The Haynesville Police Department releases this list of some of the bench warrants in Haynesville City Court in Haynesville, Louisiana.

To resolve, call the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355 Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm.

Payments can be made with a money order payable to the Haynesville Police Department.

Warrant List Disclaimer: The Haynesville Police Department 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 Haynesville Police Department 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 Haynesville Police Department 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.

5419307 Aguilar, Christopher Camden, AR
07796867 Abdulrahman, Alanazi Houston,TX
07798321 Allen, Blake Grosse Tete, LA
7795852 Allen, Donyel Ruston, LA
07798198 Amos, Edward Haynesville, LA
7794066 Andrade, Joel Haynesville, LA
07798604 Anthony, Morris El Dorado, AR
07799500 Ashley, Mildred Magnolia, AR
5027155 Aulds, Victor El Dorado, AR
16-0001371 Banks, Marquisha Camden AR
7522585 Banks, Tammy Haynesville, LA
07798685 Bargas, Tyler Baton Rouge, LA
7054584 Barnes, Katrina Magnolia, AR
07799053 Baxter, Zykeira Waldo, AR
07799087 Baxter, Zykeira Waldo, AR
7054507 Beal, Darrette McNeil, AR
7794715 Beaner, Christopher Coushatta, LA
07799672 Beasley, Lauren Ashdown, AR
07796662 Bedford, Marcus Haynesville, LA
07796880 Bedford, Marcus Haynesville, LA
7794116 Beene, Ferlandez Haynesville, LA
07799774 Beene, Ferlandez Haynesville, LA
07798552 Beene, Johnathan Haynesville, LA
07798183 Beene, Nadia Haynesville, LA
07797042 Beene, Shashauna Haynesville, LA
07797151 Beene Travanti Haynesville, LA
07795892 Beene, Travanti Haynesville, LA
7523082 Bell, Barbara Magnolia, AR
07799104 Benjamin, Tiara Farmerville, LA
07796677 Berry, Christopher Marrero, LA
07797358 Berry, James Haynesville, LA
7054800 Billings, Lonnie Nashville, AR
21-000130 Bittle, Jarquez Haynesville, LA
07798616 Bland, Amy Haynesville, LA
7794503 Bonner, Mondee Fort Worth, TX
04-0146 Boswell, Donald Downsville, LA
07796837 Boyd, Johnny Haynesville, LA
07797549 Bradford, Alvin Haynesville, LA
7054535 Bradley, Keith Haynesville, LA
6673182 Bradley, Keith Haynesville, LA
7055313 Brashear, Hout Haynesville, LA
07798182 Burnis, Brazil Richmond, TX
07799202 Brewer, Jakayla Haynesville, LA
07798982 Brewer, Jakayla Magnolia, AR
07798476 Briggs, Darnell Muskegon, MI
6672841 Brooks, Michael Magnolia, AR
07798362 Brown, Alexis Texarkana, AR
7522532 Brown, Alishia Haynesville, LA
6672780 Brown, Billy Magnolia, AR
16-000099 Brown, Darius Haynesville, LA
07798382 Brown, Doriana Magnolia, AR
07799803 Brown, Kayla Monroe , LA
07798230 Brown, Kelvin Emerson, AR
6672967 Buggs, Michael Bernice, LA
07799608 Bullard JR, Reginald Springhill, LA
07799197 Burns, D’Morrius Homer, LA
07796749 Carmelo-Pablo, Juan Haynesville, LA
7054709 Carrigan, Corey Hope , AR
07798802 Carrington, Christina Magnolia, AR
7054797 Carter, Hollis Homer, LA
07798640 Castleman, Jametris Springhill, LA
07799583 Castro, Ilisha Homer, LA
07799814 Caver, Reginald Haynesville, LA
07796723 Chancellor, Crystal Haynesville, LA
07796949 Chancellor, Crystal Rison, AR
6673047 Charles, Felicia Cotton Valley, LA
07799078 Ciganero, Austin Fouke, AR
07799763 Childers, Dellus Hot Springs, AR
07799181 Childs, Jareco Warren , AR
07799635 Clark, Grant Chilliwack, Bristish Columbia
7795262 Claunch, Stephen Haynesville, LA
7794231 Cobb, Douglas Minden, LA
07798033 Cobb JR, Kendal Magnolia, AR
07799816 Coker, Eli Haynesville, LA
7055002 Coleman, Dana Haynesville, LA
07796555 Coleman, Rashanarda Haynesville, LA
7794713 Collins, Patrick Logansport, LA
7054856 Coody, Timothy Emerson, AR
7055168 Cooper, Adrian Magnolia, AR
6672903 Cooper, Frederick Homer, LA
7794426 Cooper, JaMichael Haynesville, LA
7054860 Cooper, Terrance Shongaloo, LA
6673164 Cooper, Tracy Shongaloo, LA
7795121 Cornelius, Orlando Haynesville, LA
7055151 Cravens, Brandon Little Rock, AR
07799046 Crew, Arien Homer, LA
07797464 Critton, Jasmine Haynesville, LA
07798622 Critton, Taylor Haynesville, LA
07798296 Critton, Taylor Haynesville, LA
07799446 Cunningtonham, Dottie Emerson, AR
6673317 Dade, Charles West Monroe, LA
22-000007 Daemi, Perouz Plano, Tx
07798746 Dance, Alexis Ardmore, OK
07794531 Daniels, Lula Homer, LA
07798931 Darrett, Demi McNeil, AR
6672784 Davis, Bryan Dade City, FL
07797222 Davis, Latasha Shreveport, LA
07797827 Dawson, Byron Shreveport, LA
07798874 Day JR, Emerson Roxie, MS
7054870 Demery, D’Marqui Natchitoches, LA
7055188 Dennis, Dwallone Magnolia, AR
07799582 Dison, Kayla Springdale, AR
18-000033 Dodds, Anthony Haynesville, LA
07796111 Doster, Kerry Brandon, MS
07799541 Drake, Tanitha Springhill, LA
7522742 Drake, Tanitha Springhill, LA
07798474 Dunevant, Cedric Spring, TX
6673343 Dunn, Brandon Haynesville, LA
07796824 Dunn, Christy Haynesville, LA
07798238 Dunn, Danyella Haynesville, LA
07798129 Dupree, Gariarta Grambling, LA
07798985 Easter, Angel Magnolia, AR
7054824 Easter, JaMario Junction City, AR
7054360 Edmondson, Dewinston Natchitoches, LA
07795742 Ellis, John Strong, AR
6673441 Ellis, Stephen Magnolia, AR
6673155 Ellison, Christopher Taylor, AR
07799627 Ellison, Elashia Magnolia, AR
07799544 Ferrell, Jarmarkel Homer, LA
7055163 Fewell, Kalli Magnolia, AR
07799495 Fielding, Deitric Haynesville, LA
7523053 Fielding, Doug Haynesville, LA
