The Claiborne Parish Police Jury – Community Action and Public Transportation issued a public service announcement (PSA) regarding Medicaid transportation services, urging residents to stay informed about recent changes affecting their travel options.

While the organization is not a medical provider, it facilitates Medicaid-related transportation and has noted significant differences in how Medicaid companies operate. Some companies offer benefits that may be more suitable for specific needs, making it essential for residents to assess their options carefully.

A key change occurred earlier this year when a Medicaid transportation provider, ModivCare, transitioned to a new broker, CareCar. Following this switch, the Claiborne Parish transportation service conducted research and found that CareCar has received poor reviews and an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, other transportation providers have reported difficulties working with the company. As a result, Claiborne Parish Public Transportation has decided not to partner with CareCar at this time.

Residents currently using CareCar who are experiencing difficulties accessing transportation services may want to consider switching Medicaid providers—but only if the change aligns with their individual healthcare needs. The Police Jury emphasizes that their goal is not to influence personal decisions but to ensure the community understands why certain transportation services may no longer be available.

For further questions or assistance, residents are encouraged to contact April at 318-927-3557.

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The Webster/Claiborne 4-H Gardening Contest, sponsored by the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners, is giving young gardeners the opportunity to cultivate their own food while learning valuable skills about agriculture and sustainability.

The contest aims to teach participants about gardening, food production, and the rewards of hard work. Each gardener will be responsible for maintaining their own 100-square-foot garden plot (10×10 ft or 5×20 ft) and must plant four required vegetables: tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, and green beans. Participants can begin planting on April 1st using seeds or plants, but additional vegetables are not permitted—only flowers for decoration.

While adults may assist with garden bed preparation, all weeding, watering, and daily maintenance must be completed by the participants themselves. Gardeners are also encouraged to decorate their plots with yard art, scarecrows, or stepping stones to add character to their space.

Each participant will receive a Gardening Journal upon signing up. The journal must be maintained to document progress through notes, pictures, or drawings and will be submitted at the time of judging.

This contest offers an exciting way for youth to connect with nature, develop responsibility, and take pride in growing their own food.

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The Louisiana Producer Artificial Insemination School is set to take place from April 2-4 at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer. Hosted by the LSU AgCenter, this annual program provides hands-on training for livestock producers looking to enhance their artificial insemination (AI) skills.

Participants will attend sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. The total cost for the program is $300 per person, with a $150 non-refundable deposit due by March 14.

With limited spots available each year, early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, interested individuals can contact 318-927-2578 or reach out to:

Lee Faulk, Regional Extension Agent – 318-245-4200, afaulk@agcenter.lsu.edu
Dr. Ashley Edwards, State Beef Specialist – 512-818-5476, akedwards@agcenter.lsu.edu

The LSU AgCenter remains committed to supporting agricultural education and best practices in livestock management.

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Residents should prepare for fluctuating weather conditions this week, with a mix of showers, thunderstorms, and cloudy skies expected across the area.

Wednesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms will develop as the day progresses, with increasing cloud cover and a high near 74°F. Winds will be light, shifting northeast at around 5 mph. By the evening, skies will remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures cooling to 55°F and calm winds.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy skies will persist, with temperatures climbing to 80°F. Winds will be light and shift south at around 5 mph in the morning. By Thursday night, there is a 20% chance of showers after 1 a.m., with cloudy conditions and a low of 60°F.

Friday: Expect an active weather day, as showers become more likely by the afternoon, accompanied by the possibility of thunderstorms. The high will reach 71°F, with a 60% chance of precipitation. Rain and storms are expected to continue into the night, with a 70% chance of precipitation and lows near 60°F.

Saturday: A break in heavy rainfall is expected, though a 30% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms remains possible before 1 p.m. The day will be mostly cloudy with a warm high of 81°F, while the night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low around 63°F.

Sunday & Monday: A warming trend sets in, with partly sunny skies and a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms (20%) on Sunday. Temperatures will rise to 86°F, with a 40% chance of storms developing later at night. Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 76°F, and a 20% chance of scattered storms.

Tuesday: Showers remain possible, with a 30% chance of precipitation and highs near 76°F.

Residents should stay updated on the latest forecasts and be prepared for changing conditions, especially later in the week when thunderstorms are more likely.

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By Steve Graf  

I’ve always enjoyed remembering how things used to be, and I look forward for what the future
holds with regards to tournament bass fishing. Today we’ll step back in time and look at how
tournament fishing was in the early days. 
 
