. Richard Woods added 10 tackles (2 solo, 8 assists). Treyjusteon Parish and Spencer Dunn each had 9 tackles. Jermaurion Pickens grabbed 7 tackles.
Haynesville 51, Plain Dealing 0
The Golden Tornado had no issues getting past the 16-man roster of the Plain Dealing Lions. Isaiah Washington tossed on 5 passes and completed 4 but three were touchdowns. Ethan Henderson, De’jon Wesson, and Jermarquise Hampton were on the receiving end of those touchdowns. L’travious Brooks and Elbert Modisette scored on rushing touchdowns. Freshman Miller Toney connected with Freshman Jaron Perkins for a touchdown. Desmon Sturdivant had a scoop and score for Haynesville. The Haynesville defense forced 8 fumbles against Plain Dealing.
The night started badly for the Lions as a bad snap went out of the end zone and gave Haynesville two points for a safety. Twelve seconds later Washington launched a 49-yard touchdown pass to Henderson. Less than 45 seconds later, Washington struck again with a 1-yard pass to Wesson. Less than 4 minutes into the game, Haynesville was up 16-0. Washington threw his third touchdown to Hampton on a 3-yard pass. Plain Dealing lost a fumble less than a minute later as Sturdvant scooped and scored on a 12-yard fumble return. Haynesville was up 30-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The run game broke loose in the second quarter as Brook bolted on a 36-yard run and Modisette rumbled into the end zone on a 9-yard run kicking off a running clock. Haynesville led 44-0 at halftime.
The Golden Tornado did get one more score when a glimpse of the future showed through with the Freshman connection of Toney to Perkins on a 42-yard pass.
Haynesville will host the red-hot Lincoln Prep Panthers (3–1, 1-0) on Friday night. The Homer Pelicans (1-3, 0-0) will open District 1-2A play at Union Parish (1-3, 1-0) on Thursday night. The game was just announced that it was moved from Friday night to Thursday night.
By Matt Vines
When Claiborne Academy has been the favored team this season, the Rebels have put away its opponent early.
That trend continued Friday in a 46-0 win against Union Christian to start district play.
The Rebels (5-1, 1-0) needed just 28 offensive plays to score five offensive touchdowns and one defensive scores.
Cade Smtih accounted for a rushing touchdown and an interception return for a score.
Dylan Buckner paced the offense with 86 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just six touches.
The Rebels will face a much stiffer test Friday when they host Briarfield Academy (4-1).
These Rebels have won the last two outings, including its second shutout of the season in a 36-0 win against Tensas Academy.
Outside of a 35-18 loss to Prairie View Academy, Briarfield hasn’t allowed another opponent to score more than 14 points.
Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is proud to recognize 29 new graduates of its Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy — an extensive leadership development program that brings together public, private and nonprofit sector leaders from the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions
Representing the 2024 DLI Executive Academy Class, graduates hail from various cities and towns within DRA’s eight-state service region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. The leadership class was selected through a competitive application process led by DRA’s board of governors and federal co-chairman to complete the annual nine-month program designed to empower a corps of servant leaders with the tools, experiences and networks to address local and regional economic development challenges.
“The Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy equips a dedicated and diverse group of leaders to drive change within and outside of their communities and accelerate prosperity across the region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “We are thankful for these leaders for entrusting us to help support them along their DLI journey, and we look forward to the great things they will accomplish in their communities with an enhanced set of skills and knowledge.”
During the program, graduates participated in six in-person sessions led by local, regional, and national experts and covered policy areas and skills related to public infrastructure, regional transportation systems, workforce development, coalition-building and other fields necessary to facilitate economic development in the Delta. Graduates then culminate with enhanced decision-making skills, policy development know-how, strengthened leadership capacity, and a mutual understanding of regional, state, and local culture and issues.
“Investing in people and fostering meaningful connections is essential for creating lasting change in our region,” said Sea Talantis, DRA Director of Human Infrastructure. “The Delta Leadership Institute unites a diverse group of leaders from across the Delta, who may come from different places but face similar challenges. This experience provides them with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to return home and inspire growth in their communities. Together, they form a passionate and driven network, ready to create positive, transformative change.”
Since 2005, the DLI Executive Academy has provided leadership development to nearly 700 community leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors and industries to improve economic competitiveness and social viability throughout the Delta region. Upon completion of the leadership program, graduates become a part of the DLI Alumni Network to engage with other DLI alumni for ongoing engagement and support of the region.
The 2024 DLI Executive Academy graduates include:
Alabama
Albert Turner, President/CEO, Emerson Company; Marion, Ala.
Terrence Windham, Mayor; Aliceville, Ala.
Warren “Billy” Young, Assistant Attorney General, Alabama Department of Revenue, and President, Selma City Council; Selma, Ala.
Arkansas
Tomeka Butler, Mayor, City of Eudora; Eudora, Ark.
Jennifer Hobbs, Mayor, City of Wynne; Wynne, Ark.