7522731 Fields Jr, Donald Emerson, AR
7055269 Ford, Kevin Homer, LA
6673306 French, Chris Emerson, AR
07798360 French, Dextrell Haynesville, LA
07799339 French, Dextrell Haynesville, LA
07797442 French, Lashanda Emerson, AR
07798978 French, Nashyria Haynesville, LA
07797558 French, Nashyria Haynesville, LA
7794372 French, Pamela Haynesville, LA
07798218 French, Tristan Haynesville, LA
07798206 French, Tristan Haynesville, LA
07798117 French, Tristan Haynesville, LA
07797779 French, Ty’Shun Emerson, AR
07797978 Fultz, Donna Sarepta, LA
7054710 Furr, Mechelle Mineral Springs, AR
07799041 Garrett, Crystal McNeil, AR
07799042 Gaylord, Khary Pearl, MS
07798963 George, Ashton New Orleans, LA
07798002 Gill, Crystal Springhill, LA
07799757 Gill, Natasha Haynesville, LA
07798034 Gilmore, Derrick Haynesville, LA
07799289 Gilmore, Janice Sacramento, CA
7522978 Gipson, Maurice Homer, LA
07799422 Goodwin, Amy Haynesville, LA
07799180 Gossett, Clayton Diana, TX
07799399 Graham, J’Kesia Homer, LA
07796785 Granberry, Rianna Douglasville, TX
07797252 Gray JR, Dale Magnolia, AR
07799175 Griffin, Camilla Magnolia, AR
07797230 Grissom, Lawrence Magnolia, AR
7522452 Gucvara, Jose Magnolia, AR
7054789 Guillory, Llyod Haynesville, LA
7522689 Gustavo, Marin Haynesville, LA
7054389 Guthrie, Norman Plain Dealing, LA
07799400 Hall, Reese Springhill, LA
7522333 Hamilton, Nicholas Homer, LA
07797565(6) Hampton, Jemarl Arcadia, LA
7054712 Hardwell, Dennis Emerson, AR
7794602 Hardwell, Kentori Haynesville, LA
6673242 Hardwell, Nichole Haynesville, LA
7055293 Harper, Timothy Homer, LA
6673409 Hart, Karen El Dorado, AR
7794358 Hawkins, Keith Bossier City, LA
07796770 Heard, Robert Hearlton, TX
6673202 Henderson, Larry Haynesville, LA
7795410 Henderson, Robert Las Vegas, NV
7054881 Henry, Arlando Magnolia, AR
6672711 Henry, Keon Magnolia, AR
07798964 Hernandez, Erasmo Bossier City, LA
07795991 Herrin, Trina Haynesville, LA
07799248 Hicks, Andrew Ruston, LA
6673188 Hicks, Tammy Ashdown, AR
07796139 Hill, Rontavie Arcadia, LA
07798161 Hodge, Natirha Haynesville, LA
7794286 Holmes, Chaka Homer, LA
07798227 Holmes, Keson Emerson, AR
07798667 Holyfield, Terry Haynesville, LA
07798166 Hontz, Betty Haynesville, LA
07799213 Howell JR, Thomas Arcadia, LA
779409 Hudson, Locken Haynesville, LA
07799315 Hudson, Tina Leesville, LA
07799525 Hunter, Carlos Farmerville, LA
6673414 Ivory, Erik Haynesville, LA
07799728 Jackson, Akeare West Monroe, LA
07797058 Jackson, Bruce DeSoto, TX
07798310 Jackson, Elundra Magnolia, AR
7795818 Jackson, Jeffery Ringgold, LA
07796873 Jackson, Jerrell Haynesville, LA
07799676 Jackson, Jerrell Haynesville, LA
6673469 Jackson, Lontrell Montgomery, AL
07797945 Jackson, Richard Haynesville, LA
7795658 Jackson, Ricardo Haynesville, LA
6673637 Jamaar, Clifton Shreveport, LA
07798202 Jamerson, Kawavin Magnolia, AR
07799547 James, Jeanette Haynesville, LA
07797993 Johnson, Darren Hope, AR
6673551 Johnson, Dennis Emerson, AR
07796569 Johnson, LaTasha Jackson, MS
7522483 Johnson, Tracy Magnolia, AR
7522311 Johnson, Tyrone Magnolia, AR
07797072 Jones, Dalbin Magnolia, AR
15-144 Jones, Jaclynee Haynesville, LA
7795449 Jones, Jaclynee Haynesville, LA
7795640 Jones, Jaclynee Haynesville, LA
7522569 Jones, Jaclynee Haynesville, LA
07798004 Jones, Stormey Haynesville, LA
07797192 Jones, William Fort Worth, TX
7794767 Jones, Willie Haynesville, LA
7054917 Jones, Willie Haynesville, LA
7522697 Jones, Xavier Haynesville, LA
7522383 Jordan, William Emerson, AR
6194757 Jordan, Willie Haynesville, LA
7054467 Kane, Sara Haynesville, LA
7794937 Kendrix, LaTasha El Dorado, Ar
6673433 Kilson, Antoin Saline, LA
07798116 Kimble, D’Anthony Homer, LA
7054615 Kinard, Aaron Haynesville, LA
07799496 Kirk, Keessance Homer, LA
7795829 Kirkpatrick, Justin Haynesville, LA
7795580 Kirkpatrick, Justin Haynesville, LA
07796519 Knowles, LaCalvin Homer, LA
07796842 Knox, Earltrisy Bernice, LA
7054581 Kunkel, Brian Jefferson, TX
07799011 LaPrarie, Misty Pineville, LA
07798092 Larry, Daikeylus Mt. Holly, AR
7522786 Lee, LaToya Minden, LA
7055309 Leggett, Clay Norphelt, AR
7054783 Lester, Wanda Haynesville, LA
07796849 Lewis, Jesse Junction City, AR
07798826 Lewis, Keion Springhill, LA
15-129 Lewis, Linda Haynesville, LA
07799759 Lindsey, Shunti Magnolia, AR
7522692 Livingston, Robert Haynesville, LA
07797852 Locke, Madison Lincoln, AR
07797919 Logan, Keauati Haynesville, LA
7055346 Logan, Keauati Haynesville, LA
7794895 Logan, Keauati Haynesville, LA
7055116 Logan, Keauati Haynesville, LA
7522867 Magee, Reginald Seminary, MS
07798950 Maldonado JR, Augustine Philadelphia, MS
07796728 Malone, Tracy Muskegon Heights, MI
07795898 Manning, Angela Haynesville, LA
7795477 Manning, Cadarian Haynesville, LA
07798848 Manning, Tyquisha Haynesville, LA
07797823 Manning, Tyquisha Haynesville, LA
7522327 Manning Quinton Haynesville, LA
7523043 Manning Quinton Haynesville, LA
7055300 Manning, Quinton Haynesville, LA
7054998 Manning, Quinton Haynesville, LA
07799812 Markham, Markita Shreveport, LA
07796000 Masimore, Zach Yoe, PA
07798306 Mathews, Brandon Crossett, AR
16-000137-7 Maxwell, Jermey Jonesboro, AR
07796951 Mcafee, Nathan Shreveport, LA
7795304 McDaniel, Kenneth Homer, LA
07796157 McDonald, Christopher Ruston, LA
6672788 McGee, David Cullen, LA
07796676 McKinney, Brian Rison, AR
7522860 McKinsey JR, L.T Homer, LA