As I’ve noted in past writings, my tournament days go back to the early 1990ns. To say that
times have changed is truly an understatement. Things are different today in several ways and
the first thing that comes to mind, is how anglers had respect for each other on the water.
Anglers were always conscious of not fishing too close to another angler and never wanted to
invade another their territory, especially if he was leading the tournament. THAT’S NOT THE
CASE TODAY! 
 
To use an old phrase, “back in the day,” anglers showed respect for each other by not fishing
areas on the lake that someone found first. Unfortunately, anglers today tend to hold no regard
or respect for another angler’s area. 
 
Many of our younger anglers think that all water is open for anyone to fish any time during the
tournament.  But I’m not going to throw shade just on our youth for all the issues taking place
in tournaments. It’s not really their fault, as 95 percent of both high school and college anglers
have never been exposed to the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Etiquette has been
forgotten and is not being taught.
 
Another issue today that anglers have is the disregard for the “no information” rule. At no time
has this rule had more attention than it has this season. Several touring pros have been
disqualified for violating this rule in 2025. Most tournament trails have a written rule that does
not allow anglers to receive information about a particular body of water within a specific time
frame. Without a doubt, this is the most abused rule on every level! 
 
Back in the day, anglers were held to a higher standard than they are today. Some tournament
organizations are turning a blind eye to some of the infractions and are not holding anglers

accountable. This is why anglers continue to bend the rules and is one reason tournament
entries are down nationwide.
 
Until organizations decide to preserve the integrity of the sport, and drop the hammer on these
rule breakers, nothing will change. Some anglers will stop at nothing to gather information like
waypoints, best areas to fish, and what baits to throw from guides and other resources. 
 
While there are ways to gather information legally, some anglers ignore the rules and show no
regard for doing things the right way. Once again, back in the day if an angler violated a rule, he
was pulled aside by other anglers and asked to explain himself. The older generation held each
other more accountable. 
 
Oh, how I yearn for the days of old where you did not have to worry about who or how
someone was possibly cheating or bending the rules. Your reputation as an angler was more
important than winning any single event. You would rather sacrifice a win and still have the
respect of your fellow competitors than to cash a check doing something shady.  
 
But the philosophy today is to win at all costs, no matter what the consequences. This is pretty
much true in all sports, especially on the high school and collegiate levels. Today it’s all about
the money being made and if a kid is not happy where they’re at, they transfer to another
school that is willing to pay them even more. They are even paid in advance on potential and
not on their body of work! 
 
I’ll wrap up this gripe session with this — if we as anglers don’t start demanding organizations
enforce ALL the rules, nothing will ever change. We must demand transparency from all
tournament organizations.

‘Til next time, go fishing every chance you get because you never know when it might be your
last. 
 
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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By Doug De Graffenried

In the 1980’s, Jay Winsten, a public health professor at Harvard got interested in the idea of a “designated driver.” He’d picked up the concept in Scandinavia where it was the norm. At the time, the concept did not exist in the US. None of us knew what a designated driver was.

Winsten and his team at Harvard made it a goal to create a social norm in the United States: If you are going out drinking, you would pick a designated driver who would commit not to drink for the evening. How do you create a social norm out of thin air? Winsten’s inspiration was that you could make the behavior contagious by repeatedly exposing people to it, in many different contexts, even if those contexts were fictional.

Winsten and his team collaborated with producers, writers, and actors from more than 160 prime time TV programs, sprinkling designated-driver moments naturally into the plots. Segments featuring designated drivers appeared on Hunter, The Cosby Show, Mr. Belvedere, and Who’s the Boss? On one episode of the smash-hit L.A. Law, the heartthrob lawyer played by Harry Hamlin asked a bartender to call his designated driver. A designated-driver poster appeared in the bar on Cheers.

Winsten’s plea to the media was for “five seconds” of dialogue about a designated driver. He didn’t want a full episode or even a whole scene. He simply wanted the words mentioned repeatedly. Grant Tinker said about it, “Considering the simplicity of it all, it was very hard for us to feel our independence was being challenged.”

In 1991, three years after the campaign launched, nine out of ten people were familiar with the term designated driver. And they were behaving differently as a result. Thirty-seven percent of all Americans reported having acted as designated drivers, and 54% of frequent drinkers had been driven home by one. The behavioral change saved lives. Alcohol related traffic fatalities declined from 23,626 in 1988 to 17,858 in 1992.

