CLAIBORNE PARISH, La. — Claiborne Parish 4-H is celebrating outstanding achievements by local youth in agricultural competitions, including two members qualifying for the ArkLaTex Ag Council Livestock Sale and a first-place finish in the Livestock Quiz Bowl at the State Fair of Louisiana.

Quinn Wilson and Luke Padgett have earned spots in the ArkLaTex Ag Council Livestock Sale, scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at the State Fair Sale Arena.

The accomplishment recognizes the dedication, hard work, and commitment both exhibitors have demonstrated throughout their livestock projects. Raising and preparing livestock for competition requires countless hours of feeding, training, animal care, and hands-on learning.

Claiborne Parish 4-H officials congratulated Wilson and Padgett on reaching this milestone and encouraged the community to support the young exhibitors as they prepare for the upcoming sale.

Friends, family members, local businesses, and community supporters are invited to make financial contributions or donations to help offset expenses associated with raising and exhibiting livestock. Those interested in contributing may contact the exhibitors’ families or follow the donation information provided through Claiborne Parish 4-H. Donors are asked to specify the exhibitor’s name when making a contribution.

Community members are also welcome to attend the November 4 sale and purchase an animal in support of participating youth.

In addition to celebrating its livestock sale qualifiers, Claiborne Parish 4-H earned first place in the Livestock Quiz Bowl at the State Fair of Louisiana, highlighting the parish’s strong agricultural education program.

The competition tested participants’ knowledge of livestock and agricultural practices, with Claiborne Parish securing the top position among competing teams.

The final results were:

First Place: Claiborne Parish 4-H

Second Place: Sabine Parish 4-H

Third Place: Jackson Parish 4-H

The achievements reflect the dedication of Claiborne Parish 4-H members and the continued support of families, volunteers, educators, and community partners who help prepare young people for success in agriculture.

Through livestock projects, educational competitions, and leadership opportunities, 4-H provides youth with valuable experiences that promote responsibility, teamwork, agricultural knowledge, and personal development.

Claiborne Parish 4-H expressed appreciation to the community for its continued investment in local youth and encouraged residents to support Wilson, Padgett, and other young exhibitors participating in the upcoming livestock sale.

The ArkLaTex Ag Council Livestock Sale will take place Wednesday, November 4, at the State Fair Sale Arena, offering an opportunity for community members to recognize and support the next generation of agricultural leaders.

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Ladies, here’s some information that probably won’t shock you. Most men don’t look at how much something costs if it’s something they really want. THEY BUY IT NO MATTER WHAT!

A few men might know the actual price, but it doesn’t factor into the equation or their decision as to whether they buy it or not. It’s a bottom line question — how bad do they want it?

Men are simple and selfish creatures and will not allow the price of something to decide if they purchase it. They will buy it, then ask for forgiveness later if their significant other handles the finances.

We, as men, do have a few considerations that might affect our decision. Will I be the only one of my friends that has one of these? Is this a product that will help me put more fish in the boat or more meat on the table to feed my family? Will this product help me win a bass tournament?

This also applies to men who grocery shop. While the rest of the nation is complaining about the high price of eggs and beef products, men are more concerned about making sure they get enough to feed everyone. If we’re having a hamburger cookout, we don’t look at how much ground beef is per pound. WE JUST BUY IT!

Even at the check-out counter, especially self-check-out, men don’t always pay attention to how much a product costs that we just scanned. We scan it, bag it and move on immediately. Whatever price is on the screen, that’s what we’ll pay. Very seldom do we stop and consider if that’s the right price or not.

I’m not saying we don’t care, because that’s not true. But we’re just not as conscious as we should be.

My wife brought this to my attention recently when she was checking out and had an issue with a tomato she was buying at the local grocery store. As she weighed it, the price came up way more than the tomato was supposed to be.

She contacted the clerk overseeing the self-check-out area and they made sure the right price was charged. But had that been me, I would have never looked at the price and would have walked out as if nothing was wrong … until my wife checked the receipt.

After watching several TV reports lately about how people are being overcharged at supermarkets and discount stores, there’s no telling how many times I have walked out of a store overcharged for whatever was in my buggy.

But with the economy still in distress and grocery prices unstable, the time has come to pay attention to what we are being charged. Some stores are in survival mode and are trying to stay in business.

While I don’t think a lot of this is intentional, it’s up to all of us to make sure we are not being taken advantage of as consumers and pay closer attention to what the register is showing.

So ladies, if you want to make sure your household budget stays intact, don’t ask your man to go shopping.

‘Til next time, to all the men out there, be aware of what you’re paying at the cash register and be more conscious of what things cost; our reputation is at stake.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Welcome to the holiday season officially known as New Hallowsthanksmas!

I am not certain how official it is. I believe I named it sometime in the 1980s, and, as far as I know, I remain the only person using the designation. Still, every tradition has to begin somewhere. Usually, in my family, it begins with somebody saying, “Are you going to eat that?”