07799014 McKinnis, Shelby Magee, MS
07799025 McMichael, Lisa Minden, LA
07798573 Mitchell, Donnell Haynesville, LA
17-000055 Mitchell, Jeffery Haynesville, LA
07797661-492 Moore, David Haynesville, LA
07797668 Moore, David Haynesville, LA
7523050 Moore, Tauares Gilmer, TX
6673295 Moore, Travis Homer, LA
07798928 Moore, Turner Vivian, LA
7055146 Morris, Johnel Sibley, LA
07799434 Morris, Mary Homer, LA
07798483 Morris Tiesha Camden, AR
07799507 Moss, Gary Cotton Valley, LA
07796911 Moss, Nelvin Milwaukee, WI
7523198 Mullins, Catena Emerson, AR
07798485 Murray, Cassie Homer, LA
07798625 Murray, Shenika Emerson, AR
07797098 Neal, Jaroda Sarepta, LA
07799168 Nelson, Carrie Homer, LA
07797379 Nunez, Edgar Bernice, LA
07799407 Ockerman, Aaron Bernice, LA
7795737 Odoms, Tobias Heflin, LA
07799124 Olivar JR, Miguel El Dorado, AR
07799369 Paden, Kimerric Dallas, TX
07798212 Padgett, Jimmy El Dorado, AR
07797269 Palmer, Hannah Las Vegas, NV
07798668 Parnell, Washington Haynesville, LA
07798853 Parr, Catherine Camden, AR
07795749 Peio, Ernesto Houston, TX
07798022 Pennington, Brandon Summerfield, LA
07799902 Perey, Tony Rayville, LA
07798233 Perry JR, Gary Ruston, LA
07799504 Pharis, Jimmy St. Landry, LA
7054781 Phillips, Kristie Haynesville, LA
7794078 Pickrom, Ingemar Minden, LA
7055148 Pickrom, Jeremy Minden, LA
7522444 Potts, Jason Ruston, LA
07798097 Powell, Corey Lewisville, AR
7054388 Powell, Michael Sarepta, LA
7794610 Poynter, Jeffery Haynesville, LA
07797458 Presley, Darryl Benton, LA
07799259 Price, Antwan Monroe, LA
07799391 Pridmore, Lisa Haynesville, LA
07798217 Prudhome, Qwanesha Vivian, LA
07796279 Rabb, Randy Homer, LA
7054768 Ramey, Dennis Cedar Hill, TX
07796024 Ramos, Victor Killeen, TX
7795641 Randle, Brian Haynesville, LA
7794127 Rankin, Damacus DeQueen, AR
07798566 Rankin, Lakymdra Magnolia, AR
07797320 Ratliff, Hali Springhill, LA
07796935 Reed, Corey Magnolia, AR
7522622 Reynolds, Dorissa Ruston, LA
07799152 Rison, Leighia Paris, KY
7523190 Roberson III, John Haynesville, LA
07797462 Roberson, Tyerica Haynesville, LA
07798039 Robinson, Darius Emerson, AR
07798407 Robinson, Darius Emerson, AR
07799055 Robinson, Devaunce Homer, LA
07797952 Robinson, Dedarain Haynesville, LA
07795550 Robinson, Demetrius Emerson, LA
07798220 Robinson , Devauntae Magnolia, AR
07798887 Robinson, Jarvis Haynesville, LA
23-000087 Robinson, Jarvis Haynesville, LA
07795798 Robinson, Ray Dallas, TX
07797224 Rockett, Ryan Clear, AL
7794212 Rose, Misty Springhill, LA
07794511 Ross, Patrick Lewisville, AR
07796925 Scott, Martavious Springhill, LA
16-000089 Sellers, Mary Emerson, AR
07796690 Shelton, Lenearl Dallas, TX
07799531 Shields, Stacy Colinsville, MS
07799347 Simmons, James Humble, TX
07798849 Singleton, Leia Berkeley, CA
07798809 Singleton, Rebecca Lillie, LA
07799827 Smelser, Timber Camden, AR
07799823 Smith, Quneika Magnolia, AR
07796836 Smith, Terika Haynesville, LA
07797020 Stevenson, Ricky Haynesville, LA
07799461 Stringfellow, Jasmine Farmerville, LA
07798635 Stringfellow, Jennifer Lucedale, MS
7522856 Tanori, German Springhill, LA
07798502 Taylor, Amber Haynesville, LA
07797944 Taylor, Jason Shongaloo, LA
0779756 Tell, Deandre Haynesville, LA
07799463 Thomas, Deandre Haynesville, LA
7523186 Thomas, Marcus Haynesville, LA
7794084 Thomas, Roosevelt Haynesville, LA
07799521 Thompson, Cedric Mansfield, TX
07797607 Timmons, Michael Gibsland, LA
07797340 Tims JR, Cecil Haynesville, LA
07799505 Thomas, Desiree Grambling, LA
07799535 Thomas, Janikqua Springhill, LA
07799449 Thornton, Margaret Dubberly, LA
07799049 Tobin, Riy Dallas, TX
07799417 Torres, Marcos Magnolia, AR
07798907 Truong, Thai Grand Prarie, TX
18-00004a Turner, Dedrick Waldo, AR
18-00004b Turner, Dedrick Waldo, AR
07797862 Towns, Mario Magnolia, AR
07797333 Vanderpool, Michael Haynesville, LA
07798666 Vencill, Sarynn Hensley, AR
07797003 Verrett, Garrett Bossier City, LA
07797021 Vosburg, Jessica Haynesville, LA
07799349 Walker, Dwayvon Springhill, LA
7054386 Walker, James Houston, LA
7522899 Waller, LaSteven El Dorado, AR
7522682 Waller, LaSteven Haynesville, LA
7522883 Waller, LaSteven El Dorado, AR
07799056 Washington, Arrie Humble, TX
0779678 Washington, Zilethla Springhill, LA
07798729 Washington, Janescia Haynesville, LA
07797584 Webb, Shalonda Haynesville, LA
07798064 Webb, Shalonda Haynesville, LA
07798654 Webb, Shalonda Haynesville, LA
07799146 West, Sheila Homer, LA
07798660 West, Sheila Haynesville, LA
7055181 Westfall, Justin Nashville, AR
07796394 White, Kermit Springhill, LA
07799825 White, Rachel Shreveport, LA
6673419 White, Thomas Shongaloo, LA
07798744 Williams, Angel Haynesville, LA
07798952 Williams, Angel Haynesville, LA
07796807 Williams, Antwain Magnolia, AR
07797205 Williams, Chase Magnolia, AR
07797587 Williams, De’Markus Shreveport, LA
6673319 Williams, Gary Magnolia, AR
23-000242 Williams, Javel Haynesville, LA
07796709 Williams, Jerry Homer, LA
7054421 Williams, Johnathans Bossier City, LA
7522335 Williams, Justin Homer, LA
6673515 Williams, Kandrell Emerson, AR
07795888 Williams, Patrick Haynesville, LA
07798983 Williams, Wyatt Stephens, AR
07796252 Willis, Corey Homer, LA
07796512 Willis, Jalisa Homer, LA
07798044 Wilson, Kamera Crossett, AR
6672910 Witt, Wayland Magnolia, AR
07799656 Woodland, Annanyasha Biloxi, MS
07797251 Wren, Ashley Homer, LA
7054468 Wright, Brandon Homer, LA