I want you to ponder this under the rubric of “words create reality.” A new reality was created when two words were used repeatedly in the media. This is a positive story about words creating reality. I’m sure you can think of the other side of this issue where words create another reality when they become a constant drumbeat in the media.

What words have created your reality?

Better yet, whose words have created your reality.

Those words are changing your life.

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By Brad Dison

Ritchie was a sickly child. When he was six years old, he developed appendicitis. Following surgery, he contracted peritonitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdomen. His recovery lasted a full year. In 1953, when he was 13, he caught a cold which progressed into pleurisy. After a brief stay at Myrtle Street Children’s Hospital, Ritchie returned home. A short time later, the 13-year-old contracted a disease which changed the course of his life. At first, Ritchie ran a low fever, became fatigued, and developed a minor cough. Ritchie’s condition gradually worsened over the course of a few weeks. His fever rose, coughing intensified, and taking a deep breath became painful. When Ritchie began experiencing chest pains, his mother took him to Myrtle Street Children’s Hospital once again. His diagnosis was tuberculosis, a bacterial disease that affects the lungs.
Being diagnosed with tuberculosis was a shock to Ritchie and his mother. In the year Ritchie contracted the disease, there were over 84,000 cases of tuberculosis in the United States. Nearly 20,000 of those cases, about 23%, were fatal. The percentage of fatal cases in Europe were similar.

“In those days,” Ritchie said, “they just kept you in bed for months. I was in bed for like ten months.” Ritchie said that while being treated, teachers would come in to teach and to keep the sick children entertained. Ritchie joked that while in the hospital, he learned to knit. “One woman came in, not so often, but she came in,” he said, “and she had percussive instruments [such as] maracas, tambourines, and a little drum.” By pointing at red or yellow dots, the woman taught the kids when to strike or shake their instruments. Ritchie said the woman handed the instruments out at random. “I’m in bed … she gives me this little drum and it was like a craziness.” Ritchie said, “I only would play the drum in this mad band that she’d bring in.”

Despite his suffering from tuberculosis, Ritchie was obsessed. He said, “I hit the drum, and I only wanted, from that moment, to be a drummer. And that was what my aim was.” He said it “became the only thing I ever wanted to do.” Ritchie slowly regained his strength and his health. His obsession with that little drum never waned. When he was 18 years old, Ritchie joined a band. For more than 60 years, Ritchie has been a fixture in the entertainment industry. On January 10 of this year, Ritchie released a country album entitled “Look Up” on which he sings, whistles, and, of course, plays drums.

Had Ritchie not contracted tuberculosis at 13, a disease which could have taken his life, and had the woman with the “mad band” handed him anything other than a drum, our musical landscape may have evolved differently. You see, Ritchie, the sickly child, was born Richard Starkey, but the world knows him better as Ringo Starr, the drummer for the Beatles.

Sources:

1. “Tuberculosis Symptoms and Causes,” Mayo Clinic, Accessed March 23, 2025, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250.

2. “TB Incidence and Mortality: 1953–2023,” CDC, October 31, 2024, accessed March 23, 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/tb-surveillance-report-2023/tables/table-1.html.

3. Joe Taysom, “How a life-threatening illness made Ringo Starr learn drums,” Far Out, August 2, 2022, accessed March 23, 2025, https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/life-threatening-illness-ringo-starr-drums/.

4. Chris Barilla, “Ringo Starr’s Childhood Tuberculosis Hospitalization Kept Him in ‘Bed for Months’ but Ultimately Changed His Life,” People, February 20, 2025, accessed March 23, 2025, https://people.com/ringo-starr-says-tuberculosis-hospitalization-kept-him-in-bed-for-months-exclusive-11683518.

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Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness

March 26 is recognized as Purple Day, an international movement dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy. Founded in 2008 by a young Canadian girl, Cassidy Megan, Purple Day encourages people worldwide to wear purple in support of individuals living with epilepsy. Organizations host educational events, fundraising efforts, and community outreach programs to increase understanding and reduce stigma surrounding the neurological disorder.

This Day in History: The Birth of Modern Transportation

On March 26, 1872, the first patent for an air brake system was granted to George Westinghouse, revolutionizing railway safety. This invention allowed trains to stop more efficiently, greatly reducing accidents and improving passenger travel. Westinghouse’s innovations in transportation safety set the stage for the development of modern braking systems in automobiles and aircraft.

Leonard Nimoy’s Birthday (1931-2015)

Science fiction fans around the world remember Leonard Nimoy, born on March 26, 1931. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Spock in Star Trek, Nimoy’s legacy extends beyond television and film. As an actor, director, author, and philanthropist, he left a lasting impact on popular culture, science advocacy, and the arts.