New Hallowsthanksmas stretches from Halloween through New Year’s Day. Calorie counting is suspended. Sound nutritional advice disappears beneath a layer of cream cheese. Family members suddenly rediscover the road to your house, especially if you have a guest bedroom and dependable Wi-Fi.

It is a wonderful opportunity to rediscover the people we love. Occasionally, it also reminds us why we usually love a few of them from a distance.

Somewhere along the way, however, we turned celebration into a competitive sport.

How many dishes are necessary for Thanksgiving dinner? At what point does a meal become an agricultural exposition? Must we serve sweet potatoes in three different forms? Apparently, a sweet potato cannot enter the kingdom of Thanksgiving unless it has been baptized in butter and covered with marshmallows.

Then comes Christmas. How tall should the stack of presents be? Should we still be able to see the tree? How many parties constitute a successful season? And who decided every organization we have ever joined needs to hold its Christmas gathering during the same eleven days?

By January, we are exhausted, overdrawn, and eating leftover cheese ball because nobody has the strength to find a vegetable.

Someone asks, “How were your holidays?”

“We survived.”

That ought to tell us something.

Survival is a reasonable goal for a shipwreck. Surely we can hope for more from the celebration of our Savior’s birth.

Perhaps this year we could begin with a different question: What would help us receive the gifts God is actually giving?

Thanksgiving invites gratitude. Gratitude requires enough attention to notice what we already have. That is difficult when we are busy making lists of everything we still need to buy.

Christmas announces that God has come near. Yet we can become so occupied preparing for Christmas that we have little time to pray, worship, or notice the person beside us.

The first Christmas ought to give us permission to simplify. God entered the world in the vulnerability of a child laid in a manger. We keep acting as though the occasion requires matching pajamas, six coordinated wreaths, and a dining room that qualifies for a magazine cover.

There is nothing wrong with decorations, presents, or a good casserole. I am a Methodist minister. I would never recklessly endanger the casserole.

But we ought to ask whether our celebrations leave room for the love Jesus teaches us to practice.

Could we prepare one fewer dish and spend a little longer at the table? Buy one fewer gift and help a neighbor keep the lights on? Decline an invitation and visit someone whose calendar is painfully empty?

Could we listen to a relative without preparing our rebuttal? Offer an apology before passing the rolls? Remember that the people in our homes need kindness more than they need a flawless centerpiece?

Make a little room now. Leave an evening open. Spend within your means. Worship with your church. Welcome someone who might otherwise be alone.

When New Year’s Day arrives, may we have something better to say than “We survived.”

May we be able to say, “We gave thanks. We made room for Jesus. We loved the people he placed before us.”

And if there are only two kinds of pie, I believe the family will recover.

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On Nov. 4, 1922, a discovery beneath the sands of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings set off one of the greatest archaeological stories in history, revealing a treasure-filled tomb, a long-forgotten pharaoh and a mysterious curse that would capture the world’s imagination.

British archaeologist Howard Carter and his excavation team uncovered a stone step buried beneath ancient debris. That single step led to a staircase and eventually the sealed tomb of Tutankhamun, the young Egyptian pharaoh who had been buried for more than 3,000 years.

Carter had spent years searching for the tomb, and financial support for his excavations was running thin. His discovery would become one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century.

On Nov. 26, 1922, Carter and his financial backer, Lord Carnarvon, entered the tomb’s interior chambers.

Inside, they discovered an extraordinary collection of ancient Egyptian treasures, including furniture, jewelry, ceremonial objects and elaborate burial equipment. Among the most remarkable discoveries was a stone sarcophagus containing three nested coffins. The innermost coffin, made of solid gold, held the mummified remains of Tutankhamun.

The young pharaoh had died approximately 3,000 years earlier, at around 18 years old. Unlike many ancient Egyptian royal tombs that had been looted over the centuries, Tutankhamun’s burial chambers remained largely intact, providing an unprecedented look into the burial traditions of ancient Egypt.

The discovery soon became associated with one of history’s most famous supernatural legends: the curse of the pharaohs. In 1923, just months after the tomb was opened, Lord Carnarvon died following complications from an infected mosquito bite. His death helped fuel sensational newspaper stories suggesting that disturbing the resting place of an Egyptian pharaoh could bring deadly consequences.

The legend spread worldwide, with reports connecting other deaths and unusual events to the opening of the tomb. However, researchers have found no convincing scientific evidence that a supernatural curse was responsible. A study published in 2002 found no significant difference in survival among Western visitors exposed to the tomb compared with those who were not.

More than a century later, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb remains one of archaeology’s most recognizable achievements. The treasures uncovered by Carter’s team provided historians and researchers with invaluable information about ancient Egyptian royalty, religious beliefs and burial practices.

What began with the discovery of a single buried step on Nov. 4, 1922, ultimately revealed a remarkable collection of ancient treasures and gave rise to a mystery that continues to fascinate generations.