---

As the new academic year approaches, Homer High School in Claiborne Parish has issued its updated dress code policy for the 2024–2025 school year, emphasizing student safety, unity, and focus in the classroom.

The school’s policy outlines acceptable attire and accessories, as well as items that are not permitted on campus. Here’s what students and parents need to know:

Bottoms:
Only khaki or navy colored pants, shorts, or skirts are allowed.
Sweatpants are not permitted under any circumstances.

Tops:
Students may wear Homer High T-shirts or spirit shirts.
Collared polo shirts in school-approved colors are also acceptable.
Jackets and sweatshirts must be in neutral colors — no pink, red, green, orange, or other bright colors are allowed.
Hoods must be removed upon entering the school building.

Backpacks:
Only clear or mesh backpacks are permitted on campus for security reasons.

Footwear:
All shoes must have a back and fully cover the foot.
Slides, flip-flops, and Crocs without a back strap are not allowed.

Electronics:
Cell phones may not be used during class time.
Students are asked to leave headphones, Beats, and AirPods at home to avoid distractions.

School administrators urge students and parents to review the guidelines before the start of school to ensure a smooth and respectful learning environment. The goal, they say, is to foster a safe and focused academic space where students can succeed without unnecessary distractions.

For more information, contact Homer High School’s main office or visit the Claiborne Parish School District’s official website.

---

The National Weather Service is forecasting a stretch of dangerously hot and sunny days for Claiborne Parish this week, with high temperatures expected to climb into the upper 90s and heat index values peaking above 100 degrees.

Beginning Wednesday, June 4, residents can expect sunny and hot conditions, with a high near 96°F and a heat index reaching as high as 102°F. Winds will remain calm in the morning, becoming light from the southeast in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with lows around 73°F.

Extended Forecast Highlights:

Thursday and Friday: Both days will see continued sunny and extremely hot weather with highs around 97°F. Nighttime temperatures will offer little relief, staying mostly clear with lows near 73–74°F.
Saturday: The heat persists with highs again near 96°F under sunny skies. Nighttime conditions remain mostly clear, low near 74°F.

Sunday: A slight break from the dry spell is possible, with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs will still reach about 96°F, with partly cloudy skies overnight and lows near 75°F.

Monday: Rain chances increase slightly to 30%, but the heat remains with highs near 95°F.

Safety Reminders:
Officials are reminding residents to:

Stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak heat hours.

Wear light clothing and use sunscreen.

Check on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets.

Never leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

This extended period of heat can pose serious health risks if proper precautions are not taken. Stay tuned to local weather updates and advisories from the National Weather Service for the latest information.

---

Families across Claiborne Parish are invited to Lake Claiborne State Park this Friday, June 28, for a lively and educational Safety Fun Day running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is designed to promote community safety awareness while offering a full day of interactive fun — and yes, attendees should be prepared to get soaked!

Organized in partnership with local and regional emergency response teams, the event will feature demonstrations and educational activities from:

Homer Fire Department – Fire safety demonstrations and equipment tours

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – Boating and wildlife safety guidance

Delta Elite K-9 Search and Rescue – Meet the working dogs and learn about life-saving operations

Pafford EMS – Emergency medical services awareness and first-aid education

With hands-on experiences, educational booths, and water-based fun, the event aims to engage children and adults alike in learning important safety practices in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Important Reminders:
Participants are encouraged to dress for water activities, bring sunscreen, and come ready to enjoy outdoor fun while learning from local first responders and safety professionals.

Lake Claiborne State Park is located at 225 State Park Road, Homer, LA. Entry to the park is required, and they have announced the entry fee for the event has been waived.

Whether you’re interested in meeting K-9 heroes, learning fire safety tips, or just enjoying a splash-filled day at the lake, Safety Fun Day promises a mix of excitement and valuable knowledge for all ages.

For more information, visit http://www.lastateparks.com or call Lake Claiborne State Park directly.

---

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is currently updating the Statewide Transportation Plan and is inviting residents, commuters, and business owners to provide input through an online survey available until June 30.

The plan, last updated in 2015, will serve as a blueprint for shaping the future of Louisiana’s transportation system. The updated plan is expected to be finalized in 2025 and is designed to address the evolving needs of a modern transportation network—balancing safety, infrastructure longevity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

DOTD’s effort is guided by the theme “Shaping Louisiana’s Future: Your Journey, Our Priority,” emphasizing the importance of aligning transportation planning with the needs of the public. Transportation in Louisiana encompasses more than just roads—it’s about efficiently and safely moving people and goods across the state and the country.

To ensure the plan reflects the priorities of Louisianans, DOTD has identified six overarching goals:

Safety – Provide safe and secure travel across all modes of transportation.

Preservation – Maintain the state’s multimodal infrastructure in a state of good repair.

Resilience – Strengthen the system’s ability to withstand and recover from extreme weather and other disruptions.

Community Development and Enhancement – Ensure the transportation network serves all citizens and supports broader community goals.

Economic Competitiveness – Foster a transportation system that drives employment, commerce, and tourism.

Environmental Sustainability – Make transportation decisions that are respectful of Louisiana’s environment, culture, and history.

Public input will play a critical role in refining these goals and guiding investment decisions over the coming years. Whether priorities lie in road improvements, bridge repairs, public transit, or freight logistics, community feedback will help shape the vision for how Louisiana moves forward.

The public is encouraged to complete the brief survey by visiting https://latransportationplan.la.gov/survey/.

With growing demand, technological advancement, and shifting infrastructure needs, DOTD is committed to planning for a transportation system that supports safety, sustainability, and long-term growth. Public participation is essential to creating a plan that reflects the values and vision of all Louisianans.

---

Doug McGuire was the Senior Minister of Trinity Methodist Church through the 1960’s. He was a great guy. In his retirement he acquired his private pilot’s license. Years ago, I was known to spend hours in the air with Doug. Doug has gone on to his reward. He was filled with preacher aphorisms. His advice was wise. He encouraged, “Always enter the pulpit with a full heart and an empty bladder. And don’t get them reversed!” He also said, “If a sermon is worth preaching once it is worth preaching again.” I wonder if that holds true for these articles.

To wit.

A dog was on a safari with this master, but he got lost chasing butterflies. He then noticed out of his peripheral vision that a lion was slowly sneaking up to attack him. He saw a pile of bones nearby. Pretending not to see the lion, the dog started chomping on a bone. He hollered, “Boy, the lion sure tasted good!” The lion decided that this must be a very ferocious dog, so he left.

But a monkey watched all of this. He chased down the lion and told him the truth. Furious, the lion turned around to go eat the dog. The monkey jumped on the lion’s back intending to watch the whole thing unfold before him. Realizing what had happened, the quick-thinking dog grabbed another bone and hollered, “Where is that stupid monkey? He should have brought me another lion by now!”

It is a great story. Don’t you wish you could be like that dog and be that quick witted? Sure you do! When someone zings you at work, you stew about it all that night and you finally figure out what you could have said to that person. Or after an argument you stew until you finally think of what you should have said.