Legal Milestone: The Creation of the U.S. Army Medal of Honor (1863)

On March 26, 1863, the Medal of Honor was first awarded during the American Civil War. This prestigious decoration, the highest military honor in the United States, is awarded to service members who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and selflessness in combat. Over the years, the Medal of Honor has come to symbolize the ultimate recognition of heroism in the U.S. military.

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James E. Webb
September 16, 1950 – March 20, 2025
Services: Information not yet available

Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office releases this list of some of the bench warrants and writs of execution issued in District Court in Claiborne Parish.

To resolve, call the Civil Office at 318-927-4807 Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

Warrant List Disclaimer: The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office has provided this data as a public information service. Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of this data. However, the data being provided herein is intended for informational purposes only. No guarantee is made as to the accuracy of the data and it should not be relied upon for any purpose other than general information.

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office assumes no liability arising from use of this data. The data is provided without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose.

Furthermore, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of the cause of such or for any decision made, action taken, or action not taken by the user in reliance upon any data provided herein.

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Residents can expect a mix of warm temperatures, gusty winds, and increasing chances of rain heading into the weekend, according to the latest forecast.

Wednesday will start off cloudy, but skies will gradually clear by the afternoon. The high will reach 77°F, with southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph, gusting up to 30 mph.

Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to 40°F. Northwest winds will continue at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Thursday will bring sunny skies and a high near 63°F. Northwest winds will range from 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The evening will be clear and cool, with a low around 36°F.

Friday will see a warming trend, with sunny skies and a high near 71°F. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low around 47°F.

Saturday will continue the warming trend, with sunny skies and a high near 77°F. Saturday night will turn partly cloudy, with a low around 55°F.

Sunday brings an increasing chance of rain and thunderstorms, with a 50% chance of precipitation and a high near 82°F under partly sunny skies.

Sunday night could see showers and thunderstorms, with a 60% chance of precipitation and a low around 50°F under mostly cloudy skies.

Monday will clear up again, bringing sunny skies and a high near 74°F.

Residents should prepare for potential rain and storms Sunday into Sunday night. Stay tuned for updates on changing weather conditions.

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Thursday, March 20 marks the vernal equinox, the official beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, creating nearly equal day and night lengths across the globe. While many associate the day with warmer weather and blooming flowers, the equinox holds deep cultural and scientific significance.

The Earth orbits the sun at a slight tilt of 23.5 degrees. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons. During the equinox, the sun shines directly over the equator, resulting in nearly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. While the Northern Hemisphere welcomes spring, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the autumnal equinox, marking the start of fall.

Though daylight hours continue to lengthen after the equinox, the exact balance of day and night varies depending on location due to atmospheric refraction and geographic latitude.

For thousands of years, civilizations have observed the equinox with festivals and rituals. The Mayans built Chichén Itzá’s pyramid in Mexico to align with the equinox, where a shadow resembling a serpent appears on the steps as the sun sets. Similarly, the Great Sphinx of Giza is positioned to face the rising sun on this day.

In Iran and other Persian-speaking countries, the equinox marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a celebration of renewal and rebirth. Meanwhile, Japan observes Shunbun no Hi, a national holiday for honoring ancestors and embracing the change of seasons.

While equinox celebrations vary, many involve outdoor gatherings, festivals, and environmental awareness campaigns. In some cultures, people use the day as an opportunity for personal renewal—cleaning their homes, setting new goals, or embracing change.

Whether viewed as a scientific marvel or a time for cultural traditions, the vernal equinox remains a moment of transition and optimism for the months ahead.

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By Doug De Graffenried

Do you remember your old typewriter? Some of you wonder, what is that?

In ancient times our parents would send us to college with one of our High
School graduation gifts, a typewriter. If your family was affluent the typewriter was
electric. Can you visualize that typewriter? In the ears of your mind can you hear the
bell? The bell would sound as you were approaching the margin of your paper. Do you
remember how many spaces there are between the bell sounding and the margin?
Anyway, you had a few more spaces before reaching the margin and then you couldn’t
type on that line. You were forced to hit return or manually return the carrier to the
beginning of the next line.

Typing today is much different. I only use the return (now known as “enter”)
between paragraphs. The computer sets the margins and automatically sends the
cursor to the next line for typing. There is no bell warning me that I am approaching the
end of a line. I am not paying attention to the margin or where I am on the page, I don’t
need to. The computer is taking care of that function for me.