And while the legendary curse remains a story of superstition rather than established fact, the discovery itself forever changed our understanding of ancient Egypt.

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George Baldwin Selden was a brilliant New York patent attorney, but his passion was inventing. George only became an attorney at the insistence of his father, Henry Selden, a prominent attorney who defended Susan B. Anthony in her 1873 trial for voting as a woman. It was around that time that inventors began looking for a way to replace horses as transportation. Horses required constant care and horse manure was a constant sanitation problem. George designed a “gasoline and oil type” automobile and submitted his patent request on May 8, 1879. For George, a patent attorney, the process to attain a patent was almost second nature, but George intentionally delayed the finalizing of his patent. George’s strategy was to stall the patent process until interest in automobiles was peaking. After 16 years of intentional delays, on November 5, 1895, George was granted patent No. 549,160 for “a road vehicle, the motor being a liquid hydrocarbon gas engine of the compression type.”

George’s plan worked well. His patent granted him the exclusive right to manufacture, sell, and use gasoline powered automobiles for 17 years. It was considered “the pioneer invention” in the automobile industry. In 1899, George transferred rights to his patent to the Electric Vehicle Company in exchange for compensation which included future royalties. In another clever move, George made a huge profit and would continue earning royalties while the task of collecting royalties was done by the Electric Vehicle Company. In 1903, thirty-two members of the Manufacturer’s Mutual Association formed the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) and leased the right to manufacture and sell gasoline powered automobiles. Lessees eventually included manufacturers such as Buick, Cadillac, Hudson, Packard, Pierce Arrow, and Studebaker. Notice that Ford was not included in the list. Henry Ford had applied for a license through the ALAM, but his application was rejected. A large group of independent manufacturers refused to pay royalties on the Selden patent and Henry Ford joined them. At one point, Henry tried to lure the ALAM into court to have the patent thrown out because of its “monopolistic control and exploitation by the automobile trust.” In a bold move, Henry Ford offered the ALAM $1,000 if they would file suit against him. He got his wish in October 1903 when the ALAM filed suit against the Ford Motor Co. and C.A. Durer & Company for manufacturing automobiles, the O.J. Gude Company for advertising their cars, and John Wanamaker, an owner of a Ford car. The court case dragged on for years and the Selden patent was upheld until January 9, 1911, when the United States Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the lower court and concluded that Selden’s patent was limited to a particular type of engine, which Ford’s automobiles did not use. George and the ALAM said they would take the case all the way to the United States Supreme Court if they had to but ultimately decided against it because the exclusive rights provided by the patent were set to expire in September of the same year. George B. Selden’s plan was brilliant. His plan is even more impressive when you learn that at the time he received the patent which granted him control over the automobile industry, he had never built a single car.

Sources:

1. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, November 12, 1900, p.12.

2. The Flint Journal, October 24, 1903, p.1.

3. The Union and Advertiser (Rochester, New York), September 16, 1909, p.9.

4. The Rochester Herald, January 10, 1911, p.1.

5. “Selden Automobile Patent Model, 1879,” National Museum of American History, accessed October 25, 2026, https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1305689.

© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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Larry Darnell “PAPPY” Thomas
Apr 21, 1962 — Nov 2, 2026
Not yet available

SFC Samuel Kasey Gryder
December 8, 1981 — October 25, 2026
Visitation: Tuesday, November 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Services: Wednesday, November 4 at 1:00 p.m. at Ruple Baptist Church

Mike David Mitchell
April 8, 1964 — November 2, 2026
Visitation: at the funeral home from noon-1 p.m., prior to the service.
Services: Thursday, November 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Judy Jeraline Willis
June 10, 1938 — October 9, 2026
Visitation: beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Services: Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lisbon United Methodist Church Cemetery

Katy Mixon O’Neal
December 31, 1960 — October 28, 2026
A Memorial Service is pending.

Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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Local voters head to the ballot box today, with neighborhood precincts open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. State law ensures that anyone waiting in line by 8 p.m. is permitted to vote.

Area residents should verify their designated polling precinct and review a sample ballot before heading out by using the GeauxVote mobile app or visiting GeauxVote.com.

When checking in at your precinct, election commissioners will request an approved photo ID, such as a Louisiana driver’s license, a state special identification card, the LA Wallet app, or a U.S. military ID. Voters who do not have an approved photo ID can still cast their ballot by completing a standard voter identification affidavit with election workers.

Local election officials ask voters to show patience and respect toward our community’s poll workers and commissioners. With multiple local and state candidate races alongside ballot measures, selections may take longer to complete, which can cause lines at peak hours.

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Louisiana voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, with precincts opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. statewide. Under state law, any voter waiting in line by 8 p.m. is permitted to cast a ballot.

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office urges voters to check their precinct locations and review a sample ballot before arriving at the polls by using the GeauxVote mobile app or visiting GeauxVote.com.