In my line of work, I want to be comforting and Godly when someone seeks my wisdom or advice. Often, I am neither and I toss and turn until I come up with a better answer to a person’s question or concern.

Most of us wish we could think faster and say the right word at the right time.

I wonder how many of us read this story and thought, “maybe it is best not to get lost in the first place.” I think that was the ultimate point.

---

Three fun-filled days and nights make Natchitoches the festive focal point in our state Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday with the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and you and yours are invited.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2025 will be enshrined Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 66th Induction Celebration. A seating reconfiguration last week created additional seating up to 900 and a few dozen tickets remain available at LaSportsHall.com.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday with the free admission Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m. at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday schedule begins with the Mardi Gras Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. There’s still room for individual and team entries with participants enjoying lunch catered by Walk-On’s while warm up for the competition takes place at the 40-alley facility.

Two of south Louisiana’s hottest musical acts from the Baton Rouge area will take the stage for the coolest concert for miles around, the absolutely free Rockin’ River Fest party Friday evening.

The Lauren Lee Band will get the party started and The Chase Tyler Band is the featured act on the Rue Beauport stage bordering Cane River Lake smack dab in the middle of the City of Lights’ historic and beautiful downtown district.

In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event that is approaching capacity on the Front Street bricks and inside Mama’s Oyster House, Papa’s and the Blues Room.

The slate on Saturday kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting will televise the ceremony live from 7-9:30.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of 2025 is headlined by two men pivotal in LSU’s 2003 football national championship – coach Nick Saban and Andrew Whitworth, a champion at West Monroe High School, LSU and in the NFL during a 16-year pro career. More sparkle is provided by pro basketball All-Stars Vickie Johnson and Danny Granger, the state’s winningest all-time college baseball coach Joe Scheuermann and Danny Broussard, one of the nation’s most successful high school basketball coaches, in this year’s induction class.

It also includes LSU gymnastics great and NCAA individual champion April Burkholder, transformational Catholic-Baton Rouge high school football coach Dale Weiner and George “Bobby” Soileau, a four-time high school and 1956 NCAA boxing champion at LSU who also won a state crown as a football coach at his alma mater, Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte.

LSU graduate Herb Vincent, now a longstanding associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, is receiving the Hall’s Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award with his enshrinement.

Also being honored: Ed Daniels, a generational television sports broadcaster in New Orleans, and Glenn Guilbeau, one of the nation’s more decorated sportswriters in a career that has seen him cover LSU, state college, high school and pro sports along with stories across the South and around the SEC. They are being inducted as recipients of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

---

By Steve Graf    

During the span of a lifetime, we are met with this question. For example, when is it time to change jobs, get married, have kids, or retire? Everyone has a different timeline for each of these questions. But the one thing we ALL want is the ability to make these decisions when we are ready and on our own terms. 
 
Everyone that has played a particular sport, especially at a high level, wants to walk away when they are ready, not when someone tells them they are no longer good enough. 
 
I’ve always wanted to be in control no matter what, and the one thing I’ve always told myself was, “When it’s no longer fun or I’m no longer competitive, it’s time to walk away.” I have applied this rule of thumb throughout my athletic career and will do so with regards to my fishing career. 
 
I’ve been fishing tournaments since the early 1990’s and have enjoyed almost every minute of it! Sure, there’ve been some ups and downs just like any other sport, but the friends I have made and the good times I’ve shared with so many can never be taken away. 
 
Another aspect I still enjoy today is trying to figure out how to catch bass. This never gets old for me. And the feeling I get when it all comes together for a tournament, well there’s just no better feeling in the world! It’s what motivates me and drives my competitive fire!
 
Over the years, people who don’t know or understand the sport of bass fishing think it is all luck. Nothing could be further from the truth because if that was the case, why are the same anglers always near the top of the standings?
 
They say luck is where preparation meets opportunity. I’m a firm believer in that saying because if you want to compete with the best anglers on any circuit, you have to do your homework and spend lots of time on the water. In bass fishing, “time on the water” is essential to being successful.
 
So, to answer the question of, “How do we know when it’s time?” – for me, it will be when I can no longer compete with the young guns of the tournament bass fishing world or when it’s no longer fun. 
 
But if all my fishing buddies continue to fish, I’ll still hang around. This has become the main reason I’m still competing today. I’ve been blessed with some of the best dudes an angler could ask for when it comes to travel partners. 
 
We’ve shared in some awesome times, ate some great meals and told a lot of fish stories, some true and some just pure lies! These same stories have been repeated time and time again and are told as if it was the first time we have ever heard them. But that’s ok, it’s all a part of the memories being made that make every trip special. 
 
One thing about tournament anglers, they are unique in many ways and are a little stingy when it comes to fishing information. We’ll try and help each other a little, but may not always reveal every detail on how we are catching fish. 
 
There’s also a great bond with all anglers that travel and stay together on the road. Each is always willing to help the other in their time of need, whether it’s a boat breakdown on the water or a blown trailer tire on the road. They are like the Marines; no man will be left behind!
 
This is why I’m still doing it at the age of 64 and will continue as long as my health is good, I can still get bites, and hopefully cash a check once in a while.

‘Til next time, here’s to wishing all anglers tight lines and good times fishing!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

---

On a relaxing Sunday afternoon on June 28, 1931, Betty Robinson and her cousin Wilson Palmer, a novice pilot, decided to take a flight in what one newspaper described as “an ancient plane of small design.”

Betty was an Olympian. In 1928, she won the first Olympic championship in the 100 meters for women’s track. Betty had made a few attempts to pilot a plane herself and took frequent flights with her cousin.

Betty’s and Wilson’s parents and friends chatted warmly at the airfield as their flight began. It was a scene they were familiar with until the airplane reached an altitude of about 400 feet. They noticed something was wrong. The airplane was struggling to gain altitude and the engine stalled. Wilson fought at the controls until the plane “slipped into a nosedive and plunged almost straight down.” At that crucial moment, Wilson instinctively cut off the plane’s ignition switch. There was nothing anyone could do.

Wilson fought with the controls until the end. Family and friends watched helplessly for those few seconds as the plane silently plummeted straight down to the ground right in front of them. Because Wilson had turned off the ignition switch, there was no fire. The crowd rushed to what remained of the airplane and dragged Betty’s and Wilson’s unconscious bodies from the wreckage. Motorists who had witnessed the crash stopped to help and transported Betty and Wilson to two different hospitals in Chicago; Betty was taken to Oak Forest Infirmary and Wilson to Ingalls Memorial Hospital. Doctors at both hospitals told their families that it was unlikely that either would survive. All they could do was hope and pray.
After reviewing her x-rays, Dr. Jacob Minke explained Betty’s injuries: “The thigh bone is fractured in several places between the knee and the hip and when it heals it will probably be a little shorter than the other leg. It will be months before she is able to walk again. She has a fractured left arm and internal injuries which may be more serious than is yet apparent.” Headlines read, “Crash Will End Athletics for Betty Robinson.”