Yancey Kyle, Field Representative, Congressman Bruce Westerman; El Dorado, Ark.
Dr. Karen Powers-Liebhaber, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Foundation Director, Black River Technical College; Pocahontas, Ark.
Jamie Redd-Wright, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Alliance for Rural Impact; Harrisburg, Ark.
Illinois
Jennifer Huson, City Administrator, Jackson County; Murphysboro, Ill.
Veronica McCurdy, Trustee, Village of Tamms; Tamms, Ill.
Lee Messersmith, Mayor, City of Benton; Benton, Ill.
Kentucky
Whitney Walker, Director of Marketing and Communication, Kentucky Community and Technical College System; Gilbertsville, Ky.
Mark Welch, President, Fulton-Hickman Counties Economic Development Partnership; Murray, Ky.
Louisiana
Evan Boudreaux, MPA, Director of Economic Development, Policy and Public Affairs, St. Mary Parish Government; Franklin, La.
Roderick Hampton, Mayor, Town of Haynesville; Haynesville, La.
Meaghan McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation; Chalmette, La.
Meghan Risinger, Executive Grant Writer, City of Monroe; Monroe, La.
Clarence Vappie, Mayor, City of Baldwin; Baldwin, La.
Mississippi
Thomas Gregory, Executive Director, Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation; Greenwood, Miss.
Marvin Jones, Circuit Clerk and County Registrar, Humphreys County; Belzoni, Miss.
Danielle Morgan, Executive Director, Mississippi Tourism Association; Carrollton, Miss.
Nichole Rosebud, Mayor, City of Tutwiler; Tutwiler, Miss.
Missouri
Amy Baugus, Project Officer, Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission; Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Jake Crafton, Mayor, City of Kennett; Kennett, Mo.
Nichole Zielke, Senior Community Development Specialist, Meramec Regional Planning Commission; Beaufort, Mo.
Tennessee
Shannon Haynes, Chief Prosperity Officer, Ayers Foundation; Alamo, Tenn.
Cheryl Green, Director, Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship, Aspen Institute; Memphis, Tenn.
Janna Hellums, Northwest Tennessee Regional Director, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; Jackson, Tenn.
Alisha Montgomery Melton, Executive Director of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, University of Tennessee at Martin; Dresden, Tenn.
For more information about DRA’s DLI Executive Academy, visit Delta Leadership Institute – Delta Regional Authority at dra.gov/programs/human-infrastructure/.
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The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
The Louisiana squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons begin Saturday (Oct. 5) in all parts of Louisiana and run through Feb. 28, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) said. Squirrel and rabbit hunting are the perfect gateway for hunting and a great introduction for youth into the sport.
A basic hunting license is needed to hunt squirrel and rabbits and those 17 and under are not required to have a youth license to hunt those species. Squirrel and rabbit hunting are relatively inexpensive and there are many LDWF public lands on which hunting opportunity is available. Hunting on an LDWF WMA requires a WMA access permit and you must check in and out of the WMA.
For a complete list of WMAs and public lands open to squirrel and rabbit hunting and more information on WMA squirrel and rabbit hunting, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.
To purchase a hunting license, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.
All visitors to LDWF WMAs must have either a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. Go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.
For more information on squirrel and rabbit hunting in Louisiana, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Oven Cook Time: 30 minutes | Air Fryer Cook Time: 35 minutes
Sweet potatoes are a Louisiana commodity that can be turned into a low-fat, high fiber alternative to French fries. Use the oven or air fryer to crisp up your fries instead of a traditional deep fat fryer. Pair with our delicious sriracha sour cream dipping sauce for satisfying savory side dish. Follow the recipe below or watch LSU AgCenter nutrition & community health agent Layne Langley demonstrate how to make these mouthwatering sweet potato fries two different ways. For more information about healthy eating and active living, contact your local LSU AgCenter nutrition & community health agent.
Ingredients:
Sweet Potato Fries
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium-large or 3 medium)
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon no-salt Creole seasoning
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sriracha Sour Cream Dipping Sauce
1 cup low-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon no-salt
Creole seasoning
1 tablespoon sriracha sauce or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F with racks in the lower and upper third of the oven. (Top rack should be no closer than 6 inches from the heat source.) Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Rinse and dry the sweet potatoes. Cut out soft or discolored spots. Leave the peel on and cut them into fry-shaped pieces, about 1/4 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick.
3. Place cut fries into a large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch, garlic powder and no-salt Creole seasoning. Toss until the fries are lightly coated in powder. Drizzle the olive oil over the fries and toss until the fries are evenly coated and no powdery spots remain.
4. Arrange half of the fries in a single layer on each sheet pan – don’t overcrowd the pan! Bake for 20 minutes then flip the fries and return the pans to the oven, swapping the positions (move pan that was on the top rack to the bottom rack and vice versa).
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the fries are crispy. Sprinkle it with salt after the fries come out of the oven.
Sriracha sour cream dipping sauce: Mix ingredients together and dip fries.