Voters are also asked to practice patience and show courtesy toward election commissioners and precinct workers. Because ballots feature numerous candidate races and proposed constitutional amendments, voters may need extra time to complete their selections, potentially extending wait times at polling locations.

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At 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1st, Louisiana residents must set their clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. Known as the time to “Fall Back” it is the second clock adjustment made each year to shift an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening, aligning natural daylight with normal human waking and working. On March 8, residents “Spring Forward” and set their clocks ahead one hour.

While the United States implemented temporary daylight saving measures during World War I and World War II, and Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, records show that the first time that started recognizing Daylight Saving Time was in 1970. Louisiana passed Act 133 in 2020 to make Daylight Saving Time permanent year-round, but the change cannot take effect until Congress amends the federal Uniform Time Act

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Sunday, November 1, Daylight saving time (DST) ends as all but a few states set back their clocks by one hour.

DST is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour during warmer months so that evening daylight lasts longer.

Current Schedule in the U.S.

• Starts: Second Sunday in March at 2 a.m. (clocks move forward 1 hour).
• Ends: First Sunday in November at 2 a.m. (clocks move back 1 hour to standard time).

Most of Arizona and Hawaii, along with U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands to not observe DST.

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United Way of Northwest Louisiana is partnering with Entergy Louisiana to help eligible households manage rising household costs through a new utility bill assistance program. Beginning Wednesday, October 28, at 9 a.m., eligible Entergy Louisiana residential customers can apply for a one-time $100 credit toward their utility bill while funding remains available.

Funded through a $2 million investment from Entergy shareholder dollars, the statewide program is designed to help residential customers experiencing financial hardship, with priority given to ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. ALICE households earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic costs of living, including housing, food, transportation and utilities. This assistance is intended to help bridge the gap for working households who may not qualify for traditional assistance but still face challenges making ends meet.

For many families across Northwest Louisiana, rising costs can make it increasingly difficult to keep up with everyday expenses. Through this partnership, United Way of Northwest Louisiana will help connect eligible residents with available assistance and provide opportunities for in-person support throughout the region.

The program is available to eligible Entergy Louisiana residential customers in the following six Northwest Louisiana parishes:

Bienville
Claiborne
Natchitoches
Sabine

Applicants must complete an online application and provide a photo ID, along with income documentation for each income earner age 18 or older. Accepted documentation includes the first page of a 2025 tax return, 2025 W-2 forms, recent pay stubs, or qualifying Social Security Administration forms or benefit-determination letters.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, November 13, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon). Applicants should monitor their email regularly after submitting an application, as additional supporting documentation may be requested. All requested documentation must be received by Friday, November 20, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon). Documentation received after the deadline will not be considered.

Funding is limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee that assistance will be awarded.

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Early voting for the Nov. 3, 2026, election officially closed in Claiborne Parish on Tuesday, Oct. 27, with 2,445 ballots cast during the seven-day early voting period.

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s final early voting statistical report, 2,200 voters cast their ballots in person, while 245 absentee ballots were recorded.

With early voting now closed, voters who have not yet cast their ballots may vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their assigned polling locations.

Voter Demographics

The demographic breakdown for Claiborne Parish’s seven-day early voting period is as follows:

• Race: 1,413 White voters, 1,003 Black voters, and 29 voters identified as Other.
• Sex: 1,440 Female voters and 1,005 Male voters.

Party Affiliation

Republicans represented the largest turnout group during the early voting period:

• Republicans: 1,014
• Democrats: 980
• Other/Other Parties: 451 (448 No Party/Independent voters and 3 affiliated with other parties)

Final Seven-Day Early Voting Recap

With the seven-day early voting period complete, a total of 2,445 ballots were recorded in Claiborne Parish.

Category	Total
Total Votes	2,445
In-Person	2,200
Absentee	245
Republicans	1,014
Democrats	980
Other Parties	451

Note: The Other Parties category combines voters registered with no party affiliation and those registered with other political parties.

Election Day Information

Although early voting has ended, the election is not over.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Voters who have not already voted should report to their assigned Election Day polling locations, which may differ from early voting locations.

For eligible absentee voters, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Oct. 30, at 4:30 p.m. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the parish registrar of voters by Monday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m., except for certain military, overseas and other qualifying voters.

The 2,445 ballots reported represent Claiborne Parish’s recorded turnout through the close of early voting. Additional eligible absentee ballots may still be received before Election Day.

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HOMER, La. – The Town of Homer is inviting residents, business owners and community members to attend an informational meeting Wednesday, October 28, to learn about plans to improve traffic safety, accessibility and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure around the historic Homer Square.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. in the Town of Homer City Council Chambers and will focus on the community’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program.

Homer is one of only six Louisiana Main Street communities selected for the program, which provides specialized planning and technical assistance to help smaller communities develop transportation improvements and prepare for future infrastructure funding opportunities.