On September 5, 1931, Betty was able to leave the hospital but remained in a wheelchair. She slowly began regaining her strength and her ability to walk. “Not being able to race is terrible to contemplate,” Betty said after leaving the hospital, “but I have determined not to let this accident ruin my life.” She hoped to become a coach at the 1936 Olympics. Despite her countless hours of physical therapy and training, Betty was never able to get back into the crouching position runners take before a race. Betty was at the 1936 Olympics, but not as a coach. Five years after the airplane crash that left her body broken and battered, Betty was part of the U.S. 4 x 100 meter relay team. During the race, Betty took the lead from her German counterpart and led her team to victory. Even with a stiff left arm and permanent damage to her left leg, Betty Robinson won her second Olympic Gold Medal.

Sources:

1. The Minneapolis Tribune, June 29, 1931, p.1.

2. Chicago Tribune, June 30, 1931, p. 13.

3. Chicago Tribune, September 6, 1931, p.17.

4. Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1931, p.4.

5. Chicago Tribune, December 22, 1931, p.21.

6. Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1936, p.20.

---

On June 25, 1981, Microsoft took a major step toward transforming the personal computer industry with the introduction of MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). Though the software would not become widely used until later that year, this date marks the official beginning of a platform that would come to dominate personal computing for more than a decade—and propel Microsoft from a modest software startup into one of the world’s most influential tech giants.

The story of MS-DOS is one of timing, opportunity, and rapid innovation. In 1980, IBM was developing its first personal computer—the IBM PC—and needed an operating system to run it. Microsoft, founded just five years earlier by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, had never developed an OS before. But when IBM came calling, Microsoft made a bold move: it agreed to provide the software and then quietly acquired an existing OS called 86-DOS from a small Seattle company, Seattle Computer Products.

Microsoft adapted 86-DOS for IBM’s hardware, rebranded it as MS-DOS, and delivered it to IBM in time for the launch of the IBM PC in August 1981. The agreement allowed IBM to use the system under the name PC-DOS, while Microsoft retained the rights to license it to other manufacturers. This seemingly small decision would prove to be one of the most consequential in tech history.

Over the next several years, MS-DOS became the backbone of countless IBM-compatible personal computers, also known as “clones,” which flooded the market. As hardware became more affordable and accessible, Microsoft’s operating system powered millions of machines in homes, schools, and businesses worldwide.

MS-DOS was a command-line operating system, meaning users had to type specific text commands to launch programs or access files—an experience that could be intimidating for newcomers. But at the time, it was a revolutionary step forward, offering a standard platform for developers and helping to fuel the rapid growth of the software industry.

Though rudimentary by today’s standards, MS-DOS laid the groundwork for future advancements in personal computing. It supported early versions of now-legendary programs like WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and eventually, Microsoft Word and Excel. It also paved the way for the development of Windows, Microsoft’s graphical user interface that would eventually replace MS-DOS as the dominant operating system.

By the mid-1990s, MS-DOS had been largely phased out as users transitioned to more user-friendly systems like Windows 95 and Windows 98. Still, echoes of MS-DOS remain in modern Windows environments, where the “Command Prompt” is a direct descendant of its early interface.

Beyond the technology itself, the launch of MS-DOS on June 25, 1981, marked a defining moment in Microsoft’s history. It positioned the company as a central player in the emerging PC industry and set the stage for its meteoric rise. By retaining the rights to MS-DOS, Microsoft was able to license the software to dozens of manufacturers, securing a steady stream of revenue and building a near-monopoly on personal computer operating systems for years to come.

Today, MS-DOS is a footnote in the story of modern computing, but its impact remains undeniable. It empowered a generation of computer users, shaped the trajectory of the digital age, and demonstrated how a few lines of code—backed by strategic thinking—can change the world.

As we look back on June 25, 1981, it serves as a reminder of how quickly technology evolves, and how the smallest decisions can have the biggest consequences.

---

Acie Fuller Jr.
Service: Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 1800 Mt. Olive Rd.-Summerfield in Bernice

Kennon Ray McBride Sr.
Services were held on June 24

Walter W. Willis
Service: Saturday, June 28 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, located at 4043 Highway 79 in Homer

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

---

CLAIBORNE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE

On May 15, 2025, an officer with the Homer Police Department along with a Deputy
from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) responded to a reported battery at a
convenient store in Homer, Louisiana.

On May 27, 2025, the Homer Police Department requested that the CPSO complete the
investigation.

On May 30, 2025, the CPSO initiated the investigation. During the investigation, it was
learned that the victim of the incident required medical attention due to a head injury
sustained during the incident.

CPSO Detectives were able to identify the suspect to be RODNEY KIRK of Homer,
Louisiana. On June 4, 2025, CPSO obtained an arrest warrant for KIRK.

On June 12, 2025, the CPSO arrested KIRK without incident at his residence. KIRK
was later transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked
and incarcerated. KIRK was charged with Aggravated Battery.

---

CLAIBORNE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE

On June 4, 2025, Deputies from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO)
responded to a complaint of burglary of a residence within the city limits of Homer,
Louisiana.

CPSO Detectives initiated the investigation and learned that approximately $7,300.00
worth of items had been taken from the victimized residence.

CPSO Detectives gained information and subsequently executed two (2) search
warrants of residences in Homer, Louisiana. The search warrants resulted in the CPSO
recovering all the stolen items.

The CPSO Detectives identified the following individuals as suspects responsible for the
burglary/thefts.

MELISHA M. BOLDEN of Homer, Louisiana

JERMAINE WINZER of Homer, Louisiana

On June 6, 2025, the CPSO arrested WINZER on an active arrest warrant. WINZER
had been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and Simple Burglary. WINZER
was later booked and incarcerated at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
On June 11, 2025, BOLDEN surrendered to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center
(CPDC). BOLDEN surrendered due to having active arrests warrants. BOLDEN was
charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Simple Burglary, and Illegal Possession of
Stolen Things. Bolden was later booked at the CPDC.

ALL SUBJECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNITL PROVEN GUILTY IN A
COURT OF LAW.

---

Northwestern State University (NSU) has released its academic honors for the Spring 2025 semester, with several students from Claiborne Parish earning distinctions for their outstanding academic performance.

President’s List

Students achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA were named to the President’s List, the highest academic honor at NSU. Among the honorees:

Makenzie Scroggs, Arielle Logan, and Koby Brebvelle of Marksville (Claiborne Parish)

Dean’s List

To be named to the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.99. Claiborne Parish students recognized include:

Alyssa Grimes, Jessica O’Donnel, and Ashley Urbanczyk of Haynesville

Honor List

Students on the Honor List achieved a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 while enrolled full-time. The following students from Homer were recognized:

Kemarion Ivory
Hunter Shaffer

These honors reflect the academic dedication and hard work of students across Claiborne Parish. Local education leaders and community members join in congratulating these individuals for their commitment to academic excellence.

Northwestern State University, located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is part of the University of Louisiana System and continues to be a popular choice among Claiborne Parish students seeking higher education.

---

Claiborne Parish residents can expect hot and humid weather to persist through the upcoming Juneteenth weekend, with the National Weather Service forecasting temperatures in the mid-90s and heat index values topping 100 degrees in some areas. Scattered rain and thunderstorm chances are also in the forecast.