I miss the bell warning me that I am approaching the margin. I miss the sound of
typing in the office. Once in a church office, you could hear the typewriter, adding
machine, and the mimeograph running. You knew work of the Kingdom was happening.
Now all I hear is silence. I know the work is taking place, but you don’t hear it any
longer.

There was a function of typewriters not found on computer keyboards. That key
was labeled “margin release.” If you were one letter away from the end of a word, you
could apply margin release, and the typewriter would continue typing past the margin.
Since the margins were set mechanically, they could also be released mechanically. If
you used the margin release key one line on the page would stand out. The reader of
the paper would know you cheated at the margins.

Margin is what allows you to read this article. If the nice editors ignored the gutter
in the middle and the margins on the sides, you would find this publication almost
impossible to read. Margin, or white space, allows your eyes and brain to work in
concert in this great exercise called reading. Your brain would not cooperate if the lines
went to the edge of the screen. And if the words had no margins, called spaces, reading
would take a great effort. The New Testament was written in a form called scriptio
continua; there were no spaces between the words. Actually, there was no punctuation
either. If you think understanding the Apostle Paul is difficult, try reading Ephesians
without punctuation!

The margin release key is not found on a computer keyboard, but I’m wondering
if you are using it too often in soul matters. Let’s try a margin test. When was the last
time you took a day off? Describe the most beautiful sight experienced on your last
vacation? How long since you have walked in the woods? What was the last book you
read for pleasure? When was the last time you experienced joy?

Are you using that margin release key and filling your life and soul with too much
stuff? Is your calendar full? Go ahead and look at it, when is the next “empty day?”
Margin is that space for rest and restoration. Margin is where nothing is happening. All
the “type A” people just cringed at the prospect of doing nothing!

I think margin is important because that is where God is. He is at the margins of
society. He is at the margins of change. He is at the margins of our soul. God is at the
margins, whispering to our hearts. He is asking us to go no further but to linger where
we can experience Him. Margin allows life to be rich, full, and readable. Leave margin in
your life, please. That spiritual margin allows space for God to lead you to what is next
or linger with Him where you are.

We all need to backspace and create margin in our lives.

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Pleasure Point Baptist Church is inviting the community to a special event, “Christ in the Passover: A Presentation,” on Saturday, April 12 at 4 p.m.

The presentation will be led by Tuvya Zaretsky from Jews for Jesus and will explore the deep connections between the Jewish Passover feast and the Last Supper shared by Jesus and His disciples. Attendees will gain insight into the powerful symbolism of the seder ceremony, the biblical story of Exodus and freedom from slavery, and how these elements align with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Through this immersive experience, participants will see the phrase “Do this in remembrance of me” in a new light, offering a greater understanding of the Jewish traditions that shaped Jesus’ life and ministry.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of religious background, and promises to be a thought-provoking look into biblical history and faith.

RSVPs are encouraged by April 12. For more information, contact:
Jan Cser: 615-838-0188 | jnjcser@gmail.com

Rev. Chuck Johnston: 318-224-0950

Pleasure Point Baptist Church Facebook Page

Event Location: Pleasure Point Baptist Church, 495 Peterson Rd., Homer, LA 71040.

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By Steve Graf  

So many things impact our lives as individuals, but nothing more than hard work. Growing up as
a kid on a ranch, I learned many of life’s lessons through the chores that had to be done. It
wasn’t always something I enjoyed, but these were things that were necessary in order for our
ranch to operate properly.

First, let’s look at the ranch I grew up on, located about 10 miles east of Talco, Texas. My dad
and his brother were partners of this property, known as Graf Brothers Ranch. My dad’s
brother (Uncle Bill) lived in Ft. Worth and was the owner of a major trucking company, while
my dad worked full time in the Talco oil field as the superintendent for Vick Well Service.

Uncle Bill’s involvement with the ranch was mainly financial as Dad did 90 percet of the work
that took place. On the ranch, we raised several breeds of cattle including Herford, Angus and
Brahmas, and at one point we even ran a few Charolais. The ranch was known for producing
high quality crossbred calves, all due to one awesome Angus bull by the name of “Doc.”

Doc was a pure black Angus bull that became famous for the calves he produced, which landed
him on the cover of Texas Farm Magazine. My dad truly loved this bull and had a special
relationship with Doc, who was his favorite bull that we ever owned.

A ranch requires a lot of work and there were many chores that had to be done, some I
dreaded and others I looked forward to. But nothing was worse than what my dad called
“picking up chunks.”