Through the program, participating communities receive expert guidance in identifying transportation challenges, developing improvement strategies and positioning themselves to pursue funding for larger projects.

In Homer, the primary focus will be on traffic safety and design improvements surrounding the downtown square.

The initiative aims to make the area safer and easier to navigate for motorists, pedestrians, shoppers and others who visit downtown businesses and public spaces.

Potential areas of planning include improving traffic flow, enhancing pedestrian accessibility and developing street designs that better accommodate the needs of residents and visitors.

The Town of Homer emphasized that community participation will be an important part of the planning process.

During the informational meeting, attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the Thriving Communities Program, hear about the proposed planning efforts, ask questions and share ideas for the future of downtown Homer.

Town officials are encouraging residents to attend and provide input on improvements they would like to see around the square.
Meeting Details:

Event: Thriving Communities Program Informational Meeting

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Town of Homer City Council Chambers

Admission: Open to the public

The meeting represents an opportunity for residents to participate in discussions about the future of Homer’s downtown transportation infrastructure and help identify priorities for creating a safer, more accessible community.

All interested residents and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

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CLAIBORNE PARISH, La. – The Homer Fire Department is reminding residents that a parish-wide burn ban prohibits outdoor burning throughout Claiborne Parish, including all incorporated towns, villages and unincorporated areas.

According to the department’s public safety notice, dry conditions have increased the risk of rapidly spreading fires, posing a threat to residents, homes, property and emergency responders.

The burn ban prohibits several types of outdoor burning, including:

Recreational fires in fire pits

Burning in barrels

Burning household trash

Burning leaves, limbs and other yard debris

The department warned that fines will be issued for violations of the burn ban. Individuals who start fires may also be held responsible for property damage resulting from those fires.

Fire officials emphasized that even a small spark can quickly develop into a dangerous situation under dry conditions, potentially placing nearby structures and residents at risk.

The warning applies throughout Claiborne Parish, regardless of whether a residence or property is located within municipal limits or in an unincorporated area.

Residents are urged to refrain from all prohibited outdoor burning and take precautions to prevent accidental fires until restrictions are lifted.

Anyone who discovers a fire or encounters a fire-related emergency should call 911 immediately.

The Homer Fire Department is also encouraging residents to share the warning with neighbors, family members and others throughout the parish to help prevent wildfires and protect the community.

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Volunteer firefighters with the Homer Fire Department and Claiborne Fire District 5 are being recognized for their dedication to professional development after completing extensive training and earning certifications through the Fire and Emergency Training Academy (FETA).

The continuing education initiative has been underway since October 2025, with several volunteer firefighters completing courses designed to strengthen their emergency response capabilities, technical knowledge and firefighting skills.

The Homer Fire Department recently highlighted five volunteers who have completed training in hazardous materials response, firefighting operations and fire investigation.

Firefighters recognized for their accomplishments include:

Tucker Harris: Hazardous Materials Awareness (8 hours), Hazardous Materials Operations (32 hours) and Firefighter I (400 hours).

Kacen Gantt: Hazardous Materials Operations (32 hours) and Firefighter I (400 hours).

Abby Rogers: Hazardous Materials Awareness (8 hours).

Will Strickland: Hazardous Materials Awareness (8 hours), Hazardous Materials Operations (32 hours) and Firefighter I (400 hours).

Justin Marsalis: Fire Investigator (76 hours).

The certifications represent a significant commitment of time and effort by the volunteers, who balance their firefighting responsibilities with the demands of specialized training.

Hazardous Materials Awareness training prepares firefighters to recognize potentially dangerous substances and identify appropriate safety precautions during emergencies. Hazardous Materials Operations training builds on that foundation by preparing responders to take defensive actions during hazardous materials incidents.

The 400-hour Firefighter I training program provides extensive instruction in fundamental firefighting skills, including fire suppression, rescue operations, protective equipment and emergency response procedures.

Fire Investigator training focuses on examining fire scenes and understanding methods used to investigate the origin and cause of fires.

Continuing education is an important component of maintaining effective emergency services, particularly in rural communities where volunteer firefighters play a critical role in protecting residents, businesses and property.

The training accomplishments reflect the commitment of Homer Fire Department and Claiborne Fire District 5 personnel to improving their readiness and providing professional emergency response services throughout their communities.

The Homer Fire Department congratulated the volunteers on their hard work and dedication, recognizing the time they have invested in developing skills that benefit the residents they serve.

The department’s recognition also highlights the importance of ongoing training and cooperation among local fire service organizations in strengthening public safety across Claiborne Parish.

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CLAIBORNE PARISH, La. – Claiborne Parish residents can expect warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies through Thursday before increasing cloud cover brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Afternoon temperatures will generally range from the lower to middle 80s, with overnight lows in the 50s and near 60 degrees.

Rain chances will begin Friday night and continue intermittently through Monday.