Wednesday (Today)
The day will be mostly sunny with a high near 94°F, but heat index values could reach up to 102°F, making outdoor activity potentially dangerous during peak afternoon hours. A south wind of 5 to 10 mph will offer limited relief.

Wednesday Night
A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible overnight. Skies will be partly cloudy, with a low around 73°F and a light south wind around 5 mph.

Thursday (Juneteenth)
Juneteenth celebrations may be impacted by a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. The day will otherwise be mostly sunny, with a high near 92°F. Winds will be calm, becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night
Conditions will clear again with a mostly clear sky and a low near 73°F.

Friday Through Sunday
Expect a stretch of sunny and increasingly hot days:

Friday: Sunny, high near 94°F.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, high near 96°F.

Sunday: Sunny and hot, high near 95°F.

Each night will remain mostly clear with lows hovering around 74°F.

Monday
The start of next week brings a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms under mostly sunny skies, with a high near 94°F.

Heat Safety Reminders
Local officials urge residents to take precautions during extreme heat:

Stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Check on elderly neighbors and those without air conditioning.

Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Stay tuned to local weather updates and advisories as conditions may shift. For the latest alerts, visit weather.gov.

---

It hit me like a ton of bricks; I was ultimately responsible. That’s what they said in seminary, that the pastor was ultimately responsible. I learned the lesson in 1985, when Helen came out of the lady’s restroom at the church building complaining that there was no sacred paper in the room. “Who is responsible,” she bellowed. I was/am.

I was thinking about the whole realm of possibilities for avoiding responsibility. I write this “tongue in cheek” but you get the idea.

Let’s face it: responsibility is overrated. It’s the broccoli of adulthood—nutritious, necessary, and universally avoided until absolutely forced. But fear not, fellow obligation-evaders, for I bring you tried-and-true techniques to sidestep the shackles of accountability while keeping the illusion of competence.

1. Master the Power of the “Accidental” Oversight. If someone asks, “Did you email the report?” simply widen your eyes and say, “Wait… that was my task?!” This classic maneuver pairs beautifully with faux shock and frantic digging through folders. Bonus points if you fumble with your mouse like you’ve never used a computer before.

2. The Eternal E-mail Forward. When in doubt, forward the task to someone else with a cryptic message like, “Looping you in—thought this was more your area.” Now you’re not avoiding responsibility; you’re collaborating. You’re empowering. You’re… basically a leader.

3. Weaponized Incompetence. Why try, when you can fail so spectacularly on purpose that no one dares ask again? Mow the lawn into checkerboard patterns. Fold laundry into abstract origami. Burn toast with scientific precision. Soon, others will say, “It’s just easier if I do it myself.” Victory.

4. The Phantom Meeting Excuse. Nothing cloaks irresponsibility like the mythical, ever-running back-to-back meetings. “Sorry I missed that—was deep in Zoomland,” you’ll say, adjusting nonexistent headphones. If pressed, toss around vague jargon: “We were syncing on Q3 KPIs.” Nobody knows what that means. That’s the beauty of it.

5. Delay with Flair. Avoid saying no. Instead, say, “Let me circle back with some thoughts,” then enter a witness protection program. If followed up, respond with, “Waiting on some final input” (no one will ask from whom). Stall with the confidence of a bureaucrat stuck in a printer paper requisition loop.

6. Use Children, Pets, and Houseplants as Scapegoats. “My dog chewed through my internet cable.” “The kids scheduled a surprise virtual science fair.” “My fern needed emotional support.” The more oddly specific, the more believable. Besides, who’s going to interrogate a plant?

7. Mystify with Tech Jargon. If someone accuses you of negligence, murmur, “Must’ve been an authentication caching error on the API endpoint.” Say it like it haunts you in your dreams. They’ll back away slowly, unsure whether to nod or call IT.

8. Become the Question Master. Answer every request with a question. “Can you finish this by Friday?” you say, “What do we mean by ‘finish’?” “Who defines ‘Friday’ in a globalized world?” You’ve not avoided the task—you’ve started a philosophical dialogue. Bravo.

9. Disappear into the Vortex of Group Chats. Group chats are magical. Tasks vanish into the sea of emojis, gifs, and “LOL”s. If mentioned by name, hit them with a “thumbs up” reaction—neither confirming nor denying responsibility. You’re present, yet ephemeral. Like a responsibility ghost.
You caught on didn’t you, each one of us is ultimately responsible for the life we live. Or as the Bible says, we must all stand and give an account of the life we have lived, no excuses, no explanations. Each one of us before God!

---

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration’s Round Table Luncheon is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2025 inductees.

It’s next Saturday, June 28, at noon at Riverside Reserve, 104 Mill Street, in Natchitoches. There are still a few seats available among the 300 guests for the seventh annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Registration is available for the luncheon and can be made by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255. It is a ticketed event and only a few dozen seats are still open to see and hear from 2025 inductees including Nick Saban, Andrew Whitworth, Vickie Johnson, Danny Granger, Danny Broussard and Joe Scheuermann.

Festivities begin next Thursday evening, June 26, at 5 with the free of charge Welcome Reception open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

The Friday, June 27 slate begins with the BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Friday evening is the free Rockin’ River Fest concert on Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, from 6-10:30, with the Class of 2025 introduced at 9:15 right before a sports-themed fireworks show over the water.

Events Saturday include the free for kids Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp, the Round Table Luncheon, and the Induction Reception and Ceremony, which is sold out. A waiting list is being compiled.

The Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.

A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning, being inducted later that day, stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.

Scenes like that, up-close access and the fun-filled dialog between Brando and the Hall of Fame inductees combine to provide a memorable 90-minute event.

The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting, with a touch of elegance at Riverside Reserve on the banks of Cane River Lake just a mile from downtown Natchitoches.

---

By Steve Graf    

To answer the question of where the big bass craze started, all we need to do is look at our
neighbor to the west — Texas! No state has done more for bass fishing than Texas, and the
people largely responsible work at the Texas Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (TDWF).

Texas has led the way showing how all other states should manage their fisheries, especially
when it comes to producing huge largemouth bass.

In the 1970s, tournament bass fishing was starting to take root and anglers wanted to catch
more and bigger bass. The first lake that started producing huge bass was a power plant lake,
Lake Monticello, near my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

By the mid 1970s, this is where the big bass fever infected Texas and the bass fishing world.
Monticello was a hot waterpower plant lake which gave bass a long and productive growing
season. Here bass started spawning in December and as word spread about the size of bass
being caught, Monticello became a destination for all bass fishermen.

Then in 1980, one of the greatest bass fisheries in America was impounded … Lake Fork. This
lake was a game changer and lit the fuse for an explosion of huge largemouth bass. Every bass
angler that has ever wet a hook has dreamed of catching either a new world or state record
bass and most felt Lake Fork was the place that would give anglers the best opportunity.
 
It presently holds 12 of the top 20 bass ever caught in the state of Texas!  It recently showed
out this past May when the Bassmaster Elite Series showed up. It took a four-day total of over
128 pounds to win this event. The winner, with his best five, had a daily average just over 6
pounds per fish!

Today, there are other lakes in Texas that are starting to produce record-size bass with the
most recent being Lake O.H. Ivie, located just south of Abilene. There, double-digit bass are
becoming the norm with 8-10 pound bass not even turning heads. 