This was a job that took place anytime Dad decided to clear some of the timber on our property
in order to create more pastureland. We owned a D8 Caterpillar dozer that was used exclusively
for clearing property and building stock ponds.

Once the timber was cut and piled up ready to burn, there were a lot of “chunks” of wood that
had to be picked up by hand and placed in small piles, also to be burned. I do remember mutterig a few choice words every time I heard the call, “Pick up chunks.” It really was the worst job in the world!

One thing about working on a ranch — there was never a shortage of things to do. Whether it
was building or mending fence, bailing hay, bush hogging, barn repairs, or doctoring cattle,
there was plenty of work.

The greatest lesson I learned from growing up on the ranch was the importance of a strong
work ethic. Our ranch was our family business and required plenty of attention. Being a
teenager, a lot was expected of me by my dad when it came to getting things done, as he
worked full-time in the oil field six days a week. Therefore, Sundays were always dedicated to
any and all jobs needing to be done on the ranch.

But this place was also my playground for hunting and fishing. It’s where my passion grew for
both hunting and fishing as I spent hours upon hours fishing our stock ponds or hunting ducks
and squirrels.

Looking back at my time on the ranch rekindles some great memories. It helped shape me into
the person I am today and motivated me to continue my education as Dad reminded me often
that if I did not go to college, I would be working seven days a week on the ranch. That was
something I DID NOT WANT!

‘Til next time, enjoy every opportunity you get to wet a hook or enjoy the great outdoors and
remember, it is always a great day when you get to go fishing, whether or not you catch fish.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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By Brad Dison

In September 1912, 21-year-old Dorothy Gardner married 30-year-old Leslie Lynch King. Dorothy was a “strikingly attractive brunette,” and King was “a tall, handsome, sandy-haired wool merchant.” Dorothy’s mother said she had never seen Dorothy as happy as when she and her new husband boarded the train for their honeymoon on the West Coast. Three weeks into their trip, the honeymoon bliss ended in the lobby of the elegant Multnomah Hotel in Portland, Oregon. King became enraged with Dorothy, called her vile names, slapped her in the face, and punched her in the head. They reconciled briefly and continued their honeymoon. While en route to California on a train, King flew into a rage and beat and kicked Dorothy. She lived in fear because she never knew when the next beating would come.

Dorothy was shocked by King’s actions. During their courtship, King had always treated her kindly and gently. He was from a prominent and wealthy family. King assured Dorothy that he would provide for her every need, lovingly and financially. When they returned from their extended honeymoon, Dorothy learned that King was deep in debt and had been stealing money from his father. Dorothy decided to leave King and was making preparations when she learned she was pregnant. King’s parents pleaded with her not to leave and reasoned that having a child would surely change their son’s troubled ways. Dorothy reluctantly agreed to stay.

In July 1913, Dorothy had a son in King’s parent’s mansion. At King’s insistence, they named the child Leslie Lynch King Jr. On the day after the child was born, King burst into the sickroom and berated Dorothy to the extent that her doctor intervened. He told King that Dorothy was quite ill and warned him to stop abusing her. The doctor was so concerned about King’s unpredictable nature toward his wife that he brought in a nurse to protect Dorothy and young Leslie. A few days later, King stormed into the sickroom armed with a butcher knife and threatened to kill Dorothy and young Leslie. The nurse called the police, who disarmed King and arrested him. Dorothy knew she had to leave King, but she knew to be discreet. Dorothy wrapped 16-day-old Leslie in a blanket and fled from the King mansion. After a fifteen-month volatile marriage, Dorothy divorced King.

Dorothy and young Leslie began a new life in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two years later while Dorothy was at a church social, she met a man who asked if he could call on her. Dorothy was in no hurry to jump into another relationship. For a year, she learned all she could about the man. He was a paint salesman who quit school at 14 to provide for his widowed mother and sisters. He was scrupulously honest, a regular at church, and was kind to everyone who knew him. Most importantly, he was all that Leslie King Sr. was not. Finally, she agreed to let him call on her. In February 1916, he and Dorothy married in the church where they met. To ease the painful reminders of her first marriage, Dorothy changed her son’s name to that of her new husband. Dorothy’s son was 30 years old when he learned that his birth name was Leslie Lynch King Jr. To him, the name was meaningless. His name, the one Dorothy bestowed upon him in honor of the man she married, was Gerald R. Ford. Dorothy’s son eventually became the 38th President of the United States.