Wednesday: Sunny skies are expected with a high near 85 degrees. Winds will be calm before becoming southerly around 5 mph.

Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 52 degrees and calm winds.

Thursday: Another sunny and warm day is expected with a high near 85 degrees. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 56 degrees.

Friday: Increasing cloud cover will bring partly sunny skies and a high near 80 degrees. A 30 percent chance of showers will develop Friday night, mainly after 1 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 58 degrees.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy conditions are expected with a slight chance of showers early, followed by a greater chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. The high will reach near 81 degrees, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation. Saturday night will remain mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and a low around 58 degrees.

Sunday: Partly sunny skies are forecast with a high near 84 degrees. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and a low around 60 degrees.

Monday: Mostly sunny skies are expected with a high near 86 degrees. A 20 percent chance of showers will remain in the forecast.

The greatest chance of rainfall during the forecast period will occur Saturday afternoon, when scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop. Residents planning outdoor activities over the weekend should remain aware of changing weather conditions.

Source: National Weather Service

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CLAIBORNE PARISH, La. – With Halloween approaching, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Sam Dowies is encouraging families to take precautions to help keep children safe while trick-or-treating.

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office recently shared a series of safety recommendations from the National Neighborhood Watch program aimed at preventing common accidents and potential dangers associated with Halloween activities.

Sheriff Dowies emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety, costume visibility, adult supervision and planning ahead before children begin visiting neighborhoods.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends the following Halloween safety tips:

Walk, don’t run: Remind children to walk on sidewalks whenever possible or near the edge of the roadway when sidewalks are unavailable.

Avoid distractions: Parents and guardians should remain attentive and avoid distractions, including cell phones, while supervising children.

Increase visibility: Make costumes easier for motorists to see by adding reflective tape, glow bracelets, glow sticks, lights or other visible accessories.

Choose safe costumes: Ensure costumes are fire-resistant and fit properly to reduce the risk of trips, falls and other injuries.

Consider face paint instead of masks: Makeup and face paint can provide an alternative to masks that may obstruct a child’s vision.

Inspect Halloween candy: Parents should examine all treats collected by children and discard any items that are not properly sealed.

Stay outside residences: Remind children to remain in front of homes distributing candy and never enter a residence.

Establish a separation plan: Families should discuss what children should do if they become separated from their parents or guardians during Halloween activities.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to review these precautions with their children before heading out for Halloween festivities.

By taking a few simple steps and remaining alert throughout the evening, families can help reduce the risk of accidents and ensure children enjoy a safer trick-or-treating experience.

Halloween will be observed Saturday, October 31.

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Local readership creates opportunities for businesses, organizations and community events across Louisiana

Every day, residents throughout Northwest and Central Louisiana turn to their Parish Journals to find out what’s happening in their communities.

They read about local government, schools, high school sports, community activities, public announcements and the people who make their hometowns special.

Some arrive through their free email subscriptions. Others have bookmarked their favorite Journal and visit directly. Still others discover articles through internet searches or social media.

Regardless of how they arrive, these readers share something important: An interest in the communities their Parish Journals serve.

And among those readers are business owners, managers, professionals, nonprofit leaders and people responsible for promoting local events.

Many may not have considered that the same Parish Journal they read for local news can also help introduce their business or organization to potential customers and supporters.

Local Readers Are an Important Audience

The Parish Journals of Louisiana operate 16 digital publications serving 17 parishes across Northwest and Central Louisiana.

During the seven weeks ending Sept. 30, 2026, the network recorded more than 2.3 million articles read, averaging approximately 333,000 article reads each week.

Those numbers represent actual reading activity, not simply the number of times a social media post appeared on someone’s screen.

More importantly, each Journal serves readers interested in a particular Louisiana community.

For a local business, that distinction matters.

A business in Winn Parish may want to reach people interested in Winn Parish. A business serving several neighboring parishes may benefit from advertising across multiple Journals.

The Parish Journals provide opportunities for both.

No Paywall. No Paygate.

Readers never have to pay to open an article in the Parish Journals.

There are no paywalls or paygates, and email subscriptions are free.

That means an article can be shared with a friend, neighbor, customer or family member without requiring the recipient to purchase access.

Local advertising helps support this free and accessible approach to community news.

An Opportunity Worth Considering

Businesses have always needed ways to introduce their products and services to prospective customers.

Nonprofit organizations need to communicate their missions and programs. Community events need attendance. Public organizations need to reach the people they serve.

The Parish Journals offer advertising opportunities designed around the communities those organizations want to reach.

And for many business owners, the introduction to the Parish Journals has already happened.

They are readers themselves.

The next time you open your Parish Journal to catch up on local news, consider something else:

The publication helping you stay connected to your community may also be able to help your community discover your business.

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AN OPEN LETTER: Celebrating Community, Culture and Dolly Parton in Natchitoches

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Week Eight of the 2026 high school football season brought two decisive victories and one loss for Claiborne Parish teams Friday, October 23.