 In the last three years, O.H. Ivie has produced 39 bass weighing 13 pounds or more, all caught
between the months of January and March. In Texas, all fish caught over 13 pounds become a
part of what is called the Legacy Class Program.

This is all part of the Texas ShareLunker Program. Biologists retrieve these huge bass from
around the state and take them back to the hatchery in Athens. There they will breed these
lunker fish with other lunker bass over 10 pounds, which in turn will be used as a part of their
stocking program for other lakes.

In 2023, bass caught in O.H Ivie made up 83 percent of the Legacy Class Bass caught in the state
of Texas. Today, this lake continues to produce lunker bass like no other. This calendar year the
lake has produced eight Legacy Class Bass over 13 pounds and 14 bass over 10 pounds as part
of the ShareLunker program.

To visit lakes in Louisiana where an angler might catch a double-digit bass, you may want to
check out Toledo Bend, Caddo Lake, Caney Lake or Bussey Break.

‘Til next time remember, the only way to catch big fish is if your lake has big fish! 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

---

Edi was pregnant with her first child. Her pregnancy was considered normal until she started experiencing severe pains in her abdomen. She feared for her unborn child. Her husband rushed her to the hospital, and doctors diagnosed her with appendicitis. As part of her treatment, they put ice on her stomach. The doctors feared the treatment was unsuccessful and advised Edi to abort the child. They explained that abortion would be the best solution because they knew the child would be born with some kind of disability. You see, the doctors had misdiagnosed Edi and feared their odd treatment had jeopardized the fetus. Despite the dangers to herself and her child, and despite the possibility of the child being born with a disability, Edi refused the doctors’ advice. She was determined to have her baby.

On September 22, 1958, Edi gave birth to a son. As the doctors predicted, the child was born with a disability, congenital glaucoma. Edi’s son was born with damaged optic nerves which were responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. The boy was only partially blind. The extremely short-sighted boy could see everything but only from up close. By the time the boy was three-and-a-half years old, he had undergone 13 operations to try to improve his eyesight, but none of them worked. When he was seven, his parents sent him to a boarding school for visually impaired children because no local school would allow him to enroll. His family visited him at the boarding school once a month, and the boy returned home for holidays. Then, an incident happened which Edi’s son said was the worst moment of his life. The boy was playing the position of goalkeeper in a game of football — you and I would call this soccer — at the school for the visually impaired. It was Edi’s son’s first time as a goalie, and it would be his last. One of the players kicked the ball and it struck Edi’s son directly in the face. The force of the strike caused a hemorrhage and darkness fell over the boy forever.

Edi’s son may have lacked sight, but his hearing was perfect. At the young age of six, the boy began taking piano lessons. His interest in music led him to learn to play the drums, flute, guitar, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. Following high school, Edi’s son went to college where he studied law. He supported himself through college by playing in piano bars. Once he earned his law degree, he worked as a court-appointed attorney. Edi’s son could have continued his occupation as an attorney and his story of achievement would certainly have been impressive, but, to our benefit, another career came calling.

Had Edi taken the advice of her doctors, we would never have heard a voice which has been on 15 solo studio albums, three greatest hits albums, nine complete operas, and has sold more the 75 million records worldwide… so far. Celine Dion once said, “If God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like…Andrea Bocelli.”

Sources:

1. John Hooper, “Tenor’s story acclaimed by anti-abortion campaigners,” The Guardian, June 10, 2010, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/10/andrea-bocelli-abortion-italy.

2. Thomas Edward, “Andrea Bocelli recalls the incident that left him blind: ‘That’s when darkness fell,’” Smooth Radio, September 9, 2024, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/andrea-bocelli-blind-why-how/.

---

June 18 marks the anniversary week of the death of Ray Charles, one of the most influential musicians in American history. Though he passed away on June 10, 2004, the week surrounding his death is often a time of reflection and remembrance for fans and artists alike.

Known as “The Genius,” Ray Charles helped shape modern music by blending gospel, blues, jazz, and country into a sound that became the foundation of soul. His influence stretched far beyond any single genre, and his legacy continues to impact music today.

Born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Georgia, in 1930, he lost his sight at age 7 due to glaucoma. Raised in poverty and orphaned as a teen, Charles’s early life was filled with hardship. Yet he found purpose through music, studying classical piano and composition at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

After moving into the professional music scene, Charles signed with Atlantic Records in the 1950s, where he found success with hits like “I Got a Woman” and “What’d I Say.” He revolutionized the industry by bringing gospel-inspired vocals into popular music, a move that gave rise to the soul genre.

Among his many classics, “Georgia On My Mind” became especially iconic, later adopted as Georgia’s official state song in 1979. Over his six-decade career, Charles earned 17 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1986.

Charles’s contributions went far beyond music. In 1961, he refused to perform at a segregated venue in Georgia, taking a stand that would later be seen as a quiet but powerful moment in civil rights history. Throughout his life, he supported causes that uplifted underrepresented communities, particularly those with disabilities.

Despite personal struggles—including a long battle with heroin addiction—Charles maintained a prolific career and remained a generous supporter of programs for the blind and disadvantaged youth. He fathered 12 children and continued to perform and record well into his later years.

His final album, Genius Loves Company, was released shortly after his death and featured duets with artists like Norah Jones, Elton John, and Bonnie Raitt. The album earned eight Grammy Awards in 2005, including Album of the Year, further cementing his legacy.

A memorial service was held on June 18, 2004, at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, where stars such as B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, and Willie Nelson paid tribute to the late artist. Then-President George W. Bush called Charles “a great American legend.”

Ray Charles passed away at age 73 from liver disease, but his music continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. As fans remember him during the week of his passing, his life stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and soul.

From a blind child in the segregated South to a global icon, Ray Charles redefined what was possible in music—and proved that genius knows no boundaries.

---

Sharon Renee Fruge
June 4, 1962 — June 9, 2025
Visitation: at the funeral home from 9-11 a.m., prior to the service
Services: Friday June 13 at 11 a.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home

Elijah Jekobe Thornton
February 12, 2003 – June 9, 2025
Visitation: Saturday, June 21 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home                        Services: Saturday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home

Mary Jean Walker
September 5, 1947 – June 12, 2025
Visitation: Friday, June 20 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home
Services: Saturday, June 21at 2:30 p.m. at Lane Chapel CME

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

---

Miller is from Homer and is suspected to be in the Claiborne Parish area.

Minden Police are seeking information for the whereabouts of Jayshun Miller, a 23-year-old black male. Miller is wanted for 4 counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder; 1 count of illegal use of weapons; 2 counts of Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property; and 4 counts of Simple Criminal Damage to Property regarding an April 2025 shooting incident on Stone Street in Minden. Miller and three other suspects fired at least 53 rounds into a group of people having a barbecue.

Through police investigation it was learned the shooting was gang related and Miller is suspected of being a member of a Homer gang.

Anyone with information on Jayshun Miller is encouraged to contact MPD Detective Lt. Jason Smith at 318-371-4226 (office), 318-268-1441 (cell) or email at  jksmith@mindenusa.com.

All information will be confidential.

---