Sources:

1. The Omaha Evening Bee, August 21, 1912, p.8.

2. The Macon News, September 15, 1974, p.86.

3. James Cannon, Gerald Ford: An Honorable Life (University of Michigan Press, 2013), 40-42.

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March Madness is one of the most thrilling sporting events of the year, but few people know that the very first NCAA basketball tournament tipped off on March 19, 1939. What started as a small competition with just eight teams has grown into a national spectacle, drawing millions of viewers and generating billions in revenue. As we mark the anniversary of the first tournament, let’s take a look at its humble beginnings and how it evolved into one of the most celebrated sports events in the world.

The inaugural NCAA tournament was a far cry from the 68-team powerhouse event we see today. Organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the tournament was designed as a way to showcase college basketball’s best teams in a single-elimination format.

Held in Evanston, Illinois, at Northwestern University’s Patten Gymnasium, the 1939 tournament featured eight teams. Oregon, led by coach Howard Hobson, emerged as the first national champion after defeating Ohio State 46-33 in the final. The event wasn’t widely covered in the media at the time, and many sportswriters even questioned its importance compared to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), which was more prestigious at the time.

Despite its modest start, the NCAA tournament began to gain traction in the 1940s and 1950s. By 1951, the tournament expanded to 16 teams, and by the 1970s, it had grown into a nationally recognized event. The introduction of television coverage in the 1960s helped boost its popularity, making household names out of college stars and legendary coaches like John Wooden, whose UCLA teams dominated the tournament throughout the decade.

The phrase “March Madness” was first used in connection with the tournament in 1982 by sportscaster Brent Musburger, and the name stuck. By 1985, the field had expanded to 64 teams, creating the bracket format that fans know and love today. The addition of the play-in games in 2001 and the expansion to 68 teams in 2011 only fueled its appeal.

What makes March Madness unique is its ability to captivate both die-hard basketball fans and casual viewers alike. The unpredictability of the tournament, the Cinderella stories of underdog teams, and the heartbreak of buzzer-beaters make it one of the most exciting sporting events each year.

Additionally, the tournament has a massive economic impact. It generates billions of dollars in revenue, with major TV deals, advertising, and betting pools fueling its growth. Office brackets have become a staple of American culture, with millions of people participating in friendly competitions, even if they don’t usually watch basketball.

The NCAA tournament has come a long way since its first game on March 19, 1939. From a modest eight-team contest to a nationwide phenomenon, March Madness has cemented itself as one of the most thrilling and unpredictable events in sports. As we gear up for another year of buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories, and championship dreams, it’s worth remembering how this incredible journey began 85 years ago.

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Mary Meadors
December 3, 1931 – March 15, 2025
Visitation: Friday, March 21, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home in Homer
Services: Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church in Haynesville

Raymond Boyd
February 3, 1957 – March 13, 2025
Visitation: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home in Homer
Services: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Pleasant BC in Haynesville

Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The town of Haynesville is mourning the loss of a legend. Alton “Red” Franklin, the iconic head coach who built the Haynesville Golden Tornado into a Louisiana high school football dynasty, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of faith, leadership, and excellence.

Over 35 seasons, Franklin amassed an extraordinary 365 wins, 11 state championships, and 27 district titles, including a staggering 15 consecutive district championships. Yet, his impact extended far beyond statistics—his coaching was rooted in faith, integrity, and a steadfast belief in his players.

Franklin took the helm during a transformative period. In 1970, as Claiborne Parish schools fully integrated, he led a newly united Haynesville squad to a state championship, fostering unity in a divided town. His locker room became a place of strength and perseverance, marked by a simple but powerful message: “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.” That season, the Golden Tornado secured their first state title since 1936, proving that football could serve as a bridge for healing and progress.

The following year, Franklin’s team defended their title, defeating rival Homer in a dramatic championship showdown. These back-to-back victories ignited a winning tradition that would define Haynesville football for decades.

Through the 1980s, Franklin’s teams remained dominant, securing multiple state titles. His coaching approach—a mix of discipline and adaptability—kept Haynesville at the forefront of Louisiana high school football.

However, it was the 1990s that cemented Franklin’s status as one of the greatest coaches in state history. From 1990 to 1996, the Golden Tornado compiled an astonishing 96-4 record, winning six state championships. The team’s punishing ground game, relentless defense, and unwavering resolve reflected the very essence of their coach.

Haynesville’s triumphs over state powerhouses like Evangel Christian and West Monroe highlighted Franklin’s tactical genius. Despite limited resources compared to their opponents, Franklin’s teams proved that heart and faith could overcome any obstacle.