Haynesville continued its winning streak with a shutout victory over Lincoln Preparatory School, while Homer delivered an impressive performance against previously unbeaten Green Oaks. Claiborne Academy fell to River Oaks in its latest contest.

Haynesville Shuts Out Lincoln Prep, 53-0

The Haynesville Golden Tornado continued its strong season Friday night, defeating Lincoln Preparatory School 53-0.

Haynesville took control early, building a commanding lead during the first half and forcing a running clock before halftime.

The Golden Tornado capitalized on several Lincoln Prep mistakes, including a mishandled snap that resulted in a defensive touchdown. Haynesville also benefited from favorable field position and continued to find success on the ground.

By halftime, Haynesville had established a 46-0 advantage. The Golden Tornado added another touchdown on its opening possession of the third quarter to complete the shutout.

The victory marked Haynesville’s sixth consecutive win following its season-opening loss to Ouachita Christian.

Haynesville will return home Friday, October 30, to face Cedar Creek.

Homer Hands Previously Unbeaten Green Oaks a 40-8 Loss

The Homer Pelicans delivered one of their strongest performances of the season Friday night, defeating Green Oaks 40-8.

Green Oaks entered the matchup undefeated, but Homer controlled the scoreboard and held the G-Men to just eight points.

The victory provided a significant boost for a Homer team that had faced several close losses earlier in the season. Three of the Pelicans’ five previous defeats had been decided by one possession.

Homer’s 32-point margin of victory highlighted the team’s ability to compete against a previously unbeaten opponent as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

Claiborne Parish Week Eight Football Results

Friday’s games produced the following results:

Haynesville Golden Tornado: Defeated Lincoln Prep, 53-0, improving to 6-1.

Homer Pelicans: Defeated Green Oaks, 40-8, improving to 3-5.

Claiborne Academy Rebels: Lost to River Oaks, 46-16, falling to 4-4.

Looking Ahead to Week Nine

Haynesville and Homer will return to their home fields Friday, October 30, as the regular season enters its final two weeks.

Haynesville is scheduled to host Cedar Creek, while Homer will welcome Plain Dealing. Both teams will look to build on their Week Eight performances.

Claiborne Academy completed its published regular-season schedule against River Oaks on October 23. Any additional postseason games will depend on the Rebels’ playoff status.

With Haynesville riding a six-game winning streak and Homer coming off consecutive victories, both public school programs will look to finish the regular season on a strong note.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is preparing for the state’s third annual Louisiana Black Bear Hunt, scheduled for December 5-20, with mandatory training sessions for hunters selected through the state’s hunting tag lottery.

A total of 22 successful lottery applicants attended a training session Thursday evening at the LDWF office in Lafayette, where wildlife officials reviewed hunting regulations, safety procedures and techniques for harvesting Louisiana black bears.

LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks and Large Carnivore Biologist Johnny Berry led the training, providing participants with information about the regulations governing this year’s hunt.

The session also covered hunting strategies, preparations necessary to safely harvest a bear, and proper techniques for skinning and cleaning harvested animals.

In addition to the instructional portion of the program, participants had an opportunity to sample bear meat prepared as sliders and tacos.

According to LDWF, a total of 42 hunting tags were issued for the 2026 season, providing hunting opportunities across all seven of Louisiana’s designated bear areas.

The mandatory training is part of the state’s preparation process for hunters selected to participate in the regulated black bear hunt.

Officials emphasized that the sessions are reserved exclusively for successful lottery applicants and are not open to the general public.

The upcoming hunt marks the third consecutive year Louisiana has conducted a regulated black bear hunting season.

Hunters and residents interested in learning more about the program, including lottery procedures and hunting requirements, can visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website for additional information.

For more information: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

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Last week we broke the sad news that co-anglers no longer have a place to call home since Major League Fishing decided to eliminate co-anglers all across their tournament circuits.

Today, I want to talk about a couple of co-anglers I drew out in both the BFL’s and the Toyota Series. Like anything else, you can get a good one or a bad one depending on the co-angler you draw.

I can honestly say that most of the co-anglers I drew over time were great people. Not always good anglers, but 90 percent were really good folks who I have become friends with.

Then there are co-anglers I wish had never gotten into my boat! Let’s focus on those. The first one that comes to mind was a gentleman who was paired up with me years ago on Sam Rayburn.

While I try not to judge people (until I see them) this was one angler who was not the picture of health and was not looking to be on the front cover of GQ magazine.

This guy weighed 350 pounds plus, if he weighed an ounce. He had all kinds of health issues and notified me that he had major lower back issues while we waited for take-off on Day 1 of the tournament. He told me he needed surgery and was just putting it off.

One hour into the tournament I needed to make a long run up the lake to a group of fish I had found in practice. The problem was that the wind was blowing out of the north at 20 miles per hour. If you know Sam Rayburn, that means a rough ride!