His coaching philosophy was simple but profound: “Fundamentals first, faith always.” Franklin saw his role as more than just teaching football—he instilled accountability, humility, and service in every player who walked through his locker room.

A devoted member of First Baptist Church in Haynesville, Franklin also served as a deacon and choir member, embodying the same values off the field that he preached on it.

His accolades were numerous: 23-time district coach of the year, six-time state coach of the year, and two-time National High School Athletic Association Region 5 coach of the year. He was inducted into the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991, a fitting honor for a man whose influence stretched far beyond the game.

Yet, Franklin remained humble. For him, coaching was a calling, not a career. He often said his greatest victories weren’t the ones on Friday nights but the moments when former players returned years later as fathers, husbands, and leaders, carrying forward the lessons he had instilled.

Franklin is survived by his wife, Beth, and their three sons, Jeff, David, and Tommy, who will continue to uphold the values he lived by.

For the Haynesville community, Franklin’s passing is an immeasurable loss, but his impact will endure—not just in banners hanging in the gym, but in the countless lives he shaped.

Alton “Red” Franklin’s legacy is more than football—it is one of faith, service, and the belief that true greatness is measured not by wins, but by the lives touched along the way.

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Residents can expect mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures this week, with a slight chance of showers midweek and into the weekend.

Wednesday will bring mostly sunny skies with a high near 79°F, accompanied by south winds of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. By Wednesday night, a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected before 1 a.m., with lows dropping to 54°F and light south winds around 5 mph.

Thursday will see a return to sunny skies and a high near 82°F, with a light southwest breeze at 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 55°F and calm winds shifting south at 5 mph.

Heading into the weekend, a 20% chance of showers is expected Friday afternoon, with a high near 81°F under partly sunny skies. The same slight chance of showers continues Friday night before 1 a.m., with partly cloudy conditions and a low of 55°F.

Saturday brings another 20% chance of rain in the morning, followed by mostly sunny conditions and a high near 75°F. By Saturday night, the skies will clear, and temperatures will dip to 44°F.

Looking ahead, Sunday and Monday are set to be sunny and cool, with highs near 67°F and 73°F, respectively. Nighttime lows will range from 39°F on Sunday to 47°F on Monday. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 77°F.

Residents should be prepared for mild conditions with occasional showers, but overall, the forecast suggests  pleasant and warm days.

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The Greater Minden Chamber held a ribbon cutting Wednesday at Interstate Building Materials to celebrate the completion of a major renovation of its lumberyard, adding an 11,000 sqft drive-thru shed and 30,000 sqft of concrete driveway. It follows the hardware store renovation completed in 2022, highlighting the company’s continuous commitment to providing top-notch service and facilities.

This project marks another major investment into Interstate’s commitment of serving customers with convenience and speed. Interstate’s friendly staff hand loads customer orders, getting them back on the road in minutes.

About Interstate Building Materials:

Founded in 2014 in Many by Kyle Martinez, Interstate expanded to Minden in 2021 with the purchase of Howard Lumber. The company specializes in a wide range of building materials, including lumber, siding, moulding, paint, and more. It serves a diverse customer base, from new home builders to do-it-yourself weekend warriors.

Interstate was recently a finalist for the Greater Minden Chamber’s “Large Business of the Year”.  The company currently has two locations with a third opening in June 2025 in Sabine Parish.

For more information, visit Interstate’s website at www.interstatebm.com

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GeauxPass, Louisiana’s statewide toll system, is warning residents about a widespread “smishing” scam in which fraudsters send text messages posing as tolling agencies to trick recipients into making fake payments.

The fraudulent text messages claim that a toll payment is due and direct recipients to a deceptive website, where they are asked to provide personal and financial information. GeauxPass emphasizes that it will never request personal information via text message.

Scammers often use misleading web addresses, such as geauxpass-la.com or slightly misspelled domains like geaupass.net, to make their schemes appear legitimate. Residents should only use the official GeauxPass website, http://www.geauxpass.com, to manage their accounts and make payments.

Tips to Avoid Online Scams

Carefully check website domain names, as scammers rely on small, unnoticed changes.

Avoid logging in if something seems suspicious.

Delete any scam text messages immediately.

If you clicked on a fraudulent link or provided personal details, take action to secure your financial accounts.

When in doubt, contact GeauxPass customer service for verification.

For any concerns or inquiries, contact GeauxPass Customer Service via email at customerservice@geauxpass.com or call 866-662-8987.

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