As I headed across the lake in three-foot rollers, my co-angler, through high-pitched moaning and groaning, decided he could not make that kind of run. I then shut down the boat and told him he had two choices, either suck it up and make the run or I could drop him off back at the boat ramp and he could go home.

Before you think I’m being a little insensitive, the problem with this situation is that there’s a tournament rule that states an angler cannot handicap another angler in the boat. He was penalizing me by not allowing me to run the lake like I needed to in order to compete.

After a short phone call to the tournament director, the decision was made for me to drop him off at the ramp. While I really hated this, because I never had to kick anyone out of my boat before, it was obvious that he was in no kind of physical shape to be fishing bass tournaments.

My next bad co-angler was a gentleman who I was paired with on Day 2 of the National Championship on Red River. The Red River has been very good to me over the years, and I was actually in position to win this event, sitting in the top 5 after Day 1.

The co-angler I drew was from Tennessee and had at least 15 cups of coffee before he got into my boat that morning. This guy was so wound up and excited to fish on Day 2 but had never done that well in tournaments before.

He literally walked so much on the back deck of my boat that I thought he was going to wear a hole in my carpet. It only got worse after we left the dock that morning. My first stop was on the main river in a spot where I had caught at least a three-pounder three days in a row.

Let me back up and explain a rule that existed in this event. The rule stated that at no time may a co-angler make a cast in front of the boat or past the pro/boater during the tournament without permission from the pro/boater.

So now that you know the rule, the rest of this will make total sense to you. As I fished my first spot and caught the three-pounder, my co-angler decided he would throw past the front of the boat into the exact spot!

As I was putting the fish in my live well, I noticed him set the hook and pull a four-pound bass off the spot I was fishing. The only way he could fish this spot was to throw past the front of the boat, which was a rules violation.

Being the nice guy that I am, while fuming, I reminded him of the rule and requested he not do that again. He apologized profusely and said he wouldn’t do it again. So, I forgave and forgot and moved on to my next spot just off the main river.

When we arrived, after making three casts, I caught another quality bass on a spinnerbait going down the backside of a rock jetty. While I was boating this fish, my co-angler decided to make a cast past the front of the boat — AGAIN! He caught another bass that was a keeper.

Trying to be nice, I once more reminded him of the rule. The problem was that he was working off a caffeine high and was totally out of control with his actions and his emotions.

Then it all came to a head about 15 minutes later when I hooked another good fish on a Texas rigged worm and as I was fighting this bass, I noticed him throw a bait past my head and in front of the boat! At this point, I’m done with this idiot who obviously could care less about the rules, so I took things into my own hands…literally!

While fighting my fish, I simply reached up, grabbed his fishing line, and bit it in half, which cost him his favorite crankbait! He exploded and could not believe that I actually did that. I looked at him while putting my fish in the live well and in a very calm voice I told him that he had two choices.

“You can keep throwing in front of the boat if you want, but understand this, I will not sign your weigh slip at the weigh-in which means you’ll be disqualified from the tournament. Or you can quit casting past the front of the boat the rest of the day. Your choice, Slick!”

Let’s just say the last four hours of this event were extremely quiet, and he did not speak five words the rest of the day. I guess some guys are just slow learners and have no regards for the rules. But I was more disappointed when I didn’t get a Christmas card from him.

Despite these two bad apples, I have overwhelmingly enjoyed the vast majority of my co-anglers. The old BFL format will be missed now that it’s a team trail and will leave a void in the sport especially for the weekend warrior.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Halloween event combines historic driving tour, poker competition, and toy drive benefiting children through CASA

ARCADIA, La. – History, horsepower, and holiday giving will come together Saturday, October 31, 2026, for the First Annual Bonnie and Clyde Poker Run and Toy Drive at Henderson Jordan Memorial Park in Arcadia.

Co-organized by local author and historian Brad Dison and CASA, the event will take participants on a scenic drive of approximately 85 miles through Bienville Parish, including locations associated with the notorious outlaw couple Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

Dison, author of The Trap: The Untold Story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the Final Pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde, hopes to combine the area’s unique history with an opportunity to help children during the upcoming Christmas season.

Participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy. CASA will handle the distribution of the donated toys to children in need.

The poker run is open to all street-legal vehicles, including classic cars, modern cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Participants will collect playing cards at seven stops along the route, with prizes awarded for the best poker hand.

Registration is $20 per vehicle plus a new, unwrapped toy. Additional poker hands are available for $10 each. The winning poker hand will receive 50 percent of the entry fees. The event will also feature a door prize drawing and a 50/50 raffle.

Registration will take place from 8 until 10 a.m. at Henderson Jordan Memorial Park, with the first vehicle departing at 10 a.m.

The event offers participants an opportunity to explore the history of Bienville Parish, enjoy a leisurely drive through the Louisiana countryside and support a worthwhile cause.

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